Rain Over Night?

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Watch out for that overnight rain. This past week we had warm weather all throughout the week. People were taking advantage and enjoying the sunshine.Then on Friday morning we all woke up and everything was wet. It had rained overnight, and we were once again caught off guard by that California weather. The rest of the day it was fresh and sunny once again. It is easy to think to yourself that it only rained for a short period of time, that it’s no big deal. However, even the small amount of rain that took place is still enough to cause damage to your home. If you left items outdoors check up on them for damages. Make sure there are no leaks in your roof or water seeping into your home. You can also check if any potential erosion concerns emerged around your home. There are numerous more problems that can arise from light rain and cause water damage. Don't be inattentive just because it didn't rain for a long period of time.Being proactive can be beneficial for you. We advise you to quickly inspect your home and make sure everything is in good condition. 

If you do happen to notice any concerns, SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino specializes in dealing with water damage and we are ready to assist you. You can reach out to us at (626) 852-9922. We are also available for 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days!

Water Damage? Call SERVPRO Joe!

8/30/2023 (Permalink)

Available For Any Water Damage Crisis

If you find yourself in a situation where water is suddenly onboarding in your residence, immediately call SERVPRO of South Pasadena and San Marino. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Water flooding in your home can feel incredibly frustrating, and SERVPRO is here to help you.

What To Do Until Help Arrives

Until the water restoration professionals are SERVPRO arrive, there are a few things you can do to help with damage to your home, condo, or apartment.

Move anything of value out of the affected room that you are able to: photos, important documents, artwork, etc. Take old books, or pieces of scrap wood and use them to elevate your furniture. Place wood, books, or even brinks underneath the feet of your furniture to raise them above the waterline. This will help prevent any fabric or wood damage to your couches, chairs, tables, and other furniture of value. 

If you own a Shock Vac or have a neighbor to borrow one from, use it to help remove water that has a puddle in your home and help prevent further damage to your carpet or hardwood flooring. Open all the windows in your home, and turn on any ceiling fans. Also set up any other fans you might have. This will help start the drying process. 

Make sure to take pictures of all the damaged areas. This includes walls, baseboards, carpets, hardwood flooring, and all valuables. This will be important to turn into your insurance company when you file your claim. The more you document, the easier it will be to file your claim.

Team of Qualified Professionals

Always remember that SERVPRO has a staff of qualified professionals to answer any and all of your questions. Not only will they help you with your water damage, but they are also qualified to help with mold prevention and remediation.

Burst Toilet Supply Line

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

The visible damage on the carpet that was caused by the water

We recently received a job from a tenant who had water damage in their home. The cause was a leak from a burst toilet supply line that took place in the upstairs bathroom. The water leak affected the bathroom, hallway, powder room and the bedroom on the second floor. Some of the affected materials included the tile floor, drywall, and the carpets. Unfortunately since it took place on the second floor the water spread to the bottom level as well where the restroom, water heater area, and garage received damage. The tenants insurance reached out to SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino for assistance. We arrived the same day and extracted all the water, we also set up the drying equipment in the necessary areas to save what we can.  We managed to dry out about 90% of the walls and ceilings. Saving the client money, time, and less stress. We packed out the necessary materials and placed them in storage containers to allow us to proceed with demolition of the non salvageable areas. All of this was done within a few days.

SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino specializes in water damage and restoring homes back to normal. We understand that these types of events can happen suddenly and how important it is to be proactive in handling the situation. Doing so can save you money and troubles long term. Our professional  team is always ready to help you out. We can be reached at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Thus, when you're in need of services do not hesitate to reach out. Our goal is to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Clamp Light Was Left Turned On

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

The clamp light where the fire originated from.

A clamp light was accidentally left on over the weekend. This resulted in a small fire that led to extensive water damage. Fortunately, the fire sprinklers set off and they were able to put away the fire; preventing any catastrophic damage. However, the sprinkler system still ended up causing severe water damage to the building.

The sprinklers first caused a flood in the room where the fire originated from. As the water kept flowing out, it eventually spread into the room next door. The water ended up damaging the floors, walls, and cabinets. Unfortunately, since it was a two story building and the flood occurred in the top floor, the water began seeping into the lower level. The first floor ended up receiving damage in similar areas as the top floor. But the ceiling and some of the material in between the first and second floor were also damaged. Due to the fire, a bad odor was also left throughout the building. They reached out to SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino for assistance and we were happy to help. We were able to get to the location swiftly to inspect the situation. Afterwards, we were able to begin the mitigation and restoration process.

Don’t forget to unplug or turn off unnecessary items if you are leaving a building alone. Accidents can happen at any time of the year. Being aware and proactive can save you a lot of trouble down the road. If you ever need services relating to fire or water damage then feel free to reach out to SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino. We are always happy to help. You can contact us at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

Don't Let Your Drains Get Clogged Up

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Backed up water in the restroom is one of the usual causes of water damage in households. Due to the heavy usage of the sink, shower, and toilet, it is common for the drain lines to become clogged up. When this happens water can suddenly spill all over and leave you with severe water damage. If you remain unaware or are inattentive towards the problem, then the water can spread outside of the restroom into the rest of your home, resulting in a more complex situation.

There are a variety of reasons of why water will back up including:

• Old or worn out pipes that may not be able to handle the pressure and flow of the water.
• Too many materials flowing into the sink or shower such as dirt, grease, or hair
• Flushing too much toilet paper at once
• Flushing other types of paper such as towels or wipes
• Flushing random items down the toilet and sink
• Tree roots growing into your sewage line, damaging them preventing an effective flow of water
• Heavy rainfall that finds its way into your sewage pipes
• Not cleaning drain pipes consistently

It is a good idea to inspect your restroom area for any potential concerns. Noticing them early on can save you from complications long term. If you ever do run into a situation where water overflows in your restroom area then SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino specializes in dealing with water damage and we are prepared to resolve your problem. We can be reached at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a week.  

Commercial Water Damages

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Business owners never want anything bad to happen to their place of business. However, accidents happen and it is important to know certain “minor” things can have a huge impact on your property if not taken care of properly. Most people when they hear of water damage, they envision it as a result from floods or water storms, but that is not always the case. Here are some things to look out for. 

1. Malfunctioning Sprinkler Systems: Older buildings may have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. They are crucial to help with a fire emergency but can cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of  replacement.
2. Damaged Appliances and Equipment: Any appliances or equipment that use water, if they fail it could send water across your building. It could happen during late hours when no one is around and you could be surprised when you come in the next morning. Keep in mind that water travels. Sometimes the areas that are affected don't clearly show the extent of the damage.
3. Broken Pipes and Plumbing: If the plumbing system in your workplace fails, water damage could be the result.
4. Backed up Sewer Lines: If the sewer line in your building becomes clogged or damaged, you need to act fast as there is the potential danger of contaminated black water which can cause health problems and ruin products and furnishings. 

If you ever run into one of these problems and it leads to water damage, call SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino at 626-852-9922 and we will be happy to help. The quicker you catch it, the less likely it will lead to mold damage. It is better to be proactive vs. reactive. SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino services the Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Electrical Outlets and Water

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

When water damage takes place most people will look at the obvious damage first. This may include  water on the floor, wet cabinets, broken water pipes and in general water spreading throughout your home. They may even attempt to begin the drying process themselves, this is not a bad idea as being proactive can save a lot of trouble down the road. However, one of the most forgotten issues of when water damage occurs is not looking out for electrical outlets, as it is common to be able to find them all around a home.

It is advised to unplug anything connected to the outlets, if possible shut off the outlet  and remove anything that uses electricity nearby.  If necessary you can even shut off the electricity in the building until the situation is under control. Once the situation is steady and you confirm that the damage is minor, you can attempt to dry the outlet yourself. It is advised to not plug anything into a wet outlet for at least a day. A wet outlet in usage can become dangerous. It can instantly shock anyone that comes into contact with it, the pain can then range anywhere from mild to severe. Not only is the outlet already damaged, but it also has the potential to damage any product that gets plugged into it. Thus, the problem begins extending beyond water damage. In extreme measures, wet outlets can catch on fire and create dangers all around. The length of time and cost to resolve the issue will then increase dramatically along with the stress.

So remember, when water damage occurs, become aware of your surroundings.  Keep an eye out for electricity outlets and components. SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino is ready to step in if necessary. Available at (626) 852-9922 feel free to give us a call. We are also available 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Damaged? No Worries

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Carpet in the process of being restored

Having sudden water damage can be stressful and it might give you the feeling that everything that got wet is lost. You think to yourself that you will need to not only fix the issue, but you will have to replace the damaged products as well. However, that is not always the case. SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino specializes in restoration and if possible we will save your products. This benefits you because you will not have to worry about losing valuable items. Some of the items that we can save include books, carpets, beds, cabinets, key documents, hardware, tile, walls and much more.

We do this by arriving as soon as possible and by beginning the drying process. We will aim to save wet areas like walls, cabinets, and floors. We begin the procedure by placing equipment like air movers, drying fans, and air scrubbers on necessary areas to help accelerate the process. The faster that something dries, the higher the chance it can be restored. If necessary, we will also set up dehumidifiers. What this will do is reduce high levels of humidity by extracting water in the air, help get rid of bad odors and reduce the chances of mold growing. After evaluating the situation and setting up the proper equipment, our project managers will contact  you and check in occasionally to evaluate the status. If necessary, they will make changes to make sure the job is being done effectively. 

We will then pack out necessary equipment. For example, damaged carpets, documents, hardware or any valuable item you want to restore. We will then bring them back to our warehouse where our team will use special equipment and techniques to re-establish your items. When you receive them back you will be satisfied, as they will look as good as new. Thus, saving you the stress of shopping for replacements. 

As you can see, here at SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino we are ready to help you and get your life back to normal. If you need assistance don't hesitate to contact us at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Water damage: Drying vs. Removal

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO South Pasadena/San Marino is well versed in water damage/loss. We specialize in assessing what restoration approach to take when it comes to water damage?  In all cases, this depends on the significance of the damage. Are there different methods? The short answer is yes, but every job is different and we tailor the services specific to each job. The basic decision is if we want to attempt to dry the building materials in place or do we have to open up the walls and remove flooring? 

Drying

When it comes to smaller damage i.e. one or two walls of a room, we use a drying method. We fix the air movers on the moisture spots and set up the dehumidifiers. What this does is two things, the air movers suspend the moisture in the air and the dehumidifiers condense the moisture so it can be drained it out of the area. In extreme cases, SERVPRO South Pasadena/San Marino might remove the baseboard and drill holes in the drywall in order to dry the moisture in between wall cavities. After 3 days if there is no progress, SERVPRO has to “flood cut” the Drywall to accelerate the drying process.  If the building materials don’t dry fast enough, there is an increased risk that mold could start growing in the wall cavities.

Removal

If saturation of the water is has risen more than two feet up the walls, this affects the whole room.   Then we perform what’s called a flood cut. In this case, SERVPRO South Pasadena/San Marino would cut out all the drywall two feet around the entire room. 

Bonus: Insulation can be saved if it’s only moist. If it’s wet, then it has to be removed also. 

SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino is clearly the best choice you can make when it comes to any restoration or water damage needs and we service all areas throughout the Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. Call us now for your water loss.

Springtime!

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

The McCann family getting ready for Spring!

Leaving So Soon?

Gorgeous Southern California weather is back again! The beautiful foothills of the San Gabriel Valley are green and the California Poppies are blooming! Are you going out of town soon? 

Before Leaving Town

It is always an important idea to reach out to a family member, friend, or neighbor that you trust to let them know you will be leaving. They can help keep an eye out on your house: mail, pets, and most importantly: water damage. A broken pipe or leaky water heater does not care if you are vacationing in Key West. The sooner water damage is detected, the sooner the damage can be reversed. 

Call SERVPRO of South Pasadena/ San Marino

Joe McCann and his amazing team at SERVPRO South Pasadena / San Marino are available for emergency water damage services 24/7! Joe has over 16 years of restoration experience, no residential or commercial job is too small or too big!

Is the Rain Over Yet?

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

Rain damage destroys a building

Where's the Rain?

In Southern California, it sometimes always feels like a dry season. Thankfully, the beginning quarter of 2021 has been fairly stormy and rainy. The California Poppy and Yellow Mustard Seed flowers are in bloom across the San Gabriel Valley. Making commutes and Los Angeles traffic slightly less blah with the gorgeous wildflower bloom!

Climate Change:

According to researchers, California’s rainy season has started 27 days later than it did in the 1960s. Decades ago, our rainy season began in November, and since California’s fire season is at a yearly high in October, November rains were a huge help in regulating that. Now, our rainy season begins in late December and is concentrated in January and February. A shorter, but sharper rainy season.

Call SERVPRO:

In the event, your home does suffer water damage from rainfall or a storm, be sure to call SERVPRO South Pasadena / San Marino. Joe McCann and his staff are available for emergency services 24/7.

Got Water Damage? We Can Support You

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

Rain, Rain, Go Away?:

What a week it has been in Southern California. So much weather, so little time. The constant bouncing back and forth between rain, hail, snow and blue skies is as fun as it is exhausting. With most families still working remotely and engaged in distance learning, this wacky week of weather can be a welcomed change of pace. For those of us that are commuting to work, and back to in person learning, it can be a headache.

It Pays to be Home:

If you fall under the category of still doing all of life's daily things remotely from home, you are in luck in the sense you are able to keep an eye on your home during these sudden downpours. The biggest tool in flood prevention is being present.

Your City Can Help You:

Most cities have a number of resources to help you protect your home during bad weather. Sand bags, rain barrels, and even barricades for high flood areas may be available at no cost to the homeowner. Call your City Hall, and they will be able to direct you to the right department to see if these resources are available for you. Sand bags are great tools to direct water runoff away from your home. Rain barrels can help collect water runoff to prevent flooding, and barricades can block run off, especially if you are in an area prone to mudslides.

Call SERVPRO:

In the event that your home or garage does flood during a rainstorm, call SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino. They have emergency services available 24/7.

Becoming Familiar With Water Damage

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

If you do experience a flood, our technicians will place plastic on top of the affected areas to dry it out

With the rainy season upon us, it is important to be familiar with water damage.

Water Damage Dilemma

Sudden water damage to your home can be incredibly frustrating. If you find yourself in a situation where water is suddenly onboarding in your residence, immediately call SERVPRO of South Pasadena and San Marino. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Owner, Joe McCann, is always just a phone call away.

Until the water restoration professionals are SERVPRO arrive, there are a few things you can do to help with damage to your house, condo, or apartment. 

Tips To Protect Your Possessions

Move anything of value out of the affected room that you are able to: photos, important documents, artwork, etc. Take old books, or pieces of scrap wood and use them to elevate your furniture. Place wood, books, or even brinks underneath the feet of your furniture to raise them above the waterline. This will help prevent any fabric or wood damage to your couches, chairs, tables, and other furniture of value. 

If you own a Shock Vac, use it to help remove water that has a puddle in your home and help prevent further damage to your carpet or hardwood flooring. Open windows in your home, and turn on any ceiling fans. This will help start the drying process. If you do not own a Shock Vac, perhaps a neighbor can loan you one.

Take pictures of all the damaged areas. This includes walls, baseboards, carpets, hardwood flooring, and all valuables. This will be important to turn into your insurance company when you file your claim. 

Remember SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino

Always remember that SERVPRO has a staff of qualified professionals to answer any and all of your questions. Not only will they help you with your water damage, but they are also qualified to help with mold prevention and remediation. Joe McCann has a plethora of water restoration knowledge!

Water Damage In Your San Marino Home

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

A San Marino resident experienced water damage resulting in hazardous mold. The water damage affected the front living room, bathroom, and kitchen area. SERVPRO of South Pasadena was called to provide mold remediation and water damage services.

How We Handle Water and Mold Damage

The crew disposed of all the wet and mold invested materials, including drywall, flooring, and wood trim. The SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino crew set up containment of a barrier with airlock between the affected area of the San Marino home and the unaffected areas.

Our experienced technicians removed pieces like the toilet, sink, and medicine cabinets in order to reach the water-damaged area and ensure quick and effective drying. The mold-affected areas were carefully treated and sanitized while an air scrubber was set up. Hazardous mold-affected material was disposed of properly by the South Pasadena/San Marino crew. The home was restored from the water damage and extensive mold by the crew and the San Dimas resident's home was cleared after a mold clearance test by a third party. 

No matter the size or severity of the damage,  Joe McCann and his crew are happy to take on any challenge. Mold remediation can be overwhelming for the resident, and that's why it's our motto to make it "Like it never even happened." Need a restoration company you can trust that abides by CDC guidelines? Call SERVPRO of South Pasadena/San Marino today!