Water Damage – The In’s and Out’s

Water damage can occur in almost any location from a number of sources. It occurs when water intrudes into a specific area of a residence, commercial building, factory or any other locale. Also, it causes devastating reactions to begin on different materials. For instance, rotting wood, mold growth, de-lamination of plywood and rusting. The destruction may be slow and occur over time or could be instantaneous and overwhelming in volume which could result in a catastrophe. In either scenario, it’s a primary contributor to property losses.

Three Classifications

There are three classifications for water damage; category one, category two and category three. The first category is clean liquid that does not pose a threat to humans such as found with sink or bathtub overflows. The second category involves a source that contains physical, biological or chemical contaminants that can result in sickness or discomfort within humans. Examples include sump pumps and seepage. The final category refers to liquid that is abhorrently unsanitary. It is usually found in sewage and contains harmful agents, bacteria and fungi that can cause sickness. This category not only affects the exposed humans but also the surrounding environment.

The Restoration Period

The restoration period following this type of devastation can be painstaking. This is where the experts shine. The first and most important step specialists take is drying the floors and carpets. This prevents any further harm to the property. Since large, high powered fans that can blow across and within the walls and dehumidifiers are needed, professionals often need to be contacted. Depending on the size of the problem, the next step includes disinfecting the area to kill mold, mildew, fungi and spores. If not immediately detected, mold can grow in the walls and ceilings. Aside from being a health hazard, it can significantly bring down the property value. Finally a deodorizer is sprayed to keep the room smelling fresh. An additional service is sewage waste cleanup in the case of an overflow.

Water damage professionals have all the equipment needed to fix everything from the smallest wet spot to a full blown flood. With the addition of disinfectant that removes mold and deodorizes the area, warping and size changes will be minimized. Whenever there’s an issue, its best to leave it to the professionals that can safely and effectively complete the task at hand. In the end, health hazards will be avoided and property loss will be kept to a minimum.