First call to final walkthrough
Our Water Damage Restoration Process
Every water job we run in Boston moves through five stages: inspect, extract, dry, clean, repair. The stages never change, but the time each one takes depends on the building, and older Boston homes with plaster and brick usually need more of it.
Five stages
What Happens at Each Stage of the Job?
Inspection and assessment
A certified technician arrives, usually within 45 to 60 minutes, checks for electrical and structural hazards, and finds the source. Moisture meters and a thermal camera show where water has spread behind walls and under floors. The water is classified as clean, gray or black, and you get a written estimate.
Extraction
Standing water is pulled out with truck mounted or submersible pumps. Carpet, pad and upholstery are extracted or removed depending on the water category.
Drying and dehumidification
Air movers and commercial dehumidifiers are placed according to the readings. Each affected area is measured daily, and equipment is adjusted until materials reach dry standard.
Cleaning and sanitizing
Surfaces are treated with EPA registered antimicrobials, HEPA air scrubbers clean the air, and anything that can’t be saved is removed and disposed of properly.
Restoration and repairs
Drywall, plaster, flooring, trim and paint are put back. We coordinate with your insurer, hand over the documentation, and walk through the finished work with you.
Why it is measured
Why Are Moisture Readings Taken Every Day?
A wall can feel dry on the surface and still be wet inside. Daily readings tell us when to move equipment, when a material has to come out, and when it’s safe to close a wall.
For you
You see the numbers drop and know why the fans are still running.
For your insurer
Dated logs back up every line of the drying invoice.
For the building
Plaster, hardwood and old framing get the slow, steady drying they need instead of guesswork.
For mold prevention
Getting materials dry quickly is what keeps growth from starting in the first place.
Boston buildings
How Does the Process Change for Older Homes?
Triple deckers need every unit measured, because water travels down through ceilings. Brownstones and rowhouses hold moisture in brick and plaster for longer. In winter, a building without heat can refreeze, so temporary heat may be part of the drying plan.
- Each unit measured and logged separately
- Plaster dried in place when readings allow
- Hardwood dried slowly to limit cupping
- Equipment sized for narrow stairs and tight streets
Quick answers
Process Questions
Do I need to be home the whole time?
No. Someone needs to let the crew in for the first visit and for daily checks, but you don’t have to stay while equipment runs.
Is the equipment loud?
Air movers and dehumidifiers make steady fan noise. Turning them off slows drying, so please ask before switching anything off.
When can repairs start?
As soon as the readings say the structure is dry. Closing a wall early traps moisture and invites mold.
Ready When You Are
Call and the first stage can begin within the hour.
Water Damage Restoration Boston · 512 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118 · (857) 675-6821