Water Damage Restoration Worries

Move Fast to Avoid More Damage

If you suffer water damage your first question may be, “why me?!” To this, there is no answer. But the second question may be, “how long?” Your dry out will depend on the extent of the damage and saturation, how long the property has been exposed to water, and how quickly you got a water damage team in to help? With a quality crew like White Knight, it usually takes from 2 to 3 days to dry an average home. If the property has been exposed for an extended period of time, it could take up to 5 days. There are many variables, but the sooner White Knight starts, the better:

Water Damage Within Minutes

·         Water contamination spreads, rapidly increasing claim costs.

·         Moisture-sensitive furniture finishes begin to turn white.

·         Furniture standing on saturated carpets will begin to leach and stain the carpeting.

·         Important papers get ruined.

Water Damage Within Hours

·         Furniture in direct contact with water begins to delaminate and swell.

·         Normal household odors get amplified by humidity.

·         Dyes from non-colorfast fabrics begin to bleed.

Water Damage Within Days

·         Within 24-48 hours, fungi appear, along with their characteristic musty odors.

·         Severe warping and cupping of wood floors begin.

·         Paint blisters, dark spots appear on the walls, and wallpaper adhesives start to peel away.

·         Wood structural members begin to swell, warp and split apart.

·         Food is ruined.

·         Metal begins to rust

Water Damage Within Weeks

·         Mold sinks roots into organic materials and destroys their integrity.

·         Occupants must be evacuated due to health hazards.

·         Allergen sensitivity may arise from microbial growth.

·         A complete gutting of the structure may be necessary, which will drive the claim up astronomically and displace the occupants.

When your property suffers water damage, the emergency response is ready and available 24-7 to respond fast.  An on-call responder will assess the damage in less than two hours after your call, and extraction and drying will begin as soon as possible to mitigate any damages.

Whether your water intrusion is from a broken pipe or due to storm flooding, the White Knight Carpet Rescue Emergency Response Team (ERT) will treat you and your home or business with the respect you deserve. Multiple certifications in content and structural drying ensure that your property is restored to its original state in a timely manner.

Call For Help In Waukesha

When dealing with water damage, a prompt response is essential for mitigating damage, reducing your losses, and restoring your property as quickly as possible. When you call White Knight Carpet Rescue, you can count on us to work quickly and effectively. The longer water damage goes unchecked, the more the water will spread, the more damage is done, and the greater the potential for mold growth. If you have experienced water damage in your home or business, call our professionals immediately.

According to EPA.gov, it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. White Knight Carpet Rescue in Waukesha serves residential customers with a one hour or less response time. Qualified water damage experts will protect your home with intense cleaning, refinishing and emergency flood response. Contact White Knight Carpet Rescue and we will rescue you 24/7 from water emergencies.

How to Prevent Water Damage

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Everyone’s a critic.” In today’s society, with the DIY craze sweeping the nation, it is pretty safe to say that everyone is not only a critic, but also a plumber, electrician, chef, interior decorator, you name it. While we are all for being independent and learning new trades and skills, there are still some things that need to be left to the professionals. One of those things that should not fall under the DIY category is water damage restoration.  Water damage in homes can have very costly effects, both to your budget and to your health. If not handled properly (from finding and stopping the source to completely drying everything out and replacing or restoring damaged items) mold can grow and the structural components of your home can be compromised. So, while your best bet , when faced with water damage, is to call in a restoration team instead of taking it on yourself, there are still things that you can do on your own to help prevent water damage in your home.

Prevention is much easier than restoration, and for all you DIYers out there, we have good news: you can completely take control of  helping to prevent water damage in your home. White Knight Carpet Rescue in Waukesha has come up with a list of DIY water damage prevention steps you can take to help mitigate the threat and risk of water damage, and show how you can play an active role in keeping your home and belongings safe from the devastating damage of leaks or floods.

DIY Water Damage Prevention

• Start with a visual inspection of your home or building. Check in rooms and areas that are not obvious or are less trafficked. Basements, garages, attics, under cabinets, the ground around rain gutters, roof tops, and window wells are all common places water can pool and go unnoticed. Make sure these areas are dry and show no signs of any moisture or water damage. Make it a habit to check these places periodically to be sure that they stay clear of any signs of water damage, and that there are no cracks or leaks in sight.
• Perform routine maintenance on household appliances that use water. Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters are all common culprits of water damage in homes. Water hoses that run to these machines can weaken over time, and are prone to leaks. Keep an eye on these appliances, and make sure that you are following manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to installation, use, and maintenance. Consider replacing washing machine hoses regularly to avoid leaks from aging and overuse.
• Be aware of water outside of your home. Hoses left connected still house water, and if temperatures drop suddenly, water in a hose may freeze back into the pipe. Disconnect hoses to help prevent any water build up there. Rain gutters that are cluttered create blockages, which can lead to overflow. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, and be sure that they are directing water away from the foundation of your home.
• Know where you water main is. If you plan on being away for long periods of time, you may want to shut off the main water line to your home. Also, if you find yourself in a situation where water is overflowing, you will need to know where your water main is and how to shut it off.
• Install water detection devices. Just as we use smoke detectors to warn us of a fire, there are detectors available that will warn us when moisture is present. These are extremely beneficial in areas where water leaks can go unnoticed.
• Use a water pressure gauge to check the water pressure to your home. You can get a water pressure gauge at most local hardware stores, and all you have to do to check your pressure is attach it to an outside faucet and turn the faucet on full force. The gauge will give you a reading of the water pressure going into your home, and if it is too high it can cause unnecessary strain on pipes and hoses and cause them to fail under the pressure. If your water pressure is above 100 psi, you should install a water pressure regulator. Regulators can also be found at most local hardware stores, and come with installation instructions so you will totally be able to DIY the installation.
• Last, but not least, track your water bill. If your usage spikes from one month to the next for no known reason, it may be due to a leak. If you cannot find a source, cause, or explanation to a sudden rise in your water usage, go back through your visual checklist of any areas of the home where leaks could be more prone. If all else fails, call in a restoration team to help with your investigation. They will work with you to help you find the source of any possible water leaks.

If you do end up facing water damage, don’t go at it alone. Contact White Knight Carpet Rescue Inc and we can provide you with more information on our services. We have 24/7 emergency response and will be there to help with all the steps of water damage restoration.

3 Dangers Of Water Damage Cleanup

Most people know that a flood in your home causes a lot of damage. Standing water in any room that isn’t supposed to have standing water in it, can be a real drain on your wallet real quick. However, a lot of people don’t realize how dangerous standing water in your home can be. It can even be deadly, which is why you should always call a professional from White Knight right away to help you with your water damage cleanup in Madison. Here are some potential dangers of water damage.

Bacteria

Okay, bacteria might not sound as scary as it is in reality, but it can be a huge threat to your health. There are different degrees of floodwater and it is important that you don’t come into contact with any floodwater that is very dirty. Flood water that is caused by a leak from a water pipe in your home might not be very dangerous, but if your water damage is from a backed up sewer line spewing into your home, you are dealing with some pretty serious biohazards waste. There is a whole slew of diseases that you could get it you come into contact with this kind of water. If your standing water in your home is coming from a flood outside your home, there is potential for chemical or biohazards waste to be in it as well. It is best to contact a professional to deal with the water cleanup.

Electricity

Another huge threat to your safety is if you have electricity running while you have standing water in your home. If the flood waters have reached any wiring or outlets, then you could become electrocuted if you step into the waters. If this is your situation, turn the switches to the off position in your fuse box, but only if it is in a safe, dry, accessible place. If it doesn’t meet that criterion, then contact your utility company right away to figure out how to get the electricity turned off.

Gas

Another huge danger with your water damage cleanup project is if you have a gas line that has been compromised. If you have gas leaking into your home, it can be a huge hazard for a potential fire, especially if you don’t have your electricity turned off yet. If you have standing water in your home and you don’t know if these utilities have been dealt with, do not enter the home. Make sure you have a professional water damage cleanup specialist to see that all the necessary boxes are ticked off.

You might think that it would be very frugal of you to try deal with your own water damage cleanup project by yourself, however, there are just too many dangers associated with water damage to take that risk. Call a professional today to figure out how to be safe in a water damage situation and in what ways you can be the most helpful.

5 Signs Of Water Damage In Your Home

When it comes to a water damage situation, you probably think that it would be difficult to NOT notice. When we think of water damage, we often think of overflowing toilets, sink pipes bursting, or floodwater pouring in from the outside. We don’t always think of slow leaks from pipes inside of y0ur walls, or tiny cracks in the roof that allow water to slowly move through your roof structure. There are plenty of ways that water can damage y0ur home without your notice. But there are things you can do and signs y0u can look for that might indicate water damage. If any of these signs are found in your home, you will want to contact a professional water damage restoration company in the Waukesha area that can help you determine the extent of the problem and how to quickly remediate it.

Signs To Watch For

• Standing Water – Standing water is obviously a major sign of water damage. Standing water often occurs when water heaters, toilets, and other appliances malfunction and leak. Leaks from the ceiling will also cause water to pool in an area.
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• Discoloration – When an area is damaged by water, it will look different. The coloring will be off and you’ll probably notice a yellowing or browning in the original color. If mold growth is happening, the coloring could look more green or even black. Look closely at the walls and ceiling for cracking or bubbling. This will indicate trouble behind the wall. 
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• Texture – When water damage happens to flooring, the easiest way to spot it is by the change in the texture of the material. Flooring isn’t always going to discolor or bubble up like a wall or ceiling would. When it comes to texture, look for warping, buckling, sagging, sinking and expanding of the material.
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• Smell – If water damage is happening, more than likely there will be a mold problem. An area that is water damaged and moldy will stink! There will be a musty mildew-like smell that is unmistakable. Basements and attics are common places to find this odor when water damage is present.
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• Specific Areas – There are high-risk water damage areas in buildings that should be paid consistent attention to. Ceilings, walls, floors, attics, and bathrooms are common places for water damage to occur. Check under cabinets, around toilets, and in the structure for these signs.

Contacting Professionals When You Find Water Damage

If you find any of these signs of water damage in your home, it is important that you contact a certified professional right away. When water damage is ignored, it can quickly turn into a much bigger, (and much more expensive) problem. Successful remediation of water damage requires immediate water extraction and cleanup. If the culprit of the water damage is a pipe leak, it may be a good idea to contact a plumber to have the water stopped before restoration begins.

If you live in or around the Waukesha area, White Knight Carpet Rescuers is an experienced and qualified water restoration company who can also detect and remove mold if the water damage has progressed into a mold problem. Whichever direction you choose, make sure you are in the hands of skilled professionals.

Water Damage Cleanup Madison

Chances are, you will not be prepared for the sudden, unforeseen, surreal yet painful strike of a disaster upon your property. When your property suffers water damage, our team is ready to do water damage cleanup in Madison and available 24-7 to respond in a rapid and skillful manner. An on-call responder will assess the damage in less than two hours after your call, and extraction and drying will begin as soon as possible to mitigate any damages.

Whether your water intrusion is from a broken pipe or due to storm flooding, the White Knight Carpet Rescue Emergency Response Team (ERT) will treat you and your home or business with the respect you deserve. Our team of professional’s hold various certifications in content and structural drying, to ensure that your property is restored to its original state in a timely manner.

Quick Response

When dealing with water damage, a prompt response is essential for water damage restoration in Waukesha,reducing your losses, and restoring your property as quickly as possible. When you call White Knight Carpet Rescue, you can count on us to work quickly and effectively. The longer water damage goes unchecked, the more the water will spread, the more damage is done, and the greater the potential for mold growth. If you have experienced water damage in your home or business, call White Knight Carpet Rescue immediately to be rescued!