Water can damage a home in significant ways, regardless of its source (flooding, a leak, frozen pipes, etc.). This is especially true if the issue is not promptly addressed. Mold and bacteria can often grow in places damaged by water. According to iPropertyManagement.com, 14,000 Americans face a water damage emergency every day, and 98% of basements will sustain water damage during their lifetime. Fortunately, there exists a solution to this type of home destruction: water damage restoration services. Here is a close look at what these services entail.

Water damage restoration is a special type of service designed to remove water from a property and return said home to a livable condition. This process must be carried out efficiently, as moisture typically leads to the development of mold and bacteria. You should be especially careful to avoid letting porous surfaces in your home absorb water. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the federal regulatory organization that establishes national standards for water damage restoration. Their certified technicians can also help with sewage backup and referrals to plumbers.

Water damage restoration services are always beneficial. However, they are especially useful in two instances: if your home has recently sustained water damage, or if you are moving into a new house. Let’s examine these two cases.

If part of your home has recently been destroyed by water for any reason, you should acquire water damage restoration services. A professional water damage restoration company will use equipment such as high-powered vacuums, pumps, and industrial-level air movers and dehumidifiers to extract water from your home and dry out all affected surfaces and materials. Regardless of the surfaces that have been damaged by water (walls, floors, etc.), it is essential to clean up and dry them as quickly as possible. The room (basement or other area) should also be sanitized to prevent foul smells associated with the water from lingering.

Hiring professional water damage restoration services is one of the many precautions you should take upon moving into a new home. Even if your new residence has not yet sustained any water-related damage, you can enlist water mitigation services. Water mitigation is focused on preventing water from destroying a home. If your home is old, it may be a good idea to replace the pipes in order to prevent future water damage.

It is also recommended that you test your property’s temperature and humidity to determine whether it has been fully restored to a livable standard. You should also remember that walls, wood flooring, and furniture often crack, sag and accumulate bacteria if they are exposed to moisture for extended periods of time. Contaminated water can also lead to the development of illnesses such as Legionnaires disease, Norovirus, and Shigella.

You should also remove or contain all electronic devices, including appliances before water damage restoration services are performed. This is because these items can constitute safety hazards (electrocution) following extensive water damage. It is also highly advisable to move paintings, rugs, and other valuable items that can become easily damaged by water.

There are three categories of water damage, the most severe of which involves black water (water contaminated with human waste). It’s important to become familiarized with these three classes of damage in the event that your home is destroyed. To prevent water damage to wooden surfaces, you can try applying sealant or an oil-based waterproofer. You should also clean water spills on laminate floors immediately in order to avoid discoloration.

Reach out to the professionals at Monumental Contractors in Washington, DC, for more information about water damage restoration services. We are a family-owned-and-operated contracting company dedicated to serving the DC Metro Area. We aim to uphold our core values of integrity, quality, respect, and accountability in every project we undertake.

The members of Monumental’s team are all highly trained and certified to restore your home after it has sustained water damage. We are licensed and insured in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, and we have experience dealing with all sources of water damage, including basement and foundation leaks, home flooding, and frozen pipes.

Our water damage restoration process always follows the same steps. It begins with an inspection to assess the extent of the damage. Then, home appliances and other electrical items are contained as a safety precaution. Finally, the restoration can begin, and any drywall and flooring that has been damaged can be replaced.

Call Monumental Contractors today at (703) 552-9626 or contact us online to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our services.