Dealing with Flood Damage: Immediate Steps to Take Before Help Arrives

6/10/2024 (Permalink)

Floods can cause extensive damage to your home, but taking immediate action can help minimize the impact. Here are some steps to take before professional help arrives:

1. Ensure Safety First

Before entering your home, ensure it is safe to do so. Check for electrical hazards and structural damage. If there is standing water near electrical outlets or appliances, do not enter until a professional has assessed the situation.

2. Stop the Water Source

If the flooding is due to a burst pipe or another internal source, try to stop the flow of water if it's safe to do so. This may involve turning off the main water supply to your home.

3. Remove Excess Water

If possible, remove excess water using mops, buckets, or a wet/dry vacuum. Be cautious of contaminated water, and avoid using electrical appliances if the area is wet.

4. Move Furniture and Valuables

Move furniture, electronics, and other valuables to a dry area to prevent further damage. Place aluminum foil or wooden blocks under furniture legs to avoid staining carpets or flooring.

5. Ventilate the Area

Open windows and doors to allow for better air circulation. This helps with the drying process and reduces the potential for mold growth. If you have fans or dehumidifiers, use them to assist in drying out the affected areas.

6. Document the Damage

Take photographs and videos of the flood damage for insurance purposes. Documenting the extent of the damage can help with your insurance claim and ensure you receive adequate compensation.

7. Avoid Contaminated Water

Floodwater can be contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, and other hazardous materials. Avoid direct contact with floodwater and wear protective gear if you need to enter affected areas.

8. Contact Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company about the flood damage as soon as possible. They can provide guidance on the claims process and may help arrange for professional assistance.

9. Call SERVPRO® for Professional Help

Once you’ve taken the initial steps, contact SERVPRO for professional water damage restoration services. Our team is equipped to handle the full scope of water damage, from extraction and drying to cleaning and restoration.

By following these immediate steps, you can help mitigate the damage caused by flooding and ensure a smoother restoration process when professional help arrives.

Do you know the signs of water dmaage?

6/19/2023 (Permalink)

Sound

Sometimes you can’t see water damage, but you can hear it. Water damage might sound like dripping water, it might sound like creaking floor boards or it might sound like rushing water. Of course, these sounds might also be the result of a perfectly functional plumbing system, so what you’re looking for is signs that have changed.

Smell

Another sense you can use to look for signs of water damage or moisture in your home is smell. Dampness has a very distinct odor and this might also be accompanied by the musky smell of mold. Look out for smells in conjunction with other indicators of water damage. Pooling Water or Puddles If you have something dripping or leaking, then this can leave pools of water. If you notice an unusual puddle, then keep an eye on it to see if it comes back after you clean it up. If it does, then you may have a leak or seepage.

Coldness

If your home is very difficult to heat, then this might be a sign that you have dampness affecting your walls. Water and moisture will often draw heat out of walls in order to evaporate and this, in turn, leaves those walls and the property overall much colder.

Mold

Just as there is no smoke without fire, there is no mold without water damage. You may not need water damage restoration if the mold is a result of condensation in your bathroom, but in any situation, this is a sign that there is too much moisture in some part of your home and you need to deal with it swiftly by drying the area. Mold has its own smell and can also cause health symptoms such as cold-like or allergy symptoms as well as headaches and nausea.

Discoloration

Discoloration is another sign of water damage. In particular look for ‘streaks’ of water that are running down the side of your home. This can sometimes be a sign of an overflowing gutter, which will result in watermarks that are quite distinctive and show where the water has traveled down the wall.

FASTER to Water Damage

3/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Wayne County provides 24/7 water damage restoration service in the Wayne County area. Flooding and water emergencies do not wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Wayne County provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. Faster To Any Size Disaster!

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Wayne County arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs. 

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (919)751-5353 

Water Damage Timeline:
Within Minutes-
Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path. Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets. Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp. 

Hours 1 - 24:
Drywall begins to swell and break down.
Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
Furniture begins to swell and crack.
Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
A musty odor appears. 

48 Hours to 1 Week:
Mold and mildew may grow and spread. Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp. Metal begins to rust and corrode.
Furniture warps and shows signs of mold. Paint begins to blister.
Wood flooring swells and warps.
Serious biohazard contamination is possible. 

More Than 1 Week:
Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive. Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants. 

SERVPRO of Wayne County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. 

5 Tips to prevent water damage

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

Most Homeowners insurance policies cover basic water damage claims up to the purchased limit.

But you know what’s a lot easier than going through the claims process? Preventing the water damage in the first place!

Check out these 5 suggestions for preventing water damage:

1. Be careful where you plant

Some plants and trees, like weeping willows, have pretty invasive roots. If you’re not careful, they’ll grow right into your sprinkler system, drainage field, pipes, and septic tanks. Plan before you plant to keep roots away from any water lines.

2. Clean out roof gutters

You know it’s on your to-do list anyway, so if you can, take a safe climb up to your roof next Sunday and check out your gutters. If you’re seeing lots of leaves, birds’ nests, sticks, and whatnot up there, your gutters may not be doing the job you hired them for. And on a rainy day, a clogged gutter can send water spilling into your home’s foundation, through the roof, or down to your basement. That could cause some serious water damage! So next time you’re doing some seasonal cleaning, make sure those gutters are clean. And if your gutters are too high, be safe and get a professional to check them.

3.  Keep an eye on your water bill

With so many water pipes hidden behind walls and in the floors in your house, you might not know there’s a leak until the damage is done. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your monthly water bill. If you see it starting to creep up, or get one that’s uncommonly high, it’s a pretty good sign that you may have a leak somewhere.

4. Use a drain snake instead of unclogging chemicals

No matter how crazy clean you are, from your shower to your kitchen sink, clogs are going to happen. And chances are at some point in your life you’ve used one of those powerful chemical drain cleaners to get things moving again. But as convenient as they may be, most folks don’t realize those caustic chemicals are also eating away at their pipes (and they might not be too good for you either). If you rely on them a lot, you could be setting yourself up for leaks. That’s why owning a drain snake is a good solution to clear away clogs. They’re pretty inexpensive, you can get them at your local hardware store, and they can cut through most any clog you’ll have without damaging pipes or making your eyes red and teary.

5. Never pour grease down your sink

You’ve probably heard this before, but you should definitely avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. It doesn’t matter if you flush it with hot or cold water. It can still congeal and cling to your pipes, and could still cause some serious damage and blockage.

Some people use detergent to break up grease before pouring it down the drain…and that may help sometimes. But there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep the grease from sticking to your pipes, so why take the risk?

The safest thing to do is just to pour your grease in an empty can, and either let it sit or put it in the refrigerator. Once it hardens you can toss it in the trash and get rid of it. Done and done.

Water Damage? Here is a list of Dos and Don'ts

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

Do

• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting the saturated area.
• Wipe furniture to remove excess water.
• Place aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpet.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying.
• Lift drapes off flooring, loop through a coat hanger and hang on curtain rod.
• Remove wet area rugs.
• Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.
• Move valuable paintings, art objects, and photos to a safe, dry place.
• Open closet doors, furniture drawers, and luggage to aid in drying.
• Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.

Don't

• Use your household vacuum to remove the excess water.
• Use electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring or carpets.
• Wait to call for professional help. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur.

If you suffer a water loss remember, our technicians are on call 24/7, 365 for you!

What is water damage restoration?

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage refers to the destructive processes that result when water intrudes into a building and its components. Examples of water damage include rotting wood, oxidation of metal (rust), microbial growth, and de-lamination of composite building materials. Once water seeps into building materials such as wood, dry wall, or masonry, a natural chemical reaction starts to occur, breaking down the integrity of the material. If left unaddressed, water damage can cause the stability of a structure to be compromised, making it unsafe for human occupancy. In addition, grey water, or water that contains significant chemical, biological, or physical elements, may quickly become hazardous to human exposure as microbes and other contaminants begin to grow to dangerous levels when water has been standing in excess of 48-72 hours.

Many highly contagious illnesses are connected to water damage including skin infections, hepatitis A, salmonella, eye infections, respiratory infections, and Weil’s disease, as well as liver, blood, and kidney issues.

Water Damage Restoration Solutions

The first step in water damage restoration is emergency mitigation. This includes locating the source of and eliminating the influx of intruding water, as well as an assessment of the damage and danger to humans. These services should only be performed by trained, licensed flood restoration professionals.

Once the damage and health effects have been assessed, drying and dehumidification services should be performed on all affected areas. A quick assessment of equipment, documents, and other items can determine whether or not contents restoration is possible or necessary. In addition, mold remediation services can minimize the long-term health effects of microbial growth associated with water damage.

Once your structure is deemed safe for human occupation, temporary power and HVAC services can get your business back online and back to work, minimizing business interruption.

IICRC Certified Contractors-What is the advantage?

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

With most home improvements costing significant time and money, it’s essential that you hire a reliable contractor for the job. This ensures that the work will be done in a timely and efficient manner. While it might seem difficult, looking for an upstanding contractor is actually easier than you think. Just check for certifications from trusted organizations in the industry.

One of our notable certifications includes the ANSI/IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) S500 Water Damage Restoration certificate. This provides a specific set of practical standards for water damage restoration. From the initial inspection to mold remediation, we’ll deal with the issues involved with water damage though our quality materials and highly trained team.

Here’s more on how hiring an IICRC-certified contractor like SERVPRO of Wayne County can benefit you:

1. Peace of Mind — You can be sure that we’ll present you with accurate information while conducting business with honesty and integrity. We maintain a liability insurance to protect you and your investment in the event that an accident occurs in your property.
2. Expertise — No matter the job you can count on us to do a superior job. As an IICRC-certified contractor, our team is formally trained and passes all the required tests.
3. Up-to-Date — An IICRC-certified contractor participates in a continuing education program to keep up with the latest changes in the industry.
4. Client Satisfaction — We remain complaint-free from the Better Business Bureau, but we still maintain a written complaint policy and comply with the Bureau in resolving disputes, as IICRC dictates.