Recent Water Damage Posts

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!

Water Damage Timeline

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

Within Minutes

  • Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
  • Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
  • Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
  • Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

  • Drywall begins to swell and break down.
  • Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
  • Furniture begins to swell and crack.
  • Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
  • A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

  • Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
  • Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
  • Metal begins to rust and corrode.
  • Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
  • Paint begins to blister.
  • Wood flooring swells and warps.
  • Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
  • Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

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.

Welcome Home!

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Santee Lakeside home has severe water damage due to ruptured pipe leak while on vacation Severe water damage while family is on vacation

Vacations are great to get away from all the stress of the real word. No one ever looks forward to the end of their vacation, coming back to their daily life. This was even more so the case for this homeowner.

Our team responded to a job where a concerned neighbor called because they saw water leaking out of the garage and doors while this family was away on vacation. The water supply line to the washer had too much pressure built up, causing it to rupture. The water soon spread throughout the house, causing severe water damage. This family returned home from their vacation to see every floor covered in inches of standing water that had been accumulating while they were away.

Our SERVPRO of Santee/Lakeside team helped clean & restore the damage. Call us at (619) 258-7200 if you also need help with water damage - big or small

Drywall Water Damage Indicators & Repair Process

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

Ramona home has water damaged drywall and SERVPRO Santee Lakeside team sets out dehydration fans to repair water damage Ramona home has water damaged drywall

Water damage to the drywall is very common, and the longer the property owner waits before repairing the affected areas, the worse the damage is. Common indicators include staining on ceiling or walls, swollen drywall, musty odor, loose or broken tiles in shower or bathroom, and soft and fragile drywall which breaks easily. 

The water damage repair process begins with a SERVPRO of Santee/Lakeside technician identifying the water source. Then, the team can assess the severity of the water damage and remove any water damaged drywall. Finally, the technicians will dry and restore the water damaged areas.

The pictured home had water damage to their drywall caused by a pipe like from within the wall. Due to the location of the broken pipe, the drywall had to be completely removed in a few bedrooms which shared the wall. SERVPRO of Santee/Lakeside technicians set in place a few dehydration fans to absorb the moisture and circulate the air in the affected rooms. The carpet flooring had to be removed, but rooms with tile could be dried with fans.

If you find yourself with drywall water damage, call SERVPRO of Santee/Lakeside at (619) 258-7200. Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."

Sink Overflow in Master Bedroom

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Carpet in a bedroom has water damage from overflowing en suite bathroom sink Master bedroom water damage from En Suite Bathroom

Accidents are going to happen, but the last thing on your mind is the health of your drains and pipes. Whether it's hair or a child's toy, bathroom sinks are especially susceptible to clogging. 

In this picture, you see the aftermath of a client’s sink overflowing and damaging the walls and the carpet of their master bedroom. This disaster was due to the sink getting clogged and overflowing throughout the en suite bathroom and master bedroom. Once our team of trained technicians examined the area, dehumidifiers were set up to help prevent secondary damage such as mold.

At SERVPRO of Santee & Lakeside, our highly trained professionals are always available - day or night - to assist in your water damage.

Call us at (619) 258-7200 for any water, mold, fire, or smoke damage assistance. Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."

Humidifiers Can be a Mold Breeding Ground!

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Many of us often use humidifiers in our home to combat the dry air here in San Diego. Humidifiers must be maintained in order to prevent mold growth which can lead to various health effects. 

First, be sure to regularly empty remaining water and rinse daily with hot, soapy water. As weekly maintenance, you can run ½ cup of white vinegar through your humidifier to thoroughly cleanse and remove bacteria from your humidifier machine. You’ll want to do this outside to avoid the harsh vinegar smells from entering your home. 

Finally, while increasing the humidity in your home is excellent for your skin and your health, it can also increase mold growth in your home. If you notice any water damage or moisture in the walls or flooring, it is very important to get a professional examination of the affected area. SERVPRO of Santee & Lakeside has a trained team of technicians who are always ready to assist you in your house’s water or mold damage. Call us today at (619) 258-7200 to make it "Like it never even happened."

Winter Roof Leak

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

Escondido Water Damage Water Damage in an Escondido Home

It does not rain in southern California very often, but when it does it cause havoc not only in our freeways but also in our homes. The sun baked shingles are easily damaged by the wind and rain water quickly finds a way to drip to bedrooms, living room, and any room near flashing, windows or patio doors. Our crew members are well versed in the proper way to tarp a roof, and prevent further damage in the house.

We responded to a job in which the bedroom was impacted due to improperly installed flashing, and rain water found its way to drywall in the master bedroom. Quick into action, our crew mitigated the damage, and dried the structure. Call us at (619) 258-7200, we are always here to help.

Water Damage to Kitchen Ceiling

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage on San Diego kitchen ceiling which requires removing and restoration to make new ceiling Water Damage in this San Diego kitchen's ceiling

SERVPRO of Santee & Lakeside takes great pride in our 24/7 emergency response service. Fast and reliable response is vital when it comes to water damage. While our team of trained technicians are quick to arrive in emergency calls, we will take our time inspecting the extent of the water damage to ensure the best course of action. SERVPRO technicians will use moisture meters, dehumidifiers, and air-circulating fans to ensure the entire area is dried. We will always get the job done right the first time so you can rest easy knowing that your water damage has been mitigated. 

Call SERVPRO of Santee & Lakeside at (619) 258-7200 today for help with your commercial or residential water and mold damage. Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."

Finding the Source of Water Damage

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician uses moisture meter to determine where water damage is most severe to determine source of water damage SERVPRO technician uses moisture meter to determine the source of water damage

During the initial response our technicians are well verse in following the path of the water based on water source. It’s common to see a broken angle stop from a pressurized line and have the water damage impact rooms that share walls. For instance, the hallway was impacted from a broken angle stop in the kitchen, the water traveled to the hallway, bedroom, playroom, and game room. Using a moisture meter on the common walls confirms the materials impacted by the water source, and the image serves as documentation for the homeowner, property manager, and insurance company.

If the water intrusion is from a clean water source the walls and other affected building materials can be possibly dried in place. It’s important to follow industry guidelines, our goal is to minimize the disruption and make it "Like it never even happened."

Call us at (619) 258-7200.

Bathroom Water Damage

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in San Diego, CA bathroom toilet leak, shower leak, and many more Bathroom Water Damage

The bathroom is one of the most useful rooms in the entire house. However, it can become a headache when a water source or leak is not easily noticed. For instance, in this image, you see a toilet and a shower enclosure. The toilet can leak from the supply line, overflow from the bowl, and possibly leak from the seal. The shower enclosure can leak from the shower valve, showerhead, and the pan.

Based on the nature of the water source, certain procedures need to be followed to prevent cross-contamination. If the source of the water is from a pressurized line and given the right conditions our technicians attempt to minimize the demolition. Call us (619)258-7200, we are always here to help.

Out-of-town home has Pipe Malfunction

6/22/2020 (Permalink)

Out of town home has water leak. After a few days water has migrated all throughout the home and increased water damage Out-of-town home has a pipe malfunction

A faucet malfunction in a bathroom caused water damage throughout a whole house located in San Diego. Unfortunately, the owners were not in town when this occurred therefore the leak had time to migrate into various rooms, hallways, walls and eventually to the garage.

Once the SERVPRO team of trained technicians got called into action, we quickly detected the damages and proceeded with the drying techniques in order to avoid total loss. Unfortunately, the dry wall and bathroom cabinets had to be removed, despite our drying efforts. Due to the severity of water damage, this whole process took three days to complete.

After completion, the homeowner was very satisfied with the outcome and left a comment in our service questionnaire which said "Pat, Isaac, Carmen & Jonathan were great, professional & courteous. I would highly recommend"

Call SERVPRO of Santee/Lakeside if you have any water damage - big or small! (619) 258-7200

Pipe Leaks & Water Damage

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO water extraction and drying techniques to dry room that suffered pipe leaks and water damage. Water Dehumidifiers Drying Room

Do not assume that the inside of your house will always be one hundred percent dry. Pipes can leak anywhere in your house, even in places where it is supposed to be dry, like your closet.

In this house, the copper pipe in the ceiling above the closet started leaking, thus affecting the walls in the closet and ceiling. The leakage was so bad that the water impacted two bedrooms, a cabinet in the hallway, and the wood floor. Fans and dehumidifiers were set up to properly dry the materials in a timely matter.

It is our mission here at SERVPRO of Santee/ Lakeside to get our jobs done quickly and effectively. Calls us at (619) 258-7200 to get the inside of your house feeling dry again!

Broken Supply Line Water Damage

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Broken water supply line in kitchen sink causes water leak damage in flooring, ceiling, hallway, bedrooms, & throughout house This broken water supply line causes water damage that quickly flows throughout the house.

One of the fast-flowing sources of water in a home is pressurized leaks or pipe breaks.  The water migration from a broken supply line can spread quickly, and if no one is at home to notice it, it can lead to a costly claim. 

This image shows a kitchen sink that had a broken supply line and the water migrated to the hall, bedroom, and downstairs ceiling. Our crew was on site right away and was able to mitigate the damage.

The lower cabinets, drywall, insulation, and framing were impacted as part of the leak.  With the proper techniques, the countertop can be saved to minimize the disruption to the kitchen and other parts of the house.   

Call us (619)258-7200, we are always here to help. 

Summer is mold’s favorite season, too!

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

Roof leak causing water damage, water stain, and mold growing on residential ceiling in Santee or Lakeside, San Diego. Don't let this happen to you!

As we head into summer, we may not think about potential mold sources and flare-ups! Ultimately, this is far more important than picking up a new pair of summer sandals, but it is still often overlooked.

Mold can grow anywhere where excess moisture gathers. Common mold sources include roof leaks, improper ventilation, steam or puddling in the bathroom or kitchen, broken pipes, condensation around air conditioning units or vents, insufficient or clogged drainage, and moisture accumulated in crawl spaces or basements. Our trained professionals will be happy to identify the source of the mold and thoroughly clean the affected area.

SERVPRO of Santee/Lakeside offers 24/7 assistance, so you can rest assured that mold won’t ruin your summer! Give us a call at (619) 258-7200.