FAQs: When Your Home Has Water Damage

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

Does your home have water damage?

How do I locate potential water damage in my home?

Water damage after a large storm or flood is often easy to spot, but small leaks from a leaky roof, appliance or a broken pipe can sometimes go unseen for some time. Common causes of water damage include roof leaks, gutter buildup, broken pipes, sewage back up and malfunctioning appliances. When trying to spot potential water damage be sure to look for warping or signs of condensation or discoloring. Mold and mildew can also be a sign of a water leak somewhere.

If you come across any water damage, or suspect you might have water damage, don’t panic. Call us for help! At SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe we have the experience, training and equipment to locate and treat any water damage in your home.

My basement is flooded, what should I do?

1. Stop the Water: If water is still rushing into your home you need to stop the source of flooding. Cut off water to the area or to your house entirely.
2. Call a Plumber: Bring in a plumber to fix the source of the water leak.
3. Collect Water: If water is still leaking in, collect as much as you can into buckets and remove when full.
4. Extract Water: If significant amounts of water have flooded your property, use buckets, mops, towels or wet vacuums to remove the water. If the standing water is too much for you to handle, call in SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe to help. We have the pumps and equipment to remove water quickly.
5. Dry the damaged area: Ensure the area gets dried completely to prevent further damage and potential mold growth. Use a dehumidifier to draw moisture out of wet materials and contents and make sure the area has good air flow.
6. Sanitize areas touched by contaminated water: Contaminated water should be dealt with caution and needs to be dried, cleaned and sanitized properly before the area is used. If you suspect water may be contaminated, be sure to give us a call. We know how to best identify contaminated water and we have the equipment and training to take care of it for you.

How do I know if the water is contaminated?

Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated (for about 48 hours), allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

The water damage seems small, do I need to take care of it now?

If the visible signs of water damage don’t interfere with your everyday life, it might be tempting to put off fixing the problem until a more convenient time. But there are several reason you should fix the water damage now. First, water spreads, and if you don't take care of it now is can cause a much bigger problem. Also, water left untreated can become contaminated over time and can also lead to mold growth. Lastly, water damage can lead to wood rot and potentially cause structural and electrical damage if left unchecked.

Do I need a restoration company or can I just buy equipment and dry it myself?

We have the equipment and training to get your home dried out and restored to its preloss state. There is a science behind the process of drying. Having this knowledge is essential to restoring a water-damaged structure to its preloss condition. While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the damaged area, SERVPRO of North Everett/ Lake Stevens/ Monroe technicians are trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry approved standards to help lower the chances of any secondary damage. We have the tools to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces inside walls, and much more. Our technicians also use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business.

What should I expect when I call SERVPRO?

When you call, you’ll work with a representative to start planning the next step. Be prepared for questions to help us make decisions about what equipment to bring and how many of our highly trained technicians we may need. Then our technicians will come out to your home to inspect and assess the scope of the water damage. Depending on the urgency of the damage, our technicians might then begin the water extraction and drying process. We'll continue to dry and monitor your home until all affected areas and materials are dry. Once things are dry we will sanitize and clean the affected areas. We can even take care of the restoration of your home after the water damage is taken care of.

If your home has water damage, give us a call today at 360-243-8313! SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe is Here to Help make it "Like it never even happened."