Mold Growth After a Water Damage

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Maybe you had a water leak from a plumbing problem or from a leaky refrigerator. Maybe we had a major storm, hurricane, or tornado sweep through the Marble Falls area. Either way, now your home has water damage. Depending on how severe the water damage, you are probably asking yourself, “Should I clean up the water damage myself or hire a professional?”.  The following are a couple things to consider. First, hopefully, the water damage will be covered by your insurance company. SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas works with all insurance companies in the area and knows what each company is looking for (this will make things easier on you). Second, if the area is not properly and completely dried out, even in the areas you cannot see, the structure will more than likely suffer secondary damage. What is secondary damage? Mold growing in your home is known as secondary damage after a water damage event. Mold needs moisture to grown and it can grow within 24-48 hours.  Time is a factor after a water damage. If mold is already growing in your home after a water damage, SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas can remediate that as well. We are here to help. Give us a call today!

Four Ways to Check for Hidden Water Leaks

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Do I have a water leak?

Think you may have a water leak somewhere in your home? Here are some good ways to tell when the leak is not obvious.

1. Pay Attention to Increased Water Bills

Monitor your water bill for sudden unexplained increases.

2. Check Your Water Meter

Pick a few hours when you can go without using the water In your home. Record your water meter before and after. Was there an increase?

3. Toilet Leaks

Put a drop of food coloring in your toilet’s tank. If within 15 minutes or less, the toilet bowl reveals that color, you may have a leak. Make sure to flush the toilet multiple times after performing this test so your bowl does not get stained.

4. Look for Mold

Where there is mold, there is moisture. Something is feeding that moisture. It’s possible there is a leak somewhere.

Overflowing Toilet – What to Do

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

What to do When Your Toilet is Overflowing

An overflowing toilet is a problem everyone will likely deal with at some point. When water overflows from the bowl, chances are the culprit is a clogged toilet drain—usually an easy fix with some basic tools.

First, turn off the toilet’s water supply, on the wall behind the toilet. If you can’t find the water supply to stop the toilet overflowing, take the top off the tank and lift the float ball or cup high enough to stop the water from running. If that does not work, the shut off valve for the water supply to the house is generally located near the water heater.

Should overflow continue once the main water supply is off, you’re dealing with sewage backup, a serious situation due to the hazardous nature of the sewage water. If you are on a municipal septic system, you may need to call the city. If you have a septic tank, you’ll need a plumbing company that can flush out your system.

Water Damage to a Mobile or Manufactured Home

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas, we often are asked if we can restore water damage to mobile or manufactured homes.  The answer is “yes”! Mobile homes and manufactured homes are treated for water damage very similarly to single family homes. Actually, the process is often times quicker.  If the mobile or manufactured home is not often used, many times the water damage goes undetected for some time and has caused mold growth to form as well. Mold growth after untreated water damage is called “secondary damage”. SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas is mold certified and can treat the secondary damage in addition to the water damage if needed.

If you suspect water damage or mold growth in your mobile of manufactured home, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas today.  We will work with your insurance.

How Big of a Water Heater Do I Need?

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

The installation of your home’s water heater is an important decision. There are many factors to consider:

• Tanked vs. tankless water heater
• The right water heater for your household size
• Best location for your heater (installation)
• Gas or Electric
• How big of a water heater do I need

If you decided on a tank water heater, you may ask yourself, how big of a water heater do I need? Determining factors will be the size of your family and the utilities available in your home. Use this simple guide to determine your water heater size needs:

• Family size 1-2: 30-gallon heater
• Family size 2-3: 40-gallon heater
• Family size 3-4: 40-50-gallon heater
• Family size 5 or more: 50-80-gallon heater

If you have experienced a water damage due to a cracked, leaky water heater, please give us a call at SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas right away.

Source: Zine Trip Online

Three Probable Causes of a Leaky Refrigerator

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Why is my Fridge Leaking

WATER FILTER

If your filter is not installed properly, or the filter is old or doesn't fit correctly with your refrigerator model, chances are there is a poor connection between the filter and the water supply. To prevent your refrigerator from leaking, check to see if water is escaping due to holes in the filter. Also, check the size and model of both the fridge and filter to ensure it's the correct part for your refrigerator.

DRAIN PAN

Examine the drain pan for any cracks, which is located at the bottom of the refrigerator. If you notice a significant amount of pooling underneath, chances are the pan has a crack and that's what is causing the leak. Replace the pan immediately if you notice any damage.

DEFROST DRAIN

One of the most common causes of a leaky refrigerator is a faulty defrost drain. When the defrost drain is blocked by food particles or ice, it prevents the water accumulated during the defrost cycle to properly drain into the pan. Eventually, water will start to build up. Without anywhere to drain, water will begin to flow right onto your floor. Remove any blockage caused by food particles or ice by flushing the drain with hot water and removing debris carefully with a wire hanger.

Source: Roto-Rooter Online

Causes of Refrigerator Leaks

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Why is my fridge leaking?

Maybe your water alarm alerted you, maybe you see a puddle or some dripping, or maybe you see some signs of water damage (corrosion, water stains, etc.). Once you’ve discovered a leak, consider the possible causes.

Blocked defroster. A blocked defroster can stop defrost-cycle water from draining properly. Try clearing out the small drain by pouring hot water into it. Remove any debris with a pipe cleaner.

Drain pan. Sometimes the drain pan itself can leak. Check for cracks.

Filter. Refrigerators with filters can leak if the filter is the wrong size or not installed properly.

Water line. This is potentially the most problematic. Refrigerators with ice makers or water dispensers have water lines running between the main water supply and the back of the fridge. Feel to see if the water line is wet or dripping. Cracked hoses and loose connections are often the culprit.

Refrigerator leaks can damage the flooring and cabinets in your kitchen.  If you experience a refrigerator leak, please contact SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas right away to treat and help to prevent any further damage.

Source: ERPlumbing Online

Water Damage and Wood Floors

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

It doesn’t require a disaster of the scope of a spring flood or hurricane to damage a wood floor. Plumbing leaks, fire hoses and the upstairs neighbor’s overflowing tub might pose problems for porous wood floors and substructures. Whatever the cause, water causes warping, and can trigger mold and mildew growth that can ruin wood. Major flooding creates problems in foundations and walls that must be addressed, but the first step in mitigating the damage done by water to a building -- including its wood floors -- is to gently but quickly ventilate and dry materials.

SERVPRO® of Marble Falls / Lampasas uses commercial-grade machines that extract the water from the wood flooring with a powerful force.  If we are called immediately following a water damage event, there is a good possibility we can save your wood floors from buckling using the high-powered water extractors.  Don't hesitate to call right away.

Source: Homeguides Online

The Water Damage Timeline

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

Flood Damage

6/30/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage isn't fun. Let us help take the pressure off by getting your property to pre-damage condition.

Water damage comes in many forms, and from various points of origin. Storms, faulty plumbing, household accidents, etc. The where and how might change, but the who should never change: call SERVPRO of Marble Falls, Lampasas & Brownwood to fix your property.

Whether it's a water heater leak at 1 in the afternoon, or a toilet run-over at 3 in the morning, we've got your back! Water damage can be a nightmare, but don't let that ruin your life.

Here at SERVPRO, we're all about helping the people in our community; that's why we have 24-hour emergency service, for whenever disaster strikes!

Our water certified technicians are standing by, determined to get you back on dry land!

Give us a call at any time of the day or night, and our highly educated technicians will be more than happy to assist you!

SERVPRO of Marble Falls, Lampasas & Brownwood - (830) 693-6415

Broken Pipes in a Bathroom Wall in a Home in Horseshoe Bay

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

This leak in the wall had been going on for so long the wall studs and sill plates rotted.

SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas received a call from a homeowner in Horseshoe Bay referred to us by a local plumber regarding a water leak in a walk in shower. The problem turned out to be a slow leak in a pipe in the bathroom. When the pipe burst, the homeowner could hear the water spraying in the walls, and he gave SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas a call. 

A moisture check was performed; elevated moisture levels in the exterior walls of the bathroom were detected. 

Our technicians removed multiple interior walls and part of the exterior stucco wall behind to the walk in, tiled shower. Upon opening up the walls, multiple leaks were found.  All three different areas had been leaking over time much to the surprise of the homeowners. 

If you suspect a water leak in a pipe in your home or business, please give us a call today.

Water loss can be sneaky!

4/5/2019 (Permalink)

It doesn't look like anything is wrong until you see the waterline on sofa.

Water damage can be deceiving. In the picture from this water loss in Burnet, Texas everything looks normal until you notice that water has been absorbed into the fabric of the sofa. 

SERVPRO of Marble Falls, Lampasas & Brownwood received this call from a water heater leak. When production technicians did a moisture check with our meters they found numerous rooms affected by water. Just because the carpet seems dry doesn't mean the pad underneath isn't. Same goes for walls. That's why having the right tools to find out what is wet and what is dry is so important.

We got this property dried in an efficient 3 days and the insurance company received all our documentation regarding this mitigation within 24 hours of the job being closed.

Black water backup!

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

Fecal waste coming out of the toilet.

SERVPRO of Marble Falls, Lampasas & Brownwood received a call from a local contractor in Horseshoe Bay, TX while doing a renovation on a condo. The sewer line backed up and our help was needed!

They originally thought a small area was affected but when SERVPRO of Marble Falls, Lampasas & Brownwood did a proper moisture check they found the black water had seeped into more rooms than the contractors realized. 

With permission from the Horseshoe Bay, TX homeowner, our production technicians got to the task at hand removing all affected materials, spraying anti-microbrial and then setting up drying equipment to take care of this residence. 

Sewer back up.

3/8/2019 (Permalink)

A stinky situation.

A city sewer back up in Llano Texas caused this nasty mess to happen in multiple areas of the home. Our technicians arrived on site and with proper safety gear on for protection, began the clean up process.

This was a 100 year old home and the homeowner wanted to save the original wood floors. We removed necessary contaminated materials and did an extensive cleaning, drying and sanitizing so the floors could be saved.

The homeowner and adjuster were happy with not having those beautiful original floors torn out.

Flooded Home in Kingsland, TX

3/5/2019 (Permalink)

Water logged kitchen drawers from leaking pipe in second floor bathroom.

A leaking pipe from a second floor bathroom caused all the cabinets in the kitchen of a Kingsland, TX residence to become full of water. 

The SERVPRO of Marble Falls, Lampasas & Brownwood crew was called on site, and had to assess the damage. Unfortunately, the water loss had been going on for a few days before it was discovered. Fortunately, though, our certified technicians were able to determine that there were no mold or mildew issues to be concerned about.

After the mold evaluation was completed and cleared, our team meticulously extracted water from drawers, and drilled holes under the kitchen cabinets. We also tore out the ceiling, walls, and insulation on both sides of the kitchen for drying purposes. Ultimately, we were able to save the kitchen cabinets, which saved the homeowner replacement costs.

Faster to your Lampasas County Water Damage Event

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies do not wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. A live person will always be available to take your call. 

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage as well as the cleaning and restoration costs.  Additionally, it helps to prevent secondary damage - mold growth.

To learn more about water damage restoration from SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas, please click HERE or call: 512-525-8825