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Don’t Avoid Disclosure When Selling Your Home

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There can be many obstacles that prevent you from selling a home, and one of them is a failure to fully disclose the problems in your home to the new buyer. It is one of the most common lawsuits filed in real estate, especially when the transaction was done by an inexperienced real estate agent.

In the state of California, we have the perfect climate and variables to encourage mold growth within a home. And since mold can be harmful to residents’ health, and mold remediation is very expensive, a previous homeowner could be looking at a devastatingly expensive lawsuit weighed against them.

The simplest way to prevent such lawsuits is easily done by fully disclosing anything and everything that could be wrong with your house. The first step is having a qualified restoration and construction company inspect your home to get an accurate list of the problems—remember that pleading ignorance is not a valid defense in these cases.

At PDR Inland Empire, we take everything into account when inspecting your house:

  • Does your house have indications of mold in the walls or floors?
  • Are there any fire hazards or flammable materials in your home?
  • Was your home built before 1978? And if so, does it contain lead paint in the walls?
  • Is your home located in a severe fire, flood or seismic hazard area?
  • Does your home need repairs? Replacements? Or need to be brought up to code in any way?

It is our duty to assess and protect your escrow so that such disclosure lawsuits do not happen. In fact, according to California Civil Code §1102.4, if your home was inspected by a licensed engineer, contractor or inspector, and no issue was found, you are provided with an immunity from seller liability for non-disclosure.

Thus, if you reside in the Corona and Riverside area and wish to sell your home, let our licensed professionals know. We are devoted to protecting your assets and ensuring that your home is sold with confidence. Call us now: (714) 732-8471 or use our online form and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.

Half-Inch Rain Predicted to Hit Corona and Riverside Area

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After all of our talk about how dry this winter has been, and will be, you might start calling us liars by now.

But overnight rain of half an inch is not going to make up the extremely low rainfall the Southern California area has had since December. Even the weathermen are calling tomorrow’s rain a “tease”.

Luckily, out of the southwest area of the United States, our area is shown as “Drought development likely” rather than the “Drought to persist or intensify” that surrounds our area of Corona, Riverside, Chino Hills and most of the Inland Empire.

But what does this little rain mean? First of all, it does not mean that we are on track with where the rainfall levels need to be to prevent us from getting on the “Drought” list. Jim Purpura of Weathercurrent is hoping for a “March Miracle”, but for February, showers are looking like they’ll be a rare occurrence.

Secondly, this repetitive system of wet weather followed by warm means that mold is going to be a big problem for property owners this year. The amounts of rainfall are small enough to get into leaks, but not create the damage that will make a problem visible. That means that the water will create the perfect breeding ground for mold, meaning that property owners will have a surprise mold damage problem on their hands shortly.

Remember, mold can start to grow within 24-48 hours, and all it needs is food (which would be your property), water (your leak), darkness (that space under your roof) and heat (the dry, warmer weather following every rainfall we have this year). It is truly a recipe for disaster.

And what do we always say about mold damage? It’s three times more expensive to fix than water damage!

But help is at hand! Call us for all of your water damage restoration and mold damage restoration needs. Our technicians are standing by every day, all day and night, to assist you. We are a fully licensed and bonded construction company as well as a damage restoration company, which means that no job is too small or too large for us to handle. Worried about your insurance company? Don’t worry, we’ve dealt with them all and can lead you through the process. We help our clients every step of the way, so call now: 877-732-8471

How To Know if You Have Mold in Your Home

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Mold in your home can cause dangerous health problems to you and your family. If your home has been subjected to flooding or water damage recently, then it is at risk for mold growth!  Mold exists just about anywhere; there is no such thing as a mold-free home. But, some levels of mold are more severe than others. [Read more…]

Old Fire Arsonist Makes a Plea Bargain

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Do you remember the “Old Fire” back in 2003? The one that started near Old Waterman Canyon Road above San Bernardino and burned for nine days? It destroyed more than 91,000 acres, burned almost 1,000 homes and caused $170 million dollars on property losses, says the District Attorney’s Office of San Bernardino.

The suspected arsonist who has been accused of starting the fire, Rickie Lee Fowler, has apparently offered to settle his capital case with prosecutors, offering to withdraw his current “not guilty” plea. [Read more…]

Storms from Northwest to Hit Southern California with Rain—Today

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We’ve been talking about this eventuality for some time, and we hope you heeded our warnings. The cold front that battered the Northwest is now knocking at our door, with another Pacific storm hot on its heels.

Down here in Southern California, including the Inland Empire, Orange and San Diego counties, we won’t see much from the first storm, which fizzled out overnight on its way down from Northern California. (Hopefully the Sierras got some snow so we can finally start our ski season!) But the second storm is going to come in right for us, and it’s going to be very wet, and very cold through Sunday.

And don’t put those rain boots away quite yet—Monday will see a third, and last storm hitting, with less rain than at the weekend, but moisture nonetheless. [Read more…]

How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home: Part Two

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Who was happy to see the rain this weekend? The hillsides and vegetation have been dying for moisture, as our winter has been remarkably like summer for almost two months now.

But don’t forget those windstorms we had late last year, and how much damage they did. Now, with the hillsides dried out, we are prime for landslides and floods when the rain finally starts. And guess what—that time is now! We had rain this weekend, and more is predicted for Saturday.

Don’t delay! Get your home fixed before the water can damage your home and its contents, and prepare for some wet and wild weather here soon.

Here are our tips for checking your home and getting the prep done to give yourself the best chance to survive the wet weather that’s coming up:

The Roof

There’s a big reason that buildings have roofs: They are very good at keeping water out of your house or office. That said, there are a number of different ways for water to get in through your roof, so consider the following points as you conduct the examination:

  • Keep the roof free from leaves, twigs, and other litter to allow for proper drainage. Clogged gutters can easily lead to poor drainage, which in turn can lead to leaks in both the walls and at the foundation.
  • Make sure air can flow freely through all soffit and roof vents. This will reduce the buildup of heat and moisture and help extend the life of the roof.
  • Consult a professional on using a preservative or cleaner (depending on the type of roof you have) to help limit the weathering effects of moisture and slow the growth of molds and mosses.
  • Replace missing, curling, cupping, broken, or cracked shingles.
  • Watch for damage in valley areas of the roof, and around the flashing at chimneys, vents, and other junctions.
  • Check your attic around flues, plumbing vents, and chimneys for roof leaks, especially if you’ve noticed water stains on the ceiling.

From Gutters To The Ground

Once you’re off the roof, there are still possible culprits to investigate. Take a look around the foundation of your home; a few simple changes could make all the difference.

  • Place splash blocks at the end of downspouts to carry water away from the foundation, or add an extra length of downspout if necessary.
  • Every spring, have the air conditioning (A/C) system serviced by a qualified contractor. Make sure their service includes inspecting and cleaning the A/C condensation pan drain line. Change the air filters on a regular basis.
  • Before winter starts, disconnect garden hoses from all spigots and turn off each spigot’s water supply.
  • Replace any damaged caulk around windows or doors.
  • Repaint wood siding as needed.
  • Fill in any low spots next to the house to help water drain away from the foundation.

If you need help with any of these fix-it tips, please just give us a call. As a fully qualified, bonded and insured construction company as well as a restoration company, we’re happy to help you by doing the work before the water damage happens! Then you can pass our number on to your neighbor, who wasn’t quite as on the ball as you were, and didn’t get his roof fixed after the December windstorms.

For water damage repair and restoration anywhere in the Inland Empire, call us now on 877-732-8471 for an estimate. Our skilled technicians are standing by, 24/7!

Dry Conditions Have California Firefighters on Alert, in Tustin and Beyond

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This is one of the driest winters on record, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This is due to the lack of precipitation across the state, which is over 80% lower than normal.

Although the temperatures are dropping at night, temperatures in the Inland Empire have soared above 80 degrees Fahrenheit over the last week. And Southern California may expect this kind of warm weather around the holidays on occasion, the northern part of the state is reeling. Drier than normal conditions combined with windstorms and low humidity have stripped the usually moist vegetation in Northern California, and have increased the fire danger over the last month.

CAL FIRE crews responded to a higher than average number of wildfires for the month of December in 2011. Due to those fires, CAL FIRE has cancelled burn days or even banned debris burning in many areas. (Click here for our blog explaining debris-burning restrictions and guidelines.) They ask that California residents, from north to south, be extremely cautious because of these extremely dry conditions, especially on windy days.

It took 40 firefighters over 30 minutes to put out the fire on Lanai Way in Tustin during the early hours of yesterday morning. Large flames were erupting from the house when firefighters arrived just after 3 a.m. on Thursday, and they worked diligently to keep the trees surrounding the cul-de-sac home from catching fire. Although they prevented the fire from spreading into the trees, it was not easy, as the firefighters had limited access to the back of the house, that also contained an empty pool and fallen electrical wires.

The house appeared to have suffered heavy damage, but luckily the elderly resident was unharmed, said Capt. Marc Stone of the Orange County Fire Authority. With the winds and the dry conditions, this fire could have easily spread through the neighborhood if not for the swift arrival and hard work by the firefighters.

The cause of the fire is yet unknown, but if it is like the elderly couple in Dana Point who both, sadly, perished in a fire in late 2011, it could have been caused by extreme clutter, or perhaps even a kitchen accident. We’ll keep you updated.

If you, or someone you know, was affected by this fire, or one like it, please call us immediately. We are experts in fire and water damage restoration, and we work tirelessly to get displaced families back in their homes as soon as possible. We are also skilled in dealing with insurance companies about damage claims, so we can help get rid of that headache for our clients too. Call now: (877) 732-8471 or use the online form on the right side of the page.

 

Top Five Home Improvements for Inland Empire in 2012

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Don't let an unused doggie-door become an entryway for a burglar. But then again, if you have a dog this size, it's unlikely a burglar would stick his head in.

Although many of you may be still be recovering from the weekend’s parties, we are, as always, focused on our customers. That’s why we’ve knuckled down and thought about the things it would be best for our customers (and non-customers!) in the Inland Empire to do in 2012, and here’s our top five.

First of all, once your head clears from the champagne overdose, have a look at your 2012 budget for repairs and maintenance on your home, and see what you can afford. If possible, work in these five projects which will aid in the protection of your home and family in the coming year. And, if you don’t think you can tackle them alone, let us know. We are an experienced construction firm as well as a restoration company, which is what makes our work the best in the county.

1. Batten the Hatches: We’re not recommending that you put in a full security system, with cameras and motion sensors—that is, unless you can afford it. But if you can’t, there are many simple things that you can do to improve the security of your home that won’t break the bank. Some of these tips can help you save on your insurance premiums too! (But don’t tell your insurance company we told you that!)

Start by having a look at the shrubbery outside of your windows that are visible from the street. Either cut down or thin shrubs and bushes that would give intruders a place to hide, or replace them with something nice and thorny, like cacti, rosebushes, hawthorne, pyracantha or even “hardy orange”, which also produces fruit! These should stop would-be thieves from lurking under your windows.

Then look at your door and window locks on access points to your home, and see if they need replacing or reinforcing. If you can’t afford a high-end security system, there are still motion-detector outdoor lights that are budget-friendly that deter burglars, especially when installed outside of front and back doors.

Also look at securing doggie doors, or replacing the actual door if the doggie-door entrance is now unused. You can also add a metal screen or decorative wrought-iron gate to your front door, which will not just add curb appeal, it can also increase the value.

Check with your local post office to see if they will deliver to a mail slot built into your door, to replace your street-side mailbox. This will prevent identity thieves from getting checks and credit card numbers.

2. Think Green: No, we don’t mean recycle in the usual sense, but when you think of remodeling, don’t just go to the local Home Depot or lumberyard and start buying new materials. There are many architectural salvage places in Southern California, like Mrs. Beasley’s Antiques on Vine Street in Riverside. The store was established in 1971, so there are many a great find to be had. Look for decorative hardware, light fixtures, wood cabinets (made like they used to!), ornate crown moldings, real floorboards and plumbing fixtures.

3. Be Legit: Before you start adding on the new deck or garage, you’re probably aware that you’ll need to check with the city and get a permit—especially in places like Laguna Beach with their formidable Design Review Board. But what about electricity or plumbing upgrades? Changing out your water heater? Altering your driveway? Replacing shingles or changing the location of your sink or tub? That’s right, you need permits for all of those things. And before you think that the city will never know your toilet moved from one side of the bathroom to another, just wait until it floods and you need to claim on insurance…

4. Code Red: Was your home built before 2000? There were a lot of homes built in the Inland Empire in the 60s and 70s—and did you know that Riverside is one of the oldest cities in the county? It sprang up from land formerly of San Bernardino and San Diego counties, and was formed in 1853. Corona was incorporated in 1896, and even Lake Elsinore has been around since 1888, so the Inland Empire has homes built before the turn of the latest century. So why not bring your home up to code, especially if you have children? Here’s few that can not just save you money in the long run, it will also increase safety:

  • Hard-wired smoke alarms in every bedroom and in the hallway outside of sleeping areas
  • Ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles in the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, garage and any other space where both water and electricity are available
  • Powerful and water-efficient toilets to replace old, water-guzzling ones
  • Larger, dual-pane, windows — with at least 3½ feet of open, removable area that will allow a firefighter and his air tank easy access
  • Handrails on all staircases both internal and external
  • A water heater expansion tank, which can prevent extra pressure and the possibility of an explosion

5. Rainy Day: When it rains in SoCal, and it does, it usually comes hard and fast. And that’s why we need to be prepared. Did you know that even a fairly new and sturdy roof can be penetrated by wind-driven rain? Many of us were affected by the windstorms that came through the Southland in November and December, and it’s likely that your roof is damaged without you even knowing.

Mold damage is three times more expensive to repair than water damage. And if the damage was done because of an earlier problem that wasn’t fixed, you may have a hard time claiming on insurance. Have a professional check your roof for leaks, especially if you have a contemporary-style home with a flat roof.

You should be able to carefully use a ladder to check skylights for caulking that has deteriorated, and replace it with polyurethane caulk—our recommendation, as it keeps the water out better than acrylic or latex. Clean out your gutters and make sure that you don’t have places where water can pool near your house walls, which can cause slab leaks and foundation damage.

Not sure if you want to attempt any of these projects? Has your roof been damaged by that rainstorm? Do you already have an existing leak or mold problem? Please call us right away so we can get your home cleaned up and safe for you and your family for 2012. Call now on 877-732-8471 for an estimate, or use the form on the right side of the page.

We wish you all a wonderful, prosperous and safe 2012! Happy New Year from all of us!

2012 Starts with Arson in Los Angeles; Fires Over Four Nights

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Over the last four days, a total of 55 fires have been started by a single arsonist across the Los Angeles area, according to fire officials, with just 12 started last night. Early this morning, emergency responders rushed from blaze to blaze in West Hollywood, on Laurel Canyon Road and in Sherman Oaks. Luckily it’s a holiday, as firefighters had to block Laurel Canyon Road and stopped vehicles from accessing the pass.

Although the police have arrested a “person of interest”, they are still encouraging residents of the greater Los Angeles area, including Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley to look out for each other, talk to their neighbors and keep their lights on in their carports and on their porches. They are also encouraging residents to report anything suspicious to the authorities.

Fire officials also say that this is the worst, and most destructive, rash of arsons in the city since the Los Angeles Riots back in 1992! Detectives are working around the clock to analyze the hundreds of clues and interview dozens of witnesses to find out who is doing this and why.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles police released surveillance footage of the “person of interest” who they are interviewing today, which was taken in a parking structure in Hollywood: a middle-aged white man with a bald spot and a shoulder-length ponytail.

Crimes against fashion aside, if this man is responsible for this incredible amount of arson, it is an “attack on the heart and soul” of firefighters and public safety officers, says Pat Butler, the assistant fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. It is suspected that there is a group or even teams of people involved in setting these fires.

But why? Rick Price, a retired firefighter and arson investigator for the LAFD, explained that usually many arsonists set fires out of spite. Although he admits that in this case, with the wide geographic range of the fires, it’s less likely. He suggest that it might be vandalism or a “pirate”, and we don’t think he means Captain Jack Sparrow. Vandalism can have ties to gang activity, but since a white, middle-aged man with a ponytail is the main suspect, that sounds unlikely in this case.

Have you been affected by one of these arson fires? Please get in touch with us immediately. Not only are we experts in restoration, we also have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and claims. Let us help turn this unpleasant experience around for you, with our swift response, trained professionals and superb work. we’ll have your garage and house back to its original state in no time. Call now to schedule a visit from our team: 877-732-8471.

Fire in Anaheim Injures Three, Including Baby

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Firefighters do everything necessary to extinguish a fire—their priority is lives, not possessions. We help restore everything back to how it was before the fire.

The cause is still under investigation, but the injuries remain: two women and a 15-month-old baby were injured in an apartment fire in Anaheim this morning.

They were inside the apartment when the fire broke out at about 9:50 a.m. in a first-level apartment at 115 S. Illinois Street near Lincoln Avenue. According to Anaheim Fire Marshall Jeff Lutz, the adult victims were 28 and 61, and were taken to the hospital after being rescued by the fire department.

Luckily, the blaze was under control in about 20 minutes, thanks to around 50 firefighters from both Anaheim and Garden Grove, as it could have spread further throughout the two-story, eight-unit apartment complex. All Modern Manor Apartment residents were evacuated before any further injuries could take place, and the American Red Cross was called in to assist with the evacuees.

Again, this is another tragic reason why smoke detectors should be checked regularly and installed in each floor of your home. An early warning is the best way to survive a fire in your residence and save your family and pets. Read our blog on what to do if your home is on fire by clicking here.

Although a damage estimate was not available via news sources this soon after the fire, it is likely to be considerable. Photos show the firefighters smashing through the roof of the building with axes to ventilate it, and they doused “hot spots” to ensure the fire was completely out. The smoke damage on its own looks extensive, and further water and fire damage will need to be restored.

If you, or someone you know, was affected by this fire, or one like it, please call us immediately. We are experts in fire and water damage restoration, and we work tirelessly to get displaced families back in their homes as soon as possible. We are also skilled in dealing with insurance companies about damage claims, so we can help get rid of that headache for our clients too. Call now: (877) 732-8471 or use the online form on the right side of the page.

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