Moisture damage comes in all shapes and sizes—whether it’s a burst pipe or a leaky washer. The real challenge is figuring out when you need experts and when it’s okay to handle the situation yourself. Major disasters like sewage back-ups and roof leaks can cause contamination and structural damage; therefore, they require water damage restoration services. But something like a leaky faucet can easily be fixed by replacing a few parts, so it’s not a water damage emergency. If you want to understand what water damage restoration is and when you should call experts, this blog is just for you.
Contacting Experts: What Constitutes A Water Damage Emergency
Moisture damage is something almost everyone comes across at some point. Water damage restoration is the process of inspecting a property, extracting water, sanitizing and deodorizing it before repairing and restoring the damaged content and structure. When there’s a serious risk of contamination due to grey or black water or the damage is too extensive, it’s best to have professionals handle it.
Here’s a look at all the times that you should have experts handle a water crisis.
Electrical Hazards
Water and electricity together are a disaster. If you see a leaky roof that’s dripping onto an outlet or the electric panel, don’t try to fix it on your own. Turn off the main electricity if possible and contact a professional immediately to take a look and avoid electrocution.
Hidden Leaks
If you suspect that your property has a leak behind wall panels or under floor boards, you should also leave it to an experienced technician. Only experts have the skills and tools necessary to find the source of the leak, fix it, and restore your property after a hidden leak has been detected.
Extensive Damage
Similarly, if it were a burst pipe in the basement or a flooded kitchen that soaked all the carpets, furniture, and drywall, it’s beyond the capabilities of an amateur. Have a water damage restoration team come in, extract the moisture, sterilize, and restore your contents and house for efficiency and safety.
- Mold Growth
If you see mold on your walls or under cabinets, smell something musty, or just notice warped walls, your water damage situation has definitely escalated. That mold requires professional intervention to be removed from the roots and extensive property restoration to renew your compromised property.
Contamination Risks
If it’s a burst pipe or flood water that you’re dealing with, you definitely need a property damage restoration service. That black or grey water contains numerous chemicals, bacteria, and other toxins that can result in diseases upon contact. Only property damage restoration teams have the skills, equipment, and knowledge to effectively extract, dry, and disinfect your property.
Minor Moisture Problems: When DIY Clean-Up Is Enough
That all sounds awful, right? Now you can probably see why it’s crucial to call in experts instead of trying to clean up the damage on your own. However, not every leak or spill is a crisis. And if the issue is localized or caught quickly, you can just go ahead and resolve it yourself without ever needing experts on site.
Here are a few occasions when a restoration team isn’t necessary.
Clean Water Leaks
Contaminated water isn’t safe to come into contact with. However, if the water is clean? No problem. If it’s a leaky faucet, washer, or refrigerator, put those DIY skills to use and go ahead and take care of those problems on your own.
No Structural Damage
If the leak or spill is on a non-porous surface like linoleum tiles, it’s perfectly alright to just soak it dry and move on with your day. This spill won’t damage your floorboards or underlayment, so there’s no need to contact a professional.
Easy Accessibility
Yet another kind of spill you can take care of on your own is when the leak happens in an area that is easily accessible. Unlike hidden leaks that happen behind wall panels and under floor boards, these are easier to detect and locate. So, cleaning and drying them is simple and quick.
Conclusion
To conclude, water damage restoration services become necessary in case of extensive water damage or one that contains contaminants. You should think of things like overflowing toilets or mold for this service. On the other hand, if the damage is restricted to a small area and doesn’t impact the rest of your structure, it’s perfectly alright to clean it up by yourself. We hope this blog helped you identify what water damage restoration is and when it’s necessary. For further guidance, please drop us a line.
FAQs
How long does water damage restoration take?
Depending on the extent of the damage, it lasts between a few days to weeks.
What should I do in case of water damage?
If possible, try to shut off the water and electricity supplies before removing valuables and calling experts.
Does home insurance cover water damage?
Sudden and accidental water damage is usually covered by home insurance, but not damage that happens due to neglect.