Today we are going to provide a quick overview of what you need to know about water damage.
We’ll explain what it is, what are its most common causes and what the water damage restoration process looks like.
We will also discuss whether it makes more sense to handle the water damage situation yourself or to hire a water damage restoration specialist.
Finally, if you are in the midst of a water emergency right now, you can scroll down to the end of this article to find our contact information.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are looking for a home water damage restoration service in Dallas!
What Is Water Damage?
“Water damage” is an umbrella term that encompasses all kinds of damage caused by excess water, from structural damage to carpet and furniture damage to mold damage.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Water Damage?
Common causes of water damage include:
- Severe weather
- Heavy rain
- Flood water
- Broken pipes
- Leaky pipes
- Sewage backup
- Broken water heater
- Swamp cooler leaks
- AC leaks
- Pool leaks
What Are The Three Categories of Water Damage?
Categories of water damage are essentially water contamination categories:
- Category #1: Water from a sanitary source that does not pose health risks to humans.
- Category #2: Water that is contaminated, poses serious health risks and can potentially lead to sickness.
- Category #3: Water that is grossly contaminated, poses major health risks and can potentially lead to death.
These categories should not be interpreted as “clear water”, “gray water” and “black water” distinctions. Why?
Because “clear water” doesn’t necessarily mean “clean water”. It can still be contaminated and belong to the second or even to the third category.
It’s not possible to determine the level of potential contamination without identifying the water source, which may require a thorough inspection of the water-damaged property.
What Does The Water Damage Restoration Process Look Like?
Every water event is unique so the water damage restoration process varies depending on the situation.
That being said, it generally follows these five steps:
Step #1: Water-Damaged Property Inspection
First, water damage restoration specialists inspect the property, identify the water source, examine the signs of water damage, and create an action plan based on the water contamination category.
Step #2: Standing Water Removal
Next, water damage experts remove standing water if there’s any (e.g. if the basement is flooded, they drain it using specialized equipment).
They wear protective gear and facemasks for water extraction because standing water is likely to be contaminated.
Step #3: Drying The Affected Areas
Then, water damage restoration specialists remove the remaining water that might still be gathered in puddles throughout the property.
Once that’s done, they go through a drying process where they thoroughly dry the affected areas using specialized equipment such as industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers.
Step #4: Sanitizing The Affected Areas
Once everything is dry, water damage experts sanitize the affected areas using specialized chemicals to prevent microbial growth (mold).
This is important because mold growth can be a health hazard, lead to allergic reactions, and possibly even to autoimmune issues.
Step #5: Water Damage Repair
Finally, water damage experts remove everything that is not salvageable and help the property owners determine what they will need to do in order to return their property to its original condition.
The next steps depend on the type of water damage. In some water damage situations, minor repairs are all that’s needed, meanwhile, in others, structural damage to the property calls for serious construction work.
Water damage restoration companies typically have contacts and can put the property owners in touch with various local providers of relevant services.
Why You Need To Act FAST If You Are Dealing With A Water Emergency
In any type of water intrusion scenario, from something as minor as an overflowing sink to major natural disasters like floods, time is of the essence. Why?
Because the longer you take to address the situation, the higher the chance of additional damage and therefore the higher the potential cost of water damage restoration.
Think about it:
There could be structural damage to the floors, walls, and ceilings of your property. This can be dangerous if the structural integrity of the building becomes compromised.
Then, there are the carpets, the furniture, the doors, etc. If water damage renders them unsalvageable, they will need to be replaced.
Finally, increased humidity can lead to mold growth, which can negatively affect the health of everyone living on that property!
Should You Handle Water Damage Yourself or Hire a Water Damage Restoration Expert?
In the case of extensive water damage, handling it yourself is not an option because it requires protective gear, specialized equipment, and specialized chemicals.
Without all that, not only will it be nearly impossible to get the water damage situation under control in a timely manner, but you will also be risking your health. Contact with water can be dangerous due to contamination. There might also be mold spores in the air.
Now, if we are talking about minor water damage, that’s something completely different. You can handle it yourself, although we still wouldn’t recommend it.
With something like a leaky sink, it’s important to take the potential for mold growth into account. Once you mop up the water, everything might seem clean, but if you haven’t sanitized the area properly, you might end up having to deal with the spread of mold later.
It’s also easy to miss some of the signs of water damage and underestimate the severity of the situation. Hidden moisture can cause serious problems if it goes unnoticed.
Finally, if you fail to fix all the leaks, it can lead not just to additional damage but also to water loss and increased water bills.
That’s why we recommend calling a water damage restoration company even if the damage in question is seemingly minor. Better safe than sorry!
Restore Home Water Damage With Greenlight Restoration Solutions!
We started out nearly 20 years ago as a regional disaster response unit.
Since then, Greenlight Restoration Solutions has grown into a full-service remodeling, remediation, and restoration company.
Home water damage restoration is one of our areas of expertise. Whether you are dealing with a minor water event or a full-blown water damage emergency, we can help you get the situation under control!
