Water damage restoration is an emergency business. That's why ServiceMaster by Cox in the Bullhead City, Kingman and Mohave County areas is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our quick response reduces your suffering and saves money. Water damage claims increase substantially if prompt action is not taken to contain the damage.

In flooding, water typically spreads out and flows throughout the path of least resistance, especially towards substructures and lower floors.  Porous materials such as wood, cabinets, drywall, carpet, and other building materials, will soak up the water, which will wick upward.  The resulting effects can include discoloration, swelling, broken adhesive bonds, delamination (flooring separation), and with no action, mold.  The more time that elapses without treatment, the more severe the damage. 

1. Initial Inspection and assessment:  By utilizing state of the art meters (including thermal imaging cameras), our trained technicians perform a walk through of your property in order to assess where the water traveled. 
   
   Just because materials appear to be dry doesn’t mean they aren’t hiding moisture.
   
    
   
   
2. Water removal and demolition:  Extraction removes water 1,200 times faster than dehumidification. A typical truck-mounted extractor will pull about 25 gallons of water a minute, while your best dehumidifier will pull about 30 gallons a day. That's a huge difference. For every drop of water that you leave behind during extraction, you will spend 1,200 times longer trying to evaporate it from the carpet and pad than you would extracting it. Technicians will extract all standing water from carpet, tile, and other flooring along with water trapped under cabinets and hidden in other areas. Our goal is to save and dry as much material as possible. Some materials must be removed in order to save more important items. Typically baseboards are removed from damaged walls in order to carry dry air into a wall cavity, toe kicks (the bottom part of a cabinet) are removed to dry cabinets and drywall behind cabinets.
   
   

   • Carpet Drying  One of the biggest problems with water disasters is its effect on carpet and floors. ServiceMaster by Cox in the Bullhead City, Kingman and Mohave County areas understands these issues and provides fast, on-site carpet and wood floor drying.  Here's what your ServiceMaster technician considers when drying carpet:
     
     
     • Age and condition of carpet.   If a carpet is so old that it is a better value to replace than attempt restoration, we’ll let you know what makes the best financial sense. ServiceMaster by Cox in the Bullhead City, Kingman and Mohave County areas uses industry resources to help determine the exact value of carpet.  More often than not the carpet is left in place for your insurance adjuster to view.
       
       
     • Length of time carpet was exposed to water. Most carpets can withstand water for up to three days, but immediate response to your loss is critical. In most cases ServiceMaster by Cox  in the Bullhead City, Kingman and Mohave County areas can be at your site within 90 minutes to 2 hours or sooner.
       
       
     • Type of water. Types of water affect the restoration process.
       
       
       • Clean water: Water from a clean source with no debris.
       • Grey water: Water that is not necessarily clean but is not hazardous (washing machine and dishwasher overflow, for example).
       • Black water: Sewage backup or runoff water. These losses are hazardous and should be handled with caution.  For more information on handling a sewer loss please see our Sewer Damage section.
         
         
     • Water temperature. The temperature of the water is important to consider. For example, a hot water heater with very warm water will affect the glue used to hold carpet fibers together.
       
       
3. Drying Equipment:   Air movers (commonly referred to as fans or carpet dryers) are strategically placed to evaporate moisture.  Dehumidifiers are installed to remove moisture from the air.  Humid air is processed and reintroduced to the environment as hot dry air.  Warmer air has the ability to hold more moisture and assists in expediting the drying process.  Drying equipment is typically on site for three to four days.
   
   
4. Monitoring: We stop by daily to insure that your property is drying as rapidly and efficiently as possible. Moisture and humidity readings are taken daily and equipment is added, removed, and rearranged as needed.
   
   A water damage contractor must have knowledge about the “science of drying”, which is likewise called psychometry. Technicians take baseline readings referred to as a “dry standard”. Your home is not considered dry until all materials measure the same amount of moisture as the “dry standard”. We use state of the art moisture detection equipment such as the Delmhorst BD2100 and the Extech i5 thermal imaging camera.

What to do if you have water damage

• Immediately determine where the water is coming from and secure the broken part.  Turn off your main water valve if you cannot determine what is leaking.  The main water valve is usually located near the street.
• Save the broken or damaged part for your insurance company.
• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
• Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
• Move photos, paintings, art objects and firearms to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
• If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if available.
• We take photos of your loss from start to finish.  But taking photos of your property and belongings for your own records is highly recommended.

Important warnings on water damage

Do NOT wait to call for professional help.

Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.

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