What do Water Damage Restoration Companies Do?

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration companies clean and restore properties affected by water damages including floods, plumping failure, and firefighting.

A water damage restoration company restores a property that has experienced water damage.  Some restoration companies handle only a small portion of the water damage like water removal and drying, while others are full-service and can handle everything a property needs to be fully restored. 

Before we get into the details of water damage restoration, let’s take a deep dive into what water damage is. 

What is Water Damage?

Water is a vital commodity; without it, life isn’t possible.  But too much water in the wrong place can cause chaos – particularly in residential and commercial properties. 

Water damage is the catch-all name given to the damages caused by water being where it shouldn’t.  We see thousands of water damages every year, and the most common causes are: 

• A kitchen flooded due to a pipe burst. 
• A wet ceiling and floor flooded after an attic water heater burst. 
• Storm damaged properties.  Storms can be severe thunderstorms or rising floodwaters. 
• Damage caused by firefighting efforts. 
• A small, unnoticed leak that eventually caused large mold growth. 

Water damage covers everything from a ruined carpet or a broken appliance and it can lead to mold growing in flooded crawl spaces or between walls.  

The causes of water damage are as varied as the effects; it’s not just a problem that affects houses in flood-prone areas.  In fact (according to Insurance Journal) more than half of non-weather related water damage claims were the result of plumbing failures.  Other causes of water damage can include a lack of proper weatherproofing, a washing machine or dishwasher fault, or using water to combat a fire inside a property.

Whatever the cause, water damage can be a costly and stressful issue to face.  So what can be done about it?  

Here’s a brief look at how water damages your home, and the repair process for setting that damage right again.

What Water Damage Does to Your Property

Water can damage your property in a number of different ways. 

First and foremost, the presence of water can destroy electronics and appliances and damage or destroy a range of other possessions.  Even items you may think of as waterproof can be affected, especially when the water is mixed with sewage, mud, or other pollutants.

Contaminated water is known as “grey water” when the contamination is mild or the pollutants are inoffensive.  The wastewater from your shower and sink is a good example of grey water.  

“Black water”, on the other hand, refers to water that is heavily polluted or contains traces of sewage.  A flood which includes black water can be incredibly destructive, and continue causing damage even after most of the water has been removed.  

As well as contaminating your possessions and your home, water can cause metal surfaces to rust, porous materials like drywall to become discolored and sodden, and laminated materials like plywood to warp and become delaminated.  

Even a small leak can eventually turn into a big headache.  Just a few drops of water each day causes moisture that can be trapped in between walls, under floors, or behind appliances. Over time, lingering damp can also cause mold spores to form. Mold isn’t just unsightly; it can cause symptoms, permanently damage the surface it's growing on, and can easily spread to cause further damage to walls and floors.

What is a Full-Service Water Restoration Company?

A full-service restoration company is one that doesn’t just deal with one part of the cleanup process after a water damage incident but instead handles the entire job from start to finish. 

SERVPRO of Richardson is a full-service restoration company in Dallas Fort Worth.  Rather than having to hire different companies to pump out water, assess the damage, and carry out repairs, many homeowners and renters choose to let us handle the entire recovery process as they focus on getting the rest of their life back in order.

Our full-service water damage restoration process varies from home to home, but the basic principles apply to every case. 

Assessing Your Water Damage

In the case of water damage, a full-service restoration company will begin by making an assessment of the damage done.  This includes inspecting damaged possessions and determining what can be saved or repaired and what must be disposed of or claimed against an insurance policy.  They can also inspect the fabric of a property and decide how to approach removing water and repairing the damage.

Water Removal

The second step is to remove water from the property.  This may be done using pumps or specialized water vacuums that can remove water from carpets, walls and other absorbent surfaces.

Drying

Once as much water as possible has been removed, the process of drying out can begin. This may involve using dehumidifiers and other specialized equipment to dry out the fabric of the building and remove moisture that cannot be seen or felt.  Your full-service restoration company will have access to water-sensing technology that can tell when a surface is truly dry and when unseen moisture still remains.

Cleaning & Restoration

Once your property is dry, cleaning and restoration can begin.  This may involve cleaning and refinishing items to their original condition.  A full-service water restoration company can clean:

• Clothing and textiles - we are Esporta Wash System Certified
• Electronics
• Furniture

If your items need to be stored while your home’s restoration is completed, we also offer short and long-term storage solutions.  Your items can be packed out and then returned to you at your convenience. 

Reconstruction

Finally, if a property has experienced any damage to its structure, a full-service water damage restoration company will rebuild any part of it.  Reconstruction is almost always approved as part of a homeowner’s insurance claim.

Our reconstruction services included:

• Carpet restoration
• Drywall rebuild
• Painting
• Flooring replacement
• Cabinetry repair and replacement
• Post-construction cleanup
• And more

A full-service company like SERVPRO of Richardson will handle every detail of the reconstruction, right down to sourcing paint and liaising with your insurance company.  It’s our mission to restore a property to its preloss state and make any damage “Like it never even happened.”

Filing a Water Damage Claim

Many of our clients have never had to file a homeowner’s claim before.  While it’s great news that your property hasn’t had previous claim, we understand this means that some guidance is necessary to feel comfortable during the process. 

We work with every insurance company, and we help file thousands of claims every year.  Our team of administrators work with insurance adjusters on a daily basis, and we know how to navigate the claims process.  We’re happy to assist you as well. 

Full-Service Restoration for Water Damage in Dallas-Fort Worth

SERVPRO of Richardson is a 30+ year veteran of water damage restoration.  We are available to all residential and commercial properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Our office is located on the border of Richardson and Plano, TX. 

Working with our franchise gives you access to our decades of expertise, the most advanced specialist equipment, and our friendly and professional team.

Crucially, we are available 24/7 to attend immediately when disaster strikes, allowing you to begin the restoration process promptly and prevent mold and other damage from getting a foothold.

Do you have any questions or need a free estimate?  Call or contact us today.  We’re here to help!