Upon the completion of the restoration work in your home, it may be that your home will have to be inspected by a building inspector and/or another entity, depending on the type of damage that was done to your home.  Make sure you are aware of the type of inspections that may need to be done.  Complete a walkthrough of the home with your water and fire damage restoration contractor and ask him/her to explain the work that was done so that you have a complete understanding of what was done to your home and belongings.

Additionally, review all work completed with what is on the invoice you receive from the water and fire damage restoration company to ensure all work being paid for was actually done, and that all work was done to your satisfaction.

When the work is completed, your contractor is required to give you a written invoice. This should include:

• The name and physical address of the company and their license number.
• An itemized list of all work performed.
• Any charges for special equipment utilized.
• Any applicable hazardous waste disposal fees and the company’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) number.
• What part of the work is under warranty?
• How long the warranty is valid.

There are many reasons why someone may need a water and fire damage restoration company in Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, Union City, Pleasanton, Newark, Dublin, and the surrounding towns, but the most common reasons someone would contact a water and fire damage restoration company in Alameda County are:

Water damage from roof leakage:
When maintaining a home, it’s easy to overlook the part that keeps the weather out, the roof.  Whether it’s a leaking roof, problems with chimney maintenance, a leaking skylight, or any other problems that can occur in and around a home’s roof, water damage can occur as a result of rain leaking through.  Sometimes leaks start out small and go unnoticed until the damage is extensive, requiring not just water cleanup, but mold remediation as well.  When this happens, it’s important to use a water and fire damage restoration company that knows how to deal with mold.  If a person is lucky, the damage will be noticed immediately and the response can be quick.

Water seepage:
Water seeping through floors, walls, or ceilings can be caused by leaking pipes, condensation developing in and around pipes, deteriorated waterproofing around bath tubs, sinks, and toilets, or water seeping into the home through the ground from underground pipes that have broken or groundwater that has collected against your home’s foundation.  When this happens, it’s important to know the source of the water and fix the problem while trying to prevent further damage to the home.  In addition to a water and fire damage restoration company, it is possible other specialists may need to be involved such as plumbers, or other contractors.

Plumbing issues:
Plumbing issues can cause mild or severe water damage.  Broken pipes can cause water to run freely into the home until the water is shut off.  If the broken pipe is discovered quickly, water damage may be minimal.  If it is not discovered for some time, water damage may be extensive.

Problems with sewage removal or septic tanks:
When sewage systems back up or septic tanks overflow, water damage can occur that can be very hazardous to humans due to the heavy concentration of bacteria.  If water damage occurs in the home that includes wastewater from a sewer or septic tank, special care will need to be taken, including special equipment, to clean up any water damage from the overflow of a septic tank or backup of sewer pipes.

Heavy rains and flooding:
Through regular maintenance and monitoring of our homes we may be able to prevent some forms of water damage; however, heavy rains and flooding can cause sudden and unpreventable water damage to our homes.  Often times this type of damage is severe and may be hazardous as flood waters may contain sewage or chemicals that are harmful.  Additionally, the force of flood waters can cause severe structural damage that can make the home unsafe.  If this occurs, it is imperative that special care be taken when cleaning up and repairing/restoring our home.

Cooking/Grease Fires:
Most often cooking and grease fires occur in the kitchen or wherever a barbecue is used.  Grease fires can occur when cooking oil is brought to too high a temperature, causing it to ignite.  If water is thrown a grease fire, it can cause the grease to splatter and the fire to spread.  If the fire is put out in the correct manner the damage to the home may be confined to the kitchen, or a localized area within the kitchen; however, smoke and soot damage may be extensive.

Electrical fires:
Electrical fires can be caused by short circuits in wiring, overloaded circuits, sparks, or when bare electrical wires come in contact with a flammable substance.  These types of fires can cause extensive damage throughout the home due to most wires being located within the walls of the structure.  Electrical fires may cause a homeowner to have to vacate their home for an extended period of time while repairs can be made.

Other types of fires:
Fires can result from equipment and appliance malfunctions, problems with furnaces or fireplaces/woodstoves, or through carelessness with flammable items such as cigarettes, lighters, and matches.  Whatever the cause of the fire, it’s important to note that smoke and soot damage may be extensive and clean up should be done by a professional.

Like any specialized business, the water and fire damage restoration business may have its own language.  A list of commonly used terms are as follows:

boarding up:

Placing boards over any broken windows in your home.

category 1 water:

Water originating from a source that does not pose substantial harm to people.  This “clean water” may come from tub or sink overflows, melting ice or snow, falling rainwater, broken

water supply lines, and so forth.

category 2 water:

Water that contains some contaminants or chemicals that may cause illness if humans come into contact with it or consume it.  This water may came from overflowing toilets that contain urine only, dishwashers or washing machines with soap chemicals, or water that may contain bacteria or other bio-contaminants or chemicals.

category 3 water:

Category 3 water is unsanitary water that may contain sewage or chemicals that have a high likelihood of causing sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans.  Any category 2 water that is not removed promptly can become category 3 water.  Toilet back flow and other sewage water, as well as rising water from rivers or streams is considered category 3 water.

contents restoration:

The cleaning and restoration of the contents of a home that has been damaged by water or fire.

contents manager:

The person in charge of keeping track of your personal belongings when they leave your home to be cleaned and restored.

content management division:

The entity within a water and fire damage restoration company that is in charge of photographing, itemizing, packing, moving, storing, cleaning, deodorizing, and restoring your belongings.

damage assessment:

The process used to determine the type and amount of damage to a property from water and/or fire.

debris removal:

The discard of those things in your home that are no longer usable and salvageable.

dehumidification:

The process of removing water by the use of dehumidifiers.

dry smoke residues:

The type of residue that results from fast burning fires at high temperatures. Residues are often dry, powdery, small, non-smeary smoke particles.

 estimate:

An approximate calculation of the cost of services.

fire remediation:

The act of returning your home to the condition it was in before the fire.

fuel oil soot:

Furnace puff backs distribute fuel oil soot.

furnace puff back:

A misfire in a furnace, usually an oil furnace, that causes soot to be distributed throughout the home through the air ducts.

HVAC cleaning:

The cleaning of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system from soot and smoke that may have accumulated during a fire.

mitigating damages:

Using reasonable care and diligence in order to minimize or avoid damages or injury.

mold remediation:

The removal of mold from a structure.  Due to the risks some molds pose to human health, mold remediation may require extensive treatment of the structure.

ozone treatment:

A method of smoke removal that uses an ozone generator to break up smoke molecules to eliminate odors.

proposal:

A  suggestion or plan for completing services.

protein residues:

Virtually invisible residues that discolor paints and varnishes.  These have an extremely pungent odor.

 rapid structural drying:

The process of removing water from a structure quickly through extraction, evaporation, dehumidification, and temperature control.

soot:

The residue of a fire.

smoke damage:

Damage caused by smoke, but not by the actual fire.

smoke deodorization:

Methods used for the removal of smoke odor after a fire.

structural damage:

Damage to any part of a home’s structural support systems that may cause it to be weakened or unstable.

thermal imaging:

The use of an infrared camera to detect moisture and mold within a building.

water extraction:

Removing water from a structure.

water remediation:

The act of returning your home to the condition it was in before the water damage.

wet carpet removal:

Removing carpet that has become wet through water damage.

wet smoke residues:

Soot resulting from smoldering fires with low heat. Residues are sticky, smeary and may have pungent odors.

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified Water and Fire Damage Restoration Company?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a water and fire damage restoration company with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only water and fire damage restoration companies rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified water and fire damage restoration company.

Q:  Why should I hire a professional Contra Costa County Water and Fire Damage Restoration Company instead of doing the work myself?

A:  Water and fire damage may result in your home being contaminated with toxins, including mold and chemicals, and it can affect the structural integrity of your home.  Unless you are knowledgeable about the proper protection and disposal of toxins, and are sure your home is safe to enter, you should trust a professional who is licensed and certified in the area of water and fire damage restoration.

Q:  What are some common issues created by water damage?

A:  Water can ruin your property and compromise the structure of your home.  Carpets and wood floors can rot and mold can grow, which can affect the health of you and your family.

Q:  What is the water restoration process?

A:  A member of the water and fire damage restoration company will inspect the damaged area and, if possible, attempt to stop the water from creating additional damage.  Then the company will extract any standing water from your home and dry your home using dehumidifiers and fans.  Once your home is dry, the company should test for moisture and mold spores to ensure the process is complete.

Q:  Water is coming into my home?  What should I do first?

A:  Stop the water from coming into the home, if you can, but do not walk into the water if there is any possibility of electrical hazards.  Contact a Contra Costa County water and fire damage restoration service to start any emergency procedures.

Q:  Should I move furniture and other belongings from the affected areas?

A:  Only if it is safe to do so.  If there is any chance of electrical hazards being present, do not go into the wet areas until they have been cleared by a trained water and fire damage restoration person.

Q:  I’ve had a fire in my home.  Can I go in and start cleaning?

A:  It’s normal to want to go into your home and begin the clean-up process, but until all hazards have been addressed, it is better to remain outside of the home until a professional has determined it is safe.

Q:  Soot covers everything and I’m worried it will damage my belongings.  Can’t I start removing it right away?

A:  Soot in itself can be damaging, but if soot is mixed with the oils on your skin, it can become even more corrosive and cause further damage to your belongings.  It’s best to let a professional, who has special equipment, come into your home and remove the soot.