Water Damage at Hotel in Daphne, AL

11/5/2024 (Permalink)

We recently received a middle of the night call from a popular business in Daphne, Alabama. A fire had broken out in one of the guest rooms, but the situation had quickly escalated in an unexpected way. While the fire was contained to a small area, the hotel’s fire sprinkler system had activated, flooding the room and several adjacent areas with hundreds of gallons of water. The hotel was in immediate need of water restoration services to address the widespread damage caused by the sprinklers.

Given the affected guest room was located on the upper floors, the fire sprinkler system had triggered not only in the room where the fire originated but had also flooded several corridors and adjacent rooms with water. While the fire itself had been quickly contained, the damage caused by the sprinkler system presented a unique challenge. Water damage caused by fire suppression systems is often widespread and complex, requiring expert handling to minimize damage to property, furniture, and the building itself.

Our team at SERVPRO of Baldwin County knew that swift, professional action was essential. The hotel’s ability to remain open and maintain guest bookings depended on how quickly they could restore the damaged rooms and areas to their preloss condition. The clock was ticking so our restoration team mobilized quickly to contain the damage and begin the necessary cleanup and rebuild efforts

The Initial Call: Assessing the Severity of the Situation

When our water restoration team arrived at the hotel, the scene was a stark reminder of how devastating fire sprinklers could be in the aftermath of a fire. The fire itself had caused minimal damage to the guest room, but the sprinkler system had activated across several rooms on the floor, and water had poured into hallways, stairwells, and adjacent guest rooms.

The damage was immediate.

• Waterlogged rooms: The hotel’s guest rooms on the same floor as the fire were drenched, with water soaking into carpets, drapes, furniture, and drywall.
• Ceilings and walls: Water had seeped through ceiling tiles, especially in the areas directly beneath the affected rooms, causing staining, warping, and saturation of walls and ceilings. 
• Hallways and corridors: Hallways adjacent to the fire-affected areas were flooded, and water had spread into several other guest rooms, some of which had already been occupied by guests.
• Electrical concerns: Water had also infiltrated light fixtures and electrical outlets, creating safety concerns that needed to be addressed immediately.

Our team acted quickly to mitigate the spread of damage which could cause mold growth, structural weakening, and the need for even more extensive repairs.

After our first responders performed an initial assessment, our technicians immediately began water extraction, moisture detection, and drying to prevent further damage. We also needed to begin the rebuild phase soon as possible to restore the hotel’s operations. With the hotel being a key part of the local economy and a popular destination for tourists visiting Daphne and the nearby Gulf Coast, it was important to act with urgency and care.

In any water damage situation, especially one caused by sprinklers following a fire, rapid water removal is the first priority. Our technicians immediately set up industrial-grade water extraction equipment, including truck-mounted extractors and portable vacuums, to quickly remove the standing water from affected areas. The key was to remove as much water as possible in the first few hours to prevent it from soaking deeper into walls, floors, and furnishings.

Given the hotel’s structure, which included multiple floors and a variety of room types, the team had to act strategically to ensure that water was removed in a way that would minimize any further spread of moisture. The extraction equipment was deployed in the affected rooms, corridors, and hallways, with particular attention paid to the areas directly beneath the damaged rooms, where water had seeped through the ceiling.

Key Actions Taken

• Water extraction from carpets and upholstery: All carpets, upholstery, and other soft furnishings were carefully extracted and removed from the affected rooms. While some furnishings could be saved, others had been too saturated by water to salvage. 
• Removal of standing water from hallways and corridors: Hallways and corridors were cleared of water, with SERVPRO using high-powered pumps and vacuums to remove water from tile and carpeted surfaces. 
• Ceiling and wall damage: Our team assessed areas where water had seeped into ceilings and walls. In some cases, ceiling tiles were removed to allow the water to drain, and other materials were extracted to avoid the risk of mold growth or structural damage.

The hotel management was informed of the water removal process in real-time, and SERVPRO worked closely with them to ensure guest safety, assist with relocating remaining guests, and assess whether any other parts of the hotel had been impacted by the sprinkler system.

Drying and Dehumidification: Preventing Mold and Further Damage

Once the standing water was extracted, the next phase was drying and dehumidification. This phase is one of the most critical in any water damage restoration project, particularly when dealing with water from sprinklers. In situations where a sprinkler system is involved, the amount of water can be substantial, which means the drying process must be thorough and meticulous to avoid long-term problems like mold growth, wood rot, and further structural damage.

Our water restoration team used a combination of air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture detection equipment to thoroughly dry the affected areas:

• Strategic placement of air movers: Industrial air movers were strategically placed in rooms, hallways, and adjacent spaces to enhance airflow and speed up the drying process. These high-powered fans circulated air to encourage the evaporation of moisture trapped in walls, floors, and ceilings. 
• Dehumidification: Large commercial dehumidifiers were deployed to pull moisture out of the air and further dry the structure. These dehumidifiers help lower humidity levels and prevent moisture from lingering in the air, which could contribute to mold or mildew growth.
• Monitoring with moisture meters: SERVPRO used advanced moisture meters and infrared cameras to detect areas that remained wet or hidden pockets of moisture. This allowed the team to target specific problem areas and ensure complete drying.

Drying was a critical part of the restoration process because the hotel needed to maintain partially open and reopen fully as soon as possible to avoid losing business. SERVPRO’s team worked diligently, conducting moisture readings every 24 hours and adjusting equipment as necessary to ensure that all affected areas were dried thoroughly.

The Rebuild Phase: Restoring the Hotel to Pre-Loss Condition

Once the affected areas were thoroughly dried, SERVPRO of Baldwin County began the rebuild phase. The goal was to restore the hotel’s guest rooms, hallways, and affected infrastructure to their original condition—without a trace of the water damage or fire damage.

• Repairs to walls and ceilings: Water damage had affected drywall and ceiling tiles in many rooms. In some areas, drywall needed to be replaced entirely, while in others, only a portion of the drywall was removed and replaced. Ceiling tiles that had been damaged by water were also replaced, and the structural integrity of the ceilings was inspected to ensure there was no risk of collapse.
• Flooring repairs: In many of the affected rooms, carpet, hardwood, or tile flooring had been damaged. Where possible, carpets were dried and cleaned, but in some areas, the flooring had to be replaced. For areas where the carpet could be saved, SERVPRO used specialized cleaning and deodorization techniques to remove water stains and odors. 
• Fire-affected areas: The fire itself had caused minimal damage to the guest room, but it was important to ensure that there was no lingering smoke smell or damage. SERVPRO’s team used advanced cleaning and deodorization techniques to remove any residual smoke odors and clean fire-affected surfaces.

Throughout the rebuild process, the SERVPRO team worked with the hotel’s management team to ensure that the rebuild would not interfere with hotel operations. Certain rooms were closed off for restoration, but other parts of the hotel, including common areas and meeting spaces, remained open for business.

Final Clean-up and Touches: Returning the Hotel to Operation

After the rebuild phase was completed, SERVPRO of Baldwin County performed a final deep cleaning to ensure that all areas of the hotel were returned to pristine condition. This included:

• Cleaning of carpets, furniture, and fixtures: All remaining carpets and upholstered furniture were cleaned and sanitized.
• Odor removal: A thorough deodorization process was performed to eliminate any lingering smells from the fire or water damage.
• Safety and inspections: The hotel’s electrical system was inspected to ensure that there was no remaining water in outlets or light fixtures. Additionally, SERVPRO ensured that the hotel’s HVAC system was fully operational, with all ducts and vents thoroughly cleaned to prevent the spread of contaminants.

Client Satisfaction:

Once the restoration and rebuild were completed, the hotel’s management team was extremely satisfied with SERVPRO’s work. Not only had the team responded quickly and professionally to the middle-of-the-night emergency, but they had also completed the job on time, with minimal disruption to the hotel’s daily operations. The hotel was able to reopen rooms for guests sooner than anticipated, and the staff reported that the facility looked as good as new. 

The SERVPRO team had worked tirelessly, addressing not only the immediate water damage but also the potential long-term issues that could have arisen. The hotel’s reputation for quality service remained intact, and the restoration was completed on schedule without any significant delays.

Commercial Damage? Contact SERVPRO of Baldwin County

The water restoration and rebuild job at the hotel in Daphne, AL, following the activation of the fire sprinkler system, was a clear demonstration of our team's expertise in handling complex water damage scenarios. By responding quickly, implementing state-of-the-art restoration techniques, and coordinating effectively with the hotel’s management, SERVPRO was able to restore the hotel to its preloss condition. The entire process—from the middle-of-the-night emergency call to the final touch-ups—was a model of efficiency, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in disaster recovery.