Mt. Airy Home Moist from a Water Spill? Ask SERVPRO to Inspect and Mitigate

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has You Covered, "Like it never even happened," after a Water Loss in Mt. Airy

Stopping Secondary Water Damage in Your Mt. Airy Home

After a dishwasher overflowed in your home, you may think that you have sopped up all of the excess water with towels and old rags. The floors, walls, and contents of your home may even appear and feel dry. However, there are instances where moisture goes unseen in the form of water vapor, slowly damaging materials within your home. This type of degradation is called secondary damage.

If you suspect secondary water damage in your Mt. Airy home, then seeking help from the mitigation specialists at SERVPRO may help you restore your home to pre-damage condition. Our technicians know where and how to detect moisture and effectively remove it while ensuring there are no visible mold infestations.

When items within your home come into direct contact with water at the time of the event, this is primary water damage which may include rusting of metal surfaces, delamination of carpet backing, and swelling and buckling (warping) of hardwood flooring. However, when excess moisture or water vapor damage items and materials, this is secondary damage and may include wallpaper softening, mold growth, and ceiling tiles, crumbling.

Water vapor passing through any material is called permeance. If something absorbs much water, it is a hygroscopic material such as carpets or upholstery. Alternatively, if materials do not allow much moisture to pass through, it is, in effect, a vapor barrier. For example, a hardwood floor with a glossy finish acts as a vapor barrier. When there is a vapor barrier on flooring, pockets of moisture from the dishwasher overflow can become trapped under the surface of the wood if there are any cracks or holes that water can get through. Secondary damage manifests itself when the wood begins to swell, and buckle or mold begins to grow.

SERVPRO technicians use moisture meters to detect these moisture pockets. From there, they ventilate inside any cavities and use dehumidifiers to remove any excess water from the air, and air movers to push warm, dry air into the pockets.

For 24/7 assistance, contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747.