Disasters don’t make an appointment before they strike. They always happen at the worst of times! A broken pipe or broken water heater can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. If water has breached your home, it is of utmost importance to get it cleaned up right away. Even clean water that sits for 24-48 hours can become dangerous to your health. There are different levels of water damage one can experience.
Category 1, 2 & 3 of Water Remediation
There is “clean water” or category 1, which is water from a broken water supply line, or a tub or sink overflow. This water is the simplest to clean if you act quickly. Tough Carpet Cleaning can remove this water from your home and save your carpets and other flooring! Then there is “grey water” or category 2. This water contains high levels of chemical, biological or other contaminants that can cause illness if ingested or exposed to. This water comes from toilet overflows, sump pump malfunctions, or water discharge from washing machines or dishwashers. Often times, with this type of damage, floors must be removed and replaced. Then there is “Black water” or category 3. This water contains harmful pathogens and is grossly contaminated. It comes from sewage backups, seawater, overflowing rivers or streams or waters from flooding due to a storm. This cleanup requires a special cleaning crew with special equipment to clean up. Clean water or grey water that has been left untreated for more than 48 hours will turn to a black water situation. There is no fixing a black water breach, everything must be torn out, furniture that has been exposed will be thrown away and walls and flooring will need to be replaced. So, what are some thing you can do to help avoid this catastrophe from happening in your home? Tough Carpet Cleaning has some helpful hints!
How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage
1: Know where your water main is– In the event of a broken pipe or other unfortunate event, knowing where your water main is so you can quickly cut the water supply will aid in limiting the damage that is done. If you plan to go on vacation or leave for an extended amount of time, shut off the water main to your home and turn your water heater to “vacation mode”. Doing so will eliminate the possibility of a water breach while you’re away!
2: Check for water leaks regularly and fix them right away– Make it a habit to check under your sinks at least twice a month to look for water leaks. Even little leaks can cause big problems. When water is left to sit, it causes mold, mildew, dry rot and structural damage. Most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover water damage to an extent if it is caught in the early stages. Neglect or failure to maintain your property will not be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.
3: Plant trees strategically– Some trees have extensive root systems, like that of the weeping willow. If you plant trees near water lines it is likely that eventually their roots can become intertwined around the water line and cause a water line to burst or break. Consider having problem trees removed if they are known to be near utility pipes in your yard to avoid a disaster.
4: Disconnect garden hoses during freeze warnings– Water hoses outside retain a bit of water in the hose even when it’s off. When it’s cold enough to create frost or freeze water, the water in the hose can become frozen and create an ice block that will compromise water flow and create a back up in pressure leading to a burst pipe. This will likely cause water damage to walls, floors and foundations.
Water Extraction, Carpet Drying, Cleaning, Sanitizing, Deodorizing & More in Enterprise, Paradise, Spring Valley, Henderson, North LV, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Green Valley Ranch, Inspirada, Mountains Edge, Peccole Ranch, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada
These are just a few helpful hints to remember. Tough Carpet Cleaning’s technicians are experienced in water damage clean up and restoration. Early intervention is key, give us a call right away if water breaches your home, and we’ll clean up the mess!