WATER MITIGATION
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, We've dedicated our resources to help homeowners save, restore, and move back into their homes. Residents in the area might be using the term "water mitigation" as they begin to clean out and restore their homes. Water mitigation refers to the process of preventing the amount of damage that water can inflict on a surface after a flood or leak. This procedure might be more significant than most people realize; with the possibility of mold and further damage occurring, timing is crucial when it comes to water damage.
HOW IT WORKS
The first step is to find a professional who specializes in water mitigation to come out and assess the damage. If water damage is found, a cleaning crew will be able to properly do a "muck out" which is not just cleaning up the mess, but actually drying, removing and repairing the substructures that high volumes of moisture will affect, such as plaster and drywall, wood, concrete, and metal. Mold may be the main concern, but there can be many other problems related to moisture damage such as, crumbling drywall and plaster, weakening beams and supports, rusting metal surfaces, and more.
When it comes to water damage, there are standards set for the cleaning industry which are categorized in different levels and classes. According to the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification), there are three categories that describe the type of liquid involved.
• Category 1. This is liquid from a clean and sanitary source, such as faucets, toilet tanks, drinking fountains, etc. But, category one can quickly degrade into category two.
• Category 2. This category of liquid used to be called grey water, and is described as having a level of contaminates that may cause illness or discomfort if ingested. Sources include dishwasher or washing machine overflows, flush from sink drains, and toilet overflow with some urine but not feces.
• Category 3. This is the worst classification and is grossly unsanitary. It could cause severe illness or death if ingested. It used to be called black water, and sources include sewer backup, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support bacterial growth.
Next are the classes of destruction.
• Class 1. The lowest and easiest to deal with, this has a slow evaporation rate. Only part of a room or area was affected, there is little or no wet carpet, and the moisture has only affected materials with a low permeance rate, such as plywood or concrete.
• Class 2. With a fast evaporation rate, this level affects an entire room, carpeting, or cushioning, the wetness has wicked up the walls at least 12”, and there is moisture remaining in structural materials.
• Class 3. This class has the fastest evaporation rate, and ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet and sub-floors are all saturated. The liquid may have come from overhead.
• Class 4. This class is labeled as specialty drying situations, which means there has been enough liquid and time to saturate materials with very low permeance, such as hardwood, brick, or stone.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
As described above, any type of water invading the home can carry various degrees of bacteria; especially from flooding (category 3 liquid type) that can cause sickness and even death in rare cases. If the water and its affected areas is ignored or not attended to for too long, it becomes the perfect habitat for mold and fungi to grow, causing the air to be harmful as well.
HOW TEXAS SKY CAN HELP
We understand the value of a home, and flooding or major leaks can ruin a home quickly if proper procedure is not followed immediately. Among our variety of services in storm damage restoration, our services in water and flood cleanup is equipped with a great team of professionals who are readily available to help get the process started as quickly as possible. If your home has been affected by any of the recent flooding, please do not hesitate and let the damage worsen. CALL US so that we can help you rehabilitate your home back to its former state of majesty.
THE STEP BY STEP PROCESS
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, We've dedicated our resources to help homeowners save, restore, and move back into their homes. Residents in the area might be using the term "water mitigation" as they begin to clean out and restore their homes. Water mitigation refers to the process of preventing the amount of damage that water can inflict on a surface after a flood or leak. This procedure might be more significant than most people realize; with the possibility of mold and further damage occurring, timing is crucial when it comes to water damage.
HOW IT WORKS
The first step is to find a professional who specializes in water mitigation to come out and assess the damage. If water damage is found, a cleaning crew will be able to properly do a "muck out" which is not just cleaning up the mess, but actually drying, removing and repairing the substructures that high volumes of moisture will affect, such as plaster and drywall, wood, concrete, and metal. Mold may be the main concern, but there can be many other problems related to moisture damage such as, crumbling drywall and plaster, weakening beams and supports, rusting metal surfaces, and more.
When it comes to water damage, there are standards set for the cleaning industry which are categorized in different levels and classes. According to the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification), there are three categories that describe the type of liquid involved.
• Category 1. This is liquid from a clean and sanitary source, such as faucets, toilet tanks, drinking fountains, etc. But, category one can quickly degrade into category two.
• Category 2. This category of liquid used to be called grey water, and is described as having a level of contaminates that may cause illness or discomfort if ingested. Sources include dishwasher or washing machine overflows, flush from sink drains, and toilet overflow with some urine but not feces.
• Category 3. This is the worst classification and is grossly unsanitary. It could cause severe illness or death if ingested. It used to be called black water, and sources include sewer backup, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support bacterial growth.
Next are the classes of destruction.
• Class 1. The lowest and easiest to deal with, this has a slow evaporation rate. Only part of a room or area was affected, there is little or no wet carpet, and the moisture has only affected materials with a low permeance rate, such as plywood or concrete.
• Class 2. With a fast evaporation rate, this level affects an entire room, carpeting, or cushioning, the wetness has wicked up the walls at least 12”, and there is moisture remaining in structural materials.
• Class 3. This class has the fastest evaporation rate, and ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet and sub-floors are all saturated. The liquid may have come from overhead.
• Class 4. This class is labeled as specialty drying situations, which means there has been enough liquid and time to saturate materials with very low permeance, such as hardwood, brick, or stone.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
As described above, any type of water invading the home can carry various degrees of bacteria; especially from flooding (category 3 liquid type) that can cause sickness and even death in rare cases. If the water and its affected areas is ignored or not attended to for too long, it becomes the perfect habitat for mold and fungi to grow, causing the air to be harmful as well.
HOW TEXAS SKY CAN HELP
We understand the value of a home, and flooding or major leaks can ruin a home quickly if proper procedure is not followed immediately. Among our variety of services in storm damage restoration, our services in water and flood cleanup is equipped with a great team of professionals who are readily available to help get the process started as quickly as possible. If your home has been affected by any of the recent flooding, please do not hesitate and let the damage worsen. CALL US so that we can help you rehabilitate your home back to its former state of majesty.
THE STEP BY STEP PROCESS
- After a major catastrophe, call your insurance agent right away to make your claim.
- If you haven't already found a contractor to represent you, the insurance companies will typically provide you with information on other restoration companies in the area who could begin the clean up quickly. You have the power to select any company to hire for clean up, but the work must be done quickly to prevent any further damage to your home.
- Review what your responsibilities are under your insurance policy for cleaning up the home to prevent further damage. Any questions you have about clean up can be discussed with your insurance representative or claim adjuster..
- Upon the Restoration Company's arrival, make sure to walk through your home thoroughly to discuss what affected areas need to be cleaned and repaired. Take photographs of everything.
- After the Restoration Company has evaluated the damages, they will provide you with a contract for their services and authorization to communicate with your insurance company. The contract must be signed prior to beginning the work on your home.
- Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the cleanup and build back (restoration). Be sure to know what is covered under your insurance policy to ensure that there is no cost to you out of your pocket.
