Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

3 Steps for Mold Remediation

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

A professional disinfector in overalls processes the mold walls with a spatula. Black mold and other species of fungi can damage your Baton Rouge, LA, home

Steps For Mold Remediation

When water damage to your Baton Rouge, LA, home leads to black mold growth, you may not know where to begin when it comes to cleanup efforts. Mold may spread quickly if you choose a do-it-yourself process that fails to contain spores, which may make the problem worse later on. Calling in a professional mold removal service can help resolve this issue, and there are several steps its technicians may take to do so.

1. Inspection
When a mold cleanup crew arrives at your home, the technicians will likely assess the situation by inspecting any affected areas and gauging whether the problem has spread. The techs may also take steps to identify what kind of mold they must remove. Black mold is quite common after a flood or other types of water damage, and they may seal off the area to prevent spores from spreading.

2. Removal
Because removing mold can cause spores to break free and travel through your home’s heating and cooling system, the mold technicians may use a spray called an encapsulant to trap the mold where it grows. Once the fungi are contained, the technicians will likely use specialized techniques to remove it and treat surrounding areas as well, especially if they were affected by any moisture issues.

3. Air Cleaning
A mold remediation and removal service can do more than remove the visible mold in your home, such as cleaning the air to reduce the number of mold spores. Special vacuums and air exchange machines help them to accomplish this, which reduces the risk that airborne spores will travel to another area in your home and grow there. Because mold needs only humidity and moisture to grow, it can take hold in your bathroom, kitchen or laundry room.
Black mold and other species of fungi can damage your Baton Rouge, LA, home after a flood or other water event. Knowing when to call in a professional mold removal service and understanding the steps necessary can offer you peace of mind for the future.

What Factors Impact the Speed of Mold Growth After Water Damage?

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth on wall due to humidity Water damage can lead to mold growth if not attended quickly.

What Elements Affect the Rate of Mold Growth After Water Damage?

If your commercial building has sustained water damage of any type in Baker, LA, it's important to act as quickly as safely possible. Mold can begin to appear within 24-48 hours after the water event occurred. Since you can't possibly tackle everything at once, the important question is: does mold grow at the same rate on every surface? Knowing what factors impact the rate of mold growth will help you to establish a plan for having the mold cleaned up. Keep in mind that with so many types of mold, it's important to leave mold clean up to a trained mold removal and remediation specialist who knows how to safely assess the extent of damage that has occurred.


1. Building Material Composition
Different types of materials are more or less susceptible to rapid mold growth depending on their composition. Natural building materials provide a nutrient source that promotes the growth and spread of mold. Porous materials such as drywall and insulation can also provide food sources for mold since they trap moisture and dust.


2. Water Activity
If you've had a flood, whether due to a natural disaster or a burst pipe, it's pretty obvious that since your space has water damage, there's a good environment for mold growth. However, even high humidity levels can cause mold to grow in your building. Mold prevention in these spaces usually involves running a dehumidifier and checking for places where water may be penetrating the building, such as around windows, under doors, and around pipes.


3. Temperature
Mold will grow the most rapidly at its ideal temperature, which is about 77 degrees Fahrenheit, though certain types can still grow at temperatures as low as 19 degrees. By maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity level, you can prevent mold-friendly environments.
There are a few factors that contribute to the speed at which mold grows even after water damage has occurred. Acting quickly can help to mitigate major problems for your business.

Pretesting, Innovative Tools Help Salvage More Damaged Property, Belongings

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Drying equipment placed in a lobby room Restoration services in Zachary, LA.

Pretesting, Innovative Tools Help Salvage More Damaged Property, Belongings

If your commercial property in Zachary, LA, sustains a water loss, the initial scene can be overwhelming. While it may seem like little is salvageable and your insurance claim will be over the top, a certified mold and water damage and restoration company will have the tools and expertise to perform pretesting and make a restoration plan to minimize claims and get your property back to “Like it never even happened.”

Inspection

Even though you may already have damage, a key to minimizing costs is ensuring it doesn’t spread. After calling a professional, they will quickly respond to start the saving process.

Within four hours, a technician will arrive on-site to assess the damage and develop a mitigation plan.
The professional will clearly explain the assessment and plan, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the process.
After the on-site visit, the professional will communicate the scope of the project with your insurance agent or claims adjuster.
Pretesting will be done to determine if items can be restored.

Restoration

Once the cleanup and restoration process begins, certified professionals have an arsenal of tools and techniques to clean, repair and restore the structure and many of the items within it. These include:

Moisture Detection: This is used to measure and monitor moisture levels, including detecting hidden water.
Water Extraction: To speed up the drying process, portable or truck-mounted extraction equipment will be used to pump out high levels of water.
Drying: Industrial-strength humidifiers and air mover are used to eradicate leftover moisture from throughout the structure.
Cleaning and Deodorizing: Salvageable belongings will be removed and taken to a secure location to clean and remove odors. Different methods will be used depending on the item, such as dry, immersive or wet cleaning. Air scrubbers, thermal foggers and anti-microbial treatments are used in the property to eliminate odors and sanitize.

A water loss may seem like a difficult situation to get out of, but taking quick action and pretesting damaged items ensures more can be restored instead of replaced.

What Does SERVPRO Do To Help With Insurance Claims?

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

Technician is inspecting something When you need an emergency response cleanup and repair team, there are plenty of choices. But few can do what SERVPRO offers.

How Can SERVPRO Assist With Insurance Claims?

When the unthinkable happens and your worst nightmare comes true with a flood or fire in your home, help is available to get your through the ordeal. Different key groups play important roles to ensure you can stay in or return to your home. Firefighters, disaster cleanup and restoration professionals, and your insurance company will do their part to make this ordeal as pain free as possible. If you choose an experienced, reputable restoration team such as SERVPRO, they’ll make sure claim services go smoothly.

SERVPRO Specialties

When you need an emergency response cleanup and repair team, there are plenty of choices. But few can do what SERVPRO offers. The team will do the following for you:

  • Work effectively with your insurance company to process claims.
  • Come on the scene in a timely manner and complete the job quickly.
  • Use best practices and techniques to clean up and restore your home.
  • Provide excellent customer service.

Importance of Insurance Coverage

Even small floods or fires can cause costly damage to your Baton Rouge, LA, home. While you may not be able to replace all items, you can have peace of mind knowing that you shouldn’t have to front the bill. This is why you pay for reliable, reputable insurance. Claim services shouldn’t have to be difficult to work with. You can make things even easier when you hire the professionals at SERVPRO. They know how to work in tandem with your insurance agent. Because of the team’s efficiency and reliability, the insurance company can process your claims quickly and without issues.

What the Insurance Company Wants

Your insurance agent will ask for details of the incident and the extent of the damage. The repair and restoration team will conduct a thorough investigation and will assess the damage and what needs to happen to repair or replace it. The team will share these findings with the insurance company.

Don’t waste any time following a flood or fire. Call SERVPRO and your insurance agent for claim services immediately.

3 Tips To Prevent Mold

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

Hand pointing to mold growth on ceiling Keep your home free from secondary damage.

3 Mold Prevention Tips

Dealing with water damage in your home in Monticello, LA, sometimes makes it seem like a mold problem is inevitable. It may be easier to prevent mold than you think, though. You don’t have to resign yourself to recurring patches of fungus on your walls, carpet and ceiling. Follow these tips to keep these issues at bay.


1. Maintain Optimal Air Flow

Stagnant air can contribute to mold growth. If you do not have sufficient air flow in your home, mold spores are more likely to settle on surfaces. You are also more likely to have moisture problems, which exacerbate mold issues by giving it sustenance. Make sure that the areas of your home that are prone to excess moisture, such as the laundry room, kitchen and bathroom, are properly ventilated.

2. Pursue Quick Remediation

If your pipes spring a leak, a fast response is the best way to prevent secondary damage such as mold. Call mold remediation experts immediately whenever your home has water damage. It only takes a couple of days for spores to settle and multiply on surfaces in your home. The quicker you can make the environment less hospitable for fungus growth, the more likely you are to prevent the problem.

3. Keep Moisture Levels Down

Mold loves moisture, so it logically follows that minimizing moisture in your home can help with mold prevention. There are two main ways to do this. First, make sure you keep the humidity level at 45% or below. You can purchase a humidity meter at most hardware stores. Second, dry all affected items thoroughly any time you have a spill or leak. Allowing moisture to remain on surfaces in your home is an invitation to mold.

You may not be able to prevent water damage, but you don’t have to resign yourself to further issues such as mold infestation. Hire specialists who are faster to any size disaster to keep your home free from secondary damage.