Like most disasters (car wrecks, personal injury, marriage...) many people do not think of how they are going to deal with a problem until it is on top of them. Oh, sure we purchase insurance, but how many of us take the time to read a policy and discover all the little nuances, things that may not be covered? How many rude awakenings have there been because of the level of disinterest we so often display?
Likewise for water damage. We know it's a possibility, but how many of us are truly prepared for it when it happens? Standing hip deep in raw sewage and pulling "goodies" out of your ear is not the time to start comparison shopping.
The good news is that there are multiple companies advertising water damage restoration services in every city. The bad news is that there are multiple companies advertising water damage restoration services in every city. The plain fact is that many of them are woefully unqualified to take on such a project. There are no government regulations dictating who can do this sort of work, and while I would normally be grateful that government actually saw fit to keep their hands OUT of something, in this case it means that any yahoo with a mop and a shop vac can slap a "water damage repair" sign on the side of his Camaro and say he's in the business. Letting this guy work on your house guarantees that a bad situation will become worse, easily doubling your repair costs and causing much in the way of additional headaches for you and your family.
There are simply certain things to look for in a water restoration company. Here are a few:
24/7 Service - I always respect a man who answers his own phone, especially at 3AM when the waters are rising and I need help. The ideal company should be available and able to have someone out to you promptly.
Full Staff - No work of this type should be subcontracted. Make sure the company you choose as a full staff of trained technicians, up to speed on all the latest toys (er, I mean, "equipment") and procedures. They should also be licensed, bonded , and insured. I'm not really sure what "bonded" means, but it always seems to go with the other two.
Complete Service - Repairing water damage involves a lot of different steps; it's best to have one outfit be responsible for it all. From water extraction and drying to carpet cleaning and mold removal to structural repair and reconstruction, the outfit you choose should be able to look you in the eye and say "we can do it all".
Certification - Since the government has apparently found water damage repair as boring a subject as most of us do, the industry decided to police itself, and has done an admirable job. The Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) was formed in 1972, establishing standards of care, industry accepted procedures, and certification in all areas of water damage restoration. Now a certificate or seal of approval does nothing to guarantee competent work, but if the company in question has that seal, then you can know they've at least spent time, effort, and finances on getting their people up to speed. The result is credibility and accountability for the business, and peace of mind for a homeowner who by this point already has too much on their plate.
My advice? Do your homework now and find a company that is qualified to do the work, somebody you can trust with your home when disaster strikes. And then, just like car insurance, pray to whatever god you serve that you never have to call on them.
Not that my advice means much, but hey, I do spend eight hours a day writing about this stuff, so I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two. I'd hate to see it go to waste. So make some calls today, huh? For me? Thanks. I appreciate it.
Later....
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