Recent Water Damage Posts

Winter Water Damage

12/19/2023 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging from the gutters of a house. With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage.

Indiana winters are known to be brutally cold and large amounts of snow are always expected. With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage. It is crucial that you are aware of the hazards and can prepare, prevent or act quickly if faced with winter water damage.  

FROZEN PIPES  

A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused by the backflow pressure between the water source and the blockage. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly.  

ICE DAMS  

Ice dams can be a major problem during the winter season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice. When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof ’s shingles and into the structure’s interior areas.  

Cold weather, snow, and ice storms can cause severe damage to your home or business. When these types of disasters strike, immediate action is necessary to prevent additional damage to your property. Our team has winter storm experience, expertise, and the resources to remediate damage caused by winter weather. If disaster strikes your home or business during the winter months, know that SERVPRO® has your back. 

Sewage Cleanup and Restoration

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

Sewage backing up onto a bathroom floor. There are three major types of contaminated water.

There are three major types of contaminated water. SERVPRO® will inspect contaminated water to determine the type of water and then plan the appropriate response to safely restore your home or business. The three types of contaminated water are: 

Category 1: "Clean Water" 

This is water from a clean source, such as a broken clean water supply line or faucet. If left untreated, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 water depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants. 

Category 2: "Gray Water" 

This water has a significant level of contamination that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow, toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces, or dishwasher overflow. 

Category 3: "Black Water" 

This water is grossly unsanitary and could cause severe illness or death if ingested, and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth. 

Sewage backup should be considered an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible. SERVPRO® the water damage restoration specialists with specific training and expertise to safely restore your home or business. 

The Right Equipment

7/5/2023 (Permalink)

Air movers and dehumidifiers. SERVPRO understands that using the proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense.

SERVPRO® understands that using the proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. Learn more about the water mitigation equipment used by our team members! 

Detection Equipment 

  • Moisture Sensors - Used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.  
  • Moisture Meters - Used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate moisture readings that enables our team to monitor the drying process. 
  • Thermohygrometers  - Measures both temperature and relative humidity. Capturing these two readings, we use a psychrometric chart to calculate specific humidity, dew point and vapor press. 

Extraction Equipment 

  • Extractors - Used in cleaning carpets and upholstery and in removing water from floors following water damage. Extractors can either be truck-mounted or portable, allowing for greater access inside structures. 

Dehumidification Equipment 

  • Refrigerant Dehumidifiers - Works similarly to air conditioners.  
  • Desiccant Dehumidifiers - Uses chemicals, called desiccants, that readily absorb moisture from the air. 

SERVPRO® has the training, expertise and proper equipment to help with your water damage problem. If your commercial or residential property has an issue with water damage, call us today. 

Prevent Frozen Pipes

1/9/2023 (Permalink)

Frozen water coming out of a pipe. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly. 

A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused by the backflow and the blockage. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly.  

Prevent frozen pipes this winter with these tips:  

  • Keep water faucets running with a slow drip  
  • Keep garage door closed  
  • Keep thermostat set to the same temperature morning and night  
  • Leave the cabinet doors open near pipes  
  • Unhook the hose from outside the house  
  • Install heat tape  
  • Seal leaks to prevent cold air from entering your home  
  • Check the temperature in the house to ensure there is enough heat on those colder days  

Disasters can still happen to the most prepared person. If your home or business has water damage because of a burst frozen pipe, the team at SERVPRO is “Here to Help” get your property back to preloss condition.