Water damage comes in many forms

Water damage can come from a slow, hidden leak that can be undetected for years, or a burst pipe gushing hundreds of gallons of water. Storm surges, flooding from hurricanes, malfunctioning appliances, and simple forgetfulness (overflowing a bathtub), are some of the possible ways that water can create a problem when it ends up where it doesn't belong. Even small amounts of water can cause large amounts of damage if left untreated. Regardless of the cause, proper water damage restoration can save you time, money and frustration.

Every second counts

Get professional help - bacterial contamination can be an immediate concern, and mold can begin to grow in less than two days. Structural and contents damage, electrical hazards, and contamination are just some of the potential risks of delayed or not treated damage. In addition, your insurance may not cover all of the damage if it was caused by negligence in taking care of it in a timely fashion.


Common causes of water damage

Regardless of the cause, proper water damage restoration can save you time, money and frustration.

  • Leaking plumbing fixture (toilet, sink, shower)
  • Leaking appliance (dishwasher, refrigerator)
  • Basement flooding
  • Ice dams
  • Roof leaks
  • Frozen pipes
  • Flooding from firefighting efforts
  • Storms, hurricanes, and winter weather

Always be safe - avoid these dangerous mistakes:

  • Never enter a room with standing water until the electricity is turned off!
  • Never use electrical appliances while on wet flooring or carpeting.
  • Don't use a household vacuum to remove standing water.
  • Some DIY'ers may choose to use a shop vac rated to handle liquids, however the weight of the filled vacuum can also present a lifting hazard, and there may be contaminants in the water.
  • Do not try to lift heavy buckets of water. One gallon of water weighs more than 8 lbs, a five-gallon pail can weigh almost 42 pounds!
  • Never lift tacked-down carpet without professional help.
  • Don't disturb visible mold.
  • Don't remove items from the room until professionals can assess the damage and document for your insurance company!

We take the stress out of the mess!

When the worst happens, call the experts at Clean Rite. We offer rapid emergency response: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We'll bring the right tools, equipment, protective gear, and knowledge to clean up the mess and to submit properly to your insurance.

Contact our South Kingstown, RI office at 401-788-8000 anytime, day or night. Our certified technicians will be dispatched to your property to begin the water damage restoration process in a fully equipped truck. From start to finish, we are here with you and for you.

The Water Damage Restoration Process

Step 1: Inspection

A certified technician from our company will inspect the affected area and ensure that the source of water has been identified and corrected (we will help coordinate a plumber if necessary). We will also determine if the affected area is dangerous in any way, whether due to electricity, contamination, or other cause. After verifying that the water is turned off, we will gather information about the water source, and collect information from you to begin communication with your insurance company. We will also take photos to document the damage so that your insurance can properly cover your loss.

Step 2: Extraction

We then begin extract any standing water to make sure that as much water as possible is removed via pumps and our truck-mounted extraction systems. Depending on the amount of water damage from a storm or leak, or potential contamination from floodwaters or sewer lines, we may also remove compromised materials such as carpet, drywall, ceiling tiles, clothing, furniture and insulation. While our goal is to dry it out, rather than tear it out, we first evaluate if that can be done safely!

Step 3: Drying

After the immediate extraction actions have been taken, our technician will take moisture readings throughout the area and install our commercial dehumidifiers and fans to continue the structural drying process. You may see out technicians using various types of moisture detection systems, including thermal imaging to detect water intrusion hidden behind walls, in ceiling cavities, or other places not visible to the naked eye. By making sure that we find all areas the water affected, and collecting psychrometric readings, we are able to ensure the fastest, most effective drying process.

We will continuously monitor moisture levels until your property is completely dry. During this process, we will also address any contamination issues, as well as address any potential mold growth.

Step 4: Reconstruction

Once the area has been completely dried and disinfected, you are ready for any reconstruction necessary to get your home or business back to its original condition!

Frequently Asked Questions about Water Damage

You're not alone. It's likely we've encountered what you're going through. Take a look through the questions we hear from our customers.

We are here to help with emergencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Water damage needs to be addressed immediately to limit the affected area and prevent mold growth.

We can work with any insurance company and even use the same software they do to measure and assess the damage. Our involvement in the process helps ensure that the adjusters identify all of the damage and the best course of restoration is followed.

Water damage from gray or brown water sources like toilets, drains or groundwater can be EXTREMELY dangerous but even leaks from clean water sources can quickly become contaminated as they pass through other materials like carpets, wood floors or insulation. This contaminated water is a perfect home for dangerous bacteria and microbes.

Mold is another side effect of standing water. After only 48 hours, improperly dried materials can become contaminated with mold.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the leading organization in our field. Our project managers and technicians hold many certifications in both disaster recovery and cleaning.

Get 24/7 Expert Help

Clean Rite is owned and operated by Greg Raso. Contact us anytime, day or night.