Homes and commercial properties can, unfortunately, get damaged by water for several reasons such as flooding and storm damage, leaking roofs or water pipes, or bathtub overflows.
The resulting damage can be quite easy to spot, however smaller leaks and build-ups of moisture can be harder to notice which can lead to more damage occurring over a long time.
Developing water damage problems can be recognized by keeping an eye out for:
- Larger water bills
- Musty smells
- Paint or wallpaper that is flaking or peeling away from the wall
- Rotting window frames
- Discolored ceilings that may be also sagging
- Moldy walls
- Water stains
Furthermore, there are many problems associated with prolonged water damage in a property including:
- Soft materials such as drywall, plaster, and wood supports will start to lose their structural integrity and rot
- Potentially harmful and deadly mold can grow and quickly spread throughout a home
- Door and window frames can become weakened, increasing the risk of burglary
- Bugs, pests, and rodents can easily enter the house through compromised roofs and walls
- Electrical systems will become faulty and hazardous
The consequences of water damage are often too large for homeowners to clear up themselves, therefore water damage restoration companies are usually called in to do the job.
Choosing the right restoration company can be difficult. So if your house has suffered water damage recently, here is a guide full of useful tips on how to choose a professional and reliable company to restore your water-damaged house.
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Certification and Licensing
The first thing to check about any water damage restoration company is its licenses and insurance coverage. The water damage restoration specialists at https://www.ductkingsdallas.com/water-damage-restoration/ explain that homeowners should only hire insured and licensed companies to protect themselves from liability in the case of accidents. Furthermore, restoration companies are required by law to get safety licensing and carry out training as their employees handle potentially dangerous equipment and damaged home electrics.
Hiring companies that have the correct licensing and insurance policies make it easier for homeowners to enter into a legally binding service contract that ensures contractors finish their work competently and on time.
Experience in Providing Solutions
When looking into water damage restoration companies, homeowners should look for evidence of their experience. This can come from what they say in an inspection or what information and expert knowledge they have shared on social media accounts and websites.
Experienced contractors will be able to tell a homeowner exactly what the problems are and provide a detailed plan on how to fix the damage. The plan should include an accurate damage assessment, an itemized list of necessary repairs, and an estimate of the costs.
Availability and Responsiveness
Disasters causing flooding, leaks, and water damage can happen at any time and to avoid long-term damage the problem needs to be dealt with quickly. The best water damage restoration companies are usually available 24/7 for emergency calls and try to be as responsive as possible.
When it comes to the clean-up process and necessary repairs, reliable and professional water remediation companies will dedicate their resources and staff to your property so the job can get done without delay.
Attitude and Personality
Dealing with water damage, especially if it is from severe flooding, can be an emotional and stressful time. Oftentimes, countless personal belongings are damaged or lost, therefore it is even more important that a restoration team is compassionate and respectful.
Taking time to research and chat with someone from a restoration company’s team gives a homeowner a good indication of their character, work culture, and trustworthiness.
Hiring a contractor with the right attitude and personality will help the process be less stressful as they can be trusted to treat belongings and property with care.
References and Reviews
A fast way to discover the quality of service provided by a water damage restoration company is to check with their past customers. Locally it is possible to ask around and get recommendations via word of mouth, however, this can be time-consuming.
Finding reviews is much quicker on the Internet and it is possible to read past customers’ experiences on social media platforms and review websites.
Ideally, it is a good idea for a homeowner to get references and reviews from multiple sources, although word of mouth recommendations on local companies are often more likely to be accurate and truthful.
Modern Equipment and Tools
The equipment a company uses also points to how effectively they complete restorations. Water damage restoration companies with years of experience and a proven track record are certain to have a range of specialized equipment and tools.
The gear typically used by restoration companies includes:
- Air movers; used to increase air circulation and movement to hasten water evaporation and speed up the drying process. They come in three types axial, centrifugal and compact, each specialized for drying different spaces
- Low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers; crucial for absorbing excess moisture from the air which helps floors and walls to dry faster
- Air scrubbers; otherwise known as air purifiers, these machines are required to remove odors, particles, and pollutants from the air including mold spores
- Moisture detectors; portable handheld devices capable of identifying water damage in a range of materials found in a building including brick, concrete, drywall, plaster, and wood.
- Self-propelled dump containers; useful for placing damaged materials for fast removal from the site
Assistance With Insurance Claims
When the water damage in a home is caused by an accident or a force of nature, then the homeowner has the right to make an insurance claim. Usually, it is vital that an insurance company pays out as the costs of restoration and renovation can be huge.
An important part of successfully filing and winning a property insurance claim is providing the right evidence and documentation to prove the facts.
A compassionate and professional restoration company will help a homeowner in this process by helping them to document the damage and calculate the cost of repairs.
Experiencing water damage in a home can range from being slightly irritating and concerning to devastating when flooding occurs. In the case of a water-damaged home, people should hire a restoration company to clean up the mess and remove damaged materials.
However, it can be difficult to choose a reliable company which is why it is a good idea to do some research first.