Contaminated Water in My Raleigh Home Sounds Scary--How Can I Protect My Family from the Hazards of Flood Damage?

6/28/2020 (Permalink)

Don’t panic when flooding affects your home. Contact the certified technicians at SERVPRO for water removal.

Hazardous Substances Are Present in Raleigh Flooding--SERVPRO Can Put Your Fears to Rest by Containing and Disposing of Flood Damage and Fluids Fast

It is terrifying to Raleigh homeowners to realize that the water rising in a basement or crawl space after heavy thunderstorms or a tropical storm or hurricane passes can be injurious to a family’s health and well-being. As overland flooding moves across ground and pavement, it picks up an astonishing range of chemicals, industrial waste, dead creatures, muck, and even sewage when the municipal drainage system is overwhelmed. Then the muddy mess pours or seeps into the lower levels of your home.

What Is the Answer to Recovering from the Dirty Water?

Storms are expected, but the timing is unpredictable. One thing you can count on when flood damage strikes your Raleigh house is that our crews are ready immediately to rise to the challenge. Within hours of your call, a well-trained and provisioned crew of experienced technicians arrive, prepared to turn back the page on the devastation:

Initial Safety Assessment

• Look for slip, trip, fall risks, and the presence of caches of water in cavities (walls, ceilings) that could cause structural collapse.
• Ensuring electricity is off (avoid shock and electrocution).
• Evaluating the water category -- flood waters are always Category 3 (most contaminated) by definition, but our team is alert to specifics including human pathogen risk and exposed biohazards such as asbestos and lead.

Emergency Services

• Pumping out water deeper than two inches
• Using truck-mounted extractors for residual water 
• Containing the pumped and extracted water for disposal under local regulations as hazardous substances

After Extraction, Then What?

SERVPRO technicians clean up residues and use EPS-registered antimicrobials to inhibit the rebound of molds or other pathogens. Moisture readings inform our Applied Structural Drying (ASD) technicians as they determine drying goals and implement best practices to return wet building materials to their typical moisture content.

Storm-related flood damage requires the professional assistance of SERVPRO of South Cary / Apex to contain and remove. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Call us at (919) 615-1160 when flooding begins.

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