Basements in homes built prior to the new millennium were typically not designed to be used as additional living space. In most instances, the foundations are not waterproof, and there is no vapor barrier beneath the concrete flooring. The resultant environment generally exists in a state of unreasonably high humidity, and elevated mold spore counts; with a propensity for basement flooding from water infiltration during heavy rains as well as rapid snow melts.
Thermal imaging technology has become a staple in the field of water damage restoration. Using infrared technology to evaluate the breadth and degree of saturation in a water damaged structure, gives the water damage restoration professional the ability to rapidly assess water migration over an expansive area. This non-invasive technology delivers a dependable overview of the work area, which can be used to enlighten a property owner or justify job scope to an insurance adjuster.
Household appliance failure accounts for a significant portion of residential flood damage claims. Performing periodic inspections and maintenance will reduce the possibility of appliance breakdown and lessen the risk of a significant water event.
Manipulating the environment within a drying chamber is essential to successful water damage restoration. Equipment is deployed to evaporate surface water and create a vapor pressure differential between saturated building materials and dry air. This vapor pressure differential causes trapped water to vaporize and move from the substrate to the air. Achieving an optimal environment for evaporation requires attention to the vapor pressure differential. The bigger the spread of vapor pressure the greater the pull of moisture from the air.
Several times a year, monumental rains flood basements causing significant water damage. Unwitting consumers often assume coverage after such an event, only to discover that they are saddled with the financial burden of flood damage restoration. Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover water damage caused by system failures within the home, but virtually every homeowner’s insurance policy has stated exclusions concerning surface water runoff, also known as ground water.
Humidity, Temperature & Airflow influence the movement of moisture within a material as well as the evaporation rate from the surface of the material and can greatly impact the overall drying time for a water damage restoration project. Quickly reducing moisture in the air and introducing sufficient airflow will reduce water activity, ultimately lowering the potential for microbial activity.
Icicles along a roofline are largely perceived as a beautiful winter staple, yet often indicate ice dams and a potential for water damage to the structure. Ice damming blocks roofing drainage systems, diverting the flow of water under roof coverings and into the building envelope. Once within, gravity carries this permeation through insulation, ceilings, walls, and floors causing widespread water damage. At this point, immediate water damage restoration is essential to prevent the possibility of mold contamination.
This water damage restoration project was the result of a category 3 water loss event. The cause of loss was a sanitary plumbing line leak within the ceiling and wall cavities that allowed sewage water to escape and contaminate rooms below the second floor and into the basement.
Property Recovery 911 was summoned to a significant water loss event in a South Philadelphia row home, caused by a failed water line serving the second-floor bathroom. Substantial volumes of water poured throughout the interior of the home and came to rest as a 1-1/2' deep pool in the basement. Much of the structure and contents from the second floor through to the basement were saturated, including personal belongings, kitchen cabinetry and household appliances.
Summoned on a Sunday to provide flood restoration services in February 2019, we arrived to discover significant overhead flood damage originating from a frozen and burst pipe on the third story of this historic building in Olde City Philadelphia. Housing landmark restaurants starting in 1893 as The Oyster Saloon, this historically significant structure required immediate action to mitigate the circumstances at hand and arrest possible ancillary damage as well as the progressive losses that occur over time if not properly handled.