Floods always leave a trail of ruthless destruction to any property, multifamily properties included. Restoring flooded multifamily housing units is a complex task that starts with Drying all the affected units. This stage is critical to keep the damages to the minimum and lay the foundation for repairs. Drying a multifamily unit, however, is not a DIY job. It not only requires the right equipment and tools, but also demands professional planning and execution expertise. That is the reason it is important to hire a professional Disaster Restoration Services provider as soon as possible.

Initial Drying Process

The removal of linings can expedite the drying process of the damaged areas. It is, however, important to ensure that the re-lining starts after the moisture content in the wall is below 16 percent. To dry out the property, keep all windows and doors open. In addition, leave all closets and drawers open to speed up the drying process. Professional restoration service providers use various drying equipment, such as hot air fans, dehumidifiers, and specialty drying air movers to expedite the process. While using these equipment, professionals need to keep a check on the temperature, as excessive heat can cause wood to warp and split.

Drying the Under-Floor Space

As the floor is one of the worst affected elements of a flooded property, it is imperative to dry the area under the floor before initiating the restoration work. Here’s how disaster restoration professionals go about the process:

• Maximize the airflow beneath the floor
• Clear debris to facilitate proper ventilation
• Leave the doors and windows open
• Remove baseboards and sheet linings

Drying the Interiors

Professionals use a stiff bristle brush to clean hardwood paneling on interior walls and use pro-grade cleaning agents to remove dirt from crevices, corners and cracks. Plasterboards, however, usually need to be replaced as the adhesive used to bind them dissolves in water, rendering them useless. The elements made from composite wood (medium density fiberboard), such as doors, skirting, kitchen cabinets, and wardrobes, also have a low tolerance to water, and therefore, may need to be replaced after a flood.

Doors and Cabinets

Post-flood, wood doors, and cabinets may not close properly, after being inundated. Aluminium doors and windows, on the other hand, may sustain bends, and the adhesive may also have been compromised. Even the cabinets and doors that are only partially submerged in the water get bloated. Whether the property has veneer doors or solid wood doors, it is likely that all wood doors and cabinets will have to be replaced for comprehensive water damage restoration.

Exterior Walls

Though often ignored, drying the exterior wall of a property is important as taking care of the moisture present inside. If ignored for long enough, the humidity in the exterior walls may provide the right breeding ground for mould, thereby aggravating the problem. Therefore, as soon as flood water subsides, weep holes should be cleaned to facilitate the drying process for the wall cavity. In addition to walls, a thorough inspection of other exterior elements is essential to identify any instance of delamination.

The Bottom Line

After a flood unleashes it’s fury, employing disaster Restoration Services no longer remains a choice, and like most aspects of life, procrastination never helps. Property owners, therefore, need to hire a reliable disaster restoration services provider with proven competence. That’s where we can help. In addition to providing water damage restoration services, we, at United Renovations, have a long history in providing world-class fire, smoke, and wind damage restoration services. If you wish to learn more about our disaster restoration services, feel free to contact us at (972) 818-1065, or email us at [email protected].