Common Questions and Answers About Emergency Water Damage Cleanup

Although water damage can happen to anyone, it’s unlikely that most homeowners have to deal with it on a recurring basis. For many people, severe water damage is something they may only experience once in their lifetime. As a result, they usually find themselves with a lot of questions.

It can be overwhelming trying to find the answers to these queries while dealing with the mess, so ABC Environmental Contracting has created this guide to answer some of the most common questions that homeowners have about emergency water cleanup. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect from the process and why it is so important.

How Long Does the Emergency Water Cleanup Process Take?

Though most water damage restoration companies would love to be able to give a direct answer to this question, the fact is that it varies. The amount of time it takes to fully clean up water damage largely depends on several factors:

• Amount of Water: If a home experiences a large water leak from a burst pipe or flood, the job could take several weeks or months. If the water damage was minimal, it could be cleaned in as little as one day.
• Types of Water: Black water with several harmful contaminants takes longer to remove than clean water.
• Time Since Exposure: The longer that water damage goes unmitigated, the more damage it can cause.
• Materials Affected: Porous materials take longer to clean than non-porous surfaces.

What Steps Help to Prevent Further Damage?

In order to prevent secondary water damage like mold, mildew odor, and rot, homeowners need to make sure that they follow several steps. The emergency water damage cleanup should always start with an extraction to remove all of the standing water from the home. 

From there, they can begin to dry the affected area. This step involves air movers to increase ventilation and dehumidifiers to pull moisture from the materials and air. 

After everything is dry, the contractors can start to rebuild or reconstruct any of the materials that were damaged beyond repair. If household contents are also affected, they can remove them from the home and clean them with their state-of-the-art equipment. This step helps to reduce the overall loss. 

How Can Homeowners Get Rid of Standing Water Fast?

Time is always the biggest enemy when dealing with water damage. In fact, it only takes 24 hours for mold to start growing in a home with a leak. For that reason, homeowners are always looking for the fastest way to extract standing water from their property.

The most efficient method is to use truck-mounted pumps that can extract large volumes of water in a short amount of time. Sump pumps can also be used. Wet/dry vacuums are a great option as well if the home is dealing with smaller amounts of water.

Homeowners should never attempt to use their household vacuum for this job. It can create an electrical shock risk!

How Much Does an Emergency Water Cleanup Cost?

This is another question that, unfortunately, doesn’t have a straight answer. Since the amount of time it takes to clean a property can vary, the price can vary as well. The cost of professional restoration services also depends on the size of the flooded area and the need for specialized equipment or major reconstruction.

The good news is that many of these emergency water cleanup jobs can be covered by insurance. Restoration companies like ABC Environmental Contracting can even take care of the insurance claim so that homeowners don’t have to play the middleman. 

What Certification Should a Restoration Company Have for Water Cleanup?

If a homeowner is thinking of hiring a water damage restoration crew, they need to make sure that they are licensed and certified professionals. It’s especially important to hire a company that is licensed to perform water mitigation services by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC).

This certification shows that the contractors have undergone gone extensive training in the best and safest methods for dealing with an emergency water cleanup. They should also be certified in mold remediation if that is a concern.

Ask ABC Environmental Contracting About Their Emergency Water Cleanup Services

Have more questions to ask about emergency water cleanup? If so, customers are encouraged to contact ABC Environmental Contracting right away. They can provide more answers over the phone, or they can come to the property to provide a free quote for their services. The company can be reached by phone 24/7, or homeowners can submit their simple online contact form.