Category: Water Damage

Water damage restoration can seem like an empty gesture when the situation is dire. For many property owners, fixing the aftermath of a flooded apartment is a reminder of the costs associated with building upkeep. While a flooded complex via nature’s intrusion or by way of a burst pipe is always an unpleasant experience, the fact remains that certain techniques can ultimately help you move on. Soil-Away uses targeted, specific measures to address each restoration task. In the end, a multi-floor apartment will look as good as it did pre-flooding.

Content Cleaning in the Aftermath

Besides the building itself, one of the first victims of water damage is the contents. Ranging from appliances to personal belongings, these losses can lead to unhappy tenants, which leads to more expenses. In many cases, the cost of damaged items can fall on the landlord. As a result, any way to restore belongings can both appease tenants and save you money.

Water Damage Restoration After A Pipe Burst

The plumbing for multi-floor apartments can be elaborate, often running alongside rooms to the very top. Ideally, most plumbing leaks occur in the lower depths, where the damages might not be as great. Unfortunately, any leaks that occur on upper floors will drip down onto other levels. Substantial leaks will damage floors and ceilings, as well as anything in between. In order to properly restore a “traveling” leak, you need professionals who can clean up every trace. Such leaks can leave behind a trail of damages that can evolve into substantial problems. Soil-Away will ensure that the clean-up is 100% effective.

Mold Trappings

Mold is one of the common side effects of water damages. A restoration approach detects hidden pockets. For multi-floor properties, a possible health hazard is a serious concern. You have to worry about regular occupants as well as property guests. The only way to be sure of complete mold eradication is to hire professionals. Don’t take mold lightly. Soil-Away finds hidden trappings before mold spreads and contaminates apartment walls.

Construction

Restoration often involves the need to re-establish foundations. Any property hit with water damages stands to lose large amounts of insulation and drywall. Once our specialists drain all the fluids from the area, our construction services bring carpenters, roofers, and electricians to the table. In order to do a project, we plan out each construction effort before implementation. We are fully insured and licensed because we believe in being professional.

Erasing Water Damage with Soil-Away

After disasters strike, our company offers comprehensive restoration services for residential and commercial properties. Additionally, we provide professional carpet and air duct cleaning services to help maintain a healthier indoor environment. With offices in Hooksett, our services extend to Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Portsmouth, Laconia, northern Massachusetts, and southern Maine. 

Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration was founded in 1990 and is owned independently. We are family-owned. Also, we will answer any emergency damage clean-up call 24/7, so please call (603) 641-6555. In case of an emergency after business hours, contact (603) 657-4851. Additionally, you can send us an email at info@soilaway.com. Our water damage restoration will benefit your properties no matter how you decide to contact us.

Basement flooding is an emergency property damage situation that requires an immediate response. The question is, where do you begin? Reducing the damage is key, but so is removing items from the affected area. With the right steps, you can control this sort of disaster and respond to it effectively.

Establishing Safety Precautions

A core step of defeating flood damage is to start off focused on safety. The failure to plan and establish safety precautions can lead to further damage and expenses. We’ll start with an inspection to establish the situation and the best approach. Soil-Away technicians use organized methods to mark the worst areas of flooding and to begin the effort of saving personal belongings and the structure itself. Flood damage cleanup is no easy process, but with the right approach, we can restore a basement to its previous state.

Recovery Steps

In order for basement flooding recovery to be successful, the proper course of action is a combination of equipment and ingenuity. Soil-Away uses state-of-the-art tools to kick the recovery process into high gear. For example, our truck-mounted pumps ensure that the basement surface is sufficiently dried until there are no standing pools left inside your property. 

Even with heavy flooding scenarios brought on by weather or burst pipes, our moisture-sensing equipment detects moisture pockets that affect hidden areas like behind walls and under floorboards. These areas are prone to microbial infestations. Excessive moisture can quickly halt the recovery process. Our restoration/remediation techs use focus and experience to chip away at all the issues that come with basement flooding.

Relocation and Documentation

Since we tend to use basements for storage areas, it makes sense that basement flooding can have mass casualties when it comes to personal belongings. An integral course of action is to relocate and document each item for cleaning or disposal once the excess water is pumped from the basement. Soft goods like heavy clothing, sports gear, and bedding can also be salvageable with quick thinking.

Soil-Away moves wet and damaged items to a safe location to sort them. This process sometimes includes area rug cleaning alongside clothing items. While not every item will survive being submerged, our technicians have a high rate of success. 

Comprehensive Drying after Basement Flooding 

Following a flooding extraction, the next course of action is to clean and treat the area against microbial growth issues. These infestations stand a chance of returning and creating health hazards for occupants. By using dehumidifiers and air movers, our tech specialists fully dry the basement to pre-loss conditions. While flooding requires a quick response, there must be time to future-proof basements once we secure everything.

Best Course of Action with Soil-Away Services

Soil-Away uses proven methods to give our customers the best outcome. When Mother Nature sends heavy rains and storms, you need professionals to ensure complete recovery. We work with homeowners, major corporations, and property management to ensure that basement flooding recovery efforts go as planned. Call us now at (603) 641-6555 or stop by our website for more information.

Water damage is a strange thing because it can be the cause of insignificant, tiny messes, but it can also be the reason behind financially disastrous events that alter your life in various ways. A spilled glass of water can ruin a perfectly good book, while a flood can permanently damage carpeting, wooden foundations, and every sort of belonging (including books). When flooding occurs, a property owner is going to be helpless for the most part, especially if the water level is severe enough to fill a basement or lower-level home. How do you proceed after a disaster like this?

The Need for a Professional

One way is to enlist an efficient flood damage restoration service, because unless your situation is only a spilled glass on the kitchen table, you need a professional that knows the rules when it comes to safety and clean-up. Water damage not only hurts your property and belongings, but it also makes for a dangerous location. Mold can quickly settle into areas with trapped oxygen and moisture. Untreated organic surfaces can harbor toxins, which can affect people and objects that come into contact with them.

The Dangers of Water Damage

Water damage is fairly obvious at first, but eventually it turns silent and deadly. Trapped water is not easy to find without the proper equipment, which Soil-Away brings to every job site. Water hidden inside walls and under floors can easily go undetected as mold spores continue to spread. In many cases, a property is at risk of having multiple health code violations following flooding, making proper restoration services vital for full recovery. 

Keep in mind that if this is your home that is affected, then you will need a thorough solution to restore things to normal. Soil-Away can provide inspections once the water is removed. This way, you will have scientific proof that a house can become a livable space once again. We can facilitate a post-remediation verification (PRV) test before anyone occupies the premises, to be certain that mold spore counts have been properly lowered. 

Water Damage Doesn’t Stop Until We Make It Stop

In severe cases, water damage continues as it sits unopposed. Storm and flood damage restoration is necessary to remove the toxicity from hardwood floors, under furniture, and anywhere else water invades. For efficient biohazard remediation, call Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration. Our professional team can safely remove all the items that are beyond repair. We can also salvage many items as well. 

Our end goal is to restore your location to pre-flooding conditions so you and your family can reinhabit your home. Reach us at (603) 641-6555 to learn which service plan is the solution you need. In the event of traumatic water damages, we can provide professional and personable services. Water damage will continue to hurt your property the longer it sits. Do not hesitate to call Soil-Away.

Most people expect a property to be safe and sturdy. It’s easy to take a structure’s condition for granted, even when that location is unfamiliar. Unfortunately, storms can shatter those expectations, with strong winds or flooding allowing moisture and mold to wreak havoc in the aftermath. Violent storms have the potential to cause severe damage due to lightning strikes, high winds, and rainwater that seeps into hard-to-see places.

Not that it takes a harsh storm to create an in-house disaster, either. In a more mundane scenario, faulty water pipes can create considerable damage to a property’s interiors at every level. Having water flood your home is bad enough, but the situation can turn dire when a sewage line backs up and bursts. Once this occurs, the problem escalates into a toxic scenario that requires expert handling. Soil-Away has deep cleaning and disinfection methods that can address damaged belongings and interiors.

Basement Water Extraction

If your property has a lower level, then you might know from experience how quickly belongings can become submerged during a flood. Timing is crucial here because the longer water sits, the easier it is for bacteria and toxic residue to permanently mark clothing, stuffed animals, and soft furnishings. Soil-Away can extract water successfully, with no residue left behind. Using high-tech equipment, our team can find even the most hidden of water pockets.

In the wake of a basement flood disaster, we can restore salvageable items to prime condition. Thanks to the highly effective Esporta Wash System, we can restore soft contents to a food-grade safe level. We take sports gear, children’s stuffed animals, and other soft materials from the site of the disaster and store them until clean-up can begin.

No Leftover Debris

We’ll inventory, document, and dispose of unsalvageable items with the debris. During the restoration project, our services can expedite your insurance claim process by providing accurate documentation and photos. This way, any damages and details of our restoration procedures will be there for reference.

One important step is to remove submerged materials. For example, porous building materials, such as drywall and carpeting, should be disposed of as soon as possible to avoid the further spreading of toxins. Once torn-out debris is handled, Soil-Away applies the best deep cleaning and disinfection methods to the remaining areas until the site resembles its pre-damaged state.

Deep Cleaning and Disinfection After Burst Pipes

Bitterly cold winters and high wind chills can cause pipes to freeze and burst. This is one of the most unpredictable and destructive conditions in nature. It causes millions of dollars in commercial damage each year. Hundreds of personal belongings see moisture, mold, and bacteria damage. Deep cleaning and disinfection is the only way to completely salvage any items pulled from the wreckage.

At Soil-Away, we use HEPA vacuums and air scrubs to wash away signs of grime. To be thorough, we also sand, dry-ice blast, and use whatever techniques the situation calls for. Once we dispose of any toxic materials, we dry the areas with large fans and dehumidifiers. With the property in the clear, we can replace any damaged components with fresh materials.

Restoring Your Property and Belongings with Deep Cleaning and Disinfection

Soil-Away Cleaning & Restoration provides full-service emergency restoration to combat damages that occur on your properties. Members of our team are certified by the IICRC. Our trained and dedicated staff will safely and efficiently remove excess water, clean the area, and disinfect your premises to a quality at least equal to its previous condition. Call us now at (603) 641-6555 if your property is at risk.

You have a basket full of laundry and are headed down the basement stairs. You have a lot on your mind and certainly no time for extra chores. You’re halfway down the stairs when you notice it – WATER! 

Flooded basements are no fun. Always inconvenient and usually unexpected, basements typically flood due to heavy rain, a burst pipe, or even a clogged basement drain. 

Call Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration Services immediately for remediation and restoration of your flooded basement. With over 30 years of flood damage restoration experience, we are available 24/7 for situations just like this. 

Basement Water Removal: The Process 

Evaluate and Assess. The first thing our certified Soil-Away technician will do is assess the damage. We will find the source of the water first and ensure the water has stopped. We will make sure there are no safety issues that we need to address. Then, we make a detailed plan focusing on getting you back to pre-loss conditions. 

Document. Rest assured that we will provide your insurance company a copy of our assessment, and we will document the entire project with a camera. Our specialized equipment, like an infrared camera and moisture meters, ensure accurate note-taking. We keep lines of communication open so that you can feel confident about how we’re handling your unique situation. 

Water Extraction. We must begin extracting water as soon as possible. We use a powerful, truck-mounted water extraction unit that performs more effectively and efficiently than small, portable units some other companies use. 

Property Cleanup. If there are unsalvageable items, we will remove and dispose of them. We clean and sanitize all affected areas. Your situation may necessitate our use of HEPA vacuuming and applying an antimicrobial agent to prevent mold growth. 

Structural Drying. Floors, walls, and sometimes ceilings can be saturated during a basement flooding. We want to avoid demolition, so we make it a priority to save everything we can. Our comprehensive structural drying process ensures the best drying results. 

Contents Restoration. We are New Hampshire’s first Certified Esporta Soft-Contents Restoration Operator. This technologically-advanced system allows us to salvage many of your damaged items. We also provide full inventory and documentation services, along with pack-out and storage services, if necessary. 

Insurance Billing. When you hire Soil-Away, we do the heavy lifting for you, and that includes dealing with your insurance company. We gear our documentation process toward a smooth claims process. While we hope this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you, we deal with jobs like this all the time. We know what types of documentation insurance companies need to process your claim, and we provide it. There are no secrets. We keep in close contact with you throughout the entire process. 

Installing Sump Pumps 

A sump pump is an appliance designed to pump water from one location to another. Usually, contractors install sump pumps in the lowest point of a basement. Should there be flooding, the pump is activated quickly and begins diverting water to a designated area outside the home. 

Most new homes built in the northeast come with sump pumps already installed, but older homes may not have a sump pump. If your basement floods, we should check to see if your sump pump needs replacing or whether you need to have one installed. 

How Soil-Away Can Help With Basement Water Removal

Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration Services is here to help! Our family-owned business has helped our friends and neighbors in Hookset and surrounding communities for over 30 years. Not only can we clean up after a basement flood, but we will also help you prevent it from happening again. Call us TODAY!  

It’s not always possible to fully anticipate emergency situations. However, preparations can mean the difference between a small amount of damage and a total loss. When it comes to keeping your business property safe, appropriate preparation can mean keeping your business open as opposed to having to close permanently. Here are a few ways that you can safeguard your business from commercial water damage.

Water Damage Prevention Tip #1: Know Local Laws

The first important tip to consider about preventing commercial water damage involves legal protections in place for businesses in your area. In some cities and states, investing in flood and sewer backup prevention systems can result in tax deductions. Do your research and know what protections exist before the unexpected happens. Verify that you understand insurance rules and regulations to avoid unfortunate surprises.

Commercial Water Damage Prevention Tip #2: Annual Inspections

The second important tip to prevent commercial water damage involves scheduling annual inspections. What sets commercial spaces apart from residential properties is the complexity of the systems in a business building. Plumbing, sewage, and HVAC systems can differ from property to property. The best way to prevent these complex systems from sustaining water damage is to hire a professional inspector to visit your facility often–at least annually. These professionals will take a closer look at your systems to verify that they are in good working order. They will also advise you if there are any items that could fail or cause other issues within your facility. Surviving water damage means understanding existing risks.

Water Damage Prevention Tip #3: Secure Valuable Stock and Property

The third thing to know about commercial water damage is how important it is to secure valuable stock and other property from unexpected damage. Depending on the nature of your business, the types of items you have on hand that will need to be kept secured. Paper documents that cannot be duplicated should be scanned to the cloud. Tools and merchandise should also be secured to avoid potential water damage and loss.

Commercial Water Damage Prevention Tip #4: Have a Plan

The fourth thing to consider before water damage occurs is how your team will move forward in the event of potential damage. While it may not be feasible to account for all possibilities, having a contingency location can mean the difference between a loss of money and a continuing way to keep customers, employees, and your business in good working order. If possible, consider the benefits of using a work-from-home plan to allow productivity to continue as assessments and repairs are completed at your facility.

Commercial Water Damage Prevention Tip #5: Call Soil-Away

You’ve learned a few quick tips about commercial water damage prevention. It’s time to add some protection to your business plan. When you’re ready to prevent future water damage, it’s time to contact our team. Soil-Away has been helping customers prevent and repair water damage for over three decades. Our team takes great care to secure your property before it’s too late. Contact us right away!

As the calendar shifts ever closer to the winter months, the risk of pipe damage due to frozen pipes increases.While scheduling an annual pipe inspection could reveal possible failing pipes early on, there is no guarantee that a sudden issue won’t arise as the temperatures dip below freezing. In today’s blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how to safely handle frozen pipes this year.

Addressing Frozen Pipes: Turn the Water Off

The first thing to do if you find frozen pipes is to turn off the water if possible. While it won’t solve the problem, it will limit the amount of water damage inside your home once they start leaking. With the water main off, setup buckets under the burst pipes and open any water fixtures inside your home. This will relieve pressure and capture residual water leaking from pipes. Monitor pipes and leaks until you can get a licensed plumber to make the repairs. 

Addressing Frozen Pipes: Thaw the Pipes

The second thing to do is to try and thaw your pipes. This can be done with a space heater or a hair dryer. Use caution to avoid causing additional damage to your home or injuring yourself. This process can be particularly risky if flammable materials get too close to the heat source. If you don’t feel comfortable thawing the pipes yourself, let a trained professional handle it.

Addressing Frozen Pipes: Check Thawed Pipes for Leaks 

The third thing to do when addressing frozen pipes involves looking for visible leaks. Once the pipes have returned to normal, leave the water main off and take a close look at your pipes. When pipes freeze and then return to normal, damage can happen as a result of the changing surface area. Leaving the water main off will prevent a mess and damaged pipes will be just as visible when empty.

Addressing Frozen Pipes: Call a Water Damage Repair Specialist

The fourth step to take involves calling trained professionals. Finding a qualified water damage restoration company may take some time, but it will pay off in the end. Hiring a professional team like Soil-Away will provide you with peace of mind and a thorough flood cleanup process. If you even think that frozen pipes and water damage are a problem in your home, don’t wait. Give our team a call. We’ll arrive quickly and help prevent a bigger mess. Make Soil-Away your one and only call. Contact us today!

A flooded basement is never fun. In fact, it can be very damaging and costly. The first step to take after realizing your basement has flooded is to call a restoration services company like Soil-Away. Whether the basement floods due to a burst pipe or a heavy rainstorm, rest assured that your basement can be restored to its original condition. Read on to learn about the basement restoration process after a flood.

Call a Restoration Services Company

The first step is to call a restoration services company like Soil-Away. It is important to call as soon as possible because the longer the water sits around, the more damage it will do. We are on-call 24/7 for emergencies, and we will come out to help even if it’s in the middle of the night! The first step in our restoration process is an inspection by our crew. This allows us to assess the damages and potential safety hazards. In addition, we will take pictures of the damage, which can be provided to your insurance company.

The Restoration Process

After the assessment, the restoration process begins. First, the area must completely dry out in order to reduce the chances of future mold growth. Once the space dries, we use hydrometers and infrared cameras to make sure there isn’t any hidden water behind the walls or under the floor. After the drying, we remove flooring and drywall. Anything salvageable will be cleaned. Once everything is disposed of or cleaned, we do a final inspection walk-through to make sure everything looks as good as new.

Dealing with Insurance

Dealing with the homeowner’s insurance company can be overwhelming. At Soil-Away, we help homeowners with the insurance claims process. We send in photos and documents in order to provide information about the damage and the repairs. Homeowners should understand that it is illegal for insurance companies to try and persuade their clients to use a certain restoration company.

When dealing with a flooded basement, it is key to find a restoration services company that you can trust. Soil-Away has been in business since 1990 and has ample experience in all sorts of home restoration projects. Homeowners can gain peace of mind knowing that their damaged home is in good hands and that it will be restored in no time. For more information about Soil-Away and the services we provide, contact us today.

Flood damage can be very harmful to a home. Not only it is costly to repair damages, but it can also ruin things with sentimental value. It is critical for homeowners to do as many things as they can to prevent flood damage before it happens.

Make Sure Appliances are Shut Off When Leaving The House

It can be easy to leave the appliances running when you leave the house. It is very tempting to get that last load of laundry completed or to make sure the dishes are clean before dinner. However, it is vital not to leave appliances running in the house when you are not home. If one of the appliances were to break and leak, you could be looking at a lot of flood damage. This is especially problematic if you have a basement. If the dishwasher starts leaking, the water can easily go through the ceiling and damage the basement as well.

Address Leaks Immediately

The second thing that all homeowners should do is address leaks immediately. If you realize there is a small leak under the kitchen sink or that the shower is constantly dripping, call a plumber immediately. Small leaks can sometimes turn into big leaks that cause flood damage in the house.

Inspect Roof and Clean Gutters

Another important homeowner responsibility is to periodically have the roof inspected. If the roof becomes damaged, it can lead to leaks, which could cause flood damage in the house. In addition to getting the roof inspected, get the gutters cleaned twice a year. A clogged gutter can overfill and will not properly flow water away from the house. This can lead to water flowing into the basement and cause flooding.

Invest in a Sump Pump

Homeowners with a basement that easily floods should invest in a sump pump. If the water table is above the foundation of the home, it can cause the basement to flood. A sump pump will pump water away from the house to ensure that the basement does not flood during rainy or snowy times.

Let Soil-Away Help With Your Flood Damage

No homeowner wants to come home to a flooded house. Flood damage can be costly and can ruin important and sentimental items in the home. It can also cause structural damage to the home. As a homeowner, work to prevent floods in as many ways as you can in the house. If your home does experience a flood, call Soil-Away. We will work to dry and restore your property as quickly as possible. Contact us today for more information about the flood restoration process.

At the first sign of sewage damage, you need to call a disaster restoration company. Cleaning up sewage damage is a big job and not one you should put off. The longer you wait, the more danger you and your family will be in. Here are the top reasons you need to handle sewage damage right away.

Sewage Damage is Toxic

Sewage damage is not like water damage. The bacteria and other harmful substances in sewage can make you extremely sick. This is especially true for children and the elderly. Being around sewage can lead to the flu, e. Coli, and several other diseases. So if you have a sewer system or septic tank backup into your property, you need to have it taken care of quickly. Restoration companies have the right tools and experience to send technicians to take care of the problem safely.

Sewage Damage is Difficult to Clean

Since sewage is full of bacteria and other sludgy substances, the damage to your house stands to be worse than water damage. The longer you wait to treat it, the larger the damaged area will grow. Your home will need to be properly serviced by professionals. A certified disaster cleanup contractor will clean up the mess, remove non-salvageable building materials and contents, sanitize the space and fully dry affected area. This is not something you should necessarily DIY. Call a disaster restoration company to assess the damage and get to work.

Sewage Backups Lead to Mold

The biggest way that sewage damage is actually like water damage is that it can lead to mold. Compounding all of the other damaging facts about sewage is that it still causes moisture damage which can lead to mold growth. So, the longer you wait, the more chance you are giving mold to thrive. This is another reason to call a professional disaster restoration company to clean your house. If excess moisture is left behind, even after the sewage is long gone, you could have an outbreak of mold at any time. For the integrity of your home and the safety of yourself and your family, clean it all up at once.

At Soil Away, LLC, we understand that sewage damage might send you into a panic. Instead of worrying what to do, call us and we’ll send one of our IICRC certified teams out right away to start your road to recovery. We will be with you every step of the way to restore your home to be cleaner and safer than it was before. Call us today at (603) 641-6555.

There is nothing quite as comfortable as upholstered furniture in your home. The only problem with an upholstered piece of furniture is that it can be easily damaged if not taken care of. Although people often think that juice and wine stains cause the most damage, water can be just as damaging if you have a house fire or flood. Upholstery water damage can make your most prized furniture look awful, beat-up, and worn out. The good news is that you can fix upholstery water damage and make your favorite pieces look new again by getting them professionally cleaned.

Why Can’t I Just Clean It Myself?

Restoration services who come in after floods or fires to fix damaged property have the proper tools to clean your upholstery without doing further damage. Trying to do it yourself could make the problem worse or mean that you miss dirt and other particles deep in the upholstery. With water damage, time is especially of the essence. A professional restoration service allows the damage to be repaired quickly and maximize the chance of a full recovery.

What Types of Fabrics Can Be Cleaned?

Professional wash methods clean very delicately and can be used on most types of upholstery you have in your home. From nylon to microfiber they clean equally well, taking away spots without altering the appearance of the fabric. Generally, issues with shrinkage, tears, and pilling can be avoided. Soil-Away’s goal is to leave your furniture in pre-loss condition or better. A professional cleaning will also remove the smell left by water or smoke damage. With the right restoration company, you won’t have to worry about your favorite armchair giving off foul odors.

What Types of Furniture Should Be Cleaned Professionally?

Whether your damage is due to wear and tear, a fire, or a flood, Soil-Away can clean everything from custom pieces to box-store sofas. No job is too big, too small, or too fragile. If you are unsure about a specific piece of furniture, you can always call. A professional will be able to tell you what type of cleaning service would be best.

Water is one of the most damaging elements to upholstered furniture. The good news is that after a flood or fire, you can save many of your upholstered items. At Soil-Away, we can often remove water spots. We can also handle other dirt and debris, all without altering the feel or the condition of your original item. For an estimate, call us at 603-641-6555 today!

Flooding is flooding, right? If you’ve found water in your basement, does it really matter how the water got there? The point is that you want to get rid of it. As a matter of fact, the type of standing water in your home does matter. Different types of flooding can carry different hazards, and of course, in some cases you’ll need to fix more than just water damage in your home.

Burst Pipe Flooding

Few home repair problems are more difficult than burst pipes. This particular problem usually shows up during the winter. Water freezes inside the pipes, expanding until it bursts or cracks. As soon as the ice thaws again, the water will start flowing out of your pipes at an alarming rate. Thankfully, because this water is generally just tap water, it doesn’t bring health hazards into your house on its own. You will, however, need to put a stop to the leak right away. Shut off the water valve before fixing the pipe and drying the area. You can also prevent this problem from happening in the first place by letting the taps drip during cold months and exposing the pipes to warm air.

Sewage Backup

Unlike a regular burst pipe, sewage backup will absolutely bring disease-causing bacteria into your home. One of the first things you should do if you have sewage backup in your home is to get your family members – especially children and elderly family members – far away from the flooding. You should never try to clean up flooding from sewage backup by yourself, as the water can be extremely dangerous.

Flood Water

Among other types of flooding, perhaps this one stands out as the most obvious. When you experience a big rainstorm in your area and then suddenly have water standing in your basement, you’ll know exactly what caused the problem. Be careful with flood water, though. That water may also contain sewage, gasoline, fertilizers, and other harmful substances. You never know what the flood water has passed through and carried into your property. Once again, start by moving your family far away from the water.

Groundwater

Groundwater is exactly what it sounds like. This water sits underground until it has a way to escape. Your basement might just be that way. If you have water in your basement and can’t figure out the cause, it may be groundwater. Why does that matter? Because if it’s groundwater, you may have cracks or other issues in your foundation that let the water in.

For All Types of Flooding

We all hope that we’ll never have to deal with any of these types of flooding. However, if you do find yourself in need of flood water help, Soil-Away is at your service. From water damage to mold remediation, we’re ready to get your home back to normal again. Ready for help? Contact us today.

Disaster comes in a variety of packages; it could be a burst pipe, a recent storm, or a sewer backup. In any case, basement flooding is no joke. Standing water can bring bacteria and other toxins like mold and mildew into your home, putting your family’s health at risk. Furthermore, the effects of water damage can stay in your home for a long time, ruining carpets and furniture beyond repair. At Soil-Away, we’re no strangers to basement flooding, and we’ve honed a quick and thorough process that will make your home clean and dry again.

Your Basement Flooding Plan

We’ll get to work right away. First, we find the source of the flooding so that we can put a stop to the water damage. Different types of flooding bring different types of damage, which means that the type of flooding will dictate our restoration plan. Once we’ve made a plan, we’ll keep you updated and get your approval before moving forward.

Water Damage Restoration

Next, we’ll put that plan into action. Using the latest water removal technology, we’ll extract the water, getting rid of the basement flooding. Although this part of the process is important, you’re not in the clear just yet. The risk of toxic mold remains in your basement. We respond to this risk by drying and salvaging everything that we can save. For instance, anything we can restore we dry-out and move into a storage facility. After the dry-down, we’ll carefully check for hidden pockets of moisture that can lead to mold and other biohazards and make sure to address them immediately. Basement flooding and water damage removal services are also accompanied by cleaning and sanitization of the affected areas. If we find anything contaminated or affected by the flooding, our premium cleaning methods are able to salvage the majority of items.

Final Steps

Once we’ve sanitized and dehumidified your basement, we’ll perform a final inspection. We believe in double-checking because we know that if we leave any issues behind, it can affect your home for a long time. Once we’ve performed our own inspection, we’ll make sure our job lives up to your standards. We’ll walk you through the basement, go over the restoration process, and answer any final questions you may have. Finally, we’ll also help you process your insurance claim. Our photos from the drying and cleanup process will help you make your claim quickly so that you and your family can move on.

Don’t Delay

The longer you allow basement flooding to stand, the greater your risk of health hazards and permanent damage. Time is of the essence, so act quickly and let us help you get your home back to its pre-flood state as soon as possible. Call now at (603)-641-6555.

Fires and fire damage are never things that you plan for. Fires happen unexpectedly and can wreak havoc on your home and belongings. But did you know that once the flames have been put out and the smoke has cleared, you could be facing more than fire damage? Water damage is a very real concern in the wake of a fire. Whether it was put out by you or the fire department had to be called, your home and belongings can be affected by water damage. Here is how water damage can affect your home after a fire.

Standing Water

In the wake of a fire, there can also be a good amount of standing water. This is water that was used to extinguish the fire and then had nowhere to go. If that water is allowed to continue to sit without being removed it will damage what it came in contact with. It can ruin flooring, personal items, and even walls. Water has the power to weaken your home’s structural integrity. That is not something you want. The best way to protect your home and belongings from water is to ensure that water is removed right away.

Contaminants

Water used to put out a fire can spread contaminants. Think about what the water may pass through as it is extinguishing the fire. Water coming through the roof for example may go through attic insulation. Lead paint may be present in homes built prior to 1978. Walls that have been opened by the fire department or the fire damage itself may contain harmful contaminants such as dead rodents and their fecal matter, construction dust, and microbial growth – i.e. mold. Water can be used as a conduit to cross-contaminate a property. Proper extraction, demolition, sanitization and drying is 100% necessary.

Mold

When water or moisture go undetected in the aftermath of a fire, mold can grow freely. Mold is a risk for two main reasons. The first reason is it can destroy the structural integrity of whatever it is growing into. It can affect all types of material, weakening them as it grows. The second reason mold is dangerous is because of the health risks. Mold can cause any number of respiratory problems as well as more serious problems. Breathing mold in for an extended period of time is highly inadvisable.

It seems counter-intuitive that after a fire you should be worried about water damage, but it is a concern. Luckily that is where companies like Soil-Away come in. We are here to help restore your home from fire and water damage. If you have recently experienced a fire, give us a call at 603-641-6555. We’re here to help you.

Flooding can happen when you least expect it. Whether it’s from a storm or a burst pipe, flooding damage is not a welcome situation. Here at Soil-Away Restoration, we understand the stress of dealing with flooding and flooding damage. Here is our process of how we help families get their homes back after flooding.

Inspection

The first thing we do when we arrive on site is to inspect the flood-damaged area. This inspection tells us what kind of water and level of damage we are dealing with. First and foremost, these are matters of safety for the homeowners and our team. We take pictures during the inspection to help you with the insurance claim. The inspection also helps us develop our plan of action.

Dry Out

All of the flood water has to be pumped out of the flood-damaged area before restoration can begin. This is done with the use of heavy pumps. If any water is left it can lead to biohazardous growths such as black mold. We search for hidden moisture pockets with the help of hydrometers and infrared cameras. Once all the water is pumped out we dry out the area with fans and dehumidifiers.

Restoration

During the restoration phase, we remove all unsalvageable debris. Flooding damage affects different types of items differently and we make sure we salvage everything we can. All salvageable items are removed from the damaged area and cleaned. Once the place is completely restored we will bring the items back to their rightful place. We can even place your items in a storage facility until the work is done.

Final Inspection

Once all the repairs have been made to the affected area our team will walk through and assess that all the work is done and the area is restored. After we have ensured that the flood damage is restored we will walk through the repairs with the owner. We’ll explain the process and procedures we used to restore the flooding. We will also help by moving the possessions back into place so that space is completely restored.

Insurance Claim

Finally, we assist with the insurance claim process. We work with insurance providers and adjusters. All the photos we take of the damage are provided to the insurance company to help with the claim process. And we also provide all of our restoration documentation. We try to make the process as easy as possible for our customers.

Flooding is an unwelcome guest, and it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do when faced with flooding. Soil-Away is here to help clean up the flooding damage. If you have experienced flooding recently, give us a call at 603-641-6555. We’re here to help you.

There are many questions that come up when you own a home. One that you may have worried about is whether you have a sewer line problem. Sewer problems can be difficult to discover because the system is hidden. However, there are ways you can track the health of your sewer system and catch a problem before it gets too big. Septic system failures can result in sewage line backups into your home. This can be an extensive and costly cleanup process that you want to avoid. Here are three signs that there is a problem with your sewer line and/or septic system.

Smell Sewer Gas

Smelling sewer in and around your house is not a nice experience, and it is also a strong sign that there is a problem. Sewer systems are supposed to be airtight and to move downhill. This means that if you’re smelling sewage, there is a problem. The most likely scenario is that there is a crack somewhere in your sewer system. The smell is inconvenient enough, but you could end up with even bigger problems if the crack enlarges. Thus, if you’re smelling sewer gas in your home, be sure to hire a professional to take a look at it before the issue develops.

Sewage Backups, Blockages, and Slow Drainage

If your toilets, sinks, and other drains regularly backup or drain slowly, the system is not working correctly. This is especially true if the problem continues even after multiple attempts to clean the line. Water and debris should be able to move through the sewer line easily. However, a buildup in the system will result in backups and blockages. These are the easiest to spot symptoms of sewer line issues, and they shouldn’t be ignored.

Extra Green Grass Patches

Have you been wondering why certain patches of your grass are suddenly greener and lusher this spring? Did you know sewage is a top-notch fertilizer? If sewage is leaking under your yard, more lush and green grass can start growing. The fertilization might be making your lawn look better, but once the sewage starts building up or pooling, it will be a different story. So, if you haven’t been fertilizing or watering your lawn but it’s looking greener and lusher, get your sewer system looked at to be sure there isn’t a problem.

Because sewage lines and septic are hidden away, it can be difficult to spot an issue before it grows into a big problem. That is why it is so important to watch for the warning signs from your sewer line. If you notice warning signs, take action before the problem gets worse. And if you weren’t able to catch the signs before you had a full-blown sewer line or septic system problem on your hands, Soil-Away is here to help you. We are an IICRC certified team ready to help clean and restore your home after a sewage backup. Give us a call at 603-641-6555, or contact us on our website.