Water damage is a common cause of property damage in the US. The destruction caused by water intrusion, like rotting of wood, mold or bacterial growth, rusting, swelling of composite wood, standing water, etc, is referred to as water damage. Any level of water damage is unwanted, whether it is from a leaky pipe or an environmental disaster. It can be extremely destructive. If not taken care of soon enough, the extent of water damage will be worse.
Water damage restoration is best done by a professional water damage restoration company to limit the spread of water damage and to prevent mold growth. Emergency Relief Pros Restoration Remediation Reconstruction provides professional damage restoration services in Illinois. In this article, this Cary-based property damage restoration company explains what water damage restoration is.
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What is Water Damage Restoration?
The complete process of water cleanup from beginning to end is called water damage restoration. This specialized service removes water from buildings to restore them to a condition suitable for living, or the pre-damaged condition. Water damage restoration specialists deal with all aspects of restoring property and belongings within it back to their original state. Water damage restoration is a process that involves different steps. These include the following:
1. Call a Water Damage Restoration Professional
The first thing to do is to ensure the safety of the occupants of the building. Emergency services may then be contacted. Professionals guide safety. Household items can be removed to avoid further damage.
2. Inspection and Assessment
Specialized instruments are used by water damage restoration specialists to identify the location and severity of water damage. The source of water damage is located and stopped as soon as possible. The class and category of water damage are ascertained based on the size and scope of water damage and the source of water. This information is used by professionals to estimate the time needed and expected costs of the water damage restoration process.
3. Water Removal
Based on how much water is in the building, submersible pumps, portable wet or dry vacuums, or truck-mounted vacuums are employed to remove standing and surface water. This is also called water extraction. Water removal is important because the longer water is left on the premises, the more the risk of mildew or mold growth that results in more damage. After water extraction, the property is inspected again. This is to determine the residual moisture levels. The inspection also helps to determine if objects like drywall and carpets that were retained need to be removed or if the flooring needs further restoration work.
4. Drying and Dehumidification
Water damage restoration professionals may use industrial-quality dehumidifiers and fans to dry materials with residual moisture. They also help dry areas that were difficult to access when water removal was done. The process of drying and dehumidification helps to prevent mold growth. It also prevents warping and breaking of materials like wood or drywall. Emergency Relief Pros technicians strategically place air movers and dehumidification equipment to ensure optimal airflow to reduce drying time.
5. Cleaning and Sanitizing
Dry cleaning, spray and wipe cleaning, and wet cleaning may be used to prevent mold after water damage. Various techniques like foam, abrasive, or immersion are used to clean all items. Any item found to be damaged beyond repair is removed at this stage and will need to be replaced.
6. Restoration
After all these steps, the water damage restoration experts work to restore the commercial or residential property to the pre-damage condition. If needed, flooring or drywall may be replaced or repainting of certain areas is done. Items that were irreversibly damaged are replaced.
There are different terms used concerning water damage restoration. Though these have slightly different meanings, they are used interchangeably at times.
Different Terms Used Concerning Water Damage Restoration
1. Water Remediation
Everything done to remedy or reverse the damages caused by water damage is called water remediation. This would include cleaning, drying, sanitization, and restoration of damages caused by water in a home or commercial building.
2. Water Mitigation
This is the process of preventing further damage by the water in a building. This includes extracting water and drying out the building, removal of damaged belongings and construction materials, cleaning and disinfection materials, protecting the home by applying tarp, boarding up windows, etc.
3. Water Removal
The removal of water using commercial grade dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers.
4. Water Extraction
The process of extracting water in an external environment using specialized equipment that can remove large amounts of water is water extraction.
5. Water Cleanup
Water cleanup is the removal, sanitization, and drying of affected areas. This is very important, especially if water damage is caused by floodwater that is considered contaminated.
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Illinois has 250,000 buildings located in floodplains. Floods are the most common natural disaster in Illinois. Apart from this, water damage can happen due to leaky pipes or faulty appliances in the building. In situations where water damage could not be prevented, the water damage restoration process is vital. Hiring a professional water damage company is the most efficient and safest way of handling water damage in a way that prevents further complications. Emergency Relief Pros Restoration Remediation Reconstruction in Cary, Illinois is one of the best independent restorers that can carry out a thorough water damage restoration. They can be contacted via phone at (847) 282-0302. They can be emailed at claims@emergencyreliefpros.com.
