Repair and Restoration
Water Damage Repair – The Last Step
Water damage repair and restoration is the final step in the process of restoring your home to its original state.
An educated homeowner is safer than one that isn't. Learning how long water damage restoration takes, what it entails, how it's done in emergencies, and how ceiling damage is taken care of can be advantageous in times of crisis.
It's critical to remember that acting fast is key to minimizing losses when dealing with water damage. The damage is time-sensitive – the longer the materials remain wet, the higher the chances they will need to be replaced.
Water Damage Repair – What Contractors Do
Water Damage Clean-Up
Once the affected area is completely dry and the humidity is regulated back to normal levels, the specialists will begin cleaning up damaged materials.
Water damage clean-up is a big part of water damage repair, and it should always be performed by experts with safety gear.
Water damaged homes can have dangerous mold, bacteria, and chemicals lingering about, so if you don't know what you're doing, don't risk cleaning it yourself.
There are many clean-up methods:
Dry cleaning
Wet cleaning
Spray and wipe cleaning
Depending on the severity of the damage, foam, abrasive, or immersion cleaning technique may also be employed to ensure that the items in the home are thoroughly cleaned.
The whole idea behind water damage repair and restoration is to bring the affected area back to its original state. During cleaning, the specialists separate the materials that have been damaged.
After the cleaning phase is complete, the items and materials that were separated during the cleaning process are fixed. If the item is broken beyond repair, it is replaced.
While complete reconstruction of affected areas is not commonly required, the chances of flood-affected homes and businesses having rooms and areas permanently damaged are higher.
The most common types of repair that take place are drywall repair and carpet cleaning.
Drywall Repair
As the name suggests, drywall needs to remain dry. If it's exposed to water even for a short period, it will likely need to be replaced.
It's important to initiate drywall repair within 48 hours of water damage since mold begins to grow on drywall 48 hours after exposure to water.
The drywall may get damaged due to a flood, heavy rains, or a pipe leak. However, if your home has structural impediments, there's a chance that the drywall will slowly begin to weaken, chip off, and grow mold over time.
This kind of damage often goes unnoticed initially.
Signs of Drywall Damage
Odor: Drywall that's been damaged by water often gives off a stale smell.
Stains: Stains on the ceiling or wallpaper, peeling paint, and discoloration or fading of the drywall are signs of water damage. While inspecting visually can help, using a moisture detector is the easiest way to determine the type and extent of the damage.
Mold or Mildew: If you see mold, mildew, or bacteria growth on the drywall, do not ignore it. It's a clear indicator of water damage, and hiring professionals to safely take care of it is the right way to go.
Bulging or Sagging: If the drywall is bulging, sagging, or wet to the touch, there's a good chance that a leak is putting pressure on the entire wall.
Repairing Drywall
The method of repair depends on the extent of the damage. If the damage is minimal, you could remove the drywall, patch up the leaking pipe, and install new drywall yourself.
However, if the damage is extensive, hiring water damage restoration services is the best way to go since entire walls may need to be replaced.
Specialists use commercial-grade tools like water vacuums, dehumidifiers, air movers, and air scrubbers to stop the water damage. They then clean up and replace the damaged material.
Most contractors also offer carpet cleaning services to help your home look as beautiful as it was before the water damage.
Carpet Cleaning Services
Cleaning the carpets must be a part of your home maintenance routine. However, if the carpet has been damaged by water, removing dirt, stains, and odors is not possible with the cleaning equipment and materials you have at home.
The Cleaning Process
There are several ways of cleaning carpets, but all of them follow the same general process. Furniture and other personal belongings are moved off the carpet during mitigation, and the carpet is saturated with chemical cleaners and water.
A vacuum is used to re-absorbed the water and chemicals, after which the area is left to dry.
The three most popular ways of cleaning carpets are:
Traditional Carpet Cleaning: Hot water and chemicals are injected into the carpet. The concoction works to remove the dirt, stains, and contaminants from deep within the carpet's fibers. The traditional carpet cleaning method remains popular to this day since it's cost-effective and straightforward.
Steam Cleaning: Steam cleaning does not use any chemicals, and the method only relies on extremely hot water to remove dirt, microbes, and stains from the carpet. It's carried out in hypoallergenic environments.
Dry Cleaning: This method is commonly used to clean carpets in offices and care homes since it doesn't take long for the carpets to dry. Minimal amounts of water are used to clean the carpet, and while the method is fast, it's not as effective as the other methods.
How Long Does It Take to Fix Water Damage?
Several factors affect the duration of the water damage repair and restoration process. In addition to the volume of water and the size of the area affected, the materials affected also make a big difference on the repair timeline.
It generally takes three days for the affected area to dry out completely. The cleaning and restoration process can take anywhere from three days to around two weeks to complete.
The timeline can vary a lot depending on the circumstance, so it's best to speak to the team of professionals you hired for a precise timeline.
If your home was built before the year 1985, it's required by law for the contractors you hire to carry out asbestos testing before any walls are opened. The test results take 48 hours to process, which may extend the repair timeline by a few days.
The testing and extensive repairs are the only way to circumvent future issues – you must stay patient and trust the process.
Water Damage Repair Ceiling
If you find that your ceiling is water stained, peeling, or cracked, here's what you can do:
Stabilize the Area: Move any of your furniture and other belongings out of the area. Then, set up a bucket and tarp to catch the water that's dripping from the ceiling.
Track Down the Issue: It's sometimes shocking how far the water travels away from the actual leak. Roof leaks can be challenging to isolate, and you may need to drill holes to find the source of the issue. If you aren't experienced with repairs, don't risk damaging anything further and get in touch with a water damage restoration company.
Repair and Dry: Once you pinpoint the leak's source, fix it and remember to dry off the area with a fan. If it's a larger leak, open up a chunk of the ceiling and air it out to avoid mold growth.
Repair Ceiling: If the leak is large, you may find the need to replace the entire ceiling. But in most cases, simple touch-ups with Spackle and paint do the trick.
Emergency Water Clean-Up
If you've been affected by a flood or can't figure out where the water is leaking from, contact a water damage repair and restoration company immediately.
The cause of the leakage may be anything from a pipe burst to sewage backup – so make sure you're careful and follow the company's instructions.
As soon as the professionals arrive, the standing water will be extracted using pumps, and depending on your agreement with the contractor, dehumidification, cleaning, and restoration will be performed.
The only thing you need to worry about is the time – the faster you act, the lesser the losses you incur.