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WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLOODING THAT CAN OCCUR IN YOUR HOME?

Rain and snow melting are a few things that can cause flooding on impermeable surfaces such as roofs and sidewalks, that results in these rare occasions happening where water flows into your basements or crawl spaces. There are multiple ways water can creep into your home. A few of those ways include foundation walls, spaces in utility lines, and leaky windows and doors. If you fail to take preventative measures to stop these events from happening you are putting your home in harm’s way for potential damages that can lead to long term effects down the line. Below are a few different types of flooding events that can occur in your home:

  • Sewer Flooding

Basement flooding can turn out to be disastrous for your home. Water can penetrate your structure and make its way into your basement when sewer lines get clogged or the draining is not working properly. Make sure you check on potential damages such as rotted wood and mold. Keep in mind sewer flooding more often occurs in classic homes that feature broken septic tanks or don’t have a septic tank at all. If you get a water restoration Lake Forest expert to check on your system regularly you can prevent these dangerous problems from occurring.

  • Rainwater Damage

Areas that are prone to heavy rainfall are susceptible to rainwater getting into your wall’s foundations which can cause issues such as mold, mildew, decay and structural injury to your residence. Gutters that fill up with water and overflow or bad downspouts are almost always to blame for these problems. To mitigate the damage, hire a professional water restoration contractor and get your home inspected as often as possible and clean your gutters on a regular basis.

  • Basement Flooding

Basement flooding is generally caused by water creeping into an area that has not been waterproofed or drained correctly. This can come from a gap in the structure of a wall or roof, a problematic window or a dysfunctional sump pump. The other route that water can take to reach your basement is through your toilet tank and pipes. Basement flooding can cause a serious problem for you and your family as it is a problem that is not easy to solve. This can destroy not only your basement but also the items that were placed inside. All of these factors can also cause potential damage to other areas of your home as well. Basement flooding often results in costly repairs that can make it almost impossible to fix.

  • Water Intrusion

Damaged sump pumps or drain pipes that are filled with debris are also a variable that can cause water to get inside. If your basement is overflowing with items or your drainage system is not installed correctly basement flooding can occur. Water damage can also be brought about by heavy building rainfalls.

Flooding can cause terrible negative effects on your home which are exacerbated by the way your foundation is set up. This problem is one we have figured out in the past as one that is usually handled by the agent. Call us today to get more information on how we can solve your flooding issues from now and going forward.

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Top Warning Signs That You Have Water Damage at Home

Water damage could be a property owner’s worst nightmare, and unfortunately it is a common occurrence, being caused by everything from water and snow build up, unnoticed leaks, leaking pipes, or natural disasters and accidents. Water damage can be tough to spot at first, which is why you should always hire a professional to inspect for water damage before buying or renting a new home, and if you experience water infiltration it is important to look for a company that does professional water damage restoration Bartlett homeowners and tenants can rely on.
It is also important that you know signs of water damage to keep an eye out for. Here are the key signs of water damage put together by our team at Cleaning Consultants & Restoration:

Water Lines on the Wall
Water lines on your wall is a clear sign of the water damage Bartlett residents dread so much.  If you see lines from water it is clear that there is some kind of leakage. There are two types of water lines to watch for. First, the most common are water lines coming from parts of the house that likely indicate leaky plumbing. Furthermore, if there is a wet spot near the water line, it’s a sure sign you’ll need some level of water restoration Lake Forest. Second, keep an eye out for water lines running from inside the house to out, which also indicates some kind of leaking, maybe related to your dryer not working correctly.

Fading Paint
Fading paint can be a sign of water damage, being caused from the wood drying out after experiencing lots of contact with water. Be a bit cautious with this one because there could be other causes of fading paint. Your best bet is to call in your water clean up professionals to rule out or get to the bottom of the water damage. And if it is due to water damage, don’t worry about that sad faded paint, Our team is skilled in the water restoration Bartlett can rely on to get their home back in tip-top shape.

Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are a sure sign that you need water removal and restoration ASAP. It is pretty easy to spot, but make sure you routinely check for it in dark humid corners of your home. Mold is dangerous to your health, so when you see, or think you smell, mold, or even just have damp corners where you think mold could grow, call us in for expert water restoration and water extraction Bartlett.

The Bottom Line
Sometimes despite our best efforts, water damage can happen anywhere at any time. It is important to keep an eye out for the signs of water damage so the problem doesn’t get out of hand. As well, as soon as you experience any kind of water infiltration, minor or major, call in your local experts in water removal and flood restoration Bartlett to make sure your home’s structural integrity is safe, and to get your home looking great again.

If you suspect water damage, call in our professionals at Cleaning Consultants & Restoration. Our expert contractors handle all things flood removal, water damage and water clean up Bartlett. We will be happy to answer any of your questions, get in touch today!

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Water Damage Restoration After Your Bathroom Has Flooded

One of the most frequently used spaces in your home is certainly your bathroom. In order for the bathroom fixtures to function, water is needed. Sinks, showers, toilets, and tubs all need plumbing in order to work. These fixtures will wear through the years and become susceptible to loosened connections, damage, and corrosion. Sadly, with all the water as well as all the potential problems, bathrooms are generally incredibly prone to water damage. Read below to see a few ways that you can help prevent water damage from occurring in your bathroom, as recommended by our water damage restoration specialists.

Keeping drains clear and clean
When drains become blocked or clogged, they interrupt the flow of water, likely causing overflow and flooding. Soap scum, hair, and grime are all common causes of bathroom drain clogs. There is no way to avoid these things going down your sink and shower drain. However, we can do our best to minimize what and how much in reality goes down the drain. Drain guards and shields are reasonably priced items you can purchase and install over your drain in order to filter what can and cannot go down it. They generally filter soap scum, grime, and hair that we can wipe to remove instead of having them run down the drain and eventually cause a clog. Use commercial drain cleaner or a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to clean out drains periodically. This assists in the reduction of clogs as well as the prevention of excessive build up forming inside the drainpipe.

Avoid overworking your toilet
Toilets are prone to frequent clogging and overflowing, which is a messy issue that absolutely no one wants to have to face. By being careful about how much paper you put down your toilet and not flushing any element other than toilet paper, we can spare you the bother of toilet water flood cleanup. Sanitary napkins and similar personal hygiene products should only be disposed of in the garbage and never down the toilet as they may trigger blockages.  Another important aspect is toilet water level. If the water level is too high, or too low, there may be a drainage issue somewhere. It is crucial to teach any small children the importance of never flushing anything down the toilet and to keep an eye on them in regards to this issue.

Regularly inspecting shower and tub
Caulk and grout are essential players both in sealing fixtures as well as in keeping water from leaking out of your tub or shower, causing water damage in your bathroom. If you observe a caulk or grout that is cracked, chipped, or deteriorating, we will repair it. In order to avoid leaks, caulk should be reapplied every couple of years. If there are areas in your tub or shower with cracks or other damage, it is important to have them corrected as soon as possible. Be sure to keep showers and tubs as free as possible of buildup that could potentially wash down and clog the drain.

Regularly checking your plumbing
Pipes begin to rust and corrode as they age, triggering leaks as time passes. Ensure regular inspection of pipes to check for any signs indicating leakage.  Water spots or stains, warping on floors, bubbling on walls, and musty smells are some of the most common signs of water damage from leaky pipes.  We will inspect the faucet supply lines that run below bathroom vanities as well as the connections behind the toilet to ensure no water is leaking in either place.

Consistent, routine bathroom maintenance and inspections will assist in greatly reducing the risks of expensive water damage restoration as well as assist you in locating any issues sooner rather than later.  Whether in your bathroom or another space in your home, flood cleanup, flood restoration, and any other water damage restoration must be done ASAP.  Cleaning Consultants & Restoration are specialists in water damage restoration, providing services in the Bartlett area 24/7 to take action as quickly as possible.

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My house has flooded – what should I do?

Largely, flooding is one of the worst things that can happen to us. Unlike flooding with rainwater or groundwater, not only do we have dirty water in our home, but hundreds of other items in our homes as well. In these situations, you should carefully consider disposing of any items that came into contact with this liquid. This is because we never know what was in it nor what it was composed of specifically. For this reason, it is well worth treating each of these items as contaminated and only using them after they have been completely disinfected.

Step one after this water recedes is to clean as quickly as possible. The removal of silt, sludge and mud is better when they are still wet because when they harden, it becomes increasingly difficult to remove them from nooks and crevices.

When the flooding involved dirty, contaminated, smelly water, it is likely that the above steps are not good enough. Flooding can be so destructive that plaster removal and tearing up of the parquet floor may be needed. Returning an apartment to its raw state involves a long period of soaking of individual elements. The removal of tons of plaster and square meters of leaking panels help to reduce the amount of dampness in a home, removing the remains of mud and allowing the walls to “breathe” easier so they can dry out more quickly.

How to dry a wall? You should choose an appropriate dehumidifier for walls.
It is a difficult choice, which is why you must pay close attention to the power of the dehumidifier itself, taking into consideration: the degree of flooding, the season in which the flooding took place, the size of the room, the thickness and the type of walls,
Drying walls after flooding not only eliminates an ugly streak on the wall, its principal function is removing moisture from inside the walls. This is a significant process with great impact on the structure of your as well as the comfort of its later use.

When selecting the correct dehumidifier, the humidistat should not be ignored. Many devices have a built-in humidity controller and with it, we can easily monitor the air humidity level.  If it happens to drop rapidly, it could damage certain elements in the apartment/house, especially those that are made of wood, like windows.

How to dry walls effectively?
Utilizing professional devices to dry walls after flooding are generally quite expensive, making the option of professional home dehumidification service your best bet as they have vast knowledge and experience. Hence, if flooding was quite devastating and we assume many of the belongings are a loss, it is better to order professional flood drying.

We are well aware the apartment drying after flooding is a significant expense so if the flooding was a random occurrence and not your fault, you can request a refund from the insurance company. We are experienced in assisting our customers in obtaining the proper compensation from the insurance company, rely on us!

Feel free to contact our company to dry your walls or building after flooding. We will provide you with a free estimate and we will dry your house in a completely professional manner.

Categories Blog

5 POINTS TO PONDER WHEN DEALING WITH FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE

Contacting a professional fire and smoke damage restoration company immediately is always best, as they can assist you in getting your property on its way to full recovery.

Even smaller fires can bring about significant issues from damaged furniture and other belongings, water intrusion left behind after firefighting efforts, as well as soot left behind.

below are a few factors to consider when dealing with fire and smoke damage restoration:

1. SAFETY FIRST
The structural integrity of your home or office building may be affected by a fire, so you must be increcibly cautious about entering the property before professionals assure you that it is safe to enter.

2. THE DAMAGE OCCURS QUICKLY
Severe damage to your property can be rapidly caused by fire and smoke. Soot residue can settle immediately after a fire, causing permanent discoloration.

Additionally, mere hours after a fire, clothing could be permanently discolored, wood furniture finishing may be ruined, and metals may rust.

Walls and floors are likely to be similarly damaged in various ways, from peeling and discolored paint to warped drywall and floors. The longer put off taking action, the more expensive and complicated your restoration will be.

3. THE PROFESSIONALS ARE INVALUABLE
It may seem unnecessary to contact the experts immediately, but they be incredibly helpful in mitigating further issues as you are taking care of the fire and smoke damage restoration process.

They can evaluate the damage, determine which items must be trashed and which can be saved, and work to remove the water, as well as other odors, from your building or home. With the proper equipment and expertise, they immediately know how to act quickly and effectively.

4. DEALING WITH TEXTILES
Restoring fabrics is never an easy task, nor is removing smoke and soot odors from textiles. This includes carpet, clothing, and other materials. An expert cleaner can help with more complicated items, like delicate clothing and carpet.

Once the smell has been dealt with, several wash cycles will still be required to get your carpet and your clothing clean.

5. AND, OFTEN THERE’S WATER DAMAGE TOO
The fire suppression efforts themselves can also ruin your possessions. The water used to put out the fire can cause water damage, which if left untreated may potentially lead to mold growth. Typical firefighting chemicals may also leave a mess behind. In many cases, experts must be involved to deal with these issues.

When it comes to restoring your property after a fire, there is a lot to think about. Hopefully, this information will guide you through dealing with fire and smoke damage safely.

FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION CONSULTATION
As explained here, fire damage restoration is quite a bit more than simply cleaning and repairing places that have been touched by fire. You must consider how fire and smoke transforms both the foundation of the property and its contents.
Contact us now to receive a free consultation and discover why homeowners and big businesses rely on us during natural disasters and other emergencies.