Water Damage Cleanup in Cleveland & Akron, Ohio

Today’s homes are being constructed to be as energy efficient as possible. That means that they are very tight. When water enters this environment and is not dealt with correctly, the problems that may occur are almost endless: the “color” (stain) in wood furniture can cause permanent stains; carpets may need to be replaced; furnishings can be permanently damaged; damage to walls and ceilings can be permanent; and the possibility of microbial growth can become a real concern.
All of this and more can result from just a little water. A broken pipe can occur at any time and in any part of the house. When this happens on an upper level, however, the need for expediency is even more important, and a homeowner certainly wants a true restoration professional when such an event occurs.

Houses today are built in all styles and methods throughout the country. In some areas, it is common practice to place hot water heaters and air conditioning systems in attic spaces. In other parts of the country, it is common to have washers and dryers installed on the second story for the convenience of the homeowner.

It is also becoming more common to have sprinkler systems installed in the ceilings of singlefamily homes and condo units. Even plumbing lines are installed through the ceiling. Multiple family dwellings are also becoming more popular than ever before. These “newer” structural items, along with the usual plumbing from bathrooms and other water sources on upper levels indicate that a water loss from an overhead or upper level water source has the potential to present a very serious water damage claim, which could become extensive if not mitigated promptly and correctly by a restoration professional.

Upon arriving at the damaged home, it is important that the restoration professional properly evaluate the potential safety issues. The potential for electrical problems are of the utmost concern. Ceiling light fixtures are common and present a significant potential hazard from an overhead water source. A restoration professional will alert the property owner whenever a professional electrician is necessary to address this concern. Damaged drywall on the ceilings may present a danger of falling. It needs to be addressed promptly.

It is necessary to protect everyone who enters the structure. There are also, of course, the potential trip-hazards as a result of fallen debris. It is a function of the restoration professional to protect individuals in this environment.

After addressing the safety concerns, the contents and furnishings within the home need to be protected. Water coming from above can cause serious damage to upholstered furniture, electronic devices, decorative furnishings, and other personal items.

Water can cause damage in many ways, including electrical shorts, corrosion, and promoting the growth of microorganisms. The longer left untreated, the more damage will occur. Furnishings need to be protected or removed from the site. A restoration professional will remove debris from the items, move them to unaffected areas, and will ensure the safe handling of such items. If the damage is severe enough, arrangements will be made to move the items to an off-site location for appropriate cleaning and drying.

The next step is to find the path of the water. A restoration professional knows that water will find the path of least resistance through the home. It will continue to flow until it encounters a barrier to stop it. Plumbing and electrical lines are run between the levels, and these openings in the floors and wall systems allow for the flow of water, in addition to seepage through the flooring materials. When water comes to a horizontal surface, it will flow on top of the surface until it finds a way through.

With the appropriate moisture detection tools, a restoration professional will evaluate all surfaces for moisture and treat them accordingly. It will sometimes be necessary to cut open the drywall to allow for proper drying, especially if there is blown insulation inside the wall. The water must be found and removed.

Often wallpaper can be a problem. If it is vinyl wall covering, it will act as a vapor barrier and prevent moisture from evaporating from the wall and wall cavity. It may need to be removed or “perforated” to allow
for proper drying. True paper wall coverings may become permanently stained. When the glue gets wet, many types of wall coverings may release from walls.

Vinyl flooring may also pose a similar problem and necessitate removal. If the sub-floor beneath these floor coverings gets wet, there is no easy way to dry it necessitating the removal of the flooring. A restoration professional will utilize both non-penetrating meters and penetrating meters along with visual examination to locate the water. Finding where the water is becomes the most important part of the restoration process. It is necessary to dry all structural components prior to starting the rebuilding process. A restoration professional will also know that the entire job requires constant monitoring. The structural materials need to be checked at least daily to ensure that drying is taking place properly. Equipment may need to be relocated or repositioned to address specific problem areas. To avoid further damage and to ensure proper drying, a restoration professional will visit the job site daily, at a minimum, armed with moisture detection devices and will check and recheck the progress of the drying, making any necessary adjustments to the drying system in place. Water damage as a result of upper level sources poses unique problems. A restoration professional for proper drying. True paper wall coverings may become permanently stained. When the glue gets wet, many types of wall coverings may release from walls. Vinyl flooring may also pose a similar problem and necessitate removal. If the sub-floor beneath these floor coverings gets wet, there is no easy way to dry it necessitating the removal of the flooring.

A restoration professional will utilize both non-penetrating meters and penetrating meters along with visual examination to locate the water. Finding where the water is becomes the most important part of the restoration process. It is necessary to dry all structural components prior to starting the rebuilding process. A restoration professional will also know that the entire job requires constant monitoring. The structural materials need to be checked at least daily to ensure that drying is taking place properly. Equipment may need to be relocated or repositioned to address specific problem areas. To avoid further damage and to ensure proper drying, a restoration professional will visit the job site daily, at a minimum, armed with moisture detection devices and will check and recheck the progress of the drying, making any necessary adjustments to the drying system in place.
Water damage as a result of upper level sources poses unique problems. A restoration professional must become a detective. They must find the water; not just the obvious locations, but also the hidden water damage must be found. Water, if left untreated, will cause further problems. Mold can potentially become an issue. The structure must be properly dried utilizing professional meters and equipment to achieve a balanced drying system. A restoration professional will be able to find the water, dry it out, and return the property to a pre-loss condition rapidly and efficiently.

866-944-PURO (7876)


Northeast Ohio's "Paramedics of Property Damage"

Sewage Damage – Problems for Both Property and Health

Sewage damage can cause serious problems for both your property and the health of you and your family or employees. When wastewater enters your home or business, you have very little time to spare before bacteria, fungi and viruses start to spread. Once your health concerns have been addressed, PuroClean Professional Services is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help minimize your personal property loss and protect any personal belongings that have been damaged by the sewage leak.



Our Sewage Damage Cleanup and Property Restoration include:

• Sewage clean up and removal
• Leak repairs
• Disinfect and sanitize contaminated areas

                       - floorboards
                       - carpets
                       - walls
                       - furniture

Coping with any kind of property loss can be devastating. It is an experience that affects families on both a material and emotional level with the loss of property as well as the loss of a sense of security and safety. We understand that responding to property emergencies is more than restoring the damage. Behind every loss is a homeowner who needs consolation or a business owner who is struggling to minimize downtime. We will work directly with your insurance provider to help get your home or business back in pre-catastrophic condition as quickly and painlessly as possible.


PuroClean Professional Services is proud to be referred to as, “Northeast Ohio’s Paramedics of Property Damage”.

440-748-7876
330-273-0003

Insight on the issues of Mold In Homes; provided by PuroClean Professional Services

Mold continues to be in the news, somewhere in the nation, on a daily basis. Mold spores are, literally, everywhere and usually cause no concern. However, when the conditions are right, mold can begin to grow, and if that occurs inside of a home or other structure, it is always a concern and can be a real problem.


The molds that cause problems in homes need just three things to grow:
Food - Anything that used to be alive (wood, cardboard, paper, wool, silk, leather, etc.).

Temperature - These molds thrive in the range of 68°F to 86°F (the same range we typically keep our homes).

Water - Very little is needed. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that indoor humidity above 60% is sufficient to allow mold to develop.

Since our homes normally contain a lot of potential mold "food," and are normally kept at a temperature conducive to mold growth, all that is missing is water.
Water is also the most likely cause of damage to property across the nation. It includes everything from overflowing sinks, to leaky or broken pipes/hoses, to drain or sewer back-ups, to over-ground water from heavy rains or river/coastal flooding. If the water is in contact with any form of dirt (remember, flood waters certainly contain lots of "dirt"), then the growth can occur even more quickly since dirt always includes organic material - "mold food."
In all cases, water damage must be remediated quickly and thoroughly or it will result in mold growth. Complete drying, back to normal conditions, is very important since any excess moisture will result in mold growth.
Mold is often seen as obvious "growth" or even "discoloration" on materials like paper or wood. Colors can range from white to orange and from green to brown and black, and it gives off the well-known "musty/moldy" smell.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC),"The Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and wheezing in otherwise healthy people. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children."
The CDC recommends that all molds found in the indoor environment be eliminated, adding, "Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a residence, and the CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds." Since all molds have the potential to cause allergic or allergic like symptoms in people, especially highly susceptible individuals, they should be eliminated whenever they are found. Knowing the name of the mold does not change anything since the same safety precautions should be used whenever remediating mold, regardless of the "name."

Mold Prevention Tips
There is no practical way to eliminate all of the mold spores in an indoor environment. But there are many ways to help control moisture and mold growth in your home. The basic rule is: if you can see or smell mold, take steps to eliminate the excess moisture, and to clean and remove any mold. It is very important to quickly identify and correct any moisture sources before health problems develop.

Stop the Water

• Fix leaks in pipes and any damp area around tubs and sinks so mold spores don't have a growing environment.

• If you rebuild or remodel, do so with water resistant building materials such as tile, stone, deep-sealed concrete, waterproof wallboard, water-resistant glues, etc.

• Prevent seepage of water from the outdoors into your house. It's important to have rainwater from gutters or the roof drain away from the house. The ground around the house needs to slope away to keep the basement and crawl space dry.

• Ventilate any crawl space as much as possible to allow for thorough drying.



Keep It Dry

• Reduce the moisture in the air with dehumidifiers, fans and open windows or air conditioners, especially in hot weather. Do NOT use fans if mold may already exist; a fan will spread the mold spores.

• Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40%.

• In moisture-prone areas, consider easy-to-clean, water-resistant floor coverings, such as vinyl or stone tile.

• Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces by insulating.

Dealing with Mold

• If you discover mold, the first step is to find and eliminate the water source, as above.

• Then, if it is a small area (less than about 10 sq ft), and you feel comfortable, clean the mold with a detergent solution and thoroughly dry all materials.

• If it is larger than 10 sq ft, consider calling a professional mold remediation company, such as PuroClean, the Paramedics of Property Damage™. Our well-trained, professional technicians understand and apply industry standard approaches to remediate mold completely, while being as safe for your home and your family as possible.
Regardless of the circumstances - dealing with mold, water damage, fire/smoke damage, or biohazard remediation - call PuroClean Professional Services, the Paramedics of Property Damage™. For all property damage situations, we are standing by. We will mitigate the loss to prevent further damage and will then provide restoration services to return the property to a pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. PuroClean has a staff of well-trained professional technicians who provide the latest state-of-the-science services to all property damaged from water, fire, smoke, mold, and other disasters.
For help with mold and/or water damage concerns, call immediately!

440-748-7876
330-273-0003

Saving Carpet After Water Damage - PuroClean

Can We Save Carpet?


A pipe breaks and water is everywhere. The policyholder calls the insurance agent and the restoration process begins. Timing is important. The sooner the policyholder makes the call, the quicker the response will be, and in most cases, the lower the total costs of restoration.

Though many issues can be discovered involving water damage, this article focuses on just one - the carpet. Of all the dollars spent on property claims, floor covering is by far the most expensive category. If we can save a large percentage of water-damaged floor coverings, the savings would be significant on a national scale.

CAUTIONING CUSTOMERS

As with any property damage, health and safety is of primary importance. The customer should be cautioned about slipping and falling on wet flooring, electrical hazards, contaminated water, and falling debris such as drywall or acoustical ceiling tiles. Some customers attempt to extract the water themselves. While this can be of some benefit, a shop vacuum, towels, and ceiling fans are no replacement for professional extraction and drying equipment.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Quick response is critical. The longer the unwanted water is allowed to remain, the more likely the carpeting will be permanently damaged. Regardless of the hour, the mitigation process should begin without delay. It is very important to get a professional mitigator involved as soon as possible. The very best opportunity to save carpet (and other items) is to have professionals on site immediately.

CONTAIN AND CONTROL

The initial phase of the mitigation process includes addressing safety issues and employing contain-and-control procedures. Carpet is a multi-layered installation with a big sponge (padding) under it. Standing water must be pumped or extracted to prevent migration of water into adjoining areas and sub-surfaces. Professional moisture meters are used to determine the exact location and extent of water damage. The source of the water will determine whether the carpet and padding can be saved.



DETERMINING CATEGORY OF LOSS

The first step professional mitigation companies take is determining the category of loss as follows:
Category-1 ("clean" water)
A Category-1 loss is from a clean water source and has not come in contact with materials that carry a health concern for the occupants. This would include broken water pipes, leaking hot water heaters, tub or sink overflows, etc. With Category-1 type losses, professionals can extract water from the carpet and pad and dry them both, in place! This dramatically reduces the cost of the claim and helps restoration efforts move faster.
Category-2 ("grey" water)
Category-2 is not a clean water source since it contains contaminates with the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if swallowed or contacted. This would typically include overflow from washing machines or dishwashers, toilet overflows with no solid matter, broken aquariums, sump pump failures, etc. Because of the additional contamination, this type of loss requires the replacement of the padding, but the carpet itself is usually salvageable. If, however, a Category-2 loss is not treated promptly (generally within 48 hours) it will "degrade" to a Category-3.
Category-3 ("black" water)
A Category-3 is water that is grossly contaminated -- containing pathogenic or other harmful agents and materials. Examples of this type of loss include sewage; toilet backflows that originate beyond the toilet trap (regardless of color); all forms of flooding from seawater, rivers, or streams; rising ground water; and water entering the structure from hurricanes, storms, or other weather-related events.
This water condition is of primary concern when it comes to the health and safety of the occupants. It should be treated seriously! Policyholders should not expose themselves to Category-3 water. If, for some reason it is necessary, then they should be cautioned and reminded to wear gloves, shoe protection, and other items to protect themselves. Mitigation professionals, however, are expecially trained to handle this type of loss and are the best guarantee of property containment.
Industry standards require that carpet and pad that have been contaminated with black water must be bagged, removed from the structure, and disposed of in an appropriate location. This also applies to other absorbent materials that have come in contact with black water such as textiles, drywall, etc. Professional restoration companies understand this and operate accordingly.
Property training is the key. Every water damage situation is different. There are varying circumstances that determine whether the carpet can or should be saved. Its age, condition, the type of installation and quality of material are all factors that need to be considered. The goal of a restoration company is to savfe and "restore." Restoration saves money because higher replacement costs are avoided. Home owners also return to their normal lives more quickly with successful restoration.
Mitigation professionals have the training and knowledge to evaluate each situation and to determine the best course of action. They are also trained to communicate well with policyholders, agents, and adjusters to insure that everyone understands the restoration process and proper procedures involved.


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If you need any assistance regarding the entire process of handling your water damage concerns, please call 440-748-7876.

NE Ohio's "Paramedics of Property Damage"

Ohio's Frigid Weather May Leave Some With Property Damage

Homeowners suffering from water damage are faced with an extremely stressful experience. PuroClean Professional Services is prepared to immediately restore property, relieving the stress of property owners during an extremely vulnerable time.

Water loss and damage is a real threat for property owners. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute in the last year, 22 per 1,000 households have entered a claim for water related damage. "These situations are more common than most people think," said George Cruz, owner of PuroClean. "Water damage can often result from weather, such as storms or melting snow, or more often, from common household malfunctions such as pipe leaks, washing machine malfunctions or other plumbing problems."

The Northeast Ohio region is subject to many threats to a property from water damage due to our harsh and extended winter periods. The precipitation levels accompanied with freezing temperatures often present troubling issues for property owners. Usually during these frigid temperatures many area plumbers, public service workers, and PuroClean Professional Services are busier than normal dealing with frozen and ruptured water pipes and lines to homes and businesses. Service calls are taken every year regarding busted water lines to attic crawl spaces and basement areas. Some property disasters leave behind over five feet of water. Another form of water damage to homes this time of year is from ice damming. Ice dams are the accumulation of ice at the eaves and valleys of roofs, and in some winters create major problems for property owners in Northeast Ohio. Insufficient attic insulation and/or ventilation can cause roof snow to melt and slide down to the eaves, where the roof surface is cooler and the melting snow freezes to the roof. Subsequent melting causes water to pool behind this dam and sometimes the water seeps between the shingle layers, wetting the roof deck and possibly the walls and ceilings below. The surrounding counties of the Greater Cleveland and Akron metropolitan areas saw record amounts of ice accumulation last winter and it is expected to be a prevalent issue again this winter.

To help minimize loss, and prevent further damage while technicians from PuroClean are en route, Cruz suggests property owners follow these guidelines:

Insurance

o Call your agent.

o Take photographs of the damage.

o Keep all receipts from hotel stays, home repair materials, etc.

Plumbing

o Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems.o If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet, your whole system is backed up. Call a professional and don’t use other sinks or toilets.

Roofing

o If the neighbor’s roof is missing shingles after a storm, you can assume that yours probably is, too.

o If only a few shingles are gone, try to cover the area with a garbage bag.

o If you have a large area of ripped tar paper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin and call a roofer immediately.

Electric

o Most damage to electrical systems comes from water.

o Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used again.

o Check for sparks or frayed wires if wires are exposed call an electrician and do not turn on the power.

o If it appears that water has infiltrated your breaker box, call an electrician.

o Avoid fallen and dangling wires or metal fences.

o If a limb has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company.

o If a fallen limb touches your property, it becomes your responsibility, but you should not attempt to clear them as they may be tangled in power lines. Call an electrician.

Flooding (Take these steps to minimize damage before the restoration professional arrives.)o Throw out all food, including canned goods, medicines and cosmetics that have been touched by flood water.o Keep a photographic inventory of anything that must be thrown out.o Don’t take pets into a flooded area and never let them drink standing flood water.

Miscellaneous

o Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.o Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.o Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying.o Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.o Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.o Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.o Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances.

About PuroClean Professional Services

PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the Northeat Ohio region. PuroClean responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean's certified technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers several continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers. Managing Partners George Cruz and Emilio Soli were named 2009 Male Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. PuroClean Professional Services cover the ten surrounding counties of the Greater Cleveland and Akron metropolitan areas with 24-hour emergency service.

Freezing Pipes in Ohio

Water is a unique substance. As with most materials, when water cools, its density increases and it settles to the bottom of a container. However, at 32º F, it expands and, therefore, its density decreases! This is why ice floats. This expansion increases the volume of water by about 11% and creates tremendous pressure on its container (between 50,000 and 114,000 psi). Such containers include metal and plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a material, expanding water will cause it to break.

Pipes are especially vulnerable to damage caused by expanding water. Water lines that freeze are usually those directly exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, or water sprinkler lines. In addition, pipes in unheated interior areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and kitchen cabinets, and those that run against exterior walls with little or no insulation are also susceptible to freezing.

A number of variables contribute to freeze damage: The type of building construction; The quality and quantity of insulation; The decline in temperature; The direction and force of wind; and other weather-related conditions are all contributing factors.

Buildings that are poorly designed and do not withstand severe weather sufficiently can contribute to their own damage. The type and age of the plumbing system is also a factor. Rust or corrosion weakens pipes, making leaks more likely to occur. When freeze-expansion occurs, corroded pipes will often split open. When thawing begins or when the water is turned back on, damage is typically the result.

During the renovation of older homes, blown-in or foam insulation is sometimes added to wall cavities between interior and exterior wall surfaces and between studs. This process may actually insulate heat away from pipes adjacent to the exterior wall surfaces, making them more susceptible to freezing.

Since most modern plumbing lines are inside walls hidden from sight, a freeze-caused leak is usually discovered only after water has damaged floors, carpet, walls, or ceilings. Occasionally, an occupant hears the sound of spraying water, but by then it may be too late. The leak has already caused some degree of damage.

Regardless of the circumstances — Water damage caused by frozen pipes, Fire & Smoke damage, Biohazard remediation or Mold remediation — call PuroClean Professional Servies, the Paramedics of Property Damage

Call 866-944-PURO (7876) for any questions, comments, or concerns.

www.PuroCleanProServices.com

*** Serving all of Northeast Ohio ***

Homeowners of Northeast Ohio Give Testimonials on Ohio's Property Disaster Restoration Leader, PuroClean Professional Services

Coping with any kind of property loss can be devastating. It is an experience that affects families on both a material and emotional level with the loss of property as well as the loss of a sense of security and safety.

We understand that responding to property emergencies is more than restoring the damage. Behind every loss is a homeowner who needs consolation or a business owner who is struggling to minimize downtime.

With nearly 20 years of experience in property mitigation and restoration, PuroClean Professional Services has earned a reputation as "The Paramedics of Property Damage." We do more than clean up after a property disaster. In response to every emergency, we provide a combination of exceptional property mitigation services delivered with an equal degree of compassion. We help rescue homes. We put businesses back on their feet. We help you get back to your life.

We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency mitigation services.

866-944-PURO (7876)

"I would recommend them to others" - M. Harper (Akron)

"Very helpful and professional. I would recommend them without any hesitation" - A. Lux (Westlake)

"Absolutely outstanding - very professional, would definately recommend to anyone. Service was way beyond my expectations" - J. Szpak (Hinckley)

"PuroClean did a great job by responding to our needs. They took their time and did a thorough job as well as kept us informed about the progress of the clean-up. They came by everyday to check the water levels and moved equipment around. I would recommend them to someone who may experience the same problem" - D. Dickens (Northfield)

"Very professional and compassionate. Great communication and updates. Every question was answered promptly. Highly recommended" - M. Swenskie (Seville)

"Your company has the best customer service I have ever experienced! I always have to fight with companies to get what I asked for. You guys go above and beyond! I have told everyone I know how great you are! Thanks so much! Everyone at PuroClean was great. Starting with Emilio with that late night call and picking up the keys. Mark, George, and Isaac for coordinating with HVAC and electricians to be met at the house when I couldn't be there. You all were compassionate with the situation and did everything to make it easier to me. I have never been treated so well, it made a horrible situation the best experience I have had in customer service! Excellent follow-up!! Thanks!" - T. Berg (Chardon)

"The team from PuroClean were very respectful and compassionate to our needs. They presented themselves in a presentable manner. We were very pleased with their prompt and experienced professionalism" - K. Sidel (Strongsville)