After your home or business experiences water damage from a leaky pipe, rainstorm or flood, you naturally want to get things back to normal as soon as possible. If you’re dealing with anything other than a large incursion, you understandably may be considering handling the cleanup and drying yourself to save money or time. The problem is that drying out, cleaning up and recovering from water damage isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Water damage is not just about removing the water. Even if the water seems to have disappeared or has been extracted, there is still the potential for issues until the structure and affected materials have been completely and thoroughly dried. Mold becomes a problem in as little as 24 hours if structural drying is not in process.
It is better to hire a professional Restoration Company to handle the water damage restoration because they have the experience and right equipment to thoroughly remove hidden water and moisture. The experts can get the job done without the hassle of trying to figure it out and do it on your own. If the mitigation and remediation process is not done correctly, it will cost more money down the road. Restoration can be difficult so it is essential that you get the professional’s help.
The Following are Some Reasons Why a Professional is Needed:
Drying out after flooding and water damage is a very technical process. If you use the wrong tools, or attempt to dry your house too quickly, you can cause warping and other permanent damage to parts of the house or building. If your basement is flooded, pumping it right away when the ground around the foundation is saturated can cause uneven pressure and cause your foundation to crack or even collapse.- Natural gas lines can leak after flooding, causing a very dangerous situation. Make sure the lines are completely shut off.
- Safety should always come first. Before entering a house that has experienced flooding, make sure power has been shut off. If you aren’t sure, assume the power is on. And remember, just because the power might be off in the neighborhood, it doesn’t mean that the power to your house is off.
- In many cases water is contaminated with waste and harmful bacteria. To protect yourself, cover your eyes, mouth and hands, and wash well after contact.
- Electrical outlets that have been exposed to water will need to be replaced.
- Wet plaster, drywall and sheetrock is very heavy and not load-bearing. Be aware of this danger when entering buildings. This material acts like a sponge when in contact with water. The moisture spreads behind trim, bleeds under baseboards and saturates insulation.
- Once wet, insulation is no longer effective. Additionally, wet insulation takes a very long time to dry, creating an ideal environment for mold, mildew and fungus to grow.
- If a building is not dried out correctly and in a timely manner, mold, mildew, and fungus will develop, which can cause respiratory problems, and structural damage.
- Wet furniture and carpets, etc. will need to be removed. If left inside, these items will add to the moisture level, and lengthen the drying time.
The Expert Approach
It’s what you can’t see that quickly becomes a problem. A professional assessment to determine the extent of damage sustained is always a good decision. Common shop vacs and household fans are not equipped or powerful enough to effectively remove enough moisture or deliver sufficient air movement to help prevent further damage.
Our technicians use hydrosensors, moisture meters, and infrared cameras to assure we find all the wet materials created by a water damage event. Areas that could potentially leak water, such as around the water heater, under sinks, and around toilets will be inspected. After the water has been extracted, the affected area will be contained and any damaged materials that are not salvageable will be removed and the drying process begins. Specialized high-speed industrial air movers and dehumidifiers are set up to facilitate the drying process and remove and control the humidity and moisture levels in the air.
Make sure you hire a company to handle your loss from start to finish. After the excess water has been removed and the structure is dried, the next step in the process is reconstruction. We will repair damaged drywall, ceilings, floors, and carpet will be reinstalled or replaced. All salvageable contents damaged by water and mold will be restored. We utilize advanced cleaning and restoration techniques to carefully recondition your belongings including furniture, clothing, bedding, sentimental items, and more.
Contacting a reputable, full service restoration company in this situation will take the pressure off of you and reduce your stress in an already stressful and disappointing situation. When you need water cleanup services, call Xtreme Home Improvement and our outstanding professionals will provide the best water damage dry out and reconstruction services for your home or business.