Water Mitigation: When To Make The Call

What is Water Mitigation? 

Water damage tends to occur when we least expect it and not always in expected ways. Water damage mitigation is the process of reducing or preventing the amount of water damage that happens after a flood or a large leak such as a burst pipe. 

Soaked carpet, damaged walls, and ruined furniture are only the beginning if mitigation is not engaged quickly.

Specific steps are taken to reduce property destruction, to prevent further water damage and to restore your property to its full value. 

When to Call For Water Mitigation

Water moves quickly through a home. Damage is more likely to become permanent the longer you wait to take action- especially if emergency response is delayed beyond the first 48 hours.

Water damage is usually caused by a plumbing failure. When moisture seeps into anything of value there are immediate steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of long-term damage that results.

Steps to take as soon as you detect flood damage:

• Remain calm so your thinking stays clear
• Call us at 831-444-0811
• Close the water main or shut off any water source so flooding stops
• Shut down the electrical breaker in damaged areas before unplugging or removing any electrical devices from the wet carpet or submerged areas.
• Put aluminum foil under legs or feet of any furniture in contact with wet carpet or water to prevent permanent staining
• Lift any curtains or draperies away from wet carpet or water
• Lift and tack up any upholstered furniture skirts
• Remove books, papers, fabrics, shoes, potted plants or other items that are able to stain wet carpet

Avoid doing these things:

• Use your home vacuum – electrical shock can result, as well as damage to the equipment
• Place newspaper in traffic areas to walk on – newspaper ink transfers easily to wet carpet fibers which results in permanent staining
• Walk on carpet any more than necessary – this keeps damage from spreading to unaffected areas

Important to Note

Shop vacuums or companies with only carpet drying equipment cannot prevent water from wicking up walls, under baseboards and molding or into sill plates. Water will penetrate through floor coverings into sub floors, eventually causing damage to rooms below.

Also, if internal building humidity is not controlled, undamaged objects safe from the original flood damage could be ruined as a result of absorbing moisture from the air. Structures not dried out quickly enough or properly will become a food source for mold, later causing a need for even more professional mold removal services.

How To Treat Fresh Carpet Stains

3 Quick Do-it-Yourself Spot Removal Tips

1.      Use a Wet Vacuum to remove as much of the liquid and soil as possible. A wet vacuum will pull up the soil up instead of pressing it down into the backing of your carpet.

2.      After you remove the soil, treat the spot with a quality spot cleaner and gently wipe with a damp towel.

3.      If the spot remains, treat it again and pour a glass of water on the area to rinse. Extract the water with the wet vacuum.

A small wet vacuum is more effective
 for removing spills than towels

              

                   Pre-test Instructions

                   Pre-test by applying the spot treatment 

                   to an inconspicuous area. Gently agitate the 

                   tested area with a white cloth. If bleeding 

                   or shrinkage occurs, do not continue.

Most Spots: Use a spot remover (avoid high residue spotters like Resolve) and follow the directions above.

Grease or Oils: For greasy spots, apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth and gently dab the spot. Never pour it directly on your carpet.

Wax: Melt the wax onto a paper bag with a steam iron. Place the paper bag over the wax. Do not allow the iron to directly touch the carpet.

Disclaimer: Use the techniques in this brochure at your own risk. If you feel unsure about removing the stain, call us right away at 831-444-0811 to prevent damage. 

How Monterey Bay Solutions Can Help You Sell or Rent Your Property FAST

In Order to Sell a Home FAST:

1.      The floor HAS to be clean. The floor will make the first impression inside the home.

2.     The odor HAS to be pleasant. There is no excuse for pet odors, musty odors, and smoke odors.

Your property will look great after a thorough floor cleaning from MBS, at a fraction of the cost of replacement. If the floor looks good, your property will sell quickly. We can turn your trashed floor from ugly to beautiful.

What Types of Spots are Usually Removable?

·         Grease and Oils               ·         Coke and Soda        
·         Juice (except red juices)  ·         Food                       
·         Rust                                 ·         Make-up

·         Coffee or Tea

There are many variables in whether or not a stain can be removed (such as how long the stain has been in the carpet). But 90% of the time a dark colored, brown or black spot is removable with our system. More stubborn stains like paint, bleach, red dyes, and furniture stain may be permanent. However, our trained technicians have the ability to perform dye removal or spot dyeing on some of these stains.

Pet Odors and Stains Eliminated

We perform one of three professional procedures for combating pet odor:

1.     Enzymes and topical deodorizers are used for minor odor problems and stains

2.     The water claw sub surface extractor that actually pulls urine from the padding of carpet.

3.     Replacing the padding, treating the carpet face, the floor underneath.

                  Water Claw Procedure

   Pet Accident               Saturate with              Extract with                 Clean carpet!
                                      dedorization               sub-surface              
                                      solution                       extraction

  

      

Call us for a free estimate at 831-444-0811 and let us help you rent or sell a home FAST.