Archived Water Damage Blog Posts

Water Damage in Palm Desert

Name: SERVPRO of Palm Desert
Address: 73-605 Dinah Shore Drive #1000, Palm Desert, CA, 92211
Telephone: (760) 346-7270

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

PD Home Flood Damage

Water is an essential element of life, but when it infiltrates your home or business uninvited, it can quickly turn into a nightmare. Water damage is a common and often unexpected problem that can have a significant impact on your property. At SERVPRO Palm Desert, we're here to guide you through the complex world of water damage, helping you understand its causes, consequences, and, most importantly, the steps to recovery.

Water damage doesn't always announce its arrival with a dramatic flood. In many cases, it's caused by hidden culprits like leaky pipes, roof damage, or faulty appliances. The first step in addressing water damage is identifying its source. Regular inspections and maintenance are key to preventing these silent invaders.

Water damage can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. Professional restoration services like SERVPRO Palm Desert are equipped to handle every aspect of the recovery process. From water extraction and drying to mold remediation and structural repairs, experts ensure your property is restored to its pre-damage condition.

Water damage is a formidable adversary, but with the right knowledge and professional support, you can conquer it. At SERVPRO Palm Desert, we're dedicated to helping our community navigate the waters of water damage, providing the expertise and guidance needed to restore your property and your peace of mind. Remember, when water damage strikes, we're just a call away.

Palm Spring Library Flooded over 4th July Weekend

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

24/7 Response time means we are there quicker.

The City of Palm Springs has a long history of valuing library services. Its current branch located at 300 South Sunrise Way has over 100,000 individual items.
Over the Independence Day Weekend faulty equipment resulted in hundreds of gallons of water spilling onto the facilities floor putting thousands of books at risk for unrepairable damage.
SERVPRO Palm Desert sprung into action dispatching our IICRC Trained Production Crew to quickly mitigate the damage using advanced Water Inspection, Extraction, and Drying Equipment. As water damage specialists, we have the experience, expertise, and advanced training that enables us to get your property dried quickly and thoroughly. We use scientific drying principles and provide validation and documentation that your property is dry and the job is complete.
SERVPRO Palm Desert is a locally owned and operated franchise. Being available for local establishments like The Palm Springs Library really reminds us why we love working and contributing to our beautiful home the Coachella Valley.
Thank you for trusting us!

Preventing Toilet Overflows and Clogs: Essential Tips for a Trouble-Free Bathroom

5/31/2023 (Permalink)

If your toilet starts overflowing, contact SERVPRO of Palm Desert for expert assistance with the cleanup.

Dealing with plumbing mishaps like an overflowing toilet can be a stressful experience, as it entails concerns about potential damage, cleanup, and the spread of germs and bacteria within your home or business. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Palm Desert possesses the expertise to handle such emergencies and can assist in mitigating the damage according to industry standards. To help you avoid the inconvenience of an overflowing toilet on your property, here are some valuable tips:

Signage: For business owners, it is crucial to display appropriate signage in restrooms, clearly indicating which items are suitable for flushing. This simple measure can greatly reduce the risk of toilet blockages and subsequent overflow.
Trash Cans: Ensure that accessible trash cans and waste bins are readily available in the restroom area. These receptacles should be designated for the disposal of non-flushable items like sanitary napkins, preventing them from being flushed down the toilet and causing potential clogs.
Thinner Toilet Paper: Consider using thinner toilet paper that easily breaks down when flushed. Thicker toilet paper can be more prone to causing clogs, while thinner options promote smoother flow through the plumbing system, reducing the likelihood of overflow.
Toilet Seat Safety Locks: If you have young children in your household or facility, it is important to install toilet seat safety locks. These locks effectively secure the toilet seat, preventing children from accidentally flushing small items like toys that could lead to a clog. Taking this precautionary step will help maintain the proper functioning of your toilet and minimize the chances of an overflowing incident.

By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of an overflowing toilet, thereby avoiding the associated panic, potential damage, and the spread of harmful bacteria. However, if you do encounter such an issue, don't hesitate to reach out to the experienced professionals at SERVPRO of Palm Desert for efficient and effective assistance in restoring your property to its pre-incident condition.

Effective Strategies for Drying Out a Water-Damaged Home or Building

5/30/2023 (Permalink)

Servpro of Palm Desert drying a water damage job

Making sure we dry up any wet surface.

Safety should always be your top priority when embarking on the task of drying out a water-damaged home or building. Taking the right steps is crucial in removing moisture and repairing any damage caused by water. Water damage can have various adverse effects, such as material deterioration and electrical hazards. To ensure a safe and successful drying process, follow these tips:

Prioritize Safety: Before you begin, make sure to prioritize safety measures to protect yourself and others. Turn off the power supply to the property and check for any gas leaks. If you have concerns about the structural integrity or your personal safety, consult a professional before entering the premises.
Document the Damage: Take photographs of the water damage before you start the cleanup process. This documentation will be valuable when communicating with your insurance company.
Address Immediate Repairs: Make temporary repairs to roofs and windows to prevent further water infiltration. Use materials like tarpaulin, 30- or 90-pound felt paper, or plywood covered with tarpaper. These repairs should be temporary and last for approximately six months.
Begin in the Attic: Start the drying process in the attic. Remove any wet insulation and replace it since damp insulation loses its effectiveness. Discard any items that have been soaked by water to avoid damaging the ceilings below. Open windows and vents to facilitate airflow, and use fans cautiously if you're concerned about the electrical system.
Inspect Ceilings: Thoroughly inspect the ceilings in each room. Look for bulges indicating water accumulation. If you find a bulging ceiling, carefully create holes to release the water into a bucket. Be cautious not to disturb asbestos or lead paint, which may be present in older structures.
Remove Saturated Furniture and Carpets: Eliminate any furniture or carpets that have absorbed water. Removing these items reduces moisture levels in the home. Also, take out any sheet vinyl or linoleum flooring to enhance drying. If you notice floorboards warping, place weights on them to minimize distortion. Additionally, remove insulation from beneath the floorboards to allow proper airflow throughout the house.
Patience and Time: Drying out a flooded home or building can be a slow process. Evaporation takes time, but by following these steps diligently, you can expedite the drying process.
Call SERVPRO of Palm Desert: The last step is to begin your water damage restoration by calling your local SERVPRO of Palm Desert. Let our expert team takeover your water remediation needs, so we can make it "Like it never happened."

Flooding after a storm.. What Next?

11/16/2022 (Permalink)

The second you notice flooding in your home do not hesitate to call SERVPRO immediately!

Time is the biggest factor in preventing further damage, as well as slowing the spread of water into places like your floors and walls. With a quick enough reaction to the issue we can make a huge difference.

Regardless, if you notice damage days after a storm we can still help. With a team of experts who know the ins and outs of storm damage we can find the source and solution to your issue. Not only do we perform the cleanup and treatment of the area, we restore what was ruined. When we leave it will be, "Like it never even happened".

Things That You Should NOT Do After Flooding

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let flooding in your home get you down, SERVPRO of Palm Desert is here to help, day or night!

Here are some simple things that you should avoid doing if there is flooding in your home:

Don't use your television or other household appliances.
Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
Don't use your household vacuum to remove any water.
Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors their dyes could transfer to the carpet.
Don't leave wet fabrics in place, they are the perfect place for molds to grow. Hang furs and leather goods.
Don't leave valuables in the home without letting the technicians note them in your job file.

SERVPRO of Palm Desert will be out quickly to begin removing the water from the places that it shouldn’t be but doing these few things will keep you safe and make the dry out go more quickly.

The Dos and Don'ts of Recovering from a Flood

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Follow these simple steps to recover from a flood!

Flood damage poses a serious threat to households throughout the Whitewater River area and its tributaries. General winter storms, combining high-intensity rainfall and rapid melting of the mountain snowpack can cause these areas to flood. In the event that your home experiences storm damage, you should be sure to schedule restoration services. A company offering emergency flood damage restoration can help you quickly restore your property to its original condition. Read on for a closer look at the dos and don'ts of flood recovery.

Do: Remove Excess Water

One of the most important actions that you can take in the aftermath of a flood is to remove as much of the water from your home as possible. For example, household mops, towels and other items can be used to soak up excess water from your indoor spaces. You should also be sure to lift water away from your counters, wooden furniture, and other porous belongings.

Do: Ensure Maximum Ventilation

Ventilation is key during a flood recovery procedure. By ensuring that your home is properly ventilated, you will help the water dry up as quickly as possible. Some examples of good ventilation practices include opening windows and turning on fans. Your flood damage repair company can help you better ventilate your home.

Don't: Turn on Household Appliances

Immediately after a flood, it is important to avoid turning on your household appliances. When there is standing water throughout your home, this could create an electrical emergency. By waiting for professional assistance before turning on any fixtures or appliances, you can help to keep yourself and your family safe from harm.

For help with all of your flood damage restoration needs, be sure to contact SERVPRO of Palm Desert. As leading water restoration specialists in the area, we are fully qualified to provide you with a full range of residential restoration services. To schedule a flood damage repair appointment today, give us a call at (909) 878-0302

What are Roof Leaks / Damage And How to Prevent Them

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Got a water leak due to roof damage, give us a call and we'll make it "Like it never even happened."

We are still in the winter season here in the Palm Desert area. The winter season brings a lot of potential rain. Is your roof ready for it? Not having regular maintenance checks on your roof could cause it to leak resulting in the possibility of your roof becoming damaged which includes mold forming. Here are six tips on how you can prevent that from happening:

Have regular roof inspections
Pay attention to flashing on your roof
Make sure your roof ventilation is clear
Maintain your gutters
Keep the trees away from your home
Replace missing or torn shingles IMMEDIATELY

Getting a professional to inspect your roof can really help prevent your roof from leaking as they can spot signs that your roof is in jeopardy of early damage. If the flashings are not installed properly on your roof around vents or wall/roof junctions, water can leak into your home and cause damage. Ventilation in your attic will help prevent any damage being done to your home because of moisture and mold. Improper ventilation can cause heat and moisture to build up resulting in damage to your insulation, rotting and shingles to buckle. Keeping gutters and downspouts unclogged will prevent water from backing up under the roofing material. Trees should be trimmed and away from your home to help keep the gutters clean. Maintain your roof to prevent any damage to your home.

If you do experience a roof leak, SERVPRO of Palm Desert is always here to help! We will get your roof covered as soon as possible to help prevent any more damage to your home. Give us a call 24/7 at (760)346-7270 we are here to help you!

Is Your Hot Water Pipe Leaking Inside Your Walls or From your Water Heater?

11/13/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Palm Desert help with your water leak cleanup! Give us a call at (760) 346-7270!

If a hot water pipe starts leaking inside your walls, it can cause major damage, causing several issues. Finding where the leak is coming from is the most difficult part. It is very inconvenient, causes mold to grow and costs money.

There are 3 general reasons to why a hot water pipe starts leaking:

There is increased water pressure in the tank
A faulty float valve
An overused washer

One of the most basic dangers of a leaking water heater is the damage to the surrounding floor and walls. Again, it can lead to mold and even seep down into the foundation of the home. This can weaken the foundation of your home. If water is coming from the water heater it has the potential to be dangerous and even deadly. If gas is leaking near the water heater, the ignition flame can ignite the gas causing pressure to build up in the tank. THis can lead up to an explosion.

The following steps need to be taken to fix the problem:

Turn off the water to the tank
Turn off the power supply to the tank
Determine the location of the leak
Loosen the drain valve
Try to release the pressure going into the tank.

Most insurance policies cover burst pipes and water heater leaks. Water damage is generally covered if the cause was accidental and unpredictable.

We at SERVPRO of Palm Desert are here to help you with the clean-up!

Air Conditioner Condensation Lines Cause Water Damage

8/1/2020 (Permalink)

Water Can Build Up from the Condensation Line and Create Damage to your Home.

It is common for an air conditioning unit to build up condensation as it operates, which is normally drained away quickly. However, any issues with this draining mechanism can cause much larger issues if your unit is inside the home. Following your manufacturer’s instructions as far as inspection and maintenance is the best thing you can do to prevent this, in addition to doing your own visual checks in between official inspection calls.

Your air conditioner–when working properly–draws moisture from the air and generates water as part of the condensation process. The water produced by the AC system typically runs out the back of the unit or drains into condensation pan attached to a drain line designed to channel the water to a safe area. If you don’t pay attention, water can collect inside the system or drip into areas of your home causing damage.

Excess water can damage all parts of your AC system. You might require parts or system replacement if the excess water isn’t addressed for a long time. Water intrusion from AC units can also damage your home and decrease AC efficiency.

Summer is a common time for the AC Units to be running a lot more. Never neglect water building up in an area of your home no matter how small they seem. That tiny leak can cause major damage to your Palm Desert home. Small leaks can seem like a trickle but that trickle slowly but surely will eat away at your property.

Our experts at SERVPRO of Palm Desert are specialized in mitigating damages and doing the least amount of replacements as possible. With that in mind, it is best to assess the possible water damage as soon as possible.

"Like it never even happened."

Water Damage or Flood Damage - What's the Difference ?

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Is this water damage or flood damage?

Water Damage or Flood Damage - What’s the Difference?

When is water damage not water damage? When your insurance company gets involved! You see, although losses caused by water in your Palm Desert home can be identical no matter the source of the water, insurance companies differentiate between what they consider “water damage”, “flood damage” and “sewer backup”. So, to make sure ALL your assets are totally covered, you’ll need to have coverage for all types of claims.

Flood Insurance

Although it seems counter-intuitive, the standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover damage caused by floods. You’ll have to purchase a separate policy for that. To be labeled a flood, insurance companies follow the legal definition set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that it’s a "general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mud flow." Those conditions are caused by such things as overflowing rivers, heavy rains, overflow of tidal waters, and mud slides.

Water Damage Insurance

The good news is that in many home insurance policies, water damage is part of your standard policy. The main distinction from flood insurance is that water damage occurs before the water hits the ground. (An easy mnemonic would be, “Flood damage rises, water damage falls.”) Some examples of such a claim would be:

Water damage resulting from the extinguishing of a fire
Soaked floors following a storm that broke windows
A leaking appliance
Accidental cracking, burning, or bulging of a steam, heat or AC system
Frozen pipes that have burst
A leaking roof

Sewer or Water Backup Insurance

These problems are possible caveats to what’s considered flood or water damage. Most homeowners’ policies will not cover damage caused by a sewer or water backup (e.g., from a leaking in-ground swimming pool, koi pond or other subsurface water feature on your property). You’ll need to purchase separate insurance coverage as an add-on to your homeowner’s policy to be covered. Their payout limits usually vary between $5,000 and $25,000.

Please note: Even if the water came from beyond your property, such as a pipe maintained by the city, your insurer still won’t cover it unless you purchase the special coverage outlined above.

If you have questions about any of this, contact your insurance agent. If your home is located on a flood plain, your agent will likely recommend that you purchase additional flood insurance to reduce your financial risk.

But regardless of where the water came from, be rest assured that the professionals at SERVPRO of Palm Desert will tackle all water damage problems. We’ll dry you out, repair the damage and make it “Like it never even happened.”

An Important Machine Helps Aid Water Removal

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

These are 2 sizes of dehumidifiers that we use to speed the drying process.

Dehumidifiers Play A Role in Water Removal in Palm Desert

Several different mishaps can cause building materials and contents inside your house in Palm Desert to get wet. Once items in your home start retaining moisture, it is wise to get water removal conducted by professional restoration technicians such as SERVPRO. The first step we take is to extract any H2O present while it is still a liquid. Once the moisture spreads across your structure, it starts to soak into your possessions and structural components.

After we extract your house during the Water Removal Process in Palm Desert, our SERVPRO technicians then begin the applied structural drying or ASD process. During this phase, we attempt to create an environment inside your house that speeds up the natural evaporation and drying process. We can often accomplish establishing such an atmosphere by setting up a combination of air movers and dehumidifiers. We place air movers so that they push air towards your wet walls at a 45-degree angle and create circulation in a counterclockwise motion. The dehumidifiers then work towards pulling moisture from the air and dispensing it into a liquid while exhausting out warm, dry air to be used in the circulation created by the air movers.

Dehumidifiers create dry air that gets pushed towards wet surfaces so that the air acts like a sponge and speeds up evaporation. We always set up the dehumidifiers towards the center of the water damaged area. We then make sure the drain hose on the machines is clear and appropriately secured.

When operating a dehumidifier, we make sure that air movers are not pushing air directly onto the coils. We also make sure to shut all of your doors and windows because dehumidifiers work best in enclosed areas. The process works by the machines drawing wet air across cooler metal coils. Once the wet air hits the cold coils, condensation occurs, and the water turns back into a liquid.

If you ever notice wet building materials or contents inside your residence, call SERVPRO of Palm Desert at (760) 346-7270 24/7. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

3 Signs of a Broken Pipe

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

A hidden pipe with a leak in it that you can't see.

3 Signs You May Have a Broken Pipe

Sometimes a plumbing problem is obvious, like when it’s raining from the ceiling - and you’re on the bottom floor. Or when a small river begins to seep under your bathroom door. But at other times, broken or damaged pipes aren’t quite so obvious. But they can still let you know they exist if you pay attention to the warning signs. By doing so, you can address the problem more quickly and avoid the damage and expensive repairs that come along with water damage in Palm Desert. So, here’s what to watch out for:

Weird Sounds

Do you ever hear whistling in your home? You’re not doing it, nobody else in the house is doing it and strange dogs are showing up at your door? Well, whistling or whining also occurs when pipes get dented. It’s caused when water is no longer able to flow freely through a pipe. This increases water pressure and may cause a pipe to burst.

The sound can also be the sign of a worn out pressure-reducing valve. Without being replaced, it could lead to burst pipes, overflow, and other issues over time.

Bad Smells

Another indication of a broken pipe are unusual or unpleasant odors. A common issue is with the p-trap. The p-trap is the U-shaped pipe that holds a small amount of water that forms a preventative seal against sewer gases coming up from your toilet or sink and into your home. If a crack causes that water to leak out of the p-trap, then you’ll have the odor of sewage in your home.

Also, when pipes become broken or backed up, sewage can’t exit the plumbing system properly. It’s important to deal with these problems quickly as sewage poses a significant health risk to your family and pets.

Unusual Sights

Are you blaming little puddles in your home on your kids or pets? That could be one answer. But if they continue to show up, especially in the same place, then that could be an indication of broken or damaged plumbing.

Another unusual (and scary) sight that may indicate a broken pipe is a curiously high water bill. High usage could be caused by leaky toilets or faucets. Another cause may be that one of the underground pipes feeding water from your meter to your home may have a crack or loose joint. This can be caused by pipe age, seismic activity, tree roots, or animal activity.

Broken pipes aren’t uncommon and can usually be quickly and easily handled by a professional. But don’t put if off. The longer you wait, the more damage will be done and the more expensive it’ll be to fix. If you suspect you have broken pipes in your home, contact the experts at SERVPRO of Palm Desert. Not only will we have your plumbing repaired, we’ll also fix any damage that was caused, making it “Like it never even happened."

5 Crucial Reasons to Never Delay Drying

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

Prevent Long Term Adverse effects of Water Damage

2 Crucial Reasons to Never Delay Drying

When flood damage strikes a property in Palm Desert, the results are usually far too serious for property owners to handle on their own. Professional restoration services like those provided by SERVPRO help to return a home back to the preloss condition. But many fear the costs and responsibilities associated with a full-scale restoration project. Unfortunately, few if any of the unpleasant consequences inherent in flood damage disappear without appropriate care and attention. To prevent long-term adverse effects from developing in your home or business, call for help immediately.

Here are two of the most serious problems that can develop when professional drying is delayed:

Weakened Foundations

Long-term exposure to standing water and the additional moisture that’s produced during flood damage events in Palm Desert can cause permanent and expensive damage to the very foundation of your home. Even the solid materials that foundations are made of, whether masonry, concrete or stone, can soak up small amounts of water through the cracks and pores in their material. Unless these pockets of water are removed, they can create defects in the building foundation that eventually weaken the entire structure. In the winter, water trapped inside those cracks will expand as it freezes, resulting in very serious structural issues that will be incredibly expensive to fix.

Fast and thorough drying processes are the only way to protect your home against these threats. SERVPRO of Palm Desert has the specialty equipment that’s designed to remove all unwanted moisture.

Mold Growth

Mold grows wherever there’s a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, around windows, or pipes, or where there’s been flooding. It can grow most anywhere, but especially where it finds food, such as on porous surfaces like paper, cardboard, wallboard and wood. Mold can also grow on many nonporous materials such as concrete and brick. And with the right temperature, moisture and food, mold will grow most anywhere. A rolling stone may gather no moss, but one sitting still sure can. Preventative treatments can help, but the only reliable solution to developing mold problems is rapid drying and dehumidification that SERVPRO offers.

Add to those two problems the fact that water, often called the universal solvent, can slowly dissolve, break apart and destroy most of the materials in your home or business and you can see why you need to call SERVPRO of Palm Desert immediately should you experience a flood or water damage of any type.

When DIY Can Be Expensive!

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Risks to do it yourself water damage clean up

Many people attempt to save money on the expense of water or mold damage restoration by skipping the process of hiring restoration professionals. Instead, they try to handle the tear-out and dry-out processes themselves. For many “minor” spills (those only involving a few gallons of water at most), this can be fine as long as the spill is cleaned up quickly and occurs well away from walls or other places where the moisture from the spill can reach a gap and seep into the subfloor.

But that kind of DIY is usually NAGI (not a good idea). Whenever there's a major amount of moisture damage, it's very important for a professional restoration service like SERVPRO of Palm Desert to be brought in to manage the dry-out process. Without the help of a trained and experienced expert, someone who attempts DIY moisture removal may miss pockets of moisture in the building, leading to:

• Damaged building infrastructure - moisture can seep into the structural materials behind the walls and under the floor, causing damage. But with proper dry-out and moisture remediation, much of the damage can be mitigated or even avoided.

• Warped flooring - when moisture seeps into subfloor materials, it can cause wooden boards to shift, bend, and cup. This creates an uneven floor and poses a safety risk to the building’s occupants.

• Mold growth - left unchecked, moisture trapped in a building can promote the growth of mold, particularly in cool, dark places such as basements and in-between walls. As any IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Specialist can tell you, mold spores in the air may cause health effects to children and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

As a general rule of thumb, if the water or mold damage to your home or business is severe enough to warrant an insurance claim, then you shouldn't try to handle the restoration process on your own. Damage that occurs as a result of DIY restoration efforts is typically not covered by insurance, and restoration work can be hazardous for those who haven't been trained for the risks associated with working with soiled water, mold, and water-damaged structures.

Safety is first and foremost. If the flooding is not from a clean water source, dealing with raw sewage is very dangerous without the proper equipment and training.

Peace of mind is so important. By hiring a professional like SERVPRO of Palm Desert, you’re putting the health and safety of your family first.

Water Can't Hide from SERVPRO!

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Water on the move

Water Can’t Hide from SERVPRO!

Have you ever witnessed the disappearing water trick, where a magician causes water poured into a cup to magically vanish, as if into thin air? (Spoiler alert: sodium polyacrylate, the stuff in disposable diapers, is first put in the bottom of the cup to soak up the water!)

But water will disappear even without any “magic” involved. It’s very adept at hiding and can be exceedingly hard to find. It sometimes hides so effectively that it can’t be detected unless special meters are used. Why is this important to know? Because even though water is essential for life, it’s also one the most destructive elements that can attack your home or business.

Water can be elusive because of the way that it moves. It spreads out like the letter "T" – moving out and downward from its source. Even if water looks to be setting still, it really isn’t. Gravity continues to pull it down into the surface of the material it’s resting on. And as it moves, it spreads and soaks into whatever porous (allowing liquid or air to pass through) materials it comes into contact with. But after spreading out and down, it also has another trick up its sleeve. It can also move up. It does this by wicking action. For example, water sitting at the base of drywall can wick up the wall at a rate of one inch per hour for the first 24 hours! Kind of like a sponge sitting on your counter wicks up the water it comes into contact with.

Because of water’s meandering ways, it can easily hide inside insulation, behind walls and cabinets and in sub-floors. Even if a surface feels dry, there may still be moisture hiding underneath or inside of it. What this can mean for your home or business is that secondary damage like mold or warping can occur. It can even ruin expensive hardwood floors.

If you have, or even if you suspect you may have water damage, it’s highly important that a professional from SERVPRO of Palm Desert comes out and tests for moisture with specialized moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras. With this equipment, we’ll be able to locate the confines of the affected area and show you the scope of the damage. Then our techs will go to work removing and drying up the moisture to ensure that no further damage occurs, making it "Like it never even happened."

Why do we do this? Because water can’t hide from SERVPRO!

The Benefits of Contacting SERVPRO’s Water Removal Experts In The Coachella Valley

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Palm Desert uses specialized equipment for proper water removal.

Did you know that one of the most significant issues regarding improper water removal in your home is mold growth? Homeowners that neglect to take immediate action or mishandle water removal can often experience unnecessary damages, lowered property values, or even severe risks to their health due to microbial growth. No one wants that to happen, so take this opportunity to understand more about what the benefits of contacting a professional can be.

Water removal technicians handle a variety of situations every day. A quality company, will only send trained personnel, that understands the categories of water damage and how they affect your property. If you are concerned that the source of your problem is anything other than a clean water source, you need IICRC-certified professionals, like those offered at SERVPRO of Palm Desert, who can help to handle and correct the situation quickly.

A Category 1 water damage, involves dealing with water coming from a clean or sanitary source. A broken water supply line, toilet tank, or water heater burst all fall into this category. However, just because the source was initially clean, does not mean that with time, the water cannot become contaminated. A Category 2 water damage, involves contaminants from an overflowing washing machine, toilet, or dishwasher. Lastly, a Category 3 water damage, consists of exposure to black water, better known as sewage.

SERVPRO technicians always take the time to explain what is happening on your property in detail. We want you to understand the problem and understand what needs to happen to get things under control. Each category of water is different and is mitigated differently as well.

SERVPRO of Palm Desert understands what actions to take in order to handle water removal around drywall, insulation, framing, flooring, and even your sub-floor. We use a variety of hand-held and truck-mounted water extractors, as well as dehumidifiers, hygrometers, negative airflow machines, and air movers to control the environment in your home after exposure.

The technicians at SERVPRO of Palm Desert make themselves available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week to perform quality services throughout our local community. Give our office a call at (760) 346-7270.

Why Choose a Professional Mitigation Team?

10/16/2018 (Permalink)

Severe flooding can cause secondary damage to walls, furniture, and appliances. Let us Help!

You might find specific instances or disasters that strike your Palm Desert home that are out of your ability to clean up. In these cases, it is often a wise decision to choose a Professional Restoration company to help you return your property to the way that it used to be. Depending on how severe the damage is, acting quickly could help you speed up the restoration process and help to keep your costs down as well.Water Damage in your home can prove very challenging to overcome. Regardless of the source of the damage, water moves quickly and can affect many areas of your home over just a brief period. When you call in a Restoration Team to help you clean up the water and dry out the damage, a team of our SERVPRO Water Damage Restorers come to your home to access and are ready to proceed when they have updated you what the drying plan will be. First, these experienced professionals are going to make their assessment of the damage that has occurred in your home. This process occurs with a thorough inspection of all of the affected areas and utilizes specialized equipment to see into hidden spaces and between walls to isolate moisture that must get addressed to restore the house successfully.The Water Damage team will explain their drying plan to give you the best understanding of how to dry your home in the quickest manner. We strive to arrive as quickly as possible to help lessen the effects of the water loss and ultimately keep your cost lower. We have the experience and the equipment to mitigate your clean up process quickly and effectively.While you might not always see the need for a professional restoration service for your home, water damages require experience and unique equipment to remediate promptly.

Give our office a call we will be happy to answer any questions. SERVPRO of Palm Desert 760-346-7270.

Discovering Sources of Water

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

Broken Supply Line in the Back of Toilet

SERVPRO of Palm Desert is a reliable and trusted water damage company with plenty of experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently. We always advise our customers to address the damage issue before it escalates and causes more damage to your property. We are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are dedicated professionals that are ready, willing, and able to clean up after any size disaster.

Discovering Sources of Water Damage

If you discover a water leak in your home, the first few minutes are critical. The top priority is to avoid panic and focus on getting the source of the water stopped. The most common water leaks in a home can be traced to the kitchen or a bathroom.

Most all common water supplies in a residence have a cut-off valve nearby and all valves can be turned off with a clockwise turn. If the source of the leak is your washing machine, the valves to turn off the flow are located behind the machine. Do not disconnect the hoses. Instead, turn off the water flow where the hoses are connected in the wall.

In the kitchen, you will find shut-off values for the faucet under the sink. This is also where you will most likely find the shut-off valve for an ice maker, if your freezer is equipped with one. The valve that controls your sink is usually the same valve that provides flow to your dishwasher. In a bathroom, cutoff valves are below the sink and may be within a sink cabinet if you have one. The supply line for the toilet is commonly located under and behind the seat.

A water heater can also be the source of your leak. If it is a gas tank, turn off the gas supply first then turn off the water. The water supply valve is usually located near or above the top of the tank.

Stopping the leak at its source as quickly as possible will minimize damage to cabinets, floors, walls and contents. Within a single minute, several gallons of water can flow into your home and saturate anything in its path, including adjacent rooms.

Some leaks cannot be stopped with an inside valve so the water supply to your house has to be turned off. Lines carrying water into your home come from a main line outside that can usually be found close to the street where your water meter is located.

At SERVPRO of Palm Desert, we are experts at mitigating water damages. Our skilled technicians work quickly and efficiently to extract the water, assess the damage, install drying equipment and dry your property to its preloss condition. SERPVPRO can provide you with the information and services you need to make water damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today 760-346-7270. We are here to help!

FLOOD DAMAGE CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE TO YOUR PROPERTY

1/2/2018 (Permalink)

Flood Damage Restoration

As a homeowner, flood damage can be very destructive, and if you do not take care of it right away, the extra water in you home can cause electrical hazards and expensive damage to your home. It can also lead to the growth of hazardous mold. Therefore, when the worst happens, you need to call our experts at SERVPRO of Palm Desert so that we can come in with our professionals and equipment to dry out your home as quickly as possible.

When your home floods it can be one of the most destructive forms of damage you can experience.

Sources from outside or inside the structure can cause water intrusions to your home. Excessive rain can over saturate the ground, which results in hydrostatic pressure. This happens when the moisture outside your home or foundational wall is greater than the pressure inside. Since water naturally seeks out lower pressure, this can result in foundational leaks, and even cracking. We use professional equipment at SERVPRO of Palm Desert to efficiently and quickly remove the water before it begins to cause damage to your structure and other, secondary water problems. We will also bring in dehumidifiers which work to get rid of any moisture and start moving the air to assist in drying out your home. Once the water and moisture are entirely removed, we clean, sanitize and treat with an antimicrobial agent to ensure that you don't experience any mold growth. We work with you each step of the way and can also work with your insurance company so that your claim gets processed as fast as possible.

When you experience any flood damage, contact us right away at SERVPRO of Palm Desert so that we can quickly come out and restore your property. We have the skilled technicians on hand at all hours to assist you when you call us at 760-346-7270.

Discovering Sources of Water Damage

3/30/2017 (Permalink)

Broken Supply Line in Back of Toilet

Discovering Sources of Water Damage

Common Causes of Water Damage

3/2/2017 (Permalink)

Sudden Water Damage in your home

Water damage in Palm Desert is one of the worst nightmares a homeowner has to face. Not only does it require a tedious cleanup process, it can also cause secondary damage to your property in such as furniture, drapes, and bedding. If that’s not enough, water can also weaken your home’s foundation and eventually cause mold problems when left to sit for too long.

For most Palm Desert homes, water damage can be caused by a number of things. Here are some of the common causes of water damage.

Natural disasters

Rain or microburst and sudden storms can all trigger water build up. While we have no control over natural disasters, you can take some precautionary measures to minimize the damage to your home.

Be sure to keep your gutter and downspouts clean and free of debris in order to successfully direct water away from your home. In case water gets in your home, be sure to act immediately once the storm has passed to prevent further damage to your property.

Plumbing problems

Plumbing problems such as clogged drains, A/C Condensation lines, overflowing toilet and leaks under the kitchen sink are some of the common causes of Palm Desert water damage in homes.

To keep your Palm Desert plumbing in good working order, please refrain from pouring fat and grease down the drain. Also, avoid throwing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. You have your trash cans for that.

Burst or leaking pipes

Because the pipes tend to be hidden away, Palm Desert leaking pipes are often left unnoticed. By the time they learn about it, it’s too late. Even small leaks cause an increase in moisture, making your home an ideal environment for mold to grow. Because of this, it is important to have your pipes routinely checked to ensure that they are functioning properly.

Problematic appliances

Water heater and washing machines are the 2 main appliances that can cause water damage in residential homes. As these items get older, their pipes, tubes and other parts begin to wear out.

A hot water tank, for instance, can result in water being spilled. This can cause flooding inside the house, damage the floors and some of your furniture as well. It is important to check the condition of these appliances to ensure that they are in good working order. The damage caused by failed household appliances can be as devastating as natural disasters.

If you or someone you know needs help with water damage cleanup or restoration, please call SERVPRO of Palm Desert in the soonest possible time. Time is of the essence when dealing with water damage, so it is important that you call as soon as you can.

FLOOD DAMAGE CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE TO YOUR PROPERTY

12/22/2016 (Permalink)

Flood Damage Causes destruction to your property

Flood damage can be very destructive to your property.

Flood Damage Restoration

As a homeowner, flood damage can be very destructive, and if you do not take care of it right away, the extra water in your home can cause electrical hazards and expensive damage to your home. It can also lead to the growth of hazardous mold. Therefore, when the worst happens, you need to call our experts at SERVPRO of Palm Desert so that we can come in with our professionals and equipment to dry out your home as quickly as possible.

When your home floods it can be one of the most destructive forms of damage you can experience.

We also understand that it is a very stressful time. That is why our team of caring, trained and professional Water Damage Technicians is here when you need us at any time. We will lead you through the process, step by step, and do all that is needed efficiently and quickly, so we can get your home and life back to normal as soon as possible. When the unexpected happens, we at SERVPRO of Palm Desert can be to your home quickly to get your home cleaned up. With our rapid response, your walls, floors, and personal property will have a much better chance of being restored to its original state.

Sources from outside or inside the structure can cause water intrusions to your home. Excessive rain can over saturate the ground, which results in hydrostatic pressure. This happens when the moisture outside your home or foundational wall is greater than the pressure inside. Since water naturally seeks out lower pressure, this can result in foundational leaks, and even cracking. We use professional equipment at SERVPRO of Palm Desert to efficiently and quickly remove the water before it begins to cause damage to your structure and other, secondary water problems. We will also bring in dehumidifiers which work to get rid of any moisture and start moving the air to assist in drying out your home. Once the water and moisture are entirely removed, we clean, sanitize and treat with an antimicrobial agent to ensure that you don’t experience any mold growth. We work with you each step of the way and can also work with your insurance company so that your claim gets processed as fast as possible.

When you experience any flood damage, contact us right away at SERVPRO of Palm Desert so that we can quickly come out and restore your property. We have the skilled technicians on hand at all hours to assist you when you call us at 760-346-7270.

24 HOUR EMERGENCY WATER DAMAGE SERVICES PALM DESERT

10/28/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Palm Desert provides 24 Hour Water and Fire Damage Restoration Service in the Coachella Valley

SERVPRO of Palm Desert is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you area 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 - 760-346-7270

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 Palm Desert 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)?

* What is the year your home or building was built?

About SERVPRO of Palm Desert

SERVPRO of Palm Desert 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.

Is My Water Damage Covered by Insurance

8/5/2016 (Permalink)

Discovering Water Damage to my home

For many homeowners, the fear of discovering Water Damage somewhere in their home is among their top concerns. This is because water damage can happen quickly, and can be expensive and challenging to fix.

Most homeowners assume that because Water Damage is commonplace, that it is covered as part of their homeowner’s insurance. However, there are different kinds of water damage, which may or may not be included, depending on your insurance policy. Below is an overview of different kinds of water damage, and what you can expect from your insurance.

General Water Damage

Most homeowner’s insurance covers sudden or accidental water damage inside your home, which includes water line leaks, burst pipes, and if your appliances or sinks begin to overflow or leak. In many cases, burst pipes and appliances are covered by residential insurance policies, but there are often stipulations that must be taken into consideration.

For example, most insurance companies consider “water damage” to refer to water which hasn’t entered your home through the ground or your sewer lines, so if your problem is a result of these factors it may not be covered.

Additionally, if you are planning to be away from your home for more than a day, consider shutting off the main water supply, and coordinate to a friend or neighbor to check up on the state of your home while you are away. If you don’t take these precautions before going away, your insurance company may reject your insurance claim. If you’re traveling for business or taking a vacation, make sure to coordinate accordingly to ensure that your home is safe while you’re away.

Sewer Line Backups

If “clean water” insurance claims refer to water, which has entered your house through your plumbing, then “dirty water” refers to the water found in your sewer line, drains, septic tank, downspouts, and eaves troughs.

Sewer line issues can happen for a variety of reasons, including freezing and thawing pipes, homeowner damage during landscaping and renovations, and when rain or snow overwhelms the city sewer system, causing sewer lines to back up into residential homes.

In most cases, sewer backup isn’t a standard feature and it may not included in your property insurance. However, it can usually be added as optional coverage, and is especially useful if you live in a rural area which is prone to flooding, or which requires you to have a septic tank or sump pump.

Protect your Home

Your home is arguably your most valuable asset, and as a result, it’s important that you stay informed about how to protect it. If your home has encountered water damage and is in need of emergency services call SERVPRO of Palm Desert.

Hazardous Material Testing During Water Damage, Mold Damage, & Fire/Smoke Damage

7/25/2016 (Permalink)

Dealing with Asbestos when performing a Water Damage, Mold Remdiation or Fire Damage

Asbestos and lead based paint were commonly used in building construction before their hazardous properties were discovered and they were outlawed in 1977 and 1978 respectively. Suppliers were allowed to use their existing inventories but no new lead or asbestos containing products could be introduced. As a result, these hazardous materials can be found in buildings that were constructed up through the mid to late 1980’s. Asbestos can be found in roofing and siding materials, insulation, drywall and drywall mud, ducting, flooring, adhesives, “popcorn” ceilings, among other sources. If these materials are in a home and left undisturbed they are general harmless. It is only when they are disturbed (released into the air) and inhaled that they become harmful.

During the course of water damage remediation, mold remediation, fire or smoke damage these materials may need to be removed, drilled into, or they have fallen down such as a ceiling. It becomes necessary for SERVPRO of Palm Desert to call in a licensed California lead and asbestos professional to come to the job site to take samples and have them tested for these hazardous materials.

If Asbestos is found, a California Asbestos Consultant (CAC) must write an asbestos removal plant, which is a plan for abatement that tells the licensed abatement contractor exactly how to safely remove or contain the asbestos. Removal is complex must be done only by a contractor with a special license and approved by the Federal Government. Asbestos professionals are listed on the Cal OSHA website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/data-bases/doshcaccsst/caccst_query_1.html.

Lead most commonly found in older paint has the same requirement to be tested on homes or commercial buildings built before 1978. If the tests confirm the presence of lead in an area such as drywall SERVPRO has been trained and certified to use Lead Safe Practices in the removal of these materials. When dealing with lead based paint, it is critical to stabilize any deteriorated (peeling, chipping, cracking, etc.) paint in a lead-safe manner.

SERVPRO is always concerned with education and best practice safety procedures. We are proud to belong to a company concerned with our customers and our employees.

Neighbor Detects Water Damage from Sun City Palm Desert Home

7/12/2016 (Permalink)

Toilet Supply Line Causes Water Damage

Neighbor Detects Water Damage Coming from a Sun City Palm Desert Home

Good neighbors are there to help each other out whenever they can. Whether it is watching each other’s children, baking treats for one another or even spotting water damage coming from your home, it is always nice to know that your neighbor is looking out for you.

At SERVPRO of Palm Desert, we recently had a homeowner call us after her neighbor had noticed water coming out of the front door. That much water leaking from the house looked suspicious, so the neighbor called the homeowner about the leaking water. It turns out the homeowner was out of town, so she contacted SERVPRO of Palm Desert for service and we became her eyes for her to assess the situation and give her an update. We were able to provide her with pictures and a short video so she could see where the damage was at. This was very helpful so this customer did not have to cancel her vacation plans and rush home.

Upon SERVPRO of Palm Desert arrival, it was discovered that the water was coming from the upstairs bathroom, as the supply line was leaking.

Project Manager, Greg Gallegos, updated the home owner and explained his initial inspection. He determined that the project was definitely something SERVPRO of Palm Desert could take care of in no time, so he called Crew Chief, Alex Diaz, and the rest of the team out to the home to start the water removal process.

Due to the age of the home an asbestos test was ordered, which fortunately came back negative. In the meantime water was extracted and drying equipment was set up in order to dry the subflooring. Since it was determined safe to open walls and the ceilings SERVPRO of Palm Desert proceeded with the dry down remedies to dry down this home with speed and efficiency.

The homeowner was so thankful to her neighbor and our team for being on the lookout for water damage and taking such great care of her home. We were happy to help! If you find water damage in your home, contact SERVPRO of Palm Desert today. We are experts in water damage removal and mold remediation.

Water Damage Found Returning From Vacation

6/24/2016 (Permalink)

Water Damage Emergency after Returning from Vacation

There’s nothing worse than returning home from a great vacation, only to find that your home is filled with water damage because a pipe started to leak while you were away. Not only do you have to fix the leak, but you also have to clean up the water damage as soon as possible, so it doesn’t spread any further. Fortunately, homeowners can call SERVPRO of Palm Desert any time of day and our crew can come out to your home to remove the damage.

A homeowner recently contacted us after discovering a pipe burst in her kitchen. To make matters worse, the homeowner had just returned from a vacation, so she wasn’t sure how long it had been leaking or whether or not the leak had caused damage to other areas of the home. Even though it was after normal business hours, the homeowner called SERVPRO of Palm Desert, knowing that we worked all hours of the day. We immediately sent our Project Manager, Randy Bernal, out to inspect the damage that same night.

In addition to the kitchen, Randy detected water damage in the living room and bathroom. His first job was to turn off the water source. He then called Crew Chief, Greg Gallegos out to help create a remediation plan. Once the SERVPRO of Palm Desert crew arrived, they began working on the water damage right away. First, they extracted all of the standing water. They then had to remove the baseboards, ventilate the walls, and drill the toe kicks under the cabinets in the kitchen. High Velocity Air Movers and Dehumidifiers were placed to expedite the drying in the kitchen and the rest of the remaining water damage in the home.

The homeowner was so pleased with our work. She told us how relieved she was that our team was able to remove all of the water damage and do so in such a timely manner. We were happy to help! If you discover water damage in your home, contact SERVPRO of Palm Desert today! We can be out to your home in no time!

Sewage Damage Tips

6/10/2016 (Permalink)

Sewage Damage in your home can be the breeding ground of bacteria and pathogens

Sewage Damage Tips You Can Use

Although many residential and commercial property owners know that water damage can be problematic, it's important to note that sewage damage can have even more devastating effects. Learn more about sewage damage and how attaining professional restoration services can help by reviewing the following data:

Sewage Damage: A Brief Overview

In general, sewage damage results from a backed up toilet or burst sewer pipe. The sewage damage results from black water, the most severe of the three water categories. Here is a brief overview of the three categories:

1. Category One

The water in category one is clean and does not contain contaminants that could give rise to disease or illness.

2. Category Two

The water in category two is grey. This type of water has a substantive degree of physical, biological, and chemical contaminants.

3. Category Three

The water in category three is black water. This is the most dangerous of all types. It can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and pathogens that cause disease.

Although preventing your home or office from being subjected to sewage damage is an excellent idea, there is no way to ensure that the damage will not transpire. Since this is the case, it's important that you have a firm plan of action in place to ensure that you can handle any sewage damage that transpires on your commercial or residential property. Here are several sewage damage tips that you should implement:

1. Don't touch or walk around any regions of the property that have been contaminated. Instead, call a professional plumber to address the problems.

2. Call a professional team of sewage damage specialists. These individuals should be able to complete the restoration process with expedience and excellence while simultaneously offering impeccable customer service.

3. Do not attempt to complete the restoration process on your own. In addition to being unhealthy, this course of action could entail physical injuries. Additionally, water damage restoration requires specific tools that most homeowners and commercial leaders do not own. Although you may think that a do-it-yourself approach will save you money, you will likely lose money in the long run due to a lack of knowledge as well as a lack of tools.

Conclusion

In the event that you find yourself subjected to sewage damage, it's important that you attain professional assistance immediately. With many years of experience in the water damage restoration industry, specialists can provide you with the high-quality services you need and deserve.

Don’t be the next Victim of a Pesky Slab Leak

4/13/2016 (Permalink)

SLAB LEAK IN FOUNDATION CAUSING WATER DAMAGE

If you hear running water when all your water is turned off, or there is excessive water or mold under your carpet, or your water bills are alarmingly high, your residence may very well have a slab leak.

A slab leak is when a pipeline under your house's foundation or along the walls develops a steady leak. The water that consistently streams out of the broken pipe under your foundation's "slab" may cause severe damage to the floorboards. This is troubling because if the foundation of your building becomes unstable it puts the whole building in danger. A building with a nagging slab leak is also a structure that has the possibility of collapsing. Slab leaks are plumbing disasters because they can be costly and time consuming to fix. However, the experienced technicians at SERVPRO of Palm Desert, a water damage restoration company in the Coachella Valley, are experts in water damage removal and will locate the source of the leak without destroying all the other quality property around it.

Here are some causes of why a slab leak can occur in your home:

Bad Pipes from the Beginning: Sometimes when homes are built the pipes under the home are fitted inadequately from the beginning. If the initial construction crew used cheap pipe fitters or inexpensive plumbing materials, then the possibility of the piping system breaking is higher with the ebb and flow of the water pressure through the years.

Old Pipes: If your residence was built more than ten years ago, then there is a high chance that soil, sand, or gravel can rust the pipes and rusty pipes can burst easily.

Abnormal Water Pressure: Piping is often made of copper. Small pipes that are made of copper can raise the water pressure and the pipe will just burst open.

At SERVPRO of Palm Desert the last thing we want is for your house to collapse or your water bill to soar because of a pesky slab leak. No matter what sort of water damage repair you may need, SERVPRO of Palm Desert has a talented team of technicians that can fix slab leaks with minimal damage to the surrounding areas of your home.

GOT WATER DAMAGE? HERE'S WHEN & WHY YOU NEED A SPECIALIST

3/16/2016 (Permalink)

HOW TO CHOSE A WATER DAMAGE SPECIALIST

The thing about being a water damage and repair specialist is that no one seems to care about what you do until they desperately need your help. What is it a restoration expert does and when and why someone would need to hire one. Here’s what SERVPRO of Palm Desert has to say.

What exactly does a water damage and repair specialist do?

“What we do is we save people tens of thousands of dollars,” “Because if you have water running all over your carpets and through your walls and you don’t dry it in under 48 hours, you’re possibly going to get mold and excessive damage.”

Basically what SERVPRO of Palm Desert does is come into your home after you’ve had major water damage of some kind, whether it’s a broken pipe, build up in a crawl space, or flooding from a natural disaster.

Why is it important to call a professional?

Water damage can be fast and it can be dramatic. If you call quickly enough, the SERVPRO team can get in there, get everything dried up, prevent damage like warped floors, cracking sheet rock, etc. and get your life back to normal within three or four days. “But if it turns to mold, then everything has to be properly contained, the air has to be tested, and suddenly you have a huge demolition project on your hands.”

There is a special protocol for cleaning up sewage; you can’t just wipe it up. If it touches anything porous, you have to cut it out and dispose of it and you need to be doing that while wearing Personal Protection Equipment (basically a hazmat suit). After all, sewage water can contain bacteria that can get you and your entire family really sick. The thing is, you may actually not even realize that your water damage is sewage, but if you have a broken pipe below your sink and there are three or four months of potato peels under your house, that’s considered hazardous waste. SERVPRO has trained technicians who will come in with state-of-the-art equipment to handle all of the clean up making it possible for the homeowner to live in their home safely again.

What are the most common problems water damage specialists see?

SERVPRO of Palm Desert sees a lot of water damage caused by human carelessness, like the dad who flushed a diaper down the toilet not once, but twice, or the woman who threw a towel that knocked a faucet on and then went out to lunch for three hours while her entire house flooded. But there’s also the other kind of damage, which is caused by pipes breaking or a toilet overflowing and going unnoticed. And sometimes pipes that break do so in places that are totally out of sight, so no one even realizes until they smell the one or two feet of sewage that’s been building up under the house.

Regardless of how or why the damage occurs though, it’s important to bring in a professional to fix it because if you don’t dry a space out properly, you can easily end up spending thousands and thousands of dollars after the fact.

When should I call a water damage specialist?

SERVPRO of Palm Desert says a plumber fixes the problem; a water damage specialist helps clean it up. You want to get a professional in as quickly as possible to minimize permanent damage, so even if you can only get the water source shut off, it’s okay to go ahead and call.

How much will it cost?

One of the things homeowner’s ask first is “How much will this cost? It can be shocking to hear and understand why a water damage emergency call is so expensive. However the secondary damage to a home by leaving the water damage for a few days without taking care of it can be multiplied several times with more secondary damage happening to the home like mold.

SERVPRO of Palm Desert will come out to assess the damage and help our customer with the process of estimating the loss and help them through the insurance claim process to make it easier for them.

Again though, what’s most important is to get a reputable professional company who can get there as fast as possible. The longer the water sits there, the more it’s going to move up the walls or down the hallways, and the more the water moves, the more it’s going to cost.

What should I do while I’m waiting for the specialist to arrive?

If it’s safe to do so, turn off power outlets and appliances near or in the flooded areas. Make sure the water source is turned off and then remove anything on the floor, including wet rugs if you can. You’ll also want to mop up as much water as possible to keep it from spreading. This is also the time to move art or valuables to a safe, dry place.

Tips for Drying Out a Water Damaged Home or Building

1/29/2016 (Permalink)

Water Damage

Tips For Drying Out A Water-Damaged Home or Building

Before beginning to dry out your home or building remember that safety is important.

Tips For Drying Out A Water-Damaged Building

After large amounts of water enter a home or building, many steps must be taken to remove the moisture in order to begin repairing any damage the water may have caused.

Water Damage can affect a home or building in a variety of different ways. It can cause damage to materials, such as wood and wallboard, and it can cause electrical materials to short out, which leads to fires.

Before beginning to dry out your home or building, remember that safety is important. Take steps to ensure that you will not harm yourself and any other residents. Be sure to turn off the power to your house or building. Also, check for any odor of gas that may be leaking, and be sure to turn off any gas appliances you may have. Have a professional assess the damage if you have any questions regarding your safety or feel unsafe entering your home. Don’t enter your home or building if you feel uneasy about the safety of the structure.

Additionally, before starting the cleanup process, take photographs of the damage. This will be helpful when communicating with your insurance company. Additionally, you should make any necessary repairs to roofs and windows so that you can prevent any additional water from entering. These repairs should only be temporary, and you should plan on them lasting for about 6 months. To make temporary repairs, you can use tarpaulin, 30- or 90-pound felt paper, or plywood covered with tarpaper.

You should begin drying out your home in the attic. If your insulation has gotten wet, remove it and replace it. Once it is wet, most insulation becomes ineffective. Next, remove any items in your attic that have been soaked by the water. Wet boxes can cause the ceilings from the floor below to crack. Open any windows and vents in the attic to allow the space to air out. You can also turn on fans to aid in airing the attic out, but be cautious in doing so if you are concerned about your electrical system.

When beginning the process of drying your structure, inspect the ceilings in each of your rooms carefully. Look out for bulging ceilings that may be holding water. If a ceiling is bulging, poke holes in it and collect the water in a bucket. However you may have to look up the year of your structure so as not to disturb asbestos or lead paint.

To aid in the drying process, you should remove any furniture or carpets that may be saturated with water. Removing these items reduces the level of moisture within the home. Also remove any sheet vinyl or linoleum flooring to allow the floors to dry better. You may notice the floorboards warping as they begin to dry. You can use weights on the floors during the drying process to reduce the amount of warping. Additionally, be sure to remove any insulation from beneath the floorboards to allow the air to circulate through the home.

Drying out your home after a flood can be a slow process. It takes time for all of the water to evaporate, but if you follow these steps, your home will be dry in no time.

The Water Damage Restoration Process

Every water damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same.

Step 1 - Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification

We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.

Step 6 - Restoration

Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Do's & Don'ts When Recovering from a Flood

12/31/2015 (Permalink)

Severe Flood Damage

The Dos and Don'ts of Recovering from a Flood

Flood damage poses a serious threat to households throughout the Puget Sound region. During the winter months, heavy rains can cause rivers and other bodies of water to quickly rise. In the event that your home experiences storm damage, you should be sure to schedule restoration services in Redmond. A company offering emergency flood damage restoration can help you quickly restore your property to its original condition. Read on for a closer look at the dos and don'ts of flood recovery.

Do: Remove Excess Water

One of the most important actions that you can take in the aftermath of a flood is to remove as much water from your home as possible. For example, household mops and other items can be used to soak up excess water from your indoor spaces. You should also be sure to lift water away from your counters, wooden furniture, and other porous belongings.

Do: Ensure Maximum Ventilation

Ventilation is key during a flood recovery procedure. By ensuring that your home is properly ventilated, you will help the water to dry up as quickly as possible. Some examples of good ventilation practices include opening windows and turning on fans. Your flood damage repair company can help you ventilate your home.

Don't: Turn on Household Appliances

For help with all of your flood damage restoration needs, be sure to contact SERVPRO of Redmond. As leading water restoration specialists in the area, we are fully qualified to provide you with a full range of residential restoration services. To schedule a flood damage repair appointment today, give us a call at 760-346-7270

SERVPRO HELPS PACK OUT HOME DUE TO WATER DAMAGE

12/11/2015 (Permalink)

When water starts flooding your home, it seems like there’s nothing you can do to stop it. It seeps from the pipe, through your floors, and into the material on your furniture. Then what? Now, not only are you dealing with fixing your walls and floors, you have to do something with the furniture. Thankfully, at SERVPRO of Palm Desert, we know exactly how to handle these situations. We’ll even help you move your furniture into a rented pod or into our own large facility warehouse operation or a Temperature controlled environment so it’s out of the way and we can complete all the necessary water damage remediation dry down. So be sure to call SERVPRO of Palm Desert when you need water damage assistance.

A Rancho Mirage homeowner gave us a call after a pipe burst in his home. As the home flooded, the homeowner first called his Insurance Company who recommended SERVPRO. We were able to arrive onsite at the home within the hour and assess the home and the best way to dry down the home and furniture. The homeowner was an avid book collector and had an office that needed to be packed up so SERVPRO to get to wet walls and cabinets and properly dry down his home.

In this case the homeowner was advised by our Project Manager, Edgar Carrasco, that it would be necessary to pack up the portions of his home that were wet and he opted for a pod to be placed on site in the driveway in order to have access to his belongings.

Our team of packers was dispatched to take pictures of all contents, pack boxes, and label the boxes according to the rooms and area with a wonderful program called Assured Pack Out on our IPAD that helps with all of this. We are able to give pictures of all belongings, furniture and contents and give a copy to the homeowner and the insurance adjuster.

Our Crew Chief, Juan Beltran, led the team of technicians in the pack out of the contents. Our technicians removed the necessary drywall, carpeting, and affected materials from the home and installed drying equipment before, during and upon completion of the pack out.

There are times like in this case after we are finished with the drying services the contents will stay in the pod, or in our warehouse until after the necessary repairs are done to the home. SERVPRO of Palm Desert also performed a Mold Remediation in certain areas of the home while we were drying down.

After repairs are completed SERVPRO of Palm Desert returned this week to the home and unpacked the boxes and contents and set them back into the home. We utilize our team that can put back items using their Assured Pack Out pictures and documentation in order to assist in placing furniture and items back in their original places. Sometimes the customer likes to put a little item here or there but we happy to help.

The homeowner was so happy with our work. Though he knew the damage was extensive, he was grateful that SERVPRO of Palm Desert was able to help. He knew his home was in good hands and promised to call us again if any other water damage problems arose! We also will take care of cleaning the new carpet in a few years! We will have a customer for life!

After Hours Call to SERVPRO Means Immediate Response

12/5/2015 (Permalink)

No matter the hour of day or day of the year, SERVPRO of Palm Desert is available for your emergency water damage needs. Water damage doesn’t recognize national holidays or regular work hours, and an immediate response from your water damage company is important. That’s why we always make sure to keep at least one of our experienced staff on call at all times so you can receive around-the-clock service that is required when it comes to removing water damage.

A homeowner in Palm Desert recently had to call us at 11:00pm on a Saturday night after noticing her wall to wall carpet was wet. She had seen our ads that mentioned we were available 24 hours a day and knew to give us a call immediately. We responded immediately and sent our Project Manager, Edgar Carrasco and his on call team to the home to meet with the homeowner.

Edgar performed the initial inspection and accessed the damage of the affected areas. He found that the toilet had overflowed and was affecting the master bedroom, master bathroom, hallway, and family room. He knew we would be able to help! After extracting water, pulling the carpet and pad for disposal due to furniture stains and blocking the furniture legs to protect from secondary damage the crew proceeded to set up drying equipment and allow the customer to go back to bed and get their rest. The following morning SERVPRO of Palm Desert arrived back at the loss site to continue removing baseboards, opening walls for ventilation, and continue with the dry down of the home.

The homeowner was very happy with the work performed by SERVPRO of Palm Desert. He was thrilled with our immediate response—and on a Saturday Night!—and promised that he would be calling again in any future water damage situation. We also want our customer to know that we can take care of their Carpet, Upholstery, or Tile Cleaning needs.

SERVPRO IICRC Water Damage Training

2/26/2015 (Permalink)

Production Water Damage Technician in Training

Daniel Garcia is currently at the SERVPRO San Bernardino Training Center in Southern California going through an IICRC Water Damage Training Class. (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Industry)

Daniel is excited to be learning Industry Standards and gathering all the information to become part of the best and brightest technicians SERVPRO has to offer.

Storm Possible to Coachella Valley

2/27/2014 (Permalink)

Ready for Whatever Happens!

We are hearing of rain coming our way again to Southern California. Due to a long dry spell items like storm drains, gutters, and atriums may have gotten clogged up over these past few months. This is a good time to check those things and do a bit of cleaning out.

SERVPRO of Palm Desert can help with any water damage issue's you may have. Rain forcast to Palm Desert, California

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (760) 346-7270

Archived Water Damage Blog Posts

Water Damage in Palm Desert

Palm Spring Library Flooded over 4th July Weekend

Preventing Toilet Overflows and Clogs: Essential Tips for a Trouble-Free Bathroom

Effective Strategies for Drying Out a Water-Damaged Home or Building

Flooding after a storm.. What Next?

Things That You Should NOT Do After Flooding

The Dos and Don'ts of Recovering from a Flood

What are Roof Leaks / Damage And How to Prevent Them

Is Your Hot Water Pipe Leaking Inside Your Walls or From your Water Heater?

Air Conditioner Condensation Lines Cause Water Damage

Water Damage or Flood Damage - What's the Difference ?

An Important Machine Helps Aid Water Removal

3 Signs of a Broken Pipe

5 Crucial Reasons to Never Delay Drying

When DIY Can Be Expensive!

Water Can't Hide from SERVPRO!

The Benefits of Contacting SERVPRO’s Water Removal Experts In The Coachella Valley

Why Choose a Professional Mitigation Team?

Discovering Sources of Water

FLOOD DAMAGE CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE TO YOUR PROPERTY

Discovering Sources of Water Damage

Common Causes of Water Damage

FLOOD DAMAGE CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE TO YOUR PROPERTY

24 HOUR EMERGENCY WATER DAMAGE SERVICES PALM DESERT

Is My Water Damage Covered by Insurance

Hazardous Material Testing During Water Damage, Mold Damage, & Fire/Smoke Damage

Neighbor Detects Water Damage from Sun City Palm Desert Home

Neighbor Detects Water Damage Coming from a Sun City Palm Desert Home

Water Damage Found Returning From Vacation

Sewage Damage Tips

Don’t be the next Victim of a Pesky Slab Leak

GOT WATER DAMAGE? HERE'S WHEN & WHY YOU NEED A SPECIALIST

Tips for Drying Out a Water Damaged Home or Building

Do's & Don'ts When Recovering from a Flood

SERVPRO HELPS PACK OUT HOME DUE TO WATER DAMAGE

After Hours Call to SERVPRO Means Immediate Response

SERVPRO IICRC Water Damage Training

Storm Possible to Coachella Valley

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