How to prevent water damage

You might need to know how to prevent water damage as it can happen at any time. From plumbing leaks to faulty or broken appliances, water overflow has the potential to cause some serious damage, especially if it’s not taken care of right away. To protect your home from issues that can be caused by water such as mould growth, flooding, and damage to the foundations of your property, it is best to be prepared for the worst. That’s why we have put together a list of the top causes of water damage and how to prevent them.

Broken or leaky pipes

Leaking or broken water pipes are among the most common causes of water damage to a home. If a pipe ruptures in your home, serious water damage can occur. Sometimes, all it takes is a change in water pressure or freezing temperatures to cause pipes to burst. Even a minor dripping leak can lead to substantial water damage over time. However, not all water damage is visible. Plumbing or drain damage can often be unseen and can go unnoticed within the walls of your home or in areas that are not highly trafficked.

To guard against leaks, inspect your home often for signs of leaking pipes. Early moisture detection can prevent more extensive damage down the line. If a pipe does burst, call a professional immediately. Early moisture detection can prevent more extensive damage down the line. If you suspect there may be an unseen leak, there are some signs of water damage to watch out for including listening at night for any sounds of dripping water or looking out for water rings or stains that point to a leak in the pipes. While rings may be easier to notice, keep an eye out for smaller water stains on the ceiling or walls which are also common. Regularly go through your home and make a note of areas that are close to plumbing. Soft or sagging spots on the floor, especially near the tub, shower, and sinks may be signs of a burst pipe or leaking appliances in need of repairs such as dishwashers and washing machines.

If a pipe does burst and there is considerable damage to your home, call a water damage professional to ensure that the proper steps are taken to restore your property to normal.

Water Overflow

Forgetting to turn off the taps in your sink or bathtub can lead to a soggy problem fast. Water overflow caused by sinks or toilets can wreck flooring and carpeting and even break through a downstairs ceiling if ignored long enough. If not completely cleaned up and restored right away, you may also experience permanently damaged wood and mould growth. Remember to always keep an eye on running taps. To ensure your toilets don’t overflow, know how to turn off the water supply on each toilet at the valve located on the wall.

If you’re unable to reach it, or the taps won’t close, turn off the main water supply lines to your home to avoid further damage. If the damage is minor, you can call a plumber to help fix the issue and the related minor damage. However, extensive damage may require calling a water damage restoration expert. Acting quickly is key to avoiding costly damage to your home and belongings.

Faulty household appliances

As mentioned above, malfunctioning clogs can cause appliances to leak. A dishwasher leak, for instance, can cause water damage to cabinets and lead to warped wood or mould growth. Fridges and freezers may have a clogged pipe. Likewise, washing machines can become worn with time and start to leak unless they’re regularly maintained.

As a general rule of thumb, if there is water where you can see it, there is very likely water where you can’t. This is where serious water damage can occur. If your dishwasher or other appliance leaks, clean up the leakage as quickly as possible and have your appliance repaired or replaced. Calling a professional for regular maintenance is the first step to preventing water damage to your home. If the leakage is extensive, you’ll need to call emergency services to ensure that the water flow is stopped and the damage is contained and restored.

Clogged guttering

Gutters are meant to direct water away from your home but a clogged gutter can cause water to overflow and slowly seep into your property through roof leaks or a damaged foundation. Periodic cleaning is important to ensure that your gutters are free of any debris. Twice a year, take the time to remove any leaves, twigs, seedpods, and other blockages from your gutters. Remember, if you’re planning on cleaning your own gutters, please stay safe by following the proper safety precautions.

Preventing long-lasting effects from water damage

Even with the best precautions, water damage can still happen, be it from extreme weather or something else. If damage does occur because of plumbing leaks or water overflow, call ServiceMaster Restore to act fast and restore your home back to normal. Our experts will assess the damage and create a bespoke and comprehensive restoration plan to get your home up and running as soon as possible.

We are available 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week, and can be reached in an emergency on 0845 762 6828, or by finding your nearest ServiceMaster Restore here.

Written by Tom Page, Digital Content Writer

Restore your property in response to a disaster disaster

How ServiceMaster Restore can restore your property in response to a disaster.

In the aftermath of a disaster, it can be difficult to think of how to respond and what to do. You’re still in shock from the surprise of what has happened and might not have a plan of action for the situation. At ServiceMaster Restore we know what to do to help you get back on track after a sudden disaster. Be it from water and flooding, smoke and fire, or trauma, ServiceMaster Restore is on hand 24/7 and will be there to help and respond as soon as you need us.

Water Damage

Damage from water can come from many sources; a burst pipe, extreme weather, or a flood. No matter the amount of water, it’s always best to err on the side of caution as even a small amount of water can cause significant damage. If you’re unsure of what to look for, there are some easy signs of water damage to be on the lookout for.

And if you do suspect water damage on your property, our technicians have the specialist skills and equipment to resolve the issue as efficiently as possible, protecting your belongings and endeavour to leave your property as good as new wherever they can. And in severe cases, we are committed to reinstating damaged decor and furniture to ensure your property is fully restored to its former condition.

Fire Damage

Damage from a fire may not come just from the fire itself. In a lot of cases, smoke can cause significant damage due to the acidic residue that it leaves behind. In dealing with the initial aftermath, our goal is to help you avoid the cost of needing alternative accommodation. We work quickly, ensuring that your assets and belongings are protected from any further damage, whilst dealing with the more immediate fire damage.

With over 65 years as a leading disaster restoration service, we pride ourselves on having one of the quickest response times in the industry and all of the latest specialist products and equipment to deal with fire and smoke damage in all areas of the property. All our technicians are fully trained in fire mitigation, restoration and corrosion control to give you the reassurance and results you need in a difficult situation.

Trauma Response

Experiencing death and trauma scenes is something most of us are unprepared to ever encounter in our day to day lives. Trauma Clean Up services from ServiceMaster Restore can help minimise disruption and upset and also ensure the aftermath is dealt with hygienically. These traumatic events are, understandably very difficult for people to cope with. Our top priority is your safety, which is why we always endeavour to carry out sensitive, prompt, professional trauma scene cleaning services to restore the property to its original condition as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Once at a scene, our highly trained technicians will evaluate the extent of the damage and when authority is given we will immediately begin trauma scene clean up and restoration procedures. We sanitise, clean, and deodorise all affected areas for a wide variety of infectious pathogens including HIV, Hepatitis A, B and C and Tuberculosis. Once the infectious pathogens have been eradicated we take all steps to return the residence or business to its original state prior to the incident. We will then take swabs to thoroughly check that the property has been properly sanitised, to ensure that you are safe to return.

So if you need to restore your property in response to a disaster, ServiceMaster Restore will be there to support you in making sure that you can recover as soon as possible. We are available 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week, and can be reached in an emergency on 0845 762 6828, or by finding your nearest ServiceMaster Restore here.

Written by Tom Page, Digital Content Writer