What To Do If Your Toilet Overflows - 5 Steps To Take

3/16/2023 (Permalink)

Steps to take when you have a leaking toilet.

If you're reading this, it means you've either just experienced a toilet overflow or are about to. Either way, this is an unfortunate and stressful situation that can be avoided with proper preparation and safety precautions. Here's what you need to know:

Don't Flush

If you have an overflowing toilet, don't flush it. The reason for this is that if you do, the water level will continue to rise and overflow even further.

Locate The Flapper

Next, you need to locate the flapper. The flapper is usually located at the bottom of the tank. If you're not sure where it is, look for a small piece of rubber or plastic that covers up an opening in the tank and moves when water flows through it. The flapper exists to regulate the amount of water that enters the bowl when you flush.

When the flapper is pushed closed, it closes off any gaps between itself and other parts of your system so water can't escape through them anymore. This will stop any more overflow from happening until the cause of the overflow is remedied.

Turn Off The Water Supply

If your toilet has overflowed and is still overflowing, turn off the water supply to the toilet. You can do this by locating a valve under or behind the tank of your toilet and turning it clockwise until it is completely shut off. If you cannot find this valve, turn off the main valve at your home's main water line coming into your house, usually located near where all of your plumbing meets.

If you cannot turn off either type of valve yourself, call a plumber immediately!

Secure The Float

Next, you need to secure the float. The float is a small plastic or metal device that floats on top of the water in your tank and regulates its level. If it sticks, it can cause your water level to rise above normal and cause an overflow situation. To prevent the toilet from overflowing further, secure the float to stay in place. This will prevent water from filling the tank.

Locate The Cause of the Overflow

If your toilet is overflowing, the first thing you should do is locate the cause of the overflow. There are several things that could be causing it, clogs or leaks.

If there's a clog in your pipes, this can cause water to back up into your toilet bowl and overflow onto your bathroom floor. The best way to check for clogs is by using an auger or snake tool and pushing it down through one side of your drainpipe until it reaches the other end--if there's nothing obstructing it, then you're good! If there's something stuck inside, the snake can help you remove the clog.

Leaks from broken pipes or fixtures can also lead to overflows if they aren't fixed right away. These often occur near faucets or toilets themselves. If you notice stains on the walls or flooring near your toilet, there is a possibility of a water leak nearby. If you suspect you have a leak, it is important to mitigate the damage as quickly as possible.

If your toilet overflows, act fast! Don't panic, but do take immediate action to stop the water from flowing. If your home or business has suffered from water damage due to an overflowing toilet, don't hesitate and give our SERVPRO of Arnold/North Jefferson County team a call today! Our team can quickly take care of all your water damage cleanup needs.

What To Do if You Experience Commercial Water Damage

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes to disrupt business, give SERVPRO of Arnold/North Jefferson County a call!

Water damage is an unfortunate part of doing business, but it's something that all commercial property owners must deal with at some point. From the small drip under your sink to a major flood from a burst pipe, water damage can spell disaster for your business. If you're lucky enough to recognize the signs of commercial water damage before it becomes too serious, here are some steps you can take:

Shut off the water. 

First, it is important to identify the source of water damage. It is crucial to identify this in order to prevent future damage. The sooner you can identify the source, the better.

In the event that your business suffers commercial water damage, you’ll need to shut off the water. This can be done by either shutting off the water at the source or shutting off the entire water supply. If you’re unable to locate the main water valve, call a plumber.

Contact your insurance provider to file a claim.

If you are in this situation, the first thing you should do is contact your insurance provider. If you have a business interruption policy and/or flood policy on file, those will need to be filed as well.

Document damaged property.

It's important to document and record the water damage as soon as possible. This will help you speed up the claims process, get a fair amount for your claim, and avoid any disputes with your insurance company.

The claims process is a series of questions that you’ll have to answer, and it will be easier if you have all your paperwork together. It is important that you document every piece of damaged property and inventory in writing, with as much detail as possible. A professional commercial water damage company will take photos or videos of the affected area.

If something gets destroyed in your business after a disaster like Hurricane Florence, try to remember all the details about what happened: when was it lost? Where was it stored? What can replace this item now? Do you have any backups for it?

Call a restoration professional.

If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is call an expert. Restoration professionals have the experience and tools to assess the damage, get it repaired, and help with insurance claims. They can also assist with cleanup, sanitization, and reconstruction.

Preserve your business's personal property.

It's important to preserve your business's personal property as soon as you can. This may be difficult or impossible depending on the extent of the damage, but if it's at all possible, try to do so. If you don't have the resources to protect your belongings, take pictures of them instead! This will allow you to document what was damaged and help determine what needs replacing when insurance comes into play.

Act quickly.

Once you’ve determined that there is water damage, it’s important to act quickly. By shutting off the water main and calling a professional restoration company, you can stop further damage from occurring.

Some steps to take:

• Call your insurance provider immediately—they will know what needs to be done in order for them to cover your expenses.
• Call a restoration professional who can assess the extent of the damage and give recommendations on how best to proceed.
• Document everything that is damaged or otherwise affected by this event (photos are helpful).
• Preserve personal property as much as possible by removing furniture or other items from the area where water has pooled so they don't get ruined too!

The final takeaway is that it’s important to act quickly and get a professional on the job as soon as possible. If your business suffers from a water damage event, don't hesitate and give our SERVPRO of Arnold/North Jefferson County team a call today!

Does Mold Usually Grow Where a Faucet Leaks?

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

Regularly check under sinks for water buildup. Leaking supply lines are one of the main causes of mold damage.

Mold Growth 101: The Basics of Mold Damage

Mold is one of the most common household problems. It's a fungus that can grow in areas where there's moisture and food, such as under sinks or around leaky pipes. If you notice mold growing in your home or business, it could be from a leaking faucet or pipe under the sink. In this article we'll discuss how to tell if there is mold in your house and why it's important to remove it immediately!

Mold grows in areas that are wet

Molds are fungi that grow in damp and moist areas. They usually thrive in places where there is an accumulation of moisture, such as basements or bathrooms. Mold can grow on any type of surface, including drywall. 

Mold may even grow in unexpected places—you might find it growing behind furniture or in an area where you never thought it could survive! It's important to keep an eye out for mold no matter where it appears so that you can remove it quickly before any serious damage occurs.

Mold spores are everywhere in our environment—you just need some moisture and food source to start growing new colonies!

A dripping faucet can contribute to the growth of mold. When water slowly drips onto a surface such as wood or wallboard over a period, it creates the perfect environment for mold growth. The water seeps into cracks and crevices, creating dark spots on walls or floors that are often mistaken for dirt or mildew. In fact, these spots may be black or green patches caused by mold growing inside them! While some molds are green or black, others are pink or brown. Some molds have fuzzy edges, while others are flat and smooth.

Mold can grow within 48 hours

Mold can grow in as little as 48 hours, especially if the water damage is a continuous leak. As soon as you notice a leak, place a bucket under it and call an emergency water mitigation company. Mold spreads quickly, so it's important to get rid of it before it has a chance to spread throughout your home.

Mold needs moisture to grow, so it will start growing when you have a leak or any other source of moisture in your home. It can appear anywhere in your house—even if there are no leaks nearby!

Who Can Remove Mold from My House?

The first step to removing mold from your home is identifying where it's growing. Never attempt to remove mold on your own. If you've found that a sink or shower has been leaking and has left behind damp areas of the wall, call in professionals who have been trained in mold removal to help you assess the extent of damage and determine whether there are any other areas of concern.

Molds can grow in many places, but they will usually gravitate toward areas that are moist or humid. It is important to clean up any water leaks quickly so that the mold does not have a chance to grow. If your home or business has suffered from a mold infestation, don’t hesitate, and give our SERVPRO team a call today!

How To Prevent a House Fire

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms have a limited lifespan, usually 10 years.

House fires are one of the most devastating and life-threatening events that can happen to you. The good news is that they're avoidable if you take some simple steps. In this post, we'll outline how to prevent your house from catching fire. We'll also discuss what circumstances increase your risk of burning down—and what may be done to lower it again. Let's get started!

Fire Hazards

Fire hazards are everywhere in the home. If you can't see them, they may still be present and waiting to ignite. The following are some of the most common fire hazards in houses:

• Electricity – Electrical wiring that's not up to code or power cords running under rugs can result in electrical fires.
• Smoke detectors – Many homes have smoke detectors with dead batteries or missing battery covers. These aren't working as well as they should be, putting lives at risk when a fire breaks out.
• Candles – Candles cause over 12 percent of all residential fires each year (according to NFPA). It only takes a few moments for a candle flame to spread across your living room carpeting and send everything up in flames!

Another thing you can do to prevent many house fires is keep lighters and matches away from kids. Lighters, along with other sources of ignition such as candles and fireplaces, are a major cause of residential fires in the United States. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that two thirds of these fires are caused by smoking materials or careless use of candles—and that's just one source!

If you smoke indoors (or if anyone else who lives in your home does), please don't leave lighters or matches within reach of children. If kids come over to play at your house, make sure they don't have access to any matches or lighters that are lying around—no matter how safe they think their parents might be! This is especially important during the winter when everyone's wearing gloves anyway.

You should also store flammable liquids like gasoline in metal cans with screw-on lids instead of plastic bottles because metal will not burst into flames as easily as plastic if there is an explosion from static electricity buildup or friction caused by moving parts inside them (like pumps).

Install Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke detectors should be installed on every floor of your home, including the basement and attic. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed near sleeping areas, such as bedrooms, or in the garage where cars are parked.

Smoke alarms have a limited lifespan, usually 10 years. After that time, they must be replaced because they may not work properly any longer. The same is true for carbon monoxide detectors; although they're not required to be replaced as often as smoke alarms are — typically every 7-10 years — it's still wise to check them regularly to ensure they're working correctly so you can get an early warning in case of fire or CO poisoning before it becomes too late to escape safely.

Build and Practice a Fire Safety Plan

Practice your fire safety plan every month. You can practice with your children, pets, and neighbors or anyone else who lives in the house or might be visiting. Don't miss opportunities to remind people of what they should do. For example: If you're cooking a meal that involves grease or oil on the stovetop and someone is near the stove, warn them about it! Make sure everyone knows where the master key is kept if there's an emergency (either lock their door from outside or make sure someone else has a copy).

By taking the time and effort to learn about the most common causes of house fires, you can help protect your home from being destroyed by fire. We hope this article has given you some valuable information on how to prevent a fire in your Arnold, MO home, so that when one does happen, it doesn’t destroy everything. If you do have a fire in your home, know that there are steps for first responders who will come help save those inside as well as their homes. Take care of yourself and others around you so that we can all live safely in our communities without fear of tragedy striking again tomorrow. If you do experience a fire, call SERVPRO of Arnold/Jefferson County to restore your home!

Tips For Water Damage Repair

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can be a lot to handle

How To Handle a Water Damage Repair

Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, but you should also be prepared for water damage if it does happen to you. It's important to know how to handle a water damage repair as quickly as possible so that the problem doesn't get any worse.

1. Start water cleanup as soon as possible.

Water damage can be a major problem, especially if you don’t start cleanup as soon as possible. The longer you wait to start cleaning up water, the more likely it is that mold will grow in your home or business. 

Mold spores are everywhere and just waiting for their chance to grow into full-blown molds that destroy property. If you see any signs of mold on the walls, ceiling or flooring after a water loss has occurred—or even if your house smells musty—you probably have an issue with mold growth.

2. Remove the source of water.

This step is critical, because if you don't stop the flow of water, it will keep coming in and causing damage to your home. You can do this by turning off the main water shutoff valve in on your property. Once that's done, open a window for ventilation to allow fresh air into your home as well as prevent mold growth. Use a wet/dry vac to remove any standing moisture from carpets and other surfaces; if you don't have one available, use towels instead.

The best course of action to take after a water loss is to call a certified water cleanup professional, they will ensure that your damage is mitigated properly.

3. Inspect for hidden water damage.

Check the walls and ceiling for signs of damage, such as discoloration, mold growth, or bubbling paint/wallpaper.

Feel along your flooring to see if it’s damp underneath. If you find that your floor is wet, move onto another room where there may be a leak as well – this could save you time in discovering an issue that needs fixing right away!

Check around windows and doors to make sure they aren’t leaking into your walls or ceilings. Use a flashlight to inspect these areas better if necessary.

When inspecting insulation around pipes or other places where moisture could build up inside walls/ceilings check for any discoloration or mold growth; if found call our SERVPRO team so that we can properly remove it from those locations before starting repairs!

4. Check for mold.

If your home or business has been suffered from a water damage event, it is important to check for mold. Mold can grow very quickly in water-damaged areas. If you notice any mold, it must be removed immediately to keep your property as well as any person present on your property safe.

5. Use fans and a dehumidifier.

When you're drying out a water-damaged area, you should use fans to dry out the damaged area and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture from the air.

Fans are one of the best ways to remove moisture and humidity from an indoor environment. For best results, use multiple fans that are positioned at different angles throughout the room or space being dried. You can also purchase powerful industrial-strength fans that will circulate air more quickly through this process. Place these along walls so they blow directly toward other walls (creating cross-ventilation) rather than directly into windows or doors—this prevents moisture from being pushed.

Use dehumidifiers with fans: Using both of these methods together can help keep humidity levels down and take care of any residual moisture left behind after initial drying has taken place.

6. Toss anything that can’t be salvaged.

Remove wet items from your home as soon as possible. When you begin the process of removing wet things, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to salvaging items—whether they're clothing or books. 

You'll need to decide what stays and what goes for each item on a case-by-case basis, but here are some general guidelines:

• Remove wet insulation from walls and ceilings; replace with new insulation when possible
• Remove wet carpeting; replace when possible
• Remove damaged drywall and replace

There is a lot to do after a water damage, but you can do it.

You must be proactive. If you wait too long, the situation will get out of hand, and you will have no choice but to call a professional. 

In the end, water damage can be a lot to handle. If you follow these tips and get help from SERVPRO of Arnold/North Jefferson County, then you’re well on your way to making sure that your home is safe and restored after this unfortunate event.

How Do Fire Sprinklers Work During a Fire?

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

Fire sprinklers are an essential part of any commercial building.

How Do Fire Sprinklers Work?

Fire sprinklers are a common sight in businesses around the world. They're often seen as an essential part of keeping business operations safe from fire, but how do they work? In this article, we'll explore that question and explain why these systems are so effective in keeping commercial fires contained and controlled.

How Does a Fire Start?

A fire is a chemical reaction between oxygen and something that burns. There are two types of fires: flame and smoldering. Flame fires are fast, hot, and dangerous, while smoldering fires burn slowly and cool; they can cause just as much damage over time as the hotter variety.

A fire can start when a flammable liquid ignites, such as gasoline or oil. The heat generated by this process causes the liquid to expand rapidly, which creates pressure in the container—so much pressure that it eventually bursts open at its weakest point, like a balloon popping with too many holes punched in it by someone's fingers during playtime at school!

How Does a Fire Sprinkler Work?

Fire sprinkler systems are designed to detect, suppress, and prevent fires from spreading.

When a fire sprinkler system is activated by heat, pressure, or smoke, the water stored in the pipes is released at high velocity onto the flames. The force of the water hitting the flames is enough to cool them down and stop their spread. This action also effectively extinguishes the fire by cooling it below its flash point (the temperature at which something will ignite).

Why Do These Systems Work?

Fire suppression systems are designed to be activated when a fire breaks out. In fact, some systems will be designed to automatically activate in the event of an emergency. There are two main ways that these systems work:

• Water Pressure

The most common way is through water pressure. This can be achieved through several different methods, but the basic idea is that gallons upon gallons of water will be released into the area where there's smoke or heat. The pressure from this great amount of water will help dampen down the flames and prevent them from spreading further until firefighters arrive on scene.

• Heat Sensors and Sprinklers

Another method for activating sprinkler systems is by using heat sensors placed throughout your home or building; when there's enough heat in one area (usually around 130°F), it'll trigger an automatic response from all sprinklers within range—this could mean just one or hundreds of individual units!

Fire Sprinklers Are Very Useful In Keeping Commercial Fires In Check

Fire sprinklers are an essential part of any commercial building. They're designed to extinguish fires quickly and efficiently before they spread to other parts of the building and cause more damage.

Fire sprinklers also prevent serious damage to property; if a fire is contained by sprinklers, then it can be extinguished without having to fight through smoke or embers. This makes them much safer for firefighters compared with non-sprinkler systems which would have been engulfed in flames already by the time help arrives at your location. In many cases, even after putting out a fire completely, you may find yourself with water damage from broken pipes or cracked walls due to extreme heat exposure during active fires—but this doesn't happen when you have fire protection systems installed properly!

They’re easy to install and don’t require any special training, so any building can install them. The best part of all is that sprinkler systems don’t cost very much money—in fact, they can save you money in the long run when compared with other methods of fire protection. If you want to protect your business from fire damage, consider installing sprinklers today!

3 Tips To Salvage Electronics After a Flooding Event

8/20/2022 (Permalink)

Don't assume all flooded electronics are destroyed for good.

Recovering Electronics Following a Flood

Flooding events, either due to Mother Nature or a plumbing mishap, can cause tremendous damage to a business. A building's structure can be compromised, as well as its contents, including a number of electronic devices. Fortunately, it is possible to save these devices after a flood. Here are three tips for doing so in the event your High Ridge, MO, business is impacted.

1. Safely Remove Devices From Power Source
Restoring flooded electronics cannot begin without first disconnecting the power source. For machines that are hooked up to an outlet, shut off the circuit breaker to avoid any electric shock hazards. For smaller, handheld devices, first check for signs of a shorted battery, such as smoking or heat from the device. If these issues are not present, turn off the device, drain it of any excess water and remove the battery.
Be mindful of the amount of water within the space and any shock hazards at hand. For optimal safety, do not grab devices if standing water remains. Call a water damage cleaning and restoration company to address flooding and dry out the building before attempting to salvage electronics.

2. Sanitize the Device’s Circuit Board
The next tip for saving flooded electronics is to thoroughly clean the circuit board. This can be achieved by first disassembling the device and then using a toothbrush or cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Gently brush along each crevice of the circuit board to remove any water residue or buildup and let the board dry completely.

3. Inspect for Further Electronic Damage
The final step is to re-assemble the device, install a new battery if required and test it to see if it works. If issues remain, other likely repairs include replacing the LCD screen or logic board.
Don't assume all flooded electronics are destroyed for good. Try restoring them by disconnecting from power, cleaning the circuit board and testing with a new battery for further damage.

What You Should Know About Post-Damage Document Restoration

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

When you’ve got a document restoration expert on your side, you can recover books, photos, and other files after a disaster.

Post-Damage Document Restoration

Documents are a critical component of any business, regardless of size, industry, or location. Whether it’s the documentation required to operate a company, certifications to do work, or client files, paperwork is a fundamental part of your operations. If your property or workplace in Imperial, MO, experiences damage from a fire or other disaster, important company documents could also be damaged. You need to consult a professional restoration services provider who specializes in document restoration. 

The Professional Approach to Document Restoration
Time is critical when it comes to restoring documents that have been damaged. The sooner you can get the pros involved the better. Hiring professionals offer several advantages:

Knowledge of how to pack up books, photographs, and other documents for safe delivery to the restoration facility
Knowledge of special restoration techniques and document drying methods
Application of restoration based on damage type, for example, mold vs flooding vs smoke
Access to special technology and equipment for cleaning and restoring documents

Restoring your property and affected items to preloss conditions is the goal. This is usually accomplished through repair and special cleanup approaches, which can help save money, especially for documents that are very expensive to replace.

Comprehensive Preparedness
SERVPRO of Arnold/ North Jefferson County is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your damage cleanup needs. We’re not just your partner for remediation and restoration. We also help you develop disaster recovery plans in advance, including ensuring that there’s a plan for preserving, backing up, and accessing critical paperwork for your business.
When you’ve got a document restoration expert on your side, you can recover books, photos, and other files after a disaster. We bring the knowledge, expertise, and tools needed to restore your business files. We also assist with disaster recovery plans that minimize business interruption.

FAQs About Solar Panels and Storms

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Solar panels were installed in a home in Arnold, MO.

Many people in Arnold, MO, are considering the installation of solar panels to their homes. However, few people know about panel damage that can occur during a storm. Understanding more about these panels can help homeowners decide if solar energy is right for their homes.

What Are Common Causes of Damage to Panels

Storms can cause damage to various parts of a home. The following issues can affect panels during a storm:

• Large hail that makes direct contact with the panels
  
• Strong winds that may cause panels to bend or break
  
• Tree limbs, shingles and other pieces of debris making contact with the panels
  
  

What Happens to Panels During Storms?

As the name suggests, panels that use solar energy need the sun to function, but that doesn’t mean that they will only work when the sun is shining brightly. The panels will continue to work during a storm unless a power outage occurs, in which case the panels will not function. In the event that major panel damage and other substantial destruction to your home occurs, such as roof damage or flooding, it can be useful to contact emergency restoration services.

How Do Panels Compare to Other Energy Sources?

Though damage to panels is certainly possible, there are benefits to choosing them over other sources of energy for your home. Panels are durable, long-lasting sources of power that can generally withstand winds and heavy rains. Panels can also help you save money on your energy bills long-term. Since the panels require sunlight rather than fossil fuels to function, homeowners may choose them because they are typically considered a cleaner source of energy that is beneficial to the environment.

Having an in-depth understanding of how solar panels hold up during storms can benefit homeowners who are considering installation. Knowing what causes panel damage, how they function during storms and how they compare to traditional energy sources can help homeowners make an educated decision about the sources of power in their homes

3 Ways to Prevent Mold Growth After a Flood

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can lead to mold growth.

Three Strategies to Stop Mold Growth Following a Flood

After a severe storm, you might sometimes experience flooding in your Byers, MO home. This can cause quite a bit of damage to your property. In some cases, this can continue long after the flood has passed. Water damage can contribute to mold growth in your home, so be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent it.

1. Remove Water From Your Home

Because mold growth can happen quickly in a moist environment, it is important to remove any remaining water in your home as soon as possible. Make sure that all walls, floors and belongings are completely dry as even small amounts of moisture might contribute to a fungal growth.

2. Wash Any Soft Items

While it is important to dry everything, that won’t be enough for some items. Soft and porous belongings such as clothing, curtains, bedding and stuffed animals should be thoroughly cleaned if they were affected by the flooding. Flood water can carry contaminants, and if there are mold spores in these items, then it is only a matter of time before a growth occurs.

3. Hire a Professional Service

Perhaps one of the best ways to prevent mold from spreading in your home is to hire a water damage remediation company. These specialists can help with cleaning and repairing your home which will reduce the likelihood of developing a mold problem. They can also locate signs that mold has already started spreading and perform mold removal if necessary.

While mold may not pose much of a threat to the structure of your home, mold growth can still cause many problems. If it is not addressed, it can continue to spread throughout your house, creating unsightly discoloration on your walls and other items. It can also fill your home with an unpleasant, musty odor. To avoid this, be sure to remove excess water and clean up damage quickly.