Recent Posts
How to Prevent and Fix Frozen Pipes
12/16/2024 (Permalink)
Winter can be harsh on your home’s plumbing, and frozen pipes are one of the most common issues faced during cold months. When water freezes inside pipes, it expands, potentially leading to cracks, leaks, or even bursts. Here’s a guide on how to prevent frozen pipes and what to do if you’re dealing with them.
Understanding the Risks of Frozen Pipes
When temperatures drop below freezing, water inside exposed or poorly insulated pipes can solidify. This not only blocks the flow of water but can also create immense pressure within the pipe, causing it to rupture. The repair costs for burst pipes can be significant, and water damage can disrupt your home for weeks.
Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
- Insulate Your Pipes Wrap pipes in foam insulation, especially those located in unheated areas like basements, attics, or crawl spaces. Pipe insulation is affordable and easy to install.
- Seal Drafts Identify and seal cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and walls near pipes. This helps keep cold air out and maintains a stable temperature.
- Keep a Drip Let faucets trickle during freezing weather. A small flow of water can prevent pressure build-up and freezing.
- Open Cabinet Doors Allow warm air to circulate pipes under sinks by keeping cabinet doors open. This is particularly helpful in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Maintain a Consistent Temperature Avoid lowering your thermostat too much at night. Keeping your home warm reduces the risk of frozen pipes.
- Install Heat Tape Heat tape or cables can be applied directly to pipes, providing a regulated heat source during extreme cold.
Frozen pipes can cause significant inconvenience and damage, but with proper precautions, they are entirely preventable. By following these tips and staying vigilant during the winter months, you can protect your home and avoid costly repairs. If you do encounter frozen pipes, SERVPRO of the Attleboros can help ease the issue and clean up excess damage.
How Minor Water Leaks Can Lead to Major Damage
12/2/2024 (Permalink)
When we think about water damage in a home, images of burst pipes or flooded basements often come to mind. However, a smaller, seemingly insignificant leak can cause just as much damage over time. Here’s a closer look at how these small leaks can escalate, why they’re often overlooked, and how to catch and fix them before they wreak havoc.
- The Hidden Nature of Small Leaks
Small leaks are deceptive. They often drip from areas that are hard to spot: beneath sinks, behind walls, under floors, or within ceilings. These leaks rarely draw attention immediately, especially if they’re hidden out of sight. However, water’s pervasive nature means even a minor, slow drip can lead to significant issues.
- Understanding the Damage from Slow Leaks
Water damage from a small leak may be subtle at first, but it can still compromise the structural integrity of your home and create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Here’s how:
Structural Weakening: Continuous moisture exposure can weaken wood, drywall, and insulation, leading to warping, rot, and even collapse over time.
Mold and Mildew Growth: Small leaks keep spaces damp, making them ideal environments for mold growth. Once mold sets in, it can spread quickly, causing damage and posing health risks.
Increasing Repair Costs: A small leak might seem like a minor issue, but the cumulative damage it causes can be far more expensive to fix than a quick repair early on.
- Common Sources of Small Leaks
Some of the most common places small leaks occur include:
Dripping Faucets and Showerheads: These are often ignored, but over time, they can waste gallons of water and cause buildup in sinks and tubs.
Toilet Leaks: Toilets can develop small leaks where the tank meets the bowl, or around the base, causing hidden water damage to the floor.
Appliances: Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters are often sources of small, unnoticed leaks that worsen over time.
Pipes Beneath Sinks or Inside Walls: Slow leaks in these areas can soak floors, walls, or cabinetry, leading to mold and wood damage.
- Why Small Leaks Often Go Unnoticed
Since minor leaks rarely cause immediate issues, they’re often overlooked during routine maintenance. Additionally, small leaks may not trigger water alarms, and they often don't show a significant spike in your water bill until the damage is severe.
- Prevention and Early Detection Tips
Preventing and detecting leaks before they cause extensive damage is key. Here’s how to stay ahead:
Inspect Regularly: Check under sinks, around toilets, and near appliances regularly for signs of moisture or pooling water.
Monitor Water Pressure: High water pressure puts stress on pipes and joints, increasing the risk of leaks.
Install Water Alarms and Smart Leak Detectors: These devices can alert you to even minor leaks and shut off the water supply if necessary.
Address Minor Issues Immediately: Fixing a drip or slow leak early can save you from costly repairs down the line.
- When to Call a Professional
Sometimes, locating the source of a leak is challenging. If you notice unexplained damp spots, a musty odor, or signs of water damage but can’t find the source, it’s time to call SERVPRO of the Attleboros. A quick inspection could save you from dealing with severe structural repairs and health issues.
What to Do If Your Business Floods
11/3/2024 (Permalink)
When flooding strikes your business, it can be devastating both financially and operationally. A flooded space can halt operations, damage valuable equipment, and create hazardous conditions. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can make a big difference in minimizing damage and recovering swiftly. Here’s what you need to do if your business is hit by flooding.
- Ensure Safety First
Safety should be your top priority. If flooding has created standing water or has impacted the electrical systems in your building, it’s crucial to evacuate the premises immediately and keep everyone safe. Turn off the electricity and gas supply to prevent electrical hazards. Do not allow anyone to re-enter the premises until a professional has confirmed it’s safe.
- Contact Professional Restoration Services
Flood cleanup requires specialized equipment and expertise. Contact a professional water damage restoration company to handle water extraction, drying, and decontamination. They can respond quickly to mitigate the damage and prevent mold, bacteria, and other hazards from developing.
- Salvage What You Can
If safe and feasible, remove any undamaged or salvageable items from the flooded areas. Furniture, electronics, documents, and inventory can sometimes be saved if removed quickly enough. Place items in a dry, safe area, and be mindful of handling electrical equipment that may have been exposed to water.
- Begin Water Extraction and Drying
Professional restoration services will take the lead on this, but if they haven’t yet arrived and it’s safe to begin, you can start removing as much water as possible. Use mops, buckets, and, if available, wet/dry vacuums. Open doors and windows to improve ventilation and use fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. Drying should continue until moisture levels are back to normal to prevent mold growth.
- Sanitize the Affected Areas
Floodwater often contains contaminants, bacteria, or chemicals that pose health risks. All affected areas should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before reopening. We offer professional sanitization services to eliminate any residual risks and ensure a safe environment for you and your employees.
Flooding can be overwhelming, but taking these steps can help you respond quickly, minimize damage, and get back to business as soon as possible. From prioritizing safety and documenting damage to working with SERVPRO of The Attleboros, each step plays a crucial role in protecting your business.
Pipes Burst in Office Building
9/28/2023 (Permalink)
What to do if you have a burst pipe:
- Look for damp patches on walls, ceilings, and floors
- Look for loss of water pressure and unusual noises in the system.
- Clean the excess water away as soon as possible to reduce more damage.
- Move Furniture and belongings away from the affected area.
Call your insurance company and SERVPRO of the Attleboros, we work hand in hand with insurance companies.
If your office building has a pipe burst, call SERVPRO of the Attleboros for help. We have mastered our services and are available 25/7. Our team is quick to respond, faster to any disaster, and highly trained.
Why you should choose SERVPRO of the Attleboros.
- We are fast to any size of disaster
We are available 24/7 just for you, and our team works faster and is always ready for water damage or emergencies.
- We are water damage restoration specialists
Our teams have advanced training and expertise.
- We use advanced drying equipment.
If you need emergency service, Call us 24/7 - (508) 223- 0505
What to do if your business gets hit with storm flooding in Attleboro, MA?
9/28/2023 (Permalink)
If you're used to Attleboro, MA weather, then you probably know that this weather can be unexpected, and downright stressful to get hit with flooding damages. Knowing to call SERVPRO of The Attleboros for your remediation services can save you future stress and vulnerability.
If you get hit with storm flooding here are some tips to do after flooding:
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture
- Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet
- Turn the air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summer
- Gather loose items from the floors
At SERVPRO of The Attleboros, any wet upholstery, furniture, boxes, files, and documents can be saved and dried professionally by us.
Don’t wait and call SERVPRO of The Attleboros. We will arrive and are ready to start the process of any flood damage.
If you need emergency service, Call us 24/7 - (508) 223- 0505
How to look for signs you have mold in your MA home.
9/28/2023 (Permalink)
If your home recently had water damage, and you didn’t have your water damage issue fixed, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow. When mold is formed it will not only affect your home but also your health. You may be wondering how you can tell if you have mold on your walls, ceiling, floor, or wood. Here are a few ways you can figure out if you have mold in your home:
- Smelling a mold odor
- Condensation
moisture build-up will be on glass, windows, or pipes. - Health symptoms
some types of mold are toxic and cause more serious symptoms - Spotting and fur on walls
- Old water damage/leakage
When to call for mold removal in MA
If the mold has been discovered in your home, call your local SERVPRO®. At SERVPRO of the Attleboros, you can view our website for mold removal services.
Preventing soot damage in your house | Attleboro, MA
9/28/2023 (Permalink)
Soot stains can be an eyesore for some people, and large amounts of soot can cause health problems. Soot comes from many things including; gas fireplaces, wood fireplaces/stoves, and candles.
How to Prevent Soot Stains:
- Get your chimney inspected.
- Provide proper airflow.
- Only burn seasonal wood.
When a fire happens, SERVPRO® of The Attleboros will arrive and be ready to start the process of any fire and soot damage emergency.
If you need emergency service, Call us 24/7 - (508) 223-0505
- We are fast to any size of disaster
We are available 24/7 just for you, and our team works faster and is always ready for fire damage or soot damage emergencies.
- We are fire damage restoration specialists
Our teams have advanced training and expertise.
What to do if your business gets hit with storm flooding in Attleboro, MA?
9/20/2022 (Permalink)
If you're used to Attleboro, MA weather, then you probably know that this weather can be unexpected, and downright stressful to get hit with flooding damages. Knowing to call SERVPRO of The Attleboros for your remediation services can save you future stress and vulnerability.
If you get hit with storm flooding here are some tips to do after flooding:
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture
- Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet
- Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summer
- Gather loose items from the floors
At SERVPRO of The Attleboros, any wet upholstery, furniture, boxes, files, and documents can be saved and dried professionally by us.
Don’t wait and call SERVPRO of the Attleboros. We will arrive and are ready to start the process of any flood damage.
If you need emergency service, Call us 24/7 - (508) 223- 0505
Easy things to prevent a fire in your MA home.
9/13/2022 (Permalink)
Anyone knows that a fire can be scary to imagine your home stuffed from the disaster as fires can cause little or large damage. Although you can’t control everything, there are some easy things you can do to reduce the risk of a fire.
- Check your smoke alarms regularly
If you don’t have smoke alarms, be sure to get them installed. If you have fire alarms check the batteries to make sure they are working.
- Inspect your heating sources
Whether that be cleaning your air filters, or unplugging your space headers after use. Not leaving your indoor fireplace unattended.
Be sure to always empty out the lint basket before putting a new load in.
Keep your wires/cords well kept, and clean. Make sure the hot cords are not touching anything that could cause a spark.
Storm Flooding in Westport, MA
9/13/2022 (Permalink)
After having a flood on your property, you should learn what to do after a storm flooding and learn what not to do after flooding. Below is a list of 5 things you should and shouldn’t do after a flood.
What to do after flooding:
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
- Remove excess water on furniture and prop up upholstery and cushions.
- Gather loose items from the floors.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Turn on air conditioning for maximum drying.
What not to do after flooding:
- Don't leave wet fabrics in place
- Don't leave items on the wet carpet or floors.
- Don't use a household vacuum to remove water.
- Don't use any household appliances that have been in contact with the water.
- Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet
24/7 Emergency Service
