What Does Water Damage Restoration Entail?

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Water damage restoration work is a process that assures that a building will both look good and be safe following a catastrophic event. Customers should understand the basics of the process so they know what to expect. A water damage restoration services contractor will follow these three steps.

Drying the Space 

It is impossible to even assess the full extent of the restoration work until you're looking at a dry space. A water damage restoration company will use industrial-size fans to draw the moisture out of the floors, walls, and ceilings.

Notably, these fans operate at much lower speeds and have much larger surface areas than anything most residential customers have access to. The goal is to dry the area slowly. If you dry wood and other materials too rapidly, there is a risk that they'll warp. A slow drying process reduces the amount that the materials will deform.

Similarly, a water damage restoration services contractor will remove anything that retains lots of water. Carpets and upholstered furnishings, for example, often have to go. A contractor might attempt to dry them out separately if the objects are still in good shape and worth the effort. However, it's common to throw them in a roll-off dumpster so you can focus on restoring the structure.

Assessment

The next step is to assess the extent of the damage. A contractor will want to see what has become warped. Also, they'll try to identify any potential mold hazards so they can deeply clean affected areas. In some cases, the contractors may need to remove damaged materials that are beyond restoration and replace them.

Insurance adjustment usually happens at the end of the assessment. A restoration company will usually send images and information to the insurer so they can determine what the insurance value of the claim will be. The insurance provider may send an adjuster to directly look at the building if there is a large claim or any complex issues.

Reinstallation and Finishing

Once the claim is approved, the water damage restoration services firm will begin the restoration process. This includes removing hazardous or trashed items. If the contractors need to restore the appearance of anything remaining, they may sand some surfaces and then either paint or treat them. Oftentimes, the contractors will use products designed to specific discourage mold growth. They will then complete any necessary finish work, such as installing trim, doors, cabinets, cupboards, and windows.


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