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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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!

Are your water bills are alarmingly high?  Is there excessive water or mold under your carpet? Do you hear running water when all your water is turned off? Your may have a leak under your home's foundation. A leak occurs under a slab when a pipeline under your house's foundation or along the walls develops a steady leak.

The water that is running out of the broken pipe under your house's "slab" may cause severe damage to your home. A home with a slab leak is a structure that has the possibility of collapsing. Slab leaks are a plumbing nightmare because they can be expensive and time consuming to fix.  

Here are some causes of a slab leak under your home:
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• Bad Pipes at the time of Construction: ​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.

 

• Older 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.

 

• Strong or 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. 

The experienced technicians at King's remediation, a water damage restoration company in the Palm Springs area, will locate the source of the leak under your foundation quickly and carefully. If you have a slab leak in your home, we can help! Call us today at (760) 844-2326 to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King!
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​Whether a flood is caused by ground water, falling water, or home water system malfunction, there are some best practices you’ll need to employ within the first hours after the flood to ensure the safety of your home and family and give you the best outcome possible with your insurance company. Here are our recommendations:

Avoid Additional Risks
If the flood was serious enough for you to leave your home, be sure you stay safe upon your return. The Federal Emergency Management Agency warns that you should check for any visible structural damage, such as warping, loosened or cracked foundation elements, cracks, and holes before entering the home and contact utility companies if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, and sewer lines.

In addition, it’s important to have a working flashlight and turn off all water and electrical sources within the home. Even if the power isn’t operational, it’s a good idea to go to your fuse box and turn off the main, plus all of the individual fuse connections. That way, if the power is reactivated, you’re not at risk for mixing standing water and electricity.

Take Pictures
Before you remove any water or make any repairs, fully document the damage for your insurer by taking photos or video. Digital versions are best because they can be stored electronically and easily copied. If you start removing water or making repairs before you photograph the damage, you could potentially decrease the extent of your coverage.

Protect Your Health
Even if the water in your home is clear, it could be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. Wear waders, hip- or waist-high waterproof boots. In addition, wear rubber gloves to remove water-damaged possessions and to avoid contaminants. Be sure to throw out any food that may have come into contact with flood waters. FEMA recommends boiling water until authorities declare the water supply is safe.

Call Your Insurance Company
Since you should notify your insurer soon as possible after the flood, it’s a good idea to keep your insurance company and local agent’s phone number in your always-ready emergency bag. In cases where a flood has affected a region or community, your agent may be busy handling his or her own flood issues. In that case, contact the insurance company’s headquarters.

Advise your insurance representative of the state of your home and any repairs you intend to do immediately. Be sure to follow the insurance company’s direction about whether or not to wait for an adjuster to inspect the property before making repairs. Document the damage and conversations at every stage of the process.

Find Out if You're in a Disaster Area
Once a region has been officially declared a “disaster area” by government authorities, property owners have access to increased resources, including public services to protect and remediate the area. In addition, you may have access to financial assistance. Your insurance company will have additional information on this or you can contact FEMA directly.

Remove Water
Once you get the OK from your insurer to remove the water, use a sump pump, available from most hardware or home supply stores for $150 to $500, and a wet vac ($40 to $130). Water is heavy—a cubic foot weight 10 lbs.—so be careful not to injure yourself, especially if you’re carrying buckets of water up and down stairs. Open doors and windows to allow fresh air to circulate so long as that won’t allow in more water.

Mitigate Mold Damage
Mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours of a flood, so remove wet contents, including carpeting and bedding, as soon as possible. If an item has been wet for less than 48 hours, it may be salvageable. However, you’ll need to decide whether it holds enough monetary or sentimental value to try to do so. And notify your insurance company before removing items to ensure that you’re not affecting coverage. Always photograph the flood-soaked items.

Rugs, for example, may be dried and then cleaned professionally. Large pieces of furniture that are saturated will likely be difficult to dry effectively, and should often be discarded.

Mold growth can be controlled on surfaces by cleaning with a non-ammonia detergent or pine oil cleaner and disinfecting with a 10% bleach solution. (Caution: Never mix ammonia and bleach products, as the resulting fumes can be highly toxic.) Always test this solution on a small area of the item or area you’re cleaning to be sure it doesn’t cause staining or fading.

Take photographs before removing wet wallboards and baseboards because insurers will want to see the height of any water damage to walls. Carefully poke holes at floor level in the drywall to allow water trapped behind it to escape.

Secure the Property
As the homeowner, it’s your responsibility to secure the property so that no additional damage occurs. Put boards over broken windows and secure a tarp as protection if the roof has been damaged. Again, take photographs to prove to the insurance company that you have done everything possible to protect your home against further damage.

If the home is habitable, take precautions to keep yourself and your family safe from injury. Use flashlights to move around dark rooms, for example. If the home isn’t habitable, don’t try to stay there. Move to a shelter or alternate location. Consult your insurer to find out what provisions the company will make for temporary housing while your home is being repaired.

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!