flood damage cleanup

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.

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.

Water Damage Cleanup – Why Is There Always Water in My Basement

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Few people feel good about needing water damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburg, especially when the damage is in the basement. Flooding and standing water in your basement can be caused by many things and all of them can be difficult for homeowners to deal with on their own. If you are seeing water or moisture in your basement on a regular basis, you may have a much bigger problem than you realize.

Reasons for Basement Flooding

Basement flooding is something nearly every homeowner will deal with but the companies that do water damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburg will always have your back.

There are three reasons why your basement might have constant leaking or flooding issues:

Hydrostatic Pressure is basement flooding caused by oversaturation of ground water in the soil that causes the water table to rise. Pressures rises under the home and the water seeps into the basement.

Lateral Pressure is when looser soil around your home is saturated with water which causes the soil to expand. The pressure against the foundation of the home causes cracks and damage which then allows water to seep through.

Window Well Leakage refers to leaks that come in due to the window wells filling with rain or water and drainage problems. Water will seep through any cracks or gaps, wear down seals, and cause damage to windows and water damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburg to be needed.

Places You are Most Likely to Have Leaks in Your Basement

There are a few places where you are most likely to find water leaking into your basement.

  • Cracks in the floor
  • Cove joints
  • Basement walls
  • Mortar joints
  • Windows

Many homeowners believe the reason their basement if flooding is because their sump pump failed; however, the real cause of the flooding is one of those listed above. A sump pump is meant to remedy those issues but can sometimes fail.

When there is water in your basement, the time it takes to cleanup professionally may be something you are not prepared or equipped to handle. Let a professional water damage cleanup company take care of the mess for you!

If you need help with water cleanup, call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh today at 412-424-6755, or find us on facebook.

What Equipment is Needed to Remove Flood Water?

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Flood waters in your home is the last catastrophe anyone wants to deal with but property owners living around the Allegheny River, risk the dangers of flooding. Some people like to be prepared and have the equipment needed to remove flood waters on hand to try to DIY their disaster cleanup; while others rely on professional water damage restoration company to get the job done right. 

Some of the equipment needed to remove water from your home can be found at any hardware or home store such as shop vacuums, pumps, and dehumidifiers. However water damage restoration companies have access to industrial grade equipment that makes the job go faster and more efficiently. 

Common Industrial Tools for Flood Water Extraction

When it comes to the hazardous conditions that flood waters cause, you want the professional water removal companies handling the disaster cleanup. Some of the tools these companies have at their disposal include

  • Light wands/ carpet wands
  • Deep extraction tools
  • Trash pumps
  • Submersible pumps
  • High-pressure pumps
  • Extraction units
  • Personal protection equipment
  • Industrial grade cleaning products and chemicals
  • Mold remediation chemicals
  • Commercial carpet cleaners
  • Industrial box fans

While some of this equipment can be purchased through janitorial supply stores or commercial sales, the cost will often outweigh what you would spend on professional water removal companies. Relying on a team of people who cleanup flood damage and complete disaster restoration will cost less and take less time than trying to DIY a disaster as large as flooding. 

Cost of Professional Water Removal Services 

Professional water removal services will range in price from a few hundred to few thousand dollars depending on the extent of damage and services needed to fully remediate the property. Luckily, homeowner’s insurance and flood protection add-ons can sometimes help cover these costs. You might also have home warranties or appliance warranties that can be applied to water cleanup if the flooding was a result of sump pump or appliance failure. 

ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg is here to help you with all of your water cleanup needs. Call us today at 412-376-4645.

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.