Dealing With Plumbing Leaks and The Water Damage It Causes

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Plumbing problems can result in major water damage to your home. When problems with plumbing cause excessive flooding, it requires the removal of equipment that most homeowners typically don’t own. Whether it's a slow leak or a full-scale burst pipe, the after-effects of crawlspaces, subfloor, and carpet pads that become saturated by water can cause lasting harm to a property's structure. It’s best to call in water remediation specialists to help with water removal and remediation.

How SERVPRO removes damaging water from your home

When our experts get called out to perform water cleanup, we bring the cavalry with us. Truck-mounted extraction units have stronger suction than their portable counterparts and can be vital in draining harder-to-reach areas. We usually reserve these trucks for commercial cleanups, but the large tanks they offer do come in handy for larger jobs at private properties. When it comes to removing water, we use water pumps at first, before moving in with more precise wet/dry vacuums and extraction wands. Our technicians pass a stringent training program before working in our franchises, so they understand exactly how to deal with water removal safely and thoroughly. Their training allows them to use advanced techniques to make sure moisture can be removed from even difficult-to-reach areas.

Especially tough areas to dry aren’t a challenge for us

Floorboards can be particularly difficult to dry, which is why SERVPRO uses flat lay drying techniques. A sheet is laid onto the affected surface and air circulation is applied; as the sheet inflates, water is drawn out and into the air. This technique is exceptionally useful in the removal of moisture from between floorboards or gaps in your home’s structure. It can also be effective in keeping the floorboards from warping if they aren’t completely dried. We do everything we can to dry out and retain materials whenever possible. Carpets may be pulled up, pads replaced, and subfloors inspected to ensure every ounce of moisture has been removed. All of these are notorious for retaining water undetected, so our techs make sure to do a thorough job to ensure everything is completely dry before putting them back in place.

Next steps to water removal and remediation

Once we’re sure that all water has been removed, we place rapid air-movers into the affected area to circulate hot air, which evaporates the last of the moisture. It is part of a two-step process that guards against the risk of mold or mildew buildup after a leak. The second step is to place humidifiers into the affected area and remove the evaporated moisture from the air. Once completed, our technicians remove all equipment as well as any materials that need discarding if we feel they are beyond remediation due to excessive moisture or other damage. We will always walk you through the affected area to show you where work has been completed, where items have been restored, and which items need replacing and why. We understand that replacing items can get expensive, so we work hard towards restoration rather than replacement to keep costs as low as possible for our customers. The customers are always in the loop with every step.

If you need water removal right away, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Central Phoenix at (602) 386-4268 to get the help you need; we’re available 24/7 for water emergencies.