Tips for Preparing Your Home this Fall to Prevent Water Damage.
November 18, 2009
Fall is a critical time to do a few preventive things to prevent water damage in your home.
- First and foremost, turn off your exterior faucets valves from the inside, open the faucet to drain the water and remove garden hoses. If these valves are left open the water inside the pipe near the exterior can freeze and expand causing the pipe to burst, when it warms above freezing the ice will melt and you will have water running into the interior of your home until it is turned off. Even if you have ‘frost-proof’ faucets it is still important to turn them off from inside of your home. They can freeze and burst, usually in the valve itself, so you will not know this has happened until you turn the faucet on in the spring. If you do not have an interior shut off valve we recommend that you place an insulated cover over the faucet which can be purchased at your local hardware store.
- Clean Leaves and Debris from your Gutters. Once the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters and downspouts. Plugged gutters and downspouts can cause water to seep in next to the foundation and cause basement flooding. Many insurance companies do not cover water damage from seepage. Make sure your downspouts run at least six feet from the foundation, and your landscaping is slopped away from your foundation for at least six feet.
- Clean you sump pump pit. Once the ground has frozen, remove your sump pump and clean the pit it sits in. Sand and silt will accumulate in the bottom of the pit and can reduce the life of the pump. Replace the pump and check for proper operation of the float. When water is flowing in the pit in the spring is not a good time to find it is malfunctioning.
We hope these helpful tips will prevent you from finding a flood in your home. If you do have a Water Damage emergency call our 24 hour Water and Fire Damage hotline at 952-930-6853 for an immediate response.
The best thing to do when water damage occurs is to call a reputable Water Damage Restoration Company. A good restoration company will be willing to educate you and walk you through the proper procedures of cleaning up the flooded area and drying out the structure. They can also help walk you through the Insurance process to help you determine the best course of action.
Categories of Water in Water Damage
May 13, 2009
Water damage is divided into three general classes: Class 1-Clean Water; Class 2-Gray Water; and Class 3-Black Water. The class of the water contamination is not determined by the color of the water, it is determined by the source, contents, history and characteristics of the water.
Class 1 – Clean Water
Clean water comes from a source that does not pose substantial harm to humans. Examples include, but not limited to, broken supply pipes and appliance malfunctions. Clean water in flooded structures that remain untreated may change to class 2 water in as little as 48 hours and class 3 water in as little as 96 hours.
Class 2 – Gray Water
Gray water contains a significant level of contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort and sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. Examples include, but not limited to, discharge from dishwashers or washing machines, overflows from washing machines, overflows from toilet bowls with some urine (no feces), and sump pump failures. Gray water in flooded structures that remain untreated may change to Class 3 water in as little as 48 hours.
Class 3 – Black Water
Black water contains pathogenic agents and is grossly unsanitary. Black water includes sewage and other contaminated water. Toilet back-flows that originate from beyond the toilet trap is considered black water, regardless of visible content or color. Black water includes all forms of flooding from ground surface water and rising water from streams and rivers. Such water sources carry silt and organic matter into structures and create black water conditions.
Microorganismsare always present in the indoor environment. To prevent amplification of microorganisms, immediate response is necessary for all classes of water intrusion.
If you do have a water damage problem in your
home call Green Clean Carpet Care Restoration at
763-789-9600 for immediate assistance.
A Minnesota Water Damage Restoration Company Gives You Tips on Finding a Reputable Company To Work With You
The best thing to do when water damage occurs is to call a reputable Water Damage Restoration Company.
A good restoration company will be willing to educate you and walk you through the proper procedures of cleaning up the flooded area and drying out the structure. They can also help walk you through the Insurance process to help you determine the best course of action.
It can be very difficult to find a good restoration service and basing your decision on price alone can be a scary proposition. So what is the best way to find a good reputable Water Damage Restoration Company? Here are some guidelines to follow, so you know you are getting a good company:
1. Try to get a good reference from a friend or family member.
2. Check with the BetterBusinessBureau
3. Check with the IICRC Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification for a certified company in your area.
These are just a few important tips on making sure you are getting the most reliable and reputable company in your home. If you are interested in more ideas please come back and visit our blog.
If you do have a water damage problem in your
home call Green Clean Carpet Care Restoration at
763-789-9600 for immediate assistance.
Carpets, drywall, and insulation contaminated with sewage or “black water” must be discarded.
What about your personal contents?
Making the decision of what to keep and what to discard following a sewage backup is a tough decision, especially if some of the items are irreplaceable or have great sentimental value.
Hiring a professional water damage restoration company like Green Clean will increase the chances of salvage. The knowledge, experience, and special equipment of a professional
company will allow a thorough dry out that will prevent additional bacteria growth
and an efficient decontamination and disinfection of affected areas.
Here is a brief list of what to keep and what to discard:
* Upholstered furniture may be impossible to salvage if it has been badly soaked
in gray or black water as fabrics will absorb a dangerous amount of sewage water and bacteria.
* Hardwood furniture can be salvaged if dried and decontaminated thoroughly within
24-48 hours and no mold growth is found.
* Laminate furniture should be discarded because the contaminated water can penetrate into the particle board.
* Furniture made of particle board or pressed wafer board should be discarded as
they are very likely to absorb sewage water and bacteria.
* Appliances and electrical devices must be carefully examined, preferably by an
electrician. If dark water penetrated into your appliances, do not use them until they are
determined clean and safe.
* Toys must be discarded. Discard all stuffed toys. Even if you think
you can completely clean and disinfect these items, keep in mind that they may badly affect
your child’s safety. Discard any item a toddler or baby might put in his mouth.
* Fabrics, clothes and linen are very hard to clean and salvage. You may want to consider
sending damaged fabrics and textiles to a professional dry cleaning facility.
* Discard all foods and medicines, including garden produce, that have come in contract
with flood waters. Only foods sealed in airtight metal cans that are not bulging or damaged
and have been properly sanitized can be saved.
* Clean and sanitize dishes, cooking utensils and food preparation areas before using them.
* Discard wooden cutting boards, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers, since
it’s nearly impossible to safely clean them.
If you do have a water damage problem in your
home call Green Clean Carpet Care Restoration at
763-789-9600 for immediate assistance.
How To Check For Plumbing Leaks
April 30, 2009
Most water leaks in a family home can be traced to two common problems, leaky faucets and leaky toilets. A toilet leak can waste from 30 to 500 gallons per day per toilet. Leaky faucets or shower heads can waste from 7 to 20 gallons per day per fixture. That’s water, and money, literally going down the drain. Repairs to these problems are generally inexpensive and simple. The first step is to do this simple test to see if your home’s plumbing is wasting water and costing you money.
Before you go to bed at night, check your home to be certain that all water taps,
inside and out (including automatic sprinklers), are turned off. Then record the reading
on your water meter. In the morning, before anyone uses any water, check your meter
reading again. If the reading has changed, you may have a leak. Chances are the
problem is from one or more malfunctioning toilets. To test this add some food coloring to the water in your toilet tanks. If color shows up in any of the toilet bowls after 15 minutes or so, you’ve identified the culprit. Usually a simple flapper replacement will solve your problem. Leaky faucets can usually be easily repaired with a kit. After fixing any identified problems, run the test again. No change in your meter reading will verify you have repaired all of the leaks.
We hope these simple tips will avoid you needing our water damage restoration services, however we are here 24/7 if you do. www.greencleancare.com 763-789-9600
How To Avoid Water Damage – Shut Off’s
April 27, 2009
Many water damage situations can be kept to a minimum just by turning off water supply valves quickly.
Every person in the home should know where all of the shut offs are located and how to use them.
The Main water shutoff for the home is usually located next to the water meter in the basement. There is typically a main shut off valve on each side of the meter. Always turn off the one before the meter, this is because your municipality is usually responsible for everything up to the meter and the homeowner is responsible for everything after the meter. These are seldom turned on and off and often do not seat properly after a period of time, so don’t turn the one that you would have to pay to repair if it fails.
Each sink usually has a hot and cold water shut off in the cabinet under the sink. These only turn the water off to each appliance. Turn these valves off and on annually to keep the seat inside the valve sealing properly.
Each toilet has its own shut off behind the toilet. Also turn these off and on annually. Toilet overflows are very common, and can be more costly to clean up than clear water. If water is overflowing from the tank (not the bowl) simply reach in and lift up the “flapper” and the water will go down quickly, then you can turn off the valve.
Tubs and showers are typically hard plumbed and do not have separate shut off valves.
We hope these simple tips will avoid you needing our water damage restoration services, however we are here 24/7 if you do. www.greencleancare.com 763-789-9600
How To Avoid Water Damage – Washing Machines
April 24, 2009
Some of the most costly water damage repairs are very simple to avoid. One that we see very often is a burst clothes washing machine hose.
Most clothes washing machines have rubber hoses that connect the water supply line to the machine. It is very common for these hoses to develop a “bubble” and eventually burst, causing thousands of dollars of damage to the home. Just think if this happened while you were out of town.
Replace rubber hoses with steel lined burst proof hoses that can be purchased at any home improvement store, or at a minimum regularly inspect the rubber ones for signs of cracks or bubbles indicating an eventual burst.
Also turn the supply line valves off and on at least once a year. Since they are left on all the time the seats inside the valve will eventually not seal properly, causing a problem when you need to replace the machine or hoses.
We hope these simple tips will avoid you needing our water damage restoration services, however we are here 24/7 if you do. www.greencleancare.com 763-789-9600
Ways to Avoid Basement Flooding – Sump System
April 22, 2009
Basement flooding problems are best diagnosed by working your way down from the gutters and downspouts, to the lot and foundation drainage, and then to the sump system.
Sump Pit Drainage System
A sump pit drainage system includes a sump pit, a sump pump and a discharge pipe. The sump pit, set into the basement floor, collects water from the drain tiles around your basement. The pump pushes the water outside your house through the discharge pipe.
Place your sump pump discharge pipe so that it drains somewhere onto your property where water can be absorbed, such as your lawn or flower bed.
Sump Pit
Clean the pit each year after the ground freezes. Drain tile drainage may carry small amounts of soil, sand and debris into the pit from around your basement foundation.
Sump Pump
Check and test your pump each spring before the rainy season begins, and before you leave your house for a long time. Pour water into the pit to trigger the pump to operate.
Remove and thoroughly clean the pump at least once a year. Disconnect the pump from the power source before you handle or clean it.
Sump Pump Discharge Pipe
Check the place where the discharge pipe leaves the house. If the pipe is discharging right against the basement wall, the water will drain down into the drain tiles and continue to recycle through the system.
Check the discharge point regularly to make sure that nothing is blocking the flow.
We hope these tips help keep your basement dry this spring.
If you do have a water damage problem in your home call Green Clean Carpet.Care.Restoration. at 763-789-9600 for immediate assistance. www.greencleancare.com
Ways To Avoid Basement Flooding – Gutters and Grading
April 21, 2009
Basement flooding problems are best diagnosed by working your way down from the gutters and downspouts, to the lot and foundation drainage, and then to the sump system.
Gutters and Downspouts
Water pours off your roof into gutters, then into downspouts. If your gutters are full of debris they will overflow and dump water right next to your foundation. If the downspouts are dumping the water right beside your foundation, it drains directly to the drain tile and can easily overload your home’s drainage. Make sure downspouts extend at least six feet from your basement wall. Also, be sure the water does not drain toward your neighbour’s basement walls.
Clean debris from gutters regularly. If they overflow even when clean, replace them with larger size gutters and downspouts.
Lot Grading
If the land around your home slopes in toward the foundation, rainwater heads right for the drain tile around the basement and can overload your foundation drainage system. The land around many homes settles over time, and then slopes in toward the foundation. If your lot slopes inward, you’ll want to fill in and grade the lot so that, for at least six feet out from around the foundation, the land slopes away from your house. Be careful not to build up the grade above your homes siding.
Build up the ground around your house so that water drains away from your basement walls. Also, examine sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways. These can settle over time and cause water to drain back towards your basement walls.
Extend downspouts so that water flows away from your house and does not collect next to the basement walls and windows.
We hope these tips help keep your basement dry this spring. Tomorrow we will talk about the sump pit system.
If you do have a water damage problem in your home call Green Clean Carpet.Care.Restoration. at 763-789-9600 for immediate assistance. www.greencleancare.com
