Determining the Age and Extent of Jamestown Water Damage

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

Our team is quick to respond and begin the water damage mitigation process in your Jamestown home. If you have any questions, please call us any time.

SERVPRO Water Restoration Inspection and Mitigation Tools Save Jamestown Properties

One factor that can add significant challenges to Jamestown water cleanup for homeowners is the amount of time moisture has had to affect surfaces. Water penetrates surfaces in as little as several minutes and can enable mold growth that begins within the first day or two after exposure. Many water damage situations can go undetected for days or weeks if they occur behind walls or appliances. Fortunately, homeowners can take measures to inspect their property and potentially minimize damage.

Jamestown SERVPRO water damage remediation technicians provide homeowners with comprehensive cleanup and rebuilding services that return properties to a pre-disaster state with the help of EPA-registered biocides and commercial-grade tools. This firm is available 24/7 for home restoration services.

A Brief Guide to Inspecting Water Damaged Surfaces

Leaving water damage cleanup to trained restoration professionals keeps home occupants safe. That said, residents are encouraged to look for signs of water damage on their property. Various features can indicate:

• Whether the damage is new or older
• If damage has lasted long enough to leave behind noticeable mold growth or odors
• Whether or not areas of the house that have previously encountered water damage need repairs to minimize the risk of further damages

Newer water damage is typically easy to distinguish from ongoing or older incidents. Surfaces may be freshly wet, but there are not likely to be many stains or odors resulting from bacteria unless the source is a sewage backup. Surfaces like unfinished wood and drywall may be wet but retain structural integrity. However, these materials grow mold, warp, and deteriorate from moisture over time. 

Older water damage, meanwhile, can have a multitude of sensory indicators. Stains from recurring damage create discolored rings that build up over time. Porous surfaces may be soft, crumbly, warped, or even mushy to the touch. Organic materials are much more likely to have mold if the damage has lasted two or more days. Paint might bubble or peel, and the drywall underneath is more likely to be fragile. Materials like concrete or brick might have chalky efflorescence from moisture. If materials in the damaged area show noticeable signs of deterioration, water damage has persisted for some time.

Regardless of when damage occurs, homeowners must mitigate it as soon as possible after detection.

SERVPRO Water Mitigation Strategies Renew Damaged Structures

Whether the damage is new or old, SERVPRO tools and strategies obtained through IICRC-certified training can target and eliminate properties' excess moisture, contaminants, and debris. Professional moisture extraction tools for surfaces like carpeting and baseboards can minimize replacement needs for many situations. 

If the damage is older, technicians can identify and remove dangerous debris with the permission of property owners. Widespread damage to belongings from sources like burst pipes can be addressed with SERVPRO's pack-out service, which:

• Allows technicians to pack belongings room by room 
• Input information about contents into a digital database for easy sorting 
• Stores contents in an approved SERVPRO warehouse for careful cleaning, drying, and restoration where possible
• Provides homeowners quick, easy access to essential items at the warehouse after damage occurs

While contents are restored offsite, technicians can also implement on-site extraction, drying, sanitation, and controlled demolition of structural materials, flooring, and fixtures impacted by water. SERVPRO also renders odor control and rebuilding services for homes.

Property owners can call SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean day and night for mitigation and restoration services. Contact the team for "Like it never even happened" cleanup at (716) 338-4901.