Cleaning Up After Water Damage
You’re going to need professional water damage restoration if a flood has affected your home. Restoration services will get everything back to normal, the way it was before this terrible event took place.
Homeowners will typically have a lot of questions in times like this, such as how much water damage cleanup will cost, how to choose the right restoration company, and what to expect.
The following information will help answer those questions, and also let you know why fast action will be so important if flood water enters your home.
Water Damage Cleanup Costs
Not every water damage cleanup project is alike, of course, and the costs of water damage cleanup will depend on the extent of the damage to the affected areas.
On average, however, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $1,200-$5,100 on water damage restoration.
There is a chance your insurance company will pay for most, if not all, of the water damage cleanup. However, every homeowner’s insurance is different, and if it’s a flood, you may need specific flood insurance. Filing an insurance claim can take time so you’ll want to contact your insurance immediately. Make sure that they take your claim seriously and that your family is protected from further damage.
Professional water mitigation and restoration companies are trained to handle many types of emergency services. There are a lot of reasons to contact a professional as quickly as you can if you notice standing water in your home. One of the biggest is that the faster you act, the less damage you’ll have – and the lower your costs will likely be.
Choosing Water Damage Cleanup Companies
There are probably a lot of companies in your area that offer water damage restoration services. So how do you go about selecting the right one, especially when you’re incredibly stressed and time is of the essence?
Probably the easiest thing to do is to make sure any company you consider is certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). The IICRC is an organization that oversees companies that provide professional water damage cleanup and restoration services.
This will be critically important because you’ll know the technicians who come to your home will have proven their competence and ability. Not only do they have to pass a very demanding formal exam, but they also have to take continuing education classes to maintain that certification.
Water Damage Drying Process
Water removal is the first step during the drying process. Water extraction occurs using machinery to pull water from the ground and from other porous substances.
Once any standing water has been removed from the affected areas, any leftover moisture must also be removed.
If flood damage is extensive, then the structure of your home may need to be dried by using dehumidifiers, fans, and other types of powerful drying equipment. This could mean removing wet drywall, flooring, or other components of your home.
If a significant amount of water has entered your home, every second will count. It won’t take long until parts of your home become so waterlogged that they can’t be repaired. Your home could also become unfit to live in, due to potential structural damage. As with any flooding problem, an emergency needs to be addressed as fast as possible to keep that damage to a minimum.
Types of Home Water Damage Cleanup
A professional can provide the restoration services necessary to help you get your home – and your life – back to normal after flood damage occurs.
Experts use powerful equipment and sanitizing agents to make sure your home is not only safe, but the structure of your home is sound as well. The best companies will not remove their water damage remediation equipment until their technicians perform the moisture, humidity and temperature tests necessary to ensure all affected areas have been properly dried.
Sewer Water Cleanup
While homeowners can often clean up minor toilet overflows on their own, any sort of sewage backup should always be left to a professional.
This will especially be true if anyone in your home has a health issue that could increase their risk of a severe infection. Never try to clean any sort of extensive back-ups, such as one that affects multiple areas of your home, by yourself. The risks simply aren’t worth it.
Toilet Overflow Water Damage Cleanup
There are some types of flooding that are usually beyond the control of homeowners. However, a toilet overflow is typically not one of them.
Every toilet has a shut-off valve near the base of the bowl. Simply turn that valve as far as it will go to the right to stop water from continuing to overflow onto your bathroom floor. If it’s a small spill, then you can probably clean it up yourself without having to call a professional.
However, you will have to get help if the overflow is substantial, or sewage is spilling onto the floor. This type of spill could contain harmful microbes, so cleanup will best be left to an expert.
Water Damage Cleanup in Basement
A basement can flood due to inadequate drainage, torrential rain, a broken or burst pipe, a bad sump pump, or the failure of an appliance such as a washing machine.
While basements will typically have floor drains, they can quickly become clogged by dirt and debris. A professional will have the equipment needed to remove the water quickly and efficiently before extensive flood damage develops.
Unfortunately, a flooded basement can quickly turn dangerous. Not only can it do severe damage to walls, flooring, and personal belongings, it can even become a health hazard.
Potentially dangerous bacteria can multiply rapidly, and mold growth can also occur. Just a few inches of water can wreak havoc.
Water Damage Cleanup Timeline
The amount of time it takes for water damage cleanup will, of course, depend on the amount of damage that has occurred. A complete cleanup could take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
But it doesn’t take long for damage to start to occur.
If, for example, a washing machine starts to flood a basement, that can saturate walls, flooring, and possessions in as little as an hour. If a dishwasher leaks, wooden flooring, cabinets, and furniture could be ruined in just two or three hours at most.
The speed at which this damage can occur is just one of the many reasons why the importance of fast action simply can’t be overstated.
Water Damage Cleanup Safety
Safety must always be your top consideration if your home experiences major flood damage. There is a chance you may have to make other living arrangements due to safety concerns.
Not only will mildew, mold growth, and bacterial growth pose risks but there could also be electrical damage as well. The company that provides your restoration services will be able to give you an idea of when it will be safe to return.