Water Damage – Frequently Asked Questions

A: Yes, we can assist with finding the leak that caused the water damage. Identifying the source is essential to preventing future recurrence of the same issue.

A: Restoring water damage usually calls for extracting standing water, cleaning the affected area, and either drying or tearing out and replacing damp or saturated building materials and contents. In the case of minor damage that can be quickly fixed and thoroughly dried, damage cleanup and restoration should be undertaken by trained professionals. Restoration and remediation services have access to pumps for extracting large amounts of water and debris as well as a full range of cleaning and drying equipment.

A: Three of the most common sources of water damage include damaged roofing, faulty plumbing fixtures, or leaky appliances. Restoration professionals categorize the severity of water damage based on the level of contamination: Category 1 water damage results when clean water leaks from a broken pipe or supply line. Category 2 damage involves contaminated, non-potable gray water from a leaky appliance, bath, shower, toilet, or roof that may contain chemicals and microbes. Category 3 incidents involve highly contaminated flood water or sewer or drain backups that may contain solid waste.

A: Puddles or pools of standing water and dripping surfaces are obvious of ongoing water damage. A musty odor suggests that a structural leak is causing hidden mold to flourish behind the walls.

A: Standing water poses many health and safety risks. In addition to being an ideal environment for potentially harmful bacteria and fungi to multiply and spread, water also poses slip and fall risks. It is advisable to hire water damage restoration professionals with extensive experience and equipment suitable for extracting standing water, cleaning, and drying a damaged structure.

A: Home and commercial property owners and managers should be aware of the age of plumbing and the materials used. Regular inspections of pipes and appliances can help to avoid costly damage and repairs and check the condition of your roof after high winds or storms that can tear off shingles and other building materials. Ask us about installing a smart water leak detector in your home or business to prevent water main supply leaks from gushing and flooding your property.

A: Unless you have access to the right pumps and know how to monitor and equalize interior and exterior pressure on a structure, you may want to limit your mitigation and cleanup effort until contacting experienced professionals. We have the tools and training to get the job done as quickly as possible without risking lasting structural damage.

A: Contact a water restoration company like United Water Restoration of Long Island as soon as you see signs of flooding. You should receive a call back within a matter of minutes, depending on the number of homes and businesses that are affected. Leading services advertise a call-back time of 15 minutes or less and arrival on-site within an hour. Make sure to choose a mitigation service recognized for efficient 24/7 emergency response.

A: If there is more water present in a structure than you can remove with towels and a mop or wet vacuum, it is a good idea to seek expert help. Even if you think you may be able to handle the amount of water that is currently dripping or standing, residual moisture that you can’t see is often absorbed into porous building materials that lead to mold growth. Investing in thorough water damage cleanup as soon as the damage occurs may be more cost-effective than getting surprised by major secondary damage that is excluded from coverage under most standard homeowners and commercial property insurance policies. United provides free, no-obligation moisture assessments to determine if you should be concerned.

A: The restoration process starts with a careful inspection of the causes, degree, and extent of the damage. Restoration pros should provide an estimate of costs anticipated for cleanup and rebuilding. Before you attempt to clean, repair, or remove any wet building materials or contents, you should thoroughly document the damage in photographs and videos. Listing losses and gathering receipts or other purchase information may make an insurer more likely to cover a water damage claim. Next, trained experts recommend eliminating as many effects of damage as possible. This phase is called mitigation because it should improve conditions and limit the severity of the damage. Extraction and cleanup should ideally start within 24 hours, and rebuilding can commence as soon as the cause and primary effects of water damage have been resolved.

A: Major distinctions between water damage at a commercial and a residential property involve the size and plumbing systems in a structure and the number of occupants in a structure. Commercial property owners must account for the safety of employees, customers, or clients, or run a heightened risk of liability. It may be necessary to file an interruption insurance claim to offset ongoing expenses or the costs of temporary relocation.

A: The cost of home water damage restoration can range from several hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars for repairing extensive damage resulting from flood conditions. Property owners should do everything that they can to ensure that the majority of mitigation, restoration, and remediation costs are covered under a homeowners or commercial property policy, endorsement, or rider.

A: Yes, mold can be caused by water damage as mold spores require moisture and organic items. If the water damage is left unaddressed, mold colonies are almost guaranteed.

A: There are three types of water damage that vary depending on the source of loss. Category 1 is clean water damage: this type of water damage comes from a clean source like a broken supply pipe, overflowing sink or bathtub, or other appliance issues. Although it is rare that any water damage does not come in contact with pollutants or hazards, it is the “safest” of all types.

A: Grey water damage: this form of water damage comes from things such as an overflowing toilet, sump pump backups, and washing machines. The water is not clear and will have a greyish look. While we do not know if this water is harmful to humans, it is highly recommended that any salvageable items be removed and disinfected.

A: Black water damage is the most severe of all the categories. This type of “Cat 3” water damage is highly-contaminated and comes from sources such as sewage backup, wastewater overflows, and rising floodwaters. When this form of water damage occurs, salvageable items need to be removed and heavily disinfected.