As essential to life as water is, serious damage can occur when moisture seeps into the wrong spaces. As soon as water damage strikes, it is critical to address the excess moisture quickly. The pervasive nature of water causes rampant destruction, like mold growth and structural weakness in flooring, insulation and walls. A qualified water damage restoration company is prepared to speedily halt the spread of damage. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about residential water damage restoration.
What are common causes of water damage?
Nature’s elements are a chief cause of damage. Continuous, heavy rains stress the sump pump. If a pump fails, the basement floods. Thunderstorms can cause water to pool around a home’s foundation. A foundation ridden with cracks allows the outside water to trickle into the basement.
Manmade disasters, such as malfunctioning water heaters or washing machines, burst water pipes or faulty plumbing, also contribute to excess water inside the home. Plus, the crawl space, attic and basement can accumulate water under certain conditions, leading to extensive water damage.
Can water damage be hidden?
Leaky water pipes behind drywall are not always apparent, until peeling paint or wallpaper provide the solid evidence of water damage. Mold is a telltale sign of a water leak, even if the water source is imperceptible. Musty odors also reveal the presence of water damage.
What does a water damage restoration company do?
When signs of water damage are present, water damage restoration technicians pinpoint the source of the leak and repair it. Using water extraction equipment, restoration specialists eliminate all excess water from the premises. Powerful dehumidifiers are put in place to thoroughly dry the area.
Can homeowners turn off the equipment?
The drying equipment runs constantly day and night for several days to ensure complete dryness. Specialized drying equipment is designed to safely run for prolonged periods without overheating. Homeowners are advised to not turn off the humidifiers despite noise or continual energy consumption.
Opening windows is also not advised. Varying weather conditions can add moisture to the space and contribute to a longer drying process. If recommended by technicians, leave the air conditioning or heater on and windows and doors closed to accelerate the course of drying.
Are the chemical applications harmful?
To prevent mold and bacterial growth, technicians apply anti-microbials to areas affected by water damage. Children and pets are generally safe around most anti-microbial solutions. When in doubt, request a Materials Safety Data Sheet from the technician to view safety ratings.
What does water damage restoration cost?
The price of repairing a water-damaged property is based on several variables: the size of the affected area, the extent of ruin and the floodwater category. Homeowner’s insurance typically covers water damage, leaving the property owner primarily responsible for the deductible.
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Damage from a burst water pipe, for instance, averages $15,000 in insurance claims. Restoring a flooded basement can cost $500 to upwards of $10,000. The height of floodwater also determines the restoration costs: 1 to 4 inches averages $7,800 and 18 inches costs $26,285.
What are the three classifications of floodwater?
Factored into water damage restoration costs are floodwater categories: Black water is toxic and heavily contaminated with sewage—making it costlier to clean. Gray water, like from a dishwasher, can still cause harm, given it is polluted with chemicals. Clean water from an overflowed sink is harmless.
Does water damage result in mold?
Mold spores quickly latch onto moist, porous surfaces. Water and an organic food source provide constant nutrition to mold colonies. When water damage is left unattended, mold infestations can seize surfaces within 24-48 hours. Mold remediation is included in the water damage restoration process.
How long do restoration processes take?
The extent of time needed to dry a water-logged home is based on several unique circumstances, such as the type of water damage, the building materials affected (concrete requires more drying time than wood) and the duration the premises are saturated with water.
Water damage restoration processes that begin immediately upon notice of the ruin can take three to five days. A home exposed to water damage for an extended period, however, will require a longer time to thoroughly dry. Weather also contributes to the length of time needed for restoration.
Moisture meters and hygrometers are utilized by technicians to test wood and air, respectively, for dampness. Touch alone is an inaccurate measure of dryness. Moisture levels in the home are continuously monitored; technicians may adjust the drying equipment to accelerate the drying process.
Do homeowners have to temporarily leave the property?
When the water damage is minimal, homeowners can remain in the home during the restoration process. In instances of significant water damage, homeowners may wish to contact their insurance company for reimbursement of temporary living expenses while the home undergoes restoration.
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Are water-damaged carpets salvageable?
A carpet exposed to toxic black water will be discarded for health safety reasons. When clean water has drenched the carpet, the carpets may be dried and sanitized for re-use. Timing is critical; the sooner a restorer can begin work, the more likely the carpet can be saved.
Call ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning
When faced with water damage, homeowners in Houston, Texas, rely on the area’s most reputable water damage restoration company, ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning. With our 24/7 emergency service, instances of water damage are promptly addressed. When called in immediately, our technicians’ swift response prevents water damage from spreading and causing additional property destruction.
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ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning provides comprehensive water damage restoration services, including emergency water extraction, anti-microbial applications, moisture monitoring, debris removal and carpet cleaning. Our technicians also eliminate mold produced by excess moisture.
Technicians from ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning are licensed and insured. Our specialists also work on the homeowner’s behalf to file water damage insurance claims. ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning is prepared to quickly restore homes confronted by any level of water damage. When water invades your home, contact ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning for professional, dependable water damage cleanup.
