Dallas Water Damage Can Happen Anytime

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage is usually unexpected, but you can always rely on SERVPRO for quick and efficient water removal services in Dallas.

SERVPRO Checks Dallas Homes Identifying Contents or Areas Needing Water Restoration

Water damage is not difficult to identify since many materials change color or physical form once exposed to significant moisture levels, especially over an extended period. However, if the damage is concealed or affects the internal components of an item, it might remain unidentified. Inspecting all things, including furniture, electronics, and structural components, helps reveal concealed or exposed damages.

Inspecting a Dallas home after water damage takes many forms. Even simple steps are a form of inspection. Observing where the leak originates based on wetness patterns falls in that category. However, professionals like SERVPRO go further, utilizing unique approaches and equipment that improve accuracy and ease the process. 

Valuable equipment for moisture identification include:

• Moisture meters
• Moisture sensors
• Thermo-hygrometers
• Thermal cameras

Although the different equipment has varying sophistication levels, their use does not always depend on such sophistication. When choosing a tool, the level of damage or the material type is the primary consideration. For example, thermal cameras which rely on infrared technology to spot temperature differences, thus identifying wet areas, are sophisticated. However, they may prove useless for other tasks like inspecting appliances unless used to probe moisture in concealed structural areas such as wall spaces or subfloors.  

The choice of equipment might also be based on the results sought. For instance, when the idea is simply to establish whether there is moisture in materials or not, only simple feedback is necessary. A tool like a moisture sensor is a piece of equipment providing simple feedback. Its sharp probes penetrate surfaces like drywall and carpets, and the device produces visual signals confirming the presence of moisture. However, if the goal is to establish the specific wetness levels, a moisture meter is better since it can provide readings in specific units.

Different Damages from Moisture Exposure

Moisture exposure can have an immediate impact or take time to manifest. Issues like swelling, warping, or deterioration of glues are common in wooden structures and furniture, so it is easy to identify the problem visually. For appliances and electronics, the most common issues are short circuits or rusting of internal components. It is hard to note these changes until you try to use an item, then it fails to power on or malfunctions when operating it.

The water damage might arise straightaway from the intrusion or later actions. Even failure to take action affects the outcome since it leaves uncontrolled moisture migration or penetration within materials. Our SERVPRO technicians help respond appropriately by providing sufficient moisture management resources early enough. 

Moisture Management Requires

• Water extractors
• Dehumidifiers
• Air movers

Drying wet contents and structural areas takes the proper management steps, eliminating excess water stagnating on any surfaces. Improving airflow and temperature while lowering the humidity levels in the air are the other necessary steps. Our SERVPRO crews are well prepared to handle this water restoration process by using several air movers and dehumidifiers to fast-track the drying process. Our advanced training helps calculate the correct ratio of air movers and dehumidifiers to use. For the dehumidifiers, we base the number on each unit's pints-per-day (PPD) rating and the class of water damage involved. For example, in a class 2 incident, a dehumidifier covers 40-50ft3 per pint. In a class 1 loss, the dehumidifier would cover 100ft3 per pint.

SERVPRO of Southeast Dallas County identifies all aspects of water damage for a comprehensive restoration. Call us at (972) 227-0800. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.