WATER DAMAGE SOLUTIONS

“J & M is a licensed contractor and will take care of everything from
water extraction, to structural and content drying, and structural repairs.”

• J & M has trained and IICRC certified technicians • We'll respond quickly - 24/7, 365 days a year to any call for help with water damage cleanup and water damage repair in your home or business. • We specialize in water damage mitigation using specialized drying techniques and equipment to rapidly restore your home or building to its pre-loss state as quickly as possible. • Ask for our Water Restoration Brochure to see an overview. • We are your one stop water damage repair experts serving the entire Phoenix metro area.

 

In the wake of water damage, it is important to take action quickly to prevent further damage to a home or office and its furnishings. Ideally, the drying process should begin within the first 24 hours of the damage.

Excessive moisture left in a building, if not dried quickly, can result in secondary damage to personal contents, furniture, wall hangings, pictures, drywall and finishes, trim and moldings, sub floors, as well as microbial contaminations of the environment. Thorough, effective water extraction, and the application of psychometric principles (temperature, dehumidification and air movement), and measured results and monitoring are the keys to success when drying water-damaged properties.

TAKE QUICK ACTION!  Call J&M Experts Now at 480 706.0737

We service all of Maricopa County and throughout the State of Arizona including:
Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Carefree, Cave Creek, Chandler, Chandler Heights, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Gila Bend, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Guadalupe, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun City West, Sun Lakes, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson, Wickenburg, Youngtown, Tucson, Casa Grande.

The Problems: Extensive Flood Damage in New Home Construction. Flood occurred on a weekend. There is NO on-site power. Builder needed immediate remediation to meet the home's sale closing date. Once dry-out was completed - extensive drywall and insulation repairs were needed. The Solution:      J & M's - "One Call Does It All STEP Ahead System."

Because we own all the specialized equipment necessary and had it on-hand, we were able to dry-out the structure in 3 days, preventing mold and mildew damage; and utilizing our large capacity drying and dehumidification processes, we were able to save most of the drywall - saving the builder thousands on rebuilding costs and weeks in repair time.

This was a big job that had to be done fast. With over $2,000,000 invested in specialized equipment J & M has the capacity and experience to handle any situation.

For this job, we used the self contained VTO (Varible Temperature Output Disiccant). This monster is self contained with its own generator - takes over 125 gallons of moisture out of the air every 24 hours, and can easily dry a 25,000 sq. foot building.

In addition to our self-contained trucks, we brought out a generator to run all the dehumidifiers and air movers required to create a "Vortex Drying Chamber" in every room. It's this Vortex drying chamber that lets us get the home dried fast before mold and mildew can get started.

When the job was completed, the builder received a detailed Moisture Mapper Report - that exceeds IICRC - S 500 standards - and shows that the job was done properly and effectively.
To see a copy of the Moisture Mapper report go here.

To see a detailed explanation of all the specialized equipment we use go here.

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Types of Dehumidifiers

There are three different types of dehumidifiers used in the restoration industry. They are:

  refrigerant, whether standard or conventional
  low-grain refrigerants or LGR's
  desiccants.

These three types work differently to perform the same function, that is, remove moisture from air and the surroundings.

Below you will find a quick explanation of how each one works and various uses for it.

Commercial Grade Refrigerant
(CGR) Dehumidifiers

Electric refrigerant dehumidification works by passing air over refrigerated coils to condense water vapor. Often at cooler temperatures, refrigerant dehumidification capacity falls off before ideal moisture levels are reached.

There are two types of refrigerant dehumidifiers, standard and conventional. The only difference between the two is that a conventional refrigerant dehumidifier uses a heat pipe or defrost cycle to defer frost from forming on the coils.

CGR dehumidifiers are designed to be moved from job to job in and out of service vehicles. The coil and compressors used are larger than residential units that are only designed for light humidity problems. CGR dehumidifiers are calibrated and designed for high moisture rich environments like flooded structures. CGR’s also use advanced defrost controls to maximize performance.

Low-Grain Refrigerant
(LGR) Dehumidifiers

LGR’s are a unique form of residential and commercial grade refrigerant dehumidifiers because they are much more energy efficient and they can pull the grains down much lower. LGR dehumidifiers use a double cooling or enhanced step to lower the moisture laden air temperature once inside the dehumidifier so more condensation can form on the internal cooling coils.

As condensation builds up on the coils, the water droplets drip in to a collector and discharged from the dehumidifier through pumps, or into a floor drain.

LGR units provide the best moisture removal for refrigerant dehumidifiers and produce air that is dryer, heated and with less moisture than commercial grade refrigerant units.

Desiccant Dehumidifiers

Desiccant dehumidifiers work when moist incoming air flows over a wheel filled with a silica gel desiccant.

A desiccant is a material that attracts and holds moisture. This material acts like a sponge drawing moisture from the air (sorption). When the wheel rotates through heated exhaust air, the moisture evaporates (desorption) and is carried outside. Then the cycle repeats.

This process absorbs moisture without ice build-up and is not limited by low temperatures. Desiccants can easily operate below freezing temperatures.
Desiccant dehumidifiers range in size from small electric units to very large diesel fired units. The size is measured in CFM's or Cubic Feet per Minute, this is the speed in which it will perform an air exchange.

Evaporation

Everything we do on a drying /restoration job is about removing the water and returning the structure and contents to their original dry condition.

Most objects when exposed to water or high levels of humidity will absorb some of the water or moisture, making them damp or wet. By drying the object we are providing an escape for the water molecules from the material and into the surrounding air.

Air also has a level of saturation, the point to where it can’t hold any more moisture. The higher the humidity, the closer the air is to its level of saturation. If the humidity is too high, or has a high vapor pressure, it won’t be able to accept the water molecules from the object to be dried.

Step 1 -

Step 2 -
Step 3 -
Step 4 -

Step 5 -

Get the facts with your Moisture Meters. Extract as much water as
possible (It's 500 times more efficient to extract than to dry.)
Create a drying plan applying Psychrometrics.
Install the equipment needed to do the job as quickly as possible.
Isolate the area to be dried. Turn on the equipment to create the
drying VORTEX.
Chase the moisture until it's eliminated / taking and recording
Psychrometric readings everyday.

Simply put, psychrometry
is the science of drying.

Understanding these conditions and their relationship to each other will assist in determining what equipment will be needed as well as how long it will take to dry a structure and its contents.

Using a thermal-hygrometer, the temperature and relative humidity of the air can be determined.

Combined with a moisture meter to measure hidden moisture we can get an accurate picture to determine the optimum procedures.

Structural Drying: What is it?

Structural Drying is a strategy for drying building materials that promotes decision-making based on real data measurements taken at the job site.

More specifically, it incorporates psychrometry - the science of drying - to track moisture content, drying progress, and verify job completion.

In most cases, this method uses more equipment to dry a structure faster while reducing the costs, time, and inconvenience related to replacements and repairs.

Restorers can use Structural Drying techniques in any type of water damage. Whether you pull the carpet and pad or leave it in place, Structural Drying strategies are based on the solid foundation of proven drying principles.

Advantages of Structural Drying:

Jobs dry faster to save you money
Provides documentation and data that measures drying progress and confirms job completion
Verifiable documentation and data help close the claim for good.

In-Place Drying: What is it?

Structural Drying lays the foundation for In-Place Drying.

A Category 1 loss involves fresh water from potable source like a washing machine, tub or faucet.

However, even a clean water loss can quickly escalate to a Category 2 "gray water" situation in less than 72 hours due to microbial activity in the environment.

To take advantage of the benefits of in-place drying, it's critical that you act quickly by contacting a qualified restorer ASAP.

Applied Structural Drying: What is it?

Applied Structural Drying is a certification recently issued by the (IICRC) Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

This certification distinguishes restorers who have completed an intensive hands-on course in how to dry complete structures.

It's called Applied Structural Drying because students actually "apply" new drying techniques as they learn them.

What is ISDT?

ISDT stands for Intelligent Structural Drying Technology. ISDT is not a single feature, but a comprehensive approach to designing and building equipment for restorative drying. 

ISDT includes:
intelligent design, construction, materials, performance, portability, refrigerant technology, processor controls, self-diagnostics, defrost system, energy-conscious operation, safety certification and intelligent service access

The Vortex Drying System

for drying structures Step-By-Step, from start to finish covering every aspect needed to complete the job quickly and completely. .

To better understand its effectiveness, one must first learn its purpose:

	To completely dry the structure, regardless of class or category
	And to dry the structure as rapidly as possible.
	With the objective of minimizing replacement costs to the structure and contents.

There are many major differences, with intricate reasons behind them, which answer the question of why it works better. But from a building owner or manager’s perspective, here's how they stack up:

1. The first difference is EFFECTIVENESS.
Most companies think that if they simply put equipment on a job, that it has to dry. And while it is true that wet will always go to dry if it can, taking this approach might take a while.

The VDS will COMPLETELY dry the structure... PERIOD. No matter what kind of water damage it is: Black, Gray or Clean, or how much water there is or how big an area is involved: Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 the system can be utilized on EVERY drying job to completely dry the structure.

The fact is that most companies pull their equipment off of a job with the structure still wet. Whether it is because of embarrassment, lack of training, or an inability to do the job correctly, these companies are jeopardizing the health of the occupants, the health of the building, and your pocketbooks.

The reason we have a mold problem today is because most companies in our industry have a drying problem.

VDS companies have been trained to inspect all components of a structure to check for moisture, and have been educated in the best ways to dry them.

Whether it is drywall, flooring, sub-flooring, ceilings, multiple stories, brick, concrete, plaster, structural wood or crawlspaces; when a VDS company pulls their equipment off the job, it will be dry.

2. The second difference is SPEED
There is a lot of talk today about "3 day drying" in our industry. While we see the marketing potential for such claims, the fact is that it is a farce.

We agree that it should be possible to dry most structures in 72 hours, but some materials take in water slower than others, and release it slower as well. VDS companies do not "guarantee" 3 day drying bills.

They guarantee that the structure will be dry as rapidly as possible. And on the average it is
two to three days faster than conventional
drying methods. (At their best...)

The reason for this discrepancy is three-fold:

1-Superior Equipment- The best and most efficient the industry has to offer.

2-Superior Techniques -

a. The Drying Chamber - Setting up the affected environment for optimum drying.
b. Monitoring & Psychrometrics - Ensuring a controlled drying environment.

3-Superior Training - Continuing education; Learning from the best to adapt drying techniques and methods to the most current science of rapid structural drying.

Superior Equipment

What would happen if you had to work today with the equipment and technology that your industry used 20 years ago? Even a 10-year regress would be stifling.

The computers, their programs, networks, the internet, communications all would be gone.

Typewriters and triplicates would be your weapons, and you would be hating life! This probably sounds crazy, but it's a pretty good analogy.

The computer industry and the restoration industry are roughly the same age (in mainstream application) and the advancements in both have been astounding.

There is no way in the world that you would ever go back to using your IBM 286 computer or your Apple IIe for your business. It is not to say it couldn't be done, but think how much less effective you would be than if you were using your current state-of-the -art equipment.

YET, the majority of companies working in our industry are still using the same type of old - outdated technology that we had 20 years ago!

The VORTEX DRYING SYSTEM is independent of any ties to manufacturers or distributors. It tests the equipment that is available to contractors and gives them an unbiased evaluation of how they work on the job.

Companies on the VDS NETWORK buy and utilize only the BEST equipment on the market today!

Superior Techniques

People make such a big deal about leaving in carpet and pad that have been water damaged. The VORTEX DRYING SYSTEM is NOT out to save carpet and pad.

Its purpose is to dry structures as rapidly as possible, no matter the class or category of water damage, with only the necessary replacement of structural components.

Through our research of drying, we have found that with our SYSTEM it is possible today to dry and save many of the structural components (and contents) that in years gone by had to be replaced.

One of the key ingredients to this process
has been the introduction of
"The Drying Chamber."

Setting up a "Drying Chamber" refers to the
process of isolating the wet area of a structure,
placing in the chamber ONLY the equipment it
takes to dry that area, and then pulling the
grains of moisture in that area down
lower than the unaffected areas around it.

Simply stated, if the air inside the affected
area is dryer, the moisture inside the
structure will have to come to it.

If a company is drying a 2000 square foot space where only an 800 square foot section is wet, it makes sense to block off the wet area from the other 1200 square feet of space that is dry.

It might be as simple as putting up plastic or closing a door, but by isolating the wet area our companies are able to place within the Drying Chamber the equipment it takes to dry only 800 square feet instead of 2000.

Superior Training

Our water damage services are provided 24 hours a day by certified and highly trained technicians. We carefully select our staff creating a team that is passionate about the work that they do.

Intensive in house and on the job training is ongoing from day 1. The staff goes through a 6 month period of education and attend both IICRC certificated classes as well as the 3-day Vortex Drying Method school in Tennessee.

This is where they get to flood and then dry a two-story house!. Here the “mullets” as their affectionately called go through 14 hour days of classroom and hands on work followed by testing before earning their certification.

There are three different types of categories that classify the type of water involved in all water loss situations.

Knowing and understanding these categories helps you and the restoration professional know what precautions may need to be taken on the job site.

“Not all water is the same, and it is important to know that there is no set way to classify water. It is also important to know that water will not remain in the same category; as time passes it will become more contaminated slowly turning into a “black” water situation.”

Category 1: “Clean” Water - Clean water is just that, water that doesn't pose any harm when it comes in contact with living elements and doesn't contain any contaminants.

If “clean” water is left alone over time it will harbor growth of bacteria and will become “gray” or “black” water.

Examples of clean water include: Water supply lines (plumbing pipes, fixtures, or washing machine and toilet connections) Rainwater or melting ice

Category 2: “Gray” Water – Gray water is unsanitary and contains levels of contamination that would not be safe for consumption.

It contains harmful microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms that will help gray water become

black water if not attended to quickly. This type of water is dangerous and clean up should only be done by a trained professional.

Examples of gray water include:
Water discharge from household appliances (Washing machine, dishwasher)
Overflow from toilet bowl containing some urine but no feces.
Broken or punctured aquarium, waterbed or other source of chemically treated water.

to all living organisms and could cause death or serious illness if consumed. Unlike its name, it can be clear in appearance and/or odorless, but do not be deceived, it is still very dangerous.

Examples of black water include:
Toilet water back flow beyond the toilet trap
Sewer water, or sewage backup
Ground, surface, or sea water
Rising water from natural bodies of water

Do not try to remove black water yourself, it is extremely dangerous! Allowing black water to remain in an area will quickly make a bad situation worse. Stay out of contact with it and call a professional water damage restoration firm immediately!

The four classes below help to determine the amount of water remaining in the structure after physical extraction has been completed.

Knowing the classification of water loss helps the restoration professional determine what types of equipment will be used and the drying conditions that should be achieved.

Class I - Slow rate of evaporation
The least amount of water or minimum amount of moisture that can be held in the remaining materials.

For this type of loss we will seek to achieve drying temperatures that are as high as possible, within the 70° - 90° degree range for the first 36-48 hours, than drop it as low as possible within the 70° - 90° range for the remainder of the job.

Class III - Fastest rate of evaporation
Water may have come from overhead.

Characteristics of a Class III water loss include:
Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, carpet pad and sub floor in virtually the entire area are saturated

For this type of loss we will seek to achieve drying temperatures that remain low within the 70° - 90°
degree range for the entire job

Class II - Fast rate of evaporation
More water or water losses where the majority of the structure contains saturated carpet and carpet pad.

Characteristics of a Class II water loss include:
Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches.
Moisture remaining in structural materials: plywood, particle board, structural wood, VCT, or concrete.

Class IV - Specialty Drying Situation
These losses involve wet materials with very low permeance or porosity such as hardwoods, sub floor, plaster, brick, concrete, or stone.

There are deep pockets of saturation that are normally dried as Class I, but require the use of a desiccant or low grain refrigerant dehumidifier to achieve very low specific humidity (GPP).

Class IV situations require a custom drying plan that fits the needs of the job.

   The key to mold control is moisture control.

If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Mold damage covering more than 2 sq. feet requires a trained mold remediation professional for proper and safe clean-up.

Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.

Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. 
Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. 
Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. 
There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Can Mold Cause Health Problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. 
Molds have the potential to cause health problems.  Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). 
Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.  Allergic responses include: hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). 
Allergic reactions to mold are common.  They can be immediate or delayed. 
Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. 
In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. 

Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold.

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Suspicion of Hidden Mold

You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems.

Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc.

Other possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).

Investigating Hidden Mold Problems

Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth.

For example, removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores if there is mold growing on the underside of the paper.

“If you believe that you may have
a hidden mold problem,
consider hiring an
experienced professional.”

Cleanup and Biocides
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms.
The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup.
There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present).
In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain - these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved.
If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.
Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.

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