Water Damage

Did you know that floods are the most common hazards in the Untied States? Some floods develop slowly, while others (such a flash floods), can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. All types of floods occur in California. However, 90% are caused by river flooding. In terms of insurance, most damage caused by bad weather, such as floods, requires having flood insurance. So, it’s important to have flood insurance if you live in a high risk areas, such as close to a river.

Besides floods, other types of water damage include: pipe leaks, broken dishwasher hose, washing machine overflow, dishwasher leakage, broken pipes, clogged toilet, leaking roof, moisture behind walls, foundation cracks, plumbing leaks, etc. With each?occurrence, there are categories of the type of water that can do damage to a home.

Categories of Water

Category 1: This is referred to as clear water or water that is sanitary. Most of the water that comes into your home will be clear water. However, once clear water leaves it’s source, it can quickly become contaminated and deteriorate. Water with a foul odor is a good indicator that it has been mixed with soil or other pollutants.

Category 2: This water is definitely contaminated and is unsafe for either contact or consumption. This is known as gray water. It is typically ?overflow? water from an appliance, toilet, aquarium, etc. Like clear water, gray water will also deteriorate and become foul smelling. This process will take less time to become toxic and should not go unattended for long.

Category 3: This category of water is grossly contaminated and may be highly toxic. This is called black water. It can contain raw sewage, pesticides, heavy metals, toxic organic substances, etc. Unlike the first two categories, black water will have a foul smell and likely contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents.

Class of Water

Water class is determined by the probable rate of evaporation based on the type of materials affected (or wet) in the room or space that was flooded. Determining the class of water is an important first step. This will determine the amount and type of equipment utilized to dry-down the structure.

Class 1: Minor extraction required and few, if any, materials affected. Water losses that affect only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture. This has the quickest drying time.

Class 2: The entire space, or room, is flooded. Water has wicked up walls less than 24?. There is moisture remaining in structural materials.

Class 3: Usually designates flooding from above. Heavy extraction required. Water wicked up over 24?, or water may have come from overhead affecting ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor. The entire area is saturated.

Class 4: Unique or specialty drying situations. These consist of wet materials with very low porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation. This requires very low specific humidity.

Water Restoration Process

At Alert, you can be sure to get a technician that has the right knowledge and tools for the job. Our technicians are armed with water damage restoration training and the proper tools. Therefore, most water damage situations are salvageable.

Water Removal

• Extract as much water as possible.
• Remove furniture from the effected area or put furniture on blocks.
• Correctly take carpet from floors.
• Remove wet padding and dispose.
• Extract as much water from the sub floor as possible.
  

Air drying: Using speed dryers, air mover, etc. that push or move the moisture off the water damaged effected material (carpet, furniture, walls, etc.) and dispossessed into the air where the commercial dehumidifier catches it and removes it from the room.

Dehumidification: The process of removing moisture from the air and away from the areas that you want dry.

Surface Drying: Drying wet carpet, cushion and subfloor without removing the carpet and cushion and without floating the carpet. Surface drying can be done on most clean water losses. The restorer must have adequate equipment, tools and the ability to remove the water through physical extraction, in order to surface dry carpet and cushion. When done properly, surface drying can speed the restoration process.

Mold:?Molds can spread throughout the living space very quickly and lead to serious health conditions. After any water intrusion, mold is of the utmost concern. That is why you want to hire a professional restoration company that knows what they are doing. Mold is complex and requires extensive knowledge of mold prevention.

Health conditions caused by mold allergy are watery, itchy eyes, a chronic cough, headaches or migraines, difficulty breathing, rashes, tiredness, sinus problems, nasal blockage and frequent sneezing.

Alert and on the Job

Alert is always prepared to respond to your water damage emergency and to quickly restore your home or business to its pre water loss condition. Alert’s team is trained and certified to handle everything from flooding to sewage cleanup. Our emergency services team understands the importance of acting fast to water damage and flood to eliminate any future mold growth.