UltraClean is Flooded!

Phone calls are literally flooding in at UltraClean. Residents all over Boise and the Treasure Valley are having water damage issues.

What’s causing all the damage?

Frozen Pipes

Burst pipes are the number one reason people are calling us right now. With the inconsistent subfreezing temperatures, the sporadic snow fall, the slick ice, and dangerous freezing rain we’ve been seeing a lot of water damage as a result from pipes freezing and then bursting.

A pipe that has burst can dump out 200-300 gallons of water an hour. To put that number in perspective, think about a hot tub. In less than 2 hours, you could fill an 8×8 6 person hot tub with the water that has flooded your home.

Ice Dams and Icicles

We have received several phone calls about water damage on the ceiling. If you’re noticing any discoloration, odor, or leaks in that area, you could have an ice dam on your roof.

Ice dams occur after a heavy snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures. Warm air from inside your home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof. This causes the accumulated snow and ice on the roof to melt. The melted water then drains along the roof, under the snow, until it reaches the cold overhang. The overhang tends to be at the same temperature as the outdoors, and the melted water refreezes to form an ice dam and icicles.

The ice dam can cause damage to your roof, which will result in water leaks to the inside of your home or business. They can be very dangerous, especially when super slick freezing rain has put an extra layer of ice on everything.

Washing Machines

If you took an average of the whole year, the most common water damage that homeowners deal with is from their washing machines – it is the most common claim filed on a homeowners policy. Water damage caused from a washing machine leak is very expensive and very messy to clean up.

Here are some washing machine flood protection strategies; starting with the least expensive:

• Turn the water off to your washing machine after every load.
  Cost: Free
• Get a washer floor tray – If you can’t afford to replace or repair your leaking washing machine right away or want to protect against future leaks, slide a water catching tray under your washing machine to catch drips and leaks. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to prevent water damage to your floor from a leaky washing machine.
  Cost: around $20.
• Replace the water supply hoses – Over time, water supply hoses can become brittle and burst. Check them periodically and replace your old hoses with the new auto-shut-off connector hoses. They protect against catastrophic water damage by automatically shutting off the water supply to the washing machine if excess water flow is sensed.
  Cost: $20 each.
• Install a flood protection device – An automatic water leak detection device prevents flooding by immediately shutting off both the hot and cold water supply to the washing machine when sensors detect a water leak. These devices are quick and easy to install by homeowners and provide 24/7 protection against damage caused by washing machine floods. Some options even sound an audible alarm.
  Cost: less than $150.
• Install an automatic washing machine water shutoff valve and leak sensor – This “intelligent” valve does it all to protect against catastrophic water damage from a burst inlet hose connected to a washing machine that is in use or unattended. It allows water to flow only when it senses that the washing machine is turned on and stops water from flowing if the machine is turned off. It also stops water from flowing if it senses excessive water flow or detects a leak. Easy to hook-up yourself.
  Cost: under $200.

If you find yourself confronted with a leaky washing machine or a burst pipe, contact UltraClean. With our 24/7 service response, we will resolve the issue, remove all water damage, and have your home or business back to normal quickly and cost-effectively.