Water damage questions from San Diego homeowners and businesses
Most questions fall into four groups: what to do in the first minutes, why river and storm water is handled differently, how drying is measured and what the license, permit and insurance questions are. Each answer says what the crew does and what it leaves to another office or to your insurer.
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The first few minutes
Where is the shut-off in an older San Diego building?
Usually at the point where the water supply enters the building, or in a cellar or utility room. Find it on a dry day and label it, since hunting for it with water running is slow and risky.
Should I unplug appliances?
Only if you can reach the outlet dry. A wet outlet and a wet floor are both hazards, so if the outlet is in water, leave the power alone and say so on the call.
Can I wipe up the water myself?
You can remove a small clean spill, but a towel does not reach water that has soaked into the subfloor or a wall. The crew removes the free water and reads the materials.
River and storm water
Is river water handled differently from a pipe leak?
Yes. River and storm water has been in contact with the ground and carries silt, so it is handled as contaminated. A clean supply leak is often dried in place.
What is the flood stage of the San Diego River here?
At the Mast Boulevard gauge near Santee the flood stage is 10 feet and the major flood stage is 16.5 feet. The gauge is a public reading and does not show the flood risk of any single building.
Can a storm take out power?
Yes, the National Weather Service account of a 1987 storm records that more than 500,000 people lost power. Keep generators outdoors and away from doors and windows.
Drying, licenses and insurance
How do I know a room is dry?
The crew reads the materials against a dry standard at each visit. A room that looks dry can still hold moisture in the subfloor or the wall, so ask for the final readings in writing.
Is there a California license for mold work?
No California mold-specific license category was found. Ask the crew what credential it holds and check its contractor license with the Contractors State License Board.
Who decides what my insurer pays?
Your insurer, under your policy. The crew gives you the readings, photographs and scope. This site does not state any deadline or coverage limit.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.