Water Damage...

If you are currently having a flood emergency, immediately call 303-420-0888 during daytime hours or our pager at 303-878-0006 after hours for attention. TIME is of the ESSENCE.

What to do until we arrive:

5 immediate steps prevent injury & loss

1. Shut off power to flooded areas to prevent electrocution!

2. Call your plumber to stop the leak.

3. Wait until EX-EL's professional evaluates the type and extent of the water damage before notifying your insurance provider so that you can give them accurate information. Remember, you are not limited to your insurance company's provider list, YOU can choose your restoration professional whom you trust.

4. If it’s not sewer water, protect furnishings! Remove furniture, books, papers, etc. from wet carpet or floor. If it is sewer water, stay off the wet areas to avoid cross-contamination.

5. Have confidence you’re in good hands, we’re on our way!

We recognize one of the most distressing situations for you as an owner of a home or business is water damage. This can be caused by broken pipes, overflowing toilets or drains, or outside water seepage causing enormous property damage with a high price tag.

There are three categories of water damage; each is determined by the amount of bacteria found in the carpet or pad.

Category one, “white water”—Clean water straight out of the tap. The bacteria count is low enough that both the carpet and pad can be dried and saved.

Category two, “grey water”—Water from a washing machine, dishwasher or up from the floor or down from the ceiling. Bacteria counts will allow us to save the carpet but we should replace the pad.

Category three, “black water”—Water from a sewer or stagnant to the point the bacteria count has gone too high. In this category we should tear out the carpet and the pad. According to the standards of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration, there cannot be enough bacteria killed to leave carpets in a safe living condition.

If water is located in wall cavities or ceilings, they will need to be dried out and if possible sprayed with an antimicrobial to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. If there is furniture in the flooded area, it should be removed or put on blocks to keep the moisture from wicking up and causing damage.

It is critical, if a flood occurs, to handle it as soon as possible as each of the categories mentioned above will become increasingly worse. TIME IS YOUR WORST ENEMY.