Water Restoration Company in Poughkeepsie NY
When a property has experienced water damage, restoring it to its original condition can be overwhelming for any business or homeowner. Sometimes it’s difficult even to know where to start.
Luckily, help is never far away. Reach out to a water damage restoration company in Poughkeepsie NY: they can take care of everything.
When working with a company such as First Call Restoration, clients can expect the restoration to follow these steps:
1) Assessment of the damage
It goes without saying that, first of all, once technicians are on the scene, they use all their expertise to assess the problem.
They will first ensure that the property is safe to enter and assess the threat posed by toxic substances and the possible risk of collapse or electric hazard.
Once given the all-clear, they will enter the property and search for water damage, both visible and invisible.
Having taken into account that there are several levels of water damage which depend on how porous the materials that have been affected are and how much water has been absorbed, water restoration experts will draw up a plan of action that will minimize the damage, ensure safety and maximize the chances of restoration.
2) Remove all standing water and debris
Standing water must be removed as a matter of urgency. This is because, if contaminated, it can be highly dangerous and make a building’s occupants vulnerable to infectious diseases, chemical hazards and injuries.
A wet-dry vacuum can remove any shallow water, but a submersible pump may be required to remove deeper water.
In the case of a natural flood, any contaminated debris brought in by the floodwater from drains, ditches and sewer lines will need to be removed too and disposed of correctly.
3) Set up fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the property
Once standing water has been removed, the job is far from over. That’s because mold will grow in a flood-damaged property within 24 hours if there’s moisture present, with colonies visible within two days.
To combat this, the first step is to air out the property. The best way is to design a drying system made up of industrial fans and dehumidifiers to circulate the air and eliminate excess moisture. However, this could take several days.
4) Dispose of materials that cannot be salvaged
Some materials, especially porous ones, take a long time to dry out. And if they’re not cleaned and dried out within 24 to 48 hours, this can create a breeding ground for mold and musty odors.
Removing standing water and using dehumidifiers is not always enough. This means that it might be necessary to dispose of many items or materials (in the correct manner, of course).
In almost all cases, carpets and upholstery have to be removed and disposed of. If water damage is widespread, affected paneling, drywall and insulation will likely have to go too.
Other materials, such as ceramic tile, sheet vinyl, laminate and solid wood floors may also have to be removed because moisture and silt collect beneath them, even if they appear to be dry.
5) Deep cleaning
In order to prevent the growth of mold and other bacteria, it’s vital to disinfect any surfaces or items that have come into contact with water.
Water restoration technicians will clean, sanitize and deodorize affected areas to kill any bacteria or fungi that has started to germinate in the moist areas.
6) Monitor moisture levels
To ensure that a property has been thoroughly dried out and is safe for human occupation again, water restoration specialists use the latest imaging cameras and moisture and humidity meters.
While airing out the building, a humidity meter will show if the conditions are still encouraging or, better still, inhibiting the growth of mold. A moisture meter, meanwhile, can help to detect invisible dampness in floors, walls and furniture.
Once all moisture has been remedied, the restoration process can start.
7) Complete restoration
The scope and extent of the water restoration process depend on the scale of damage, the restoration budget and insurance coverage.
Water restoration companies are normally also general contractors, so they have the resources to restore properties to their pre-loss state – or sometimes even better!
8) Process the insurance claim
If an insurance policy protects against flood or other water damage, generally the claim has to be processed within 60 days.
Water restoration companies will work directly with insurers, to set claims in motion as quickly as possible and save clients time and hassle.
They have the industry expertise to know exactly what proof or documentary evidence must be submitted for a successful claim.
Professional water restoration in Poughkeepsie NY
When tackling water damage, it’s important to get immediate help. Every hour lost means more extensive water damage.
At First Call Restoration, we understand the importance of fast action. That’s why we’re available 24/7 to respond to water emergencies and begin the cleanup and restoration process as quickly as possible.
We have the expertise, availability and equipment necessary to start any restoration project immediately and complete it safely and efficiently.
Contact us today at (845) 442-6714 to learn more about our water damage restoration process or for an estimate or consultation.