When an overflowing toilet or severe storm floods a property, most cleanup efforts focus on items obviously affected by sewage like drywall and carpeting, furnishings and appliances or equipment. These materials and possessions are clearly ruined because they stain and fall apart, won’t start or begin to mold. One trouble spot that isn’t so noticeable? Ceramic tile floors that silently conceal contamination under hard, shiny surfaces.
Loose tiles, aged sealer and cracked grout can channel flood water under surfaces, soak ceramic pores, loosen adhesive and harbor bacteria. If tiles have been installed over wood, a soaked subflooring can distort and rot. In these cases, simply drying and disinfecting the surface won’t avoid future problems like odor, mold growth, loose tiles, degraded subflooring and contamination. Even worse: damage may not be noticeable for weeks or even months after flood waters have receded – and after insurance adjusters have closed out claims.
The older the floor, the more likely it is to be harmed by sewage flooding, though newer floors also can sustain damage. In short, if you’re not an expert it’s hard to judge ceramic tile floor conditions. Professional services like Allstate Restoration assess obvious and hidden needs to properly manage necessary restoration after a flood.
Floods are never easy to recover from, particularly when hazards like soaked ceramic flooring aren’t readily apparent. The best course of action after the rain stops falling or the toilet valve is finally closed? Call on Allstate Restoration to respond 24/7 and rapidly evaluate all restoration needs, whether they are obvious or quietly lurking underfoot.
