Fire Restoration For Commercial Property

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

If your commercial property in West Concord, California, has experienced a fire, there are several reasons why you might want to board up structural damage or windows. In addition to keeping the external elements out of a building with fire damage, boarding up can also prevent additional losses due to looting and make the fire cleanup process easier. 

Most full-service restoration specialists offer boarding-up services. Here are four reasons to board-up after a fire.

1. There is still viable stock on the premises. If products that appear viable remain in the building, you should consider boarding up. These items may require assessment and cleaning and may not be fit for sale, but having them properly processed rather than stolen can be helpful for insurance purposes.

2. You want to protect electronics and other valuables. Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may be able to restore some electronics or other valuable property to working condition. Loss can be far more expensive than restoration or covered replacement.

3. You need to keep out the elements. If the structure of your property has sustained extensive damage, you should try to keep the elements out. Exposure to additional water, wind, or sunlight can compound the damage caused by smoke residue and soot.

4. You want to limit soot damage. It is generally a good idea to reduce foot traffic on the scene of a recent fire. When soot gets embedded into carpeting or upholstery, it can be much more difficult to restore these materials to a pre-fire condition.

Talk to restoration experts at SERVPRO of West Concord, about whether boarding up is a good strategy for preventing loss and limiting damage after a fire. Your major concern is likely to be how to recover from fire damage as quickly and completely as possible. Preventing looting and exposure to the elements can make fire cleanup more successful. Don’t hesitate to call us (925) 681-9093.

When The Mold Storm Is A Foot

11/21/2022 (Permalink)

Mold colonization can be a dangerous and threatening situation for homes, especially when the situation goes unchecked and unresolved. While you might not necessarily believe that you need the services of professional mold remediation technicians like our SERVPRO team, there are many reasons that you might reconsider. The first of these is how quickly this situation can get out of control if allowed to grow and spread unabated. Without addressing the underlying cause of the colonies, they can continue to grow and thrive unchallenged.

Our SERVPRO professionals have advanced training and education in the remediation of mold damage from West Concord homes through the IICRC. This continual coursework ensures that we can provide our customers with technicians that have the confidence and expertise to address even widespread mold concerns immediately. Once we have arrived at your address, we can begin to assessing the full scope of the damage and working with our production management leadership to determine the best recovery solution for the property.

Our strategies for colony removal vary depending on the material hosting an organism and where the mold has gotten discovered within the property. How severe this colonization has become also plays a role in the best solution for removing it. Lighter presences, for example, can often get remedied by the application of our efficient antimicrobial spray. This product can kill off the spores spreading within the material, effectively starving out the entire hyphae and eliminating the organism.

The remediation professionals of our SERVPRO team also have effective strategies for removing more deeply rooted organisms spreading throughout your property. If you’ve noticed mold growth in your home or business call us at SERVPRO of West Concord at (925) 681-9093.

When Drying Equipment Is Used

11/21/2022 (Permalink)

Commonly used equipment includes:

• Air Movers: Used to accelerate air flow and evaporation of moisture from materials for restorative drying.
• Dehumidifiers: Used to reduce moisture levels, accelerate the drying process in water restoration
• Floor Drying System: These are high-pressure air mover mats, used during water restoration to dry hardwood floors. This system draws evaporated moisture out of damages areas and creates a vacuum seal on mats to move air from the subfloor to the surface.
• Air Scrubbers: used for cleaning and controlling air quality in restorations.
• Hygrometers: Moisture meters used to detect or monitor moisture in most building materials.
• Submersible pumps: drains standing water from any surface - ideal for flooded basements, farm use, draining standing water from swimming pools, fountains, flooded basements, etc.
• Extractors: usually used for water extraction from carpet and hard surfaces.

A successfully water damage restoration always begins once the standing water has been removed - though it may not be visible in puddles.  Nevertheless, there are specific methods used for each and every situation. 

Understanding The Certain Water Types

11/21/2022 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup.

There are three types of water. Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals, and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

Consider taking the following precautions to help minimize damage or prevent further damage while waiting for help to arrive.

Damage from Clean Water:

• Shut off water source if possible or contact a qualified professional to do so.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if access to the power distribution panel is safe from potential electrical shock. Do not enter rooms with standing water, as electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other valuable items that may be sensitive to moisture to a safe place.
• Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is potential for electrical shock or causing damage to the vacuum cleaner.

Damage from Contaminated Water:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage. Wash your hands thoroughly if you come in contact with contaminated items.
• Do not walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.
• Do not use household fans to dry the structure; air flow could spread contaminates.
• Discard any food and/or products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

Such Myths About Mold

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to mold, there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation that can lead to confusion for homeowners. Just the mention of the word "mold" can cause people to panic. While mold can be a very serious problem and should be taken seriously, it is important to have all the facts to be able to discern myth from fact so that you can make proper and informed decisions when necessary. 

1. "Bleach Kills Mold"
   While bleach may be able to kill some types of mold on non-porous surfaces, it is unclear whether or not bleach can kill all types of mold, or if it can kill mold on porous surfaces like wood. Bleach is also a very corrosive agent and can pose its own health risks if used to kill mold. It's best to leave it to the professionals. 
2. "You Don't Have to Remove Mold If You Kill It"
   Even if you are able to kill mold, you may not have removed the allergens that live in the mold. They can still be present even if the mold is killed. To fully protect yourself, removal of the affected areas is often necessary. You have to be careful not to spread the mold spores throughout your home when removing areas affected with mold. Professionals, like us, know how to set proper containment so that the mold allergens don't spread and further contaminate your home. 
3. "A Little Mold Is Nothing to Worry About"
   If mold has become visible in your home, then chances are it has been growing for some time. Once mold becomes visible, it is important that you have the situation looked at, as there is more than likely more mold behind the surface. 
4. "Mold Remediation Is Easy to Do On Your Own"
   This is usually not the case. Small areas of mold can sometimes be handled rather easily, but if the problem appears to be pervasive, it is best to call a professional. SERVPROis always "Here to help!"

What It Takes To Dry Equipment

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time.

The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. SERVPRO of West Concord has the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss.

When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform properly. Our team will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools used by our highly-trained technicians.

Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.

Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO of West Concord to monitor the drying process.

Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, we can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.

Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.

Thermal Foggers dispense solvent- based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor- causing particles to deodorize structures, garments, automobiles and other places where cleaning cannot reach.

The bottom line? SERVPRO of Concord has the training and equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 925-681-9093.

What Types Of Water Damage Are There?

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup.

There are three types of water. Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals, and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

Consider taking the following precautions to help minimize damage or prevent further damage while waiting for help to arrive.

Damage from Clean Water:

• Shut off water source if possible or contact a qualified professional to do so.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if access to the power distribution panel is safe from potential electrical shock. Do not enter rooms with standing water, as electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other valuable items that may be sensitive to moisture to a safe place.
• Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is potential for electrical shock or causing damage to the vacuum cleaner.

Damage from Contaminated Water:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage. Wash your hands thoroughly if you come in contact with contaminated items.
• Do not walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.
• Do not use household fans to dry the structure; air flow could spread contaminates.
• Discard any food and/or products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

When you have water damage, don’t leave your property to chance. Call your local professionals at SERVPRO of West Concord at 925-681-9093.

Five Places Water Hides To Create More Damage

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage from a leaking appliance or from a flood can be easily identified (although that doesn’t make it better). When water damage like that happens, it is very noticeable, but, there could be water damage in your house that you can’t even see. Here are 5 overlooked spots that could have water damage:

1. In the wall beneath a window:Rain can seep in between the window sash and jamb and trickle down to the framing studs in the wall. Prolonged leaks can rot the studs and other framing, leading to expensive repairs.
2. Under the siding:Unsealed gaps allow water to enter the siding and eventually rot the plywood beneath.
3. The exterior door threshold:Since this is exposed to water every time it rains, eventually the wood will swell and become spongy. This damage may not be noticed until the wood rots and can no longer support the metal threshold.
4. Beneath the dishwasher:Leaks can develop in the water supply line that runs to the dishwasher. Since you can’t see under the dishwasher, over time a slow leak can do serious damage to the subfloor. You may not notice until you move the washer to replace it with a new one, only to find you’ll have to replace some of the floor as well.
5. Under a wobbly toilet:Water can leak from around the wax ring at the base of the toilet. It is likely you would not see any water at all but it will be soaking into the subfloor the whole time. Sometimes the first indication is the toilet starting to wobble due to the floor supporting it rotting away.

When Is The Right Time To Turn Off The Water Valve

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

Do you know where your main water shut-off valve is located?

It’s important to know where it is in case of an emergency. If a pipe bursts or a toilet overflows, shutting off the water can help reduce water damage. Sometimes homeowners will shut off their water if they are leaving town or replacing plumbing as a precaution.

The location of your water shut-offs can vary, depending on location, water source and type of residence. Shut-off valves can be hard to find, so grab a flashlight.

More Than One Shut-Off Valve

There is usually more than one shut-off valve in your home – once for each appliance that uses water and a main shut-off for the entire home.

Shut-off valves are usually located near the item that needs the water supply, for instance your valves for your toilet, sink, or washing machine are usually behind the units or under the sink.

For example, if your toilet is going to overflow, don’t waste time running to the main shut-off, use the knob behind the toilet.

Main Valve Locations

If you have well water, you may have two main shut-off valves, one that goes from the well to the pressure tank and another from the tank to your plumbing. If you need to shut off the well quickly, you can trip the circuit breaker to the well to deactivate the well pump.

If you have city water, your valve may be located in your homes utility room, along with the furnace or water heater. It may also be located in a plastic or utility box in the ground in front of your home.

Too late for the shut-off valve?

If your home or business has experienced water damage, SERVPRO of West Concord can help.

If your home has water damage from flooding, a leaking pipe, or other source, you need the company that can respond immediately and has the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. We use advanced water damage inspection and extraction equipment to help find the moisture and to remove it as quickly as possible. Our highly trained technicians will monitor and document the drying process so that you know your property is back to normal.

The Best Restoration Company

11/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Concord provides each certified estimator with a kit that helps provide damage estimates during your homes initial inspection. This kit helps test fire and smoke residues on your home’s structure and contents to determine whether restoration through cleaning remains possible.

If you agree to allow SERVPRO to handle the fire restoration in your home, we work with your insurance adjuster to stay within your policy limits and keep you informed throughout the process. We can provide you with quality cleaning and restoration services that help limit any losses you might experience. If you have concerns about specific areas of your home or want special attention given to family heirlooms, make sure to let your on-site restoration supervisor know.

SERVPRO of West Concord technicians handle a variety of specialty fire restoration services that focus on electronics, art, collectibles, books, and other personal belongings. Even if we do not offer these services directly, we have a relationship with a sub-contractor who does. Full-service solutions you can count on while you direct your attention to keeping your family safe.

SERVPRO of West Concord provides quality fire damage solutions to customers throughout Concord and surrounding areas. Call today to begin work with a cleaning and restoration company that you can trust to deliver quality results. (925) 681-9093.