3 Locations in Your Home to Watch for Water Damage | SERVPRO® of The Mountains

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Think you may have water damage in your home? Here are some tips from SERVPRO of The Mountains to find the source.

Water damage can be such a troublesome problem for homeowners. Since water leaks often start slowly at first, they can cause damage for a long time until the problem is discovered.

There are plenty of places in your home that can experience water damage. Understanding where the top locations are that are prone to water leaks can help you prevent large-scale water damage in your home.

Our SERVPRO of The Mountains team explains these locations in more detail below, so check it out!

Your roof. Roof damage often leads to water leaks. Damage up on your roof can go unnoticed for a long time, which means that your roof is vulnerable to water leaks whenever it rains.

As the rain starts to fall in the Clarksville area, it can make its way into your attic and leak down your walls. From there, it can spread to many different parts of your home.

The frustrating thing about water leaks caused by roof damage is that they can occur behind your walls and under your floors for a long time before they become visible. Over time, lingering moisture can encourage mold growth, which is a completely different problem on top of the already frustrating water damage.

In your bathroom. Your bathrooms are up next. Your sinks, tubs, toilets and showers are constantly running water through them, so it should be no surprise that water leaks often start here. If you do notice water on your floor, it can be hard to pinpoint what fixture is causing the issue.

Investigate around the puddle or keep a close eye on your water lines so you notice any dripping or leaking occurring. You should also do your best to dry out your bathroom after each use. Water damage can occur even if there is no leak, all due to lingering moisture.

Don’t be afraid to be a detective in your own home! The faster you can identify the issue, the quicker you can put a stop to the leak.

Other appliances. Chances are that you have at least one appliance in your house that relies on water to run. Any time you run a load of dishes or start a load of laundry, you are at risk of an appliance malfunction or leak.

These appliances can also leak on their own even while they are not in use. Try to look underneath and behind them every so often to check for water spots or signs of a mold problem.

As your appliances age, consider replacing them completely. Unreliable or worn-out equipment can increase your risk of a water disaster.

Dealing with a water emergency? Our SERVPRO specialists can be on the scene of the disaster ASAP to restore your water-damaged home!

Flooding/Rising Water

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

A couple of inches of standing water in a flooded basement.

The mountains and rolling hills of Northeast Georgia are a sight to beyond! The hilly terrain also provides the benefit of being natural flood protection. Because the water must run down steep and rocky slopes, rainwater usually moves quickly and safely downstream.

The same is not true of other parts of our great country that have large flood plains and low-lying rivers. Compared to those areas we are somewhat sheltered from large scale flooding.

That said, we are not totally protected from flooding. Local creeks and rivers do on occasion flood.

With the high temperatures, sudden and intense thunderstorms do occur. These heavy rains can quickly stress and over-whelm residential and commercial drainage systems. The impact of water intruding into our homes and business can be very disruptive and costly.

Rising waters can be particularly challenging as they can bring mud, silt, and bacteria from unsanitary sources. Quick action must be taken to extract and clean all affected surfaces to prevent mold, mildew, and other possible health effects.

Quickly removing standing water is the first important step toward restoration. SERVPRO truck mounted and portable extraction machines can quickly pump out and remove the water. Extraction is 1200 times more effective than surface evaporation only.

Next is the removal of damaged materials that often hold a lot of moisture. Some examples of these would be carpet, pad, and drywall. Quick removal of these materials will also cut down on drying time and prevent mold.

Cleaning and disinfecting of all the affected surfaces with products approved by the EPA is recommended to remove any pollutants or contaminates that the ground water might have brought into your structure.

If you have experienced loss from rising water, contact SERVPRO of The Mountains for consultation on partial or total restoration services.

Ask not for who the pipe drips….

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

An old leaking pipe causing a water damage that might not show up for a while.

There are few things more essential to life than water!

However, water can also be one of the most destructive forces to the structure of our homes and businesses. Protecting against unwanted water intrusion is extremely important!

Leaking pipes, especially slow leaking pipes, can go undiscovered for months and even years. If the leak is slow enough, it may hide itself by absorbing into the structure, and leaving not evidence such as standing water or puddling. The water can also find its way down into the crawlspace, which may also take time to notice.

Problem areas are often under sinks, especially inside of cabinets. The seal at the base of the toilet should be inspected and replaced every 5 years or less. HVAC drain pans often clog and can slowly back up and release water.

Long term leaks can cause rot and mold which are a danger to both structure and the occupants.

Sour smells or musty odors are often a first indicator of hidden moisture problems. Floors or walls that darken, curl, give or are soft to the touch can also be the result of water intrusion.

It is always a good idea to plan to inspect your plumbing at least once a year to find leaks before they can do significant damage. Many insurance policies do not include these types of leaks as covered events, makes early detection even more important.

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO of The Mountains to perform moisture mapping by using highly sophisticated moisture meters, we can help you determine both the cause and extent of moisture intrusion at your home or business.

Substantial experience for your emergency

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of The Mountains employees posing for a picture together.

SERVPRO is committed to the training and development of its employees. For this reason, SERVPRO Industries maintains an IICRC accredited school on location at the Gallatin, Tennessee location. IICRC stands for the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, which is the industry standard. Each year, this school trains hundreds of SERVPRO professionals in how to succeed in fire, water, and mold damage restoration.

The IICRC also maintains accreditation in its classroom courses for the restoration industry. These courses teach technicians in the industry a strong and applicable understanding of the industry standards.

Your local SERVPRO of The Mountains, which services Habersham, Rabun, White, and Banks Counties, has a highly trained staff with well over 100 years of combined on the job experience.

Your local SERVPRO also holds over 21 different industry recognized certifications issues by the IICRC.

Should you be in need, you can rely on your local SERVPRO professionals to provide the highest quality in restoration and cleanup services.

Highly Trained

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is certified to clean up your messes.

Water, fire, smoke, and mold damage can all devastate residential and commercial buildings with unique issues and challenges.

Specialized expertise is necessary to perform restoration, and return homes and businesses to safe, clean, and odor free conditions.

That expertise and knowledge begins thru training and deepens with experience. Your hometown SERVPRO of The Mountains trains and employs certified and caring technicians to Rabun, Habersham, White and Banks counties. 

The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration), which maintains a series of accredited classes for the restoration industry, is what SERVPRO Industries bases its comprehensive training program on. Technicians gain a firm and workable knowledge of industry standards and best practices that grows from the first day of hire and continues throughout their career.

SERVPRO Industries has been serving this great nation since 1967 – over 53 years and counting!  During that half century, SERVPRO has continued to collect and train its employees with the best cleaning and restoration methods available.

Faster to your Northeast Georgia Water Damage Event

7/14/2017 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Santa Barbara 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 Tri-County and The Mountains 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 – 706-754-7378

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 Tri-County and The Mountains

SERVPRO of Tri-County and The Mountains 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.

Northeast Georgia 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

5/12/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of the Mountains provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Northeast Georgia

SERVPRO of the Mountains is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 706-754-7378

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of the Mountains has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of the Mountains

SERVPRO of the Mountains 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.

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