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What Kinds of Damage Can Heavy Rain Cause to Properties in Hillcrest?

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

A closeup of heavy rain is shown. We are leaders in storm damage restoration services in San Diego.

Our Centre City/Uptown team restores water damage from heavy rain every year in the Hillcrest community. Heavy rain can potentially cause various types of damage to properties, particularly if the area experiences intense or prolonged rainfall. While this area of Southern California generally enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, heavy rain can still pose risks. Here are some of the potential types of damage heavy rain can cause to properties:

Flooding: Low-lying areas and properties located in flood-prone zones may be at risk of flooding during heavy rain. This can lead to water damage to structures, including foundations, walls, floors, and belongings inside the property.

Water Intrusion: Roof leaks, faulty windows, and improperly sealed doors can allow rainwater to enter a property. Over time, this can cause damage to ceilings, walls, and flooring, as well as promote mold growth if not properly addressed.

Landslides and Erosion: In hilly or sloped areas like Hillcrest, heavy rain can increase the risk of landslides and erosion. This can potentially damage properties built on or near slopes and hillsides.

Sewer Backups: Heavy rain can overload municipal sewer systems, leading to sewer backups into properties. This can cause significant damage.

Foundation Damage: Prolonged heavy rain can saturate the soil around a property's foundation, potentially causing it to shift or settle. This can result in foundation cracks and structural damage.

Call Us Today!

When your Hillcrest home or commercial business has a water intrusion issue from heavy rain, our SERVPRO of Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help®. Call us today at 619-583-2133.

SERVPRO® Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated.

Broken Pipe Floods Centre City Condo Overnight?

11/27/2023 (Permalink)

A person calls for professional help for a water damage emergency. We are leaders in water damage restoration services in San Diego.

Our local Centre City/Uptown team responds to more water damage emergencies than any other form of property damage emergency. We know that our fast response time and use of powerful, industrial-grade equipment saves our customers time and money in many cases.

One common cause of broken pipes results from ageing pipes. The speed at which pipes deteriorate can vary depending on several factors, including the type of pipe material, water quality, usage patterns, and environmental conditions. Generally, some types of pipes are more susceptible to rapid deterioration than others. Here are a few types of pipes that are known for breaking down relatively quickly:

Polybutylene (PB) Pipes: Polybutylene pipes were commonly used in residential plumbing during the 1970s and 1980s. However, they are notorious for breaking down quickly due to their susceptibility to becoming brittle and cracking over time. PB pipes are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals in municipal water supplies, which can accelerate their degradation. Due to their poor track record, many homeowners have replaced PB pipes with more durable alternatives.

Galvanized Steel Pipes: Galvanized steel pipes were once a popular choice for plumbing, but they are prone to corrosion and rust. Over time, the interior of these pipes can become clogged with rust, reducing water flow and leading to leaks or bursts. Galvanized steel pipes have largely been phased out in favor of more corrosion-resistant materials like copper and PEX.

Orangeburg Pipes: Orangeburg pipes, also known as bitumen-impregnated fiber pipes, were used in residential sewer lines in the mid-20th century. These pipes are notorious for their short lifespan and tendency to deteriorate rapidly. Over time, they can collapse, become misshapen, or develop cracks, leading to sewage backups and drainage issues.

Call Us Today!

You never know when your Centre City home or commercial business will suffer a water damage loss from a broken pipe, but when you need our services, the Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 619-583-2133.

SERVPRO ® franchise is independently owned and operated.

Biohazard Contamination in Gaslamp Quarter Business?

11/20/2023 (Permalink)

A biohazard containment bin with the biohazard symbol is shown. We clean and restore biohazards 24 hours a day in San Diego.

Our local Centre City/Uptown team is trained and certified to clean and restore biohazard contaminations in commercial properties. Gaslamp Quarter businesses trust us to respond day or night to contain and safely clear biohazard or sewage contamination. After any exposure to a biohazard, your safety should be the priority. Here are some things you can do while waiting for professional help to arrive:

What to Do After a Contamination

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
  • Treat allbodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
  • Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

What Not to Do After a Contamination

  • Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
  • Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
  • Don’t use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don’t use television or other household appliances.
  • Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Call Us Today!

You never know when your commercial business or home in the Gaslamp Quarter will be exposed to biohazard contamination from flood water or a sewage backup, but when you need our services, the Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help®. Call us today at 619-583-2133.

SERVPRO of Centre City/Uptown is Independently Owned and Operated.

SERVPRO of Centre City/Uptown: Your Trusted Local Storm Damage Restoration Experts.

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial property with standing storm water is shown When storms strike, SERVPRO of Centre City/Uptown is your trusted local restoration team, ready 24/7 to tackle storm and water damage. Count on our ex

When Mother Nature unleashes her fury with a storm, property damage is often the aftermath. Storm damage, water damage, or both can wreak havoc on your home or business. That's where SERVPRO® of Centre City/Uptown steps in as your trusted, local, and community-based restoration professionals, always Here to Help when you need us most.

With years of experience, our team is well-equipped to handle any storm-related property damage. From leaky roofs to flooded interiors, we've seen it all and know exactly how to restore your property to its pre-damage state.

What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to our local community. We understand the unique challenges that Centre City/Uptown residents face during storms, and we're just a call away, ready to respond with professionalism and expertise, 24/7.

Don't let storm damage disrupt your life. Count on SERVPRO of Centre City/Uptown, your experienced and trusted local restoration partner, to help you weather the storm and restore your property to its former glory. We're Here to Help

SERVPRO of Centre City/Uptown is independently owned and operated.

North Park Residents Take Precautions to Minimize Property Damage from Heavy Rain?

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

Sandbags are collected in advance of a severe rainstorm. We are leaders in storm damage restoration services in San Diego.

Our local Centre City/Uptown team wants everyone in North Park to be prepared for heavy rainstorms. These storms can blow in with little advanced warning, so it is always a good idea to remain vigilant and to take precautions to ensure the safety of your home, loved ones, and neighbors. Here are some things that can be done in advance of severe weather to strengthen the resilience of your neighborhood from the American Red Cross:

Check on Vulnerable Residents: Look out for elderly neighbors, people with disabilities, or others who may need assistance during heavy rain. Offer help with preparations or evacuation if required.

Share Information: Share important weather updates and emergency contact information with your neighbors to ensure everyone in your community is informed and connected.

Collaborate for Flood Prevention: Work together with neighbors to clear blocked drains, create sandbags, or take other preventive measures to reduce the risk of flooding in your area.

Remember that safety should be your primary concern during heavy rain.

Be prepared, stay informed, and take necessary precautions to protect yourself, your home, and your community from potential hazards associated with heavy rainfall.

Call Us Today!

You never know when a torrential downpour will cause damage to your home or commercial business in North Park, but when you need our services, the Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help. ® We typically arrive within four hours of your call for help. Call us today at 619-583-2133.

SERVPRO® of Centre City/Uptown is independently owned and operated.

Candle Causes Fire Damage at a Halloween Party in the Gaslamp Quarter?

10/24/2023 (Permalink)

Candles sit close to a Halloween display of skeletons waving. We are trained and certified to restore fire-damaged properties in San Diego.

October marks Residential Fire Awareness Month, a month dedicated to home fire safety. Our local Centre City/Uptown team has been restoring fire damage in the Gaslamp Quarter for many years and offers these Halloween safety tips from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection:

Tips for choosing the right costumes

  • Purchase costumes made of flame-retardant material
  • Keep hemlines short enough to prevent tripping and avoid loose, baggy sleeves, or billowing skirts
  • To be seen easily, costumes should be made of a light color material
  • Use glow-in-the-dark reflective tape on your costume
  • Use make-up rather than masks, which could obstruct vision

Tips for Halloween night

  • Use battery-powered lights - never use candles to light jack-o’-lanterns
  • Instruct children to stay away from open flames
  • Remove objects from the yard that present a hazard to children (garden tools, hoses, etc.)
  • Be extremely careful with cornstalks and other harvest season items. Keep them away from sources of heat. Don’t let them block doorways or stairs.
  • Do not allow children to carry sharp sticks or other objects that could cause injury to themselves or to others
  • If you are driving on Halloween, take care…watch out for trick-or-treaters who will be too busy to watch out for you
  • Closely inspect all candy before allowing children to eat it. Discard any unwrapped treats from a stranger. If in doubt, throw it out.

Call Us Today!

When your home or business in the Gaslamp Quarter has fire damage, our Centre City/Uptown team will restore your damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-583-2133.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

What Are Some Common Causes of Commercial Property Damage in Centre City?

10/17/2023 (Permalink)

A view of commercial buildings in Centre City, San Diego, California, can be seen from the harbor. We are leaders in commercial property damage restoration services in San Diego.

When your commercial business or home in Centre City has a property damage emergency, our local Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help ® We have been restoring commercial property damage in San Diego County for years. Four common forms of commercial property damage include:

Water Damage: Water damage can result from leaks, flooding, burst pipes, or roof leaks. It can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and damage to equipment, inventory, and furnishings.

Fire Damage: Fires can cause extensive damage to commercial properties, destroying structures, equipment, and inventory. Even after the fire is extinguished, smoke and soot can lead to further damage and the need for thorough cleaning and restoration.

Vandalism and Theft: Vandalism, break-ins, and theft can result in damage to property, windows, doors, and other structures. Stolen inventory, equipment, and damage caused during break-ins can lead to significant financial losses.

Natural Disasters: Natural disasters like flash flooding, severe winds, and powerful storms can cause widespread damage to commercial properties. This includes structural damage, shattered windows, and damage to roofs, signage, and landscaping.

Call Us Today!

No matter what the cause, you can rely on our Centre City/Uptown team to restore your property damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-583-2133.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Leaking Pipe Found as the Source of a Hidden Water Damage Problem in Uptown?

10/10/2023 (Permalink)

A cement wall is being chipped away to uncover a leaking pipe. We are leaders in water damage restoration services in San Diego. Key Words:

When you have a water damage problem in Uptown and need help, you can count on our local Centre City/Uptown team to restore your water damage quickly and efficiently. Pipe breaks are a common form of water damage, and the longer the water leak goes undetected, the greater the chances for more time-consuming and costly repairs. If your water bill is too high, you may have a water leak.

The Environmental Protection Agency offers this helpful leak-detection information:

  • A good method to check for leaks is to examine your winter water use. It’s likely that a family of four has a serious leak problem if its winter water use exceeds 12,000 gallons per month.
  • Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.
  • To check for a toilet bowl leak, place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within ten minutes without flushing, you have a leak. 

Call Us Today!

Our Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help ® when you have a water damage emergency. We’ll restore your damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-583-2133.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Fluke October Storm Causes Downtown Deluge in Center City?

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

Rainwater is shooting out of a downspout. We restore storm damage 24 hours daily in San Diego.

When it rains it pours in San Diego, and our local Centre City/Uptown team is on call and ready to respond to your storm damage emergency 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Pacific Hurricane Season runs through November 30 every year, and although a hurricane has not made landfall on the California coast since October 2, 1858, we do get the remnants of tropical cyclones sometimes, dumping huge amounts of rain in a short amount of time.

When this happens, drainage systems can be overwhelmed and water can back up and flow into streets, causing water intrusion issues from flash flooding. The National Weather Service identifies three categories for flooding as follows:

Major Flooding

Extensive inundation of structures and roads. Significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.

Moderate Flooding

Some inundation of structures and roads near streams. Some evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.

Minor Flooding

Minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat (for instance, the inundation of roads).

Call Us Today!

You never know when the next storm will bring heavy rainfall, causing property damage to your home or business, but when it does, Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your storm damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-583-2133.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Why Are We the Top Choice for Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services in Centre City?

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

Water floods the floors of a lobby in a commercial building. We are the restoration company San Diego businesses rely on!

Water damage emergencies must be mitigated quickly to avoid secondary damage and more costly and time-consuming repairs. Commercial businesses in Centre City rely on our local Centre City/Uptown team to restore water damage quickly and efficiently. Our goal is to get your business operational again after a water loss quickly and with minimal disruption to your employees and customers!

We are a top choice for commercial water damage restoration services because we offer:

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
  • Highly Trained Technicians
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

Water Extraction Equipment

We use powerful extraction equipment to speed the drying process by removing the bulk of the water from your home or business.

  • Submersible and gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high-level water
  • Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal

Drying Equipment

We use industrial-strength air movers and dehumidifiers to remove the remaining moisture from ceilings, walls, and floors. Proper drying helps to prevent swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.

  • High-speed air movers cause moisture to evaporate at a faster pace
  • Industrial-grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air

Call Us Today!

When your commercial business or home has a water damage emergency, our Centre City/Uptown team is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your water damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-583-2133.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.