The Water Damage Process

2/1/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage from a house in McKinney (to see the after picture be sure check out our before/after photo gallery!)

Accidents happen when you least expect. If you have a water or flood emergency don’t wait to call someone! Every second counts when protecting yourself against harmful water damage and mold that you may not even realize is there! From Commerce to McKinney, Wolfe City to Wylie, and everywhere in between, we are ready to help! Give us a call- (972)548-6044.

Unlike other damage to your home or business, water damage requires a unique course of action. We work hard to make it seen "Like it never even happened."

STEP 1- Emergency Contact

We Are Ready to Help

The restoration process begins when you call us. SERVPRO of North East Collin County/Greenville is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies of any size. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. Even a delay of a few hours can greatly increase the seriousness of the water damage. A water emergency can be chaotic and traumatic, and when you call us, we understand you may be feeling disoriented, stressed, and helpless. SERVPRO of North East Collin County/Greenville’s representatives have the specific training and experience to help you through this difficult time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

• Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

We determine the extent of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the range of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.

1) Stop the Source

2) Check for Contaminated Water

3) Identify the Type of Water

We will identify the category and classification of water damage to ensure our professionals restore your property based on industry guidelines. The level of contamination of the water will affect the type of restoration processes we use. Levels of contamination are broken down into 3 categories:

Category 1: "Clean Water"

Category 2: "Gray Water"

Category 3: "Black Water"

We inspect and run tests to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to make sure we use the right process to complete restoration.

4) Survey Damage

5) Complete Safety Inspection

6) Move or Block Furniture

We move furniture and property contents and block items to help prevent rust or furniture stains on wet carpet.

• Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pump and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps to prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

• Step 4 - Drying and De-humidification

We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.

Once the excess water has been removed, the floors and walls may appear dry, but a quick inspection will reveal they are wet to the touch. Nearly all building materials, like wood, drywall, and flooring materials, are porous and therefore retain water. This retained water can cause the materials to break down, warp, cause mold, or other damage.

• Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are exceptional when it comes to cleaning and restoring due to the fact we use a number of techniques. Our professionals are also trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to deodorize your property.

Your walls, flooring, and ceiling will most likely require professional cleaning services. In addition to cleaning your property’s structure, we will clean your furniture, upholstery, clothing, and other restorable belongings damaged by the water. Most flooding and water damage also require professional odor removal and deodorization since wet materials have a very distinct odor.

• Step 6 - Restoration

Restoration is the final step. This is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. 

SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville simplifies the restoration process by handling both the initial water damage mitigation and rebuilding process. Having one qualified company for both can save time and keep costs low. We can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration services that will bring a building back to full splendor and functionality, "Like it never even happened".