Water damage is a common problem in most houses, apartments and buildings. Typically, it is caused by various factors, such as broken pipes, structural damage or sewage spill. However, in most cases, the problem remains unnoticed for an extended period.
It usually takes a few weeks or months before the damage shows up. But, unfortunately, water damage can ruin your carpet, ceiling and furniture before you finally notice it. Not only that, it can also damage your important documents, irreplaceable personal items and family possessions when not handled well.
The good thing is that water damage can now be handled with the help of experts. So, if you live in one of the largest cities in Australia, such as Brisbane, dealing with water damage should no longer bother you. All you need to do is call a reliable service provider specialising in handling water damage in Brisbane and start doing the restoration as soon as possible.
What Is Water Damage Restoration?
Water damage restoration is the process of restoring an area that was damaged by water to its original condition before the water damage occurred. Typically, this process is also known as ‘water remediation’, ‘water extraction’, ‘water removal’, ‘flood cleanup’ and ‘water mitigation’. Regardless of the name, the process involves a set of procedures to restore an area to its former state.
Water damage restoration is best accomplished by hiring professional water damage services providers. This is because water damage restoration involves a lot of technical procedures that only experts can handle. Although the process uses a range of specialised tools and equipment that ordinary household owners can purchase and use when the need arises, these tools are expensive and require special skills or training to operate well.
Due to this, you need to know or have the contact information of a reliable water damage services provider in your area.
What Are the Procedures Included in Water Damage Services?
Water damage restoration is not as easy as it sounds. Instead, this process should be handled by professional service providers with the proper know-how, experience and equipment to get the job done. Typically, water damage restoration services are conducted using the following procedures.
1.Site Inspection and Assessment
Site inspection and assessment are essential steps in water damage restoration. This helps to determine the damage and the necessary steps for repair or replacement. It is important to have a professional assess the damage, as they can correctly identify any potential health hazards and areas that may pose a risk to the structural integrity of the home or building.
Technically, the inspector will search and identify the area of the building that was affected by water damage. Also, the inspector will classify the extent of damages to determine if these fall as Class 1 (minor) or Class 4 (extensive). The information obtained from this process will then be used to determine the most applicable procedures that will be used to restore the areas affected.
2.Water Removal
After the assessment, the service provider will proceed with the removal of standing water or water extraction. This procedure is important because it removes all the standing water, which is proven to continue causing damage to your home and further deterioration. Also, this procedure is essential when your building has a flooded basement because the standing water, when left unattended, could lead to severe mould and mildew growth.
Service providers use powerful extractors to remove water during water removal. These extractors are made up of high-powered vacuum and pumps designed to quickly absorb all the surface and standing water from your building.
In most cases, water damage restoration companies use the following as water extractors:
- Truck-mounted vacuums
- Submersible pumps
- Wet/dry vacuums (portable)
As soon as all the standing water is removed, additional inspections are conducted to determine the building’s remaining moisture levels. Additionally, it is best for the contractor to identify if the hardwood floors or the carpeting should be removed.
3.Dehumidifying/Drying
Drying and dehumidifying are conducted when all the water is removed from the building. In most cases, the water damage services company uses industry-grade dehumidifiers and air dryers. These procedures ensure that the materials in the building that still contain water are dried out.
Furthermore, drying and dehumidifying the damaged area prevents the materials from warping, growing mould and breaking. To achieve the desired results, the remediation specialists should monitor the moisture levels of the affected area’s walls and floors that are already dry.
4.Cleaning/Sanitising
After the drying and dehumidifying processes, the damaged area is subjected to thorough cleaning and sanitising. In most cases, the following are accomplished as part of the said procedures.
- Dry cleaning
- Wet cleaning
- Spray and wipe cleaning
Many water damage service providers use abrasive, immersion or foam cleaning techniques. These practices help ensure that every item in the damaged area is thoroughly cleaned. Finally, the cleaning procedure usually involves the disposal of damaged materials removed from the site during the cleaning process.
5.Full Restoration
The water damage restoration process ends with the actual restoration. During this stage, the contractor’s specialists will return your home to its original state or the way it was before the water damage occurred. In addition, the materials that were removed and permanently damaged will be replaced or fixed. The water restoration process depends on the damage the building incurred.
When Is the Best Time to Call a Water Restoration Company?
A water damage restoration company can help you assess the damage to your home and belongings, and they can start the process of cleaning and restoring your home right away. The sooner you call, the sooner they can get to work, and the less damage your home will sustain.
Don’t wait until the water damage is extensive before you call for help. Restoration companies are equipped to handle all kinds of water damage, no matter how big or small. So if you have any doubts about whether or not you should call, err on the side of caution and give them a call.
The bottom line is that time is of the essence when it comes to water damage. The sooner you call a restoration company for help, the better.
Conclusion
Knowing when is the best time to call and hire a water damage restoration company is a great skill. Doing this will help you to deal with the ill effects of water damage conveniently. Also, knowing the proper time to seek professional service effectively resolves water damage problems and prevents new ones from occurring.
