A house takes a lifetime to be built; if you too own a home, you must know about the love and effort you have put in to make your house. When we invest so much time and resources into something, it is natural that we start growing fond of it; due to these feelings of endearment, we make extra efforts to protect them.
Maintaining a house is one of the biggest responsibilities of a house owner. However, this is not an easy task as the property faces numerous adversities over time, causing the owner to spend more time and money tackling these challenges. Some challenges that require extra attention include remodeling, appliance repairs, and general repairs due to the damage caused by weather and hazards.
One of the biggest disasters you might face during your stay is water damage; it is one of those things that you should give attention to as soon as possible. Water damage does not only cause damage to your house but also can pose a health risk to you and your family.
Water damage does not only affects homes but also causes threats to businesses and other real estate properties. It can be extremely infuriating for a real estate owner to deal with water damage as the damage itself and the restoration process is both confusing and difficult. However, we will make sure that it doesn’t turn into a complete nightmare as we will provide you guidance on how to restore your property from water damages.
Why It Happens
Identifying the problem is the most prominent part of the restoration process; water comes in forms and shapes; it either comes all in one go in the form of floods or come little by little in the form of minor leaks. Due to this, it is crucial that we first understand the cause of water damage.
There are two main sources by which the water damages the house. The first one is the external source which includes things like floods and rain. This water usually barges from the ground or leaky windows, unsealed sidings, and damaged rooftops. The second source of water that can cause damage is the internal source; this is the water you usually see building up in your kitchen or rooms. The issue is mainly caused by faulty plumbing or old appliances such as heaters and washing machines.
Categories of Water Damage
After finding the source, another thing that is also important to know is the category of water damage to do a better risk assessment. Analyzing the water damage and identifying the class would help in assessing the severity of the issue.
There are three main categories of water damage; the first one is freshwater damage. Freshwater damage is the most basic and the least dangerous water damage that can happen. Freshwater damage usually occurs because of leaking and damaged items at home. The water mostly comes from sanitary pipes and damaged sprinklers.
The second category of water damage is called gray water. Gray water damage is more dangerous than the first category and usually comes from chemicals and contamination, causing you to feel sick.
The third category and the most harmful one is the black water. This water is the most contaminated and toxic and requires immediate attention, so it doesn’t harm the people near it.
Measure for the Restoration
After assessing the whole situation, you need to act rapidly so water doesn’t do any more harm; there are a few steps that you should follow.
Call Professional Services
Most people avoid taking help from professionals because they don’t want to spend their money. This approach is extremely incorrect because if the situation doesn’t get handled properly, you might have to pay way more on the damages than any professional would cost.
Getting professional services should always be your priority because each restoration method is different from the other. The restoration process requires a unique skill set and experience that the professionals only possess.
Safety from Further Damage
You must keep in mind a few things that could help you secure your house and yourself from further damage. If possible, the first thing you need to do is shut off the water source; if you cannot find a way to shut off the water, find all the electrical equipment and turn it off. Don’t forget you are working in a wet environment, and electrical hazards are most likely to happen in damp places.
Extract the Water
Extraction of water is where the restoration starts, which is why it is the most important repair aspect. When the house gets damaged by water, things like the floor, carpet, and tiles usually get filled with water, and to protect the home from further destruction, the water must get extracted as soon as possible.
It is not easy to extract water and to do that, you need the proper equipment; just mopping won’t do the job. To make use of adequate equipment, you must find restoration water damage experts near you. These professionals have high-end equipment such as foggers, air scrubbers, generators, fans, and dehumidifiers. Moreover, these people do the job effectively because they have dedicated equipment such as sensors and meters to detect moisture in the house.
Drying Out
After the water is extracted, the next step is drying the water from the furniture and different parts of the house. If the water is not dried out properly, it could damage your property in the long run. Various techniques are used to dry the water completely; for example, holes are drilled to prevent further damage if the walls have been impacted. Heaters and plastic sheets are also installed all over the house to evaporate the water quickly.
If the water isn’t dried out, one thing that also happens is the foul odor and mold growth all over the house; these things are also taken care of by effective cleaning.
Monitoring
This part of the restoration process often gets neglected; however, the technicians must monitor the house for a few days to ensure the damage doesn’t cause further harm. There are cases in which materials such as wood get weak and break after a few days of getting hit by water. In such cases monitoring equipment is used by experts to get you out of harm’s way.
Repairing the Damage
After the technician or you are completely satisfied with getting the water out and thinking that the moisture level is back to normal, it is time to do additional repairs. A team of professionals calculates the total repair cost, or you can do it yourself, too, depending on your budget. In most cases, this cost is covered by your insurance. Also, it is best to take help from the restoration people because they know contractors and builders who can cut down your cost.
Final Note
Restoration from water damages is time-consuming and expensive, but it saves you from spending time and money more than the initial costs. Another reason why you shouldn’t take water damage lightly is that the chances of it harming your family are very high, and your life and your family’s life are way more important than a few dollars.
This guide will help you carry out the restoration process conveniently and safely, and it is okay if you can carry out the repair yourself. However, you must remember that if it ever feels like too much for you, you should instantly call for help as the professionals are just one call away.
Author Bio
Audrey Throne has an ongoing affair with the words that capture readers’ attention. Her passion for writing dates back to her pre-blogging days. She loves to share her thoughts related to business, technology, health and fashion.
Find her on Twitter: @audrey_throne
