After serious flood damage, most homeowners cannot decide whether to repair or reconstruct. It is not merely a financial question but a safety and structural one. However, only a professional team for water damage restoration in Ottawa can make the right choice between repairs and rebuild.
Factors influencing the decision between repair and construction
Let us analyze the major factors that help you choose between repairs and rebuilding after water damage.
The duration of the accumulated water
How long has the water been left untreated on the surface? Time is the most important factor in your decision on rebuilding and repairing. Water extracted within a few hours may not cause more damage than water accumulated for days. Drywall that has been wet for around 6 hours is easy to dry. But, if it remains wet for 3 days, you need to restructure it.
The category of water
Category 1 or clean water damage is repairable in most cases. Professionals will apply drying and antimicrobial treatments to save your materials. In case of a Category 2 or gray water damage, only a few materials are cleanable, depending on exposure time and porosity. Black water or Category 3 water damage leads to the need to replace the affected materials.
Structural integrity
Concrete parts of your house are easy to dry and restore to their original condition. On the contrary, metal frames need to be treated properly for reuse. However, wooden components that have been exposed to water for several days start warping and rotting. You may also need to reconstruct swollen subfloors.
Preexisting condition and age of the materials
The professionals make their decisions based on the pre-existing issues. For instance, water damage might have soaked a 25-year-old carpet. In this case, there is no need to clean and reinstall the same carpet. Similarly, an old subfloor needs reconstruction if it has become wet.
Repair versus rebuild- Make your final choice
The choice between rebuilding and repairs depends on various factors. You need to hire experts to restore your house from water damage in Ottawa. They will assess your rooms and household materials to take the right steps.
