The Effects of Standing Water in Iredell County

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Standing water becomes a far larger problem if it is not dealt with in short order.

SERVPRO Technicians Respond Quickly to Prevent Possible Secondary Damage

Standing water is one of the most destructive forces in a flood. Although significant initial damage can occur from rampaging storms or unmitigated internal flooding, standing water becomes a far larger problem if it is not dealt with in short order. Fast water extraction through the industrial-grade pumps and extractors used by SERVPRO helps to avoid significant damage from mold, freezing in the winter months, and erosion and oxidation. These are some of the most devastating effects of standing water, and the top factors that make its removal an urgent task. 
 
Freezing 
 
If your home has taken flood damage in Statesville in the colder months of the year, it may be only a matter of time before the water freezes over and creates a much bigger problem. Most urgently, frozen water expands, cracking wood, concrete, rock, and even metal in your home. Furthermore, a layer of ice may form and coat your home. This ice can react negatively with many materials and force the replacement of otherwise easily restored items. 
 
Mold Growth 
 
In all months of the year, SERVPRO ends up in a race against the clock to remove standing water before mold growth can occur. Mold will almost always grow after a flood if water is not removed promptly. Mold remediation is an additional and time-intensive process to add to your home's restorations, so a fast response is critical to avoid more work in this vein. 
 
Oxidation and Erosion 
 
Simply having water on top of them causes many materials to degrade over time. Metals and especially iron can rust and oxidize, causing severe and sometimes irreversible damage to that metal and anything attached to it. Other materials such as concrete and drywall can be eroded quickly by the water, especially if it is particularly acidic (not uncommon in a flood). Getting the water out fast helps to avoid most of this type of damage, and we can usually handle restorations on the rest. 
 
SERVPRO of Iredell County is a local expert when it comes to flood damage. For our assistance and restoration services, call us 24/7 at (704) 872-7466.