Water Damage Restoration – What You Need to Know

Water Damage Restoration Salt Lake City is the process of repairing and restoring damaged property after it has been affected by water. It involves using dehumidifiers and air movers to reduce moisture, facilitate drying, and improve conditions in the affected area.

First, turn off the power and remove any standing water. Next, professionals must assess the extent of the damage.

When hiring a water restoration professional, you must ensure they have the proper training and certifications. The IICRC is a global standard-setting organization in the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industry that establishes and maintains industry best practices and guidelines. By earning an IICRC certification, professionals show they are committed to following these standards and delivering high-quality services.

The IICRC certification process involves taking a class and passing the corresponding exam. Several classes are available, including WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) and AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician). Many of the classes require that you take previous classes as a prerequisite. You can find out the requirements for each class by visiting the IICRC’s website and using its course locator tool.

Besides ensuring that your technicians have the right training, IICRC certification helps you meet insurance requirements. Many insurance companies recognize and prefer to work with IICRC-certified professionals. This allows you to streamline the claims process and ensures that your customers receive appropriate restoration services.

Water damage restoration requires a lot of skills and knowledge, especially when it comes to water mitigation, dehumidification, and mold prevention. A company with IICRC certification can handle these tasks efficiently and effectively, saving you money in the long run.

Choosing a water damage restoration service can be challenging, but with a bit of research, you can find one that fits your needs. Look for a company that offers emergency services, responds quickly to calls, and is available 24/7. Then, check whether the company offers specialized services such as biohazard cleanup and sewage extraction.

For example, NY Steamers is a family-owned company that serves residential and commercial properties throughout New York City and Long Island. Its team of technicians is trained to handle all types of water-based emergencies, including leaking pipes and sewer backups. The company also offers sewage cleanup, mold remediation, air duct cleaning, and carpet and upholstery cleaning.

While a trade license is not required for many of the jobs that water damage restoration specialists perform, it is important to choose a company with IICRC certification. This ensures that the restoration company follows strict industry standards and provides homeowners with confidence and peace of mind. In addition, IICRC-certified professionals have extensive training in water damage restoration and can help you navigate the insurance claims process.

Experience

When selecting a water damage restoration company, homeowners should look at the amount of experience the team has in completing this type of work. They should also consider the level of customer service that is available and how fast the company can respond to an emergency call. Lastly, they should make sure the company has the proper equipment and is capable of handling all types of water damage restoration jobs.

Water damage restoration professionals are trained to assess the extent of damage, determine the source, and implement appropriate restoration techniques. They use a variety of advanced equipment, including industrial-grade fans and dehumidifiers for drying out surfaces, infrared cameras and moisture meters for moisture mapping, high-quality anti-microbial sprays to prevent mold growth, and more.

Professionals also understand how to handle and repair a variety of materials, such as wood, drywall, carpeting, and other building components. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove these materials and replace them if they are permanently damaged by the water. This is known as deconstruction, and it is a key part of the restoration process.

During the cleanup and dryout phase, the professionals will also clean all affected areas to eliminate any visible dirt, debris, or residue left behind by the water. This can include scrubbing and pressure washing, as well as using cleaning agents and disinfectants that are effective against bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. This step is important to ensure that all affected surfaces are sanitized and free of any harmful pathogens, which can pose a health risk to occupants.

In addition to cleaning and sanitizing, water damage restoration professionals know how to restore materials that have been destroyed by the water, such as documents, electronics, fine art, machinery, and more. They will employ specialized methods, such as vacuum freeze-drying technology or gamma irradiation, to preserve these materials and restore them as much as possible.

When choosing a water damage restoration company, it’s important to keep in mind that quality work takes time. Choosing a company with experienced technicians will help you get the job done right the first time. In addition, reputable companies will have a dedicated customer service department that can answer your questions 24 hours a day. In addition, you should make sure that the company offers competitive hourly rates and is licensed and insured.

Certifications

There are a number of certifications that restoration companies may need to obtain before they begin work on any project. These certificates are essential to ensure that the work is done correctly, and that all parties are protected from liability issues. They also help to build a professional image, which will be beneficial in the long run.

One of the most important credentials is the IICRC Water Restoration Technician (WRT) certification. This training teaches you how to restore residential and commercial properties from water damage, mold remediation, and other disaster restoration projects. It includes course studies, on-the-job training, and hands-on field experience. It is also a prerequisite for other IICRC courses, such as Advanced Structural Drying and Applied Microbial Remediation Technician.

In addition to IICRC training, it’s a good idea for restoration contractors to get a HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) certification. This is required for anyone who works on hazardous waste sites or with toxic materials. It is available online or in person and can be completed in 24 or 40 hours. The training covers a variety of topics, including site safety and inspections, hazardous waste handling, emergency spill response procedures, waste transportation, and hazardous waste treatment.

Other essential qualifications for a restoration company include general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and a cleaning business license. The former protects the company against financial losses in cases of property damage or injury to employees. The latter provides medical assistance and wage replacement for employees who are injured on the job.

It’s also a good idea for restoration companies to get an Xactimate training certification, which will help them to efficiently create and deliver estimates. This three-day Xactimate class is taught by an experienced restoration industry trainer and includes estimating a live flood scenario.

The right equipment can make all the difference on a water damage restoration project. Equipter offers innovative debris management equipment that helps to streamline cleanup tasks, speeding up the restoration process and allowing crews to get back to work faster. Our portable, self-propelled dumpsters and compact lifters can eliminate the need for traditional trash removal, reducing costs and boosting efficiency on the job site.

Customer Reviews

If you’ve had severe water damage, you may want to look for a company with a good customer service department that can be reached around the clock. Customers want to know that they can get someone to help them quickly if something goes wrong. It’s also a good idea to find out whether the company accepts your type of homeowner’s insurance. If not, you might be able to find one that does.

Before hiring a company for water damage restoration, you should take a closer look at the specified service area and types of damage that they handle. You will also want to find out if they charge extra fees for services outside of that area. Homeowners should also be aware of any other additional services that the company offers. For example, some companies offer mold removal, which can be helpful in cases of untreated leaks or flood damage.

When selecting a company for water damage restoration, homeowners should be sure to choose a local one. This will help minimize the amount of travel time that the technicians will have to spend. This will save money on their gas and energy bills, as well as ensure that they can reach the job site more quickly. It’s also a good idea for the homeowner to ask the company about their availability and how long it will be before they can send a crew to the house.

Water damage restoration can be a challenging task that requires the expertise of a professional. Trying to tackle it yourself can lead to serious problems, including health issues and structural damage. It’s important to hire a company with years of experience and a strong reputation for quality work. Choosing the right company for your water damage restoration will ensure that the work is completed correctly and in a timely manner.

The first step in water damage restoration is to shut off the flow of water at the source. This will prevent any further damage and prevent toxic mold from growing in the property. Then, the professional can assess the condition of the property and identify the type of damage that needs to be repaired.