Water Damage Resources

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

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

Seeing water residue on drywall can be confusing and scary. Left untreated, excessive moisture can lead to severe issues such as structural damage, mold issues, or more. Thankfully, SERVPRO® details signs to look for and offers steps you can take to help mitigate water damage on your wall (particularly drywall).One of the most significant factors that contributes to how damaged drywall can …

Whether flooding in your yard is due to poor drainage, improper landscaping, or heavy rainfall, standing water may accumulate that can damage the landscape and foundation of your property. Preventing flooding in your yard is crucial to help avoid potential foundation damage, peeling paint, basement flooding, and more. It is essential to resolve these issues as soon as possible to reduce and …

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

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

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

Flooding is the most widespread and costly weather-related natural disaster that the United States faces every year. Primarily caused by heavy or prolonged rain, dams or levees breaking, or the rapid melting of snow or ice, floods can leave a trail of extensive damage behind. Floods are capable of wreaking havoc on communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy …

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

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

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

Ice dams are common in the winter when the temperature dips and snow starts falling. Despite the wide variety in roofing and home styles, ice dams are inevitable when you pair a roof and gutter with frigid temperatures. But what exactly is an ice dam, and can you prevent them? According to the University of Minnesota, the definition of an ice dam is “a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a …

Too many homeowners have descended their basement steps to find a pool of murky water. Water follows the path of least resistance, finding cracks and holes through basement walls. Flooding can often be attributed to insufficient drainage around basement walls, heavy rains, a faulty sump pump, or a combination of these factors.SERVPRO is highly trained in water damage restoration including …

It's official! The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club states Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow which according to legend means an early spring is on the way. So, it is officially time to pay close attention to your indoor and outdoor pipes.Unfortunately, the luxury of running water means we don’t pay enough attention to our plumbing system until something goes wrong. Aside from the obvious mess …

Your home or business is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. Maintaining your property and keeping it safe from water, fire, mold, or storm damage is priority one. While a simple water shutoff valve is typically installed close to most common indoor plumbing areas such as the bathroom and kitchen, knowing where the main water shutoff valve for your property is located could provide …

Your windows are an important feature in your home or business but keeping them in good condition can sometimes be overlooked in the everyday hustle of life. Secure, winterized windows can keep you, loved ones, and pets warm, not to mention help with energy efficiency. So how should you winterize your windows, and what happens if you don’t? SERVPRO® has the answers.Turns out, there are lots of …

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

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

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

Hardwood floors are a staple in many households and businesses, lending the space a particular style and adding some color and texture to the interior. Unfortunately, when water damage strikes, it can wreak havoc on hardwood floors, causing warping and buckling (not to mention becoming a major headache and possible financial burden). So, what do you do when water damage affects this type of …

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

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

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

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

A sump pump is an important part of a functioning household or business. No matter where you live, water is a potential hazard that can leak into your structure, causing unwanted damage. There are also seasonal factors to consider; oftentimes, spring brings about an increase in melting water, which may cause leaks in your basement. So, what should you do? A sump pump may be just what you need. …

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

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

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

Floods aren’t entirely unpredictable. However, depending on where you live, weather patterns and seasons are often good indicators of when rainfall might come. SERVPRO® is no stranger to water damage and knows why it’s essential to know how to prepare for a flood. As experts in water damage restoration, we want to help you plan to prevent disaster. If you don’t have a flood preparedness …

Water damage mitigation and restoration are major parts of SERVPRO®’s services. But with so many different industry terms used across the restoration industry, we thought it best to explore what we mean by “mitigation” and “restoration” specifically. This article outlines the differences and delves into our processes to help you better understand what types of activities SERVPRO professionals …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restoration, the final step in water damage restoration, is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.When your home has been damaged by a storm or water, the …

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

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