Water's elusive nature in a liquid form and water's invisible ability to saturate the air in a gas form makes flood recovery very complicated. This article gives an overview of the water damage restoration process with a breakdown between the two types of water damage: primary and secondary damage.
Restoration of Primary Flood Damage
The primary flood damage is the obvious part that creates the initial alarm. The pipe breaks. Water runs from the kitchen to the dining room, etc. In the process, items under the sink get soaked. The wood in the kitchen is submerged, and the carpet in the dining room may be floating three inches off the slab. The items and surfaces that get wet with the initial flooding is the primary flood damage.
The early moments after the flood are some of the most critical. SAFETY FIRST: You may need to turn off the power at the electrical panel and operate off of flashlights until electrical shock from wet wire is not a risk. Electrical equipment should be approached with extreme caution. (Thankfully, a breaker should trip if there is an unsafe flux.)
If the flood water was contaminated, avoid direct contact by using rubber shoes, gloves, etc. (Contaminated flood water is called gray water or black water depending on the flood water's impurities.) Next, find the source of the leak, and shut it off. You may need to shut off the water at the main exterior valve. Then, call your local flood restoration service provider or an insurance agent to get an adjustor out immediately if possible. Likewise, call Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry who use powerful truck mounts or another qualified restoration company to first extract the water asap. They can pull the carpet back if necessary or use a method of surface drying whereby we extract from the carpet's surface to below the cushion. If a camera is handy, you should take lots of pictures of the water damage before beginning the flood restoration process. Otherwise, have Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry take pictures or get the pictures later as an independence professional in case of a dispute. All furniture and colored rugs should be immediately removed from the flood affected areas. Many types of wood and metal furniture pieces may not only suffer water damaged, but can also create permanent stains in the carpet surfaces. Remove all smaller items affected.
Finally, attempt to contain the flood water if possible until Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry arrive with extraction equipment. Floods on the upper floors of multistory buildings pose special challenges. Make sure that the air ducts are checked for water damage. You should hire dehumidifiers, carpet dryers and air movers to try to prevent secondary damage.
Restoration of Secondary Damage
The secondary damage is the flood damage that occurs in the days and weeks to follow. After the emergency extraction is done, a large amount of moisture will likely still remain in the walls, floor surfaces, and other items. We strongly recommend that you remove furniture from the affected areas (or, possibly out of the house) if the relative humidity (Rh) is heavy. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry can give you the Rh reading with a digital meter. Paintings, pictures, posters, books, etc. will began to absorb the moisture in the air which can cause irreparable damage. The moisture will slowly begin to travel up the walls. Moisture can travel a few inches high or several feet high. Uckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry technicians will perforate your walls and hardwood floors as necessary (with your permission). The vent holes allow moisture to escape. We measure moisture in various surfaces using a non-penetrating, moisture detection tool. The baseboards, wood floors, and other wood surfaces will also begin to absorb the water which will cause the wood to bend. Picture frames will split at the joints; baseboards and quarter-round molding will pull off away from the walls; and, wood floors will begin to cup. Eventually, virtually all surfaces trapping moisture will grow mould and mildew if the temperature is warm enough and the moisture at threatening levels. Moisture residue will also create a souring smell throughout the room.
The solution to these problems is ample drying equipment, a safe temperature, and chemicals. You'll need air handlers (a.k.a., blowers) to circulate the air. Dehumidifiers are designed to dry out the air. Set your temperature to about 25 degrees C. An application of mildewcide or an anti-microbial should be applied to prevent the growth of mould or mildew and the souring smell and to kill bacteria, germs, and viruses (if the water was contaminated). Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry flood technicians will make the various determinations for the drying equipment and chemicals needed after the emergency extraction or an on-site inspection. The drying process should be faithfully monitored until the all surfaces and cavities are safe again.
Putting It All Back Together
Of course, we are completely capable of restoring you various flooring surfaces once the drying process is over. In fact, many customers who do not use Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry for the emergency flood extraction will contact us later for the restoration of the flooring surfaces because our specialized background with repairs.
Underlay often needs to be replaced. Carpet has to be relaid and carpets cleaned. Wood may have to be Resurfaced pr replaced.
Vinyl may or may not have to be replaced depending on whether mildew develops under the wear layer. Baseboards molding may have to be reattached or caulked. Damp basements need longer drying time. Ceramic tile is usually unaffected. We are also able to recommend contractors to assist with the plumbing problems and structural repairs if needed. Please call us for more details.
Published by Graeme Stephens of Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry carpet cleaning & restoration where you can find more helpful information including international carpet cleaning newsletter. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry has proudly been providing professional flood restoration services in the following areas since 1987:
EMERGENCY SERVICES GUIDE
Flood Restoration
Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is well trained in all phases of disaster response and floods are no exception. Flood damage can arise from the impact of water dousing a fire, broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, storms or sewage backups. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous until analyzed by an expert. A proper analysis will assist in presenting proper steps for successful mitigation.
Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is well trained in all phases of disaster response and floods are no exception. Flood damage can arise from the impact of water dousing a fire, broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, storms or sewage backups. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous until analyzed by an expert. A proper analysis will assist in presenting proper steps for successful mitigation.
Emergency
We provide 24 hour emergency response service. A call to our Operations Center activates a broad, all hazard emergency management system, designed for immediate deployment of a professional team. This team is armed with the knowledge to effectively address response, mitigation and recovery activities.
After a flood, a professional assessment should begin
as a precaution for possible health risks.
The flood affected area should be analyzed for structural integrity, safety, functional capability, and potential contaminants. The outcome will also determine what can be salvaged, if anything. Testing and assessment of drywall and carpet should be handled by experts in the field of flood damage to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Once mitigation of the damage has begun, a recovery plan will then be executed to restore your property and, if possible, contents.
Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is well trained in all phases of disaster response and floods are no exception. Flood damage can arise from the impact of water dousing a fire, broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, storms or sewage backups. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous until analyzed by an expert. A proper analysis will assist in presenting proper steps for successful mitigation.
Emergency
We provide 24 hour emergency response service. A call to our Operations Center activates a broad, all hazard emergency management system, designed for immediate deployment of a professional team. This team is armed with the knowledge to effectively address response, mitigation and recovery activities.
After a flood, a professional assessment should begin
as a precaution for possible health risks.
The flood affected area should be analyzed for structural integrity, safety, functional capability, and potential contaminants. The outcome will also determine what can be salvaged, if anything. Testing and assessment of drywall and carpet should be handled by experts in the field of flood damage to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Once mitigation of the damage has begun, a recovery plan will then be executed to restore your property and, if possible, contents.
Water / Sewage
Flood waters and raw sewage contain bacteria, blood born pathogens and other organisms which are extremely hazardous to human health. These can be transmitted by touching contaminated items or by tracking them in uncontaminated areas on shoes. Seniors, children, and pets are especially vulnerable. Absorbent materials such as carpeting and drywall may not be restorable after direct contact with contaminated water. Failure to remove contaminated materials, can present serious long term heath risks. During a flood clean-up the air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems, however, it should be addressed. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - uses the latest air scrubbing and disinfection technologies.
Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is well trained in all phases of disaster response and floods are no exception. Flood damage can arise from the impact of water dousing a fire, broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, storms or sewage backups. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous until analyzed by an expert. A proper analysis will assist in presenting proper steps for successful mitigation.
Structural Drying
In order to return a building to its pre-loss condition, a strategy that is tailored to the specific situation must be developed. After removing any stale, contaminated water through pumping, extraction or leaching processes, it is often necessary to further remove structurally damaged and/or other contaminated items and materials. Once removal is complete, the site is then classed as disinfected and the drying process can begin.
At Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - we have a variety of methods available to us; open systems, closed systems, Refrigerant Dehumidifiers, and Desiccant Dehumidifiers. Each method involves air movement which is critical to successful drying. All of our water damage technicians are certified and many have advanced certifications providing them with the knowledge required to establish and execute a drying plan that will quickly, thoroughly and effectively dry the area while eliminating the chances of secondary damage.
Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is well trained in all phases of disaster response and floods are no exception. Flood damage can arise from the impact of water dousing a fire, broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, storms or sewage backups. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous until analyzed by an expert. A proper analysis will assist in presenting proper steps for successful mitigation.
Odour
Qualified cleaning technicians use the latest technologies and equipment to properly diagnose and eradicate odours from surfaces. Through immediate and thorough cleaning combined with the use of our specialized equipment, we can remove bacteria, organic compounds and/or chemical compounds, which are often the source of the odour.
Contents
After a disaster, replacing contents can be more expensive than restoring them.
Contents associated with a property comprise a considerable portion of any claim. After a disaster, precious belongings may be damaged. Determining what is possible to salvage is a critical process.
Our Contents Division consists of experienced and professional staff who evaluate items, determining if they are restorable or if they are non restorable. Our immediate focus is to protect affected items, and to create a detailed inventory of items that are deemed salvageable as well as those that are deemed non recoverable.
Pack Out
If conditions are hazardous and not suitable for onsite cleaning due to structural damage to the property or security concerns exist, a pack-out may be necessary. Our staff exercises great care for all valuables, carefully packing contents and transporting them to our professional and secure facilities. They are then unpacked, cleaned, deodorized and inspected with impressive attention to detail. With a proven track record of results and quality you can trust, our technicians provide the necessary know-how to complete a total restoration of a property and its contents. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - provides contents-specific solutions, by concentrating exclusively on your possessions, providing enhanced services with modern technological solutions.
Deodorization and drying chambers
Deodorization and drying chambers are designed to deodorize and dry various contents using the most efficient and up to date technology. Contents are contained within the chamber where heat, dehumidification and air movement are introduced to produce fast yet controlled drying. The loading process is simplified with the use of mobile racks and tables. This customized approach reduces handling which increases efficiencies thereby reducing our overall processing costs.
Fire Restoration
Devastating events require serious and immediate response. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
When a tragedy such as a fire occurs, lives are dramatically impacted and recovery can be both physically and mentally challenging. Knowing where to begin in the initial days after a disaster can be extremely difficult.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is well trained in all phases of disaster response. Through the development and execution of key processes, we can return your property back to pre-loss conditions, thereby eliminating unwanted stress.
Emergency
After the impact of a fire, an initial damage assessment should begin as soon as possible.
We provide 24 hour emergency response service. A call to our Operations Center activates a broad, all hazard emergency management system, designed for immediate deployment of a professional team. This team is armed with the knowledge to effectively address response, mitigation and recovery activities.
Any fire damaged facility should be analyzed for structural integrity, safety and functional capability. Actions including site stabilization and board up, temporary power installations and debris removal are all necessary considerations which should be handled by technically trained personnel.
Once an assessment of the damage has been completed, our qualified technicians certified in smoke and soot damage engage in recovery actions customized to your specific needs, to restore your property and contents to pre-damaged conditions.
Devastating events require serious and immediate response. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
When a tragedy such as a fire occurs, lives are dramatically impacted and recovery can be both physically and mentally challenging. Knowing where to begin in the initial days after a disaster can be extremely difficult.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is well trained in all phases of disaster response. Through the development and execution of key processes, we can return your property back to pre-loss conditions, thereby eliminating unwanted stress.
Smoke / Odour
Due to the severity of smoke and soot damage after a fire, the latest technologies and equipment are used to eradicate odours and residual smoke particles from structural surfaces. Through immediate cleaning and application of our specialized equipment, we clean and treat HVAC systems air conditioning, ventilation units or climate control systems) to abolish potentially harmful pollutants and remove the actual sources of odour and other dangerous toxins.
Biohazard
The containment and elimination of hazardous materials is a necessary and critical process.
Whether it’s in the initial discovery or in the aftermath of a disaster, proper detection of biohazards is critical as it can help prevent serious health risks. Sometimes, a specific catastrophic event may spawn a secondary disaster that increases the impact and relating health risks. An example could be improper procedures relating to a fire claim. Take a fire that has been extinguished by water. If the structure is not dried properly, over time, mould could develop posing health issues. Cleanup, removal and authorized disposal of contaminated materials must be done right the first time.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration provides a wide range of corrective, preventative and post-event remediation with our primary objective being an immediate response with long-term quality results.
Assessment
If certain remediation, such as with mould, is done improperly, it can render unsatisfactory results. There are several steps involved to ensure the process is accomplished thoroughly and to prevent the spread of mould and its return:
Preparation
Containment and removal of dangerous materials
Treatment and clearance testing
Our specialty remediation technicians have industry experience and receive extensive ongoing education and training. They are qualified to execute processes for investigating and resolving indoor air quality concerns and environmental hazards. They develop and execute specific plans relative to the area and the type of contamination, ensuring your problem is remedied quickly and effectively.
We are serious restoration specialists, experienced with the technology and equipment needed to restore structures damaged by harmful environmental toxins. We take the consequences of improper remediation very seriously.
The containment and elimination of hazardous materials is a necessary and critical process.
Whether it’s in the initial discovery or in the aftermath of a disaster, proper detection of biohazards is critical as it can help prevent serious health risks. Sometimes, a specific catastrophic event may spawn a secondary disaster that increases the impact and relating health risks. An example could be improper procedures relating to a fire claim. Take a fire that has been extinguished by water. If the structure is not dried properly, over time, mould could develop posing health issues. Cleanup, removal and authorized disposal of contaminated materials must be done right the first time.
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration provides a wide range of corrective, preventative and post-event remediation with our primary objective being an immediate response with long-term quality results.
Assessment Lab
Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - is extremely proud to recognize our in-house lab used for the testing of hazardous materials such as asbestos. It is located in our Vancouver branch and has been in service since April 2007. We create assessments for any required remedial activity, taking samples of all suspected hazardous materials and processing them in our lab*, providing detailed reporting to all those required for a particular project. Our qualified technicians work closely with experienced Industrial Hygienists and the lab participates in proficiency testing
"We have analysed over 3,000 samples since the commemoration of operation of our lab."
Results have an impressive turn around time, taking on average no more than half an hour per sample.
Our goal is to provide not only effective remediation and safely remove hazardous materials in such severe situations, but to lessen the interruption to ongoing operations and to the environment. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - Restoration is constantly researching and developing technology and processes to provide sustainable remediation solutions for now and in the future.
Please note: All specialty remediation projects conform to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Ministry of Labour Guidelines and the Ministry of Environment's Guidelines.
*This does not include testing for mould.
**This is not meant to imply that AIHA endorses Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry -’s lab in any way.
Hazardous Materials
Mould Remediation
Mould can grow as a consequence to flooding, leaky roofs, sewer backflows or plumbing leaks. Poorly ventilated areas, bathrooms and kitchens are prime locations for mould growth and mould can actually break down the surface it is located on, causing potential structural problems. This type of remediation requires specialized equipment and knowledge of how mould spreads and how to eliminate the contributing components: the mould itself, its food and moisture sources. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - focuses on containment of the existing mould, controlling the air movement, proper disposal of waste materials and meticulous cleaning of the affected areas.
Asbestos Abatement
Asbestos is the name of a group of similar minerals with separable, long, and thin fibers. Asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them, or act as an insulator. The use of asbestos and asbestos products has dramatically decreased, however, they are still found in many residential and commercial settings. It is a dangerous carcinogen and exposure may cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos poses the greatest danger when it becomes airborne and therefore any disruption of suspect materials may cause the fibers to dislodge and release into the air. Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - strictly follows provincial and federal removal guidelines and procedures when dealing with asbestos and we have professionals specifically trained in handling this material. We will come to your home or office to take samples of suspect material, and assess its condition.
Lead Abatement
Lead can be found in interior and exterior paints or in pipes used in plumbing. The presence of lead in a building may have many implications. Lead, once identified, becomes a health hazard and a potential liability for property owners. Abatement is must for the well being of humans as well as for the environment.
Harmful Airborne Pathogens And Super Bugs
Contributing factors such as HVAC systems units or climate control systems) can actually increase the levels of pollution considerably.
Health Canada estimates that Canadians spend more than 80% of their time indoors. One of the largest environmental threats is poor air quality, both in the workplace and at home.
Pollutants can be as varied as pollen, to toxic chemicals emitted from building materials to microbial contaminants such as moulds and bacteria arising from damp areas or stagnant water; lead dust from old paints; to asbestos.
At Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry -, we use containment systems that are designed to isolate and control affected air. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filtration Units and UV Decontamination Equipment assist in proper elimination of odours, air borne bacteria, viruses and germs. Our staff is specially trained in Bio Hazard identification and elimination. We are a Member of the Canadian Health Care Engineering Society and work closely with the applicable health authorities, following their rules and protocols.
Super bugs, very simply put, can be defined as life threatening bugs that we have no defenses against. If not contained and destroyed properly, they can cause devastating results. Again, through the use of proper decontamination and elimination equipment we are able to properly restore environments making them safe for re-entry.
Grow-Ops/Clandestine
These illegal operations pose a very serious threat to public safety and can destroy property to an unrecognizable condition. Mould and chemical contamination are two of the most common results of such operations. Necessary steps must be taken to have the building decontaminated and Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - has the required competence to complete this task.
Trauma Scene
Trauma scenes can be defined as any situation involving the clean up and removal of blood and bodily fluids. Regardless of the cause of the event, oftentimes, the scenes are traumatic. We have specialized personnel at Auckland Carpet Steam ‘n’ Dry - who are uniquely capable of dealing with such unfortunate situations. All scenes are handled with the utmost care, compassion and respect while following necessary guidelines and protocols. Our goal is to restore normalcy as delicately as possible
Water's elusive nature in a liquid form and water's invisible ability to saturate the air in a gas form makes flood recovery very complicated. This article gives an overview of the water damage restoration process with a breakdown between the two types of water damage: primary and secondary damage.