Explaining the Need for Partial Demolition During Kent Water Removal

8/27/2022 (Permalink)

If you find water damage in your home, contact SERVPRO immediately. Our trained professionals will formulate a remediation plan for your home.

SERVPRO Teams Make The Necessary Changes To Avoid Further Loss Of Your Property

A water loss in your Kent home already creates chaos, so understandably homeowners are concerned when restoration technicians recommend strategies involving removing or altering structural components. Clear communication with our customers about the need for controlled demolition is vital. Our full-service restoration company streamlines not only the water extraction and structural drying but also any repairs or rebuilding needed afterward.

Water Migrates 

After a plumbing leak, tub overflow, or appliance mishap, fast water removal in your Kent home avoids further deterioration of building materials and secondary harm like mold growth. Water does not remain static once it escapes from a pipe, hose, or container. It flows, seeps, and percolates into building cavities and materials and is absorbed by porous ones. 

Detection Leads to Carefully Planned Demolition

SERVPRO technicians master training in the use of moisture meters and detectors, following the path of the water. We also use thermal imaging, employing expert reading of temperature fluctuations, to locate pooled water. Often the liquid and absorbed water are entirely encapsulated by walls, woodwork, and flooring. Leaving it to drain or dry out over time is not best practice. If we do not follow its path and make arrangements to extract liquids and dry out wet structural components, expect a continuous weakening of materials, lingering odors, and great expense to remedy the situation. To remove the water, we try a range of strategies:

• Removal of baseboards to cut holes near the bottom of wall cavities
• Flood cuts, made several inches above the waterline when drywall is saturated
• Loosening of paneling or strips of hardwood flooring 
• Drilled holes in masonry mortar joints 

Next Steps

These remedies facilitate the release of liquids and permit the infusion of warm, dry air. SERVPRO technicians use a system that can switch between negative air pressure to suction out water and positive air pressure to force warm, dry air into cavities through the smaller holes to accelerate evaporation. Larger openings, like the flood cuts, permit us to position air movers and dehumidifiers closer, encouraging evaporation and then capture of the water vapor. Floors respond to suction-driven mats or airflow under planks for thorough drying.

Streamlined Rebuilding 

Our reconstruction division lightens the load on SERVPRO customers. Rather than hiring another contractor to address the holes and sawn-off drywall, our contractor’s license permits employees to repair, reinstall, and rebuild. 

Engage SERVPRO of Kent for wrap-around restoration and rehabbing services beginning with water removal. Call us at (253) 850-1500 to schedule an assessment.