If you are a property owner that has a water damage loss, the following information may be useful when navigating through the cleanup process:
Q: WHAT EFFECTS WILL WATER DAMAGE HAVE ON MY HOME?
Direct water contact will cause immediate damage to many materials in your home. Long-term water contact will cause damage to most materials in your home. Porous materials like drywall will rapidly absorb water. Ceilings may fall due to softening of the drywall and the added weight. Wet wood will begin to swell, buckle, warp, and with long term exposure begin to rot. Paint begins to bubble or peal, carpets become saturated causing delamination necessitating their removal. Electrical items and outlets can begin to short out or malfunction becoming a possible fire or shock hazard. If water is from a contaminated source, it poses a serious health threat. AVOID ANY CONTACT and call Burke Emergency Restoration as soon as possible. Water or moisture exposure to materials in your home will promote the growth of bacteria and fungi (mold) which can compromise the structural integrity of the materials and may also cause serious health issues.
Q: HOW SAFE IS MY HOUSE AFTER THE STANDING (VISUAL) WATER IS GONE?
Water damage is not just about removing the standing water. Even if the water seems to have disappeared or has been extracted, there is still the potential for issues until the structure and affected materials have been completely and thoroughly dried. Mold becomes a problem in as little as 24 to 48 hours if structural drying is not in process.
Q: CAN I CLEANUP AND DRY OUT THE DAMAGE MYSELF?
Quickly mopping up a small spill in the middle of the floor should be fine. If water has saturated the flooring, baseboards, or drywall it could appear to be dry and damage free. It’s what you can’t see going on behind the wall or under the flooring that quickly becomes a problem. These dark cavities become the perfect haven for bacteria and fungi to grow. Common shop vacs and household fans are not equipped to remove enough moisture or deliver enough air movement to help prevent further damage. A professional assessment to help determine the extent of the damages is always the best recommendation.
Burke ER provides FREE estimates.
Q: WHAT DOES BURKE ER USE TO DRY THE WATER DAMAGE?
After the water has been extracted, the affected area will be contained and any damaged materials that are not salvageable will be removed and the drying process will begin. Specialized high-speed industrial air movers and dehumidifiers are set up to facilitate the drying process and remove and control the humidity and moisture levels in the air. Specialty vacuum or air injection systems may be used as well.
Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY OUT A STRUCTURE?
Dry out will depend on the extent of the damage and saturation, the affected materials and how long the property has been exposed to water. It usually takes from 2 to 4 days to dry an average home but if the property has been exposed for an extended period of time, it could take as longer.
Q: WHY DOES THE RESTORATION COMPANY MONITOR MY HOUSE SO OFTEN?
Equipment is placed so it will operate as efficiently as possible depending on the moisture content. Progress will need to be checked and monitored regularly to make necessary adjustments.
Q: IS IT OK TO LEAVE THE DRYING EQUIPMENT RUNNING ALL THE TIME?
The equipment is made to run continuously and placed in a particular way to promote the drying process. DO NOT move or turn off equipment, even if the noise is bothersome. The equipment is made to run continually and could run for months without our over-heating.
Q: CAN I OPEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS?
This is not advised as it could slow down the drying process. A Burke ER technician will set up the drying process to most efficiently dry your structure.
Q: DO I HAVE TO USE THE RESTORATION COMPANY THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY RECOMMENDS?
NO! You are free to hire whomever you want. Burke ER works with most major insurance companies and is a preferred vendor for more than 30 insurance carriers.