Water Damage Restoration in Nashville TN

Water damage in a Nashville home or building occurs when water escapes from pipes, appliances, tanks, or reservoirs (places where it is supposed to be contained) and flows into spaces where it is not supposed to be.

Water damage occurs in a structure when:

• A flood fills the structure with water
• Appliances such as water heaters leak
• Toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, and sinks overflow
• Pipes burst
• Hurricanes and tropical storms bring flooding
• Sewage backs up and overflows into a building
• Sump pumps malfunction and water fills a basement
• Poor drainage around basement walls lets in water
• A roof leaks
• A foundation cracks and water seeps in

Nashville Contaminated Water Cleanup

Water that has filled a basement or is sitting at any level in a structure is categorized according to its level of purity or contamination.

Category 1 water is also called clean water or white water. This is the potable water flowing into the home. Category 1 water will be generated by an overflowing sink or bathtub, a leaking or broken faucet, or a broken water line that goes into a dishwasher or a washing machine. Category 1 water, or white water, is safe for people.

Category 2 water also called gray water. Category 2 water is used or wastewater that comes from draining sinks, bathtubs, showers, washing machines, and dishwashers. This gray water is contaminated meaning it is not clean or potable.

Category 3 water is also called black water; it is extremely unsanitary and is considered highly contaminated and a health hazard. Sewage is the main source of black water. Floodwaters also generate black water when there is a high potential for toxic substances such as fertilizer chemicals, animal feces, and ground debris to permeate it.

It is important to remember that Category 1 water, which is initially safe for humans, can become Category 2 gray water after sitting for 48 hours, and Category 2 water can become Category 3 black water after sitting for two or more days. Contaminated water cleanup should be done by professionals.

Water Removal in Nashville

What happens after the discovery of standing water in a house or a building? The important first step for any Nashville homeowner or building manager is to identify the source of the water and, when possible, to stop it. This usually means turning off the main water supply to the house or the structure. A plumber or the local water company will be able to turn it off if the homeowner cannot.

The next step to remove floodwater in Nashville is to call a professional—a water damage restoration company like BMS CAT. We will be able to assess the damage after gathering data such as how long water has been standing, how much of the home or building has been affected, and what the source of the water was. Our specialized tools measure the moisture content of surfaces such as walls, floors, baseboards, and ceilings. The readings, as well as standards set by an industry restoration institution, help us determine if drying equipment must be used.

Water Removal Methods

Next, water damage repair experts like BMS CAT will implement a systematic plan for water removal in the Nashville home or building. Utilizing industrial-grade shop vacs, water removal experts will suck up all water present in the house or building, room by room.

Drying is the next step to complete the water removal process. Air movers circulate drying air throughout the building; dehumidifiers are pressed into service. We locate hidden water by removing baseboards and drilling holes into walls. Various methods are employed to remove water.

Rooms are usually dried one by one. When one room is declared dry, our crew moves on to the next room.

Nashville Water Damage Repair

Water damage repair in Nashville homes and buildings is considered complete when all affected rooms have been completely contained and thoroughly dried. Regular moisture-content readings are taken to monitor progress before declaring a surface dry.

When the drying process is finished, the water damage repair is considered complete and the water damage restoration company calls the job done. If structural damage has occurred, that repair will be the province of a general contractor.

Just a Little Water Can Cause BIG Problems

Water damage can quickly spawn mold if not treated promptly and properly. Mold does best in humid, damp areas with high temperatures. Exposure to mold has been linked to serious health problems, and can greatly exacerbate underlying issues for individuals with asthma and allergies. As a commercial and residential restoration and mold remediation company, we are especially sensitive to these issues and have developed reliable methods to quickly and effectively address mold concerns.