How to Stop Damage from a Window Leak in Oceanside

7/24/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Can Escalate Fast - Oceanside Can Count SERVPRO

If you have identified a leak in one of your windows, it can lead to water damage in Oceanside. Take steps to fix it quickly. If left to deteriorate, the problem will turn into something much more difficult to repair. It is very easy for invading water to cause additional damage and wood rot, so waste no time and call in an expert water damage team, if necessary.

Identify the Source
The first step is always to try and uncover the spot where the water is making its way inside. While this might sound simple, it can be very tricky. Just because you find water pooling in a particular spot on the sill or around the drywall, this does not mean that this area is the point of intrusion. Water will run with gravity, often quite far from its source. Take a close look at the whole window, focusing mainly on the frame, sash, and the edges of the glass. Carefully examine the caulking around the perimeter, because degradation of this material is a common cause of leaks.

A lot of windows only show signs of leakage if the rain outside is bad or there is a storm, so you may have trouble finding the source in dry conditions. You can, however, ask a helper to step outside and spray the window with water (from a bucket, hose, etc.), so that you have a better chance of discovering the water damage problem area. SERVPRO can check with a moisture meter for hidden wet areas within the window area or adjoining walls and ceiling. Dehumidifiers and air movers can be placed to pull out moisture and increase evaporation. 

Fix the Leak for Good
The only way to tell if you can repair the leak alone is to identify its source and assess how serious it is. If the water is entering in the flashing, above the window, it will need to be removed and upgraded. Or, you may need to replace the caulking around the window. If you are not confident about the outcome, call in a professional to do the repairs.

Water damage can appear in many forms. If water wicks into porous material like drywall or ceiling tiles, it usually has to be discarded. We recommend hiring a leak detector or plumber to find and stop the leak from the source. For any amount of standing water and/or moisture, it may be wise to call in SERVPRO for an assessment of the problem and suggestions for remediation. Don't allow a small quantity of water to cascade into a major, expensive water damaging event. We can restore water damage "Like it never even happened."

Supply Line Maintenance in Your Bathroom

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

A supply line refers to the pipes that carry water into your home. There are main lines that normally measure 3/4 an inch in diameter and go to an appliance such as the water heater, and branch lines that measure 1/2 inch in diameter and go to individual sinks, bathtubs, and fixtures. It is important that the supply lines are in good shape and that they are made of the proper materials such as PVC, copper, stainless steel, or PEX piping. Supply line damage results for many different reasons: pipes are too old, they freeze and burst, they are damaged by an obstruction or they have bad connections.

Simple Maintenance

When a supply line leak happens in your bathroom you have two main options: fix it yourself or call a licensed plumbing contractor. With a simple bathroom leak, where the problem is accessible, you can fix the problem in an afternoon with the following steps:

• Locate the problem
• Shut off the water
• Remove the piping with a wrench
• Buy the correct amount of new pipe
• Connect the new pipe to the fixture and turn the water back on
  
  

Supply line damage comes in many forms, though, and not every problem will be simple. Leaks are sometimes located behind walls or in other inaccessible places. Complicated issues should be left to the professionals.

Complex Water Damage
It's possible that you won't immediately discover supply line damage. The leak could be hidden or in an area that you don't frequent every day. A large or longstanding leak will likely require the services of a local water mitigation team. Qualified mitigation specialists will assess the situation and take appropriate action. This often involves water removal with the help of wet vacuums and a program of drying and ventilation. Where damage to flooring and drywall has occurred, it may be necessary to restore and replace materials. The job is finished when your home is restored to its original condition.

What do I need to know about Sewage Backups in my home?

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to water damage there is important things to remember about the different hazards that can contaminate the water that is in your home. Sewage is one of the most dangerous substances to enter homes or buildings. It contains fungi, bacteria and viruses, many of which are disease-causing. Unfortunately, many people fail to understand the hazards that sewage presents.

Here are the key principles homeowners should know about sewage back-ups and how to handle the situation with caution:

• Sewage contains a variety of pathogenic – disease causing – fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Anyone who works on sewage losses must have updated vaccinations, including one for Hepatitis B.
• Sewage exposure is particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, including anyone under two or over 60, those who are pregnant, ill, recovering from surgery, on prescription drugs or chemotherapy, or are AIDS victims.
• It is not safe to stay in a building that’s flooded with sewage unless the contaminated area can be completely sealed off and placed under controlled air flow so that there will be no cross contamination of unaffected areas.
• Highly absorbent sewage-saturated materials, such as carpet, pad, upholstery, bedding, wicker, paper or even fabrics that can’t be washed in hot water (130°F/54°C) for at least 10 minutes, must be contained and disposed of properly.  This goes for sewage-saturated drywall, insulation and several other structural materials too.  There’s simply too great a health risk involved if any of these materials are dried in place and cleaned only.
• Only the most highly trained professionals should attempt sewage remediation work. Then, a “third party” indoor environmental professional can provide post-remediation verification or “clearance testing” to ensure that the home or building is safe to re-occupy.

SERVPRO of North Oceanside  is always available 24 hours a day when a loss becomes overwhelming from a Water Loss or Sewage Backup in the workplace or in your home. These simple tips will help you with prevention and awareness where its most important so seconds don’t turn into disaster.

What Signs Point to Water Damage?

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Stains on your floors can be an indication of water damage.

When it's contained properly, water doesn't pose too big of a threat to your home. However when water floods and soaks into your walls, floors, or ceiling, it can quickly develop into a serious health and safety hazard. This is because water that is not dried up or that sits causes a cozy environment for mold and mildew to begin growing. Mold is a fast-spreading, hard-to-remove fungus that can cause health problems and also weaken your property's structural integrity. Here are several methods for detecting water damagewithin your house. You’re going to want to walk around and look carefully at both the interior and exterior of your home. 

1. First walk around and Inspect Outside

Carefully look over the entire exterior of your house. Look for pools of water. These can indicate poor drainage in the yard, gutter spouts that maybe aren’t moving water far enough from the house or leaky rain gutters. Any of those issues can threaten your homes foundation since water that’s standing may get into your home. 

Make sure to check your roof. The most common signs of water damage to your roof often include pools of water; cracked, curled up or missing shingles. 

2. Inside Check your Floors

No matter what kind of flooring you have throughout your home, if water damage is present the signs will show. For tile and wood floors, look for cracked, buckling or warping. On carpeted floors, be wary of damp spots, stains, gradual rises and soft spots. 

3. Smell your way around 

If you see any active mold growth it means that moisture is contacting microscopic mold spores, often in the nooks and crannies of your home. However since mold often hides, you can’t rely only on your site. Use your nose too! If there’s a smell of mold and dampness that too is a sign then that water damage is present. One can often get used to the smell of mold or dampness so make certain to walk in from outside first during your walk around so that the smell will be more obvious. Water when it’s stagnate, causes mold and bacteria can grow, which is what produces the musty, unpleasant smell. If you smell it it is best to remove yourself from the home until the level, type  and location of the mold are determined. 

4. Look for Stains Everywhere

Look for stains on your floors, walls and ceiling. If you find water stains on your floors or around your bathtub, toilet or sink than those are signs of water damage. If you find stains on your ceilings and walls than those too are some of the most obvious signs of water damage. Some of these stains can be concealing mold behind them beneath the flooring or in your walls since water damage that’s left unattended can often lead to mold. Unusual stains may indicate that there is a leaky pipe inside the wall. Perhaps there’s a leaky drain. Cracks in your drywall often mean there’s trouble. If any areas of your walls appear swollen and are soft to touch that too may signify trouble. If pain is peeing that is another sign of water loose within walls. When drywall gets saturated, paint will usually lose adhesion.

5. Look for Rust and Mold

Frequent Inspections of your water heater can be very beneficial. Checking for rust that’s developing on the tank or if you see rust already present on the tank, than that typically indicates a slow leak. Rust around pipe connections can also be caused by water seepage.

Categories of Water Loss

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Always be informed on what you’re dealing with

When facing a water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensure proper cleanup.  There are three types of water.

1. Clean Water (Cat 1) is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean.
2. Gray Water (Cat 2) is used to classify slightly contaminated water.  Clean Water becomes Gray Water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous.
3. Black Water (Cat 3) is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more.  Black Water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster.  Black Water should always be handled by trained professionals.

Are you not sure what type of water damage you are dealing with? Let the professionals here at SERVPRO of North Oceanside help!

SERVPRO of North Oceanside specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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 

Toilet supply line failed in Encinitas

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

Toilet supply line detached from the tank.

SERVPRO North Oceanside was assisting a homeowner today where the toilet supply line detached from the tank.  It flooded 5 rooms in just a few minutes.  Its a good reminder to replace your  supply lines periodically to prevent thousands of dollar of damage to your property.

Flooded building in Fallbrook

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

Iphone timer

SERVPRO North Oceanside is working on a building  in Fallbrook where the water was left on by accident damaging 8 rooms in a matter of minutes.  One way you can prevent this is your mobile phone.  With so many distractions these days a quick timer could help prevent this from happening. 

What to do after a Water Damage in Oceanside

12/1/2017 (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.

Than call SERVPRO @ (888) 442-8699 

Pinhole leaks are becoming more common.

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

Pinhole leaks are becoming more and more prevalent in southern California. Take a look at this article http://www.ocregister.com/articles/water-517496-leaks-waters.html. They go virtually unnoticed until all of the sudden water starts to appear. It may be a spot on the carpet that keeps reoccurring. Or the seams of the wood floors starting to discolor or cup. It’s the damage you don't see that can be a problem.  Almost undetectably, drywall, Insulation, cabinetry, baseboards and flooring can begin soaking up this water. If not caught early mold can begin to set in causing more and more damage. The professionals at SERVPRO can help you diagnose these problems and find the extent of the damage. If you suspect your home may be suffering from a pinhole leak don't hesitate to call. Remember, the faster the response the less damage can occur.

Residential Water Damage in your Home

10/3/2016 (Permalink)

Why You Should Call in SERVPRO North Oceanside for Water Damage Service

There is nothing worse than coming home to find residential water damage on your property. Whether your water damage is from a storm or an overflowing toilet, the on-going damage is real and must be dealt with correctly and swiftly.

If you find standing water all over the floor, the natural instinct is to pull out the bath or beach towels to dry up as much water as possible. While this is better than doing nothing if it is not contaminated water, you may quickly run out of towels and still have a lot of water all over the floor. You may need to call the experts at SERVPRO of North Oceanside to get industrial strength help. Shop vacuums are resourceful to help remove standing water, but they will fill up quickly. And they are not efficient at removing moisture from carpeting and padding. Regardless of the efforts made, the water travels quickly, and may have already found its way into ventilation systems or ducts. Secondary water damage in Oceanside might be the result even if you've made a good faith effort to dry everything quickly. Sometimes the signs of water damage may take a few days to show up on the surface, such as warped floorboards, peeling paint, bulging walls, or lifting tiles. 

Copper pipe

5/23/2016 (Permalink)

Copper Pipe showing signs of leakage.

Take a look at this section of copper pipe that was uncovered during a Mold Remediation job that SERVPRO of North Oceanside was working on in Oceanside.  This was not the source of the water damage, we see this quite often and should be addressed to prevent from further damage in the future. 

What To Do After Flooding

5/12/2016 (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.

Drying and Dehumidification

5/9/2016 (Permalink)

After the water removal step, your floors and walls may look dry at first glance, but they are still wet to the touch. Most building materials, like drywall and wood, are porous and will retain significant water. The retained water will cause these materials to warp, swell, or break down and can also cause mold damage.

Drying / Dehumidification

SERVPRO of North Oceanside Professionals will manipulate temperature and relative humidity to remove the remaining moisture. They use specialized equipment, including industrial air movers and dehumidifiers, to remove water retained by building materials and other hard-to-access moisture. They’ll carefully monitor the progress using moisture meters until the materials return to acceptable drying goals.

• Use Dehumidification Equipment
• Use Monitoring Equipment to Track Progress

Water Damage Repair and Restoration

5/9/2016 (Permalink)

When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO of North Oceanside Professionals respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. They closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

What you should call SERVPRO North Oceanside

5/9/2016 (Permalink)

When restoration is necessary for water damage, it’s usually needed right away. Moisture has the nasty tendency to attract all kinds of microbes, and it can destroy nearly anything if given enough time. And it doesn’t take much time for it to destroy anything containing cellulose or other organic materials. In fact, it only needs hours to leave a house in bad shape. Certified technicians know that time is of the essence when responding and come prepared for nearly any situation. This knowledge will speed the process along and help the technicians salvage as much as possible.

Dirty water is filled with contaminates?

5/9/2016 (Permalink)

Floods, sewage backflows, and other sources of contaminated fluid usually cause the worst damage. Dirty water is filled with all kinds of deadly substances, ranging from chemical residues to animal feces to parasites. Bacteria, viruses and fungi grow explosively in contaminated fluid, and severe health risks, like salmonella and hepatitis, are common in flood waters.

Refrigerator Water Line

1/21/2016 (Permalink)

Refrigerator Water Line Leaks

Having cold filtered water and ice on demand is wildly convenient, but a leaky water line to your refrigerator can cause some serious damage. Usually there is a copper water line that supplies your refrigerator with a steady stream of water put if this line develops a hole or becomes unattached, gallons upon gallons of water could slowly be leaking into your floor.

To prevent major damage to your home it’s important that you actively look for and try to prevent these leaks by:

• Buying a water alarm. It is normally a bit of a challenge and a hassle to continuously peer behind your refrigerator looking for water leaks; a water alarm can cut out this step. These small battery  powered devices have electrodes on the base and will alert you if these electrodes come into contact with water. Set one of these behind your fridge near the water line — just remember that you will need to change the batteries every so often.
• Looking for crimps in your water line. Often these are the biggest causes of pinhole leaks. If you find a crimp replace the line. One way to help avoid crimps is by protecting your hose with a hard pvc pipe
• Using stopping blocks. These are wooden blocks cut to a specific size, slightly longer than where your water line is installed. These blocks will keep you from pushing your fridge back too far and crimping or breaking your waterline.

Our Technology will help you!

1/21/2016 (Permalink)

Restoration technicians have a lot of technology at their disposal. These include powerful vacuums and pumping systems, high volume air movers, dehumidifiers, heat injectors, moisture meters, and a number of detergents formulated for destroying fungi and other microbial threats. While the technicians work on the building, disposing of compromised materials, and drying the rest, they will also destroy all mold and microbial colonies. This is the only way to ensure a home is safe to live, and a business safe to work in; any other cleaning method is a dangerous gamble.

Do you need a professional?

1/21/2016 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration service is the kind of professional that no one wants to call, but when they are needed, it is important not to delay. Homeowners know that moisture is often the enemy, capable of penetrating into just about any space, and taking advantage of every little crack and structural problem. No matter how moisture gets into the building, the response should be the same. Bring in SERVPRO of North Oceanside as soon as possible to clean the home, dry it, and ensure there are no lingering health threats once the moisture is gone.

Toilet Overflow?

12/28/2015 (Permalink)

Sewer backups may contain viruses, bacteria, and microbes and should be handled by a professional. 

Did you know that all WATER is the same in a water damage situation?

12/28/2015 (Permalink)

The three types of contaminated water:

Category 1: "Clean Water"

Category 1 water is from a clean source like a broken water supply line or leaking faucet. If not treated quickly, this water can turn into category 2 or 3, depending on length of time, temperature, and contact with surrounding contaminants.

• Water from a clean source like a broken water line
• If left untreated, can degrade into category 2 or 3

Category 2: "Gray Water"

Category 2 water is contaminated and could cause discomfort or illness. Examples include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow.

• May contain bacteria and viruses
• Can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated

Category 3: "Black Water"

Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

• May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
• Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup

24 Hour Emergency Service

Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. SERVPRO of North Ocenside is  available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are water damage restoration specialists with specialized training, equipment and protective gear to safely restore your home or business.

CALL (888) 442-8699

Water Damage Do's & Dont's

12/28/2015 (Permalink)

What To Do After Flooding

What NOT To Do After Flooding

Than call SERVPRO @ (888) 442-8699