What Goes Into a Water Damage Assessment

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage is one of the most devastating events that can happen to a home or business owner. Not only does it have the ability to immediately cause substantial damage to your property and possessions, but the situation can get worse over time if the water damage is not properly treated. The first step to planning the appropriate restoration is to complete a full assessment of the water damage. This water damage assessment will let the technicians restoring the property know exactly what needs to be done to restore the building as well as allow them to determine what can be saved and what must go. If water damage occurs in your home, you shouldn't try to do this by yourself. This is not an easy DIY project. It is best left to the professionals who can ensure the water and moisture is completely gone, so mold does not grow. Cleaning up water damage can be a complex task and attempting to clean up the damage yourself may only make matters worse.

Structural Assessment

The main type of water damage assessment that the crews from SERVPRO will accomplish is a structural assessment. Assessing the structural issues of the home that have been caused by water damage will allow them to decide on the necessary course of action.

These are the aspects of the structure that will be assessed during this process.

• Roof : The technicians will look for any areas of the roof that may be vulnerable to collapse, any missing or damaged shingles, any bent or damaged gutters, any crack or damaged chimneys, and any stains or cracks on exterior surfaces.
• Exterior Walls and Windows : When the inspection is being completed following water damage, the inspectors will look for any collapsed walls, broken or cracked windows, wet bricks or exterior walls, and any signs of water coming through windows.
• Front and Back Yard : While the inspection of water damage will be primarily focused on the building, there are other parts of your property that may be of interest. As you might expect, a large accumulation of water can collect in your yard and in garden-type areas. Flooding in your yard not only will ruin your landscaping, but can also cause damage to the foundation of your home. As you would probably guess, flooding in garden areas of your home can kill your plants and flowers.
• Attic : Damage that might occur to your roof such as missing or damaged shingles or holes can allow water to make its way down into your attic. When your home is being inspected, your attic will be examined to see if there has been any damage that needs to be treated. Signs of water damage in the attic include a wet or cracked ceiling, walls, or floors, wet insulation, and wet or damaged vents and ducts.
• Rooms : One of the first places that will be examined when your home is inspected for water damage are the rooms themselves. The inspection will include looking for any wet spots in the ceilings, walls, or floors, sunk electric and phone jacks, warped or damaged wood, and cracked or broken windows and doors.
• Bathrooms : The techs will look for signs that your bathroom may have water damage include damaged bathtub, stains on sinks or countertops, and leaky or slumping ground around your toilet tank.

If you have water damage in your home, every minute counts. As more time goes by the damage worsens and becomes more permanent. When the professionals at SERVPRO of Piscataway respond to your call, they will start with a water damage assessment to get a better understanding of the extent of the damage and see what can be salvaged and what must be discarded.

If your home has experience water damage, give the professionals at SERVPRO of Piscataway a call at 732-752-4445. We will come and make it "Like it never even happened."