At some point, everyone who owns a home will have to deal with water damage. Whether it’s due to a burst pipe, flood, or major storm, water damage is common. This is especially true considering Portland, OR’s rainy season takes up a huge chunk of the year. If you’ve suffered water damage, here’s what you need to know about water restoration services.
Common Water Damage that Requires Help from a Professional Water Restoration Company
Before we dive into what a professional water restoration company does, let’s go over when you should call one.
These are the most common causes of water damage that require water restoration services in Portland, OR:
- Leaky/malfunctioning water heater
- Leaky, clogged, or burst pipes
- Clogged gutters
- Severe storms, such as rainstorms, hurricanes, or floods
- Condensation buildup
- Supply line leaks
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, they’re just a few of the most common problems you’ll run into that warrant a call to a professional water damage company.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at what you should expect after you call a water damage restoration company.
What Water Restoration Services Do
Water restoration involves several steps. Here’s a breakdown of each of them, so you fully know what to expect:
Remove Water
When your water restoration technician shows up, the first thing they will do is remove the water. This is usually done in the event of a flood or when there is a large amount of water that is too much for the average homeowner to get rid of themselves.
This step may not be needed in the event of smaller leaks, such as those caused by an overflowing tub or toilet or a buildup of condensation.
Remove Water-Soaked Items
Once the water is all gone, the next step is to remove all the water-soaked items from the area. In some cases, certain things may be able to be salvaged. However, depending on the severity of the damage, things like your couch, carpet, artwork, and paperwork may not be able to be saved.
If this is the case, your water restoration technician will go ahead and bag them up so they’re disposed of safely and properly. Because mold can develop in as little as 24 hours after water exposure, it’s likely that many of these items will already be contaminated.
Clean and Dry the Area
The last few steps in the process involve completely disinfecting the area and drying it out. Keep in mind that these aren’t the kinds of cleaners you can buy from the store.
Though many brands claim to clean mold, they really only treat it at a surface level. A technician from a water restoration services company will use special-grade cleaners. These are designed to treat and kill mold at the source so they don’t become a problem later on.
Once the area is completely cleaned, it’s time to dry it out. Your technician will use a dehumidifier to grab any excess moisture in the air. Too much moisture left in the air makes it easier for mold to grow.
How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take?
In most cases, the water damage restoration process should take up to two weeks to complete. Of course, this time frame can vary. However, anywhere from one to two weeks is how long it usually takes to make water damage repairs.
In terms of when it’s safe to start walking through the rooms where water damage occurred, you should be good to do so 72 hours after water damage occurred. This ensures the room is fully dry.
Why You Need Water Restoration Services
You need to contact a professional water damage restoration company any time you’re dealing with a large amount of water damage. They will have the cleaning solutions and equipment necessary to treat the damage so that you don’t have to.
Trying to treat water damage yourself is usually a big task. It’s not only expensive to rent or buy the equipment you need, but without experience, you may not treat the damage properly. This could lead to a bigger problem down the line.
If your Portland home suffered water damage, leave it to the professionals. After all, we’re here to help.
Call PNW Restoration for All Your Water Restoration Services Today!
Don’t handle the aftermath of water damage alone. Contact the water restoration services team at PNW Restoration today.
Servicing the greater Portland area, we’ll treat water damage correctly so your home returns to normal. Call us today at (971) 247-3470 or send an email to contactus@pnwrestorationservices.com. Our team is certified, experienced, and available 24/7 in the event of a water damage emergency.
