There are several steps to water restoration that should be handled by a certified experienced, licensed water restoration contractor. 411 Restoration is available to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and while not all items are able to be restored, our service can make a world of difference in helping you rebuild.
Water and flood damage disturbs the normal pattern of life and can involve a lot of emotional stress. People often feel confused and vulnerable after these types of events occur. In these cases, making a good decision when it comes to cleanup is very important because you will be living with the results long after the stress and confusion have passed.
Water Categories & Classification
Category 1 Damage
That which is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. Category 1 water may become progressively contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings or building assemblies (walls, decking, sub flooring). Time and temperature, which promote the growth and amplification of microorganisms in water can cause Category 1 water to degrade. Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances, vertically falling rainwater.
Category 2 Damage
That which begins with some degree of contamination and could cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. As with Category 1 water, time and temperature can cause Category 2 water to become progressively more contaminated.
Category 3 Damage
That which is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious illness if consumed by humans. Examples: sewage, rising flood water from toilet back floods, or ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes. Anything that can be done to control or minimize these optimum conditions will prolong the time required for microbial growth
FAQs
Where does damage from water typically come from?
Broken pipes, a tiny hole in a pipe that goes unnoticed – slow leak, natural disasters (heavy rains or flood)
Are there situations where there is sewage or biohazards involved?
Yes, that is classified as “Category 3” – which indicates the area is contaminated. Guys come in with hazmat suits to identify and neutralize and harmful bacteria.
What are the dangers associated with damage from water?
Sometimes, people wait too long to get significant damages repaired. If you wait too long, you risk secondary damages. The thing with water, if it is a sudden burst pipe, is that it needs to be taken care of right away. The wet material needs to be removed and the area dried, otherwise, it may lead to further damage that could have been prevented.
What are some of the primary secondary damages?
Water can be absorbed into everywhere – where walls and floors act as a sponge, retaining water and making it a high-risk area for further damage and mold growth. We have ways to remove that water and prevent it from damaging a larger area in homes. Especially for floors, if we can dry and extract the water quickly, it is possible to save them and prevent a full replacement. For walls, if we can remove water faster – we’ll be able to minimize the area that we need to remove and replace.
Overall, a quick response to damage from water can lessen the long-term damage, prevent dangerous mold growth, and save you money. That is why we offer 24-hour emergency response service to the entire Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
Trained and Certified Water Removal Technicians
The service providers at 411 Water & Mold Restoration are trained and certified in rapid response for all water damage scenarios, executing water removal and drying practices outline in the IICRC regulations. Attending to water damage cleanup within 24–48 hours is critically important when it comes to mitigating the damage and preventing long-term problems such as mold. The lack of response can possibly mean the difference between whether or not the problem is covered by your homeowner’s insurance.
- Certified Mold Remediator (CMR) from the Professional Mold Inspection Institute
- EPA Certified for remediation of Lead-Based Paint
- IICRC Certified – Water Damage Restoration
- IICRC Certified – Applied Structural Drying
- Certified Master Inspector (CMI)
How is water typically handled by a certified technician?
- The first thing we need to do ensure that the cause of the damage has been fixed. Of course, there is no point to begin the process of water removal if there is water still flowing in. For this part, we often work with professional plumbers who are experts in the area.
- The second part of the process involves removing any standing water in the area. We have vans with large water extractors that can remove water very quickly.
- Once water has been removed, we use special equipment like water meters and infrared cameras to asses the damage. These are very effective methods to identify all damage and ensure nothing is overlooked.
- Next, we begin removing some of the damaged walls and/or drywall areas. This allows airflow into the walls to minimize damage. If there are areas of the wall(s) that we can dry and restore – we are sure to do that as well.
- Once walls are dry then we are ready to rebuild.
What kind of training should a water restoration specialist have?
All of our restoration specialists are fully certified and trained by the IICRC. We also have the right tools and knowledge to ensure that all of our restoration jobs are completed to the highest standards. Our vans are fully-equipped and ready to respond to emergency water and fire damage disasters in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Give us a call today!
What makes 411 Water & Mold Restoration different than other companies?
We are not a franchise company. We are a privately owned company and our primary focus is on keeping clients as comfortable as possible, we know how stressful a disaster can be. We are separated by our experience and ability to empathize with our customer’s concerns and address them quickly.
To ensure outstanding service, we have also implemented a quality control department that checks in with our clients during the different project phases. We have found that this enhanced communication allows us to identify and fix any issues right away.