Remediating And Preventing Water Damage In Nashville

12/8/2017 (Permalink)

Remediating And Preventing Water Damage

Winter is almost here, and the increasing rains put Nashville neighborhoods at risk every year. This time of year is when homeowners finally decide to check their homes only to find that leaks have already started and other parts of their residence are at risk as well.

Stopping water damage in Nashville homes requires removing any standing water, drying property, and drawing down excess moisture. SERVPRO also recommends checking the crawlspaces underneath many homes as well.

The first task for our technicians is to get the water out of the home. Each team brings in water pumps and extraction wands to remove standing water and to draw water out of carpets and wood floors. We can remove standing water from an average-sized home in a few hours and draw out the remaining water in a day or two.

Once we have it out, SERVPRO technicians accomplish the next two tasks concurrently. The equipment we use to dry furniture, carpets and other property compliment our efforts to lower the humidity inside each home.

We start the process by setting up air movers and fans to force warm, dry air over the property which drives out the damp air. The devices assist the dehumidifiers in pulling moisture out of the air, which brings down humidity and also reduces the risk of mold spores expanding and growing in the home.

Once the home is dry, the next task is to eliminate possible, future threats. Crawlspaces are a risk since they are not insulated or protected from water seeping in from the outside. To reduce this threat, we recommend encapsulation.

Technicians inspect the walls of the crawlspace and fill every crack or possible seep with hydraulic cement. Once it dries, they cover the walls with masonry cement. These two compounds form a very tough seal against future leaks.

With the walls sealed, we go to work on the floor, sealing it against moisture seeping up through the ground. Technicians begin by leveling the floor, eliminating low spots and covering it with polyethylene sheets. They reinforce the sheets with commercial grade polyester mesh and then seal the two layers to the crawlspace walls with polyurethane caulk and waterproof, foundation tape.

Stopping water damage takes quick action to remove the threat and careful action later to prevent future problems. SERVPRO of Madison / Goodlettsville is here to help you secure your home against flooding and other water damage. Call us at (615) 868-5324 for more details or to set up an appointment.

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