How Do We Dry a Water Heater Leak?

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

Flood cuts allow us to completely dry areas affected by water damage.

Many of our customers have little to no experience when it comes to mitigation.  We get many questions everyday about how we do what we do.  In an effort to pull back the curtain on our process, we’re going to detail one of our recent jobs in this blog post.

In this particular case, a water heater on the first level of a house had a major leak that pretty much affected the entire floor.  Luckily, the owners had installed water resistant floor tiles, so the floor didn’t retain any of the water.  The drywall, however, was not so lucky.  Using our moisture meters, our Production Technicians found substantial moisture readings behind the walls.  The readings were high enough to require us to make a two-foot flood cut in almost every wall. 

A flood cut removes the bottom two feet of drywall, not just to remove irreparable damage, but also to allow us to aim our air movers and dehumidifiers directly behind the wall.  When done right, this ensures all potential moisture is removed and no pesky mold forms.  Once we were able to completely dry all the walls, our Construction Team went in and replaced all the cut-out drywall and baseboards.  Then we matched the paint job, so all of the rooms looked just as they did before the leak.

Hopefully, this helps you understand some of the steps we take to mitigate your water damage.  It’s one of the many ways we make any disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Introducing the New Phoenix DryMAX BLE Dehumidifier!

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

This machine is a serious upgrade to our water mitigation services!

Always looking to leverage the latest and greatest technologies, we here at SERVPRO are proud to upgrade our water mitigation services with the new Phoenix DryMAX BLE Dehumidifier! This large category dehu weighs a mere 63 pounds, uses only 5.7 amps of power, and comes equipped with a heavy-duty condensate pump, epoxy-coated coils, superior MERV-10 filtration, and Bluetooth functionality. 

But what do all these numbers and acronyms mean for our customers?  Its light weight relative to its size allows us to set up more dehus more quickly when on-site.  Its superior energy efficiency allows us to plug in multiple units at the same time as well as reducing the noise it makes.  Last but not least, the integrated Bluetooth technology allows us to seamlessly document drying reports.

And these are just the highlights of what this machine can do.  It is a significant upgrade from the older model and we’re super excited to start utilizing it!

How We Use Thermal Imaging

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

The Flir C2 Thermal Camera helps us detect unseen moisture!

We here at SERVPRPO are always leveraging the latest, state-of-the-art technologies to improve our water mitigation process.  It’s just one of the many ways we strive to offer the very best service to our customers.  One such example is how we utilize the newest thermal imaging cameras like the Flir C2. 

By using the powerful Flir C2 Thermal Camera, we can detect unseen moisture behind walls and ceilings without having to cut out any drywall.  We can even track that moisture to its source, giving us the most accurate information on your water loss before the mitigation process even begins.  This saves time and money on unnecessary demo and ensures the precision of our work.  Rest assured, we will continue seeking out and using the industry’s top tools to enhance our customer’s experience.

Introducing The New Phoenix Focus II Air Mover!

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Our newest weapon against water damage!

We here at SERVPRO are continually researching new tools and techniques to upgrade our water mitigation process.  Constantly pushing our craft further allows us to offer our customers the very best service.  That is why we’re proud to introduce the newest addition to our water mitigation arsenal: the Phoenix Focus II Air Mover!

Using only 1.1 amps and weighing just 15 pounds, this little guy actually packs a quite a punch with 1015 CFM.  Those are just numbers though.  The bottom line is that this machine’s small footprint allows us to more efficiently dry hard to reach areas like crawlspaces, attics, and small bathrooms.  The Focus II is also stackable and easy to set up, helping us to start working on your water loss even faster without sacrificing drying power.

We are extremely excited to start utilizing the flexibility and power the Focus II offers.  And rest assured, we will continue to seek out the most innovative and state-of-the-art technology to help bring our customers the premiere service they deserve.

Alexandria's Premiere Water Damage Restoration Company

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Our team is committed to restoring our customer's water damage!

We at SERVPRO of Alexandria pride ourselves in being the premiere water mitigation company in the area.  With 24-hour emergency service, we can respond day or night to water disasters big or small.  Every second counts when it comes to water damage, so you can trust us to be the fastest professionals on-site.  Once there, our highly trained team of IIRC certified technicians will clean up any remaining water, remove unsalvageable property, and ensure the affected area is completely dry.  Our talented Construction Team can then fully restore that damaged property, making it “Like it never even happened.”  

Call Today – (703) 739-2800

We understand how stressful, and frankly scary, experiencing a water loss can be.  Whether a basement flood or a burst pipe, we are trained to guide you through this difficult time and explain every step along the way.  To help you prepare for the first step, here’s what to expect when you call our office. 

Our Dispatcher will ask you for some information such as, your name and contact information, the address of the affected home or business, the type of material affected (wood or tile flooring, etc.), any insurance you have, approximately when did the water damage occur, what caused it and if there is electricity available on-site.  These questions help us ascertain the severity of the damage, what equipment will be needed to start the mitigation process, and how many personnel are required. 
Please keep this information in mind when you call, as it will help us to dispatch to your location and start work even faster.

We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

This home's basement flooded due to heavy rains.

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

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 calling us and letting 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

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help (703)-739-2800

Signs of Water Damage in the Bathroom of Your Alexandria Virginia Home

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Peeling sealant around the tub is an early sign of water damage

How to tell if you Have Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage is surprisingly more common than many homeowners realize, and that's because most people assume water damage only happens after a major flood or storm.

Unfortunately, that isn't the case, many cases of water damage occur as a result of plumbing or erosion of water sealants/coverings as a result of frequent daily water use.

Since there isn't a major event that might trigger water damage, it's important to do a routine check of some of the most places in your house with the highest susceptibility of water damage: your bathroom, kitchen and basement.

In this article we'll cover the signs of water damage in your bathroom.

Before we start its important to remember to consult with a water damage expert when inspecting water damage and ESPECIALLY when trying to clean or repair water damaged areas.

We here at SERVPRO of Alexandria specialize in all things water damage! If you suspect you have water damage in your home or office, please, give us a call at (703) 739 - 2800 and we'll walk you through the next steps.

Sign #1: Peeling sealant around the edges of the bath tub

Peeling sealant can be both the cause as well as a sign of bathroom water damage.

An initial breach behind the sealant is made by running tub water which seeps deep into the wall causing the wood to expand This expanding wood pushes against the wall causing more sealant to peel and may even cause some of the paint to peel surrounding the tub.

Sign #2: Sunken Floors

It isn't uncommon for there to be rot wood under the flooring at the corners of a bathroom floors, especially near the tub and toilet bowl. If when you apply pressure/stand and you feel or see a lowering of the floor, there's a very good chance there is rot wood due to water damage.

Sign #3: Discoloration on the Ceiling of the Room Below the Bathroom

Discolored ceilings are a tell-tale sign that there is water damage in a structure. If you see even a subtle change in color (usually to a darker/browner hue) there's a good chance there is water damage happening from pipes in the room above the discoloration.

Sign #4: A Funny Smell

If you smell a weird, musky smell coming from your bathroom, there's a good chance there's water damage present.

The weird smell is usually mold, which happens as a result of the water damage.

These 4 signals will help you detect water damage early, but what do you do after you discover you have water damage in your home?

Call SERVPRO of Alexandria and we'll repair any damage quickly and professionally, all while providing the highest quality of customer service.

Once again, our number is (703) 739 - 2800 give us a call!

Hidden Water Damage in your Bathroom Could Amount to Thousands of Dollars in Damage if Left Untreated

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

Don't ignore any smells or indicators of water damage in your bathroom

A musty smell in your bathroom could be a sign of hidden water damage.

3 common issues are:

• Cracked shower tile
• Leaky seals at base of toilet
• Damaged or old caulking and grout

Hidden water damage could lead to extensive microbial growth that can go undetected for long periods time, and can pose several potential health effects.

SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with possible 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 - (703)739-2800ere is no standing water, there could be underlying issues, and we have the highly trained property damage professionals to assist. 

Experiencing your First Water Damage Crisis? Here's How We Can Help

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Alexandra, Faster to any Size Disaster

A fast response is the single most critical factor in restoring water-damaged materials.

When your home or commercial property has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. Our experience and scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup enable us to properly dry and restore your space.

As each and every water damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, however, the general process stays the same.

1. Contact SERVPRO of Alexandria. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.
2. Water Damage Assessment & Inspection. Recognize and stop the water source quickly. Identify the category of water damage to ensure our professionals restore your property based on industry guidelines. Survey the Extent of the Water Damage and Inspect the Premises. Move or block furniture.
3. Move-Out and Pack-Out. Begin the removal process almost immediately. Removing most of the water helps reduce drying time and helps prevent secondary water damage and mold and bacterial growth. Inspect the Carpet Pad and Carpet.
4. Drying / Dehumidification while monitoring the floor & walls of the affected areas. High-speed air movers create airflow across walls, carpets, pads, and furniture, which accelerates the evaporation of moisture.
5. Cleaning and Sanitizing, Odor Removal, and Deodorization. Sanitizing Treatments depending on the scenario. We may use antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant treatments to clean your property. We will remove and dispose of damaged materials with guidance from you and your insurance adjuster.
6. Restoration, the final step, is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If you experience water damage to your home or business, give SERVPRO of Alexandria a call (703)739-2800, we are Here To Help.

Leave it to the Professionals of your Alexandria SERVPRO to Extract Water From Your Crawl Space

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

Call 703.739.2800 today if you have standing water in your crawlspace!

What You Should Know If You Have Water in Your Crawl Space

Your home's crawl space is one of those areas you may not often think about since you likely rarely see that part of your home. However, when you have a problem with water damage in your crawl space, you realize how essential this area is to your home.

Water damage can easily occur in a crawl space, so you should look at it every few months to scan for problems. The question often remains, however, is how the water damage happens in the first place. Unless you had a major weather event or other obvious leaks, you may be puzzled to find water damage in your crawl space. Read on to learn more about water in your crawl space.

What Causes Water in the Crawl Space

Increased Humidity

Some houses have a higher level of humidity. This is often the case with older homes with broken seals or homes that need more sealant around the windows and doors. If your crawl space is not sealed, the problem is often worse.

The excess humidity in a crawl space can cause a variety of problems for your entire home, including bad air quality, water damage, or mold growth. Your crawl space can even take on a thin layer of standing water in some cases.

Broken or Leaking Pipes

If you see a large puddle of water in your crawl space, you may have an issue with one or more of your pipes. The water may be from different pipes in your home, from fresh water pipes going to your sinks and showers to used water from the toilet.

Leaking Roof

Crawl spaces are located in different areas in homes. If your crawl space is near the bottom of your home, chances are you will notice a roof leak before the water makes it to the crawl space. If your crawl space is at the top of your house as part of your attic space, you may not notice the roof leak right away.

You may also have a leak into the attic that is going down a wall and into the crawl space. You may not notice the leak right away until you see water damage to the walls. Most homeowners look for roof leaks in the ceilings as they are more noticeable. A leak into the crawl space and down the walls are not generally noticeable until they have done great damage.

If you have water damage in your crawl space, or in any area of your home, please contact us (703)739-2800

Don't Wait Until the Problem Gets Worse; SERVPRO of Alexandria Available 24/7 for your Water Restoration Needs!

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Alexandria provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Alexandria

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERPVRO of Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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 –(703)739-2800

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.

Don't Wait! Damages, costs, and safety/health concerns rise the longer you wait to call our team of experts.

Water Damage & Safety

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in your home or commercial space? Call SERVPRO of Alexandria TODAY!

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety. Electrical and “slip and fall” hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns. Water & electricity do not mix! Wires that come into contact with standing water should be immediately replaced by a professional. 

After any water damage emergency, your primary focus should be safety first:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Be sure to: 

• 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.

When your Alexandria home has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. The water removal and water cleanup process is completed by our highly-trained technicians who will document the drying process. This validates that your property has been dried properly and thoroughly.

If you encounter a water damage emergency in your home or commercial space, call (703) 739-2800 & SERVPRO of Alexandria will make it "Like it never even happened." 

Insurance Claims & Water Damage in Alexandria

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Alexandria assist in your water damage claim process!

Water damage is the second most common claims for home insurance. If you are preparing to make a claim on water damage it would help you to know what to expect. 

If you need help making an insurance claim on your water damage repairs contact us to help now!

Problem Areas:

You might run into some trouble making your claim if you are claiming a loss that was the result of gradual damage. Gradual damage is anything that happened over the course of a prolonged period of time, as opposed to an accident, or a sudden damage. Loss such as leaky ceilings due to plumbing defects, water damage caused by cracks in the foundation, and in some cases, mold fall under the category of gradual damage. These things are generally not covered by home insurance.

However, there may be some exceptions to these cases. For example, the insurance company would likely cover mold if it was resulting from another claim that was covered under insurance, but was not properly fixed, and the mold was the result.

On the other hand, if water damage is sudden and accidental you’ll probably have a much easier time getting covered for the damages. This is the true nature of insurance – to cover accidents. Of course everything is dependent upon the language of the policy that you purchased, but this is the very nature of insurance: coverage for sudden and accidental loss. A good practice for homeowners is to keep a record of all repairs and transactions for services that are made to your home.

At SERVPRO of Alexandria we are not only experts at restoring your home “Like it never even happened.” We are also experts at dealing with insurance companies. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you through the entire recovery process today!

Impact of Water Main Break in Alexandria

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Water Main Break

Water is a necessity of life but can also be a devastating force. A water main break can flood your home or office. Damage caused by water can be costly, both in terms of monetary value, and inconvenience. Such occurrences typically cause not only an interruption in service with the water supply, but also force affected people to leave the area until the structure has been repaired. That alone can take days or even weeks.

It is a good idea to allocate some resources to ensuring that your home or office is receiving routine maintenance on the plumbing system. This practice could save you thousands later on. If you have experienced this, or any other type of water damage you should contact us, along with your trusted plumbing contractor immediately. This will ensure that the problem will get fixed, both in terms of repairing the cause of the problem and cleaning up the mess. At SERVPRO® of Alexandria we are always here to help!

Emergency Water Damage Tips and Techniques

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

When Pipe Fails on Second Floor

Many of our customers have learned the hard way that water damage is a big problem. It can destroy not only your home and your finances, but also destroy the sentimental items that you can’t put a price tag on. For that reason it’s a good idea to learn what causes water damage so that you can better avoid it. But if you cannot avoid it then here are some tips on what to do if you have been victimized by it. Depending on the severity of your damage you may need to contact the local authorities, and insurance provider, but eventually they will most likely get a SERVPRO® crew out to your location to fix it up.

Safety First with Water Damage

The first concern is the safety of friends, family and you in your home or area. Common causes of injury after water damage to a structure are slip hazards, and electrical shock due to careless mistakes that might have been avoided. Essential Water Damage Info Here

On this note, don’t just go about business as usual, avoid kitchen appliances, and avoid tampering with major electrical devices that are connected to the building until authorities have deemed that it is safe to do so. This includes ceiling fans, lights, and televisions.  Water Damage Emergency Tips

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Water Damage Restoration - The SERVPRO Advantage