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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Secondary Damage vs. Primary Damage

The 2 most common ways to describe damage that has occurred during a water damage incident are Primary damage and Secondary damage.  These types of damage can come at any time of year.  Lets examine the two words and define them.

1.  Primary Damage;  a phrase that is used to describe the result after moisture establishing contact with material that permanently compromise the materials.  These materials are common to indoor environments, such as wood, drywall, carpet, personal contents, fabric, etc.

2.  Secondary Damage; a phrase used to describe the negative affects on materials from prolonged exposure to moisture in an indoor environment.   Secondary damage is most likely to occur in hygroscopic materials when the humidity nears 60% and is maintained for any period of time.  Some examples of hygroscopic material include but are not limited to the following; wood, natural fibers, yarns, fabric, paper, drywall, ceiling tiles, cellulosic insulation, etc.  Some building materials will be permanently distorted or compromised due to the negative effects of secondary damage, resulting in a greatly expanding scope of damage and a negative impact on the pocket book of the one who is stuck paying the bill.  Not only does this include physical distortion of building materials, but add the the microbial growth potential to the equation.

As stated in previous posts, response time is critical.  Along with speed is the need to be accurate.  We equip ourselves with the latest technological advanced in moisture detection equipment so as to see it all.  We simply can not miss a wet spot, that is crucial to a quick dry, a healthy dry.

We constantly find mold growth in buildings that were not properly dried following a water intrusion.  The spring time subjects us to heat influxes between the day and night.  Also we are faced with many different potential water damage sources.  Be it ground water, rain, snow, hail, river, etc.  water wants into your dry structure at all costs.  If you are faced with this situation, act now.

If you suspect that you are the victim of water damage, Call Damage Control today @ 406-274-4168 for an immediate response...  In this case speed kills, kills bacteria and spores that is..