GUIDELINES FOR ADDRESSING WATER INTRUSION PROBLEMS

 

Uncontrolled water intrusion into a building can originate from numerous sources. The most common sources include:

 

Regardless of the source, water intrusion issues must be addressed in an expeditious manner in order to prevent the development of potentially serious indoor environmental quality (IEQ) problems. The following guidelines will outline actions to be taken when a water intrusion problem occurs.

 

Categories of Flood Waters

Water causing damage in a building can be assigned to categories depending on its source, and the level of chemical or biological contamination it contains.

Clean water from a sink overflow, broken water or steam line, or rainwater infiltration is referred to as category 1. Water in category 1 represents the lowest health risk to building occupants and clean-up crews. Building materials and furnishings damaged by category 1 water have the best potential for being salvaged.

There is a 24 to 48 hour window of time for the response to damage from water in category 1. After this period of time, the amount of microbial growth begins to lower the water quality to that of category 2.

Category 2 is water in the large range between absolutely clean and absolutely contaminated. This water has a significant degree of contamination due to its source, from microbial growth, or from contamination after the initial release. Sources of category 2 water damage may be storm drain backups, treated cooling water, some surface water, fire suppression systems, and discharges from equipment.

Water in category 2 presents a higher risk of disease or infection to people who come into direct contact with the contaminated area. Because of the additional contaminant in the water, materials damaged by category 2 water are much more difficult to salvage.

Category 3 is highly contaminated water from sewers, some rivers, seawater, and some surface water. This water will likely contain infectious viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It has the likelihood of causing disease or infection from direct or even indirect contact. This water may also contain toxic and allergenic materials.

 

Types of Water Intrusion Problems

 

Roof Leaks and Condensation:

ü      Water intrusion of this type usually results in water damaged ceiling tiles. The first step in addressing the issue is to determine the source of the water problem. Work order requests need to be made to Physical Plant or the appropriate department for corrective action as soon as a problem is discovered.

ü      Water damaged ceiling tiles need to be replaced as soon as possible. Damaged ceiling tiles should not be left in place due to the high probability for mold growth on the tile. In many cases, mold growth will occur on the backside of the tile well before it is visible on the front side.

ü      Ceiling tiles should never be painted to cover up water stains.

ü      If ceilings tiles have already become moldy, they must be removed immediately.  Removal must be done when the affected area is unoccupied. The moldy tile should be removed with a minimum of disturbance and placed in a sealed bag to prevent the distribution of any spores.

ü      If large numbers of moldy ceiling tiles are involved, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) should be contacted to assess the situation prior to initiating removal.

ü      EH&S should be contacted if the leaks also resulted in wall or carpet damage.

 

Pipe Breaks:

ü      Determine the type of pipe and the location of the break. Make the appropriate work order requests to Physical Plant or the appropriate department. Isolate the area (if needed).

ü      EH&S should be contacted to assess the affected area and to determine the extent of remediation that is required.

ü      The extent of remediation is based on a number of factors including the contents of the pipe that broke and the length of time that passed from the actual pipe break until its discovery.

ü      Generally speaking, any water damaged ceiling tiles will have to be replaced. Water damaged drywall will have to be assessed and possibly replaced. Wet carpet, if it has been wet for less than 48 hours, if it is wet due to category 1 water and if it can be completely dried as rapidly as possible, can usually be saved but this decision is made on a case by case basis.

 

Sewer Line Back-ups:

ü      Areas affected by a sewer line back-up need to have restricted occupancy until the problem is addressed and the area cleaned. Work order requests need to be made to Physical Plant or the appropriate department for immediate corrective action.

ü      Once the blockage is cleared or it has been determined that the problem has been corrected, clean-up of the affected area(s) can begin.

ü      Any porous item that has come into contact with sewage tainted water is considered contaminated and must be discarded. This includes carpet, drywall and ceiling tiles as well as other items such as books and paper products.

ü      Non-porous items can usually be cleaned and sanitized.

ü      EH&S should be notified in the event of any sewer back-up.

 

Flooding From Outside of the Building:

ü      Occasionally water will enter buildings from the outside due to poor drainage or particularly heavy rains. Water entering due to flooding is considered to be in the same category as sewage tainted water and the same recommendations apply.

ü      If only a small area is affected limited remediation is possible. The extent of remediation should be determined by the EH&S IEQ coordinator.

 

Moisture Intrusion through the Building Envelope:

ü      This problem will typically occur along exterior facing walls when some aspect of the wall’s structural make-up has failed. Water will migrate through the wall over time from the exterior to the interior surface where paint damage will often result. Water trapped behind the paint film, wallpaper or items attached to the wall can lead to mold growth.

ü      These problems must be individually assessed so that a satisfactory corrective action can be formulated. Repeatedly scraping off the damaged paint and repainting the interior surfaces does nothing to correct the problem.

ü      A work order request should be made for an assessment of any areas of moisture intrusion and for corrective action.

ü      If moisture intrusion damage is noted on a wall, material attached to that wall must be removed. Furniture and other items should not be placed directly against a problem wall.

 

Guidelines for Salvaging Material Impacted by Clean Water:

The following table is borrowed from EPA’s “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.”

 

Table 1: Water Damage - Cleanup and Mold Prevention

Guidelines for Response to Clean Water Damage within 24-48 Hours to Prevent Mold Growth*

Water-Damaged Material†

Actions

Books and papers
  • For non-valuable items, discard books and papers.
  • Photocopy valuable/important items, discard originals.
  • Freeze (in frost-free freezer or meat locker) or freeze-dry.

Carpet and backing - dry within 24-48 hours§
  • Remove water with water extraction vacuum.
  • Reduce ambient humidity levels with dehumidifier.
  • Accelerate drying process with fans.

Ceiling tiles
  • Discard and replace.

Cellulose insulation
  • Discard and replace.

Concrete or cinder block surfaces
  • Remove water with water extraction vacuum.
  • Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters.

Fiberglass insulation
  • Discard and replace.

Hard surface, porous flooring§ (Linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl)
  • Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary.
  • Check to make sure underflooring is dry; dry underflooring if necessary.

Non-porous, hard surfaces
(Plastics, metals)
  • Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary.

Upholstered furniture
  • Remove water with water extraction vacuum.
  • Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters.
  • May be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours. If the piece is valuable, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage professional who specializes in furniture.

Wallboard
(Drywall and gypsum board)
  • May be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replace.
  • Ventilate the wall cavity, if possible.

Window drapes
  • Follow laundering or cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer.

Wood surfaces
  • Remove moisture immediately and use dehumidifiers, gentle heat, and fans for drying. (Use caution when applying heat to hardwood floors.)
  • Treated or finished wood surfaces may be cleaned with mild detergent and clean water and allowed to dry.
  • Wet paneling should be pried away from wall for drying.

*  If mold growth has occurred or materials have been wet for more than 48 hours, consult Table 2 guidelines. Even if materials are dried within 48 hours, mold growth may have occurred. Items may be tested by professionals if there is doubt. Note that mold growth will not always occur after 48 hours; this is only a guideline.

These guidelines are for damage caused by clean water. If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then Personal Protective Equipment and containment are required by OSHA. An experienced professional should be consulted if you and/or your remediators do not have expertise remediating in contaminated water situations. Do not use fans before determining that the water is clean or sanitary.

† If a particular item(s) has high monetary or sentimental value, you may wish to consult a restoration/water damage specialist.

§ The subfloor under the carpet or other flooring material must also be cleaned and dried. See the appropriate section of this table for recommended actions depending on the composition of the subfloor.

 

The preceding guidelines for addressing water intrusion issues are general and do not cover all possible situations. EH&S should be consulted whenever there is a question that cannot be answered by these guidelines.

 

Please contact the Environmental Health and Safety IEQ coordinator at 392-3393 with any questions or concerns regarding mold clean up or indoor environmental quality in general.