Water Heater Inspections are Important

2/11/2023 (Permalink)

Inspecting your water heater frequently to help avoid unexpected issues.

Water heaters are essential for everyday life. They give us access to hot water for cleaning, bathing and drinking. If you experience an issue with your water heater, you may feel inconvenienced and lost. We rely on the water heater for so much, so how can you best make sure your water heater stays in good condition? Quality maintenance can be accomplished with a simple inspection. How often should your water heater be inspected?

Water Heaters are Essential

Water heaters are essential for everyday life. They provide safe, comfortable water for drinking, cooking and bathing. If you have a family to feed or a household full of people who regularly use hot water for washing dishes, finding out when your water heater should be inspected is crucial to keeping it in good working order.

There are numerous reasons why having your water heater inspected regularly is important:

• Water heaters can break down at any time due to age or wear and tear on the machinery inside them
• A damaged unit could lead to major damage if left unfixed. For example, if there's a leaky pipe or valve somewhere inside it could cause rust buildup over time which could make it malfunction when turned back on again.

Call the Professionals

You may not know what to do or who to call if you experience an issue with your water heater. Within minutes, a small problem can turn into a huge one. The water heater may start leaking and flood your home, causing more problems.

A plumber can help identify whether there is indeed an issue with the water heater. Its important to call a professional because they know what they're doing, and have equipment needed when working on something like this.

Water Heater Maintenance

We rely on the water heater for so much, from washing dishes to bathing your kids. How can you best make sure that valuable piece of equipment stays in good condition and does what it needs to do?

When it comes to having your water heater maintained, the first thing to know is that there are several different types of maintenance that may be required. For example, some homes have electric water heaters with heating elements inside them, when those elements begin to wear out or break down over time, they need replacing by a professional Some homes have tankless gas-fired models whose gas valves are prone to sticking open if left unchecked for too long—again requiring a visit from an HVAC professional who knows how these things work.

A new hot water tank can cost thousands of dollars depending on its size and features—but if you schedule regular inspections every six months or so instead of waiting until something goes wrong with your current unit (which happens more often than not), then there's no reason why those costs need ever become relevant again.

Having your water heater inspected regularly can help you avoid any unexpected issues in the future. If you have any more questions or concerns, contact the professionals.

What to do if Your Basement Floods

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

Structural water damage from a flooded basement.

If you're reading this article, you've probably just discovered that your home's basement has flooded. The good news is that SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North has been helping people with their water damage emergencies for years. We can help you salvage your belongings and clean up the mess.

Your basement has flooded, now what?

If your basement has flooded, it's important to assess the damage and make sure that you're safe. You may be able to salvage some of your belongings by removing them from the water, but if mold is growing on any furniture or other items, it's best to dispose of them immediately.

If possible, try to keep an eye on how much water is coming into your home and consider shutting off the water. If it looks like there will be little or no way for things to get back under control soon, call in professional help right away! SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North is here to help moments like these. Before we arrive, there are a few things you can do.

Find the Source and Stop the Water Flow

If you can find the source of water, turn off the water at that point. For example, if your sump pump is not working correctly and there's a slow leak in your foundation or downspout, you'll want to turn off the power to it. If you have any questions about how to do this, call an electrician.

If turning off the water doesn't work, then call professionals who are trained in water damage restoration. SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North will be able to pump out some of the water for you and get started on cleanup.

Shut off the Electricity and Avoid the Area

You’ve got to get out of the basement, and you need to do it quickly. You don’t want to be in the way if your basement floods again. Turn off the electricity to ensure the water doesn’t become electrified, which makes it much more dangerous.

Rushing water can knock loose electrical wires or rise up to the level of electrical outlets, which causes a very dangerous issue and can even start a fire.

Remove Damaged Materials

If you have any small items that are wet and moldy, it's a good idea to remove them from your home immediately. You don't want to risk spreading mold spores into your living space if you can avoid it. Even if the item is not visibly damaged by water, there may be mold growing inside that can't be seen from the outside. If you have hardwood floors in your basement (which are especially susceptible to damage from flooding), this is even more important because it might be difficult and expensive to repair the floor later on down the road if too much damage occurs while they're still wet and soft.

Call the Professionals at SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North to Clean up the mess for you

You don't have to deal with the mess and extensive cleanup process yourself. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North, and we'll make sure your home is restored to its pre-flood condition in no time. Our technicians are trained in the use of advanced water extraction equipment. It's this kind of experience that makes us the best choice for a flood cleanup in your area. We will treat your home with respect and get it back to its predamaged condition as fast as possible.

If you have experienced a basement flood and need help cleaning up, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North. When they arrive they will assess your situation and provide you with an estimate on how much it will cost to complete the job.

How to Protect Your Home from Severe Weather

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO working to dehumidify a water damaged building.

Severe weather poses a real threat to homeowners. Your home becomes vulnerable to flooding, wind damage, downed branches, and even fire during storms. With spring on its way and tornado season sweeping down the plains, it’s best to prepare your home for severe weather before it hits. Here are some tips to protect your home incase of inclement weather, and what to do if you are hit with storm damage. 

Tidying up

As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. Before the storm clouds roll in, there are a few things you to do to prepare your home:

• Take a good look at your roof and replace any damaged or missing shingles. This helps keep water out of your home and prevent leaks and drips.
• Give the water a place to flow. Clear out your gutters and any run off areas, ensuring the water flows away from your home.
• Look up and assess the trees around your home. Are any branches hanging over the house? Any dead branches that could swing down and crush your home or car? Trim those dangerous branches away or hire an arborist to take care of the problem for you.
• Make sure your windows and doors have a good water tight seal. If they need a little help, add some caulk to keep the water out.

Investing in Protection

There are a few things to invest in preemptively to keep your home extra safe from storm damage and keep your family comfortable incase you lose power. Consider investing in a generator to keep your home functioning even during mass power outages. 

To keep your home even safer, you should also invest in storm shutters or steel doors. These add an extra layer of protection from water and anything that the wind might pick up and throw in your direction.

Be Prepared

No matter how well protected your home is, it’s best to be prepared for the worst case scenario. An emergency kit is a necessity for any home, especially during storm season. Keep a bag or bin in your home that has essential items in case of an emergency. Include a first aid kit, three days of non-perishable food, water bottles or jugs, a battery operated radio, batteries, flashlights, a change of clothes, your pet’s food, and anything else you deem necessary.

When Storm Damage Strikes

Even if your home is as protected as possible, life offers no guarantees. Storms are very unpredictable and storm damage happens to anyone. If you find yourself with a tree in your living room, a flooded basement, or anything in between, call SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North! We are on your property as soon as possible to get your home back to its pre-damaged condition quickly. We handle storm damage big and small, from a small leak to a downed tree, we handle it all!

Consider saving our number in your phone so when disaster strikes, we have our crews at your home as fast as possible to preserve and protect your property. We assess your property and determine what needs to be done to restore it safely. Our team also treats your home as if it were our own and cleans and sanitizes any damaged personal belongings as well. Restoring structural damage to flooring, sheetrock, or any damaged part of your home is our specialty. Once your home is completely restored, we return all of your reconditioned items and wish you a good and safe day in your restored property!

Most common causes of house fires in the US

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage

House fires are devastating and can take a toll on your life. Most of the time, the cause of these fires is preventable. There are many things that you can do to help keep your home safe from fire and avoid being one of the unlucky people whose house catches on fire. It's also important to know what signs to look for if you suspect your house is at risk of catching fire so that you can call SERVPRO Sunnyvale North immediately in order to minimize damage and repair as quickly as possible.

House Fires are Devastating and Should be Avoided

House fires are devastating, and they can be prevented. House fires cause damage to your home and belongings. They also cause injury or death in many cases. To avoid house fires, you should avoid these dangers:

Cooking

Cooking is the second most common cause of house fires in the US, accounting for 13% of all reported fires each year. Cooking equipment is responsible for over half of all fatal home heating fires in 2013 and 2014, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

• Keep pot handles turned inward so they can't catch on fire when you're cooking.

• Never leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop or in an oven--even if it's just for a minute!

• Keep baking soda on hand incase of a grease fire.

• Keep a fire extinguisher easily accesi

• ble in the kitchen.

Electrical

Electrical fires are the most common cause of house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These fires can be caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits and faulty appliances.

To prevent electrical fires:

• Keep electrical cords away from water or other liquids.

• If you have a power strip or surge protector with exposed wires, replace it immediately!

• Don't use extension cords outside unless they're rated for outdoor use and have an appropriate grounding conductor attached at both ends

• Never run them under rugs or carpets where they may come in contact with heat sources like baseboards or radiators.

• Always unplug small appliances when not in use.

• Don't overload outlets by plugging too many things into one outlet at once.

• Don't leave lights on overnight if you're going away for awhile because this increases risk for fire damage due to overloading circuits.

• Never use an extension cord if it is damaged. If you find that your extension cords are frayed or have exposed wires, immediately discard them and purchase new ones. You should also inspect all cords periodically to ensure they are in good condition before use.

Additionally, you should make sure you aren't using extension cords improperly by daisy-chaining or plugging too many appliances into one cord at once, as these practices could lead to overheating or sparks.

The third most common cause of house fires is heating equipment.

Most heating equipment is safe, but it's important to use caution when using it. Space heaters, fireplaces and electric blankets can all cause fires if not used properly. You should never leave your home while these appliances are on -- even if you think they're turned off or unplugged.

To prevent house fires caused by heating equipment:

• Never use an extension cord with a space heater because it could overheat and start a fire (this goes for any other electrical device). Instead, get an outlet with enough outlets for whatever you need to plug in at once; there are some with built-in surge protectors as well!

• Make sure that nothing flammable touches the area where your fireplace is located -- including plants or curtains -- because any sparks could ignite them easily! If possible, opt for gas vs wood based models for extra safety measures against accidental combustion..

More than half of all fatal home heating fires in 2013 involved space heaters.

Space heaters are the most common cause of fatal home heating fires. If you use a space heater, make sure it is used in well-ventilated areas and doesn't generate excess heat or fumes. Space heaters should never be placed near flammable materials such as curtains and bedding. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip; this can cause the device to overheat and start a fire.

Smoking

Smoking is a leading cause of fire deaths in the home. Don't smoke in bed, and never leave lit cigarettes or cigars unattended. If you do smoke, take it outside!

If a fire occurs call SERVPRO Sunnyvale North for fire and water damage remediation

If a fire occurs, call SERVPRO Sunnyvale North for fire and water damage remediation. SERVPRO of Sunnyvale North is a 24-hour emergency service that can respond quickly to your needs. We have the equipment and expertise to handle any type of fire or water damage.

If you have questions about how to prevent fires in your home, contact SERVPRO Sunnyvale North for fire and water damage remediation. We are available 24/7 and can help with any type of restoration project!

What Is the Water Damage Restoration Process?

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO working to dehumidify a water damaged building.

Water damage is a serious problem for any business. When water enters your building and causes damage to the contents and structure, you may need professional help to restore it. The water damage restoration process can be complicated and time-consuming, but it's also an important step toward making sure that your business is operating as normally as possible. In this article, we'll explain the steps involved in repairing water damage and why it's so important that you hire a specialist if you find yourself in this situation.

What Is the Water Damage Restoration Process?

The water damage restoration process is a long and complex one that involves several steps. Each situation is different, but in most cases the process can be broken down into these stages:

Pre-Inspection and Assessment

Water damage restoration professionals will perform a pre-inspection of your property. The purpose of this inspection is to determine the extent of damage, assess what repairs are needed and see if there are any immediate hazards that need attention before they can begin working on the water restoration process.

• They will check for structural damage, such as cracks in walls or floors. This can be caused by excessive moisture in the air, which causes freezing and thawing throughout your home every day during winter months.
• They will also check for electrical issues related to power surges from water appliances (such as washing machines) that have short circuits when exposed to moisture in an electric space after a flood has occurred inside your home. This could cause further destruction if not addressed immediately!

Water Removal/Water Extraction

• Water Removal/Water Extraction: The first step in the process of water damage restoration is to extract any excess moisture from your home or office. This is accomplished by using powerful vacuums and dehumidifiers, which suck the water out of your walls, floors and other structural components.
• Structural Drying: Next, we'll begin drying out your home or business. We'll use high-powered air movers to remove moisture from cracks and crevices in a process called "dehumidification." Once this has been completed, we can begin repairing any damaged areas of your property that were affected by wet conditions such as mold growth or rotting wood.

Drying and Dehumidification

Dehumidification

The drying process is not complete until the water has been removed and the humidity in your home has decreased to a safe level. This means that you may have to move out of your home while it dries, especially if you live in an area where mold and mildew are prevalent. Once you can return to your home, you will want to make sure that your belongings are completely dry before putting them back into storage.

Mold Prevention

Molds thrive in wet environments with stagnant air; therefore, one of our most important steps during restoration is keeping moisture from returning to what was once a wet area of your home or business. This can be done through dehumidification techniques like extracting excess moisture from walls or floors using special equipment designed for this purpose (such as portable air movers), installing temporary ventilation systems such as fans or portable air conditioners until permanent changes can be made to ventilation systems inside homes or buildings after they’ve been repaired by water damage repair professionals

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Once a thorough inspection is completed and the water damage has been assessed, it’s time to begin cleaning and sanitizing. This is the most important step in the restoration process. The goal here is to remove all traces of the water damage and restore your property to its original state.

The first step in this process involves removing any debris from your carpeting or flooring using heavy-duty vacuums that can handle such rough work. You may also want to consider using a shop vacuum if you have one on hand (if not, ask us about renting one). Next comes dry removal of any drywall that has been affected by flooding or leaks—this means taking down walls and replacing them with new ones where necessary. Once everything is dry and ready for repair, we'll clean up all areas before applying a fresh coat of paint or wall paper depending on what needs done at each location onsite!

Restoration

Once the water has been removed, the next step is restoration. Restoration is the process of making your property as good as new. However, depending on the severity of your flood, it may be best to hire a professional company that has special equipment and skills to perform this work.

• Cleaning and disinfecting walls, doors, floors, ceilings and furniture
• Replacing drywall where needed
• Picking up debris from yards or driveways (if applicable)

Restoration can be a lengthy process that requires special equipment and skills. In many cases you may need to replace items like carpeting or insulation because they're wet and cannot be salvaged by drying them out alone.

When to Consult a Specialist for Water Damage Restoration

You should consider hiring a water damage restoration company if:

• The damage is severe and widespread.
• You are unsure about the source of the water damage.
• You have questions about the restoration process.
• You have questions about your insurance claim, which may involve filing a claim or filling out paperwork with various parties (such as your insurer or mortgage lender).

In addition to these factors, you should also be aware that it may cost more money to hire a specialist versus doing it yourself.

The water damage restoration process is a complex one and requires expertise. If you have any signs of water damage in your home, contact us immediately. We can help determine what’s been damaged, how much it will cost to fix and whether or not you need professional assistance.