June 1^st may have been the official start of the 2011 hurricane season, but while we have yet to see our first named storm of the year, we have already seen record level natural disasters all across the US. Flooding along parts of the Mississippi River, coupled with devastating tornadoes across the South and Midwest, and fires in Texas and Arizona have made for an interesting year so far.

The number of homes and businesses either damaged or destroyed by these disasters can be counted in thousands, with damage estimates no doubt totaling up in the billions. Most property owners are faced with the daunting task of repairing or rebuilding in the wake of these disasters. Their first phone call is usually to their insurance provider, but the second call is where the magic happens, contacting their local water damage restoration provider.

Unfortunately, if the property owner hasn’t properly done their homework beforehand, securing a water damage provider can prove problematic. Listings in virtually every community are replete with companies advertising such a service, but the percentage of them that are actually qualified to perform such work is very small.

There are no government guidelines to regulate who can and cannot do this sort of work, so your call could get you a qualified, professional company with trained technicians and the latest equipment and techniques, or it could just as easily produce two yahoos in a jacked up Firebird carrying a couple of mops. Hiring an unqualified company can cause almost as many problems as the original water damage, costing you time, efforts, and finances before the issue is properly remediated.

Fortunately, there are answers that can guide you in the right direction. One of these is known as the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), which represents over 20,000 cleaning and restoration professionals from over 1,200 different companies. Along with the Institute For Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the Restoration Industry Association has become a trusted resource for people looking to learn more about the critical services provided by its members.

Companies that are certified by industry leaders typically offer 24/7 service, able to have a technician out to your property within an hour or so of your call who can assess the problem and begin the water removal and cleanup process. In fact, they will have a full staff of trained, certified professionals, proficient on the latest equipment and procedures, and offering a complete range of services designed to handle all aspects of your water damage needs, from water extraction and secondary drying, to carpet cleaning, mold removal, and repair of damaged items or structural problems.

Industry certified water damage providers can also work with your insurance provider to make sure everything is covered and paid for promptly. The idea is to get you back into your home and enjoying your life again as soon as possible.

Don’t settle for second best, and more importantly, don’t wait until the last minute. The best time to secure a water damage restoration company is right now, before problems come up. Take the time to do your homework and choose the most qualified company in your area to have on call in the event you are the victim of a natural disaster.

Water Damage Local.com can connect you with industry certified water removal providers in your area. Call today to get started.

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