All About Drying Out Water Damage: What You Need To Know About Dry Out Services
Various services might be necessary when water damages affect a property, whether it be a residential or commercial building. Getting an area completely dry is one imperative service to ensure home and personal health. Dry out services get into all the nooks and crannies that harbor water as well as large areas. Professionally drying out water damage may be essential to saving your home or business!
Restore Remodel Renew is a company that deeply cares about fixing water damage and keeping related issues at bay. Our dry out services are one of the ways we’re able to do it. Before considering this service, however, it’s good to know the basics of drying out water damage.
What Are Dry Out Services?
Cleaning up water is only one of the steps to protect property and health when it comes to water damage. Leaks, floods, and burst pipes can soak an area. Cleaning it up may make it seem dry, but it’s still moist. Individuals will need a dry out service to prevent mold or excessive humidity.
Professionals will assess the damage and see if any materials, like drywall, must be replaced or patched up. Then, they will see if there is any threat of contamination and what to do about it if so. After, the professionals will use extraction equipment and possibly powerful dehumidifiers as well as fans to begin the drying process. Damaged areas will be removed and restoration can start once the area is dry.
The entire process can start the same day and lasts anywhere from two to five days. The quicker the issue is identified, the quicker the process typically takes. Letting water damage sit can make the process longer and more costly. Either way, house insurance usually covers all or a portion of water damage, depending on the situation.
What To Do Before the Dry Out Process
Those who, unfortunately, have to deal with water damage can do a few things before dry out professionals step in. It’s always a good idea to take pictures of everything, especially to submit any insurance claims. Another good idea is turning off water and electrical breakers. Cleaning up water can be dangerous, so clean up water but with gloves and a face mask with extreme caution.
What Is Water Damage?
Water damage is an overarching term to describe damage and loss caused by water. Usually, water damage happens by way of leaky or bursting pipes. Both could happen because of bad plumbing and might happen during cold months. If water freezes inside a pipe the water molecules expand, which puts pressure on the pipe. Floods can also cause water damage.
In some cases, very minor water damage could be a long and complicated DIY process. Aside from that, most individuals will need a professional dry out service. Either way, it’s better to get a professional opinion than let it lead to worse problems down the line. There a different levels of water damage:
- Class 1 – The water damage is pretty minor. It may be isolated to a small portion of a home. The area where there is damage isn’t absorbing the water and the water itself isn’t evaporating (which can lead to more damage). Damage related to water by materials like ceramic tile may not be so urgent.
- Class 2 – This class is typically defined by water that leaks into materials that will easily get damaged because of how quickly they absorb moisture. It could be class 2 water damage if an entire, carpeted room is soaked.
- Class 3 – Water damage in class 3 is where it can really start to get expensive and dangerous. This class usually means the damage is leaking into lower floors overhead and when water sits for long periods of time. Areas such as floors, insulation, and walls are soaked.
- Class 4 – When the water damage is so bad that it’s soaking materials like cement, it’s class 4 damage. Letting the water damage get worse and worse will lead to a more costly fix. Get help quickly!
Why Is Water Damage Dangerous?
Of course, water damage is dangerous to a person’s finances. Severe water damage in the fourth class can cause a bill of $20,000 or even more! However, there are additional dangers in water damage that some people might not be aware of.
The danger can start by trying to clean up water damage without any research. A professional can identify leaks and structural harm that could hurt health, but the average person can’t. If they try to clean up areas saturated with contaminants, it could affect respiratory and skin health. It could even cause a severe allergic reaction overall.
There are additional safety threats when it comes to water damage:
- Collapsed structure could fall and hurt residents and guests
- Undetected mold (which could invisibly appear within 24 hours of water damage) can affect allergies negatively and seriously hurt adults and children with pre-existing respiratory issues, like asthma. This mold growth can also cause headaches and other health complications.
- Interacting with electric systems compromised by water damage can be dangerous
- Water damage can attract bugs, which could lead to infestations and other problems.
When water damage doesn’t seem to affect anything at first, it’s easy to hold off on drying out water damage when it occurs. However, waiting can make health issues and structural damages worse if not treated immediately. The best thing to do for everyone’s health is to call up professional water removal services, even if it’s just to get some advice.
What Are Signs of Water Damage?
When someone thinks about water damage, he or she might believe it looks like pools of water and nothing more. The fact is that this is only one sign. Small signs can tip off renters and homeowners that there is water damage. The more people understand the signs, the easier it will be to identify them and call professionals for dry out services.
Signs of water damage include:
- Constantly needing to clean up puddles or pooling water (even after just cleaning one up)
- Ceilings or walls that start to bubble, crack, or flake
- Dark of light brown spots on the ceiling or wall (usually they are large spots but they can also be smaller)
- Strange, musty odors that don’t seem to have an origin
- The sound of dripping or running water that doesn’t seem to come from anywhere, like faucets
- A sudden spike in the water bill
- Turning off the water meter but water use still registers
Renters and homeowners that recognize these signs must take action immediately! Again, waiting could be costly and detrimental to health. As the saying goes, better safe than sorry.
Contact Restore Remodel Renew for Help With Drying Out Water Damage
Give your buckets and pots a rest! Call us to learn more about drying out water damage before buying more buckets to deal with leaks. We’re a full-service, certified water damage service and restoration team of professionals that care about your property just as much as you do! Contact us now if your home is suffering from water damage or needs some serious TLC because of it. We can help you make your home safe and free from water damage or the issues that may follow!
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