When a disaster strikes at home, such as a flood, it can be stressful, to say the least. It can completely upend your routine and even impact your health.
Regardless of how the flooding occurs, a few issues can be disruptive.
Whether from a burst pipe, a sudden storm flood, or the hidden dangers of a slow, unseen leak, the damage from flooding and water can escalate quickly, causing short-term havoc and long-term, costly repairs.
If not addressed quickly and properly, water can lead to various concerns, such as fixing the damaged area, structural damage to your home, and even health problems associated with mold growth.
When you need a restoration company in Flower Mound, TX, understanding the types of water damage, the extent of the overall damage, the potential for health concerns such as mold, and finding the right restoration company is crucial.
Greenlight Restoration put this guide together to explain everything you need to know as a homeowner about water damage, the potential for severe health issues, and how to find a reliable home restoration company in Flower Mound, TX, to restore your home to its original condition.
Understanding the Different Types of Water Damage
The first thing to understand is that not all water damage is the same.
The source of the water exposure and the length of time it’s left untreated can increase the extent of the damage and how it should be handled.
As restoration experts, at Greenlight Restoration, we prioritize water damage into three categories:
- Category 1: Clean Water Damage
- Category 2: Gray Water Damage
- Category 3: Black Water Damage
Let’s take a look at each of these categories and identify some key characteristics.
Category 1: Clean Water Damage
This type of water damage is classified as having come from a clean source, such as a broken supply line, malfunctioning appliance, or overflowing sink.
It is the easiest and least dangerous source to clean up for your property and health.
While category 1 type of water may seem harmless, it’s essential to address this type of water damage quickly to prevent it from escalating into more severe issues and causing greater damage.
If left untreated, even clean water can become hazardous.
In less than 48 hours, standing water can interact with insulation, dust, flooring materials, and other contaminants, transforming clean water into gray and black water.
Category 2: Gray Water Damage
The second type of water damage comes from less pure sources, such as dishwashers, sump pumps, or washing machines.
While not extremely dangerous, it poses some risk due to the chance of chemicals and bacteria.
Gray water doesn’t contain raw sewage but may include biological and chemical contaminants that can harbor bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
A key aspect of gray water is that it can quickly evolve into black water, especially in Flower Mound’s heat and humidity.
In no time, gray water left standing in carpets and insulation can turn foul, emit toxic odors, lead to mold growth, and present severe hazards.
Professional restoration services will use special disinfectants and specific protocols to deal with gray water.
Category 3: Black Water Damage
The final category is also the most dangerous to your health.
This type of water damage comes from sources that may be highly contaminated, such as floodwaters from rivers, oceans, or other waterways.
It may also be caused by sewage backups or standing water that has had time to breed bacteria and mold.
This more extensive restoration process must be handled immediately and requires professional services.
Parasites, viruses, and E. coli pose serious health risks associated with blackwater. Technicians in protective gear and advanced filtration tools must remove porous materials like drywall and insulation.
In such situations, only professional water restoration and removal services can safely remove the dangers of black water exposure.
Common Causes of Water Damage in Homes
Water damage can result from various causes, including extreme weather events, seasonal weather that can cause damage leading to water breaks, or aging infrastructure in and around your home.
Some of the most common causes of water damage to homes in Flower Mound include:
- Heavy rains leading to flash flooding
- Leaky roofs and poor drainage systems
- Frozen pipes from Texas cold snaps
- Malfunctioning HVAC systems
- Plumbing failures and sewage backups
- Appliance leaks, damaged water heaters, and washing machines
Each of these situations can cause severe damage to your home if the water is left untreated.
One of the most significant and dangerous consequences of untreated water is more than just damage to your home; it’s the likelihood of mold growth.
That’s because mold thrives in damp environments with excessive humidity, and can develop in as little as 24 hours after water exposure.
The risks associated with water exposure include:
- Increased allergic reactions
- Asthma attacks
- Chronic fatigue
- Skin irritation
- Other respiratory issues
Additionally, mold thrives on organic material, so long-term mold exposure can eat away at drywall, wood framing, and insulation, causing significant damage and expensive repairs.
Because of the risks associated with water damage, finding a skilled restoration company in Flower Mound, TX, is crucial for your home’s structural integrity and health.
How the Water Damage Restoration Process Works
When you’re dealing with water damage and you work with a top-flight restoration company like Greenlight Restoration, here’s the process you can expect:
1. Emergency Services
When the time comes and you’re in need, contact a professional restoration company.
At Greenlight Restoration, we offer comprehensive emergency services, including assisting you and sending a team to assess the situation.
2. Initial Inspection and Damage Assessment
Once contacted, we will send our trusted team of technicians to your home to thoroughly inspect the damage and the surrounding areas and assess it fully.
We’ll assess the seen and hidden damage using moisture meters and thermal imaging before creating a water extraction and restoration plan.
3. Water Extraction
The technicians will begin removing the standing water with industrial-grade pumps and vacuums to prevent further damage before addressing the risks of mold growth.
4. Drying and Dehumidifying
Once the damage is under control, the next step in the removal process is to dry and dehumidify the area.
With high-powered dehumidifiers and fans, the technicians will dry the area thoroughly to prevent mold growth from destroying and deteriorating the structure of your home.
5. Cleaning and Sanitizing
When everything is dry, the next step is to clean and sanitize the area, eliminating all bacteria and mold, removing any odors, and restoring your home to a healthy environment.
6. Restoration and Repairs
When the water has been extracted and the area dried and cleaned, the next step is to repair and restore the area to its original condition.
Whether replacing drywall, flooring, roofing, or insulation, Greenlight Restoration’s team will handle the repairs needed to return your home to its pre-damaged condition. The team will also conduct mold removal and remediation services in the event of mold growth.
What to Look for in a Restoration Company in Flower Mound, TX
When dealing with a water issue, finding the right fit to identify and address the problem and restore your home to its pre-damaged condition is essential.
As you search for the right company, there are 6 elements to look for:
- Knowledgeable, Certified Technicians
- Advanced Technology And Equipment
- Transparency In Pricing
- Insurance Assistance
- Comprehensive Restoration Services
- Local Experts With A Strong Reputation
Finding the right company to assist with your needs is easier if you follow these traits, so let’s discuss them in greater detail so that you have a better understanding of their importance.
1. Knowledgeable, Certified Technicians
When searching for a company to help you, look for one with knowledgeable technicians certified by the IIRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification).
By finding a company that has IICRC-certified technicians, you can have peace of mind that the job will be done correctly and will be able to pass codes and regulations.
2. Advanced Technology and Equipment
The next thing to research is whether the company utilizes state-of-the-art, industrial-grade humidifiers and moisture detection tools to ensure that they can find and identify the problems and effectively dry, restore, and prevent future issues in your home.
3. Transparency in Pricing
A trustworthy restoration company will offer transparency in every facet of the operation, from timelines to work expectations to pricing.
By offering transparent pricing, you’ll get what you pay for, and any company that avoids or is hesitant to provide a detailed quote could end up overcharging or causing issues with insurance coverage.
4. Insurance Assistance
Speaking of insurance, a trustworthy company will have the expertise and experience to help you navigate the complexities of filing and accepting your insurance claim.
At Greenlight Restoration, our team of experts will provide comprehensive, step-by-step guidance to make the insurance claim process as easy as possible.
5. Comprehensive Restoration Services
Fully restoring your home and damaged areas to pre-damage conditions requires more than simply drying out rooms.
A reputable company will provide a fully detailed service, including:
- Structural Drying
- Mold Removal and Remediation
- Odor Removal
- Sanitization
- Complete Reconstruction Repairs
6. Local Experts With a Strong Reputation
Researching a company you can trust should include reviewing online reviews and customer testimonials from Flower Mound residents who vouch for the services provided to them.
A reputable company would have plenty of avid customers and loyal fans of its services and work, helping it establish itself as a local expert with a strong reputation.
Why Greenlight Restoration is the Right Choice for Water Damage Restoration in Flower Mound
When it’s time to restore your home because of water damage in Flower Mound, there’s only one trusted, local expert to turn to: Greenlight Restoration.
With skilled, certified, and trained technicians who check off every box you may need to handle your water damage recovery, homeowners who choose Greenlight Restoration feel safe and know that the job is done right, every time.
If water damage is left untreated for even a few hours, it can become disastrous and lead to more serious issues.
For example, mold only takes a day or two to begin growing, creating a toxic, unhealthy environment and potentially compromising the structural integrity of your home.
Whether you’re dealing with standing water from recent rains, a broken or burst pipe, or the aftermath of a leak in your home, the time to act is right now!
Call Greenlight Restoration Today!
When water damage occurs in your home, call the local experts trusted by your friends and neighbors to get the job done right.
With fast, reliable, trustworthy help, Greenlight Restoration is the leading restoration company in Flower Mound, TX, for quick, efficient water damage services.
Services include:
- Water removal
- Mold removal and remediation
- Structural and area drying
- Coordinating with your insurance claim
- Total restoration services
Call or contact Greenlight Restoration for a FREE consultation to identify and assess your water damage today!
