Flood Damage in your Lower East Side Home

1/31/2020 (Permalink)

Flood damage recovery is a specialty of SERVPRO of Lower East Side / Downtown Manhattan.

Safety Checklist for Flood Damage on the Lower East Side

Responding to a residential flooding situation on the Lower East Side requires our trained crews to balance appropriate solutions for safety concerns with the need for rapid resolution. We need to keep you and your family safe during mitigation and remediation project phases, and also protect our employees from hazards encountered during the job.

Flood Water Presents Many Hazards
When we assess flood damage in your Lower East Side apartment or loft, our focus begins with an evaluation of the condition and location of the fluids. Typically floodwaters are categorized as highly contaminated, termed Category 3 or Black Water. As storm waters flow over pavement and the ground, they pick up chemicals, dirt and mud, and a wide range of organic debris, including sewage, if storm drains are overwhelmed. As we prepare to contain, remove, and dispose of the contaminated water and dry out the space, our workers don personal protective equipment (PPE) and recommend residents evacuate affected areas.

Wet Surface Woes
SERVPRO crew members know slip, trip, and fall accidents are common when water covers floors. Wires, broken glass, and other debris hidden under the water increase the probability of injury for occupants and restorers. Water collecting above a ceiling can breakthrough, damaging structures and exposing any individuals occupying the space to the possibility of severe harm.

Electrical and Other Utility Risks
Electrical shock is a concern if power is live in the flooded spaces. When water drained into your home from above, light fixtures can fill or wall switches short out, causing the risk of electrocution or fire from sparking wires. SERVPRO arranges to shut down power until the water is controlled. We have gas-powered pumps and truck-mounted extractors that allow us to begin water removal even when electricity is temporarily unavailable. Our technicians check for natural gas smells and work with local utilities to shut off supplies to avoid contamination and fire risk.

Structural Risks
The onslaught of water can weaken building materials. During active flood water removal, we need to be sure floors and walls retain integrity, especially as we add extra weight with equipment and multi-member crews. To avoid dangerous surprises, SERVPRO technicians use thermal imaging technology, comparing and evaluating temperature readings to locate trapped water in building cavities. Moisture detectors and meters help us determine the extent of the floodwater migration and the level of saturation of porous structural components.

Flood damage recovery is a specialty of SERVPRO of Lower East Side / Downtown Manhattan. Call us at (332) 900-2337 to see how our experience as part of the nationwide Disaster Recovery Team translates a successful outcome here at home.

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