Water Damage Restoration – What Is It?

The water damage restoration process involves several key procedures like loss assessment, categorization based on the water contamination levels, decontaminating and drying the structure, monitoring of the process, and completion of the process. There are two large certifying bodies, namely the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) and the RIA (Restoration Industry Association) that recommend standards for water damage restoration. The S500 damage due to water guide is the benchmark tool that is used by companies that specialize in the restoration of water damage.

Loss evaluation is the first and the most important step in water damage restoration. The assessment has to be correct so that an appropriate response can be taken. In restoring the damage caused by water, technicians and the insurance companies must work together and understand what is damaged and how to go about restoring the damage. Identifying the source of the damage, documentation of damage and accurate estimates are mandatory for a proper water damage restoration. Categorization is based on the contamination levels of the water source.
The categories are listed below :
Category 1 – This is water from clean sources like pipes, sinks, and toilets without feces or urine.
Category 2 – This is water that has some contaminants like water from a dishwasher, washing machine, or toilet with urine.
Category 3 – This is water that is highly unsanitary and is capable of causing illness or death if ingested. Sewage water, water from toilets with feces, standing water with microbial growth, and floodwater are some examples.

After the evaluation is complete, the process of drying and decontaminating begins at the site. Based on the extent of damage, damage caused due to water can be classified into 4 types. Class 1 Damage- When loss is restricted to a small area and less water has been absorbed by materials. This results in a slow evaporation rate. Class 2 Damage – When the damage is to the entire room and carpet area. Class 3 Damage – When the entire area is saturated with water and Class 4 Damage – when there are many deep saturation pockets. Decontamination and drying is a key stage in Water damage restoration and equipment like blowers, dehumidifiers, scrubbers, and subfloor drying equipment have to be used. Decontamination has to be done if contamination has been detected in the area. Decontamination may be done for the entire area or in specific pockets where contamination has been detected.

Monitoring the restoration process of damage caused due to damage is critical to achieving the desired results. One has to be proactive during the monitoring process. Checking if the drying equipment is set up properly, assessing if the personnel involved are qualified for the job, and checking if the equipment is in working order are all part of the monitoring process. Necessary steps are to be taken if anything wrong is spotted during the monitoring process. The entire process of water damage restoration would be classified as complete only once the humidity, temperature, and moisture content is as per industry standards. Upon completion of the water damage restoration process, the drying equipment can be removed.

Like most things, early intervention is the key to minimizing loss and costs due to water damage. Disaster MD wastes no time responding to your call 24/7 and will get there within 1 hour to help you. Our water damage restoration contractors are experienced and skilled and have worked on a wide variety of water damage projects. Because of this experience our contractors know exactly how water will affect various materials and buildings which allows them to provide you with the best possible solutions. No matter the circumstance our experts are ready to help.

To ensure quick and effective water damage restoration services, the Disaster MD team has developed a proven protocol for responding to water damage.
As soon as we reach your house, we will:
Inspect in Depth – We begin by studying the extent of the damage and provide a comprehensive assessment.
Study the Source – If the water damage is due to a plumbing leak, we will find the source. If it is due to a flood, we will identify where the water is entering your property. Stopping the source is key in preventing the damages from continuing.
Drying Process – We will begin removing the standing water. This prevents the damage from spreading and makes it easier to inspect for other problems. We then follow by placing drying equipment in the area to avoid secondary damages such as mold.