When you think of a flood, you likely think of large amounts of water gushing through the streets and into your home. While this does happen, it’s just as easy to experience a flood after a bad rainstorm. Regardless of how or where a flood occurs, you should always invest in flood restoration.
Keep reading to learn more about flood restoration and why it’s necessary after your home is damaged in a flood.
Common Causes of Floods
There are different causes of floods, especially in the Portland, OR, area. One of the most common is when an area suffers from intense rain over a short amount of time, or when it’s been raining heavily for several days.
Though floods are also caused by overflowing rivers, homeowners will usually experience floods caused by the reasons mentioned above.
Why You Need Flood Restoration After Your Home Suffers Flood Damage
After your Portland home suffers flood damage, you need to call a flood restoration company as soon as possible.
There are several reasons for this. They include:
Floodwater is a Severe Contaminant
Water damage is categorized into three different levels, all ranging from mild to worst. Floodwaters are the worst because they contain harmful toxins and chemicals. Furthermore, they contain animal waste, dirt, and anything else that’s on the ground.
When these waters get inside your home, it’s not as simple as just rinsing them off. More often than not, damaged items need to be bagged up and discarded. Otherwise, you’re putting yourself, your pets, and your family at risk of health issues.
Flood Damage is Too Big to Clean Yourself
Another major reason to hire a flood restoration company is that the damage is too much to treat yourself.
Flood restoration companies have wet vacs and other tools to get rid of the water quickly. Plus, they have dehumidifiers they can use to pull any remaining moisture from the air. If the air is full of moisture, it’s easier for mold to grow.
However, in most cases of severe flood damage, mold will develop in as little as 24 hours. So the sooner you call someone, the better.
What to Expect During Professional Flood Restoration
After you call a flood restoration company, the first thing they’ll do is assess the damage. Once they do, they’ll work to remove the water. This is usually done by using a wet/dry vacuum or a pump.
Soon after the water is removed, the professionals will start to dry everything. Your flood restoration crew will use air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers. These tools not only remove moisture from the ground but from the air as well. The time frame for the drying process varies on the severity of the flood. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Usually, when the team does their initial assessment, they’ll give you a rough estimate of how long the process will take.
Once the area has been dried out, they will clean everything that’s been left behind. These aren’t your typical household cleaners. Instead, flood restoration teams use specialized disinfectants to
at the source. During this stage, it’s also common for items that can’t be saved to be bagged up and thrown out.
Last but not least is the actual flood restoration process. In many cases, this includes replacing drywall or floorboards. However, the overall process can depend on the severity of the flood damage.
How Long Does Flood Restoration Take?
Generally speaking, proper flood restoration can take up to several weeks. It could be less. It could be more. However, in most cases, it takes several weeks for severely damaged homes to fully dry out.
The reason it’s so important for your home to properly dry out is that leaving moisture behind makes it easier for mold to grow. Mold not only grows in as little as 24 hours after water exposure, but it needs the right conditions to develop. This includes moisture and humidity. So letting your rooms fully dry out is taking a proactive step against mold growth.
Did Your Portland Home Suffer a Flood? Get the Flood Restoration Help You Need from PNW Restoration!
You can do everything in the world to prepare for a flood and it still may not be enough. However, one way you can always be prepared is by knowing who to call for repairs.
PNW Restoration is your go-to source for all things related to flood damage and flood repair. We proudly offer Portland residents 24/7 service for all flood emergencies. Don’t face the aftermath of flood damage alone. Call PNW Restoration for an appointment: (971) 247-3470.
