The first signs of water damage might seem trivial. But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak under the kitchen sink can lead to real problems, like a weakened roof or rotten floorboards. A burst pipe can even damage your furniture and other personal possessions. Why take a chance? Learn where your home is most likely to suffer water damage, and what you can do to help prevent it.
Inside your home
Kitchen
•Dishwasher – Periodically check for leaks under the sink where the hose connects to the water supply. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.
•Refrigerator – If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure the hose connection is securely attached to the water supply line. Also, a wet spot on the floor may be a sign of a crimped icemaker line about to burst.
•Sink – Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks, and check the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe may indicate a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.
Bathroom
•Showers and bathtubs – Remove and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water can leak through these damaged sealants, causing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and floors.
•Sinks – Check under the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes.
•Toilets – Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects such as hanging bowl deodorants. Also, some chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode internal plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak.
Basement, Laundry or Utility room
•Washing machine – Check hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around hose ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every three to five years as part of a proactive maintenance program. To help make sure the hose doesn’t kink, leave at least four inches (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine.
•Water heater – Most water heaters last eight to 15 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a leak. Water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home, next to a floor drain, or inside a drain pan piped to the floor drain.
•Sump pump – Battery-operated back-up sump pumps can help protect against power failure or failure of the primary pump. Test the sump pump before the start of each wet season. Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years and must have some components replaced or serviced within those 10 years.
Since water may still come through an overflowing drain or cracks in the foundation walls, make sure items stored in the basement are kept off the floor. Furniture should be on casters or shims and arranged away from floor drains.
Stopping leaks at the source
•Check for hidden leaks. First, turn off faucets and all water-using appliances, and don’t flush toilets for one hour. Then, record the water meter reading. If the flow indicator (triangular or diamond-shaped rotating button) is spinning or the meter reading has changed while no water is being used, a leaking pipe may exist.
•Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Check it frequently for problems, and shut off the water if you will be away from your home for several days or longer.
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Showing posts with label wind. Show all posts
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, November 20, 2009
EMERGENCY Tips from 1st Response
Learn what to do and what not to do on water, fire and smoke damage
If you’re in the midst of a water, fire or smoke disaster, know that 1st Response will be there when you call 345-4911. In the meantime, here are some ways to mitigate the damage yourself.
What to do if you ever have water damage:
If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
Wipe furniture dry.
Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying.
Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if available.
Important warnings on water damage
Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage.
Do not wait to call for professional help. Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.
What to do if you have smoke/fire damage
Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes, and carpets.
Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
If electrical service is off, clean out your freezer and refrigerator. Leave the doors propped open or place charcoal in the unit.
Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified professional dry cleaner who specializes in smoke damage.
Clean Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
Wipe the leaves of houseplants to remove smoke residue.
Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
Tape cheesecloth over intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot in the air. This is even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
Important warnings on smoke and fire damage
Do not attempt to wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting 1st Response. Incorrect cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Again, incorrect procedures could increase damage.
Do not use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.
Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
Do not touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing further damage.
Do not eat food that has been exposed to fire or smoke.
Do not wait to call for professional help.
Call 1st Response, 345-4911.
If you’re in the midst of a water, fire or smoke disaster, know that 1st Response will be there when you call 345-4911. In the meantime, here are some ways to mitigate the damage yourself.
What to do if you ever have water damage:
If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
Wipe furniture dry.
Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying.
Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if available.
Important warnings on water damage
Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage.
Do not wait to call for professional help. Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.
What to do if you have smoke/fire damage
Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes, and carpets.
Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
If electrical service is off, clean out your freezer and refrigerator. Leave the doors propped open or place charcoal in the unit.
Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified professional dry cleaner who specializes in smoke damage.
Clean Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
Wipe the leaves of houseplants to remove smoke residue.
Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
Tape cheesecloth over intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot in the air. This is even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
Important warnings on smoke and fire damage
Do not attempt to wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting 1st Response. Incorrect cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Again, incorrect procedures could increase damage.
Do not use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.
Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
Do not touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing further damage.
Do not eat food that has been exposed to fire or smoke.
Do not wait to call for professional help.
Call 1st Response, 345-4911.
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