Water Category Changes

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Mold Remediation. Call now (323) 400-3400

Our first step in an inspection is to determine what category the water is. The category of water at a job site is important information to properly mitigate any damage. There are 3 categories for any water damage. 

Category 1 - Includes a sanitary water source that does not pose a substantial risk. Depending on the length of time and temperature, category 1 can deteriorate to category 2 or category 3. Supply lines, rainwater, and toilet tanks are some common examples of category 1. 

Category 2 - Contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness.  category 2 also can turn into category 3 depending on the temperature and how long it has been left untreated. 

Category 3 - Grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic toxigenic, or other harmful agents and can cause significant adverse reactions to humans if contacted or consumed. Any porous material is subject to needing to be disposed of. 

What to Do During a Fire

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Fire Restoration. Call now at (323) 400-3400.

Here are some tips from Redcross.org on what to do during a fire:

- Know how to use a fire extinguisher.

- Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.

- Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. Leave all your things where they are and save yourself.

- If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.

- If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Close doors behind you.

- If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

- Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then send one person to call the fire department. If you cannot get to your meeting place, follow your family emergency communication plan.

Fascinating Fire Facts

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Fire Restoration. Call now at (323) 400-3400.

Fire can be scary and devastating. However, it is essential and can be fascinating when in a controlled environment. Here are some fascinating fire facts: 

- For as far as we know, fire can only burn on earth. Other planets do not have enough oxygen to allow a fire to keep burning. 

- During wildfires, trees explode. 

- You can start a fire with ice. 

- Fires are caused by humans 85% of the time. 

- There were 1,291,500 fires in 2019. This resulted in 14.8 billion dollars worth of loss. 

- The 2018 Woolsey fire burned 97,00 acres. Woolsey totaled an estimated $4.2 billion. 

- Good burn: The 1666 Great Fire of London destroyed 80 percent of the city but also ended an outbreak of bubonic plague that had killed more than 65,000 people the previous year. The fire fried the rats and fleas that carried Yersinia pestis, the plague-causing bacterium.

How Mold Forms

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Mold Remediation. Call now at (323) 400-3400.

There are over 100,000 different types of mold growth. However, there are 0 reasons mold growth should be found inside of a house or commercial building. Mold forms with an excess amount of humidity and/or moisture. When the moisture is not remediated in a timely manner, the small mold spores will start to feed off of the moisture and start to colonize and multiply. If mold is untreated and left for a long period of time, it can start to produce mycotoxins. Here at SERVPRO of Cienega, we treat all mold growth the same. Heavy and specific mold spores should not be found inside the home. If any mold growth is found we can provide a free quote for the mold remediation with the photo documentation or the hygienist mold testing. 

What To Do After a Storm

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Storm Preparation. Call now at (323) 400-3400.

After a heavy storm hits, it is very crucial to make sure inspections are performed if there appears to be any damage that has already occurred. A roofing company should be contacted to inspect the roof. Roof damage can cause a lot of leaks and are harder to fix during a storm. It is very important to have the home inspected regularly and maintain the home. SERVPRO of Cienega can help place a board up or tarp up on the roof. This will provide a temporary solution until the repairs can be completed. If there are any visible signs of roof leaks or even concerns, our team can do a moisture check. Based on our inspection, our team can address any water damage that was caused to the house by the storm. 

How to Prepare For a Storm

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Storm Preparation. Call now at (323) 400-3400

Storms can occur and cause a lot of damage to homes and commercial buildings. The only control that we can take is making sure we are best prepared for a storm. The following are some ways to prepare against a storm in combination with State Emergency Services (SEC): 

1. Maintain your yard and balcony. Secure or store items that could blow around in strong winds.

2. Clean your gutters, downpipes, and drains regularly to prevent blockages.

3. Trim trees and branches that could potentially fall on your home or property.

4. Fix any damage to your roof, including broken or missing tiles.

5. Check your insurance policy is current and adequate.

6. Make a Home Emergency Plan for your family that outlines what you would do in an emergency.

7. Prepare an emergency kit with essential items in case you lose power or need to leave home in an emergency.

8. Listen to your local radio station and other media for weather warnings.

9. Get a tarp up or board up installed if there are any damages to the roof or windows. 

What To Do After a Fire

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Commercial Fire Restoration. Call now at (323) 400-3400.

Everything that is done before, during, and after a fire is very important. Here are some tips from State Farm on what can be done after a fire: 

- Find a safe place to stay 

   - Don't enter back into your home until it has been deemed safe for re-entrance. 

- Contact your insurance agent

   - Contact your agent and file a claim. 

- Protect your home 

   - Protect your home from any weather events or illegal entrances. Board ups, fencing, tarp ups might be needed to secure the property. 

- Take care of your pets

   - Have the pets be checked by a veterinarian. 

- Get a copy of the fire report

   - LAFD can provide a fire report. Your insurance can use this to determine the coverage of the claim. 

- Address your finances

   - Rent and all other bills will still need to be paid. 

- Recover your possessions 

   - Get your contents replaced or restored. 

- Take care of your family's mental health 

   - Look out for different coping mechanisms for yourself and your entire family. 

Fire Contents Restoration

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Fire Restoration. Call now (323) 400-3400.

LAFD works hard to make sure a fire is put out as soon as it starts. Many homes, neighborhoods, and commercial buildings are saved every day because of our hard-working first responders. Although the fire can be put out very fast, the odor and soot travels almost instantly and can cause a lot of damage in a very short period of time. During fire jobs with less severe damage, we perform a full structure HEPA vacuum cleaning and a wet wipe of the entire structure. The contents that are salvageable are all packed out and moved to our storage facility. Any unsalvageable items will be disposed of. We clean every single item and strip away any lingering odor. Once the structure is clean, the contents will be packed back in. 

Fire Preparation

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Fire Restoration. Call now (323) 400-3400.

Being prepared for a fire can save a lot of devastation and money. Here are some tips on how to prepare your home against a fire: 

- Install smoke alarms on each floor and inside and outside of bedrooms. Test out the batteries once a month.

- Teach children what a fire alarm sound means and what they should do if they hear it. Practice STOP, DROP and ROLL with all family members in the scenario their clothes catch on fire.  

- Prepare fire escape plans. Multiple escape routes should be practiced with different scenarios of the location of the fire.

- Keep fire extinguishers in multiple areas of the house, especially the kitchen. 

- Digitalize any sentimental photos. 

- Pack an emergency bag and keep it in the car. An emergency bag is great for all emergencies. 

- Research your community fire plans or discuss evacuation options with family and friends. 

Commercial Fire Restoration

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Commercial Fire Restoration. Call now at (323) 400-3400.

Fires are always devastating and cause a great deal of damage. A commercial fire can delay business and be a loss of revenue. With good insurance and a well-written policy, a lot of these problems are solved. After a fire, the best first step would be to notify the insurance and file a claim. Once a claim is made and approved, the restoration can commence. SERVPRO of Cienega helps with getting all the correct approvals, lining up all the vendors, and updating all parties throughout the job. Typically with heavy damage to a commercial building, all materials will need to be demolished and disposed of. Once we are able to gain access into the wall cavity, we do a detailed HEPA vacuum and wet wipe down. After the restoration is done, we place the final deodorizing equipment to kill any potential odor particles and deodorize the air space. Once the restoration is done, we will be ready to perform the repairs and put the building back in shape. 

Meet Our Equipment

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Remediation. Call now at (323) 400-3400

Water Extractor: 
Our water extractor is used to extract standing water. The extractor helps us greatly with removing the water from solid surfaces which allows it to dry properly. This technique pulls out most of the water which can save the carpet from secondary damage and delamination.

Dehumidifier:
This dehumidifier pulls out the moisture from the air and the affected materials and allows them to dry out. Our dehumidifiers have successfully dried out countless amounts of affected materials and have saved the homeowners and insurance companies thousands of dollars.

Desiccant: 
Similar to a dehumidifier, the desiccant takes in the air that contains moisture, dries the air, and puts back the drier air into the affected area. A desiccant is great to use in hard-to-dry areas like crawlspaces.

Air Mover: 
The air movers are commonly used to circulate the moisture particles in the room for the dehumidifier to take in. The air movers also help the dehumidifiers dry out the affected materials.

Air Scrubber: 
The air scrubber pulls in the air and filters some mold spores, odor, debris, dust, and other airborne particles.

Floor Mat System: 
The floor mat system is used to dry out hardwood flooring. We have not only saved flooring from buckling but also saved floors that already showed signs of slight damage.

Water Damage Dos and Don'ts

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Mitigation. Call now (323) 400-3400

Dos

- Be best prepared for any natural disaster and storm. 

- Fix any leak ASAP. If you notice any leaks or roof damage, get a professional to correctly fix the issue. 

- Call your insurance to file a claim if there is a lot of damage. 

- Call SERVPRO of Cienega to come out to do an inspection of your commercial and residential property. 

- Take care of your landscape. A lush landscape can slow down the spread of a fire. 

- Hire someone you trust to do your work. 

Don'ts 

- Procrastinate.

- Cover up the problem rather than solve it.

- Let moisture be trapped without correctly drying it.  

- Filing an insurance claim after a long period of time from the water damage. Most insurance policies only cover leaks that happened less than 2 weeks ago. 

- Skipping out on the maintenance work.  

Ozone Generator

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Fire Restoration. Call today at (323) 400-3400

The ozone machine is tiny but very powerful. We use our ozone machine for any jobs that are odor-related and fire restoration jobs. Ozone is 3 oxygen atoms. The machine creates a silent corona discharge which causes the oxygen (02) molecule to separate and turn into single atoms. Later these single atoms attach themselves to the oxygen (02) molecules and form ozone (03).

In summary, when the oxygen molecule changes into the ozone, the molecular compound is no longer the same and the odor molecules can't be present in the ozone (03) molecule. An ozone machine is a great tool that is used to treat odor issues. It is best to do extended research on ozone machines or contact a professional to make sure the machine is used in a safe manner. 

Emergency Response Profile

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Emergency Response Profile. Call today at (323) 400-3400

Commercial damage can be a big challenge. Picking the correct restoration company can be an even bigger challenge. Having your business be better prepared for any damage can save you a lot of time and money. Trying to find a good restoration company during a stressful time sometimes doesn't play out too well, unfortunately. By calling us today, we can set up an Emergency Response Profile for your business or even your personal property. You can learn more about our franchise and ask all the questions during a less stressful time. If any restoration work is ever needed, making a call in a stressful time can be much faster and it will be with a team you can trust on your side in no time. 

Proper Strom Preparation

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

Animated big umbrella protecting a home from the rain

Dealing with the aftermath of a storm can cost a lot of time and money. Being proactive and planning during a storm is always a good idea. 

Here are a few things to look out for before a storm: 

Roof 

- Has your roof gone through any recent heavy winds. Checking your roof for damage and placing a tarp up can save your home from water damage. 

Windows/Doors

- Are all of your windows and doors secure. If not, we can place a board up to make sure further damage does not come to your window or doors.

Home maintenance and cleanings such as tree trims, gutter cleaning, and checking for any active leaks will keep your home in better shape. Most importantly, make a call to your insurance agent and make sure your dwelling and contents policy has no issues. 

COVID-19 Enhanced Cleaning

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega COVID-19 Cleaning. Call today at (323) 400-3400

During these stressful times, get a restoration company that you can count on and trust to do an enhanced cleaning of your commercial or residential home to perform an enhanced COVID-19 cleaning. Enhanced COVID-19 cleaning is perfect for those who have had any potential or positive confirmed cases. It is our priority to respond to our enhanced COVID-19 cleanings right away to make sure your office is back in use and your home is back up running the virtual schooling and meetings. You can sleep much better at night knowing you have done all you could to keep your staff and or family as safe as they can be. Call now and we can provide a free quote to see how we can help you. 

Repairs

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Reconstruction. Call today at (323) 400-3400

After the inconvenience of any water, fire, or mold damage to a home, the best way to make sure the job proceeds smoothly is to hire a restoration company that can help you A-Z. SERVPRO of Cienega can help with both the mitigation and reconstruction of your commercial or residential property. Oftentimes, restoration companies do not perform the reconstruction. Hiring only a restoration company to handle the job, can cause a delay and a bumpy transition from mitigation into reconstruction. On the other hand, hiring only a contractor to handle a mitigation job does sometimes go south. Contractors do not usually have the experience or knowledge on how to correctly handle a job that needs mitigation work. Unfortunately, contractors can sometimes miss important steps and end up costing you more money in the long run. Picking a one-stop-shop to handle the entire job, saves a lot of time and hassle of scheduling and coordination.   

Mold Remediation Estimate

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Mold Remediation. Call today at (323) 400-3400

Got a mold baseline report and not sure what to do? Call SERVPRO of Cienega now and we can help you review your report in no time. Sometimes reviewing a 15-page report from a hygienist company sends out can seem like an intimidating task. Especially with all the tricky vocabulary that is used and mold spore names that not a lot of people have heard of. Luckily, we have years of experience and know exactly how to read and look out for in these mold reports. You can count on us to review your report and explain what work would or would not be needed. Based on the hygienist recommendation page, our friendly team can make a mold estimate in just no time. We are able to get mold estimates out within 1 business day and the best part is it is free of charge. We would also be happy to review any other documents and prior estimates that have been made for this project. 

Mold Remediation

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Mold Remediation. Call today at (323) 400-3400

If it looks like mold and smells like mold, it probably is mold. So what happens if you find mold in your commercial or residential property? Call SERVPRO of Cienega and we will have all the answers you're looking for. Here is what you can expect typical mold remediation to look like. Some steps might be skipped if not required. 

1. Inspection or Baseline Mold Test (performed by a hygienist company)  

- If the mold is not visible yet, we can help you find the best hygienist companies in the area and the company will conduct a Baseline Mold Test. If mold remediation is needed, a report will be generated with details on mold remediation. This report will allow SERVPRO of Cienega to generate an estimate. 

2. Estimate/Approvals

3. Lead and Asbestos Testing (Performed by a hygienist company) 

4. Demo/Mold Remediation

5. Post Mold Clearance Testing. (Performed by a hygienist company) 

6. Reconstruction 

In just 6 easy steps, we can help remediate and repair your property.

Home Insurance

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Claims. Call today at (323) 400-3400

One of the most stressful parts of any fire/water damage to the home is the cost to restore your home. The most important thing you can do as a homeowner is to make sure you have insurance with good limits. Picking a cheap policy might save you some money in the short run. However, this could cost you a lot more if your home has large damage by a fire or water damage. SERVPRO is a preferred vendor to almost all insurance companies. Our office works on all claims every day to make sure there are approvals/updates/and communication from the insurance and the office. We keep an open communication on the scope of work and that allows 0 surprises for the insurance companies and takes away unnecessary trouble. Our franchises have never had issues regarding any miscommunication or performing a wrong or unapproved scope of work. We work hard to take the extra stress off your hands and we help whenever/however we can. 

Home & Commercial Inspection

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cienega Inspections. Call now (323) 400-3400

After any minor or major fire, water, or mold damage to your commercial or private residence, finding a place to start can seem very overwhelming. Call us now and we will stop by to do an inspection and best help assist you with your home. Each job is special and unique and we take our time to inspect a job for all potential damage it could possibly have. One of our friendly crew members will do an inspection and gather all the information from the job site. Our office team will work on getting the estimate out to you with the details on how the job can be handled.  We are here 24/7/52 for any questions or concerns that might come your way.