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Water Damage Rochester Hills – 5 Flood Prevention Tips

Hey Rochester Hills!

These pro tips are for you – and the rest of the great state of Michigan, and anyone who can benefit from the advice we’re about to share.

We’re MI Floodmasters, the state’s foremost experts on water damage restoration. And as water restoration companies know, not all water damage is avoidable. Sometimes things just happen – like “flash flooding,” for instance.

However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes the old Franklin adage – an ounce of prevention and all that – actually holds water.

Ouch. That’s a bad joke, but great advice. Water damage from manmade sources – plumbing issues and overflows and so on – is avoidable with proper maintenance and vigilance. Flood damage is a bit more complicated, but there are still things you can do to minimize your risk.

So let’s talk about … well, all of that!

Water creates as many problems where it isn’t wanted as vermin or fire. It can cause major structural damage to your property and it can wreak unbelievable cosmetic havoc.

It can cause mold to grow in your walls, leading to respiratory infections and allergic reactions. And in the case of contaminated water, it can carry microbes that can cause illness or even death.

So, as a residential or commercial property owner, how do you mitigate the risk factors?

Many would say that a great step one is don’t build in a floodplain. But we humans aren’t really like that. We’re adventurous and tenacious. If we build in Tornado Alley, we’re going to build anywhere. So we’ll gloss right by that piece of information and jump into some real, manageable, actionable tips you can take right away.

Water Damage Prevention

First off – most water damage in Rochester Hills isn’t caused by flooding and natural disasters. Most cases of water damage are caused by plumbing and poor roof maintenance. So we’ll start there, before we dive into the flood damage prevention tips.

So:

A View From the Top: Or, Roof Rage!

The roof of your home is the perfect way to stay dry …

… until it isn’t. All it takes is a blockage in the gutter or a couple of loose or missing shingles to start allowing water to seep in and wreck the joint. You may not have a visible hole in your roof but that doesn’t mean you aren’t in trouble.

Keeping an eye on that is pretty easy. Call a roofer for an annual inspection, and make sure shingles and gutters are being properly maintained. Your dry belongings will thank you.

About Your Appliances

That washing machine. That dishwasher. That icemaker.

Anything in your home that has a water supply line could be the culprit when gallons of unwanted water go sloshing around your home or office. If you want to ensure that nothing goes horribly awry, you’d better:

Check supply hoses and ensure they’re tight – but not too tight.

Have your valves manually inspected.

Look for kinks in any hoses.

Check for leaks, pooling water, or other signs of potential issues.

Oh, and your sink can be an issue as well. That means:

Check the plumbing under the sink any time you get a chance.

Make sure the shutoff valve is in working order, and that you and everyone else in the building know where it is and how to operate it.

Check for kinks and clogs.

Call a plumber if you’ve got little repetitive issues like a constantly clogging drain or a leaky tap.

Your hot water heater is another potential source of damage. Most hot water heaters live less than a decade … but most hot water heaters aren’t replaced until they fail.

Lots of things undermine the integrity of that appliance. Sediment pools inside them. They’re rarely maintained by homeowners, and property managers often overlook them as well. They’re also rusting basically all the time.

Did you know:

Your hot water heater doesn’t rust for only one reason. There’s a bar inside called an anode, made of a reactive metal like magnesium or aluminum, that essentially does all of the rusting so your water heater won’t.

Anodes only last a couple years, though. And most homeowners don’t bother having them replaced. That’s like losing a member of the Secret Service and not replacing him.

You’re leaving the Appliance-In-Chief vulnerable to attack. Simply replacing that anode could extend your water heater’s life by double, and keep the water damage at bay.

Maintaining that appliance will keep your home out of hot water.

Lastly, on the topic of appliances, keep an eye on your toilet. Wait until it finishes flushing to leave the bathroom, pay attention to ensure that it doesn’t run longer than it should, and have it inspected annually if you can.

Do that and you will drastically improve your chances of avoiding a toilet-based disaster that buries your floor in a few inches of questionable liquid.

Plants are lovely – but shouldn’t be planted without a little knowledge.

A lot of us like to do our own landscaping. One area where you’ve got to be careful, though, is trees. Willow trees, for instance, are notorious for their deep and long roots.

They can travel many feet from the tree’s trunk – and they can rupture anything in their path. We’ve done some cleanups that resulted from a willow tree’s roots puncturing a septic tank.

That can be fairly unpleasant, to say the least.

When you’re planting, it wouldn’t hurt to get a little professional advice on where to safely embed your green and growing friends. Watch out for underground pipes, drainage sources, sprinklers, septic tanks, wells, and so on.

Your. Water. Bill.

Your water bill can predict the future. If it stays relatively consistent, things are probably okay. However, if you notice it climbing a bit (or a lot) each month, you can safely wager that there’s a leak in your pipes somewhere.

You can also safely assume that it means you harm. A leak will either continue leaking, or it will get worse. It will not get better. And even a small leak could be damaging your property by causing mold to grow behind your walls or weakening the foundation with slow seepage.

Get intrepid – go looking for leaks.

And if you’re not feeling up to that, call a contractor. We love looking for trouble.

Most water damage that results from plumbing could have been avoided. Don’t be a statistic.

Invest in a drain snake – not chemicals.

A drain snake is a one-time purchase that costs about as much as two bottles of your average clog-eating chemical. So why do most homeowners reach for the Drano?

Because it’s advertised as safe and easy … but the reality is a little uglier.

While it might seem easy to drop a couple caps of caustic chemicals down the drain to deal with that clog:

They’re eating your pipes.

They’re releasing noxious vapors into your home.

They only work once.

They’re EATING YOUR PIPES!

You only have to buy a drain snake once. It always works, and it isn’t hard to use. Stow it in a closet or under a sink when you’re not using it, and never buy drain cleaner again.

That’s a fair collection of tips that you can use to avoid causing water damage. Neglecting your own plumbing is unwise, so we hope you’ll take the advice we’ve given you here to heart. If you don’t, we’ll be here to help you clean up the mess.

Now it’s time to discuss flood damage, which is a whole different ballgame.

Flood Damage Prevention Tips

We will – once again – be skipping right over “Don’t build in a floodplain.” Most people don’t. Some people do. We don’t really have any power over where you’ve chosen to live. If you live somewhere near a river that occasionally hops its banks, you can do more than shake your head ruefully when record rains fall.

Floods are, of course, among the most dangerous (and most common) hazards our earth has to offer. Here are just a few ways you can protect yourself against them.

Seal your basement walls with waterproofing compound.

Seepage is a serious issue. Whether you do or don’t have great drainage, a sump pump and waterproof walls will go a long way to keeping your home safe when the water rises.

This isn’t an easy DIY project, but it’s something good contractors can handle for you. With more than half of all homes in the US suffering from a case of “wet basement,” it’s not something you should take lightly.

Keep a weather eye out.

Most of the time, floods don’t catch us completely off-guard. If you think there’s a chance you’ll need to be prepared, keep your radio or TV on the appropriate station and listen for the information you need.

Elevate your furnace and water heater.

Other permanent appliances can be elevated, as well, but those jump to mind immediately. Have them placed on risers above the expected flood levels in your area, if you live in a known flood zone.

Inspect your sump pump and drainage annually.

Or, better yet, have a professional do it for you to make sure you don’t miss something! Your sump pump takes water entering your perimeter drains, or natural ground water, or rain overflow, and send it to a municipal drain or dry well.

As far as home appliances go, these unglamorous little guys are your best friends in a flood.

Install a generator.

An electrician can help you create a redundancy in case of power loss that will keep your sump pump operational in the event of a flood. A battery backup is also possible, and if it’s an option, you should take it.

Install a backflow prevention valve.

A plumber can easily minimize your risk of sewage backup – and we cannot stress how glad you will be that they did if the worst should happen. Sewage is by far the most hazardous kind of flooding damage your property can sustain.

It comes with many health hazards – not to mention a distinctly unpleasant odor. While water damage restoration experts – like MI Floodmasters here in Rochester Hills – can take care of that for you, it will be an unpleasant experience for everyone.

Create floodwalls and other barriers where possible.

Anything you can do to keep water from getting into your home is a valuable thing. You can use beams, sandbags, and other materials to create levees and floodwalls. Stockpiling sandbags isn’t a bad idea if you live in an area prone to occasional flooding.

Know a “Flood Watch” from a “Flood Warning.”

In the minds of many property owners, these two terms are interchangeable. Unfortunately, they do not mean the same thing, and should not be taken with the same degree of seriousness.

A “flood watch” is an informal thing. It means a flood is possible, and that the community should keep a weather eye on things. A “flood warning” is like a tornado warning; it means a flood is either happening or is likely to happen.

A flood watch means you should start preparing, just in case. A flood warning means you should activate those preparations, grab the survival kit you’ve packed for just such an occasion, prepare your home as best you’re able, and be ready to seek high ground.

While our job as water damage restoration technicians is to worry about your home or property, your job is to stay safe. Flash flooding is always a possibility, and you shouldn’t remain in your home if that could happen.

Move your essential items and important documents to the top floor. Disconnect electrical appliances and shut off your utilities if you need to.

After a flood, if water damage has still been sustained, restoration companies like MI Floodmasters will be there to help you clean up the damage.

Whether the cause is manmade or naturally-occurring, the best water damage restoration crews in Rochester Hills are available 24/7/365, for residential and commercial cleanups. Let us keep you dry. Call (586) 842-8142 today

The post Water Damage Rochester Hills – 5 Flood Prevention Tips appeared first on MI Floodmasters.

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Water Damage Restoration Troy Mi – 6 Pro Tips You Should Know (If Water Damage Happens To You)

There was a time in history when water protected our homes from damage and despair. But with the days of catapults and drawbridges long behind us, water surrounding our homes is a real nightmare.

But in Troy and many other places in Michigan and the US, that nightmare has come true for many. It could happen to you. Water damage restoration companies aren’t as common as many other types of contractors.

Fortunately for you, Michigan, MI Floodmasters is right here in your home state, and we’re always around to help see you through your soggiest problems.

Water damage is disastrous for any residential or commercial property. Water damage restoration is a tricky business, too – and some people don’t even know when they should call.

(Hint: you should always call – even if it’s just to find out if you should be calling.)

Water damage can hit you from any angle. It could be a clogged gutter redirecting a bad thunderstorm down through your walls. It could be an exploding water heater, or burst pipes. It could be a river surging over its banks and invading your first floor. It could be the sewage in your street flowing out into the street and contaminating your basement.

It’s going to be unsettling or downright terrifying, no matter how it happens. It’s going to make you wonder if you can afford to fix it. It’s going to make you worry about your home, or your offices, and the property inside it. It’s going to make you dread calling your insurance company and beginning the mountain of paperwork you’re sure they’ll have for you.

It’s going to be a pile of questions with very few answers, and you’re going to feel that stress.

That’s why we exist.

Our water damage restoration experts in Troy and the rest of Michigan exist to minimize your frustrations and maximize your solutions. G.I. Joe always reminded us that knowing is half the battle. If your enemy is water damage, then restoration companies bring both halves of that battle with us. We’ve got the know-how, and we’ve got the equipment to save your home.

If you’re feeling like the literal flood has you feeling like you’re proverbially drowning, read this article, and remember: no matter how wet things get, we’re never more than a call away, and our lines are open 24/7/365.

Water damage isn’t always obvious – your vigilance is important.

As with anything else, inattention can lead to big problems. Your property can fall victim to major water damage even without something so obvious as a flood or a water main as the culprit. Here are some things to keep your eyes open for:

If you see mold, get your phone. It’s the surest sign of a problem shy of puddles.

If you’ve got peeling tiles in your bathroom, there is excessive moisture behind them that could be a sign of impending issues.

If you see discolored patches on the walls or ceilings, you’ve almost definitely got a leak, and that could lead to soft walls.

A leaky tap or pipe could be a sign that you’re headed for a larger plumbing disaster. An ounce of prevention (in this case, a plumber) could save you from needing MI Floodmasters to bring the pound of cure.

Nothing is a more immediate threat than standing water. In addition to being mute testimony to something seriously wrong, pools of water beneath appliances or in corners are breeding grounds for mold and bacteria.

These problems may not be as obvious as three feet of water in your living room – which we’ve also seen – but left untended, they could lead to the kind of damage that necessitates a visit from our water damage restoration technicians.

Flood insurance and water damage insurance are not the same thing.

Read your policies, folks. Speak to your agents, and make sure that you’re covered for both of those things. If you live in a flood-risk area – and Troy, you do – you may have or desire a policy through the National Flood Insurance Policy. However, that policy is specific to flooding – as in, storm, rain, and river related water damage.

In case you’re not getting our drift …

That policy will not protect your from faulty plumbing, a leaky roof, an overflowing toilet, or, in some cases, even a public water main break. When those things occur, they must be filed as water damage, not flood damage, and if you haven’t made sure that you’re covered for both, you could be left – if you’ll pardon the poor humor – holding the bag.

Any mistakes when filing a claim are going to slow you down. And any slowdowns are going to impact our work, which is going to increase the water damage to your property. Guess what happens then?

You’ve got it. The bill goes up. We can’t always avoid that.

However, we’ll always do our best to work with you and your insurer to move things along quickly. On that note, you should also work hard to keep on top of your maintenance, as insurers typically do not cover any water damage that could be blamed on a negligent property owner.

If you’re wondering when you should call us for water damage restoration, you’ve waited too long.

Once you’ve made sure everyone is safe, your first phone call should be to a water damage restoration contractor like us, even BEFORE you call your insurance company. Sure, you’ve got a lot on your mind, but – as we’ve said a few times now – we’re here to help assume the burden, so it’s in your best interest to get us onsite quickly.

The first few hours after water has gone rogue in your home are sensitive hours. You’ve got to:

Shut off the water main that supplies your home if it’s a plumbing issue. You’ve got to cut that problem off at the source so it doesn’t worsen.

Call a water restoration expert – your insurer may recommend one. In fact, we think they just might recommend us. Sure, we’re not the only game in town, but we’ve got over a decade of experience and our customer reviews speak for themselves.

After speaking to us, call your insurance agent and get the claim paperwork started. That will help when you’re working with us, as well – you’ll want to know as early in the process as possible whether you’re covered by insurance or paying out-of-pocket. (A note on that: if you are paying out-of-pocket, we’ll work with you to keep things manageable!)

Oh, and let’s take a moment to talk about mold …

Why do we need a moment?

Because it only takes moments for mold to become an issue.

That’s right, folks – mold starts to grow and spread in less than 24 hours, and it can – and will – cause extensive secondary damage. It’s a health issue, and a particular danger to anyone with allergies, asthma, or any respiratory issues. If you’re especially unlucky, it could even be toxigenic – meaning that it can produce toxins that can sicken you and others.

Mold remediation will add time and expense to an already difficult process, and it could even render the property uninhabitable. In the case of a home, that’s an obvious problem; but we also do commercial water damage restoration. We bet you don’t want your business to suffer because no one can get in to do their jobs.

A history of water damage reduces your property’s resale value.

Buyers often do their homework pretty thoroughly in areas where flooding can occur. Those questions could reveal any past water damage. Even if it was years ago, water damage can leave evidence that appraisers and savvy buyers know how to find. The only way to ensure that you aren’t risking an unwanted value drop is to have the very best restoration companies onsite to remove all traces of the damage and restore the property to its pre-loss glory.

Health issues?

Structural damage?

Mold?

Any buyer with a lick of sense may hear those and wash their hands of the property. The water damage experts at MI Floodmasters know how to restore your properties in Troy to their bone-dry beauty, though.

If your property takes a soaking, you need to take pictures.

In other words:

Document. Everything. Always.

Consider the instinctive process that always follows a motor vehicle accident. Both drivers, if they’re able, take pictures of everything. Then they call the insurance company, or the police, and take the other driver’s information.

A similar principle works well when you’re talking about water damage. Take notes on everything that’s been hit. Take pictures of anything you can while remaining safe. Make lists of everything that can – or can’t – be saved. That evidence is going to matter during the insurance claim process.

If it needed to be washed, note that. If it needed to be thrown away, note that. If you aren’t sure what it needed, take pictures and note that, too. We’ll help, once we’re onsite – our technicians take copious notes and photos during our cleanup and restoration, as well.

This is not the time to be a handyman.

We here at MI Floodmasters have immense respect for the handypersons and Do-It-Yourself enthusiasts of the world. Water damage restoration is not something we recommend taking on, however. The Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the group responsible for the standards associated with water cleanup in the USA, and they’ve defined the types of water damage.

First, they group it by category, which depends on what kind of liquid has caused the damage.

Category 1 liquids are clean drinking water. Toilet tanks (not bowls), drinking fountains, faucets, showers, the pipes that carry clean water to those things … any sanitary source. Category 1, as the IICRC clearly notes, can become Category 2 if left unattended to.

Category 2 is gray water damage. Gray water could be dangerous to ingest. Appliances like dishwashers and washing machines cause gray water leaks, so do the drain traps below sinks, and so do toilet bowls, when they contain urine but not feces.

Category 3 is downright dangerous liquid. Sewage backup, flooding from rivers and lakes, toilet bowls that do contain fecal matter, and stagnant standing water. Ingesting Category 3 water can cause illness or death.

Then the IICRC groups it by class, which is a measure of how destructive the water has been.

In Class 1 cases, only part of a room or rooms has been affected. It evaporates relatively slowly, involves little or no carpeting, and is relatively easy to mitigate. Professionals are needed, but the property can be restored to pre-loss condition fairly easily. This is a serious nuisance, not a clear and present danger.

In Class 2 cases, entire rooms are affected. So are carpets and cushioning. Moisture is in the walls, and perhaps even the subflooring. This class of water damage can be quite dangerous, and will lead to mold damage and worse if restoration companies don’t get onsite and put their water restoration contractors to work.

In Class 3 cases, things are really bad. The water has the fastest evaporation rate. Ceilings, floors, walls, everything is wet and compromised. Buildings that suffer Class 3 water damage go one of two ways – either technicians get onsite quickly and work very hard to save the property, or they don’t get there in time, and the property is inevitably declared uninhabitable.

Class 4 cases are specific. This happens when normally impermeable structures – such as those made of brick, or concrete, or hardwood floors – have had enough time to soak and are compromised. This calls for different drying techniques and specialized equipment.

That’s a lot to process.

We know. And while we don’t want to frighten anyone, we do think it’s important that you take this very seriously and call professionals. If you try to manage it yourself with a wet/dry vacuum, all of the fans you own, and a consumer-grade dehumidifier, you’re unlikely to get the job done right. And if you aren’t wearing safety gear, you could become sick, or worse, trying to accomplish something that requires trained professionals and the proper gear.

Remember – MI Floodmasters is local, always around, and the state’s foremost authority on water damage restoration Troy. We’ll keep you safe and dry. Give us a call today at (586) 842-8142 for fast, friendly assistance.

The post Water Damage Restoration Troy Mi – 6 Pro Tips You Should Know (If Water Damage Happens To You) appeared first on MI Floodmasters.

from MI Floodmasters http://www.mifloodmasters.com/water-damage-restoration-troy-mi-6-pro-tips-know-water-damage-happens/