How to Restore and Clean Properties After Water Damage

Water disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, whether it’s your home or your commercial property. When that happens, you must take immediate action to protect your space.

Stephco Cleaning & Restoration explains what causes water damage, what to do as soon as you spot any, and how a professional cleaning and restoration company can help you avoid further damage.

What is Water Damage?

Water damage refers to any water that enters areas where it is not supposed to be. This can be minor leaks up to major flooding.

Water damage is typically divided into three categories:

• Category 1, or white water damage: This is sometimes called “clean water” damage. It comes from sources such as rainwater or snowmelt. It’s the least contaminated water and often carries the lowest risk of mold growth.
• Category 2, or grey water damage: Often caused by plumbing issues, such as overflowing toilets or dishwashers. This water contains contaminants such as bacteria and must be completely dried, cleaned, and disinfected.
• Category 3, or black water damage: This type of water originates from sewage backups or flooding caused by river or seawater. It poses a serious health hazard and must be professionally cleaned and disinfected.

Note that even category 1 water damage isn’t entirely free of mold growth potential. This is why we highly recommend addressing any leaks or water you find right away.

Immediate Steps You Can Take

As soon as you see water on your property, follow these steps. These apply to both residential water cleanup and commercial water cleanup situations.

Step 1: Be Safe
Before you do anything, keep yourself and everyone else safe. Switch off the electrical power to the affected area. If there’s flooding or water near outlets, circuit breakers, or any other live electrical spots, do not go in! Call a professional electrician to safely take care of it.

If you need to go into the water, wear protective gloves and clothing to avoid contaminants.

Finally, if you notice any structural damage, such as a cracked or sinking roof, don’t approach it. Leave that to the professional water damage experts.

Step 2: Find and Stop the Incoming Water
If it’s safe to enter the affected area, look for the source of the water. This might be as simple as a leaky pipe. If possible, stop more water from coming in by turning off the water source.

However, if the water is category 2 or 3, call a professional, as the incoming water may be contaminated.

Step 3: Document the Damage
Take photos or videos from multiple angles of every damaged area. Remember to include ceilings, roofs, walls, and floors.

Write up an inventory of every affected item. Include the estimated value of each item.

Step 4: Remove the Water and Dry the Area
If the damage isn’t too severe, you can use a wet-dry vac to remove standing water. These are usually available to rent at your local hardware store. You can also mop up water and ring it out into a bucket.

Dry as much of the area as possible with a dehumidifier, open windows, and large fans. The longer the water stays, the greater your chances of dangerous mold growth.

Step 5: Call a Professional Cleaning and Restoration Company
Water can easily get everywhere, especially hard-to-reach nooks, crannies, cracks, and porous surfaces. The best way to avoid more damage or mold growth is to hire a professional cleaning and restoration company.

Professional Water Damage Restoration and Cleanup

Sometimes, water damage is more than cleaning up the puddle caused by a minor leak. Unfortunately, water damage can extend to entire basements, kitchens, bathrooms, or other parts of your house or commercial space. A professional restoration and cleanup company can make sure every affected area is completely dried, cleaned, and sanitized for your health and safety.

Step 1: Inspection
Your restoration and cleanup specialist will look at the damage to determine the category of water and the extent of the damage. They may use a moisture detector on walls, ceilings, and floors to spot places where the water may have seeped in.

Step 2: Extraction
Water is extracted through industrial pumps and vacuums.

Step 3: Debris Removal
Once it’s safe to enter the water-damaged area, your professional will remove heavily damaged items such as carpets or furniture.

Step 4: Dry & Dehumidify
Your professional will use industrial, heavy-duty fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers to completely dry the area, including small spaces that can’t be reached by hand.

Step 5: Clean & Sanitize
Finally, the area will be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized to prevent future mold growth.

FAQs

Q: Does homeowner’s insurance cover water damage restoration?
A: That depends on your insurance policy and the cause of the water damage. Most flood damage is only covered by specific flood insurance. Sudden pipe damage is usually covered; flooding due to neglect usually isn’t.
Check your individual policy or contact your insurance company for more information.

Q: What are the risks of untreated water damage?
A: If you don’t address water damage immediately, it can cause:

• Mold
• Degraded foundation integrity
• Rot
• Expensive damage to floors, walls, ceilings, and roofs

Why Call Stephco Cleaning & Restoration?

Stephco Cleaning & Restoration, founded over 45 years ago by Stephen J. Collins, is a family-owned business known for integrity and hard work. Originally a small venture, it has grown into a trusted name in cleaning and restoration services for Massachusetts residents and businesses. Now led by Stephen’s son, Michael Collins, Stephco continues to uphold the same core values.

Stephco Cleaning & Restoration’s mission is to provide clean, healthy, and safe living environments. We make a point of listening carefully to our clients’ questions and concerns so we can educate them and deliver high-quality services. We strive to meet the needs of both residential and commercial clients throughout Massachusetts, ensuring their spaces are not only spotless and healthy but also good for your peace of mind and well-being.

The Best Water Removers and Cleaners in Eastern Massachusetts!

Serving Holbrook, MA, and surrounding communities, Stephco Cleaning offers both residential and commercial water removal and cleanup. Contact us today for a free estimate!