Common Culprits and Questions on Water Damage

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

Leaky pipes are often the culprit when it comes to water damage.

What are the initial steps after water has invaded your home?

You can do these things to salvage your home from flood waters. 

Whether the water damage to your Jacksonville - Arlington home came from a faucet or appliance within your home or inclement weather outside of it, the first steps you should take to deal with the issue should mostly be the same. Although the actual restoration process  starts can vary widely depending on the type and extent of damage your home has sustained, these first few countermeasures should give you a significant advantage heading into the coming battle against damage. Also, be sure to prioritize your safety above all else: if you feel that your safety could be put at risk by any of these steps, hold off on it until later.

Step 1 - Call For Help

We keep crews ready and available on a 24/7 basis to rapidly respond to any disaster you might encounter because the faster we can arrive at the scene, the more damage we can prevent and the more money we can save for everyone involved. As soon as you get off the phone with us, your second phone call should be to your insurance company to tell them what has happened and inform them that certified damage mitigation specialists are already on their way. 

Step 2 - Separate Everything

One of the ways to start the drying process early is to separate as many things as you can. Remove objects from wet flooring and cushions or sheets from beds and sofas. Keeping objects separate allows more of their surface area to dissipate moisture and removes the threat of color bleed that may otherwise permanently stain most materials.

Step - 3 Use The Climate To Your Advantage

If the air outside isn't very humid, you may want to open up windows and doors to allow moisture in the home to evaporate quicker. Alternatively, when it is warm outside, turning on your air conditioning can improve air circulation in the home and start drying out the entire area.

We are right around the corner and ready to start removing the water and repairing the damage. 

Common causes of water damage in a Jacksonville home?

We love our air conditioners in Florida. However water damage can start with a water puddle collecting on the floor beneath your air conditioner. It's quite likely that you have an air conditioner leak on your hands. However, learning more about what causes A/C water leaks and how to resolve the issue can preclude you from experiencing headaches and financial complications. Get the information you need regarding how to deal with water dripping from your AC unit. Check out the tips below.

 Air Conditioners

Air conditioners remove humidity and cool the air during hot weather. The process of air dehumidification and cooling transference is completed by the A/C evaporator coil. The A/C coil looks somewhat like a car radiator. It is located within a metal box in the air handler. The warm air moves over this coil and condenses into tiny water drops. Visualize a glass of ice with water collecting on the exterior and running down onto the table. Hot and cold contact will induce moisture (water vapor) to liquefy. When an HVAC system is in operation, the condensation is capable of producing a high volume of water. This water must be drained. The condensed water from the coil will drip into a catch pan located beneath the coil. A hose or PVC pipe will travel from the pan's drain fitting to an exterior drainage point. This line may be installed under the concrete pad, in the foundation crawl space or the attic crawlspace. If this draining process is restricted, water will back up causing overflows onto floors, walls, or ceilings.

Blockage in the AC drain pan or hose. 

Algae buildup is the usual culprit. Keep a tablet of algicide in the drain pan and replace it before it totally dissolves. If the interior of the housing is moist, be sure to check the drain hose and turn the A/C system off. A small sump pump, actuated by a float microswitch, can be placed at the lowest collection point in the safety pan to remove accumulated water. This device can warn your impending problems. Call for HVAC service or you may be calling SERVPRO of Arlington / Jacksonville East for water removal and water damage restoration.

Constricted hose.

Look for items that could be sitting on your drain hose or pinching it. Examples include laundry and storage boxes.

Air locks in the drain hose. 

In this case, the hose's discharge end might be submerged in water. If so, an air bubble could cause an air lock.

What if you are buying a home and suspect there might be previous damage from water?

SERVPRO knows what to inspect when you suspect water damage.

Residential property in Jacksonville can sustain different kinds of damage from moisture when a house or apartment building sits vacant for a lengthy period. Getting a home ready for new occupants means additional work in these situations. Most, if not all, home buyers and most renters insist that the condition of their new dwelling is in excellent condition.

When selling or renting a home or apartment in Jacksonville, keeping an eye out for signs of damage from water when conducting an inspection can prevent future unpleasant situations. Damaged pipes might exist, but other sources of water can involve damaged roofing components, wet crawl spaces, damaged gutters, or faulty appliances. Water heaters can slowly leak and cause a house to suffer high humidity. Our trusted employees can quickly determine the source of leaking water, so future harm  does not occur.

Mitigating existing damage can take the form of removing damaged areas as well as cleaning surfaces of grime attracted by damp conditions. One thing to keep in mind is the possibility of mold and mildew infestation. Our IICRC-certified professionals can perform any necessary remediation if we detect microbial activity. We want to help you in preparing your property for future occupants.

 If water still exists, we can get this removed from the house and get things dry again. Dampness can make paint bubble and peel, and affect wallpaper coverings in negative ways, also. Windows can stick, and doors and cabinets can also become difficult to close or open easily whenever water damage affects a residence. Floorboards can warp, buckle, crown, and even splinter. Wooden treads on the staircase can also sustain severe damage from exposure to the damp conditions caused by water.

SERVPRO of Arlington/Jacksonville East, our teams can be deployed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency services. We Are Faster To Any Size Disaster. Give us a call at (904) 721-2230, and we can send a team out as quickly as possible to get started.