Primary Damage Versus Secondary Damage

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Panthersville Technicians mitigate to stop primary damages from becoming permanent and to prevent secondary damages from occurring.

SERVPRO^® of Panthersville Technicians are familiar with the damaging effects that water has on various types of materials. Our Technicians can identify the following three types of damages:

1. Pre-existing damage
2. Primary damage
3. Secondary damage

Primary Damages

Primary damages in a water loss situation result when materials are in direct contact with water. Examples of primary water damages to materials are as follows:

• Delamination of carpet backings
• Swelling and buckling of hardwood floors
• Rusting of metal surfaces
• Weakening of adhesives and glues

Secondary Damages

Secondary damages in a water loss result when materials are exposed indirectly to water. When moisture evaporates into the air more quickly than moisture is being dehumidified from the air, then secondary damages can result as higher humidity slows the rate of drying. Examples of secondary water damages to materials are as follows:

• Absorption of water from the air because of high humidity.
• Absorption of water that has migrated from other areas of the structure.
• Absorption of water by hygroscopic materials that causes swelling.
• Mold growth

The damages get worse as time prolongs.