Archived Water Damage Blog Posts
How Can I Detect and Correct Leaky Pipes? | SERVPRO® of Rockwall/Rowlett
1/23/2024 (Permalink)
A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett team if you are dealing with any water damage.
Quick—can you name the sources of water damage in your home? You might easily name storms, old roofing, floods and even leaky appliances. One source of water damage that often falls out of sight/out of mind…leaky pipes!
If you do have leaking pipes in your home or business, you need to promptly locate them. Unlike storm damage, slow leaks are not usually covered by insurance.
Maybe you’ve never done a plumbing of any size. The prospect can seem scary. But if it’s in an accessible place, you can often fix a leaky pipe by yourself. This video and many others like it show you the basics of fixing a leaky pipe.
Find It. Fix It. Or Get Help.
Where is the leak? What should you look for when you suspect a leak…or feel actual dampness around your toes?
- Ceiling stains
- Damaged flooring
- Loose, flaking caulking or grout
- Looseness of your sink faucet or handles
- Mold or mildew
- Puddles (of course)
- Tiles that keep coming up
- Toilet that moves when you rock it
Pinpoint the exact source. Saying, “My bathroom plumbing is leaking” is just the first step. Any number of pipes might be causing your bathroom tile to come up. Now, it’s time to narrow down. Check the access panel behind your tub. Look under countertops. Try partially filling your tub or sink. See if you can find water welling up around any pipe joints you see. (Small leaks can be detected by wrapping a dry paper towel around the joint.)
DIY, or call an expert? If you can see and get your hands around a leaky pipe, you can likely repair it yourself. But plenty of leaks are just hard to get to. Or maybe you still can’t pin down a source. Call in a reputable plumber to take it from there. Even for small leaks, early attention will save you money down the road.
I’ve Fixed the Leak, But It’s Looking Moldy
Now that you’ve fixed the leak, does the spot need a clean-up? Call SERVPRO®. In business more than 50 years, we’re experts at cleaning up after water damage.
We’re a local franchise of a national company. That means we have the sense of urgency of a small business, but we can draw on national expertise.
Need to clean up some water damage? Contact us at any time, round the clock for quick service and great results.
Signs Your Home May Have a Water Issue | SERVPRO® of Rockwall/Rowlett
6/2/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett is a full restoration company. Our restoration experts are on call and ready to help you 24/7.
You’ve just settled in for the perfect quiet evening at home, when you hear it: an unfamiliar dripping sound.
You look to the kitchen; the sink is fine. Nothing is dripping in the bathroom or shower. You sneak around on padded feet until you finally come to realize the sound is…inside your wall? That can’t be good.
Unfortunately, it happens. And it’s just one of many worrisome indicators that you could have a water issue on your hands.
Around 14,000 Americans a day face a water damage emergency. It’s among both the most common and most costly repairs for homeowners.
So how can you catch a leak before it becomes a major emergency? Let’s walk through a few of the most common ways to catch a drip in the act:
Wet or dark spots in the ceiling. These indicate trouble above—if you’re on a top story of the house, it could be a leaky roof. If you’re on a lower floor, the first place to check is the bathroom above you.
Unusual or musty smells. If it suddenly smells like the back room of the comic book store, there’s probably some excess moisture gathering somewhere, and potentially mold as well.
Flaky or bubbly paint. Bubbling paint on your walls or ceiling could indicate a leak that’s causing issues underneath.
Dripping sounds. Follow that sound! If you suddenly hear a drip, search it out until you locate the source. A leaky roof could even produce a drip inside the cavities of your walls.
Increased utility bills. If there’s a sudden rise in your utility bill, it could be a simple toilet fix, but it could also be a sneaky leak somewhere. Check basements, crawlspaces and water heaters first.
You’re not alone. Water leaks in the United States waste an astonishing amount—up to a trillion gallons of water per year. The odds dictate that at some point you will have to deal with a water leak, but finding and dealing with it early will be key in determining whether it’s a small DIY fix or a full-blown home nightmare.
If you notice any of these signs in your home, let us take a look. Our expert water restoration technicians can help you determine what is causing these issues and how to treat it properly. Contact us today to learn more.
Growing More So We Can Help More
5/20/2019 (Permalink)
Climbing up and growing together!
With continued mold services, commercial emergency services, and an increase in residential involvement, SERVPRO of Rockwall/Rowlett has experienced a full circle of growth over the last year.
Our depth of knowledge and service has grown to incorporate new abilities to impact our communities in a positive way and, just in time.
The significant rains we have received this spring have created a higher demand for water damage restoration as well as mold remediation than we have seen in the past. Our team is ready to step in and help the members of Rockwall and surrounding communities.
From helping homeowners restore their properties after various types of damage, to assisting business owners in returning back to business "Like it never even happened," we celebrate our growth and look forward to continuing to grow in the years to come.
If you've experienced water damage in your home or business, please give us a call - we'd love the opportunity to help.