No matter what the source of the water, extracting it property is one of the first steps of properly handling every water loss.  Believe it or not, there are several different options when it comes to how to remove unwanted water.

TEAR OUT: The title gives it away, remove everything not structural that is wet.  According to industry standards this is mandatory during category three water losses.  A category three loss can be due to several circumstances, but flood waters and severe septic back ups are the most common.  This technique is often used as a standard business model for companies that offer water extraction services.  Tear Out requires no special equipment, tools, or training so it is also the 'easiest' method.  Though sometimes appropriate, it is always the most expensive overall method.  Home owners and businesses are almost always displaced from the property until everything that was removed (carpet, pad, baseboards, drywall) is professionally replaced and repaired.

BOTTOM UP: Until the late 1990's Bottom Up drying was the industry standard, and is still standard during category two water losses (gray water - malfunctioning washing machine).  This method still remains popular with businesses that have invested heavily in truck mounted carpet cleaners, as the business can extract much of the surface water off the carpet with this machine. The practice consists of removing all the contents of the effected room, removal of the surface water, then pulling back the carpet and removing the carpet pad.  The advantage of this technique is that the carpet pad will hold the majority of the remaining water in a room and its removal allows for a quicker dry time.  The limitation of the Bottom Up method is that every effected room loses its use for the property owner.  For example, if the master bedroom is soaked due to a bathtub that overflowed, all of the furniture is removed for the duration of the dry time.  In addition all of the furniture must be relocated to an available area, often a garage or living room.  When the drying is over the carpet pad is replaced and the carpet is restricted.  People with sensitivities to high levels of dust and other related health problems should avoid this technique due to the fact that fans are often placed under the carpet during the drying process, forcing settled dust from the carpet back into the air.

TOP DOWN:  Introduced in the late 1990's, Top Down drying is made possible by the development of specialized, industry specific, tools and equipment. This method can only be used during category one water losses (clean water), and even then there can other limiting factors. This technique leaves the carpet and carpet pad in place.  A weighted water extractor is used to squeeze the water not just from the carpet, but also from the carpet pad.  When used properly, Top Down water extraction removes all standing water and 80 - 90% of the water from the carpet and carpet pad.  This number continues to rise as the technology improves.  Despite leaving the carpet and carpet pad in place Top Down water extraction yields similar drying times as the Bottom Up method.  The main advantage of Top Down water extraction is that the never has to lose the use of the room.  Furniture can be left in the room, normally elevated off the ground with Styrofoam pads.  The only limitation placed on the room is due to personal preference, since the actual drying period is often noisy and can elevate room temperatures. Top Down water extraction is also the least expensive technique as it requires less labor (furniture stays in the room) and professional installation of new carpet pad is avoided.

Each of the above water extraction techniques is appropriate to use in different circumstances.  It is important to determine what method a restoration company will be using for each specific loss, as each technique is not always appropriate.  If you have a category one water loss the most appropriate method is Top Down, if you have a category three loss the Tear Out method is almost guaranteed.

PurocleanPR is ready to take care of all your needs, please give us a call 24/7 at (866) 9FLOOD9 . There is never a charge to talk to us or for us to make the original site visit, so there is no financial risk to you.