Water Damage restoration is the process that take place once a home, business or property has suffered an intrusion of water into its structure. The process is to restore the property back to its condition prior to the water penetrating its structure. Even though this industry is not currently regulated in Miami, Broward, Monroe counties, or anywhere else in the country, there are two certifying a
gencies that have recommend the standards. The two major agency are Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) (S500) and the RIA.Water Damage Restoration Out of both agencies most respectable water restoration companies chose to select IICRC as their choice for certification. There are not many companies in Miami that are actually certified by these agencies so selecting your water restoration specialist has to be a careful process. Selecting a water restoration specialist that is not certified by one of these agencies can end up costing you more that the initial loss caused by the water damage
The S500 Water restoration guide like all other industries requires revisions from time to time due to new technology and better equipment, but the core principle remain the same. Using H2O Restoration Solutions as your water damage restoration specialist you can rest asure the standards of water restoration will be handled using reliable restoration principles, research and practical experience with extensive consultation and information gathered from numerous sources. Water Damage Loss, Assessment and Evaluation
When a call is received we immediately send out one of our water damage specialist technician, they arrive in less than an hour.Water Detection Equipment The specialist will document the materials which were affected by the water damage and refer to industry standard pricing guides in order to determine the proper value of the residence’s materials lost and their service. Once the job has been analyzed we will create a job scope and a procedure which follows all requirements for the damage classification and categorization. In order for the water damage job to be properly analyzed we useMoisture dectection image state of the art water sensing equipment such probes, and infrared equipment, which will determine the source of the water intrusion and the possible extent of the affected areas. We require that our technician be IICRC certified in order for a proper job scope be initialized, therefore keeping our cost in control and having your getting back to your normal daily operations as soon as possible. Classification of Water Damage
Since not all water intrusion is the same according to IICRC standards, a system has been put in place in order to determine what classification the water intrusion fall into. Once the classification has been determined the type of equipment is then selected for optimal results. Class 1 water damage (least amount of water, absorption and evaporation): Water losses that affect only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture. Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion are presen
Class 2 water damage (large amount of water, absorption and evaporation): Water losses that affect at least an entire room or carpet and cushion(pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24”. There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g., plywood, particleboard, structural wood, concrete). Class 3 water damage (greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation): Water wicked up over 24″, or water may have come from overhead affecting ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor. The entire area are saturated. Class 4 water damage (specialty drying situations): These consist of wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which requires very low specific humidity. Categorization of type of Water damage
Please note that not all water is the same, and that is why IICRC has determined to categorize the types of water. The categories describe the level contamination the water may have present or presumed present. Based on the category the job will require certain chemicals to be used. Category 1 is water from a clean or sanitary source. Previously known as clear water or clean water, this descriptor has since been removed to reduce confusion. These can include water from broken clean water supply lines; clean water from toilet tank or bowl; faucets; and bottled water. Although the source may be from a clean source, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants. Category 2 is water with some level of contaminants that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Previously known as grey water, this descriptor has since been removed to avoid confusion. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no f***s; and dishwasher overflow. Category 2 water can quickly degrade into category 3 depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants. Category 3 water is grossly unsanitary, and could cause severe illness or death if ingested. Previously known as black water or blackwater, this descriptor has since been removed to avoid confusion. Sources for category 3 water include, but are not limited to, sewage; flooding from rivers or streams; wind-driven rain, water from beyond the toilet trap; water from the toilet bowl with f***s; and standing water that has begun to support microbial growth. Water Restoration Process (Drying Structure)
Once the water damage has been detected and plugged, keeping in consideration that some minor or even major demolition may need to be done in order to get to the source. Our technician will begin the water restoration services by drying the structure, sanitize any affected or cross contaminated areas, and deodorize all affected areas and materials. Since we are an eco friendly company we chose to use environmental safe products, unless the water damage is beyond the capabilities of using such products. The water restoration process requires that but not limiting to leaving air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, wood floor drying systems, and sub floor drying equipment be left operating at your residence or commercial location. We are aware that your property is valuable to you and we are considerate in maintaining the upmost respect for you possessions. Therefore, we try to work around the contents of your property which may include, but is not limited to, furniture, electronics, books, and any other materials that may have been affected by the water damage. If there are item located in a spot that needs to be access or used for the drying restoration process, the moving of such items is referred as “Content manipulation”. Since not all the water restoration damages are the same, every loss has its own job scope, which has its individual drying schedule in place. Most job scopes required for our specialist to return to the property at the very least on a daily schedule to take moisture readings and assure that the drying process is going according to schedule. They maybe required to move the equipment around if needed in order to keep the drying process at a optimal rate, keeping in mind that all drying process are being followed. Not following the proper drying procedure may cause more damage to existing material which could have been saved, and or extending drying time.
