Case Overview
Date of Loss: August 10, 2025
Property Address: Richmond Hill, Georgia
Claim Type: Water Damage
Restoration Company: Enviro Professional Response
Initial Assessment
Source of Loss
- Primary Cause: Toilet leak originating from underneath the toilet fixture
- Secondary Issue: Underground septic leak affecting bathroom area
- Water Category: Category 3 (contaminated water requiring specialized handling)
Affected Areas
- Living Room – 82 sq ft
- Bathroom – 24 sq ft (primary source)
- Bedroom – 9 sq ft
- Total Affected Area: 115 sq ft
Timeline of Events
Day 1 – August 10, 2025
- 9:17 AM: Initial moisture readings taken
- 9:46-9:47 AM: Drying equipment deployed
- Initial Conditions:
- Living Room: 63% RH, 87.5 gpp
- Bathroom: 68% RH, 94.6 gpp
- Bedroom: 63% RH, 87.5 gpp
- Exterior: 94% RH, 75°F
Day 2 – August 11, 2025
- Continued monitoring and equipment operation
- Moisture levels remained elevated (64% RH in Living Room)
Day 3 – August 12, 2025
- Leak Repair Completed: Source control achieved
- Significant moisture reduction observed
- Living Room: 55% RH, Bathroom: 54% RH
Day 4 – August 13, 2025
- Continued drying progress
- Living Room: 49% RH, Bathroom: 50% RH
Day 5 – August 14, 2025
Project Completion: All equipment removed
Final readings: Living Room: 40% RH, Bathroom: 41% RH
Restoration Work Performed
Material Removal
- Flooring: 300 sq ft laminate flooring removal
- Underlayment: 300 sq ft removal
- Baseboards: 15 linear feet removed
- Quarter Round: 15 linear feet removed
Cleaning and Treatment
Anti-microbial Application: 300 sq ft (Standard treatment)
Floor Cleaning: 300 sq ft (Regular cleaning)
Hard Surface Water Extraction: 100 sq ft
Content Management
- Labor: 2 technicians × 2 hours for content manipulation
- Protective Measures: 6-mil plastic sheeting applied
Equipment Deployment
Living Room
- Dehumidifier: Dri-Eaz Revolution (51) – 73.75 kWh consumption
- Air Movers: 4 units (Dri-Eaz Velo series) – 24.20 kWh each
Bathroom
- Dehumidifier: Dri-Eaz Revolution LGR [F413] – 71.45 kWh consumption
- Air Movers: 2 units (Dri-Eaz Velo series) – 24.20 kWh each
Bedroom
- Air Mover: 1 unit (Dri-Eaz Velo Low Profile) – 24.20 kWh
Moisture Monitoring Results
Drying Goals Achieved
- Standard Drying Goal: 15.4% moisture content
- Final Results:
- Living Room Drywall: 7.8 pt (Day 5)
- Living Room Laminate: 7.0 pt (Day 5)
- Bathroom Drywall: 8.1 pt (Day 5)
- Bedroom materials: 7.0-8.2 pt range
Atmospheric Conditions
- Baseline (Kitchen): Maintained 45-50% RH throughout project
- Exterior Conditions: Varied from 60-94% RH, 75-90°F
- Dehumidifier Performance: Achieved 11-17% RH in affected areas
Key Performance Indicators
Drying Efficiency
- Total Project Duration: 5 days
- Moisture Reduction Rate: 99.9 pt to <10 pt in all materials
- Energy Consumption: 241.5 kWh total
- Equipment Utilization: 100% uptime across all units
Environmental Control
- Grain Depression: 24-33 grains per pound achieved
- Temperature Management: Dehumidifiers operated at 98-117°F
- Relative Humidity Control: Reduced from 63-68% to 40-41%
Challenges and Solutions
Challenge 1: Category 3 Water
- Issue: Contaminated water requiring specialized handling
- Solution: Implemented enhanced PPE protocols and anti-microbial treatments
Challenge 2: Underground Septic Issues
- Issue: Secondary contamination source
- Solution: Coordinated with plumbing contractor for comprehensive repair on Day 3
Challenge 3: High Initial Moisture Levels
- Issue: Materials saturated beyond meter range (99.9)
- Solution: Aggressive drying approach with multiple dehumidifiers and strategic air movement
Lessons Learned
Best Practices Demonstrated
- Rapid Response: Equipment deployed within hours of initial assessment
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Daily readings across multiple points and materials
- Source Control: Ensured leak repair before intensive drying phase
- Proper Classification: Correctly identified and treated Category 3 water
Areas for Improvement
- Documentation: More detailed photos of affected areas during initial assessment
- Communication: Regular updates to policyholder regarding progress
- Efficiency: Consider larger capacity dehumidifiers for faster initial moisture removal
Cost Analysis
Equipment Costs
- Dehumidifier Operation: 145.2 kWh × 5 days
- Air Mover Operation: 96.8 kWh × 6 units × 5 days
- Total Energy Cost: Approximately $35-45 (regional rates)
Labor and Materials
- Removal Work: Flooring, baseboards, underlayment
- Treatment: Anti-microbial application, cleaning
- Monitoring: Daily technician visits for readings and equipment maintenance
Conclusion
This case demonstrates effective water damage restoration practices for a Category 3 loss. The 5-day drying cycle successfully reduced moisture levels below industry standards while maintaining proper containment and treatment protocols. The combination of source control, aggressive drying, and comprehensive monitoring resulted in a successful restoration outcome
Success Metrics
- ✅ All materials dried below 15.4% moisture content
- ✅ No secondary damage or mold growth observed
- ✅ Proper documentation and monitoring throughout process
- ✅ Efficient equipment utilization and energy management
- ✅ Timely project completion within industry standards
This case study serves as a model for handling similar residential water damage scenarios involving contaminated water sources and multi-room affected areas.
