How SERVPRO Handles Flood Damaged Carpeting in Wilmington

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Cannot Always Salvage Storm-Damaged Carpets in Wilmington Properties

Storm Damaged Materials Can Sometimes Be Salvaged

Carpeting is often one of the first things to go when your home suffers flood damage in Wilmington. If water can pour into the area and seep deep into the materials making up your carpeted floors, it can cause heavy and permanent damage to a large area or even an entire room. Water can cause warping and shrinkage to the carpet itself, upend tack strips, oxidizing materials, and create mold colonies that could cause health effects. Here are some of the steps SERVPRO technicians take to help restore your carpet after a flood, when it is feasible.

Water Extraction
Whether the disaster has just abated or if your home has taken flood damage in Wilmington over the course of weeks, most types of carpeting are highly likely to retain water until our technicians arrive. If the water is contaminated with exterior groundwater and debris, the covering may not be salvageable. We use mechanized, high-powered pumps called extractors to remove large volumes as quickly as possible. Once water volume is at a manageable (but still significant) level, we shift our focus to the use of air movers, high powered machines that create directional air currents to pick up any remaining moisture in and underneath the carpet. If not heavily soiled, we can lift the carpet from the edges around the tack strip and "float" heated air beneath to enhance the rate of evaporation. Count on our IICRC certified technicians to give the best effort to salvage the flooring fabric.

Restoring and Repairing Damage
Removing water is only half of the battle against a flood-damaged carpet. SERVPRO technicians often must apply restorative treatments or suggest the installation of replacement materials. Many carpets can delaminate, separate into the nap and base material necessitating discarding and replacing. In some cases, mold growth may also cause enough damage to warrant its treatments and safety precautions. While we try to save as much as we can before replacing anything, carpet restoration often involves a relatively high amount of fresh materials. However, no matter what path we take, our cleaning processes and restorative techniques ensure that any carpeting laid down is soft, fresh, and aesthetically appealing.

SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties is a local authority on flood damage mitigation and restoration work. Call us 24/7 at (802) 674-8004.

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