Archived Water Damage Blog Posts
Baby, It's Cold Outside
11/5/2018 (Permalink)
BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
As the calendar turns to Fall, and temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to prepare your water pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting. Most of these problems happen in basements that are poorly insulated and unfinished. The good news is there’s a simple tip to prevent pipes from freezing – space heaters.
By placing one or more space heaters you’ll help to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting. The heat generated acts as an insulation barrier. You’ll also save money in the long term. As for attics, wrap the pipes with heat trace tape.
Don’t be a penny wise and a pound foolish when it comes to your thermostat temperature setting. Keep it set at a minimum of 65 degrees throughout the day.
It’s also a very good idea to have your HVAC system checked and inspected by a professional before it gets too late. By practicing common sense maintenance you may prevent a disaster.
Make sure to know where the main water valve is located in case your pipes do freeze so you can turn it off. Turn on all faucets to drain the pipes.
Be proactive. Take preventative steps. By acting now you can save money and lots of headaches.
What Causes Flooding?
7/27/2018 (Permalink)
Besides the unfortunate pipe burst, what normally causes floods? Floods can happen anywhere and can be caused by human-made structures or nature.
The most common cause of a flood is heavy rains. Cities have drainage systems for the sole reason of heavy rains. However, if the system becomes overwhelmed an overflow can occur.
Overflowing rivers are another cause of flooding. Even if you do not experience heavy rains in your area, flooding can occur from rivers if you live upstream of a location that did have heavy rains.
Many urban cities use concrete to build their water basins in case of heavy rains. Even though concrete is durable, it is not permeable so when these basins fill up the water has nowhere else to go and can cause flooding in low-lying areas.
Winter months can also cause flooding. Melting snow and ice, in large quantities, can cause low-lying areas to flood. This only occurs when there is a winter of heavy snowfall.
Flooding can be a severe problem depending on where you live. Check your residential flood maps to see if your home falls in an at-risk area so you can prepare yourself for possible floods. If you home does flood, call SERVPRO of Hicksville and Plainview so we can help you start the restoration process.
Why You Should Never Install Your Carpet Yourself
7/26/2018 (Permalink)
We all have those moments when we think, "I don't need to call a professional. I can do this myself". Where in some cases this may be true, do not try to install your carpet yourself after you have experienced a flood. Flood-damaged carpet and carpet padding need to be dealt with by professionals. Here are some common mistakes people make when they try to DIY their carpet installation.
1. Having a patterned carpet means matching up the pattern as you install. This can be tricky, and some people don't realize that the design doesn't match up until after they completed their installation.
2. People make the mistake of thinking that they don't need proper tools and equipment. When water has damaged your carpet, there is an intensive drying process to make sure mold won't grow under the carpet after installation. This process requires tools not many people have at home.
3. Often when people install their carpet, they come across the dilemma of the floor layout. "Many non-professional flooring installers may not realize that the floor layout has a big impact on how the carpet should be cut. All floors have different shapes and sizes, and usually don't have perfect, clean squares and rectangles. Disregarding this important fact can lead to lumps and mismatched look to the carpet flooring" (SelfGrowth.com, 2018).
4. If you are trying to get the job done as quickly as possible, you might lay the glue down too quickly. Professional carpet installers check to see if the carpet lays right on the floor without puckering before they put the glue down. However, most people overlook this step and go straight to putting the glue down. Once the glue is on, there is no going back so if the carpet was not cut right you might end up with lumps.
Always have professionals install your carpet after a flood. If water has damaged your carpet, call SERVPRO of Hicksville and Plainview so we can start the carpet removal and cleaning process.
Ways You May Be Ruining Your Wood Floors
12/1/2017 (Permalink)
Forgetting to Sweep
Sweeping and vacuuming hardwood floors isn't only a good cleaning tip, but it can also lengthen the life of your floors. Dust, dirt, and other abrasive particles can scratch and dull the finish of wood floors once they’re underfoot. Tidying up often, though, will keep them from causing lasting damage.
Using the Wrong Vacuum Attachments
Vacuuming is an important chore for keeping dust and dirt off of your wood floors and out of tiny cracks and crevices—but use the right attachments. The beater bar on your vacuum can gouge wood floors; instead use the hardwood brush attachment.
Mopping
Water is a wood floor’s worst enemy. Moisture can penetrate the wood’s fibers causing boards to swell, cup, warp, and separate. If your hardwood floors need a deep clean, use a barely damp mop or cloth and then dry the floor immediately and completely with a towel.
Letting Spills Wait
Dried and caked on spills can take a lot of force to remove, if left to sit. Avoid that trouble (and possible damage) by wiping spills up immediately with a soft, clean cloth. If you need to use a spot of water to lift the spill, be sure to dry the floor thoroughly with a clean towel.
Wearing High Heels
No one would ever take a tiny hammer to their floors, but walking on wood with high heels can do similar damage. The force of walking in these sharp shoes can easily ding and scratch wood floors, so check them at the door. You can minimize the risk of scratches from other damaging items by placing floor protectors under table and chair legs, and keeping the dog's claws clipped and trimmed.
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Flood Safety Tips
11/14/2017 (Permalink)
Flooding can occur anywhere, but water and electricity don’t mix. Because electrical hazards may linger after flood waters recede, it’s important to take precautions before, during, and after flooding takes place.
Know the Danger
- On average, more deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other severe weather related hazard.
- In the past 5 years all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods
- A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of floodwater
- Nearly half of all flood fatalities occur in vehicles
- Those living outside of mapped “high-risk” flood areas file nearly 25% of all flood insurance claims and receive 1/3rd of Federal Disaster Assistance aid
- From 2003 to 2012, total flood insurance claims averaged nearly $4 billion per year
- An area’s risk of flood can change over time due to new construction, changes in levee classification, or other environmental factors
Reduce the Risk
- Follow any directives to turn off utilities. If you’re advised to switch off the main power source to your home, flip each breaker and THEN turn off the main breaker. You may also need to shut off the main valve for your home’s gas and water
- DO NOT go near any downed power lines especially if there is standing water nearby
- If your home experienced flooding, keep the power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety
- Have an electrician inspect electrical appliances that have been wet, and do not turn on or plug in appliances unless an electrician tells you it is safe
- A trained professional may be able to recondition some devices while others will require replacement
- Do not touch a circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface
Dealing with a commercial water damage in Hicksville/Plainview
4/5/2017 (Permalink)
Water damage to a home is a mess, but when it occurs in a commercial property it can be catastrophe. Commercial buildings present many different issues than residential homes when it comes to dealing with water damage
One of the biggest differences between commercial and residential structures is size and scope. Most residential homes are a few thousand square feet and are three stories at most. While commercial properties can be thousand or more square feet and have more than ten stories. If a pipe breaks on the third floor of an office building and flows down multiple floors, it can create a huge disaster.
SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview response time is fast and is something you need to prevent secondary damage. From extracting to drying SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview is guiding you through the whole process quickly and efficiently to get you back to business.
SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview is a 24/7 emergency water extraction & flood clean-up restoration company.
Call on SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview to Restore your water damaged property
11/22/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview is a reliable and trusted water damage company with plenty of experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently. We always advise our customers to address the damage issue before it escalates and causes more damage to their property. We are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are dedicated professionals that are ready, willing, and able to clean up after any size disaster.
Discovering Sources Of Water Damage
If you discover a water leak in your home, the first few minutes are critical. The top priority is to avoid panic and focus on getting the source of the water stopped. The most common water leaks in a home can be traced to the kitchen or a bathroom.
Most all common water supplies in a residence have a cut-off valve nearby and all valves can be turned off with a clockwise turn. If the source of the leak is your washing machine, the valves to turn off the flow are located behind the machine. Do not disconnect the hoses. Instead, turn off the water flow where the hoses are connected in the wall.
In the kitchen, you will find shut-off values for the faucet under the sink. This is also where you will most likely find the shut-off valve for an ice maker, if your freezer is equipped with one. The valve that controls your sink is usually the same valve that provides flow to your dishwasher. In a bathroom, cutoff valves are below the sink and may be within a sink cabinet if you have one. The supply line for the toilet is commonly located under and behind the seat.
A water heater can also be the source of your leak. If it is a gas tank, turn off the gas supply first then turn off the water. The water supply valve is usually located near or above the top of the tank.
Stopping the leak at its source as quickly as possible will minimize damage to cabinets, floors, walls and contents. Within a single minute, several gallons of water can flow into your home and saturate anything in its path, including adjacent rooms.
Some leaks cannot be stopped with an inside valve so the water supply to your house has to be interrupted. Lines carrying water into your home come from a main line outside that can usually be found close to the street where your water meter is located.
At SERVPRO® of Hicksville/Plainview we are experts at mitigating water damages. Our skilled technicians work quickly and efficiently to extract the water, remove dampness, and restore your property to its pre-loss condition. While also providing you with the information and services you need to make water damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today (516) 207-0203. We are here to help!
SERVPRO
6/22/2016 (Permalink)
One of SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview specialties
This SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview home’s basement flooded due to heavy rains.
A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including:
- A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
- Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
- Storm sewer backup
- Sanitary sewer backup
- Foundation drainage failure
- Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
- And many more
Have Questions about Basement Flooding?
Call Today -SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview
If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.
The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the tust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.
We are Flooded Basement Specialists:
- We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
- We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
- We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
- Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
- We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
- Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment
Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help SERVPRO Of Hicksville/Plainview
Call Today: (516) 207-0203
With any leak, It's the water you don't see that causes the most damage
3/17/2016 (Permalink)
Happy Saint Patrick's Day! - From Your SERVPRO Professionals
Any water damage in your home is bad.
But trying to clean it up yourself can be a disaster. Especially when the water you don't see contains bacteria-or cause mold, rot and other unseen damage that can affect the value of your home. So before you risk your health or the valve of your home by cleaning it up yourself.
Your local SERVPRO® of Hicksville/Plainview is highly trained to safely clean and RESTORE your building, utilizing the following procedures:
The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.
We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.
The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.
We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.
We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.
Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
Every water damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same.So, before you risk further damaging the value of your home or facility by attempting to clean up the mess yourself, call your local SERVPRO® of Hicksville/Plainview water damage cleanup and restoration specialist at (516) 207-0203. We look forward to restoring your property "Like It Never Even Happened"
Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes
1/21/2016 (Permalink)
The American Red Cross provides information and suggestions around how to prevent water pipes from freezing, and how to thaw them if they do freeze.
Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem
Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the "strength" of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Before the onset of Cold weather, prevent freezing of these water supply lines and pipes by the following these recommendations:
Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is the environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supply outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes, Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes- even 1/4" of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
During Cold Weather, Take Preventative Action
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe-even at a trickle-helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55°F
To Thaw Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area, running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do NOT use a blow torch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
Apply Heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed professional.
Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes. others may freeze too.
Future Protection
Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing. Pipes can be relocated by a professional if the home is remodeled.
Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
SERVPRO of Hicksville/Plainview are the Disaster Recovery Experts and are here to help!
Article by: The American Red Cross
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