By Denise Thomas, Ready 2 Respond Assessor
When facilities flood, without a comprehensive response plan, teams often panic and make these common mistakes:
- Using shop vacs or carpet machines to remove water
- Delaying remediation, typically over a weekend or holiday
- Employing only surface-level drying methods, such as placing fans and/or dehumidifiers, without first removing water from carpet and flooring materials
Because shop vacs have limited capacity and require frequent emptying, they are extremely inefficient for flood water extraction. They are also not powerful enough to thoroughly remove water from carpets. And they also should not be used for removal of contaminated water, which is common during many types of water intrusions.
Only a heavy-duty, purpose-built flood extractor will properly remove both standing water and water that has been absorbed into carpets and pads. Some flood extractors also include filters for removing fibers and trash (and preventing sink clogs), HEPA filters to ensure healthy air quality, and options for removing large quantities of water fast with an external pump system. Using a flood extractor intended for the job is the only way to guarantee complete water extraction upfront.
Incomplete or delayed extraction creates a prime environment for mold or mildew to take hold and grow rapidly. When mold becomes present, it can create a range of health risks for occupants, such as triggered allergies, asthma attacks, and irritation to skin, eyes, and lungs. Lingering moisture can also cause further structural damage to building materials over time, leading to increased repair costs.
Once thorough extraction is complete, the rest of the moisture removal process can proceed far more efficiently.
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