Did a storm or plumbing issue cause water damage within your home? It happens more often than you might think. In fact, 23.5% of homeowners insurance losses involve water damage and freezing.

It’s important to start looking for water damage restoration companies right away. Otherwise, standing water can cause mold growth. Your family’s health could become compromised if you don’t request immediate services.

Read on to vet your options for restoration companies today.

1. Look for Experience

There are currently over 57,500 damage restoration service companies in the US. Some have worked in the industry longer than others. When choosing a water damage restoration company, prioritize finding teams with experience.

Determine how long each company has operated in Laguna Hills. Consider how often they offer their water damage restoration services.

A team that’s new to the industry is more likely to make mistakes. They might cut corners or use ineffective equipment. If any water lingers within your home, mold and mildew could grow.

An experienced team will have an efficient process in place. They won’t cut corners.

Look into the company’s credentials as well. Confirm they’re licensed, bonded, and insured.

Determine if they have memberships and certifications from the:

• Community Associations Institute
• Cleaning and Restoration Association
• EPA (Lead-Safe)
• Guild Quality
• Independent Insurance Agents Brokers Orange County
• Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification

These teams meet higher standards. They use industry best practices and the latest, state-of-the-art equipment.

2. Review Services

Learn more about each company’s water damage restoration services. For example, they might prioritize:

• Mold removal
• Content restoration
• Water damage repairs

You can learn more about the quality of services each company offers by reading customer reviews. Look for reviews on Yelp, Google Business, and the company’s website. Find a water damage restoration company with a glowing reputation.

These companies will want to maintain their hard-earned reputation by offering top-notch services.

Confirm that each company on your list services your area.

3. Compare Costs

Request estimates from three local water damage restoration companies. Determine when they can start as well. Find a company with immediate response times.

If it takes over two hours for them to arrive, remove them from your list of options.

Requesting multiple estimates will help you compare costs. If one company charges more than the rest, determine why. Don’t choose the cheapest company available.

Determine if they’ll bill your insurance company directly. This process will ensure you don’t have cash tied up in payments while you’re waiting for claim processing.

Vet Water Damage Restoration Companies

Don’t rush to choose between water damage restoration companies. Instead, do your due diligence using these tips. With this guide, you can find a water damage restoration team you can depend on.

With their help, you can restore your home and avoid potential mold growth.

Need immediate water damage restoration services? We’re here for you.

Contact us to schedule restoration services now.

Within a single year, nearly 20% of all homeowners insurance losses were due to water damage or freezing incidents. If you need water damage restoration, it helps to have a plan. Otherwise, you might hire an inexperienced team.

An inexperienced team might fail to do a thorough job, allowing water to linger. With the best water damage restoration services in town, you can keep mold from growing and spreading in your home.

Not sure who to hire? Read on for the tips you need for an effective search today!

1. Check Credentials

Start your search by speaking with other locals. Ask friends, family members, and neighbors if they can recommend a water damage restoration company. If they can, ask about their experience with the restoration team.

Building a list of options based on referrals can help you feel more comfortable with your final choice. Ask each homeowner you speak with if they are satisfied with the services they received.

There are over 55,300 damage restoration services businesses in the US, employing over 113,100 professionals. Referrals will help you narrow down your local options quickly. If you can’t build a list of referrals, begin your search online instead.

Look for customer reviews to confirm you’ve found a trustworthy, reliable company before allowing them into your home.

Next, look into each company’s credentials. Confirm the company has a local, active license. If they’re not licensed to work in your area, keep searching.

Determine if the technicians complete training to receive certification as well. Look for teams with certifications from the Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). These teams meet higher standards.

Confirm that the company has general liability and worker’s compensation insurance. If there’s an incident, the company won’t hold you responsible.

2. Look for Experience

As you narrow down your options, determine how long each company has offered water damage restoration services. Ask who will arrive to work on your property, too.

Having an experienced team arrive can help give you peace of mind. An experienced team won’t make costly mistakes. Instead, they’ll do a thorough job of removing all moisture from your property.

An experienced team will have an easier time answering your questions.

3. Get Quotes

Gather quotes from at least three local businesses to compare their pricing. Compare prices and services to make sure you’re receiving a fair price.

Ask each company if they have a guarantee, too. What if you still notice wet spots or mold growth after they leave? Confirm the company will return to fix the problem and ensure you’re satisfied with their services.

Find the Best Water Damage Restoration Service Today

Don’t rush when requesting water damage restoration services. Instead, make sure an experienced, qualified team is on the job. With their help, you can restore your home to its original condition without unnecessary stress.

Hire an experienced restoration team today.

Need help right away? Learn more about our water damage restoration services before scheduling an inspection!

Did you know that breathing in too much mold can cause a severe infection that could target your lungs? Mold can also cause a sore throat, skin rash, or stuffy throat in small amounts.

Immune-compromised individuals should be extra careful not to get a chronic lung disease. Knowing the signs of mold is essential to ensure that you do not risk your health.

Here is everything you need to know about the early signs of mold to learn what not to ignore.

Strange Smells

One of the earliest signs of a mold infestation is a stale and musty smell wafting through your home. The scent will start as a tiny hint, but it intensifies and becomes much more noticeable over time.

This is because mold expels microbial volatile organic compounds into the air. This includes pungent chemicals like carboxylic acids, terpenes, and aldehydes. When mixed together, they can create the most unpleasant odor that can be damp and stale.

More Allergies

One of mold’s most significant health risks is that it can trigger many allergies. This is because mold spores are airborne irritants.

They can worsen allergy symptoms like shortness of breath, red eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and wheezing.

If you are indoors and notice your symptoms worsening, you may need to tackle a mold problem. Symptoms may also worsen in areas of the property, such as nearby air vents, closets, attics, and bathrooms.

Moisture Problems

Do you feel a lot more humidity in your house lately? This is another sign of a mold problem. This is because mold spores that are typically harmless and inactive in the air will not grow unless there is moisture to help them.

They need wet, damp, and humid conditions to produce more. So, if you have had a water leak recently or have a lot of moisture coming from somewhere, it is a sign that the mold may already be thriving in your home.

It also helps to look at your leaky pipes, kitchens, basements, and condensation from your HVAC system. These are notorious for getting wet or building up moisture.

Dark Stains

The mold that grows on your ceilings and walls will look like a series of dark-colored patches. This is a discoloration that can appear in different colors and shades.

However, black and brown patches are mostly the ones you see. It is not impossible to see yellow, blue, and grey ones. Analyzing the texture is the best way to know if the stain is mold growth.

Usually, mold will appear slimy and fuzzy. This is when you need to hire mold removal services.

Then you can easily smear it. Otherwise, it would help if you tried to dab the spot with diluted bleach. The stain should light up after a few minutes if you have a mold problem.

Dealing With Early Signs of Mold

Now that you know the early signs of mold to look for, it is time to start examining your home for dark patches or areas with a lot of moisture that smell funky.

If you suspect a mold problem, it is always best to call professionals instead of tackling it yourself. Contact us today so we can help protect your health.

Did you know approximately 7.2 million Americans get sick every year from waterborne diseases? Unfortunately, damage caused by water issues such as pipe leaks or a storm flood can cause severe harm to your home as well as your health. In these scenarios, you’ll need to take rapid action to stop the damage and restore your property to its original condition.

But what are the typical water damage restoration errors that you should avoid? If you make mistakes during the clearing-up process, you could leave your home vulnerable. While it can be hard work to restore a property after it suffers water damage, it is possible if you follow some professional tips.

Keep reading to learn more.

1. Not Accurately Assessing the Damage Before

Before you rush in and try to clean up water damage, you need to make a thorough assessment. For example, if you have wet walls, you’ll want to be sure any electrical wires or components behind the walls aren’t wet. It’s also important to find the cause of the water damage as soon as possible so you can prevent the issue from becoming worse.

2. Taking Too Long to Act

While you shouldn’t rush, it’s critical to act promptly to reduce the amount of damage being caused and to keep the repair costs down. The water damage restoration process can become expensive, and responding quickly can make a huge difference to the final bill.

3. Not Following Health and Safety Procedures

It can be dangerous to work in an environment where there is excess water. If there is damage to electrical circuits, this can put you at risk of electrocution. Or there could be mold in the area that might cause health problems.

This is why it can be best to work with a professional water damage restoration service that will follow the correct health and safety procedures.

4. Ineffective Equipment Can Lead To Further Water Damage Restoration Errors

Using the wrong water damage restoration equipment can cause even more damage to your home. Tools that are not up to the task may only remove some of the water in your property, allowing the remaining water to continue to cause harm. When you hire our water damage restoration services, you can be assured we will use state-of-the-art equipment.

5. Not Properly Documenting the Restoration Costs

Your insurance company will send out an assessor to inspect the damage. However, you should also record the water damage cleanup costs to support your claim. In addition, it’s crucial to take pictures of any damage in case there is a dispute with your insurer at a later date.

Contact Service First Restoration, Inc.

It’s vital to take immediate action if there are any signs of water damage in your home. While you can personally take steps to protect your property and your health, you may prefer to hire industry specialists to undertake this important task.

At Service First Restoration, Inc., our skilled technicians can be at your property within 60 minutes. We offer a 24/7, 365 days per year service, and take pride in achieving outstanding results at cost-effective prices.

For all your water damage restoration needs, contact our professional team today.

Projections show that the global disaster restoration services market will reach $98.9 billion by 2031.

Disaster restoration covers a range of things that can damage property, and one of the most prevalent types is water damage. It can occur in all kinds of properties in any area, and without proper water damage restoration, all kinds of problems can occur.

For 5 of the main benefits of hiring professional water damage restoration services, keep reading.

1. Quick Water Damage Restoration

Water damage can make homes unlivable, and commercial properties unusable. Hiring professional restoration services will help get things back to normal as soon as possible. This includes removing water, drying the area, full disinfection, and repair work.

If water damage is left, it can get worse with time. The faster things are dealt with, the better. Service First is available 24/7 and will respond immediately to help you deal with any problems.

2. Safety

One of the main issues that can come from water damage is mold growth. There are various types, and they can grow almost anywhere. These vary in terms of how bad they are, but any mold can be harmful to people’s health.

Service First will ensure all mold is completely eradicated. After this, our mold remediation services will help prevent future mold growth.

3. Reduced Costs

The extent of water damage can vary greatly, and as such, so can the cost. In some cases, you could be looking at huge amounts of damage in just a few hours. Calling in professionals as soon as possible could help you save a lot of money.

You may have some drywall where a stain has appeared, which can simply be sanded and painted over. If left for too long, however, you may end up having to remove the entire section of the wall. Acting fast and getting things done professionally is the best way to minimize the cost of water damage to your property.

4. Professional Advice

It can be difficult to assess the severity of water damage. Things like walls, carpets, furniture, etc. may be salvageable, or they may be too damaged.

A professional will be able to give you a good idea of what can be saved, and what can’t. This will stop you from throwing out things that are still good, or holding on to items that are too far gone.

5. Help With Insurance Claims

Many people have never dealt with insurance claims before, and they can be quite complicated. Getting everything done right isn’t always easy, and it can be quite stressful after suffering damage to your property.

Service First has over 75 years of experience, and in that time, we’ve dealt with all kinds of insurance claims. Our team can help you through the process to make sure everything is done right.

Professional Water Damage Restoration

Water damage can be devastating, and it’s important to act fast when it happens. Service Fist provides professional water damage restoration services throughout Orange County.

To find out more about our services, click here to contact us today.

Did you know that an average household with a water leak will waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water annually?

As well as wasting water and costing you money, an undetected leak can cause significant damage to your home. If you don’t know how to detect a water leak, you can take some simple steps to help you decide when to call a plumber.

Continue reading for five tips for finding a water leak.

1. Check Your Water Meter

Begin by taking a look at your water meter. It’s the best place to start if you think you have a water leak in your home.

Ensure all the water faucets in your house are off, not forgetting the dishwasher and the washing machine. Check the water meter and note down the number. Wait one hour and check the water meter again. If the number has changed, you have a leak somewhere in your home.

2. Take a Closer Look at Your Bill

Comparing your recent water bills can give you a good idea about any potential leak. The bill should remain in a similar range, and any significant unexplained increase is a strong clue to a water leak.

You can also take a closer look at your water usage. Each person should account for approximately 3000 gallons of water each month in a household.

Call in a professional leak detection service if you think you have a water leak but don’t know where it may be.

3. Investigate the Usual Suspects

If the numbers point to a water leak, take a closer look at appliances and fixtures. Check the cabinets under all your sinks and make sure they’re dry. And search for puddles at the bases of toilets, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and the water heater.

Call a plumber if you find a leak, and take care to turn off the water supply to that appliance or fixture.

4. Put Food Coloring in the Toilet

Toilet flushing accounts for nearly 30% of an average home’s water consumption, and it’s a prime spot for interior leaking. You can check if there’s a leak with a simple test.

Add a few drops of food coloring to all the toilet tanks in your home and wait 10 minutes. If color appears in your bowl, you have a leak.

5. Keep an Eye Out for Leaking Clues

You should be regularly checking your home for any signs of a leak. Catching it early can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Wall discoloration and bulging wallpaper are major clues of a water leak inside the wall. Check cabinets under basins for mold and musty smells. And any oxidation or discoloration of pipes could be a sign of a slow leak.

How to Detect a Water Leak Made Easy

There you have it. Now you know how to detect a water leak in your home quickly so you know when to call in professional help.

Did you find this advice about finding a water leak helpful? We’re happy to help, so give us a call if you need further assistance.