Prevention Tips For Spring Water Damage

Spring has started. People have rested from cold dark days and nights of winter. It is one of the most enjoyable time of the year as flowers start to bloom and trees become greener. However, this is the season that brings heavy downpours and severe weather that can result in water damage. It’s not too late to prepare for another storm. Be alert of the possible effects of this season. Protect yourself, your family and your property from spring water damage. You can’t control the power of nature, yet taking some preventive measures can minimize the damage it can bring.


Inspect your roof (Hire a professional if necessary)

A roof over your head is what keeps you and your home protected from harsh weather, wildlife, and even vandals. Your roof weakens due to UV exposure, freeze/thaw cycles, wind and aging materials that could generate leakage, especially in heavy rain. Give your roof a little TLC. Get a ladder, inspect your roof, shingles, flashing, eaves, overhangs, and soffits for any signs of ice dams and other damage. Make sure that it is ready for any change of weather. Get a professional roof inspection to make sure that your roof is damage-free.


Clean the gutters and downspouts, repair if necessary

The main reason that water sits around your foundation is due to improper drainage from your gutters and downspouts. It can travel through the walls and can soak into your floors. Prevent water damage by checking your gutters and downspouts. Make sure that they are free from leaves, sticks, and dirt so water can flow freely off the roofs and away from your home. Add downspouts extension if necessary to ensure that water is flowing away from your foundation.


Make sure the ground around your house is graded away from your home

Making sure that roof and gutters are perfectly working could give you some peace of mind. But there is one thing that you still have to consider, the water should not be staying around your house. If the water keeps drawing back to your house, it can damage your foundation. Make sure that you grade the ground around your house properly, drawing the water to the street.


Check the sump pump in your basement

Sump pumps are necessary to avoid water to pool around the basements. However, since they are just used rarely, they are also not checked often. And, when called for action, it failed. So, there goes a call for emergency water mitigation services. Don’t let this happen. Make sure to test it every now and then. You can call a professional to fix any problems. The tendency of losing electricity during the storm is high. It is better to buy a generator as an alternative.


Is it too late? Are you now suffering from water damage due to spring storm? Time efficiency is the key to avoid hundreds and thousands of dollars in damage. Call us for any water mitigation services. We are available 24/7. We respond right away.

Understanding the Three Types of Water that can Flood your Home

One of the many stressful events a homeowner can experience is water damage. Water damage in some cases is often unavoidable, like floodwater intruding your property or having a leaky roof making it possible for rainwater to get into your home.

Water enters your home in any means and at any time can generate water damage. Whichever the causes are, the effects are constantly terrible. Moreover, contact with such kind of water can lead to health risks.

Why it is necessary to understand the categories of water damage?

The first thing you do as an owner when flood water damage got into your home, is to bring everything back to its normal phase, that includes cleaning out and drying up of the affected area. But, most people might have not known that water damage has different categories and each type is associated with danger. Understanding each type of water damage prevents you and your whole family from any harmful effects.

Below are the three types of Water Damage;

Category 1- The Clean Water

It is considered to be clean as the water is from sources that do not give rise to any harmful diseases, such as rainwater, water from leaky faucets, water that overflows from sink or bathtub and any appliances malfunctions that supply water line.

This category of water damage is easier to handle. Things that were affected can be salvaged. However, if the action in removing the water is not prompt or timely or no action was done after 48 hours, it can then categorize as category 2.




Category 2 – Grey Water

This type of water damage can bring health issues due to the contamination of bacteria and mold. The water in this category contains chemicals that could lead to discomfort to the skin and illnesses when consumed or contacted. The sources of category 2 are water losses from a bowl (containing urine), dirty water from washing machine or dishwasher and flood damage from malfunctioned sump pumps.

When the water seeps into a carpet, the technicians have to remove its padding as its sponge-like structure invites bacteria or mold growth.

This category changes to category 3 if action is not made within 2 days.




Category 3 – Black Water

This is the most hazardous type of water damage, considered as the grossly unsanitary water. The most common sources of Category 3 water are broken sewer lines, backed-up sewer mains, extended rain-events, flash floods, and even hurricane flooding. Sewage has human waste while the rising flood water is contaminated by the things it has passed by, examples are trash, oil and so much more.

It is essential to call professionals when this type of water enters your home. This dirty water contains pathogens that cause detrimental diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, Norovirus, Tetanus, West Nile virus, Tuberculosis and HIV / AIDS.




Time efficient is the key to handling any type of water damage. The quicker you take an action, the lesser the effects may set in.



We are here for you! Superior Restore technicians are expert in dealing with any type of water damage. We can easily assess the type of water damage you are facing and will take well-suited actions to address it. We will take care of you with the advanced quality of service and state-of-the-art equipment. We make sure that we can address any emergencies 24/7. Call Superior Restore now!

The Effects of Water Damage in Commercial Properties

If homeowners experience water damage in their property, so do business owners. Commercial properties are not exempted to water damage. Water damage arises from various sources, such as leaky pipes, broken gutters or appliances, or even unexpected disasters. Water damage has consequential effects not only on the finances of the business owners but also to the health condition of its occupants. Below are the effects of Water damage in Commercial Properties;

• Business Interruption – Business interruption is defined as anticipated (such as due to a strike) or unanticipated (such as due to a power failure) disruption of the normal operations of a firm. The serious physical damage of the property forces interruption of the business. The office itself has to be shut down for repairs and restoration of the structure of the building and its equipment.

• Loss of revenue – Loss of revenue happens when the company makes less from its normal operations. Shutting down your operations and losing potential customers lead to loss of revenue.

• Adverse effects on the health condition of the occupants – Poor indoor air quality can generate illnesses such as asthma, allergies fatigue and nausea. It can also contribute to the mold growth that adds up to the worse effects of water damage. Effects on health condition can lead to more sick days and sluggish production.

As important as the property is for its owner, it is also the same with the business owner. Yet, water damage chooses no one. The effects of water damage result in a big amount of financial loss and illnesses to the employees. Thus, prevention is very critical. Some preventive measures are educating the superiors on water damage preparedness, having readily available tools in case of emergency and a list of emergency contact numbers.

Preventing Water Damage at Home - DIY

Water damage is one of the major problems homeowners face. It is something they have to deal with the help of professionals. And, it would cost them an arm and a leg. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, keeping this saying in mind, can prevent you from spending exorbitantly. Below are some of the things you can do to prevent water damage at home.

1. Inspect your roof – Inspect your roof twice a year. Inspecting your roof can avoid any future damage and can prevent you from spending a lot of money.

• Check your shingles. You can use a pair of binoculars to see any potential problems, such as missing or broken shingles, cracked flashing or large debris on the roof.

• You should also be checking your ceiling and attics regularly. The most common warning signs of a leak are musty odors in certain rooms, water stains on your ceiling, spots on your exterior walls and bulging patches on your interior walls.

• Some things that you can do when inspecting your roof are washing your roof with bleach and water, trimming any overhanging branches, and patching up your chimney.

2. Clean your gutters- A good drainage system allows the free flow of water and in most cases prevents accumulation that can lead to flooding.

• Clean your gutters twice a year and one after a big storm. Begin cleaning near a downspout, remove large debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) with a garden trowel or your hands and flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose.

• Install gutter guards. Gutter guards can bolster the flow of water through your downspouts and gutters because they prevent them from clogging up.

3. Caulk and seal your windows – Caulking and sealing your windows can prevent water or moisture get into your house and retain its structural stability. Caulk can also be applied in some parts of your house such as ceiling fixtures, drains, bathtub to keep water from flowing in the areas of your home. Follow the steps in applying caulk.

• First thing to do is to choose the right caulk. Caulks come in many different ways. Choose the silicone caulk for it is waterproof and flexible.

• Second, clean the surface by removing any old caulk or loose particles. Moreover, you can use a wet rag to wipe out any remaining debris as caulk cannot stick properly with it and dry the area completely before you start caulking.

• Third, prepare the tube and seal. Insert the caulk tube into the gun and place the nozzle tip on the spot where you want to start caulking. Keep the pressure steady to control the amount of caulk applied.

• Lastly, smooth the seal. Smooth out the caulk by using caulking tool, a putty knife, your finger or a damp rag. Smooth the caulked area to keep it neat and uniform.

4. Check your pipes – Check your pipes once a year. It is important to check your pipes for damage and loose connections, and wear and tear that could lead to a flood of water or raw sewage into your home. It is also advisable to check the pipes around appliances.


5. Test Your Sump Pump –A sump pump is a machine installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. It is used to defend your home against a flood or accumulating ground water. Test your sump pump periodically to make sure it is working properly to protect your home. Procedures in testing your sump pump are as follows,

• Examine the pipe itself and its outlet pipe. See whether the pipe has any external damage or clogs. Remove any debris if necessary.

• Check the electrical components, wires or cords. The cord should be plugged in properly to its functioning outlet.

• Pour a five-gallon bucket with water around the sump pump. Pour the water slowly until the pump kick on and starts to drain the area. If it doesn’t turn on, it may be clogged or damaged.

In every situation, prevention is the best way to avoid any major problems. Consider doing the tips above to ensure that your house is free from any water damage.

How To Fix Toilet Related Water Damages

Toilet-related water damages are costly and can set you back by hundreds of dollars. Most instances of toilet water damage start with clogged or overflowing toilets. Homeowners can avoid bigger damages if they intercept issue in time and implement simple maintenance repairs. The following information will help you prevent water-related damages from deteriorating.

What Can You Do if Your Toilet Overflows?

If your toilet is leaking or overflowing, consult the following guide and follow the steps mentioned here to prevent the chances of permanent water damage at your home.

·         Adjusting the float could help. If you do not detect any kind of blockage, then it is highly likely that the overflowing water is caused by high level of float. You can prevent overflow and water damage by simply re-adjusting its level. Lower the float until you do achieve the desired bowl fill level.

·         If your toilet is clogged, avoid the temptation of flushing it again and again just to see if the waste moves down the drain. This will only lead to a greater accumulation of water in the bowl and could even cause dirty water to flow out.

·         Try clearing the blockage with the use of a plunger. If the toilet is clogged but is not throwing water out onto the bathroom floor, try dislodging the obstruction with a plunger.

·         Make sure no more water gets into the toilet until the clog is cleared. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. The knob is typically located near the base of the tank on the wall behind.

·         Call a plumber to fix the underlying issue.

·         Seek help of a restoration company to safely clean up any toilet water damage.  

Does Your Insurance Cover Water Damage from Toilets?

Since every homeowner’s insurance policy is different, the definite answer to this question depends on what is and what is not covered by your particular insurance agreement. Homeowner policies generally cover the damages that occur to toilets. They also cover all water-related damages that are deemed as “sudden” by the insurance company. Mold damage is typically not covered by the policy, however. This is because mold growth is considered to be caused by homeowner’s negligence. Damages caused by clogged sewer lines are also usually not covered by policies.

How Can You Avoid or Reduce Toilet Water Damages?

·         Keep a check on your flush. If you feel that your toilet could be clogged, wait for a few seconds after you flush and see whether it fills all the way to the top. If the water level keeps rising you can reach inside the tank and change the level of float. This will stop the water from overflowing and prevent water damage. Don’t forget to cut out the toilet’s water supply as well.

·         Perform regular maintenance of your toilet. Check the various components of the toilet including the different water supply valves installed in the bathroom.

If your toilet is flooded to a point which requires a big clean up job, you should leave it to the professionals at Superior Restoration to provide you an exceptional service.