Have you recently experienced water in your house that shouldn’t have been there?
Maybe the kids put the wrong soap in the dishwasher causing it to spill water all over the floor. Or maybe the hose to your washing machine came out of the drain in the wall and dumped water all over your laundry room. Even not having a bath mat can lead to water damage.
Even not having a bath mat can lead to water damage >>>
These are common sources of water damage that we, at All Nation Restoration, see every day.
If left uninspected by a water damage restoration company, these types of water losses cause serious damage to your home and property even if you acted quickly in mopping up the water.
Below are some tips that might be helpful if this has happened to you and what to expect if you do have water damage.
Have you cleaned up all the water?
Even if you have cleaned up the surface water and have no visible damage, you may still have a problem. Almost immediately following a water spill or leak, water makes its way under the baseboards or cabinets and into the drywall and walls cavities and remains there leaving the area wet for months.
A sign that water is trapped behind the baseboards is when the baseboards begin to separate from the wall at the caulk line or begin to show signs of swelling. These areas now become a prime breeding ground for mold, structural rot, and bad odors.
Check out what’s behind this normal looking kitchen >>>
Turning what seemed to be an unfortunate water spill that was easily cleaned up, into an issue that requires mold inspectors to write mold protocols and licensed mold remediation companies to set up containment barriers and remove harmful mold from your home.
These situations are hard for homeowners because most times their insurance companies will deny any chance of a claim due to negligence or simply because most insurance policies don’t cover mold. This is something we wish to spare all homeowners from experiencing.
What do I need to do if I had a large water spill?
The first step you are going to want to take is to call a reputable water damage restoration company right away to do an inspection of the area using moisture-detecting equipment. Most restoration companies can arrive in about 30 minutes during an emergency situation and the next day for non-emergencies.
Please don’t call just any company, it’s very important that you do some research first so that you know you’re getting a company that will be honest with you and not just try to sell you something you don’t need.
While you’re waiting, we recommend cleaning up as much water as possible. Also, be sure to take pictures of the area before you clean up and document the time you spend. This can be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim.
What should I expect if I have water damage that needs to be remediated?
What to expect heavily depends on how large of an area is affected, what materials are salvageable or non-salvageable, and if mold treatment is needed.
What does a water damage restoration company do? >>>
Call the insurance company and file a claim if the damages are estimated to be above your deductible. Normal deductibles are about 1% of the value of your home.
The water damage restoration company should document the affected area by taking pictures of the damaged structure and contents. Then, extract water if it is still standing or soaked into the carpet and begin filling out moisture logs. The crew should move furniture out of the affected area or secure it in the area next. Any company will place drying equipment last, after removing any materials and cleaning up.
The types of drying equipment used in most cases are air movers and dehumidifiers. The fans make a lot of noise and blow a lot of air. The dehumidifiers don’t make a lot of noise, but they do let off a good amount of heat. Some fans on the market are quieter than others, but the affected area will no longer be a pleasant place to be either way.
In some cases, the insurance company will pay for a stay at a hotel while the remediation work is taking place if living in the house isn’t possible. If you are left without a functioning kitchen and/or bathroom, you may be covered for the time it takes to get your home restored. Always check your insurance policy and talk to your insurance agent if you have questions about your coverage.
About 3-5 days after the equipment was placed, the restoration company should come back and check the moisture content in the affected materials.
There are times it does take longer than expected to dry, it depends on the environment of the project. Some variables that can extend the dry time are temperature, multiple floors affected, and equipment.
The ideal temperature for the drying environment is between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, water will evaporate at just the right speed so the dehumidifiers will be able to remove it as fast as it enters the air.
When you’re dealing with multiple levels affected by water, there are more cavities where water can become trapped. We often dry out these cavities by injecting dry air into them and it can take longer than 72 hours for the area to dry out completely.
Also, you want to make sure the restoration company you hire has up-to-date drying equipment. Restoration equipment is continually becoming more efficient every day. The older equipment that is still being used takes longer to dry out your home and consumes a lot more electricity.
What do I need to do once my house is dry?
Finally, the time has come for the technician to inform you that everything is dry and they can pull the equipment from your home.
This is a summed version of what to expect during a water damage job. Every job is different, and not all companies are the same, but the process of mitigating damages does have its protocols for each situation. Finding a company that understands and follows these protocols is a company you should hire.
41 Responses
Thanks for helping me understand that the water damage restoration company would need to documents the details of the issue regarding the structure and its contents. I will keep that in mind to ensure that I am hiring a reputable company. I just need help with the basement tomorrow morning after a pipe burst this evening, so we had to turn off the water supply for now.
If you suspect that there has been water damage in your home, it is best to call a professional right away!
These situations are hard for homeowners because most times their insurance companies will deny any chance of a claim due to negligence or simply because most insurance policies don’t cover mold. I’m so thankful for your helpful post!
There are times that it does take longer to dry, it just really depends on the environment of the project. Some variables that can extend the dry time are temperature, multiple levels affected and equipment. Thank you for taking the time to write a great post!
It got me when you said that water damage can lead to structural rot and mold. My husband and I do not know what to do with our basement that was flooded last week. I guess we should look for damage contractors on Monday who can restore our basement’s walls and floors within one week.
The sooner you act the better. A company such as All Nation Restoration, LLC. can have someone on-site usually within a few hours to assess the extent of the event.
They often bring some equipment with them so the job can start asap and reduce any further damages.
I will be sure to call a trustworthy water damage restoration company as soon as possible. Thay way the water doesn’t cause any problems. Maybe I can get professional to help me out with finding the right company.
Sure! If you’re in the Austin, Tx area we can gladly assist!
Really amazing post! A big thanks for such a useful information on what to expect when having water damage.
You’re welcome! We do our best to educate our communities.
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Thank You!
Thank you for mentioning that when faced with water damage, the property must be cleaned out entirely to avoid mold from growing. A pipe just broke in my bathroom when I wasn’t home, and it caused a lot of water damage that I need fixed. I will definitely utilize all of your great tips and information when trying to fix my water damage.
We wish you the best Sadie. If you need any advise you can call us at (512)934-8180
I’ve been so overwhelmed that I didn’t even think to file a claim with my insurance, so thank you for mentioning that. I had a pipe burst the other day and it’s caused quite a lot of damage to my basement. I like the idea of using a dehumidifier so I’ll definitely try that.
Yes checking you coverage with your insurance may be a good idea. If you call a reputable water restoration company, they can help help walk you through the claims process. You may also need air mover(fans) to help with the drying as well.
It was great you pointed out that the property must be cleaned out entirely to avoid mold from growing. It would be a great idea to have a restoration service when facing a flood. thanks for the useful information on what to expect from water damage.
Your welcome Eli
We visited my mom’s house last week and we noticed some water stains on the walls. I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal but my brother mentioned how that can become a much bigger problem, so he suggested we should call a professional. The problem was that we didn’t really know who to call but you did a great job explaining in detail what the whole restoration process consists of and who should be doing it. Also, I truly appreciate the fact that you also included after-care recommendations!
I’m glad we could help Wade
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When you have water damage it will cost you electrical problem and molds. It is better to call a professional right away to fix the problem.
Agreed!
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Nice man! I am just starting my apprenticeship, and your content can really help fill in the gaps. Very well written – looking forward to more!
Your welcome Justin! Glad I could help.
Thanks!
I am incentive for your blog because your post encourages me and it’s helpful for my avoidance risk sensitive culture. Thanks for such a great information.
Your welcome! Any specific questions just please let me know.
It’s great to know that there will be places where treatment is needed especially for porous surfaces to keep them from having molds. I guess it is really that important to hire professionals when you experience water damage. My best friend must know about this since their pipes burst which is why their kitchen has a lot of wet areas. They turned off the supply for now, and they must contact a professional as soon as possible.
Glad you found this helpful! If your friend in in the Central Texas area they can call us at (512)934-8180 and we would be glad to help
I like that you pointed out that the property must be cleaned completely to ensure that the dirt will not be blown around the house when the restoration is done. I will share this information with a friend of mine whose house got damaged with water due to the pipes that burst in their kitchen. It appears the house is already more than five decades which is why the parts are old.
Glad this helped you!
It’s nice that most water restoration companies can arrive to your house in about 30 minutes. I’m sure it’s important to have someone come help you as soon as possible like that so you prevent as much damage as possible. Water damage can rough and I’m sure it could end up being expensive.
Your sure right!
Thanks for helping me understand that the water damage company will be able to document the affected area by taking photos and filing them accordingly. This has given me peace of mind that my house will be fine once we hire them. We just have been affected by the flooding due to the hurricane last week which lasted for three days.
Thanks for pointing out that we should be hiring a company that understands the protocol for removing water from your house. I think that is important to prevent further damage. We just needed to hire a reputable company because the part of the house that has been affected by this incident is our kitchen which has lots of appliances that might get damaged.
That is correct. Finding a company that understands how to mitigate the damages without going over board and keeping your contents/appliances protected, is going to be a good decision. I hope you found an honest company!
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