The Problem with Water...

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FIVE GREAT POINTS TO KEEPING YOUR BASEMENT/CRAWL SPACE DRY

Dear Friends and Clients,

Years ago, our family lived in Georgia, Mississippi, and later in Arizona. When we moved back to Worland in 1988 I had to pinch myself to make sure the experience was real. You can take the boy out of Wyoming, but you cannot take Wyoming out of the boy. Each year after the first freeze or after the first thaw, we get calls asking for help drying out the home. Today I am going to share with you some tips that will cut my business and keep your home or business dry. I figure if your home is dry, you probably want to keep it clean. Either way we are here to help. Now here are a few tips to eliminate some wet headaches.

• In the wintertime, disconnect the hose from the house faucet. If you don't, I guarantee a split water line.
• Check your crawl space for vent covers and insulation cover. Ventilation is good but a sharp breeze under the bath can freeze the plumbing.
• Is your lawn sprinkler system hooked to the house? Make sure all lines are off and the system has been blown out. Sounds silly, but if it's on and freezes, your basement or crawl space is the next victim.
• If you use a heat tape for lines, when was the last time you checked to see if it was plugged in or for that matter, even working? Crawling in a soaked crawl space is a real bummer and expensive.
• Sometimes unused rooms get their heat shut off. If that room borders a bathroom, the potential for freezing is higher. This includes hot water zone heat or forced air.

These five ideas are for a little preventative maintenance. Share them with your friends, family, and associates. Then when we visit we can talk about the weather, football, hunting or spot cleaning instead of how long it will take to dry the basement.

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Where to Start if you have Water Damage Do: ensure that the water source has been eliminated if SAFE to do so, turn off circuit breakers supplying electricity to wet areas; unplug and remove any small electrical devices currently located in wet rooms remove small furnishings from carpet, to prevent rust or stains and speed restoration place aluminum foil under legs of wood furniture, especially antiques, to prevent stains hang draperies and pin up furniture skirts to avoid contact with wet floors which prevents water marks remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants, or other items that may stain floor coverings (check especially under beds and in closets for these items) remove and secure breakables, moisture-sensitive, or high-value items plan for restoration crews to move some furniture into dry areas with vinyl, ceramic, or wood flooring, or garage or storage areas wash your hands thoroughly after handling wet items DO NOT: use any type of home vacuum, even shop vacs, since electrical shock may occur, as well as potential damage to the equipment place newspaper in the traffic areas, since the ink transfers easily walk on wet carpet any more than necessary to minimize damage turn on the heating and air conditioning system if it was flooded, it might serve to spread contamination increase or decrease temperature unless told to by our technician In Sewage losses, specifically: DO NOT handle directly contaminated items consume foods or use personal hygiene items that were left out in contaminated areas turn on fans to circulate air or use any vacuum equipment stay in the property if you: have respiratory problems including allergies and asthma are under age 2 or over age 60, or pregnant have a weak immune system (ill, medication, recent surgery) Click here for more information on SEWER damage Home

Keeping an Eye on the Inside of Your Home: Dishwasher - Periodically, check under the sink to see if the hose connection to the water supply line is secure and is not leaking.  Check around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks.  Look for discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials or ater damage to nearby cabinets. Refrigerator - If your refrigerator has an icemaker, check the hose connection to make sure it is securely attached to the water supply line.  The wet spot you see on the floor near the refrigerator may be melted ice cubes or it may be a crimped icemaker line about to burst. Sink - Recaulk around the sinks and pay attention to slow-draining pipes.  This may indicate a partially blocked drain.  Check under the sink for signs of leaks from water supply lines or drain pipes. Showers and Bathtubs - Discoloration or soft areas around floors and walls near showers or bathrubs may be your first indication there is a leak.  Check caulking at joints where the walls meet the floor or the bathtub, looking for cracks or mold.  If either is found, clean and remove loose material and apply new sealant.  If the shower walls or floor are tiled, a leak may develop if there are cracks or missing areas of grout. Toilets - Placing inappropriate objects or too much toilet paper in the bowl can accidentally clog toilets, especially "low-flow" toilets now required in homes.  Hanging bowl deodorants are frequently the culprits.  These objects can lodge deep in the plumbing system, and can block the line or create an obstruction that grease and other materials can cling to - eventually causing blockage.  In addition, some chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode some of the internal components, eventually leading to a leak. Washing Machine - Inspect washing machine hoses regularly for wetness around hose ends and signs of bulging, cracking, or fraying.  Replace the hose if a problem is found or every three to five years as part of a proactive maintenance program.  Replacing your washing machine hoses is a fairly simple home repair task.  It's as easy as hooking up a hose to a water spigot.  Just shut off the water supply to your washing machine.  If there's not a shut-off near your washer, close the main shut-off valve in your house.  Unscrew the old hoses and hook up the new ones.  Make sure you line up the threads and screw the hoses on tightly.  When you're done, turn on the water supply and check carefully for leaks.  Washing machine hoses can be purchased at most home repair centers, hardware stores, and plumbing supply outlets.  Expect to pay $10 to $20 for a new set of washing machine hoses.  To reduce the chances of failure, make sure there are at least four inches (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine.  This space will help reduce the chances that the hose will kink.  Check that hose connections are secure, including the drain hose.  Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.  Shut off water at valves if you will be away from your home for several days or longer.  Consider installing or having a professional plumber install a single-handled valve that makes it easier to turn off the water supply to your washing machine. Water Heater - Most water heaters last 10 to 15 years.  Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem.  Hot water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home and always located next to a floor drain.  If installed above or adjacent to finished spaces, the hot water heater should be placed inside a drain pan with the drain pan piped to the floor drain. Air Conditioning - At the start of the cooling season, have the A/C system serviced by a qualified contractor.  Make sure their service includes inspecting and cleaning the air conditioner condensation pan drain line to keep it free of obstructions.  Change the air filters on a regular basis. Sump Pump - Sump pump systems assist in keeping unwanted water out of your home.  Battery-operated back-up sump pumps can offer a degree of protection against power failure or failure of the primary pump.  A generator can also be used to power the pump in case of a power failure.  Test the sump pump before the start of each wet season to ensure it is in working order.  Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years and must have some components replaced or serviced within those 10 years.  Sometimes water still gets in.  Items stored  in basement areas should be shelved or kept off the floor.  Furniture should be on casters or shims and arranged away from floor drains. Home