Executing Water Mitigation Successfully 

Water leaks and intrusions in properties happen all the time. If your home is affected, the amount of water involved and how you respond to the incident greatly influence the outcome. Water mitigation can save you the inconveniences associated with such incidents. Several water mitigation steps may be necessary to restore your White Plains home, so having the right mental preparedness leads to satisfactory outcomes. Assistance from AdvantaClean of Westchester, Rockland, and Stamford can bridge the gap, ensuring you do not feel overwhelmed. 

Mitigation is a broad term that can mean anything from clamping a leaking pipe to changing deteriorating structural materials. Mitigation affects how far moisture spreads from the entry point and stops secondary issues, such as microbial proliferation, expected in a wet environment. The goal of any mitigation step is to limit the cost or time you spend fixing the water damage. 

What mitigation steps can you take before professional help arrives?

Even though you may not understand everything about water damage, you know some effects, such as rendering electronics unusable. A few things done immediately upon discovering the water intrusion can positively impact the overall outcome. Turning power off at the mains protects you and your electronics from electric shorts. Moving portable electronic items such as your computer, TV, or microwave from the wet area helps limit the chances of severe damage. One thing people forget is that electronics are also vulnerable to high humidity levels, so damage can develop even when there is no direct contact.

Despite the risks electricity poses in a wet property, some actions can be counterproductive or risky. For example, you should not attempt to open sockets or recessed lights to release trapped water unless you are a trained electrician to avoid injuries. Such steps are better handled professionally.

Water mitigation steps professionals take

  • Water removal

  • Controlled drying

  • Odor and mold prevention

Removing the water from your property floors, walls, and ceilings is the primary mitigation step since the longer it stays in place, the more damage it causes. Water removal can be straightforward in a readily accessible area, such as an open floor. Mopping the affected area or using a wet vacuum accomplishes the process. However, when the water is in an enclosed area, such as subfloors, wall spaces, or ceilings, specialized resources are necessary to access and extract the water. Help from AdvantaClean of Westchester, Rockland, and Stamford includes technical skills such as drilling weep holes to release water and specialized equipment like drying mats to extract water utilizing directed suction.

Managing the moisture trapped within structural materials and furniture is another crucial water mitigation step that prevents permanent damages such as warping, rot, and rust. Wet materials release moisture at different rates depending on the porosity level. For example, if you have wet wooden furniture or floorboards, drying takes longer, unlike upholstery or carpets. It’s rare for water to absorb into only one kind of material, so proper control methods are necessary for uniform drying.

Resources That Help Control Drying

  • Drying chambers that direct drying efforts to a specific property section

  • Air movers and dehumidifiers that regulate evaporation and humidity

  • Heaters that expedite the drying rate

A balanced drying process has other benefits, too, because it helps you avoid the unpleasant odors or mold development typical after water intrusions. Dampness creates a perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to flourish, producing unpleasant smells. Drying within the first 24 hours of the incident curtails these processes. 

AdvantaClean of Westchester, Rockland, and Stamford ensures water mitigation runs successfully. Call (914) 505-6570 for assistance.

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