Identify Source

We will locate the cause of the water/ moisture intrusion. The source must be stopped before any restoration or drying of the building can be successful.

Identify Type of Water

We will identify the category and classification of water damage to ensure we restore your property based on industry guidelines. The level of contamination of the water will affect the specific restoration processes we use. Water, under the IICRC’s S-500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, is separated into three categories. These categories are based upon the level of contamination present, or presumed present, in the source water.

Category 1

is water from a clean or sanitary source. “Clean water”. This can include water from broken clean water supply lines; clean water from toilet tank; faucets; and bottled water. Although the source may be from a clean source, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 depending upon such factors as time and contact with contaminants, and migration through walls and ceilings.

Category 2 is water with some level of contaminants that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. “Grey water”. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; dishwasher overflow, sump pump water from the sump crock. Category 2 water can quickly degrade into category 3 depending upon such factors as time and contact with contaminants.

Category 3 water is grossly unsanitary, and could cause severe illness or death if ingested. “Black water’. Sources for category 3 water include, but are not limited to, sewage; flooding from rivers or streams; Wind driven rain, water from beyond the toilet trap; water from the toilet bowl with feces; and standing water that has begun to support microbial growth, water backed up through the main sewer line.

Drying Classification

Water damage is classified into one of the following classes

Class 1 Water Damage

Slow Evaporation Rate: Water losses that affect only part of a room or area, or losses with lower porosity materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, VCT, concrete). Little or no wet carpet or padding is present. Minimum moisture is absorbed by materials, releasing moisture slowly.

Class 2 Water Damage

Fast Evaporation Rate: Water losses that affect an entire room or carpet and pad. Water has wicked up walls 12″ – 24”. There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g., plywood, particleboard, structural wood, concrete).

Class 3 Water Damage

Fastest Evaporation Rate: Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, padding and sub-floor in the entire area are saturated.

Class 4 Water Damage

Specialty Drying Situations: These consist of wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which requires very low specific humidity.

WATER DAMAGE

Survey Extent of Damage and Inspect the Premises. We inspect and test the damaged area to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration. Identify Signs of Visible Mold Growth

Visible mold growth and moldy, musty odors may indicate the source of a moisture or water intrusion. _ Identify Mold Growth Present in the Structure. _ Identify Odors or Musty Smells.

Furniture Moved and Blocked In Place

We move furniture and property contents and block items to help prevent rust or furniture stains on wet carpet.

Emergency Water Extraction

We remove as much excess water as possible from affected areas.

Floor and Wall Inspection

We check the extent of wet flooring, subfloors and walls. Also inspection wa wall cavities for wet building materials.

Carpet

We examine carpet for damages and remove damaged carpet, depending on the water category, and industry standards.

Carpet Pad

We check whether the carpet pad should be removed to save or protect the subfloor. Depending on the category of water, the pad may need removed and the carpet dried. In cases of category three exposure the carpet and pad will be removed

Treatments

Our process utilize deodorizers , and antimicrobial solutions that are used within EPA guidelines and training.

Disposal

We will remove and dispose of damaged materials with guidance from you and your adjuster.

Equipment

Mitigation begins by removing as much water through physical extraction as possible. Drying equipment removes moisture and brings the relative humidity level back to normal. We monitor moisture in wet materials until the materials return to acceptable drying goals. We monitor the temperature and humidity levels to make sure conditions are conducive for drying. This ensures that there are no secondary issues later, and that not only does it “feel “ dry, it is actually dry.

Water Back up vs. Flood

Most people learn a great deal about their homeowner’s insurance policy after there’s been an event— which is not the ideal time to have a crash course in coverage. At Custom Cleaning Services, we see quite a few policies and situations. Although the details vary from one insurance carrier to another and from one policy to another, we can share some general guidelines.

A water backup, occurs when water comes up through a floor drain in the basement, or lowest level of the residence. This could be a toilet, or sink, but is typically a floor drain. This is a backup of the sanitary system, and can be caused by a blockage, or break in your system and even from a blockage in the city’s system.

Another type of backup can be from a malfunctioning sump pump system. The pump may have stopped working from failure, mechanical issues, over use, or loss of power. Due to this water will build up in your footer tiles, back flow into the crock, and due to the malfunction, overflow the crock and affect your basement.

These two examples are part of your home owners policy that covers water or sewer backups, and in allot of cases is an addition, or add on to your home owners policy. If you have coverage questions please contact your local agent.

A flood, is when water from an area outside of the home flows into your home. A retention basin that is full, a stream or creak, a pond or lake, and even extremely heavy burst of rain water. When this water flows into your home from windows, doors, and even through the sill plate of the foundation. This would be considered a flood.

Unfortunately, home owners can give the wrong description of what has occurred, and when reporting what is actually a backup, label it as a flood, and then have coverage issues with the insurance company. Custom Cleaning Services has a long history of dealing with all insurance companies, which is why it is important to have a trained technician evaluate your loss, and get a proper determination as to what has occurred, to assist you in making a determination on how best to proceed from there.

Sewage Back up

Sewer backup or Category 3 water requires specialized equipment and training to effectively clean and sanitize the affected area. Custom Cleaning Services specializes in sewage cleanup and Category 3 water damage repair. Our staff has been trained to permanently remove the contamination and make your home or business safe, healthy, and odor free.

There are times when although it does not appear to be “heavy sewage”, the water contains the same pathogens and materials visible in heavier sewage. This material can affect drywall, and other materials, and as the clear water evaporates away, you are left with the concentrated material behind. Left untreated this material poses a real health risk for the occupants of the home or business.

Category 3 water is grossly unsanitary, and could cause severe illness or death if ingested. “Black water’. Sources for category 3 water include, but are not limited to, sewage; flooding from rivers or streams; Wind driven rain, water from beyond the toilet trap; water from the toilet bowl with feces; and standing water that has begun to support microbial growth, water backed up through the main sewer line.