A burst pipe, a drenching storm, an overflowing sink, a sump pump on the fritz – structural water damage is distressingly common. Experts estimate it afflicts 14,000 people every day in the United States. Basements are particularly prone to moisture infiltration: only two of 100 basements escape flooding over the lifespan of the dwelling.
Fortunately, water damage restoration has become a technical marvel. “Our teams have applied structural drying – also called ASD – distilled down to a precision science,” says Bob Hillier, Owner, Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Houston, Texas. “We train technicians in advanced, data-driven methods of water extraction, evaporation, air movement, dehumidification and temperature control. Nobody guesses how dry is dry anymore. We don’t have to because our personnel, equipment and methods are that good.”
Instead of replacing affected areas and materials, ASD aims to return affected materials to pre-loss moistures levels. ASD’s success relies on four key tenets, Hillier says.
Securing the Site: Paul Davis Restoration teams immediately control the source – if water is continuing to infiltrate the structure – and take steps to avoid renewed damage. This rapidly deployed stabilization enables immediate restoration to begin.
Data Acquisition: Each water damage incident is unique and Paul Davis Restoration carefully explores and documents each individually. Technicians gauge moisture and humidity on surfaces, within materials like wood and drywall, in structural voids – even behind or under vapor barriers. Seepage is also accounted for, as materials continue to wick and absorb moisture for some time after the source has been managed.
Advanced equipment: Paul Davis Restoration brings an expansive array of equipment and technology to bear on water damage: thermal imaging cameras, damage mapping, high-volume water extraction, sophisticated barrier technologies, heavy-duty fans and dehumidifiers with sophisticated desiccants, to name just a few.
Continuous monitoring: Teams map, measure and track moisture levels frequently, enabling them to adjust equipment locations and operation levels to achieve specific dryness measures. Data is easily shared among restoration partners and insurance carriers, too, through sophisticated computer and smartphone technology.
ASD delivers impressive benefits. “Restoring structures through ASD – instead of replacing and disposing materials – is faster, more efficient and more economical,” Hillier says. “It’s also environmentally smart. It reduces waste, lowers carbon footprints, minimizes transportation needs and conserves resources. Everyone wins with ASD.”