When performing demolition after a water loss, the goal is to remove damaged materials without making the problem worse. Many technicians run into problems when they cause further damage to unaffected materials or spread contamination during demolition.

Worse still is when a technician does demolition on asbestos or lead-containing materials. Starting in April of 2010, an assessment for the presence of lead paint will be required before any drywall demolition is done. Also, any building built before 1978 may have asbestos containing materials. Simply “tearing it all out” without a second thought is a thing of the past.

When performing demolition in water losses, personal protective equipment (PPE) is always necessary. In clean water losses, gloves may be the only PPE necessary. When dealing with contaminated water such as sewage, PPE must protect all routes of entry into the body. This would include gloves, goggles, respirator and a protective suit. Some situations may even require more PPE than this.

During demolition, it is a good idea to set up some type of temporary containment while removing the wet materials. This could be as simple as closing a door or as complex as using painter’s poles and plastic to erect a semi-permanent barrier.

Also, use air filtration devices during demolition to capture particles that are released. These units can be set to neutral or negative pressure, but either way will reduce the dust and debris left behind by technicians. Finally, contain the trash from demolition in sturdy plastic bags. In cases of severe contamination, further procedures should be followed. If you are unsure of the liability that you are taking on in a contaminated loss, STOP NOW and get professional help!

Drying it Out

Much of this article has been dedicated to performing demolition properly, but keep in mind the goal of the drying process: To save as many wet items as possible. If an item isn’t contaminated or damaged, it’s probably worth drying.

Drying wet materials instead of removing them saves your customers time and money. Commercial customers are more concerned about the loss of use of an area, instead of the cost of drying. Demolition and re-construction is almost always slower than drying.

In most cases, drying wet materials is a straightforward procedure. Blow air across wet surfaces and capture moisture from the air. Use airmovers to blow across the wet surfaces, and dehumidifiers to capture the moisture out of the air.

In an average water loss, one airmover is needed for about every 50 square feet. The airmovers would be directed across the wet surfaces to promote drying. It’s easy to know if the airmover is set up right: simply place a hand on the wet surface and feel for the airflow. If you can’t feel the airflow, adjust the blower or add more blowers until all wet areas get airflow.

Fewer dehumidifiers are needed in the wet areas than airmovers, but their purpose is just as important. Airmovers remove moisture from the surfaces of materials; dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air. The scope of this article doesn’t allow for a full discussion of how to exactly determine the number of dehumidifiers needed. A good rule of thumb, however, is to place one dehumidifier per average size room.

Is it Dry?

The most important question on any water restoration project is, “Is it Dry?” Moisture meters are the best way to determine if affected materials are dry. There are many meters available, and all are more accurate than simply touching a material with your hand.

Write down meter readings on a daily basis to prove that the materials were drying each day. Also, write down what the meter reading was on similar unaffected materials in the same structure. This comparison between affected and unaffected materials allows you to prove that materials are dry.

Want to Know More?

This article has touched on many of the basic concepts in water restoration. If this has given you a desire for more information, there are many resources. The Restoration Sciences Academy (www.rsa-hq.com) provides materials and courses in water, fire, and mold restoration. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (www.iicrc.org) writes industry standards for procedures and processes in water restoration and can provide referrals to certified professionals in the various types of restoration when needed.

There is a great deal of liability in water restoration, and each company should evaluate its position in each situation. Water restoration is an area that can be profitable, but has many pitfalls as well. Get further training so you can serve your customers well. ❑ Kevin Fisher is education program manager for RSA. He is an approved IICRC instructor in the categories of Applied Structural Drying (ASD) and Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and co-author of The New Guide to Restorative Drying and many other industry publications. He is a certified Master Water Restorer and a Water Loss Specialist. He holds a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee Technological University, and spent nine years teaching science at the secondary and college level before joining the restoration industry.

Reduce Long-Term Risks from Water Loss

During water loss cleanup, indoor air quality may appear to be the least of your problems. However, the EPA says, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks.

Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

Standing water can also be a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and be inhaled. Where floodwater contains sewage or decaying animal carcasses, infectious disease is of concern.

Even when flooding is due to rainwater, the growth of microorganisms can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. For these health reasons, and to lessen structural damage, all standing water should be removed as quickly as possible. In cases involving potentially contaminated water sources, treating materials with EPA-registered antimicrobials is advisable.

Dry Out Your Building

Excess moisture is an indoor air quality concern for three reasons:
• Microorganisms brought into the space during flooding may present a health hazard. These organisms can penetrate deep into soaked, porous materials and later be released into air or water. Coming in contact with air or water that contains these organisms can make you sick;
• High humidity and moist materials provide ideal environments for the excessive growth of microorganisms that are always present. This may result in additional health concerns such as allergic reactions;
• Long-term increases in humidity can also foster the growth of dust mites, a major cause of allergic reactions and asthma.