How Materials Influence Water Mitigation in Berkeley Heights Properties

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage is no easy task to handle. SERVPRO water damage specialists are here to help 24/7 365 days a year.

SERVPRO Focuses on Three Main Aspects of Materials to Determine Their Effect on Restoration

Whenever water leaks into a property, one of the main factors determining the type or level of damages is the materials present in the affected areas. Therefore, understanding how moisture interacts with different materials is essential for water mitigation to be successful.

Materials exhibit three main characteristics that can influence the water mitigation process in your Berkeley Heights home. The three factors have to do with water absorption since moisture only causes damage if materials absorb it. SERVPRO has IICRC-certified water restoration technicians who understand the different characteristics materials exhibit when exposed to water.

The materials in your home can be broadly classified based on:

• Permeance levels
• Hygroscopy
• Vapor barrier

If the water released into your property affects materials with a high permeance rate, mitigation mostly involves extraction with wet vacuums followed by drying. Otherwise, it is impossible to get rid of the water, leading to additional deterioration like rotting and mold. Typical materials with a high permeance factor include carpets and upholstery items. Low permeance factors simplify restoration since water can be easily wiped off. Also, the exposed material does not deteriorate from extended contact.

Another category of material is vapor barriers which include waterproof substances of those with a permeance of 1. Such materials either block moisture from passing through or limit the amount passing through to a minimum. Some vapor barriers you might have in your home include masonry bricks, glossy paint, and Kraft paper insulation. As the name suggests, vapor barriers can block your mitigation efforts by delaying moisture release from surrounding materials. Our SERVPRO technicians use various approaches, including perforation or stripping off the barrier.

SERVPRO of Western Union County evaluates materials, thus delivering quality results during water mitigation. Call us at (908) 791-9177. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.