24 HOUR WATER DAMAGE HELP - Arizona's Restoration Experts, LLC

WATER DAMAGE
REPAIR SERVICES

No matter what your water damage situation may be, we are ready and able to assist you at a moment’s notice. Our IMMEDIATE RESPONSE crews are on call 24 hour a day; 365 days a year and will be onsite within 60 minutes or less to start the water removal and cleanup process. We’ve been helping property owners in Phoenix AZ recover from water damage disasters for years. Call one of our experts today.

Water Damage

Water damage is the loss, destruction, and damage caused to a structure and/or property by intruding water. Some water damage is due to an act of nature, but most is a result of plumbing failures or faulty appliances. The average household claim from an internal water damage incident is around $5000 to $6000.

The negative impact water damage can have on your property can be devastating. Not only can the structural integrity be greatly compromised but the foundation can also be negatively impacted. Excess water can cause erosion and cracking, putting your home a risk. Settling or collapsing can become a real threat.

Typical water damage is divided into three basic categories:

Category 1 = “Clean” Water: Poses no immediate threat to humans. Example: water coming from supply lines.

Category 2 = “Gray” Water: Unsanitary, not consumable. Example: overflow water from washing machine, dishwasher, or toilet bowl.

Category 3 = “Black” Water : Contaminated and unsanitary. Example: sewage, ground water, rising flood water.

Small, clean water spills can be a DYI project IF cleaned up and dried immediately, but if any amount of water makes it to baseboards, take it seriously. Drywall, trim, sub-flooring, carpet, etc. can wick the water up quickly and show no signs of damage, becoming the perfect breeding ground for mold growth.

Water damage can happen suddenly or slow and methodically over a period of time. If damage is due to an indoor issue, it’s good to know how to shut the water supply off under sinks, on the toilet or the main supply valve to the house (located outdoors).

Within a 24 hour period:

A 1/4" supply line for an ice maker can pump 1/2 to 1 gallon of water a minute = 700 to 1400 gallons of water

A 3/8” line from a toilet supply can pump 3 to 5 gallons of water a minute = 4300 to 7200 gallons

A 5/8” hose from a washing machine can pump 10 to 12 gallons a minute = 14,000 to 17,000 gallons

Note: If water damage of any scope, big or small, is not mitigated properly, the negative effects can be compounded by mold growth. Mold and other dangerous contaminates can begin to colonize and grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours. No matter where the unwanted water comes from, quick and thorough water extraction and structural drying is imperative.

Common causes of water damage indoors:

Broken pipes and hoses

Accidents – Overflowing tubs, sinks, toilets

Sewer back up

Excessive long term humidity

Heating and AC systems

Faulty appliances, including water heaters

Common causes of water leaks and water damage from outdoors:

Faulty irrigation and valves

Water pooling at foundation

Flooding – excessive storm water, over flowing rivers, flash flooding, etc.

Roof or chimney leaks

Poorly installed or missing flashing

Sprinkler hitting house or foundation

No gutters or downspouts draining away from the house

Window and doors not properly sealed

Damaged siding

Damp garage, basement

Damp or poorly ventilated crawl space

Improper grading, not sloping away from house

Dangers Associated With Water Damage

Something that is so essential for life can also be a threat to your life. Most homeowners are unaware how damaging water related disasters are. There are many dangers associated with water damage that put you and your property at risk. The severity of the damage is often underestimated, which can lead to extensive structural damage and serious health issues. One of the most dangerous effects of water damage is mold. It can pose a serious health risk for you and your pets. Property owners make a costly mistake when they do not call a professional early enough to stave off the destructive effects water damage can have on your property and health.

Water Damage Warning Signs . . .

The most obvious is standing WATER and /or MOLD. If you have water where it shouldn’t be, you have a problem. If you notice any darkening, stains, or leaking around the toilet, signs of water or leaking under sinks and under or around appliances, excessive sweating or condensation on walls and ceilings it’s imperative to find the source and STOP IT, then inspect and check for further damage.

Water damage is not only invasive, it’s progressive. Homes and offices are filled with materials that quickly absorb water which become saturated in a short period of time. Water breaks down the fibers and structural integrity of the materials it comes in contact with, causing them to become spongy, swollen, or soft. Check for damage by walking on floors barefoot. Use your hands to check along baseboards and trim, feeling for any give or areas that are not firm. Be on the lookout for peeling or bubbling paint and any sign of crumbling, bowing, or soft drywall. Also look for staining or any discoloration on drywall, ceiling, and flooring, darken grout on tile, carpet or furniture. Note:Stains may or may not be obvious. Even though you can’t see any damage it doesn’t mean there isn’t any, it is best to call a water restoration professional for an inspection.

If you notice your water usage has increased for no apparent reason, know there IS a reason for it. There are leaks that may be undetectable and some you may be able to find, simply by listening. Turn off anything that makes noise, i.e. tv, radio etc. and listen intently. Water running through walls or floors can create a dripping, hissing or rushing sound. If you are unable to locate the problem, call a professional for help.

If you notice a strange smell, an earthy musty odor, you most likely have a mold problem. Check for visible signs of mold. Be aware that mold can be out of sight, hidden within wall cavities, under carpet and flooring, behind wall paper etc. You may also notice a change in your health and your pet’s health. If you suddenly develop allergy like symptoms, sneezing, coughing, water eyes, it may be due to mold. Mold is dangerous and will continue to wreak havoc until remediated. Cleanup should not be attempted by anyone that is not qualified. Call a water damage / mold remediation professional immediately. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced, certified, licensed, and insured.

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MOLD REMOVAL
SERVICES

Even though Phoenix is primarily hot and dry, mold is still an issue for properties that have had any kind of water intrusion which was not cleaned up correctly or that went unnoticed for a long period of time. Our Company has Certified Mold Technicians who are experts in mold removal and mold inspection services. We have successfully completed many remediation projects. Call one of our mold experts today.

MOLD INFO . . .

What is mold? Molds are a type of fungi that are found everywhere, both indoors and out. Depending on the source, there may be as many as 100,000 to 400,000 species of mold in the world. It’s been reported, more than 1,000 different mold types have been found in US homes across the country. Even though they are a vital part of the eco system, helping to breakdown dead materials and recycle nutrients in the environment, according to the CDC, all mold has the potential to affect your health. Under the right circumstances, there are certain mold spores that produce toxins. Toxic molds are those that contain or emit mycotoxins, which is a chemical that is harmful to both humans and animals. Following is a short list of some of the most common toxic molds:

Stachybotrys - aka “black mold”. It’s one of the most harmful toxic molds found inside a house. The mycotoxins produced can cause the lungs to bleed, which can cause death in infant and animals. Black mold is hard to detect. It is found in wall cavities and in ceilings and is resistant to regular air sampling.

Memnoniella - Is also referred to as black mold and produces the same effects as stachybotrys.

Aspergillus – usually appears as specks and is grayish or greenish in color. It can cause allergies and severe asthmatic reactions, hay fever or lung infections. There are about 20 known species of aspergillus and all produce mycotoxins that can be dangerous for people with compromised immune systems.

Penicillum - There are many species of penicillum, some are beneficial and some harmful.

Alternaria - is one of the most common species of toxic mold. When spores are inhaled, they are considered one of the main causes of asthma, hay fever and other allergic reactions.

Mold becomes a danger when the indoor levels exceed the levels outdoors. Mold spores are so tiny, as many as 250,000 spores can fit on the head of a pin. These microscopic spores can hitch a ride indoors on clothing, shoes, hair, shopping bags, pets etc. and only require a few things to grow and multiply – MOISTURE, FOOD, and OXYGEN (temps usually between 40° and 100°). Our homes are filled with a smorgasbord for mold to feast on including wood, drywall, plaster, paper, cardboard, wallpaper, paint, and carpet to name a few. Even household dust becomes a food source. Mold will grow just about anywhere there’s moisture or high humidity (toxin-producing molds have a higher water requirement than most other household molds and are apt to thrive indoors under wet conditions) and a food source. Mold becomes a problem when there’s excessive moisture/humidity inside a home or a business over an extended period of time. So the key to controlling indoor mold is moisture and humidity control.

Elevated levels of indoor moisture and humidity can come from a variety of sources. You need to identify them and then control or fix the problem. Following is a list of some common sources that contribute to indoor moisture:

Excessive, frequent spills

Condensation buildup due to high humidity and/or poor ventilation

Lack of, or poorly vented kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms (buildup of moisture and steam from cooking, showers, or wet clothes)

Frequent use of a humidifier

Hanging and drying wet clothes indoors

Over watering house plants

Water accumulation in A/C or swamp cooler pans

Indoor plumbing failures (faulty appliances, overflow from sinks, tubs, and toilets, burst supply lines, plumbing leaks, etc.)

Be on the lookout for visible signs of mold. Look for signs of water damage or stains. Use your eyes and trust your nose. Look under surfaces, i.e. carpets, wallpaper, furniture, in corners, closets, and cabinets. If you smell it, you can assume you have it. All growing fungi emit an earthy, musty smell so even if you can’t see it, you should be able to follow the smell to the source. Mold may appear as a patch of discoloration on a wall or ceiling or as black or whitish specs or clusters that may be easily overlooked or mistaken for dirt. If there are visible signs on the outside of the walls or ceilings, it’s what’s going on, on the inside that gives cause for concern. Active mold may appear fuzzy, velvety or even slimy and comes in a rainbow of colors including yellow, white, orange, green, black, brown and gray.

Mold can have an adverse effect your health AND your pet’s health. Humans that are most at risk are those with a compromised immune system, the elderly, newborns and young children, someone with respiratory issues, organ transplant and chemo patients. Some may suffer allergic like symptoms including, red watery eyes, wheezing, coughing, sneezing and/or runny nose. Some may develop skin irritations or rashes and for those who have asthma it may trigger an asthma attack. More severe reactions can appear as flu like symptoms including fever, headache, aches and pains and shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. If you have these symptoms and notice they’re reduced or non-existent when you’re away from your dwelling, chances are they’re due to mold exposure. Contact your physician and water damage / mold remediation specialist immediately.

Animal symptoms are much like human symptoms and often appear to be an allergy. They may have running noses and water eyes. There could be increased scratching, chewing, rubbing and licking of their skin. They may experience hair loss, infections or crusty papules. Some have even experience pneumonia. Animals may also experience respiratory issues or pulmonary trauma. Some animals are not able to detoxify the mycotoxins, having less resistance makes them more susceptible to the dangerous effects of the mold. If you have or suspect you may have mold contamination, remove your pet immediately.

Other signs to watch for in your animals are:

Fatigue

Disorientation

Muscle tremors or seizures

Vomiting

Dehydration

Loss of appetite

Help protect your pet by :

Wash the bedding weekly in HOT water and dry thoroughly. (if unable to wash, vacuum ) discard after a year

Bath your pet regularly

Keep water and food dishes clean – discard any fresh or wet food at the end of the day and wash water dish daily

Note: Mold is not a problem you can just wish away or easily remove with a rag and some bleach. It can be dangerous, even life threatening and should be handled by a licensed, insured, and experience professional.

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FIRE DAMAGE
RESTORATION

Fire damage is devastating to both the structure and the lives of those it impacts. Fire damage cleanup is a very involved and technical task. We have crews of certified fire and smoke damage restoration professionals as well as a knowledgeable team of residential and commercial contractors to help guide you the entire restoration process. We guarantee a complete, efficient, and accurate restoration.

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FILING AN INSURANCE CLAIM?

We have vast experience with handling insurance claims to assure you a smooth and easy claim process. If you have never filed a claim before, our experts can walk you through the entire claim process. If you are not filing an insurance claim, our normal rates are among the most competitive in the restoration industry. Below are just a few of the insurance carriers that we work with.