How Water Damage Experts Determine Non-Salvagable Items

Posted in Flood & Water Damage, on September 16, 2024

Water damage in your home can escalate rather quickly and can become catastrophic if not treated in a timely manner. Water damage in Toronto is often the result of some type of leak, which can come from broken pipes, poor drainage around your home, or untreated cracks or openings in your home. More serious cases of water damage are caused by some kind of pipe or foundation leak. Once you experience water damage or flooding, it is up to the flood damage restoration company to determine what items are salvageable or not. Understandably, homeowners may have a hard time seeing parts of their homes being disposed of. However, this is done for their safety. Numerous factors are considered before deeming household items as non-salvageable. The amount and quality of the water, the material of the item, duration of exposure, and restoration feasibility are all factors that are considered. If you are suffering from water damage and require a restoration team, contact Canada’s Restoration Services today. Our team will ensure that your home is restored as close to its original condition as possible. Contact us today for a free estimate!

Initial Assessment 

An initial assessment is performed before determining which items are non-salvageable. This initial assessment will give the restoration team an idea as to what issues they may be dealing with. It allows them to assess the scope of the damage in the affected area. Sometimes, if the initial assessment is extremely poor, restoration teams may immediately recommend that you replace most of your items. This is usually if the water damage poses too much of a risk to the restoration team. 

Water Contamination

The extent to which the water is contaminated is also a factor that will contribute to determining whether or not items are salvageable. Typically, there are three different levels of water contamination, which can determined visually. 

• Clear Water: When water from flooding or leaking appears to be clear, this is a sign that the water is likely clean and not highly contaminated. Items that have been exposed to this kind of water are generally easier to salvage compared to those exposed to contaminated water. Water from pipe leaks tends to be clear.
• Grey Water: When water from your leak is grey, this indicates that it may contain contaminants, making some items more difficult to restore. When your washing machine or water heater leaks, the water tends to be grey.
• Black Water: If your home has suffered from exposure to black water, then this poses significant health risks to you and your family. Items that have been exposed to this are usually non-salvageable. Black water is normally the result of a sewage leak.

Material

The material that your items and home are made out of will also determine their salvageability. The material an item is made out of will determine how water resistant it is. For example:

• Electronic Items: It is well-known that electronics are highly susceptible to water damage. When water interacts with electronic items, it can begin to conduct some of the electricity, which can cause the device to short circuit. So, if any electronics have been completely submerged in water for an extended period of time, they will be deemed non-salvageable. 
• Porous Items: Items made of porous material are much more susceptible to permanent water damage. Pores allow water to penetrate the material, causing damage. Anything made of wood, fabric, or drywall is most likely to be deemed as non-salvageable because they are porous. 
• Non-Porous Items: When a household item is made out of a porous material, it is much more likely to be salvaged. Non-porous items are much more resistant to water and aren’t significantly impacted by long-term exposure. Items made out of certain metals, ceramic, porcelain, glass, or hard plastic, are likely salvageable. 

Duration of Exposure

Items that have been exposed to water for a longer period of time are more likely to be unsalvageable than those that have only been momentarily exposed. Even if items are made of a more porous material, if they experienced only momentarily exposure to water, they may be able to be restored with minimal effort. For example, items made of fabric, such as pillows or sofas, may be restored with a simple wash. Or if your drywall has been exposed to water for a small amount of time, it may be able to be restored with some fresh paint and a little bit of sealing. If you’ve waited a long time and your fragile items have been covered in water for many days, it may not be worth it to salvage said items.

Health and Safety Considerations

The health and safety of homeowners is always the priority during water damage restoration. If the restoration team feels that the state of your space poses a risk to those who live in the home, they may deem various items as non-salvageable. 

Depending on a combination of the above factors, your restoration company may feel like you are at a high risk of exposure to excess bacteria and pathogens. Moist environments provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and mold, all of which have negative health implications. The risk associated with restoring items that may be ridden with these is simply not worth it. 

Restoration Feasibility

Sometimes, common sense plays a role in determining whether items are non-salvageable. It simply may not be feasible or reasonable to restore particular items. Experts will weigh the cost of restoration against the value of the item to determine if it’s worth saving. Often, your money may be better spent purchasing new items to replace your old ones. 

Water Damage in Toronto? Call Canada’s Restoration Services

Water damage can escalate rapidly, making quick action essential. When you suffer from water damage in Toronto, it is crucial that you have a professional flood damage restoration company on speed dial to help salvage items affected by water. The evaluation process considers factors such as the amount and quality of water, material type, duration of exposure, and restoration feasibility. While it may be challenging to part with your belongings, prioritizing safety and preventing further damage is important. For expert help in restoring your home to its pre-damage condition, contact Canada’s Restoration Services. Contact us today for a free estimate.
 

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