So You Were Hit With a Storm

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rancho Santa Margarita / Coto De Caza / Trabucco Canyon here to help you after a storm

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 Rancho Santa Margarita/Coto De Caza/Trabucco Canyon.

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 Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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What NOT to do After a Flood

5/25/2022 (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.

Call SERVPRO of Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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Take Care of Storm Damage Right Away with SERVPRO

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

What mold can do to wood

For a suburban city like Rancho Santa Margarita/Cota De Caza/Trabucco Canyon, 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 Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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How to Protect your Home from Rainwater Damage

5/18/2022 (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 Rancho Santa Margarita/Coto De Caza/Trabucco Canyon 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 roofs 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 Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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Effects of a Storm

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded roads and buildings

Protect Yourself with Rancho Santa Margarita 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 important to have your home’s structure checked by a professional. We here at SERVPRO of Rancho Santa Margarita  are water damage restoration professionals and if you encounter flooding in your home, we can help inspect the safety of your home.

It doesn’t end there

Unfortunately, structural damage is not the only problem you have to worry about when flooding strikes. When water enters your home, its moisture content is dramatically increased, thereby allowing the growth of potentially dangerous mold. Good thing for you, we here at SERVPRO of Rancho Santa Margarita specialize in mold remediation and were always here to help rid your home of mold and water damage.

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 Rancho Santa Margarita CA immediately. Here at SERVPRO we will make sure its good as new. "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO of Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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How YOU Can Help After a Flood

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

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 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 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 Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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How to Protect Your Business and Employees During a Storm

12/23/2021 (Permalink)

When bad weather comes to California protecting your business from the elements can reduce the risk of costly accidents and damage. From heavy storms to freezing rain and frigid 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. 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 abreast 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 Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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The talk about Storms

11/9/2021 (Permalink)

When a huge storm rolls through Rancho Santa Margarita, CAyou might worry most about heavy rains. After all, significant rainfall can find its way into your building and flood your office. However, this isn’t the only flooding that can occur, nor is it the only concern you should have with storms. It’s important to be aware of dangers such as a burst pipe, or flooding situations so you can prepare and act appropriately. 

Pipes Burst

Within the plumbing and water systems of your office building, there is a network of pipes carrying water, sewage, and possibly other chemicals throughout the facility. A burst pipe could empty gallon upon gallon of water into your building, leaving standing water and severe damage. Here are a few ways in which pipes burst:

• Pressure buildup
• Corrosion
• Extremely cold temperatures

If a winter storm brings low temperatures, you may be at risk for these issues. Make sure your building has sufficient insulation and that you drain any outside lines before winter hits.

Pipes Freeze

If your building pipes do freeze, you need to act quickly to ensure they don’t burst and cause flooding. A professional restoration company can help you clean up the mess and mitigate damage, but you don’t want to get to that point if you can avoid it. If you do find a frozen pipe, keep faucets open, as running water can help melt the ice. You can treat the pipes by wrapping pads around them, or you can even use space heaters. 

Pipes Flood

At worst, bursting pipes can cause significant flooding and render your office unsafe. The floodwater can damage furniture, carpet, walls, or equipment. Also, a frozen pipe could prevent water from reaching the building. 

As winter approaches and during large storms, make sure you keep an eye on your interior and exterior pipes. A little effort and mindfulness can help prevent the major disasters a burst pipe can cause. 

Call SERVPRO of Rancho Santa Margarita at (949) 472-0992

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