Sometimes it can be confusing knowing which repairs the condo owner is responsible for and which are the responsibility of the homeowner’s association. Generally, the condo owner is responsible for all repairs to the interior from the paint inward, and the homeowner’s association is responsible for all repairs from the drywall outward, including items such as hallways, stairways and stairwells, exterior walls and so forth. In some of the larger complexes, the homeowner’s association will also pay for items that are permanently affixed to the unit, such as sinks and toilets, cabinetry and the like.  The homeowner is usally responsible for flooring such as carpeting and tile but when the tile is wall related such as in a shower it is usually the homeowner’s association’s responsibility.

Much of the “grey” area on who pays for what and how it is paid for is outlined in the CC&R’s.  These are the homeowner association bylaws that govern how remediation such as water, fire, and mold are dealt with.  The CC&R’s are usually available from the president of the homeowners association and / or the property manager that manages the account.  When insurance related these CC&R’s are reviewed by all insurance carriers involved and they have a sort of dialogue between one another to determine which company pays for what.

Since there often is an overlap between the condo owner’s insurance policy and the insurance policy carried by the homeowner’s association, it can be difficult to know exactly which repairs are covered under which policy. This is one of the areas where San Diego Dry Express Restoration can help. We are experts in deciphering insurance policies, so we can help you determine what is covered under your policy and what repairs need to be covered by the hoa insurance policy. We know the procedures that most insurance companies use and can guide you through the process of restoration.

For fire damage, San Diego condo owners turn to San Diego Dry Express Restoration more than any other company. For water damage, San Diego condo owners turn to San Diego Dry Express Restoration more than any other company. We are experts in deciphering insurance policies and will quickly and professionally restore your condo to its castle status.

If you have fire damage or water damage to your San Diego condo, give Dry Express Restoration a call and not only will we help with your insurance claims, but we’ll handle all of the repairs as well.

Create a Smoking Area

It is important not to smoke in the home. This can lead to disaster. Not only will the smoke damage the walls and create an unpleasant odor, but nearby flammables could catch on fire. This is why it is important to allow smoking only in a designated area that is free from flammables. It is smart to ensure this area is outside.

Be Smart with Candles

Candles are beautiful to look at and can fill a home with a beautiful scent. However, leaving them burning overnight is a major mistake. Candles can easily start a serious fire, which is why they should only burned in the presence of alert home owners and for only brief periods of time.

Turn Off Appliances

It is important to turn off appliances when they are not in use. This is especially important for high risk items like irons and stoves. If possible, one should also unplug appliances like coffee makers when they are not in use.

Close Up Burning Fire Places

A fireplace is a beautiful piece of any home. It is important to be smart about how such spaces are used. When not in use, it is important that burning fireplaces are closed off and that a fire is put out.

San Diego fire damage can be incredibly costly. Caution can save a life and a home at the same time. The right preventative steps means a home owner will not have to pay out for fire damage restoration or deal with the trauma of a home fire.

1. Moisture is present (i.e. leaking pipe, window, stucco, etc)
2. Substrate is present (i.e. drywall, cabinetry, wood flooring, etc)
3. Low air movement (i.e. inside wall cavities, under cabinets, under flooring, etc)

The 4 most common reasons for mold damage:

1. Stucco – improperly sealed stucco will allow water to enter undetected
2. Windows – around corners when not sealed correctly
3. Pipes – slow leaks in pipes are notorious
4. Roofs – older or improperly roofs cause undetected slow leaks

Solution:

Call our office and we can assess water and mold damage in your home. We will offer solutions to remove the mold and guard against future re-occurrence.

Our Guarantee:

We take care to understand the unique needs and concerns of each customer from the beginning and tailor our service to ensure their comfort. We talk customers through the steps associated with the work before starting. All customers are updated daily. We minimize time needed from start to finish with our specialized processes, equipment, and training.

1.  Roof leaks

2.  Water intrusion through faulty stucco

3.  Water flooding through doorways

4.  Leaky windows

5.  Flooding in crawlspaces and basements

If you are a homeowner or business owner and foresee a strong rain, there are several things you can do to guard against flooding into your structure:

1.  Roofs:  Have you roof checked for leaks by a licensed roofer.  If there is a leak, make the repair or temporarily guard against water by tarping the affected roof area.

2.  Stucco, doors, windows:  Have a licensed contractor experienced in stucco installs, door installs, and window installs check the leakiness of areas of concern.  They can run a “mach” rain by using a hose to spray areas outside of concern.  The windows, doors, and areas of concern inside can then be checked for leaks using visual inspection and moisture meters and / or remove areas of drywall / plaster to inspect more closely.  Ensure if something becomes we inside that your contractor is prepared to dry out those areas with airmover(s) and /or dehumidifier(s) and be able to temporarily guard against future water intrusion using a patch and / or plastic tarping.

3.  Doorways:  If your property is prone to water being directed to doorways or others areas where water could enter, you can use sandbags to keep the water out while the strong storm occurs.  We see a lot of these issues in San Diego County since we have strong storms only a few times a year.  Therefore, most people are not prepared for them.

4.  Crawlspaces & Basements:  Have the drainage around your property inspected by a general contractor and / or landscaper specializing in drainage and waterproofing of foundations.  Many older homes in San Diego County do not have a proper drainage system and / or have an older system that is clogged or not sized correctly for the strong rains.  French drains, trenches with pea gravel, waterproofing of concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls or concrete walls, and installation of sump pumps area all ways to keep water out of your crawlspace or basement.

Potential issues with water intrusion of the above if not taken care of correctly are as follows:

1.  Inside the home:  Water intrusion into a home will cause mold damage if not taken care of quickly.  Drying out the structure quickly, correctly and fully is paramount to ensure mold damage does not occur.

2.  Inside a crawlspace / basement:  Water left in these areas will increase the humidity in the area.  This humidity will make for an excellent area for mold growth.  Growth of mold in a crawlspace will eventually expand to further damage within the home or contaminate the air that the occupants live in.

At Dry Express Restoration we specialize in water, fire, mold, and trauma remediation.  We cover all of San Diego County including but not limited to Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Poway, Alpine, Lakeside, Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, San Diego, Coronado, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and all areas in-between.

We have specialized processes that minimize construction needs and therefore reduce the cost of the process.

1.  Drywall:  If a customer has wet drywall we can dry it in-place, eliminating the need to replace the drywall.

2.  Hardwood Floors:  Ror real hardwood floors we have extraction mats that will suck the water through the cracks, eliminating the need to replace the floors.

3.  Carpeting:  When carpet and pad is wet we an extraction rover that will remove water through both, eliminating the need to replace pad or carpet.

4.  Cabinets:  We also have a process for drying cabinets in-place as opposed to removing and replacing them; when the interiors need to be removed we have a process to save the faces and counter-tops, eliminating the need to replace all cabinets (faces are reset with rebuilt boxes on-place).

We also coordinate construction associated with these type of claims if customers desire. 

Our Guarantee:

We take care to understand the unique needs and concerns of each customer from the beginning and tailor our service to ensure their comfort.  We talk customers through the steps associated with the work before starting.  All customers are updated daily.  We minimize time needed from start to finish with our specialized processes.

Please reach us at 888-DRY-EXPRESS (379-3977) when you have a water, fire, mold or trauma remediation need.  We are available 24 / 7 for emergency services and cover all of San Diego County, being on-site within 1 – 2 hours from when we are reached.  Thank you.

Keep electrical sockets from becoming overloaded with too many plugs. Overheated sockets often cause blown fuses, which can easily start fires. Another fire hazard is exposed wiring. Any time you can see bare wires on electrical cords, it’s time to replace them. Sparks can flare up from those exposed wires and cause a fire to begin. If you can remember, always unplug any appliances that you’re not using at the moment. There is always electricity flowing through anything that is plugged in, and the less electricity you’re using at any given time, the safer your home is from fires.

The number one causes of house fires in San Diego and everywhere else in the world is leaving stoves and ovens unattended. If something else requires your immediate attention, you should turn the stoves and ovens off. Never leave a gas stove lit while you go do something else. Another easy tip to avoid fire damage is to never put electrical wiring under rugs and carpets. If you smoke, use deeper ash trays to prevent sparks from the cigarettes and cigars from catching flammable items on fire. Finally, it is a great idea to learn how to use a fire extinguisher if you don’t already know how. A smaller fire can be put out easily and damage can be minimized if you can put it out with a fire extinguisher, before the fire gets out of control.

Fire damage restoration is extremely helpful when you have a fire, but if you take the right steps, you can avoid fires in your home completely, barring accidents. There are fire hazards lurking around every corner, and the more of them you can eliminate, the better off your home will be in the case of a real flammable emergency. Take care of your home to reduce the risk of fire damage.

The claim process can be tedious and the following tips can make it go more smoothly.

Limit the Damage

The main reason many claims are denied is due to the homeowner not trying to prevent further damage. Insurance providers will require proof that effort was made to fix the problem or that an attempt was made to slow it down. If the issue is allowed to continue unabated, the claim will be denied because of owner negligence.

Check the Policy

Most basic homeowner insurance covers water damage.  Call us and we can assist with determining the source, coverage, etc since we work with most insurance carriers.

Take Photos

Taking snapshots with a phone or camera, or shooting some video of the damage will increase the chances of a successful claim. Documenting the event is also helpful for the water damage restoration phase that will come later.

Avoid Saying Flood

Water damage and flood damage are considered to be different things in the insurance world. Flood insurance has to be purchased separately and does not apply to common water damage situations, such as a broken pipe.

The above steps, along with being cooperative, will be sufficient to resolve most claims regarding water damage. Any questions or concerns can be directed to our office and we can assist with determining the cause of the water damage. It can be helpful for a prospective homeowner to shop around for insurance prior to purchasing a home in order to receive the best possible policy and service.

If damage due to rains is not taken care of correctly, mold damage can occur.  It can happen very quickly.  Typically within a few hours to a couple days mold will grow in an amount where it is visible and detrimental to the inhabitants of the property.  It will remain in that condition indefinitely and will get worse until it is professionally cleaned.  Mold will grow within a property when the following conditions are true: moisture is present, air-flow is low, and the mold has a substrate to grow on.

The perfect condition for this is behind drywall, in ceiling cavities, on stud walls or joist ceilings, under floor coverings, within cabinets, and in cabinets.  Basically, homes are the perfect breeding ground for mold.

When an area due to a leaky roof has a mold issue due to not being dried out correctly, at all, or unseen, the process to have it remediated is as follows:

1. Our trained, licensed technicians will setup containment around the affected area.  If this area is, for example, affecting 4′ x 4′ of ceiling in a living room, we would place 4 – 6 mil plastic around the affected area, containing the air in the “affected” bubble from the rest of the “unaffected” area.

2. Our technicians would be wearing personal protective equipment such as tyvek suits, HEPA masks and faceguards when they cut out any non-structural, porous components, back, wrap, and dispose of correctly from the jobsite.

3. We would HEPA vacuum the affected area.

4. Wipe down of affected areas with a surfactant to remove large areas of mold.

5. We would correctly dry the remaining structural components using properly sized dehumidifiers and air scrubbers.

6. We would apply an antimicrobial to the affected areas.

7. We would cleans the air using HEPA airscrubbers that pass “affected” air across a two-filter HEPA system and exhausts “unaffected” air to a duct directed outside of the property.  We would scrub the air for a minimum of 48 hours.

8. We would have the cleaning, drying, and mold extraction verified with a clearance test that would be a comparative analysis showing lower levels in the containment as compared to the control sample (usually outside the front door).  The testing would be provided by a 3rd party tester, not our office, leaving the results 3rd party (i.e. not testing our own work).

How long does the mold remediation process start?  For the example above it would be as follows:

1. Containment setup, 4′x4′ of affected area removed, wipe down with a  surfactant = 1 – 2 days.

2. HEPA vacuuming and final wipe down of “affected” areas within the containment = 1 – 2 days.

3. HEPA airscrubbing in preparation for air clearance testing = 2 – 3 days.

4. Time to wait for test results from lab = 1 – 4 days (labs are typically closed on Saturday and Sunday and depending on the cost of the test can take 1 to 2 days for results).

Call our office at 888-DRY-EXPRESS (379-3977) for an assessment today.

The first step is preventing running water damage in your home is to make sure that you put some effort into childproofing your home. All it takes is for a small child to hide under the kitchen sink and you could have a serious problem.

If you discover any leak, fix it quickly. Fixing slow leaks in faucets is a relatively simple process, but it is one that could save you hundreds of dollars. Most homeowners, upon finding directions, can take care of this problem within a few short hours.

Dishwasher leaks are also a common problem and the homeowner should do a thorough inspection at least once a month. If you only inspect once a year, the slow drip of water could end up rotting your floor before it was discovered.

When you plan to take a vacation or are planning to be away for an extended period of time, you will either want to shut the water off and drain the pipes or have someone come into your home to check your home every day. If your heat system was to fail in the winter, bursting pipes could cause extensive damage to your home.

A home should be a safe haven for you and your family. By learning how to prevent running water damage in your home, you can be sure that it stays that way. Along with this, you will also be able to save money, as the cost to repair the damage caused by these types of problems could run into thousands of dollars.

Handling fire damage insurance claims should start before a potential fire happens. Your insurance policy, photos, content list, receipts and video should be stored off site to ensure they remain safe. Be knowledgeable about your insurance policy coverage such as living expenses if your home is uninhabitable. Know how the insurance will figure the content replacement cost. One method is the actual cost of the items after depreciation is applied and another is the actual amount of money it will cost to replace them.

A fire is an emotional ordeal for people. In the worst-case scenario, they have no home, no contents and lose personal items that are irreplaceable. Emotions may run high for months, but when you deal with your insurance company make every effort to put the emotions aside. There are several basic steps to follow for any type of fire damage incurred. Document the details of the fire and notify your insurance immediately.

Be prepared to report the date of the fire, type of loss incurred, location of damage, any injuries, content descriptions, and emergency repairs done. Obtain a copy of the police report, take pictures or video, list contents affected and the fire damage of the structure. Document every contact made from the point of the fire until the claim is settled. Most insurance companies require that you give a sworn statement detailing the events and the fire damage sustained.

Do not do anything but emergency repairs until you have notified your insurance company and an adjuster assesses the fire damage. An emergency repair is repairs that prevent further damage to your home or contents. Call in and get an estimate from us, fire damage restoration professionals and have us come to clean up the damage. Fire restoration companies, like DryExpress Restoration have specialized training and experience when fire damage occurs and some policies pay for their services.

San Diego DryExpress Restoration are fire damage restoration experts who know what is salvageable, what are a total loss and the safest way to clean up dangerous fire residues and structural hazards. If you are unable to live in your home, keep receipts for lodging and food. Depending on your policy, the insurance company may reimburse these expenses or a portion of them. You should not file fire damage insurance claims until you have all the information and evidence that is available to receive the best insurance settlement.

1.  Arrival at property with customer after or during the fire suppression

2. Use of plywood, 2×4′s, etc to secure the broken  windows and / or doors

3. Use use of interior clamps to secure the plywood from the inside so that someone from the outside cannot simply unscrew the material to enter the building.  This adds more protection.

Call Dry Express Restoration today at 888-DRY-EXPRESS (379-3977) for an assessment as soon as you have a fire.  We can do an assessment and protect the home further with things such as adding lubricants to metals to prevent pitting, apply cleaners to windows, mirrors, and glass to prevent etching, and conduct full remediation including cleaning of contents and structure and / or demo and odor neutralization.