Ceiling water damage is hard to miss. It’s the very first thing you’ll notice every time you walk into the room. Most ceilings are composed of wallboard that discolors as water soaks in. In addition to causing conspicuous stains, water absorption also compromises the structural integrity of the wall board and poses a real risk that some part of the ceiling may eventually fall in. Whether large or small, ceiling water damage is an issue that needs to be tracked back to its source and resolved. Here are the possible causes:

Roof Leaks
When the affected ceiling is in a room below the attic, rain water penetrating the roof may be dripping down on the attic side of the ceiling. In addition to threatening the solidity of the ceiling, ongoing roof leaks also ruin attic insulation and trigger mold growth. Because water may drip onto the ceiling some distance away from the point where it actually penetrates the shingles and sub-roof, a professional roof inspection is required to pinpoint the location of the leak.

Bathroom Leaks
If the ceiling issue is on a lower floor beneath an upstairs bathroom, the possibilities are obvious. A water supply pipe inside a bathroom wall may be covertly dripping. Leaks can also result from a defective wax seal around the toilet. A particularly troublesome source is the drain pan sealed underneath the shower stall. Leaks in the not-easily-accessible pan manifest as a conspicuous ceiling stain in the room below. Leaks from plumbing inside walls or a defective drain pan under the shower stall should be diagnosed and repaired by a qualified plumber.

Attic Leaks
Hot, humid air accumulating in the attic during summer may trigger chronic condensation on cold air conditioning ducts routed there. It can saturate attic insulation and damage the ceiling below. Wrapping air duct insulation around the ductwork prevents contact with humid air and resultant condensation. Also, bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan ducts in the attic that are leaky or disconnected may continuously discharge warm, moist air onto the ceiling that triggers deterioration.

​If you have ceiling water damage, we can help! Call the pros at King's Remediation at (760) 844-2326​ so we can do an inspection of your ceiling and entire home. Mold can quickly develop with any ceiling leak happens.  You can Trust in the King!

Dishwashers are great, but they also can cause great water damage. Think about your dishwasher breaking down while full of water. The amount of water flowing onto your walls, cabinets and floors would be overwhelming, especially since in most cases the water keeps flowing as the dishwasher doesn't stop the water flow.

In most cases a dishwasher failing causes only a small water flood, but in more complex cases that dishwasher breaking will set you back a thousands of dollars. Even if your insurance covers the repairs, you still will need to pay the deductible.

Worst case scenario:
You're getting ready for work. You put all the dishes in the dishwasher, hit the start button, pick up your keys from the counter, and you and the family are off to a regular day (or at least the start of a regular day). With the workday over, you return for dinner. You open the door, walk to the kitchen, and see a big puddle of water next around the dishwasher. You then check the dishwasher and see it's off, but the water has spread around the kitchen and your walls, cabinets and floors are all soaked.

Causes of dishwater leaks:

• Worn gaskets
• Dishwasher not level
• Wrong dishwashing soap used
• Broken door
• Defective dishwasher tub

Surfaces that are susceptible to damage after a dishwasher leak:
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• Tile
• Wood
• Laminate
• Electrical wiring
• Drywall
• Wallpaper
• Paint

Steps to take after a dishwasher leak:
The moment you notice your dishwasher is or has leaked, make sure to first turn off the dishwasher. Grab a towel or mop and soak up any visible water on your floor. This might mean pulling the unit out from under the counter so you can get any water that has pooled beneath the dishwasher itself. ​

Next, you need to identify the cause of the leak. Was the door slightly ajar? Does the latch not always work? Are the gaskets wearing out? Some problems you can fix yourself, but if you want to be extra confident in the repairs, call a specialist to come out and inspect and repair the unit.

Lastly and most importantly, call the pros at King's Remediation at (760) 844-2326​ so we can do an inspection to ensure that you don’t have any moisture in your flooring, cabinets or walls, which can quickly develop mold.  You can Trust in the King!

Here are a few precautions you can take to safeguard your home from potential fire hazards. Practicing these fire safety strategies will help reduce your likelihood of having a to clean up after a fire:
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• Use a smoke alarm that ties into a mobile app: Using a “smart” smoke alarm will alert you to dangers sooner by sending you notifications if dangerous conditions are detected. Often, these fire prevention devices can work with your security system to give you added protection. In the true fashion of the smart home, there are now many options available that will do the trick:
  • Nest Protect: This device is a smoke and carbon monoxide detector. It also ties in with the Nest thermostat and can be controlled via a mobile device.
  • Onelink: This Wi-Fi smoke and carbon monoxide detector works with Apple HomeKit to alert you immediately of any dangers.
  • Halo: Halo’s version of the smart smoke alarm informs you when something is wrong and sends a notification to your phone.
  • Roost Smart Battery: Do these options seem a little unreachable at the moment? You can always retrofit your existing alarms with the Roost Smart Battery. This 9-volt battery fits over the alarms you already have and will notify you via mobile app when an alarm sounds. As a bonus, the Roost Smart Battery will even alert you when battery levels are running low.

 

• Keep your home clear of any outlying debris: Dispose of any combustible debris that surrounds your home. Clear away anything that could cause a house fire. In addition, keep low-hanging foliage trimmed and a safe distance from the outer reaches of your home.

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• Cover all openings with wire mesh: This fire prevention method keeps any blowing embers from entering your home and catching fire.

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• Safeguard your roof with fire-resistant materials: House fires are frequently started by blowing embers alighting on rooftops. FEMA recommends that homes in fire-prone areas take precautions by replacing roofing using fire-resistant materials. In addition, keep your gutters clean of all debris.

 

• Store any combustible materials away from you home: Grills make for a great cookout, but are not wise to have close to your home when a fire is likely to occur.

 

• Install a fire extinguisher in your home: When all else fails and a house fire does catch, having a fire extinguisher on hand can help you prevent the damage from spreading.

If you have fire damage in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326​ to receive a free estimate. We'll help your family get back in your home quickly and professionally. You can Trust in the King!
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Sprinklers can cause water damage and mold. Many homeowners wonder how can that be especially when sprinklers are just watering their yard. The problem with sprinkler system is that sometimes they don't work properly and are on too long or over-spray. If we still stood outside and watered with a hose we wouldn’t spray the wall for 5 to 10 minutes at a time in the same place, but sometimes our sprinkler systems do that. Many sprinklers systems also run at night and we don’t realize there is a problem until it is too late. Sprinkler systems are a wonderful convenience in our busy lives, but we need to maintain them.

Here are some sprinkler system problems:

• Sprinkler spraying on the walls of the building (sprinkler overspray).
• Plants and grass growing right up against the wall.
• Sprinklers installed too close to the building.
• Broken or leaking sprinkler pipes.

Our walls are like a sandwich. There is the outside wall, the insulating space and then the inside wall. When the outside wall keeps getting wet from a sprinkler system, then the insulation material gets wet, then the inside wall gets wet.  Before you know it, you have a funny smell, then you have a water stain inside, then you see a small spot on the wall, baseboard, or flooring.  You clean off the spot, but the spot keeps coming back.  That spot is probably mold!  Even if you have not noticed a water stain on your interior walls, mold may already be in the inside of your wall.

If your exterior walls look like the one above, you may have a mold problem brewing and you may need a professional mold inspection! Call us today at (760) 844-2326​ to receive a free inspection. You can Trust in the King!

There’s a lot of things that can go wrong if you have a slow leak from your kitchen sink. Let’s run down what can happen and then discuss some things you can do to try and prevent this from happening to you.

Slow leaks are not covered by insurance
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Slow leaks are not usually covered by insurance. This is unfortunate news for homeowners when they discover it. In most cases, If you read the fine print of your insurance policy, you’ll discover a clause that explicitly states your policy only covers sudden water damage losses, not gradual leaks. While you can’t foresee certain accidents happening and protecting against them, your insurer’s position is that you should be able to prevent certain things from happening with regular maintenance. So to them, the fact you never noticed you had a problem is evidence that you were negligent, and any claim would most likely be denied on that basis.

They can cause hidden water damage
​When you have an ongoing leak under your kitchen sink, you can see some discoloration or spotting at the base of the cabinet, what you can’t see is where the water has traveled beyond there until it becomes an even bigger problem. Water can travel through your cabinets and into the flooring below your cabinet. It can then travel up walls that are hidden by the cabinets, saturating both drywall as well as insulation. These can be quite expensive repairs because not only do the cabinets usually need to be replaced, but so does any other areas that got wet. They usually have been wet for too long by the time it’s noticed to be salvaged.

They can cause a lot of mold damage
Mold can make you and your family members very sick. Mold is also very expensive to safely remove. Some homeowners insurance policies do not cover mold removal.

Here's how you can prevent a kitchen sink leak
You can’t totally prevent one. Despite the best preventative measures, sometimes accidents happen. But there are things you can do to both mitigate the risks of it ever happening, and lessen the damage that might occur should a slow leak develop. Here’s some helpful tips:

• Check under your sink every few weeks. Just a quick glance to see if you notice any staining or moisture. You’re probably reaching down there every day to grab soaps or sponges or whatever else you need in your daily life. Every once in a while pull a few things out and just make sure everything is dry.
• Once a year, check the supply lines to your sink to make sure the hoses themselves are in good shape and that the connections are still secure.
• If you’re really concerned about a problem, consider installing a water sensor under your sink. This will alert you to any moisture intrusion so that you can head off any problems at the pass!

If you do have water damage or mold in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326​ to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King!
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At King's we're all about helping your and your family avoid a catastrophic loss due to a flood. So with this in mind, we recommend that you may want to invest in a water alarm system for your home or office. Whether you travel for work or otherwise find yourself out of town for long stretches of time, a water alarm system is a great way to protect your property while you’re away. These systems can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with different bells and whistles, but each is designed to alert you to a potential water leak in your home so that it can be addressed before flood damage happens.

How water alarms work
There’s are many different systems out there. Some sync with your mobile device via an application, while others don’t. Some alert you of a potential issue by sound, and others can send a push notification to your phone when it detects a moisture intrusion. With these types of systems obviously the responsibility is yours to address the problem and take action. Basically you place small devices around potential problem areas like:

• toilets
• under sinks
• next to a hot water heater
• beside your washing machine

Recommended system types
We recommend that you invest in a system that does a couple of things, especially if your home or office is susceptible to flooding and/or you have a high deductible on your insurance or no flood insurance at all:
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1. Syncs with your mobile device so that you can receive a notification should it detect a problem. Let’s say you are out of town on vacation. At a minimum, you can have a neighbor or family member stop by the house and check on things to make sure you don’t have a big problem on your hands when you get back.

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1. Can shut off the water supply to the home remotely. Some systems will do this automatically if it senses there is water leaking somewhere. Others will push a notification to you first and give you the option of remotely shutting things off if you want to. It’s up to you decide which makes sense, but one thing to consider here is that any amount of water will trip these systems. So if you have a small child in the bath and little water hits the sensor by the toilet, it will shut off your home’s water. That can be a minor inconvenience, but it can also end up saving you a lot of money if it stops an emergency water loss situation from occurring.

If you do have a flood in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326​ to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King!
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We're all about fire prevention! There is nothing worse than our team going into a family's home after a fire! Did you know that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries with an average of 430 fires daily? Here are some facts and numbers about home fires that you should know and will help your family in preventing a home cooking fire:
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• Every year, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 156,600 home fires involving cooking equipment.
• Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with 3 times the average number.
• Ranges or cook-tops account for almost 3 of every 5 reported home fires involving cooking equipment.
• Ovens account for 16%. Unattended cooking is a contributing factor in 34% of home fires related to cooking equipment, 50% of the associated deaths and 48% of the associated injuries.
• Failure to clean was a factor contributing to ignition in 17% of reported home fires involving ovens and rotisseries.
• 55% of the civilians injured in home fires involving cooking equipment were hurt while attempting to fight the fire themselves.
• Adults of 75 or over faced a higher risk of cooking fire than other age groups.
• 2 of every 5 microwave oven related ER visits were for scald burns.

If you have fire damage in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326​ to receive a free estimate. We'll help your family get back in your home quickly and professionally. You can Trust in the King!
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Sewage contains contaminants and viruses that present serious risks of illness, so if you have a sewage backup at your home, you need to fix it quickly. However, knowing what causes sewage backups can help you prevent a sewage backup in your home.

Sewage Backup Causes

• Clogs – Sewage can back up into your home when either your home’s drain pipes or main sewer line become clogged. For example, if one toilet creates a sewage backup, the drain connected to that toilet will likely be clogged. But if all toilets or bathtubs in your home create backflows, then there may be a clog in the main sewer line. Clogs can consist of hair, grease, or other solid materials that end up in the drains.
• Tree Roots – Trees can grow really long roots that intertwine with your sewer line. Roots can grow into a pipe and cause holes or crush the sewer line by growing around it. Even if the roots in your yard are not the problem, roots from nearby trees can reach your sewer line and damage it.
• Damaged Sewer Lines – In the past, pipes were made of cast iron and clay piping which don’t last very long. Aging sewage systems can break down and crack, causing  sewage backups and flooded basements. Plastic sewer lines have now become the norm.
• Heavy Rainfall – A large amount of rain can overburden your city’s sewer lines. If the public sewer can’t handle excess rainfall, the water can make its way into connected sewer lines. This puts your home at risk of water backflows.

How to Prevent Sewage Backups

• Don’t pour grease down the drain. Cooking oil can harden within your pipes; it gradually stops debris from draining, creating a clog. To properly dispose of grease or fat, pour it into a heat-resistant container and throw it in the trash after it cools off.
• Dispose of paper products properly. Flushing hygiene products such as paper towels, diapers, or feminine products down the toilet can easily clog your sewer line. Save yourself some trouble and discard paper products in the trash.
• Install a new plastic pipe or cut tree roots. To prevent tree roots from damaging your sewer lateral (the line buried in your yard), replace it with a new plastic pipe. If tree roots still grow in your sewer lateral, cut the roots occasionally.
• Install a backwater prevention valve. This fixture allows sewage to leave but prevents it from backing up into your home. Backwater valves are typically installed into a sewer line and sometimes into a drain line in the basement.

​ If you have sewage damage in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326​ to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King!
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After a flood happens at your home, there are many dangers that provide risks to you and your family. These include dangers from bacteria, mold, electricity and gas. Here's a list of most common hazards following a home flood, and some tips to help you avoid them:

Electrical and Gas Hazards

• Never touch electrical lines, wires, equipment, and fixtures during and after a flood. Report fallen power lines.
• Don’t walk or drive through floodwater if downed power lines are in it.
• Never enter your home if the main power switch was not turned off before flooding. Wait until a qualified electrician has declared your home safe before re-entering.
• Evacuate your home if you detect or smell gas and notify the gas company.

Hazards from Debris 

• In the aftermath of a flood, all kids of debris may be potentially dangerous. Watch out for broken glass, construction or demolition debris, and tree limbs.

Chemical Hazards

• When returning to your home after a flood, be aware of potential chemical hazards that floodwaters could have carried.
• Don’t move propane tanks yourself as they may cause a fire or explode. Call the State Fire Marshal's office immediately.
• If you see car batteries in floodwaters, don’t get close to them to avoid electrical shock. Also beware of any acid that may have spilled from a damaged car battery.

Respiratory Hazards

• Avoid areas with mold growth – it can form within 24-48 hours of a flood. Mold must be removed before moving back to your home. For mold and water damage cleanup, hire a professional damage restoration company, such as PuroClean.
• Run gasoline, propane, and diesel-powered equipment only in well-ventilated outdoor areas to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
• Stay away from building materials that may contain lead, such as painted surfaces and pipes.
• Be aware of asbestos poisoning. Don’t enter areas where asbestos may have been used as construction material.

Infectious Hazards

• You can contract a disease by eating or drinking contaminated products. Floodwaters can directly infect food with bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella or indirectly during a power surge. There’s also the risk of wound infection if you come in contact with floodwater.
• Throw away food that has come in direct contact with floodwater, including bottled drinks and products in jars, or any food that looks and smells unusual. Intact, canned goods may be washed and disinfected.
• Discard perishable foods like meat or eggs, which have been left at above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours.
• Throw away all medicines, cosmetics, and other toiletries that have touched floodwater.
• If you’ve made contact with floodwater, practice good hygiene – wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Don’t let kids play in floodwater or with toys contaminated by floodwater.
• If you have an open wound, keep it clean, cover it with a waterproof bandage, and avoid exposure to floodwater.

Call the Pros at King’s Remediation
Evaluating, protecting and restoring your home after a flood is a lot of work. Our flood restoration pros can help restore your home to it’s pre-flood glory and protect your family from other dangers such as mold damage. We can help you every step-of-the-way, including packing and storing your furnishings and belongings while the work is completed. If you have a flood in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326​ to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King!

Laundry rooms offer the perfect climate for mold growth - heat and humidity. Mold is destructive to the structure of your home and can jeopardize the health of your family. Certain molds can cause illnesses and allergies. Taking steps to control humidity, frequent checks for the beginnings of mold growth and quick clean-up can keep problems at bay.

Keeping humidity in the laundry room below fifty percent will deter mold growth, keep your dryer from working harder and make you feel more comfortable. Humidity can be reduced with a dehumidifier, an open window or a good ventilation system with a ceiling vent. Consider using a semi-gloss paint for the walls and ceiling that has an anti-mold and mildew agent added.

Washers and Mildew Growth
Clothes should be removed from the washer immediately and hung on a clothesline or dried in the dryer. Wet clothes can actually mildew in the washer. If they are removed without treating the mildew, spores can spread and cause more problems.

​Water connections to the washer should be checked frequently for leaks. Even if you don't see a leak, there could be hidden trouble. Using a dry hand or cloth, wipe around each connection to feel for dampness. A water leak will often cause walls to bubble or ripple. It can also cause mold to grow in the insulation behind the drywall. If you see a black or bluish stain on the wall, clean-up must begin immediately.

Washers, especially front-load models, can harbor mold and mildew spores. Frequent cleaning and leaving the door of the washer open after each cycle can help alleviate problems.

Dryers and Mildew Growth
The build-up of dryer lint can also cause mold problems. If at all possible, the dryer should vent outside with an approved rigid dryer duct. The duct should be checked frequently to ensure that it is securely attached to the dryer and is clear of lint. If you feel the transfer of air around the duct when the dryer is operating, there are holes that are leaking moist air. Replace the duct as soon as possible.

We all know that removing the lint from the dryer filter after each use is essential to keeping your dryer operating properly and preventing fires. Lint can also build-up in the dryer vent and around the outside escape vent encouraging mold growth. If you notice a musty smell in your dryer, it's time to clean the vent thoroughly as well as the outside escape.

If you have (or suspect you may have) mold in your home, we can help you remove it. Call us today at (760) 844-2326 to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King
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