Understanding the Restoration Process
When people call us after a water damage event, one of the first things they ask is: "How long will this take?" The honest answer is that it depends on the severity of the damage, how long the water was present, and the materials affected. This guide walks you through the entire restoration process so you know exactly what to expect.
Phase 1: Emergency Response and Assessment (Day 1)
Within 60 minutes of your call, our team arrives on-site with extraction equipment, moisture detection tools, and drying equipment. The first visit involves:
- Water damage classification — Category 1 (clean water), Category 2 (gray water), or Category 3 (black water/sewage). Category determines safety protocols and disposal requirements.
- Water damage classification by class — Class 1 (minimal evaporation) through Class 4 (specialty drying) determines equipment needs and drying timeline.
- Thermal imaging inspection — Infrared cameras reveal moisture inside walls, ceilings, and under flooring that's invisible to the naked eye.
- Documentation — Detailed photographs and moisture readings for insurance purposes.
Phase 2: Water Extraction (Day 1)
Removing standing water is the most urgent task. We use:
- Truck-mounted extraction units that remove water at up to 25,000 cubic feet per hour
- Submersible pumps for deep standing water in basements
- Portable extractors for targeted areas and furniture
- Specialty tools for carpet and hardwood floor extraction
Rapid extraction reduces the total drying time significantly and minimizes damage to building materials.
Phase 3: Structural Drying (Days 2–7 Typically)
This is the longest phase and the one most people don't anticipate. Even after standing water is removed, building materials are saturated. Drying to IICRC standard (typically below 16% moisture content in wood, 1% in concrete) requires:
- Air movers — high-velocity fans positioned at precise angles to maximize evaporation from surfaces
- Dehumidifiers — low-grain refrigerant (LGR) or desiccant dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air that air movers evaporate
- Drying chambers — containment of affected areas maximizes drying efficiency
- Daily monitoring — our technicians return each day to record moisture readings and adjust equipment placement
A typical residential drying takes 3–5 days. Larger losses or specialty materials (hardwood floors, concrete, brick) can take up to 10 days.
Phase 4: Demolition of Non-Salvageable Materials
Some materials cannot be dried effectively and must be removed. This is called "demo" and may include:
- Drywall cut 12–24 inches above the water line to allow wall cavity drying
- Saturated insulation (fiberglass and cellulose cannot be dried effectively)
- Carpet and pad that cannot be sanitized (especially Category 2 or 3 water)
- Swollen or delaminating wood flooring
We always save what can be saved. Demo is determined by science — moisture readings — not guesswork.
Phase 5: Cleaning and Sanitizing
Once dry, all affected surfaces are treated with antimicrobial agents to prevent mold growth. For Category 2 or 3 water damage (gray or black water), full sanitization is required for health safety. This includes treatment of:
- Subfloors and framing
- HVAC components if affected
- Personal contents that can be saved
Phase 6: Reconstruction
The final phase returns your home to its pre-loss condition. Depending on the extent of demo, this may include:
- Hanging and finishing new drywall
- Installing new flooring
- Painting
- Cabinet and millwork replacement
- Fixture reinstallation
Working with Your Insurance Throughout
We communicate with your insurance carrier throughout every phase — providing scope documents, moisture logs, and photos that adjusters require. Our goal is to make this process as stress-free as possible for you.
If your Boerne or San Antonio home has suffered water damage, call us now at (830) 271-3338. We respond 24/7 and can begin the restoration process today.