Water flood damage cleanup is a highly technical process, so it’s normal to have questions about how to handle water cleanup, fix water damage and how the house flood restoration process works. The following are commonly asked questions by our flood damage customers:

MY HOUSE IS FLOODING! SHOULD I CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY FIRST?

No. As a matter of fact, your insurance company would prefer you call a water damage restoration company to begin water cleanup and start the drying process as soon as possible, they set up guideline just for that. The faster our crews arrive, the more destruction we can prevent, which decreases restoration costs and protects your home from further house flood damage. You still want to call your insurance company to make a claim, but you should not wait for an adjuster to arrive before calling a professional company to fix water damage.

HOW DOES THE WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION PROCESS WORK?

Water repair or water cleanup is a multi-phase process. The first step is to remove all standing water from flooring, wet carpet and other affected materials. Once the water is controlled, dehumidifiers and other specialized equipment are used to dry the areas. This can take multiple days, depending on the amount of water and spaces involved. Before, during and after the process is complete, we use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to make sure your home is thoroughly dry. Fixing water damage may also involve drywall removal, carpet cleaning or removal, wood floor removal or repair, odor control, air duct cleaning and mold removal.

HOW LONG SHOULD WATER CLEANUP TAKE?

Full restoration consists of two major phases. The first, mitigation, consists of demolition, cleaning and drying out the structure and belongings. This phase usually takes no more than 3 – 4 days. The second phase, repairs, can range from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the degree of damage and lead time of materials such as carpeting, cabinets, or other flooring materials. Flood Brothers Restoration, LLC. will work closely with you and your insurance company to develop a full timeline for your mitigation and repairs so that your property is back to normal as quickly as possible.

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DOES FLOOD BROTHERS RESTORATION HOLD FOR HOUSE FLOOD WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION?

We are licensed to work in the South East and all across Georgia, We are fully insured and certified for fire, water, and mold by the IICRC. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides a specific set of standards for fixing water damage. According to the IICRC S500, water damage repair should only be done by experienced and trained technicians that will promptly and professionally fix water damage from a house flood.

HOW MUCH DOES IS COST TO FIX WATER DAMAGE?

The cost of water damage cleanup depends on the size of the flooded area and amount of time needed to handle the water repair. If your insurance policy covers water damage restoration, you are typically only responsible for the deductible. Because water can move so quickly and be extremely destructive, if not promptly removed with the right equipment, there easily can be even bigger problems like mold growth and even structural damage. When done properly, fixing water damage can take several days and many man-hours to complete, which have varying costs. The cost is governed by the insurance industry, the IICRC S500 and a software application (again developed by the insurance industry) called Xactimate.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF WATER?

Cat 1 - Clean water, poses no harm to people. This includes water damage caused by a sink or bathtub overflow or an appliance malfunction, such as a water heater or washing machine. BUT clean water picks up bacteria from everything it touches and will start growing unwanted mildews and molds quickly. Cat 2 - Gray water, can cause harm and illness to people. This category includes water that has a significant amount of contamination, which can be chemical, physical and/or biological. Cat 3 - Black water, can cause severe illness to people. Black water is very unsanitary and contains pathogenic agents coming from other contaminated water sources. Black water can come from seawater, ground surface water and sewage backups.

CAN FLOOD DAMAGE OR WATER CAUSE MOLD?

YES! water flood damage certainly has the potential to cause microbial growth. Because bacteria thrives in moist environments, any place that is wet (and especially humid) is a perfect place for it to grow. If you ignore the moisture (even clean water), bacteria can begin to grow within 24-48 hours. It’s very important to take immediate action when you experience house flood damage of any type!

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CAUSES OF FLOOD DAMAGE AND WATER DAMAGE?

House flood water damage can be caused by a variety of factors, requiring you to find a reliable company to fix water damage. Some of these include heavy rain storms, burst or leaky pipes and malfunctioning appliances. House floods can also occur as a result of roof leaks and from defective gutters and downspouts which can cause water damage in your basement or crawlspace.

CAN WATER DAMAGE BE HIDDEN? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

For Sure! Some signs of hidden house flood water damage include peeling paint and wallpaper, visible mold, moisture and condensation, musty odors, and moisture or dampness in your carpet or other flooring.