Restoring Exterior Walls With Water Damage

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians Are Qualified to Mitigate Water Damage to Walls, Ceilings, and Floors 

Water damage can be commonly experienced by homeowners and business owners alike who live and do business in Florida. One part of a structure whether it is your home or the office, is the exterior walls since they are exposed to the elements on a regular basis. 

How Difficult is it to Restore Exterior Walls? 

Exterior walls can be impacted by water intrusion due to standing water at the base or from water flowing down via the ceiling or an upper level. Because insulation fills the walls in your home, restoration can be challenging to restore but not impossible. Water restoration companies in Seminole County, such as SERVPRO, mitigate this type of problem regularly.  

Dealing with Insulation 

Insulation slows down the drying time because it blocks airflow. But that does not mean your walls cannot be dried. Fiberglass insulation that has been impacted by clean water is an example of what can get restored. There are benefits to drying structural elements versus replacing the walls. It can be costly to replace sheetrock or other similar components. Extended drying times also means less disruption to your home. When the exterior walls have the moisture removed, there is less controlled demolition. To increase airflow, the technicians can: 

• Drill holes in the bottom, and if needed the top, of the wall.
• Drill holes in cabinetry if attached.
• Constantly monitor dew point temperatures. 
• Check to make ensure there is no water containment in the walls.
• Make sure no vapor barrier is slowing the drying process  

What About the Cinder Block Walls in My Garage? 

Numerous things are impacting drying cinder blocks. This type of wall has open cells that can equalize with the surroundings if enough time passes. The problem this presents is the water that they can hold when that happens. Painting the blocks with gloss or semi-gloss paint creates a vapor barrier to lock in moisture. If necessary, the team drills larger holes to allow for better air circulation and drainage. 

The same problem can exist with cinder blocks when the exterior walls contain insulation. It slows the drying down considerably. Block walls often include the following types of insulation: 

• Vermiculite
• Cellulosic
• Foam
• Fiberglass 

Slower drying can reduce the effectiveness of certain insulations. Often codes require bond beams included with block walls, which impact drying times as well. 

My Garage Has Concrete Floors 

Concrete floors are porous, so when water wicks up, it leaves chalk-like calcium deposits. These deposits can typically get brushed off easily. Painted concrete can flake or blister and may need repainting. SERVPRO cleans concrete by using HEPA vacuums. Mold can grow where there are dirt or surface films, so if required, the techs apply an EPA-registered disinfectant. 

Comprehensive Water Damage Services 

If the exterior walls of your home and the cinder blocks of your garage have water damage in Seminole County, there is a good chance other structural elements were affected. The contents of the house may need cleaning. Furniture may need reupholstering. We are professionals in all types of water intrusion mitigation. There is no need to procure a cleaning business, a repair service, and a carpet cleaning service. We are a comprehensive water restoration company with the experience, expertise, and equipment needed to get the job done. We can clean and restore: 

• Structural elements of your home.
• Household goods such as dishes and pans.
• Documents, books, and photos.
• Carpet and flooring.
• Linens and draperies.
• Toys and keepsakes. 

If on-site cleaning is possible, we move items away from the affected area for washing. If content needs removed, we provide pack-out services. The water damaged material is taken to our secure warehouses and professionally cleaned and restored. We inventory each item, and everything gets returned to where it was formerly. 

We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster 

Customer service is everything to our professional group of technicians and office staff. As homeowners and Florida residents ourselves, we understand how something as simple as a burst pipe can disrupt your life. That’s why we are fast to any disaster, no matter how big or small. We want our daily lives to run smoothly and know you do too. We strive to work with your insurance company, so all aspects of the water restoration process are as smooth as possible. 

Contact SERVPRO of North Seminole County at 407-323-2422 today. Of all the water restoration companies you can hire, choose one who is fast on the scene, professional, and cares.