Emergency Water Shutoff Tips: Protect Your Home with SERVPRO of Uptown and East Charlotte

5/31/2024 (Permalink)

Urgent! How to Quickly Shut Off Water to Prevent Home Damage

If you don't know where or how to turn off the water at your property, read on!

Experiencing a water loss at your Charlotte property can be overwhelming, but shutting off the water supply valve can prevent severe damage. If you're not prepared to turn off the water supply in an emergency, hundreds of gallons can flood your home while waiting for help. We have seen this happen!

Where Should You Look for the Water Shutoff?

1. Inside the House: The master shut-off valve is usually located inside the house near the outdoor meter.
2. Basement or Crawlspace: If your home has a basement or crawlspace, the shut-off valve is likely on the wall closest to the street.
3. Slab Construction: If your home is built on a slab with no basement, the valve is most likely in the garage or near the hot water heater.

Found It! Now What?

Once you locate the valve, it will either be a ball valve or a gate valve:

• Ball Valve: Simply turn the handle perpendicular to the pipe.
• Gate Valve: Turn the handle clockwise to shut it off.

After turning off the water, take a deep breath and call in a water specialist to mitigate the damage. One call to SERVPRO of Uptown and East Charlotte, and we will handle the rest—so you can get some rest!

Mastering Water Damage Restoration: SERVPRO® of Uptown Charlotte/Team Bowen

2/6/2024 (Permalink)

Bringing Precision to Every Drop: SERVPRO's Water Extraction Expertise in Action

When it comes to water damage, having cutting-edge equipment and skilled technicians makes all the difference. At SERVPRO of Uptown Charlotte/Team Bowen, we understand the importance of staying ahead in the water loss remediation industry.

Our crew members undergo rigorous training and recertification at the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This ensures they're equipped with the latest techniques and knowledge to handle any water damage situation effectively.

Take carpet water extraction, for example. While it may seem straightforward, there's an art and science to it that requires expertise. Our technicians are trained to use weighted wand extractors, extracting moisture without causing damage to the carpet fibers.

Why does this matter? Because improper extraction techniques can lead to issues like stretched carpet fabric or delamination of the carpet backing. By adhering to industry standards and best practices, we ensure your property is restored efficiently and effectively.

At SERVPRO of Uptown Charlotte/Team Bowen, we're committed to delivering high-quality water mitigation results. Trust our experienced team to handle your water damage needs. Call us at (704) 847-8001 to schedule an appointment today!

Protect Your Home from a Potential Water Emergency | SERVPRO® of Downtown and East Charlotte

7/27/2023 (Permalink)

If you have any water damage, call SERVPRO® of Downtown and East Charlotte. We have the tools and experience to handle any job.

As a homeowner, the last thing you’d want to come home to after a long day at work or a day out with the family is an out-of-control water emergency! Water damage is never convenient and can sometimes be costly, but fortunately, there are ways to stop the water before it gets the chance to infiltrate your home.

Knowing what to look for and how to maintain your home can help you return home each day to a damage-free home! There are many factors around your property that help you protect your home from water and when these safeguards aren’t adequately maintained, you could be left with a water emergency on your hands.

Here’s what you can do to inspect and maintain the appliances and safeguards around your property:

Clear out your downspouts and gutters. These are the most effective tools that aid in directing rainwater away from your home. When these safeguards aren’t properly maintained, it can lead to clogged or overflowing gutters that can damage the exterior and interior of your home. Clear your gutters and downspouts of branches, leaves and debris frequently to keep them running smoothly.

Know how to spot leaks. Knowing how to catch a leak in its tracks before it can escalate to costly water damage can save you from some trouble. Understand the problem areas and appliances of your home that could create leaks. If you detect discoloration, wet spots or warping, it could be the beginning of a property leak.

Inspect your roof regularly. Your roof protects the foundation of your home by acting as a basin to redirect water away from your property. Regularly inspecting your roof or any damage and performing repairs on it when needed is a crucial step to preventing water damage inside your home. Check your roof for signs of wear and tear such as cracked flashing or broken shingles.

Check your appliances. The appliances you use every day are a common source of water damage. Equipment such as your water heater, washing machine and dishwasher are a few of the appliances that can create a water damage emergency. Be sure to regularly have these appliances repaired if you notice they aren’t functioning as normal, and replace them if needed.

Understand how to shut off your water main. As soon as you notice the warning signs of a leak, the first step you should take to prevent any further damage is turning off your water main. Locate where the main water valve is before a water disaster occurs to stay one step ahead of water damage.

When water infiltrates your home and leaves you with a problem on your hands, contact the professionals at SERVPRO® of Downtown and East Charlotte. We can inspect the damage and execute an effective repair plan.

Locating a Rainwater Leak | SERVPRO® of Downtown and East Charlotte

5/19/2023 (Permalink)

If you see any water damage in your home, call SERVPRO of Downtown and East Charlotte to help keep your home dry.

Spring showers bring May flowers, right? While that might be true, spring showers can also bring water damage. Any time that rain accompanies a storm, your home is vulnerable to a potential water leak.

In order to stop these water issues from happening, it is important to understand the areas of your home that are more prone to water leaks. Read on as our SERVPRO of Downtown and East Charlotte team explains more below.

Windows and Doors

It should be no surprise that any area of your home that has direct access to the outside has the potential to leak. Rain can easily leak in between the window sash and jamb and get into your wall studs. Oftentimes, this isn’t noticeable right away, which can lead to rotten walls or degraded framing around the window.

The threshold around any exterior doors also has the potential to cause water problems. If water gets up under the wood beneath your threshold, it can cause the wood to warp, sag and rot as well. Make sure that your doors don’t have any gaps around the frame, and consider investing in a storm door that helps create a barrier between your exterior door and the elements.

Up on Your Roof

Our roofs take on the heavy burden of keeping us warm and dry during a thunderstorm or rainstorm. Over time, they can experience wear and tear or damage during a severe weather event. Leaks can occur around your skylights or attic windows, or they can start from a single missing or broken shingle.

As water slowly leaks into your attic space, it can easily leak into other areas of your home. It will eventually seep through your ceiling and down your walls. If it makes it to your floors, it can spread through your floor joists as well.

Inspecting your roof after each thunderstorm can help alert you to damage, which can prevent a water leak from becoming a huge problem for you.

Your Home’s Siding

Your siding isn’t as vulnerable to water leaks as your roof and windows, but it still has the potential to cause widespread issues. If a particularly severe storm with strong winds rolls into town, the wind can easily cause the rain to get blown sideways. If it gets up under your siding, it can cause structural integrity issues to your interior walls.

If your home does suffer water damage due to a rainwater leak this season, SERVPRO of Downtown and East Charlotte is here for you. We will dry out the water, patch up the leak and assist in any type of restoration or reconstruction projects that you need to ensure a full recovery.

Got water damage? Our SERVPRO specialists can help.

We are Flood Specialists

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Standing water from a leak in laundry room

Whether your home or business has unwanted water due to cracked water lines outside or pipes inside, SERVPRO of East Charlotte is ready to help! Our technicians are highly trained to respond to water disasters of any size with the professionalism and training necessary to ensure the space is restored as quickly as possible.  

• We are available 24 hours a day & 7 days a week.

• We are a preferred vendor to many national insurance companies.

• We work directly with insurance companies.

• Our technicians are highly trained in Water Restoration Techniques.

• We follow s500 IICRC Restoration Standards

• We use specialty inspection and extraction equipment

• SERVPRO of East Charlotte is local, so rest easy knowing our family will take care of your family

Call SERVPRO of East Charlotte today at (704) 529-9963 and our professional team of technicians will respond quickly to your home or business. We are, Here to Help®!

Nightmare to end your vacation

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

Collapsed ceiling from water damage

Vacations are meant to be fun, carefree, mind clearing experiences but for one family their vacation was cut short when a water line on the second floor busted.

Response Time

A neighbor spotted water flowing out of the upstairs windows and the front door when they went to check on the house for them. After the neighbor called the homeowners we got a call minutes later and arrived on scene within the hour.

Action

When we arrived on scene we walked through the house with the neighbor and video called the homeowner to show them the damage that had been done. After seeing the damage the homeowner wanted us to get to work, we emailed the paperwork and got started.

Process

After demo of almost the entire house we got to work drying and mitigating. The house looked like Dexter's labratory when we were down.

Completed

After drying and mitigation was done the rebuild process began to get the homeowners back on their feet. After the job was done correctly and efficiently the homeowner thanked us for our work and got back on their feet.

Water Damage Takes No Days Off

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

Our water certified technicians are ready to step into action as soon as water damage hits your home.

There are two water damage sources...

- Clean water

- Contaminated water

Water Damage For Clean Water

DO:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• Turn off the circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying. 
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Remove to a safe, dry place nay paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture. 
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature. 

DON'T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards. 
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors to cause staining. 
• Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TV's or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors. 
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Water Damage From Contaminated Water

DO:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items. 

DON'T:

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminated air.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas. 

Commercial Water Damage

5/2/2019 (Permalink)

A water intrusion had flooded this commercial space

Just because you leave your commercial space at 5 does not mean everything is put on hold. Water never sleeps so when a pipe bust, roof leak, or any water intrusion strikes your business you need a team that will be there! At SERVPRO of Northeast Mecklenburg County our team of highly trained water certified technicians will be there to get your business space back to grand opening conditions. With our state of the art, industry leading equipment and training our team will be there in no time to get you back on your feet and ready to reopen. It will be "Like it never even happened." 

Flood Waters can come at anytime.

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Flash Flooding from severe downpours

A heavy steady downpour can create flash flooding and severe flooding in low lying and ground slope challenged areas.  This picture shows water slowly receding and the high water lines to a garage and finished basement of a condo.  It is the water in the walls, outlets , and other structural components that needs to be addressed in a timely manner to prevent secondary damages and mold growth.  SERVPRO of Northeast Mecklenburg County can help escort Mother Nature and her residue out of your home and provide a safe and clean home to return to.