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Common Locations for a Water Leak | SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Our homes are constantly using water, running water or transferring water throughout each room in our homes to help us accomplish tasks and to keep our homes dry. While our home’s water systems are typically really reliable on a daily basis, all it takes is a single malfunction or incident for a huge water disaster to occur.

If you are going about your day and discover a suspicious water spot or an obvious leak, locating the source is crucial for controlling the situation. 

Our SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua team explains more about where the most common locations are for water leaks so you can take control faster and prevent further damage. 

Exterior Doors or Old Windows 

Storms can cause all kinds of issues for your home, especially when heavy rain is present. Any part of your home that has direct access to the outside has the potential to leak during a storm. Exterior doors can hang crooked, or door frames can even sag due to structural aging, leaving gaps or cracks behind. 

Windows are also a common culprit. Deteriorating caulk lines or general wear and tear over the years can cause hairline cracks to occur around the window frames. Even the tiniest of gaps can invite water into your home that can leak and seep into your drywall and under your floors. 

Compromised Roofs

We rely on our roofs to keep us dry and cozy when the rain comes pouring down. Since they are the first line of defense, they put up with a lot when it comes to Mother Nature and the elements! 

While roofing materials are really sturdy and built to withstand strong storms, any sort of damage can eventually cause significant water issues. A single missing or broken shingle or an eave that has a small gap in it can leak water into your attic that can affect the rest of your home.

Checking your roof for damage after every storm can help you identify issues as they come up. Of course, obvious damage like a tree falling on your roof can be easy to spot, but smaller damage or emerging issues will require a ladder and an eye trained for detail. 

The Threat of Appliances

One of the most common reasons for home damage is not even due to Mother Nature! Any appliance in your home that relies on water to function can leak at any point. Your dishwashers, washing machines and even the ice maker in your fridge can cause troubles. 

Check these appliances by running your hand along the edges before every use to check for moisture, and try to pull them away from the wall on occasion to look for water spots or signs of mold.

Suffering water damage can be incredibly frustrating, but we are here to help! Our team will dry up the excess water, address repairs and ensure your entire affected area is clean, sanitized and odor-free. 

Contact us right away if you suffer a water disaster. SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is here 24/7. 

3 Ways to Prevent a House Fire | SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

Family mother with children at burning house background House fires are a disastrous event for your family. Let SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua help so you can focus on what matters.

We all can agree that suffering a house fire is one of the most unfortunate possibilities of being a homeowner. No one wants to think about their hard-earned possessions and precious keepsakes going up in flames, not to mention the sheer danger that unexpected fires bring. 

There are over 350,000 house fires every year in the United States, and most of them are preventable. By knowing what to avoid in your home and how to use fire and heat safely, you can significantly reduce your risk for suffering a house fire. 

Stay Present in the Kitchen

Most house fires start in the kitchen, but that should be no surprise since we use heat to cook almost all of our food. Never leave a boiling pot unattended or walk out of the room for any reason if you have something on the stove or in the oven. All it takes is a single spark or a kitchen towel placed just a little too close to the burner to start a huge blaze. 

You should cut down on the amount of flammable materials that you have in the kitchen and keep the clutter to a minimum. In addition, you should also have a fire extinguisher that is kept in the kitchen at all times. If a fire does break out, a quick reaction and passing the extinguisher over the flames can take care of the problem instantly. 

Control Your Electronics 

Electrical fires are also a hazard and account for many house fires across the country. Unplug appliances or electronics when they are not in use, and limit the amount of things plugged into an outlet or extension cord. Never “daisy-chain” extension cords, which entails plugging extension cords into other extension cords.

You should also never charge your phone or tablets underneath your pillow. Electronics that cannot properly vent can overheat and catch anything flammable on fire. Consider investing in surge protectors around your home to help control any unexpected electrical surges as well. 

Arm Your Smoke Detectors 

When was the last time you checked your smoke detector batteries? You should be testing each of your alarms once a month to make sure they are working properly. Each level of your home should have a smoke detector and you should especially be sure that one is located inside each bedroom or sleeping area.   

Smoke detectors should also be completely replaced every 10 years, so if yours are older than that or if you recently moved and aren’t sure how old yours are, replace them now to be on the safe side.

Remember, we are always here for you to help if you do suffer fire damage in your home. We can restore and rebuild any part of your home quickly and efficiently. 


House fires can be devastating. Call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua right away for a full restoration.

The Rapid Progression of House Fires | SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua

9/22/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Fighters Putting Out A House Fire SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is here for you if you experience a fire disaster.

House fires are scary no matter how they happen. While smaller instances can be alarming but manageable, large house fires can be completely devastating and leave behind incredible wreckage. 

Fire moves fast, and you often only have a few minutes to control the situation or get out safely. Knowing more about fire and how it spreads can help keep your entire family safe during a true emergency. 

The Timeline of Fire

The first 30 seconds: A fire can start and catch the surrounding walls, floor and materials ablaze. 


After a minute: The fire will spread and smoke will fill the entire room. 


After two minutes: The temperature in the room can reach 400 degrees, and smoke will start pouring into other rooms in the house. 

After three to four minutes: A flashover can occur, which means that everything in the room where the fire originated will ignite. 


After five minutes: The entire house is engulfed and rescue can be really difficult if you haven’t gotten out safely yet.

What to Do During a Fire

Fires can break out at any time and in any place of your home. Electrical issues, forgotten candles or kitchen mishaps contribute to the majority of house fires across the country, and each instance can cause widespread damage in just a few minutes. 

If you are home when a fire breaks out, exit your home as quickly as possible if you are not able to quickly extinguish it or snuff it out on your own. 


Your exit may be simple, like walking out the front door, or it may require hopping through a window to safety. In any case, stay low to avoid the toxic smoke. 

Crouch or even crawl if you have to in order to stay below the smoke line. Once you are outside, meet up with your family at your pre-determined meeting location. Once the fire is out and your family is safe, give SERVPRO® a call. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Process

We will gather a lot of information from you during our initial phone call. All of this information will allow us to create a more thorough restoration plan and ensure that we pack the right equipment and tools in our trucks. 

When we arrive at your home, we will get to work securing your property to prevent further damage. That might include boarding up broken windows or laying tarps over your damaged roof. 

Then we will get to work cleaning, sanitizing and restoring your home. We will go from room to room to look for smoke and soot damage as well as focus on the room where the fire started. 

We guarantee a full restoration from top to bottom, and we won’t stop working until your home is returned to its preloss condition. We know that suffering a house fire can be scary and overwhelming, but we are here to make sure your recovery is as quick and as smooth as possible.


Fire spreads fast. Call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua right away for immediate assistance.

3 Ways to Avoid Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua

9/22/2023 (Permalink)

Worried woman mopping up water from a burst pipe with sponge Need help restoring your space after water damage? Call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua for a fast response!

Water damage can occur in one singular, destructive event, or it can happen slowly over a longer period of time. In any case, discovering water damage after any type of water leak can be really frustrating. 

We don’t want you to have to suffer any kind of water damage in your home! By knowing what to look for and the places to check around your home, you can prevent extensive damage from occurring. 

Maintain Your Appliances

If you have lived in your home for a while, chances are that you have experienced at least one appliance malfunction during your years as a homeowner. We all rely heavily on our appliances, so they get put to work often! 

Our dishwashers, washing machines and even water heaters have big jobs to do day in and day out, and if they are not taken care of on a regular basis, it can result in a serious malfunction. 

Stay current on any routine maintenance like cleaning or servicing, and inspect each appliance before using them to check for drips, cracks or any other signs of wear and tear. You should also consider replacing any aging appliances as older equipment tends to get more unreliable as the years pass. 

Keep Your Roof Tidy 

Water damage can also occur due to Mother Nature! Heavy rain can easily overwhelm a roof that leaks or cracks, and water can get into your attic and leak down your walls. 

Undetected roof damage can cause your entire home to become compromised with water damage and mold growth. Inspect your roof often and address issues quickly. 

You should also be cleaning out your gutter system before each storm. Clogged gutters can force water to back up onto your roof, which can lead to water pouring over the sides of your home and directly down onto your foundation. This can lead to groundwater seeping down and into your basement or lowest level. 

Understand Where Water Flows in Your Home 

Water pipes and valves are all over the place in our homes, but knowing exactly where each line leads to and how to shut off each water valve can help you put a stop to any water issues immediately. Take the time to go through your utility room and learn how each system works. 

You should also be monitoring your water bill! If you open up your bill and are shocked at how much money you owe, it might be due to a water leak happening somewhere in your home. 

A simple drip from a cracked pipe can lead to gallons of water being lost a day, which can quickly add up the longer it is left unaddressed.

Water damage can happen quickly. Call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua right away for a fast and efficient restoration.

Tackling a Large Loss on Your Business Property | SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua

9/22/2023 (Permalink)

multicultural team of cleaners working in modern open space office Does your business need a cleaning and restoration partner? Look no further than SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua.

No one wants to think about disaster occurring at their business, but it can happen at a moment’s notice. One minute it is business as usual and then a fire breaks out in your warehouse or a strong storm suddenly changes direction and barrels toward your storefront.

Your main focus at that moment should be taking care of your employees and customers to ensure everyone’s safety. After the situation has been controlled by either your staff or the authorities, reality can start to set in and become overwhelming.

That’s when a simple call to SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is the best next move to make. Keep reading to learn more about how we can help.

Our Commercial Large Loss Division

No matter what happens at your business, suffering a disaster can lead to costly consequences. Lost wages and revenue can be a strain on your employees and yourself, and it can lead to extended closures that affect the future of your business entirely.

Our large loss recovery team is trained to handle any type of disaster at our local businesses and commercial properties. We have worked in hospitals, universities, large office spaces and even stadiums when floods, fires or storm damage occurs. 

Each project has a project manager who oversees every aspect of your recovery and we will work step by step to ensure every part of your business is restored safely and thoroughly.

Our Emergency Ready Plan 

Once you have overcome your disaster situation and you are back open for business, it’s time to think about creating an emergency plan to help you navigate any future disasters. We can help with that, too! 

Our team can create an Emergency Ready Plan that outlines many of the different possible scenarios that could occur at your business.

It is a comprehensive guide that includes step-by-step instructions, contact information for important people and organizations, and a thorough overview of your building that includes information about its water shutoff valves, fire extinguisher locations and evacuation routes.

This type of comprehensive plan can make a huge difference when a disaster occurs, guiding you through.


Our commercial services team is ready to help you overcome damage today. Call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua right away.

Ways Your Home Can Flood | SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua

9/22/2023 (Permalink)

Many uprooted trees and pile of debris on dangerous part of landslip river/stream section after flooding by heavy rains of Ha You've got more to worry about than restoring your home after a flood. Let SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua help you focus on what matters most.

We need water to live and thrive and so do our homes and properties! Water is essential for life, but it is also necessary for us to have at our fingertips when we need to get tasks done around the house. Cooking, cleaning, taking a shower and even making ice to chill our drinks requires water.

However, water can also be a huge nuisance when it shows up where it shouldn’t in your home. 

Flood situations are often unexpected and can create a watery mess in a short amount of time. We explain the top three ways your home can flood below. 

The Impact of Mother Nature 

We know how much it can rain here in upstate New York! Quickly moving storms can roll into town and bring strong wind and heavy rain. 

If your home’s gutter system is clogged or you struggle with drainage issues on your property, you could quickly be dealing with serious water issues in your home. Water can seep down into your foundation and start to leak through your walls, leaving your basement flooded.

We can also experience flooding issues when the snow starts to melt in the springtime. If the temperatures rise too quickly after a particularly snowy season, the melted snow can flood your home and leave you with significant damage. 

An Appliance Leak 

All homeowners probably have at least one story of their appliances malfunctioning. While some may be minor issues, any appliance that deals with water can leak and cause a big mess. 

Appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine and even water heater have the potential to malfunction at any point and can lead to a flooded kitchen or utility room.

Checking these appliances regularly for signs of wear and tear or other maintenance issues can help you identify problems as they arise. It is also a good idea to replace aging appliances as you are able, since older equipment can become more unreliable the older it gets.

Busted Pipes 

There is water flowing behind our walls and under our floors constantly. While we may not think about it on a daily basis as we turn on taps or run a warm bath for our kids at night, a single crack or leak along a water line can lead to extensive damage. 

If a pipe bursts in a dramatic fashion, you will probably become alerted to the issue right away and you can address the flooded area quickly. A tiny crack that drips for a long time behind your walls can also lead to floods, though that happens slowly over a longer period of time. 

In any case, recovering from a flood should happen quickly to avoid long-term structural issues and mold growth. Our team is here to help you overcome flood damage 24/7! 

We can handle any flood damage you encounter. Call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua right away!

The Cleanest Clean Room

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Wine Making Room Here our crews are standing at the ready to perform the detailed cleaning!

When you think about the food items you consume, you have to think about where and how they are processed.  Some things are done locally, in small batches and so the facilities look like a standard commercial kitchen.  For larger batched items, the process to making them sometimes looks more like a science experiment than a kitchen! 

Over the summer SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua was called to a facility that makes large batches of wine from local grapes.  This facility was outfitted with large tubes, pipes, wires, and knobs.  When the floor in this room was refinished, it put red dust on everything! 

That's where the SERVPRO cleaning pros came in to make sure that the environment was clean enough to produce wine in again.  The last thing any person wants is a dusty glass of Merlot!  We are well versed in the art of cleaning intricate pipe-work and being up high on ladders to achieve a clean standard.  It took 6 technicians a day to clean the entire production room to rid it of the dust.  A Job well done! 

Minutes After the Flood

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Verifying credentials of a contractor is important.  It's not only important to make sure the job is done right, but it's important because you want to make sure they know how to properly secure an emergency to prevent further damages or injuries!

When there is a catastrophic flood event, sometimes the resources to do the cleanup immediately are just not available.  That makes it important for the first responders on-site to be able to do what is necessary to stabilize the environment and secure the building to address the hazards.

There are many hazards you can find in a home that was water damaged such as flooring integrity, electrical wires, contaminated water, and asbestos containing materials being exposed.  A contractor who is well versed in building materials and structural drying can identify and mitigate these hazards immediately after responding.

When you make a decision to call in the professionals to dry up your water damage, never forget that the minutes right after the flood are what matter the most.  Pick a professional that is going to think of everything so that you don't have to! 

G.A.R. Memorial Hall

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vehicles on-site A beautiful day in Hunt, NY

In 1880, the Grand Army of the Republic was tasked with building community hall located in Hunt, NY.  This hall was built primarily as a place for the GAR to hold meetings, but through out the years was used for all sorts of community events - from social gatherings to town hall meetings.

The hall was built exclusively by Civil War veterans who's ancestors still have ties to the area to this day.  This is what makes this building such a valuable piece of not only Hunt's history, but our countries history.  When the people tasked with restoring this building needed help with a water issue in the basement, they tasked SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua to help.

There is nothing more rewarding in the restoration business than being able to contribute hard work and knowledge to a community project.  Knowing that for generations there will be a place for the community to gather with such history is the greatest feeling.  We are truly honored to have been a part of this! 

Big Box Bathroom

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Contaminated Toilet This is just one area of a large bathroom that was completely affected by CAT 3 water.

Having to go to the bathroom in a public place sometimes can be uncomfortable.  Some people are very comfortable with it, while others cannot do it at all.  I am somewhere in the middle, I am comfortable with a public bathroom as long as it is properly maintained.

When you're shopping at a store, you can usually expect the bathrooms to be relatively cleaned.  Most places have policies in place to make sure that their facilities are cleaned regularly.  That being said, you cannot expect a teenager working at a big box store to clean up a CAT 3 sewage loss.  That's when you call in the big guns.

Early on a Friday morning, SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua was called to a local strip mall to clean up a sewage back-up in their bathroom.  Upon arrival, the crew found contaminated water in multiple bathrooms and a break room.  They wasted no time treating, steam cleaning, scrubbing, and disinfecting everything the water touched.  This ensured that the next person in that bathroom would not have to worry about an odor or getting dirty! 

The store was able to open a few hours later, and they were grateful that SERVPRO was there to save the day!