Emergency Response for Water Damage

The longer you wait to respond to water damage in your home, the more severe the damage will become. In the first 24 hours, the water has penetrated the porous materials of your home, caused wood flooring to swell, and begun the mold growth process. By the end of the second 24 hours, the mold growth will be apparent, and the structural damage will increase greatly.

Bastos Construction offers 24/7 emergency response services to help with water damage emergencies in the Greater Boston area. Once you call us, we will send a technician to your location immediately to assess the damage and start mitigation procedures. The sooner we arrive at your location, the less likely it is that you will suffer from secondary damage that will cost much more money to repair.

The initial assessment identifies the cause of the water damage, the classification of the water (clean, gray, or black water), and the scope of the damage. The information obtained from this assessment will guide our restoration plan and ensure that all safety protocols are in place throughout the duration of the project.

Water Extraction and Removal

It is essential to remove the standing water from your property as soon as possible to prevent it from being absorbed by the building materials in your home. Our heavy-duty water extraction equipment will allow us to remove large quantities of water in a short period of time. Our truck mounted extraction unit provides superior suction power compared to smaller portable units used by less experienced contractors.

Carpet and underlayment can retain a lot of water, even though it appears to have dried on the surface. Specialized extraction methods are required to remove water from carpet fibers and the underlying pad material. There are certain situations where it will be necessary to remove the pad to prevent mold growth and odors.

Hidden water damage is the most damaging type of water damage to your property. Water can travel through wall cavities, under flooring, and into ceiling spaces, where visual inspection cannot detect it. Moisture testing devices and thermal imaging cameras can help locate hidden moisture pockets that require attention.

Structural Drying and Dehumidification

Structural drying is a critical step to preventing mold growth and structural damage to your home. Industrial dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, and air movers speed up the evaporation of moisture from wet materials. Strategically placed equipment will maximize the drying efficiency of all affected areas.

Each building material dries at a different rate. Drywall may require drying mats to prevent moisture buildup, whereas plaster walls in Somerville’s triple decker homes require different techniques than newer construction’s drywall. Our technicians check moisture levels every day to monitor drying progress and make any necessary adjustments to equipment.

Wall cavities and sub floors that contain hidden moisture require specific drying techniques. As mentioned earlier, moisture that remains in walls and sub floors creates an ideal environment for mold growth. Our team utilizes moisture mapping to determine when drying is complete prior to starting restoration work.

Restoration and Repair Work

Restoration work restores your home to its pre-loss condition once the drying process is completed. Small restoration projects include repairing drywall, painting walls, and replacing carpet. Larger restoration projects include structural repairs, replacement of flooring systems, and reconstruction of entire rooms.

Mold remediation is necessary when water damage goes unaddressed for an extended period of time. Our certified technicians follow industry guidelines to safely remove mold and prevent future mold growth in areas previously affected.

Insurance company coordination makes the claim process much easier. We document damage extensively, create detailed estimates, and communicate directly with the adjuster to reduce the stress you feel during a difficult time.