Orlando Water Damage Restoration
The time and cost of repairing water damage depends on the type of damage that has occurred. There are three categories of water damage. These categories are:
- Category 1 damage: water that comes from a clean source - water pipes, faucets, and clean water from toilets
- Category 2 damage: unsanitary water - dirty water from dishwashers/washing machines, toilet water that contains urine
- Category 3 damage: highly unsanitary water - flooding, septic tank or other sewage problems, toilet water that contains feces
Causes of Water Damage
There are many ways that water can get into a home and cause serious damage.
- Environmental water damage from severe weather can flood the home or damage pipes and roofs. Floods typically cause homes to become saturated with standing water, while rain often causes problems in the roof and ceiling.
- Structural problems such as foundation cracks or leaking roofs allow water to get into the home through the basement or ceiling.
- Leaking or damaged pipes such as the pipes in dishwashers, washing machines, plumbing, water heaters and other water sources in the home can leak or flood.
Danger of Mold
Mold is an often invisible danger in homes. Molds that grow in HVAC systems, walls, and ceilings can produce toxic spores that cause a variety of health problems:
- Fatigue
- Immune issues such as frequent, prolonged infectious illness
- Trouble breathing, wheezing/coughing; lung swelling/bleeding
- Eye and skin infection or inflammation
- Headache and other aches and pains
- Allergies
Children and elderly people are especially susceptible to health problems from mold.
Orlando Fire Damage Restoration
In addition to personal property burned by fire, smoke can permeate into walls, carpets, fabrics and other surfaces. Pervasive odors of smoke makes a home unpleasant or impossible to live in.
Managing fire damage typically involves:
- boarding up and stabilizing any structures
- cleaning smoke and soot
- purifying the air and removing the odor of smoke
- water damage cleanup, including mold/mildew inhibitors
- caring for damaged items
- rebuilding damaged structures
Orlando Flood Damage Restoration
Floods typically cause standing water to rapidly accumulate in homes. Water extraction is an vital for homes affected by flood, since the damage becomes more severe as time passes. Long-standing contaminated water can cause a home to become uninhabitable.
Flood damage restoration professionals can:
- remove all standing water from the home
- dry the home by using fans and dehumidifiers
- check for structural damage to the home
- clean and dry surfaces and replace carpeting or flooring
Hiring a Damage Restoration Professional
Fire and water damage restoration professionals are often certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), a non-profit organization that sets standards for professional cleanup and restoration services. Certified professionals are trained in cleaning up homes safely, efficiently and properly. Reputable professionals will be bonded and insured.
The expense of cleanup and restoration may cause some homeowners to think twice about hiring restoration services. But it is unlikely they'll be able to make their home safe without professional help. Homeowners do not usually have the equipment necessary to find every affected area or source of water, mold, fire, and smoke damage.