What Size Gutter Do I Need on My House?

3/28/2023 (Permalink)

How to determine the proper gutter size for your home or business

How many of you know if you have the proper size gutter? SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton put together this handy guide on gutters.

5 inch K-style gutters or 6-inch half-rounds, are able to handle the rainfall on most houses in most parts of the country.

But houses with big, steep roofs or those located in heavy rainfall areas with heavy downpours may need wider gutters and extra downspouts to keep rainwater from overflowing.

First, you'll need to calculate the square footage of the gutter's drainage area. For a gable-end roof, you'll only need to make 2 calculations, one for each slope. Intersecting roofs have multiple facets. For those you'll need to add up the area (length x width) of each surface within a drainage area to get the total square footage. Contact a home improvement expert to offer help and advice so you don't have water damage. Always make sure down spouts are directed far enough away from the foundation to prevent water damage

Bursting Pipes Have Businesses Feeling Pressure from Freezing Water

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Pottstown offers a FREE, customized Emergency Ready Plan to Local Businesses

(Pottstown, PA – February 2023) Anyone who has taken fourth grade science will tell you, heat causes matter to expand while cold makes it contract. Unfortunately, there is one very important exception to this rule that we are reminded of each winter.

At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water begins to freeze. When water freezes, it actually expands… nine percent in volume. As a result, an ice blockage may form, and pressure builds in the water pipes causing them to crack and break.

Most of these problems go undetected until temperatures rise, and blockages melt. Once the restored waterflow rushes against the still-frozen areas within the pipe it pries apart small fissures in the material until water escapes causing damage to property and belongings.

For many businesses, down time resulting from water damage could be the tipping point of having their doors closed forever. That’s why SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton is offering its expertise to local businesses to develop a free Emergency Ready Plan (ERP).

Emergency Ready Plan (ERP)

When disaster strikes, whether it is a flood, fire, or mold, a business having a plan in place will make all the difference in determining whether it survives. SERVPRO’s ERP will minimize interruption because employees will know what to do and what to expect should any-sized disaster strike.

“Having an ERP is important to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business,” said Ed Lachowicz, owner of SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton. “A SERVPRO expert will create a concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency to get businesses back on track fast.”

There are many benefits to having this no-cost assessment completed, including:

• Having a easy-to-implement guide will help get staff get back into their building following a disaster and minimize downtime.
• Identifying a chain of command for authorizing work to begin, saving time and money to being mitigation.
• Providing facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.
• It makes the processes of filing insurance claims easier with SERVPRO navigating the process and coordinating the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

If you would like a SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton expert conduct a free Emergency Ready Plan for your business, call 610-447-4637 to schedule an appointment. If you have an emergency and need immediate help, SERVPRO offers 24 hour service, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

About SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO franchise system is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services, and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 2,100 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

Identifying Causes of Water Damage Is Important

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Identifying Causes of Water Damage Is Important

Water damage is one of the most common home disasters to occur. It can be caused by a number of factors, but often times it is due to improper maintenance or installation of plumbing fixtures. Preventing water damage begins with identifying the causes and implementing strategies that will help you avoid it in the future.

Leaking Roof

One of the most common causes of water damage is a leaking roof.

This can be caused by loose or missing shingles, worn out caulk around chimneys and skylights, or broken flashing where roofs meet walls. Whatever the cause might be you should always try to identify it as soon as possible in order to prevent further damage from happening. This includes taking note of how much time has passed since there was last heavy rainfall so that you have an idea about what kind of repairs need to happen during drier weather when trees lose their leaves and your house is less likely to get damaged again due to foliage contact with your home's exterior. Once any leaks are repaired immediately look for other potential areas where water may seep through the roof and check them as well.

Faulty Plumbing Fixtures

Another common cause of water damage is faulty plumbing fixtures like sinks, tubs, or toilets that are not properly installed. These can lead to water leakage behind walls which may result in rotting wooden studs , mildew underneath flooring materials, warped sub-floors , peeling paint on interior surfaces etc. If you suspect any issues with your home's plumbing be sure to have it inspected by a licensed plumber so they can repair it before mold sets in.

Outdoor Water Damage - Poor Drainage Systems

Leaks from outdoor faucets often go unnoticed for extended periods because people don't normally spend much time outside during rainstorms. The best way to prevent damage from occurring is by installing a water sensor in your garden or lawn. This will activate an automated sprinkler system that can help you extinguish any potential fires before they get out of control.

Appliances That Use Water

Another major cause of water damage is leaking appliances that use water like dishwashers, washing machines, or refrigerators.

If you suspect any issues with your appliances be sure to have them inspected by a licensed plumber so they can fix the issue before mold sets in. If you are not able to afford repairs on these things right away look for cheap alternatives online without sacrificing quality and effectiveness. For example, some people even find success using dryer sheets instead of laundry detergent when doing their clothes!

Rain and Floods

Another cause of water damage is rain and flooding. If your home happens to get flooded you should not try to clean it yourself. Instead, contact professional flood remediation services in order to prevent mold growth inside the house which can be extremely hazardous for both humans and pets alike. If there are no signs of mold than simply airing out any rooms that have been affected by flooding will suffice until repairs begin. It's important that you do not use space heaters or other electrical sources when doing this because they could create a fire hazard.

When it comes down to preventing water damage in your home, identifying the causes of water damage is half the battle. The other half involves taking steps towards resolving those problems as soon as possible so they do not become an even bigger issue than they already are.

Impact of Water Damage On The Property Value

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Impact of Water Damage On The Property Value

Have you ever confused the term "water damage" with life-threatening water associated natural catastrophes like flooding or hurricanes etc.? Well, this is very likely to happen, but the term water damage is not used in this context rather it is a term that describes multiple damages caused by water leakage on your property thus making it decrepit in many ways.

It is a very slow and profound kind of deterioration as water travels along parallel surfaces thus eliciting its effect bit by bit. The destruction takes place in places that you've never noticed before, usually occurring deep within the walls, floors and ceilings. Destruction due to water mainly happens due to faulty plumbing possibly due to corroded and dripping pipes and toilets in addition to this, it is visible and prominent in places like bathrooms, kitchen and even refrigerators thus opening doors for multiple issues like fractured and swollen walls, growth of moulds, nasty smell, bumping and inflated paint etc.

Water damage has for sure negative impacts on the resale of the property and realtors or even property owners often face difficulties in making a sale deal for an already run-down property. One might think that what relation does water have with the property's value? This query is reasoned by stating fact that sellers generally highlight the pros and cons of the property when it is being sold having no clue about the destabilized foundations of the property chiefly done by the excessive water leakage until the new owner conducts the inspection and finds out about the declining state of the building.

Following are some ways through which water damage succeeds in lowering your house value:

Deflation in the price:

Water damage lowers your property's capital value as the price estimated for the restoration of the house is more as compared to its actual value thus whether you purchase a dilapidated property which is completely void from inside or you buy it and then spend large amounts of money on its restoration, Whichever the way is, you surely will be losing quite an amount of money.

Nil Electrical System:

Apart from making the property tattered, water damage disrupts the electrical layout of the building and a damaged electrical system is not only a threat to an individual's life but it further lowers the market value of the site.

Higher Chances of Re-occurrence:

A place that has been under the spell of water damage, might fall in the same pit again. This also makes buyers cautious once they are familiar with the problematic situation and ultimately your expectations of asking price are usually not met.

Water damage is more destructive than one can imagine and is brought into notice when the situation has aggravated tremendously. The control of water damage is a very expensive process as numerous problems need to be fixed for instance mould remediation, repairing of foundational and structural damages hence a lot of money is required for restoring a water damaged tumbled down mess to uplift its value.  

Tips To Prevent Basement Flooding

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Tips To Prevent Basement Flooding

Flooding damage is expensive to repair. To save yourself from this cost you must take preventative measures so you don’t end up putting a dent in your pocket.

The main causes of flooding are overflowing gutters, cracks in the foundation, leaky windows, and water seeping into the walls. To make sure that all of this doesn't happen to your home, here are a few measures you can take.

Clean Your Gutters

An inefficient drainage system is the biggest cause of flooding. This is why you must clean your gutters and drainage system and get rid of any debris that may cause a blockage.

This will ensure the water to flow freely and drain efficiently without causing any damage to your home.

Maintain Proper Landscaping

You may be wondering what landscaping has got to do with basement flooding. However, if your hard grades towards your house then you are at a higher risk of basement flooding.

Your home grade needs to be directed away from the house. This is why your lawn should be properly sloped. To fix this problem you can opt for many landscaping solutions that can direct the water away if need be.

Inspect And Repair Any Cracks In Foundation

A small crack in the foundation or a window can cause the entire basement to flood. This is why you must have a routine foundation inspection so that such cracks can be filled and taken care of.

You can inspect it yourself and fill the crack with epoxy. However, if there is still leaking from somewhere then you should call a professional as soon as possible.

Get Window Well Covers Installed

If your basement has windows and they are protected by a well cover then they should be. This is a great way of letting some light into your basement while protecting it from water.

You can get a clear acrylic window well cover to get the most out of them. They will keep any water and pests out from your basement ensuring cleanliness.

Maintain Your Sump Pump 

Failure of sump pump maintenance is also one of the major causes of flooding. This is because a sump pump defends your home against many things such as flooding, mold, other water damage, etc.

However, for it to fulfill all these functions you need to maintain it too. Before any harsh weather conditions or storms, you should always get your sump pump checked.

If there are any problems then they should be quickly fixed so that your home can be prevented from flooding damage.

Final Words

Your home is your investment and your safe place. This is why maintaining it should be your topmost priority. However, if for any reason there is basement flooding or other water damage then you should immediately call a professional.

We offer all kinds of cleaning services and our expertise in this industry is unparalleled. For more information on what we offer, feel free to get in touch with us now! 

How to Pick a Water Damage Restoration Company

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

How to Pick a Water Damage Restoration Company

Are you looking for a water damage restoration company? If so, then this blog post is for you! There are many factors to consider when hiring a water damage restoration company. Understanding these questions before making your decision will ensure that the right choice is made and all of your needs are met. Check out our helpful tips below to find out more about what questions to ask and how to make an informed decision on which company to hire.

See If the Company is certified

Get a quote from the company that you have chosen. Check their license number to ensure they have insurance coverage in case something goes wrong during restoration services. If you can’t get an estimate on site then ask for one over the phone or email before hiring them so that there will be no surprise fees at the end of it all! Be sure to do some research into every company by looking up their reviews (be wary of Yelp). Read consumer reports online where other people who were satisfied with these companies leave feedback about their experiences. The more information out there means better chances of finding someone reliable!  

Check the online reviews

See what other people are saying about the company. If you’re not sure who to hire, check out the reviews and ratings of each company. This can help guide your decision when trying to find a water damage restoration company in your area! The more positive feedback that is found online about the business means it will be much easier for you to choose them. You should always try and set up an appointment with these companies so they can give you better estimates on how long it will take to get this task done as well as their rates. If possible try and do some research into what other people have said beforehand too because then there won't be any surprises at the end of this process!

Check Out Their Reputation

It is important that we know where our money goes after hiring someone. We can look up the company's license number to see if they are insured. If you aren't able to get an estimate on site, ask for one over email or phone before hiring them so that there will be no surprise fees at the end of it all! Do some research into every company by looking up their reviews (be wary of Yelp). You should also check out consumer reports online where other people who were satisfied with these companies leave feedback about their experiences. The more information out there means better chances of finding someone reliable!

Check if they have insurance coverage in case something goes wrong during restoration services

See if the company is insured so in case there is any problem during the restoration process the insurance can take care of it. This is why it is very important to always hire an insured damage restoration company.

Leaky water heaters

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

Water heaters provide us with hot water to wash clothes, take long showers or to fill up the bathtub for a soak after a hard day. We all enjoy these conveniences, but everything comes with a caveat. What happens when the water heater leaks? A water heater was sitting on a sleeper floor and it had a very slow leak. The homeowners weren't alerted to anything because they didn't notice a drop in water pressure or anything that would tip them off. If this had been placed in a more prominent part of the home or if there was a significant change in water pressure or temperature, this situation could have been rectified. We recommend that you check your furnace, water heaters and other appliances at least once a month to spot problems before they start. Please reach out to our office 24/7 if you have any issue!  610-327-9644

Downspouts and drainage

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

Proper drainage and downspouts go hand in hand in preventing all types of water damage issues for you home or business.  If downspouts aren't long enough to carry the water away from the foundation it can leak through the ground and cause cracks.  It can also create general rot of any plants or shrubbery near your structure. But how do you know how long your downspouts need to be?  The general rule of thumb is at least 6 feet and you can achieve this by using downspout extensions.  You can use aluminum or plastic depending on your preference. Should you find yourself in our local service area from Pottstown to Souderton and everywhere in between, please feel free to reach out to us any time for an assessment of any damage. 610-327-9644

Different Categories and classes of water damage.

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Taking a look at a ceiling leak.

One of the most common property damages that may occur is caused by water. It’s one of the most popular reasons for home insurance claims. I’ll go over the different categories and classes, so you have a better understanding of different kind of damages.

 What are the categories of water?

The IICRC classifies water into three categories, and they pertain to the ranges of the contamination, after finding the water source and its quality after it goes through your property.

 Category 1 – Sanitary Clean Water

Sanitary water refers to the water that does not pose substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. Essentially the purest kind of water, it’s also describing water with a small amount of contamination in it.  

 Category 2 – Significant Contaminated Grey Water

This type of water falls in the middle of the contamination levels in the IICRC standards. Contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contracted or consumed by humans.

Wastewater and diluted sewage would be considered a category 2.

 Category 3 – Grossly Contaminated Black Water

The IICRC defines it as water that contains persistent or non-volatile contaminants. Black water is the most contaminated water of the three.

Contamination can occur from many sources, including but not limited to:

• Bacteria
• Organic contaminants
• Microbial growth
• Industrial processes
• Fecal matter
• Insect Larva
• Heavy metals

 What are the classes of water?

This refers to how wet an area, room, or structure have become.

 Class 1

 The least amount of water absorption. Water intrusion of less than 5 % of the area.

 Class 2

Significant amount of water absorption. Water intrusion of between 5% and 40% of the area.

 Class 3

Greatest about of water absorption. Water intrusion of more than 40% of the area.

 Class 4

Deeply held or bound water. Water intrusion involves a significate amount of water absorption. Drying may require special methods, and longer drying times.

The type of water category may change over time and can cause damage to your home or property, and the level of contamination in the water can also affect your property and your health.

If you suspect there is a leak of any category or class, reach out to us as at 610-327-9644 soon as possible for an inspection. 

Sump pump failures; there's more to it!

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

This past weekend, the area of SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton received a substantial amount of rainfall. Our phones were ringing as early as Saturday morning with customers who required our assistance since their sump pumps failed the night before. We were able to get onsite to asses the damage and then make decisions and best course of action. If the rain had stopped, we could have pumped out the water then left equipment to begin the dry out. However, since it was still raining and continued to do so until Late Sunday evening, that presents a challenge. You can't run the risk of the equipment getting wet as that could cause a short in the electrical systems which could have led to a fire.  All in all, our customers understood the dangers and agreed to let us come back yesterday and today to place equipment and properly dry out the affected areas.

Hose bibs

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Slip N Slides provide lots of entertainment for both young and old. They are designed to offer hours of fun in the sun and a way for everyone to cool off on hot summer days. They're easy to install; just hook it up to your hose and let enough water wet the plastic and away you go. But what happens when your hose bib is leaking inside your home? Most people don't think much about this but it can cause a multitude of problems.  If you have a leak and aren't aware of it, you could be setting yourself up for a serious mold problem and water damage to your home. Inspect your hose bib before use to avoid this and any other problems.  If you do have any type of loss, be sure to reach out to your local SERVPRO franchise to mitigate the problem promptly! 

But I have Insurance!

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

My damaged property should be covered by my property insurance carrier. Not so fast! What’s the difference between water damage vs. flood damage? Unfortunately, many people believe that water damage and flood damage are automatically covered through their property insurance. As a property owner, it is very important to understand the difference between water damage and flood damage and how each scenario may be or may be not covered by your insurance carrier. WATER DAMAGE is usually caused by water originating from plumbing, such as a pipe backup, clogged toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, frozen pipe, leaking roof, sump pump malfunction and/or any other internal plumbing issue. A FLOOD DAMAGE is usually caused by water originating from a natural occurrence such as a hurricane or heavy rain event. It is so common for property owners to believe homeowner’s insurance will cover for flood damage. Remember, homeowner’s insurance does not cover for flood damage. Most likely your policy will usually cover for water damage only, it will not pay for damages related to a flood event. Again, it is imperative to remember that flood damage and water damage are two distinct insurance coverage policies and possibly two different insurance companies. It is always best to discuss your coverage and coverage needs with an insurance professional and understand what is and what is not covered by your insurance carrier in case of property damage.

Is your HVAC up to par?

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

HVAC units need to be cleaned and properly maintained in order to provide optimum performance. If you haven't had your system serviced in a while, you should do so as soon as possible.  Something as small as a condenser can cause a lot of damage whether you realize it or not. If it is leaking, it can release water into areas of your home that if gone unnoticed, will cause mold. Mold will continue to grow as long as it has a moisture source.  If you suffer with allergies, you are generally more prone to be affected by mold spores. Have your unit's serviced 2x per year; spring and fall. This will help to detect any leaks or issues and will prevent a larger problem later on. 

Wow, did we get a lot of rain!

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Now you have a flooded basement. SERVPRO of Pottstown / Souderton will begin the water extraction process immediately upon arriving at your property. Depending on the amount of water will dictate what extraction process is utilized. Removing the water ASAP will reduce overall drying time and helps prevent secondary water damage, mold and bacterial growth. Our overall inspection of the affected areas will also concentrate on the flooring to determine if the floor material will be salvaged or removed to protect the underlying subfloor. Once the water extraction process is completed, the affected areas such as walls, floors, etc., may appear dry but will definitely require further additional attention. Many building materials are porous and thus absorb water. Any absorbed and retained water can cause porous materials to deteriorate, warp, and/or grow mold. SERVPRO will then implement a wide range of equipment to specifically dry out the wet affected materials. Equipment such as air movers (fans), dehumidifiers, heaters, etc., to accelerate the overall evaporation process and eventually return the property back to its preloss condition.

Ole Black Water

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Every water damage restoration firm knows that sewage water is classified as “Category 3” (also known as “Black Water”) because it is grossly contaminated with fungi, bacteria, mold and other various nasty pollutants. As compared to lesser contaminated water sources that are classified as category 1 and category 2 types of water contamination.

Sewage water back up contamination to a home or business property is the most serious form of water damage mitigated by your local SERVPRO restoration experts. There can be serious health risks from being exposed to and or coming in contact with viruses, bacteria and other contaminants that are associated with category 3 and black water contamination. Quickly and professionally dealing with a category 3 / black water contamination is the best and safest course of action. SERVPRO technicians have specialized and certified training to quickly and properly clean contaminants like sewage water and other category 3 damages. When the mitigation / clean up process is complete, your property will be dry and free of contamination and ready to be restored to its original condition.

Here comes the rain again

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

As it says in the heading here comes the rain again. And it is a whopper of a forecast we have in the Philadelphia area. In fact the long range outlook is that it looks like a rainy season ahead of us. In the Pottstown area just today there was a suspected tornado that moved through. All of these things add up to damage in the home or business. This means a spike in business for SERVPRO, weather it is due to water or storm or both our SERVPRO team is ready to fight the issues that come up with water loss or storm damage. You can bet that our trained technicians can handle it. Because here at SERVPRO we live by the model "Like it never even happened."

Do you have flood insurance

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

Old man winter brings beauty in the form of fresh fallen snow. glistening icicles and a general calmness. But when that is all over it is time to dig out the shovels and plows clear roadways and then the dreaded salt on our cars. But what about the affects it has on our homes and businesses? Freezing temps can cause pipes to burst of freeze which then renders a water loss. If you don't have flood insurance your claim may not be covered by insurance. Double check your limits and coverage so you don't get left out in the cold. Should you find yourself in need of our services remember we are your neighbors 24 hours a day SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton here for you.

Flooding possible

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

According to FEMA, flash floods can bring walls of water from 10 to 20 feet high. Flooding can be caused by spring thawing snow and frozen grounds melting in the spring, heavy rain, snow melt runoff, and mudflows. Floods are the most widespread natural disaster aside from wildfires. In preparation for a flood, it is important to stock up on first aid items, non perishable floods, three gallons of water per person. A 2000 square foot home undergoing 12 feet of water damage could cost more than $50,000 to repair. Call your local SERVPRO they can help you asses your damage. Did you know that SERVPRO handles cases like the one presented. Our operations manager will handle the claim in its entirety from start to finish.

Could you get the water

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Pottstown we are available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, it does not matter 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 understand when you call us you may be feeling confused, stressed and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time.

We specialize in water damage restoration in fact it is the cornerstone of our business. In fact at SERVPRO we can handle any job you got you are never to big or to small for SERVPRO. Look for additional reading in part two.

Could you get the water pt 2

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

What to expect, when you call us 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 you several questions. Your name and contact information, your insurance information, the street address of the water damaged home or business, when did the flooding of water damage happen and what caused the water damage, is there electricity available on site. Because SERVPRO specializes in cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial properties after a water loss. You as our customer will have the assurance that your situation will be handled with the upmost care and the fact that we will treat your property as if it were ours. 

What type do you have

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

There are two different types of water loss, clean and contaminated. Clean water is from a broken pipe or other water source, rain water is also considered clean. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminates to begin growing, making the water hazardous. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by a trained professional. Call your local SERVPRO for quick service and we will be able to assist in the best course of action to get your home or business back to normal  

Gutters

11/29/2019 (Permalink)

First, you'll need to calculate the square footage of the gutter's drainage area. For a gable-end roof, you only need to make 2 calculations, one for each slope. Intersecting roofs have multiple facets. For those you'll need to add up the area (length x width) of each surface within a drainage area to get the total square footage. Contact a home improvement expert to offer help and advice! 

Who knew?

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

Have you even been standing at your kitchen sink doing dishes and all of a sudden you feel your feet getting wet?  You open the cabinet doors and see that the piping has completely come apart. How can this be? It's odd, but the main cause of this is hot water. If you make a lot of pasta or boil potatoes or things like that and you then dump the boiling hot water down the drain, you are causing the expansion, and eventual warping, of the plastic.  One of the easiest ways to avoid this is to run cold water while you are dumping the hot water. This will act as a counterbalance and should avoid the fittings from coming loose in the future, avoiding leaks! 

Is it safe?

3/7/2019 (Permalink)

How can you tell the difference between clean water and dirty water? Clean water is from a broken pipe or other water source; rainwater is considered clean. Gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminates to begin growing, making the water hazardous.  Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more. Black water is usually caused by sewage damage, flooding, or a natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by trained professionals. Call your local SERVPRO Franchise professionals at 610-327-9644 and we will be able to assist you in the best course of action to get your home or business back to normal. You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SERVPROofpottstown/souderton

Flood insurance

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

Floods are the most widespread natural disaster aside from wildfires.   A 2000 square foot home undergoing 12 feet of water damage could cost more than $50,000 to repair. According to FEMA, flash floods can bring walls of water from 10 to 20 feet high. Flooding can be caused by spring thawing (snow and frozen grounds melting in the spring), heavy rains, snow melt runoff, and mudflows. In preparation for a flood, it is important to stock up on first aid items, non-perishable foods, three gallons of water per person for three days, battery operated radio for weather reports, extra batteries and personal hygiene necessities.Call you local SERVPRO Franchise professionals at 610-327-9644 to come and asses your damage or contact us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SERVPROofpottstown/souderton.

Winter "To Do" list

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

There are so many issues that can arise around your home or business due the weather. In areas of the county that get a pretty decent amount of cold air, there is more snowfall and ice accumulation that needs to be addressed. You should always check your home or business for anything that could impede the flow of water away from your rooftops or anywhere that it could cause a hazard.  Be sure that your gutters are cleaned out so you don't get water which can cause an ice dam.  Be sure that any fallen tree limbs or branches are picked up and not laying in walkways, driveways, or parking lots. Check your stone and brick walkways and make sure there aren't any cracks. If you do run into an issue, please call your local SERVPRO office at 610-327-9644.

Protecting your home for the Winter

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

Winter is here, believe it or not. Here are a few steps that you can do to prevent a water damage to your home over the coming months.  Drain the water from all of your faucets and hoses. By doing so, you prevent the water from freezing in the lines and possibly causing a pipe burst. Make sure that your lines are well insulated. Be certain to keep your thermostat at at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Regardless of whether you have a finished or unfinished basement, check your sump pump. If it fails, you can end up with a lot of moisture and even mold. Clean your gutters.  Be sure they are clear of debris and anything that could cause them to not allow water to drain away from your home.  If you need our services, please call us 24/7 at 610-327-9644. SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton cares! 

Slow leak on water heater

5/4/2018 (Permalink)

Water heaters are the greatest things since sliced bread. Well, not really, but they do provide us with hot water to wash clothes, take long showers or to fill up the bathtub for a glorious soak after a hard day. We all enjoy these conveniences, but everything comes with a caveat. What happens when the water heater leaks? The water heater was sitting on a sleeper floor and it had a very slow leak. The homeowners weren't alerted to anything because they didn't notice a drop in water pressure or anything that would tip them off. You can see just how bad it rotted the floor. If this had been placed in a more prominent part of the home or if there was a significant change in water pressure or temperature, this situation could have been rectified before it got to this point. We recommend that you check your furnace, water heaters and other appliances at least once a month to spot problems before they start. 

Dam ice!

2/9/2018 (Permalink)

Ice dams can be a little known but serious problem for your home or business during the winter season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice.  When the trapped water cannot safely flow into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof's shingles and into the structure's interior areas, as well as causing gutters and shingles to move or fall. To avoid this, make sure your gutters are cleaned out completely after all the leaves and debris have fallen of the trees in late fall.  Always check for water stains or moisture in your attic or the ceiling of exterior walls of you home. Removing an ice dam as soon as it is found is vital to help prevent damage. Call your local SERVPRO Franchise at 610-327-9644 to asses any damage. or reach out to us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/SERVPROofpottstown/souderton

The Big Thaw !

1/8/2018 (Permalink)

Congratulations for surviving the big freeze of 2018!

   You and your property are not out of danger yet! The potential of major water damage to your property still looms. As the temperatures start to rise above 32 degrees for the first time in 2018, the potential dire consequences of a frozen pipe still may haunt you in the days to come. 

   Those pipes that were frozen but not apparently leaking just may thaw out with a vengeance to cause major water damage to your property. Pipes that froze this past week and ruptured the integrity of the copper or plastic but did not immediately leak are the hidden culprits that are awaiting to destroy your property. These frozen pipes were plugged with ice that initially prevented the pipe from leaking. However, as the temperatures rise and this hidden ice plug melts away, a big surprise may appear in the form of major water damage. So, if you noticed in the past week that some pipes in your house or business were frozen or some plumbing fixtures such as a toilet or faucet ceased to operate, this is may be a clear indication of an apparent ice plug that formed inside your pipe(s). Consequently, you may be in for a big surprise when following a few days of warmer temperatures, you property is now affected by damaging water leaks.

   So, for the next few days, be on a periodic inspection tour of your property. Look for any evidence of water damage and take the appropriate actions to stop the flow of water and further damage to your property. And in the unfortunate case that you do need professional assistance in properly drying out your property, we here at SERVPRO of Pottstown/Souderton (610-327-9644) will immediately assist you in your time of need.

Frozen Pipes

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU !

Help prevent extensive water damage from frozen pipes. When the temperature drops below 32 degrees, water pipes will freeze and burst. Byb following these important tips, these actions may decrease the possibility of major water damage from a broken pipe.

1) Maintain heat temperature at least 65 degrees.

2) Open cabinet and closet doors that have plumbing located within and especially if located along an exterior house/building wall. 

3) Keep pipe water moving by allowing water to slowly drip. Moving water freezes at a lower temperature.

4) Close inside water valves supplying water to outside hose bids/faucets.

5) Periodically, walk throughout your house/building and inspect for leaking water. This inspection is also important when the temperature rises above freezing. Some burst/frozen pipes do not leak until the ice thaws with rising temperatures.

Got Paid Too Much in East Greenville !!!

7/25/2016 (Permalink)

I was rather surprised the other day when you contacted me by phone, indicating that my daughter had "overpaid" for the services you provided at her condominium after a water leak........ I indicated that I was surprised because she (my daughter) was unaware of the overpayment and your phone call to me as the coordinator of the project, indicated your integrity and honesty with regards to how you conduct your business practices. It has been my experience in more recent years to find that I am consistantly disappointed with the service for which I'm paying. Thus, the refreshment of your phone call which was surprising to me in that you could have kept the 1800+ dollars and we would have not known there was in fact an overpayment due to the complexity of several insurance payments from multiple insurance companies, etc.. It gave me pause to consider that all is not lost in the world of business. As a retired business professional, I understand integrity, hoesty and the need for customers to believe in a business provider and feel that their money has been spent in a worthwhile manner.