Recent Water Damage Posts

Ways to Prevent Water Damage After a Leak

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage to walls, floor, baseboards occurred from a leak Learn how to prevent water damage effectively after a leak in your home. Essential tips to safeguard your property and avoid costly repairs. Act now!

Preventing Water Damage After a Leak: Expert Tips

Plumbing leaks are some of the most common problems in homes and businesses across California and the U.S. While some leaks are only mildly annoying, others can turn into plumbing disasters, resulting in water damage, wood rot, and expensive property repairs.

According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, as reported by This Old House, close to 15,000 homeowners across the country experience the effects of water damage daily. The average insurance claim for water damage is somewhere in the neighborhood of $12,000, meaning this type of damage is not trivial when it comes to your wallet.

Preventing Water Damage When Faced With a Leak

The good news is that there are ways to prevent water damage after a leak. In virtually all cases, the sooner you address a leak, the better your chances of preventing water damage, but it’s always important to take some action. Leaks tend to get worse over time; even a small leak can become a flood if left unaddressed.

If you’re concerned about protecting your property, below are some ways to prevent water damage after a leak:

Call a Professional

Often, the best way to stop water leaking into walls and floors is to contact a professional at the first sign of trouble. Some signs of water damage can include damp carpets or water stains on walls, but you may also notice mold growth along baseboards or a musty, moldy smell in the air.

If you believe that you have mold growth, you may need more than just a plumber. While a plumbing company can deal with the leak itself, a mold damage company is going to be the solution for water damage repair involving mold growth. These companies may also help remove water pooling after a serious leak or flood, but you will need to ask your mold remediation technician about this option when you schedule service.

Turn Off Your Water

If you can’t get a professional to your home quickly, you will want to stop leaking water at the source. This usually involves turning off your home’s main water supply, often located under a grate in your yard or at a shut-off valve in a garage, closet, or basement. This can be a good option when you can’t determine how water enters your home.

For example, you may have a leak in your water heater, but that water heater may be located in an area of your home that isn’t easily accessible. Without the ability to check for standing water around your water heater, choosing to shut off the water until a professional can address the situation is often the best idea. Water leak detection services utilize specialized equipment to track down the source of leaks so that targeted repairs can be made.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Your home insurance policy may cover water damage, but this varies from provider to provider and policy to policy. Flood insurance covers serious water damage caused by major leaks in some cases, but you will likely need to add this as special coverage as most general homeowners’ insurance policies don’t include flooding under general claims. Although flood insurance will not directly prevent water damage after a leak, it may cover the cost of repairs related to water damage caused by a leak.

Unfortunately, you can’t add flood insurance retroactively, so you must weigh the pros and cons of carrying this coverage. For many homeowners, the cost of additional flood insurance is worth the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you won’t have to worry about expensive repairs in the event of a water emergency.

Check and Maintain Your Plumbing on a Scheduled Basis

It’s also a good idea to check and maintain your plumbing on a regular basis. Older hoses for things like washing machines that get used often tend to develop leaks after many years of service, and changes in water pressure inside plumbing pipes can cause joints to loosen and leak over time.

By checking and maintaining your plumbing pipes, hoses, and fixtures, you can prevent water damage caused by leaks. Remember that leaks typically cause structural damage slowly over time, and it can be easy to miss signs of damage until something major happens. You can protect your home by creating a plumbing maintenance schedule or having a professional plumbing company maintain your home’s plumbing system.

Install Sensors and Sump Pumps

You can also consider installing wireless sensors to help you get notified of leaks, standing water, and flooding. These devices measure water flow and pressure and can send alerts to your smartphone if a leak or flooding has been detected. Moisture detection sensors may be placed around areas where pipes are located but can also be placed in bathrooms and kitchens.

A sump pump may also be a good idea if you have a basement. These devices automatically pump out excess moisture in low-lying areas of your home if flooding occurs after a leak becomes serious. As an added benefit, sump pumps can prevent flooding in basements during heavy rainfall if moisture seeps into basement areas of your home.

Vigilance is the Key

Although water damage following a leak can seriously threaten your home's structural integrity, vigilance can prevent disasters. By checking your plumbing often, watching for signs of water leaks, and partnering with professionals at the first sign of trouble, you stand a better chance of protecting your home and your health. If you do experience a leak, taking care of it quickly can typically prevent serious damage from occurring, but it’s always a good idea to have a professional check questionable areas for your own peace of mind.

Contact SERVPRO in Arcadia for Fast Restoration Services for Water Damage

If you’re concerned about water damage following a leak in Arcadia, CA, SERVPRO of Arcadia is here to help with comprehensive residential restoration services. Our team of experts is available 24 hours a day.

Water Damages in the Summer

6/16/2023 (Permalink)

Summertime: the season of sunshine, barbecues, and family vacations. However, for many homeowners, it can also be a season of unexpected water damage. Whether from unpredictable storms, increased humidity, or HVAC system leaks, summer brings its own set of water-related challenges. 

While rainstorms are usually less frequent in summer, they often come as heavy downpours that can quickly overwhelm gutters and seep into basements. Regularly cleaning your gutters can mitigate this risk, but sometimes the volume of water is simply too much to handle. In these cases, our team at SERVPRO of Arcadia is here to assist with swift and comprehensive water damage restoration services.

Additionally, your air conditioning unit can be a significant source of water damage in the summer months. With constant use, the condensation line can easily get blocked, leading to leaks or even a full-blown flood. Regular maintenance checks are crucial to prevent such situations.

But, when the unexpected does occur, don't despair. Our expert team has the skills and technology to handle any water damage situation. We offer efficient drying, cleaning, and restoration services, using state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your home is returned “Like it never even happened” and as quickly as possible.

Remember, water damage doesn't take a summer vacation, but with proactive measures and a reliable restoration partner in SERVPRO of Arcadia, you can enjoy a worry-free season.

How does SERVPRO handle my items

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

When a water damage occurs it not only can destroy the structure of your home but your precious belongings may be affected also.

Our skilled team here at SERVPRO of Arcadia take the time to restore your belongings as best as possible.

Here are a few ways in which we do this:

Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.

  • Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
  • Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
  • Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
  • Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
  • Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

For more in depth information on how we clean your items please check out https://www.SERVPRO.com/resources/water-damage/your-belongings-and-water-damage

What Causes Water Damage?

11/9/2021 (Permalink)

There are many different ways a water damage can occur in your home, from a broken pipe to a/c systems. We do ours best to maintain our home items but sometimes the inevitable happens. 

Here are the top 5 causes of water damage:

  1. Leaking or Busted Pipes
  2. Plumbing Issues
  3. Faulty Household Appliances
  4. HVAC Units
  5. Clogged Gutters

Some less likely, but still possible causes of a water damage can be

  • Toilet Overflow
  • Sewage Back-Ups
  • Laundry Washer Overflow

While for the most part it sounds easy to be able to maintain these house hold items, sometimes we can not help it when accidents happen. So in the event something like this happens to you, SERVPRO will always be there to help, anytime, anyplace, 24/7.

Laundry Room Overflow

10/21/2021 (Permalink)

rubber duck in flooded room We can help with laundry room floods!

In your daily lives we do our best to maintain our homes to keep them in tip top shape. We clean the restrooms, the kitchen, and all bedrooms keeping them spotless. Most times we forget all about the laundry room! Which should be the most important room to maintain because many problems can arise in that room alone!

Most water damages we see here at SERVPRO of Arcadia come from the washing machines drain line bursting in laundry rooms. This can be caused by a number of reasons.

What to do if this happens to you:

  • Contact your local plumber to repair the line
  • Remove any personal items from affected area
  • Depending on extent of damage, it is advised to file a claim with your insurance company
  • Contact SERVPRO of Arcadia to mitigate these damages

Refrigerator Line Leaks

10/21/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have a rodent problem in your home? Rats and other pesky rodents can do more damage than stink up your home and eat food that has been left outside. SERVPRO is not a rodent control company but we do deal with the aftermath of what rodents can do to your home!

Rats, often times hide in small dark area away from the people in the home. Particularly behind your refrigerator, and that is where the important water and power lines come from. If a rat gets caught back there it can start chewing on the water line day after day. You might not even realize until it's too late!

If the rat chews at the water line long enough it can cause a leak that will eventually create flooding and water damage to your kitchen floors!

That's where we come in and clean up the water and repair the damage. 

Fire Sprinkler Disasters

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Equipment Water Loss due to Fire Sprinklers

Imagine coming home to a flooded disaster after being on vacation with the family! That's exactly what happened to our customer here in Arcadia. This loss was caused by a faulty fire sprinkler system. To make matters worse the homeowner had just purchased the home prior to leaving on vacation. It is a good thing that they acted swiftly and contacted us! Our crew was able to be onsite within the hour of being notified of the loss and quickly jumped into action.

With the home having high moisture levels, our crew was able to effectively dry the structure within 5 days. By doing so we were able to save the structure from experiencing secondary damage such as mold. We at SERVPRO of Arcadia do our best to achieve the industry standard of drying within 3-5 days.

Most Common Water Damages

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Logo SERVPRO Heroes here to help

Water damages can be very overwhelming and frustrating for the typical home owner. We understand that it can become stressful as water damage experts we are here to help bring your home back to life!

Here are some typical causes of water damage:

  • Leaking appliances, plumbing issues, water heaters etc.
  • Over flowing bathtubs, toilets, and sinks
  • Flooding from firefighting efforts
  • Flooded basements
  • Roof leaks

Here is what you can do while you wait for our SERVPRO crews to arrive:

  • Shut off water valve 
  • Contact Plumber
  • File a claim with your insurance company (if needed)
  • Grab yourself a warm cup of coffee, step outside and destress knowing that you will be in good hands while you wait for our crews to arrive with help very soon!

We are available 24/7 to respond to your emergency! Call SERVPRO at (626) 447-4128

For even more info on water damage check out 

https://www.SERVPRO.com/water-damage-restoration

Cupped Floor

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Hardwood and laminate flooring are a bit more complicated to maintain compared to ceramic tile. One must remember to only use limited cleaning solution to prevent the floor from absorbing to0 much liquid. The reason being that leaving a liquid on the surface for an extended period of time can lead to “cupping” also known as “edge-warping." Floor “cupping” or edge- warping” can be reversed if the wood is dried in a timely manner, if it remains moist it can lead to irreparable damage such as staining, wood-rot, mold growth, and "buckling." There are a few visual and physical cues that will let you know the floor is damaged. Visually, the edges of where the wood floor links together will be rising like how tectonic plates meet to form a mountain, also known as "cupping." Physically, when you walk over the floor it will feel unleveled and "bumpy."

Precautions to take when maintaining wood flooring

  • Control and limit how much liquid is used when cleaning the floor
  • Keep diligent and dry up any accident spills as soon as possible
  • Do not place plants that must be regularly watered on top of the flooring

Are you prepared?

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

No one ever expects to experience water damage in their home or place of business. Unfortunately, disasters happen when you least expect them. At SERVPRO of Arcadia we understand that water damage can be stressful on you and your family. That is why we do our best to take that pressure off of you, by providing you with an Emergency Ready Profile.

You do not except a pipe to burst in your home or place of business. However, you can be proactive and stay prepared in the event that it does. At SERVPRO of Arcadia we can help you in your efforts of staying prepared by providing you with a FREE Emergency Ready Profile.   

What is a  SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile?

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile is designed to provide you with all the critical information needed in order to begin mitigation and recovery services. 

The advantages of having an Emergency Ready Profile are:

  1. A no cost assessment of your facility or home. (FREE)
  2. An easy access profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
  3. A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
  4. Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. (HOA ,property managers, insurance agents, etc...)
  5. Provides facility details such as shut-off valve location, priority areas and priority contact information.    

So now is the time to let us help you prepare for a disaster. 

For more information please call SERVPRO of Arcadia at (626) 447-4128.

Restore vs. Replace

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Arcadia we strive to, "Restore vs Replace" whenever possible. One of the ways we achieve this is by drying in place. Instead of removing hardwood flooring that has sustained water damage, we use the Floor Mat System to quickly and effectively dry the affected material.

When water seeps into hardwood flooring if not addressed immediately and properly, this will result in floor buckling. The next steps of drying the hardwood floor are crucial because this determines whether or not we can salvage the floor. To avoid this from occurring we place drying floor mats and tent the affected area with our state of the art drying equipment. 

The benefits of having our equipment set up as soon as possible allows for us to restore instead of replace. Our goal at SERVPRO is to leave it, "Like it never even happened."

Flooded Basement

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

A homeowner in Arcadia, CA called SERVPRO concerning a water loss due to a fire sprinkler pipe that broke. As a result, four feet of water flooded the basement, affected the walls and content that were also in the basement. Our SERVPRO technicians knew exactly what to do. We first endured the customer that we had everything under control and we restore all content and completely dry out the basement. We did exactly that! Extracting the water comes first, we must then cut and dry the walls to make sure there is no moisture left, because then mold can start to grow. While the walls are being dried, we move onto to the contents. The contents were papers that had value to the homeowner. With extreme caution and the right equipment, we were able to restore all the content with out destroying it.

SERVPRO of Arcadia just wants to remind you that we do water remediation services as well as content drying. 

Discovering a Leak

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Having a leak in your home or business can be very stressful, especially when the leak has gone unnoticed for an extended period of time.

Our technicians here at SERVPRO of Arcadia have special thermal imaging equipment  that can detect the non-invasive moisture in your home or business. This helps find the main source of the leak without creating unnecessary damage to the structure. 

Water damage that you can not see is the most dangerous because it can spread without your knowledge. Pipes usually aren't exposed, making it difficult to detect when there is a leak.

Trying to identify where the problem is on your own may be difficult, as well as attempting to mitigate the damage without any help from a professional. Here are some tips on what you can do before SERVPRO heroes arrive:

    • Shut off the water valve leading to the pipe.
    • Stop the leak until you can repair or replace the pipe.
    • Turn on the faucets, to drain water left in the pipes.
  • Call SERVPRO of Arcadia (626) 447-4128

We Have Your Back, Always

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

We got you! Call us. We will take care of it.

Leaks from piping, roofs and other overlooked areas can cause water damage,  that can go unnoticed for an extended period of time. Attempting to clean up water from a leak can lead to further damage or contamination if not handled properly. Our technicians are highly trained professionals that specialize in water mitigation. Our SERVPRO name means everything to us,  and we have been around for some time now. Having a good brand and name you can trust is important. You will always be certain that you are in the best of hands with SERVPRO. 

 We want you to understand the process, and our teams of technicians  will walk you through every step,  keep you updated on the progress of the job, and get you back to good.

Water damages can happen at anytime. It is it's always good to know that there is someone that can be there for you no matter what time a day it. SERVPRO of Arcadia is open 24-hours, 7 days a week. We got this.