Identifying Water Damage Types

We find that by better familiarizing yourself with the water damage restoration process, it’ll allow you to not only better understand what’s going on in your home but will also give you peace of mind.

Irreversible water damage refers to any type of physical damage to a material that cannot be reversed by drying alone. Meaning, it’ll require someone to either physically repair or replace the item or materials in question, such as the delamination of carpet. It’s important to identify these different types of damage to protect all parties involved.

There are three different types of damage that water damage restoration technicians need to identify.

They include:

• Pre-existing damage
• Primary damage
• Secondary damage

And we’ll quickly go over each type.

Water Damage Restoration in Orlando FL

If you were waiting for the perfect time to ask for help, the time is now.

Ask For Help 407-974-4053

Pre-existing Damage

This is when damage was present before any type of exposure to water or moisture. During the initial inspection, it’s critical that any pre-existing damage is identified, documented, and communicated.

• Taking into account several different factors when assessing pre-existing damage, including:
• The quality of building material used during installation
• The integrity of said building components and materials
• The appearance of said building components and materials
• If there’s any microbial contamination (e.g., mold, mildew, rot)

From a restoration perspective, the two most important forms of pre-existing damage to take note are microbial growth (e.g., mold, mildew, rot) and the delamination of carpet (this is the separation of the primary and secondary carpet backings). Essentially, is your carpet falling apart beyond the point of no return?

Both microbial growth and the delamination of carpet are commonly associated with water damage, therefore, it’s imperative to determine whether it was a pre-existing issue.  If there is any mold that is discovered, it is crucial to contact a mold remediation specialist immediately to prevent further damage.

Once delamination of carpet is identified, further damage to the carpet is highly likely and replacement of the carpet is recommended. There are a number of causes for carpet delamination, many of which are related to improper water damage restoration.

These causes include:

• Any folding or stretching of carpet when wet
• Overly aggressive extraction (more on water damage drying methods here)
• Improper specification of carpet underlay
• Improper installation
• Improper removal from the tack strip
• Improper floating of carpet
• Excessive wear and tear
• Damage caused by pets

Regardless of the cause, it’s imperative that any pre-existing damage is identified and documented and it’s crucial to hire the right team for water damage restoration from the get-go to avoid any further complications.

Water Damage Restoration in Sanford FL

If you were waiting for the perfect time to ask for help, the time is now.

Ask For Help 407-974-4053

Primary and Secondary Water Damage

Water intrusion can affect a home or building, both immediately upon exposure and over time. Primary water damage is classified when water damage occurs immediately by direct contact and exposure to water, whereas secondary water damage occurs due to materials remaining wet for an extended period of time.

Water damage can also affect materials indirectly. Excessive moisture will ultimately lead to elevated levels of humidity and if these levels are allowed to remain above 60%, building materials can absorb the excess water vapor and suffer secondary water damage, including dimensional changes, loss of structural integrity, and even microbial growth and staining such as mold, mildew, and rot.

Hygroscopic materials, substances that easily attract water from its surroundings through absorption are incredibly susceptible to secondary water damage, either from direct contact with water or from exposure to higher levels of humidity.

As with preexisting water damage, structures, contents, and building materials of any water damage emergency should be evaluated for any signs of primary or secondary water damage and properly documented and communicated.

Hidden Water Damage

In addition to primary and secondary water damage, water damage can also be hidden, requiring a more invasive method of inspection. One of the most common forms of hidden water damage occurs within walls and wall insulation when water intrusion results in deep standing water or water running through wall cavities.

If water is present within the walls and the wall insulation is affected, odds are replacement will be necessary and in most cases will require the wallboard to be removed in order to remove the insulation.