What to Expect: Guidance in the Process of Water Damage Restoration

3/5/2019 (Permalink)

There are many steps that a customer may or may not know about when it comes to a water damage. Truth be told, the customer may rarely know what to expect at all when in such a stressful situation. SERVPRO of West Amarillo is here to help guide you through the water damage process.

Step 1 – Making the Call

Contact SERVPRO of West Amarillo for any and all water damage needs. Washing machine or dishwasher leaks? Toilet back-ups? Burst or leaky pipes? Hot water heater issues? Flooded crawlspace? SERVPRO of West Amarillo has emergency crews prepared for any situation 24/7. In addition to calling us, if you have home insurance, it is a good idea to call and file a claim, as water damages can often be more expensive than expected. Make sure to have the claim number and, if possible, adjuster information ready. Our office staff will be in direct contact with the insurance company throughout the entire process so that we can relieve as much stress as possible from the customer.

Step 2 – Assessment of the Damage

Our experienced and trustworthy crew will arrive on the scene as soon as possible to not only bring you peace of mind, but inspect the property’s water damage, determining the type of water damage and which areas are affected. This is crucial to setting up a plan for your home, in hopes to prevent any further damage and dry as fast as possible.

Step 3 – Water Extraction

In many water damages, there are hundreds to thousands of gallons of water that must first be extracted so that we can begin the drying process. Our crew will use powerful pumps and vacuums to remove this excess water. This is typically done as soon as we get onto the scene by our crew, while the Production Manager or Crew Chief assesses the damage and provides friendly customer service to you.

Step 4 – Dehumidifying and Drying the Home

After extracting the excess water, our highly trained crew will set specialized equipment to dry all areas of the home, even the hard to reach areas. If some things are taking longer to dry or we determine that they are ruined or cannot dry, be prepared for the removal of baseboards, partial drywall removal, and/or removal of carpet/pad/flooring. This is nothing to panic over, it is a normal part of the process and sometimes must be done to prevent a future mold problem.

Step 5 – Cleaning and Sanitization of the Home

Water damage does not discriminate—it can damage more than just your flooring and walls in your home. Things like furniture, clothing, and other personal items could be damaged by the water as well. Not to fear, SERVPRO of West Amarillo has technicians that are trained to clean restorable items. They will also sanitize the home and items with antimicrobial treatment to prevent any future growth. Any lingering odor can either be eliminated with air scrubbers or fogging equipment.

Step 6 – Restoring Your Home

The last step of the water restoration process is restoring your home to its condition before your water damage. Depending on the extent of the damage, this step can be as minor as placing the baseboards back or replacing drywall panels, but in some cases can be as major as rebuilding entire rooms.