Radiator Leak: A Source Of Water Damage In Your Englewood Home

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

A radiator leak can cause significant water damage to your property.

Water Damage Caused By A Radiator Leak

Older homes often use a hot water system for heating. A boiler, usually in the basement, is connected by a series of pipes to radiators positioned throughout the house. The loop between radiator and boiler or the radiator or boiler itself can leak, harming your home’s structure and contents. SERVPRO helps investigate the source of water intrusion, restoring building materials and possessions in the water’s path.

Your first hint that your heating system caused water damage to the floor of your Englewood dining room was the mysterious dampness of the carpeting near a window. After searching for obvious causes like spillage of water during meals or rain blown through the window, you reached out to us to dry the carpet and evaluate permanent harm to the underlying floor. Our trained technicians investigate and find the unexpected source of the water.

Slowly the radiator under the dining room window leaks water from an old valve. Originally used to adjust the water flow, the device seemed frozen in place by sediment or oxidation. A crack in the connection allows water to seep out, barely noticeable but increasing in volume in warmer weather as the water and cast iron remarkable and the valve seal loosens. SERVPRO puts you in touch with an appropriate radiator repair shop. Then our technicians move to restore the water damage.

Under the carpeting is a hardwood floor, now warped because of the swelling caused by water absorption. The carpet was lifted and padding removed, and we attended to the floor. We measure moisture levels initially to aid in setting drying goals. Air movers and drying mats join with dehumidifiers to reduce the moisture level to below 12 percent before sanding and refinishing. If we refinish the wood earlier, the action risks additional warping. It may take a few weeks for the proper levels to be reached, requiring periodic moisture measurements by our crew.

A portion of the floor may be pried up to release hidden pockets of water and to ensure the subflooring is drying as well. Another method SERVPRO uses successfully is the drilling of small holes in the hardwood to encourage the moisture to evaporate. When the floor is heavily sealed by stains, varnishes, and waxes, this approach may be the only way to break the vapor barrier.

Count on SERVPRO of Teaneck / Englewood to help you solve water damage problems. One call to (201) 266-0482 establishes our partnership with you, committed to restoring your home to pre-water harm condition.