Understanding the Water Damage Timeline

7/7/2022 (Permalink)

Water damages are incredibly unpredictable, striking when you least expect it. Whether it be severe weather or leaking pipes, SERVPRO of Greensburg understands the stress and inconvenience that comes with damage to your home or business. Water damages progress rapidly, causing an excessive loss in a short window of time. While we are open and always prepared to respond to these losses 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we believe that it is essential for YOU to understand how water damages work, and the timeline they generally follow when left untreated. Doing so will allow us to help you successfully mitigate, remediate, and salvage as much of your precious belongings as we possibly can.

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes:

• Water spreads throughout the property, both in visible and non-visible cavities.
• Water is absorbed into drywall, flooring, and furniture.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing staining on surrounding carpets.
• Paper documents, photographs, and books absorb water and begin to swell.

Within 24 Hours:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Odor begins to develop.
• Furniture may begin to swell and warp.

48 Hours to One Week:

• Microbial growth begins and may start spreading.
• Doors, windows, and studs begin to swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust.
• Paint will begin to blister.
• Conditions can become hazardous for occupancy.

Greater than One Week:

• Structural safety is compromised.
• Microbial growth intensifies.
• Occupancy can be extremely unsafe.
• Cleanup and Restoration costs increase dramatically.

The longer the water sits, the more damage your home will obtain. That's why it is crucial to call the team that is faster to any size disaster: SERVPRO of Greensburg! Our teams of highly skilled technicians provide the best possible customer service and make your water damage look "Like it never even happened." For more information about our services or company, call us at (724) 837-4126.

Broken Pipe? Follow These 3 Steps…

6/15/2022 (Permalink)

Amid the rainy season in Pennsylvania, many homeowners in Greensburg worry about flash flooding and how it can affect their homes. While wet weather is a common cause of flooding, many homeowners overlook another common source: leaking/bursting pipes. If this happens to you, the first thing to do is contact a professional to fix the burst pipe immediately. After that is taken care of, be sure to follow these three steps below to help minimize water damage in your home:

1. Stop the Flow of Water

The first thing you, as a homeowner, can do is prevent the flooding from getting any worse. You will need to shut off the main water line. After you do so, you still need to drain the pipes of all water. This will require you to run every sink and flush each toilet in your house at least once. You will also need to turn off your home’s water heater. Once there is no running tap water left, the leak should stop entirely.

2. Inspect the Damage

Next, you will need to locate the burst pipes. If you are able to find the broken pipe, then you should take pictures of the damage for insurance purposes. If you cannot find the culprit, then you will need to bring in a professional crew as soon as possible.

3. Contact SERVPRO of Greensburg

Even if you are fairly handy around the house, it is always a good idea to call a professional team to take care of any water damage just to be safe. There is a lot of remediation that needs to take place, such as drying any damaged structures and preventing mold growth. Professionals also know how to safely work around water to prevent electrocution or illness.

Choose the team that can make your water disaster seem "Like it never even happened." SERVPRO of Greensburg is here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more about our services, please call us at  (724) 837-8830!

WINTER IS ON IT'S WAY! SERVPRO OF GREENSBURG Offers Tips To Prevent Frozen/Burst Pipes.

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

It is time for SERVPRO of Greensburg to once again remind homeowners and renters to be aware of the potential for frozen pipes.  Every winter season, the pipes in your business and home are at risk of damage from freezing conditions. Low temperatures can cause your water pipes to freeze, and in some cases burst. The following tips can help you safeguard your home before, during and after a pipe freezes.

PREVENT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING

• Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
• Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you're leaving the house for an extended period of time.
• Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
• Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.:
• Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.
• Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
• Heat your basement and consider weather sealing your windows.
• Insulate outside walls and unheated areas of your home.
• If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine. Also have someone checking your home daily.

IF YOUR PIPES UNFORTUNATELY FREEZE AND BURST, CALL SERVPRO OF GREENSBURG TO HELP ASSIST YOU IN YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS at 724-837-8830.  

Mold and Mildew from Water Damage

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Make sure to look for the signs of water damage in your home.

With the ongoing rain and high temps in the Greensburg area, it has been a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.   

Make sure you’re prepared during the summer season! 

1. Stay vigilant during flooding season.  You may not realize your home is leaking water until it's too late. This water can lead to potential mold and mildew growth.
2. Purchasing a simple hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home can do wonders.  The ideal humidity level in your house should be 40-50%.  Temperature also plays a key role in managing the mold growth in your home.  Keep your home around 68-72 degrees.  
3. If you cannot manage the humidity in your home, you may need to purchase a dehumidifier.  This will work to take any lingering water out of the air in your home. 

If you are noticing signs of mold or water damage in your home, call SERVPRO of Greensburg today.  We use top of the line anti-microbial cleaners and dehumidifiers to eradicate any signs of mold and water damage.  If your home or business is at risk for mold, call us at 724-837-8830.

Westmoreland County 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greensburg is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 724-837-8830

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Greensburg has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Greensburg

SERVPRO of Greensburg specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Washing Machine Leaks Require Urgent Water Removal In Westmoreland Homes

2/13/2019 (Permalink)

Water removal services are essential for anyone who has had a significant water leak in their home. The laundry room inside your home can be struck with significant water damage when your washer begins to gush water. A water-supply line can become detached and began to flood the carpeted room with water at a quick pace. By the time you noticed, the water has covered the floor, and it is beginning to leak into the rest of your home. Turning off the water in your home is essential at this point, but you can't call a plumber right away, if there is too much water.  

It is imperative for you to call for a Westmoreland based water removal service as fast as possible. Getting professionals onto the scene to remove the excess water allows you to get an appliance service expert in faster. Until the water-supply line is fixed, you can't turn the water back on, or else the problem can begin all over again.  

When you reach out to SERVPRO of Greensburg, we make an effort to travel to your home as quickly as possible because we understand how stressful the situation is. Once we arrive, we can launch right into removing the excess water from your home. At SERVPRO, we use advanced trade technology to do our jobs, ensuring that qualified technicians and proper equipment restore your home.  

We use industrial-quality wet/dry vacuums to remove the water as fast as possible. SERVPRO uses these particular devices because they can remove large volumes of water swiftly. If the volume of water is significant enough, we can even bring truck-mounted tools to do the job.  

After removing the majority of the water from your laundry room, SERVPRO can use extractors on your carpeted floor. Extractors are like wet/dry vacuums but designed for drying carpets, upholstery, and drapes. A heating element warms the fabric as it pulls moisture from it, drying it as it extracts water.  

Once the water has been adequately cleaned up, SERVPRO will place the proper drying equipment and monitor until all affected areas are dry.

When water damage strikes your home, always get help right away. Get in touch with SERVPRO of Greensburg by phoning (724)837-8830. Our techs are always prepared to help as soon as possible.

6 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes

1/18/2019 (Permalink)

Below zero temperatures are heading to Greensburg and the entire Westmoreland County this weekend.  Here are some tips on ways to help prevent frozen pipes.

1.  Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to reach plumbing/pipes.  
2. Keep all garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
3. Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night, making sure it is never below 55 degrees F. 
4. Allow the faucet to drip if it is served by pipes on an exterior wall. Running water through the pipe can help prevent pipes from freezing.
5. Make arrangements to have a neighbor check on your home during a cold spell if you are out of town. 
6. Turn the water off at the main if you know you will be away for an extended period of time. 

Stay warm neighbors, and remember SERVPRO of Greensburg is here for any water and/or fire emergencies you may have!  Our emergency restoration technicians are available 24 hours a day. 

Tips to Prevent Water Damage

3/23/2016 (Permalink)

1. Ensure Good Drainage

• Clean you gutters and repair if sagging occurs.
• Direct downspouts 5-10 ft. away from the house.
• Inspect your gutters' capacity - after 15 min. of heavy rain, if water overflows the gutters, install additional downspouts.
• Adjust landscaping and irrigation so that water flows away from the foundation.

2. Test Your Sump Pump

• Run your sump pump every few months and clean it annually before the rainy season.
• Prevent backflow of sanitary sewer water by installing backflow valves and standpipes at all basement drain locations, including sinks and toilets.

3. Fix Water Leaks

• Repair any noticeable dripping pipes & check for dark spots under pipes and on ceilings.
• Repair any cracked caulking.
• Inspect the roof for missing, lose or damaged shingles.

Prepare your basement "just in case" by raising your washer, dryer, water heater, oil tank, furnace, all electrical wiring and personal items above typical water backup levels.

Fantastic Tips from houselogic: National Association of Realtors