How To Prevent Water Damage in Long Beach, CA?

Gutters Drained:

How to do it:

• Clean your gutters routinely. A clogged gutter will send water down to the side of your house.  Standing water will damage your siding and foundation.
• Make sure your yard is sloped away from your foundation.
• Maintenance cost: Very little. Cleaning gutters can be done by you.  If you hire someone they average around $100.
• Worst case scenario: Your foundation could settle and crack your basement walls.
• The cost to repair a foundation can be in between $15,000 to $40,000.

Do you have a Sump Pump?

Sump pumps are needed during storms. So when you realize that it is not working properly you are in trouble. You should check it at least once a year to make sure it is working.

How to test your sump pump:

You can test a sump pump by slowly filling the sump pump pit with water. Watch for the “float” to rise and that will turn on the pump.  Wait for the water levels to fall too.

1. Maintenance cost: Testing is easy and you can do it.

2. Worst case scenario: Your basement would flood basically.

Check And Fix Water Leaks

Leaks will lead to further damage to your home this includes structural damage, mold, mildew, and much more.

How to check for Leaks:

1. Check for dark spots, stains, toilet basis, and listen for sounds of water dripping.

2. Inspect your roof once a year and repair whatever is necessary.

Maintenance cost:  If you can pin point the spot it will help.  A plumber could cost around $200 and roof repair could be thousands depending on everything.  Finding the source of a leak is critical to preventing more financial investment.

Worst case scenario: Joint and structural repair and roof repairs that might cost thousands.

Mold can grow within 24 Hours in the right temperature, darkness, and enough moisture in the air.  It doesn’t take much for the right environment to produce mold or mildew.

Categories of Water Damage

Category 1:   White or Clean water which is fresh, which could be from a bathtub, washing machine or dishwasher.   For 48 hours, this water is harmless.

Category 2:  Gray water that has been still for 48 hours.  Or the water has been in contact with human waste is also gray water.  Gray water can also cause potential health risks the longer it is taken care of.

Category 3:  Black water occurs when flooding happens.  The primary source is sewage.  Black water contains chemicals, debris, waste, and other contaminate.   Black water is unsanitary and dangerous.  Black water has toxins, organisms, and cause disease.

Taking care of water damage immediately is essential.  It is also easier to call your local water damage restoration specialist to handle the problem like Mark It Clean in Long Beach, CA.  Mark It Clean will work with you the homeowner and your homes insurance provider to make sure that you are at a peace of mind during a water damage disaster.

Mark It Clean in your local water damage restoration company in Long Beach, CA.  Call us 24 Hours a day for help.  Call 562-726-2929 and we can be at your home within the hour.

There are ways you can spot water damage in your home.   However, not all water damage is going to be visible in your Long Beach home. Water can leak in hidden places like the inside of the walls and that can have some severe damage.  You need to do close inspection to detect water damage possibilities.  Getting to the problem spots in your home early and quickly will help prevent further damage to your home.

Dangers of Standing Water

1. Bacteria

When there is sewage in the water, specific types of bacteria that are common are E. coli and Salmonella.  Bacteria will begin to grow if you give it enough time.   Floodwater can really harbor unknown bacteria.

2. Mold

Within 24 hours mold grows and this can cause symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, sneezing, irritated skin, red/itchy eyes, asthma, and other allergies and health issues.

3. Viruses

Standing water grows viruses to breed including the Norwalk virus and rotaviruses.

4. Parasites

The most common parasites in standing water are Entamoeba, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium.

5. Structural Damage

Standing water can cause serious hazards to the structure of your home. The exposure to the water can ruin drywall, carpet, flooring, and much more.

Call Mark It Clean in Long Beach, CA and our certified and insured water damage technicians will help your with your water damage restoration problem in your home.  Call Mark It Clean at 562-726-2929.  Open 24 Hours a day.