Water in the Winter

12/11/2023 (Permalink)

In an environment where the weather is constantly fluctuating between temperatures ranging from the 10s to the 40s, the occurrence of sporadic snowfall, melting snow, and subsequent freezing is a common challenge. These variations can pose potential threats to your property, leading to water intrusions through inadequately sealed areas like the roof, walls, windows, or even from leaking appliances or broken pipes.

Should you notice any signs of water damage, regardless of their apparent severity, it is essential to promptly address the issue. Water and moisture-related problems, whether visible or concealed behind insulation or within wall surfaces, have the potential to harbor bacteria, foster mold growth, induce rot, emit odors, or cause other unseen damages. Regardless of the magnitude of the problem, reaching out to our professionals for a complimentary initial assessment and estimate is strongly recommended.

Prioritizing safety during water cleanup is crucial. If feasible, take steps to prevent further damage while waiting for our professional team's arrival. In cases where self-intervention is not practical, our team will act promptly to:

1. Identify the source and type of water.
2. Measure temperature and humidity for drying analysis.
3. Survey the extent of damage and inspect the premises.
4. Perform emergency water extraction.
5. Apply necessary treatments.
6. Employ drying equipment and monitor the drying process.

Throughout the water remediation process, we work in collaboration with you and your insurance company, should you have initiated a claim. Remember, it is imperative not to let water of any type linger; give us a call, and we will be there promptly to assist!

Water Removal in Floyd County

11/3/2023 (Permalink)

We will be there every step of the way for your Floyd County water loss. Clean up of minor spills and quickly discovered leaks are certainly within the DIY capabilities of a homeowner who has a bucket and a mop.

On the other hand, if a major plumbing fail or an appliance malfunction pours gallons of water into your home, you need to find trustworthy professional help. Not only are the quantities of water in these cases substantial, but the migration of the fluid into building cavities and materials is also a concern. We extract water rapidly and efficiently. All it takes is a broken dishwasher hose, a ruptured water heater, or a clogged toilet to require significant water removal. Our ability to respond fast with a well-trained and equipped crew is why we can extract large amounts of water safely and to dry out spaces thoroughly. Investment in training through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) aligns with investment in up to date, commercial-grade equipment and products to provide our customers with results that meet or exceed industry best practices. We follow research-based protocols, and have a solid understanding of the science of drying, psychometry, is why efforts from SERVPRO® in removing water and returning your home to preloss condition are successful. Research demonstrates that the more liquid water initially removed, the faster and more efficient drying operations can be. Our submersible pumps clear out water deeper than two inches. Extractors with wands then take on the task of removing as much of the remaining fluids as possible. We are skilled at moisture detection and monitoring mastery of IICRC coursework in the tracing of water migration combined with decades of experience in detection implementation are why SERVPRO can go that extra mile for our customers.

Surfaces can look dry, yet hide caches of water in cavities or absorbed into the structural components. We use thermal imaging to find temperature disparities that signal trapped water and moisture meters to set drying goal baselines. Controlled demolition techniques like flood cuts or weep holes release hidden water. Air movers and heaters accelerate evaporation, moving water into the air for our commercial dehumidifiers’ collection and disposal. Dependable and experienced workers and top-notch equipment are why SERVPRO meets your water removal needs fast.

Floods Happen. SERVPRO Is Here To Help 24/7/365

9/1/2023 (Permalink)

Floods Rank As One Of The Most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States.  Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is a potential for suffering flood damage.

Just because you haven't experienced a flood in the past, doesn't mean you wont in the future. In fact, 20% of call claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $3 billion in annual losses in the United States. Commercial flood claims average more than $75,000.

According to the American Red Cross (ARC), floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather-related disaster. The ARC offers the following flood safety tips.

-Stay away from flood waters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. Keep your pets out of the water too.

If a flood does strike your home or business, contact your local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. The SERVPRO System is prepared to handle any sized disaster. The sooner work begins, the sooner order can be restored.

Sump Pump Failure Cleanup

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Floyd County recently got called to a home where the sump pump had failed and the customer had four inches of standing water in his basement. When SERVPRO of arrived on site there was no longer four inches of standing water but there was still a good amount of water throughout the basement. SERVPRO performed the necessary actions to remove the water and moisture from the basement using extraction methods, fans and dehumidifiers. When the dry out was finished our repair division replaced all the damaged drywall. 

In some cases your home owners insurance may not cover sump pump overflows. This is a good reminder to take a look at your home insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for sump pump failure. Sump pump fails are very common and you might want to make sure it is included in your home insurance policy. This slight increase in your monthly insurance cost could save you thousands of dollars in the future.

Here are Some Ways to Prevent Water in your Home

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Floyd County would like to offer residents helpful tips to prevent water damages to your home.

Outside you should follow these steps:
1.  Disconnect Hoses
Standing water in a hose may freeze back into the pipe and cause it to burst inside your home.
2.  Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Clean your gutters at least twice a year to avoid blockage and ice dams.
3. Maintain or clear Bushes and Vegetation
Thriving shrubs can be a beautiful thing – except when their roots wrap around your pipes and break them. 
Inside you should follow these steps:
4.  Know your Water Main Location
Know the location of your water main and shut it off if you leave for an extended amount of time. 
5.  Check Appliances Regularly
Check and maintain your appliances regularly for leaks according to manufacturer’s directions.
6.  Investigate Leaks Right Away and Fix Promptly
If you opt to ignore moisture damage, or postpone making the necessary repairs, be prepared to experience mold, mildew, or dry rot.
7.  Upgrade Washing Machine Hoses
Old, brittle or leaky washing machine hoses are among the most frequent causes of water loss for homeowners. Consider installing stainless steel hoses.
8.  Check Your Water Pressure
If the water pressure to your home is set too high, pipes and hoses may fail under the pressure.
9.  Monitor Your Water Bill

Sometimes, the only way you know that water is leaking is taking a closer look at your water bill.
SERVPRO of Floyd County is locally owned and our team of highly trained professionals can respond to your emergency 24/7/365.

Water Damage from a Customer Perspective

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Below is an account of a water loss from the customer's perspective. While sitting in my living room all of a sudden I feel something wet hit my forehead. I immediately look up and see a huge water stain on the ceiling and start freaking out! I ran upstairs to find that I forgot to turn the bath water off and it is pouring out all over the bathroom floor out into the hall. BAM! A huge noise comes from downstairs so I run back down to find that the wet ceiling is now on the floor and water is going everywhere! I immediately called SERVPRO of Floyd County. Their crews came quickly and started extracting up all the water. The next thing they did was started drying out all of the wet flooring, walls and ceilings. They finished the whole job so quickly, it didn't even feel like they were there. When SERVPRO of Floyd County says "Like it never even happened," they mean it!

When Disaster Strikes If You're Away - You Can Count On SERVPRO!

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

When you leave down for an extended period of time it's always good to have someone check on your home.  Disasters can strike even when you are away.  For this customer their toilet supply line leaked on the second story and over the course of a week the water dripped through to their first story and was covering all of their hardwood floors.  Once the customer arrived home they called SERVPRO of Floyd County and they were on site quickly to start the remediation process.  First they began extracting the water, and removing affecting drywall on ceilings and walls.  Once the demo process was complete they set up drying equipment.  Air movers and dehumidifiers were used in the affected bathroom.  Air movers, dehumidifiers and a floor mat drying system was used to dry out the floor below the leak.  The hardwood floors were able to be saved thanks to the floor mat drying system.  SERVPRO of Floyd County always believe in saving and restoring before replacing at all cost.  This saves the customer time and money.   

Heavy Rain In Our Area Can Cause Flooded Basements

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Our area as you know, has been hit by a serious amount of rain over the past weekend. We have a long list of claims that have called in, and SERVPRO is getting to your job as quickly as possible!

During these times please try to be patient with us as we are working our best to get to you. SERVPRO insures we do the job correctly, so each job could take 3-4 hours, depending on the size of the job itself.

If you are on our list we have not forgotten about you, and im stressing that we are working to our fullest potential to be speedy, yet officiant to every ones needs. The SERVPRO way!

In the mean time there are things you could do to help salvage contents etc.

1. Try to remove any contents you can off of the wet floors, and move them to a dry location so they aren't sitting in water.

2. If you have capable hands, try to start removing some of the water with a shop vac until we can get there with our extractors and do a thorough job. The less water the better!

If you have any questions at all before we get to your home, please feel free to call us! We would be more than happy to assist you on any concerns you may have!

Thank you again for your patience and putting your trust into SERVPRO!

When Your Vacation Ends, Sometimes the Water Trouble Can Begin

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

Imagine coming home from vacation, opening your front door, and seeing water on the floors and drywall scattered across your furniture and electronics as the ceiling is crumbling down.

As you walk through your home, going up squishy stairs, you realize your whole home is flooded. Your home is where you take refuge from the world. Home is where you're surrounded by memories. When your home is threatened by water damage, it can be a traumatic event. What do you do next? When we asked SERVPRO customers to describe our team, the one word that kept coming up was “hero.” We are here to help, with compassion, expertise and urgency.  

Don't hesitate to give us a call day or night so we can make it "Like it never even happened." We are faster to ANY disaster, are here 24/7/365, and have the equipment, experience, and expertise to get you back to preloss conditions. 

Flood damage? What if it from a storm? Don’t worry, SERVPRO is here!

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

If your Floyd County building is damaged during a storm you might think that all of the water damage falls into one category.  However, this is not necessarily the case. Flood damage is actually a bit different from other types of damage caused by water. The following are a few distinctions.

Where the Water Comes From

Perhaps the easiest way to determine whether you are dealing with flood damage or other water damage is to figure out where the water is coming from. Generally, if the water comes from above, then it is regular water damage. This can include leaks and broken pipes. If the water is rising up from the ground, then this is always considered flood water.

The Level of Water Contamination

A lot of the water involved in storm damage is considered to be category 1 or clean water. Water from damaged pipes or supply lines also belongs to this category. Flood water, on the other hand, is category 3 or black water. This means that it is highly contaminated and should be avoided. This is because water from a flood mixes with sewage and other contaminants on the ground. Anything that it touches, including home contents, will need to be thrown away or thoroughly sanitized.

Whether It is Included in Your Insurance Policy

Another important difference between damage from a flood and damage from other water sources is that flooding is usually not included in your basic insurance policy. If you want coverage for this type of damage, then you will need to purchase a separate flood policy. Whether you are dealing with clean water or flood damage, you will need to have it taken care for quickly to avoid further damage to your building.

Moisture of any type can contribute to weakened materials or mold growth. SERVPRO of Floyd County can remove the water and perform any necessary repairs.

Ask The Experts: How Quickly Do I Need To Call SERVPRO After I Find Water Damage?

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

The amount of damage water can cause is amazing and often underestimated by homeowners. Excess moisture is bad enough, but when a home is flooded or hit with a plumbing disaster (like a busted pipe), the situation can quickly get out of hand. There’s a reason why these incidents are among the most expensive problems a homeowner can face. 

Floods, sewage back flows, and other sources of contaminated fluid usually cause the worst damage.  Water can be filled with all kinds of deadly substances, ranging from chemical residues to animal feces to parasites. Bacteria, viruses and fungi grow in an alarming rate in contaminated fluid, and severe health risks can be caused by these contaminants.

This problem is compounded by the composition of most homes, which are filled with organic materials. Drywall, wood and the matter that is trapped in carpet fibers are just a few examples, and they can give pathogens room to grow. Within 48 hours, mold may begin creeping behind the walls and releasing spores, and any organic materials that have been soaked through by contaminated fluid will usually have to be destroyed.

SERVPRO of Floyd County will dry the home quickly and apply antibacterial, antiviral, and anti fungal agents to all surfaces that had contact with the water. This ensures the family can return to a safe home.

Hardwood floor water damage

8/11/2021 (Permalink)

We received a call from a customer in a panic over their refrigerator pouring water throughout their kitchen. Our marketing representative took the call and immediately stopped what he was doing and went straight out to the house.
Upon arrival, it was discovered they were able to shut the water off so the leak had stopped. However,  there was still the issue of water all over there kitchen and there brand new hardwood floors. SERVPRO immediately started extracting the water up while the rest of the crew starting getting the drying mats out to make sure the hardwood floors were completely dry.  A few days later we were out there picking up all the equipment and doing our final walk through and moisture checks. The customer was so happy that SERVPRO of Floyd County was able to come out so quickly and made their loss truly “Like it never even happened.”