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The importance of water extraction after a flood or leak

May 28, 2021

Water damage from flooding is an unpleasant experience and often worse than most people think. Flooding can cause water damage to areas of a property that may go undetected, such as cupboards, shelving and cavities. By missing these areas for water extraction, or by simply just drying with a fan can cause a build-up of water. This can cause puddles and moisture to form which may damage your property and may be difficult to treat if left for a long period.

This situation can cause problems such as:

Mould & mildew (this can grow within 24-48 hours)
Cracked walls
Stains
Damaged surfaces
Corrosion
Odour
Pest infestations

Therefore, it is essential to seek professional help quickly to avoid the issue becoming worse and damaging your property further.

What is water extraction?

Water extraction is the term used in the process of removing water from a source. This is done by using industrial drying and water extraction machines to remove areas where water may still be present in a flood or a leak that a wet vacuum and fan may not be able to reach. These machines can be air movers, floor blowers, heaters, dehumidifiers and heat injection.

Water extraction can include:

Finding the source of the leak or flood

Unless the water source has been found and stopped it is useless to just extract the water, when the source will only bring more water in. This can be as simple as closing your main water pipes.

Draining water

Removing pockets and puddles of water is the next step to stop the damage to your property from progressing further and leaving it unsalvageable, such as structural damage. Although many areas and items are unsalvageable instantly from a flood or leak, there are many things that if treated quickly can be quickly returned to its best possible state after flooding/leaking.

Ensuring invisible water is extracted

While some water may not be visible it is important for it to be removed as it can mean the problems that were listed above will keep returning, making parts of the water extraction process pointless.

Water mitigation

After the water has been extracted, it is then possible to take action to prevent further damage and salvage as much as possible. This process is called water mitigation.

This can include services such as:

· Mould removal
· Decontamination and sanitisation
· Dehumidify
· Deodorising
· Drying structural components
· Removing materials and items that are unsalvageable
· Conducting tests to ensure all water has been removed

All these services can help contribute to the return of a building’s original state and make you feel safe and comfortable in your property again.

It is best not to tackle any of these issues or services yourself, as contacting professionals can ensure full safety and sanitisation from whatever may have caused a flood, leak or water damage.

CPL t/a Rainbow International work right across the South East, working with private and commercial customers in Sussex, Surrey, Kent, London, Brighton and further afield. We have vast experience working with commercial water damage as well as other hazards and issues in both the private and commercial sector.

To find out more about our bespoke drying regimes following a flood or leak, get in touch with us on 0800 030 4360 or drop us an email.

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