Flooding: What it Does, and What to Do

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

In the spring and summer months (sometimes as late as the fall), flooding is a common phenomenon to occur in the state of Maryland. In fact, the entire state minus the westernmost portions is a part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed: in other words, most of the state serves as a channel for the rainfall and snowmelt to flow through streams and rivers all the way into the Chesapeake Bay. Combined with its position next to the Atlantic Ocean, Maryland witnesses about 42 inches of precipitation on average every year.

Whether it’s a flash flood that strikes out of nowhere or the steady overflow of a river, both can be incredibly dangerous if you are not careful. While it’s common for local flooding to affect your home perhaps only via leaks or failing sump pumps, flood water is powerful enough to sweep away vehicles and even homes. Some homes are more prone to flooding than others depending on how high the property is in comparison to the surrounding area. In general, it is recommended that you check if your property is located within a flood plain. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a useful resource for determining this, as they have a Flood Map Service that can determine which areas are more likely to be flooded. 

If you ever encounter flood waters outside your home:

1. Keep listening to the radio or local news stations for any developing information on the flood. This will help you learn to avoid flooded areas if you are on the road.
2. Stay away from flood waters – if you come up on a flowing stream where the water is above your ankles, stop and turn around. 6 inches of water can sweep you off your feet. Tip: Find a large walking stick to use to check the ground’s firmness as you walk. 
3. If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooding road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car immediately and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away in less than 2 feet of water
4. Keep children and pets away from the water.

After the flooding, even if the water is still, do not touch or enter the water. Flood water is heavily prone to contamination of oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Such contaminated water is extremely harmful to one’s health. Not only that, but flood water is murky and makes it hard to see where you are putting your feet when you walk. When the water has receded and gone, then you may assess the possible damages left in its wake.

Damage can occur long after the water has gone. The remaining moisture in the area is the perfect recipe for mold growth, especially in flooded basements where walls and floors were soaked. If left untreated, mold can go on to damage the structural integrity of your home. This can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and treatments. At the same time, do not try to clean it by yourself. Even if it seems clean and dry, you have no means of accurately assessing the area without the proper tools and experience.

If a flood strikes your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/ Chase

immediately! Even minor floods have the potential to cause MAJOR damage and if not treated properly, can result in mold growth.

About SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase

SERVPRO of Sparrows Point specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured, our staff is equipped to restore your property.

6 Things to do after a Fire in your Middle River, Maryland home.

7/7/2022 (Permalink)

8 Things to do after a Fire in your Middle River, Maryland home. 

Everyone tells you how to put out a fire, prevent a fire and EVEN what to do if you yourself on fire… but no one ever tells you what to do next after a fire strikes your home or business. The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow if fire strikes your home in Middle River or Dundalk Maryland. 

1. Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be mindful of any structural damage caused by the fire. The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site.  DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
2. Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food, and medicines.
3. If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting inventory, and contacting fire damage restoration companies. SERVPRO of Sparrows Point / Essex / Chase is approved by all insurance companies and has over 20 years of experience in restoring homes after a fire.
4. Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made. SERVPRO of Perry Hall / White Marsh crews are trained to properly document, clean and store damaged items. Nothing will be disposed of without your knowledge or permission, and we do our best to salvage your precious items.
5. If possible, locate valuable documents and records-deed to home, car, bank information, birth certificates, etc.Here is a handy list of all documents to locate, and where to get them replaced in the event that they are damaged.
6. Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax

If you've experienced a home fire, and aren't sure what to do, please call SERVPRO of Sparrows Point / Essex / Chase.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (443) 231-6372

Why SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase?

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Sparrows Point / Essex / Chase provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Sparrows Point / Essex / Chase arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 443-231-6179

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants can cause health effects.

About SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase

SERVPRO of Sparrows Point / Essex / Chase specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Here's how to tell the difference between clean, gray and black water for your Middle River water damage!

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers from a water damage, its critical to know the difference between the classes of contaminated water. There are 3 classes of water: Clean, Gray and Black. Understanding the class of water is quintessential into understanding the severity of your water damage and the risk it poses on those exposed.

Clean water: Generally, clean water is usually from a broken pipe, water from a hot water heater, or sink. Could you drink this water? If yes, then your water damage is coming from a clean water source. However, if the clean water has been left untreated for over 24 hours, the class will change.

Gray water: Water that is slightly contaminated, such as water from a clean water source that leaked through a ceiling, or clean water that was left untreated. Gray water contains bacteria and is where microbes will begin to multiply. While not as dangerous as black water, gray water still poses a health risk if ingested or interacted with. In addition, if left untreated it could cause further damage as well as become black water.

Black water: Water that is highly contaminated with fungi, bacteria, chemicals, viruses and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding, or any type of natural disaster. Black water should never be handled by the homeowner and should always be handled by a trained certified professional. Despite the name, black water is not always black; sometimes it appears clear. If it comes below a drain trap in a shower, washing machine or sink, and NOT the faucet, it’s considered black with an unknown contamination time.

Have a water damage in Perry Hall or Parkville?

If so, don’t wait! If you see signs of water damage in your home, investigate the cause. If it is coming from inside of the home, such as a sump pump or toilet overflow, first call a plumber to ensure that the water stops coming into your home. Then, call your local SERVPRO! A water damage specialist will be able to dry the structure, carpet, and hardwood, and salvage contents such as clothing and electronics but not everyone is equipped to do this: we are. We can help you restore your home to the way it was before.

Remember: Water damages are expensive to treat, but it is far more expensive to wait. If the water damage in your home is not treated by a professional within 48-72 hours of the initial leak, it will cause further damage not only to the structure, but to YOU too. In only 48-72 hours, bacteria will flourish and grow within the wet, moist, and humid environment of a water damage site.

*SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase is a locally owned and independently operated Franchise, nationally recognized by all insurance companies. We go anywhere we are called, and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Fast action is key to minimizing damage and saving money on water damaged commercial properties in Middle River, MD.

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

The key to saving money on your water damaged multi-unit commercial complex in Middle River, MD, is to act fast.

A fast response to any water damage is very important, because not only does it help put your tenant at ease and reduces the severity of the water damage, but it also increases the chance for preserving irreplaceable valuables and minimizes the threat of bacterial and mold growth in your apartment or commercial complex. Water damage can quickly become dangerous as well as destroy items and structures in your complex, costing you possibly hundreds to thousands of dollars.

The Benefits of Acting Fast:

• Takes less time and effort to fully achieve dryness
• Drying can occur before microbes begin to multiply
• Lowers the cost of drying
• Less chance of additional damage
• Less items to replace

However, if you fail to act quickly, you increase the risk of the following:

• Delamination (when material fractures into layers)
• Furniture stains
• Rust stains
• Warping floors
• Mold/mildew
• Swelling
• Deterioration of structural components and contents (delamination, etc.)
• Water damage of a Category 1 designation (water is sanitary and does not pose an immediate health effect) can deteriorate into a Category 2 or even Category 3 if not attended to quickly

Are you currently experiencing a major water damage?

Call Today - 410-529-1664

It’s understandable that you may feel confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business, which we’ve been doing since we opened our doors in 2001.

What to Expect When you Call SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase

When you call, we will ask you several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed. Therefore, it is crucial to observe the site of the loss before you call to supply us with the information we may need. If the water is still running or leaking, you must call a plumber and have it fixed before we arrive on sight in order to ensure that no further damage occurs during the drying and extraction process.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business, and which units were affected.
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase

SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your Maryland property in Middle River.

Ice damming could be the reason your Colgate home is leaking after a winter storm event!

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

If your home in Colgate, Baltimore County Maryland has a roof is covered in snow or ice, and you’re noticing water coming in from the sides of your home or business, you may be experiencing what's known as Ice Damming.

An Ice dam is ice build-up on roofs that form a blockage, preventing snow melt from draining off the roof properly. We Marylanders are at a high risk for ice damming related water damage due to our fluctuating weather; our warm days melt the snow, and our freezing winter nights refreeze the water, this is known as a melt-refreeze cycle—especially in Colgate, Maryland!

How an Ice Dam Damages your Colgate Property

1. Heat collects in the attic and warms the roof, except at the eaves. The eaves are the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall and, normally, project beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to throw water clear of the walls
2.  Snow melts on the warm roof and then freezes on the cold eaves
3. Ice accumulates along the eaves, forming a dam. Melted water from the warm roof backs up behind it, flows under the shingles, and into the house

This water gets trapped, seeps through the shingles and enters your home through the attic, affecting your walls, ceiling, and roof, causing walls to sag, ceilings to buckle, crumble, and even collapse.

Chances are, if you’re reading this now you may be in need of repair, if so, don’t wait! Call your local SERVPRO you see signs of any water coming into your home. Water damage restoration can be expensive, but it’s more expensive to wait. A water damage specialist will be able to dry the structure, carpet, and hardwood, and salvage contents such as clothing and electronics but not everyone is equipped to do this (WE ARE!). If the water damage in your home is not treated within by a professional within 48-72 hours of the initial leak, it’s highly likely you will get mold, which will cause the removal process to become more hazardous, and difficult to remove as time allows the mold to grow and spread.

*SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase is a Locally owned and independently operated Franchise, nationally recognized by all insurance companies. We go anywhere we are called and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

What to do when your pipes burst in Sparrows Point, Maryland

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Broken water pipes rank second only to hurricanes in terms of both frequency and severity in regards to annual claims resulting from water damage. Reduce your damage costs by calling SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase, then decrease the amount of water than can leak from a burst pipe by following these steps below..

Turn off your water main.

Completely switch off your water supply. If you think the water from the pipe burst may have reached any of the electrical sockets or the fuse box, turn off the electricity, too.

You can usually find your main water shut-off valve somewhere in your home. Check your basement, crawl spaces, and areas close to the water heater. If it’s not inside, you can usually find it under a metal lid on your property close to the street.

Here is a complete guide to finding your water shut off valve, written by Flo Technologies:

Drain the faucets — cold taps first.

Once the water supply has been turned off, drain all of the water out of your house’s water system. This will reduce the chance of any remaining water freezing over and relieve pressure buildup in your water pipes.

• Open your faucets to drain the remaining cold water from the system.
• Flush all toilets multiples times

Turn off heat and drain your hot taps.

Now shut off your water boiler and heating system and release all the water from your hot taps.

Let the warm air in.

If your pipe burst or froze from cold weather, let some warm air in by

• Turn the heat back on and hike up thermostat
• Use a hair dryer on the pipe that is burst after it is drained completely.
• Open-up the cabinet doors where they live to let the warm air circulate.

Call SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase to clean up, document, restore and protect your house from mold.

SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase (443-231-6179), or your local SERVPRO (1-800-SERVPRO) if you don’t reside in our service area, will clean up the mess, document the damage, treat your home for potential mold growth and restore your home to pre-flooded conditions. We are accepted by all insurance companies and have a 4.5 star average customer rating!

 What to do until SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase Arrives

•  Mop up excess water as best as you are able, to prevent slips and falls until help arrives.
• Keep children, elderly, and pets out of the affected area.
• Do not throw anything away, take pictures of damaged items.
• Contact your insurance company to see you are eligible for coverage and file a claim.

Smoke and Soot Clean up in Sparrows Point

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 443-231-6179.

Winter Storms and how they can damage your Bowleys Quarter Maryland Property

11/14/2021 (Permalink)

Winter storms can cause significant damage to your Sparrows Point property if you are not prepared. During power outages during a winter storm, using a generator will keep you and your family warm, as reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning device INSIDE a home, basement, garage, crawlspace or even partially enclosed area.

 If you have a generator on hand for power outages during severe weather, follow the safety tips below (from the American Red Cross).

1. To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure such as under a tarp held up by poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.
2. Opening doors and windows or fans will not prevent Carbon monoxide build up in the home. Although Carbon monoxide can’t be smelled, it can rapidly build up and lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed. IF you start to feel dizzy, week, sick while using a generator, get to fresh air IMMEDIATELY
3. Install Carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home or property and outside of sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.

Storm or Water Damage from a power outage? Call SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase (443)-231-6179

When winter storms hit Edgemere Maryland, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We are accepted by all insurance companies and are certified in Water restoration, mold remediation, Applied Structural Drying, and more from the IICRC. 

How clean is the standing water in your Chase water damaged home?

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers from a water damage, its critical to know the difference between different levels of contaminated water. There are 3 classes of water, Clean, Gray and Black. Understanding the class of water is quintessential into understanding the severity of your Water or Storm damage and the risk it poses on those exposed.

Clean water: Clean water is water from a broken pipe, water from a hot water heater, or sink. If you can safely say that the water on Could you drink this water? If yes, then you have a clean water source water damage. If no, or if it’s a clean water source that has been out for more than 24 hours, read on to the next classes of water, Gray and black.

Gray water: Water that is slightly contaminated, such as water from a clean water source that leaked through a ceiling, or clean water that was left untreated. Gray water has bacteria and other contaminates beginning to grow.

Black water:  Is water that is highly contaminated, filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals, viruses and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding, or any type of natural disaster. Black water should never be handled by the homeowner and should always be handled by a trained certified professional.  Black water is sometimes a misnomer, black water is not always black, sometimes it appears clear, but if it comes below a drain trap in a shower, washing machine or sink, and NOT the faucet, its considered black, contaminated water, with an unknown contamination time.

Need Water Damage repair in Sparrows Point or Parkville?

Chances are, if you’re reading this now you may be in need of repair, if so, don’t wait! Call SERVPRO of Sparrows Point / Essex / Chase if you see signs of any water coming into your home.

(443)-231-6179

Water damage restoration can be expensive, but it’s more expensive to wait. A water damage specialist will be able to dry the structure, carpet, and hardwood, and salvage contents such as clothing and electronics but not everyone is equipped to do this (WE ARE!). If the water damage in your home is not treated within by a professional within 48-72 hours of the initial leak, it’s highly likely you will get mold, which will cause the removal process to become more hazardous, and difficult to remove as time allows the mold to grow and spread.

*SERVPRO of Sparrows Point/Essex/Chase is a Locally owned and independently operated Franchise, nationally recognized by all insurance companies is IICRC certified, we go anywhere we are called and we will make it "Like it never even happened."