Recent Water Damage Posts
Understanding Water Damage in Your Home: Prevention and Solutions
11/11/2024 (Permalink)
Water on hardwood floor
Water damage is one of the most common yet devastating issues homeowners face. Whether it's from a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or a flooding event, water can infiltrate your home quickly, causing significant damage to your property, belongings, and even your health. Understanding how water damage occurs and knowing the right steps to take can help minimize its impact.
What Causes Water Damage?
Water damage can stem from a variety of sources, including:
- Plumbing Issues: Leaky pipes, burst pipes, or faulty appliances can lead to sudden flooding or gradual water seepage.
- Roof Leaks: Damaged shingles, clogged gutters, or aging roofs can allow rainwater to infiltrate your home.
- Flooding: Heavy rains, storm surges, or overflowing rivers can cause water to enter your home and overwhelm its defenses.
- Appliance Malfunctions: Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters are common culprits for sudden water issues.
Signs of Water Damage
Water damage can be tricky to spot in its early stages, but being aware of the signs can help you take quick action:
- Discoloration: Stains on ceilings, walls, or floors may indicate water has seeped into your home.
- Musty Odors: Damp environments can lead to mold growth, which often results in unpleasant smells.
- Peeling or Bubbling Paint: Water can cause paint and wallpaper to peel, bubble, or warp.
- Swollen Wood: Wood floors or furniture that appear swollen or buckled may be a sign of water exposure.
The Importance of Quick Action
When dealing with water damage, timing is crucial. Water can quickly spread, causing structural damage, ruining personal items, and fostering mold growth. That's why it's essential to take immediate action:
- Stop the Source: If possible, turn off the water supply to prevent further damage.
- Remove Excess Water: Use towels, mops, or a wet vacuum to remove standing water.
- Dry the Area: Open windows, use fans, or employ a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.
- Call the Experts: SERVPRO’s water damage restoration specialists are trained to handle the most complex water damage situations. Our advanced equipment and years of experience ensure your home is thoroughly restored, preventing long-term issues.
Preventing Water Damage
While you can’t always prevent water damage, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:
- Inspect Your Plumbing: Regularly check for leaks or corrosion, and fix issues promptly.
- Maintain Your Roof and Gutters: Clean gutters and inspect your roof for damage after heavy storms.
- Install Sump Pumps: In flood-prone areas, a sump pump can help keep water out of your basement.
- Seal Windows and Doors: Ensure that seals are intact to prevent water from entering during storms.
We’re Here to Help®
At SERVPRO, we understand how overwhelming water damage can be. Whether you’re dealing with a small leak or a major flood, our team is here to help restore your home to its original condition. We work quickly, efficiently, and with care to ensure the best possible outcome for your property.
If you experience water damage, don’t wait—call SERVPRO® for professional water damage restoration. We’re here to help make it "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the water damage restoration industry. With over 50 years of experience, we’re always here to help you with 24/7 emergency service. Contact us today!
Tips for Investigating Potential Water Leaks | SERVPRO of Rochester
2/15/2024 (Permalink)
Don't let water linger in your home, call SERVPRO of Rochester to get the job done!
You are going about your day and all of a sudden are hit with a musty smell when walking into your bathroom or your feet become wet as you step into a random puddle in your basement. While you deal with the immediate frustrating feeling of potentially discovering a water leak, you also want to make sure you find the source of it right away to prevent the situation from getting any worse.
Tracking down a water leak might take some work, especially if it started in a hard-to-reach space or an area of your home that you don’t check often. Prioritize these locations when looking so you can track it down and locate it faster.
Going on the Hunt
One of the first places that we suggest to check is anywhere that is directly connected to the outside elements. We see all kinds of rain, snow, sleet and ice throughout the year, and any of that can easily infiltrate our homes through hairline cracks around windows, doors and even small wiring holes. Run your hands over your window panes, check by your doors for new puddles and check your walls for signs of residual moisture.
Another common place for leaks are the pipes that are flowing water to and from our homes on a daily basis. A single worn seal or a connection that has loosened over time can quickly create a small drip that turns into a gush of water.
The same is true for exterior water lines and spigots. A spigot that is left to drip can slowly form into a puddle near your foundation that will leak down into your basement and turn it into a watery mess.
Investigating Your Appliances
How many appliances do you have in your home that use water to function? We all have at least one, and these handy appliances can unfortunately leak at any moment.
If you discover a puddle near your dishwasher or your laundry room is starting to smell funny, it’s time to start pulling appliances away from the wall to check for signs of moisture behind and beneath them.
If you do discover a water leak, water spot or mold growth, stay calm! Depending on how long the water leak has been happening, taking action quickly is important. Turn off the water connections to stop the flow of water and then give us a call right away. Our team will make sure to tackle your restoration with speed and confidence.
Why Hiring a Professional Restoration Team Matters
Once water starts to leak where it shouldn’t, it can cause chaos in minutes. It will leak into every available crack and crevice in your home and can eventually get behind your walls or under your floors. This lingering moisture can be really hard to get at by yourself!
Over time, that can lead to structural degradation in your home as well as potential mold infestations. Our team will arrive quickly to tackle the standing water as well as focus on removing the water that you can’t easily reach on your own.
After your space is dry, we will expertly tackle your repairs to help you make a full recovery. Don’t wait! Call us 24/7 for immediate water damage restoration assistance.
Don’t let a water leak go unaddressed! Contact SERVPRO of Rochester right away.
Flooded Home? Here’s What to Do | SERVPRO of Rochester
11/27/2023 (Permalink)
Need help after a flood? SERVPRO of Rochester is here for you when disaster strikes.
The Rochester area is surrounded by water due to the different rivers that run through town and the lakes that are right on the outskirts of the community. While we love the easy access to the water, this close proximity raises the risk of experiencing flooding conditions from time to time.
When the rain falls heavy and fast, it can raise water levels and cause that runoff to make its way down the streets and into our basements. If that happens, standing water can cause serious damage in a short amount of time.
Responding quickly to a flood can help you stay in control and reduce your risk of extensive or irreversible damage.
Responding First
Floods can be large or small, but it is always overwhelming to have water in your home where it shouldn’t be. If you come home to a flooded basement or you are watching helplessly as rainwater is pouring into your home, try to stay calm and avoid walking through the water or touching it.
Floodwater can be toxic, because it can pick up chemicals, storm debris or even dangerous substances like sewage as it flows from outside your home onto your floor. The rush of water can also cause electrical malfunctions, which can charge the water and make it dangerous or deadly to touch.
Observe the situation from higher, drier ground, and then call us right away. Our team will ask many questions to help us better understand the situation, and we will ask you to take as many photos as possible to not only help us with your restoration plan but also to help make your insurance claim process smoother.
What Happens When We Show Up
Our first priority will be to remove the standing water from your home. The longer it sits, the worse the damage can become and the higher the chance that mold will start to form. We will bring in our industry-leading drying equipment and extract all the water, including the hidden moisture behind your walls.
Once your space is dry, we will get started on your repairs. Oftentimes, flood situations end in warped floors, soggy drywall or ruined carpets, so we will tend to these areas quickly to get your home returned back to its pre-flood condition.
If this isn’t the first time your home has flooded, we can suggest changes to your property to help reduce the risk of this happening again. The installation of a sump pump can be a great solution as can grading your property to slope down and away from your house.
Our team is here to help take care of you when floods strike. Call us day or night for immediate assistance.
Floods can cause serious damage to your property. Call SERVPRO of Rochester for a faster recovery.
You Must Deal With a Water Damage
7/22/2022 (Permalink)
Absolutely NO-ONE wants a water damage in their home, apartment, business or rental. Water damages happen due to different reasons from burst pipe, overflowing appliance or toilet, broken sump pump or water heater.
It's always interesting when SERVPRO of Rochester arrives on site of a customer's home and are completing paperwork. One of the questions is, "When did this loss occur?" You may be surprised to learn that the answer varies from an hour ago to six months ago. Yes, you read that correctly....six months.
So, what really happens if you wait to report a water damage to your insurance company and call us? Waiting to start mitigation services from SERVPRO of Rochester is not a good idea. The longer you wait to start the process the longer you could incur more damage to your home.
What are some of the things that can happen to your home if you wait to do anything with your water damage? Waiting may cause additional damage to your home and items in your home. Water left standing can intrude in doors, wood trim, sheetrock, carpet, carpet pad, chairs, couches, pretty much any items that are not hard.
If you find yourself with a water damage you should find the source of the water and stop it. Then, call your insurance company, SERVPRO of Rochester and if possible move any items out of the water.
SERVPROrochester.com
Do You Have Enough Insurance Coverage for a Water Loss?
6/23/2022 (Permalink)
Unfortunately many times homeowners don't ask themselves or insurance agents, "Do I have enough insurance coverage for the entire process from water mitigation, drying process and reconstruction?"
SERVPRO of Rochester recommends that on an annual basis you inquire with your insurance agent if you have enough coverage for a water loss in your home. Insurance policies carry policy limits for sewage back-up and sump pump failures that often don't cover the entire process to restore your home to the way it was before the loss.
Many times when a customer has a water loss the damage affects the entire basement and materials such as walls, ceilings, doors and flooring. Most insurance policies have an average limit of $10,000 after the deductible for all mitigation and reconstruction. This is usually not enough to cover all the loss costs.
SERVPRO of Rochester urges you to be prepared for a water loss in your home. Talk to your insurance agent. The cost to increase your coverage is minimal, usually less than $100 in additional premium to your policy for a significant increase in coverage if you occur a water loss.
SERVPROrochester.com
Water Mitigation is Necessary in Your Home
6/16/2022 (Permalink)
Your home is one of the largest purchases you will most likely ever make. You spend a lot of time making your home yours from decorating, wall hangings, furniture and entertainment areas. It's pertinent to you, your home, health and value of home to make sure when you have a water damage that you call professionals.
SERVPRO of Rochester serves Rochester, Byron, Kasson, Mantorville, Zumbrota, Pine Island, Oronoco, Stewartville, Eyota and other cities nearby.
There are many reasons why you should call SERVPRO of Rochester. Here are a few reasons why you need the professionals to mitigate your water issue.
1. Water can cause secondary damage in your home if left untreated or not properly mitigated. Secondary damage many times is not covered by insurance companies.
2. Water can't always be seen in affected areas of your home. You need professionals with their equipment to thoroughly scope your home to see where the water has gone and affected.
3. You want to make sure the mitigation is done properly. Sometimes people tell us that they are going to remove the carpet, pad and put fans and dehumidifiers on the area. It would be nice if it were that easy. There is a method and industry standards that SERVPRO of Rochester follows and adheres to.
SERVPROrochester.com
Water, Water and More Water in Rochester MN
5/19/2022 (Permalink)
Have you ever felt like it just keeps raining and raining then wonder when it is going to stop? Or wishing you could reach up and press the stop button?
In Rochester MN we are experiencing some powerful storms which have produced lots of water, strong winds, and even golf ball sized hail in Oronoco and Zumbrota.
Yikes! These natural occurring events have become more and more common and cause thousands and thousands of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, buildings and structures.
As a water mitigation company we help homeowners, renters, managers and owners of properties during weather events like heavy rain and flooding. If you find yourself with water actively coming into your home from flooding, once the water stops coming in, SERVPRO of Rochester can help you!
The process of water mitigation after flooding or heavy rain entering your home or basement.
1. Call SERVPRO of Rochester, 507-286-9170. There are water mitigation technicians on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are always here to help you.
2. Once the water has stopped coming into your home, SERVPRO of Rochester technicians will set up a time to come out to your home.
3. Upon arrival, the technicians will scope the area that was affected. This means that our technicians use moisture meters and an infrared camera to determine if materials will need to be removed.
4. The information will be shared with you as well as the plan for your water mitigation.
5. We work with all insurance companies which require paperwork. This step involves paperwork and needs owner signature to proceed. Throughout the process, your insurance company will receive the daily readings, materials affected and what was done.
6. Work begins. If any materials need to be removed, this is the step it will be done.
7. Clean-up. Our technicians clean-up the area they worked in.
8. Placing equipment. We use commercial dehumidifiers and air movers in the areas that were affected.
9. Each day a technician will call you to set up a time for SERVPRO of Rochester technicians to come out and take daily readings and remove equipment as the affected areas dry.
10. When it's determined that the affected area has been dried to IICRC standards, the job is completed. We have some final paperwork for you to sign and then submit all the pictures, daily readings and necessary paperwork to the insurance company.
SERVPRO of Rochester is here to help you in your time of flooding needs. SERVPROrochester.com
Spring is Here!
3/20/2022 (Permalink)
In Southeast Minnesota we are experiencing incredibly warm weather considering it's only the end of March. SERVPRO of Rochester wants to share with you a few tips as spring is almost here!
Spring tips to care for your home:
1. Check the gutters and clear of leaves and other debris.
2. Check around the perimeter of your home that the grade (slope) of dirt is not going towards your home, but away!
3. Check trees that are close to your home. Do the branches need trimming?
4. Clean out your laundry vent that goes outside.
5. Check your roof to make sure you haven't lost any shingles in strong wind storms.
6. Change the batteries in your smoke alarm.
7. Check your sump pump to ensure it is working.
Each one of these tips will help your home. We want to help you avoid a water damage from drainage issues, sump pump failures, or other natural disasters that can cause considerable damage to your home.
SERVPRO of Rochester is here to help and serve you in your time of need. 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Holidays. Weekends. All the time. Call us at 507-286-9170 or visit our website at SERVPROrochester.com
Importance of Water Mitigation in Rochester, MN
2/15/2022 (Permalink)
Anyone that lives in a home or rental home knows the importance of keeping your home clean from garbage, keeping the outside of your home clean from garbage just laying around. Any garbage not disposed of properly will attract rodents and create even more problems for the homeowners or renters.
This type of problem is similar to showing why water mitigation must be done after you have a broken pipe or pipes, water back-ups, sewage issues and sump pump back-ups or breakdowns.
SERVPRO of Rochester strongly recommends that as soon as you find out that your sink overflowed for quite a while, washer line broke and flooded the level beneath, sump pump failure or other water issues that you call us.
Leaving a water damage in your home can create a variety of issues which some include: mold, damaging the materials more to a greater degree, and secondary damage. You need to take care of your water damage with calling SERVPRO of Rochester for water mitigation services.
SERVPRO of Rochester stands ready to serve you. You name the day or time of day and we are here to help you in your time of need.
SERVPROrochester.com
507-286-9170
Burst Pipes in Rochester MN!
1/5/2022 (Permalink)
The song "Let It Snow" is a catchy song and so fun to sing around Christmas time. The first line in the song is "Oh the weather outside is frightful..." Here in Rochester, MN those lyrics are pretty close to what we are experiencing here. Our neighbors in the outer areas of Eyota, Elgin, Plainview, Oronoco, Byron, Kasson and Stewartville are all experiencing what we are plus more blizzard conditions. When this weather strikes with plummeting temperatures, high winds and insanely cold wind chills of fifteen below zero are perfect conditions for broken and burst pipes in your home, business, apartment or any structure with plumbing.
What can you do as an owner or tenant? SERVPRO of Rochester recommends a few of the following tips to lessen the risk of water damage in your home.
1. Make sure to check your lower level in each room. Look and feel for any water on the floors or walls.
2. Keep your home heated to at least 65 degrees.
3. If you use a space heater, make sure to unplug it before leaving or going to another area in your home.
SERVPRO of Rochester hopes you stay safe and warm throughout the next few weeks of bitterly cold weather. We stand ready to serve you for water and fire mitigation.
End of Fall Tips
10/10/2021 (Permalink)
No-one wants to come home to a water damage that results in having your home furnishings destroyed, having carpet or wood flooring removed as well as sheet rock and other affected materials.
The weather forecast for this winter is supposed to be harsh in Southeastern Minnesota. The forecast is for a 3-4 week period of harsh, bone chilling cold. Those of us in the water and fire mitigation business this means broken or burst pipes.
There are certain things that you can do to help prepare your home for winter and the cold weather that is forecast.
SERVPRO of Rochester recommends:
- Remove all hoses from the outside water faucet.
- Remove all leaves, sticks and other debris from gutters.
- Check around your home to make sure that the grade is flowing away from your home.
- Inspect your roof for any blown away shingles or holes in your home. Animals have been known to make this possible.
- Change the batteries in your smoke alarm and CO detectors.
SERVPRO of Rochester is here to serve and help you in your time of need. We stand ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Owner is on every job site.
What's Lurking Behind Your Walls?
8/8/2021 (Permalink)
When the affected sheetrock was removed, pink and black mold was discovered at this water mitigation job.
SERVPRO of Rochester was recently called to a customer's home after the homeowner discovered a part of their basement had a fuzzy layer of white mold on top of their squishy, saturated carpet.
Marc went out to meet the customer and take moisture readings on the different affected materials. It was determined that in the affected area all the carpet and pad had to be removed according to IICRC standards. Then the technicians moved to the wall areas to remove affected drywall and baseboard.
What was lurking behind their walls upon closer inspection and demolition? We found pink and black mold on the back side of the drywall.
Many times when customers experience a water loss and can't visibly see moisture and damage on walls, they think that SERVPRO of Rochester services aren't needed. Usually materials are wet and mitigation services are needed. With the various moisture meters we can tell what is wet and begin the begin the process of mitigation to reduce the chances for mold growth.
Can I Have A Water Damage During A Drought?
7/11/2021 (Permalink)
Can I have a water damage during a drought?
YES!!
Water damages in homes, hotels, schools, and places of businesses can happen at any time even during a drought!
There is no "better" or "worse" time for a water damage. Unfortunately and usually it always happens at the worst time. SERVPRO of Rochester has had customers call us right as family is arriving for a weekend, getting ready for a graduation and even wedding. It is best to have a plan for when this happens, you know what to do right away.
SERVPRO of Rochester recommends you do the following steps after you find water in your home.
1. Find the source. Where is the water coming from? How did it get into your home?
2. If it is safe, turn off the water supply.
3. Contact SERVPRO of Rochester. We have on call technicians and owner 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even holiday. 507-286-9170.
4. If you are able, move contents that are currently in water or in the path of the water. Don't throw away anything! You will need to itemize and photograph each item as specific as possible if it's deemed unsalvageable.
We are here to help you.
Water Damages in Rochester MN during a drought?
6/18/2021 (Permalink)
Before working in this industry, I had no idea how many water damages there are in a day, week, month and even year in Rochester, Minnesota. And, to add to that, I thought that water damages only occurred when there was lots of rain.
WRONG!
Here in Southeastern Minnesota we are in a drought, not quite severe drought yet. The weather forecasts don't look hopeful at the prospect of rain either.
Do you think a homeowner can have a water damage when there is a drought such a time like this? YES! You sure can have a water damage during a drought!
Some common water damage calls that SERVPRO of Rochester has received in the last few weeks:
- sink with water running left which cause sink to overflow and spread to surrounding flooring
- dishwasher line break
- toliet that overflowed ran for quite a while which affected the walls, flooring and rooms below
No-one knows or can plan for a water damage in your home but by being prepared is key. Know that SERVPRO of Rochester stands ready to help you in your time of need.
24 hours a day, 365 days a week.
SERVPROrochester.com
507-286-9170
Spring Tips
5/1/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Rochester has a few tips to help you have your home ready for Spring.
- Check your gutters. Remove leaves, sticks and other debris.
- Check your sump pump to ensure that it is working.
- Walk around the perimeter of your home to check if the dirt and or grass is sloped away from your home.
- Check your air conditioner. Does it need to be cleaned out or serviced?
- If possible check your roof to see if you had any damage from the winter or recent hail we experienced.
- Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and then test each one.
SERVPRO of Rochester specializes in fire and water mitigation, trauma clean-up, graffiti removal and mold mitigation.
SERVPRO of Rochester stands ready to work with you in your time of need. We have IICRC technicians on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even holidays and weekends. 507-286-9170
Rochester Water Damage Hard Wood Floor Loss
2/1/2021 (Permalink)
The photo shows the Injectidry Floor Drying System on a Rochester home's hardwood flooring. SERVPRO of Rochester has professional equipment.
Hardwood floor is truly beautiful in homes but after a broken pipe, dishwater or toilet overflow customers can feel like their floor is ruined.
Our technicians have arrived at customer's homes where the hardwood floors are cupping with dark water lines at the ends and cracks in between boards. SERVPRO of Rochester has been successful in saving hardwood floors with extensive water damage by using an Injectidry Floor Drying System.
This Injectidry Floor Drying system is incredible to witness the drying and restoration process from beginning to the end of the water mitigation.
There is a black panel that is placed directly on the hardwood floor and it creates a tight seal around the edges to help in the drying process. Our technicians then use a professional grade air mover and dehumidifier to connect these with the Injectidry Floor Drying System. When all this equipment is working together moisture is removed from the flooring and dried out to industry standards.
Time is of the essence when dealing with hardwood flooring and the time the water damage happened. The longer the water sits on the floor increases the chances of the hardwood floor buckling. The sooner you contact SERVPRO of Rochester and we can get our Injectidry Floor Drying System the greater chances are that we can save your affected hardwood flooring.
SERPVPRO of Rochester has technicians on call ready to help you in your time of need. Call us on weekdays, weekends, holidays, anytime. 507-286-9170.
SERVPRO of Rochester Ice Dams
1/19/2021 (Permalink)
This photo shows how an ice dam can cause damage to your home.
Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes! According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, there are 11,842 lakes that are 10 acres of more in size. Incredible! Many say Minnesota is God's country and I tend to agree!
In Minnesota we miss out on hurricanes and wild forest fires, but we definitely have some crazy weather. During this time in the year, almost halfway through winter, the temperature may dip down to 15 or 20 degrees below zero with a windchill of 35 degrees below zero. We may have a few weeks like that and then it may warm up in February to a few degrees above freezing.
What does this do to homes? Many times when we have this bitterly cold weather and then warming, it can create havoc on your home.
SERVPRO of Rochester has seen customers with ice dams which creates issues with the roof and attic. This can create some serious damage to the inside of your home too including the insulation, studs, sheetrock & walls.
We are ready to help you during this time if you find you have an ice dam. Call SERVPRO of Rochester. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Water Mitigation in Rochester
1/16/2021 (Permalink)
This photo shows the cause of damage from a water mitigation job we recently were on.
A water damage to your home can happen at any time in any season here in Minnesota. Yes, there are certain times in the year that ice dams occur in winter while flooding usually is in the spring and summer.
Burst and broken pipes inside a home or commercial building are unpredictable and can break at any time. There's not anything you can do to prevent it. However, SERVPRO of Rochester has a few tips to prepare in case you are faced with a broken pipe or backed up drain.
- Put your valuables up on a shelf or on a pallet. You want to avoid storing things on the floor.
- If you do have a broken pipe, call SERVPRO of Rochester first, then your plumber.
- Once you have called us and we are on our way, start moving any items that are on the floor or may be in the path of water.
Many people think that "it's only water and that your affected materials will dry." However, you need to know that if you don't call in a professional, SERVPRO of Rochester, you may make your home worse. How can you make it work by trying to fix it yourself? Homeowners have good intentions but not the correct moisture meters, industry knowledge, training and IICRC certification along with professional drying equipment. Fans and dehumidifers purchased at big box stores are NOT up to our quality.
Call SERVPRO of Rochester if you face a broken or burst pipe, fire damage, or trauma clean-up.
Our technicians stand by on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here to serve and help you.
Are There Water Damages During A Dry Season?
8/10/2020 (Permalink)
The spring and summer of 2019 was one that was insanely filled with day after day and night after night of torrential rains which resulted in flooding all across Southeastern Minnesota. As a result, storm systems and sewage systems backed up creating even more damage to homes that were already flooded.
What is it like this spring and summer of 2020? Here in Southeaster Minnesota, the weather has been warm, even hot at times, but very little rain.
Does this mean there aren't water issues for homeowners? NO.
SERVPRO of Rochester has been called to several overflowing toliets, broken pipes, faucets that were left running by accident. We continue to help customers during their time of need.
As we enjoy the last month or so in summer. Here are a few tips:
*if you are grilling out or having a bonfire, keep a hose handy and make sure the water is turned on
*when cooking in the kitchen, keep a fire extinguisher nearby
*if you have new appliances, run the first cycle or two while you are at home
Lastly, we hope that you are able to find some quiet time with family or friends.
IICRC Water Categories and Classes
7/10/2020 (Permalink)
When SERVPRO of Rochester's technicians arrive at a job after speaking with the customer, one of the next things we will do is to determine where the source of the damage is, what rooms and types of materials are affected.
Determining the correct category and class of water is vitally important on each job.
According to IICRC standards, there are 3 categories of water:
- Category 1: no contamination
- Category 2: significant contamination
- Category 3: grossly contamination
According to IICRC standards, there are 4 classes of water:
- Class 1: the least amount of water absorption & absorption load
- Class 2: this is significant amount of water absorption & absorption load
- Class 3: this is greatest amount of water absorption & absorption load
- Class 4: deeply held or bound water
Do I Really Need to Call SERVPRO of Rochester?
6/2/2020 (Permalink)
Some people have called us after talking to their insurance company. The caller tells us that they have cleaned up the water damage that was in their home and asks us if we really need to come out.
The answer is YES!
SERVPRO of Rochester is a professional company, fully insuranced and IICRC trained technicians. We have the training and industry equipment to handle small and large jobs. Some think that we can just use regular house fans and dehumidifiers. This is NOT true. There is a science behind mitigating water damages in each part of the job. On each job we are monitoring, taking moisture measurements, documenting, comparing outside temperatures to make sure the balance are condusive to drying conditions.
We have seen a few jobs where other companies have tried to complete the job, but actually created conditions of making it rain in the home. YIKES!
SERVPRO of Rochester is here to help you mitigate your water damage.
How Can I Tell if I have Water Damage?
5/23/2020 (Permalink)
Some customers have asked us, SERVPRO of Rochester, to come out to their home to make sure after they had some water come up a drain if they cleaned it up and that there's no other damage.
It is very deceptive if you simply look at the floor, walls or ceiling after you have "cleaned up the water".
SERVPRO of Rochester comes out to the customer's home to take a visual assessment and to take moisture readings of the affected areas. It is vital to your home that you call us to come out to make sure that you don't have any other materials affected in your home. You cannot believe the number of jobs we have looked at, taken moisture readings of the door jambs, trim, walls, and ceilings besides the carpet and pad that are 100% affected.
Having materials affected in a water damage and not taking them out will make mold growth. This creates a whole new mess. Many insurance companies will not cover mold after a water damage that wasn't reported and mitigated by an IICRC company, like SERVPRO of Rochester.
Unusually Warm Winter in Southern MN
2/3/2020 (Permalink)
Have you been loving this warm weather that we are having in SE Minnesota? It's nothing like last year when we were in the below zero temperatures and wind chills for days on end.
SERVPRO of Rochester has a few tips for times like this when the temperature fluctuates from below freezing to above freezing temperatures.
1. Clear snow, ice or debris from gutters so water can run freely as it melts.
2. While you are doing that, check to see that there aren't any obstructions in front of or near the gutters, low windows, or window wells.
3. Check your roof and roof peaks for ice dams.
4. Check outside pipes for leaks.
If you do have water coming in your home, move as many contents as you can to a higher floor in your home. Document as you go. Call SERVPRO of Rochester at 507-286-9170. We answer 24 hours a day.
Stewartville Be Prepared for Flooding
1/12/2020 (Permalink)
Last winter brought Minnesota record breaking bitter temperatures and abundant snowfall. School age children found themselves cheering more than the allowed 10 days per school year. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in Rochester, MN, last year in the month of February we received over 40 inches of snowfall.
In the spring, residents found themselves dealing with lots of melting snow and then rainfall that seemed like it wouldn't stop. Again, there was record precipitation.
SERVPRO of Rochester found ourselves helping homeowners deal with ice dams, flooded basements, broken pipes, and seepage.
Most home owners insurance policies in Minnesota don't cover flood damage. If you want flood coverage, you will need to additionally purchase this coverage. All policies have a 30 day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
We at SERVPRO of Rochester highly encourage you to purchase flood coverage. There's nothing worse than finding out after the fact of having your basement flooded that you have no coverage.
However, we work with individual homeowners whether they have insurance and/or flood insurance. We are here to help you.
Rochester Homeowners Call SERVPRO of Rochester
8/13/2019 (Permalink)
No-one expects or wants to find a room or rooms in their home that has water gushing in from a broken pipe, overflowing toilet or washer, leaky roof or a crack in the foundation. You, as a homeowner, want to call SERVPRO of Rochester to come out to your home and begin water mitigation services. We are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You want to take care of the water damage right away.
You will want our services to stop water from going further into your insulation, walls, doors, ceilings, furniture, pool tables, clothing, and other affected materials. We will come out to your home and take moisture readings. We document all readings daily. The affected materials are removed and documented. Once the affected materials have been removed commercial drying and dehumidification equipment is placed in the affected areas. Then approximately every 24 hours, a technician will come to your home and take moisture readings. When the materials are dried to IICRC standards, equipment is removed. Each day this is documented and you are able to see the progress in our documents we send to the insurance company.
Another reason that you want to have the affcted areas properly and professionally mitigated to help prevent mold growth. Usually mold is not covered by insurance companies. Mold can grow within a few days of a water damage.
Rochester Homes Have Ice Dams
2/25/2019 (Permalink)
The diagram shows an ice dam on a home and the different layers of the affected materials in the home.
We at SERVPRO of Rochester have been receiving many calls from residents who have water coming in their home from an ice dam.
What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms usually at the edge of your roof. This ridge prevents melting snow from draining off your roof. Instead, the melting snow backs up behind the ridge and can leak into your home. Some areas that can be affected are your ceiling, walls, insulation as well as other areas.
What do you do if you are getting water in your home from an ice dam?
1. Call a professional roofer. They have the experience and knowledge to help you eliminate the ice dam.
2. Call SERVPRO of Rochester when you have the ice dams removed. We will come in, assess the affected areas, communicate the plan, do any demolition if needed, place commercial air movers and dehumidifiers. We monitor jobs daily and keep the customer aware of the progress in their home. We work with insurance companies too.
Lots of Broken Pipes in Rochester
1/30/2019 (Permalink)
We are getting calls for a lot of burst pipes. We at SERVPRO of Rochester can help you! All our employees are IICRC certified trained to industry standards.
Broken and burst pipes are the most common causes of property damage. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, water damages from broken pipes can easily cost thousands of dollars in damage. Exterior walls, and pipes in unheated spaces like unfinished basements, and garages are most at risk for damage or breaking.
If you do discover a broken or burst pipe, you should find out what the cause of it was. More than likely, you will need to call a plumber out to fix the pipe before calling SERVPRO of Rochester.
We are a 24/7 company that is ready to help out when you need it most.
Rochester Residents Are You Leaving for Christmas?
12/17/2018 (Permalink)
Are you leaving your home during the Christmas holiday? There are a few simple things you can do to take care of your home so that you lessen your chances of home damage while you are gone.
1. Unplug all your electronics. This will help lower your electricity bill and help prevent an electrical fire.
2. Turn off the main water supply line if you are going to be gone for more than a week. This may help prevent leaks or breaks in the line.
3. Remember to throw away any perishable items so they don't rot.
4. Stop your mail and paper service. Contact the USPS and they can hold your mail for you until you return.
We at SERPVRO of Rochester wish you a Merry Christmas and blessed 2019!
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