Water damage is one of the most common types of home damage. It can cause destruction to floors, walls, and possessions and lead to mold growth.

Mold is a serious health risk, especially for infants, children, elderly and immune-compromised patients. Water Restoration companies use various techniques and equipment to dry spaces and restore them.

Drying

Once the standing water is removed, restoration crews will use a variety of equipment and techniques to dry the property. This includes pumps, air movers, and fans. It may take days or weeks to completely dry a home.

This is a critical step in the water cleanup process, because it ensures that mold doesn’t grow in the affected areas. Mold spores thrive where there is unchecked moisture, so preventing it is key to preserving your property and avoiding long-term damage.

The first thing to do when preparing for this task is to make sure that all power is turned off in any flooded rooms. It’s also important to turn off any electricity in the area to prevent electrical shocks during the cleanup process. Once it is safe to do so, open windows and set up fans to get the air circulating in the room. Pedestal and blower fans can be used to dry higher areas, while circulation fans can help dehumidify the space.

Disinfecting

After water damage restoration experts have dried your home they may also disinfect it and fix anything that was broken by the flood. This includes furniture, electronics and any other items that were affected by the flooding. They will also check for hidden damage such as cracks in walls, foundation problems and shifted floor slants.

Wet materials can start developing serious issues like mold in as little as 24 hours, so it is important to act fast. Black mold can be especially dangerous as it often contains sewage and other bacteria. Restoration companies will use specialized chemicals to kill mold and other harmful organisms that could be growing in hidden areas, like behind walls or under floors.

If you have paper documents such as photos, educational certificates, credentials and passports, it is essential to store them in a safe location away from water sources, in case of flooding. Water-damaged papers are prone to mildew and mold, which can make them unusable or even cause health hazards. Restoration professionals can help you get your documents back to their original state, if they can be saved at all.

Restoring

Often, water damage restoration is done by a professional team with specialized equipment to pump out, dehumidify and dry the property. They can also use a variety of chemicals and disinfectants to cleanse the area and make sure that all traces of moisture have been eliminated.

It’s important to contact a professional as soon as you can after water damage. Trying to clean up the problem yourself with buckets, towels and mops can actually do more harm than good. This is because a professional can identify and repair the true origin of the problem, which may be hidden from the naked eye.

Paper documents and books are very susceptible to damage from moisture and mildew. This can result in them losing their physical state, and they can also be transformed into a health hazard due to the presence of mold and bacteria. A water restoration company will use a process that includes steps for sanitizing and disinfecting paper documents.

Rebuilding

Water damage restoration companies are equipped with specialized tools and equipment that pump water, dry, disinfect, and deodorize large areas in a short amount of time. They can save valuables like electronics, furniture, and secure documents. They can also prevent and treat mold, which often accompanies water damage.

They will use air movers, wood floor drying equipment, and dehumidifiers to remove the moisture. They will then inspect and reassess the area to make sure it is completely dried. They will also replace any materials that cannot be saved, such as drywall, carpet, and wood.

A restoration company will find and fix the underlying cause of the flood. The problem may seem obvious, such as a burst pipe, but there is often an underlying issue that needs to be repaired to avoid future flooding. Water damage repair is not a capital improvement, but it’s still important work. It helps restore the property to its previous condition and makes it safer for the occupants.