Can a Water Intrusion Impact Indoor Air Quality?

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

Can a Water Intrusion Impact Indoor Air Quality?

Is there a correlation between the air we breath inside our homes or workplace environments and a water intrusion?   This question has a layered answer that is dependent on how the water intrusion is handled.  

A water intrusion, for example, from a burst hot water tank in an apartment, home, or workplace that is properly mitigated will have no impact on the indoor air quality.   The key to this or any other water intrusion and its impact on the indoor air quality is totally based on how quickly the structure is dried and if it properly dried out according to IICRC S500 standards for structural drying.  A properly mitigated and dried structure not only addresses the visible water but addresses bound water that seeps behind wall boards, quarter round molding, water that seeps into drywall or walls, water trapped in studs and floor joists or water that that is trapped beneath vinyl, tile, laminate, or hardwood flooring.  When bound or trapped water is not properly mitigated, meaning dried properly, microbial, or fungal growth will occur, and the spores released from these microorganisms will have an affect on the indoor air quality.

A true professional water restoration company will use the proper moisture reading equipment to map out where the water intruded and take the necessary steps to dry the structure according the IICRC S500 standards.   Then, and only then can you be assured that the water intrusion will not lead to mold or microbial growth that will impact the indoor air quality.

SERVPRO of South Durham and Orange County provides 24/7 service for any water emergency.  Call us at 919-596-1242 if your home or office has a water intrusion.