Common Causes of Water Damage in the Home

1/9/2025 (Permalink)

We all know that water is necessary for living a comfortable life, and you certainly don’t want the water constantly running out of your faucets or pipes. Still, when water damage comes into your home unexpectedly, it can cause more than an inconvenient issue. Knowing the common causes of water damage should be your first step towards keeping damage and repairs as inexpensive as possible while creating a healthy, comfortable living environment. These are some of the top reasons it takes place in homes.

Severe Weather Events

Extreme weather often causes water damage. Storms, heavy rain, and hurricanes can overwhelm pipelines and outer faucets, creating an opening for water to enter your home. Houses and low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding and sudden and widespread water damage. To reduce the risks, measures should be taken, such as inspecting roofs and ensuring appropriate drainage around the property.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters can also be blocked or clogged by leaves and debris, preventing water from going from your home. Overflowing gutters feed water into walls and cause damage to siding, foundations, and interior walls. This will keep water from pooling around the home and allow proper drainage. 

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes can often cause heavy damage if left unnoticed. If they are hidden in ceilings, walls, or even behind sinks, small leaks can lead to structural problems and even mold growth. Common reasons for a leak are corrosion, loose fittings, and high water pressure. To avoid water damage costs, it is essential to have routine plumbing inspections and notice where repairs can be made as soon as possible.

Washing machine supply line failures

While washing machines can make life easier, ignoring the risk their supply lines pose is easy. Older rubber or PVC hoses worn out or ruptured under pressure can cause rapid flooding. However, this mishap can be prevented by upgrading to a more durable stainless steel hose and having it regularly checked by professionals.

Work with SERVPRO of Parsippany/Montville 

Knowing the familiar sources of water damage gives homeowners a chance to prevent it from happening. Proactive maintenance will prevent you from dealing with clogged gutters, replacing supply lines, and expensive repairs. However, as long as action is swiftly taken to respond, homeowners can protect their properties and their living space. If you also have unwanted water damage in your home and want to fix it, SERVPRO of Parsippany/Montville can assist you with water damage restoration services.

Top 10 Things to Do Immediately After a Fire

12/16/2024 (Permalink)

A sudden fire can cause severe damage to your home, business, or other property. While your primary concern should be to ensure your safety and the safety of your family or other occupants, it is also essential to understand what to do immediately after a fire. Here is a quick guide on how to handle a sudden property fire. 

Steps To Take After A Fire Starts 

1. Call Emergency Services: As soon as you notice a property fire, you need to call 911 and get firefighters to your property to put the fire out. This will help reduce the risk to you, your property, and your community.
2. Seek Medical Care If Necessary: If you or anyone else is injured, they must head to emergency medical facilities to treat burns or other injuries. 
3. Tell people you are safe: Once you and the other occupants are safely away from the fire and help is on the way, you can inform your loved ones of the situation and make sure they know you are safe. 
4. Follow Local Authorities Instructions: After being safe, you need to listen to local authorities about when you can re-enter the area. It might not be safe to approach the property right away. 

Steps For Handling Fire Damage

1. Returning To Your Property: Once local authorities agree that you can return to your property, you can re-enter it. It is recommended that children and pets continue to stay away from the property while you assess the damage.
2. Assess The Damage: Before entering the property, hire fire damage cleanup contractors. They can help assess damage and make sure that structural damage is addressed. 
3. Be Careful Around Damaged Items: Furniture damaged in the fire may not be stable. Avoid putting weight on tables or furniture. Additionally, areas of your home, like hallways or staircases, can also be damaged and may break underneath weight. 
4. Do Not Force Jammed Doors: If a door appears jammed in place and will not budge, do not force it. The door might sometimes be stuck because it supports the door frame. Shoving it can cause it to collapse.
5. Catalog Signs of Damage: Make a list of the damaged sections of your property for insurance purposes.
6. Hire Fire Damage Cleanup Crews: Some contractors specialize in mitigating damage caused by fires or flooding. These crews are trained to work through a property safely. 

Fire Damage Cleanup in Parsippany, NJ, and Montville, NJ

If you live in or around Parsippany and Montville, NJ, we highly recommend working with our SERVPRO® team to handle fire damage issues. For more information, please get in touch with our team. 

Preparing Your Home for Severe Weather

11/26/2024 (Permalink)

Severe weather, such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, and blizzards, can strike anytime, often without much warning. While we can't control nature, we can take proactive steps to protect our homes and loved ones from the devastating effects of extreme weather. Proper preparation helps minimize damage and ensures your safety during a storm. We'll explore practical tips to help you prepare your home for severe weather. 

Create an Emergency Kit 

A well-stocked emergency kit is one of the first and most crucial steps in preparing for severe weather. Your kit should include: 

• Non-perishable food and water (at least 3-5 days' worth)
• First aid supplies (bandages, antiseptics, medications)
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Portable phone charger
• Weather radio to stay informed
• Essential documents (ID, insurance policies) in a waterproof bag
• Warm clothing, blankets, and towels
• Sanitation items (wet wipes, toilet paper, garbage bags)

Store your kit in an easily accessible place to quickly grab it in an emergency. 

Clean Your Yard and Trim Trees

Strong winds during severe weather can turn everyday yard debris into dangerous flying objects, posing a risk to your home and safety. Overgrown trees, particularly with dead branches, can become hazardous if not properly maintained. Regularly trim tree branches too close to your home and power lines to mitigate these risks. Additionally, take some time to clear your yard of loose objects, such as lawn furniture, gardening tools, and children's toys, which can quickly become airborne and cause damage to your home or neighboring properties. 

Install a Backup Power Source

Power outages are a consequence of severe weather, and they can last for extended periods, leaving you without lighting, heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Consider installing a backup generator to minimize the disruption caused by power loss. A generator will ensure you can maintain essential systems in your home, even when the power goes out. It's crucial to have the generator installed by a professional to ensure it's in good working order before a storm hits. Always follow safety protocols when using a generator, particularly when preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur if used in an enclosed space.  

Prepare Your Plumbing for Cold Temperatures

Winter storms can cause pipes to burst in areas prone to freezing temperatures. Prevent water damage by: 

• Insulating exposed pipes in attics, basements, and crawl spaces. 
• Draining outdoor houses and shutting off water to exterior faucets to prevent them from freezing. 
• Letting faucets drip during freezing weather to keep water flowing and prevent pipes from freezing. 

Review and practice this plan with everyone in your household so that everyone knows what to do when severe weather strikes. 

Stay Informed with Weather Alerts 

Lastly, staying informed about severe weather is the best way to be prepared. Sign up for weather alerts from local authorities or download apps that provide real-time information on weather conditions in your area. A weather radio is also essential, especially during power outages, as it can provide constant updates on weather conditions and emergency instructions. Pay attention to local advisories, including evacuation orders, shelter-in-place recommendations, and other alerts that may be issued. 

Choose SERVPRO of Parsippany/Montville for Storm Damage Restoration

Storm damage can still occur even if you implement all the above tips. SERVPRO Team Luzzi provides 24/7 emergency damage restoration for water, fire, and storm damage. Even if you do everything right, it can still happen. Call us today to get started and learn more about our damage restoration services. 

What You Should Know About Black Mold

10/22/2024 (Permalink)

Maintaining a healthy living environment is crucial for homeowners. But one clear threat to this could be Black mold. This fungus can spread quickly and cause serious damage to your property. It could also cause health issues for you and others in your household. 

In this blog, we will discuss all you need to know about black molds, including what they are, common places to find them in your home, general risks, and the best steps to take to prevent them from thriving in the environment.

 Let's jump right in!

What Is Black Mold?

Black mold is a toxic mold that thrives in particularly damp areas. It is easily detectable due to its slimy texture and black-greenish color.  In addition to the walls of houses, black mold can be found on wood and insulation. It feeds on these and produces spores that spread through the air, making it particularly dangerous to find it growing in your home. 

Areas That Are Prone To Black Mold 

High humidity and water damage(flooding) are characteristic of areas where molds flourish. So, if you live in places like these, don't be surprised to find molds more frequently here than in other dry parts of the country.

Mold thrives in your home in places close to the sink and parts of the wall that receive little ventilation. It can also be found in any part of the house with poor drainage.

Although these areas in your home are prone to black mold, you should know that it can grow almost anywhere around your home. The primary factor to consider is moisture. Wherever moisture accumulates, you will likely find black mold after a while.

What Causes Black Mold?

With moisture as the catalyst, some areas can acquire mold as a result of:

• Water damage and flooding.
• Poor ventilation.
• Temperature fluctuations.
• Organic materials(wood, drywall).
• Neglected home maintenance.

Work with SERVPRO of Parsippany/Montville for Mold Detection & Removal

If you haven't noticed any mold in or around your home, the information you just got will help you prevent it. However, if you have, there's no need to panic. It can be taken care of.

You don't have to worry about doing it yourself. At SERVPRO of Parsippany/Montville, we focus on providing you with the best professional service to remove and prevent black mold in your home. Contact us to get started.

The Risks of Ignoring Water Damage On Your Property

9/23/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can occur in many ways, from natural disasters to leaking plumbing and bursting pipes. Whether you’ve experienced an overflowing toilet, a rupturing water heater, or, in more extreme cases, an external flood, it’s essential to address the issue as soon as possible. The damage from a water disaster can cause irreversible risks that worsen the longer you wait to restore your property. Let’s look at the risks of ignoring water damage in your home. 

Mold and Mildew Growth from Water Damage 

One of the most significant risks of water damage is mold and mildew growth. If untreated, water can quickly lead to mold growth—in as little as 24 hours after the damage occurs. Mold and mildew grow in dark and moist spaces, such as basements, attics, and walls. Mold specifically can trigger different health issues, such as allergies, lethargy, and even skin irritation. Our water damage restoration team at SERVPRO can look for mold during our restoration process and remove any present.  

Water Damage Can Cause Unpleasant Lingering Odors 

Another side effect of water damage is unpleasant odors lingering on your property. Various things can lead to odors that may be difficult to live with, and they are closely related to mold and mildew growth. If you detect any new musty odors in a particular room or area of your home, this could be a sign that the water damage caused mold or mildew growth. Some other odors may also be present, depending on the category of water damage (i.e., clean water, grey water, or black water). 

Structural Elements Weakened By Water Damage 

When water saturates building materials such as wood, it can cause the structure of your home to weaken rather quickly. Wall studs, wooden flooring, and other elements may begin to rot, making your home susceptible to pest contamination. A weakened floor may not support appliances after a specific time, causing it to give way. Water damage is not something to ignore and can leave your home vulnerable to decay if left untreated. 

Water Damage Causes Faulty Electrical Circuits 

Another significant risk of water damage is its impact on electrical circuits. As we all know, water and electricity do not mix. Water damage can compromise the electrical circuits in your home, and although electrical wiring has a waterproof coating, the connections are not waterproof. Exposed electrical wiring with water damage may cause a power outage or even an electrical fire. If rodents had previously chewed on any wiring, the waterproof coating would be stripped and exposed to water. 

Increased Utility Costs from Water Damage

Believe it or not, water damage can affect your power usage and utility bills. HVAC systems are particularly vulnerable to water damage and require cleaning to ensure no water contamination exists within specific areas like vents and ductwork. Your AC system may work less efficiently than previously, and your heating system can also be left in less-than-ideal conditions from water saturation.     

Work with the Water Damage Restoration Experts in Parsippany, NJ, and Montville, NJ 

At SERVPRO, we provide 24/7 emergency restoration services to get your home back to normal. You can give us a call or fill out our online form to schedule a water damage service and remove the water once and for all from your home. We work with homeowners and business owners to remove the water from your home and restore it to pre-disaster conditions. 

Tips for Addressing a Water Leak in Your Home | SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

Are you experiencing an unwanted water leak in your home? We got just the team to help. Call SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville today!

Being a homeowner can be so rewarding, but it can also be really frustrating! Home accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and leave you with serious trouble. This is especially true when it comes to water incidents and disasters. 

No one wants to come home to water all over the kitchen floor or to discover a mysterious puddle in the utility room, but quick action can help you avoid lasting or more serious damage.

Our water damage restoration team explains more below about the impact of water and what to do if a leak happens at your home. 

Discovering the Leak 

Water has the unique ability to leak and spread throughout your home without much warning. It can seep silently down your walls or under your floor, and you often won’t notice it until the water spot has started to affect the color of your walls or the integrity of your floor. 

If you notice a water spot or feel that the floorboards are a little squishier than you remember, it’s time to do some investigating.

A single cracked pipe or loose fitting on a water line can lead to water disasters, but it can also be something as simple as a hairline crack in your roof line that is inviting rainwater into your home. Either way, catching it quickly is key to preventing further issues like structural damage, mildew and even mold growth. 

What to Do First

Your first goal when discovering a water problem is to locate the source of the leak and stop the flow of water. If a water disaster occurs due to a manmade accident like a leaky pipe, turn off the connecting water valve right away. 

If the issue is coming from roof damage and you can’t go outside to investigate until the weather improves, set out a bucket to catch the water and stop the problem from getting worse. 

After that, consider shutting off electricity to the affected space. If the water compromised your electrical system as it was leaking and dripping everywhere, the water that is now on your floors could be electrically charged. Stay out of the water and get us on the phone right away. 

The Water Extraction Process
The main focus of any water disaster is to control the situation and be sure that we get every last bit of lingering moisture. Even just a tiny damp spot can lead to a mold problem that overtakes your entire room. 

We will get to work drying up all of the excess water, and we can even use our thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden moisture behind your walls. 

Once the water is gone, we can get to work on any repairs! This can include wall or carpet replacement, floor repair and even ceiling reconstruction. We are ready to help make your water disaster a thing of the past. 

Water can leak into virtually every area of your home. Contact SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville right away.

What the Polar Vortex Means for Your Pipes

1/15/2024 (Permalink)

Polar Vortexes bring exceedingly cold temperatures

As the winter weather continues, "Polar Vortexes" become far more likely, signaling plummeting temperatures and severe weather conditions. This meteorological term, often associated with bone-chilling cold, can have a profound impact on daily life, particularly for homeowners and business owners. In addition to several drops in temperature to worry about, polar vortexes also heavily affect plumbing systems. As temperatures dive, the risk of pipes freezing and subsequently bursting increases, potentially leading to severely damaging water floods. Understanding the polar vortex, how it affects plumbing piping, and the necessary preventive measures are essential for bracing for the winter months. SERVPRO of Parsippany and Montville has crafted some preventive measures you can utilize to ensure your plumbing stays safe during the ongoing polar vortex.

Understanding the Polar Vortex and Its Impact

A polar vortex is essentially a vast expanse of swirling cold air that typically envelopes the polar regions. However, during the winter, the vortex at the North Pole often expands, pushing frigid air toward the equator and affecting much of the Northern Hemisphere. This shift can result in a sudden and steep drop in temperatures, often catching businesses and residences off-guard.

The critical issue with these plummeting temperatures is their effect on water pipes. Water expands when it freezes, and this expansion can exert extraordinary pressure on pipes, regardless of whether they are made of metal or plastic. When the pressure becomes too great, pipes can burst, leading to water damage, the potential for mold growth, and the need for repairs on top of restoration and cleaning services.

Prevention and Protection

To mitigate the risks of a polar vortex freezing your pipes, consider the following preventive steps:

1. Insulate Pipes: Wrapping exposed pipes in foam insulation, particularly those in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages, can significantly reduce the risk of freezing.
2. Maintain Consistent Indoor Temperature: Keeping your home heated consistently, even when you're away, helps keep the internal temperature of pipes above freezing.
3. Allow Faucets to Drip: Allowing a slight drip in faucets can prevent pressure buildup within pipes, reducing the risk of freezing and bursting.
4. Drain Water from Pools and Sprinklers: Drain water from the swimming pool and sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Close Inside Valves Supplying Outdoor Hose Bibs: After removing and draining outdoor hoses, close the inside valves that supply these bibs but leave the outside valve open.
6. Insulate Vulnerable Spaces: Increase insulation in areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces to maintain higher temperatures.
7. Open Cabinet Doors: Allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors.

The polar vortex, while a natural weather phenomenon, poses a significant challenge to plumbing, particularly regarding the risk of frozen and bursting pipes. By understanding this meteorological event and taking proactive, preventative measures, you can safeguard your home against the potentially devastating and costly consequences. Prevention actions are far more effective and less costly than repair. Stay warm, stay informed, and prepare your home for whatever the winter brings. 

Should you incur any water or storm damage during the Polar Vortex, feel free to contact SERVPRO of Parsippany and Montville, and we'll make it "Like It Never Even Happened!"

Finish Your Remodel With Confidence | SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville

11/20/2023 (Permalink)

Your dream home shouldn't feel like a nightmare to finish. Call SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville to complete the construction process!

We are proud to be a trusted leader in the restoration industry, and we know that the work we do helps folks just like you every single day! While we are grateful to be able to help our community restore their homes and businesses after disasters, that’s not all we do!

We are also a highly skilled construction team that can help you finish that remodel that you have always dreamed about. We offer our construction services to every home and business in the area, and we can help you, too. 

Our Talented Team Is Ready
Certain DIY projects can be fun to tackle on your own, but it is important to recognize when a particular project is out of the scope of your ability. That’s where we come in! Our team can take your plans for your kitchen upgrade and bring them to life, or we can finally help you construct that home office you have always dreamed of.

We are a full-service construction crew, which means you only have to work with us in order to get your project done. You will have a primary point of contact with your project manager and then everything else is coordinated smoothly so you don’t have to worry about a thing. We will handle everything from the construction process to working with your insurance company about your claim and everything in between.

How Our Construction Process Works

We know that there are many different steps to take when it comes to doing a construction project correctly, and we don’t cut any corners. We will get all of the proper approvals and permits before we get started, and we will communicate with you clearly along the way so you know what is going on at any given moment.

You don’t even need to be home for us to work—though you certainly can be. Our crew members are trustworthy, kind and incredibly knowledgeable about the work we do, and you can rest assured that you are in good hands. 

Still not convinced? We are so confident in our abilities that we can handle unforeseen issues or projects that end up being trickier than originally assumed. 

We will adjust, adapt and keep moving to help you reach your end goal in a timely manner. Let’s work together and finally tackle that home remodel that you have always wanted!

Our construction and remodeling crew is ready to make your dream home a reality. Contact SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville today.

Top Tips for Recovering After a Storm | SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville

7/27/2023 (Permalink)

Has hurricane season affected your home or business? Call SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville to get you back to preloss condition.

The storm season is here to stay for a while in the Parsippany area, and we are certainly seeing our fair share of storms and rain at this point in the year. While some rain storms can be quiet and actually relaxing, other storms can arrive in a blaze of glory and cause significant damage to your home in a short amount of time. 

Recovering after a storm can be tricky depending on the extent of your damage. Follow our tips below to help you navigate this unknown safely and calmly. 

Steps After the Storm

Be cautious about venturing outside as soon as you start to hear the storm fade away. There might be another one on the horizon! 

Stay connected to local authorities and keep your weather radio handy so you are ready to jump back inside at a moment’s notice. Once you and your family have made it outside, connect with your loved ones to make sure everyone fared OK.

Check on your neighbors and help anyone in the area if their homes suffered significant damage. If your home was victim to a strong wind, tornado or flood, stay calm and walk carefully about your property. 

Loose boards, broken windows and exposed wiring can all be safety hazards right after a storm. Take photos of all the damage you see. This helps us create our recovery plan for you, but it also helps your insurance company file a more accurate claim. 

How We Fit In
The recovery process can seem overwhelming at times, which is why SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville is "Here to Help." We are available 24/7 to respond to your call, and we will jump into action immediately following our first conversation. 

We are locally owned and operated, which means we are watching the same forecast and weathering the same storms you are. This allows us to truly be faster to your doorstep.

Our team will arrive and start securing your home with tarps and boards to protect the rest of your belongings from further damage. From there, we will start drying out your space and start on the reconstructions immediately. Storms can sometimes cause so much destruction that entire levels or sections of your home need to be rebuilt. We can handle that, too!

Whatever you need to help you overcome your storm damage, SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville is here to help.

Snag in Your DIY Home Remodel? We Can Take Over | SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville

7/26/2023 (Permalink)

Having some trouble with home repairs? Call SERVPRO of Parsippany, Montville to help get your home back in order.

You read an article about how replacing the kitchen cabinets was a quick and easy way to increase the value of your house. Based on what you read, you thought you’d up the value of the house even more if you did a DIY remodel of your kitchen. 

It sounded like a good plan, but the reality turned out much different. Once you got started, you realized you were in over your head and now your kitchen (and your whole house) is a big mess.

Maybe that exact scenario doesn’t ring true, but you may have started on a project that is simply too much for your to-do list. We have some good news: Your local SERVPRO® experts are here to take over! You can reap the benefits of increased house value without the headaches of doing it yourself.

Our Construction Services

When you think about SERVPRO, you probably think of restoration. And it’s true—we are absolutely experts in the field of restoration. We offer complete and comprehensive water damage restoration, fire damage restoration and storm damage restoration services, as well as mold remediation, for both homeowners and business owners.

What you might not know is that we also offer *all-in* construction services. That means that we’re prepared to step in and handle all your construction needs from start to finish. Sometimes that means taking over when a remodel goes awry, and sometimes that means getting in on the front end to provide our expertise and assistance.

What do we offer? Everything! If you have construction or remodeling needs, give us a call. Once you call, our team handles the entire construction process from inspection and estimating to mitigation, restoration and reconstruction. 

We’ll handle all the slightly icky parts of construction, too, like dust control and protection against contaminants. 

Giving You Peace of Mind

Still a little uncertain? We want you to rest assured that you’re receiving top-of-the-line construction services, whether we’re finishing up a remodel for you or providing some construction services after water damage affected your home.

Our entire mission is to fix up your home in a way that makes it “Like it never even happened.” And if nothing ever happened and we’re simply jazzing things up for you, we’ll make it look like a million bucks!

Ready to get started on a construction project? Reach out to us today to set the gears in motion!