New renters and homeowners may not be familiar with the common causes of water damage in San Francisco. Whether you just moved to the city or have never had your own home, remember that having insurance is important when it comes to protecting you in the instance of water damage. Water damage can be very costly if it isn’t responded to right away so anytime you see something out of the ordinary it is best to quickly call a water damage company.
Common Causes
San Francisco has a lot of paved surfaces which makes runoff water a big issue for people living downstream and on the ground levels during rainstorms. San Francisco has the fourth oldest homes (built pre-1978) in the country and most of the time the pipes are just as old. When the temperature drops, pipes can freeze and burst.
One common culprit of water damage in San Francisco is an outside hose that may be left on. Often, it is as simple as an inside faucet that is running when someone goes on vacation. Sometimes toilets overflow and water can seep between the cracks in the floor or into the joints of the wall and floor. If you are unsure if water has gotten below the floorboards or into the walls and ceilings, it is best to get it checked. Stagnant water breeds mold which can cause serious health concerns.
Mold can come hand-in-hand with water damage. If you notice a water spot on the ceiling or wall, be sure to get a mold test done by a licensed technician. If you had a leak that was running more than 24 hours, it is advised to have someone come in to check for mold. Remember if your hose was leaking into your crawl space or rain may have gotten under your house, mold can develop and affect your health.
Time is of The Essence
When you see or suspect water damage it is imperative that you call a water damage company right away. You can have serious structural damage, ruin flooring, and drywall. If you’re in a multi-level building your issue could also be affecting other residents below you. Most water damage technicians will respond within thirty minutes and be on site right away to help you with their humidifiers, fans, heaters, and extraction equipment.
In order to keep your costs at a minimum and ensure your insurance (if you have it) will cover the damage, you ought to act right away. Water damage can be very costly if it isn’t handled by professionals in a timely manner. Do not try to take care of it on your own because you may not know how far the water spread or how to check inside the walls and under the flooring. To preserve the value of your home, make sure you find a company that has excellent water damage remediation ratings. Look for the Lead-Safe EPA certification and an inspection certification for qualified professionals.
Hopefully it never happens to you, but if you do have water damage, San Francisco has many experienced experts that will help ease your mind and protect your home.
