What Safety Concerns Does SERVPRO Address When a Home is Flooded?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

We understand how dangerous water damage can be. Safety is our first priority. Call SERVPRO right away, we are always available.

When Mitigating Water Intrusions in East Brunswick Homes, Safety is Always Our First Priority.

East Brunswick is a busy suburban community that is considered part of the New York City metropolitan area. It is a thriving town with lovely homes throughout the area. Any of these homes, whether it is a single-family residence or an apartment house, are subject to water intrusions that require the need for a professional water restoration company.

What are Some of the Safety Issues?

In any type of restoration project, there are safety concerns. SERVPRO deals with structural hazards, electrical hazards, and hazardous materials on a regular basis. Our technicians know where and what to look for to mitigate any dangers present. Our technicians are trained to handle water damage in East Brunswick homes and to put safety first above all. 

How are Electrical Risks Addressed?

Water and electricity are two things you never want to mix. Electrical hazards are one of the first things our crews look for when arriving at the scene. Moisture can come in contact with electrical elements in many ways. Water can seep into wall wiring via roof leaks or upper-level water flow. Water intrusions that are high enough can come in contact with plugs and receptacles. Every home has electrical appliances that can end up in standing water. Electrical items can short out from water damage. The risk of shock is a serious concern. Our technicians address any electric risks by:

• Checking the power distribution panel and ensuring all circuit breakers are off. If necessary, they have the power turned off at the outside source.
• If no electricity is available, generators are used to power equipment.
• Using Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) to detect the amount of current.
• Before drilling and cutting into structural elements locating electrical elements such as wiring.
• Making sure electrical appliances or fixtures exposed to water do not get turned on and that electricity is off before unplugging wet items.
• Avoiding the use of metal objects that could come in contact with energized circuits. 

Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified technicians are trained to follow the strictest safety protocols. It is all part of SERVPRO's water damage restoration service and something we take very seriously.

What are Structural Hazards You Look For?

Many homes with minor water intrusions do not have a problem with structural hazards. Major flooding caused by burst pipes that go for hours unnoticed has the potential for damage to flooring, joints, walls, and ceilings. Flooring and subflooring can absorb water, and the material then is compromised. Ceiling tiles can swell and disintegrate, making them susceptible to collapse. Water is corrosive and can cause wood beams and joints to weaken, losing structural integrity. 

All of these issues are looked for and dealt with by our technicians. Advanced water extraction tools and pumps remove moisture from the materials. Industrial strength drying equipment continues the process. Techniques such as controlled demolition allow technicians to repair and restore damaged areas of material such as drywall. Temporary supports are put in place if needed until the problem can get fixed permanently.

Dealing with Hazardous Materials

Contaminated water can be a problem in a home with water damage. There are three main categories of water:

• Clean Water – Potable water from sources such as the kitchen sink.
• Grey Water – Not a biohazard. Comes from situations like washing machine leaks. 
• Black Water – Highly contaminated water things like sewage overflow or natural flooding.

Both clean and greywater can become black water if left standing long enough. If contaminated water is present, we use EPA-registered antimicrobial products to sanitize and disinfect impacted surfaces. 

If there are hazardous materials like asbestos, it is taken care of by our specially trained technicians. They use the proper PPE to handle the material and dispose of it according to state regulations.

Safety First. Then Restoration.

Before any restoration can begin, all safety concerns need a fast response. In fact, the sooner you call SERVPRO to provide water damage mitigation, the less likely you are to have some of the problems listed above, for example, structural damage. We provide emergency services that can prevent secondary damage from occurring. Once we know it is safe, we move on to cleaning and restoration. We want to return your home to you, “Like it never even happened.” 

As homeowners in the community, we understand the importance of fast action in any disaster situation, big or small. When you contact SERVPRO of East Brunswick / Princeton Meadows at (732) 432-9800, you are getting water damage services that you can trust. We are licensed and bonded – Contractor Licenses: General: 13VH06622700.