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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Water Damage Blog Posts

Handling Water Damage and Drying for Wilmington Residents

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Technician drying a water damaged room with isolation drying SERVPRO has the tools and training to complete isolation drying during water damage restoration in your Wilmington home.

Experienced Water Damage Restoration is Best – Call SERVPRO in Wilmington

You might be amazed at how many water incidents occur each day. Many of these spills, broken pipes, and appliance malfunction can lead to immense damage if not addressed correctly. All too often, homeowners may reach for a mop and bucket, not realizing they are missing areas where water migrated. Because hidden moisture can bring possible mold, mildew, and secondary damage, calling in the help of professional restoration is a smart move. SERVPRO is Here to Help Wilmington home and business owners whenever they have water restoration needs! 

Here at SERVPRO, we receive countless calls to help area customers with water damage in Wilmington. We feature all the latest equipment and have perfected our water removal services to complete the job faster and more effectively than any DIY. Our IICRC-certified water restoration technicians (WRT) will arrive within hours of your call to begin assessment and water mitigation. Everything gets done to help lessen your stress level and salvage as much as possible.

We Understand the Different Types of Water Damage

Not only are we experienced and hands-on with a variety of water-related projects each day, but our technicians also go through regular training. Staying up-to-date on the latest techniques helps us adapt to each client’s needs. With professional restoration, you are getting a team that knows the correct contents recovery and water mitigation solutions based on the level of saturation, the type of water, and other factors. 

Some of the moisture damage situations we see often include:

  • Category 1, 2, and 3 water events – Category 1 is clean water from incoming piping. Category 2 is grey water that may come from a water heater, dishwater, or another appliance. Category 3 is black water that is highly contaminated, coming from flooding situations.
  • Hidden moisture – We sometimes get called to properties with a hidden plumbing leak or a spill that went unattended. The moisture migrates into structural cavities and causes secondary damage or mold develops.
  • Surface/standing water – We utilize powerful pumps and extractors to pull up as much water as quickly as possible. If dealing with category 3 flooding, our team applies antimicrobials before extraction begins.

What Equipment Does SERVPRO Have That I Do Not?

Not only does our Green Fleet come stocked with all the equipment necessary for any given project, but we also have warehouses with immense inventory our technicians have access to. Some of the top options we choose for water cleanup projects include:

  • Extractors – These tools are suitable for removing water from flooring, carpeting, and upholstery. They include three main components – the vacuum system, pump, and heat. These units are either portable or truck-mounted.
  • Pumps – We have pumps with varying volume capacity and lift capabilities, and our team knows which are best suited for each situation. 
  • Dehumidifiers – This equipment helps pull the water vapor from the air while working to lower relative humidity (RH) in any given space. 
  • Drying Equipment – We have various air moving units that help us to reduce drying time and increase evaporation. Other drying equipment may include wall cavity ventilation setups, industrial-grade fans, drying mats, etc.

SERVPRO Works to Restore Versus Replace Whenever Possible

When water damage wreaks havoc on your property, you must remember that not all is lost. We can salvage many materials and contents with our techniques and specialized cleaning. However, we perform controlled demolition that helps you put your home back together. 

  • Repairing subfloor, replacing flooring and baseboards
  • Relaying carpet after putting in new carpet padding
  • Flood cuts (if applicable) to repair drywall or perform complete drywall replacement

Residential contractor license #: 1992104829

Our SERVPRO team is there to address any questions or concerns you have at each restoration step. We are the team you want in your corner for water damage repair! Call us at SERVPRO of Brandywine/Wilmington at (302) 762-8080. We will make your home “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Offers Quick Water Damage Repair for Wilmington Homes

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Equipment Contact SERVPRO to effectively tackle the fire damage in your property. Call now!

Water Damage Repair is Fast and Efficient, with SERVPRO In-charge

One of the key aspects of water damage repair of your Wilmington home is creating conditions that accelerate the drying of the hidden moisture in wet surfaces. SERVPRO techs use their knowledge of drying science and psychrometry to manipulate the temperature and humidity conditions of the drying air that favor evaporation. 

SERVPRO techs use dehumidifiers and air-moving equipment during the water damage repair of your Wilmington home to create ideal drying conditions. The goal of the restorers is to maintain a set of conditions where the moisture will evaporate away from the wet surfaces at a steady rate. 

Role of Air Movers in Water Restoration 

Air-moving equipment plays a dual role in the water cleanup of your property. Firstly, the air movers ensure warm, dry, dehumidified air circulates throughout the structure. Secondly, they prevent the formation of the boundary layer over the drying surfaces. 

As evaporation cause cooling, the air close to the wet surface quickly becomes saturated with moisture forming a boundary layer. It reduces the evaporation rate and prevents the surface from drying properly. Air movers can remove this boundary layer, replace it with warm, dry air, and speed up the drying process. 

SERVPRO techs use two types of air movers during water damage remediation:

  • Centrifugal air movers
  • Axial air movers

While centrifugal air movers produce high static pressure and direct airflow to a specific wet area, axial air movers can generate high air volumes. 

Drying Structural Cavities 

Directing airflow into wall cavities can be challenging during water damage restoration. SERVPRO techs use drying systems consisting of vents attached to air movers to replace cool, moist air with warmer, dry air in structural cavities, accelerating the drying rate. 


Call SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080 for a fast and efficient service you can trust.

Reading Homeowners Need Results with Water Damage Repair

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Illustration Inside House SERVPRO gives you access to expertly trained water remediation specialists that put vast resources and years of experience to work for you.

SERVPRO Makes Reading Properties Like-New with Water Damage Repair Service

A tub overflowing, appliance malfunction, flooding, or hidden leaks, can severely deteriorate your building materials. Not only do you want to avoid costly damage, but you also have to be sure that black mold and musty odors do not develop. Knowing that you have a trained team to repair all the damage is a relief when you have water-related issues in Reading. Here at SERVPRO, we take pride in working with area residential and commercial customers to ensure they get the results they deserve. 

When it comes to water damage repair in Reading, SERVPRO always works to restore versus replace whenever possible. However, there are times when controlled demolition is a must to reach affected areas without adding unnecessary damage. Some of the ways that controlled demolition help with water damage repair include:

  • For soaked drywall, we may make flood cuts to remove saturated materials to replace and refinish to make it look new again.
  • When there are areas behind walls where water is found, we can use boreholes to release the water and then implement drying measures to ensure the cavity is thoroughly dried.
  • Scoping all areas with moisture meters allows us to find places where moisture must get addressed rather than having to pull out cabinets or rip up the flooring.  

Water damage comes in various forms, from saturated porous materials to water stains on walls and ceilings. With any injury, our team always addresses the cause to ensure no further destruction develops. Everything is then finished, repainted, and brought back to pre-water event condition. Our Odor Control Technicians (OCT) get to work ensuring that no foul, musty odors get left behind – making your home “Like it never even happened.”

Do you have questions about water damage repair and how the process works? Call us at SERVPRO of Reading at (610) 779-8189 and speak with a member of our team.

Contacting Our Experts Is Vital When Your Wilmington Home Experiences A Water Damage Issue

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

TV In Home Flood SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington can provide you with the 24/7 emergency cleanup and restoration services you need to regain control.

Having A Quality Restorer For Water Damage In Your Wilmington Area Home Is Crucial

Having water intrude on your Wilmington living environment can be an upsetting experience for any property owner. It disrupts your typical lifestyle, creates possible health risks, and wreaks havoc on building materials and contents. However, it does not have to be difficult to recover.

Gaining access to a company that supplies water damage restoration for your Wilmington home can be a valuable asset. A restoration company with the proper training, expertise and specialized equipment can help dry and restore water-damaged structural components and other household contents to a quality pre-damage condition.

In addition to applying the technical aspects of your water damage restoration, SERVPRO technicians maintain open communication. We satisfy the needs of every customer, finding a balance between cost reduction and loss. Helping you achieve the best results possible.

At SERVPRO, we use our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), an Employee Certification Training Program (ECTP), and continuing education to keep our technicians a head above the rest. The IICRCs Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (S500) governs the services we supply with five fundamental principles.

  • Provide for the safety and health of workers and occupants
  • Document conditions and work procedures
  • Mitigation
  • Drying
  • Cleaning and repair

SERVPRO technicians perform a safety evaluation on your property as a first step in every job. We address all possible concerns before beginning emergency services or restoration work. Our technicians maintain a safe working environment to help protect everyone involved.

The team that comes to your home has all of the equipment and resources necessary to get the job done right. Even in hard-to-reach areas that are hard to enter, lack ventilation, are hard to move around in, and would be hard to escape from in an emergency. Typically confined spaces, such as crawlspaces and your attic, may contain serious hazards many are not equipped to handle. These hazards include sewer gases, electrical shorts, and gas line breaks.

SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington can provide you with the 24/7 emergency cleanup and restoration services you need to regain control. We take pride in supplying quality to the Claymont, Talleyville, and Edgemoor communities. Call (302) 762-8080.

Drying Out Moisture in Structural Cavities of Claymont Homes

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

Equipment on Tile Floor All you need is SERVPRO for all your water damage needs. Call (302) 762-8080.

We Have Special Techniques for Promoting Faster Drying of Damaged Materials in Claymont Properties. 

From leaks that spread moisture and water throughout structural cavities to water damage events on the second floor that move through wall assemblies below, drying and managing moisture concerns is a top priority. We have less-invasive options for draining outstanding water and helping to promote a fast and thorough drying of the affected materials. This process begins with the identification of trapped moisture in wall assemblies. 

Tracking Moisture Damage in Claymont

The entire structural cavity might not be affected by migrating moisture and water damage. We use sophisticated tools and equipment to track the movement of water beyond surface materials and in the environment with:  

  • Thermal imagery
  • Surface moisture meters
  • Probing moisture detection
  • Hygrometers

Drilling Weep Holes Behind Baseboards

Baseboards will be removed and set aside if they can be reinstalled. To remove a small amount of standing water in the structural cavity, weep holes are drilled in the newly exposed areas of the surface material. These openings can also promote air circulation to this damp area of the property to help dry the building materials affected. 

Positive Pressure Systems

With weep holes drilled and some of the pooling in the structural cavities resolved, we can work on infusing this space with dry, warm air to promote the evaporation of the damp pockets. Positive pressure systems are stationary units moved into the workspace that has several outlet hoses placed into the drilled holes behind the removed baseboard. The machine pushes warm air into the wall assembly through these tubes when the device is running. 

The fast action of this type can often be enough to prevent the need for tear-out and reconstruction of the wall or ceiling systems. Our SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington team has experienced and continued training to provide the most efficient solutions to drying damaged structural elements after a disaster. Give us a call at (302) 762-8080.

How Can Water Get Removed From Old Carpets In Wilmington Homes?

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

Soiled Carpet Looking for a restoration company? Look no further, SERVPRO is just a call away at (302) 762-8080.

Aging Carpets Rarely Fare Well Against Water Damage in Wilmington Properties. 

Carpets are among the most common flooring in area homes, so they quickly become damaged after water emergencies. Rapidly spreading moisture and water damage effects can overwhelm carpets and padding, so our team works fast to preserve this flooring if possible.  

Evaluating The Damage

When carpets are part of water cleanup in Wilmington homes, a careful evaluation of the material must take place. We can inspect this flooring to determine its salvageability, including:

  • Condition of the carpet
  • Moisture detection for nearby surfaces
  • Pooling concerns
  • Degradation signs

Removing Surface Water

Before the carpet can be cleaned or the padding extracted, any standing surface water must first be addressed. Once water saturates the rug, it does not immediately penetrate semi-porous materials used in the subflooring like plywood and OSB board. Quickly addressing this surface water can prevent more significant harm. Wet vacuums and carpet wands can effectively pull out this moisture.  

Intricate Extraction Approaches

There are many times where surface material extraction is not enough. While carpet wands continue to be one of the standards in water removal from carpets and the padding underneath, weighted extractors can also be a powerful tool to help. 

Drying When Possible

While there are times when carpets, especially older ones, must be replaced after prolonged moisture exposure, drying can also be a feasible option in some scenarios. With successful extraction, floating the carpet can simultaneously dry the upper carpet layer and the padding with infused warm air from low-profile centrifugal air movers. 


Old construction materials and flooring options in area homes can be targets for water and flood damage. The longer these elements remain exposed to standing water and moisture, the greater the degradation and ruin. Aging carpet is one such material that could become quickly compromised by saturation. Our SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington team can help with effective drying and cleanup and even replacement when you call (302) 762-8080.

SERVPRO is the First Choice of Wilmington Property Owners to Deal with Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Ice dam Severe winter weather can lead to ice damming and many other catastrophes. You want help from the experts! Call SERVPRO for assistance.

SERVPRO Offers Restoration of Water Damage Due to Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming to Wilmington Homes 

As the temperatures plummet, the risk of frozen pipes and ice damming increases in Wilmington homes. If you experience water issues due to ice dams or burst pipes, SERVPRO is here to help. 

SERVPRO is one of the fastest to arrive for water damage restoration due to frozen pipes or ice damming in Wilmington. Our IICRC certified water restoration technicians have years of experience in dealing with such incidents in the harsh winters of Delaware. 

How Can You Prevent Ceiling Leaks From Ice dams in Your Wilmington Home?  

If you have ice dams formed on the roof of your Wilmington home, there is a high chance of ceiling leaks. While it is ideal for preventing the ice dams from forming in the first place, you can take steps to prevent leakage even if some degree of damming has already taken place. 

  • Blow cold air against the underside of the roof: Blowing cold air with the help of a box fan can refreeze the melted water preventing leaks.  
  • Rake the snow from your roof 
  • Use calcium chloride ice melter filled in a porous net-like material to melt the ice dams before they can cause any further damage. 

Hacking away at the ice dams can be tempting, but it is not a smart idea as it can damage your roof, increasing the chance of leaking. 

When to Seek SERVPRO’s Help? 

It is crucial to seek professional help before the situation becomes overwhelming. If you suspect that you have a frozen pipe about to burst or an ice dam on your roof, it's wise to get them looked at by professionals. 

Call SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080; we are here to help you round the clock.  

What Kind of Equipment is Necessary for Water Damage Repairs in Wilmington?

12/12/2021 (Permalink)

Here to Help Water damage restoration for an appliance situation. SERVPRO techs are ready at a moment's notice for the help you need.

Wilmington Residents with Water Damage Can Call SERVPRO for the Best Equipment for Water Damage Repairs

Wilmington property owners may find themselves needing water damage repairs after an appliance malfunction or a ceiling leak. Rather than piecing together how to address the ensuing damage on your own, calling a water restoration technician can reduce the time and disruption associated with leaks and flooding. With the right equipment, the right crew can make all the difference in returning your home to mint condition.

To help you with water damage repairs in Wilmington, our SERVPRO staff is ready to jump into action as soon as you call us. We are trained and certified by experts in the industry to apply the latest techniques, and our experience speaks for itself. Understanding that acting fast is essential, we bring into your home some of the following to make the process seamless and swift:

  • Water extractors include handheld, truck-mounted, and submersible. Depending on the volume of water we need to extract, we may use one or a combination of them to remove water from your home.
  • Drying equipment to encourage evaporation and restoration of normal humidity levels. We measure moisture with advanced devices and adjust our efforts as needed.
  • Anti-microbial and cleaning solutions deter mold growth, which is often a by-product of water damage.

When you call our offices at SERVPRO of Brandywine/Wilmington, you access a crew of experts used to tackling water restoration jobs of all sizes and severity. When you want to have your home back to its original condition with a minimum of disruption, call us at (302) 762-8080 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

What Can Claymont Homeowners Do About Kitchen Water Removal?

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

water covering the tile floor in a kitchen When your dishwasher leaks water onto your kitchen floor, you need SERVPRO. Contact our certified team right away for effective removal services.

SERVPRO Technicians Implement Emergency-Response Water Removal for Claymont Homes

Water damage incidents can potentially leave behind an overwhelming amount of moisture to clean up, whether the culprit is a damaged dishwasher gasket, a refrigerator supply line leak, or plumbing damage affecting a kitchen faucet. Worse still, this moisture penetrates surfaces, delaminates vinyl flooring, damages subfloors, and potentially harbors mold growth that can cause health effects.

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) accredited SERVPRO techs respond to Claymont water removal needs with 24/7 service, targeted restoration solutions, and cohesive restoration plans that can be enacted within hours of a homeowner’s initial call.

Kitchen Flooring and Cabinetry Restoration After Water Damage

SERVPRO teams tackle water damage in a Claymont kitchen with a variety of strategies:

  • Cabinets affected by water migration or under-sink leaks can often be repaired and restored after the water has been removed
  • SERVPRO’s penetrating and non-penetrating sensors and meters work in tandem with imaging tools to determine moisture content, establish drying goals, and monitor surfaces during mitigation and drying
  • Delaminated or damaged vinyl flooring is typically more cost-effective to replace than repair. Subfloors affected by water are frequently salvaged with careful extraction, sanitation with EPA-registered antimicrobials, and structural drying
  • Axial or centrifugal air movers coordinate with low-grain refrigerant (LGR) and desiccant dehumidifiers to pull moisture off surfaces and into the air. Dehumidifiers isolate this moisture for disposal in a treated sewer
  • After extracting water and drying surfaces, Odor Control Technicians can focus on using sanitation and odor control strategies, like fogging, to remove odors from a property

Homeowners who want their disasters to look “Like it never even happened” can call SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080.

Is It Easier to Use the Same Company for Cleanup and Water Damage Repair in Wilmington?

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

water damaged carpet being removed Water damage to your floors is a job for SERVPRO. Fast and immediate service for your home.

SERVPRO of Wilmington General Contractor License #1992104829 and Will Fully Restore Wilmington Properties Post-Water Damage Cleanup

Finding that your Wilmington home has water damage from a toilet backup, leaky pipe, or storm damage can be daunting enough for many homeowners. The backend of that situation is that after the cleanup, repairs need to get made, which means more sourcing and vetting. 

This SERVPRO location holds a general contractor license and can move seamlessly into the water damage repair for a Wilmington property. Frequently seen actions during water damage services include:

Once the water cleanup efforts are complete, SERVPRO technicians leave all the surfaces clean and sanitized. This preps the portion of the home with water damage for the needed repairs. The technicians can handle any level required. They have the training to install new carpet, cabinets, or rebuild walls or ceilings. If the homeowner wants to update the look of their home, they can choose an updated color palette for their room. SERVPRO techs are happy to assist the property owner in order to make sure not only are there no reminders of the previous water damage, but the updated look is something they are happy with. 

SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080 can handle the cleanup and water damage repair as needed in Wilmington properties and make the situation “Like it never even happened.”

What Safety Standards are Necessary for Water Removal in Wilmington?

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Equipment SERVPRO has the experienced technicians with the equipment and expertise your home needs after a water catastrophe. Give us a call right away.

SERVPRO Engages with Nationally Recognized Safety Standards when Performing Water Restoration in Your Wilmington Home. 

Water intrusion events present significant hazards to technicians and inhabitants of the property. Frequently water restoration projects require technicians to work in dark areas or restrictive spaces. It is essential to have comprehensive safety protocols for the type of work carried out by water restoration technicians (WRT.)

Safety protocols are necessary for:

  • Water clean up
  • Water removal services
  • Water damage repairs 

The process of water removal from your Wilmington home could present several hazards. Electrical safety, the structural integrity of walls, ceilings, and floors, and slip or trip hazards must be neutralized to ensure a safe working environment. Technicians can also advise the occupants of necessary safety measures during a water intrusion event. 

  • The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates safety procedures for licensed restoration technicians.
  • We abide by OSHA Standards for General Industry and OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry.
  • Safety equipment is provided on-site and adheres to the laws set out in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.

Avoid unnecessary hazards by using professional restoration services. Contact SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington for water removal at (302) 762-8080.

How do Professional Services Reduce Water Damages?

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Equipment We have the experience, specialized training, and state-of-the-art equipment to restore your home to pre-damage condition.

Establishing Engineering Controls Can Significantly Reduce the Impact of Water Damage. SERVPRO is a Wilmington Based Water Restoration Service.

Water intrusion can create chaos in a home environment. Traveling in and out of the affected area can spread the damages to unaffected areas of the home. This issue is especially prevalent when water intrusion contains biohazardous waste, and occupants risk spreading contaminants from one location to another. 

Correct water damage restoration in your Wilmington home involves meticulous attention to detail and organization. Engineering controls are one example of how organizations can improve the efficiency of repair. Creating containment can involve erecting tents and sealing off certain areas. In some situations, a decontamination chamber can be installed to prevent waste from being spread from one room to another. 

  • Solid wastes are double-sealed in thick polyethylene bags for transportation out of the property. 
  • Negative air pressure can prevent airborne contaminants like sewer gases from escaping the affected area. 
  • HVAC systems are typically switched off with both return and supply sides ducted over with a polyethylene sheet. 

We can mitigate potential losses in your home. Contact SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington for water damage restoration at (302) 762-8080.

Do You Need Help with Water Mitigation in Wilmington?

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment at work. Water damage to your property is no DIY project. Call the professionals at SERVPRO. Let their team of experts handle the job.

SERVPRO helps keep this vibrant city dry

Wilmington is a large, vibrant city. It is the largest city in Delaware, with a population of 70,166. Modern-day Wilmington is on a site named Fort Christina, which Swedish settlers built to be the first Swedish settlement in the United States. 

During the seventeenth century, governors ruled the colony under Swedish law, and today you can visit the Fort Christina National Historic Landmark. Delaware created the memorial in 1938 by making a beautiful park that incorporated stone from original historic earthworks. Sweden gifted Wilmington a monument bearing a replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, the ship which brought settlers from Sweden to America. The name is a combination of Kalmar, which is a Swedish city, and Nyckel, which is the Swedish word for "key."

Enjoy festival life in Wilmington.

With such an exciting past, it is no wonder Wilmington today is a multicultural city that honors the many kinds of people who helped build it into the thriving town it is today. If you happen to visit during a festival, be sure to check it out! Some of the most popular festivals include:

  • The Italian Festival takes place every June, and is so big that it closes six city blocks for a week! Visitors can enjoy Italian food and drinks, along with family activities and fairground rides.
  • The Greek Festival is not quite as big as the Italian Festival, but it is still worth a look. Besides traditional Greek food, drink, and music, you can try your hand at authentic Hellenic crafts.
  • Hispanic Week runs in October of every year and ends with a pageant, parade, and carnival along the riverfront.
  • Big August Quarterly is an African-American religious festival that celebrates freedom and challenges slavery everywhere. The Big August Quarterly has been part of Wilmington's life since 1814.

The fun does not stop with a wealth of cultural festivals! Wilmington is also home to several other arts and culture festivals. Each summer, Wilmington hosts The People's Festival, which is an annual riverfront tribute to Bob Marley. The city also holds a week-long jazz festival, known as the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival. If blues is more your scene, check out the three-day Riverfront Blues Festival, which showcases both internationally-acclaimed artists and local acts.

Wilmington is also home to the oldest memorial day parade in the country. If you are visiting in winter, be sure to check out the annual tree-lighting Festival and the yearly Nutcracker performance.

SERVPRO helps control microbial growth after water mitigation

When it comes to water mitigation, the first step is to remove as much water as possible before we tackle cleaning and drying your home and belongings. However, it is also essential to consider the risk of microbial growth and how to control it. Microbes can increase if they have enough time and the right conditions. That is why it is essential to take steps to prevent microbial growth:

  • Removing as much excess water as possible, so there are fewer places for microbes to grow.
  • Swiftly disposing of contaminated materials that are beyond saving.
  • Rapid drying to starve microbes of water.

Our teams use fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers to create an effective drying environment. We can also apply anti-microbial agents if needed.

If you need help with water mitigation, call SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080.

Is Turnaround of Wilmington Water Incursion a Realistic Goal?

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vehicle with equipment SERVPRO has the experienced technicians with the equipment and expertise your home needs after a water catastrophe. Give us a call right away.

SERVPRO offers resources needed for Wilmington water restoration 

A plumbing leak or an appliance malfunction presents an obvious water emergency. Then technicians discover hidden damage from long-standing water seepage. Although the fix for the immediate problem might be an easy mop up, professional water damage restorers show their true worth when tracing water migration, locating hidden structural and fixture damage.

What Steps Are Necessary for Comprehensive Water Damage Abatement?

SERVPRO integrates levels of intervention, making complete Wilmington water restoration possible. Our crews graduate from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), prepared to meet or exceed industry best practices. Maintaining a dedicated general contracting division completes the journey from water disaster to “Like it never even happened.”

  • Preliminary assessment
  • Water damage mitigation and remediation plan
    • Moisture detection and metering outline the work area and provide drying goal data
    • State-of-art equipment supports skilled interventions removing water and drying structures
    • Controlled demolition releases trapped water and open confined space for drying
  • Rebuilding experts repair, replace, and reconstruct

Water restoration takes many steps, and SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington handles them all. Call (302) 762-8080 to learn how.

Contractor Licenses:

General: 1992104829

Residential: 1992104829

Commercial: 1992104829

Water Leaks Can Lead to Mold Growth in your Wilmington Home

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO tech standing on SERVPRO restoration equipment We stand on our restoration services so you can enjoy all Wilmington has to offer.

SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington Can Help Recover Damaged Possessions and Fittings Following Water Intrusion.

Delaware's largest city is Wilmington. The 17 square mile space is filled with 719,887 residents and is part of the Delaware Valley metropolitan area. It also boasts one of the original Swedish settlements of America by Fort Christina. The influx of Swedish colonists is a part of the Wilmington flag, which flies over several rivers in the local area. The subtropical climate of this city provides humid summers with mild winters. Wilmington's early life began as a settlement of Swedish colonists, which was later challenged by Dutch and English Continental forces. However, many of the place names and rivers derive from the original Lenape people. Despite being a large city, relatively few battles were fought over Delaware during the revolutionary war, and, as a result, many historic sites and buildings remain to this day. Wilmington was incorporated into the United States in 1777, a year before the British vacated near Philadelphia.

The foundations for Wilmington's rapid expansion into a metropolitan city began during the American Civil War when a high demand for gunpowder and products from both confederate and union forces dramatically increased production. This increase in production brought populations from all over Delaware to Wilmington in search of jobs and allowed the city to enlarge its boundaries from the Chistina and Delaware River. Wilmington's industrial output was significant to the War effort in the twentieth century, while the town was at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Today, Wilmington has a thriving economy, with some of the largest banks and lenders setting up headquarters in the nineteen-eighties. There are also numerous Fortune 500 companies set up within this part of Delaware and prominent science and technology firms.

  • The Daniel S. Frawley is a lively venue for local sports, including women's soccer and baseball. The 6,000 seater arena offers affordable tickets to locals and a fantastic atmosphere despite its relatively small size. Professional teams to play at the ballpark include the Wilmington Sharks Blue rocks. While mainly reserved for baseball, soccer, college sports, and athletics also take place at the stadium on Shipyard Drive. Concessions are available for children and seniors while athletics take place during some seasons.
  • The Grand Opera House is one of the United States' oldest theatres and has been in continuous operation since its opening in 1871. The historic hall on Market Street boasts a 1,208 amphitheater and is a cultural center for performing arts in Delaware. The building itself is listed with the national register of historic places as a shining example of 19th century American Ironworks. Today's theatre hosts operas, ballets, and light shows throughout the year.
  • The PlayHouse on Rodney Square is Wilmington's premier music venue showcasing jazz and contemporary music. Event listings are typically eclectic, with the forum playing host to several festivals throughout the year. Notable festivals include the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Saint Patrick's Day Parade, and the First Night Wilmington.
  • The Hotel Du Pont of West 11th Street is the city's most famous hotel and has a prestigious guest list, including Presidents, World Leaders, Artists, Actors, and Olympic Athletes. The 1913 period building has 217 rooms, while the Green Room Restaurant has a AAA Diamond Award rating and the Four Star Award provided by Forbes.

Eating out in Wilmington

Wilmington's streets offer a diverse blend of cuisines that are readily enjoyed by residents and tourists. Delaware and Christina River's proximity plays an influential role in the style of local delicacies, with many restaurants serving up fresh fish and seafood. The diverse community ensures a healthy mix of Sushi, Traditional American, and Continental foods.

  • La Fia is a phenomenal small bistro in downtown Wilmington. The cozy dining room is owned by Bryan and Andrea Sikora, while Head Chef serves up a culinary feast of seasonal and sustainable foods. The in-house bar provides a distinguished menu of cocktails and craft beers inspired by the local area.
  • For a more casual dining experience, the recent acquisition of Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront is a superb taste of the fresh local seafood. Big fish began in Sussex County but has recently opened a waterfront eatery along the Christina River. The restaurant is ideally situated on Justison Street next to the Hyatt hotel.
  • On the same street as the Big Fish Grill is the Iron Hill Brewery. While serving up a surprising range of local craft and in-house brews, the restaurant area is an understated gem. Blue crab quesadillas and Salmon Spring Rolls provide an updated take on modern American Cuisine.

Water Intrusion Can Have an Expensive and Permanent Impact on your Wilmington Residence. SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington is Here to Help.

Water intrusion can cause lasting damage to property without immediate intervention. Moisture typically contains microbes, which can lead to unsanitary bacteria or viruses affecting the home. Over time, these damp spots can mold growth, while semi-porous materials like hardwoods can warp or buckle. SERVPRO is a leading provider of restoration for residents with water damage. Our technicians can establish the right atmospheric conditions for quick-drying your home. Using desiccant dehumidifiers, we can lower the relative humidity to below 60 grains per pound and return hardwood fittings to their equilibrium moisture levels.

  • SERVPRO has access to advanced drying equipment, including DX generators, portable furnaces, and water extraction tools.
  • We use drying science to ensure that your property's drying is complete and efficient, allowing you to get on with your everyday life.
  • Incomplete drying of a water issue can lead to expensive secondary damages that may not be included in your insurance.

When water enters a home environment, it begins causing damage that could become permanent. Contact SERVPRO of Brandywine / Delaware at (302) 762-8080.

How Soon Can SERVPRO Be Here for Water Mitigation?

9/12/2020 (Permalink)

trailer generator equipment SERVPRO Provides Our Customers in Wilmington with Heavy Duty and Advanced Equipment for Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration Services

SERVPRO Arrives at Your Wilmington Home in as Little as Four Hours of Your Call to Begin Water Mitigation Efforts

Saving money is wonderful, but it should never lead to excessive damage to your interior. While you may want to save money by trying your hand at water removal, it is best to contact skilled technicians to handle your water mitigation needs. SERVPRO mobilizes quickly so that we can be at your Wilmington home to begin the assessment, planning, mitigation, and restoration efforts.

With our detailed plan for water mitigation in Wilmington, we quickly get to the heart of the issue. This ensures your family is back to their routine quicker and that you save money on restoration overall. We have an IICRC-certified staff with access to a wide variety of extraction tools that help us bring your interior back to preloss condition faster than any DIY efforts could achieve. Once we arrive on the scene, we inspect the water damage to determine severity levels. From there, we plan out the best course of action and the right tools for the job to remove water and execute the drying phases of the project.

How is Standing Water Handled?

Excessive standing water in your home calls for prompt mitigation and extraction. Any water left festering within the loss zone for too long puts your structure, building materials, and contents at risk of breakdown. Once we formulate a mitigation plan, we start removing all surface water. In many instances, the next phases of our restoration planning cannot move forward until all of the standing water gets thoroughly removed.

The mitigation efforts that SERVPRO sets forth come with numerous benefits, such as:

  • Surface Water Extraction – Depending on the type of surface water present within your home, contamination brings the potential of harmful health effects to your family, pets, and our responding water restoration technicians (WRT). Before water extraction, we always consider any possible hazards and injury risks when standing water is present within your interior, such as slip or shock incidents.
  • Saturation Reduction – Water within the house is a threat to any exposed materials. Water often migrates to dry spaces, meaning that some flooring or wall systems might be more at risk of moisture saturation. We remove all unsalvageable and saturated porous materials, such as carpeting, carpet padding, and drywall.
  • Prevention of Water Migration – Reinforcing the importance of addressing water migration, our team knows how to proceed to stop water in its tracks. We understand that moisture left to fester after migrating can bring about immense secondary damage and mold growth potential.

What Extraction Tools Get Used?

When handling water mitigation, SERVPRO has a broad selection of tools at our disposal. These tools work well to help address pooled and standing water within your home's loss zone. To decide which tools are best, we look at factors such as:

  • The depth of standing water in the incident zone
  • The severity of the water damage
  • Areas to where the water may have traveled
  • The kinds of materials affected by water and moisture

Many of these elements get considered with the initial phase of assessing your interior before the start of mitigation. Our crew chief helps determine the best extraction tools for the job, and we always adjust as we go to cut back on the cost and time for your restoration project. Some of the most common tools that we use when there is pooling water calling for removal include:

  • Mops
  • Wet vacuums
  • Truck-mounted extractors
  • Submersible pumps, and more

Will My Carpeting be a Total Loss?

We carefully address wet carpeting in your home to determine the best way to proceed. We must test the sensitivity of fibers as well as color-fastness so that we get the best results. We also look at the carpet padding under the carpets to determine if the subfloor needs attention. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster, which helps us to salvage carpeting in many situations. Some tools and methods that we use may include:

  • Weighted Extractors: Also known as rovers, the technician's weight helps to force moisture out of the carpets so that the on-board vacuum can pull it up.
  • Carpet Wands: Wet vacuums and mobile extractor tools are excellent for interior water damage restoration. Our crew selects the best attachments to help us pull up moisture from the carpeting and the padding below.
  • Controlled Demolition: If it is impossible for us to salvage your carpeting or carpet padding, we will use controlled demolition to remove and replace materials so that everything gets left in like-new, preloss condition. Residential Contractor License #: 1992104829

When you need water mitigation, give SERVPRO of Brandywine/Wilmington a call at (302) 762-8080. Our crews are available for emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Is Carpeting Easy to Repair After Water Losses in My Wilmington Home?

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Carpeting pulled back Flooding can quickly damage the flooring in your home. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation efforts.

Flooring is always susceptible to water absorption and damage, so our SERVPRO team works quickly to restore these materials. 

Water loss incidents are particularly problematic for flooring in your Wilmington home. Despite the type of material you have installed for flooring throughout the house, pooling water after a disaster can threaten these elements' structural integrity and become a challenging area of the house to dry and restore. Our SERVPRO professionals have multiple tools and technologies specifically for addressing trapped water in flooring materials such as carpeting. 

After compromising emergencies, you might have several pressing needs for water damage repair in your Wilmington residence. With the team of licensed in-house contractors that can help oversee both controlled demolitions and varying degrees of build back that your property might require, we are prepared to address the needs of your home after a substantial water loss. From extraction and cleaning through carpeting removal and replacement, we have professionals that can help.

Does the Subflooring Need Repair? 

Carpeting is often one of the most readily damaged flooring materials in a house. The top layer consists primarily of fibers that are highly absorbent to standing water, making it challenging to prevent the migration of this water to areas like the subflooring. Our responding technicians' objective is to avoid irreparable water damage to this underlayment so that reinstallation and replacement of the carpet and padding are more cost-effective and efficient. Inspecting the exposed subflooring can detail potential concerns with warning signs like:

Removing and replacing the carpet is often a need after a water loss incident, and this problem could extend to supports, joists, and subflooring materials as well. We can offer full-service recovery for your property with in-house contractors available along with our fast-responding restoration technicians. Give our SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington team a call 24/7 at (302) 762-8080.

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How Do I Restore Different Flooring Materials After a Water Loss in Wilmington?

5/23/2020 (Permalink)

water damaged home We have the tools to make losses “Like it never even happened.”

Your Wilmington Home Has Multiple Flooring Types, and Our SERVPRO Team Can Help You Clean Them After Water Loss Disasters

Most Wilmington homes do not have the same flooring throughout the entire structure, meaning that situations like water losses can impact all of these materials differently. The more than you know about how your home was constructed and what materials were used, the better you can appreciate the different tools, equipment, and techniques required to restore them after a loss.

From carpets to wood flooring, water cleanup in Wilmington homes is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Careful consideration must occur to ensure that the most efficient and effective practices are being utilized to save a customer time and money on the restoration work. Before any restoration work can officially begin on the individual materials affected by a water damage scenario, it can be beneficial to understand the process before our SERVPRO team arrives.

What Must Happen to Remove Water Damage from My Home?

While there are multiple phases and techniques that can be instrumental in both extraction and drying your home after a loss incident, each situation is different. In some situations, extraction is a wasted effort to the appropriately placed air movers and dehumidifiers throughout the house. Knowing what the house needs falls to the competent job scoping by our project manager and the information updated regularly in the DryBook software exclusive to our restoration brand. The steps of water restoration often involve these tasks:

    •    Extraction – This step involves removing surface water from flooring using submersible pumps and wet vacuums typically.
    •    Drying – This phase involves the broadest array of equipment, from air movers and dehumidifiers to drying mats and positive pressure systems.
    •    Controlled Demolition – Not every job requires controlled demolition, but it can provide access to damaged plumbing or help prevent further wicking of moisture into other drywall panels.
    •    Content Management – Protecting what matters most in your house involves relocating your belongings or cleaning them on-site. Ensuring your possessions’ safety and restoration can often be more valuable to homeowners than protecting their structure.

Can Wood Flooring Get Protected?

Wood flooring is a standard implement and material throughout area homes and businesses. It is not impossible to reduce the threat to this flooring with concentrated efforts beginning with extraction and drawing out moisture from the planks. To accomplish this, several advanced tools can help. Here are some areas of focus for our technicians working to reduce the loss of building materials:

    •    Surface Moisture – Standing water is one of the greatest threats to wood plank flooring because the cellulose in the planks continue to pull moisture from the surface into the material until they become oversaturated. Removing surface water with a combination of submersible pumps and wet vacuums can help to move to the drying stage promptly.
    •    Floor Mat Drying – While there are several drying tools like air movers and dehumidifiers that can help remove moisture and evaporate water damage, wood plank floors often respond best to direct evaporation strategies like floor mat drying systems.
    •    Cleaning the Surface – Once the water has gotten removed from the plank flooring and the flooring seems stable, it is crucial to take the time to clean and even resurface the material when necessary. Citrus and thymol oils are both excellent cleaning products to renew the shine to the floors.

Do Wet Carpets Require Removal?

Numerous factors play into whether wet carpets require removal, and often this involves the amount of time that these materials remain exposed and saturated by the water loss effects. Migrating beyond the fibers of the upper layer is common, so several tools and devices are necessary to remove trapped water and get the area dry enough to save the carpeting. These include:

    •    Carpet Wands – These attachments get used with powerful extractors and can focus suction on carpeted floors using similar implements to hot water extraction cleaning.
    •    Weighted Extractors – Using the weight of the technician involved through stationery and ride on tools, weighted extractors force the fibers, padding, and subflooring together to bring water to the surface for collection and disposal.
    •    Air Movers – Centrifugal air movers, especially low-profile units, are instrumental in floating carpets to dry the upper layer and the padding simultaneously.

Who Cleans Carpets After a Water Loss?

With a team of qualified cleaning technicians, we can restore the look and vibrancy of tired carpets after a loss. Not only can this remove set-in sediment and soiling, but it also can eliminate residual soiling from trapped water.

Restoring flooring after water losses can feel overwhelming, but our SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington team can help. We have the tools to make losses “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (302) 762-8080.

What is the Best Way to Dry Wilmington Hardwood Floors?

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

water damaged hardwood floors Do you know how to dry hardwood floors SERVPRO does! Call us today!

Water Removal Wilmington – Drying Hardwood Floors

Placing hardwood floors throughout the home has become very popular in recent times. So much so that you find hardwood in the kitchen and occasionally in bathrooms as well. This flooring material type looks excellent; however, this flooring type presents unique challenges, especially when exposed to water spills or leaks from dishwashers, sinks, or plumbing leaks. Hardwood floors can swell and crack if we do not remove it quickly.

SERVPRO provides water removal services in Wilmington and surrounding areas. Our franchise is a family business serving the community for the past 30 years. We have expanded, adding employees, taking IICRC certified training in all aspects of restoration for residential and commercial properties. We respond within 4 hours and are available on a 24 / 7 basis with fully equipped trucks to meet every emergency.

Managing Wet Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring can be saved and dried, providing we can remove the water quickly before it has a chance to be absorbed by either the subfloor or the hardwood. We urge clients to stop the water leak by turning off the water faucet or the main water valve to the home. We also urge clients to mop up as much of the water as possible to reduce the impact. There are spaces between the boards, and this is where the potential problem is.

The subfloor and hardwood planks absorb any remaining water on the floor and between the boards. Absorption of the water causes swelling of the wood, which can disfigure the floor and potentially cause cracks, cupping, and crowning of the boards affected. We avoid these issues by removing moisture quickly before it has a chance to be absorbed.

SERVPRO uses drying mats that are placed on the floor and attached to high powered suction hoses. We pull the water from the floor before it has a chance to be absorbed by the wood. Air movers and dehumidifiers can reduce humidity levels further to avoid damage to the floor.

We also have contractor licenses: General: 1992104829, Residential: 1992104829, Commercial: 1992104829. SERVPRO can provide water mitigation, restoration, repair, and reconstruction services as needed.

Call SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Talleyville, Greenville, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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What Is the Best Way to Prevent Damage in My Home after a Leak from My Dishwasher?

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Night time fire blaze at commercial buildings, firetrucks there SERVPRO Has Advanced Equipment for Water Clean Up and Drying in All of Wilimington

Call SERVPRO For All of Your Water Removal Needs!

Many situations could leave you with a puddle of water in your home. A leaky dishwasher could soak your kitchen floor, and an overflowing bathtub could have water leaking out from your bathroom. You may think, "What's the big deal? I can clean up some water by myself." However, what many people don't consider is the growth of what they cannot see: mold spores.

Why Not Remove the Water Yourself? Read Below!

If your home in Wilmington ever found itself in urgent need of water removal services, it can be comforting to trust experts with the situation. Here at SERVPRO, our technicians are expertly trained and have access to advanced equipment that allows them to do the job as quickly as possible. The problem with stagnant water is that it takes less than 72 hours for mold spores to activate and begin to grow into a colony. Using some towels and a mop to clean up the water that you can see may seem like a decent solution to the problem. However, it's the water that you cannot see that could cause an issue.

Water seeks the path of least resistance. For example, if the bathtub on the uppermost floor of your home overfills and spills out onto the floor, the water can spread out. Once it hits the walls, it can follow the framing of your home to other floors and spread the moisture throughout your home. Hiring professional help can help negate these issues.

Here at SERVPRO, our water damage restoration technicians (WRT) use advanced equipment to handle every job we take.

    •    Our techs can use wet/dry vacuums and extractors to pick up the stagnant water.
    •    Other devices such as moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras locate hidden pockets of water
    •    Drying devices like air movers and dehumidifiers follow

With the help of our advanced technological equipment, our SERVPRO techs can locate the excess moisture in your home and quickly remediate it. Doing so allows you to return to your everyday life.

If you find yourself in need of water removal services, never hesitate to get help. Contact SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington by calling (302) 762-8080. Our technicians are always ready to help you.

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Why the Equipment Used to Fix Water Damage in Your Wilmington Home Matters

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Water Leave water damage to the experts. Call us any time at (302) 762-8080.

Our SERVPRO Teams are Equipped with the Proper Training and Equipment Needed to Successfully Restore Your Home After Water Damage Takes Place

Responding to water spill incidents in Wilmington is not as straight forward as it seems. There are several, often conflicting goals, to be achieved to restore the property to its preloss state. For example, there is a need to work fast to reduce any secondary deterioration and to allow quicker reoccupation of the affected areas. At the same time, avoiding further damages is essential.

The equipment used to fix water damage loss in Wilmington affects many aspects of the restoration, including the completion speed and any additional damages that occur. The correct choice of equipment can lead to better results. Our SERVPRO technicians have access to a wide variety of equipment and sufficient training to tackle any restoration task effectively. 

The workhorse in most water spills is a water extractor, which helps remove any surface water left in the affected areas. There is a considerable variety of extractors and pumps, including submersible ones, high-speed pumps, and specialized extractors such as trash pumps. The perfect extractor should have the right lift and volume capacity. Our SERVPRO technicians also consider the accessories to use with the equipment, including the type of wand to attach or the length of the hose. A very long hose can affect efficiency while surfaces such as carpets require different wands compared to hard surfaces such as tiles.

Drying all excess moisture from a loss site is an essential part of the restoration process because secondary problems such as mold can develop due to residue moisture. Dehumidifiers play a crucial role in drying wet materials. They also help maintain moisture within optimal levels during the restoration process preventing issues such as condensation. Dehumidifiers vary in many ways, not just their sizes, so the choice made can affect the outcome of the restoration. For example, desiccant dehumidifiers can lower humidity levels to the extreme, drying materials beyond normal levels, which can lead to cracking of wood or other damages. Our SERVPRO technicians constantly monitor the moisture levels of different materials and adjust drying equipment to ensure balanced drying.

Using the right equipment can improve the outcome of water damage incidents. Call SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080 to help. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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How Drying Zones Are Use With Water Restoration in Wilmington

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO drying equipment in warehouse This is just some of our equipment that we have at our disposal to restore your home. Call us today!

How Drying Zones Help Water Restoration in Wilmington Homes 

In most water damage scenarios, only a portion of a Wilmington home suffers the loss effects. While you want to maintain areas where no water loss has occurred, the establishment of drying zones can help streamline the recovery process as much as possible. Our SERVPRO professionals can quickly construct these containment elements to get mitigation and restoration efforts started in your home as soon as possible. 

Containment practices have been a practical approach for both drying and water removal in Wilmington homes. We always work to produce the most effective solution for a property experiencing any loss situation. This process comes with the use of cutting-edge equipment and the employment of the latest practices that ensure the efficiency of the work getting completed. Drying zones are a way that we can better control the affected regions of the property to prevent additional damages and costlier repairs or restorations. 

Drying zones are areas where our SERVPRO team can control the flow of air, the relative humidity (RH), and even regulate the speed where affected materials get dried. We establish this segregation with thick 6-mil plastic sheeting installed between the damaged and undamaged areas of the household — the smaller that we can make this zone, the faster that extractions and drying work. Because of how rapidly moisture and water damage can spread to neighboring areas of your house, this drying zone becomes a way to prevent water damage from spreading beyond these established parameters. 

Within a drying zone, we can deploy our capable water removal equipment. Depending on the size of the damaged region, several tools could be beneficial, including our portable sump pumps, light wands, wet-vacs, and even stationary trash pumps for more significant loss scenarios. Once the area gets dried sufficiently and returned to a safe place for homeowners to be, we can deconstruct the containment to reintegrate all areas of the property. 

Our containment practices establish set borders in affected areas of your home so that our drying and extraction tools have an even more significant and productive impact. However water loss affects your home, you can count on our SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington team to help you make it right again by calling (302) 762-8080. 

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Tips to Clean up Water Damage

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

Boring Holes for Air Flow

Shut off the main water valve. Contact a plumber to fix the leak

Call an IICRC certified professional water restoration firm like SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington immediately for mitigation services. IICRC Certified Firms have the knowledge, experience and specialized equipment to locate water wherever it goes, remove the excess and dry your structure to industry standards.

Mop up standing water on flooring surfaces to prevent slip and fall hazards.

If the burst pipe is overhead, drain ceiling cavities by punching “weep” holes.

Dry out thoroughly before you rebuild. Professional water restorers, like SERVPRO, have a variety of instruments to determine when a building is dry and to prevent microbial growth. Drying should not stop until wood or drywall moisture content falls below 16 percent.

Water damage incidents may be covered under your insurance and you may choose to contact them.

SERVPRO is dedicated to providing proper and safe clean-up in water damage restoration and mold remediation.

Rapid Cleaning of Damaged Wilmington Homes Prevents Demolition

8/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the top - tier equipment for rapid cleaning in your Wilmington home after water damage.

We know how vital it is to get back to normal after a water damage in Wilmington.

Cleaning is a vital component to the recovery of every Wilmington home after disasters or smaller mishaps, and we have a growing roster of competent and continually trained professionals capable of providing that premier cleaning service after water loss incidents. While water cleanup can often get attributed to extraction and drying, there are often added steps that the DIY enthusiast might not recognize or consider. While not everyone can see the merits in seeking professional restoration after a water loss incident, rapid cleaning of your damaged property can prevent costlier and more alarming recovery requirements. 

To successfully implement water cleanup in Wilmington homes, you need top-tier equipment, cleaning products, and practices. Our SERVPRO professionals have the training and continued education from the standard-setting Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.) We have technicians trained both in water restoration and also in structural drying solutions in both residential and commercial applications. We can make these effects “Like it never even happened.” 

Trained technicians are crucial for water loss recovery

Even more than the roster of water restoration technicians we have available to help, we also have a full array of cleaning technicians qualified in multiple areas and niches of the industry, including: 

-    CCT – Carpet Cleaning Technician

-    UFT – Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

-    RCT – Rug Cleaning Technician

-    OCT – Odor Control Technician 

-    Content Management – including Pack-Outs and Storage

-    Biohazard Recovery

Following Best Practices Produce Restored Properties

With a full assortment of certified technicians at your disposal, we can help to quickly manage the mitigation of your property with real-time solutions that protect your construction materials, installed fixtures, and other affected areas of your property. Our SERVPRO professionals continually train and pursue in-house and online educational opportunities to be among the most experienced and knowledgeable in the trade. 

We strive to provide every customer with money-saving and time-effective solutions for whatever disaster might impact their home. You can count on our SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington team to showcase our years of experience in water loss recovery to get your property back to preloss condition as promptly as possible. You can give us a call anytime you need us at (302) 762-8080.

To learn more about Wilmington, click here.

We Are Available 24/7 to Restore Your Wilmington Home

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

We have the proper equipment and expertise to mitigate your home as soon as you call.

Reasons DIY Water Cleanup in a Wilmington Home Can Cause More Damage

When water damage happens in your home, DIY cleanup with towels and mops or using a consumer-grade wet/dry vac if you own one, is sometimes enough to clean up the spill adequately. However, there are times that homeowners need to outsource the task to a professional restoration service.

Problems that have the potential to occur from improper water cleanup in a Wilmington home are many. When water loss incidents result from situations ranging from a broken supply line under a kitchen sink to a teenager daughter forgot the bathtub faucet was on and water drenched the upstairs bathroom leaking into the ceiling below before the water was turned off. If excessive moisture is overlooked or left behind, it can quickly turn into foul odors, ruined or weakened building materials or even create a perfect environment for mold growth.

Since water migrates and follows the path of least resistance, there are places in a home excessive moisture winds up that require specialized equipment such as used for moisture detection. In some cases, our technicians use controlled demolition techniques to remove damaged building materials or improve airflow for thorough drying.
The restorability potential of saturated carpet improves with the use of weighted extractors and specialized drying configurations
Weep holes assist with both drainage and drying in walls and ceilings; this is particularly useful for drying floor joists
Baseboards require careful removal for water extraction behind for efficient drying
Removal of warped or buckled sheetrock and the wall cavity improves airflow for better drying results

Once our technicians finish the cleanup and drying of the water-damaged areas because we are also general contractors, Delaware license #1992104829, our technicians have the knowledge and skill to repair or rebuild any remaining issues in your home from a broken pipe or reconstruction of a wall to replace damaged sheetrock including repainting in your choice of color to return your home to its preloss condition.

When your home needs water cleanup pronto, call SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington at (302) 762-8080. Our technicians arrive on-site quickly and make any size water loss in your property "Like it never even happened."

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How Fast Water Damage Mitigation Reduces Costs for Wilmington Homeowners

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

Do you know how to repair water damage? SERVPRO does! Call us today!

Advantage to Quick Mitigation for Water Damaged Wilmington Homes 

Water loss incidents can quickly spread throughout your Wilmington home and threaten areas even far removed from the source of the emergency. As much as many homeowners might strive to handle many of these disasters on their own, water losses can affect areas beyond what can get easily seen, requiring sophisticated equipment and mitigation tools to overcome. Without a fast turnaround on the effects to your house, construction materials risk deterioration and the property also becomes susceptible to hazardous conditions like mold growth. 

Professional restoration technicians like our SERVPRO team can offer real-time solutions for water damage to Wilmington homes. We have a broad inventory of equipment, and with the connection to a larger parental brand, we can continually upgrade and improve our equipment and tools to be the most competitive in the restoration industry. We know how quickly water loss incidents can get out of control, so we have a 24/7 response to these emergencies to begin mitigation work as soon as our professionals first arrive. 

Mitigation serves to reduce your overall loss when disasters strike your residence. While this ultimately involves multiple tasks happening simultaneously, it involves working to extract standing water, dry saturated elements, and protect the contents of your house that are at risk for damages. Our SERVPRO team has extensive training the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in both Water Restoration (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) to offer our customers fast and confident solutions when every minute counts. 

Our fast response in a water loss crisis can get vital drying efforts started immediately to prevent unnecessary tear out and replacement of materials like carpeting and drywall. We have a restore before replacing mentality, and that begins with a quick mobilization whenever emergencies occur. 

While many homeowners might strive to provide their house with the restoration and cleaning it needs when damaging situations occur, water loss incidents can spread much farther than you might realize. Trust in our SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington team to work quickly to make these situations “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (302) 762-8080. 

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Detecting Water Leaks

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

Dripping Spigot

Sometimes detecting hidden water leaks can be difficult to do without tearing into the walls.   If you suspect you have a water leak and do not see any evidence of water damage you can easily check your water meter. If all your appliances that use water (washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker etc.), and spigots are off inspect your water meter. If the water meter is still metering, there is a good chance water is still coming in. Monitoring your water bill is another easy way to detect surges in your water usage. According to the U.S. Department of Interior (Geological Survey) the average person uses 80 -100 gallons per day. That is approximately 3,000 gallons of water per month. Checking outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems are important too. Did you know a pin hole leak can account for 6,300 gallons of wasted water a month? Did you know taking a bath averages 36 gallons of water? Click here SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington is here to help if you do get water damage in your home or business.

SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington is Here to Help

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

Desiccant Drying

Having a restoration company like SERVPRO Brandywine / Wilmington’s phone number, (302) 992 – 0104, handy can be helpful if a disaster were to strike. When a water damage happens, you may find yourself grappling with what to do. If you contact us, we can asses the damages and work directly with you and your insurance company. We provide top notch customer service with state-of-the-art equipment. Once we are contacted, we will respond by sending a team of professional, friendly, knowledgeable water technicians to your home. We will help you resolve the matter quickly as possible. We will make sure to test and document all the readings throughout the duration of the job process. SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Acting Quickly on a Water Damage

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

Secondary Damages from a Water

Did you know SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington can work with your insurance company to restore your property from water damage? Having a water damage to your home can be both stressful and expensive. Waiting to have the water damage remediated can cause secondary losses including, but not limited to mold growth. When you have a water damage you should have the water removed as soon as possible. Water damages can occur from broken pipes, frozen pipes, faucets, leaking toilets, sinks, bathtubs, washing machines, dishwasher’s, pools, sprinkler systems… the list goes on. SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington understands the water damage process and can be very helpful in case you do experience a problem. Waiting to have the water cleaned up or waiting to hear if your loss is a covered claim is not a good idea. Acting quickly can reduce the costs and possible secondary issues.

Monitoring & Documentation

10/4/2018 (Permalink)

Psychometric Readings Live Example

When SERVPRO of Brandywine / Wilmington performs water damage restoration we monitor and document atmospheric conditions and moisture content.  We do this electronically via ipads and desktop. The ipads & desktop applications communicate with one another live time.  We evaluate and understand if evaporation and the dehumidification process is accelerating the atmospheric drying process.  We, at a minimum, for readings include:

1. Outside

a. Temperature

b. Relative Humidity (RH)

c. Humidity Ratio (gpp)

2. Inside (affected area)

a. Temperature

b. Relative Humidity (RH)

c. Humidity Ratio (gpp)

d. Dew Point

3. Unaffected Area in Home

a. Temperature

b. Relative Humidity

c. Humidity Ratio

4. Dehumidifier Output

a. Temperature

b. Relative Humidity

c. Humidity Ratio

5. HVAC Output (if on)

a. Temperature

b. Relative Humidity

c. Humidity Ratio

Water Damage Preparation

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is here.  A little bit of planning is always good. You should plan for three days to be without being part of the daily accessibility to water, food and perhaps shelter.  Especially if you are in a historically hurricane susceptible area planning is important.  Planning is always good because you may be affected even though you may not be in the direct path of the eye of a storm.  One would be better safe than sorry.  Some ideas and thoughts would be to have some candles, batteries, flashlight, bottled water, some canned good, and staples that you could live on. Make sure you have a manual can opener for those canned goods. Perhaps a radio or a two way radio communication system. It is also important to have an exit plan which would include having your family and friends know where you are.  Perhaps even a time and place to meet.  Do not forget your individual needs like if you have small children, diapers.  Your pets are important too. Medicines could be put in a place so in a moments notice you do not have to go scrambling looking for certain things. At least make up a list of the things you will need when you are calm and not under stress or duress. Common sense and a cool head should always prevail and that is why it is called preparedness.  I am sure you can think of things your family would need and you should share with your other family members and friends so they can do the same.  Being prepared is always a good thing.

Category's of Water

8/14/2018 (Permalink)

Uniform ready for Water Damages!

IICRC S500 Standard Guide for Professional Water Damage defines 3 categories of water. Category refers to the type of water affecting the structure.

Category III water is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents and can cause significant adverse reactions to humans if contacted or consumed. Examples of Category III Water are: Sewage, Flood water, hurricanes etc.

A Category II loss is when water contains a significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed/ingested by humans. Category II water can contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms. Some examples of a Category II Water are: Discharge from dishwashers, overflow from washing machines, overflow from toilet bowls.

A Category I loss is where water originates from a sanitary water source and does not pose substantial risk from dermal, ingestion or inhalation exposure. An example would be a water cooler.

Have water damage?

SERVPRO Brandywine/Wilmington has the training and equipment to help make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at (302) 762-8080.

Flood/Emergency Plan

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

Household Flooding

It is important to know what you and your family's plan will be in the case of a flood or any other emergency. Familiarizing yourself with your local emergency contacts and community emergency plans may not feel like a pressing matter, but in the case of a flood/emergency it is valuable knowledge. It is important that all family members are aware of their address, family phone numbers, important medical information, and even email addresses. Other important information to remind family members of includes:

  • Emergency hotlines
  • School/work phone numbers & addresses
  • Childcare phone numbers & addresses
  • Personal emergency contacts & addresses
  • Indoor meeting places
  • Neighborhood meeting places
  • Out-of-Neighborhood meeting places

It is also important to have easy access to contact information of:

  • Police
  • Fire
  • Poison Control
  • Doctor
  • Pediatrician
  • Medical Insurance
  • Policy #
  • Hospital

Water in the Crawl Space

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

Fans in the Crawl Space

There are plenty of places in a home or building that are hard to maintain. One of the most common places that homeowners struggle managing is their crawl space. 

Crawl Spaces are dark, damp, hard to move around in, and often dirty. Unfortunately, these conditions can make it hard to detect water damage or mold growth. A common call we get, here at SERVPRO of Brandywine/Wilmington, is that there is a funky odor in the house and the source is unidentifiable. Our technicians can often find the source of the odor in the crawl space due to the wet conditions that have lasted over time. Once the crawl space is identified as the source of the odor or water damage, we bring our big fans down into the close quarters to dry it out.

Conference Room Flood

11/28/2017 (Permalink)

Conference Room

This photo shows a large conference room located in a high rise building that has been flooded due to a large pipe line that burst. Unfortunately there were many rooms that looked like this one. This large building was affected on multiple floors and there were many offices that were scared their businesses would be greatly affected by the water damage. Luckily, our technicians were on the scene early that morning, once the call came in. They met with all the office managers and all those who had important belongings in the office building to assure them they would be taken care of. Once all those in the building were put at ease, SERVPRO started the restoration and cleanup process. We were proud to have helped so many different businesses get through such a stressful time.

Precautions With Water Damage

10/25/2017 (Permalink)

Extra precaution should be taken when walking into a flooded area. Everyone on the flood scene should dress protectively when entering an area to lower the risk of injuring yourself on something that is not visible in the water.  Any food that has come in contact with flood waters or areas that may have been contaminated must be thrown out. Even if the food items are properly sealed or canned, it is still a possibility that they could be contaminated or contaminating other items if kept. If furniture is lightly damaged and can be restored, prop cushions and any other items that can me dried up for air circulation and keep drapes above water level to hang dry. Wipe dirt from surfaces before doing your primary cleaning unless SERVPRO has arrived on the scene. 

Hurricane Irma Rescues

10/25/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO green bandanna on our hurricane Irma rescues

Hurricane Irma hit Florida hard and many communities were impacted in the area. Not only are hundreds of families suffering from the harsh effects of Hurricane Irma, but so are many of the animals and pets of those families in Florida. Recently, SERVPRO of Brandywine/Wilmington went to the local SPCA and volunteered in the best way we could. Many dogs and cats were rescued from Hurricane Irma and flown from Florida to Delaware and brought to various SPCA locations. We helped bathe many of the dogs rescued from Hurricane Irma and got them ready for adoption. Being in the Cleanup industry, we did what we do best and cleaned up plenty of our furry friends as a way of giving back and contributing to the restoration of Florida. 

Tips for Preventing Water Damage

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

Whether battling the cold and wet weather, or you are making sure your plumbing is secure, preventative actions should be taken against water damages to your home. 

To protect your home from the outside elements you can:

  • Make sure your home does not have peeling paint around windows or doors, in which water can easily damage the homes structure.
  • Look for leaks around chimneys and plumbing and attic vents
  • Make sure your air conditioner drains correctly, at a slope, away from outlets.

To prevent water damage that would originate from your plumbing and pipes:

  • Wrap outside faucets
  • Caulk pipes where they meet your home
  • Disconnect garden hoses
  • Drain in-ground sprinkler systems
  • If your leaving your home for an extended period of time, turn off and drain your water system

What to do With Water Damage

10/13/2017 (Permalink)

Flooded Office

  • Shut off the source of water, or call those who have the authority to stop the water source

  • Make sure you are safe from electrical shock before turning off circuit breakers for the parts of the building that have been affected by the water damage

  • Hang drapes with coat hangers to keep them from in contact with wet floors and carpets
  • Remove wet furniture to prevent further damage and uneven drying as long as the furniture has not been contaminated
  • If sewage is involved in your water damage, the water is contaminated and you must avoid contact with the water as well as items contaminated by the water

  • Wash your hands after handling any water damage or items that have been in contact with the water damage 

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