Failed well pump causes water damage

9/1/2023 (Permalink)

A well pump that failed led to significant water damage at this property on Okauchee Lake. This picture shows the new well pump that was installed by a licensed plumber because the former one developed a crack and slowly leaked water into the kitchen. This kitchen was recently remodeled and the cabinets were installed on top the new vinyl tile. Because the water migrated under the vinyl tile and there was no way to dry the floor through the vinyl, the sink had to be removed, granite countertops removed, cabinets detached and flooring removed so that the subfloor could be dried.

SERVPRO of Jefferson County/Oconomowoc was called in to clean the disaster and coordinate the demo and dry out the structure. The property owner was happy with SERVPRO because we were able to begin the same day and his tenant would be inconvenienced for as short a time as possible.

Please call SERVPRO of Jefferson County/Oconomowoc or SERVPRO of SW Waukesha Count for all your water damage needs, both commercial and residential. 920-674-3002 or 262-542-0900.

Natural Disasters are Never Planned

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

picture of 2 people holding buckets while water pours from the ceiling

Natural disasters are never planned, but when they do occur they can cause damage to your business and slow down operations while your property is being restored. With over 45 years in the restoration industry and top of the line equipment, the professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha provide a quick response to any disaster. From restoring water damage from leaks to repairing your building, we aim to help you avoid revenue loss and minimize inconvenience to your business. Our quick response can help you resume normal business functions quickly while avoiding costly construction downtime.

For a quick response to any disaster give the professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha a call to restore your property and its contents to their pre loss conditions and return your business to its normal function as soon as possible.

Desiccant vs. Dehumidifier

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

Desiccant dehu vs Compressor dehu

SERVPRO of SW Waukesha County and SERVPRO Jefferson County/Oconomowoc use both types of dehumidifiers on our jobs. The commercial grade Phoenix D385 dehumidifier units are used for large jobs or cold temperature situations.

A desiccant dehumidifier functions by drawing air through an intake duct, where it is then passed through a large rotating wheel composed of a water-absorbing material (desiccant). This is a material that absorbs the humidity from the air. The air is then pushed by a fan operated by an electric motor and the air is blown back out into the room. The air duct is often kept hot by an electric heating element, which also heats the airspace within the rotating wheel to dry it out. Excess moisture is ran through a drain line or directly outside through lay flat ducting creating a negative air process if viable. In some cases, a desiccant is ducted directly into a standard compressor dehumidifier. This is a viable option for above average moisture levels accompanied by a secondary heat source to get rapid drying done in large spaces.

When it comes to using a standard low-grade refrigerant dehumidifier in an area such as a basement, garage, or space below 60 degrees, it is important to know that these dehumidifiers will often have trouble working to their full potential. This is due to the fact that the inside of a compressor dehumidifier needs to be colder than the ambient air in the space it is occupying in order for it to work efficiently. If the room temperature falls below 50°, it means that the components within a compressor dehumidifier will be close to freezing, which means that ice could form on the cooling coils. Most compressor dehumidifiers will spend the majority of their time defrosting themselves when faced with temperatures below or around 50°.

With this being said it is important to know when it would be better to implement the use of a desiccant dehumidifier vs a standard compressor dehumidifier.

For all your water damage questions or needs, please contact a certified water restoration technician. The SERVPRO of SW Waukesha County location is 262-542-0900 and our SERVPRO of Jefferson County/Oconomowoc location is 920-674-3002

Storm Damage

7/18/2023 (Permalink)

A picture of two people holding buckets as water drips down into them from the ceiling

Natural disasters are never planned, but when they do occur they can cause damage to your business and slow down operations while your property is being restored. With many years in the restoration industry and top of the line equipment, the professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha provide a quick response to any disaster. From restoring water damage from leaks to repairing your building, we aim to help you avoid revenue loss and minimize inconvenience to your business. Our quick response can help you resume normal business functions quickly while avoiding costly construction downtime.

What is that "white stuff" growing on my basement walls?

7/1/2023 (Permalink)

picture off a cement wall with white stuff on it

Have you ever seen that white/gray "fuzzy stuff" growing on your basement walls or in someone else's house? Were you worried that it was hazardous? Well, the "fuzzy stuff" is called efflorescense and it is NOT dangerous. It is more annoying and unattractive, but nothing to worry about or nothing that can't be fixed.

If you have a concrete or masonry block foundation, this is a common problem. Efflorescence can be easily removed because it simply is salt. If you observe efflorescence on in your home, this means that you have a water issue that must be taken care of. This moisture problem can cause deterioration if ignored.

The cause of this is water from the outside is penetrating the brick or concrete and comes in contact with minerals. A chemical reaction then takes place and dissolves the minerals. The moisture then migrates to the other side of the block or concrete (the inside of your home) and eventually evaporates. As water evaporates from the surface the mineral deposits are left behind, and these efflorescence crystals can grow.

The concern is that the efflorescence is NOT just on the side of the brick or concrete, but these same crystals can also grow inside the brick or concrete and cause spalling. The definition of spalling the breaking of ore, rock, stone or concrete into smaller pieces or fragments. This spalling can make the surface peel, pop or flake off. The salt pushes from the inside out and can eventually cause crumbling and deterioration.

Hopefully if you remove the efflorescence it does not come back. If it does not return, this probably means that the cause was the initial moisture and salts from when the concrete was placed. However, if the efflorescence does return, this is a clear indication that water is entering the brick or concrete wall and pushing the salts out.

Can I Prevent Efflorescence?

The answer is YES! The best way to prevent the efflorescence is to prevent water from infiltrating the wall. If you see efflorescence crystals it usually means there is a leak somewhere letting outside water in. Once, the source of the water infiltration has been located and stopped then the walls can be cleaned with an efflorescence remover.

While inside systems can divert the water, it may not solve the problem of efflorescence and other moisture-related mineral build-ups. Regardless of what is done on the inside, water is still entering through the wall from the outside.

The salt that ends up as efflorescence crystals on your walls, can come from salt laden soils or the Portland cement in the mortar and grout. The soluble salts could come from the sand or from contaminated water used to make the concrete, grout or mortar.

Another culprit is, of course, the clay brick itself. The natural clays used in the manufacture of brick often contain soluble alkali sulfates. Most modern fired clay brick have balanced chemical additives to immobilize the sulfates and render them insoluble. This prevents the salts from being dissolved into a solution that could migrate through the wall to the surface. Most fired clay brick do not greatly contribute towards the efflorescence problem.

If you have a problem if efflorescence and would like to have it removed, please call the water damage professionals at SERVPRO of SW Waukesha County (262-542-0900) or SERVPRO of Jefferson County/Oconomowoc (920-674-3002).

What is Asbestos?

6/23/2023 (Permalink)

picture of an attic with insulation that has asbestos in it

As a property owner you may find yourself asking, What is asbestos? Asbestos is fiberous crystals of silicate that are often used in atic and wall insulation due to its strength and ability to resist heat.

Ok, but why is it dangerous? Asbestos is dangerous because the long fiberous crystals that it is comprised of have the ability to break down into microscopically thin fibers. These fibers are so small they can remain airborne for days if they are disturbed. While airborne, individuals can breathe these fibers in. Since the fibers are so small, they can travel deep into a person’s lungs, where they may eventually lodge in the lung tissue. Once there, these fibers can cause several serious medical issues including asbestosis. For this reason, it is important to identify and remove asbestos in your home or workspace.

With our cutting-edge equipment and comprehensive training, the professionals at SERVPRO of Waukesha are here to help with all your asbestos removal needs.

What to Do After Storm Damage

6/23/2023 (Permalink)

The first step is going to be assessing the damage. It’s important to be careful and safe. Things like downed powerlines and electrical work can still have power and be very dangerous. You should also be careful of broken glass, nails, or any other sort of harmful debris. Waiting until it’s not dark out to assess and avoiding standing water is a good way to evade contact with dangerous materials or electrical currents. Be sure to take pictures of all the damage you see including on your roof, outside, and inside of your home or structure. If you think your home is too dangerous to stay in, book a hotel or stay with friends or family.

Next, contact your insurance provider and file a claim. They will most likely ask for the photos you took so they too can assess the damage. You may be entitled to compensation, so documenting what you have lost is important.

Now it’s time to call SERVPRO! SERVPRO can take over on these next steps. We will communicate continuously with your insurance provider to make sure that you are covered. Then we can begin the reconstruction and clean up of your home or business. We always use care and caution while working on any restoration project, while also working efficiently and quickly so you can go back to your normal, everyday life as soon as possible.

Storm Tips

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

picture of a dark sky and a lightning bolt

Thunderstorms, also known as electrical storms or lightning storms, are common in the Midwest. If you find yourself caught in the middle of a storm, here are some tips to stay safe while you weather the storm:

When thunder roars, go indoors! If you're outside when you hear thunder, try to get inside, in a car, or if nothing else, find shelter nearby.
Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
Avoid using electronic devices and appliances connected to an electrical outlet due to the possibility of electrical surges.
Avoid running water.
Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Pay attention to authorities and weather forecasts for information on whether it is safe to go outside and instructions regarding potential flash flooding.
After the storm, be on the lookout for fallen power lines and trees and report them to authorities immediately.

How to prepare for thunderstorms

5/20/2023 (Permalink)

picture of lightning with the caption "severe weather awareness week"

Spring can bring lots of rainy weather and thunderstorms. Here are our top tips on how to prevent water damage and ensure your safety.

To keep your property safe:

Keep up with your home maintenance- replace missing shingles and loose siding to prevent water from leaking in and damaging your home.
Check your sump pump- make sure it is in working order to prevent basement flooding.
Check for loose fence posts- anything that's not secured can be blown into your house by the wind and cause damage.
Trim your trees- make sure dead branches are removed to prevent them falling on your home or car.
If bad thunderstorms are in the forecast, have a generator on hand for the event of a possible power outage and prepare and emergency kit with flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit.

To keep you safe:

Check the forecast- be aware if a bad thunderstorm is predicted for your area.
When thunder roars, go indoors- try to get out of the storm and find shelter inside in the event of a thunderstorm.
Stay dry- do not shwer, wash dishes or run water during a thunderstorm and avoid bodies of water.

Fire Damage