3 Reasons To Worry About Water In Your Crawlspace

3/18/2023 (Permalink)

If you have water in your crawlspace, give SERVPRO a call to help prevent secondary damages.

When it comes to the home, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. You might have bad wiring or foundation issues that need fixing, and sometimes those problems can be hidden away. But what about when something goes wrong with your crawlspace? What is a crawlspace anyway? And why should you worry about water in your crawlspace? Let's take a look at these questions.

What is a crawlspace and what is its purpose?

When you think of a crawlspace, you probably picture an enclosed space with dirt floors and lots of spiders. In reality, it's more like a small unfinished basement: there are no windows or even doors that lead outside.

A crawlspace is a space below the main floor of a building and exists to create a buffer between your home and the wet earth below. They're usually not insulated and can be damp, dirty, and very unappealing. There are several reasons why you should worry about water in your crawlspace:

• It can cause mold and mildew growth
• It can damage the foundation of your home
• It can cause damage to the structural support beams

Water damage from leaks or flooding can cause structural damage as well as foundational problems that may not be visible until later on. This means that if you ignore a leak in your home for too long, you could end up with major problems down the line when everything starts crumbling around you!

3 reasons to never ignore a crawlspace leak

You might not be able to see it, but water damage could be happening in your crawlspace. If you have a crawlspace that's not properly insulated and ventilated, moisture can build up in the air and eventually cause a wide array of problems. Three of the most common issues seen after a crawl space water loss include:

1. Mold and mildew begin to grow and spread.
2. The structural wood beams in your home could begin to rot.
3. The foundation of your home could experience significant damage.

All of these causes could mean problems for your house's stability! It's important to know that it is an easy fix. If you notice any signs of water damage in your crawlspace (like discoloration or mold), call us right away so we can get out there ASAP with our crawlspace repair services before it gets worse!

Water in the crawlspace should be carefully monitored

Water in the crawlspace can be problematic and should be carefully monitored. If you see water in your crawlspace, it's important to understand how it can affect your home and why it's important to address the issue immediately.

The crawlspace is a part of your home that you should take care to protect, especially if it is prone to leaks. The best way to do this is by monitoring the water level in your crawlspace and taking action when necessary. If you notice any signs of leaking or flooding, contact our SERVPRO of Punta Gorda team immediately!

Is your faucet leaking?

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

A leaky faucet can result in water damage.

There are few things worse than a leaky faucet. It's like a dripping faucet that just never stops! But did you know that it's often possible to fix a leaky faucet yourself? All you need is the right tools, some patience and persistence, and most importantly, the will to do it yourself.

Turn off the water to the faucet.

You should turn off the water to your faucet at the main valve. If you are not sure where this is, or if it's too hard for you to reach, call a plumber. Once the water is off remove the handles and screws to access the correct part of the handle that may need to be tighten to prevent further leaking

Remove and replace worn washers.

It may be that there is other parts of the faucet that are faulty. Remove the faucet stem and handle, then loosen or unscrew the nut that holds in place whatever device is keeping your faucet from turning on its base. Once you've done this, take out the old worn washer using needle nose pliers or tweezers. Replace it with a new one that is made of stainless steel (not copper) and fits snugly into place over its O-ring seal.

Tighten loose stem packing nuts.

To tighten loose stem packing nuts, you'll need to remove the faucet handle. On most models, this is done by turning a screw below the handle with an Allen wrench. Once you've removed it, take a look at how far apart your stems are from each other--if they're not very far apart at all (less than 1/2 inch), then it's likely that there's not enough pressure in your pipes for water to flow through them properly. The solution here is simple.

Replace damaged parts.

If you've tried to fix your leaky faucet and it still leaks, then you probably need to replace the faucet. You can find new replacement faucets at any hardware or home improvement store.

If you don't want to buy a whole new faucet, but just want to replace one part of the existing unit (like the sprayer), then look for parts online or at your local hardware store.

If you have a leaky faucet, it's likely that the problem can be fixed without replacing the entire unit. In fact, many times it's easier and cheaper to repair than replace.

If your faucet is dripping or leaking around its base, then this is usually an easy fix. simply tighten up the screws holding everything together. If your handles are loose or popping off when you turn them on or off, then simply tighten up those screws as well. If you continue to have a leaking faucet, give the professionals a call. They have the experience to replace your faulty product and restore it back to normal conditions.

Things to check for in the Wake of a Natural Disaster

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

When a disaster strikes in your North Ft. Myers home, give SERVPRO a call for cleanup!

After a natural disaster strikes, it's important to stay safe and assess the damage. If a flood or natural disaster has damaged your home or property, there are a few things you should do right away. Assess the damage and call a restoration company immediately to help reduce cost and secondary damages.

Check for Damage to your Home

First thing you want to check is structural damage. If you notice that your home has sustained any damage, make sure to call a restoration company immediately. The sooner you discover the issue, the better it will be to mitigate any further damage and receive compensation for repairs.

Check for gas leaks. In the wake of a natural disaster, there is a chance that gas lines could have been damaged or severed by falling trees or other debris. If this happens to be the case in your home, turn off all appliances that use natural gas immediately and contact local authorities before attempting to repair them yourself as they may still be live with leaking fuels inside them.

Exterior of Home

Check the exterior of your home. Make sure doors and windows are still secure after heavy winds have passed through the area. This is important to ensure intruders can do access the property if needs to be left unattended.

Look around your house for signs of water damage. Check electrical outlets and power strips for sparks (an indicator of a possible electrical fault). Assess whether there is any flooding in basements or crawlspaces if possible. Check drains/sewers for blockages, to ensure there is no water backing up into your home. Look around foundation, it's common after major flooding events like hurricanes that flood waters can enter your home through ground level windows and doors.

Have a Emergency Plan

In case of emergency, ensure your family knows the emergency preparedness plan incase you have to evaluate the property. Have a safe spot to meet within the property, and if in need of emergency call 911 to ensure quick response to recover all persons.

Check the safety of Food and Water

If your home is damaged and you have been gone for an extended amount of time, it is important to check your safety of the food and water left behind. Check the expiration date on your food, temperature of your refrigerator and freezer, temperature of your water heater before using again and check the drinking water before consuming.

It’s important to look out for these things after a storm, so that you can take care of any issues right away. The more damage you find now, the less you’ll have to deal with later on when everything resumes normal operations. Give the professionals at SERVPRO of North Fort Myers a call at the first sign of water damage after a storm or natural disaster.

How to avoid Water Damage in your Home

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

Remember to have a backup sump pump in your Cleveland, FL home.

How to Avoid Water Damage in your Home

Water damage is one of the most common and costly home repairs, so it's important to know how to prevent it. Water damage can happen in any room of your house, from the basement to the attic. In this article, we'll look at some of the most common sources of water damage and how to protect against them.

Check your roof.

The roof is the most common source of water damage in a home, so it's important to check for leaks and make repairs if necessary. Look for signs of damage, such as:

• Missing or damaged shingles
• Missing or damaged flashing (metal pieces that protect the edges of your roof)
• Damaged gutters or downspouts
• Soffit (the material that covers the underside of your eaves) or fascia (the flat surface overhanging your windows)

Keep an eye on your sump pump.

Sump pumps are small units installed in your basement to collect water, and they’re powered by electricity. But if they fail, or if debris gets sucked into the system, they can cause major problems — even flooding your Cleveland, FL home.

You should have a backup sump pump that isn’t as susceptible to damage as others because it’s not running all day long (you should only run this during heavy rains). It will also be easier for you to maintain since it doesn’t need constant cleaning and repair due to debris build-up. And if there's ever an issue with your primary pump (like when it fails), having a backup will prevent any potential damage from occurring until repairs can be made.

You should have an inspection done every few years on both types of pumps: primary and backup.

Protect your walls.

The best way to protect your walls from water damage is by using a moisture meter. You may have heard of these before, but what are they and how can they help you avoid water damage?

A moisture meter is an instrument used to measure the amount of moisture in your home’s walls and floors. By finding out where the moisture is coming from and how much water damage has occurred, you can determine whether renovating or repairing existing structures in your home will prevent future problems with mold growth or other types of rot.

This tool will allow you to identify areas that need attention so that they don’t cause further damage or illness as time goes on. A professional technician would be able to use this information when planning repairs or renovations.

Inspect the outside of your home.

• Inspect the outside of your home. A leaky roof or foundation can lead to mold, which will cause considerable damage if left unchecked. Look for water damage on the exterior walls and check gutters and downspouts for clogs — if there are any, clear them out so that water can flow freely away from your home.
• Repair any leaks in windows or doors quickly; this will keep water from seeping into your walls as well as prevent mold growth inside your house.

Be aware of appliances.

There are several things you can do to avoid water damage in your home. First, be aware of appliances. Here are some ways that appliances can cause water damage:

• Overloading outlets with too many devices. If you overload an outlet, the circuit breaker will trip or the fuse will blow and stop power from reaching the circuit. This can cause damage to the appliance and result in a fire hazard.
• Leaving appliances on when not in use (like a dishwasher). Appliances like washing machines can leak if they're left running for too long without being emptied or unplugged first. Be sure to turn off any unused appliances before leaving homes for extended periods of time.

Check your pipes.

When you check your pipes, look for leaks. If you find one, be sure to turn off the water supply before attempting repairs. If you don't know how to do this, call a professional plumber — the last thing you want is for the leak to get worse while your doors are open and exposed.

Next, check if any of your old pipes need replacing. You can tell if this is necessary when they're corroded or leaking. If so, make sure to use copper pipes rather than PVC or lead ones: copper won’t corrode as easily over time and will keep your home safer from flooding caused by broken plumbing systems during storms.

Clean up spills quickly.

• Clean up spills quickly. You should mop up small messes as soon as possible to avoid any damage from mold or mildew. If you have hardwood floors, vacuum them immediately with a soft brush attachment to get rid of dust, dirt and sand that can scratch your flooring over time.
• Protect electronic devices. It's best to keep your electronic devices off when it rains because they are more susceptible to water damage in wet conditions; however, if you do need to use them during a storm, make sure they're plugged in, so you don't have any power surges during weather events!
• Check gutters regularly for clogging debris such as leaves or branches that could result in flooding inside your home if left unchecked over time due to clogged gutters overflowing onto sidewalks/driveways below neighbors' homes who may not be able to see this happening until too late.

Knowing how to prevent water damage is half the battle.

Water damage is not only unpleasant to deal with, but it can also be expensive to repair. This is especially true if you have a basement or crawlspace and experience flooding during heavy rainstorms. If you know how to prevent water damage in your home, you can save yourself from having to pay for repairs down the road. The first thing that needs doing before any type of water damage occurs is making sure all appliances are working properly and are turned off when not in use. You should also keep an eye on those faucets and make sure they aren't leaking anywhere in the house by checking them regularly for drips or leaks.

If you do discover any leaks or drips around your house, try fixing them immediately instead of waiting until later because this will reduce the chance of bigger problems occurring later down the road

Water damage is a common problem, and it can be difficult to avoid if you aren’t prepared. But by following these tips and getting to know your Cleveland, FL home better, you’ll have a much better chance of stopping water damage before it happens. If you have water damage call SERVPRO of North Fort Myers, we are here to help!

How does smoke damage affect your property's contents?

12/22/2022 (Permalink)

If you have Smoke damage call SERVPRO of North Fort Myers.

How Does Smoke Damage Affect Your Property's Contents?

If you've ever had a fire in your Cleveland, FL home, you know how devastating it can be. But did you know that the smoke damage from a fire can do more than just destroy your walls and ceiling? Smoke can also affect the contents of a home after a fire — items like furniture, drapery, and carpeting.

What exactly happens when smoke damages the contents of a home after a fire?

Smoke damage is caused by the burning of materials, and smoke can cause a fire to smolder for days, even after it has been extinguished. Smoke damage will likely be the first thing that you notice about the contents in your home that's been affected by the fire.

The most obvious symptom of smoke damage is discoloration — colors may fade or change entirely. This can happen to any object that contains dyes or fabrics: clothing, upholstery, and carpets all tend to become discolored after a fire. Smoke may also cause objects' surfaces to become brittle or flaky; they might even disintegrate entirely in extreme cases.

Smoke damage to the contents of a home in Cleveland, FL can be devastating.

When you think about it, smoke is just soot and tar, which means it can easily be transferred from one item to another. In addition to being toxic and odorous, inhaling smoke particles has been shown to contribute to heart disease and other health problems.

Smoke will create an odor that can be difficult to remove from porous surfaces such as carpets, upholstery, and drapes.

The smell of smoke will often linger in the air for a long time after the fire has been extinguished and sometimes even months after the fire has occurred. Smoke contains many chemicals that are harmful if inhaled, therefore it is important to eliminate any lingering odors caused by this chemical contamination before attempting to clean any damaged items or furniture.

The best way to salvage contents after a fire is to quickly contact a company like SERVPRO of North Fort Myers for help with any fire and smoke damage cleanup.

We will ensure that your items are properly cleaned and restored, rather than being left to deteriorate as they sit in their contaminated state.

You should also avoid using vacuums or steam cleaners on these items (or any other electronics), as these devices can spread dust particles around even further into crevices where they may not have been previously visible.

There are a few things to know about smoke damage and how it can affect your property's furnishings.

Smoke damage can be a serious problem for homeowners, especially if you've never experienced it before. The smoke can affect the contents of your home, causing damage that's difficult to detect and even more difficult to repair. While some smoke damage may be obvious, like when a nearby fire has left behind soot and ash, other types of smoke damage are much more subtle.

If you have experienced a fire and need help with smoke damage cleanup, we can assist. At SERVPRO of North Fort Myers, we provide the highest level of service when it comes to clean-up after fires or other types of disasters. Contact us today for more information about our services or to schedule an appointment for your property.

My Basement Flooded - What Will Insurance Cover?

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

If a sump pump failure caused the flood, your homeowner's insurance may cover it.

If My Basement Floods, Will Insurance Pay?

When you're dealing with a flooded basement, the last thing you want to do is call your insurance company and find out that they won't cover it. Flooding can be an expensive problem without any help from your insurer. So how do you find out what your policy covers?

If you don't have flood insurance, your home insurance likely won't cover it.

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding because the damage is caused by a gradual process that's not covered under most policies. However, if your home becomes flooded due to a sudden and accidental event—like an overflowing bathtub or burst pipe—your homeowners’ policy will pay for repairs up to its limit. This may be less than the cost of repair work required after a major storm or hurricane passes through an area and causes widespread flooding, which can cause significant property damage before moving on elsewhere.

If a sewer line backup caused the flood, your homeowner's insurance may cover it.

The key word here is "may."

A sewer line backup is considered an "insured peril" under most homeowner's policies, which means that if the cause of the flooding was not your fault and it occurred due to a covered incident (like rain or wind), then you should be able to file a claim for damages. However, this does not mean that your insurance will pay for all those costs; rather, the policy will reimburse you for certain expenses related to the damage caused by the flood.

If a sump pump failure caused the flood, your homeowner's insurance may cover it.

Sump pumps are designed to pump water away from the house and into a nearby drainage system or dry well. Sump pumps can fail for several reasons:

• They may be clogged with dirt or other debris.
• The battery may have worn out or died.
• The motor of the sump pump might overheat and burn out.

If your sump pump failed because of any one of these problems, then you could be covered by your homeowner's insurance policy for damages related to flooding—but only if it was caused by circumstances beyond your control. To receive coverage from this type of damage, however, there are some important factors that must apply.

Your home insurance might cover some of the cost of removing flood water and cleaning and restoring the damaged area.

How much coverage depends on your policy, but many plans will pay for a portion of these costs if you meet certain criteria. For example, if you have a claim for a fire in your basement that was caused by faulty wiring, your insurance company may pay to have the water-damaged walls torn out and replaced with new drywall. But if you’re claiming damage from an overflowing toilet or washing machine overflow, they may not cover it under standard policies. If your home has been significantly damaged or destroyed by flooding, it could be worth buying extra protection through flood insurance if you don't already have it.

If you've had a sewer line backup or sump pump failure, your insurance may cover the damage. If you're unsure about what to do next, speak with an insurance professional who can help you file a claim.

Tips On How To Clean Your Electronics After a Fire

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning your electronics after a fire can be very difficult and, in many cases, requires professional help.

Tips On How To Clean Your Electronics After a Fire

A fire doesn’t discriminate, it will damage everything in its path, including your electronics. After a fire, what you should do is remove any electronics that may have been damaged by heat or smoke. This includes anything from computers to cell phones, laptops, and tablets. A device that has been exposed to extreme heat can become damaged internally as well as on the outside. Even if your equipment isn't showing signs of being affected by the fire (such as no visible burn marks or smoke damage), you should clean it with anti-corrosive agents before using it again. Here are a few tips on how to clean your electronics after a fire.

The first step to cleaning electronics after any fire is to dry them out.

Although there are many ways to dry out electronics, we recommend that the first step is to use a hair dryer in the lowest setting. Avoid using vacuums and heat guns as both can damage your electronics. You also don’t want to put them in an oven as this could damage sensitive components inside of them.

Using a soft brush, clean the outside of your equipment and remove soot.

Using a soft brush or non-abrasive cloth, gently clean the outside of your equipment. Do not use water or harsh chemicals. Be careful not to use electronic equipment with damaged circuitry. Remove any protective casing and covers from the damaged equipment before cleaning it so that you can get into all areas of the device more easily.

Use an anti-corrosive solution to clean the electrical parts while they are still wet.

After the fire, you should clean all the electrical parts using an anti-corrosive solution. This will prevent any corrosion from occurring in the future. The best way to clean these parts is by using a cotton swab dipped in a non-corrosive agent such as detergent or vinegar and baking soda solutions.

Clean the exposed circuit board, memory card, and drive heads.

Clean the exposed circuit board, memory card, and drive heads with a cotton swab dipped in a non-corrosive agent. You can use isopropyl alcohol or distilled water to wipe the surfaces, but make sure not to touch any components with your bare hands. Use a cotton swab, not a cotton ball; it will be easier to properly clean the small areas you need to reach without damaging them.

If you have experienced a fire in your home or business, we hope that this post has been helpful. Cleaning your electronics after a fire can be very difficult and, in many cases, requires professional help. If you are in need of fire damage cleanup and restoration services, including electronics cleaning, don’t hesitate and reach out to our SERVPRO of Pflugerville team today!

Please contact us if you have any questions about what to do after a fire or how our cleaning services could help.

3 Reasons Black Mold Keeps Invading Your Home

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold remediation in Bayshore, FL.

If you found black mold growing in your home in Bayshore, FL, and thought you had it taken care of with proper mold cleanup, you may be upset to find the fungus invading your home again. You can never remove all the mold from your home, but there are several reasons that infestations might keep returning after cleanup.

You Don't Prevent the Spread

Microscopic mold spores can get into the air during the cleanup process and spread to nearby areas, where they can settle and start to multiply again. There are steps that should be taken to help stop mold from spreading during the cleaning process:

• Installing physical barriers
• Using air filtration systems
• Turning off fans, air conditioners, and heating units

You Leave Mold on Porous Surfaces

With insufficient cleaning, black mold may be left on porous surfaces where it will start to grow again. Materials such as drywall and carpeting should be removed and disposed of properly. Decorative items such as furniture or curtains might also need to be thrown out or thoroughly cleaned. Professional mold remediation using antifungal and antimicrobial treatments should be applied to any infested areas that can’t be completely removed from the home.

You Don't Stop the Source of Moisture

It is important to find and remove or repair the source of moisture creating a damp environment that encourages mold growth. Mold spores naturally exist in the air, and when they are exposed to moisture, they can quickly multiply. Excess moisture can be coming from a water leak or simply from high indoor humidity levels. A mold infestation is likely to keep returning if steps are not taken to locate and cut off the moisture source.

It is always important to have any visible black mold in your home properly cleaned, but it is just as important that these mold remediation procedures are also used to stop the mold from returning and spreading.

How To Fix a Wet Crawl Space: 6 Things You Need To Do

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

No one wants to deal with a wet crawl space in their home.

Six Things That Need To Happen

When there is flooding under your home in North Fort Myers, FL, it can lead to costly and exhausting problems down the road. To prevent mold and other types of damage, you should act soon as you notice a wet crawl space. If you are unsure where to begin, a flood remediation expert can offer professional assistance. Regardless of who does the work, here are six things that need to happen.

1. Protect the Floors Inside Your Home

If the only way to access your crawl space is through the interior of your home, make sure you cover the floors to protect them from any damages that may occur during the work.

2. Identify Water Source

With the help of some reliable work clothes and a flashlight, someone needs to crawl around the wet crawl space to identify where the water is coming from.

3. Dig and Fill a Trench

Next, it is time to start digging. Dig a trench around the entire foundation of your home, with about 1 to 2 feet of spacing between the foundation and the trench. Fill the trench with gravel.

4. Invest in a GFCI Outlet

Do not forget about safety. If you are not particularly handy, this may be another job for a professional, but you need to ensure the space under your house is safe with a protected GFCI power source. Always remember: Electricity and water do not mix.

5. Install a Sump Pump

After prepping the area for the work, water removal is next on the list. Typically, people install a sump pump to do this.

6. Air Things Out

Finally, you want to make sure you install better ventilation. This can help you prevent mold in the future by keeping everything dry.

No one wants to deal with a wet crawl space, but sometimes having one is an inevitable part of seasonal changes or severe weather. Knowing what to do when it happens can help you keep your home protected.

Property Management: Preparing for the Worst-Case Scenario

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Damaged business by a flood

Planning For the Worst-Case Scenario in Property Management

Storm preparedness and emergency planning are both tools in the property managers arsenal. These tools can be the difference between maintained business operations or complete shutdown. The four points below can guide you through the steps and the significance of emergency preparation.

1. Preplan for Disaster

As an owner or a manager, you may find that a significant part of property management revolves around employee safety and disaster prevention. Businesses require this type of preparation to help ensure business continuity; therefore, you will likely want to accumulate a list of contacts and operational procedures in case of an emergency.

2. Prepare an Emergency Checklist

Storm preparedness can be as simple as creating an emergency checklist for employees and clients. You can post this checklist around the property and make sure that every employee has a copy, ensuring that everyone will know what to do during an emergency. These lists should include maps to exits and shelter areas along with an action plan.

3. Practice Emergency Procedures Regularly

While the creation of preparation materials and checklists are a good starting point, these tools are nothing without regular practice and guidance. Many municipalities suggest performing monthly emergency walk-throughs and safety meetings. These monthly meetings will allow employees to ask questions and practice the developed safety routines while allowing management to rectify any potential concerns before a legitimate emergency.

4. Consider Restoration Specialists

When you think of the term restoration specialists, you may not immediately think of emergency preparations, but some restoration companies in Punta Gorda, FL, provide a form of emergency planning for businesses. These companies may offer property evaluations to help pinpoint safety concerns as well as offer custom plans for your business in the event of an emergency or disaster.

An essential aspect of most business planning is storm preparedness, but it goes beyond the installation of storm shutters and backflow valves.

Storm readiness means preparing for emergencies, not only from a business operations perspective but a safety perspective as well. Creating procedures and checklists as well as performing monthly meetings can all benefit your business and employees, ensuring that everyone and everything is prepared in emergent situations.