What Should I Do if a Storm Floods My Home?

5/30/2023 (Permalink)

Every year several parts of the country experience flooding due to severe rain and tropical storms. If this happens to you there are several steps that are recommend by the CDC and industry professionals that you should take to keep you safe.

• Stop the water source if possible. If the flooding is caused by a burst pipe or a broken appliance, turn off the water supply to your house. If the flooding is due to natural causes, such as heavy rain or river overflow, you may need to wait until the water level recedes.
• Put on protective gear before entering your home. The floodwater may be contaminated with sewage, chemicals, or debris that can harm your health. Wear rubber boots, gloves, goggles, and a mask.
• Document the flood damage for insurance purposes. Take photos and videos of your home and belongings before you start cleaning up. Make a list of everything that was damaged or lost and keep receipts for any repairs or replacements.
• Use safe water for drinking, cooking, washing, and cleaning. Floodwater may be polluted with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals that can make you sick. Boil tap water before using it or use bottled water if available.
• Throw away unsafe food that may have been exposed to floodwater or spoiled due to power outage. This includes food in cans, jars, boxes, bags, or containers that have been damaged or opened; perishable food such as meat, dairy products, eggs; and food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
• Clean and dry your home as soon as possible to prevent mold growth and further damage.  Contact SERVPRO to remove and discard any drywall, insulation, carpeting, mattresses, pillows, stuffed toys, or other porous materials that were contaminated with floodwater or sewage. Use fans, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to speed up the drying process. Disinfect all surfaces with antimicrobials. 

Top 7 Dangers of Mold in the Home

4/25/2023 (Permalink)

Many people are surprised to hear just how dangerous mold in the home can be. While it affects everyone differently here are the top 7 dangers of mold in the home:

1. Respiratory problems: The most common health problems caused by mold exposure include respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and sinus infections. Headaches, sore throats, difficulty breathing, and asthma attacks may occur.
2. Allergic reactions: Touching or inhaling mold spores can cause allergy-like symptoms such as runny nose and congestion.
3. Serious respiratory infections: Less common but possible effects of exposure to mold in homes include serious respiratory infections like pneumonia, bleeding in the lungs (which is life-threatening), and pneumonitis.
4. Digestive problems: Exposure to mold can cause digestive problems.
5. Depression and fatigue: Exposure to mold can cause depression and extreme fatigue.
6. Joint inflammation: Exposure to mold can cause painful inflammation of the joints.
7. Damage to your home: Mold can damage your home.

Why Use Mitigation Contractor over a General Contractor

3/16/2023 (Permalink)

Many customers wonder if SERVPRO is a better choice then a general contractor when it comes to flood restoration.

Here are the top 7 reasons why you should use a flood restoration company:

1. Safety first: Your family’s health is of the utmost importance. Many floodwaters carry bacteria and other hazardous materials that can cause serious health problems. A flood restoration company will have the expertise to prevent any potential dangers and protect your family’s health by safely disposing of flood-related contamination.
2. A flood restoration company fixes the damage quickly: Want to stop water damage in its tracks? A flood restoration company can help. They will expertly assess the damage and take the necessary steps to prevent further damage from occurring.
3. Ensure complete cleanup: The pros know where to look for hidden damage and water pooling. They will ensure that all water is removed and that your home is completely dry.
4. Provide assistance with insurance companies: A flood restoration company can help you navigate the insurance claims process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
5. Advice on preventing future water damage: A flood restoration company can provide you with advice on how to prevent future water damage. They will help you identify potential problem areas and provide you with tips on how to keep your home safe.
6. Reduce overall loss: The longer you wait to address water damage, the more damage it can cause. A flood restoration company can help you reduce overall loss by addressing the damage quickly and efficiently.
7. Quick, safe, and reliable mold remediation: Mold can grow quickly in damp environments. A flood restoration company can help you prevent mold growth by addressing the damage quickly and efficiently.

Contact SERVPRO of Santee / Lakeside today to address any flood restoration concerns at 619-258-7200

Water Damage From Freezing

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

We may not think about it much in Southern California, but one of the major causes of water damage in the winter time is from frozen pipes. Uninsulated pipes and freezing temperatures can lead to ice forming inside the pipe. The expanding ice will break the pipe from the inside, and when the ice thaws you can have major problems. A pressurized water line can flood a home or business in minutes. 

Right now the whole country is experiencing incredibly cold weather as we move into the heart of the winter months. SERVPRO of Santee / Lakeside highly encourages everyone to verify if they have the proper insulation on their water lines with this cold weather that we have been having. Proper prevention can save you thousands of Dollars!

Kitchen Fire in Santee

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

Level of soot damage cause by a small cooking fire

A small cooking fire can make a HUGE mess. This is a kitchen fire the SERVPRO of Santee / Lakeside responded to earlier this month. Even though the fire was contained to the kitchen stove, the smoke spread to every room in a 3 bedroom home. 

The soot from these fires gets in to EVERYTHING. Clothes, furniture, walls, and anything else you can imagine all need to be properly cleaned and treated. If any of the soot is left behind you may still experience unpleasant smells long after the fire occurred. Luckily, SERVPRO of Santee / Lakeside's IICRC certified technicians know exactly what to do. After a few days of delicate cleaning by our crew we were able to get this family back in their home like it never even happened.

We Are An IIRC Certified Firm

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Santee is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Santee

SERVPRO of Santee specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

SERVPRO is a 24/7 Service 365 Days a Year

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Santee provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in San Diego. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 858-752-1078

Residential Services

Whether your San Diego home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your San Diego commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services here.

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

SERVPRO of Santee provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in San Diego

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Santee is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 858-752-1078

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Santee has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Santee

SERVPRO of Santee specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your San Diego Home

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Santee/Lakeside will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 858-752-1078

In San Diego, mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce health effects.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 858-752-1078