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How To Recognize Signs of Water Damage to Your Basement

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Water Damage in Basement - Salem, Oregon

If your basement smells musty, you may have water damage. Learn about signs of basement water damage with tips from the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore.

Look for these top-5 signs of water damage in your basement.

If left undetected, basement leaks can cause serious and even irreversible damage to your property. While the first signs of trouble are often extremely subtle, checking for these indicators regularly can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Learn the top 5 signs of basement water damage with help from the experts at ServiceMaster Restore to protect your home.

1. Cracks in the wall, floor or foundation

Cracks in a basement’s walls, floors or foundation could mean that water is putting pressure on your home’s structure. Hairline cracks are often harmless, but if those cracks grow larger than one-sixteenth of an inch across, then it’s time to contact a professional to assess the situation. If you notice your walls shifting or becoming displaced, call in the experts immediately.

2. Peeling paint

If you see peeling paint in your basement, don’t assume it’s a normal part of your paint’s aging process. Peeling paint could be the first sign of water deteriorating the foundation. If you notice this symptom, watch out for the cement under the paint beginning to flake, also known as spalling, and white salt deposits accumulating on the foundation, also known as efflorescence. Both spalling and efflorescence occur when water is present, so if you see any signs of damage, you may be looking at early symptoms of structural failure. Call the experts right away to assess your basement.

3. Sinking floors

A sinking floor may be one of the most noticeable signs of basement water damage. However, its cause isn’t always immediately apparent. If your floor begins to sink, your home could be experiencing foundation damage or soil erosion under its foundation. Either way, the floor should be assessed immediately before its underlying condition worsens and leads to costly repair bills.

4. Musty smells

If your basement develops a musty odor that cleaning, dehumidifiers and additional ventilation can’t remedy, it could indicate a serious problem. Musty odors may be caused by mold, which grows near a water source. Smelling musty odors in your basement could indicate that you have a leak nearby.

5. Mold growth

Mold thrives in wet, damp environments, making it a major sign that you have water damage. If you notice mold growing in your basement, you may have a leak. Look for any signs of dripping water or excess humidity and call the experts right away to stop the leak and safely remove the mold from your property.

To keep your basement safe from water damage, check your basement regularly for these symptoms. During times of high moisture, like melting snow or spring floods, inspect your basements more frequently to ensure your home is safe.

In the event that you do notice any signs of water damage, do not hesitate to call the professionals here at ServiceMaster Restore. Our team of professionals can restore your home back to normal as quickly as possible. With the ability to be at your home within 2 to 4 hours of your call, our emergency water damage technicians can take the stress off your shoulders and move you from crisis to resolution fast. After your basement leaks are repaired by the appropriate service, we’ll work with your insurance company to get your restoration claims processed quickly. Our caring professionals are at your side every step of the way to make your house feel like home once again.

If you do end up noticing any water damage to your basement, please contact us immediately. We can provide guidance on the steps to take to mitigate the damage. Please call us at any of our locations:

Salem: 503-585-4017  +  Corvallis/Albany: 541-738-4624  +  Lincoln Co.: 541-996-2255

Be Prepared For Spring Flooding!

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With heavy snow pack, warmer temperatures and March rain showers increases the chance of flooding in the Willamette Valley and Central Coast.

Flood Awareness & Preparedness Tips

The month of February brought a lot of snow to the state of Oregon. Here in the valley, some areas were hit with over a foot of snow and the mountain ranges were hit extremely hard. As the first day of spring approaches on March 20th, we thought it would be important to share some preparedness tips to help prevent flooding at your home or business.

A flood can occur at any time, often with little or no warning. During the spring, factors such as heavy rains, rapid snow-melt and dam erosion can increase the risk of seasonal flooding. As warmer weather approaches, now is the time of year to take proactive steps that can reduce flood damage to your property. Flood insurance is recommended for property owners who live in designated flood zones, but effective flood preparedness doesn’t stop there. Reducing the potential impact of flooding in advance can save time, money and even lives in the long run.

We recommend the following flood preparedness tips for property and construction projects to help minimize the potential damage to your home or business in the future.

1. Use Flood Damage-Resistant Materials

Certain construction materials can help reduce the amount of water damage your home or business suffers in the event of a flood. These special materials can handle direct contact with floodwaters for up to 72 hours without sustaining the kind of significant damage that will require major repairs. Here are the top flood-resistant materials to consider before building or remodeling certain areas of your property:

  • Floors: Use concrete, pressure-treated lumber, or clay and ceramic tiles.
  • Walls & Ceilings: Use brick, metal, concrete and stone.
  • Doors: Use hollow metal doors and cabinets instead of solid wood.
  • Surfaces: Use polyester epoxy paint for added protection. Raise Electrical System Components

2. Raise Electrical System Components

Water and electricity don’t mix, which means floods can wreak havoc on your property’s electrical system. You could face thousands of dollars in equipment repairs or even fall victim to a devastating fire sparked by live wires coming into direct contact with water. Raising your electrical system components can go a long way toward protecting your property when water gets involved. Follow these tips to get started:

  • Ideally, all electrical components should be raised approximately one foot above the 100-year flood level.
  • Consult with a licensed professional to find out how high you can move electrical meters, switches and outlets. Your local power company can also help you determine how high you can raise your power meter.
  • Upgrade your fuse box to a more modern circuit breaker system so it can handle high fluctuations in power.

3. Utilize Sewer Back-flow Valves

Sometimes floodwaters can cause sewage from your sewer lines to back up, pushing contaminated water back through drainage pipes and into your home or business. This damage is not only costly, but also a serious health risk. Installing a back-flow valve can prevent overloaded drain pipes from pushing return flow into your property. Configurations range from simple flap-style valves to complex gate valves and those with both. Consider the following tips before choosing your new sewer back-flow valve:

  • Look for complex valve designs that use both flap and gate styles for extra protection.
  • All valves should be installed on the main waste drain pipes leaving your building, or lines connected to equipment below the designated flood level.
  • Only allow a licensed plumbing company to make alterations to your plumbing or sewer lines.
  • Structures with sump pumps use underground lines, which may be more difficult to seal.

Wherever you live or work, a flood could affect you. Having the right preparations in place can help reduce damage to your property during a flood and mitigate safety risks for your family or coworkers. Once the waters have subsided, you can depend on the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore to help reverse any damage your property did sustain. Our expert teams are available 24/7/365 to provide the help you need to get your property back to normal as soon as possible after a flood.

If you do end up experiencing a water loss at your business this season, please contact us immediately. We can provide guidance on the steps to take to mitigate the damage. Please call us at any of our locations:

Salem: 503-585-4017  +  Corvallis/Albany: 541-738-4624  +  Lincoln Co.: 541-996-2255

Tips to Save Your Business’s Electronics From Water Damage!

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Tips to Prevent Your Business’s Electronics After a Water Damage Event

Saving Your Business’s Electronics After a Water Damage Event!

If you’re like most business owners, your office electronics are the lifeblood of your company. In the event that a disaster strikes, all your records could be impaired and permanently lost, including invaluable company records, customer information, and even communication.

In the aftermath of water damage, it’s important to know what to do to mitigate the effects of water damage on your computer systems and other electronics. If you act quickly enough, you may be able to save more information and get your business back on its feet faster. Find out what you should do after an emergency and when to call on the professionals after your equipment or technology has been damaged by directly hit, high humidity or completely submerged in water with these helpful tips from ServiceMaster Restore.

Damage Type: Direct Hit

Electronics can sustain a direct hit from running or splashing water without being completely submerged. This scenario can occur from accidental spills, water overflow, leaks, floods and virtually any other water-related incident. When direct hits to your electronics happen, try to remove them from the water source as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.

What to do: Often, computer water damage from a direct hit looks worse from the outside than it actually is on the inside. Commercial restoration and cleaning, including an adequate drying period, can remove contaminants left by the water and restore the equipment to proper functioning, usually at least long enough to recover crucial data. However, there is always a risk of circuit board corrosion. Over time, you may need to replace either essential components, or the entire device.

Damage Type: High Humidity

Humidity spikes can occur in a room with standing water or other significant water damage. Surprisingly, delicate electronics like computers, printers, work phones, fax machines and other devices can still be damaged even without direct contact to the water source. That’s because in humid conditions, dust can turn into sludge and cling to wiring and circuit boards. This is even more likely if the flooding or high humidity was caused by an office fire that produced smoke damage to electronics.

What to do: In all instances of high humidity water damage, professional electronic restoration services are recommended to bring your equipment back to normal conditions. A professional cleaning provides a better chance that your costly electronics and devices can be fully restored to pre-loss condition.

Damage Type: Submersion

Submersion occurs when the electronic equipment has actually been completely covered in standing water – and possibly even muddy silt and sediment – for a period of hours or days. This type of damage can happen in serious disasters where people are unable to get to the office for long periods of time, or during weekends or holiday breaks when a pipe may burst and nobody is notified until the next business day.

What to do: Unfortunately, electronics that have been submerged are not usually good candidates for electronic restoration services. This is because most submersion incidents cause the computers to short out and damage the internal circuits beyond repair. While you could potentially replace damaged parts and have the equipment professionally cleaned, it may be prohibitively expensive unless your items were specially designed or extremely costly. In submersion cases, we recommend completely replacing your electronics and notifying your insurance about each damaged item.

Remember, if your business has sustained flood or water damage, it is never safe to just turn on your electronics afterward to test them. You run the risk of electrical shock, and even further damage to your equipment. That’s why you should call on us. Our water damage restoration services work quickly with the innovative tools and expertise necessary to fix your equipment. Contact the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore to learn how we can get your business back up and running fast.

If you do end up experiencing a water loss at your business this season, please contact us immediately. We can provide guidance on the steps to take to mitigate the damage. Please call us at any of our locations:

Salem: 503-585-4017  +  Corvallis/Albany: 541-738-4624  +  Lincoln Co.: 541-996-2255

Happy New Year! Help Avoid Frozen Pipes With These Prevention Steps!

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Happy New Year from all of us at ServiceMaster – Serving Marion, Polk, Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties!

Happy New Year!

ServiceMaster would like to wish you and your families a Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the Holiday Season and were able to relax, spend time with family, eat and be merry! We are in the middle of winter and we have put together these prevention steps and what to do if your pipes do freeze sometime during these cold months.

When water freezes, it expands. When the water in your home’s pipes freeze, the expansion creates pressure, which can cause the pipes to crack and break. To learn how to prevent pipes from freezing, it’s best to start with determining which pipes are more likely to freeze. Use these tips from the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore to learn how to prevent pipes from freezing, plus information on what to do if your pipes have already frozen this winter.

Pipes That Are Most Likely To Freeze

In general, the pipes that typically freeze during winter are the ones exposed to extreme cold. These may include any outdoor water pipes like water sprinkler lines and swimming pool supply lines, as well as water pipes located in unheated areas of the home. Pipes in unheated basements, attics, garages, crawl spaces and even under the kitchen or bathroom sink are at risk for freezing. If your home has pipes that run along exterior walls with insufficient or no insulation, these pipes are also at risk for freezing in winter months.

How To Prevent Pipes From Freezing

Before the cold weather hits, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of frozen pipes. Follow these steps to help prevent the pipes in your home from freezing:

  • Have your attic, basement and crawl space inspected to ensure they are adequately insulated.
  • Seal any leaks in the attic, basement or crawl space.
  • Seal leaking windows and any areas of the attached garage that have cold air leakage issues.
  • Wrap pipes at risk for freezing with heat tape. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and only use products approved by an independent testing facility. You can also use heat sleeves to help insulate your pipes during cold-weather months.
  • Detach any garden hoses from outside faucets connected to the home. Shut off and drain the water from any pipes that lead to outside faucets if you don’t plan on using them during the winter season.
  • Insulate large areas with sheets of foam board. These work well in crawl spaces, garages and other areas that need temporary insulation.

What To Do With Your Pipes When Winter Arrives

Once the temperatures drop, you’ll need to take additional action to help prevent your pipes from freezing. Follow these steps to prevent frozen pipes this winter:

  • Maintain a consistent thermostat setting. The American Red Cross recommends keeping your thermostat set to the same temperature all day and night to help maintain a consistent heat level and reduce the risk of freezing pipes.
  • Do not set your thermostat lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter.
  • Keep garage doors closed when not in use, especially if there are any water lines in the garage or on walls adjacent to the garage.
  • Let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed lines. The American Red Cross says that even the smallest trickle can help prevent these pipes from freezing.
  • On extremely cold days, leave the cabinet doors near kitchen and bathroom sinks open. That way, warm air has a chance to circulate around the pipe.

What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze

If you suspect that a pipe is frozen but hasn’t cracked yet, you may be able to thaw it out before extensive water damage from busted pipes occurs. Try using a hair dryer to thaw out the pipe. For more tips on how you can try thawing out your frozen pipes, read ServiceMaster’s corporate blog post about what to do if your pipes freeze.

In the event that your frozen pipes do crack, you may be at risk of pipe bursts, which could result in leaks or floods. To help minimize water damage, turn off your water at the main shutoff valve and call the professionals right away. Our water damage restoration services can work fast to mitigate additional damage. With the proper knowledge, expertise and tools, our team will extract, dry and complete the clean-up, helping you get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

If you do end up experiencing a frozen pipe this winter season, please contact us immediately. We can provide guidance on the steps to take to mitigate the damage. Please call us at any of our locations:

Salem: 503-585-4017  +  Corvallis/Albany: 541-738-4624  +  Lincoln Co.: 541-996-2255

Happy Thanksgiving

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Happy Thanksgiving

All of us here at ServiceMaster of Salem would like to wish you and your families a very safe and happy Thanksgiving! We know that the holidays can be stressful with food prep and getting your home ready for all of your family and sometimes friends as well, so we have compiled a list of tips below on how keep your home safe while you prep and visit with your family.

How to Have a Safe Thanksgiving 
On Thanksgiving Day, the kitchen is the busiest room in the home. We want you to have a safe holiday with these helpful cooking safety tips:
  • Remain in the kitchen when cooking on the stove-top to keep an eye on the food.
  • Stay inside the home when cooking turkey and check on it frequently.
  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
  • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children by placing them up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Make sure all smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
  • The National Fire Prevention Association also discourages the use of outdoor, gas-fueled turkey fryers.
If you do end up experiencing a Turkey Day disaster, please contact us immediately and do not attempt to clean anything yourself. We can provide guidance on the steps to take to mitigate the damage. Please call us at any of our locations:

Salem: 503-585-4017  +  Corvallis/Albany: 541-738-4624  +  Lincoln Co.: 541-996-2255

Oregon’s Civil War
Beavers vs. Ducks

2018 Civil War Football Game

On Black Friday, we will also enjoy our state’s college football rivalry football game when The Oregon Ducks take on the Oregon State Beavers in the 122nd Civil War. We had a busy week last week, as we hosted three separate Civil War Parties to celebrate this fun rivalry. We held parties at each of our three locations: Corvallis on Wednesday, Lincoln City on Thursday, and finally, Salem on Friday. All three parties were a huge success and everyone in attendance had a lot of fun. Many went home with prizes, the big winners taking home either a pair of Civil War Tickets, or a Duck or Beaver themed Traeger Grill. We would like to thank everyone who attended each party and below are some pictures from the parties.

Josh Fritchey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States Marine Corps Toys-4-Tots Holiday Toy Drive

Toys For Tots

At all three of our events, we held a toy drive for less fortunate children in all of the communities we service. This morning, Paco delivered an entire ServiceMaster van full of toys to The Kroc Center here in Salem for the Marine’s Toys for Tots Foundation. There will be a lot of happy children on Christmas morning now, and we would like to thank all of our guests who made this possible and donated toys.

 

 

 

 

 

Salem - #53168

Fire Damage Restoration Salem Oregon, Water Damage Restoration Salem Oregon
2275 Judson Street SE
Salem, OR
Phone: 503-585-4017

Corvallis & Albany - #188101

Fire Damage Restoration Corvallis, Oregon,
Water Damage Restoration Corvallis, Oregon
30649 HWY-34
Corvallis, OR
Phone: 541-738-4624

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Lincoln County - #208838

Fire Damage Restoration Lincoln Co., Oregon, Water Damage Restoration Lincoln Co., Oregon
4075 NW Logan Rd Unit AB
Lincoln City, OR
Phone: 541-996-2255

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