Did you know that the water either coming into your home or from your home due to busted pipes or leaks has what we call a “category”? When it comes to handling mitigation in your home it is better to allow the professionals at SERVPRO of Columbus/Starkville to deal with the emergency because you have to treat the water correctly to be safe. You never know what is either in your water or what the water has passed through to create contamination.
The information below explains the main types of water damage and could help you identify the problem quickly if it ever happens to you.
Category One: Clear Water
This water is the cleanest, most non-toxic form of water damage. It is potable water, perhaps directly from the tap. It is unlikely to cause you any harm, even if you are exposed for some time. Nevertheless, even clean flooding can lead to electrical and structural faults, so it is safer for you to call in the experts for repairs. Clean water comes from things like a broken water supply line, tub or sinks overflow with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water-supply lines to name a few. However, once clean water leaves the exit point, it might not remain clean after contacting other surfaces or materials. Although it is considered the "safest" of the categories, it can degrade to category 2 or 3 if left untreated.
Category Two: Gray Water
Gray water damage is a little bit more serious and requires a speedier removal process. This is because it may contain potentially unsafe levels of chemicals, microorganisms, or dirt. Examples of Cat 2 water include, but are not limited to: overflow from dishwashers or washing machines; overflows from toilet bowls with urine; seepage due to hydrostatic pressure and broken aquariums. If left untreated, it can quickly degrade into category 3.
Category Three: Black Water
Cat 3 water is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Cat 3 water can include, but are not limited to: sewage; toilet backflows from beyond the trap; flooding from seawater, rivers or streams, ground surface water, or other contaminated water entering the indoor environment.
The team at SERVPRO of Columbus/Starkville is skilled in the safe handling of the different categories through training and protective clothing to eliminate the risk of sickness.
SERVPRO is always here to help for your water damage needs, no matter the time of day or day of year! Callus today at 662-324-3003
Many times the toilet in your home can be the last thing you think about causing water damage. As they age, however, the components that allow it to function properly can jam or malfunction, causing several potential problems. While some of these might be a drawn-out refilling process that can affect your monthly water bill, more severe consequences might include overflowing of the reservoir when the float mechanism does not engage.
Overflowing reservoirs might not affect your home but it does often require professional water removal and recovery. Even with noticing the problem shortly after it begins, an instance like this can quickly cover the bathroom floor and affect cabinetry and the vanity as well. Our SERVPRO® professionals can understand the importance of reacting quickly to this situation.
The tile or laminate flooring likely installed in your bathroom can resist penetration from the pooling water, but saturation can still occur with these materials if the problem does not get addressed quickly enough. While each plank or tile itself works to resist absorbing the moisture, seams and grout joints are more penetrable. To protect your flooring from extensive damage, extraction must begin shortly after the situation gets discovered.
Our SERVPRO® professionals can arrive with high-powered extraction equipment for severe damages like our gas-powered units. For smaller pools, we can also bring in our portable sump pumps and extraction wands. Once the excess has gotten removed from the flooring, we can set up our advanced drying equipment to protect and preserve exposed cabinetry, fixtures, and flooring. We can double check our drying efforts with our thermal imagery cameras to detect lingering moisture pockets that require added attention.
As traumatic as an overflowing reservoir might seem, the right professional assistance can make this water damage “Like it never even happened.”
Call us at SERVPRO of Columbus/Starkville immediately if you have water damage at your home or business. Every second counts!
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Columbus/Starkville provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
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 Columbus/Starkville arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.
Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (662) 289-7473
Water Damage Timeline
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:
Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
About SERVPRO of Columbus/Starkville:
SERVPRO of Columbus/Starkville specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Call SERVPRO of Columbus/Starkville - 662-324-3003
If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO arrives.
Shut off the source of the water.
Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock.
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting
Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items
Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors
Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors
According to the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) there are a couple of reasons to choose a professional over doing it your self. Below are a few reasons:
The process of fire and water restoration is very involved when it is performed properly.
With quick reaction time and the appropriate skill set, a technician can help to prevent further damage and repair that which has already been done
The process and equipment used during fire and water restoration will vary from case to case, since different materials require their own unique care.
For fire damage, general cleaning is done to remove ash and soot from ceiling to floor.
The quick remediation of the problem is important for more than repairs, it is also a health consideration
Choose a company for fire and water restoration with the appropriate licenses and proof that they have the proper insurance.
Whether the work to be done is in a commercial or residential location, technicians with experience and certification should perform the damage recovery.
When there is a water spill, it is essential to clean the affected area thoroughly, a process which involves various steps. Clean is a relative state, so the steps involved depend on the level of cleanliness that you need to achieve. The three levels of cleanliness are sterile, disinfected and sanitary. For a residential property reaching sanitary condition is usually sufficient because it eliminates any health risks. We have IICRC certified technicians that can clean your property after water loss to achieve the sanitary level of cleanliness.
Removing any water left standing after the spill is a crucial step during water cleanup. If the water originates from a dirty source such as a faulty appliance, it might contain wastes that might soil, or even stain the contents in the house, if left unaddressed for long. Our SERVPRO technicians handle this by extracting the water within the shortest time possible. We have different types of equipment to match the type of extraction needed. We can use submersible pumps if the pool is over two feet deep or truck-mounted water extractors for lower levels.
After removing the standing water, various soils and debris might be left necessitating various cleaning actions including the use of chemical agents and mechanical processes such as agitating the surfaces. Our SERVPRO technicians use pressure washers or brushes where mechanical action is needed. We also have various professional cleaning agents to remove dyes and other stain-causing materials. We evaluate the material involved to ensure we use the right agent. For instance, we do not use chlorine bleach on wool and silk or when removing stains from rust.
Bad smells are likely to develop after a water spill incident. The causes vary depending on the specifics of the incident. If the water spilled contains debris, such debris might reach concealed spaces causing the bad smells. Even clean water might dissolve or push ordinary debris such as pet wastes into hidden crevices resulting in smells that do not go away even after cleaning is done. Our SERVPRO technicians combat this by deodorizing the affected property. If there is a carpet, we treat both sides with an EPA-registered disinfectant then use a fogger to apply a deodorizing agent. On hard surfaces, we use a mop application.
When there is a water spill, it is essential to clean the affected area thoroughly, a process which involves various steps. Clean is a relative state, so the steps involved depend on the level of cleanliness that you need to achieve. The three levels of cleanliness are sterile, disinfected and sanitary. For a residential property reaching sanitary condition is usually sufficient because it eliminates any health risks. We have IICRC certified technicians that can clean your property after water loss to achieve the sanitary level of cleanliness.
Removing any water left standing after the spill is a crucial step during water cleanup. If the water originates from a dirty source such as a faulty appliance, it might contain wastes that might soil, or even stain the contents in the house, if left unaddressed for long. Our SERVPRO technicians handle this by extracting the water within the shortest time possible. We have different types of equipment to match the type of extraction needed. We can use submersible pumps if the pool is over two feet deep or truck-mounted water extractors for lower levels.
After removing the standing water, various soils and debris might be left necessitating various cleaning actions including the use of chemical agents and mechanical processes such as agitating the surfaces. Our SERVPRO technicians use pressure washers or brushes where mechanical action is needed. We also have various professional cleaning agents to remove dyes and other stain-causing materials. We evaluate the material involved to ensure we use the right agent. For instance, we do not use chlorine bleach on wool and silk or when removing stains from rust.
Bad smells are likely to develop after a water spill incident. The causes vary depending on the specifics of the incident. If the water spilled contains debris, such debris might reach concealed spaces causing the bad smells. Even clean water might dissolve or push ordinary debris such as pet wastes into hidden crevices resulting in smells that do not go away even after cleaning is done. Our SERVPRO technicians combat this by deodorizing the affected property. If there is a carpet, we treat both sides with an EPA-registered disinfectant then use a fogger to apply a deodorizing agent. On hard surfaces, we use mop application
How Professional Equipment helps to make water cleanup easier
Water cleanup demands the use of appropriate products and equipment to make the job easier and things cleaner. Since we are talking about specialized equipment, it is the role of the technicians to operate the equipment correctly. There are also specific directions that we follow when applying the cleaning products when attending to such situation. All incidents are not the same, so, we select the equipment to use depending on the situation we are facing.
To determine if the structure is dry or not during water cleanup in your home, we use detection devices. In this step, we use moisture sensors, moisture meters, and thermo-hygrometers. Thermo-hygrometers help us to measure the temperature and the relative humidity of the site. The role of moisture sensors is to determine whether there is moisture in materials during the initial stages of the inspection. On the other hand, moisture meters are helpful when we need to determine the exact moisture content in materials.
When our SERVPRO technicians are drying your property using dehumidifiers and air movers, moisture escapes from wet materials and surfaces into the air. As the air absorbs the moisture, it reaches a saturation point where it cannot absorb any additional water vapor. If condensation takes place, then some additional damage is likely to occur. We perform dehumidification to remove the water vapor from the air using dehumidifiers and in the process speed up drying.
We also have appropriate tools to disengage the pad and carpet, separate seams and reinstall the carpet, seams, and pad. The use of safety equipment is equally important since it helps our SERVPRO technicians to avoid injury. For instance, we use gloves, boots, eye protection, and overalls. Our work usually follows the state and local regulations.
SERVPRO of Columbus / Starkville Water Damage News And Updates
Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. SERVPRO® of Columbus/Starkville have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. SERVPRO® of Columbus/Starkville will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools used by SERVPRO® of Columbus/Starkville:
Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO® of Columbus/Starkville to monitor the drying process.
SERVPRO of Columbus / Starkville Water Damage News And Updates
Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO® of Columbus/Starkville can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.
Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.
Thermal Foggers dispense solvent based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor causing particles to deodorize structures, garments, automobiles and other places where cleaning cannot reach.
The bottom line? SERVPRO® of Columbus/Starkville has the training and equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.”
Fixture Wear Can Lead To Water Damage In Your Home
Properties Often Suffer Water Problems from Failed Plumbing
While there are countless ways that water can negatively impact your home, few people tend to think of something as simple as a broken fixture. Something as fundamental as a broken faucet or connection to the plumbing underneath a sink or leading to a shower could result in damages. These kinds of problems that are out of their line of sight are out of mind until a problem appears.
By the time that these fixtures fail in your home, any number of water damages could result. Even a fast reaction time on your part to cut the water supply could still impact all of the rooms adjacent to the walls housing the plumbing. Even if you are not aware of where exactly the leak has occurred, you can trust that the experienced professionals at SERVPRO of Columbus / Starkville, can identify the problem as well as how to restore the damage that it caused.
Our SERVPRO technicians arrive at your home get to work immediately on assessing the full scope of the damage and the equipment that we need to fix the problem you face. Extraction is often a large part of this process, especially in areas where substantial water damage has occurred. While hard flooring surfaces are ideal for using our wet-vacs and portable pumps, sometimes specialized equipment like weighted extractors are necessary for carpeted areas that get impacted by the spread of the water.
Drying the area is a critical step for our SERVPRO technicians. While air movers and dehumidification equipment work to remove the moisture from open areas that got affected, our system moves air through the wall cavity where the plumbing problem has gotten repaired to eliminate any lingering dampness or moisture in these areas. This process also helps to prevent dormant mold spores from developing into significant and damaging colonies.
There are plenty of ways that water and the resulting damage can affect your home, but no matter the reason, having the right team of professionals can make all the difference in how smoothly the restoration goes. Trust our experienced team at SERVPRO of Columbus / Starkville to help you with any water damage effects your home faces. We are available 24/7 by calling (662) 324-3003.
SERVPRO has equipment available to remove water from your home
When a homeowner experiences a water disaster, the list of tasks necessary to return the property to before loss condition can be long. Prioritizing projects include deciding to hire professional help for some of the jobs. Water removal requires specialized equipment, the operation of which is best managed by certified and seasoned technicians. Partner with our veteran water extraction crews for fast and efficient results.
When a pipe breaks or an appliance malfunctions, water removal is job one in your dwelling. Vast quantities of water can fill the room where the accident occurred over even a brief period, and migrate to other areas of your house. Ridding your property of the water relies on access to a fleet of powerful high-efficiency water pumps and extractors, rarely owned by or available to the average homeowner. Each of our service vehicles contains submersible pumps and wanded wet vacuums ready for use immediately after our production managers assess your emergency. We can start the removal process even if your power is temporarily unavailable.
Because excess water by its nature moves throughout your home after a plumbing or appliance fail, effective removal compels a thorough inspection for hidden caches of moisture. The SERVPRO water removal crews we dispatch are familiar with precision moisture measurement tools and advanced scanning technologies that locate water wherever it collected. Finding all the moisture stemming from the accident is crucial as water left to soak into structures and personal possessions leads to secondary damage such as mold growth and permanent ruin to the building materials and contents involved.
Although in theory you may feel up to the challenge of removing water on your own, the fact is our trained and experienced crews have the advantage of the speed of many hands and the confidence built on repetition and training. After only 24 to 48 hours, lingering moisture can support a burgeoning microbial outbreak. Materials like drywall crumble and hardwood swell and buckle. SERVPRO involvement provides you with the appropriate scaled response to ensure the water exits your home before irreparable damage occurs.
SERVPRO of Columbus / Starkville prepares our water removal crews for speedy and professional outcomes when responding to your emergency. Call us at (662) 324-3003 to schedule an assessment and institution of a comprehensive water removal plan. We answer 24/7, every day of the year.
Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. the detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. this damage, at a minimum will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.
More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.
All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.
I hear this a lot from consumers...I got the water mopped up, I think it have it under control. Well this is what IICRC has to say "Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required."
More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.
All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.
There are several things you as a home owner you can do to prevent water damage from happening to you. Here are a few examples of some simple things you can do to reduce your risk.
** Be careful where you plant
Some plants and trees, like weeping willows and elm trees, have pretty invasive roots. If you’re not careful, they’ll grow right into your sprinkler system, drainage field, pipes, and septic tanks. Plan before you plant to keep roots away from any water lines.
** Keep an eye on your water bill
With the majority of your water pipes hidden behind walls and in the floors in your house, you might not know there’s a leak until the damage is done. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your monthly water bill. If you see it starting to creep up, or get one that’s uncommonly high, it’s a pretty good sign that you may have a leak somewhere
** Upgrade supply line hoses
Old, brittle or leaky hoses are among the most frequent causes of water loss for home owners. Checking or replacing the supply lines on your sink, toilets and appliances can potentially save you a lot of time, money and headache. Replace yours every five years or so and you might avoid a mess and very expensive damage to your home.
** Never pour grease down your sink
You’ve probably heard this before, but you should definitely avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. It doesn’t matter if you flush it with hot or cold water. It can still congeal and cling to your pipes, and could still cause some serious damage and blockage.
Some people use detergent to break up grease before pouring it down the drain…and that may help sometimes. But there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep the grease from sticking to your pipes, so why take the risk?
The safest thing to do is just to pour your grease in an empty can, and either let it sit or put it in the refrigerator. Once it hardens you can toss it in the trash and get rid of it.
One of the most common questions during a water damage is “what do I need to do until help arrives?” Here a few Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to water damage.
Do’s:
Contact your local restoration company as soon as possible
Remove as much excess water as possible by shop vacuum, mopping or blotting
Wipe excess water from around wood furniture after removal of lamps and table top items
Remove and prop up wet upholstery items such as cushions for even drying
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet
In the summer, turn on HVAC unit to maximize drying
Remove colored rugs from wall to wall carpeting areas to minimize staining
Pick up loose items, such as toys and clothes, to allow maximum air to reach the wet areas
Don’ts:
Leave fabrics wet in place, dry them as soon as possible
Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature
Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet floors
Use your household vacuum to remove water
Use TV’s or other household appliances while standing on wet floors
Turn on ceiling fans to help with drying if the ceiling has been wet
Keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water
Myself and a coworker recently had to opportunity to go attend a water training class in on one of our sister franchises here in the state. This was a three day class that focused on getting us informed on the proper drying processes for water damaged facilities. I did not have a background in this industry prior to coming on board with them, so the class was very interesting and educational. I feel that after the class I have a great understanding of the drying processes. I also understand now why timing is such an important factor in getting the job started and not letting the effects of wet material continue to sit unaddressed for any length of time. This was a great opportunity and has allowed me to be able to grow as an associate and be better able to educate customers on the "WHY" behind what we do.
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