Water damage restoration companies must be skilled in a variety of areas to stay current with restoration practices. There are a number of potential hazardous threats that technicians must combat before the job is finished. Structurally weakened sites, chemical runoff, dangerous wildlife, deadly microbes, and electrical hazards are all common risks. Without the proper equipment and education, technicians increase the risk of encountering injury and health issues. To prevent these issues, technicians in the industry have access to the educational resources provided by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or the IICRC.
After completing certification in water damage restoration and related fields, professionals in the field will have the ability to identify and rid any problems they face at various job sites. The first issue technicians must overcome when called to a flood or plumbing disaster is managing the potentially hazardous standing liquid. Plumbing backups and flooding usually present a host of hazardous runoff material that contains bacteria and viruses.
Before any repairs can take place, a technician must be outfitted with the proper safety gear. They will then need to investigate the issue where the liquid has pooled. To detect the level of moisture behind drywall, carpet, and other areas, moisture meters are used as minimally invasive tools. These meters also allow technicians to detect areas of heavy moisture that are not readily accessible.
These initial steps are crucial to the project, since drying the area is the only way to ensure no further damage occurs. Many companies will utilize industrial air movers, along with dehumidifiers, to extract moisture from the air and surfaces. While this portion of the projects take a significant amount of time, progress can be tracked by the technician with moisture meters. Once all moisture has been extracted from all materials and surfaces, mold and bacteria growth will halt.
The most severe threat to a technician and homeowners is the growth of molds and other pathogens. These pathogens can grow in vents and behind walls. Trained technicians can use special cleaning products that quickly neutralize molds and other pathogens. Being able to identify where mold has begun to grow is an integral skill for technicians to have. The identification of molds and pathogens can mean the difference between restoring a property and having it condemned.
A certified firm will not only be able to identify where mold may be growing, but they will also be able to quickly and efficiently move any damaged property away from the property. Anything that is salvageable but soaked is separated, cleaned properly, and then promptly dried. If it turns out that the integrity of the building’s structure has been affected, technicians will be able to identify this issue and alert the homeowner, along with insurance representatives.
Without taking advantage of professional help, it is impossible for homeowners to know if their home is safe to live in. Certified technicians are able to eradicate all sources of moisture from surfaces, walls, and floors. They can handle the restoration of expensive furniture, and guarantee that all molds and potentially harmful materials are neutralized and removed. Technicians don’t simply restore homes, they restore peace of mind.
Florin A. is an marketing consultant with deep experience using customer insight and data to design and build solutions that deliver great customer experience and commercial benefit.
