Water Extraction versus Evaporation

2/21/2018 (Permalink)

Weighted extraction "Ride On"

There are two ways that excess water can be removed from your property after a water damage loss, Extraction and Evaporation.  A much larger volume of water can be removed by extraction in a much shorter period of time. 

It is a pretty simply process to test, pour a few ounces of water on the counter top in two different areas.  Set up a fan blowing across one area to utilize air movement to speed up evaporation.  Use a sponge or dry cloth on the other area.  Needless to say, this will prove the point.  The same is true during a water damage loss to your home or business.

At SERVPRO of Black Hawk County we utilize both methods to get your property dried up as quickly as possible.

For extraction, we use several pieces of equipment including hard floor wands and carpet extraction machines, including this "ride on" weighted model pictured.  Strong suction and downward pressure allows us to get water out of carpet and pad. This process is the most effective on free or surface water.

Once the water has been soaked into other materials such as, hardwood floors, drywall or wood, extraction becomes less effective and we concentrate on evaporation.

Evaporation uses a combination of air movement, dehumidification and sometimes heat to remove water that is bound or soaked into hard to dry materials.

Whether you have excessive surface water immediately after a storm or other water event or you have water that has become bound in building materials, SERVPRO of Black Hawk County has the tools and knowledge to make it "Like it never even happened."  

Content and picture provided by SERVPRO of Dubuque, 2017.