How to Tell If Your Flood Restoration Was Done Properly | NZ Guide
10 warning signs of poor flood restoration in NZ homes. Learn industry standards, what proper restoration should include & how to address inadequate work.
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How to Tell If Your Flood Restoration Was Done Properly: A Homeowner's Guide
After experiencing flood damage to your home, the quality of restoration work can make the difference between a full recovery and ongoing issues that plague your property for years to come. As independent insurance assessors in New Zealand, we've seen both exemplary flood restoration and unfortunately, many cases of substandard work that leads to secondary damage.
This guide will help you evaluate whether your flood restoration has been performed to industry standards, giving you the knowledge to protect your home and, if necessary, challenge inadequate work through your insurance claim.
Professional Flood Restoration: What Should Happen
Before examining warning signs, let's establish what proper flood restoration should include:
1. Initial Assessment and Documentation
What should happen:
Detailed moisture mapping of all affected areas
Identification of all water-affected materials
Classification of water contamination (Category 1, 2, or 3)
Documentation of pre-existing conditions versus flood damage
Photos of all affected areas before work begins
Red flag if missing: Without proper initial assessment, restorers may miss concealed damage or fail to address contamination appropriately.
2. Water Extraction and Material Removal
What should happen:
Prompt water extraction within 24-48 hours
Removal of wet carpet underlay in most situations
Detachment of carpet from tackless strips to allow airflow
Removal of affected skirting boards when wall linings are wet
Cutting of wall linings 300-500mm above visible water line
Inspection of wall cavities for hidden moisture
Red flag if missing: Failure to remove wet materials like underlay or inspect wall cavities significantly increases drying time and mould risk.
3. Professional Drying Procedures
What should happen:
Use of commercial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers
Calculation of appropriate equipment quantities based on room size
Strategic equipment placement for maximum airflow
Daily moisture readings recorded in a drying log
Adjustments to the drying plan based on daily readings
Target moisture levels established for each material type
Red flag if missing: Inadequate drying equipment or poor monitoring can leave hidden moisture pockets that cause long-term damage.
4. Antimicrobial Treatments
What should happen:
Application of appropriate antimicrobial treatments for Category 2 or 3 water
Treatment of all affected porous surfaces
Documentation of products used and application methods
Red flag if missing: Untreated contamination can lead to bacterial growth, odours, and potential health hazards.
5. Post-Drying Verification
What should happen:
Final moisture readings of all previously affected materials
Comparison to industry standard dry levels and unaffected areas
Thermal imaging to identify any remaining moisture pockets
Written clearance report confirming drying is complete
Red flag if missing: Without verification, you have no proof that materials have been properly dried before reconstruction begins.
10 Warning Signs of Poor Flood Restoration
1. No Moisture Documentation
Warning sign: The restoration company doesn't provide daily moisture readings or a final drying report.
Why it matters: Without documentation, there's no proof that materials have been properly dried. Professional restorers track moisture percentages daily until they reach appropriate levels.
What to ask: "Can I see the daily moisture readings and drying logs for my property?"
2. Rapid Completion Without Equipment
Warning sign: The company declares your property "dry" after just 1-2 days with minimal equipment.
Why it matters: Proper structural drying typically takes 3-7 days depending on severity. Quick turnarounds without adequate equipment usually indicate corners were cut.
What to ask: "What criteria did you use to determine the property is completely dry?"
3. No Removal of Wet Materials
Warning sign: Wet carpet underlay was left in place, or wet skirting boards remained attached to wall linings.
Why it matters: Underlay acts like a sponge and prevents subfloor drying. Similarly, skirting boards trap moisture in wall cavities.
What to ask: "Why wasn't the wet underlay removed?" or "How did you ensure the wall cavities are completely dry?"
4. Household Equipment Only
Warning sign: Only household fans or small dehumidifiers were used instead of commercial drying equipment.
Why it matters: Consumer-grade equipment lacks the power to effectively dry structural materials. Professional LGR dehumidifiers extract 5-10 times more water daily than household models.
What to ask: "What size and type of dehumidifiers did you use for my property's square footage?"
5. No Consideration of Contamination Categories
Warning sign: The restoration company didn't discuss water contamination levels or apply any antimicrobial treatments.
Why it matters: Category 2 (grey) and Category 3 (black) water contain contaminants that require specific treatment protocols for safe restoration.
What to ask: "What category of water damage did you classify this as, and what specific treatments were applied?"
6. Musty Odours Persist
Warning sign: Weeks after restoration, musty or damp odours remain in the property.
Why it matters: Persistent odours almost always indicate hidden moisture or inadequate drying. Properly dried structures should not smell musty.
What to check: Crawl spaces, behind kickboards, inside wall cavities, and under fixed cabinetry for signs of moisture or mould.
7. Visual Signs of Moisture Return
Warning sign: Bubbling paint, peeling wallpaper, warping materials, or discoloration appearing after restoration was "completed."
Why it matters: These are classic signs of ongoing moisture issues that weren't properly addressed during restoration.
What to do: Document these issues with photos and request a moisture assessment from an independent party.
8. No Technician Certifications
Warning sign: The restoration company can't provide evidence of IICRC or RIA certified technicians working on your project.
Why it matters: Certified technicians understand the science of drying and follow established industry standards. Without certification, there's no assurance of proper training.
What to ask: "Are your technicians IICRC or RIA certified in water restoration, and can I see their certification numbers?"
9. No Clear Communication About Process
Warning sign: The restoration company didn't explain their process, set expectations, or provide regular updates.
Why it matters: Professional restorers educate homeowners about the restoration process and maintain clear communication throughout.
What to check: Were you given a clear scope of work and regular progress updates?
10. Reluctance to Return for Post-Restoration Issues
Warning sign: The company is difficult to reach or reluctant to address concerns after declaring the job complete.
Why it matters: Reputable restoration companies stand behind their work and will return to address any post-restoration concerns.
What to do: Document all attempts to contact them and keep records of any issues that arise.
What to Do If You Suspect Poor Restoration
If you identify several warning signs from the list above:
Document everything: Take photos of problem areas, gather any paperwork provided by the restoration company, and note down the timeline of events.
Request an independent assessment: Have an independent insurance assessor evaluate the quality of restoration work and document any deficiencies.
Conduct moisture testing: Request professional moisture testing of affected materials to confirm whether proper drying was achieved.
Contact your insurer: If restoration was arranged through your insurance claim, notify your insurer immediately about your concerns.
Request remediation: Based on the independent assessment, request proper remediation of any inadequately restored areas.
Consider claim reopening: If significant issues are found, your insurance claim may need to be reopened to address the problems properly.
How an Independent Assessment Helps
An independent assessment from The Assessing Co. can:
Provide objective documentation of restoration quality issues
Include moisture readings from certified equipment
Identify areas requiring additional attention
Detail specific remediation recommendations
Help communicate technical concerns to your insurer
Strengthen your position if the claim needs to be reopened
Ensure the final restoration meets industry standards
Conclusion
Quality flood restoration is a scientific process that requires proper training, equipment, and procedures. By understanding what should happen and recognizing warning signs of poor work, you can protect your property from secondary damage and ensure your insurance claim addresses all necessary repairs.
If you have concerns about your flood restoration or need an independent assessment in New Zealand, contact The Assessing Co for expert assistance with evaluating restoration quality and navigating insurance claim challenges.
Don't settle for inadequate flood restoration that could lead to ongoing issues with your home. If you notice any of these warning signs,
Contact The Assessing Co. for an independent assessment of your property.
