How to Minimize Leaking Toilet Damage

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell at 641-672-0872, and our team of professionals will make the water damage ‘Like it Never Even Happened.’

Hello! It’s Jacob, Digital Marketing Support Coordinator here, and I wanted to talk about water damage. The culprit is leaking toilets, which can affect multiple units in apartment buildings. After sitting down and talking to our Office Assistant, Hannah, we found the supply line. 

The supply line is what brings new water into the tank, which makes the flush mechanism work. What causes the leak to occur is when “the joints in the supply line grow weak or become loose” (Rooter Plumbing). If you find yourself in a leak nightmare, follow these easy steps, and you can prevent more damage. 

1. TURN OFF THE WATER SUPPLY! This can be found behind the metal supply line with the valve near the wall's connection point. Turn the valve clockwise to turn off the water supply.
2. Remove the water in the tank; you do this by flushing. With the remaining water, use a material such as a towel to absorb it. 

Magic Carpet Techniques

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

We suggest trying the magic carpet drying technique to achieve the dryest form for your materials.

When carpet gets wet, the chance of microbial growth increases, especially if there are high humidity levels. When you decide to hire the team at SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell, you choose to go with a team that will go above and beyond for the client. They can use their crucial industry knowledge to tell what needs to be thrown out and restored to the preloss condition. 

Here at SERVPRO, we have magical techniques that are effective and fun when properly drying different materials. Once the moisture is removed, the fun begins because we use the “floating carpet technique” to dry the carpet thoroughly. This is achieved when air movers are set so that the air flows underneath the carpet. The carpet stays in place because they get clipped to the air mover to ensure the airflow stays underneath the carpet.

It would be best to focus on how aggressive the carpet moves as you add more air movers, the faster the carpet moves. When the motion is too aggressive, you run the chance of the tac strip separating from the backing. This technique can be achieved without our help, but to ensure it gets done correctly, please call SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell at 641-682-0782.

Handling Water Damage

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

The first step in making a water damage claim is calling your insurance agent.

When you see the initial water damage, you might feel this overwhelming dread caused by the list of things needing to be completed. SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell has comprised a list of steps you should take when getting a water claim completed. 

Step 1: Phone Your Insurance Agent

This is the first step in the right direction when relieving the stress of a disaster. You will tell the agent about the claim you want to have completed, and they will take the necessary steps.

Step 2: Finding the Source

When finding the source of the water leak, the easiest way is to pull out your Emergency Ready Profile if you had one completed. If not, you will need to walk around to try and find the source of the leak. Some examples of a possible source are:

1. Broken pipe
2. A pipe burst due to cold weather.
3. Overflowing toilet or sink
4. Crack in the foundation

Once you find the source, the next best step is to find the water shut-off knob, usually located under the kitchen sink.

Step 3: Call SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell

Once you speak with one of our 24/7 call representatives, they will direct a member of our staff to your home to complete a scope of work. The Project Manager will then create the best course of action to instruct the technicians on the best mitigation practices. This course of action is generated by our proprietary software that shoots information such as where to place air movers, providing optimal drying times. 

Step 4: Reconstruction

SERVPRO has recently added reconstruction services to our list, which means we can be the one-stop shop for the entire restoration process. This service is considered a different project. Once the mitigation team gives us the green light, we will have one of our Reconstruction Project Managers come out and do a scope of work. 

By completing these easy steps, we can ensure a smooth transition from disaster back to normalcy once more. If you want a smoother transition, call SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell at 641-682-0782 and ask to set up a time to complete an Emergency Ready Profile.

Classes of Water: Rate of Evaporation

12/31/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding can cause different materials to absorb moisture differently.

When one of our Project Managers arrives at a job affected by the water, they will put each job into four different classes. These classes describe the potential rate of evaporation based on the amount of wet surface areas and porosity of materials affected. Each type requires a certain amount of equipment based on the estimated humidity load. 

Class 1: Minimal Water Means Slow Rate Evaporation 

• This class has little water absorption (less than 5%) in wet porous materials.
• Low evaporation materials such as concrete, plaster, and masonry will only be lightly affected and have absorbed minimum moisture. 

Class 2: Evaporation Progress at Significant Rates

• This class affects porous materials, between 5-40% of the surface areas such as floors, walls, and ceilings.
• This is when porous materials have absorbed a relatively significant amount of moisture; however, low evaporation materials have absorbed minimum moisture. 

Class 3: More Water Means Fastest Rate Evaporation

• This class is when water is more present than any other class and evaporation is fastest. 
• This is when 40% of the area surfaces being wet porous materials with low evaporation materials have absorbed minimum moisture. 

Class 4: Longest Drying Time

• This is when the water has saturated deeply into the material, and the moisture is being held or tapped as bound water.
• Excess water is bound to the molecules, and the only way to be released is by evaporation. It takes longer for materials to evaporate in this class.
• Low evaporation materials include hardwood, plaster, brick, and saturated concrete. 

Knowing the permeability of material can help our team understand the duration of time it will take to have material thoroughly dried.

Removing Moisture from Materials

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

Different materials can hold and react to moisture differently.

The rate at which moisture moved through materials depends on two factors: the type of material and the degree of wetness. The kind of material will vary in permeability or the ability for water to pass through the material. The degree of wetness influences moisture movement, in combination with other material characteristics, by indicating the type of water being addressed. Water will be present in one, two, or three forms. 

Surface Water

Surface water can be found on the material's surface because it is liquid, visible, and evaporates. When clearing this type of water, it's best to remove it physically using mechanical extraction equipment. The remaining water will evaporate by using different airflow and moderate temperature and humidity.

Free Water

Free water is when its present within a material but hasn't bonded. You would find it in cavities, open pores, and other air spaces within the material. It is a liquid, generally visible when darkening the material, and can evaporate. It isn't as accessible at the surface when approaching free water, so you will have to use lower humidities and warmer temperatures. As the free water near the surface evaporates, the lower humidities and warmer temperatures are significant in maintaining the rate of evaporation.

Bound Water

Bounded water is when the water gets absorbed by the material and gets held by the chemical bonds. Due to this bond, you have to release it from the bond before the water can evaporate. We will have to evaporate the water first, so directing airflow onto the material won't be successful. The fabric will dry fastest when it is warmed, and the surrounding humidity has to be very low. This type of absorption takes longer than the other two types due to the chemical bond.

This knowledge is what separates SERVPRO from other companies. When we send our Project Managers to a water-damaged job site, they will be able to evaluate the site and will be able to come up with the best course of action.  

How to Prevent Water Damage from Melted Snow

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

Clearing the roof is very important in preventing the roof from collapsing.

Everyone says that one day the weather may be dramatically different from the next day. One day we might have a significant snowstorm, and the next, it could be utterly sunny with nothing but UV rays. Often people don’t associate snow with flooding issues as it’s not always a common issue. There is always a chance of snow-related flooding when ice freezes near the structure of the home. Freezing around the structure is dangerous when it causes some cracking of the frame. When the temperature changes at an accelerated rate, it can cause leakage through those cracked foundations. 

Water damage to the carpet

When that water seeps through the new foundation cracks, it allows the water to come into your home. Water coming into the house is problematic when the water absorbs into the carpet, creating perfect conditions for mold to grow. Especially if the homeowner keeps the heat on with no ventilation outwards, the warm temperature will be ideal for mold to thrive. Here are some ways to prevent water from getting inside your home.

Tip 1: Be strategic with shoveling 

If your home is on a hill, you should shovel the snow so that it flows away from your home. Directing the path helps control the direction that the melted snow will flow when the temperature rises outside. 

Tip 2: Clear excessive amount off of the roof

When clearing snow off the roof, you risk it collapsing from the weight off of the table. When you are on the top of your home putting up those colorful lights feel free to clean the gutters. Clearing the drains is essential because you are not allowing ice dams to form. 

Tip 3: Check sump pump

Testing the sump pump by pouring a bucket of water can show you if it is working. When you run a bucket of water into the sump pump, and it doesn’t turn on, you will want to evaluate it to see why it didn’t turn on. 

Don’t let the winter season bring a damper to your wallet. Stop the problem before they arise by doing the checks listed above to ensure your home is winter-ready.  

Disruptive Versus Aggressive Drying Methods

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

Our team members know to stock our vehicles to help with your water damage no matter if the job needs disruptive or aggressive drying.

When going onto a Jobsite with water damage, our team members begin by assessing the damage to then determine the drying method needed for the situation. These drying methods can be broken down into disruptive and aggressive drying. 

Disruptive drying is meant for a more contaminated and damaged property. This is where replacing materials would be less expensive than restoration. This method involves removing wet items, injecting air to speed up drying. In short, repairs will have to be done after the structure has dried. This requires the removal of materials such as flood cuts.

The aggressive drying method is for a less contaminated and less damaged job site. This is where restoration is more cost-efficient for the job at hand. This method involves leaving wet materials in the structure and drying them in place using direct airflow. 

SERVPRO team members are trained in both methods to make sure you are getting the property back in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

What to do about frozen pipes

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

If your home or business experiences damage from a burst pipe, then call upon our team of professionals to assist with your water damage.

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of issues and cost a lot of money! One pipe burst in a home at 4-8 gallons of water running per minute. This can cause thousands of dollars worth of water damage. If not taken care of and mitigated properly, then this can then lead to mold issues.

Prevention:

1. Locate and identify any and all shut off valves in the home and make sure they work properly.  (Everyone should know where their "Main Water Valve" is at and how to operate it)
2. Identify any potential problems. (Areas where pipes are on an outside wall, ceiling, attics, crawl spaces, etc)
3. Seal any gaps around the home where cold air has a chance to come in contact with pipes.  In extreme cold temperatures, especially wind driven, even a tiny opening can let enough cold in to cause a pipe to freeze. (Dryer vents, windows, cable penetrations, etc.)
4. Turn off and drain all standard outside hose bibs.

When the temperature is expected to drop:

1. Open kitchen sink and any vanity doors of the areas that are at risk for problems.
2. With pipes that are on outside walls that may be a freeze problem, leave a small trickle of both of the hot and cold water running.
3. Temporarily seal off any crawl space vents that may be around the foundation.
4. Keep the house warm.

What to do if you experience a frozen pipe: (The first sign of a "frozen" pipe is reduced or no flow at all)

1. If you experience a "no flow" situation (First turn off the "Main Water Valve" to the house and leave the faucets "open", Second DO NOT use any open flame to attempt to thaw the pipes, Third DO NOT use any electric heater, hair dryer applied directly to the piping as any leaking water may cause electrocution, and Forth turning the water back on is best handled with (2) people.  One person turning on the water SLOWLY and the other walking about the house to be sure no water is running).
2. Heat and patience is the best way to get frozen pipes thawed out.  We do recommend that if a frozen pipe happens to find the source and correct it so it will not happen again.  (If you were lucky enough for the frozen pipes not bursting this time, you may not be so lucky the next time.)

**Please be advised if the water to your house is shut off, it may also turn off any fire prevention system you may have hooked up to your water

What to do if you leave your home during the winter months:

1. Turn the Main Water Valve off to your home**
2. Leave the heat on to the house and set it NO LOWER than 60 degrees.
3. Have a neighbor stop by daily, especially when the temperatures are in the 20's or lower.

**If your home has "hot water and/or steam heat", the water must remain on even when you are not there. A neighbor stopping by is critical if this applies to you.

The Principles of Drying

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

The restorative drying process is meant for restoration professionals and is designed to ensure that each component and variable is considered to achieve all drying goals.

Principle 1: Provide for the safety and health workers and occupants

Principle 2: Document and inspect the project

Principle 3: Mitigate further damage

Control the spread of contaminants

Control moisture intrusion

Principle 4: Clean and dry affected areas

Our team uses cleaning procedures whenever soils and debris must be removed to expedite the drying process. Restorative drying for professionals is used to control as many factors as possible to complete the most efficient drying process. Once enough water is extracted, evaporation is enhanced by:

• Lowering humidity
• Increasing airflow across wet surfaces
• Controlling temperature of air and surfaces
• Using outside air when possible
• Creating a drying chamber

Principle 5: Complete the restoration and repairs

Winter Has Arrived!

12/31/2020 (Permalink)

With winter finally here, it is important to know that SERVPRO and our fellow team members are "Here to help."

Winter is upon us! With that comes the cold temps and the freezing pipes. Keep the faucets dripping to keep some water traveling through, making it harder to freeze, but there are other ways to prevent freezing or bursting pipes!

Keeping the pipes insulated is essential! If getting proper insulation is impossible before a storm, then wadding up newspaper and duct tape can provide temporary insulation around pipes. If the water pipes are in the garage, then keep the garage door closed whenever possible, to prevent freezing air from getting in and dropping the temps even further. Maintaining a consistent temperature in the home will also help, as well as, keeping the heat on when leaving the home for any extended period of time.

These are just a few ways to prevent freezing pipes, but if there is ever a surprise pipe burst, SERVPRO is there to help with mitigating the water and getting your home back to the way it was before, "Like it never even happened."

Document Dying and Restoration

9/17/2020 (Permalink)

We are able to dry and restore documents to help you get back to preloss conditions.

We use state-of-the-art technology which is the only method approved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration. All team members who actually do document restoration are HIPAA Master certified. We can restore many documents some of which include family portraits, photo albums, bibles, tax records, personal documents, books, historical documents and more. Freeze drying can be better than dehumidification. Dehumidification can alter the structure of the paper fibers which can cause them to become brittle. Freeze drying is efficient and effective for salvaging water-damaged documents. For documents that can be transported out-of-state, our corporate office has a fixed freeze drying unit that can be utilized. Vacuum freeze drying places items into a container which freezes documents and then dries them using a pressurized vacuum sealed system.

How We Can Help With Water Damage

9/17/2020 (Permalink)

We are ready 24/7 for any emergency that may occur where you would need our assistance.

Your home is a reflection of your and make an impression on all those who enter it. You invest your time, energy, and hard-earned resources to maintain, protect and increase the value of your home. When you need work done on your home, you should expect the very best service at a fair price. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are committed to providing water cleanup and restoration services, as well as top-quality professional cleaning services for your entire home. We provide water removal and dehumidification. Franchise professionals identify the source and type of water, which determines the proper course of action. Drying equipment controls temperature and humidity, minimizing secondary damage. 

We are ready 24/7 for any emergency that may occur where you would need our assistance.

Water Damage Categories

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Our highly trained staff can handle and of the Category Water disasters and have the equipment to get the job done.

SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Grinnell is here to help when water damage affects your home or business. The first step is to make a plan to clean up the affected areas after a water loss and bring the property back to preloss conditions. This can be done by determining the cause of the water damage and select the Category type. 

There are three different categories that a water loss is classified in depending on the category of water. 

• Category 1 Water - This category type is from a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "clean water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows, or appliance malfunctions that involve water supply lines.
• Category 2 Water - This source is known as "gray water" and this refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to. Examples of Category 2 would be toilet bowls with urine, sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure, and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.
•  Category 3 Water - Known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category are contaminated water sources that affect the indoor environment. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water, or standing water. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or have remained stagnant may be re classified as Category 3 Water.

You can depend on our SERVPRO team as we have trained technicians, crew chiefs, and project managers to help determine and clean up these water damages.

The Different Types of Mold You'll Encounter

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Mold prospers in warm, damp area and it will continue to spread with a continuous water source. Call our professionals to help with mold remediation.

There are different types of mold.  The most common are aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys atra (also known as black mold). Aspergillus and Cladosporium are nontoxic to humans but it can aggravate allergy symptoms. It is important to note that not all mold is dangerous. In fact, it is all around us, but some mold should be removed by professionals. It is found in foods and in air conditioning systems. This is found as a black or green mold that grows in little dots in bathrooms, on painted surfaces, and in flexible air ducts. Black mold should be removed for safety reasons. Call our SERVPRO franchise professionals to remove molds such as black mold. This type of mold grows on building materials with a water source available. To prevent mold growth, make sure that water leaks are dried up quickly and humidity levels are maintained in your home or business. Mold thrives in warm, damp conditions. Our SERVPRO franchise professionals are certified to test for mold.  We do visual inspections, air sampling, as well as we have a bore scope that can go inside areas that are not normally visible to look for mold.  When air samples are taken, 3 samples are taken and sent in to be analyzed. The results take about 5 to 7 days to return.  If the air samples come back positive for mold then we will do further investigation to locate the source of the positive result of the air samples. Call us for pricing if you believe you have mold present and we will help you maintain your healthy home remediate mold.

The Do's and Do Not's for Water Damage

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

We are fully stocked for any amount of water damage. As franchise professionals, we can help you get toward preloss conditions.

Water damage can happen at any point for anyone, home or business, resulting in sometimes irreversible damaged property. These do's are only for clean water and do not’s pertain to sewage water. Sewage water is treated differently since it causes different damage and requires a different cleanup process. We, the team of SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Grinnell, know the importance of having professionals helping you properly dry out your home after water damage. With the right tools and pieces of equipment our SERVPRO franchise professionals can safely dry out your home or business and the contents within it. If the proper methods are administered then it minimizes the removal of materials such as drywall (this is also dependent on how soon the water damage is being dealt with. To minimize the damage, make sure to shut off the source of water and turn off the electricity. It is essential to remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and soaking up with towels. This is especially important for wood furniture. To ensure that more damage isn't sustained by the furniture, place aluminum foil in between furniture legs and the carpet. While these are good steps, your safety is important, so make sure to NOT enter a room with standing water since there could be a risk of electrical shock. We take safety very seriously and we want to ensure your safety along with our own. Make sure to disconnect all power first. It is recommended to NOT leave rugs and furniture upholstery wet against one another, because the fabrics have the potential to bleed between each other. It is important to note that you should not be utilizing your household vacuum to try and suck up any water. If these tips are followed, then damage can be minimized and you will be better prepared for help to arrive. Remember to stay safe and get excess water cleaned up professionally to minimize the chance of mold growth.

What Is A Desiccant?

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Our team has the necessary equipment for any water damage disaster and the team is "Ready for whatever happens."

Our desiccant helps the process of bringing the affected area back to a state of dryness and is mainly used for commercial losses. More specifically, it helps mitigate water damage. For larger scale losses, it acts as a large dehumidifier utilizes a generator to help with the process. These use an absorbent material to extract water from the air. The material is heated to drip the moisture into a water tank. Desiccant dehumidifiers are designed to work more effectively in lower temperatures. Dehumidifiers are designed to keep a room’s humidity levels in check, so the air is more comfortable and fewer physical signs of damp air are noticed, helping minimize the chance of mold. The desiccant can be utilized if your home has been flooded, especially if the wood is soft to touch in that area. Softwood can indicate rotting and windowsills are particularly vulnerable. If you notice mold or mildew then SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Grinnell can use the desiccant to help get the moisture in the air and materials to a more stable level. Desiccants are used on a larger scale water loss to remove moisture from the air.  We used these as a tool in our balanced drying system in place or alongside dehumidifiers on a larger scale project. Desiccants operate differently than dehumidifiers. Desiccants do not collect water through condensation. They vent moisture-laden air from inside the structure to outside the structure using a ventilation system. Desiccants are usually large units and sit outside the structure with venting tubes and air input tubes from and to the structure. They create the greatest vapor pressure and are best used when trying to dry wood flooring, plaster, or concrete. They work on the principle of sorption rather than condensation. Water vapor in this process is adsorbed by a silica gel and then that silica gel is reactivated by energy causing the desiccant to release its moisture to the outside air.

What is a Flood Cut?

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Drywall being removed to make a Flood Cut.

Water issues can come unexpectedly and rapidly damage the property. Water damage, if not treated quickly and efficiently, can damage flooring and personal belongings as well as heightening the chance for mold growth. Our Franchise Professionals here at SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Grinnell are here and “Ready for whatever happens.”  In some water scenarios, there needs to be a Flood Cut completed. This term is used in water remediation as well as construction for describing partial removal of drywall, allowing access to framing and salvageable materials to continue the drying process. With water damaged houses and business, this comes in handy for returning the property to preloss conditions. A Flood cut is made from the ground up, removing two feet of drywall all along the base when there is a water loss.  As the water works its way up the drywall, it prevents the water from continuing upwards and makes it easier for reconstruction. Additionally, the insides can be dried and sanitized behind wall cavity. The drywall can easily be fixed, making it look “Like it never even happened.”

Check for Sources Where Rain Water Can Enter - Water Clean Up

9/27/2019 (Permalink)

Inspecting common leak sources routinely and looking at your exterior foundation can help prevent rain and surface runoff intrusions in your home. Rain can cause damage by getting into small cracks in your foundation or flooring, around windows, or even from non functioning sump pump systems which can lead to all sorts of damages if not addressed timely. Here at SERVPRO of Ottumwa / Oskaloosa we understand how frustrating it can be to discover rain related water intrusions which are a leading cause of water damage to a home or business. The sooner mitigation and extraction of the standing water begins the better to prevent further damage.  Identifying the source and repairing it is extremely crucial.

If problems do occur you can give our team a call. We are a 24 hour, 7 day a week company and will work hard to get the issues resolved in a timely manner. We understand the importance of fast response time and mitigation services. With our professionally trained and certified team we are here to help and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. 

Helpful Tips if Your Contents Are Affected by Water

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

Follow these helpful tips in the event you have experienced any kind of water damage in your home or business. Following these are steps will help you protect your personal belongings.  Follow these steps as soon as possible. The longer your contents sit in water the more likely they are to experience damage.

While you wait for SERVPRO of Ottumwa / Oskaloosa to arrive follow these steps:

• Move any furniture with wooden feet or legs that you can safely carry out of the affected area.  You can use a non-porous object such as coasters, plastic wrap, Styrofoam, aluminum foil, etc, to block the furniture and lift the legs out of the water. At SERVPRO of Ottumwa / Oskaloosa, we use styrofoam blocks to lift furniture out of wet areas.  However, it is okay to be creative as a homeowner to find other household items that can serve the same purpose. The important thing is preventing water damage to your furniture.
• Store any belongings in plastic totes. If your belongings are stored in cardboard, move any wet cardboard boxes to a dry area. It’s also a good idea to dry off items that are wet before placing them in storage.
• Move electronics that have been saturated by water to a dry area and wipe down with a clean, dry rag.
• Take pictures! Our staff takes pictures for your insurance company when we arrive, but if you do happen to move anything or have something that is really damaged, make sure to take pictures of those items.

The more contents you can move yourself, the less damage you will have to your furniture and personal items. This will also help our SERVPRO team get to work immediately extracting water and setting drying equipment.

Water Damage Clean Up In Vehicles

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Whooops… you left your windows down and it rained in your vehicle!! Don’t stress: Call SERVPRO of Ottumwa / Oskaloosa! 2^nd to your home, your vehicle is the biggest investments you will make in a lifetime. Due to the risk factor of mold, it is very important to leave the drying process up to the pros. When it comes to your vehicles, SERVPRO uses the same drying process as they would your home or business.

• Identify all affected materials
  1. Decide what materials should be dried and what should be replaced.
• Measure the restorable materials for moisture content. (How wet is it?)
• Set appropriate drying equipment
• Monitor for progress
• Pulling Equipment when finished.

SERVPRO of Ottumwa / Oskaloosa has the equipment necessary to find the hidden water throughout the vehicle and the knowledge to get it dried out and get you back on the road.

Categories of Water - When Water Damage Happens

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Ottumwa / Oskaloosa is here to help when water damage happens.  The first step to make a plan to clean up affected areas after a water loss and make it  “Like it never even happened.” is to determine the cause of the water damage and select the Category type. 

There are three different categories that a water loss is classified in depending on the category of water. 

• Category 1 Water - Is from a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "clean water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows, or appliance malfunctions that involve water supply lines.
• Category 2 Water - This source is known as "grey water".Refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to.  This type carries microorganisms and nutrients of micro-organisms. Examples are toilet bowls with urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure, and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.
•  Category 3 Water - Known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category are contaminated water sources that affect the indoor environment. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water, or standing water. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or have remained stagnant may be re classified as Category 3 Water.

You can depend on our team as we have trained technicians, crew chiefs, and project managers to help determine and clean up these different types of water categories safely.  We are here to protect the health and safety of your home, business, and the people that frequent that space.

Checking For Water Damage

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

It is the water that you don't see that can cause damage. SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa uses some of the best meters, detectors, and monitoring devices on the market to protect your home or business when water damage occurs. To make sure that the structure is dry and proper moisture progression is taking place we use these tools when drying a structure. We do daily monitoring while drying a structure as well as will provide moisture checks for residences and commercial locations that have had water infiltration to make sure that the structure is dry and there is not water hiding behind structural materials.   This picture shows a infrared camera, called a, FLIR camera. This camera is showing where there is water still trapped in below the flooring material. When you have water damage you can depend on SERVPRO to have the right tools to make sure your structure is properly dry.

Hard Wood Floor Drying

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

When you have hard wood floor damaged by water you can depend on SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa to have the specialty drying systems needed to be able to help possibly restore your flooring. Hard wood floor drying systems include mats, air movers, and dehumidification equipment to be able to remove the water trapped by the flooring.  The trick to being able to save the flooring is speed.  Quick extraction of standing water and quick setting of the floor system is key. If too much warping of the wood has taken place it is hard to bring the wood back to its original state.  When water damage occurs to any hard wood flooring it is best to call SERVPRO and have them do a moisture check of the floor and make sure the flooring is dry and there is not any unwanted moisture trapped under the floor to prevent further damage days later.  SERVPRO has the equipment for residential losses or even large commercial wood floors like those that are installed in gymnasiums. 

Water Damage Clean Up Requires Air Flow

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

When your business or home are affected by water damage and you don't know what to do you can trust that SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa has the equipment necessary to provide the mitigation services you need. When you find water damage call our office right away and we will be out to provide a plan of action and start providing services to stabilize the structure to minimize any further damage from occurring. A big part of properly mitigating a water damage is air flow and providing the right amount of air flow for the affected square footage.  With our trained technicians taking measurements and assessing the situation this is figured out.  We can then provide the right amount of equipment to properly mitigate the situation.  This picture shows a few different types of air movers we have on the same job and how we affectively space them to provide airflow to affected materials.  The metal silver fan in the front corner is the clients on this job. You can see the difference on this job of what was actually needed for air flow.

Water Removal After Storms in Ottumwa

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Crews Loading The Van

Today in the Ottumwa area we received a very large amount of rain in a short amount of time. Our crews as soon as the rain started falling in central Iowa were making sure the trucks were loaded and ready. This happens every day though. We make sure we are ready to help when the help is needed. We are able to dispatch the teams quickly to your home or business. We can help you extract the water when your sump pump fails, water infiltrates your foundation, or your sewer backs up.  We can dry the structure of the building or even do demo of the affected materials so that the reconstruction can start that much quicker. It is all about getting you back to normalcy as quickly as possibly. Disasters happen but it doesn't have to be that way for long. Let the professionals help.

April Showers bring May flowers and the possibility of flooding to your Ottumwa/Oskaloosa area home.

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

April Showers do bring May flowers but they also bring flooding. Taking precautions can help minimize the damage that occurs at your home. The first thing you need to do is check with your insurance to make sure that you are covered. Coverage options vary depending on the insurance company so it is always a good idea to check and see what is available to you. Second, have your sump pump and chimney checks yearly and make sure your gutters are clean and attached properly. If water does get into your home it needs to be removed quickly and dried out properly so you don’t have mold growth in the future.  SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa will respond to the problem and extract the water and start the remediation process to prevent mold growth at all affected levels.

"We're all mad here."

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

When you have severe water damage at your home you might go MAD trying to coordinate everything with insurance, mitigation, content cleaning, and then you might have to worry about reconstruction. One thing that you might not think about is all of your important documents and pictures that might have been damaged. You wouldn’t want your marriage license or your Great Grandma’s bible to grow mold because you forgot it had gotten wet in all the hustle of the water damage. We can dry your books, pictures, paintings, and important documents for you.

The Mad Hatter said “No wonder you’re lat. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.” You don’t have to worry about our clocks being slow because we are a 24/7 company.

Let us help keep the romance lit in Ottumwa/Oskaloosa

2/12/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa is working to ensure that your romantic plans don't get interrupted.

You have been planning this day out for weeks. The flowers have been delivered, the table is set, and the wine is poured. You are sitting down with your significant other for a romantic candlelit dinner at home. Right before you put dessert on the table you get a smell of something very unpleasant. You search your home to find where the stench is coming from and it is a sewage backup in your bathroom. Sewage back up can occur for a variety of reasons. Don’t let it ruin your romantic night in. You won’t want to clean up the mess yourself put your trust in SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa and give us a call.  We will come in, extract the water, deodorize, clean your damaged contents, and restore carpets and floors.

Call us today to help make sure your romantic night can resume. We work hard to make it "Like it never even happened."

Water Cleanup in Ottumwa, Oskaloosa and Surrounding Area

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

When water damage happens in Ottumwa and Oskaloosa and the surrounding areas don't hesitate with who to call.  Call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, Ottumwa/Oskaloosa, Des Moines East & SW.  We are the largest SERVPRO in the state of Iowa but we are here to handle everything from a small water leak to a large flood.  We can clean up fresh water from a water line break from a washing machine, dish washer, sink, refrigerator, or even water from an air conditioner condensate line.  We can clean up water that has backed up from a drain line or from a sump pump that has quit working. 

It is so important to call us right away.  It is the water you don't see that can cause the most damage.  We do free estimates and free moisture checks.  Don't hesitate to call. 

We have equipment loaded and ready to go and crew that works 24 hours a day to help you and respond to your loss right away to start extracting water and we will set dehumidifiers and air movers if needed as soon as we can to keep the water from wicking further into the structure. 

You can trust us. With our three locations to have staff ready to help you 24 hours a day. So when you have water to clean up we are here to help you.  Thank you for trusting us.

Emergency Water Tips

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

Suffering a water loss can be a hectic and stressful time. Emotions run high and often times you don’t even know where to start! The first step should always be to identify the source of incoming water then shutoff or stop the water source if possible. Next make sure to turn off all electrical appliances around the affected area to reduce electrical hazards and turn off the circuit breakers supplying electricity to the wet areas. You will want to remove excess water by mopping or blotting and make sure to never use a regular vacuum to remove water! Keep furniture safe from additional damage by placing aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting/flooring and make sure to call your local SERVPRO to come assess the damage and get the drying process started immediately.

Removing water from Carpet in Ottumwa

6/12/2017 (Permalink)

An employee removing water from carpet and pad

After a water intrusion we will use this type of equipment to remove the water from carpet and pad.  In order to save the carpet and pad it must be a clean water loss. Meaning the leak had to come from a fresh water line.  We use this equipment or something similar to extract the water.  This machine is called a rover but we will also use a machine called a hydroX. They work the same way.  You stand on both types of machines and the weight of the machine and the employee standing on the machine helps to squeeze out and suck up the water. The machine is self propelled using controls on the handle.  The water is then pumped through tubes into a truck mounted holding tank to be disposed of.  Air movers and dehumidifiers are still needed to remove moisture but this will remove the majority of excess water.  We attempt when ever possible to save the carpet and pad but many times if not attended to fast enough delamination occurs. This is why it is so important to know who to call if you ever have water damage and to do it right away. This will minimize cost for the dry out process and minimize property damage.

Dehumidifiers

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

We use dehumidifiers as one piece of equipment during our balanced drying system we use when we are cleaning up after a water loss.  Dehumidification helps to minimize secondary damages.  Dehumidifiers alone are not the only piece of equipment we use. These units are used to capture evaporated moisture in the air. We have to get the moisture out of the material and we use air movers and energy to get the water to evaporate.  Once evaporated the vapor can be removed from the air with a dehumidifier.  "Dehumidifiers are a sealed refrigeration system with defrost mechanism, fan, and water collection system.  The dehumidifier removes energy from the incoming air, then returns this energy as sensible heat to the exiting air.  During this energy removal process, water vapor condenses on the evaporator (cool) coil and is collected." - From Disaster Academy Training Manual

Desiccants

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

Desiccants are used on a larger scale water loss to remove moisture from the air.  We used these as a tool in our balanced drying system in place or along side dehumidifiers on a larger scale project.  Desiccants operate differently then dehumidifiers. Desiccants do not collect water through condensation. They vent moisture-laden air from inside the structure to outside the structure using a ventilation system.  Desiccants are usually large units and sit outside the structure with venting tubes and air input tubes from and to the structure.  They create the greatest vapor pressure and are best used when trying to dry wood flooring, plaster, or concrete. They work on the principle of sorption rather then condensation.  Water vapor in this process is adsorbed by a silica gel and then that silica gel is reactivated by energy causing the desiccant to release its moisture to the outside air.

Can We Save Your Structure

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

In a lot of cases yes we can. A lot of building materials are made to get wet but NOT maintain wetness.  It is very important to have a balanced drying system and start that system very quickly after water damage.  Problems with saving materials occur when the water infiltration is caused by contaminated water.

Drywall can be saved if it is a clean water infiltration.  Drywall is fragile when wet but when dried it is very strong.  If seems are intact and there is no swelling or microbial growth then the drying process can begin. 

Paneling and wallpaper are difficult to dry but cavity drying systems can be attempted if the material can not be replaced and it was a clean water infiltration. 

Lath and Plaster require a very controlled drying process with aggressive evaporation and low humidity air but can sometimes be saved. 

We use many different systems to dry different materials in different spaces.  We have floor drying systems, cavity drying systems, and general drying systems. 

We are here to help you.  Like it never even happened.

Water Damage Do's and Don'ts

2/23/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage from clean water is much different then contaminated, sewer water.  These do's are only for clean water.  It is important to hire a professional to help you dry out your home after water damage.  With the right tools and pieces of equipment we can properly and safely dry out your home or business and the products with in it.

Do's

-Shut off the source of the water. 

-Turn off electricity

-Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and soaking up with towels. 

-Wipe excess water from wood furniture.

-Put aluminum foil in between furniture legs and carpet. 

Don'ts

-Enter a room with standing water. There could be a risk of electrical shock. Disconnect all power first.

-Leave rugs and furniture upholstery wet against and sitting on carpets.  The fabrics could bleed between each other. 

-Turn on your television or any other electronic.

-Do not use your household vacuum to try and suck up any water.  They are not made for this.

Frozen Pipes

1/6/2016 (Permalink)

Please keep an eye out on your pipes with this incoming cold weather!  Leave a few faucets with a very slight drip so there is water moving through the pipes.  This will make it less likely for the pipe to freeze.  If you do happen to have a frozen pipe, please thaw slowly to prevent the pipe from breaking.

What To Do About Frozen Pipes

1/5/2015 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of issues and cost a lot of money!  One pipe burst in a home at 4-8 gallons of water running per minute can cause thousands of dollars worth of water damage.  If not taken care of and mitigated properly this can then lead to mold issues.

Prevention:

1. Locate and identify any and all shut off valves in the home and make sure they work properly.  (Everyone should know where their "Main Water Valve" is at and how to operate it)
2. Identify any potential problems. (Areas where pipes are on an outside wall, ceiling, attics, crawl spaces, etc)
3. Seal any gaps around the home wherer cold air has a chance to come in contact with pipes.  In extreme cold temperatures, ecspecially wind driven, even a tiny opening can let enough cold in to cause a pipe to freeze. (Dryer vents, windows, cable penetrations, etc.)
4. Turn off and drain all standard outside hose bibs.

When the temperature is expected to drop:

1. Open kitchen sink and any vanity doors of the areas that are at risk for problems.
2. With pipes that are on outside walls that may be a freeze problem, leave a small trickle of both of the hot and cold water running.
3. Temporarily seal off any crawl space vents that may be around the foundation.
4. Keep the house warm.

What to do if you experience a frozen pipe: (The first sign of a "frozen" pipe is reduced or no flow at all)

1. If you experience a "no flow" situation (First turn off the "Main Water Valve" to the house and leave the faucets "open", Second DO NOT use any open flame to attempt to thaw the pipes, Third DO NOT use any electric heater, hair dryer applied directly to the piping as any leaking water may cause electrocution, and Forth turning the water back on is best handled with (2) people.  One person turning on the water SLOWLY and the other walking about the house to be sure no water is running).
2. Heat and patience is the best way to get frozen pipes thawed out.  We do recommend that if a frozen pipe happens to find the source and correct it so it will not happen again.  (If you were lucky enough for the frozen pipes not bursting this time, you may not be so lucky the next time.)

**Please be advised if the water to your house is shut off, it may also turn off any fire prevention system you may have hooked up to your water

What to do if you leave your home during the winter months:

1. Turn the Main Water Valve off to your home**
2. Leave the heat on to the house and set it NO LOWER than 60 degrees.
3. Have a neighbor stop by daily, ecspecially when the temperatures are in the 20's or lower.

**If your home has "hot water and/or steam heat", the water must remain on even when you are not there.  A neighbor stopping by is critical if this applies to you.