Water can Damage Everything

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

We know how damaging water can be, but we may not know the extent to which water can damage homes, properties, and materials. Many homes have previously experiences water damage, but did you know water can even soak and damage concrete? For example, a flooding basement can damage the concrete foundation of a home if left to stand for too long, damaging the structural integrity of a home. Now you can imagine if water can damage concrete like this you can imagine what it can do to softer and more vulnerable materials such as wood or drywall. The reason water damages so many materials is all about chemistry, water is a universal solvent, this means that water can dissolve almost any material given time. This is the reason that acting quickly when it comes to water damage is very important. 

Safe driving

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Out here in California, we don’t get much rain so when we do get some heavy rain we don’t deal with it all to well. For anyone who lives in California and especially around LA, they know how dangerous driving conditions can get in the congested streets and highways that are packed with traffic nearly all day. This is a friendly reminder to drive safely in wet conditions by minding your speed, traction of your tires, and most importantly other cars (Remember to leave room to brake properly!). Here at SERVPRO we always talk about the quality of service we provide to our clients in restoration and our ties to our local community, so we would also like the members of our community to stay safe, remember, be careful out there in wet conditions!

Professionals in Restoration

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Because of the convection pattern that flames typically form during ignition, smoky residue saturates every opening. The soot constructs up in layers that may end up being solidified and tough to eliminate which is another reason to leave the cleaning to a specialist. When the cleaning teams do arrive, they promptly different salvageable items from charred debris, taking the things creating the strongest odors out for cleaning. Following a fire, wall surface areas can be harmed by soot. Non-water based cleaners need to be used to remove soot from walls. These kinds of chemicals should be handled by a specialist due to the fumes and toxicity. Water-based cleaning items can cause spots to bleed into plaster walls which is why a trained specialist should be left to deal with these chemicals. Most importantly, a restoration effort reduces the after-effects a blaze can have on the health of those who return in. 

If a homeowner does not have the property restored by a professional, the results can be found later on down the line. To an untrained eye they might believe the issue has been fixed, they experience the remaining impacts of indoor air pollution for numerous months later on in the form of increased respiratory discomfort. Companies like SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms are leading experts in fire restoration. They are trained to help remove your belongings as well as cleaning and storing them until your property has been restored to its original condition.

Fire Fighting Technology

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

Everyone knows how devastating fire damage can be, especially when your home experiences a fire, your livelihood and belongings are in grave danger. 

Firefighters risk their lives every day to make sure fires are prevented and minimized and to do that they must have the best equipment. Disaster safety equipment is advancing every day and a great example would be this brand new piece of fire-fighting technology, the C-Thru Firefighting Helmet developed in Sweden.

The C-Thru Fire fighting helmet is similar to Divers helmets with a flash of tomorrows technology thrown in with capabilities such as adjustable oxygen and CO2 levels like normal helmets but also contain heads up  displays to let the firefighter know his remaining oxygen levels, temperature, Line assisted environment visuals, thermal imaging and many other tools to make saving lives for fire fighters easier. 

Restoring Your Business After a Flood

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Floods can be miserable ordeals, even with extensive preparation. They can spring up with little to no warning and saddle you with the responsibility of a lengthy, expensive restoration period. Your business could be underwater in a flash, and you could be faced with mounting repair bills and extended interruption to your business. But floods can also be regenerative. Large-scale damage to your business is an opportunity to rebuild and minimize potential damage and disruption that could be caused by future floods. If your business has sustained flood damage, do not panic. Think of it as a chance to fortify your business against future flood damage rather than nothing but a ruinous misfortune.

All in all, it is important to remember that water damage to commercial locations can be excessively harmful because it can quickly not only damage the building but also the contents inside.  Even minor water damage can impact a business’s productivity. Depending on the magnitude of water damage, the water must be removed, the infiltrated areas cleared, and an inventory of losses drawn out.  To minimize the extent of the leak, contact SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms. With our professional expertise our SERVPRO team can look after all your water damage restoration needs. We possess the essential manpower and technology to correct problems associated with water damage on commercial and business properties.

Senior Living

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is very proud to state that our involvement with our community is one of our main focuses. Our biggest example of this is the work we do with Sunrise Senior Living Homes, we service and restore the homes of our elderly and senior citizens whenever they are in need, and we are happy to say that it has strengthened our relationship with our community because of it. Many of our clients speak highly of our services and that is what we strive for, to provide service our clients are happy with on a consistent basis to uphold our standard of service. This applies with all our other clients as well, which is why we are always open to calls 24/7, 365 days a year. 

After The Storm

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

The storms have stopped and the wind is calm. Outside the skies begin to clear, revealing downed trees, misplaced outdoor furniture, and random pieces of debris. From your window, your property appears unharmed. But is it really? What about the roof? The windows? The new siding and gutters?

There's no telling what kind of property damage a storm can bring. Even if it appears your property survived the wicked winds, taking a walk around your home could reveal a hidden problem you might not have seen otherwise.

Here's a quick checklist of what you should look for, courtesy of the National Storm Damage Center:

1) Window Damage
Get up close and personal with your windows, checking for shattered glass, broken panes, or damaged frames. Look carefully for small holes or cracks in unsuspecting areas.

2) Roof Damage
Check for loose or cracked shingles. If you have an asphalt roof, unidentified dark spots could be storm damage. Determine if any debris is lodged under shingles, too.

3) Clogged Gutters
Heavy rains can down limbs, bringing with it leaves and small branches that can clutter your gutter. Check for fragments jammed along the gutter and in the downspout.

4) Exterior Damage
Siding can tear loose, paint can peel, and stucco can break free. Even brick can suffer the wrath of a bad storm. Take a walk around your home and check for any potential damage. Holes, breaks, and splitting are common side effects of a storm. Discoloration of siding or brick is another symptom.

Identifying any immediate damage can save you time and money, especially if the damage is excessive and requires a call to your insurance company. Waiting to repair your home can create more costly problems somewhere down the road.

Landslide

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms, of course. Our technicians are highly trained in damage restoration and can clean just about anything.

Many parts of a home or business may be damaged during a landslide. Whether it's a priceless family heirloom or important office paperwork, SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms has the specialized equipment and products to make it "Like it never even happened."

Our water damage restoration technicians are IICRC certified and readily available when emergency strikes. We also have a team of construction experts who can get your home or business up and running again. 

SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms can do it all. There is no job too big or small and we make your needs our highest priority. Why deal with multiple contractors when you can work with one company that will handle everything?

If you are faced with damage to your home or business due to a landslide call SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms today.

Over the past couple years, flooding has been a major problem in and around the Cheviot Hills/Palms area. Storms can roll through bringing strong winds, thunder and lightning, and torrential rain. The large amount of rain is not absorbed by the ground quick enough, so the water runs off and accumulates in low-lying areas. Water will also run into creeks, rivers, and ponds causing them to swell, which means that the water levels to rise. Both bodies of water and low-lying areas can quickly accumulate water and the water can rise very fast.

If the forecast is calling for heavy rain, it is a good idea to stay up-to-date on the threat level. A flood or flash flood warning means that flooding is possible and you should be prepared to possibly carry out your emergency plan. A flood or flash flood watch means that flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If your home or business is prone to flooding, you will be told to evacuate the area.

When planning for an emergency, the first step is getting basic supplies together. Some of these items include water, canned food, first aid supplies, and batteries for radios and flashlights. These items should be kept together in a separate area from where they would usually be stored, and everyone in your home or office should know where it is located in the event that an emergency were to occur. It is also a good idea to keep important documents – birth certificates, medical records, insurance cards - in this box/area. If a flood warning is issued, fill your gas tank and move your emergency items into your car. If you do not own a car, make arrangements with family, friends, or neighbors for transportation. Gather family and pets, if possible. If your pets will not fit in a car with you, or if you own livestock and are unable take them, find a safe area to move them to. You should also adjust refrigerator thermostats to the coolest possible temperature in case the power goes out.

If you are told that you need to evacuate your home or business, you should leave as soon as possible; never ignore this order! It is advised to turn off your water, electricity, and gas and to unplug appliances, if you have time, to reduce the possibility of additional damage occurring to your home. Those of us who have grown up in the area, have heard the saying a thousand times – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”. Don’t ever attempt to walk or drive through flood waters. You cannot be sure of how deep the water actually is, nor can you properly gauge the strength of the moving water.

Flooding is common in our area and being prepared is essential to avoid making a bad situation worse. If your home or business experiences flood or water damage, call our team in green!

Dangers Of The Job

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Some Jobs are quite dangerous due to their nature or the nature of their remediation. For example, a mold remediation job most of the time requires that the affected areas are sprayed with bleach and other chemicals that may be harmful or hazardous to human health. When this process is done on a large scale we have to ensure the safety of our technicians so we ensure they wear the proper protective materials such as light or heavy hazmat suits and air filtration masks that seal the body off from harmful chemicals. These measures are also taken in bio-hazard jobs where there might be contaminated bodily fluids or raw sewage that pose serious health effects if consumed in any way. If you have any questions in general or about our safety procedures don’t hesitate to give us a call at the number listed above.

Protecting Your Home

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Murphy’s Law when traveling: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, while you’re traveling away from home”. Having to return from a memorable trip to learn that something has seriously gone wrong at home can be distressing. But following is a list of essential tips that will allow you to be stress free while you sit back and enjoy your getaway!

1. Keep curtains open!

You may think that leaving the curtains closed may prevent others from peeking inside your home. However, it is recommended that you leave some of your curtains opened (make sure to keep expensive items out of sight). If your curtains are unusually closed for a long period of time it could become obvious that no one is home.

2. Keep lights on or off?

Leaving the lights on in your home while you’re away may end up costing you more than your mortgage! It is recommended that you purchase an automatic light switch timer so that your lights will switch on and off at certain times during the day/night making it appear as though someone is actually home.  

3. Pull the plug!

It is recommended that you unplug all appliances including, your TV, toaster oven, etc. while you’re away. This may help prevent a power surge which can cause a fire hazard.

4. Piping

This applies to those that reside in very cold regions.  Pipes may be in danger of freezing so it is recommended that you have someone check in on your faucets while you’re away. If very little to no water comes out when turning the faucets on this is an indication that the pipes may be frozen! Take the time to make sure your pipes are properly insulated to avoid this from happening. Finally, show your key-holder (friend/neighbor) the location of the water main shut-off in case a pipe breaks.

These preventative measures only take a few  minutes to complete and can help you keep your home safe from broken pipes(flood hazard), home invasions(property loss/damage), power surges(fire hazard), and more in your absence. In the event that you suffer a loss such as these, please do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO for all of your restoration needs!