What Happens If Water Damage is Left Untreated?Water is one of our planet’s most valuable resources. It sustains life, keeps us hydrated, and nourishes crops. However, when water enters our homes or workplaces through floods, leaks, or whichever means, it can quickly become a nightmare, inflicting severe damage on your property and health if left untreated. Moreover, fixing water damage can prove costly, with property owners spending millions of dollars on fixing water damage every year. It’s estimated that just an inch of standing water requires at least $4000 to remove. And according to the Insurance Information Institute, one in 50 insured houses files a water damage claim every year. In this post, we’ll look at what happens when water damage goes untreated and the importance of addressing it as soon as possible. Content Table:
So, buckle up, and let’s get right into it!  Timeframe for Water DamageIt can take from a few hours to just a few minutes of water exposure for damage to occur. However, the severity of the damage is determined by several factors—the duration of exposure, the volume of water, and the type of water. For instance, dirty water from sewage will likely inflict more damage than clean water from a broken pipe. But irrespective of the water type, allowing water to sit for an extended period could bring about significant damage. It could leak into floors, walls, and ceilings, causing mold growth and structural issues. Sometimes, the damage could worsen, leading to fires, electrical hazards, and other safety concerns. Addressing water damage as early as possible is critical to avoid subsequent health risks and limit the damage extent. Our experts can assess the issue, remove the water, and restore the damaged sections if necessary. How Quickly Does Mold Grow After Water Damage?Mold may form within 24 to 48 hours of exposure to water damage. And with mold spores being virtually everywhere in our surroundings, they can stick to surfaces in your residence or workplace. They do, however, need moisture to thrive. So, water infiltrating a structure simply means the ideal habitat for mold to thrive. It’s no secret that mold can bring about significant health issues, particularly for those with asthma, allergies, or a weak immune system. Mold exposure can cause symptoms such as skin irritation, wheezing, and coughing. Even worse, it could encourage infections and other severe respiratory problems. The Severity of Water DamageThe severity of water damage may vary based on the volume of the water, the source, and how long it has been in contact with surfaces. Damage from a freshwater source, such as a leaky pipe, may seem trivial initially. But if left untreated, it might escalate to a more severe stage, such as when the water seeps into porous materials leading to mold growth. On the contrary, water damage from a flooding disaster or sewage overflow can prove far more severe, necessitating specialized restoration and cleanup, not to mention health hazards it can bring on with itself. Signs of Serious Water Damage
Dangers of Water DamageWater damage can have dire implications on residential and commercial properties alike, not to mention the health of those who reside in them. To further elaborate, water damage:
Even with multiple layers of wall paint, water can still seep through and degrade sheetrock in ceilings and walls, causing them to crack, swell, and become mold-infested.
Exposure of your electrical wiring, fuse boxes, or outlets to water can pose a grave risk to your family’s and property’s safety. Rather than addressing flood damage, you may find yourself having to deal with a deadly fire hazard. Always employ an expert to inspect every electrical system that has come into contact with water. And remember to avoid using your lights or electrical outlets until a technician arrives.
Water damage can jeopardize a house’s structural integrity by compromising the floors, walls, and ceilings, causing foundation damage and rot in materials such as wood.
Floodwaters can include harmful bacteria which can make your family or employees sick. It could also bear other contaminants, such as toxic waste, chemical pollutants, etc., which could make your property smell terrible and pose serious health risks.
Water damage can cause a significant mold problem. Mold stains can be hard to paint over or cover up, and an appraiser will likely notice them during an inspection. This might lower your property’s value and render it harder to sell. Your Go-To Business for Water Damage Restoration in Las Vegas, NevadaDealing with water damage can prove to be a stressful and terrible experience for any property owner or manager. However, its effects can be mitigated by taking immediate action. How to deal with water damage? Calling a specialist is always the best choice! Our team of experts at Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas is ready 24/7 if you need help with water extraction, decontamination, structural repair and drying, odor removal, and other restoration services. So, contact us today for your emergency damage restoration needs in Las Vegas, Nevada. The post <strong>What Happens If Water Damage is Left Untreated?</strong> appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV. via Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV https://ift.tt/WxorE5F
0 Comments
How Long Does Water Damage Take To Dry Out?Water damage is one of the biggest threats to homeowners and is unfortunately a matter of when rather than if, especially in Las Vegas, with flash floods being commonplace throughout the city and rest of the Clark County. So how long does it take for water damage to completely dry out? It typically takes an average of five days for the water to dry. However, the drying time depends on the drying process used and the extent of the water damage, among other things. What caused the damage, what was impacted, and how long the area remained damp are all critical considerations. Depending on these factors, drying can take as little as a day or as long as seven to ten days. On the other hand, severe water damage can take a few weeks to dry up fully. But this is just a short brief. There are, as mentioned above, many factors to consider. In this article you’ll learn specifically what those factors are and much more. Content Table:
Having that said, let’s dive right in!  How Does Water Damage Happen?Water damage occurs in different ways, and these determine the subtleness or severity of the damage caused. The most common causes include the following: Severe WeatherThis includes hurricanes, thunderstorms, and other natural occurrences that happen occasionally. Las Vegas, with its rapid urbanization and desert landscape, is highly vulnerable to flooding, especially from July to September. Strong winds and heavy downpours have the potential to damage your roof, sending rainwater into your home or building. Clogged GuttersYou should always ensure your gutters are well-maintained and clean. Over time dirt, leaves, and other debris find their way to your gutters. If these buildup, they hinder water from flowing through the gutters as it should. When it rains, the excess water will flow over the edges of the gutter. This can damage the ceiling, floors, and walls of the house. Leaking PipesSometimes water damage happens from inside the house. Leaking pipes are an example of this. For example, a loose or damaged pipe could leak water into the cabinets under the sink. A broken or leaky pipe that runs through a wall can also cause water damage. This would then cause additional complications because if it goes on for a while, mold also becomes a concern. Washing Machine Water Supply Line LeakWashing machines are fed by water supply lines that are under constant pressure. If these lines are made of PVC or rubber, they are susceptible to wear and tear and can even rupture. If the system is compromised and the water is not shut down, your entire laundry area can be covered in water within minutes. Condensation from the ACThe moisture from condensation in your AC is routed to a drain pan and out of your property through a condensate drain line. If the condensate drain line is clogged or the drain pan is damaged, water can leak from your AC and into your home. This can damage the floor, carpet, and the room’s furniture. Other Causes of Water DamageAside from the above, the following can also cause water damage:
What Damage Can The Water Cause?Water damage has varying outcomes depending on where the water lands. The types of damage include:
This damage can happen gradually over time or all at once. For example, water will rush down near the foundation if it rains heavily and your gutter breaks. However, if you have a small pipe leak under the sink, the water will slowly dribble down and begin forming water spots in the cabinet. Left untreated, the wood will begin to rot.  What Are The Factors That Impact Drying Times?As mentioned earlier, the drying process can take from a few days to several weeks. The timeline is determined by several factors, including: The Types of Materials AffectedSome materials are easier to dry out than others, depending on how absorbent they are. The Severity of the Water DamageMinor water damage is faster and easier to resolve than severe water damage. For example, your roof caving in during a storm will leave more damage to your home than a slow leak. Resolving the latter will be much faster. Drying Process UsedYou can manually dry out water damage by opening windows and drying soaked items out in the sun. The other route is to use professional restoration services with water-drying equipment. The latter will deliver much faster drying because professional equipment can create an environment to efficiently and thoroughly dry out water damage. These include warm and dry air, increased air circulation, and so on. How to Dry Out Water Damage?You can dry out water damage naturally by drying the soiled items outside. In this case, factors like temperature, evaporation, air circulation, and humidity come into play. The tricky bit about this is that you have no control over how these factors come together, so you mainly rely on luck. Also, damp items may have soaked up contaminated water, which is something you definitely don’t want to come into contact with. Alternatively, you can hire a professional water damage restoration company to manage the drying process. With equipment and know-how required to fix water damage, your home or office will be quickly restored to its previous form. Should You Do It Yourself or Hire a professional?It’s often tempting to attempt and fix water damage by yourself. However, it’s best to hire a water damage restoration professional to handle the task. Here are the main few reasons why it’s extremely important to hire a professional; 1. Location, Source, and Extent of DamageThe trickiest part about water damage is identifying the water source and determining how much damage you have on your hands. Unfortunately, DIY water damage resolution only focuses on drying out the damaged items. This addresses the symptom, not the cause of problem itself. An experienced professional will conduct an audit and fix the issue, over and above drying the affected area. 2. Professional Grade Drying EquipmentCareer water damage restorers have state-of-the-art drying aids including air movers, shop vacs, high-powered fans, and dehumidifiers. These encourage evaporation and draw water and excess moisture out of your home’s structural elements and furniture. 3. Minimized Health RisksStanding water carries some inherent health risks. Water contaminated with bacteria, sewage, and other microorganisms could negatively impact your health. Professionals have a good understanding of what these are and the specific protocols to follow. 4. Cost SavingsOnce you make the call, reputable companies will act quickly to begin water damage restoration. This helps mitigate the situation early, as any time wasted means even more extensive damage. So while the cost of getting professional help might seem unnecessary, shortening the restoration timeline saves you from more expensive repairs and replacements. In addition to this, sudden and accidental water damage is also covered by insurance so many times you’re not going to even be the one paying the bill. Water Damage Restoration Company Las Vegas NVSuffered water damage? If so, don’t panic. At Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas, we understand the despair that comes with water damage. Luckily, we have seen it all and have learned to manage preserving seemingly unsalvageable water-damaged rooms and items over the years. Once you ensure everyone is safe, contact us immediately, and let us begin the repair process and get your life back to normalcy. The post <strong>How Long Does Water Damage Take To Dry Out?</strong> appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV. via Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV https://ift.tt/QL38riJ How to Clean Up Your Property After FloodWhen flood strikes, water wreaks havoc on your property, your valuables, and overall health of inner environment. Flood water brings a lot of contaminants with mud. Even an inch of water can ruin all the expensive items at once, such as wallboard, carpeting, furniture and appliances. If the flood is deeper or storm is more severe, it may cost even more by damaging items like air conditioner, heater, ducts, private sewage, roofing, and utilities, wall systems as well as foundation. Cleaning up is a long-haul and difficult process after flood. Although we don’t recommend DIY flood cleanup, if you feel like you can take it all on your own, the only thing we can do is help you with useful information. So, here we go – how to cleanup your property after flood. Content Table:
Let’s dive in!  Call Your Insurance CompanyFirst of all, call the insurance agent if you have home insurance which covers water damage. Same goes if you have flood insurance. They will tell when adjuster will get in touch with you. Take enough videos and pictures of damage and list it. Keep complete records for claim process, income tax deductions, and applications for disaster help. DisinfectShovel off all the mud using hose or garden sprayer from hard surfaces. Then, disinfect and scrub the surface using heavy duty cleaner or hot water. Use chlorine bleach to kill germs. In kitchen, disinfect metal utensils, silverware, pans and pots with boiled water. Don’t use chlorine bleach here as it reacts with metals. Clean the cupboard and rinse the counters with chlorine bleach before you store dishes. Air Dry Furniture & HouseholdsTake rugs, bedding, furniture and clothing outside to air dry ASAP. Remove moisture through dehumidifier or air conditioner or open windows for ventilation. Circulate air inside the house with fans. Brush off the items outside if mildew and molds have been developed. Remove mildew from ceilings, and walls and vacuum floors and wash out using disinfectant. To avoid breathing spores, wear a protective mask. Shut Down the ElectricityIt is very important to shut off the electric systems and inspect and repair through the electrician before turning it back on. Dry out the wiring completely, even behind the walls. Convenience outlets, switches, entrance panel, light outlets, and junction boxes may also have mud. Inspect and Clean AppliancesAppliances are more vulnerable to get odors, stains, gritty deposits and silt deposits and should be cleaned, serviced and sanitized. If you run appliances before proper cleaning, it could severely damage the equipment or shock you. It is very important to look for professional cleaning services for TVs and radios, electronics, dryers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and dishwashers. It is important to hand clean the hard exterior. All the metallic appliances must be grounded well to avoid electric shock. Dirt or mud in adapter or grounded outlet may damage the grounding system. Clean Up the CarpetingClean up and dry the rugs and carpets instantly. If your carpeting is covered with contaminated floodwater coming from sewage, discard it off. If carpet was sunk under water for more than 24 hours, better if you discard it. Use disinfecting carpet cleaner in soiled spots with broom. To remove odors and mildew, rinse with 1 gallon water and 2 tbsp bleach. Don’t use it on nylon or woolen carpets. Dry out the floor and carpet properly before you replace the carpet. You cannot clean the padding, so it is better to replace it. Flood Damage Restoration Las VegasQuite a bit of work, is it? Unfortunately, flood damage repair is no easy task. There is a lot of nuances and you’ll likely just end up throwing in the towel after a few hours. It’s just too hard, especially if there’s a lot of water. And not to mention that it’s also dangerous. Better leave this work to professionals who do it for a living – professionals like the ones from our group. Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas works with the go-to flood damage experts so if you feel like you can’t DIY or simply don’t want to risk your health, call us for flood damage restoration in Las Vegas. We can also help with:
More helpful posts: The post How to Clean Up Your Property after Flood appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV. via Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV https://ift.tt/gqroR9I Should You Replace Wet DrywallUnfortunately, it is not limited to Las Vegas. Water damage is actually a fairly common problem across the country, with thousands of households experiencing some form of it each month. Drywall is one of the most vulnerable parts of a home during a flood. While drywall is generally quite durable, it’s not fond of water. This article will teach you what to do if your drywall becomes wet and how to determine whether you should end up replacing your wet drywall or not. Don’t Have Time to Read It All? Here’s a Quick Rundown:
 Signs of Water Damage on WallsLet’s say you haven’t had a disaster, such as a sewage backup or an appliance leak that’s easy to spot. In some cases, homeowners have a hidden leak behind their walls that spills just enough water to cause long-term damage. In that case, you should look for signs of water damage on your walls. These are:
If you see any of these signs right now, it’s time to sound the alarm. You can try to dry out your wallpaper, concrete, and drywall, but it’s also important to find and eliminate the source of the moisture. Check out what to do immediately after water damage. How to Fix a Drywall With Water DamageThe first step is to locate a moisture source. This shouldn’t be too difficult. Look at the pipes behind the damaged areas you’ve seen. If mold is present, implement some mold removal techniques. When you find a leaking pipe, turn off the water supply until it is repaired. You can clamp it or use tape to secure it. You could also attach a slip coupling to your pipe. The next step is to test the moisture levels in the drywall. Sometimes your drywall is already so wet that putting in the effort to dry it out will just be a waste of your time. If the drywall is only more than 1% wet, it should be replaced. But how do you figure this out? You’ll need a moisture meter. Penetrating moisture meters are usually more accurate than non-penetrating moisture meters, and they also have more features. If you already have one, great; if not, keep in mind that they are expensive, so we recommend consulting with a professional, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. We’ll talk about this later. You can also pry off the baseboards and poke holes in the drywall with a screwdriver. Wet drywall is soft and easily penetrated. If it’s dry, it’s going to be the opposite – tough and not-so-easily penetrated. It’s not just ugly to have a wet drywall. A health risk and a threat to structural integrity are also present. Mold can grow on any damp surface in your home, and soft and weak drywall can further compromise your property’s stability. So, turn on dehumidifiers and fans and set them to work to prevent this. Dehumidifiers will help with drying the entire room, while fans are fantastic for concentrating on small damp areas. If you don’t already have this equipment, consider renting it or borrowing it from a neighbor or family member. To make the space as airtight as feasible, tape plastic sheeting over windows and doorways as well. Make sure you use your moisture meter to periodically monitor the process. How Long Does it Take to Dry Out a DrywallIt varies. A drywall can typically dry out fully in 3 days, but in some circumstances it may take much longer. The scale of the water damage, humidity levels, and weather will all have an impact on how long it takes to complete your job. However, you should begin to notice improvements within the first 24 hours. If not, you should contact a specialist. Hire a Las Vegas Water Damage Restoration CompanyMany homeowners might hit a wall (no pun intended) while working through the procedure. Some people might not know how to repair a leaky pipe, while others might have trouble drying. Keep in mind that drying may not always be worthwhile because the drywall may already be too badly damaged to be repaired. Call a water damage restoration company like Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas if you are unsure of what to do. Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas has the know-how required to deal with all types of water damage, including drywall damage. Our experts will strategize with you and assist you in determining the best course of action in your particular situation, and they’ll deal with water damage insurance. They’re the best at: How Much Does Fixing a Wet Drywall CostDrywall water damage repair work by a professional typically costs between $300 and $800. Well done for taking action; it’s much better than leaving water damage unattended. However, there are times when it’s best to let the experts handle your property damage problems. Dial +1 (725) 712-3021 to contact Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas right away! The post Should You Replace Wet Drywall appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV. via Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV https://ift.tt/u0iHl3k What to Do Immediately After Water DamageOh shoot! There’s water damage in your home. Perhaps it’s a busted pipe, a sewage backup, or an AC leak. Regardless of the cause, what matters is that you take immediate action in order to minimize losses. In this post, we’ll cover exactly what steps to take. In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary:
Need more explanation. Sure, let’s get right into it!  Water Damage ChecklistHere’s each step explained in detail. Get Everybody to SafetyLet’s start with the obvious. As soon as water damage appears in your property, especially if it’s contaminated and dirty like sewage and floodwater, make sure you, your family, and your pets are all out of reach of the water. Of course, in some cases the water present will pose little to no danger but in others you definitely want everybody to stay away. How to know if the water is contaminated? Besides the visible dirtiness and bad smell, or lack thereof, you can make a pretty accurate guess depending on the source of the water. Water originating from supply line leaks, rain, and snow is typically not threatening. However, that can’t be said for sewage backups, floodwater, and appliance leaks and overflows (like toilet overflows). So, if there’s contaminated water – evacuate. Neutralize the Moisture SourceThe success of this step will also primarily depend on the water’s contamination levels. In many cases the moisture source is pretty obvious – pipe leak, toilet overflow or backup, dishwasher leak, etc. – enabling many homeowners to stop the water by themselves. However, you shouldn’t even attempt to stop health hazardous water damage like sewage backups on your own. Sewage can cause many diseases and can terribly affect some people. We’d only think about recommending DIY-ing sewage backup cleanup if there’s very little damage and you’re perfectly healthy and fit. Otherwise, you should leave everything to a professional. Contact Your Insurance CompanyIf you’ve been wondering whether water damage is covered by insurance or not, the answer is that yes, you can get coverage for many accidental cases excluding external floods (for that, you need flood insurance). So, as soon as you and everybody else present in the house or business are safe, contact your insurance company. Dealing with insurance can be tricky a lot of times and this is ideally where a professional restoration company will help. They should do much of the heavy lifting for you but that doesn’t mean that you can completely delegate everything to them and relax. Quite the opposite. Document EverythingTake out a camera and start recording everything. Explain the entire event on video and take a lot of photos. While your restoration company will also take photos, you should still be pretty active and gather as much proof as possible. Your insurance company may try to avoid paying you so make sure that you have a rock-solid pile of evidence that you can leverage in all meetings. Hire a Water Damage Restoration CompanyIf you haven’t already, hire a water damage restoration company like Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas to handle all the dirty work for you – moisture source removal, insurance company hassle, and, of course, the restoration itself. There may be a lot of water in your property, posing a real challenge for one person or even multiple people without adequate skills and equipment to deal with. Professional technicians will know exactly where to start and which steps to take for a successful restoration. This is why you should avoid the unnecessary headaches and potential illnesses and just dial the number +1 (725) 712-3021 for 5-star water damage restoration service in Las Vegas. However, not all cases will require a professional. We get that. Sometimes there’s just a little bit of damage that can be cleaned up by people present in the property. Here are some additional steps to take if you’re going the DIY route. Extract the Water and Start the CleanupOnce the water has been stopped from further spreading in your property, start extracting it out of the affected rooms. Get the cleaning supplies, water, and bleach for the cleanup and disinfection. Not only will bleach help kill the bacteria brought on by water damage, but it will also help neutralize bad odors. Learn more about using bleach in cleanups. DehumidifyStart dehumidifying the area ASAP. Open windows and doors and get the drying fans and dehumidifiers in. One of the best ways to quickly remove moisture residues from wet walls, floors, and any wet items is with the help of drying fans. A drying fan works by moving the moist air out of the way so that dry air can replace it. The greater the circulation of air, the better. When the drying fan has drained all of the moisture from the floors, ceilings, and drywall, the dehumidifier can be then turned on. Dehumidifiers are a must, especially if there’s been a good amount of water. They’re an effective solution that also won’t damage your items. However, keep in mind that older buildings can be affected by aggressive drying so take it easy if that’s the case with your property. Dehumidification might take a while but it’s important that it gets started quickly after water damage so that mold growth is prevented. Bringing us to… Look for MoldEven if you think that you’ve cleaned everything up and that there’s nothing left to do, double check to make sure there’s no mold. Mold can start growing only 24 hours after water damage so if you’ve not been as prompt, make sure to conduct an inspection. Also inspect for any moisture behind the visible surfaces as water can often go beyond what’s visible, leading to damage that’s often overlooked and that will cause mold growth later on. Reliable Water Damage Restoration Company Las Vegas NVDIY route sounds like too much work? It’s because it is. Also, there’s a very high chance you will struggle with analyzing the success of your work and whether or not there’s water damage behind your walls. Sometimes your materials like drywall will need replacement because they’ve absorbed a lot of water. If you need help with water damage restoration, call Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas! We’ve got your back with everything – water removal, dehumidification, disinfection, and material replacement assistance. Just pick up the phone and make that first step. Our services:
Call us, we’re on standby! +1 (725) 712-3021 The post What to Do Immediately After Water Damage appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV. Via https://waterdamage-lasvegasnv.com/what-to-do-immediately-after-water-damage/ Is there water damage in your home or business? To reduce the damage, our skilled and qualified water extraction specialists will respond swiftly. What appears to be a minor issue can suddenly escalate into major property and health harm.
Water damage can also cause mold to form and grow, which not only destroys the walls and furniture but also creates major health issues. Once water damage has occurred, it is critical to address the issue as soon as possible. We can assist you whether you have a flooded basement, broken pipes, sewage backup, or need water damage repair. To clean up and restore your property, our water damage Las Vegas specialists are accessible around-the-clock. We are providing top-notch water damage restoration services in Clark County, Nevada. We serve Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Spring Valley, Paradise, Winchester, Enterprise, Henderson, and the rest of the county. Call Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas today!  If you have experienced basement water damage, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and costly repairs. One way to do this is by hiring a professional water damage restoration company.
Here are some tips for finding the right company for the job:
By following these tips, you can find a professional water damage restoration company that will be able to effectively restore your basement and prevent further damage. |
AuthorPrecise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas is a full-service water damage restoration company based in Las Vegas, NV. Through years of experience, hard work, and dedication to our craft, we’ve built ourselves into the leaders in the restoration business, providing the citizens of Las Vegas with services that actually deliver what they promise - a fully repaired and restored residential or commercial property. FIND US ONLINE Bitly Box Diigo DropBox Evernote Postach.io Instapaper Nimbus OneDrive OneNote Raindrop.io Toodledo Tumblr Weebly Wordpress Blogger Google Drive Youtube Gravatar About.me Related Links Map Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas, Nevada Service Areas Visit Us Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas Tripline AnnounceAmerica Hotfrog CitySquares AddonBiz ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed
