The Differences Between Commercial and Residential Water Damage

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Carpet delamination damage from water saturation.

There is a difference between residences and businesses when it comes to water damage. Usually it is the type of carpet that gets wet that makes the most difference. In someone’s home, water damages usually have carpet over padding. So, in someone’s home, for example, the carpet is soaked and the padding is completely engulfed in water in many cases, or at least extremely wet. The usual process in a residential home is to remove the carpet from the floor and remove the padding. The next step is to remove the tack strip that holds the carpet down. Lastly, you’d add an air mover to dry the carpet.

Commercial buildings, however, you’d have wet carpet that is glued down to the floor which means, in most cases, there is no padding. This can be good and bad. The bad part? Getting the bottom of the carpet that is glued to the floor to dry.

Air movers are used to blow air onto the carpet to dry it. The problem is, the air mover only dries the surface of the carpet leaving the underside open to a new score of issues. The underside of the carpet can still be wet and if left that way, can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. If you didn’t know, mold growth in closed quarters, whether in your home or your business can cause health effects. After a few days of a wet carpet everyone will start to notice foul odors. Those odors are the growth of bacteria and mold.

Unless you have a moisture meter to determine if the carpet is wet underneath, you have to assume that the carpet is dry by feeling the surface of the carpet. As we have just learned, that could become a liability and opportunity for employees to complain and possibly bring legal action.

The Solution:

Drying underneath the carpet and preventing mold damage and bacteria growth. Remember that mold normally (but not always) takes 36 to 72 hours to start to grow. There are molds that grow faster, but this an average time period for most molds. If you work fast you have some time to prevent a serious issue. (Just an Fyi, any wet carpet areas more than 3x3 will need a IICRC certified professional to dry properly.)

The good news is, you can usually dry underneath the carpet without taking the carpet up, through osmosis! Drying the surface of the carpet will eventually "suck" the moisture from the bottom of the carpet to the top. By continuing to dry the carpet for about 3 days you will have successfully greatly lowered your chances of mold and bacteria growth underneath your carpet.

If you have a residential or commercial water damage, get the professionals at SERVPRO of South Madison County to come and assist in restoring your floors to their former glory!