How Do Professionals Handle Water Loss to Walls, Floors, and Ceilings?

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Lets Saugus Customers Relax while We Cleanup and Restore Their Water Damaged Homes! "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Brings High-Quality Training, Experience, and Equipment to Water Damage in Saugus Homes -- We Prioritize Clear Communication to Homeowners Concerning Our Efforts

Saugus property owners tend to focus first on the harm done by water to walls, floors, and ceilings. The following is a brief primer on how we approach damage to these critical structural components to prepare you for the interventions you are likely to observe and experience as our crews work to make a water loss “Like it never even happened.”

What Are Common Issues with Water-Damaged Drywall?

Water damage in your Saugus dwelling can involve multiple layers of drywall. If your home has a history of remodeling or repairs, several layers of the lightweight boards covering the same area is expected. Multiple layers of drywall can significantly increase the drying time after water saturation. One sheet can take 5 to 7 days to dry, but that timeframe can double or more if additional layers are present. The extra cost to dry overlapping drywall and the risk of secondary damage such as mold growth might result in us recommending replacing the materials.

Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Restored?

As long as SERVPRO crews arrive promptly, we deliver excellent results for water damaged hardwood floors. Hardwoods are dense, protecting against water incursions. Even if the water absorbed results in buckling, cupping, or warping, professional drying allows skilled technicians to sand and refinish the surfaces. Wood floor restoration can take one to two months, requiring the following before ready for sanding and refinishing:

• Initial reduced relative humidity to 30 to 45 percent using air movement above and below the floor
• Continued reduction of the relative humidity, increasing air temperature when RH falls below 16 percent
• Sanding and refinishing only when the floor’s moisture continent is below 12 percent
• Monitoring subfloor drying using penetrating moisture metering devices

Should Ceiling Tiles Stay or Be Replaced?

SERVPRO technicians reach out to licensed asbestos removal contractors if the tiles contain that hazardous substance. Replacing tiles is relatively inexpensive, and makes sense when the materials exhibit stains or noticeable bowing. Temporary removal is typical to permit airflow, and we consult with you and your insurance company when determining whether to reseat the old tiles or install new.

Have confidence that SERVPRO of Saugus, West Lynn follows water damage restoration best practices and strives to keep you informed as the project proceeds. Call us at (978) 744-0409 to get the process started because early interventions show the most successful results.