You may not have much if any experience with water damage and its effects but an innocent ignorance often perpetuates myths to be accepted as truth. There are some common myths about water damage restoration that may lead you to make poor decisions. In the unfortunate event of water damage to your property, every action you take is crucial to remedying the situation as quickly as possible, and preventing additional damage to other rooms and items. So make sure you are prepared, know the facts and be aware of the common myths …
Water Damage is No Big Deal
Between the damage that the water itself causes and the mold that will most likely occur afterwards, a lot is at stake. There is so much more to water damage restoration than just sopping up the water with an army of towels. The dehumidification process will include having professional fans and other equipment utilized to completely dry out the area. It will also involve deciding what can be salvaged and what needs to be replaced. A professional restoration company such as Xtreme Home Improvement will have equipment, knowledge, and compassion to help you fully recover, with a home that is completely repaired.
There is No Hurry
Water can hide in your walls and underneath your flooring. Many times if the area is not totally dried out, you can risk the chance of mold growth. Once the mold has grown, cleanup can be expensive. There is a short window between water damage and mold growth. The longer you wait the harder and more extensive cleanup can be. Your possessions and your house are damaged each second the water sits on the surface of your items.
Insurance Won’t Cover It
Many times property owners assume if they have a small flood in their home the money to clean up and repair the damages will come out of their pocket. This is simply not true. In most cases, your insurance policy will cover all of the damages. However, each situation is completely unique and different. If you are concerned that your insurance company in won’t pay for the bill, contact us. We can come out to give you a free estimate and help mediate the situation with your insurance company.
Rent Some Equipment and Save Money
It happens too often. Someone tries to save a few bucks on their deductible versus out-of-pocket and they try and do the cleanup and dry-out job themselves. A few quick searches, watch a couple of videos, and presto, you’re an expert. Several weeks later the property owner makes that phone call; “I think there’s some water damage in my walls and floor and it smells really musty.” Even ambitious do-it-yourself (DIY) property owners can miss the water and moisture that seeps into cracks and causes serious structural damage. If the DIY route is taken, the cleanup process will most likely end up being much more expensive.
Contact the Insurance Company First
Your first priority is to have the water extracted and loss contained. It’s not necessary to have a claim number to begin the process. You don’t have time to wait around for the insurance carrier to provide a claim number. The insurance claim process can be dealt with later. Delaying mitigation and remediation can cause more damage and increase costs. It’s in the insurance company’s best interest to get the work done as quickly as possible.
Wood Architectural Components and Floors are Always Ruined
One of the most abiding water damage myths is that hardwood floors, and other wood components like stairs, paneling, wainscoting, and built-ins are always completely ruined. Well, maybe not. Quality solid hardwood can often be saved, depending on how long the water has been allowed to soak in. The likelihood of salvaging hardwood improves if you contact a water damage restoration specialist right away and they get to it quickly.
The Carpet Will Need to Be Replaced
Some homeowners may think that this type of loss cannot be recovered. But if you act quickly, the water is clean, and the right process is used, the carpet can be restored. The most important step is to contact a Water Damage Specialist that is trained to handle this type of situation. The experienced technician will come out and assess the damage and determine whether or not the carpet can be salvaged.
However, mold can begin to grow if the water is left standing for too long. And the water may contain sewage or other harmful bacteria. In either case the carpet will need to be replaced.
When you’ve been the victim of a watery accident, contact Xtreme Home Improvement and we’ll help pick up the pieces after an incident. We know what to do to save as much of your home or business as possible, and how to save your property in order to avoid further problems.