The mission at Force 1 Restoration Services is to improve the lives of clients by providing them with a clean, safe, healthy environment after a water damage disaster. Highly trained technicians using the best equipment, the latest technologies, and industry-leading cleaning and restoration techniques remove the water and moisture, clean and disinfect the damaged areas, and restore the house to its pre-disaster condition.
Common Causes of Water Damage in the Home
The home is a water damage disaster waiting to happen. The opportunities for a drip, leak, spill, overflow, or flood are numerous. Listed below are some common causes of water damage in a residential setting. Some of these issues can also be present in a commercial setting.
- Failure of appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, or dishwashers
- Water heater failure
- HVAC system failure
- A ruptured water supply line to appliances, toilets, or kitchen or bathroom faucets
- Broken or corroded pipes
- Clogged toilets and drains
- Roof leaks from storm damage or aging shingles
- Sump pump failure in the basement or crawl space
- Structural issues: damaged foundation, clogged gutters, and crawl space moisture
- Frozen water pipes
- A tub overflow
- Leaks around windows, doors, and the chimney
Tips to Help Prevent Water Damage
Tip #1: Know what the signs of water damage are.
An awareness of the sources of potential water leaks in a Vernon, CT, home, or business needs to be supplemented with knowledge of the signs of water damage. The telltale signs of water damage include:
- Black, brown, or light yellowish stains on walls and ceilings
- Blistering or peeling paint
- Bubbling or peeling wallpaper
- Warped sheetrock or drywall
- Unexplained high water bills
- Pooled water at the base of appliances
- Warped or soft flooring
- Wet carpeting
- The sound of water dripping or running when all water sources are off
- A musty, earthy smell
- Black, dark green, or brown mold on walls, under cabinets, or in closets
These are not all the signs of water damage. Some signs are so small or so subtle that only the keen eye of a trained professional can spot or detect a water leak. Sometimes, special technologies are required to identify abnormal moisture levels, which may indicate a leak.
Tip #2: Know where to look for water damage and inspect those areas regularly.
Look for signs of water leaks under cabinets with sinks, around appliances that use water, on the ceiling under upstairs bathrooms, around toilets, and around windows and doors. Periodically inspect hose connections for the washing machine. When cleaning around the refrigerator, check the ice maker connection for leaks and drips.
Tip #3: Anticipate failures.
Appliances will eventually wear out. Manufacturers often provide customers with an estimate of how long an appliance will last under normal conditions. There are many websites, such as Consumer Reports, that provide excellent, unbiased product reviews and ratings. For example, a gas water heater is rated to last eight to twelve years, while a standard electric water heater is expected to last from ten to fifteen years. The hoses that supply water to the washing machine may last up to ten years. Replace these hoses every five years to be on the safe side, even if they are reinforced with braided steel.
Tip #4: Know who to call when a water damage disaster strikes.
Knowing what to look for, knowing where to look, and anticipating water leak hazards will go a long way to preventing a water damage disaster. Knowing who to call when a water disaster happens can save precious time, which will minimize the scope of the water damage and reduce the expense of the restoration project. Making the first call to the best professional water damage restoration expert means that the restoration process will begin immediately and finish sooner.
Vernon, CT, residents can trust the property damage restoration experts at Force 1 Restoration Services to handle any size water damage disaster, anytime day or night. A Force 1 Restoration Services representative explains the company’s mission, saying, “Our mission is to provide our customers with a healthy indoor environment by removing any and all indoor contaminants, and restoring their home or office to its original condition. We repair water, fire, smoke, and biohazard damage, and offer full reconstruction and rebuilding. Throughout our history, we have developed superior restoration technology and we proceed with one goal in mind – getting your life back on track!”
For more information about water damage restoration in Vernon, CT, and the surrounding area, contact the Force 1 Restoration Services office at (860) 289-0417.
