Common Mistakes Homeowners Make That Lead to Water Damage

10/18/2023 (Permalink)

Address water damage issues quickly to prevent further damage to your home.

Water damage can be a homeowner's worst nightmare. It can wreak havoc on your property, cause costly repairs, and even lead to hazards like mold growth. While some water damage incidents are unavoidable, many are the result of common mistakes made by homeowners. In this blog post, we'll highlight some of the most common mistakes homeowners make that can lead to water damage, and provide tips on how to avoid them.

1. Ignoring Plumbing Maintenance

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is ignoring regular plumbing maintenance. Over time, pipes can deteriorate, develop leaks, or become clogged, leading to water damage. To avoid this, schedule regular inspections of your plumbing system. Look for signs of leaks, such as damp spots, water stains, or an increase in your water bill. Address any plumbing issues promptly and replace old or corroded pipes to prevent potential water damage.

2. Neglecting Roof Maintenance

Your roof is your home's first line of defense against water damage, so neglecting its maintenance can lead to serious issues. Many homeowners forget to inspect their roof regularly for damaged or missing shingles, deteriorated flashing, or clogged gutters. These problems can cause water to seep into your home, leading to leaks and interior damage. Regularly inspect your roof, clean your gutters, and make necessary repairs to keep your home protected.

3. Not Properly Sealing Windows and Doors

Improperly sealed windows and doors can allow water to infiltrate your home during heavy rainstorms or in areas prone to high humidity. Check for gaps or cracks around your windows and doors, and apply weatherstripping or caulk to seal them properly. This simple step can prevent water from seeping in and causing damage to your home's interiors.

4. Neglecting Your Sump Pump Maintenance

If your home has a sump pump, neglecting its maintenance can be a recipe for disaster. Sump pumps are designed to prevent basement flooding by pumping out excess water. However, if the pump fails or gets clogged, your basement can quickly turn into a waterlogged mess. Regularly inspect your sump pump, clean it out, and test it to ensure it's in proper working order. Consider installing a battery backup system as well, in case of power outages during heavy storms.

5. Overwatering Landscaping

While having a beautiful garden or a well-maintained lawn is something many homeowners strive for, overwatering can lead to water damage. Excessive watering can cause water to pool against the foundation of your home, leading to basement leaks or foundation issues. Be mindful of the amount of water you use for landscaping and ensure proper drainage away from your home's foundation.

6. Not Taking Prompt Action After a Water Leak

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not taking prompt action when a water leak occurs. Whether it's a burst pipe, a malfunctioning appliance, or a roof leak, immediate action is crucial to minimize damage. Shut off the water source, address the leak, and dry out any affected areas as soon as possible. Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours, so quick action is essential to prevent further damage and potential health hazards.

By avoiding these common mistakes, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of water damage to their homes. Regular maintenance, prompt action, and being proactive in preventing water intrusion can save homeowners time, money, and the stress of dealing with water damage. Remember, prevention is key, so invest time in maintaining your home's plumbing, roof, and seals, and always address any issues promptly to protect your property from potentially devastating water damage.

Understanding the Three Categories of Water Damage: What You Need to Know

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage can be a serious problem for homeowners and business owners alike.

Water damage is a serious issue that can cause significant damage to your home or business. It can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and other hazards if not addressed quickly and effectively. Understanding the different categories of water damage can help you better understand the severity of the situation and take appropriate action.

There are three categories of water damage: Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3. Each category is defined by the level of contamination in the water.

Category 1 Water Damage

Category 1 water damage is also known as clean water damage. This type of damage occurs when the water comes from a clean source, such as a broken pipe or faucet. The water is generally safe to come into contact with and poses little risk of contamination. However, if left untreated, clean water can quickly become contaminated, leading to a higher category of water damage.

Examples of Category 1 water damage include:

• A burst pipe or water supply line
• A leaking or overflowing sink, bathtub, or toilet
• Rainwater or snowmelt that enters through a leak in the roof

Category 2 Water Damage

Category 2 water damage is also known as gray water damage. This type of damage occurs when the water is slightly contaminated and may contain bacteria or other harmful substances. Gray water can come from sources such as dishwashers, washing machines, or aquariums. It can also occur when clean water is left untreated for an extended period.

Examples of Category 2 water damage include:

• A washing machine overflow
• Dishwasher leakage
• Toilet overflow with urine but no feces
• Sump pump backup

Category 3 Water Damage

Category 3 water damage is also known as black water damage. This type of damage is the most severe and poses the greatest risks. Black water contains a high level of contamination, including bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. It can come from sources such as sewage backup, flooding from rivers or streams, and standing water that has been left untreated for an extended period.

Examples of Category 3 water damage include:

• Sewage backup
• Flooding from rivers or streams
• Standing water that has been left untreated for an extended period

It is important to note that Category 3 water damage can be extremely dangerous and should only be handled by trained professionals wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

In conclusion, water damage can be a serious problem for homeowners and business owners alike. Understanding the three categories of water damage can help you assess the severity of the situation and take appropriate action to prevent further damage. If you have experienced water damage, it is important to act quickly and contact a professional restoration company to mitigate the damage and prevent mold growth and other hazards.

What to do if Your Basement Floods

1/23/2023 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO technician working on water extraction.

If you're reading this article, you've probably just discovered that your home's basement has flooded. The good news is that SERVPRO of Downtown Houston has been helping people with their water damage emergencies for years. We can help you salvage your belongings and clean up the mess.

Your basement has flooded, now what?

If your basement has flooded, it's important to assess the damage and make sure that you're safe. You may be able to salvage some of your belongings by removing them from the water, but if mold is growing on any furniture or other items, it's best to dispose of them immediately.

If possible, try to keep an eye on how much water is coming into your home and consider shutting off the water. If it looks like there will be little or no way for things to get back under control soon, call in professional help right away! SERVPRO of Downtown Houston is here to help moments like these. Before we arrive, there are a few things you can do.

Find the Source and Stop the Water Flow

If you can find the source of water, turn off the water at that point. For example, if your sump pump is not working correctly and there's a slow leak in your foundation or downspout, you'll want to turn off the power to it. If you have any questions about how to do this, call an electrician.

If turning off the water doesn't work, then call professionals who are trained in water damage restoration. SERVPRO of Downtown Houston will be able to pump out some of the water for you and get started on cleanup.

Shut off the Electricity and Avoid the Area

You’ve got to get out of the basement, and you need to do it quickly. You don’t want to be in the way if your basement floods again. Turn off the electricity to ensure the water doesn’t become electrified, which makes it much more dangerous.

Rushing water can knock loose electrical wires or rise up to the level of electrical outlets, which causes a very dangerous issue and can even start a fire.

Remove Damaged Materials

If you have any small items that are wet and moldy, it's a good idea to remove them from your home immediately. You don't want to risk spreading mold spores into your living space if you can avoid it. Even if the item is not visibly damaged by water, there may be mold growing inside that can't be seen from the outside. If you have hardwood floors in your basement (which are especially susceptible to damage from flooding), this is even more important because it might be difficult and expensive to repair the floor later on down the road if too much damage occurs while they're still wet and soft.

Call the Professionals at SERVPRO Downtown Houston to Clean up the mess for you

You don't have to deal with the mess and extensive cleanup process yourself. Call the professionals at SERVPRO Downtown Houston, and we'll make sure your home is restored to its pre-flood condition in no time. Our technicians are trained in the use of advanced water extraction equipment. It's this kind of experience that makes us the best choice for a flood cleanup in your area. We will treat your home with respect and get it back to its predamaged condition as fast as possible.

If you have experienced a basement flood and need help cleaning up, call the professionals at SERVPRO Downtown Houston. When they arrive they will assess your situation and provide you with an estimate on how much it will cost to complete the job.

Water Damage Restoration Process

1/20/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage is a common problem for homeowners. It not only causes significant structural damage to your home, but also leads to odors and mold growth if left untreated. Fortunately, it's possible to mitigate the worst effects of water damage by calling the professionals at SERVPRO of Downtown Houston, who will take care of the water damage restoration. This post will outline each step in this process so that you can better understand what SERVPRO does in the event of flooding or other water-related problems on your property.

Water damage is a common problem for homeowners.

Water damage can be caused by many things, such as burst pipes, flooding, natural disasters and more. Water damage can cause serious damage to your home and it’s important to fix water damaged issues before they become worse. When you first notice a problem, call us at SERVPRO of Downtown Houston and we will arrive as soon as possible and begin remediation.

The water damage restoration process

When you’re dealing with water damage, it’s important to understand that there is a variety of different ways that water can cause damage to your home or business. Water damage can happen from a burst pipe, flooding, or even a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

In addition to knowing the cause of your water damage, it is also important for you to know how long you have been dealing with this problem. If it has been less than 48 hours since the initial event occurred (such as an overflowing toilet or broken pipe), then there is still hope for your belongings. However if it has been more than 48 hours since the initial event happened and your personal belongings are damaged, SERVPRO of Downtown Houston can work to restore personal items. Even fragile family heirlooms like documents and photos can often be restored after water damage.

Inspection, Assessment and Documentation

Once SERVPRO of Downtown Houston arrives at the scene of the water damage, it's time to get down to business. The first thing we'll do is start an inspection. This will involve assessing the damage and documenting what we see, and of course keeping you updated on the situation.

If there is any standing water, we will begin extracting it, drying out your home or business, and begin restoration work immediately.

Drying and dehumidification

Drying and dehumidification are crucial steps in the water damage restoration process.

Drying is the most important step in any water damage restoration process, as it prevents mold growth and other serious hazards. To dry a wet area quickly, we use powerful dehumidifiers that extract excess moisture from your home’s air and prevent mold growth by lowering humidity levels to 40% or below.

Repairing structural damage

After conducting a thorough inspection and taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the space, SERVPRO of Downtown Houston will repair any structural damage. This can include fixing leaks in pipes, doors and windows, walls or ceilings. Repairing these types of problems prior to starting any other cleaning process is essential because they can contribute to further damage if not fixed correctly. Additionally, repairing the structure before starting any mold remediation will ensure that the work is done correctly from the very beginning - this way you won't have to deal with any problems later on down the line!

Finishing repairs

Now that your home has been cleaned and dried, it's time to start finishing repairs. In cases of severe damage, we will even work to rebuild damaged parts of your home and get them back to normal again as soon as possible

We will ensure the job is done right and in a timely manner, for a reasonable price. At SERVPRO of Downtown Houston we have a reputation for professionalism and speed, so you can trust us to get your home back in order.

Water damage is a serious threat to your home and belongings. It's important that you act quickly to mitigate the damage. When you are faced with water damage, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Downtown Houston and we will get your home back in working condition in no time!