What is a Flood Cut and When is It Required?

5/1/2021 (Permalink)

Restoration Professionals recommend flood cuts when water damage is classified as Cat2/grey water or Cat3/black water. www.SERVPROdanecountywest.com

What is a Flood Cut? 

A flood cut involves removing a minimum of at least 12 inches and sometimes up to four feet of drywall starting above where water damage ends. 

This procedure opens the structure to remove all contaminants and to be dried both internally and externally. Once the area is completely dried, we can repair the wall to its preloss condition.

Restoration Professionals recommend flood cuts when water damage is classified as Cat2/grey water or Cat3/black water. Category 3 water is grossly unsanitary and includes water from rivers, streams, storm surges, ground surface water, or water that has been stagnant for over 3 days. Category 2 water refers to water with contaminants, such as water from a dishwasher or washing machine. If Category 2 Water or Greywater is not promptly removed from the property or has remained stagnant for over three days, it becomes reclassified as Category 3 Water. Drywall cuts allow contaminants to be removed and ensure that a home or building is safe to return to.

What determines doing a flood cut?

1. Contaminated Water - When contaminated water invades your home from sewage, rising waters from rivers or streams, storm surges, or ground surface water typically contains biological contaminants such as bacteria and fungi that can cause severe sickness. This water is known as category 3/black water, the most severe category, and requires a flood cut. 
2. Wet Insulation - SERVPRO of Dane County West Professionals will perform a flood cut if insulation behind your walls has water damage. A flood cut allows us to remove the wet insulation materials. 
3. Mold - After flooding, mold can begin to grow behind interior walls and spread quickly. SERVPRO of Dane County West Professionals will perform a flood cut to check for mold and treat the area. Because mold does need sunlight to grow, it can spread from interior walls to other spaces quickly. A flood cut is the first step to mitigating the issue and restoring your home or business to preloss condition.

Have Water, Storm, Flood, Mold, or Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today (608) 497-3331

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