My Own Restoration - My Own Restoration explains the water removal process.

Water damage can lead to several issues in the house and must be adequately addressed by the right kind of professionals like the My Own Restoration. The most significant step in this process is water removal, which, if left standing, can pose severe health risks and major structural damage.

Things left submerged in water can keep absorbing, leading to sagging/warping in the structure and an increase in fungal and bacterial activity throughout the property.

Performing a water damage inspection

A water damage assessment is carried out throughout the house to determine the source of water damage, the level of contaminants in the water, and the scope of the damage. The water source is identified and stopped to prevent further inflow, and the degree of pollutants is checked to ascertain the level of cleanup required.

Lastly, the extent of damage is determined by segregating materials into highly porous (which will absorb a lot of water and become soggy) and items with low evaporation rates ( which take time to dry out). This step allows professionals to calculate how much dehumidifying effort would be required.

Water extraction to move out stagnant water

In case of floodwaters or when water leakage is significant (burst pipes), one of the major things to do is first to extract all the standing water from the house. Places like basements and the crawl space likely retain moisture, and extra precaution must be taken in draining these out.

Heavy equipment like an industrial vacuum and submersible pumps are deployed to remove the excess volume of water.

Surface moisture is dried out with the help of portable vacuum pumps. Moreover, infrared gadgets must be used to check for further leaks in the structure and pipes to prevent more water damage.

Dry out the house completely

With the help of heavy-duty extractor fans, dehumidifiers, and air scrubbers, the professionals will try to dry out the house as best as possible. Opening doors and windows will also enhance airflow through the house, aiding the drying process.

Depending on the level of contamination and damage, the dehumidifying process can take several days. Therefore, the specialist might need to come and take readings every day to check the humidity levels throughout the house and adjust the equipment accordingly.

If walls and floors need to be removed due to heavy water absorption, this step might go on for a longer time and would require a lot of patience and costs.

Cleanse and disinfect the house

Sanitizing and deodorizing the house is a substantial step, especially if the water damage is from class three, i.e., blackwater, which contains sewage. In this case, an antimicrobial disinfectant must be used to clean all fixed surfaces.

Even with type one and type two water damage, the disinfection must be thorough as the moisture invites fungal and bacterial growth leading to mold and mildew. Plus, there is a risk of water-borne disease too.

If water removal is not done thoroughly, it can cause more harm to the already compromised structure of the house. Water-borne diseases can also not be ruled out in this scenario, leading to an epidemic.