Ways SERVPRO Helps Agoura Homeowners Limit Mold Damage Recurrence

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides 24/7 mold damage remediation for our Agoura area property owners. "Like it never even happened."

Incorporating Preventing Steps during Mold Remediation Safeguards Agoura Homes

Molds cause significant changes in a home by affecting surface finishes, air quality, and weakening materials. Since mold seems to break out for no reason, you might feel that the problem might always be there once your property is affected. Proper remediation for your Agoura home must address sources of moisture, remove heavily contaminated materials, and not cover infested surfaces with paint.

In your Agoura home, mold damage can develop openly on surfaces or stay hidden by paint, wallpaper, or drywall. Dealing with surface mold is straightforward since mostly only cleanup is necessary. Stripping off any unsalvageable materials is also easy, unlike in concealed areas that require some demolition to reach the soiled areas. SERVPRO provides the resources needed to address contamination conveniently under all these circumstances.  

Recurrence after mold remediation can manifest in different ways, including full-blown growth or mild signs such as bubbling or chipping paint, wall surface discoloration, or irregular surfaces. The signs you notice can be determined by the remediation approach used. Bubbled, chipped or cracked paint is a sign that you did not perform complete remediation before covering the affected areas with a fresh coat of paint.

Cleaning moldy walls or floor surfaces requires:

• Vacuuming to remove loose debris
• Agitation through wire brushing or sanding 
• Damp-wiping with detergents and antimicrobial agents
• Drying by airing or dehumidification

The steps take care of different problems that might trigger new contamination after resolving the existing one. For example, vacuuming lifts off loose debris and spores preventing them from spreading from the contaminated area. Antimicrobial chemicals inhibit microbial growth processes while drying eliminates moisture, ensuring any spores that touch a surface remain inactive. 

Advanced Actions Against Mold

Cleaning moldy debris and soiling offers only partial relief, especially if your primary concern is new infestation. Physical removal of porous materials, if heavily contaminated, is necessary since mold penetrates beyond the surface, yet cleaning methods and biocides only touch the surface. Porous materials absorb significant amounts of moisture and might act as reservoirs since drying may not remove all the trapped wetness.

Porous materials to remove

• Carpet and pad
• Drywall and ceiling tiles
• Insulation

Moisture management is a crucial aspect of mold remediation since mold spores, though omnipresent, remain dormant until there is sufficient moisture to activate them. One thing you might not realize about moisture is that it always seeks equilibrium. Therefore, it spreads from areas of high concentration to low concentration. Wetness moves through different mediums, including evaporating into the air, wicking through materials, or flowing on surfaces. Therefore, leaving small unresolved leaks or wet materials in any section of the house can re-contaminate vast areas of the property. 

Resolving moisture issues starts with scoping the entire property thoroughly. Our IICRC Certified SERVPRO teams complete the tedious task faster using specialized tools like thermal cameras or thermo-hygrometers, identifying moisture in concealed areas and humidity levels. After identifying a leak, we can perform controlled demolition to open up the space for repairs and replace wet materials, thus ensuring it is not the source of future contamination.

SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills considers the current and future effects of mold damage in your property, thus looking for long-lasting solutions. Call us at (818) 991-6292. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

The Issues in Your Agoura Home That Might Lead to Water Damage

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians can show you what you should look for to indicate a possible water intrusion in your Agoura home. Give us a call today.

SERVPRO Probes Water Damage Causes in Agoura Homes for Better Restoration

Water leaks happen at any time, causing significant damage in Agoura homes. Knowing the factors that leave a property predisposed to leaks and other forms of moisture intrusion can help develop a preventive plan or resolve the problems that develop faster. Common issues causing leaks include deteriorating materials, temperature changes, and blockages in plumbing systems.

The problems you notice in your Agoura home after water damage are the primary indicator of where the problem started. For example, the level of wetness indicates whether the source released a significant amount of water instantaneously or gradually. Significant moisture intrusions primarily arise from issues with roofing or plumbing systems. Other incidents leave minimal moisture. A professional team like SERVPRO uses several techniques to counter moisture accumulation, thus finding unique solutions for each case.

Likely Sources of Moisture Problems

• Washing machine leaks from supply lines
• Blocked drain lines
• Clogged gutters
• Condensate from air conditioners

The problems you blame for the unprecedented accumulation of moisture inside your home can develop instantaneously, but it builds up over time in many cases. For example, pressure builds up when drains clog, leading to rupturing, which sends water into unexpected areas, especially wall and floor cavities. Clogging is not a one-day event. Also, the blocked point may be far from the primary source of the problem. In many cases, disposing of oil by pouring it through a sink is the cause of many drain clogs. Solutions such as pouring in hot water only push the problem further from the entry point rather than resolving it.

Instantaneous Water Intrusions

Some changes happen quickly, triggering intrusion. Rapid temperature changes can leave pipes frozen, leading to cracking, which is an outcome of the sudden and rapid expansion of water in a line after freezing, thus exceeding the volume of the pipe holding it. Other instantaneous issues can arise when heavy debris such as tree branches fall on roofs or pipes are cut or punctured.

Water Damage Solutions

• Stopping leaks
• Extracting stagnant water
• Drying wet materials
• Deodorization

Whatever leaves your home wet, decisive and timely action is essential to remove the intruding water and address changes in the affected materials. Our SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians facilitate such timely action using standard equipment or specialized ones where necessary.

Water can settle on exposed surfaces like floors or reach cavity areas. Alternatively, highly porous materials like carpets absorb a significant percentage of the spilled water. Extraction from open surfaces is usually the easiest since we can readily mop an area or use a wet vacuum. Extracting moisture from cavities requires advanced skills and equipment. Skills are essential when creating openings like weep holes, vent holes, or making flood cuts since destroying materials unnecessarily is not ideal.

Specialized equipment plays a crucial role in managing moisture damage. Cavity-drying equipment like drying mats helps quickly remove wetness trapped beneath floorboards and tiles without requiring demolition. When our SERVPRO crews use the mats, we can prevent severe damages such as buckling or cupping floorboards. We have several other specialized types of equipment, including LGR and desiccant dehumidifiers, to dry vast areas or ensure we diminish moisture in materials to any required level.

SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills provides the necessary resources to counter water damage at your home, "Like it never even happened." You can reach us at (818) 991-6292.

Things to Do at Your Agoura Home After Fire Damage

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

Fire, smoke, and water all contribute to the need for comprehensive damage cleanup in Agoura.

You Can Rely on SERVPRO for Comprehensive Fire Restoration Solutions in Agoura

Avoiding fire damage is ideal. However, when it happens at your Agoura home, you do not have to focus all your energies on why it happened and what you did wrong. Taking action to counter the damage should be a priority. Steps like checking moisture, managing soils, and inspecting utilities are essential.

A myriad of problems develops in your Agoura home after fire damage. The main issues include darkened surfaces where soot settles, openings where flames consume materials, and pungent odor emitted by the charred residues. Some problems may not be seen, but they are equally significant. Intense heat radiates even into concealed areas, compromising electric cable insulations, resulting in electric shorts later on. Smoke residues can also accumulate within HVAC systems leading to long-term indoor air quality issues. Our SERVPRO restoration crews prepare to tackle the noticeable or hidden issues, restoring preloss conditions.

Since addressing fire damage involves several procedures, it may not be possible to do everything simultaneously, even for a professional restoration team. Prioritizing some actions over others helps create order and convenience. 

Priority Actions During Fire Restoration

• Checking and managing moisture
• Organizing wastes and valuables
• Securing the property

Priority during fire restoration is given if an action can prevent damage from worsening or if it helps reduce hazards for the people entering the damaged property. Moisture is a problem after fire damage since water is the primary agent used to quell intense flames. Scorching fires can damage pipes and other plumbing accessories, releasing water into the structure. If left in place, the moisture causes several problems, including setting soot residues leading to staining or microbial growth resulting in mold. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on visual observation and readings from moisture sensors to determine the immediate action against moisture. Extraction is necessary if there is stagnation, but evaporation and dehumidification handle the situation in most cases.

Creating Order After Fire Damage

One hindrance that can make fire restoration seem more challenging than necessary is the clutter left in properties after such incidents. If the site is disorganized, it is hard to complete tasks like cleanup, and the level of hazards is also heightened since people can trip over scattered objects. Our SERVPRO crews help organize properties after destructive fires by taking several actions like:

• Packing out valuables
• Providing trash receptacles
• Boarding up or setting up containment

Moving contents out of the way creates room for people to move and set up restoration equipment. It is also a way to protect them from exposure to residues and moisture, leading to secondary damages. An example of secondary damage is the accumulation of soot residues inside electronic items, where they might cause overheating or short circuits when the item is later powered on. In most cases, our SERVPRO crews move items within the house, storing them in an unaffected room or section. We can also organize for a move out to an external storage site where necessary.

Creating physical barriers around the property also helps create order. Barriers can involve boarding up the exteriors to seal shattered windows or other openings. Internal barriers may also be necessary to seal off some house sections. The barriers are a way to create order since they help limit debris from spreading or people and animals from accessing. 

SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills is prepared to take any action necessary to address fire damage at your home, making it "Like it never even happened." Call us at (818) 991-6292.

Professionals Provide Efficient Water Damage Restoration Services in Agoura

2/5/2023 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage can sometimes be quite overwhelming. Partner with SERVPRO during this difficult time.

Water Damage in Agoura Calls for SERVPRO’s Expertise

The experience of unexpected water damage at home is overwhelming for almost everyone. Most people don’t understand what they should do or whom they should call at a time when quick action is vital in preventing the damage from invading the whole house. When left to stand for more than 24 hours, the water causes structural issues and might also cause mold and bacteria growth.

To manage water damage in your Agoura house, you must contact professional restorers trained in water damage restoration, which is what we specialize in at SERVPRO. Our equipment and processes can save your home from long-term damage worth thousands of dollars. They also help us in restoring your home efficiently and quickly. The basic outline of SERVPRO’s restoration process is as outlined below:

• Inspecting the house for water migration.
• Removal of damaged or wet materials that are not restorable.
• Water extraction
• Inducing airflow to the wet materials to speed up evaporative drying.

At SERVPRO, we use pin-style moisture meters to test water migration around the building. However, these can impact building materials that might contain asbestos, like textured walls, ceilings, and ceiling tiles. These, however, present mild disruptions which don’t risk exposure. Our technicians are well-versed in the standards the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set, which means we can work in toxic conditions and present no danger to ourselves or anyone residing in the house.

Our SERVPRO technicians consider extraction a critical step to remove moisture from structures. To this end, we have such equipment as portable wet vac units, light wands to remove water from glue-down carpets, deep extraction tools attached to the extractors, and pumps to remove the standing water in bulk.

To avoid excess water damage at home, please get in touch with SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills at (818) 991-6292. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Professionals Should Perform Fire Damage Repair in Calabasas Homes 

1/17/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO OCT odor control technicians mitigate the effects of fire damage in your Calabasas home.

Fire Damage Cleanup in Calabasas Is Easier with SERVPRO

Any home fire can be dangerous. Home fires have worsened in recent years because the materials in modern homes have increased flammability. Home occupants have about 2 to 3 minutes to leave a house mostly filled with synthetic-based furnishings.

It is vital to hire SERVPRO to repair fire damage in your Calabasas residence because of the dangerous and acidic nature of the chemicals in soot, burnt materials, smoke, and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) a fire creates. The chemicals are hazardous, and traditional cleaning methods cannot eliminate them effectively.

They need specific cleaning chemicals and agents, specialized equipment, and professional application. The particular steps that SERVPRO can take to restore your house after fire damage include:

• Inspection 
• Water extraction and cleanup
• Soot removal 
• Odor removal

Inspection

Our team can evaluate the fire damage in your home. We can conduct assessments and tests to analyze the destruction and create a suitable action plan to counter the damage.

Water extraction and cleanup

The fire extinguishing process typically involves using water or chemicals, which, unfortunately, cause further property damage. Fast water extraction helps prevent secondary damage like mold infestation or deterioration of carpeting, wood floors, and drywall. We can use portable pumps to remove the water. Our team can also set up air movers and dehumidifiers to expedite drying. If the firefighters had used chemical extinguishers, we could clean up the residues.

Smoke and soot cleanup

Soot is acidic and can cause discoloration of walls and rust formation. We can clean up acidic residues to prevent permanent damage to affected structures and contents.

Deodorization

Our fire cleanup specialists can remove smoke odors through wet fogging. We use an ultra-low volume (ULV) mister to accomplish this. The mister atomizes liquid deodorizing agents, mainly water-based agents, to produce a fine mist. The mister generates deodorant particles of about 20 to 60 microns in size, which can readily penetrate many areas where smell-causing residues accumulate.

After a fire incident, SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills is available to repair your home. Please call us at (818) 991-6292 for your fire recovery needs. 

Always Hire Skilled Flood Damage Technicians to Ensure Best Results in Agoura

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage restoration services by SERVPRO are second to none. Call now!

The Benefits of Hiring SERVPRO for Flood Damage Restoration After an Agoura Storm are Never Ending

If you find that your property is underwater once a storm flood surges, your first instinct is to try to get rid of water. Even though you might try to clean some of the impacted areas, you could leave hidden moisture or bacteria behind. Calling SERVPRO to your Agoura home or business gets you results fast so that you can get back to your daily routine.

When faced with flood damage in Agoura, you may have many questions swirling in your mind. Some questions our crew often gets when receiving calls for water removal services include:

• Why can’t I try to clean it on my own?
• If it is just water, how bad could this damage be?
• Will I really need professional restoration and water cleanup?

Whenever floodwater comes into your home, special precautions must get taken to address contaminants and possible bacteria. SERVPRO knows how to go in, create containment barriers, treat surfaces, and begin rapid water extraction. We work quickly to not only save time but also to save you money on the overall project. Additionally, we make an effort to repair or restore rather than replace!

Proper Water Mitigation Stops Damage in Its Tracks

The clock is ticking after storm flooding, and the damage turns into a massive issue within just 24 hours. SERVPRO has the equipment and IICRC-certified water restoration technicians (WRT) and odor control technicians (OCT) that will make it “Like it never even happened.” Not only do we remove all standing water and handle thorough drying, but we also remove bacterial threats, treat mold, and carefully dispose of hazardous materials.

Talk with our staff at SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills when you need prompt, reliable assistance with flood damage. You can reach us 24/7 at (818) 991-6292.

Power Blasting and Cleaning Services Following Commercial Water Damage in Your Agoura Shop

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Offers Dry-Ice Blasting for Commercial Water Clean Up in Agoura

SERVPRO Offers Many Ways to Cleanup Your Shop After Water Intrusions

Pressure washing is essential to any commercial water damage cleanup project in Agoura. It is highly efficient at eliminating the dirt and debris that comes with water damage and can decrease the time to reopen a busy shop. 

Suppose you are unlucky enough to experience commercial water damage in Agoura. In that case, SERVPRO can allocate highly trained restoration experts to your Agoura shop to return your property to preloss conditions quickly and efficiently. We follow IICRC guidelines in every cleanup process so that you can be sure of a complete restoration job. Additionally, our tools and techniques are up to date with industry standards, significantly minimizing the risk of further damage during cleanup. 

No job is too big or too small for SERVPRO. Our methods are designed to save time and money while reducing downtime and business interruption. Whether you are looking for a one-time cleanup or a long-term cleaning partner for your premises, we can provide a personalized service to cater to your needs. Our water damage restoration team has access to advanced equipment and cleaning products, ensuring that work is done to the highest possible standards. 

SERVPRO professionals rely on a wide variety of media for individual projects while considering health, safety, and environmental considerations. This range of media includes dry-ice, grit, and soda H&C water blasting. In addition to reversing commercial water damage, our power blasting system is suitable for graffiti removal and cleaning brick walls, patios, driveways, and car park decks. 

Power washing is an excellent tool with numerous benefits when dealing with commercial water damage in a shop. It can easily remove dirt and dust from bricks, walls, and machines, leaving a clean surface that is more appealing to clients. A clean building can also protect your employees from contaminants such as mold, which can cause various health effects. 

You can count on SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills if you need quick and efficient commercial water damage restoration services. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster, inspired to return your property to pre-damage conditions as soon as possible, "Like it never even happened." For any emergency, call us today at (818) 991-6292.

Lessons about Prevention Gained During Agoura Fire Restoration

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can restore your commercial fire damage. call us today!

SERVPRO Advises Agoura Business Owners about Fire Damage

Fire prevention takes effort, yet many business operators give it a minimal priority. Sometimes the results of such inaction are dire if a fire ignites and destroys property. Since one fire incident does not prevent another one from occurring, learning what you can do to avoid fire at your Agoura facility is as important as doing thorough fire restoration.

Unlike doing fire restoration at your Agoura premises which requires immediate actions such as demolition, cleaning fire residues, and rebuilding damaged areas, preventing fire is a longer-term operation. It calls for adjusting how you do things and buying various safety accessories. When the SERVPRO restoration crew inspects your premises, we can identify the procedures you can implement to limit the chances of a fire incident.

Helpful changes that can prevent fires:

• Safeguarding appliances with surge protectors 
• Keeping flammable materials from the heat
• Attending to flames and heat sources
• Reducing clutter 

Every commercial premise is set up uniquely, so the risks vary. Some aspects, such as utilizing electric-powered equipment and appliances, are common in most facilities, so it is easy for a professional to give you helpful advice without having to do an in-depth inspection of the facility. SERVPRO technicians focus on your setup and usage of electronic equipment. Unplugging any equipment when not in use and installing surge protectors rather than plugging them directly into the outlets to minimize the risks of shorts or overheating that can spark fires.

Waste and Clutter Management

If your operations leave materials cluttered around, you increase the risk of fires. Our SERVPRO restoration technicians advise you to pay close attention to handling waste materials such as shredded papers and flammable chemicals. For a laundromat, removing lint from dryers and changing filters enhances fire safety. 

Other useful actions include:

• Ensuring any open flames are attended
• Enforcing policies on cigarette disposal by staff or customers
• Separating waste receptacles

Fire restoration by SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills resolves the immediate issues and can help you prevent future problems. Call us at (818) 991-6292. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

What to Do When Your Calabasas Home Sustains Flood Damage

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO acts fast to dry out your home and save your hardwood floors from further damage

SERVPRO is Here to Help with Your Flood Damage Restoration Needs

Flood damage can be a tricky situation to handle. When a storm breaks a window in your home, it can allow excessive rainwater inside and all over your newly installed hardwood floor. In this situation, removing the water as soon as possible is essential. The longer the wood flooring in your home is exposed to water, the more damage can occur. It is necessary to call a professional, so they may remove the moisture and thoroughly dry your home. Fortunately, help is not far.

Our IICRC-certified technicians can arrive at your Calabasas home to remediate the flood waters as soon as possible. We understand how time-sensitive flood damage can be and strive to always come to the job swiftly. We can immediately begin by removing the flooded water from your home using portable pumps and wet/dry vacuums.

Once we clean up, SERVPRO can investigate the moisture levels of your wooden flooring with non-penetrative moisture meters. When we have an accurate reading, we can select the correct drying process for your unique situation.

The shape of wood can become altered when exposed to water for too long. SERVPRO can remove any soaked carpets on top of your hardwood floors, as the moisture they contain can be particularly damaging and lead to warping. After preparing to dry the area, our technicians can bring a variety of tools to assist in creating a moisture-free environment, like dehumidifiers and air movers.

Our SERVPRO technicians can install our tools to ensure that the entirety of your hardwood floor becomes dry. Air movers can also be placed in crawl spaces to help dry the flood damaged  flooring from the underside. It is essential to hit the floor from as many angles as possible to encourage thorough drying.

When your home sustains flood damage, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills at (818) 991-6292. Day or night, we can take your call and send our technicians as soon as possible.

Smoke Residue and Removal

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

Draperies and couches can be treated for smoke damage rather than replaced. Call SERVPRO to assess your damage ASAP!

Different Types of Residues Call for Specific Approaches in Removal

Most of the property loss from a fire is due to smoke rather than the actual heat. More draperies, curtains, clothing and furniture is thrown out every year due to discoloration and soot damage than is ever lost to flames. Depending on the type of smoke residue, however, it is possible to save many items from the trash.

SERVPRO has the expertise and training to restore items covered in smoke residue from fire damage in Calabasas. For purposes of cleaning, smoke residue is considered either dry or wet. It is determined by three things in a fire: The rate of combustion, the amount of oxygen present and the type of material or substance that burned.

Fast burning, oxygen-rich fires with natural materials (dry wood, paper, and natural fibers) create dry smoke and residue. Specifically, that means it is powdery and doesn't leave a residue that smears and feels 'greasy' if you touch it. Slow burning, oxygen-poor fires leave a wet smoke, especially if the material burned is synthetic (e.g. foam rubber and plastics).

Dry smoke is easier to clean up and items covered in dry smoke residue such as furniture are much simpler to restore. Since the smoke is generated from natural materials, there are fewer aerosols to deal with. Dry smoke also does not stain surfaces as thoroughly as wet smoke, and the odor from dry smoke is not as strong as the odor generated from the wet smoke. Thanks to all this, our technicians can use less aggressive techniques, tools and cleaners with dry smoke.

Wet smoke always has at least one liquid component; often some solvent or varnish. This gives it a higher amount of aerosol which makes the smoke residue harder to remove. Since this is a slower burning fire, air is not circulated as quickly, and the wet smoke has more time to work itself into crevices and discolor plastic materials and furniture finish. Because of this, our technicians will need to use more aggressive tools and cleaners to try and restore furniture and other property. If the wet smoke has soaked into property for 24 hours, then it may not be possible for us to recover and restore any of it.

Rain is finally coming to California now, but the threat from smoke damage is still present. As a locally owned franchise, SERVPRO of Agoura / Calabasas / Hidden Hills stands ready to help our neighbors with their needs. If you need our services, call us today at (818) 991-6292.