Water 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...
Read MoreWater Damage Mold In Your Minnesota Home Part 2
Water Damage Mold As the weather turns cooler, one of the “fast and furious” water leaks that homeowners encounter occurs when a pipe freezes and bursts. Whether you have had a small leak in one of your pipes or a full out flood, water damage mold is nothing to be taken lightly. Mold can be very persistent and hard to get rid of and it can also be hazardous to your health. Not only that but if left unchecked, mold will ruin any surface it grows on. What Is Mold? Mold is a fungi whose job it is to decompose things. We often think of it as decomposing vegetables, bread and other foods that have been left around but when it gets into your home, mold can decompose your carpets, your drywall, your clothing, your books and any other organic surface in your home. Mold loves more sure which is why water damage mold is so common in flooded areas. Since mold spores are always present outside, it doesn’t take too much for them to get inside. All they need is a moist area, some organic material and the temperature of between two and 40°C. Needless to say, you don’t have to experience a major flood to get mold in your home. What To Do If you have mold in your home whether it’s from a flooded basement, heavy melting ice, or maybe a burst pipe, you want to assess the extent of the damage. Get into the area and see how bad the mold is. If it is excessive, you probably want to check your insurance policy to see if mold damage is covered and then call the insurance company. In many cases, hiring a mold remediation company is necessary to remove the mold safely. If you just have a minor leak at a pipe that has caused a little area of mold that you may be able to remove yourself. The first thing is to be sure of where the mold this. Remember, it can grow on wood, drywall, carpeting, fabrics and books so you want to check to make sure if any of these items around that they do not have mold on them. When removing the moldy items, you want to be sure that you seal them in a bag so that the mold spores do not become airborne and find another place to grow in your house. If it is a big job, you want to section off the entire area and be sure to have ventilation to the outside. Also, wear protective clothing when cleaning or removing mold as water damage mold can be very hazardous to your health. One of the worst outcomes of a leak or natural disaster is water damage mold. That’s because mold can be persistent, is hazardous to your health and is often difficult and costly to get rid of. It only takes mold 24 to 48 hours to grow in the right moisture conditions. Chances are, if you can’t see the mold and have a musty smell, that you have “hidden” mold. Hidden mold tends to be located in the air ducts, on the back side of dry wall, paneling or wallpaper, on the underside of carpets and pads, behind furniture, just to name a few locations. A Water Damage Restoration Expert can help you locate the water source, do the necessary testing and help you remove the mold from your home before it has an opportunity to do any further damage. Mold loves moisture and it needs an organic surface to live on. That means that...
Read MoreBuying A New Home? Look For Signs Of Water Damage
Buying a New Home? Inspect For Signs of Water Damage With so many houses on the market, there has never been a better time to buy. Whether you live in the area or not, house prices are low thanks to the plethora of foreclosures within the last few years. Sadly, when it comes to the housing market, one person’s loss is another person’s gain. But not always. While shopping for a new home or even a vacation property, it is important to know what the signs of water damage are so you can sport them long before you get into a potential buyer’s contract. Look For Signs of Water Damage Knowing what to look for during your home search can help you greatly in the long end. Not only will it give you an idea of the work that may need to be done to restore the home but it will flag the fact that the home does have problems. Too often lately, home buyers are complaining of home inspections that did not show serious water damage or mold damage problems. While home inspectors are supposed to record all findings of damage or problems to the home, some do not. When observing for signs of water damage of a potential property to buy, begin with the exterior. Start with the roof. Are there any missing or damaged shingles? Bent or damaged gutters? Is the roof collapsed in any area? Is the chimney damaged or cracked? Are any areas of the roof or directly under the roof stained or damaged? Ask your realtor for their opinion. Find out how old the roof is as well and when it might need to be replaced. Next, check all exterior walls and windows. Do you notice any collapsed walls? Are there any cracks or stepping in the walls? Are the exterior walls wet even though they should be dry? Are any windows broken or cracked? Can you notice any sign of water intrusion through any windows or window wells? Finally, look at the lawn and backyard. Are there any puddles or flooded areas? How does the ground slope” towards or away from the house? Does any of the landscaping look damaged or drowned? Again, talk to your Realtor through the process and ask questions. Regarding the interior of the home, document anything you find suspicious and make sure you check everything. Observe the walls, ceilings and floors. Are any of the surfaces wet? Can you spot any cracks? Do you see any stains? A water stain on the ceiling may point to a roof leak, however if you have water pipes in the attic these may be the issue. Look at the walls. Do you see any signs of flaking, swelling or any discoloration or yellowing? Are any of the walls soft to the touch? Is the ceiling ballooning anywhere? Can you see any visible signs of mold? While inspecting rooms, check for warped or damaged wood. For example, check hardwood floors, baseboards and cupboards. If you see any warping or bucking in the hardwood floors, it is most likely a sign of water damage. Look closely for molds on wood. If there is carpet, check for stains or areas of wetness. Check inside cupboards for water stains. Water stains in the bottom of your cabinets can be a product of a leak in your sink pipes. In the kitchen, check to see if there is an exhaust fan: does it work? Also, check the bathrooms: do they have fans and do they work? In both kitchens and bathrooms, test fixtures to see...
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