Even the smallest amount of water in your home can lead to extensive damage. It can ruin your possessions, soak into furniture, and compromise the structural integrity of the house. Additionally, there’s an increased risk of mold growth and indoor air quality issues, which can compromise your family’s health.
Over the holidays, water damage becomes more likely due to drops in temperatures, extra guests visiting, and increased travel away from home. If you find water in an unwanted place, pick up the phone and call an expert immediately. Handling water damage restoration alone is never a good idea, and time is of the essence when it comes to repairs and cleanup.
Take a look at the process the restoration experts will use to remedy your water damage.
1. Inspection
When dealing with water damage over the holidays, it all starts with a thorough inspection. Once you call a water damage restoration service, a team of experts will arrive at your home promptly.
These restoration specialists will begin examining the home and evaluating the damage. Using high-tech tools and instruments, they’ll determine the exact location of the water damage and the extent of its reach. The moisture levels within your home are also measured. Then, surfaces such as floors, baseboards, and ceilings are closely inspected and monitored to determine an accurate reading of any hidden water damage.
2. Mitigating Water Damage
The next step is to mitigate water damage and remove standing water. The longer water is allowed to sit in your home, the more damage it will cause. If drying equipment is needed, a dehumidifier will be placed in the affected area to prevent mold growth during the process.
Using the most advanced restoration equipment, such as wet vacuums and pumps, the experts will remove all standing water from the property. The removal process is not overly complex. Contractors use their equipment to suck up all the water in the room. The timeframe required for this portion of the process varies depending on the amount of water in the home.
3. Drying
Once all of the standing water has been removed from the house, it’s time to dry each room. Using air movers and fans to circulate airflow in the affected room, the water damage dries over time. It is not uncommon for restoration experts to remove carpeting or focus their attention on a heavily-damaged wall during this time. If you have hardwood floors, specialized floor mats can be used to draw water to the surface. The baseboards may need to be removed so the walls dry faster, too.
4. Restoration
Once the area is completely dry and free of standing water, the repair and restoration phase can then begin in earnest. Any damage flooring, walls, or possessions are then removed, restored, and replaced once the affected room is completely ready. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the situation. The restoration experts will keep you in the loop and explain every step they take to repair your home.
When you need expert water damage restoration for your home, pick up the phone and call Restoration 1 of Central Maryland. You can reach a knowledgeable, friendly restoration technician.