What Is the Water Extraction Process?

Water can wreak havoc on your home or business’s property. For this reason, immediate water extraction is absolutely crucial after suffering water or flood damage. In fact, water extraction is a must-have process to prevent secondary and extensive damage, such as mold growth. But, what is water extraction?

Water extraction is a kind of process recommended for removing excess water from the flooring and grounds of the house or property. To illustrate, the methods used by water extraction experts include stopping the source of excessive water flow and draining of water. In addition, it will also include removal of non-visible water, as well as drying and dehumidifying the damaged area.

To extract standing water, professional water extraction services can use pumps to pump out the water. Meanwhile, they’ll use drying systems to dry the wall, ceiling, and crawl spaces. For example, a high-end vacuum is used for water extraction from the carpet.

Water extraction should be performed quickly, but it should be done professionally and efficiently. Suppose you are looking for emergency water extraction. In that case, it will be an advantage if you know what water extraction looks like and its importance.

First and foremost, Are Water Extraction and Water Mitigation Different?

In short, yes, water extraction is different from water mitigation. While a professional restoration service often involves both water extraction and mitigation, each process involves different methods. For example:

Water Extraction

As mentioned before, water extraction involves removing excess water from the home through the use of submersible pumps and industrial vacuums.

Water Mitigation

On the other hand, water mitigation is a water restoration service’s additional actions to prevent further damage. Based on the severity of the water damage, the water mitigation process may involve:

• First, removing unsalvageable materials.
• Second, cleaning and disinfecting all affected areas.
• Then, removing affected structures such as drywall, flooring, and upholstered furniture.
• After, deodorizing the home.
• In addition, drying out the home’s structural components with the appropriate equipment.
• Last but certainly not least, conducting humidity and moisture testing to ensure all issues have been resolved.

So, What Does the Water Extraction Process Involve?

Indeed, water extraction from your home or property can be a complicated process. Therefore, it’s best left to a professional water extraction service. However, understanding the water removal process is crucial to know what areas of your home can be salvaged and what you can do to restore your home. An efficient water removal service looks like this:

First, Step of the Water Extraction Process is to Identify and Stop the Water Source

The first step of the process is to locate and stop the source of excess water. Water removal cannot begin until the source of unwanted water is eliminated. For instance, this can be as simple as closing off the main water pipe to your home. However, certain damage may require the help of emergency services to shut off.
Nevertheless, whether it is a leakage in the pipes or a crack underneath the flooring, water extraction will be more efficient once the issue is identified.

Second Step of the Water Extraction Process Is to Look for Safety Hazards

Safety hazards in the house or a commercial building may include electricity, sockets, and Asos. It is important to look for these first before creating a plan for water extraction and restoration. With this in mind, safely unplug all electronics. Or shut off electricity for the whole property if the water damage is extensive. Thermal imaging and moisture detectors may be utilized to see the extent of the water damage.

Then, Extract Water and Dry the Area

Removing visible pockets of standing water is essential to avoid further damage to your property. This can be accomplished by using a wet vacuum or a pump to help drain the water away from your home.

Water can remain hidden within carpeting, upholstery, walls, and crawl spaces. As a result, it can lead to mold formation or more damage to your building structure. Therefore, it’s extremely important that your restoration company not only removes visible standing water but also looks for non-visible pockets.

Finally, After the Water Extraction Process is Over, Begin the Water Mitigation Process

After finalizing water extraction, water damage mitigation steps should follow. Disinfection and sanitization of the area are a part of water mitigation. This is done by using commercial-grade cleaning solutions to stop bacteria buildup and get rid of bad odors caused by molds and mildew.

Moreover, your water damage restoration company should also proceed to dehumidify the damaged area in order to remove any leftover moisture. This is done by allowing dry air to circulate and dry out any moisture.

How Much Does Emergency Water Extraction Cost?

As mentioned before, water extraction is a professional job that is done using different methods with different tools and equipment. Therefore, you might expect it to cost thousands of dollars. However, water extraction cost depends greatly on the service provider and the amount of water to be removed.

Nevertheless, most residential and commercial properties are protected by an insurance policy, so you might not have to worry about the cost of water extraction. Standard home and business owner insurance usually cover water damage as long as it’s not due to negligence.

Last but not least, for help with filing, negotiating, and settling your water damage insurance claim, call AllCity Public Adjusting today.