Archived Water Damage Blog Posts
Protect Your Home From Water Damage in the New Year | SERVPRO® of Southern Washington County
4/9/2024 (Permalink)
Have water damage in your home? Contact SERVPRO of Southern Washington County for quick and professional restoration.
A new year means a whole new season of possibilities! It is the perfect time to plan for new projects and new goals. This year, we want to make sure you are prepared to prevent water damage to save you money and certainly a headache.
Water is one of the most common culprits for home damage. Since we use water in our everyday lives, the threat is almost constant.
Where Does Water Damage Start?In order to fully understand how to prevent water damage, you have to know what could cause it. Outside the home, blocked gutters and a damaged roof can cause water issues, while large appliances like your dishwasher could cause water damage inside.
Old or rusty pipes or deteriorating caulking can also cause issues over time. It is important to address these troubles quickly to avoid leaks, mold growth or rotten walls.
As soon as you catch an emerging issue, take care of it right away! The longer you leave it unaddressed, the worse your problem could become.
Easy Prevention StepsA lot of water damage is preventable, as long as you investigate issues early and take care of the problem thoroughly.
It just takes a little more in-depth work while you are going about your day! Get used to checking your bathrooms and kitchen for water stains or signs of mold. Give your air a sniff from time to time to check for the classic musty odor accompanying a mold problem.
You also need to set aside time to investigate around the exterior of your home and on your roof. Roof damage is an easy way for water to get into your home and leak down your attic and walls.
In the winter, our homes are vulnerable to the effects of snow and ice. Keep the air circulating through your home, keep snow and ice buildup off of your roof, and close up any drafty areas or gaps around your windows and doors.
Once the snow thaws, consider grading your yard! Moving the soil around your property can help slope your yard away from your foundation and can help you avoid a flooded basement. These simple steps can help you keep a dry home all year.
Have water damage in your home? Contact us for fast, professional restoration back to preloss condition.
Preventing Water Damage Caused by Your Appliances | SERVPRO® of Southern Washington County
4/11/2023 (Permalink)
Have water damage in your home from an appliance? SERVPRO of Southern Washington County is always on call ready to help,
Water is critical for our day-to-day tasks. Cooking dinner, running a load of laundry, washing our hands and even grabbing ice out of your ice maker to chill your drink all require water! Because of that, there is always the risk of experiencing water damage in your home.
Commonly, water damage is caused by an appliance malfunction or issue that goes unnoticed. If it is left to linger, it can spread and cause all kinds of issues in your home.
Thankfully, many water damage scenarios can be prevented with a little attention to detail and dedication to your maintenance routine.
Investigate Right AwayThe best way to prevent widespread water damage is to stop it from occurring in the first place! Every time you walk by an appliance that uses water, check the floor around it for puddles or water spots.
While some water issues are obviously noticeable, others can be harder to spot if they originate under your appliances. Don’t overlook the importance of regularly pulling your appliances away from the wall to clean and to check for water damage. Mold or water spots are good indicators of a water problem.
Another area that needs attention is your HVAC system! Ideally, it should be serviced by a professional every year to ensure it is in good working condition. In addition, you should check the vents often for signs of lingering moisture or for puddles on the floor.
Your water heater is also an appliance that is used every day in your home, so you need to stay on top of any maintenance and address emerging problems quickly.
Keep Your Appliances Running SmoothlyPreventing extensive damage is all about your attention to detail. The faster you notice a leak or a drip, the better chance you have at avoiding long-term issues!
Have your appliances maintained according to the manufacturer recommendations and replace parts as needed. Replacing parts like your hoses and tubes can be an easy and cost-effective way to prevent full appliance malfunctions. Any kinks or holes in your water lines can lead to a huge water disaster.
When choosing parts, go with the brands you trust and pick the highest quality parts. If it is within your budget, consider replacing your appliances every 10 to 15 years to ensure you have the most reliable technology in your house.
Stay on top of your appliance maintenance routine and be proactive against any issues you discover! These simple tips can help keep your home comfortable and dry.
Have water damage in your home from an appliance or another source? Our team is here to help, so call us day or night.
Protect Your Home From Water Damage in the New Year | SERVPRO® of Southern Washington County
1/10/2023 (Permalink)
Have water damage in your home? Contact SERVPRO of Southern Washington County for quick and professional restoration.
A new year means a whole new season of possibilities! It is the perfect time to plan for new projects and new goals. This year, we want to make sure you are prepared to prevent water damage to save you money and certainly a headache.
Water is one of the most common culprits for home damage. Since we use water in our everyday lives, the threat is almost constant.
<h3does-water-damage-start">Where Does Water Damage Start?
In order to fully understand how to prevent water damage, you have to know what could cause it. Outside the home, blocked gutters and a damaged roof can cause water issues, while large appliances like your dishwasher could cause water damage inside.
Old or rusty pipes or deteriorating caulking can also cause issues over time. It is important to address these troubles quickly to avoid leaks, mold growth or rotten walls.
As soon as you catch an emerging issue, take care of it right away! The longer you leave it unaddressed, the worse your problem could become.
<h3prevention-steps">Easy Prevention Steps
A lot of water damage is preventable, as long as you investigate issues early and take care of the problem thoroughly.
It just takes a little more in-depth work while you are going about your day! Get used to checking your bathrooms and kitchen for water stains or signs of mold. Give your air a sniff from time to time to check for the classic musty odor accompanying a mold problem.
You also need to set aside time to investigate around the exterior of your home and on your roof. Roof damage is an easy way for water to get into your home and leak down your attic and walls.
In the winter, our homes are vulnerable to the effects of snow and ice. Keep the air circulating through your home, keep snow and ice buildup off of your roof, and close up any drafty areas or gaps around your windows and doors.
Once the snow thaws, consider grading your yard! Moving the soil around your property can help slope your yard away from your foundation and can help you avoid a flooded basement. These simple steps can help you keep a dry home all year.
Have water damage in your home? Contact us for fast, professional restoration back to preloss condition.
The Facts on Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Southern Washington County
12/9/2022 (Permalink)
If you experience any water damage inside your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of Southern Washington County
Water is essential in our homes and in our lives, but we want it to stay off of our floors and out of our basements. Water damage is a constant threat and can happen in an obvious manner or it can slowly creep up on us without much forewarning.
The key to controlling water leaks in your home is to be proactive. Spotting a water leak early can save you time and money when it comes to necessary repairs.
Keeping Your Bathroom DryWe use water in our bathrooms perhaps the most out of any other room in our home. Sinks, bathtubs, toilets and showers all utilize water daily in order to function. That also means that the threat of water issues are present every day, too.
Check the seals around these fixtures and inspect their water supply lines every time you clean your bathroom. This can help you catch any cracks or leaks right away.
The Threat of Your AppliancesWe are grateful for the inventions of the water heater, dishwasher and washing machine. They can make our lives much easier and more comfortable, but only when they work how they are supposed to.
Faulty appliances are one of the common reasons we get calls about water damage. Routinely cleaning them and checking for water damage can help stop a small problem from becoming a large and costly issue. If you notice any staining, peeling paint or mold behind these appliances, call us immediately so we can investigate.
Water Damage and the WeatherWe are constantly battling different weather here in eastern Wisconsin. If we aren’t experiencing heavy rain from summer thunderstorms, we are hunkering down during a strong winter storm.
Even just this fall, we experienced record rainfall from that single storm that came through, leading to roads flooding and overflowing rivers. All it takes is one strong storm for us to wake up to standing water in our homes.
At each change of the season, check your windows and doors to make sure they are waterproof. Controlling moisture in your home prevents water damage as well as potential mold growth.
It is also important to focus on keeping your yard and roof ready for the change in season! Clean out your gutters, clear off your roof and set up your downspouts so that you are ready for anything the winter brings our way.
If you experience water damage inside your home or business, call us 24⁄7. We have the experience and equipment to get your property back in working order fast.
Winter is coming | SERVPRO of Southern Washington County
11/22/2022 (Permalink)
If you experience damage due to a winter storm, call SERVPRO of Southern Washington County. We have the experience and equipment for any issue.
Even though it seems like we just emerged from last year’s cold temperatures, the winter season is upon us once more. That means the arrival of snow, ice and brutal wind.
We are fully accustomed to winter weather here in eastern Wisconsin, and we all know that the weather can range from gently falling snow to major blizzards and dangerous conditions. When those dangerous conditions are present, that also means the risk of home damage is present as well.
Is your home well-prepared to weather through the first winter storm?
Winter All Around UsWe can expect a classic Wisconsin winter with lots of snow and frigid temperatures this year, while other parts of the United States experience a milder season.
However the winter season takes shape here in eastern Wisconsin, we can all prepare our homes to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws at us!
Winter Around Pewaukee and SussexWe all know how tough Midwesterners are. We can handle icy cold wind, heavy snowstorms, blizzards and whiteout conditions any time from October to April.
Even just last year, we had our first brush with winter in the middle of October. Knowing that we could experience winter weather so early in the season, it is important to prepare your home as soon as you are able to.
Protecting Your Home From DamageOne of the interesting things about winter is that there are so many different ways that weather can affect us. While some situations call for being cautious on the roads while driving, others can create hazardous conditions and make travel impossible.
In those instances, it is crucial to make sure you have a reliable way to receive weather alerts and have an emergency kit stocked and ready to use at any time. It can also be helpful to keep a pantry stocked with some canned foods in case travel is not advised for a while.
Is your house drafty? That may mean that your windows and doors are not weatherproof. This can leave your home vulnerable to cold temperatures and unwanted moisture.
Outside your home, take the time to clean out your gutters and turn off the water access to your outdoor water spigots. If you leave your spigots on or attempt to run them in the winter, water can get into the pipes, freeze and then burst. That can create a costly and really extensive problem in the springtime.
We can handle the winter weather, fellow Wisconsinites! If you do find yourself suffering some type of home damage or water damage this winter, we are here. Your SERVPRO of Southern Washington County team will step in to ensure you are back into your newly restored home in no time.
If you experience damage in a winter storm, call us. We have the experience and equipment to get your home back to normal.
Responding to a Water Disaster at Your Business | SERVPRO® of Southern Washington County
10/21/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Southern Washington County is your local commercial restoration company. We will always be here to help and get you back in business.
Whenever water is involved in a disaster, it can be costly and extensive to repair. That is especially true if the disaster happens at your business!
In addition to the sheer cost of a commercial restoration, you also would have to take into account any closures while the repairs are taking place. This alone should make every business owner start to prep ahead of time.
Water damage can come in the form of burst pipes, sprinkler system issues and of course, Mother Nature. We experience all kinds of water-related weather events here, from thunderstorms to ice storms. Even just recently we were affected by flooding and road closures on I-94. Whenever water is involved, there is a risk for damages.
Understand Your Utility RoomIf your business is in a storefront or building, chances are that it has some type of utility space where all of your valves are. Fully understand what all of your water shutoff valves do and what they are responsible for.
Once you understand it, communicate this to your management team or whoever you entrust your business to while you are not there. Someone should always be able and ready to respond to an emergency situation!
Different Water TypesWater is constantly flowing around us providing many different daily services, so it’s no wonder that there are different levels of water safety.
White water: This kind of water is the water within your pipes. It is typically considered safe to handle in small amounts.
Gray water: Gray water is all of the water that flows into your sink, shower and kitchen drains. While it is considered contaminated, handling it carefully is considered OK.
Black water: Black water should always warrant a professional cleanup. This water can contain sewage or runoff from a storm drain and is considered toxic.
Taking Appropriate ActionOnce you discover the problem, turn off the appropriate shutoff valve immediately. Then start to address your situation.
If you have the ability to open windows and start circulating the air, do so now and turn on some fans. Then make sure you close off the area to customers, bystanders and your staff to keep everyone safe.
After all that is done, start documenting any damages with pictures. Insurance agents will want clear pictures of what happened, so the sooner you can get them, the better.
We Can Handle the JobWhile drying out your space is the first priority, checking for any hidden water damage should happen next. Your wall studs, beams and floorboards may still be soaked and if they are not dried quickly, mold could set in.
Call us to do the job right! Our team at SERVPRO of Southern Washington County is here for you no matter what kind of water damage problem you face. We have the proper equipment to get the job done thoroughly, and we will work our hardest to repair your business for you.
When disaster strikes your commercial property, we’ll be there to help clean up and get you back in business quickly. Reach out 24⁄7 to get started!
What equipment is used to extract water from my Washington County property after a water damage?
6/16/2021 (Permalink)
Carpet Wand Extracting Water
Water Damage Caused by Flooding
Once your home or commercial property gets water damage due to flooding, our crew will come out to access the damage. We will need to extract the water from your property because extraction is a critical step to removing moisture from a structure. The more excess water restorers remove with extraction equipment, the less time they will spend to evaporate and dehumidify the remaining moisture with drying equipment. Various types of extraction tools are used to remove water from flooring. These are:
- extraction units
- light wands
- deep extraction tools
- submersible pumps
Extraction Units
Extractors can be portable units or large truck-mounted units.
A portable extractor is extremely flexible since it can be taken into almost any area of the structure. They do require electricity to operate, so power will have to be provided from the facility or a generator.
Truck-mounted extractors offer a more powerful vacuum compared to portables. They run off the work vehicle’s fuel, so no on-site power is needed
Light Wands
Light wands or “carpet wands” are used for water extraction. The light wand is appropriate for the initial water removal and extracting water from glue-down carpet. It is also effective in removing residual water on the surface of carpets after a stationary tool has been used. When the pad is being removed, the light wand is appropriate since you are not trying to remove all the water from the pad.
Deep Extraction Tools
There are various types of deep extraction tools that can be attached to an extractor.
Self-propelled extraction tools are powered by an independent motor that moves the unit over carpet at a consistent rate. These devices compress carpet and pad, squeeze out water, and remove water through the vacuum system of an extractor.
Stationary tools are able to extract water from carpet and pad using only the weight of the water damage restoration professional standing upon the device. A vacuum system is attached to the device, pulling water through a series of tiny holes in the base of the unit. Stationary tools are available in various sizes.
If you have water damage due to a flood in your Pewaukee or Sussex home, call SERVPRO of Southern Washington County at 262.229.7522 today!
Hurricane Prep Week
5/10/2021 (Permalink)
Hurricane Prep Week
Being prepared for a disaster such as a hurricane can make all the difference in safety as well as damages. Each day this week we will be posting tips that can help you be prepared for a hurricane or any other major event. There is always comfort in having peace of mind knowing that you are ready.
First things First:
Start by creating an emergency ready plan for your family that includes emergency meeting places in your home, neighborhood and outside your neighborhood. You should make copies of your Family Emergency Ready Plan for each member of the household to carry in his or her wallet, backpack or purse. You should also post a copy in a central place at home.
You can create your own emergency ready plan at https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/family-emergency-communication-plan.pdf
Richfield, Wisconsin Cabin Water Damage
4/12/2021 (Permalink)
Cabin Roof Leak
This Richfield, Wisconsin Cabin had moisture coming in from roof damage
This cabin located in Richfield, Wisconsin had moisture coming in from recent damage to its roof. SERVPRO of Southern Washington County removed the tongue and groove wood ceiling, the insulation and dried out the affected materials. This photo really shows how high and intricate the ceiling was. The homeowner was pleased that we took such pride in our work in restoring their cabin back to its condition. This is what we live for- we want to help make your water or fire damage "Like it never even happened."
If your property has suffered a water damage, then give us a call. Estimates are always free.
Call SERVPRO of Southern Washington County at 262.229.7522 today.
Faster to your Germantown, Wisconsin Water Damage Event
3/29/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Southern Washington County provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Southern Washington County
We are prepared, highly trained, and ready to help!
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Southern Washington 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 Southern Washington 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.
Does your commercial or residential property need emergency services? Call us today at 262.229.7522! We are 24/7/365!
We will make it "Like it never even happened."
24/7 Emergency Service