Many of us are process-oriented and value a detailed, step-by-step approach when dealing with professional services. This article covers what you can expect, in seven steps, after you’ve called Pacific Water Restoration to address sudden and immediate water damage.
- Inspection and Estimate
Upon initial contact, we schedule a time that your home/business can be inspected. We come prepared with moisture detection devices, including thermal imaging cameras, endoscopes, and advanced moisture tools that can provide psychrometric readings. We document the findings digitally, so you have a record, and your insurance company does as well if a claim is opened. We then provide our findings by email through a written scope of work, along with an initial estimate.
- Onboarding and Testing
Once clients have had a chance to review the initial findings and estimate, if we’re chosen as their water damage contractor, we have a 20-30 minute onboarding session to confirm the written plan and what, if any, federally regulated materials that could possibly contain lead and asbestos need testing before demolition (aka controlled removal) can proceed. You will need a contractor who is Lead Safe Certified and registered actively with the EPA. You will also need a certified AHERA building inspector to conduct a survey and take samples of suspect asbestos containing materials.
- Containment & Equipment
The category and class of water drives engineering controls and needed equipment for any water loss. There are 3 categories of water, ranging from sanitary (cat1) to grossly contaminated (cat3), and 4 classes that determine the evaporation load, ranging from small to severe. Whether dealing with localized or widespread contamination, we use containment with HEPA air filtration devices properly sized for the containment area, and industrial AHAM-rated dehumidifiers capable of bearing the evaporation load of the affected structure.
- Controlled Removal
We like to call demolition “controlled removal” because that is how we view it and treat it. We use power tools to cut drywall that have depth control and are attached to a HEPA vacuum for dust and contamination control. Even though most of the time we are operating under containment, we use proper PPE and HEPA-rated air filtration devices to keep the particulate load low. This helps with general cleanliness and greatly reduces the risk of cross-contamination in unaffected areas.
- Cleaning
Once controlled removal of affected building materials is complete, such as trim, baseboard, flooring, drywall, cabinetry, etc., what’s left behind is debris from the removal efforts and pockets of microbial activity along with the usual construction debris from previous building/rebuilding efforts. We need to properly clean all these areas mechanically before introducing any sanitizers or disinfectants as a final measure. We prefer a chemical-free approach, but we discuss with homeowners their options and, prior to any chemical application, provide the appropriate SDS sheet for informed consent.
- Drying
Last, but not least, air movers can be introduced. Only when cleaning and sanitization have occurred can this step happen. That doesn’t mean drying hasn’t been happening over the first few days, though. That’s where dehumidifiers and supplemental electric heaters come in handy. They increase the material temperature, driving vapor pressure of affected materials higher. The chambered air’s relative humidity has been lowered, creating a “vapor pressure differential.” That involves the science of how water moves by capillary action from the depths of the affected porous material to the surface, eventually converting from liquid to gas. The air movers certainly help dry affected building materials, but, really, it’s the targeted heat and dehumidification that do the “heavy lifting” in drying physics.
- Walkthrough & Invoice
At the close of the job, we do a final walkthrough with our clients and ask for their feedback. Everyone is provided with a final PDF version of a formal report, typically ranging from 50-250 pages, containing photos, readings, notes, and videos, depending on the scope and length of the job, along with the final itemized invoice. In insurance claims, all documentation is provided to the carrier, with the insured receiving a copy of everything sent for transparency.
Ultimately, these steps are a big part of our formula for success. If you call us in, we understand that we are typically not showing up on your best day. Having a good process that is easy for everyone to understand helps alleviate stress and provides assurance of what people can expect day to day, from beginning to end, before the restoration work even starts.
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