Flood Restoration Process: What to Expect and How Long It Takes

Flooding can be one of the most devastating natural disasters, and unfortunately, it’s also one of the most common. In fact, an average of 20% of all homeowners will be affected by flooding every year, based on a study done by the National Flood Insurance Program. 

What can these unlucky homeowners expect from the flood restoration process?

While this type of severe water damage is challenging and stressful, a professional restoration company can help. DIY cleanup is often time-consuming and ineffective, but a team of contractors can get the job done quickly and efficiently. The best flood restoration crews teams follow these important steps in their process.

Thorough Water Extraction

One of the first and most critical steps for water damage repair is extracting every drop of standing water. When a flood occurs, it can leave inches or several feet of water in one or more rooms. The best way to remove this water quickly is by using truck-mounted pumps, wet/dry vacuums, and other extraction tools.

The average homeowner doesn’t have access to the industrial-grade equipment that is needed to get this job done in one day. However, a restoration company can come armed with all of the tools and skills to efficiently extract every inch of water from the property. 

Drying & Dehumidifying

The next step in the flood restoration process is to dry and dehumidify the affected area. If there is any excess moisture left behind, it could lead to harmful mold growth down the road. With the help of an experienced water damage restoration company, a home can be dried thoroughly. 

The contractors not only have tools to remove moisture, but they also have tools to check the effectiveness of their work. Their commercial air movers are great for increasing ventilation and drying out wood, drywall, and other absorbent materials. The heavy-duty dehumidifiers are also successful in removing moisture from the air. This process could take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how severe the flooding was.

Cleaning & Sanitizing

Even after all the water and remaining moisture have been removed, the restoration process isn’t over. The contractors simply move on to the cleaning step, which can take a couple of days. 

In this part of the restoration, the flood restoration contractors will bring in specialized cleaners and effective disinfectants to wipe down all of the surfaces in the affected area. These aren’t the same cleaners the average homeowner has in their cleaning closet.

This step is crucial for eliminating any bacteria that may have entered the home with the floodwater. Homeowners who are worried about mold growth will also have peace of mind knowing these products can rid the house of any mold spores.

Contents Restoration

Since flood damage usually impacts household contents, homeowners should let the contractors clean these items as well. Though the customers could certainly try to clean their belongings on their own, it’s unlikely that they will be able to salvage as many items as the contractors. 

Professional restoration companies have access to technology and tools that can clean different materials. In fact, they are able to effectively clean and restore:

• Upholstery
• Heirlooms
• Documents
• Furniture
• Clothing
• And More!

The best part about these flood restoration services is that the contractors can safely store the items in a secure location until the cleanup is complete. Once the property is ready to receive the contents, the contractors can move them back into the house.

Reconstruction

Finally, reconstruction is the last step of the flood restoration process, but it can also take the longest. This is usually the part that homeowners struggle with most when they attempt to DIY the cleanup. They lack the tools and training that restoration crews have to install new drywall, flooring, and other building materials. 

Fortunately, the best flood damage restoration companies have licensed and certified contractors ready to help demolish parts of the house that are beyond repair. They can then reconstruct those sections of the affected area. Since these experts can take care of every part of the reconstruction process, homeowners don’t have to stress over hiring anyone else.

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Contact Texas Certified Restoration to Learn More About Flood Restoration

The flood restoration process may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be when homeowners trust Texas Certified Restoration. Our highly trained crews have years of experience with water damage restoration in Austin, so customers can count on us to get the job done quickly and efficiently without compromising on their effectiveness. Homeowners interested in learning more about our process should call or submit the online quote form.