Archive for the ‘ San Diego Water Damage ’ Category

The Christmas Flood

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

The Christmas Flood

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

Your out-of-town guests will arrive in the morning, clean sheets and towels are a must, so the last load of laundry you’re doing.

Stuffing the washer with a smile on your face, soon your home will become a cheerful place.

Off to bed you go with a glass of water for your thirst, when all of a sudden your washing machine hose bursts!

As tired as you are from doing your chores, you hear nothing, not a sound, not even a roar.

In the morning you wake and jump out of bed, but the carpet’s not dry, it’s soggy instead!

Oh no! What happened? What do I do?

Believe it or not, this scenario is not uncommon.  We understand.  That is what we do.  After the panic subsides and the head clears, this homeowner probably called their insurance carrier and reported the flood.  As a preferred insurance contractor, we are given the contact information for this homeowner and the basics of what happened.  Immediately after receiving this information, one of our Team Coordinators contacts the homeowner.  This person has just experienced their own personal catastrophe, a “worst nightmare” if you will.  Our Staff is here to calm the homeowner and assure them that we can help.  The best part is we mean it!

Our Emergency Services Technicians and Plumbers work 24/7/365.  They are truly the “Knights in Shining Armor!”  As soon as they arrive at the property, the homeowner lights up.  We are here to help.  All of our Techs and Plumbers are highly trained and are the best at what they do.  Immediately, they begin by surveying the situation, possibly doing a Leak Detection to determine where the source of the leak is located.  Time is always of the essence in a situation like this.  The water has been standing on the tile and carpet since the night before.  The drywall is quick to soak up the water like a sponge.  At this point, the homeowner is elated we are there, but has no idea what is going to happen next.

The leak will be repaired and the standing water will be extracted.  The carpet will be pulled up and, depending on the age of the house, the drywall and tile will be tested for asbestos.  Since this house was built before 1985, the drywall and tile cannot be cut into or pulled up until a test is done.  Fans and dehumidifiers will be set to start the drying process.  If the test results come back negative for asbestos, our Techs can begin the demolition.  All of the contents in the affected rooms must be moved to another location.  Then, the baseboards will be pulled and the drywall cut up the wall to just past the water line.  The fans and dehumidifiers will continue to blow.

This cheerful place will now begin to take on a gloomy feel.  The house guests will now be greeted with a tearful eye, while our technicians continue to perform their work.  The homeowner is now extremely overwhelmed and wants it all to be over.    A complete dryout usually takes 3 days.  That is 3 days with fans blowing and your house literally torn apart.  An Estimator will make his way to the property to discuss putting it back together again.  At this point the homeowner just wants this nightmare to end.  In a nut shell, we are no longer welcome.  Each and every person who works for this company is extremely professional and empathetic.  With great understanding our Estimators try and comfort the homeowner by assuring them that this will all be over soon.

The carpet will need to be replaced and so will the tile.  A relief for some of our customers is meeting with our Interiors Manager to select new carpet and tile.  She is ray of light with a very warm and caring smile.  The homeowner now feels a bit better about the situation.  The light is at the end of the tunnel.

One of our Project Managers will contact the homeowner to have the house put back together.  This will require more people working to replace drywall, texture and paint.  This can be messy as dust flies around.  We do our best to contain the situation, but it is difficult at times.  Frustration has set in with the homeowner.  “Why is this taking so long?”  “When will it be done?”  The carpet won’t be here for 5 more days.  “The paint color seems darker.”  “The dust is everywhere.”  “The cement beneath my feet is getting old.”  Our Coordinators and Project Managers check in with the homeowner on a regular basis to make sure everything is ok.  We strive for perfect “10” service, anything less is not an option.  We do whatever we can to comfort the homeowner and keep their spirits up.

Finally, the house is put together and we have had it professionally cleaned.  Now, life can resume for the homeowner.  Behind the scenes our team is working with the Insurance Carrier to handle all the finances, diligently trying to keep the homeowner protected from any more stress.  We, again, are the “Knights in Shining Armor”.

I felt the best way for me to explain what we do and why we merit consideration for this award was to take you through the life of a loss.  As you can see, emotions are running wild.  In some cases, people are displaced from their residence for extended periods of time.  These homeowners and insurance carriers trust us to do the right thing.  Ethically, we stand very strong.  Honesty, integrity and outstanding workmanship are the backbone of our company.  Our biggest concern is to get these problems fixed and the homeowners’ life back to normal.  Yes, we are a business and our goal is to make a profit.  However, we will never accept a job for less money and then do it half way, nor will we inflate a job to make extra money.  We utilize industry standard pricing and keep the best interest of all parties in the forefront. Many customers become lifelong friends with our staff.  We were there when they needed us and we will be there in the future.

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Posted in carpet cleaning, plumbing, San Diego Water Damage | No Comments »

ESN Restoration Services Renews Membership With Disaster Kleenup International

Saturday, November 6th, 2010
Wednesday, November 03 2010 12:27 Andrew Neiman
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Disaster Kleenup International, Inc., North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting organization, today announced that ESN Restoration Services of San Marcos, California, has renewed its membership with DKI. ESN Restoration Services has provided insurance restoration in the San Diego marketplace since 1997, and has been a DKI Member since 2006.

By extending its DKI membership, ESN Restoration Services will continue to utilize DKI’s 24 hour call center, its DIAMOND® claims tracking technology, and other tools to enhance its ability to serve its insurance and corporate customers. ESN Restoration Services also gains access to DKI’s training seminars and workshops to ensure they remain abreast of all changes in this rapidly evolving industry.

“We are delighted that ESN Restoration Services will continue to be a part of the rapidly growing DKI organization,” stated Dale Sailer, DKI’s president. ESN Restoration Services commitment to quick response, superior workmanship and outstanding customer service reaffirms DKI’s position in the marketplace as The Source for Quality Restoration. We look forward to continuing our rewarding association with ESN Restoration Services.”

ESN Restoration Services Owner, Chet Johnston is pleased ESN Restoration Services meets the high standards for continued membership, as DKI has always stood for excellence in the industry. The opportunity to work in partnership with other quality firms in the DKI organization has ESN Restoration Services to expand their scope of services, introduced them to new markets and has helped ensure their continued success.

In addition to being able to use DKI’s technology and training capabilities ESN Restoration Services can also continue using the Disaster Kleenup branding in its marketing efforts, participate in its various co-op programs, and leverage DKI’s corporate marketing efforts.

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About ESN Restoration Services
Headquartered in San Marcos, California, ESN Restoration Services has been the preferred emergency service and property restoration specialist for insurance carriers and property owners. The company provides in-house service capabilities that include all phases from initial emergency response for water, fire, smoke and wind damage to the complete restoration of all affected property. Its staff is also trained to help property owner’s deal with the unexpected challenges facing them during the repair process by working directly with their insurance company. For more information, please visit www.4esn.com.

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Posted in carpet cleaning, Mold Removal, plumbing, San Diego Fire and Smoke Damage, San Diego Water Damage | No Comments »

FEMA Encourages Americans to be Prepared as they Turn their Clocks Back

Saturday, November 6th, 2010
Friday, November 05 2010 14:33 Newswire
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WASHINGTON-With Daylight Saving Time coming to an end, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging Americans to take advantage of the November 7 time change as a reminder to make sure their families are prepared for a possible emergency. A few simple steps like checking smoke alarms, developing a family communications plan, and putting an emergency kit together can go a long way toward keeping families safe.

Daylight Saving Time is a Good Opportunity to Make Sure Your Families Are Prepared for Emergencies

“As we all get ready to turn our clocks back this Sunday, it’s important for families to use this opportunity to get ready for possible emergencies,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “As a nation, we can only be as prepared as our public – the most important member of our emergency management team. I encourage everyone, as we fall back an hour, to also take a few simple steps to prepare their homes and loved ones for emergencies, including checking their smoke alarms and putting together an emergency kit.”

Information on preparing for emergencies can be found at www.Ready.gov. Steps include developing a communications plan to ensure family members know how to get in touch with each other during an emergency, putting together an emergency kit, and staying informed of potential risks. It’s important to remember that an emergency could be a large-scale catastrophic disaster, or a smaller-scale event like a car accident or house fire.

In addition to visiting Ready.gov, the United States Fire Administration is encouraging families to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire so it’s important to test alarms regularly and keep them properly maintained. This includes checking the manufacture/expiration date on the label, replacing the batteries, and cleaning dust away from the slots so that smoke can enter freely.

For more information about home smoke alarms and fire sprinklers, please visit: www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.

About FEMA
FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Posted in San Diego Fire and Smoke Damage, San Diego Water Damage | No Comments »

Stopping a Plumbing Emergency Before it Happens

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Plumbing emergencies often occur because homeowners ignore small leaks or other plumbing problems, allowing the situation to get worse, ultimately leading to an expensive problem. In order to avoid expensive repairs due to  minor plumbing problems, a homeowner must always be vigilant of the signs that are present, and should consult a professional, local plumber.

First, check your water bill. Do you see an unexplained increase in your usage bill? Water leaks can be very expensive and even minor leaks can waste over 40 gallons of water per day. Does your toilet run constantly? If so, you may be wasting thousands of gallons of water per month, and causing further damage to your toilet hardware. Fixtures can often leak when old, or when not tightened properly. Sometimes all they need is a new gasket and a tightening. Water leaking from fixtures will often find its way back into your walls, leading to possible mold problems, or even structural damage.

Stains on your walls are a usual sign of water damage. If you begin to notice any discoloration of the paint, yellow stains, or outlines, you have water leaking, and running through your walls. If the water gets in contact with an electrical circuit, you may have a life threatening situation on your hands. Don’t wait to get it fixed, but call a plumber right away. Especially if you suspect that electricity is involved.

Look at your floors; does your hardwood seem bloated, warped or discolored in certain areas? Water can leak down the walls and damage your expensive hardwood and laminate floors. Carpeting can also be affected by water damage, causing permanent stains that are difficult to remove. Stop the leak before it damages the rest of your house.

Whether your plumbing problem is small or a full blown emergency, the 24 Hour San Diego plumbers at ESN Restoration can help you get your home fixed. Since we are a full service contractor, we can handle any part of your plumbing emergency, from pipes to damaged walls, and even damaged floors and carpet cleaning. By choosing ESN, you will save time by having all possible repair services at your hands.  Plus, we work directly with your insurance provider. Call us today for a home inspection. 888-420-4ESN (4376)

**For a limited time, get 25% off your plumbing bill. Call for details

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Posted in plumbing, San Diego Water Damage | 1 Comment »

Water Damage, Fire, Smoke, and Flood Damage Emergency Restoration and Repair

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

This is our new company video. We are very proud to present this here on our blog.

Posted in Mold Removal, San Diego Fire and Smoke Damage, San Diego Home Remodeling, San Diego Water Damage | No Comments »

How to Effectively Deal With Water Damage

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Water damage in your home or business is an experience most people would like to avoid. Water  not only causes damage to your property, assets, and belongings but also endangers the health of your family and employees. Selecting the right company to help with water damage restoration is vital. ESN restoration is a leader in providing San Diego water damage restoration. We pride ourselves in providing high quality restoration services at affordable rates. The safety and satisfaction of our customers is our number goal.

A variety of circumstances can cause water damage. Flooding, for instance, is one of the most common causes of water damage. If you live in an area that is flood prone due to extreme weather you will be required to have flood insurance. However, if the city you live in is not flood prone, then most likely your home owners insurance will not cover flood damage. It is therefore necessary to have a plan in case you might have to face the problem. Natural disasters are impossible to avoid. Having an emergency water damage plan will help you save thousands of dollars and protect the safety and well being of your family and employees. If you are faced with an unexpected water damage situation, be sure to take the proper steps to safeguard your property and family.

What if you live in No Flood Area?

It is important to realize that water damage can occur even if you live in a city that is not prone to flooding. One of the most common causes of flooding is roof leakage. A leaking roof can bring lots of water to your house, specially if it goes unattended. Furthermore, broken or blocked plumbing can cause water damage throughout your house. Broken pipes are common occurrences in extreme cold weather. When the water freezes it can lead to a burst in the pipes and thus can lead to water damage in the property. Beside frozen pipes and leaky roofs, clogged drains can also cause water damage throughout the property. Flood caused by clogged drains could be harmful to the property as well as the well being of your family and employees, especially if there is septic or sewer water present.  It can also lead to mold spores which will cause health hazards if inhaled.

Do you have a Water Damage Plan?

Water or flood damage occurs when most people least expect it. Having a proper water or flood damage plan will save time and thousands of dollars. It’s important to outline the steps you will take in case the unexpected does occur. Safety should be first and foremost on your list followed by protecting your assets and belongings. Operating electrical equipment should be avoided unless proper precautionary measures are taken. Do not use heat to dry the property as it will lead to mold. Once you have made sure of the safety of your family and employees, call a water damage restoration company as son as possible.

Call a Professional Water and Flood Damage Restoration Company

While you wait for a professional water and flood damage Restoration Company to arrive, you can do a few things on your own to help secure your home. For instance, after ensuring structural integrity, you can start to remove some of your assets and belonging. Let the air come through by opening your windows and doors. Keep your children and family away from the wet areas. If you have pets, also make sure to remove them from the scene.

To ensure minimum damage it’s highly recommended o hire the services of a professional water and flood damage restoration company such as ESN. ESN is a trusted name in Water, Fire, Smoke, and Flood Damage Repair and restoration services. We offer the best in technology, personnel, and customer satisfaction. Our experience and state of the art equipment enables us to provide fast and efficient emergency restoration services to clients in San Diego, Riverside, and South Orange County. If you are dealing with Fire, Water, Flood, or smoke related emergencies, time is of the essence. Don’t wait. Call us at 888-420-4ESN (4376) for immediate relief or visit our website http://www.4esn.com for more information.

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Water and Fire Damage Nightmares

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Having a home suffer damage from either water or fire is always devastating, and restoring the structural integrity of the house is certainly difficult. While water damage restoration is somewhat easier (and more likely to be salvageable) than fire damage restoration, neither task is easy or cheap. Water damage repairs and fire damage repairs are different processes, and each requires a different set of tools and procedures. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the different effects of water and fire damage, as well as some of the ways in which the repair process can be made simpler.

Water damage restoration is divided into several categories. Category one, is any type of water that is from a sanitary source. Common examples of this include clean water from toilet tanks, faucets, and certain water lines. Category two is any type of water coming from a contaminated source that could potentially cause illness if ingested. Category two water sources can include overflow from washing machines and dishwashers. Category three, water damage sources are highly unsanitary, with a chance of causing grave illnesses or even death. Category three, water is also known as “black water,” and typically come from such sources as sewage, a toilet bowl with feces, and standing water that can support bacteria and viruses.

Fire damage restoration is also separated into categories. Category one is that which does not pose any permanent damage to the structure, such as a small electrical fire that is quickly contained. This type of fire damage can generally be repaired by the homeowner, using tools and material from the hardware store. Category two generally results from larger electrical or cooking fires, and can pose a small risk of long-term or permanent damage to a structure. It tends to require professional help to repair. Category three is a significant risk to the structure, and requires extensive professional work to repair.

If your home has suffered either of these types of damage, then a water damage restoration or fire damage restoration company is likely the best solution. If you want to try repairing water damage on your own, then looking up some information on how to accomplish various levels of the repair process will help. It will not only allow you to decide whether you’re up to the task, but increase your chances of success.

ESN is a San Diego Water Damage Restoration Company. If you have been the victim of water damage or flood damage in San Diego, Riverside, or South Orange County please call ESN for immediate response. Our water damage restoration experts are on stand by to assist you get back to normal life. For more information on San Diego Water damage restoration visit our website www.4esn.com.

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Posted in San Diego Fire and Smoke Damage, San Diego Water Damage | 2 Comments »

Water Damage Restoration – Can Water Damage Cause Mold

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Water damage presents a number of problems, many of which can be difficult to fix without professional help. Water damage restoration involves a number of different steps, and one of the most common complications of water damage is mold. Mold removal is tricky, as if it is done improperly it can cause further structural damage. Here, we will go over a few of the more common types of water damage, how you can go about repairing it, as well as how to reduce the chances of water damage in the future.

Water damage restoration is generally needed when a roof or siding of a building is insufficiently protected from water. Water damage usually occurs when rain soaks into areas of a roof that are missing flashings, shingles, or other front lines of defense against water. It can also be soaked up by debris that collects on roofs, such as against HVAC units or in drains and gutters. Over time, water can eat away at the material of a building, and grow mold that creates further problems. Mold is dangerous not only because it can damage the structure of the building, but also because it can release spores that are irritating if they are breathed in.

Mold removal should be performed as soon as possible, and checking your roof for signs of water damage on a regular basis will help you solve the problem before it gets worse. Signs of water damage include blistering on asphalt or shingles, areas that have no gravel covering, missing flashings (thin strips of metal around corners and edges), clogged gutters and drains, and so on. If you locate an area that you suspect may be damaged by water, call a professional team to evaluate it. Do not attempt to remove mold on your own, as you will likely damage the roof further.

It is easy to keep your home protected against water damage, which will in turn lower the chances of it needing water damage restoration. Simply inspect your roof and siding on a regular basis, and make sure that flashings, sealants, caulking, and other parts of the building designed to keep water out are not damaged or missing. If you locate any problems, calling a repair team or, if the problem is simple enough, fixing it yourself can help prevent water from damaging your home, and can also help prevent it from growing harmful mold.

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Posted in Mold Removal, San Diego Water Damage | 1 Comment »

Water Damage – How to Avoid Water Damage

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Avoiding water damage in your home is extremely important. Water can structurally damage your home, leaving it weaker and prone to other problems. This can render your home unsafe, and require expensive repairs. Additionally, many secondary problems are caused by moisture damage as well. If you want to avoid mold, mildew, rot, and termites, you would do well to do your best to keep moisture where it belongs. By doing this, you protect the value of your home, as well as your own health and safety. What follows should give you some useful hints that you can use to prevent damage from water in your home.

First, you can avoid damage from water by insulating your home properly and using proper preventative methods that are appropriate for your area. If you have a basement or crawlspace, you may want to invest in waterproofing, either external or internal. Additionally, this will vary depending on whether the ground freezes in your particular location, so it is important to use the best local techniques. Finally, when waterproofing your home, it is important to consider the insulation in your walls as well as your siding. Many types of siding, as well as the sealants that cover them, are better able to resist moisture. Wood siding is the most vulnerable to moisture, but it can be strengthened by the correct sealants. By using these steps, you can avoid costly water damage restoration.

Additionally, your home can cause its own moisture problems entirely independently of external sources of water. If your pipes leak, crack, or break entirely, you will find yourself facing serious damage very quickly. Because of this, it is important that you identify and fix any leaks in your home as soon as they occur. Listen for the sounds of running water when you are not using any, and look for signs of water damage such as sagging, dripping, or discolored walls and ceilings.

While avoiding damage from moisture is difficult, the alternative is much worse. Having to perform expensive and time consuming water damage restoration is best to be avoided. Because of this, proper prevention techniques are vital. However, by keeping an eye on the warning signs that signal your home is in danger of being damaged by moisture, you can avoid expensive repairs and even flood damage in the worst case scenario. While this seems like a lot of work, it will save you time in the long run.

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Posted in San Diego Water Damage | 1 Comment »