Extraction & Drying
Water Removal
The first step is to repairing water damage is to remove the water and all objects in the area where the water damage occurred. ServiceMaster of Columbia has the latest in special sensors/moisture detectors to find hidden water, and eliminate pockets of water or moisture that can cause higher humidity levels and ultimately, mold growth. We also remove water from the carpets, the padding, and the upholstery to prevent growth of mold in the home.
Eliminate Moisture
Once the water is gone, the next step is to make sure all the moisture is out of the air. Leaving any moisture behind makes the area susceptible to mold and mildew, which can eventually cause health problems.
Dehumidifiers are used to draw out the moisture while high-velocity blowers move the air around to dry the area. This process works to bring the humidity levels in the home back down to normal. Getting rid of the moisture could also means removing all the wet items from the area. Including:
- Furniture
- Linens
- Curtains
- Rugs
- Padding
Typically, water damaged carpet must be lifted or removed temporarily before drying it and putting it back in place. In some cases, the padding may need to be replaced since it retains the water much like a sponge.
Clean & Sanitize
Once the area is dry, ServiceMaster Restore® technicians clean and sanitize all the contents of the affected areas, including carpet cleaning. We make sure that everything has been returned to its normal moisture content, and clean to prevent the growth of mold in the house, which can cause mold sickness later on. Cleaning and sanitizing will also help to keep odors to a minimum.
Area rugs can be taken to our warehouse for special care as certain rugs may need to be dried/ cleaned carefully to minimize bleeding of colors and discoloration.
Restoration & Construction
Once the area is sanitized and free of water and moisture, we can move to the restoration phase of our process.