Water damage cleanup service 💦☎️ (859)302-2702

 Maintaining your home in tip-top condition is your biggest responsibility as its owner. Throughout your stay in your property, you’ll encounter numerous challenges. You’ll have to deal with appliance repairs, spend money for a remodeling project, or protect your home against disasters.

Water damage is one of the most challenging problems that you can ever face as a homeowner. If water damage is left unchecked and untreated, it can pose several health risks for your family members and weaken your home’s structural integrity. 

 

 

Causes Of Water Damage

Have you noticed a puddle of water building up in your kitchen?  Are your ceiling and walls dripping water?  It can be challenging to find the source of water damage as it can originate from various places. But, one thing’s for certain: one or multiple structures of your home have incurred damage.

Water damage can either come from the outside or inside. Water damage from the outside is mostly caused by flood water entering your home because of ruined home structures that can’t function properly anymore. Some examples include:

• Clogged gutter and downspout
• Unsealed siding
• Damaged chimneys and roof
• Leaky windows and doors

Meanwhile, interior water damage usually stems from leaks and cracks on your appliances, fixtures, and systems, such as:

• Faulty plumbing work
• Leaking appliances, like water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher
• Cracked, warped, or split tile flooring
• Leaking kitchen and bathroom fixtures, like sink, bathtub, and shower

Since you regularly use most of these parts of your home, it should be easier for you to detect these problems. Once you notice the smallest signs of water damage in your home, don’t hesitate to call water damage restoration experts closest to your location, such as Rescue Clean 911.

 

 

Categories Of Water Damage

How can you start the restoration without having any significant information about the water damage?  To assess the severity of water damage, the Institute of International Cleaning and Restoration Certification (ICCRC) established three categories of water damage:

•  Category 1 Water Damage (‘Fresh’ Water): The water comes from sanitary, potable sources fit for human use and consumption. These sources may include compromised sprinkler systems, damaged supply lines, rain, and meltwater.
• Category 2 Water Damage (‘Gray’ Water): The second category refers to sources with significant contamination of biological and chemical matter, which can potentially cause discomfort and sickness.
• Category 3 Water Damage (‘Black’ Water): Lastly, this water damage category is characterized by unacceptable, grossly contaminated water containing toxigenic and pathogenic agents.

Basically, these categories determine how contaminated the water involved in the damage is. Separating them into categories make for a better sewage cleanup, flood damage repair, and water mitigation.

Water damage can escalate into a higher category if not resolved quickly, which increases the consequences one may suffer. Check out this video on how professionals handle a water damage issue without being too harsh on the home.

Dangers Of Water Damage

• Here are the negative impacts of water damage to your life and property:
• slippery floors can cause accidents, like slips and falls, leading to injuries
• Respiratory and skin irritations due to mold growth
• Pest infestations that feed on mold and damaged structures
• Costly repairs and replacements
• Emotional and mental trauma, especially for children and senior relatives
• Weakening of home’s structural stability

 

Dealing With Water Damage

Take note of this guide on proper water damage restoration in your home. This guide is applicable to most common water damage scenarios, from natural disasters to faulty appliances.

 

Stage 1: Ensuring Safety And Prevention Of Further Damage

First of all, recognize that you’re working in a wet environment, a significant electrical hazard. Before entering the wet area or touching any wet structure, check if there’s any electrical damage. Much better, turn off all electric and gas systems. Look out for structural damages as well.

Additionally, keep your other household items safe with these tips:

• If water damage originates from your water supply lines, confirm with your water service provider if the water is safe, potable, and uncontaminated.
• Remove all carpeting, bedding, and furniture to be cleaned, dried, or discarded.
• Open walls damaged with water to prevent mold growth and structural decay. Dry all other materials, like baseboards and paneling.

 

 

Stage 2: Drying Damaged And Wet Structures

If you’ve been experiencing prolonged water damage, such as long-term flooding, or you just recently discovered your leaking sink, chances are fixtures and structures could be drenched in water. Some of them may still be salvaged, but it’s the best time to say goodbye to completely ruined structures.

Check out these tips for each structure and material:

• Subflooring: Submerged oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood will more likely swell and separate. The damaged parts should be up for replacement.
• Wood Flooring: Remove each board carefully to prevent buckling. The flooring should be cleaned and dry before repairs and replacements.
• Tile And Sheet Flooring: If the flooring is made of concrete, it would be better to dry it as it is. If water has entered loose flooring sheets, remove and dry them.
• Painted Walls, Floors, And Woodwork: Mold can easily spread in wet, humid surfaces, so you’ll have to prioritize cleaning and drying them ASAP. You can use dehumidifiers, heaters, fans, or desiccants to speed up their drying.
• Furniture: Take out your furniture and eliminate their mud and dirt first. Furniture with drawers and containers should be removed and cleaned individually. Use the right commercial cleaning products for cleaning your furniture.  
• Equipment And Appliances: Take extra time in checking and ensuring that your equipment and appliances are completely dry and no components are compromised. If you’re unsure, it would be better to seek professional help.

 

Now that your structures have completely dried, it’s time for planning the repairs and replacements of all damaged parts. Generally, if you think that something should be discarded due to extreme water damage, then you probably should.

 

Takeaway

Water damage restoration is a difficult and costly home emergency to tackle, but it’ll absolutely save you from worsened damage and health consequences. Worse, your water damage restoration project can be even more difficult to carry out if the damage is severe and has spread to various parts of your home.

If you know that you can’t handle the entire restoration project by yourself, know that water damage restoration experts are one call away. Also, you can use this guide to make the restoration or replacement project a lot more seamless, convenient, and safer.

What Determines the Cost of Water Damage Restoration?

These are the main factors that determine the cost of water restoration.

• Source of Water:
  It costs more to clean up a sewage backup than water from a supply line.
• Amount of Water:
  More water usually means more damage and higher restoration costs. 
• Size of Area:
  It costs more to repair several rooms than just one. 
• Length of Time:
  Water causes more damage the longer it sits, which drives up restoration costs.
• If There is Mold:
  Since water causes mold, it will increase the cost of restoration.
• Amount of Reconstruction:
  The amount of reconstruction and the materials involved will also increase costs as well.

Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Most home insurance policies will cover the cost of water damage as long as it was from a sudden accident. However, water from storms or hurricanes is usually not covered. Our specialists know how to work with insurance companies and claims adjusters. If you have water in your home, they can help you with filing a claim or even bill your insurance company directly.

Why Hire a Restoration Company?

By hiring a water restoration company, you know that your home is properly cleaned up after any type of water accident or disaster.. We have trained and certified specialists near you to remove the water and fix the damage. For emergency water damage restoration service, call now to talk with our on-call specialist near you.

Are you prepared for a water damage emergency? It can happen to your multi-family complex, commercial building, or home at any time. Severe weather, ruptured pipes, hidden leaky faucets, or sprinkler system mishaps can cause thousands of dollars of damage in the blink of an eye. Remember, the damage is not always in plain sight, it is important to call a professional if you experience any of these issues. When it is time for a professional opinion, here are 5 tips for choosing the right water damage restoration company.

1. Check the Company’s Availability.

When it comes to water damage — time is of the essence. Find a water restoration company that has 24/7 availability. If you don’t have an emergency yet, it is a good idea to build a contingency plan with a company that will be on standby in case you encounter any water damage mishaps.

2. Ask What Equipment will be Used for Your Restoration Project.

Research what equipment the water restoration company is using. The proper moisture-detection, extracting, drying, and dehumidification equipment is critical for a proper restoration. When the proper practices and equipment are used, it can accelerate the rate of restoration, and tackle your water and moisture issue before it becomes a mold issue. Advanced equipment can even restore personal property such as documents, artwork, photographs, or family heirlooms.

3. Find a Company with Licensed and Trained Professionals.

Express Damage Restoration Of KY - YouTube

It is important to evaluate how long the company has been in business and if it is growing. A company that is showing growth and has been in the restoration business for a long time, is likely to be full of quality workers with a great amount of large water restoration projects already under their belt. Additionally, look at their reviews. A company is less likely to hire technicians that are not licensed or prepared for a restoration project if they have a reputation of quality to protect.

4. They Will Help You with the Insurance Claims Process.

Find a professional that will be able to help you with your insurance claim more than you can help yourself. By fully understanding the extent of your water damage and filing the claim in a timely manner, the right restoration company will help you get the most out of your insurance and find ways to complete the project if there are any issues.

5. Your Account Executive Regularly Keeps in Contact with You About Your Business.

Choosing a company that keeps you updated on new practices in the industry, is the company you want to have on standby. A company that actively reminds you that they are there for you, will ultimately be there as soon as you need them.

Water Damage Removal & Water Cleanup

Removing this water can be extremely challenging and this job should be left to a professional. Water damage repair is much more than just vacuuming up the water you can see. You have a lot of porous materials throughout your home and they can quickly absorb excess moisture.

Water can quickly get deep into drywall and other materials. If it absorbs too deeply, that could threaten the structural integrity of your home. That’s why fast action is so critical. It could mean the difference between being able to keep insulation, drywall, insulation, and carpeting, or these components becoming damaged beyond repair.

Restoring a home after emergency water damage must happen quickly. Standing water and moisture create a perfect environment for bacteria and mold growth. Exposure to a water-damaged environment can result in allergic reactions, illness, and other adverse health effects.

Water cleanup can be a challenging task. The level of restoration required depends on the class and category of water destruction that occurred and can range from simple vacuuming and drying to complete reconstruction projects.

Water Restoration vs Water Mitigation

Restoration and mitigation refer to two separate services provided after a water incident occurs. While water mitigation focuses on prevention, water restoration deals with damage.

Water mitigation services are used to prevent further damage from occurring in the first place. A water mitigation company will focus on removing your belongings from the water source and preventing future damage.

Water damage restoration is performed after the damage has already occurred and is usually an emergency service. During the restoration, specialists repair or replace materials that were destroyed, and return the home to its former state.

When to Call a Professional for Water Damage Repair

You’ll know pretty quickly whether your water damage cleanup is a job you can tackle on your own or if you’ll need a professional. If you have any doubt whatsoever, or you have any reason to feel that trying to do this kind of job yourself will be dangerous, contact an expert immediately.

Calling a professional for water damage repair can help put your mind at ease because you’ll know the job will be done right. As a result, you’ll be able to get back to normal much faster.

But choosing the right professional will take a little research. Your best bet will be to find a water damage cleanup professional certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This is a regulatory organization that establishes standards for water damage restoration.

IICRC-certified experts will be able to provide services that are thorough and effective. They follow the best industry practices and keep up to date on the latest technology and techniques. Whether you’re dealing with water damage due to a sewage backup, flood, mold accumulation, storm, or fire, an IICRC-certified expert will be your best choice.

Once you find a water damage restoration company you’re comfortable with, you’ll want to ask a few questions before they get to work. Here are just a few examples:

• What is your process of water damage restoration?
• How long will it take you to start work?
• Can I stay at home while you’re working, or will I need to relocate?
• Will you work with my insurance company, or do I need to handle the claim on my own?

If you need any help finding a water damage restoration company you can trust, contact us online or give us a call at (844) 751-7447.

What to Expect During the Water Damage Repair Process

After a water damage event such as a burst pipe, leaking water heater, or flood damage, it is critical to respond quickly and start the restoration as soon as possible.

Water damage restoration is a five-step process that starts with an inspection and ends with restoring your home to its previous state. Every step of the process serves an important purpose, ensuring that all water and contaminants are properly identified and removed.

Whatever the cause of the damage, fixing it typically entails a five-step process: inspection and assessment, water removal, drying and dehumidification, cleaning and sanitizing, and finally, restoration and water damage repair.

Water Damage Restoration Process in Detail

Step 1: Inspection and Assessment

Water damage restoration professionals will come to your home to make a detailed assessment. They’ll use advanced equipment, such as hygrometers and moisture detectors, to get an idea of how much water damage repair work will need to be done. These experts will pinpoint the location of the damage and then classify it.

There are four levels of water damage, ranging from Class 1 to Class 4. Class 1 damage is relatively minor, while Class 4 damage is extensive. Class 4 damage is referred to as “bound water.” This means that water has absorbed so deeply into materials such as sheetrock and flooring that it can only be removed by using advanced techniques and equipment.

Restoration companies perform a thorough damage assessment of the damage location. During this inspection, a water restoration specialist will make assessments to categorize and classify the damage that has occurred.

Water restoration experts will check the porousness of the materials in the impacted area to determine how much water absorption has occurred. Moisture detectors, including hygrometers and moisture scourers, will measure the level of damage and estimate the amount of work required. Based on the findings, they will rate the damage from Class 1 to 4.

After an inspection has occurred, the water restoration company will tell you the approximate time and costs required to restore your home, as well as payment options.

Water damage inspectors will also identify the water source to ensure the water has stopped and to determine the contamination level of the water. The inspector will also check to see that the water intrusion has stopped, and will check to see how badly the water in your home has been contaminated.