Do I Need A Sump Pump?

2/13/2023 (Permalink)

Sump pumps are a common sight in basements and crawl spaces, but you may not realize what they do or why you need one. A sump pump is a device that uses water pressure to remove excess liquid from the bottom of a basement or crawl space. This prevents flooding by pushing water back up through drainage pipes, preventing it from pooling in your foundation and causing damage to your property.

Sump pumps prevent water damage in your basement

Sump pumps are a common device found in basements. They remove water from the basement and keep it dry. Sump pits are holes in the ground or pavement of your property, which is typically designed to collect rainwater runoff and prevent it from seeping into your home. When sump pumps are installed, they draw this water out of the basement and drain it into an outside drain system or stormwater drainage system.

Sump pumps should be replaced if they fail to work properly, if they are not regularly maintained or cleaned out (if necessary), or if there has been any physical damage sustained during the installation or operation of your sump pump system.

Most basements will need a sump pump

Most basement owners will find that they need a sump pump. With that said, it's not a given that every basement will require one. A sump pump is helpful in preventing water damage and mold growth in your home. However, it isn't always necessary if you have an exterior drainage system.

Sump pumps can be expensive and difficult to install, especially for the DIYer who doesn't have much experience working with electrical systems or plumbing. It is always best to rely on a professional when it comes to sump pump installation and maintenance.

How long do sump pumps last?

The life of a sump pump depends on the type of pump and how it is used. The average lifespan of a sump pump is roughly ten years, though they may last longer if they are properly maintained.

Sump pump maintenance tips

Sump pump maintenance is often overlooked, but it can prolong the lifespan of your sump pump. Proper maintenance should be performed at least every 3 months:

• Clean the sump pump screen every 3 months.
• Remove any debris caught in the sump pit and ensure that you don’t have any rust or corrosion on it; replace it if necessary.
• Remove the sump pump from the pit once a year a perform a thorough cleaning.

Sump pumps can save you a lot of time and money by keeping water out of your basement. The best part is that they don't require much maintenance so it's easy to keep them working properly! If your sump pump fails and it results in water damage on your property, don't hesitate and give our SERVPRO of St. George team a call today!

5 Signs You Have Mold in Your Home

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage in La Verkin, UT.

5 Signs You Have Mold in Your Home

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow in your home in La Verkin, UT. You can commonly find it around your bathrooms, basement, or near plumbing. Any indoor environmental specialist will tell you that it is a problem that you need to look for. Fortunately, there are several easy-to-spot signs of mold.

1. Odor

While not every type of mold produces an odor, most do. If you notice a musty or earthy smell in your home that won't go away with elbow grease, it is probably coming from hidden mold. Unfortunately, hidden mold typically must be removed by professionals.

2. Visible Growth

Sometimes you will see mold growing in white lines. Other times it will look like black spots. Still yet, you could see it as patches of gray, brown, black, green, pink, white, orange, or purple growth. Anytime you find large amounts of visible growth, you need to contact an indoor environmental specialist for a mold test.

3. Water Damage

Water damage is a big cause of mold. Any time you notice signs of water damage, like stains or discoloration, or bubbling paint, you are probably dealing with something that will cause mold.

4. Water Leaks

If you've recently had a water leak, you should be on the lookout for mold in the surrounding area. Even if you have it repaired quickly, spores can still sprout behind walls. When this happens, you will need to contact an indoor environmental specialist for their removal services.

5. Flooding

Mold can also pop up after flooding. If you've experienced flooding recently, chances are there is mold growing in your house.

Mold growth in your home is a problem that will often require removal by a mold remediation company. The key is to identify and treat it early on in the case. By watching for these characteristics, you can keep your home safe from this fungus.

How Do Electronic Claims Services Work?

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Insurers can rely on the electronic claims service used by the leading restoration company.

What Is the Process of Using Electronic Claims Services?

Shuffling papers is a relic of the past when it comes to making an insurance claim. Property owners, restoration professionals and insurance agents can all appreciate the efficiency of a fully digital electronic claims service. Find out how this type of service can impact every stage of the process of making a claim and getting coverage for damage to a property located in Veyo, UT.

Upload Damage Documentation

A local restoration franchise can send a team to a location within hours of a damage report. In situations involving larger losses, these specialists may arrive sooner than an insurance agent. All of the following information obtained through inspection and pretesting is made available to insurers through an electronic claims service:

• The first notice of loss
• Photographs of damage
• Forms and paperwork
• A detailed estimate

Insurance representatives can access this information online at their convenience. This background can inform an adjuster visit, which may take place after mitigation is underway.

Provide Estimate Information
An estimate of the cost of restoration is essential for making an insurance claim. Insurers put more stock in assessments made by Preferred Vendors. These SERVPRO franchises have extensive experience cleaning and restoring damage. Performance comparisons of jobs done by individual franchises to industry standards are also available on this electronic service.

Maintain Insurer Communication
A primary benefit of using an electronic service to manage job and claim information is that insurance agents and adjusters can easily communicate with service providers. Property owners also benefit from this mode of facilitating contact from the first inspection of damage to the completion of restoration.

Insurers can rely on the electronic claims service used by the leading restoration company. Every stage of damage inspection, mitigation, cleanup and restoration is documented on this platform, which provides all the information necessary to process an insurance claim for damage to a property in Veyo, UT.

Step By Step: Combining Mitigation and Restoration

2/19/2022 (Permalink)

A water, fire, or mold damage event can occur when you least expect it and cause devastating damage to your home or business. Call SERVPRO for help!

Mitigation and Restoration: A Step-by-Step Approach

A house fire can cause extensive problems. Not only is there the damage from the fire itself but also there is likely water damage from the efforts to put the fire out. It's a good idea to choose certified remediation specialists that handle both damage mitigation and fire restoration. Just one call connects you to a company in Washington, UT, that can handle the process from the first step to the last.

1. Company Contact

When you call, a dispatcher in the corporate call center contacts a local franchise to initiate your fire rebuild. House fires don't keep to a convenient schedule. With 24-hour service, you don't have to wait until traditional business hours to start the process.

2. Inspection and Protection

When the technicians arrive at your home, they walk through to assess the damage. This gives them the information they need to plan the time, tasks and cost it will take to complete the fire restoration process. They can also board up the vulnerable areas of your home so that no further damage or theft occurs.

3. Water Extraction

Removing excess water is the first priority. To prevent secondary damage, such as mold growth or further deterioration of walls and floors, the affected area must be dried as soon as possible.

4. Cleaning

Soot and smoke residue must be removed from all surfaces. Rebuilding services also include disinfecting items that can be salvaged before they are returned to your home.

5. Restoration

Once the damage is removed, repairs begin. Floors can be fixed with new tile or carpet. Ceiling tiles are matched and replaced. New drywall is added, and the walls are painted to match the remaining structure. The larger the fire, the more extensive the restoration process will need to be.

Fire restoration isn't complete until your home looks "Like it never even happened." By hiring skilled technicians who handle both mitigation and restoration, you can there more quickly.