No one wants to experience water intrusion in their home or business, but many of the events and natural disasters that cause water damage can’t be prevented. In the aftermath, it’s essential to move quickly and reach out for help from a restoration company that offers fast response cleanup. Time is of the essence, and damage can worsen significantly the longer water is allowed to linger. This is especially true if you have possessions or paper documents that are exposed to moisture for an extended period of time. If you have water damage in your home or business, read on to learn more about the restoration process.
What is the restoration process like after water damage?
It’s important to remember that any issues with damage or moisture accumulation indoors should be addressed immediately if you want to avoid further damage. You should get in touch with a restoration service as soon as possible to discuss the next steps. Typically, water extraction is the first priority. Technicians will then need to remove salvageable items and begin the process of sanitizing the space.
If you find that vital documents, photographs, or other valuable papers have been damaged, you may want to look into the document restoration process. Many restoration companies also offer document drying and deodorization in the aftermath of an event that causes water damage or works with document restoration specialists who can help you recover your important documents.
Your restoration company can also work with your insurance company to file the estimates that they require, handle your claim, and complete any other necessary documents. You can focus on getting your home and your life back together while your professional restoration experts handle the paperwork.
Can the presence of water create health risks?
Water intrusion in the home can create several health risks, which can cause significant danger for you and your family. Standing water is one potential hazard. When you have standing water in your home, even if the source of the water is clean, microorganisms will immediately begin to develop. The bacteria and viruses created in standing water can often become airborne, posing even more of a risk to you and any other members of your household. These pathogens can reach concentrations that cause disease when inhaled.
Mold growth is also a serious issue to look out for after your home sustains any type of damage. Even dormant mold spores can become active with the presence of water. This process can begin even within hours of flooding and can continue even after the water is removed. It’s essential that you have an expert in mold remediation inspect your home or business if you suspect mold damage is present anywhere.
Water can also cause structural damage and cause wood to weaken, rot, or even fall apart. This means that parts of your home or office could be vulnerable to collapse. Until the entire building has been inspected, you shouldn’t spend time in any areas where there could potentially be weakened or destroyed wood beams.
There is no way to mitigate all of the effects of water damage, but a quality service company can help you through the entire restoration process. Removing the standing water is only the first step, and you may find that you need additional help in the form of document recovery or other types of disaster recovery. Given how serious the health risks caused by water damage can be, it’s a good idea to start working on recovery and restoration as soon as you can. While you may not be able to save all of your belongings, you might be surprised by how many salvageable items your restoration team can find, especially if you act quickly at the first sign of a problem.
