Water Damage

Leaky Hot Water Heater

As with the case of any appliance, water heaters have the potential to malfunction and leak water. Not only can this situation leave you without hot water, but it also has the potential to cause water damage and mold growth in your home. If you notice, even a small leak, it’s best to take care of the situation right away as the leak will only get worse. If you don’t notice the issue or neglect to get it fixed, it could turn into an emergency water damage situation with flooded floors, damaged dry wall, and a serious mold issue.

Are Leaking Hot Water Heaters Dangerous?

This is a common question from concerned homeowners. The short answer is yes, it’s potentially dangerous. When water heats up, pressure builds within the tank, which is then supposed to be released by the safety valve. In the rare case that this security valve isn’t working properly, the appliance has the potential to explode. Therefore, it’s best to have a leaking hot water heater tank checked as soon as possible.

More likely, the outcome will be that your home will become damaged by the leaking water. Most building materials are quite porous and will soak up the water and damage the material. A steady stream of hot water is also an ideal environment for mold growth. If the area around your tank is wet, you may want to consult with a water damage contractor.

What To Do When a Hot Water Heat Leaks

If you’ve determined that your water heater leak is beyond your comfort level and skill set, it’s advisable to call a professional plumber and ask them to arrive at your home right away.

If you’re capable and want to take some mitigating steps before a plumber arrives you can take the following steps:

1. Turn off the water supply: If your water heater is leaking, it’s recommended to turn off the water to your tank. Your water heater tank should have a dedicated shutoff valve. In the case that the valve is broken, your home has a main water shut of that you can utilize to stop water from flowing to your entire home.
2. Turn off the power supply: The power supply will either be gas or electric. If it’s electric, you can use the circuit breaker to cut the power to the tank and if it’s gas, there should be a dedicated valve to cut the gas supply.

Who to Call When Hot Water Heater Leaks

When you’re dealing with a leaking hot water heater you’ll at least have to call a licensed plumber to come fix the leak or replace the tank. You may also need to call a water damage restoration company in the case that the leaking tank has flooded your floor. An emergency water damage mitigation company will be available 24/7 to dry the affected area and limit damage to your home.

KPM Restoration – Water Damage Specialist

KPM Restoration is an IICRC certified, licensed and insured water damage restoration company based in Malta, NY outside of Saratoga Springs. We have cleaned up, dried and repaired water damage originating from hot water heater tanks hundreds of times. It’s a very common issue that we come across. We can also clean up water leaks from any other source, such as overflowing toilets, septic backups, leaky pipes, burst pipes, leaky roofs, flooded basements and more.

If you need emergency water damage service in the Capital Region of NY, including the cities of Albany, Latham, Colonie, Troy, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Amsterdam, Malta, Saratoga Springs, Queensbury, Glens Falls and the surrounding Upstate New York area, contact us today – (518) 859-9769

An all too common problem in the cold winters of upstate New York is frozen pipes. Some of the worst water damage in homes is when there is a burst pipe in the upstairs and the water seeps down to the first floor and the basement.

Water expands as it freezes, which creates pressure on whatever is containing it. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like unheated basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes located near exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

A small crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold. Our guide will cover on how to prevent frozen pipes, how to unfreeze them and what to do if they burst.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Here are some steps you can take to help prevent your pipes from freezing and help you avoid water damage expenses:

Open cabinet doors

Keeping cabinet doors can block warm air, which contributes to making the pipes in the walls and cabinets cold. That’s why it’s important to keep cabinet doors open to encourage air circulation. This is most important for cabinets and closets around the perimeter of the home, since the outer walls of a home are often the coldest.

Keep faucets at a drip

Another good way to prevent frozen pipes during cold spells is to allow your faucets to drip because moving water doesn’t freeze as easily as standing water. If you anticipate that the temperature will drop into the 20s or below, it may be a good idea to let your faucets drip warm water before going to sleep.

Regulate temperature

Although many people try to save on heating costs by turning off their furnace or keeping their thermostat low, it can potentially lead to frozen pipes. It’s best practice to keep your thermostat at a minimum of 60 degrees or higher even if you aren’t at home.

How to Know If Your Pipes Are Frozen

A pipe coated in frost is a good sign that it’s frozen, but not all plumbing pipes are visible. If your water pressure lessens and your toilets aren’t refilling, then it’s a pretty sure bet that your pipes are frozen.

How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe

We do recommend that you call a professional to thaw your pipes, but if you do want to try to unfreeze your pipes yourself, here are some tips:

Shut off the water

Shut off the water to the faucet locally or at the main water shutoff valve. This will reduce the amount of water that may start to leak from the pipe if it bursts.

Open cabinets door and faucets

Opening the cabinets under sinks and faucets, which will allow warm air to get to the pipes. Keeping the faucets open will help relieve pressure and allow the water to escape once the pipe begins to thaw.

Apply heat

Use a space heater, heat lamp or hair dryer to thaw the frozen length of pipe. Start looking for the frozen pipe by checking pipes along exterior walls, in basements, in crawl spaces, under sinks, in attics or any cold area of your home. In many cases, it is possible to feel along the pipe to determine the area where it is frozen.

Wrapping the Pipes

Wrapping pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape is also an effective way to quickly thaw a section of frozen pipe. You can also wrap the pipe with hot towels.

Turn up your thermostat

You can try to thaw a frozen pipe by increasing the temperature in your home. Turning the thermostat up may help the ice blockage to melt.

Don’t use a torch

Not only will you have frozen pipes, but you may also start a fire. It can also cause the water inside the pipe to boil which will cause an explosion.

What to Do If Your Pipes Burst

If your pipes burst, you should immediately shut off the main water supply in your home or business. There is always a shut off, often in the basement, shutting the water off will help prevent further damage. Then call a reputable water damage restoration company, such as KPM Restoration. We have the plumbers on staff that can fix your pipes, so that your water is working again and restoration water damage specialists that will dry and dehumidify the water. Although water loss from a pipe can at first seem minor, it can often seep into the floors and walls and cause significant damage if it isn’t properly dried.

Fortunately, home owners insurance will often cover damage from burst pipes. We can work with your insurance company.

Burst Pipes? Call us now for 24/7 emergency service – (518) 859-9769

Long Term Prevention

Long term prevention can be a major undertaken that includes steps such as installing additional insulation, replacing outdoor faucets with frost-proof models or even rerouting pipes away from cold areas of your home.

Flooded basements are common throughout the year in upstate New York. We service Albany, Saratoga, Warren, Greene, Washington, Schenectady, Rensselaer counties, and the surrounding upstate New York area.

As the storms intensify, make sure that your sump pump is working properly, if you have one, and check on your basement after heavy rain. Water can find its way through cracks and holes of your basement walls and foundation. If you notice water in your basement give KPM Restoration a call for a quick response to minimize the water damage and prevent additional damage to your home. Our water removal and drying process ensures that your basement is completely dry, and that your property is back to normal.

We are experienced in water damage restoration including basement and crawlspace flooding. We have the experience, expertise, and equipment to remove the water and dry your basement properly. Our water removal and drying process emphasizes monitoring and documentation to validate your property is dry.

Basement Flooding? Call Us Today – 518-859-9769

24 Hour Emergency Water Removal Service

A flooded basement can happen at any time. That’s why KPM Restoration offers 24/7 emergency service. We’re available to respond immediately, and be on site within an hour.

Certified and Experienced Water Restoration Specialists

Our water damage certified professionals  have the expertise and training to properly dry your basement, store and clean your possessions, remediate mold, and rebuild if they’re is any structural damage to your home.

Common Causes of Basement Flooding

Most basements are vulnerable to flooding and there can be many potential causes of water in your basement. Here are some common causes of a flooded basement:

Plumbing Leaks

This could be a leaking pipe, waste line, a busted washing machine supply hose, leaky air conditioner, or a leaking water heater.

Leaky Basement Foundation

Be sure to keep your gutters clean of debris. Any water overflowing out of the gutters is running down next to the foundation. Even if the water is not entering the basement, it could be eroding soil from under the house footings, which can lead to cracking of walls.

Leaky Basement Windows

Landscape slopes can also lead to water leaking through basement windows and foundations. Does your yard slope away from your home? It should. Look for any depressions in the ground next to the home foundation walls. If any are found, fill in with dirt so the water drains away from the house. A larger problem may require a civil engineer to determine the appropriate solution.

How to Deal With a Flooded Basement

Don’t Enter a Flooded Basement

Don’t risk injury by entering a flooded basement. If the flooding is severe, wait until the water is pumped out of your basement. The water can contain harmful bacteria. If you must enter, wear rubber boats and don’t touch any electrical wiring or fixtures.

Remove the Water

If you don’t have a sump pump, call a professional restoration company who can remove the flood water as soon as possible. Waiting will just increase the chances of structural damage to your home.

Deal With Your Damp Objects

Remove all damp objects from your basement. It’s important to keep your possessions on shelves and off the floor in order to increase the chances of preserving your items if your basement floods.

Dry the Area

Your basement won’t dry on its own. You’ll need industrial blowers and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture, and minimize chances of mold growing. KPM Restoration has all the necessary equipment to thoroughly dry your basement.

Take Steps to Prevent Mold Before It Grows

Damp, dark conditions are the ideal environment for mold to flourish. Mold can pose a health threat, and if you discover mold in the weeks after the flood, you might have to remove sections of drywall.

Check the basement every day after the flood, and keep an eye out for mold. If you see a suspicious-looking spot, clean the area with solutions found at a hardware store. Any spot larger than 10 square meters or a musty odor may require the services of a mold remediation company. Check out our article Do I Need Professional Mold Remediation?

Identify the Underlying Problem to Stop Future Floods

One of the most important parts of the process is to remedy the root of the problem

Should you call a water damage restoration company to help with your flooded basement? You may want to consult one if the water is more than a feet deep, if you see mold developing, or you don’t know what caused your basement flood. Many times restoration companies, such as KPM Restoration, can work directly with your insurance company to help with the claims process.

Need a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate now. Call us at 518-859-9769 or send us a message. 

KPM Restoration provides water damage restoration services to Albany NY, Troy NY, Schenectady NY, Saratoga Springs NY, Lake George and the surrounding areas. We also provide mold remediation, reconstruction services, sewage cleanup and other related services that may also be needed after water damage. Below we’ll go over how to prevent water damage and what steps to take if you need to clean up the mess.

Tips to prevent water damage

Check Your Roof

Complete a visual check of your roof once or twice a year to ensure that they aren’t any sings of curling, cracking or missing shingles. These are signs your roof needs repairs. Putting of the repairs will cause a continuation of deterioration that will eventually result in costly water damage.

Maintain Proper Drainage

Poor drainage can weaken the foundation of your home, causing cracks and pathways through which water can enter. Clean your gutters regularly, otherwise, on a rainy day, a clogged gutter may send water spilling into the foundation of your home.

Be Mindful of Landscaping

Many plants and trees have very long sturdy roots that go deep into the ground. If they are planted near drainage pipes, septic tanks, or sprinkler systems they can cause problems and damage water lines. Keep this in mind before planting and planning your landscaping.

Limit the Use of Unclogging Chemicals

You’re bound to have a clogged drain at some point, no matter how clean you keep your sinks. Many people use powerful chemical agents to quickly get rid of the clogs. However, you should not make this a habit. As regular use of these chemicals can eat away at the pipes and cause damage. An alternative is a drain snake. It will clear your clogs without damaging the pipes.

Regularly Test Your Sump Pump

If you own a sump pump, test it regularly to see if the check valve is functioning properly and that water is being pumped out of the sump pit without flowing back into the basement.

To test it, fill the sump pump pit with water. This should trigger the check valve and the pump should turn on and start pumping water. If the pump is not functioning, have it fixed immediately order to prevent potential water damage.

Keeping a Clean Basement

Basements often become a storage area for old clothing and furniture. Take the time each year to get rid of what you don’t need. Should your basement ever flood, you’ll be happy the excess clutter is gone. For the items that you want to keep, it’s best that you put them up high on shelves and in plastic storage bins.

Water Damage Clean Up Tips

Water in unwanted places can cause a lot of damage. Not only can it ruin your possessions, but it can also damage the structure of your home. Acting as quickly as possible is the key to minimizing the damage of your home and possessions. Pieces of furniture, and sometimes even carpets can be saved with the proper cleaning.

Don’t treat flood water in lightly. If your basement has an inch of water in it or is just damp, it can be the perfect environment for mold. Mold growth can ruins walls, furniture, carpets, flooring and lead to lead to poor indoor air quality causing respiratory problems. Preventing mold growth is key to keeping your home’s air healthy.

Unplug electronics, move furniture, rugs, and small items

The faster you are in removing items from water, the more likely you’ll be able to salvage them, especially electronics. Your first step should be turning off the power in the affected area, and moving all the electrical equipment. Next, pull up any carpets and underpaying. Remove other smaller items such as books, chairs, small pieces of furniture, and any other miscellaneous objects.

Remove the Water

If it is safe for you to do so, use a wet-dry vacuum to remove standing water. However, be careful and plug it into outlets far away from water. Don’t use an extension cord as the connection could short and shock you. You use towels, buckets and mops to soak up smaller pools of water on furniture, counters, and other surfaces.

Dry Out the Affected Area

Once you’ve soaked up all the water, next use fans and a dehumidifier to help dry out the area. If possible open windows to allow for additional air circulation. You want to dry the area out as quickly as possible. If the drywall was affected, you’ll probably have to cut away the areas that were touched by water as the drywall will crumble and possible become moldy.

Disinfect

After the area has dried out, including floors, wood, insulation, and drywall use a disinfectant to get rid of any bacteria that might have arisen due to the flood.

Why Hire a Water Damage Restoration Company?

Location of Hidden Water Damage and the Source of the Damage

The hardest part about dealing with water damage is trying to determine the full extent of the damage.  Water is easily absorbed into building materials such as insulation, wood, and drywall and if it is not fully removed, the damage will only get increase and eventually lead to mold. Water damage restoration professionals know how to identify hidden water damage and moisture to prevent further damage.

Professional Equipment

Another advantage is that they use professional industrial equipment to ensure that excess water and moisture has been removed quickly. Powerful shop vacs, fans, and dehumidifiers are used to remove water completely from the air, structural elements, and furnishings in your home.

Quick Response 

We will respond to your call 24/7 and will arrive within an hour in many cases of your initial call to help contain the damage and prevent it from spreading. It’s very important to respond to water damage as  quickly as possible because minor water problems cause serious damage to your home and furnishings as well cause mold growth. Water damage restoration professionals work in teams so that different aspects of the restoration take place simultaneously.

Mold Remediation

One of the worst potential outcomes of water damage is the growth of mold. Once mold starts to form and grow it can cause damage to the surfaces that it grows on, including wood, drywall, insulation, furniture, etc. It also can cause allergic reactions and other negative health effects. Professionals will dry out the affected area quickly, which will lessen the possibility of mold growth. If mold does appear, mold remediation companies have the right equipment and cleaning products to remove mold.

Reduction of Health Risks

There are many potential health risks when dealing with water damage as the water may contain sewage and other bacteria that can cause negative health effects. Water damage technicians know how to deal with the bacteria and take the right measures to prevent adverse health effect.

Reduction of Overall Costs and Losses

While you may think that hiring a water damage restoration company will be more expensive, it may actually save money. Hiring a professional to restore your property will help prevent water from being absorbed into the building materials of your home, limiting the possibility of serious structural damage and out of control mold growth. Often your insurance company will help cover the costs as well.

Help with Insurance Claims

If your home or personal belongings are damaged due to excess water or moisture, it may be prudent to file an insurance claim. We work with insurance providers and can help with the paperwork needed to file a claim.

Hiring a professional for water damage restoration has several benefits over DIY water damage restoration that will save you time and money in the long run. As soon as you notice water damage in your home or business, call us right away – (518) 859-9769