
Restoring your Charleston Home after Water Damage
The Charleston Connection
Life in Charleston is full of historic charm and beauty. Many residents enjoy warm summer beach days followed by a delicious evening meal on King Street. An abundance of nature, dolphins splashing through Shrem Creek, living in the low country has its many perks, but locals also understand the complications that can arise living in a coastal city. Hurricanes, King Tides, and older homes with outdated plumbing can quickly turn your oasis into a nightmare.
R&E Home Solutions understands the hazards lingering moisture and burst pipes can cause, so we aim to provide prompt and thorough solutions. We are educated in the unique nature of our coastal city and have spent many years helping families and businesses restore their home to its original historic glory.
How Water Damage Can Impact Your Home
When water damage happens, the countdown begins. After just twenty-four hours of moisture being introduced, mold spores can begin to grow. While not all mold is harmful, the kind that grows from water damage can be. Charleston’s naturally humid environment creates the perfect conditions for mold growth after water damage occurs. During the summer months, humidity levels can fluctuate in the 70-80 percent range – mold’s favorite ingredient.
If you have a clogged pipe that bursts, your home could be subject to structural damage. As the water seeps into floorboards, joists, and beams, the wood will warp and lose its structural integrity. If exposed or introduced through water damage, the salty air can corrode and rust vital metal parts of your home.
Providing Solutions
R&E Home Solutions promises fast action when your home or business gets water damage. We utilize modern technology such as moisture detectors and air sampling to understand the extent of the damage. Our certified and highly experienced technicians will work with you from the beginning to ensure that you have a safe and dry environment to live in. Once we identify and stop further water damage, we will extract lingering water utilizing dehumidifiers. We want you to come back home and never know we were there! We also specialize in toxic mold remediation, so you can rest assured that we cover all of our bases while treating your home. While we aim to be prompt with our service, our main goal is to restore the safety of your home, so that it can feel like your home again.
Can I Prevent Water Damage?
Given Charleston’s coastal location and frequent storms, water damage isn’t just a seasonal concern- it’s an ongoing challenge for homeowners. Understanding these risks is key to knowing when something goes wrong and how to fix it. While natural disasters can wreak havoc in a short amount of time, the most common cause of water damage can be found in the pipes in your home. We’ve prepared a short list of our top tips, so that your Charleston home can remain safe and dry.
- Crawl Space Encapsulation: Ensuring your crawl space is water proof and leveled is a great way to prevent potential water damage. If your crawl space is sloped, excess moisture from Charleston’s high humidity can congregate in low areas. This allows moisture into the vital areas of your home. While many modern houses in coastal areas are raised to help alleviate this concern, you should still check underneath your house for potential problems.
- Storm Preparation: Charleston is no stranger to Hurricanes, having experienced devastating ones such as Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Consider installing hurricane shutters to your windows and doors, which will latch close and help keep damaging winds and water out. Inspect the caulking around your doors, windows, and the foundation of your home. Prepare your gutters by cleaning them out with a leaf blower and secure them to direct water away from your home. Cracks in your garage or driveway can expand during inclement weather and absorb moisture.
- Everyday Maintenance: Burst pipes, leaky pipes, and any unchecked plumbing issues are the most frequent culprit of water damage. You should know where your water shut off valve is, so that you can mitigate the damages during a water emergency. Inspect your plumbing regularly for discoloration and cracks or hire a professional for a thorough look. Finally, keep an eye out for leaks or drips coming from your faucets and under your sinks. Is your toilet constantly running or clogging frequently? All of these are signs that something is not functioning well and could lead to water damage if not fixed. If you have a clean out installed, as many modern homes do, ensure that it does not become compromised during a water emergency. Tree roots causing blockages and buried clean outs can make a difference in how quickly you can get your appliances to stop overflowing!
- Rust Prevention: While Charleston remains one of the top coastal cities in the US, the salty environment can prove harmful when you experience water damage. Not only will the humidity help trap moisture, but the salty air will act as a corrosive, potentially damaging your home. It’s important to inspect your home for corrosion and regularly clean areas that are prone to rust build up. Consider using weatherproof materials like vinyl or aluminum on railings, near your HVAC, and on your gutters. Fiberglass windows are more resistant to salinity and will protect your home longer than regular glass. Finally, check to make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed from the outside elements.
Do you have more questions on preventing water damage in your home?
Check out the R&E Home Solutions website for helpful and frequently updated information.
Your Local Water Damage Technicians
R&E Home Solutions is proud to have represented the Charleston community since 2012. Many of our employees are born and raised, experiencing the historic charm and humbling community of Charleston. Our technicians are not only licensed but also equipped with top industry recommended solutions. With decades of experience assisting our neighbors and local businesses, we have established a community of trustworthy work and pristine restoration. From water damage to mold remediation, R&E Home Solutions stands ready to help you feel safe and comfortable in your home.
Need help? Contact us Today!
Ready to prevent water damage? Have an active water leak? Call or visit our website now to get started. We are grateful for the chance to serve our beautiful community!