Your Water Damage Restoration Questions Answered in Our FAQ

How Does Water Damage a Home?

Water causes sagging and deterioration. It causes wood to swell, warp, and eventually rot. And it permanently ruins fabric items such as carpets and furniture that are soaked for more than a couple days. Water damage can also be a major electrical hazard. It can short-out electrical systems, causing fires, shock hazards, and damage to electronics.

Can I Clean Up and Dry Out the Damage Myself?

You can clean up some of the damage, but first, make sure to take pictures before you do anything. It’s okay to mop up excess water, but if the water flooded a large area of your home, you’re going to need professional services to prevent and repair major damage.

An excessive amount of water will soak into your floors and pool up behind your walls, which is a problem that homeowners can’t deal with safely by themselves. These hidden, water-soaked spaces are a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and structural deterioration. Mold is a serious health threat to everyone who enters the building, and if a structure is deemed unstable, you won’t be able to enter.

If the water damage is caused by a sewage backup, it is an immediate, serious health hazard. Avoid any contact and call a water damage restoration company immediately.

What Can a Water Damage Restoration Company Like CLEAR Restoration Do to Help?

Our water damage cleanup and drying specialists are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)state-licensed residential and commercial general contractors,and equipped with the best drying equipment and moisture detection meters available.

We have the expertise and equipment to remove water that has seeped deep into the walls and floors of your home. Our innovative techniques are backed by science, research, and experience. Our rapid response, combined with our knowledge, experience, and equipment, will ensure that your loss is handled as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, without any unnecessary tear out of your structure. We monitor the progress closely with advanced moisture-detecting meters. We also communicate with your insurance company to make the insurance claim process as quick and easy as possible.

Do I Have to Wait for an Insurance Adjuster to Arrive Before Calling a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company?

In most cases, the answer is no. Insurance policies normally require you to do whatever you can to prevent further damage.

What Can I Do Immediately to Prevent Further Damage?

Preventing further damage starts with stopping the source of water. Next, call your insurance company and ask if you have coverage. They will likely issue you a claim and recommend you call a restoration company such as CLEAR Restoration.

After you call a professional water damage restoration company and they deem it safe for you to enter, take a lot of pictures. Take enough pictures to document all the damage, then you can move furniture and other items out of the flooded area and try to remove some of the standing water. But don’t throw anything away. A reputable water damage restoration company, like CLEAR Restoration, will arrive quickly to start countering the damage.

Will Water Damage to My Property Cause a Mold Outbreak?

If your home’s water damage is taken care of immediately, mold outbreaks can usually be prevented. However, if you let the water sit, it could cause detrimental mold growth. Mold isn’t always obvious to the naked eye, but it can wreak havoc on your family’s health and safety. Depending on the situation, an expert restoration company may recommend a mold assessment be performed by a third party during the water damage restoration process. If mold is discovered in your home, CLEAR Restoration will remediate the mold as well as repair any water damage.

How Can I Prevent Water Damage from Reoccurring in the Future?

Water damage from flooding is difficult to prevent. But there are some cautionary measures you can take. You can apply coatings and sealants to your foundation, walls, windows, and doorways to help keep floodwater from leaking into your home. All electrical outlets should be at least one foot above flood level to prevent electrical damage.

To prevent water damage from a flooded sewage system, install valves on your pipes to keep it from backing up into your home.

Plumbing issues cause most water damage. Regular maintenance and inspections can help you catch most plumbing problems before they result in detrimental water damage.

If Materials Need to be Replaced During Restoration, Can I Upgrade or Renovate My Home?

If your insurance company is covering your water damage restoration, they will only pay to return your home to its pre-damaged condition. However, if your home is significantly water damaged and many materials have to be replaced, it is a great opportunity to upgrade the property. Renovations are possible, but the difference between what your insurance company allocated and the cost of the renovations will have to be paid out of pocket.

We want to help educate you on the effects of water damage and the water damage restoration process. Use the above information to stop the damage in its tracks and start repairing your home as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. If you’re in need of an expert restoration company with the knowledge, dedication, and equipment to deal with any damage, big or small, call CLEAR Restoration. We’ll come to your aid quickly and see what we can do to help you get your life back on track and your home back to its previous condition as soon as possible.