From evaluating and reducing water damage to drying and cleaning up, it takes a sharp eye and a “roll up your sleeves” attitude to get the job done. That is why every significant water damage crisis demands the assistance of professionals like the ones at ASAP Restoration. Before getting to the nitty-gritty, let’s start with the most important question of them all.
What is Water Damage?
According to data compiled by the lawyers at Arguello Hope & Associates, PLLC, four out of every ten homes have suffered financial loss due to a water damage emergency. Yet, the same source reported that 90 percent of this damage could be prevented. In general, when water comes into contact with the ground, destroying property both inside and outside the house, , it is called water damage.
Water damage is caused when:
- Rain gets through the roof and damages the ceiling and walls.
- A hailstorm breaks the windows and gets into the house, resulting in wet floors.
- An overflowing toilet soaks the bathroom floors.
- A burst pipe saturates the ceiling.
Categories and Classes of Water Damage
If you’re someone who loves the “Do-It-Yourself” approach, you may be tempted to take on a water damage restoration in your space. Assuming you’ve taken on other such projects before, what makes this kind any more complicated?
Keeping in mind different water categories developed by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for water damage mitigation purposes, the project demands the assistance of a professional.
Category 1: Clean water that does not pose any threats to humans.
Category 2: Greywater that is contaminated and contains micro-organisms.
Category 3: Blackwater is unsanitary and contains bacteria and organisms.
Once experts have determined the category of water damage (the higher the category, the less sanitary the water), they’ll start assessing the actual damage by identifying the class, each with varying severity (the higher the class, the greater the amount of water damage).
Class 1: Least harmful form of damage.
Class 2: Can lead to structural damage in time.
Class 3: Fast rate of evaporation.
Class 4: Requires special restoration services.
How to Prevent Water Damage
Of course, prevention is always better than the cure, and we couldn’t agree more. You can follow some simple steps to prevent or control water damage on your property (whether residential or commercial). Start by taking the following actions consistently:
- Seal windows with caulk.
- Inspect the roof for damaged shingles.
- Add gutter guards to direct rain away from the property.
- Clear downspouts and rain gutters of debris.
As a result, your house’s exterior portion will be protected from the majority of problems, keeping water damage at bay. If you want to be extra cautious and really ensure that you’re protected from water damage, you can always hire specialists to provide you with specialized advice relevant to your property.
However, once you’ve got the outside covered, don’t forget about the inside. Keep a regular eye on faucets, showers, tubs, heating pipes, and hoses.
The Final Cut
Serious home water damage demands an action plan. Luckily, water damage restoration service providers have the knowledge and experience to get the job done by addressing every aspect of the problem—and stopping it from worsening. Calling the experts means you save time, money, and your belongings, and you’ll have your home back in no time. Give us a call.