When it comes to natural disasters, floods rank as one of the most common. When floods occur, you need to know who to call for quality flood damage services.
Not only can a flood wreak havoc on the outside of your home, but it can destroy the interior as well. Here’s what you need to know about flood damage repair.
Why Are Floods Bad?
Before diving into what flood damage repair entails – and why it’s important – let’s first answer why floods are so bad.
Floods are dangerous for two reasons. First is the ferocity of the water itself. Floods are extremely powerful and can easily break down doors and windows and lead to serious risks depending on where you are, including drowning.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the other reason floods are so dangerous is because of the toxins they contain. Floodwaters are considered one of the most toxic categories of water, containing harmful chemicals, human/animal waste, and more.
Combined, floodwaters don’t just destroy your home and its structure, but they expose you to serious illness and contamination. It’s for these reasons that quality flood damage repair is necessary.
What to Expect During Your Flood Damage Repair Appointment
If you’re considering flood damage repair, here’s a helpful overview of what you can expect from the process:
Water is Removed
The first step in the flood damage repair process is to remove standing water. This is done in several ways, including with the use of a sump pump. The sooner this process occurs, the sooner you can start combating mold growth.
This brings us to the next step in the water extraction process, which includes removing excess water from carpets and other upholstered items. This is typically done with a device known as a portable extractor.
Damaged Items Will Be Removed
As briefly mentioned above, floods can severely damage your home and anything in its path. The most common items damaged in a flood include drywall, carpets, upholstered furniture, and wooden structures. Once the water has been removed, the next step is to demolish or throw out any damaged debris. Doing so helps prevent the spread of mold spores. It also makes room for necessary repairs.
Damaged Area is Disinfected
After all of the water-damaged items are removed from the area, that’s when the disinfecting process begins. An industry-standard cleaner is used to not only remove any germs from the area but also help kill mold spores before they have a chance to grow and spread. The cleaner that is used is much more potent than a bottle of bleach you can buy at the grocery store and is specifically designed for this kind of cleaning.
The Damaged Area is Dried Out
When the water is extracted from the area, the next step is to dry it out. This is not only the most important step of the flood damage restoration process but also can take the longest.
To speed up the drying process, your tech will use a dehumidifier to grab excess moisture in the air. Not only does this make the process go faster, but it also helps prevent mold growth. Mold is common after a flood, and unfortunately, it will likely be something you have to deal with. This is because mold needs humidity and moisture to survive.
By grabbing excess moisture from the air, however, you get to slow down this mold growth. While you may still need to invest in mold remediation, the severity of the mold may not be too bad yet.
How to Find the Best Flood Damage Repair Team in Portland
Finding the best flood damage repair team starts with understanding the ins and outs of how a company operates. To find this information, turn to the company’s reviews. Reviews offer a glimpse into how the company works, what their prices are, and how well they meet customers’ needs.
Another way to find the best flood damage repair team is to give them a call and speak with them. In doing so, you can ask questions about their experience and get an estimate on how long your flood damage repair appointment will take.
