5 Things You Must Do When A Pipe Bursts

1/23/2023 (Permalink)

When a pipe bursts, you need to act quickly and accurately in order to avoid further damage or costly repairs. The following steps will help guide you through the process of repairing your burst pipe and restoring your home back to normal.

Step 1: Turn off the water supply.

The first step to take after a pipe burst is to shut off the water supply in your home. This prevents any more water from leaking out and causing further damage to your home or business.

Turn off the main valve in your home that controls the main water line. If you can't do this, turn off any valves close to where the pipe burst occurred. If you cannot find the water valves in your home, contact a professional immediately; they will be able to turn off both hot and cold water pipes as soon as possible.

Step 2: Turn off the power source.

Once you have turned off the water supply, turn off the power source to the entire house. If you don’t know how to turn off your home’s main breaker or fuse box, call an electrician. Doing so will prevent any damage to sockets, circuits, or breaker boxes. This can also prevent injury to people present on your property.

Step 3: Locate the burst pipe.

The next step is to locate the affected pipe. If you have been fortunate enough to witness your burst pipe firsthand, you should be able to easily locate it by looking for wet spots or stains on the floor.

If you do not see any evidence of a burst pipe and are experiencing water damage in your home, there might be one hidden somewhere. Check for signs of water coming out of a wall, ceiling, or basement/attic. Also, look out for water stains on the drywall in your home.

Step 4: Call a professional for water cleanup and restoration.

When it comes to water damage, a professional has the knowledge, expertise, and equipment necessary to restore your property. They will be able to clean up the mess and repair any damage caused by a burst pipe.

Step 5: File an insurance claim.

Next, you need to make a claim with your insurance company. Make sure you document all the damage by taking photos and gathering any other documents related to your claim. When you work with a company like SERVPRO of Highlands Ranch/NW Douglas County, they can take care of the entire claims process for you. This can be a huge relief as you are dealing with the aftermath of a pipe burst.

Breaking down the steps can help you stay calm and focused.

When dealing with an emergency like a burst pipe, it's easy to get overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety, stress, and frustration. However, if you can remain objective and follow these basic steps, your loss will be taken care of in no time.

It’s important to remember that a burst pipe can cause a lot of damage, and you don’t want to be stuck cleaning up the mess on your own. If you notice leaks or other signs of water damage in your home, contact SERVPRO professionals immediately.

How To Detect Mold In Air Ducts

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

Mold Growth In Air Ducts

When you smell a moldy odor while running air conditioning or heating at a commercial building in Castle Rock, CO, you may need to arrange for mold testing, remediation, and HVAC cleaning. A powerful mold smell in other areas of the structure could indicate a larger problem. Ductwork transports mold spores throughout a building and leads to more extensive infestations. Find out how mold cleanup specialists identify whether mold is growing in air ducts.

Check for Visible Growth
Visible signs of mold growth may be evident in or around air vents or registers. Mold may also grow in an air conditioning unit on any of the following components:

• Drain pan
• Condensation line
• Evaporator coil
  
  

If you are not familiar with the workings of a commercial air conditioner, contact an HVAC company to determine whether the unit or air ducts require cleaning. Specialists have the equipment necessary to confirm whether mold is present.

Investigate Moldy Odors
A moldy odor is often the first indication of hidden mold. If mold is growing in ducts, this odor may be stronger while the A/C is running. A thorough property inspection may be necessary prior to HVAC cleaning. Mold spores can recontaminate a structure if the underlying problem is not resolved prior to cleaning vents.

Arrange for Mold Testing
Do-it-yourself mold tests cannot reliably determine whether mold is present in a commercial building. A professional assessment that involves gathering samples can identify which mold species are growing and inform remediation measures.
If you do not see mold in a commercial building, it may be necessary to arrange for professional mold testing. Lab analysis of air, surface or batch samples can determine which species of mold is growing in a structure in Castle Rock, CO. If you know that mold is present, consider waiting until remediation and HVAC cleaning are complete to schedule a post-remediation verification survey.

The 3 Categories of Water Damage: What You Need To Know

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

The Categories of Water Damage

Water damage in Heritage Hills, CO can be devastating. Not only does your property get wet, but it may be permanently destroyed if the damage is done by contaminated water. Insurance companies categorize types of damage based on the contamination level and the extent of the water exposure. These are the categories of water damage that, as a homeowner, you need to know about.

1. Category 1

This is the type of water damage that is done by clean water, usually from sources such as a water heater, toilet tank, or supply line. This category of damage, depending on the scale, is typically the easiest to deal with. It may only require minor extraction to clean. Larger issues arise if the area was flooded for a long period of time.

2. Category 2

Category two water damage is done by slightly contaminated water commonly referred to as grey water. Sources of this type of damage include things such as broken drain pipes from sinks or leaky dishwashers. Cleaning and disinfecting may be required to repair this type of damage.

3. Category 3

This is the worst kind of water damage a homeowner can deal with. Category three includes damage done by water that has been contaminated with bacteria. This water, called black water, typically comes from things such as sewer backups, river floods, and toilet overflows. Damage done in this category may require extensive cleanup and, in some cases, major repairs.

On top of the three categories of water damage, insurance companies also classify the level of destruction from class one to class four. Class one is the lowest level of damage and class four is the largest.

Understanding the different types of water damage in Heritage Hills, CO is important if you’re a homeowner. If your property has been damaged by contaminated water, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to assist you.

Choosing a Large Loss Response Company

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

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Choosing a Large Loss Response Company

If your business experiences catastrophic loss, you need to choose the right company to handle the situation. There are a few things that you need to look for when deciding on a company. Here are some different things to look for when choosing a large loss response company.

Look for a Company That Can Handle the Job
Catastrophic loss requires the best disaster restoration company in Beverly Hills, CO. Only top-notch professionals can respond to the largest losses. These companies have special supervisors trained to handle the operation, ensure seamless communication, and keep the mitigation on track. These companies also have trained technicians who specialize in different areas of commercial restoration. By putting together a team like this, you will be in professional hands and have fewer unexpected costs associated with a smaller company trying to perform this work. Some businesses that should look for a larger company include:

• Hospitality businesses
  
• Apartments or other commercial properties
  
• Universities
  
• Government buildings
  
  

Check Out Their Past Clients
Whether you are dealing with hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, or flooding, it is crucial to make sure the company you choose has experience. Once you find a company that can handle a large loss situation, you need to research them. Check out the company's background in the industry. Look at their past clients and see if any compare to the size of your company. Also, make sure some catastrophic loss situations match yours. Whether you have wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or blizzards, look for a comparable situation so that you know they have the experience necessary to handle your disaster.
When dealing with storm damage and large losses in a commercial setting, it is important to find a restoration company that can handle your situation. To find the right company, look for one with experience with your type and size of disaster, so you know they have the relevant experience necessary to get the job done.

How Can Homeowners Assess Mold Damage?

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

What Is the Best Way for Homeowners to Evaluate Mold Damage?

A complete mold assessment involves determining the type of mold and extent of growth. Accurate analysis can be difficult and risky for non-professionals. Here are a few measures homeowners can take in preparation for an expert assessment.

Look for Visible Mold

Homeowners can look for signs of visible mold. Do not attempt to find mold hidden in places where colonies may be disturbed by a search:

• Behind wallpaper
  
• In wall cavities
  
• Under carpet
  
  

A musty odor may indicate the presence of hidden mold. This odor originates with microbial volatile organic compounds, which are off-gases released during the fungal growth cycle.

Schedule Testing

An environmental hygienist or mold specialist can contribute to an accurate mold assessment. Experts may take air or spore samples for lab analysis to determine which types of mold are present, such as black mold or more than 100,000 other species.

Identify the Cause

Mold and mildew thrive where moisture is present. A homeowner can try to identify the source, which may involve one or more of the following factors:

• Leaky pipes
  
• A roof leak
  
• Other water damage
  
  

Mold is a common type of secondary damage that results when water damage is not properly mitigated. It is important to remove standing water and residual moisture to prevent fungi from starting to grow.

Determine the Extent

Mold remediation experts can determine the extent of an infestation. A minor mold problem covers less than 10 square feet and is accessible without opening large sections of closed surfaces. Major problems affect larger areas and may involve hidden mold or black mold.

Minor mold growth can cost over $1,000 to remediate, while major damage can range up to tens of thousands of dollars. A mold assessment may impact a homeowner's ability to file an insurance claim or pay for remediation that will resolve a mold problem at a residence in Castle Rock, CO.