FAQ’s
My home is flooded. Who do I contact first: my insurance company?
While you should contact your insurance company at some point, the prudent course of action is to call a water damage restoration company right away. It’s important to begin the water cleanup, fixing the water damage as soon as possible. The sooner our restoration crew arrives, the better we can prevent further damage to your property. This will, in the long run, decrease restoration costs and will protect your home from further flood damage. The restoration company will document all damage for you so that you can contact your insurance company and file your claim.
Can you explain the water damage restoration process?
Water repair or water cleanup involves several processes, done in phases. The first step is to remove all excess water from flooring, wet carpet and other materials that have been affected. When the water has been removed, dehumidifiers and other specialized equipment are used to dry the affected areas. Depending on the amount of water and the size of those affected areas, the process can take multiple days. Once these processes are finished, moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras (when applicable) will be utilized to ensure your home is thoroughly dry. Be aware that repairing water damage may also involve drywall removal, carpet cleaning, wood floor repair, odor control, air duct cleaning and mold removal.
What’s the timeframe for water cleanup?
Complete restoration consists of two major parts. Part One is mitigation, which involves demolition, cleaning and drying the structure itself as well as belongings. You can expect this process to take no more than 3 – 4 days. Part Two are repairs, which can take from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the extent of damage and lead time in assessing (and repairing) the damage to materials such as carpeting, cabinets, or other flooring materials.Your Orange Restoration project manager will work closely with you and your insurance company to create a full timeline for all restoration work, ensuring that your home is back to normal as soon as possible.
What certification does Orange Restoration hold for house flood water damage restoration?
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides a specific set of standards for fixing water damage. According to the IICRC S500, water damage repair should only be done by experienced and trained technicians that will promptly and professionally fix water damage from a house flood according to IICRC standards.
What is the cost to fix water damage?
Water damage cleanup cost is dependent upon the size of the flooded area, as well as the amount of time required to complete the water repair itself. Check your insurance policy because it may cover water damage restoration. If so, you will typically only be responsible for the deductible. Be aware, however, that because water can move very quickly and cause further destruction, if not immediately removed with the proper equipment, more problems can occur: mold growth and structural damage are the biggest consequences. If done properly, repairing water damage can take several days and man-hours to complete – all of which contribute to the overall costs, which will vary.
Are there different categories of water? What are they?
There are three categories of water: clean water, gray water, and black water. Clean water obviously poses no threat to people. This includes water damage caused by a sink or bathtub overflow or an appliance malfunction (often a water heater or washing machine). Gray water can cause harm or sickness to people since it contains a significant amount of contamination, which can be chemical, physical and/or biological. Black water is as grave as it sounds. This water category can cause severe illness to people. Black water is highly unsanitary and contains pathogenic agents coming from other contaminated water sources. These sources are often from seawater, ground surface water and sewage backups.
How does water damage cause mold?
Any time you have an invasion of water (particularly from flooding) you create a perfect environment for mold growth. Mold thrives in moisture or any surface that retains water for too long. Mold also loves humidity, which causes excess moisture to form and mold spores with it. If excess moisture goes unchecked for any period of time, mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours. It’s extremely important to take immediate action once you’ve had flooding (or any other water damage) in your home.
What are the major causes of flood damage and water damage?
Flood water damage can happen in many different ways, all of which require the services of a reliable, experienced restoration company. Of course, heavy rain storms are a major cause of flooding, but also burst or leaking pipes as well as malfunctioning appliances. These house floods can also occur as a result of roof leaks and from defective gutters and downspouts which can cause water damage in your basement or crawlspace.
What are the signs of hidden water damage?
Some signs of hidden water damage include peeling paint and wallpaper, visible mold, moisture and condensation, musty odors, and moisture or dampness in carpeting or other flooring.