Water Restoration Everett Is Water Damage Reversible?

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians know all the steps to take after water damage strikes in your property.

SERVPRO Water Restoration Technicians (WRT) Are Experts at Assessing and Salvaging Water-Related Damages to Home and Contents 

What Are The Signs of Water Issues? 

Signs of water-related issues in your Everett home may present suddenly or steadily over several weeks and months. Typically, these concerns present themselves visually or in the form of wetness and unpleasant odors. Water issues can occur consistently over weeks or months and may present themselves at a late stage. These can often result from a slow leak or structural deficiency that can go unnoticed by a homeowner. Long-term water exposure does affect the shape, consistency, and integrity of your structure or your contents. Frequently, the appearance of water manifests as noticeable discoloration, warping, and mold or damp spots in some areas of the house. If you suspect that the issue is a symptom of a broader problem, you should reach out to a qualified professional as quickly as possible to limit potential expenses. 

What Strategies Do We Use to Assess Water Damage? 

When calling a water restoration technician to your Everett home, there may be a necessity to investigate behind walls or furniture. Sometimes we can complete this task using non-invasive measuring equipment or temperature-measuring equipment. However, in some situations, it may be necessary to remove sections of the wall and assess the inner cavities. A water leak that drips onto a lower level, for example, may need excavation of the upper floor to find the source of moisture. Our priority is to address the cause of humidity first so that any continuing leaks or heavy rainfall does not undermine restoration. In situations where there is leakage between floors, it is often likely that there is a mold or microbial growth issue within the recesses of your home's structure. Our roster of technicians includes microbial remediation technicians (AMRT) who can assess for potential secondary damages. 

What Are The Crucial Steps in the Investigation of Water Damage? 

• Locate the source of moisture and prevent it from causing further issues that could be located inside walls or with your general plumbing system
• Measurement and potential excavation of the affected structure or contents. Necessary in situations where there is evidence of water cavity damage
• Secondary damage assessment can include microbial growth- fungi, virus, bacteria 

Can Leaks Make a Home Structurally Unsound? 

In most scenarios, water issues in Everett present themselves as primarily cosmetic issues. However, in some cases, long-term exposure or massive volume of water intrusion, such as in flash flooding, can impact a home's structure. Engineers frequently build residential properties on wooden frames. These frames are often unvarnished and can absorb large amounts of moisture. Without proper ventilation, these frames can expand, causing pressure at jointing or warping and buckling. While it is unlikely that these issues occur in day-to-day water restoration, SERVPRO has close affiliations with the Master Builders Association (MBA) as well as in-house general contractors with demonstrable qualifications in general contracting (OSHA.) If there are structural issues, our team can assist as part of our water restoration services. By avoiding third parties, we ensure that you only deal with one company throughout the restoration procedure. 

How Does Drying Out a Property Reverse Long-term Water Exposure? 

While water exposure may appear to be irreversible, the reality is that, with many natural materials, it can be possible to return a home to its preloss condition. SERVPRO operates with a restore rather than replace mentality to help keep your claims expenses low. In situations where there is visible warping of floorboards, we can reduce the moisture content by using desiccant dehumidifiers. Establishing a smaller drying zone by putting in place a drying tent, then using air-movers and dehumidifiers, our technicians can return many wooden materials to a natural moisture content balance of twelve percent. These actions can take several months to complete effectively. However, once dry, there is a strong chance that we can restore the items by sanding and refinishing the affected boards. Often, we find that taking time to repair expensive fixtures can lower the cost of your claim. 

What Items Are Suitable For Restoration From Water Damage? 

• Natural materials like hardwoods, structural framing, or furniture generally respond well to drying procedures and dehumidification
• Expensive or high-value items which are not cost-efficient to replace and have the necessary material construction to respond well to advanced cleaning or drying methods
• High-value materials that are semi-porous and respond well to aggressive cleaning methods 

The impact of untreated water issues on your property can be expensive and time-consuming without proper repair. For expert assessment and qualified restoration, contact SERVPRO of North Everett / Lake Stevens / Monroe at (360) 243-8313.