Whether due to a storm, plumbing damage, or any other hazard, water damage in your home is a serious concern. You need to address it immediately to protect against structural damage, mold, mildew, and other hazards. If you're new to dealing with water damage, it's in your best interest to call a water damage restoration company to handle it for you. Here's a look at what you can expect from the process.
Keep Your Distance
Water damage restoration contractors will often advise that you not go into your home if it is currently flooded. There's no way to be sure that there are no hazards in the home, including exposed electrical wiring and other dangerous situations. As a result, it's best to stay out of the house until the water damage restoration contractors can get all of the water pumped out.
Remove The Water
Before any actual damage can be identified and addressed, the standing water has to be removed. This is important because you reduce your risk of mold growth as soon as you get the water out of the house.
If the water levels are pretty low, a push broom or something similar can drive the water out an on-level door. However, if there's a couple of inches or more, you may find that the contractors opt to use a pump to draw the water out instead.
Dry Things Out
Once the excess water is out of your home, it's time to start drying out everything that has absorbed water. Your furniture, carpeting, and personal items that have soaked up water may be removed from the area and placed outside in a well-ventilated area while the contractors address the moisture in the house.
Dehumidifiers and large industrial fans will be used to help speed up the drying out process inside your house. The contractors will often open windows and doors as well to help improve airflow and encourage drying.
Complete Repairs
As soon as everything is dried out, the water damage repair contractors can take a full assessment of the condition of the house and address any needed repairs. In many cases, you will need flooring, drywall, and trim replaced. Sometimes, there may be water damage to the studs behind the drywall as well. If so, these will need to be adequately dried or reinforced to protect your home from structural issues.
At the same time, your furniture, carpeting, and other items will be evaluated to see what can be saved. Anything that can be dried out, treated with a mold inhibitor, and returned to your home will be. Anything that's beyond salvaging or at serious risk of mold problems may need to be replaced.
Talk with a water damage restoration company near you today for more information.