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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.

Most people are understandably afraid of fire. It’s dangerous, unpredictable, and extremely difficult to put out once it gets going. But did you know that most fire-related deaths aren’t actually caused by the flames themselves?

Statistically, smoke from a fire is actually three times more deadly than the flames. Not only is it extremely harmful to your respiratory system, fire smoke can cause severe property damages. Without proper San Diego fire damage restoration, smoke can endanger your health and belongings long after the fire that produced it has been put out. 

In previous articles, we explained what fire damage is and how it occurs, and outlined the process of fire damage restoration. Now we’ll explain the ins and outs of smoke damage and how to deal with it after it occurs. Keep reading to learn more. 

Can smoke damage be removed?

It can. However, how you go about it will depend on which kind of smoke damage it is. This is because smoke behaves differently depending on which type of fire produced it. Most residential and commercial fires are caused by cooking mishaps, electrical malfunctions, smoking, and accidents. 

Some especially dangerous types of smoke damage include:

Dry smoke

Particularly hot fires that spread rapidly through a property (usually fueled by wood or paper) produce dry smoke. This sort of smoke leaves behind a fine, powdery residue that can get into narrow crevices and seriously damage a property’s structural components and electrical systems.

Protein smoke

Burning organic matter produces protein smoke, which makes this kind of smoke common during cooking-related fires. Due to being mostly invisible, protein smoke-related damage can be especially difficult to remove.

Wet smoke

These fumes are characterized by an unpleasant odor and are typically produced by burning plastic or rubber products. This thick, black smoke is unusually greasy, which can make it very damaging for your property.

Fuel smoke

As its name implies, fuel smoke is caused by burning oil, petroleum, or other fuel. It normally occurs in garages, gas pumps, and other locations that contain significant amounts of petroleum. It has an especially foul smell and is exceedingly hard to clean off. Any fabrics it touches are almost invariably ruined. 

How do you clean up smoke damage after a fire?

Although it may not seem complex on its face, fire and smoke remediation is a specialized task that has to be performed correctly in order to prevent not only permanent property damage, but also severe health risks. 

Furthermore, your insurance company may refuse to pay up if they feel you haven’t treated the damage in the most effective and professional manner possible. For these reasons, unless you have a background in smoke and fire damage remediation, it’s always better to leave this task to the professionals.

Things to avoid doing after smoke damage include:

• Vacuuming upholstery or curtains with a standard upright vacuum. This will just force the soot and other chemicals in deeper.
• Not correctly separating the damaged area from the rest of the home before starting the cleanup.
• Postponing smoke damage remediation instead of dealing with it immediately.

Who should I call when I need comprehensive San Diego fire damage restoration?

Are you in need of highly-trained and professionally-equipped fire damage remediation specialists who can restore your home after a flood or fire? Or maybe a pipe in your kitchen has just burst and you need to have emergency plumbers at your 4S Ranch property ASAP?

If this is your situation, you can’t go wrong by contacting Risk Free Serv. We’re a reputable mold, water, smoke, and fire remediation company that can also help you file your insurance claim and deal with your insurance company. Call us today. 

Did you know that there’s a fire alert in the United States every 24 seconds? While we all sincerely hope we’ll never be a part of this statistic, the reality is that accidents, unforeseen natural events, and criminal actions happen all the time. 

For this reason, understanding how smoke and fire damage restoration works is absolutely crucial in order to protect your belongings and get your life back on track after a fire. Needless to say, this is especially important if you live in a wildfire-prone area like San Diego County. 

In this article, we’ll list some of the common sources of residential fires in America that can cause serious fire and smoke damage to your home. We’ll also give you some pointers on what to do after your house has suffered a fire. Keep reading to learn more. 

What damage can fire cause?

Fire can ignite and spread with terrifying speed, completely destroying a home in a matter of minutes and causing grievous harm to people and animals. Even a small fire that’s immediately put out can result in costly repairs, some of which your insurer may refuse to cover. 

Knowing how a fire can occur and taking the necessary steps to prevent it is vital in order to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your belongings safe. 

Watch out for these 4 common causes of household fires:

1. Heaters

Baseboard and space heaters can cause nearby fabrics to catch fire. Kerosene and other fuel-powered heaters are especially risky. Keep flammable materials away from these devices and never leave them running when you go out. 

2. Careless smoking

Dropped or improperly extinguished cigarettes can easily damage nearby materials (especially fabrics) and cause them to catch fire. Use deep, bulky ashtrays and never put them near highly flammable items such as curtains, clothes, or books. 

3. Electrical fires

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical malfunctions cause 51,000 fires and kill almost 500 people every year. Making sure your electrical systems are properly installed and updating old wiring systems is critical in order to protect yourself and your property. 

4. Cooking fires

About 49% of all household fires stem from cooking-related activities, usually as a result of overheated grease combusting in an oven or on a stove. Keep a close eye on the kitchen while cooking greasy or oily foods, and make sure to unplug toasters, electric griddles, and other small appliances when you’re not using them. 

Can you live in a house after a fire?

It depends. If the damage is truly catastrophic, the home may be rendered unlivable (or even completely leveled) until extensive restoration work has been done. Even if the damage was localized, there’s still the risk that the smoke from the fire has entered the ventilation system and filled the ducts and vents with fine particles. 

Breathing in these particles can cause the occupants to develop serious lung problems such as chemical bronchitis, asthma, and even emphysema. To ensure there’s no risk, you should have your ventilation system checked by reputable fire remediation specialists. 

Who should I call when I need extensive fire damage restoration in San Diego?

Have you recently had a fire in your Cortez Hill home and you’re looking for someone who can fix the damage? Or perhaps you’re dealing with a mold problem or need an emergency plumbing service in San Diego that can be at your place within the hour?

Here at Risk Free Serv, we say: no problem! We specialize in providing San Diego homeowners with professional-grade fire, smoke, water, and mold remediation and restoration services. Feel free to call us at any hour.

Fire is one of the most destructive forces in nature. It can appear without warning, completely devastate a home, and cause severe injury and asphyxiation, all in a few minutes. Even a fire that was immediately contained can still require extensive clean-up and cause thousands of dollars of damage.

So what’s the best way to deal with fire damage? Is it better to fix it yourself, or should you book professional fire damage restoration services in San Diego? Is it possible to fully remediate an area that was engulfed in flames? We’ll be answering some of these questions and explaining the fire remediation process in the following article. Read on. 

How do you remediate fire damage?

The first thing you should do after you and your family have been relocated to safety and the fire has been contained is to contact your insurance company and notify them about your loss. Wait until their adjuster (and yours, if you decided to hire a public adjuster) has inspected and documented the loss before beginning the fire remediation process.

Once that’s done, follow these 5 steps:

1. Assess structural damage

Make sure your place is safe to be in by having a structural engineer inspect it. If you don’t know any engineers, ask your restoration company to recommend one. 

The engineer will check the state of:

• Interior load bearing walls
• Basement and foundation walls
• Attic, second floor, and basement joists 

2. Secure the property

Reduce the risk of vandalism during the restoration process by boarding up broken windows and securing all entryways except one. Your restoration contractor should be able to do this for you, and your insurance company may even require it.

3. Structural repairs are a priority

Your restoration contractor will call in seasoned carpenters who can rebuild crucial structural elements such as floor joists and the interior framework. This will restore your house’s structural integrity and make it safer to live in.

4. Electrical should come next

Fire-damaged homes often need to have their breaker boxes replaced and all the outlets, wiring, and fixtures tested for safety and replaced if necessary. A thorough inspection by a qualified electrician is a must.

5. Address other problems caused by fire damage

In addition to the damage itself, fire often causes air ducts to become contaminated and mold to appear in damp sheetrock. Furthermore, it’ll also produce soot residue and smoke stains. All of these issues should be addressed by specialized cleanup crews.

How long does fire restoration take?

It’s impossible to say for sure, as every home and every fire is different. A burnt appliance that has left some nasty smoke stains on the kitchen walls will naturally take a lot less time to deal with than a faulty electrical system that has caused an entire floor to burn down.  

Unless you’re a fire remediation professional yourself, it’s best that you contact a trusted restoration contractor and have them assess the damage. Once they have all the facts, they’ll be able to give you a time estimate for the restoration.

Where can I schedule the top fire damage restoration services in San Diego?

Whether you’re looking for experienced remediation technicians who can help you deal with the aftermath of a fire or flood, or need help with a plumbing emergency at your home in Lomita, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Risk Free Serv. 

We’re a fully certified restoration contractor in San Diego that specializes in dealing with fire, mold, smoke, and water damage. Furthermore, we’re fully equipped to assist you with your insurance claim and help you deal with your insurer. Give us a call and request your free inspection today.

Being forced to call in emergency plumbing is something most homeowners in San Diego dread, and it’s easy to see why. Plumbing malfunctions tend to be gross, hugely inconvenient, notoriously difficult to diagnose, and may stem from deeper issues that require costly and time-consuming repairs. 

Luckily for you, you can completely avoid most of these problems and keep your drains and faucets running perfectly all year long by performing regular maintenance and avoiding some common practices that can damage your plumbing system over time. 

We previously discussed some of the most frequently-encountered plumbing issues and explained when you should call in emergency plumbers. In this article, we’ll give you some plumbing maintenance advice that will help you prevent serious problems with your plumbing system. Keep reading to learn more. 

How to prevent plumbing problems?

It goes without saying that you should schedule a professional checkup of your plumbing system at least once every 2 years. Expert plumbers have performed thousands of these inspections and know exactly how to identify future problems and keep your pipes and sewerage system in good condition. 

Here are 4 things you can do to prevent plumbing malfunctions:

1. Get some drain screens

Metal or plastic drain screens cost very little and can easily be placed in the bathtub, kitchen, and shower sinks to keep hair, debris, food particles, and tiny items such as jewelry from getting inside the drain.

2. Use hose screens on your washing machine

Get some cheap hose screens and install them on the cold and hot water hoses on your washing machine. This will prevent sediment buildup from clogging the washing machine’s valves and pumps. Just remember to check the hose screens (and replace them if necessary) once or twice a year. 

3. Refrain from pouring cooking grease into the drain

Cooking grease hardens as it cools. Over time, it can clog a drain and lead to expensive repairs. Instead, pour it in an empty juice or milk carton and throw it in the trash.

4. Avoid flushing flushable wipes

Although flushable wipes are designed to break down in sewer water, this process can still take a long time. As a result, flushing a lot of wipes can clog your pipes and even your septic tank. A clog in your septic tank is especially dangerous because it can lead to serious pipe and tank damage over time. 

How do you keep old pipes from clogging?

A great way to keep old pipes in working condition and also do so in an eco-friendly manner is to give them a baking soda treatment once a month. You can do this by sprinkling about 1/4 cup of baking soda into the drains and following it up with some warm water. 

Afterward, add a cup of white vinegar and leave it overnight before flushing the drain using hot water. Doing this on a monthly basis will keep your drains in good condition without the need for toxic and costly drain opener chemicals. 

Where can I find a reliable emergency plumbing service in San Diego?

Are you currently dealing with a plumbing emergency that needs immediate attention? Or maybe you’ve recently had a fire at your property in East Village and you’re looking for skilled fire and smoke remediation and restoration experts? 

Whatever your plumbing, water, mold, smoke, and fire-related problems may be, you can’t go wrong by reaching out to Risk Free Serv. We’re a fully certified and insured company that offers its clients first-rate emergency plumbing repairs, free fire damage assessments, mold remediation and removal, and more. Get in touch with us today.