Category: Winter Leaks

  • 5 Tips for Dealing With Mold Damage From Winter Water Leaks

    5 Tips for Dealing With Mold Damage From Winter Water Leaks

    Mold damage can be a massive headache, especially during winter when water leaks are more common. If you have had a water leak in your home and are now dealing with mold damage, don’t worry – we’re here to help! This blog post will discuss five tips for dealing with mold damage. Following these tips should help you get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.

    1. Find the source of the water leak – The first step in dealing with mold damage is to find and repair the source. If you cannot locate the source, it may be best to hire a professional to help you identify and fix any potential issues. Doing so can help prevent future mold growth.

    2. Cut off access to moisture – To reduce the risk of further mold growth, make sure that any areas affected by moisture are sealed off from additional exposure. This includes windows and doors, insulation, or other materials that could absorb water vapor.

    3. Clean up the mess – Once you have cut off access to moisture and identified any potential sources of leaks, it’s time to start cleaning up the mess. Use a wet vacuum to suction up any excess water, then use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area.

    4. Remove infected materials – Unfortunately, some materials exposed to water may need to be removed for the area to dry out effectively. This includes carpets, wallpaper, furniture, and other items that could be affected by mold spores.

    5. Bring in a professional – Once the source of water damage and mold growth has been identified and fixed, it’s time to remove the mold. If the area affected is small, you can attempt to remove the mold yourself by using a detergent solution, scrubbing brush, and protective gear (goggles, face mask, gloves). Ensure you open all windows to ventilate the area while you are working. Once cleaned with the detergent solution, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter attachment to help capture any remaining airborne spores.

    Contact a professional remediation service for larger areas of mold growth and more severe infestations, as they have the specialized equipment and experience needed for safe removal. Professional services will also be able to advise on any additional steps, such as sealing and sealing off the affected area to prevent a recurrence.

    Whatever you decide, take the proper precautions when dealing with mold from water damage. Wear protective gear, open all windows for ventilation, hire professionals if necessary and ensure that the source of the water damage is completely repaired and remedied to avoid future issues. With these tips and precautions, you can quickly eliminate mold from water damage.

    Dealing with mold damage can be stressful, but by following these tips, you should be able to get your home back in order in no time. If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us for professional assistance! Good luck!

  • Water, Sewer, Air and Gas Leaks Winter Can Bring

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Winter is right around the corner and it is only a matter of weeks before we are all walking through snow.  Depending on your personal preference the reality that winter is almost here either brings a smile or a frown to your face.  Regardless of how you may feel about it, one thing is for certain, winter causes leaks.  It is hard on your plumbing and piping systems whenever seasons change and temperatures fluctuate in extremes.  Freezing, expanding and contracting and even corrosion from ice or snowmelt take a toll each and every winter. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Locate leaks during the cold season

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]The best thing we can do as responsible home and business owners is to stay on top of leaks before they occur.  It all begins by knowing where to look, some places are obvious while others may not ever come to mind.  Below are some of the most common places where leaks can occur during the winter season.

    In the basement:  The bottom level of your home or business is always going to be one of the largest culprits when it comes to indoor water leaks during the winter.  The reasons we tend to see water collecting in basements makes enough sense.  Being a low point it is a natural area for snowmelt to gather.  Our technicians commonly see the water getting in from outside due to cracks in the walls or foundation of the home.  Your drainage system also comes into play as it is important for water to leave your properties foundation in an effective manner.  This is especially true if your home or business is at the bottom of a hill or if your eaves, troughs, French drains or downspouts were not professionally installed. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Pipe damage due to extreme weather:  Utah is known for its harsh winters.  In order to survive our piping systems need to be properly fortified and insulated.  Normal wear and tear can also result in burst pipes, water mains, and sewer lines that are underground or beneath concrete slabs.  The most common type of leak in pipes are only the size of a pinhole.  However, these can grow and expand during the winter.  It is important to have a cracked pipe leak detection company to investigate your home or business should you suspect a damaged pipe.

    Your utilities are not working properly:  One final reminder we want to provide in this article is to do a quick inspection of your water utilities as it beings to get cold.  Issues show themselves differently in the winter than they do in the summer.  Keep a sharp eye out for bends, cracks, leaks, water collection and anything unusual.  If your home or business has a sump pump make sure that it is working correctly.  If pumps or drains are not properly removing water it can collect, freeze, expand and cause damage to your property.  It is also sound advice to take a look at your hot water heater.  We recommend during a flush on your water heater before winter is in full swing in order to remove sediment that has built up. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”29863″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”blue” css_animation=”fadeInRight”][/vc_column][/vc_row]