How to Identify and Address Hidden Water Leaks in Your Home

10/8/2023 (Permalink)

These concealed issues can silently damage your property, leading to structural problems and mold growth if left unchecked.

While New Hyde Park boasts its own unique charm, it's not immune to the challenges of hidden water leaks. These concealed issues can silently damage your property, leading to structural problems and mold growth if left unchecked. In this blog, we'll explore the significance of identifying and addressing hidden water leaks, providing valuable insights to help protect your New Hyde Park residence.

Identifying Hidden Water Leaks

Unexplained Water Usage: If your water bills have recently surged without a clear explanation, it may indicate an undetected water leak.

Mold and Mildew Growth: Mold and mildew thrive in damp conditions. If you notice mold on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces, it might be a sign of hidden water damage.

Musty Odors: Persistent musty or earthy odors in your home can be an indicator of hidden water damage or mold growth.

Water Stains: Discoloration on walls, ceilings, or floors could signal water seepage from a concealed leak.

Damp or Distorted Flooring: Wooden or laminate floors that appear warped, cupped, or discolored may be suffering from water damage caused by an unseen leak.

Addressing Hidden Water Leaks

Immediate Water Shut-Off: If you suspect a hidden leak, shut off your water supply immediately to prevent further damage.

Consult a Professional: Reach out to a licensed plumber or a water leak detection specialist. They possess the tools and expertise to accurately locate hidden leaks.

Roof Inspection: Hidden leaks often originate from roof issues. Arrange for regular roof inspections, particularly after severe weather.

Check Plumbing Fixtures: Regularly inspect plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, toilets, and showerheads, for signs of leaks. Even minor drips can lead to concealed damage over time.

Examine the Water Meter: Turn off all water sources in your home and check your water meter. If it continues to run, a hidden leak may be present.

Monitor Utility Bills: Keep a close watch on your water and utility bills. Unexplained spikes can suggest hidden leaks.

Address the Damage: If you discover a hidden leak, take immediate action to address the resulting damage. This may involve water damage restoration, mold remediation, or structural repairs.

Final Thoughts

Identifying and addressing hidden water leaks is crucial to preserving the condition of your New Hyde Park, NY, property. By staying vigilant for signs of concealed leaks and taking swift action when they are detected, you can prevent extensive damage and costly repairs. Remember that SERVPRO® of New Hyde Park/Mineola is here to assist New Hyde Park residents with professional cleanup and restoration services, should you ever encounter hidden water damage. Our experts are dedicated to helping you protect your home and the welcoming community of New Hyde Park.

Restoring your Water Damage Furniture

2/10/2023 (Permalink)

When your furniture suffers from water damage, give SERVPRO a call today!

Water damage to your furniture is a stressful and upsetting situation. It is not always possible to avoid water damage. Fortunately, there are some quick steps you can take to minimize the damage. Various types of wood respond differently to water damage. No matter the type of wood it is important to understand the type of wood your working with because the materials all require a different method for restoration.

Blot Liquids

Blot liquids with white towels. Press firmly, working from the outside in to prevent stains from spreading. Don't rub! Rubbing the furniture while wet can spread the stain even more than it already is. If a stain is set, use equal parts of water and white vinegar before washing as usual. The use of paper towels can cause scratches on the furniture. Once the furniture is dried properly, seal the damaged wood to prevent future water damage.

Air Dry

If your furniture has been damaged by water, let it air dry as much as possible before bringing in professional cleaners. You can use fans or a dehumidifier to help speed up the process. If you don't have access to either of these devices and need to get rid of moisture to help prevent water stains.

Sanding

When your furniture suffers from water damage, your best bet might be to just restore the wood if possible. Use a belt sander especially on the top of your furniture and sides to smooth down the wood and remove any damages before re staining and finishing your furniture back to pre water conditions.

Professional Help

If the damage is severe, it may be best to call a professional. A water restoration company can assess the damage and recommend the best solution for returning your furniture to its original state. They have access to all sorts of tools and equipment that can help them dry out your furniture quickly. Give SERVPRO a call at the first sign of water damage to your furniture after a water loss in your home or property. 

Wet Items Care After Water Damage

11/8/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in a home causing damage to personal belongings.

What Will Happen To My Belongings After Water Damage Occurs In My Home?

When water damage occurs in your Floral Park, NY home, you may be concerned about the damaged items. Many homeowners wonder what will happen to their most valued possessions after water damage occurs in their homes. Although there are many steps involved in the process of managing this type of loss, it is important to understand that professionals work through a disaster such as this carefully and thoroughly so that you can be assured all items are handled properly.

Taking Inventory

Your first step should be to take an inventory of all damaged items. Write down the name of each item and include a photo if possible, or write down the serial number, model number, and/or brand name. It's also helpful to keep track of where each item was stored at the time it went into storage; this will help you remember which items were exposed to water damage versus those that weren't (and those that may have been exposed but haven't shown signs yet).

Keep this list in one place along with your photos so that it can be used by both yourself and your insurance company when claiming damages from a flood-related event.

Some of your belongings may be completely ruined. If so, they will be discarded and you will not be able to recover them.

Completely Ruined Items

Some of your belongings may be completely ruined. If so, they will be discarded and you will not be able to recover them.

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to protect the items that are salvageable. First, take photos of each item that was damaged and document what happened the day of the flooding so that an insurance company or restoration company can give you advice about whether it deserves replacement or repair.

If all seems lost with regard to your belongings after water damage occurs in your home, remember: if possible it is always best practice to contact professionals who specialize in such situations as soon as possible!

Pack-Up & Storage

At SERVPRO, our technicians offer pack-up and storage services after your home or business has suffered from water damage. For items that are salvageable, our team of highly trained technicians can clean the items and restore them back to preloss conditions. 

Our team will then store your belongings in our warehouse, where they will be stored safely throughout the entire mitigation and restoration process

Contents Cleaning & Restoration

After the water has been removed and your home is dry, we begin the process of cleaning and restoring your belongings. We carefully evaluate each item for damages and then repair or replace as many items as possible.

Delivery

Once your home is back to preloss conditions, our team will deliver your belongings back to you and place them back where they were when the loss occurred. Everything is handled, transported, and delivered with great care by our technicians. Our team is dedicated to being there to assist you throughout the entire process, from start to finish.

In conclusion, water damage can be devastating for anyone. However, understanding the process of managing this type of loss is important to know what will happen to your belongings after water damage occurs. When you work with an experienced team like us at SERVPRO, we will make sure that every step along the way is as seamless and easy for you as possible. We’ll help you take inventory of all your belongings so that they can be cleaned and restored properly before being delivered back into your home or office space again!

What Should You Do if You Find a Leak Under Your Kitchen Sink?

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

Check the cabinet below the sink for leaking.

What to Do if You Discover a Leak Under Your Kitchen Sink?

If you spot a leak under the kitchen sink in your Floral Park, NY home, you may worry about a costly kitchen repair. Flooding should always be handled right away by a water damage repair expert. If the leak is small and contained, finding the source of the water will help to determine the best solution.

Supply Valve Leak
Many leaks can be found at the shutoff valves and the connecting tubing. Most supply tubes have valves built-in which fasten onto the water supply pipes.

Wipe off the tubing and valves with a paper towel. A wet towel will indicate that you have located the leak.
Carefully tighten the nut on the valve to see if that stops the leak. If it doesn't, the valve may need to be replaced.
To prevent the risk of flooding, call a plumber if you don't have the proper experience.

Drain Leak
Fill the kitchen sink with water. While the water drains, wipe the outside of the piping that connects the sink to the wall. If the paper towel gets wet, you have located the leak. The slip joint may just need to be realigned or tightened carefully. If the joint still leaks, call a plumber to assess the situation.

Basin Leak
Water can sometimes leak through the space between the countertop and the basin. To check for a basin leak, pour a small amount of water around the rim of the basin. Check the cabinet below the sink for leaking. Removing the old caulk and applying new caulk to the entire rim area may stop the leak. The fasteners under the rim that attach it to the countertop may also need to be tightened.
To reduce the risk of water in a home, find that leak before flooding occurs. If you can't stop or locate the leak with these simple fixes, it's time to call a professional.

How To Find Bathroom Leaks

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in a bathroom in New Hyde Park, NY.

If you see water pooling in your bathroom in New Hyde Park, NY, it's important to find the water source right away. The longer the water sits, the more damage it can do. A bathtub leak is especially difficult to spot and often goes undetected until it becomes a huge problem. If you spot water damage, call a water restoration service as soon as possible. To catch the issue early, follow these tips.

How To Spot a Leaky Bathtub

Leaky bathtubs usually originate from one of two sources:

Faucet Leaks: A leaking faucet is fairly easy to fix. It's usually caused by worn rubber washers within the faucets assembly. Taking the faucet apart and replacing the washers may fix the problem. If you aren't sure what type of washers to buy, bring the old ones to your local hardware store. Sometimes replacing the washers won't fix the leak, though. In that case, you may need to replace the whole faucet assembly.

Drain Leaks: A bathtub leak can also originate in the drain. The easiest fix is when the seal around the drain becomes loose. In this situation, remove the drain and apply plumbers putty around the entire assembly. If that doesn't fix the leak, you may have an issue with the plumbing underneath the drain. A plumber can fix this problem.

How To Check the Shower Pan for Leaks
A shower pan leak can cause severe water damage. To identify such a leak, put enough duct tape over the drain to cover it completely. Make sure it is watertight. Pour enough water from a bucket into the shower pan to make at least an inch of standing water. Check for water at the base of the shower pan. Look for pooling that extends beyond the tile. If it occurs, contact a plumber to replace the pan so that it is installed properly.
A bathtub leak can become a serious problem. Make sure you address the issue right away.

Dealing With Burst Pipes in the Winter

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

Frozen bursting pipes can cause major damage to your home.

One of the toughest things to deal with as a homeowner is water damage from flooding. This can come in the form of storm water, sump pump failure or even burst frozen pipes. When the temperatures fall below freezing, you risk burst pipes unless you take the necessary precautions.

How To Prevent Burst Pipes

Preventing a broken pipe is the best policy. There are many ways you can do this, especially in the winter:

• Keeping your heat on
  
• Allowing your water to drip
  
• Adding extra insulation
  
  

If you take these steps, you can prevent your pipes from freezing, the pressure from building up in your water system and the pipes from bursting, resulting in water damage in your home.

When Repair Is Needed

When frozen pipes do happen, the best thing to do is arrange a water line repair as quickly as possible. Once the hole, crack or pipe is filled, repaired or replaced, the water stops flowing into your home. The sooner you accomplish this, the less water you’ll have to remove, and you’ll also be able to limit the damage.

After this, fast cleanup is essential. The faster you get the water and wet items removed from your home, the less mold growth you’ll experience. If the water is black water, you’ll need to throw away any porous items and disinfect anything that can be saved. Damage from less-contaminated water means you should be able to salvage more of your property.

A professional company in South Floral Park, NY can help you determine the best way to clean walls, carpets and other types of flooring. They can also help restore your home to the way it was before the frozen pipes burst, allowing you to feel at home in your house again more quickly and easily, not to mention safely. Don’t delay repairing water damage; clean up after your disaster as soon as you can.