How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage

1/8/2024 (Permalink)

Homeowners are filing more and more water damage claims.

A growing number of homeowners are filing water damage claims every year. And even before that growth, water damage claims were the most common type homeowners filed. Did you, a family member, or friend have to file one of these claims last year? If so, that claim was one of literally millions that were filed. 

Statistics from homeowners' insurance companies note that the number of fire damage claims are dropping.. At the same time, homeowners are filing more and more water damage claims. 

Like many homeowners, you may not be clear about when you need professional help to clean up the aftermath of a leak and when you can do it yourself. Many homeowners have the tools ready to handle a minor leak (like a mop and bucket), but more serious leaks call for professionals to do remediation work to prevent property damage. 

What to Look for When Evaluating Water Damage 

You might notice these signs when you’re dealing with water damage that requires professional remediation service: 

• You can smell the beginnings of mold. Does your home have a musty odor? The smell is one of the first signs you’ll notice when water has done serious damage to your home. If you notice a peculiar odor, you’ll want to schedule a professional evaluation. 
• Your floorboards or furniture are starting to warp. Many people don’t realize that wood will become warped and misshapen within a few days of a water event. That’s why it’s important to call in restoration technicians as soon as you notice it. 
• You see changes to your windows or walls. Like your floors, your windowpanes and walls can start to warp if the water damage is severe enough. Depending on how severe your water issues are, this can be a sign of a major problem. 

Winter Water Damage

11/22/2023 (Permalink)

With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage.

Michigan winters are known to be brutally cold and large amounts of snow are always expected. With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage. It is crucial that you are aware of the hazards and can prepare, prevent or act quickly if faced with winter water damage.  

FROZEN PIPES  

A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused by the backflow pressure between the water source and the blockage. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly.  

ICE DAMS  

Ice dams can be a major problem during the winter season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice. When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof ’s shingles and into the structure’s interior areas.  

Cold weather, snow, and ice storms can cause severe damage to your home or business. When these types of disasters strike, immediate action is necessary to prevent additional damage to your property. Our team has winter storm experience, expertise, and the resources to remediate damage caused by winter weather. If disaster strikes your home or business during the winter months, know that SERVPRO® has your back.

Hidden Water Damage in Your Home

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

In most cases, undetected water damage can cause the most damage and be quite a headache.

Water damage does not only come from burst pipes or flooding to damage your home. In most cases, undetected water damage can cause the most damage and be quite a headache.  

There are five indicators that there’s water damage going hidden in your home:  

• Stains on walls and ceilings: Nobody purposefully looks up at their ceiling. However, it is important to thoroughly check the ceilings in your home for stains. There might be a bathtub or shower leak from one floor to the next, or your attic could leak into the ceiling.  
• Musty or unpleasant smells: Do you smell something musty, or even earthy, in your home? Hidden water can cause mold to grow, and a nasty smell is a good signal that something is wrong.  
• Peeling paint: Not only can water stain your walls, but it can also cause the paint to lift. If you see your paint starting to peel, quickly find the source of the problem, or call a professional to fix it.  
• Mold Growth: Just like with ceilings, we do not exactly pay attention to the corners of our homes, but often these small hidden areas can tell us about potentially harmful leaks or spills. Check to see if there are any discolored or fuzzy looking spots in isolated corners or hidden areas.  
• Flooring: When allowed to flow, water naturally reaches the lowest level. Therefore, rivers flow downstream. Water can seep under your flooring and collect – damaging your sub-floors. Check for and warping or deformation to make sure there is no water hiding beneath the floorboards. When this happens, it is important to act as quickly as possible, so we can restore your flooring to good as new.  

Here at SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor, we are water damage restoration specialists and are ready to restore your home back to pre-water damage condition. Whether water damage sneaks up on you or not, we are available 24/7 to make it “Like it never even happened.” 

Floods Strike Everywhere

8/10/2023 (Permalink)

Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is a potential for suffering flood

Floods ranks as one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is a potential for suffering flood damage. In fact, nearly 25% of last year’s claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in moderate to low-risk communities. According the NFIP, houses in the United States have a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, while businesses face similar risks by flooding. On average, flood cost $6 billion in annual losses in the U.S. The following are a few more little-known flood facts:  

• Flood kills an average of 140 people per year in the U.S. making flooding the deadliest disaster.  
• More than half of all fatalities during floods are auto related, often the result of drivers misjudging the depth of water on a road and being swept away in a swiftly moving current.  
• The principle causes of floods in the eastern United States are hurricanes and storms.  
• The principle causes of floods in the western United States are snowmelt and rainstorms.  
• Underpasses can be some of the most dangerous places during a flash flood – especially at night, when it is difficult to see.  

With over 45 years of experience, SERVPRO® has restored flood-damaged homes and businesses from coast to coast. Our Disaster Recovery Team is trained and equipped to handle the largest storms and the highest flood waters. 

Don’t Let Heavy Rains Damage Your Home

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

You may be surprised to hear heavy rain can cause serious damage to a home.

Our SERVPRO team sees a lot of damaged homes so we have in-depth knowledge of some of the ways water can damage a home. When asked how the water damage happens, homeowners cite various problems like severe floods and storms or problems in the home, like a burst pipe. 

But we notice other reasons people need water damage restoration, too. You may be surprised to hear heavy rain can cause serious damage to a home. This is especially true after a long period of time. Water damage from rain compounds if a home isn’t maintained the right way. 

Preparing Your Property for Wet Weather 

Basic home maintenance can help you stay safe from water damage. These projects will help you get moving in the right direction. 

• Learn how your yard drains. A yard that drains correctly protects your home. If you notice that your yard is draining toward your home, then you might want to get in touch with a landscaping expert to look for ways to protect your yard. 
• Plant helpful landscaping. Landscaping can help protect your home from water damage. Native plants, trees and bushes can be vital in protecting your home from water damage. Talk with landscaping experts in the area or visit a native plant sale for tips and ideas. 
• Consider sealing your roof. Sealing your roof can help protect your home from wind and water damage. In fact, experts estimate that almost 95% of water damage is caused by water seeping through gaps in your roof and shingles which can be prevented with this step.