Step-by-Step Guide to Water Damage Cleanup

Time is of the essence when water damage occurs on your property. Not only will you want to salvage your home and goods, but your insurance company will require a detailed inventory and assessment of your claim. With the stress of dealing with property damage, hiring a certified water damage and restoration company can help alleviate your burden.

Evaluate the damage

The technician will walk the property and access where the source of the damage originated. From a burst pipe to a sewage backup, a home evaluation will be key to finding the source of the damage. Once discovered the issue will be repaired to stop and prevent additional damage from occurring.

Secondary Damage

Water damage can cause secondary damage, such as structural damage and mold and mildew growth. Mold thrives in areas with poor ventilation and excess moisture. within 48 hours, mold can spread and release spores causing additional growth, especially on porous surfaces such as drywall and wood. Mold can cause adverse respiratory issues and may exaggerate your body’s allergen response.

Water Pollution

Dark, discolored water should never be entered. This dingy water is filled with disease, animal feces, dirt, debris, bacteria, and fungi. Entering contaminated water can cause serious health concerns. While there are three categories of water pollution, water that has caused property damage may still be contaminated with debris and bacteria.

Pack out

Depending on the level of damage to your property, a pack out may be required to remove all water damaged items. This can include clothing, furniture, electronics and documents. Once removed the items will be catalogued. Any items lost will need to be reported to your insurance agency with detailed information to back up the claim. Additionally, items that are eligible will be salvaged through a thorough cleaning and drying process.

Insurance Claims

Ideally, as soon as the water damage is found on your property, you’ll want to inform your insurance adjustor right away. Your insurance company may be able to assist you in finding a restoration company to perform the remediation and restoration process. Be aware that their recommendation is just that; you’re able to hire any company to you’d like to complete the restoration of your property.

Most restoration companies will assist you in filing your claim to your insurance adjustor. Keep in mind that there are different types of coverage and water damage differs from flood damage. You’ll want to be aware of your policy coverage to avoid any surprises. Living in South Carolina, we can be hit with extreme, adverse weather. If you live in an area prone to flooding, having flood coverage can save you from having to shell out for out of pocket expenses. When filing your claim, be sure to be specific indicating flood or water damage so your claim is filed correctly. Your policy may also specify the type of damage that is covered. Water damage as a result of failing to maintain your property, may not qualify for coverage. Familiarizing yourself with your policy will save you from additional stress should an incident occur.

Mold Myths Exist

Every day a new study comes out about something that is bad for your health, or there’s new “secret” to getting healthy during the winter or a new product that will create a brand new you!  Here at Clean Masters we also see new studies revolving around mold. The latest “breaking news” we have read on mold had the headline “Mold Doesn’t Grow in The Winter.” Nothing could be farther from the truth!

The idea that winter weather is too cold for mold to grow is simply wrong. Mold can grow wherever there is moisture, and that includes the winter months. We try to keep our North Charleston homes sealed tight for the winter. We turn up the temperature and watch the thermostat rise as warm air circulates through our homes – along with microscopic mold spores. Mold growth in the winter usually occurs on exterior walls and corners. Why? Because those areas are more exposed to the cold air from outside your home. Mix that cold air with the warm air from your heater and you’ve got high moisture levels.

No mold growth in the winter isn’t the only mold myth out there. In fact, here are a few common mold myths every homeowner in North Charleston should be aware of:

Mold Myth: Bleach kills all mold and prevents mold growth.

Using bleach to remove mold does work, but not all of the time and not on every type of mold. Bleach can be effective when killing mold on non-porous surfaces but when it comes to more porous materials like wood or concrete, bleach isn’t the best option. Even if the mold is removed from the surface with bleach there is a high chance that the mold will come back if the source of the mold growth isn’t taken care of or if the mold releases mold spores into the air during the attempt to clean it. Mold spores are resilient and can travel through the air or running water.

Mold Myth: I don’t see a lot of mold growing so I shouldn’t worry.

Unfortunately, the portion of mold that is visible is only a small part of the mold that is actually in the affected area. If you have mold to the point you can visibly see it, you most likely have more of that mold hidden behind the walls, flooring, or ceiling of your home, depending on where you found the mold growing. When mold becomes visible you should consider contacting a professional mold removal expert as soon as possible to remedy the issue before the mold starts to damage your walls, ceiling, or flooring beyond repair.

If mold does strike your home, don’t put your health or your loved one’s health at risk! Contact a professional mold remediation company for immediate assistance. Clean Masters in North Charleston is one such company that can help you rid your home of mold. Our certified technicians have experience in dealing with all types of mold problems, and will be able to help you restore your home in no time!

Biggest Risks of Flood and Water Damage

One of the most potent dangers homeowners face today is flood and water damage. The statistics regarding this matter, based in the United States, speak for themselves.

Every day, 14,000 homeowners experience a water and/or flood damage emergency.

98 percent of basements will experience some amount of flooding in their lifetime.

10 percent of homes have leaks substantial enough that they waste 90 gallons of water, or more, a day.

37 percent of US homeowners claim to have suffered losses from water damage.

Approximately one trillion gallons of water is lost from water leaks in the US each year equaling the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined.

To help keep you from becoming a part of any of these statistics, below are a few of main dangers stemming from water damage to look out for.

Contaminated water-

Floodwater often contains dangerous contaminants or bacteria. One of the most common contaminants that mix in with flood water is sewage. There is a host of deadly, infectious diseases that can be found in sewage or otherwise contaminated water. A few of the most common diseases one can contract from this are cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Each one of them is very dangerous and serious if contracted. Thus, if you find your home affected by this you should take care to wear protective clothing and respiration gear. However, when this type of damage is done to your home, it is always best to call the professionals who can get the job done in a safe and thorough manner.

Mold-

Mold is one of the most common results of any kind of water damage. Mold is so common because it is very difficult to have all the excess water removed from your home after a flood in a very timely manner, and mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours. The effects mold has on people tend to vary. For those who are sensitive to mold, it can cause minor symptoms such as nasal stiffness, throat irritation, coughing, and eye irritation. For those more seriously affected by mold, they may experience more alarming health risks such as upper respiratory tract symptoms, bronchitis, and even the development of asthma in those who didn’t previously suffer from it. Typically, these more serious symptoms tend to develop in young children, the elderly, or those with already weakened immune systems.

Structural damage-

Water traveling at 10 miles per hour has the same force as wind traveling at 270 miles per hour. Rapidly moving flood water can batter down and weaken the overall structure of your home. Also, flood water penetrates deeply into the Earth which can cause the foundation of the home to move, shift, and even break.

These are issues that every homeowner may have to face at some point. If you are unfortunate enough to encounter them yourself, Clean Masters Disaster Restoration Service in the Charleston area is here for you for all of your water damage restoration needs. We can get your home safe and back to normal in no time.

The Urgency of Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage Summerville If you are like a lot of people, when something major and stressful happens, it can be almost paralyzing. However, in circumstances like standing water in your home, it is vitally important to get the drying process started as quickly as possible. The sooner you get a restoration company, like Clean Masters, into your Summerville home, the better. As soon as the drying process starts, the likelihood of mold growth decreases, and the damage can no longer get worse.

Here are some things you should know about standing water inside a home or building:

Water can seep deep into wall cavities and create pockets of saturation, breaking down the integrity of the wall.

If wall cavities are not properly dried, that water will continue to do damage. It is relatively easy to dry visible areas of a home or office, but it is a little more difficult to get into nooks and crannies and ensure the places you cannot see are dry. This is where hiring a professional water damage crew comes in handy – they have special tools to measure moisture in hidden places so you can rest assured everything is dry when the job is done.

If the water problem itself is coming from within a wall or another hidden space, there is a possibility the problem existed before you knew about it. Therefore, just because the source of the leak or damage is repaired doesn’t mean there hasn’t been water sitting in and around that area for some time. Again, special tools like moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras come in very handy for situations like this.

Mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours if water is left to sit. If the water is not properly removed and the space dried, it just becomes a breeding ground for mold. From there, mold spores can travel throughout the home in the air and duct systems, just exacerbating the problem.

BUT … there is good news to all of this, so please don’t be overwhelmed. The damage, whatever it is, is repairable! The top notch crews at Clean Masters know how to not only find the source of the water or leak but also how to fix the leak and whatever damage was done. PLUS, if there’s mold, we’ll properly remove that too.

Like we talked about a little bit above, restorers use some special tools to detect where water damage might be in your home or business, before doing demolition on any walls, whenever possible. The main tool for this is a thermal imaging/infrared camera. While it won’t tell the technician in your home that there is specifically moisture hiding behind that wall in your bathroom, it will indicate a temperature difference that could mean there is water back there.

Cleaning Up After a Fire

If a house sustains fire damage, proper cleanup is crucial since the ash, soot and water will wreak havoc on what remains. It’s bad enough there was a fire, but the water and chemicals used to extinguish it can cause secondary damage. The remnants will continue to do damage long after the flames are extinguished. Conventional cleaning methods include renting a steam cleaner and using common cleaning products available at the store. Unfortunately, this could cause bigger issues. Chemical agents could react with the residue and cause permanent damage, and in some cases, cause toxic fumes. Fire damage cleanup is one of the most difficult jobs out there and might require professional service to restore the home.

Smoke particles are incredibly small and may be smaller than .01 microns in size.

This is typically too small for standard residential air filters to catch. If the smoke particles are allowed to settle inside the home’s walls, they will create odors that are difficult to track down. Smoke is also acidic in nature, so it will slowly deteriorate various materials within the home. Therefore, a homeowner should contact a professional fire damage restorer as soon as possible; acting quickly is the best defense in reversing the damage.

Removing smoke and soot requires the proper machinery and expertise.

Homeowners should only consider professionals who have been certified through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC. This agency has overseen the certification of fire damage restoration companies for decades and is responsible for regularly updating the best practices in the industry. Technicians with IICRC certification are aware of the most advanced techniques and technologies in the industry. They are among the most knowledgeable members of their field.

The fire may be gone, but the ash, soot and smoke odors that remain can continue to do harm. Certified firms will use their knowledge of fire restoration to accurately test the damage and apply the proper repair techniques to bring the items back to a pre-loss condition when possible.

Contact reputable fire restoration services immediately after the flames die down.

The acidic ash residue left behind by the disaster will make a bad situation even worse if it is not removed within a few days, and the only way to do so is with a thorough cleaning. This isn’t an undertaking that home or business owners are equipped to handle on their own, and professionals have access to special equipment and cleaning products to make the job much easier.

Fire restoration services have the manpower to quickly approach a full-scale cleanup.

During cleanup, the technicians will treat walls, ceilings and anything else that has been affected by ash. If smoke odors are present, and they usually are, they will also require removal to make it possible for people to inhabit the building once again. Smoke odors, though, are extremely hard to remove and can’t be done with standard equipment. Fortunately, experienced firms keep thermal foggers and other sophisticated odor removal equipment on hand to counter noxious smoke odors. They can reach into all parts of the home, including inside floors and walls.

Consult About New Cleaning Methods

Ultrasonic cleaning is a rapid process of complete removal of contaminants from objects by immersing them in a tank of liquid while high-frequency sound waves create a scrubbing brush-like action. Ultrasonic technology has changed the contents cleaning industry by making precision cleaning faster, safer, and less expensive. Ultrasonic cleaning greatly surpasses the results of traditional cleaning methods, for everything from medical instruments to precious antiques. Non-toxic ultrasonic bubbles remove microscopic contaminants in the tiniest crevices. This type of contents cleaning process doesn’t require harsh chemicals or hand cleaning.

Fire Damage

Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be devastating, and we understand that this can be a difficult time for you. Our team of trained technicians will respond to emergencies immediately to assess the most effective process for restoration and we keep you informed along every step of the way.

Our team has years of experience in restoring homes after disasters, and we help families and business owners return to normal. With fire damage, it is important to work quickly to reduce additional damages and losses, and our goal is to restore your property as quickly and efficiently as possible, while still delivering the quality craftsmanship and customer service you have come to expect from Clean Masters.

24/7 Emergency Response

Damages resulting from a fire will continue to accumulate as time passes, and a prompt response is essential for reducing your losses. Our team is available 24/7 and will get to work immediately securing your property and mitigating additional damages. Our qualified, trained technicians will assess the most effective process for restoration and we keep you informed along every step of the way.

You Have a Choice

When you contact your insurance company before contacting a reliable cleaning and restoration company you may suffer from negative consequences that you may not be aware of. Most insurance companies have a list of contractors that they work with on a regular basis. The relationship your insurance company forms with these 3rd party contractors often leads to the contractors having the insurance companies’ best interests in mind, and not yours. Fortunately, you do have the right to choose which cleaning and restoration company you want to use. That means you can choose to work with a reliable company like Clean Masters who have your best interests in mind, and your insurance company can’t fight you on it.

WHAT IS RUINED? IS THIS FLOOD DAMAGE COVERED?

Perhaps it was a surprise storm damaging an old roof. Or a burst pipe in the laundry room. Or the neighbors above ground pool springing a leak and flooding your basement. You have a serious situation!  Address the two problems simultaneously: a) clean up the house and b) consult your insurance agent. Don’t forget to contact a professional restoration company like Clean Masters for quality and qualified assistance!

Immediate Actions to Lessen Damage

Flood waters contain many contaminants and lots of mud. High dollar items can get ruined, even with just an inch of water. After a flood, cleaning up is a long and hard process. Here is a list of common techniques for sorting, sanitizing, and cleaning flooded items:

In the kitchen, scrub hard surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner. Then disinfect with a solution of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water (use gloves to protect your hands) or a product that is labeled as a disinfectant to kill germs. Anything “soft” should be thrown out: cardboard containers of food, rolls of paper towels, kitchen towels.

Furniture and household items will take the most time to sort. Take furniture, rugs, bedding, and clothing outside to dry as soon as possible. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to remove moisture or open at least two windows to ventilate with outdoor air. Use fans to circulate air in the house. If mold and mildew have already developed, brush off items outdoors to prevent scattering spores in the house. Vacuum floors, ceilings, and walls to remove mildew, then wash with disinfectant. Wear a two-strap protective mask to prevent breathing mold spores.

Upholstered furniture soaks up contaminants from floodwaters and should be cleaned only by a professional. Mattresses should be thrown away. Wood veneered furniture is usually not worth the cost and effort of repair. Solid wood furniture can usually be restored unless damage is severe.

Photographs, books and important papers can be frozen and cleaned later. They should be dried carefully and slowly. Wash the mud off and store the articles in plastic bags and put them in a frost-free freezer to protect from mildew and further damage until you have time to thaw and clean them or take them to a professional.

Heating and cooling systems and ducts will need inspection and cleaning. Flood-soaked insulation should be replaced.

Appliances will get stains, odors, silt deposits, and gritty deposits and need to be serviced, cleaned and sanitized. Running equipment before it is properly cleaned could seriously damage it and/or shock you. Professional cleaning is recommended for electronics, TVs and radios, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners. The hard exterior can be hand cleaned. All metallic appliances that have been flooded should be properly grounded to prevent electric shock. Mud or dirt in a grounded outlet or adapter may prevent the grounding system from working, and you could be electrocuted.

Floors, walls, and carpets are best assessed by a professional. Quickly make appointments for estimates, optimistically within 24 hours. Clean Masters can get to Summerville and the surrounding areas quickly.

And Now to the Legal Ramifications

Call your insurance agent at the same time that you start to clean. If your policy covers the damage, your agent will coordinate an adjuster to contact you. Many agencies have additional resources to help you in a crunch.

List damage and take photos or videotape as you clean. You’ll need complete records for insurance claims, applications for disaster assistance and income tax deductions. Keep snapping photos on your phone, capturing damage as well as serial numbers.

Homeowners insurance does not cover all types of water damage, however.

Damage from unresolved maintenance issues: While your insurance will probably help cover the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged floor if your dishwasher suddenly goes on the fritz, coverage generally will not kick in if the damage results from an unresolved maintenance issue, such as continuous leaking near a faucet or other plumbing fixture.

Replacing or repairing the source of the water damage: Most insurance policies will not cover the source of the water damage. So while your policy may cover the cost of tearing out and replacing that damaged floor, you shouldn’t expect it to cover the cost of replacing your broken dishwasher or washing machine.

Water backup from an outside sewer or drain: You also will not typically be covered by a traditional homeowner’s policy if water backs into your home through an outside sewer or drain.

Flood: No type of flood damage, no matter the source of the water, is covered by standard homeowner’s policies. Flooding is the term encompassing storms, over-saturated ground, overflowing or surging bodies of water such as rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans. Purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program might be a wise investment, depending on your risk situation.