Your Guide to Water Damage on Building Materials

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damaged Lumber

When your home has been affected by flooding from a clean water source, such as burst pipes or a broken supply line, you'll quickly notice damage to building materials. For example, you may see swelling wood, transfer stains, discoloration on furnishings, and warped or swollen paper goods. Within just a few hours, you may see

• Lamination peeling from furniture
• Drywall becoming soggy
• Musty odors emanating from areas of standing water
• Tarnishing on metal surfaces
• Clean water becoming contaminated

Repairs Transition to Replacements

If you don't take quick action after flooding, you'll probably notice severe issues within a couple of days, such as

• Growing mold
• Swelling wood on pianos and other wood home furnishings
• Disintegrating drywall
• Rusting on metal surfaces
• Swelling door and window casings
• Malfunctioning electronic components

As soon as you discover leaks or flooding, it's crucial to stop the flow of water and arrange the necessary water pipe repair. With this completed, discuss the differences between clean water, gray water, and black water with a flooding restoration professional. The actions you take to recover will be determined, in part, by the potential for contamination and other risks.

Hidden Damages

Unfortunately, you'll probably only see a small part of the actual damage your home has experienced. A lot of moisture damage happens within the walls. As you begin to replace swollen wood from cabinets and subflooring, you may find deeper damage. Drywall and other wood components can often be saved if you respond quickly enough, but make sure the structural integrity of the home hasn't been compromised.

Working closely with your restoration professional, be sure to thoroughly investigate the extent of all damages. This may require the use of specialized tools, such as moisture meters, and may involve inspections into unseen areas of the home. For example, discovering whether you have insulation behind walls will help determine the best method for drying and remediation.

Full Recovery

Water damage is a scary situation, but with help from professionals in Dover, NJ, you can recover. The wet building materials, swelling wood, and saturated carpets can be repaired or replaced, and you can get your home life back on track.

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