Water damage cleanup in Laguna Woods, 4 miles from Mission Viejo

What Laguna Woods homeowners deal with

Laguna Woods is 4 miles from Mission Viejo and is served with the Mission Viejo area. Nearly all of its housing went up in the same era: Census figures show 91% of homes were built before 1980, against 57% across Orange County, and 51% are in buildings with 5 or more units. That combination means many buildings share plumbing that has aged together, and a supply line or water heater that fails in one unit can reach the walls and ceiling of the unit below.

Seasonal homes, 6% of local housing against 1% countywide, add another risk, because a leak in an empty unit can run for days. Outside water is less common, with 3 days a year of an inch of rain or more and about 2 nights a year at or below 32 degrees, though FEMA's National Risk Index puts inland flood loss at 154 per $100,000 of building value, above the county's 135. For an inside leak, ceiling repair after a leak in the lower unit often follows drying, and the association's policy may cover the shared parts.

The first hour in Laguna Woods

In Laguna Woods, 51% of homes are in buildings with 5 or more units, so the first step after a leak is often a call to the building's maintenance desk as well as closing the valve under the sink, toilet or washer. If you live in a detached home, close the main where the line enters. Then turn off breakers for wet rooms, and stay off wet floors, which turn slick on tile and vinyl. Take photos of the leak, the floor, any stain in the unit below and each damaged item, since ceiling repair after a leak there may follow, and ask a neighbor for help if moving furniture is hard. Rugs, papers and small electronics should go to a dry room first. Seasonal owners, who hold 6% of homes here, can ask the association to let the crew in. The restoration company for the Mission Viejo area takes calls from Laguna Woods 24/7.