Water Extraction

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Water extraction is needed to speed up the drying process after water or flood damage. Flooding and standing water in your home can bring much more damage than just structural damage. Your wet home could begin breeding toxic mold spores that, when airborne, could affect your entire neighborhood. Additionally, standing water is a breeding ground for insects and bacteria that create a harmful environment for anyone in the vicinity.

With the process of water extraction, you don’t have to worry about standing water causing permanent structural damage to your home or becoming the largest cultivator of mold spores, insects and bacteria in the area. Before water extraction begins, the source of the flood needs to be identified and repaired. If the flooding is caused by a storm and some of your exterior is missing, you may not be able to stop the water from rising. If at all possible you should make every attempt to control or reduce the accumulation of water in your home. Next, call a water extraction company. If you wait for your insurance adjuster or contractor before calling, the damage can be significantly worse. The longer you allow the water to sit, the more likely it is that mold and bacteria will begin to grow and create an even more hazardous area.

Once you’ve called a water extraction company, you can ready the area for them:

• Make sure utilities like electricity and gas are shut off
• Remove loose debris floating around in the water or anchored, but not attached, to the floor of your home
• Any non-salvageable debris should be disposed of
• Be sure to wear the proper protective gear including breathing apparatus and goggles
• You cannot predict the force needed to remove these items nor the materials present in water that may be splashing into your face and eyes
• Be wary of sharp objects that may be present in the floating water
• If your water problem is due to a storm or storm runoff, keep in mind that outdoor trash and potentially hazardous materials may also be in the water flooding your home
• Remove wet dry wall or insulation from your walls. If the water is too murky for you to safely remove drywall, wait until the extraction has begun before you attempt it.

Once this is complete, the water extraction company will come in and, using industrial chemicals like biocides, wet vacs, dehumidifiers, and moisture monitoring equipment, they will go through your home and find the problem areas and dry them completely. They will also sanitize and disinfect your home to discourage the growth of bacteria and mold.