As a homeowner, it is important to know the things that you should do when it comes to water damage. Water damage can be caused by a number of reasons. It might be caused due broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, or more serious issues like sewer backups, flooded basements, or even water damage after a fire. Water can not only cause severe damage to the structure and your valuables, but it can also lead to related issues like mold.
While it is important to get in touch with a professional contractor for Los Angeles water damage restoration, there are a few things that you should know and do when dealing with water damage.
One of the most important things that you should know is the different types of water damage. Water damage can be classified into different classes, as given below –
This kind of damage is caused by ‘clear’ water. The water comes from potable and/or sanitary sources. Examples include malfunctioning sprinkler systems or damaged supply lines.
This is caused by ‘grey’ water. The grey color is caused by significant chemical and biological contamination. The water can cause serious illness in your loved ones.
This category of damage is caused by ‘black’ water. It is highly polluted water containing harmful pathogens and contaminants.
It is important to determine the category of water damage as different categories of damage require different methods to be employed. At Done Right Restoration, we have experience in all kinds of water damage in the most effective way as recommended by most industrial bodies.
Water damage can also be classified based on its source. Here are some common sources of water damage that affect many LA homes and the impact they cause.
Source of the Damage | Description | Impact |
Plumbing Leaks | They result from faulty or damaged plumbing systems, such as burst pipes, leaking faucets, or water supply line failures. | · Damage to walls, ceilings, floors, and other structures.
· Water stains, discoloration, and mold growth · Potential for electrical hazards · Increased water bills · Disruption of normal activities and routines |
Roof Leaks | Caused by roof damage or failures, such as missing shingles, cracked tiles, or damaged flashing. | · Water intrusion into interior spaces
· Damage to ceilings, walls, insulation, and personal belongings · Mold growth and related health concerns · Compromised structural integrity of the roof and surrounding areas · Repair costs and potential insurance claims |
Appliance Malfunctions | Results from faulty or malfunctioning appliances, such as water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, or refrigerators. | · Water damage to floors, walls, and surrounding areas
· Potential for electrical hazards · Damage to appliances and related repair or replacement costs · Disruption to daily activities and inconvenience · Potential mold growth and related health risks. |
The effects of water damage can happen quickly. It will soak almost everything that gets in the way. This is the reason why you need to get professional Los Angeles water damage restoration services from Done Right Restoration as soon as you experience damage.
One of the biggest reasons why you should deal with water damage without wasting time is the fact that the extent of the damage increases with the passing of time. Here’s how –
After just the first hour, the water might cause your drywall to bulge and break, the furniture will begin to swell and crack, and the metal surfaces will begin to tarnish.
After 48 hours have passed, your home will experience the growth of mold and mildew. At the same time, the door, windows, and wooden flooring might also swell and warp. The metallic items might start to rust and corrode.
In case, the water damage is category III damage, then you will be highly exposed to bio-contamination. This is the reason why it is incredibly important to get Los Angeles water damage restoration at this stage.
If 7 Days have passed after the damage, restoration work becomes highly challenging. Your home will experience severe growth and the spread of mold and mildew and causing severe damage to the structure of your home.
Therefore, before it gets too late, you would need to get the issues resolved. Contact Done Right Restoration, and we will help you address the issues right away.
Apart from dealing with the restoration work, it is important that you think about the insurance as well. In most cases, it is recommended that you get in touch with the insurer right after you encounter damage. Our dedicated team of experts at Done Right Restoration will help you deal with the insurance process.
One of the first things that you should know is whether your insurance covers water damage or not. Well, most homeowners’ insurance will cover water damage. But you need to keep in mind that not every kind of damage will be covered by insurance.
Here are some kinds of damage that might be covered and might not be covered under your insurance-
The following types of damages will be covered in most policies –
In most cases, the following types of damage might not be covered by your standard homeowner’s damage –
Now that have understood the basics, let us take a look at some of the things that you should do to detect and deal with water damage.
If you suspect that your home is damaged by water, here are some things that you need to be sure.
One of the first things that you need to do is check for musty odors. Such odors are often caused by water being absorbed by the drywalls.
It is also important to check for mold growth, as that is often a sign of significant damage. Check for mold growth on your corners and ceilings and in bathrooms
Sometimes, you would see visible signs of water damage. If you see signs like water stains, wallpaper being peeled off, or warped walls, then that might be a sign of water damage.
There might be other signs of water damage. So, if you suspect any water damage, then give us a call. Our team for Los Angeles water damage will use the right set of tools and techniques to assess the damage. Not only would we help you detect water damage, we will also help you ascertain the extent of the damage. On completing the assessment, you will get a detailed report that will give all the information you need about the damage.
As said before, you should not waste any time dealing with water damage. Apart from contacting our expert team for Los Angeles Water Damage restoration, you will need to carry out certain other steps right away. Here are the things that you need to do right after water damage.
The first thing that you would need to do is to shut off the source of water. This would avoid the risks of further damage. If you are not able to detect the source, contact our team.
The next thing that you would need to do would be to contact your insurance company. Most insurance companies make it mandatory to be informed as soon as you detect the damage. This would set the claims process in motion.
It is recommended that you contact our team for Los Angeles water damage restoration right after you have called your insurance company. We would help you in all the subsequent stages of the restoration process.
You would need to document the damage. Take photos of the areas that are damaged and also make a list of items that are damaged due to water.
Once that is done, you would need to salvage the valuables. Certain things like carpets and fixtures need additional care. So, it’s better to get professional help before removing them.
Once you have completed all the tasks mentioned above, you can leave the rest to us. Our team will help you deal with all the necessary steps that need to be taken before you can move back in.
We offer a wide range of services for Los Angeles water damage restoration. Here are the different types of damage that our team will help you deal with –
Leaking Pipe Restoration |
Fixing issues that can be directly traced to leaking pipes and other supply lines. |
Structural Restoration |
Get professional services that help you restore structural damages caused by water. |
Paint And Drywall Restoration |
The paint and drywall are the most commonly damaged parts of your home after water damage. We will help you restore any such issues. |
At Done Right Restoration, we follow a specialized process for water damage restoration in Los Angeles. This helps us to get the work done faster, without compromising the safety of our loved ones. Here are the steps that we follow –
When you give us a call, we will fix an appointment at your place. The damage will be assessed and the nature, source, and extent will be determined. This would also develop an effective plan of action.
At the next stage of the process, the water will be removed with the help of high-performance pumps. After the standing water is removed, the area will be checked for any residual water.
After the water is removed, the area will be cleaned, sanitized, and deodorized. The team will clean the floors, furniture as well as other fixtures. The work will be done by using the most advanced tools and techniques.
High-power fans and dehumidifiers will be used to accelerate the drying process. This would not only help us to remove the water from the walls but also from within the items which have been damaged by water.
The drying process might take a bit of time, sometimes a few days. The team will keep visiting your home so to make sure the affected area is drying properly.
After the above stages are completed, work will begin on the structural repairs and reconstruction. We have a team of specialists who will help you with the process.
After the work is done according to the plan, we will conduct a final inspection before deeming the work to be complete.
Here is the time taken to complete the individual steps:
Step | Time Taken |
Inspection And Assessment | 1-2 hours |
Water Removal | 2-24 hours (depending on the extent of water damage) |
Cleaning, Sanitizing, And Deodorization | 4-48 hours (depending on the extent of water damage) |
Drying | 24-72 hours (depending on the extent of water damage and drying equipment used) |
Monitoring | 24-72 hours (depending on the extent of water damage and drying progress) |
Repair And Reconstruction | Varies (depending on the extent of water damage and repairs needed) |
Final Inspection | 1-2 hours (after repairs and reconstruction are completed) |
Yes, most of the time, they can be salvaged. However, the chances of salvation depend on how severe the water damage was and the duration the water has affected the furniture. We use advanced techniques to restore furniture, documents, and other personal valuables.
You might suspect a leak due to a number of reasons – a dripping faucet, an unusually high energy bill, or a musty smell in the bathroom. These are the usual examples of signs of a leak. Leaks can easily turn into water damage if left unattended. So, if you suspect a leak get a plumber to fix it right away and then call us to assess the possible damage it might have caused.
We would take steps to seal off the affected area, so that the other areas are safe and liveable. However, if the damage is extensive, then you might have to move out while we get the restoration work done.