Common Causes of Water Damage and How to Prevent Them

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

Our technical doing a water extraction

Water damage can be caused by a variety of issues, from leaking pipes and appliance malfunctions to roof damage and flooding. Preventing water damage requires regular maintenance, such as inspecting plumbing, cleaning gutters, and monitoring appliances. SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch / Mira Mesa / Rancho Penasquitos encourages homeowners and businesses to stay vigilant and act quickly if a leak is detected. We also offer preventive solutions like waterproofing basements and conducting routine property inspections.

Restoration after a water damage emergency

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

Water leak

We know how important the belongings you have in your home are. After a water damage we determine the best cleaning method to restore the items affected by the water damage. Some of the cleaning methods we use are:

• Dry cleaning: Used to clean light residue or to pre-clean before wet cleaning.
• Wet cleaning: An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residue.
• Spray and Wipe: Effective for items that don't hold up to wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning: Use for upholstery fabrics that may shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive cleaning: Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Cleaning by immersion: The content is immersed in a bath of the cleaning product.

When your Scripps Ranch / Mira Mesa / Rancho Peñasquitos home or commercial business needs water damage restoration services, we'll be ready to respond using our innovative technology and expertise. Call us at 877-287-0880.

Let us get started on your water loss before it gets worse!

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Call us for free estimates!

Water losses are never easy to deal with. It's important to act quickly and let a trusted company like SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos handle the job so you can be certain it will get done right. 

We will get to your home or business fast, extract the water and start the drying process immediately to avoid further damages. Water losses can lead to other damages very quickly and it can be very costly. We understand that you don't have time to wait around. We have properly trained team members ready to act when you need help.

Water losses don't have to be your problem to deal with alone. SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos can help take the stress off your shoulders. We deal with these sorts of things daily and know exactly how to approach the situation. 

You don't need to tackle water damage alone!

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

Don't ignore signs of water damage. We are here to help.

Water damage can turn into a really big problem fast! Ignoring damages from water can burden you with an even bigger problem than you ever thought could occur. Water travels quickly and can seep into the smallest crevices. If you notice signs of water damage, do not ignore it!   

Contact SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos for a free estimate. We will give you the correct scope of work and lay out the plan of action for you. You want to ensure that the job gets done right the first time someone addresses the issues Our technicians are trained and certified. We have the knowledge and the equipment to help you and take on the job! We will isolate the leak if there is one and work as quickly as possible. Water damage is our area of expertise. We can help! 

Call SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos for any water related issues.  858-271-1519 

Your San Diego Water Loss

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

We are here for your San Diego water loss!

Water Losses in San Diego happen often. When you have a leak, water travels fast and can cause costly damages to your items and home. It's important to check your home often to ensure that you can catch a leak in the early stages. Finding and repairing water leaks on your property can save you water, which means you will ultimately save money on your water and sewer bills. 

For leak detection, we recommend keeping a chart in your home where everyone in your family is familiar with to date the last time the inspection was completed. 

Turn your water using appliances off so you cut off the water supply in your home completely and check your water dials. If your water dials have moved even though the water has been shut off, you could have a leak in your home. If you cannot visibly see a leak, it could be an underground pipe. You may need the help of a plumber if this is the case. It's important to act quickly with water leaks to prevent further damages! 

CALL us if you need help. 858-271-1519

What are the causes of leaking water pipes?

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos with any water issues you may have.

Water leaks can lead to further damages to your home such as mold and added expenses. It's important to routinely check your home to maintain your water pipes. 

Time definitely takes a toll on your homes pipes and over time, your pipes can rust or leak. Earthquakes can also cause homes to shift and loosen your plumbing in your home. 

What are the most common causes of leaking water pipes? 

*Change in temperature that may cause pipes to crack leading to leaks. 

*Water connectors becoming loose. It's a good idea to routinely check where your water sources are to see if anything is loose to avoid leaks. 

* Nearby tree roots can intrude in your home. You may need to have a plumber come out if you notice a tree growing near your home and you notice a sudden drop in water pressure. 

*Corrosion is a common indicator of a leak about to happen or will happen in the near future. Rust eats away at the pipes. 

*Clogged lines and water pressure set too high can lead to a burst in your pipes. 

*Broken seals around your appliances may wear off over time. Routinely check to make sure that the seals are not broken. 

What are the signs of water damage?

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

Be aware of the signs of water damage!

Water damage can happen quickly and leave a lasting impact on your home or business. It is important to pay attention to the signs of water damage and regularly check your water sources so that you notice any issues before they get worse. 

Signs to watch out for with water damage: 

* Damp, moldy or musty smell (These types of smells can be a large indicator that there is water damage in your home or business. If you notice these types of smells, it's important to act quickly to avoid further damages) 

* Your utility bill has a sudden increase. This could be an indication that there is a leak. 

* You notice a puddle or a pool of water that comes back after you have cleaned it. 

*Crackling or flaking of paint on ceilings or walls

*The sound of running water is present 

*Darker spots in areas or wet spots 

If you notice any of the above signs, you may have water damage. The longer you wait to address water damage, the worse it becomes. Call SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/ Mira Mesa/ Rancho Penasquitos for a free estimate. We will work properly and quickly! 

858-270-5234 

San Diego Water Damage Event

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of La Jolla provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of La Jolla arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Can I fix water damage myself?

12/20/2019 (Permalink)

Can I fix water damage myself?

Many homeowners, especially those who consider themselves handy with tools, consider trying to repair water damage on their own. While SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos appreciates individualism and responsible homeownership, there are often many aspects to a water damage situation that can be easily missed by an individual owner. Commonly, when drywall becomes saturated with water, the insulation or studs behind the wall will also become soaked. Once moisture becomes trapped within walls it will immediately begin to create an environment ripe for microbial growth.

SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos has professional equipment designed to effectively and efficiently remove moisture from behind existing walls, while focusing on minimizing damage and downtime. The most responsible move is to call SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos and our team will be on site before you know it.

Pipes burst in local preschool

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

A local preschool/daycare recently had pipes burst in their restroom on a Friday afternoon. About eighty families depend on this preschool to care for their children on a full-time basis and closing the school because of this flood was not an option. Thankfully, the staff was able to turn the building's water main line off and when the plumber arrived, he re-piped the broken pipes and returned the bathroom to back up and running in no time. When SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos arrived, we extracted the affected area and thankfully did not need to remove any floors or walls. The floor was concrete and was extracted and dried out using dehumidifier and air moving equipment. Our local licensed Hygienist performed mold testing and the results were clear. The school was back up and running by the next Monday and this flood did not disrupt any business for the school or any workdays for the parents! Thanks for contacting SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos when you are in need!

My water heater leaked and the pan overflowed, now what? Call SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch / Mira Mesa / Rancho Penasquitos

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

By code, most residential water heaters are required to be set into a "drip pan" designed to catch water that may leak.

 Sometimes these drip pans are not connected to a drain, and instead simply delay an inevitable water overflow. A water heater leak and overflow can cause damage to surrounding walls and flooring, and can rapidly create a hazardous mold situation. As water heaters generally leak hot water, the high temperature creates a perfect environment for microbial growth including potentially black mold.  By having the experts at SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch / Mira Mesa / Rancho Penasquitos address the situation right away, you can prevent extensive damage that will continue to spread. Our team has decades of experience dealing with water heater leaks in the least destructive method possible. By utilizing methods such as dry-in-place and selective demolition we can keep costs down and get your water back on asap. 

SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos Acts Fast

11/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos works quickly to minimize your business interruption and get you back to making sales fast!

SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Peñasquitos is the leader in commercial flood drying in the San Diego County area. With the capability to handle projects from just a few square feet to giant multi-story structures, having an expert like SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Peñasquitos on your side will keep your business running. 

We focus on minimizing business interruption following a flood, fire or other unforeseen issue at your office. We know that your customers expect a certain level of professionalism in the appearance of your office, warehouse or industrial space. Some other restoration companies are quick to tear into your walls, rip up your flooring and run to your insurance company with a bill. While this may be a profitable strategy for them, we are interested in partnering with our clients to focus on the outcome most important to THEM. Is it important not to cut into any drywall? No problem, we have advanced equipment and certified staff to develop the least invasive drying strategy for your particular problem.  

SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos

4/16/2019 (Permalink)

Example of sewage loss

When commercial restrooms or residential bathrooms run into trouble, SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos is here to help. Sewage backup is an unfortunate occurrence that our highly trained technicians specialize in thoroughly cleaning, disinfecting, odor removing and restoring to its original condition. Toilets, showers, sinks and tubs can all cause water damage. Whether is a commercial restroom flood or residential restroom flood, SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos is here to help, any time of day or night! Examples of recent commercial work include Churches, preschools and retail storefronts. Please call 858.270.5234 anytime and we will get our team right over to help. 

www.SERVPROscrippsranchmiramesaranchopenasquitos.com 

Second Floor Bathroom Leak

4/17/2018 (Permalink)

House was recently flooded... From the top floor bathroom, leaked through the entire house. It's been a hard couple of days since we are expecting a newborn baby any day now. I contacted SERVPRO based on the reviews and was fortunate to get a hold of the ACTUAL owner! Angela assured me that the house will be back to normal, walls would be tested for mold and they have contents removal which will save me the headache of having my stuff moved from a different company. Megan came out the next day and has been working directly with our adjuster since my husband and I have been in and out of the hospital. So far, it's been an amazing and seamless experience and happy we decided to give them a call! Thank you SERVPRO Scripps Ranch Mira Mesa Rancho Penasquitos!

How to protect your home from Water Damage

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

Along with warmer weather and greener scenery, spring can also bring severe storms, heavy rain, and flooding which can result in costly water damage to your home and the loss of valuable possessions. Here are seven tips to help protect your home from flooding and water damage.

Tip #1: Inspect and Repair Your Roof

A leaky roof can cause a lot more damage to your house than unsightly water stains on the ceiling. Roof leaks keep attic insulation wet, which can lead to rot and mold.

The unseen damage caused by roof leaks is often worse than what meets the eye, so it’s important to have it fixed as soon as possible. Having a reputable roofing contractor inspect your roof, check for undetected leaks, and make any needed repairs can prevent more costly damage down the road.

Tip #2:

 Document Your Possessions

Compiling a detailed home inventory of your personal possessions, backed up with photos and/or video, can be invaluable when processing an insurance claim in the aftermath of a flood or storm damage.

Keep the documentation in a waterproof container stored as high as possible away from rising water, and put a backup copy in a safe deposit box or other secure remote location.

It’s also a good idea to scan and maintain digital copies of all important records and keep them in a waterproof safe or a safety deposit box away from the house. That way, you’ll have more than enough evidence to support an insurance claim for damage caused by water or severe weather.

Tip #3:

 Trim Your Trees

To help prevent storm damage to your home, it’s important to trim tree branches that are growing near or hanging over your home to prevent them from breaking and crashing through the roof or damaging your siding during a storm.

Check to make sure all trees and large shrubs are alive and well, and remove any dead limbs or unhealthy plants. A dead plant may not seem like a threat, but it is more likely to be broken by strong winds during severe weather.

Tip #4: Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

It’s also important to make sure to keep your gutters clean, repair any gutter leaks and check regularly to see that they drain properly.

In addition, inspect your downspouts, remove any downspout clogs, and use splash blocks or downspout extension pipes to make sure the water is directed well away from your house foundation.

Call our team of professionals at SERVPRO Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos if you run into any water damage. We are here to help!

source: www.todayshomeowner.com 

Tips to protect your home from flood damage

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

Devastating Home Flood

Most people think they’re covered for flooding with their homeowners insurance policy. But they’re not!

You must buy a separate flood insurance policy to be covered. If you’re in a flood plain, and you have a mortgage, you likely do have the insurance because mortgage companies require it.

But if you’re not in a flood plain, you’re not required to purchase it. That’s where the gap is. Only 18% of homeowners in low-to-moderate risk areas have flood insurance. Of those that have it, 1 in 5 have made a claim. 

Now imagine being one of the 82% without flood insurance. There’s a 20% chance you’ll be flooded. In fact, did you know that flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. (that’s according to floodsmart.gov.)? Are comfortable with that level of risk?

For more about flood insurance, here are some details we put together to help you decide whether or not you should purchase it.

Regardless of whether or not you purchase insurance, there are some proactive things you can do to be prepared just in case the nightmare does happen:

Put Together an Emergency Kit and Evacuation Plan

If you live in a high-risk area, it’s a good idea to have a “go-bag” ready in case you need to leave quickly. Include:

• A few changes of clothing for you and family members
• Insurance policy numbers
• Phone numbers of your agent
• Your insurance company’s main number
• Essential toiletries
• Money to get you through a few days

It’s also wise to have an evacuation route mapped out and to have a location to which you can go, such as a loved one’s home or hotel. Always follow the direction of local and state authorities if ordered to evacuate. Remember: Your possessions and your home are small comfort if your family is injured or worse.

Preventative measure: If you believe water will begin to accumulate in your home, shut off power at the main electrical panel in your home, says Bill Begal, owner of Begal Enterprises, a Rockville, Md., disaster restoration company. But never stand in water to do so — if the area around the box is already flooded, leave it alone.

In addition, know what to do in the first 24 hours after a flood to avoid additional risks to your health and home.

5 Tips to Help Your Home Stand Up to a Flood

1. Close foundation cracks with mortar and masonry caulk or hydraulic cement, which expands and fills gaps completely and costs only a few dollars. Don’t patch solely with mortar or cement, which may crack again. If water is a recurring problem, be sure to investigate other solutions for issues like wet basements.

2. Invest in a battery-powered sump pump. Sump pumps let you pump water out of your home and can be an excellent defense against flooding — unless they’re powered by electricity and the power is out. Battery-powered sump pumps are a relatively inexpensive ($150-$400) solution.

3. Move expensive items to a safer location. If you have a second floor or an attic, moving furniture, photographs, and artwork to a higher level will protect your possessions in all but the most severe floods. Elevate furnaces and water pumps when they’re installed, if possible, to a height of 12 inches above the highest known flood level for your area, suggests FEMA.

4. Anchor your fuel tanks. Unanchored tanks can float, rupture, and release fuel. Once the power sources of system units like furnaces and water heaters are disabled and the units cooled, you can also wrap them in waterproof tarps to mitigate water damage.

5. Install sewer or septic line check valves. They allow waste to flow only one way. Plan to spend $100 or more per valve to have a pro install them, or do it yourself for $10-$15 each to ensure sewage can’t back up into the standing water in your home. Install at a point in the pipe that’s easy to access for repair.

source: www.houselogic.com

Main sewer line back up...

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

We had a main sewer line backup into our home a few days back which required extraction, sanitation and drying / remediation of the affected area. This was the first time happening ever in that home and we have lived in the same home over 35 years! I didn't know who to call at first but then I was referred to SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch. SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch showed up on time, their staff was courteous, professional and incredibly thorough. Their staff explained exactly what the process would entail and I understood fully and also knew what to expect. My family was thrilled with the result. I hope I never have to call them again, but glad they're just a phone call away. Thank you SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch!