All over the country, thousands of homeowners are daily faced with the challenges of cleaning up a home after water damage or a fire. Some will attempt the cleanup on their own, while others will hire a company like SERVPRO. If your home is damaged, which are you more likely to do?

With spring right around the corner, it is inevitable some homes will sustain water damage in Salt Lake City. We recommend homeowners use professional remediation rather than trying to tackle the job themselves. And it is more than just bias and self-interested; there are very valid reasons for utilizing professional remediation.

1. Expert Knowledge - As knowledgeable as some homeowners might be about their properties, water damage presents special challenges very few are aware of. It is not enough to pick up a couple of fans from the department store, open the windows, and hope for the best. A remediation company like SERVPRO has the knowledge and understanding of damage water does and how that damage needs to be corrected.

2. Advanced Equipment - Would you agree it is better to try to save the contents of your home if possible? If so, understand it takes specialized equipment to do that. As we stated previously, fans you buy at the department store are inadequate. A remediation service utilizes submersible pumps, high-powered vacuums, infrared equipment, and industrial fans -- and that's just for starters. They have the professional-grade equipment needed to get the job done right.

3. Disinfecting Services - Some types of flooding require more than just drying out the area. There are times when disinfecting is also necessary to ensure your home is a safe dwelling. Once again, over-the-counter products are not necessarily the best way to disinfect your home. Companies like SERVPRO have the safest and most powerful disinfectants as well as the knowledge to use them properly.

4. Mold Remediation - One of the biggest enemies homeowners encounter after water damage in Salt Lake City is mold. Mold can begin growing after a minor water incident, such as a flooded toilet, or it can launch an overwhelming offensive after a major flood. Mold is something you do not want to mess around with; something best handled by a trained remediation specialist.

5. Insurance Coverage - With the exception of flooding caused by storms and other natural events, most basic homeowner’s policies will cover remediation services. You should be able to make a claim after a failed water tank, burst plumbing, bathtub overflow, etc. As long as you are making a claim, it just makes sense to hire professional remediation. (NOTE: if you want to be covered against water damage from storms and other natural occurrences, you will need to purchase flood insurance.)

6. Future Value - Protecting the future value of your home is essential. If potential buyers discover your home suffered water damage, they are less likely to be fearful if they know the damage was taken care of through professional remediation. If you try to clean up on your own, you might actually be reducing the resale value of your home.

There are certainly other reasons why hiring professional remediation is a good idea after sustaining water damage in Salt Lake City. However, we have given you enough here to at least make the point.

SERVPRO is one of the nation's leading fire and water damage remediation companies with a reputation second to none. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after an incident so as to reduce the likelihood of further damage. Were available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.