The Real Impact Dunkirk Homes Endure from Water Damage

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Don't "DUCK" a water damage problem in your Dunkirk home. Call SERVPRO; We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO Helps Dunkirk Homeowners Manage Water Restoration

You may be afraid of water leaks because of the inconveniences you face after an incident and the work you must put into drying materials. What you may not pay attention to is the effect the heightened moisture levels and other aspects of water damage may have on your Dunkirk property. Professionals better understand how water interacts with building materials and household contents, thus developing a response plan that addresses the obvious and hidden issues.

When Dunkirk homeowners address water damage, fixing immediate problems is the priority. On the other hand, professionals consider the overall outcome of the process from the beginning. Therefore, while a homeowner may be surprised to discover an unpleasant smell while concluding the restoration, SERVPRO crews anticipate such an outcome and incorporate deodorization procedures from the beginning of the exercise.

Commonly Hidden Problems of Water Damage

• Weakened structural supports
• Mold development
• Swelling, warping, and other physical form changes
• Utility damage

Slow leaks may seem negligible since they do not leave large swathes of the property wet. However, such leaks are insidious and can cause unprecedented damage to the home. A slow leak near a truss or ceiling frame allows the wood to absorb moisture to the core. The wood later rots, losing its structural integrity. You might not notice the minor leak until the weight of the surrounding materials leads to a cave-in. However, some mild signs can alert you of the problem. For instance, ceiling discoloration indicates a moisture spike in the area. Our SERVPRO IICRC-Certified technicians can help you confirm the level of damage after you notice the mild signs by probing the area with penetrative moisture meters or thermal cameras.

Permanent Inconveniences

Walking around wet patches or keeping away from some rooms until they are dried is a significant inconvenience. However, it cannot compare to tripping over raised floor sections or leaving doors ajar because they can no longer fit into the trim. When solid wood materials such as floorboards or door trim absorb moisture, they tend to swell. Wooden floorboards buckle when they absorb significant moisture and swell since there is no room at the joints for expansion. If dried properly, they should regain their original state leaving no trace of damage. However, if the drying process is not properly controlled, the change is permanent and can only be addressed by stripping the floor and replacing the boards.

Other Permanent Changes

• Carpet delamination
• Loss of insulation R-value
• Diminished indoor air quality

Water damage can interfere with the utilities in your house in unexpected ways. If the water leaks into power outlets or lighting fixtures, they can cease to work or electrocute anyone who uses them. Water can also intrude on HVAC ducts leading to mold development, which would severely compromise the house's indoor air quality. Depending on the source of the leak, our SERVPRO technicians inspect various utilities to establish any effect that the leak might have had on them and find viable solutions. For instance, if there is water in the ducts, we extract moisture and then clean and dry them to prevent microbial growth.

SERVPRO of Dunkirk, Fredonia works diligently to ensure the water damage does not leave a permanent mark on your home. You can reach us at (716) 952-6401 when you need assistance. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.