Prepare your company for a Storm

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

Preparing your company for a storm can reduce damage to your property.

Hurricanes, typhoons, and other types of storms can strike suddenly and without warning. If you're a business owner or manager who lives in an area prone to severe weather events, it's important to be prepared for any potential damage that could occur during these storms. Having proper insurance coverage is one way to protect your company's assets, but there are other things you should do before a storm hits as well.

Determine your risk.

The first step to preparing your company for a storm is determining your risk. There are many factors that go into determining how much exposure you have, and it's important to understand them all before deciding how much money should be put aside for disaster relief.

• What is the nature of your business? If you run an e-commerce site, for example, then the risk of losing internet access during a storm may not be as great as if you own an auto repair shop in New York City (which would obviously suffer more damage).
• How likely is it that a particular type of weather event could occur? For example: Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year, however there are other types of storms that can happen at other times during the year.

Prepare for the worst.

The first step is to prepare for the worst. This means having a plan in place for when you're without power, water, food and medical care for days at a time.

If you run an office or business with employees or customers who rely on your facility in order to do their jobs--or if they simply need it as a meeting place--you need to make sure that everyone knows what they should do if there's an evacuation order issued by local authorities. Have your company documents in proper order. Make sure you have copies of all important documents, keep in a secure location, and make sure they are up to date, including insurance documentation.

Perform a property inventory and inspection.

If your company was affected by a storm, it's important to document the damage and make sure you have proof of what happened. Take photos of any damage to your building, including trees that may have fallen onto or near it. Also take photos of any storm-related problems with utilities (gas, water and electricity). If there is evidence of structural damage from wind or flooding in surrounding areas such as broken windows or downed power lines on neighboring properties, take pictures of those too.

Inspect the Roofing and Building

If it's safe to do so, inspect the roof of your building and surrounding areas, including trees near the building or on nearby properties. Look for damage to the roof and any signs of leaks. Check for loose tiles or other debris that could be blown away in the wind. Also look for any trees that may have fallen on your building or nearby properties, as well as wires that may have been damaged during winds or lightning strikes.

Protect Doors and Windows

If you have glass doors and windows, put up temporary protection for them that can be removed after the storm. You can use plywood, plastic sheeting or tarps to cover the window frames. Secure these covers with rope or bungee cords so they don't blow away in high winds. Avoid using nails or screws because they may become loose during a hurricane and damage someone's property when they come loose during a storm surge (a rise in sea level caused by strong winds). Tape will also lose its adhesion after being exposed to humidity for an extended period of time

Stay away from floodwaters

Stay away from floodwaters. Don't ever drink floodwater, even if it looks clear. Don't use floodwater for cleaning purposes, it may contain chemicals such as oil, gasoline and sewage. Do not swim in any standing water; swimming pools are usually safe because they have been chlorinated, but ponds, lakes and rivers may not be so clean.

Following these tips after a storm can help reduce flood damage and ensure your business is back up and running quickly. SERVPRO has the experience and expertise to return your property back to pre storm conditions. 

How to File a Storm Damage Insurance Claim

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damaged house in Marina del Rey, CA.

What Steps To Take When Filing a Claim After a Storm?

The aftermath of a storm can be devastating. Not only do you have to deal with the damage to your property, but also any other losses that might come from it. Luckily, homeowners’ insurance can help cover many of these costs and get you back on your feet. But you need to know exactly what steps to take when filing a claim after a storm — and how to do it right away. Here are some tips…

Confirm Your Deductible

It’s important to know your deductible amount before you file a claim. If you haven’t already, confirm this with your insurance company.

The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay before the insurance company pays for storm damage repairs. Typically, deductibles are expressed as a percentage of the total value of damaged property or as a flat fee. You will have to pay this amount before they start making payments on your behalf to cover costs associated with cleaning up from and repairing storm damage caused by high winds, hail, lightning strikes, etc.

Find Out If The Damage Is Covered By Insurance

You can do this by calling your agent or company representative and reviewing the policy. If it's not covered, you may have to pay for the damage yourself.

If you can file a claim, start by reporting any storm-related damages as soon as possible. Your insurer will likely ask that you submit photos or videos of the damage and make a list of what happened so they can assess its extent.

Document The Damage

With your insurance agent in tow, take photos of the damage and write down an itemized list of damaged items. If possible, don't move any furniture or appliances until you have a repair estimate from a contractor or repairman.

When you have estimates for repairs and replacements, be sure to make copies with the name and contact information for the contractor or repairman in case you need to get more work done at a later date.

Take Pictures

The next thing you need to do is take pictures of the damage. This will help you prove your claims and avoid disputes with the insurance company. Take photos of the entire building, including any parts that are or were damaged during the storm. You should also take photos of everything inside your home at this time (and keep them for reference).

You should also take photos of any personal belongings that were damaged or destroyed, as well as any other property damage caused by the storm (such as cracks in walls or floors). If there is no visible evidence of damage on a piece of furniture or electronics item, but it still seems like something is wrong with it.

Notify Your Mortgage Company

It's important to notify your mortgage company of any storm damage. If the damage is severe enough, they might foreclose on your home if you don't tell them about it—even if you've already filed a claim with an insurance company. You may also need to pay for repairs yourself and then get reimbursed by your insurance company. If that happens, wait until all the repairs have been made before submitting another claim with your property insurer so that both are covered by the same policy at once.

Call Your Agent or Company Representative Immediately

If you have a claim, call your agent or company representative immediately. Tell them what happened and ask them what to do next. If they are not available, leave a message on their voicemail or send an e-mail with the following information:

• The date, time, and location of the damage
• A brief description of the damage
• Information about any people or pets involved in this loss

If you’ve suffered storm damage, it’s important to file a claim as soon as possible. This will help you get the money you need to repair your home and property in Marina del Rey, CA.

How to Avoid Water Damage While on Vacation

11/7/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure you shut off the water at the main valve.

Are You Going on Vacation and Worried About Water Damage?

This article is here to help! Here are some top tips for how to avoid water damage while away from home.

Check for Leaks Before You Leave

1. Check for leaks in the basement. Make sure that all pipes are disconnected and that there's no water pooling in any area of your home. If you're leaving a property manager or landlord to take care of it, make sure they know about any problems so that they can fix them before your return date.

2. Check for leaks in the garage. 

3. Check for leaks in the attic. As with basements and garages, check behind storage boxes and furniture to ensure there aren't any hidden sources of moisture (which could lead to mold). 

Don't Forget To Turn Off the Water

You should also make sure you shut off the water at the main valve. It might be a good idea to use some tape or a marker to mark this valve, so you don't forget where it is when you leave, or if someone else is helping with your vacation preparations. The last thing you want is for someone in your home while on vacation to turn on the faucet in their bathroom and get into trouble because there's no running water!

Don't forget about your hot water heater either — the last thing anyone wants is for their water heater to malfunction while they're away from home.

Know Where Your Water Shut-off Valves Are

If you're not sure where the water shut-off valve is, call a plumber. If it's not available on your property, you can look at an online map of your home to find out where it might be.

If there are children or pets in the house, make sure that someone stays with them and monitors their behavior for any signs of illness following a flood situation.

Turn Off and Disconnect the Dishwasher and Washing Machine Hoses

The first step is to turn off and disconnect the dishwasher and washing machine hoses. To do this, you'll need to locate their water supply valves (usually underneath them) and turn them off. You can also just turn off their main water supply valve if they're connected to one.

Next, there are two ways to disconnect: by sliding the hose out of its housing or by unscrewing it with a wrench (or both). If you opt for the latter method, remember that you'll need a large enough wrench that will fit around your hoses' connections—you don't want them falling apart on you.

Finally, remember that even though these appliances have been unplugged from regular power sources for days now, turning off their water supplies does not mean they are "off." They still contain residual energy in their motors and pumps which could cause damage if not properly stored away from other objects or people.

The last thing you want when on vacation is to come home to a water-logged house. To avoid this from happening, be sure to check for leaks before leaving and make sure that all hoses are disconnected from the washer and dishwasher. Also remember not to forget about your drains! It may seem like common sense, but if left unattended these problems can drain your wallet as well as your home's foundation.

Why Does Water Mitigation Depend on the Materials in Los Angeles Properties?

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

Water damages areas far from the leak. SERVPRO's training allows our techs to handle any unexpected outcomes.

SERVPRO Looks Out for Materials That Exhibit Peculiar Water Damage Signs

You may notice many peculiar things in the aftermath of water intrusion in your home. A wet ceiling when the leak is at the floor level is puzzling. Wet wall materials might take longer than you expect to dry, which frustrates you. Such cases require unique water damage mitigation approaches.

Before attempting water damage mitigation in your Los Angeles property, understanding the characteristics of different materials in the house is crucial. That way, it is possible to direct the appropriate efforts towards specific restoration tasks. 

SERVPRO's training allows our techs to handle any unexpected outcomes. The instruction psychrometry, which explains how water, air, and temperatures interrelate with wet materials.

Some of the unique characteristics in materials that cause the unusual outcomes include:

• Vapor barriers
• Hygroscopic properties
• Permeance

A vapor barrier occurs when a material with low permeance covers a porous material. You may notice the impact of vapor barriers if some of your walls are covered in gloss paint or wallpaper. While the bare walls dry faster, drying those with the gloss paint layer or wallpaper can take too long. Our SERVPRO teams find ways to neutralize the barrier, such as perforation or stripping off.

Another noticeable aspect of permeance is the changes to the affected materials. While carpets and wood are all porous materials, wood tends to exhibit physical changes such as swelling and warping, but carpets retain their physical form. Carpets have higher permeance and thus release water fast. Wood, on the other hand, tends to accumulate water, thus leading to swelling. When wood no longer absorbs water, different sections on the same piece may release moisture at varying rates unless drying is controlled, thus leading to warping.

SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo provides trained technicians to handle any unexpected water damage outcomes. Call us at (310) 333-0654 for solutions that manage the loss, "Like it never even happened."

Appliances Cause Water Damage to Marina del Rey Homes

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

Faulty appliances are a primary cause of water damage each year. Check around your appliances often for signs of water leaks.

SERVPRO Helps Control Water Damage to Marina del Rey Properties

When we hear water damage followed by Marina del Rey, we think of storm damage and rising water levels. However, a malfunctioning appliance can be just as likely to create a water emergency in your home, leaving you in need of a reputable water restoration company. Identifying the best provider to meet your needs is the most crucial step in water damage repairs.

In Marina del Rey, SERVPRO provides water damage restoration services for those who need them. Fast to respond, our crew is used to handling the most challenging jobs while protecting your property and safety. Instead of assembling a team of workers yourself, reach out to our office around the clock and let us dispatch a crew of experts specialized in water removal services and water cleanup.

When an appliance malfunctions, the damage may go well beyond what is visible to the naked eye. 

At SERVPRO, we pay close attention to assessing the damage and identify problem areas with the aid of devices such as moisture meters and thermal cameras. With data in hand, we embark upon the actual water restoration process, including the following:

• Water removal with extractors, pumps, and other specialized equipment such as drying mats 
• Drying your home with air movers, dehumidifiers, and injecti-dry technology. This process may take some time to achieve optimal humidity levels in your home 
• Anti-microbial solutions application to prevent mold growth and the spread of bacteria 
• Drywall replacement and coordination with other necessary building contractors are also part of our water damage remediation services, as we strive to leave your home in mint condition

SERVPRO of Marina del Rey/ Westchester/ El Segundo is your ally when you need emergency services due to water damage. Contact us at (310) 333-0654 and let us leave your home feeling “Like it never even happened.”

Common Water Damage Restoration Issues in Los Angeles Homes

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water from leaking pipes need fast removal. SERVPRO is always on call to restore your home.

Pipe Ruptures and Storm Damage Contribute Most to Water Damage in Los Angeles

Many Los Angeles residents suffer water damage without even realizing it, while others experience its immediate effects. The key to successfully overcoming this potentially catastrophic issue is quickly locating the offending water source, blocking it, and repairing the resulting damage before it gets worse.

SERVPRO, Los Angeles’ water damage restoration experts, is equipped and skilled at swiftly locating the causes of your home’s water-related problems. Foul, musty smells, inexplicable mold growths, basement flooding, and structural deterioration or collapse can result from one or more of the following causes:

• Pipe network issues, like pipe freezes that occur after periods of sub-freezing temperatures and burst pipes encouraged by old, deteriorated pipe networks 
• Ceiling leaks that result from storm damage or poorly maintained roof drainage networks
• Old or damaged appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters that allow water to drip or improperly drain out of them
• Leaky, corroded water containers that have been compromised
• Groundwater that has infiltrated basement walls and produced significant standing water or puddling

Fortunately, SERVPRO has all the training and latest high-tech tools, like infrared cameras, moisture sensors, moisture meters, and thermohygrometers, to expertly find all these various problems. Moreover, once we locate your home’s issue, we can perform almost any water removal services and water damage repairs you may need.

So, keep stay on the lookout for telltale signs of water-related issues and have your home routinely inspected. If you ever do have water damage, rest assured that we can likely complete any water damage restoration work your residence may require. Call SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey/Westchester/El Segundo at (310) 333-0654 for help.

What Do Water Restoration Companies in Marina Del Rey Do to Save Hardwood Floors?

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Water quickly damages hardwood floors. SERVPRO is equipped and trained to restore your hardwood floors.

SERVPRO Expedites Moisture Management During Water Damage Restoration in Marina Del Rey Homes

Water exposure can be detrimental for hardwood floors if there is an accidental water spill in your Marina Del Rey home. Immediately notifying a professional restoration company like SERVPRO can help save your expensive floor.

When you involve Marina Del Rey water restoration companies, it is possible to counter the effects of water before becoming irreversible. Wood tends to absorb water, albeit slowly, leading to swelling and later buckling or cupping. SERVPRO hastens water clean-up from the inundated floor surfaces. Our technicians use various resources depending on the amount of water in your house or its source. 

Accidental Water Release Commonly Results From:

• Burst pipes
• Ceiling leaks
• Leaking roof from storms

Our SERVPRO technicians use wet vacuums or other water extractors to scoop off a significant amount of water pooling on the floors within a short time, reducing the moisture the wood planks absorb. We also hasten drying processes using specialized equipment such as drying mats that help suck any water that penetrates beneath or between the floorboards, which would aggravate buckling if left untouched. 

Water damage repairs are also easier with the use of specialized equipment. For instance, the drying mats help push warm, dry air into the floorboards removing the absorbed moisture. Another alternative involves setting up a plastic sheet over the floor, creating a drying chamber to control the drying process, and thus reversing the effects of the water spill “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo is one of the established water restoration companies that can help restore your house. Call us at (310) 333-0654 when you need assistance.

Marina Del Rey Residents Can Trust SERVPRO for Water Restoration

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can travel small from the source. SERVPRO inspects nooks and crannies to locate and dry hidden moisture.

Water Cleanup and Restoration from SERVPRO Brings Your Marina Del Rey Property Back to Pre-water Event Condition, Fast!

Many homeowners will have a sudden influx of water from a burst pipe or faulty appliance and reach for a wet/dry vacuum to begin cleanup. However, you must consider the hazards and financial burden of hidden water damage. Secondary damage becomes a much larger problem, which may even include the onset of black mold infestation. Hiring SERVPRO for water damage remediation ensures rapid cleanup so that you can rest easy.

When you have any level of water intrusion, hiring water restoration technicians (WRT) from SERVPRO will get you the water restoration in Marina Del Rey that you need. We act fast so that your life suffers as little disruption possible, using:

• Powerful water extraction tools like truck-mounted extractors, submersible pumps, and light wands.
• Dehumidifiers help remove moisture from the air throughout your interior.
• Powerful filtration that helps to capture allergens and other damaging particles.
• EPA-registered cleaning agents and disinfectants to battle musty odors and microbes.

If necessary, our team will use flood cuts or employ controlled demolition efforts to address any areas of your home where the water damaged materials are unsalvageable. Everything will be left “Like it never even happened,” and your interior will be clean once again.

SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey/Westchester/El Segundo is here when you need water removal services and total restoration. You can reach our crew 24-hours a day by calling (310) 333-0654.

Air Filters Improve Safety During Marina Del Rey Water Damage Mitigation

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can happen at any time. SERVPRO is standing by, ready to remediate the damage.

These Powerful Tools Help Us Handle Water Damage with Better Safety

As part of our emergency response strategy, one of the first things we do when assessing the situation is check for possible safety hazards. Some of our safety control methods include:

• Checking electrical systems before we work
• Looking for broken glass and other sharp objects
• HEPA filtered air scrubbers

Air filtration devices help make your home in Marina Del Rey safer during water damage mitigation by removing microbial contaminants brought in and fed by the water damage. These machines contain powerful motors that change the air pressure within a room (in this case, negative air pressure), forcing the air to pass through a filter before exiting out of a window. Depending on the situation, air filtration devices may conflict or work in tandem with our dehumidifiers, potentially delaying the dehumidification process. As a result, water damages involving dirty water sources (such as a septic tank overflow) may take longer to treat, as we prioritize returning your home to a safe state before continuing our work.

Contact SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo at (310) 333-0654 for our help with your water damage situation.

Can Water Restoration in Marina Del Rey Residences Save Upholstery Items?

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the know-how and equipment to restore water damaged upholstery.

When You Need Water Restoration Call SERVPRO

Water spills can affect any section of your property. While most of the water is confined to structural elements such as the floors, walls, or ceiling, the contents are sometimes affected. If your upholstery items soak up the water, you might be uncertain whether it is possible to save them.

Upholstery items present more challenges during water restoration in Marina Del Rey properties because they are made up of different materials, including solid wood and fabrics. Our SERVPRO technicians can help save your upholstery items because:

• We can probe moisture penetration without taking the items apart.
• We can pretest the materials to determine the best cleaning and drying approaches.
• We have different drying equipment.

Upholstery items are affected in different ways by water intrusion. For instance, even if the water does not spill directly on your possessions, damage can occur because the fabrics have hygroscopic properties, thus absorbing moisture from the air. Alternatively, the water that spills on the surface may penetrate deep into the item, leaving a seemingly dry surface, yet the item is wet. Our SERVPRO technicians probe all these issues.

SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo offers a wide range of water restoration services in Marina Del Rey properties. Call us at (310) 333-0654.

Marina Del Rey Residents Can Catch an Exclusive Showing of Elf

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7 to handle any water damage you might have so you can enjoy holiday events. We hope to see you at the drive-in!

With a Drive-in Setting, Families can take in a Classic Holiday Film

With so many events and gatherings canceled this year, The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles has repurposed the valet parking lot into a drive-in movie theatre so that families have events to look forward to this holiday season. On Sunday, December 6th, 2020, from 7 PM to 10 PM, carloads of up to 6 can take in Elf for the base of $45.00.

The parking lot is open at 5:30 so that everyone has plenty of time to get parked and set up. Tickets come with complimentary popcorn. Everyone can also order off the full menu of the restaurant for the length of the film. For more information, contact phansen@journalhotels.com.

Water damage mitigation for Marina Del Rey homes can sometimes feel like holiday magic when completed by the professionals of our SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo team. We have experienced technicians available 24/7 for water removal, cleanup, and thorough drying when you call (310) 333-0654.

How Do Carpeted Floors Get Restored After Water Damages?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Water can quickly damage carpet and floors. Sometimes it is unsalvageable, and needs removing to dry and restore your home.

Flooring is Often One of the First Areas of Your Marina Del Rey Home Impacted by Water Disasters

Overflowing bathtubs or broken plumbing fixtures are just a small portion of the possible ways that water disasters can impact your Marina Del Rey home. Becausewater often collects on the house's flooring, materials like hardwood and carpeting become susceptible to saturation by absorbing the pool. The fibers and underlayment carpeting materials are among the most porous of all the flooring installed in modern homes. 

While restoration is the foundation of our SERVPRO team's work, we also strive to help customers with water damage repair for their Marina Del Rey homes. With carpeting so susceptible to water damage effects, the faster that competent technicians like ours can begin working on drying and extraction, the more affected materials do not require removal. Releasing trapped moisture from carpets involves multiple tools used in the appropriate order, including: 

• Carpet wands 
• Wet vacuums 
• Weighted extractors
• Centrifugal air movers 

How Can Contractors Help with Severely Damaged Carpets? 

Oversaturation is a considerable concern with water disasters in the home, especially when mitigation does not begin as quickly as it should. In some situations, drying decisions must get made regarding the salvageability of impacted materials to determine the viability of original construction elements. 

If mold or deterioration has started on the carpet or the fibers' backing, it is often more cost-efficient for the customer to remove this surface layer. Likewise, tear out might also consist of the padding layer when carpet wands remove trapped moisture in the fibers but not the pad underneath it. Controlled demolition provides a stable foundation to reinstall new materials "Like it never even happened." 

SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo technicians are ready 24/7 to help with water disasters that damage your home. Contact us today at (310) 333-0654.

How Much Damage Can a Pipe Leak Do Behind My Walls?

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

Even a pinhole leak can cause water damage. Inspect your property often for signs of moisture, and call SERVPRO to remediate the damage.

Los Angeles Homeowners in Need of Water Damage Repair Can Count on SERVPRO

Water damage is an incredibly common occurrence in residential properties in Los Angeles and elsewhere. According to the Insurance Information Institute, an approximate one in 50 homeowners will file a property damage claim caused by a water loss event each year.

When you need water damage repair services for your Los Angeles home, SERVPRO is available to begin the cleanup process 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Restoration technicians are licensed and trained in mitigation strategies that prevent further damage and return your property to a preloss state.

How Costly Can an Interior Pipe Leak Become?

• Even a pinhole leak in a pipe can leak gallons of water every day into your home. If you found a recent and noticeable increase in your water bill, it may be time to inspect your property for water damage signs.
• Mold growth can start within 24 to 48 hours after water damage begins, creating unpleasant musty odors and affecting indoor air quality.
• Pipe leaks, especially those affecting outdoor plumbing, can bring dirt and contaminants into your home that may require professional-grade sanitation to ensure occupant safety.

SERVPRO technicians use sophisticated moisture measurement technologies to assess water damage in the home's hard-to-reach areas, including behind walls, before starting on extraction and structural drying.

How Does SERVPRO Detect Water Damage Behind Walls?

SERVPRO's detection technologies include infrared imaging for assessing potential moisture behind walls, sensors and meters calibrated to measure moisture in structural materials like wood and drywall, and thermohygrometers to determine relative humidity and calculate specific humidity.

SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo renders mitigation and restoration services that keep your home looking, "Like it never even happened." You can call (310) 333-0654 for rapid-response disaster cleanup.

More about Los Angeles.

When is Drywall Unsalvageable After Water Losses?

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

When this home suffered water damage, SERVPRO was there. We restored this home to its preloss condition.

Drywall is Easily Damaged in Your Los Angeles Residence After a Water Loss

Repairing and reconstructing your Los Angeles home after a water loss can be an overwhelming feat for those unprepared for how widespread and severe these conditions can become. It is often essential to fixate on the pressing concerns like water removal and drying before considering what repairs might be necessary, but this is not always feasible when structural damage threatens occupants of the house with sagging materials or potential collapse. 

Drywall is often one of the most sensitive materials needed for water damage repair within Los Angeles residences after a loss incident. Because sheetrock is so porous, it can quickly absorb volumes of water from its base and wick up the surface to damage most of the installed material in an affected area. This wall surface gets evaluated during the property's initial inspection to look for a physical sign of deterioration, such as bloating, sagging, or crumbling. If these conditions exist, it is often in the best interest of the responding technicians to undertake controlled demolition approaches rather than drying them.

What Other Materials Are at Risk of Irreparable Damage? 

Drywall is, unfortunately, not the only material that can fall victim to migrating water and overexposure. Porous materials exist in many areas of the house, which can quickly absorb water damage and allow for structural deterioration. Some of the most common of these affected surfaces and elements include:

• Hardwood Flooring
• Ceiling Materials
• Contents
• Carpeting
• Wood Paneling

With a team of in-house contractors licensed through California for residential and commercial construction, we have the professionals to both restore your damaged home after a water loss and repair the areas that need it. Give our SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo team a call today at (310) 333-0654.

More about Los Angeles.

My Condo Has Water Damage, whom Should I Call?

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

Did you experience a water loss event? SERVPRO is always ready to take your call.

Condo Owners in Marina Del Rey Should Call SERVPRO After Water Damage

Owning a condo typically means you outsource the upkeep of your property to a property management company who is on call to help you when accidents and mishaps occur. However, you can always act on your own should a pipe burst or an appliance leak all over your floors. Calling a professional service as quickly as possible is the first step towards a successful restoration process.

Thankfully, our SERVPRO crew is available to condo owners facing water damage in Marina del Rey. Our technicians are available 24/7 to meet your needs; all you need to do is call our hotline and invite us into your home. As experts in our field, we understand the intricacies of extracting water and drying your condo while keeping in mind building guidelines and neighboring properties.

Is air-drying my condo enough after a pipe break?

Air circulation is undoubtedly an essential component of effectively drying your property after a water incident, but it may not be enough. Our SERVPRO crew carries the latest in technology to monitor moisture levels in your home, including infrared moisture meters. By tracking the humidity in each area of your home, we can determine where we need to concentrate our efforts. To encourage the elimination of water, we may use one or several of the following:

• Dehumidifiers
• Air circulators
• Injecti-dry technology
• Wand extractors

Along with pumps and other techniques available to our team, we apply industry best-practices to minimize your losses in terms of time and money. For more extreme cases where the cost of restoration exceeds its benefit, our SERVPRO technicians are ready to remove any objects while observing local guidelines and ordinances.

SERVPRO of Marina del Rey/ Westchester/ El Segundo is your ally whenever there is a water incident in your house or condo. Call us at (310) 333-0654 and place your trust in our expertise. Together we can leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

More about Marina del Rey.

How Do I Establish a Drying Goal during Water Damage Restoration in My Marina Del Rey Home?

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

Devices like this can assist our technicians in coming up with a drying plan for your home.

Our technicians use several devices to determine the best plan of action in removing water damage.

Creating a drying goal is critical when attending to water damage incidents. With the goal in mind, a restoration service provider is in a position to monitor whether the drying procedures that are in place are working towards attaining the goal. This goal usually shows the conditions the contents and areas should indicate, once they return to their pre loss state. We are going to show you how we establish such goals when attending to water events in Los Angeles.

Measurements of humidity are key during water damage restoration in Marina Del Rey. Our SERVPRO technicians understand that an effective drying process requires the relative humidity (RH) to be lower than 40%. By being lower than 40%, it means the air can readily take in more moisture from the wet materials. Never make a mistake of assuming that a lower RH implies that the structure is dry. When we are taking the RH measurements using a hygrometer, we usually compare the reading of the affected area with those of the unaffected area. We know our processes are working when it keeps on decreasing over a duration of time.

Our SERVPRO technicians also establish moisture content goals during the restoration process. Here, we create the dry standard and the normal EMC (equilibrium moisture content.) By measuring the moisture content of items in the unaffected area, we can come up with the dry standard. We use moisture meters when measuring the items' moisture content, and from those readings, we can find out whether drying is taking place.

In case the moisture content of the materials is not decreasing, and the humidity is still high, our SERVPRO technicians examine the drying system and come up with a more efficient one. For instance, we might increase the number of dehumidifiers at the site or create smaller drying chambers. A drying chamber refers to the size of the area that we are drying. We usually demarcate drying chambers by using 6-mil polyethylene partitions.

SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo is a trusted industry leader in water, fire, storm and mold damage remediation. Call us at (310) 333-0654 if you need a service provider that is Faster to Any Size Disaster.

To find out  more information on Marina Del Rey, click here.

Can Faulty Appliances Cause Water Damage In My Marina Del Rey Home?

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

Leaking appliances can cause significant water damage to your home.

Your Appliances Can be at Fault for Water Damage in your Home in Marina Del Rey.

Living in Los Angeles has taught us that anything is possible. From a vibrant city to an unprecedented frequency of natural disasters, it seems like Angelenos need to always be on their toes to keep safe and healthy in this beautiful metropolis. However, many of us do not look at our appliances as a guilty party to any disasters within our home. In reality, a leaking dishwasher, a broken water heater or a burst pipe can unleash significant consequences in the form of water damage to your walls and possessions.

Whenever there is water damage to your home in Marina Del Rey, our team IRC trained and certified technicians at SERVPRO are ready to deal precisely with emergencies such as those caused by broken appliances. Once you place a call to our rapid response team, which is available 24/7 and ready to spring into action, we dispatch a group of experts along with appropriate equipment to help return your home to its original condition. With safety in mind, our team accesses the situation and begins the water extraction process, including the use of pumps, should the water be deep enough to warrant this methodology.

Always keeping in mind that your home and belongings should be protected, our team utilizes its expertise and technology to dry the area, paying close attention to any dry-wall in your home. With water saturated drywall, there is an increased risk for its structure to be compromised and to create a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria, including mold. The use of moisture sensors is essential in this stage to identify any remaining spots that require additional drying efforts. The sensors used by our SERVPRO team are designed not only to read the moisture in the environment but also to serve as probes within your walls to ascertain their humidity. This methodical approach helps determine action steps towards the remediation process.

Once we can return the home to its proper moisture levels and we verify that it is thoroughly dried, we work with you to coordinate with any contractors that may need to replace faulty appliances or replace walls and flooring. With this in mind, our team deodorizes and sanitizes your home in preparation for the final touches.

Team SERVPRO Arrives With Water Detection Tools to Thoroughly Dry Out Every Nook and Cranny of Your Property

No competent Los Angeles homeowner allows obvious spills and leaks to put his or her dwelling at the mercy of water damage. Mops and shop vacs take care of the occasional accident, but it is the trouble you do not see within the walls that is the real problem. Our crews and equipment are there to assist when the concealed damage reveals itself.

All it takes is for an old pipe to crack or a newer connection to work itself loose, and water finds the breach and flows. Your home is then well on its way to water damage in Marina Del Rey, possibly severe. Although the moisture may be minimal at first, just a drop or two, eventually the walls, ceilings, and floors saturate with water. Your first sign was peeling paint or a bulge in the ceiling. Now you need our assessment and a restoration plan.

A SERVPRO crew chief inspects the now-visible damage and uses both training and experience to determine the next steps. We use advanced technologies such as infrared scanners and moisture meters to locate pockets of water. Portions of wallboard may be cut out or holes drilled in bricks or mortar joints to release the water. Suspected reservoirs of water in a ceiling are removed with the careful punching of holes or removal of tiles.

Floors and subflooring are evaluated for moisture and added to the list of areas that require drying. Air movers and dehumidifiers draw water vapor out of the structural materials, the moisture moving naturally into the drier air. Floors need slightly different strategies. SERVPRO technicians use drying mats after extractors to continue reducing the moisture content in all layers to its normal level of 6 to 12 percent.

If carpeting covers any of the water damaged areas, it is crucial to dry the carpet and padding. We may decide to remove the padding as it is inexpensive to replace. Weighted wand extractors vacuum the water out, and SERVPRO technicians may detach areas and prop them up so that air movers can be directed beneath.

Thoroughly extracting and drying the water protects your home from additional secondary damage. Because the water had time to start the deterioration of structural elements, the SERVPRO crew make some decisions to remove crumbled drywall or ceiling tiles. If any mold is found, microbial remediation is added to the list of tasks and infested materials might need to be pulled out and discarded.

Rely on SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo to help you find and manage hidden water damage. Restoration services are just a call away at (310) 333-0654.

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Could Water Damage in Your Marina Del Rey Home Also Impact the Insulation?

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Now only do we remove the standing water, we also look for water damage in the drywall and insulation materials.

Identifying Wet Insulation Materials in Marina Del Rey Homes

Much like drywall in your Marina Del Rey residence, insulation is a common building material designed to prevent the loss of warm or cold air. The presence of this material in most of the structural assemblies makes it a constant consideration for restoration professionals like our SERVPRO team when disasters like water losses occur. The migration of water through cavities can impact these insulating sheets directly, making it a challenge to pinpoint where damages exist until moisture wicks through drywall surfaces.

When this material gets wet, it can be challenging to dry it exclusively and isolate the confined areas of water damage in Marina Del Rey properties. Our technicians must determine the salvageability of the affected construction elements to determine if controlled demolition is ultimately more cost-effective than time and resources getting spent to dry these components. This determination begins with a thorough inspection of the damaged property, including the application of a probing moisture detection tool to determine dampness in materials beyond the wallboard surface.

In the instances in which wet insulation materials exist, it is imperative to begin drying this cavity as quickly as possible. The paper backing on the sheets of insulating fiberglass can begin to mold and deteriorate with prolonged moisture exposure. Positive pressure systems force dry air into structural cavities to begin evaporative drying without the need for controlled demolition.

When our project manager determines that removing wallboard and insulation together is the most cost-effective solution, we have a team of in-house licensed contractors to help. We can establish flood cuts to only remove portions of drywall damaged by migrating water to make reconstruction more efficient and cost-effective.

Wet insulation can be an adverse situation when left unresolved. Our SERVPRO of Marina Del Rey / Westchester / El Segundo team can work to identify what damage exists to construction elements and what must occur to make water losses in your home “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (310) 333-0654.

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