In early 2025, Paget High School experienced a significant water escape incident caused by a leaking drain-off tap in the loft space of its Sixth Form Business block.
The leak, which had gone undetected for an unknown period, resulted in water ingress that affected multiple classrooms, corridors, and IT storage areas.
McLarens (loss adjusters) appointed Vinci Response to conduct a full assessment and deliver emergency mitigation works to stabilise the situation, prevent further damage, and prepare the site for reinstatement.
The Challenge:
When the escape of water was discovered, it had already caused substantial disruption. Water had breached ceilings, saturated insulation, and penetrated flooring in several key areas of the school. Moisture had also migrated into previously unaffected rooms, including spaces housing sensitive IT equipment. The presence of standing water posed immediate health and safety risks, with the potential for mould growth, electrical hazards, and further structural damage if left unaddressed.
The school’s internal maintenance team had made initial efforts to limit the spread by relocating contents and extracting surface water. However, the extent of hidden moisture beneath vinyl and carpeted flooring, along with the compromised ceiling structures, required professional intervention. Vinci Response faced the critical task of mitigating damage quickly and safely, while ensuring minimal disruption to school operations..
Our Solution:
Vinci Response deployed a team of experienced BDMA-certified technicians to conduct a comprehensive moisture survey and implement a structured remediation plan. The process began with the use of specialist equipment to map moisture levels throughout all affected areas, including classrooms, corridors, washrooms, and the server room.
Key elements of our solution included:
- Targeted Strip-Out Works: We safely removed compromised ceiling sections, saturated insulation, damaged carpet tiles, vinyl flooring, and affected skirting boards. These works prevented the risk of ceiling collapse and inhibited mould development.
- Deep Cleaning and Sanitisation: All exposed surfaces—floors, walls, trusses, and joists—were thoroughly cleaned and sanitised to ensure a safe environment for staff and students.
- Installation of Drying Equipment: A tailored drying regime was implemented using dehumidifiers (LGR and desiccant), air movers, and scrubbers to efficiently reduce moisture content. Equipment was carefully monitored and repositioned as conditions changed.
- Moisture Monitoring and Reporting: Remote and onsite monitoring continued throughout the drying phase to track progress and maintain efficiency. Follow-up surveys confirmed moisture levels had stabilised to acceptable levels.
- PAT Testing and Equipment Safety: At the client’s request, we carried out PAT testing on over 270 electrical items to ensure all IT and classroom equipment was safe for reuse.
By coordinating closely with site staff and the loss adjuster, Vinci Response delivered a timely, cost-effective solution that returned the building to a dry and safe condition, ready for reinstatement.
What Our Client Said
“Vinci Response acted swiftly and professionally from the moment they arrived on site. Their team kept us informed throughout the process and worked around the needs of the school to minimise disruption. We were particularly impressed with their thorough approach to drying, monitoring and documentation, which gave us complete peace of mind.”
– Representative, McLarens Loss Adjusters
Contact Vinci Response
If your property has suffered an escape of water or flood damage, Vinci Response delivers rapid, expert solutions to stabilise, dry, and restore affected areas.
Our experienced team is equipped to manage everything from initial assessment to full drying programmes, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.
Contact us today to see how we can help.
Call 03335 772 996 or email [email protected], and a member of our team will get back to you shortly.
For professional water damage remediation, contact Vinci Response today.
