Questions to consider when hiring a Restoration Company

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

If you've experienced a flood, fire or other water-related disaster, hiring a professional water damage restoration company is one of the most important steps in the recovery process. Whether you are dealing with a home or business property, it's vital that you find an experienced and reputable company that can quickly restore your property to its preloss condition. Here are a few questions to ask when selecting a water damage restoration company:

Do you have experience with Water Damage Restoration?

You are probably anxious about the damage and its effects on your property. You may be wondering if you can afford to have it repaired. The best way to make sure you get good service is to hire a water damage restoration company that has experience with this type of work. This includes experience in your specific area, as well as experience dealing with the kind of damage that you are experiencing. It's important for them to have this knowledge, because it helps ensure that they will be able to do the job properly and efficiently, which means less hassle for both you and them.

Are you insured and licensed?

Having insurance and a license is important for a number of reasons. It shows that the company is trustworthy, has been in business for many years, and has a good reputation.

Another reason it's important to know if your water damage restoration company is insured and licensed is because it shows they are serious about their business. They care about their customers, as well as their employees.

How do you determine whether your services are necessary?

If you think your home has water damage, it’s important to get a professional opinion. The problem could be as small as a leaky faucet or as big as damaged drywall from a pipe burst. When assessing the damage, consider asking these questions:

• How do you determine whether your services are necessary?
• How long will it take to fix my home?
• Will someone clean up after they leave?

What kind of equipment do you use for Water Damage Restoration?

You want to know what kind of equipment a water damage restoration company uses. Specifically, you want to know that they're using the right equipment for the job at hand.

Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at different water damage restoration companies:

• Water extraction is key when it comes to drying out your home or business as quickly and safely as possible. The right tools will help a team clear out flooded areas so that they can get started on removing damaged materials and restoring your property back to pre loss conditions.
• Dehumidifiers are used by many restoration companies because they're great at reducing moisture levels in the air. This helps prevent mold growth by keeping moisture away from walls and furniture.

How long is the Restoration process?

The length of time it takes to restore your home or business after a water damage event depends on the scope of the damage. In general, larger jobs take longer. The process is more involved and requires more time. Restoration companies come in and thoroughly assess any damage you may have incurred, then formulate a plan for restoration that works for you and your budget.

Once we get started, our professionals will work quickly and efficiently to complete the job as soon as possible. Every job is different, there’s no way to say with certainty how long it will take us to finish up—that all depends on what kind of damage has occurred in your home or business premises and how quickly we can get started on repairs right away.

There are a lot of things you can do to try and prevent water damage. However, if your home or business has experienced a flood or other type of water damage, it’s important to find the right company to take care of the situation. When hiring a professional water damage restoration company, make sure they have experience with both residential and commercial properties so they can help with any size job.

Causes of Fire Damage

12/24/2022 (Permalink)

If you have Fire Damage in your home call SERVPRO of Whittier

Causes of Fire Damage

A fire is a traumatic experience. It can be hard to imagine, but the damage from a fire goes far beyond what's visible on the surface. The smoke and soot left behind by a faulty fire cleanup job can cause structural issues and permanent damage to your home or business. That's why it's important to be aware of some of the common signs that indicate poor fire cleanup techniques — and what you need to do if you suspect they're happening in your home after an emergency like this.

Fire Damage

If you have experienced a fire, it is very important to recognize how the smoke has settled into your home. Fire damage can be hidden beneath surfaces and may not be apparent on first inspection. Be sure to carefully inspect the entire house for possible signs of poor fire cleanup techniques or other lingering effects from the blaze. Smoke residue can cause permanent stains, lingering odors, and mold growth if not properly addressed.

Water Damage

When water damage occurs, mold can develop. Mold is often hidden in walls, floors, and ceilings. Water damage is caused by leaks, floods, and storms. It can also be caused by broken pipes, burst water tanks, and burst water lines.

Smoke and Soot Damage

It's easy to think of smoke and soot damage as something that only happens after a fire, but it can also occur without any flames or smoke. If your home was damaged by a flood, or if you live in an area with high levels of air pollution, then you may be at risk for this type of mold contamination.

Smoke and soot damage can come from a variety of sources:

• Fires
• Chemicals that were used to put out fires
• Chemical spills (such as oil spills)

The Importance of Fast Response by Emergency Services

If you have been the victim of a fire, it is crucial that you work with a professional fire cleanup company. It is important to use the right equipment and chemicals for removing water and smoke damage from your home. This article will outline what these items are, but first.

The Importance of Working with a Professional Fire Cleanup Company

A great tip for success in both restoring your property and keeping your family safe is to hire an expert mold remediation company. A professional team will bring experience, knowledge, and expertise to the job at hand - ensuring that they take care of all aspects involved in this process efficiently so that you can get back into living in your home as soon as possible!

Warnings of a Poorly Handled Fire Clean-Up Job

One of the most common causes of mold growth is fire damage. If you suspect that you have experienced a fire, it is advisable to check for signs of a poorly handled fire cleanup job. These include:

• Mold growth in areas where there should not be any
• Water damage or other visible signs of smoke and soot damage

If you have any reason to suspect that something has gone wrong with the restoration process at all, then it would be best to seek professional help before proceeding with any further cleaning efforts yourself.

Damaged Structures and Furnishings

Mold can also grow on any damaged wood and other materials. Mold tends to grow in the walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture of your home if there are leaks or water problems. It can even grow on clothing and other fabrics that have been exposed to a lot of moisture. 

Mold grows on books and papers as well because they contain cellulose which is what most molds feed off when they look for food sources in order to survive.

Lingering Odors

You may be wondering if this can happen to you. If you smell an odor that’s a little funky, it could be a sign of mold growing in your home. Mold often grows in hidden places like behind walls or under floors. It can also grow on the surfaces of walls and ceilings, as well as inside plumbing fixtures and other areas where water accumulates.

If you have mold growing in your home and it is left untreated, the spores will spread through the air and cause various problems to your property. Getting rid of the mold quickly is important so that everyone who lives in your house stays safe.

Apparent fire damage can be hidden beneath surfaces. 

Be sure to carefully inspect the entire house for possible signs of poor fire cleanup techniques. Mold can grow on many surfaces, including wood, drywall, carpet, and insulation. Mold may also grow in the air if moisture is present because of water leaks or improper ventilation (excess humidity). The spores of some species are released into the air when disturbed by activities such as sweeping or washing with water that has not yet dried.

While we may not be able to stop fires, water damage, and other disasters from happening, we can be sure that our homes are properly cleaned up when they do occur. When choosing a fire cleanup company, remember that time is of the essence. There’s no room for slip-ups when it comes to your home or office; every second counts when it comes to preventing further damage.

Take These 3 Steps After Finding Mildew on Your Plants

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Steps To Prevent And Eliminate Mildew On Plants

The emergence of plant mildew at your residence in Whittier, CA, is a different situation than a mold case. Mildew is a sub-category of mold that grows exclusively on plants rather than on your home's walls and floors or other property you keep. Therefore, different steps are needed to handle the problem.

1. Identify Different Mildew Types
It is important to identify the type of mildew growth before removing it. Downy mildew, also known as peronosporaceae, is closely related to algae and manifests as grey or white fuzz that grows underneath the leaves and makes them look brown. It is less common but also more harmful to plants. Powdery mildew, or oidium-erysiphe, resembles white powder and grows on both sides of a leaf, but is less dangerous. Mold remediation professionals understand the difference since both mold types require different techniques.

2. Removing Mildew From Your Plants
The process of plant mildew removal depends on the type and location of the plant itself. For plants that produce fruits or vegetables, you will need the right mildewcide for that specific plant. For a potted plant, you should move it outside, water the less coated parts from below, and prune any heavily affected or infected parts. Keep it exposed to sunlight to avoid high humidity. For best results, let restoration technicians handle this process since they will have the right equipment and treatment.

3. Preventing Mildew on Your Plants
Once you remove the organism, you should prevent any further infestations. The major cause of mildew growth in most plants is excessive humidity. Prevent it by exposing the plants to sunlight rather than shade and watering them properly from below and near the roots, instead of just watering the leaves.

Avoid further microorganisms by disinfecting gardening tools before use and removing dead leaves and debris around the plants.

Despite its relation to mold, plant mildew grows on different surfaces and requires different elimination procedures. Follow these important steps or ensure mildew specialists follow them to successfully eliminate and prevent its growth.

An Overflowing Toilet Signals Sewer Problems

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

Sewer Issues Are Indicated By An Overflowing Toilet.

A toilet overflow in West Whittier, CA, is an instant sign there is a problem. If the source of the problem isn't addressed, it may mean sewage cleaning that involves replacing carpet and furniture and other restorative services. Although not always preventable, knowing the common causes may help you avoid a bigger issue down the road.

Main Causes of Overflowing Toilets

Although there may be other culprits, four common reasons for an overflowing toilet include:

Clogged Pipe: Flushing foreign objects is the main reason for a clog. These are objects that don’t decompose, thus causing a blockage. While slow to build-up, hair and mineral buildup may also begin to clog the sewer line.

Tree Roots: Since trees thrive on water, their roots naturally gravitate toward sewer lines. As they grow, they may enter through joints or crack lines that are older and not made of PVC.

Structural Defects: From aging to a growing crack, a sewage system is not immune to structural problems. These small issues may lead to a collapsed pipe or misalignment that leads to unwanted water issues.

City Sewage Backup: No matter where your business is located, it is connected to the city’s sewer lines. A backup down the line may make its way into your property, often rising through drains and toilets.

Professional Sewage Cleaning

Regardless of which of the above is causing the issue, it’s important to remember that the cleanup involves contaminated water. Depending on the extent of the issue, it may mean hidden water lurking behind the walls. When a sewage issue arises, calling a professional to complete water damage cleanup services is the best choice. Along with having the expertise to handle the water damage, a certified team of technicians will be able to find and fix secondary damage. Adhering to IICRC standards, the experts will provide a detailed description of the work that needs to be done and have all the necessary industrial-grade tools to get your property back to its preloss condition.

When the toilet overflows, there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Along with determining the cause, getting a professional to handle the sewage cleaning means the damage will be cleaned right.

About the IICRC and Its Technicians

4/2/2022 (Permalink)

Concerning The IICRC And Its Technicians

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the industry's standard-setting organization. It is a global organization with certified technicians everywhere, even in South Whittier,CA. Its primary role is to create certifications for technicians.

Additionally, it is a valuable resource for businesses who need to hire a firm or technicians with a cleaning, remediation, or mitigation certificate. This is because it keeps a locator that has thousands of technicians and firms listed. Before choosing someone to perform your restoration work, learn more about these technicians and why they are the better option.

Values

This organization sets a standard set of values that any disaster remediation company must abide by. You can expect a certified technician to be:

• Responsible
• Trustworthy
• Excellent
• Knowledgeable

These values ensure that you have quality work performed quickly and without incident. In other words, you will experience less hassle and stress while waiting for your business to reopen.

Organization

The IICRC was founded in 1972 and has since grown to be the restoration industry's primary certifying body. There are currently thousands of certified firms and technicians across the globe that are held to a higher set of standards than others who operate in this field.

Standards

The mission of the IICRC is to create and teach a set of standard practices and principles that promotes the health and safety of technicians and clients. It accomplishes this goal by creating standards for worker ethics, communication practices, and technical proficiency that all professionals must adhere to. When clients hire a certified firm by this organization, they are assured that the company will follow specific protocols to keep workers safe while efficiently performing high-quality work on any business.

When choosing a remediation company for your business, you want to ensure that the technicians performing the job are trained and the best in the industry. To guarantee that you find the right company for you, take the time to learn about the main certifying body and look for a firm endorsed by it.

Ensuring Accurate Claims With Disaster Response Services

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO responded immediately to begin assessing and start the clean up procedures after a water loss was discovered.

Using Disaster Response Services To Ensure Accurate Claims

Insurance claim services can feel overwhelming, especially after experiencing a major disaster. Unfortunately, the claims process is necessary for comprehensive restoration to begin. Therefore, it is best to speak with qualified individuals who can help to walk you through the restoration process as well as what to expect out of the claims procedure. While your insurer can help with some of this information, you can also speak with disaster restoration specialists. These companies are experts in the processes and bureaucratic procedures, and they follow a strict routine to ensure your claim is accurate.

1. Mitigation As Protection

The first goal of emergency response is to prevent further loss through a process called mitigation. This process entails the use of plywood, tarps and fencing to protect your property against weather, vagrants, animals and any number of other issues. Also, mitigation reduces the chances of your claim being rejected due to negligence.

2. Cleanout for Accurate Proof of Loss

Claim services are a procedural service, meaning that there is a designated path to approval. Any adjustments made to a claim can send it back to the beginning, prolonging the approval process and postponing restoration. Disaster response companies specialize in rapid cleanup, making all damage apparent and allowing for an accurate proof of loss statement the first time around.

3. Controlled and Monitored Restoration

While an insurer bases claim value off estimates, those assessments do you no good without a company that stands by its prices and services. SERVPRO is a leader in the restoration industry, and it has built that reputation on its ability to accurately control and monitor costs. Review the database of claims for the Whittier, CA, area to get a rough ballpark estimate of what your project may cost.

While it may seem unlikely, a disaster restoration company can be your biggest ally as you work through the claim services process of your insurer. These companies want to help you get back in your home by ensuring your claim is protected, accurate and honestly executed.