Residential Water Damage Repair: From Assessment to Restoration

Water damage is one of the biggest problems that can occur in your home. It can cause a lot of damage to the structure of the house and require expensive repairs if it is not fixed as soon as possible. Water damage may occur due to natural disasters or through bursting of pipes, leakage, or appliance malfunctioning, and the restoration process is as follows: In this article, you will learn the step-by-step process of the residential water damage repair from the assessment to the restoration. 

Understanding Water Damage 

These are some of the causes of water damage: Water damage can be cause by rain water, floods, ruptured pipes or sewer line break down. Water damage can be very devastating and it can affect all parts of your home including your furniture, electrical appliances and many more. If not addressed, water damage can cause mold development, more damage to the property, and health issues, which makes this a critical issue. 

Water damage is categorized into three levels, each indicating the severity and type of contamination:

1. Category 1 (Clean Water): Such loss can result from a pure source for instance a burst water pipe or rain water. Although it is less dangerous, still it causes much damage if not treated at the right time. 
2. Category 2 (Gray Water): This may include water that is dirty and if taken will lead to unpleasant feelings or even diseases such as water from washing machines or dishwashers. 
3. Category 3 (Black Water): This is the most dangerous of all, it is water that may contain pathogens that are likely to cause diseases for instance sewage water or floodwater. It is dangerous to one’s health and needs the attention of a professional at once. 

Process of Assessment to Restoration. 

Initial Assessment and Inspection 

The first thing that needs to be done in case of water damages is the assessment and inspection of the affected area. After you have been able to determine the cause and stop the water from seeping in, the next step is to assess the amount of damage done. This is a comprehensive assessment of all the affected rooms, basement and ceilings so as to establish the extent of the damage. This assessment thus assists in developing a proper restoration plan. 

During the initial inspection, professionals will: 

• Evaluate the Extent of Damage: Check all the rooms which are exposed to water and other areas that might be out of sight, such as behind walls and underneath the floor, to determine the extent of the damage. 
• Identify Immediate Hazards: Identify other aspects of risk that may be electrical or structural for instance, which may require remedial action before other work is undertaken. 
• Document the Damage: You have to capture some pictures and make some notes to show the extent of the damage that has been done. This documentation is very vital especially in the case of insurance claims and repair work estimates. 

Water Extraction and Removal 

The following step is the extraction of water from the affected area of the property. This entails the process of eliminating the water that is still stagnant within the affected areas so as to avoid further damage. This is done by use of pumps and vacuums which are industrial strength to be able to handle the quantity of water that is to be extracted. Water extraction may be done in one or more rounds depending on the extent of the water damage that has occurred. 

Once most of the water is eliminated, efforts are then made to eliminate the remaining moisture from the materials and surfaces. This is important to avoid the growth of mold and mildew, which may take only 24 to 48 hours to develop if moisture is not well handled. 

Drying and Dehumidification 

After visible water is removed, the drying process follows to remove the rest of the moisture. Drying is a scientific process which includes control of moisture, air movement and heat. These include dehumidifiers, air movers, thermal imaging cameras and other equipment that helps the restoration professionals to ensure that they have dried all the affected areas. 

Key aspects of the drying and dehumidification process include:

• Setting Up Equipment: Dehumidifiers are used in the affected areas to reduce humidity while air movers are used to create a flow of air that will facilitate the evaporation of moisture on the surfaces. 
• Monitoring Moisture Levels: There are moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras that are employed by the professionals to track the drying process. This makes sure that there is no moisture left behind since this can lead to mold growth. 
• Adjusting Drying Strategies: Depending on the progress, the technicians may change the position and settings of the drying equipment for the better performance. 

Cleaning and Sanitizing 

The next process that should be done is cleaning and sanitation of the affected areas after the drying process. This process aims at Cleaning to get rid of contaminants and make sure that the space is safe for people to occupy. There is a need to clean up the affected area, especially in cases of category three water damage that involves sewage or floodwater that is hazardous to health. 

Key steps in the cleaning and sanitizing process include:

• Removing Contaminants: All the surfaces and objects which have come in contact with water are cleaned with the help of the disinfectants to remove the dirt, germs and other microorganisms. 
• Applying Antimicrobial Solutions: The use of antimicrobial solutions is another way of stopping the growth of mold and mildew on surfaces and materials. These solutions prevent the development of fungi and bacteria. 
• Restoring Cleanliness: All carpets, upholstery and the other furniture are cleaned to the extent that no dirt and odors are left on the surfaces. 

Structural Repairs and Reconstruction 

Once the area is clean and dry, the attention turns to the structure of the building and repairing and rebuilding that was damaged. This phase includes fixing or even replacing any structural element that may have been affected for instance the drywall, the floor, and the insulation. If there is any structural damage like walls or foundation then the property is fixed to bring it to its normal condition. 

The walls, floor, and insulation are fixed or replaced where the structures have been affected by water leakage or fire. If the water damage has affected the structure of the house then the structure is restored to its normal state and the walls, foundation, and other parts that were affected are repaired. All the fixtures that have been removed in the process of the restoration are put back in their places with fixtures like cabinetry or appliances. 

Final Steps and Monitoring 

The last procedures in the restoration process are the final inspection to check if all the repairs are done and if the property is safe and of good standard. The professionals will also assess the areas that have been damaged to check for any other signs of problems or any moisture that may still be present. 

A thorough examination is conducted to ascertain that all the damages have been accorded the necessary repair and that the property is in good condition. Regular follow up assessment is made to ensure that there is no other area that may have been affected and may have been overlooked in the restoration process. A detailed report is given to the owner of the house, which includes the services that have been done as well as suggestions for future work. 

Take Professional Help 

When it comes to the restoration of water damage, it is very important to hire the services of a professional. PuroClean of Rochester Hills is one of the companies that deal with water damage and make sure that each and every stage of the repair is done properly and in a timely manner. They guarantee that all the damage is fixed from the evaluation process to the restoration process. 

PuroClean of Rochester Hills provides the following water damage restoration services; emergency response, water removal, drying, and reconstruction. Their team is also equipped to deal with all forms of water damage, including broken pipes, floods, and other damages to restore your home to its initial state. They are experienced and equipped to handle water damage problems; hence, they are the best option for solving such problems. 

Conclusion 

Water damage repair is a service that is quite extensive and is best done by trained professionals as soon as possible. Every process is vital in the cleaning, drying, and repair of your property from the beginning to the end. In the event of water damage, it is recommended to get help from a professional to ensure that the problem is properly handled and other complications are avoided. It is, therefore, possible to bring your home back to its previous state and prevent further damage from water in the future. 

To get the best and most efficient water damage restoration services, call PuroClean of Rochester Hills. Their professional team will help you through the entire restoration process and help you repair your home as quickly as possible.