10 Bathroom Water Damage Facts We Bet You Didn’t Know

9/12/2024 (Permalink)

10 Bathroom Water Damage Facts We Bet You Didn’t Know

Ever wonder what can be lurking in your toilet?  Or where all of that water went when your sink overflowed?  What could be growing behind the walls?  Keep reading to learn some interesting bathroom facts you probably didn't know.

1.       Did you know that the bathroom is THE most susceptible location for water damage in your entire house? There are so many little bits of information and facts you may not know that could possibly save your bathroom from potential water damage. Read on below for nine more bathroom water damage tidbits we bet you didn’t know, but would love to find out!

2.       Invisible plumbing problems such as clogged drains can stop your bathtub and shower from completely drying after usage, and can signal severe problems underneath the bathtub. To prevent further bathroom water damage, these inconspicuous plumbing troubles should be inspected by a professional as soon as possible.

3.       The toilet is one of the household fixtures that can cause the majority of bathroom water damage in the home. Never ignore any water found around the toilet. The toilet lines should constantly be check for leaks, and the toilet rims, seats, and the toilet tank should be regularly checked as well. Also inspect the seal of the toilet. If the seal does not work anymore, there will be leakage from the toilet, causing disastrous bathroom water damage. 

4.       If the bathroom floor is soft, damage may already be in the process of occurring.

5.       The exhaust fan is an essential bathroom asset for the maintenance of low humidity levels. Assisting to keep the area dry and ventilated, the exhaust fan is an added security against the destruction that bathroom water damage causes. Be sure to turn on the fan during and following a warm/hot shower or bath to prevent moisture accumulation.  Routine cleaning and inspection can ensure that your exhaust fan is always operating properly. It is suggested to wire the fan to automatically function when the bathroom is used.

6.       Hanging deodorants in the toilet bowl can increase the chances of a clog, especially in low-flow toilets. Skip the fancy deodorizers if you want to keep your bowl clog-free and lessen your chances of bathroom water damage.

7.       Blisters along caulked areas, or discolored floor stains can suggest water leakage. Although these blemishes may seem small to the naked eye, do not underestimate the extent of the water damage in your bathroom. Just a tiny leak can be a sign of a enormous problem on pipes and drains that are not exposed and cannot be seen.  Furthermore, the water that penetrates into the floor encourages growth of mold, fungi, and other microorganisms that feed on the wood, causing more bathroom water damage. 

8.       Did you know that these microorganisms flourish in temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees? That is the typical temperature of most bathrooms, making the overall damage horrendous.

9.       If the humidity in your bathroom is high, generally more than 55 percent, you have a possible mold problem. Check for water on pipes because it can also suggests a mold situation and water damage. A musty odor also signals mold, and should be followed up with an inspection. The presence of mold cannot only lead to damage to your bathroom.

10.    Sinks and cabinets are constantly exposed to humidity and moisture, but are often ignored by homeowners searching for bathroom water damage. However, these are two fixtures that are known to conceal damage. You should regularly inspect under sinks and cabinets. A slow draining pipe underneath the sink suggests a clogged drain. If you see a loose or cracked drain seal, replace it immediately.

If you suspect water damage in your bathroom, or anywhere in your home or business, your first call should be to SERVPRO of Spokane County. We are the leading water damage restoration specialists in the Inland Northwest. We are ready for your call anytime 24/7. Just call us at 509-487-4700.

Fire Damage Can Be Much More Than What You See

9/12/2024 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs in your home or business, the damage it creates can be overwhelming both physically and emotionally. Initially, it may look like you just need to clean off the soot and replace burned drywall and flooring. Yet fire damage tends to be much more invasive than you realize. It is critical, to have a licensed and trained team on hand to help you with the project.

Handling the Damage Expertly

The first step is always to handle the fire damage properly. That means removing all of the damage from the space. From there, it is necessary to remove any wet and damaged material resulting from putting the fire out. You may also have to remove debris further – such as pulling out more of the drywall to ensure the underlying plumbing and electrical work is in good condition. If not, more repairs are going to be necessary.

Beware of Smoke Damage

Another key concern is the home’s smoke damage. Smoke can travel well beyond the area of the fire, often throughout the whole home. It can enter into your home’s ventilation, easily spreading throughout the entire space. This requires proper cleaning by a licensed and trained technician because if you do not take care of this, the odor of smoke will persist.

Trust the Experts

Our team at SERVPRO of Spokane County will create a treatment plan to address each area properly. We will then work closely with you to ensure that your space is properly cleaned and, once the cleaning and sanitizing is done, we will handle all of the restoration work for you. Our technicians are highly trained and experienced in all areas of remediation and restoration from fire damage. Give us a call 24/7 at 509-487-4700.

Properly Restoring Fire and Smoke Damage Requires Professional Help

9/12/2024 (Permalink)

Attempts to perform fire and smoke damage restoration on your property and belongings should only be undertaken by experts. If you’ve experienced a fire and you want to stay safe and get the best possible restoration results, here’s some helpful advice.

Minimize Exposure

Don’t try to breathe in air that’s been contaminated by smoke or soot. If the property hasn’t been cleared yet, whether by local officials or by smoke damage restoration experts, you’ll want to stay away.

Wear Protective Gear

When you do venture onto the property for the first time, wear the proper protective gear. Without any protective gear, you might put yourself in danger when you step into the home in the aftermath of a fire.

Don’t DIY It

The worst mistake that property owners make is to take the restoration on their own. Don’t do that. Reading a few websites doesn’t make you an expert in fire and smoke damage restoration. You could injure yourself. You might not know enough about protective measures too. You’ll need pros to handle the problem. They have the knowledge, skills, and tools to ensure effective damage restoration.

Do Your Homework

Find a trusted team of experts for the restoration. Look for experience and an excellent track record. A firm that’s been in the business for years is a lifesaver. Longevity in the industry is an indication that you’re hiring the right team for the job. Also look for proper certifications. A good firm will be IICRC certified.

Read the Reviews

Look for client feedback. What do other customers think about the company? What do they say about the firm’s service level? What common problems or issues came up when they hired the company’s services? Whatever information you find will give you a sense of what to expect from the restoration service provider, enough to help you determine if you’re making a sound hiring decision.

Choose SERVPRO of Spokane County

After a fire, you will likely experience some emotional times. You’ll be concerned about the loss of your property and belongings. You want to be sure you select a restoration firm that understands not only the physical aspects of what you have been going through but the emotional aspects too. That comes from experience. For decades SERVPRO of Spokane County has been a reliable partner for homeowners in their most devastating emotional state. You need a true partner in this time of loss. Call SERVPRO of Spokane County. You can reach them anytime 24/7 at 509-487-4700.

Act Fast When Water Damage Occurs

9/12/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage is a risky situation. If your basement is flooded or you have standing water in any area, call a professional to handle it immediately. Walking through it is not safe. You also do not want to allow it to remain for long. It takes just 12 to 18 hours for mold to begin to grow. What should you do in this situation?

Request Immediate Water Damage Help

Getting emergency service to clean up the water damage is one of the best steps to take. SERVPRO of Spokane County is available 7-days a week and 24-hours a day. They can arrive to help you to reduce risks fast. This includes stopping the flow of water into the space and extracting the water quickly.

Minimize Damage with a Faster Response

A fast response like this can help minimize the extensiveness of the water damage. This includes removing as much of the water as possible in a short period of time to prevent mold growth. Within just a few hours, drywall will begin to swell and breakdown. Furniture is damaged. A musty odor begins to appear. Within just two days, the flooring, doors, and even metal surfaces in your home are damaged. You may also notice mildew and mold growth advancing. Because it is so risky, you’ll want to get professional water damage help immediately.

For Immediate Help, Call Our Team

We respond quickly to your need for water damage help. Call SERVPRO of Spokane County for immediate help to ensure your home is properly restored.

What to Do to Prevent a Fire Emergency

5/6/2024 (Permalink)

Fire preparation should include preventative measures as well as practicing what to do in case of an emergency.

4 Preventative Measures in Case of an Emergency

1. Have a fire drill. Making sure your entire family knows what to do in the case of an emergency is a must. During a fire drill, you should show everyone what the alarm sounds like, how to safely exit a room and where to meet outside of the home. For the highest level of fire safety, you may want to encourage everyone to have at least two exit strategies in mind for each room in the house. For example, you could leave a bedroom through the door or a window.

2. Install smoke alarms. A home fire is often detected by smoke alarms. If you do not have this safety equipment properly installed throughout your house, a fire may blaze without you knowing.

3. Check smoke alarms. Once the alarm is in place, your fire preparation is not over. You also need to make sure it can work. You should do an alarm check at least once every month. If you don't, the batteries inside may die without you realizing it.

4. Figure out who to call. Everyone knows to call emergency responders after a home fire, but you may also want to decide what type of residential fire remediation team you would like to work with if flames engulf your house. Getting in touch with these experts prior to a fire can speed up the restoration process.

Being proactive in your fire preparation ensures your entire family will know what to do if there ever is a fire in your house. Once you have made the preparations, you can sit back and hope to never put them into action.

You can count on SERVPRO of Northwest Spokane to be there for your fire emergency anytime 24/7. Call us at 509-487-4700

Water Damage is Best Remediated by Professionals

3/5/2024 (Permalink)

When flooding occurs in your home, water can rapidly seep into hidden areas. Even though you may think the flooding is localized, that is often not the case. It can be hard to know where exactly the damage is because you are unsure precisely how much of your home is wet. Our team can help you to determine the extensiveness of your water damage with a complete inspection. Using the latest techniques and sensitive professional equipment, we can find areas where moisture is present.

Advanced Inspections Are Necessary

When a water line breaks, a storm causes water to enter into the home, or any other water event occurs, the water that was in your home can easily travel throughout the space. This includes adjoining areas. It can also climb up the drywall by saturating into these materials. It can saturate your furniture, too. During an advanced water damage inspection, we can find exactly where it went and ensure that we can properly remove it and any damage it causes.

Sanitizing the Space

Water damage inspections also tell us where we need to clean and sanitize. The goal is always to limit the risk of mold growth. Our team will take every step possible to prevent it from occurring. If mold is present, we can offer mold remediation services to remove it.

Call SERVPRO of Spokane County for the help you need with water damage. Let us provide a full inspection to determine the scope of the problem. We are ready for your call anytime 24/7. You can reach us at 509-487-4700.

Restoring Fire Damage to Property in Spokane

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

Fires can be devastating. Not only does fire damage surfaces, but the smoke generated and the water used to extinguish the fire can make things even worse. But fire damage can be restored. In order for that to happen, several things must be done.

Handling the Fire’s Damage

The fire damage itself may not only include the actual furnishings and items burned, but also the structural components of the home such as drywall, studs, floor joists, and roof trusses. All damaged furnishings need to be removed. Additionally, electrical wiring and plumbing repairs may be necessary.  Restoring the structural integrity of the home is the first priority.

Minimizing Water Damage

Cleaning up the water damage fast is important since it only takes a matter of hours before mold can begin to grow. Removing all wet surfaces, including damaged drywall and flooring, may be necessary. Once this is done, those surfaces need proper cleaning and treatment to prevent mold growth.

Cleaning Up Smoke Damage

Fire damage cleanup nearly always involves smoke damage restoration. This may include cleaning surfaces, sanitizing the HVAC system, and painting rooms to lock out the scent of the smoke. Discoloration on surfaces also needs to be taken care of professionally to restore the property.

Invest in a Team Dedicated to Restoring Your Home

Getting your home to pre-fire condition is a complex process, but the IICRC certified team at SERVPRO of  Spokane County can help you with it right away. Give our team a call to learn more about the work we do in fire damage restoration. We are here for you 24-hours a day.

Drying a Home of Business After Water Damage

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

Drying A Home Or Building In Spokane After Water Damage.

When the expert water technicians from SERVPRO® of Spokane County enter your home after a water disaster, we have two very important questions that must be answered before drying equipment is installed.  The first question is “What is Wet?”  The question sounds simple enough but the answer is often more complicated.  Standing water is obvious but it almost always means that hidden cavities of water exist that must also be found.  These hidden areas can be found under cabinets or laminated flooring.  Water can also seep under tile floors or hardwoods.  Beyond the floors, water often rests inside walls and insulation and can move to adjoining rooms.  Determining “What is Wet” is one of the most important questions we must answer.

 The second question in our damage assessment is “How Wet Is It?”  Water found under cabinets or inside walls can cause extensive damage if left untreated.  Wood will warp, wet sheetrock will lose its strength and insulation can absorb large amounts of water.  To answer the question “How Wet Is It,” we use sophisticated metering equipment that can measure moisture levels in areas that are out of site.  We may also use a special camera capable of reading temperature variations within walls or ceilings or even in the foundation to answer this critical question.

Every Spokane water damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. 

Flooding or Water Damage? Call Us Today - (509) 487- 4700

24-Hour Emergency Water Removal Service

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. We provide emergency water restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – including all holidays. Spokane residents can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

Water Damage in Your Business Requires Special Expertise

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Professionally Restore a Spokane Water Damaged Business

There are many property issues that business managers may have to grapple with, commercial water damage in Spokane being one of the worst. Unfortunately, this type of damage can occur in the business setting at any moment. Whether the water damage results from a natural disaster or office mishap, substantial structural deterioration or destruction is often the result. In many cases, the emotional and economic pains that water damage produces force business owners to close their companies permanently. However, learning more about commercial water damage and how to efficiently complete the cleanup process, using an experienced company like SERVPRO, can help you impede this from happening.

Commercial Water Damage: Key Causes. The undesired result can be from numerous factors. The damages can result from flooding, roof leaks, frozen pipes, ice dams, and sewage backups. Additionally, disasters like fires can require extinguishing work from the fire department, leaving large quantities of standing water behind. No matter the cause of water intrusion, the effect is often the same: actual damage to the structural integrity of your property coupled with the compromise of safety to employees, and clients.

Identifying The Source Of The Problem. To deal with water damage effectively, you have to identify the source of the problem and then eliminate it. It's also important to know that there will be different methodologies for water damage restoration depending on the source. Excess water flowing from a broken or frozen pipe or ice damming on the roof will be handled differently than issues which result from floodwater or a sewage backup.

Avoiding DIY Projects. Business proprietors are tempted to begin the cleanup process by themselves to quickly reopen the doors to commerce. If the normal business traffic patterns have been disrupted, then it is time to call in SERVPRO, to mitigate water damage restoration time and costs. Rapid water pumping will diminish downtime and lessen damage to inventory, office furniture, supplies, and the building's structural components. Precise assessment and planning get results.

Contact SERVPRO Today. If your Spokane commercial property has been impacted by water damage, it's time to take action. When you call the friendly professionals of SERVPRO, you'll receive a fast response from IICRC-certified technicians who use cutting edge equipment and customized methodologies to expedite the restoration process. Our techs are trained in water damage restoration, applied structural drying techniques, odor control, and mold remediation. Cleaning and restoring, as opposed to more costly replacing, is our policy so that we save you money as we quickly work to get your business back in business. "Like it never even happened."

We’re Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists

SERVPRO of Spokane County specializes in commercial water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive water damage restoration training, and our process emphasizes regular monitoring and documentation of the drying process from beginning to end. Call us for immediate 24/7 response. (509) 487-4700 

Fire Damage Restoration: Leave it to the Pros

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

Cleaning Actions During Fire Damage Restoration

You need cleaning services as part of the restoration procedures after experiencing a fire damage incident. Cleaning aims to remove the soils or any soot particles from the surface. Our technicians will go over some of the cleaning actions we perform when offering cleaning services in Spokane. Before we select a cleaning action, we first look at the type of smoke particles and the surface of your property.

When our SERVPRO technicians are cleaning non greasy particles during fire damage restoration in Spokane, we start by using mechanical actions. It is a process that dislodges particles from surfaces before we can employ other cleaning processes that involve the use of solvent-based or water-based cleaning agents. Sometimes, surfaces can create strong bonds with the particles if you start by using liquid cleaning products before dislodging the excess residues.

In some situations, we might decide to make the particles slippery through a method known as lubrication. By lubricating, the bond between the surface and the soils weakens, making the residues to slide into the detergents. In cases where a substance chemically changes when it comes into contact with another substance, our SERVPRO technicians use chemical action. We use this method when it is not possible to remove residues from surfaces without altering their chemical formula. Removing oxidized stain from wool carpeting and cotton are some of the examples where we apply chemical actions.

Our SERVPRO technicians can also apply suspension and dispersion when cleaning your property. We begin by loosening the residues and then suspend and disperse them in the detergent. After that, we extract the cleaning product and the soils. When choosing a cleaning product, we have to consider whether the particles can dissolve in water or solvent-based cleaning agents.

SERVPRO of Spokane County has highly trained and experienced restoration technicians who offer storm, mold, water, and fire damage restoration services. Call us at (509) 487-4700 and let us make it “Like it never even happened.”