Residential Water Damage Restoration – FAQ

As abundant and critical as water is to a household, H2O has the destructive capability of ruining homes when natural or manmade catastrophes hit. Innumerable factors, including toilet leaks, burst plumbing pipes, leaky water heaters and rainwater have the potential to cause significant water damage. Restoration is the solution to many water damage scenarios. Homeowners are at an advantage when they understand the nuances of water damage restoration before an incident strikes.

Where can water damage occur?

Any level of the home where water can seep through is fair game for water damage. From the topmost portion of the home to the lowest level, water can infiltrate and cause damage.

A leaky roof is common. Often due to missing shingles, damaged flashing and ice dams, leaky roofs allow rainwater to enter into the interior of the home.

The lowermost part of the home, the basement, is especially vulnerable to water damage. Numerous instances cause water damage to the basement, including clogged gutters, flooding, sewage backups and ruptured plumbing pipes.

Bathrooms and kitchens are notorious for spurring leaks that lead to water damage. Leaky faucets and toilets, cracked bathtubs and faulty dishwashers have the capability of dripping an endless sea of water onto floorboards, causing rot and mold growth.

What are the classes of water damage?

Only a licensed professional has the expertise to classify water damage. Generally, water damage can be categorized into clean water, grey water and black water. The cost of cleanup depends on the classification of water damage.

Experts give drinking water a clean water classification because it is not a health risk. Faucets, rain, sprinklers and water heaters that cause leaks or flooding are deemed clean water damage and are the least costly to repair.

Grey water damage results from leaky dishwashers and washing machines. Grey water carries with it only a minor health threat due to contaminants like soap and detergent.

Black water is deemed the most harmful of all water damage. Backed up sewage, natural floodwaters and storm surges are ridden with dangerous contaminants that lead to illness or even death. As a result of the chemical remediation necessary to resolve black water damage, this category is the costliest to clean up.

How critical is speed?

A water damage restoration professional should be contacted as swiftly as possible in the wake of water damage. The lightning speed at which water damage is addressed can save homeowners up to 40 percent on repair services.

When moisture is left to absorb into porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, the chances of mold growth increase rapidly. Plus, untreated water damage spreads quickly. Homeowners save thousands of dollars in the long run when they hire a professional to look for causes of water damage and tackle even minor repairs—that may explode into a mammoth issue if left unaddressed.

What is the average drying time?

Generally, drying a home takes three to five days or more. The time it takes to eliminate moisture from the property is based on critical factors, including weather, classification of water damage, location of the ruin and length of time water has engulfed the space.

Water restoration technicians utilize specialized testing equipment to confirm the property is thoroughly dry. Relying on surface touch for dryness provides inaccurate results. For example, a carpet may feel dry but be drenched with moisture underneath the padding.

Are affected possessions discarded?

Furniture, wood floors and carpeting must be assessed. Upholstered furniture must be thoroughly dried before the evaluation. Wood floors may be refinished or replaced, depending on the severity of ruin. Sewage contamination of carpeting requires the carpets be thrown out.

Does insurance cover water damage restoration costs?

A homeowner’s insurance policy may or may not cover the costs of water damage. Factors that heavily weigh in on insurance reimbursements include whether or not the damage was caused by a known factor or if the ruin was sudden and accidental.

For instance, knowledge of a leaky faucet and failing to maintain it will exclude the homeowner from insurance coverage. Sudden mishaps, such as a leaky dishwasher or water heater, are covered by insurance. Flooding is rarely covered by insurance; rather, flood insurance must be purchased separately.

Bestex Flood Restoration Services

When your property undergoes water damage, whether major or minor, contact northern Illinois’ most reputed name in water damage restoration, Bestex Austin Flood Restoration Solutions. Our team of certified water technicians promptly arrive onsite after an emergency call to start the water damage cleanup process.

Subsequent to an initial assessment, water meters are used to evaluate the level of moisture present on the property. Powerful water extraction equipment starts the drying process. Dehumidifiers are placed throughout the home for up to three days. Moisture and humidity contents are evaluated daily via readings. The home is deemed thoroughly dry once baseline readings reach the dry standard.

Bestex Austin Flood Restoration Solutions specialists advise homeowners to shut off the water to the home in the unanticipated event of water damage. Document the damage for insurance purposes; this includes taking ample photos and videos of all destroyed goods. If the electricity is on, never enter a room with standing water. While homeowners may be eager to clean up the watery mess, Bestex Austin Flood Restoration Solutions technicians warn against using a household vacuum to absorb excess water.