Testing for Asbestos and Lead

11/24/2021 (Permalink)

Asbestos Flooring from removal from a water and mold remediation

11/24/2021

Testing for Asbestos and Lead

Your home and property are probably the largest dollar value investment most people will make in their lives. 

DIY, do it yourselves projects are very common when home improvements occur in adding new life to your property and increase its value for general reasons or resale in the future.

In some situations, other occurrences such as flood or water loss may require repair or replacement of materials as a result of damage.

If you own a home built in or before 1970 its important to know that various agencies have identified these and even some homes in the 80’s as potentially containing asbestos and /or lead.

In either the case of a Do-it-Yourself project or water loss, homeowners should consider having materials such as drywall, vinyl tile and painted surfaces tested for both lead and asbestos prior to replacement of such.

Sawing, sanding or and other activities could result in disturbing the materials and causing the release of asbestos fibers or lead dust into the home. 

Visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com for more information on your restoration needs,

Look Up Once in a While

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Results of a Roof Leak

11/22/2021

Look Up Once in a while … especially at your ceiling!

We tend to view things for the most part at eye level, but after a rainy day, it may be a good idea to look up at your ceiling! Especially in area just below your roof.

Often times even the smallest leak can create issues with resulting structural, property and even health issues to name a few.

Water damage from the rain in the immediate area in the attic will affect the insulation as a minimum and as it continues the structure including rafters and then dry wall may be compromised.

Again, in the immediate area in the attic, any thing stored there will be affected/damaged and result in loss of property.

In other blogs we have addressed the issue of mold and its effects on some individual’s health, here we can see a possible hidden source of a potentially lager problem if not mitigated.

So, after a rain of any kind take a moment to “Look Up” and see what’s going on in your home.

Visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com for more information on mold damage.

When Contacting SERVPRO Call Center

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Portable Extractor for water remediation

11/22/2021

When Contacting SERVPRO our Call Center will recommend the following

• Shut off the water source if possible.

• If possible electric and gas if required
•  Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Again, if it’s safe
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs.
• Hang furs and leather goods separately at room temperature.
• Remove Oriental or other colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• If possible, remove all valuables to a safe place
• Do not use a regular vacuum to remove water.
• SERVPRO is equipped with both truck mount and portable extractors for this purpose
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
• Once the SERVPRO techs arrive the drying process and remediation can begin

 Water Damage Services

• Emergency Response: Reduce Loss Severity/Pretesting for Restorability.
• Contents Cleaning Specialists: On-Site or Move Out.
• Structural Restoration Services.
• Large Loss Completion with Trained Crew Leaders

Visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com for more information on water damage

Recovering a House from Fire 11/21/2021

11/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fires can happen at any time, a problem that anyone from Denver or Mira Loma knows all too well. In CA, they are particularly potent because of the high population density and the way they can spread from home-to-home without stopping. When a fire attacks your home, it is a devastating situations.

Even if your home gets saved by firemen, it is going to be damaged by both fire, smoke, soot, and water. Managing this difficult situation requires calling restoration experts who will work hard to identify damage and find ways to fix it. Here's what you need to know about these experts and how they can restore your home quickly and efficiently.

Dealing With Fire Damage

When your home suffers from fire damage, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities. Cleaning up everything can be difficult and troubling, particularly if heirlooms and other important items were impacted.

However, good fire cleanup and fire restoration services can help restore your home to a stronger and more aesthetically-pleasing state. But what are the dangers of fire damage and water damage after a fire and how can you avoid them?

The Dangers Of Water Damage from Fire

During a fire, firemen will use water to put out your fire and save your home. This does have the negative effect of actually causing water damage from fire, particularly on items that are cooled too quickly by the water.

You can't blame the firemen for saving your home, but water damage from fire makes fire cleanup and fire restoration necessary. Water damage can be dangerous because it creates a thick level of soot and smoke damage in your home that can cause problems with your air quality.

Assessing Smoke Damage And Soot Damage

Calling professional fire restoring experts is crucial here because they will assess the smoke damage and soot damage and find a way to make your home safe again. All that soot and smoke will create a difficult and uncomfortable living environment, one that is both dirty and problematic.

Inhaling those items can cause irritation in your lungs and may even cause serious lung problems. For example, if your home had any asbestos in it at all, inhaling burned items can potentially cause mesothelioma, a very dangerous and incurable lung cancer.

Improving Air Quality

If you live in Norco, Mira Loma, or any other CA city and have suffered from a fire, restoration can help improve your air quality. Specialists will come in, assess the damaged caused by fire, the damaged caused by water, and find a way to clean it up and restore your home.

Things are never quite the same after a fire. Restoration experts are not miracle workers and they cannot restore hopelessly damaged items. But they can make your home livable again. So don't be afraid to call one up if you live in Norco CA and are looking to get your home back to an immaculate state once again. Visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com for more information on fire damage and restoration services.

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Smoke and Soot Clean Up

11/21/2021 (Permalink)

11/21/2021

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and Soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Norco/Mira Loma will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (951) 735-6815

To Do or Not To Do your own Mold Remediation

11/21/2021 (Permalink)

Sometimes material has to be removed to see the real damage by mold

11/21/2021

Recently we received a call from a potential client inquiring about mold remediation, at his home, specifically mold beneath their kitchen sink.

After a few minutes of discussion, we were told the reason for the call was that a service provider was to replace a garbage disposal unit below the sink but declined doing so as there was mold present.

We explained that this was not unusual for services or trades usually will not do any work in areas where there is an active mold situation for health and safety reasons.

After further discussion we were told that the client performed his own remediation but the service provider wanted a Clearance Certificate.

Again, we explained the guidelines we follow require the same documentation before the remediation is considered acceptable for completion of the work.

The potential client was very gracious and thanked us for our time and information a said they would get back with us.

Our message is its probably a good idea to speak with a trained professional before moving forward with some tasks to avoid any misunderstanding about the nature and scope pf the event.

Visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com for more information on mold.

Conditions of Water from your Water Loss

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Many times, the question comes up about terminology associated with water conditions and variables!

Basically, there are two aspects of water conditions that we observe and determine how to approach the loss, these are: Category and Class of water and their impact on the loss.

Category of Water: the categories of water, refer to the range of contamination in water, where did the water come from and what materials did it contact?

Category 1: Category 1 water, or clean water comes from a sanitary water source such as broken water supply line, sink or tub overflows where there is no contamination or toilet tanks which have no additives or other contamination.

Category 1 water may deteriorate into other categories (to follow) over time

Category 2: Category 2 water, sometimes called grey water contains some level  contamination .

Category 2 water can include overflow from dishwasher or washing machines in active use,

overflows from toilet bowls above the trap with some urine but no feces; overflow from vessels containing standing water are potentially a source of “grey water”

Category 2 water may deteriorate into other categories (to follow) over time

Category 3: Category 3 water or black water is grossly contaminated water and requires specialized handling.

Category 3 water can include, but are not limited to: sewage; waste line

backflows that originate from beyond any trap regardless of visible content or color;” other source of “black water” may include flooding from seawater; rising water from rivers or streams; and other contaminated water entering or affecting the indoor environment”.

Class of water: class of water is broken into class1-4 and estimate the amount of water your materials are saturated or in other words the amount of wet surface area and affected material (drywall, particle board carpet etc.) ability to absorb and hold water.

Class 1 —Water intrusion (least amount) where wet, materials are approx. 5% of the affected area or less of porous materials

Class 2 —Water intrusion (significant amount of water) 5% to 40% of the combined floor, wall and ceiling surface area in the space

Class 3 — Water intrusion (greatest amount of water) more than ~40% of the combined floor, wall and ceiling surface area in the space

Class 4 — Special water intrusion where less or nonporous materials are involved

For assistance with any Restoration needs please call SERVPRO of Norco/Mira Loma at 951-735-6815. You may also visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com

Why is it Called Spring Cleaning

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Why is it Called Spring Cleaning?

Some researchers trace the origin of spring cleaning to the Iranian Nowruz, the Persian new year, which falls on the first day of spring. ... It is traditional to clean the house thoroughly either right before or during the first week of Great Lent, which is referred to as Clean Week.

A solid spring cleaning improves the air quality of your home and makes you feel better. With a clean house, your mood will improve and you'll be open to welcoming visitors. Less Mess – Clutter wears you down.

Spring cleaning is generally performed once a year by moving furniture and cleaning the guest rooms entirely for dust, stains, broken furniture, and garbage. It is also called as Deep Cleaning as it is ensured that no portion of the area is left uncleaned.

Cleaning up your home – especially removing unnecessary clutter – has a clear advantage: it makes you feel calmer when you're at home. The reason? ... Plus, the women who described their homes as cluttered were found to have higher cortisol levels (the stress hormone).Make a Schedule.

9 Spring Cleaning Tips

• De-clutter.
• Use a HEPA Vacuum.
• Think Green When You Spring Clean.
• Always Work from Top to Bottom.
• Walls and Windows Need Love too.
• Don't Be Scared of the Kitchen and Bathroom.
• Don't Forget About Your Air.
• Vacuum and Mop

For assistance with any Restoration needs please call SERVPRO of Norco/Mira Loma at 951-735-6815. You may also visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com

Restoring Water Damaged Documents

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Restoring Water Damaged Documents

Water damage and water damage as a result of fire creates in addition to structural damage, there is the underlying emotional damage which is compounded by other losses due to the disaster.

Documents such as photos, films (digital media), books, historical documentation and many more important documents and contents are all further effects of the devastation.

While SERVPRO professionals have the capabilities of helping mitigate your water, fire mold and reconstruction needs, we can also help restore your historical and important document needs as well.

Critical to the restoration of damaged documentation is the professional handling of the materials. Included in this handling would be: inventory, packaging shipping, chain of custody and of course the restoration.

SERVPRO’s document restoration team uses innovative vacuum freeze-drying techniques approved by the national Archives and Records Administration for this purpose.  

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will get the job done right. For document restoration backed by state-of-the-art equipment, over 40 years of experience and Professionals trained to the highest standards, call us today. With over 1,700 Franchises nationwide, there’s a SERVPRO Professional nearby and ready to serve you.

For further assistance contact SERVPRO of Norco/Mira Loma @ 951-735-6815

Handling Flood Damage in a Home or Business

4/2/2021 (Permalink)

Handling Flood Damage in your Home or Business

Flood damage of any size may require water damage restoration. Any amount of water in a home or business may be difficult for independent mitigation. The homeowner or business owner may attempt water cleanup with a water vacuum and to utilize a fan to increase air movement and drying in the area if suitable.

However, If the damages are severe, it is best to seek a professional for mitigation and water damage restoration.

Whether there are signs of damage from water in a business setting or within a home, it is crucial to seek mitigation and water damage restoration immediately. Water damage, including flood damage, can cause problems such as degradation of wood and other porous surfaces, microbial growth and rusting of steel.

If an insurance policy is available, the insurance company should be contacted immediately and informed of the flood damage. They may require that repairs and water cleanup not be carried out by the home or business owner, the insurance company will provide further instructions on what to do about flooded water in a business or home.



For assistance with any Restoration needs please call SERVPRO of Norco/Mira Loma at 951-735-6815

You may also visit http://www.SERVPROnorcomiraloma.com for more information on water damage.