What Is Water Damage?
In general, water damage can be defined as water that destroys your home due to flooding, leaky roofs, broken pipes backed-up plumbing, or clogged drains. It can lead to irreparable damage if not addressed quickly, such as mold growth, rotting wood, de-laminated materials such as plywood, etc. Depending on-point of entry and the pace of the drip or flow, the damage may be slow and minor if coming from water spots, or it could be instantaneous and catastrophic. Either, way it will signal trouble if not dealt with immediately. In most cases, the damage goes unnoticed for long periods-of-time. By the time it is discovered, real damage has occurred and needs to be addressed by a professional water damage restoration company.
Different Types of Water
Unbeknownst to many, there are 3 different types of water you can find on your property. The first type is ‘clean water’ that comes from rain, leaky pipes, condensation, and so on. The good news is it’s fairly harmless and easy to clean up on your own. The second type is ‘gray water’ that comes from appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, toilets, etc. It’s also easy to clean up yourself but be wary of the contaminants involved. These can be somewhat toxic if on the skin or possibly even inhaled. The third type is ‘black water,’ which comes from severe floods or sewage. It contains waste and harmful bacteria, requiring professional flood restoration services for proper cleanup. This is the most serious level of water damage. Many people attempt to handle it themselves and make numerous mistakes in the process. Cleaning up black water requires specialized equipment and the correct chemicals to ensure the job is done thoroughly and in accordance with industry safety standards.
Inspect for Mold
Aside from obvious signs like pooling water and ceiling stains, mold is a clear indicator of water damage. Once it becomes visible or noticeable by smell, the issue has already progressed significantly. Mildew and mold can begin to develop within 24 hours under the right conditions and can appear anywhere moisture is present. This typically points to humidity problems or small leaks. While older properties often have the perfect conditions for mold growth, any building can develop mold from water intrusion, particularly in porous materials like drywall, wood, and fabric.
Inspect for Water Stains
Stains or slight discoloration on your walls, ceiling, or floor likely indicate leaks from your roof or walls. Inspect the trim, corners, baseboards, and wainscoting for any signs of moisture damage. When checking these areas, be sure to look behind furniture where walls, ceilings, and floors meet.
Feel for Soft Surfaces
The wood behind surfaces in your home is usually the first to show signs of water damage. Warped surfaces and soft spots can indicate leaks that aren’t immediately visible. Buckling or cupping floors is a very clear indication of water damage.
Listen for Dripping and Strange Noises
The sound of dripping may be obvious, but properties with water damage can make some deceptive noises as well. Sounds like scratching or rushing can indicate water damage, so when your house is at its quietest be sure to listen for anything like this. Never take those sounds for granted. Early detection could mean saving lots of time, energy, and resources.
Water Damage Restoration Services Chicago
If it does occur, one way to avoid delays is by having the contact information of a restoration company readily available and easily accessible. This may sound like a sales pitch, but when disaster strikes, you need a company that can respond quickly and is reliable with a strong reputation. So many customers wait weeks on end to get a restoration company out to their place to get the work done, only to find all too often, that chicago water damage restoration services are booked out 3 weeks to a month or beyond. What does that mean for you and your property? It spells disaster at its worst. Because every hour of delay causes the deterioration of your property and valuables. It fosters the environment for mold and other nasty bacteria to start the process of eating away at porous materials. To add to the demise, sometimes, not always, but on many occasions we find that insurance companies and their adjusters can also snag forward progress when it comes to handling expediently any flooding, water damage, or sewage backup, while they take their sweet time to comb through the policy and fine print. While many insurance companies are usually on top of their clients’ needs, some lag behind in the race to get someone out (i.e. adjuster, field personnel) to look over things and manage a claim. Why is this the case? Because of the rise in claims these days due to natural disasters and emergencies that occur from outside sources. Natural disasters are happening everywhere these days. No property is clearly safe from a disaster possibly taking place. Best to be prepared. Know how to move forward. Know how to get things done expediently. Have a game plan in place to try to mitigate a bit faster some of the damage(s) that can occur.
While we hope this never happens to you, it’s certainly easier to ignore the possibility as if it won’t. That could be very costly to take the willy-nilly attitude that it won’t happen to me. Don’t wait until it does. Be prepared. If you find yourself in need of professional water damage restoration services to help you get back on your feet, call The CleanUP Guys today. We have helped hundreds upon hundreds of clients get their property back to normal quickly.