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Water Damage FAQ
5/15/2020 (Permalink)
When a water damage occurs in your place of business, you may feel confusion and frustration. There seems like there is so much to do, and there are so many questions you might have! Here at SERVPRO of East Sacramento / West Arden-Arcade, we have heard it all. In this blog post, we hope to outline a couple questions you might have as a business owner or homeowner that has experienced water damage.
Q: What happens when my business takes on water damage?
A: When water contacts drywall, it sags and disintegrates. Then you’ll see paint bubbles and peeling as the water wicks up the drywall. After that, water saturates the insulation behind the drywall.
If water dwells in your property for any length of time, wood structures begins to swell. The glue holding your particle board kitchen and bathroom cabinets dissolves, causing them to crumble. The longer the water dwells in your property, the more likely it is that the hardwood floors will buckle and warp. Wood exposed to long-term water damage rots.
Water-soaked carpets “delaminate.” Delamination is the term for carpet that pulls away from its backing. Once this happens, the carpet is permanently ruined.
Water damage can short-out electrical systems. This can cause fire and shock hazards and damage to electronic equipment.
To see some photos of water damage to homes and businesses, click here!
Q: Why is water damage dangerous?
A: There are multiple types of water damage, that differ in intensity based on the amount of contaminants. Floodwater that comes from outside and from sewage backups contains dangerous contaminants like viruses and bacteria.
If water is left standing or saturated in a structure for 24-48 hours, structural damage and mold growth can ensue. Even water leaks that infiltrate your home slowly can cause damage to the building and lead to mold growth. Mold left unchecked will spread quickly through the home.
Q: How much does it take to restore my home or business?
A: It all depends on the size and scope of the loss. Completely drying a structure depends on the type of water damage, how bad it was, how long the water dwelled, and the type of building materials involved. In most cases, our goal to dry out water damage to a home or business is around 2 to 3 days. However, properties exposed to water damage for a long time will take longer to dry!
Q: Do I have to close my place of business during reconstruction and demolition?
A: If the property damage doesn’t require a lot of reconstruction, you can stay in your home or office.
However, the equipment we use during the drying process can be noisy. It also creates a lot of air movement which may be considered as unlivable or unworkable conditions.
If the bathrooms in your office, or the kitchen in your home are a part of the damaged area, check with your insurance company for reimbursement of alternate living expenses or business continuity expenses until the restoration job is complete.
Q: Should I ever turn off the equipment?
A: No! If it is off, it isn’t working! The specialized equipment works through duration of time, and our it is made to run continuously without overheating or causing safety problems. Remember, we position the equipment in a particular way to promote the drying process. Please don’t move it.
Since we know the noise might be problematic, we often suggest you call your insurance agent to see if your policy covers alternate living expenses or business continuity expenses.
Q: Can water damage be prevented?
A: When a water damage is an act of nature—there is not a lot you can do. Flooding happens, disasters happen, but not as often as it seems. While flooding is a frequent cause of water damage, most water damage is due to indoor plumbing failure. To prevent water damage, the key is regular maintenance and inspections of the following:
- Check your appliances (e.g., dishwasher, clothes washer, and water heater) to assure they are all in good working order. Check all water connections and hoses. Remember to do this even if you have the metal braided supply hoses.
- Check under your sinks for signs of corrosion and make sure connections are tight.
- Check the toilets in each bathroom for any signs of leaking.
- Monitor your water bills. A sudden, unexplained increase in water use can be caused by a leak.
- Finally, make sure everyone knows how and where to shut off the water to the property. If you ever are out of business for a significant amount of time—shut off the water. Some of the worst damages we have seen are when residents are out of town.
There’s never a convenient time for flooding or water damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
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