Saturday 25 May 2013

Damage Restoration Services Toolkit For Professional

By Arthur Albao


This primer on tools used for damage restoration services was created by the team at Dryfast Recovery Systems, LLC, which is located in Orlando, FL. The tools and equipment used are highly specialized, and must be handled by trained professionals who know what kind of work needs must be done to comply with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. A brief description of all the tools and their respective applications is provided below.

A common requirement is restoration after water damage. Another frequently required process is mold remediation. Decontamination of gathering spots and public places that may be schools, day care centers, hospitals and hotels are regular jobs too. Restorations to save assets that are still usable but damaged by soot may also be called for after a fire.

Toolkits used for dealing with these situations require tools that can detect, measure, extract and pump out all the water and excess moisture. A dehumidifier and air purifier is used to remove contaminants and cleanse the air. Protective gear is often needed when dealing with hazardous and unsanitary working conditions.

The exact kind of equipment required depends on many factors, including the structural integrity, category of the water, temperature, and the amount of time that has elapsed. For instance, "category 1" is water that came from a clean source and does not pose a hazard for humans if consumed. However, it gradually becomes contaminated as it mixes with soil and flooring elements.

"Category three" water starts off contaminated, and will be from sources such as sewage or flood waters from a river. It can cause illnesses or even death if consumed. To work in such conditions, protective gear including particulate filters, inspection gloves, respirators or breathable suits should be used.

The water, whether black or clean, has to be pumped out using a large heavy-duty pump with advanced features. It must have a filter system that can separate out solids and pump out only the filtered water. Air movers come in next, to be used for structural surface drying. The mover may be a centrifugal type or an axial one.

The decontamination process calls for use of chemical solutions. Again, these are highly specific chemicals used for solving a particular problem. There are different chemicals for mold control and for removing mold stains. A broad spectrum disinfectant is the best choice for a comprehensive cleaning of the entire premises. Natural cleaners or disinfectants are often used in heavily soiled environments.

A dehumidifier or portable air scrubber will be used for extreme drying. These instruments are capable of working under varied temperatures, and have a range of hi-tech features such as automatic pumps to dispose of water through hoses, and sensors for controlling defrost cycles. A lightweight wet/dry vacuum may be helpful for reaching into scaffolding and other such awkward places.

During all this, it is important to keep track of the moisture and air quality. This needs high-precision instruments. Some of the commonly used ones are thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, data loggers and particle counters. All of the aforementioned tools and instruments need to be handled with care by experienced professionals such as Dryfast Recovery Systems, LLC's damage restoration services team.




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