WATER DAMAGE AND DISASTER
Catastrophic events like floods are emergencies, and they require emergency responses. That’s why ServiceMaster Advantage is available all the time, every hour of every day, to respond to your emergency. The cost of water damage claims increases substantially if the damage is not handled quickly, so don’t hesitate to call us at any time. We’ll help reduce your suffering while saving you money.
The restoration professionals at ServiceMaster Advantage, located in Lafayette and Kokomo, IN and Stanwood, MI, respond swiftly with expert service you can trust. We’ll restore your home and your life, returning all damage to normal quickly. We’ll communicate with you throughout the restoration process, and you’ll feel better knowing the job was done right.
ServiceMaster Advantage employees are professional, trained restoration experts. We use only the best, most advanced products and equipment to give your property the highest level of quality cleaning and protection.
FROZEN/BURST/BUSTED PIPES
Water damage is fast and extensive. Despite popular belief, shop vacs aren’t capable of handling the extent of your damage. Water cleanup requires advanced equipment and trained professionals. Wet walls, woodwork, furniture, and floors invite smelly mildew and dangerous mold. The experts at ServiceMaster Advantage are equipped to extract water thoroughly, preventing long-term damage.
Appliance Damage
Today’s homes are regular time bombs for water disasters. Water heaters, dishwashers, ice makers, clothes washers, or any appliance with a hose can create instant flooding, ruining your structure and belongings. Knowing the location of your master water valve helps buy you time; the longer water sits, the more damage that is done to your property. ServiceMaster Advantage goes to work fast to begin the drying process. Our certified workers clean up the mess and use special equipment to thoroughly extract water, check for remaining moisture, and remediate any mold dangers. We also connect you with trusted resources for severe damage repair.
Plumbing Problems
Flooding Issues
ServiceMaster Advantage is local to Central Indiana. We know that over the past few years, the flooding in Indiana seems to have gotten worse. Every spring, hundreds of families are forced to deal with the disruption and loss that comes with flooding, particularly in basements. With ServiceMaster Advantage, you don’t have to deal with it alone.
We’re here to provide you with support, guidance, and repair in the
wake of a flood. Our businesses throughout Central and Northwest Indiana
are equipped to restore homes and lives at every level. Wherever the damage
is in your home, from documents and carpets to whole rooms and furniture,
we can handle it.
Our services include (and may not be limited to):
- Water Damage Restoration
- Drying, Dehumidification, Water Extraction
- Document Drying and Recovery
- Complete Building and Contents Cleaning
- Carpet, Rug, and Upholstery Cleaning
- Mold Remediation
- HVAC Duct Cleaning
- Antiques and Fine Art Restoration
- Electronic Equipment Restoration
- Data and Document Recovery
- Furniture Refinishing
- Biohazard Cleaning
Mold Remediation
Mold is the most insidious type of damage to occur in your home. It’s the least visible, but can be some of the most dangerous damage to deal with because the presence of mold can lead to serious health problems. Mold can also indicate problem areas in the construction of your home.
ServiceMaster Advantage will do more than eliminate this unwanted intruder – we’ll let you know why the mold grew in the first place and how to prevent it in the future. Mold can invade a home slowly over a long period of time, but our expert restoration and repair team will eliminate it quickly and permanently.
Water Damage FAQ
Water damage is insidious in a way fire damage is not: it can creep into a building or home and catch you unaware. How do you know if you have water damage? What can you do to prevent water damage? These questions and more are answered below.
What causes water damage?
The most obvious and unavoidable causes of water damage are severe forces of nature, such as hurricanes or floods. Water damage also can occur when a fire is extinguished, from leaking pipes, from malfunctioning washing machines and heaters, as well as from leaks in your roofing and siding. Even water from defective gutters can cause water to pool around your property and potentially leak into your basement.
What actions do I take when I first notice the damage?
Immediately following a water-related incident, call your insurance provider to inform him/her of the damage. If your home is severely damaged, determine whether it is structurally safe to enter. If not, or if you are unsure, immediately make arrangements to stay elsewhere.
Do I need to throw away all my kitchenware after a flood?
Not necessarily. Dishes, cooking utensils and food preparation areas can be sanitized, disinfected and then reused. Do throw away wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers, since they’re nearly impossible to clean safely.
How fast will mold or bacteria start to grow?
Within hours! Because mold thrives in moist, warm environments, any place that is wet and/or humid is a perfect place for mold to grow. Therefore, it is imperative that you call ServiceMaster Advantage immediately!
What can I do if I need to salvage my photos but I can’t get to it immediately?
If you cannot dry out your photos immediately, you can delay further damage from happening by freezing your photos. Start with rinsing them gently, then place your clean photos in a plastic bag (zip bags are recommended), place them in a container and put in the freezer. Be sure to consult a professional conservator before freezing any photos.
How can I safely inspect my house after water damage?
Dangers are not over when the water goes down. Do not endanger yourself or your family after a water event. Keep children and pets away. It is important to protect yourself and your family from stress, fatigue, and water-related health hazards.
Follow these basic safety rules:
- Determine structural stability
- Cut off power supply
- Turn off water supply
- Turn off gas supply
- Beware of animals
- Use protective gear
Water and Flood Damage Tips
Bacteria growth can begin within hours. Call our team immediately!
- Do not remove books from shelves. Rather, pack them tightly to prevent warping of pages until a restoration professional can begin this specialized drying.
- Most carpets can withstand water for up to three days, but immediate response to your loss is critical. In most cases, ServiceMaster Advantage can be at your site within two to four hours.
- Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
- Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying. Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
- Do not enter a room with standing water until electricity has been turned off!
- Do not use a regular household vacuum to remove water!
Wood naturally holds water up to 10% depending on the type of floor. Wood can absorb another 5% to 10% without showing any noticeable effects. Within a few days, however, floors that cannot hold the water any longer will expand, causing cupping or crowning. Therefore, an emergency response is critical to minimize damage to wood floors.
Call ServiceMaster Advantage for water damage restoration! We’d be happy to help restore your home or business.
