Unchecked Water Leaks Create Extensive Damage

6/12/2023 (Permalink)

Water Damage in St. Louis

Left unchecked, water can cause major damage over time to florrs in your bathroom, kitchen or any other room and the ceiling of the rooms below. It warps linoleum and weakens the tile setting and causes ceilings and floors to deteriorate. It ruins your possessions and appliances. The excess water damages everything in its path. 
 
When you notice signs of water leaking, call in the restoration experts at SERVPRO of St. Louis Central and Bridgeton/Florissant to handle the cleanup. We have years of experience returning your bathroom, kitchen or other room to its original condition. In fact, our customers often say it feels  "Like it never even happened.” We are proud of the fact that we focus on restoration, using replacement only when necessary. And, when replacement is needed, we have our own construction division to put your home or business back to its preloss condition! The great thing about SERVPRO is one call does it all. 
 
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification IICRC, which sets industry standards, certifies our SERVPRO team. We receive specialized training in a range of services, including microbial remediation, drying techniques, and water damage restoration. We use state-of-the-art air movers and dehumidifiers, and the most advanced cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing agents. 

Give us a call today at 314-260-7177 for any water damage you may suffered! 

Flooded Basements in St. Louis

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded Basement? Call SERVPRO.

A basement can flood at any time in the St. Louis region region, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your St. Louis basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• Sump Pump Failure
• And many more

Have a Basement Flooding Disaster?

Call Today - (314) 260-7177

The bottom line, a flooded basement can cause significant water damage and possible mold growth if not handled properly. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of St. Louis Central and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use S500 Industry Standard, IICRC Restoration protocol
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment is used to mitigate the damage

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today: (314) 260-7177

STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE IN THE EVENT OF A PIPE BURST

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Being rained on by a broken pipe? Call SERVPRO

What should you do in the event of a pipe burst in your home or business?

Cracked, broken or bursting pipes can cause a lot of damage to your home or business. Because of this, its very important to have the problem taken care of as quickly as possible to minimize secondary damage. It can be difficult to determine what to do in a high-stress situation like this, but the following steps will put you on the right path until SERVPRO of St. Louis Central arrives.

1. Contact Your Insurance Agent

One of the first things you want to do when you've experienced water to your home or business is to call your insurance agent. This will allow you to get the claims process started right away. It can be a lengthy process and the money you receive can help you pay to fix broken pipes and have repairs done. Your claim can also be denied if you take too long to report the damage.

2. Locate and Document Damage

When you make an insurance claim, an adjuster will need to inspect your home to determine the extent of the damage. While you are waiting for the visit, you can start making a list and taking pictures of damaged areas and belongings. The adjuster can use this information when working on your claim. Do not throw away affected items until you have documented and inventoried them, as these can provide proof of damage as well.

3. Have Mitigation Done by SERVPRO

A busted water line can result in flooding in your home or business and, if it is not cleaned up quickly, it can lead to a lot of secondary damage. When exposed to moisture, mold can begin to grow in as little as a day and can easily spread to large areas. Excessive water can also absorb into building materials which will then need to be replaced if you delay in mitigating the damage.
If your home or business has been damaged as a result of a busted pipe, a cleanup and restoration service like SERVPRO of St. Louis Central can perform mitigation quickly to minimize further damage. They can also make any necessary repairs and salvage many of your affected belongings to have your home looking as good as new.

Water Damage Have You All Wet? We Got This

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage Have You All Wet? Call SERVPRO

Water Damage Have You All Wet? We Got This

A water line bursting, washer overflows, sewer back ups, sump pump failures, toilet problems, and natural floods can wreak havoc to your home or business in St. Louis. You may feel like you have lost all control of your home or business, and it can only get worse by hiring the wrong contractor who rips and tears your walls, furniture, carpet, and other personal belongings out of its place. This process can leave you clutching your chest in agony as well as a draining your finances and your bank account.

Water removal is not an easy task and should be left to the professionals at SERVPRO of St. Louis Central. Homeowners and business owners often try to clean a major water damage without consulting the experts, which can cause more damage and problems. There are a lot of components that are involved in water damage restoration and reconstruction. It's not something that a beginner should consider tackling. Hiring SERVPRO of St. Louis Central is a step in the right direction and a wise decision because we have all the tools that are needed to take out extra water to prevent further damage. Plus, a thorough cleaning and drying process is required and SERVPRO has the knowledge and the training to mitigate the damage properly.

SERVPRO has high-tech equipment such as  extractors to help remove water from carpets and other flooring materials. Air movers enhance evaporation to reduce drying time. Dehumidifiers extract water vapor from the air. After removing all the water, they use deodorizer equipment such as thermal foggers to produce the fog that has tiny particles of deodorant solutions to neutralize any odor caused by the water damage. We also treat surfaces with anti-microbials to stop mold growth after a water damage. Afterward, these technicians perform a thorough walk-through with you to make sure that everything is done to your satisfaction.

With SERVPRO of St, Louis Central, you can expect reliable and excellent customer services and a team of professionals to get the job done right. Call us for service at (314) 260-7177.

Rolling Out to the next commercial Water Damage

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

ROLLING OUT

WE ARE ROLLING TO THE NEXT LARGE SCALE WATER DAMAGE

Our Commercial Large Loss Division is always prepared to roll in the event of a large loss fire, water or storm damage to commercial or retail spaces and is composed of our best of the best in restoration industry. Our elite large-loss specialists are prequalified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle large scale water damages and any other size disasters that transpire.

Every large loss water job is supervised by one of our commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation through the time we engage, start building stabilization all the way through to the completion of the project.

At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor. Get the professionals who have decades of large loss commercial restoration, call SERVPRO of St. Louis Central at (314) 260-7177. 

Do You Suspect Water Damage in Your Home?

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

A Protimeter/Moister Detecting Device verifying a wwet surface.

Do You Suspect Water Damage?

A broken water line or other types of water damage can wreak enormous damage if undetected in your home or business. Whether it be from a burst line within a wall or a damaged or worn roof leak that has been alowing water to enter in your home running across rafters and pooling into insulation causing extensive water damage and mold. By the time you discover the problem the damage has been done! 

Water Damage left unresolved can cause secondary damage to building materials and create the need for mold remediation in your attic, basement, interior walls and crawl spaces.

At SERVPRO, we seek out moisture utizing special devices in our arsenal to combat moister:

• Moisture Sensors - alert us that water is present.
• Moisture meters - generate data on the level of how wet the materials are through data.
• Thermo-hygrometers - measures temperature and relative humidity to monitor drying efforts once remediation has been started.
• Thermal imaging/Thermal Cameras - detect cached water for removal behind structures and substraits that the visual eye cannot detect.

CALL SERVPRO:

If you detect that you may have a water damage issue call the cleanup team here at SERVPRO of St. Louis Central at (314) 260-7177. Our trained St. Louis Water Damage technicians will seek out the cause and implement a plan of action to rectify the problem.

Check Your Appliances / Water Damage Culprits

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

Appliances

Unchecked Appliances can cause major water damage

Many household appliances utilize water to operate. Dishwashers, refrigerator ice machines and washing machines just to name a few can wreck havoc if not examined and serviced on a regular basis. Let's discuss refrigerators as an example since this appliance runs continually 24/7, 365 days a year. It can start leaking at the most inconvenient time, resulting in water damage throughout your kitchen. It is important to remain mindful of situations that can cause your refrigerator to leak and catch water damage as soon as it forms.

Most Water Damage Begins Unnoticed behind the appliance.

When you are around your refrigerator, you are probably not looking for leaks. Refrigerator leaks tend to start small and gradually grow to become a bigger problem. You might experience a leak coming from the ice maker, a leaky hose, or the water hookup. 

Generally, any leaks coming from an ice maker are the result of built-up condensation and/or a faulty hookup. This can block the draining system and end up leaking through the inside of your fridge and the seals. In addition, a leaky hose can be the result of having the refrigerator pushed up too close against the wall, bending the hose and causing a break and subsequent leak. When connecting water lines to your refrigerator, make sure not to push it as far back as possible to avoid damaging the hose or line. The water hookup can sometimes spring a leak or may drip, which can go unseen for months and eventually cause  major problems including a very nasty mold situation.

Overtime, water leaks can lead to  very costly repairs. Depending on the type of leak, you can experience rotting floorboards, mold build up, or a flooded basement. A strong indicator of water damage is wood flooring that separates and warps, or tiles that become loose. It is important to repair or replace the floor quickly to prevent mold from growing in the area.

Contact SERVPRO

Its important to catch leaks quickly before severe damage occurs. If you suspect a water leak behind your dishwasher, refrigerator or other appliance in your kitchen or basement, call SERVPRO of St. Louis Central and SERVPRO of Bridgeton/Florissant at (314) 260-7177.

Freezing Temperatures Can Cause Pipes to Burst

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Burst Water Line

Baby it's Cold Outside!

With the freezing temperatures we are experiencing, it's vital that you know how to prevent pipes from freezing. When water freezes in your pipes, whether due to quick drops in outside temperatures, poor insulation or the thermostat set too low, its volume expands and puts pressure on the pipe from inside. This can cause a burst pipe, but even a small crack or two can be the start of some devastating and expensive water and plumbing damage that would require a professional restoration company like SERVPRO to repair the damage.

Here are just a few tips that you can perform to reduce the chances of you having to give us a call:
• Insulate pipes located in the attic and crawl space using pipe insulation, even if the climate where you live does not often have hard freeze conditions.
• You can also wrap pipes in heat tape or heat cables with a thermostat control. The best pipe insulation for your situation will depend on your home. Always install according to the manufacturer's directions.
• Seal or caulk any cracks that might let in cold air, especially places where pipes run from inside to outside the home, such as dryer vents or water pipes.
• Preventing frozen pipes should be done outdoors as well. As you winterize your home, disconnect your garden hoses.
For any outdoor faucets with cut-off valves, be sure they are closed and faucets are drained. You can also protect them by using faucet covers throughout the winter months.
• If cold weather settles in and you notice temperatures beginning to drop, start a small drip of both hot water and cold water in the kitchen, bath, laundry areas and any other faucets in the home. A small water drip is all that is needed to keep water moving through the system and prevent frozen pipes.
• Be sure to alert a trusted neighbor if you'll be away more than a few days, and ask them to check periodically to make sure that the measures you have taken in preventing frozen pipes worked and that nothing has ruptured.

In the event you experience water damage due to a burst pipe call SERVPRO of St. Louis Central at (217) 536-6655 and we'll make it "Like it never even happened." 

Great Water Damage Tips

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Tips

We are well into December and with that comes a elevated risk of water damage due to freezing temperatures that can cause a fatigued water line to burst unexpectedly in your St. Louis home.

Although you just suffered a water damage, there is no need to panic although that will be your first thought. Take a deep breath and give SERVPRO of St. Louis Central and SERVPRO of Bridgeton/Florissant a call and we will get our trained technicians deployed and to the rescue restoring your property to it's preloss condition! Once we arrive on the scene of the damage we can quickly begin the cleanup & remediation of your property. Before we arrive, there are some steps you can take yourself to prevent secondary damage to your property and personal belongings. These steps should only be used if the water damage is caused by a clean water break. If you have suffered damage from sewer, toilet, or other contaminated water sources, stay away from the scene as it may have adverse health effects.

Here are a few tips for what you can do to prevent further water damage to your home, until our trained technicians arrive:

• Shut off the water source if it can be done safely.
• Remove any excess water by mopping or using towels.
• Remove and pop up we upholstery cushions for drying. Do not put cushion covers in washing machine.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs.
• Hang furs and leather goods separately at room temperature.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• If you have a wet/dry shop vac you can suck up any water that you are able to.
• If water damage is in the ceiling, do not turn on lights or overhead fans. And keep out of rooms where the ceiling is beginning to sag from holding water.
• When in doubt - "Don't" attempt anything! We are in transit and will access what steps need to be taken.

You can trust the team at SERVPRO to handle all your restoration and reconstruction needs by calling (314) 260-7177.

Winter Is Coming, Avoid Frozen Pipes!

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Frozen Water Line

Winter is upon us in St. Louis and with that is temperatures start to plummet. So is the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting during this season. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage—easily $5,000 or more, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. Pipes running through cabinets or exterior walls can freeze also. The good news is there are some simple things you can do to keep your water running and your house dry.

Pipe insulation can cost as little as 50 cents per linear foot at your local hardware store according to the IBHS. So for not much more than the cost of the aspirin you’d need, you can avoid the headaches of cleanup, loss of precious keepsakes, and the cost of your insurance deductible. Use the pipe insulation liberally to protect any vulnerable pipes.

Both the IBHS and the American Red Cross, which is in the business of emergency preparedness, have useful advice on how to prevent your pipes from freezing, as well as how to thaw them if they do.

When winter temperatures fall below freezing our phone volume goes up at SERVPRO due to frozen water lines bursting causing quite a lot of water damage. Many times this costly damage could of been prevented with some easy preventive maintenance steps.

1. As previously mentioned, pipe wrap to insulate the expose piping in the basement of your home. 

2. Seal/insulate all small cracks and openings in your basement. Wires and pipes run inside/out of homes and could leave small open spaces which will permit freezing wind to directly affect an area of pipe. That area could freeze and burst. This again is a simply and cost efficient way to keep the heat inside and the cold out.

3. During sub-zero temperatures, let susceptible faucets slowly drip. Running water through the pipes will prevent it from freezing. Also, open cabinet doors under the sinks to allow the home heat to circulate underneath. Again, a few degrees can make a tremendous difference.

SERVPRO of St. Louis Central & SERVPRO of Bridgeton/Florissant is here to help with  all your fire, water & smoke cleanup and restoration needs. We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call us at (314) 260-7177.

Recovering From A Water Damage

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Flooded Kitchen

When it comes to water damage in the U.S., almost 40% of homes have incurred losses due to this type of occurrence. Most of these problems are caused by a neglected or damaged roofs, old or faulty plumbing, broken washers and water heaters. Natural disasters such a flood events or hurricanes also ruin homes and businesses with their destructive forces.

During a water damage disaster, many homeowners and businesses feel hopeless, especially if most of the structure is still under water. The situation may appear bleak, but in most cases, there is a great chance of recovering your home or business from water damage quickly. The first step is not to panic. Keep calm and figure out where to begin. This is where an Emergency Plan should be considered before an event like this strikes. Check out https://www.ready.gov/plan. Here are some simple steps to guide you to a successful home recovery after water damage.

Think Safety

The number one priority should be the safety of you and your family. If there is standing water, begin by switching off electrical power to the entire house or the flooded area. Live electricity and water are a lethal combination. Secondly, shut off the main water inlet valve to prevent any possibility of contaminating the water system. In a large flood, you may also need to cut off the gas supply also. Identify and dispose of any damaged food; this will prevent food poisoning by accidental consumption. Don’t wade through a flooded floor without proper protection, especially in murky water. Sharp objects may be lurking at the bottom of the water. Wear sturdy waterproof boots when walking in a flooded area.

Remove The Moisture

The next step is to get rid of the moisture. In a heavy flooding situation, wait till the floods dissipate before you can start drying out your house. if environment is safe to do so, use electric, gas or hand trash pumps to remove water. Locate the lowest part of the flooded floor and place the pumps there. Be careful with electric-powered pumps to avoid electric shock. You could dump the excess water into the sewage system, a tanker truck, or the backyard where it won’t cause any harm. After all the water is out, circulate dry air within the house. Open up windows and doors to let in the fresh air. If it’s safe to use the mains system, install electric fans to blow air to specific areas. Even better, if the heating system is still usable, power it up to warm the house and drive moisture away. Drying out the house can reduce mold from growing. 

Pick Up Debris

Clear out any debris brought in by the water. Flood water is especially messy; there may be sediments, leaves, tree branches and even garbage. Identify anything that can be salvaged. This could be your precious heirlooms, rugs, furniture or drapes. Any salvageable belongings should be kept in a separate dry room if possible, or away from the house altogether. Anything that is severely damaged should be disposed of and documented for insurance purposes. Clear out as much debris as possible to reveal the extent of the water damage.

Assess Water Damage

With everything out of the way and visible, you can now assess the level of damage sustained. You may need to call in an inspector with an eye for details to examine the property in its entirety. Check for damage or mold on the floor, walls and plumbing system. Get a clear picture of the extent of damage, what needs to be done to repair the damages. This may be the time to call SERVPRO of St. Louis Central to put together a restoration protocol to put your St. Louis home back to its preloss condition.

Call Your Insurance Carrier

After a detailed assessment of the damage, call your insurance agent or carrier to find out how much of the damage they will cover. Your insurer will probably send a claims adjuster who will document all the steps you have taken so far and the valuation of damages. According to your insurance policy, the insurer could chip in a large part of the repair and restoration costs. Contact other insurers covering assets like your car or other valuables damaged along with the house.

Repairing Your Property

Now its time to begin repairs on your home. If only some rooms of the house are damaged, your family could still live in the safe parts of the house. However, if the house needs extensive repairs, you may have to find a temporal shelter. SERVPRO of St. Louis Central can carry out all the necessary repairs to your home or business from emergency mitigation and building stabilization to complete reconstruction of your property. Most water damage repairs include floor, walls and doors repairs or replacements. Check with the authorities whether certain repairs are allowed or require a city permit, SERVPRO can provide this for you also. The restoration period depends on the extent of the damage. Floor work usually takes a lot of time, so make sure you are prepared for that. After the repairs, make a few touch ups like paint jobs and restoring any peripheral systems such as plumbing and electrical systems in case they were damaged as well. Again, SERVPRO can provide all these different services to you since we are a "Full Service" contractor.

Ready To Move Back

After all the repairs are done, the house is finally back to its preloss condition, its now time to move back in. Bring in your furniture and belongings and prepare for things to go back to normal "Like it never even happened."

If you have had the misfortune of water damage striking, relax and follow a these steps for a speedy recovery. 

Have You Checked Your Sump Pump Lately?

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Sump Pump

A properly functioning sump pump can be the difference between an expensive water damage and a dry basement. There are two types of sump pumps that you may have in your basement: “submersible” pumps are installed under the floor in your basements, while the “pedestal” pump sits above your sump basin.  Sump pumps are used to “pump” groundwater away from your home and will evacuate large quantities of water, such as flooding and sewer backups to other areas, such as storm drains.  It's important to keep your sump pump in good working order, so it can keep your basement dry all year long. To learn more about sump pump maintenance, check out these common sump pump mistakes people make.

NEGLECT

Simply put, some homeowners never even check on their sump pumps until it's too late. Many homeowners simply ignore routine maintenance and checking their sump pump system on regular intervals. It's possible you may not have a properly functioning sump pump until your basement is several inches under water.

DO IT YOURSELF INSTALL

Have you ever told yourself; "I wish I would have called a professional to do it." If you’ve never installed a sump pump, don’t risk doing it yourself. You'll end up paying a lot more for damages than for the cost of proper installation by a professional installer. Hire a plumbing professional to avoid the risks of faulty installation.

NO BACKUP POWER

During a storm or utility company power outage, your home can lose power, causing your sump pump to shut down.  Should you experience flooding in your basement, a sump pump would redirect any incoming water. Keep your sump pump working during a power outage by connecting it to a backup power source, such as a generator or battery backup system.

IGNORING THE DISCHARGE PIPE/FLOAT SWITCH

Check that the drainage pipes are tightly connected and are directed away from your home’s foundation. Also, inspect the pipe for damage and clogs. Seek help at once if you find clogs or damage. Anything that impedes the flow could result in basement flooding due to slow drainage or no drainage at all.

The float switch tells the sump pump motor to stop once the water level goes below the float. Your sump pump needs ample space around the float to both float and sink freely. This should be inspected on a routine basis.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE

Routine sump pump maintenance goes a long way in guarding against basement flooding. Schedule a thorough inspection with a septic tank maintenance professional or plumber twice a year. For professional water damage restoration or mold removal, contact SERVPRO of St. Louis Central.

How Long Does a Water Job Take?

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

You can trust SERVPRO of St. Louis Central to take care of your water damage quickly and efficiently!

Many times, whilst getting started with a job, the first question a customer will ask is, “how long will this take?” We here at SERVPRO know that your time is valuable, we want to get the job done as fast as possible and make you say it looks “Like it never even happened.”

The typical timeline for a water job is 3-5 days. The first day of contact with us is all about stabilization. At this point there will not have been enough time to be in touch with insurance agents and adjusters to figure out what we are allowed to proceed with. To stabilize the situation, we set equipment and extract standing water if possible.

On the second day, contact with the adjuster has been made and we are now clear as to what we are allowed to tear out and fix. We begin that work and continue drying the affected area. Days 3-5 are dedicated to drying and monitoring your job.

After the job has been completed, the last step is for us to pick up our equipment and send the bill. That is how simple a job handled by SERVPRO of St. Louis Central can be!

Call today if you experience a water damage: 314-260-7177

Wait! Don't Touch That Fan!

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

Before touching set equipment, give us a call. We set our equipment with a purpose

Let’s set the scene:

SERVPRO of St. Louis Central has come to your home after a water damage occurred. Contents have been removed and it is time to start the drying process with to get it back to “Like it never even happened.” 

The first thing that will happen is if there is an excess amount of water in the carpet, the technicians will extract that water. After extraction, the flooring will still be damp. This is where we will place our air movers or “fans.”

Did you know that we place the air movers in a specific way that speeds the drying process? The placement of our fans creates the ideal airflow that circulates in dry air from the humidifiers, which evaporates the moisture in the flooring. To the untrained eye, it may not seem that way, but we have a purpose for doing the things the way we do. If you have any questions regarding the process, it is best to direct those questions to the trusted SERVPRO of St. Louis Central’s team.

If a piece of our equipment stops working while we are not on site, we will need to know as soon as possible so that we can replace the faulty equipment. In this case, also give the lead on your loss from SERVPRO of St. Louis Central a call.

What to do Until Help Arrives: Sewer

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of St. Louis Central has a team of highly trained professionals that can clean up your sewer backup

A sewer backup is a nasty situation for everyone involved. It not only puts a damper on your day, it can pose serious health risks, and property damage.

ILLNESS

The most dangerous part of a sewer backup, which is often overlooked, is the dangers it has on your personal health. The sewer water is filled with bacteria, viruses, and other illness causing contaminants. Any contact with the water can put you, your family, and pets at risk of illness or death.

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

The second most pressing issue with a sewer backup is the moisture left over from the water, causing secondary damage after cleanup. If the walls and floors of the affected area are not dried properly, or replaced, then mold and structural damage can occur causing more issues down the line.

CALL SERVPRO

These are the reasons why it is so important to have a professional team of experts like SERVPRO of St. Louis Central clean and restore your home or business after a sewer backup. In the unfortunate situation that you have a sewer backup, follow these tips to keep you and your family safe.

DO:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and contaminated items
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items
• Stay out of affected areas
• Treat all bodily fluids as contaminated
• Call SERVPRO of St. Louis Central to properly clean and restore your property

DON’T:

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas
• Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air
• Use household fans to dry the structure because it will spread contaminates
• Use products of personal hygiene if they have been exposed to contaminated areas, even if not directly touched by water
• Attempt cleanup without consulting a professional
• Handle or touch any items that might be contaminated

CALL NOW: 314-260-7177

Clean your Gutters before Winter

12/6/2019 (Permalink)

With winter on it's way it's important to clean your gutter so they don't get clogged and cause water damage to your home.

Don't Fall for Procrastination

The seasons may have skipped right over Fall this year, but do not "fall" into procrastinating on cleaning those gutters.  Although it may not seem like it should be here, winter is here and those leaves in your gutters are not going to clean themselves. But if you do choose to "leave" it for later, you may have water problems to deal with now.

If your gutter becomes clogged it can lead to the water finding an alternate way to drain from your roof. Water taking a different course can cause many issues, such as: 

• Leaky Basement - water that cannot drain properly from your roof can collect around your basement or crawlspace and will eventually find its way in.
• Cracked Foundation - this occurs when water is absorbed into the foundation and over time with the change in temperatures will expand and contract, causing cracks.
• Wood Rot - water that is constantly coming into contact with the wood on your home will eventually rot the wood.

If you are already experiencing the effects of Fall Procrastination, and need help cleaning and restoring your home or business, call your Local Professionals to make it... "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of St. Louis Central (314) 260-7177

Frozen Pipes are a Problem

12/6/2019 (Permalink)

Call the experts if you find out you have frozen pipes..

The cold weather and water can = problems for you..

We all need water and most of us here in the Midwest will soon be experiencing freezing or sub-zero temperatures. Add these two together and you could have a problem. You see, water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. Expanding water can cause pipes to break. No matter the material they are made from, including metal or plastic.

Recommendations to help prevent frozen pipes:

• Keep exterior doors closed to any area where the water pipes are located.
• Keep bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors open to allow warmer air to circulate.
• Let cold water drip from faucets, moving water is much harder to freeze.
• If you will be gone for an extended period, set the temperature to no lower than 55° F.

If you should experience frozen pipes this winter, please turn off the main water supply and call the Experts in water cleanup and restoration here at SERVPRO of St. Louis Central. 

Life Expediency Numbers

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let this $10 flexible water supply line cost you thousands in mitigation costs.

Did you know many common plumbing components have a life span? Many of them have expectancies much shorter than we might think. Here is a few that we see quite often. The fix is relatively inexpensive; but neglecting it can cause thousands of dollars in mitigation and drying costs.

Water heaters have an expected life span of about 10-12 years. Most of the time these fail because the rubber and metal components in side the tank are in constant contact with water which will naturally break them down over time.

Sump pumps are a vital tool for anyone with a basement or crawl space that takes on ground water after rain storms. Most of these pumps have a life span of about 7 years.

The average sink faucet has a life span of less than 15 years. Because of the flex hose design of the sprayer component, these may fail sooner. Most flex hoses fail after just 10 years. Also, included in the flex hose category are flexible supply lines for sinks, toilets, and washing machines. It is advisable to have these flex hoses replaced every 5 to 10 years. A $10 replacement hose may save you thousands down the road.

One of these plumbing components beat you to the punch? Don’t worry! We can get you back to normal again “Like it never even happened.”

Seal Your Home Before the Rain Starts

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

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 shingles on the roof
• Metal roofs are expensive but last longer than 30year shingles

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 St. Louis Central, we take pride in our fast and effective response team, dedicated to getting you back up and running as soon as possible.

Crawl Space Water Damage

2/19/2019 (Permalink)

A crawl space is like that cabinet where you store your tax information. There is important information in there, but you never take a look inside. Further, because you’re so rarely in your crawl space, a problem inside can cause significant damage to essential parts of your home before you notice that anything is wrong.

Where did the damage come from?

-Leaky or broken pipes

-Roof leak

- Excess humidity

How do you dry out a Crawl Space? 

You can call our team of professional experts at SERVPRO of St. Louis Central to fix the problem. Here at SERVPRO they have handled issues like water damage many many times.

For more information check out our website to learn more about water damage. 

https://www.SERVPROstlouiscentral.com/

Ceiling Water Damage

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

Many homes are built with wood; insulation and drywall readily absorb water. All of these materials allow water to leak through in a quick time and to move to other parts of the house. So what is that water stain on your ceiling from? These building materials may absorb too much water and may become discolored or weakened which can cause a huge structural damage. So, don’t ignore the stain, there may be a leak above your ceiling and could cause it to collapse.

Common Causes of Water Stains

• Gutters
• Roof Damage
• Pipe Damage
• Water Lines
• Plumbing Fixtures
• Frozen Pipes

Call SERVPRO St. Louis Central a professional restoration company!

Next time you find a stain on your ceiling, you have to remember it is always revealing that it is water damage. In most cases catching the stain early gives you the best chance to avoid some serious damage that could be done to your house. Our professionals will locate the source of the water and repair the damage done to the building as well as taking care of anything else needed in your home! The worst thing you can do is not call to get it fixed!

What to Save When Your Building Gets Flooded with Water

11/7/2018 (Permalink)

Nothing is more stressful than facing flood damage or any kind of water damage. Well.. there is, electronics and computers holding all of your important information! Most businesses have a certain plan that prepares them for a situation like this, but does your business have a plan if a situation like this happened?

Depending on the type of the water damage you may be sitting in such as a broken sink, a pipe that may have burst or even a toilet that has flooded, your business may become a huge hazard! So the very first thing you should do is turn off the main power supply to prevent any electronics from being damaged.

-3 Things To Save-

• Computers have servers that hold all of the data.
• Shelf Documents are important for a backup, because paper documents are the best way to build everything back up.
• Printers usually store a copy of every print that you have made since you have bought it. This is another way to help get data back.

 Lets cross our fingers that there isn't much water damage, but if there is the next step is to call a service team of professionals such as SERVPRO STL Central! They have all the right tools to help you in a sticky situation.

Call Today - 314-260-7177

Fast Response to Flooded Basements in St. Louis

3/7/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of St. Louis Central is ready to respond to the flooded basement in your home or office building.

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your St. Louis basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 314-260-7177

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of St. Louis Central and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 314-260-7177