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Water damage is one of the worst problems a business can have. Even a small flood can cause significant financial costs and even permanent data loss. That’s why, if you notice signs of water damage in your facility, it’s best to call in a commercial water damage restoration company in San Diego ASAP. 

To prevent water damage from happening at your workplace and be able to deal with it effectively when it does occur, you should first take a moment to inform yourself about the 6 most common causes of water damage in commercial properties. That’s what we’ll be discussing in this article. Read on to learn more. 

What causes water damage in commercial properties?

There are several reasons that can lead to your premises having water problems and suffering damages as a result. 

These include:

1. Damaged roof

A leaking roof can lead to serious damages to a property, up to and including mold infestations and electrical fires. In extreme cases, the ceiling itself can collapse. This is especially dangerous if the roof is damaged and the weather conditions worsen, as heavy snow and rainfall can significantly accelerate the deterioration of the roof structure.

2. Clogged gutters

Clogged gutters can cause water to spill into the roof structure or soak the walls. If certain parts of the walls are damp to the touch or you see puddles forming near the foundation, then it is time to consult with the professionals.

3. Damaged windows

Improperly sealed or damaged windows can cause water to accumulate within and around their frames and create moisture inside the building. If the problem is not remedied early on, it may lead to a mold infestation or even cause leaks inside the walls.

4. Damaged HVAC system

Malfunctioning air conditioners and HVAC systems can sometimes spring water or refrigerant leaks that can damage their surroundings and even pose a health hazard. For this reason, it is essential to regularly maintain and clean these systems.

5. Leaking sprinkler system

Regardless of the size of the sprinkler system, each has a number of pipes that consist of numerous joints and screws that can loosen over time or otherwise deform and lead to water leakage. In the winter months, it is especially important to pay attention, because low temperatures can lead to more serious problems.

6. Sewer clogs

Contact professionals as soon as you notice the first signs of a clogged sewer. In addition to water damage, sewage carries harmful microbes and parasites that can severely endanger the health of the building’s occupants.

7. Faulty plumbing

Old or improperly installed plumbing systems can start leaking, become clogged, or even freeze in cold weather. All of these problems can result in severe leaks and other issues that may not be readily apparent without specialized equipment.

This is why having your plumbing systems inspected regularly by a qualified plumbing service that has access to thermal imaging equipment and other high-tech inspection devices is crucial to avoid more severe problems in the future.

Where can I find the best commercial water damage restoration in San Diego?

Risk Free Serv is the leading water damage restoration service provider in San Diego. We take our job very seriously and hire only the best technicians available. Our crew consists of fully certified experts who have many years of experience in the field. We will do our best to finish the work as quickly as possible and let you get back to your daily routine. Whether your building is in Downtown San Diego or elsewhere, you can rely on our emergency service to arrive quickly and deal with your problem in an efficient manner. Get in touch with us now!

If your home has been affected by a sewage backup, do not panic. Sewage backups can happen to anyone. Nevertheless, in addition to being an inconvenience, a sewage backup can do serious damage to your home and cause a number of health problems.

If you’ve had such an emergency in your house or apartment in San Diego, make sure to call experienced sewage removal services to resolve these unpleasant situations as soon as possible. Nevertheless, there are some crucial steps that you should take while waiting for the professionals to arrive. Keep reading to learn more.

What to do after sewage backup?

You may have missed earlier warnings of a sewage backup, but you should be prepared to clean sewage backup and take preventive measures to keep it from spreading.

1. Safety first

Wear a protective suit and restrict access to the affected area for your children and pets. 

2. Electrical considerations 

If water hasn’t reached your electric box and main switch, you could try to turn off the power. Use a dry wooden stick to reach the main switch. If you’re not 100% sure that it’s safe, make sure to reach out to professionals as soon as possible. 

3. Water

Shut down the water supply system in your home to prevent more unnecessary spillage. Also, you should avoid unclogging the draining system, because it can grow into an even bigger issue. Instead, call a plumber to come and see what might be the problem.

4. Fresh air

Try to open windows and doors as much as possible to provide the area with fresh air. However, make sure not to open doors and windows to other indoor rooms to avoid cross-contamination. 

5. Remove dry items

Collect and remove all dry and uncontaminated items from the affected area and take them outside.

6. First disinfection

Pour a small amount of chlorine bleach into the sewage water for first disinfection.

7. Call professionals

Experts will provide you with a swift and effective intervention. Call them as soon as possible and they will remove any odors and clean up the affected areas in no time.

Make sure to take a few pictures before you try to do anything, and keep all the receipts for the repair so you could claim your insurance.

How do you disinfect after sewage backup?

Once the area is absolutely empty, meaning that everything (newspapers, books, medicines, clothes, furniture, food carpets, curtains, mattresses, pillows…) is no longer there, you can do a couple of things to disinfect the affected space.

Pour one gallon of water and one to two cups of chlorine bleach in one basket, and pour hot water into another. Dip your mop into the rinsing water, then into the bleach mixture, and sweep the floor. Then, dip into the rinsing water and squeeze well. Repeat the process several times. Clean every surface that was in contact with the sewage water thoroughly. Finally, wash and scrub everything one more time using antibacterial soap or an anti microbial mixture.

Where can I find reliable San Diego sewage removal services?

Sewage water is highly unsafe and a serious risk for the environment, which is why you should make sure to contact a professional sewage removal company sooner rather than later if you find yourself in such a situation. After all, you’ll feel much better if you visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego with your family or friends and leave the hard work to professionals.

As the premium provider of sewage removal services in San Diego, RiskFree Serv can handle any kind of sewage problem with efficiency and ease. Visit our website to learn more or give us a call at any hour. Our experienced team of technicians will gladly help you in any type of emergency, whether you need sewage removal or mold/water/fire/smoke remediation. Call us today!

Sewage backup is not a pleasant experience nor a visually appealing sight. Furthermore, the risk of getting ill or growing mold gradually rises after the first hour after the backup, so you’ll have to act quickly. 

While you may be able to sort out smaller spillages yourself, it is strongly advisable to call your local sewage removal experts to handle the problem. They will help you minimize the damage to your home in San Diego and help you with the disinfection process necessary after sewage removal.

If you missed the first indications of a sewage backup and now you are facing the consequences, there are few things you can do by yourself before the experts come. Keep reading to learn more. 

What can I use to clean up sewage?

You are surely aware that sewage spillage is hazardous and it is best to immediately call professionals. However, if you decide to clean some of it yourself, here are some things you should think about:

• Wear protective clothing.
• Wear heavy rubber gloves over disposable gloves.
• Wear rubber waterproof boots.
• Wear protective glasses for eye protection.
• Wear a face mask or some kind of respiratory protection.

Keep your hands away from your face (nose, mouth, eyes) until you are completely done with the cleaning and disinfection of everything, including yourself.

You’ll also need: 

• A water pump or wet-dry vacuum.
• Sponge.
• Shovel.
• Paper towels or rags.
• Chlorine bleach (or other bactericidal disinfectant).
• Detergent (non – ammonia).
• Antibacterial soap.

What is the best way to clean up sewage?

Sterilizing areas affected with sewage backup should definitely definitely be one of your priorities,since it can cause a variety of health issues. If you estimate that you can tackle the sanitizing part by yourself, here are some tips:

1. Remove liquid and solids

The first step, after you put on your protective clothing, is to remove any excessive liquid/water with a pump or wet-dry vacuum. Use a shovel to collect any dirt, debris and solid parts, put them in strong plastic bags, and throw them away immediately. Collect the remaining liquids with paper towels or rags.

2. Remove anything contaminated

Rugs, curtains, furniture, appliances, or personal items should be removed from an area that can be disinfected afterwards, so they could be properly cleaned and restored if possible. Baseboards, insulation, wall panels or things like saturated carpeting must be moved to an appropriate disposal place.

3. Wash and disinfect

Use chlorine bleach mixed with water (8 tablespoons of bleach in a gallon of water – you can put a little of non-ammonia detergent, too) and apply it to all the walls and floors. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse with clear water and scrub thoroughly. Take special care to scrub the floors, change the rinsing water several times, and rinse the mop under running water each time. 

Clean the furniture using antibacterial soap and rinse well. Scrub and rinse well everything that is slightly affected (rugs, upholstered furniture…). Move all clothing outdoors in order to clean them thoroughly and dry them in the fresh air.

4. Dry everything

Open the windows and use fans or dehumidifiers to dry up the space as quickly as possible. Within 24 to 48 hours after the incident, the infected area should be completely dry so as to reduce risk of mold development.

5. Double check items and food

All porous materials, such as mattresses, carpets, curtains, stuffed animals or newspapers, and books that have been in direct contact with the sewage water should be thrown away. The same goes for any type of food that is not canned properly. Keep in mind that sewage water is dangerous in the air as well.

6. Look for mold

Examine the area and carefully check for mold. Do everything you can to prevent mold growth which can spread to other parts of your home.

Where to find the best San Diego sewage removal company near me?

Why not take a nice walk at Balboa Park instead of collecting sewage water in your home? Ensure your peace of mind by hiring professionals in sewage removal, fully equipped to sort things out in the shortest amount of time possible. 

Risk Free Serv is one of the leading sewage removal companies in San Diego and the area. In addition, we also provide expert remediation and restoration services. We respond to any type of emergency, so give us a call and our technicians will show up at your place in no time. Reach out to us now!

Sewer backups are indeed one hell of a messy thing to cope with. It is filthy and it can potentially do serious harm to you, your family, and home. Once you notice the first signs of sewage backup in your home, it is best to immediately start the remediation process.

In these situations, scheduling sewage removal services is highly advisable to ensure that this problem is properly resolved and your home in San Diego protected. Nonetheless, well-informed homeowners can prevent much bigger problems if they pay attention and know how dangerous sewage backup is.

What are the signs of sewage backup?

There are several warning signs that may indicate you have a sewage problem in your home.

1. Unpleasant smell

This is most likely one of the first indications of the problem. It is detectable right after you have cleaned your bathroom and instead of a fresh scent, you get something completely different. Properly working sewer system should never smell bad. If an unpleasant smell does not go away, it is a good hint that your pipes need to be inspected. You should know how dangerous backed up sewage is. Call your plumber right away.

2. Slow drains

If your sink occasionally drains slowly, you could try some chemical drain cleaners. Many homeowners do so, but keep in mind that you should avoid using them too frequently. Do not repeat the same process if it doesn’t work the first time and make sure to consult with your plumber on the type of cleaner you can use. 

3. Water backing up or overflowing

When clear or discolored water backs up in your bathtub, it is just a matter of time before the same problem arises in other sinks. As it is one of the lowest fixtures in the home, they usually start exhibiting this type of problem first, indicating that you may have some kind of clogging in the sewer system.

Additionally, toilet backup is also a possible issue in this case. To avoid clogging your toilet, make sure not to flush inappropriate items. If an overflow occurs, one of the best ways to clean up sewage backup is to leave it to the pros, so you should give them a call.

4. Mold

This sign is a delicate one, yet it can be detected early. It is not common thought to connect mold and sewer pipelines. However, when your pipes get cracked behind walls, they create a fertile and convenient place for mold. It can potentially be very hazardous, even in small patches. Combined with sewer leakage it can rapidly grow harmful bacteria that is not suitable for children. 

5. Strange noises

Another common sign of sewage backup are unusual noises coming from different drains and fixtures. Bubbling, gurgling, or pitched-down whisper may come through your sink or toilet. This typically happens because water can not go where it should go and the air gets trapped somewhere down the pipes. If you notice these sorts of problems, you can act in a timely manner to prevent significant damage.

6. Insects

Presence of certain insects may also indicate that there’s a problem with your sewage. Cockroaches could be just one of the insects residing in your drain cracks. This can cause a huge problem as insects can multiply rapidly, which may further cause drainage problems and health issues. It is enough for just one pipe to be filled with insects and the whole sewer system will shut down.

Who offers expert sewage removal services across San Diego?

Plumbing issues such as sewage backups require professional help and timely response, which is why you should reach out to the pros. While you are enjoying outstanding performances of actors in Old Globe Theatre, a competent team of plumbers can handle your sewage backup problems. 

Here at Risk Free Serv, you can find certified professionals in San Diego who would be more than happy to help you. Any kind of water or fire damage restoration, as well as mold remediation is not a problem for us. We can also assist you with cleaning and sanitizing after a sewage backup. Call us today and schedule your service!

Unfortunately, sewer systems can get blocked and cause major hassle for homeowners. When this kind of blockage occurs, wastewater, instead of flowing through the drainage pipes, comes back as nasty black fluid. This type of problem must be controlled and should be handled by professionals who specialize in sewage removal and can come to your rescue in San Diego.

However, every homeowner should be familiar with the dangers of having a sewage blockage in their home. This can help them react promptly and prevent this problem from causing even more damage to the property. 

Is backed up sewage dangerous?

Short answer: yes. If you can see some early hints of sewage backup, make sure to act quickly and call your plumber since living in a contaminated home is dangerous. Wastewater often contains both home and industrial waste and toxic materials. You can get in contact with many harmful bacteria that may endanger your health. 

One of the notorious and widespread bacteria that can be found in the sewer system is Echerichia coli. Infections triggered by this bacteria will lead to vomiting, cramping, severe types of diarrhea, and dehydration.

Also, your liver can be greatly affected by hepatitis A virus which can be found in sewage. One of the common ways to get infected, whether it’s Echerichia Coli or hepatitis A is hand-to-mouth contact. Contamination through small cuts on the skin is also a usual way of getting sick.

However, it’s not just physical contact you should worry about. Sewage backup may also contain harmful airborne particles. When inhaled, these particles can irritate your respiratory tract and cause shortness of breath or induce asthma. Furthermore, it can lead to significant deterioration of your gastrointestinal tract. If left untreated and without any medical help, the condition of the infected individual can get worse significantly with fever, vomiting, and even death.

Is it safe to stay in a house with sewage backup?

If you notice a rotten egg smell in your home, it may be a sewer gas. This hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas that can cause:

• Sore throat and cough
• Shortness of breath
• Eye irritation and eye damage
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of breath and
• Death

This is a very serious problem that can endanger your and your family’s health. Sewer gas is toxic even in low levels. It is a good call to find temporary accommodation rather than to stay in a house without water to drink and a working toilet. You and your family should move out while professionals clean up the mess.

How long does sewage contamination last?

In most cases, it is strongly recommended to avoid any contact with contaminated items for at least 24 hours, but it can take up to three days to disinfect everything after a sewage backup. Therefore, it’s important to call the pros who will inspect the damage, pump out the wastewater, thoroughly clean the area, and apply a chemical disinfectant. 

Afterward, remember to ventilate your home and try to clean up your sewage backup. If there are some items or possessions that you cannot properly clean and disinfect, you should throw them away.

What if I need sewage removal assistance in San Diego?

Sewage-related issues can quickly turn into a major problem, so it’s important to act quickly as soon as you notice the first signs of blockage. And there’s no better option than to contact the leading specialist in the area – Risk Free Serv!

We are a fully certified restoration contractor in San Diego that brings professional sewage removal services to homeowners, as well as water restoration and mold remediation assistance. While you are having a pleasant afternoon and admiring exceptional art in San Diego Museum of Art, our experienced group of technicians will deal with your problem.

 Call us now and see for yourself!

Having your home or premises suffer extensive fire damage can be devastating for both your property and personal health. Luckily, you can count on your insurance company in San Diego to cover the damages and pay for fire damage restoration services, right? If only it was that easy.

As many unfortunate property owners have discovered, filing an effective fire or smoke insurance claim can be shockingly complicated. There are seemingly hundreds of different terms and procedures a homeowner needs to understand in order to get the full value of their policy.

We previously wrote about the major causes of fire damage and gave you a quick rundown of the fire damage restoration process. Now we’ll explain how smoke damage insurance works and what to do after your property suffers smoke damage. Read on to learn more. 

Does insurance cover smoke damage?

A fire loss includes damages caused by heat, soot, smoke, and the water used to extinguish the flames. If a fire was severe, all of these elements will likely combine to render a property uninhabitable or unusable until extensive restorative work has been done, in which case you may also qualify for “loss of use” coverage. 

Although homeowner’s insurance normally covers both fire and smoke damage (seeing as one can’t really exist without the other), these two types of damage use different classifications during the claims process. 

In any case, the time period following the fire is crucial in terms of getting the insurance payout you’re entitled to and getting your life back on track.

Here’s what to do after a house fire:

• Get an advance. If you had to evacuate your home, you likely didn’t have the time to pack basic necessities such as clothes, toothbrushes, phone chargers, and so on.
• Secure your property to prevent burglary, vandalism, and other additional damages.
• Document the damages and file your claim as early as possible.
• Make sure your insurer acts without delay. This prevents problems that may occur from being unable to use your property for an extended period of time. 
• Document all living expenses your insurer will cover while you wait for your home to be remediated. Save all receipts. 

What does insurance cover after a fire?

It depends on your particular insurance package. The regular homeowner’s insurance tends to cover a lot more than most people think, up to and including restoration and repair by certified remediation professionals. 

A homeowner’s insurance usually covers:

• Main dwelling, which is the actual home you live in.
• Detached structures such as storage sheds, garages, or other buildings that aren’t connected to your dwelling. 
• Personal property such as appliances, electronics, furniture, clothing, and so on.
• Landscaping may also be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. 
• Loss of use coverage can pay for your living expenses and temporary lodgings during the period while your main dwelling is unusable.

In order to get the full value of their insurance policies, homeowners should take the time to familiarize themselves with the details of their policy or possibly hire an expert to interpret it from them. This will prevent unpleasant surprises and ensure you’re fully covered against fire and smoke damage. 

Where can I get San Diego’s expert-level fire damage restoration services?

Have you recently had a fire, water, smoke, or mold-related disaster at your property in Rancho Penasquitos? If so, Risk Free Serv can provide you with both professional-grade remediation services and expert guidance in documenting the damages and filing your insurance claim. 

We possess extensive industry experience, high-performance equipment, and hire only fully trained and insured remediation experts. Reach out to us today if you’d like to ask further questions or schedule a free inspection of your property.