Water damage is a brutal blow to any family who least expects it—as well as the structure. Not only is it a burden to have personal items ruined or destroyed by water damage, it’s also a dangerous and potentially devastating blow to the structure of the building.

Water damage can weaken foundations, rot away wood framing members and rust metals into unrecognizable pulp. Even more problematic, when water damage is allowed to go on unnoticed it exponentially gets worse, potentially destroying the entire structure in the process.

At the first sign of water damage, it’s best to call in the professionals immediately.

A water damage restoration specialist differs than the conventional plumber and building contractor in that they are on call 24 hours a day 365 days a year, ready to serve any and every water emergency need.

Water restoration specialists tend to work specific areas of their state or county and strictly adhere to that policy.

Besides being a licensed and insured contractor, they also must adhere to strict guidelines and codes for water restoration cleanup and repair. On top of that, insurance for workers compensation, builder’s risk and liability insurance paperwork should all be up to date and current with state and local regulations.

While a license and insurance means that they are set up to do business, it certainly doesn’t mean they do quality work. To make matters worse, it’s difficult at best to do research on a prospective water damage specialists references when an emergency situation is occurring and time is of the essence. When possible, contact a minimum of three references to ensure the work they have performed in the past is up to your standards.

Water damage restoration work is often paid for by the insurance company. If your homeowner’s policy covers your water damage, contact an insurance agent first before you hire anyone to come do any work. They will let you know exactly who can do the work and what costs are covered under their policy. This way, you won’t be stuck with hidden charges or unpaid fees when your insurance company cuts a check for the repair damages.