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Everything Got Wet – Now What?

When a building has had an event of water damage, specific steps must be taken to dry the building out, assess damage, and plan for mitigation and restoration.

cpr-water-dryingThough the damage may be quick or a long slow unseen problem, drying out a building is a time-sensitive effort. Always remember, safety comes first! Do not endanger yourself, your family, or anyone else in the structure. The most common injuries in these situations are slips, trips and falls. Be aware of your surroundings, look for cords, slick spots and dangerous issues such as sagging ceilings. Secondly, if the water is deep or has come from overhead, assume that the power lines have been affected and do not plug in anything or flip switches without having them checked by a professional. Many fires start because of water-damaged lines that were not properly repaired. Next, check for odors of leaking gas and turn off these services if the damage was near any vavles or gas-run appliances.

 Types of Water Damage

There are different types of water damage: clean water, something you wouldn’t be afraid to drink; “Gray” water, or slightly contaminated like washing machine or dishwasher water; or “Black” water, which could make you gravely ill, like sewage backup or floodwaters that may be contaminated with sewage or animal waste and present a health hazard. So make sure to know the source. If it is Black water, steer clear. Only professionals with the proper protective gear should handle a cleanup on this level. During clean up of even “gray” water, be sure you protect your eyes, mouth, and hands. If you are uncomfortable when entering your house and have any question regarding personal safety, do not go inside, but have CPR make an assessment. If a storm is the cause of the water damage, CPR will make temporary repairs to roofs and windows or walls to prevent additional water from entering the building as we work to dry it out.

Safety Assessments

CPR will do a safety assessment and assess liability, i.e.,  was this caused by someone else or a result of a faulty appliance or workmanship? CPR will take the time to ensure that if there is a reason that someone else should be responsible for the loss, that it is properly documented and notification is made immediately. We will take moisture readings and create event mapping diagrams as well as photograph the damage for your records before we begin clean up.

Document, Document & Document Again

Documentation of the damage and its source are crucial when presenting the information to insurance adjusters. Once everything is documented, we ask these questions;

  • What materials are wet?
  • How wet are they?
  • What is the purpose of the structure, i.e., is it a single family home, a dentist’s office, a factory or a retirement home?

These questions will help us to ascertain what the best method of drying will be for the structure and the people affected by it.

Water Intrusion Affects a Building in Three Ways

  • Water causes direct damage to materials and indirect or secondary damage the longer moisture stays in a structure. The longer it’s in the structure, the more damage it can cause even if the water never directly touches it. Wallboard disintegrates; wood can swell and warp, carpets can delaminate or get stain transfer quickly; electrical parts can short out, malfunction, and cause fires or shock or a combination or any of these can happen.
  • Mud, silt, and unknown contaminants in the water get everything contaminated and are unhealthy.
  • Extended exposure to moisture promotes the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria and fungus that leads to dry rot and other health-related issues.

Choice Property Restoration uses the latest technology and equipment to properly dry your structure and quickly return you to daily life. From small water damage, such a washing machine overflow to a water main bursting in a school, CPR has over 100 years combined expertise, Industry certifications and a range of dehumidifiers, desiccants, air movers, rescue mats for wood flooring and wall injection systems that can save building materials, contents, and thousands of dollars in repairs when we are called to “respond in a heartbeat”!

 

Keeping basements and crawlspaces dry can be a real challenge, but CPR is up to the job! All of our experience with flood cleanup and restoration has taught us a thing or two!

Ready Response.

Our trusted team of property restoration experts are standing at the ready to respond immediately when you have a need. We work with all insurance companies to provide fast, comprehensive and critical care to our customers. Things happen. When they do, call us first.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage

We Specialize In:

  • RESIDENTIAL
  • COMMERCIAL
  • WATER DAMAGE
  • FIRE DAMAGE
  • MOLD REMEDIATION
  • BIOHAZARD CLEANUP
  • CRIME/TRAUMA CLEANUP
  • WIND & STORM DAMAGE
  • EMERGENCY PLANNING
  • ADDITIONAL SERVICES
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