5 Common Questions About Water Damage Restoration Services

When your home suffers water damage, you probably have a lot of questions about what to do next. Water intrusion can happen for a number of reasons. Here are several common questions homeowners ask about residential water damage restoration.

What causes water damage?

Water damage has a number of potential causes. Some of the most common include:

Leaking Pipes

Pipes leaking or bursting are a frequent reason for water damage. If you notice stains on your ceiling, discoloration on your walls, or a persistent mildew odor, you may have a leaking pipe. If you see any of these signs, you should have a plumber inspect your pipes.

Appliances

Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters are often sources of leaks. Overflowing toilets are another common culprit for water damage.

HVAC Problems

Your heating and cooling system requires regular maintenance. When your HVAC is not properly serviced, moisture can build up inside your air conditioning unit and cause a leak. The moisture can also provide a breeding ground for mold.

Storms or Natural Disasters

While you can’t control the weather, you can take steps to protect your home before a severe storm hits. Keep your gutters clear to prevent them from overflowing. Have your roof inspected to ensure all sealants are in good repair. Make sure your attic is properly insulated; this will help prevent ice dams from forming.

Whatever the cause of water damage, we’re here to respond.

What are the signs of hidden water damage?

Water damage is sometimes hidden. Here are several signs of hidden water damage. If you notice any of these warning signs, call a water damage restoration company as soon as possible.

  • Dark spots or discoloration on ceiling and walls
  • Bubbling, peeling, or cracking paint or wallpaper
  • Buckling or warping ceilings, walls, or floors
  • Musty or moldy odors
  • Sudden increase in water bill

Why do I need to hire a water damage restoration company?

Water damage is best handled by professionals. The benefits of hiring a water damage restoration service include:

Quick Response

When your home sustains water damage, time is of the essence. Water damage will only continue to get worse if it’s not addressed right away. Hiring a water damage restoration service will help to minimize the amount of damage to your home.

Mold Remediation

In the right conditions, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to develop. Mold can grow anywhere that’s moist, and spread quickly. Professionals can identify sources of mold and ensure it’s completely removed.

Help With Insurance

Your water damage restoration contractor will keep detailed records of the extent of the water damage. These records can be valuable for processing insurance claims. Help from a professional will take the stress out of filing an insurance claim.

What happens during the restoration process?

During the water damage restoration process, we will:

  • Assess the scope of the water damage.
  • Perform water removal and extraction.
  • Dry the damaged area using professional drying equipment and highly effective dehumidification techniques.
  • Clean and sanitize the damaged area.
  • Restore your property to its previous condition.

How long will it take to restore my home?

There isn’t one single answer to this question. How long your home will take to dry depends on the scope of the water damage. Drying time is also affected by the amount of moisture, the type of material, and how long the material has been wet. We will work to restore your property as quickly as possible.

Our water damage specialists are available 24 hours a day. If you have additional questions about residential water damage restoration, contact us. We will be glad to assist you.

How to Prevent Summer Water Damage in Minneapolis

Water damage during the summer months are commonly the result of torrential rains, damaged rooftops, gutter overflows, or faulty air conditioning units. Water and storm damage to residential or commercial properties average $2,665, but can exceed $13,000 depending on the true extent of the damage, according to HomeAdvisor.com.

Also, property owners must consider the additional, long-term problems that flooding can cause, including mold, mildew, and wood rot from clean sources of water and health or quality of life issues when unclean water enters the home’s drywall, carpeting, and wood flooring. Continue reading to discover ways you can prevent summer water damage in Minneapolis.

Keep Gutters Clear of Debris

Gutters can be the cause of interior water damage during heavy summer rains when leaves, sticks, dirt, and grime are allowed to build up. Water overflowing from gutters can enter a home by seeping beneath the siding or ponding at the home’s foundation. If you notice the landscape around your home is eroding, the basement walls are wet after a heavy rain, or the fascia boards on your eaves are starting to rot, you should have your roofing system, gutters, and downspouts inspected, cleaned, and repaired.

Fix Leaky Bathroom Fixtures

Your bathroom or kitchen plumbing is often a source of water damage either by accidental events or hidden pipes that are leaking or broken fixtures. The most damage occurs over time, where a slow leak behind a wall can weaken flooring members. When this occurs, homeowners may require a major bathroom restoration to shore up structural elements. A large increase in your monthly water bill and these other signs may point to leaking fixtures in the kitchen or bathroom:

  • An earthy or musty smell in the bathroom
  • Signs of mold around windows and outside tub
  • Bathroom flooring seems weak or bouncy
  • Discoloration on ceiling below the bathroom

Inspect AC Units for Standing Water

If the AC unit is leaking water from drain lines or the condensate pump, your home can suffer water damage, mold and mildew growth and even the possibility of electrical wires becoming wet and causing a short circuit. If you AC unit shows signs of leaking above and beyond the normal condensation you would expect to see, it is important to stop the leak before water damage occurs. Check for a blockage in the drain line and make sure the AC unit is level so that excess water does not flow into the home. Summer is the perfect time to have your AC unit inspected and tuned up.

Foundation or Grade Problems

Look for the signs of a bad grade on your property which would cause rain water to flow towards the home and penetrate the structural foundation. Noticing these early warning signs can save your home from major water damage after heavy rains:

  • basement wall cracks
  • sagging floors
  • wet crawl space
  • high indoor humidity
  • basement smells musty
  • doors that stick
  • pooling water near home

Broken Windows or Frames

A more obvious way to prevent summer water damage is to have broken windows replaced or frames repaired. The combination of a faulty frame and rain that is driven by the winds can turn a small amount of water infiltration into a more serious problem. Water forced through window and frame cracks can discolor wall paint, destroy wall papering, and cause floor damage and wet carpet. Any moisture that is hidden has the potential to damage the home’s framework and subflooring.

Summer is the perfect time for a home inspection for hidden water damages and sources of water infiltration. Contact Satin Touch to discuss our full service offerings for water damage and restoration in Minneapolis homes and businesses.

How to Manage Flood Damage in Minneapolis

As the winter snow disappears, the melt water makes its way into lakes, rivers, and streams, causing them to overflow their banks. While the rushing water can be a serious hazard, it’s what the water contains that is truly dangerous. Bacteria, waste materials, oil and fuel, and other contaminants mix with the water and create a health concern for humans and animals alike. When this contaminated water makes its way into your home, it’s imperative that you follow these basic tips to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your property safe.

Wait Until the Flooding Stops

Although you may be tempted to take action during the worst of the flooding, it’s not a good idea. Besides the fact that there may be contaminants that can harm you, flood waters pose other dangers. Flood water is often murky and full of debris that can cause serious physical harm. It’s not worth the risk. Wait until the majority of the water has receded before attempting to enter a flooded area of your home or property.

Don Protective Clothing and a Mask

Before you enter a flooded area of your home, make sure you’re fully protected. Because you don’t know what kinds of nasty things are lurking in the water, it’s best to assume it’s toxic and to act accordingly. A mask, rubber gloves, waterproof boots, and protective clothing are essential. If you don’t have these items on hand, do not attempt to enter the area, assess the damage, or take action to clean up, your health depends on it.

Be Aware of Mold, Mildew, and Fungus

Water build-up inside your home, especially during the warm months, can lead to the growth and spread of dangerous mold, mildew, and fungus. Even if there are no visible signs of mold growth, it can still be there. Remember that mold can begin developing in as little as 24 hours and once it does, it will spread quickly throughout the space. If mold was already in place, a flood will only make the problem worse.

Assess the Flood Damage

Once the water level lowers, make sure the electricity is turned off and that the structure is safe enough to enter. Thoroughly inspect your home, making note of any damage caused by the flooding. It’s a good idea to take pictures and document everything before you begin any clean-up or restoration activities. This way, you’ll have what you need to show your insurance company when it’s time to file a claim.

Not Everything Can Be Saved

You might be tempted to remove items from your home that you’re attached to, either because of sentimental value or because they’re expensive. Soaked items can sometimes be saved, but this isn’t always the case. For example, porous materials like drywall, particle board furniture, books and papers, and some furniture may need to be removed and discarded as they are impossible to clean and disinfect.

Call a Water Damage Specialist in Minnesota

Dealing with water damage is no easy feat, in fact, it can be dangerous and extremely difficult, which is why it’s best to leave it to a professional. It’s understandable that you just want to get the water out of your home so you can get back to life. But, if you aren’t careful, you could end up causing yourself more problems. The water damage specialists at Satin Touch are experienced and have all the equipment necessary to get your home back in order after a flood. Contact us online or call 763-954-0744 if you’re experiencing flooding. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays and we’re always ready to act.

How Water Damage Restoration Commercial Services Helps Your Business

Water intrusion happens to even the most careful property managers and business owners. Building age and accidents happen. It isn’t always obvious however, and you can end up with water damage from a hidden leaking pipe or a malfunctioning washing machine. When that happens, you want to hire water damage restoration companies that know how to help you. The right company can:

Make Insurance Claims Easy

Having professionals evaluate items that were damaged by water keeps everyone involved happy. Tenants and employees are relieved of the stressful process of thinking about all they have lost, and insurance companies are reassured that the evaluated correctly.

Save Tenant Or Office Property

It is sometimes necessary, in extreme cases, to pack up items in a building and remove them to a warehouse where they can be restored. This is a complicated operation that requires inventorying items that are being removed and noting any damage that was there before the water did its work. Once it is done, though, it keeps tenants happy since their beloved possessions are preserved.

If it was your office that got flooded, vital items for your work need to be saved. Computers that hold the only copy of your project can sustain damage, and machinery unique to your operation can start to rust. Removing them from the encroaching water and professionally preserving them will ensure that your projects can continue, even in the face of an emergency.

It also allows the crew to get to the flooring and walls more quickly for a thorough restoration.

Quick Turn-Around

Efficiency is important for a number of reasons. Mold starts growing within 24 hours of finding warm, damp conditions, and mold hurts building materials. Even if things can’t get moldy because of cold conditions, water damage worsens over time. For instance, water that has crept up through the basement can continue to creep up, warping floorboards and causing sticky doors, until the underlying problem has been fixed. Tenants don’t want to live with that if they don’t have to. They will appreciate you hiring a company that deals with it quickly.

Another reason that is almost as important as preserving your property from more damage is that you may have to provide a different place for your employees to work while an office is being cleaned up. Homes Reinvented can provide temporary shelter for tenants if there is space, but you might need to borrow specialized equipment to work while the office is being restored. None of this is cheap, and it is upsetting to everybody. The sooner the old building is restored, the sooner everyone is happy.

Some of the quick turn-around comes from the efficient, modern techniques used to dry out and repair the home. Much, though, comes from being available immediately. The sooner a company can start on their work, the better for the building.

Professional Work

Dehumidifying a building and fixing it is not something that anyone with a manual can do. Professional companies that specialize in repairing water damage tend to be the people with the equipment required to do a thorough, quick job. Outdated equipment and techniques can leave water behind and allow mold to start growing. This is an area where doing it right the first time is critical, and you want the professionals on the job.

Homes Reinvented wants to help companies thrive after suffering water damage. We offer a pack-out program for severe cases, and they have their own software for tracking items that they have to take to a warehouse for restoration, and we go the extra mile to make your tenants comfortable. Space permitting, we can even temporarily house your tenants until their home is fixed.  For more information about what we can do for you, contact us.

The Water Restoration Process

Water intrusion and water damages can be devastating, no matter how minor. Your residence (or business) is impacted to varying degrees. Water restoration for damages caused by water intrusion may be simply vacuuming up water and drying out a room, or it can involve reconstruction of large areas. By contracting with qualified professionals, you ensure that your property will be returned to its pre-damaged condition quickly and efficiently.

Qualified contractors will:

  • extract the water,
  • dry out the premises,
  • remove mold,
  • repair structural damage,
  • clean the upholstery and carpets,
  • deodorize,
  • and restore your property expeditiously and efficiently

Once the job has been completed to your satisfaction, they will bill your insurance company.

WATER RESTORATION – THE PROCESS

Water damage can happen for a variety of reasons, and it’s essential to act quickly. Wet sheetrock, wet carpet, and sub-flooring, and standing water create a biohazardous environment where bacteria and mold can grow, resulting in airborne pathogens that can trigger allergies or other respiratory conditions.

Restoring to pre-damage condition

Most standard policies cover water damage claims for internal water damage; however, they typically do not cover damage from neglect or lack of maintenance,  nor damage from a flood (unless you carry a flood endorsement on your policy).

The water restoration process involves water removal, decontamination, drying, and mold treatment where necessary. Reparations start with a thorough inspection of the damages, including floors, sub-floors, walls, cabinetry, and ceilings –any place the water has seeped to and caused damage.

Besides the physical structure of the premises, other components may have suffered water damage as well:

  • Ductwork
  • HVAC systems
  • Insulation
  • Wiring

How long do repairs take?

On average, it takes 72 hours for one room to be completely dried out and ready for reconstruction, but it all depends on the materials and the degree of damage. After that, it takes on average of 1-2 weeks for the water damage repairs to be completed.

Water Damage Classes and Categories

ASSESSMENT – an insurance adjuster will come out and conduct a premise inspection of the damages. They will classify and categorize the type of water damage to determine the best course of action for repairs.

The 4 Classes of Water Damage:

  • Class 1: least level of damage: the entire room is not involved; minimal moisture absorption.
  • Class 2: the entire room has been affected by water damage; walls and carpeting have absorbed as a considerable amount of moisture.
  • Class 3: the highest level of damage: water damage has occurred to walls, with widespread saturation, and may include ceiling damage.
  • Class 4: special drying equipment for stone, hardwood, and concrete is necessary for this level of water damage

Categories of Water Damage

  • Category 1 – Broken pipes, toilet tanks and other sources of clean water
  • Category 2 – “grey water,” from dishwashers or washing machine as well as toilet overflows with urine
  • Category 3 – water comes from unsanitary sources with bacteria and microbes, such a river flooding, sewage, as well as standing water

WATER REMOVAL – The amount and types of equipment used includes pumps and vacuums and depends on the extent of the damage. Preventing mold and bacterial growth is critical.

DRYING – Drying and dehumidifying starts once all water and porous surfaces have been vacuum-dried. This part of the process can be time-consuming and take several weeks.

CLEANING – All personal effects will be cleaned, sanitized, and receive antimicrobial treatments to prevent unwanted mold and bacterial growth. Air scrubbers may be installed temporarily to remove airborne particles and moisture from the air.

RESTORATION – Restoration can require replacing a few sheets of drywall or replacing entire walls. For hidden damages that have persisted over long periods, causing unseen mold growth, the restoration process takes even longer.

In Case of Water Damage…

Removing all contaminated and wet materials is time-sensitive. The EPA recommends disposing of any materials that have not been thoroughly dried and cleaned within 48 hours of the occurrence. By removing these “contaminants,” air quality is improved, and also makes the restoration process more manageable. Airborne microorganisms and pathogens are less likely to multiply and spread.

Once you have removed all contaminated materials, contact the insurance adjuster to let them know they can send an inspector who can then start the restoration process.

Mold Remediation 

Mold spreads very quickly. So, it is especially important to remove excess water and thoroughly dry all personal effects and furnishing as soon as possible. If you hire the contractors, remember to request certificates for any mold remediation.

Temporary Living Arrangements

Depending on the amount of damage, you may need to move to temporary facilities while your home or offices are being restored. Based on your coverage, the insurance company will pay for a temporary relocation and other essentials. Ask your contractors if they will bill your insurance company directly. Keep all of your receipts.

Work with Professionals

Water can cause severe damage that may become irreversible quickly, so start the remediation process as soon as possible. Your insurance company has worked with many professionals in your area; they can handle all the repairs and schedule for you. They can handle all of it, part of it or none of it – the more they manage, the quicker the process.

When it comes to your property, you need a restoration company you can trust. Turn to Satin Touch (Homes Reinvented), a locally owned and operated company. We are a professional and responsive company that offers 24/7 service and support. We carry full liability and worker’s comp.

If your property has suffered water damage, give Satin Touch (Homes Reinvented) a call today and let us help you get things restored quickly. We’ll get everyone back up and running in no time!

How Homeowners can Clean Mold Out of Clothes Without Harsh Chemicals

spray bottle cleaning

Contact Satin Touch in Minneapolis Today For Mold Remediation

There are few things more dismaying than mold in a pile of clothing. Mold can grow in clothing for a large number of reasons. You changed out of damp clothes and forgot to wash them quickly. Your bathroom flooded and laundry got soaked. Or even clothes in the washer that didn’t get moved to the dryer fast enough.

Moldy clothes happen sometimes. Maybe your clothes or — typically — your kids clothes were left in a damp pile for too long and the mold happily leaped at the opportunity. Unfortunately, removing the mold is much more easily said than done. In many cases, hot water and detergent can’t quite hack it alone and there are often mold stains or a lingering smell left behind.

Today, we’re here to talk about how to wash mold, along with mold stains and that moldy smell, out of your clothes once and for all.

Two-Step Process

The first thing to understand is how the process works. And therefore, why there are a variety of ways to approach removing mold from your clothes. Restoring your clothes will actually be a two-step process. First, you have to remove the mold growth and kill the spores that are trying to make more mold. Otherwise, the clothes will just continue to grow new mold.

Second, after the mold is dead, you need to remove what’s left to get rid of the stains and smell. It’s easiest to think of mold as a plant, which it is. After a tree is cut down, for example, you still have to remove the stump. That’s also exactly how killing mold works, only on a particle level involving tiny plant spores and clothing fibers.

Hot Water

When cleaning mold out of your clothes, it’s best to use hot water whenever possible. Hot water makes detergent more effective and can kill mold spores with the intensity of the heat. If your clothes can be safely washed in hot water, use this option every chance you get until the mold is completely gone.

Of course, not all clothes can be safely washed in hot water. For delicates and temperature-sensitive garments, don’t use hot water. It’s not necessary to the process and you can clean the mold out with other methods. Hot water simply contributes to the solution.

Vinegar

The home remedy most people know for fighting mold is simple white vinegar. You may have also heard that citrus fights mold. Both are true for the exact same reason: Acidity. Even mild acids like vinegar can chemically burn and neutralize the tiny mold spores that make up a larger mold infestation.

For small mold spots, consider spraying a vinegar and water solution onto the clothes until damp, possibly scrubbing the vinegar into mold spots. For badly moldy clothing or large mold areas, soak the clothes in vinegar instead. This will kill the mold spores of most varieties of household mold, making it impossible to regrow after you’re done cleaning.

Borax

Borax is one of the coolest cleaning substances you’ve barely heard of. And it fights mold in a completely different way. Borax is called a ‘detergent enhancer”, helping soap to suds up and making it a lot easier to scrub things. For the same reason that it’s great at killing mold.

Borax is incredibly sharp and spiky on a molecular level. So even when it’s partially dissolved in water, soap bubbles suds up on it and those sharp molecules slice through mold spores, killing the organic cells and the growth. It’s also incredibly affordable to buy in bulk.

Washing your clothes with borax is a great way to get them cleaner by adding a scrubbing element to the washing machine. And a great way to kill mold because the mold spores can’t survive in borax-rich water. Washing your clothes in borax regularly can also help you to prevent mold growths in the future if your home tends toward humidity and/or mold growth.

Lemon Juice

Just like the acid in vinegar can kill mold, so too can lemon juice. And lemon juice smells a whole lot better than vinegar after you’re done using it. Soaking clothes or spraying them with lemon juice can help fight mold, though you will need to use higher concentrations than with vinegar.

However, the most useful application of lemon juice when fighting mold is removing the stains afterward. Lemon juice is a natural stain remover, especially combined with salt to add a scrubbing element. By mixing lemon and salt into a paste, you can create an effective mold stain removing solution to rub into any lingering stains.

Essential Oils

Many people don’t realize this, but there are actually a surprising number of fungicides (things that kill fungus) in nature. Peppermint, Thyme, Oregano, Cinnamon, Lemon, and Clove just to name a few. If you love any of these smells, you can use a small concentration of sprayed essential oil to help kill mold. And then later infuse your clothes with these essential oils to discourage the growth of any free-floating mold spores in the future.

Essential oils are also a great way to end a mold fighting round. If you have used vinegar, for example, to kill the mold and eliminate the lingering smell, then you may still be left with recognizable vinegar smell. And no one wants to wear vinegar clothes. Essential oils can help refresh your clothing back to it’s original enjoyable state.

Natural Mold Cleaning Formulas

But if remedies from your pantry don’t come through, we strongly recommend that you do not turn to chemical bleach. Bleach and other chemical mold cleaners can come with toxic fumes, damage clothing color, and even result in rashes after wearing treated clothing.

Instead, look for industrial-grade organic mold cleaning solutions and stain removing. Because the formula is natural, you won’t have to worry about damaging your clothes or harming your health after the mold is finally gone.

Rescuing your clothes from mold growth can be a real challenge, but it is possible. Whether this is the aftermath of a pool party or a chronically damp laundry room, mold can be defeated using these natural chemical-free home techniques. For more on ridding your home of mold once and for all with mold remediation and prevention, contact us today!

How To Deal With A Leak In The Water Heater

Few things are more frightening than finding a mysterious puddle by your water heater. A giant 50-to-60-gallon tank that holds 125 degree water can cause severe damage if it malfunctions and lets all that water into your house. The good news is that you can fix your water heater, or at least minimize the threat. Here are the steps you need to take to deal with a leak in your water heater.

Stopping The Damage

 1. Find The Water Source

When you first note a puddle under your water heater, dry the area and inspect the heater carefully. If nothing jumps out at you, put a dry towel underneath your water heater and wait a day. If you have a leak somewhere, the towel will get wet and you will be able to trace it back to its source.

2. Turn Off The Power

If you have determined that the water is leaking from your heater, turn it off. If it is electric, switch off the power at the circuit breaker. If it is gas-powered, turn off the gas at the base of the tank.

3. Turn Off The Water

Most water heaters have valves above them that control the flow of water into them. Turn this off. If you can’t reach the valve, you might have to shut off the water for the whole house.

4. Determine The Source Of The Problem And Fix It

This step is necessarily vague as there are a number of things that can go wrong with a water heater. A variety of them are listed below. In general terms though, valves and fittings can wear away and need replacing.

Possible Sources Of The Leak

1. The temperature pressure relief valve (the little lever at the bottom that drains water to a safe place when the pressure gets too high in the tank) can wear down after years of use. Lift the lever and see if that stops the leak. If it doesn’t, the valve will need replacing.

2. The pipes leading to the inlet and outlet of your tank may have gotten corroded. The damaged lengths will need replacing.

3. A washer on the drain valve may wear away and need replacing, or the drain might just need cleaning up.

4. If water is dripping from the seams in your tank, it is time to replace the water heater.

5. Anode rods might need to be re-screwed in with plumber’s sealing tape.

When To Call A Professional Restoration Company

Whether you had a slow drip from your tank or a sudden flood, the water can do serious damage to your building. It can soak up into dry wall and seep down into the concrete, causing stains and weakness in the structure. A sudden blow out can leave a good inch of water on your floor, and this exposure can warp and weaken wooden parts of the home. Carpet flooring and other features can start bleeding colors and lose shape. Worst, within 24 hours mold spores will start sprouting, leaving their tell-tale smell and causing people with allergies to them to feel sick. If your tank has saturated a part of your house, you want to call a company who can dehumidify your house as soon as the water heater has been taken care of to prevent any of that from happening.

Fortunately, Satin Touch is on call around the clock to dry out your home. If the water damage is severe, we will inventory, pack up, and move your belongings to a warehouse where we can treat it for the water damage. Once it is all safe, we will return it to you.

Satin Touch takes our job of restoring your home seriously and want to help you. If you want to know more about our services, contact us.

How to Deal with Water Damage from Pipes Breaking

We rely on pipes in our homes every day, so when something goes wrong, it can be very disruptive. If a pipe does burst, it can cause a lot of mess in your home, even from a small sink pipe. First clean up the water, then dry out your home, then have the water pipe repaired. It’s best to start the repairs as soon as possible. Here’s what happens and how you can deal with the damage.

Causes of Pipes Breaking

While broken pipes could be caused by many factors from age to earthquakes, here in Minnesota, our cold weather can make broken water pipes a real problem. Whenever the temperature drops below zero, there is an increased risk of freezing or breaking for pipes located in non-insulated parts of the home, like crawl spaces or exterior walls.

When the temperature drops, the water in the pipe may freeze. If that happens, its volume expands forcefully by about nine percent. The pressure inside the pipe goes way up, which can cause a break either where the ice is or at a weak spot within feet of the ice.

For a Small Leak

If you’re dealing with only a small amount of water, you may be able to handle the cleanup by yourself. Here’s what to do:

  1. Turn off the water supply to your home so more water isn’t added to the mess.
  2. Turn off the electric power in your home, especially if there is water near any appliances. Call the electric company if you need to, and don’t step into the water if it could be electrified.
  3. Remove carpets, furniture, and other belongings from the area.
  4. Clean up water on the floor using a mop or shop vac. This step can take some time.
  5. Bring in circulating air either by opening doors and windows (if it isn’t too cold) or using fans. Run a dehumidifier too if you have one.
  6. If you plan to submit an insurance claim, make sure you take photos of the damage.

Call the Professionals

If you have water in more than one room or even more than one floor of your house, or if the water has been there for more than eight hours, call in the professionals to handle the cleanup. A professional restoration company is able to handle cleaning and drying carpets, woodwork, subflooring, and drywall to make sure it is safe, dry, and mold free. The sooner a company can arrive to begin the process, the better, since mold can start to grow within hours.

Pipes Breaking Prevention

There are a few steps you can take to reduce the chance for your pipes to freeze and break. Keep an eye on your pipes when the weather is below freezing. Turn on a faucet just at a drip to reduce pressure in the pipes. Also, keep doors and cabinet doors open, turn up the heat, and run fans to circulate the warm air. Keep the garage door closed if you have one. If you have pipes that are a particular concern, you could invest in a leak detector alarm system that alerts you when it’s wet.

Satin Touch Homes Reinvented Is The Solution

Homes Reinvented is the restoration and remodeling division of Satin Touch, Inc. Our water damage specialists are trained in proper water removal and extraction techniques. We can safely remove water from walls, floors, and crawl spaces without adding to the damage already in your home. We use advanced dehumidification techniques and professional drying equipment to remove the water, prevent mold from growing, and return your home to normal quickly.

In addition, we are fully licensed and insured with liability and pollution insurance. Contact us at Satin Touch Homes Reinvented at any hour if you need water from a broken pipe cleaned up.

Tips for Cleaning up Water Damage After the Storm

You walk down to your basement after the latest storm and you notice that your family hang out space, now more closely resembles a swimming pool. You’re going to have to act fast. Here are some tips to help you quickly repair the water damage in your home.

DISCONNECT THE POWER AND MOVE AS MANY ITEMS AS YOU CAN

The first thing you’ll want to do is disconnect the power to the area. Any electronics or other items that are plugged in present a significant safety hazard in the area where the water is standing. Remove any personal belongings as quickly as possible increasing the chances that they can be saved. If there are any electronics that were damaged, those are unlikely to be salvageable.

GET RID OF THE WATER

Before starting the process of removing the water, it is important to understand the type of water you are dealing with. There are three types of water:

  • Clean water
  • Gray water
  • Black water

Clean Water

Clean water is usually caused by a leaky faucet or broken pipe, rainwater, or condensation. This is for the most part considered to be relatively harmless and something that you can clean up on your own.

Gray Water

Gray water is considered to be slightly dirty. This type of water typically stems from clean toilet water, dishwashers, washing machines, and other similar sources. This water may contain some chemicals and other precautions. You can also, with the right safety gear, clean this water on your own.

Black Water

Black water is created from flooding as a result of sewage or flooding from nearby water sources (lakes, rivers, etc.). This type of water can cause serious health problems resulting from bacteria, waste, and other contaminants. You should never try to clear this type of water on your own. You should contact a service professional as soon as possible.

Depending on the amount of water, you may be able to get rid of it through the use of old towels or a map and a bucket. If there is more water than these manual methods can handle, a wet/dry vacuum may be just what you need.

If there is a substantial amount of water, consider renting a sump pump to help get rid of the excess water. The important thing is to act as quickly as possible to avoid giving mold a chance to grow.

DRY OUT THE AFFECTED AREA

If possible, open windows to help dry out the area. If you have them, fans and a dehumidifier are also handy tools to help the area dry more quickly. If the area where the damage occurred was finished, you will likely need to cut away the drywall and remove any baseboards. These areas provide great targets where mold can take hold.

If you are in an area of your home that has water damage to the ceiling, it is a good idea to start here first. These areas pose a higher risk as a result of the possibility that portions of the ceiling panels can sag or collapse.

DISINFECT

After the area has dried out, you want to disinfect the places touched by the water damage, including any furniture, walls, and wood that got wet.

TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT MOLD GROWTH

Consider applying a mold control solution to the affected area to avoid it becoming contaminated with mold. This may be a situation where you will want to call in the experts to help guide you through the process.

PROPERLY DISPOSE OF WATER DAMAGED ITEMS

Even if the items that are damaged are of no use to you, consider organizing them rather than throwing it all in the dumpster. Some of the items may be eligible to go to local recycling centers.

For items such as damaged electronics, pain, or other toxic liquids and materials, contact your local waste management company or the town’s waste management office to determine what steps you should take to get rid of the items.

Flooding in your home can be a stressful and trying event. Follow these tips to help you to get rid of the water and your house back to the place that you love to come home to.

If you would like to learn more about ways to clean up water damage or would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about services, please feel free to contact us for more information.

How to Handle a Toilet Overflow

There are few things worse than dealing with an overflowing toilet. Not only can toilet overflows be inconvenient, smelly, and unsanitary, but they can also cause water damage to your bathroom’s floor and fixtures.

If you are dealing with a toilet overflow, what can you do to mitigate the damage? While there are several possible causes of a toilet overflow, one of the most common causes is a clog in the toilet bowl or P-trap/S-trap. This article will discuss steps you can take to remove such a clog, what you should do if other issues are causing your toilet to overflow, and how you can get help to restore water damaged areas.

How to Handle a Toilet Clog

There are a few important actions you should take in order to deal with a toilet overflow caused by a clog. These include the following steps:

  • Turn off the water supply. This is the first and most important step. The majority of toilets feature a water supply line coming down from the tank. Usually this line will have a valve that you can shut on or off. If for any reason you’re unable to shut off the water supply in this way, continue to the next step.
  • Lift up the float ball/cup in your toilet’s tank so that the water stops running. If that too proves ineffective, shut off the water supply to your house. The water supply valve for most houses is located in the basement, in a crawl space, or near the foundation.
  • Use a plunger to unclog the toilet. The up-down motion of a plunger creates pressure that will unstop most toilet clogs. If you are unable to unclog the toilet with a plunger, move on to the next step.
  • Use a toilet auger/drain snake. Toilet augers and drain snakes are designed to remove clogs that are more compacted or further down the drain line, such as clogs in the toilet’s P-trap or S-trap.
  • Once the clog is removed, extract any spilled water from your floor. Use a wet vacuum if you have one. Alternately, use towels, rags, or other materials to soak up the water. For sanitary reasons, you want to remove spilled water as soon as possible.
  • Thoroughly clean, disinfect, and sanitize the affected area. Toilet overflow water can contain many harmful bacteria and contaminants. Once you’ve removed the water from the bathroom floor, be sure to thoroughly clean the spill area, using appropriate PPE (such as heavy-duty gloves and eye-protecting goggles) as you do so.

Of course, sometimes a clog is not the root cause of a toilet overflow. For instance, a sewer backup could be the true culprit. In some cases, you may not be able to easily stop the overflow of water. In such a scenario, what should you do?

Seek Professional Help

If you suspect that a sewer backup or another major issue is causing your toilet overflow, call a professional immediately. An experienced plumber will be able to identify and eliminate the root cause of the overflow, and prevent further damage to your home.

At Satin Touch, we offer full-service repair and restoration services to homeowners in distress. Not only will we effectively find and put an end to the main cause of the overflow, but we will clean, disinfect, sanitize, and restore all floors and fixtures damaged from the water. As we work, we will truly put your needs and the needs of your family first and foremost, ahead of all other concerns. We will work hard to restore your bathroom to a sanitary and comfortable condition as soon as humanly possible.

If you’d like to learn more about our services, reach out to us today at Satin Touch for further information.