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The Basics of Home Water Removal and Restoration

When water enters your home from a broken pipe, weather-related flood, or sewer backup, it’s a scary time. You may ask yourself, “Who can help when my home floods?” and then find that a local water restoration company is the right kind of professional to help. But then you’ll wonder, “What is water restoration, anyway?” Don’t be fooled by technical terms that you see when searching.

Water removal and restoration is simply the process that a professional restoration company uses to get water out of your house or business and then clean up the damage so you can get back to life as usual. A home restoration company will use specialized equipment and a whole lot of manpower to get the water cleaned up to minimize loss and ensure that damaged materials are not given the chance to grow mold or mildew, both of which can make you sick. So, how do they do that?

The details of your specific water damage will obviously determine what kind of customized approach they use. However, here are the basic steps:

 

  1. Pump Out: The first thing that needs to happen is that water will need to be removed from the space. If you have a dry vac, you’re familiar with the concept of using motorized equipment to suck up water to get it out of someplace and dump it somewhere else. A water pump out company will do this on a much larger scale, using industrial pumps to remove standing water.

  2. Dry Out: Once the water has been removed, the drying out process will begin. Speed matters when restoring a home after water damage because mold can grow so quickly. Irreparably damaged items (like soggy dry wall) will be removed and disposed of, and then industrial fans will be brought in to circulate air and get the remaining materials dried up.

  3. Clean Up: Materials that can be salvaged like carpet and furniture will be cleaned to prevent mold growth. The goal is to thoroughly dry everything in a way that keeps mold spores from settling in and spreading. Different types of items will need to be treated differently to ensure they are not ruined in the process, but a restoration company will do their best to save everything of value to you. Specialty items like wall art and photographs will likely need to be sent out to professionals who specialize in those specific restoration areas.

  4. Rebuild: If your water damage is very extensive, you may need significant reconstruction of your home. Drywall, flooring, ceilings, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and even foundation work may need to be done after a home flood. A home restoration company will help you to understand what they are capable of repairing for you and refer you elsewhere for the types of remodeling that is outside the scope of their work. Many home restoration businesses can act as general contractors with more common types of repair work like replacing drywall and baseboards, but each company will vary in terms of what other types of replacement work they can do.

When you experience water damage, give us a call. We service the greater Chicago-area and provide top-rated water restoration services to homeowners and business owners alike. Find out why we’re the go-to company for water emergencies in Chicago!

Additional resources:
Bubbling paint after Water Damage
How Does Mold Get into a Home?
Water Restoration Advice from the Pros
How to Tell if It's Mold
Prevent Home Mold Growth
Water Restoration Costs Explained
How Much is Mold Remediation?
Mold Growth Can Happen Almost Immediately
Replacing Drywall after Water Damage
Is a Water Damaged Home Unsafe?
Do you need Water Restoration?
What to do After Water Damage Occurs
Home Water Restoration Services Near Me
Water Restoration for Beginners
What do Water Restoration Companies Do?
Is Water Damage an Emergency?
Local Mold Removal Companies
Who Repairs Water Damage on Walls?
What is Water Mitigation?
Cleaning Up after a Basement Flood