Water Damage 102 - Water Cleanup

In our previous chapter, we learned exactly what water damage is, some of the major (and minor) causes, and how to determine the type of water you are dealing with. This time around we will look at the methods involved in water cleanup, the dangers involved, and possible long term effects. We will also look what you need to consider before hiring a water damage restoration company, and the consequences of hiring the wrong person to do the work for you.

In any case of water cleanup, be it big or small, the basic goal is always the same, to get all the water out and dry everything completely. Of course the larger cases are more involved, but the overall concept is still the same.

When returning to your home following major water damage, such as a flood or hurricane, always remember to think “safety first”. Consider the following safety tips and know them, learn them, live them:

Do not re-enter your home immediately. Water has the power to shift buildings on their foundations, making them prone to collapse. Take the time to verify structural integrity. You don’t want your house coming down on top of you.

Shut off all utilities servicing your home. Do this even if the power is out. The electricity will come surging back on at some point, and you need to be able to control when it does. I think everyone will agree that standing knee deep in water would not be the most opportune time.

Be sure to dress for the occasion. Wear long sleeves, long pants, waterproof boots, and heavy duty gloves. Eye wear is also suggested. If you are dealing with mold, wear a filtration mask or better yet, a respirator. This will reduce the chance of inhalation of mold spores.

There are four basic steps in the water cleanup process:

Extraction – this involves the removal of all excess water from the home, and is accomplished through the use of wet-dry vacuum units or gas powered submersible pumps. Which one you use depends on the depth and severity of the spill. You should be able to remove most of the water in this step.

Drying – this is the removal of all residual moisture from the surfaces and the surrounding air, and is accomplished by circulating as much air as possible. You can open all windows and doors, then bring in a number of high velocity fans, blowers, and dehumidifiers (the more the better). Place them around the damaged area and turn them on, letting them run for as long as it takes to dry everything out. Move the fans around every few hours or so to ensure complete drying coverage. You should allow a day or two for complete drying.

Repair – this is the repair of all items and structures damaged by water, and may well be the single most time consuming step in the process. Items will need to be dried out, inspected for damage, repaired, cleaned, and in many cases, disinfected. Allow plenty of time for thorough inspection of all items that may have been damaged by water.

Restoration – these are the final small detail touches that return your home to its pre-loss condition.

Failure to execute these steps properly may have dire consequences.   If water is not completely dried up, then it sets the stage for the propagation of mold.  Mold can appear in as little as 48 hours, or sooner if the water is sewage based or contains other contaminants.  Mold establishes quickly, spreads like a bad rash, and can prove next to impossible to remediate.  Mold not only destroys whatever surface it is growing on, but it also causes numerous health problems, ranging from mild allergic reactions and skin irritations to more serious problems such as neurological disorders and lung disease.

In most water damage scenarios, it is advisable to call professional help.  Unfortunately, there are no federal regulations in place to govern who can do this sort of work, and many companies that advertise water damage restoration are woefully unqualified.  Hiring the wrong company to service your home could very well make a bad situation worse, doubling or even tripling your repair bills before a suitable provider is secured.

Here are some requirements for any company you are considering working on your home:

Availability – the ideal company will be available 24/7, answering their own phones, and able to have a technician out to your home at any time, even if “any time” is 2AM on a Sunday.

Personnel – the ideal company will have a full staff of qualified technicians, proficient on the latest water damage repair equipment, and able to handle all aspects of your repair and restoration needs.

Services – the ideal company will offer a complete range of services designed to not only repair your home, but to fully restore it to its pre-loss condition. Service will include (but are not limited to) water extraction and drying, carpet cleaning and mold removal, and structural repair and restoration.

Certification – the ideal company will be certified by an industry leader, such as the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). While no certificate can guarantee a good job, it does guarantee that the company in question has invested time, effort, and finances into the training of their personnel to take care of your home and possessions.

In the event of water damage, the impulse is to act quickly. But if you keep your head, and act with a sense of urgency and intelligence, you stand a more than reasonable chance of having your home and life back in short order.

Take the time today to contact a local, IICRC certified water damage restoration professional

In the next chapter, we will discuss what is quite possibly the most confusing and infuriating part of the whole process.