Water: A destructive Force

Water is a fascinating compound and we take it for granted.  It covers 70% of the earth surface, it’s the only natural substance that exists in three states; solid, liquid and gas, in normal temperatures.

Water is essential for life but it can also be one of the most destructive forces we encounter.DID YOU KNOW?
…that 22 out of 1,000 households will experience a water-related disaster each year? Water not only damages your property, it also creates the perfect environment for microbial growth.Contrary to popular belief most water damage is not due to catastrophic events like our 2013 floods and heavy persistent 2014 and 2015 spring rains. Most in home water damage is caused by mundane sources:

• A broken refrigerator supply line or leaky valve,
• Grandkids overflowing the bathtub or sink, (I speak from experience)
• Broken washing machine supply hose
• Sink and toilet supply lines
• Minor plumbing leaks left undiscovered
• Frozen silcock (outside faucet)
• Water heaters

Time is not your friend in a water damage situation.  As time passes water damage spreads, microbial growth can begin, materials absorb water and can start to break down. Effective and controlled drying are critical.  We need to get the humidity level of the structure, contents and environment back to normal levels as quickly as possible.  Sounds obvious but it’s not that simple. Removing excess moisture requires a balanced approach using air movement, dehydration and heat control.

1. We use air movers to direct a flow of air over all the affected surfaces, around corners, over furniture, under carpets, any where we find excess moisture.
2. Dehumidifiers are used to take in that airflow, extract the water, pump it to a drain and return warm dry air to the room to repeat the cycle
3. Finally, we use heat, warmer air holds more moisture so drying can happen faster but warmer air also promotes mold growth so it’s critical that heat only be used in conjunction with air movement and dehumidification.

The whole process is monitored using a variety of meters, measurement devices, cameras and infra-red technology.  The measurements tell us how things are working and give us the information necessary to make adjustments to equipment to optimize the drying process. The most effective drying process minimizes damage, stops microbial growth and minimizes the cost. Contact PuroClean Disaster Response to help you today!