Ask The Experts: What is secondary damage?

11/29/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage is a serious issue that you need to deal with promptly when it happens.

There are some things you can do on your own to help while waiting for professionals and those tasks are in our previous post of do's and dont's for water damage.

If water damage is not fixed quickly can destroy the integrity of your house.

Structural Damage

The biggest problem faced by homeowners after their houses are damaged by water is structural damage. It might sound obvious, but when your house has been hit by a lot of water the whole structure can be weakened. That’s particularly true in any area where water was allowed to sit for more than a few hours.
If you have water sitting on the floors and on your walls for days, after a major catastrophe you could really be facing some serious structural issues. Hire a professional to look at your home and don’t walk on floors, else it could be very badly damaged.

Even if your home doesn’t have significant structural damage, being in a home that’s been badly damaged by water can create some other serious issues. Mold and mildew are the most common problems, and walls and floors that have been soaked by water can start growing mold in just a few hours.

So give us a call today! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to put our years of experience to work for you! 

Check out our reviews and other information on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

How Can I Prevent A Burst Pipe?

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Bursting pipes can occur without warning and can devastate homes. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when an issue suddenly occurs in your home, but knowing what to do if a pipe bursts can help you react in a timely manner.

1. Stop the Flowing Water

A burst pipe can allow huge amounts of water to come into your house in a very short period of time, and more water in your home will likely mean more damage. Using the shutoff valve, which is often located in basements or garages, will turn off the water to your entire house. Other issues may also require you to turn off the water in your home, so it’s generally helpful to know how to cut off the supply of water before any problems arise.

2. Turn Off the Power

The amount of water bursting pipes can bring into the home can create electrical hazards. In order to keep yourself safe and to minimize the risk of an electrical fire, it’s generally wise to turn off the power to your residence. Additionally, it’s often best not to touch any items that use electricity or any electrical outlets even after you have turned off your home’s power.

3. Ask for Help

After the water is no longer flowing into your home and your home no longer has power, it’s often best to contact a plumber and water damage restoration expert. A plumber can fix the broken pipe and can assess your other tubes to make sure they aren’t also at risk of bursting. Restoration specialists can assist you in removing water from your home and can restore personal belongings that were damaged by the water.

It’s often helpful for homeowners to know what to do if a problem such as bursting pipes occurs. Stopping the flow of water, turning off your home’s power and contacting professionals in restoration can help to decrease the cost, time and stress spent dealing with a burst pipe.

Where Is This Water Coming From?

4/3/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can come from a myriad of sources, but few are as costly as a leaking water heater. In addition to the cleaning and possible restoration of your home and belongings, the broken water heater in and of itself is quite expensive to fix, replace, and install. Not all water heaters are fixable, but those that are have the potential to be repaired during the professional water mitigation process.

Causes of Water Heater Leaking

There are a number of factors that can contribute to water damage and mold growth as a result of a leaking water heater. The most common reasons include:

• Loose drain valve: these are often slow leaks and will only create more serious problems when left unchecked for an extended period of time
• Too much pressure in the tank: when the water heater is set at too high a temperature, if water flow into the tank is set at too high a pressure, or if the pressure relief valve is defective, the tank will begin to leak in order to relieve pressure
• Tank is too old: corrosion and rust naturally occur in tanks, so water will inevitably leak over time

Mitigating Water Damage

The only way to truly prevent water damage due to a leaking water heater is to keep close watch over the area on a regular basis. Ensure valves are secure, but not too tight as this will also cause a breakage and leakage. Know the age of your tank, as well as its life expectancy, and plan your finances accordingly in order to replace the tank before a problem occurs. Finally, always follow the tank’s recommended guidelines on water temperature and pressure, as undue force will greatly reduce the life of the tank. A broken water heater can be detrimental to your home and the space in which it occupies, so working with water mitigation professionals is an ideal way to keep your home safe from water and mold damage.

Sump Pump Failures Happen & When They Do - SERVPRO Is Here!

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you find that it has failed, please don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Steuben, DeKalb and LaGrange counties and let us help you!

A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of the basement or crawlspace. Its purpose is to keep the area under the building dry and to prevent flooding. They are usually installed to well constructed sump pits. Water flows into the pit by drains or natural water migration through the soil. The pumps job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building.

Sump pump failure happens often. Be sure to inspect your pump and make sure it is working properly.

If you find that it has failed, please don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Steuben, DeKalb and LaGrange counties and let us help you! We strive to help others and ease the stress!

260-665-7998

Basement Flooding Is Never Fun To Deal With, So Call SERVPRO C

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

There are several different circumstances that can result in a flooded basement. If that happens to you, help is a call away.

Basements are prone to flooding for many reasons. It can happen anytime although it usually occurs during a heavy rainfall or snowmelts. Basements are the lowest level of a building and are typically built entirely or partly below ground level.

Reasons for flooded basements vary. It could occur by seepage or flow through the walls or foundation floor, surface water sources,  sewer backup or many other reasons.

Gravity always does its magic. if the source of water intrusion is above the basement, it will work its way down.

There are several different circumstances that can result in a flooded basement. If that happens to you, help is a call away.

260-665-7998

SERVPRO of Steuben DeKalb and LaGrange counties has trained water damage technicians that can help you every step of the way.

SERVPRO Can Help Ease Your Worries When Water Damage Occurs

2/6/2022 (Permalink)

What to expect when you call 

We understand that you may be feeling confused, stressed and vulnerable when you call us. You need an expert, a professional to guide you through this and that's exactly what we do. When you call our office a SERVPRO representative will ask you a few questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (you do not need a claim number to call)
• When did the damage occur?
• What caused the water damage?
• Is there standing water?

Let us help you in this time of need and ease your mind. Gives us a call today

260-665-7998

Is It True That I Can Prevent My Basement From Flooding?

2/5/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded basements are stressful and chaotic. Although there is no for sure way to guarantee a basement will never flood you can be a proactive homeowner and follow these tips.

• Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts. Make sure your gutters are cleared of debris and downspouts properly positioned away from the foundation. You can always use downspout extensions or troughs if necessary.
• Inspect and repair foundation cracks. Cracks in your foundation act as an open invitation for water.
• Practice proper sump pump maintenance. Check often to make sure your pump is working properly and is plugged in. Maybe have a back up or a generator for when there is no electricity.
• Inspect sewers and clean septic systems. Properly keeping up with these will help prevent havoc from happening.
• Install window well covers. Do you have below grade basement windows? Protect them with window well covers.

If you find water in your basement, please give us a call to help you in the time of need!

260-665-7998

Water Damage Will Happen, But SERVPRO Is Here For You!

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

Any home or business can suffer water damage in the basement. It might be caused by a burst pipe, a storm, a leaking appliance, a flood, or one of many other common causes of water damage. Remember this first of all: If your basement has water damage SERVPRO recommends you keep safety as your number one priority. Here are a few quick tips.

Is your house safe?
If you’re not sure, don’t take a chance. Find somewhere else to stay until you’re certain your house is safe again.

Do you have electrical or "slip and fall" hazards?
After major storms in the Steuben, Dekalb or LaGrange area, we see a lot of these hazards. Often, electrical power to even severely flooded homes is still live. A saturated environment with standing water that is close to energized electrical outlets, submerged wiring, and wet appliances is dangerous to you both during and after a flood. Slip and fall hazards include items submerged in the water that you can’t easily see and flooring area that may appear relatively dry and even but is actually uneven or wet enough to not safely support your footfall.
 
Are you only doing things you know are safe?
Some homeowners want to dig right in and start making repairs before they know the extent of the water damage and how best to fix the damage. Don’t take risks. Make a full assessment of the damage and tackle only those repairs you know how to do well.

Can you see?
If you have water damage in the basement can you see what and where you are walking on? Don't walk on or near an area that doesn't have sufficient lighting.

Are you trying to lift wet materials?
If so, be careful. When items are soaked with water they become dangerously heavy. You might also do further damage to an item that is water soaked by trying to lift or move it.

Contact A Water Removal Service
With any major basement water damage you’re wise to contact a professional water removal service like SERVPRO. You want the job done right and right away. That’s what we do. Give us a call today! 

Sewer damage and drain back up can cause serious damage to your home, but SERVPRO Is Here For You!

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

Sewer damage and drain back up can cause serious damage to your homes. They also present health risks and should only be cleaned by certified water damage professionals. SERVPRO is trained to deal with sewer damage issues.

Some examples include, but are not limited to: sewage, toilet backflows that originate from beyond the toilet trap regardless of visible content or color.

Below are some basic procedures for clean up

1. Identify ALL safety issues
2. Determine source or Sewer back up and get problem fixed as quickly as possible 
3. Extract materials and/or remove all standing water
4. Apply EPA registered disinfectant
5. Remove and discard all contaminated porous and semi-porous structural materials included carpet and pad
6. Measure and document all moisture levels in affected areas.
7. Install barriers to contain damaged areas
8. Install drying equipment 
9. Monitor job daily.
10. Once completely dry. Clean all areas prior to rebuild.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to put our years of experience to work for you! 

Check out our reviews and other information on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

Are You Prepared For The Cost Of Water Damage?

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage is one of the most common and costly disasters affecting American residences, accounting for billions of dollars in losses to homeowners and renters each year. Here are some simple steps you can take right now (okay, this weekend!) that will go a long way toward preventing water damage to your home.

• Caulk and seal windows to guard against water seepage
• Inspect your roof for missing, damaged and aging shingles
• Check downspouts. Remove accumulated debris and position downspouts to direct water away from the house
• Check sprinklers and irrigation systems. Be sure they are not damaging the walls and foundations of the house
• In winter, turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes
• Install gutter guards to prevent clogging so that water flows easily from the roof

If you do suffer damage from a water disaster, you’ll need to act fast. Step one is to call an experienced water damage remediation company, such as SERVPRO of Steuben, Dekalb and LaGrange. We’re here to help when you have property and structure damage from a water disaster—and we’ll get the job done quickly and completely!