Water Damage Restoration

Although your floors and walls may look and feel dry on the surface, there may still be potentially damaging moisture present inside the walls. Our certified technicians use a variety of specialized tools, including Thermal (infrared) imaging technology, to uncover moisture that is not visible to the eye and to ensure that your structure is properly dried. Remember, it is better to dry your building properly than to perform a costly mold remediation. Click here to learn more about Thermal Imaging Technology.

coolingtower All situations are unique, but a typical water loss takes 3 to 4 days to dry out. This includes extracting any standing water, removing any non-salvageable structural materials and returning the structure to its pre-loss condition. Some factors that affect the drying time include; the extent of the damage, the length of time before the initial response, the structures electrical capacity (determines how much drying equipment can be used), the types of building materials affected and the amount of personal property in each room. If we use our Heat Drying System, the drying time will be drastically reduced, as will the need for demolition and the reconstruction costs associated with removing, baseboards, drywall, etc. Click here to learn more about Heat Drying. How will you dry my house/commercial building? Our certified technicians typically use a combination of high velocity air movers, dehumidifiers and thermal energy (Heat) drying equipment in response to a water intrusion. Air movers increase the rate of water evaporation while dehumidifiers remove the evaporated moisture from the air. Thermal energy drying techniques combine controlled heat with airflow to produce high-speed evaporation, dramatically reducing drying times and minimizing the need for demolition and reconstruction. Click here to learn more about our drying equipment.

Mold can begin to grow in 48-72 hours. That’s why it is so important to start the drying process as quickly as possible. Click the link to learn more about Mold & Indoor Air Quality. How do I know that that my property has been dried properly? Our technicians are certified by and comply with the drying standards specified by the IICRC, The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, the main certifying body for the restoration industry. We conduct regular progress checks, monitoring the drying process with moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to ensure that all of the affected areas are dried to industry standards. All of our moisture content readings are recorded and compiled in a report, complete with thermal images and digital pictures to give you the assurance that all of the structural materials have been dried properly.

It is not possible to give a cost estimate without first inspecting the damage. Many types of water losses are covered by homeowner/commercial insurance policies and AM/PM works closely with insurance companies to ensure that our costs are fair and competitive. Remember that drying out your property is only a portion of the cost. There will likely be costs for structural repairs (drywall, paint, floor coverings, etc.) as well as repairing and /or replacing personal property. Will my insurance policy cover everything? That depends on your individual carrier and the limitations of your insurance policy. Most insurance carriers will cover damages caused by a sudden and unexpected occurrence such as a burst toilet supply line, but they will not cover on-going issues like mold that develops from a slow leak, nor do they typically cover losses from ground water that enters your property from the outdoors. The best way to determine your coverage is to speak to your agent or to the claims department of your insurance carrier. Remember, you must act quickly and call a professional restoration company to avoid further damage and more costly repairs.

No, when properly dried, drywall can almost always be salvaged. If the carpet is wet, does it have to be discarded and replaced? It depends on the class of water that the carpet has come into contact with. Here are the possible scenarios: a) If the water was from a clean or “Category 1” water source such as a water supply line, then it can typically be dried in place and restored. b) If the water had a mild degree of contamination, such as fire sprinkler discharge or an air conditioning condensation line, then it is considered “Category 2” and the treatment must be judged on a case-by-case basis. In a residential Category 2 flood the carpet pad is typically removed and the carpet dried in place. c) If the water contains sewage or flowed in from the outdoors it is considered “black water” or “grossly contaminated” and is classified as “Category 3”. This water could contain blood-borne pathogens, diseases and/or chemicals of concern (pesticides, fertilizers, etc.). All porous materials affected by Category 3 water should be removed.

If the moisture source is eliminated and the saturated areas are dried properly the chances for mold growth are diminished. Immediate response, the right technology, cutting edge equipment and procuring a knowledgeable, experienced restoration company are the key components in preventing mold growth. These factors could mean the difference between a $1,500.00 loss and a $20,000.00 loss..