If your home gets flooded, finding a water damage restoration company may be the last thing on your mind. However, flood water damage restoration should be at the top of your “to-do” list.
Whether it is due to heavy rain, a burst pipe, your roof leaking, or any number of other reasons, cleanup immediately following a flood will prevent further damage to your home or building, as well as protect your family or employees from flood-related health issues.
No matter the cause or level of damage, it is recommended that you hire professionals instead of tackling the job yourself. But when it comes to searching for someone to perform flood water damage restoration, the choices can be overwhelming. Always choose the company with a proven track record and IICRC certified technicians; besides handling cleanup, they will likely also be able to address any questions you may have about any structural damage as well as insurance coverage.
What to Look for in a Water Damage Restoration Provider
In addition to the emergency phase of flood water damage restoration, a water cleanup company should also provide full-scale renovation services and odour elimination in order to restore your property to its original condition.
They Can Handle Any Potentially Hazardous Situations
A flood may involve not only sewage, but also contaminated water. If the flood was caused due to sewage, call a flood restoration service immediately and stay out of the flooded area until they arrive. That’s because a quality restoration company will have the proper clothing and equipment to protect its technicians against any harmful chemicals, viruses, or bacteria, while attempts to clean it yourself will leave you poorly protected.
Prevent the Spread of Mould
A good flood damage restoration provider will also know how to prevent the spread of mould, a type of flood damage that can appear if a thorough cleanup is not completed. Mould can cause serious health issues, especially if your family members or employees suffer from respiratory ailments or weakened immune systems. Part of any water damage cleaning process should include dehumidification and drying to prevent mould spores from forming. In addition, the removal of contaminated building materials that can’t be thoroughly dried out may be necessary.
Latest Equipment and Techniques
The technology and practices available to water damage restoration companies is constantly evolving just like any other industry. When hiring restoration companies, it is to your advantage to use a company that employs the latest, most proven remediation techniques since these methods will be able to work most effectively and efficiently to restore and save your property. Similarly, companies that use the most up-to-date equipment will be able to offer the most encompassing services as well as the most effective ones. Not only does this cut down on the amount of time until areas are usable, but it shortens the potential window for damage to develop or spread.
Look for Referrals
Any professional water damage restoration service will have referrals of one sort or another. Ideally, someone you know will have used its services before and will be able to inform you of what working with the company was like and how well it performed. Alternatively, you can ask the water damage restoration company itself for a referral to past clients. Online review sites can also help give insight into how well the company performed. Admittedly, the aftermath of a flood may not seem like the best time to start doing research, but context is important. Taking a few minutes to make a phone call or run a web search before hiring a restoration company is not going to make a meaningful impact on the outcome of your situation.
Look for Local Water Damage Restoration Companies
When doing an online search for water restoration companies, it may be beneficial to search “water damage restoration companies near me” in order to make sure the search is narrowed down. There are two main reasons why it is always a better option to go with nearby water damage restoration companies. The first is that proximity promotes speed. The faster a remediation team can get to your property, the better your outcome will be. The second reason is that, if the company is nearby, so will its equipment and resources. This can dramatically reduce any delays if your flood situation requires specialized equipment or more heavy-duty tools to resolve.
Explanations and Outlines
Floods are time-sensitive problems that need to be addressed quickly to limit the spread of damage. This urgency can create a power imbalance, especially when a water damage restoration company is outlining its prices and service contract. It is important not to give in to potential pressures and make sure you clearly understand the specific tasks the service contract covers as well as the pricing structure. A proper, professional restoration company will be able to clearly explain items that you don’t understand and will not try to rush you into signing an agreement you aren’t sure about.
Help with Insurance
Ideally, you will have an insurance policy that can be claimed in event of flood damage. Navigating the claims process, even with a valid case, can be daunting and time-consuming—especially if it is your first time doing so. Many water damage restoration companies are experienced in dealing with the insurance system and can help guide you through the initial stages of the claims process or even help accelerate the processing of your claim.
As a leading provider of flood water damage restoration, Flood Services Canada provides efficient and affordable cleanup following a flood in residential and commercial properties. We can be there within hours of a flood occurring to begin cleaning while preventing any potential issues from arising.
