Stay Ahead of the Game: Preventing Water Damage from Appliances in Your Home

5/4/2023 (Permalink)

Even a small leak from your water heater can cause big problems. Don't ignore the signs of water damage and call SERVPRO of Marietta West.

Water damage caused by malfunctioning appliances can lead to extensive and costly repairs. Therefore, it's essential to be proactive and prevent water damage from happening in the first place. In this blog post, we will explore the steps you can take to prevent water damage caused by appliances and how SERVPRO of Marietta West can help you in case of a water damage emergency.

Regular Maintenance of Appliances

One of the most effective ways to prevent water damage caused by appliances is by ensuring that your appliances are in good working condition. This can be done through regular maintenance, such as inspecting your appliances for any signs of leaks, wear and tear, and damage.

For instance, if you notice that your washing machine is vibrating more than usual or making strange noises, it could be a sign that it needs maintenance or repair. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to a breakdown of the machine, which could cause water damage to your home.

Similarly, you should inspect your dishwasher for leaks or clogs in the drain line, which could cause water to overflow and flood your kitchen. You should also check your refrigerator's water line for any signs of damage, such as leaks or cracks, as this can lead to water damage to your floors or walls.

Replacing Aging Appliances

While regular maintenance can prolong the life of your appliances, they will eventually wear out and need replacement. Therefore, it's crucial to replace aging appliances to avoid water damage caused by malfunctions.

As a rule of thumb, you should replace your appliances every ten to fifteen years. This ensures that you always have the safest and most efficient products in your house, reducing the risk of water damage.

Choosing Quality Replacement Parts

When replacing parts in your appliances, it's crucial to choose quality replacement parts from reputable brands. Using substandard parts can lead to premature wear and tear, which can cause leaks and other malfunctions that lead to water damage.

Handling Simple Repairs

While some repairs may require the services of a professional, you can handle simple repairs on your own. For instance, replacing seals, tubes, and pipelines can help avoid wear and tear and potential water damage.

Preventing Water Damage from HVAC Units

Your HVAC unit is also prone to water damage. You should regularly check for moisture around the vents and look for puddles around the main unit, which are indications of an emerging problem that could lead to water damage and mold growth throughout your home.

Help from SERVPRO of Marietta West

Despite your best efforts, water damage can still happen due to factors beyond your control, such as natural disasters or faulty plumbing. In such cases, you need the help of a professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Marietta West.

Our team of experts is highly trained and equipped with state-of-the-art tools to handle any water damage emergency promptly. We use advanced techniques to extract water, dry your home, and prevent mold growth. Our goal is to restore your home to its pre-damaged state and get you back to your daily routine as soon as possible.

Preventing water damage caused by appliances requires regular maintenance, timely replacement of aging appliances, and the use of quality replacement parts. In case of a water damage emergency, you can rely on SERVPRO of Marietta West to provide fast and effective restoration services.

Teaching Fire Safety Basics to Your Staff | SERVPRO of Marietta West

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire? SERVPRO of Marietta West is your local restoration expert.

Experiencing an emergency situation at work can be scary, especially for your employees if they don’t know how to react. These types of situations can often get out of hand if your team doesn’t have the proper training. This is especially true when it comes to fires!

Everyone on your team should be trained on the basics of fire safety so that your crew understands the procedures when a fire does break out. You might actually be surprised by how many employees of yours don’t actually know how to even use a fire extinguisher!

Taking the time to teach them all about fire safety now can help keep everyone safe and can help them better handle an emergency when the time comes.

Starting at the Beginning

According to OSHA, if your business has a fire extinguisher on the property (it should), you are required to provide basic training on its operation. That not only includes teaching your employees how to use it, but also explaining the difference situations when using one is necessary.

Start at the very beginning and let your employees handle the fire extinguisher. Show them how to hold it, aim and how to pull the pin. It is also important to teach them about the importance of standing at least six feet from the fire and to spray in a sweeping motion across the flames.

During your classroom instruction, consider introducing the acronym PASS to help your employees remember the steps easier. These fundamentals on fire extinguishers should be reviewed every year and any time a new employee joins your staff. Don’t let your veteran staff skip out on the yearly training either!

In addition, it is important to designate roles to each individual team member for emergency situations. Have someone be responsible for grabbing the fire extinguisher, someone to call 911 and someone to help get employees and patrons to safety. This can help make the process run smoother and leave nothing to chance.

Knowing When to Back Away

Different businesses require different types of fire extinguishers and response methods. For example, the response to a fire in the business district around Glover Park will require different strategies than for a fire that breaks out at a restaurant along North Marietta Parkway.

Knowing when it is appropriate to fight the flames and when to seek safety and allow the authorities to work is crucial to your employee’s safety.

Fire extinguishers can certainly save lives and minimize damages, but fires can also get out of hand really quickly. Make sure your employees understand that their safety is your No. 1 priority.

Having a workplace fire strategy in place can guarantee that your employees will react quickly and effectively during an emergency situation. Take the time to meet with your team and your business will directly benefit.

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire? Our SERVPRO specialists can restore your losses and return your workplace to its pre-fire condition.

A Well-Kept Roof Could Protect Your Marietta Home | SERVPRO of Marietta West

4/7/2023 (Permalink)

Cleaning your gutters my be a hassle, but can be one of the most critical household maintenance items.

The spring season has arrived in Marietta, bringing with it the possibility of severe weather. Warm weather and blossoming trees arrive along with dangers like strong gusts and torrential rain.

The weather in the coming months will be a mixed bag, so it’s a good idea to prepare your home for the worst. Because your roof is one of the most crucial structural elements of your home, you should begin here as you make preparations.

In addition to these springtime weather risks, extensive water damage can also be brought on by roof leaks, damage and neglect. By starting at the top, you can protect your entire Marietta home from various forms of roof-related water damage.

Prepare for a Severe Spring

Spring tends to bring some harsh weather to Marietta, and when it does, it might come out of nowhere and catch you by surprise. Tornadoes are a fairly prevalent threat, and you may have witnessed them wreaking havoc in our area before spring even arrived.

Tornadoes can expose homes and businesses to the consequences of significant wind damage, with roofs being a common target. Shingles can be ripped off, tree limbs can fall and if the weather is extreme enough, your entire roof can be ripped off your house! Damage like this can send water damage straight into your home when the spring showers start to pour.

Keep Things in Check

The types of damage outlined above can be frightening to think about, but as long as your roof isn’t too old and you work hard to keep things maintained, you can prevent utter disaster during the spring season.

Your gutters are an easy place to start as you work to prevent water from seeping in via your roof. Climb up and inspect your gutters and downspouts to ensure they are clear of debris and have not become detached during a prior storm.

Keep your roof strong and secure by searching for signs of wear and tear like loose shingles, attic issues, damaged seals and mold growth. Trim any loose or overhanging branches that hang over your roof to avoid a future roof disaster.

Make an effort to complete these duties on a monthly basis or at the very least after any severe weather event, especially during the spring months. This can help you prevent damage before it worsens, prepare for future storms and detect leaks before they become a problem.

Watch Out for Leaks

Along with keeping a constant eye on your roof for damage, it’s equally important to regularly search for leaks inside your roof and attic. Leaks hidden in your roof can quickly worsen before you can avert them, causing damage throughout your entire home.

Look for wet spots, discoloration and a musty odor in your ceiling and attic to help you locate any existing leaks. It can also help to get up on your roof and look for any openings, cracks or gaps to see if there are any places where water is getting in.

Even if you don’t have any leaks present, excess moisture during the spring season can get trapped in your attic and lead to serious mold growth. Be sure to supply your attic with proper ventilation so mold growth won’t even be in the equation if you wind up with a springtime leak.

Our SERVPRO specialists are available 24/7 to respond to your water emergencies! Give us a call for rapid restorations in Marietta.

How You Can Stay on Top of Bathroom Water Damage | SERVPRO of Marietta West

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

If your Marietta home has suffered water damage call SERVPRO of Marietta West to restore your water damaged property 24-hours a day 365 days a year.

If you consider your previous battles with water damage, the bathroom may be one of the rooms in your home where you’ve had the most significant trouble. From leaks to moisture problems, there are so many areas in the bathroom that can create expensive water damage issues.

But you don’t have to let water damage ruin your bathroom! There are numerous methods for keeping water at bay so that you may continue to enjoy the convenience of your bathrooms.

Read on to discover how to avoid damage by keeping water damage at a minimum.

Look for Leakage

Leakage is a huge issue that can cost you, especially if you fail to get it fixed early on. Searching for leaks regularly around your toilet, shower and sink can allow you to stop water damage in its tracks before it gets the chance to worsen.

Wet areas around your bathroom fixtures are apparent evidence of a leak, but other clues will be less obvious without a thorough inspection. Discoloration, bubbling, slow drains and a substantially higher water bill are all signs to watch for.

Get Moisture Under Control

When moisture in your bathroom is out of control, you may notice concerns that are potentially more serious than water damage. Mold thrives in dark, moist areas, making your bathroom the perfect breeding ground.

To handle bathroom moisture, consider installing an exhaust fan and if you have windows, open them after every bath or shower. Taking cooler showers might also help minimize excess condensation—if you can stand a chilly shower!

Fix the Damage

A damaged bathroom in need of repairs or touchups can allow water damage to develop much more easily. Broken or damaged tiles might cause water to leak beneath your floor, where you can’t see the damage. Discolored or warping walls could indicate water is sneaking into areas it is not supposed to be.

The simplest way to handle these concerns is to perform simple fixes, some of which can even be done by yourself! Consider upgrading old bathroom appliances to avoid malfunctions or failures in the future. Repair any damaged flooring and use caulk to cover any cracks or gaps around your fixtures and countertops.

If DIY efforts aren’t enough to kick water damage to the curb, reach out to the pros at SERVPRO of Marietta West. We can pick up where you left off to restore your bathroom to its former glory.

Are you battling bathroom water damage? Our water damage specialists can come to your rescue to repair the damage and revive your bathroom.

Spring Weather Preparations Around Your Home | SERVPRO of Marietta West

3/28/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help 24-hours a day. When storms or flood waters damage your property SERVPRO can restore your home to preloss condition.

As we start to turn the corner on winter and see the first signs of spring, it can be exciting! We are looking forward to the return of the warmer temperatures and dazzling sun that spring and summer brings. With that, it is important to remember that with the spring warmup comes the return of severe thunderstorm season.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms can cause damage all throughout your home if you aren’t prepared. Take the necessary steps to prevent damage right now so you are ready when the first storm comes to town.

Getting Ready for the Rain

Tornadoes, wind, rain and snow all kept us on our toes this winter season. Because of this wide range of winter weather, addressing your gutters is especially important this year! Clear out any blockages and leaf buildup, and inspect your gutters and downspouts for damage caused by flying debris or fallen trees.

Do a walkthrough of your property to look for other areas of damage as well. The vents leading out of your home are susceptible to damage during severe weather, so make sure they are clear and working properly. A blocked or damaged vent can be dangerous to your family and can be a fire hazard.

During the coldest and snowiest parts of the season, our outdoor faucets were also vulnerable to cracks or leaks. Check around your spigots for puddles or slow drips.

Prioritizing Your Roof

One of the common reasons for water damage following a storm is because of roof damage. A simple missing shingle or damage along your roofline can invite water into your attic. Over time, it can seep through your walls and travel virtually anywhere in your home!

As soon as you are able, get up on your roof and do a thorough inspection. Even the most inconspicuous old shingle or tiny gap can become a huge issue over time.

Getting Ready for an Emergency

We all know how quickly the weather can turn here in northern Georgia. Being prepared outside is only part of it! The early spring season is the perfect time to check your sump pump and the foundation walls in your basement. Catching malfunctions and cracks can help prevent a flooded basement during the first heavy rain.

It is also the right time to update your emergency plan and restock your emergency kit. If you used anything during the winter season, replace it and check the expiration dates on all of your products. Add some fresh batteries and take into account any new additions for members of your family, such as a new baby or a new pet born or introduced over the winter.

Finally, be sure that you have a reliable way of receiving weather alerts so you can be informed as soon as the weather starts to change.

We want you to stay safe and dry this season! However, if you do experience water or storm damage, our SERVPRO of Marietta West team is always here for you. Our emergency restoration team will clean, restore and repair your home efficiently and as quickly as possible.

Got water damage? We are here to help ²⁴⁄₇ and can restore your home quickly.

We Can Help Your Marietta Business Through the Unexpected | SERVPRO of Marietta West

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help if your commercial building suffers fire damage. From simple smoke damage to large loss fire claims, SERVPRO has your back.

There are several important matters to which you’ll need to devote your attention when a tragedy throws your Marietta business off-course. After a commercial disaster, your team’s health, the expense of the destruction and your next course of action are all likely to race through your mind.

Our Marietta staff has witnessed firsthand how much of a strain tragedy can be on the workplace, which is why we are here to support your business in any way that we can. Our staff can handle the destruction while you and your crew focus on recovering so that when you come back, you’ll be even stronger!

Here’s what our expert team can do to get your Marietta workplace back on track after calamity leaves its mark:

Whatever the Weather…

In addition to being a serious disruption to business, severe weather frequently occurs at the worst possible time. Hazardous weather causes extensive downtime and damage to businesses in Marietta throughout the year.

Our crew is accessible every day of the year to provide a prompt reaction to disasters of an unpredictable nature. You won’t want to waste time when the fate of your business is at risk! To get you back on the job, a swift response from an experienced staff is ready and only a few blocks away.

…No Damage Is Too Severe

Even if you make every attempt to prepare your staff for an emergency, your commercial building may sustain damage. After you get in touch with us, the restoration process begins, bringing you one step closer to getting your business back to normal.

Whether you are faced with water, fire or storm damage, our SERVPRO specialists have the solution. We arrive on site to assess the damage you’ve sustained and devise a customized plan of action. As we work, we utilize advanced technologies, certified practices and years of experience to get your property back to its pre-disaster state.

We Can Handle the Mess

Apart from the devastation caused by tragedy, our crew has the resources to assist you in making your Marietta building as clean and sanitary as possible. A clean environment is critical for businesses to keep their staff and customers safe and satisfied.

If your property is long overdue for a deep-clean or you’re suddenly faced with a mold infestation, we have the means to get the situation under control. Our cleaning methods will leave your workplace sanitized, odor-free and spotless.

We are the business partner your Marietta workplace deserves! Don’t hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO when you need rapid repairs or an expert clean.

SERVPRO Can Help You Recover After a Fire | SERVPRO of Marietta West

3/17/2023 (Permalink)

For quick repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Marietta West.

While house disasters can look different depending on the season and type of house, one kind of disaster that commonly causes widespread damage is house fires. Fires can get out of control in mere minutes, leaving behind a wide swath of destruction.

Recovering from a house fire disaster can feel overwhelming for anyone, but rest assured that your SERVPRO of Marietta West team is here for you. We are ready to jump into action any day of the week and at any time of day! Once we are through, your home or business will be returned to its pre-fire state.

Check out our fire damage restoration process below to learn how we will help you, should you suffer through a house fire this year.

Our First Contact

Once you have been assured that everyone in your home is safe and accounted for and the authorities have the fire under control or extinguished, make us your first call.

While fire does have a common destructive quality, all home fires and houses are unique. This is why our first step is to gather as much information as possible so we fully understand your situation. Once we have a plan tailored to your needs, we gather the equipment we need and then hit the road!

Once we arrive at your doorstep, we perform a thorough inspection so we can assess the severity of the damage and the safety of everyone involved in the restoration process.

Protecting Your Home

The faster we get to work, the better it is for your home! We make sure the fire can’t cause any more damage by boarding up any windows or exposed sections of your home, and we can close off areas with tarps to make sure the smoke and soot doesn’t spread further.

Once the area is secured, we get to work! We focus on removing smoke and soot from your ceiling, walls, floors and anywhere else that was affected. After we are through with the surface damage, we clean and sanitize the space to remove lingering odors.

The Final Restoration

Now that your home is smoke and soot-free, it’s time to do the repairs! We can replace drywall, carpet or rebuild entire sections of your home.

No matter how severe your house fire is, our SERVPRO of Marietta West team has the experience needed to help you fully recover from a fire disaster. Call us day or night, we are ready for you!

For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Marietta West! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.

Water Damage Comes in All Shapes and Sizes | SERVPRO of Marietta West

3/14/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help you recover after water causes damage to your home. Let us make your water damage claim "Like it never even happened."

Water damage can occur in a variety of ways in both homes and businesses, caused by everything from a heavy downpour to an undetectable leak. You have undoubtedly dealt with water loss, but how it manifests itself might vary greatly depending on a variety of reasons.

Fortunately, along with the various reasons and warning signs of water damage, there are numerous practical strategies to deal with the devastation. Here’s the scoop on water damage and its various forms:

Different Causes

Location is one element that plays a role in the types of damage you’ll find yourself dealing with. Where your home or business is located brings a unique set of weather threats that cause all kinds of losses.

Here in Marietta, your property is up against threats such as rainstorms, flooding, and on less frequent occasions, snow and ice. If your home isn’t properly safeguarded, you may deal with leaks, standing water and property damage as a whole from these common local weather risks.

Water emergencies can also stem from within the home as well! Leakage can occur almost anywhere in your home or business, but certain spots can cause more trouble than others. Pay close attention to areas like the bathroom, roof and any other section of your property that uses water fixtures or plumbing.

Various Warning Signs

Red flags around your property are a good thing to look for if you suspect water damage. You would think that finding a leak is as simple as snooping around, but these issues are notorious for hiding. Water damage holds it all in until the last moment, when it unfolds and leaves you with the destruction you didn’t even realize was lurking there all along.

Typical signs of water damage can be found all around your home or business. Wet spots and dark stains hide on your ceilings, walls and floors. You might even notice a sudden and unusual smell lingering around your home.

Check for these indicators on a regular basis or after any extreme Marietta weather incident. Consistent water inspections could help prevent a catastrophic water disaster from unfolding and causing significant damage.

Plenty of Solutions

Water damage can be an intimidating problem to deal with on your own, so SERVPRO of Marietta West is always here to help! Our specialists can be at the site of a disaster 24 hours a day, seven days a week to guarantee that your situation is handled before things escalate.

Water damage can manifest itself in a variety of ways, which is why we have even more solutions to get you back on track. The damage may appear to be done, but the fight isn’t over yet—and our staff will get to work right away to resolve your water emergency.

Dealing with an unforeseen water emergency? SERVPRO can take the mess off your hands and get your home or business back to pre-water damage condition!

The Threat of Water damage and Your Business | SERVPRO of Marietta West

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

Experienced water damage in your commercial building? SERVPRO of Marietta West can help you get dried out quickly.

You work hard to make sure that your business is running smoothly and efficiently every day. This includes making sure you are avoiding any potential disasters as much as possible. Included in that is preventing water damage wherever and however you can.

Water damage can be detrimental to your business or commercial property. All it takes is a single small leak over a long period of time or a single weather event to leave you with a costly repair bill and a lot of questions.

Common Locations for Water Issues

By being a detective and checking your property thoroughly for signs of damage, you can cut down on your losses significantly. Water troubles can pop up in all sorts of places throughout your building, including these locations:

• The roof: Your roof protects your employees, customers and product on a daily basis. It is time to show that same care right back by making sure your roof isn’t showing signs of wear and tear or suffering from some kind of damage. Inspect your roof on occasion and after a severe thunderstorm or windy day. If water gets into your roof, it can leak down your walls and cause widespread issues.
• Bathrooms: We use water in our bathrooms all of the time, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that damage can occur here! Water lines and any sealing around your toilets or sinks could be the cause of a minor leak, so check these areas often or add this task to your maintenance crew’s to-do list.
• Water heaters/HVAC/boilers: Any appliance that uses water to function on a daily basis is at a heightened risk of a water disaster. Be sure that you are checking on your utility room from time to time to catch any mysterious puddles or other signs of water troubles like water spots or stains. One single appliance malfunction could warrant a disaster, so don’t wait to investigate!

Taking Care of Your Business

Other than a major natural disaster or other unexpected severe weather event, you can usually prevent most water damage. You just have to be committed to being proactive and taking action quickly if you notice that something is amiss.

One step we always recommend is creating a maintenance plan for your entire building. This ensures that every space is being cleaned and maintained regularly and any emerging issues will be caught right away.

It is also crucial that you work with us to create an Emergency Ready Plan! Our team at SERVPRO of Marietta West can help you create a plan that is tailored to your business and building’s layout and can help make your response to a water disaster less stressful.

Now that you are ready to respond, just be sure to keep up with your daily tasks and dig deeper into any potential signs of a water issue right away. Know that your SERVPRO team is here for you no matter what! Call us ²⁴⁄₇, and we will be there to help you recover.

Experienced water damage in your commercial building? Contact us to get dried out quickly.

Communication Is Key to Protecting Your Business From Disaster | SERVPRO of Marietta West

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

If your Marietta or Kennesaw business has suffered storm damage call SERVPRO of Marietta West. We can restore your facility quickly and safely.

Positive communication is the foundation of any successful business. Workplace communication helps build relationships, boost productivity and keep operations running smoothly. Aside from being an important tool for keeping your team on track, communication is also essential for keeping your team safe in the event of a workplace emergency.

However, workplace communication extends far beyond the ability to strike up a conversation at the water cooler! You should also use this important business skill to create a business disaster plan that keeps everyone informed when disaster strikes.

Here are a few ways to improve your company's emergency response by incorporating workplace interaction:

Teach your team to speak up... Because you can't be everywhere at once, you’ll need to alert your team of any hazards they should be on the lookout for and instruct them on how to communicate them to you. Your team should understand that pointing out problems such as fire hazards or water leaks that you may have missed is extremely helpful for the whole workplace.

To ensure that everything is kept under control during a workplace emergency, make sure you assign a team member to call 911 when it’s needed and another individual to communicate with your employees and anyone else in the building.

Build a plan and establish roles... Planning for the unexpected is essential for disaster preparedness, but being able to communicate when things get hectic is even more critical for keeping your workplace afloat. Assigning roles for when things get chaotic and developing a plan for your entire workplace to follow can help keep everyone safe.

As you work to devise a plan, be sure to include emergency contact numbers, an evacuation method and possible threats. Because commercial emergencies come in all sizes, the framework of your plan should be built around ways to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover when disaster strikes. (Side note: A SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan can help you do all of these things!)

Find ways to communicate outside the workplace... Communication with your team is critical not only during business hours but also after hours, especially if severe weather or a disaster event is on the way. Digital communication is the quickest and most effective way to keep your entire workplace informed before, during and after calamity strikes.

The ability to send live updates as a disaster unfolds can be useful if you need to send people home, adjust schedules, keep your team informed or cancel the workday entirely. And if disaster impacts your business and requires your time to work remotely or in an alternative location for the time being, you’ll be able to easily assign tasks.

When calamity hits, SERVPRO is the business partner you can trust for all of your restoration needs. We’ll get you back to the grindstone before you know it!