Why do older Knoxville houses get water in the basement?
Neighborhoods like Fourth and Gill, Old North Knoxville and Island Home are full of houses built long before modern drainage and waterproofing. Stone and block foundations, old cast iron drains and supply lines that have been patched over the decades all give water a way in.
Basements and crawlspaces are where it shows up first, and where it can sit for days before anyone goes down there. If you notice a damp, musty smell or a soft spot in the floor above, have it looked at. Read more about water damage restoration.
What to do when a pipe bursts in your Knoxville home
- Shut off the water at the main if you can reach it safely.
- Stay out of standing water near outlets, cords or the electrical panel. If anything sparks or smells like burning, leave and call 911.
- Take photos and video before you move anything.
- Call or text us at (865) 255-9692. A person answers, day or night.
Mold can start growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, so the drying needs to start soon. If there’s more water than towels can handle, we start with emergency water removal.
Water came through the ceiling from the unit above. Who do I call?
Condos and apartments share walls, floors and pipes, so one failed washer hose or toilet supply line can soak two or three units. Call your building manager or HOA so they can find the source, then call us to dry out your unit.
When more than one owner and more than one insurance company are involved, records matter. We work with your adjuster and document everything: photos, moisture readings, notes, and what was removed and why. Who pays for what depends on the policies and the association rules, so check yours. See how we help with insurance paperwork.
Cleaning a rental near UT between tenants
A lot of the houses and apartments around the University of Tennessee turn over in the summer, often all at once. Landlords need carpet, tile and furniture clean before the next lease starts, not two weeks after.
Tell us the move-out and move-in dates and we’ll plan around them. We do make-ready cleaning, carpet and tile, and we’ll tell you honestly if a stain or a pet spot is past saving so you can decide whether to replace.
Steam or low-moisture: which carpet cleaning is right for your house?
We do both. Truck-mounted hot water extraction is the pick for heavy soil and pet urine and dries in about 1 to 3 hours. Low-moisture VLM cleaning dries in about 30 minutes to 2 hours and suits carpet that’s lightly soiled or can’t take much water. We look at the fiber and the soil before we choose. More on carpet cleaning.