Think that your home is safe from flood damage? Think again. According to the officials at FEMA, floods are the most commonly cited reason for water damage in the US. Unfortunately, the standard home insurance policy may not be enough to cover the losses due to water damage from floods.

More importantly, it is imperative to start the water damage restoration process right away. This can be easier said than done because water can cause a tremendous amount of damage that requires professional expertise and equipment. We recommend calling water damage restoration specialists in Oklahoma City as soon as you can.

Although the exact remediation process depends on the type of water damage, you can expect the 911 Restoration team to use the following steps.

Inspection of the Water Damage

Water damage in Oklahoma City may be caused by the following sources:

• Floods
• Backed up toilets
• Damaged pipes

Remedial steps depend on the type of damage that has occurred.

The 911 Restoration team will assess the extent of the damage, including how wet the area is, such as walls, ceilings, carpet pads, subflooring, and other types of flooring. They will also determine if the power sources are in jeopardy or not. In some cases, they may be required to turn off the power sources and will bring in a generator to power the necessary equipment.

Equipment for Water Damage Restoration

Expect your local 911 restoration team to bring the following equipment:

• Water detection equipment
• Air movers
• Dehumidifiers
• Deodorizers
• Generators

The detection equipment includes moisture sensors and meters. They are used by technicians to assess the amount of water present in the area. The sensors can also reveal the water content of ceilings, walls, and floors so that an accurate action plan can be developed to resolve the situation.

All of these tools serve their purpose and are used to get your house or office in working condition.

The air moving equipment includes fans and dehumidifiers to remove the moisture from the air. Fans will be used to circulate air around the surface and speed up the process of evaporation. This will be followed up by dehumidifiers to extract water from the air and prevent further damage to the room.

The deodorization equipment includes air scrubbers and foggers. They work by removing chemicals, gasses, and particles from the air to make it habitable again. This step is important because these contaminants can contribute to foul odor and trigger allergies.

Removal of Standing Water

For obvious reasons, no other repair work can continue if standing water remains in the room. An immediate priority would be to remove standing water from the area. Once the water has been cleared from the area, it will be possible for the water damage restoration specialists to assess the resulting damage and take care of it.

Drying

The drying process will begin once the standing water has been removed. In some cases, it may involve putting up plastic sheets and using heaters to evaporate the water. It may be necessary to remove baseboards so that the walls can also be dried.

Carpets and area rugs may also have to be lifted to allow the padding and subfloor underneath to dry. If these processes are avoided, there is a strong chance of mold growth and odor. There is also a chance of structural damage from excessive moisture.

Monitoring

The specialists will check to see if the drying process is yielding any results. They will use sensors and meters to test the humidity in the affected areas. The drying process may take several days depending on the extent of the water damage.

Once the moisture level of the room is normalized, you can expect the technicians to remove dehumidifiers and air from the area. At this point the water damage remediation process is complete and repair work may begin.

Making Necessary Repairs

In order to accelerate the drying process, the flooring and walls may have to be torn and the baseboard removed. Your water damage restoration company may carry out the repairs themselves or subcontract this work to other professionals. They will also recommend contractors for the homeowners to reach out for further repair work. Homeowners can use their own contractors if they so choose.

Sanitation and Cleaning

Once everything is dried up, the restoration company will do a final sanitization of the affected area to get rid of bacteria. They will also deodorize the home to remove any unwanted odors as a result of the water damage.

The technicians will bring in tools needed to remove mold that may have grown as a result of the water damage.

Insurance Claims

In most cases, insurance companies and restoration specialists work together to repair water damage in Oklahoma City. They stay in contact about how to proceed and if any problems need to be taken care of. Some restoration companies will send invoices and work directly with the insurance company so that the homeowner doesn’t have to. It is possible for the restoration company to be compensated directly by your insurance agency. Talk to your insurance agent to know how this process is typically handled.

The professionals at 911 Restoration are acutely familiar with the water damage restoration process in Oklahoma City. Need help after a flood in your area? Get in touch with us today and we’ll connect you with our professionals.