When is a Flood Cut Needed?

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

When your home in Pismo Beach/Arroyo Grande has water damage, the cleanup process is typically fairly easy. If the damage was caused by flooding, it unfortunately brings a few extra woes. As opposed to a pipe leak with clean water, flood waters can easily pick up extra bacteria and contaminants along its path.

Purpose of a Flood Cut

Since water wicks its way up, the visible damage seen at a few inches could actually have traveled a few feet up a wall. A flood cut allows for the assessment of damage further up the wall. Typically 12 to 18 inches above the visible damage, this cut can help determine how far the water has moved up as well as any other damage.

Are Flood Cuts Always Necessary?

Most professional mediation experts try to tear out as little drywall as possible. For clean water leaks, only the visibly damaged area may need to be removed to prevent further moisture damage. Unfortunately, flood waters require extra care, which will likely mean a flood cut for three main reasons:

After flooding, there is a good chance of contamination. Sewage, chemicals and other bacteria can easily picked up in the flowing waters.
The excess water that has likely worked its way up the walls can create a welcoming environment for mold growth. Even though it may not be visible, the moisture and organic materials in drywall and other materials create the nourishment the fungus needs to flourish.
Behind the drywall in many homes is insulation, which can’t be properly dried. If left as is, it will no longer provide its designated insulated properties.

If your home is damaged by flooding, the best bet is to use a flood cut. This will help you determine how much of the material needs to be removed, as well as will help the area dry out better. Luckily, helps is available that is faster to any size disaster to resolve the residual flood issues.