Recent Water Damage Posts

Black, Gray or Clean Water: What's the Difference?

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

gray storm water If you had flood water in your home or business recently, may have it checked out for toxic contaminants.

If your home has had a flood, you’d probably wonder how safe the water is before coming in contact with it.

Should you retrieve possessions from the puddles left behind? If you forgot to wear gloves and boots, will soap and water be enough to rid the germs from your hands?

Those are excellent questions.

First & foremost, you must identify the water source.

Clean water will not cause an immediate threat. It contains no contaminants and originates from toilet holding tanks, snow melt, rain, appliances such as a broken refrigerator, air conditioning units, etc.

Gray water contains chemical or biological contaminates, and therefore, may pose some health risk. It originates from washing machines, showers, sinks, aquariums, etc.

Black water causes an immediate threat due to the expected contaminants in it, including but not limited to, viruses, bacteria and protozoan. This water originates from toilets and floodwaters. Oftentimes after a flood, water collects soils, sewage, etc..., which contain harmful contaminants and explains why it’s marked as black water. 

However, please note that as these waters sit, they can advance to a more serious level. For instance, after sitting for two days, clean water can turn into gray water. This is why water removal should be handled immediately.

Contact with contaminated water can cause vomiting, nausea, parasitic illness and fever.

If you’re not sure of the source, contact a professional.                           

If you’re dealing with gray or black water, it’s very important to get help as soon as possible. Keep in mind that if it’s clean water, and it’s been sitting for over 48 hours, it should be treated as a gray water problem.

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we are storm & water damage and biohazard experts. We will efficiently restore any water damage and carefully treat and disinfect your home, so you feel safe in it again.

Does your Laurel, Greenbelt or Beltsville area  home or office need restoration or cleanup? We also have sister franchises that serve Rockville, Olney, Silver Spring North, Sandy Spring, Laytonsville and beyond.

Give us a call today at 301-323-8862 or 301-340-1313, and we will give you peace of mind!

Water stains on your ceiling? Our SERVPRO team can help!

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

water stain damage on ceiling Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez as soon as possible to get those water stains on your ceilings checked out!

Water stains aren’t something to ignore. Instead, they are indicators of an urgent matter!

If you see water stain(s) on your ceiling, you should request help promptly.

Water stains can mean:

  • Leaky pipe(s)
  • Old caulking
  • Problem with roof
  • Poor insulation

Whatever is above your ceiling is typically the source of the moisture issue. Is your property’s roof or a bathroom above the water stain? That may just be the source of the problem. However, if you cannot determine a water source above the stain, you may have a leaky pipe.

Water seepage from old caulking or piping in disrepair are other common sources of water stains. It’s very important that damaged or old pipes are replaced to avoid leaking or “sweating.”

After a snowstorm or even a rain downpour, water stains can show up on your ceiling. For instance, rain can leak through from the gutter. Therefore, you have a roofing issue upon your property.

However, if an ice dam forms on your roof and water is able to seep in, it’s a good indicator of a need to improve the insulation.

Sometimes, a professional may need to remove a portion of the ceiling, and possibly the wall, to completely restore and fix the affected area for good.

Remember, don't put off too long to deal with the stain! Applying a quick coat of paint over the stain can make a temporarily, cosmetic difference, but oftentimes, the stain will bleed right through the new paint.

Instead, call a professional to ensure the source of the water is correctly identified and handled properly. Ignoring the issue can lead to expensive repairs. It’s much better to catch the problem sooner than having to have sections of your ceiling teared down and replaced.

Call Team Gutierrez of SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E to have water stains in your home or office checked out. We are the area’s water damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property with efficiency and detail.

We are here 24/7. 301-323-8862. 

Best to call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez when it comes to water damage restoration!

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

Green dryer fan in crawl space Water damage can lead to further problems if not taken care of swiftly. SERVPRO Team Gutierrez has the manpower & equipment to respond quickly.

When a flood or any other water events like supply line break or pipe break destroys your home or business, it's crucial to act quickly by acquiring professional flood restoration services, like those offered by SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville. Cleaning up water damage involves more than just drying and wiping the residue away.

Additionally, delaying makes the damage worse because the water will seep into the walls, furnishings, floors, which may result in mildew and mold growth. Water mitigation can be devastating, but when one gets professional services, restoring the home becomes easier and you can put the traumatic event behind.

Water damage mitigation

Water/flood damage is the destructive process that occurs when water gets into a building. This can be caused by a pipe break, supply line break, or floods after heavy rains. Water in a home or water in a business can cause damage like oxidation of metal (rust), rotting wood, composite building materials delamination, and microbial growth. Immediately water seeps into the building materials, a chemical reaction begins to occur hence breaking down the strength of the material. In case water cleanup and drying aren't done immediately, the stability of the structure can be compromised. This makes the flooded home unsafe for human occupancy. Sometimes the effect just comes from a simple pipe break.

Restoration Solutions

The first step for handling flood damage when you have a flooded home is emergency mitigation. This involves locating the cause of the problem (be it a pipe leak or a supply line break) and eliminating the problem. The next step in managing water in home or water in business damage would be assessing the water damage and any dangers to humans. All these services are to be handled by licensed and trained water cleanup professionals. What follows is the drying and dehumidifying of all the affected areas.

After our SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville team assesses the property, equipment as well as other items to know if the contents can be restored are brought in. Mold mitigation services may be necessary as they help get rid of any microbial growth associated with a flooded home.

Once the structure is safe for occupation, your family or employees can get back to their normal operations.

Reasons to get professional help

Rapid restoration
Tackling the task of restoring your flooded home or business after flood damage can be slow and exhausting. This increase the probability of further damage especially when the cause of the problem, like supply line break or pipe break, hasn't been addressed. By working with SERVPRO, water damage mitigation becomes manageable. The water cleanup and drying process is handled efficiently and quickly by flood damage professionals with the right equipment.

Preventing mold and mildew
In case you have experienced mildew or mold after water in home or water in business, you know how hard it is to get rid of the problem. Prompt water and flood damage restoration can reduce the chances of mold growth.

Insurance issues
When you have water or flood damage coverage, the mitigation firm will assist you to deal with the needed procedures and forms. Here at SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville, our team can help to document the losses they so that they can get the proper settlement from the insurance company. 

Although hiring restoration experts may cost a bit more, the expenses can't compare to the costs incurred if you do nothing or decide to handle the restoration by yourself. Oftentimes there are problems beyond the wet surface that the non-professional eyes cannot see. It's always best to call a professional when it comes to water damage!

SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E Team Gutierrez is always here to help. 301-323-8862.

Conserving water in your home

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

water Follow these tips to help save on your water bills, as well as our water resources!

Our crew members at SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E see a lot of aftermath from home flooding, which means a lot of wasted water. Excessive amounts of water leaking, bursting, or draining cause these floods. 

We'd like to share some useful tips to help save on your water bill and at the same time, our valuable natural resources. Following these tips can also prevent a water catastrophe in your home:

  • Check your toilet for leaks (the old food coloring trick is a sure way to discover any)
  • Check for leaks in pipes and faucets, too
  • Do not leave you water running the entire time you brush your teeth, shaving or showering
  • Purchase water-saving appliances (a shower head is probably the cheapest and will save you)
  • Wait until you have enough clothes for a full load to do laundry
  • Position your lawn sprinkler in the most efficient way possible. Oftentimes, sprinkler water ends up watering the road or sidewalks, or your neighbor's yard!
  • Plant drought-resistant plants and trees
  • Use a broom, instead of a hose, to remove dust and dirt from your sidewalks, etc.
  • Reuse water when possible. You can water your garden instead of allowing a lot of the water you’ve used to flow down the drain
  • Capture rainwater! Invest in a water drum to catch water from gutters and downspouts

SERVPRO is the area’s water & storm damage restoration experts. Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail. 

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884 if we can help!

What's the Difference: Gray or Black Water?

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

yellow boots in flood water If you had flood water in your home or business recently, may have it checked out for toxic contaminants.

If your home floods, you’ll probably wonder how safe the water is.

Should you retrieve possessions from the puddles left behind? If you forgot to wear gloves and boots, will soap and water be enough to rid the germs from your hands?

Those are excellent questions.

First, you must identify the water source.

Clean water will not cause an immediate threat. It contains no contaminants and originates from toilet holding tanks, snow melt, rain, appliances such as a broken refrigerator, air conditioning units, etc.

Gray water contains chemical or biological contaminates, and therefore, may pose some health risk. It originates from washing machines, showers, sinks, aquariums, etc.

Black water causes an immediate threat due to the expected contaminants in it, including but not limited to, viruses, bacteria and protozoan. This water originates from toilets and floodwaters. Oftentimes, after a flood, water collect soils, sewage, etc. which contain harmful contaminants, which explains why it’s marked as "black water." 

However, please note that as these waters sit, they can advance to a more serious level. For instance, after sitting for two days, clean water can turn into gray water. This is why water removal should be handled immediately.

Contact with contaminated water can cause vomiting, nausea, parasitic illness and fever.

If you’re not sure of the source, contact a professional.                           

If you’re dealing with gray or black water, it’s very important to get help as soon as possible. Keep in mind that if it’s clean water, and it’s been sitting for over 48 hours, it should be treated as a gray water problem.

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we are water damage and biohazard experts. We will efficiently restore any water damage and carefully treat and disinfect your home, so you feel safe in it again.

Take a look at our website for more details: www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/sewage-cleanup

Does your Bowie, Burtonsville, Calverton, Laurel, Beltsville, Greenbelt, Lanham home or office need restoration or cleanup? Call us today at 301-323-8862, and we will give you peace of mind!

Quick water removal can prevent further damage

11/29/2022 (Permalink)

green air dryer on wet floor Quick removal of water in your home or business is crucial and can prevent further damages.

SERVPRO is “Faster to any size disaster,” and this quality provides many benefits for home and business owners of waterlogged properties. When a pipe has burst apart, or a tub overflowed, your home needs to have that excess water removed as quickly as possible.


Homes in Laurel, Greenbelt, Beltsville and throughout Prince George's County, MD that have excess water from disasters such as pipe failures and forgotten tubs dry out best when water removal services from SERVPRO are the first part of the entire process. Pumping out any water that is visible upon our arrival helps us gain a better visual so we can more easily assess the extent of the overall damage.

Larger amounts of porous materials require more aggressive drying methods than materials that are less porous. 

Removing water starts the process, but then we need to move toward removing the moisture that has escaped into the air through evaporation. This moisture can find its way into every part of your home and create problems later unless it is captured and removed. Dehumidifiers, heaters, air movers, and even open windows can work wonders when used together. Moisture meters provide us with a beginning reading of areas in your home that are compared to later readings, showing us our progress in drying out your home.

When dry, remaining problems can still exist, such as unusual odors. This is because odors are caused by particles, that although tiny, produce smells when they have been disturbed. We can rectify this problem with odor control methods. Other problems that can remain behind include over-stretched carpeting, and SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can fix that problem, also.

Because floors are always saturated in a situation where standing water exists, we take great care in ensuring that these surfaces are completely dry. This prevents warping of wooden floors and sub-flooring. Otherwise, walking in your home may soon become hazardous for your family and guests.

In situations that have left your home partially submerged, call SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

We can begin water removal efforts so that your home is once again as it should be - perfectly dry. Accidents can occur at all hours of the day and night, and because of this, we are always here to help!

We're 'Faster to Any Size Disaster' because Flooding doesn't wait

11/10/2022 (Permalink)

a flooded family room and kitchen Water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither does SERVPRO of Laurel/Greenbelt-Beltsville.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E provide emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture and beyond. SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E crews arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning & restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 301-323-8862

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

  • Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
  • Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery and belongings.
  • Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
  • Photographs, books and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

  • Drywall begins to swell and break down.
  • Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
  • Furniture begins to swell and crack.
  • Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
  • A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

  • Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
  • Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
  • Metal begins to rust and corrode.
  • Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
  • Paint begins to blister.
  • Wood flooring swells and warps.
  • Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
  • Structural safety, mold growth and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About Us

SERVPRO of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E specialize in the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or 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.

Certifications

  • OCT - Odor Control Technician
  • IICRC Certified Firm
  • RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
  • AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
  • HST - Health and safety Technician
  • ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
  • SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
  • CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
  • RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
  • WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
  • ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program

How to protect your home to minimize water damage

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

flooded apartment complex Any home, including apartments, is prone to water damages, especially during huge storms & flooding. Be prepared to help minimize damage.

Any home is prone to water damages, especially during huge storms that carry heavy rains and flooding. And while we cannot predict Mother Nature and her wrath, we can prepare as best we can to take precautions to keep us safe and to lessen the damages that flooding can cause.

For example, if you live in a low-lying ground adjacent to a river, or floodplain, it’s no surprise that your property is subject to flooding.

The American Red Cross offers these suggestions, in addition to checking with a professional to:

  • Raise your furnace, water heater and electric panel to floors that are less likely to be flooded. An undamaged water heater may be your best source of fresh water after a flood.
  • Install check valves in plumbing to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home. (As a last resort, when floods threaten, use large corks or stoppers to plug showers, tubs, or basins.)
  • Construct barriers such as levees, berms and flood walls to stop floodwater from entering the building (if permitted by local building codes).
  • Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage through cracks.
  • Use sand bags when flooding is expected. It takes two people about one hour to fill and place 100 sandbags, creating a wall 1 foot high and 20 feet long. Make sure you have enough sand, burlap or plastic bags, shovels, strong helpers, and time to place them properly.

If a flood is expected, some communities will offer free sandbags to residents. Be sure to watch or listen to the news so you can access these resources.

The American Red Cross also offers these tips to help Protect Your Family:

  • Talk with your family about what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued. Discussing floods ahead of time helps reduce fear, especially for younger children.
  • Ensure that every member of your family carries a Safe and Well wallet card.
  • Make sure you have access to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radio broadcasts:
  • Find an online NOAA radio station
  • Search for a NOAA radio app in the Apple Store or Google Play
  • Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio in the Red Cross Store
  • Find out if you are located in a floodplain, which is considered a Special Flood Hazard Area. If so, you are still eligible for flood insurance. Check with your city or county government (start with the Building or Planning Department) to review the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  • Find out if local streams or rivers flood easily.
  • Keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. You may need quick, easy access to these documents. Keep them in a safe place less likely to be damaged during a flood. Take pictures on a phone and keep copies of important documents and files on a flash drive that you can carry with you on your house or car keys.

The American Red Cross and the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) offer great resources for storm and fire prevention and response. Visit their webpages for more information:

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/flood

Finally, when you are ready for storm damage cleanup and remediation, you can rely on SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E. We are the area’s water & storm damage experts, as well as mold remediation and restoration. Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, “Like it never even happened.”

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

Water stains on your ceiling? We can help!

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

water stain on ceiling Water stains on ceilings may be indicators of an urgent matter. Call us to check things out!

Water stains aren’t something to ignore. Rather, they may be indicators of an urgent matter!

If you see water stain(s) on your ceiling, call for help promptly.

Water stains can mean:

  • Leaky pipe(s)
  • Old caulking
  • Problem with roof
  • Poor insulation

Whatever is above your ceiling is typically the source of the moisture issue. Is your property’s roof or a bathroom above the water stain? That may just be the source of the problem. However, if you cannot determine a water source above the stain, you may have a leaky pipe.

Water seepage from old caulking or piping in disrepair are other common sources of water stains. It’s very important that damaged or old pipes are replaced to avoid leaking or “sweating.”

After a snowstorm or even a rain downpour, water stains can show up on your ceiling. For instance, rain can leak through from the gutter. Therefore, you have a roofing issue upon your property.

However, if an ice dam forms on your roof and water is able to seep in, it’s a good indicator of a need to improve the insulation.

Sometimes, a professional may need to remove a portion of the ceiling, and possibly the wall, to completely restore and fix the affected area.

Remember, deal with the stain in a very timely manner! Applying a quick coat of paint over the stain can make a temporarily, cosmetic difference, but oftentime, the stain will bleed right through the new paint.

Instead, call a professional to ensure the source of the water is correctly identified and handled properly. Ignoring the issue can lead to expensive repairs! It’s much better to catch the problem sooner than having to have sections of your ceiling teared down and replaced.

Call SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E to have water stains in your home or office checked out. We are the area’s water & storm damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

How to Salvage Damaged Pictures After a Flood

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

damaged photos Our technicians at SERVPRO® of Laurel/Greenbelt-Beltsville are trained to properly restore photos & other valuables damaged by water.

If you’ve experienced a flood in your home, chances are many of your belongings were damaged by the waters. Among your valuables, your photographs are likely one of your most personal and cherished items.

Whatever the loss, losing pictures to a flood can be one of the most devastating aspects. You feel powerless as these family heirlooms passed down for decades, or a priceless image is seemingly damaged and potentially lost due to the flood waters.

Don’t stress too much! There may be hope, as our technicians at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are trained to properly restore your photos and other valuables.

There are plenty of tips on how to salvage your photos. Surprisingly, most can be cleaned and dried.

Follow the steps promptly to avoid damage. You should try to follow these steps within at most two days, or else they will begin to mold and stick together. 

  1. Gently remove the photographs from the water. If any pictures are stuck together, carefully separate. If they will not part easily, do not force a separation.
  2. Using cold, clean water, rinse each side of the picture. This way, any dirt will come off.
  3. On an indoor flat surface, lay down paper towels. Lay the photo, face-up, on the paper towel, and replace the paper towel (as it will get wet) with a dry one each hour, until completely dried.

If you want to want to put the drying process on hold, place the wet photos (after rinsing with cold, clean water) between sheets of wax paper before storing them in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer. 

We at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can also help to restore your photos and other valuables. If you are concerned about water damage in your home (walls, floors, etc.), we will restore your home to you at ease, too. We are the water damage experts!

Give us a call 24/7 at 301-323-8862.