Revitalizing Your Property with Professional Restoration Services
Water, fire, and storm damage are commonly experienced damages that can degrade your property's resale value. Some of these damages pose risks to health and safety. The severity of the damage varies depending on the intensity of the disaster, your location, or how quick your response will be. When the worst happens, handling the damage is crucial in avoiding secondary and long-term damage to your property.
Of course, nobody wants to experience property damage. However, to prepare for the worst possible effects of unforeseen calamities and disasters, it is essential to understand the different restoration works that can help get your property back to its pristine condition as soon as possible.
Types of Restoration Services:
Water Damage Restoration
Water damage can be due to floods, roof leaks, pipe bursts, and plumbing issues. Floods and other water leaks can leave your home severely damaged. Water leaks can drench your wall finishes, damage your flooring, and many more. Even when flood or water ponding has subsided, moisture may remain in your structure, especially absorbent materials such as wood. Due to extreme exposure to moisture, the structure may weaken, and the presence of rots and molds may be observed over time. Structural damages require immediate attention and applicable retrofitting. Long-standing water in your property may destabilize structural foundations, causing differential settlement. Evidence can include unlevelled flooring, stuck windows, and wall cracks.
Fig. 1. Standing water dried out by Modern Handymen
Since floods are the most significant contributing factors to water ingress in your property compared to plumbing and roof leaks, it is essential to minimize its damaging effects to reduce the cost and time of structural repairs due to flood damage.
Professional restoration services can handle not just the actual extraction of water from your property and its restoration but also improvements to prevent the re-occurrence of future water damage. As recommended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, improvements may include the following:
a. Invest in Flood Insurance
An inch of water can cause an estimated damage of $25,000. Ensure your home or property is adequately insured even when the area is considered low to moderate risk. One-third of flood assistance payments still go to these categories.
b. Seal foundation cracks
Caulk will fill foundation cracks to help keep water out.
c. Install the sump pump and backflow valve
Hire a plumber to push the flow of water and sewer away from your home
d. Elevate utilities
Raise appliances, pumps, meters, and other service equipment on platforms at least one foot above the ground to prevent soaking them in water in cases of flood.
e. Landscape to improve run-off
Your landscape may slope away from your home to re-direct water. Ensure that no sunken area is present to prevent the build-up of water. Fill them up if there’s any, or create a small water channel away from it or your home.
2. Mold Remediation
Molds live and grow in moist environments. Molds have a distinct smell and will be visible for large infestations.
Fig. 2. Damaged and moldy ceiling due to roof leak
Mold exposure may cause asthma attacks for some people. This poses a health risk for some homeowners due to allergens or irritants. Mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours of constant exposure to water, so taking care of leaks or water damage as soon as possible is essential to prevent expensive repairs. Since molds grow and live in damp conditions, the source of moisture must be immediately traced and treated before they multiply. Moisture control is the key to prevent molds such as the following:
a. Proper ventilation must be maintained
Proper ventilation must be maintained to avoid trapping unnecessary moisture in your home. Install vents or a dehumidifier to improve airflow. The HVAC must always be in good condition and maintain low indoor humidity.
b. Dry wet areas
Ensure that any water developed from leaks, heavy rainfall, or a spill is managed quickly. Avoid using carpets or heavy coverings on damp floor areas; otherwise, you’ll be surprised by the molds developing underneath.
c. Use mold-resistant products
Experts recommend using mold-resistant materials such as plasterboards, insulations and paints with mold inhibitors during construction or home remodeling.
3. Storm Restoration
Storms, including other natural disasters, are uncontrollable. But their damage to our properties can be minimized. Professional restoration companies are prepared to handle the aftermath of disasters and prevent future damage. Storms increase flood risk, and just like water damage restoration, standing water in your property must be immediately addressed. Wooden supports of the structure will absorb extreme moisture and become weak. Hurricanes may also immediately damage structures depending on their wind speed. Let your property be assessed immediately to check for structural damages and plan the restoration process.
Fig. 3. Damaged roof gutter and downspout due to storm
4. Fire Damage Restoration
Fire can be a catastrophic experience, and recovering from its losses and damages can be overwhelming. Fire damage restoration takes longer than disaster restoration. Fire restoration professionals can help return homes and businesses to their pre-damaged condition in a shorter period. Here’s a guide to how the fire restoration process works:
a. Assess the fire-damaged property
Like any other restoration, it primarily starts with assessing the extent of the damage before beginning the restoration process. After granting safe access, you can survey the affected property to plan how to restore it to its original state.
b. Secure the property
A temporary fence or board-up must be installed around the area for safety and security. Openings must be sealed off to protect what’s left of the property from the weather.
c. Remove the Debris
A fire-damaged structure poses a risk of falling debris due to weakened structural members. It is best to leave the removal of debris to the professionals. Some debris must be immediately removed to prevent further damage and cross-contamination of fire-damaged materials to other safe portions of the structure.
d. Demolish and dry out the structure
eliminating water and drying out the property is essential to prevent further damage due to mold or corrosion. Roof openings must be sealed off using board-ups or roof tarps to prevent water intrusion. After the professionals assess which structures need to be removed and replaced, demolish these parts with utmost care to prevent workers’ accidents and further property damage.
e. Clean up and remove smoke
Cleaning up the interior and exterior surfaces of the structure is one of the most intensive parts of the restoration process. In some cases, every inch of the affected area will need to be cleaned. This includes deodorizing these parts to fully remove any lingering smoke odors. When a fire-damaged structure is exposed to moisture, it may be necessary to sanitize or apply antimicrobial chemicals to stop any subsequent mold growth.
f. Construct and restore
This will be the most crucial part of fire disasters—returning your property to its pre-damaged condition. More than cleaning up and restoring its original look, structural damage due to fire must be immediately addressed first. Hiring professional experts to plan the repair or retrofitting works is best. Repair works may include replacing the roof, replacing electrical parts, replacing and painting the walls, replacing flooring materials, replacing interior counters and plumbing fixtures, etc.
Choosing the Right Professional Restoration Contractor
Damages and their restoration can be overwhelming and stressful. Choosing the best restoration company to be your reliable project partner is essential. Modern Handymen offers top-notch restoration services in Brentwood and Nashville, TN. In Modern Handymen, you will be confident with every step of the restoration process to give you the peace of mind you need to recover from disaster stresses. Let Modern Handymen help you. Contact 615-200-8071 to schedule an immediate consultation of your restoration needs.
