UTICA,
NY, JAN. 2006 — During Central New York’s cold spell
in November of 2005, heat in this 3,000-square-foot Utica home
broke, resulting in frozen and broken pipes throughout. Several
days later, the pipes thawed and the water began to run from the
second floor, left unchecked for nearly two months.
While fully
furnished, nobody was living in the home at the time and, because
the water ran for so long, the home had substantially deteriorated.
Upon discovering the damage, the trust company who manages the
property called Stanley Steemer Restoration, who arrived at the
property within two hours of the call.
The first
step was to remove all of the destroyed plaster walls and ceilings
and the destroyed carpeting and pads. Thick ice had also built
up between the walls in some sections. Because the damage was
so extensive, nearly three tons of debris was removed from the
home.
Next, to heat
and dry the structure at the same time, a 2,000 cfm desiccant
dehumidifier was installed, which pumped 75 degree air at 2% relative
humidity through the structure at the rate of 2,000-cubic-feet
of air per minute.
The home also
had hardwood floors throughout, and because they had been flushed
with water for two months, they were severely cupped. Injectidry
Vac-It Panels were installed on the top of the floors which creates
a vacuum seal and pulls the moisture up through the seams. This
was coupled with an AirWolf system used to inject air flow underneath
the floor.
All of the
hardwoods throughout the home were saved, with only refinishing
needed. Additionally, we restored a curved wooden staircase saving
thousands of dollars.
In addition
to the desiccant, three low grain dehumidifiers and 20 airmovers
were installed. The home was ready for reconstruction in six days,
despite following two months of devastation.
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