Burst Pipes Can Damage Unseen Parts of Your Home

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

Dehumidifying walls to remove excess water.

If your home has a burst or even slightly broken pipe, it can leak high volumes of water into areas of your home that are hard to see and even harder to restore.

Burst pipes in Inglewood are a common cause of damage and call-outs. No matter how minor the damage, areas often require specialized equipment and trained professionals to restore.

As a homeowner, any water damage must be treated promptly to avoid additional damage. Water damage left untreated behind walls, underneath floors, or within your home's voids can result in mold taking hold, which can prolong the impact on your life beyond the initial hours and days after the damage has been caused.

SERVPRO of Inglewood is available 24/7 for emergency call-outs, and we can liaise with your insurance company to ensure any damage is noted, addressed, and restored promptly and efficiently. Call SERVPRO of Inglewood at (424) 223-4153

Planning Ahead: Preparing for Pipe Bursts in Your Home

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Inglewood is available 24 hours a day for any unexpected pipe bursts or any other water damage emergencies in your home.

About one in every fifty homes experience some form of water damage each year in the United States. Everyone hopes that they will never have to encounter a pipe bursting in their household. Most that do experience a burst pipe in their homes have no idea where to begin in order to resolve the problem and assess damage. A broken pipe can leak high volumes of water into your home and leave you with extensive water damage in an instant. Here’s how you can learn to prepare for a future pipe burst in order to reduce damage in your home:

1. Immediately shut off water main: It is important to shut off the water as quickly as possible to prevent water from continuing to soak the area, as long as it is safe to do so.
2. Then, shut off electricity: Water and electricity are not compatible. Shutting off electricity will prevent potential safety hazards and prevent any water from coming into contact with running electricity. 
3. Contact a restoration company: It is important to decide on a restoration company before any damage occurs. That way, you can call as soon as possible in order to act quickly. SERVPRO of Inglewood are available 24/7.
4. Document the damages: Documenting damages is helpful if you are able to file a claim through your insurance. Writing down what is damaged as well as taking pictures will ensure that no item or place is forgotten about during restoration. 
5. Contact insurance company: Every insurance policy is different. We suggest contacting your insurance provider to determine if you are able to file a claim for water damage in your home. 
6. Open windows and doors (if possible): As you wait for your preferred restoration company to come help, opening windows and doors can begin the drying process in your home and can decrease the amount of water damage caused by the burst pipe.

Types of Water Damage Found in Your Home

11/13/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let this be your reality!

Floods are often categorized into three separate groups, depending on the contents found within the water. All floods have the capability to create water damage within your homes. However, there are some flood types that are considered to be more harmful than others, and you should definitely look out of them. Here are the descriptions for the three types of flooding that can occur in your home: 

• Category 1: Clean Water Floods — The absence of contaminants in a flood characterizes it as a Category 1 flood, as hinted in the title. Leaking pipes or burst supply lines more often than not cause these kinds of floods. Although seemingly insignificant compared to other categories, these floods have potential to transform into other category floods if they come into contact with any other contaminants

• Category 2: Gray Water Floods — Often gray water floods occur when household appliances-- like a washing machine, dishwasher or sink-- overflow or break and flood the home with contaminated water. Although dangerous, because category 2 floods do not contain significant amounts of contamination, they aren’t considered a biohazard. Nevertheless, they can quickly evolve into a Category 3 flood if they aren’t treated in a timely manner.

• Category 3: Black Water Floods — This is the most dangerous type of flooding that can be found in your home. These types of floods have the presence of dangerous biohazards such as fecal matter, sewage, or other harmful chemicals. These floods are often caused by problems with toilets, sewage bursts, and other similar disasters all contributing to massive water damage in your home. Because this is the most dangerous type of flood, it is best to contact professional assistance in order to receive proper treatment immediately. If left untreated, a home can face severe damage that will continue to get worse. SERVPRO of Inglewood is always happy to help you with any black water flooding problems that may occur in your home.

No matter the type of flood - it is imperative that a restoration company such as SERVPRO of Inglewood is called in as soon as possible. 

Tips for Preventing Water Damage this Holiday Season!

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

From our SERVPRO of Inglewood family to yours!

While some may think that you’re more likely to experience a fire in your home during the holiday season, in actuality there are many potential water damage threats that can occur. Here are some tips and prevention strategies to help ensure your holidays run smoothly (at least on our end!):

Watering your Christmas tree — Only a small amount of water is actually necessary to allow for the growth of mold. This means that a leak while watering your Christmas tree could actually be the main cause for water damage in your home during the holidays. So, how can you tell if your Christmas tree is the ‘root’ of the problem? If, after the first few days, the water pan for your tree is always empty and needs to constantly be refilled, it is possible there is a leak. Christmas trees do not need to be watered every day, and if you find yourself needing to do so, you should examine the areas around and underneath your tree for dampness and potential water damage.

Fire from your Christmas tree — Although your first reaction to a lit and smoky Christmas tree is probably understandably to ‘get water!’ you should be conscious of the risks in using it to put a fire out. Great amounts of water can invite mold into your home as the water creeps into your floors and walls. Instead, have a readily available fire extinguisher in your home to put out those festive fires.

Visiting Family and Friends — Many people travel during the holiday season! While visiting family and friends during the holidays, make sure to turn off your water if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time. Leaks from pipes are always possible, and if no one is home to notice during the holidays, water damage may occur.

Family Gatherings at Home — When gathering family around your home for the holidays, you’re not all just sharing food and conversation-- you’re also sharing the bathroom. With increased uses, flushes, and toilet paper, your plumbing may face some serious issues with backed up toilets or even clogged drains. Water damage could be a consequence of the variety of issues you may face this holiday season. These issues can become very messy very quickly, not to mention unsanitary, so be sure to address possible problems immediately to ensure you and your family are not risking any health problems.

Have a happy holiday from the team here at SERVPRO of Inglewood.

Tips for Immediate Action when Confronting Water Damage

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

Call today! (424) 223-4153

Water Damage is one of the most serious yet common occurrences people have to deal with. Damages can topple one another quickly, threatening your safety and property value if not handled appropriately. Here are important steps to follow when addressing water damage:

• Contact SERVPRO of Inglewood immediately to begin mitigation as soon as possible in order to prevent increased damage. Additionally, contact your insurance company to file a claim for water damage.
• Ensure no water is present near any electrical outlets, appliances, lamps, etc. If affected, immediately shut off any source of electricity such as electrical boxes, circuit breakers, and meter panels as to prevent any further damage or harm. 
• Protect any valuable items that may be at risk for damage, such as any laptops, televisions, photographs, important documents, or artwork by moving them to a safe and dry place. Remove any loose items from tables or floors that may be at risk for damage. 
• If possible, begin drying any items that are salvageable with fans and/or dehumidifiers. Hang rugs and other floor items to dry. This will all help diminish the growth of mold and mildew.
• Lastly turn off the main line to the house to prevent any further water damage.

When prompt action is necessary, SERVPRO of Inglewood is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies. Even delaying just a few hours can dramatically increase the probability of detrimental damage.