Drying Walls That Are Affected By Water Damage

Water intrusion and plumbing leaks can leave property owners with wet walls - and insurance professionals with claims. A key question arises: is it necessary to remove the wall?


Traditionally, restoration practices called for the complete removal and replacement of wet drywall or other wet materials from walls. Today’s technology, however, allows restoration professionals many options to save walls - significantly reducing restoration costs.
Factors Affecting Wall Drying
When health and safety are at risk, industry standards require the removal of porous wall materials. This will be the case when sewage or floodwaters have entered the home. In addition, drywall should be removed and replaced when structural integrity is lost. There is no need to spend time and effort to dry those materials. Instead, they should be removed at the beginning to reduce drying times. In most other cases, however, saving the wall is possible. A skilled restorer will apply the appropriate techniques, depending on the construction materials of the wall.

A most common obstruction to effectively drying walls is a vapor barrier. A vapor barrier is any material that impedes the evaporation of moisture from walls or other materials. It can include gloss paint, vinyl wall covering, Tyvek® house wrap, plastic sheeting, or other impermeable materials.

In some situations, simply removing the outer vapor barrier quickly promotes the drying process. Vinyl wall covering, typically used in kitchens and bathrooms, can easily be removed. Perforating gloss or semi-gloss paints helps release moisture from the wall material. If building materials are wet on both sides of an impermeable or semi-permeable material, the only option may be the removal of some or all of the wall components until the remaining materials are able to dry.

Another common impediment to drying is insulation. A wall may contain fiberglass (with or without backing material), spray foam, or blown-in insulation. Each of these materials presents its own special needs in the drying process.

Blown-in fiberglass or cellulosic insulation can compact and move down the wall cavity when it becomes wet. After compression occurs, the insulating properties of the material are lost and cannot be restored. If this is the case, the insulation will need to be removed and then replaced after the wall is dry.

Fiberglass insulation with paper backing can, in most situations, be successfully dried, using air injection or other methods.

Sprayed-in or expanding foam insulation creates a very effective vapor barrier that normally needs to be removed. In some situations it is possible to successfully dry if both sides of an interior wall are accessible, or if an exterior wall is only wet on the interior side.

Plaster walls present a unique challenge. They dry much slower than gypsum drywall, but the price to replace plaster is quite high. Therefore, drying is usually a more cost-effective and better option than removal. Special techniques such as tenting and low-grain dehumidification are used to effectively dry plaster walls. Raising the temperature of the room also speeds the drying process.

A wall built with metal studs presents another challenge. The bottom frame of the wall system is a C-shaped metal channel with the opening facing up. This channel collects and retains water. Excess water will need to be vacuumed out of the channel to expedite drying.

Drying can be hastened by drilling small holes along the bottom of the wall. Injector nozzles are inserted and air is introduced into the wall cavity, greatly reducing drying time. When the drying is complete, these holes are patched or covered by baseboard. This process is faster and less expensive than removing and replacing walls.

PuroClean restoration professionals use principles such as equilibrium drying, capillary action, vapor pressure differentials, grain depression, psychrometrics, laminar airflow, and boundary layer movement to efficiently and effectively dry wet walls. The process may include injection drying to put dry air inside walls, tenting to reduce the amount of wet air in the affected area, or managing the environment to promote effective drying solutions.


866-944-7876 (PURO)

Emilio Soli, George Cruz - Managing Partners

Saving Carpet After Water Damage - PuroClean

Can We Save Carpet?


A pipe breaks and water is everywhere. The policyholder calls the insurance agent and the restoration process begins. Timing is important. The sooner the policyholder makes the call, the quicker the response will be, and in most cases, the lower the total costs of restoration.

Though many issues can be discovered involving water damage, this article focuses on just one - the carpet. Of all the dollars spent on property claims, floor covering is by far the most expensive category. If we can save a large percentage of water-damaged floor coverings, the savings would be significant on a national scale.

CAUTIONING CUSTOMERS

As with any property damage, health and safety is of primary importance. The customer should be cautioned about slipping and falling on wet flooring, electrical hazards, contaminated water, and falling debris such as drywall or acoustical ceiling tiles. Some customers attempt to extract the water themselves. While this can be of some benefit, a shop vacuum, towels, and ceiling fans are no replacement for professional extraction and drying equipment.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Quick response is critical. The longer the unwanted water is allowed to remain, the more likely the carpeting will be permanently damaged. Regardless of the hour, the mitigation process should begin without delay. It is very important to get a professional mitigator involved as soon as possible. The very best opportunity to save carpet (and other items) is to have professionals on site immediately.

CONTAIN AND CONTROL

The initial phase of the mitigation process includes addressing safety issues and employing contain-and-control procedures. Carpet is a multi-layered installation with a big sponge (padding) under it. Standing water must be pumped or extracted to prevent migration of water into adjoining areas and sub-surfaces. Professional moisture meters are used to determine the exact location and extent of water damage. The source of the water will determine whether the carpet and padding can be saved.



DETERMINING CATEGORY OF LOSS

The first step professional mitigation companies take is determining the category of loss as follows:
Category-1 ("clean" water)
A Category-1 loss is from a clean water source and has not come in contact with materials that carry a health concern for the occupants. This would include broken water pipes, leaking hot water heaters, tub or sink overflows, etc. With Category-1 type losses, professionals can extract water from the carpet and pad and dry them both, in place! This dramatically reduces the cost of the claim and helps restoration efforts move faster.
Category-2 ("grey" water)
Category-2 is not a clean water source since it contains contaminates with the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if swallowed or contacted. This would typically include overflow from washing machines or dishwashers, toilet overflows with no solid matter, broken aquariums, sump pump failures, etc. Because of the additional contamination, this type of loss requires the replacement of the padding, but the carpet itself is usually salvageable. If, however, a Category-2 loss is not treated promptly (generally within 48 hours) it will "degrade" to a Category-3.
Category-3 ("black" water)
A Category-3 is water that is grossly contaminated -- containing pathogenic or other harmful agents and materials. Examples of this type of loss include sewage; toilet backflows that originate beyond the toilet trap (regardless of color); all forms of flooding from seawater, rivers, or streams; rising ground water; and water entering the structure from hurricanes, storms, or other weather-related events.
This water condition is of primary concern when it comes to the health and safety of the occupants. It should be treated seriously! Policyholders should not expose themselves to Category-3 water. If, for some reason it is necessary, then they should be cautioned and reminded to wear gloves, shoe protection, and other items to protect themselves. Mitigation professionals, however, are expecially trained to handle this type of loss and are the best guarantee of property containment.
Industry standards require that carpet and pad that have been contaminated with black water must be bagged, removed from the structure, and disposed of in an appropriate location. This also applies to other absorbent materials that have come in contact with black water such as textiles, drywall, etc. Professional restoration companies understand this and operate accordingly.
Property training is the key. Every water damage situation is different. There are varying circumstances that determine whether the carpet can or should be saved. Its age, condition, the type of installation and quality of material are all factors that need to be considered. The goal of a restoration company is to savfe and "restore." Restoration saves money because higher replacement costs are avoided. Home owners also return to their normal lives more quickly with successful restoration.
Mitigation professionals have the training and knowledge to evaluate each situation and to determine the best course of action. They are also trained to communicate well with policyholders, agents, and adjusters to insure that everyone understands the restoration process and proper procedures involved.


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If you need any assistance regarding the entire process of handling your water damage concerns, please call 440-748-7876.

NE Ohio's "Paramedics of Property Damage"

Flood & Water Damage Cleanup in Northeast Ohio

EMILIO SOLI, GEORGE CRUZ - Managing Partners

*** 2009 NE OHIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MALE ENTREPRENEURS OF THE YEAR ***

Northeast Ohio property owners have been seeing some backups and water-related issues from the remnants of the melting snow that hit the area over the last few weeks. The ground is completely saturated at this point and a lot of times this water has nowhere to go and can threaten the structural integrity of a foundation and/or basement.



When noticing water damage and flooding to your basement be aware that flood water may contain sewage. Call a professional immediately. We are available with 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HELP. 440-748-7876. In the meantime, it is very important to protect yourself and your family by following these steps:



- Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
- Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.
- Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as, mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products). PUROCLEAN WILL DO THAT
- Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters. PUROCLEAN WILL DO THAT
- Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent. PUROCLEAN WILL DO THAT (w/ specialized chemicals)
- Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers. PUROCLEAN WILL DO THAT
- After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Use water that has been boiled for 1 minute (allow the water to cool before washing your hands).
Or you may use water that has been disinfected for personal hygiene use (solution of ⅛ teaspoon [~0.75 milliliters] of household bleach per 1 gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, use a solution of ¼ teaspoon (~1.5 milliliters) of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
- Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
- Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent. It is recommended that a laundromat be used for washing large quantities of clothes and linens until your onsite waste-water system has been professionally inspected and serviced.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.



Health Risks
Flood waters may contain potentially dangerous materials, such as fecal material from overflowing sewage systems, agricultural runoff, and chemicals from industrial areas. Wading in flood waters can also be a cause of infection or result in a variety of injuries. Also a threat of electrical currency to be generated in standing water that can have fatal affects to a human being.

PuroClean Professional Services
440-748-7876
24-HOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE

*** WE COME APPROVED AND PREFERRED BY PROPERTY INSURANCE CARRIERS ***

PROUDLY SERVING NORTHEAST OHIO

Water Backups in Cleveland & Akron Caused By Snow Melting

Basement backups can be very dangerous. Grounds around NE Ohio are pretty saturated with temperatures starting to rise and snow melting. PuroClean Professional Services have been flooded (no pun intended) with phone calls from property owners seeking advice on how to handle their wet basement problems and for cleanup requests.

Homeowners suffering from water damage are faced with an extremely stressful experience. Water loss and damage is a real threat for property owners. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute in the last year, 22 per 1,000 household have entered a claim for water related damage. These situations are more common than most people think. At times in the year such as now, water damage is often the result of the weather, such as storms, melting snow, freezing pipes, and ice damming.

When presented with flooding situations, time is of the essence. React quickly. Call 440-748-7876 for professional help. Available with 24-Hour Emergency Service.

To help minimize loss, and prevent further damage while technicians from PuroClean are en route, property owners should follow these guidelines:
Insurance
o Call your agent.
o Take photographs of the damage.
o Keep all receipts from hotel stays, home repair materials, etc.
Plumbing
o Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems.
o If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet, your whole system is backed up. Call a professional and don’t use other sinks or toilets.
Roofing
o If the neighbor’s roof is missing shingles after a storm, you can assume that yours probably is, too.
o If only a few shingles are gone, try to cover the area with a garbage bag.
o If you have a large area of ripped tar paper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin and call a roofer immediately.
Electric
o Most damage to electrical systems comes from water.
o Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used again.
o Check for sparks or frayed wires if wires are exposed call an electrician and do not turn on the power.
o If it appears that water has infiltrated your breaker box, call an electrician.
o Avoid fallen and dangling wires or metal fences.
o If a limb has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company.
o If a fallen limb touches your property, it becomes your responsibility, but you should not attempt to clear them as they may be tangled in power lines. Call an electrician.
Flooding (Take these steps to minimize damage before the restoration professional arrives.)o Throw out all food, including canned goods, medicines and cosmetics that have been touched by flood water.
o Keep a photographic inventory of anything that must be thrown out.
o Don’t take pets into a flooded area and never let them drink standing flood water.
Miscellaneous
o Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.
o Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.
o Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying.
o Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.
o Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
o Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.
o Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances.

PuroClean Professional Services
440-748-7876

Emilio Soli, George Cruz - Managing Partners

*** Proudly Serving Northeast Ohio ***

With Frozen Pipes Thawing and Snow Melting, PuroClean and Area Plumbers Scramble to Fix Water-Related Issues

As a result of the recent, yet typical, frigid temperatures that winter brings to Northeast Ohio, many area plumbers, public service workers, and PuroClean Professional Services have been busier than normal dealing with frozen and ruptured water pipes and lines to homes and businesses.

Many calls PuroClean has received have been busted water lines to attic crawl spaces and basement areas. Some property disasters left behind over five feet of water.

Area residents have been put in a position to call their respective public service workers to come and shut off their water after problems with pipes have been discovered.

Melting snow is an annual formality facing the Northestern area of Ohio. Sometimes this can affect properties lacking the foundation support to with-hold the added amounts of water that melting brings. A lot of back-ups, leaks, etc. have been troubling many area property owners and even businesses.

If you have experienced any water-related property disaster please don't hesitate to contact a professional company. Time is of the essence with these circumstances and the longer you wait the more you jeopardize the structural integrity of your property.

PuroClean Professional Services provides 24-hour emergency property disaster services.

Call 866-944-PURO (7876)

With Frozen Pipes Thawing and Snow Melting, PuroClean and Area Plumbers Scramble to Fix Water-Related Issues

As a result of the recent, yet typical, frigid temperatures that winter brings to Northeast Ohio, many area plumbers, public service workers, and PuroClean Professional Services have been busier than normal dealing with frozen and ruptured water pipes and lines to homes and businesses.

Many calls PuroClean has received have been busted water lines to attic crawl spaces and basement areas. Some property disasters left behind over five feet of water.

Area residents have been put in a position to call their respective public service workers to come and shut off their water after problems with pipes have been discovered.

Melting snow is an annual formality facing the Northestern area of Ohio. Sometimes this can affect properties lacking the foundation support to with-hold the added amounts of water that melting brings. A lot of back-ups, leaks, etc. have been troubling many area property owners and even businesses.

If you have experienced any water-related property disaster please don't hesitate to contact a professional company. Time is of the essence with these circumstances and the longer you wait the more you jeopardize the structural integrity of your property.

PuroClean Professional Services provides 24-hour emergency property disaster services.

Call 866-944-PURO (7876)