October - Fire Prevention Month - Water Damage

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Contents

Fire damage, including smoke and soot, affects not only the structure of your house, but also your belongings. SERVPRO^® understands your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are the very things that make a house a home.

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO specializes in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your belongings to determine what items can be restored to pre-fire condition. We'll use several methods to clean your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, SERVPRO can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. A move-out has several benefits, including:

• A quicker remodeling process
• Protecting items from potential damage
• Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is complete, we'll work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Fire-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by fire. Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces. If the residues are not removed, corrosion causes electronic failure in the device. SERVPRO can coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers
• And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Document / Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water or fire, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the fire damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-fire damage condition, SERVPRO can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage.

Depending on the type of documents, and the level of fire, smoke, or soot damage, there are five options for the restoration of documents:

1. Air Drying
2. Dehumidification
3. Freezer Drying
4. Vacuum Freeze Drying
5. Vacuum Thermal Drying

Water Damage to Home in Emerald Isle

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

Creating a water drying cyclone!

This family’s Emerald Isle residence experienced serious water damage after a water pipe burst. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow has the expertise and equipment to mitigate residential water losses just like this one. In this particular situation, we extracted the water and set up drying equipment for 3 days. The family was very grateful to be able to use the space again within a matter of days!

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions: 

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. 

For help restoring your home after a water loss, call SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties at 910-326-1344. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage with a side of mold, please!

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

Moldy Drywall

Water damages occur much more often than people realize with the most typical cause being some kind of plumbing leak.  If the home is unoccupied at the time, the water may run for days or even weeks before it is discovered.  Since we live at the coast, there are many vacation homes that sit empty a good portion of the year.  In this case, SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties was called to a condo in North Topsail Beach where the water had been leaking for days.  It was bad, flooring was soaked, sheetrock falling down and visible mold growth everywhere.  Our equipment indicated moisture in the wall cavities so we had to start removing the wet sheetrock.   We discovered hidden mold behind almost every piece we took down.  Mold is the most prevalent secondary damage caused by water leaks.  It’s usually starts growing within 36-48 hours and it is present on 75% of the water damages we work.  SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties is certified in structural drying and mold remediation through the IICRC, call the restoration professionals at SERVPRO when you discover water damage in your home.

Certified Water Restorators

10/10/2022 (Permalink)

Certified Water Restorators

ERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

Water Damage Caused by Busted Pipe in Jacksonville, NC

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage Caused by Busted Pipe in Jacksonville, NC

A busted pipe caused this Jacksonville home to have a water damage situation. Busted pipes can happen at any time, although they mostly occur during winter months, pipes can bust or crack for several reasons, corrosion, high water pressure, or even clogs in the pipe. SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties were on the scene immediately to extract water, fortunately this home was built on a concrete slab making it easier to extract and to possibly save the engineered hardwood flooring for use for the put back. Here are some tips for preventing busted pipes:

1. If it is extremely cold outside, always keep one or two faucets running slowly. Water moving through the system should prevent the line from freezing.

2. If purchasing a new home check pipes for leaks ahead of time.

3. Make sure tray and pipes are clean and clear on HVAC unit. 

Water Damage to Morehead City Home

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage to tile flooring

This family’s Morehead City residence experienced serious water damage after their water heater leaked. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties has the expertise and equipment to mitigate residential water losses just like this one. In this particular situation, we extracted water from the vinyl flooring and dried out the bottom of the drywall. The family was very grateful to be able to use the space again within a matter of days!

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions: 

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. 

For help restoring your home after a water loss, call SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties at 910-326-1344. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

IICRC Certified Firm ,Certified Water Restorers

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

We are IICRC in Commercial and Residential Water Restoration!

SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties

SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.

Water Damage and Mold in North Topsail Beach, NC

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Water damages occur much more often than people realize with the most typical cause being some kind of plumbing leak.  If the home is unoccupied at the time, the water may run for days or even weeks before it is discovered.  Since we live at the coast, there are many vacation homes that sit empty a good portion of the year.  In this case, SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties was called to a condo in North Topsail Beach where the water had been leaking for days.  It was bad, flooring was soaked, sheetrock falling down and visible mold growth everywhere.  Our equipment indicated moisture in the wall cavities so we had to start removing the wet sheetrock.   We discovered hidden mold behind almost every piece we took down.  Mold is the most prevalent secondary damage caused by water leaks.  It’s usually starts growing within 36-48 hours and it is present on 75% of the water damages we work.  SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties is certified in structural drying and mold remediation through the IICRC, call the restoration professionals at SERVPRO when you discover water damage in your home.

Sewage back-up in Emerald Isle

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Septic tank back-up after recent storm.

SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties was called to a local home when the tenants discovered the septic tank had backed up into the empty apartment below.  The entire space was affected including the walls, floors and all the personal belongings being stored there.  This photo was taken after we had removed the contents as well as the wood paneling, insulation, and VCT flooring.  Cleaning up behind sewage damage is expensive and there is usually significant reconstruction after the mitigation is complete.  That's why SERVPRO recommends that you review your homeowners policy from time to time,  it's important to know that you have adequate coverage for this type of loss.  Unfortunately, the owner of this home did not and had to take a loss on all of their personal belongings.

Mold and Water Damage in Newport NC

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

When the hot water heater let go and flooded their house, these homeowners called SERVPRO immediately.  Our SERVPRO crew arrived in an hour and a half to find water standing everywhere.  After extracting the excess water, SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow determined that the water had permeated under the baseboards in the rooms adjacent to the hot water heater.  The homeowners could not imagine that the water had made it's way under the baseboards and had started to wick up the sheetrock behind the wainscoting..... until they saw it for themselves.  They were equally surprised to see that mold was growing on the back side of the baseboard.  That led us to believe that there had been a slow leak in the days leading up to the water heater erupting.  SERVPRO understands the science behind water damage mitigation, let us help make your home, "Like it never even happened." 

For Immediate Service in Newport, Call SERVPRO

6/23/2021 (Permalink)

Cupped wood flooring

SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Newport. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 910-326-1344

Residential Services

Whether your Carteret County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Carteret County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Water Damage to Home in Hubert

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

Water from the busted pipe detected on our Imaging Moisture Meter.

This family’s Hubert residence experienced serious water damage after a water pipe burst. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow has the expertise and equipment to mitigate residential water losses just like this one. In this particular situation, we extracted the water and set up drying equipment for 3 days. The family was very grateful to be able to use the space again within a matter of days!

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions: 

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. 

For help restoring your home after a water loss, call SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties at 910-326-1344. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage Restoration and Repair

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage in local restaurant

Plumbing issues, washing machine leaks, bursting water pipes, an aging water heater, or inclement weather- These are just a few of the common reasons for water damage in your home or work place. SERVPRO of Carteret and Onslow Counties has a team of trained professionals ready to help mitigate when water damage happens in your home. It is important to get the damage under control immediately. Within minutes the 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. Within 24 hours 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, and a musty odor appears. Two days to a week after the water damage, mold and mildew may grow and spread. When water sits for more than a 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. Let us help mitigate water damage in your home or work place and help make it "Like it never even happened."

Clean Your Gutters!

10/15/2020 (Permalink)

Leaves and debris clog gutters- set aside time to do an annual cleaning!

Fall is here and leaves are falling. Have you cleaned your gutters? Cleaning your gutters help avoid water damage to your home, possibly foundation problems. Properly functioning gutters will carry water through a downspout and away from your home. But a clogged gutter does the opposite—allowing water to spill over the sides and pour down your walls. Pooling water around your foundation can cause erosion weakening the walls, leading to foundation cracks and settling. Clogged gutters can also cause water leaks on the inside of your home. Trapped water can rot the wooden boards your gutters are mounted to, allowing moisture enter your home. Avoid costly repairs by taking the time to do a gutter clean at your home once or twice a year. 

Water Damage Caused by Busted Pipe

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage to hardwood flooring.

A busted pipe caused this Jacksonville home to have a water damage situation. Busted pipes can happen at any time, although they mostly occur during winter months, pipes can bust or crack for several reasons, corrosion, high water pressure, or even clogs in the pipe. SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties were on the scene immediately to extract water, fortunately this home was built on a concrete slab making it easier to extract and to possibly save the engineered hardwood flooring for use for the put back. Here are some tips for preventing busted pipes:

1. If it is extremely cold outside, always keep one or two faucets running slowly. Water moving through the system should prevent the line from freezing.

2. If purchasing a new home check pipes for leaks ahead of time.

3. Make sure tray and pipes are clean and clear on HVAC unit. 

Water Damage in Condo

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

Mold on walls from water damage

This water damage occurred at this condominium at the beach where the HVAC unit had a clogged line which caused the water to spread through the unit. This is the family's vacation home so they hadn't known of the leak until later, with the leak not being discovered right away, so it caused this unit to have mold all throughout the house. SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties were able to come in and immediately get to work, removing moldy/wet drywall and remediate all mold spores. Going to the your vacation home for a nice relaxing time and ending up walking into a nightmare is not the way to start vacation, but with SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties on your side we help to eliminate any stress that comes with the situation.  

Water Damage to Home in Morehead City

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

This family’s Morehead City residence experienced serious water damage after their water heater leaked. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties has the expertise and equipment to mitigate residential water losses just like this one. In this particular situation, we extracted water from the vinyl flooring and dried out the bottom of the drywall. The family was very grateful to be able to use the space again within a matter of days!

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions: 

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. 

For help restoring your home after a water loss, call SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties at 910-326-1344. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Large Water Damage in Jacksonville NC

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

A water damage that affects one or two rooms is bad enough but usually the occupants can continue to live in the structure during the drying and repair processes.  When the whole building is affected, plans have to be made to relocate the residents then move all the furniture and contents to a place where it can be dried, cleaned and stored.  SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties was contacted by a couple in Jacksonville NC when they got back in town after a long trip and discovered their home was flooded.  A water line in the ceiling of the second floor bathroom had failed and the water had probably been running for at least a week.  SERVPRO began by blocking furniture and moving contents out of harms way while we extracted the standing water.  After consulting with the homeowners as to what essential items they would need in the interim, we inventoried and packed up their belongings and brought them back to our warehouse and cleaning facility.  The couple was able to secure a hotel room nearby.  A restoration dry cleaner was brought in to take care of clothing, drapes and linens with priority service given to the clothing.  Now that we knew that the immediate needs of our customer where being taken care of, SERVPRO was able to begin the demolition and drying process.  It took three months to get all the repairs completed and move the furniture and family back in...which by all accounts was very fast considering the extent of the damage.  Water damage jobs vary greatly in severity and expense but just know that SERVPRO will make it, "Like it never even happened."

We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

5/23/2019 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Carteret or Onslow County basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 910-326-1344

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

Call today, 910-326-1344

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home's structure. Always remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will become.

The bottom line about basement flooding is that it can jeopardize your health, your safety, and your home's integrity. It is well for giving SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties a call. Our trained professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals. 

We are flooded basement professionals!

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days a Week For You.
• We are a Preferred Vendor to Many National Insurance Companies.
• We Bill the Insurance Company Directly.
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques. 
• We use IICRC Restoration Standards. 
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment.

Carteret & Onslow Counties 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

8/17/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 910-326-1344

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow

SERVPRO of Carteret & East Onslow Counties specializes in the cleanup and restoration 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.

Categories and Classes of Water Damage

8/18/2015 (Permalink)

Washing machine found to be overflowing with water while not in use causing basement to flood with 2 inches of water.

Water damage can originate from different sources such a leaking roof, washing machine overflow, dishwasher leakage, broken pipes, clogged toilet, broken dishwasher water line, moisture behind walls, foundation cracks, plumbing leaks, slab leaks and bad weather such as heavy rain and flooding.  When it comes to insurance coverage, most damage caused by bad weather is considered flood damage and normally is not covered under homeowners insurance. Coverage for bad weather would usually require flood insurance.

According to the  Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, the three most common causes of water damage are toilet clogging or overflowing, general plumbing problems such as aged water lines or fixtures and washing machine failures.

Categories of Water Damage

Category 1 Water - Refers to a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "Clean Water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows or appliance malfunctions that involves water supply lines.

Category 2 Water - Refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to, known as "grey water". This type carries microorganisms and nutrients of microorganisms. Examples are toilet bowls with urine (no feces), sump pump failures and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.

Category 3 Water - Known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category is contaminated water sources that affect the indoor environment. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water or standing water. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or have remained stagnant may be re classified as Category 3 Water. Toilet back flows that originates from beyond the toilet trap is considered black water contamination regardless of visible content or color.

Classes of Water Damage

Class 1 - Slow Rate of Evaporation. Affects only a portion of a room. Materials have a low permeance/porosity. Minimum moisture is absorbed by the materials.

Class 2 - Fast Rate of Evaporation. Water affects the entire room of carpet and cushion. May have wicked up the walls, but not more than 24 inches.

Class 3 - Fastest Rate of Evaporation. Water generally comes from overhead, affecting the entire area; walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet, cushion, etc.

Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations. Involves materials with a very low permeance/porosity, such as hardwood floors, concrete, crawlspaces, plaster, etc. Drying generally requires very low specific humidity to accomplish drying.

Crawlspace Water Damage in Newport NC

11/4/2014 (Permalink)

This was the source of the water damage.

Our customer was out of town Saturday night when they got a call from their neighbor that water was running out into the yard from under their Newport NC home.  The neighbor located the supply box in the yard and got the water cut off.  Once our customer arrived home, they went under the house and discovered that most of the water had already soaked in. SERVPRO was called and determnined the supply line had ruptured about 8 inches from where it came out of the ground.  It had been spraying up against the air ducts, insulation and subfloor.  The ductwork was full of water and sagging between it's supports, some insulation had fallen down and the subfloor was wet but not as wet as you might have thought.  Instead of removing the ductwork, we slit it at the lowest point in each sag to drain the water.  Although it eventually had to be replaced, we needed to leave it intact for the time being because the temperature was dipping below freezing and the customer needed the heat from their furnace.  The wet insulation was bagged and removed. The crawlspace was so tight we could barely get air movers underneath and that made it necessary to "pipe in" dehumidification through  the crawlspace opening.  The structure dried fairly quickly, the ductwork was replaced and new insulation installed.  Another customer was happy they had called SERVPRO!

Water Damage Near Hammocks Beach State Park

10/30/2014 (Permalink)

Notice the rust stains around the hot water supply faucet, this hose had a small leak before it ruptured.

Washing machine hoses are under full pressure at all times, whether you are at home or away.  When they rupture, up to 2 1/2 gallons of water can spew out every minute!  In other words, approximately 150 gallons of water flows out per hour.  SERVPRO was called to a residence recently where the family had been out of town for the weekend and came back to a home flooded by a busted hot water supply line.  Nobody really knows when the hose failed but it appears that the water had been running just about the whole time.  If we estimate just 48 hours, that would amount to over 7000 gallons!!!  It was bad, real bad but SERVPRO was able to get the structure dry in less than a week.  Between the dryout and the repairs, the whole bill was over $25,000.00.  In contrast, a new set of washing machine hoses would have cost between $15.00 and $75.00, quite a difference.  If you have standard rubber reinforced hoses and they haven't been replaced in 5 years, please consider replacing them now.  Also look for tell-tell signs of leakage as shown in the picture below.  Replacing old or compromised hoses will give you peace of mind and may save you big money!

Whole house flooded in Vanceboro NC

8/12/2014 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technician checks the carpet for delamination, the backing was already coming loose.

Every now and then SERVPRO gets to a water damage job where the whole house has been affected.  In the case of this couple in Vanceboro, a supply line to the bathroom vanity had popped loose while nobody was home.  The bath was in the middle of the ranch style home which allowed the water to permeate the entire structure.  At SERVPRO, our objective is to SAVE rather than REPLACE wet building materials.  On the other hand, if there is any question as to whether or not the materials have been compromised, we must recommend replacement.  With damage as widespread as it was on this job, we had to remove and replace all of the floor coverings, most of the baseboards and the bottom 2 feet of sheetrock in every room.  It wasn't pretty and the couple were out of the home for a while but the job was done right and SERVPRO has another satisfied customer!

Water Damage and Mold near Beaufort NC

7/30/2014 (Permalink)

The moisture from the slow leak had been migrating under the vinyl floor towards the shower, check out all the MOLD!!!

When the SERVPRO crew arrived, there was standing water in the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen.  A supply line to the bathroom sink had busted loose and quickly flooded the area before the homeowner could get to the water cut-off. 

SERVPRO extracted the standing water and then began to pull the vinyl flooring up in order to dry the subfloor.  Upon removing the vinyl, it was obvious from the amount of mold and rot in the subfloor that the supply line had been leaking for quite some time. 

That’s usually bad news for the homeowner because slow leaks are considered a maintenance issue and are not typically covered as an insurance claim.  The Insurance company will cover the sudden rupture that caused the “flood” but will not be responsible for covering the long term rot. 

The moral of the story is to do routine inspections of your plumbing and crawlspace so you'll catch the slow leaks and maintenance issues.

Onslow County Water Damage

7/21/2014 (Permalink)

Rude Awakening!!!

Major water damages usually occur when nobody is home for an extended time period.  That was the case in an Onslow County home when the supply line to the upstairs vanity broke completely loose.  Two days later when the couple arrived home, it was a disaster!!!  With sheetrock down and floors and furniture wet, SERVPRO came in and started to salvage what could be saved.  We packed up all of their belongings and hauled them back to our storage facility to dry and clean.  Affected sheetrock, trim and floor coverings were removed and dehumidifiers and air movers were brought in to dry the structure.  Luckily, very little mold was discovered and the majority of that was on wet building materials that had to be removed anyway.  Since SERVPRO was contracted to do the repairs also, it made for a turnkey job.  Repairs were made, belongings returned, "Like it never even happened."

Cape Carteret NC Water Damage

7/18/2014 (Permalink)

Notice where SERVPRO has removed the carpet pad before setting the air mover in this corner.

     Washing machine supply hoses are under constant pressure.  If they develop a leak, water continues to spray until someone becomes aware of it and turns off the cutoff valve.  That is why SERVPRO recommends you inspect and/or replace your washer supply lines on a regular basis.  Our customer in Cape Carteret wishes they had done just that, their washer hose erupted and flooded half of the house while they were out running errands.  SERVPRO was able to get the situation under control and start the drying process but at that point the damage was already done.  A good stainless steel set of washer hoses runs less than $75.00.  Compared to your homeowners insurance deductible, that's a great bargain.  Our Cape Carteret customer had to pay $1500.00 out of pocket, unfortunately the timing was terrible as they were beseiged by medical bills already.  Pay ahead, replace your washing machine hoses today! 

Water Damage Caused By A Raccoon In Salter Path NC

6/30/2014 (Permalink)

Photo shows our technician using a penetrating moisture meter to check the moisture level in the shoe molding. It indicates complete saturation!

The majority of water damages are caused by plumbing failures or acts of Mother Nature; however, there are certainly exceptions.

A local church in Salter Path NC called us out when a raccoon played havoc with their roof while gaining access to the attic.  It all came to light after a couple of heavy days of rain.  Thankfully for us, the raccoon had been removed before we arrived! 

SERVPRO could see wet ceilings, walls and floors in the section of the church building near where the roof was compromised.   As always, we used moisture meters to determine how far the water had spread and to what degree the different building materials were wet. 

We took photos and documented all of the other information so we could plan a course of action.  Then the water was extracted, wet materials removed and dehumidifiers and air movers set in place.  The best part is that everything was dry and our equipment was removed in time for Sunday service! 

Another water damage in Richlands, NC.

6/26/2014 (Permalink)

Water dripping from the ductwork where it had collected after flowing into the second story floor vents.

It all started with a hot water heater letting go while no one was home and flooding the house.  Unfortunately, that is something that SERVPRO encounters on a regular basis.  Hot water can be more damaging than cold water particularly when it comes to carpet.  The heated water starts to break down the adhesives that hold the carpet and backing together much faster.  That means the quicker SERVPRO is called to the water damage, the more opportunity we have to not only save the carpet but everything else.  The longer the water sits, the more damage it does and the more it permeates the structure.  In this case, the water damage was not discovered until our customer got home from work, they did the right thing and called us immediately.  

Water Damage in Morehead City NC

5/29/2014 (Permalink)

Here's where the water damage started!

Everybody knows if there’s a water leak upstairs…that water will find its way downstairs.  SERVPRO was called to water damage late one afternoon that apparently started in the second floor bathroom that morning. The homeowners were at work so they didn’t discover the problem until they got home.  The first floor ceilings had fallen to the floor, the carpeting was soaked and water running out the front door, the water damage was about as bad as we see here at SERVPRO. Luckily there was part of the home that was not affected. We immediately started relocating furniture and other items to the portion of the house that was dry. Our technicians removed the remaining sheetrock that evening, cleaned up, treated to prevent mold and set air movers and dehumidifiers to start the drying process. By calling SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onlsow Counties quickly, the homeowners were able to minimize additional damage and save most of their furniture and other valuables! 

Water Damage and Mold in North Topsail Beach, NC

5/27/2014 (Permalink)

Mold on the back of the sheetrock we removed in North Topsail Beach NC.

Water damages occur much more often than people realize with the most typical cause being some kind of plumbing leak.  If the home is unoccupied at the time, the water may run for days or even weeks before it is discovered.  Since we live at the coast, there are many vacation homes that sit empty a good portion of the year.  In this case, SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties was called to a condo in North Topsail Beach where the water had been leaking for days.  It was bad, flooring was soaked, sheetrock falling down and visible mold growth everywhere.  Our equipment indicated moisture in the wall cavities so we had to start removing the wet sheetrock.   We discovered hidden mold behind almost every piece we took down.  Mold is the most prevalent secondary damage caused by water leaks.  It’s usually starts growing within 36-48 hours and it is present on 75% of the water damages we work.  SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties is certified in structural drying and mold remediation through the IICRC, call the restoration professionals at SERVPRO when you discover water damage in your home.

Jacksonville NC Water Damage made "Like it never even happened."

5/22/2014 (Permalink)

Saturated ceiling from upstairs water leak.

Recently, we were called to a water damage at a rental property in Jacksonville NC.  The house had set empty for quite awhile between renters.  When the new tenant had the water service turned on, water started shooting out of the supply line in the upstairs bathroom.  Luckily the young lady discovered the leak  quickly and was able to get the water turned off to the home.  SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties arrived and started the drying process within two hours.  The water damage was mitigated, sheetrock replaced and the ceiling and walls painted in plenty of time for the tenant to move in a day earlier than she had planned.  If your home suffers a water damage, call SERVPRO fast!

Mold and Water Damage in Newport NC

4/29/2014 (Permalink)

Mold in Newport home after water damage.

When the hot water heater let go and flooded their house, these homeowners called SERVPRO immediately.  Our crews arrived in an hour and a half to find water standing everywhere.  After extracting the excess water, SERVPRO determined that the water had permeated under the baseboards in the rooms adjacent to the hot water heater.  The homeowners could not imagine that the water had made it's way under the baseboards and had started to wick up the sheetrock behind the wainscoting..... until they saw it for themselves.  They were equally surprised to see that mold was growing on the back side of the baseboard.  That led us to believe that there had been a slow leak in the days leading up to the water heater erupting.  SERVPRO understands the science behind water damage mitigation, let us help make your home, "Like it never even happened." 

Sewage back-up in Emerald Isle

4/28/2014 (Permalink)

Septic tank back-up after recent storm.

SERVPRO of Carteret and East Onslow Counties was called to a local home when the tenants discovered the septic tank had backed up into the empty apartment below.  The entire space was affected including the walls, floors and all the personal belongings being stored there.  This photo was taken after we had removed the contents as well as the wood paneling, insulation, and VCT flooring.  Cleaning up behind sewage damage is expensive and there is usually significant reconstruction after the mitigation is complete.  That's why SERVPRO recommends that you review your homeowners policy from time to time,  it's important to know that you have adequate coverage for this type of loss.  Unfortunately, the owner of this home did not and had to take a loss on all of their personal belongings.