Our Trained And Experienced Technicians Are Ready To Restore Your Farmington Home

4/10/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the reason that flooding affected our area, team SERVPRO can help. Our technicians can tackle both small and large scale damage.

Focus on Floor Tile Flood Damage Potential in Farmington

Flooding after seasonal storms in Farmington puts many residential structural components in harm's way. Floors in the flooded areas take a real beating. Sometimes floors and floor coverings survive the ordeal intact if efficient water removal, cleaning, and disinfection procedures occur promptly. Other times you might face the disruption and expense of a floor or subfloor tear-out and replacement, especially if the materials are particularly vulnerable to moisture or contamination levels are high.

Laminate Floor Products Nearly Always Require Replacement

Although cost-effective and easy to install, laminate flooring rarely makes it through flood damage in Farmington. The stone or wood-like grain is composed of photographic coverings layered over resins and fiberboard. Flood water saturates and then separates the layers. The surface rapidly distorts, creating hills and valleys. Demolition and replacement is the only solution.

Concrete Floors Hold Up Well

The concrete floors often found in flooded basements absorb water but usually do not crack or distort during structural drying strategies. Fluids might wick up, depositing a residue on the surface that wipes or brushes clean. SERVPRO crews are vigilant when clearing off concrete surfaces to avoid mold growth. We apply EPA-registered disinfectants and develop a method to dry a wet subfloor that contributes to the moisture rising to the concrete surface. Asphalt tile on concrete with flood damage usually maintains a firm bond, but vinyl tile might not fare as well. Separation of vinyl from the concrete signals the need for replacement.

Ceramic Tile Endurance Linked to Grout Integrity

If a ceramic tile installation is intact, including sealed grout throughout, SERVPRO crews can pump out or extract the water without migration of the fluids. Any cracks in the grout, however, permit water to soak into the subfloor. As the subfloor swells after the introduction of the moisture that porous surface can warp. Distortion of the subfloor can further crack the grout and cause tiles to come loose.

Subfloor Conditions Are the Key

Our crew uses sensitive detection devices to measure the moisture levels in the supporting subfloor surfaces. Failure to reduce excess subfloor water saturation exposes the various types of tiles to damage, breakage, or movement. If possible, SERVPRO attempts to dry out subfloors from below. If access is blocked or limited, strategic removal or lifting of tiles helps us direct warm, moving air to reduce the moisture content.

If the flooded spaces in your home pose floor tile damage challenges, SERVPRO of The Farmington Valley has trained and experienced technicians with the equipment to overcome the problems. Call (860) 675-4500 to start the process of evaluation and project planning.