Water Damage Restoration - What's Involved? - Escarosa

Water damage is one of the most destructive things that can happen to a home. Unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence in Florida and other coastal states. Tropical storms, hurricanes, and severe weather events are common here, and they can all lead to flooding. Once water damage occurs, the only way to repair it is with professional water damage restoration services.

In this blog, we’ll discuss water damage restoration services. We’ll talk about how water damage restoration works, what’s involved, and how restoration professionals remove mold and deal with the aftermath of flooding.

Let’s dive in.

What Causes Water Intrusion?

Today, many things cause water damage. They include the following:

• Flooding

• Hurricanes

• Leaky pipes

• Malfunctioning appliances

• Clogged drains and gutters

• Compromised or aging roofs

• Old or broken water heaters

• Damaged sprinkler systems

• Faulty sump pumps

• Degraded rubber or PVC water supply lines

• And more

One of the things that makes water damage so challenging to work with is that it can be present in areas that don’t seem to have been affected by any of the above. For example, a blocked outdoor gutter can cause water to back up behind an indoor wall two rooms away.

Fortunately, professional restoration companies understand how water damage behaves and can identify signs of water intrusion that may be invisible to the average person.

What is Professional Water Damage Restoration?

Water damage restoration is simple: it’s the process of returning a property to its pre-flood condition.

Today’s restoration teams wear many hats. They inspect properties, extract water and dehumidify spaces, sanitize belongings, and repair and replace building materials like flooring and drywall.

You don’t need to hire other contractors to restore your space when you work with a restoration company. The team handles the entire job – from start to finish – including making repairs to your home and restoring your space to its original condition.

Pro Tip: If you’ve experienced flooding and need restoration services, hire an IICRC-Certified company specializing in water intrusion. Water damage can wreak havoc on a home or business, and it’s essential to work with a qualified company that knows how to handle the unique considerations of flooding.

When Should you Call a Restoration Company?

Here’s when to call a restoration company to deal with your water intrusion problem:

After a Major Storm

Sometimes, flooding is apparent. After a hurricane, for example, there may be several inches of standing water in your property, and the need for professional help is obvious.

Any Time You Suspect Water Damage

In other cases, water damage isn’t visible. Leaky pipes can cause extensive water damage over time, leading to mold and mildew growth behind your walls or under your floors.

Even accidental water damage, like an overflowed bathtub or dishwasher, can destroy the subfloor and lead to structural problems.

Fortunately, restoration companies handle all jobs – from large to small.

Do you think you might have hidden water damage but are not sure what to look for? Check out our guide here.

Whenever You are Aware of ANY Water Damage

We recommend contacting a professional team whenever you are aware of or suspect any water damage.

Here’s why:

Once water damage occurs, the affected area needs to be dried and sanitized immediately. If that doesn’t happen, mold and mildew can form in just 24-48 hours. Once it does, it can wreak havoc on your home and create health hazards for you and your family.

A professional restoration company will be able to inspect the area, identify the source of the leak, dry and dehumidify the space, and provide complete restoration services. The result is a dry, clean area that looks like it did before the water intrusion occurred.

The Aftermath: 4 Steps to File an Insurance Claim

After flooding or water intrusion, you’ll need to file a water damage claim with your insurance company.

Although your insurance company should provide clear steps to do this, the process can be complex.

Here’s the process our team recommends:

1. Contact your insurance company. Before you begin post-flooding clean-up, contact your insurer and tell them about the water damage. Once you get in touch with them, review your coverage to understand your policy amounts and coverage limits.

2. Act promptly to stop further damage. Most insurance companies will not cover additional damage when a property owner fails to prevent it. Minimize further damage by turning off your home’s water line at the source. You should also move items not affected by flooding and hire a professional restoration company immediately.

3. Document the damage. You’ll need proof of the damage as you file your insurance claim. Before the restoration company arrives, take photos of the standing water and the damage to your property. One easy way to do this is to move through your home and take a video of the process—document damage to your belongings and property. Be sure to pan slowly so you can zoom in on specific areas later.

4. Ask for help. Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful and challenging, and you’ve got enough on your mind. The team at Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration will help you prepare and file your insurance claim and gather all the paperwork. The result is a more successful (and more straightforward) claim.

Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration: Your Trusted Water Damage Restoration Professional

At Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration, we understand that flooding can destroy homes and derail lives. Our mission is to help get things back to normal.

While we handle minor, everyday water intrusion issues, we also specialize in big jobs, like the aftermath of hurricanes and other natural disasters.

One of our proudest accomplishments is being chosen in 2016 to be an active member of the Coalition of Disaster Responders, an elite disaster response group with locations throughout Florida.

This means you can trust us with your biggest jobs and know that we’ll show up when conditions are difficult.

Ready to learn more about our team or how we help residential and commercial customers in Pensacola, Florida, and the surrounding areas? Contact us today to request service or speak to one of our experienced technicians.