WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION
Professional water damage restoration in Yakima
Flooding, leaky pipes, a leaking roof, an overflowing sink or tub. Mitigation, cleanup, restoration and the insurance file, from one crew.
Chapter 01
The seven sources we see
Water gets into a Yakima home or business a handful of ways, and we have been called to every one of them. A roof leak after a storm or a hot stretch. A supply line to a washing machine, dishwasher or sink that lets go. Heavy rain, gutter failure or a lawn watered too long pushing water into a basement.
Then the ones that start inside the walls: a hot water tank that fails, a sewer line that backs up into the crawl space, a clogged tub or sink that keeps running, and a shower whose grout and caulk have quietly stopped doing their job.
Knowing which one we are looking at tells us where to stop the water first and what the rest of the job will involve.
A school gym floor in Yakima being dried, with taped-off floor panels, yellow suction hoses and air movers running
Clean, gray and black water
Before anyone starts pulling out carpet, we assess the cause and whether it is safe for you to be in the building at all. We factor in children and pets, look for health hazards like mold or fungus, and check that the area is structurally safe. If it is not, we can help relocate people to somewhere safer.
We also examine the quality of the water that is leaking. There are three categories of flood water, clean water, gray water and black water, and each has different safety requirements. Stagnant sewage is the clearest example: it carries health risks for residents and pets and calls for personal protective equipment, which is why our cleanup staff are trained and certified for it.
Chapter 03
Drying is measured, not guessed
Once the source is stopped, drying begins. It can take anywhere from hours to weeks, depending on the size of the space and the scope of the damage. The equipment we reach for most is air movers, fans and dehumidifiers.
Some materials, drywall and carpet most often, cannot be saved and can slow the drying down. Where there is structural damage, we may open the area down to the wall studs and sub-flooring so it dries efficiently and can be rebuilt properly.
Reconstruction does not start on a guess. We moisture test the area to confirm it is completely dry, then reinstall cleaned materials and replace what was removed.
“Had our bathroom flood the night before Thanksgiving at 9pm, and within half an hour Seth was out at our house working to get fans and dehumidifiers set up.” Ted Warnock, Google review, five stars.
Know the difference
Mitigation vs restoration
With water damage it is important to act fast. Not every flood cleanup company offers both water damage mitigation and restoration. Baxter Construction is a full service restoration company in Yakima, WA, and we do both.
Mitigation
The process of assessing, containing and removing water to prevent further damage. This can include:
- Stopping the flow of water
- Assessing the quality of flood water to determine potential site health risks
- Maintaining the structural integrity of the area
- Extracting property from the affected area
- Pumping away any standing water
Restoration
The process of returning your property to its original state. This can include:
- Clearing debris that can't be salvaged
- Drying the affected area and salvaged materials
- Applying antimicrobials to prevent mold growth
- Demolition and reconstruction, if necessary
Common causes
Where the water comes from
A lot can happen on your property without you even knowing it. Keep an eye on your water usage, and know the usual suspects.
From outside the house
- Roof Leaks
- Wear, extreme heat, storm and wind. We tarp the area off, even during a storm.
- Exterior Flooding
- Heavy rain, gutter failure, even prolonged lawn watering can flood a main floor or basement.
From inside the walls and fixtures
- Supply Lines
- Washers, dishwashers, sinks and some refrigerators. Check fittings for minor leaks.
- Hot Water Tank Flood
- An outdated or badly installed tank fails. We stabilize the tank first, then restore.
- Sewer Failure
- A blockage backs waste into the crawl space. Protective equipment and certified cleanup staff.
- Shower, Tub and Sink Overflow
- A bathtub faucet can release 4 or more gallons a minute. Mitigate first, then restore.
- Shower and Bathtub Leaks
- Tired grout and caulk let moisture build up in walls and floors. We dry it and seal it properly.
Our First Response Team
A dedicated group of professionals who work around the clock to respond quickly whenever you need us. Water damage mitigation and restoration, flood cleanups, pipe bursts and roof leaks. We can even handle the insurance claim. Call us at (509) 452-2464, no matter what time it is.
Call us before you call your insurance company!
We keep photo documentation on all of our projects, and we can help you file your damage claim. More on that on our insurance page.
We are committed to
- Absolute 24/7 emergency services
- First contact within 30 minutes
- Being on site within hours
- Maintaining insurance approved documentation
- Ensuring you receive the highest quality of service