What you should know about Water Damage

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

A flooded family room caused by a storm.

Most of the time it’s easy to think only about water’s life affirming properties especially during the heat of summer when rain means relief from the blistering temperatures. However, like the other essential elements of nature, water both sustains life and it can destroy it as well. For this reason, insurance companies recognize water as one of the forces – along with fire, wind, etc. – that can damage your home and property and even endanger the safety of your family. Here are some things homeowners should keep in mind about water and the damage it can cause.

Water fuels mold growth: Oxygen, moisture and organic materials are all essential to the growth of mold. In fact, mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours under the right conditions. If your home has excessive moisture present, then your home is likely to also be a breeding ground for mold.

Water is a “universal solvent”: Water is known to capable of dissolving more materials than any other liquid. This means that when it comes to your home, all materials in it are susceptible to water damage.

There are different insurance policies for flood damage and water damage: As far as insurance companies are concerned, damage caused to a policyholder’s home by a flood and water damage caused by other sources is different. Thus, when reporting water damage to your insurance company, be sure to specify whether the damage was caused by water, e.g., a burst pipe, etc. or by a flood.

There are three categories of water contamination: Our industry has three classifications of water contamination: categories 1, 2 and 3. Water from category 1 is from clean water sources such as an overflowing bathtub. Water from category 2 contains a significant degree of chemical, biological, and/or physical contamination. This is known as grey water. Water from category 3 is highly contaminated. This water is known as black water.

Water damage gets worse not better: Once water damage begins it usually gets worse unless professionals are called. Water damage repair must be done by professionals. Homeowners should never take the DIY approach to this task.

So, know who to call, us at SERVPRO of Northwest Long Beach. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 562-506-4992