Water Heater Hose Break Causes Major Flooding and Water Damage in Library

Here at Service Team of Professionals we have a huge range of projects come through our doors.  One of our most memorable was in a local library.

On this particular day we received a call around 9am describing that when the staff came in to open they found standing water across the entire floor of the Woodstock Library in Portland.  We had to move fast.  Practically before the call was over we had two Flood King water extractors loaded and two of our professional water damage specialists on their way.  When we got to this award winning-designed library, all the county staff had banded together to pull books off the lowest shelves.  It was soon determined that a water heater hose had broken the previous night and had continued to spill water all night long causing the flooding.  Thankfully, one of the library staff had found the water shut off valve when they arrived to work and put a stop to more water being pumped into the library.

After our equipment was set up we lifted every chair and put ever table up on blocks to prevent them from absorbing any more water.  We then joined in the efforts to get as many books out of harms way as possible, the humidity in the room alone was a huge risk for the over 2 million books in this library.  It took a full six hours to extract the majority of the water so we could move on to determine what kind of water damage had been done and move on to the next phase of clean up.  Once the standing water was extracted we moved on to setting up dozens of air movers and dehumidifiers.  We also drilled holes in the baseboards to reach water that had seeped through the walls and dry wiring conduits that extend through the floors.

It took nearly a week to dry out the library.  Our technicians monitored the levels of moisture in the air and materials regularly ensure proper drying progress.  Insulation and drywall had to be replaced where water had seeped up the walls, but the carpet was salvaged and the library opened for business to the relief of its loyal patrons.

…And in case you are wondering, no fines were charged for the time the library was closed.