Property Recovery 911 was contacted by a homeowner in Bryn Mawr, PA to evaluate the cause and propose a solution to water damage discovered in their living room upon returning from vacation. Our analysis uncovered a split in the seam of a downspout along the adjacent exterior wall that was jetting water into voids in the brick pointing during rain storms. The result being high moisture content in the building materials within that manifested itself in the separation and sagging of old painted fabric wallpaper on two living room walls at the front corner. During water damage restoration, we discovered moderate mold contamination as well, which is testament to how quickly mold contamination can occur in a wet area with little ventilation.
Containment of Mold Contamination
The existence of mold contamination was not readily apparent, but we knew it to be possible, compelling us to take steps to protect the health and safety of our customers prior to beginning water damage restoration. Containment for the purposes of mold contamination consists of a containment chamber encompassing the work area and put under 7 pascals of negative pressure. Negative pressure is accomplished by drawing air out of containment using a variable speed air scrubber, which moves air through a two stage filtering system that will draw in and trap any airborne contaminants. The containment chamber was constructed of 6 mil fire retardant poly erected using a Zip Wall barrier system with zipper access. In order to maintain negative pressure while entering and exiting containment, a second adjoining ‘zipper access’ chamber know as an exit chamber was constructed to be used in concert with the containment chamber. When entering or exiting one chamber, the zipper to the other is always kept closed and secured, insuring unbroken negative pressure.
Deconstruction Exposing Water Damage
Following our initial safety preparations, we began deconstruction by peeling back the sagging fabric wallpaper mentioned above and discovered visible mold contamination on the back side of the wallpaper as well as on the plaster beneath. We removed the plaster with water damage to a point where our moisture readings of the building materials within the now exposed wall cavity were found to be at acceptable levels. Once deconstruction was complete water damage restoration continued with structural drying.
Water Damage Restoration
Water damage restoration continued with structural drying, which was accomplished by deploying a Dri-eaz 7000 Xli dehumidifier, two axial fans, and an EnergEdry portable heating system ducted into tenting over the wet hardwood flooring. Moisture infiltrated through the hardwoods and into the sub floors below, so we built a reverse tent encompassing the wet area in the basement, ducted a second EnergEdry portable heating system within and fed dry air into the heater intake using a Dri-eaz Revolution dehumidifier. After 4 days, all areas were brought to within 3 percentage points of dry standard resulting is successful structural drying.
Mold Contamination
Following structural drying, mold remediation commenced with the application of Serum 1000 laced with an enzymatic catalyst. Serum 1000 is a surface and substrate cleaner used to remove organic contamination. It is composed of 20% hydrogen peroxide formulated with surface active agents. Serum 1000 literally boils mold contamination out of porous surfaces, lifting it out into the generated foam. After an hour of air drying, all surfaces were HEPA vacuumed to remove the loosened organic material. Our next step following mold remediation, was to encapsulate the cleaned building materials with Sentinel 24/7 Zero. Sentinel’s 24-7 ZERO is a high-performance coating with antimicrobial protection, designed to inhibit the growth of stain and odor causing mold, mildew, and other microorganisms on the coating film.
Reconstruction
After successful mold remediation, which was confirmed by testing performed by a third party professional, we began reconstruction. We developed techniques to repair existing plaster successfully but economically using hybrid repair techniques. We accomplish this by packing out the existing wall studs and ceiling joists to accept ½” sheetrock at the same level as the existing plaster. Once installed, we fill the joint between the plaster and sheetrock with basecoat plaster and allow to dry. Once the basecoat plaster is cured, we use fiber drywall tape and spackle to refine the seams. This procedure is followed by sanding, priming and painting.
Property Recovery 911 is committed to assisting victims of disaster protect their interests by quickly removing the source of damage and starting the restoration. Our emergency restoration and preservation services include water mitigation, fire restoration, mold remediation and board up. We are available any time of day or night 365 days a year with 24/7 live phone support. Contact us at (267) 808-7200 for prompt, professional emergency restoration services.