Water removal and drying in Glendora, Los Angeles County

Glendora up close

Glendora is a town of older, owner-occupied houses. Census figures show 79% of homes were built before 1980, above the county's 71%, while 32% are rented and 13% sit in buildings with 5 or more units. Those houses often have original supply lines, water heaters in garages and slab floors where a leak can spread under tile or wood. Another 3% of homes are mobile or manufactured.

The weather is wetter than the county's. NOAA climate normals show 8 days a year with an inch of rain or more, against 4 for Los Angeles County, and FEMA's National Risk Index sets the yearly inland flood loss at $166 per $100,000 of building value. The county has 8 major disaster declarations for floods and storms since 2000. So a call from Glendora is as likely to be storm runoff through a back door as a failed water heater. Runoff is Category 3, so flood damage restoration removes wet pad and lower drywall, and standard homeowners policies usually exclude it. Glendora is served with the Pasadena area.

Before the crew arrives in Glendora

Glendora averages 8 days a year with an inch of rain or more, against 4 for the county, so a flood call here is often storm runoff. Outside water cannot be shut off, so start with power: switch off the breakers to every wet room before stepping in. If the source is a pipe, close the main shutoff so burst pipe cleanup can start; with 79% of homes built before 1980, expect an older valve near the front of the house and turn it slowly. Photograph the water line on the walls, the source and the damaged items. Move furniture, rugs and boxes to a dry room or the garage shelves. Storm water is Category 3, so flood damage restoration usually removes wet pad and lower drywall. The line is answered 24/7, nights and weekends included.