Water Damage & the Mitigation Process

3/26/2016 (Permalink)

A burst pipe in can cause a lot of damage, but if you live in Lenoir, Bethlehem, or even Patterson, NC, call SERVPRO of Alexander & Caldwell Counties!

(Updated April 18, 2019)

Water can quickly intrude, often when you least expect it. For example, water can flood through your front or back door, through improperly waterproofed basement or crawlspace walls, or even from a burst pipe. In fact, water can even leak from old or faulty appliances, such as dishwashers and water heaters. What’s worse is this water can damage your home before you have time to fully react.

Water Damage is a Destructive Force

Water can get into everything between it and the lowest point in your home. It can go through ceilings, floors, and subfloors—even behind drywall, where it is not visible and can encourage mold growth. Often, this can happen in just a matter of moments.

Depending on the water’s class, it can cause even more damage. Gray or black water, for example, are unsanitary and contain pathogens that can cause illness. Once waters of those categories infiltrate materials, it can be extremely expensive to restore and may require the materials to be discarded. That’s why it’s imperative that you have a professional water damage restoration company come out as soon as possible to mitigate the impact of any water-related incidents.

The Water Mitigation Process

The mitigation process may vary depending on the volume and the category of water, but there is a general process. First, before anything else is done, a technician will assess the damage to understand the breadth of the damage and to create a plan of attack. The strategy will be affected by the aforementioned factors.

When there’s a lot of water, it’s important to extract the water so it can eventually be dried. Technicians will use water extracting equipment to limit the amount of water in the affected areas; the faster this is done, the faster it can be dried. The extracting equipment can be used on all carpets, throw rugs, and hardwood flooring, as well as some walls.

After the water has been extracted, dehumidifiers and powerful air movers are strategically placed to accelerate the drying process. The duration of this process can vary, but it’s best to expect at least a few days. To ensure the drying process is on track or completed, the technicians will then evaluate the moisture levels of materials by probing drywall, carpets, and voids with moisture meters. Once everything is complete, you will be given documentation stating your home is dry, within normal moisture levels, as we complete the final walkthrough with you. This is to ensure that you are completely satisfied with the condition of your water-damaged home. Your home will be safe, dried and restored with minimal cost and time, "Like it never even happened."

We’re Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists

Water damage can cause a lot of stress, but professional help can make the restoration process easier to manage. So whether you live in Lenoir, Bethlehem, or Hudson, if you need a water damage restoration company, call the professional team of SERVPRO of Alexander & Caldwell Counties at (828) 396-1070!