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Water Damage: The Critical Importance of Immediate Response

Don't Take Bids While the House Burns!

Property damage to wet structures continues until the structure is dry. Getting estimates before starting work is analogous to taking bids for fire restoration work while the house is still burning. Get the fire (or water!) out now. One or two days of delay can cause the cost of a water damage claim to climb by 100-200% or more.

Health & Safety

Few people are fully aware of the significant health risks created when water damaged structures are not dried out quickly. Recently, however, substantial national press attention has been given to a case in Cleveland. More than a dozen newborn infants died from respiratory problems caused by exposure to Stachybotrus Atra mold in their homes. This mold requires a very wet environment. It mostly grows in homes as a consequence of improperly mitigated water damage.

Other molds may cause "sick building syndrome," allergic symptoms, and other health problems. Mold growth sufficient to cause these effects is not always, or even usually, visible to the naked eye. It is more often confined to crawlspaces, wall and ceiling cavities, HVAC ducting and other inaccessible locations. Many types of molds require high levels of liquid moisture during initial growth, but when mature survive and reproduce indefinitely at much lower moisture levels, sometimes as low as standard indoor humidity levels. Mold growth can be effectively prevented only by quick and efficient drying, which removes the moisture necessary for initial mold growth before it can get a foothold.

Other safety problems of water-damaged structures include:

• Collapse (wet materials are both heavier and weaker)
• Electrocution (electricity + water = ???)
• Slip & Fall Liability

As awareness of the health risks of exposure to microbial contamination increases, so does potential liability. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against contractors, municipalities, and others in cases alleging improperly mitigated water damage. A number of million-dollar+ judgments or settlements have been reached recently. This trend will continue. The best (and cheapest) way to avoid a lawsuit is to prevent the situation out of which it arises. Modern drying techniques dramatically reduce liability.

Damage That Can Be Stopped by Immediate Response:

• Furniture stains carpet permanently and suffers cracking, splitting and warping
• Metal (including nails, screws and cornerbead) begins to rust and deteriorate
• Drywall softens, swells and is eventually compromised
• Wood laths behind plaster swell, breaking keys which provide the physical bond of plaster to wall
• Wood trim and structural members swell, warp and split
• Electronic components corrode, malfunction
• Plywood delamination, particle board buckling
• Secondary damage to many materials caused by elevated humidity (paint and wallpaper peels, cabinets swell, photos buckle)

Structures which have suffered water damage must be properly dried as quickly as possible to minimize liability, reduce severity and protect the health of occupants. Paul Davis Restoration offices nationwide stand ready to help you - at a moment's notice