How to Bounce Back After Water Damage to Your Office Building

10/24/2022 (Permalink)

The pipe burst under the sink in the bathroom of your office building or under the breakroom sink, and now you’re facing an overwhelming task for cleanup and repairs. The floors and walls are wet, and it appears that you may have to disrupt daily operations for a while so that professionals can restore the office. Nowadays, even a few days of downtime can have a big impact on businesses. Here’s what you need to do so your business can bounce back quickly.

Right after the flood occurs, act fast

It’s a good idea to call us right away after you experience water damage because excess water can cause damages to the structure of the building as well as to floor tiles and walls. In addition, if you allow water to stand inside the building for more than 48 hours, the mold may start to grow, which can cause health effects. While your knee-jerk reaction is to grab a mop and try to clean it up yourself, it’s best to leave it to the professionals who know how to clean up water damage, so no further damage occurs.

The pros at SERVPRO

Our commercial water damage SERVPRO technicians in Phoenix are highly trained and understand the importance of mitigating moisture quickly to stop further damage from occurring. The team can use extractors, vacuums, or pumps to remove water from the structure. After the migration phase, the team dries the area. Our crew may employ air movers or axial fans to dry the office. We may also utilize dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and increase evaporation. In addition, we’ll utilize dehumidifiers to pull in moisture and return dry, warm air inside the office environment. This step helps increase the drying phase and keep additional damage from unaddressed moisture from causing more damage.

Fighting secondary damage

We work fast to dry the area to prevent mold growth and to reduce the chances of other secondary issues such as wood rot from occurring. The crew can also pack out materials and contents inside the office. We itemize, categorize, and store each item in a dry and safe area on or off-site until the restoration process is complete. We know that it is essential to keep your office functioning on a daily basis, which is why you can expect our techs to work quickly and to strive to get the job done right. We also ensure no moisture is present to fight against the possibility of lingering odors.

SERVPRO of Central Phoenix provides commercial water damage restoration services that can restore your office when possible. Call us at (602) 386-4268 any time of the day or night to schedule an appointment if you experience water . We are here to help and can return your office to its preloss condition and help your business bounce back quickly.

How to Keep Damage to a Minimum After a Flood in Your Home

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

Nobody plans to have a flood in their home, so they seldom learn about what should be done if their home becomes flooded. Knowing some crucial steps to take after water damage occurs can keep additional damage to a minimum. If your home experiences a significant water issue such as a burst pipe, the first step most homeowners take is to do whatever is needed to stop the water. Here are a few more tips to minimize damage to your home after a flood.

Move any items that can be affected by water

If there are rugs or carpets in the flooded area that you can pick up, remove them immediately. Take them outside and drape them over something sturdy to let the water drain out and the item air out to prevent any mildew. Water can do a significant amount of damage in a short amount of time, especially to items that have a color of any kind. Shoes, bags, area rugs, pet gear, books, or magazines, should all be moved. Most items won't suffer significantly from water damage if handled quickly. If any items that are perishable in nature are saturated with water, simply dispose of the item to prevent the risk of contamination. This includes kids’ toys, food, chew toys, pet food, or anything that is quickly impacted by water.

Remove as much water as you can up until SERVPRO arrives

Once the floor is clear of at-risk items, you can focus on sopping up as much standing water as possible until help arrives. Towels or a mop may be enough to get the mess under control, or you may want to use a shop vacuum if you have one that accommodates water. While the SERVPRO water remediation team will be able to help with water cleanup, the sooner you can remove standing water, the better, until professionals arrive with equipment designed to extract all water completely.

Prop up furniture and other larger unmovable items

Some larger items affected by water may not be able to get moved out of the water-impacted area by the homeowner because of size or weight. If that is the case, there are still steps you can take to minimize the damage until help arrives. Use aluminum foil or small wooded blocks to raise furniture off wet floors, especially carpeted ones, to minimize damage. Doing this protects your furniture from prolonged water exposure and possibly reduces the risk of discoloration of carpeting or transfer of furniture coloring onto your carpet. Whatever you can do to get larger pieces as much out of standing water as possible will help. Wipe down any wood furnishing that has become damp to potentially minimize warping.

Water damage in a home is always unexpected. Act quickly to stop the water source, then contact SERVPRO of Central Phoenix at 602-386-4268 for water remediation. We are available 24/7 to help with any water emergency you may have and will respond quickly to your call.

Odor Removal Services for Your Business

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

As the monsoons are wrapping up, many office buildings experience flooding or water leaks from heavy storms. When water damage happens, there are steps to take to address not only the damage but the odors that may arise because of water damage. Professional restoration experts can eliminate such odors from your property after an occurrence of commercial water damage in Phoenix. Here at SERVPRO of Central Phoenix, we use a multi-approach method to fight odors after any kind of water damage. A variety of deodorants and odor-fighting techniques can eliminate the odors in no time. Here are a few methods that work the best.

Multiple methods for odor removal

Odors often come from various sources after a water damage incident. It can be challenging to find all the sources and determine a specific method to combat the individual, which is why businesses often struggle with odor well after they have cleaned their property. Whether the odor is from stagnant water or mold growth, SERVPRO knows it is best to use multiple methods that use various deodorants to get a better result. Our IICRC-certified SERVPRO technicians use a combination of several types of deodorants that can combat the most common smells after a commercial water damage event.

Deodorizing agents to combat odors

A single type of deodorizing agent is not always sufficient to address odors from various sources. Different odors need different deodorants. Masking agents in time-release beads are also used to cover up unpleasant odors with a pleasant-smelling scent. Professionals use these agents to combat odors as well. There are some odors that only appear to remain after cleaning as occupants have become accustomed to the unpleasant smell; masking agents help address that issue. Pairing agents combine with the odor-causing particles in the air and neutralize them. Once these agents combine with the particles in the air, they cause them to fall to the ground, which can then be cleaned. These agents are often used in Ultra Low Volume foggers and wet foggers. Electrically generated deodorizing agents such as ozone gas are used after a move-out where odors linger. The Ozone is a reactive molecule that can combine with the odor-causing particle and neutralize it. The technicians use this method if the odors have penetrated deeply in the surfaces.

Let the odor removal experts at SERVPRO help

A combination of all these techniques and agents is essential to eliminate the odors from your commercial property after water damage. If you struggle with odors after experiencing water damage or flooding in your office building, call SERVPRO of Central Phoenix today at (602) 386-4268 to discuss your restoration needs with one of our professionals.

What Causes Mold Growth in Your Home?

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is always an unpleasant situation to have in your home. Oftentimes the homeowner wonders feel they were not keeping their home as clean as they should or not maintaining it properly. However, mold growth can happen for many reasons, a few of which end up not being the homeowner’s fault considering mold spores are present everywhere, and it takes very little to promote growth.

Why do homes get mold?

Mold damage in homes is not always an extraordinary occurrence. Several situations cause mold to grow in your home, and while they may not always lead to a mold growth problem, SERVPRO of Central Phoenix has seen enough situations over the years to know just how vulnerable most residences in the Phoenix area are, especially after heavy monsoon seasons. Mold grows best in dark, humid environments, which can occur frequently after a storm. The truth is that spores might be waiting for a chance to grow anywhere in your home if any of these events happen.

You have had a leak in your home

Leaking pipes, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures in your Phoenix home could contribute to mold growth. Spores grow quickly around any water source they can find, even if the volume of water is negligible. If moisture remains consistent in the affected area, the types of mold spores found in Arizona can start to grow. If you have discovered any leaks in your home or suspect that they may exist, there is a good chance that your home is hiding a mold infestation. Even if the leak is long gone, if there is residual water damage, chances are there is mold growth as well that needs to be handled.

A wet monsoon season

When monsoon storms come through the Valley, they create an ideal opportunity for mold to grow in your home. Any leaks in your roof or siding could contribute to an infestation somewhere in your home, oftentimes undetected. SERVPRO technicians can use advanced moisture detection tools to detect unusual levels of moisture anywhere in your home. While mold growth may go unseen, a musty odor is a sure sign that mold growth is present and needs to be addressed.

Flooding in your home

Many of the damage-causing floods in homes start with problems as mundane as a malfunctioning dishwasher or an overflowing bathtub. Any time a large part of your home's flooring becomes covered in water, it should be treated as a potential precursor to a mold problem because of the substantial amount of water that may have seeped into flooring and drywall.

What to do if you have mold

No matter if your mold issue is a result of leaks, floods, or storms, it is important to get the issue addressed immediately. If you experience mold, contact SERVPRO of Central Phoenix at 602-386-4268 to handle the mold immediately. Do not try to clean up mold on your own; leave it to the remediation experts to get taken care of.

After a House Fire, You’ll Likely Experience Water Damage Too

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

House fires are devastating. Firefighters know it’s important to extinguish the flames as quickly as possible after a house fire. Here is what you should expect afterward, including the unexpected water damage that happens after a fire.

Putting out the flames can cause water damage

When a fire happens, it’s important to get the flames out quickly. Unfortunately, extinguishing flames can bring damage on its own. Firefighters whose sole purpose is to battle flames will do whatever it takes to stop the fire, which often includes an excessive amount of water. Though the fire gets extinguished, water damage is a real issue to be dealt with. Soaked furniture, carpeting, and other belongings need professional attention. Along with soot and possible chemicals left behind by firefighters, water can be a huge problem. It’s important to work with professionals who understand not only fire damage remediation but water damage remediation to help you recover from the water left behind. Not only is water used, but likely flame extinguishing chemicals as well, all leaving behind dampness that can quickly escalate if not handled quickly.

Not addressing water can lead to other issues

Homeowners may feel that water is the least of their worries but unfortunately, if the water left behind is not addressed properly and thoroughly, you may end up with mold and odor issues in addition to damaged property. It can also lead to very unpleasant odors that are challenging to get rid of. SERVPRO professionals use special equipment to extract water thoroughly and then address any property damaged by water. We’ll use a variety of equipment available and follow up with odor removal approaches to ensure that not only the source of odor is gone, but that it won’t return again due to water or moisture left behind.

Be prepared should a fire break out

No one wants to contemplate the possibility of a fire, let alone the damage caused by the water and chemicals used to extinguish the flames, but you need to have a plan on what to do if a fire breaks out and how to handle the aftermath. In addition to all that’s mentioned above, think about what you’ll need to do once the fire is extinguished and you’re facing water damage in addition to fire damage. It’s important to contact a water remediation company to assist with the damage left behind from extinguishing smoke and flames. SERVPRO of Central Phoenix has a staff of trained professionals to assist you in this time of need. Call us if you experience any kind of disaster at 602-386-4268. We’re available 24/7 to help you recover.

Don’t Delay in Getting Remediation Help for Mold Damage

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

You spot mold in your home after a recent storm or water leak: now what? Nobody wants to deal with mold problems, but once you see mold in your house, you need to take care of it, immediately. Keep in mind, before you can do anything yourself, you should inspect the mold. Mold damage in older Phoenix homes can be especially tricky! Here are a few tips to counter mold damages and are some tips before a mold remediation team gets on site!

Should you handle mold growth yourself?

There are various kinds of molds, from white mold to black mold, they can bring any kind of bacteria into your house, which is why you need to get it inspected and see what you’re dealing with. If the mold is minor, you may be tempted to clean it up yourself. However, this is a lengthy process that requires sealing up the whole area of your home, special gear, and deep cleaning. As a result, you should consider contacting a professional mold remediation team, like SERVPRO to handle your mold remediation needs!

After cleanup, there’s more work to do

Once all the cleaning is done, look for the original cause of the mold and repair it. Remember, most molds grow in humid, moist places, so keep an eye for any water leaks, broken pipes, or places with unwanted condensation. Mold damage is not uncommon in even the most well-kept home. Mold damage in homes can be most seen in places with elevated levels of condensation, like the bathroom and kitchen. Keep in mind that mold spores are everywhere; you can never completely get rid of mold spores in your home. You can, however, make sure you’ve addressed the cause of mold growth and had any mold professionally remediated to ensure the mold growth is gone, including residual odors.

Call the remediation specialists

If you have mold growth in your home, call in the professionals from SERVPRO to handle all of your mold remediation needs. We can provide free inspections, estimates, and work with your insurance providers to complete the work! Mold cleanup and mold damage is something that should be handled by professionals, and we are here to help 24/7! Call us at 602-386-4268 for help.

Dealing with Smoke Odors After a House Fire

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

Home fires leave behind destruction that has to be dealt with, often on various levels. One of the most challenging results of fire damage is the odor that stays stubbornly behind, which few people plan to deal with after a house fire. Eliminating these odors requires knowledge and specific deodorization equipment. That’s where SERVPRO of Central Phoenix can help! Learn how we can assist with odor removal after you experienced a house fire.

Smoke odor removal

After a fire in your home, SERVPRO specialists can help you throughout the fire restoration process, including assistance with odor removal. With many years of experience in fire remediation, we understand how trying it can be when this type of tragedy occurs and how difficult it can be to recover and get back to normal. Our technicians can restore your home to pre-fire condition quickly and efficiently to make it livable again after a house fire, especially when dealing with unexpected smoky odor aftermath. Effective fire damage deodorization requires using different techniques. SERVPRO fire remediation specialists can usually get rid of the unpleasant smells without needing additional steps.

When it comes to deodorization, the first step is removing the source causing the odor. The second step is getting rid of any residues in the area. After cleaning, SERVPRO technicians follow up by air “scrubbing” or ventilating to get rid of odor molecules from the house to get rid of the odors.

Containing odors from a fire

Chemical containment is important in fire damage deodorization to prevent odor molecules from remaining in the air after a house fire. This requires decontaminating materials with a chemical deodorizer, which forms a barrier that keeps the odor molecules from escaping from the source material, thus reducing the smell. Our experienced technicians then neutralize any odor particles that may have dissipated into the air by applying deodorant products into the surrounding air of the affected area. These products neutralize the overpowering smells. This process is a part of SERVPRO’s tried and true fire remediation process, so we’re confident we can successfully address odor issues in your home after a blaze and make your home enjoyable to live in once again.

Get rid of odors fast

House fires are traumatizing. Knowing who to reach out to for fire remediation efforts, including unplanned odor removal, can make the experience less painful, and recovery faster. We can help you eliminate odors that are a result of a fire in your home. SERVPRO of Central Phoenix can come in and begin the fire restoration process immediately so don’t hesitate to call; we’re available 24/7 to help. To get help after a house fire, call us at (602) 386-4268.

Homeowners Forget About Fire Danger During Monsoon Storms

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

When monsoon season rolls around, homeowners are quick to prepare for high winds and torrential rains, possibly even damaging dust storms, but few think about the fire danger that comes with the monsoon season. Lightning is very prevalent during monsoons and lightning strikes are not uncommon. Learn more about the threat of fire damage during monsoon season.

Monsoons bring lightning and the threat of fire

Lightning is the most underrated weather hazard during monsoons. Lightning makes every single thunderstorm a potential killer, whether the storm produces one single bolt or ten thousand bolts. A roof can catch on fire after a single strike, or a nearby tree or pole can be struck and come toppling down on a home. Unlike other weather hazards, lightning can also be unpredictable.

Staying protected during a lightning storm

There are actions you can take to keep yourself and your home protected:

• Watch for signs of an approaching thunderstorm and listen to local news when a storm is near
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent.
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning
• Get inside a house, large shelter, or an all-metal vehicle during a lightning storm.
• If safe shelter is not available, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles
• If boating or swimming, get out of boats and away from the water, get to land, and find shelter immediately
• Only use the telephone in an emergency (cell phones are safe to use).
• Remain clear of tall, isolated trees and telephone poles.
• Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, or metal pipes and rails.
• Make sure trees near your home are adequately trimmed so any struck branch won’t cause damage to your home or roof
• Don’t use electronics of any kind during a storm
• Make sure electronics are plugged into surge protectors

What to do if you experience fire damage from monsoon lighting

Even with the best protection and precautions, your home may still experience fire damage from a lightning strike, whether it be to your home, roof, or nearby tree or pole. If you experience fire damage, contact SERVPRO of Central Phoenix after the flames are extinguished. Our fire remediation specialists know how to address fire damage and can provide the remediation you need to recover from the damage.

Contact SERVPRO of Central Phoenix 24/7 at 602-386-4268 to get the help you need.

Businesses Can Benefit from Commercial Cleaning Services

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Savvy business owners have been reaching out to SERVPRO to help with their disinfecting and sanitation needs during this ongoing challenging time where it’s difficult to schedule services in a timely fashion due to labor shortages. While we’ve been on-site, they’ve also discovered all the other commercial cleaning services that SERVPRO of Central Phoenix can provide to help them attract customers to their business once again.

Making good first impressions with commercial cleaning

When operating a business of any size, first impressions are everything, especially with everyone’s heightened cleanliness expectations. What does a customer see when they first walk into your business? What do they see or smell when they enter the location for the first time? It is especially important to make sure your business facility is clean and looks is absolute best to customers and other visitors that walk on to the property. By having a facility that is thoroughly cleaned, you are well on your way to developing a customer that will come back time after time, and possibly refer their friends and family to frequent your business. Business owners and managers know the value of repeat customers and how important it is to nurture those relationships. While customer service and quality of services most certainly impact whether a customer will become a dedicated return customer or not, impressions of cleanliness also make a big difference. With many businesses closed or at reduced capacity for so long, attracting and maintaining foot traffic is critical. Commercial cleaning can help make it possible by making the business more attractive and welcoming.

Commercial cleaning services available to businesses

There are a wide variety of materials and surfaces in your business that SERVPRO of Central Phoenix can clean and deodorize as part of our commercial cleaning services. SERVPRO of Central Phoenix offers cleaning services ranging from cleaning hoods in restaurants to removing biohazard contaminants to duct cleaning. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business if it has been closed for an extended period of time, or simply elevate the level of cleanliness with a thorough cleaning. Here’s a list of some of the items we can clean:

• Carpets
• Upholstery
• Area Rugs
• Drapes
• Tile
• HVAC and Duct Cleaning

Use SERVPRO for your commercial cleaning needs

If your business needs some freshening up or a thorough cleaning, SERVPRO of Central Phoenix has the training and tools to get your business looking and smelling its absolute best! Whether you need a one-time deep clean or ongoing commercial cleaning, contact us at 602-386-4268 to get the job done.

Eliminating Ash and Soot After a Fire in Your Home

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

House fires can be incredibly destructive beyond just the flames. Cleaning ash and soot residues can be difficult to address yet become essential to get a home back to normal. Smoke created by a fire fills the house and leaves behind a residue that’s challenging to clean, to say the least. Soot deposits discolor and ruin furnishings, decor, and building materials inside your house, which is why it’s important to address ash and soot cleanup after a home fire professionally.

Replacing or cleaning damaged items

Replacing materials inside your home can get expensive, so cleaning them instead can save you money, time, and headache. SERVPRO's fire damage technicians use numerous approaches to cleaning during the mitigation process, depending on what is damaged by soot or ash. The purpose of cleaning smoke-related damage is to restore the materials to the conditions they were before the fire. Depending on the items, some cleaning methods work better in certain situations than others. The type of cleaning used depends on the kind of materials that got burned and the type of materials soot damaged. That’s why professional cleaning is essential versus trying to do it yourself.

The basics of cleaning soot-damaged items

There are four fundamental elements required to deal with residues so that they get removed effectively and thoroughly. The first element of cleaning is temperature. Heat increases the speed of chemical reactions in products. SERVPRO's restoration technicians always select the ideal temperature based on which chemical gets used and the material being cleaned. The next element is agitation. When soot-damaged or ash-covered materials get agitated, the residues get dislodged, and chemicals get distributed across the surface. When cleaning smoke-damaged surfaces, we agitate the surface with towels, brushes, air and water pressure, and sonic vibrations from ultrasonic machines. Soot residues also get cleaned through chemical action. Most chemicals are designed to cause a reaction with the soot, therefore assisting in its removal. The reactions that take place include dissolving, emulsifying, changing pH, oxidizing, and bleaching. The last element of cleaning is time. Most chemicals need time to appropriately react to the soot and work efficiently. The amount of time needed varies based on the product, type of residue, and the kind of surface affected by soot. Patience is essential here to get the job done right!

Call the professionals if you experience a house fire

In most scenarios, soot and ash get cleaned the best by using a variety of elements and approaches to cleaning. For professional help with cleaning residues call SERVPRO of Central Phoenix at (602) 386-4268 any time of the day. Our technicians will endeavor to restore all your possessions to pre-fire conditions to help you recover from the disaster of a house fire.