Whether you are a homeowner or own a commercial property, there is a big possibility you will need water damage restoration at some point. Industry statistics show, “14,000 people in the US experience a water damage emergency at home or work each day.” Yes, you read that right. 14,000 people suffer a water damage event each day. Your washing machine could fail, or the pipes at your business may burst.
No matter what causes the water event, you need to know what water damage typically entails. Too many people make the mistake of attempting to take care of water damage on their own or hire someone with little to no experience restoring water damaged properties. In these cases, property owners end up with even more costly damage and bigger repair needs.
That’s why it is important to have a clear understanding of all the hard work, knowledge, and equipment that is needed to restore a water damaged property properly.
The Type of Water Involves Different Water Clean Up
Different types of clean up are involved depending on the type of water. For example, water is categorized into three categories. Category 1 refers to clean water, such as water that has overflowed from a bathtub. Category 2 refers to grey water that may be contaminated, such as toilet water with urine or aquarium water. Category 3 refers to black water, which is considered unsanitary. For example, sewage water is an example of Category 3 water. When dealing with a Category 3 water event, additional steps must be taken to protect everyone from serious health hazards and to prevent contamination from spreading.
Secondary Damage is a Real Concern
Water damage restoration involves much more than just water removal. Water can seep into areas that are hard to see, such as carpet padding or drywall. In these cases, there may be lingering odors, staining, and mold growth. Since mold grows so quickly (within 24-48 hours), it is critical that you have the water extracted as soon as possible. You only have a small window of time to remove the water and dry the surfaces before mold begins to grow.
Problems Only Get Worse the Longer You Wait
In addition to mold growth being a real concern after a water event, there are other reasons why you need to address the water damage as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse your problems will become. For example, the longer water is able to saturate, and the more likely the structure will begin to weaken. When the structural integrity of a home or business is affected, you are looking at much more costly and timely repairs.
The Material Matters
Unfortunately, even if you get to work right away on removing the water, it doesn’t mean you will be able to save everything. This is because the type of material matters. For example, drywall is considered a porous material, which means it has pores. If water seeps into these pores, you will likely have to cut and remove sections of the drywall and then replace it. This is another reason why it is important to work with a Richmond restoration company you can trust. At Virginia Restoration, we provide both water restoration and complete water removal services.
Your Insurance May Not Cover Richmond Water Damage Restoration
Sadly, not all water emergencies are covered by insurance. For instance, while insurance generally covers water damage due to a burst pipe, it does not cover water damage from a flood (especially if your property is located in a flood zone). Additionally, if your insurance company determines the water damage could have been prevented by the property owner, they may deny your insurance claim. This is why it is important for commercial property owners and residential homeowners to perform routine maintenance and check roofs, gutters, and pipes for issues each year.
Water Damage Restoration is Not a DIY Project
Unfortunately, some property owners make the mistake of treating water damage restoration as a do-it-yourself project. They make the mistake of believing it will be less costly to remove the water, dry the structure, and make repairs on their own. Instead, they wind up paying even more money due to mistakes and lingering issues they didn’t resolve.
Serious water damage cannot be fixed by using a wet vac, a mop and bucket, or by sitting your furniture in the sun to dry. In fact, this may cause even more damage. Instead, you need to hire professionals who not only have the expertise but also have the type of equipment that works to effectively dry structures and extract water.
Large Scale Damage Requires Professional Restoration Services
We understand that it is easy to dismiss the need for professional restoration services for a small bathroom leak (though we do not recommend it). But, you should never dismiss the need for professional water damage restoration services if you are dealing with large scale damage in Virginia. When your property is damaged by a flood, it is impossible to handle a water damage event of this size on your own.
Don’t Wait to Call Virginia Restoration Services
Here at Virginia Restoration Services, we understand that water emergencies can happen anytime – day or night. That’s why we always make ourselves available to those in need. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can have your property restored. Our team of experts use the best techniques to dry, clean, and restore properties and prevent secondary damage. Our goal is to have your property back to normal as soon as possible.
Whether you are dealing with a toilet backup, roof leak, busted pipe, or water damage from a natural disaster, we provide all the restoration services you need. In addition to providing quality restoration services and getting you back on your feet after a water damage event, we also provide all the necessary documentation so you can file claims with your insurance company.
