How SERVPRO of El Cajon can help with Storm Damage

5/6/2024 (Permalink)

Photos of clean up after a flood in El Cajon

After a storm floods a home, the aftermath can be quite challenging. Here's a general overview of what typically happens and how SERVPRO® can help.

1. Assessment: Once the storm has passed and it's safe to return, residents and homeowners assess the damage. They'll inspect the extent of the flooding, checking areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and ground floors.
2. Safety Measures: Safety is a priority. Homeowners should be cautious of electrical hazards, structural damage, and contaminated water. Turning off the electricity and gas supply may be necessary to prevent further damage and ensure safety.
3. Water Removal: The next step is to remove the water from the home. This may involve using pumps, wet/dry vacuums, or calling in professionals with specialized equipment for water extraction. Here at SERVPRO of El Cajon we have the equipment designed specifically for this.
4. Drying Out: After the standing water is removed, the affected areas need to be thoroughly dried out to prevent mold and mildew growth. This can be done using fans, dehumidifiers, and opening windows and doors to encourage airflow. Our highly trained technicians know how to do this to ensure that it is properly dried.
5. Cleanup and Sanitization: Once dry, the home needs to be cleaned and sanitized to remove any remaining dirt, debris, and contaminants carried in by the floodwater. This includes disinfecting surfaces and items that came into contact with the floodwater. SERVPRO of El Cajon has a warehouse that we can clean and store items until the home is ready to receive the contents back.
6. Repair and Restoration: Depending on the extent of the damage, repairs may be needed to restore the home to its pre-flood condition. This could involve replacing flooring, drywall, insulation, electrical wiring, appliances, and furniture that were damaged beyond repair.
7. Preventative Measures: After the immediate cleanup and restoration, homeowners may also take steps to prevent future flooding, such as installing flood barriers, sump pumps, or elevating electrical outlets and appliances.

Overall, recovering from a flood can be a lengthy and challenging process, but taking swift and thorough action can help minimize damage and restore the home as quickly as possible.  Our technicians and expertise can help get this process done quickly and professionally.

Emergency Storm Tips

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

What to do and don't when a storm strikes.

Do:

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and table to items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting. 
• Turn air conditioner on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove Orientals or other colored rugs from wet wall to wall carpeting.
• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Open suitcases and luggage to dry, in sunlight, if possible.
• Pick up loose items, toys, ECT. off of floors.

Don't

• Leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Use your house hold vacuum to remove water.
• Use TVs or other house hold appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceiling are sagging from retained water.

For additional information or questions call SERVPRO 619-447-7776

Precautions to take During a Storm

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

With the recent thunderstorms and heavy winds in our area, it is important to be alert and take care during such conditions, both indoors and outdoors.

Here are a few precaution tips one can take when a heavy thunderstorm occurs: 

• If you’re planning an outdoors trip, postpone the trip or any activities that include being outdoors to a more suitable time.
• Avoid driving during stormy conditions. Roads will be slippery and wet during bad weather conditions
• Always try to go indoors when there is a heavy thunderstorm
• If you cannot find suitable shelter, get in a car with a metal roof and sides. Make sure all windows are rolled up and doors are closed.
• Keep away from concrete floors or walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
• Avoid water during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through plumbing.
• Switch off all electronic equipment. This includes television sets, kitchen appliances, radios, etc. Lightning can travel through electrical systems.
• Bring your pets indoors. Doghouses and other pet shelters are not suitable protection against lightning strikes
• Stay away from isolated objects such as trees and light posts.
• If you are fishing or swimming, get out of the water immediately, and move away from the body of water. Being near water is extremely dangerous during a lightning storm.

If you have any questions or need any advise, or just inspection.  Please give us a call. SERVPRO of El Cajon a call at 619-447-7776.

Thank you

Roof Collapse

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

A storm hit El Cajon in 2018 leaving one couple with a big hole in their roof

The storm hit El Cajon, CA hard in 2018 leaving one couple with a big hole in their roof.  The owner was devastated and called SERVPRO right away.  In the picture you can see the extent of how the bad the damage was. We came in and started the restoration immediately. 

Water damage can cause headaches for homeowners, both immediately after the damage occurs and in the long run. From floods to leaky faucets, water damage is a serious pain, and can cause major health and safety issues. SERVPRO of El Cajon employees are IICRC certified and is professional trained. They move quickly and make sure you are informed with every steps. SERVPRO will come in and make the disaster "Like it never even happened." We here at SERVPRO strive to do our best.

Storm 2020

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

storm 2020

SERVPRO of El Cajon specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit El Cajon, CA, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams, that are strategically located through out the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today SERVPRO Of El Cajon 619-447-7776 We will come in and make it look "Like it never even happened."