Water Damage Restoration Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on: August 27, 2017 | By: Michael T. | Water Damage Restoration

What should I do after finding a water leak?

What are the most common causes of water damage?

How might a flood damage my home?

Where does mold usually grow?

The plumber said my crawlspace is flooded. Where is my crawlspace?

What happens during the water damage restoration process?

Is dehumidification really necessary?

The repair crew said I shouldn’t use my hands to test if my possessions are wet. Why not?

What can be done about my wet furniture?

Where does the smell come from?

Can my wet furniture be salvaged?

Is water damage covered by my insurance?

What should I do after finding a water leak?

Answer: Even a small water leak can cause major damage to your home if left unaddressed. If you’ve noticed a leak, take these steps immediately:

  1. Switch off the water source, which is usually located near your water meter.
  2. Use towels to contain the water and prevent it from spreading.
  3. If the water damage is extensive, temporarily disable your home’s power by switching off the electricity. Cables and appliances can become volatile when exposed to water, so do not enter a flooded room if it contains electrical devices.
  4. Move any water-damaged items to a dry place.
  5. Contact Allied Restoration Co. to schedule an inspection from a water damage cleanup specialist. Our team is available 24/7 for emergency cleanup.

What are the most common causes of water damage?

water damage restoration frequently asked questionsAnswer: There are numerous causes of water damage ranging from torrential rainstorms to pipe leaks. If your home has suffered water damage, it is crucial that you identify the root cause of the problem to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. This is why it’s so important to schedule a visit from a water damage cleanup expert who has the knowledge and tools to identify and fix the problem quickly.

How might a flood damage my home?

Answer: Repairing your home after a flood is more complicated than it might seem at first. If the water damage is extensive, your property may need extensive repairs to the foundation, framing, walls, and floors.

Mold growth can also damage your home after a flood. Mold flourishes in moist areas, so it’s a primary concern after any water damage. At ARC, our team can assist with water damage cleanup, dehumidification, and mold remediation. We can also help with restoring water-damaged possessions.

Where does mold usually grow?

Mold tends to grow in warm, dry, and dark places. It can grow on just about any material.

After water damage, mold often grows at the damage site, which may be behind walls or on a leaky pipe. However, airborne spores released by mold can travel throughout your home and cause outbreaks in other areas. This is why mold remediation and dehumidification are so important after a flood.

The plumber said my crawlspace is flooded. Where is my crawlspace?

Answer: Your crawlspace is the area beneath your home where contractors access your plumbing and wiring systems. In the event of a leak or flood, gravity has the effect of drawing excess water down into the crawlspace. Since this area is never exposed to sunlight, the excess dampness can lead to mold growth.

Calling in a water damage expert from Allied Restoration Co. is particularly important if your crawlspace has been flooded. A fast response is crucial for mitigating the structural damage and preventing mold growth.

What happens during the water damage restoration process?

Answer: When an ARC water damage technician arrives to your home, the first step will be stopping the source of the water damage. Your technician will then inspect the damage, test for mold growth, and create a remediation plan. This plan may involve water extraction, mold remediation, drying and dehumidification, basic cleanup, and structural repairs.

Is dehumidification really necessary?

Answer: Yes. Most people associate water damage with severe floods and pipe leaks, but excess moisture in the air can be just as destructive as pooled water. Humid air can damage your walls, floors, furniture, and other structural components in your home. Dehumidification effectively reduces air moisture, thus mitigating damage to your home and preventing subsequent mold growth.

The repair crew said I shouldn’t use my hands to test if my possessions are wet. Why not?

Answer: The main reason is so you aren’t electrocuted. Even if an item appears to be dry, it may be wet enough to conduct a charge and shock you if touched.

Another reason is that touching something is not a good indicator of how wet or dry it is. About 60 percent of your body is composed of water, so a touch-test may not be effective. The technicians at ARC use moisture meters to accurately determine if an item or area is dry.

Can my wet furniture be salvaged?

Answer: Whether or not your furniture is salvageable will depend on its materials and the extent of the damage. The team at ARC will use the latest tools and techniques to restore your water-damaged furniture, documents, and other belongings.

Where does the smell come from?

Answer: Most building materials are designed to absorb some degree of moisture. But when that limit is exceeded, those materials begin to erode and release tiny organic compounds into the air.

This decay is an ongoing process that will continue until the water is allowed to escape or dry, which means the smell could linger for quite some time. The odor is essentially an indicator that your home needs some structural repair.

How long will it take for my property to dry?

Answer: Each material in your home different. The type of material, the amount of moisture, and the amount of time the material has been exposed to moisture will determine how long it takes to dry.

Another important factor is the tools and techniques used to dry your materials. At ARC, we can mitigate the overall damage and possibly salvage your belongings using dehumidification and other proven techniques.

Is water damage covered by my insurance?

Answer: The answer to this question depends on the types of insurance policies you have and their language. If you carry flood insurance, your policy should cover at least a portion of your repairs assuming that the cause of the water damage is a covered peril. Of course, there are some extenuating circumstances that may cause your insurance carrier to deny your claim—for instance, if the water damage occurred due to your own negligence.

At ARC, not only can we extract the water and repair the damage, but we can also help you file a claim with your insurance company.

If your home suffered water damage from a recent flood, pipe leak, or another cause, contact Allied Restoration Co. and ask about our water damage restoration services. Call 415-529-5637 today to schedule a visit.