You Shouldn't Go DIY When It Comes to Property Damage Restoration!

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

You Shouldn't Go DIY When It Comes to Property Damage Restoration!

If you’re thinking about repairing your own roof, walls or flooring after a natural disaster or even a mild calamity like a burst pipe, you might want to think twice. While it may seem easy to replace a kitchen tap, any serious property damage restoration is something that should be handled by a professional. But why pay when it’s cheaper to DIY, you ask? That’s because a professional has abundant experience in fixing homes, and would be able to figure out what really needs to be done. Even if you think you may know how to fix a leaky pipe for example, there may be other underlying issues that you may not be aware of, and for that it is always better to hire a professional so you prevent worse disasters from happening down the line. Here are some of the major types of damage that you should definitely call a professional for help with.

Damage by Smoke and Fire

Smoke or fire damage may seem simple to clean up on the surface - just use a sponge and some household cleaner to get rid of that soot. However, there is more damage and danger that lies beneath the surface. If your home has sustained a fire, there are ultra-fine smoke and soot particles which would have by now settled into the small cracks and crevices of your home, leaving a burnt smell to linger in your home for a very long time. What’s worse, anyone in your home with respiratory problems like asthma would have their breathing issues aggravated by the smoke entering their lungs with every breath, and smoke may even cause your eyes to water due to irritation, even after the place has been supposedly cleaned up.

Damage by Flooding

The damage caused by flooding can often be quite extensive. Not only does flooding saturate and damage nearly everything it reaches, it also seeps into the walls and can cause secondary damage such as mold. Furthermore, the danger of flooding comes quite frequently - especially if your area experiences heavy rains. Once your home has been flooded, simply mopping and drying the floors and walls is certainly not enough; it is essential to check behind the walls and up on the rooftops to see where water has soaked through the walls, and where mold is likely to thrive.

Mold Damage

Mold is capable of growing in dark and damp places within 48 hours or less of a flood or leakage. Known as the silent killer, it is often not obvious until it spreads and covers your entire wall or ceiling. In large quantities, mold can structurally weaken your building, and even cause parts of your building to buckle or collapse. While it may just look like black spots or discoloration on your wall, simply painting over it will not get rid of it. A proper mold removal process needs to be done to eliminate this danger to your home.

Furthermore, mold can cause or aggravate health effects. As mold grows, it releases spores into the air that can be inhaled by occupants of the house, and depending on how bad the mold is, it may be identified by its telltale musty smell. These spores spell bad news especially for infants, the elderly, or anyone with existing health effects. A professional restoration company is needed to check and sanitize the building walls and ceiling to ensure that mold cannot grow and cause more problems in your home.

A professional home restoration service like SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City will take care of your property damage "Like it never even happened." We will also work with your insurance company to cover damage claims. Call us if you need any assistance.