{"id":20199,"date":"2024-10-31T19:36:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T19:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/?post_type=blog&amp;p=20199"},"modified":"2024-10-31T19:36:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T19:36:16","slug":"water-mitigation","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/blog\/water-mitigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Water Mitigation with Lead Technician Michael Heyer: Expert Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Effective water mitigation is the key to preventing further issues when the unexpected happens, and your home faces water damage. I\u2019m Michael Heyer, PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston\u2019s certified Water Mitigation Lead Technician, and I\u2019ve spent over a decade in the field helping homeowners restore their properties. Today, I want to walk you through the water mitigation process, the critical steps we take, and tips for homeowners dealing with water damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The First Steps in Water Mitigation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing I do when I arrive at a job is assess the situation. I always start by looking for water and finding out where the moisture is coming from. We track the source of the water and use a moisture meter to figure out how far it has spread through the home. It\u2019s not just about what you can see\u2014the water can seep into walls, floors, and other hidden areas.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/mold-removal-company-in-houston6.png\" alt=\"Moisture meters can see hidden water damage.\" class=\"wp-image-20220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/mold-removal-company-in-houston6.png 580w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/mold-removal-company-in-houston6-261x300.png 261w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Moisture meters can see hidden water damage.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once I know where the water has gone, I look at the building materials affected. If it\u2019s drywall with no insulation behind it, I can often get away with just removing the baseboard and drying out the area. But when you\u2019ve got insulation or glue trapping water or other tricky materials, we need to take a different approach and do some demolition. This prevents mold growth, which is a much bigger problem if left untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Timing is Everything<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most important things I\u2019ve learned in water mitigation is that time matters. You need to act quickly to stop a water situation from becoming a mold situation. Ideally, we want to start the drying process within 24 to 48 hours of the damage. That means setting up the right equipment\u2014dehumidifiers, air movers\u2014so the affected areas can dry out as efficiently as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"One of the most important equipment we use is an air mover.\" class=\"wp-image-20201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>One of the most important pieces of equipment we use is an air mover.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Homeowners often don\u2019t realize that these machines need to run 24 hours a day for three to four days. It\u2019s loud and inconvenient, I understand, but unplugging the equipment only slows the drying process and pushes back the timeline for getting back to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Behind the Scenes of the Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A big part of my job is explaining what I\u2019m doing and why. When I\u2019m on a water mitigation job, I make sure to walk homeowners through every step of the process. Most people aren\u2019t familiar with the extent of water damage, and it can be overwhelming. I want them to feel comfortable, so I explain what\u2019s happening, why we\u2019re removing certain materials, and how long it\u2019s going to take. I also reassure them that the equipment we use is safe and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/videos\/water-damage\/\">won\u2019t overload their electrical systems<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have pets or kids, it\u2019s good to keep them away from the drying equipment to prevent accidents. I also tape down any cords to minimize the risk of tripping. It\u2019s all about making sure the process is as smooth as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/behind-the-scenes-water-mitigation-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Behind the scenes of our equipment storage area.\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-20202\" style=\"width:770px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/behind-the-scenes-water-mitigation-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/behind-the-scenes-water-mitigation-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/behind-the-scenes-water-mitigation-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/behind-the-scenes-water-mitigation.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Behind the scenes of our equipment storage area.&nbsp;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I know it\u2019s not the most exciting part of the process, but documenting everything is essential, especially when working with insurance companies. We take readings of moisture levels daily, take pictures, and document the progress. This isn\u2019t just for us\u2014it\u2019s to show the insurance company that we\u2019re doing everything by the book. It also helps us keep track of which areas are drying faster so we can adjust the equipment if needed. It\u2019s a daily routine to ensure everything is progressing on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Understanding Water Mitigation Certifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You might be wondering why it\u2019s important to have a certified professional handle your water mitigation. I\u2019m certified by the <a href=\"https:\/\/iicrc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification<\/a> (IICRC), which sets the industry standard for this kind of work. The certification means I\u2019ve been trained in the best practices for dealing with water damage, understanding building materials, and preventing further damage like mold. It\u2019s not just about drying things out\u2014it\u2019s about doing it the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"My Texas Department of Licensing &amp; Regulation Mold Remediation license.\" class=\"wp-image-20203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1009\/2024\/10\/image-1.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>My Texas Department of Licensing &amp; Regulation Mold Remediation license.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been in this industry for over 10 years. I started when I was 15, working alongside my father in New York. Since then, I\u2019ve worked in several states, including Florida and Texas, and have handled all kinds of water damage, from everyday leaks to massive storm damage from hurricanes and tornadoes. I\u2019ve chased storms, tackled complex jobs, and learned how to deal with different types of materials and environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts for Homeowners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re dealing with water damage, my advice is to act fast and trust the professionals. Water mitigation isn\u2019t something you want to put off. The sooner we can start drying out your home, the better the outcome will be. Yes, the equipment is noisy, and the process can be inconvenient, but it\u2019s all necessary to get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the damage is extensive, you might even want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/blog\/additional-living-expenses\/\">check with your insurance about temporary accommodation<\/a>, especially if over half of your home is affected. Living through the noise and disruption can be tough, so don\u2019t hesitate to ask for help if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Experiencing Water Damage? Call the Professionals at PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re dealing with<a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/services\/water-damage-restoration\/\"> water damage<\/a>, don\u2019t wait\u2014call PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston. Our certified experts, Michael Heyer and the rest of our team, are ready to restore your home and prevent further damage. Reach out today at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/contact\/\">(832) 856-5900 <\/a>for fast, reliable service!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Effective water mitigation is the key to preventing further issues when the unexpected happens, and your home faces water damage. I\u2019m Michael Heyer, PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston\u2019s certified Water<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20200,"template":"","blog-category":[11],"class_list":["post-20199","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog-category-water-restoration"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/20199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/20199\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=20199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}