Why is Flood Water in Covina Unsafe When Rainwater is Not?

5/24/2020 (Permalink)

If your house is dealing with flood damage, it can be a struggle. Contact SERVPRO immediately to remediate.

SERVPRO Technicians Have the Training to Remove Water Safely From Your Covina Home That May Contain Chemicals, Bacteria, or Sewage

A mere inch of water does not seem like much, but when it is bacteria-laden or smelly sewage water with the addition of mud or debris, it can do serious damage to your Covina home. Because this situation has the potential to be dangerously unhealthy unless you have protective clothing and professional equipment, it is best to bring in a professional restoration services company as quickly as possible to try to lessen the loss to the home and contents.

What Should Get Handled First After Flood Damage in My Home?

If the flood damage in your Covina home gets contained in a single room or area that can be closed off, move people, pets, and valuables out of the area and do not enter until SERVPRO team members arrive. In cases where the water loss is widespread throughout the home, it is best to vacate the premises until mitigation efforts complete. When it is not feasible to enter the loss area, tell the crew chief upon arrival items that you want out of the house and their location. Commonly requested items are:

• Important documents such as deeds, marriage licenses, and birth certificates
• Artworks and photos, including photo albums
• Sentimental objects that have no real cash value but are priceless to the homeowner

Is It Safe to Leave My Property After It Got Flooded?

The technicians have experience in securing properties during storm damage mitigation in Covina. Sturdy plywood gets used over doors and windows to keep unauthorized individuals out of the home when the technicians are not on-site working. Security tape may also get used to further deter anyone from entering.

Why Does the Sheetrock Get Removed Partially During Flood Water Removal?

Sheetrock is sturdy and leaves a smooth appearance on a wall, takes primer and paint readily, and is the foundation for a good room design. However, once exposed to water, it wicks it rapidly and begins to buckle or warp as the core pulls the moisture upward. SERVPRO technicians use their moisture detection equipment to "see" inside the sheetrock and determine how far up into the material water is present, the highest point, known as the "waterline."  Then they measure several inches above the waterline and cut the damaged portions away. The goal is to leave as much of the original building materials as possible to make repairs a breeze.

Common Loss Situations After Flood Water Enters a Home

Although SERVPRO techs test the water to determine the nature of any harmful elements such as bacteria or pathogenic agents and have professional cleaning solutions to handle anything present, some things in the home will still be a loss.

Carpet and area rugs that take on floodwater require extraction to make them safe to handle and reduce their weight, but each requires disposal as a biohazard as there is no way to sanitize them for reuse. The backings to the fibers frequently disintegrate after prolonged exposure to water, making repairs impossible.

Low-sitting upholstered furnishings generally absorb the water and need disposal. Furnishings made from composite wood, mainly where the core gets constructed from a cardboard-like material, often split and get destroyed after an encounter with a water loss event.

As each piece gets removed with the approval of the homeowner or insurance adjuster, documentation is vital. The techs photograph, sometimes video, and include the imagery in a detailed report that gets provided to the homeowner and adjuster to assist with expediting insurance claims for reimbursement on lost home contents.

Rebuilding After Flood Loss Does Not Have to Be a Stressful Situation

After SERVPRO technicians finish the extraction of the water, drying the home, and the application of disinfection and odor control needed, the home will be ready for repairs. If the homeowner chooses, the same team that performed the restoration services can also handle the required reconstruction. With their general contractor license #CSLB: 976913, the techs can provide homeowners with:

• Rebuilding structural elements to code
• Installation of carpet or flooring
• Priming and Painting

Guaranteeing the Job Meets Approval

Happiness with the job done is one of the hallmarks of each SERVPRO team member's commitment to service. Once the restoration services and repairs are complete, the homeowner and adjuster get taken for a walk-through with a description of the actions taken during the cleanup and reconstruction. This is to ensure the job done met expectations and hopefully exceeded them.

SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina at (626) 387-4111 can handle any size flood damage in local properties. The certified technicians bring years of experience and the latest equipment to ensure your home gets returned to its preloss condition.