Buildings require restoration after several types of damage have occurred. These include structural defects, water damage, and fire damage. Restoration professionals use their knowledge and experience to repair damage while protecting the structure for future use.
Water Damage
When a home or business suffers water damage, it’s best to consult with an IICRC-certified restoration company immediately. Professionals specialize in cleaning, drying, and salvaging personal belongings affected by water damage and repairing structural components.
Water damage quickly spreads and soaks into floors, walls, soft furnishings, and other porous materials. Paper documents like photographs and books will bulge, and drywall and wood can warp or rot.
The most severe types of water damage contain grossly contaminated water that poses significant health risks to people. Restoration professionals from Pure Restore use proper PPE when working with this type of damage. Restoring a home after damage can take weeks or even months.
Mold
Mold is a fungus that grows in damp environments and reproduces through tiny spores. These airborne spores can settle on wet cellulose materials like carpeting, wood products, and drywall.
Mold damage is challenging to repair and can lead to lingering odors and water damage. Mold can cause respiratory issues, releasing harmful toxins into the air.
Drying water-damaged areas and items as soon as possible is essential, often requiring specialized equipment. Items that cannot be removed for drying, such as wall-to-wall carpeting, require extensive cleaning and sanitizing to eliminate odor, mold, and water damage. This can be a much more challenging and time-consuming task than other types of cleanup. This is another reason why hiring a professional restoration company is crucial.
Structural Defects
Structural defects are building flaws that can compromise safety and structural integrity. They can be a result of poor design, construction, or materials. They may also be caused by soil expansion or environmental factors. Regardless, it’s crucial to watch for any signs of structural defects, as early detection can prevent further damage or deterioration.
While it’s normal to see hairline cracks in walls, if you notice long vertical and horizontal cracks or those that form a staircase pattern, these indicate structural defects. Other signs of structural defects include sagging roof ridges, gaps between utilities like chimneys and the exterior of the building, a crumbling plaster wall, or ruptures in foundation floors or walls.
Fire Damage
Fire damage includes any material, equipment, or structures damaged by heat and flames. It also includes anything damaged by smoke or soot. The corrosive byproducts of burning synthetic materials can cause significant harm to surfaces, and smoke particles spread widely, settling deep into porous surfaces.
When a home or business suffers fire damage, it is essential to hire a restoration company immediately. These professionals assess the property, remove any items beyond repair, and restore areas affected by fire, smoke, and soot.
They also address any water damage caused by putting out the fire and use drying and dehumidification techniques to prevent mold growth. They also work with insurance companies to manage the claim process. This saves the homeowner valuable time and resources.
Wear and Tear
Differentiating between regular wear and tear and property damage can be difficult. Understanding these differences can help you make the best rental property and tenant decisions.
Generally, wear and tear is the natural physical decline of a piece of property over time. This deterioration is inevitable, even with the best of care. It is important to note that it is not a tenant’s responsibility to fix this wear and tear.
For example, a landlord cannot charge a tenant for worn carpets or faded curtains. However, a landlord may be responsible for replacing damaged appliances or furnishings that are not in good condition. The distinction between these two types of damage can significantly impact the rental property’s value, usability, and function.
