Emergency Water Extraction in Columbia & Lexington, SC

When Do You Need Water Extraction?

Water damage can occur within minutes. As soon as water invades a home, building materials, furniture, and other belongings begin to absorb moisture. While some materials can be dried and sanitized, others will need to be disposed of and replaced.

Furniture that is in direct contact with water will begin to swell and delaminate within just a few hours. Dyes from any non-colorfast fabrics will start to bleed. In as little as 24 hours, fungi can start to grow. Wood will warp, paint will blister and your home will develop a musty odor. To help minimize damage, it is crucial to acquire emergency water extraction services as soon as possible.

After a Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are one of the most common causes of flooding in homes. Localized flooding can occur due to various drainage obstructions, such as ice, beaver dams, landslides or debris. An increase in water flow can also occur due to rapid snow melt, sustained rainfall, tropical cyclones or monsoons. When any type of natural disaster occurs that results in flooding in your home, you will want to acquire emergency water extraction services quickly to initiate water damage cleanup and restoration.

When a Pipe Bursts in Your Home

Pipes in the home can burst unexpectedly, resulting in serious flooding. If you are not home at the time of the incident, you could arrive home to severe water damage throughout your home. While pipes can burst for a wide range of reasons, the most common cause of burst pipes is freezing temperatures. When the water in a pipe freezes due to below-zero temperatures, it can exert enough pressure to rupture the pipe wall or cause the pipe joint to come apart. Whether copper, lead, iron, plastic or PVC, any piping material is susceptible to bursting. When a pipe bursts, the water damage can be substantial and will often require emergency water extraction services.

Water Pump Failures

Many homes have sump pumps that are designed to protect against a flooded basement. Unfortunately, these water pumps do not always work the way they are supposed to, resulting in flooding. A sump pump may fail during a heavy rain period when it is forced to work overtime to remove excess water. When a sump pump fails, water can begin to leak through the foundation and basement walls where it can start to pool on the floor.

If you have furniture or other items in the basement, they could suffer water damage. Even if your basement is not a finished space, it is important to contact an emergency water extraction company to prevent water damage-related issues, such as mold growth.

Flooding Around Electrical Components

When water starts to flood around electrical components in the home, the situation can quickly go from being a nuisance to a hazard. Everyone knows that water and electricity do not mix. If you are in the vicinity of an electrical component when your home is flooded, you are at a high risk for electrocution. If your home is flooded and there is live electricity, do not go back into the home until you have the fire department or a utility company fully disconnect your house from the grid. You can then contact emergency water extraction services to remove the water and begin the recovery process.

Water Mitigation vs. Water Damage Restoration

If your home has recently suffered water damage, you may be looking into repair options. Two of the most common services associated with water damage include water mitigation and water damage restoration. While these two services have some similarities, they have many differences.

So, what is water mitigation? Water damage mitigation focuses on the prevention of further water damage to a home and your belongings. To minimize financial losses and stop the spread of damage in its path, special equipment and techniques are used. Water mitigation often involves removing damaged furniture and other materials, such as flooring and drywall. It also means cleaning and disinfecting salvageable materials.

To ensure that the home is safe for inhabitants to reenter, a water mitigation professional will also protect the structural stability of the home by applying tarps and boarding up windows, if necessary. You can also expect the extraction of water from the home using commercial-grade equipment, followed by efficient drying techniques.

Water damage restoration, on the other hand, focuses on the reconstructing and rebuilding of a home that has been damaged by water. This may include replacing damaged flooring and walls, repairing roof damage, eliminating mold, and conducting moisture and humidity tests to ensure that water-related issues have been resolved.

Signs You Need Water Mitigation

While most homeowners never expect to have to deal with water damage, this type of problem is fairly common. A pipe could burst that floods your kitchen, or your home could flood during a storm, causing massive damage to your furniture and possessions. When these types of incidents occur, you will want to have a reputable water mitigation company on speed dial.

There are certain red flags associated with water damage. If your home is showing any of these signs, it is time to call in a water mitigation service to assess the damage and recommend the right services. Common signs of water damage include:

Wall Damage

When water damage occurs, your walls may begin to swell and the paint may crack, bubble, or peel. In just a short amount of time, the walls will become engorged with water and will need to be removed and replaced.

Floor Damage

Water can also build up under the floor. This can result in the buckling of wood or laminate flooring, the peeling of linoleum, or the loosening of grouted tiles. When this occurs, the flooring will need to be removed to assess and repair the subfloor underneath.

Mold Presence

It takes just 48 hours for mold to start growing after water damage has occurred in a home. Mold will often appear as darkened areas, and you may notice a musty odor. It is important to tackle mold problems as soon as possible to prevent spores from spreading through the home.

How to Choose the Best Water Mitigation Company Columbia

Given that your home is your largest asset, you may be concerned about choosing a water mitigation company to help restore your home following massive water damage. It is important to understand the benefits that a water mitigation professional can offer and how these services can be used to make important repairs to your home.

A quality water mitigation company will respond quickly to your inquiry and will discuss your problem in detail. The company will also schedule service at a time that is convenient for you and your schedule. You should also choose a water mitigation company that is available round-the-clock as water damage can occur day and night.

If you are located in the West Columbia, SC area, trust the water mitigation experts at Kingsley Water Damage Restoration, for all of your water damage restoration, water extraction, and mold remediation needs. This premier water mitigation company serves clients in Fairfield, Lexington, Kershaw, and Richland County, and has a team equipped to handle water damage situations of all sizes.