How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take?
Water damage may seem like a small issue to someone who has not experienced it. You might neglect that tiny drop you see on your ceiling because of a leaky roof or the mold spot on your walls indicating leaking pipes. But sooner or later, you will have to deal with the problem, probably when the water damage has wreaked havoc in your home.
This can happen to anyone, even the most careful homeowners. What matters the most is the measures you put in place to prevent such from happening again and how you handle the situation when it happens. The best cause of action to take after such a disaster is to call a water damage restoration company to clean the mess. However, most people don’t know how long this process takes.
What the Process Includes
Knowing what the restoration process includes helps you understand the scope. The process is not always the same, as it depends on the company you hire for the restoration.
Inspection and Assessment
The restoration company will assess the extent and nature of damage caused by the water. Inspection is necessary as it helps them determine the equipment needed to restore your house.
Securing the Area
Depending on the cause of water damage in your home or business area, the company will try to secure the place by turning off electricity, water, and gas supplies. If not taken care of, these might cause more harm to the building.
Water Extraction
Burst pipes, flooding or malfunctioning washing machines can sometimes cause water damage. Often, such situations lead to the accumulation of large amounts of water. The restoration team will have to extract this water before starting any cleanup. They use industrial extractors for the best results.
Property Assortment and Cleaning
Some of your belongings will be in good condition, while some will not be salvageable. The restoration company will sort out those that can be reused and dispose of those that can’t. They will then begin the cleaning process, which sometimes can be challenging if the water damage is from grey or black water.
Drying
If the drying process is not executed properly, you could have a mold growth problem. Water damage restoration companies use air movers and industry-grade dehumidifiers to hasten the drying process, ensuring every inch is dried. This could be done overnight or over 12 hours, depending on the damage intensity.
Air Purification
Your house or office is bound to get odors from the water damage. Opening windows and using air conditioners will not help get rid of these odors. Professionals use high-quality air purifiers to get the air back to its normal state.
Repairs
Your floors, walls, and ceilings could sustain damage that necessitates repair. If the restoration company has the skills and equipment for such, you can give them the go-ahead, but if not, get a different company to reinstall.
Insurance Claim
Filing an insurance claim right after the process begins or is completed is important if you want compensation. Some restoration companies offer to help ease the filing process for faster compensation.
The restoration process can sometimes take as little as 24 hours and as much as 72 hours to complete, depending on the damage caused by the water.
