Water damage can be an extremely serious concern. Whether it stems from a severe thunderstorm, extensive flooding, a burst pipe, sewage backups, plumbing leaks, or another type of natural disaster, water damage can devastate a property, ruin valuables and personal belongings, foster mold growth, and, for commercial establishments, halt operations and lead to costly downtime.
Restoring your property to its original condition is of paramount importance, and a specialized water restoration company like HL Restoration is equipped to handle this task. This guide will provide fundamental information on water restoration and remediation services, including typical costs and the processes involved in returning your property to impeccable condition.
What Are Water Damage Restoration Services?
So, what exactly do water restoration professionals do? In essence, a highly skilled water damage repair and restoration team will efficiently and professionally return your property to its pre-damaged state. At HL Restoration, our goal is to restore your property as quickly and effectively as possible. If left unaddressed, water and flood damage can cause numerous problems, impacting both the physical property and human health.
To restore your property to its original condition, our water restoration services typically encompass the replacement of damaged walls and flooring, repairing compromised roofs, and, when necessary, mold and bacterial remediation. Upon completion of these processes, we conduct moisture and humidity testing throughout the property to ensure optimal levels have been achieved.
It’s important not to confuse water restoration services with water mitigation. Although HL Restoration provides both, restoration is the more comprehensive of the two. Mitigation primarily involves the removal of excess water from the property and ensuring proper treatment and sanitization. Water mitigation services do not include the extensive work of fully restoring the property to its original state. This distinction is crucial when deciding which service best suits your specific situation.
The Water Damage Restoration Process
The previous section offered a brief overview of water restoration services. Here, we will detail the comprehensive water restoration process employed by HL Restoration.
1. Removal of Standing Water
The initial and critical step in any water restoration service is water removal. All standing water must be addressed promptly to prevent further damage, and property repairs cannot commence until all water is gone. At HL Restoration, we utilize industrial-grade, state-of-the-art water extraction equipment and powerful pumps to eliminate all excess water that has accumulated on your property. Standard vacuums and pumps are simply not sufficient for this task.
The specific equipment we deploy depends on the severity of the damage. Our professionals meticulously evaluate the damage to determine the most effective course of action for water extraction. If water is not removed as quickly as possible, mold and bacteria will begin to grow, making water restoration a highly time-sensitive process.
2. Drying the Property
Once the complete water extraction is finished, the next step is to thoroughly dry the property. Any remaining water vapor after the absorbent surfaces and standing water have been properly extracted is dried using dehumidification equipment, including desiccants if required. If the dehumidification process is not executed correctly, excess moisture in the air can encourage bacterial and fungal growth, along with other health concerns.
3. Cleaning and Sanitization
Water damage is generally categorized into three types: clean water, grey water, and black water. Clean water is typical, referring to common water damage caused by sources like an overflowing sink or bathtub.
Grey and black water, conversely, can pose significant health hazards if humans come into contact with them or any residual traces. Grey and black water can be contaminated with toxins, chemicals, sewage, bacteria, and other harmful substances. This is yet another compelling reason why water cleanup and restoration should be left to certified professionals.
To counteract the toxicity and harmful effects of grey and black water, we meticulously clean and sanitize all personal belongings to prevent unwanted bacterial and fungal growth. Clothing, carpeting, and drapery undergo antimicrobial treatments, and air scrubbers are used to remove moisture and particulate matter from the air.
4. Comprehensive Restoration
Once all moisture has been managed and everything has been properly sanitized and deemed safe, the full restoration of your property can begin. Most often, this phase involves replacing insulation, drywall, carpeting, and hardwood flooring. In cases of severe damage, we may even completely replace entire walls and undertake repairs to roofs and ceilings.
How the Cost of Water Restoration Services is Determined
It’s clear that water restoration and remediation is not a simple undertaking. It can be a lengthy and demanding process, and it can be costly. This section will outline how the cost of such a service is calculated. The following factors significantly contribute to the overall cost of a restoration service:
- Type of Water: As mentioned, the type of water involved (clean, grey, or black) is one of the most critical factors influencing the service cost. Naturally, jobs involving clean water are less expensive than those dealing with grey or black water due to the increased health risks and specialized decontamination required.
- Extent of the Damage: Unsurprisingly, the more extensive the work required, the more expensive the service will be. If only dehumidification of your property is needed, it will be significantly cheaper than if there’s widespread structural damage. The size of the affected area is also a major consideration. Restoring an entire basement or a full floor of a building will incur much higher costs than restoring a single bathroom.
- Additional Restoration Work: As previously noted, excessive water damage can lead to a cascade of other issues, primarily mold and bacterial growth. If a significant amount of mold or bacteria is present, a separate mold remediation service may also be necessary. Furthermore, depending on the severity of the damage, entire walls might need replacement, rather than just the insulation or drywall.
How You Can Minimize Service Costs
First and foremost, you should contact a professional restoration company as soon as possible. The faster the restoration process begins, the less likely it is that further damage will occur. If feasible, turn off the power to the affected area, and if the water damage was not caused by a natural disaster, shut off your main water supply. These immediate actions can also help prevent additional damage before the professionals arrive.
It is also vital to address small issues as soon as they appear. What might seem like minor plumbing problems can escalate into far greater concerns if neglected for too long. Often, a plumber can prevent severe water damage by resolving these minor issues proactively, before they develop into serious problems.
Utilizing Your Insurance Company for Restoration Services
In the event of a major disaster causing serious water damage to your property, be sure to contact your insurance provider promptly to file a claim. At HL Restoration, we are flexible and will work with all insurance companies, ensuring your property receives the necessary attention.
Remember that you may need to review your responsibilities under your insurance policy regarding property cleanup and preventing further damage. Always discuss any questions you have with your insurance representative or claims adjuster.
Why Choose HL Restoration for Your Water Restoration Needs
Emergency water restoration is an urgent and time-sensitive matter. Our team of restoration professionals at HL Restoration is available twenty-four hours a day. Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and a team qualified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), we go above and beyond to ensure your property is restored to a condition even better than its original state.
In addition to water restoration services, we also specialize in mold remediation, fire and smoke restoration, construction defect repair, and storm restoration. No matter the issue, we are here to assist you. If you are seeking a professional water damage restoration company, look no further than HL Restoration.