Water Damage in Your Camarillo Property? Fast, Call SERVPRO!

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Leaves No Door Unopened in Its Quest for Water Damage Mitigation in Commercial and Residential Camarillo Properties

How SERVPRO Dries Structures and Mitigates a Water Loss in Camarillo

Many water damage emergencies in Camarillo do not affect the whole home or business, but even a little water can be devastating to a structure if it is not handled correctly. A second-floor plumbing leak can result in sagging ceilings on the first floor. Appliances can fail and dump gallons of water in a short period. The longer the water stands, the more damage it does.

SERVPRO of Camarillo gives special attention to the structure of any emergency clean up we do. We know the faster water is cleaned up and the property dried, the higher the potential to minimize loss. When you contact our emergency response team, we ask questions pertinent to the situation to ensure our technicians have the right equipment for your situation.

How Does Water Damage Affect Structures?

No matter where a structure is affected by a water loss, our SERVPRO of Camarillo technicians have the specialized training and equipment to handle it. Depending on the area of the property affected, different techniques are used to mitigate damage.

In attics, water spills require fast action. Especially if ventilation is blocked or deficient, moisture can build up quickly, and mold growth is a concern. Insulation made from cellulose tends to flatten and mat when wet and Rockwool insulation has metal content that may rust when exposed to water and is often unrecoverable. Fiberglass is nonporous insulation and can be dried and reinstalled on a case by case basis. Our SERVPRO of Camarillo team has the training to identify airflow problems and suggest solutions to the property owner after drying and remediating the space.

Not every water loss in a home or business results in moisture behind the walls. Our technicians check on every emergency call to determine if there are any vapor barriers behind walls using moisture meters and thermal imaging to ensure nothing is missed. If walls are wet due to a plumbing leak or other reason, SERVPRO technicians drill weep holes and remove baseboards when needed to allow for adequate airflow during the drying phase of remediation.

Flooring Needs Fast Attention

SERVPRO of Camarillo technicians know that all types of flooring require quick water cleanup and remediation. The adhesive on tiles maybe loosens and be a loss if exposed to high moisture conditions for too long. Composite and engineered boards for wood flooring may not be recoverable from a water loss.

Hardwood flooring, although it may cup and buckle as the wood absorbs water, can sometimes be recovered if it is caught early enough, using the specialized drying equipment such as drying mats. SERVPRO technicians use mats with holes in them to attach numerous hoses that force air into the wet floorboards.

SERVPRO Has Specialized Equipment for Drying

When the inner areas behind walls and baseboards, attics or other areas of a structure are affected by water damage, our technicians set up dehumidifiers and air movers with hoses directing air into the wall cavities to ensure moisture levels are reduced quickly for faster drying. This injecti-dry system pulls the water vapor out so it can dry faster.

The setting up of the drying equipment is unique to each emergency call SERVPRO of Camarillo works on. The air movers are positioned at angles to force water vapor off the surfaces. As the water vapor rises, it is captured and eliminated by dehumidifying equipment.

Dehumidifiers are used when running the air movers for efficient drying of the structure. Drywall that is too saturated to save through restoration efforts is measured with our detection equipment and removed above where the moisture ends to be sure no residual wetness remains.

Thorough Cleaning and Deodorizing After Drying

Once the surfaces are dry, water and mold damage technicians use our antifungal and antibacterial solutions to wipe down and clean anywhere that was affected by water. This action not only cleans and leaves a fresh scent, but it also inhibits the growth of mold and mildew.

Drying the structure eliminates most odors that were present when the structure was wet. If a strong smell remains and the possibility of mold has been reduced, robust odor control methods can be used by our technicians as needed to neutralize odors. We have methods ranging from time release gel pellets for mild odors to fogging solutions delivered by technicians to eliminate odors at the molecular level.

Avoiding Mold After Water Damage

When SERVPRO technicians work on a water removal or cleanup job, mold growth is always a concern as a secondary effect of a wet structure. Slow leaks, poor venting and vapor barriers that have been unseen in attics, behind walls, or areas of the property that are not checked often can harbor mold colonies. We have specialized methods for mold abatement that limits the spread of spores during remediation if mold is found to be already resident.

Because mold is a problem of an overly moist environment, rewetting the environment to clean it can seem counterproductive. One effective way to remove mold colonies from wood or organic structures that is a dry method is soda blasting. After containing the area to prevent the spread of spores, an abrasive mixture of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is delivered at a high rate of speed directed at mold colonies. This light abrasion loosens the mold and allows for easy cleanup. Our technicians can diagnose why the mold is an issue for the property owner and suggest steps that can be taken to avoid the return of mold in the future.

Once our technicians have completed work on the property, we do a walk-through with the owner and adjuster if necessary to ensure all water damage issues in the home or business have been addressed. We know a water loss event is stressful, and fast remediation and satisfaction with the result is our goal on every cleanup.

SERVPRO of Camarillo has the expertise and resources to turn back the clock on water damage in your home or commercial property. We are proud to serve our local community in Camarillo and the areas of 93010, and 93012. Our emergency response team is available 24/7 and arrive within hours after your initial call.