For those that live in areas that are highly susceptible to flood damage, there is a constant worry that rising river and stream levels will cause a sudden need for flood damage repair. Though this concern of flood damage from natural sources is primarily restricted to those who live in areas where it is a common occurrence, it is also important to remember that water damage can also occur in other ways. It is common for homes and businesses to sustain water damage when a pipe burst or there is a persistent plumbing or roof leak. Water damage can also occur when a sink, toilet, or tub overflows. All of these cases can lead to a serious case of water damage. With this in mind, all property owners should understand what is involved in the process of restoration after water damage has occurred to a home or commercial location.
Understanding the Various Categories of Water Damage
It is important to start off by understanding the various categories of water damage that can occur. There are different levels of water contamination that can cause damage to a property. Different techniques are used in water damage repair for different levels of contamination. These different contamination levels also represent different levels of health risk.
The first and least dangerous water category is known as category one or clean water. This is water that is not heavily contaminated with health-harming agents. This type of water generally comes from sources such as sinks and burst pipes.
The next classification of water is referred to as gray water or category two. This type of water has come from sources such as toilet overflow or faulty appliances that have leaked. Gray water can contain harmful contaminants and bacteria that could end up making you sick if you come into contact with it.
The final category of water comes from sources such as overflown bodies of water and sewer backups. It is called black water or category three. This water is highly dangerous and puts you at a serious health risk. It can contain pesticides, parasites, viruses, bacteria, and all kinds of dangerous debris that could cut you and cause infection.
With these points in mind, you should always remember that you need to hire water damage repair professionals to deal with the situation any time you are faced with highly contaminated water that has caused damage to your property.
The Importance of Effective Water Damage Restoration
Effective flood damage restoration is essential to ensuring that can return your property back to its former condition. Acting quickly is essential because each hour that passes by will cause your property to sustain further damage. You will need to call in the services of trained water damage repair professionals quickly after you have had your property flooded or damaged by water in other ways. These professionals can rapidly respond and get to work ensuring that the situation is under control
The Key Steps in Flood Damage Repair
Several key steps are involved in the process of repair after flood damage has occurred to your residential or commercial property. The first step that has to occur is getting the water out of the property. This often involves the use of equipment such as sump pumps, buckets, mops, towels, and wet/dry vacs.
Once all of the water is removed from the premises, the next step in the process of cleanup and repair is to get things dried out. The faster things get dried out, the less the overall damage will be. To speed this process, steps need to be taken to encourage good air circulation. This includes using fans, dehumidifiers, and opening up all doors, both inside and outside. You can also open up all of your cabinets and drawers to speed up the drying process.
After the water is removed and everything is dried, it is time to assess the level of damage that has occurred and determine which items can be salvaged. Water damage repair professionals will conduct a process of sanitizing and cleaning everything before they begin the repair and restoration work. This repair and restoration can often include needing to replace flooring and drywall that was damaged beyond repair due to the presence of water.