The Role of Thermal Imaging in Water Damage Restoration!

Water Damage in Conroe Texas

When water damage occurs, getting everything completely dry afterward can be a real challenge. Even small amounts of moisture in your home can lead to the growth of mold and other problems. Thermal imaging is a newer technology that many water damage restoration services are now using to detect the presence of moisture in water-damaged homes and buildings. Thermal imaging has become an essential part of the water damage restoration process.

What Is Thermal Imaging?

Infrared thermal imaging is the use of infrared light waves to “see” through materials to detect the presence of moisture by its temperature. The technology works by transferring infrared signals through surfaces with an infrared device, then intercepting return signals that return data to the device.

The data generated detects the temperature within the material to which the infrared waves are applied. Because water holds heat differently than dry material, its presence can be easily detected by using infrared scanners.

How Is Thermal Imaging Used in Water Damage Restoration?

Thermal imaging technology has become a staple in the field of water damage restoration because of its accuracy in detecting moisture in construction materials. Drywall, insulation, flooring, and even the wood structure of your home will absorb water when exposed to it. They also begin to dry out at different speeds.

Although you may think that walls and floors with water damage are finally dry, often there is still moisture hidden in places that cannot be seen or felt. By using infrared scanners, water damage restoration services can quickly and easily scan any surface that was previously wet and actually see inside it. Any areas shown to still be holding water must be further dried before any final repairs can be made.

Why Is Thermal Imaging An Important Restoration Tool?

The greatest challenge in water damage restoration is ensuring the affected area is completely dry. Even a small amount of moisture left in drywall, structural supports, or anywhere else can cause problems later on. One prime concern after water damage is the mold growth, which can happen quickly in moist and damp areas.

When left untreated, mold can cause unhealthy indoor air conditions that lead to allergies, upper respiratory illness, and other health conditions. Moisture can also slowly weaken and destroy building materials, potentially threatening the integrity of the entire structure. By using thermal imaging, water damage restoration services can determine if moisture is still present, treat any areas for mold that are still wet, and continue the drying process until no moisture is detected.

Although it may seem easy to handle water damage on your own, it can be difficult to determine when your house is truly dry and ready for final repairs. A water damage restoration company can be instrumental in locating any hidden and remaining moisture in your home that could cause problems later on. By using infrared thermal technology, you can rest assured that water damage restoration services will get your home completely dry, eliminating any concerns regarding mold growth or structural damage!

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Got Mold From Water Damage? The Clock Is Ticking!

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One of the most challenging parts of dealing with water damage is getting everything clean and dry before mold can start to grow. Water damage cleaning must begin immediately after any damage has been done, although you could still experience some mold growth.

Follow these tips below on how a professional water damage cleaning company handles cleaning and mold prevention to get your house back to normal as quickly as possible.

Work Fast!

As the saying goes, time is of the essence, especially when you are dealing with water damage. Besides the obvious damage to your belongings, the main concern is preventing mold growth which can start to grow on surfaces and in fabrics within a day or two. To stop it before it even starts, you must begin water damage clean up as quickly as possible.

If you are unable to start the cleaning and drying process immediately, be sure to treat your home and belongings for mold to kill any growth and prevent it from starting.

Discard All Unsalvageable Items

Begin cleaning by removing all damaged items from your house. Discard items that cannot be salvaged, either because they have absorbed too much water or because these things may harbor mold.

Carpeting, upholstered furniture, and textiles are prime hosts for mold as is drywall, wood trim, and items made from particleboard or other water-absorbing materials. Although some furnishings may be salvageable if handled by a professional water damage cleaning company, most should be thrown out as upholstery is difficult to clean and sanitize.

Get It Dry Fast

After emptying areas of your home with water damage and doing a thorough cleaning, get the air moving and dry out the house. Open windows, turn on dehumidifiers, and set up fans to allow the dampness to evaporate as quickly as possible. If necessary, rent industrial grade floor fans that water damage cleaning services use to dry large areas. The faster you remove moisture from affected areas, the less chance there is for mold growth.

Treat for Mold

In the event that you were unable to start cleaning efforts immediately or could already see mold growth during the drying stage, stop and treat for it. This requires scrubbing all affected surfaces with hot water and either a disinfectant solution that can kill mold or a solution of bleach and water. The drying process must then start again, hopefully removing all moisture before any new mold spores can be introduced to the area and begin to grow.

Call In A Pro

Although cleaning damaged areas and treatment for mold may sound easy, this process can be more involved than it may seem. Speed is of the essence. Industrial equipment may be required for success in preventing or killing mold. A professional water damage cleaning company may be a better option to get your house water and mold free. The local building inspector may even require that you work with a professional service to ensure the removal of any mold.

If you have water damage to your home, preventing mold growth by immediately starting the water damage cleaning process is essential. Mold can sneak up quickly and is difficult to treat once it starts to grow on moist surfaces. If you notice mold in spite of your efforts, do not waste any time in calling a water damage cleaning company that can professionally treat and dry these areas!

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Water Damage – Clean and Keep – or Discard?

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If you have experienced a flood in your home, you may be wondering what items can be salvaged by water damage cleaning services and what should be discarded. If you begin water damage repair quickly, you may be able to rescue many of the items in your home. Yet depending upon the source of water and the extent of water damage, some items may not be repairable or should be thrown out because they cannot be disinfected.

What Kind of Flood?

The first step in deciding what you can save by using water damage repair methods and what you should discard is knowing where the water came from. Items damaged by clean water that came from plumbing supply lines can be kept and you can attempt to repair these items.

If the source of the flood is backed up sewage lines, flooding from outside that has come into the house, or any water that may have been contaminated by chemicals or microorganisms, this decision should be based on whether the item can be properly cleaned and disinfected by water damage cleaning services.

When Should You Throw It Out?

Whether dealing with clean or contaminated water sources, use the following tips to help you decide whether you should discard items with water damage or if repair attempts can be made:

Carpets and Area Rugs - Carpet and rugs can sometimes be salvaged by using professional water damage repair techniques; however, mold and mildew growth may be an issue. Whether carpets and rugs are cleaned inside or removed and cleaned outside, the inability to remove odors, mold, and mildew or to completely dry them suggests these items should be thrown out.
Furniture - Items made from hardwoods and other non-porous materials can often be cleaned and disinfected by water damage cleaning services. Those made from pressed wood, particle board, wood laminate and other porous materials are usually not salvageable once they have soaked up water and contaminants.
Upholstered Furniture, Drapes, Clothing, and Other Fabrics - Upholstered furniture can be very difficult to disinfect and completely dry out before mold and mildew begins to grow, especially if it spent days submerged. Clothing, drapes and other washable or dry cleanable fabrics can frequently be saved provided stains and odors can be removed. Stuffed animals and other fabric toys or children’s accessories should be discarded.
Books, Photos, Papers - By using the right methods, these items may be salvageable from water damage if restoration is started quickly. Paper items that retain a moldy odor should be discarded.
Plastic, Glass, and Metal - Most items made from these non-porous materials can be saved as long as they can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Plastic toys may be saved if they can be thoroughly cleaned. Discard anything that a child may put in their mouth, including pacifiers and bottle nipples. Kitchenware should be washed and sanitized before use.
Appliances and Electronics - All electrical items should be carefully examined and tested by an electrician to ensure they are still able to function properly. If so, they can then be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Food - Any exposed food that has been touched by flood waters should be discarded. Food requiring refrigeration that has been allowed to thaw or warm for more than a few hours must also be thrown out. Only keep items that are properly sealed in their original packaging or those sealed in airtight containers that have not been affected.

Losing personal property in a flood can be heartbreaking. Fortunately, many of your items can be saved if you begin water damage repair efforts immediately. Mold, mildew, and bacterial contamination is a major water damage concern when you are deciding what to toss and what to keep. Salvage as much as possible by calling professional water damage cleaning services that can get to work right away and help save your belongings!

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After The Water Is Removed – Cleaning Wet Carpet!

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When your home is flooded and carpets are saturated or submerged, you must act fast to prevent permanent water damage that could ruin it. Unless the water originated from a clean supply line, you should always assume it is contaminated and begin the appropriate water damage restoration efforts.

Beyond getting all the water out and then drying the carpet, the main concern is getting your carpet safely clean. To remove contaminants and microorganisms to prevent the growth of mold or mildew, you can either arrange for professional water damage restoration services to do the job or use the carpet cleaning techniques suggested below.

Assess the Situation

Before attempting any type of water damage restoration on your carpet, determine what you need to do and if it is worth the effort. If the carpet has been sitting in water contaminated by sewage for more than a day or two, discarding it is usually the best idea. If the carpet is old, worn, was scheduled for replacement, it may not be worth the time and expense of cleaning it.

Remove the Carpet if Possible

If you do decide to clean your carpet and limit the water damage, the next step is to remove the carpet if possible. Carefully pull up carpets that have been stapled or tacked down, roll them up, and take them out of the house. Lay carpets flat on the driveway, in the garage, or on some other surface so you can clean and dry them out.

Pull up and discard saturated padding and replace with new padding when you are ready to replace the carpet. Carpets that are glued down and cannot be removed must be cleaned with techniques used by water damage restoration services.

Cleaning A Carpet Outside

Begin water damage restoration by rinsing the carpet with a garden hose and spray nozzle, spraying in side-to-side sweeps to push contaminated water out. Turn the carpet over and repeat, then repeat the process on the front side. Next, apply a carpet cleaning solution that is made for this type of cleaning, i.e. a diluted ammonia or pine cleaning solution or a mixture of ½ cup of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water.

Let the solution soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse it out using the same technique as referenced above. Do it to the front and back until the solution is completely removed and no residue appears when using the hose sprayer. These solutions may fade or stain your carpet; however, a thorough cleaning to remove pathogens is necessary to make it safe to use again.

Cleaning A Carpet In Place

To clean your carpet in the house after it has sustained water damage, begin by suctioning up as much water as possible with a wet/dry vacuum. Next, use a carpet cleaning machine to apply water and cleaning solutions; clean it the same way to remove pathogens and other contamination.

Depending upon how soiled the carpet is and how dirty the padding underneath has become, it may be difficult to clean the carpet enough to remove all microorganisms and prevent bacterial or mildew growth. In order to save the carpeting, a better choice may be to hire water damage restoration services to do a deep cleaning with their industrial machines.

After cleaning carpet with any of the above options, finish water damage restoration by drying it as quickly as possible using wet/dry vacs, fans, and dehumidifiers; you can also let it dry outside. If mold or mildew grow before the carpet can be dried or if odors or stains due to the water damage remain, the carpet may not be salvageable. To increase the chance of saving carpets that have been damaged by contaminated water, consider hiring professional water damage restoration services right away!

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I Have A Water Damage Claim – How Should I Handle It?

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When your home sustains water damage, time is of the essence for getting everything repaired as quickly as possible. You must also act fast in notifying your insurance company that your home has been affected. This will help facilitate the process of getting water damage restoration services there to help you.

Whether your damage is covered by a standard homeowner's insurance policy or this event falls under your flood insurance coverage, claim filing is usually the same. Once you have done everything you can to reduce the damage in your home, contact your insurance company and then call for water damage clean up services.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Immediately after you have any kind of water damage in your home, you will likely want to try to salvage your personal items and start to get the water out. You also need to make a call to your insurance company as soon as possible to let them know what happened.

Do what you can to stop your belongings from being ruined by water, then call the emergency claims number on your insurance policy. Let them know what has happened and describe the damage you are able to see and tell them whether you need water damage clean up services.

Be sure to follow any instructions provided by the representative who is recording your claim about whether you can start to clean up or if you should wait until an adjuster can come view the damage.

Photograph the Damage

Before you start cleaning up any of the mess, photograph or video everything. This creates a record of what happened and the extent of the destruction. Your insurance company may ask you to provide photos as well. It is important not to throw out any damaged items, even though you have photographed or recorded them.

Save everything to show the insurance adjuster even if your insurance company gives the go-ahead to call for water damage restoration services.

Communicate with Claims Reps and Adjusters

After reporting your event to the insurance claims number, you should be contacted within 24 to 48 hours by a claims representative who will further guide you through the claims process. They will also arrange for an insurance estimator to come to your home and assess your water damage so a request for reimbursement can be made.

If you have already hired water damage clean up services to begin cleaning things, let the agency know this, along with the fact that you have photos/videos of the destruction when it first happened. Once the estimator views your home and submits your claim for approval for reimbursement, you usually can continue your clean up efforts and begin to throw away non-salvageable items.

Keep Receipts

From the moment the destruction in your home occurs, keep receipts of all expenses related to clean up, including invoices from water damage restoration services and other repair companies. Check your insurance policy to see what other reimbursements may qualify.

If you are displaced and have to stay at a hotel, keep these receipts as well since some policies may cover your lodging and other related expenses. You will have a chance to submit these receipts for reimbursement before the claim is fully settled.

Initial payment of an estimated claim for water damage in your home should arrive within 5 days after the adjuster submits the claim for approval. During this time, you should work with experienced water damage restoration services to get your home cleaned and repaired. Professional water damage clean up services are reimbursable and an essential part of restoring your home back to its original condition!

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Water Damage – How Can I Protect My Home?

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Water damage is one of the most common and costly concerns you may ever have to deal with as a homeowner. This may happen for a variety of reasons, both from inside the home or out, causing destruction to your property and personal items. While it may not be possible to prevent some events, you can reduce the need for water damage repair by preparing in advance.

Consider the helpful tips below provided by water damage restoration companies on how to reduce your risk and keep your home in great shape.

Prevent Floods Inside the Home

Although the idea of flooding may bring to mind strong storms and rising waters outside, there are many ways water damage can occur right inside your home. To reduce the chance of this happening, keep up with all interior home maintenance and consider the tips below:

Regularly inspect all faucets, appliance hoses, and any pipes that you can access, looking for damage that could result in leaks or more substantial flooding. If there is any indication of wear, cracks, or other damage to these elements, repair or replace them or you may end up paying for water damage restoration instead.
Inspect your bathtubs and showers to ensure the caulk is in good condition and the drains are working properly.
Locate your main water shutoff valve and ensure all family members know where it is.
Prevent flooding due to frozen pipes by installing an emergency pressure relief valve into your main plumbing lines. When leaving the home unattended for any amount of time, shut off the water supply to your washing machine. Broken washer hoses are a common cause of flooding that can require water damage repair.

Reduce the Chance of Water Entering Your Home

Floods are not the only cause of damage that requires water damage repair. Sometimes, even slow leaks over a long period of time can cause enough water damage that your home will need repair. Take care of the following exterior maintenance items to reduce this possibility:

Arrange for regular inspections of your roof to ensure there are no leaks or other existing damage.
Inspect gutters, downspouts, and sprinkler systems regularly. Keep gutters clear of debris that could cause blockages and make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation of the house. Make sure that sprinklers are not saturating the ground near the foundation.
Seal and caulk all doors and windows to prevent water from being blown in when it is raining.

Protect Your Investment With the Right Insurance

In addition to the preventive measures discussed above that can reduce your need to call a water damage restoration service, always be sure that you have the right insurance coverage. If you live in a flood zone, purchase flood insurance to protect your home and belongings. Make sure you understand what kind of coverage you have for accidents that occur inside the home.

If necessary, increase your coverage so your property can be repaired or replaced in the event that you have any kind of water event.

Not all water damage is preventable; however, there are definitely ways that you can protect your home from events that could cause the need for water damage repair. Through good home maintenance and taking a few extra precautions, you can reduce the risk of flooding and the related damage it causes. In the event that you do experience such an event, the right water and flood insurance may help pay for water damage restoration and the replacement of any items that may be destroyed!

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How Do Water Leak Detection Systems Operate?

Water damage in Conroe Texas

When most people think about the cause of water damage, they think of an overflowing appliance or a broken water supply pipe. Unfortunately, much of the damage sustained in homes and buildings is caused by leaks that are difficult to detect and exist for a long time before they are discovered.

In these circumstances, finding the source of the leak is the key concern. Fortunately, there are a number of leak detection devices available today that can alert homeowners of a leak. These devices are very useful in preventing ongoing damage that could require expensive water damage repair.

What Is The Function of Leak Detection Systems?

Leak detection systems alert whenever the presence of moisture outside of a pipe or appliance is detected. They are designed to prevent damage to the surrounding area and reduce water waste. They are two types available: passive and active, both of which works in a slightly different way. These inexpensive alert systems can be invaluable in preventing the extensive water damage that slow, undetected leaks can cause over time.

How Do They Work?

Both passive and active leak detection systems identify the presence of water in basically the same way. These systems have sensors that sound an alarm if they become wet or detect high moisture levels that suggest a leak could be nearby. The sensors are electrical probes that react whenever they come in direct contact with water or if condensation is detected.

Since they are sensitive to both condensation and actual water, detectors will alert as long as they are positioned close to a source of moisture and mounted to the wall or set on the floor. When a leak is detected, the system sounds a loud alert and will do so for up to 72 hours. These simple, yet effective alerts are very useful in preventing the type of damage that could require water damage repair.

Passive and Active Systems

The main difference between passive and active leak detection systems is that a passive unit only alerts to the presence of a leak that could cause water damage, while an active system can actually stop the leak. Active systems include shutoff valves that are mounted in an appliance hose or other water feed that will shut off automatically when the alert sounds.

Different System Types

Besides the main difference of passive or active detection, a homeowner can purchase leak monitoring systems that prevent the need for water damage repair in a number of ways. They are available as battery-operated units that can monitor a room such as a basement or bathroom. Other units can be set up near water-using appliances, water heaters, pipes, fish tanks, or other suspect areas.

There are also whole-house, hardwired systems that integrate multiple sensors run by a single control panel. Many whole-house systems can be connected to home security systems for an added degree of damage prevention.

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to prevent costly water damage in a home is with leak detection monitors. Whether used individually next to water using appliances and other susceptible areas or as a whole-house system, these detectors alert if there is water where it should not be. Alerted homeowners can then promptly resolve the leak before it makes any kind of water damage repair necessary!

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How To Save Photos Suffering From Water Damage!

Water damage in Conroe Texas

When a flood happens, a lot more than just the building and furnishings can sustain water damage. Priceless photographs can also be seriously damaged, sometimes to the point where they cannot be salvaged. Yet it is possible to save these memories with certain techniques used by water damage restoration services.

Before feeling that all is lost and irreplaceable photographs must be thrown away, try the following methods used by the professionals to rescue important photos and documents.

Act Fast!

As with all other water damage restoration services, it is critical to act fast. Gather up damaged photos as quickly as possible, then begin with the steps listed below. If it is not possible to start the restoration process right away, clean photos as described in the next step, stack between wax paper, seal in a ziplock bag, and store in the freezer. When it is possible to go through all the steps properly, defrost the bag and continue on with the restoration process.

Clean and Separate Gathered Photos

Begin restoring water damage to photographs by carefully removing them from any frames and mats, then clean off any dirt, mud, or other residue. One-by-one, gently dip the photos in a bucket of clean, cold water to rinse off any soil and dirty water. Avoid touching the surface of the image, since it could become further damaged from handling.

Unstick Photos

If photos are stuck together or stuck to the glass inside a frame, it may be possible to gently soak them to get them unstuck. Using slightly warm water, soak photos or the entire frame, if necessary, for up to an hour until they can be carefully peeled apart or peeled off the frame glass. In the event that these techniques suggested by water damage restoration services do not work, it is advisable to first clean the glass and take a photo of the image.

If salvage is not possible, a photo restoration specialist may be able to digitally edit the second photo to look almost like the original.

Lay Photos Out to Dry

The next step is to lay out all cleaned photos individually, face-side-up, on paper towels or some other absorbent material to blot them and allow the drying process to begin. Avoid handling the image surface, and do not lay them on newspaper as this may bleed ink onto the photos.

Lay photos indoors since wind or sunlight could cause them to dry too quickly and curl up. Change the paper towels every hour or so until the photos are completely dry. To speed things up and reduce curling during water damage repair, weigh or pin the corners down, then increase drying using a fan turned to low, an open window, or a dehumidifier.

Although these techniques may not work for every photo, they offer the best chance to rescue treasured memories after a flood. Yet when dealing with historic or older photos and documents, water damage restoration services advise working with a professional documents restorer who may know of other suitable water damage salvage methods. Fortunately, many people can save a good portion of their photos by acting quickly and using the steps outlined above to carefully clean and dry their images!

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What Are The Types of Water And Resulting Water Damage?

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Water is essential for sustaining life. Unfortunately, the movement or leakage of that water can also cause costly damage to homes and businesses, as well as health issues in people and animals. When this happens, a need exists for water damage repair done by experts who understand that there are different categories of water, each requiring a its own level of cleanup and restoration.

To better understand the concerns and risks associated with various types of water damage, property owners must know the following three water categories and the degree of destruction and contamination they can cause.

Category 1 - Clean Water

Clean water is clear from the source and fit for human consumption or use, without any notable risks. Water damage from this type of water usually occurs as a result of a burst supply pipe; rain, ice, or snow that leaks into a building; broken toilets or tanks; faucets or other fixtures; or sinks and tubs that have overflowed. It is important to understand that while this liquid is considered to be clean when a leak first begins, the category could change to gray or black afterwards.

Any interaction with chemicals present in building materials, carpeting, flooring, and other items can cause contamination so that it becomes more of a health issue and requires more extensive water damage repair efforts. Heat tends to increase the chance of microorganism growth as does time, further increasing the risk associated with Category 1 damage.

Category 2 - Gray Water

Gray water comes from mostly clean sources that could contain microorganisms or potentially harmful pathogens, so it cannot be considered clean. Examples of sources of Category 2 water damage include overflowed dishwashers or washing machines that were in the process of cleaning a load; overflowed toilets with only urine inside them; sump pump failures; aquarium leaks; and similar sources.

Any treatment with chemicals, bath products, home cleaning agents, or other additives is also considered as contamination, presenting a Category 2 health risk of possible illness or injury.

Category 3 - Black Water

Black water is the most damaging and most likely to cause health concerns in people and animals. This water is very contaminated with either chemicals that can cause serious harm, pathogens, or microorganisms that can cause serious illness or even death.

Considered to be both unsanitary and unsafe, some sources of Category 3 damage include overflowed toilets containing feces or any backflow from behind the trap; sewage; windblown rain that is forced through roofing or building materials; groundwater containing soil, silt, or other contaminants that is pooled or forced through foundations; storm surges; and any amount of fluid over a few inches that sits on the ground for any length of time.

Due to the nature of this damage that poses both health and environmental threats, Category 3 damage requires the most intensive water damage repair.

Water damage can pose a higher or lower amount of a risk and require different levels of repair based on the type that is present. Dealing with this damage requires much more than simply mopping it up. Getting the right water damage repair means working with a company that can correctly identify the source of the damage, classify the the proper water group, and then provide the necessary cleaning and restoration services!