How To Prevent Toilet Overflow

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Every homeowner in Champlin, MN dreads coming home to face a flooded toilet. Regardless if the toilet spurted clean or contaminated water into the bathroom, it requires a professional’s immediate help. The flooding may be a result of sewer damage causing waste to go back up through the pipes into the toilet. You can do a lot of good by preventing overflow before it happens by taking a few preventive measures.

1. Do Not Flush Random Items Down the Toilet

This is a particular concern in households with children, but even adults have been known to flush things down the toilet they should not. Some common items to keep out of there include:

• Napkins
• Papers
• Soaps
• Baby wipes
• Lotions
• Body creams

Flushing these items can cause them to get stuck in the pipes. Even things such as body cream, lotion and grease should stay out of toilets because they can harden through the pipes, causing a backup.

2. Clean the Toilet Regularly

In addition to keeping solid objects out of the toilet that can cause significant sewer damage, you also want to perform regular maintenance on the septic tank system. You should contact a sewage company once every eight years to clean and maintain your home’s septic tank. You can also clean your toilet routinely by using disinfectants and liquid detergent.

3. Avoid Flushing

Hopefully, the kind of toilet backup you will contend with will not be anything serious. Some toilets will merely overflow a little bit before receding. You may be able to clean up a small mess on your own, but you want to avoid flushing until you know the issue is resolved. Use a plunger to try to move the clog out of position. If nothing at your disposal seems to be working, then you should hire a professional plumber to come out and address the sewer damage.

5 Damage Tips For Water Cleanup

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water can cause extensive damage to a commercial building within a matter of hours. Standing water and residual moisture should be extracted and drying methods used to avoid secondary damage, such as mold growth. Here are five of the most important damage tips for mitigation and cleanup.

1. Extract Standing Water
Eliminating standing water with portable pumps or a wet vac is the first step toward addressing water damage. Water damage mitigation professionals can perform a fast and thorough extraction and provide cleaning tips for building materials and contents.
2. Increase Airflow
Restoration specialists may recommend the use of ventilation equipment such as air movers or fans to promote drying. Ventilation is an ideal drying method after a pipe burst introduces clean water into a structure. Areas exposed to contaminated water for long enough for mold to start forming may be an exception, as circulating air can spread spores.
3. Consider Heated Methods
Heat may be helpful for expediting drying in some situations. The degree of contamination, duration of damage, and affected materials are essential considerations for determining the best drying methods. Restoration experts can offer case-specific damage tips.
4. Lower Humidity Levels
Reducing residual moisture levels in the air and porous or semi-porous materials is helpful after any type of water damage. Mold needs moisture and food sources to flourish. A combination of cleaning, disinfecting, and lowering humidity discourages fungi from growing.
5. Wait Until Drying Is Complete
Rebuilding or restoration should not begin until the portion of a structure that has suffered water damage has been cleaned, disinfected, and thoroughly dried. This includes replacing any building materials torn out due to contamination.
Lowering moisture levels within 24 to 48 hours after water damage is essential for avoiding mold. Trained water damage professionals can quickly extract water and recommend the best damage tips.

Frozen MN Pipes

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

As we know, overnight temperatures drop below freezing still here in March. SERVPRO of Northeast Minneapolis offers these cold weather tips:

Know the location of your water shut-off valve and test it regularly.

If a pipe breaks, you won't want to have to find it then or, worse, wait for someone to arrive at your place to find it for you. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in the basement or the crawl space on a wall facing the street.

Turn off outdoor faucets, and be sure to disconnect hoses from them.

Ensure the faucet and the outside portion of the pipes are fully drained. A valve inside many houses will shut off the water's flow; then open and close the tap outside to release any water in the pipe. Disconnect the hose to ensure that freeze-proof faucets will drain and to avoid damage to the hose from freezing water.

Winterize unheated or vacant buildings.

If your vacant building has a fire protection system, make sure there is no danger that the water servicing this system might freeze.

Insulate water pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold or have caused problems before.

Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated basements can be wrapped with pieces of insulation. Never put heat tape on the water meter to avoid damaging plastic components of the meter.

Call Us Today!

(612) 421-2040

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Water Heater Water Damage

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Have you inspected your water heater lately? SERVPRO of Northeast Minneapolis has been restoring water damage for Minnesota residents for years, and we know that routine inspection and maintenance of water heaters and plumbing systems can prevent major water damage in many cases. Here are some tips from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety for inspecting and maintaining your water heater:

• Inspect your anode rod every two years, or every year once the warranty has expired, to determine if it needs replacement
• Flush water heater tanks every six months to remove any sediment by attaching a garden hose to the valve at the base. For safety, first, turn off the power and run the hot water until it is cool.
• Get an annual inspection from a plumbing professional, including the shut-off valve and all piping. Signs of broken valves and loose or wet joints and rust are a sign that more severe damage is coming.

Call Us Today!

Water damage can happen at any time of the day or night. When you have a water damage emergency in your home or commercial business, we are Here to Help. The professionals at SERVPRO® of Northeast Minneapolis are here to restore your water damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at (612) 421-2040Franchises are independently owned and operated.

The Aftermath of Flood and Water Damage

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

The Aftermath of Flood and Water Damage

Property damage due to flooding or another form of standing water is one of the most common repairs that homeowners have to account for, considering the myriad of ways in which this problem may occur. A supply line break, whether hidden or visible, may be the culprit and cost mitigation is necessary. Water damage can often result in costly repairs as the standing water may affect several areas of the home simultaneously with each area requiring a particular form of maintenance in order to return your home back to its previous condition. A flooded home must enter the drying process as soon as possible to avoid microbial buildup. When your home or business is affected by flood damage, there are several steps that are necessary to take in order resolve the issue in a quick and effective manner, particularly concerning drying as it is essential to the restoration process.

Contacting the restoration company of your choice is the first step involving water cleanup. The restoration company is usually equipped to handle multiple aspects of the cleanup process, including fire damage, flood damage, and backed-up sewage. While this may be the case, the job of the restoration company is only to remove the water, returning the home or business to a dry living environment, so contacting a separate company may be necessary in order to complete the necessary repairs. If the restoration company has acquired a license in the state that you are living in, they may be able to expedite the process by handling several, or all aspects of the water cleanup. Due to the fact that water damage may strike at any given moment, the majority of the restoration companies on the market are available 24 hours a day.

For the mitigation of further water damage in a flooded home, it is imperative that you seek professional care immediately, as the longer the standing water remains, the more expensive repair costs may be. When seeking professional help to alleviate the water damage, it is important that you list the most pertinent information, including insurance information, contact information, and the origin of the flood damage. When contacting your insurance company, it is probable that they may recommend a list of viable options regarding restoration companies, as they, along with the claims adjusters often have working relationships with those companies. In an effort to continue damage mitigation, it is important to review your personal policy with your insurance company which will keep all parties aware of their individual responsibilities. One of the most important factors to mention when addressing your restoration company is the presence of electricity, such as a live wire, on the premises. Unresolved electricity issues during a situation involving flood damage can be a serious hazard for those operating in the home or business, and should, therefore, be addressed immediately.

A detailed inspection must take place to kick off the restoration process in order to assess the damages and find the point of origin regarding water in the home or water in the business. Water in the home and water in the business can often bring about damages that result in separate water cleanup processes due to the nature of operations. Time is one of the most significant aspects to consider regarding water in the home or water in a business, as water in the business may lead to operational losses as well as increased costs. Drying is the next step in the restoration process.

The water extraction process is the first step in water cleanup. Whether your issues result from standing water in a business or standing water in the home, any objects that obstruct the drying process must be removed immediately to avoid exacerbating the issues. Industrial hardware, such as submersible pumps may be utilized in order to remove any standing water in the flooded home. A pipe break, such as the ice maker supply line break, are common issues that lead to a flooded home. The pipe break in a flooded home should be identified as a visible or hidden supply line break in order to quickly alleviate the issue. A hidden pipe break is normally more difficult to resolve than a visible pipe break, as the issue may not be a spontaneous occurrence, and therefore may have been damaging the home for a significant period of time before its discovery. For the mitigation of costs, identifying a supply line break as soon as possible is necessary.

Why You Need Professional Water Damage Restoration

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Why You Need Professional Water Damage Restoration

Water damage is an important aspect to focus on once water in a home or water in a business has gotten in. Many home and business owners don't focus enough on mitigation once there has been a pipe break, supply line break, or other catastrophes. As such, water damage worsens. This can be avoided by calling a professional restoration company.

Avoid Heavy Flood Damage

It's hard to deal with a lot of water inside of a flooded home or business. Many people are not equipped to deal with it on their own. By calling in restoration professionals, they will help with the water cleanup. Buildings that wait too long to schedule water cleanup end up with more damage.

The mitigation is done to ensure that there is not a significant amount of flood damage. Through water cleanup, it's easier to see what has actually been damaged. Whether there was a pipe break, a supply line break, or something else, the water has to be cleaned up. Without professional assistance, it could take weeks for the water to dissipate on its own.

Salvage Various Items

There might be furniture, drywall, and other things damaged from water. If there was a pipe break or supply line break, the flood damage will be focused on where the problem occurred. Regardless, the water in a home or water in a business has to be out. Drying will help to salvage some items.

Professional drying techniques will ensure that water cleanup is made easier. Some drywall, for example, could be saved if drying happens quickly. Without the drying, then it's more likely that the water will continue to soak into materials. The flooded home or business will then need to be gutted more extensively to remove any items that have suffered flood damage. This could include carpeting, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, and more.

Learn About What Needs to Be Done

A long list of things needs to be done when there is water in a home or water in a business. If there was a pipe break or supply line break, the plumbing needs to be repaired. It's also important that a restoration company uses sensors and leak detection equipment to locate all levels of water damage.

A restoration plan should be created to determine what needs to be done. The plan is different for everyone. Restoration professionals will work to oversee the flooded home or business so that everything gets fixed. If there was a lot of mitigation done, the water damage might not be that bad. If there was very little mitigation done, then there might be a lot of water in a home or water in a business to overcome.

Whatever the situation, professionals can work to see that a flooded home or business is repaired properly. The plan might be a time consuming one based on the level of damage and what needs to be restored.

Rebuild What Has Been Lost

A lot might have been lost. The good news is that when working with a professional restoration company, it's easier for a home or business to rebuild. There might be the need to remove a lot of damaged items, repair some items, and rebuild others.

The time it takes to rebuild could take days or even weeks depending on the level of damage. This will be part of what is determined within the restoration plan.

Regardless of why water entered a building, professional services are important. The right restoration company can make it easier to rebuild so it's as if the water damage never even happened.

3 Give-Away Signs of Water Damage

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Signs Of Water Damage

Even the smallest water leak is capable of costing you thousands of dollars in repairs and remediation, but the earlier you catch the issue, the sooner and more efficiently it can be fixed. Lucky for you, SERVPRO of Wright County, MN, is Faster to Any Size Disaster.
There are many causes of a water leak, including but not limited to:

• Pipe break
• The freeze/thaw cycle
• Broken seals
• High water pressure
• Clogged lines
  
  

But how do you know when you need to call your local water damage specialists?

1. Staining on Walls
Discoloration on walls or ceilings is one of the most common signs of water damage. Always look out for those mysterious-looking brown patches, and act fast if you spot one. Water staining doesn't develop overnight — the water may have been leaking for days or even weeks by the time the discoloration becomes perceptible.

2. Pricey Water Bills
If your water bill has been increasing even though your usage has remained about the same, you might be relieved to hear that this could be a sign of a pipe break or other water line malfunction. All that expensive water is going somewhere, and it's crucial to put a stop to it before it does too much damage.

3. Poor Water Pressure (or None at All!)
Another sign of a leaky pipe is a sudden change in your water pressure or no water coming out of the faucets at all. This is caused by the water draining out of the pipe break and not leaving enough water to be distributed to the rest of the system. If you encounter this issue, the water is likely gushing out in a place where you don't want it, so make sure to get help before it develops into a full-fledged flood.
By keeping an eye out for these three signs of a water leak, you might just be protecting your commercial building from a messy and costly disaster.

Sump Pump Failure Causes

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Power Failure

Your primary sump pump should not be treated any different than any other appliance in your home - without power, it is completely worthless.  As a safeguard, invest in a high quality battery back-up sump pump.   A battery kept continually charged by the backup system operates a separate pump linked to the discharge pipe, providing you hours of protection until power is restored. Some backup pumps even monitor the condition of the battery and alert you when it needs to be replaced.

Frozen Discharge Pipe

If the discharge pipe is not installed pitched properly, water will collect and eventually freeze, causing a blockage. 

Switch Stuck in Place

There are several different types of sump float switches.  Vertical and tethered floats are the most common.  Vertical floats seem to work the best as tethered floats are known for  getting stuck on the side walls of the sump pit (resulting in a flooded basement). 

Over-worked / Under-Powered Sump Pump

Not all pumps are created equal.  Make sure you install the correct horsepower pump capable of keeping up with your flow of water.   

Old Age

It is generally recommended that sump pumps should be replaced every five to seven years in order to be reasonably safe. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Have a water damage from a sump pump failure? Call SERVPRO of Northeast Minneapolis (612) 421-2040

5 Tips for Drying Water Damage

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Five Damage Tips for Mitigation

Water can cause extensive damage to a commercial building within a matter of hours. Standing water and residual moisture should be extracted and drying methods used to avoid secondary damage, such as mold growth. Here are five of the most important damage tips for mitigation and cleanup.

1. Extract Standing Water
Eliminating standing water with portable pumps or a wet vac is the first step toward addressing water damage. Water damage mitigation professionals can perform a fast and thorough extraction and provide cleaning tips for building materials and contents.
2. Increase Airflow
Restoration specialists may recommend the use of ventilation equipment such as air movers or fans to promote drying. Ventilation is an ideal drying method after a pipe burst introduces clean water into a structure. Areas exposed to contaminated water for long enough for mold to start forming may be an exception, as circulating air can spread spores.
3. Consider Heated Methods
Heat may be helpful for expediting drying in some situations. The degree of contamination, duration of damage, and affected materials are essential considerations for determining the best drying methods. Restoration experts can offer case-specific damage tips.
4. Lower Humidity Levels
Reducing residual moisture levels in the air and porous or semi-porous materials is helpful after any type of water damage. Mold needs moisture and food sources to flourish. A combination of cleaning, disinfecting, and lowering humidity discourages fungi from growing.
5. Wait Until Drying Is Complete
Rebuilding or restoration should not begin until the portion of a structure that has suffered water damage has been cleaned, disinfected, and thoroughly dried. This includes replacing any building materials torn out due to contamination.