Emergency Water Intrusion Before Vacation: Category 3 Cleanup in Charlotte, NC
Background
At 9:00 PM, STOP Restoration Charlotte North received an emergency call from a homeowner. They were facing a major water damage problem within hours of their departure for a family vacation. A toilet backup in their master bathroom had sent a flow of water into their basement, and the situation was actively worsening.
The Challenge
When we arrived, the water was still dripping into the basement. However, the
homeowners had only a few hours left before they needed to leave for their trip. To their credit, they had placed a kiddie pool under the leak, trying to contain the water.
The damage involved Category 3 water, which includes contaminants such as feces, urine, and blood. This made it the most hazardous type of water damage. Immediate, expert-level action was required. Not only that, but trust was also a major factor – since the homeowners planned to leave the property in our care.
Our Approach
Our team got to work without delay. Even though we were onsite past midnight, we immediately started the remediation process in full compliance with IICRC S-520 standards:
- Inspection: Performed a thorough inspection of all affected areas using professional-grade tools.
- Containment: Quickly set up containment to prevent cross-contamination
- Drying: Deployed drying equipment to stabilize the environment.
- Remediation: Removed affected materials wherever possible. For structural elements that could not be removed (like framing), we remediated in place using approved techniques.
- Trust-Based Access: The homeowners gave STOP Restoration full access to the property while they were on vacation.
Outcome
We successfully finished all mitigation and remediation before the homeowners returned from vacation. The home was safe, dry, and ready for reconstruction. All without the owners needing to worry while they were away. They were so impressed with our professionalism, responsiveness, and care that they left a glowing review on our Google Business page.
Conclusion
This project superbly highlights the speed, skill, and trustworthiness of STOP Restoration Charlotte North. We know that emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Not only that, but we also deliver peace of mind even when our clients can’t be there. Whether it’s a pre-vacation crisis or an unexpected disaster, we protect and restore your home like it’s our own.
