Water Damage in Bend from a Burst Pipe Should be Promptly Addressed
A burst pipe can cause significant water damage in a home. Water leakage can also be terribly expensive, possibly causing personal schedule changes and insurance claims. Additionally, mildew and mold can become a problem long after the initial damage. Thankfully, there are experts in water damage that can help the problems from a burst pipe be much more manageable.
Leaking Pipes
Pay attention to leaking pipes! Diligence can minimize the collateral damage from a burst pipe. Pay attention to where water has leaked. The water and moisture may have already caused a small amount of damage. Call a professional to determine the best course of action as soon as possible. An inexperienced homeowner attempting to fix the problem may just make it worse.
Preventing Structural Damage
The possibility of structural damage is the key reason homeowners should be extra vigilant regarding the plumbing in their homes. Structural damage may be difficult to spot. You should always contact an experienced contractor such as SERVPRO of Bend to assess possible structural damage from leaky or burst pipes.
Mold Hazards
Mold is another serious problem that stems from water damage. Mold can be particularly vexing to homeowners. Because mold is living, it can grow and fill large portions of a home without the homeowner being aware. Eventually, mold can lead to structural damage. Mold can be in basements, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Mold removal can be a very difficult task once a foothold has been secured.
Additional Considerations
The above factors illustrate how complicated the ramifications of a burst pipe can be. A homeowner should not attempt to deal with any of these issues without the assistance of an expert well versed in water damage repair and mold remediation. The skills needed to deal effectively with mold, structural damage, and leaking pipes are beyond the average homeowner. Homeowners that attempt these tasks quite often worsen the existing problems. It is always best to hire an expert to inspect the damage after experiencing a burst pipe. SERVPRO of Bend has the experience as a full-service water restoration company to rectify and repair all the problems related to a burst pipe. Solving the problem of a burst pipe correctly will protect the investment of your home for years to come.
Central Oregon weather can be forever fluctuating. Its not uncommon to experience bright, sunny skies in the morning only to be greeted with snow flurries in the afternoon. The end of May and early June are especially active with sudden in weather fluctuations, especially sudden rain storms.
SERVPRO of Bend has had calls from property owners who have been working on a roof or construction on a building that has been open to the elements, thinking that the previous sunny days will continue. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case and having the areas exposed can cause unplanned damage to the property.
SERVPRO of Bend recommends to always check the forecast in your local area to ensure that your project, if exposed to the elements is properly protected by a tarp or other means of protection.
If you have questions about protecting your property during a construction project, feel free to give SERVPRO of Bend a call.
Water can occur in three states: solid (ice), liquid or gas (vapor). Though in some cases, such as solid or liquid it is more obvious when water damage occurs. However, vapor can be just as damaging to porous materials such as drywall, wood or concrete with less noticeable results.
SERVPRO of Bend was called to a home where the property owner had an indoor pool and noticed extreme moisture in the air. The damage got worse when they started seeing paint peeling from the walls and some of the drywall tape coming off. When technicians from SERVPRO of Bend began using an infrared camera to assess the damage, they found that the walls and ceiling were saturated with water.
Using handheld meters, technicians were able to confirm that the moisture in the air was at saturation, 100% humidity and that most of the porous materials in the room were soaking up the moisture from the air.
SERVPRO of Bend discovered that the dehumidifier that had been installed in the pool room had malfunctioned. Though running, the installed dehumidifier was not able to keep up with the amount of humidity being generated from the pool room.
SERVPRO of Bend Technicians removed the damaged materials and used a desiccant dehumidifier to remove the excess amount of moisture in the air until the on-site dehumidifier was fixed. If you have interest in the science of drying or just want to inquiry about what we do, feel free and give SERVPRO of Bend a call at 541-385-7044.
SERVPRO of Bend received a phone call from a customer who's sewer had backed up, causing a large amount of sewage to spill into a few rooms in there home.
Due to the severity of the sewage loss, SERVPRO of Bend Technicians suited up in proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for this type of loss.
Upon entering the home, it was clear by the extent of the damage, that our technicians had to be extra cautious not to track any of the contaminated water to other areas of the house.
SERVPRO of Bend Technicians set up a containment to focus on just the affected area and for the safety of the property owners. Our Technicians were able to extract all of the water in the contaminated areas. They followed the extraction with removing contaminated materials such as carpet, carpet pad, tack strip, and other porous materials that had been affected.
After proper removal and disposal of the affected materials, SERVPRO of Bend Technicians sprayed the areas with an Enzymatic Cleaner to break down any additional substances and counteract the sewage smell.
After making sure the areas were clean of all affected material and sewage, Technicians set up a drying chamber and were able to dry the affected areas in 3 days.
If you have questions about property damage due to sewage, feel free to call SERVPRO of Bend at (541) 385-7044.
SERVPRO of Bend received a call from an insurance agent regarding a customer who had flooding in their crawlspace. The house was being used as a vacation rental property and the customer was from out-of-state. Between rentals, the neighbor had called the homeowner and reported water coming out from the foundation vents on the back side of the house.
SERVPRO of Bend responded and upon a quick assessment, found water still actively spilling out from the foundation vents. SERVPRO of Bend Technicians found the main water shut off to the property and were able to stop the water. However, that left standing water in the crawlspace, just below the foundation vents.
SERVPRO of Bend Technicians were able to spend the time to extract the water that had flooded the crawlspace. After the water was removed, our Technicians were able to assess the damage and found that a pipe had broken, most likely from a freeze break. Our Technicians were able to get a plumber out to fix the pipe and then they set up a drying chamber in the crawlspace. The drying chamber accelerated the dry time and we were able to get the area dry before the next set of renters were scheduled.
The homeowner and agent were extremely grateful for SERVPRO of Bend's ability to get the damage repaired and dried before the next set of vacation renters arrived.
If you have a vacation rental and have concerns about possible water damage to it, feel free to call SERVPRO of Bend (541)385-7044.
Why did SERVPRO of Bend Only Cut My Drywall 12 inches from the floor?
A property owner asked SERVPRO of Bend, "Why did your technicians remove the Drywall twelve inches up from the floor rather than remove the Drywall from the whole wall?"
This was a great question and we wanted to share the information with our web community.
Drywall is the most common interior wall and ceiling finish material in North America. Drywall is easily damaged while wet, since it loses much of its strength and stiffness. If drywall has been exposed to excessive amounts of moisture and becomes saturated, it is our recommendation that the wet Drywall be removed, enabling the wood framing to be exposed for drying.
In a lot of cases, the moisture doesn't penetrate the whole wall. In such cases, SERVPRO of Bend would use a moisture meter to mark how much of the wall has been affected by moisture and only remove what is affected. In reference to our customers question, only the bottom twelve inches of the drywall in this case, needed to be removed. Commonly called a "flood cut," SERVPRO of Bend Technicians use this technique to removed the damaged drywall and open the wall cavity to accelerate the drying process.
If you have questions regarding the drying process or water mitigation processes feel free to give SERVPRO of Bend a call at (541) 385-7044.
It is beginning to look a lot like winter. And with winter weather comes the possibility of frozen pipes. Water damage from pipes freezing, whether in a home or commercial structure, is the number one call we get each winter. And as much as we love to help Central Oregonians in need, we feel it is our responsibility to provide tips to help reduce your risk of having frozen pipes this winter.
Central Oregon is home to a lot of rental and vacation homes. And according to SERVPRO of Bend owner Brent Irwin, these structures are where most problems originate. There are a couple of reasons this often occurs. One is that the home is left vacant for extended periods with the thermostat turned off or low. Depending on the insurance carrier, the damage may not be covered. Another is when a renter ignores the problem and leaves it for the landlord to address. However, with the latter, if the situation worsens, flooding could occur, resulting in a loss of valuable possessions.
But even if you live in Bend full time and own your home, it gets downright cold here. We recommend you do the following things to protect your home from a frozen disaster.
Here are five of them:
Set the thermostat to a minimum of 58°F. Enough said.
Create ventilation. Open the cabinets in your home to allow room temperature air to keep the pipes a bit warmer. This is especially important if the cabinet is located against an outside wall.
Insulate exposed pipes in the attic, basement, and exterior walls. Foam insulation wraps split lengthwise can be easily attached to the plumbing. This type of insulation is very inexpensive and available for purchase at most home improvement stores. Be sure to put a foam cover on exterior faucets too.
Turn faucets onto a slow trickle. Any faucets that are attached to an outside wall should trickle water.
Caulk holes and leaks around piping. If you notice any airflow holes around your pipes, seal them with caulk to prevent cold air from damaging the pipes.
If you are going to be away for an extended period, do all of the above plus:
Close the inside valves that control the water supply.
If you’re expecting freezing temperatures turn off the water to any outside spigots and drain the water from the line.
If your pipes freeze, shut off the water immediately. Thaw your frozen pipes using the warm air setting on a hairdryer or space heater. However, avoid leaving space heaters unattended. Once thawed, slowly turn the water back on. Inspect pipes for any sign of leaks or cracks. If you notice any leaks or cracks, turn the water off and call a licensed plumber.
If your pipes burst, shut off your main water supply and call a licensed plumber immediately. Should you incur water damage or any other type of damage, contact your insurance provider and then SERVPRO of Bend to repair the damage quickly and safely.
We are Central Oregon’s locally owned and operated disaster restoration company and offer 24-hour emergency service and highly trained water damage restoration technicians. Our team uses a comprehensive water damage restoration process to ensure the problem is solved the first time correctly. We hope you won’t need us, but if you do, we are here to help, making your problem "Like it never even happened."
If you've lived in a cold climate for more than a year, you have probably heard of the dreaded ice dam. An ice dam is an ice build-up on the eaves of sloped roofs of heated buildings that results from melting snow under a snow pack reaching the eave and freezing there. This can result in roof damage, where the water and ice can enter your home or business causing untold amounts of damage to the interior. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent this.
1)Add insulation
Adding additional insulation to an attic floor, or replacing outdated material, will greatly help keep the heat where it belongs and not seeping out into your home or the exterior. If you're not sure what to buy or how to install it, call a professional and ask for an inspection.
2)Proper ventilation
Paring ridge vents with soffit vents (and properly spacing them) can help circulate air beneath your roof and keep the heat from melting the snow and leading it to freeze on your eaves. Baffles on the eaves can also help keep airflow clear.
3)Exterior exhaust
Make sure to check that all indoor vents (dryer, bathroom, kitchen hood etc.) are all leading to the top of the roof or through the walls. If these are being routed though the soffit you could easily run into a situation that too much heat is reaching below the roof, in turn leading to melting and refreezing that ice dams like so much.
4)Close the hatch
An open attic hatch can lead to heat moving to areas you don't want it. Closing this hatch, and in many cases sealing it with weather strips or something similar, is an easy and effective way to guard against ice dams.
5)Install ice dam prevention products
When all else fails, or when your type of roof for whatever reason is hard to keep cold, the final step would be to install a product on your roof specifically designed to combat the formation of ice dams. More simply, these could be a type of adhesive water-and-ice barrier that you can run 3 to 6 feet up from your gutters, or if the problem is severe, installing heating lines near the eaves that will make it physically impossible for ice to form. You can commonly see these types of products on commercial buildings where the roof may be 3 stories up, but they are available for residential homes as well. Take a look at what is available and get a second opinion if you are unsure.
More than anything, you should keep a close eye on your roof. If you see large icicles forming, or lumps of ice near the eaves, you could be in danger of ice damming and the damage that can come along with it. Don't wait and hope it melts off-- it may not until the spring.
Simply put, an ice dam is an accumulation of ice on the eaves of a roof. When your attic is overheated, it can cause the snow on your roof to melt and pool against ice on the cold edge. You can usually tell when ice dams have formed by seeing dry spots on your roof and icicles overhanging the side.
How are ice dams formed?
Ice dams are usually caused from attics being overheated from air leakage. The heat emanates through the attic to the roof and melts the snow on top. This melted snow then pools against the icicles on the eaves of the house with nowhere else to go. Over time, the water may seep into your house and cause water damage.
If you have a commercial or residential building that experiences water damage, knowing what type of water is causing the problem is essential to properly address the situation.
Three Types of Water
Clean water: This would be described as water from burst pipes or rainwater. This type of water would not be considered a safety hazard for cleaning.
Gray water: This water would be considered contaminated to some extent. Clean water can turn into gray water from bacteria growth if it is left untreated for too long.
Black water: This water is filled with bacteria, chemicals and fungi, and it is considered highly contaminated and a safety hazard to clean. This water is typically caused by sewage backups.
How to React to Clean Water Damage
Your first reaction when experiencing "clean" water damage is shutting off the source of the water. This can be done by turning off your main water shut-off valve. For more information on how to do this, see our article How to Find & Use Your Water Shut-Off Valve. Once the water is shut off, do your best to extract as much water as possible. You should remove any items that are exposed to moisture to prevent them from being further damaged. Avoid leaving books or magazines in the water damaged zone because the ink can cause staining.
How to React to Contaminated Water Damage
You should not attempt to clean contaminated water by yourself because it can be hazardous to your health. Do your best to avoid the contaminated water if you can. It is recommended that you shut off all fans and call a water cleanup specialist to handle the job as soon as possible.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions about water or mold damage, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044.
A water line above the garage in this Bend, Oregon home broke, causing water to run for a few days, damaging the garage ceiling below.
SERVPRO of Bend was called out to this homeowners house when they discovered that the ceiling in their garage had fallen and the debris damaged a car that was being stored in the home.
SERVPRO of Bend's water team went out to the site and found that the cold water line that went above the garage had burst, causing large amounts of water to leak onto the ceiling below. The weight of the insulation within the structure soaked up the water. The insulation was like a sponge and created a massive amount of extra weight for the drywall below. This caused the drywall in ceiling to collapse.
SERVPRO of Bend technicians cleaned up the damage and were able to dry the affected material.
When this Bend, Oregon home had a bathroom flood, the homeowner called SERVPRO of Bend to come out and assist with the damage.
Technicians from SERVPRO of Bend went out to find that a pipe from under the bathroom sink had broke and water flooded the bathroom and an adjacent bedroom.
Due to the amount of time that the water was running, SERVPRO of Bend had to remove the carpet and pad in the bedroom while also removing the damaged drywall.
After a few days of drying the affected area, SERVPRO of Bend's structural team was able to come in and start repairing the damaged areas.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about water damage, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044.
This master bathroom in Redmond, Oregon flooded when the owner found that the angle stop had broken on the second floor while they were on vacation.
SERVPRO of Bend's water team were called out to assess the damage. The water technician found that the angle stop in the master bathroom had a break, causing damage to both the first and second floor bathrooms. The vinyl floor and subfloor material were saturated, so it was decided to remove both materials. The water had also damaged the drywall in the second bathroom to the point where it had to be removed so that the drying process could be efficient.
The owner was pleased that SERVPRO of Bend was able to get out to their residence the same day they discovered the damage and take care of the loss.
SERVPRO of Bend was called to a Sunriver resort rental home over the weekend in response to some reported water damage.
The water technicians found that their had been a fairly severe dishwasher leak and it had ran long enough to saturate the parquet flooring material in both the kitchen and living room area.
Due to the extensive amount of damage that had occurred, it was necessary to first remove all of the furniture and contents so the water team could effectively dry the area. After attempting to save the parquet flooring material, it was determined that it should be removed.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions about your water or mold damage, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044.
Ceiling Damage to Residential Home Redmond, Oregon
SERVPRO of Bend was called out to a residence in Redmond, Oregon. The homeowner found a large, rusty looking stain in the middle of their living room ceiling. Not knowing the origin of the stain, the homeowner called SERVPRO of Bend to investigate.
The water team at SERVPRO of Bend found that a pipe in the ceiling, used for a water filtration device had broken and leaked all over the living room ceiling. Due to the amount of water that had leaked on to the ceiling, SERVPRO of Bend had to remove the complete living room ceiling.
After cleaning the area, SERVPRO of Bend placed dehumidifiers and air movers in the room and got the rest of the area dry within 2 days.
SERVPRO of Bend's structural team was able to come in and replace the drywall so the homeowners living room was back to preloss condition within a few weeks.
This home in Southwest Bend suffered a water loss when their washing machine line broke. The loss occurred in the utility room and ran for a few hours before the property owner came home and noticed that there was water pooling on her kitchen floor.
After attempting to wipe up the water with a shop vacuum, the property owner realized that the damage was to extensive for her to clean up on her own. She called SERVPRO of Bend to come out and take a look. When technicians arrived, they realized that the water was still running from the broken hose in the utility room.
SERVPRO of Bend's water team began extracting the standing water and metering areas where the damage occurred. After removing the affected materials, the team created a drying plan. Air Movers and Dehumidifiers were set in the affected areas. After two days of drying, SERVPRO of Bend was able to dry the structure and begin rebuilding the damaged areas.
SERVPRO of Bend was called out to a water line break above a garage in Bend, Oregon.
The homeowner noticed their ceiling in the garage having a different color than the rest of the garage. The homeowner didn't think anything of it due to the dark color of the paint making it harder to notice immediately. At first, the homeowner thought that it might be just shadows in the garage that were showing the discoloration of the ceiling.
Once the water started pooling on the floor of the garage, the homeowner knew something larger was happening.
SERVPRO of Bend used their infrared camera to spot the exact outline of the water damage. Once a plumber was called to fix the leak, Technicians setup a containment and began removing the affected area.
In some cases, you may find that your toilet has a small leak that is manageable if you understand where the leak is coming from. First, some of the washers between the bowl and tank may have failed. Shut off the supply valve, empty the tank with a flush, then remove the nuts, bolts, and washers from the underside of the tank. Lift the tank, position it on its side, and see if the washers need replacing.
Another culprit may be faulty fasteners securing the fill valve and ballcock to the bottom of the tank. Before you replace those parts, however, first try simply tightening the nuts and bolts holding them in place—that often solves the problem.
On the other hand, if the leak seems to be coming from the base of the tank, chances are the wax ring that seals the toilet to the floor has failed. Replacing the wax ring is a much bigger job, since it involves removing the entire toilet from its base. If you decide to replace the wax ring yourself—preferably with a friend to help with the lifting—take the extra step of also replacing any bolts that show signs of corrosion. And, once you have the toilet back in place, don’t forget to add a bead of caulk around the base.
If you feel that a job such as this is more than you can handle, SERVPRO of Bend is glad to help. Feel free to call us at 541-385-7044.
On practically every job that our technicians are sent out to requires them to identify the "Category" and "Class" of the water. Many customers have asked about what our technicians mean with they discuss the category and class of the water that has damaged the property.
Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different categories assigned to water damage.
Category 1 refers to clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows.
Category 2 water is also called gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness of ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage.
Category 3 water is known as black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.
There are also several classes of water damage. The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options.
Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation.
Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage.
Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture.
Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.
If you have questions about the category and class of water, or any other water damage related questions, feel free to call us at SERVPRO of Bend 541-3385-7044.
Preparation Tips for Winterizing Your Home in Central Oregon
In Central Oregon, late November is usually when temperatures start lowering to freezing conditions. It is always good to start preparing for winter early so when the weather begins to dip down into the freezing range, you're prepared.
Winterize Plumbing Pipes
Winterizing plumbing pipes is a process that prepares household plumbing for freezing temperatures that can cause leaks and breaks in the home. When water freezes, it expands as it becomes ice. This expansion produces pressure within pipes which causes damage. Winterizing plumbing is recommended when a house will be vacant for a long period of time and no water will be running through the pipes.
The winterizing process sometimes involves emptying the water heater, draining all water from the pipes and filling all fixtures with antifreeze solution.
Preparing for Winterizations
Begin with a plan for winterizing your plumbing. It is easy to miss a step, so you make yourself a checklist of all parts of the house with the steps detailed below, including all taps and valves. Mark them off as you complete them so you'll know you did everything—and won't have any nasty surprises come cold weather.
If you have further questions about winterizing your home, feel free to call SERVPRO of Bend at 541-385-7044. We're always here to help.
Nearly Half of Puerto Rico Doesn’t Have Clean Drinking Water
Last week, Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico as a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing with it 20 inches of rain and 155 mile per hour winds. Much of the island was devastated: Nearly all of the 3.4 million people on the island lost power, 80 percent of the agriculture was decimated, and the storm is responsible for 16 deaths, so far.
At SERVPRO of Bend, we receive a lot of questions about the quality of customer's water after they have a water loss. In this two part series, we present Home Water Testing based on the Environmental Protection Agencies suggestions.
Should I Have My Water Tested?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. It concerns your health and the health of your family, so you need to know some basic facts. In addition to illness, a variety of less serious problems such as taste, color, odor and staining of clothes or fixtures are signs of possible water quality problems. Other things to think about include the nearness of your water well to septic systems and the composition of your home’s plumbing materials. This fact sheet provides information to help you decide whether or not to have your water tested, and if so, suggested tests for your situation.
Public Water Systems
When you turn on the tap, where does the water come from? If you pay a water bill, you are purchasing water from a public water system, where your water is monitored, tested and the results reported to the federal, state or tribal drinking water agencies responsible for making sure it meets the National Primary Drinking Water Standards. Your water company must notify you when contaminants are in the water they provide that may cause illness or other problems. Most people in the United States receive water from a community water system that provides its customers with an annual water quality report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report. Normally, you will receive it with your water bill once a year in July. The report contains information on contaminants found, possible health effects, and the water’s source. If you do not receive a report, contact your water company for this information.
Private Water Supplies
If your drinking water does not come from a public water system, or you get your drinking water from a household well, you alone are responsible for assuring that it is safe. For this reason, routine testing for a few of the most common contaminants is highly recommended. Even if you currently have a safe, pure water supply, regular testing can be valuable because it establishes a record of water quality. This record is helpful in solving any future problems and in obtaining compensation if someone damages your water supply.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/safewater/lead, or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
It can happen to anyone — just that one time you forget to protect your home’s plumbing system from freezing, and wake up to flooding in your home.
Make sure you avoid the hassle and expense that frozen pipes can bring by using these tips:
Keep water moving: Water that’s moving will freeze at a lower temperature than water that’s still. Even minimal movement of water through your pipes can prevent them from freezing, so leave one faucet dripping a bit during a hard freeze. Plumbers recommend turning on the faucet that’s farthest from the main water feed into your home.
Don’t turn off the heat: If you plan to be away from home for a few days while there’s a chance of sub-freezing temperatures, set your thermostat to no lower than 65 degrees.
Turn off outdoor faucets: Disconnect garden hoses and make sure that no water is left inside the faucets or in any exposed part of the pipes running to it. You can also place covers on outdoor faucets.
Open cabinet doors: Allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes under your sinks by leaving cabinet doors open. This is especially important if pipes are located near an exterior wall.
Add insulation: Insulation is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to protect your pipes. Foam tubes for this purpose are readily available in hardware and home-improvement stores. Use insulation on pipes that are near exterior walls or windows or in unheated garages and basements, which are the most vulnerable to freezing.
Locate the shut-off valve: You don’t want to be frantically searching for your shut-off valve if you do have an emergency. Make sure you know where it is and that it’s fully operational before potential problems arise.
Keep your plumbing system in good condition: A leak may be your first clue that a pipe is susceptible to bursting. Have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing and repair any problems right away.
What if a pipe has already frozen?
If a freeze does catch you by surprise or you believe you have a frozen pipe, shut off the water to your house first. If you can easily access the pipe, a blow dryer (not a blow torch) aimed at the frozen spot is one way to thaw it safely, but only if you don’t have to stand in water to do so. If a pipe has burst and you have flooding, move any items in your home to a higher level, but don’t risk harming yourself by wading too long in freezing water.
Call on a qualified professional.
The best way to ensure that your plumbing system is properly protected from freezing is to contact a professional Contractor, such as SERVPRO of Bend at 541-385-7044.
Water Damage Restoration: 10 Things You Have to Do to Repair a Flooded Basement
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, first of all, you have our sympathy. But this is no time to mope. We’ve got work to do, and time is of the essence. Here are 10 things you’ll need to check off your list to get your basement back in order.
Call in the Professionals
Sometimes, it pays to enlist the help of a professional. If you feel out of your depth (no pun intended) with any flood-related repairs or preventative measures, don’t hesitate to call an expert. Just make sure to research any potential hire’s reputation, bond and insurance status, and references before signing on the dotted line. A good measure for a professional is to make sure they are certified through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in Water Restoration. You can check if the company you call is certified by clicking here: IICRC.org
Shut Off the Electricity
First things first, we’ll need to make sure we don’t risk getting electrocuted. If the water depth is anywhere near the height of the outlets, then don’t risk making your way downstairs until you’re certain that the electricity is off. And don’t rely on a power outage for safety – the electric company could bring it back online at any moment.
Depending on the severity of the flooding, you may just need to shut off the basement breaker, or you may need to have an electrician fully disconnect your home from the grid. When in doubt, consult a professional.
Get Rid of Standing Water
Once you’ve eliminated the risk of electric shock, it’s time to get rid of any standing water in your basement. If the flooding is relatively minor, you might be able to get the job done with buckets or a wet-dry vacuum. For larger floods, it may be necessary to rent a gas-powered pump.
Dehumidify the Environment
Even after you’ve gotten rid of all the standing water, there’s still going to be plenty of added humidity in your basement, and that can cause mold, mildew, and a host of other problems. Purchase or rent a dehumidifier or two to get rid of all the excess moisture.
Remove Damaged Household Goods
If you’re like many homeowners, then you probably use your basement to store all sorts of things – sleeping bags, tents, extra sheets and blankets, and seasonal decorations. Some of this stuff may be salvageable if you can dry it out quickly enough. Other items may be a lost cause.
Either way, you’ll want to sort through any belongings that got wet during the flood and either dry them out or get rid of them. The last thing you need is to have a bunch of moldy old blankets lying around.
Check for Structural Water Damage
At this point, your basement should be relatively empty, so you’ll be able to get a good look at any structural damage. You should take particular note of wet structural supports, drywall, insulation, and framing wood. Once these materials get wet, they become a haven for mold spores. Assess the damage. Salvage what you can and make arrangements to have the rest replaced or repaired.
Replace Electrical Components
Trying to use waterlogged electrical items is a recipe for danger. It’s probably a good idea to get rid of any electrical appliances that were exposed to flood waters, along with switch boxes, light fixtures, and outlets.
Don’t Let Mold Invade Your Home
Mold: the scourge of basements everywhere. If you’ve gotten rid of all the water, properly dehumidified your basement, and disposed of objects that can’t be cleaned or dried, then you’ve lessened your odds of having to deal with a mold invasion. Still, when you consider the possible costs and health issues associated with a full-scale mold problem, calling in mold prevention professionals may be a smart idea, just as a precaution.
Call Your Insurance Company
Depending on your insurance policy, a portion of your flood damages may be covered. If you’re not sure, review the provisions of your policy or call your insurance rep to learn more. If you happen to have good flood coverage, it could save you thousands.
Eliminate the Source of the Flood
What’s worse than dealing with a flooded basement? Dealing with it more than once. After getting everything back in order, try to prevent the flooding from recurring. There are a variety of flood-prevention measures that range from simple to elaborate. Your issue might be solved by something as simple as patching cracks in the foundation or cleaning your gutters.
Water Damage can be costly and is never convenient. If you experience a water loss, we recommend that you call a certified water restoration company to handle any size loss. This is especially true if you feel that the damage is more than you can handle. Often times, people feel that a small puddle in the middle of their floor isn’t much, until a few days later when they start smelling a musty odor…which usually results in mold. Here are a few things you can do to help reduce the amount of water damage to your property:
Stop the flow of water. If the flooding has been caused by a burst pipe or a water heater failure, shut off the main water line for your home.
Turn off the power. If your home is flooded, cut off the electricity and gas from the main source. This isn’t as essential for small leaks or puddles, but for large floods turn them off to be safe.
Assess the damage. Before you begin your cleanup effort, first determine if rebuilding is even a worthwhile option. Take ample photos and other documentation to show the insurance company.
Rescue your most valuable possessions. If you are able to, find and remove your most important items from the flooded area, such as heirlooms, money, jewelry, etc. Don’t spend too much time extracting and cleaning individual items, as the water is still doing damage to your home.
The more information you can provide to the restoration company and your insurance is extremely valuable to expediting the process of cleaning and repairing the damage
Plumbing leaks can be frustrating for customers to deal with, but they may not pick up the phone for services every time. However, informing them of how degenerative even a small leak can be is important.
The consequences of failing to detect or repair a leak in your plumbing are very serious. Wood and drywall can rot, a mold problem may develop, and your home's foundation could be compromised.
On the other hand, the cost to take care of a single leak is relatively low, averaging about $225-325 to find and fix it, a sum which may be covered (based on one’s policy), at least in part, by homeowner's insurance.
Leaks are easily fixable and easily preventable. It is important that any sign of water be looked at by a licensed professional.
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