Has this nightmare ever happened to you? You come home from a family trip late at night and walk into your home only to be shocked that somehow, it’s been flooded. Regardless of where the flooding occurred or how much damage it caused, your initial reaction is probably to crack open the linen closet and put all of your old towels to good use. However, many homeowners prematurely jump into the cleanup process without stopping to assess the dangers associated with flooding. Not all floodwater is created equal. In fact, some floodwater can be detrimental to your health. Before engaging in full-blown restoration mode, we at Restoration 1 would like to encourage you to take a minute to figure out which type of floodwater has affected your Greater Charlotte home.
Easy. This is clean, fresh, safe water. It comes from faucets, toilets, and drinking fountains. When flooding from Category 1 occurs, the main task is to thoroughly dry the area. There’s not much risk of health problems or contamination. Although this water is clean, it doesn’t come without risks over time. If not cleaned up quickly, clean water can degrade into Category 2, leading to health issues and a longer flood restoration process.
If you’re apprehensive about touching the water, it’s likely in Category 2 or 3. Category 2 water contains chemical, physical, or biological contaminants. This includes urine-contaminated water, water from sump pump failures, and water discharge from dishwashers and washing machines. Because this water contains both microorganisms and micronutrients, it becomes increasingly contaminated and dangerous over time. Category 2 water damage is very common in homes because it typically comes from kitchen or bathroom appliance malfunctions.
Category 3 water damage is as harmful as it gets. It involves water that is grossly contaminated and contains pathogenic and toxigenic agents. This category of floodwater contains silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances. Examples of this include sewage backup, water from rivers or streams, or water from tropical storms. If you’re in contact with this type of floodwater, give yourself a free pass for laziness. Feeling a little braver than they should, many homeowners adopt a do-it-yourself approach and find themselves either sick or with a home that isn’t completely recovered from the water damage.
Do a quick Google search for “how to clean up after a flood” and you’ll find endless pages of tips and tricks. The online world is bursting with stories and formulas for apparent success in cleaning up after a flood. However, flooding affects a lot more than they eye can see. Old towels can only reverse the surface level damage that is visible to the eye. Further, floodwater requires professional-grade equipment. Restoration 1 of Greater Charlotte provides both quality equipment and a quality staff to remediate floodwater damage. Although the cleanup process can be strenuous and exhausting for you, we take steps to ensure your comfort and assurance throughout the entire process. So, let’s put away the ragged towels and call a professional floodwater cleanup company instead.
Our promise is that we will use the best materials and above code quality craftsmanship to restore your damaged property.
(704) 741-7511Restoration 1, in my experience, is a terrific company! An old dishwasher was, I thought, the cause of a flood of water on the kitchen floor, so I bought a new appliance. The culprit turned out to be a mouse who’d bitten a hole in the outflow tube! To repair the damage to the flooring underneath I was referred to a company who gave me a huge estimate (which they refused to reduce), so I looked online and, thank goodness, decided on Restoration 1. They came the next day, studied the situation, gave me a reasonable assessment saving me several hundred dollars, and began the drying and repair work, ending with much nicer flooring. They were professional, were on time, nice to deal with, and I highly recommend them.
Had a burst pipe in the attic that leaked into a couple bedrooms, the hallway and into part of the kitchen and living room. When I called Todd at Restoration 1 he answered the phone promptly, was very polite and professional, and answered all my questions. It was a Sunday and he said he’d be there in about 90min but made it in closer to an hour. He and a co-worker worked until nearly 10pm on Sun night to take care of the worst of the water. He came back daily for several days to some minor final clean up and to check the progress of the fans and dry out of our house. He was always very professional and very easy to work with. He contacted our insurance and dealt directly with them for the billing. The only downside is that they only do the cleaning/drying…not the repairs. However, if I had water damage in the future I would not hesitate to use them again.
Water Damage & Compromised Foundations Compromised foundations are at a higher risk of suffering from water damage in the Greater Charlotte area. A solid foundation keeps your home sound and sturdy. A compromised foundation puts the entire house is at risk for damage. The problem is water can be found all around your home’s foundation. […]
During the water damage restoration process, there are many honest mistakes you can make that will further compound your problems. The best way to avoid these mistakes is to simply know what they are so you can be prepared for them. From our experts at Restoration 1 of Greater Charlotte, here are five of the […]
