Long-Term Effects of Untreated Water Damage

12/4/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage in the wall

Long-Term Effects of Untreated Water Damage

Although water is an essential part of life, it also has the potential to cause harm. Nowhere is this more true than when water invades your home or business. Whether due to flooding, a leak, a major spill, or another water disaster, water damage can cause all kinds of short-term problems, but the long-term effects of untreated water damage can cause harm.

Before you ignore that dripping faucet in the bathroom or leaky pipe under your home, consider the following potential consequences of long-term water damage:

Wood Rot

Wood is used worldwide in the construction industry. While it is a great building material for homes and businesses, it is susceptible to rot when exposed to sustained moisture. Wood's porous nature means it absorbs water like a sponge, and even treated wood can be at risk when exposed to enough water over time.

As wood becomes saturated with moisture, it loses hardness and becomes pliable. When this occurs, the wood structure breaks down, leading to wood rot. This rotting effect causes water-damaged wood to fall apart over time, often leading to the next biggest long-term effect of untreated water damage: structural instability.

Structural Instability

Structural instability caused by moisture damage and wood rot can be a serious concern, both for your property and your safety. To make matters worse, you must repair this damage and mitigate the problem if you plan to sell your property. Potential buyers are likely to shy away from a property with known water damage or ongoing problems with water mitigation.

The insidious thing about moisture damage and structural integrity is that this damage can create a domino effect. As structural pieces of a home begin to weaken, they can shift and place weight on parts of the structure not designed to hold.

For example, if your flooring has moisture damage and begins to buckle, the foundation of your walls can shift. When this happens, the foundation for your roof can shift. As the weight of the various parts of a structure begins to jostle, this shifting weight can upend the structural integrity of parts of a home or business that never even experienced water damage directly.

Mold Growth

Even if you don’t experience wood rot that leads to structural instability, mold growth is another one of the major long-term effects of untreated water damage. This is especially true if you have people in your home who have compromised immune systems or respiratory issues.

Although not all mold is dangerous, even a little can cause allergic reactions. As mold grows and spreads in moist, dark environments, it can take over interior spaces and lead to more serious health problems. So-called “black mold” is often cited as a serious concern, but for most people, black mold will not cause any greater harm than any other type of mold. For people with severe allergies, however, black mold can cause serious illness.

While some water damage is easy to see, mold can grow silently in cracks and crevices, inside porous materials, under flooring, behind walls, and elsewhere. This means that even if you clean up surface mold, you may still have a problem on your hands. To complicate things further, individual mold spores are microscopic, so you can still have mold spreading throughout your home after water damage, even if you’ve cleaned surfaces with visible mold.

Insects and Vermin

Moisture is also a primary driver of insects and vermin. Just like humans, bugs and pests need water to survive. The difference is that people use the sink or visit the grocery store for water. Bugs, on the other hand, invade spaces where water is found. If this is your home or business, guess what? You may have an infestation on your hands, including termites!

Unfortunately, it may not be obvious initially, like mold, bugs, and vermin. Insects, mice, and more can squeeze through cracks and build nests in hidden places. While you think you’ve cleaned up water after a pipe burst, you may have a colony of bugs living beneath your floorboards, feeding off of leftover moisture in your wood.

In addition to being unsightly and uninvited, bugs and vermin can pose a health hazard to you and your loved ones. Health issues arising from insect and vermin infestations can range from mild to severe, and once pests make your home their own, they can be tough to get rid of.

Potential Future Damage

Lastly, future damage to your home or business may be risky due to water damage. Electronics and electrical systems that come into contact with water may not seem damaged at first glance, but water may corrode and weaken internal electrical connections. As water and electricity do not mix, a damaged electrical system may cause an electric shock or fire.

How to Prevent Water Damage Around Your Home or Business

Although it may not be possible to prevent water damage in an emergency, there are some steps you can take to prevent and deal with damage caused by moisture. First, look for signs of water damage. These can include discolorations on walls and flooring or the smell of mold in the air around your home or business.

Next, excess water should be cleaned up as soon as possible after damage has occurred. Addressing water damage quickly often offers the best chance to resolve and mitigate damage fully. However, remember that hidden moisture may lurk within your walls, carpeting, or other flooring, crawlspaces, basements, and attics.

Because water damage isn’t always obvious, you’re encouraged to partner with a restoration expert who specializes in addressing water damage if you’ve experienced a leak or flooding incident. A professional water damage company can clean up messes left behind and restore your home or business to its original condition. Restoration specialists also typically check for hidden damage to offer additional security and peace of mind.

Contact the Water Damage Experts at SERVPRO of Arcadia for Fast Relief

SERVPRO® is the team to call when you need the experts in water damage restoration Arcadia trusts. Our team specializes in removing moisture and restoring your home or business to its original condition. Still, we also mitigate damage from the water you may not see, including behind walls, under flooring, and more.

Best Practices for Water Damage Restoration

11/13/2024 (Permalink)

Fixing water damage with fans

Best Practices for Water Damage Restoration

Water damage can quickly grow from a minor issue to a major problem if not handled quickly. Taking immediate steps using the best practices for water damage restoration will help you prevent further complications like mold growth or structural damage.

1. Timing Is Crucial

When responding to an incident involving water damage, each passing moment could allow more water to seep under flooring, absorb into drywall or insulation, or saturate carpeting and furniture. The longer building materials and belongings remain wet, the more damage occurs, such as warping and swelling.

Mold, mildew, and bacteria may start to appear within 24-48 hours on wet surfaces. Immediately identifying the water source and stopping the flow is the best way to minimize further complications, damage, and repair costs. Quickly catching damage can also preserve valuable belongings that might otherwise become unsalvageable.

2. Put Safety First

Depending on the degree of water damage, affected areas could become a safety risk, which requires making them safe to inhabit before any restoration work begins. It is essential to be aware of potential fire damage and safety concerns. Best practices for water damage restoration begin with turning off the electricity to prevent dangerous fire hazards from wet wires or outlets. Take precautions to prevent electrocution and wear protective gear such as masks, boots, and gloves to avoid contamination from contact with bacteria and mold.

Before entering, assess the structure’s stability, considering ceilings, walls, and floors. If there is any risk of the structure collapsing, evacuate the building. Additionally, be cautious of sharp debris, slippery floors, and other hazards that may have been created due to excess water.

3. Locate the Source of the Water

When starting the repair and restoration process, it is critical to know the type of water and where it is coming from. Clean water from broken pipes has less associated risk but should still be handled quickly. Grey water from appliances is potentially more hazardous because it can contain bacteria or chemicals.

Black water is considered a biohazard, and it comes from sewage leaks and other sources that can pose significant health risks to building occupants. Stopping water flow is essential to prevent further damage and other issues. Identifying the source and performing needed repairs first prevents recurring water issues during the structure's restoration process.

4. Remove Standing Water

Any standing water should be immediately removed to limit damage inside a building. Water pumps are effective for large amounts of water, while wet/dry vacuums are often more effective for smaller areas. Quickly extracting water can significantly minimize damage, especially to wood floors, carpeting, and walls.

Remember that hidden areas, such as crawl spaces and basements, also need water removed. To prevent mold and mildew growth, be especially thorough and ensure all spaces are dried out.

5. Assessing the Damage

A comprehensive assessment is necessary for insurance claims and restoration planning. Before starting any restoration work, it is essential to document the damage by taking videos and extensive photographs of water-damaged areas. Be sure to record the extent of the water damage to understand its total reach and where repairs are needed.

Include documentation on materials that are too damaged to repair, such as warped flooring, drywall, baseboards, and carpets. While documenting, create a detailed list that includes all the affected items that need repairs or replacement for insurance purposes. Having this proper documentation will become critical for navigating insurance claims later on.

6. Remove Unsalvageable Materials

Depending on the scale of the damage, some materials will not be salvageable and must be discarded. For drywall, it is essential to cut out and remove water-damaged areas at least 12 inches above the line where the water level shows. Water can soak deep into the drywall, and the damage may be more extensive than it appears. If carpet is soaked, it must be discarded, especially if exposed to gray or black water, due to bacteria and other contaminants.

Inspect the building's insulation in the walls and attic because it can absorb water like a sponge. Even if the wetness does not show in the drywall, insulation can remain wet and harbor mold growth if not addressed. Flooring that has become weakened, damaged or warped must also be removed and replaced. It is also essential to evaluate the building's wooden structural components, such as beams and studs, for any signs of rot.

7. Drying and Dehumidifying the Area

Effective drying and moisture removal are essential to curbing additional damage and preventing mold and bacteria growth. Larger, industrial-strength fans and dehumidifiers can quickly and effectively reduce moisture levels. Open the structure's doors and windows to increase airflow, speeding up drying.

Hidden spaces like walls, subfloor, and ceilings need special attention to ensure no moisture remains. Before proceeding with restoration work, use moisture meters to confirm that the building areas are thoroughly dried and ready for work. The drying could take several days, so continue with fans and dehumidification until all the materials are moisture-free.

8. Cleaning and Sanitizing

Clean and sanitize any areas that have been water-damaged to eliminate contaminants. Effective disinfectants must be used to clean surfaces exposed to gray or black water. Ensure that walls, furniture, and floors are cleaned and sanitized to remove bacteria and mold spores.

Focus additional attention on areas where bacteria thrive, such as kitchens and bathrooms. HVAC systems can also spread contamination, so remember to disinfect them and change the filters. Use safe and non-toxic cleaning solutions, especially for areas used by people and pets.

9. Preventing Mold Growth

Preventing mold growth is a vital step in restoration after a structure sustains water damage. Acting quickly to dry out all moisture is essential because mold thrives in damp conditions. Clean areas that sustained water damage with mold-killing products, wiping down all surfaces and materials that became wet.

Best practices for water damage restoration include using an antimicrobial spray to prevent mold growth in affected areas. Porous materials like drywall and carpet are susceptible to mold growth and should be removed and replaced. Additionally, although areas may seem dry, monitor water-damaged areas for signs of mold for several weeks after the incident.

10. Inspect for Structural Damage

Water leaks, floods, or pooling in a structure can compromise the building's integrity, necessitating an inspection and potential repairs. Check all load-bearing walls and beams for signs of weakness or indications of rot.

Inspect the building's foundation for any shifts or cracks that changes in water pressure might have caused. If water damage has weakened floors, walls, or ceilings, they may need additional reinforcement during restoration efforts. Replace any damaged electrical outlets or wiring that were exposed to water. Finally, it is a good idea to hire professionals to ensure the repairs and restoration work meet building safety standards.

11. Restoration and Insurance

Once the structure has dried out and passed a safety inspection, it is time to begin restoring and replacing damaged contents. Ensure all salvageable items, such as furniture and appliances, are clean, checked for safety, and dried. If the building contained upholstered furniture or bedrooms sustained water damage and mattresses got wet, they most likely need replacement due to mold or other contamination.

If water damage has affected essential documents and photos, professional restoration services may help restore them or create copies. Partnering with professionals ensures the restoration process is effective and smooth. The insurance company may be able to provide a list of providers. Contact them early to begin a claim and get additional guidance on how to move forward.

Keep detailed records of all repair costs, including materials and labor expenses. For more extensive or complex jobs, work with a certified water damage restoration company. After speaking with the insurance company, ensure that contractors understand the insurance procedures to coordinate the project seamlessly. Regularly communicate with the restoration team and insurance company for updates and additional guidance or advice.

Stop Water Damage in Its Tracks

When you are dealing with water damage, time is of the essence. Taking quick action can limit the damage and prevent long-term problems. Proactive measures also prevent more minor issues from turning into costly projects. Start the restoration process quickly to protect your property and ensure the safety of your commercial building or home. Turn to SERVPRO of Arcadia when you need professional, experienced water restoration specialists. Call us for more information today!

Effective Strategies to Prevent Water Damage in Retail Centers

8/26/2024 (Permalink)

Ceiling Water Leak Damage

Effective Strategies to Prevent Water Damage in Retail Centers

Despite the Internet taking a sizable portion of retail in the modern economy, retail centers are still key sources of goods for many consumers. Shopping centers, malls, and mixed-use areas that house retail outlets provide access to everything from clothing to specialty items, and commercial property managers who oversee retail centers typically stay quite busy throughout each work day.

Protecting Retail Centers From Threats

In addition to administrative and managerial tasks, security and protection are heavily influenced by retail center management. Threats can come from just about anywhere, but water damage is often one of the largest concerns.

Moisture can potentially cause serious property damage that requires costly repairs, modeling, or rebuilding. Water damage in a retail center can also weaken structures, turning them into hazards and liabilities for workers and shoppers.

The good news is that there are some steps you can take now to prevent water damage inside retail centers you manage. Below are some tips for commercial property owners and retail center managers:

Conduct Routine Inspections

One of the best ways to prevent water damage inside retail centers is to stop the damage before it has a chance to turn into a disaster. Regular inspections of commercial buildings can help you spot potential threats, so take some time to tour your property looking for signs of water damage like water stains, rain coming in from open skylights, other building systems with issues and roof leaks.

If you notice standing water with no apparent source, it may be time to contact a plumbing professional to inspect the area. Water leaks don’t always make themselves known at first. Over time, however, they will almost always get worse, and tell-tale signs of a water leak can include wet flooring and walls.

You can also create an inspection routine and include it in your employee training materials. This gives employees instructions on what to look for that may indicate water damage.

Install Smart Sensors

Many homes worldwide use automated smart technology to regulate indoor climate and monitor security cameras, but retail centers can also use smart technology to monitor for water intrusion and flooding. Water sensors are devices that connect to the Internet and can be installed in remote locations. When they encounter moisture, they send a notification to your smartphone or other connected device to alert you to the possibility of danger.

Although a smart sensor doesn’t necessarily prevent water damage from happening completely, it can help mitigate the damage by alerting you to the problem early. This may give you enough time to respond to the situation and take care of it before flooding and property damage occur.

Use Sump Pumps Where Appropriate

Sump pumps and other drainage technologies should be installed in areas vulnerable to flooding. These areas typically include low-lying sections of retail centers, but areas like kitchens, bathrooms, cleaning stations, and processing areas where water is used can also benefit from having a sump pump nearby. These devices activate when moisture enters a low-lying area and automatically pump out excess water to a safe location.

Drain areas should also be maintained to prevent clogs and obstructions from creating blockages. Because water damage can happen slowly over time, a blocked drain may not be a big issue at first. As moisture builds in a confined area, backups caused by blocked drains can cause the water to spread to nearby wires, electronics, walls, furniture, and more. This can lead to structural weakening, the risk of fires, and slip-and-fall hazards.

Apply Waterproofing Where Necessary

Waterproofing areas vulnerable to moisture can prevent damage in many cases. Waterproofing may involve applying coatings to areas like walkways or below-grade areas, but it can also mean simply placing sandbags or other moisture barriers around a specific area.

When you put waterproofing in place, consider having the job completed by or, at the very least, inspected by a professional. Although there are plenty of consumer-grade products available at hardware stores that can be easily applied to create a moisture barrier, these are generally not suited to protect commercial interests. A professional waterproofing company can evaluate your commercial property, discuss custom solutions, and put waterproofing measures in place to protect sensitive areas.

Develop or Refine an Emergency Response Plan

In keeping with the above, develop a response plan if water damage is found during an inspection. Flood control should be a top priority in this plan, especially in areas vulnerable to water, such as electrical systems or retail centers where customers spend time.

Your emergency response plan should include the location of shut-off valves for your property’s water supply and HVAC equipment vent locations. You can also detail clean-up procedures for minor spills, but professional water clean-up is generally recommended for large amounts of moisture in commercial buildings.

Get Established With a Restoration Company

Lastly, although the above steps can help prevent water damage inside retail centers, accidents, and emergencies can and do happen. This is why it would be a good idea to get established with a reliable restoration company in the event that something like a sudden storm, major water leak, or burst plumbing pipe causes water damage.

Water damage restoration companies like SERVPRO® help business owners and commercial property managers quickly mitigate the effects of water damage and restore commercial properties. While the hope is that you will never need to utilize the services of a restoration company, establishing a relationship with one now can save you time, money, and frustration in the event that water intrusion occurs in the future.

Contact SERVPRO of Arcadia for Fast Help in a Water Emergency

SERVPRO of Arcadia is the team to trust when you need commercial restoration services following water, fire, or smoke damage. Our team helps commercial property managers return to operations faster, and we’re also happy to provide more tips to prevent water damage at your retail store.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage in Apartment Buildings

7/29/2024 (Permalink)

A man holding a bucket of water

Ways to Prevent Water Damage in Apartment Buildings

Preventing water damage to apartment buildings is one of the top priorities of property managers, as water damage can be costly. Aside from the initial damage caused by flooding or plumbing leaks, water damage often produces hidden damage that may not be noticed or felt for weeks, months, or even years.

How Water Damage is Insidious

As wooden surfaces absorb moisture, they can become saturated, allowing the wood to rot over time. This weakens the structural elements of apartment buildings and potentially jeopardizes the structural integrity of accommodations.

Furthermore, moisture damage can cause soil saturation and erosion, which may lead to foundation issues over time. Moisture can also lead to uneven walkways, which may threaten workers and tenants in and around multi-family properties.

Additionally, moisture that makes its way to areas that house electrical components can also become compromised with rust and corrosion. The effects of moisture damage on electrical components sometimes result in shortening circuits. Still, in some cases, it can lead to the creation or arcing that results in severe electrical shocks and apartment fires.

Because of the dangers listed above, preventing water damage to apartment buildings should be at the top of your list as a property manager after a natural disaster, burst pipe incident, or any other situation involving moisture and flooding.

Seek an Inspection After a Water Event

If you’re concerned about damage after a water event, it’s important to inspect affected areas professionally, even if you don’t see any apparent damage. As mentioned, water damage can sometimes be hidden in plain sight. While walls, flooring, and ceilings may look okay from the outside, structural damage may be in, and an upstairs neighbor may be getting ready to fall through the floor to the unit below.

Another advantage of having an inspection done early is quickly performing mitigation and restoration services. After a fire event where apartment sprinklers have gone off, a fire damage restoration service can inspect the area for both outward and hidden damage to provide recommendations and solutions. Professional restoration services often use advanced tools and training to spot areas of damage that may not be outwardly visible but can still lead to structural instability.

Contact Your Insurance Company

It’s also vital to contact your insurance company immediately following an event that causes water damage. Many commercial insurance companies require customers to file a claim within a specific amount of time after an event, and written notice may also be required. By contacting your insurance provider early, you may have an easier time dealing with water damage and receiving coverage for costs incurred.

It’s also a good idea to encourage tenants of a damaged apartment building to contact their insurance providers. Many people who lease apartments have renters’ insurance. While these are usually separate policies independent of your insurance coverages, you can make life easier for everyone when coverage claims start early.

Review Your Maintenance Policies

Regular maintenance is another way to prevent water damage to apartment building structures. Although some water events happen at a moment’s notice due to natural disasters or burst pipes, others occur due to neglect of plumbing and safety systems.

You likely already have a maintenance schedule to inspect and maintain these systems, but it may have been a while since you’ve reviewed it. This can lead to gaps and lapses, especially if changes have been made to your property over time.

By taking some time now to review and amend your maintenance plan, you stand a better chance of staving off water damage before it occurs. As a bonus, this can also allow you to look for and weed out inefficiencies.

Don’t forget to include HVAC and plumbing equipment inspections as part of your maintenance. While inspecting the structural integrity of your buildings is important, remember that leaking AC units or plumbing pipes can lead to water damage over time. This type of damage is often the hidden type mentioned previously.

A leaking plumbing pipe in a building's basement or crawlspace may take weeks, months, or longer to cause damage. Regular and thorough inspections can catch these problems early, allowing you to prevent serious damage.

Update Your Training

In addition to updating your maintenance policies, it is also a good idea to update your training. In many cases, the first step in preventing water damage to apartment buildings is having the right training so that workers know how to handle water emergencies.

In your policy manual, clearly spell out the chain of command for reporting potential water damage and the steps workers must take to mitigate damage safely. Remember to include steps workers should take to protect tenants, their property, and common areas where tenants may gather. These steps can help you avoid lawsuits for injuries or breach of lease agreements.

Work With a Mitigation and Restoration Professional

If you spot water damage, you’re also encouraged to work with a professional mitigation and restoration company. While your maintenance staff may be able to handle some repair and restoration jobs, a professional mitigation and restoration company will usually be able to provide more comprehensive service. Dedicated restoration services may also be covered by your property’s insurance policy, allowing you to quickly get the damage under control without spending a lot out of pocket.

Contact SERVPRO of Arcadia for Fast Solutions After Water Damage at Your Apartment Building

If you’re concerned about water damage at your apartment building, SERVPRO of Arcadia is Here to Help®. SERVPRO® water damage specialists provide inspection and restoration services to mitigate damage to commercial properties caused by water, smoke, fire, and more.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage After a Leak

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

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)

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)

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 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.