Water Damage
Case Studies

The Situation

A supply line behind a finished basement wall burst while the homeowners were at work. By the time they returned home, 3 inches of standing water covered 900 sq ft of finished basement including carpet, drywall, and personal belongings.

The Challenge

The water had been sitting for approximately 6 hours before discovery, pushing the damage from Category 1 (clean water) toward Category 2 (gray water) due to contact with building materials. Carpet padding was fully saturated and the drywall had wicked moisture 18 inches up the wall.

Our Process

• 1Emergency extraction of standing water using truck-mounted extraction unit
• 2Thermal imaging scan revealed moisture behind drywall in 3 wall cavities
• 3Carpet and padding removed — padding non-salvageable after 6+ hour saturation
• 418 air movers and 3 commercial dehumidifiers deployed
• 5Daily moisture readings documented for insurance adjuster
• 6Antimicrobial treatment applied to subfloor and wall framing
• 7Drywall cut to 2 feet above moisture line for proper drying

The Situation

A main sewer line blockage caused sewage to back up through a floor drain into the crawlspace of a 1970s ranch home. The homeowner noticed the odor and called immediately. Approximately 40 gallons of Category 3 (black water) contaminated the crawlspace.

The Challenge

Category 3 sewage water requires full personal protective equipment, containment, and certified biohazard cleanup procedures. The crawlspace had vapor barrier damage and the insulation between the floor joists had absorbed contaminated water. The home had a forced-air HVAC system with ductwork running through the crawlspace, raising concerns about contamination spreading through the air system.

Our Process

• 1Full PPE and containment established before entry
• 2Contaminated water extracted and disposed of per EPA guidelines
• 3Damaged vapor barrier removed and disposed of as biohazard waste
• 4Contaminated insulation removed from all floor joist bays
• 5HVAC ductwork inspected — no contamination found, sealed as precaution
• 6Crawlspace treated with EPA-registered antimicrobial solution
• 7Commercial drying equipment deployed for 6 days
• 8New vapor barrier installed after clearance testing

The Situation

A homeowner in Monument noticed a musty smell in their master bedroom. They had no visible water damage and no known leaks. Our thermal imaging assessment revealed a slow roof leak that had been feeding mold growth in the attic above the master bedroom for an estimated 3–4 months.

The Challenge

The mold colony covered approximately 120 sq ft of OSB roof decking and 3 rafters. The homeowner had no idea the leak existed — it was too slow to cause visible ceiling staining but enough to sustain active mold growth. The attic had inadequate ventilation, which accelerated the mold growth.

Our Process

• 1Thermal imaging identified the moisture source — a failed flashing at a roof valley
• 2Containment established in attic to prevent spore spread to living areas
• 3HEPA air scrubbers deployed throughout remediation
• 4Affected OSB and rafter surfaces HEPA-vacuumed and wire-brushed
• 5EPA-registered antimicrobial applied to all affected surfaces
• 6Encapsulant applied to remediated surfaces as secondary protection
• 7Attic ventilation improved with additional soffit vents
• 8Post-remediation air quality testing — clearance achieved

The Situation

A summer monsoon storm dropped 3 inches of rain in 90 minutes on the Peyton flats, overwhelming a rural property's drainage and flooding the attached garage and first floor of the home with 8 inches of water. The property had a well and septic system, adding complexity to the cleanup.

The Challenge

Rural properties present unique challenges: no municipal water or sewer, longer response times, and often older construction. The floodwater had mixed with surface runoff containing soil, agricultural chemicals, and potential septic contamination, classifying it as Category 3. The home's well was also at risk of contamination.

Our Process

• 1Category 3 protocols implemented — full PPE and containment
• 2Standing water extracted — approximately 1,800 gallons removed
• 3Well water tested for contamination — results negative
• 4All flooring removed — hardwood, tile, and carpet
• 5Drywall removed to 2 feet above flood line throughout affected areas
• 6Structural framing treated with antimicrobial solution
• 7Industrial drying equipment deployed — 24 air movers, 6 dehumidifiers
• 8Daily moisture monitoring for 7 days

The Situation

A 12-year-old water heater failed overnight, releasing its full 50-gallon tank plus continuous supply line water into the utility room, hallway, and two adjacent bedrooms. The homeowner discovered the damage in the morning — approximately 8 hours after the failure.

The Challenge

Eight hours of water exposure pushed the damage into Category 2 territory. The water had wicked under the hardwood flooring in the hallway and bedrooms, and the subfloor showed elevated moisture readings. The homeowner was concerned about saving the hardwood floors, which were original to the 1962 home.

Our Process

• 1Emergency extraction of standing water
• 2Thermal imaging mapped moisture under hardwood floors — 3 rooms affected
• 3Drying mats deployed under hardwood to dry in place — avoiding replacement
• 4Dehumidifiers and air movers positioned for maximum airflow
• 5Moisture readings taken every 24 hours — documented for insurance
• 6Antimicrobial treatment applied to subfloor through drill holes
• 7Water heater replaced by referred plumber during drying process

The Situation

A severe ice dam on a Woodland Park home's north-facing roof caused water to back up under the shingles and into the attic. The weight of the ice and water caused a partial ceiling collapse in the living room. The homeowner called at 6am during an active snowstorm.

The Challenge

Active winter storm conditions, a partially collapsed ceiling, and water still entering the structure from the ice dam created a complex emergency. The attic insulation was fully saturated, the ceiling drywall had collapsed, and water was pooling on the living room floor. Woodland Park's elevation (8,500 ft) meant temperatures were well below freezing throughout the response.

Our Process

• 1Emergency tarping of roof to stop active water intrusion
• 2Collapsed ceiling debris safely removed
• 3Saturated attic insulation removed and disposed of
• 4Standing water extracted from living room
• 5Thermal imaging of all surrounding walls and ceiling areas
• 6Drying equipment deployed — modified for high-altitude conditions
• 7Daily moisture monitoring throughout 5-day drying process
• 8Temporary ceiling installed to secure the home