Property damage caused by freezing weather occurs more frequently and creates greater damage than is commonly thought. When water freezes, its volume increases by approximately eleven percent (11%) and this expansion exerts tremendous force. This force is sufficient to break concrete or even steel! When even a small amount of water enters a structure and freezes, the resulting expansion and weakens the structure allowing more water to enter. The damage cycle continues until the source problem (the initial entry point) is repaired.
A number of variables acting separately or together contribute to freeze damage. A drop in temperature, the type of building construction, the amount and quality of insulation, the direction and force of wind, and other weather-related conditions are all contributing factors.
An occupied building is not completely free from freeze-related damages, even when it is constructed to withstand freezing weather and is properly maintained and heated. However, a significant amount of freeze damage occurs when a building is not occupied, especially if the owners are gone for an extended period, and the heating system is not on during the freezing weather. In northern climates, many people go south for the winter. They winterize their homes before they leave by draining the plumbing system and adding antifreeze to plumbing fixtures. Frequently this is not completely effective, and the owners find freeze damage when they return.
Draining the plumbing system needs to be thorough and complete. If the water lines sag or bow, it can result in a low spot that is nearly impossible to completely drain. To be most effective, draining the water lines should be accompanied by the use of compressed air to blow out the lines. If this is not done, water will rest and freeze in the low points of the lines and may cause the pipes to break. The damage then is discovered only after the water is turned back on and escapes from that break. Virtually all plumbing lines are placed inside of walls and are not visible. As a result, a freeze-caused leak is only discovered when water damage to floors, carpet, walls, or ceilings becomes visible. Occasionally the sound of spraying water can be heard by an occupant, but by then it may already be too late. The leak has already caused some degree of damage.
People living in the south usually consider themselves immune from this type of damage. Because of this sense of security, construction in the southern parts of the country often does not adequately take into consideration that fact that the temperature does occasionally drop below freezing. When that happens and property is poorly insulated, then damage will occur.
Winter wind, snow or ice storms frequently damage electric power lines and equipment resulting in interruptions of electric power. Most heating systems depend on electricity, and when the power goes off, so does the heat. In severe cold weather, this can result in extensive freeze damage before power is restored.
Buildings that are poorly designed and do not withstand weather well can contribute to their own damage. Many old buildings were not insulated at all.
To avoid freezing, plumbing lines were commonly run along the inside of interior walls and ceilings rather than enclosed within the walls. In some cases, many lines simply ran inside of un-insulated walls. During renovation of some old homes, blown or foam insulation has been added into wall cavities between interior and exterior wall surfaces and between each stud. This process many times served to insulate heat away from pipes that were located inside of walls and adjacent to the exterior wall surfaces or in attics, actually making them more susceptible to freezing.
The type and age of the plumbing system is also a factor. Rust or corrosion weakens pipes, making leaks easier to occur. When freeze expansion occurs, such pipes will often split open. As thawing begins or when the water is turned back on, this situation will result in water damage.
There is also a form of direct damage that can occur from extreme cold even though no moisture is present. Most building materials and personal property are unaffected by cold alone, provided they are dry. Extremely cold temperatures can damage some sensitive computer and other electronic components. In northern climates, temperatures commonly fall below zero and occasionally dip to minus 40 to 50 degrees. The contraction associated with those extremely low temperatures can congeal Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and fuel oil, causing heating system failure.
Regardless of the circumstances— if water damage occurs from freezing or other sources, call your local PuroClean office. These professionals will mitigate the loss to prevent further damage and will then provide restoration services to return the property to a pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. All PuroClean offices have professional, well-trained technicians who provide the latest state-of-the-science services to all property damaged from water, fire/smoke, mold, and other disasters.
written by
Will Southcombe
Director of Technical Services,
PuroClean Headquarters
Master of Arts,
Master of Business Management,
Water Restoration Technician,
Applied Structural Drying,
Certified Microbial Remediator

Copyright © 2003-2009. All rights reserved in all countries.
Reproduction of the material is prohibited without prior permission.

A pipe breaks and now you have wet carpet damage. The insured calls the agent and the process begins. The sooner the policyholder calls the quicker the response and, normally, the lower the total costs of restoration.
Although many issues can be discussed involving water damages, in this article we’re going to concentrate on just one—the carpet. Of all the dollars spent by the insurance industry on property claims, floor covering is, by far, the most expensive category. It stands to reason that if we can save floor coverings affected by water damage the savings, on a national scale, would be significant.
As with any loss, health and safety is of primary importance. The customer should be cautioned about electrical hazards, slip and fall and falling debris, such as drywall or acoustical ceiling tiles.
Quick response is of the essence. The longer the unwanted wet carpet damage is allowed to remain, the more likely the carpeting will experience permanent damage. Because of this, regardless of the hour, the restoration process should begin without delay.

Wet Carpet Damage

Some customers attempt to extract the water themselves. While this can be of some benefit, a shop vacuum, towels and ceiling fans are absolutely no replacement for professional extraction and drying equipment. It is very important to get a professional mitigator on site as soon as possible! The very best opportunity to save carpet (and other items)is to have professionals on site immediately.
The initial stage or phase of the wet carpet damage restoration process includes addressing safety issues and employing “contain and control” procedures. Standing water must be pumped or extracted to prevent migration of water into adjoining areas and sub-surfaces. Professional moisture meters are used to determine the exact location and extent of water damage.
The first step professional restorers take is determining the category of loss: (A) is this a Category-1 loss? (clean watersource;) (B) is this a Category-2 loss? (gray water: with some contamination but not including pathogens or sewage;) or (C) is this a Category-3 loss? (blackwater: involves sewage and known contamination.)
Category-1 is a clean water source and has not come in contact with materials that carry a health concern for the occupants. This would include broken pipes, hot water heaters, tub or sink overflows, etc. professional mitigation specialists can extract water from the carpet and pad and dry them both in place! This dramatically reduces the cost of the claim and helps restore the lives of the policy holders much more quickly.
Category-2 is not a clean water source. This water contains some contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. Typically this would include washing machine or dishwasher overflows, toilet overflows with no solid matter, broken aquariums, sump pump failures, etc. Because of the additional contamination, this type of loss requires the replacement of the carpet pad, but the carpet itself is normally salvageable. Note: if a Category-2 loss is not treated promptly then the category will escalate to a Category-3 loss (black water.) This is often considered the situation if 48 hours have passed since the loss occurred.
Category-3 is grossly contaminated water containing pathogenic or other harmful agents. Examples of this water include sewage, toilet backflows that originate beyond the toilet trap (regardless of color) all forms of flooding from seawater, rising water from the ground and from rivers or streams, and other water entering the structure from hurricanes, storms or weather-related events.
This water condition is of primary concern when it comes to the health and safety of the occupants. It should be treated seriously because it is serious. Mitigation professionals should be called to deal with this type of loss. Policyholders should not expose themselves to Category-3 water. If, for some reason it is necessary, then they should be reminded to wear gloves, shoe protection and other items to protect themselves.
Carpet is a multi-layered installation with a big sponge under it. Industry standards require that carpet and pad (and anything that is absorbent –textiles, drywall, etc.) that have been contaminated with black water must be bagged and removed from the structure, and disposed of in an appropriate location. Professional restoration companies understand this and operate accordingly.
Every water loss is different. Even with Category-1 andCategory-2 losses, there are varying circumstances that determine whether the carpet can be or should be saved. How old it is, what condition it is in, how it was installed and its construction are all factors that have to be taken into consideration. Mitigation professionals have the training and knowledge to evaluate each situation and to determine the best course of action. They are also trained to communicate well with policyholders, agents and adjusters to insure that everyone understands the process and proper procedures.
So the next time you meet with one of your insureds, take a few moments to explain to them how important rapid response is in the event they were to experience a water loss. Remember, the single most important act in such an event is to call a professional mitigation company to help deal with the loss. Professionals will restore the lives of the policyholders as quickly as possible with maximum cost efficiency and in a trustworthy and understanding manner.
Doug Bowles 4/2007
CCT, CCMT, UFT, WRT, SRT, CRT, RRT
Copyright © 2003-2007. All rights reserved in all countries.
Reproduction of this material is prohibited without prior permission.
This publication provided courtesy of your local PuroClean office.
Offices Independently Owned and Operated.

When water damage occurs in a home, not only are the floors affected, but often drying water damaged walls is difficult. Sometimes the damage is obvious, but in many cases it is hidden and may be missed by those not specifically trained in drying water damaged walls.

For the restoration professional, the first step is to determine the extent of the water damage. Water that enters a room from ground level will cover the floor and floor covering, and will then begin to wick up the wall (move vertically) because of capillary action in porous materials. The extent of this wicking will depend on the construction of the wall, the amount of the water, and its height on the wall material.

Drywall is an absorbent material made of a gypsum core and a cardboard-like paper on both sides. Drywall can wick water up to thirty inches and is very tricky drying water damaged walls! The water will be present on both sides of the wall and often, it is higher on the inside due to restricted evaporation on that side of the drywall. While water damage is sometimes visible, at other times, the wall does not show signs of this moisture.

A restoration professional has a full range of professional metering equipment to help evaluate damage. One choice is a non-invasive moisture meter. This meter uses radio waves to test for the presence of water without putting holes in the wall. Another professional instrument is an infrared imaging device or camera. Since the evaporation from wet walls makes them cooler than dry walls, the IR camera can identify the presence of water in walls — with no holes or other invasion of the wall material.

Once wet walls are identified, drying water damage walls equipment is used to restore them. If there is no insulation present, the walls can usually be dried without holes and without removing the baseboard. The restoration professional places High Capacity Air Movers along the wall every ten to fourteen linear feet. These air movers remove the water molecules from the surface of the wall, allowing further evaporation (drying) to occur as quickly as possible. As the moisture from the wall evaporates into the air, capillary action draws more moisture to the surface where it evaporates.

The restoration professional will also install a Low Grain Refrigerant dehumidifier in the structure — one or more as needed. This state-of-the-science drying equipment reduces the humidity levels to facilitate drying and help prevent the occurrence of mold.

Drying Water Damaged Walls Tips

When appropriate, the restoration professional will install an inner-wall drying system by putting small holes above the sill plate and forcing air into the wall cavity. Studies have shown that this is the best and fastest way to dry walls with water damage.

If there is a moisture barrier on the outside or inside the wall, the drying procedure changes. Moisture barriers are coatings or materials that inhibit the movement of moisture from the wall material. Most latex paints are permeable and do not constitute a barrier. Glossy paints may create a barrier. Enamel paint or vinyl wall coverings create a complete barrier. They will need to be perforated or removed to allow the moisture to escape and the walls to dry.

If there is plastic or foil on the inside of the wall, then the wall will need to be removed since drying will not occur properly and mold will almost certainly develop in such situations.

Insulation in the wall will also affect drying. If there is fiberglass insulation with paper backing, then an inner-wall drying system can be used, as described above. If the insulation is foil-backed fiberglass, blown-in cellulose, or a Styrofoam material, then it cannot be dried successfully. In those cases, removing the damaged portion of the wall along with the insulation is necessary to allow rapid drying and to prevent the development of mold.

Regardless of the procedures used by the restoration professional, it is important that the customer recognize that the equipment must operate, without stopping, throughout the drying process.

A restoration professional will monitor the drying system at least once each day to insure the equipment is operating correctly and to make adjustments as needed. Part of the daily monitoring includes moisture measurements to determine when the materials are successfully dried. Material dryness is measured against similar unaffected materials in that structure. When the levels are the same, the drying is finished and the equipment removed.

A restoration professional, such as PuroClean, understands and uses the principles and procedures of the science of drying to dry walls and other items as quickly and thoroughly as possible, preventing further damage and the development of mold.

Regardless of the circumstances — if water damage occurs from storms, floods, or other sources, call your local PuroClean office, the Paramedics of Property Damage™. For all water damage, or damage from fire or smoke, these professionals are standing by. They will mitigate the loss to prevent further damage and will then provide restoration services to return the property to a pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. All PuroClean offices have well-trained professional technicians who provide the latest state-of-the-science services to all property damaged from water, fire, smoke, mold, and other disasters.

written by
Will Southcombe
Director of Technical Services,
PuroClean Headquarters
Master of Arts,
Master of Business Management,
Water Restoration Technician,
Applied Structural Drying,
Certified Microbial Remediator

Drying water damaged walls can be tricky so leave it up to the professionals.

After a water-damage disaster, restoration professionals are concerned with drying everything as quickly as possible and restoring the property to a pre-disaster condition. This includes being aware of the unique properties of concrete, its reaction to flood conditions, and the unique challenges of drying that material.
When the walls and contents are dried after flooding or other severe water damage, concrete areas are often assumed to be dried as well. New floor coverings are often installed right away. Within weeks, or perhaps months, customers may complain that the newly installed floor is defective. The real culprit, however, is not the flooring, but most likely excessive moisture remaining in the concrete and the condensation that can occur because of the “dew point.”
Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to condense into water (or dew). As the air cools, its ability to hold moisture is reduced. If it continues to cool, eventually the air becomes saturated with moisture and then condenses into water droplets. Normally, a concrete floor is significantly cooler than the rest of the room. Condensation will therefore occur at the surface of the concrete long before it happens elsewhere in the room. Such condensation may form on the concrete even if the rest of the room, walls, and contents have dried to their normal condition.
Many Contractors who are not restoration professionals are unaware of this phenomenon, and move forward with their restoration effort, including the installation of floor coverings.
The damage-and-complaint scenario compounds when water-based adhesives are applied over a damp concrete floor. As moisture evaporates from the concrete, the water-based adhesive absorbs it. This changes the moisture content of the adhesive and prevents it from curing and becoming fixed (or permanent). Since the adhesive fails to become fixed, it will soften and move. Sometimes it appears as bubbles or blisters in certain flooring materials. When tile is applied, the adhesive may ooze or leak out along the edges of the joints or seams. People may believe that the flooring material is defective, but the root cause is premature installation of the floor covering.
The use of water-based adhesives versus solvent-based has increased in recent years due to environmental regulations. Water-based adhesives perform very well under the correct conditions. However, when applied to a substrate with higher-than-normal moisture content, the failure rate increases dramatically.
It is important to contact restoration professionals such as PuroClean when concrete has experienced any type of water damage. Using the latest equipment and procedures, they can determine when the concrete is dry enough. The best method is to use a humidity chamber or humidity box. These are either manufactured boxes or bubbles of plastic taped to the floor.
The chamber traps the moisture released from the concrete, eventually reaching equilibrium. The Contractor carefully inserts a thermo-hygrometer into the chamber and measures the equilibrium humidity. Because concrete is hydrophilic (water-loving) this equilibrium humidity can often be in the upper 60’s. Any reading below 72% is sufficient to install carpet or tile flooring. Wood floors should have readings below 70%.
If the concrete floor needs additional drying, air movement is the best way to hasten the process. Removal of the boundary layer from the surface of the concrete facilitates additional evaporation/drying of the concrete. The room humidity levels will indicate whether a dehumidifier is also needed. If the ambient humidity of the room is below 50%, a dehumidifier is probably not needed, but ongoing monitoring should be done to check for changes.
Please note that each of the respective trades associated with installing floor coverings have established installation standards. All of those standards require the installer to determine that the subfloor (regardless of type) is in a satisfactory condition to allow proper installation of any floor covering.
Regardless of the circumstances — dealing with water damage, fire/smoke damage, or mold remediation — call your local PuroClean office, the Paramedics of Property Damage™. For all property damage situations, these professionals are standing by. They will mitigate the loss to prevent further damage and will then provide restoration services to return the property to a pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. All PuroClean offices have well-trained professional technicians who provide the latest state-of-the-science services to all property damaged from water, fire, smoke, mold, and other disasters.

written by
Will Southcombe
Director of Technical Services,
PuroClean Headquarters
Master of Arts,
Master of Business Management,
Water Restoration Technician,
Applied Structural Drying,
Certified Microbial Remediator
Copyright © 2003-2009. All rights reserved in all countries.
Reproduction of the material is prohibited without prior permission.

PuroClean Technician Receives Certification to Better Service Colorado’s Front Range Property Owners

The “Paramedics of Property Damage” Utilize Continuing Education Tools

Thornton, CO (Grassroots Newswire) 16 Sept 2009 — PuroClean is proud to announce that Toby Click of Aurora, CO recently qualified by education and examination as an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certified (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Technician.

By administering a strict process of certification, the IICRC ensures consumers that they are receiving the highest quality of service from trained, knowledgeable, professional technicians. The IICRC is a nonprofit certifying and standard-setting organization dedicated to raising industry standards through technical proficiency.

PuroClean, a professional mitigation company serving the Colorado’s Front Range community, responds to property emergencies by bringing the damage under control, preventing it from becoming worse, and restoring the property back to pre-loss condition.

“Demonstrating a combination of skill, experience and care when responding to people in their time of need, Toby is an example of what sets PuroClean professionals apart from other mitigation providers,” said Will Southcombe, who heads up training and technical support for PuroClean offices nationwide. “Toby has invested many hours of study to reach this level of certification, which adds tremendous value to the level of service PuroClean Disaster Recovery Experts provides the Colorado’s Front Range community.”

Click joins the ranks of true PuroClean professionals excelling in the mitigation and restoration industry.

About PuroClean
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of nearly 300 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean certified technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2008, PuroClean trained over 7,200 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please contact Mark Wilson at 303-566-9600 or visit