Failed Water Heater? Not a problem for Accurate Water and Fire Restoration! Our team knows the risks and dangers of severe water damage. When water spreads through multiple rooms, it can cause structural damage, ruin personal belongings, and create the perfect conditions for mold growth. Our job is to act fast to remove the water, dry out the home, and prevent further damage. In this case study, we’ll share how we helped a homeowner save their home after a failed water heater chaos with our expert water damage mitigation in the Capital Region, NY.
Calling for Help When the Chaos Struck
We received a call from a homeowner who had just discovered standing water throughout their house. It turned out that their water heater failed, flooding multiple rooms, including the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom. The homeowner was understandably stressed and worried about the damage to their floors, drywall, and furniture.
How We Handled the Failed Water Heater Damage
When we arrived, we could immediately notice the extent of the damage, as there was standing water, carpets were soaked and some furniture had already begun to soak. Since water can start causing mold growth in as little as 24-48 hours, we needed to act quickly to prevent mold from settling anywhere inside this home.
1. Checking the Moisture
Our first step was to inspect the home and determine how much water had spread. We used moisture meters to check the walls, floors, and other surfaces. This helped us decide which areas needed to be removed and dried based on the readings.
2. Extracting Standing Water
Once we had a plan, we began by removing all standing water from the affected rooms. Using high-powered vacuums, we extracted water from the floors and carpets. This step was critical to prevent water from seeping even deeper into the materials.
3. Removing Damaged Materials
Next, we needed to remove anything that was too saturated to dry properly. So, we carefully:
- Flood cuts: We cut out lower parts of the drywall to remove water-damaged sections.
- Insulation: We pulled out insulation in areas where moisture had seeped in.
- Baseboards and flooring: Our team carefully removed baseboards and vinyl flooring to reach water underneath.
- Furniture: We made sure to check the damaged desks, vanity, and kitchen cabinets to see what could be salvaged.
4. Drying the Home
After removing the damaged materials, we set up our drying equipment. We used air movers to help water and moisture evaporate from surfaces and dehumidifiers to pull excess moisture from the air to speed up drying. Over the next few days, we carefully monitored the drying process, adjusting and moving the equipment around to make sure everything would be completely dry.
5. Preventing Mold Growth
Once the home was fully dry, we applied an antimicrobial solution to the exposed wooden framing and other areas that had been affected. By doing so, we prevented potential mold growth, which is a common issue after water damage.
6. Final Inspection
Before wrapping up, we did a final check with our moisture meters to confirm that everything was completely dry. Once we were sure that no moisture remained in the materials, we discussed the next steps with the homeowner, including any necessary repairs.
Leaving Another Homeowner Thrilled With Our Expertise
After completing the water damage mitigation, the homeowner expressed immense relief and gratitude for our quick response and thorough work. They were especially pleased with our clear communication, step-by-step updates, and commitment to salvaging as much of their home as possible. Another home saved, another happy client!
Need Fast and Efficient Water Damage Mitigation? Call Our Team Today!
Water damage can happen when you least expect it. If you experience flooding from a water heater failure, burst pipe, or any other water-related issue, our team at Accurate Water and Fire Restoration is ready to step in with quick and professional water damage mitigation services! Call us today at (518) 707-1399, or schedule your water damage inspection through this online form!
