Water Damage Restoration Tips
Speed Up Water Damage Restoration
Did you know almost 14,000 people experience water damage emergencies in a single day? It's a good thing you have a company that specializes in water damage restoration and removal.
You must use proper drying techniques when you're called to help a home or business owner with water damage. The water must be removed and dried quickly to limit damage and speed up restoration.
If you're a restoration company or planning to start your own business, you've come to the right place. We will tell you about techniques you can use to dry and restore water-damaged surfaces.
Removal of Water
If water is still flooding the ground, the first step is to remove it. You can use a wet vacuum and pumps to extract the water. If the floor is completely covered in the carpet, it'll likely need to be replaced as bacteria growth can be rampant in that material.
However, a rug may be salvageable if the water is clean. Be sure all the furniture is removed from the area before sucking out the water.
The faster the client's belongings are removed, the better. There is a better chance the items will survive if they don't sit in the water too long.
Air Movers and Fans
Drying damaged surfaces such as walls can take a long time, and the longer the water sits, the harder it will be fixed. The risk of mold and bacteria growth also increases the longer the drying takes.
Setting up industrial fans and air movers is a must. These will help speed up the drying process. You can set up multiple fans if the walls have water damage.
If bacteria has already started growing, fans and air movers can worsen the situation. They can spread the microorganisms throughout the room. As a professional, you should check for mold growth or contract someone to take a look.
Use Dehumidifiers
Mostisure will sit in the air during the evaporation process. Investing in commercial dehumidifiers is an excellent option for your business. They can be used at any job, a residence, or a large commercial building.
You should also be opening up doors and windows if working in an area with a dry climate. If the site is hot, that will also help speed it up. However, this won't help if there's humidity outside.
Even in drier climates, the air typically gets more humid at night and in the early morning so keep that in mind. The air circulation will help dry out the area.
This can make a significant difference in smaller areas. If you're working in a larger area such as an entire basement or commercial building you might not see a big difference.
For large jobs that take more than a day the dehumidifiers will need to be emptied out. You or one of your employees will need to check back in every few hours to pour out the water and ensure everything is running correctly.
Heaters Speed Up Drying
Don't forget to add heat to the air when drying out damaged surfaces. Like blow driers and clothes driers, warm air will dry out a room faster than cool air. It's also essential to use temperature-controlled heaters.
While heat is a quicker method of drying out the space, you don't want to create a home for bacteria and mold to grow in. If the air conditioning system wasn't compromised, turn the heat up in your client's building or home.
Allow the temperature to reach a certain degree, and then turn it down to cool the place off again. You can repeat this process to help speed up restoration.
It can be hard to save hardwood floors after they've been flooded. Heating mats are great for drying out floors.
You must invest in equipment and products that control heat for water damage. If the air gets too hot, it could do more damage to the surface or cause a fire.
The air must also be dry. Heating mats are an excellent option for walls too.
Push Heated Air Into Walls and Exhaust the Moisture
If several inches of water are in the home, you may have to remove the baseboards. Water sitting on the boards or between the wall could do much damage.
It may be hard to know how much soaked it. Removing them is an excellent option so you can dry the wall behind them. The owner can have new baseboards installed, and a fresh coat of paint applied after everything is dry.
Cleaning
If the water were a sewer, a lot of cleaning would be needed. The carpet and other items sitting in or underwater will likely be ruined or need extensive cleaning. However, harsh chemical cleaners could do more damage.
Speed Up Restoration
Knowing how much equipment you should invest in and purchase can be challenging. Some restoration projects can take half a day, while others could take months.
You don't want to turn down other jobs because all your equipment is being used. But as a small business, you should invest in quality and reliable fans and heaters to get a better ROI on equipment and time.
Invest in the Quality Equipment
Start small with a few great heat systems and work up from there. Many companies have invested in our products because If you're ready to upgrade your equipment, click here, and we will also answer any questions.