Disaster and Emergency Services

Dealing with Water Damage

Water damage generally comes in two types - a clean water escape or an effluence (contaminated) water escape. Damage and health implications increase the longer materials remain wet. There are at least 4 progressive stages of indoor water damage as follows:

1. Water migrates into areas not originally affected. Water spreads into adjoining rooms, penetrates materials below and absorbs into porous materials above.
2. Saturated materials will begin swelling as they absorb moisture. In many situations, drying and restoration will restore them, and in others, the damage may be permanent. Evaporative drying will help reduce the chance of permanent damage.
3. As water evaporates, it causes an abnormal humidity condition. High humidity can damage some materials if allowed to continue. Humidity damage is most common when the indoor humidity exceeds 50% over an extended period.
4. After water intrusion, mould and bacterial spores germinate and multiply. Given the expected growth conditions of still air and darkness, one organism can multiply to more than one billion organisms in less than 24 hours. Micro organisms can cause mould damage and degrade indoor air qualities. Some micro organisms produce antigens and allergens which cause allergies, whilst others can cause infectious and even toxic diseases. The area behind walls and in wall cavities is the ideal growth environment for fungi. This area is a fungal time bomb waiting to explode.

When dealing with water damage, here are some useful tips:

• Wet carpet will conduct electricity. Temporarily disconnect power at the power source.
• Do not leave books, magazines or other coloured items on wet carpet or floors.
• Do not use your domestic vacuum cleaner to remove water
• Do not use TVs, radios or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Do not turn on ceiling lights or fans if the ceiling is wet and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Stopping new damage from occuring is of prime importance. These are some of the initial responses we may take when responding to water damage:

• Our technicians will temporarily detatch the carpet and place High Velocity Airmovers under the wet carpet or building structure. We will attempt to float the carpet with air until it is dry.
• All water damaged areas, structures and soft surfaces will be treated with a high level disinfectant deodoriser. This will kill most medium grade germs and odour causing bacteria that have been activated by the water.
• We may place dehumidification equipment in order to accelerate drying of all affected areas. These may be left in place for several days and can minimise the cost of restoring property.

The Water Contamination Time Clock

Our technicians are always time conscious. We realise that the longer drying, dehumidifying, neutralising and deodorising is postponed, the worse the damage gets and the more costs escalate.

Within Minutes: Contaminated or Non Contaminated water is absorbed into carpet, plaster, soft furnishings and generally absorbs into fibrous materials.

Within Hours: Wicking of end grain and unsealed/painted surfaces e.g. furniture legs, kick boards, open grains, and general swelling of man made timber. Total saturation and absorption of underlay. Deterioration of adhesive to hard flooring e.g. vinyl, parquetry, tiles etc. Relative humidity rises, giving birth to fungal and bacterial organisms.

Within Days: Furniture becomes non-recoverable, penetration and wicking of finished surfaches e.g. painted walls, laquered timber etc. metal surfaces/fittings corrode and oxidise. Capillary reaction causes odour to emanate throughout area e.g. wall cavities, cupboards, dead air space etc.

Within Weeks: Restoration capabilities have diminished, heavy loss is experienced. Bacteria, Fungi, and Allergen spores germinate. Odour penetrates surfaces requiring removal and replacement. Restoration capabilities are minimal.