5 Common Causes Of Water Damage In Commercial Properties

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

Toilets can cause water damage to your business, check regularly to prevent damage.

Water damage in a commercial building can cause extensive damage, significant financial losses, and long-lasting effects on your property. If you don't monitor for potential water damage, you may not be aware that there is an issue until it's too late. In this article, we'll discuss some common causes of water damage in commercial buildings so that you know what you can do to prevent future issues with your property.

Leaking Roof

When it comes to commercial properties, roof leaks are a common cause of water damage. Roof leaks can be caused by a number of different factors and can result in wide-ranging damage, such as mold growth, ceiling damage, and fire hazards. If you see signs that your roof may be leaking, it's important to get it inspected by a professional right away so that they can address any problems and prevent further damage.

Here are some common signs that your commercial property's roof may have a leak:

• Damp ceiling, walls or floors
• Mold growth on interior surfaces

Pipe Damage

Pipes can be damaged by freezing and corrosion. The freezing of water in pipes causes them to crack or burst, which can cause significant damage to your business. Corrosion on the other hand is a gradual process that occurs over time when there are minerals present in water. These minerals will build up inside the pipe wall causing it to weaken over time until eventually, it bursts due to the pressure of water passing through it.

You should also be aware that leaking valves may cause significant problems for your business too. If you have an old valve installed in your property then there's a chance that this could start leaking at any point - potentially resulting in severe flooding throughout the building!

Sprinkler Malfunctioning

Sprinkler systems are a common cause of water damage in commercial properties. They're designed to detect and prevent fire, but they can malfunction and cause water damage if they aren't properly maintained. When they malfunction, they can quickly dump large amounts of water inside your property.

Sewage Backup

Sewage backup can be caused by a number of different factors. The most common cause is a blocked or broken drain, but it can also be caused by heavy rainwater. If you suspect that your property has been damaged by sewage backup, it's important to act quickly before the damage becomes more severe.

Sewage backup can cause serious damage to your property--not only does it smell bad, but the water is grossly unsanitary! To prevent this type of water damage in commercial properties, have regular maintenance checks done by a reliable plumber.

Leaking Air Conditioning Systems

When it comes to water damage, there are several common causes. One of the most common is a leaky air conditioning system. Air conditioning units can be prone to leaks due to their age and exposure to outdoor elements such as rain and wind--or even just regular wear and tear over time.

How do you know if your air conditioner is leaking? If you notice any of these signs, then it's worth investigating further:

• Your utility bills are higher than normal
• You see moisture around the unit (in particular, look for discolored or moldy walls or floors)
• You see water dripping from vents in your home

There are a number of different causes of water damage in commercial properties, and it's important that you keep an eye out for these signs so you can get your building back to normal as soon as possible. Regular maintenance is the key to preventing a major water damage event from occurring on your property. If you discover a water loss on your property, it's best to contact a professional. They will be able to inspect your building and determine exactly what went wrong and clean up the damage.

What Three Types of Contaminated Water Are There?

11/17/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in Beverly Hills/ Westwood area

What Type of Water You Have and How To Deal With It

Water damage is one of the most common problems faced by homeowners and business owners. It can come from many sources, including pipes that burst or broken appliances. SERVPRO of Beverly Hills/Westwood specializes in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have handled all types of water damage, so we're here to help you understand what type of water you have and how to deal with it quickly and professionally.

What Are the Water Damage Categories?

To properly deal with contaminated water, it's important to know what category of water you're dealing with. Categories 1 and 2 are considered clean water, while category 3 is considered contaminated. Here are the three different categories:

Category 1—Clean Water: This includes runoff from rain or snow, as well as fresh groundwater that has not been contaminated by human activity. It can also include any other type of liquid that hasn't encounter any contaminants.

Category 2—Contaminated Water: This category includes all types of liquids affected by human activity, such as rivers adjacent to factories or sewers. This type of damage is often referred to as "blackwater.”

Let's look at the three categories in more detail:

Category 1 water is clean water such as a leaking faucet or supply line, or broken appliance. If untreated, Category 1 can quickly degrade into Category 2 or 3.

Category 2 water is contaminated with harmful microorganisms and/or chemicals that can cause illness if ingested. This type of contamination could be present in your home's private well system, as well as any municipal supply lines that have become damaged by recent weather events.

Category 1 Water is clean water such as a leaking faucet or supply line, or broken appliance. If untreated, Category 1 can quickly degrade into Category 2 or 3.

A leaky faucet is one of the most common sources of contaminated water in the home. A leaking tap will typically drip between 0.5 and 5 gallons per minute depending on its severity and how long it has been leaking. Leaks that occur over longer periods of time will likely cause higher volumes of wastewater to flow into your drainpipes than those that are repaired quickly after detection.

Category 2 Water has some degree of contamination.

Category 2 water damage is the next level down. While it still requires immediate attention, this type of water damage is not as serious as category 3 and should be handled by a professional contractor so that you don’t spread any contaminants further into your home.

Category 2 water can be caused by a variety of situations, such as a toilet overflow with some urine or feces, or a washing machine overflow. Category 2 also includes other incidents like broken pipes that are not directly connected to sewage lines but have seeped into or leaked out of the home’s walls, ceilings, and floors.

Category 3 Water is grossly contaminated from an outside source. 

Category 3 water can include sewage, seawater, or floodwater: This type of contamination can come from sewage backups in your basement and other locations in your house. Flooding can also cause this type of contamination by mixing with storm runoff and groundwater seepage in the basement through a crack in the foundation or opening around a pipe. Heavy rains can also cause this type of contamination if not enough water is diverted away from structures before it reaches them.

SERVPRO Beverly Hills/Westwood specializes in water damage restoration.

The cornerstone of our business is the extensive water damage restoration training we give our technicians, which emphasizes regular monitoring and documentation of the drying process from beginning to end.

In addition, SERVPRO’s process emphasizes regular monitoring and documentation of the drying process from beginning to end.

SERVPRO is here to help you with all your water damage needs. We have a team of highly trained professionals who can handle any situation, and we offer 24/7 emergency services for our customers in Beverly Hills/Westwood area.

Why Is There a Puddle Around My Toilet?

7/31/2022 (Permalink)

Leaking toilet in Westwood, CA

Why Is My Toilet Surrounded by a Puddle?

Happily, for most homeowners, toilets are one of the most reliable fixtures in the home. Sometimes, these essential items in the home will last upwards of 40 years. During all that time, the humble bowl only requires a little bit of care. Once in a while, however, you may run up against one of these situations:

• The flush handle becomes loose
• The toilet becomes clogged
• The flapper valve wears out or gets damaged
• Water leaks around the base of the toilet
  
  

For most of these situations, the repair is pretty straightforward, but what can you do when faced with a leaking toilet?

Act Quickly

No matter what the cause of a bathroom leak, it could lead to an expensive visit from Westwood, CA, water damage restoration crews. Your best defense against extensive repairs and remodeling is acting quickly to correct the situation.

Leaky Wax Gaskets

A leak at the base of the toilet is usually the result of a worn-out wax seal. Use a towel to mop up the water on the floor and watch for water seeping from under the toilet. If the water comes from a different location, the problem could be a cracked tank, sweaty bowl, leaky shutoff valve, or a loose tube somewhere.

Try Tightening the Bolts

Sometimes, it's possible to apply more pressure on the wax ring by tightening up the bolts that hold the toilet in place. Tighten the bolts alternately, using consistent, gentle pressure. If the leak stops, you probably don't have to take any other steps. If the leaking toilet continues to be a problem, you'll need to replace the wax gasket.
This repair generally involves removing the toilet and, unhooking tubes and hardware, replacing the wax seal, and then putting everything back together. If you aren't comfortable doing these repairs on your own, you can hire a Westwood, CA, professional to fix the leaking toilet.

Essential Steps for an Effective Sewage Cleanup

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

The last thing you want to experience in your home is some sort of sewage spill.

Sewage Cleanup

The last thing you want to experience in your home is some sort of sewage spill, but it does happen. This serious situation calls for a rapid response from an experienced water restoration company in your town of Century City, CA. A team of highly-trained and certified technicians will arrive quickly and get to work restoring your home to its original condition. They will follow a proven sewer cleanup protocol that prioritizes safety and minimizes damage to your home and its contents.

The Sewer Damage Restoration Process
Once a crew arrives at your home, they will immediately begin to assess the situation. In the case of a sewer backup, the workers will don the appropriate PPE, watch out for safety issues and contain the damage. They will come up with a plan, communicate with you and get your approval, and then follow through with some or all of the following actions:

• Complete water removal through the use of vacuums and pumps
  
• Thorough drying of impacted walls, flooring and other structures
  
• Professional cleaning and sanitizing of tainted surfaces
  
• Cleaning of salvageable personal items through advanced techniques
  
• Restoration of damaged structures such as drywall and insulation
  
  

While a flooded toilet might impact a smaller area, the process remains similar. The crew has one main goal: restoring your home to its original condition.

The Sewer Cleanup Results
A professional job makes sure that there are no lingering smells in the home. It also makes sure areas are dried enough to prevent the future growth of mold, which can be a possibility after water damage. A quality contractor will also make sure to look at the reasons for the spill in the first place and make recommendations to prevent a recurrence.
A sewer cleanup can be a traumatic event for you as a homeowner. A professional job allows you to continue on with your life without lasting consequences.

4 Common Plumbing Issues in Commercial Bathrooms

3/6/2022 (Permalink)

Leaking pipes and faucets can be a serious problem

Four Bathroom Plumbing Problems in Commercial Buildings

As a business owner, you know how serious plumbing issues can be. If one pipe break occurs, your business needs to shut down for repairs. Due to heavy use, commercial bathrooms are prone to certain issues. Here are the most common issues they experience.

1. Toilet Clogs

Any business' toilet is going to get used a lot. While they are designed for heavy use, they're still prone to clogs. Clogs in commercial buildings can be so much worse than those in a house. Plus, if they are not caught quickly enough, they can flood your restrooms. This can force you to hire water damage restoration professionals.

2. Leaks

If there are numerous bathrooms in your facility, leaking pipes and faucets can be a serious problem. While small leaks may not seem like a big deal, they can lead to a lot of wasted water over time and high increases in your utility bill. If you discover a leak, be sure to get it fixed as soon as possible.

3. Broken Toilet Handles

Excessive clogs are not the only thing that can be a problem with commercial toilets. They also are more likely to have a broken handle due to excessive use. To combat this, many companies decided to go with touch-free toilets. These can save money a lot of money by conserving water. However, if you are still using old school toilets, be warned that a broken handle can lead to more wasted water than leaking pipes.

4. Sewage Blocks

Another thing that's worse than leaking pipes is a sewage block in Westwood Village, CA. They can lead to foul smells throughout your business. This can drive away customers and ruin your relationship with your employees.
Some common problems to look out for in your commercial bathroom include a toilet backup, broken handles, sewage blocks, and leaks. If you find any of these, be sure to get them fixed quickly to protect your customer relationships and minimize your damage.

The Truth About Stainless Steel Braided Water Supply Lines in Your Bathroom

1/29/2022 (Permalink)

If you notice your supply line is leaking or it has already burst, immediately call a water damage specialist.

While many people incorrectly assume that supply line damage can’t occur to stainless steel braided lines, there are numerous unlucky individuals who have had to learn the hard way that this simply isn’t true. This situation can quickly lead to extensive water damage to your home in Century City, CA, especially if you are not home when the line breaks. Understanding why a bathroom supply line leak occurs and knowing what to do if the scenario does arise is important for preventing flooding and damage to your home.

Causes of Broken Supply Lines

If your braided supply line is broken and it’s causing a bathroom leak, there are a few reasons why it might have happened:

• Corrosion: Although stainless steel is resistant to many types of corrosion, it can be corroded over time by certain cleaning chemicals like Chlorine.

• Loose or Cracked Coupling Nuts: Since supply line nuts are often made from a cheap plastic, they are prone to cracking which can cause leaks.

• Crimp Points: The tubing underneath the stainless steel can be damaged due to bending the supply line or corrosion around the crimp collar.

How To Address Supply Line Damage

If you notice your supply line is leaking or it has already burst, immediately call a water damage specialist. If you know how, shut off the water supply immediately. If not, the specialist can turn it off for you when they arrive or direct you to do so over the phone. While waiting for the specialist to arrive, attempt to quickly dry up any water that has started building up in your home. It is important to note that many companies offer lifetime warranties for their supply lines, so take advantage of that to bring down the cost.

Dealing with stainless steel braided supply line damage in your bathroom is an extremely stressful situation that can damage your home. Knowing this ahead of time can help you prepare for the worst and know what to do if a leak does occur.

Water in Light Fixtures? Safety First!

12/18/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to water in a light fixture, your first step is safety.

Water in Light Fixtures

Unless you live in a clam shell in Triton’s kingdom under the sea, you shouldn’t see water in your light fixtures. When your home is in Westwood Village, CA, water in such a place is a dangerous problem that needs to be addressed quickly. Here are some important things to do to resolve the problem and prevent further damage.

Stay Safe

When it comes to water in a light fixture, your first step is safety. Here are three things to do to keep everyone safe:

1. Turn off the electricity. Throw the breakers for the affected locations. If you are in doubt, turn off the power to the whole house before proceeding.

2. Cordon off unsafe areas. You may have some ceiling damage, so look for sagging ceilings or stains to indicate its location and take caution until you find the source of the leak. Prevent children and other family members from being under or above the damaged area.

3. Stop the leak. Finding the leak may be a challenge, but once you have the electricity off, you can proceed without the risk of electrocution. Turn off the water supply to prevent further damage until you can repair the source of the leak.

Prevent Secondary Damage

A sneaky ceiling leak causes a lot of damage. You may need a professional for help with structural and electrical repairs, and prevention of subsequent damage is key. Water-damaged household materials are a prime breeding ground for mold. This is a key point of recovery when a professional flood remediator can save you time and money by working quickly to either remove materials or dry those that can be salvaged.

Act Fast

Keep in mind that mold starts to develop fast, in as few as 48 hours. Prompt and thorough action is key to minimizing damage. Remember that safety is the first step whenever you have water in a light fixture or flood damage in a ceiling.

How To Deal With Kitchen Leaks

11/28/2021 (Permalink)

Keep an eye out for leaks in your home that can lead to flooding.

Two Common Kitchen Leaks

Water is used every day in your Westwood, CA, home, but it can be nerve-wracking when the water leaks. Any unwanted flooding may lead to ruined appliances, water damage, and mold. To prevent this from happening, learn about two common kitchen leaks and what you can do to fix them.

1. The Kitchen Sink

Plumbing fixtures don’t last forever. Sometimes the pipes get old or they malfunction. If you detect a puddle of water underneath the sink, act quickly. Remove all the items in the exposed cabinet and wipe up the water with a towel. Don’t forget to dry the underside of the sink.

Once you have soaked up all the water, leave the cabinet doors open to dry. Leave a towel and test for an actual leak by turning on the faucet and running the garbage disposal. If the sink continues to leak, call a professional.

2. The Dishwasher

Dishwashers can leak and lead to serious flooding. This is a problem most people want to avoid, especially because the water can seep into the floor and cause water damage problems below. To prevent any dishwasher mishaps, keep the kitchen sink unclogged. If kitchen repair is needed, it’s best to dry out the area and call a professional.

The Solution

There are a few common ways to discover water problems in the home. If you are concerned about kitchen leaks or water damage in your home, look out for the following signs:

• Dripping water
  
• Stained ceilings or floors
  
• Swollen or wet walls
  
• Mold
  
  

If you discover any of these, contact a professional for help. Water damage should be taken care of quickly to avoid further problems.

Keep an eye out for leaks and potential issues that can lead to flooding. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are often the most vulnerable to leaks. By being aware and acting quickly, you can prevent unwanted water in home appliances and surrounding areas.

The Risks of Commercial Polybutylene Piping

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

If you cannot replace the pipes in the near future, you should plan for potential damage.

If you have an older commercial property, it may have polybutylene pipes. As a staple of late-twentieth-century construction, it was widely implemented as a cheaper alternative to traditional piping. This material was later found to have problems with longevity. Your Beverly Hills, CA, business could be at risk because of this pipe type, and here is what to look for and consider.

Identifying the Pipes

The most widely implemented use for this material was to feed water from a water line into a commercial building. The polymer typically comes in a few colors: white, gray, and blue. These pipes are typically located in or around a number of locations:

• Basements
• Utilities
• Water meters
• Shutoff valves
• Water heaters

If you are unsure of what material your business utilizes, an inspector or plumber may be able to give you a definitive answer. The tubing types often look similar and can easily be misidentified by untrained individuals.

Considering Reasons to Replace

A class-action lawsuit in 1995, Cox v. Shell Oil, won in favor of consumers with the conclusion that polybutylene pipes were damaged too easily and were not a proper installation. It phased out of the market in the United States following that.

Typical chemicals in the water supply, such as chlorine, deteriorate the interior of the pipe until it breaks. This risks a pipe break leading to costly water damage. Local building codes may even explicitly forbid the polymer piping from being used due to these risks.

Replacing the Pipes

With the knowledge of why the pipes are dangerous, you are likely wondering how to remedy it. You can work out what’s salvageable from your old system with the assistance of a plumber. Most likely, you will be advised to install new plumbing.

Treating a Broken Pipe

If you cannot replace the pipes in the near future, you should plan for potential damage. An expert water damage treatment crew can remove water from the affected areas of your property. Alternatively, updated plumbing and proper maintenance of the system can help prevent repair costs related to any problematic polybutylene.

Smart Steps for Preventing Water Damage in Your Home

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

Water can find its way into your home.

Finding water in your home where it shouldn’t be isn’t fun and can be expensive to resolve. Fortunately, with simple preventative steps, you may be able to quickly repair a water leak before it becomes a pricey problem.

Where To Look for Water Leaks

The key to preventing water damage is to find and stop leaks as soon as possible. This means monitoring everything in your home that contains and carries water. You should look in and around the following appliances and systems:

• Pipes
  
• Toilets
  
• Sinks
  
• Tubs and showers
  
• Washers
  
• Dishwashers
  
• Refrigerators
  
• HVAC units
  
  

Things You Can Do To Spot and Stop Water Leaks

Whenever you notice water in your home that doesn’t belong, don’t just write it off – look into it to confirm you don’t have a leak. When water is present, thoroughly dry the area with a fan or dehumidifier, and call a water damage restoration company.

You also should periodically inspect each appliance and system to spot leaks or anything that would indicate a leak, such as a musty smell or rusty water. Review your water bill; a higher one could indicate a problem.

Make sure you know how to shut off your water main. In the event of a major leak, turning off the water is the first step to stopping it. Turn off your water when you'll be away from home for a significant amount of time to reduce the risk of undetected leaks.

When To Call in the Professionals

Regular inspections and maintenance of your plumbing, appliances, and HVAC system are crucial for preventing water in your home. You can talk to a contractor in Century City, CA, to get a recommended maintenance schedule for each system.

In addition to spotting potential or emerging issues, a contractor also can perform needed maintenance or repairs. This can include replacing tubes and coils, performing pipe cleanup to prevent blockage and overflow, and fixing a broken pipe.

Professional contractors can also help you install a water detection system either for individual appliances or for the whole home. These detectors will spot what you can’t and give you an advanced warning of a developing leak.

Water damage is one of the most expensive things for homeowners to fix. By getting in the habit of looking for issues, such as a broken pipe, and regularly scheduling professional maintenance, you can avoid any unexpected problems.

What To Do When Your Water Heater Leaks

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

Keep a leaking water heater from causing immense harm to your home.

What To Do When You Discover A Water Heater

If you have a leaking water heater, it can lead to much larger issues within your home. Even a small amount of water can harm your floor or surrounding walls. If you have a large leak, you may see quite extensive damage to your home. Here is what you need to do when you discover a failed water heater with a puddle surrounding it.

Examine the Unit
Puddles in the basement of your Century City, CA, home can form for a variety of reasons so be sure to take a close look at your unit to be sure that a leaking water heater is the source of the problem. Be sure to check:

• Pipes above and around the puddle
  
• Nearby floor drains
  
• Cracks in walls or floors
  
  

Disconnect Power
With a leaking or broken water heater, you need to get the power source turned off. An electric water heater can be turned off easily by flipping its designated circuit breaker switch to the off position. A gas version will have an on/off switch on its exterior.

Turn Off the Water Source
If you have a significant amount of water leaking, it is important to get the water supply turned off as quickly as possible. Most water heaters will have a valve located above them. Be careful not to come into contact with the water as you turn it off. If you cannot access the valve safely, you may need to turn off your home's main water supply instead.

Clean Up
Any water leak in your home must be properly cleaned up in order to avoid substantial damage, mold and mildew. Clean up water as soon as you can with towels, especially if it is in contact with drywall, carpet or flooring. For a large leak or a long-term leak that has just been discovered, be sure to contact specialists trained in water damage repair to ensure a thorough cleanup.
Proper care needs to be taken when any water incident happens within your home. Keep a leaking water heater from causing immense harm to your home by following these tips.

4 Stages of Creating a Business Continuity Plan

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

Business impact analysis.

4 Stages of Creating a Business Continuity Plan

If you own a business in Beverly Hills, CA, you want to make sure all your employees know what to do during an emergency. For this reason, business owners should take steps to ensure their company has an emergency response plan in place. Also known as a business continuity plan, this is a prepared set of processes and procedures to follow that aims to keep operations running in case any sort of disaster strikes. One way to think of it is like an instruction manual. These four FEMA-approved stages of the drafting process can help guide you on what to include in yours.

1. Business Impact Analysis
In the first stage of creating a business continuity plan, you will want to gather information about the impact of what will happen if various functions experience disruptions. You can validate the information with management via workshops and interviews.

2. Recovery Strategies
The next stage of drafting involves the identification of operation recovery strategies. If the emergency is a natural disaster, for example, how can you ensure your production line is up and running as soon as possible? Some verbiage in the plan might cover the procedures for hiring commercial damage restoration professionals for cleanup or using backup lighting sources until you can repair regular electricity.

3. Plan Development
After working through potential impacts and recovery options, you can begin developing a plan framework. Organize recovery teams, outline temporary relocation protocols and write out procedures.

4. Testing and Exercises
In the final stage, you will need to test your plans out. Validate test results with others in the company, and gain management approval. Conduct training and orientation exercises to help ensure everyone in your organization is on the same page.
In the event of an emergency, having a business continuity plan for your commercial property can be the difference between staying in operation and needing to close. To ensure you cover everything in your plan, you can use guidelines like the ones here to assist you.

6 Steps for Handling a Leak in Your Kitchen

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

A leak under the kitchen sink is often the culprit of home flooding

A leak under the kitchen sink is often the culprit of home flooding. If you discover a leak in your kitchen, it is important to know what to do to minimize water damage in Beverly Hills, CA. Taking immediate action is the best way to prevent the situation from getting worse and keep repairs to a minimum.

Here Are Six Essential Steps To Take If You Find A Leak Under Your Sink

1. Stop the Water
Before you do anything else, find the main water valve and shut it off. This will stop additional water from leaking into your home.

2. Protect Your Belongings
Remove any valuable objects, such as artwork and furniture, and place them in a dry, safe place. Move as many items as possible off the floor to prevent additional damage.

3. Keep Electronic Devices Turned Off
Do not turn on the television or other electronic devices. If necessary, move any appliances from the room that are at risk of coming into contact with the flooding water.

4. Remove Excess Water
Use towels or a mop to blot and soak up any excess water in your home. Dry the area thoroughly by opening windows and using fans.

5. Call Your Insurance
Notify your home insurance provider to let them know about the flood. They will clarify what your policy will cover before you begin your kitchen repair and restoration process.

6. Call for Help
Enlist the help of a professional water damage and restoration service. They will have the necessary equipment to ensure that your kitchen is properly dried, disinfected, and restored to its pre-flood condition.

Flooding waters in your home can cause a tremendous amount of damage in addition to costly repairs. If you find a leak in your kitchen, the best thing to do is act quickly. Take care of the problem as soon as possible to mitigate the damage and costs.

5 Things You Need to Know About Water Damage

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in a Beverly Hills, CA home

Residential Water Damage

As a homeowner, you need to make sure that you're prepared to protect your Beverly Hills, CA, home from peril. Water damage can manifest itself in all sorts of ways, whether it's from excessive rainfall, a pipe burst or toilet overflow. Arm yourself with knowledge and study the following tips regarding residential water damage.

1. Call Your Insurance Company Immediately.
If you discover flooding or another type of water damage, you need to contact your insurance company immediately. Your insurance agent can file a claim much more quickly, as well as walk you through the initial damage remediation steps.

2. There's No Time to Waste.
Remediating water damage is all about efficiency. Once the initial accident occurs, it's a race against the clock to see how quickly you can resolve the situation. Secondary damage, such as mold growth, only requires 24 hours to set in.

3. Flood Water Comes in 3 Different Categories.
Flood water is categorized based upon the types of contaminants present. Category 3, also known as black water, poses a significant health hazard and must be handled much more carefully than Category 1, which originates from your water line. Black water floods are also capable of inflicting significantly more damage.

4. Flood Damage and Water Damage Are Not the Same.
Your insurance company treats each disaster differently, depending on the source of the damage. Damage caused by a pipe burst, or other internal accident, is considered water damage. Damage that resulted from a nearby body of water that overflowed onto your property is considered flood damage.

5. Flood Damage is Not Covered by Homeowner's Insurance.
If you live in an area that is more susceptible to flooding, then it's a good idea to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. You also should sit down with your insurance agent to discuss exactly which scenarios your current homeowner's insurance policy actually does cover.
There are steps you can take to help deter water damage, but there's no way to guarantee absolute immunity. If your property has recently suffered a pipe burst, severe flood or other type of water damage, make sure to contact storm remediation experts as soon as possible.

Your Home's Supply Lines Are Critical to Your Plumbing System

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

Supply line damage in your home will get your attention real fast

Your Home's Supply Lines Are Critical to Your Plumbing System

Most people do not spend too much time thinking about the plumbing system in a home until things go wrong. Supply line damage in your home will get your attention real fast. As one of the larger lines in a residential property, a supply line carries fresh water from the home's main line to the different faucets and appliances. A supply line leak could release significant quantities of water into the home. This could result in the following types of damage:

• Structural damage to walls and floors
• Harm to carpeting, furniture and clothing
• Corrosion of soft metals
• Damage to electrical systems and devices
  

Moisture into your home in Beverly Hills, CA, can also enable mold growth. Therefore a professional water remediation team is often needed to treat any residential water problems.

More Information on Supply Lines
Your home's supply lines might be in need of attention. It is always better to replace the lines before a large leak develops due to supply line damage. Supply lines are usually made of plastic pipes or braided steel pipes. Steel construction is likely to last much longer and often comes with a lifetime warranty for materials. Plastic pipes might only have a warranty that lasts between five to eight years. Knowing the type of pipes you have gives you a good idea if maintenance us due.

More Information on Water Cleanup
A certified water mitigation team in your area will be experienced in cleaning up after supply line damage. Trained technicians will be able to handle everything from a simple bathroom leak to a major sewage backup. They will come to your home within 24 hours of a call and begin an inspection and assessment of the water damage. The next step will be to remove the water as quickly as possible from the home. They will restore any damage to the home "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Water - 3 Signs of Irrigation System Problems

9/5/2020 (Permalink)

An irrigation system can do wonders for a property

Three Signs You May Have Water Trouble Your Way

Curb appeal isn’t just for homes. Ensuring your Beverly Hills, CA, property is appealing and welcoming makes a big impression on customers and employees. To ensure a luscious green lawn and decorative plants looking their best, and irrigation system is a great solution. Most systems are easy to use and reliable, but not properly maintaining them or ignoring issues can lead to flooding that makes its way into the property, potentially creating the need for a water damage and restoration professional to clean up the mess. Below are three signs that there may be water trouble headed your way.

Malfunctioning Sprinkler Head
At some point, an irrigation system will have a sprinkler head that gets damaged. This can happen from mowing, vehicles or improper pressure settings. Signs of a broken one include:

• Plastic casing is damaged
• Unit doesn’t come up
• Sprinkler head is missing
• Sprinklers with heads that are completely broken off
  

Low Water Pressure
A sure sign of irrigation problems is low water pressure. If the head isn’t popping up but not damaged or a minimal amount of water is coming out, there is an underlying issue. Potential culprits could be a misfiring backflow device or a leak. If there is a soggy area, it may mean the latter. If there is no obvious leak, compressed soil or tree roots could be causing the problem.

Inactive Zone
If one zone is not working, blocked electrical signals are often the cause. There could be insufficient voltage, which requires a new controller, or there could be damaged wires. The valve’s solenoid may also need to be replaced. If multiple zones aren’t working, it could again be related to power properly getting to the controller, which may mean replacing the transformer.
While an irrigation system can do wonders for a property, being diligent regarding maintenance and regularly checking this it is working properly are necessary to avoid added water issues.

3 Alternative Ways to Block Flooding

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

Nothing is more synonymous with flooding than a sand bag wall.

Nothing is more synonymous with flooding than a sand bag wall. It might even be the only solution that comes to mind. Before you start gathering volunteers and truckloads of bags to fortify your property in Beverly Hills, CA, consider these three alternatives to prevent flood damage.

1. Temporary walls. Made out of steel, aluminum or PVC, temporary walls can be thrown up into a doorway to block unwanted water. On a larger scale, they can be erected quickly by a team of 8-12 people to protect whole buildings. They are as easy to take down as they are to put up. No mess to clean or water to drain. Just pull them down, store them and use them again when needed.

2. Inflatable dams. Why not use water against itself? These vinyl tubes are placed anywhere they are needed and then filled with water. You can buy them big enough to protect from massive flooding or smaller to guard against minor damage. On a smaller scale, they can be filled with a water hose in about 2 to 3 minutes and are easy to drain once floodwater has receded. They make for a quick cleanup, are reusable, and they are ecofriendly.

3. Absorbent Barriers. Light and easy to place, these sand bag alternatives roll out flat and can be positioned anywhere you want them. There is no other set up required. They are water activated. Once the rain starts, they absorb floodwater and grow to roughly 3.5 inches high in about 10 minutes. They come in various lengths and can be stacked to block higher volumes of water away from important areas.

While the sand bag has been a tried and true contender in flood damage prevention, decide if that is what will work for you best in Beverly Hills, CA. These other flood dams can be just as effective, a quick clean-up and less time-consuming.

Don't Wait To Call Our Experts After A Water Damage Disaster In Your Beverly Hills Home

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

In case of a water spill in your home, call SERVPRO of Beverly Hills / Westwood. You can reach us at (310) 390-7540 any time.

How To Get Fast Results When Restoring Water Damage In Beverly Hills

Incidents of water damage are common considering how often water is used in day-to-day activities. Even though you might panic in the aftermath of such an incident, there is a need to act quickly. Most of the severe damages associated with water take time to develop so taking quick remedial action limits the impact. We offer professional restoration services in Beverly Hills that help save items and restore the property to its preloss state.
 
Most cases of water damage in Beverly Hills involve copious amounts of water spilled when plumbing systems leak or burst. Rainwater from a leaking roof can also cause problems. Removing the water as fast as it spills is the best water to mitigate damage. Our SERVPRO technicians use high-speed pumps or truck-mounted water extractors, which can remove thousands of gallons within a short while.
 
When water spills, it migrates to different areas of the property as porous materials absorb it. Carpets, drywall and wooden materials in floors and other sections of the property easily absorb the water. Checking the level of migration helps ensure the right removal procedures can be utilized. Our SERVPRO technicians use many moisture detection tools to check levels of moisture migration. We use FLIR thermal cameras to detect wet areas, especially in concealed areas. We also have moisture sensors that we use to probe materials to check the level of moisture they hold and thermo-hygrometers, which help us, gauge the relative humidity in different sections of the property.
 
Drying the moisture from the affected property is perhaps the most daunting process because it involved evaporating which is a slow process. Various actions can help improve the evaporation rate including increasing the rate of airflow over the affected areas and content. Higher temperature also helps because it increases the amount of moisture air can hold. Our SERVPRO technicians use fast air movers and dehumidifiers for fast drying.
 
In case of a water spill in your home, call SERVPRO of Beverly Hills / Westwood. You can reach us at (310) 390-7540 any time. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Click here for more about Beverly Hills.

Protecting Your Water Damage Claim

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in Westwood, CA

3 Things To Do To Protect Your Water Damage Claim

Bursting pipes, sewage backups, or overflowing toilets, there are so many catastrophes in residential properties, which is the primary reason to pay for insurance coverage. However, as most water mitigation companies in Westwood, CA, will tell you, insurance is only part of the battle. It is tricky enough to get full water coverage, but if you do, you need to protect any claim to ensure you receive payment. There are at least three things you need to do to protect your claim.

1. Mitigate further loss
   
2. Call your insurer
   
3. Document everything
   
   

Mitigate Further Loss
When dealing with water damage, first mitigate further loss. An insurer wants to know you did everything possible to minimize the extent of the damage. For example, if you are dealing with bursting pipes, did you turn off the water supply? Or, if you have a hole in your roof, did you cover it with a tarp to prevent rain from entering the property? If you fail to implement mitigation steps, an adjuster may decline your claim.

Call Your Insurer
Call your insurer immediately after the damage occurs. Most insurance companies expect clients to call to report damage within the first 24 hours. If you wait any longer than a day, you risk the acceptance of your claim. Also, the faster you call the insurer, the sooner an adjuster is sent to your home.

Document Everything
While you may need to wait for a claims approval before you fix a broken pipe, there are likely other repairs you can make. However, document everything and keep receipts. Take pictures of the original damage to show the adjuster. If repairs cannot wait, Gather bids to prove you researched the companies before hiring.
Any home can have water disasters, like bursting pipes, but the approach to filing an insurance claim may differ from insurer to insurer. Make sure you contact your insurance company and know your responsibilities, so you avoid risking your coverage.

How To Stop Large-Scale Flooding

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

A flood in a Beverly Hills, CA neighborhood.

Chances are good that you'll never have to worry about major flooding. Of course, your chances increase if you live in an area in Beverly Hills, CA, where there is high water or other flood risks. The smartest thing to do is be prepared and have measures in place to protect your building and materials. There are effective ways to do this, which you should implement right away.

Common Ways Major Flooding Occurs

You may be worried that plumbing issues in your building could cause a flood. However, severe flooding can affect the entire community or city in which you live and work. Here are typical ways this happens:

• Torrential rains that raise the levels of rivers and canals, causing high water
• Earthquakes breaking levees or dams
• The breaking of multiple main water lines in a city
  
  

Sand Bags

This is perhaps the fastest and most cost-effective way to stop flooding. City and business leaders can organize groups to fill these bags and place them along the banks of waterways, roadways and in doorways and windowsills.

Storm Surge Barriers

Some cities have moveable barriers to hold back overflowing water. This flood prevention measure detects when water is rising. It then closes the walls, fills tanks with water, pushes the walls down and keeps the water from flowing onward.

Water Gates

Some communities, especially ones on islands, use flood gates to hold back the water. The gates sit in waterways and permit small amounts of water through. As water pressure increases on the gates, they open and close as appropriate. These are similar to moveable dams which can allow certain amounts of water though, depending on how high the storm surge may be.

High water can be a big problem if you live near bodies of water or where large storms are common. Before you rely on a professional flood cleanup company to intervene, cities turn to these protective barriers.

Your Rental Properties May Have a Ticking Time Bomb in Polybutylene Plumbing

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

Polybutylene pipes

Residential rental properties can be an excellent investment in Westwood Village, CA. Purchasing distressed housing and then renting the units is a time-tested way to quickly pay off the mortgage and start earning real income. However, purchasing older homes always comes with risk; older units are not only more prone to problems, but they also require more maintenance, and insurance premiums tend to be higher.
One component to look at carefully is the plumbing. Older PEX systems are prone to failure, but the biggest culprit is polybutylene (PB) piping. If you buy a property with either, you need to have it replaced before the problems begin.

The Key to Inexpensive and Long-Lasting Plumbing Wasn’t Polybutylene

PB seemed like a marvel when it first started to be used in 1978. The benefits were immediately evident:

• Substantially cheaper than PVC or copper
  
• Very flexible for tight areas and simple corners
  
• Promised to last much longer than PVC
  
  

Soon, around one in four homes in Westwood Village, CA, was probably using PB – at least until 1995. By then, the miracle plumbing was turning into more of a curse. Leaving the pipes sitting in the sun for a couple of days could erode the structural strength of polybutylene – something the manufacturer never told builders.
But the real problem was chlorine. Almost all municipal water systems use chlorine for purification, but it’s a very powerful oxidizer, which turned out to be terrible for PB pipes. They started to be eaten away from the inside out, and devastating water leaks started showing up. In some cases, the water damage would go unknown for a long time, drawing termites to the wood rot and leaving massive restoration bills.
PB plumbing is usually grey or blue with metal rings at the ends. The material should be labeled on the outside, but if you have any doubts, you should call an expert. They can advise about what pipes are in your rentals as well as repair any water damage already caused. Even if the PB hasn’t failed yet, it’s very strongly recommended by all the experts to have it replaced as soon as practical.