Do you have a Mold problem? PART 2

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can quickly lead to mold problems if not cared for properly. Prevent the problem by calling SERVPRO when you first notice a leak.

If you suspect that your property may have mold, what can you do? If you cannot see mold and cannot smell mold but you really have concerns and want to investigate further, know that mold needs three things to develop and grow indoors.

For mold to grow and thrive it needs:

1. Water or moisture (condensation, dripping, leaking, or flooding water)
2. Organic materials (wood, paper, etc.)
3. The right temperatures (avg. species - between 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit)

All three of these are needed, if numbers 2. and 3. are present without number 1., mold cannot flourish.

You could be dealing with dormant mold that would activate once water is re-introduced… Is any moisture present? Did you experience a water leak at some point recently or in the past?

Was there a toilet overflow, bathtub overflow, shower drain backup, flooding from a washing machine, or leaking from your dishwasher? Or do you hear dripping from pipes inside walls, could a water supply line have a pin-sized leak, could the A/C condenser unit be dripping, is there a roof or ceiling leak, or could outdoor water sprinklers be hitting up against the house repeatedly and water barrier materials are worn away? Check the plumbing under kitchen and bathroom vanity sinks.

If you find nothing, you can call our team if you have questions. Our recommendation may be to schedule our technician to come out to your property and perform a mold air and surface sampling. In a few days, the lab report will give either you an all-clear or indicate an issue. If a mold problem is discovered, we can assist with getting the leak repaired, drying out the wet building materials, and removing the areas affected by mold in a safe and healthy manner for your protection by using the protocol set by the IICRC. Don’t wait, call now.

Do you have a Mold problem? PART 1

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

Seeing this?? Call SERVPRO of West Covina at 626-960-9145 and press 1 for property damages to inquire further.

In some of the calls that we receive, the homeowner is unsure if they have mold present in their home or not. We all are concerned about keeping a healthy air-quality present in both our homes and offices. How can you tell if mold is hiding behind a cabinet, wall, or ceiling?

Fortunately, we were created with the sense of sight and smell.

Do you SEE mold? Mold strains and varieties appear in different colors. Some are whitish, yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, turquoise, green, light brown, dark brown, and yes, black. Are you seeing colored spots or patches?

Do you SMELL mold? As mold spores develop from moisture, it grows when nourished by comfy indoor temperatures, while it feeds on organic materials. This process causes gasses to be emitted like any other living, eating, growing organism. The smell is distinct. It can be described as a damp, musty, or earthy odor. Every time the spores eat and drink they release more gasses.

Call us for a complimentary inspection to stop the microbial growth & spread and begin the mold removal process.

If you cannot see any mold and do not smell anything odd but suspect a problem, call us. We can schedule and perform a mold test. We will test the actual number of spores found outdoors naturally and compare the lab’s findings to air and surface samples taken indoors at your property in the areas of concern. 626-960-9145

Can indoor flooding be dangerous?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Stay safe. Act quickly. Get shoes on. Stay clear of the flooded areas. Call SERVPRO for help.

At SERVPRO of West Covina, our professionally trained team puts safety for everyone involved at the forefront. If you wake up and step out of bed into several inches of water it can be startling. What can you do? There can be potential dangers to keep a lookout for. Here are a few suggestions to keep you and your family safe and healthy.

• The first thing to do is to put on hard-soled shoes or rubber boots if you have them. If anyone else is in the home, have them also on shoes, and instruct them to stay clear of the wet areas for safety measures.
• Next, if you can determine where the leak is coming from, can you shut off the water source? Is the leak from a running toilet or washing machine? Did a pipe inside the wall or slab rupture?
• Now you will want to call SERVPRO to come help stop the damages from becoming any worse. We will arrive promptly, scope out how far the water traveled, extract the standing water and begin the repair process with the following safety precautions in mind:

Standing water potential dangers

Risk of electrical shock – Electronic chords dangling in the water is a problem. Wet electronics and/or fixtures are also an issue. When your home floods and your main power switch is on, walking around in the flooded water can lead to a potentially deadly shock. Do not take the risk, stay out of the wet rooms that are affected.

Outside flood entering home – If at all possible, remain clear of affected rooms. Beware of sharp debris and potentially harmful contaminants or chemicals within the soil such as animal or bird feces. Beware of waterborne illness.

Bacteria and contaminants- If a high bacteria level is present, small cuts on your skin can lead to health risks and concerns, especially if small children or the elderly are walking around barefoot.

Mold – Indoor temperatures are ideal for supporting the growth of mold when both water and organic material is available for the spores to feed on. Wall cavities and areas where no light shines can easily be missed if a professional company is not hired for the cleanup. Check with your doctor regarding the risks related to mold exposure within the home. Mold is avoidable if the water damage is acted upon immediately and the proper IICRC measures are taken.

What does the IICRC do?

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Hire a restoration company that daily practices IICRC industry standards and prioritizes health & safety measures.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification was founded in the 1970s and over the decades has become a trusted organization setting high standards for the restoration industry. Restoration business owners, property managers, and insurance companies trust and rely on the standard the IICRC has set.

Education matters, especially in the restoration industry. The IICRC offers detailed training and certifications in related fields for this profession. An emphasis is placed on ethics, health, and safety for all parties, and certifications can be earned by technicians so that when working out in the field, they can bring trust through their professional expertise as services are rendered. Courses are available for property damage issues such as water damage, the presence of mold, fire & smoke damages, the proper cleaning of contents and/or surfaces, odor removal, proper care for a variety of flooring types, plus trauma & crime scene cleaning.

These valuable courses, insights, and industry standards take the lead in providing a clear protocol based on the issue at hand. Cleanup for a clean water pipe rupture is different from for example raw sewage backup because of health concerns. Understanding how to handle microbial issues professionally can avoid problems down the road. By (mitigation) stopping the issue from growing larger, and handling matters properly right from the start based on the category of loss we can save the homeowner parties involved tons of money by avoiding unnecessary steps.

What you can do while you wait for the plumber

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

A little bit of water may not seem like a big deal but if not properly addressed right away it could end up causing costly mold repairs.

You’ve discovered water leaking from under the sink, a fixture, or from inside the wall and the first available appointment is days away… what can you do in the meantime to be a proactive homeowner?

1. Turn off the main water valve so that damages will not continue to spread

2. Check for moisture in surrounding areas like trim, baseboards, walls, and cabinets

3. If moisture is present, give a restoration company like SERVPRO of West Covina a call

We are here to help around the clock and our inspections are complimentary. The responding technicians will scope out how far the leaking or flooding water traveled, come up with a professional plan of action based on the circumstances. We will help with extracting standing water, properly dry wet materials based on the IICRC standards to avoid mold growth, and assist with any other needs you may have like removing swollen laminate.  And if needed, possibly recommend a few plumber options of whom we work with regularly, trust, and who maybe can come out sooner, depending. Call now for more information!

We are ready for when You need us!

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Enter as a property emergency contact on your cell phone: SERVPRO of West Covina 626-960-9145 to simply place the call as needed.

None of us could have predicted the 2020 pandemic and its far-reaching effects. We cannot anticipate what exact emergency might befall our nation, state, city, neighborhood, business, or home. What we have learned though is that we will be better prepared & equipped to deal with a disaster IF we plan ahead. In the event of an earthquake, a wildfire, or a flood we will have the supplies and resources needed to safely endure the situation. We know basic emergency food & water supplies are a must along with go-bags & extra gasoline in the event an evacuation is required.

How can you plan for a property emergency in your home? If a fire occurs at your property or your place floods, who can you call for immediate help? SERVPRO of West Covina is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and will respond even if your emergency falls on a national holiday. We greatly care about our community and sincerely assisting ones in crisis so that we can help aid in making things better.

In a fire situation we will:

1. Stabilize & secure your home or business
2. Assist with inventory of total loss items and what is salvageable through professional cleaning
3. Remove smoke & soot odor-causing particles

In a flooding situation we will:

1. Scope out how far the water traveled & come up with a plan to restore
2. Extract standing water
3. Begin drying all wet materials through specialized machinery

As General Contractors certified through the IICRC in mold remediation we will:

1. Remove & demolish swollen moldy materials safely
2. Replace and install flooring, trim, cabinets, drywall, paint, etc.
3. Live up to our SERVPRO slogan and make the effects of your disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Keep Home Maintenance a Priority

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Help maintain your home by addressing issues before problems occur. If you discover trouble like this... call us out immediately!

Our spring cleaning checklist includes updating failing older appliances. After about eight to twelve years certain plumbing fixtures may need attention. Before a real problem occurs, it is best to begin addressing any maintenance issues, such as fixing leaking faucets, toilets and/or replacing and upgrading old ones.

A few months back while we were replacing a vanity basin in our home, we began to notice some leaking from the pipes under the sink. We worked to make the necessary repairs to that sink but realized the turn-off valves were old and brittle, so we started swapping old angle stops out with new ones throughout the home. When we got to our kitchen sink valves, difficulties began. Water ended up leaking overnight and dripped down onto the garage ceiling below. The next morning when we noticed the water staining, we went to address the issue only to struggle a bit from a combination of problems, one being old calcium build upon a super short connector. A few attempts to repair failed, so water continued to seep out for a few days until the final clamp and sealant repair worked. We had tried getting a plumber to come out but several local ones were weeks away from responding in person so we had to figure this one out on our own. We were able to run air-movers and a large dehumidifier the whole time until everything was fully dried out but you can see how easy water can cause damages to wet materials if professional equipment is not used.

Small issues that you can maintain control of may go well as a DIY project but if leaking had continued or if flooding had occurred, we would have needed professional help. It is our responsibility as a homeowner to keep on top of all maintenance issues. If you notice a problem, it is best to prioritize that repair, ESPECIALLY if water or mold is involved. If you are unsure how to proceed or of how large an issue may be, give our team a call.

What should be your Main Concerns when Flooding occurs?

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Easily recognize the dangers after water damage and take proactive measures to address each issue.

If you wake up to find yourself ankle-deep in water, what are the dangers and what should you do?

• Risk of electrical shock – Be careful because we all know that water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Looking at this picture, you can see plugged chords dangling in the water. This presents a high risk for electrical shock. It is important to stay out of the area and keep others, children and pets away as well.
• The danger of slip and fall – Walking on a hard flooring surface like wood, tile, or cement when wet can definitely be a slippery hazard. Again, clearing everyone from the room until everything is dry is highly recommended.
• Are harmful bacteria present in the water? – One of our first questions after a flood call is to find out the water source. Is it from groundwater where the soil is present along with possible traces of animal feces mixed in? Did a toilet overflow or sewage backup cause the flooding? For your own protection, do not walk in these areas. If the source is unknown initially, call our technicians to help make the determination of the source.
• Can expensive wood floors be saved? – If the water source is a clean one and you call in the professionals right away, specialty drying equipment can be used to restore instead of replacing the costly materials. Please note: not every restoration company uses the same protocol, so ask!
• How soon do you need to take action? – The answer for both whether if the water source is clean or dirty is to act immediately by calling a reputable company that will recommend an IICRC protocol based on your circumstances. Any delays could result in mold issues later… call SERVPRO of West Covina and we will respond right away.

The importance of being PROCATIVE with water damages

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

Do Not delay in getting the professional help you need. Call immediately at the first sign of an issue.

Oxford Dictionary

Pro*ac*tive

Adjective

(of a person, policy, or action)creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen by taking-charge rather than responding to it after it has happened.

“be proactive in identifying and preventing potential problems”

What is a proactive homeowner?

A motivated homeowner remains observant of potential issues and will quickly take action when looking for and discovering any sort of damage or maintenance needs. Regular property maintenance is vital so by constantly anticipating property preservation, its requirements AND by taking immediate ACTION on the areas of concern you can prove yourself to be proactive.

Protect your biggest investment. As a homeowner and home insurance policyholder, it is crucial to understand that each insurance company expects you to be proactive on each property damage issue. Notifying your insurance of an issue is simply not enough, you must take action to work in harmony with your policy coverage. When the matter is related to a roof leak, a water leak, or a sudden water rupture you can be proactive by calling in a restoration company namely SERVPRO of West Covina at the first sign of a problem. Utilize our complimentary inspections to follow through with proper protocol and make the repairs as swiftly as possible. This will minimize costs and prevent further damages like mold from accruing.

How to avoid needing a mold inspection?

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

PREVENTION is always key. If you suspect mold is already an issue, call today because our mold inspections are free. If you are dealing with plumbing problems or a pipe rupture… Here are the TOP FIVE ways to prevent mold growth at your property:

No. FIVE - Regularly make the rounds in your home or office and inspect plumbing, appliances with water connections, behind large pieces of furniture backed up to walls or rooms with the plumbing inside and points of entry susceptible to leaks.

No. FOUR- Daily open windows and doors to get much-needed airflow or a cross breeze so that all rooms are adequately ventilated.

No. THREE - Immediately cleanup spills or overflows and ensure everything affected is fully dried.

No. TWO - Understand how water damages are categorized because the protocol for cleanup will vary based on necessary health and safety concerns – Category 1 = Clean; Category 2 = Murky; Category 3 = Dirty

No. ONE - The number one way is to be proactive by getting immediate help from a professional mitigation company like SERVPRO of West Covina at the first sign of moisture being suspected.

What is Water Mitigation?

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

Act now by calling in the SERVPRO professionals to mitigate damages & save your expensive hardwood floors by the use of specialty drying equipment.

Disasters can unexpectedly occur anyplace at any time. If you are searching online for a plumber, perhaps what you really need is a water restoration company. It can be comforting to know that you do not need to handle the property damaging situation alone because SERVPRO of West Covina is here to assist around the clock.

We understand that certain terminology and vocabulary we are accustomed to may be unfamiliar to some. Mitigation is a term used to describe one of the services SERVPRO offers when property damages have occurred. It denotes actions taken to help to lessen or eliminate risks caused by potential hazards or disasters. Our team is called in to mitigate or stop the damages from proceeding to get worse.  By intervening right away, our mitigation services are aimed to ease or alleviate the problem. Mitigation provides improvement to the situation and without it, the severity of damages continues to spread. FEMA explains mitigation as an effort to reduce the loss of... property by lessening the impact of disasters. Their same page also goes on to state that: for mitigation to be effective, ACTION MUST BE TAKEN NOW – before the next disaster – to reduce human and financial consequences later.

Here is what you can expect after contacting SERVPRO of West Covina: 

When you call our SERVPRO of West Covina franchise, whether you are calling during the early hours of the day or in the middle of the night, you can always expect to speak with a trained professional about the emergency you are experiencing. We never use an answering service because we understand that questions may arise after an accident and we want to help address all your concerns personally. Our phone lines stay available to emergency calls during weekends and holidays.

Quick Response - When a building has been damaged due to water damage, flooding or fire, the response time is an important factor in how costly restoration might be. Since SERVPRO of West Covina is always available to be reached, we will gather the necessary information by asking you a few questions, after which you can expect to hear back within the hour for a window time frame of when to expect our technicians.

Arrive Time - Our technicians can be on-site to begin the restoration process as soon as you are available to meet them. This fast response can make the difference if your property has suffered extensive damages. Water, fire and mold can result in building materials being adversely affected. By beginning the process quickly, it will result in less damage overall which ultimately will cost less money.

Inspection/Verbal Briefing - Once the damage restoration specialists have arrived, they can perform the onsite inspection and brief the principal parties on the extent of the damage. This verbal briefing will include recommendations based on the IICRC standards. This helps you determine whether to put the loss in as an insurance claim. Together we will determine the best course of action to moving forward.

Restore vs. Replace - The old way of handling water damages was to rip out all wet materials regardless of the bacteria levels present. But if the water source is classified as clean, restoring is a much-favored alternative. If the circumstances allow, SERVPRO will Dry-In-Place by extracting the flooded areas, placing drying equipment machinery, documentation, and checking moisture readings daily. This ensures proficiency and proof of work completed. National insurance companies recognize that millions of dollars are saved each year by choosing to restore using this method. This method not only speeds up the Water Mitigation process but also produces happy customers, which should be the goal of all service industry businesses.

Are you dealing with water damage, a leak or flooding in your West Covina home?

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

Do Not wait until mold is visible or the smell of bacteria has taken over your West Covina home, call now to schedule your VIRTUAL INSPECTION .

Mitigation Services Can Prevent Secondary Damages in Your SOCAL Home

We all face the risk of unexpected damages occurring at our properties. And, unfortunately many occur at the most inopportune times. Our focus at this very moment may be protecting ourselves from the coronavirus and ensuring some sort of steady income for our household. However, be aware of your surroundings so that if a leak occurs, instead of searching for a plumber, you can immediately get help from our professionally trained restoration experts . Understandably, during this pandemic though, some may fear inviting anyone to their home right now, even if it is for much needed help. Please note: if you are finding moisture, it is important not to wait because as bacteria multiplies, mold might begin to develop and ultimately both the damages and the cost of repairs may very well increase and rapidly. 

Typical causes of water damage to beware of:

• Roof or ceiling leaks
• Burst pipes from within walls
• Leaks from water supply lines
• Defective door, window or plumbing installation
• Toilet, bath sink, shower/tub, kitchen sink, fridge or laundry appliance leaks
• Dispersal or leaks from fire-sprinkler lines
• Storm flooding
• Toilet overflow
• Sewage backup
• Hot water heater tank leak or rupture

Sometimes leaks go undetected when they occur within a wall cavity or behind cabinets or furniture. Our SERVPRO technicians use specialty equipment to trace how far the water traveled to begin the dry out process and minimize damages. For burst pipes or flooded areas where enough water is present our SERVPRO technicians can extract all the standing water then place drying equipment until the structure is fully desiccated.

For your health and safety both for now and in the future, trust that SERVPRO of West Covina can help stop present damages from getting worse. Since we are all concerned about COVID-19, we are pleased to offer virtual inspections, for your convenience, call to schedule one today.

What to do when the water heater is leaking?

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

If you are experiencing any sort of water leak or rupture on your premises, be proactive and call today for an inspection. Serving all SOCAL cities!

Homeownership is a blessing until maintenance issues arise, but they always do. About every seven to twelve years large and small appliances start to act up. Most appliance issues can be fixed with a minor repair, while others may have run its life span and need replacing. Water heaters are no exceptions and just like with any plumbing in the house, leaks do not fix themselves and will only get worse over time. Do not wait to take action because untreated leaks could lead to costly mold issues developing at your property.

The top reasons water heaters might be leaking:

1. A leak coming from inside the tank – How old is your water heater? Is it time to replace the unit? Wipe the unit and surroundings dry and try to observe the leak source.
2. A water supply line leak – Inspect plumbing pipes and the heater from above for a pool of water
3. An overflow pipe leak – Inspect the base of the water heater and the drain valve. Is it failing to close after flushing or draining? Is there too much pressure building up inside the tank?
4. A connector leak – Check for loose or corroded fittings.
5. A pressure relief valve – Is water seeping out of this valve?

Once you have identified the source of the leak and make the needed repair, be mindful of the surrounding materials that may have become saturated. The base and walls could be compromised if the leak has been ongoing. From our experience, hot water leaks can cause mold to spread even faster due to mold thriving in warm temperatures. If you think the water leak extended into parts of the home or you discover a flooded area, before calling a plumber, give us a call so that we can properly address the issue. Or if you smell anything musty or are seeing mold, give our team a call for an air and surface mold test. Protect both your family and your home by taking immediate action by calling out the professionals.

SERVPRO of West Covina is always OPEN to Service SOCAL Cities

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

We are here to help with cleaning or any sort of property damages and remain OPEN during this pandemic. Our top priority is your health and safety.

Our business remains OPEN since help with unexpected property damage is always needed. Unfortunately, water damages don’t stop occurring while we are in a pandemic. Some may find that the timing of this continuous rain that we are experiencing in SoCal to be challenging if they are experiencing roof leaks or discovering mold or water intrusion elsewhere in the home.

So you may ask… in California, who is responsible when water damage occurs?

The answer: It depends on your dwelling type. If you are in a condo or multi-family unit it will depend on a few variables… Do you belong to an HOA? Where did the water source stem from? What does your insurance adjuster determine? If you are in a single-family dwelling it will be the homeowner’s responsibility. Regardless of if you are the policyholder or the tenant, it is very important to understand that you must be proactive in reporting and doing your due diligence to mitigate or stop the damages from spreading or getting worse. Be familiar with California water damage laws in the event a leak is discovered. The CA Civil Code section 1941 states that the landlord is responsible.

However, the landlord will need to be alerted immediately to make necessary repairs to prevent mold growth from beginning, so never wait. By calling us out even before a plumber, right at the first sign of an issue, you can rest assured that the cleanup will be professionally handled. The health and safety of your family and the rest of our community is our top priority. Trust the water damage and cleaning experts at SERVPRO!

What to do when property damages occur while in COVID-19 lockdown?

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

The health and safety of our families is always a priority. Do not risk trying to handle a water leak on your own, call us immediately for assistance.

Our SOCAL community has everyone at home during the coronavirus outbreak in hopes of slowing down the spread of the disease. While some have been laid off, depending on our line of work, others are working remotely from home. Typically, by the time we add our long commutes due to the infamous L.A. traffic to the workday, the actual amount of time spent inside our homes is usually minimal and narrowed way down to evenings and weekends. With this pandemic, our lives have changed and the whole family is home, all day.

Our homes are getting way more use than normal. Just think about the number of trips made into our kitchens and bathrooms per day. Our plumbing is getting utilized a whole lot more than on average. With extra use, it is a possibility that we could experience plumbing issues of some sort. If you begin to notice a leak occurring, do not delay in calling out a reputable restoration company. Delaying in making the repair and drying out the structure properly could cause mold spores to feed and multiply. Many of us think if we blot up the water that is good enough but…

• How far did the water travel?
• Is water trapped inside the wall cavity?
• Are baseboards and cabinets moist or saturated on the backside?

If you are unsure about how to handle a water leak, message us or call us to inquire further. And, if a sudden rupture occurs from a freshwater supply line or a pipe inside the wall and you find your place flooded, we are on standby around the clock to help. SERVPRO of West Covina will respond immediately, extract the water and work quickly to dry out the wet materials. This saves money that would otherwise add up if wet materials were torn out and later replaced during a reconstruction phase.

Wishing everyone the best! But have the confidence of knowing that if the unexpected occurs, you have a company that cares and is ready to help with whatever the need is that arises.

We remain Open during the COVID-19 pandemic

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Learn why our team is trusted enough to be hired again and again by property managers and homeowners as the need arises.

Our SERVPRO of West Covina Team services properties that unexpectedly encounter damages. We offer round the clock emergency response for Water Damages due to sudden flooding and Fire Cleanup services to remove smoke, soot, and char. So as the needs remain, so do we.

We love getting feedback from our customers and the five-star review that we got in this week makes us very proud and satisfied to be in the restoration industry helping families through even the hardest times. So we must share this with anyone uncertain with who they can trust to hire.

Matt P. writes a 5 Star Customer Review:

"On the day that L.A. basically shut down because of the Coronavirus, our bedroom ceiling started leaking really bad because of the rain. Water came down on our bed, our hardwood floors, and all over the room. My wife and I were sure that no-one would be able to fix it quickly because of everything going on in the city and the world.

But literally within a few hours, Ryan and his team came over and immediately figured out the problem with the leak, and started drying out the room. Before we knew it, roofers came and fixed the roof, and our bedroom was dry again. In the best of times, house issues are stressful. In the worst of times, they can out you over the edge. But Ryan calmed our nerves and really helped us out when we needed it. If I could give them 10 Stars, I would!"

Doing a bit of Spring cleaning?

5/2/2019 (Permalink)

Water stained ceiling or walls in need of cleaning or repair? Call us to help. #springcleaning #gotmold? #asbestostestneeded

We all do our best to tackle spring cleaning checklists during this time of year… some time we may have set aside for a good desk or office cleaning at work or an even larger cleaning task may be scheduled for at home where floors, garages or extra rooms may need some TLC. Spring time is the best way to prioritize for a more thorough cleaning.

Completing a home cleaning inspection will help aid you in the right direction as to where to start. Is your home needing deodorization services or a good HVAC cleaning? Have the recent or even past rain left its mark? Sometimes we have good intentions to take care of an issue but we get busy with work, family and other projects. If you find yourself feeling in over your head due to larger cleaning tasks from odor, moisture or even mold issues, it may be time to call in the professionals. Our specialty cleaning crew at SERVPRO of West Covina knows exactly what to do to help.

Your safety always comes first so one of our initial questions will be: what year was your home built? Based on the answer, our technicians can determine if an asbestos or lead test will be need before any demolition work can be performed. Prior to what years will testing be necessary? Any structure erected prior to 1985 we will want to test for asbestos and any structure erected prior to 1978 we will want to test for lead. The results of these tests will get you a proper protocol for handling whatever damage situations arise. Important to note: Keep the results of the tests for future reference in the event the test will be needed at a later time.

Water Damage While in the Middle of Construction

4/26/2019 (Permalink)

Ryan Tellez our SERVPRO General Contractor. CA Lic 968875. Trustworthy and honest. Call today.

Repairs on our homes seem to be never-ending. No matter the age of the home, to do lists only grow in time. Depending on your generation, it is possible you knew of a time long ago when our appliances and furniture lasted for decades. Today that is not the norm, and within only six to eight years even in a newly constructed home, issues can arise. Everything from needing plumbing repairs, to cabinets and drawers going off track and before you know it the workload of repairs, can become overwhelming. 

Then we can get to the point where updating is desperately needed and we may begin a remodel. Living there while the construction is ongoing can really test everyone’s patience because the noise, clutter, debris, and dust that covers the entire home is a lot to deal with. Plus if it is the kitchen being worked on, being forced to eat out for every meal can get old real fast. We all have high expectations for the end results and would like to see progress continue at a steady pace despite back-orders or other hiccups that commonly occur along the way. A day or two of no activity in between vendors can seem like an eternity and when the work pushes past our expected deadline and days turn into weeks or months causing our frustration levels to soar.

What if now, smack in the middle of all the construction chaos rainwater soaks through or even worse… a water line ruptures and floods all the brand-newly installed materials? What a mess! At that point, we may be at our wit's end. The key here is to remain calm, find a reputable restoration company such as SERVPRO of West Covina who specializes in water damage cleanup and understands the time-sensitive issue at hand.

Then, relax and trust their expertise to take care of the problem ASAP. The good news will be if the water source was a clean one then the SERVPRO team in with their professional equipment can use in place drying save time and money by restoring it all to preloss conditions. We had a recent customer that had his beautiful new hardwood floors flood only days after installation but we acted quickly and now, it is "Like it never even happened.”

Toilet Overflow? Do Not Delay, Call the Water Damage Experts

4/15/2019 (Permalink)

Toilet mishaps occur even in the middle of the night or on national holidays so we are always ready to help for flooding and overflow emergencies.

How do you know if the toilet that just overflowed will lead to a bigger problem? Only by professionally handling your specific situation based on the circumstances that it occurred will you know for certain. Was it a clean water overflow from the tank? Was it an overflow immediately after use and upon flushing it overflowed? If so, when the toilet was last used was fecal waste present? Because no amount of cleaning with bleach to disinfect the area afterwards will help. If bacteria was present in the water back up it will only be in the matter of hours that the bacteria will multiply and cause an awful odor of sewage throughout the inside of your home..

Was the overflow from an upstairs bathroom? Did water seep through the floors and is now inside the walls, ceiling and cabinets of the kitchen below? Are your belongings inside the cabinets now contaminated with sewage water?

Have several days passed since the initial leak occurred and now mold issues may be putting your family at risk? Is there a musty smell?

By calling out our SERVPRO of West Covina team you are relying on well trained and experienced technicians to mitigate the issue based on IICRC industry standards. This aids in avoiding secondary issues and assists in getting your home back to a safe and healthy environment. If mold is already present we can safely remove it in a professional mulit-step process where the remainder of the house can maintain fresh, breathable air due to our specialty equipment. Please don’t hesitate to call and find out exactly how we may help the situation you find yourself in, we are here to help with exactly that.

Know What To Do If Your Toilet Acts Up

4/15/2019 (Permalink)

Some water damages are easier seen than others. This is an instance where you can see the path the contaminated toilet overflow took. #cat3water

Toilets in business and homes work throughout the day for the sanitary removal of waste. Getting so much use they are bound to be problematic on occasion and for a variety of reasons. When an overflow or back up occurs it typically is unexpected and catches the user off guard. Be prepared ahead of time and instruct coworkers and/or family members to always turn the water off as soon as possible either at the toilet or main water shut off valve. Knowing where and how to do this can make a difference in how large the loss may end up.

In one instance a local San Dimas homeowner called our SERVPRO of West Covina Team to help after a toilet overflow caused visible damage in their hallway ceilings. The staining on the ceilings and walls are quite brown as seen in the picture and removal of all affected materials was necessary because of being highly contaminated with bacteria.

If and when something similar catches you off guard, be careful of slips and falls and never walk barefoot on contaminated floors to avoid infection. Once you are in a safe dry place call our experienced team to help so that we may respond quickly. Please know that even if the water appears clear, bacteria could be present depending. We can assist in making that determination and proactively move forward with the proper protocol of cleanup. This will ultimately save you money and protect the health of you and those around you.

Toilet overflow wets almost entire home in Rancho Cucamonga, CA TWICE

4/18/2018 (Permalink)

WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised due to graphic nature. Not suitable for all audiences as one toilet was definitely harmed in the picture above.

Having plumbing problems can be the worst! Experiencing a sewage back up or a toilet overflow when fecal matter is present essentially paves a pathway of disaster to a property because everything the bacteria laden water touches must be removed for obvious sanitary reasons.

In this particular instance, unfortunately, not only did this tenant know the toilet was having back up problems but this whole scenario was the second occurrence in the matter of only months. Flooring everywhere the backup traveled required prompt removal, along with a foot or two of drywall, baseboards and lower cabinets. Definitely a lot of work.

We certainly understand that accidents happen… We are here around the clock to respond regardless of how difficult the job that we encounter may be. A QUICK Tip: If a toilet at your home or business is continuously running, repeatedly clogged or seeming problematic, turn off the water at the toilet supply line located at the base of the toilet by turning the knob till you hear the water shut off and call a local plumber. If it’s too late and the water “hath runneth over”, call SERVPRO of West Covina right away to prevent further damages or illness. We service our entire SOCAL Community with free visual inspections.

Water Damage Emergency Tips:

1/11/2018 (Permalink)

This West Covina home flooded with water throughout several rooms. Our team was called out to extract the water and quickly begin cleanup.

Sometimes unexpected flooding comes from a contaminated source and its best to stay clear of the area, but if a water leak comes from a clean source such as a water pipe in the wall, here are a few helpful tips...

For Clean Water situations only

DO’S

• Safety-first: if you see water near any electrical outlet or device, clear the area of family members and pets. Extra care should be taken to avoid slips and falls
• Shut off water source if possible
• Quickly contact SERVPRO of West Covina
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs

DONT’S

• DO NOT use a regular vacuum to remove water
• DO NOT leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet floors
• DO NOT turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet
• DO NOT use TV’s or other electronic appliances while standing on wet floors