Is My Home Still Suffering the Effects of Prior Flood Damage in Ridgefield?

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage happen. Call SERVPRO for fast and effective remediation.

Some Ridgefield Companies Like SERVPRO Can Answer That Question for You Because They Can Detect Ongoing Moisture-Related Issues from Prior Flooding.

The aftereffects of flooding can often be just as harmful as the initial impact of standing floodwaters. This outcome is partly because these effects often go unnoticed for months or even years after the flooding event occurs. Many Ridgefield homeowners do not realize that their homes are still being affected by flood-related moisture. The problem is that some flood damage remediation companies do a poor job drying your house. This ineffective service could leave water behind your walls and in less accessible areas. Also, it could fail to properly remove excess moisture from structural elements and the interior air. Over time, this could cause structural deterioration and the recurrence of unpleasant smells, mold, and mildew.

How Do I Know If My Ridgefield House is Still Experiencing the Aftereffects of Flood Damage?

Often, if you pay close attention, there are some telltale signs that your previous Ridgefield flood damage restoration company did a poor job drying your property. These are noticeable to the nose and visible to the naked eye. Some of the signs to watch out for are:

• Musty smells
• Baseboard or wall mold
• Discoloration/water stains on walls or ceilings
• Bubbling of paint or wallpaper
• Deteriorating plaster or drywall
• Wall warping
• Floor or ceiling bucking

If you ever notice any of these things, your home is likely suffering from the effects of prior flooding or has a slow water leak. Whatever it is, these signs indicate that it is time to have your home inspected to find the problem’s source.

• What High-Tech Tools Does SERVPRO Use to Identify and Locate Floodwater-Related Issues?
• SERVPRO technicians have access to all the latest state-of-the-art moisture detection equipment. When our workers arrive on-site, they are usually able to detect and source water-related problems quickly. Our sophisticated detection gear includes:
• Moisture sensors that identify moisture-impacted structural elements and contents
• Moisture meters to measure the amount of moisture in each element or item.
• Thermohygrometers to measure the relative humidity and temperature of your home’s air, and enable technicians to calculate its vapor pressure, specific humidity, and dew point
• Infrared cameras that can see through walls and baseboards, so that we can precisely locate hidden water and sources of leaks.

Using these helpful tools, we can often relatively quickly determine if you have a water-related issue in Ridgefield, the amount of damage already done, what is causing it, and how best to resolve it.

Once SERVPRO Determines I Still Have Flood-Related Damage, How Do They Remediate It?

Once SERVPRO technicians determine that there is ongoing flood-related damage, they immediately get to work on remediating it. In doing so, they generally follow the following procedure: 

• Establish a drying goal based on the local climate and moisture levels in unaffected rooms
• Remove, and eventually replace, sections of walls and ceilings that are beyond repair
• Vacuum up any remaining water with wet vacs
• Calculate the right ratio of dehumidifiers to air movers for the most effective and efficient drying
• Set up an air mover-dehumidifier-injectidry system network to dry the interior of the home, including areas behind walls and ceilings
• Using high-tech foggers, inject disinfectants, fungicides, and deodorants into affected areas

After this thorough treatment, most homeowners are pleased to find that we have fully restored their homes. With that said, you should always be on the lookout for any hint of a water-related problem. The fast location of water damage enables our workers to find and remediate problems as soon as possible and, ultimately, achieve the best results. 

Ridgefield’s location on the northeast coast makes it especially prone to the effects of intense, year-round storms. Tropical storms and hurricanes affect the region in the warmer months, while powerful Nor’easters significantly impact this part of the country during colder periods. Torrential rains and destructive winds usually come with these big cyclonic storms. As a result, flooding often occurs as massive amounts of rain overwhelm drainage systems and overflow the numerous lakes/reservoirs surrounding the town. When this happens, area homeowners are likely to experience some level of flood damage. At this time, they must contact a reputable company to effectively clean and restore their homes.

Unfortunately, not all Ridgefield flood damage remediation companies have workers trained and experienced enough to handle most cases. There are also times when good businesses make mistakes, and businesses overlook things. These circumstances could lead to ongoing flood-associated deterioration long after remediating the damage at your home. Considering this, it is crucial that you remain vigilant and always look for any potential signs of water-related issues. Also, it would help if you periodically had your home professionally inspected for water damage.

If you ever suspect or notice signs of water damage, contact a local cleaning and restoration company as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the cheaper and easier it is to restore your home. Whenever you need help, call SERVPRO of Danbury / Ridgefield at (203) 791-0920.