Understanding the water damage restoration process is critical to finding a reputable company to handle your emergency. Look for a local water damage restoration service with a good reputation, certified staff, and advanced equipment. Water damage is usually classified. Class one is clean water from a non-contaminated source. Class four is water that affects highly porous materials and gets trapped in confined spaces.
Assessing the Damage
When water damage strikes, you need to take immediate action. The longer you wait, the more extensive and costly your problems will become. Before starting any repairs, a professional water damage restoration Puyallup team will do a detailed inspection to determine the severity of the water damage. This includes checking for safety hazards such as tripping, falling, and electrical issues. It also means assessing the amount of standing water and any mold development and swelling. Moisture detectors, including meters, will be used to evaluate the moisture content of all affected materials. This is important because it allows the team to determine wet or dry items. It can help them avoid unnecessary expenses such as repairing drywall and insulation that has been soaked by water. It will also help them know whether they need to remove the damaged materials before drying out the area. This may include removing drywall down to the studs and carpeting to reveal the subflooring.
Removing the Standing Water
Water damage restoration specialists use pumps to remove the standing water from a flooded area. They also may use a wet-dry vacuum to extract the water from floors and other surfaces. Removing the water as quickly as possible is essential, as it can wick deep into walls and other structures, causing more damage. Additionally, standing water can promote the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that can affect human health. Once the standing water has been removed, the professionals can perform more detailed inspections of the affected areas. They’ll look for structural elements that have been impacted and must be repaired. They’ll also determine whether any materials have been ruined and need to be replaced. Once the area is dry, it’s sanitized to remove bacteria and other microorganisms that could grow. Then, the space is ventilated through air movers and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process.
Removing the Objects Impacted by the Water
The next step is removing the items affected by the water. This might include anything from carpets and furniture to books and photos. Depending on the severity of the water damage, some items may have to be replaced entirely. Next, the water damage restoration specialists will turn off power to the area if necessary to limit electrical hazards. They will also begin extracting the water from the damaged areas using specialized pumps, wet/dry vacuums, and dehumidifiers. During this stage, the professionals will check the moisture levels with meters and use heaters to speed up evaporation. This is especially important because it can prevent mold growth and other issues. The more prolonged moisture is present, the more damage it can cause. This is why getting started on water damage restoration as soon as possible is crucial! If not addressed promptly, the damage can become permanent.
Drying the Area
Once the standing water has been removed and the items impacted by it have been discarded, it’s time to dry out the area. This is done by strategically placing air movers and dehumidifiers throughout the impacted areas. This ensures that moisture is removed from the walls and floors. It also allows professionals to check hidden areas, like attics, where water might have seeped into insulation materials and stored boxes. The air movers help move the moist air around the room, allowing it to dry faster. They can also be used to remove stale odors from the space. Dehumidifiers can also remove excess moisture from the air, preventing it from building up and fostering mold growth. Foggers, which transform deodorizing liquids into a fine mist or fog penetrating deeply into porous surfaces, can also eliminate lingering odors. This is especially helpful in restoring spaces affected by sewage backups or severe flooding.
