What Do I Do If My Water Heater is Leaking All Over My Basement Floor?

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

Water Tanks, Basement, Garages, and Interiors of Nashua Homes Get a Premier Water Cleanup and Repair Service from SERVPRO

SERVPRO Technicians Are Available to Mitigate Water Damage to Your Nashua Home 24/7

While Nashua homeowners may have been informed by their local water heater installation professional about the service lifespan of this crucial home appliance, failures can occur well before that eight- to twelve-year service life has ended. While annual or semi-annual inspections can prevent many incidents, accidents can still happen that leave homeowners unsure about what to do. Consumer-grade products are typically not able to address the effects of sudden, high-volume water damage.

What can SERVPRO provide for Nashua homeowners affected by water damage due to appliance failures?

• 24/7 service. SERVPRO techs are available to mitigate damage at any time of the day or night, including weekends and holidays.
• IICRC-certified technicians. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) sets the standard for the restoration industry. Technicians observe these specifications to the letter.
• Sophisticated cleanup technologies. Restoration pros utilize everything from infrared cameras to Thermo hygrometers to determine the moisture contents in and behind surfaces and then combat damage with extraction tools, drying equipment, and EPA-registered antimicrobials.
• A loss-prevention approach to cleaning. SERVPRO focuses on restoring your structure and its contents while minimizing repair and replacement costs with safe and effective cleanup methods and technologies.

Water Heater Parts That Can Cause Water Damage to Nashua Homes

These parts are often the most vulnerable on tank-style water heaters, which can be found in 97% of US homes. A lack of regular maintenance causes a whopping 44% of water heater-related repair needs. Flushing and evaluating the tank once or twice a year can prevent a variety of failures in your system.

• The anode rod. This aluminum or magnesium rod collects rust to keep corrosion from affecting the tank or other parts of the heater. If this rod corrodes too much or sediment buildup prevents the anode rod from doing its job, other parts of the heater may rust, including the tank and valves.
• A corroded tank. If the internal or external tank rusts, it can lead to large amounts of water pouring into your home. Keep the tank clear of sediments and replace the anode rod when needed to prevent this.
• Loose or rusty valves. Leaky valves can indicate sediment buildup or corrosion issues in other areas of your hot water tank.
• Damaged supply lines. Hot water outlets can get damaged as they supply water to the home because the water is hottest at the top of the outlet.

When you notice these signs, call a trusted professional to make repairs or replace parts immediately. However, if water damage has already occurred in your Nashua property, SERVPRO is only a phone call away from providing effective mitigation.

Dealing with Nashua Basement Water Damage Until Help Arrives

• Elevate furniture and possessions. Keep possessions off the ground and away from water wherever possible. Keep furniture on cinder blocks and put belongings in plastic containers on shelving that is out of reach of the water.
• Avoid electrical components. If the water damage occurred near your breakers or other electrical components, avoid touching them to prevent the risk of electrical shocks. Have a professional examine your electrical system for damages.
• Do not flush out your water heater. Attempting to flush sediments out of a leaky water heater can cause even more damage. Wait until your heater has been serviced, and the tank has been repaired or replaced.
• Contact your insurance company. This step is crucial to receiving compensation for damages to your property. Water damage from your water heater can lead to extensive structural repairs, structural drying, and potential mold remediation depending on the duration of the leak. An insurance adjuster can assist you in navigating these complexities. SERVPRO can also help with the claims filing process.

While it can be overwhelming to deal with water damage to something as essential as your water heater, the most important things homeowners can do until mitigation professionals arrive are staying safe and protecting their possessions.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Restore Your Nashua Home's Water-Damaged Basement

SERVPRO works diligently to extract water from finished basements with a variety of tools, including:

• Extraction wands
• Mops
• Squeegees
• Sponges

Extraction is essential not only to minimize the onset of further water damage but also to ensuring that structural dying is successful and efficient. Without this process, drying with air movers and dehumidifiers can take several times longer.

If you have wood furniture or upholstery that has been affected by water tank damage, technicians can address that during the extraction and drying process. Polyethylene drying chambers may be erected to contain affected furniture in a space that can facilitate faster drying.

Water damage often brings odors with it that are musty and unpleasant. SERVPRO can address these odors with EPA-registered biocides, low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers, and box fans made to exchange air at speeds between 3000 and 5000 CFM (cubic feet per minute).

SERVPRO of Nashua serves the community with mitigation that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. Call (603) 889-2311 for 24/7 service that can restore your home to its preloss condition.