Any repair or cleanup effort would be wasted if we didn't fix the source of the problem first, so our team prioritizes halting any further damage by resolving the principle issue. Once we know what the problem is, we take the necessary steps to fix it. You can trust our experts to repair any water issue.

WHAT IS A WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION SERVICE?

A water damage restoration service will provide you with services that will help restore any of your property that has been damaged by water to its condition beforehand. Water damage to items can be caused by many different sources such as; broken pipes, frozen pipes, flooding from a storm, appliances that malfunction, sewage backup, overflowing sinks, overflowing bathtubs, or toilets that overflow.

At one point or another everyone will likely experience some type of water damage to their home and will need to contact a water damage restoration service for help. Unless you are lucky enough to avoid tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, and can ensure that your faucets and pipes, as well as your appliances, are always functioning appropriately, chances are you will experience some type of water damage during your lifetime. Water damage is almost a certainty.

Self-Clean-up

 In many cases, you will be able to perform water damage restoration cleanup by yourself. However, there are going to be times when you want to call in a water damage restoration service for help. If there is major damage that will require a lot of work to clean up or if there is rebuilding to be completed, a restoration service will be able to do the work for you quickly and efficiently.

If the water damage was caused by sewage it is important to contact a water damage restoration service for cleanup as this type of water damage can cause black mold, which is extremely toxic.

When cleaning up water damage on your own it is important to make sure that all of the water has been eliminated from the home. Contacting the IICRC to find a water damage specialist in your area is a good place to start. If the water damage is near appliances or electrical outlets, you should definitely call in a specialist to avoid any type of electrocution.

How a Restoration Service can Help

 A water damage restoration service should be contacted as quickly as possible after water damage has occurred. When moisture, oxygen, and mold spores are combined mold can begin growing. This growth can occur within just 2 days after water damage. Mold can cause all types of health issues including allergies, some of the health issues can even be deadly. In addition, mold can cause damage to the structure of your home if left over time. It is important to prevent the growth of mold from the start to help save you from future health issues or expensive home reconstruction.

Water Extraction

The first thing that a water damage restoration service will do is evaluate the problem and then begin the water extraction process. During this process, all of the water will be removed from the area. Furniture, carpet, and other items in the area will be removed so that they can be cleaned and dried as well as repaired if necessary. Most companies will haul away any items that are too damaged for restoration.

Structural Drying

Once everything is removed and the majority of the water has been extracted, the next step will be to make sure that the structure is dry. Heavy duty fans will be placed strategically throughout the home to make sure that everything is as dry as possible. Water spreads quickly to every small nook and cranny of a home, which is why this drying process is extremely important.

Cleaning

Once everything is dry, the next step by the water damage restoration service will be to clean everything. During the cleaning process steps will be taken to prevent mold growth. Every area of the home that had water damage will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. This will help prevent any mold from growing and will also remove any lingering odors that may have been caused by the excess water.

Restoration Process

The final step will be the restoration process. This may include rebuilding any structures such as walls or floors. Every restoration process is different and depends on the amount of damage that was caused by the water.

Time is of the Utmost Importance

 When your home or business has any type of water damage it is important to remember that time is important. The more quickly you act after the water damage has occurred the better. As time goes on the cost of water damage repair will go up because of the damages will become worse and mold is likely to start growing.

Calling a water damage restoration serviceright away can save you money, time, and possibly your health.

FOR EMERGENCY WATER EXTRACTION CLICK TO CALL
 

Maintaining your home in great condition is your biggest responsibility as its owner. Throughout your stay in your property, you’ll encounter numerous challenges. You’ll have to deal with appliance repairs, spend money for a remodeling project, or protect your home against disasters.

Water damage is one of the most challenging problems that you can ever face as a homeowner. If water damage is left unchecked and untreated, it can pose several health risks for your family members and weaken your home’s structural integrity. 

Causes Of Water Damage

Have you noticed a puddle of water building up in your kitchen?  Are your ceiling and walls dripping water?  It can be challenging to find the source of water damage as it can originate from various places. But, one thing’s for certain: one or multiple structures of your home have incurred damage.

Water damage can either come from the outside or inside. Water damage from the outside is mostly caused by flood water entering your home because of ruined home structures that can’t function properly anymore. Some examples include:

• Clogged gutter and downspout
• Unsealed siding
• Damaged chimneys and roof
• Leaky windows and doors

Meanwhile, interior water damage usually stems from leaks and cracks on your appliances, fixtures, and systems, such as:

• Faulty plumbing work
• Leaking appliances, like water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher
• Cracked, warped, or split tile flooring
• Leaking kitchen and bathroom fixtures, like sink, bathtub, and shower

Since you regularly use most of these parts of your home, it should be easier for you to detect these problems. Once you notice the smallest signs of water damage in your home, don’t hesitate to call water damage restoration experts closest to your location, such as Express Damage Restoration

Categories Of Water Damage

How can you start the restoration without having any significant information about the water damage?  To assess the severity of water damage, the Institute of International Cleaning and Restoration Certification (ICCRC) established three categories of water damage:

•  Category 1 Water Damage (‘Fresh’ Water): The water comes from sanitary, potable sources fit for human use and consumption. These sources may include compromised sprinkler systems, damaged supply lines, rain, and meltwater.
• Category 2 Water Damage (‘Gray’ Water): The second category refers to sources with significant contamination of biological and chemical matter, which can potentially cause discomfort and sickness.
• Category 3 Water Damage (‘Black’ Water): Lastly, this water damage category is characterized by unacceptable, grossly contaminated water containing toxigenic and pathogenic agents.

Basically, these categories determine how contaminated the water involved in the damage is. Separating them into categories make for a better sewage cleanup, flood damage repair, and water mitigation.

Water damage can escalate into a higher category if not resolved quickly, which increases the consequences one may suffer. Check out this video on how professionals handle a water damage issue without being too harsh on the home.

Dangers Of Water Damage

• Here are the negative impacts of water damage to your life and property:
• slippery floors can cause accidents, like slips and falls, leading to injuries
• Respiratory and skin irritations due to mold growth
• Pest infestations that feed on mold and damaged structures
• Costly repairs and replacements
• Emotional and mental trauma, especially for children and senior relatives
• Weakening of home’s structural stability

Dealing With Water Damage

Take note of this guide on proper water damage restoration in your home. This guide is applicable to most common water damage scenarios, from natural disasters to faulty appliances.

Stage 1: Ensuring Safety And Prevention Of Further Damage

First of all, recognize that you’re working in a wet environment, a significant electrical hazard. Before entering the wet area or touching any wet structure, check if there’s any electrical damage. Much better, turn off all electric and gas systems. Look out for structural damages as well.

Additionally, keep your other household items safe with these tips:

• If water damage originates from your water supply lines, confirm with your water service provider if the water is safe, potable, and uncontaminated.
• Remove all carpeting, bedding, and furniture to be cleaned, dried, or discarded.
• Open walls damaged with water to prevent mold growth and structural decay. Dry all other materials, like baseboards and paneling.

Stage 2: Drying Damaged And Wet Structures

If you’ve been experiencing prolonged water damage, such as long-term flooding, or you just recently discovered your leaking sink, chances are fixtures and structures could be drenched in water. Some of them may still be salvaged, but it’s the best time to say goodbye to completely ruined structures.

Check out these tips for each structure and material:

• Subflooring: Submerged oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood will more likely swell and separate. The damaged parts should be up for replacement.
• Wood Flooring: Remove each board carefully to prevent buckling. The flooring should be cleaned and dry before repairs and replacements.
• Tile And Sheet Flooring: If the flooring is made of concrete, it would be better to dry it as it is. If water has entered loose flooring sheets, remove and dry them.
• Painted Walls, Floors, And Woodwork: Mold can easily spread in wet, humid surfaces, so you’ll have to prioritize cleaning and drying them ASAP. You can use dehumidifiers, heaters, fans, or desiccants to speed up their drying.
• Furniture: Take out your furniture and eliminate their mud and dirt first. Furniture with drawers and containers should be removed and cleaned individually. Use the right commercial cleaning products for cleaning your furniture. 
• Equipment And Appliances: Take extra time in checking and ensuring that your equipment and appliances are completely dry and no components are compromised. If you’re unsure, it would be better to seek professional help.

Now that your structures have completely dried, it’s time for planning the repairs and replacements of all damaged parts. Generally, if you think that something should be discarded due to extreme water damage, then you probably should.

Takeaway

Water damage restoration is a difficult and costly home emergency to tackle, but it’ll absolutely save you from worsened damage and health consequences. Worse, your water damage restoration project can be even more difficult to carry out if the damage is severe and has spread to various parts of your home.

If you know that you can’t handle the entire restoration project by yourself, know that water damage restoration experts are one call away. Also, you can use this guide to make the restoration or replacement project a lot more seamless, convenient, and safer.

What Determines the Cost of Water Damage Restoration?

These are the main factors that determine the cost of water restoration.

• Source of Water:
  It costs more to clean up a sewage backup than water from a supply line.
• Amount of Water:
  More water usually means more damage and higher restoration costs. 
• Size of Area:
  It costs more to repair several rooms than just one. 
• Length of Time:
  Water causes more damage the longer it sits, which drives up restoration costs.
• If There is Mold:
  Since water causes mold, it will increase the cost of restoration.
• Amount of Reconstruction:
  The amount of reconstruction and the materials involved will also increase costs as well.

Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Most home insurance policies will cover the cost of water damage as long as it was from a sudden accident. However, water from storms or hurricanes is usually not covered. Our specialists know how to work with insurance companies and claims adjusters. If you have water in your home, they can help you with filing a claim or even bill your insurance company directly.

Why Hire a Restoration Company?

By hiring a water restoration company, you know that your home is properly cleaned up after any type of water accident or disaster.. We have trained and certified specialists near you to remove the water and fix the damage. For emergency water damage restoration service, call now to talk with our on-call specialist near you.

Are you prepared for a water damage emergency? It can happen to your multi-family complex, commercial building, or home at any time. Severe weather, ruptured pipes, hidden leaky faucets, or sprinkler system mishaps can cause thousands of dollars of damage in the blink of an eye. Remember, the damage is not always in plain sight, it is important to call a professional if you experience any of these issues. When it is time for a professional opinion, here are 5 tips for choosing the right water damage restoration company.

1. Check the Company’s Availability.

When it comes to water damage — time is of the essence. Find a water restoration company that has 24/7 availability. If you don’t have an emergency yet, it is a good idea to build a contingency plan with a company that will be on standby in case you encounter any water damage mishaps.

2. Ask What Equipment will be Used for Your Restoration Project.

Research what equipment the water restoration company is using. The proper moisture-detection, extracting, drying, and dehumidification equipment is critical for a proper restoration. When the proper practices and equipment are used, it can accelerate the rate of restoration, and tackle your water and moisture issue before it becomes a mold issue. Advanced equipment can even restore personal property such as documents, artwork, photographs, or family heirlooms.

3. Find a Company with Licensed and Trained Professionals.

It is important to evaluate how long the company has been in business and if it is growing. A company that is showing growth and has been in the restoration business for a long time, is likely to be full of quality workers with a great amount of large water restoration projects already under their belt. Additionally, look at their reviews. A company is less likely to hire technicians that are not licensed or prepared for a restoration project if they have a reputation of quality to protect.

4. They Will Help You with the Insurance Claims Process.

Find a professional that will be able to help you with your insurance claim more than you can help yourself. By fully understanding the extent of your water damage and filing the claim in a timely manner, the right restoration company will help you get the most out of your insurance and find ways to complete the project if there are any issues.

5. Your Account Executive Regularly Keeps in Contact with You About Your Business.

Choosing a company that keeps you updated on new practices in the industry, is the company you want to have on standby. A company that actively reminds you that they are there for you, will ultimately be there as soon as you need them.