When Is A Water Restoration Technician Needed?

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

When Is A Water Restoration Technician Needed? 

By the time a homeowner needs to bring in a water damage restoration technician, they are likely facing an emergency. When excess moisture infiltrates a building, it doesn’t take long before it starts doing real damage. Just how much damage depends on the amount of water present, and where it is coming from. Contaminated fluid, for instance, is a major hazard and warrants an immediate response from a certified professional. And if moisture has begun pooling in areas, this will also require a professional’s expertise. But no matter what kind of emergency a homeowner is looking at, they should only consider a professional that has been certified through a reputable organization, like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC.

What kind of disasters can a water damage restoration technician help with?

In short, any instance where fluid has entered the home is something a certified professional can assist with, but in general, these professionals are called in when severe moisture damage is imminent. This includes disasters like floods, sewage backflows and burst plumbing. All are capable of inundating the home with hundreds of gallons of water in a matter of minutes, and by the time a homeowner can react, there may be several inches of water standing in the basement or lower floor.

This is when a water damage restoration technician can prove to be a valuable ally, as floods and sewage backflows produce extremely hazardous conditions in the building. Untrained people should never handle contaminated fluid, as it can contain a spectrum of pathogens, chemicals and toxins. Chemicals such as fertilizers, oil and pesticides are often found in floods, and both floods and sewage backflows can sweep in runoff and fungal colonies. Wildlife like snakes, spiders and venomous insects may huddle around piles of trash or furniture after being displaced in the home, and, finally, electrical and fire hazards are a real concern following a flood as well.

Even when uncontaminated fluid is present, such as from a busted plumbing valve, it only takes a day or two before it may become biologically hazardous as well.

What can a water damage restoration technician do once called in?

A certified crew has the technology and methods needed to quickly halt the damage and save any materials that can be salvaged. First, the crew will move through the building to recuse anything that can be saved, and pump out any standing fluid. The home is dried out over the next several days, using a combination of air movers and dehumidifiers, along with  air injectors for tough to reach areas like under floors. If contaminated fluid was present, the crew will clean out the home using special  processes that eliminate all pathogens.

Once a water damage restoration technician has completed their work in the home, it will be safe for the family to return and put their lives back together.

 Article written by: IICRC