The Situation
Imagine coming home to find your house flooded and your belongings damaged. That is exactly what happened to this Nashville homeowner. While away from their home, a water supply line burst and filled the first floor with water. After a quick Google search, this homeowner called Tennessee Water and Fire for help. The homeowner decided to book a free inspection with our Mitigation Supervisor Darren Swindle.
The Inspection Process
Darren drove out to the property to meet with the homeowner and assess the situation. The water supply line burst in the kitchen and affected the entire first floor including the living room, pantry, laundry room, bathroom and hallway. Using a Moisture Meter and FLIR camera, Darren identified all materials affected by the flood. During the free inspection, Darren put together a scope that would include removing the affected material and drying the home so repairs can be made, bringing the home back to pre-loss conditions.
The Mitigation Process
Due to the severity of the damage, mitigation needed to begin quickly. The mitigation crew came into the property and began removing the laminate flooring that had been warped and the baseboards that were swollen from water. Once the flooring was removed, the crew began performing flood cuts along the drywall in the affected rooms. Since the home was built on a concrete slab, there was no subfloor that needed to be removed or dried.
Now that the affected materials have been removed, the drying process could begin. Dehumidifiers work by pulling the moist air in and cooling it so the water condenses and is able to be pumped into a drain. Air Movers were placed throughout the first floor to help speed the drying process up. Air Movers can help a dehumidifier work faster and more efficiently by circulating moist air off wet surfaces and into the air where the dehumidifier can remove the moisture.
Preventing Mold Growth
Air Scrubbers with HEPA filters were used to scrub the air from particles that could potentially be harmful such as mold spores and drywall dust. Mold spores can begin growing within 24–48 hours, which is why quick drying is critical in Middle Tennessee homes. It is important to do everything we can to prevent mold growth that can cause further damage to the home and potentially cause health issues with anyone living in the home. In addition to the Air Scrubber, an organic, plant-based anti microbial was sprayed along the areas that had gotten wet to kill any mold spores and prevent growth.
Now that the first floor of this Nashville home has been fully dried and treated to prevent mold, the repair process can begin.
Rebuilding Back to Pre-Loss Conditions
After mitigation was wrapped up, Tennessee Water and Fire Project Manager Doug Foncree was able to meet with the homeowner and put together a plan to rebuild the home back to pre-loss condition. Doug and the homeowner worked together to decide on new flooring, cabinets and paint. The drywall was repaired and a vapor barrier was installed on top of the concrete slab and new Snaplock Laminate flooring was laid down. After the new baseboards were installed and walls painted, the rooms were ready to be put back together. The kitchen was ready to have the new cabinets installed and appliances put back. The bathroom sink and toilet were reinstalled and the rebuild process was wrapped up after replacing any door that had swollen from water damage.
Feels Like Home Again
Now that this Nashville home has been fully rebuilt, the homeowner is able to enjoy the home that they worked so hard to make theirs. Anytime a home experiences water, mold or fire damage, Tennessee Water and Fire is ready to help. Based in East Nashville and locally owned by Sam Fox, Tennessee Water and Fire is prepared for the worst and ready to serve Nashville and surrounding communities any way we can.
Before and Afters
