If you’re left with water damage, your first question will likely be how you should take care of it. While every aspect of water damage is important, some steps should take precedence. Fortunately, your water restoration company knows this.
Below is a helpful guide to the services a water restoration company provides. It will also include your technician’s best practices so you know what to expect.
What Does a Water Restoration Company Do?
A water restoration company removes standing water from a premises. This is usually done after an unexpected flood, leak, or other type of water damage.
In addition to removing standing water, a water restoration company also removes damaged items from the home. They will also disinfect the waterlogged areas and thoroughly dry them out.
Portland Water Restoration Best Practices
Here’s an overview of the best practices used in water restoration:
Shutting Off the Electricity to Your Home First
Before your water damage restoration appointment can begin, all the electricity to your home has to be turned off.
If you have safety gear at home and it is safe to do so, you may try doing this yourself. However, if it is not safe, do not attempt this. Instead, call an electrician.
Regardless of which method you choose, turning off electricity to the home is the first best practice of any water restoration service.
Assessing the Damage First
Another best practice is inspecting the damage first. Some cases of water damage are clear-cut. For example, a natural flood has no underlying cause. However, the same can’t be said for every type of water damage.
For example, a burst pipe may be the result of old, worn-down plumbing. Or a leak in the attic could be the result of roof damage. Inspecting the root cause of water damage is important. Otherwise, any water restoration performed is the equivalent of putting on a band-aid. It will work, but only temporarily.
Before any water damage repair and restoration is made, an inspection identifying the root cause must be performed. Then, the issue must be addressed.
Understanding that There Are Different Categories of Water Damage
To the naked eye, water just looks like water. But did you know that there are actually three types of water damage?
The water damage includes:
- Category 1: Clean water damage
- Category 2: Gray water damage
- Category 3: Black water damage
Clean water damage is the safest type of water damage. It’s usually when a bathtub overflows or a pipe bursts. Category 1 water doesn’t have any toxins that can harm your health.
Category 2, on the other hand, does contain some toxins harmful to your health. Usually, this type of water damage is from overflowing toilets or washing machines. Category 2 water damage isn’t as severe, but it still poses a threat since it may contain human waste.
The last type of water damage is black water damage, also known as Category 3 water. This is the most toxic type of water damage. It generally includes overflowing sewage lines and floods.
Having someone come in and determine the type of water damage is crucial to outlining what to expect from the restoration process as a whole. This is because the remediation process varies based on the type of water damage you have. For example, items that suffer black water damage usually have to be discarded, whereas others may be able to be saved.
Identifying Mold
Unfortunately, mold and water damage go hand in hand. So one of the best practices for your technician is to be able to recognize signs of mold growth.
Mold can grow in as little as 24 hours after water exposure. As such, your home likely already has some minor mold growth. During your assessment and treatment, your tech will identify mold and treat it. This is why it’s beneficial to hire a water restoration company that also treats mold damage.
Keep in mind that this isn’t an exhaustive list of best practices. However, they are a few of the most common. If you have water damage, don’t let it sit. The longer it sits, the worse the damage will get. Call PNW Restoration to schedule an appointment.
Looking for a Water Restoration Company in Portland? Contact PNW Restoration to Set Up an Appointment
Treating water damage shouldn’t be left up to chance. When you need help, look to a reputable water restoration company like PNW Restoration.
Our team has years of experience treating all types of water damage. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you get your home back to normal. PNW Restoration proudly serves Portland, West Linn, Aloha, and more. Call us at (971) 247-3381 to set up an appointment. In the event of a flood emergency, our team is available 24/7.
