flood damage cleanup pittsburgh

Flood Safety Tips from Flood Damage Cleanup Experts

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Floods can be destructive to your property and risk your health. When floods occur, the first thing you should do is call flood cleanup professionals for the job. ServiceMaster provides flood damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburgh and can come on board to help you restore your home after floods.

Here are tips for flood safety.

Pest Control

Pests such as mice, raps, termites, and ants are attracted to moist areas. If flooded areas are left unattended, they can be breeding grounds for these pests, which can later pose health risks and destruction of your home’s components.

Seal off the Damage

Sealing off the damage will prevent further destruction of your property when floods occur. The best idea would be to get professionals for effective restoration. If you are in Greater Pittsburgh, you can count on ServiceMaster. Our team provides flood damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburgh and can help you clean the mess and get your property back in order.

Mold Control and Prevention

Mold thrives in moist areas, and flooding provides the right environment for mold growth. It is crucial to start restoration as soon as flooding occurs to cut the chances of mold growing in your home.

Proper Disposal of Items

When floods occur, items in your home may soak in the water and get destroyed. Chemicals may spill, food might go bad quicker, and books and furniture might be destroyed beyond repair. Dispose of each item properly to prevent water contamination while ensuring proper cleaning.

Stay Out of the Home Until It Is Safe

The best way to remain safe after a flood is to stay away from your home until restoration is complete. Floods pose plenty of risks, from mold growth to contaminated water, so it is best to be away from the affected area until you get the area restored professionally.

ServiceMaster is a reliable company providing flood damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburgh and the environs. If your home floods, call us and leave the mess for us to handle. Our team is skilled and equipped to manage flood disasters, clean up your home, and get it back in order.

The Destruction Flooding Causes | Flood Damage Cleanup in Pittsburgh

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Flooding can incur losses, not forgetting how time and effort-intensive it is to deal with. If you happen to face floods and looking for flood damage cleanup in Pittsburgh, ServiceMaster can come in handy to help you take care of the mess.

Flooding has significant effects on the property’s components which can be expensive to repair and replace. Below are the areas where destruction occurs most after a flood.

Issues Drywall Face When Needing Flood Damage Cleanup

Drywall comes as a porous material, meaning any contact with water results in it soaking up and bulging. Drywall acts like a sponge in the event of a flood, becoming a fragile component to handle. This calls for replacement as the damage is usually beyond repair.

Plaster

Plaster, unlike drywall, does not need to be replaced; however, it takes a long time to dry. It is even worse to get back to usual if there are cracks. In this case, it would need to be replaced.

Insulation Issues When Needing Flood Damage Cleanup

Dealing with insulation after flooding can be challenging hence why you need ServiceMaster. They provide flood damage cleanup in Pittsburgh and will assess the condition of the insulation and advice on strategies to repair or replace affected areas.

Most insulation methods use foam sheets that can quickly soak up water in the event of a flood. The food thing is that insulation does not need to be replaced as it dries well. However, if you have muddy fiberglass batts, you should throw them out as they do not get back to shape.

These are some of the areas that suffer destruction after flood damage. With the help of a flood restoration company, you can assess the conditions to warrant repairs or replacements. If you are looking for flood damage cleanup in Pittsburgh, ServiceMaster has a team of professionals to help you settle back into your property.

Can a House Be Saved After Flood Damage?

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Flooding is one of the most damaging disasters that can happen to your home. Flood damage can be irreversible and can devastate homeowners, especially those who do not have the added protection of flood insurance. There are many factors at play when it comes to being able to restore your home and achieve a successful flood damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburgh. A professional restoration company can combat all of these.

  1. How Long Water Has Sat- The longer water is standing in your home, the more damage that will happen. Cleaning up flood damage quickly is imperative to a complete restoration. Flood waters can seep through your floors and cause structural elements of your home such as foundation, support beams, and more to degrade and rot. Do not wait to call a professional restoration company after flood damage if you want to salvage your home.
  2. Type of Flood Waters- There are three categories of flood waters and category three is the most dangerous and damaging. This category contains the most hazardous contaminants such as sewage and flooding from natural disasters such as hurricanes. If your home has flooding from category two or three, you will need to contact a professional company to complete your flood damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburg.
  3. Amount of Water- The volume of water has one of the biggest impacts on whether a home can be salvaged after flood damage. More water means more damage and if damage is too great, sometimes trying to do the flood cleanup in Greater Pittsburg can be more expensive than a property is worth and result in a total loss.

The last thing a homeowner wants to worry about after a natural disaster or big flooding accident is if they are going to be able to move back into their home. While nothing can be guaranteed, there is always a better chance of complete restoration if you call the professionals like ServiceMaster to complete your flood cleanup.

If you need flood damage cleanup in your home, call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh at 412-419-3253 or visit us on Facebook.

Flood Damage Cleanup | How Long Does Flood Damage Cleanup Take?

Posted on by Matt Nelson

One of the worst things that can happen to a homeowner is severe flooding. Water can do a lot of damage to homes and can have homeowners seeking out a new place to live temporarily. When you have to do flood damage cleanup, you’re worried about how much it will cost, but also how long the damage will take to fix. The more serious your flood damage is, the longer it will take to mitigate; however, when you’re looking at needing to stay in hotels or other places, you need a general idea of how long you can expect to be away from your home.

Flood Damage Cleanup Process

The flood damage cleanup process should start immediately after flooding occurs. Before calling your homeowner’s insurance company, you should call ServiceMaster and have a professional restoration specialist come to your home for an assessment right away.

Cleaning up floodwaters must be completed in multiple steps. First, all of the standing water must be removed from the carpets, flooring, and anything else that is saturated. After the water is gone, the drying process must start and includes using fans and dehumidifiers to suck all of the moisture out of the air and circulate the air.

Depending on how much water was in the home, the flood damage cleanup process can take anywhere from four days to several weeks. If the damage is extensive and drywall removal and replacement, carpet cleaning, floor replacement, mold removal, or duct cleaning are required, the cleanup process will take a few days longer. You’ll want certified and licensed professionals to complete extensive repairs due to flooding to comply with building standards and codes.

The best way to know for sure the time flood damage will take to clean up and your home to dry out, you should book a consultation with a professional disaster restoration company like ServiceMaster. You’ll be guaranteed the job done quickly and to your satisfaction.

Do you need help with flood damage cleanup? Call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh today at 412-419-3253.

 

Flood Damage Cleanup | Carpet Cleaning After A Flood

Posted on by John Samek

Flood Damage Cleanup | Carpet Cleaning After A Flood

Flooding is one of the worst residential disasters that homeowners can face. Water can severely damage your home, belongings, and your health, especially if mold has started to grow. This is why homeowners need flood damage cleanup to happen quickly and efficiently. As a rule of thumb, if flooding isn’t cleaned up within 48 hours your carpets and other waterlogged items can end up being a total loss.

Is the Carpet Salvageable After Flood Damage?

Carpets that are removable and area rugs can be sent out for professional cleaning after the water is removed from the room. Unfortunately, carpets that are installed with padding underneath are usually lost after being waterlogged. Installed carpets are nearly impossible to sanitize properly after flood damage cleanup and need to be thrown out and replaced in most cases.

Cleaning Wet Carpets

Not every flooding incident is a total disaster. Carpets that are waterlogged from overfilled tubs, running kitchen sinks, or smaller accidents can be cleaned up by using a wet/dry shop vacuum.  This professional-grade vacuum sucks out the water.

If the carpets have been deeply saturated, but you want to try to save them, you may need to pull up the carpet to ensure adequate drying. You’ll also need to replace the padding underneath to prevent mold and spray with disinfectant after drying completely. There are also deodorizers that can help with the smell of wet carpet as it is drying. Fans and open windows will also help with air circulation, fresh scent, and faster drying.

When it comes to flood damage cleanup, professional mitigation is always a great idea. Mold is always a risk after any kind of water damage and, unfortunately, mold is not also seen or smelled until the growth is significant. Let professionals handle the cleanup.  Calling a professional will remove the water and the stress.  Relax and know the home is clean, sanitary, and free of mold after a flood.

If you’re in need of flood damage cleanup in Pittsburgh, call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg at 412-826-1010.