No home is immune to disasters like a pipe burst, fire damage, or sewage backup. A restoration company is normally one of the first to respond when these events occur, helping a property owner recover from their loss.
Ensure your contractor has a great reputation and proper credentials to ensure a smooth process. Look for local certifications and sub-certifications that demonstrate their expertise in specific types of work.
Water damage can be a nightmare for homeowners, especially when it comes to a flooded home or burst pipes. These issues can be a sign of more serious problems that require professional help. In most cases, it’s important for a homeowner to hire one of the best restoration companies in order to restore their home and save any items that can be saved. Homeowners should consider a number of factors when choosing the right company to do the job, including service area, availability, customer service, and any additional services offered.
The first thing that a water damage restoration company will do is assess the situation and determine what can be done to repair the situation and prevent further damage. If possible, the company will remove a large amount of the water using various methods such as pumps and vacuums. They may also use dehumidifiers and air movers to dry out the area, depending on the extent of the damage and its severity. They will then clean, sanitize, and deodorize the area to reduce bacteria, mold growth, and bad odors. The company will also test the moisture level of walls, carpets, and other areas in the home with moisture meters. This will help them identify any lingering moisture that can lead to the development of mold, mildew, and other health problems in the future.
When a homeowner chooses a water damage restoration company, they should make sure that the company is available 24/7 to respond to emergency situations. They should also look for a company that offers a free inspection, which can be a good way to get an idea of what services the company provides and what they will cost. The company should also have a strong reputation and provide references from previous customers.
If a homeowner needs to store any of their items that have been damaged by water, they will want to find out about the storage facilities offered by the company. Homeowners should make sure that the company has adequate space and that their storage facilities are safe and secure. They should also ask about the rates for storing undamaged items and the length of time they can be stored.
Mold Remediation
Mold spores are always present in homes, but when conditions get right for them to grow, the situation becomes a health risk. Even a patch of mold the size of a bath towel can cause respiratory problems, especially for people with compromised or suppressed immune systems. People with asthma or COPD are especially at risk of fungal infection, and prolonged exposure to mold spores can lead to other health issues.
Mold remediation services involve both treating the affected area with chemicals and physically removing it. Homeowners can use bleach and vinegar to treat small patches of mold, but professional mold remediation companies will usually spray the area with a disinfectant such as quaternary ammonium compounds (quats). Regardless of what methods are used, the underlying moisture problem must also be addressed in order for the mold to not return.
After the moldy materials are removed, a thorough drying process is performed. This is done with air movers and dehumidifiers, as well as moisture meters to determine when the material is dry. Nonporous surfaces may then be cleaned with antimicrobial cleaners and sealants can be applied to make the surface more resistant to water and mold spores.
If the contaminated areas are in air ducts, wall cavities, or wood framing, the items that were affected will probably need to be discarded. In this case, the remediation company will call a hazardous waste removal service to transport and dispose of these items.
The last step is to test for mold, and when the spore count is below acceptable levels, the building can be reoccupied. If the spore count is still high, further treatment and cleaning is needed, and this will likely involve more professional services such as air scrubbers or a vapor barrier.
Many homeowners think that if the damage caused by mold is limited to a small area, it can be safely removed by them. This is not necessarily true, and it’s often best to leave it up to a restoration company. Not only do they have the tools and training to handle such a job, but they also know what’s involved in addressing the underlying moisture issues, and they can spot potential trouble spots that you might miss.
Fire Damage
Fires can cause a lot of damage, both to your personal belongings and the structures that support them. Flames, heat and smoke can leave behind visible and invisible damage, including corrosive residue and lingering odors that are difficult to remove. Restoration professionals are trained to identify which items can be cleaned and restored and how to make necessary repairs to structural components. They also know how to assess the overall degree of destruction and what it will take to get things back to normal.
The act of putting out a fire can also lead to additional types of damage, especially if the water used is not thoroughly extracted. Standing water may wreak havoc on electronics, corrode metal and weaken the integrity of building materials. Restoration companies are experienced in treating the effects of water damage and can offer home maintenance services like air duct cleaning, basement waterproofing and more.
If the fire caused extensive water damage, the restoration company will likely take steps to prevent further damage until they can safely restore your property. This may involve tarping the roof or walls, sealing or covering openings in doors and windows, and moving items from damaged areas to unaffected rooms.
In the clean up phase, technicians will use high-powered equipment to remove stains from wall surfaces, furniture and appliances. They may also need to sanitize or apply antimicrobial agents to reduce the risk of mold growth, depending on the severity of the damage. They will also use deodorizing agents to eliminate any lingering smoke odors.
When selecting a restoration company, look for a wide service area and 24/7 availability. You should also be wary of companies that offer the cheapest rates or fastest turnaround times, which can indicate that they do not have the proper experience to perform the work correctly or completely. It is also important to check the company’s credentials, such as certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Look for a firm with sub-certifications that focus on specialty restoration or construction.
If you’ve recently experienced a house fire, the last thing you want to think about is cleaning up and making repairs. But putting off these tasks can lead to more damage and make it harder for your restoration company to perform the work. Find a local company that can start the restoration process immediately, if possible, to mitigate further damage and help you return your home to normal.
Sewage Backup
Sewage backup can be just as dangerous to health as flooding or other types of water damage. It’s a situation you want to deal with quickly, and the team has the training, equipment and protective gear to take care of it for you. Water contaminated by sewage contains bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms that can cause serious illnesses, and it may also contain toxins and other substances like lead or cadmium. It’s important to use a disinfectant or multi-purpose cleaner that can kill bacteria and prevent mould growth, especially after you’ve mopped up the sewage spill.
Once the sewage is cleaned up, your restoration company will start to decontaminate and dry any affected areas of your home. If they can, they will encapsulate and clean any items that are salvageable, such as carpeting, furniture or other hard surfaces. Then they’ll disinfect and sanitize any remaining spaces, including those that didn’t come into direct contact with the sewage, to reduce the risk of infection. They’ll also use a multi-purpose cleaning agent that won’t just kill bacteria but will prevent it from coming back in the future.
The cause of the sewage problem will need to be determined and fixed before you can reopen your home’s plumbing. This can involve checking the sewer cleanout and plumbing fixtures, looking for signs of blockages and identifying possible causes, such as tree roots infiltrating pipes, crushed or broken pipes from shifting soil or normal material deterioration.
The first step is to call the municipality if you suspect a municipal sewer issue. They’ll be able to determine the issue and help you with repairs if necessary. Next, you should turn off the power to any affected areas of your home and switch off any electrical appliances. This will reduce the risk of electric shock. Finally, open windows and doors to ventilate the space. Finally, avoid direct contact with any sewage water, and protect yourself by wearing gloves and masks if needed. This is an important step to reduce the health risks associated with sewage contamination, which include Gastroenteritis, Hepatitis A, and E. coli poisoning.
