Water Damage Restoration in Columbia, MD

The Best Water Damage Company in Columbia, MD

When water damage occurs, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and anxious. Many property owners are unsure about how to start the cleanup process, but with our expert services, you won’t have to face this challenge alone. We specialize in water damage restoration, ensuring that your home or building is well taken care of by our team.

Understanding the urgency of water damage situations, we offer 24/7 availability for emergency calls. We know that prompt action is crucial in minimizing damage, so don’t hesitate to contact us at (443) 529-3363 to schedule a damage assessment by our team of certified experts.

Leading Causes of Water Damage in Homes & Buildings

Water damage can occur due to a variety of reasons. At First & Last Restoration, we’ve seen it all. The following are just some of the more popular sources that we’ve dealt with:

Leaky & Deteriorated Pipes: Aged and corroded pipes can contribute to concealed water damage. Storms and Floods: Heavy rainfall during natural disasters can lead to flooding that infiltrates buildings.
Sewage & Septic Overflows: Our specialists are skilled in handling blackwater floods with caution.
Poorly Sealed Roofs, Windows, and Doors: Inadequate seals and worn-out roofing materials can cause water damage over time.
Malfunctioning Appliances: Broken washing machines and water heaters are just a couple of examples of appliances that can lead to water damage.

The water restoration process varies depending on the specific cause, making it crucial to determine the origin of the damage. Some of the issues mentioned above can result in gradual or hidden water damage, so it’s essential to contact a team of experts if you suspect a potential problem in your home. Our company will help pinpoint the source and develop an effective treatment plan based on those findings.

Our Proven Water Restoration Process

While each of our water damage restoration plans is tailored to the specific cause and extent of water damage, the following steps are generally included:

Damage Evaluation: We start by assessing the water damage in your home, inspecting all affected areas and employing diagnostic tools such as moisture meters.
Water Removal: Our certified experts strive to remove all standing water as quickly as possible to prevent additional water damage, using industrial vacuums and powerful pumps to facilitate the process.
Drying & Dehumidification: The water cleanup process isn’t complete until all moisture is eliminated, so we utilize air movers and dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry the property.
Cleaning & Disinfection: Whether we’re dealing with clean, grey, or black water, we always clean and disinfect the area to prevent mold growth.
Repair & Restoration: Our team of contractors can restore your home to its original condition by repairing damaged drywall, flooring, and other elements.
Final Inspection: To ensure our work is complete and satisfactory, we conduct a thorough final inspection to verify that all damage has been addressed and any potential secondary damage has been prevented.

Why You Should Always Fix Water Damage As Soon As Possible

Water damage is a frequent issue in Columbia, MD, but residents and business owners often don’t address it promptly.

Delaying water damage repair is not advisable, as natural disasters, burst pipes, and malfunctioning plumbing can cause significant harm to your property. Here are several reasons to promptly address water damage:

Avoids electrical hazards: Water damage can result in electrical hazards like short circuits and fires, posing a risk to integrated appliances, fuse boxes, and wiring panels. Promptly fixing water damage prevents further deterioration of these systems and protects your property’s value.
Minimizes contamination risk: Water damage, especially from sewage backup or floodwaters, can lead to contamination with harmful pathogens and bacteria. These contaminants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other illnesses. Repairing water damage quickly mitigates this risk and helps ensure your family’s safety.
Lowers repair expenses: Addressing water damage immediately can reduce overall repair costs. The longer water damage is left untreated, the more damage it can inflict on walls, floors, and ceilings, eventually causing costly structural damage. By fixing water damage quickly, you can minimize the overall repair expenses for your property.
Prevents mold growth: Rapidly dealing with water damage is essential to prevent mold growth. Mold spores can start growing in as little as 24 hours and become established within 72 hours. Mold can cause various health issues, including allergies, asthma, and breathing difficulties.

it is crucial to address water damage as soon as possible. Delaying repairs can increase costs, pose health hazards, and even cause fires if water comes into contact with electrical equipment.

Signs Of Water Damage In Your Home

Water damage can manifest in various ways in your property. Therefore, Baltimore residents and businesses should look out for the following signs. If you see or notice any of them on your property, arrange a call-out today!

Water stains. Keep an eye out for brownish-yellow stains on your ceilings and walls. These often indicate a leak from above, usually from a burst pipe.

Warped or stained floors. When water gets into flooring material such as wood, it causes it to change shape. It may also cause discoloration if the underlying material is sensitive to it.

High water bills. Noticing that your water bill is suddenly much higher is another sign of a leak, particularly if the price per cubic meter is the same. If you can’t see any evidence of a leak, it usually means it is outside.

Mold growth. Black, green, and orange mold patches on your walls always indicate water damage, even if it is just the effect of excess condensation.

Musty odors. Sometimes you can’t see mold directly (because it is behind a wall), but you can usually smell it. Damp rooms have a musty odor because of mold spores, again indicating a leak.

Damp air. High humidity is another sign of a water leak. It usually occurs on hot days or when you turn on your furnace in the winter.

Peeling paint and wallpaper. Lastly, look out for evidence of dampness on your walls. Water causes paint and wallpaper to lose their adhesiveness over time.

DIY Water Damage Restoration Versus Professional Restoration

Water damage is a serious issue that can reduce your property’s value significantly. However, many people choose to carry out repairs themselves, which isn’t always a good idea.

The differences between professionals and DIY enthusiasts is significant. For example:

Professionals have more expertise and experience than regular home or business owners. They know how to deal with more severe water damage on your property.
Professionals have better equipment and technology to help them address water damage. Many offer specialist equipment that can detect and repair building materials quickly, such as state-of-the-art dehumidifying and drying equipment.
Professionals are also faster and more efficient than their DIY counterparts. Amateurs may take days to extract all the water from a property, whereas it might only take amateurs a few hours.
Professionals are more comprehensive than DIYers. Therefore, they are more likely to extract every last drop of moisture from a room, preventing mold from developing later.
Professional restoration firms in Baltimore can file insurance claims for you if your insurance policy covers water damage.

In summary, DIY restoration often seems like a cost-effective option. However, it comes with limitations. Most critically, it may not deal with the underlying damage, increasing costs later.

How To Prevent Water Damage From Occurring Again

Calling out water damage restoration services in Baltimore is something you should do in an emergency. However, you don’t want it to become a habit. Therefore, property owners should take basic steps to prevent water damage from occurring again. Here’s what to do:

Prevents Electrical Hazards. Water damage can lead to electrical hazards, including shorts and fires. It can be dangerous for integrated appliances, fuse boxes, and wiring panels. Fixing water damage fast prevents further degradation of these systems, protecting your property’s value.
Reduces contamination risk. Water damage can lead to contamination if sewage backup or flood waters are involved. These waters can contain various pathogens and bacteria that are harmful to health and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other forms of sickness. However, fixing water damage quickly prevents this hazard and helps to keep your family safe.
Reduces repair costs. Dealing with water damage immediately may also reduce your repair costs. That’s because the longer it goes untreated, the more damage it can cause. Water can penetrate walls, floors, and ceilings if left long enough, leading to structural damage that’s costly to repair. By contrast, when you fix water damage quickly, it reduces the overall repair costs you face on your property.
Prevent mold growth. Lastly, you should deal with water damage rapidly to prevent mold growth. Spores can start growing in as little as 24 hours and become established in 72 hours. Therefore, act as soon as the waters subside or you notice a leak. Mold can cause multiple health problems, including allergies, asthma, and breathing difficulties.

Water Damage Restoration FAQs

What should I do when I notice water damage in my home?

We know you want to get your home or building back to normal as quickly as possible, but the water restoration process can be longer for more severe damage. The only way that you can get an accurate estimate of the time it will take is by working with a reliable team of water cleanup professionals. First & Last Restoration will provide you with a timeline estimate based on our assessment of the damage.

How much does water damage restoration cost?

The cost of your water restoration project will depend on many variables, including:

The Extent of Damage
Size of Homed or Affected Area
Type of Materials Needing Repaired or Replaced

Since there are so many things that impact the cost, you could pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands. Disinfect-It can provide you with a detailed quote before we get started.

What is hidden water damage?

Water damage isn’t always visible. It can be within your walls, ceilings, or flooring. Signs of hidden water damage include musty odors, bubbled paint, sagging ceilings, and mold growth. You should always contact a water restoration crew if you suspect water damage may be hidden in your home.

Will I have to remove my carpet or flooring?

The answer depends on many things, including the type of water that flooded your home and how long the water covered the floor. It is possible to salvage flooring in some cases where clean or grey water floods the home if the water is removed quickly.

At Disinfect-It, we have plenty of experience with restoring homes, so we will use our expertise to determine the best course of action. You can count on us to recommend the most effective and safest way to restore your home and replace your flooring, if necessary.

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First & Last Restoration

5.0

Based on 70 reviews

review us on

Courtney Spellacy

15:03 15 Nov 23

I love reviews, but never leave them. I have to leave a review for my experience with Marcellis, his team, and the business. I had to get four quotes for my job - and while all were in the same ballpark - the professionalism, responsiveness, and quality of the process and work with First and Last Restoration was head and shoulders above the rest.

Bri Jones

19:30 01 Nov 23

I had a great experience with First & Last Restoration. Everyone is informative and professional. You can tell they know what they are talking about, the crews are very proud of their certifications and schooling when you talk to them about it.They were tidy, efficient and thorough with their work in my business. We had a bad mold problem in the basement that went undetected for months.I would 100% recommend anyone to this company.

Lisa Sterling

00:15 31 Oct 23

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quincy , Mario and Charles were the technicians that performed the restoration work in my home after my sump pump backed up after a storm. They were informative, friendly and most importantly professional.They helped me to feel much better about the situation , I knew I was in good hands. I wish I could give First & Last and their employees 10 stars. The owner even checked in on the job, he was very smart and felt like he really cared about the job being done properly.

Mike Lowe

13:57 30 Oct 23

This team was amazing to work with. We Had a major flood in our home which then resulted in mold. They worked with my insurance company to document everything so it was covered.Quincy and Mario were very knowledgeable technicians and walked me through the whole process. I gave them full access to my unattended home and felt completely safe with them being there while we stayed in a hotel. 10/10 will recommend.

Michael Charles

13:21 21 Oct 23

Highly recommended for all home restoration needs. First and Last Restoration Service handled a significant sewer water damage repair at my brother-in-law's mom's house. Their team not only fixed the current issue but also spotted and resolved a previous damage. What sets them apart is their thorough approach—they don't just remove the damage, but also undertake the necessary repair and finishing work, ensuring the home is restored to pristine condition. Their responsiveness and timely communication were remarkable..

Kia Pearson

16:42 18 Jun 23

Very professional company. Went above and beyond to wrap up my items in plastic to make sure nothing got damaged. They even moved all my furniture and items out of the room they were working in. They did an amazing job removing all the sewage from my home. I highly recommend them!

Jenny Sataloff

03:48 01 Jun 23

Professional, friendly, efficient - they communicate well with the homeowners and the insurance company and provide prompt thorough service. A+

Deidra Stockton

22:41 31 May 23

Wow!! What a wonderful professional on time business. I am so pleased with their services I will be using them again in the near future.

Tameka Payton

02:49 13 May 23

Marcellis and his team are absolutely amazing. They were so helpful! They stepped in and spoke with the insurance agent on my behalf. My insurance adjuster from Liberty Mutual had experience working with Marcellis. She even acknowledged how great of a person he is, which says A LOT coming from an insurance adjuster!!!!Stellar performance, absolute professional.

Orion Burcham

17:57 22 Feb 23

Excellent service - Marcellis from Disinfect-It was knowledgeable, professional, and generous with his time.My wife and I just bought a new house, only to find a mold-like substance covering the walls of the attic. Our first home inspector (not a remediation expert) was sure it was mold, and charged us over $100 for a single tape test. The results of that test were vague, and he concluded by advising that we should “not use the attic.” - an unrealistic and unprofessional suggestion.Following this bad experience, we reached out to Disinfect-It Emergency Restoration for a proper mold inspection. And they delivered!Marcellis (the owner) brought his superior knowledge to bare. He arrived on time, and did a thorough, efficient examination. Not only did he run some initial air tests in the attic (leaving us with more information in one day than we got from the previous lab report), but he also told us that the substance may not actually be mold. He referred us to an industrial mold inspector, and even called him on the spot for an initial review of our attic by video.Since then, we’ve had the specialist come by, and we are waiting on the final (new) lab results. Thanks to Disinfect-It’s experience and professionalism, we may avoid paying for costly remediation that isn’t actually needed.We look forward to working with Marcellis and company again, should the need arise.Thank you, Disinfect-It!

Francine Rodney

20:01 07 Dec 22

I had to call Disinfect-it for water Damage, Clean up and Restoration in which a Respectful Responder named Marcellis Mosby answers the call and out ASAP.He was very easy to talk to, very understanding and sympathetic about our situation. He was willing to help us Restored the damages and take care of our problems.I will definitely call Disinfect-it again if God forbid I should have such unfortunate experience again. I'm Recommending Disinfect-it and the team headed by Marcellis Mosby to anyone who has find themselves in such unfortunate situation like I did.Marcellis Mosby to the RESCUE, U BET ON HIM....FRANCINE R in MD

Tamara Howard

02:04 26 Oct 22

Marcellis and his Disinfect-It team restored my basement after my hot water heater burst. From the first contact until the job was done, they were professional, on-time, knowledgeable, fast, and provided excellent customer service! The water damage from the water heater was much more extensive than I realized. They identified all of the affected areas (carpet, structure, and items), only removed the drywall, studs, and trim that were damaged, and ensured that everything was thoroughly dry before starting the rebuild. They completed the job much faster than I expected. The drywall and trim replacements were done so expertly, that I cannot tell where the old and new begin and end. I was so relieved and pleased. They bought the exact paint (color and brand) originally used on the affected walls for a perfect match. Marcellis also worked with my insurance company to ensure that the work was covered. I am so pleased with Disinfect-It and encourage you to hire them if you'd like your water damaged space to look like new!

Keith Savage

16:12 10 Sep 22

I cannot say enough amazing things about this company. I did not expect to be so pleasantly surprised by the service, professionalism, and excellence of a water remediation company. Mr. Mosby and his team from start to finish are well equipped to handle everything you need. I am a very stern customer and not easily impressed and I am highly impressed with this company. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

KARYES THOMAS

23:23 14 Jun 22

Dealing with water damage, company came highly recommended. The were very professional, on time and knowledgeable about the issue. They assist with dealing with insurance company which set my mind at ease. The crew came and move necessary items to effectively remove damaged walls and carpet. I will definitely use again if needed (hope I don’t need…lol). Thanks DISINFECT for making an otherwise difficult moment less impactful. Your expertise was a welcomed experience.