Water Extraction and the Issues Involved

By Jeff Cohn  |

Water Extraction Issues in Anderson

Most homeowners and property managers pride themselves in maintaining their homes and/or buildings and pay special attention to preventative measures. However, there are various issues that can create water damage and require water extraction that even the most diligent people can not avoid. Issues such as burst pipes, water heater leaks, broken sprinkler heads and toilet over-flows are just some of the scenarios you could be faced with.

Extracting water from a leak is much different than most people think. People mistakenly believe that if they dry the water right around the leak and feel elsewhere and it seems dry, then they are good. Unfortunately, water will find its way through the smallest of holes and/or cracks. It will run down walls and seep underneath carpet. Since standing water can create mold, it is vital that you ensure all water has been extracted!

When you have a leak, often times the water will flow to the next floor down. Water then becomes trapped in the wall cavities and if it is a commercial building, fills up the C channel that holds the metal framing. If the walls have insulation, then the insulation acts like a sponge and will hold the water for weeks and possibly even months depending upon the conditions. To make matter worse, foil backed insulation actually creates a barrier to prevent the moisture from escaping. To solve this problem, you must first make sure that all materials and areas have had any standing water extracted. To do this, a moisture meter is used as well as your eyes to follow the path that the water could have traveled. (A moisture meter is a piece of equipment that restoration companies use that allows them to measure the extent of moisture in most materials and provide accurate and reliable readings. Most insurance companies will look at the numbers when the company arrived and once the restoration is complete to verify that the work was performed correctly and completely.) Like Sherlock Holmes, a responsible water restoration company will use their Moisture Meter to test every possible area that either appears wet or could potentially be wet. The rule of thumb is to never assume that something is not wet; it is better to test now, then to have problems later!

Water can also travel into adjoining rooms. Many property owners and property managers will use their hands to determine if the carpet has gotten wet. When they feel the dry carpet, they don’t realize the water has flowed underneath the carpet and/or pad. To solve this issue, a restoration company will use a moisture meter to see if the carpet is wet. If it is, they will lift the carpet and perform water extraction.

As with all wet materials, once the extraction has taken place, the next step is to bring in air blowers and commercial dehumidifiers to dry all the areas where there was standing water. These commercial pieces of equipment work much more effectively and efficiently than the residential ones that you can purchase at your local hardware store.

In conclusion, never assume anything is dry by using your hands. Walls and flooring can still be wet underneath. It is important to remember that a Wet/Dry-Vac and a fan may not extract all your water from a leak. Water extraction that is missed in certain areas or performed incorrectly can create secondary issues such as mold growth, odor and damages to walls and flooring. To properly protect you and your family and/or tenants from health risks and legal liability it may be necessary to hire a restoration company to assist you with your water extraction in Anderson SC. Their expertise will go a long way towards helping your peace of mind!

Call now for expert water extraction! (864) 483-0061

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jeff_Cohn/78755