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How To Prevent Winter Water Damage Part 4

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Preventing Winter Water Damage Part 4

Through our Four-Part Series we have discussed how to prevent Winter Water Damage. But what if your best efforts to prevent Winter water and storm damage isn’t enough and something does go wrong?  What should your first few steps be in order to minimize the extent of water and storm damage to your property?

Water damage is time-sensitive, especially in the first 72 hours for the following reasons:

  1. Protect The Value of Your Property: Proper Water damage restoration by an IICRC Certified Firm is designed to ensure the safety of your property and protect the value of your property.  Water damage from broken pipes, sprinkler heads, ice damns or a flooded basement can create a significant amount of water and property damage in just one or two hours.  Additionally, it can quickly create an unsafe condition and cause serious damage to your property if not dealt with in a timely manner. The longer the affected area isn’t inspected and treated by an IICRC Certified Firm for water damage the more expensive the water mitigation cleanup will be and the subsequent repair.
  2. Mold Can Form FAST…in as little as 72 hours and can be dangerous to the health of anyone living in the home or working in a commercial office after experiencing water damage. Therefore time is of the essence and water damage restoration should be handled by a professional and IICRC Certified Firm in water damage as soon as possible.
  3. Water Damage From Extreme Winter Temperatures Can Cause Broken Pipes from sprinkler systems, pipes in walls, under sinks and sewage backups from septic systems. What if you are out of town during extreme Winter temperatures? Make sure someone is regularly checking in on your residential or commercial property to ensure that you haven’t experienced any damage.  If you don’t a small water or flood damage can quickly become a significant property damage event. In fact before going out of town have a list of professionals to call in case you do experience water damage or a broken burst pipe.  An ounce of prevention can limit property damage and lower your stress as a home owner or manager of commercial property.

So Who Do You Call If You Experience Winter Water Damage?

  • Understand The Importance Of Hiring An IICRC Certified Firm For Water Damage Restoration. There is a science of drying out a property that experiences water damage and flooding. A laymen or untrained contractor can extract water, set up drying equipment but this will likely lead to long term water damage and mold.  The IICRC is the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and they are the “gold standard” certification for damage restoration companies. The IICRC uses research, testing, data and field experience to develop science-based techniques for drying water-damaged structures.  In order to become a certified water damage restoration technician and IICRC Certified Firm for water damage restoration a company must go through in-depth training and pass multiple exams in order to become a legitimate water damage restoration company.

Things To Consider When Hiring A Water Damage Restoration Company:

-They should be an IICRC Certified Firm for water damage restoration. This is the gold standard of water damage restoration as the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration Certification.)

-They should provide a NO Pressure, stress free estimate for the work they recommend

-They should be professional, arriving in marked vehicles, uniforms and you should feel comfortable having them in your home or business.

– They should be timely and easy to communicate with and be on time for their appointment. If they are running late they should call or test you letting you know of an updated ETA and if that is OK with your schedule.

-They should have lots of happy reviews from satisfied customers showing their experience and expertise at water damage and flood damage cleanup.

Additional Requirements For Becoming An IICRC Certified Firm

Additionally in order to become a IICRC Certified Firm for water damage restoration a company must have technicians that are certified in both water restoration and applied structural drying.  These are two separate courses that cost several thousands of dollars and also require two weeks on class room experience and multiple exams.

If a crew chief can’t show you an IICRC certification for water damage restoration or you hired a company off of Facebook Marketplace do yourself a favor and ensure that they are a licensed water damage restoration technician.

 

Call 24/7 AfterCare Restoration 215.515.1000

Water Damage Restoration Company 

Aftercare Restoration is committed to its six core values of Honesty, Hardworking, Professional, Responsible, Communication and Compassion.

Our company is committed to integrity and honesty and our six core values and providing a 5 Star Customer Experience.  Our team will explain the extent of the damage, the industry standard process to remediate your property. If for some reason you are not covered by insurance, we will provide you with the same detailed line item estimate as we do NOT markup jobs if you are not covered.  As a local family-owned company, we understand that money doesn’t grow on trees.

Aftercare Restoration a Local Veteran owned Emergency Damage Restoration company offering 24/7 Water & Fire Damage Restoration services.  This includes Water and flood cleanup, Fire board-up, demo, structural cleaning, odor removal and full rebuild and reconstruction service.  As a Local Veteran Owned company, we’re committed to earning your trust and ensuring 100% customer satisfaction.

Call 24/7 AfterCare Restoration 215.515.1000 For Emergency Water Damage Cleanup:

AfterCare Restoration is available for water damage restoration and fire restoration in and around: