Short of fire, nothing causes more damage to the inside of a property than leaking water. It is estimated that water from failing pipes, hoses, plumbing fixtures and appliances cause 65% of the property damage to community associations.

This guide addresses water heaters, a leading cause of residential water damage. Our research shows that there are simple and inexpensive steps associations can take to prevent most of this damage.

How do Water Heaters Fail?

A water heater holds and transfers water continuously from installation to replacement or failure. Over time, deposits will accumulate on the bottom of the tank. These deposits corrode the tank liner and heater elements. Water quality, particularly water hardness, directly influences the amount of sediment deposited.

Moving water also causes wear on the tank and piping. The hotter the water, the greater the fatigue on the parts it touches. The constant heating of cold water also subjects the unit to extreme temperature swings. No household appliance works under tougher conditions than the storage water heater.

In most cases, water heaters fail gradually, but not always. Some of the telltale signs of imminent failure include water accumulation beneath the heater, a hissing or whistling sound characteristic of a worn valve, and chronic hot water shortages during periods of normal demand. Prompt corrective action is required once the signs of failure appear.

When the corroded bottom of a tank fails without warning, the water already in the tank and the continuously fed cold-water supply create a deluge. If not stopped, this water will continue to flow. For More Information and to see Our recommendations and tips to minimize Water Damage, Click Here.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

- Proper Disposal of Fireplace Ashes -

SANTA BARBARA, Ca. January 28, 2013 – With the use of fireplaces and alternative

heating methods (pellet stoves, wood burning stoves, etc.), the Santa Barbara County Fire

Department reminds people that fires can start due to careless or improper disposal of the

leftover ashes. Even after several days, piles of ashes can hold enough heat to reignite

and start a fire. Therefore, extra care should be used in the storage and final disposal of

ashes.

When you clean your fireplace, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. You should always place discarded fireplace ashes in a heavy metal container, moisten the ashes

and cover the container with a metal lid. Never use a paper bag, a cardboard box or a plastic trash

bag in the cleaning process. Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes.

2. Ashes should be kept in a metal container outside, away from the house to cool. Your garage,

house, or deck are dangerous locations for ashes to cool. After ashes have cooled in a metal

container, it is necessary to find a suitable disposal site. Never dump fireplace ashes until they have

had at least four days to cool. Even after four days, great care should be given in selecting a dump

site. Wooded areas should always be avoided.

Proper Disposal of Fireplace Ashes

Garden areas or flower beds are ideal locations to dump cooled fireplace ashes, allowing many

nutrients to return to the soil. Please survey the area and evaluate any additional hazards before

disposing of your cooled ashes. Make sure all dry leaves have been removed from the area before

dumping your ashes in either a garden or flower bed that is away from the house and remember to

moisten the area.

Contact Information:

Captain David Sadecki

Information Officer

Office 805.681-5531

Cell 805.689-0599

News Line 805.681-5546

Email

david.sadecki@sbcfire.com

Hi Santos,

I just wanted to let you know the compliments that I have been receiving

about ServiceMaster Anytime with regards to a water damage job that is currently wrapping

up in Santa Barbara. From Anthony and his detailed attention, to Steven and Maria,

Maria, and Deborah with the pack out, these customers are so very happy  and pleased with the efficiency and communication and personal touches everyone has provided.

Darlene B, is the owner of a Curves gym that I am a member of, and it is her parents who had the water damage. It occurred during a time her mother was getting ready for surgery and very stressful for everyone, and Darlene was able to go to Florida with her mom and felt comfortable with the way everything was being handled that she didn’t have to worry about that and could concentrate on her parents. She was especially touched by the beautiful flowers and get well balloons that were brought to the home yesterday. Also, Steven took the time to talk with her father which he was still talking about after yesterdays work was done.

Hoping you will convey this to all the employees who were a part of making this job such a success. It was very nice for me to see Darlene three days a week for over 5 months and hear nothing but positive comments!

Thanks,

Susan

Made by LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China, the units can overheat, smoke, melt, and catch on fire, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

• Aug 03, 2012

Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corp. have voluntarily recalled about 795,000 Kenmore dehumidifiers because they can overheat and possibly cause a fire, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Aug. 2.

The units were manufactured between 2003 and 2005 by LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China. They can overheat, smoke, melt, and catch fire, according to the commission’s announcement, which said the company has received 107 reports of incidents with more than $7 million in property damage and three reports of smoke inhalation injuries.

This recall involves 35-, 50-, and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit. They are made of white plastic, are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide, and about 13.5 inches in depth. Fan and humidity controls are on the top front panels, and some models include remote controls. They have front-loading water buckets.

The affected model numbers (the number is located on the right side of the interior of the unit when the bucket is removed) are:

• 35-pint (2004), 580.54351400
• 50-pint (2003), 580.53509300
• 70-pint (2003), 580.53701300
• 70-pint (2004), 580.54701400
• 70-pint (2005), 580.54701500

The dehumidifiers were sold exclusively at Sears and Kmart stores nationwide and Sears.com and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009 for between $140 and $220. Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug them and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90, or $100 that can be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com or a check for the refund amount. (The amount of the card depends on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier.) Consumers with recalled units also will receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.

For more information, contact the Recall Fulfillment Center toll-free at 855-400-4641 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CDT weekdays or 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT Saturday, or visit www.Kenmoredehumidifierrecall.com.

(Santa Barbara, CA.) – Major emergencies and disasters are nothing new to the United States, and Santa Barbara County is no exception. During these emergencies a repeated lesson is how neighbors knowing each other and working together can help. Daniel Aldrich, a political scientist at Purdue University, learned this when he lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The lesson was demonstrated through a neighbor who knew Aldrich hadn’t been through a major hurricane and didn’t understand the threat. The neighbor advised Aldrich and his young family to evacuate, even before evacuation orders were being issued. Aldrich noted that because emergency systems are overwhelmed during disasters, first responders and the government are more often not available and that neighbors working together help with survival and recovery. According to Aldrich, “Really, at the end of the day, the people who will save you, and the people who will help you, they’re usually neighbors.”
Each month emergency managers and community leaders share a theme of preparedness with their communities. June’s theme is “Don’t be Anonymous; Get to Know Your Neighbors”, in the Aware & Prepare Education Program.

Your Best Chance for Help May Come From Right Next Door

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137526401/the-key-to-disaster-survival-friends-and-neighbors

Community Alert airs on Tuesday, 11 AM and 9 PM and again on Saturday at 1 PM on KZSB-AM 1290 and on www.newspress.com. To Listen tothe show click next link. Community Alert AM 1290 Radio

Nixle is a Community Information Service dedicated to helping you stay connected to the information that matters most to
you, depending on your physical location. You stay connected to your local  police department, your children’s schools, your local community agencies and  organizations, and the important information from other locations throughout the
country that are relevant to you.

Their service is built on the most secure, reliable, and high-speed distribution platform,ensuring that you receive trusted and
immediate, geographically relevant.

Nixle FREE Sign UP

Heavy rainfall can cause property damage. Are you prepared? 

Before it Rains
Take preventative measures now before the rain arrives and create a family action plan. Inspect your property for potential hazards and fix any past problem areas. Slopes, roof repairs, and places where water tends to accumulate
are all areas posing potential hazards if there is extended rain. Purchaseplastic sheeting and sandbags for your landscape while stores have supplies. The City’s Maintenance and Fire Departments keep a number of sandbags on hand for emergencies, a major rain incident can quickly deplete their supply.

Residential rain preparations should include clearing debris from gutters, downspouts and low areas in yards or
patios that could cause water back-ups. Call on a professional property inspector to take a look at your roof to be sure seals and caulking are in good shape or if they need to be resealed. Prevent runoff pollution into streets and storm
drains by collecting any trash or landscape clippings from your property into their designated disposal containers. Secure outdoor furniture, equipment ortoys and be sure pets have safe cover.  How to Check for Roof Leaks.

When rain storms are predicted, Santa Barbara residents, particularly those in canyon areas or next to potentially
unstable slopes, are urged to prepare and maintain preparedness standards. Sandbags are available for residents who will need to take precautionary measures on their property. Learn how to obtain sandbags from the County.

When a “Flash Flood Watch” is issued by National Weather Service and confirmed by City of Santa Barbara Public Works Officials, the City will open the Sandbag Station. The City’s Sandbag Station is located at the City of Santa Barbara Corporate Annex Yard at 401 East Yanonali Street. Sand and sandbags will be available to the public at the Sandbag Station. Residents should bring their own gloves and be prepared to fill the bags they need. Note when filling sandbags, fill them only half way, so they are not too heavy to lift and will stack properly. Twenty sandbags are
allowed per trip.

During Stormy Days
Avoid driving during heavy downpours. Santa Barbara has experienced minor flooding on city streets, residential mud run-off, brownouts as well as repeated closure and significant damage on the occasion of heavy rain. Some roads are particularly prone to problems during heavy rain—if not from the storm directly, then from resulting mudslides, loose rocks, and car accidents. If you live in a canyon area or use it to commute, it is especially important that you have an emergency plan in place. Consider detours to regular destinations; identify a relative or neighbor that can help with children and animals if you are delayed getting home; and keep a list of important phone numbers so that you can stay informed.

Please remove your trash cans from the street on your trash pick-up day as soon as possible after pick up. Empty trash cans can block storm drains.

The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) maintains jurisdiction over the state highways roadway. However, to
protect public safety, multiple agencies including Santa Barbara Police and Santa Barbara Sheriffs are authorized to close the roadway as necessary during incidents.When closures do occur, they are undoubtedly inconvenient, but rest
assured they are only employed when necessary to protect public safety. Because multiple agencies are involved and conditions can change rapidly, immediate, detailed information is often difficult to obtain. To help streamline
procedures and improve emergency communication be sure to sign up for NIXLE notification.

What is Nixle?
Nixle is a Community Information Service dedicated to helping you stay connected to the information that matters most to you, depending on your physical location. You stay connected to your local police department, your
children’s schools, your local community agencies and organizations, and the important information from other locations throughout the country that are relevant to you. Our service is built on the most secure, reliable, and
high-speed distribution platform, ensuring that you receive trusted and  immediate, geographically relevant information. Information is immediately available over your cell phone by text message, by email, and over the web.
Your account can be customized so you receive the information that matters most to you. Whether it is where you live, work, or have friends or family throughout the country, the information is immediately available to you over
your mobile phone, email and computer. FREE Sign Up.

Without a doubt, pre-planning, staying informed and plenty of patience will help you when the storms hit.

After Rain Emergencies
Should water or mud damage occur on private property, the owner should get in touch with their insurance company
for referrals to approved remediation services and more importantly, to be advised of and if any applicable insurance coverage . Those who may wish to contract on their own for assistance can find commercial vendors listed in the
yellow pages. Look under “water damage” and be sure to inquire if the company is licensed to do this work. Of course, here at ServiceMaster Anytime we are ready to respond to any emergency.

ServiceMaster Anytime has been servicing the Disaster Restoration needs of the Central Coast area
since 1963.  When fire, smoke, or water damage your home or business, speed is essential to minimize further damage. To restore your home or business to its pre-crisis condition – and avoid costly mistakes – it’s just as critical to select the most qualified professionals.  As the leader in the restoration and cleaning services industry for more than 40
years, ServiceMaster Anytime is committed to maintaining the highest
business, ethical, and quality standards.

No matter what the emergency; water, sewage, fire or smoke damage, trauma /vandalism clean up,
mold remediation and construction services, ServiceMaster Anytime is ready to give you peace of mind with
24/7/365 service. Santa Barbara 963-1365- Santa Maria 922-4477 – Lompoc
736-1168 San Luis Obispo 541-3241

Send Your Cleaning Questions to Anita at anita@svma.com
Dear Anita.

Wow, we had a Holiday Party and my friend spilled red wine
on my carpet. I tried to mop it up but now I have a stain. We are all red wine
drinkers, can you tell me what to do now and in the future if this happens
again?

Sharon
B. Goleta

Dear Sharon,

Yes, the merry making will be of glad tidings this season and red wine
on a carpet is NOT a merry situation. Once the stain has set like yours, it’s
best to call a professional to attempt to clean set in stains. However for the
future spills (and all red wine lovers have spills) follow these steps:

• Be sure to remove the sugar residue or it will cause a permanent stain.
• Blot up what you can with an absorbent pad.
• Apply a carpet stain remover. Or, flush the stain on area rugs or sponge carpeting with a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar.
• Blot with a clean pad, rinse well with water and blot up all the excess liquid with an absorbent pad.
• Weigh down with a heavy object. When no more liquid is absorbed, allow to thoroughly air dry.