The process of water remediation refers to the sanitizing and cleaning work that is done after water damage occurs. It also involves the restoration materials that are utilized to accomplish repair goals. The aim is to successfully remediate after water damage has taken place in a property. With these points made, it's time to answer an important question. How does the water remediation process work?
Before going into the main question here, it is important to note one main point. It is essential to act as quickly as possible whenever your home does suffer from water damage. The longer you wait to address water damage, the worse the damage becomes. It also leads to many other hazards as well. Untreated water damage results in the growth of bacteria, mildew, and mold. It is also an ideal environment for fostering viruses. Given this fact, it is essential to cut off the source of water and remove it. This is the first and most crucial step involved in addressing water damage after it has occurred at your property.
What is Water Remediation?
Three phases are involved in the process of reversing water damage. The first step is mitigation while the third is restoration. Water remediation is the second step and it involves the work done to clean, dry, and sanitize materials damaged by water. It also involves the process of water damage repair.
Water remediation should overall be viewed as the phase that ties mitigation and restoration together. It is that key step that allows water damage repair professionals to move on to the restoration work that will finally return a property back to its original state.
Water remediation and water mitigation are often steps that get confused with one another. Some key differences separate the two processes. The main point to note is that water mitigation involves the containment of the initial damage. It also involves taking steps to stop it from spreading. It is an essential process when it comes to minimizing any secondary damages that may occur such as the accumulation of mold on drywall and issues with floor buckling.
In contrast to water mitigation, remediation is a process focused on the cleanup and repair work that is essential so that water damage restoration can commence. It is a vital step in the process since it ensures a sanitary, dry environment where restoration professionals can work to return the property to its pre-loss state.
The Water Remediation Process
Water damage is caused by a range of different sources. The most common ones include natural flooding and rain damage as well as man-made causes such as overflowing toilets, faulty appliances, and leaking pipes.
There are also three categories of water damage that you should understand. Category one involves clean water from a clean source. Category two water damage is commonly called greywater. It includes wastewater from sources such as home appliances. Category three water damage commonly referred to as blackwater involves any water that is highly contaminated such as natural flood waters and water from sewer backups.
When water damage occurs, it is important to bring in professional assistance to help you get everything cleaned up. This is particularly the case in situations involving grey and black water. Areas that have been contaminated should always be dealt with by trained professionals who have the right equipment, knowledge, and experience to get the job done safely and effectively. Their first step will be to start with water mitigation. From there, they will move on to water remediation. The key steps involved in the water remediation process include:
Water Extraction
Pumps and vaccuums are the essential tools of the trade when it comes to extracting water from a home that has suffered water damage. The overall range of methods used to extract water depends on the level of damage that has occurred. Given the fact that materials such as carpet and drywall tend to absorb water and become breeding grounds for mold and mildew, they often must be replaced.
Drying
All wet materials in a property must be thoroughly dried so that they can then be restored to their previous state. The drying process involves the use of equipment such as dehumidifiers and air movers. It is also possible to dry many smaller items in drying machines.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Cleaning and sanitizing all affected areas is the third key step involved in the process of water remediation. It is essential for this step to be carried out successfully before water damage repair professionals can begin the process of restoration. Cleaning and sanitizing involve the use of disinfectants and antimicrobial treatments that remove all harmful bacteria from materials and surfaces. It is also essential for all personal belongings to be thoroughly cleaned as well. Effective cleaning and sanitizing prevent the growth of mold and mildew. It also helps to prevent the spread of germs and disease. In some cases, it is also necessary to utilize air scrubbers to clean/sanitize the air.
What Should You Do If You Need Water Remediation Help?
Now that we have answered the question of how does the water remediation process work, it is time to take a look at what you should do if you need water remediation help. There are some key steps that you need to take after water damage occurs at your property. They include:
- Act quickly to minimize damage
- Take steps to protect yourself and your possessions from contaminated water
- Cut off the source of the water
- Get in touch with your insurance company
- Take steps to dry out your property (It can take 3 to 4 days to do this)
- Contact a water damage repair company
When water damage occurs at your property, you can count on our team here at ServiceMaster Fire & Water Damage Restoration to come to your assistance. We are the region’s leading water damage mitigation, remediation, and restoration professionals. Give us a call today or send us a message online to find out how we can help you out if your property has sustained water damage.
