Diverse Reasons Why Falmouth Properties Develop Water Damage

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

Our staff and technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and equipment to handle any size of water damage in Falmouth.

Can Falmouth Water Restoration by SERVPRO Deliver?

Many materials that form the house structure, whether in the floors, ceilings, walls, and trim, deteriorate if exposed unnecessarily to moisture. The water damage your Falmouth home develops can be instantaneous or gradual, taking weeks or months to become noticeable. The deterioration from gradual water exposure is usually dire since exposure time for materials is unlimited. 

Knowing why your home in Falmouth can develop water damage is essential in preventing or limiting extreme deterioration from gradual moisture exposure. Moisture retention or intrusion are the two most likely reasons for such damage. SERVPRO professionals can help inspect your home, revealing where such risks might emanate from. 

A house can retain moisture because of a drainage system problem that prevents regular evacuation, especially wastewater, as intended. Partial clogging is especially problematic since it might go unnoticed or ignored over a long time. Moisture retention can also happen without involving plumbing systems. Condensation is one of the main processes that can cause such retention. Condensation occurs when humid air cools down, converting the vapor it holds back to liquid water. The kitchen and bathroom are the most likely vapor sources of condensation in your house, leading to water damage. 

Water intrusion occurs from:

• Pipe leaks
• Roof leaks
• Appliance malfunction

Effects of Moisture Exposure

Water is benign in everyday use, but when left to interact with materials over an extended period, it triggers several problems ranging from swelling, staining, warping, and delamination. For example, you might notice that doors operating smoothly suddenly start getting stuck, indicating warping trim or swelling door materials. 

Since water is by far a standard substance, the effects moisture has on materials depend on the physical properties of the said material. Some materials can withstand extended exposure for weeks or months, while others are ruined within a day. 

Factors Affecting Moisture Processes

• Composition
• Permeability
• Porosity

High moisture levels readily damage highly porous materials and those made up of composite parts because of higher absorption rates and the deterioration of cement or glues holding the distinct materials together. On the other hand, permeability is the possibility of moisture passing through materials at standard vapor pressure. Permeance is measured in grains per hour on a square foot of a surface. Permeance determines which materials act as a vapor barrier locking in moisture within a material, thus hampering mitigation efforts such as drying. 

Professional assistance helps identify the uniqueness of materials and establish the best remedies to halt or reverse damages. Our SERVPRO technicians check for moisture barriers such as gloss paint on surfaces or 4-mil plastic sheets installed behind drywall which might stall drying. 

Whatever materials the intrusion effects, performing thorough drying is essential. Our SERVPRO crews facilitate drying by increasing airflow around the wet materials using specialized equipment. We successfully set up several air movers and a dehumidifier unit to cover the wet areas. An air mover is a technological device that uses fans to harness and direct airflow in a specific direction. We also apply heat when necessary, but in most cases, the warm exhaust from dehumidifiers is sufficient in providing the essential heat.

SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and The Islands can help evaluate your property to determine the source of water damage if it is not readily apparent. You can reach us at (508) 888-5985.