Water damage is one of the worst kinds of damage that can affect your property and can be highly expensive, dangerous, and unhealthy if it is allowed to progress. In this article, we are going to look in-depth at what causes water damage, what risks it can pose, and how it is best dealt with via water damage restoration companies.
What is Water Damage?
Water damage is damage caused to your property by water being where it shouldn’t be. In some cases this will be the result of a flood or of some kind of malfunction – a burst pipe or water main, for instance, will commonly lead to water damage that is highly acute and that requires immediate attention.
This type of water damage can be caused by three types of water called categories 1, 2, and 3. Category one water is clean and clear water (also called ‘white’ water) whereas category three is dirty water that can be toxic and cause infections and illness (also called black water). This adds another dimension to your water damage in the latter case.
This is, of course, the ‘obvious’ type of water damage that is very apparent when you see it. Just as common though is for water damage to be more subtle and to easily go unnoticed until you are able to identify the symptoms. Signs of water damage include things like puddles, dripping water, soft walls and floors, peeling tiles, and discoloration. Mold is also a big sign that there has been water damage. This post provides advice on spotting signs of water damage.
When water damage is more gradual like this, then you will need the services of a water damage restoration company on a less urgent basis – but you should nevertheless aim to get it looked at as soon as possible to ensure that you prevent it from spreading and to protect your health and the health of your family. Moisture in the air and particularly mold spores can otherwise be very bad for you and your family. At the same time, if moisture affects your building deeply, it can end up undermining the structural integrity of your building.
What to do if You Notice Water Damage
If you notice you have water damage of the immediate kind then you should call a water damage restoration company that offers emergency 24-hour services. This is highly important when you have a serious influx of water and failing to do so can result in more costly damage to your property.
In the meantime, you can try moving items out the way that might be at risk, turning off the stop tap to isolate your water supply (if it is caused by your pipes), and potentially turning off the electricity by finding your fuse box. If the water is very fast, however, your priority should be to get yourself and your family off the premises and to safety.
In either case, you should contact water damage restoration companies early so that they can come to your aid. Make sure you find a reputable company and look for IICR certification where possible.
What do Water Damage Restoration Companies Do?
When the restoration company reaches you, the technicians will first and foremost find the source of the water and stop it where possible. This might involve repairing damage to your walls or your roofing, or it might mean fixing a pipe or blocking flood water. Either way, the company will prevent the water from flooding your property any more so that they can get to work fixing the problem. In the case of gradual water damage, probes and infrared sensors can be used to find out where the problem is coming from and what needs to be done to fix it (sometimes this won’t be immediately obvious).
From there, the water damage restoration company can then begin to calculate the extent of the damage and the cost to you. With this information, they can give you a rough price quote and if you’re happy to go ahead they can begin with the next steps.
These steps include:
- Clearing the area and moving out any items that are at risk of further damage
- Disposing of items that are beyond saving – these include anything porous that has absorbed lots of category three water and thus will be unhealthy
- Removing the standing water with submersible and truck-mounted pumps
- Drying the property with air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and more
- Cleaning the property with antibacterial and disinfectant products to ensure that all contamination from the water is addressed and your home is safe to move back into
- Making repairs and reconstructing damage where possible. This can involve repainting walls, retiling, fixing leaks, etc.
- Helping you to prevent future water damage
- Moving your items back in
If everything goes to plan then a good water damage restoration company will enable you to return to your property quickly and with as many of your things salvaged as possible.
How to Prevent Water Damage
To prevent future water damage it’s a good idea to make sure that you use regular maintenance services to check over your plumbing and your roofing. In your bathroom and other rooms, you should make certain that you have good adequate ventilation and you should use good insulation in your windows and walls – especially your basement. Make sure as well to clean your gutters regularly and to make sure that there is no overspill. If you are buying a new home, then make sure to research the area first to avoid houses on flood plains.
You can also prepare for potential water damage by making sure you keep your most important belongings high up and away from the basement level. You should also make sure you have the number of a 24-hour emergency water damage restoration service in your phone at all times and you should get insurance for your home and for your possessions which can help you to pay for the services as well as for anything that needs replacing.
When you are in need of a water damage restoration company in Jupiter, Melbourne, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, or Wellington FL or in Asheville, NC contact Secure Restoration.
