“Most people’s most expensive possession is their home, and they get emotional,” said Ed Jones, a CodeBlue instructor. “We need to be sensitive to that, and use our expertise and knowledge to save it.”
During the eight-hour class, students will estimate the cost of restoring a home, study the damage to different materials and construction techniques, and use various types of drying equipment to determine the best and most cost-effective way to fix water damage. The entire course runs one week.
Hal Brown, another CodeBlue instructor, walked 15 students through the house and described the best way to restore each room.
CodeBlue employees flooded the home by opening a pipe under the sink, a common way people get water damage, Brown said. They also sprayed the rest of the house with a hose to ensure the entire house was soaked.
“It’s very interesting to see as a homeowner,” said Bob Mitterholzer, a 57-year-old student and CodeBlue employee. His house flooded two years ago, he said.
The process of drying and restoring the CodeBlue flood house started after lunch Monday. Part of the class involves using various types of equipment — including fans, carpet cleaners and heat reading meters — to determine the best tools for different situations, Jones said.
Ninety percent of the house dries within 12 hours after the process begins, Jones said.
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