The All-Inclusive Guide: Choosing a Water Damage Restoration Company
The All-Inclusive Guide: Choosing a Water Damage Restoration Company
The in’s and out’s of water damage restoration, what to look for, and what you need to know when you hire a water damage restoration company.
Water can be a damaging force. Even though we use it for many constructive purposes, if it breaks free, it can destroy almost anything on its path. Each time a water disaster strikes your property or home, it will definitely disrupt your life. An overflowing toilet, a burst pipe, mold, a roof leak or storm damage or a flood resulting due to the ever-changing weather will potentially cause various water damage. To reduce the water damage, you should act drastically to solve the main problem and get a professional to do the necessary repairs. The expert should restore your home to its original state fast and thoroughly and therefore, it is essential you choose a company that can provide you with detailed plans, reliable services in addition to superior results.
Water Damage is a Health Danger
Before we get to the hiring of a restoration company part, we should discuss why you should take issues associated with water damage seriously. Even though the common water damage can pose serious structural damage to your home or office, it can have severe threats to your health. In fact, excessive humidity is the right environment for the rapid breeding of mites and mold growth. In other words, if you are suffering from any allergies, you will be at a more significant disadvantage. The same applies to people who have asthma – the growing mold will only worsen your symptoms.
You will have to engage a water damage restoration company within as soon as possible because it will only take around 48 hours for the mold to start generating. If left untreated, mold can cause fungal infections, respiratory infections and in severe cases, it will lead to infertility and cause some types of cancers. To remain safe, you will have to rely on a professional. That way, you will also put your family safe and prevent the growth of mold.
The Main Causes of Water Damage in Homes
Now that you are aware of all the health risks that surround water damage, we should examine some of the primary causes of water damages. Here they are.
Broken Pipes
A pipe can break for various reasons. It can be due to freezing temperatures or due to worn-down pipes.
Flooded appliances
Some of the machines you buy to make your life easier can cause water damage in your home and necessitate the services of a professional. The toilet can overflow, the dishwasher and the refrigerator can leak, and the bathtub can run over in case of persistent drip or faulty drain. The washing machine can easily succumb to water damage after the water supply line gives away flooding the entire home or the laundry room alone. The air conditioner and the water heaters are also key suspects when it comes to faulty and leaky appliances in your home.
Natural Disasters
The weather is unpredictable, and that is the main reason unsuspecting homeowners go for water damage restoration services from time to time. Storm damages, flash flooding and disaster-related damage require an immediate response.
Sewer Issues
It can be hard to think of the roots of trees, but they mostly cause blockages in sewer lines. The backups also happen after serious natural disasters or thunderstorms. Apart from the disgusting effects, the sewer line blockages can pose serious health risks to your family. If such a problem arises, do not try to solve the problem the DIY way. Go for professional services.
Humidity
Elevated moisture trapped inside your house may cause problems. That is particularly true in extreme humidity cases that cause mold growth or musty odors when left untreated. Professional water damage services will assist you with such issues.
Types of Water Damage Restoration Services
The types of water damage restoration services you need will highly depend on the severity of damage. The standard type of damage restoration services include:
Mold prevention and cleanup
Dehumidification
Residential restoration
Commercial restoration
Storm damage repair
A water damage service professional will fix most of the problems – they can even rebuild the property after mitigating the damages. They will remove the damage, identify what you can relocate, restore items, tarp over the doors and windows and start the reconstruction process.
How to Hire Water Damage Restoration Company
Now, you know all the options you will have when it comes to selecting a water damage restorative company. You should go for a company that has a proven record of accomplishment and one that can get things done right during the first visit. Ensure that the company is trusted. Here are a few tips to help you select a reliable water damages restoration company within your area.
The Response Time is Very Important
Water damage can compound and get complicated if it remains unaddressed for a long time. Therefore, a water-remediation service provider should arrive faster after you call. Go for a company that can respond to calls throughout the day and one that can complete the clean-up and repair process faster. They should be able to handle all your emergency cases. The promptness also reflects on the size and dedication of service.
Licensed, bonded, experience, insured and trained
When searching for a water damage restoration company, you should focus on the water restoration services that are properly insured and licensed in your state. Moreover, you will have to consider the expert level of the staff and the length of time they have been in the business. The level of training and experience will help you during the selection. A good company should take its staff through on-going training, and they should be certified through reputable certification programs.
Can They Provide References?
After the storm or any other weather-related disaster, you are likely to find yourself besieged by very unreliable repair services providers. To avoid such problems, you should look for reliable water damage companies, particularly those with longtime experience. Your friends and neighbors can help you get such a company. After that, consider the location of the company because the locally operated and owned companies are likely to depend on word of mouth referrals, which they create through trustworthiness and thorough repairs.
How Many Services Do They Offer?
To get your property or home back to the right shape after the water disaster you will need several services. Sure, the service provider will have to clean up the water and dry it, but you might also require some other services like minor construction, mold remediation, and many other services. If you select a company that is only capable of drying out the water, you will have to engage another company to complete the job. Avoid the hassle by engaging a company that offers several services from the start. Good water damage restoration companies have adequate experience in handling various tasks that are necessary after a flood.
Do They Have Familiarity in Dealing Directly with the Insurance Companies?
Among the most frustrating results of water, damage involves the filing of insurance claims. You will have to search for water damage restoration service providers who are experienced in documenting the damage and filing the document, timely and honest claims.
Do they have the Advanced Tools for The Job?
After the water damage occurs, your home has to undergo water extraction, dehumidification, and drying so that you will not witness any mold problem down the road. A company that has state-of-the-art techniques and equipment will speed up the whole restoration process and prevent the growth of molds. They will also ensure that your personal properties, which include artwork, documents, photographs, and any other important item, is properly restored and cared for.
Offer 24/7 Emergency Services?
To get your home and life to the original state after water disasters strike, you will need a company that you can rely upon. The company should be ready to answer your calls at any time of the day or night throughout the week. They should offer the peace-of-mind you need whether you want to deal with the damage that affects your residential or commercial property.
Background Check and Drug Testing?
Disaster victims always experience devastation and uncertainty. To get the peace of mind you need, you should consider the companies with IICRC certified technicians and those who have passed the background and drug checks. The project manager should be onsite during the remediation process or available by phone to answer any question during the process. They will inform and include you in every step during the flood damages restoration process.
Have you looked at their Reviews?
Before you choose a company, you will have to consider references and reviews. Many websites provide reviews for the water damage restoration companies. For example, the annual Best Pick Reports issue is a better way of seeing what each company offers.
Dont Focus on Price!
Of course, you will require a quote for the service before the company starts a project. However, you should avoid basing the selection on the quoted price. Choosing the most affordable is tempting, but you are likely to end up with a company that will not complete the job how you want. Similarly, you would go for the best quality cheeseburger available and not the cheapest. Companies will offer exactly what you pay for, and that is true in the water damage restoration services world too. Weigh several price quotes and select one that combines the quality of service and value.
Avoid Water Damage Scams
The list of references will provide you with confidence in the company. Ask for the references immediately and follow through before engaging the company. If the company is unable to provide references, you should move on to the next company to avoid scams.
RULE 1: The company has to see the damage to promise results
If a company completes a job and you are not satisfied with the results, you will have to contact the company directly. Mostly, companies send someone to ensure that the incomplete work or bad results are finished to your liking. And because no company would want to get bad reviews, they start by seeing the damages before promising any results. That way, they will provide you with the results you need.
Be Sure to Review the Detailed Contracts
Before the company you select starts the project, it is always good you draft a service contract. If they have one, you should read it and understand the details. That way, you will avoid any issues that can arise later.
Industry Standards, Do They Meet it?
As a customer, you will be putting your home on the hands of an IICRC-certified firm. Therefore, you will have to ensure that the company meets the industry standards. You will meet many technicians who possess various individual certifications, which means that you should know what to look for. Whether you are dealing with widespread water damage to carpets, walls, upholstery, localized water damage or floor, you should go for a company that meets the industry standards.
So, what is IICRC certification?
IICRC stands for Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. The organization came into being in the year 1972 with a goal of setting standards for the cleaning, inspection and the restoration services industries. It is considered to standard-setting and certification body and not an association. Today, the group has more than 53,000 certified technicians and over 6,000 certified firms – individual and companies.
To obtain the certification, a technician has to take several classes of inspection, cleaning, and restoration and finally pass the standardized examination. After the exam, a technician has to remain in line with trends within the industry and deal with challenges any new equipment presents through the continuing education credits (CECs) to maintain the IICRC certification. Professionals in the area have to undergo additional 3-5 years of training.
The expectations when hiring a water restorations company
After a flood occurs due to burst water pipes or a storm, you will encounter a huge mess. Your dream is to have technicians with good behavior, who can easily handle any task. The water damage restoration service provider should be ready to get a job done. They should also be courteous and friendly to make the work pleasant. Such technicians will brighten up the work and leave their egos and outside issues at home. A good service provider should meet the deadline each time.
Who can refer to reputable companies?
Your family and friends might have benefited from the services of an emergency restoration company. You should, therefore, ask for referrals from them before considering any other person. They will also tell you about the quality of the service provider’s work. Moreover, people in the construction industry will provide you with referrals. They already know the type of services you need and the certified companies you should engage. A company with proper certification is always a good choice.
