Recent Water Damage Posts

Showers and Water Damage

Name: SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario
Address: 8816 W Foothill Blvd. #103-330, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 91730
Telephone: (909) 984-3544

7/22/2024 (Permalink)

Plumbers tell us it's the most common type of bathroom leak. Although it may sound minor, this leak could cause major damage when water seeps into the subfloor where flooring meets the tub or shower. Before long the vinyl flooring or tiles begin to loosen. Even worse, the plywood subfloor can delaminate and rot.

Signs of trouble:

Curling vinyl flooring or loose tiles next to the tub.
Peeling paint or flaking, chalky-looking wood finish near the shower.
Water stains on the ceiling or joists below.
Mold spots on the wall or floor near the tub or shower.
If you use a curtain, look for standing water on the floor after you shower.

How to find the source:

If you have a shower door, splash water all around the door and frame. Leaks around the frame may take five minutes or longer to show up.
If the door has rubber gaskets or a rubber door sweep, check them for gaps.
Also check for any gaps in the caulk where the shower or tub meets the flooring
Contact us at 909-984-3544

Understanding Water Damage

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage can happen in your home at any time. Here at SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario we are ready to assist you with your restoration needs. There are a couple tips that can assist you in noticing and limiting water damage in your home.

Identifying the source

Sometimes the source of water is easy to find, such as an overflowing washing machine. However, sometimes the issue is a pipe in the wall or a slow leak under the sink. As a home owner it is always important to be vigilant. Some signs of water damage are: standing water, discoloration, musty odors, and in some cases mold. Knowing where the water is will assist you in where to shut off the water. Most fixtures in your home have angle stops that will stop the flow of water to the appliance or plumbing fixture. Some homes have a water shut-off valve in the home and most homes have a main shut-off valve commonly by the street. It is important that whatever the source of the water is repaired or replaced by a professional.

Minimizing the damage

While we cannot plan for when a water loss will happen we can control what happens after. Remember that most water losses happen in the Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, and Water Heater Areas. Water will take the path of least resistance. Shut off the source of water from its source or from the main to your home. If you are able to, move contents such as furniture away from the water or put them on blocks. If safe, or if you want to remove as much of the standing water as possible using rags, towels, or a wet/dry vacuum. Keep note that water can travel underneath floorings such as solid wood and wood laminate as you step on it, so try to limit the traffic in that area. The next step is to call your insurance company and a water restoration company such as us so that we can inspect the damage and come up with and execute a plan to dry your home. It is always better to have a restoration company come out as soon as possible to start the drying process to avoid secondary damages such as mold.

Time Frame

Remember, minimizing the damage will not stop the damage. Materials such as wood and drywall will absorb damage. Additionally, avoiding secondary damages depend on the source of water as well as time taken to remove said water from the affected materials. Water can wick up drywall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour and wood 1/2 inch an hour. Given that we are able to get to your home and start work promptly our goal is to minimize any damage and necessary demolition in your home.

Effects of water damage

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is a problem that most property owners dread. When it rains heavily or snow melts quickly, the risk of this type of damage increases. Water can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage by damaging wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to remedy. Hiring a water damage restoration company can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies employ experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup.

The water restoration process is an important one. Using the right procedures and materials can help people save cherished belongings and even prevent their homes from being condemned. Water restoration companies specialize in mitigating the effects of water, but the success for water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the amount of water that caused the damage.

Testing for water damage

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you think you have water in your home, you might not be able to see it but it could require that you have a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario come on site and do an evaluation.

SERVPRO has many different tools and resources that can detect water that is unseen to the eyes. One way is using a thermal camera that can determine temperature variations in the wall and other porous surfaces.

Once the damaged area is detected, SERVPRO can begin to remove damaged materials and extract any standing water. After that they can place equipment to dry until all of the moisture meters measure the home as dry.

SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out at any time.

Water Damage to your Property

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

Imaging it’s Sunday afternoon, and you walk into your home after a relaxing weekend away expecting to switch on the lights, put the kids to bed then get some rest yourself.

A water pipe burst over the weekend, dumping thousands of gallons of water over your hardwood kitchen floor, your carpeted living room and your cement utility room. You realize this problem is far beyond the reach of your shop vac. What do you do now?

When it is your home or business that is underwater, mitigation cannot wait. You need mitigation to begin immediately. If water damage strikes you or your neighbor give SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario a call at 909-984-3544 any time, any day.

The cost of water damages can increase exponentially with time. Wood Floors warp, dry wall soaks in moisture and mold develops in hard-to-reach areas of your home or business.

The benefits of rapid mitigation offer by SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario can lower the cost and potential hazards may be avoided.

If the unthinkable happens to your home or business, allow SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario help you get your home and business back to normal.

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

There’s no such thing as a small disaster—especially when a small leak now could blossom into a big claim later. Unseen water can soak through walls, seep through carpet and pool on sub floors, causing major problems over time. You need help fast. No matter what time of day or night, contact SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario to begin emergency mitigation.

Emergency mitigation means that under normal circumstances, we will be on-site within four hours to begin drying your building and restoring contents. The faster the water is removed the less chance of serious damage to your facility. SERVPRO® of Northwest Ontario technicians are trained and understand how to manage the drying process. By utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technology, your structure will be quickly and thoroughly dried, which helps prevent secondary water damages.

Causes of flood damage in your home or business.

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Anything can happen to flood your home or cause water in your business; even small accidents like a supply line break or a pipe break can cause a flooded home. Some causes are preventable, others are not. The most common causes:

Broken water heaters / Sump Pumps
Leaking pipes
Supply line break
Frozen water lines / pipe break
Storm water
Blocked Sewer Lines
Overflowing appliances (Bathtubs, dishwashers, washing machines)

Effects of Excessive Water?

Unless the water cleanup and drying is handled correctly and by a professional, the devastation can quickly spread. A Water Damage Restoration Professional is experienced in the mitigation process and can save you time, money and headaches. Without them, you are exposing yourself to all types of additional problems with water in your home or water in your business:

Mold
Contaminants in the water
Structural problems
Building materials
Carpets and carpet padding
Loss of personal property
Electrical / mechanical problems

There is more involved than just fixing a pipe break or supply line break.

Appliances and Water Damage

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

These are some statistics on appliances.

Washing machine supply lines typically have issues on average around the 9 year mark. As a preventative measure, have a plumber look at the supply lines and replace parts as necessary.

Most people in United States have water heaters with a tank. There are a number of people that have made the switch to thankless water heaters for a variety of reasons but most have not due to the added cost. 75% of tank water heaters will fail before the 12 year mark. If you are lucky enough to have your water heater approach the 10 mark, it may be time to change it out as a precautionary measure.

These are the statistics on average; of course things will happen before some of these timelines are met. SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario is here to help with any water mitigation damage that may rise in your home or commercial property.

Tips for a Water damage Claim

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

It sounds easy to do , but staying calm during the claim process can make a huge difference. By keeping your emotions in check, you will be able to better communicate and describe the damage to your insurance agent, hear what they are saying with clarity and also not miss any important information they are trying to share with you. We recommend that you keep a list of phone numbers on your fridge (ex. SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario your Insurance Agent, and the local Fire Department) just in case of an emergency. Remember, it’s always best to be prepared.

Take some pictures of your home sometimes insurances want to see what your home looked like before the water damage.

Taking photos of any water damage or standing water is ALWAYS a good idea. It allows the insurance company to see firsthand the extent of the damage, as well as help protect you should a question arise. These days most people carry their smart phone on them at all times, so having access to a camera is no problem!

Dealing with a water loss claim can feel overwhelming at times. If you ever have a question about what is going on, be sure to ask. Our office staff is here to explain and answer any question you may have.

We are here to help you navigate through your water damage claim.

SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario (909) 984-3544

Do You Know Where to shut off the Water in your Home?

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

Shut Off Valve

Home Tip: Know where the water shut off valves are on your toilets, sinks, appliances, and the main house shut off so you can limit the amount of damage if there is a leak.

Extra Tip: Add a shut off tag to the main house water shut off so anyone can quickly find it and make sure to teach all members of your family how to use it.

Time is of the essence when dealing with water damage, quickly stop the water flow and then call us right away. Water damage can't wait until the morning, that's why we are on call 24/7 When mitigation begins immediately it reduces the risk of mold growth and any further damage.

While you wait for us to arrive begin to remove excess standing water if you can do so safely.

SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario (909)984-3544

Water Heaters

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water Heater

The smallest leak in water heater can result in a huge amount of damage not only in your garage but inside your home too. Our specialists at SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario will come and asses your property to see how much damaged has been made to your home, the water will be shut off until a plumber checks the water heater and fixes it or replaces it.

This particular project was a surprise for the new tenant. We were called to assess the problem and address the drying of the structure. What we found when we arrived certainly meant that some work was getting done that day. We also performed some demo and cleanup.

We are ready to help you get your home back to normal "Like it never even happened."

Burst Pipes

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Taking the right steps when you discover bursting pipes in your business can limit the expense and effort necessary to restore your property. This is particularly important when you're facing days or weeks of your Ontario business being closed. You may already be familiar with the very first steps to take:

Shut off water to the flooded area.
Turn off the electricity.
Provide plenty of ventilation.

These steps are critical to preventing damage but you should also

Locate the Broken Pipe

There may be water still draining from the pipes, but more importantly, you need to know where to fix broken pipe elements..
Remove Items from the Flooded Area, if it's safe to walk into the flooded room, carry out furnishings, equipment, and other valuable items. You may possibly prevent papers, inventory, and belongings from getting damaged.

Record Damages

Carefully make a record of the damage. Use photographs and write down values of damaged items to be sure your insurance claim is accurate.

Call Your Insurance Company

There's a good chance that the damage will be covered by the business' insurance policy.

SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario (909) 984-3544

Different Types of Flooding

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

Among the first considerations that must be made when our technicians arrive at the damaged address is the type of flooding that affects the house. Many loss situations might appear the same, but they require different extraction and mitigation approaches to resolve because of their origin. Understanding the emergency is part of the job scoping process where our technicians assess the damage and determine the ideal procedures to restore and recover your house. The objective in these situations is efficiency, so we seek to find the appropriate blend of tools, technology, demolition, and repair. Some of the common types of flood damage that we encounter include:

Roof Breaches – Damage to the roof of your home can happen quickly during a severe storm event. High winds and torrential rainfall can test the limitations of shingles, joists, and underlayment materials. Penetration can worsen quickly once vulnerabilities exist.
Basement Flooding – Groundwater or natural flooding can often target the lowest levels of your property, as water assumes the paths of least resistance. Without adequate diversion equipment installed or cleared floor drains, flooding in the basement can become a considerable obstacle for restoration technicians.
Natural Flooding/Flash Flooding – Flash flooding scenarios are the most unpredictable, as these events can force water into the house and spread quickly through this main level of the property. These situations also come with debris, silt, mud, and other potential contaminants to address.

Types of Water Damage

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Category 1, water that does not seem to threaten life such as humans or pets is deemed a category 1 or, "clean water". This can be something like an overflow of a sink or tub, or a faucet failure.

Our experts can clean swiftly and effortlessly. This type of water needs a good drying with our fans and de-humidifier. This type of water is the simplest water because there are not contaminates in it.

Category 2, has some type of containment to it, like an in between of category 1 and 3. This could be physical, biological or chemical of origin that can cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by a life source. This could be from a toilet, or water from a washing machine/ dishwasher.

This type of category takes a little bit longer to clean as there is more of a sanitizing and disinfecting that needs to be done. There might be a need for demolition if there are surfaces that are damaged and cannot be washed or cleaned effectively. Soft goods can be washed or discarded.

Category 3 means that the water is grossly contaminated and is extremely unsanitary. This can be sewage water, a toilet trap, even category 2 still-water can turn into category 3 water. This can also be considered "black water."

Affected dry wall and flooring besides concrete. Dry wall and other porous substances need to be removed.

Signs that you have a water damage problem in Ontario Home

7/8/2020 (Permalink)

Signs of water damage in your cabinet

Standing water – This may sound pretty obvious, but if you notice water pooling in your house you have a water problem that needs to be taken care of immediately.

Bad smells – While water doesn’t normally have much of a smell, the mold and bacteria that grow in damp environments can give off a distinct musty, wet odor. If you smell mold or mildew there is a possibility that you have a water issue.

Stains and spots – Stains on the ceilings or walls can be a sign of water damage. You might have a leaky pipe or roof. Call a professional to determine the cause of the problem and to clean up the damage before it becomes a serious mold problem.

Peeling paint – Paint damaged by water will start to peel, bubble, or flake off.

Uneven surfaces – Water damage can cause floors, ceilings, walls, and other surfaces to warp and feel uneven.

Cracks – Water is always seeking the path of least resistance out of your home. Water can enter through cracks and once water finds its way in, the crack will expand allowing even more to get into your home. Make sure you seal all visible cracks on your property.

If you notice your home has water damage call the experts at SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario we are always here to help! (909) 984-3544

Have you Flushed Your Water Heater?

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Flushing Water Heater

How Should a Heater Be Flushed?

Performing a flush can help you identify problem areas. Before you start, establish a safety zone in the heater room. Then perform the following steps:

To avoid electric shock, make sure floors and all other room surfaces are dry, and turn off your main water valve.
Next, turn off the electric power circuit breaker or turn off the gas, depending on your heater's energy source.
Wait several hours for the tank water to cool off.
Attach a garden hose to your water heater drain, place the other end on your driveway, and open the tank drain so water can flow outside.
Repeat until the unit is empty, then detach the hose, close the drain valve, turn on the main water supply, and safely restore the power.

When Are Flushes Recommended?

Although your heater may be working, these appliances lose effectiveness over time as water sediment builds up, so yearly flushing helps maintain the units in optimal condition.

What Are Some Early Warning Signs?

One of the first signs can be strange noises coming from the tank. Water may take longer to heat or leaks may begin to appear under the heater. Water discoloration or unpleasant odors can also signal problems.

What if There Is a Problem?

If you experience problems or feel you cannot safely perform a flush, you may want to call for professional assistance. Some issues may need to be identified and resolved by an expert technician. You can receive the help you need and best solutions can also be evaluated.

Preventative yearly maintenance can maximize the life of your water.

Maintaining Your Property

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Leaky Pipes?

When a water pipe burst and floods your home or your air conditioner is leaking onto your wood floor, will your insurance company cover the damages? This depends, in part, on your insurance policy. The biggest factor is usually the type of damages:

Sudden and Unforeseen Damages are usually covered by homeowners' policies
Gradual Damages due to issues such as leaky pipes or a lack of maintenance may not be covered
Wear and Tear is nearly always up to the homeowner with very few exceptions

If you believe that your claim should be covered by your policy, you should call your insurance.

Make sure to maintain your property

Most of the time, insurance companies expect homeowners to regularly maintain the plumbing systems in their homes. This means taking steps to prevent the pipes from freezing, keeping the pipes free of clogs, and generally responding to any cracks, splits, and leaks. When homeowners don’t respond to leaks, rust, or deterioration, the insurance company is likely to hold the homeowner responsible.

Make a Claim Even If You Aren’t Sure It’s Covered

However, while the damages from a slow leak may not be covered, when leaky pipes become broken pipes and flood your home, the resulting damages fall under your insurance coverage. This type of coverage may be found in the all-perils section of your policy. This shouldn’t be seen as an excuse to avoid routine maintenance; if there’s evidence that neglect is the cause of the leak and/or break, the insurance provider may deny your claim.

Find Out Which Services Are Covered

When your claim is approved, damages to carpeting, floors, and drywall are generally covered. You may also get coverage for the services provided by water damage cleanup and restoration professionals. In some situations, mold prevention services are also covered.

Give Us a Call (909) 984-3544

Can we Save Wood Floors?

7/3/2020 (Permalink)

Ready to the Rescue

One of our popular questions is, can you save our hardwood floors? In the Ontario, California area, we have a lot of older homes with original floors, naturally they want to save them. Another reason is, it trouble-some and expensive to replace all the floors. Will the new floors match the old? I the answer isn't always simple either. We do have a hardwood floor drying system and we will do our very best to save those beautiful floors. But, we have to be honest, there are some times when the damage has gone too far and they need pulled. The best way to avoid pulling them is to act fast! Call us immediately. We will be there fast to get water extracted and equipment in place. Let’s save those floors. Give SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario (909) 984-3544 a call as soon as you suspect water damage on your wood floors.

Preparing Your Home for Raining Season

7/3/2020 (Permalink)

Fixing Window Seal

When the rain starts your home is supposed to keep yourself and your belongings dry. However, some moisture can get in if your home has not been maintained or checked for broken seals.

What to do if you are experiencing moisture in your home:

Re-caulk windows seals
Re-caulk door seals
Consider adding overhangs to doors and windows
Check for missing or broken shingles on the roof

Doing or considering adding fixtures to your home will keep the moisture out, and it may even add beauty and equity to your home.

At SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario, we take pride in our fast and effective response team, dedicated to getting you back up and running as soon as possible. Contact us at (909) 984-3544 for rapid response and service!

Water Damage in Wood Floors

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Wood Flooring

When wood floor becomes wet in a water damage It will swell and buckle. Wood floors could rarely be matched. Therefore if several pieces are damaged and there is not enough extra pieces to replace them it will need to be replaced everywhere the wood floor flows. In the photo it shows a job we completed recently in Ontario CA, that is a good example of this damage.
With any water clean-up, it is better for a professional company that is IICRC certified to take care of the water damage properly in order to prevent any further damage. SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario is always here to help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We work directly with your insurance to get the job done.
Water damage to your home is a devastating experience, and we are ready to help.
Give us a call today (909) 984-3544

Washing Machine Overflow on Second Floor

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage on a second floor

As a homeowner being vigilant is key when minimizing damage to your home. This customer noticed that there was water coming down into their family room on the first floor. The cause, a washing machine machine overflow causing damage to a Family Room ceiling and walls. This pictures shows the minimal demolition that was required in order to properly dry the walls and the sub-floor from the second level.

5 Must-Dos to Prevent an Overflowing Washing Machine

Regularly Clean Standpipe and Drains.
Don't overfill the washing machine.
Install Standpipe at the Appropriate Height. ...
Use the Right Detergent. ...
Register the Machine with Its Manufacturer. ...
Turn off the power. ...
Check the Water Pressure. ...
Ensure the Drain Hose Is Fully Functional.

No job is too big or too small for SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario . When called into this job we moved quickly and aimed to get our customer back to the standard of living that they were accustomed to.

The Science of Drying

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

Drying studs

The knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its preloss condition. While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the damaged area, SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario is trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry-approved standards to help prevent further damage.

If your business suffers a water damage, SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario will:

Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
Measure how much moisture is in wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
Use professional drying equipment.

A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material–but only if the air is, indeed, drier. The only problem is, nature often takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out. For this reason, SERVPRO of Northwest Onatrio has been trained to use top-of-the-line equipment to help move your loss forward, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces inside walls, and much more.

Give us a call, we can help you: (909)984-3544

Water Damage in Your Northwest Ontario Home

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Any Water Restoration May Require Multiple Steps To Complete

H2O is found naturally and is needed for you and your family to live a comfortable lifestyle at your Keller residence. Therefore, all homes have a complex plumbing system that could fail one day forcing you to contact a water restoration company like SERVPRO. Moisture does not mix well with the organic materials that make up your house's structure and interior building materials. When things get saturated, they tend to lose their strength and disintegrate. Anytime excessive moisture enters your living area, it is vital to start steps towards complete water restoration immediately.

Problems with moisture are the most likely type of damage that your property can suffer. To prevent things from falling apart and mold from growing, our SERVPRO team is available 24/7 into conduct water restoration operations. If your plumbing system develops a crack or one of your appliances chooses to act abnormally, you could find yourself walking in water when you enter the affected area. As much as stepping in a puddle is unpleasant to you, your building materials and contents that you rely on to live a comfortable lifestyle are not designed to be able to recover from being wet quite like us humans are.

Water is a powerful force, and we have all seen the devastation it can cause during floods or hurricanes. But what some people do not know is that the liquid natural resource can be destructive even in small amounts. Excessive moisture can and will ruin pretty much anything if it gets wet enough and it is left damp for a long enough period.

To make matters worse, if materials inside your home get wet the presence of moisture can cause problems in other areas that the water never even touched. Escalated humidity levels are also known to destroy certain materials that make up a building's structure. Also, if humidity and moisture levels stay high for more than 48 hours, any organic substance inside your dwelling becomes susceptible to microbial contamination. If you ever see or feel wet materials inside your home, please call SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario at (909) 984-3544 so that we can help prevent future secondary problems.

Hard to mitigate disasters

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Our Team Works Hard To Mitigate Disasters

This summer, SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario encourages families in Southern California to brush up on their preparedness skills. A disaster can strike your property at any time and come from almost any direction. Weather does not always play a role in these horrible circumstances because incidents such as broken pipes and fire can happen in isolated areas of your house.

When a broken pipe, fire-fighting activities, or overflowed basins occur inside your Keller residence, SERVPRO employees are ready to perform the water cleanup duties needed. We make mitigation fast and easy for homeowners and can do the same for you all year long. Remaining prepared helps stave off damages that continuously worsen with each passing minute whenever unwanted water affects your home. In many situations, merely knowing how to shut off a water valve can save your home from severe damage.

Mold and mildew begin growing with 24 to 48 hours after a water disaster so cleaning it up and extracting all of the moisture becomes crucial. Other problems can come from the way in which materials in your home interact with water, also, and porous materials often become damaged to the point of requiring replacement. Responding as quickly as possible reduces this need, so we always strive to remain Faster To Any Size Disaster when we provide services to those in our communities. A fast response can also increase the odds in favor of your flooring and help it survive a disaster.

After removing water sitting in your residence, we address the issue of moisture in materials and water vapor in the air. Air movers speed up the circulation of the air drastically, and both desiccant machines and dehumidifiers work tirelessly to remove the moisture as air passes through these pieces of equipment.

When wall cavities, ceilings, and other portions of your home retain water, we discuss options with you regarding its extraction. The most effective way to do this aspect of water cleanup and removal mitigation involves the drilling of a small hole in an inconspicuous place so we can direct airflow with an Injectidry machine.

SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario wants to help mitigate the damage and restore your home and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Water cleanup methods are only one of our many services that help restore homes to preloss condition, making them livable again in a cost-effective manner. Call us when you have an emergency, any day of the year, at our 24-hour services line, (909) 984-3544.

How to Remove Water When There is No Electricity in Your Northwest Ontario Home

6/27/2019 (Permalink)

Temporary Power Solutions for Water-Damaged Northwest Ontario Homes

With so many of our devices working off of electricity, we cannot discredit the possibility of water loss incidents also allowing for power outages and concerns within your Northwest Ontario property. With situations where standing water and excessive moisture content are concerns, it can be unsafe to attempt to utilize power in the house even if the service for this utility has not become entirely disconnected. We have multiple temporary solutions and approaches that can help us to keep working despite hiccups in the power where you live.

Many adverse effects and conditions stemming from the water damage exist in your Northwest Ontario home after the incident. With how fast these same effects can continually spread the property, it is likely that more areas beyond the source point can become damaged by the movement of water. Our SERVPRO professionals have state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained personnel to address these concerns quickly and confidently.

With many of our most common choices for extraction being tools that hinge on the use of electricity, our team must travel with portable power solutions for temporary electricity as needed to operate our water damage mitigation and recovery equipment. Among the most common of these solutions that our SERVPRO team offers are large generators. These run on gasoline or diesel fuel, and can continually provide an abundance of power to multiple units working simultaneously.

Even with the use of gas-powered tools and equipment like our trash pumps, a generator can help to run air movers and dehumidifiers at the same time to address excessive moisture and dampness in exposed areas of the house. Much like the individual drying units, the generator can get moved from one point to another to provide portable power solutions to multiple points of the same recovery.

No matter when disaster strikes, you need a team that stays prepared for all of the potential effects that your house could face after a water loss incident. Give our SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario professionals a call today at (909) 984-3544.

When Man's Best Friend Creates Water Damage in Northwest Ontario

6/27/2019 (Permalink)

The Dog Did It - SERVPRO Helps with Water Damage in Northwest Ontario Home

Water damage can occur in a lot of unexpected ways. You can check your supply lines and pipes regularly to make sure they are in working order — however, unpredictable factors like pets and human error that can create unplanned situations.

SERVPRO received an urgent call to clean up water damage in a Northwest Ontario home. The homeowner arrived home for lunch as he did every day, and stepped in the water when he took his first step into his home. He kept the downstairs bathroom door shut because his dog had a habit of jumping in and out of the tub to amuse herself. The dog got the door open and in playing her game at the bathtub, accidentally turned on the faucet, with the drain closed. The homeowner estimated water had been running at least three to four hours before he shut it off.

SERVPRO technicians arrived quickly after the initial phone call and immediately began using portable pumps to extract the water while another technician determined precisely where and to what extent the home was affected by moisture.

Luckily the water had followed a path on tile flooring, and only the very edges of a carpeted room were affected, and after the initial removal, we squeegeed the floor to ensure as much water was pulled up as possible. Technicians used weighted extractors to push the water that had seeped into the padding for faster drying.

In a water spill such as this, we carefully examine the subflooring with moisture detectors to determine if there it is retaining any moisture. Fortunately for this homeowner, we found none.

SERVPRO technicians spend extra time on water extraction because the more water we remove, the faster the drying phase goes. The technicians set up air mover and dehumidifiers to expel the remainder of the water vapor left and then followed up with a thorough cleaning and disinfecting. The homeowner was pleased and to avoid this in the future stated he was looking into doggie daycare or childproof locks to keep his dog out of the room when he was not home.

SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario knows fast action on water damage is crucial that is why "We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster"

-Call us 24/7 at (909) 984-3544 when you need quick assistance with your water loss situation.

Common Signs that Water Damage is Lurking in Your Home

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage is among the most common causes of property damage claims. One in every 50 insured homes will have a water-related property claim. The possible causes of water damage lurking in your home can originate from many different sources, with varying intensities, danger levels, and reach of damage. Even a well-maintained residence can have unexpected water damage including, a leaky dishwasher or sink, broken pipe(s), an overflowing washing machine, an old leaky roof, flood or storm damage and foundation cracks. If you see signs that water damage is lurking in your home, SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario always here to help!

Water spots under sink cabinets

If you see water under the bathroom or kitchen sink it’s a warning sign that you have water damage and potential mold growth around the sink area. If the leak is bad enough, it could cause additional damage to the building structure, including the floor and walls, even if there’s no water present, water spots clearly indicate that pipes under the sink have a slow leak.

Ceiling and wall stains

Ceiling and wall stains are obvious signs of a roof, appliance, or plumbing leak, water saturates insulation and drywall, it can also lead to major water damage, that can compromise the structural integrity of the property. Check your roof for damage, broken tiles or puddling, also investigate appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets for leaky spigots that could be dripping water and causing damage.

Mold growth

Mold needs water to grow, so it’s common to find mold in consistently damp locations—and finding mold is never a good thing, since it means your air quality is suffering. In fact, sensitive individuals may experience unpleasant symptoms such as aggravated allergy symptoms, cold-like issues, and more.

Squishy kitchen/bathroom tiles

Water damage is not always visible. In fact, it’s more common for damage to occur behind the floor, ceiling, and walls where you can’t see it. Since the bathroom is the most humid room in your home, it’s a common place for water damage and mold growth.

Standing water

Many things can cause water to pool in unlikely places, including a broken pipe or flooding. If you find standing water, it’s important to seek water damage remediation as quickly as possible. Ignoring the problem could lead to greater damage to your home’s structural integrity and air quality.

When you are dealing with water damage, call in the experts to help! SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario can respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. We closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

Contact us for 24-7 emergency service in your home. SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario is here to help!

Flood water facts

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

Across the United States, flooding is one of the most commonly widespread weather-related disasters. Whether your home or business is near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is always potential for flood damage.

Though you may have never experienced a flood in the past, there’s no level of security to assure that you won't in the future. In fact, 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk communities.

According to the American Red Cross (ARC), floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather-related disaster. The ARC offers the following safety tips:

Stay away from floodwaters as much as possible. If you approach a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and water are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.

If your home or business is ever affected by a flood, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario at (909)984-3544. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. The SERVPRO system is prepared to handle any size disaster. The sooner work begins; the sooner your home or business can return “Like it never even happened.”

Suggestions and Tips on checking for leaks in your shower

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

Splash leaks are simply water escaping past a shower curtain or a shower door. Plumbers tell us it's the most common type of bathroom leak. Although it may sound minor, this leak could cause major damage when water seeps into the subfloor where flooring meets the tub or shower. Before long the vinyl flooring or tiles begin to loosen. Even worse, the plywood subfloor can delaminate and rot.