Minnesota Water Damage Restoration
Water Damage Restoration MN If there was a flood or major pinhole leak or broken water pipe in your home, it is likely that in addition to the water damage to the floors, the walls have been affected, too. There are instances when the water damage to the walls is apparent but oftentimes, the damage is unseen and cannot be easily detected by the average homeowner. If the flood or leak entered a room from the ground level, the floor including the carpeting, if there is any, will be covered by water which will then start to create vertical wicking in the walls. The degree of this reaction will rely on several factors such as the amount of water and how high the water level reached on the wall as well as the wall construction. Drywall is very absorbent because its core is made of gypsum and both of its sides are made of a type of paper similar to a cardboard. Because of its porosity, you can expect water to wick up on a drywall to more than two feet. Both sides of the drywall will be wet but the inside part will contain more water for the simple reason that water would not quickly evaporate from that side. Very often, signs of moisture from the inside of the wall are not visible. For a professional trained in water damage restoration, the process of restoring wet walls starts with finding out how badly the walls are damaged. There is a wide range of professional metering devices that can be used by a restoration expert to help assess water damage. Noninvasive devices are among those widely-used by experts such as a moisture meter that checks for moisture in the wall using radio waves and an infrared (IR) imaging camera that also detects moisture since a damp wall would be cooler than a dry wall. These devices are noninvasive because there is no need to create holes or do anything with the wall material. A professional water damage restoration contractor will select the structural drying equipment in a scientific method based on materials, size of the water damage area, and the class and category of the water damage. After the restoration expert has identified which walls have been water damaged, the drying process will begin aided by several types drying equipment. If the wall has no insulation, drying can be done without having to remove the baseboard or making holes in the wall. The restoration expert will use equipment called air movers to remove the molecules of water from the wall surface and allow the water to evaporate quickly. An air mover will be positioned along the wet wall for, approximately, every ten linear feet. During this process, more water is drawn to the surface of the wall as moisture evaporates from that particular surface. Another important and state-of-the art device used by water damage restoration professionals is a dehumidifier, which is installed to reduce the level of humidity in the walls and help stop the formation of mold. More than one dehumidifier may be used as necessary. A special drying system for the inner walls can also be used if the restoration expert sees it appropriate. This system involves directing air to enter the wall cavity above the sill plate by creating holes in this area. According to studies, this is the quickest and most effective way of drying water-damaged walls. In some instances, the inside or outside wall has some material or coating over it that acts like a barrier that restricts the movement of moisture in the...
Read MoreWater Damage Restoration MN | Frozen and Broken Water Pipes
Water Damage From Frozen & Broken Pipes Frozen and broken water pipes are not thought of as a catastrophe or anywhere near the same scale as a natural disaster, but damage from water is the most prevalent, yet least recognized catastrophe. In fact, frozen and broken water pipes rank No. 2 only behind hurricanes in terms of both the number of homes damaged and the amount of insurance claim costs in the U.S. In most cases, pipes break during freezing weather. As temperatures fall, water expands and causes localized pressure. When the pressure becomes too great, a break occurs. This may create a pinhole leak, hairline break or large crack. Damage from frozen and broken water pipes can be a homeowner’s nightmare. When a pipe bursts, water gushes from the pipe like a fire hydrant, turning a basement into a lake within just a few minutes. Water from frozen and broken pipes causes the most damage while people are away from home or while they’re on vacation and their home is vacant. The plumbing can rupture and water can run unnoticed for several days. Repairs of around $50,000 are common due to water’s fury. Vacant Home in Brooklyn Park MN Here is an example of a home in Brooklyn Park Minnesota. The home was vacant and the Pergo floors were water damaged. Furnace went out and fridge water filter broke and caused flooding Removed the laminate floor and dried it out Structure was completely disinfected Frozen and Broken Water Pipes are Preventable Frozen and broken water pipes are a significant cause of loss across the nation. Damage can include soaked and water damaged drywall. Wallpaper turns moldy. Kitchen cabinets warp, and carpets, floors and draperies can be ruined. Photo albums, paperwork, antiques, furniture and clothing also can be destroyed. Sometimes homes actually have to be totally gutted because mold and mildew cover every inch from floor to ceiling. Unlike hurricanes, frozen and broken water pipes are preventable. Efforts to prevent pipes from breaking in your home will save you from the nightmares of a water damage emergency and help reduce the enormous insurance claims that result. Policyholders share the financial burden of frozen and broken water pipes through increased homeowners insurance rates. Research suggests that leaky pipes and general water damage from showers is costing homeowners even more than theft or damage caused by criminals. According to the research, water damage related insurance claims cost the industry $730 million last year. This is nearly double the cost of claims for theft and burglary last year. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), break-ins and theft damage cost just $370 million in comparison. The report found that more than 370,000 people made a water leak claim last year, with the average claim just under $2,000. The average burglary claim was $1,400 last year. Obviously, preventing broken water pipes is in your best interest Tips To Prevent Frozen and Broken Pipes According to the Insurance Information Network, there are five easy things you can do to protect your home from frozen and broken water pipes: 1. Disconnect all garden hoses and other outside hose connections. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. 2. Insulate all exposed pipes located in your basement, under your home, on outside walls or in attics. For pipes with northern exposures, use heat tape according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (Improper usage may cause a fire.) 3. Set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees even when your home is vacant or unoccupied during the winter. If...
Read MoreWater Damage Restoration Plymouth MN | Broken Water Pipes
Prevent Water Damage From Broken Water Pipes Water damage or basement flooding can come from a variety of sources. There could be bad weather conditions or there could be a leaky or broken pipeline. Even a cracked foundation will result in water damage. If it was something as simple as a faucet, you can do it your self. But, it can get more complicated when a hidden pipeline is broken. Frozen, Broken Water Pipes Can Be Home Owner Nightmare Water is capable of causing extensive damage to your home property with damage to floors, ceilings, walls, rugs, furniture and other personal property. A slight 1/8-inch crack in a water pipe can release and amazing 250 gallons of water per day. Broken Water Pipes Broken Water Pipe in a home in Plymouth MN from a pinhole leak First identify the extent of the water damage by inspecting the area for stains and softness. You also want to pinpoint the source of the problem. Pipe breaks are a leading cause of flood damage. In most cases, pipes break during freezing weather. In fact, frozen and broken water pipes rank No. 2 behind hurricanes in terms of both the number of homes damaged and the amount of claim costs in the U.S. As temperatures fall, water expands and causes localized pressure. When the pressure becomes too great, a break occurs. This may create a pinhole leak, hairline break or large crack. Find That Leaking Pipe! The dripping water may be coming from quite a distance away and is certainly an indication of a much greater problem. If you know there is water leaking, but you cannot find the source yourself, then you should get professional help right away. These types of problems only get worse the longer they are left untreated. Broken Water Pipe in a home in Plymouth MN Pinhole leak in ceiling water pipe in the basement Removed wet sheet rock and insulation If the insulation is wet, remove it and dispose of properly. After being wet, most insulation is ineffective, but it will continue to hold moisture for a long time and will create high moisture conditions which will damage metal, masonry, and wood. Materials in your home that get wet from leaks, like sheet rock, wood and carpet, can not only result in expensive repairs but pose a serious health threat from mold and mildew. Do not attempt to dry sheetrock. It is impossible to completely remove mold from porous surfaces such as paper, Sheetrock (drywall) and carpet padding, so these materials should be removed and discarded. Usually, attempts to dry sheetrock after a flood have been a waste of time and effort because it is labor intensive to dry interior walls and it is not possible to dry interior walls with insulation or multiple layered sheetrock. Mold resistant sheetrock may be specified when installing replacement sheetrock. • Disinfected and dried structure Drywall Water Damage If you have a sheetrock (drywall) water damage repair job due to a leaky or broken pipe, a flood or other cause you need to give it immediate attention. If mold gets in or behind drywall, it’s a serious matter. Where there has been water damage, black mold may appear, but mold can also grow in areas that are hidden. It’s common for fungus to spread to nearby areas, such as surrounding walls, floors, carpets and ceilings. The big concerns with drywall water damage repair, is being absolutely certain that you are not overlooking the true extent of the damage. Sagging or wet drywall is easy to identify and cut away. But there...
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