Recent Water Damage Posts

Weather damage

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

In California the weather is always changing. One day it could be bright and sunny, then the next day it is gloomy and raining. This can lead to situations occurring that you never thought you would have to deal with. There could be the potential for a flood or leak due to heavy rains. Thankfully SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview is prepared to serve you in any situation. Leave any complications regarding water damage in your house to us! We are widely trusted and known around the country at successfully restoring water damage. 

Some tips to avoid heavy rains damaging your property, be sure that your air conditioning unit is internally draining, caulk the edges of your air conditioning unit, tilt the unit toward the exterior, also assure that there is proper weather stripping. If you take these precautions before a heavy rain, you can help avoid many issues.

Give us a call today at (951) 344-6115!

How to Deal with Clogged Gutters

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Trees are constantly falling and leaving behind issues to deal with. Sometimes the trees even fall into the gutters which causes them to become clogged. It is important that we are aware of this issue so that we can prevent further issues from happening.

If you take care of the situation before more damage occurs, it will be simple for the professionals to take care of.

Also as water seeps under shingles it refreezes, expanding and creating a gap for future drainage to fill and further the cycle. This could cause the water to leak into the house and cause immense damage.

Here at SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview we are prepared to handle any situation that we come across. If the job seems too complicated for you, do not be afraid because we are here to help. Our main goal is to be there for you and help you through this situation.

Give us a call at 951-344-6114

Flooding Disaster

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

A flood is the last thing that anybody wants to deal with. Thankfully here at SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview we are fully equipped to help you out.

Before we make it out to your property there are a few things you can do to help minimize the issue: 

  • Remove excess water by mopping or blotting
  • Wipe furniture to lessen the damage
  • Put aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture and carpet
  • If it is is hot turn on air conditioning
  • Remove rugs

Doing all of these little details can greatly help with the restoration of your home and keep your personal items dryer.

Always be sure NOT to:

  • Don't use vacuum 
  • Don't use appliances
  • Don't leave personal items in area
  • Don't turn on ceiling fan

Give us a call at (951) 344-6115 if you are in need of any help!

Fix Your Leaky Faucets

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

Although a leaky faucet may not seem to bother most people. It is actually something that should be further investigated. The leak needs to be taken care of because it could ultimately cause a flood. Thankfully you are able to do this yourself with the help of some tools that most of us have lying around at home. 

There are many different types of faucets. It is important to know what type you have so that you can properly fix it. Some faucets that people have within their business or homes would be: 

  • Ceramic disk
  • Ball
  • Compression
  • Cartridge

The steps to fix a leaky faucet are:

  1. Turn off the water underneath the sink along the pipes. Turn the knob clockwise and unplug the drain.
  2. Replace the parts necessary, potentially you will need a new kit.
  3. Remove the old faucet piece by piece
  4. Install the new parts and turn the water on.

Do not put off fixing a leaky faucet as it could cause extreme water damage in the long run.

If you are facing any water damage issues within your property give SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview a call at (951) 344-6115. 

What To Do When Water Damages Your Home

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

It is an extreme hassle to deal with water damage that has been done to your property. This is a common occurrence that many people have to deal with.

Do not feel alone as we are prepared to handle any issues that may come your way! We have a 24 hour emergency service team that is trained and equipped to help you.  

Flooding can be caused by various issues such as a water from a storm or a water leak. Leaks are usually seen in older plumbing usage rather than newer. 

We are able to restore your home post flooding with the help of air movers, dehumidifiers, infrared moisture meters, injecti-dry technology, and drying mats.

If you are facing any issues regarding water damage, feel free to call SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview. You can reach us at (951) 344 6115.

Water Contamination Categories

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

IICRC defines water in to three separate categories to help our technicians know what the correct way to manage the water and also making sure to keep themselves and everyone who may come into contact with the water safe as possible.

Category 1

When water is category 1 water is means it is classified as ‘clean water’. This means it is not harmful to humans. Some examples of where category 1 water would come from are broken water supply lines or if a tap is left running in a bath and it overflows.

Category 2

This is where the water contains significant contamination and may cause discomfort or illness upon exposure. For example the water may contain unsafe levels of bacteria, viruses or mold. Category 2 water can also be referred to as ‘grey water’. Examples where category 2 water may leak from is dishwasher leak or washing machine overflow.

Category 3

This category of water is grossly contaminated. It can contain toxins or pathogens that cause significant adverse reactions after human exposure. It can also be referred to as ‘black water’. Examples of category 3 water are sewer backups, flooding from rivers or toilet overflow.

Our technicians at SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview are highly trained in knowing how to handle each of these categories of water. If you have a water loss please do not hesitate to give us a call!

Protecting Your Carpet After Water Damage

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

No matter the amount of water spilled or leaked onto a carpet it can start to cause an unpleasant odor or start to deteriorate the carpet fibers. When it is a small amount of water a household item such as a mop or towel will help soak up the water. However, when there is too much water that is saturating the carpet it is important to call a qualified restoration company such as SERVPRO to assist with removing the water with special equipment that can prevent further damage being done to the carpet.

Carpets that have become saturated with clean water can sometimes be saved if a water mitigation company is called fast enough. Carpets are made up of tiny fibers which easy retain moisture, the longer the water is present the more damage can be done.

> Water can cause carpet to delaminate. This is where the fibers detach from the backing of the carpet; usually if this happens to a carpet it would mean the carpet needs to be replaced. If water is extracted sufficiently and with in timely matter this can be avoided and the carpet can be dried in place.

> To dry carpets the most used approach is when technicians ‘float’ the carpet. This is where air is forced between the carpet and subfloor to allow air circulation which then leads to the carpet drying completely. If done correctly this is a great way to save carpet after water damage has occurred.

> Once the carpet has been dried to restore it back to preloss condition the carpet is cleaned with professional products and machines and when done correctly you won’t even know the carpet had been affected.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an inspection with us at SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview please give us a call today!

Water Damage Services

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Water is an essential to everyday life, but a small water damage can be horrible for a home. Water damages can be a huge headache to fix from a small leak in a pipe, leaky faucets, water damage is a huge safety concern. A small leak in your home can cause a huge water damage, take immediate action so your water damage will not be as severe. SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for any water emergencies, big or small. Also, SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview trained technicians that have their certifications of Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation (AMR), and Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Below are a list of steps to follow if your home has water damage.

  1. Stop the flow of water.

If the flooding has been caused by a burst pipe or a water heater failure, shut off the main water line for your home. Get in touch with an expert immediately if you cannot tell from where the water is coming.

    2. Turn off the power

If your home is flooded, cut off the electricity and gas from the main source. This isn’t as essential for small leaks or puddles, but for large floods turn them off to be safe.

    3. Contact your insurance company

If your home has water damage you should contact your insurance company immediately. Question you may ask regarding your homeowner policy coverage.

What is coverage? What is not covered?

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time.

Call SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview Today

(951)344-6114

Reasons why pipes burst

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Burst pipes can happen any where to any type of building. It sounds like a car backfiring, this loud pop sound, when these water pipes burst. The result is major flooding in the home and structural damage problems for homeowners. Here are four main reason why a burst pipe can occur:
1.Moving Pipes
2. Water Pressure
3. Corrosion
4. Frozen Pipes

Moving Pipes
Pipes can move around in the walls and ceilings if they aren’t secured properly and there is a sudden build up in water pressure. You can actually hear your water pipes making noise in the those cavities. If it sounds like they are clanging against each other, it’s called water hammer. This is where the pipes are moving back and fourth due to not being held in place properly. Over time these will become weakened at the connections until the water pressure is too much and it causes the connection to ‘pop’ and water will then escape and with in minutes the entire floor could be flooded.

Water Pressure
The water pressure must be kept at a normal setting in order for your water supply pipes to work and function efficiently. If you notice an increase in the water pressure this can cause for a pipe to burst. The increase in the water pressure will eventually cause a rupture in the pipe which will lead to a burst pipe. If you think your water pressure has increased, it’s best to check it out immediately. Grab yourself a pressure gauge and attach it to a sink. The pressure will move the needle on the gauge and display the water pressure in PSI.
The water pressure in most homes is between 30-50 PSI which is sufficient enough and won’t cause any damage to the pipes.

Corrosion
Pipes are meant to last a long time but they can’t guarantee us reliable service for indefinitely. Over time, some buildings will experience corrosion which can cause the pipes to start to fail or decay. Corrosion is caused by an imbalance of pH in the water. It won’t seem like an immediate emergency, how ever over the years if ignored the corrosion will star to occur.

When buildings were first constructed the pipes would be made on galvanized iron, the minerals inside the water will start to slowly break down the galvanized coating and expose the iron pipe beneath. Once this happens over time the iron will turn to rust and gradually clog the interior of the pipe which prevents water from flowing through. As a result, your pipe may burst or the water flow may stop completely.

Frozen Pipes
In the winter months in areas that experience extreme cold weather, some serious issues arise for the water supply pipes in the homes. The water flowing through the pipe can become frozen. With ice having more volume than water, once frozen it will expand with in the pipe causing an increase in pressure. The pressure continues to build and the only way for it to escape is to force it’s way through the weakest section of the pipe.
In order to prevent your pipes from freezing try to maintain a temperature of above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why do water pipes burst?

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

Burst pipes can happen any where to any type of building. It sounds like a car backfiring, this loud pop sound, when these water pipes burst. The result is major flooding in the home and structural damage problems for homeowners. Here are four main reason why a burst pipe can occur:
1.Moving Pipes
2. Water Pressure
3. Corrosion 
4. Frozen Pipes 

Moving Pipes
Pipes can move around in the walls and ceilings if they aren’t secured properly and there is a sudden build up in water pressure. You can actually hear your water pipes making noise in the those cavities. If it sounds like they are clanging against each other, it’s called water hammer. This is where the pipes are moving back and fourth due to not being held in place properly. Over time these will become weakened at the connections until the water pressure is too much and it causes the connection to ‘pop’ and water will then escape and with in minutes the entire floor could be flooded.

Water Pressure
The water pressure must be kept at a normal setting in order for your water supply pipes to work and function efficiently. If you notice an increase in the water pressure this can cause for a pipe to burst. The increase in the water pressure will eventually cause a rupture in the pipe which will lead to a burst pipe. If you think your water pressure has increased, it’s best to check it out immediately. Grab yourself a pressure gauge and attach it to a sink. The pressure will move the needle on the gauge and display the water pressure in PSI. 
The water pressure in most homes is between 30-50 PSI which is sufficient enough and won’t cause any damage to the pipes.

Corrosion
Pipes are meant to last a long time but they can’t guarantee us reliable service for indefinitely. Over time, some buildings will experience corrosion which can cause the pipes to start to fail or decay. Corrosion is caused by an imbalance of pH in the water. It won’t seem like an immediate emergency, how ever over the years if ignored the corrosion will star to occur.

When buildings were first constructed the pipes would be made on galvanized iron, the minerals inside the water will start to slowly break down the galvanized coating and expose the iron pipe beneath. Once this happens over time the iron will turn to rust and gradually clog the interior of the pipe which prevents water from flowing through. As a result, your pipe may burst or the water flow may stop completely.

Frozen Pipes

In the winter months in areas that experience extreme cold weather, some serious issues arise for the water supply pipes in the homes. The water flowing through the pipe can become frozen. With ice having more volume than water, once frozen it will expand with in the pipe causing an increase in pressure. The pressure continues to build and the only way for it to escape is to force it’s way through the weakest section of the pipe. 
In order to prevent your pipes from freezing try to maintain a temperature of above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Idyllwild Home Water Damage

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

We received a call from a home owner in Idyllwild, CA about water damage from their water heater. When we receive these calls we try to get as much information over the phone from the home owner to ensure we are well prepared. They described the water damage to only have affected two areas. Our team arrived promptly to start emergency services immediately. After our inspection we found the water damage to be a lot larger than the eye can see. Using our professional equipment our highly trained technicians found that the water had nearly spread through out the entire home. The customer was happy they gave us a call as soon as they noticed water leak.

Even if you may think it’s nothing please give SERVPRO of San Jacinto/Idyllwild/Lakeview a call and we can come inspect your home or businesses.

Open Air Drying After Water Loss

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

During the summer months, especially in California with the high heat and low humidity, if you experience a water loss and want to kick start the drying process, one of the best things you could do is open up with the windows and doors and place a couple of fans. 

Open air drying is where the air outside is hotter and dryer than the air inside the home. This will start to help dry up the materials that have been affected. If available place some fans in the area to get the air circulating so it can pick up that moisture and send it out the open door or window. 

It may not completely dry out everything but it will sure be a good start, then call SERVPRO of San Jacinto/ Idyllwild/ Lakeview to come and assist you with the rest.

We are always happy to help no matter how big or small the job could be.