What to do When Your Home Has a Water Leak

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Fort Worth equipment placed in a building after a water leak.

What Causes Water Damage? 

Water damage can originate from different sources such as a broken dishwasher hose, a washing machine overflow, a dishwasher leakage, broken/leaking pipes, floodwaters, and clogged toilets. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 13.7% of all water used in the home today can be attributed to plumbing leaks. On average, approximately 10,000 gallons of water per year are wasted by leaks for each US home. A tiny, 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day.

Left unfixed, these leaks can cause more severe problems in the future. Mold can grow, and structures can rot or become weak from the water's strain soaking into them, resulting in damage and possibly collapse. 

Removing Water Once an Incident Occurs 

Once a Water leak occurs, your priority should be removing the water and drying out the area to prevent further damage. Calling in professionals should be your first task before trying to deal with the water yourself. SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth is on call 24/7 and ready to help deal with any disaster day or night. We can arrive quickly and begin removing water from your home with our expert equipment so that the drying process can begin as soon as possible.

Different removal methods and measures are used depending on the category of water. Due to the destructive nature of water, chosen restoration methods also depend heavily on the amount of water and on the amount of time the water has remained stagnant. For example, as long as carpet has not been wet for longer than 48 hours, and the water involved was not sewage based, a carpet can usually be saved if it is relatively new; however, if the water has soaked for longer, then the carpet is probably irreparable and will have to be replaced. Water damage restoration can be performed by SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Beginning the Restoration Process

Water damage restoration is often prefaced by a loss assessment and evaluation of affected materials by our trained and certified technicians. The damaged area is inspected with water sensing equipment such as probes and other infrared tools to determine the source of the damage and the possible extent of the area affected. Restoration services would then be rendered to the residence to dry the structure, sanitize any affected or cross-contaminated areas, and deodorize all affected areas and materials. After the labor is completed, water damage equipment, including air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, wood floor drying systems, and subfloor drying equipment is left in residence. Our technicians take readings on the drying process as it progresses. 

No matter the time of day or night, we offer you the services you need. Call us 24/7 at 817-293-5553 for professional, timely service.