Types of Fire Damage & Preventive Measures

9/10/2024 (Permalink)

• Primary Fire Damage: This is the immediate damage caused by flames, including charred materials and burnt structures.
• Secondary Fire Damage: Includes damage from smoke and soot, which can penetrate walls, carpets, and furniture, leaving lasting odors and stains.
• Water Damage: Often overlooked, water damage results from firefighting efforts, leading to mold growth and structural issues if not promptly addressed.
• Install Smoke Detectors: Ensure smoke detectors are installed in key areas and regularly maintained.
• Fire Extinguishers: Place fire extinguishers in accessible locations and ensure everyone knows how to use them.
• Fire Safety Plan: Develop and practice a fire safety plan with your family or employees.
• Regular Maintenance: Conduct regular maintenance of electrical systems and appliances to prevent potential fire hazards.

The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting

9/10/2024 (Permalink)

The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting

A typical cleaning process uses some kind of detergent, like dish soap, with water to physically wash away germs and substances. The germs are not actually killed; however, the amount of them is reduced since it’s been washed. 

Disinfectioninvolves a chemical that is designed to kill germs on a surface. An example is rubbing alcohol or bleach. Usually, there is something called a “dwell time”; a minimum amount of time for the disinfectant to remain wet for the germs to be killed off. It will be nearly ineffective if you don’t follow the product label instructions.

A Quick Guide to Cleaning vs. Disinfecting

All facilities have different cleaning and disinfecting protocols (i.e., some places require daily disinfection, others not so much). Keep in mind that if you’re disinfecting, you should also be cleaning. Remember that disinfectants do not remove dirt and grime from surfaces, as they are not made to break down grease/dirt/etc., so there are two steps to the process. Remove filth first, then germs second.  While you might have cleaned your bathroom countertops, that doesn’t mean they are free of germs.

Some areas to always be cleaned and disinfected are called ‘high touch’ areas. These include surfaces that are frequently exposed to high levels of traffic, such as light switches, doorknobs, and handrails, to name just a few. Cleaning these things will make them appear clean and shiny and smell fresh! But that doesn’t mean the amount of germs has been brought to a safe level. A disinfectant is only considered a disinfectant if it can kill 99.999% of germs on hard surfaces after the designated dwell time (1000 times more effective than a project labeled 99%!).

Considering Infectious Diseases

When it comes to infectious diseases such as Covid-19, you should understand and consider the risks associated with this type of cleaning. You’ll be responsible for safely using potentially toxic chemicals, disposing of contaminated waste, and ensuring you are using adequate safety equipment, like PPE. The EPA strictly regulates infectious disease cleanings and has firm guidelines. There are some situations where you, as a home or business owner, cannot handle it yourself. 

Why Hire a Remediation Specialist

Trained professionals like us here at SERVPRO Hollywood Hills can handle all the fine details that this type of remediation entails and leave you with a clean and safe environment. 

Drying Out Walls: What to Do & How to Do It

9/10/2024 (Permalink)

Water trapped inside walls can cause many issues down the line, such as mold growth or rot. If you find yourself with wet walls, you should first locate the source.

It could be a leaking pipe or an appliance like an A/C unit. Regardless, the first step is ensuring the water source is fixed as soon as possible. The water main should be shut off if it’s not something that can be immediately resolved. 

How to Dry Out Walls After Water Damage

Are my walls wet?

Dark spots or a musty odor can be telltale signs of water damage. Walls may appear darker or lighter depending on the paint color. Paint and wallpaper may bubble or begin to peel off, and heavy amounts of water can even cause sagging drywall.

They’re definitely wet.

You’ll want to accomplish a few things quickly after shutting off the water. Depending on the severity, it may be best to contact a professional mitigation company. They will quickly dry out and prevent secondary damage, such as mold growth or structural damage. Mold can spread through framing and ductwork, far beyond the initial location of the damage. There are, however,  a few things you can do yourself.

What can YOU do?

• Remove Wall Hangings – remove paintings and décor, including wallpaper, if it’s affected.
• Insulation – consider wall or ceiling insulation. If it is soaked, it most likely needs to be removed, disposed of, and replaced.
• Baseboards & Molding – you may need to remove baseboards and molding to allow airflow behind walls for faster drying.
• Open windows and doors to allow more air to circulate in the space – make sure humidity isn’t too high when choosing to take this route.
• Dehumidifiers and high-volume fans – remove water from building materials by increasing heat – you probably don’t own these, so they can typically be rented locally or provided by a professional water removal company.
• Have patience – drywall can take multiple days to dry out completely. If it has a high-gloss finish, then it can take even longer.

When Should I Call In the Pros? 

Sometimes, home disasters are simply – disastrous, and you may be unable to handle them on your own. Oftentimes walls may need to be removed; the longer they are wet, the more integrity it loses. Wet material can provide a perfect breeding ground for mold. Growth can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. A mitigation company will handle both drying and also removal of building materials if it’s warranted. If water damage to your home or business is extreme, you should call your insurance company, file a claim, and start the drying process as soon as possible.

Safety precautions I can take to safeguard my home from fire damage

3/7/2023 (Permalink)

There are several safety precautions you can take to safeguard your home from fire damage. Here are some tips:

1. Install smoke detectors: Make sure you have working smoke detectors installed in every room of your house, and test them regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.

2. Have a fire escape plan: Develop a fire escape plan with your family and practice it regularly. Make sure everyone knows how to exit the house safely in case of a fire.

3. Keep flammable materials away from heat sources: Keep flammable materials like curtains, bedding, and furniture away from heat sources like heaters and stoves.

4. Install fire extinguishers: Keep fire extinguishers on hand and learn how to use them. Make sure you have extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, and other areas where fires may occur.

5. Avoid overloading electrical outlets: Do not overload electrical outlets or use frayed or damaged cords. Make sure your electrical system is up to code and have it inspected regularly.

6. Keep your kitchen safe: Never leave cooking food unattended, keep flammable items away from the stove, and clean your oven and stovetop regularly.

7. Maintain your heating system: Have your heating system inspected and cleaned annually to ensure it is functioning properly and safely.

8. Store flammable materials safely: Store flammable materials like gasoline, propane, and paint in a cool, dry place away from heat sources.

9. Be careful with candles: Never leave candles unattended, and keep them away from flammable materials like curtains and bedding.

By taking these precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk of fire damage to your home and keep your family safe.

8 Essential Steps to Rebuilding Your Home After a Fire

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

House Fire Damage

The State of California has seen an increase with wildfires of late, with claiming 8,106 incidents causing damage to 3,269 structures.

In the light of such overwhelming fire damage statistics, the construction industry has rapidly adapted to using technologies and materials that keep structural fire damage at bay to some extent; however, fire is a very strong force to contend with. Its deleterious nature leaves people at a loss for solutions to deal with the aftermath. They are left wondering how to go about carrying out house repairs after a fire. Listed below are steps to take after a fire damage to your home.

• APPLY FOR A FIRE INSURANCE CLAIM.

•  SECURE YOUR PREMISES.

• START WITH STRUCTURAL REPAIRS.

•  BEGIN WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIR.

• REPAIR FIRE-SPECIFIC DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE.

• RESTORE EVERY ROOM, ONE BY ONE.

•  KEEP A RECORD OF EVERYTHING.

Mold Common Problem in the Bathroom

2/21/2023 (Permalink)

Mold is a common problem in bathrooms, particularly in the shower where moisture can accumulate. Here are some steps you can take to remove mold from your shower:

• Safety first: Wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask to protect yourself from inhaling mold spores or cleaning products.
•   Clean the shower: Remove any visible mold using a bathroom cleaner or a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Scrub the area thoroughly, being sure to reach into any crevices or grout lines.
•   Rinse and dry: Once the mold has been removed, rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove any remaining cleaning solution. Then dry the area completely using a towel or a fan to prevent moisture from lingering.
•   Prevent future mold growth: To prevent mold from returning, make sure to keep the shower area clean and dry. Use a squeegee to remove excess water after each use, and run the bathroom fan or open a window to improve ventilation.
• Address any leaks: If there is a leak in your shower or in the surrounding walls, this could be contributing to mold growth. Address any leaks as soon as possible to prevent moisture from accumulating and causing mold to grow.

If you have a severe or widespread mold problem in your shower, or if you are concerned about the presence of mold in your home, it is best to contact a professional mold removal and remediation company to assess the situation and provide appropriate treatment. Please call the professionals SERVPRO Hancock Park/Hollywood at 323-545-6115

How much homeowners insurance do I need?

2/13/2023 (Permalink)

If disaster strikes, you'll want enough homeowners insurance to rebuild the structure of your home, to help replace your belongings, to defray costs if you're unable to live in your home and to protect your financial assets in the event of liability to others. Use these guidelines to help determine the coverage and amounts you need.

 Standard homeowners policies provide coverage for disasters such as damage due to fire, lightning, hail and explosions.

Those who live in areas where there is risk of flood or earthquake will need coverage for those disasters, as well. In every case, you'll want the limits on your policy to be high enough to cover the cost of rebuilding your home.

The price you paid for your home—or the current market price may be more or less than the cost to rebuild. And if the limit of your insurance policy is based on your mortgage (as some banks require), it may not adequately cover the cost of rebuilding.

While your insurer will provide a recommended coverage limit for the structure of your home, it’s a good idea to educate yourself as well. To make sure your home has the right amount of structural coverage, consider:

Major factors that will impact home rebuilding costs

• Local construction costs
• The square footage of the structure

For a quick estimate of the amount of insurance you need, multiply the total square footage of your home by local, per-square-foot building costs. (Note that the land is not factored into rebuilding estimates.)

Structure

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

The infrastructure and plumbing is not entirely ready for large scale storm flooding In places like California where storms don't occur often. There have been scenarios such ass the example that is about to be written, where the infrastructure failed and cased massive damage. This example is a case when there was a storm in Southern California and the flood waters that came from the storm filled he storm drains to a point where they went beyond capacity and cracked, this caused the flood water to flood into an apartment building nearby the affected area. This type of damage is sometimes a freak accident such as this is unavoidable, but the best thing to do is  always keep in mind that such scenarios can occur, so when disaster strikes you can act quickly. SERVPRO is always ready to help!

Fire Spreads Quick

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

Fire is one of the most dangerous type of disasters for many reasons but mainly how fires start and spread. The reasons fire starts is not always human error but more often than not is the case with a reported majority of fires being caused by human error and negligence outside of arson. The essential ingredients of a house fire is an ignition source and flammable/combustible material. The ignition source in a fire is usually something like a spark or lit cigarette which must be hot enough to ignite a material. Other than that the materials that are ignited have different ignition temperatures such as paper which has an ignition temp of paper is very low at about 140 degrees F. Depending on what materials are near an ignition source fires can start more easily but once a fire is started, most materials will burn so always be cautious with potentially flammable things.

SERVPRO is #1

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the #1 largest restoration company in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world. SERVPRO has managed to grow this big due to our impeccable reliability. The people you deal with at SERVPRO aren’t just trained employees, we’re experts due to the countless hours spent training and working on the job. Regardless of the time of day we answer the call and get you to the project manger that can deal with all your needs. Our quality of service shows just how much we care for our clients. Our goal here at SERVPRO is too ensure your home or businesses safety by providing the absolute best service possible. Don’t risk added damage due to careless, money hungry restoration services. Call SERVPRO.