When a copper pipe burst in a neighboring unit caused significant water damage in a home in the UTC area, PuroClean of Del Cerro was quick to respond. A team led by Danny, one of our skilled lead technicians, immediately conducted a thorough inspection to understand the extent of the damage. The affected areas included the kitchen, living room, laundry area, and garage. Here’s how we tackled this challenging situation to restore normalcy and peace of mind to the homeowners.

Equipment Deployment and Monitoring

Upon arrival, our team quickly identified the key areas impacted by the water leak. Immediately, we erected plastic barriers to contain the moisture in the work zone and better facilitate drying. To effectively dry out the structure and materials, we deployed 3 dehumidifiers and 8 air movers. These were strategically placed to optimize airflow and moisture removal, running continuously for the duration of the mitigation process. Our team monitored the equipment regularly, ensuring it worked efficiently to reduce humidity and moisture throughout the affected areas as we waited for approvals to begin demolition.

The Demolition Process

After completing the drying phase of our mitigation process, we were ready to begin our demolition of unsalvageable materials. We set up a HEPA air scrubber to maintain air quality and prevent the spread of contaminants during demolition. Our efforts included removing damaged cabinets and appliances in the kitchen, removing baseboard along the damaged areas, performing a two-foot flood cut to remove unsalvageable drywall, and taking out damaged insulation.

One of the more significant challenges was addressing the warped hardwood flooring. Using a heavy-duty floor scraper machine, we efficiently removed the damaged panels, which were beyond salvage due to the extent of the water damage.

Detailed Cleaning and Final Drying

With the bulk of demolition complete, our focus shifted to detailed cleaning. We performed HEPA vacuuming to remove all dust and particles from the structure and flooring. Following this, we treated the entire area with an antimicrobial spray to prevent potential mold growth and ensure the space was thoroughly sanitized. A final wipe down of all surfaces further cleaned the area.

After the final clean, we repositioned our drying equipment to properly dry the structure overnight. By the next morning, the property was thoroughly dried, marking the end of our intensive restoration work and preparing the space for the rebuilding process.