Stories

Water Damage in Fishers, IN

2012-06-06T14:14:15Z

It was Friday night the work was done for the day , the crews were on the way home and the truck was in the garage and my hand was on the lock to close shop the evening when the cell phone rang. The voice on the other end was familiar and weary. Murphy 's law the perfect evening was about to get busy. The lady on the other end is a co-owner of a three generational family construction business. Sue is an accountant a grandma, mom, wife and CEO on a daily basis and often all at once. Her evening changed dramatically when she went home to let her pet dachshund out for a brief break and shuffle off to a grand kids music program. Her life is always predictable, its completely challenging. If anyone is capable of making good decisions or tackling tough calls its Sue. This was one of them...Michael the 7 year old from her oldests son's family had fed the dachshund Easter chocolate from the Easter basket on the dining room table. Softie the log haired wonder had many endearing cute qualities and was Sues baby.

Unfortunately for her the affect of chocolate running through Soffie wasn't one of them. Sue described the disaster as a pathetic whimpering puppy hiding behind a family room curtain and a wandering trail of processed chocolate depicting the time line and chain of events leading from the devored chocolate Easter bunny through the dining room, the kitchen and into the living room. Soffie had tried to find refuge on the couch and easy chair before cowering in the corner of the family room.

Great, both Sue and I could think of more enjoyable ways to spend our Friday evening. In her typical fashion of handling a 20 employee business and probably 20 grand kids as well, Sue requested our help to save the carpet and upholstery . She met me at the front door, whimmerig dog in a carrier and a house key in the other. She was off to the vet and then to a Christmas recital. She said "do what you can, it sinks, see if you can save something.". She apologized for the rush, she knew I was aware of how she kept on top of her business and family and house. Two hours later I left the key under the mat and left her a voice mail that all was cleaned and disinfected. My crews that came back in on overtime were troopers. I was relieved that Sue didn't have to face replacing carpet and upholstery, she has enough to handle everyday and Soffie was prone to mischief ness . The good feeling was the shared trust that Sue had for our work and she knew that she could call on us for a tough job that wasn't pleasant to admit to anyone. Sue is tough kind of person who anyone can count on to make good decisions, tackle any problem as it comes about and delegate jobs to get the most accomplished. Her family knows how much they mean to her, Soffie spent the night away from Sue and Sue still made it to Michael's recital.

Water from Dishwasher on Wood Floors

2012-05-28T20:49:37Z

It’s Murphy’s Law, if anything can go wrong it will. Even Carmel, Indiana can’t escape its clutches. You hear about stories like mine all the time but when it’s your story it becomes national news or at least to you.

“If only I would of,” is what rolls through your mind after an event that can upset your day, week, month, year or a lifetime if you let it.

I simply went about my morning routine that day. Got the spouse off to work, two kids to the bus stop on time, dishes loaded into the dish washer and me out the door to do my Tuesday morning errands. Estimated time was about 8AM.

When I returned at noon, water greeted me when I opened the door. There was a little puddle in the foyer and a rivulet streak guiding me to the source. The dishwasher which had since ended its cycles still spewed noises out of it. I realized it wasn’t mechanical noises but gushing water noises.

What do most people do in a situation like that? You start grabbing paper towels and realize the futility of it then bathroom towels and then your common sense kicks in and you run downstairs to the house water shutoff valve forgetting there were shut off valves under the kitchen sink which you think had something to do with the dishwasher.

Now, standing in soaking wet carpet in my finished basement I begin to freak out. It wasn’t a little puddle like in the foyer, this was Hoover in my finished basement and I did appreciate that Niagara was gradually slowing down but the damage was done. Those beautiful hardwood floors we just had installed last month in the Kitchen and dining room have been subjected to who knows how much water damage.

I became paranoid at the sounds around me. I could sense mold overtaking my surroundings, the rafters warping, the wood floors bowing, nails popping and the carpet needing thrown out along with the fabric furniture. But then you force yourself to think through a solution and Lighthouse Restoration is one of the names your insurance agent suggests you call. They always come through for our clients Joe agent said in trying to comfort me and assure me all will be ok.

Lighthouse was on the scene within the hour and took over. They coordinated everything and patiently explained to my husband and me what they and their equipment would be doing to restore our home to its warm and comfortable interior just as if it never happened. That was so reassuring and meant a lot.

When Billy and Susan rushed into the kitchen after school, they beheld a site out of a science fiction movie. Suction pads and tubes running everywhere over the hardwood floors…”cool mom can we keep them,” asked Billy.

One thing we will keep and that’s the Lighthouse Restoration refrigerator magnets on the side of the fridge with other emergency numbers with the hopes we never have cause to call them again and that depends on Mr. Murphy.

Flooded Basement in Fishers, Indiana

2012-05-28T20:45:58Z

Having to deal with a flood damaged basement can be a stressful and devastating situation. Areas that are geographically low-lying greatly increase the likelihood of flooding. Water damage can affect walls, floors, carpets and furnishings as these items easily absorb moisture. They become susceptible to mold mildew and dangerous bacteria. These can not only damage your health, but they also put your family at risk. Extracting water and assessing the damage is a process that must begin immediately to minimize the long-term effects of flood damage. Finding the right flood restoration service is an extremely important task. Lighthouse restoration has been extremely proficient and highly knowledgeable in the field of flood recovery. They possess the dedication and professionalism necessary to get the job done quickly and completely. Their team has the skills, equipment and knowledge to remediate this damage in a timely manner. If you have ever been through flooding, you understand that small leaks can lead to major problems if they are left untreated. It is essential that you have a quick response time to address these problems and prevent any additional damage to your basement.

The initial water damage must be remedied as soon as the situation is evaluated. Lighthouse restorationsÕ water damage extraction experts understand that your situation is unique and take great strides to ensure speedy recovery. They know that when performing the extraction moisture and mud must be completely eliminated from the premises as quickly as possible to ensure that long-term structural harm does not occur to the building. The team uses the proper equipment so they ensure this is completely eliminated from each room including the floors, walls, and crawl spaces. In doing so, the drying process can then begin. Flooding is a very damaging event and it is something that must be professionally assessed. Often times the destruction will go much deeper than can be seen with the naked eye. It is essential that your remediation specialists can identify these issues and work to correct them.

Once the extraction process is completed then starts the recovery process. This includes rebuilding areas that were destroyed not only to make them look better but to ensure that they do not negatively impact the structure of the basement. Another step in this process is the sanitization against harmful molds, mildew and bacteria. These have a tendency to destroy the materials used in the construction of the basement. Following the elimination of these harmful agents is the process of disinfecting and deodorizing the area to eliminate foul smells associated with the flooding.

When searching for a flood restoration specialist it is essential that you find a partner that is willing to do the job right. It is not a process that anyone should take lightly as the effects can be damaging to not only the structure of your basement but to your personal health and well-being. Using lighthouse restoration I've noticed an expedient recovery process and been greatly satisfied by the level of professionalism received. I would definitely recommend them to my friends and family for excellent flood restoration services.

Protecting Your Stuff During Restoration

2012-05-28T20:35:28Z

If you are in the process of having part of your house remediated it is important that you take proper steps to protect other parts of your house. For example, you may want to cover up some of your furniture to minimize the chance of damage during the construction and remidation process. Lighthouse Restoration people can do this for you. This post has some photos from a recent job in Carmel, Indiana.

Sewer Backup from a Drain Next to a Water Heater

2012-05-28T20:25:31Z

This image is from a sewer back up from a drain next to a water heater. The vinyl floor was removed and the drywall around the edges 1 foot high. Trim and insulation was removed as well. Stud work and concrete were power washed then disinfected and sealed for bacteria and odor control. Total turnaround on job start to move in was 9 days.

This job called in on a Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. The family is multi-generational, a disabled family member lives in a detached garage apartment. The sewer line had clogged with tree roots and backed up into the apartment. Family had tried to clean up some of the mess on their own and discovered it was overwhelming. Lighthouse gave a free estimate and contacted the insurance carrier on after hours lines. We were able to establish that the customer had coverage and send some pictures from the sight via email to satisfy insurance carrier of cause of loss. Abbreviated emergency services could be done before Monday. The remediation occurred during business hours on a schedule that fit the needs of the family and the caretakers of the individual that lived in the apartment.

The customer saw the initial damage that was visible in the middle of the floor. The unapparent damage in the walls and behind the kitchen cabinets and under a raised floor platform was detected by our electronic moisture meters and thorough inspection. This trapped sewage and black water would have created devastating damage over time had it not been detected and addressed. The individual in the apartment is on medications and breathing assistance. The proper cleanup was imperative.

Our crews and office worked together to have an estimate to the insurance carrier Monday morning and had contact for approval before noon. This meant less down time for the customer and quicker settlement of loss. By end of day on Monday cleanup and disinfection of apartment was completed. A 3 day period was required for drying and hepa equipment to return stud work and concrete to a clean ,safe ,dry, condition that was ready for new drywall and cabinets. Wed the flooring was selected by the customer and ordered by Lighthouse. The apartment had some areas without any flooring previously. As an effort to improve the ability of the customer to use and navigate the rough concrete floor better, Lighthouse provided some additional labor to level and fill cracks in the concrete floor and provide new vinyl in a larger area of the apartment. This additional flooring was at no cost to customer or insurance carrier.

The tight quarters of the apartment meant that a storage pod needed to be delivered to store the residents furniture during construction. This helped the family to manage construction process more easily than filling the main house with additional furniture. Caretakers were more easily able to provide attention the family member moving her to the main house and not being cumbersome with additional contents in an already cozy home. Lighthouse was able to quickly move in and help customer reorganize their apartment with contents being hand carried from storage pod on driveway to the apartment.

Susan and her caretakers were " impressed at how quick and efficient the whole process went." Susan’s sister was also thankful for a " new complete floor. We don't have to worry how Susan can get around anymore. The cracks on the original floor were not save for her to walk around easily. I don’t worry as much about her falling in her house by herself. Our whole family is so happy."

Lighthouse tries to exceed our customer's expectations and go the extra mile where situations are in our power to improve our customers lives. We bill directly to our customer's insurance carrier and don't except payments for work that isn't complete. We offer up to $500.00 off our customers deductible. No deductible is collected up front.

Frozen Pipe Problem in Indiana

2012-05-18T12:15:00Z

Now that I’m over the shock I can relive my literal storm after the calm. I’ve been a renter for many years but just last year I became a proud home owner of a darling home in Indiana. Last week I vacationed in Texas with my daughter and granddaughter and this week I’m overseeing a major cleanup.

Temperatures were hovering in the 40’s when I left on my vacation but dipped down into the low teens while I was gone I later found out. When I opened the door on my return two things immediately struck me. The inside of my home was as cold as outside which I estimated to be around 35 degrees and no power. I used my little key ring flash light to enter the basement but heard water dripping at the same time I saw shimmering on my basement steps. Panic and confusion rushed through me. What do I do?

It was 8pm at night, I’m a widow and a new home owner, what do I do and who do I call? I walked next door and rang the bell. A young man I know as Willy my neighbor answered the door. I explained what I just saw and he assured me it would be alright. He quickly surveyed what I told him and he knew from experience it was a broken water pipe or pipes. Willy made a call to the local police who made a call to the fire department because of the electrical fire possibilities.

Two hours later I was set up in a local motel room and returned at 8am the next morning to my home to meet Charlie from Lighthouse Restoration. Willy knew Charlie from his bowling league and made the call for me. Charlie and I called my insurance broker in town and together they took care of everything for me and I must admit, my home is as cozy as before, no smells, no dampness, appliances in the basement have been replaced and the oil furnace something or other was taken care of too.

My neighbors and the professional service representatives from the police and fire departments, my insurance broker and Charlie from Lighthouse Restoration are on my baking list. Every now and then they will get a little something from Fran to show my appreciation for their genuine care and concern.

One more thing I should mention. Charlie was able to give me an idea of when my pipe broke and though it was a guesstimate it most likely occurred on the third night of the frigid front that moved through and it was the water pipe to an outside water hose. The amount of water they pumped out was about three days worth of a garden hose running full force into my basement he explained. What a waste of water I thought and what will my next water bill be like?

Flooded Basement in Broad Ripple

2012-05-14T22:13:27Z

The initial water damage must be remedied as soon as the situation is evaluated. Lighthouse Restoration water damage extraction experts understand that your situation is unique and take great strides to ensure speedy recovery. They know that when performing the extraction moisture and mud must be completely eliminated from the premises as quickly as possible to ensure that long-term structural harm does not occur to the building. The team uses the proper equipment so they ensure this is completely eliminated from each room including the floors, walls, and crawl spaces. In doing so, the drying process can then begin. Flooding is a very damaging event and it is something that must be professionally assessed. Often times the destruction will go much deeper than can be seen with the naked eye. It is essential that your remediation specialists can identify these issues and work to correct them.

Small Kitchen Fire in Fishers, Indiana

2012-05-14T18:20:53Z

This is a true story from a Fishers, Indiana resident.

My morning plans are routine. Home from my walk, a bowl of oatmeal in the microwave and I’m in the shower by 7:30AM. I live alone except for my best friend Torrey my pet poodle who knows my schedule and his.

Torrey began barking before I finished my shower. Very unlike him and his bark seemed different. I thought he really needed to go outside before his usual time. “It’s ok Torrey, won’t be but just a minute longer, be right there boy, hold it in,” I shouted above the noise of the shower nozzel.

Something’s wrong, I turned off the shower and Torrey is now screaching out his barks rapidly with whimpering in between. I opened the door to scold him for his actions and I was blasted with black smoke. I grabbed my robe to shield my eyes and body, picked up Torrey and ran into the bedroom to escape the advancing thick black smoke.

I slipped on the robe and opened a window to crawl out. My ranch style house saved me that day by allowing Torrey and I to quickly escape whatever had gone terribly wrong. I grabbed the portable phone from my night stand and threw it out the window. Once outside I picked up the phone and called 911.

I heard sirens, two of them but one was much louder. The police arrived first with the Fisher’s fire department close behind.

Watching the fire department go to work on my house was surreal. This is not a movie, it’s not a news story on TV but later will be because a local station had a remote in the area and was on the scene fifteen minutes after the fire engine. I remember thinking how that view will make a great opening shot for News at 6.

The good news was the fire department was able to contain the fire to just the kitchen area. Unfortunately, the water from their hoses got all over the place.

Later that day, I call the guys from Lighthouse Restoration to help with the mess. They arrived before my insurance agent! They were great! Altough it took a few weeks to get my life back to normal I am very satisfied with their work. Thank god for my dog Torrey and Lighthouse Restoration!

Resident, Fishers, Indiana

Flooded Basement in Carmel, Indiana

2012-05-01T02:19:07Z

Hi, I live in Carmel, Indiana and I am writing this story to help the guys from Lighthouse Restoration. In May 2011 we had a lot of flooding and unfortunately my sump pump could not keep up. I discovered the problem when we had just a few inches of water in the basement. I have a finished basement.

About 6 years prior to this issue my basement had flooded so I was more prepared than most people. I had 3 extra sump pumps in the garage! By the time, it took me to set them up the water level had risen several more inches. You can see from the picture that the standing water was not a good thing. The good news is with the extra sump pumps I was able to stop the water from rising.

This gave me some time to get some of the stuff out of my basement. It also gave me some time to start calling for help. The problem is when your basement is flooded because of rain -- the same problem is happening to other people. It was difficult to get anyone to answer my call or to committ to coming out immediatetly. I got a lot of "we will get back to you."

The exception was the guys at Lighthouse Restoration. They were great from the beginning. They came out and started work right away. I had a $10,000 cap on my insurance so I was worried about going over. We talked about ways we could minimize the cost. They were great and helpful.

After just a couple of weeks my basement was back to normal!

Resident, Carmel, Indiana