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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Water Damage Blog Posts

A Timeline of Water Damage

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

Standing water on floor Have water damage? Don't wait for the damage to get worse, call us today!

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North 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.  We arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.  Here is some information on the timeline of a water damage event.

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.

In the event you sustain water damage for any length of time, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help.

Preventing Water Damage from Frozen Pipes in Your Milwaukee County Home

1/5/2023 (Permalink)

iced and frozen outdoor spigot Frozen pipes are one of the biggest risks of property damage when the temperatures drop.

When temperatures dip during the winter, frozen pipes could be a concern for your home – but there are ways to prevent your property from disaster.  Here are some helpful facts from the American Red Cross:

To Prevent Frozen Pipes

  • Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

  • If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
  • Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
  • Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
  • Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
  • Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

In the event you suffer water damage from frozen plumbing fixtures or ice damming, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help 24/7/365 at 414-354-7566.

Water Damage Time Line

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

water in basement Water damage doesn't wait; call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North now!

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North 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.  We arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.  Here is some information on the timeline of a water damage event.

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.

In the event you sustain water damage for any length of time, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help.  Call us today at 414-354-7566 for a no-cost assessment of your damage.

Ejector Pump Vs Sump Pump: What's the Difference?

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

cartoon man in flooded basement SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help take the stress out of water damage clean up. We are available 24/7/365.

EJECTOR PUMP

Most homes are built so gravity can transport waste to the sewer system. For this to be possible, the home must be higher than the sewer pipes so the waste can drain properly. Sometimes, however, this isn’t possible because of a home’s location or because of plumbing in the basement that reaches deeper than the main sewer lines. In these instances, an ejector pump, sometimes called a sewage pump, is used to force sewage out of the home’s plumbing.

One of the biggest differences between an ejector pump and a sump pump is that an ejector pump has the ability to move solid waste with water pressure.  The ejector pump breaks up solid waste to force it farther down the line and out to the main sewer.  Without an ejector pump, basement bathrooms and any plumbing below the main sewer level would be unable to clear waste. The result would be sewage backing up into the home. 

SUMP PUMP

A sump pump provides a different function than an ejector pump. Sump pumps do not deal with waste or sewage at all. Instead, a sump pump sits in a pit beneath your home. This pit is drainage for excess water that builds up during rainstorms, snowmelt, or flooding of any sort. When excess water accumulates in your sump pit, the sump pump expels the water out through pipes that drain to an exterior location far enough from your home to not cause any issues or backflow. Without a sump pump, basements could be flooded every time it rains. A sump pump ensures that you keep a dry home, even when torrential storms rage outside.

Sump pumps are mostly found in wet climates or where basements are prevalent. They are less common in dry areas or where basements are not popular.

Sump pumps cannot be joined to a sewer line. Instead, they must drain outside. Sump pumps also cannot handle debris. They generally have a screen or grate on the intake so the pump doesn’t suck up anything that could damage and ruin the pump. Sump pumps are meant to transport water only.

While each of these is important in its own right, ejector pumps and sump pumps are different tools that perform very different jobs. Ejector pumps push waste and sewage uphill to remove it from plumbing that’s below the main sewer level. Sump pumps stop your basement from flooding by evacuating water that accumulates from natural sources. If you require one of these pumps but don’t have it, the results could be disastrous.  

In the event you do sustain damage from a failed ejector pump or sump pump, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help 24/7/365.  Give us a call at 414-354-7566 for a no-cost assessment of your water damage situation.

Flood Insurance and Water Backup Coverage: What’s the Difference?

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

legs with rubber boots in standing water Water in your basement? The professionals at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North are here to help!

Spring and Summer in Milwaukee County is a happy time for so many home and business owners who are ready for warmer weather, and sunshine!  We Midwesterners look forward to that first day on or in the water.  So what happens when that water we love so much finds its way into our basements?  How can property owners recover losses to their property from flood waters?  

Water/Sewer Backup Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies come with an optional endorsement for water backup and sump discharge/overflow which will cover losses, up to a certain limit, caused by the backup of water or waterborne materials through a sewer or through a drain. It will also cover water or waterborne material that overflows from a sump, even if the backup of water is due to the mechanical breakdown of the sump pump. Coverage includes damage to property but excludes the sump pump and any related equipment that has broken down.  Contact your insurance professional for more information about this coverage and its limits.

The endorsement does not cover damages caused by a flood. A separate flood insurance policy needs to be obtained to cover losses due to flooding.

Flood Insurance

What is a flood?  The dictionary defines “flood” as rising and overflowing of water onto normally dry land. For the purpose of insurance, “rising” is the key to distinguish flood damage from water damage. Basically damage that has occurred from water that has been on the ground at some point before causing damage to your home is considered flood damage, and would not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy.

Flooding can happen anywhere; even if your home is not in a flood plain.  Flood insurance is available to all homeowners who live in a participating community, which must enforce floodplain ordinances and building requirements that meet or exceed FEMA guidelines. If your community does not participate in the NFIP, you can make a request for it to do so through your mayor, city council or county commissioner’s office.  Contact your insurance professional for more information about this coverage and its limits.

In the event you do sustain property damage from any type of flooding, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help.  We are available 24/7/365 at 414-354-7566 for your emergencies.

Water in your basement? The professionals at SERVPRO of Libertyville/North Chicago City/Lake Bluff are here to help!

Sump Pump Maintenance Checklist

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

diagram drawing of sump pump Maintaining your sump pump could potentially save thousands in water damage.

When was the last time you maintained your sump pump?  Here are some tips to show your sump pump some love and keep your basement dry as we enter the rainy season of spring.

  1. Make sure your sump pump is totally upright. Your sump pump should be sitting on solid, even ground. Any sort of leaning can shift the water in the pump’s pit and put unnecessary pressure on its components.
  2. Open it up. Take the cover off the sump pump pit or basin and have a look inside. Clear any debris, mud or rocks that you find, as any foreign items can clog your sump pump and cause an overflow.
  3. Double-check the drain hose. Check to make sure the drain hose is connected, and that it’s not blocked or frozen. A clogged drain hose can cause your sump pump to run continuously, as it won’t be able to dispose of the water that’s filled its pit.
  4. Clear out the inlet screen. Make sure the inlet screen is allowing water to enter your sump pump’s pit. If your inlet screen is blocked, water won’t be able to make its way into the sump pump’s pit and could lead to a basement flood.
  5. Keep it afloat. Your sump pump’s float controls when it will turn on and pump excess water out. Make sure the float component can move freely and isn’t blocked. A malfunctioning float can cause your pump to not run when it’s supposed to, or run constantly, eventually burning out your pump’s engine.
  6. Make sure it’s flowing away from your house. The next time you hear your sump pump running, go outside and make sure its discharge pipe is pumping the water away from your home at a safe distance. If it’s too close, the water could seep back into your pump, causing your pump to run continuously and inefficiently. The more your sump pump runs, the more likely it is to burn out early in its life span.  

    While you don’t want your discharge pipe too close to your house, shed, garage or other structure, make sure it does stay on your property. You’ll have some unhappy neighbors if your sump pump is pushing your excess water onto their lot.

  7. Give your sump pump a test run. Fill the pit with a bucket of water to turn your pump on. Watch it carefully to see if it’s getting rid of the water, then check the discharge pipe outside to make sure it’s disposed of properly. If the pump doesn’t run, make sure it’s plugged in and its power cord is in working order.
  8. Plan for the unexpected. Having a backup battery or generator can be crucial if a strong rain storm comes complete with a power outage. And eventually, your sump pump may give out without the help of a power outage. To avoid the stress of trying to buy and install a new sump pump while the water seeps closer and closer to your basement, have a backup sump pump handy — and be sure to test it regularly, too.
  9. Call a professional. You’ve checked the power cords, discharge pipe, inlet screen and every other piece of the pump, but still can’t figure out what’s wrong. It’s time to call a professional! Risking your basement and everything else in it isn’t worth maintaining your pride as a handyman or woman — get it fixed and fast!

If worse comes to worst, and you do have a backup and need assistance with damage from water or sewage, call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North for 24/7 help at 414-354-7566.

Roof Snow Removal Tips to Prevent Damaging Ice Dams in Southeast Wisconsin

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

icicles hanging from red house SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help 24/7/365 with your winter weather water damage emergencies.

Snow and ice storms on top of already large snow accumulation make snow removal from roofs a growing concern in the Midwest.  Removing snow completely from a roof surface can result in serious damage to the roof covering and possibly lead to leaks and additional damage, according to the Snow Load Safety Guide, published as part of the Risk Management Series by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA says that at least two inches of snow should be left on the roof.

Most of the time, it’s better to leave the snow alone if you can, because removing it can pose a risk to the workers and the structure. But if you do have to get the snow off the roof, here are some tips from FEMA for removing snow safely and effectively.

DON’T

  • Use mechanical snow removal equipment. The risk of damaging the roof membrane or other rooftop items outweighs the advantage of speed.
  • Use sharp tools, such as picks, to remove snow. Use plastic rather than metal shovels.
  • Stockpile snow on the roof.

DO

  • Remove drifted snow first at building elevation changes, parapets and around equipment.
  • Remove any snow remaining after you’ve removed drifts from the center portion of the roof.
  • Remove snow in the direction of the primary structural elements on the roof to prevent unbalanced snow loading.
  • Keep snow away from building exits, fire escapes, drain downspouts, ventilation openings and equipment.
  • Remove snow starting at the ridge and moving toward the eave for gable and sloped roofs whenever possible.
  • Use a non-metallic rake for steep snow roofs if possible to avoid damage to roofing materials.
  • Have someone below the roof to keep foot traffic away from locations where falling snow or ice could cause injuries.
  • Be careful of dislodged icicles whenever you’re removing snow from a roof because an icicle falling from even a short height can still cause damage or injury.
  • Be prepared for roof snow to slide while you’re using a roof rake, and stay a safe distance away from the eave of the roof to be sure you’re out of sliding range.

If you do experience water damage or collapse caused by an ice dam or heavy snow, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North has skilled workers standing by to help.  We are available 24/7/365 to assist with your water damage emergencies.  Call 414-354-7566 for help.

10 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes in your Milwaukee County Home

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

copper pipe with water spraying out A burst pipe can release up to 12 gallons of water per minute, causing a disastrous amount of water damage.

Frozen or burst pipes are expensive problems that homeowners dread facing during blustery Midwest winters.  Here are ten simple tips for homeowners to help prevent the frustration and mess of this common plumbing nightmare.

Insulate Pipes 

This is a relatively inexpensive task that could save you thousands in potential repairs. When insulating, pay particular attention to pipes in unheated, interior spaces of your home, such as in your attic, garage or basement.  The most common kinds of pipe insulation are made from fiberglass, polyethylene or foam

Open Cabinet Doors

 Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open during particularly cold temps to promote warm air circulation around plumbing fixtures.  You may need to find a temporary home for any household chemicals if you have children or curious pets.

Keep Thermostat Settings Consistent 

This may cost you a little more overall, but the cost is a small fraction of the potential damage caused by a burst pipe. 

Seal Crawl Spaces

 If your winter looks like it will be especially bitter, you will probably need to temporarily cover any ventilated crawl spaces in your home, which will reduce the amount of cold air surrounding your pipes.

Use Heating Tape 

This is helpful in exterior spaces that are harder to quickly access.  There are two different kinds of heating tape you can use — self-monitoring and manual. The first type of heating tape has a sensor and turns on and off by itself whenever it senses that the pipe needs more heat. The manual type of heating tape requires you to plug it in whenever heat is needed and unplug it once the pipe is warm.  Like any heating system, electrical heating tape can be dangerous. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety procedures when applying it to your pipe systems.

Keep Garage Doors Closed

This is an easy one!  A garage door accidentally left open leaves any water supply lines vulnerable to freezing temperatures, which is a disaster waiting to happen.

Let Faucets Drip

Running water, even a small trickle, carries more energy than standing water.  Friction warms the water slightly, making it more unlikely to freeze.  This will also relieve pressure in pipes which could save them from bursting even if they do freeze.

Seal Cracks and Openings  

Perform an inspection of your home. Do you find any cracks or openings?  Caulk these areas to keep excess frigid air from entering your home.

Open Interior Doors

This will help keep temperature consistent through your home.  

Keep the Heat On 

It may be tempting to turn off the heat to save on energy bills while you are out of town, but keeping the thermostat above 55 degrees or higher is appropriate to keep your pipes safe from freezing.

Even if you diligently maintain your home, you may still sustain damage from frozen plumbing.  In the event you need immediate help, call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North any time at 414-354-7566.  We are here to help 24/7/365 and will even call a plumber for you if needed.

6 Common Causes for Plumbing Fails in Northern Milwaukee Homes

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

cartoon image of man standing and boy swimming in flooded home We all love a good laugh, but water damage is no fun! Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North for help.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North has been helping homeowners and business owners repair water damage caused by plumbing failures for many years.  We have seen all kinds of water damage, and we have the training, experience, and equipment to restore the emergencies you may encounter. While there are many reasons pipes burst or fail, here are some top culprits:

  1. Freezing
  2. Tree root encroachment
  3. Corrosion
  4. Soil Shifting
  5. High water pressure
  6. Clogs

Some of these examples may be prevented through maintenance of your pipes.  Water pipes, if not properly maintained and insulated, can cause a costly repair, and in some cases, even destroy or cause extensive damage to your home. Smaller water leaks can, over time, damage your home as well as attract mold growth.

In the event you do sustain damage from a failed plumbing system, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help 24/7/365.  Give us a call at 414-354-7566 for a no-cost assessment of your water damage situation.

Four Classes of Water Damage

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

water leaking from ceiling into room filled with furniture If this is a familiar scene in your home or business, we can help! Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North today.

Classes of water damage losses are determined by the rate of evaporation based on the type of materials affected by water damage to your property. Determining the Class of Water is an important first step, and will determine the amount and type of equipment utilized to restore your business. There are four IICRC water damage classifications, and they are as follows:

Class 1 - Slow Evaporation Rate 

Water losses that affect only part of a room or area, or losses with lower permeance/porosity materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, vinyl composition tile or VCT, concrete). Little or no wet carpet or cushion is present. Minimum moisture is absorbed by materials, releasing moisture slowly.

Class 2 - Fast Evaporation Rate 

Water losses that affect an entire room or carpet and cushion. Water has wicked up walls 12" - 24". There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, concrete).

Class 3 - Fastest Evaporation Rate

Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor in the entire area are saturated.

Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations

These consist of wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, stone, and crawlspace). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which requires very low specific humidity.

In the event you do experience water damage in your Lake County home, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North at 414-354-7566.  We are here to help 24/7/365 with your water damage emergencies.

Content Restoration after Water Damage in Northern Milwaukee

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

flooded interior with furniture SERVPRO of Milwaukee North can dry and restore your residential or commercial space.

Restore Vs. Replace

We specialize in cleaning contents after water damage. SERVPRO of Milwaukee North helps to restore rather than replace to help save your sentimental items. How do we assess items that have been exposed to water? There are a few main considerations: 

  1. Class of water affecting the items.  Is the water contaminated?
  2. Materials affected.  Are the items made of porous or non-porous materials?
  3. Length of time affected.  How long has the water been standing stagnant?

When should you replace?

Soft/Porous contents affected by water containing sewage.  Category 3 or “Black Water”

  • Materials have been affected for an extended period of time and are showing signs of microbial growth.

When can you restore?

  1. Hard contents that have not been penetrated by contaminated water.
  2. Soft contents that have been affected by Category 1 or “clear” water and sometimes Category 2 “gray” water.

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, our first step is to determine which items have been exposed to water as well as to what category of water. Then we make sure the items are dry and free of any moisture. This helps our water damage professionals determine what can be saved and what cannot. This process is also used for furniture, upholstery, and carpeting.

If you have experienced water damage in your home or business, please utilize the professionals at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North.  Our trained technicians are available 24/7/365 to assist with your water emergencies. Call today at 414-354-7566.

Water Damage in the Milwaukee Area: 3 Categories To Know

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

water dripping through ceiling tiles Often, water damage spreads to areas that cannot be seen. Call an expert for help to ensure all moisture has been removed.

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, we pride ourselves on being the experts in water damage remediation.  We ensure our technicians are educated by requiring them to become certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) as Water Restoration Technicians.  This gives them the ability to classify and categorize the type of water damage a property may have.  With regard to infiltration, there are three categories of water.  Knowing what these are and how to properly mitigate their damage is paramount to restoring your home or business to a healthy, safe state.

Category 1

Water originates from a sanitary water source and does not pose substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure.  Examples include but are not limited to:

Broken water supply lines; tub or sink overflows with no contaminants; appliance malfunctions involving water-supply lines; melting ice or snow; falling rainwater; broken toilet tanks, and toilet bowls that do not contain contaminants or additives.

Category 2

Water contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. Category 2 water can contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological). Examples include but are not limited to:

Discharge from dishwashers or washing machines, overflows from washing machines, overflows from toilet bowls on the room side of the trap with some urine

Category 3

Water is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents and can cause significant adverse reactions to humans if contacted or consumed. Examples include but are not limited to:

Sewage; waste line backflows that originate from beyond any trap regardless of visible content or color; all forms of flooding from seawater; rising water from rivers or streams; and other contaminated water entering or affecting the indoor environment, such as wind-driven rain from hurricanes, tropical storms, or other weather-related events. 

Category 3 water can carry trace levels of regulated or hazardous materials (e.g., pesticides or toxic organic substances).

In the unfortunate event that you experience water damage, call the experts at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North to help.  We have the training and expertise to make sure your home or business is safe and clean.  We are available 24/7/365 for your emergencies at 414-354-7566.

Water Damage from Sprinkler Systems: Cause and Effect

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

water leaking from sprinkler head Inspection, testing and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems, along with adequate building heat, can help reduce the risk of future water damage.

An automatic sprinkler system is a very valuable tool in fire suppression and prevention. Even so, by some uncontrollable event or if not properly maintained, these systems may fail.  This failure could result in disaster by fire or from serious water damage from the sprinklers if water is unexpectedly released.  

Common Causes for Sprinkler System Failures

  1. Freezing of water filled pipes
  2. Mechanical damage
  3. Installation defects
  4. Deliberate sabotage
  5. Overheating from excessive temperatures
  6. Corrosion of sprinklers, fittings, pipes, and other components
  7. Environmental stress cracking of PVC plastic sprinkler pipe and fittings
  8. Manufacturing defects, including recalled sprinklers

Potential Hazards of Water Damage

  1. Damage - Destruction to property 
  2. Disruption - Loss of use of property during repairs
  3. Health Effects - Mold can develop causing health hazards
  4. Costs - Repair and/or replacement of sprinkler system
  5. Reputation - Lost customers or tenants due to unusable space

Prevention Tips

  1. Maintain fire sprinklers in accordance with recognized standards
  2. Ensure installations are completed by experienced and licensed contractors
  3. Take action to reduce chances of system freezing
  4. Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North if water damage is experienced in your facility.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North has the experience and professional staff to bring your property back to its preloss condition quickly and efficiently.  Call 414-354-7566 today for a free assessment of your damage.

How Thawing Snow and Ice Can Create Water Damage in Your Milwaukee Home

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Ice Dams and Water Damage Restoration for Your South East Wisconsin Home

Snow covered roofs in the Milwaukee & surrounding areas can form ice dams as they melt and refreeze this winter. With the warmups that have occurred, water damage is a concern for many homes. Ice dams can cause water to back up and go under the shingles and into your home, causing damage to your drywall and ceilings. In these situations, prevention is critical to avoid costly repairs.  

If your Milwaukee area home has already experienced water damage due to ice dams, you need the immediate help of our professional staff at SERVPRO. We are an experienced remediation company who can dry your home out and repair the damages that the ice dams have caused. The faster you pick up the phone and contact us the better, as the water leak continues to harm your home until it stops.  

In a case like this, you’ll likely have hidden water damage inside your walls and ceiling. Therefore, SERVPRO techs use special moisture sensors that can detect the hidden leaks, which allows us to restore your home thoroughly. If we did not do this and any water is left behind, it causes mold growth, making a big problem even more significant. Once we find where all the issues are, we can begin drying and restoring your home. Industrial fans and dehumidifiers help to dry your structure and the air and remove all the excess moisture.  

To prevent ice dams in the first place, begin by keeping your gutters clear of debris and leaves. Check and seal any areas that can allow warm air to leak from your home to the attic such as chimneys, exhaust fans, vent pipes, light fixtures, and attic hatches. You should also get your attic and roof inspected for insulation and proper ventilation. Inadequate signs of ventilation include rusty nails, rust spots, or mildew smell.  

Do not let snow accumulate on the lower three to six feet of your roof. For extra protection, you can install ice and snow slides to stop the ice and snow from bonding to the lower portion of your roof. Installing rubberized water and ice shields under the roof shingles for the first three to six feet, and heating cables along the eaves help to melt any ice.  

If your home in the Milwaukee area has been the victim of ice dams creating water damage inside, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North can help whenever you need us. Give us a call at (262)250-1101 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can take care of everything for you and prevent further damage.

Watch Out For Avoidable Mistakes When You Face Water Damage In Milwaukee

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

Mold Damage In Your Home

The buildup of indoor moisture from high relative humidity, plumbing, and roof leaks may lead to mold damage. When the relative humidity is kept low, chances for condensation to take place reduce, and that means there are no appropriate conditions for fungi to grow. Mold spores cannot thrive without the presence of water in your Milwaukee property.

It is necessary to take precautionary measure when dealing with mold damage because it can cause health effects. Our SERVPRO technicians assess the level of contamination and choose the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the job. When the area is extensively contaminated, we prefer a half-mask respirator, full body suits, and chemical resistant gloves. For light levels of contamination, an N95 respirator can be good enough.

We are careful not to spread the contaminant to clean areas, and if we have to disturb the mold when cleaning the site, we make sure containment procedures are already in place. Containment also helps limit mold exposure to the occupants and our SERVPRO team. If the area we are working on is small, we practice limited containment. Otherwise, we do full containment when the area is more than 100 square feet.

After disturbing the mold, spores and dust might settle on porous and non-porous surfaces. When that happens, we do damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming to do the removal. We first determine the airflow direction and clean areas towards that path, and the cleaning process starts from the structure's top towards its bottom.

When drying the items and rooms, our SERVPRO technicians first remove any wet objects from the area to speed up the rate of evaporation and after that setup dehumidifiers to lower the humidity. Moisture meters provide initial readings of overall humidty at the start of the job and will be monitored to ensure the project is complete.

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster whether it strikes your home or business property. Call us at (262) 250-1101 when you need to be served by a proven industry leader.

Important Facts To Prevent A Mold Infestation From Taking Over Your Home In Milwaukee

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Facts That Can Help You Prevent Mold Damage From Harming Your Milwaukee Home

Some microbes can easily cause costly harm inside your house in Milwaukee. SERVPRO wants to help you prevent this from happening by giving you some information about mold and mildew that helps to keep these microorganisms under control.

Once your property in Milwaukee suffers from mold damage, you might be surprised at how effortlessly it can spread from one region to another location. Here are some facts about microbes that can shed some light on these prolific but tiny living things that we share our homes with, no matter where we live.

First, complete eradication of mold and mildew is not possible. No matter how much we try, nor which equipment types we use, mold and mildew, and their spores continue as a presence in almost every inch of the planet. As tiny as they are, the weakest air currents and deposited elsewhere. They travel on clothing, pets, food, books, bags, and anything else that goes from one place to another.

Second, it is not their absence that protects your home from mold damage, but the elimination of excess humidity. Elevated amounts of water vapor in the air give microbes the necessary changes in their environment to gain access to cellulose. Without moisture, microbes cease to grow. SERVPRO uses special tools to measure the amount of moisture your home's structure contains and also how much water vapor the air holds. Part of our work involves reducing these so mold cannot return after we finish remediating your home.

Third, after an incident involving a water loss, you only have 24 to 48 hours before mold and mildew begin forming in visible patches. Containing the water and drying the affected area prevents this growth from occurring. This is why we use not only air movers to dry out saturated interiors, but also air scrubbers. Trapping microbes coming into the area can significantly reduce the amount of mold and mildew we see later.

Household bleach contains substantial amounts of water, and microbes get a drink from its contents. When used on porous materials like drywall, only the water molecules are small enough to pass through the pores of the drywall coverings. The bleach's molecules are too large to do this and remain on the surface. Bleach cannot penetrate to kill microbes hidden in a wall. Now provided with fresh water, microbes unexpectedly but quickly proliferate.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North wants to help homeowners protect their property from invasive microbes that cause mold damage. When you find mold damage more massive than the size of a twin mattress, you need experts like those at SERVPRO. Call us at (262)250-1101 any time, day or night, year-round.

Mold Damage Can Rapidly Grow in Your Milwaukee Home's Attic

11/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Thoroughly Remediates Mold Damage

Microbial growth in any home needs special care when it spreads. Airborne spores can cause health effects in Milwaukee residents, and the winter months do not slow microbial activity a significant amount. During the colder season, the flu, colds, and allergies can all cause confusion and disagreement regarding the best treatment for individuals suffering runny noses and other undesirable symptoms.

Milwaukee residents can eliminate one source of the sniffles by hiring professional mold damage experts to remediate an attic overcome by microbes. Although your family may rarely enter the attic, air ducts can carry spores away from the attic and into the living spaces of your home.

Remediation by SERVPRO's IICRC-certified technicians can help reduce the microbial population to reasonable numbers. Part of this involves washing and treating damaged materials and cleaning mold-inundated belongings stored in the attic. Because many attics do not include drywall materials, removing materials does not happen at the same level commonly found for living areas of a home.

Attics can easily harbor hidden mold, so we use devices that can detect higher levels of moisture. These areas easily allow microbial populations at very rapid rates. After locating all mold growth, cleaning the surfaces of microbial activity, and then treating the area, helps prevent any further damage.

Finding the source of water that permitted such growth to occur in the first place lets us stop any additional water from coming into your attic. These sources can include slow drips from ice damming, overhead water lines from new appliance's installation or remodeling of your home, leaks around the chimney, or other sources. Each source never precludes the presence of any others, so we always check thoroughly to ensure we find all possible sources.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North always keeps the equipment and tools ready to combat mold damage and provide excellent mold remediation services to our local community. If the moisture from winter storms overfed mold in your attic, call us at (262) 250-1101. Our services are available 24/7 year-round.

The Four Classes of Water Damage

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

4 Classes of Water Damage

Classes of Water Damage losses are determined by the rate of evaporation based on the type of materials affected by water damage to your property. Determining the Class of Water is an important first step, and will determine the amount and type of equipment utilized to restore your business. There are four IICRC water damage classifications, they are as follows:

Class 1 - Slow Evaporation Rate 
Water losses that affect only part of a room or area, or losses with lower permeance/porosity materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, vinyl composition tile or VCT, concrete). Little or no wet carpet or cushion is present. Minimum moisture is absorbed by materials, releasing moisture slowly.

Class 2 - Fast Evaporation Rate 
Water losses that affect an entire room or carpet and cushion. Water has wicked up walls 12" - 24". There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, concrete).

Class 3 - Fastest Evaporation Rate
Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor in the entire area are saturated.

Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations
These consist of wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, stone, and crawlspace). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which requires very low specific humidity.

Have Water or Flood Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North Today – (262)250-1101

Common Causes for Sump Pump Failure

10/8/2020 (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!

If your Sump Pump Fails: Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North (262)250-1101

Mold Doesn't Have to Be a Scary Thing!

9/30/2020 (Permalink)

The Only "Spooky" Mold

In recent years, mold seems to be a buzzword in the DIY world that people freak out about.  They make you feel like it is everywhere in your home! There is no need to freak out but instead become informed.

Mold is naturally occurring and as the years progress our houses become better sealed up from outside air.  This reduces ventilation and increases the opportunities for mold to occur if the environment is warm, wet or humid.

Mold on drywall and wood can be dealt with by removing and replacing the affected area and is a great solution as long as the humidity, water leaks and temperature are taken care of.  The most important factor with removing and replacing is that the area is contained and that there are air scrubbers that can clean the air and remove airborne mold spores.  If air scrubbers are not used then the removal will allow all the mold spores to become airborne, which can be filtered through an HVAC system all through the house.

Mold on tile and tubs can be treated by store purchased Mold Stain removers.  This is only for a small area and these removers should not be used on wood/drywall.

If you watch DIY shows they make you feel like mold is everywhere!  We hope that a little information goes a long way to calm your mold fears!

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North does free inspections to check on any of your mold concerns, just keep calm and give us a call.

Our Specialists Explain The Advantages Of A Fast Response To A Water Damage Emergency At Your Milwaukee Home

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

The Benefits Of Prompt Water Removal In Milwaukee

When your home in Milwaukee sustains an overflowing sink or tub, broken pipe, or other lost water, getting the water out as quickly as possible from your living space comes with added benefits. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, making it possible for our teams to make the situation less troublesome for you.

We work with homeowners in the Milwaukee area after lost water incidents cause problems by using water removal methods that help make things normal again fast. We want to make your residence like it was before, “Like it never even happened.” Because the process of extracting water while it is in its liquid form before it can escape into the air and additional objects inside your home than it is to pull moisture from the air, we start as soon as we possibly can.

The benefits go beyond a lower restoration cost, also. Not only does it cost less to extract more and dry less, but it also requires less time to accomplish this and start with cleanup. Because water that has less time to evaporate into the air and condense elsewhere, we do not need to use equipment to track it to other locations in your home.

We also can use less equipment, meaning the cost falls even more. Instead of four heaters, six air movers, and three desiccant machines, we can use about half of that number.

Other stories of your home might not become affected at all, meaning less traffic in these areas by our specialists, and increased privacy for your family members. Fewer or no machines in these areas also result in less noise that can disrupt children's schoolwork and interfere with anyone who sleeps during the daytime hours.

Fast action to a lost water event means that microbes have less time to become a problem for you. When mold's access to water is only temporary, the few spores that become active initially quickly die off from lack of continued moisture.

If your home in Milwaukee County sustains a terrible incident involving lost water and you need water removal services, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is the company you can trust to do the job right. Call our 24-hour emergency services line at (414) 354-7566, year-round so that we can send out the appropriate crews and equipment your home needs.

How Thawing Snow and Ice Can Create Water Damage in Your Milwaukee Home

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

Ice Dams and Water Damage Restoration for Your South East Wisconsin Home

Snow covered roofs in the Milwaukee & surronding areas can form ice dams as they melt and refreeze this winter. With the warmups that have occurred, water damage is a concern for many homes. Ice dams can cause water to back up and go under the shingles and into your home, causing damage to your drywall and ceilings. In these situations, prevention is critical to avoid costly repairs.  

If your Milwaukee area home has already experienced water damage due to ice dams, you need the immediate help of our professional staff at SERVPRO. We are an experienced remediation company who can dry your home out and repair the damages that the ice dams have caused. The faster you pick up the phone and contact us the better, as the water leak continues to harm your home until it stops.  

In a case like this, you’ll likely have hidden water damage inside your walls and ceiling. Therefore, SERVPRO techs use special moisture sensors that can detect the hidden leaks, which allows us to restore your home thoroughly. If we did not do this and any water is left behind, it causes mold growth, making a big problem even more significant. Once we find where all the issues are, we can begin drying and restoring your home. Industrial fans and dehumidifiers help to dry your structure and the air and remove all the excess moisture.  

To prevent ice dams in the first place, begin by keeping your gutters clear of debris and leaves. Check and seal any areas that can allow warm air to leak from your home to the attic such as chimneys, exhaust fans, vent pipes, light fixtures, and attic hatches. You should also get your attic and roof inspected for insulation and proper ventilation. Inadequate signs of ventilation include rusty nails, rust spots, or mildew smell.  

Do not let snow accumulate on the lower three to six feet of your roof. For extra protection, you can install ice and snow slides to stop the ice and snow from bonding to the lower portion of your roof. Installing rubberized water and ice shields under the roof shingles for the first three to six feet, and heating cables along the eaves help to melt any ice.  

If your home in the Milwaukee area has been the victim of ice dams creating water damage inside, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North can help whenever you need us. Give us a call at (262)250-1101 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can take care of everything for you and prevent further damage.

We Get to Work So You Can Get Back to Your Work.

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

Document Restoration

When water damage strikes not only does it cause property damage but it can also affect the contents including important documentation. When documents and contents for your business get wet from a pipe break, a sprinkler system malfunction the team at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help you restore not only the structure but also the contents. 

When you call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, no matter the time of day, even 2 AM on a holiday weekend we have crews available to respond and begin the mitigation project because we know that when your business is in need it needs to be done right away. Our goal is to help get your business back up and running as quickly as possible so that you can get back to serving your customers. 

The Classes of Water Damage

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

The Classes of Water Damage Losses are determined by the rate of evaporation based on the type of materials affected by water damage to your property. Determining the Class of Water is an important first step and will determine the amount and type of equipment utilized to restore your business. Here are four IICRC water damage classifications:

Class 1 - Slow Evaporation Rate 
Water losses that affect only part of a room or area, or losses with lower permeance/porosity materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, vinyl composition tile or VCT, concrete). Little or no wet carpet or cushion is present. Minimum moisture is absorbed by materials, releasing moisture slowly.

Class 2 - Fast Evaporation Rate 
Water losses that affect an entire room or carpet and cushion. Water has wicked up walls 12" - 24". There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, concrete).

Class 3 - Fastest Evaporation Rate
Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor in the entire area are saturated.

Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations
These consist of wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, stone, and crawlspace). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which requires very low specific humidity.

Water or Flood Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North at (262)250-1101

Common Causes for Sub Pump Failure

10/8/2019 (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!

If your Sub Pump Fails: Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North (414)354-7566

The Four Classes of Water Damage

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

4 Classes of Water Damage

Classes of Water Damage losses are determined by the rate of evaporation based on the type of materials affected by water damage to your property. Determining the Class of Water is an important first step, and will determine the amount and type of equipment utilized to restore your business. There are four IICRC water damage classifications, they are as follows:

Class 1 - Slow Evaporation Rate 
Water losses that affect only part of a room or area, or losses with lower permeance/porosity materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, vinyl composition tile or VCT, concrete). Little or no wet carpet or cushion is present. Minimum moisture is absorbed by materials, releasing moisture slowly.

Class 2 - Fast Evaporation Rate 
Water losses that affect an entire room or carpet and cushion. Water has wicked up walls 12" - 24". There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g., plywood, particle board, structural wood, concrete).

Class 3 - Fastest Evaporation Rate
Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor in the entire area are saturated.

Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations
These consist of wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, stone, and crawlspace). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which requires very low specific humidity.

Have Water or Flood Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North Today – (414) 354-7566

We Can Handle Any Size Flood Damage Disaster In Milwaukee

10/4/2019 (Permalink)

For any water intrusion into your home, call us 24/7 at (414) 354-7566 to begin work.

Typically WI Springtime is synonymous with flooding, not the Fall Season. When water begins spreading across floors or filling basements, it is usually from a failed water heater shut-off valve or a split line on a washing machine. But as all Wisconsinites know, our unpredictable weather can cause trouble without warning.

No matter where it came from, water removal for Milwaukee homes needs to be started, and finished, as soon as possible. It is why SERVPRO maintains a support office 24/7, so our Water Damage Restoration Technicians can begin work within minutes after receiving a call.

If the water level is over two inches, each team of Restoration Technicians starts removal with a commercial grade, submersible pump. All water we remove goes directly in a drain, and not across the backyard to cause a problem for neighbors or the residents one street over. If possible, technicians direct it into sewer access if one is available.

For water levels under two inches, SERVPRO Restoration Technicians utilize extraction wands and other, smaller devices. Each one has three components, but technicians start by using only the pump option to draw water off of floors. Once they begin drawing water out of carpets, upholstery, and other items, they use the other two, a heater and vacuum to carefully draw water out of carpets and from between floorboards.

That is particularly important for carpets. After they become soaked, the glue holding the layers together weakens significantly, and delamination, or separation of the layers, can occur. Restoration Technicians know to carefully monitor all three components to prevent tearing carpets apart, as well as overheating the already damaged wood floorboards, cracking and splintering them.

After completing water removal, technicians then lift the carpets, remove the carpet pad, and dry the floor using air movers and fans to force warm air over and under the carpet while also drawing out the damp air and sending it outside the nearest window or another exit. Once completed, they insert a new pad and then stretch the carpet back in place.

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, we want to return each home to its original condition, safe for occupation once more, as quickly as possible. For any water intrusion into your home, call us 24/7 at (414) 354-7566 to begin work. We are here for you.

Our Specialists Explain The Advantages Of A Fast Response To A Water Damage Emergency At Your Milwaukee Home

4/26/2019 (Permalink)

The Benefits Of Prompt Water Removal In Milwaukee

When your home in Milwaukee sustains an overflowing sink or tub, broken pipe, or other lost water, getting the water out as quickly as possible from your living space comes with added benefits. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, making it possible for our teams to make the situation less troublesome for you.

We work with homeowners in the Milwaukee area after lost water incidents cause problems by using water removal methods that help make things normal again fast. We want to make your residence like it was before, “Like it never even happened.” Because the process of extracting water while it is in its liquid form before it can escape into the air and additional objects inside your home than it is to pull moisture from the air, we start as soon as we possibly can.

The benefits go beyond a lower restoration cost, also. Not only does it cost less to extract more and dry less, but it also requires less time to accomplish this and start with cleanup. Because water that has less time to evaporate into the air and condense elsewhere, we do not need to use equipment to track it to other locations in your home.

We also can use less equipment, meaning the cost falls even more. Instead of four heaters, six air movers, and three desiccant machines, we can use about half of that number.

Other stories of your home might not become affected at all, meaning less traffic in these areas by our specialists, and increased privacy for your family members. Fewer or no machines in these areas also result in less noise that can disrupt children's schoolwork and interfere with anyone who sleeps during the daytime hours.

Fast action to a lost water event means that microbes have less time to become a problem for you. When mold's access to water is only temporary, the few spores that become active initially quickly die off from lack of continued moisture.

If your home in Milwaukee County sustains a terrible incident involving lost water and you need water removal services, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is the company you can trust to do the job right. Call our 24-hour emergency services line at (414) 354-7566, year-round so that we can send out the appropriate crews and equipment your home needs.

Sump Pump Knowledge

1/25/2018 (Permalink)

If you have a sump pump, most the time you don't realize how important it is until it stops working.  Power outages, failure and a sump pump that cannot handle the capacity are common problems.  Another is knowing how old is your sump pump?? Avoid potential problems by doing routine inspections or replacing your old sump pump. Usually sump pumps should be replaced every 5 years or according to manufacturers guidelines and each year the sump, switch and float should be inspected as well.  Pay attention to how often the sump pump is running and if it runs regularly or there is a higher water table, consider a sump pump with higher horsepower.  

Another way to increase the pump's efficiency and prolong life is to clean your sump pit, remove any dirt, sand, gravel and other debris routinely. Ensure that the discharge line opening is free of obstructions so that water can be pumped through the line and out of your basement or crawlspace and also be aware in the winter the discharge line may freeze bringing the water back into your house.  Regular checks can make sure you don't ever get surprised by your sump pump!

Home Maintenance Helps Prevent Water Loss

1/15/2018 (Permalink)

Ah the joys of homeownership, it is never-ending!  Here are a few things you can do in your home to lower your chances of getting water damage.

- Do ceiling, attic and shingle checks routinely so you can catch a small problem before it becomes a BIG problem.
- Check your downspouts.  They should point away from your house so water flows away and not toward your foundation.
- Check your sump pump yearly and know when it needs to be replaced whether you think it needs to or not.
- Plants are nice but some have very evasive root systems that can wreak havoc.
- If your water bill is unusual, there might be a leak that needs to be addressed.
- Clean your gutters. This is very important to prevent overflow onto your roof and ice dams in the winter.
- Grease goes in the garbage NOT down your drain!
- Do regular inspects of hoses or water lines on wash machines, dish washers and refrigerators and corrosion on hot water heaters.

Water Leaks & Detection

1/2/2018 (Permalink)

Small or big leaks, they are all big!  A leak from a hole that is 1/16" in diameter can pour 822 gallons of water a day into your home! 

With any leak or spill, it’s the water you don't see that can cause the most damage. In order to find that materials that are wet we mainly rely on a Moisture Meter. There are two types, pin-type and pinless.  Pin-type Moisture Meters measure the resistance between test pins inserted into a piece of wood/building material and use that reading as a proxy for the object’s absolute moisture level. Pinless Moisture Meters rely on the ability of moisture to inductively distort an electric field created by turning on the meter.  This sounds like a bunch of scientific talk, and it is!  But mainly the moisture meters will tell you when something is wet and how wet, so you can find any hidden wet spots in your home.  While the surface may seem dry, the water you don’t see can contain bacteria, cause mold or rot, and cause other unseen damage that must be mitigated immediately.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North have the tools to find where any water is lurking and can come out and give a free inspection to see how best to tackle any water damage.

Winter Weather Water Tips

12/27/2017 (Permalink)

Winter weather comes with a bunch potential water problems including frozen and then broken pipes.  Here are some helpful hints that can help in the winter.

  • Before you turn on your furnace make sure I has been inspected and maintained.  Puffbacks from your furnace can send soot and smoke all through your house!
  • Shut off outside faucets in your crawl space or basement and keep the faucets open to allow them to drain after being turned off.
  • Clear out gutters to ensure proper flow of water away from house.
  • Be aware pipes that run through unheated or non-insulated parts of your house and keep a slow trickle of water flowing through these faucets.
  • Keep cabinet doors open during extra cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
  • Make sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated to prevent ice dams from forming.
  • If pipes do freeze do not attempt to thaw water without turning main shut-off valve first

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