So You Were Hit With a Storm

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

You have no control over what kinds of damages the weather inflicts on your home. After heavy rains or a robust snowfall, you might be left to cope with a variety of storm damage related incidents on both the inside and outside of your house.

Cleaning up flooding, repairing hail damage, thawing out frozen pipes, and removing an ice dam can be difficult and beyond your capabilities. To get your home back in livable condition after it has been hit by storm damage, you can get the best results by calling a professional home restoration company today like SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel

What do the professionals do?

Many storm remediation companies are available around the clock to respond to flood water, ice damage, hurricane damage and more.

When the restoration professionals arrive, they will get to work assessing what kind of water, hail, or ice damage you might be dealing with as the homeowner. They will look all over your property for signs of damage. Once they know the full extent and have a damage report for what you're dealing with, they can then assess a home restoration plan to get your house back into safe and livable condition.

The storm restoration plan may include using equipment like a flood pump to pump out ground water left behind by river flooding or frozen pipes. A flood pump is a standard piece of equipment used by companies that specialize in thawing frozen pipes, repairing an ice dam, and other types of home remediation. Depending on how much ground water is found inside and outside of your home, the flood pump might be the only option for getting rid of river flooding and undue this type of flooding damage.

Flood water can also enter your home through a roof leak. If your property has sustained significant wind damage, you may have suffered a roof leak and roof damage. That includes loosened or missing shingles and torn away tar paper. If your house has flooding coming in through the walls, foundation, and roof, partial or full roof repair may be part of the plan put together by the company you hire for storm remediation. It may sound like a lot of work, but in the end you and your people will be much safer in the long run.

You get the final say

You have full control over the storm restoration services carried out by the contractors doing the storm remediation. The home restoration professionals will consult you every step of the way so that you are in charge of the water restoration and storm damage cleanup. Giving you full control over the home restoration process spares you from paying for flooding, hail damage, and wind damage services that you may not really need.

Most storm restoration contractors in this line of business understand how nerve wracking it can be to go through extensive storm remediation. The water restoration people you hire will not start an ice damming or roof repair project or use equipment like a flood pump without your approval. They realize that you might find the repair process easier to deal with if you have a say in how the restoration work is carried out.

Likewise, you will be kept awhere of all repair work done to the outside or inside of your house. Even if the hurricane damage done to your house is extensive and more than you can take in at first, you will have a full say in what kinds of roof repair is done and in what manner ground water is removed from the property.

After the repairs

Dealing with the aftermath of river flooding, wind damage, roof damage, or ice damming left behind by a storm can be difficult.

When you don't know how to reverse damages repairs, you need to hire storm restoration professionals trained to any and all types of storm remediation.

Call SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel at (949) 472-8090

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Restoring Your Damaged Home

6/20/2022 (Permalink)

Flood in Laguna Hills Canyon

When assessing how best to address storm damage, it is absolutely crucial that you first consult with a licensed water restoration contractor at SERVPRO of Laguna Hils/Laguna Niguel. Going into the repair process equipped with an objective and professional perspective is the only way that you can ensure a successful and safe home restoration. Whether your property endured flooding, hurricane damage, wind damage, storm damage, or ice damage, for your safety, it’s best to evacuate the premises until the storm remediation process is completed. Your damaged home may contain dangers like ground water in the basement or you may have hazards like roof leaks or flood water. Whatever the case, you’ll want an expert to evaluate the premises before stepping foot in your damaged home.

Flooding

Seasonal storms are often accompanied by river flooding, so qualified storm restoration and water restoration services take into account any flooding that may have affected your property.

Storm remediation often entails the removal of gallons upon gallons of flood water, an arduous process which requires a flood pump. In cases of hurricane damage and storm damage, ground water often comes to the surface and can enter the home, at which point it can only be removed by a flood pump. Water restoration crews always carry flood pumps as part of their toolset since they are the first people to call when you find flood water in the home.

Depending on your region and the time of year you may also need a roof repair or have ice damage, hail damage, have frozen pipes and or have ice dams.

Ice Dams & Frozen Pipes

One type of ice damage that requires immediate storm restoration is ice damming. If you see an ice dam on your roof it’s imperative that you act quickly to reduce the amount of roof repair your home will need. After a heavy snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures ice dams are likely to form on your roof and damage it. This roof damage can quickly result in roof leaks making it critical that you have someone perform roof repair immediately to mitigate the storm damage. Ice damming can quickly lead to other issues such as flooding if not taken care of with proper storm restoration.

Wind damage, ice damage and hail damage can all cause roof leaks. However, ice damming can be the most harmful to your roof and should be immediately removed by a professional storm remediation service. A roof leak or any roof damage can quickly lead to just as much moisture damage as river flooding or ground water in no time. If you have any roof damage, arranging for prompt roof repair along with a complete home restoration is a must.

Preparing for Storms

As long as people continue to live in areas where storms are common, properties will still be prone to hurricane damage, wind damage, and river flooding.

In the winter months, hail damage, ice damming and frozen pipes are to be expected. While there’s not a lot that can be done about the weather besides moving somewhere else, discovering professional home restoration and storm remediation resources within your community can help protect you against roof damage, ground water flooding and frozen pipes.

Storm remediation is too great a task to do it alone, so it’s important to get the help of water restoration and storm restoration professionals in your area, SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel can take care of any wind damage, hurricane damage or hail damage you have had or may have this year. And remember, safety always comes first, so make sure to have your home professionally assessed before setting foot on the property.

Call SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel at (949) 472-8090

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How to Protect Your Business and Employees During a Storm

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

When bad weather comes to Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel, protecting your business from the elements can reduce the risk of costly accidents and damage. From heavy rainstorms to flood waters and high winds, bad storms can be powerful enough to freeze your building’s pipes, damage your roof and cut off your power lines. However, there are a few actions you can take to shield your building and employees from harm once temperatures start to plummet. 

1. Allow Employees To Work From Home 

Shutting down your business due to bad weather can negatively impact your business’ finances. However, you can keep operations humming by allowing your employees to work remotely.

Data wranglers, researchers and website designers can all work from the comfort of their homes and do not have to put themselves in danger in the event of a bad storm. Especially after the events of the pandemic, many workers are able to work safely and effectively from home. If you don't already, you may want to have a remote contingency plan in place beforehand so work can continue smoothly upon notice of a work from home day. 

2. Be Aware of Weather Warnings 

Using weather apps and streaming news services can keep you ahead of any possible bad storms and allow you to take action when it comes to protecting your business. For example, if temperatures are projected to drop into the single digits, a pipe burst in your building’s basement or bathrooms could cause a serious flood. Being aware of upcoming weather conditions can give you time to install additional insulation or contact a storm damage and flood cleanup service to retain their services as a precaution. 

3. Inspect Your Roof 

Knowing whether your building’s roof could withstand a powerful wind storm can help you avoid a costly repair bill in its aftermath. Heavy rains can cause weak sections of the roof to collapse, and missing shingles may cause moisture to seep into the attic. It is wise to have the roof inspected before bad weather arrives. 

Bad weather and frigid wind can affect your business in a variety of ways. However, being prepared in the face of an ice or snow storm may help you protect your property and employees.

Call SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel at (949) 472-8090

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How YOU Can Help After a Flood

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

Flood in Laguna Hills Canyon

After a flood, the cleanup can be over whelming. Luckily there are ways you can prepare for a content cleaning without adding on extra stress.

Here are four steps to dealing with the impact of a storm on your home. 

How To Remove Water 

Content cleaning can’t begin until after you have removed the water from your home. Keep in mind that you should never try to remove the water yourself. A specialist can do this safely and effectively without you having to worry about handling every drop of moisture. 

How To Assess Damage 

With the water extracted, it’s time to take stock of what’s been damaged or lost in the flood. Look for signs of mold and mildew on walls and furniture. You should make two separate lists: one for what should be tossed out and another for what can be saved. 

What To Throw Away 

If the item has a porous surface or has sat in black water for too long, you may have to throw it away. Contents typically on this list include: 
• Cardboard 
• Stuffed animals 
• Mattresses 
• Carpet 

Additionally, you will probably have to throw out all paper products. 

What To Keep 

While paper products should almost always be discarded, if you have an item of significant or sentimental value, you can have a freeze-drying contractor preserve the item. Aside from that, the kinds of items that you can save are generally the ones with non-porous surfaces or that weren’t touched by the flood waters. If it can be cleaned, you may be able to save it. 

A home flooded with black water can be stressful and difficult to deal with. It’s important that you don’t hesitate, however, when it comes to content cleaning. After all, damage can become worse if you let it sit. It’s best to deal with it as quickly as you can.

Call SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel at (949) 472-8090

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Take Care of Commercial Storm Damage Right Away with SERVPRO

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

What Mold can do to Wood

For a suburban city like Laguna Niguel, CA, water damage in homes and commercial buildings is a problem that should be dealt with immediately. Whether it’s caused by flooding due to natural occurrences or water pipes bursting, the damage will get worse the longer it’s not acted upon. As the damage gets worse, so does the consequences it brings. That’s why water damage restoration experts, like SERVPRO, recommend immediate action.

Mold and Mildew Buildup

One of the most concerning problem that may arise from water damage is the growth of mold and mildew, which usually starts 48 hours to one week after the water damage incident. It can affect the building and, consequently, its occupants, in many aspects.

What Happens to your Wood

Mold easily grows on wooden structural material and when they do, the material starts to deteriorate. Buildings or homes that have a lot of wooden materia can get eaten up by mold. They lose the qualities they had in the beginning that made them ideal as building materials and it may lead to further large-scale home damage.

Furniture and other items made of wood also have the same vulnerability. At best, they’d sustain some stains. At worst, they might just no longer be usable.

Costs Pile Up

As the mold spreads and damage worsens, the repair costs would also climb. Add to that the possible medical bills. All these just show that water damage should be addressed as soon as possible. The same is true for other types of damage, such as storm and fire damage.

Call SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel at (949) 472-8090

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How to Protect Your Home From Rainwater Damage

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

It looks like the rainy season here in Southern California is beginning. Will your house be safe during a heavy downpour? Here is what SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel recommends you can do to help protect your home from rainwater damage.

1. Maintain your roof.

Neglecting the care of your roof could lead to some serious damage when the rain comes. Inspect your roof for damaged, missing, or loose shingles. Keep in mind that roods have a lifespan of 20-30 years. 

2. Seal windows and doors.

If windows and doors are not properly sealed, water can seep in through the cracks. Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks. They can be sealed with caulking or with sprayable insulating foam. 

3. Maintain your homes' exterior finish.

Water may be able to enter your home through holes in your exterior walls, resulting in mold, peeling paint, or discoloration. Repaint and repair exterior areas as needed. 

4. Ensure proper drainage.

If water isn't properly diverted away from the home, the foundation could possibly be at risk. Make sure that there is no standing water available. 

5. Clean your gutters.

They should be free of any debris. Blocked gutters cause the water to flow down the side of your house and collect at the base.

6. Check your downspout.

Downspouts should extend to at least two or three feet from the house. If it doesn't extend far enough, then it could actually be channeling the water directly into a puddle at the base of your house.

Call SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel at (949) 472-8090

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What to do After a Flood

11/17/2021 (Permalink)

What To Do After Flooding

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

SERVPRO During a Storm

11/9/2021 (Permalink)

Protect Yourself with Laguna Hills Water Damage Restoration Services

In California how often are we hit with storms? The answer is, not often. So, when it happens most Californians are not prepared for the effects it will have on you or your home. Storms in California such as mudslides, flooding, the high winds and rain which can damage your home if things are flying around, and the occasional thunderstorm with hail. That's just a small number of things that can happen but no matter the size of the storm, if you have been effected, you should seek out resources from professionals to make sure your home is safe and sound from any further damage that may occur after a storm.

When the Inland Empire suffered massive flooding due to heavy rains and strong winds spun off by a Pacific hurricane many homes suffered and the structural integrity of buildings were in trouble.

Structural inspection is necessary

Structural damage is one of the most dangerous risks people have to endure when flooding hits their property. That’s why it’s imperative to have your home’s structure checked by a Laguna Hills water damage restoration professional should you encounter flooding in your home.

It doesn’t end there

Unfortunately, structural damage is not the only problem you have to contend with when flooding strikes. When water enters your home, its moisture content is dramatically increased, thereby allowing the growth of potentially dangerous mold.

Don’t let water damage problems linger

Water damage sometimes cannot be avoided, so it is important for you to take the necessary steps to ensure it is addressed at once. If you suspect structural damage or mold growth in your home, you might want to contact a professional that restores water and fire damage in Laguna Hills, CA immediately.

Call SERVPRO of Laguna Hills/Laguna Niguel at (949) 472-8090

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