How Does Professional Water Damage Cleanup Work?
For many people, a water damage event is a new experience. Therefore, they don’t know what to expect when they hire a water damage cleanup company in Boston to help restore the affected area. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the process, it’s important to take some time to understand how it all works.
Fortunately, homeowners don’t have to go in blind thanks to A.W. Puma Remodeling & Restoration. Their helpful guide details all of the steps of a professional water damage cleanup so that customers can feel better prepared for their restoration.
Assessment of Damage
The very first step of any restoration job is to assess the damage. Since water intrusion events can be broken down into different categories, types, and classes, it’s important for a water damage cleanup company to see what they are working with. They arrive on the scene with protective equipment in case there is any risk of exposure to contaminants.
The contractors also bring helpful tools like moisture meters to assess how far the damage has spread. These pieces of equipment are essential in diagnosing hidden water damage in walls, flooring, and other parts of the home.
Water Extraction
Once the contractors are ready to begin the actual cleanup, they start with extracting any of the standing water. In some cases, this process might be completed in just an hour or so, but if the water level is high, it could take several hours and many high-powered pumps to get the job done.
Wet/dry vacuums are also helpful during this phase. Even if there isn’t a lot of water remaining in the home, these tools can extract what remains in the carpet and other areas of the home.
Drying & Dehumidification
After the last few puddles have been cleaned up, the water damage cleanup company typically moves on to the drying phase. During this step, they utilize air movers, commercial fans, and dehumidifiers to remove any water that remains in the building materials and air. They may also open windows to increase circulation.
Depending on how severe the water damage was, this process may take a day or several weeks to ensure that every bit of excess moisture is removed. Moisture meters will be used again to monitor the progress and determine when the house has finally dried. It’s important to be thorough with this step to avoid secondary damage, such as rot and mold.
Contents Cleaning
While the air movers and dehumidifiers are working their magic, the water damage cleanup company will often start to tend to the household contents. The best damrestoration crews can help to repair or clean any furniture, clothing, textiles, or other items that were impacted by the water intrusion. In fact, they typically have a higher rate of success with salvaging household contents than if the homeowners simply chose to DIY this step.
The contents cleaning process can be broken down into three phases. The sorting and pack out takes place with the homeowners’ supervision, and items are either thrown out or kept to be cleaned. Anything that is kept is safely packed and sent to the company’s cleaning facility. The items will remain there until they are ready to be delivered to the restored house.
Demolition of Damaged Materials
In some cases, building materials absorb too much water to be dried out and returned to their original condition. For example, extremely saturated drywall or wood often becomes warped and weak, so it’s best to remove these materials.
The contractors can use their knowledge and experience to determine what parts of the home are better off being removed and replaced. However, they typically have to remove:
- Drywall
- Insulation
- Carpet and Padding
- Wood Floors
- Door Frames
- Trim
- And More!
Repairs and Reconstruction
The final step can often be the longest of the whole process, but the amount of time depends on how much demolition work was done. The best water damage cleanup company has licensed and certified contractors who can complete reconstruction and repairs to the house.
Not only does this save homeowners time and money, but it also ensures that the job gets done right. After all of the repairs and installations have taken place, the contractors go through the house and verify that the property has been returned to its pre-loss condition free of moisture and mold.
Learn More from a Local Water Damage Cleanup Company
Interested in finding out more about how A.W. Puma Remodeling & Restoration handles water damage cleanups? Then contact their experienced company right away. They are available for 24/7 emergency services, so customers can call anytime water damage occurs. They also have a simple online form that homeowners can submit to request a free quote and more information.
