Recent Water Damage Posts

expert water damage restoration in Antioch

10/8/2024 (Permalink)

water damage in ceiling water damage in ceiling

Even a small amount of water can cause significant damage to your home or office if left standing for too long. Equally important is the source of the water. Whether it’s a leaky dishwasher or something more serious like a flooded basement due to frozen or burst pipes, the team of experts at SERVPRO of Antioch are a professional water damage restoration company that can quickly and affordably serve you.

If you have standing water, this can be very dangerous to a home or office. Whether it’s on the main floor, in the basement or in a crawlspace, it can lead to major problems like mold and mildew and even structural issues that can become very costly to repair. No matter the source or the cause of the water intrusion, we’re here to help. We use state-of-the-art equipment and technology for water extraction and drying in order to get your place back to normal as quickly as possible.

There are many complications that can come with unexpected water intrusion. Time matters, so call us to get fast and efficient service to avoid dangerous mold, rotting wood, electrical problems, and rusting of metal.

We will work with your insurance company and bill them directly for the water damage. Our goal is to return your home or business to its pre-emergency condition in as little time as possible.

Our   Services

  • 24-hour emergency response
  • Comprehensive water damage restoration
  • Water extraction
  • Water mitigation
  • Drying
  • Dehumidification
  • Deodorization/odor control
  • Mold remediation

We offer professional water removal and water damage restoration while delivering customer service that is second to none. Call SERVPRO of Antioch  24/7 925-706-0106 with all your water damage questions and top-quality services at the best prices.

SERVPRO of Antioch  is a Water Damage Restoration Company that proudly serves Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, Discovery Bay, Contra Costa County, Concord, Walnut Creek and Rio Vista area 

Do's and Don'ts if you have a water damage

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

Water Damage Do’s and Don’ts.

Water damage can be caused by anything from a toilet overflow or to a pipe that’s busted in your wall, it’s important to know how to clean up the damage properly to reduce long term effects. Let the experts of SERVPRO of Antioch help you with the cleanup.

Do’s:

Call a professional- This is especially important when it comes to larger losses or floods since they can cause more serious damages such as mold.

Dry standing water- Whenever possible, dry as much standing water as you can with or vacuums. You can also use box fans to assist with dry.

Remove saturated items – You should remove saturated rugs especially if on a hardwood to an area that can dry out thoroughly.

Call your homeowners insurance company – It's incredibly important to place a call to the homeowner’s insurance claims department and start the process of the claim. It’s good to know what is covered under your policy.

Don’t:

Don’t operate electronics – Avoid operating TV’s, vacuums or any other appliances when standing on wet flooring especially concrete. This could result in serious injury.

Don’t use heat to dry – In closed environments you shouldn’t use heat to dry because it can increase the growth of mildew.

Don’t leave wet contents – Whenever possible separate wet clothing and lay them out to dry. If boxes of items get wet, try to remove loose articles from box and allow to dry.

Don’t wait – Don’t wait, call SERVPRO of Antioch right away when you have water damage so we can guide you in the right direction.

If you ever have any questions, please call SERVPRO of Antioch  24/7 925-706-0106 we are always here to help

Have Water Damage in your Antioch Home? Here are some do's and don'ts

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

water damage to bathroom ceiling Bathroom with water damaged ceiling.

Water Damage Do’s and Don’ts.

Water damage can be caused by anything from a toilet overflow or to a pipe that’s busted in your wall, it’s important to know how to clean up the damage properly to reduce long term effects. Let the experts of SERVPRO of Antioch help you with the cleanup.

Do’s:

Call a professional- This is especially important when it comes to larger losses or floods since they can cause more serious damages such as mold.

Dry standing water- Whenever possible, dry as much standing water as you can with or vacuums. You can also use box fans to assist with dry.

Remove saturated items – You should remove saturated rugs especially if on a hardwood to an area that can dry out thoroughly.

Call your homeowners insurance company – It's incredibly important to place a call to the homeowner’s insurance claims department and start the process of the claim. It’s good to know what is covered under your policy.

Don’t:

Don’t operate electronics – Avoid operating TV’s, vacuums or any other appliances when standing on wet flooring especially concrete. This could result in serious injury.

Don’t use heat to dry – In closed environments you shouldn’t use heat to dry because it can increase the growth of mildew.

Don’t leave wet contents – Whenever possible separate wet clothing and lay them out to dry. If boxes of items get wet, try to remove loose articles from box and allow to dry.

Don’t wait – Don’t wait, call SERVPRO of Antioch right away when you have water damage so we can guide you in the right direction.

If you ever have any questions, please call SERVPRO of Antioch  24/7 925-706-0106 we are always here to help

Choosing a Professional mitigation company in the Antioch, Ca , Contra Costa County

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Servpro of Antioch work truck SERVPRO of Antioch Ca, Contra Costa County Serving our Community in our vehicle

Just imagine, you come home from vacation to find your home flooded by water throughout your home. The first thing you think is who can help in this type of situation? Most people think that they should call a contractor since they build houses, but there’s a difference between a general contractor and a restoration contractor. As a professional water restoration company, we try to restore, rather than replace. Most contractors job is to replace everything that is affected, such as flooring, drywall, cabinets and even furniture. SERVPRO of Antioch technicians are certified and qualified in drying and cleaning water damage to IICRC industry standards. The average dry time is 3-5 days and only remove materials that can’t be dried by our protocol. Restoring your home is more cost efficient than replacing materials in your home. We work with all home insurance carriers and are here to help 24/7 for your emergency losses. Call us at 925-706-0106

September is National preparedness month

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Emergency preparedness items. Prepare for a disaster, have the correct items on hand and ready to go.

September Is National Preparedness Month

Local SERVPRO disaster mitigation specialist says the COVID-19 pandemic is a tough reminder that “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”

Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates September as National Preparedness Month to promote the importance of family and community disaster planning. This year’s theme, “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today,” resonates strongly as local communities and communities around the world battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For disaster mitigation specialists like Michael Borders of SERVPRO® of Antioch, the scope and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of everyday life, health, and well-being have magnified the importance of SERVPRO’s ongoing message to the communities it serves: When disaster strikes, preparedness is the best defense.

“Before COVID-19 exploded into a global crisis, ‘disaster preparedness’ for the everyday home or business owner was largely dictated by the hazards unique to their location or their business,” said Borders. “For some, that meant preparing for hurricanes and water damage, for others, tornadoes, flooding, wind damage, or even wildfires. But COVID-19 taught us that everyone – individuals and business owners alike – needs to be prepared for a national emergency that may disrupt food and medical supplies, transportation systems, schools, businesses, and every single aspect of everyday life that we take for granted. We’ve learned that no matter where you live or work, in addition to your ‘disaster’ preparations, making certain that you have a stock of some basic items on hand can make a huge difference if a national or global event suddenly disrupts – or even stops – everyday life.”

Borders emphasizes that everyone still needs to have a disaster preparedness plan in place. FEMA provides easy-to-use disaster planning guidelines at https://www.ready.gov, and home and business owners both can take advantage of free tools like the SERVPRO READY app at https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp. The app stores essential contact and property information electronically where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes. Local business owners can take an additional preparedness step by designating SERVPRO of Antioch as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a no-cost assessment of the facility and assist the owner in completing a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) to be stored in the READY app.

But, Borders says, COVID-19 has taught us we need to rethink and add to our disaster-preparedness toolkits. “We are all still struggling with a ‘disaster’ that has disrupted not only our lives and our jobs, but our entire community, our society, and the supply chain that we depend on.” While in retrospect, the shortages of some of these items have become the stuff of urban legend, Borders says it’s a good idea to stockpile a supply of items for which there are no easy substitutes. “Toilet paper; yeast and flour for breadmaking; detergents; canned foods, fruits, and vegetables; pet foods and cat litter; fresh dairy items; diapers; and a host of other items were in short supply for weeks at the beginning of the crisis,” said Borders. “Think back on those weeks and keep a supply of the things that you just don’t want to do without – along with some shelf-stable dairy items, dried beans, and frozen meals. Use them before they expire but be sure to replace them.”

The disaster remediation specialists at SERVPRO of Antioch extend their sincere sympathy to those who have lost loved ones or have been otherwise affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For Antioch-area commercial and residential customers, SERVPRO of Antioch continues to specialize in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened.” For more information on SERVPRO of Antioch, please contact Michael Borders at (925) 706-0106 or Mike@SERVPROofantioch.com. For more information on SERVPRO® and the SERVPRO Emergency READY Program, please visit https://ready.SERVPRO.com.

About SERVPRO

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO franchise system is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,800 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO system has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

Antioch Residents Protect your home from above ground pool flooding.

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

damage above ground pool above ground pool, Contra Costa County Antioch

An overflowing pool is normally not a good sign. The main cause of overflowing pools is usually a large rainstorm. What happens if above ground pool overflows usually depends on the landscaping you have surrounding your pool. Ideally, if you have a proper drainage system, the excess rainwater will only mess with your pool water chemistry. But large quantities of precipitation combined with an overflowing pool and poor drainage can cause problems such as flooding, structural damage to the surrounding buildings as well as out of balance swimming pool water chemistry. No fun. This article will go over some steps to prevent a heavy-duty rainstorm from causing a massive headache.

Proper Drainage

Ideally, drainage was something that was considered before the swimming pool was ever installed. The potential energy of such a large quantity of water could be devastating if it were all to be unleashed at one time. But even small amounts of water leakage could cause problems for your house, yard, and other structural elements. Making sure your yard is landscaped properly to allow for easy drainage is paramount for flood prevention. Water should run away from your house and other structures. It’s also important to make sure your deck or house or shed rooftop doesn’t empty into your swimming pool when it rains. Not only will this prevent overflowing, but it’ll make it much easier to keep your water properly balanced.

Overflow Prevention

If you know your area is going to get hit with large amounts of rain you can take the preemptive step of lowering your water level by a few inches. This will prevent pool overflow and allow your yard to deal with the rainfall without the added pressure of your pool emptying out onto it as well. A little prevention can save you a lot of trouble. Keeping an eye on the weather report is an easy alternative to backyard flooding.

The Problem with Rainwater

Even if your pool doesn’t overflow, a large amount of rainwater can seriously mess with your water chemistry. Rainwater is typically acidic and can cause the pH levels of your swimming pool to begin to drop. This can cause a chain reaction of events which can make pool maintenance a huge nightmare. Low pH not only makes the water cloudy and uncomfortable for swimmers, it causes chlorine to break down which allows algae and bacteria to grow. Over the long term, low pH can cause pool components to rust, grout, and concrete to etch and cause the liner to weaken and deteriorate. That’s why it’s important to rebalance your water chemistry as soon as possible after a large rainfall. The longer you wait to do this, the harder it will be to get things balanced and the more likely your pool will sustain damage.

What to do after you have a water loss in your Antioch home

10/21/2021 (Permalink)

bathroom water loss Bathroom water damage, drying equipment used to mitigate water damage. Antioch, CA contra Costa County East bay

No one ever wants to find water damage in their home, but reality is that most homeowners will have to deal with it at some point. How the issue is handled is extremely important. Water damage can be caused by a broken pipe in the wall or toilet overflow or even a major storm.

Whatever the situation a fast response time is always key to handling your water damage and minimizing the chance of mold growth. There are a few steps that should take place when water damage is discovered.

Determine source and stop

When water damage is caused by a broken pipe or supply line in the home, you should turn off the water to the home. You may be able to shut it off at the main if not you may have to contact a plumber for assistance. In some cases, like when dealing with storm intrusion there is no main to turn off and really no way to stop the water from affecting the home.

Perform Water Mitigation

To perform water mitigation, which is the process of drying out the property the source of water should be off. Professional remediation services are available to help you dry out the property faster than a homeowner could do on their own. The dry out process includes extraction of bulk water, removal of affected materials that can’t be dried and drying of remainder materials that can be dried.

Professional Assistance

Nobody wants to deal with water damage in their home, but when it does happen there are companies that can assist with the process and make the experience a little more bearable. SERVPRO of Antioch is the company to call to help you overcome the situation. We are a local company that offers immediate response to any size disaster. Call us at 925-706-0106

How to detect signs of water damage in your home, Antioch, Ca Contra Costa County

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

Water staining Antioch Water damage, contra costa County water damage

You may think a water leak, or a busted pipe would be easy to detect and definitely something you’d notice right away. The truth is, sometimes the signs of water damage are hidden – behind your walls, under your floorboards, or even on the exterior of your house. Whether the situation happened an hour ago or a month ago, there are several ways to remedy the problem with water damage repair and a reputable restoration company. First and foremost is finding the source.

What to Look For

Water damage can take on different colors, textures, and even smells, depending on the type of location of the damage. For instance, ceiling water damage is usually easier to spot than water damage in a basement because you will see stains and discoloration on a ceiling but may not know that a musty odor can be a sign that there is a problem on the lower level of your home. Learn these telltale signs so that you can identify an existing problem and be prepared to spot it in the future.

Water Accumulation 

The most obvious sign that you’ve got water damage on your hands (or that it will become a bigger problem) is areas of standing or pooling water. These can result from old or malfunctioning appliances including washers, water heaters and toilets. A puddle could also occur from a leaking roof, or from drainage pipes if the water is on the outside of your home.

Discoloration 

With ceiling water damage, look for water spots and stains. The area may appear wet or dry and can be a yellow, brown, or copper color. Walls may also have bubbling, cracking, or peeling paint or wallpaper in addition to staining.

Changes in Texture

While flooring can also show discoloration like ceilings and walls do, the main sign of water damage in floors is detected by changes in texture. This is a result of water seeping into the floorboards and areas underneath them. Some common texture variations include:

  • Warping – caused by changes in humidity and temperature, resulting in gaps between floorboards or curling at the edges. (Ceilings may also become warped from water damage.)
  • Buckling/bp – Occurs in wood floors when one side of the wood becomes detached from the substrate and “tents,” or faces upward.
  • Sagging/Sinking – You may notice soft spots in hardwood floors due to rotten wood, which feels spongy compared to normal wood. Water can seep into subflooring of all types of flooring material and cause sagging.
  • Expansion – Wood and laminate floors will “expand” when they absorb too much water because the material swells and then separates.

Odor

Odors caused by mold and mildew could implicate a water damage problem. The smell may come from basements, walls, or other areas where water has been accumulating for a while. Certain drywall materials can act like a sponge and become full of moisture because there is low air circulation. This is the perfect conditions for mold to develop, which will eventually result in visual discoloration (usually black spots) and a detectable odor.

Common Places/Causes

Water damage can occur in any part of your home; however, there are some areas that are more high-risk than others. Make a checklist and inspect each area in your home to know where and what to look for when it comes to identifying water damage.

Ceilings

Ceiling water damage can come from a few sources. If the room is on the top story of a home, it could be from a leaky roof caused by rain or melting ice/snow in the winter months. If there is a bathroom above the ceiling with wall damage, it could be from a burst pipe or cracks in the floorboards.

Walls

One of the easiest ways to spot water damage is water stains on walls (and ceilings). Make sure to also check around door and window frames. An unusual stain could be a sign of a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall.

Flooring

There are many things that can cause water damage to floors – overflowing sinks/bathtubs, flooding from faulty appliances and bad pipes. Hiring a water damage restoration company is the best way to pinpoint the exact cause of flooring water damage.

Exterior/Foundations

The exterior of your home can also experience water damage. If there isn’t proper drainage in the yard or if the gutter spouts don’t carry runoff water far away from the house (or if the gutters leak), water can pool next to the house and if left untreated, cause even more damage to your home’s structure.

Attics/Roofs

Stains, mold and wet or swollen installation are signs of a leak in the attic. If your roof has cracked, curled, or missing shingles, damaged flashing, or signs of wind/rain damage, it could be vulnerable to leaks, which could result in water damage. Weather in colder climates can cause ice dams to develop on the roof, which can leak into the attic when snow and ice melts. Pay attention to possible problem areas including around roof vents and chimneys, the flashing (where the roof connects with the walls) and the valleys (where two roof planes connect) to help prevent water damage.

Appliances

Check behind refrigerators, washers/dryers, hot water heaters and toilets/sinks for any sign of pooling or leaking water. An appliance or bathroom component (toilet/sink/shower) will most likely cause water damage because of a faulty piece of equipment that isn’t easily seen. For example, a cracked hose or loose connection means that these parts may fail soon and could cause leaking in your home – which could lead to water damage.

What to Do If You Find It

If your home has water damage or even if you suspect that you may have a problem, SERVPRO of Antioch is here to help. Call into our office 24/7 and schedule an inspection. Our highly knowledgeable and trained inspector will help possible locate the source and guide you into the next steps to take. Many times, your homeowners insurance will be able to help. SERVPRO of Antioch works with all major insurance companies and we can help you navigate your loss.

24 hour emergency services water damage response, Antioch Bay area, East Bay Contra Costa county

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

water damage to ceiling extensive water damage to ceiling from upstairs water damage. Easy bay , Antioch, Contra Costa county

SERVPRO of Antioch is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help

Call Today - 925-706-0106

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Antioch has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Your insurance information (if applicable)
  • The street address of the water-damaged home or business
  • When did the flooding or water damage occur?
  • What caused the water damage (if known)?
  • Is there electricity available (on-site)?