The leading cause of water damage in the United States is burst pipes

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

This time of year, we shift from fall to winter, and while mother nature may be done unleashing her rainy fury on us, the dangers of water are not out of sight. Water problems in homes can come from both internal and external sources. The leading cause of water damage in the United States is burst pipes. Every year about 1 in 50 homeowners will file water damage or freezing pipe claims. There are varying types of water that can contaminate your home. Category 1 water, also known as “Clean Water,” comes from a clean source like a broken water line. This water can easily turn into category 2 or 3 water if left untreated. Category 2 water would include “Grey Water”. This encompasses water from sources like dishwashers, washing machines, and may contain bacteria or viruses and exposure may cause discomfort or illness. Category 3 water, also known as “Black Water” is grossly contaminated. Category 3 water can come from flooding of rivers, toilet water, or sewage backup. Contact with Category 3 water should be avoided and left to us. Category 3 water can cause severe illness or death if ingested.

Category 1, 2, and 3, water can all lead to mold when left untreated. Mold can wreak havoc on a property or home in as little as 48-72 hours. Molds produce health effects. The dangers of mold are most prevalent in children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems. At SERVPRO of Mason City, we have highly trained professionals on stand-by ready for whatever happens. We can conquer your water issue and dry everything out properly to reduce the risk of mold. The mold remediation process is a carefully selected 7-step process. Mold can often be hidden from plain view. Once we are contacted, we come in and do a thorough visual inspection and use air sample tests to identify the problem areas. Various containment methods utilizing negative air chambers are used to isolate the contaminated areas and keep the microscopic mold spores from spreading. Once containment is set, we will filter the hair using HEPA filters, capturing the spores from the air and preventing the spread of the spores throughout the remediation process. At SERVPRO of Mason City, we use commercial-grade equipment and compounds to treat and eliminate mold colonies. We also remove and dispose of materials infected with mold-like carpet and drywall. Once all of the affected areas are treated or removed, our techs will clean your restorable items and restore anything affected to its pre-disaster state. One of the little-known gems about us is that we feature a reconstruction team. In the event that areas of drywall and finishing needed to be torn out, we are your one-stop shop for putting it all back together. Our reconstruction team is ready to help you make your water or mold issue "Like it never even happened."