Cleaning and Restoring Upholstery after Flood Damage in a Dallas Movie Theatre

4/27/2017 (Permalink)

When your commercial property has a flood damage emergency, call SERVPRO of Northwest Dallas.

Dallas Movie Theatre Flood Damage in a Dallas Movie Theatre

Flooding is bad news for any business, but it is particularly challenging for those in the service industry. It is usually followed by a period of inactivity because it is not safe for customers to be around excess water or wet materials. Obviously, the longer a business is out of action, the more money is lost, so repairs must occur quickly.

When SERVPRO deals with a site as large as a movie theater, there are all kinds of obstacles to overcome. In fact, flood damage in Dallas movie theaters is very destructive, because it compromises upholstery. This environment is mostly made up of upholstered furniture and soft materials like carpet, so the restoration process is extensive.

Dealing with Damaged Furniture

There are good and bad points when dealing with cinema upholstery. The good news is that most mainstream theaters use plastic frames. Plastic is impervious to water, and it is non-porous, so it does not matter how long it is exposed. In most cases, it can simply be wiped clean and disinfected with a bacteria killing formula.

The seats themselves are the problem because they are completely porous. The foam padding underneath soaks up water fast, and it is hard to eradicate. For this reason, SERVPRO must remove all wet seat backs and covers. The padding gets discarded because it holds water and this can lead to mildew. However, some more good news is the fact that only a portion of the seats is likely to be affected by an internal flood.

The Optimal Restoration Plan

So, the first step is to remove wet covers. The padding is then removed, which leaves the seats stripped back to the frame. Inspecting the condition of the springs is important. They should not have had time to rust or corrode, but SERVPRO is thorough and ensures that all damaged components get restored.

The technicians clean and disinfect the ‘S’ springs by hand to prevent the growth of mold. It is harder to access coil springs when they are attached to a webbing hose of rubber or burlap. They are also more prone to mildew. Depending on the amount of damage, it could be better to replace the coil springs. The alternative is to attach them to a new frame, and this is a very expensive option if a significant number of seats are affected.

If the water damage is very recent (has been addressed quickly), we may be able to rescue the seat covers and backs. In some cases, once removed from the frame, the fabric can be taken offsite and washed at a specialist facility. If the damage is extensive, however, we have links to a variety of contractors who can provide a reupholstering service.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Northwest Dallas has been serving businesses in the Dallas area for many years. We have plenty of experience and understand how to deal with water damage even in unique conditions. Call us 24/7 at (214) 361-7887 to arrange emergency repairs.