Water Damage: What You Need to Know

8/29/2017 (Permalink)

Water Damage: What You Need to Know

Flood damage, or water damage of any sort can be devastating not only to a structure, but to home and business owners alike. Whether caused by flood, supply line break, or even an internal pipe break, water cleanup and mitigation can be costly and stressful. But victims are not without options. A professional restoration company should be consulted as soon as possible after a loss to determine the proper course of action. Be it water in the home or water in a business, the situation should be trusted to the expertise of skilled restoration workers.
The first step in mitigation of any flood damage or water damage is to determine the source of the water and stop it. In the case of a supply line break, if the flooded home or business is hooked to a public water supply, the local water company will be contacted to shut off the flow. In the case of a flood, mitigation and restoration can begin only when the flood water has receded. If the water damage in the flooded home or business is caused by an internal pipe break the water may be turned off by a plumber or the flood damage restoration company.

Once the source of the excess water in the home or water in the business is stopped, water cleanup, drying, and restoration may begin. The water cleanup and drying process can vary in length, depending on the amount of water in the home or water in the business. Pumps may be used by the restoration company to hasten water cleanup, if necessary. If a flood is responsible for the damage, a build up of mud and debris may need to be removed from the flooded home. This may also be the case in the instance of flood damage caused by a supply line break.
Once the water removal and debris removal has been completed, the restoration company can fully assess the extent of the water damage. The flooded home or business will also be inspected for mold at this point. In cases where the flood damage is minor, such as internal pipe breaks or supply line breaks that have been caught early, mitigation and restoration may require little more than thorough drying using dehumidifiers and increased open air flow. In severe cases of water in the home or water in the business, however, there may be cosmetic and or structural damage that has occurred. Such damage may require the removal of carpeting, drywall, cabinetry, and other permanently ruined materials. The final drying process will not be able to be started until any saturated and ruined materials have been removed from the premises. If the damage was the result of an interior pipe break, the plumbing may be repaired by professionals at this point, while it is exposed.
When the water from the flooding or pipe break has been removed along with any debris and permanently damaged building materials, structural repairs may begin. Depending on the extent of the damage this may include new flooring, studs, drywall, and more. This process will vary in length based upon a multitude of factors such as availability of supplies and extent of damage. At this point, the restoration company and the home or business owner may begin to discuss cosmetic repairs such as paint or wall paneling and carpeting or floor finishing of varying sorts. The replacement of damaged appliances may also be discussed.

Any loss in the home or business can be very stressful and financially taxing. Water damage or flooding can be particularly difficult to deal with and remediate. However almost all but the most heavily damaged of homes and businesses can be salvaged after such a loss. While it may seem overwhelming, professionals trained in remediation of flood damage can make dealing with flooded structures much easier and less stressful. If you're dealing with such a loss, contact professionals as soon as possible.
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