Why is My Refrigerator Leaking Water?

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

If your refrigerator is leaking water and causing water damage to your flooring it’s usually because of one of two reasons.

Reason #1 your fridge is leaking

A blocked defrost drain is one of the most common causes of water leakage. This happens when food particles or other debris clogs up the drain hose, which can lead to ice buildup and, eventually, water leaking out of the freezer and refrigerator.

Fix: First, try flushing the drain from inside the freezer with warm water, using a turkey baster or a small funnel. You can also try using a pipe cleaner or a straightened coat hanger to forcibly remove the clog. If this doesn't fix the problem you may need to manually remove the debris that is clogging the check valve at the end of the drain hose.

Reason #2 your fridge is leaking

From time to time, a clogged or frozen water supply line will cause water to puddle beneath the refrigerator. It will also affect ice production from the ice maker and slow or stop water flow from the dispenser.

Fix: First, unplug the refrigerator and locate the shut-off valve, typically underneath the sink, behind the refrigerator, or below the refrigerator in the basement. Make sure this valve is closed, and look for any leaks, kinks, or clogs in the plastic supply line.

Source: CNET online

When Your Kitchen Pipes or Bathroom Pipes Clog

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

If your kitchen or bathroom pipes clog, it is a better idea to use a drain snake instead of chemical products.

No matter how perfectly clean you are, from your shower to your kitchen sink, clogs are going to happen. Chances are at some point in your life you have used one of those powerful chemical drain cleaners to get things moving again. But as convenient as they may be, most people don’t realize those caustic chemicals are also eating away at their kitchen or bathroom pipes. When used very often, pipe leaks will become inevitable. That’s why owning a drain snake is a good solution to clear away clogs. Drain snakes are pretty inexpensive, you can get them at your local hardware store, and they can cut through most any clog you’ll have without damaging pipes.

Source: Farmers Insurance Online

Causes of Refrigerator Leaks

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Maybe your water alarm alerted you, maybe you see a puddle or some dripping, or maybe you see some signs of water damage (corrosion, water stains, etc.). Once you’ve discovered a leak, consider the possible causes.

Blocked defroster. A blocked defroster can stop defrost-cycle water from draining properly. Try clearing out the small drain by pouring hot water into it. Remove any debris with a pipe cleaner.

Drain pan. Sometimes the drain pan itself can leak. Check for cracks.

Filter. Refrigerators with filters can leak if the filter is the wrong size or not installed properly.

Water line. This is potentially the most problematic. Refrigerators with ice makers or water dispensers have water lines running between the main water supply and the back of the fridge. Feel to see if the water line is wet or dripping. Cracked hoses and loose connections are often the culprit.

Refrigerator leaks can damage the flooring and cabinets in your kitchen.  If you experience a refrigerator leak, please contact SERVPRO of North Austin / SW Williamson CO right away to treat and help to prevent any further damage.

Source: ER Plumbing Online

Never pour grease down your sink

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

You’ve probably heard this before, but you should definitely avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. It doesn’t matter if you flush it with hot or cold water. It can still congeal and cling to your pipes, and could still cause some serious damage and blockage.

Some people use detergent to break up grease before pouring it down the drain…and that may help sometimes. But there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep the grease from sticking to your pipes, so why take the risk?

The safest thing to do is just to pour your grease in an empty can, and either let it sit or put it in the refrigerator. Once it hardens you can toss it in the trash and get rid of it. Done and done.

Pipe leaks from clogged pipes can cause water damage to your home as well as mold damage if the water damage is not soon addressed.

Source: www.farmers.com

Water Damage Gets Worse the Longer you Wait

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO NORTH AUSTIN/SW Williamson CO provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of North Austin / SW Williamson CO will arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• 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.

Hours 1 - 24:

• 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.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 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.

Water Damage and Wood Floors

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

It doesn’t require a disaster of the scope of a spring flood or hurricane to damage a wood floor. Plumbing leaks, fire hoses and the upstairs neighbor’s overflowing tub might pose problems for porous wood floors and substructures. Whatever the cause, water causes warping, and can trigger mold and mildew growth that can ruin wood. Major flooding creates problems in foundations and walls that must be addressed, but the first step in mitigating the damage done by water to a building -- including its wood floors -- is to gently but quickly ventilate and dry materials.

SERVPRO® of North Austin/SW Williamson CO uses commercial-grade machines that extract the water from the wood flooring with a powerful force.  If we are called immediately following a water damage event, there is a good possibility we can save your wood floors from buckling using the high-powered water extractors.  Don't hesitate to call right away.

Source: Homeguides

The Best Water Heaters for 2020

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

The Best Water Heaters for 2020

According to TheSpruce.com, below are the best water heaters of 2020.

Best Overall Electric Tank Water Heater: Rheem Performance 40 Gal at Home Depot

"You have plenty of hot water whenever you need or want it."

Best Overall Electric Tankless Water Heater: EcoSmart ECO 11 Tankless at Amazon

"Works quickly while giving you a fine degree of control."

Best Overall Gas Tank Water Heater: Rheem Natural Gas at Home Depot

"A frequent choice for larger homes or families."

Best Overall Gas Tankless Water Heater: Rheem Performance Platinum at Home Depot

"Heater offers continuous hot water straight from the pipes."

Best Electric High Capacity Water Heater: Westinghouse 52 Gal at Home Depot

"When it comes to meeting the water needs of a large family."

Best Gas High Capacity Water Heater: Westinghouse 60 Gal at Home Depot

"One of the largest tanks available on the market today."

Best Water Heater for RVs: Bosch Tronic 3000 at Amazon

"A multi-use water heater capable of being installed in many tight spaces."

Best Point Of Use Water Heater: InSinkErator HWT-F1000S at Amazon

"Designed to be used nearly anywhere there is a typical faucet hookup."

Best Portable Water Heater: Camplux 5L Outdoor Tankless at Amazon

"You can connect to a hose or water tap for bathing or cooking."

 If you have a water heater that has leaked and has caused water or mold damage, please give SERVPRO of North Austin and SW Williamson CO today: (512) 335-7247

Water Damage to a Mobile or Manufactured Home

4/5/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage to a Mobile or Manufactured Home

At SERVPRO of North Austin and SW Williamson CO, we are asked if we can restore water damage to mobile or manufactured homes.  The answer is “yes”! Mobile homes and manufactured homes are treated for water damage very similarly to single family homes. Actually, the process is often times quicker.  If the mobile or manufactured home is not often used, many times the water damage goes undetected for some time and has caused mold growth to form as well. Mold growth after untreated water damage is called “secondary damage”. SERVPRO of North Austin and SW Williamson CO is mold certified and can treat the secondary damage in addition to the water damage if needed.

If you suspect water damage or mold growth in your mobile or manufactured home, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of North Austin and SW Williamson CO today.  We will work with your insurance.

Keep an eye on your water bill in order to detect leaks

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Keep an eye on your water bill in order to detect leaks

With so many water pipes hidden behind walls and in the floors in your house, you might not know there’s a leak until the damage is done. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your monthly water bill. If you see it starting to creep up, or get one that’s uncommonly high, it’s a pretty good sign that you may have a leak somewhere.

It's not uncommon for us to get a call from a homeowner who has found mold behind their dishwasher or mold behind their sink due to a slow leak in a pipe in their walls. It's always a good idea to take care of any water leak as soon as possible in order to prevent mold from forming in addition to the water damage.

2 Outside Projects to do in Order to Avoid Water Damage

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

2 Outside Projects to do in Order to Avoid Water Damage

 1. Be careful where you plant

Some plants and trees, like weeping willows, have pretty invasive roots. If you’re not careful, they’ll grow right into your sprinkler system, drainage field, pipes, and septic tanks. Plan before you plant to keep roots away from any water lines.

2. Clean out roof gutters

You know it’s on your to-do list anyway, so if you can, take a safe climb up to your roof next Sunday and check out your gutters. If you’re seeing lots of leaves, birds’ nests, sticks, and whatnot up there, your gutters may not be doing the job you hired them for. And on a rainy day, a clogged gutter can send water spilling into your home’s foundation, through the roof, or down to your basement. That could cause some serious water damage! So next time you’re doing some seasonal cleaning, make sure those gutters are clean. And if your gutters are too high, be safe and get a professional to check them.

Basement Or Lower Room Flooding

6/21/2018 (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 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 - 512-335-7247

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 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

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 512-335-7247