If you’re dealing with water damage in your home or other property, you may find yourself confused about what to expect from the situation. You may not totally understand the ins and outs of water restoration or the experience of having to deal with this type of damage, either. And you may have heard a lot of myths and misconceptions related to the cleanup of water after a flood or fire, too. If any of this sounds like it’s true of you, then you’re in the right place. Take your time and check out the information below to help you get a better idea of some of the most common misconceptions when it comes to dealing with water damage and its cleanup.
1. Myth: Water damage will dry and be okay.
Many times, homeowners and property owners may think that once flood damage has dried, it’s no longer a cause for concern. While it may be tempting to believe you don’t have to worry about water damage when your surfaces are dried out, this is simply not the case. Unfortunately, water damage very quickly causes a lot of underlying problems in your home’s structures and underneath the surface level, so even though you may not see or feel it, there may be a big problem going on within your walls or floors.
Truth: Just because the water has dried, that doesn’t mean your home is automatically fine. You should have a trained professional check for any signs of extended damage.
2. Myth: You don’t have to be in a hurry to take care of water damage.
When a disaster befalls your home or property, it may feel impossible to react quickly. For this reason, a lot of people tend to believe it’s okay to wait a while and give yourself a chance to organize everything before you get in touch with a flood damage restoration company. However, this is not true, and it’s important to reach out to both your insurance and the restoration company of your choice as soon as possible. If you wait too long, your home may suffer irreversible damage that would’ve been preventable if the situation had been acted on in a timely fashion.
Truth: You should get in touch with the right people, like Restoration Techs, as soon as you can after a disaster. This can help salvage more of your home.
3. Myth: You won’t be able to save any of your furniture.
When you’ve had a flood or your home has been damaged by water after a fire, you may be concerned that your furniture will not be able to be salvaged. In some cases, this is true; however, it is not always. Many individuals believe that there’s no hope for their furnishings or household items after water damage has occurred. In many situations, however, water clean up goes beyond simply getting rid of the water in the house itself. It also includes the restoration of any household items and furnishings that can be saved.
Truth: This is dependent on individual situations, circumstances and factors. It’s impossible to know whether or not your furnishings can be saved until you speak to a professional restoration service company.
4. Myth: Insurance won’t cover water damage repair.
One of the first thoughts that many people have after a flood is that their insurance won’t cover the damages. In some instances, this may be true—but it completely depends on the type of insurance coverage you have, as well as the cause of the flooding. Many insurance companies will cover some of the repairs even if they won’t cover everything. Many others will cover the entire water removal and cleanup process. Although it’s a good idea to always have some idea of what your insurance will and won’t cover, calling them should be a priority after any flood or water damage situation.
Truth: Your insurance may cover some or all of the repairs. Your insurance company will be able to tell you for sure, and your restoration service company may also be able to work with the insurance to find out more. Contact your insurance company to find out if flood insurance is recommended in your area, and if so, what types of coverage you have to choose from.
5. Myth: You will have to move all your belongings yourself.
Some homeowners believe they will be responsible for getting rid of damaged or destroyed property from inside their home after water damage has occurred. However, your restoration service company will take care of this. You will not have to move any water damaged furnishings or other household items. If you do need to get something out of the home, the restoration technicians involved in the cleanup will retrieve the items for you.
Truth: You do not have to do this. If you hire a restoration company, they will take care of this for you.
6. Myth: Your walls are fine.
You may believe the walls of your home are fine, especially if the flooding has occurred in the basement or isn’t visible on the walls. However, this is very often untrue. Water travels fast, and it seeps into the floors and walls of your home very quickly when flooding is present. If your home has flooded, even just in the basement, there’s a chance your walls will be damaged and will end up with mold or mildew issues. A trained restoration professional will be able to find out if this has happened in your home, and if so, will be able to clean and repair the wall damage as well.
Truth: Walls are not always fine after water damage, even if they don’t show any visible issues. A trained professional will have to check for signs of water damage, structural damage, mold, mildew, or other problems within the walls.
7. Myth: Water you can’t see isn’t an issue.
It’s easy to look at a flooded home with visible water standing in it and realize that there’s damage taking place. However, water you can’t see is just as much of a problem—if not more of one—for your property. For example, if your pipes burst and you don’t visibly notice a lot of water, there’s a good chance water damage is still taking place within the walls or floors of your home. A restoration company will be able to tell you for sure.
Truth: There may be invisible water damage in your home. Get in touch with a restoration service company to have your home examined professionally for this type of problem.
If you’re looking for help with water damage repair in and around Aurora, Illinois, call Restoration Techs. We are available for 24/7 emergency services as well as estimates, and we are dedicated to helping you take care of any water damage issues that may occur in your home or other property. Contact us today at 800-600-3594 or fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.