How Do Different Forms of Water Impact My Los Angeles Home?

6/28/2020 (Permalink)

We make it, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Removes Excess Surface, Free, and Bound Water in Los Angeles

There is more than meets the eye with water removal in Los Angeles. When your hardwood floors sustain exposure to moisture, the water has the opportunity to seep into your flooring in multiple ways. As a homeowner, you can mop up the excess water, but professional technicians can detect the presence of additional moisture by using moisture meters and sensors.

Can I Just Remove the Surface Water?

SERVPRO Uses Specialized Techniques to Remove All Excess Moisture
Water mitigation in your Los Angeles home is not as simple as just removing the surface water. If you remove only the surface water from your hardwood flooring, then you may face extensive long term damage such as warped floors or provide conditions conducive to mold growth.

What is Free Water?

    •    The moisture that is in the material through absorption.
    •    Evaporates as warm air crosses over the surface and pulls the free water out.
    •    Closer to the surface than bound water.

What is Bound Water?

    •    Moisture absorbed deep into the material.
    •    Chemically bonds with the wood.
    •    To remove bound water, it must break the chemical bond.
    •    Airflow across the surface does not remove the water; the material must be heated to break the bond, allowing evaporation.

When removing bound water from material, technicians use precautions as they carefully heat the wood. If the material overheats, it could cause permanent damage to your flooring. For example, floors could change shape and buckle. Technicians typically use a mat drying system to carefully heat the wood while simultaneously removing surface and free moisture.

For assistance after a leak, contact SERVPRO of Seal Beach / Los Alamitos / Cypress at (562) 431-9400. We make it, “Like it never even happened.”