If you are in need of water damage restoration in Santa Rosa, we at Bravo Restoration would like to warn you of certain things you should and should not do. Sadly, many homeowners end up causing more damage to their home and property following water damage by making one or more of the following 3 mistakes:
- Waiting to begin water damage restoration
The faster you respond to the water damage, the less damage will occur and the quicker the restoration process will be. Unfortunately a common response to water damage is, “I will get around to cleaning that up when I have time.” The problem is, time is not on your side when dealing with water damage. If water damage is allowed to sit for a period of 24 hours or more, damages increase significantly. Along with water damage, mold growth also becomes a big concern because mold can begin to grow and spread in as little as 24 hours following water damage. Serious structural problems, like deterioration, rot, and bowing, bending, cracking, and breaking of materials like wood, drywall, insulation, and flooring result from prolonged water exposure. In order to mitigate damage, the source of the water needs to be found and stopped as quickly as possible so that water extraction and drying can occur. The sooner you remove and completely dry the water, the better off your home and belongings will be. Do not waste any time when it comes to water damage – the restoration process needs to begin as soon as possible.
- Leaving water to dry out on its own/Inadequate drying
When water damage is left to dry out without the use of commercial grade air movers, industrial fans, or other professional drying equipment, adequate drying will not occur. Leaving areas to “air out,” or waiting for water to dry up on its own will only result in increased risk for mold and lingering hidden moisture. The materials that make up our home and the majority of our furniture and belongings are made up of porous materials (i.e. wood, drywall, upholstery, carpet, padding, furniture, etc). When porous materials are introduced to water, they will absorb and hold on to as much moisture as possible. Since we cannot see the water that is retained in these materials, or trapped behind walls or under floorboards, many homeowners are under the misconception that all the water has dried when, in fact, there is still excess moisture present. Inadequate drying will lead to other problems and potential damages, like mold growth and structural deterioration. The proper equipment, like air movers, dehumidifiers, and other industrial equipment will not only ensure that complete and proper drying is achieved, but it will also dry the area as quickly as possible.
- Trying to handle water damage restoration on their own
In order to provide the best possible outcome, while mitigating damage and saving you the most time, is to call in the professionals for help as soon as water damage has been discovered. We have trained and experienced water damage restoration professionals ready to respond 24/7 so that they can begin restoration as quickly as possible. With the best equipment in the industry, we can ensure that your property is cleaned and restored as quickly as possible, all while mitigating damages. Do not fall victim to one or more of the above mistakes if you find yourself dealing with water damage. One call to Bravo Restoration will ensure that your home and property will be restored completely, correctly, and quickly.