What Problems Do Flood Damage Incidents in Cocoa Cause in Properties?

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

When flooding happens, SERVPRO is always on call to restore your home.

Assistance from SERVPRO Can Help You Identify A Wide Range of Problems in Your Property After Flooding Incidents 

After you find out that your home flooded, the next likely course of action is planning the restoration of affected areas. However, you may not be sure how to proceed if you do not understand the full extent of damages caused by the incident. Some issues, such as dirty surfaces, are apparent, but others like the spread of contamination are less apparent. SERVPRO technicians are available seven days a week to help Cocoa property owners assess damages and resolve problems. 

What problems should raise more profound concerns after flood damage affects Cocoa property? 

Experts classify the problems that develop after flooding in Cocoa into three main categories: 

• Obvious problems
• Hidden problems
• Secondary problems 

More significant concern should fall on the hidden and secondary problems since restoration efforts can neglect them. Hidden problems develop immediately floodwaters breach the house but may not be readily discernible from regular observation. Water penetration into subfloors, wall cavities, and other areas is a typical hidden problem. Our SERVPRO technicians can help you establish whether hidden problems are using superior inspection tools such as thermal cameras and borescopes. 

Secondary problems develop when you fail to address other issues, or your efforts fail to meet the minimum requirements. For instance, failure to remove standing water from the structure in time leads to the physical deterioration of some materials, which you could otherwise save. 

Wooden structural supports swell, while hardwood floors warp, buckle or develop other permanent damages. Secondary problems are avoidable, so our technicians help take steps that halt their development. For instance, we use sophisticated water extractors and set up dehumidifiers immediately after arrival at your property to stop material deterioration from excess moisture, "Like it never even happened." 

What flooding problems should I resolve first? 

Resolving a flooding situation in Cocoa requires an approach that addresses the bigger picture rather than individual problems. In many cases, focusing on specific issues is what leads to the development of secondary problems. For instance, if there is standing water on the lower levels of the house, all your focus might be on removing it, that you forget the need to board up any openings on the upper floors. If rodents or weather elements such as rainwater enter the house through the openings, you end up with a new set of avoidable damages. 

Our SERVPRO crew chiefs perform a preliminary evaluation of the damage at your property then they prepare a Loss Details report, indicating crucial information for general restoration. Some critical information added to the report includes: 

Structural information such as the construction year, number of floors and construction materials 

• The number of affected rooms
• Whether there is standing water
• Whether there is electricity 

The information in the loss details report guides our restoration crews on what to prioritize. We prioritize actions that help protect the structure, such as boarding up and installing roof tarps in areas where there are openings. We also set up dehumidifiers to minimize humidity levels in the air, limiting the secondary transfer of damages. 

Having the right information also helps in securing the resources necessary for the restoration. For instance, knowing the number of rooms and floors affected makes it easier to determine the equipment needed. At least one dehumidifier is necessary for each floor, while rooms require around five air movers for balanced drying. 

Are there problems that pose health risks? 

Flooding creates different hazards, including increasing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents due to slick surfaces. Various forces prevalent during storms can also interfere with the structural integrity of the house. The only advantage is that most of these problems are readily discernible. However, issues that threaten the well-being of your family might be harder to identify. 

A problem like contamination can prevail even after cleaning and decontaminating the property. Unlike soiling, which can be removed effectively through cleaning, trace contaminants remain within the structure of porous materials posing health risks. Our SERVPRO technicians remove all porous materials exposed to the floodwaters, including carpets, pad, drywall, and insulation, to eliminate the threat posed by biohazards and chemicals dissolved in floodwater. 

The risk of electrocution or other electricity-related injuries increases after flooding. After the water finds a way into electrical cables, sockets, and switches, it causes different problems. For instance, it can corrode wires interfering with the flow of power. Our technicians open up switches, sockets, and junction boxes to remove water during restoration. We also ensure that a qualified electrician inspects the power system after flooding incidents. 

Resolving all problems caused by a flooding incident at your Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach property takes considerable effort. Call SERVPRO of Central Brevard at (321) 638-4947 to assist. We are available 24/7.