Emergency Water Damage And Restoration Process
If you’re frustrated by losing your property to water damage, here’s what you need to know about the emergency water damage and restoration process.
Discovering that water has caused damage to your home or property can leave you feeling frustrated, worried about the extent of the damage, and afraid that your property will never return to normal.
It is understandable, emergency water damage restoration technicians, some of whom have decades of experience, have worked with clients who were feeling exactly the same way.
When water damage occurs, time is everything. Whether it’s a burst pipe or flooding from a storm, immediate action is the only way to prevent severe damage and high repair costs.
It is important to quickly address water damage to prevent further structural damage. The good news is that emergency water damage restoration can remove the water, dry out the moisture that remains, and return your property to its previous condition.
Let’s focus on understanding water damage restoration and the emergency water damage and restoration process.
What is water damage restoration?
Water damage restoration is the process of returning the property’s condition to its original state before water intrusion. The process consists of inspection, extraction, and sanitation.
While water damage restoration usually does not require certification, in case it’s a matter of emergency, it should ideally be performed by a water damage Tucson specialist who is equipped with the right tools and knowledge to do so.
Signs of emergency water damage to walls and ceilings
- Softened drywall that cracks or sinks inward when pressed
- Discoloration, usually in the form of streaks that run down the walls
- Water rings and stains
- Flaking, stretching, and cracking paint
- Musty odor
Signs of emergency water damage to floors
- Discoloration
- Unpleasant odor
Other signs of emergency water damage
- Pooling or standing water
- Peeling wallpaper
- Electrical issues
- The sound of dripping or running water
Steps to Manage Emergency Water Damage
1. Shut down the source of water
When you discover that there is emergency water damage, the first thing you have to do is shut down the source of water. Stop the flow of water to avoid extensive damage to property.
2. Ensure the safety of life and property
While you shut down the water flow, causing emergency water damage, or perhaps even before, you must ensure that human lives are not at risk.
3. Assess and document the water damage
After you’ve shut down or stopped the flow of water, the next thing is to take a step back to carefully observe the extent of the damage that has been done by taking pictorial pictures of the spot or doing a video of the damage.
4. Informing The Right Authorities
Depending on the extent of the water damage, you may need to involve emergency water damage restoration authorities. Sometimes, if the situation of the damage is severe, professionals in the field is advisable for you to contact.
5. Extract the water
Instead of sweeping through the building for an extraction method could cause more damage than you think, but in some emergency water damage scenarios, such as extreme weather events, the water may drain naturally out of the building.
With small and contained spills, your maintenance crew may be able to mop or direct the water toward a sewage opening. However, if there’s too much standing water for your teams to manage using buckets and mops, you may require a commercial wet vacuum to manage water removal.
Water Damage Restoration Process
1. Conduct a Water Damage Inspection
A water damage inspection or water damage assessment is conducted by the specialist to identify the water source, the water contamination category, and the water damage class.
As discussed in a previous section, the water source is heavily related to the cause of water damage. However, in some cases, it may still be difficult to identify the water source, even while knowing the cause of water damage (e.g., flood water may seep into the property through multiple entry points).
After identifying and stopping the flow of the water source, the specialist will identify the water contamination category.
Identifying the water contamination category will help the specialist decide on the scope and type of decontamination needed later. The third part of the inspection is the identification of the water damage class.
2. Remove Standing Water via Extraction
Especially crucial when a property has a flooded basement, removing the standing water (also known as stagnant water) is done through extraction. Extractors include industrial vacuums and submersible pumps.
3. Dry and dehumidify
Dehumidifiers will help remove the excess moisture from the air and promote evaporation as quickly as possible.
4. Sanitize and disinfect
Water damage can cause long-term health issues for tenants and visitors to your building due to the introduction of harmful bacteria and pathogens from the water intrusion event.
Treat the affected areas with disinfectants and mold growth prevention agents. Sanitize the environment before it can be approved for occupancy.
5. Repair and Reconstruct if Necessary
In the final part of water damage restoration, the specialist will remove unsalvageable parts (e.g., drywall below the flood line, low to medium density trim boards, carpet padding).
Carpets can be deep cleaned, though they will more than likely need to be replaced. In some cases, wooden trim boards may be reused, and drywall can be repaired.
Conclusion
Managing emergency water damage requires a well-coordinated and proactive approach. A swift response, expert restoration, and a focus on long-term prevention are key to minimizing damage, reducing downtime, and safeguarding the building’s structural integrity.
Prepare an emergency water damage management plan that includes a list of emergency contacts, procedures for shutting off the water supply, and recommended steps for managing emergency water damage.
Educate and train your teams in avoiding, detecting, and responding to emergency water damage events.
Preventing emergency water damage from water leaks with water damage Tucson
Dealing with a water damage incident is an experience best avoided, but when it occurs, emergency water damage restoration is crucial.
