Note: This video is from local Colorado Springs water damage expert, Joe Crivello. Since this video his disaster restoration company has consolidated under the name of AmeriDri.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Insurance
This part assumes that you have already contacted a plumber to stop the source of the water intrusion. The first step with any contractor is to go over your insurance with them and to file a proper claim. It’s good to let the professional water damage consultant go over this with you to determine exactly what is covered and also what is your deductible.
Category One Damage
A category one damage would be fresh water, usually the result from a broken water line. This is water that has not been sitting for more than 24 hours and therefore there is less chance of any micro-organisms developing. A green product is applied to all surfaces limiting any chance of microbial growth.
In this situation any water is extracted from the carpet or flooring and contents and furniture are relocated to either a garage or some other area off-site.
Category Two Damage
This is considered “gray water” and is the result of water entering through a window well, possibly due to a heavy rain or a sprinkler system breakage. A backed up washing machine could also cause this kind of damage. There are more micro-organisms possible in this type of water and extra care is taken to apply a “green” microbial for safety.
Category Three Damage
A category three would be raw sewage or perhaps a category two that has been sitting for more than 48 hours untreated. A main line backing up into your basement or crawl space is the most common reason for this damage. An upstairs toilet, however, could also back up causing this category as well.
Anything that has made contact with category three water must be removed or replaced. The drywall should be cut out about 2 feet high all around the contaminated areas. The carpet and padding are removed and contents are taken off-site to be inventoried by the owner and insurance adjuster.
Moisture detection equipment is used to be certain that all contaminated areas are treated. Lots of pictures should be taken to assist your insurance with proper inventory and proof of damage.
Drying the Water Damaged Areas
The next step after extracting all the water is to begin the drying process. This involves the use of airmovers, dehumidifers, and heat. These 3 things together make up what professionals call “the drying pie”.
The number of air movers needed is determined by the square footage of the area affected. Air movement is essential in quick drying which is of course the goal. Dehumidifiers will bring down the humidity and also speed up the drying process. Often the heating system in the home can be utilized to also aid in the process but sometimes professional heating equipment will be necessary, especially in crawl spaces where the home heating has limited reach.
Moisture Mapping
In order to dry your home properly strict records are kept of temperature and humidity. This is known as “moisture mapping” and most insurance companies will require these records to be kept. A home that has experienced water damage will normally take 2 to 3 days for the drying process. In extreme situations this could of course take a bit longer. The proper amount of air movers and dehumidifiers, along with heat, will dry your home quickly enough to prevent further damage, like mold growth.
Rebuilding After Water Damage
Once the drying is complete then the rebuilding can begin. This work is sometimes performed by the water damage restoration company or is performed by a separate contractor. This is your decision as the homeowner and you should consider it carefully. The goal of this is to bring your home to a “pre-loss” condition and you should be completely satisfied with the results.
That concludes this brief step by step process of water damage restoration. We hope this helps you.
