What Is Water Damage Restoration?

Water damage restoration usually begins after mitigation and remediation have been water damage restoration Los Angeles completed. While remediation can focus on temporary measures, restoration involves permanent solutions.

Restoration takes place after the water event and involves repairing and restoring the water-damaged property to its original condition. Restoration includes:

Repairing or replacing damaged flooring, walls, windows, doors or ceilings
Cleaning carpets, rugs and upholstery
Preventing mold growth

Testing for moisture to confirm that the property is completely dry
Ragsdale says that many personal property items can be successfully cleaned after a flood or other water event. “Most of the time, hardwood furniture or hard, non-porous personal property items can be cleaned,” he says.

Some companies remove and dispose of structural elements like drywall or flooring during the restoration process.

Water damage restoration costs can be as low as a few hundred dollars or as high as $100,000 depending on whether you need minor fixes or major remodeling, such as removing and replacing a floor.

How to Repair Water Damage
A restoration Pro replaces damaged drywall.
After stopping the water intrusion and inspecting the area, make sure electricity in affected areas is shut off. Also check that the area is completely dry, including between drywall and insulation, to prevent mold or mildew. Confirm the area is dry with a moisture meter.

Begin with ceilings to avoid sagging or collapsing and work your way down to flooring. Ceilings that have minor discolorations may need to be repainted, as long as all mold and mildew has been removed.

Wood that is warped, rotting or has irreparable mold issues will have to be removed and replaced. When replacing joists and structural boards, be sure to provide the area with temporary support make sure that replacement lumber will properly support the load.

Many Pros will replace an entire sheet of drywall if it has swelled or sagged 3/8 inch from the baseline. Follow these steps to replace drywall:

Remove all damaged materials such as insulation or drywall with a drywall saw.
Cut back the drywall to the closest framing studs or ceiling joists for attaching the replacement sheet. Make sure there’s a surface for attaching the drywall screws.
Cut a sheet of drywall to fit the gap, making sure it matches the thickness of the original or surrounding drywall.

With assistance, lift the drywall into place.
Use a drill and drywall screws to attach the drywall.
Prime and paint the ceiling or wall.