Water Damaged School Returns to Safe and Dry Condition with Professional Help from SERVPRO of Arlington / Jacksonville East

No water damage should wait, but when SERVPRO got the call from a local school about widespread water incursion, our commercial crews responded with particular urgency. Even temporary closure of a school building complicates matters for many in Arlington, and water damage can pose lingering hazards for our youngest community members if left unaddressed. 

Did SERVPRO Pass the Rapid Water Removal and Structural Drying Tests?

Our SERVPRO team prepared well for the challenge. Promptly after the call for help, a fleet of fully loaded service trucks rolled to the school site, accompanied by highly-trained and experienced managers and technicians to assess the extent of the crisis. After evaluation for safety concerns, SERVPRO crews began emergency services. Water damage proceeds rapidly, requiring immediate action preventing progressive deterioration and secondary damage such as black mold growth that can cause health effects. 

Should All Wet Areas and Damaged Materials Receive Water Removal Services Simultaneously?

As the camera records the scenario at the Arlington school, it becomes increasingly clear that nearly every room, hallway, and storage space suffered some degree of water damage. Because the potential for irreparable harm increases the longer water stands and moisture goes unabated, best practices recommend that mitigation efforts commence immediately. Consequently, SERVPRO scaled up the quantities of equipment so that all affected materials received water damage mitigation and remediation services contemporaneously. We utilized high-efficiency water removal options and positioned drying enhancement tools strategically to speed drying:

- Truck-mounted extraction, with careful passes of commercial extractors suctioning the water from both concrete and wood floors by IICRC-certified operators

- Low-profile air movers to direct warm airflow more precisely.

- Axial fans to moderate overall humidity levels to accelerate evaporation

- Commercial-sized dehumidifiers to capture and contain water vapor

Is It Critical to Move Out Furnishings and Supplies During Water Cleanup and Structural Drying?

When viewing the video, it might seem surprising that tables, desks, stools, chairs, and storage centers remained in the school while SERVPRO completed the water clean-up. Because swift action was critical to bring moisture levels back to normal, a comprehensive pack-out did not occur. Fortunately, few items remained on the floors, stored instead on the many flat surfaces available. The open-legged features of most of the tables and desks permitted effective water removal. 

Why Was Controlled Demolition Necessary?

Trapped water behind structural components is often a challenge for SERVPRO crews. The Arlington school disaster was no exception. We chose planned demolition strategies to expose the water and allow better airflow during drying. Some of the tactics used include:

- Removing baseboards to improve ventilation and drying outcomes

- Flood or water cuts opened wet cavities to release pooled water and speed up material moisture reduction. 

Who Takes Over to Complete Repairs and Rebuilding?

SERVPRO of Arlington / Jacksonville East streamlines the agenda by providing needed repairs and rebuilding. Avoiding vetting and hiring another contractor to finish the job minimizes disruption while saving time and money. Trust that SERVPRO commits to be with each customer every step of the way -- one company and one phone call. We make it “Like it never even happened,” whether one or hundreds of rooms and spaces were affected.