The Difference Between Storm and Flood Damage

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

When storms pass through leaving damage, give us a call!

A storm in Phoenixville, PA can cause a lot of damage to your building and can sometimes affect your business’s ability to operate as usual. There are two types of water damage that commonly occur in this situation. Whether you experience storm or flood damage will affect the restoration process. What Causes Water Damage During a Storm
During severe weather, you might experience storm damage in the form of leaks or you may end up with a flooded building. The water involved in these two types of damage vary in the following ways:

The source of the water
The contamination levels of the water
The cleanup process required

Water that enters the building from above is generally considered basic water damage and is usually clean water. However, water that rises from the ground is flood water that carries high levels of contamination due to mixing with debris, waste and dirt on the ground. Because these types of water have significantly different levels of bacteria and other contaminants, the amount of cleanup required can vary greatly between storm and flood damage.
How Should You Deal With Damage
If the damage to your building was caused by clean water, then the restoration process will be a bit more simple. Many materials will simply need to be dried quickly to reduce the risk of mold growth. However, if there has been flooding in the building, then the cleanup process will be more involved. Materials like carpet, insulation and drywall are highly absorbent, so when contaminated water is involved, these items will often need to be torn out and replaced. It would take much more effort to get them thoroughly cleaned, and it would be easy for bacteria and mold to continue to spread.
While flood damage is often more severe, any kind of water damage is best handled by a professional. Hiring a cleanup and storm restoration service will allow you to return to work more quickly. They can perform needed repairs in a timely manner without reduced work quality.