WATER DAMAGE REMEDIATION
Serving the Lehigh Valley & the Surrounding Areas
- Fully Insured
- Expert Technicians
- IAQA & NADCA certified
- Local family owned business
- FREE estimates for some services
- Friendly, Responsive and Professional
Water damage can sneak up on you, and it can be months until you notice that something is wrong. When it comes to water damage, time is essential, as a moment wasted without care is costly. Severe amounts of water can ruin furniture, flooring, and ceilings. Other important possessions such as irreplaceable items and documents are also at risk when water damage occurs. That is why our team of trained experts at Air Care and Restoration are equipped to effectively restore your residential or commercial building to be as good as new.
When water damage occurs, it is essential to remove the water, wet materials, and other dry materials as soon as possible. If water damage is severe, it may be necessary for you to evacuate from your home during repairs. Taking action immediately when water damage occurs can save you days of disruption caused by repairs as more severe cases can make your house unliveable. A quick response can also increase the likelihood of your belongings being saved.
Our Water Removing Process
Demolition
Demolition after water damage is not always necessary but might be a part of the restoration process. Once the water is fully removed, we then proceed to remove other wet materials in the building such as drywall, lathe, plaster, trim, flooring, and molding. The removal of wet materials is necessary to avoid mold growth. Furthermore, if the water damage is has been present in a building for more than a few days, it is most likely that mold growth has already occurred, and demolition must occur to avoid additional issues. Air Care and Restoration, has the right tools, certified experts, and equipment to do this job properly and professionally.
Preventing Mold Growth
When water damage happens, mold can appear within 24 to 48 hours. To prevent molding, our company will use top of the line antimicrobial cleansers that will kill and prevent the spread of mold on potentially contaminated surfaces. Once the cleaner dries, we will thoroughly apply a coat of antimicrobial to ensure future growth is avoided.
Moisture Testing
Once our high-quality and thorough water remediation services are completed, we will then complete a moisture test. Before removing the dehumidification equipment, our team will complete an inspection of the water-damaged area to ensure there is no further influx of water and that all wet building materials have been brought down to acceptable moisture levels.
How Water Damage Can Cause Mold
Mold spores are everywhere. However, mold flourishes in wet environments. If water bursts or leaks from a pipeline, it is likely that mold will grow if the water damage is not quickly attained. Mold is easily brought into a wet environment and attaches itself to organic materials. Therefore, if objects such as clothes, furniture, shoes, and rugs are damp, mold will quickly attach itself.
The concept is simple. If your building is invaded with water and is not taken care of, living conditions can become almost unbearable as mold begins to expand. It is even possible that unaddressed mold can lead to a structure that cannot be fixed. However, these chances are rare and generally only occur if your building is flooded with an immense amount of water, such as from a major rainstorm or hurricane. As long as the issue of water damage is addressed quickly, excessive amounts of mold will be prevented from spreading.
How to Know if Water Damage Caused Mold
Mold is not always visible to the human eye, and if you recently experienced a minor water damage issue, there is a chance of mold growth. Likewise, visible mold growth or signs of mold can also indicate that water damage is present. When mold is present, an unpleasant musty odor can become overwhelming. Since mold is attracted to humid and high water usage areas, a few places you will want to check for potential growth include the kitchen, laundry room, basement, and bathroom. However, indicators such as stains on the walls, damp odors, changes in water pressure, sounds of dripping water, or even an increase in water bills can conclude a leak and mold problem.
Types of Water Damage
- Broken plumbing pipes are the most common types of water damage that can immediately be identified, but are not always obvious. Pipes are located everywhere in commercial and residential buildings, including basements, ceilings, underground, and internally in walls. Damaged pipes can occur without notice and can take days to months to realize. When pipes burst, significant damage can occur and must be addressed as soon as possible. Without care, water damage can lead to more unpleasant issues such as mold growth. Generally, homeowners insurance policies may cover the cost of this unexpected damage, but this is not always the case. If leaks or damage occur gradually, your homeowner's insurance might exclude this slow escalation as being not covered.
- Certain factors that can lead to broken or damaged pipes include freezing temperatures, aging, clogs, high water pressure, and tree roots. Freezing temperatures can burst pipes that are not insulated properly. When the weather hits zero degrees, pips are at risk of bursting. To avoid this, checking annually if your pipes are insulated property can save you a costly reparation bill. If you live in an older home, aged pipes are also more susceptible to leaks. Annually inspect your pipes to ensure repairs and replacements are done if needed. Clogs in your pipes can also cause potential pipe damage that can be easily avoided. Many objects can easily go downpipes that can lead to a potential backup. Substances that tend to find their way down drainage pipes in bathrooms and sinks include food, dirt, hair strands, and toilet paper.
- Another way water damage can occur is through a washing machine water supply leak. Leaks from washing machine lines are common in rubber and PVC supply lines. These lines are more vulnerable to wear-outs and ruptures as they are not durable. Without warning, your laundry room can be flooded. Consider using stainless steel for your laundry line as this material is more durable and less likely to cause a rupture.
- A subtle way excess water can enter your building is through the air conditioning unit. Air conditioners produce condensation. If the drain pan that is supposed to catch the dripping moisture from the unit is damaged, the drain line can become clogged with dirt. Similarly, a water heater that is aged and not properly maintained or is installed, can also cause leakage. A leak from a water heater can also be caused by a massive amount of pressure.
How to Prevent Further Water Damage After an Incident
While you are waiting for service to arrive at your building for assistance, there are a few matters you can take into your own hands to prevent further damage. Immediately shut off the water if the damage is coming from within. To avoid variations in temperatures and additional moisture, turn off all air conditioning and heating unit systems. If there are any fans in the building, whether ceiling or freestanding, turn them off. Attempting to use fans to help try your home can spread mold spores.
If able, lift furniture out of wet areas and put wood or another platform under the legs to avoid it getting further damaged by the water. In the room that is damaged, leave everything the way it is. Even if you see possessions that are ruined, they might be saveable as our trained experts can determine what is damaged and not. When waiting for help, you might be eager to start moving things around and fixing the issue yourself. Although this might seem productive, it can be the opposite and cause additional issues.
How to Prevent Mold
The most common way to know if your home or building is at risk for mold is by regularly inspecting the premises and searching for water damage or mold that is visual to the eye.
If you see a small area of mold in your home, do not ignore it. Small areas of mold can potentially grow to wider areas and result in more costly repairs. Providing regular maintenance to water leaks and infiltration can lower the risks of mold growth.
Other ways to avoid mold are by controlling the humidity levels, ventilating areas most susceptible to molds such as bathrooms and cooking areas, and extensively cleaning after a flood.
If flooding has occurred in a carpeted area, consider removing it right away if it has been soaked for a while and can’t be dried. In areas that are more vulnerable to floods, such as basements and bathrooms, consider avoiding carpeting.
Leak Alarm
Preventing severe water damage is made easy through the use of a leak detector. Similar to how security alarm systems tell us when someone enters our home, a leak detector will detect moisture and sound an alarm. When your pipes burst or your house floods, know instantly. Installing these alarms in areas that are more susceptible to floods such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, attics, and basements is beneficial so that you can address the leak immediately. By investing in these detectors, you can save massive amounts in your maintenance bill for early treatment of the damage. Early treatment can also decrease the chances of ruined furniture and other belongings.
Dehumidification Services
Living comfortably in your building by knowing you are taking preventative tactics to avoid water damage. The use of dehumidifiers is the last step to our water damage remediation process. Dehumidifiers remove dampness from the air and are made for all areas or rooms of a building. A dehumidifier can lower humidity levels and can reduce the buildup of mold. Additionally, dehumidifiers can help in eliminating allergies, avoiding damage to electronics, and preventing unpleasant odors. At Air Care and Restoration, we offer quality dehumidifier installation services to ensure you are comfortable in your building year-round.
Why Choose Air Care and Restoration
Our team of trained and certified technicians is here to serve you. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, we know how to best approach emergency situations. Ensuring you feel safe and comfortable is our main priority. That is why we are dedicated to working closely with you to address concerns and provide thorough solutions for treatment and preventative care. We offer our customers top assistance on every step of the restoration process. At Air Care and Restoration, our technicians will assess the damage closely, provide honest feedback on repairs that need to be made, and will work efficiently to make your building look new again. Our company thrives on integrity and compassion towards our clients, and you can rest easy knowing that we will take care of you.
Contact Us Today
When you choose Air Care and Restoration, you can expect quality service from trained technicians that dedicate themselves to integrity and hard work. If your building has experienced water damage, or you expect water damage might be present, contact us today. Our top-rated company offers a free estimate for water damage. Call us today at (610) 890-6300 to schedule an inspection or ask questions.
