Always Be Looking For Water Damage On Your Property

12/7/2022 (Permalink)

Water rings and stains on your ceilings and walls are signs of water damage!

Water damage can be very detrimental to your home or business! Most people don’t know that the longer you wait after having water damage the more damage you are actually causing to your home or business. When you have water damage the best thing to do is shut off the water source that is causing the damage. If the damage is coming from something you are unable to cut off, you may need to contact a plumber in your area. Once this is completed then you want to call the professional experts here at SERVPRO® of South Columbus to come out immediately and assess the problem. It doesn’t matter the size of the damage we will be able to help get it under control. Water damage can be difficult to spot but here are some signs you can look for in your home and business:

• Water rings on your ceiling or walls
• Soft or sagging on your ceiling or walls
• Wet or soggy carpets
• Warping in your wood flooring

The best thing to do is call an expert right away before the problem gets worse. Our highly trained technicians are waiting for your call. We have our specialized equipment ready to use to get your disaster mitigated as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse, call our highly trained team at SERVPRO® of South Columbus today!

The Water You Don't See

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

If you find water hiding in your home, don't wait to call our SERVPRO Team!

Even the smallest water-damaged areas have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly restoration in the future  is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your residential home or commercial property. SERVPRO of South Columbus has the professional equipment, highly-trained staff and proven experience to detect and dry hidden water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. Our SERVPRO Team will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools used by SERVPRO to detect and find hidden moisture:

• Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
• Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing us to monitor the drying process.
• Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When presented with this information, our technicians can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and deodorized.
• Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.
• Thermal Foggers dispense solvent based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor causing particles to deodorize structures, garments, automobiles and other places where cleaning cannot reach.

The bottom line? SERVPRO South Columbus has the training and equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today!

Preventing Water Damage While You're On Vacation

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

Be prepared! Don't be greeted with a water disaster!

Many things can go wrong in your home while you’re on vacation, most commonly leaks and water damage. Learn how to help prevent and reduce the risk of water damage when you’re away from your home:

Check for Leaks

Before you leave on vacation, be sure to check around your house for any leaks. Pipes under sinks, your water heater, anything resembling rust, cracks, or other damage. It’s important to check the seals around your windows and the exterior of your home as well. If you find any leakage, be sure to fix it right away so everything can be repaired and in good condition before you leave.

Inspect Appliances

Important appliances such as your dishwasher, washer/dryer, and refrigerator are all connected to your home by hoses. If these hoses are damaged in any way, they can cause major water damage to your home. Inspect your appliances and, if needed, replace their hoses prior to leaving on vacation.

Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning leaves and other debris out from your gutters before taking a vacation is an easy way to prevent potential blockage and build up. To learn more about the advantages of clean gutters, click here.

Turn Off the Water

Whenever you leave your home for an extended period of time, it’s important to turn off the water main and make sure the pipes are completely drained. This will stop any water from continually leaking in your home while you’re away. Simply run the water and flush your toilet after you turn off the water.

Have Someone Check on Your Home

Coordinate to have someone come over and check on your home while you’re away. Having a friend, neighbor, or family member keep an eye on your property can help keep it in good shape, and they can notify you immediately if something goes wrong.

With these tips, you can truly enjoy your vacation with the peace of mind that your home is safe from any potential water damage that could occur in your absence. If your home does suffer from water damage, call our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team!

What You Should Know About Water Damage Restoration Planning

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Call the trusted leaders in the restoration industry!

When homeowners find themselves faced with water from a flood or bursting pipes, they often want to know how long the restoration efforts will take. The answer depends on the extent of the damage, the type of water to invade the home and materials used throughout the affected area. Homeowners can expect the process to take anywhere from two to three days, but to not be surprised if it takes as many as seven. Some factors that affect the time it takes to dry out a home include:

• The type of water to flood the home
• The size of the area affected
• The building materials affected

Type of Water

Clean water is easier to clean up than black water, as the former doesn’t require special Hazmat materials or equipment. If your problems stem from bursting pipes, the solution may be as simple as fixing the pipes and drying out the area. If you do so within 24 to 48 hours, you can prevent mold and bacteria growth as well.

Size of Affected Area

The type of water isn’t the only factor to affect restoration times. The size of area plays a huge part as well. If the size of the affected area is relatively small, less than ten square feet, restoration efforts can take as little as two days, and you may even be able to perform them yourself. However, if your entire ground floor is flooded, it could take several days of professional efforts.

Materials Impacted

If it is just your carpet that is affected, restoration efforts shouldn’t require much of your time at all. However, if your drywall, insulation and/or framing are impacted, you may need to do more than fix a broken pipe. Restoration efforts in the latter instance could take as long as 10 days or more.

Every situation is different, and the water damage caused by bursting pipes could be far more severe than damage from, say, a leaking pipe. Talk to your local SERVPRO of South Columbus water damage restoration team to learn more about what to expect.

Timeline of Destruction With Water Damage

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage ruin your home or business. Call the pros at SERVPRO!

A little water isn't going to hurt anything. WRONG!! When water damage is left untreated, the structure of a home or business starts to deteriorate over time. Here is the timeline of destruction if the water damage goes untreated:

Within Minutes

• Carpets, padding beneath flooring, subflooring becomes saturated.
• Furniture on wet carpets starts to leach and stain.
• Wood/wood products start absorbing water.
• Personal belongings may be completely destroyed.

Within Hours

• Humidity starts to make the house stink.
• Particleboard cabinetry and furniture distorts and the integrity of the material weakens, crumbling over time.
• Dyes from non-colorfast fabrics bleed (clothing stored together, upholstery, etc.).
• In 48 hours or less, clean or grey water can deteriorate to black water, and areas that experience water intrusion clean water can rapidly become toxic.

Within Days

• Mold becomes visible and causes musty odors
• Allergen sensitivities can be caused by microbial organisms.
• Wood may severely warp and cup, making most wooden floors unsalvageable.
• Painted walls blister and wallpaper begins to peel away.
• Structural wood within home, such as framing, begins to swell and split.

Within Weeks

• Home is hazardous to human health and must be evacuated.
• Mold infests organic materials, rendering it unsalvageable.
• Drywall crumbles while the home’s structural integrity declines.
• Damage to the foundation becomes apparent.
• Home may be salvageable but may need to be gutted down to the studs.

Within Months

• Damage to the foundation may be significant.
• The cost of repairs is likely more than the value of the home.
• Damage that could have been prevented over time (i.e., neglect) disqualifies the owner from insurance claims.
• The home may be unsalvageable

Remember, just because it "looks dry" doesn't mean it is dry!

Is Water Damage An Emergency?

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage ruin your commercial property!

Having a water damage in your home or business is a very stressful situation. Many things can go through your mind, but how do you know if it is an emergency? If no one is injured, then by definition it is not considered a "true" emergency and 911 usually does not need to be called.

However, it could still be an emergency in regards to your property. The longer that water sits on the building materials, the more possibility there is that secondary damage will occur. Water can seep into wall crevices and down through the floors below. If it is not cleaned up and dried out properly, then the potential for mold growth is high. 

If you walk in and see water pouring into your home or business, step 1 is to find the main water shutoff, and to shut off the water.

Also be very aware of these other things that may be affected and could be a potential hazard, such as the electricity supply, gas supply, water damaged electrical appliances, contaminated water (gasoline, chemicals, etc.) or structural damage.

So if you don't call 911, who do you call?

• Local SERVPRO of South Columbus Restoration professionals
• Insurance Agent
• Insurance Company 

We work hand in hand with your insurance company to act fast, so we can get your home or business back to normal. We are available 24 hours a day to address these water emergencies. When it comes to water damage, don't take chances. Call us today and get the damage taken care of, the right way!

Leaves Clogging Your Gutters Can Result In Water Damage

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

It is critical to keep your gutters clean to prevent water from seeping into your basement and causing floods.

One of the biggest fears as a homeowner with a basement is your basement flooding whenever it rains. A valid and legitimate fear, this situation causes a myriad of repairs. All sorts of damage including ruined flooring and carpeting, rotted drywall, destroyed furniture, and the worst of all, mold growth can occur. These repairs can be time-consuming and costly, and your basement can even flood in dry weather.

Issues with your foundation drainage is a big cause for a flooded basement and flood damage in your Columbus home. However, the main reason for water in your basement is overflowing gutters. It is critical to keep your gutters clean to prevent water from seeping into your basement and causing floods. Quality gutter guards and even using an expert to clean your gutters out routinely keeps debris and leaves out of the gutters so they can function properly.

When your gutters do cause flooding in your basement, it can be quite overwhelming. You need to have professionals, such as SERVPRO, come to your home to help you get all the water out and repair the damages.

When your gutters are clogged with debris, the water has nowhere to go. It overflows over the gutters to the ground next to your house, only a couple feet from the foundation. As the ground is settling and moving, it stresses the foundation of your home which causes cracking, letting water enter your home. Hydrostatic pressure might force water in through the concrete. The main solution is to keep your gutters clean.

Flooded basements create not only a lot of possible damage but plenty of stress for you as well. At SERVPRO, we understand this, so we move quickly to get to your home after you reach out to us. We have the professional and industrial equipment to get all the standing water out of your home and use fans and dehumidifiers to finish the drying process. We have moisture meters to find any hidden water or mold growth as well.

When SERVPRO of South Columbus is finished restoring your home after your basement floods, it is "Like it never even happened." Just give us a call at (614) 863-1392 so we can get started as soon as possible.

First 48 Hours After a Flood

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Don't wait! The first 48 hours are critical!!

Act fast. The sooner you clear the contents out of your basement during a water incident, the more likely you will be able to restore the condition to your items and possessions.

When a finished basement experiences significant water damage, such as a basement flooding or a water pipe burst, timing is everything. Where the sooner you begin the disaster recovery process, the more likely you will be able to restore the condition of your possessions and the finished basement environment.

The first 48 hours are considered the most important time period to react, as it is crucial to preventing further damage to the basement and the items within, as well as preventing a wide spread mold problem. Below are the first steps to take, preferably within these first 48 hours.

1. Turn Off the Power. Never enter a flooded basement or touch the flood waters without cutting off the power.
2. Call your insurance company. Policies differ. Most require special flood insurance to cover ground water leaks, but homeowner’s insurance may cover damage from indoor plumbing and hot water heater leaks.
3. Get the water out as soon as possible. Call SERVPRO of South Columbus to extract any standing water. If there isn’t a lot of water, you might try to get it out yourself, with a “floor sucker” or a shop-vac.

Dry everything out as quickly as possible

To prevent items and building materials from becoming ruined, dry your basement as soon as the water is removed. Ideally, the basement should be completely dry within 48 hours. After that, the potential for mold growth increases considerably. A professional restoration company might help expedite this process. Alternatively, you can consider acquiring a powerful basement dehumidifier.

Causes And Signs Of Water Damage In Your Columbus Home

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

These homeowners knew they had water damage from the brown water spots on their ceiling.

SERVPRO of South Columbus knows that when you experience unexpected water damage it can be costly and set you back. It can occur at any time. Here are some examples of situations that can cause water damage in a home:

• Problems with the HVAC system.
• Cracks in the foundation or walls.
• Severe storms, floods and other extreme weather.
• Leaky or busted pipes.
• Malfunctioning dishwashers or washing machines.
• Roof damage, such as missing shingles or cracked flashing.
• Leaks from toilets, sinks, and showers.
• Drainage problems on your property.

Water damage is recognizable when it’s caused by a flood, but with other causes, it is sometimes hard to spot. If you are unsure of what to look for, it can be easy to miss until it becomes a major problem. Here are the usual signs of water damage in a home:

• Paint peeling from your walls
• Mold growth (which can look like dark discoloration) on any surface
• Warping of your floors.
• A strong musty smell.
• Sagging in parts of your walls or ceiling.
• Stains or discolored patches on walls or ceilings.
• Water pooling in your yard after a storm.

What's That Funky Smell? It Might Be Water Damage

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

If you smell something funny in your home, call SERVPRO of South Columbus!

Do you know when to be worried about a funny smell? Most new homeowners are not water damage specialists, but the human nose is an excellent tool for sniffing out trouble. Your nose is not the only way to spot water damage in your new home. Our SERVPRO of South Columbus technicians are IICRC certified and can help handle any moisture problems you may discover after moving in.

The sooner you notice a problem, the sooner you can call our team to help mitigate ongoing damages. With spring coming in southern Columbus, some water damage will be easier to spot. When you notice a problem, a highly trained SERVPRO professional can assess the extent of your damages. We can use our specialized equipment to remedy the issue fast.

What should you keep an eye out for when you do your spring cleaning? Start at the top. When looking for roof damages, obvious water stains aren't the only problem. Swollen insulation is usually an indication of water retention. Check your flashing (where the roof meets the walls) for cracks and look for missing shingles as well as more obvious signs like holes. Look at door frames and molding. Unusual stains or dark spots on the walls can mean trouble.

Inside, make sure you check your appliances after you move in to be certain they are not leaking where you cannot see easily behind them. Cracked hoses and loose connections can be tricky. Ripples, buckling, and changes in texture can tell you the flooring has a water problem. Remember to trust your nose. If it smells wrong, it probably is.

Outside water damages and mold are often caused by improper drainage. Check your spouts to see that they are clear and make sure you do not have water pooling around the foundation of your new home. At the first sign of damage, you can call SERVPRO.

No one wants to find water damages in their new home this spring. If you do, SERVPRO of South Columbus is available at (614) 863-1392 24 hours a day. We can make things “Like it never even happened.”

Our Drying Goals During The Water Restoration Process

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team uses state of the art equipment during the water restoration process.

Drying Goals During Water Removal In Your Columbus Home

Water damage technicians create a drying goal during your southern Columbus home’s initial assessment. The drying goal should indicate the condition of materials and contents once restored to their natural preloss dryness. Qualified technicians should always monitor the drying process to determine if current procedures remain in-line with any established goals.

A drying goal for water removal at your southern Columbus property is the intended result in affected areas after completing restoration services. Our dedicated technicians use years of experience, training, and advanced equipment to provide moisture content readings from dry, unaffected contents, and structure — readings in percentage for wood materials, and readings in points for non-wood materials.

Our SERVPRO technicians use drier air to increase the rate of evaporation while performing water removal services on your property – drier air means air with low humidity. A relative humidity (RH) of less than 40% is within the normal range for performing an effective drying solution. RH under 40% typically tells us that the air is dry and thirsty, allowing it to pull more water from wet materials within the affected area.

While measurements for RH does not guarantee that your structure is dry, reaching a low RH ensures that humidity within the affected area is decreasing. To determine whether the area is dry, SERVPRO technicians take specific humidity readings of the affected areas; these readings should match those taken in unaffected areas. We use moisture meters to measure the moisture content of wet materials found in your home.

SERVPRO water removal technicians set moisture content goals on a per-item basis – after establishing a drying standard and recording typical equilibrium moisture content (EMC). The dry standard is a moisture content reading taken from dry materials of the same type found in unaffected areas. We establish a dry standard or use a typical EMC of a material as a goal.  Once the readings match, the drying process is complete.

Call our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team for water removal, cleanup, and restoration services, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

Ahh! My Pipes Are Frozen!!

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

Cold temperatures can lead to frozen pipes, that's why our SERVPRO Team is always here to help!

The cold temperatures in Columbus can lead to a number of problems for local homeowners. One of which may include frozen pipes. A hard freeze can even lead to broken pipes or water damage in your home. Here are some things you may want to know about what to expect when your pipes freeze.

What To Do When Pipes Freeze

If you have a frozen pipe in your home there are a few things you can do

• Call a professional, like SERVPRO for help
• Keep your pipes open so the water has a place to go when thawed
• Apply gentle heat, like a hot towel or blow dryer, to the frozen area of the pipe

Why Pipes Freeze

During a hard freeze the temperature outdoors can drop so low that the cold can permeate the pipes. Any water inside will then expand. If there is not enough room inside the pipes, then the pressure can cause cracks which will lead to leaks when the water thaws. A water damage professional can help with repairs to your home if the leak causes damage.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Fortunately, there are a few prevention steps you can take to prevent the freezing of your pipes and subsequent water damage. These steps include draining the water from pipes that may freeze such as a sprinkler line, and disconnecting any hoses from your home. You may also want to close any indoor valves that supply water to outdoor lines. If the weather is especially cold you may want to let your faucets drip a little as moving water is less likely to freeze. It’s also a good idea to keep your home’s temperature above 55 degrees.

When a hard freeze occurs, the water in your pipes can freeze and cause some damage to your home. A professional can help with any repairs and cleanup you may need. If you know that the temperature is likely to get to freezing point, you may be able to take some steps to protect your pipes.

Oh No! My Apartment Flooded, What Do I Do?!

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

This multiple unit water damage was caused by a pipe leak.

Dealing with water damage is never fun but it is especially a nightmare for renters. Water can cause very extensive damage and result in costly repairs. Follow the tips below to know what to do next if your apartment floods.

1. Identify The Source: Whether the issue is a leaking pipe, overflowing sink or toilet, or leaking washing machine line, the first step is finding where the water is coming from. It may be possible to turn off the water source from a source by the toilet, under the sink or valve connected to the washing machine.
2. Contact Your Landlord Or Property Manager: You want to protect your belongings but your Landlord or Property Manager also wants to protect their property. Make them aware of the damages immediately, as the extent of the damage will continue to increase the more time passes. Water damages are not unlikely to happen, so they should have a plan in place when this occurs. In order for a restoration company to come in and mitigate the water damage, the owner of the property must authorize them to begin services since tenants are unable to make decisions on a property that does not belong to them.
3. Notify Your Neighbors: It is courteous to notify your neighbors of any flooding or water damage you have experienced especially if you live above someone else. There is a high possibility that your water disaster can affect your neighbor's unit as well. Make sure your neighbor looks out for any slow leaks or mold growth that may appear as a result.
4. Access And Document All Damage: Take time to document the damages to your unit. Take plenty of photos with the date, time and notes of the damage. They will come in handy when working with your landlord's insurance company and your renter's insurance company.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company: If you have renter’s insurance on your apartment, call and inquire to see if your policy covers the damage. There is a high possibility that your renter's insurance policy will cover any water leak in your apartment that causes water damage to your personal belongings.
6. Discuss Repairs And Professional Cleaning: Talk to the landlord or Property Manager about how maintenance and repairs will work. Make notes of the repairs being done and report any ongoing leaks or delayed maintenance work. Once the repairs are done, you’ll most likely need professional cleaning from a company like SERVPRO to restore your apartment.

Whatever the case may be, our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team is highly trained to clean and properly document the entire process ensuring that all parties involved are kept informed.

Preventative Measures To Avoid Water Damage

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding can happen to anyone at any time, that's why SERVPRO of The North Coast is here for you!

We all know that prevention is the best medicine, but floods can happen at any moment from any number of causes. By completing regularly scheduled home maintenance and keeping an eye out for common warning signs, you can minimize the chances of a flood. However, nothing can give you a 100% guarantee of never having a flood. In that case, preparation is the best way to minimize water damage.

First, it’s a good idea to know your flood risk. Are you in a potential flood zone? Is your yard sloped away from your foundation? Knowledge is power so the more you know about how your home might flood, the more steps you can take to prevent it or minimize damage from it.

Using waterproof building materials is a great way to reduce damage from flooding and there are waterproof sealants and paints that can be applied to existing structures. In particular, there are many protective coatings for block or poured concrete walls which are common in basements.

Keep your valuables and irreplaceable items such as photo albums, yearbooks, and important documents on high shelves. Do the same with chemicals and paints. If they leak into flood waters, they could cause additional damage. Any items put away for storage should be in air and water-tight plastic containers. Never leave boxes or items on the floor; instead, invest in raised shelving units.

It may also be a good idea to raise appliances and electronics off the ground. Get wires and power strips out from behind your tv stand and organize them in a way that keeps them out of the flood danger zone. Put washing machines and dryers on cinder blocks or sections of lumber to reduce the chances that rising water levels will affect them.

If a flood does strike, turn off electricity, gas, and water lines and place buckets under active leaks. If the water is pooling slowly, soak up as much of it as possible to reduce the potential damage. Calling SERVPRO at the first sign of a flood is the best way to reduce water damage. Our highly trained technicians will solve your immediate problems and ensure you don’t experience lasting effects or further damage.

Flooding can happen to anyone. Take steps now to protect your home and keepsakes from water damage in the event of a possible flood.

Water Damage Safety

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Be careful not to slip and fall on water on the floor!

Should you have the unfortunate experience a water damage, safety should be your number one priority. There are many safety issues you need to be aware of to protect your family. Two of the most common safety issues are “slips and falls” and electrical hazards, however, there are others.

Water Supply

• If possible, turn off the water supply to minimize the water damage and safety concerns. Take caution when entering all rooms with wet flooring to prevent injuries from “slips and falls.”

Electricity

• To prevent being shocked or electrocuted, do not enter a room with deep standing water that may be exposed to electricity.
• If the water is high enough to reach the electrical outlets, have an electrician inspect your wiring to prevent electrical shock.
• Have electrical appliances such as furnaces, freezer, washer and dryers dried and serviced by a qualified repairman if the water has reached their electrical unit.

Gas

• If you smell gas, turn off main valve and leave the area. Call the gas company immediately.

• Have gas appliances inspected by a qualified repairman if high water has reached their gas controls.

Structure Stability

• Water damage on a second floor can compromise the ceiling below. If you see sagging ceilings do not enter the room.

Sewer Damage

• Sewer backups can present diseases and bacteria and should never be cleaned without personal protective equipment.

If you have a water damage call SERVPRO of South Columbus at 614-863-1392 to assist.

Where Water Damage May Be Hiding In Your Home

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in this Columbus home was caused by a leaking dishwasher.

While damage from a flood is pretty noticeable, there are many ways water damage can happen to your home when you don’t even realize it.

Here are some common causes of water damage and how you can spot the warning signs.

Weather is a common cause of water damage. Rains (snow and ice during the winter) cause flooding that can get into your home. Ice is an especially insidious cause of water damage because it expands as it freezes, causing cracks that allow more water to enter your home.

Even if it isn’t raining or snowing there is still moisture in the air. Damp air can lead to condensation and water damage to your walls. This is especially true of basements, bathrooms, and other damp areas of your home that don’t get much airflow.

Appliances like your washing machine, garbage disposal, water heater, toilet, and air conditioner can all contribute to water damage if they leak or stop draining properly.

Water from our pipes and plumbing systems can also cause water damage. Leaks and drips can go on for months, or even years, raising your water bill and doing unseen damage to your home.

Since these are all the ways water can sneak into your home, what are the signs of water damage?

Here are a few warning signs that you have a water damage problem in your home.

Standing water – This may sound pretty obvious, but if you notice water pooling in your house you have a water problem that needs to be taken care of immediately.

Bad smells – While water doesn’t normally have much of a smell, the mold and bacteria that grow in damp environments can give off a distinct musty, wet odor. If you smell mold or mildew there is a possibility that you have a water issue.

Stains and spots – Stains on the ceilings or walls can be a sign of water damage. You might have a leaky pipe or roof. Call a professional to determine the cause of the problem and to clean up the damage before it becomes a serious mold problem.

Peeling paint – Paint damaged by water will start to peel, bubble, or flake off.

Uneven surfaces – Water damage can cause floors, ceilings, walls, and other surfaces to warp and feel uneven.

Cracks – Water is always seeking the path of least resistance out of your home. Water can enter through cracks and once water finds it’s way in, the crack will expand allowing even more to get into your home. Make sure you seal all visible cracks on your property.

If you notice your home has water damage call the experts at SERVPRO of South Columbus. Our team is always here to help!

How To Know If Your Walls Have Water Damage

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

These homeowners knew they had water damage from the discoloration they noticed.

Have you ever wondered if your walls have water damage? Sometimes it's not so easy to identify.  And, as you know, water losses don't typically happen during convenient hours of the day. It’s not always easy to identify if your walls are damaged, but here are some signs to look for.

Common Signs of Water Damage In Your Walls

1. Musty Odor: Water damage can often cause mold damage and/or mildew damage if left undetected. But unfortunately, mold isn't always visible. If you notice a musty odor, that's a sign there may be mold somewhere you don't see. You want to make sure both sides of your walls are checked and tested for mold damage. Most importantly, you'll want to find the source of your water issues so the mold doesn't return and cause more damage.
2. Visible Mold Growth On Walls And Baseboards: Always be on the lookout for visible mold growth, it comes in various sizes. Mold infestation can quickly spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. But you want to be careful because mold may cause health effects to you and your family, including your pet. That is why it is very important to contact trained professionals who have the proper training and experience to remove and remediate mold.
3. Discoloration: Discoloration is a key indicator that your walls are damaged as a result of water damage. The common colors associated with discoloration are yellow, brown, or copper.
4. Peeling Or Bubbling Paint And Wallpaper: The peeling or bubbling of paint or wallpaper is another key indicator that your walls are damaged. It is important to contact trained professionals to access your walls, to prevent further damage from happening down the road.
5. Warped Walls: Inspect your walls carefully to see if you have any warped walls. When the sheetrock behind a wall absorbs too much water, it will start to bend and curve, which, in turn, can cause the wall to warp.
6. Water Stains: Inspect your walls carefully for any potential water stains. Water stains can easily be missed, especially if they are tiny in size. Since they can start out small, homeowners typically don't notice the water stains until they have increased in size, which, at that time, further damage may have occurred. It's a good idea to inspect around your windows and frames as well.

If you notice signs of water damage in your walls, don't hesitate to call our SERVPRO team! We are always here to help!

Water Damage And Your Hardwood Floors

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

The hardwood floors in this kitchen had to be removed after a sink leak.

Hardwood floors are becoming more and more popular due to its required low maintenance. Although hardwoods floors are extremely durable, they can be vulnerable to moisture. If your home has hardwood floors, always be on the lookout for any signs of water damage on your wood flooring.

The first common sign of water damage in hardwood floors is known as cupping. This happens when moisture causes the wood to expand, which then shifts the other boards together and deforms them in the center. Crowning, the opposite of cupping, is another common sign of water damage. Crowning occurs when the boards are pushed together resulting them to raise in the center of the wood boards. Cupping and crowning can both lead to a buckling floor, if left unnoticed. Buckling happens when the floor boards begin lifting from the sub-floor, causing extensive damage to your wood flooring. Other signs to look out for are cracks in the floor, boards separating, or the wood become soft and weak.

If you notice any of these signs in your wood floors, you have wood floor water damage, and need to take immediate action to prevent further damage.

Call SERVPRO of South Columbus right away to begin mitigation services. If the floor is salvageable, we can place drying equipment to repair the damaged floor to its preloss condition.  

Smart Methods of Water Damage Remediation in Columbus

8/19/2019 (Permalink)

Let the professionals handle the water damage remediation issues in your home. Call SERVPRO today for assistance.

What You Can Do When Your Columbus Kitchen Sink Leaks 

As time goes on, our appliances in our homes can begin to wear down, and some of them can even cause water damage. The water supply line attached to your kitchen sink began to weaken and eventually cracked one afternoon. The crack in the line allowed for water to spit beneath the sink, gradually making the white paint on the inside of the cupboard bubble. 

Fortunately, the water damage in your Columbus kitchen is mild enough that you can handle the remediation of the damage yourself. However, if you feel unsure about fixing it yourself, or you merely want a second opinion, reaching out for professional help is always a good idea. It is always best to follow your gut instinct and be safe, rather than sorry. 

Here at SERVPRO, when it comes to water damage, we recommend that the remediation is done using devices that supply dry air and heat. For instance, our technicians could use heaters and dehumidifiers and minimize the access moisture inside of the cupboard. If you are confident that the water damage is minimal, putting a heat source, such as a space heater, inside of the cupboard, along with a small fan, could help evaporate the water inside. 

Our SERVPRO technicians follow the same principals, but with industry-grade equipment that has been designed for water damage restoration. In your own home, you can find some items that can work similarly, but on a smaller scale. Once the cupboard has been dried out, you can use sandpaper to remove the paint bubble and to file down the area. Afterward, you can apply new primer and then a fresh coat of paint to the water-damaged section of the cupboard. 

If the job can be done at home, it is always a good thing to learn how to fix problems yourself. However, always remember that We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. At SERVPRO, we always rush to any job, no matter how big or small, and we are happy to help you during your time of need. 

If you find your home needs water damage restoration services, reach out for help. Dial (614) 863-1392 to get in touch with SERVPRO of South Columbus. We're always ready to take your call. 

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Columbus Properties Often Are Impacted by Water Losses--Call SERVPRO for Mitigation

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Inspect Your Columbus Home for Water Leaks and Prevent Damage

Water Damage Restoration for Your Columbus Home

Damage happens in your Columbus home when water starts pooling where it should not be. Several factors can make this excess water and contribute to a water damage emergency. When you know potential causes, you can take preventative steps to help block leaks. You can also find a problem as soon as it begins and stop it from escalating.
 
When something in your Columbus home has gone awry, and you now are looking at water damage repairs, you don’t want to hesitate to enlist outside help. SERVPRO is a professional water damage remediation company that can assist you after an event like this. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. You can, therefore, count on us to get the job done quickly and efficiently, so your structure does not suffer from additional damage.
 
Plumbing problems are common, and many times they occur inside your walls so you cannot detect them right away. Many times, pipe joints and hoses fail, and by doing periodic checks under your sinks and other plumbing, areas can help to mitigate some of these plumbing issues.
 
When the water damage in your home is in a wall cavity or underneath the flooring, SERVPRO techs can use moisture meters to find the actual moisture content of various materials. Penetrating moisture meters are equipped with probes which test inside wall cavities and underneath wood flooring. They can test individual layers of materials as well. Non-penetrating meters have sensors that give us readings when we put the meter on the surface of materials.
 
Water damage is more likely to occur in some regions of your home, such as basements, crawl spaces, and attics. Moisture dripping through your concrete foundation can cause leaks in your basement, and air leakage or roof damage can cause water damage in your attic.
 
Also, as your household appliances get older, hoses can weaken, and pipes can rust and crack. Water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators are all susceptible to deterioration, so you should keep a close eye on these appliances when they are a bit older.
 
SERVPRO of South Columbus is always available to help you dry your home in Pickerington, Obetz, or Bexley after any water damage emergency. Reach out to us right away at (614) 863-1392 as soon as you notice the issue so we can get there and prevent additional damage.

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We Help You Protect Your Home From Future Damage In Columbus

4/30/2019 (Permalink)

We are always prepared for any size disaster with the latest equipment and technology available.

Solutions for Drying Out a Damp Columbus Basement

Many of the homes throughout the Greater Columbus area feature basements. Some of them, like much of the housing in and around the sprawling campus of Ohio State University, have converted this lower level into additional living space with the installation of drywall, flooring, and ceiling materials. Even with the facelift to this portion of the property, groundwater concerns and moisture can still penetrate through the exterior of the house to affect the basement level. Several approaches can help to remove water and moisture from the area for good.

With so many homes throughout Columbus experiencing water damage because in the basements they have decided to convert into additional living or fun space, it is more important than ever to address moisture and water damage immediately. Drywall itself is among the most damaged materials when exposed to even lower levels of moisture, primarily due to its porous composition and general lack of waterproofing. This same material, however, can often be what draws your attention to a potential problem in the first place. Drywall is prone to moisture damage, so a change in its appearance, bloating, or crumbling, can indicate the presence of moisture where it should not be.

Our SERVPRO professionals have a 24/7 response to water damage emergencies that can affect your home. We have high-powered drying equipment that we can employ as soon as we arrive such as our air movers and our LGR or desiccant dehumidifiers. All of these tools can work together to reduce moisture content in the environment quickly and to help our team narrow down the origin of the damage for focused solutions.

Often water damage in the basement results from moisture penetration through the blockwork. Our team can address these concerns with hydraulic cement and can even encourage the continued use of dehumidifiers if we cannot sufficiently locate the primary source of moisture damage. Our SERVPRO team can then reinstall removed portions of drywall to return all of the affected components to preloss condition.

We understand the importance of removing moisture and water damage in order to protect the investment that you have made in the finished basement of your home. Our SERVPRO of South Columbus professionals can respond to water loss incidents 24/7 by calling (614) 863-1392.

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Columbus Water Damage Mitigation from SERVPRO

3/15/2019 (Permalink)

Columbus Property Owners Trust SERVPRO for Water Damage Mitigation, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

Water Restoration Procedure for Your Damaged Columbus Property

Whether it is your home or your business, Columbus properties can become considerably damaged by water loss incidents. As water spreads and saturates into materials, it becomes more and more challenging to overcome these effects and the degradation of structural elements with conventional approaches. Our SERVPRO of South Columbus professionals have the experience and industry-leading equipment to quickly respond to water loss emergencies with effective mitigation tactics and the expertise to restore your damaged property to preloss condition.

While no two Columbus properties are the same, the need for effective water damage extraction and drying efforts are universal. It has always been the focus of our team to provide fast response times amid crisis to minimize loss. This philosophy began with our experienced owner, Shawn Young, and continues through the drive and determination of every IICRC-certified technician representing our team by recovering commercial water damage as it happens. By maintaining our 24/7 response to emergencies and disasters, we can help to save you money and time.

We have all of the necessary equipment to complete mitigation, restoration, and even reconstruction fast, but all of the steps needed to restore your property following a water loss incident can take time to finish. Our experienced team has unique and extensive training in modern and efficient approaches for damage recovery and loss prevention, but it often can take several days or even weeks to fully dry out and restore damage your building has sustained even with our advanced machines and technology.

Understanding the process from the time that you make the first phone call about your emergency can help you to know what to expect. Each of these phases is a milestone in itself in the overall restoration of your property and takes the team closer to completing the project to meet or even exceed your high standards and expectations. We keep an active dialogue with our customers throughout the entire process, never leaving you guessing about the status of our recovery and restoration efforts for your business.

Rollout

From the time that you first call to notify our team about a water loss emergency affecting your home or business, the rapid response team gets alerted immediately. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. The vehicles of our SERVPRO of South Columbus Green Fleet stay stocked with the full measure of our mitigation and restoration equipment, leaving nothing to chance when our personnel roll out from our facility towards your address. Inside our production trucks, we have high-velocity air movers, desiccant and LGR dehumidifiers, weighted extractors, air scrubbers, ozone generators, hydroxyl generators, our injecti-dry system and drying mats, and a large assortment of cleaners, related equipment, and antimicrobial solution to help reduce the possibility of mold growth on saturated materials and contents. Our trained crew can erect special drying zones using flat lay poly sheeting to direct warm, humid vapor to the exterior of your commercial enterprise thereby reducing the overall drying time. Our business is to keep you in business.

Inspection and Assessment

Part of our responsibility upon arrival at your property is to assess the full scope of the damage to the facility. We can work to provide a full walkthrough of the building with you to take note of all affected areas, materials, and contents. We strive to be as thorough as possible in this phase, as it helps to make the estimations we provide more accurate both in total cost for restoration and the expected time to complete the project.

This assessment also allows our SERVPRO of South Columbus team to take photographic evidence of the present damage to submit to insurance providers if you intend to file a damage claim. In most cases, insurance adjusters already require a professional inspection and gathering of documentation and evidence, so we begin this process immediately upon arrival to prevent unnecessary delays in damage claim approval.

Extraction and Drying

It is critical for mitigation work to begin as promptly as possible, and for water damage situations, that often means extraction and drying efforts. With our extensive inventory of high-powered air movers and dehumidification equipment, our team can handle large loss incidents that affect broad areas of your business. Many of our machines can treat over a thousand cubic feet with a single unit, allowing us to manage vast damaged areas with these effective tools placed strategically. As efficient as these machines can be, however, total drying can sometimes take days to complete.

When water remains trapped in carpeting or other types of flooring, wall cavities, ceiling space, or other inaccessible areas, specialized equipment is necessary to address these concerns. Our SERVPRO of South Columbus professionals can use tools like our weighted extractor to force water from carpeting and subflooring materials or our injecti-dry system to force heated air through damp wall cavities, ceiling spaces, and flooring materials with minimal invasiveness.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Our SERVPRO of South Columbus team must address lingering threats from potential mold growth to bacteria in more dire water loss incidents once this drying stage completes. Disinfection often occurs on exposed structural elements like framing, studs, and beams that do not require replacement as drywall or other heavily saturated porous materials might. To prevent circumstances like mold growth, our professionals must utilize antimicrobial solutions and biocides that make contents, surfaces, and exposed materials uninhabitable to mold spores looking for a host material for colonization.

Final Walkthrough

The satisfaction of our customer is vital to completing any water loss restoration project for a Columbus home or business. While it is essential to our team to provide fast service that minimizes costs and wait times for your business, it never comes with a compromise to the quality of our restoration or reconstruction work.

Our SERVPRO of South Columbus production manager can walk through with you, explaining all of the work that occurred in bringing your property back to preloss condition. We do not leave the work site until we can get assured of your satisfaction with our completed work. In addition to this vital final step, we must also often take final photographs and complete documentation to satisfy an obligation with the insurance provider overseeing the damage claim on the property.

Whenever disaster strikes in the form of a water loss incident in your building, you can trust our SERVPRO of South Columbus restoration specialists to respond quickly to protect your property from worsening conditions and increasing costs. Let us help you make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime at (614) 863-1392.

Our Specialists Can Handle Any Size Water Damage Disaster That May Occur In Your South Columbus Home

3/7/2019 (Permalink)

You can rely on our experts to answer the phone 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

When Your South Columbus Home Is All Wet SERVPRO Can Help

Homeowners in South Columbus have a number of challenges from rain to snow and summer heat. When you have a mysterious water leak, it can be caused by any number of different issues. SERVPRO can assess your situation and mitigate your water damages no matter what caused them. As a trusted industry leader, we are ready for any disaster, even when you are not quite sure what's causing the problem.

Every place is unique, and our highly trained IICRC certified technicians are locals, we might even be neighbors. Naturally, we know what types of water damage can occur in South Columbus.

Winter hazards can include roof leaks letting snow inside to flood attics and crawl spaces. We can check on the water in your insulation and leaks down the sheetrock. The heat that escapes can also cause ice damming and pooling. If water backs up and manages to infiltrate your home, we can help locate the source and mitigate the damages.

The warmer seasons can have other challenges. From a flooded basement to a buckled hardwood floor, we can help. When damages occur behind your sheeting or in unexpected places like the foundation of your home, our dedicated technicians will help find hidden pockets of moisture and remediate the problem whatever it might be.

There are times when the problem does not come from outside. A leaky appliance with a broken hose or a busted pipe can certainly dampen your spirits, even when you do not immediately see what happened. SERVPRO technicians have the safety equipment to handle any water damage issue whether from a clean appliance leak to a dangerous backed up sewer pipe. We have technicians to handle deodorizing as well. Whatever causes the damage, there is a solution that is just right for your home.

You can rely on our experts to answer the phone 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Call SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392. Even if you are not sure how things got all wet, we can still make it “Like it never even happened.”

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Some Mistakes In Columbus Water Damage Remediation You Should Avoid

2/17/2019 (Permalink)

If the snow that rests on your home’s roof causes moisture problems in the attic or other parts of your home, contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage.

Melting Snow Can Allow for a Moist Columbus Attic Space

Much like all of the other material used to construct your Columbus home, your insulation can begin to degrade, move, erode, and thin out over long periods. While initially, the insulation against the inside of your roof was uniform and thick, as the years press on, certain spots can become thinner than others. While heating your home in the winter, these warmer points of your roof can melt snow in freezing temperatures, ultimately damaging shingles and base materials underneath. The result is moisture penetration into the attic space.

While the damage to your roof might not happen overnight, the longer that problems persist with this exterior component of your home, the more you invite water damage into your Columbus attic. Moisture penetration can seem insignificant against natural disasters like flooding, but ultimately can have the same damaging effects to structural elements, supports, beams, and construction materials throughout this attic space.

Identifying the potential problem can be difficult if you do not regularly inspect your attic space. Throughout the winter it is a wise idea to keep tabs on the condition of this area of your home to catch potential problems before they become widespread damages that are costly and time-consuming to restore. Our SERVPRO professionals can also help with inspections of both the roof and the attic for moisture and mold growth, as dampness in this area of your home can quickly facilitate mold colonization.

Restoring moisture damage to the attic space begins with drying out the dampness with our air movers and LGR dehumidifiers. The combined efforts of these pieces of equipment can dramatically reduce moisture levels in the area and help to thwart ideal conditions for mold growth. The SERVPRO technicians on site can also determine the point of moisture penetration in your roof for future reconstruction and repair.

As pressing of a concern as attic moisture could potentially be for your home, many homeowners do not know a problem exists until it affects levels below the attic space. If you encounter moisture or water penetration, trust our SERVPRO of South Columbus technicians to help you dry up the damage and restore the property completely. Give us a call anytime at (614) 863-1392.

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How Professionals Remove Water From Your Columbus Home

1/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Columbus is well-equipped for any size water loss.

Water Removal Actions Needed for Columbus Homes

Columbus homeowners dealt with some extreme weather events this year. The rain and occasional flooding caused multiple problems for all of us. On the average, more owners and residents had to deal with the results after the pressure release valve on their water heater failed, or another plumbing issue sent water across the home.  

Complete water removal in Columbus homes only starts with pumping out the visible, or standing, water. SERVPRO team members know that water can quickly find its way between floorboards, soak carpets, and turn basements into a child-sized wading pool.  

The first step, however, is still removing standing water. Our teams use a variety of commercial pumps to bring down the water, so it is just above the floor. At that point, technicians switch to long-handled squeegees to push remaining water off linoleum, and concrete and wood floors and out the nearest door or another exit.  

Now, SERVPRO technicians use extractor wands to draw water from between floorboards and out of carpets. These smaller devices work very well on both surfaces. Team members can adjust the rate of vacuum and apply low heat to increase both water removal and drying the surfaces without causing secondary damage like delamination of the carpet or cracking and splitting the surface of the wooden floorboards.  

Removing water also applies to the air inside the residence. Standing water evaporates into the air, increasing the humidity level. Besides making the environment uncomfortable, it also increases the risk of mold spores expanding and growing throughout the home. Basements are particularly vulnerable since they are usually cooler and damper than the rest of the home.  

To lower the humidity and speed up the drying process, technicians install dehumidifiers to draw water directly from the air. They also set up exhaust fans to pull damp air from inside and force it out of the home. For very wet floors and carpets, technicians install air movers to direct warm, dry air across the surfaces. The action forces moisture out into the air where it is either captured by the dehumidifier or carried out by the airflow generated by the exhaust fans.  

Regardless of how water spilled into your home, SERVPRO of South Columbus is here to help you remove it. To schedule a call from one of our response teams, call (614) 863-1392 today.  

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Carrying Out Effective Water Cleanup in the Columbus Area

9/16/2018 (Permalink)

If your home is facing water damage after an event, your best bet would be to contact SERVPRO for water cleanup services.

Our Technicians Assess the Situation and Then Calculate the Proper Equipment Combination to Methodically Dry Out Your Home

Effective water cleanup is essential to ensure that there is no damage to your home and property. Ensuring the cleanup process is carried out efficiently needs the help of professionals. It is especially true In Columbus, where many homes are affected by water damages and can be very severe.
 
The basic method used for water cleanup in Columbus is drying. At SERVPRO, our technicians use air movers and dehumidifiers as the primary equipment for drying. The air movers increase the rate of evaporation by sending airflow across wet surfaces, blowing away the saturated layer of air, and replacing it with drier air. The dehumidifiers produce warm and dry air that is essential in ensuring the water cleanup processes is successful.
 
Balancing air movers and dehumidifiers can be challenging since the equipment achieve very different results, yet both are essential to the cleanup processes. Too many air dehumidifiers in relation to air movers result in a slow drying process. Not having sufficient air movers means less moisture is evaporating and therefore the dehumidifiers remove less moisture from the air per hour. Too many air movers compared to dehumidifiers, on the other hand, results in secondary water damages. SERVPRO technicians need to balance the equipment to ensure that there are no damages to your home.
 
Naturally, the number of air movers used depends on the situation of your home. Professional judgment is vital when it comes to the positioning of the equipment as needed to dry wet materials. SERVPRO experts need to consider the type, configuration, and the number of surfaces being dried. Fewer air movers are used if only the floor is wet, but additional air movers are needed if other surfaces like ceilings and walls are also wet. We may also need to perform in-place drying depending on the areas affected and this requires further air movement.
 
SERVPRO of South Columbus is a locally-owned and operated company with qualified technicians, equipment, and expertise to help with all your water cleanup needs. Call us at (614) 863-1392 to get an immediate response to your restoration and cleaning emergency.

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Water Damage Technicians Out of Columbus Talk about Drying Carpet without Detaching

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Remove Water Damaged Carpeting and Dry the Subfloor in Columbus Properties

SERVPRO Provides Flexible Water Removing Techniques from Floor Materials

If a water leak ever takes place at your Columbus residence, one of the first places moisture affects is your flooring. Since water follows gravity, when it comes out of a pipe located inside the walls it often travels directly down to the floor. When carpet and other flooring materials get wet, several issues can arise. If carpet gets saturated the glues can lose their strength and the backing can peel away from the carpet fibers. Carpet and pad can both lose their bonding and strength if they stay wet for too long. If wet too long, the paper backing on the carpet can develop mold.

Any time the carpet inside your house gets wet it is a wise idea to remove the moisture from the materials before a fungus can develop. During every water damage project in Columbus, wet carpets get extracted and dried out so that they cannot trap moisture inside the subfloor as well. Depending on how wet the floor got and how long the moisture has sat there, dictates which techniques our SERVPRO technicians can implement.

In many cases, when the carpet is heavily saturated, we pull up the carpet and pad to check the subfloor underneath. We then pull all of the affected carpets up, and most of the time we remove the wet pad since it is rather inexpensive to replace. If the subfloor is wet, we then set air movers up underneath the carpeting. The air pushed by the movers then "float" the carpet allowing airflow underneath the flooring and across the subfloor's surface. In some situations though, it is more efficient to dry out the carpet and pad without placing air moving equipment underneath it.

Whenever we dry carpet in place, our SERVPRO crew sets up air movers and dehumidifiers that dry out the materials from the top down. During in-place drying, we extract the carpet moisture more thoroughly and increase the number of air movers and dehumidifiers in the affected area. Using this method, occupants inside the home do not have to be displaced. In many situations, furniture inside your house does not have to be moved.

If the carpet does not have to be removed, it suffers less damage. If it does not get pulled and reinstalled, then there is less of a chance that it will become delaminated. If you ever need professional assistance with drying out carpet and pad, call SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392 any time of the day.

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Water Damage Experts In Columbus Discuss Problems With Cabinets

6/18/2018 (Permalink)

For proper removal of all water damage, even that hidden behind cabinets, count on SERVPRO.

Removing water damage from under or behind kitchen cabinets

If a pipe running to a sink breaks inside your Columbus home, water can spill into other areas possibly causing extensive damage. Excessive moisture can ruin the structural integrity of building materials forcing them to be removed and replaced. When the problem takes place near a sink, there is a good chance your cabinets get affected by moisture.

Since cabinets are made of wood, reducing moisture levels promptly is vital to prevent mold growth. When mitigating water damage in Columbus the primary goal is to inhibit microbial development by removing moisture in less than 48 hours. These built-in storage units sometimes make the drying of wet materials difficult since they are attached to the wall. Vanities also can hold moisture in the wall cavities behind them requiring special techniques to dry out the materials quickly.

In some situations, our SERVPRO technicians can detach the cabinets so that the walls behind them are accessible. If removing cupboards is possible, air movers and dehumidifiers get set up to push air across the wall's surface and speed up the natural evaporation process. If the cabinets themselves are wet, they can get placed in an area of the air circulation so that they get dried out quickly as well.

In other cases, vanities cannot be removed easily without removing water pipes. In scenarios like these, our SERVPRO technicians dry out the cupboards and walls behind them while they are still in place. Some cabinets have toe-kicks that can be taken off so that air can get underneath them and reach the walls behind them. If cupboards have permanent toe-kicks, then the trim can be removed from them, and holes can be drilled into them to allow airflow underneath.

If our SERVPRO technicians test the moisture levels of the wall behind the cabinets and find high moisture levels in materials inside the wall cavities, then holes can get drilled into the cupboards' backing and drywall. The holes allow air coming from the air movers to get into the wall cavities and speed up the drying process. If this has to be done, then we can patch up the holes with wood putty once the job is completed.

Dealing with wet cabinets can be tricky and often take specialized techniques to dry within the 48 hour period. If you ever need help with wet cupboards, call SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392 any day of the week.

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Spring is Here, But Winter Can Leave Behind Signs of Water Damage in Columbus

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Leaks, Wet Insulation and Water Stains in Columbus Need Restorative Help

From Water Stains to Removal SERVPRO Does Cleanup and Restoration

Columbus residents can soon begin enjoying the warmer weather, with roofs and roads alike no longer covered in ice and snow. Just as ice causes problems on the road for those traveling on them, it often causes problems for the interior of homes.
 
When ice and snow cover a home with deteriorated attic insulation, ice dams can lead to interior water damage in Columbus. Signs of this problem include stained upper walls and ceilings. However, these stains appear months after the presence of ice dams cause the problem. SERVPRO experts can measure the moisture content in different parts of your home to determine how much moisture they contain. We take these readings with a moisture meter throughout our work in restoring your home.
 
Fortunately, water does not always excessively damage a home's interior, and we can often perform some minor clean up, desiccation, and maybe even repainting of the affected areas. Other times, though, a house might require a much more concentrated response. Depending on the type of paint and the amount of water that entered your home through your roof because of the presence of ice dams, the damaging effects might include structural deficits, as well as discoloration and staining of visible portions.
 
More extensive work might include removal of compressed insulating materials from your attic, draining away of stagnant water via weep holes drilled into the ceiling and then patched once the area becomes dry again, or removal of damaged materials, followed by replacement materials that a contractor of your choice can install.
 
We understand the importance of restoring your home's regular, safe level of humidity, both for your family's comfort and the stability of the structure. High levels of moisture can lead to other problems in addition to water damage, including mold damage. We do not only restore your home "Like it never even happened", but we also help prevent the problem from resurfacing in the future by eliminating possible causes such as wet insulation, high humidity, and leaks that can allow springtime showers to dump rain into your attic.
 
SERVPRO of South Columbus is ready to help you and your family with water damage and other issues with your home. Call us at our 24-hour service line at (614) 863-1392 to begin the process of protecting your home from the elements.

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The Troubles with Unprofessional Water Removal Companies in Columbus

3/15/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Helps Protect Your Home in Columbus After Water Damage Happens

Ensure Successful Water Extraction and Restoration of Your Columbus Property by Calling SERVPRO

While it may be tempting to contact and employ an unreliable and uncertified contractor in Columbus for water removal, hiring anyone but a tested and trusted contractor like SERVPRO can have serious consequences later on down the road. Water removal is a complex and challenging job that requires both advanced tools and thorough training, and unfortunately, some local providers of such services lack the expertise and equipment necessary to get the job done right. Here are several common pitfalls that can be avoided with the help of a more reliable company.

Trapped Moisture
While it may be easy to remove water from a Columbus home on the surface level, a tougher challenge may be ensuring that no trapped moisture remains within materials and behind visual blocks. SERVPRO stocks an array of moisture detection tools and techniques to help us identify when and where additional moisture remains in the home and allow us to target our efforts. Without these preventative measures, pockets of water can cause additional damage over time and allow mold to grow in the home. Moisture meters and sensors, infrared imaging, and thermal-hygrometers are some of these devices.

Improper Materials Care
Different materials require different protocols and techniques to restore once water is removed, and if these are not heeded, permanent damage may result. Our technicians know through years of experience what treatments to apply where, but inexperienced contractors may improperly evaluate the situation and do more harm than good. SERVPRO helps to make sure that the right processes are used everywhere in your home. An example is too rapid moisture extraction from wood furniture may cause damage by splintering.

Unreliable Timelines
Fast action is essential to mitigate as much damage as possible in your home once excess water becomes a threat, and with many companies, obtaining a fast response and priority care can be difficult. Our national connections enable us to provide care to as many local homes as possible, while other companies may struggle to balance more than a few projects at once. Working with us ensures that you receive timely and responsive care whenever you need it. You can put your trust in a tried and true water damage restoration company when you contact us.

SERVPRO of South Columbus is a locally owned company with national resources to ensure that your home is treated with the care it deserves in a time of crisis or small projects. Call us 24/7 at (614) 863-1392.

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The Threat of Frozen Pipes to Your Columbus Residence

2/25/2018 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes or the quick change to freezing weather can cause a flooding situation in your home. Call SERVPRO to remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Technicians can Investigate and Offer BOTH Remediation and Prevention Services to Homeowners

Being a good homeowner means understanding the risks inherent in every single changing of the season outside. With new seasons come varying types of weather to experience, and each of these instances can affect your home. Living in a place like Columbus which is more inclined to feel the full brunt of the winter weather, there are some precautions and things to look out for to prevent water emergencies from happening.  
 
When you live in an area that can experience fast temperature drops and have lows throughout the season well under the freezing level, you need to be thinking about the plumbing inside (and outside) of your home. Any of the plumbing that might get exposed to the elements or just improperly maintained from extremely cold temperatures can lead to frozen pipes in your Columbus home. The incident could leave a substantial water emergency on your hands with little to no warning.  
 
Often a basic inspection of the plumbing that you can see running through areas like your basement is insufficient to determine the protection that it has against the elements to come. Our SERVPRO professionals can help you to determine the condition of the pipes that you have throughout your home and aid in preventing them from being overly exposed to drops in temperature that could result in freezing. Ultimately, the goal here is to prevent a rupture of the pipes themselves from excessive pressure and expansion.  
 
However, there are circumstances in which you do not realize how susceptible your plumbing has become to the lower temperatures until something like a rupture occurs. If this happens, you should immediately shut down the main water line coming into your home to prevent a constant flow out into the area surrounding the break. Call our SERVPRO emergency response team, and we can formulate a plan to restore the damage quickly before the damage can worsen.  
 
With always offering a rise and fall in temperatures and harsh weather conditions for the area, frozen pipes should be something that you keep in your mind. If you find yourself amid a water emergency from a ruptured pipe, or just want credible information about the security of your plumbing, give SERVPRO of South Columbus a call today at (614) 863-1392.

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Water Removal from Your Crawlspace in Columbus

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

Excess water in your crawl space can lead to many problems, call SERVPRO to remove the water and repair any damages.

SERVPRO Offers Water Removal Solutions for Tight Crawlspaces Under Your Home

The low space under the first floor of your home, the crawlspace, can need water removal for various reasons. Leakage from a kitchen waste line or a sewer drain sprinkler water coming in from the vents of the crawl space, and gutter downspouts incorrectly directed are just a few. Water in this area of your Columbus home can create many problems. Excess moisture and standing water can compromise the structural integrity of your home, cause mildew and mold to grow, plus attract vermin.

To keep your Columbus home safe, it is essential to remove the water from this space and keep it out. SERVPRO offers a variety of water removal solutions. We assess your needs to see what methods are best for you. We know how important it is to keep this space dry, and want to give you the best service possible, so you do not have to worry.

Since a water-damaged crawl space can be challenging to access, with a small door which makes it hard for us to get equipment in, we need to take extraordinary measures to dry out this water-logged area under your home. There also might not be room enough for a dehumidifier to stand up straight under the flooring, even when the door to the crawl space is big enough for equipment to pass through. We might need to remove insulation, and the HVAC system or the foundation of the house that might have to be inspected.

Above all else, SERVPRO staff always considers safety first. We realize that electrical hazards could be present, so we make sure that electrical circuits going under the home have been shut off. Water in crawl spaces is also usually black or gray from the dirt flooring, so we wear the appropriate safety equipment.

All standing water is taken out from your crawl space. Once this is achieved, we figure out the best method of drying the structural features of the floor. Any foundation vents are blocked off unless we think an open-drying system is needed. We place air movers and dehumidifiers if possible inside the crawl space. If they do not fit, we might need to take a part of the floor away or use other methods. The area is monitored during the entire drying process.

SERVPRO of South Columbus has various methods and ways of drying even the tightest crawl spaces. Just give us a call at (614) 863-1392 if you need water removal services under your home in Pickerington, Bexley, or Groveport.

Click here for more information about the city of Columbus.

Saving Carpeting from Water Damage in Columbus

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

In some situations, only padding under a carpet needs replacing after incurring water damage. Contact us for a quick response and damage assessment.

SERVPRO Technicians Arrive Quickly After Water Damage to Provide Restore Rather than Only Replace Options

Carpet replacement can be one of the costliest parts of a water damage cleanup process, but it does not always have to happen. While carpet can easily be damaged beyond possible repair, in many cases SERVPRO can restore your carpet without needing to replace part or all of it. The most important and deciding factor is the severity and type of water damage in your Columbus home - storm flooding and some other forms of damage are typically irredeemable. If the flooding is benign, or if the damage is light overall, we can help save your carpet (and your wallet).
 
Rapid Drying
 
Our primary method of softening the impact of water damage in Columbus is our time-tested strategy of mitigation. If the carpet is allowed to stay damp for too long, damage can become permanent, and mold can begin to grow. Within four hours of your first call to us, our personnel should be on-scene to evaluate and respond to damage.

Floodwaters can be extracted before they have time to settle in and cause more severe damage, and we can quickly set up powerful air movers to create powerful, water-removing air currents in your home. Finally, we then use dehumidifiers to take water back out of the air, leaving any scene of water damage completely dry within a short time frame.
 
Restorative Techniques
 
Once the carpet has been dried, it likely still needs some restorative processes to be back in top shape. SERVPRO specializes in this, with dedicated cleaning tools and techniques to help maintain color, texture, and integrity of carpeting. During this time, if we determine that a region of carpet is more seriously damaged or otherwise needs replacing, we can typically cut off that spot alone for replacement without removing the rest of the carpet.
 
SERVPRO of South Columbus is available around the clock to respond to water damage emergencies in the local area. If water damage has hit your home or if you would like to learn more about our services, call us at (614) 863-1392.

For more information regarding Columbus, click here

How to Respond to Water Damage in Columbus

9/8/2017 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes can cause many plumbing and water damage problems in your home. Contact SERVPRO today to get a handle on these problems.

Trained Technicians Remediate Water Damage in Your Home As Well As Offer Preventative Measure Options to the Homeowner

Water disasters in Columbus hit at the foundation of your house, weakening the very core that holds it together. The excess water creeps through the roofs and ceilings, and spreads to the floors, eventually causing structural damage. It extends to the furniture, fabrics, clothing, art, electric appliances, and documents, significantly reducing their value. Knowing how to detect and react to unwarranted moisture can save your property in the nick of time.
 
The best way to fight water damage in Columbus is contacting a locally-based restoration company. As a part of your community, SERVPRO understands that responding quickly to emergency situations can go a long way. As such, we have highly trained, highly experienced technicians approved by the IICRC at your disposal. Our tools and techniques are specially designed to reverse any water damage, restoring your house to preloss conditions, "Like it never even happened."
 
It only takes a small amount of water leaking into walls, floors, or cabinets from a sewage backup or faulty pipe to cause tremendous damage to your home. In fact, plumbing system failures have proven to be one of the most costly causes of water damage in the house. Moisture on the floor or in the walls, rust stains, banging pipes, and an increased monthly water bill are good indicators of a plumbing issue. Installing a house leak detection system can help reduce the stress by alerting you of potential water hazards.
 
Sewage drainage backups account for about 50 percent of all plumbing system failures. If your sewer system is linked to that of the city, SERVPRO can help install a backflow prevention assembly to reduce water damage. Ensure that your lateral drain lines do not cross paths with nearby trees; otherwise, the roots may damage your piping.
 
The water inside drainage pipes can also freeze when outdoor temperatures drop below freezing point, contributing to water damage. The water expands and raises the pressure inside, increasing the risk of the pipes bursting. Insulate pipes in areas with the highest chances of freezing, particularly those close to exterior walls, crawl spaces, and attics.
 
Has water damage taken your house hostage? SERVPRO of South Columbus has the expertise and experience to help you regain control. We offer swift water damage restoration services to the Columbus community and its environs, including German Village and Bexley. Call us today at (614) 863-1392.

For more information regarding Columbus, click here

How to Deal with Water Damage in Columbus

6/18/2017 (Permalink)

Clogged drains can quickly get backed up and even flood a room. Call SERVPRO for help with the water damage and helping with the insurance claim.

SERVPRO Technicians Fix What is Broken and Quickly Remediate the Water Damage

When a drain backs up, a pipe bursts or an appliance fails, it can be difficult to see past the mess. So many questions are quickly running through your mind, and you wonder what to do next and if your possessions are now ruined. Water damage is very stressful, but the more you know about it ahead of time, the better you can know how to address it when a problem arises.
 
Every homeowner in Columbus should know what to do in case of a water damage emergency. The first thing to know is whether your insurance policy covers the damage. You need to do the research and decide if you need an additional flood insurance or water damage policy aside from your homeowners’ policy. A lot of policies cover sudden damage, but water damage which happens because you did not maintain your property can be excluded, as well as gradual leaks.
 
You cannot wait around for a convenient time to clean up when your home has been damaged by water. Secondary damage from mold growth can pose a serious health risk. Mold spores are all over but need a nutrient source and food to grow, which is what your drywall or carpeting offers. You need to, therefore, call in SERVPRO’s technicians, as they are specially trained to handle water damage and mold growth.
 
You have a twenty-four to forty-eight-hour window from when your home gets water damaged to when mold begins to grow. After this, mold multiplies quickly. SERVPRO can take care of whatever caused the water damage, dry your home out, plus find any mold and clean that up too, even if it is hidden.
 
SERVPRO can also assist you in dealing with the insurance company. Make sure to document right away what is damaged, so you have proof by taking photographs. SERVPRO helps guide you through every step of remediation and understands that this is a stressful time. We want to make sure you are very comfortable with the procedures before we even begin remediation. By helping you contact your insurance agency, we hope to take some of the stress off you so you can focus on your own family.
 
When water damage threatens the safety of your home, call SERVPRO of South Columbus right away. We can arrive at your home shortly after you contact us at (614) 863-1392.

For more information regarding Columbus, click here

How SERVPRO Helps Restore Wooden Furniture After Water Damage In Columbus

5/1/2017 (Permalink)

There is no doubt that wooden furniture can suffer if there is water damage to your home.

Water Damage And Wooden Furniture

Water damage can strike any household at any time. There are various causes of water damage, including a burst pipe, an overflowing tub, a leak or a broken appliance. Water can also enter your home from outside sources such as a damaged water main, garden run-off or severe weather. When water leaks or soaks in, it has the potential to cause untold damage to your home and belongings. That is why it is important to contact SERVPRO for help when dealing with unwanted water in your home - “We’re faster to any size disaster.”

There is no doubt that wooden furniture can suffer if there is water damage to your Columbus home. That is bad news for your antique rocker, favorite family dining table or that wooden chest of drawers you inherited from your beloved aunt. The main cause for concern when it comes to wooden furniture is that water can cause it to warp. Wicking up water can also cause swelling of furniture joints and cause them to come unstuck or suffer other structural damage. There is also the risk of water spots or stains on the surface of the item. Chairs, tables, and other items may also crack or warp as they dry.

Our IICRC-experts are experienced in creating the optimum drying conditions for wood furniture. While you are waiting for the specialists to arrive, it is safe to use an absorbent cloth or sponge to pat furniture dry. However, we recommend that you do not wipe or rub it and that you handle it with extreme caution.

SERVPRO experts are trained to assess the damage to your furniture and liaise with furniture refinishers on your behalf if necessary. If it is possible to save the item we set up a drying area for it. The key to getting a great result when drying wood furniture is to dry it slowly and avoid direct heat. We also have wood cleaning products for the removal of minor stains.

Our technicians are equipped with air movers, box fans, and dehumidifiers to help dry out your items. Once we get the temperature to a stable 70-90 degrees F, we use portable low grain dehumidifiers to bring down the humidity around your furniture. Meanwhile, air movers direct air around, over and under the item to increase the rate of evaporation and encourage the drying process.

Do not let water permanently warp your furniture. Call SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392 today for drying solutions. For more information regarding the City of Columbus, Ohio visit: https://www.columbus.gov/

How Clean Floods Start In Columbus

3/9/2017 (Permalink)

Leaks can form in many different and unexpected ways, far too many to condense into a single article.

Cleaning Flood Damage

Most people associate flooding with storms and heavy rain, but in reality, a home can flood at almost any time from internal sources. Most American homes contain a multitude of water lines and sources that can break and flood the region with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, causing enormous damage even if the water flow cuts off immediately. Washing machines, water heaters, dishwashers, and simple water pipes can all dump copious amounts of water with little warning, usually from one of these types of failures.

Freezing
SERVPRO is always on the lookout for water damage in Columbus winters, as freezing temperatures can cause pipes to crack and break with ease. Usually, even if the pipe is frozen, water still flows inside. If the pipe breaks, flooding can occur both inside and outside the home. If the problem centers in the outdoors, you may have to deal with additional ice coatings on the ground and exterior surfaces of your home.

Ripped Hoses And Tubes
Many appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers get their water through rubber or plastic hoses that are liable to rips and tears. These tears can be created by an event, such as a metal object falling on and cutting into them, or simply over time as an effect of weathering. Regardless, once they have busted, these water lines can cause major flooding and even produce standing water in a basement.

Simple Leaks And Busts
Leaks can form in many different and unexpected ways, far too many to condense into a single article. A significant portion of calls SERVPRO receives are for unusual or entirely new circumstances related to the breakage or busting of a certain pipe or leak in an appliance. Whether it is a large burst or a small drip, we are ready to help mitigate its effects and get your home back in shape.

SERVPRO of South Columbus is ready all day, all night, all year to respond to flood and water damage in your home. Just give us a call at (614) 863-1392.

The Place To Go For Water Removal In Columbus

10/25/2016 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration services can help you get back into your property! Call SERVPRO today!

SERVPRO Technicians are Certified in Dealing with Water Damage

Professional water removal services are readily available to you through our professional residential and commercial restoration processes. Don't leave anything to chance, see how our expert Technicians and advanced equipment made us a responsible trusted leader within the industry!
 
We have a highly efficient water removal team in Columbus that is eagerly waiting for your call! We'll work with you through everything and look forward to the opportunity to show you that our services are the best you'll find to assist you with your water removal needs!
 
Our SERVPRO Technicians are expertly trained to handle your water damage situation! Each Technician is certified to perform various functions required during different phases of our restoration process, and they desire to perform their assigned tasks as efficiently as possible to produce high-quality results for our customers.
 
The extraction equipment that our SERVPRO Technicians use is second to none; we spare no expense in providing our Technicians with the highest quality tools available. These extractors come in both portable and truck mounted variations, no job is too big or too small. While, submersible pumps are used to extract water exceeding two inches deep to help speed up the process.
 
Each extractor is made up of three main parts; a heater, a pump, and a vacuum system and their only purpose are to work together to perform a single function. They remove water!
 
Dehumidifiers are used throughout the process to assist in the drying process. These Dehumidifiers are used to cycle the air in the surrounding area, run it through a cold evaporator coil. Inside of the evaporator coil, moisture is separated and captured in a collection tray; then warm, dry air gets pumped out of the dehumidifiers exhaust fan.
 
A Refrigerant or LGR Dehumidifier is used at the beginning of the process when the humidity is at its highest, while Desiccant Dehumidifiers only serve a purpose when structural materials are wet, but everything else is dry.
 
SERVPRO Technicians using this type of equipment ensure that we can perform our absolute best and provide our customers a level of service that is as fast, effective and efficient as possible!
 
Find your way to SERVPRO of South Columbus for any water removal services. Our fast, 24-Hour Services at your disposal seven days a week, including all Holidays! We'll help manage any paperwork involved in your case and walk you through the entire process. There is a locally owned and operated franchise near you! - (614) 863-1392

SERVPRO Water Removal

9/7/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding can cause large scale damage. Call SERVPRO to help!

Certification is Key to Proper Water Damage Remediation

Flooding of any type will ruin some personal possessions (books, papers, and cloth) within minutes. In just a few hours, carpets and flooring can be destroyed as well as furniture. After only a day, walls can become damaged past repair and will have to be removed and replaced before a homeowner or renter can return to their house.

When it comes to water removal for our Columbus neighbors, we require our personnel to meet the high standards established by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). SERVPRO also maintains an extensive inventory of specialized equipment built to extract flood water, regardless of the source and where it might be located in your home.

Each team member is trained on this equipment to quickly remove water. Since that is only the beginning, however, we also require them to become certified in five areas as determined by the IICRC. They are:

Water Damage - This overall course covers the many types of water damage and the effects it has on a home. Concentration is given to problems such as overflowing sewers and mold contamination.

Applied Structural Drying - This teaches each technician to use monitoring equipment, moisture extractors and specialized heaters and fans to dry walls and floors that have been under water.

Carpet Cleaning - Our team members learn to identify fabrics and the proper cleaning techniques required for each one. They also are taught to safely use the different cleaning chemicals available to us and how to use them with our vacuums and extractors.

Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning - Techs learn more fiber and cloth identification. Each person also learns about the specific cleaning issues needed to prevent fabrics from bleeding their colors, shrinking or otherwise becoming distorted from having been soaked.

Odor Control - Personnel learn to identify the source of odors caused by flooding or other water damage and the deodorization techniques available to combat them.

In addition to these areas, each technician is trained and qualified on every piece of equipment they might use on each job. Our inspectors also receive additional, specialized training to identify potential problems before they happen.

Right now, our area is not expecting rain for another week. This is the ideal time to get ahead of those potential problems and call SERVPRO of South Columbus to schedule an inspection. If you may have or suspect damage from previous flooding, call us today at 614-863-1392. We're ready to serve you.

Water Damage Can Happen Quickly

5/17/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding finds its way into structures like homes and businesses

Have you ever heard that water moves in all directions at the same time and takes the path of least resistance?  It's true, and it creates many issues for homes and businesses, including water leaks, broken pipes, plumbing backups, flooding, rising water, wind-driven rain, and dreaded sump pump failures.  Whatever the cause, addressing the situation quickly makes a huge difference in minimizing the damages.    Our professional water damage restoration standards help clarify and define terms and processes to be applied to the restoration, such as Water Category (the level of contamination) and Water Class (the extent of water damage)--both matter.  If we see a Category 3 water damage, like raw sewage, feces, or flood water, then we should discard affected porous materials (takes on water), because they cannot be effectively sanitized.  That is why we automatically will remove affected carpet and padding and discard it.  For Category 2 contamination it may be possible to clean and sanitize carpeting, while the wet pad must still be discarded.  Of course, the details matter, and the longer water "sits" around and in items, the greater the potential for viruses, bacteria, molds, and fungi to reproduce.  This is usually what has occurred when customers tell us "I see mold on the walls."  Call for help quickly, call for SERVPRO of South Columbus!  614-863-1392    www.SERVPROsouthcolumbus.com

Sump Pump Failure

5/17/2016 (Permalink)

Undetected water that sits can create microbial growth and require carpet replacement.

We see many flooded basements due to sump pump issues, so if you have sump pumps, then listen up.  First things first...check with your insurance agent to review your coverages!  It is very frustrating for owners to find out they did not have any coverage or insufficient coverage.  How do you know if you need sump pump coverage or not?  Look at what you have in the basement.  If you have an unfinished basement and just concrete floors, without any contents (or very few and not valuable), then you probably won't suffer much of a loss other than the cleanup effort from someone like us at SERVPRO of South Columbus, who specializes in cleaning up floods and backups in homes and businesses. If you have a finished basement and contents that you would want to be replaced if ruined, then the cost of replacing and repairing everything grows very quickly, and insurance can be a good way to protect your investment ( in your contents, and structure--walls, etc).  Columbus has many basements with sump pumps, and therefore we see many flooded ones.  Take time today to reach out to your insurance agent for a coverage review--you may be surprised how underinsured you are, not only for your home or business, but also your vehicles, health, and life. No we are not insurance guru's, but we see their clients--YOU, and they are either very upset with the situation because of no coverage or under insured, or just a little frustrated with the situation, but feel better about it when they know it is a covered loss!  Another precaution is to make sure you are paying attention to the weather and when we get a bunch of rain, then make sure you go downstairs to catch a problem as early as possible.  Many times, property owners do not realize they have a water loss until they start to smell something and go downstairs to see.  The longer the water sits, the more damage and throw aways you can expect...including your carpet, pad, and drywall that was affected.  Be proactive is the real message here. 

Flooded Basements Possible Next Week

4/20/2016 (Permalink)

Before the shower was cleaned from flooded basement

Hello friends, we all have been hearing and seeing the devestating news about the widespread flooding in Houston, and if you have ever been in a water damage situation, you can feel their pain.  Next week in Columbus and the surrounding areas, we are looking like several days of rain--not like Houston, but it may be enough to give sump pumps and drains a hard time to do their jobs.  Do you have a finished basement?  If so, you may want to take some precautions to keep from having your items ruined.  First, watch the weather and if you are in an area where they are talking about "training rain" or high winds (power outages), then you should take notice and be proactive about moving your items off the floor or better yet--totally out of the basement.  If that is not feasible, then do as much as possible.   If no water enters your basement, then great, but if it does, then you will have saved some of your items.