Water damage restoration is a term used by professionals to describe the process of cleaning damage within your home caused by water. Simple as that. It can also be known as:
No matter what you choose to call it, it is definitely a pain in the butt for anyone experiencing it. But, not to worry, there are professionals out there that can provide restoration for water damage and have your house looking and feeling like new in no time.
- Water removal.
- Water mitigation.
- Water extraction.
- Flood cleanup.
Let’s take a look at water damage restoration terms summed up:
Water Removal & Water Extraction – this is just as it sounds. Removing the water from the area that has been damaged is the first step to restoration. Water extraction refers to the extraction of water in an outside environment. Professionals have specialized equipment that is designed to remove large amounts of water, such as commercial-grade dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers.
Water Remediation – this is the equivalent of restoration for water damage. It consists of the complete process of water cleanup, like total water removal, drying water-damaged structures and items, and then moving them back into place.
Water Mitigation – this is the process of reversing damage or even preventing damage caused by water inside the building. It is described as the entire cleaning process.
Flood Cleanup – this is when water from outside has moved into the structure of the building. This could be caused by extreme rain storms or runoff from melting snow. Flood water is considered contaminated and will require a professional cleaning service to remove the water, sanitize, and effectively dry the area to prevent mold growth.
After water extraction is when the restoration of water damage truly begins. Here is a play-by-play of what the steps look like and what you can expect:
Additional Water Extraction – portable extractors will remove excess water soaked into the carpet, which should be deemed salvageable. If not, the carpet may need to be replaced altogether.
Debris Removal and Demolition – any items or damaged structures to the home will need to be removed or demolished for reconstruction — things like drywall, warped frames, carpeting, etc.
Final Dry Out – a professional contractor will have industrial fans that will dry your carpets in no time. They will also use dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air. With the proper equipment, it is not uncommon for items that have water damage to dry out within a matter of a few days.
Antimicrobial Application – where there is water, mold growth is possible. Mold can begin to grow as quickly as within 24 hours. A professional who knows their way around this unfortunate possibility can apply antimicrobials that will prevent mold growth or eliminate existing mold spores.
Contents Restoration – your home is full of things you love and treasure, and you’ll want to salvage any items you can. There are restoration technologies that can save the things you love that may have been damaged by water. This includes photo albums, clothes, electronics, textiles, and more.
Reconstruction – the final step involves testing your belongings’ moisture levels and dryness and the house’s structure, including plumbing, drywall, electrical, etc. A professional restoration company can help walk you through this process.
Another significant thing to keep in mind is how insurance will be involved:
One thing that every homeowner knows is that insurance policies vary greatly. Hence, it is imperative to read through them thoroughly to understand the ins and outs of every aspect. Then, talk with your agent to know precisely what is salvageable and non-salvageable in the event of water damage in your home.
There are two types of coverage: replacement cost value (RCV), which covers non-salvageable items. Or you could only have coverage for the actual cash value (ACV). When calculated, ACV = RCV – depreciation. In short, read your entire policy to know what is and is not covered.
When it comes to insurance, most companies will push to salvage as many items as possible that have been exposed to water damage. Unfortunately, that does not always mean that you will be happy with the cleaning outcome of your items in the end. Water damage can lead to mold, which can be almost impossible to remove from certain items, such as textiles, carpets, soft goods, plastic, and other porous materials, including components inside electronics that have come in contact with moisture.
Moisture can sneak its slinky particles into small absorbing areas and call them home. Mold can cause severe damage to your home structure and the items within, making them trash-worthy.
We all have things in our homes that we treasure and would stop at nothing to clean them after water damage. However, there are a few things that you should aim to do in the aftermath of water damage to your home:
- Notify your insurance company immediately. Also, notify any vendors or contractors with your water-damaged property and inform them that you want to keep items from the property once you have inspected the entire situation.
- Wear appropriate safety clothing and equipment while inspecting your property.
- Remove all non-salvageable items from the premises.
- Perform test samples on items before cleaning anything that may be considered salvageable.
- Once the items have been tested and returned, if they have failed the inspection, as in you can still see stains, fabric has become thin, color changes, holes in the material, warped beams, or the presence of mold is still apparent. It would be best to alert your insurance agent to negotiate the declaration of more property being deemed non-salvageable.
Now that you’ve got an idea of the ins and outs of water damage restoration, it is time to find the right company to help you restore your home to its original, non-water-damaged state. Not to worry, Western Disaster Clean Up has got your back. Contact us today and let us help clean up any water damage to your property and any treasured belongings you want to be cleaned and restored.
