Frequently Asked Questions About Water Damage
Have you found yourself the victim of a flood or wet weather conditions? Are you preemptively seeking information to protect your home from the effect of possible water damage? No matter how you found your way to this article, Steamatic has all the answers to your water damage questions here. We have many years of experience dealing with a multitude of different damages and restorations, and water damage is just one of them.
Where does water damage usually come from?
Water damage can happen a few ways including; foundation leaks, burst pipes, appliance valve failures or poor drainage. Burst pipes, valve failures and sewage backups are among the most troublesome, as they can create several inches of water in just a few hours. Of course, water damage can happen out of sheer bad lack. For example, you could have an unfortunate accident during a severe thunder and rain storm. There are many ways that your home could become vulnerable to water damage.
What are the dangers related to water damage?
When water starts to pool, it can quickly soak through anything it comes in contact with. If the water is contaminated, organic materials such as fabric and wood will most likely need to be restored. This is likely because that contaminated liquid is the perfect host for microbes, viruses and bacteria. As an example, flood waters are usually infested with cholera, hepatitis and other diseases.
Mold is another primary concern when water collects. Mold can quickly spread throughout a house by releasing spores into the air. This means that a colony can reach parts of your home that may seem dry or unexposed. Usually, short hand exposure to mold is not a huge concern but the regular inhalation of spores can cause health complications including; nausea, respiratory infection, fatigue and deadly neurotoxic complications.
The longer the moisture is stagnant in the home, the more problems it can cause which results in additional expenses. It is important to act quickly and responsibly when dealing with any water or moisture accumulation, because time will almost certainly make matter worse. Do not wait!
How is water damage handled by technicians?
The first thing a technician will do is to remove any materials that have been compromised by water. This includes items such as; carpeting, baseboards, insulation, clothing, upholstery, and plywood. Once the items are removed, standing liquid will be pumped out and the area is dried and disinfected with industrial fans dehumidifiers and cleaners, this process can take several days.
As the drying process is happening, technicians will do a thorough inspection of the home for mold and any other microbes. This is a vital and crucial element of the inspection and ensures the safety of you and those in your home.
What kind of training should I look for when I hire a water damage restoration company?
When looking for a restoration company, ask them if they are trained by a respected organization such as the IICRC -Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Once you have verified that they are an accredited business, you should verify their credibility with their customers. Do some online research and see what other have to say about their performance and customer service.