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Water Damage
Water damage is "any water that causes the usefulness, or future use, or value of any property to become impaired by water". For example, if a gallon of water is spilled over a hundred square feet of carpet, it will do little damage. If an aquarium breaks on the same carpet, it will certainly cause damage. If the water is contaminated, the water damage will be even more serious.
Water damage arises from many sources. It may be as simple as an air conditioner condensation pan or sink overflow... a frozen pipe or malfunctioning appliance. It may be associated with a sewage back up or rain water flowing in from outside a home or business.
Regardless of the source, or whether or not insurance coverage is available to cover the loss, it is up to individual property owners to take "reasonable and prudent steps to preserve, protect and secure their property from further damage".
Restoration is "the act of restoring". So the first and most important aspect of water damage restoration is to remove abnormal moisture from affected materials and return them to their former "normal" state. The restoration job is not complete until all affected materials are completely dried and restored to their former condition. Only then can you even begin to assume that you are "doing restoration".
We understand and sympathize with you
We will do everything possible to
help you through this trying experience
Within Minutes - Water contamination spreads rapidly to unaffected areas, thereby increasing costs dramatically; stains released from furniture (especially antique) discolor carpet permanently; moisture-sensitive surfaces on furniture turn white; paper goods and books are ruined due to moisture absorption, swelling, warping and discoloring; pre-existing (animal) urine odor becomes apparent.
Within Hours - Furniture in direct contact with water delaminates, swells (equal expansion on all sides is generally correctable), finishes crack or "check", legs begin to split, drawers bind, Sheetrock™ swells and softens; wall-paper adhesives release, bacterial odor (souring) becomes apparent.
Within Days - Colonies of mildew begin to grow (mycelium), along with characteristic "musty" odor; moisture-sensitive internal components in pianos and organs begin to warp in the presence of condensed moisture; metal surfaces begin to rust and corrode; structural members (door and window casing, studs, joists, decking and flooring materials) swell and buckle, distort or delaminate; furniture veneer delaminates; fabric dyes begin to bleed; electronic components exposed to moisture malfunction or are ruined; individuals with asthma can't breath; allergic reaction become severe.
Within Weeks - Advanced mildew growth destroys organic materials; jute backing, paper coverings on Sheetrock™, (paneling, wood, etc.), while chemicals within wood materials are dissolved and discolor or destroy finish; wholesale damage to structure and contents is experienced; serious occupant health problems abound (hypersensitivity, pneumonitis, aspergillosis); claim costs escalate astronomically!
Remember - carpet and pad can hold as much as TWO gallons of water per square yard!
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