 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!
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 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:
Surfaces that are susceptible to damage after a dishwasher leak:
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!  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:
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:
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!  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
Hazards from Debris
Chemical Hazards
Respiratory Hazards
Infectious Hazards
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  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:
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!  As homeowners in the Palm Springs area, most of us use our air conditioning units during most hours from May - September. AC units are a God-send during our hot months, but they can also be a breeding ground for mold. Mold can easily grow in an environments that are rich in moisture and organic material, and with temperatures between 32 and 120 degrees. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can provide such conditions unless you take steps to prevent moisture and mold from accumulating in the system. Here are some tips to help prevent mold in your HVAC system:
Evaluating, protecting and restoring your home after mold damage is our specialty. Our restoration pros can help protect your family from mold damage. If you have (or suspect you may have) mold in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326 to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King!  If you are having a problem with allergies then there's a good chance there could be mold growing somewhere in your home. Common allergic reactions to mold include sneezing, sore eyes and a runny nose or nasal congestion.
Do you notice your allergic reactions are worse when you're at home but you feel better when you go out? If so then it's especially likely you could have mold. If you find that your allergies are worse in some other building, like your workplace, then there could be mold growing there instead. Below are some common signs to watch out for that could indicate you have mold growing in your house: Smelling a Mold Odor When you have mold growing hidden away in your house, often a moldy smell might be the only clue that it's there. Don't ignore mold odors if you can't see any mold. You should thoroughly inspect your home before any mold problems get worse. Seeing Signs of Mold Growth Visible mold growth might seem like an obvious sign of mold. However many people don't notice small amounts of mold growth or they think it's just soot or dirt. Sometimes people simply ignore visible mold in their house. If you can see mold growth, even if it's only small, you should take action immediately. Small mold patches can spread and the fact that there is any mold shows that the conditions in your home are right for mold to grow. If you don't take care of mold it will soon become a bigger problem. Visible mold growth could also be a sign that there is a much larger mold colony growing hidden away from view. Sometimes you might not realize there is mold in your house, especially if it is unusual looking mold. Some mold growth looks white and thread-like. Other mold appears as clusters of small black spots. Mold can be black, gray-brown, gray-green or white in color. Mold growing behind wallpaper made of vinyl can even appear orange, pink or purple. If you have had any long term moisture problems in your house it's usually inevitable they will lead to mold beginning to grow. So if you know you've had some water problems in your home then it's a pretty good sign you could have mold. Some signs that you have a moisture problem include water stains or discoloration on walls, floors or ceilings in your house. Seeing these could be a clue that there is mold growing within or behind the material. Another sign of a moisture problem is surface abnormalities like peeling, bubbling or cracking of the paint or wallpaper. If your walls are bowed, bulging or warped it probably means moisture has gotten into them. Another clue is if the surface of walls or other materials feel damp. Water Leaks The above signs of water problems in homes are usually created by leaks. However if you already know that you have had a water leak (such as leaking pipes or a leaking ceiling) then just that knowledge by itself, even if you don't see signs of water damage, is a good sign that you might have mold growing in your house around the area where the leak was. Mold growth from leaks can often be hidden. If the leak was behind a wall or other surface then any mold will probably be hidden behind the surface too. Even if the leak was not behind a surface there could still be mold hidden out of view behind a wall or other surface from water which seeped through. Past Flooding If your house has been flooded in the past then it's likely that mold would've started to grow. Any mold would probably be growing in places where flood water remained the longest such as in the basement. Floods can often create mold growing out of view behind walls or under floors. Condensation If you see a lot of condensation in your home then it's a sign that you have a high amount of moisture and hence a sign that you could have a mold problem. Condensation will occur on surfaces such as glass windows or metal pipes. Mold could be growing where the condensation builds up and collects. Rusting indoor pipes are a sign that you could have a lot of condensation in your house. Besides the fact that condensation creates a build up of moisture for mold to grow on, condensation can also be a sign that you have a humidity problem in your home. A high humidity level can feed mold and it is another sign that you might have a potential mold problem. Evaluating, protecting and restoring your home after mold damage is our specialty. Our restoration pros can help protect your family from mold damage. If you have mold in your home, call us today at (760) 844-2326 to receive a free estimate. You can Trust in the King!  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! |
AuthorJarrod Hughes Archives
August 2018
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