After you have called for the appropriate service provider(s) you should prepare for their arrival. Make close parking available for the service vehicle(s). Restoration companies usually send a two-person crew to a water loss in one or two trucks. You might enquire about the number of service vehicles that will arrive. If this is a night-time visit, be sure to turn your exterior lights on.

Keep young children and pets away from the wet areas.

Water spreads quickly. It flows downward by gravity, and it wicks upward by absorption. Standing water is like an iceberg, there is usually more hidden below the surface than what is easily visible.

During the wait time you could inspect inside closets for signs of moisture and on the opposite sides of walls too. Pick up all items from the floor that are in or near any moisture. Remove cardboard, paper, clothing, and electronics that are easily damaged by water. The service technicians will usually move the larger furniture items if that becomes necessary.

Service technicians use sensitive moisture sensors, including thermal imaging equipment to locate the full extent of hidden moisture. This helps the technicians scope out a plan for moisture extraction and for the installation of their drying equipment in all the right places.

Restorative drying equipment consisting of air-movers (fans) and dehumidifiers. These machine are installed in a wet structure to dry the building materials and remove (evaporate) the dampness from the indoor air. The goal of mitigation/restoration companies is to dry a structure in three to five days.

Water Damage Mitigation Contractors provide the following services:

• Water and moisture detectioon
• Water extraction (clean water and sewage water)
• Surface disinfecting
• Indoor air quality control
• Furniture manipulation
• Structural drying
• Content drying
• Document drying
• Mold prevention
• Odor control

The drying equipment is noisy, causing some homeowners to seek relief from the noise by turning the equipment off for several hours at a time. Turning equipment off for even a few hours will dramatically retard the drying process and can add one or more days to the drying time. Some insurance policies contain language that warns a homeowner that interference with the restoration process may be grounds to deny the claim.

Fortunately, insurance policies make provision for alternative/temporary housing during a significant property damage event. Ask your insurance provider or adjustor if this is applicable for your loss. Your water damage restoration contractor will be pleased to speak to your insurance adjuster about this on your behalf.