How to Clean Up After Water Damage and Do I Need a Professional?

Within minutes..

Water spreads quickly to additional areas, rapidly increasing the scope and cost of the loss. Stains from furniture can dye carpet permanently. Paper goods are damaged by moisture absorption and warping.

Within hours...

Furniture in direct contact with water swells or splits. Drywall swells and disintegrates; paneling warps. Odor becomes an issue.

Within days..

Mold develops, along with the characteristic "musty" odor. Sensitive components in pianos and organs swell and malfunction with elevated humidity. Metal surfaces begin to corrode. Doors and window casings swell and distort or delaminate. Wood decking, joists and studs begin to swell, warp and split. Electronic components malfunction due to moisture condensation. Allergic reactions escalate.

Within weeks..

Mold discolors and destroys organic materials (jute backings, paper coverings on drywall, paneling, wood). Structural wood warps and splits, while chemicals in wood dissolve and discolor or destroy finishes. Costs escalate dramatically as the requirement for gutting the structure and replacing components becomes necessary. Health hazards are everywhere. Building Occupants may be required to leave their property due to safety and health hazards. Children & the elderly are at higher risk due to weaker immune systems

This is an incredibly technical field of study with constantly evolving technologies that allow professionals to dry buildings completely within 2-3 days with little or no demolition with CLEAN WATER. Typically water damage is far more progressive than what is visible without special tools (thermal cameras, moisture meters and hygrometers are crucial).

Any water other than category 1 "clean" water has completely different protocols and major health hazards will likely be present (and made worse) if the steps needed are not taken. There should be no need to "disinfect" carpet in a clean water loss. You cannot truly sanitize a porous surface such as carpet and you do not need to apply chemicals if the water is from a clean source and dried within 24-48 hours (thorough cleaning is all that is required). In states such as Maine if a company applies disinfectants or antimicrobials they need to be a licensed Master pesticide applicator or risk stiff fines.

To dry carpet, sub floor, hardwood & walls QUICKLY WITHOUT MOLD requires very specialized equipment(often a heat drying application), a sound understanding of temperature/humidity control and moisture meters to measure moisture content to verify that materials have been dried properly. These situations should only be handled by a certified, highly experienced technician.

Time is a huge factor and MANY water damage situations do not require professional help. If there is concrete flooring with glue down carpet, or floor tiles over concrete with little or no wall damage with clean water then a person can certainly handle their own water loss with the right equipment, desire and a little training.

To dry a structure with sub floor, drywall, padded carpet, plaster, hardwood floors, behind cabinets, in a crawlspace or large area it could very well mean permanent loss of property value, refusal of insurance coverage and serious health risk to occupants.

Reputable contractors warranty their work for at least 3-5 years, have liability and pollution insurance, hold IICRC certifications, provide a thorough water damage report when work concludes (we provide a 25 page report documenting everything that takes place including all of the temperature, humidity and moisture readings), have good references and yes will charge for their services like any other professional. The Better Business Bureau is a good resource as well.

Like any professional, liability is a huge factor, the average company will likely have several hundred thousand dollars in specialized equipment, a team of certified professionals with years of experience and tools to determine (and show you) the extent of damages both visible and hidden.

And lastly, there is a reason insurance companies suggest calling in a restoration firm. And not because they want to spend thousands of unnecessary dollars. It is because we save them thousands and thousands of unnecessary dollars. These savings come from rapid drying which can prevent the need for demolition, preventing mold growth, preventing bacterial development, preventing law suits and getting the home owners back in the area quickly and safely.

Another major factor is documentation and warranties. When a property is sold you must disclose water losses or risk major law suits. When handled properly by professionals this is no problem. You have the documentation and we are only a phone call away.

In Summary yes, many small water damage situations do not require the cost of professional restoration firms. However when needed we can be an invaluable resource to you in your time of need.

Robert York (General Manager)
Octagon Cleaning & Restoration
Windham ME
Master Applicator
IICRC Certified Technician
http://octagonrestoration.com/water_damage.html
Water Damage

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