Storm Surge Will Cause Flood Damage in Fort Lauderdale

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

When a storm hits home, call the professionals at SERVPRO. Our IICRC certified techs are ready for any size storm damage job.

Saltwater Complications Make Hiring SERVPRO Professionals For Fort Lauderdale Flood Restoration Smart

Rain and wind storms, ranging in severity, challenge homeowners year-round in Fort Lauderdale. Flood damage differs with each weather pattern. Some storms feature perfect conditions for storm surge creation, adding salty seawater to the mix invading your home.

What Causes Storm Surge in Fort Lauderdale?

The strong winds of tropical storms or hurricanes produce a vertical circulation of water deep into the ocean. As the storm edges closer to land, the comparative shallowness of the sea pushes the swirling water up and over the land. 

Is Saltwater More Destructive to Fort Lauderdale Residences Than Rainwater?

When a storm surge exacerbates the circumstances of flooding, SERVPRO crews adapt the water damage restoration plan. The brackish water infiltrating a flood-damaged home escalates the harm caused. Effects of saltwater flooding include:

• Corrosion and eventual weakening of concrete, stone, plaster, and brick

• Accelerated rusting of metal supports and fasteners

• Delignification of wood -- a breakdown of lignin, part of the wood cell structure 

• Significant increase in electric conductivity, raising electrocution, shock, and fire risks, as well as the destruction of home electronics

How Does SERVPRO Manage Increased Salinity During Water Clean Up?

As SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT) work through best practices protocol, they add steps to reduce salt residues:

• Monitoring power use even more carefully than usual 

• Using freshwater flushes before the pumping and extraction stages

• Containing and properly disposing of the brackish water according to local regulation

• Inspecting for salty residues when cleaning and adapting techniques when salinity is high 

Remediation of flood damage from rain and storm surge is a staple SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale South service. Give the experts a call at (954) 776-2000.