Why is thorough Water Extraction Vital after a Leak or Flood?

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team is standing by waiting to help with your San Jose water damage.

San Jose Residents need Water Extraction from Knowledgeable Professionals

Many San Jose residents recall the terrible floods of 2017. Storms and burst dams and rivers can wreak havoc on your home. On a less dramatic scale, burst pipes, plumbing leaks, and malfunctioning appliances can all deposit water in your home and leave you with a mess to clean up.

The first step of cleaning up after a flood or leak in your San Jose home is water extraction. Extraction is a critical step that makes a massive difference to the outcome of remediation. That is why it is vital to work with a company like SERVPRO of NE San Jose that understands the importance of thorough extraction.

Why is water extraction so necessary?

The eventual aim of water damage remediation is to leave your home dry and clean “Like it never even happened.” We may need to carry out structural repairs and clean and disinfect water-damaged personal belongings along the way. We might even need to sub-contract plumbers, decorators, or electricians in more severe cases. But before we can think about drying, we need to carry out extraction, which means removing all standing water from the floor of your property. Extraction is vital because:

• It makes the drying process quicker and easier
• It helps prevent mold growth – mold loves moisture, so we must get rid of all water after a flood
• If done quickly, it can prevent carpet delamination (this depends on the severity and the type of water)
• Removing water quickly can protect wooden floors from permanent damage
  
  

What is the extraction process?

Extraction starts with using pumps and vacs to remove all standing water from your home’s floors. After removing standing water, we use a variety of extraction tools to press excess water from carpets.

How do we decide which pump to use?

We equip our technicians with a range of pumps. Electrical submersible pumps are the best all-around pump. They operate quietly and come in various sizes and power levels, from small portable units to large truck-mounted assemblies. However, if the conditions are not right for an electric submersible, we will use a high-pressure or self-priming trash pump instead. The right choice depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Whether the water also contains solid matter - if it does, we need a self-priming trash pump
• How much water we need to remove and how fast – for this, we must consider the flow rate and time requirement of each pump
• The hose length we will need to reach the water
• The vertical distance water must go to reach the pump – if this is more than 25 feet, we need a high-pressure pump
  
  

Why does carpet extraction matter, and how do we do it?

Carpets can quickly become water-logged. Once a carpet is wet, there is a risk of delamination (separation of secondary and primary backing). There is also the potential for mold growth – mold can cause health effects, and it can ruin your carpet. Wet carpets also increase the overall moisture of the room, which makes drying slower.

Thankfully SERVPRO technicians know how to extract water from the carpet. If extraction is too rough, it can cause further damage, which is why we train our technicians in the best extraction techniques. Extraction equipment includes:

• Self-propelled extraction tools which use a small motor to run them over the surface of the carpet – they are designed to be “ridden” by technicians to provide extra weight
• Stationary tools are available in a range of sizes – they rely on the weight of the remediation technician to press out water
• Carpet wands for vacuuming water from glue-down carpets – we can also use these to remove surface water after using larger extraction tools

Extraction tools are attached to a pump, so the water gets pumped away as the device presses it from the carpet and pad.

What is hidden water and why does it matter?

Water can soak under carpets to the floor beneath or into building elements such as baseboards, plaster, drywall, and insulation. Hidden moisture can cause structural defects and provide a breeding ground for mold. It is essential to work with a water remediation company that understands the dangers of hidden water and monitors the area to find it. Our technicians use moisture probes and meters, thermal imaging, and thermo-hygrometers to monitor moisture and humidity and seek out hidden water.

How do you know SERVPRO is the best choice for extraction?

We train our technicians to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards, so you can rest assured that they know the best extraction techniques. We are committed to swift action, so there is less risk of mold growth and structural damage. Plus, you can rely on our team to dry your home after extraction and deodorize it, so it is fresh.

For water extraction that works, call SERVPRO of NE San Jose at (408) 834-7663.