How to Choose the Right Water Damage Restoration Company

Posted on by msi-admin

When facing water damage in your home, selecting the right restoration company is crucial for effective recovery and peace of mind. With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which company will best meet your needs. Here are essential tips to help you make an informed decision when choosing a water damage restoration company.

1. Make Sure Their Licensed, Insured and Certified

Start by ensuring the restoration company is licensed, insured and certified. Certifications from organizations like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) indicate that the company adheres to industry standards and best practices. A licensed and insured contractor is an absolute must, and the appropriate insurance and workman’s comp policy should also be required.

2. Check Experience and Reputation

Experience matters in water damage restoration. Look for a company with a proven track record in handling water damage situations. Research online reviews and testimonials to gauge customer satisfaction. Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends or family can also provide valuable insights.

3. Evaluate Their Response Time

Water damage can worsen rapidly, so prompt response is critical. Choose a company that offers 24/7 emergency services to ensure they can respond quickly when you need them most. A rapid response can significantly mitigate damage and reduce restoration costs.

4. Assess Their Equipment and Techniques

A reputable restoration company should use modern, industry-standard equipment and techniques for water extraction, drying, and restoration. Inquire about their drying methods, as advanced techniques like thermal imaging and dehumidification are essential for thorough restoration.

5. Inquire About Their Restoration Process

Understanding the company’s restoration process is essential. Ask about their steps for assessing damage, removing water, drying affected areas, and repairing any damage. A thorough and systematic approach will help ensure comprehensive restoration.

6. Check for Additional Services

Some restoration companies offer additional services, such as mold remediation, sewage cleanup, or reconstruction. If you anticipate needing these services, choose a company that can handle multiple aspects of restoration, saving you the hassle of hiring multiple contractors.

Choosing the right water damage restoration company can make a significant difference in the recovery process. By considering factors such as certification, experience, response time, and equipment, you can select a company that meets your needs and restores your home effectively. If you find yourself in need of water damage restoration, take the time to research and ask the right questions to ensure a successful recovery.

Condensation on Duct Work

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Condensation occurs when air is cooled below its dew point temperature. The study of air containing moisture (or plain old air as we know it) is called psychrometrics (pronounced si-crow-met-ricks), and deals with the relationships between temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point and several other properties of the air/moisture mixture. A basic psychrometric relationship is that air can only hold so much moisture at a certain temperature. When the air is full of moisture, the relative humidity is 100%. When the air contains half as much moisture as is can at a temperature, the air is at 50% relative humidity. The next relationship is that if you cool the air, the relative humidity increases. (Cool air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air) At some point, the air becomes saturated. Cooling it any further causes condensation. This is the dew point.

So how does this relate to sweating ducts? Air conditioners make air cold. The cold air is forced through ducts. As a result, the outside surface of the ducts is cooled. If the air outside the ducts is humid enough, condensation will form on the ducts. The colder the air in the ducts and the more humid the air around the ducts, the more chance of forming condensation. Note that sweating ducts has nothing to do with moisture in the air inside the ducts. Solutions to sweating ducts involve 1) warming the surface, and 2) drying the air around the ducts. Insulation is added to the exterior of ducts to help warm the duct surface. The insulation should be enclosed in a vapor barrier to keep moisture from moving through the insulation itself. Joints in the ducts, insulation and vapor barrier should be sealed. The insulation and vapor barrier should extend completely to the registers, or condensation can form on the exposed ends.

If the ducts are in a crawlspace, a complete vapor barrier on the soil is an essential first step. Increasing crawlspace ventilation may help in some parts of the country, but be careful because increasing ventilation in other areas can actually increase the condensation. In basements and crawlspaces, sometimes adding a dehumidifier is necessary. Most duct condensation issues I have seen are the result of problems with duct insulation. In some cases, fixing the insulation solves the problem. Adding insulation typically does not solve the problem. In cases where the insulation is in good shape, crawlspaces and basements have been wet, or ducts have been pressed together.

When is the air conditioner at fault? Some newer air conditioning systems and controls actually make the air inside the ducts colder. This is an attempt by the manufacturer to help make the air in the house dryer, but often causes more condensation on the outside of ducts. Dirty filters can restrict air flow through the system, resulting in colder air. This is the easiest one to deal with: keep your filters clean. Otherwise, make sure the duct insulation and vapor barrier are continuous, contiguous and complete. And keep the air around ducts dry by covering exposed soil in crawlspaces, keeping ducts apart, and reducing other moisture sources in the air as much as possible.