Flooding/Rising Water

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

A couple of inches of standing water in a flooded basement.

The mountains and rolling hills of Northeast Georgia are a sight to beyond! The hilly terrain also provides the benefit of being natural flood protection. Because the water must run down steep and rocky slopes, rainwater usually moves quickly and safely downstream.

The same is not true of other parts of our great country that have large flood plains and low-lying rivers. Compared to those areas we are somewhat sheltered from large scale flooding.

That said, we are not totally protected from flooding. Local creeks and rivers do on occasion flood.

With the high temperatures, sudden and intense thunderstorms do occur. These heavy rains can quickly stress and over-whelm residential and commercial drainage systems. The impact of water intruding into our homes and business can be very disruptive and costly.

Rising waters can be particularly challenging as they can bring mud, silt, and bacteria from unsanitary sources. Quick action must be taken to extract and clean all affected surfaces to prevent mold, mildew, and other possible health effects.

Quickly removing standing water is the first important step toward restoration. SERVPRO truck mounted and portable extraction machines can quickly pump out and remove the water. Extraction is 1200 times more effective than surface evaporation only.

Next is the removal of damaged materials that often hold a lot of moisture. Some examples of these would be carpet, pad, and drywall. Quick removal of these materials will also cut down on drying time and prevent mold.

Cleaning and disinfecting of all the affected surfaces with products approved by the EPA is recommended to remove any pollutants or contaminates that the ground water might have brought into your structure.

If you have experienced loss from rising water, contact SERVPRO of The Mountains for consultation on partial or total restoration services.