Archived Water Damage Blog Posts
When a Cerritos or Hawaiian Gardens Property Has a Crawlspace
1/15/2022 (Permalink)
Why Are Crawlspaces Important to our Scope of Work
When a property is affected by water damage, the first thing we want to make sure of is that we have an accurate understanding of all the affected areas. Especially in our territory, it is common to find crawlspaces underneath the main level of a property. If a crawlspace is left unchecked, the consequences can leave you with even more to deal with than when the initial loss occurred. So why is it important that we inspect the crawlspace? And how do we mitigate crawlspace damage?
- Not Ideal Drying Conditions
To start, it's important that a crawlspace is at least evaluated to determine whether or not mitigation is needed. Due to the natural state and low temperatures in crawlspaces, heavily affected materials will not dry out on their own. A drying chamber is recommended to ensure vital structural components are properly addressed.
In most affected crawlspaces, when the soil is heavily affected an odor can become present. If the soil is not turned over or mucked out (removed and disposed) the odor can persist long after everything inside the home is restored.
- What Restoration in a Crawlspace involves
When we mitigate damages to a property with a crawlspace, we ensure the scope of work includes every affected area. Our crawlspace team lays down an absorbent barrier to draw out as much moisture as possible. After which a contained drying chamber and drying machines are hauled into the affected area to dry out the subfloor and footings of the home.
Do your property have a crawlspace? Contact us today to have a trained technician evaluate and survey the area for moisture or signs of damage. 562-916-7646
Causes of a Sewer Backup
1/15/2022 (Permalink)
Common Causes of Sewer Backups in Cerritos and Hawaiian Gardens
Tree roots are the most common culprit our team has found when a sewage backup occurs. If root systems are not stopped they begin to crack, wrap around and eventually completely break sewer lines. Per roto-rooter, signs that there are tree routes in your sewer line include slow flowing drains and gurgling noises.
Clogged drains occur when foreign materials are flushed down toilets or substances not meant for the garbage disposal are put into it. When in doubt, it is best to throw it out into a garbage can.
While sewer lines are usually crafted out of durable materials, extensive time can where down these systems and inevitably they can rust and crack.
Lastly, is when systems are routed incorrectly. Specifically, if rain gutters, downspouts and sump pumps are routed directly into your sewer line, this can cause a huge issue. Drain lines are not meant to handle heavy surges of water and can fail when overloaded.
For more information, consult local resources where you can find more requirements and guidance. In the event that you experience a sewer backup, you know who to call! The SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens team is ready to help 24/7 at 562-916-7646.
24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Cerritos Service
10/30/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.
We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today -562-916-7646
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 Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.
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.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
- Your name and contact information
- Your insurance information (if applicable)
- The street address of the water-damaged home or business
- When did the flooding or water damage occur?
- What caused the water damage (if known)?
- Is there electricity available (on-site)?
About SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens
SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Socal Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!
10/30/2020 (Permalink)
Socal Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!
While Southern California homes may not often contain a basement, if your home does it's important to know what steps to take if a flood occurss.
Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Cerritos basement could flood, including:
- A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
- Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
- Storm sewer backup
- Sanitary sewer backup
- Foundation drainage failure
- Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
- And many more
Have Questions about Basement Flooding?
Call Today -562-916-7646
If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.
The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Cerritos and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.
We are Flooded Basement Specialists:
- We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
- We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
- We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
- Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
- We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
- Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment
Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 562-916-7646
Standing Water in Your Cerritos Home Doesn't Stand A Chance!
10/25/2020 (Permalink)
Here in Your Community. Here to Help.
Extracting Standing Water From Your Cerritos, CA Home
Imagine a calm afternoon in your place of peace and tranquility, your home. No interruptions, just pure bliss. Nothing could ruin this day...or so you thought. Just as you open a door, you set foot in the room and - slosh! That's when it happens...you find several inches of standing water pooled together start to intrude into the home. Where is this coming from? What can be done?
It is exactly in these type of circumstances that Our team of experts are trained and ready to handle. With our use of cutting edge technology we are prepared to handle any size disaster. So how does it work?
When standing water occurs, there is no delicate way to take care of it. Our field techs are equipped with Portable Flood Removal Extractors designed to properly eliminate pools of water in a residence or commercial environment. This equipment is designed with two, three stage vacuums (three rates of suction) to not only extract the standing water but also eliminate moisture in small hard-to-reach areas. This high powered extractor is designed to be portable so even in tight spaces it can get the job done.
Once the water has been extracted and as much moisture eliminated as possible, our techs work together to develop the correct drying plan for the remaining zones affected. Drying services are initiated with dehumidifies/air movement and work is completed in the most efficient manner possible. When appropriate our staff work with approved vendors to ensure that the source of the loss is repaired and all signs of moisture are completely eliminated.
With us, standing water doesn't stand a chance!
Feel free to call today! 562-916-7646
SERVPRO's Document Restoration Process
4/13/2020 (Permalink)
Making Document Restoration Efficient for Cerritos Businesses
When unexpected damage is caused in your Cerritos,CA home or place of business, the process can prove to be more difficult and time consuming than expected. What adds to this already stressful process is when important and/or valuable documents are found damaged. Thankfully, your SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens team understands this and has a solution to help using our very own document recovery facility.
After each item is digitally inventoried and freeze dried through our system, it is decontaminated via Gamma rays. High-energy photons are emitted from an isotope source (Cobalt 60) producing ionization (electron disruptions) throughout the material. These photon-induced changes at the molecular level cause the death of the organism or render the organism incapable of reproduction.
After this step in the process is complete, customers have the option to have all documents completely digitized for easy access to records in the future or appropriate disposal if they choose.
Our staff at SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens are here to serve you! During these trying times we wish to ensure customer satisfaction in all aspects of our services.
Useful Tips to Prevent Flooding in Your Cerritos Home
3/30/2020 (Permalink)
Actions to Prevent Water Intrusion in Your Cerritos or Hawaiian Gardens Home
While there are far more serious concerns to be spending time on, the SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens staff members wanted to publish several useful tips to help those in the community be prepared for unexpected weather.
1.Secure the foundation of your property
Should high levels of moisture start impacting your property, it is essential that you ensure all cracks in your structural foundation are secure. If an area needs to be sealed it is recommended to use the appropriate cementing or sealing agent.
2. Store valuable items properly
Though Southern California does not experience much flooding, it is also important to ensure valuables are stored in an appropriate manner. If you have an attic or second floor it is recommended to keep valuables and important documents in one of these spaces. This will ensure the safest means of storage.
3. Ensure Water Tanks are properly maintained and mounted
Regularly inspect your water heater and gas tanks to ensure that all connections and lines are operational and properly sealed.
Though our local area does not experience severe flooding, by following these safety tips you can ensure your home and the contents in it remain as safe as possible.
Identify the Severity of Water Damage in Your Cerritos Home
2/3/2020 (Permalink)
How Severe is the Water Damage in Your Cerritos Home?
When unexpected water is found flooding a room in your Cerritos home, many concerns and questions can arise rapidly. Depending on the characteristics and source of the water damage, there are different procedures put in place to effectively mitigate the damages.
This is the easiest type of water damage to restore as it commonly comes from a broken water outlet such as a leaking faucet or bath tub. This water is safe to handle without a professional on site as there are no harmful elements in it. However, SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens has the equipment necessary to fully dry and eliminate remaining moisture beneath the surface.
The second category is also commonly known as Greywater. Greywater examples can include bathtubs, dish and clothing washers and the like. Though it is not as harmful as Category Three Blackwater, it can be very harmful if ingested. When eliminating category two damage, our team uses special protective equipment and cleansers.
Often referred to as Blackwater, this substance is classified as being contaminated with human waste and/or other harmful pathogens. The pathogens and characteristics of this substance require professional care and any materials that come into contact with it are required to be completely disposed of.
No matter the severity of a water damage site, the team at SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens takes extreme care in restoring your home!
Restoring Damage Caused by Black Water
1/31/2020 (Permalink)
Black Water in Your Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens Home
When a residential flood takes place, our team examines the characteristics of the affected area to determine what category or how severe the water damage is. Category 3 is the most noteworthy and damaging as it is used to classify the water as hazardous. This type of water quality is also commonly referred to as Black Water.
Black Water or Category 3 Water Damage is defined as originating from sewage water which means it contains harmful chemicals and bacteria.
- Restoring Spaces Impacted by Black Water
If your home is impacted by black water, it is extremely important to let the trained experts handle the restoration of the space. Because black water contains harmful substances, specific quarantine procedures are employed to ensure full extermination and restoration of the affected area.
If your space is impacted by a Black Water flood, don't hesitate to call the experts at SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens.
Faster to your Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens Water Damage Event
8/1/2019 (Permalink)
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
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 Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs. We know how difficult this type of damage can be. It can only become more complicated if you do not have the right help.
Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 –
562-916-7646
SERVPRO of Cerritos/Hawaiian Gardens has industry-certified professionals ready to help you!
Water Emergency Do's and Don'ts
12/19/2018 (Permalink)
From Clean Water Source
DO:
- Shut off the source of the water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
- Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
- Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
- Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
- Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
- Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
DON’T:
- Enter rooms with standing water where electrical hazards may exist.
- Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water.
- Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
- Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets to cause staining.
- Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
- Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
- Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
From Contaminated Water Source
DO:
- Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.
- If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical evaluation. Consult your local health department or physician.
DON’T:
- Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
- Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
- Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminants.
- Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.
From Harmful Waste
Sewage, Blood-borne Pathogens, etc.
DO:
- Stay out of affected areas.
- Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
- Treat all body fluids as if they are contaminated.
DON’T:
- Attempt cleanup of any kind.
- Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.
Water Damage Timeline
12/19/2018 (Permalink)
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Cerritos / Hawaiian Gardens provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home or business and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more. SERVPRO of Cerritos / Hawaiian Gardens arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.
Water Damage Timeline
Within Minutes
- Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
- Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
- Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
- Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
Hours 1 - 24:
- Drywall begins to swell and break down.
- Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
- Furniture begins to swell and crack.
- Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
- A musty odor appears.
48 Hours to 1 Week:
- Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
- Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
- Metal begins to rust and corrode.
- Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
- Paint begins to blister.
- Wood flooring swells and warps.
- Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
More Than 1 Week:
- Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
- Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
About SERVPRO of Cerritos / Hawaiian Gardens SERVPRO of Cerritos / Hawaiian Gardens specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – SERVPRO of Cerritos / Hawaiian Gardens 562-916-7646
24/7 Emergency Service
