Do you have a clog? Here’s how to troubleshoot a slow drain.

10/6/2022 (Permalink)

Do you have a clog? Here’s how to troubleshoot a slow drain.

Clogs can be annoying, but they're not unsolvable. Some of us are lucky and never experience a clogged drain at home, but others are plagued by drains that won't drain properly. How do you know if your drain is clogged? And if it is, what can you do about it? Here's a quick guide to troubleshooting slow drains in the home:

• Clogs can be a hassle. Look at these troubleshooting techniques for clogged drains.
• Clogs are a common problem and can be caused by a variety of things. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the slow drain on your sink or tub.

The simplest way to fix clogged drains is by using a sink plunger; however, this usually does not work for tubs because there is less suction power than for sinks due to their larger size. Another option is buying snake tools from your local hardware store so that you can easily clear out any blockages in your pipes yourself!

Test it out.

When you think about it, this is a logical step. After all, if the drain is clogged and you can’t see it, how will you know that it’s clogged? The answer is simple: plug up your toilet or sink with some wet paper towels and start testing for drainage by pouring water into the drain. If there are no suction sounds when the water goes down and no overflow from the pipes (in other words, if there is still something obstructing your drains), then chances are good that there is an issue with the plumbing.

If this test shows that your drains are clear, but they are still slow to drain away after flushing them multiple times (or if there was never any suction sound at all), then chances are good that there isn't anything wrong with your pipes but rather something stuck in them (like hair). At this point, consider calling a plumber as soon as possible before trying any other DIY methods to remove whatever may be obstructing these drains once and for all!

Does your drain have poor drainage? 

• Make sure your drain is not clogged. If your sink or tub won't drain, it's possible that a clog is preventing water from flowing. To test this theory, place a plunger over the drain and plunge up and down several times. If you don't unclog the drain with this method, try pouring hot water down it (and keeping in mind that you shouldn't do so if you have a septic tank system).
• Check for leaks elsewhere in your home. Leaks can cause drains to fill up with water and prevent them from draining properly. To test for leaks, start by checking all your faucets and showerheads for signs of dripping; then move on to checking around toilets and other fixtures—if they're wet where they're supposed to be dry or vice versa, these could indicate an indoor plumbing leak somewhere nearby that needs attention right away before further damage occurs!
• Look out for cracks in tubing leading outside—these could mean there's been earthquake activity near enough by so much as caused a crack inside one particular section but nothing else yet? Maybe worth checking into before doing anything else?

Clean out the pipes.

If you're certain that your clog isn't in the main room of your house, it's possible you have a problem with pipes inside the walls. If so, invest in a snake or auger—a long metal tool that can be used to clear out any blockages within your pipes.

If this doesn't work or if you've tried everything else (and still don't want to call a plumber), there are two more things left: using a plunger and trying to unclog the drain manually with boiling water or ice cubes. Plungers are not as effective on toilets as they are on sinks because toilets tend to have different types of traps than sinks do.

To manually unclog a drain from outside the home, start by pouring hot water down it until it begins draining again normally before finishing off with some cold water for good measure.

If your drain is still slow, you may need to call a plumber. If you have troubleshot the problem yourself and still can't find the source of the clog, contact us at (562) 698-5368 for 24/7 emergency service from our experienced team of experts.

The Correct Response to a Flooded Furnace

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Broken pipes can lead to extensive losses, putting your Whittier, CA business out of action for a while and causing costly damage to your property. One of the most serious types of damage resulting from a broken pipe is a furnace flood.

What Steps Should You Take If You've Got A Flooded Furnace?

1. Ensure employee safety. Water-damaged electronics pose significant hazards. If your furnace is powered by electricity or gas, don't attempt to turn it on. Remove yourself and employees until a professional determines that the area is safe.

2. Seek professional cleanup. After the floodwater has been removed and the area is completely dry, your furnace must be cleaned and professionally maintained. This is especially true when the furnace flood-affected an electric or gas appliance. Cleaning a furnace is a complicated process that is best left to professionals.

3. Assess the need for replacement. Some furnaces may have to be replaced due to irreversible repairs and an unsafe situation. If a professional has assessed your furnace and recommended replacement, take steps to complete this action as quickly as possible.

4. Schedule an air duct cleaning. The CDC recommends that all contaminated insulation and filters be removed from the HVAC system. It is also necessary to disinfect all component surfaces and to follow the disinfecting process with a clean water rinse. It may be necessary to upgrade components of the filtration system to ensure the health of your clients and employees.

Identify the Source of Damage

Addressing the cause of the broken pipe is an important step toward ensuring the disaster doesn't happen again. Work closely with technicians and recovery experts to determine why the break happened and how you can protect your business from future flooding.

The disaster that led to a furnace flood can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Working with a Whittier, CA professional can reduce some of that strain and concern. These experts can lead you through the recovery process and get your business back into action.

4 Necessary Steps for a Business Fire Prevention Plan

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Prepare A Fire Prevention Plan For Your Business

At some point, every business should spend some time preparing a fire prevention plan. With more than 100,000 commercial fires each year causing more than $2 billion in damages, a business fire is a real threat. Any plan is better than no plan, and a good plan could potentially save a company many thousands of dollars. The aspects of a sound plan should include the following elements.

1. Insurance. Every business owner should take a close look at his or her insurance needs at least once a year. In addition to a comprehensive policy that covers fire damage, the policy could include a rider for business interruption insurance. This add-on covers business income loss due to a covered catastrophe such as a major fire.

2. Remediation. After the fire trucks depart, it is important to repair the damage. A local fire mitigation company in Santa Fe Springs, CA, will arrive in a matter of hours of being called and they will get to work repairing soot and smoke damage. Trained technicians are experienced in all aspects of restoring damage caused by fires.

3. Equipment. A robust fire prevention plan addresses the proven equipment needed to deal with a fire. This includes fire alarms and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a fire suppression system such as sprinklers. Having these items on hand and operational can save lives and significantly reduce property damage.

4. Education. An effort should be made to educate all employees on what to do before, during, and after a fire. This could include lessons on operating fire extinguishers as well as information on who to call when a fire breaks out. It should also include where employees should gather in the case of a building fire.

A fire prevention plan can be highly detailed or fairly basic depending upon the size and the needs of a company. Its purpose is to save lives, prevent injuries and minimize property damage and business disruptions.

The 3 Water Damage Categories Explained

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

The Three Types Of Water Damage Explained

ll floods are different. The costs and damage associated with flooding in your commercial property are associated with the water category. After all, having issues during a water pipe repair is different than a sewage backup. There are 3 categories of water. While all of them are dangerous to a building, they require different methods to clean up the damage.

1. Category 1

If you could choose which type of damage you got, you would want category 1. This water is not dangerous to humans or animals. It comes from a clean water source. Often it comes from a broken pipe, overflowing sink, malfunctioning appliance, rainwater, snowmelt, or broken toilet bowl. While this is not contaminated, it is still important to have necessary water pipe repair and remediation tasks performed quickly. This prevents mold from growing and doing more damage to your building.

2. Category 2

Category 2 water damage comes from greywater. This water contains some contaminants. Depending on what is in the water, humans and animals who encounter it could experience irritation and illness. This is because the water often contains harmful microorganisms. This water often comes from malfunctioning dishwashers, sump pump failures, urine spills, fire sprinklers, and condensate water. After experiencing this type of damage, you must have a water pipe repair, cleanup, and decontamination performed.

3. Category 3

Category 3 water damage is the worst option for your business. This is called contaminated water occurs from sewage backups, storms, or rising creeks and rivers. You can also experience category 3 damage if a category 2 flood was not cleaned up correctly. This is why you must hire a water restoration professional as soon as possible.

Failing to do so could lead to additional damage.
If your business was flooded recently and sustained damage, you need to act quickly. Ensure that the water in your South Whittier,CA, business is cleaned up properly. This ensures minimal damage to your building.

How Does Fire Damage Lead To Water Damage

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

What Causes Fire Damage To Water Damage?

Fire restoration teams may discuss fire and water cleanup with business owners during remediation efforts. At first, this combination may seem odd, leaving proprietors to question why they face both predicaments. However, water damage is likely after a fire for many reasons. It's essential to understand how fire crews attack the blaze and why remediation efforts focus on multiple cleanup efforts. 

How Do Firefighters Attack the Flames?

Why isn't smoke cleanup enough? Fire crews use a combination of these efforts to defuse the burning:

• They open holes in the roof to release heat and smoke.
• They bust out windows to encourage airflow.
• They use hoses to saturate materials with water.
• In addition, companies have sprinkler systems that trigger smoke, sending dampness down before teams arrive.These measures drench the building, making it harder for sparks to spread.

Why Do These Approaches Require Water Cleanup?

Sprinklers and hoses cover and soak through the walls, floor and porous belongings. This water, although helpful, does not evaporate quickly or easily. If allowed to sit, the moisture may further harm the structure's integrity and encourage microbial growth. If not handled, owners could face future issues and more expensive repairs. 

What Should Owners Expect During Fire Cleanup?

During remediation, fire restoration specialists in Fullerton, CA, evaluate the property, determining where they need to focus on ash, odor and dampness. Workers scrub the walls and floors, removing soot. They deodorize to restore the air quality and run dehumidifiers to extract water from the air and walls. In addition, to avoid future complications, the experts pull out contaminated pieces, focusing on returning the building to proper form.

When a fire occurs, water is used to put the sparks out. Allowing that moisture to sit could lead to infrastructure concerns and mold growth. Therefore, owners should expect to focus on both smoke and water cleanup procedures.

How To Treat Mold Damage After a Flood

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Although mold grows quickly, you can limit the damage by cleaning it up as soon as possible.

How To Treat Mold Damage Following A Flood

If your business in Whittier, CA, has been caught in a flood, it's important to quickly check for mold growth. You don't want standing water to linger and cause further damage to your flooring or any other part of your structure. Mold can grow and spread in as quickly as 24 to 48 hours, so it is key to act as soon as possible before further problems occur.

Examine the Area Damaged

Look closely at the area of your floor that flooded. This might be the whole floor, a certain area, or just one level, such as a basement within your business. Once you have an idea of what areas need to be looked at, seek help from professional emergency restoration services rather than attempting to tackle the problem on your own.

Understand Different Treatments Used

There are a variety of treatments that can be used to prevent the spread of bacteria depending on the type of mold growth that has developed. These can include:

• Abrasive cleaning
• Foam cleaning
• Immersion cleaning
• Wet cleaning

If there is growth that is difficult to remove, abrasive cleaning might be the best method. Foam is typically used for treating upholstery, while wet cleaning is helpful for heavy residue left behind. Your floor might need one or more of these methods.

Get the Area Treated Quickly

Once you suspect mold damage has happened as the result of a flood, it's necessary to get it taken care of as soon as possible. The restoration company can help you understand where you need to have work performed and what the extent of your damage is. You can determine if you'll need to temporarily close your business. Even if you do, you can feel confident knowing the damage has been treated.

While mold growth can occur quickly, you can mitigate the damage by getting it cleaned up as soon as possible. With proper treatment, you can ensure it does not cause further problems.

Strategies To Avoid Flooding

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Whittier has professional drying equipment for your storm and water damage. We responded immediately and begin the mitigation process.

Flood Prevention Techniques

Flood prevention in Whittier, CA, is a shared responsibility between the city and property owners. The city is responsible for ensuring that flooding does not wreak havoc upon the whole area, and you are responsible for taking care of your commercial building and the land it occupies. While many macro-level strategies may be out of your control, you can employ the following strategies to keep your building as safe as possible.

Keep It Clean

Even the best drainage system can be clogged by unnecessary debris. To do your part to take care of your city’s flood management system, you can:

• Clean up the litter on your property, particularly around storm drains.
  
• Trim trees and shrubberies on a regular basis so that weaker limbs are less likely to break and create debris during a storm.
  
• Educate employees about responsible disposal of trash.

It is also important to keep your building’s drains clear. Clean leaves and dirt out of gutters at least once every other month. Make sure that ditches around your property don’t become trash receptacles.

Keep It Green

Your landscaping can help with flood prevention. Adding plants around your building can slow the flow of floodwaters. Flower beds can be built with water reservoirs under them, giving excess rain a place to go, if necessary. Trees and other plants with extensive root systems can combat erosion, preventing mudslides and the subsequent damage to your foundation.

Keep It Routine

Flood cleaning experts recommend that you adhere to a consistent inspection schedule. Building codes are in place to protect both the city and the building owner from preventable damage. By noticing problems and repairing them quickly, you can protect both your building and the infrastructure that supports it.

Flood prevention works best when every entity at every level works together. If you do everything you can do to protect your building and the property on which it is built, you can help the city with its emergency flood plan as well.