How Can I Stop my Atlantic City Loft From Leaking?

6/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help you save your Atlantic City loft after a water damage, call us today.

SERVPRO Can Perform Acute Water Restoration in your Atlantic City Loft and Mitigate Further Damages

How Bad is Water Intrusion in a Loft?

Any water intrusion is terrible news for residents of Atlantic City. When water enters a dry indoor environment, the lack of ventilation can lead to pooling or moisture buildup. In a loft space, limited ventilation is combined with rising hot air, which can increase humidity and mold growth. When moisture is apparent in areas of the home that are not in regular use, it can build up slowly, leading to long-term water exposure losses. These losses can impact rafters, insulation as well as the structural security of your roof. To avoid extensive scale repair, act quickly against water intrusion by using a professional restorer. 

Do water intrusion damage heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems?

It is not uncommon for loft spaces to house your HVAC system. We include HVAC inspection within our water restoration services for Atlantic City residents. Your air-conditioning system draws air through a supply-side vent before redistributing it via ducts into different rooms of the house. If there is a water issue that causes odor or microbial growth, these contaminants can enter the system, mold buildup on inner duct walls, and spread mold spores or odor. If you notice unpleasant smells emanating from your HVAC, it is vital that you shut off the system altogether to prevent lasting damages.

How do you restore an HVAC system?

- Remove the return side grate and replace with a clean filter

- Use a circular drill to cut a hole in the duct

- Apply negative air pressure through the HVAC to draw out dust, mold or soiling

- Reseal the duct and replace the supply side ducts

Do restorers repair HVAC?

Water restoration technicians are capable of performing an HVAC system inspection as well as temporary disassembly of the unit to gain further access. However, the repair of any complex mechanical parts usually requires an HVAC specialist. We work with qualified repair specialists and can organize a call out on your behalf. Our restorer can remove any residual soiling from the ducts and vents to allow a specialist repairer to work in a safe and sanitary environment. 

What are the challenges of drying a loft space?

Loft spaces can be time-consuming to restore due to their limited access. Some pieces of equipment may be too large to bring into the attic itself, meaning our technicians may have to adapt the material using ducts and flex hose. While these adaptations are useful, they can reduce the efficiency of special drying equipment. Smaller portable dehumidifiers can be placed directly into a wet environment, although they are less efficient than water extraction or pumping pieces of equipment. SERVPRO technicians have experience working in smaller spaces like attics and crawl spaces, so we are capable of tailoring our expertise to the specific conditions of your water emergency.

How do I assess loft space water migration?

- Probe the upper layers of insulation using a moisture meter to determine the water content and migration

- If there is shallow dampness, remove the top layers of padding or place a dehumidifier directly against

- If there are high amounts of moisture remove the padding altogether and place in a sealed waste disposal bag

- Clean and dry the area beneath the affected insulation before replacing

How long does it take to dry out a loft?

Industry standards can vary depending on the space that we are drying. The standard timing for drying out a structure is three to five days. However, due to access restrictions for conventional restoration equipment, it may take longer to dry an attic space. Often, wood rafters are not treated with varnish or finish to protect them from water absorption. This can lead to rafters taking on large amounts of water into the grains of the wood. The procedure for drying relies on using desiccant dehumidifiers to draw moisture from the forest, and SERVPRO technicians may need to return regularly to assess the effectiveness of our drying method.

How can I prevent mold from impacting a wet loft?

Mold spores thrive in warm, humid environments. It can be tough to prevent mold growth in smaller spaces. However, we can prevent mold from growing at a rapid rate by carefully conducting and measuring the drying process. Technicians can use a mister to disperse antimicrobial chemicals into space and to avoid mold spores from building up in stages during restoration. We recommend that you inspect your loft space every few months for signs of water or mold damage.

If your loft is leaking, you need restoration specialists to limit the potential damages. Contact SERVPRO of Atlantic City / Hamilton / Hammonton at (609) 965-0885.