The 3 Categories of Water Damage

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Clean water or Category 1

Water damage from broken pipes, overflowing sinks, or rainwater. Health risks are low if you respond to the situation within less than 48 hours; after that period, the water would get exposed to different contaminants, turning it into category 2.

On most occasions, overlooking water damage can cause major headaches if left unattended because it can escalate the situation.

Greywater or Category 2

Some familiar greywater sources are equipment discharges, chemical wastes such as solid, liquid, or gaseous waste material that can pose mild to severe contamination risks. Greywater can promote microbial growth, and the severity of the condition usually escalates with time; both direct and indirect exposure can affect your health and the property.

Blackwater or Category 3

This classification refers to sewers, seawater, or water containing grease, oil, or body fluids. When this occurs, most of the materials and belongings would need to be removed from the property, and after the remediation procedure, we will do a disinfecting process.

Mold

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

mold assessment and restoration

We know that the mold or microbial growth caused by water is very annoying. So we will explain a little more about how microbial growth can be assessed and treated.

What is mold removal?
In simple terms, removing microbial growth is called mold removal. As simple as it sounds, but there is more to it, removing might sometimes indicate mere cleaning without addressing the core problem, that is, identifying the source for the occurrence of mold.

While mold is a natural part of our ecosystem, one cannot eliminate it. Although mold spores are typically inherent in all indoor and outdoor spaces, it is impossible to eradicate all molds, but the key is to control their growth.

Mold spores are generally harmless until they settle on a damp spot and grow into active mold. When you have mold growing in your home, removal becomes imminent. However, a simple mold removal process is never enough to solve these  problems in your home unless the infected area is too small.

What is mold remediation?
Mold remediation is the term used to describe all the processes involved in eliminating harmful mold growth. Depending on the type and location, it includes mold testing, removal, demolition, sanitizing, containment, and mold cleaning.

We are professionals, and we are your One Stop Shop to remediate, do not hesitate to call us now; maybe you have some microbial growth in your home, SERVPRO is here to help.

Water services

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

When leaks occur lets have a plan and act.

It depends on the season the problem your property could have, so we want you to stay alert and have this in your mind:

There are some common problem areas to inspect for potential damage during spring, including your roof and gutter system, foundation and yard, plumbing system, and your property's exterior. From the top-down, these areas could get worse from the elements that winter can bring; here are some signs of wear to look out for:

• Roof and Gutter System Damage
• Window, Door, and Exterior Damage
• Foundation and Other Drainage Problems
• Plumbing Damage

Also, when winter begins, we know that storms create great chaos when they get to our homes; To ensure your space is well and in order, here are some tips for inspecting for damage; these will save you money in the long term prevent unnecessary property damage. 

Our local disaster restoration services include:

• Inspection and Assessment of any damaged areas
• Water Removal
• Drying and Dehumidification
• Cleaning and Repairs
• Restoration and reconstruction, as necessary

If your home or commercial business deals with one of these issues, contact us! 

Spring cleaning tips

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

We are here to help

Finally, the months we have waited for have arrived; we must consider the climatic changes, and you must feel the upgrades to have a fresh start.  

We know that you want your business to reflect this season with fresh and clean surroundings and atmosphere; it is an excellent way for your business to invite your clients, customers, and workforce.

Professionals: 

Any commercial cleaning project needs professional assistance. Connect with area services that are well-established and highly respected. Those reviews on social media platforms can be a big help here. These companies will come right to you, and they will make sure that your spring cleaning is done right by following your instructions precisely.

Green: 

Using green products is always a good idea. These products aren’t of harsh chemicals, so there is no danger of adverse reactions to your working environment and those with sensitivities. In addition, there are many environmentally friendly cleaning items these days, and your customers will be happy to know that you are going green, too.

Weather:

Whenever you plan any seasonal job, always keep an eye on the weather. Sometimes, it can change at the drop of a hat, making your project difficult or impossible. 

When scheduling spring cleaning services for your business, select alternate days or a whole range to allow for a change of plans. Extreme temperatures can hurt some products, as well.

Every member of your team has something valuable to add. So when planning for the spring cleaning of your business, ask for input from everyone. Perhaps they have noticed something that needs attention that has escaped you, or maybe they have a perspective on how to streamline the process to help you avoid work disruptions. 

Teamwork will help any project get done faster and more efficiently, and a cleaning job is no exception!

Flooding Can Lead to Mold- Call SERVPRO Garden Grove West Stanton Now!  

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Air Quality - Did you know?

Flooding can affect the air quality in your home.  According to the United States EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, “Flood water can make the air in your home unhealthy. This is because when things remain wet for more than two days, they usually get moldy. Inhaling mold can cause adverse health effects for those that come into contact with it. Mold also can damage materials in your home. In addition, flood water may contain microorganisms, such as bacteria, or chemicals which may affect your health. As you clean up after a flood, other substances could get into the air in your home. These include carbon monoxide, lead, asbestos, and cleaning products, which may also affect your health.”  (Reference https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/floods.pdf)

That is why it is important to call your local and trusted professionals, SERVPRO Garden Grove West Stanton, for all your emergency water mitigation needs!

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for your emergency water mitigation needs.  Home flooding/ emergency water mitigation is a very common issue that homeowners, business owners and tenants face on a regular basis.  As your trusted professional for water mitigation, we are only a phone call away!  Here at SERVPRO Garden Grove West Stanton, we have a superior reputation for excellent customer service and satisfaction, rest assured, you are in good hands!

Help! I have water damage! What do I do until help arrives?

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

‘What do I do until help arrives?!’ this is a common question asked by homeowners when faced with an emergency water damage in their home. The good news is there is help! And the proper professional help will ease a homeowner’s anxious mind.

Here are a few steps to calm matters down until help arrives. Rest assured, this advice is coming from your local and trusted industry professional, SERVPRO Garden Grove West Stanton, where excellence is our key to quality work! Take a deep breath, one step at a time, and we will help you remediate your water damage concerns shortly!

Here are a few tips to consider before help arrives:

Water Damage from Clean Water

DO’S:

• If possible, shut off the water source or contact a qualified individual to do so.
• Turn off the circuit breakers in the wet areas of the home or building, when it is safe from electric hazard to access the power distribution panel.
• Remove excess water if possible by mopping or using suitable towels for absorption.
• For wet upholstery, remove and prop up wet cushions for proper drying.
• Place wood blocks or aluminum foil between wet carpeting and furniture legs.
• For valuable objects and/ or items sensitive to moisture, such as computers, picture frames, important documents etc, remove to a safe place to dry.
• Wooden clothespins are effective to use for keeping furniture skirting off dampened floors.
• To avoid exposure to wet floors or carpeting, use coated hangers to hang draperies.
• For leather goods and furs, hang items to dry separately at room temperature.

DONT’S

• Do not enter any rooms with standing water where electric shock may be a potential hazard. This includes, but not limited to, entering rooms where electrical outlets, circuit breakers, switches, or electrical equipment are exposed to water. ALWAYS avoid a potential electric hazard.
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is dampened from water damage or enter any rooms where ceilings are visibly sagging from water damage.
• Do not use any appliances, such as a microwave or TV, while standing on wet flooring, especially on wet concrete floors.
• Do not use your vacuum cleaner to remove excess water, it can potentially cause electrical shock or damage to your vacuum cleaner.
• Do not leave any colored rugs/ oriental rugs on wet carpeting, it can lead to staining.
• Do not leave reading materials such as magazines, books, newspapers, or other colored material on wet floor, it can cause staining.

We hope you find these tips helpful, and rest assured, help is only a phone call away!

Reference: SERVPRO Corp.

Preparing for Rain!

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

Collect as much water to help prevent more damage.

Southern California tends to be sunny and dry through most of the year. Now that the rains are coming
down in Los Angeles, it is important for homeowners and business owners alike to take precautions that save can save you time and money in the long run. 

A Leaky Roof
It is easy to forget about in southern California, but a roof leak can turn things sour quick, causing
damage to the ceiling, carpets, hardwood floors and furniture. As a safety precaution, we suggest
tarping your roof with a thick plastic and weighing each of the 4 corners down with weights.

Prepare with Sandbags
If a heavy rainfall is predicted, it is a good idea to line your front entryway, back and crawlspace with
sandbags. This will block the water from flooding your home and minimize the chance of water damage.

Mop Up and Blot Excess Water
If water has already found its way into your home, do mope it up and dry quickly with towels (microfiber
towels absorb even more moisture). Collecting as much moisture as possible as fast as possible will help
from further damage.

If you experience water damage from the rain, give us a call at 1 (714) 622-5096 and speak to
one of our water specialists to schedule an appointment.

Important Water Damage Tips you Need to Know

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

If you come across a major water leak due to a pipe burst, try to shut the main water line off immediately.

When you walk into your place of residence or business and see that there is a watery mess everywhere, it is understandable to panic, be confused and not know where to start. Our best advice to you is to remain calm and give SERVPRO of Garden Grove West Stanton a call. After this important phone call has been made, here are a few things to keep in mind when water damage has happened.

Water Damage Tips You Need to Know

• Stop the source of the leak if possible. If a major water leak happened due to a pipe burst, shut the main water line off and give a plumber a call
• If your home is completely flooded, the safest thing to do is to turn the power off to avoid any real danger. Remember, water and electricity do not mix.
• Be careful when picking up cardboard boxes, coats, rugs and anything else that maybe on the floor. Water makes adds a lot more weight, making them extra heavy
• While waiting for our crew to get there (usually within the hour) try to soak up some of the moisture with towels, brooms or squeegees. The longer the water settles, the more damage it can cause

If you have more questions about water damage tips or are experiencing water damage right now, give us a call at (714) 622-5096 and we will be more than happy to assist you. 

When Rainwater Damage Attacks

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Garden Grove West to the rescue! Extracting water with the best equipment.

Discovering a flood in the restroom and rooms of this finance office was not making the property manager happy. After the not so common rain came to Los Angeles, it did some major damage to the carpet, drywall and baseboards. When we did our walk through with the property manager of the commercial building, our production manager suggested what should be done. After all of his questions had been answered, he was confident that we would have his building in tip top shape and the finance office back in business.

Our SERVPRO technicians began to measure every inch of the drywall to see exactly how much moisture was soaked up. After doing a sketch of the entire office and marking where the water damage was, we began to extract excess water from the carpet and dried it in place. As for the drywall, we had to do some demolition and cut about 1 foot up from the floor. This was not too bad, since we saved the rest of the wall in the office. We had a very trusted vendor do the reconstruction, while our team was closely involved.

The property manager was happy to see that we performed and completed everything that had to be done in under two weeks. If you would like to schedule an inspection for storm damage that has happened to your commercial property, call us at (714) 660- 0701 and we will explain the next step to you.

Effects of Water Damage

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage Restoration in the Works

Water damage is a problem that most property owners dread. When it rains heavily or snow melts quickly, the risk of this type of damage increases. Water can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage by damaging wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to remediate. Hiring a water damage restoration company can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies employ experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup.

Causes of Water Damage

There are several possible causes of water damage. Leaky dishwashers, clogged toilets, broken pipes, broken dishwasher hoses, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs, plumbing leaks, and foundation cracks are just some of the possible causes of water damage in homes and businesses. Floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain are other possible causes of this type of damage and can lead to having water in basements. Too much water can lead to minor problems such as water in basement areas, or it can lead to the destruction of homes and businesses. Once a home or business sustains water damage, it is important to start the water damage cleanup immediately. Starting water damage cleanup as soon as possible increases the likelihood of saving water-soaked furniture, carpets, rugs, clothing, and other items.

Categories of Water Damage

Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different categories assigned to water damage. Category 1 refers to clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows. Category 2 water is also called gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness of ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage. Category 3 water is known as black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.

There are also several classes of water damage. The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options. Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation. Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage. Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture. Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.

Restoration Process

The water restoration process is an important one. Using the right procedures and materials can help people save cherished belongings and even prevent their homes from being condemned. Water restoration companies specialize in mitigating the effects of water, but the success for water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the amount of water that caused the damage. Water restoration companies may hire outside experts to assess a property and determine a water restoration and water removal plan. These water restoration companies typically use high-tech equipment and well-documented procedures to control water damage. Water in basement areas may only require a short cleanup process, but water in other areas of a property will require extensive remediation.

Health Hazards

It is important to hire one of these water damage restoration companies as soon as possible after water damage occurs. Moisture promotes the growth of mold and other organisms, increasing the risk for serious health problems. Mold exposure may aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children and people with compromised immune systems. Exposure may also increase the risk for respiratory diseases and other medical problems. Cleaning up immediately can help mitigate the health effects of water damage on everyone in a home or commercial space.