Water damage can cause major mold and mildew problems in your home. If you live in a humid area, make sure to get your water damage inspection done as soon as possible. A water damage inspection can save you money, headache, and even your health! There are many ways to do an inspection on your own, but there are specific techniques that are recommended for water damage cleanup.
Ways to Inspect Your Home For Water Damage
- The first step in doing a water damage inspection is to check for any visible water stains, leaks, or discoloration. This is a critical step, since visible water damage often indicates more severe water damage. Check all outlets for water lines and shut-off valves, as well as your furnace, hot water heater, dishwasher, and even toilets. The presence of visible water damage does not always mean that you have more serious water damage. In fact, many cases of mildew and mold can be seen without water damage.
- After inspecting the exterior of your home, the next step in water damage restoration is to check for structural damage. Examine the foundation, floors, walls, and roof. If you do not see structural damage on these surfaces, this is another good indicator that you can clean up yourself. If you see structural damage, call in a professional water damage restoration company. Otherwise, this step may require doing some DIY water damage restoration.
- Next, it is time to check out the ventilation in your home. There should be no leaks or gaps in the walls, windows, doors, or ceiling. Your water damage inspection report should also indicate if there is any water damage caused by condensation. This can occur due to poor insulation, improper drying techniques, and improper window coverings. If your water damage inspection report indicates condensation, you will need to hire a water damage restoration specialist to conduct an effective water extraction. While some condensation is perfectly normal, water damage extraction should only be conducted by trained professionals.
- The next step in water damage restoration is to observe the condition of your electrical system. It is important to know how your utilities are being shut off and on. If your home has two separate utilities (roof and water), it is important to know exactly which utility is in control. For example, water can shut off the water main before the power is cut off by the roof, while gas can be shut off from the water main before the gas tank runs dry. If you do not know the order in which you should shut off your utilities, it is a good idea to hire a water damage inspection service to come out and inspect your system.
Emergency water damage cleanup is the quickest way to restore your home to its original condition. When water damage occurs on drywall, wood framing, or other similar materials, immediate action is necessary to prevent further damage. The initial step is to prevent water from entering the building by sealing off all doors and windows. Once the doors and windows are sealed, the interior of the house can be treated to remove water. After the interior is restored to its original condition, the exterior can be treated to prevent water damage again
Determining What is the Cause Water Damage
- Once you have determined which utility is in charge, take some time to thoroughly clean up any surfaces that could become contaminated. This is especially important if you believe you water damage restoration company will be working around water. Do this before any work begins. Make sure all surfaces are completely dry, including window sills, ceiling fans, and fans. If you do not make sure these surfaces are completely dry when the inspection is taking place, you may accidentally allow mold to form and release harmful spores into the air. This will also create dangerous fumes that can affect your health if you are exposed to them for a prolonged period of time.
- When you have completed your water damage inspection and cleaning process, it is time to initiate repairs. You should either call up your water damage restoration services company or rent a wrecking machine for the job. If your company is not available, it is best to just use a wrecking machine as it is much easier to use than a water damage restoration services truck. To ensure optimum results, you should hire an experienced water damage restoration services company; one that has the proper equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Water damage repair companies will have high-powered water damage restoration machines that can easily remove wallpaper, drenched carpet, and remove water stains and mold from affected areas. A water damage restoration services company will also have the proper safety equipment on hand to prevent the risk of water damage from spreading to other areas of the home or business.
- After the water damage restoration process has been completed, call your water damage insurance company, and submit a claim. Depending on the amount of coverage you have, your water damage restoration company may offer to pay for the water extraction cost out of their pocket. If they cannot pay this cost, then your water damage insurance company may provide coverage to offset these expenses; it is just important to remember that your water damage insurance company will likely require you to submit a claim form with them in order to make these payments.
Types of Water Damage Inspections
- For the foundation, the water damage inspection is usually called for by water damage restoration contractors. If the water damage is not contained by these contractors, the foundation can collapse. In this case, the damage would be extensive and extremely expensive. Many water damage restoration contractors are available and have extensive experience in finding and removing water damaged foundations.
- The second type of water damage inspection is more thorough than the first. This second method involves assessing only areas of water damage. Wet areas will be marked with moist patches and will be retained for later stages of the restoration process. These will be sprayed with mold killer and allowed to dry. Specialists can also use ultraviolet light to kill any mildew or mold spores that may remain.
- The third type of water damage inspection deals with the moisture content of the building. If a building experiences excessive water damage or neglect the moisture may escape through the structure. The special inspector will use equipment to check for leaks or areas of the building that may have been compromised by water. These inspections are extremely detailed and need to be completed quickly in order to prevent further damage.