The Water Damage Restoration Process: What to Expect

Water damage is often caused by a plumbing leak or a sewer backup. In these situations, things can quickly get messy and out of control. That’s why it’s important to call a plumbing company like Roto-Rooter to step in before the damage gets out of control. We can fix any plumbing problem, and we clean up water and sewage, too.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the water damage restoration process, from the moment you call Roto-Rooter to the final repairs, including how we help with insurance claims and documentation.

Roto-Rooter's Emergency Response

When water damage occurs, time is of the essence. If the flooding is caused by a broke water supply pipe, valve, or leaking plumbing fixture, your first step should be shutting off your home’s main water supply to prevent additional flooding. Once you’ve got that under control, reach out to Roto-Rooter for emergency service. Our team is available for 24/7 service, meaning you can get help whether it’s 3 a.m. or 3 p.m.

When you contact Roto-Rooter, our intake team will ask a few questions over the phone to assess the severity of the damage. This helps us understand the scope of the situation so we can send the appropriate team and equipment.

Our team will respond quickly, often within hours of your call, to minimize damage to your home.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

Once our team arrives, they’ll follow specific water damage remediation steps. Our professionals will:

1. Locate the source of the water: This is critical to stopping the damage.
2. Assess the spread of the water: Is the water just sitting on the floor, or has it seeped into the walls and subfloor? Knowing where water has traveled determines what areas need attention. We use tools like moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and visual inspection to identify hidden water damage.
3. Categorize the water: Water is classified into three categories — clean, gray, or black. Understanding this helps determine the level of risk and required cleanup measures.

During our assessment, we will prioritize addressing any immediate safety risks before proceeding with the restoration process. We also begin to document things for your water damage insurance claim during this initial assessment. For example, we’ll:

• Take photos
• Conduct moisture readings
• Write damage reports

Water Removal and Extraction

Once we’ve found where the water is coming from, we move on to removing the water from the affected areas.

The main tools we use during this step are pumps and vacuums that suck out water from carpets, floors, and walls. This can help to minimize mold growth, limit property damage, and protect your personal belongings.

Drying and Dehumidifying

Once the bulk of the water is removed, the next step is to ensure everything is thoroughly dried. This prevents secondary issues like mold and mildew. We use:

• Commercial-grade drying equipment: We strategically place industrial dehumidifiers and fans to dry out affected areas as quickly as possible.
• Moisture readings: We’ll continue monitoring the moisture levels throughout the drying process to ensure everything is dried thoroughly.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

In the aftermath of water damage, you also have to think about cleaning and sanitizing to remove bacteria, viruses, and debris — especially if you’re dealing with blackwater or greywater. Our team will:

• Disinfect the affected areas to eliminate any contaminants.
• Clean and deodorize carpets, furniture, and flooring. We use a process called hot water extraction because it works great to loosen dirt and grime.

Restoration and Repairs

The final step in the water remediation process is restoring things to their original condition. While Roto-Rooter doesn't handle reconstruction services directly, we prepare your home thoroughly so it's ready for the next stage. Once our team has completed remediation, homeowners typically contact a remodeling company to repair or replace everything damaged by the flood. Depending on the extent of the damage, restoration could involve: Depending on the severity of the damage, this could involve:

• Restoring structural elements: Your remodeling contractor may need to replace drywall, insulation, flooring, and other materials. If your walls have been affected, check out our guide on how to repair water-damaged walls.
• Repainting and refinishing: Your remodeling contractor works with your insurance company to make sure everything is restored to its original condition, with attention to detail, so your home or business looks as good as new.

Insurance Assistance and Claim Support

Dealing with insurance can be one of the most stressful parts of the water damage restoration process. Luckily, Roto-Rooter works closely with insurance providers to make the process smoother for you. Here’s how we help:

• Our team will document the damage, including photos, moisture readings, and detailed damage reports to support your claim.
• We provide accurate cost estimates for the work needed, which you can submit to your insurance provider.
• We’ll communicate directly with your insurance adjuster so you don’t have to.

Always contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process. 

What You Can Expect from Roto-Rooter

At Roto-Rooter, we pride ourselves on delivering fast, reliable service whenever you need help. Our goal is to remove water and thoroughly dry the area to get it ready for reconstruction by the remodeling contractor of your choice. We follow the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) guidelines, which are the highest standards in the water cleanup trade. 

From the initial response to the final dry out, we’ll guide you through the water damage cleanup process with professionalism and care.

Best of all, we’re available 24/7/365 — even on weekends and holidays. Our team is trained to handle water damage restoration with the utmost urgency and efficiency.

Feel More Confident Navigating the Water Restoration Process

Whether you’re dealing with a small water spill or a multi-floor flooding situation, Roto-Rooter is here to help. We’ll provide expert guidance every step of the way, from initial cleanup to dealing with insurance. If you’re dealing with water damage, don’t wait — contact Roto-Rooter today to get the help you need!