Dealing with interior water damage can be a nightmare. Whether the problem is due to a broken pipe, leaky roof, or torrential rainstorm, you have water damage. 

While a damp spot on the carpet or a puddle by the door is an easy clean-up, when it seems like everything’s wet you’re going to need more than a mop and towel. Thankfully, you can fall back on a water damage restoration Aurora, CO specialist.

So, what is water damage restoration and how can it help after it seems like the interior of your building has turned into a swimming pool?

What is Water Damage Restoration

Water damage restoration is the process of drying out a property and restoring it to its previous condition. Yes, this can seem pretty simple until you find yourself wading through ankle-deep water in your living room.

To effectively remove the water and dry out all of the surfaces you’re going to need more than a few people wielding mops and buckets. A water damage restoration service will bring in equipment like air movers and humidifiers. You want to ensure everything is completely dry to prevent mold and mildew from growing. If you’re not sure what an air mover is, think of a gigantic, heavy-duty fan. In some cases, these providers are backed by a restoration franchise, which helps ensure consistent processes and access to specialized equipment.

Effectively drying out a property after flooding often takes more than a couple of hours. Depending on the amount of water and damage, it can take days or months for everything to completely dry. Once the floors and walls are dry, the water damage restoration service will start making any necessary repairs. Eventually, your property will be back to its pre-flood condition.

A Look at the Water Damage Restoration Process

So, what should you expect during the water damage restoration process? While every job is different, the steps are basically the same whether you’re dealing with water damage in one room or throughout the property.

Moisture is Removed from the Interior

Get ready for some noise—extracting moisture from the walls and floors can be quite a noisy process. While mops and brooms may also be used to wipe up and sweep the water out the doors, chances are, some equipment use is going to be necessary.

Extractors are commonly used and the equipment can be loud. However, it’s also extremely effective at removing large amounts of water. Extractors can be especially useful when you’re trying to salvage a soggy carpet. 

Yes, sometimes you can save your waterlogged carpeting. Other times, it’s better to replace your carpeting. If you’re not sure if your flooring is worth saving, your water damage restoration specialist can give you some advice.

Debris Removal and Demolition

Sometimes the water damage is too extensive to save items like carpeting. The water damage can also extend to the cavities in your walls and underneath floorboards. These materials will need to be removed. For example, you may need to take your walls down to the studs and floors to the joints. In other words, you’re taking the property down to its bare bones.

Watching large sections of drywall head outside can be disconcerting. However, it’s necessary to help ensure you’re not dealing with structural damage. The last thing you want is for your property to be unsafe for use. 

During the debris removal and demolition stage, the water damage restoration specialist can inspect the structure to help ensure it’s safe. If there is structural damage, the restoration service will usually stop demolition and move on to the final dry out.

Ensuring Everything is Dry

After removing the excess water and damaged materials, the restoration service will get to work ensuring everything is thoroughly dry, usually involving bringing in air movers and dehumidifiers.

The equipment works to dry out areas in the walls and subflooring. Remember, you don’t want to close these areas off until everything is dry. Otherwise, you may find yourself dealing with mold and mildew and this can be expensive to remove.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to dry out a property, it varies depending on the extent of the water damage. However, most properties dry out within a few days.

Restoration and Reconstruction

During the debris removal stage, the water damage restoration company will go through the salvageable items. This doesn’t mean they’re going to sort through your personal items—this is up to you. Instead, they’ll look at items like floorboards, tile, and drywall. 

If it’s salvageable, the service can make the necessary repairs. Some companies can also inspect your electronics, though not everyone offers this service.

What a water damage restoration service can salvage and repair is a question you may want to ask before hiring them.

Once the drying process is complete, remember this can take several days, the next step is reconstructing the property. However, before this starts, the service will do a final inspection to ensure all surfaces are thoroughly dry. Don’t be surprised if they apply an antimicrobial solution to the surfaces; this is an added safety step to help prevent mold and mildew from forming on previously damp surfaces.

Finally, it’s time to start putting your property back to its original condition, and this typically includes replacing the drywall, flooring, electrical wiring, plumbing, and installing the finishing materials. When the restoration is completed, you shouldn’t see any signs that the property experienced water damage.

Do You Need a Water Removal or Water Damage Restoration Service

A common misconception is water removal and water damage restoration refer to the same services. Some of the steps are similar, both remove excess water, but water damage restoration takes it a step further.

If you want the interior of your property thoroughly dried and restored to its pre-damaged condition, you want to go with a water damage restoration service. Water removal companies only get rid of the moisture. They’re not going to help you restore your property.

While interior water damage can leave your property a mess, you can restore it to its original condition. Contact an Aurora, CO water damage restoration specialist to learn more.