During prolonged periods of subfreezing weather, insufficiently protected water lines can form damaging ice blockages that can result in Water Damage. Water contracts when cooled until reaching approximately 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Expansion commences with further cooling, increasing in volume by approximately 9% when frozen solid. This transformation from liquid to significantly expanded solid has no outlet in a closed plumbing system and can result in a ruptured water line.
Water damage insurance claims are among the most frequently reported losses. Coverage depends on policy specifics, including the source of water damage and the duration of exposure. It is incumbent upon property owners to ascertain a thorough understanding of possible liabilities, and available policy options to make informed coverage decisions. Current coverages can be replaced entirely or bolstered by adding addendums that would indemnify against eventualities not currently addressed.
Manipulating the environment within a drying chamber is essential to successful water damage restoration. Equipment is deployed to evaporate surface water and create a vapor pressure differential between saturated building materials and dry air. This vapor pressure differential causes trapped water to vaporize and move from the substrate to the air. Achieving an optimal environment for evaporation requires attention to the vapor pressure differential. The bigger the spread of vapor pressure the greater the pull of moisture from the air.
Several times a year, monumental rains flood basements causing significant water damage. Unwitting consumers often assume coverage after such an event, only to discover that they are saddled with the financial burden of flood damage restoration. Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover water damage caused by system failures within the home, but virtually every homeowner’s insurance policy has stated exclusions concerning surface water runoff, also known as ground water.
Humidity, Temperature & Airflow influence the movement of moisture within a material as well as the evaporation rate from the surface of the material and can greatly impact the overall drying time for a water damage restoration project. Quickly reducing moisture in the air and introducing sufficient airflow will reduce water activity, ultimately lowering the potential for microbial activity.
Homeowners insurance provides compensation for events protected under the policy that require emergency restoration services. Covered events can indemnify the policy holder against damage to the home, yard and other structures, personal belonging as well as personal liability if found legally responsible for damage or injury to another.
Although homeowner’s insurance is not mandated by law, lenders universally require a policy remain in place for the length of the mortgage to protect the investment. Encumbered properties are subject to force-placed insurance if their policy has lapsed, is cancelled, or has been deemed insufficient. Creditor-placed ‘force’ policies provide rudimentary coverages that protect the mortgagors interests alone and are charged to the mortgagee.
Icicles along a roofline are largely perceived as a beautiful winter staple, yet often indicate ice dams and a potential for water damage to the structure. Ice damming blocks roofing drainage systems, diverting the flow of water under roof coverings and into the building envelope. Once within, gravity carries this permeation through insulation, ceilings, walls, and floors causing widespread water damage. At this point, immediate water damage restoration is essential to prevent the possibility of mold contamination.
This water damage restoration project was the result of a category 3 water loss event. The cause of loss was a sanitary plumbing line leak within the ceiling and wall cavities that allowed sewage water to escape and contaminate rooms below the second floor and into the basement.
Property Recovery 911 was summoned to a significant water loss event in a South Philadelphia row home, caused by a failed water line serving the second-floor bathroom. Substantial volumes of water poured throughout the interior of the home and came to rest as a 1-1/2' deep pool in the basement. Much of the structure and contents from the second floor through to the basement were saturated, including personal belongings, kitchen cabinetry and household appliances.
Property Recovery 911 was summoned to a stately stone home in Darby, PA for a sewage cleanup job. The source of the sewage overflow was a toilet located in the finished basement powder room as well as a floor drain in the laundry room. Upon inspection, we discovered that the soil line serving the property was clogged, which is often the culprit when a sewage overflow occurs. In such an event, the location of the sewage overflow is the first drain or drains ‘north’ of the clog.