Before anyone arrives, take the time to mop up and remove as much standing water as possible. Also, make sure to ventilate the area – open windows and use fans.
It is essential to contact your homeowner’s insurance and get a loss assessment inspection scheduled. This will ensure that your losses are covered and start the process of restoring your property. Contact Water Damage Restoration Oklahoma City for professional help.
Unforeseen water damage incidents such as floods, sewer backups, and leaky roof flashings can be a big headache for homeowners and commercial property owners. When they occur, these issues need to be addressed immediately.
However, a little bit of knowledge about the process involved can help mitigate anxiety and frustration for building owners, particularly when it comes to dealing with insurance companies.
Water damage restoration is a complex process that requires training, experience, and the proper equipment. That’s why it’s important to hire a pro.
A professional restoration company will assess the damage, determine what needs to be done, and create a quote for the work. A thorough assessment includes a visual inspection and the use of specialized tools, such as moisture meters and thermal imaging scans, to uncover hidden damage. It also involves checking behind walls, under flooring, and in ceiling cavities for hidden water damage that can lead to long-term problems, such as mold and mildew growth.
After the initial assessment, professionals will begin the water removal process. This may include the use of large pumps and vacuums that can clear out gallons of water in a short amount of time. They will also assess the condition of furniture and fixtures that have been impacted by water damage, including whether they need to be replaced.
If it’s determined that certain materials cannot be salvaged, they will need to be removed before drying can begin. This could include drywall down to the studs, carpeting, and even wooden trim boards. Typically, this happens before the drying process begins, as removing these items helps speed up the overall drying process. The right water damage restoration specialist can also help you navigate the insurance claims process and assist in getting your claim approved.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidification is an important step in the water damage restoration process. Moisture can lead to mold growth and structural damage. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air to prevent this damage and speed up the drying process.
It is recommended that homeowners and business owners use a high quality dehumidifier like this AlorAir Storm Pro Commercial Dehumidifier for Water Damage Restoration to dry the area quickly after a flood or other water damage event. This unit is easily portable and can create a continuous flow of dehumidified air. It also features a digital readout that allows the user to keep track of the current relative humidity level.
The unit can be used in a variety of different areas including construction sites and wet rooms. It can even help to cure coatings that are being applied in a wet environment. This is because a low humidity level will help to ensure that the coating cures properly.
In addition to dehumidification, it is also recommended that people in an affected building or home use fans and leave windows open as much as possible to assist with the drying process. This will allow for a steady flow of warm dry air to reach hard-to-reach areas in multi-layered buildings.
Depending on the severity of a building or room’s water damage, it may be necessary to use antimicrobials to prevent further fungal or mold growth. This can be done either on an as needed basis or in the initial stabilization phase of the water damage restoration process. In the latter case, antimicrobials are often applied to walls and carpeting, as well as any other surfaces that could be prone to fungus or mold growth in the future.
Cleaning
Once the water recedes, it’s time to start cleaning up and drying out the area. This should be done quickly to reduce the amount of damage caused by wet materials that support bacterial and mold growth, as well as to minimize the risk of wood and masonry structures becoming rotted. This can be a messy and difficult job, especially with the possibility of wild animals and venomous insects being washed into flooded areas or buildings by flood waters. During this phase, it is recommended that safety equipment like gloves and head protection be used when dealing with the contaminated areas. In addition, it’s important to wash and disinfect cleanup equipment as well as any affected areas that were touched during the cleanup process.
Before beginning any cleanup or restoration, it is necessary to make sure that all electrical wires are turned off. It is also advisable to sweep the areas that have experienced water damage for any hazards and remove any large objects in the room. This will create a safer environment for workers as it prevents the potential of falling or tripping over items in the area. In addition, it will eliminate any chance of accidentally catching fire due to live wires.
Once all the dangerous materials have been removed from a damaged area, it is a good idea to use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the room as much as possible. This will help to ensure that the area is completely dry before new carpeting or flooring is put in place. Additionally, this will help to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus that can cause a wide range of illnesses in both people and pets, including bronchial infections, sinus problems and skin irritations.
Debris Removal
Debris removal is a necessary step in the water damage restoration process. This includes any debris that can’t be salvaged, like drywall or carpeting. Debris removal is normally covered by insurance policies that include property clean-up coverage. The amount of coverage available depends on the type of loss and policy limits.
A professional water damage restoration company should take the time to assess the damage before recommending any cleanup services. This will help to determine how severe the damage is and what steps should be taken next. They’ll start by shutting off any power to the area and removing standing water.
After the water has been removed, the area should be cleaned and disinfected. This will help to reduce the risk of mold and other harmful microorganisms. It’s recommended to hire a professional for this task because it can be complicated and requires specialized equipment.
The next step is to dry the affected areas. This involves using large pumps to remove gallons of water from the home and then letting the rooms air out. It’s important to do this quickly because wet materials can begin to deteriorate in 24 hours. It’s also a good idea to replace any items that have been soaked by water, including furniture and electronics.
If your home or business has suffered water damage, it’s important to contact a trusted and reliable company right away. Look for a company that offers emergency service and has IICRC training. This way, you can be sure that the job will be done correctly. You can also check out online reviews and testimonials to find out what other customers have said about the company.
Rebuilding
The water damage restoration process begins with an inspection and damage assessment. This is an important first step because it will reveal where the water is coming from, what type of water it is and how much damage has been done to the property. This will then allow the technician to create a plan for restoring the property back to normal.
Depending on the severity of the water damage and the area affected, it can take several days or even weeks for the property to dry out. Air movers and dehumidifiers can be used to help speed up the drying process. It is also a good idea to open up windows and doors as much as possible to assist in the drying process.
Once the water has been removed, any items that can be salvaged should be cleaned and disinfected. This is because any materials that are left untouched could develop mold and mildew which can be very dangerous to the health of the people living in the home or office.
A professional cleaning and disinfecting company can use a variety of techniques to clean and disinfect the property. They can also recommend any necessary repairs that should be made. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace carpeting or drywall.
When it comes to choosing a water damage restoration company, make sure they are IICRC certified professionals with a good track record. You should also ask them about their experience, training and equipment. It is also a good idea to check whether they have insurance coverage and an emergency line that is available 24 hours a day.