How Can I Manage Water Damage at My Augusta Store To Limit Long-Term Inconveniences?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Augusta Commercial Properties Rely on SERVPRO's Advanced Equipment for Water Damage Mitigation

Your Local SERVPRO Can Tailor Solutions to Match the Problems You Encounter After Water Loss Incidents

A burst water pipe at your Atlanta clothing store can have severe implications, apart from leaving wet surfaces. If it is a specialty shop such as a military surplus store in the Augusta area, the problem is more complicated because many of the items in your stock are harder to replace should the water damage them severely. Even a minor issue such as unaddressed moisture remnants can worsen some characteristics associated with military surplus stores such as unusual odor.

What are the significant problems likely to affect my store after a water pipe bursts?

Water damage incidents in Augusta are usually unique depending on the circumstances of each loss, such as:

• The location of the breached pipe
• How long it takes to perform the restoration
• Whether it is a clean or greywater loss
• The type of materials affected

For a clothes store or other similar business, the loss is likely to be from a clean water pipe, so soiling is not likely to be a principal concern. However, most of the spaces around the store are likely to be packed with materials of a porous nature such as clothes, shoes, rucksacks, and other fabric materials.  Shelves, separation walls, and other structures are also likely to contain porous wooden materials and composites. From previous experiences, our SERVPRO technicians identify moisture management as the biggest headache that you are likely to face after a water loss incident at your shop.

How do I respond to a water spill to minimize long-term effects?

Several steps are necessary to control a water spill at your store. The most significant step is to stop the water source since the amount of water that flows into the facility can determine the level of damage you have to address. Stopping the water source may require a couple of steps.

• Shutting off the main supply line
• Opening some faucets to release water remaining in the pipes
• Sealing the leak point temporarily using rubber and a clamp

Once the water stops flowing, it is easier to focus on saving your valuables and structural components. If there are pools of water on the floor or other surfaces, extracting them fast can help positively change the course of the loss. Our SERVPRO crews can help with such extraction since we have many state-of-the-art water extractors, including truck-mounted ones, in case there is abundant water to remove.

Moving out the clothes, and other articles you have on display helps ensure a smoother restoration process. Many of the fabrics may be wet, especially if the burst pipe was in an elevated location, such as the ceiling. Improper handling during moving can lead to soiling or staining when different clothes mix. Our crews can help in separating the wet items from the dry ones. We also have materials such as plastic bags that can hold wet materials during transfer.

What happens when a pipe concealed behind a wall leaks?

In most cases, the burst pipes are hidden inside wall cavities or the ceiling. The water released affects surrounding materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, and insulation. Performing controlled demolition helps in accessing the damaged pipe and removing wet materials. Our technicians have a variety of tools that make such demolition easier and safe.

Drying all affected materials can present several challenges. Taking too long creates an opportunity for mold development, yet some tasks such as drying concrete floors tend to be slow. Our SERVPRO technicians are certified in ASD, Applied Structural Drying, so we can use different approaches to expedite the process.

Concrete is naturally porous unless it is sealed, so it absorbs significant amounts of moisture, though slowly. If not properly dried, mold readily develops on its surface. Alternatively, it can release the moisture back into the air causing high humidity levels inside your store. Using advanced dehumidification systems such as desiccant dehumidifiers and regularly monitoring the drying process is one way our teams help you overcome obstacles such as drying wet concrete surfaces and other structural materials in your store.

What main factors influence moisture management?

When a professional team handles the restoration of your store after water damage, proper management, and adjustment of the drying process is possible depending on the perceived effectiveness. The main factors that influence the outcome include:

• The type of equipment used
• The placement of such equipment
• The amount of equipment used

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can commit the necessary resources to restore your Grovetown or Thomson business to its preloss state after a water loss. Call us at (706) 843-1990. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.