The pitfalls of DIY storm damage cleaning

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

Water not mitigated quickly and properly has caused mold to grow.

Recently, a large complex of storms rolled through the area.  Lots of rain fell.  Your sump pump works fine, but it just couldn’t keep up with the rain rate; the heavy rain simply overpowered your pump.  Now, you have raw sewage in your basement.

You look at your spouse, and say: “Get the buckets and the rubber gloves!  Time to roll up our sleeves and get to work!”  Working through the night, you get as much standing water off the floor and out of your carpet, you open the windows and set up a box fan or two to help dry the area.  It was hard work, but you are satisfied at the job you both did.  Until,…

Several days later, a musty smell begins to move from the basement to areas upstairs.  Was there water you missed?  Did the carpet always smell like this?  And why is the paneling on the wall starting to buckle?

Well, even Superman had an off day!

Sewage water contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and that water is now trapped in your drywall, in your carpet, even in your wall framing.  By not getting rid of enough moisture, you have allowed mold to grow, especially in wall cavities.  A relatively simple problem of water damage in your basement has now become water AND mold damages.

NOW LET’S REPLAY THE SAME SCENERIO AGAIN

The storm is over and you go downstairs only to realize the sump couldn’t keep up with the rain rates, and now you have sewage water in your basement.  You look at your spouse and say: “Call SERVPRO!  They know exactly what to do!”

SERVPRO of Bedford Park / Burbank arrives on the scene.  Affected areas in the walls and flooring are noted, using a thermal imaging camera and moisture meters.  Trained crew members extract as much standing water as possible, then discard affected materials that can’t be cleaned (drywall, carpet, pad, cardboard boxes, etc).  They spray an antimicrobial on the floors, walls, and framing to help inhibit mold growth.  Then they bring in drying equipment, including fans and dehumidifiers, and set them in a pattern that best dries the basement quickly.

SERVPRO of Bedford Park / Burbank is available 24/7/365, and is as close as your phone.  One simple call to 708-430-3600 gets the ball rolling, and before you know it, you’re back living a normal life again.

Trust SERVPRO Bedford Park / Burbank to be your “superhero” on your next water related damage, be it one room or an entire apartment complex.  We have the knowledge, the experience, to save you time, money, and to make it “Like it never even happened.”