It’s hard to know what to do during a water damage emergency. Whether it’s a sewage backup or a burst water pipe, it’s important to know what to do or who to call for emergency water removal. We also look at whether your situation is a water damage emergency and what you need to do to limit the damage.
Who to Call for Emergency Water Removal
Although you can remove water after a flood or leak on your own, it takes the right equipment and knowhow to limit the damage. If you have more than an inch of standing water or if more than 10 square feet are damaged, you should call a water damage restoration company.
Water damage restoration companies specialize in emergency water removal. After assessing the damage and providing an estimate, they can begin removing the water immediately. Then they will dry out the area to prevent mold and odors. When necessary, they will also repair damage and restore your home to the original state.
Many people think that plumbers clean up water damage. While some water damage is related to plumbing issues, most plumbers are not equipped to remove water and dry out your home. You may need both a plumber and a water damage company. Your water damage cleanup technician will let you know if a plumber is needed.
What is Emergency Water Removal
Emergency water removal is the process of getting rid of water after any type of water or sewage event. The water damage restoration contractor will usually begin by removing standing water with a pump. Depending on the situation, they may also use wet-dry shop-style vacuums to pull excess water from hardwood floors, drywall, and cabinets.
Emergency water removal then continues with air movers and dehumidifiers. These units remove water and excess moisture from the damaged areas of your home, leaving them completely dry. Depending on the extent of the damage, drying takes 24 to 48 hours. The goal is to remove the water and dry the area as quickly as possible.
When is Water Damage an Emergency
Deciding whether you have a water damage emergency is subjective. Regardless of the type of water damage you have, decide whether you have the time, energy, and equipment to remove the water quickly. Ideally, you should remove the water in less than 2 hours for smaller areas and in less than 4 hours for larger areas.
Additionally, consider the equipment you have available. If you only have hand pumps or buckets, it’s going to take significantly longer to remove standing water than if you have a motorized pump. When it comes to drying, box fans and consumer dehumidifiers are much less efficient than commercial equipment. That will increase the drying time and you are more likely to develop mold and odors.
You can rent commercial air movers and dehumidifiers at a local equipment rental company. However, won’t always be open when you have a water damage emergency. They may only have a few of each item, so availability might be limited if many homes in your area are flooded.
What to do in a Water Damage Emergency
It’s really hard to remain calm if you have water damage, but it’s the best way to limit the damage and get your home back to normal. First, assess the damage and decided if you can clean it up quickly. If necessary, shut off your main water supply shut off valve. This will stop the flow of water and limit the damage.
If you can’t shut off the water or you don’t think you can clean up the water damage efficiently, call a water damage restoration company immediately. Regardless of whether you’re calling a pro or doing it yourself, keep children and pets safely away from the water to prevent accidents.
When planning to do it yourself, wear rubber boots or waders, pants, long sleeves, rubber gloves, goggles, and a ventilator. This may seem like a lot of equipment, but the water could be contaminated. Wearing the proper equipment will protect you from viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Follow our drying water damage guide for more DIY steps.
Get Emergency Water Removal Services Now
If you don’t have the time or equipment for emergency water removal, our restoration specialists are here to help 24-hours a day. For immediate service, call 1-888-443-3110 for a free estimate from our on-call water damage restoration specialist nearest you.
