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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Water Damage Blog Posts

DYI Fix A Leaking Water Heater

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

Hot Water Tank DYI Leaking Hot Water Tank Fix

How to Fix a Leaking Water Heater

Waking up to a broken water heater can be a nasty surprise, especially when it happens in the middle of a busy morning. Usually, problems start when someone does a lousy job installing the hot tank, resulting in a premature leak. That, combined with a bad pressure release valve, are the leading causes of hot cylinder issues in the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater,  WA area.
Things you’ll need to fix a leaking water heater:

  • Socket wrench
  • Hose
  • Teflon tape

Disconnect the Power Supply

Safety comes first in every DIY project. In this case, turn off the electricity supply coming to the tank. It is as easy as finding the switch labeled “tank” on the main circuit breaker and flipping it to off position. That mitigates the risk of electric shock, especially when working on a failed hot water heater.
The same applies to gas-powered tanks. You have to find the valve that kills the gas supply and turn it off.

Drain Some Water

Next, you will need to drain the failed water tank partially. To do so, turn off the water supply, open a faucet to release some pressure, then turn on the drain valve. Depending on the tank size, you might have to empty the bucket three to four times before reaching the desired ¾ mark. This procedure will release some pressure from the tank, making it safe for this little project.

Remove the Valve

The culprit in a leaking water heater is typically a faulty valve. Use a wrench to loosen the old fitting and replace it with a new one. However, don’t forget to use Teflon tape on the threads before screwing it in place. Finally, please turn on the cold water supply and power to test it.
Fixing a leaking water heater is a DIY-friendly project that can save you money. Just remember to do regular maintenance to avoid unpleasant situations in the future. Don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Olympia (360)754-9689 to help with the water clean up the Hot Water Tank may have caused.

BE PREPARED BEFORE DISASTER OCCURS

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

Be prepared before this happens to you.

While you are away on vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is water damage to your home. Unfortunately, a water loss can strike at any time, whether or not you are present for it. Here are a few tips you can use to minimize the potential of water damage to your home while you are away.  

Quick pre-departure home inspection

After you have bought your plane tickets and packed your luggage, make sure to do a quick inspection around your home for potential problematic areas. Have a look at the pipes under your sinks, look for any issues with your water heater or furnace, inspect the supply lines that connect your major appliances and check the gutters and roof for any leaks, blockages or abnormalities.

This quick step can greatly reduce the potential for damage while you are away and give you peace of mind in the process.

Turn off the water main

An easy way to insure that you have no water related issues while you are away is to simply turn the water main off. It may be days before someone discovers standing water in their home, and turning off the water main on the way out the door will eliminate the potential to find unwanted surprises when they return.

Hire a house sitter

It’s always a good idea to have a trusted friend, family member or neighbor keep an eye on your home while you are away. Even better if they can stop in once or twice a day to make sure everything is in order. Make sure that whoever you choose receives adequate instructions and emergency contact information.

Nobody wants to return to their home after a fun vacation to find water damage, but sometimes, despite best efforts, they can still happen.

If you do return from your vacation to find water damage in your home, stay calm and contact a reputable water restoration contractor such as SERVPRO of Olympia immediately. The longer you wait, the more there is a chance for secondary damage.  

We are water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-water-damage condition. We use advanced water removal and drying equipment and implement the art of drying principles to get your property dried quickly. If you have experienced a water related disaster in your home, don't delay, call us today  360-754-9689

Save or Not Saved That is the Question

9/11/2018 (Permalink)

It can happen unexpectedly – a squish when you step on the carpet, a rising suspicion as water bubbles up from underneath. With a (hopefully!) quick examination, the source is found: a pipe break. Water damage is a woe for all homeowners, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence for your carpet. 


When Might it be Saved?


There are 3 categories of water damage used for cleanup and repair purposes:

• Category 1 comes from clean sources and has no threat of toxins or harmful material. A pipe break, overflowing sink or tub, or appliance malfunction are all examples of clean water.
• Category 2 is dubbed grey water for its potentially harmful contaminants. Dishwasher overflow, washing machines, or sump pump failures are often culprits of this water damage.
• Category 3 contains high levels of toxins and can be dangerous if contacted or ingested. This includes broken sewage lines and any flooding from the outdoors.

If the water in your home can be classified as category 1, then your chances of restoration are excellent, with the appropriate timing and attention. 


What determines when a carpet may be saved?


A professional water cleanup and restoration company will have the appropriate training and supplies to address your pipe break and resulting damage. With a quick response time and industrial strength machines they may salvage your carpet with minimal issue to you. Of course, every water damage situation is different, but here are just a few examples of what the professionals can do:

• Truck-mounted wet/dry vacuums can remove tons of water in a short amount of time.
• High-tech moisture detectors alongside infrared cameras can source remaining moisture embedded in places unseen to the naked eye.
• Industrial strength fans and dehumidifiers will circulate air more rapidly in your home, speeding up the vital drying process.
• Professional cleaning and sanitizing can ensure your carpets are fully restored and safe. 

Time is of the essence when water damage infiltrates your home. Be sure to know the number for a cleanup and restoration company in Olympia, WA, SERVPRO of Olympia (360)754-9689

For more information, please visit us at www.SERVPROolympia.com 

Prepare For All The Rain

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

Check the gutters

Your home's gutters help catch rainfall and ensure that it stays far away from the foundation of your home. However, they can't effectively perform their job if they're clogged with ice or debris that piled up over the course of the seasons. Clean gutters by spraying a hose through them from the bottom up. You can also use a trowel to scoop out anything that's clogging your gutters, or purchase a cleaning tool specifically designed for your gutters and attach it to your hose.

Before the rainy season begins, it's crucial that you check your home for signs of leakage. It's best to fix a leak early on, as leaving it to worsen could result in flooding, mold and mildew, and even collapsed ceilings. Scan your ceilings for water marks and look for peeling paint. You should also venture outside of your home and look at your roof for telltale signs. Check out the ridges and see if there are any cracks. Look for loose, curled or missing shingles, which can signal roof damage and allow water to enter the home.

Dome's Shut-Off Valve

1/10/2017 (Permalink)

DIY Device to help minimize Water Damages

Last year, my HVAC system developed a leak in its drain pan. After spending many hours cleaning up the thoroughly soaked carpet in both a walk-in closet and an adjoining bedroom, I spent many additional hours attempting to fix the leaky drain pain. It turns out I’m not much of an HVAC repair technician, because two weeks later, the pan leaked again. This time, however, I was alerted to the impending soggy carpets (and another day of using the carpet steam cleaner) by the incessant (but, ultimately, pleasant) beeping of the Fibaro Flood Sensor I’d installed after the initial deluge. If the water leak had been from my water heater in the laundry room or kitchen sink, for example, there would likely have been much more water damage done by the time I woke up in the middle of the night and heard the beeping. That’s the beauty of having a water main shut-off valve installed and connected, at the very least, to a water sensor—or a more involved home automation system. The problem is, however, I’m definitely not a reliable plumber (although I have been known to sport a plumber’s butt now and then)—and nearly all of the automated water main shut-off valves available today require the knowledge, tools, and talents of a good professional plumber to install. With the exception of Dome’s Z-Wave-enabled Water Main Shut-Off Valve, that is.

The concept behind Dome’s Shut-Off Valve is about as simple as it gets: it’s a motorized “arm” that is attached to the manual shut-off valve you already have. When a connected water leak sensor (from Dome or in conjunction with another company’s smart home system) detects water where it’s not supposed to be, the Shut-Off Valve automatically turns the handle on the existing valve, immediately shutting off the source of water to the leak.

Here are the basic features that make the Dome Shut-Off Valve such an affordable, must-have device to install in your home. First of all, there are no tools nor plumber required, and it installs on any existing 1/4-turn ball valve in a matter of minutes on pipe sizes between 1/2-inch and 1.5-inches thanks to “self-aligning technology”. It includes a built-in temperature sensor that automatically shuts off the water when the ambient temperature falls too low. Because Dome knows neither you nor I would do it, the valve does a weekly self-test of opening and closing to make ensure the valve and mechanism remains in good working condition—and is ready to operate when it needs to. (There’s even an optional backup battery available.) Finally, the Dome Shut-Off Valve has a wide variety of built-in connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Serial, and Z-Wave. As a result, Dome says it’ll work with nearly any smart home system on the market.

Dome’s Shut-Off Valve is available now for $129.99.



SERVPRO of Olympia Inspects to Prevent and Restores to Fix Water Damage in Your Home

8/30/2016 (Permalink)

When You Least Expect It The Dishwasher Can Be The Cause Of A Water Damage

When you find that your residential property has incurred water damage, addressing the issue immediately is important. However, many homeowners find that they lack the knowledge and experience necessary to recognize, prevent, and effectively respond to the situation. SERVPRO of Olympia offers some helpful information and instructions found in this quick reference guide:

Sources and Areas of Water Damage Incidents

There are several common sources of water damage. One of them is the basement. Front, side, and back yards that were not graded correctly, or have suffered soil erosion, allow pooling water to gravitate and settle into building materials. This water accumulation can be from lawn irrigation water, rainwater runoff, or ice dams. Plumbing problems such as leaking or bursting pipes, from mechanical failure or frozen water expansion, can also result in water damage--drip by drip or gushers. Have SERVPRO of Olympia inspect your property for preventative measures against water intrusion. The installation of new pipes, ground drainage, and proper grading of your lawn can help prevent water damage and the need for repairs.

Other Causes of Water Damage

Other causes of water damage may include high humidity and leaky roofs. Water that accumulates in your home because of these causes can result in warped window frames, ceilings, furniture, floors, and walls. In many cases, the water can damage your personal possessions and renders some of them non-salvageable. The water can also create the ideal breeding ground for mold. SERVPRO of Olympia can extract unwanted water and humidity and also offer mold remediation services

Another source of water damage that you should be aware of includes broken hoses causing leaking appliances. These issues can lead to harmful water damage from leaking or overflowing toilets, ice makers, dishwashers, and washing machines. If a small leak goes unnoticed for an extended period, the gray water can degrade into black water, rated as Category 3 quality. This can be sewage water, chemically dangerous elements dissolved or suspended in the water, or microorganisms like E. Coli. The results can be hazardous living conditions, mold proliferation, expensive damage to personal possessions and clean up, and the erosion of your property's foundation.

The Ideal Water Damage Solution

When you realize that your residential property has suffered water damage, retaining the professional assistance of a water damage restoration franchise like SERVPRO of Olympia can mitigate costs and restoration time. Our friendly professionals possess the extensive industry experience, training, knowledge, and equipment to return your home to its preloss condition.

Locally Owned and Operated

We are proud to be an active member of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. SERVPRO of Olympia is locally owned and operated ready to help with any-sized flood and water damage emergencies. Call. (360) 754-9689 and let us inspection your water loss before you turn it into an insurance claim.

ITS' THE WATER YOU DON'T SEE

7/17/2016 (Permalink)

Tools of the trade and our knowledge will help you with your Water Damage needs.

With any leak, its the water you don't see that can cause the most damage. When you experience a water damage, make the right choice. A mop and common household cleaning products may not be enough for the unseen water intrusions.  While the surface may seem dry, the water you do not see can contain bacteria, or cause mold, rot and other unseen damage.

DID YOU KNOW...The insurance industry estimates that approximately 90 percent of household damages stem from water-related occurrences. The most commonly reported cause is leaky or broken pipes and plumbing fixtures.

AVOID WATER DAMAGE FROM APPLIANCES

Home appliances are considered a leading cause of preventable water damage. By implementing a simple inspection and maintenance program, homeowners can reduce their risk significantly:

  • Dishwasher - Periodically check around the base of the dishwasher, as well as the water supply line under the sink.
  • Refrigerator - For refrigerators with ice makers, periodically check the hose connection attached to the water supply.
  • Washing Machine - Hoses should be inspected regularly for wetness around hose ends, as well as for signs of bulging, cracking or fraying. Hoses should be replaced every three to five years.
  • Water Heater - While the service life of the standard water heater is 10 to 15 years, water heaters should be inspected routinely for signs of leaks or tank rust. Water heaters should be located next to a floor drain or placed inside a drain pan piped to the floor drain.

So before risking the value of your home or further damage by attemping to clean and dry it yourself, or if you want to be sure that a past event is not creating problems today,

CALL SERVPRO of Olympia (360)754-9689. We have the tools and the knowledge to help you with your Water Damage needs.   

Emergency Tips Before Help Arrives

7/12/2016 (Permalink)

Keep out of areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water

Here are some Emergency Tips to perform before SERVPRO of Olympia arrives on the scene.  When in doubt before you turn the claim into the insurance company, have SERVPRO of Olympia come and evaluate the loss.  SERVPRO has the tools to determine where the water has migrated to and the knowledge to show you the extend of the damage.

WATER DAMAGE- Emergency Tips

  • Shut off the water source , if possible.
  • Remove excess water by mopping or extracting with a Wet Vacuum Unit
  • Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under the furniture legs.
  • Remove Oriental or other colored rugs from the wet area.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
  • Keep out of areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
  • Move any books, magazines, papers, boxes out of the wet area