Last updated by Don Kennedy at .
When severe weather strikes, we get a ton of calls about water intrusion and damage from homeowners concerned for their property. Here are some articles, videos and resources to address common home repair questions and problems.
How to Prevent a Flooded Basement with a Battery Backup Sump Pump – One of our most popular videos and articles… shows you how a battery backup system can prevent water backup following a power outage or primary sump pump failure.
How to Prevent Mold Following a Water Leak – In this article, I discuss the immediate actions you should take to diagnose the source of the leak, repair the leak, and determine the extent of water damage.
How to Spot Wind Damage to Your Roof – Resources to assist in the evaluation of asphalt shingle damage following a major wind storm.
Common Causes of Roof Leaks – Often times homeowners are curious as to why their roof is leaking when it might not be that old. Here are some common culprits that cause roof leaks and how they are easily repaired.
Warning Signs that Your Home Has a Serious Window Leak – Improper installation of windows is a common problem that leads to water intrusion. Watch this video that will explain how new windows can leak and how they can be fixed.
If we can be of service, give us a call at 513-724-0539 or visit us at www.MasterMyList.com.
The other day I got an interesting call from one of craftsmen saying, “You gotta come out here and see this!” So I grabbed the video camera and went to the site and you will not believe what we found!
This house had siding replaced a few years back by a very large, reputable company. While most of the work was pretty solid, they missed one little spot which caused a disaster inside and cost a lot of money to repair.
The homeowner luckily saw this when they went to replace their carpet, otherwise the problem would have worsened. They removed a corner cabinet and peeled back the carpet, only to see the wall and floor were wet and rotted. This problem with their siding was completely out of sight to these homeowners, as it did not appear anything anything was out of place.
How Poor Siding Installation Causes Wood Rot
When the siding was replaced, they missed a cap on the corner of the home, allowing water to seep down underneath the siding for years. Going unnoticed, the walls and floors were rotted. Unfortunately, another homeowner horror-story was in the making. But never worry, ProMaster Home Repair and Handyman is on the scene!
How ProMaster Repairs Wood Rot
To repair this problem, we had to replace the damaged subfloor and the floorboards as well as s cut out the wall, replace the framing and insulation.
Interior wood rot repair
Make Sure to Research Your Home Repair Company!
This just goes to show that you can’t choose a company, no matter how reputable without the proper research. I suggest everyone read our article, Three Golden Rules for Better Home Improvement to educate yourself before contracting any company to work on your home.
If you have had siding work done in the past 5 years, I’d suggest you go out and check your home for problems like this. Replacing the cap or repairing some flashing is much easier and a lot cheaper than waiting a few years to find out your floors and walls are rotted and ruined. To see the effects of neglected maintenance or small construction defects left unresolved, take a look at some of our other articles and videos:
Do You Have a Siding or Wood Rot Problem Like This?
Exterior wood rot repair
If you find any problems like this, contact ProMaster and we will be out there in a hurry to stop any further damage from occurring! Call ProMaster Home Repair and 513-724-0539, visit us on the web at www.MasterMyList.com and as always, we’d love to be your friend on Facebook, keyword “ProMaster Craftsmen”.
Drywall Damage from Roof Leak
Prevent Mold from a Roof Leak
Pardon the pun, but we’ve been flooded recently with calls to repair roof leaks stemming from the recent snowfall and subsequent ice dam problems with many homes in Cincinnati. As these roof leaks continue, homeowners have expressed concern about mold growth. There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent your recent roof leak from turning into a mold nightmare.
In the video above, I discuss the following plan to prevent mold from occurring following your roof leak:
Immediate Actions When You Have a Leak:
- Diagnose the source of leak. I can’t tell you how difficult this can be at times, as diagnosing water intrusion is a tricky art and science. My best advice to you is this: don’t bias yourself to one conclusion as to the source of leak. Rather, investigate all potential sources and even replicate the leak (if possible) to ensure you are attacking the correct problem.
- Have the leak fixed first. There is no sense attempting to dry out the affected area if water is allowed to continue to enter the home.
- Determine the extent of water damage. How much water damage is there before I need to call a professional water extraction company? My short answer: If you can’t dry it yourself within 48 hours—it is time to call a pro. After that time period, your chances of developing a mold problem skyrocket.
- Dry out the area completely. Fans, additional ventilation and dehumidifiers are particularly helpful. If drywall has been soaked to the point where it is sagging or mushy—cut it out and get it out of the house.
Next Steps to Prevent Mold:
- Reduce indoor air humidity. Get a hydrometer and monitor the area—strive to achieve 35% humidity or less if possible. Turn off the winter humidifier if you have one. The inconvenience of being shocked from static electricity as you move about your home will be far less than the mess caused by a mold remediation project.
- Improve ventilation. Air exchange in your home is critical to help remove moisture.
- Prevent the leak’s recurrence. If any mold growth began, future leaks with subsequent water intrusion will only reactivate mold growth.
For more information, visit the Environmental Protection Agency web site on preventing mold. If you need help repairing a roof leak or water damage in the Cincinnati area, email webmaster@MasterMyList.com or call (513) 724-0539.
