When large spills or leaks happen, first comes the water, and then comes the, “Hey, can someone bring me a towel?”. We’ve all wasted water and cried over spilled milk a few times in our lives. These are the times for a nice, good old wet vacuuming.
However, using a shop vac for water is NOT the right answer when there’s standing water from an overflowing sink, or a busted supply line, or even a leaky dishwasher.
As a trained professional in mold remediation and water damage restoration in the Georgetown, DE area for the past 8 years, and with 12 years in the construction industry before that, I’ve seen my fair share of damage. I can tell you that it never, ever hurts to ask a professional.
Most companies will come take a look and give you an honest professional opinion. Some companies will even do this for free. The right company will guide you through the process no matter the situation.
When liquid hits a hardwood floor it first moves in the direction of least resistance. With gravity in play, this will more than likely be down.
This means that it moves into the cracks, into the places where the floor covering meets the baseboards, into thresholds, and into the wood itself. Under the hardwood there may be tar paper, rosin paper or a vapor barrier. Under that is the subfloor. All of these can absorb water, too!
Your shop vac can’t get the water out of water-damaged wood. It can’t get under your floor, between all of these layers. And it definitely can’t get any mold or mildew growth that might already have started there.
Sure, using a shop vac for water will get the standing water, but that’s not enough most of the tie. It is a very important step but not the last one.
Instead, multiple layers cause a need for specialty drying. Special equipment was designed to handle such a task, but even equipment alone is not enough. Knowledge of building science, developing a plan of action around the full scope of the damage, and proper implementation of drying equipment is the best approach.
Get Professional Help for Water Damaged Wood
We all know the risks of not properly addressing water damage to hardwood. In case you don’t, here’s a few of the bad things that could happen: Mold… Cupping… Warping…
You never want to deal with these issues with your floor. If the damage is caught soon enough, cupped or warped floors may return back to the subfloor if dried correctly. Additional work may be required, such as nailing, sanding or refinishing, but the floor is there to stay!
The best-case scenario in a worst-case scenario is to call a professional. Find one who values your home and property, and one who cares about doing all they can during your bad situation. Know who to call before the problem occurs.
At Core24 Services, we’ll help you get your home back to normal no matter what happened to it. Call now for professional water damage restoration services in Georgetown from people who care about you!
When water damage affects your home, you should always consider calling a professional. If you choose to handle some of it yourself, make sure to follow these guidelines to ensure it is done right and that you protect yourself as well as your home.
Make Sure You Are Safe
Take time to ensure that you are not putting yourself at risk at all. Wear proper PPE attire. Put any contaminated items in one area, and check for the presence of mold or asbestos. Make sure that there is no electricity where the water damage is, and check for any tripping hazards.
Take Record Of The Damage
Make sure to photograph any damage contents or damaged parts of your property, for insurance purposes. Snap as many photos as you can of affected areas, and take detailed notes with date and time of the events. This will save you a lot of time and struggle later on with your insurance company.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Make sure that all of your communications with insurance are well documented, through email or by letter. Make sure to meet with the adjuster and ask them all the question you have. Give them your list and photos of the water damage, and make sure to double check that they are not ripping you off.
Work On Getting Things Dried Out
Remove any coverings to address saturation on the carpet. Introduce air flow and dehumidification efforts to the wet areas, and monitor it with a moisture meter until you are sure the area is dry enough.
Keep An Eye Out For Mold Growth
If you notice any mold or suspect that mold may be growing in the water-logged areas, call a professional. Section off the affected area, and try to dry and clean it as best you can, until an expert can come in and remediate it.
Hire For Water Damage Repairs
Start by finding a reliable contractor that will work with your insurance policy and within your insurance policy limits. Work with the team to make your selections, and they will go in and repair everything, making it good as new.
Remember to call a professional water damage restoration company in Georgetown like those on staff at Core24 Services if you have any questions or concerns about water damage at your property
When water damage affects your home you should call a professional. If you aren’t ready to yet, please remember these few tips:
Remember Safety First!:
Establish the source of contamination Remember water and electricity don’t mix, be careful! Wear proper PPE Check for lead or asbestos present (common in homes built prior to 1980) Watch for tripping hazards
Record the Damage:
Take photographs of the damaged contents or affected building materials Take detailed notes with the date and time of water damage Use emails to communicate with your insurance company, not just phone calls
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Document all conversations through email to establish a timeline Make sure to meet in person with the adjuster Supply documentation of the water damage to the insurance company BEWARE of bad faith adjusting!
Give Time to Dry:
Remove coverings to address saturation on materials such as carpet Introduce adequate air flow to the wet areas Add dehumidification device Monitor wet areas with a moisture meter
Watch For Mold!
Mold loves damp areas, if you suspect any mold, call a professional! If you do see mold, remove any airflow from the area to prevent spreading Section off and quarantine the moldy area Dry clean, and spot treat with a mild detergent if necessary
Call A Professional for Water Damage Repairs:
Find a reliable and trusted contractor who can perform water damage restoration safely and thoroughly Know your insurance policy and your insurance policy limits Once you’ve chosen your water damage restoration company, make sure they can perform mold remediation Make sure everything is clean, and stay strong through the process
Remember to call a professional if you have any questions or concerns, like Core24 Services of Georgetown, Delaware.
Most homeowners know that the weather can cause significant damage to their homes. However, many don’t think of rain as a problematic weather pattern. In reality, rain can cause water damage to a home, which can provide a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Here’s what you need to know about rain and water damage so you can protect your home.
How Water Gets Into Your Home
There are a number of ways that water can infiltrate your home.
Leaky Roofs
If your roof leaks, you can end up with roof water damage and roof leak mold. Rain can get into your roof if you have:
Missing or broken shingles
Incorrect or incorrectly installed roofing materials
Damaged flashing
Many people ask us, “Can you get mold from a leaky roof?” The answer is absolutely “Yes!” Anytime water gets into your home and is not dried up immediately, you could end up with mold.
Backed Up Gutters
Gutters are designed to keep rainwater away from your roof and the ground immediately surrounding your house. If they are filled with leaves and other debris, or if there’s so much rain that they are overwhelmed, you can end up with a lot of water getting dumped near your foundation.
Over time, this water can weaken your home and cause your basement to become flooded, and mold to grow.
Wind-Driven Rain
Sure, your house is in great shape, but what happens when wind drives rain into it at high speeds? Even the best cared for home can experience water damage under these circumstances. Water can be driving into your siding and your roof and it can even be pushed between the window and the frame of your house.
Groundwater Flooding
If the ground around your house gets overwhelmed by water and can’t absorb it all, that water can end up inside your home. This can cause basement water damage and mold/mildew growth down there.
Window Leaks
If your windows are older or haven’t been upgraded recently, they may be susceptible to leaks. Check the seal around each window to make sure that it is intact all the way around. If these seals fray, crack, or become brittle, rain can get through and you can end up with water damage.
Other Water Infiltration
In addition to roof water damage and damage from the other sources listed above, water can often get into your home in other ways, like through miniscule gaps in your siding or via your crawl space.
Signs of Water Damage
The best way to detect roof leak mold or to determine whether your basement flooded and mold grew is to look for the following signs.
A moldy or mildewy smell
Visible mold or mildew growth
Peeling or discolored paint
Soft, squishy, or sagging walls or ceiling
Higher-than-usual home humidity
Damp carpet or puddles on flooring
The sound of running water when all water is shut off
What Do I Do About Water Damage?
If you see the signs mentioned above and you suspect water damage in your home, give us a call at Core24 Services. We will determine where the water is getting into your house, then seal it up so you don’t have the same problem again.
Our work doesn’t stop there, though. We will also help you find and mitigate any damage that the water has already done to your home. We’ll find out what the water has damaged, then dry it out or remove it and replace it.
If you have mold, we’ll bring in filters to scrub your air, then do whatever it takes to get rid of the mold fast. We’ll even coordinate with third-party companies to complete work on your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning if those systems are part of the problem.
No matter what, we’ll get you living normally in your home once again. We work efficiently because we know how much you need your home. Before you know it, things will be back to normal and you’ll be on your regular schedule again.
Call Core24 Services for Water Damage Restoration Services!
If you suspect water damage in your home, call us at Core24 Services today. We’ll have someone out ASAP to find the problem and implement the solutions you need.
Do you worry about getting frozen pipes? If you do, we don’t blame you! After all, these can potentially cause damage to your home if they burst, or leave you without water. When you live in the freezing and unpredictable weather of Delaware winters, it can be hard to predict when the snow will come and freeze your pipes.
Instead of worrying about your pipes, though, do something to prevent the problem. Here are some simple steps you can take to protect the pipes in your house so you never have to deal with a frozen pipe again! And If you find yourself unfortunately faced with frozen pipes, we have some tips to help you thaw frozen pipes safely
Find the Pipes Likely to Freeze
Pipes exposed to uninsulated air are in the most danger of freezing. These may include outdoor pipes or those used for your sprinkler system. Pipes in your attic, garage, basement, etc. are also in danger.
Add Insulation
Once you know which pipes are most likely to freeze, insulate them. You can insulate around the individual pipe. Simply buy some pipe sleeves, slide them on the pipes or wrap them around, and they are already safer.
You can also add insulation to the uninsulated areas of your home. This may have the added benefit of lowering your heating bills all winter long!
Keep Your Heat On
Make sure your home stays at a warm temperature, even if you’re not there. Typically keeping it above 55 degrees will work, but check your insurance policy to see their recommended temperature, so you don’t get denied a claim! Use a programmable thermostat to lower temperatures while you’re gone and raise them when you come back. That way, you can still reap the benefits of lowering the thermostat without freezing your pipes or yourself!
Take Special Precautions
If there are particular pipes you’re concerned about, wrap them in heat tape. You can find this at your local hardware store. We recommend the kind that does not plug in since this can become a fire hazard. Simply wrap the tape around the sections of pipe you’re worried about, activate the heat, and leave it there all winter long.
You can also set up a space heater to blow on pipes you’re worried about. This is a major fire hazard but, done carefully, can also protect your home. You’ll want to watch it regularly and inspect the heater weekly.
If you’ve come home and discovered that it’s too late to prevent your pipes from freezing, you now have to act quickly to make sure that your pipes don’t burst or bulge.
What to Do if You Have Frozen Pipes
In reality, frozen pipes are often easy to deal with and they don’t always cause major damage to your home. Here’s what you need to know in case your pipes freeze.
Find Your Frozen Pipe
You’ll know the pipes are frozen because one or more of your faucets will stop working. Turn the water off, then try to find the frozen pipe. You’ll want to look anywhere pipes are exposed to outside air without insulation. This can include attics, basements, garages, etc. The pipe will likely have condensation or even ice around the frozen part.
Decide Whether to Thaw or Wait
Most pipes will thaw on their own as the weather warms up. If it’s getting warmer soon, it may not be worth unfreezing the pipe manually. Instead, just wait. You will want to watch the pipe to see if it leaks after it thaws. If it does, then it’s time to replace that section of pipe.
If you need the pipe unfrozen quickly or it’s not thawing on its own, then it’s probably time to manually thaw it.
How to Unfreeze Frozen Pipes
You can turn up the heat in your house or set up a space heater near the pipe. Aim the heater at the pipe but keep it several feet from it to avoid inadvertent damage. You can also purchase heat tape. This either plugs in or is self-heating. You wrap it around the frozen pipe, start the heating process, and wait.
Working With Frozen Pipes Underground
If you suspect a frozen pipe underground, it’s time to call in a plumber. At Core24 Services, we have the expertise you need on your side when these pipes freeze. We’ll find the frozen section, then determine the best way to thaw it for you. Before you know it, your frozen pipe problem will be a thing of the past!
Call Core24 Services whenever you have questions about frozen pipes!
Water damages can occur for various reasons and can cause a wide array of problems for you and your property. From mold damages to structural problems, water damages can cause severe issues. Below, Core24 Services will discuss what causes water damages and what you can do to prevent them from occurring.
How Do Water Damages Occur?
Water damages can occur from many different problems. Some of those include: • Broken or Leaky Pipes • Storm Damages • Flooding • Sewage Backups
If you have any type of water damages to your property, it is crucial that you call a professional cleanup company such as Core24 Services. Water can seep into areas where you cannot see it. Areas inside of walls, beneath carpets, and in crawlspaces are common for water damages. If you do not have the proper equipment to find water behind surfaces, it will not dry. Once this occurs, you will have mold growth. Mold can cause a host of problems that is not only hazardous to your health but also damages the structure of your home. When handling water damages, the professionals will use pumps to pump all the existing water out, and then fans will be used to dry all areas of the home, including places that cannot be seen. Once all water is removed, water damage restoration can occur. Damaged areas will be removed and replaced. One replaced, the areas will be sprayed with special agents to ensure no mold growth will occur.
Mold growth can spread quickly throughout your property and cause severe respiratory issues. If you see any water or mold stains, you need to call a professional immediately. Mold will continue to grow and breed until it is entirely removed from the property. Mold causes structural damages and can make you ill. To avoid mold growth, call a professional for all your water damage cleanup and removal needs.
