Water flooding, either by rainstorms or plumbing issues, can lead to major damage. Nothing is more dreadful than being caught up in such a situation and seeing your property submerged in water. Fortunately, flood restoration in Sydney is now easy with professional services that help fix the problem and prevent significant damage.

But how does flood restoration work?

The Internet provides a great resource for DIY restoration projects. While some people are successful with DIY methods, others find the process overwhelming and complicated. Thus, it is still crucial to seek the help of a professional restoration company. Whatever the cause of damage, flood restoration will protect you and your property.

How Flood Restoration Works

Flood damage repair is a five-step process that removes all water and contaminants and restores the initial livable state of your home.

●    Inspection and Assessment

Inspection of the flooded area is the first step. Professionals are capable of producing accurate inspections and assessments because they use advanced equipment. Doing so will give them the idea of how much damage restoration work needs to be accomplished.

Given their expertise and training, professionals will assess your property according to class:

• Class 1 as having relatively minor damage
• Class 4 as having extensive damage.

Class 4 means that water has been absorbed deeply into your flooring and will already require advanced methods and equipment.

During the assessment, professionals will check the materials for porousness in the affected area. Hygrometers and moisture scourers are moisture detectors that are used to measure the level of damage. They will then identify the rate of damage in the impacted area from Class 1 to Class 4.

Also, part of the assessment is to identify the source of the water and the level of the contamination.

●    Water Removal

The next step of the flood restoration process is to remove water through extraction. If water remains on your property, it will continue to do damage. The purpose of water extraction is to prevent any further destruction that might result in the loss of property.

For instance, water removal will attempt to preserve the property’s structural integrity, take out contents that can be salvaged and stop water from accessing other areas. This is especially important in areas where standing water will likely remain, such as your basement. Unfortunately, standing water can lead to moulds and mildews.

During this process, restoration experts use high-powered tools, such as vacuums and pumps, to absorb all standing water and surface water in your home. In some cases in which water has gravely infiltrated the property, removal of drywall and carpet padding is necessary, and antimicrobial chemicals are applied to prevent mould growth.

●    Drying and Dehumidifying

The severity of damage will also affect the level of the restoration procedure. For one, if the water infiltration is not serious, setting up air movers and dehumidifiers is enough to dry out the property.

At this stage, your home may look dry, but there could still be wet materials. If left unchecked, these materials may suffer from warping or breaking. Continued use of drying equipment will ensure to remove water from areas where it has been difficult to access during the extraction process.

Restoration companies also monitor the moisture level in the walls, floor and other locations affected by the flood at this stage.

●    Cleaning and Sanitising

In any restoration project, professional cleaning and sanitising is an essential step to repair the damage. When dealing with floodwaters, the exposure to deadly chemicals, bacteria and other substances is high. Without proper gear and protective equipment, handling contaminated materials will lead to health problems.

Cleaning and sanitising may involve spray and wipe cleaning, dry cleaning and wet cleaning. This process requires cleaners to wear specialised clothing gear, such as respirators, protective gloves and waterproofing clothing, to prevent contact with hazardous materials. In some cases, professionals use other forms of cleaning techniques, including foam, abrasive and immersion for complete cleaning. If the materials are exposed to mould and mildew growth, necessary steps to deter fungal growth should also be taken.

●    Complete Restoration

Complete restoration involves the repair and fixing of items to their original states. Depending on the damage, restoration projects may be simple or extensive. You may only need to do simple restoration, such as drywall repair and carpet cleaning. But if the damage is severe, your restoration project may require a complete reconstruction of the area impacted by the flood.

Why Is It Important?

When a flood penetrates your home, it leaves people vulnerable not only to the damage but to exposure to contaminants. Moreover, Residential Water Damage due to flood can be very stressful to the property owner. This is why flood restoration is very important and the owner must address the problem urgently.

●    Prevents Structural Damage

Because water is a destructive element, structural damage is likely to occur if water remains on your property. Prolonged exposure will highly weaken the integrity of your building, and this will be noticeable on your walls and floors. You will likely see cracks on your walls. You will also notice your floors starting to bow and ceilings beginning to cave under the weight. When you see these signs, call for professional help immediately.

●    Eliminates Fungal Growth

Fungal growth is very detrimental to your health. When severely exposed, it can lead to lung problems, such as asthma and other respiratory infections. It is also a source of allergy and a general feeling of illness.

The only way to prevent fungal infection and exposure is to get rid of them. Unfortunately, it only takes 24 hours for moulds and mildew to grow in a damp environment. This is why you need the help of professionals as they can be stubborn to remove.

●    Repair Damaged Possessions

If you’re one of those people who use the basement as your storage for valuable possessions, you need to act fast if flooding occurs. Water can have irreversible damage to your belongings. Hence, increase your chances of saving your important belongings by keeping water out of your basement.

When it comes to flood restoration works, you will know when to do the cleaning yourself and when to call a professional, depending on the amount of damage. However, ensure proper restoration by choosing the right restoration service company.