Water Damage Restoration, Melbourne, FL

Let's discuss the 3 issues that may lead to you needing water damage restoration.

Roof leaks, 2. Plumbing issues, 3. Sewer/septic problems. 

1. Roof leaks are often ignored, as the spilling water will linger for a while before dripping downwards onto ceilings or disappearing into sidewall cracks. Over time, these roof leakages can severely damage wooden attic structures and insulation, spawn toxic mold or bacterial infections, and corrode exposed metal. Twice per year, inspect the area for water intrusion. Look for signs such as dark streak marks on roofing material underneath, rotting wood structures (especially insulation in the attic), damp insulation and musty odors emanating from mold growth. 
2. A dripping water supply line is a red flag warning of a potentially catastrophic pipe rupture that could flood your house with hundreds of gallons of water. Inspect water supply lines for leaks. Look behind fixtures and in cabinets to see if any water has been leaking from these areas. Shine a flashlight in crawl spaces to detect dry spots or minerals on pipes that indicate seepage.
3. Home sewers and septic tanks are a vulnerable point in the home—often hidden underground, it can also accumulate damage over time. Floods from even small storms can cause a big issue to develop in your yard undetected until it's too late. Periodic inspections of your sewer line every 5 years, conducted by a qualified plumber, is the best way to catch potential leaking before it becomes an issue.

When water is dripping from the ceilings or if you notice water on the floor, check for any damage to your drywall and furnishings. If you see water on the drywall, it has most likely been damaged and needs a repair immediately.

If you have had any recent flooding in your home, and you find water on the drywall, this is a sign that it has been damaged and you will need to dry it out. Use a towel or rags to absorb as much water as possible from the floor.

Water damage can happen at any time, even if the water is only present for a short amount of time or caused by slow leaks in your pipes that are hidden from view. If you have water on drywall and there's been no flooding, then this is more likely to just need some drying out before it can get fixed.

You'll want to make sure you open up cabinets and drawers that may have been affected by flooding to dry out the water from inside those as well, or you'll have mold growth soon to follow.

When you notice that your drywall becomes soggy to the touch or shows signs of standing water, you'll need to dry it out quickly and this is often best done by using a dehumidifier.

The first step in repairing water damage, if the sogginess has not progressed too far, is to remove furniture or other items that might have been affected by flooding.

Next, turn off the power to any electrical outlets that might have been affected by flooding.

Now you'll need to dry out the wet area of your drywall using a dehumidifier and water extraction tools. If you suspect that plumbing problems may be present in your house such as when toilets overflow or if sinks leak where they shouldn't, it is best to contact a professional plumber.

If there are signs of mold - these include an odd smell, discoloration, or fuzzy growth on walls or other surfaces, you'll need to call in a professional mold remediation company.

Until it is dry or has been successfully treated for water damage and mold growth, the drywall should remain untouched until repairs are made.

Minor incidents of water damage are often cosmetic and can be left alone without risking further issues. For example, drywall that has been stained with a small amount of water may not need to be removed or have permanent repairs made if treated promptly. 

Many people think water damage only needs to be dealt with if it is a significant event, such as an overflowing appliance or something similar. However, more mild incidents often have such small amounts of exposure and duration that they can often just be wiped up quickly. Pointing a fan at the area afterwards will do the trick!

It is best to address water damage as soon as you notice it, but sometimes there are delays. Unfortunately, wet weather can lead to more frequent indoor flooding and if untreated the buildup can cause mold growth. Calling for help immediately should your drywall was exposed should take care of most of those issues until you're able to get a contractor out. If water exposure is significant due to flooding or another event that lasts for an extended time, gypsum (the material used in drywall) inevitably becomes saturated. 

Typically, the material will deform sag, bulge, or collapse when it becomes soaked in water. Even if intensive drying techniques are applied, drywall rarely returns to its original form. The best time to perform drywall water damage restoration is when the problem first occurs so that you can call and have a contractor come out before there's too much of an issue with the drywall material.

Mold contamination on drywall may not be visible until culture sampling reveals the infiltration of fungus where thoroughly dry--though chronic moisture exposure may trigger mold growth. Mold spores can infiltrate quickly when facing frequent water exposure, so it's important to have a proactive response for repair or replacement.

Drywall is easily damaged when water or moisture gets behind the surface. When water damage is obvious, dark spots on the exterior of the walls will indicate mold growth-surface decontamination with effective biocides may eliminate these areas before they spread into severe conditions requiring replacement.

The extent of water damage can affect how much restoration work you need to do. For example, a water leak in the kitchen that dries up before it can cause significant damage is less of an issue than if the same leak had been in your bedroom and caused considerable flooding.

Water damage is a major reason for drywall replacement in homeowners’ homes. Drywall is versatile and low-cost, making it practical for interior construction work. However, one of the material’s weaknesses is resistance to water exposure.

In many cases, the only option for drywall after water damage is to replace it. Drywall does not act as a load-bearing material so replacement can be done quickly and with no consequence to the rest of the home. Different scenarios might call for different outcomes, but in most cases, replacement is required.

When performing a drywall water damage restoration, it is crucial to remove all of the moisture from the area as soon as possible. This means removing any wet materials such as carpets and furniture from inside of the room where there was flooding. If you do not remove these items quickly enough then they will absorb moisture themselves. Once this happens, they have become contaminated with sewage bacteria and will be both difficult to dry and difficult to clean.