Sacramento Water Damage Team

Getting Estimates for Water Damage, What are My Rights?

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:59:06 +0000

I was hit by the floods in the Midwest from the heavy rainstorms a couple weeks back. A restoration company came out and refused to provide me with a written estimate at the time of arrival (promised to fax me one when they got back to the office). They told me they would set up the equipment (dehumidifiers & fans) to draw the water out while they worked on the estimate because the water was so bad. They didn’t provide it to me for 3 days and it was 5 times the price of what another franchisee had quoted of the same company. I immediately told them to remove all equipment and I wouldn’t work with them, now they are trying to get me to pay 75% of the “estimate” because they did “work”?

Sacramento Water Damage Team’s Approach

First off, you should always get an estimate for anything concerning your car or your home, especially when it comes to water restoration or catastrophe like fire. But, most of the time your insurance company should handle something like this without any effort on your part, assuming you had renter or homeowners insurance at the time of the incident. At Sacramento Water Damage Team, we always provide an estimate, and that usually goes to the insurance company. Also, insurance companies have a specific price they will pay for everything we do, so there would never be an issue if you used your insurance company, as they would not pay 5 times the going rate for the water restoration of your home.

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Water damage in commercial building & black & green mold?

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:58:57 +0000

This is a two-part question and hopefully an engineer or water damage/restoration person will answer. I will try to give brief to-the-point facts.

One month ago, the building where I work had a valve on a pipe (not in ceiling, but mid-wall angled at floor) break on the weekend when no one was there.

60,000 sq ft
water coming out at 100 psi

Someone happened to come in late Sun afternoon and there was 2 inches of standing water in the entire building.

Question 1: How long had this water been running out of the pipe?

Professional cleaners brought in dehumidifiers and fans (some are still going). Carpet was wet/damp for at least 4-5 days. Windows do not open anywhere in this building. Two weeks ago, service people pulled a baseboard back and it was covered with black and green mold. They have drilled holes in some walls (not all) to try to dry the sheet rock out. The moisture level in 90% of offices (including mine) is 100% as of last week. Building owner refuses to replace carpet or sheet rock. Numerous people have been sick, including me. They have refused to shut the building down for repairs. I am very concerned for the health of all of us who work there.

Question #2: At this point, what should be done to restore this building to a healthy environment?

I wasn’t really sure what category to put this into; it could probably fit into several.

Thank you!
Yes, this is a one-story building on a concrete slab. Very nice looking building (there are several) and building owner is not hurting for money. Bldg manager has bucked up on removing carpet, etc. Our company insisted on air samples (which bldg manager did not want to do), but finally did after persistence. However, these samples were taken by their people. We do not have the results back yet, but I am not so sure that they will give us accurate results. I think that they are flying by the seat of their pants and have not had a “plan” from the beginning to clean up this mess. They continue to do one silly thing after another thinking it is going to solve the problem. I think that the building should have been shut down immediately and cleaned up, but that didn’t happen. I am sick this week (for the 2nd time) and all symptoms are related to mold exposure.

while i’m not a engineer, i think you’re in trouble. there are some “black molds” that are toxic. maybe you should look to working in a different building. if i had to guess, eventually someone will call the EPA, or CDC, or someone, and it will be determined that the building, as it is, is not habitable. drilling holes will not dry out sheetrock in a reasonable time frame. Not taking up carpets was probably a bad decision, and might be a sign that the owner of the building does not have the money to fix the problem as it should be. that would mean that there’ll be a law suit and the owner will just declare bankruptcy and you’re all on your own after that. Sorry.

to fix the problem, you’d have to remove all the carpet, and any flooring that was wet, and replace it. you’d probably have to remove the sheet rock and replace the wall studs that are still wet. keep in mind, there are many different types of building construction. some are far more prone to absorbing water than others. i presume that it’s only 1 story, but you didn’t say that. that means that i’m just guessing.

good luck.

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Proper way to deduct loss due to water damage?

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:58:52 +0000

I have a new 3-story townhouse. It is my primary residence and it was flooded with 2 feet of water back in Feb due to heavy rains. 11 other units in my neighborhood also flooded. I went the cheapest route I could to repair everything and it cost me approx $4000 but it still isn’t 100% of what it was originally. Maybe 95%. Anyway, I saw in an IRS publication that I can not deduct just my repair costs. I have to have had an appraisal and then take the difference in fair market value as the deduction? I had my home owners insurance do an appraisal of the damages but they did no pay anything to me since I did not have flood insurance. What is the right way to deduct my losses?

This is a casualty loss. Take the value of your home just before the flood, subtract the value of your home just after the flood, now subtract any insurance reimbursements and this is your loss. However, all casualty losses are subject to 10% of AGI (adjusted gross income) which means that if you had a $4k loss and you made more than $40K in the year of loss you are probably not eligible for the deduction. If you made less than $40K see a tax adviser for help, but don’t count on a big tax relief you will be subtracting 10% of AGI from your total loss to calculate your deduction and then the deduction will decrease your INCOME by the remaining amount, not your tax…sorry, it is a lousy deduction.

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I want to check a car for water damage, what do I look for?

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:58:52 +0000

I have the vehicle history report from Carfax and the car was in a flooded area BUT no flood damage was reported. I am looking at a 2005 Toyota Prius with one owner and under 7,000 miles. The car looks great, but I am suspicious because I am in a hurricane affected area and the car has such low milage. It is from one of the big local dealership’s used car lot. It is not Toyota certified as ‘there is no much left on the original warranty that we didn’t certify it, if you want us to it will cost you an aditional $500,’ and I think certifying it adds two years to the warrantee. So, what should I look for to see if there is flood damage??? Thank you for your answers.
You are all giving brilliant answers!!!!!

first use your nose. smell the carpets for mold. look in hidden areas for signs of mud. i foudn the following on the web:
So how can you avoid being taken for a ride when shopping for a used car?

The first thing you should do is check the car’s air filter, looking for signs of a flood car.

if u bought the carfax report then they do offer a guarantee but u will need to read it to see if it would help u. i believe what it says is if the car has a title that says it is not banded and it turns out that it actually has a title that is banded, then they will buy the car back. banded means it has damage listed. i am not sure if it means that someone messed with the title and changed it or what.

“Look for grass and silt, which means it’s a flood car,” said Schnear.

After the hurricanes, many flood cars flooded the used car market. The problem is that after a good soak, wires can corrode, which can be costly.

Next, check the engine oil with a clean rag.

“They may have white or gray material, a lot of carbon on the stick, which means the car may not have had proper care,” said Schnear.

And follow your nose when it comes to checking the transmission: If it smells burnt, say no. That could mean about $2,000 for a transmission repair.

Also, make sure the car’s onboard lights go on.

“An unscrupulous person will remove the light so that you don’t know that there isn’t an airbag to protect you,” said Schnear.

You can also use a mirror to check the springs under the car seat. If they are rusted, that mean’s the car’s been in a flood.

All these things are simple tests anyone can do on their own.

AAA also offers a used car inspection service for members and non-members alike. For around $90 to $95, AAA-approved mechanic will check out the used car to see if it’s worth the money.

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How do I prevent water damage to my furniture and treadmill?

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:58:47 +0000

I recently moved back into my parent’s house and my couch and treadmill were put into the garage for storage. My problem is that when it rains the garage becomes completely flooded with a good 1/2 inch of water. Do you have any suggestions on what I can put under the wood legs of the futon couch, so the water doesn’t damage it? For the treadmill, I would still like to use it while the mat underneath it doesn’t get wet. Thanks.

I store things in the basement by putting cinder blocks down and setting things on top of them or blocks then skids. Cinderblocks are inexpensive and you can probably get skids for free from your local newspaper or a factory.Good Luck:)

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A Guide To Water Removal From Automobiles

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:55:42 +0000

When a car is submerged, every nook and corner is exposed to water. This would definitely require proper water removal procedures to ensure that water is not left in the car. The car will need many steps to remove all the water that has permeated its systems. There is the interior for example. The obvious areas are the carpet and upholstery. These should be removed from the car as soon as possible. These need to be dried in a minimal amount of time to prevent molds and fungus. They should be treated with an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. They should not be reinstalled until all moisture and treatments have dried or been removed.

Let’s break down this process, the upholstery will require vacuuming out all the water from them as soon as possible. Then it needs to be placed into a dehumidifier, with air or low heat driers. The same process should be repeated with the carpet and padding. If possible, the carpet and padding should be removed and replaced. They tend to mold, releasing biological agents into the air of your car which could put your family’s and friends’ health at risk.

You will now understand why a professional is required or why an insurance company often considers a car, that has been submerged, a total loss. Here we will talk about the mechanical aspects of water removal. All the oils and lubricants must be removed, the areas cleaned of all water residue. These areas are the engine oil, the brake fluid, the lubricant from the rear end, the wheel bearings, the automatic transmission; all filters must be removed and replaced. The catalytic converter require a steady pressure to operate properly, thus this is usually removed and replaced. Also the gas tank has been flooded with water. This requires the removal of the tank, flushing it with a water removal agent, putting it back onto the car and refilling it with gas.

Now, the next area of concern is the wiring and computer system. Water removal here is obviously necessary. All are typically removed and replaced or they may continue to have problems in the future. Some of these problems might be ignition coil, fuel injectors, the wiring harness, where your electrical system is centralized. Even small things like control modules might require replacement.

The computer is designed to search out your car’s system to identify a problem. What if this system also is submerged? Will it read your system as it was designed to do? Do you want to take that chance? Well, let’s relate it to the computer you use from your desk every day. If your computer was submerged into water, you would never think of trying to dry it out and depend on it to perform the tasks your require of it daily. Well, would you?

The computer in your car regulates many systems from the operation of the car to the creature comforts. The new DVD players, the mapping systems that directs you to where you wish to travel, the air bags that saves your lives when you are in a serious accident.

This is just a brief summary of water removal from your car that might be required to restore your water damaged car. This article has only scratched the surface of automobile water removal, but hopefully it has giving you enough information to make you double check your professionals’ repairs or lack thereof.

Evie Parrish

http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/a-guide-to-water-removal-from-automobiles-601292.html

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Kilims and Rugs – How to Care for and Prevent Water Damage

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:55:41 +0000

There is nothing worse than seeing your prized possession with a spot or a mark on it and you do not know how it got there or what to do. This article will help you by giving you tips, suggestions and good ideas to take care of this beloved object.

To start with, your hand made Oriental rug or your kilim can survive for decades depending on a number of factors. One determining factor is the quality of the rug you have, if it is a good quality one and you treat it with care, it will surely last a lot more than if your rug or kilim is of an inferior quality. Moreover, there is large number of damages which typically affect rugs, by learning about them and taking the necessary measures to prevent them from happening you will ensure a long lasting life for your treasured rug.

The most common damages are the following ones:
Water damage: It is one of the most frequent. People usually place potted plants over rugs. Once the plant is watered the pot leaks and the rug under the pot remains constantly wet. In a few weeks the foundation of the rug weakens in such a way that it can be easily broken into pieces. So, if you are going to place a potted plant avoid putting it directly over the rug, you can use a stool or some kind of support so as to keep the humidity of the plant away from the rug. Just in case the advice comes too late and you notice that the rug is already wet you should remove it as soon as possible, clean it and allow it to dry completely to avoid damages in the foundation. Another problem related to water is triggered by damp floors (often if the floor is made of cement). Maybe the floor seems to be dry, but just a bit of moisture can produce the proliferation of micro-organisms which can spoil the foundation of the rug.

Moth damage: These insects do not eat rugs, but their larvae consume the fibers and even the knots of the rugs. They prefer to live in areas under furniture, where it is not always vacuumed or in areas with little traffic. In order to avert this, vacuum the surface once a week and several times a year vacuum the back side, the pad and the floor. For areas which are difficult to reach with the vacuum cleaner spray a proper household insecticide for moths. Besides, do not rely on moth crystals, balls or flakes since they are not effective to kill moths, they just repel them.
Dogs and cats damage: Puppies usually chew rugs. To avoid this sprinkle some moth flakes under the rug. Likewise, cats love sharpening their claws on rugs. Though it sounds a bit absurd, the best prevention is to try to control the cats’ activities.
Sun damage: The light of the sun can affect and diminish the colors of the rug. If this is your case, try to avoid direct exposure to sunlight or rotate the rug so as to make the color equal in its entire surface.
Vacuum cleaner damage: Cleaning your rug using a vacuum cleaner is a positive practice but be cautious if your cleaner is equipped with a power brush since a raking effect can be caused on the surface. It is better to use just the plain vacuum nozzle.
Chemical damage: Sometimes rug cleaners bleach the fringe before delivering it. Although the fringe looks nice after that, the process and the substance used weakens the fibers destroying them little by little. If you still want to have white fringes you could dilute the solution used for bleaching.
Storage: If you are about to store your rug, make sure you clean it, spray it with some insecticide and wrap it in plastic before doing it. Most kinds of damages are not difficult to repair, but prevention is better (cheaper and easier) than restoration. If you follow these hints as well as inspecting your rug often and cleaning it only when it is needed your rug will be part of your house for ages.

If you do get a spot or an area that is spilled upon here is what you can do:
Blot, never scrub spots on a rug. Scrubbing can damage the nap on a carpet. Test all spotting products in an inconspicuous area first and look for color change. If the color bleeds or you are unsure how to proceed consult a professional. Remove as much of the spill as possible before adding spotting products. Work from the outer edges of a spot to the center. Never saturate a spotting area with a liquid. Only spot with small amounts of cleaning products. Drying small areas can be accomplished with a hair dryer with the heat setting off.

Spotting Guide
Beer – Use mild detergent followed by rinsing with vinegar solution, rinse with water
Blood – Blot with ammonia solution followed by vinegar solution, rinse with water
Candle wax – scrape excess off, cover are with paper and iron on low setting, then spot with dry solvent.
Chocolate – spot with dry cleaning solvent and let dry, apply mild detergent, rise with water.
Coffee – Blot with mild detergent and rinse with water.
Egg – Spot with mild detergent, rinse with water
Fingernail polish – Blot with dry cleaning solvent

Fruit juices, jam & jelly – Blot with mild detergent, rinse with water
Grease – Spot with dry cleaning solvent, spot with mild detergent, rinse with water
Gum – Scrape off excess and apply dry cleaning solvent, apply mild detergent if needed and rinse with water.
Ink – Spot with dry cleaning solvent, spot with mild detergent, rinse with water
Milk – Spot with mild detergent rinse with vinegar solution, rinse with water, spot with dry cleaning solvent if needed
Paint – Apply dry cleaning solvent followed by mild detergent, rinse with water
Soft drinks – Spot with mild detergent, rinse with water
Soot – Spot with mild detergent, rinse with water, if not removed, spot with dry cleaning fluid
Tea – Spot with mild detergent, rinse with water
Urine – Spot with mild detergent, rinse with vinegar solution, and rinse with water, repeat process if needed
Vomit – Spot with mild detergent, vinegar solution, rinse with water
Wine – Fresh wine spills use white wine to spot followed by mild detergent and rinse with water.

If in doubt,consult your local rug professional.they can clean it for you.

Take care of you rug!

Bill Kernodle

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/kilims-and-rugshow-to-care-for-and-prevent-damage-66636.html

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Illinois Rebounds From Water Damage Cleanup

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:55:40 +0000

Illinois has its share of people whose homes are damaged due to flood or water repair. It’s not easy to sit there and see a lot of moisture trying to damage your property. However, water restoration cleanup is Illinois can help people get back on their feet again. Restoration SOS can handle the task of water damage restoration. They work to remove water damage and mold as a result from one of the following: Flood clean up Fire Leaky pipe Clogged sewage Other natural disasters Their methods for removing the above include drying, deodorizing and disinfecting the contaminated areas. In addition to that, they work on restoring your property to its natural state. The technicians make it a priority in being successful to having the property restored to normal. Technicians realize that natural disasters can strike at any time. Therefore, they are waiting and prepared to assist in time of need. It is important that water damage is removed from the area as soon as possible. If this is not done, mold, mildew or corrosion can set in. Your home or other property can experience discoloration or splitting of the framework. With increased moisture, people can be prone to health issues such as chronic lung diseases. The company uses an array of equipment to get the job done. Some of that includes: A infrared camera to use to investigate moisture Dehumidifiers to bring down humidity levels Dehumidifiers to produce dry air Agents that are used to thoroughly sanitize affected areas Anti-Microbial solution to rid of bacteria Pumps that use gas to remove waters System that effectively dries hardwood flooring Machines that extract water Air movers that use high velocity to produce air flow Sensors Moisture meters With water damage cleanup in Illinois, air drying is one of the methods used to dry out the affected areas. You don’t have to spend a lot of money doing this, but there is more time involved. This can be done by leaving windows open. However, the area can also be dried using industrial fans. Doing it this way would speed up the process and would provide circulation at a faster pace. The company offers emergency service at a moment’s notice. They are available 24 hours a day everyday. They are able to handle any issue regarding water loss or water damage. Their equipment and resources are second to none and they do their best to make sure that the customer is satisfied.

Josh Allen

http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/how-illinois-rebounds-from-water-damage-cleanup-514790.html

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Flood and Water Damage in your Home

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:55:39 +0000

The distribution of human populations close to water is the chief cause of floods, not geology or the weather. Floods from the sea can cause overtopping of flood-defenses like dikes and flattening of dunes or buffs. The worst floods usually occur when a river overflows its banks. Periodic floods occur naturally on many rivers, forming an area known as the flood plain.

The most likely appliances to flood your home and cause water damage are the water heater and washing machine, according to a study released February 15, 2005. Carried out by Safeco Insurance, the study demonstrates that one out of every 10 water-damage claims can be traced back to a fault in one of these two appliances, which are more likely than Mother Nature to cause damage in the home.

In the winter, ice dams and bursting pipes can ruin your carpets and cause water damage to ceilings and walls. An ice dam is a buildup of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof, frequently at the gutter, blocking water from draining off your roof. As a precaution against roof leaks from an ice dam, you can install a water-repellent membrane under your roof covering.

You can begin restoration efforts on your own once you know how your home insurance company intends to handle your claim. Try opening windows to air out your home and start cleaning out any excess water that remains in your home by mopping or blotting water off surfaces. You will want to get as much water out of your home as quickly as possible before the items begin to mold or develop an unpleasant mildew odor.

You may need a professional water damage restoration company, which has skilled technicians, expert cleaners, biocides, extraction, drying and dehumidifying gear, and moisture gauging and monitoring tools.

Flood insurance covers damage from rising ground water, not things like a broken pipe or a leaky bathtub. Still, it’s a good idea, since homeowners’ insurance only covers damage from wind-driven rain.

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What you Should Know About Mold and Water Damage

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:55:36 +0000

The harmful effects of mold span the immune system and respiratory system. Most molds grow on wood, fiber, or paper that has gotten wet for more than a few days. One of the main causes of household mold is water damage that is improperly repaired. Whenever these kinds of situations arise, it is essential not only to the vitality of the home, but to the health and well being of its occupants as well to repair and mold and damage from water whether you are in Houston or Hawaii. There are many methods that you can use to repair water damage in home depending on the location of the damage.

Knowing What to Repair

You can determine many of the repairs that need to be made by simply looking around the home for the places that water damaged. Sometimes basement water damage is easier to fix than water damage in other parts of the home because there is less furniture and other amenities in the basement. Once you have determined the places that need water damage, then you can start to make the repairs.

Completing the Repairs By Clearing The Air

When you have finished making the repairs, it might be difficult to keep your home free of mold. Your health is at stake here and may have already been affected because of mold spores caused by the water damage. Sometimes there could be even the slightest amount of moisture in even the most remote locations of the home that can cause mold to form that releases harmful spores into the air. At the very least, you need to get a good air purifier. You need to act fast to find and clean the mold. You should also hire a professional to conduct an air quality lab report in order to determine if your air quality is safe for breathing. If the professional determines that the air quality is not desirable, then he or she will make recommendations as to what you can do to make sure the air is safe.

Regardless of the location, water damage should be repaired so that mold does not grow inside the home and the air quality remains at a safe level.

Adam O’Connor

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-you-should-know-about-mold-and-water-damage-80480.html

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