Fire control procedures & high humidity conditions can cause or contribute to water damage.

Fire Control Procedures
Fighting fires often requires substantial quantities of water, in many cases spreading to parts of the structure not affected directly by the fire. The problem is often compounded when the fire (and water) damaged home is boarded up and left unattended while adjusters and contractors prepare estimates. Any delay in initiating proper drying procedures leads to a substantial increase in the amount of damage. As with all water damage, emergency procedures should be initiated as soon as possible to reduce primary and secondary damage.

High Ambient Humidity
Even high humidity conditions can cause moisture damage. Many materials are hygroscopic; that is, they seek a moisture equilibrium with the environment. They absorb water vapor from the air. Such hygroscopic materials may be damaged or mildewed when in an environment above 60% Relative Humidity for extended periods. As a water damage professional, we can treat and dry materials that were damaged by the effects
of high humidity. Obviously, we have not discussed every cause of water damage. There are virtually
hundreds of situations causing it. Combine all the causes of primary water damage with those more related to secondary humidity damage, and opportunities for restoration are almost endless. Simple accidents in the home can cause extensive damage.

Next….what’s with the 20 questions…. Things your restoration company should ask you when you call in a water damage.

Water Damage Causes

Ever since Noah's flood, unwanted water has plagued people. Most early water damage was caused by structural leaks and rising rivers. Buildings resistant to natural elements must have been a high priority in early civilizations. While man has learned to construct more water resistant buildings, interior water damage is more likely than ever. Between plumbing, porous finishing materials and fine furnishings, this combination creates a perfect environment for water and humidity damage.

Water damage occurs more often than most people realize. In fact, average homeowners will have at least one water damage experience during their lifetimes. Natural causes of water damage from hurricanes, rivers and coastal flooding still occur and are the most devastating. Yet the most common causes of water damage include frozen pipes, faulty appliances and fixtures, faulty or damaged plumbing, accidents or negligence, faulty or damaged construction, and willful misconduct or vandalism.

Let’s take look at the most common causes of water damage on the central coast.
Defective or Faulty Appliances
Some of the most common water damage situations occur because of faulty or defective appliances. A hot water tank, for example, has a limited life, and often causes leaks when it fails. The degree of damage depends upon its location, the quantity of water, and the time of saturation. Other examples of faulty or defective appliances causing water damage include dishwashers, ice-makers, washing machines, water
softeners, and air conditioners.

Defective Fixtures
Defective, worn and damaged fixtures also cause a great deal of water damage. A stuck toilet float or worn shutoff valve can lead to extensive leakage. When leaks are not discovered quickly, the resulting damage can be severe. Other examples of defective or faulty fixtures include fire sprinklers, sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, Jacuzzis® and hot tubs. Defective sprinklers in commercial buildings are a major cause of water damage.

Faulty or Damaged Construction
An above-average incidence of water damage is found in areas of new construction, for several reasons. Newly installed drainage systems may fail after first heavy rains. A system may be poor in quality, crushed, blocked, or inadequate for conditions. A drywall contractor or carpenter may have nailed through a pipe during installation. The roof may have leaks around flashing or gutters. Appliances and fixtures may leak when the water is connected and turned on.

Accidents and Negligence
Simple accidents or negligence often cause water damage. A homeowner accidentally leaves the water running in a sink or tub while going to the supermarket. An aquarium leaks or breaks while being moved. A garden hose left running near a foundation leaks into the basement. The list of accidents involving water is endless and the damage can be extensive.

Willful Misconduct and Vandalism
Vandals may intentionally cause water damage. They may place a garden hose into a basement window. Such vandalism usually occurs when homeowners are away on vacation, or on new construction before a building is occupied. Because discovery is often delayed, water damage in these situations can be extensive.


Stay Tuned… Next fire control procedures and high humidity conditions can cause or contribute to water damage.

Water Damage Clean Up or Restoration services- What’s the difference?

Water damage is "any water that causes the usefulness, or future use or value of any property to become impaired by water." For example, if a gallon of water is spilled over a hundred square feet of carpet, it will do little damage. If an aquarium breaks on the same carpet, it will certainly cause damage. If the water is contaminated, the water damage will be even more serious.

The old days of cleaning up water damage with a wet vacuum and opening the windows to allow for natural drying of structures and contents can bring unwanted secondary damage, potential mold growth and a host of other potential health and liability concerns. The old days are gone and thank goodness. The restoration industry has continued to evolve and restoration firms today must be well trained in microbiology, biocide chemistry, inspection techniques, psychrometry, thermodynamics, building science, and evaporation and dehumidification theory.

Some restoration firms make the error of saying that they do water damage. At ServiceMaster Anytime, we don’t "do water damage," we offer water damage restoration. The key word is restoration. According to the dictionary, restore means to "bring back to a former or normal state." Restoration is "the act of restoring." So the first and most important aspect of water damage restoration is to remove abnormal moisture from affected materials and return them to their former "normal" state. The restoration job is not complete until all affected materials are completely dried and restored to their former condition. Only then can you even begin to assume that you are "doing restoration." However there are some cases where the fire or water damage is very severe and some items cannot be restored. Others could cost more to restore than their actual value. We work with you and your insurance claim representative and explain the limits of what we as professional restorers can do in the case of severe damage.
Watch this Blog for more on the Restorative Drying.

Santa Barbara Northside Optimist Club Gets Prepared

The Santa Barbara Northside Optimist Club invited ServiceMaster Anytime to present Personal Disaster Preparedness training. Michelle Profant, President of the club said, “Your presentation at our Optimist Club last Wednesday was eye opening and VERY informative, Thank you!”

ServiceMaster Anytime provides free Disaster Preparedness training and planning services. We are an Authorized Mentor of the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Business Disaster Preparedness program. The Ready Business program helps owners and managers of small to medium size businesses prepare their employees, operation and assets in the event of an individual or community disaster. We provide this service free of charge. For more information visit us at http://www.svma.com/contingency.html