5 Reasons Why You Need Professionals to Handle Water Damage Restoration

The absolute last thing any homeowner wants to see is water where it isn’t supposed to be. Water damage is one of the most dreaded home issues, and for good reason. Water damage spreads fast and can cause mold and other airborne irritants. And while you may be thinking, “Water absorbs. I can save a few bucks and handle water damage on my own, right?” You would be sorely mistaken.

There's a slew of reasons—the health of your family, being the most important—you need the pros to handle water damage restoration. Here are just a few.

Why a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company Should Be Your First Call

Don’t wait to call in the professionals. Water damage is no joke. Here’s why.

Water damage from a burst pipe, a leaky roof or a flooded basement can cause seen and unseen structural issues. Serious problems happen if the drying process is not handled in the correct manner. Wood rot in walls, roofing or floors, for example, can put your family in danger. Affected areas, which many not be in plain sight, need to be dried properly or replaced with new, structurally sound materials.

To stop the spread of harmful irritants, professionals recommend the installation of plastic or other airflow seals to segregate airflow. This ensures dangerous particles do not enter other areas of the home or, worse, enter your duct work and spread throughout your home. Additionally, professional water damage restoration companies will have the mildewcides, fungicides and other antimicrobials needed to kill and stop the spread of water-caused microorganisms.

Unfortunately, sometimes water damage does not mean clean, clear water came in contact with your home’s structure. Sometimes it is sewage water, also referred to as black water. If drywall, carpeting, carpet padding and any other damaged surface is not remediated properly, contaminated waste can come in contact with other areas of your home or become airborne, risking the health of your children, your pets and yourself.

Pressure cleaners, antimicrobial, dehumidifiers and air movers—not to mention construction equipment for repair—there is a long list of expensive equipment needed for proper remediation the average homeowner does not have on hand. Humidifiers, for example, reduce humidity and increase the rate of drying, while air movers increase the rate of evaporation. Antimicrobial is then applied to stop the growth of any potential mold. None of these steps should be skipped during the drying process.

Some water damage may reach areas of your home that are difficult to clean, and certainly more difficult to clean properly. Crawl spaces, duct work and any other tight or hard-to-reach areas should be left to the professionals.