Water damage might seem inevitable for homeowners. If it isn’t from a leaky pipe, water damage occurs from natural disasters like flooding or rainwater. Anyone who owns a property long enough will experience water damage at some point throughout the life of the property.

The good news is that water damage does not need to become permanent. Homeowners can hire experienced water remediation experts to repair the damage caused by water and restore their property and personal belongings.

Water remediation defined

Water remediation is the process of cleaning, sanitizing, and restoring materials where water damage has occurred. It remediates the water damage. What does water remediation entail? Let’s discuss the process.

When it comes to water damage, it is important to act as fast as possible. Water damage left untreated can become a bigger hazard. Mold growth, bacteria and viruses can fester in damp conditions. So, the most important step in water remediation is to stop the water source and remove the water.

The general process

Water extraction relies on pumps and vacuums to remove all of the standing water. Also, smaller items can be pressed to squeeze out excess water. The level of water damage will determine which methods are used when extracting water. Drywall and carpet can absorb water or develop extensive mold growth. In that case, the materials could need replaced.

The next step in water remediation is drying. Materials need to be thoroughly dried in order to be restored to their previous condition. Drying involves the use of air movers and dehumidifiers. Smaller items could be dried in drying machines.

We clean and sanitize the area. Antimicrobial treatments and disinfectants remove harmful bacteria from all surfaces and materials. Cleaning personal belongings is important. It prevents mold growth and the spread of germs and disease. Also, specialty items will undergo their required cleaning processes. Sometimes professionals use air scrubbers clean and sanitize the air.

The final step is restoration. The remediation team will restore items to their pre-loss condition. The process for doing this will vary according to the item. For example, specialty rugs undergo a different restoration process than electronics or oak tables.

Inspection specifics

The inspection determines the class of water damage and the category of water. There are four classes of water damage that describe the extent of the damage.

For example, class one refers to the least amount of water damage. Class four damage is the most extensive. But it is actually class three water damage that is the worst. Also, lass three damage involves water coming from the ceiling to the floor below.

Categories of water determine the level of contamination. Water remediation experts follow procedures according to these categories to prevent the spread of illnesses.

Category one means that the water comes from a clean source, like a water fountain. Water  from the washing machine or the dishwasher is “grey water.” This is category two and means that the water has detergents and other potentially hazardous substances.

Category three is the most dangerous because the water comes from a dirty source, such as the sewer system. The remediation team will need to wear Hazmat suits and other personal safety gear when handling water from category three sources.

Also, It is important to note that categories with water can change over time. After 48 hours, category 1 turn into category 3.