Disasters can strike a home or any business establishment without warning. One of the most troublesome, if not very annoying, of such mishaps is water damage. This can come in any form or severity: from spilled drink on a sofa, to a completely submerged kitchen or basement. For do-it-yourself buffs, they could perform their own water removal services using whatever knowledge and tips they can get from the internet or from expert’s advice. However, there are a lot of people who would not know a thing or two about water removal services, and would need to employ the services of a reliable company.
In its most generic sense, water removal services involve four major steps: water removal, drying, deodorizing and sanitizing. The company should be equipped with all the instruments, tools, and materials to perform each of these steps. The following are some tips on services, equipments and processes that a good and reliable water removal services company should possess.
Water Removal and Detection
The main problem in addressing water damage is the removal of water. For large volume of accumulated water, like a flooded basement for example, the water removal services company should have equipments capable of removing this water at a very fast rate. They should have submersible sump pumps, which are interconnected with extraction units that are either portable, or mounted on a service truck. The pump should be a heavy-duty model and should be capable enough to perform continuous pumping of water.
The company should also be equipped with hygrometers (moisture meters) and water detectors. Some of the water could not be detected visibly, like sub-floorings, walls and partitions. Moisture detectors should be sensitive enough to check for underlying water or moisture in these areas.
For mopping up activities after the main body of water has been removed, the subcontractor should be equipped with wet-dry vacuum cleaners to remove remaining water on these surfaces. If the water damaged item is a carpet, the company should have sub-surface extractors on top of these wet-dry vacuum cleaners. These can remove moisture trapped within the inter layers of the carpet without damaging the fibers.
Drying Capabilities
The water removal services company should not only be equipped with water removal gadgetries, but should have the means to conduct proper drying of the affected areas. These companies should have powerful air movers and air blowers that could properly circulate air inside the affected areas, thus facilitating a faster drying cycle.
These companies should also have effective dehumidifiers at their disposable to complete the drying process. These machines can remove the moisture from the air and hasten the drying process. This equipment is necessary also to protect certain materials, like wooden furniture and documents, from further water damage.
Deodorizers and Sanitizers
Water, particularly floodwater or sewage, carry a myriad of microorganisms that can cause unpleasant odors. This will be made evident after the water drying process has been completed. Complete water removal services should include deodorizers to eliminate the bad smell emanating from the affected surfaces.
Another component that is required to complete the process is with disinfectants and sanitizers. Water can cause the proliferation of molds, mildew and other bacteria. Mold infestations are serious health hazards that can result to a variety of sickness and infections. These molds should be removed or prevented from happening. Disinfectants should be used by water removal services companies to prevent such infestations from occurring.
A little knowledge can go a long way in determining which restoration company is suited for the homeowner’s needs. Having this knowledge can help them expect from their subcontractors what processes are needed and what equipment should be used. Doing so would result to an effective water removal and water damage restoration program, helping the homeowner recover his investments and minimize on cost.
Richard Barthallo does writeups for homeowners for Orlando Water Damage and Orlando Water Damage Repair
