What does water damage restoration include?
Tackling water damage to your home is much more than simply drying out the area. It involves a thorough assessment of the extent of the damage, determining if it is safe for you and your family to begin the cleaning process and then performing a complete cleanup that restores your property as close as possible to its pre-damage condition.
For example, if you’re in a rental property, your landlord is likely to want to inspect before you start any restoration process in order to get the property back to its original state. And while you may be tempted to take on this job yourself, most landlords will require that a licensed restoration professional handle these repairs.
During the sanitization stage of the restoration process, technicians will typically remove all contaminated materials, including drywall, carpet, padding, furniture and other items that require sanitizing. In addition to removing all debris, they also dehumidify areas and remove any remaining moisture with industrial-size dehumidifiers and air movers.
The drying process can take several days or even weeks, depending on the extent of the damage. In most cases, homeowners are encouraged to “leave no trace.” However, it’s not always possible to restore the area to its original condition, especially if it’s an area in which you intend to continue living. For example, if flooding has caused significant damage to your home and you want to continue living in it, you may opt for a less expensive approach and replace flooring instead of trying to dry it out completely.
While most homeowners attempt DIY water damage restoration projects because they think it’s less expensive and less complicated than calling a professional restoration company, saving a few dollars may end up costing them hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs down the line. This is particularly true if they fail to clean areas properly or overlook mold concerns that could lead to long-term health problems later.
What do water damage restoration companies look for?
Proper water damage restoration isn’t just about drying out the area safely. It’s also about performing a thorough inspection and determining if you have a problem. You may think that you know where the water is coming from, but it can be difficult to know exactly what has been damaged and what needs to be cleaned. In addition, you can’t tell if you have mold growth unless you test the area.
A licensed restoration company provides onsite inspection services to determine the extent of the damage and your options for restoring the area. These professionals assess not just the moisture levels but also any structural damage that may have occurred as a result of the flooding. They also test for any dangerous bacteria or fungi that may be lurking in hidden areas of your home.
What damages can you expect from water?
In addition to dealing with structural damage, mold growth and health-related issues, homeowners also have to contend with dried-out textiles, floors and other items in their house or office. Some may require professional restoration; others may be salvageable by following a washing and disinfecting process. In some cases, even completely dry items may not be salvageable due to extensive staining or discoloration caused by the water damage.
If you are not certain how extensive the damage is, a licensed restoration company can help you assess the situation. They will also help with cleaning efforts to ensure that the area is safe to enter before investing in more extensive repairs that may cost thousands of dollars in additional repair work down the line.
How much does water damage restoration cost?
The cost of repairing water damage can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage and your options for restoring the property as close as possible to its pre-damage condition. For example, if you need to replace everything from flooring to furniture and appliances, you could easily spend $20,000 or more on repairs and replacements alone. If you opt for a process like water extraction instead of drying out the area completely, it could cost only a few hundred dollars — but it’s not likely to restore everything as near to its original state as possible.
A professional inspection can help homeowners estimate the costs associated with their repair work so they can make informed decisions about which path to take next. A complete sanitization process is often required by landlords in order to get rental properties back into rental-ready condition, but once your property is back in good shape, some companies also offer property restoration services as well. However, it’s important to note that this can vary widely depending on your needs and the extent of your damage.
In most cases, these repairs are more expensive than simply fixing leaky faucets or broken pipes since the scope of this damage is far greater than what you’ll find when dealing with these issues at home. The scope of this damage is often wide-reaching, so homeowners should consider all potential costs before deciding what steps to take next. Doing so could save thousands of dollars later on when dealing with mold growth issues that require professional remediation and indoor air quality testing.
Restoration companies also provide homeowners with helpful tips for taking preventative measures against further water damage in the future. These include proper insulation; installing new pipes; adding drainage systems; checking bottom drains; installing rain gutters properly and ensuring they’re not clogged; screening windows, doors and other openings; adding downspouts; limiting water use outdoors when possible; storing water when rainfall occurs; installing gutter guards; performing regular inspections of your roof or gutters; caulking windows around window panes and screens; fixing leaky pipes and faucets; and testing smoke detectors regularly.
What are some common mistakes made during water damage restoration work?
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when repairing water damage is not drying out the area properly. If not done correctly, leaks that appear to be minor can quickly turn into major problems if the affected areas are left damp for too long before being dried and cleaned up properly.
Other common mistakes include:
- Not addressing potential mold growth, which could lead to serious health problems down the line if left untreated
- Omit cleaning items that need it
- Rushing through cleaning efforts without taking time to clean everything thoroughly
- Hiring an unlicensed contractor who skips steps or does more work than necessary without getting additional approval from a homeowner’s insurance company first
There are many companies that specialize in water damage restoration services in Jacksonville, FL because it’s important that these repairs be done right so homeowners don’t experience issues down the line. For example, those who choose a DIY approach often end up missing areas they need to clean while making repairs that don’t get approval from their insurance company. This means they might end up paying more money later on in order to fix work that wasn’t done properly in the first place — plus they’ll experience higher premiums on their policy because they failed to get approval before they started making repairs on their property.
For these reasons, we recommend calling a licensed professional who has experience repairing water damage at all levels — from minor leaks all the way up to catastrophic events such as hurricanes or floods. Do your research before choosing a company to remove contaminated materials such as drywall, carpeting, padding and other goods that require specific handling methods for safe disposal as well as setting up an onsite inspector to determine if your home requires additional repairs before you start making them yourself at home.
If you have recently experienced flooding due to a storm or other reasons and need help restoring your home or business, contact Porter’s Cleaning today for immediate assistance or fill out our “Need Help Now?” form online now.