Common Water Damage Scenarios
When you’re dealing with water damage—whether from a burst pipe or a 100-year flood—time is of the essence. Your property needs to be dried quickly and thoroughly to avoid the formation of mold and other hazards.
Water damage restoration, also known as water mitigation, is a multi-step process of removing water from your home and restoring it to a safe, livable condition.
Reputable water damage companies have the specialized equipment, certifications, and expertise needed to quickly remove water and minimize damage to your property.
Low-lying areas like West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County are at increased risk of flooding and water damage from hurricanes, tropical storms, tide surges, and rising seas. When water damage strikes, there’s no time to waste. It’s critical to contact the best water damage restoration company in West Palm Beach as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary financial costs and disruptions to your life.
If you need water damage restoration in Palm Beach County, call (561) 475-4050 to be connected to a service professional.
Keep reading to learn more about the water damage restoration process.
Common Water Damage Scenarios
Water damage can arise from many sources, from leaking appliances to natural disasters. Here are some common causes of water damage:
- Burst pipes or leaking water lines
- Roof leaks
- Overflowing toilets, bathtubs, and sinks
- Sewage backups
- Leaking appliances
- Flooding from natural disasters
- Storm damage after a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado
- Flooding from fire hoses or sprinkler systems after a fire
Water Damage Restoration vs. Mitigation
Water damage restoration and water damage mitigation are often confused, but they’re not the same.
Mitigation is the process of preventing further damage from water. For example, a mitigation company will remove your household belongings as quickly as possible after a flood to prevent the items from getting further damaged by standing water.
Restoration is the process of fixing existing water damage. Water restoration specialists will evaluate materials like flooring, drywall, cabinetry, and siding that were damaged or destroyed during a water event and restore your home to its prior condition.
How is Water Damage Restoration Performed?
Water damage restoration is a multistep process that starts with a thorough investigation of the damage and ends with restoring your home to its prior condition. Here are the steps involved:
- Inspection and Assessment
- Water Damage Cleanup and Removal
- Drying and Dehumidifying
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Restoration and Repair
Every one of these steps serves an important purpose in ensuring that water is completely removed from your home to prevent the buildup of mold, wood rot, and other hazards.
Step 1: Inspection and Assessment
Before the water damage restoration company begins repairs, they will conduct a thorough inspection to assess the full extent of the damage.
The technician will examine the impacted areas to determine how much water absorption has occurred on walls, flooring, ceilings, and other surfaces (water damage is generally rated on a scale from Class 1 to 4).
The restoration technician will likely use moisture detectors, such as hygrometers and moisture scourers, to measure the level of damage. With this information, they can better estimate how much work will be required.
After the inspection, the water restoration company will give you an approximate timeline and a breakdown of the costs to restore your home to its prior condition. The company will explain your payment options, which may include financing.
Step 2: Water Damage Cleanup and Removal
The next step is to enter the water damage cleanup stage in which standing water is extracted as quickly as possible. The longer water stands in your home, the more damage it can cause to the structure. Standing water in the basement is especially harmful since basements are typically dark and moisture-prone areas where mold can flourish.
Water restoration experts use vacuum extractors with high-powered pumps to remove standing water. They may use any of the following equipment to remove water from your home:
- Truck-mounted vacuums
- Portable wet/dry vacuums
- Submersible pumps
- Carpet wands
Once the restoration team removes standing water, they will inspect the damaged areas to determine how much moisture remains. This will help determine whether materials like drywall, carpeting, or hardwood/laminate flooring is salvageable or needs to be replaced.
Step 3: Drying and Dehumidifying, the Water Damage Cleanup Continues
Water damage cleanup also extends to the drying of wet surfaces. After the team has removed standing water, they will begin the process of drying and dehumidifying your home using industrial-grade fans and dehumidifiers. This equipment can help penetrate inaccessible areas that vacuum water extractors can’t reach.
Drying and dehumidifying is a critical step in the process. Even if surfaces look dry after water removal, moisture can linger and cause further damage. The restoration team will use special detectors throughout the drying process to monitor moisture levels in the walls and floors.
Once your home is completely dry, the next step is professional cleaning.
Step 4: Cleaning and Sanitizing
Cleaning and sanitizing water damaged homes should always be done by professionals.
Water damage restoration experts are trained in immersion cleaning techniques and know how to safely remove mold and other potentially hazardous substances.
They also have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including particulate respirators, protective gloves, and waterproof clothing.
Cleaning techniques may include everything from dry cleaning to deep cleaning with abrasive chemicals, which requires special safety equipment.
Step 5: Restoration and Repair
The final step in the process is replacing any materials that were removed due to water damage. This can include drywall; carpeting; siding; laminate, tile, or hardwood flooring; insulation; cabinetry; damaged wood; and other materials.
How much work is required will depend on the extent of the damage. Some restorations only require minimal effort, like carpet cleaning and minor repairs. Others require replacing entire walls, replacing flooring, installing new carpeting, etc.
The entire restoration process usually takes anywhere from 72 hours to two weeks. The water damage restoration company will let you know exactly what to expect every step of the way.
Choosing a Water Damage Restoration Company
Water damage cleanup requires special training and expertise. Hiring a reputable company will put your mind at ease after an already stressful event.
Did you know that hiring an unlicensed water damage restoration company can lead to your home’s resale value taking a hit? In Florida any known damage to a home must be disclosed in a sale, and it is common for “cheap water damage restoration companies” to lack the proper training and latest equipment to perform the service at a professional level. This can lead to weakening a home’s foundation, the start to a mold infestation, and the weakening of structural components such as the roof. Your home is your largest investment. Don’t take chances on just any water mitigation services provider—look for a company that specializes in water damage restoration and is IICRC certified.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a non-profit regulatory body that sets standards for restoring water damaged properties. When you choose an IICRC-certified technician, you can feel confident your home will be restored with skill and care.
Titan Remediation is an IICRC-certified company providing complete water damage restoration in West Palm Beach. As one of the leading water damage companies in Palm Beach County, we’ll help restore your home to its prior condition—as if the damage never happened.
If you’re dealing with water damage, don’t wait another minute. Call the experts at Titan Remediation now for urgent service at (561) 475-4050.