Water Damage Repair
What Goes Into Water Restoration?
Restoring your home to liveable, pre-damage conditions involves water removal, decontamination, and drying.
In cases of water damage it’s important to act fast. Standing water and moisture create the perfect environment for bacteria and mold. Prolonged exposure to an environment like this can lead to allergic reactions and even disease.
Parts of a water-damaged home may need to be rebuilt. Materials like drywall and carpet that have absorbed water often develop bacteria and mold that can’t be removed. Replacing these materials is safer than allowing infectious organisms to saturate the air.
Materials that may need to be replaced include:
Walls
Floors
Shelves
Clothing
Drapery
Ductwork
Heating and air conditioning systems

The Water Restoration Process
Step 1: Inspection
Classes of Water Damage
- Class 1 damage involves part of a room that has absorbed little moisture. It’s the least level of damage.
- Class 2 damage has affected an entire room and has absorbed into carpeting and walls.
- Class 3 damage has absorbed up into the walls, saturated most of the area, and may have come through the ceiling. Class 3 damage is considered the worst.
- Class 4 damage requires specialty drying due damage done to materials such as hardwood, stone, and concrete.
Categories of Water Damage
- Category 1 involves damage from a clean water source such as toilet tanks, broken pipes supplying clean water. Category 1 water damage can degrade into Category 2 or 3 if it sits too long.
- Category 2 involves damage from “grey water,” such as washing machine or dishwasher water containing detergents. It may also involve water containing urine from toilet overflows.
- Category 3 involves completely unsanitary water that can easily cause illness, disease, or death. Category 3 water comes from sewage, river flooding, and standing water that has begun growing bacteria and other microbes.
Step 2: Water Removal
Step 3: Drying
Step 4: Cleaning
Step 5: Restoration
In the event of unknown water damage, many homeowners aren’t able to prevent mold growth. A tiny leak in the roof or pipes can persist for months before you notice it. In a situation like this, the restoration process takes even longer.
Acting Fast
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends discarding materials that haven’t been thoroughly cleaned and dried within 48 hours of water damage.
Taking these materials out of a home reduces the ability of dangerous microorganisms to multiply and spread. Removing contaminated materials improves air quality in the home and makes the restoration process easier.
After removing all contaminated and wet materials, contact someone who can inspect your home and start the restoration process.