Serving Wichita and the
surrounding areas since 1994.

Notes from a Remodeling & General Contractor for the Wichita, KS Area

Water Damage & Restoration Information for the Wichita, KS Area

Water can attack your home from many different levels including rotting of wood, mold growth, rusting steel, and de-laminating plywood and other materials. The damage may happen very slowly over time such as water spots or instantaneous like catastrophic flooding. Regardless of how fast it may occur, water damage is a major contributor to property loss so it is something a home or business owner will want to deal with immediately.

Watch for Signs of Water Damage

Not everything is as obvious as a foot of standing water in your basement from a failed sump-pump or broken pipe. Some damage is slow or you may have just thought you got all the water out of the affected area. Below are some basic signs to watch for with regards to water damage.

  • Stains - Brown and dark stains or rings on a ceiling are almost certainly a sign of a leak but walls and floors can also show discolorations too.
  • Odd Smells – If an enclosed area has an unusual musty smell, it is likely there is a water and there already may damage. Standing water will stagnate causing such an odor while rotting wood will generally have more of an earthy odor.
  • Mold, Mildew & Fungus – These can appear as discolorations that sometimes are fuzzy. Mold spores are just about everywhere and always looking for a nice dark and wet area to grow in with food…like most building materials. Mold, mildew and fungus can easily be dug in within as little as 36 hours - so the longer it grows, the worse it gets.
  • Peeling - Water loves to soak into building materials. This can cause paint, wallpaper, and plaster to break down and separate from a wall or ceiling which will appear as blistering or peeling.
  • Cupping/Cracking/Warping/Buckling/Sagging - Besides stains and peeling on a wall, ceiling or flooring, you may see start to see warping, buckling, sagging (on ceilings), cracking, or cupping (curing of the edges). If the surface itself is soft and spongy, it indicates a definite problem. Just be careful on checking ceilings as they can collapse.

OK, I have Water Damage, What Next?

Whether you are standing under a hole in the roof after storm or a flooded basement, you will want to deal with a good water damage restoration service. To find one, here are a few tips on what to look for when choosing a company to help restore your home or business in the Wichita KS area:

  • Check for IICRC S500 Certified in Professional Water Damage Restoration
  • 24 Hour / 7 Day a Week Emergency Response
  • Check to see if they do Mitigation AND Rebuilding
  • Works with Insurance Carriers
  • Locally Licensed & Insured Company
  • A+ Better Business Bureau Accredited Business

For more details on the above items, see our article on choosing the right fire and water damage restoration company. No one looks forward to dealing with water damage, but if you recognize it quickly and choose a reliable certified and licensed company, you will find that the situation more manageable.

For those looking for a water damage restoration service and contractor in the Wichita Kansas area, feel free to give us a call at (316) 558-8422 or e-mail.

As always, let us know if you have any questions, other ideas, or comments!