Water Damage Resources

Each year, flooding is the most widespread and costly weather-related natural disaster in the United States. Primarily caused by heavy or prolonged rain, dams or levees breaking, or the rapid melting of snow or ice, floods can leave a trail of extensive damage behind. They can wreak havoc on communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems.  Understanding flooding terminology is essential to …

Floods aren’t entirely unpredictable. Depending on where you live, weather patterns and seasons can be good indicators of when the rains might come.  It’s a really good idea to have a flood preparedness checklist, along with a plan for when the water’s on its way. It’s also a good idea to complete SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Plan. It might seem like a lot of work up front, but you’ll never regret …

Windows are an important feature in any home or business. But in the everyday hustle of life, keeping your windows in good condition is easily overlooked.  Winter can be tough on your home or office, with icy winds making things uncomfortable and forcing your furnace to work extra hard, running up your utility bills. Secure, winterized windows can keep you, loved ones, and pets warm, not to …

Ice dams are common in the winter when the temperature drops and snow starts falling. And no matter what kind of roof or style of home you have, ice dams are inevitable when you pair a roof and gutter with frigid temperatures.An ice dam is a buildup of ice at the edge of a sloped roof. They’re created as snow melts, then refreezes at the eaves, keeping melting snow from draining off the roof. As …

No matter where you live, excessive rain, unexpected storms, internal appliance malfunctions, burst pipes, and more can cause standing water to pool outside and surround your property—with seemingly nowhere to go.  There are a variety of ways to help remove water from your yard, with French drains one of the more popular and effective methods. A French drain is a trench filled with gravel or …

A flooded yard can cause serious damage to your property. Luckily, there are ways to help prevent this.  Whether flooding in your yard is due to poor drainage, improper landscaping, or heavy rainfall, standing water can accumulate and damage the landscape and your property’s foundation.  Flooding in your yard can lead to: It’s essential to resolve these issues as soon as possible to reduce and …

No matter where you live, water is a potential hazard that can leak into your structure and cause plenty of damage. There are seasonal factors to consider; spring often brings an increase in melting water, which may cause basement leaks. For such reasons, a sump pump is an important part of a functioning household or business.  First, what is a sump pump and how does it work? Then, what happens …

Seeing water residue on drywall can be confusing and scary. Left untreated, excessive moisture can lead to severe issues like structural damage and mold issues. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help mitigate water damage on your wall (particularly drywall).Drywall is very susceptible to water damage. As soon as the drywall gets wet, the paper backing starts and the material loses its …

Hardwood floors are a staple in many households and businesses, adding style, color and texture to almost any interior. But water damage can really wreak havoc on hardwood floors. Since hardwood floors are porous, they absorb moisture quickly. Acting quickly is essential to avoid warping and buckling and mold growth, all of which can be difficult and expensive to fix. So, what do you do when …

Your home or business is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. A top priority becomes maintaining your property and keeping it safe from water, fire, mold, or storm damage.  A simple water shutoff valve is typically installed close to most indoor plumbing fixtures in areas like the bathroom or kitchen. Knowing where your property’s main water shutoff valve is located, along with how …

Water damage mitigation and restoration are major parts of SERVPRO®’s service offerings. But there are so many different industry terms used in the restoration industry, and we thought it best to clarify what we mean by “mitigation” and “restoration” specifically.The official definition of mitigate is: “To lessen or compensate for a previous event that had significant impact on a structure or …

Too many homeowners have come down their basement steps to find a pool of murky water. Flooding can be attributed to all sorts of things—insufficient drainage around basement walls, heavy rains, a faulty sump pump, or a combination of these factors. But one thing is certain: water follows the path of least resistance, finding cracks and holes through basement walls. If it can get in, it will. …

Running water is a luxury most of us take for granted. We don’t pay attention to our plumbing system until something goes wrong, such as burst pipes.Along with the obvious mess and destruction that comes with burst pipes, there can be serious consequences:Knowing how to keep your pipes from bursting is essential for avoiding the destruction that comes with water damage. Still, if you require the …

 Here are the three categories of water damage so you can be prepared if it ever happens to your property.Northern Arizona University researchers indicate that Category 3 water damage is defined as “Grossly unsanitary water containing pathogenic agents, arising from sewage or other contaminated water sources and having the likelihood of causing discomfort or sickness if consumed or exposed to …

Picture this: you’ve just come back from work or a long-overdue vacation, only to find your ceiling gushing water and flooding your living room. Sounds awful, right? Ceiling water damage can cause intense destruction quickly. But if you see the signs of a water leak in your ceiling, you have a better chance of stopping the leak in its tracks and gathering resources for proper repair before …

SERVPRO® has the expertise and equipment to quickly restore your property to pre-water damage condition. We use a scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup that emphasizes monitoring and documenting the drying process from beginning to end.Every water damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general restoration process stays the same.When you call, …

Signs of water damage in walls, whether painted or bare, can run the gamut from paint bubbles to warped and sagging walls, with much in between. In fact, water damage in walls can be devastating to your business or personal property. Whether you’ve experienced a natural disaster, such as a severe flood, hurricane, or tornado, or something within your home, such as a leaking appliance or burst …

Sinkholes are one of nature’s most curious mysteries. Although we know they exist, they sometimes happen without warning. Whether a minor nuisance or a major disaster, a sinkhole can be caused by many factors.  According to U.S. Geological Survey, a sinkhole, “is a depression in the ground that has no natural external surface drainage. Basically, this means that when it rains, all of the water …

Residents and business owners in the mountain and western region of the United States are familiar with annual irrigation rules. “Irrigation Season,” or Sprinkler Season, generally starts May 1, and ends October 1, but specific states may dictate different times. Western states mainly use sprinklers to keep their yards in good condition and prevent dry grass, but sometimes these handy devices …

Pipes are an integral part of any plumbing system, responsible for carrying water to and from various fixtures and appliances throughout your home or business. While they are designed to withstand a certain amount of pressure, water pipes can burst for a variety of reasons, resulting in costly water damage and repairs. In this article, we will explore the common causes of water pipe bursts and …

When it comes to home plumbing and drainage systems, taking shortcuts is never a good idea, and may lead to headaches down the road or big costs to fix what could’ve been prevented in the first place. So, what can you do to help ensure the chance of flooding in your property is mitigated? It is all about making sure the plumbing and piping is set up correctly.You might be familiar with the term …

After water damage strikes, you may be asking: are my water-damaged appliances still usable? No doubt this is an important question, and one that has many factors to consider. Read on for useful tips about how to determine whether your home appliances or business appliances are damaged after flooding, or if they are still operational. And remember, SERVPRO® is always available to assist with …

Classes of water loss describe the amount of water and the projected rate of evaporation based on the amount and type of wet materials in your home or business. There are four classes of water loss. Keep in mind, this is different from the three categories of water damage for insurance companies.Class 4 water losses are caused by major water damage, like a severe flood. This classification can …

For some, the basement is a sanctuary. Finished or unfinished, basements can be havens for sleepovers, games, cool temperatures in the summer, or, frequently, a place for storage. Regardless of how you use your basement, the last thing you want is to head downstairs and see water everywhere. So, what are some common causes of basement flooding, and how can you help avoid it?According to State …

The water damage restoration process begins with a detailed inspection of your property, including a damage assessment. We'll determine the scope of the damage so an appropriate plan of action can be developed.We'll check for the source of water in your home and business and stop it. The water source must be stopped before the drying process can begin.SERVPRO® must identify the category and …

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

Water damage can come from many different sources, including hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, local flooding, burst pipes, and leaking appliances. It also has many different signs. It can appear quickly or slowly and make its way into your ceilings, floors, and walls, all of which have slightly different signs of damage. If a water leak is left unattended or not noticed immediately, water …

Flooded rooms, particularly basements, can quickly become stagnant and foul-smelling, if not quickly handled. But oftentimes, even after the offending water is removed and the space is dried, there is still a lingering smell. So, are there any remedies you can implement to help deodorize a flooded room, basement, or even other part of your property? While SERVPRO® provides thorough odor removal …

While there are certainly steps you can take to help protect your home against flooding, some areas are simply more susceptible to excessive water than others. But what specific factors affect your risk level, and may make your property more likely to flood? SERVPRO® has the answers and is Here to Help®.As FEMA’s National Flood Insurance resource indicates, over the course of 30 years, your …

The National Weather Service provides the following definition of a flood: “An overflow of water onto normally dry land.” This excess water can cause immense destruction, partially or fully leveling entire properties, submerging entire rooms or floors, and threatening health and safety.After the flood recedes, you may be left with cleanup duties. Oftentimes, mold and other hazards appear, drawn …

The most powerful erosive force on the earth is water. Unfortunately, for home and business owners, it does not take much time for water to begin eroding and begin to cause structural damage. What appears to be a small leak could result in structural problems and safety hazards if not dealt with quickly. Knowing when and how to address water damage can help prevent extensive and costly damage to …

A flooded basement or flooded slab foundation can be devastating, causing severe damage to your property. While you wait for cleanup and restoration professionals to arrive, SERVPRO® offers the following tips to help clean up your flooded basement.Basement flooding can severely damage or ruin your belongings, including precious memories like scrapbooks and yearbooks, and affect your home or …

Your commercial property might be a business, retail shop, restaurant, or hospital. Just like homes have variations in roofing materials and design, commercial spaces have unique factors to consider when it comes to roofing, too. But how can you help prevent roof leaks, making sure customers, employees, visitors, and other valuable investments are protected? SERVPRO® is Here to Help® answer that …

Just about every home has multiple appliances today. From a simple toaster to an air fryer to an all-in-one washer dryer combo, these wonderful inventions make our homes and our lives a little more comfortable. But when these modern conveniences break down, not only can it be a headache to replace them, but it can also cause some major structural problems for your property.  Here are the most …

Water-damaged walls can arise in the aftermath of floods, fires, burst pipes, severe storms, leaking appliances, or other sources, causing rapid destruction to your living space or commercial property. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, thunderstorms, and floods are especially notorious for causing water to accumulate near the foundation of your property; this water can seep inside and …

Returning home after walking the dog, a day at work, or a much-needed vacation, can quickly turn into a nightmare upon discovering a basement full of water. How you handle this emergency not only affects the level of damage your home may sustain, but also the safety of those you love.It’s easy to look back at the cause of a flooded basement and see where things went wrong, but what about …

SERVPRO is a better option than calling and paying for multiple services from different companies, which can be a pain and end up more expensive than going with a single professional cleanup and restoration company. There’s a reason our tagline is “Like it never even happened.”® The decision doesn’t have to be difficult; choose to work with professionals who can handle the job, no matter how big …

When surveying water damage in your home or business, it may be difficult to determine how old the damage is. Often, new homeowners, those moving into an apartment, property owners in between tenants, or even those simply doing some redecorating come across water damage that gives them pause. The question becomes, is it superficial damage that requires minimal cleanup? Damage that has already …

Water damage can come in many forms, and range in severity from a burst pipe or leaking sink to a flooded basement or extreme hurricane damage. If you’ve been struck by water damage in your walls, it’s best to check for signs and try to confirm the severity and scope of damage to best determine a course of action. Ultimately, larger water damage situations will require the assistance of a …

After the water removal step, your floors and walls may look dry at first glance, but they are still wet to the touch. Most building materials, like drywall and wood, are porous and will retain significant water. The retained water will cause these materials to warp, swell, or break down and can also cause mold damage.SERVPRO® will manipulate temperature and relative humidity to remove the …

The water extraction step removes the majority of the water from your home or property. By performing a thorough water extraction, SERVPRO® reduces the drying time and helps to prevent mold and secondary water damage. We use powerful pumps and truck-mounted vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons of water from your property.If your home requires extensive restoration or …

Water damage affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO® understands that your home is more than a structure; your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings help transform a house into a home.SERVPRO specializes in restoring contents damaged by fire, water, or mold. Their expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save …

The cleanup and restoration begins with a phone call. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of damage.A water damage event can be traumatic and when you call, we understand you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. Our specialist will lead …

Restoration, the final step in water damage 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.When your home has been damaged by a storm or water, the …

Your property’s walls, floors, and other surfaces will likely need professional cleaning treatments after water damage. Besides cleaning your property’s structure, SERVPRO® will also clean your belongings, like furniture, upholstery, clothing, and other restorable personal items, damaged by the water. Flooding and water damage often require odor removal and deodorization treatments, since wet …

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO provides emergency water restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. With more than 1,900 U.S. and Canadian franchise locations, SERVPRO is …