Water Damage Restoration – What You Need to Know
Water damage restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-loss condition following a flood, storm, pipe burst, electrical fire, sewage back-up or other type of water damage. It involves a variety of processes that are performed by professionals in the industry, such as water removal, drying and deodorizing.
The most important thing to do when dealing with water damage is to get professional help as soon as possible. This will minimize the chance of causing more damage, and it will also allow you to avoid health risks related to mold and bacteria growth.
Identifying the Cause of Water Damage
There are four major types of water that can cause damage to your home or business: grey, brown, black and green. The first type, gray water, comes from leaking appliances such as the dishwasher or washing machine. This water can sometimes contain harsh chemicals, so it’s best to call a water damage restoration company for professional assistance.
Property Stabilization
Once the excess water has been removed from your property, it’s time to stabilize it. This can mean applying tarps or boarding up windows to prevent further water damage. It also means addressing potential structural hazards such as damaged drywall or insulation.
Packing Out Your Personal Belongings
Once water is removed from your home, you will need to water damage restoration Los Angeles any items that were damaged by the water. This may include furniture, clothing and other personal belongings that are unsanitary or hazardous to your health. It’s often best to get these items temporarily relocated so that they don’t have to be destroyed during the water damage restoration process.
Disinfecting Your Home
After you’ve removed all the water from your home, disinfecting it can help keep mold spores from settling in the area. A good way to do this is by using a bleach solution. This is especially effective when removing items such as carpeting or drywall that have been saturated by water for over 48 hours.
Drying and Deodorizing Your Home
After all the water is removed, it’s time to start drying your home. This can be done with a variety of devices such as air movers, fans and dehumidifiers.
It’s a good idea to get these devices working as quickly as possible, especially in cases where the damage is extensive or water has been present for a long period of time. You can even rent a large-capacity dehumidifier to really help dry the surrounding wood and other materials in your home.
In most cases, the drying process should be completed within a week to 10 days of the initial incident, but it can take longer in severe cases. The length of the drying process will depend on several factors, such as the severity of the damage and the size of the affected area.
Once the drying process is complete, you can begin bringing your home back to its original state. It can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the extent of the water damage and how quickly you are able to restore it. However, you can help speed the process up by ensuring that your home is safe and secure as much as possible, such as shutting off electricity or gas connections.