Frozen Pipe Prevention

11/4/2024 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes are a sure way to water damage in your home, but how do you prevent frozen pipes in the winter? Our friends at American Family Insurance share some great tips on keeping your pipes from freezing.

The best way to prevent your home’s pipes from freezing is to keep them from being exposed to the cold. Here’s how:

• Cover exposed pipes in crawl spaces or attics with insulation sleeves.
• Re-route pipes to an inside wall.
• Use caulking to seal cracks in the foundation or walls that let cold air in.
• Disconnect garden hoses and turn off the water supply to spigots.
• Keep cabinet doors open below your sinks to allow warm air in.

Other ways you can winterize your home from frozen pipes remove all the hoses from the outside water supply.  Once you have drained and stored the hose away, open up the outside valve.  This will allow the remaining water to drain and allows the pipe to expand without breaking. You should also consider a pipe sleeve to install over the outside water line to insulate and keep ice from forming. 

The American Red Cross gives great ideas on preventative action during cold weather to consider to keep your pipes from freezing as well.

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

There are many way to keep your home safe from winter pipe breaks.  Please feel free to reach out to SERVPRO® of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608 if you need any help with your home.

Why Pipes Freeze

11/4/2024 (Permalink)

If your pipes are exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time, the water can freeze and cause extensive damage to your home. This can be avoided!

Frozen pipes can occur for two basic reasons:

1. Installation of pipes in an unheated space without adequate protection
2. Insufficient heat in the area of the freeze

What types of pipes are susceptible this situation? Domestic water piping, HVAC heating and cooling piping and sprinkler piping are all vulnerable if left in cold and unprotected conditions as stated above. Plastic and metal pipes can burst when they freeze, and depending on the size of the pipe, even a small crack in a burst pipe can spew hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water in a day.

Why does a pipe burst, anyway? Well, when water freezes, it expands. The ice expansion will exert pressure against the pipe wall but also pressurizes the water trapped between the ice and a closed valve or fixture. As the water continues to freeze and expand inside the pipe, it causes the trapped water to continue to increase in pressure, thus, just as a can of soda will burst in your freezer, so does your water pipe.

Some common locations where pipes will freeze are outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, fire sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas. These areas include basements, crawlspaces, attics, garages, bathroom sink cabinets and kitchen cabinets. Pipes along exterior walls that have little or no insulation, voids in the insulation or improperly installed building wrap are subject to freezing. You might want to check in on that sooner rather than later. Review the International Plumbing Code by clicking here.

With any questions or if your home has been water-damaged, call SERVPRO® on our 24/7 Emergency Service line, (502) 897-3608.

Sump Pump Failure Cleanup

9/25/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of East Louisville recently got called to a home where the sump pump had failed and the customer had four inches of standing water in his basement. When SERVPRO of arrived on site there was no longer four inches of standing water but there was still a good amount of water throughout the basement. SERVPRO performed the necessary actions to remove the water and moisture from the basement using extraction methods, fans and dehumidifiers. When the dry out was finished our repair division replaced all the damaged drywall. 

In some cases your home owners insurance may not cover sump pump overflows. This is a good reminder to take a look at your home insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for sump pump failure. Sump pump fails are very common and you might want to make sure it is included in your home insurance policy. This slight increase in your monthly insurance cost could save you thousands of dollars in the future.  

Frozen Pipe Prevention

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes are a sure way to water damage in your home, but how do you prevent frozen pipes in the winter? Our friends at American Family Insurance share some great tips on keeping your pipes from freezing.

The best way to prevent your home’s pipes from freezing is to keep them from being exposed to the cold. Here’s how:

• Cover exposed pipes in crawl spaces or attics with insulation sleeves.
• Re-route pipes to an inside wall.
• Use caulking to seal cracks in the foundation or walls that let cold air in.
• Disconnect garden hoses and turn off the water supply to spigots.
• Keep cabinet doors open below your sinks to allow warm air in.

Other ways you can winterize your home from frozen pipes remove all the hoses from the outside water supply.  Once you have drained and stored the hose away, open up the outside valve.  This will allow the remaining water to drain and allows the pipe to expand without breaking. You should also consider a pipe sleeve to install over the outside water line to insulate and keep ice from forming. 

The American Red Cross gives great ideas on preventative action during cold weather to consider to keep your pipes from freezing as well.

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

There are many way to keep your home safe from winter pipe breaks.  Please feel free to reach out to SERVPRO® of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608 if you need any help with your home.

Why Pipes Freeze

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

If your pipes are exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time, the water can freeze and cause extensive damage to your home. This can be avoided!

Frozen pipes can occur for two basic reasons:

1. Installation of pipes in an unheated space without adequate protection
2. Insufficient heat in the area of the freeze

What types of pipes are susceptible this situation? Domestic water piping, HVAC heating and cooling piping and sprinkler piping are all vulnerable if left in cold and unprotected conditions as stated above. Plastic and metal pipes can burst when they freeze, and depending on the size of the pipe, even a small crack in a burst pipe can spew hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water in a day.

Why does a pipe burst, anyway? Well, when water freezes, it expands. The ice expansion will exert pressure against the pipe wall but also pressurizes the water trapped between the ice and a closed valve or fixture. As the water continues to freeze and expand inside the pipe, it causes the trapped water to continue to increase in pressure, thus, just as a can of soda will burst in your freezer, so does your water pipe.

Some common locations where pipes will freeze are outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, fire sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas. These areas include basements, crawlspaces, attics, garages, bathroom sink cabinets and kitchen cabinets. Pipes along exterior walls that have little or no insulation, voids in the insulation or improperly installed building wrap are subject to freezing. You might want to check in on that sooner rather than later. Review the International Plumbing Code by clicking here.

With any questions or if your home has been water-damaged, call SERVPRO® on our 24/7 Emergency Service line, (502) 897-3608.

Squish, Squish, Squish!

10/1/2023 (Permalink)

Squish, Squish, Squish! The customer walked into the house and across their wet carpet and all that they could hear  was the squishing noise with every single step.

The first thing SERVPRO® did upon arrival was to assess the damage and discover the source of the water.

Once we found the source from where the water had come from, and was able to stop the leak by turning the water off, it was time to start mitigating the damage.

The customer new to call SERVPRO of East Louisville to get to work right away to remove the excess water and start drying out their home.

The crews at SERVPRO of East Louisville are professional and precise throughout the entire job process. After the job was completed and the crews left, the customer finally realized the meaning of "Like it never even happened."

Tips from SERVPRO to Reduce Flood Damage and Property Loss

10/4/2022 (Permalink)

When a flood is imminent, and you have time before you need to evacuate, there are different things that you can do to decrease the amount of damage from floodwaters. These should only be done if there is enough time – you should never risk the lives of others or your own, in attempting to act on these tips. 
 
There is not immunity to the effects of flood damage in East Louisville Jefferson County and this harm can include effects caused by increased levels of humidity in the air inside your home. Higher levels of humidity can cause photographs to stick together and also permit mold to start growing on otherwise seemingly mold-free garments, among other things. 
 
SERVPRO can always help undo the damage to your home, but you are in charge of your safety and that of your family. Floods are responsible for thousands of dollars in damage every year, and many deaths, as well. Here are some suggestions that can reduce the damage from a flood. 
  
Move more fragile belongings to a higher level. 
Simply taking items higher, such as electronics, television sets, stereos and speakers, computers, to another floor, or even to the attic, can keep these items from ever being touched by the dirty water that floods are known to bring. 
 
Guard your food. 
Food that is even slightly submerged cannot be consumed. Microbes can settle on indentations in cans and under the rims, posing risks even after food has been cooked correctly. Boxed foods should be placed in a large garbage bag and taken to a higher level to protect the packaging, and the contents, from high humidity levels. 
 
Canned foods should be placed in sturdy boxes and also stashed in a safe location. Pathogens such as e-Coli produce toxins that are not removed or rendered inactive by cooking, making the food dangerous to eat. Food that is refrigerated or frozen might be able to be saved if it can be placed higher-than-normal in the refrigerator, but this is not guaranteed to protect the food, and everything should be examined upon your return before preparing any of the contents. 
 
Open upper floor windows slightly. 
Having windows open a slight amount can allow humidity to escape. During a flood, while it may seem like there is water everywhere and that humidity levels remain the same everywhere, this is not true. Humidity inside your home can become elevated rather quickly. Higher levels of humidity travel to areas of lower levels until an equilibrium is reached. However, do not open windows completely, as this can allow rain to enter, making matters worse. 
 
As you go through your home, have a basket or two to place items in that must go with you when you leave. 

When you evacuate your home, you will most likely need certain things while you are in a shelter or temporarily living with friends or family. These should include important items and anything else you want to protect, such as photo albums. Keys to vehicles and doors, personal identification and other documents, both prescription and non-prescription medications, cell phones, chargers, baby monitors, and few days' worth of changes of clothing for yourself and family members. Personal items and even memorabilia that are located in easy-to-reach areas that do not require any extra time to grab and place in your basket can help ease the stress of having to relocate temporarily. 
 
We at SERVPRO of East Louisville live in the same area as our customers, and we know how damaging floods can be when they affect our homes. We are always here to help your family return home as quickly as possible. Call us at (502) 897-3608, and we can begin working within an hour on restoring your home.

Ask The Pros - Can Clean Water Damage My Home?

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

While sewer water or blackwater as is it defined can quickly lead to mold growth in a home, clean water can also lead to dangerous mold growth. Blackwater contains lots of dirty bacteria that can quickly promote mold growth by itself. Clean water can cause mold spores that are naturally present in air and dust can also lead to mold growth.

The dangers in clean water leading to mold growth are that clean water can easily go unseen in a home due to the lack of odor when compared to black water. Clean water or gray water which is rainwater, can leak into a home’s attic or walls or crawl spaces and linger without being spotted. This water can then lead to mold spores activating and growing in these unseen areas. It’s not until the mold spreads to visible parts of the home or causes a musty odor that it is finally found. By that time, the damage caused by the mold can be quite extensive.

So even if you have a leak in your home that isn't Blackwater give SERVPRO of East Louisville a call to get the affected areas dried out to prevent further damage from starting.

Don't Forget To Plan for Water Damage

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood.

There are many causes of household flooding that can include:

• Heavy rains
• Sewer back-up
• Malfunctioning sump-pump
• Pipe burst

No matter what the cause, you should know what you should do if your house floods. Taking care of the problem earlier will help you to reduce the amount of damage and can make the clean-up and repair easier.

The first several days after a disaster are critical to preventing unnecessary secondary damages like mold. SERVPRO suggests the following steps to help minimize additional damage to your home, business and possessions.

• If the water has entered the structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is considered black water and could be hazardous to your health. Avoid contact with contaminated items as much as possible.
• Take the greatest caution while entering your home, and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing when dealing with flooded areas.
• Do not attempt to operate any electrical equipment while standing in wet or damp locations.
• Throw away all foods - even canned goods - that have encountered flood waters.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for drying. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Place fans at 45-degree angles to walls and move large furniture away from walls to create the best air circulation.
• If your home has a crawlspace, be aware excess moisture in this area can often foster mold growth.

SERVPRO also recommends having a three-day supply of water for each member of your family - including pets - along with non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries and a flashlight. Citizens should also keep in mind things like necessary medications and insurance documents.

Leave It To SERVPRO For Large Loss From Water Damage

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville can handle any size water loss.  Our crews treat each customer with the same respect and sense of urgency regardless how large or small of a loss. 

We have the manpower and equipment to handle large commercial losses such as a 17 story commercial water loss in Downtown Louisville due to a water heater leak that went undetected for an extended period of time.  We have also worked with on a multi floor hotel water loss due to a sprinkler malfunction.  

The University of Louisville has trusted SERVPRO of East Louisville multiple times to clean up dormitories following water loss, and several classroom buildings after flash flood waters entered.

We are the leaders in the industry and take pride in the word we do and the people we employee.  Our team knows that any damage to your home or commercial property is very important and we will explain each step of the process to keep you informed.

Remember To Be Safe & Never Step In Standing Water

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

When a customer walks into their basement and notices standing water in the floor they should remember to be safe and never step in standing water.  It is not safe because the water could be touching electricity, and/or the water could contain harmful contaminates such as sewage. 

Our team at SERVPRO of East Louisville is certified in this very sort of issue and we will safely and diligently extract, dry-out and disinfect all surfaces where the water damage occurred.  Our crews work hard to save any contents we possibly can to save the customer valuable time and money when it comes to replacing items.

SERVPRO or East Louisville is a full service team and we can work from start to finish on your project.  Our technicians can clean up and dry-out, do demolition when needed, and then our reconstruction department can put your home or business back "Like it never even happened."  Working with us means you'll always know who to call because we handle it all.

After A Water Damage Event SERVPRO Can Help Restore Your Commercial Property

2/5/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of East Louisville

SERVPRO of East Louisville specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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. 

Do You Know There Are Four Principles Of Drying A Structure? Here is #1

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

The first principle of drying a structure is the removal of excess water.

SERVPRO's drying methodology is how we are able to fully dry structure in most cases without demolition. We use a basic understanding of thermal dynamics and psychometrics to successfully dry structures by the least intrusive means possible. Our drying methodology is comprised of four principles. Today we will explain one.

The first principle of drying a structure is the removal of excess water. Using a machine called an extractor typically does this. The more water that is removed, the faster the structure will dry. It is far easier to physically remove water than it is to remove it through evaporation and dehumidification. So if you don’t have an extractor, call a professional who does.

As moisture evaporates from a wet surface, its surface becomes cooler. This is called "evaporative cooling". This is exactly why you cool down when you sweat!

Avoid Unnecessary Secondary Damages Like Mold - Call SERVPRO First!

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood.

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood.

There are many causes of household flooding that can include:

• Heavy rains
• Sewer back-up
• Malfunctioning sump-pump
• Pipe burst

No matter what the cause, you should know what you should do if your house floods. Taking care of the problem earlier will help you to reduce the amount of damage and can make the clean-up and repair easier.  It's best to call a professional when dealing with water damage in your home.  The certified technicians at SERVPRO of East Louisville know exactly what steps to follow in order to prevent further damage, and to get your home cleaned up and dried out so you can get back to normal.

The first several days after a disaster are critical to preventing unnecessary secondary damages like mold. SERVPRO suggests the following steps to help minimize additional damage to your home, business and possessions.

• If the water has entered the structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is considered black water and could be hazardous to your health. Avoid contact with contaminated items as much as possible.
• Take the greatest caution while entering your home, and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing when dealing with flooded areas.
• Do not attempt to operate any electrical equipment while standing in wet or damp locations.
• Throw away all foods - even canned goods - that have encountered flood waters.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for drying. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Place fans at 45-degree angles to walls and move large furniture away from walls to create the best air circulation.
• If your home has a crawlspace, be aware excess moisture in this area can often foster mold growth.

SERVPRO also recommends having a three-day supply of water for each member of your family - including pets - along with non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries and a flashlight. Citizens should also keep in mind things like necessary medications and insurance documents.

Did You Know? There Are More Causes Of Water Damage Than Storms & Severe Weather!

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

If your business has suffered water damage, SERVPRO of East Louisville will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at 502-897-3608.

Commercial property owners/renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings. 

• Malfunctioning sprinkler systems 
  Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.
• Damaged appliances and equipment .  This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
• Broken pipes and plumbing.  Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. 
• Backed up sewer lines.  This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. 
   
  If your business has suffered water damage, SERVPRO of East Louisville will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at 502-897-3608.  We are HERE TO HELP!

Every Living Thing Needs WATER!

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

When you have water damage, call us, SERVPRO of East Louisville, at any hour of the day or night, at (502) 897-3608.

Water Damage

Water is one of those substances that is needed by every living thing on Earth, and it is one of the most adaptable substances, as well. Taking the form of gas, liquid, or a solid, depending on its temperature, water can change from one state to another swiftly and easily.

In East Louisville homes can have water damage throughout their entire structure because water does not remain in one location. A state of equilibrium is sought after, where water, as moisture, exists evenly distributed throughout any environment. When moisture evaporates and moves from one spot to another, this is part of that search for even distribution. Condensing onto another surface is also part of the process of achieving equilibrium.

While all of this is going on, water damage is becoming more extensive. Add to this that ice and snow on the roof can not only allow water to enter your attic but cause costly damage to the roof and the attic long before any damage is discovered in lower areas of the home.

There are many signs of water damage that you might find in your home, but almost all of them mean that the problem has existed for some time. This can mean repairs cannot wait, also. The sooner remediation of water damage begins, the better it can be for your home.

SERVPRO does more than remediation, repairs, and restoration. These and preventative measures can protect your home from future problems. Fixing the problem will not, alone, keep it from reoccurring again in the future. Making changes that allowed the water damage to exist in the first place is a huge step in making sure that repairs and restoration are worth the time and effort, as well as the money, put into repairing the damage.

Putting an end to water damage by knowing how it travels through your home, and the damage it can cause, are what we do best. When you have water damage, call us, SERVPRO of East Louisville, at any hour of the day or night, at (502) 897-3608.

Flooding can be a nightmare, but SERVPRO of East Louisville is here for you!

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

It’s a nightmare scenario for some. 

You wake up, head downstairs, and you have 2 feet of water in your basement. 

Or maybe, you go on vacation in the winter, and a pipe breaks flooding your entire home. 

Perhaps a rain storm fills your egress and your basement carpet becomes a giant sponge.

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood. No matter what the cause, you should know what you should do if your house floods. Taking care of the problem earlier will help you to reduce the amount of damage and can make the clean-up and repair easier.

The first several days after a disaster are critical to preventing unnecessary secondary damages like mold. SERVPRO suggests the following steps to help minimize additional damage to your home, business and possessions.

• If the water has entered the structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is considered black water and could be hazardous to your health. Avoid contact with contaminated items as much as possible.
• Take the greatest caution while entering your home, and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing when dealing with flooded areas.
• Do not attempt to operate any electrical equipment while standing in wet or damp locations.
• Throw away all foods - even canned goods - that have encountered flood waters.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for drying. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Place fans at 45-degree angles to walls and move large furniture away from walls to create the best air circulation.
• If your home has a crawlspace, be aware excess moisture in this area can often foster mold growth.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is here for you! If floods attack your home or business, just give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to get you back to “Like it never even happened.”

Ice Dam Water Damage

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Ice storms can wreak havoc for many reasons and for this customer an ice dam built up inside the roof when the gutter became filled with ice and the water had no where to go.  Once the ice began to melt the water started dripping.  Luckily for the homeowner the water leak happened directly over the toilet in the master bathroom. 

Our team was called out on a Saturday and our production employee was able to get on the roof to assess the damage.  Upon examination there was a nail pop that was sealed and a hole in the under hang where the ice dam built up. 

The next step in the process was to remove the light/vent fan where the water was dripping from, remove damaged drywall ceiling and insulation so the drying process could begin.

The customer was able to get the room dried out within a few days and now the reconstruction process can begin.

Water damage at a school in Indiana

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

When a water damage occurred at this Floyd County school in southern Indiana they knew exactly who to call to get the situation fixed and the school ready for as safely and quickly as possible.  

At SERVPRO of East Louisville our crews reacted quickly to extract the water from the surface, remove affected trim, baseboards, doorframes, and any other surface trapping water and preventing the drying process.  Air movers were placed along the outside perimeter of the room. After the floor was prepped the plastic tenting was installed over the floor and a desiccant was attached to dry out the wood flooring to prevent any further damage.  It is always our goal to restore and save instead of replace when possible.  This saves the customer time and money!

Our reconstruction crew will begin putting back the finishes once the structure is completely dried out.

Water damage cleanup

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

There is never a good time for water loss, especially after hours on a weekend. That is what happened for one of the oldest churches in Louisville, Kentucky. SERVPRO of East Louisville responded after regular business hours because we are on call 24/7/365.

The loss happened early in the morning and was found by one of the staff members upon entering for work. Apparently a drain had backed up in the activity center and caused water to enter into other areas of the building. SERVPRO of East Louisville came in and had to tear out some of the affected wet materials and start the drying process which took approximately 4 days.

This church had an Emergency Ready Profile set up by one of our representatives of SERVPRO of East Louisville. This is a document that identifies all of the sensitive areas in the building like shut offs for all major utilities such as electric, water, and gas. This document assisted the worker at the church in finding the shut off for the main water valve. Which in turn saved them thousands of dollars on their claim and also the time it took to get things back to normal.

Water damage caused by toilet supply line

12/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville recently got called out to a home where a customer had a toilet supply line burst in the home. Unfortunately, for the owner of the home he was in the process of trying to sell his home and had not been in the home for several days.  When he walked into his home and saw standing water on the main level of his home he knew he needed to act quickly to get the issue resolved.

When SERVPRO of East Louisville got onto the scene we realized the toilet supply line had burst on the upstairs level several days ago and had been running ever since. Once the water was shut off in the home SERVPRO started extracting the water out of the home.  Once all the water was extracted, and all the demo that was necessary was performed, then we set equipment to dry out the home.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is always here to help no matter the size of disaster of type of disaster. We want to make your disaster "Like it never even happened."

Tips To Help Protect Your Home Next Time You're Out Of Town

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

Few things can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare faster than returning home to find flooding in the basement, kitchen or other rooms. While it’s easy enough to quickly arrange water pipe repair while you’re around, an unchecked leak during your absence could cause mold, structural decay and other damages to your building. The best way to minimize problems is to take steps that make them less likely to happen. Here are a few tips to help protect your home the next time you’re out of town.

Check for Leaks

Big problems often start with small annoyances, which is why you should look around the house to see if there are any tiny leaks. While it’s impossible to check every inch of your plumbing system for a broken pipe, you should focus on a few key areas where a leak might occur:

• Under sinks
• Around your water heater
• Window seals
• Loose shingles
• Appliance hoses
  
  

Do Some Cleaning

Clogs are another issue that could lead to flooded areas of your home, so clear your gutters, downspouts and sump pits of debris. Run your sump pump to make sure it’s in good working order and install a battery-powered backup if you don’t already have one.

Why ruin your vacation by coming home to an unexpected water pipe repair bill? By taking some easy steps, you can help ensure you come back to home with no watery surprises.

Sump Pump Failure Cleanup

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville recently got called to a home where the sump pump had failed and the customer had four inches of standing water in his basement. When SERVPRO of arrived on site there was no longer four inches of standing water but there was still a good amount of water throughout the basement. SERVPRO performed the necessary actions to remove the water and moisture from the basement using extraction methods, fans and dehumidifiers. When the dry out was finished our repair division replaced all the damaged drywall. 

In some cases your home owners insurance may not cover sump pump overflows. This is a good reminder to take a look at your home insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for sump pump failure. Sump pump fails are very common and you might want to make sure it is included in your home insurance policy. This slight increase in your monthly insurance cost could save you thousands of dollars in the future.  

City Sewer system failure

8/23/2018 (Permalink)

Like most metro cities throughout the United States, Louisville, is dealing with an aging sewer system which dates back to pre Civil War times. MSD has addressed that there is an issue and say repairs are needed throughout the city. 

A couple of weeks ago Louisville had moderate rain fall, but nothing that would be a cause for concern.  Unfortunately, a local company in the downtown area had a major water issue due to a sewer line collapse.  A major drain outside the basement of the building was rendered useless and the water had nowhere to go. The drain, located in a recessed courtyard, filled up with water several feet of water until it looked like a small swimming pool. The windows and door were no match for the pressure of this much water and ultimately it breached the building and flooded the conference room.

The property manager was notified by the security company that ran surveillance on the building and he called SERVPRO of East Louisville.  We responded within a couple of hours and started the drying process while removing any wet materials. A few days later the drying was completed the equipment was gone the minor reconstruction was finished.  The conference room was back in use "Like it never even happened." Sometimes things happen that we can’t foresee, and that is why SERVPRO of East Louisville is here to help in the event of any disaster.

Forecasters predict a near- or above-normal 2018 Atlantic hurricane season

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is almost upon us and SERVPRO is ready to assist around the country when the storms arrive.  Our Storm Team has the equipment and manpower necessary to send crews before a storm makes landfall.  That way we are ready to help as soon as possible! 

For more information regarding the forecast for 2018 hurricane season visit the link below.

New satellite data and model upgrades to give forecasts a boost

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 75-percent chance that the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season will be near- or above-normal.

http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/forecasters-predict-near-or-above-normal-2018-atlantic-hurricane-season

SERVPRO of East Louisville responds immediately to your flood and storm damage emergencies. We have the storm damage restoration experience and specialized equipment to restore your Louisville home or business back to pre-storm condition.

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today (502) 897-3608

What you need to know about winter water damage

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of East Louisville water loss is a big part of what we do, and we strive to make it “Like it never even happened.” A water loss can happen to a home or business at anytime or anywhere. In a home or business there are many different sources such as a hose from the washing machine, a pipe under the sink or under the house  or maybe the sump pump fails during a storm. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, plumbing supply system failures are the leading source of residential water loss. On average the cost after deductible was paid was estimated at $5,092.00 per incident .  

Winter months can be especially busy for SERVPRO of East Louisville because of the extreme dip in temperature.  One tip for the winter months to prevent frozen pipe damage is to make sure all cracks, holes, and other openings on the exterior walls are sealed tightly with caulk or insulation to prevent cold air from penetrating the wall cavity.

Remember SERVPRO of East Louisville is just a phone call away if needed. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608