If you have water damage in your home, it’s important to know who to call. It’s essential to find an expert who is IICRC-certified and follows the best practices.

Water Damage Restoration experts can deal with any type of water damage. They have the skills and equipment needed to restore your home completely.

Water damage restoration can be a major disruption to your life, but there are steps that you can take to help mitigate the damages and restore your home or business. The first step is always to ensure the safety of everyone on the property. This can include ensuring that your family, pets, and belongings are safe. It also includes making sure that any electrical appliances and devices are turned off. This can reduce the risk of shock or fire during the restoration process.

Once everyone is safe, it’s time to start assessing the damage. This will typically involve taking photos and videos to document the water damage for insurance purposes. It will also involve a thorough inspection of the affected areas to determine how much water damage there is and what kind of restoration is needed. It will include looking at everything from furniture to drywall to flooring and determining what can be saved and what needs to be replaced.

The water damage will be categorized according to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. Categories are determined by the amount of contamination in the water and what it can do to structures and materials. For example, “class 1” water damage refers to sanitary, non-toxic water. This type of water damage is caused by a leaking sprinkler system, a faulty appliance, or even rainwater.

Classes 2 and 3 refer to more toxic or hazardous water. These can be caused by sewage backup, floodwaters, or even the aftermath of a natural disaster. These types of water damage can cause severe health problems and require special care and treatment. Often, these situations are best handled by professionals with IICRC training and experience.

Remove the structural components.

Standing water in the home can quickly breed bacteria, mold, and pathogens that pose serious health risks for your family. Exposure to this water can cause respiratory illnesses and other serious problems. That’s why it’s important to act quickly. This means calling a water restoration professional to begin the cleanup process as soon as possible.

Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be necessary to remove the structural components from the affected area. This includes removing drywall down to the studs and carpeting down to the subflooring, if necessary. This will help speed up the drying process and prevent permanent damage to your home.

It’s also important to remove any porous materials that have been soaked by water, such as fabrics, rugs, and insulation. These can become permanently damaged by the moisture and will likely need to be thrown away. Additionally, if these materials are allowed to remain in the home, they could create mold and mildew problems later on.

Once any damaged materials have been removed, it’s a good idea to disinfect the area with a bleach solution or another disinfectant. This will prevent any mold spores from spreading to other areas of the property.

It’s also a good idea to open up all the windows and doors in the affected area to get air flowing through them. This will help dry out the area and prevent mold and mildew from forming in it. Additionally, it’s a good idea to use floor fans, wet/dry vacs, and dehumidifiers throughout the house as needed. These tools will help prevent mold on carpet and will help the drying process go as quickly as possible.

Dry the area.

Once it is safe to reenter the home, the water damage restoration company should begin drying out the affected areas. This is the most important step in the whole process since it will prevent further damage to the property and lower repair costs.

The first step is to remove any standing water from the affected area with commercial-grade vacuums and pumps. Any carpeting or soft furnishings that are soaked must also be removed and cleaned, as they can become breeding grounds for mold or bacteria. It is recommended that any contaminated materials be sealed in plastic bags or boxes for safe storage until the restoration process is complete.

Drying out the property can take several days, depending on the severity of the water damage and how much content is involved. To expedite the drying process, open all windows and doors to promote airflow through the affected areas. It is also helpful to use portable fans to circulate air in hard-to-reach places like closets and cabinets, especially if humidity levels are high.

If the property is older, it must be tested for asbestos before the drying process can start. Once the results are in, a certified professional can safely start removing and replacing materials.

As you can imagine, this is a lengthy process that requires extensive expertise. Make sure you choose a company with IICRC certification to ensure the most experienced technicians are handling your property. The IICRC is an industry group that sets the standards for disaster restoration services, so you can be confident you’re receiving the best possible service. Contact Stanley Steemer today for more information on our expert water damage restoration services! Our team is available 24/7 to provide prompt, efficient assistance in times of crisis.

Sanitize the area.

It doesn’t matter whether the water damage occurred from a flood, sewage backup, or just a leaky pipe—it’s always important to take prompt action. Whether you’re a facility manager or a homeowner, there are certain steps that should be taken to mitigate the damage and keep everyone safe.

Depending on the level of contamination, the first step may be to quarantine the area. This might mean tarping off areas of the home and removing contents that can’t be disinfected. If you’re dealing with Category 3 water, this will be particularly important because contaminated water can cause serious health issues.

Once the quarantine has been put in place, it’s time to start removing the standing water. This will likely be done using truck-mounted equipment as well as industrial dehumidifiers. This will help to prevent further damage caused by moisture, and it will also ensure that any materials affected by the flooding are completely dry.

If you’re able to salvage personal belongings, they will need to be washed and disinfected in order to be safe for use again. However, if any items cannot be washed and disinfected, they should be removed and destroyed as soon as possible. This includes mattresses, pillows, rugs, cosmetics, books, baby toys, drywall, and insulation.

Water damage restoration is a complex process, and it’s crucial that you work with a professional. Look for a company that is IICRC-certified, as this will indicate that they follow industry standards and practices and are up-to-date on the latest technology and techniques. The IICRC is a professional association that sets the standards for water damage restoration, and it can help you find the right service provider for your needs.

Repair the damage.

Depending on the severity of your home’s water damage, you may need to have certain structural components repaired. This includes things like drywall, baseboards, and wood flooring. During this phase, professionals will work to make sure that everything is restored to its original condition. This can be a time-consuming process, especially if the affected materials need to dry completely. To speed up the drying process, professional technicians may use dehumidifiers and other special tools.

Once the area is dry, you will need to sanitize the space to ensure that it’s free of bacteria, mold, and other contaminants. This step is essential for ensuring your safety and preventing further damage to the home. If the damage is severe, it may be necessary to remove all items from the affected areas and store them in a safe place until the repairs are completed.

If your home has been damaged by a flood or significant water damage, it’s best to leave the repair work to the professionals. This is especially true if the water has reached electrical outlets or other sensitive parts of your home.

When choosing a water damage restoration company, it’s important to find one with extensive experience. An experienced team will know exactly how to handle the situation and will be able to quickly assess the damage and determine the best course of action. They’ll also be able to avoid costly mistakes and provide you with the best possible results.

If you’re looking for a water damage restoration company, be sure to ask for references from previous clients. This will give you an idea of the quality of their work and how satisfied customers are with their services.