Damage from flooding, burst pipes, or even an unrepaired roof leak can be financially devastating to homeowners. In fact, according to an insurance industry site, water damage is among the top five reasons why homeowners file damage claims with their insurance providers each year.
The process of cleaning up after water damage and restoring the surfaces and structure to their pre-damage condition is rarely an easy one, especially when attempting to handle it on a DIY basis. Homeowners who have just suffered a water damage event will find it helpful to learn more about the potential problems they are likely to deal with when trying to do their own water damage restoration project.
The problem with the passage of time
Water damage is particularly problematic because it doesn't just cause initial damage. Instead, the flooding, broken pipe, leaky roof, or other issue is only the beginning of the problem.
In the hours and days after water damage events occur, standing water, humidity, and air temperature can combine to worsen the damage. Mold and mildew take hold on surfaces and bacteria in standing water multiplies, both of which have the potential to create further damage and complicate the cleanup and restoration process.
The speed at which the structure can be cleared of standing water, ruined surface materials, and furnishings and then dried will greatly influence the amount of total damage the home is likely to incur. Few homeowners have the time or manpower to safely remove standing water, dry surfaces, and remove all damaged materials and furnishings.
The problem with insufficient equipment
Another issue that homeowners face when attempting a DIY water restoration project is with the equipment they use for the job. Few homeowners have large commercial fans necessary to ventilate the water-damaged areas to lessen the risk of the development of mold and mildew.
Most also do not own or have quick access to the professional-grade portable heating equipment necessary to quickly and completely dry the damaged, gutted areas so that they can be safely restored. If not properly dried within a short time after the water damage event has occurred, further deterioration, including wood rot and warping, is more likely to occur.
The ongoing safety and structural soundness of your home after any water damage event depend upon the speed and ability with which the damaged materials and standing water are removed and the remaining surfaces dried. If you are unsure about whether you have the time or equipment to handle this type of cleanup, contacting a home water damage cleanup service is likely the best choice.
When your home has several areas that have sustained damage, it can be tricky to know exactly how to proceed. For instance, you might wonder what you need to do in order to move forward, or you might be concerned about the safety of your home. However, one thing is certain: making the right changes to your home is essential if you want to update your property and improve its value. On this website, check out great information that could help you to make sense of different repairs your home will need, and what to do about any issues that could come your way.