Water Extraction & Drying.

FLOOD DAMAGE INFORMATION…

BEFORE YOU PROCEED:
After the water has receded enough to the point that it is no longer standing in your home or business, you should begin clean-up procedures immediately.

Before beginning clean-up efforts, it is recommended that individuals get a tetanus shot if their vaccination is not current. Boosters are good for approximately 10 years. Check with the local health department for more information.

Before entering the building, be certain that the electricity has been turned off. If power is still provided to the flooded area, immediately disconnect power throughout the structure by switching the main breaker in the electrical panel to OFF. Verify that gas-burning appliances are not on and that no gas is leaking out of appliances, space heaters or water heaters into the structure.

The flood waters carry all types of creatures which have been displaced from their usual habitats along creeks and river bottoms. Before beginning any work, it is necessary that you make a thorough walk-through of the structure, carefully check in all closets, corners, cabinets, drawers, attic spaces, and similar locations throughout the structure for animals, insects and snakes.

When performing clean-up activities, be absolutely certain to WEAR RUBBER GLOVES, GOGGLES, BOOTS, AND OTHER PROTECTIVE GEAR to prevent direct contact with flood water or water-logged items. The flood water and materials which were exposed to flood waters contain all sorts of debris and bacteria, which, when in direct contact with skin, can have harmful effects leading to illness or infection. Be watchful of small children and do not allow them to play in the affected areas or with materials which have been exposed to flood water.

Take photographs and make written notes describing the damage prior to removal and as the removal process proceeds. A video recording would also be a very effective way to document flood damage. This documentation will be useful if claims need to be filed with insurance companies, banks or various agencies later.

FOUNDATIONS:
Structures that are constructed on concrete block or brick piers and foundations should be checked to verify that the flood waters have not deteriorated mortar joints and weakened the foundations. Most older buildings and homes have masonry and brick foundations.

Visually inspect the foundations both around the perimeter and under the house (again, watch for displaced snakes, animals and dangerous insects) and check footings to be sure mortar has not been washed out of joints between the bricks and block.

If a significant amount of mortar has been lost but the pier or foundation still has adequate structural integrity, the missing mortar can be replaced without dismantling the pier or foundation. To do so, use a loose mortar poured into joints to refill the voids and reestablish the overall structural integrity of the foundation. It is advisable to have a professional check the extent of damage to footings or piers and foundations if you do find that mortar has been washed from between the joints.

FLOORS:
Immediately remove the carpet throughout the structure. If there is a pad below the carpet, remove it as well. Carpet and pad that have been soaked with flood water contain high amounts of bacteria that are hazardous to health. Health hazards aside, leaving such carpet inside will greatly inhibit the overall drying process of the remainder of the structure. It must be removed.

Floor covering other than carpet, such as vinyl, vinyl asbestos and vinyl composition tile, may curl at the edges and the adhesive may not keep secured to the floor. Removal and replacement most likely will be necessary. These types of floor finishes are extremely slippery when wet, so caution should be taken when walking across them.

WARNING: ALL MATERIALS CONTAINING 1% OR MORE ASBESTOS FIBERS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE REMOVED AND DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH EPA, OSHA AND STATE LAWS. SKILLED PERSONS SHOULD BE EMPLOYED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY CAUSE YOU TO SUFFER A LARGE FINE AND CLEAN UP COSTS!

Other types of floor covering, such as clay or ceramic tile will generally weather the flood well; however, the sub-flooring to which the clay or ceramic tile may be attached may not dry out satisfactorily-ultimately leading to the removal of these types of flooring as well.

Wood flooring and wood sub-flooring are potentially the most damaged of the materials in the building because absorbing water causes wood to swell. When wood flooring or sub-flooring becomes wet and cannot be dried out rapidly or adequately, the flooring will swell and buckle. Generally, wood floors and wood sub-floors will need to be removed and replaced. However, in an effort to control costs, attempts should be made to dry out this flooring after removal of carpeting or other floor covering material in the hopes of saving it.

INTERIOR WALLS:
Most residential structures and small commercial structures have walls constructed of wood studs and gypsum board (commonly known as sheetrock or drywall). Generally, exposure of gypsum board to water for one or two hours will not damage it extensively. Gypsum board that is exposed or in contact with water for longer than two hours will require replacement. This is necessary not only to remove the waterlogged and damaged gypsum board, but to open up the walls and expose the cavities of the walls so that the insides of the walls and wood studs within can dry out. If water-logged or damaged gypsum board (drywall/sheetrock) is not removed, the wall board will ultimately powder and mildew, causing unpleasant odors and an unacceptable base for paint.

Remove the gypsum board by cutting it horizontally at least 1-2 feet above the highest water line and completely remove it all the way back down to the floor.

Also, if any exterior or interior walls contain insulation, it must also be removed from the wall cavities. Insulation which has been immersed in water must be removed for two reasons. First, after being saturated, most insulation is rendered permanently ineffective-particularly loose-fill varieties, such as cellulose, vermiculite, rock wool, mineral fiber and blown-in fiberglass, which, if left in place, can perpetuate high moisture conditions destructive to wood, masonry and metals. High moisture conditions will increase damage to the structure and make it more difficult to dry out the building.

After removing the gypsum board and insulation from the affected walls, it is absolutely vital and necessary to allow the framing and wall cavities to thoroughly dry before installing new insulation or applying new gypsum wall board.

The length of the drying time will vary depending on the amount of water that was within the structure, the degree to which waterlogged items have been removed from the structure, the amount of cross-ventilation that is introduced and the weather conditions during the drying period. DO NOT INSTALL NEW MATERIALS UNTIL ALL EXISTING SURFACES ARE COMPLETELY DRY. A wood stud which is dry to the touch may still be wet in the middle. Allow adequate time for complete and comprehensive drying out of your structure, typically between 1 and 6 weeks. ***Companies that specialize in Water Damage Remediation are trained and have the necessary equipment to test for moisture and create the proper cross-ventilation / airflow needed to dry structures properly to prevent future damage.***

CEILINGS:
Even though the water may not have reached the ceiling, the extreme humidity from the flood water may trigger swelling of the gypsum board above, causing it to pull loose from the ceiling framing. Check the ceiling by pressing upward on it, and if nailheads appear on the surface, there is some damage.

Renailing and refinishing are the minimum response to this condition; replacement may be necessary. Also, be certain to check the insulation in the attic when this occurs, as it may have become moist and may not allow the gypsum board to dry-resulting in additional problems, such as mildew. Replacement of the insulation will be required.

DOORS AND CABINETS:
Doors and cabinets are both generally constructed of wood, which will swell and become unusable with time. Also, many cabinets are made of plywood or particle board, which will delaminate or come apart with time. Doors other than solid wood are also made with veneers. The problem of delamination of plywood and doors will not appear for several days, but will be obvious when the plywood or door begin to peel away from the substrate. Solid wood or wood panel doors have a better survival rate. However, these, too, should be watched for swelling and subsequent shrinkage which might cause them to crack.
TREATMENT:
It is very important to treat all areas affected by water damage with a microbial treatment. This is a treatment specially formulated to kill microbes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. ***Companies that specialize in Water Damage Remediation are trained in proper application procedures and will insure your families safety.***