Flooded Basement? Water Damage? Broken Pipe? | Water Damage MN
Steps You Must Take NOW To Prevent Further Damage! Restoring your home or business after water damage is a frustrating experience. Fortunately, natural disasters don’t occur every day, and hopefully you’ll never have to deal with water damage from rising water or flooding. However, simple plumbing leaks or overflows, broken or burst pipes and sewer or septic backups are far more common. While dealing with water damage may seem fairly simple (mop or wet vacuum; fans used to promote evaporation), unfortunately, this fails to consider the degree to which water can penetrate into structural cavities and assemblies, creating trapped pockets of saturation. Too late, property owners become aware of the on-going effect of this trapped water on structural and contents materials, which may include: discoloration, warping, splitting, delamination, and musty odor and mold growth. Don’t Gamble with Your Home and Family’s Health! If a pipe, water heater or appliance is broken and leaking, locate shutoff valve and shut off water to house. This will prevent more water entering the house. AVOID HAZARDS! Be extremely careful of the deadly combination of water and electricity. Also, be cautious of slippery wet carpets and floors. Stay away from Raw Sewage backups, which contain nasty bacteria and can be harmful to your health. CALL 612-331-4454 for 24 Hour Emergency Services, from our IICRC Certified Water Damage experts. We’ll get your home clean and dry as fast as possible, to return your life to normal! Prevent Damage – Wood furniture will leave permanent stains in carpet, so move it to an unaffected area if possible, or put foil under the legs until we arrive! Fixing Water Damage NOW Prevents Mold Problems Later! Water Damage Restoration is a complex process. An inexperienced company that rushes through the job can cause more harm than good by drying the surface of your structure while leaving moisture trapped inside the walls and floors. This can lead to microbial growth that can adversely affect your health and that of your family. Done Right has the right equipment to dry any structure, and years of experience in Water Damage, Flood Cleanup, and Applied Structural Drying. After any standing water has been removed and any leaks have been identified and repaired, our specialists use powerful state of the art fans, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, and desiccant equipment to remove of the extra moisture that remains in the air. We also continually adjust the temperature and humidity to reduce or eliminate any warping, swelling, or cracking of floors, walls, and furniture. “One Call Does It All 612-331-4454” Direct Insurance Billing | At Your Door in 1 Hour or Less | 24 Hour Service Flooded Basement? Water Damage? Broken Pipe? – Steps Your Must Take...
Read MoreMinnesota Water Damage Restoration Minneapolis MN
After the Water Damage: What’s Next? Water damage comes in a variety of ways and quantities, from simple seepage through cracks in the floor or foundation, leaky water heaters, and overflowing toilets or sinks to broken pipes, backed up sewers or septic systems, and outright floods from lakes and rivers. No matter what the source or cause, unwanted water can do enormous damage to your belongings and property. Water damage requires a prompt response in order to clean up the mess, make your home livable, and prevent mold. While the cleanup crews move quickly, the aftermath can seem to take forever. There are many things that demand your attention. You have insurance claims forms to file, bills to pay, and items to replace. In the event of a disaster, a detailed inventory will be imperative for your compensation. Creating a Home Inventory Creating a home inventory is one of the most important steps you can take in order to make sure you are adequately insured–and it can make filing a claim in the event of a disaster much easier as well. After all, it’s the inventory that establishes which items the insurance company will pay to clean, restore, or replace – and it’s the inventory that the insurance company uses to determine how much to pay. With this in mind, thoroughly documenting all damaged items is an absolute must. What should an inventory contain? At its most basic, a home inventory is a list of all of your home’s belongings and their value. Ideally, you will have created a home inventory before any damage occurs. This would give you a good starting point for your insurance claim. Whether you have an existing inventory or not, after a water damage claim, you will need to identify and list all damaged items as part of the insurance claims process. If you have an existing inventory, use it to highlight all damaged items, adding items to the list if necessary. If you do not have an inventory, you’ll need to start from scratch. Separate all water damaged items from the non-damaged items. Your water damage restoration company may have already done this step for you. Next, take photos of each item and list each item on a sheet of paper or in a spreadsheet. You’ll want to note the following: Item name – What type of item is it? For example, TV, antique vase, computer tower, area rug, etc. Item description – Describe the item in greater detail. For example, 55-inch Sony Bravia LCD TV or handmade 12×12 blue and yellow Turkish area rug Value – How much did you pay for the item? How much is it currently worth? Purchase date or approximate age – When did you purchase the item? How old is it? Any special notes – Here’s where you’ll enter additional details. For example, is the item one-of-a-kind? Upgraded? Home Inventory Worksheet Disasters happen. When they do, we will be there. We will keep you operating and get your facility or business back to normal as quickly as possible. We offer complete emergency services through minimizing further damage and restoration of both building and contents. “One Call Does It All 612-331-4454” Direct Insurance Billing | At Your Door in 1 Hour or Less | 24 Hour Service 24/7/365 Emergency Service. Approved by all insurance companies. Fast Response. A Rating with BBB. Done Right Water and Fire Restoration. Call today free estimates....
Read MoreWater Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration MN Part 3
Water Damage Mold Insurance Claims Continued from Water Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration Part 1 and Part 2 Water damage, Mold Damage and Flood Damage are some of the most common reasons people make claims on their home insurance. Frozen, broken or burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements are just a few of the ways you could discover exactly what is and is not covered by your home insurance policy. One of the worst effects of water damage comes in the form of mold. If your home has water damage, mold could develop in as short of a time as 24 – 48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it may continue to grow until steps are taken to thoroughly dry out the premises and eliminate the source of moisture. Mold is certainly not new—it’s been around for hundreds of millions of years—but the sharp rise in mold claims is definitely a 21st -century phenomenon. Multi-million dollar jury awards, sensationalized reporting in the media and profiteering by some individuals have led to an explosion in mold claims and costs. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mold [PDF, 2.52 MB]. Homeowners Insurance: Is Mold Covered? Whether mold is covered by homeowners insurance often comes down to the source of moisture and the wording of a policy. Mold needs 3 things to thrive – moisture, food and oxygen Mold needs 3 things to thrive. All three of the basic elements – moisture, food and oxygen — MUST be present to support mold growth. If that moisture remains for 24-48 hours you will likely begin to have a mold problem. Problems can arise for homeowners when the presence of persistent moisture goes undetected or unresolved, leading to widespread mold growth. Moisture can result from high indoor humidity, flooding, or a leaky roof or dishwasher. Mold, like rot and insect infestation, is generally not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Standard homeowners policies provide coverage for disasters that are sudden and accidental. They are not designed to cover the cost of cleaning and maintaining a home. If, however, mold is the direct result of a covered peril such as a burst pipe, there could be coverage for the cost of eliminating the mold. Clean Up Water Damage Now To Avoid Mold! Regardless of how the water damage happened, it is important to take similar steps to remedy it. Never ignore indications of an obvious water problem in your home. You should immediately attempt to find and stop leaks at their source. Properly dry or remove soaked carpets, padding and upholstery within 24-48 hours after a flood to prevent mold growth. Anything that can’t be properly dried should be discarded. Just letting items dry out will not remove the mold, and mold will grow again anytime there is enough moisture in the air, such as on humid days. Remove standing water as quickly as possible. Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and inhaled. Wash and disinfect all areas that have been flooded. This includes walls, floors, closets, shelves, as well as heating and air-conditioning systems. If you have...
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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