Do Construction Materials Make A Difference for Water Mitigation?

8/18/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to Prevent or Mitigate Water Damage to Your Olathe Commercial Workplace. Our ERP Plan can help keep your doors open for business.

Olathe Business Owners Are Looking for the Best Water Damage Mitigation Service

Anyone who owns a business in Olathe knows that part of being an entrepreneur is hiring contractors for different roles. For example, you might employ a waste disposal company, an electrician, or a health and safety trainer. You might have a contract with a catering service or an office supplies store.

If you need water mitigation services in Olathe, you’ll want to hire a water damage restoration team who know what they’re doing. SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa and SERVPRO of Blue Valley understands the needs of the local business community. We especially appreciate the need for rapid water damage mitigation in the event of a flood or leak.

One aspect of effective water cleanup is assessing the type of construction material that comprises your premises.

Why is construction material so important?

Understanding the type of construction material is vital to any water mitigation effort because the material type affects:

• How much water the building absorbs
• The risk of materials warping or buckling due to moisture
• Which drying procedures are most likely to be effective
• Whether we need to check inside the structure for hidden mold
• How quickly we can dry your building and get you back to business

Let’s take a look at some common construction materials and how each type factors into a water mitigation project. In all cases, the degree of restoration possible depends on the category of water, which is a component our team will assess and inform you about.

Drywall, also known as gypsum, consists of gypsum material with paper on the front, back, and long edges. Some commercial buildings have more than one layer of drywall, which is critical to know as more layers mean a longer drying time. In many cases, we can save drywall if the seams are intact, and there is no noticeable swelling or signs of fungal growth.

Plaster is usually gypsum or cement-based, and the plaster is applied to wood, metal, or gypsum lath (lath is a thin strip that forms the foundation for a plaster wall.) Whether we can save plaster depends on the lath as well as the water category. The plaster requires controlled drying to ensure a precise result.

Wood frames are commonly made from pine, fir, spruce, or a wood composite. Wood warps and bulges when exposed to too much water. In many cases, we can restore wood framing even if some warping and buckling have already occurred. Wood requires controlled drying to manage the temperature and drying speed, thus preventing further cracking or damage.

Metal frames are resistant to water, although they must be well dried to prevent rust formation. Metal frames can be restored regardless of the amount or category of water. However, if the water is contaminated, we will clean and disinfect metal frames to ensure they are hygienic.

A thorough assessment is the first step in any SERVPRO project. During the assessment phase, we note which materials are present and the extent of the damage. We have a variety of moisture meters, thermal hygrometers, and sensors on hand to assess both external and internal water damage.

What else can SERVPRO do to help with water mitigation?

Once we have ascertained which materials are present, and the extent of water damage, we draw up a restoration plan that is unique to your business.

We also take care of:

• Vacuuming and pumping away excess water
• Cleaning damaged textiles and furniture
• Spot cleaning stubborn stains or delicate fabrics
• Mold treatments if necessary
• Drying and deodorizing your business to leave it “Like it never even happened.”

Is there anything I can do to prepare?

You cannot always predict when a flood, appliance leak, or structural damage will cause a problem. However, you can prepare for potential disasters and make sure all staff knows what to do when a problem occurs.

One way to prepare is by using our free Emergency READY Profile Plan (ERP). Start by downloading the free app and using a laptop, smartphone, or PC to create an online account. Now you are ready to start a thorough assessment of your business facility. The app guides you through what to look for, what to take note of, and even where to stop and take photographs. You can use the information to build a thorough damage response plan for all staff. You can include the chain of command, emergency contacts, SERVPRO details, and instructions for shutting off water mains or evacuating staff members. Call us to set up an appointment for the ERP.

Now everybody knows what to do and can act quickly when needed.

For help with water mitigation in your business, call SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa and SERVPRO of Blue Valley at (913) 782-4693.