Emergency Water Damage Restoration & Flood Cleanup Services
Stacey's Cleaning Service
Water damage strikes without warning. A burst pipe, a faulty appliance, or a severe storm can flood your home or business in minutes, causing chaos, destruction, and the immediate risk of mold growth. In these critical moments, you need a fast, professional, and compassionate response to minimize the damage and start restoring your property—and your peace of mind. The first 24-48 hours are critical; the actions you take immediately after a water disaster determine the extent of the long-term damage and the cost of restoration.
Stacey’s Cleaning Service provides emergency water damage restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our IICRC-certified technicians are standing by to respond to your call, arriving quickly with advanced equipment to extract water, thoroughly dry the structure, and sanitize the affected areas. We don’t just clean up the water; we restore your property to its pre-loss condition, guiding you through the entire insurance and repair process. Our expertise turns a chaotic and stressful situation into a managed, efficient recovery plan.
What is Water Damage Restoration?
Water damage restoration is a multi-step professional process aimed at returning a water-damaged property to a safe, dry, and pre-damage condition. It goes far beyond simple water removal. The goal is to prevent secondary damage, such as structural weakening and hazardous mold growth, which can begin within just 24-48 hours of a water event. Proper restoration requires specialized equipment, technical knowledge, and a systematic approach to ensure the property is truly dry and safe. It involves science-based drying techniques, antimicrobial treatments, and often, reconstruction to repair damaged materials.
Understanding the Categories and Classes of Water Damage
Not all water damage is the same. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) defines categories and classes to guide the restoration process. Understanding these helps explain our methods.
The Three Categories of Water:
Category 1: “Clean Water”
This is water from a sanitary source, like a broken water supply line, sink overflow, or melting ice. It poses no substantial health risk. However, if left untreated, it can degrade into Category 2 within 48 hours.
Category 2: “Grey Water”
This water contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed. Sources include dishwasher or washing machine overflows, toilet overflows with urine (no feces), and sump pump failures.
Category 3: “Black Water”
This water is grossly unsanitary, containing pathogenic agents and severe health risks. It includes sewage backups, flooding from rivers or streams, and water that has passed through contaminated ground. Category 3 water requires the most stringent safety protocols.
The Four Classes of Water Damage
Class 1: Slow Rate of Evaporation
Water affects only a small area with minimal moisture absorption (e.g., a small leak in a room with ceramic tile
Class 2: Fast Rate of Evaporation
Water affects an entire room and has wicked up walls less than 24 inches. Carpets and cushions are wet.
Class 3: Fastest Rate of Evaporation
Water has come from above, saturating ceilings, walls, insulation, carpets, and subfloors.
Class 4: Specialty Drying Situations
Involves deeply held moisture in materials with low permeability, such as hardwood floors, concrete, and plaster. These require specialized drying techniques.
The Hidden Dangers of Water Damage: More Than Just a Mess
Ignoring or improperly treating water damage can lead to severe consequences that are far more expensive than the initial restoration.
Structural Damage: Wood swells and warps. Drywall disintegrates. Subfloors rot. Over time, the structural integrity of your home can be compromised, leading to sagging ceilings, buckling floors, and even collapse in extreme cases.
Toxic Mold Growth: Mold spores are everywhere, and they only need moisture and a food source (like drywall paper or wood) to grow. Mold colonization can begin within 24-48 hours. Exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other serious respiratory illnesses.
Electrical Hazards: Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Even after the water recedes, outlets, wiring, and appliances can remain hazardous until inspected by a qualified professional.
Pest Infestations: Damp, dark environments are a magnet for pests like termites, cockroaches, and rodents, who are attracted to the moisture and decaying materials.
Decreased Property Value: A history of unremediated water damage is a major red flag for home buyers and can significantly reduce your property’s market value.
Common Causes of Water Damage We Handle
Appliance Malfunctions: Washing machine hose failures, dishwasher leaks, and refrigerator ice maker line leaks.
Weather-Related Events: Flooding from heavy rains, hurricane storm surge, and roof leaks from wind or hail damage.
HVAC Issues: Clogged condensate drain lines causing overflow inside walls or ceilings.
Fire Suppression Damage: Water used by sprinkler systems to extinguish a fire can cause extensive damage throughout the property.
Our Comprehensive 6-Step Water Damage Restoration Process
Emergency Contact and Rapid Response
Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
Our technicians perform a thorough inspection using moisture detectors, hygrometers, and thermal imaging cameras to determine the source of the water, the extent of the saturation, and the category and class of the water damage. This detailed assessment allows us to create a precise drying plan.
Water Extraction and Removal
Drying and Dehumidification
After bulk water is removed, hidden water remains in walls, floors, and carpets. We strategically place industrial-grade air movers (to evaporate moisture) and dehumidifiers (to remove water vapor from the air) to create an optimal drying environment. We continuously monitor the drying progress with moisture meters to ensure the job is complete.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Complete Restoration and Repairs
The final step is restoring your property to its original condition. This can be minor, like replacing a few drywall panels and repainting, or major, such as reconstructing entire rooms. We manage the entire process, from drywall and flooring to painting and electrical, making it seamless for you.
Why Choose Stacey’s Cleaning Service for Water Damage Restoration?
24/7 Emergency Service
Disasters don’t wait for business hours. We are available around the clock, 365 days a year, for immediate response.
DIRECT INSURANCE BILLING ASSISTANCE
We work directly with your insurance company to help manage the claims process, providing detailed documentation, photos, and moisture logs to support your claim and maximize your coverage.
ADVANCED DRYING TECHNOLOGY
We use the latest in moisture detection (thermal imaging) and drying equipment (low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers) to ensure your property is dried correctly, efficiently, and completely.
A FULL-SERVICE SOLUTION
From emergency board-up and water extraction to complete reconstruction, we are your single point of contact for the entire recovery journey.
IICRC CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS
Our team is trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, the leading standard in the industry. This ensures your property is restored according to the highest standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How quickly should I call a water damage restoration company?
Immediately. Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours. The faster we can start the extraction and drying process, the less damage will occur, and the lower your restoration costs will be. We are available 24/7 for this reason.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover the cost?
Do I need to hire a separate mold remediation company?
Not if you hire us. A proper water damage restoration process includes mold prevention through rapid drying and antimicrobial sanitization. If mold is already present, we provide comprehensive mold remediation services as part of our offering, so you don’t need to coordinate with another company.
Can I dry out the water damage myself?
How long does the entire restoration process take?
The initial water extraction and drying phase typically takes 3-5 days. The rebuilding and repair timeline depends on the extent of the damage, ranging from a few days for minor repairs to several weeks for major reconstruction. We provide a clear timeline after our initial assessment.
Act Now to Prevent Lasting Damage
Time is the enemy when it comes to water damage. Don’t wait, hoping it will get better on its own—it won’t. The longer you wait, the more extensive the damage becomes. Contact Stacey’s Cleaning Service now for a swift, professional response that saves your property, protects your health, and saves you money.