It may surprise you that the water used to control a house fire can do as much damage as the fire itself. While it contains and eventually defeats the disaster, it can leave your treasured belongings soaked.
Soaked is better than burned beyond measure, but it still can lead to mold and staining down the line!
Intelligent Design Corporation is here to guide you on a difficult journey. As restoration experts, let us explain how to mitigate water damage until professionals arrive.
Acting quickly may help recover your beloved home and minimize the damage after a fire.
Water Mitigation vs. Restoration
Water damage mitigation is the process of stopping more water damage from occurring. It involves multiple steps that will minimize how your property and belongings are affected, and the experts will complete several steps, including:
- Applying tarps and boarding up windows if needed.
- Extracting the water and drying out the space.
- Removing any damaged furniture and personal items in materials like flooring and drywall.
- Checking the structural integrity of the home.
- Disinfecting and cleaning any salvageable materials and items.
The main goal of water mitigation is to ensure the space is free of water, sanitized, clean, and dry, and should always be completed by an experienced professional.
Water Restoration
Water restoration is the process of restoring any damage to the property or home once the mitigation process is completed. Steps will be taken to rebuild and reconstruct your home and often include these services:
- Repairing roofing material
- Replacing damaged areas
- Mold prevention and elimination
- Moisture testing and humidity control
The restoration portion is to get your home back to the state it was before the damage, but it can only be completed once the mitigation process is finished.
Stop the Water Flow
Getting the water turned off as quickly as possible is the first step, and in the best-case scenario, this can be done at the source. However, if you are dealing with a burst pipe or the water isn’t shutting off, you may have to turn it off at the main line, which is normally on the street under a designated cover.
There are three categories of water damage that you can be dealing with:
Category 1
This is the lowest category and means the water will have come from a sanitary or clean space like a burst pipe.
Category 2
If the water contains a large amount of contamination from inorganic or organic matter like overflow from your washing machine, a broken aquarium, or a dishwasher, it is also referred to as gray water.
Category 3
This category is the most dangerous because it is considered highly contaminated and can come from sewage, water surface runoff, and floods. This category can contain harmful agents like pathogens and chemicals, and the cleanup needs to be handled by a professional.
Contact Insurance
Once you’ve gotten your family to safety and found a place to sleep for the night, it’s time to call your insurance company. Homeowners insurance is a complex topic, with various extra coverage options you can buy; you may or may not have your fire and water damage covered.
That’s why speaking with an insurance agent, not just reading your policy and hoping for the best, is so important. They’ll be able to let you know how much or little you can spend on repairing your home so you don’t add financial woes to your water damage repair situation.
Control the Water Damage Until Help Arrives
Once you’ve got the financial situation under control – or even simultaneously – you can start safe and immediate damage remediation until a professional water damage repair crew arrives, provided your home is safe to enter.
Wear PPE while doing this, as soot can damage your respiratory system, and never enter any pools of water if your electrical is still on. If the fire damage is minimal, you may be able to open the windows to air out your home and your cabinets to air out their contents.
You can also remove wet rugs and belongings from the floors.
After Mitigation Comes the Restoration Phase
During the initial assessment, the mitigation team will review the best methods to restore your property so you understand exactly what needs to be completed. A customized plan will include:
- An overview of work that can be repaired or salvaged and a list of what needs to be thrown away.
- Timeline and cost estimate.
- Process steps like sanitizing, extraction, and drying.
- Recommendations for repairs.
Each step of the process will be outlined in the plan to give you an idea of how long the process will take and what your next steps are.
Choosing a restoration expert can remove some of the stress by helping you with the claims process and allow you to focus on getting your home and life back in order after the experience.
Intelligent Design Corporation: Here for Your Restoration Needs in Minnesota
When water damage after a fire has your home in shambles, we’re here to help get your day-to-day life back on track. Our team has been your local experts in Minnesota since 2001, and alongside our restoration processes, we also offer exterior solutions, including siding, roofing, and window services.
For your free estimate, reach out to us online or call our Maple Grove office today at 763-315-0745.
