Flooding Damage: Water & Mold

11/14/2024 (Permalink)

Following the 500 year flood over 1 year ago in February of 2018, thousands of homes were initiated with water, caused by a record snow fall, then the fast melt when we received a record rain fall.  The St. Joseph River has a flood level of 5'6", this year it hit 33'.  Water entered homes in many ways.  This home had water enter through a crack in the foundation at surface level.  The water came through the flowed down the wall damaging the drywall, insulation and stud work.  Unfortunately the home owner was not in town during the storm; the basement sat 2.5 weeks before anyone noticed the damage.  In that time mold had begun to grow on the entirety of the damaged area compounding the damage and clean up.  SERVPRO® responded to the call in less than an hour. The area was contained to prevent spreading the mold, deconstruction, clean up and the drying process was started within a few hours.

Don’t let disaster disrupt your life. Call SERVPRO today. We’re available 24/7/365, ready to respond to your emergency and make your property “Like it never even happened.”

Getting Prepared for Spring Rain!

9/20/2023 (Permalink)

While many of us look forward to the changing season of Spring with the warmer weather and the trees and flowers starting to bloom, there is one part that isn’t so great. Springtime always seems to bring plenty of rain and plenty of rain always brings a higher risk of water damage to your home.

Roof Leaks

With the increased showers as well as high winds, roof damage can happen or be revealed as water seeps through your roof and damages your ceilings and walls. To reduce the risk of roof leaks, you should inspect your roof for any damages from the winter and inspect it after every major storm.

The most common cause of roof leaks is a damaged or missing shingle from storms or fallen branches. If you do experience water damage inside your home from the ceiling or wall, you will want to contact a professional from SERVPRO® to inspect the damage, remove the water, an remediate the damage. 

Window & Door Leaks

Another common source of water damage is from old or damaged windows. Water especially from a huge storm can blow into cracks and crevices around your window causing water damage that may not be discovered quickly allowing mold to develop and cause further damage.

Make sure to inspect around your windows and doors for cracks or old caulking that has peeled or cracked off. You can usually caulk any small cracks or crevices to ensure water doesn’t seep into your home causing damage.

Broken Sump Pump

If you have a basement, you understand the importance of a sump pump. Without one water can seep into your basement and cause lots of damage. One of the most common causes of a flooded basement is a sump pump that stopped working.

To prevent this from happening, you can do three things. You can get a backup battery for your sump in case the power goes out. You can get a backup sump pump that is usually set to come on if the water rises above the normal level for your working sump pump. So if your working sump pump either stops working or can’t pump the water out fast enough, you backup will kick in.

The last thing you can do is install a water sensor alarm on the floor near the sump pump. While you may still have some water damage, at least you will be able to catch it fast and have a SERVPRO professional come out to pump out the water and dry out your basement.

Foundation Cracks

If the foundation around the base of your home and the basement walls cracks, water can seep into the basement or crawl space. A sump pump won’t help you since the water is seeping through the walls as opposed to being channeled to the sump pump.

Usually people discover foundation cracks after a big storm or when a gutter is clogged and the water is falling right by your house. Repairing foundation cracks can be a very expensive job depending on the situation but without the repair, there is no way to prevent the water leaking into your basement or crawlspace.

It never hurts to walk around the perimeter of your home checking for any potential foundation cracks as well as checking any bare walls in your basement and/or crawlspace.

Call the Pros of SERVPRO for Water Damage This Spring

If you should suffer water damage whether from Spring weather or a cracked pipe or an overflowing bathtub or toilet, call the water damage cleanup experts at SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton Counties at (574) 936-5849 for 24-hour emergency service. 

At SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton Counties, we have specialized equipment, professional training, and certifications that allow us to restore your home to its pre-water damage condition.

Window & Door Leaks

8/16/2023 (Permalink)

While many of us look forward to the changing season of Spring with the warmer weather and the trees and flowers starting to bloom, there is one part that isn’t so great. Springtime always seems to bring plenty of rain and plenty of rain always brings a higher risk of water damage to your home.

Roof Leaks

With the increased showers as well as high winds, roof damage can happen or be revealed as water seeps through your roof and damages your ceilings and walls. To reduce the risk of roof leaks, you should inspect your roof for any damages from the winter and inspect it after every major storm.

The most common cause of roof leaks is a damaged or missing shingle from storms or fallen branches. If you do experience water damage inside your home from the ceiling or wall, you will want to contact a professional from SERVPRO to inspect the damage, remove the water, an remediate the damage. 

Window & Door Leaks

Another common source of water damage is from old or damaged windows. Water especially from a huge storm can blow into cracks and crevices around your window causing water damage that may not be discovered quickly allowing mold to develop and cause further damage.

Make sure to inspect around your windows and doors for cracks or old caulking that has peeled or cracked off. You can usually caulk any small cracks or crevices to ensure water doesn’t seep into your home causing damage.

Broken Sump Pump

If you have a basement, you understand the importance of a sump pump. Without one water can seep into your basement and cause lots of damage. One of the most common causes of a flooded basement is a sump pump that stopped working.

To prevent this from happening, you can do three things. You can get a backup battery for your sump in case the power goes out. You can get a backup sump pump that is usually set to come on if the water rises above the normal level for your working sump pump. So if your working sump pump either stops working or can’t pump the water out fast enough, you backup will kick in.

The last thing you can do is install a water sensor alarm on the floor near the sump pump. While you may still have some water damage, at least you will be able to catch it fast and have a SERVPRO professional come out to pump out the water and dry out your basement.

Foundation Cracks

If the foundation around the base of your home and the basement walls cracks, water can seep into the basement or crawl space. A sump pump won’t help you since the water is seeping through the walls as opposed to being channeled to the sump pump.

Usually people discover foundation cracks after a big storm or when a gutter is clogged and the water is falling right by your house. Repairing foundation cracks can be a very expensive job depending on the situation but without the repair, there is no way to prevent the water leaking into your basement or crawlspace.

It never hurts to walk around the perimeter of your home checking for any potential foundation cracks as well as checking any bare walls in your basement and/or crawlspace.

Call the Pros of SERVPRO for Water Damage This Spring

If you should suffer water damage whether from Spring weather or a cracked pipe or an overflowing bathtub or toilet, call the water damage cleanup experts at SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski & Fulton Counties at (574) 936-5849 for 24-hour emergency service. 

At SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski & Fulton Counties, we have specialized equipment, professional training, and certifications that allow us to restore your home to its pre-water damage condition.

SERVPRO Can Help You Recover From Even The Worst Flooding

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Running a business brings many challenging. Managing employees, keeping customers happy and building an economically sustainable building is always on your mind. Environmental damage to your building could be devastating. The repair and cleanup costs alone could be detrimental. Loss of work time could put you behind the competition. With a proactive attitude, you can reduce the flood damage in your workplace.

Check Out Waterproof Materials

Thanks to advances in building materials, there are several options you can explore to repel or resist water. These efforts may not completely keep an area dry, but they can be effective in helping you salvage important equipment, tools and structural components. Some items to consider include:

• Putting a layer of waterproof veneer on the walls.
• Add waterproofing to the floors.
• Waterproof furniture

Wise Selection

Lowering your risk for flood damage may start before you even open the doors of your company. Carefully choose a location for your building. By consulting engineers and other experts, you can review areas prone to floods and choose to build elsewhere. Constructing on higher ground should put you in much safer territory.

Raise Them Up

If you have experienced water issues or flooding at work before, avoid additional damage by raising bookshelves, cabinets and equipment off the ground. Often, water comes in through the floor, especially on ground or sub-ground levels.

Proper Drainage

Storm damage can be severe after heavy rainfall, especially if your building is ill-prepared to send water away. Make sure the property has functional rain gutters and downspouts that divert the water far from the foundation of your building. Check these areas regularly, especially immediately following a storm.
Though you can have peace of mind to know that qualified flood remediation specialists can help you recover from even the worst flooding, you want to avoid as much damage as possible. Be responsible and use these strategies in your emergency planning.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help make things "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Tips After Flooding

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

It is important to always be prepared in case of emergency. Here are some tips on how to handle a water damage in your own home.

What To Do After Flooding

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

We are always here to help! There is no job too big or too small! We are faster too any disaster and will make things "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Is Faster To Your Water Damage Event

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton Counties arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO 

SERVPRO of specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

SERVPRO Specializes In Flooded Basement Cleanup

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today 

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help Call Today - 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski & Fulton County is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage. 

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 574-936-5849

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration - in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business. 

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke,
Pulaski & Fulton County

SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski & Fulton County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

From Flooding To Water & Mold Damage

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

The area was contained to prevent spreading the mold, deconstruction, clean up and the drying process was started within a few hours.

Following the 500 year flood in February of 2018 thousands of homes were initiated with water, caused by a record snow fall, then the fast melt when we received a record rain fall.  The St. Joseph River has a flood level of 5'6", this year it hit 33'.  Water entered homes in many ways.  This home had water enter through a crack in the foundation at surface level.  The water came through the flowed down the wall damaging the drywall, insulation and stud work.  Unfortunately the home owner was not in town during the storm; the basement sat 2.5 weeks before anyone noticed the damage.  In that time mold had begun to grow on the entirety of the damaged area compounding the damage and clean up.  SERVPRO responded to the call in less than an hour. The area was contained to prevent spreading the mold, deconstruction, clean up and the drying process was started within a few hours.  SERVPRO will make it "Like it never even happened." 

Ask The Experts: What should I do if a pipe bursts in my business?

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

1. Stop the Flowing Water

A burst pipe can allow huge amounts of water to come into your house in a very short period of time, and more water in your home will likely mean more damage. Using the shutoff valve, which is often located in basements or garages, will turn off the water to your entire house. Other issues may also require you to turn off the water in your home, so it’s generally helpful to know how to cut off the supply of water before any problems arise.

2. Turn Off the Power

The amount of water bursting pipes can bring into the home can create electrical hazards. In order to keep yourself safe and to minimize the risk of an electrical fire, it’s generally wise to turn off the power to your residence. Additionally, it’s often best not to touch any items that use electricity or any electrical outlets even after you have turned off your home’s power.

3. Ask for Help

After the water is no longer flowing into your home and your home no longer has power, it’s often best to contact a plumber and water damage restoration expert. A plumber can fix the broken pipe and can assess your other tubes to make sure they aren’t also at risk of bursting. Restoration specialists can assist you in removing water from your home and can restore personal belongings that were damaged by the water.

It’s often helpful for homeowners to know what to do if a problem such as bursting pipes occurs. Stopping the flow of water, turning off your home’s power and contacting professionals in restoration can help to decrease the cost, time and stress spent dealing with a burst pipe.

So give us a call today! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to help make things "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage Can Be Overwhelming, But SERVPRO Is Here For You!

5/1/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have a small roof leak or a water spot on the floor where bathwater splashes? While those little leaks and water stains may seem inconsequential, huge damage and potential health effects could be hidden underneath the surface. So what are the signs you should be looking for of further water damage to your Indianapolis home? 

If you have a small water stain on your ceiling, you first want to determine where the water came from. If you have access, above the ceiling like an attic, you can get up there and look for signs of a water leak from the roof or a leaking pipe. Even condensation from a pipe can cause  water to drip and stain a ceiling over time. The source of the water leak is not always right above the water stain. Water from a leak can travel down the wood framing, across wires, along pipes and other structural pieces behind your home's ceilings and walls. 

If you are unable to look behind the wall or ceiling, you may want to call water damage restoration experts like us at SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton counties. We have the expertise and tools to examine the full extent of the water damage and determining the best steps to take to repair the water damage and stop any further damage from happening. 

Another sign beside a water stain of water damage is a soft spot on your home's walls, ceilings or floors. This happens a lot around bathtubs, kitchen sinks, windows and external walls. While there might not always be a water stain or obvious sign of a water leak, a spot where you can push in on the floor or wall or ceiling can be a sign of water damage that is hidden below the surface. This could be an easy restoration or a potentially difficult one where there could be mold damage and extensive damage to the house's structure. 

In any case, the sooner you call us, the faster the damage can be stopped and repaired. When we come to a home with potential water damage, we work quickly to identify the source of the water damage, the areas of the home that have been affected, and the steps to take immediately to stop the water leak and restore the water damaged areas "Like it never even happened."

While a simple roof leak or water stain can be covered up, the unseen damage that mopping up the water or painting over the water stain can't fix could be even worse and getting worse as time goes by. Don't risk damaging your home from water by ignoring or  covering up the problem. Call us immediately so we can find and stop any further damage from happening to your home and to your health.

Ask The Experts: What To Do When My Water Heater Is Going Out

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Your hot-water heater could have a leak or a busted valve. If you are having a problem with your hot-water heater, contact a qualified plumbing contractor right away.

Once you have called a plumbing contractor then contact SERVPRO to provide an inspection utilizing advanced technical equipment. Upon inspection if damages are determined SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski, Fulton will address the water damage and provide a full repair service estimate. SERVPRO has a 24 hour emergency service team that is highly trained and ready to help you at your home or business.

Contact SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski & Fulton at (574) 936-5849. SERVPRO services all of the Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton areas. We are faster to any disaster and we will make things "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO? Large Losses-We can handle any loss, no matter the size

11/14/2020 (Permalink)

If your property experiences a Large Loss in the future, you can always count on SERVPRO to assist in restoring your property. We roll in after disaster ready to dry, clean, and restore – but there is always a few things that need to be handled before we can start our work. This would include emergency response from your utility companies or plumber, or even emergency services from the Fire Department.

Being time sensitive after a Large Loss is crucial. Even if we can’t start restoration work immediately, make sure to call SERVPRO as soon as possible. Doing this will ensure that our project manager is able to communicate with you throughout the process of the emergency response, and is prepared to respond to your property for mitigation and restoration as soon as we are able. Don’t wait to call – if you know your property needs mitigation or restoration work, call us as soon as possible! We are faster to any disaster and we will make things "Like it never even happened."

Why is my basement flooding?

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

As most homeowners know, unexpected problems are a reality of owning a house. Walking downstairs to find water in the basement after it rains can be a particularly unsettling sight that leaves many individuals unsure of what to do next. But, why is my basement flooding? Should you be asking yourself what to do when the basement floods, there are specific steps to take to get it back to normal and how to stop basement flooding.

Why is My Basement Flooding?

Unfortunately, there are a number of different reasons why your basement might flood. Learning the most commons reasons can help you determine how to stop basement flooding:

Rain-associated problems: while basement flooding can occur with dry weather, water in the basement after it rains is most likely. Cellar flooding after heavy rain can happen for a number of different reasons. For example, if your home is not properly graded, water will not be directed away from your house. This means water can find its way through cracks and holes into the basement, resulting in basement floods during heavy rain. In addition to improper grading, cracks in your home's foundation can result in cellar flooding after heavy rain.

It is important to regularly scan the walls of your basement for cracks, as they are one of the most common culprits of water in the basement after it rains. Sealing cracks is key for how to stop basement flooding. Another rain-associated challenge is clogged gutters and downspouts. When this happens, water will not be properly diverted far enough away from a house’s foundation, resulting in water in the basement after it rains.

Sump pump failure: A sump pump can be installed in a basement to collect water in a designated pit, then pump the water out and away from the basement to ensure it stays dry. When a sump pump isn’t working properly, whether due to a power outage or heavy rain, you are at risk for basement floods during heavy rain.

Sewer backup: A particularly unpleasant answer to “why is my basement flooding?” are basement floods during heavy rain caused by a sewer backup. When city sewers overflow, you might experience a flow of sewage back into your home through drains or toilets. This can then lead to flooding in the basement.

When water damage affects you, SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton is here to help

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

When you’re running a business, flood water is the last thing you want to deal with,. However, sometimes it’s unavoidable when bad weather or faulty plumbing strikes. The key to combating flooding is understanding exactly what you’re dealing with before disaster strikes. These are the most important points to remember when it comes to flooding:

• Flood water is considered black water, or a category 3 issue.
• Black water contains a number of threats.
• You require professional help to clean up black water correctly.

Black Water

Flood waters are rated on a scale depending on the source of the flooding. Clean water comes from burst water lines and other clean sources, gray water results from broken showers and other potentially chemical-carrying sources, and black water results from storm damage and other, potentially more dangerous sources. Understanding which type you’re dealing with is vital when it comes to keeping yourself and your employees safe during floods.

The Dangers

Out of the three categories, black water is the most dangerous by far. Floods resulting from storm damage are considered as a category 3 issue because they tend to carry sewage, chemicals, diseases and bacteria that they pick up from outdoor spaces. Avoiding direct contact with this water is imperative to avoid the transmission of illnesses and other serious issues.

Professional Help

While there are a few steps you can take to reduce the immediate damage of black water in your business, you should never attempt to handle the issue alone and without professional equipment. Allowing a professional cleanup crew to take care of your flooding issue is the best way to promote a safe work environment while getting the results you need to get your business operations back on track.

In the business world, informing yourself about an issue is always important when it comes to making smart decisions. This applies to dealing with emergencies such as flooding in the workplace. Prepare to deal with black water the right way, and never let yourself or your employees be caught off-guard.

Contact SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton counties today!

Water Damage Cleanup: Hot Water Heater Edition

5/19/2019 (Permalink)

Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Your hot-water heater could have a leak or a busted valve. If you are having a problem with your hot-water heater, contact a qualified plumbing contractor right away. Once you have called a plumbing contractor then contact SERVPRO to provide an inspection utilizing advanced technical equipment. Upon inspection if damages are determined SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski, Fulton will address the water damage and provide a full repair service estimate. SERVPRO has a 24 hour emergency service team that is highly trained and ready to help you at your home or business. Contact SERVPRO of Marshall, Starke, Pulaski & Fulton at (574) 936-5849. SERVPRO services all of the Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton areas.