CRDN appreciates the trust you place in us when we remove your personal belongings. We understands that property damage is a stressful situation and we never take that trust for granted.
Clothing can be damaged by water under a variety of circumstances, including: saturation from water due to fire fighting; broken water pipes; sewage and drain backups; leaking roofs; malfunctioning washing machines; smashed aquariums; storms and other causes.
Damage to clothing from water may not be as obvious as fire damage or smoke damage, it can often be just as — if not more — destructive. Untreated water damage can worsen until mitigated. It is essential that water damage restoration begin within 48 – 72 hours from the initial event especially since bacterial growth can begin within hours.
In the event that you do sustain water damage, here are a few simple steps you should take:
1 Be Careful!
Avoid any areas where electricity may come into contact with water. Step carefully and make sure your footing is good on potentially slippery surfaces. Water can weaken structures, so keep an eye out for potential falling objects such as ceiling tiles or bookshelves. Avoid areas with raw sewage or if you come across odd smells or vapors that could be toxic.
2 Find the Source
If the reason for the damage is not a natural occurrence, find the source of the water damage (such as a broken pipe) and stop it.
3 Move Valuables
Move your valuables away from the water to a dry place. Cover furniture legs with plastic baggies.
4 Insurance
Call your insurance agent to determine the extent of your coverage. They’ll want to know how the water damage occurred and what you have done to address the situation.
5 Remember
You do not have to use your insurance company’s clothing restoration service. You can choose your own.
Water damage restoration of your clothing will depend upon several factors: the volume of water; the types of items; the amount of time that has elapsed since the initial water damage event; and the type of water involved.
There are three types of water that that will be involved in a water damage restoration situation:
Water damage restoration of your clothing will depend upon several factors including the volume of water involved, the types of items involved, and the amount of time that has elapsed since the initial water damage event, and the type of water involved.
There are three types of water that that will be involved in any given water damage restoration situation:
Clean Water
Clean water poses little threat to humans. (Examples of clean water: such as water from a broken water line; bath tub or sink water containing no contaminants; water from malfunctioning appliances; rainwater; ice or snow melt; toilet water that does not contain contaminants or cleansers.) If let standing, clean water can become grey water within forty-eight hours.
Grey Water
Grey water contains enough contaminants that it could cause discomfort or illness if a person is exposed to, or consumes it, because it contains microorganisms. Sources of grey water can include dirty dishwater or washing machine water; toilet overflows (urine only); water from sump pump malfunctions; and water from other sources such as fish tanks. Grey water can have chemical or biological contaminants. Grey water can become black water within 48 hours.
Black Water
Black water is completely unsanitary because it is heavily polluted. Black water can include sewage water (including toilet overflows with feces) and flooding from ground, surface, river or lake water. Silt and organic matter from natural bodies of water can be enough to be classified as black water. Additionally, flooding from disasters can create black water that contains pesticides, heavy metals, or other man-made or organic toxins.
Mold & Mildew Removal
Mold and mildew from water damage can also destroy clothes and fabric. CRDN offers mold remediation services using the following procedures:
• Ozone which kills mold and germs by destroying their chemical bonds with fabrics.
• Wet cleaning with antimicrobial products.
• Dry cleaning with appropriate germicidal products.