How Professional Restoration Can Save Your Home After Water Damage

Have you experienced a flood in your home? Has your ceiling and drywall started to be damaged because of a water leak? Water is essential for your home but can also be its worst enemy if left unmanaged. Water damage is one of the most crucial home problems that requires extensive repair and restoration. Professional restoration services are in demand in most areas that experience rainy seasons, such as Tennessee. According to Tennessee Climatology by East Tennessee State University, Tennessee has a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. However, the state's varied topography leads to various climatic conditions. The most crucial flood season is during the winter and early spring, when frequent low-pressure systems bring general rains of high intensity. During this period, both widespread flooding and local flash floods can occur. During the summer, heavy thunderstorm rainfalls frequently result in local flash flooding. To help save your home from the disastrous effect of this flood and possible water leaks, professional water restoration teams offer homeowners the following benefits:

1. Fast Response

Dealing with water damage is an urgent matter. The longer the water sits, the severity of the damage increases. How fast your response is to water emergencies dictates the adverse results of the water damage your home can incur. It is best to take action within 24 to 48 hours after a water emergency occurs because of the following:

a. Swift response to water emergencies helps limit water spread to unaffected areas.

b. Mold and mildew can develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure, which can cause respiratory problems, headaches, allergies, and other health issues.

c. Water exposure can cause structural damage to your home, especially to its foundation, walls, floors, and ceilings.

d. The more severe the damage, the more extensive and expensive the repairs.

Professional water restoration services address water damage as soon as possible. Minimizing its significant risks and preventing further damage to your home and belongings is crucial.

2. Advanced Equipment and Technologies

Water damage restoration requires specialized tools and equipment for timely and effective results. New technologies for water emergencies use more advanced equipment and techniques, such as use of the following:

a. Moisture meters to identify areas with increased moisture

b. Industrial-grade dehumidifiers to essentially extract the moisture from the air

c. Air movers such as fans and blowers to increase air circulation

d. Heavy-duty water extractors, vacuums, and pumps to help remove high volumes of water

e. Thermo-hygrometer to accurately assess the amount of humidity inside the room

f. Air scrubbers to help clear away airborne particles such as unpleasant odors

These advanced tools and equipment effectively manage the water’s potential damage to your home while minimizing its risks to the dwellers. With advanced technologies, professional water restoration services manage even the most severe water damage and help restore your home to its pre-damage state.

3. Expert Water Removal and Drying Techniques

Immediate water removal is crucial to prevent further harm. Experts use industrial pumps and vacuums to extract standing water or flood from the room. Water removal includes debris and mud cleanup to dry out any surface effectively they are covering. Removing carpets to carefully dewater and dry out the flooring down to its subfloor is also essential. Experts usually use dehumidifiers and fans to swiftly dry out surfaces of your home exposed to flood and excessive moisture to prevent the following:

a. Warping and rotting of wood

b. Crumbling of plaster and finishes of walls

c. Swelling and cracking of furniture

d. Rusting of metal surfaces

e. Damaging the appliances

f. Mold and mildew growth

Professionals ensure every inch of your property is thoroughly dried, treated, and sanitized to prevent further water damage and significant risks.

Fig. 1. Flood water removal and drying by Modern Handymen & Remodel

4. Effective Mold Remediation and Prevention

Everything it touches as soon as water creeps in can be a breeding ground for mold growth. Mold can develop as fast as 24 hours after excessive exposure to water and moisture. Professional water restoration services ensure that your property will be mold-free even after a water emergency by preventing future mold growth and removing existing mold that can spread quickly if left untreated. Professionals target the root cause of mold growth and prevent spores from spreading to create a healthier and mold-free living environment.

Fig. 2 Flooded basement in Nashville, TN immediately dried out by Modern Handymen & Remodel to prevent mold growth

5. Reduced Health and Safety Risks

Long-standing water can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful organisms, mainly if the water originates from unsanitary sources like sewage. Sewage water is highly contaminated and dangerous to human health. It can also be a potential biohazard contaminant when it touches other materials at home. Molds can also pose serious health risks to dwellers. Professional restoration teams can help decontaminate and sanitize your home to ensure it’s safe to occupy after water emergencies. Untreated water damage, such as hard stains on tiles, also has several potential health hazards from bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, chemicals, and gases. This makes immediate professional water restoration essential for your health and safety.

6. Accurate Damage Assessment

Water damage is easy to spot when you notice a musty smell or damp feeling in certain areas of your home. However, these can also be signs of deeper moisture-related issues that need professional assessment. Professionals can accurately inspect the severity of the water damage and identify potential weaknesses in the building structure. They have the expertise required to identify hidden damages or potential hazards. They can also detect compromised electrical systems due to water exposure, as water damage isn’t always immediately apparent. Professionals offer timely inspection and detailed assessment of your property after a water emergency, providing assurance and peace of mind to any property owner.

7. Cost-effective Solutions

Generally, DIY solutions are cheaper, but it does not guarantee that your home will be restored to its best possible condition. The quality of the restoration task to bring your home to its pre-damage state significantly impacts the value of your home. Professional restoration services offer cost-effective solutions that help balance the practical repair costs of the water damage and the increase in your home’s value. Professionals can assess if replacing the damaged item with a new one is more practical to save on costs. If not correctly addressed, water damage issues can lead to even worse damage that incur additional repair costs in the future.

Fig. 3. Water-damaged door frame in Nashville, TN restored by Modern Handymen & Remodel

8. Easy Insurance Claims

Professional restoration teams are knowledgeable and strategic about when to file a claim versus self-paying for a water damage restoration. They evaluate your situation, consider the long-term implications, and efficiently choose the option that best suits your needs since insurance policy also has essential time limitations on filing claims. Water damage from flooding or sewer backups may require additional insurance. When you hire a professional restoration team, they will work with your insurer and accurately assess the damage and document your losses, ensuring you obtain the maximum compensation. They simplify the process by providing detailed documentation of the damage, restoration efforts, and costs.

9. Proactive Future Water Damage Prevention

More than just restorative solutions for water damage in your home, professional restoration companies offer expert advice on preventing future water damage. They can provide predictive insights and recommend preventive measures based on the unique characteristics of your home. They can contribute to a comprehensive preventive strategy against water damage by addressing potential weak points in your home's plumbing, roofing, or landscaping. They can proactively develop customized preventive maintenance plans tailored to your home’s vulnerabilities to water-related disasters.

10. Protected Structural Integrity

Water damage can significantly affect your home beyond surface-level aesthetics. It can also cause structural damage. Water can potentially weaken some parts of your home, especially wood, drywall, and insulation, during leaks, floods, or other water emergencies. Professionals help safeguard your property's structural integrity by timely restoring the affected areas to their pre-loss condition and preventing further deterioration.

While water damage restoration usually does not require certification, it should ideally be performed by a water damage restoration specialist to ensure that you get these benefits and save your home from further damage. Modern Handymen and Remodel offers fast and reliable restoration services for your property in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, TN, and nearby areas. Do you have a water emergency? Give us a quick call at 615-200-8071 to schedule an on-site visit and get your home restored to how it was before!