Equipment & Safety Precautions to use for Water Removal

2/24/2023 (Permalink)

When you have water damage, the last thing you want to do is wait for it to get worse. You need someone who has the experience and knowledge to remove your water safely, so that way you can prevent further damage from occurring within your home or business. Here are some tips on how a professional will handle any flooding situation:

Professional Inspection

The process begins with a professional inspection of the affected area. They will determine if the water is safe to remove. If not, however, they will take safety precautions to ensure their safety and your safety as well.

Safety precautions include using a containment system to control the spread of mold and mildew. This includes keeping any materials within the room or area that has been affected by water damage so that it doesn't spread into other areas of your home or business. Also, they will use specialized equipment such as HEPA vacuums to clean up all sources of moisture which may cause additional damage if left unattended for too long after removing wet carpeting or wood flooring in order

to avoid potential health hazards from exposure during cleanup activities such as those where harmful chemicals may be present.

Removing Water Safely

Protecting the worker from injury or illness due to exposure. Rubber gloves are used to prevent contact with dangerous substances and materials. It is also important to protect the environment from damage caused by contaminants in the workplace and any chemicals that may be spilled during cleanup efforts. This includes keeping waste water out of storm drains and avoiding direct contact with food crops such as berries or vegetables that could be harmful.

Ensuring customer satisfaction by making sure all work areas are clean before leaving your property so nothing gets left behind. Make sure your home is safe while being cleaned up by using specialized equipment like vacuums (extractors).

Removing Water Quickly

Removing water quickly is important. If the water is not. cleaned up properly it can cause serious structural damage to your home or business. Professionals use submersible pumps and extractors to remove water from your home in minutes so that you can get back on track as soon as possible.

In addition, professionals use containment systems to control the spread of mold and mildew while they are working on removing the water from your property. They know how to protect themselves against harmful chemicals that could be present in the water, which means there will be no need for special equipment or safety procedures for any workers who come into contact with them during a job.

Water damage can spread throughout your property quickly causing damages. If you are in need of a restoration company, we are here to help after a loss. Give SERVPRO of Southwest Raleigh/Holly Springs a call today.

Mold Cleanup Tips

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

From time to time, business owners in Boylan Heights, NC, are startled to find they're facing a mold problem. Mold flourishes in moisture, warmth, and darkness, which may make some spaces candidates for mold growth — poorly-ventilated basements or supply and storage rooms, for example.
In dealing with fungus cleanup, several questions are likely top of mind: Should I do the job myself, or bring in professional mold experts? What solutions should I use to clean up mold? What techniques? Here are some rules of thumb:

Do-It-Yourself Mold Cleanup

Consider a DIY cleanup if the moldy area covers fewer than 10 square feet:

• Check for a plumbing or roof leak that's causing mold. Fix the leak and dry the water-damaged area before attempting any cleanup.
• Scour mold off hard surfaces with detergent (vinegar, borax, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, baking soda) and water.
• Don't use toxic chlorine bleach, which is ineffective on porous surfaces like insulation, drywall, ceiling tiles, and wood. Bleach can't penetrate the deep, extensive root system mold entrenches in porous surfaces.
• Remove any mold-damaged items and cut out and replace moldy areas, such as ceiling tiles.
• Invest in an air filtration system to ensure proper air circulation and control moisture and humidity.
  
  

Fungus Cleanup Requiring Professional Remediation
Certain circumstances call for advanced remediation techniques. Bring in the services of mold experts, if:

• The mold covers more than 10 square feet and features large swaths of heavy infestation.
• The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system appears contaminated (mold is near or on the registers). Turn off the HVAC system to prevent mold from spreading throughout your building.
• The mold damage results from a sewer backup or other contaminated water, such as street flooding.
• After heavy rain or a plumbing leak, you smell mold's distinctive musty odor but can't locate its source.
  
  

Mold, if left untreated, can lead to property and structural damage. If an infestation is substantial, the fungus cleanup usually requires mold remediation experts with the training and equipment to safely rid your business of mold at its source.

Top 4 Places Mold Can Hide

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Four Top Places Mold Can Grow

Mold, like other types of fungus, is different from plants because it doesn’t need sunlight to grow. It prefers dark, damp places that have organic material, such as wood or fabric, as a food source. Here are the top four places mold growth likes to hide, so you can keep an eye out and protect your home.

1. Under the Sink
Pipe leaks and condensation are ideal catalysts for mold. Running hot water can get your dishes clean, but it can also cause humid conditions that mildew loves. Regularly clean out under your sink and wipe down the surfaces with a cleaning solution containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

2. Behind Walls and Wallpaper
Mildew can easily grow beneath paneling and wallpaper. Water can seep around bathroom tiles and saturate the wall underneath. Pay attention if you sense a musty smell or see condensation on the walls. Be careful when removing wallpaper on moldy drywall. You don’t want to spread spores through the air.

3. In Basements
Mold growth can be a big issue in these spaces. You may have a leak in your foundation that’s letting moisture in. Pipes and ducts in the basement are common areas where water can build up and lead to mold.

4. In Attics
Heavy storms can damage shingles, soffit vents and gutters, which can let water into your attic. Exhaust from your kitchen or bathroom may vent into the attic, sending moisture and heat to the area. Regularly inspect your attic for signs of damage, such as water-stained storage boxes and mold on wood.
One way to prevent mildew is by reducing the humidity in your house to 30% to 50%, through weatherization methods or a dehumidifier system. Repair leaks quickly and cleans up areas of standing water. If you think you have mold growth in your home, contact a certified mold remediation company in Garner, NC.

Pros and Cons of a Mold Inspection Prior to Purchasing a Commercial Building

6/5/2022 (Permalink)

When you're ready to establish or expand your business in Middle Creek, NC, you need to start shopping for real estate. Once you've found the perfect site, you have to decide on which inspections to have done. One of the less obvious inspections is for mold. Inspections can be pricey, so here are a few pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to get a mold inspection when purchasing a commercial building.

Pros

1. Certainty
For better or worse, once the inspection is done, you know if there's a mold problem. The age of the building, prior water damage, or structural issues could all contribute to the presence of mold in the building. An inspection helps you know if there is a little mold that can be resolved with a little effort or a lot of mold that might make you decide to pass up the site.

2. Safety
You want to have a safe environment for your business. If there is visible mold during a walk-through, getting an inspection done will help you to understand the extent of the problem. The perfect site loses appeal when thousands of dollars of mold remediation needs to be done for the safety of everyone who might enter the building.

3. Remediation
If you're comfortable with the outcome of the mold inspection, you can work with a commercial remediation specialist to resolve the issues immediately. Even when it seems that mold is only present in a small amount, proper restoration by a professional will lower the chance of mold growing again in the same spot in the future.

Cons

1. Cost
There is really only one con to inspecting a real estate property for mold—the cost. The inspections themselves can run a little on the high end, and remediation could cost you even more if work needs to be done or if it turns out that the project is bigger than you thought.
A mold inspection, despite the cost, can really only work in your favor when deciding whether to buy a commercial space for your future business venture.

The 4 Components of a Damage Assessment

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage in N.C State University, NC.

A Damage Assessment's Four Components

If your business in N.C. State University, NC, suffers water damage, seek a capable cleanup and restoration company to get your property back in shape. During the initial inspection, known as pretesting, the company associate assesses the damage done to the property to determine what can be restored. This reduces the cost of your insurance claim by preventing the unnecessary replacement of repairable damage. You should expect the assessment to consist of these four steps.

1. Inspection of Damage
The associate assesses how much damage the water has caused, inspecting the affected areas to determine whether restoration or replacement will be needed. Additionally, the professional will check for any dangers in the area, such as lead, asbestos and unsafe electrical outlets.

2. Addressing Ongoing Leaks
If there is still water leaking on the property, it is necessary to identify the source and stop its flow. The associate should check for any sources of contamination of the water as well.

3. Testing the Water
Pretesting involves classifying the water contamination into one of three categories:

• White Water – Water with no substantial contaminants
  
• Gray Water – Water containing microorganisms, as found in septic water
  
• Black Water – Water containing dangerous bacteria or fungi
  
  

If the water is coming from an overflowing sink or broken supply line, it is most likely to be white water. Gray and black water can be the result of contamination from standing water, sea and river water, or sewage.

4. Preparing the Area for Water Removal
Before moving forward in the restoration process, the area needs to be cleared of any furniture or carpets in the way and subject to water damage.
Once the pretesting has been done, your property is ready for the next steps of restoration. It’s a good idea to discuss this process with your insurance agent so that you can be prepared in the unfortunate event of water damage.

Why SERVPRO: Disaster Claims and Vendors

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Raleigh/Holly Springs is Faster to Any Size Disaster

Finding the Best Restoration Company When Disaster Strikes

As an insurance agent in the Dorothea Dix, NC, area, you want to help your clients find the best restoration company when disaster strikes. With the number of companies in the field, it can be difficult to make just one suggestion, but the answer is simplified when you consider reputation and certification. SERVPRO is an industry leader in restoration and for a variety of reasons, but the top four are likely dependability, training, vendor compliance and their claims assistance services.

1. Dependability

With some of the fastest response times and 24/7 emergency services, they are Faster to Any Size Disaster. Your clients will be able to have their property correctly mitigated within a few days, depending on the severity of the disaster, meaning that you and your client can accurately identify damage and loss.

2. Training

As an insurance agent, you understand the importance of training. All of SERVPRO’s technicians are trained and certified through the IICRC – the industry standard in mitigation and restoration practices.

3. Vendor Compliance

Additionally, all vendors used must adhere to the standards of the vendor program. This expectation of compliance and professionalism means that you can trust that your clients and their homes are only being cared for by approved contractors, meaning reduced risk of project continuity issues.

4. Claims Assistance

Beyond the client benefits, you will experience high levels of claims assistance through the Claims Information Center and the Managed Dashboard. These programs make it easy for you to manage current claims and their progress all from the comfort of your computer. If a client calls to request an update, it’s as easy as logging onto the system and checking your dashboard.

An insurance agent serves a pivotal role in the disaster remediation process. It is up to you to make sure that claims are accurate, and projects are on track. This pressure can be significantly reduced by finding an experienced and certified restoration firm to assist both you and your client through the process.

Understanding How to Maintain Emergency Sprinklers

1/1/2022 (Permalink)

How to Keep Emergency Sprinklers in Working Order

As a commercial building owner in Holly Springs, NC, you have to perform a lot of maintenance. From cleaning your HVAC unit to repairing your roofing system to performing emergency sprinkler maintenance, you're expected to do everything you can to keep your property up and running. Because the emergency system rarely gets used, you may wonder why this maintenance is important. Regular maintenance ensures the following:

• Sprinkler heads are not plugged.
  
• Sprinklers do not have accidental activation.
  
• System has proper power.
  
  

Your commercial remediation expert may be able to help you better understand why this maintenance is important. The professional may also be able to go over what is involved in the maintenance.

Clean the Heads

Dirt and dust can build up around the sprinkler heads. This gunk may stop your fire sprinklers from properly releasing water in an emergency. A non-corrosive cleaning agent should be used to remove the buildup. If any of the heads have been painted over, your cleaning crew may need to find a way to remove the paint film.

Check Valves and Gauges

One important step of sprinkler maintenance is checking that the valves and gauges of the system are in the proper position. Depending on the style of your system, most valves should be open to ensure water can travel throughout the piping system. The gauges should show there is water pressure in the pipes. Without water pressure, the sprinklers may be unable to send out a forceful spray of water. Checking valves and gauges can also tell you if your system is currently getting the power it needs to run.

Have Annual Inspection

While you may want to look at the system yourself, it is often best to have a fire service professional look over the fire sprinklers. This expert can look for signs of wear and make sure the system can function in an emergency.

If you want to be prepared for the unexpected, you need to have regular emergency sprinkler maintenance. Without this maintenance, you may not discover your sprinklers are broken until there is a fire.