Water can enter a home through several sources, which can make it difficult for homeowners to know where to turn when their house has a leak or floods. If a pipe bursts or a sewage backup occurs, most people want to contact a plumber rather than an emergency water damage company for assistance. While they can certainly help resolve the plumbing issue that caused the water damage, they aren’t equipped to handle the aftermath.
Who can a homeowner turn to when it’s time for the emergency water damage cleanup?
Though it might be tempting to tackle the project without professional assistance, it’s recommended that homeowners hire a water damage restoration company. Keep reading to learn more about the process and how a team of contractors can help get the job done right.
What is the Process for Cleaning Water Damage?
The average homeowner doesn’t know much about the ideal process for water damage cleanup and restoration. However, it’s important to follow each step to get the best results. An emergency water damage company would recommend starting with addressing the source of the water leak. Once the leak has been repaired, the process of extracting standing water can begin.
It’s important to know that even after visible puddles have been dried, there can still be moisture in building materials and the air. Therefore, dehumidification and drying is another crucial step. Once it’s been confirmed that the house is completely dry, the restoration and reconstruction process can begin. In some cases, damage may be so severe that homeowners would need to hire a contractor anyways.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Drying Process?
When dealing with water damage, the top concern is always to prevent mold growth. If the house isn’t dried completely, homeowners could quickly find themselves battling a bigger problem since mold can continue to spread.
For that reason, the drying process is usually one of the most time-consuming steps in the water damage restoration process. Depending on how severe the leak or flood was, it could take hours or weeks to completely dry the property. On average, however, most drying can be done in 3-4 days with the right equipment in the right places.
The exact drying time can also be impacted by the humidity levels outside, though. If it is relatively low, homeowners may be able to increase ventilation by opening windows. However, this could inhibit drying times if it is a hot and humid season.
Is All Water Damage an Emergency?
Some homeowners are hesitant to contact a professional for help because they believe their water damage is no big deal. While minor water damage might not be considered an emergency, it should still be a high priority because of how quickly mold and other problems can develop.
Typically, water damage is only labeled an emergency situation when it impacts the use of a home or business. For example, flooding, damaged ceilings, and water pouring from walls are all emergency water damage situations. If a homeowner can safely remain in their house, it typically isn’t an emergency, but it should be taken care of immediately nonetheless.
Who Can Help with Emergency Water Damage Services?
When homeowners are dealing with water damage situation, it’s always best to contact an emergency water damage company rather than a plumber. This is because they offer full-service solutions. In addition to addressing the source of the water, they can also clean up and restore the property back to its pre-loss condition.
Most importantly, these contractors have access to tools that expedite the extraction and dehumidification process. They use truck-mounted pumps that can remove hundreds of gallons of water per minute, and they can make use of commercial air movers and dehumidifiers to quickly remove moisture. Best of all, their moisture meters can check materials to verify that they are completely dry.
That’s not all!
When homeowners hire the best emergency water damage crew, they can also get help with content restoration. If furniture, clothing, art, or other household items are impacted by the water damage, the crew can reduce loss and salvage more things than a homeowner could on their own.
Find out More About the Benefits of Hiring an Emergency Water Damage Contractor
Still not sure if an emergency water damage contractor is necessary? Homeowners should contact a professional like Summit Restoration to learn more about how they can help with the cleanup and restoration process.
It’s easy to get in contact with Summit Restoration by calling or filling out their online form. However, customers can also get in touch with them 24/7 if they need help with emergency services!
