What Is a Flood Cut and Why Is It Important?

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

Flood cut in a Black Mountain, NC home

If your home has experienced some flooding, it has probably sustained damage that has the potential for further harm if the moisture is not cleaned up thoroughly within the first 48 hours. If the water damage makes it through your walls and drywall, you may want to utilize the expertise of a flood remediation company to do a flood cut so you don’t have bigger mold problems in the future.

Flood Cut or Not?

A flood cut is a cut in the drywall 12 to 18 inches above where the water damage stops. This is not always necessary, and the professionals do try to save your wall and do as little structural work as possible while still keeping your home and its occupants safe. The main factors that make a flood cut necessary include:

• The walls are filled with insulation
  
• The flooding was caused by a sewage backup
  
• The floodwaters contain bacteria or harmful pathogens
  
• Clean floodwaters were left too long and became contaminated
  
  

As a general rule, when a wall is insulated, it will likely require a tear out because the insulation is like a sponge. Any sort of in-wall drying strategies will not work sufficiently or quickly enough. For walls that are not insulated, such as basement walls that are known to have the most flooding issues, a flood remediation company can use equipment to fully dry the walls and studs from the inside.
As a side note, if your home does need a flood cut, this is a good time to add additional electrical outlets. You may also want to install other types of cables in the wall at the same time.

Maintain Your Home

Consult with a professional in Black Mountain,NC, to know for sure whether your home needs a flood cut to maintain structural integrity and keep the house and contents safe from contamination. Give yourself peace of mind with a timely, thorough cleaning and avoid mold growth altogether.