Water Damage Restoration
Whether a sink has overflowed, a pipe has burst or a storm has sent water flooding into your basement, time is of the essence in dealing with water damage. The longer the water sits, the more damage it will cause. This is called secondary damage. Secondary damage can manifest itself as mold or mildew growth, moisture damage to unaffected ceilings due to high humidity, or aesthetic damage to furniture or other household items. Acting quickly can make your restoration experience quicker and much less stressful. When the unexpected occurs, DK Environmental is ready to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Process
The first step in water damage restoration is water extraction. This is done by first removing the bulk water via mechanical means such as the use of a water extractor. Our technicians also use specialized equipment to perform deep extraction from carpets and padding that usually hold a significant amount of water.
Once the bulk water is removed, drying equipment such as dehumidifiers and air movers are set up to evaporate, control, and reduce the humidity in the air. Too much humidity can cause mold and mildew issues to the building materials in your home. This can be caused by moving air without proper dehumidification.
Typically, the drying equipment will remain operational for 3-5 continuous days depending on the situation and what type of materials are affected.
Throughout this timeframe, an IICRC certified technician will monitor the affected areas daily until the materials are thoroughly dried. The technician will also assess any building materials for damage and test any materials that require removal for asbestos. All contractors, including restoration professionals, have the responsibility to test any building materials to be removed for asbestos! Water damaged materials from Category 3 sources (toilet backups, outside stormwater, sewage) typically require removal due to contamination.
Our technicians are equipped with the proper equipment and up-to-date tools such as thermal cameras and moisture meters to detect water-damaged materials in your home. These tools assist our technicians in making restoration decisions in the drying process.
Upon completion of the water damage restoration project, our technician will compile a report to send to your insurance company. Our technicians follow the procedures set by the IICRC guidelines when working in your home. The vast majority of insurance carriers are aware of and understand these IICRC guidelines making the billing procedure more streamlined.
We will typically work directly with your carrier through the billing process. In many cases, the insurance company will pay our company directly.