When residential water damage occurs, most homeowners assume that they will be responsible for all costs associated with the residential water damage restoration process. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. The water company will often bill the homeowner, even though they will have done most of the work. The homeowner then must make their way through the red tape of their homeowner’s insurance policy and then deal with the company.
Steps in Residential Water Damage Restorations
- The first step is to remove any affected items and dry out any areas that have become saturated. Depending on the severity of the problem, this could include tearing down carpet or removing furniture. It is then necessary to remove all potentially dangerous or hazardous items. This could include carpet or padding, heating systems, electrical equipment and mold remediation.
- Depending on the severity of the situation, residential remediation companies recommend using professional cleaners, steam cleaners, disinfectants and/or bleach-based cleaners. It is generally recommended to use disinfectant products with specific disinfectant concentration for areas that were exposed to excessive moisture. This will typically include the attic and the kitchen or bathroom, as these are the most likely areas that have been penetrated by water.
- After the restoration work is completed, the next step is to repair any areas that sustained the most damage. Depending on the severity of the flood, it may be necessary to replace flooring, install new flooring, caulking, and sealing. In addition, it may be necessary to add insulation to prevent further damage. When looking at flooded areas, a residential water damage restoration contractor would look for any signs of structural damage, cracks, water stains, mold growth, or structural buckling.
- It is important to repair any areas that have sustained the most water damage and to check all areas to make sure that everything has dried out completely. It is also important to check any areas of the home that were saturated for any mold remediation needs. It may be necessary to hire a mold remediation company to conduct a mold assessment and to clean up any mold that is found.
What Does Water Damage Restoration Removal Include
Water damage can ruin the livable quality of your home. It can leave walls damaged, mold growing in damp spaces, and cause your belongings and appliances to become tainted. In order to prevent more damage from occurring, it is necessary to understand the best way to handle a flood situation in your home. A residential water damage restoration service can give you advice about what to do with a home flood. There are many options available when it comes to mold remediation and water damage restoration services.
When there is a residential flood, residential water damage restoration usually follows the same guidelines as with residential flooding. However, the process is much different because of the location of the affected area. The area must be isolated until all of the standing water is removed. Water removal is most difficult and expensive when it comes to pipes located in an underground structure.
In addition to the structural damage caused by water, mold remediation is also an issue to address. If the sewage has been cleaned up and the area is dry, the next step is to determine if people are exposed to high levels of bacteria. The bacteria can enter the air when the clean water evaporates and turns into steam. This will also likely cause health problems in people that are repeatedly exposed to it.
What Does Water Damage Contractor Do
A residential water damage restoration contractor can help you restore your home to its pre-loss condition. If you have any carpets or upholstered items in the damaged area, they can be restored using carpet restoration materials, including either an organic solution or a synthetic version. If the damaged area consists of wallpaper, one can be removed, washed, cleaned, and re-applied to the wall using a vinyl primer and paint. In many cases, it is possible to purchase an over-the-counter water-resistant wallpaper, but if this option is not available, professional residential water damage restoration services may be required. Some wallpapers are actually treated to resist mold and mildew, so these wallpapers should be considered an alternative to water-resistant options.
For walls that have suffered more serious water intrusion, it is necessary to contact a residential water damage contractor to evaluate the situation and recommend the best course of action. If there are entire walls that have been destroyed, repairing them can be very costly and time-consuming, so it is sometimes best to just replace damaged sections rather than attempt repairs. If the damaged wall sections are already dry, the contractor may recommend that new drywall be installed. In some cases, the contractor may suggest that drywall be painted to match or blend with the rest of the home’s interior.