If you’ve owned property for any length of time, you’ve likely encountered some type of water damage. Water damage at home or in an office range anywhere from a small spill or leak to a major pipe break. Depending on the size of the event, it can be tempting to handle the dry-out yourself. Read on to learn why you should use a professional property damage restoration contractor when you have a water damage mitigation emergency.
Why It’s Better to Hire a Professional for Water Damage Mitigation
There are a number of reasons why it’s best to call a professional. The following are a few of the most important.
- Expertise
- Specialized equipment and proper drying methods
- Insurance claim management
- Safety
1. Expertise
Professional restoration contractors have training and industry certifications that allow them to properly assess water damage. This includes evaluating the severity, identifying any hidden damage, and determining the source of a loss if the source isn’t obvious. For example, most homes in Florida are concrete slab and so it’s common for homes to experience slab leaks as they begin to age past 20 years.
Untrained professionals are less likely to determine if a water damage is a slab leak or a slow leak from a pipe in a wall. Companies that specialize in water damage restoration are able to quickly identify the source and address it immediately — preventing further damage.
Moreover, depending on the type of water loss (clean water, grey water, or black water), the dry-out process is handled differently. Trained professionals determine which type of loss it is and create a dry-out plan accordingly.
2. Specialized Equipment and Proper Drying Methods
Many property owners attempt to dry out their homes or businesses using items like box fans or by simply opening windows and doors. However, water will find its way into every crevice and saturate insulation, wick through drywall and furniture, or get trapped under certain types of flooring.
Even if water is sitting on a concrete slab, the slab will slowly absorb the water if it’s not dried up with urgency. Professionals use specialized equipment like moisture meters, Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras, dehumidifiers, Injectidry products, air movers, air scrubbers, etc. to ensure a property is properly dried.
This equipment prevents secondary damage to the property and ensures there’s no subsequent microbial growth. Restorers also use anti-microbial agents to treat wall studs and the wall cavities. Without this equipment, it’s nearly impossible to properly dry out your property following a water damage.
3. Insurance and Claims Management
Many property owners are unfamiliar with the claims process following water damage mitigation. Restoration professionals are able to look at your insurance policy’s declaration page to determine the details of your policy and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Additionally, although contractors can’t submit your claim for you, they can coordinate with your insurance carrier during the claims process after you have submitted your claim. By coordinating with the adjuster, the contractor is able to take this stressful process off of you as the property owner during what is already a stressful situation. They will also ensure you’re getting the coverage that you’re entitled to in your policy.
Safety
Lastly, hiring a property damage restoration contractor during for your water damage mitigation ensures your safety. There are a number of hazards associated with a water loss. For example, if the water loss is caused by a sewage leak, you are exposed to harmful bacteria and viruses. These types of water damages have to be handled properly to prevent illness.
Also, water and electricity don’t mix. Property owners who try to dry their home or facility expose themselves to potential electrical shock by plugging in equipment like box fans. Also, when box fans are used to dry black water like sewage, you’re spreading bacteria to other unaffected areas of the property.
Restoration contractors wear special personal protective equipment (PPE) like respirators and Tyvek suits while drying out a property affected by sewage. The goal during this type of water damage event is to protect the unaffected areas of the property and the occupants by placing containments, removing the water, and removing affected materials. Most materials that have been contaminated have to be completely removed, with only a few exceptions. This is something you should entrust to professionals.
Legacy Restoration, LLC Is Your Clear Choice for Water Damage Mitigation
Legacy Restoration, LLC is a Tampa-based restoration contractor offering water damage restoration services nationwide. We are trained, licensed, and insured professionals with over 100 years of combined experience.
We serve states in the Southeast, Southwest, and Great Lakes regions. If you experience a water loss at your home or business, reach out to us 24 hours a day for emergency cleanup at (888) 249-5867. Our technicians are always standing by to assist you during your greatest need.