When facing water damage in your Orlando residence or commercial establishment, the situation can be both stressful and daunting. Upon detecting a leak, flood, or any other water-related problem, your immediate focus should be on halting the water source and minimizing further damage.
Types of water damage restoration services
An established water damage company will offer a full suite of restoration services no matter the source or extent of the water damage. Typical services include:
- Emergency water extraction to remove standing water. Professional equipment extracts over 50 gallons of water per minute from carpets, floors, drywall, and other water-logged materials.
- Drying and dehumidification using high-powered dehumidifiers and drying tools to thoroughly dry the underlying structures and prevent moisture that allows mold growth.
- Mold remediation if moisture and humidity levels remained high. Treatment options include cleaning moldy surfaces, biocide application, encapsulation, and sometimes the removal of moldy drywall or insulation.
- Structural drying of hardwood floors, walls, and other water-damaged areas of the home or building’s structure.
- Water damage cleanup and restoration of possessions like furniture, books, clothing, and other textiles. Companies use techniques like vacuum freeze drying to salvage valuable or keepsake items.
- Reconstruction services to rebuild damaged sections after the underlying structure is dried and stabilized. Reconstruction involves flooring installation, drywall installation, painting, etc.
It’s important to discuss all possibly affected areas with DamageControl in Orlando and take advantage of these services rather than trying to personally handle what often requires professional drying equipment and mold treatment expertise.
Drying process
The most important service a restoration company provides is thoroughly drying water-damaged areas, using state-of-the-art drying techniques and commercial dehumidification equipment. The process involves:
- An initial moisture assessment using infrared cameras and moisture meters. This detects hidden moisture inside walls, floors, and hard-to-reach areas to create a drying plan.
- Structural drying using air movers and dehumidifiers running 24/7 over days or weeks depending on the water damage scope. Lowering moisture content prevents further structural degradation and inhibits mold growth.
- Monitoring sensors that track temperature, humidity, and moisture content, helping adjust the drying plan and equipment placement. This data also demonstrates when the structure is fully dried out and restored to pre-water damage conditions.
- Applying anti-microbial treatments as necessary and checking for hidden moisture over the following months. The drying process reopened cracks that allowed the initial water intrusion.
Following this extensive process ensures your Orlando property is back to its pre-loss condition without risking deterioration, mold growth, or health hazards from lingering moisture issues. Make sure to verify that a water damage company follows S500 standards for proper structural drying.
Questions to ask potential water damage companies
- IICRC Certification – The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification demonstrates up-to-date training on structural drying concepts and proper mold remediation.
- Water Loss Experience – Ask how many flood and leak restoration jobs they perform annually. An established company will have experience with the myriad types of water damage.
- Local Experience – Understanding Florida’s wet, humid climate is key. Ask about their experience with local Florida properties damaged by hurricanes, storms, recurring leaks, etc.
- Equipment and Process – Do they detail the structural drying process? What types of commercial dehumidification and monitoring equipment do they utilize? How long will the process take?
- References – Established companies will provide references from past Orlando clients across homeowner’s insurance claims and commercial restoration jobs. Verify they offer 24/7 emergency services.
- Pricing – Get itemized price estimates accounting for emergency water removal, drying fees, anti-microbial treatments, containment setup, storage, and personal property restoration as necessary. Is pricing hourly or flat rate?
Taking time to thoroughly vet water damage restoration companies gives confidence they have trained technicians and appropriate equipment to monitor and document the structural drying process for full home restoration and future prevention.
