Avoid Water Damage to your Property.
In the Restoration Industry, we see various water damages that could have been avoided by some common precautionary measures. Many of these pro-active “best practices” are common sense but you would be amazed how often they are not done. Here are some areas of focus that we encounter daily that may help you stay ahead of any potential water damage issues. Here are 10 suggestions to consider when it comes to water damage. You can not always determine or prepare for a water disaster but understanding what precautions to take may avoid one happening to you.

1. Faulty Supply Lines and Angle Stops: Especially if the parts or washers are made of plastic and not stainless steel or copper/brass. The plastic deteriorates over time especially in communities with “hard-water” like Chico. The water pressure blows through the faulty plastic washer causing the leak or worse. Simply replacing less expensive lines and angle stops with more durable ones can prevent a water accident from happening. Routine inspection of those parts is also a good way to be pro-active against disasters.

2. Refrigerator water lines: This is a very common area for water damage. Especially if the refrigerator is moved periodically for cleaning or such. Most people think that copper is a great water supply line but actually it can become “kinked” or “bent” causing a water issue. The best water line is a flexible hose with stainless steel fittings. Periodic inspections of the water supply line and connections can help to prevent a water damage.

3. Toilets: The greatest water damage culprit. Primarily do to use, over and over again. It is critical that the supply line and angle stop to the toilet is inspected often for the same reasons as the #1 suggestion in this article. Also, the gasket-O-ring can leak over time. Check the toilet for any shifting or imbalance when you sit on it. It Could be signs of a worn-out gasket. Hanging bowl deodorants can lodge deep in the plumbing system and can block the line or create an obstruction in the pipes that grease and other materials can cling to.

4. Kitchen Dishwasher: Periodically check under the sink and dishwasher to see if the hose connection to the water supply line is secure and is not leaking. Routine check as to the flexibility and elasticity of the rubber seals is critical. A small amount of Vaseline rubbed into the rubber can prolong the effectiveness of the seal.

5. Sink: Re-caulk and check around sinks and pipes, eliminate slow drains. Check under the sink for signs of leaks from water supply lines or pipes.

6. Bathroom Showers and Bathtubs: Check the caulk at joints where the walls meet the floor or the bathtub; look for cracks or mold that may appear. It could be the early signs of the leak.

7. Water Heater: Most water heaters last 10 to 15 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Again, use strong upgraded connections that don't have plastic parts.

8. Air Conditioning: At the start of the cooling season, have the A/C system serviced by a qualified HVAC contractor. Make sure their service includes inspecting and cleaning the air conditioner condensation pan and drain line. Most individuals do not spend time on their roof or in their attic. This is why an air conditioning unit can be an unforeseen cause of water damage. Also , if there is a problem it may take time to notice due to the layers of building material the water may travel through.

9. Roof leaks: Again, this is an area that is not normally inspected or noticed by the property owner. With our increase in weather, high winds/driving rain, many roofs are subject to unusual weather abuse. One simple area to focus on is clean and debris free gutters and downspouts. If they are not clear, the water will back up and work its way under the roofing material causing a water damage leak. This is due to the fact that roofs are designed to move water downward off the exposed areas and not to have water come back up against the material. Always inspect for cracks, broken tiles & shingles, exposed areas, joints and valleys where the material comes together with seams or overlaps.

10. Laundry/Utility Room Washing Machine: Inspect washing machine hoses regularly for wetness around the hose ends and signs of budging, cracking or fraying. Replace any problem hoses. While your washing machine is in use to be aware of its normal cycling process as leaving the property with a running washing machine can result in major water damage.
These 10 suggestions can be used as an “Inspection Check-List” when you are reviewing a property. They can also be put in place with maintenance employees who can use this list for routine inspections.

Shutoff Valve: ALWAYS know where the main valve for the water shutoff is located and ensure that the tenants also know where the shutoff valve is and how to properly turn it off in case of an emergency.

Categories of Water Damage
1. Category 1 Water - Refers to a source of water that does not pose a substantial threat to humans and classified as "Clean Water".

2. Category 2 Water - Refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to, known as "Greywater". This type carries microorganisms and nutrients of microorganisms.

3. Category 3 Water - Known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category is contaminated water sources that affect the indoor environment. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or has remained stagnant may be re- classified as Category 3 Water.

Classes of Water Damage

1. Class 1 - Slow Rate of Evaporation. Affects only a portion of a room. Materials have a low permeance/porosity. Minimum moisture is absorbed by the materials.

2. Class 2 - Fast Rate of Evaporation. Water affects the entire room of carpet and cushion. May have wicked up the walls, but not more than 24 inches.

3. Class 3 - Fastest Rate of Evaporation. Water generally comes from overhead, affecting the entire area; walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet, cushion, etc.

4. Class 4 - Specialty Drying Situations. Involves materials with a very low permeance/porosity, such as hardwood floors, concrete, crawlspaces, plaster, etc. Drying generally requires very low specific humidity to accomplish drying.

If you do have water damage to one of your properties, it is essential to use a certified and licensed contractor that specializes in Emergency Water Restoration.
"Know your options"

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Step 1: Having an Emergency Contact
The most reputable restoration companies offer emergency services meaning that they can come out immediately when contacted and give immediate support for your property. That is a very critical feature, and you should always look for businesses that offer this when trying to find help for your situation.

Why do you need immediate assistance before you start the fire damage reconstruction process? Of course, it’s certainly the job of the emergency services and fire department to put out the flames. Nonetheless, you may still need fire damage restoration services rather quickly to prevent damage from spreading throughout your home or business.

Let’s say a fire burns a hole in your roof for example. This could cause a situation where you have rain destroying your property further. The longer you leave the inside of your home exposed the more the damage is going to increase, and consequently, you must get immediate emergency services whenever possible rather than waiting for the problem to get more significant.

Step 2: Assessment
Fire Damage Restoration Process

The next step is a fire damage restoration company will do in the restoration process is to assess the scope of the damage to your property. This will involve examining how far the fire, the smoke, and the soot have spread as well as seeing how severely affected your walls and contents are.

This is a critical first step as it is only by recognizing the magnitude of the damage that the restoration company will be able to come up with a strategy and to give you a precise quote for how much it should cost and a reasonable estimate of how long it will take.

Step Three: Tarp and Sealing Services
Fire damage restoration can also often go hand in hand with water damage restoration. This can be unavoidable if the fire has led to a burst pipe or water tank. In these circumstances, fire damage restoration services will act quickly to stop the cause of the water damage before it spreads more causing more loss.

Step 4: Clean Up
Next, the restoration company will start the clean-up part of the process when they clean away smoke, dust, and soot from your surfaces. After a fire usually, you will notice that your property looks stained and charred.

This is also when water damage restoration will begin. Any standing puddles of water will be extracted using submersible pumps, and the areas will then be dried and cleaned. Water damage can also cause health problems including mold, so the sanitization is especially significant here.

Throughout the fire damage restoration process, businesses will also guarantee to eliminate any odors that can remain after the smoke has been in the room. This might include carpet, rug, and upholstery cleaning as well and will often need to address nearby rooms as well as those directly affected by fire damage.

Eventually, the clean-up element of the restoration process will also involve the removal and disposal of contents that are too severely damaged to be repairable. If you have furniture for example that has absorbed a lot of contaminated water, or if you have carpeting that has been seriously burned… in these situations often the best case scenario is to throw these things away and replace them with new items. Fire damage restoration companies handle this for you so that you don’t have to.

Step 5: Repair and Renovation
Fire Damage Restoration Process Repairing

The next stage is to begin restoring furniture and repairing the damage caused by fire. For instance, if a fire has damaged cabinets, then fire damage restoration will involve either repairing those cabinets or replace them with different ones. Carpets can also be installed, and walls can be repainted or replaced.

The objective of this stage is to get your property looking as good as new so that you can go back to normal. The very best fire damage restoration companies will go one step further than this. That’s because they will offer not only restoration but also renovation. These companies can then repair your property and leave it looking better than it did at the beginning. If you feel stressed and upset because your furniture has been ruined, you can turn this into an opportunity to renovate your home and to enjoy having a fresh new redesign.

Step 6: Consultation
Following the conclusion of your restoration services, you may find that the company that provided them offers you some ‘debriefing’ and consultation on how to prevent future Disasters. Sometimes, it may be the case that the fire damage was avoidable and in this case, they can offer some design advice for your rooms or help you to find the best smoke detectors and other means for being alerted to fires early.

When you are in need of fire and smoke damage restoration company in Chico, CA, Yuba City, CA Sacramento CA. Redding CA and Reno, NV. contact CRBR – Cleanrite Buildrite.


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When a disaster hits it often does more than just destroy your memories and household items, quiet often it destroys your property as well. Whether it’s fire, smoke, wind or water damage that accumulates property damage, at Cleanrite-Buildrite we are here to help you with all your property repairs and reconstruction. At CRBR we are a full-service restoration team helping to put people put their business and home back together again for
over 50 years.

CRBR offers a full range of new construction as well as maintenance and repairs services in order to help you through the entirety of your fire and smoke restoration process. Our team will start by boarding up any windows or damaged property to secure it from weather, vandals, thieves and other obstacles. Our crews will then help move and remove any salvageable items that we can restore and start to get things into gear. Whether your home or business was deemed a total loss and needs to be completely rebuilt or to rebuilding parts of the structure, roof and beyond we’re able to help you with any and all property repairs and reconstruction.

From contents restoration to property restoration and reconstruction, our team at CRBR has been leading the industry for over 50 years. Our team of experts understands the need for a quick response and quick mitigation. We’re more than just your average construction team, at CRBR we will work with you from beginning to end including helping out with any water extraction and dry outs due to water damage that may have occurred while attempting to put out your fire. We pride ourselves on putting your home back together again and working very closely with your insurance company to make that happen. Cleanrite-Buildrite is here for you 24/7/365 days a year, if there’s anything we can help you out with, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

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