Water Damage Restoration Blogs

Water and flood damage can cause immense devastation to property. Despite this, many property owners, both residential and commercial, are often tempted to handle the cleanup process themselves.

While it may seem safe and straightforward to tackle the cleanup without professional help, restoring a property after water damage requires a significant amount of effort. It involves not only removing the water but also cleaning the affected area and its contents, as well as carrying out necessary repairs. Moreover, all of these tasks need to be completed while up against the clock.

Unfortunately, DIY flood restoration often leads to further damage due to a lack of experience and the absence of proper tools. That’s why it’s important to take a step back and carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of embarking on a DIY water damage restoration project.

Here are four areas to consider when deciding to hire a professional or to take the DIY approach.

1) The expertise required

While the idea of undertaking a DIY water remediation project instead of hiring a professional may be tempting, the unfortunate truth is that an amateur will likely lack the necessary expertise to safely and effectively clean up the damage. Restoring a property after flood and water damage is a complex task that requires specialist knowledge.

There are numerous factors involved in achieving optimal restoration results, such as identifying the source of the water, determining if it’s clean or contaminated and selecting the best tools for drying.

Typically, home or business owners don’t have the training required to grasp the intricacies of the restoration process fully. They may struggle to identify hidden water damage or choose appropriate treatments and chemicals for different materials.

Without proper proficiency in flood restoration techniques and access to the right equipment, there is a risk of exacerbating the damage to the property. It’s therefore crucial to recognize the limitations of one’s abilities and consider the potential consequences.

2) Access to professional equipment

While DIY techniques are often considered a cost and time-saving option, they can prove disastrous when dealing with serious water damage. Not only can they result in further damage, but they also pose a risk of personal injury. Opting to hire a professional water restoration company that uses state-of-the-art equipment is a safer and more comprehensive choice.

Water damage restoration professionals have easy access to advanced tools, such as high-quality pumps, heavy-duty wet/dry vacuums and other robust and efficient equipment. This allows them to restore a property quickly and effectively. Additionally, they possess humidity and moisture meters that are crucial for detecting hidden moisture and ensuring that the job is carried out accurately.

By entrusting the task to professionals, customers can be confident that all water and moisture will be thoroughly removed, minimizing any further risks to both a property and its occupants.

3) Processing insurance claims

Not only is water damage difficult to clean up, but it can also be a costly process. The cost of restoration can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the extent of the damage.

While saving money is often the primary motivation for attempting DIY water damage restoration, it’s important to note that most water damage incidents are covered by insurance.

That said, there is a chance that insurance may not cover the costs if it’s not left to professionals. In fact, many professional restoration services have established relationships with insurers. They can work directly with them to expedite the claims process and ensure their clients receive the full entitlement they deserve.

4) The ability to act fast

Once a property experiences a flood, a countdown begins: within 48 to 72 hours, mold can start to spread throughout, regardless of whether the water was clean or contaminated.

This emphasizes the importance of rapidly drying the affected areas to a specific moisture content level to prevent mold growth. A professional restoration company can efficiently dry the water-damaged areas within a few hours of being on-site and can also apply a mold inhibitor to mitigate any potential growth.

This level of speed is crucial and likely not achievable if carried out by amateurs without the required training.

Professional water damage repair in Natick, MA

While it’s possible to handle small water damage restoration jobs without the help of professionals, the likelihood of a DIY approach resulting in additional damage and the potential for an expensive mold infestation is much higher for bigger jobs.

Opting to hire professionals with the expertise to thoroughly clean, dry and disinfect in a timely manner will save time, money and stress in the long term.

So don’t hesitate! If water has been detected, contact the professionals at A.W. Puma Restoration & Remodeling. We can take care of it quickly without any concerns.

Get in touch now by calling (508) 300-9747 or by filling our online contact form.

When something as shocking as a flood or pipe burst occurs, homeowners often go into panic mode. They stress over how to get the property back to its pre-loss condition as soon as possible. In the process, they make a few costly mistakes.

Not only do these mistakes lead to more damage in the long run, but they can also put a homeowner and their families in danger. For those reasons and more, it’s important that homeowners learn more about the seven most common mistakes made in the water damage cleanup process. By learning more about these oversights, homeowners can hopefully avoid them in the future.

Waiting to Call for Help

One of the biggest errors that a person can make when dealing with water damage is to wait too long. Many times, people let the shock take over, and they fail to act quickly enough when it comes to calling a restoration company. However, this isn’t something that can be delayed. Water can cause many secondary issues, such as rot and mold. In fact, mold spores can start to grow in as little as one day! Therefore, time is of the essence in these scenarios.

Not Fixing the Source of the Water

Another common problem that restoration companies see is that homeowners fail to address the cause of the water damage. They get so focused on repairing the damage itself that they don’t take a look at the source of the water. This is especially common when dealing with hidden water damage that may have a less obvious source.

In some cases, it may be necessary to hire plumbing professionals to assess the situation. From there, they can help homeowners make the right repairs to prevent any further water damage down the road.

Using the Wrong Tools

It’s important that homeowners understand that their everyday cleaning products aren’t enough to handle large messes like water damage. In fact, it can be dangerous to use a regular vacuum in wet areas. Instead, they should hire a company that has the right safety and cleanup tools, such as:

Truck-Mounted Pumps
Commercial Air Movers
Wet/Dry Vacuums
Industrial Dehumidifiers
High-Quality Antimicrobial Sprays
And More!

Not Taking Safety Precautions

A mistake that can be most costly is ignoring any safety precautions. There are many risks involved in water damage cleanup, from electrocution to injury from debris. If homeowners fail to wear and use the necessary safety equipment, they can put themselves and others in danger. In many circumstances, it’s better to let a trained contractor use their experience to safely handle the job.

Ignoring the Signs of Hidden Damage

Water damage isn’t always obvious puddles on the ground. Sometimes, it’s hidden behind appliances, between walls, and in ceilings. The average person may not be able to detect that there is a problem unless they know the specific signs to look for. Mold growth, stains, and peeling paint are just a few examples of hidden water damage in flooring and drywall.

If homeowners ignore these signs, the water damage can continue to spread and worsen. In worst-case scenarios, homeowners may find themselves with collapsing ceilings, severe mold problems, and more.

Saving or Discarding the Wrong Items

The typical homeowner doesn’t have experience with water damage, so they often don’t know when their personal belongings are damaged beyond repair. Some people attempt to save things that are not salvageable. Others might be too eager to throw everything away.

A water damage cleanup company can use its expertise to sort through personal belongings more efficiently. They know what items can be cleaned with their equipment, and they can advise homeowners when it’s better to discard personal belongings.

Failing to Document Everything

Another mistake that homeowners should avoid is forgetting to document all of the damage. This step is especially important for those who plan to submit a claim through their insurance. Photographs should be captured right away to show the initial damage as well as the source. Homeowners should also document any conversations with their insurance provider and water damage cleanup crew.

Find out More About How to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes Made During a Water Damage Cleanup

Homeowners who are currently dealing with water damage should contact A.W. Puma Restoration & Remodeling to find out more about how to avoid these costly mistakes. Not only are they highly trained, but they also have plenty of experience.

As a result, their helpful professionals are available to answer questions by phone. Customers can also take a moment to submit their online form if they would like a free quote for their water damage cleanup services.

DIY vs. Professional Water Damage Repair: Pros, Cons, and When to Seek Help