Recent Water Damage Posts

Frozen Pipes

2/11/2019 (Permalink)

Last week we experienced dangerously cold weather, more will be on the way, SERVPRO of Howell/Wall would like to keep you informed about the messy and possibly destructive issue of frozen pipes. This article provides information around how to prevent water pipes from freezing, how to thaw pipes should they freeze, and what to do if your pipes burst.

Why do pipes freeze?

Water expands as it freezes, this puts pressure on whatever is containing it, whether metal or plastic pipes. No matter the durability of the container, expanding water can cause pipes in your home to break. Pipes exposed to the severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, water sprinkler lines, and water supplies pipes in unheated or unfinished areas such as basements, crawlspaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are at risk for freezing.

What can I do to prevent frozen pipes?

Before the cold sets in, you can attempt to prevent freezing by:

Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines. Be sure to follow your manufacturer’s or installers directions.

Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open outside hose bibs to let water drain. Keep the outside valve open so any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.

Check around for unheated supply lines. Check the basement, crawlspace, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold pipes need to be insulated.

Consider installing products made to insulate pipes like a “pipe sleeve” or UL-listed “heat tape” or “heat cable” or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Even ¼’ of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.

What can I do during cold weather?

Keep garage door closed if there are supply lines in the garage.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer are to circulate around pluming.

Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.

If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature more than 55° F.

What can I do if I think my pipes have frozen?

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

What if my pipes burst?

When your home is being threatened by water damage from a burst pipe or any type of water damage from flooding or leaks, SERVPRO of Howell / Wall has the expertise to prevent or mitigate the devastating effects water damage can have in order to help preserve and restore your property. We have the equipment and experience necessary to handle the most challenging water damage and removal situations and are available around-the-clock. We concentrate on safely drying, deodorizing and disinfecting the areas flooded or damaged by water. When fire and water take control of your life, we help you take it back.

Contact SERVPRO of Howell/Wall Regarding Your Water Damage Emergency (732) 355-3517

Source: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm/preventing-thawing-frozen-pipes

What to do in case of frozen pipes and indoor flooding

11/26/2018 (Permalink)

Winter is Coming...and water damage from frozen pipes might occur...do you know what to do?

Weather is getting colder and the risk of frozen pipes bursting will increase.

Here are some WHAT TO DO tips while you wait for SERVPRO to arrive:

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.
Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Water Damage:

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 the television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Howell/Wall Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

9/4/2018 (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 Howell/Wall 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 – (732) 355-3517

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 of Howell / Wall 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

About SERVPRO of Howell / Wall

SERVPRO of Howell / Wall 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.

For more information on our company click here.

SERVPRO of Howell / Wall is here to take care of you – call (732) 355-3517.

Read what our customers are saying: http://www.SERVPROhowellwall.com/testimonials

When Water Damage Happens, Call SERVPRO for Service

6/23/2018 (Permalink)

If you are grappling with the aftermath of residential water damage, you want the problems resolved as quickly as possible. Keep handy our name and number handy, SERVPRO of Howell/Wall, (732) 355-3517. Our job is to provide state-of-the-art service to our customers that are in need of expert water damage restoration. And we do so with rates that won't break your budget.

What You Can Expect From a Water Damage Restoration Service

When you contact us to assess the character of your problem, we will respond by sending a team of friendly, knowledgeable service technicians and leaders to your home. We will make a full inspection and assessment of your property, making sure to note where all of the damage and future potential trouble spots lie. We find the source of the water intrusion, if not visible, for repair. We must identify the water to determine if it is contaminated (such as Black Water from a sewage backup or groundwater intrusion), to use a correct and safe extraction method. Once we have completed this initial diagnosis, we provide you with a full estimate of the cost involved. We will even help you with the insurance claims process.

How We Deal With Water Damage

Once water damage in has taken its toll, engage the path to a solution as soon as possible. This means hiring a professional cleanup and restoration service to drain all of the unwanted water out of the building. We have truck-mounted pumps and portable extractors to quickly dispatch water. Our Applied Structural Drying Technicians (ASD) can dry out your home with the additional aid of air movers and dehumidifiers, both desiccant and refrigerant. Our trained WRT-Water Damage Restoration Technicians, adhere to the cleaning standards of the IICRC. We ensure, by testing with moisture meters, infrared cameras, and hygrometers, that the affected areas are dry.

Contact Your Local Residential Water Damage Service

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall is here to be your one-stop water damage cleanup and restoration authority. For all fire, mold, and water issue, we are fully equipped and qualified to address and solve them quickly. We are locally owned and operated and can be contacted at any time of the day or night.

The most common plumbing issues

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

You depend on your plumbing each and every day, from the hot water in your shower to the water boiling on your stove. As such, it’s important to maintain your plumbing regularly to make sure there aren’t any major issues such as leaks or sewage backups. But plumbing problems can still occur with regular maintenance, so it’s good to be aware of common plumbing issues and what you can do to solve them or minimize damage to your home.

Low Water Pressure

Proper water pressure is necessary for washing your hands, cleaning dishes, and taking a shower. If you’ve noticed a significant drop in your home’s water pressure, you probably have a clogged pipe. It’s also possible that you need to fully open your shutoff valve. If you’re only having water pressure issues with one faucet, the solution may be as simple as cleaning the aerator or removing a nearby clog.

Dripping Faucet

Depending on the severity of the drip, a dripping faucet can raise your water bill and waste a significant amount of water—not to mention how annoying it can be. Luckily, fixing a dripping faucet is usually as simple as replacing seats and springs or a washer in the faucet.

Running Toilet

It happens so frequently: minutes after flushing your toilet, you can still hear the toilet running as if the bowl is filling with water. This is an incredibly annoying problem to have, but usually, an easy one to fix. Remove the lid from your toilet tank and make sure that your tank ball, flapper valve, and flush valve are working properly—if any of them are sticking or not functioning right, they’re easy to replace.

Clogged Drain

Clogged or slow drains are probably the most common plumbing problem. Plumbing pipes are designed to allow water and waste to flow through freely, but over time, built up hair, soap scum and other debris can form a clog in your drain that prevents water from passing. This is almost sure to happen in any home given enough time. You can use vinegar and baking soda to break up clogs in your sink, or you can buy a drain auger and remove the clog manually.

Sometimes the clog may be deeper in your pipes or too severe to easily remove, look into professional plumbing services; they have the equipment and expertise to clear clogged drains without causing damage to your plumbing. If you have sewage damage as a result of a clogged drain or other plumbing issues, please call SERVPRO of Howell/Wall (732) 355-3517

Leaking Pipes

Leaks aren’t just an annoyance; they can significantly increase your water bill and quickly cause damage to your home. If you have a leaking pipe that’s beyond a slow drip, shut your water off as soon as possible. If there is any chance of mold or structural damage to your home, call SERVPRO of Howell/Wall (732) 355-3517to avoid spending a fortune on repairs. Leaking pipes generally need to be replaced, but you can use marine tape or epoxy to cover small leaks temporarily—just remember to shut the water off first.

No Hot Water

Have you ever rolled out of bed and into the shower only to find there’s no hot water? It’s not a good experience. Chances are you’ve got something wrong with your water heater, most probably an electrical problem such as a thermostat or element. If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting your water heater, it’s a good idea to get help from a trained, knowledgeable professional.

Plumbing truly is an essential part of our everyday lives. We can’t all be professional plumbers, but with a little bit of research and hard work, you can stay cool, calm and collected in the face of a plumbing emergency

If you have water damage as a result of any of these or other plumbing issues, please call SERVPRO of Howell/Wall (732) 355-3517

Tips to avoid a sewage backup

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

We are your 24/7 365 restoration specialist when a sewage backup happens to you call us directly at (732) 355-3517. Here are some helpful hints to avoid this happening to you.

Never pour grease down the drain.
Grease looks like a liquid when you’re done cooking, but that’s because it’s still hot, hot, hot! As soon as grease hits your cold pipes, it cools down and becomes a solid, sticking to the pipes’ insides and trapping food residue.
Don’t flush those solids!
This includes disposable diapers, hygiene products, or any other items that do not dissolve in water. Aim for the trash can, not the toilet!
Avoid throwing wet wipes into the toilet.
Even if the label says “flushable.” They can still become stuck in your pipes, especially if there are other things already trapped down there.
Beware long hair!
Hair is a major cause of pipe blockage, so instead of watching your hair go down (or not go down) the drain in the shower, take some action! Pick up any hair gathered around your drain and throw it out into the trash.
Never throw paper towels down the toilet.
Paper towels are built for absorption and durability, so they don’t break down easily when flushed; this often ends up causing issues in your sewer line.
Keep an eye on large trees growing near your sewer lines.
Trees are known for growing roots deep into the ground and causing movements or breaks in your pipes. So, it’s important to check nearby sewer lines and have them moved or repaired before the roots take over.

Damaged wooden floors

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Wood floors look good in almost any home. But when mother nature strikes or some kind of accidents happens, your wooden floors are damaged and in some cases can be restored. Here are some facts on your hard wood floors should they become damaged by water.

How to tell if it is damaged

If there are black marks and stains along the edges of the wood and is caused by the growth of mold
If there are humps or bumps along the floor. This is caused by water damage cupping your floor making it rise

But before you call SERVPRO, it is extremely necessary that you find the cause of the loss, should it be from a water damage. Here is a picture of an example of how we can make it "Like it never even happened."

Specialty drying mats make a huge difference when attempting to save solid wood flooring after water damage. SERVPRO of Howell/Wall has this equipment on its trucks!

How to prevent water damages

3/26/2018 (Permalink)

If water damage does occur in your home, immediately call SERVPRO of Howell/Wall. SERVPRO’s teams will:

Assess damage for restorability and safety.
Determine the extent of the moisture content in effected areas.
Move and prop up furniture on blocks if necessary.
Extract the water.
Remove carpets and carpet pads if necessary.
Spray to treat germs and bacteria in contaminated areas.
Start the drying process with air movers and dehumidification equipment.
Ensure rooms are completely dry and conduct a walk through with homeowners to guarantee customer satisfaction.

Preventative maintenance is key to avoiding a possible water, mold, of fire damage loss. If you or someone you know succumbs to any type of water damage, give us a call to make your home look “Like it never even happened.” Call (732) 355-3517.

Faster to your Monmouth County Water Damage Event

8/26/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Howell/Wall and surrounding areas.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Howell/Wall 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 Howell/Wall 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 – (732) 355-3517

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 of Howell/Wall

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall 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.

Brick residents, we specialize in Water Damage Cleanup

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

You ever have a leaky pipe in your home? Unfortunately, for this Brick resident, a pipe leak in their kitchen caused severe water damage to their home. Several areas of their home were affected by this leak including their entire finished basement which consisted of ceiling tile, carpet, pad & personal belongings were affected, as were kitchen flooring & cabinets.

We started the road to recovery for this homeowner by manipulating a lot of content in the basement, and although we had to dispose of the wet carpet pad, we were successfully able to lift, dry and ultimately salvage the carpeting. Being able to salvage the carpeting was great news for the homeowner and a testament to the advanced quality of SERVPRO’s equipment and training of our crew.

There was also significant damage to the kitchen. We need to remove the laminate floor in order to dry the plywood subfloor. As with all our losses, we try to preserve and protect as much as possible and fortunately for the insured and their insurance company, we were able to clean, dry and salvage much of the content.

After using our advanced techniques and fleet of dehumidifiers and air movers, this house had a “dry” bill of health. Thank you to this homeowner for trusting SERVPRO of Howell/Wall when disaster struck and we are thrilled to have put their home well on its way to making this leaky kitchen pipe “Like it never even happened.”

Asbury Park: We Specialize in Water Damage

3/8/2017 (Permalink)

Damage to the ceiling due to water pipe burst

Recently disaster struck for one resident in Asbury Park when a pipe burst on the 3^rd floor of their home. The pipe burst caused major damage to the lower floors and over a foot of water in the basement. SERVPRO of Howell/Wall was called to begin emergency water mitigation services.

First, we accessed the damage and packed out all the salvageable items from the home and are storing them for the duration of the clean-up and rebuilding process. Unfortunately for this home owner there was a lot of personal items that could not be saved. Those items were inventoried and disposed of in multiple on site 30 yard dumpsters.

This Asbury Park home was constructed with drywall over plaster on every wall. The demolition of the water damaged walls was a extremely labor intensive and down right back breaking for the team of SERVPRO of Howell/Wall, but as always, the team was up to the task! After several days, the demolition of the water damaged first and second was complete and we could begin the next phase of this project…drying.

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall needed to use our industrial-sized drying equipment to remove the remaining moisture left behind by the breaking of this 3^rd floor pipe. We worked with the homeowner and utility company to get the power restored to the home to allow us to complete the drying process with our dehumidifiers and air movers. After several days of drying, our work was complete and the homeowner was ready to begin the rebuilding phrase.

We want to thank this homeowner for trusting SERVPRO of Howell/Wall when disaster struck and we kept our promise to make it “Like it never happened”, a promise we make to everyone who trusts us with their homes.

Large Water Loss in Wall, NJ

3/16/2016 (Permalink)

This was a portion of the flooded basement. The water seen here flowed through two stories in this house.

You never know when disaster is going to strike and here we have the victim of a broken supply line in an upstairs toilet, causing a whole house flood in Wall, NJ. Aside from a couple of bedrooms on the second floor, the entire first floor and basement were fully affected. SERVPRO of Howell/Wall was called in to clean up the aftermath. We arrived onsite within 1.5 hours of receiving the call and began our emergency services of water extraction and controlling temperature & humidity. We were onsite well into the evening, only to return the following day with more hands on deck for demo day.

With the dumpster onsite early, we began removing affected drywall, flooring, ceilings, etc.

Work was completed in under 5 days including demo & drying. The owner was thrilled to see how quickly we responded and completed the job.

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall is always available 24/7/365 to attend to needs of our local communities. We are always here to help!

Water Damage in Spring Lake, NJ

3/7/2016 (Permalink)

Removal of laminate flooring. Notice the moisture that was trapped beneath the flooring.

A toilet supply line cause this 1st floor in Spring Lake, NJ to flood. Using our moisture meters, we noticed the water wicked up the majority of the walls, requiring we cut out wet drywall and wet insulation. This photo was taken during mitigation. Notice how much moisture was trapped beneath the laminate flooring?

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall was called in to clean up this aftermath. The owner was thrilled to see how quickly we responded and completed our mitigation/drying efforts.

Frozen Pipe in Ocean, NJ

3/2/2016 (Permalink)

Close up of damaged pipe

We were called to the scene of a vacant townhome in Ocean, NJ that that was a victim of a broken pipe. Fortunately there was no furuture to be damaged, however carpet and laminate flooring was removed along with perimter cuts of drywall.

The owner was thrilled we were able to limit the damages of his loss and getting the home back to "like it never even happened"

Water Loss in Spring Lake Heights, NJ

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

This living room was one of many rooms affected by this water loss.

A broken toilet caused an extensive flood in this home in Spring Lake Heights. Water was flowing for 14 hours before the homeowner arrived in complete shock. The homeowner was advised to call SERVPRO of Howell/Wall to clean up the aftermath. After several days and countless man-hours, the house was dry and ready for reconstruction. The owner was in awe by the professionalism and prompt service provided by SERVPRO of Howell/Wall. Fortunately, this customer is well on her way to a fully restored home.

Water Damage in Wall, NJ

11/23/2015 (Permalink)

Post-Mitigation

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall was called into an emergency water loss in Wall, NJ. A slow leak in a copper pipe caused extensive water damage to our customer's gym. Our customer was very happy with our prompt and professional service. Ultimately, we made this loss "Like it never even happened."

Toilet Overflow in Marlboro

10/2/2015 (Permalink)

Drying a wet bathroom due to a toilet overflow.

SERVPRO of Howell/Wall was called into a residence in Marlboro, NJ to mitigate a water loss due to a toilet overflow. The overflow started in an upstairs bathroom and leaked down into the first floor.

After removing saturated drywall and building containment, we began our drying process. After several days of drying, our customer was pleased to see their home "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage in Freehold, NJ

10/2/2015 (Permalink)

Muddy remnants from a water main break in Freehold, NJ.

A water main break caused the lower level of this house in Freehold, NJ to flood. SERVPRO of Howell/Wall received the call from the listing agent on this property who put is in touch with the owners.

This one was a back breaker! Two layers of vinyl flooring had to be removed as well as wet drywall. After a long days work, we commenced strucutral drying. Within 3 days the house was dry and clean.

The customer was elated with the results and suggested this job would make great "before and after" photos.

Another job made to look "Like it never even happened."

Water loss in Neptune, NJ

9/22/2015 (Permalink)

Fully saturated carpet in the basement.

A faulty wall unit caused this basement to flood in Neptune, NJ. Water was literally pouring out of PVC like a garden hose. And not just clean water, but soil and other organic matter completely covered this basement. The carpet & pad were completely saturated. SERVPRO of Howell/Wall was called in to make this scene "Like it never even happened.”

We had our work cut out for us with much content to manipulate, and heavy too. We worked methodically to extract water and remove carpet & padding. We finished our emergency services later that day and had our artillery of air movers and dehumidifiers to the rest of the work drying out this basement. After 3 solid days of drying, our job was complete. The customer was very grateful for our prompt and professional service.

Yet another example of SERVPRO of Howell/Wall stepping up to the call of duty and making it "Like it never even happened!"

Toilet Overflow in Spring Lake

8/5/2015 (Permalink)

Fecal matter due to a toilet overflow.

We received a call late Sunday evening to address a toilet overflow in Spring Lake, NJ. When we arrived on site, we noticed the entire foyer, hallway, bathroom and part of the utility room covered in fecal matter, or as we say...poo poo.

We donned our full Tyvek suits and begain the dirty work of cleaning the mess. We conducted emergency water extraction and eliminated all the sewer matter and applied disinfectant throughout.

We returned the next day to remove the affected laminate flooring as well as a one foot tear out of drywall in the affected area.

With the help of a dehumidifier and a few air movers, we were able to give this home our dry seal of approval.

Our customer was relieved with our rapid response time for their emergency serivce and equally pleased with the speed and professionalism provided by SERVPRO of Howell/Wall.

Thanks for checking out our blog!

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (732) 355-3517