How To Recognize and Clean Up Black Water Damage

7/7/2022 (Permalink)

How to Identify and Repair Black Water Damage

Three hundred gallons per day: That’s how much water the average American household uses, most of which is indoors. What happens when it doesn’t go where it’s supposed to? When water escapes the confines of the pipes and tanks that hold it, severe damage can occur. The kind of damage done is divided into three categories based on the type of water and the possibility of harmful effects:

• Clean water
• Gray water
• Black water
  
  

What's the Difference Between Black and Gray Waters?

While clean water comes from water pipes and is clear of any substances, black and gray water are contaminated. Also called category 2, gray water is residential wastewater and contains quantities of physical, chemical, or biological elements such as soap and other residues. It does not contain feces. Possible sources include a washing machine, dishwasher, or bathtub. Untreated, this category can develop further contamination and be reclassified to the next level.
Black, or category 3, water is grossly contaminated and carries high levels of biological waste such as feces, urine, and medical or other unsanitary materials. It is the most serious category. Several possible sources are broken or ruptured sewer/septic lines, backed-up toilets or other clogged sewage lines, or storm surges. This type of water damage poses the highest risk and requires fast and specialized cleaning and restoration to prevent further problems.

What Can You Do About Black Water?

A leak or flood of unsanitary material, and the resulting damage to your home, can be frustrating and stressful. Residential water contamination of all types, especially that which is highly polluted and requires sewage cleanup, needs remediation as quickly and effectively as possible. Due to the potential for health risks and progression, cleanup should be left to restoration professionals. Improperly cleaned and dried items can cause more damage over time, such as mold, foul odors, and even structural damage.
Black water can pose immediate and long-term risks to health and property. Seeking professional cleanup services in is the best way to mitigate any risks and bring you peace of mind.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Mold Growth

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

If you’ve discovered mold growth in your home, you may have a lot of questions you want answers to, such as where did it come from, is it dangerous and how can you get rid of it? Mold is frustrating, but it is not uncommon. If you want to know more about the fungi that has invaded your home, this post contains answers to some of the most common FAQs regarding mold.

• What is mold?
• Is mold dangerous?
• Where does mold come from?
• How can you decrease and prevent mold?

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungi that grows in both indoor and outdoor areas. Mold is one of those organisms that can thrive in typically uninhabitable environments, such as in dark places with high humidity or, in more rare instances, in extremely dry environments.

Is Mold Dangerous?

Mold growth is dangerous in that it can eat away at your home’s foundation and structure and, over time, render it uninhabitable. If you do not deal with water damage and resulting mold in a timely fashion, your floorboards may become week, your ceiling may start to sag and your drywall may begin to crumble. These are all hazards that could pose a threat to your safety and well-being.

Where Does Mold Grow?

Mold typically thrives in dark, damp environments, but it has been known to flourish in dry environments as well. If you suspect that there is mold in your home, begin by checking in areas in which there is high humidity, little ventilation and little natural light.

How Can You Prevent Mold?

You can prevent mold by fixing moisture problems as soon as you notice them and by working with a mold remediation team. The best thing you can do to prevent fungus growth is to keep water damage at bay.

If you discover mold growth in your home, you may be feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. If the problem is new, however, don’t panic, as damage is probably minimal. Do call your local remediation team for cleanup and prevention assistance.

How To Decide When To Call In The Pros

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

How To Decide When To Call In The Pros To Clean Up Water Damage

Water damage in your home can occur from a number of different sources ranging from outdoor flood damage, roof damage that lets in precipitation to interior causes such as a burst pipe or overflowing washer causing flood damage. Obviously, the longer water sits, the more water damage it is likely to cause. In addition, damage mitigation of water that comes from a clean interior source such as a pipe or washing machine is also easier than damage mitigation from flooding or a sewer issue. In some cases, whether it is water in your home or water in your business, you absolutely want to call in professionals to deal with the issue. However, there are some types of water damage restoration - particularly if it is water in your home - you might want to tackle on your own. For water in your business, there is the additional issue of valuable electronics, which are more susceptible to water damage and require different restoration and mitigation techniques. For water in your home, however, here is brief overview of how drying and water cleanup should occur.

1. Lift furniture

Once you have cleaned and evacuated the majority of the water, your best friends in the final stages of water cleanup, restoration and drying are air and heat. For restoration and damage mitigation in floors in particular, getting the best airflow possible means getting furniture up above the surface of the floor so as not to block the airflow. In addition, you will also want to protect the legs and lower surfaces of furniture from wicking up the water and leaving stains once it dries. Drying out carpeting and flooring is also important and lifting furniture will aid in the drying process.

2. Remove baseboards and drill large holes in the bottom of drywall

Drywall is not only dry, it also acts like a sponge, which means it will wick water high up into the walls where you can't see it because it's covered by paint. The paint also acts as a protective barrier that will keep air from being able to dry out the drywall. Drilling holes in the bottom of the drywall allows air to get inside the walls and dry out the drywall from the side that is not covered by paint. Drilling the holes in the bottom of the drywall also means they will be covered up once you replace the baseboards.

3. Spray a strong disinfectant on the walls

Mold, mildew and bacteria thrive in moist environments. To make sure that you do not have long-term mildew damage, be sure and spray any carpets and walls with a strong disinfectant or anti-bacterial spray. Also keep in mind that many insurance companies will cover flood recovery, but they will not cover mold and mildew damage, since that should have been taken care of in the initial recovery. This is something to consider when deciding whether or not to call in pros to recover from flood damage.

4. Set up industrial fans, an industrial dehumidifier and crank up the heat

While regular household fans might be enough to create a cool breeze, they are not powerful enough to create a strong enough wind current to climb up high into your walls. Heat will help water evaporate, and dry air will absorb the water as it evaporates, but you have to then remove the water from the saturated air so it will absorb more moisture, which you do with the dehumidifier. You want to keep doors and windows tightly sealed during this process, so you may want to leave the house while the heat and fans do their work.

Water in your home will create damage if left standing long enough but water in your business has the potential to create even more damage due to the presence of more electronics. For water in your business, you will most likely want to call in the pros to do the water cleanup. Even in your home, however, water cleanup from flood damage can be pricey even if you do all the work yourself.

The cost of renting industrial fans and an industrial dehumidifier might be comparable to hiring professionals to do it for you and you can be sure if you hire professionals that it is done properly and does not result in even costlier mold damage.

3 Advantages of Using SERVPRO's Document Restoration Service

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

3 Advantages of Using SERVPRO's Document Restoration Service

One of the most devastating effects of a flood or other disaster in a commercial setting is damage to — or the loss of — valuable documents, such as client files, accounting ledgers, contracts, books, photographs, blueprints, documents with original signatures, and other important papers. SERVPRO is the industry leader in water damage remediation, including document restoration. Its acclaimed document drying process features several unique elements that stand out from the competition.

1. Specialized Restoration Facility
First, water-damaged documents are transported to a secure, specialized restoration facility where they are entered into an advanced digital inventory system. Each restoration facility is managed by specially trained technicians who have received HIPAA Master certification. These secure facilities are closely always monitored and have the capacity to accommodate even large commercial recovery needs.

2. Advanced Cleaning and Drying Techniques
At the document facility, a team of experienced restoration specialists evaluate the damage to documents and then utilize state-of-the-art document restoration methods to repair the damage. SERVPRO’s inventive vacuum free-drying technique, for example, is the same method that the U.S. Library of Congress uses to restore priceless historical documents and is the only document drying technique that has been approved by the General Services Administration and the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Technicians then employ an advanced gamma irradiation procedure to disinfect and deodorize documents.

3. Digital Archiving Service
One highly valuable but sometimes overlooked benefit of the restoration process is the digital archiving process. At the drying facility, each water-damaged document becomes a part of a computerized document inventory. The restored documents are also scanned into this inventory. The result is that all paper documents that enter the facility are converted into a high-quality digital format. These digital versions can then be uploaded and stored, safe from any future physical damage.
Wet documents can cause devastating and costly losses. Fortunately, SERVPRO’s document restoration professionals are always ready if disaster strikes.

What To Do When Mold Comes Back

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, any home could be affected by mold long before homeowners are aware that there's a problem. Situations such as a leaky roof or a weak pipe in your plumbing system could cause water to accumulate slowly, creating an ideal situation for black mold to settle in and colonize. It only takes a couple of days for mold to spread throughout your entire home.

• Mold reproduces by spreading spores.
• Spores can travel great distances.
• In the right conditions, spores develop into colonies.
• Spores produce more mold cells.

Be on the Lookout

If you've noticed mold in your home, there's a good chance you took immediate steps to counteract the problem with a thorough mold cleanup. Sadly, there's an equal possibility that the mold came back. This is because mold is a living organism. It has survival mechanisms and has adapted to withstand harsh environments. Even after you've cleaned it up once, if the right conditions still exist, new spores could settle into the area and lead to additional black mold growth.

Take Constant Prevention Steps

With the understanding that mold can never be thoroughly removed from your home, your next step is to practice prevention and ongoing maintenance. Simple DIY strategies such as cleaning with vinegar and immediately drying up water leaks can go a long way toward slowing down mold growth.

Contact a Professional Response Team

When these steps aren't enough, it is time to call in the professionals. For example, you may have consistent mold stains in your bathroom that return every time you clean them. In this case, you should hire mold remediation professionals who can get to areas behind the drywall to remove moisture or repair leaks.

Don't Give Up!

Black mold is often hard to eliminate, but it isn't impossible. When you see visible signs of mold, your first step should be to contact a professional. Before then, try to keep moisture levels low and thoroughly clean up any spilled water or leaks. Use a dehumidifier in your home, and provide plenty of ventilation. Ongoing prevention is the best protection against this home intruder.

How to Clean a Gas Range

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

How to Clean a Gas Cooktop

A gas range may seem more difficult to clean than a glass top electric stove. In fact, these ranges typically require less scraping or specialized tools. Follow these seven range cleaning steps to safely clean your stove and eliminate any smoke smell.

1. Clean As You Go

Remove spatters and stains with a damp paper towel or washable cloth during and after cooking. This is the easiest way to prevent a range from becoming grimy and more difficult to deep clean.

2. Remove and Soak Grates

Take the grates off of the gas range and soak them in a sink filled with hot, soapy water. Wait several minutes before using a cleaning brush or old toothbrush to scrub off debris.

3. Spray and Wipe

Wipe off any crumbs or debris and then spray the surface with a mixture of one part white vinegar to one part water. Wait several minutes before wiping. Use soap or a specialized cleaning product for severe stains.

4. Scrub Stains

Make circular motions with the small cleaning brush. Wipe up debris with a damp paper towel or cleaning cloth.

5. Remove and Soak Burner Caps

Once the rest of the stove is clean and dry, remove the burner caps. Soak and scrub stains off of these components.

6. Lift and Clean Burner Heads

Lift straight up on burner heads and clean underneath. Use a needle or pin to clear out notches.

7. Lift and Vacuum the Range

Release the spring hinges or pins to lift the range. Use a vacuum attachment to remove crumbs from the inside of the range.

These seven range cleaning methods can help to keep your gas range clean and reduce the risk and severity of grease fires. If a fire does start in the kitchen of your home, seek the equipment and expertise of mitigation and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Fort Smith!

Yuck! There's Mold in the Washing Machine

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can creep up in unlikely places in your house. Sometimes it shows up on shower walls, under sinks, around AC units, underneath flooring or in the washing machine. If your clothes washer gets moldy, you don't want to put your laundry inside and regret the fact that it comes out smelly. Instead, you need to clean it. Thankfully, you can get help from residential mold cleaners who know exactly how to tackle this issue.

How To Clean the Washer

Your mold experts will come in to help you remove the fungus from your washer. The main steps for removing the mold smell include the following:

• Wipe away the surface mold, mildew and grime.
• Use odor-removing mixtures to kill the smell.
• Make sure the fungus is killed by using a commercial-grade cleaner.
  
  

After the team has cleaned your machine, you will be able to resume washing your dirty laundry without the fear of it coming out smelling musty.

How To Keep the Washer Mold Free

Even though the mold is gone, it could come back. After all, you still have to wash clothes, so what can you do to make sure the moisture doesn't build up in your washing machine? You need to do a little preventative work. Most front-load washers use a rubber gasket to seal the door. This seal does exactly what it was designed to do; it traps in water. You can help air out the machine by leaving the door open when you're not using it. You may also want to wipe the drum and behind the gasket with a clean, dry towel when you're done with laundry for the day. Switching to a high-efficiency detergent could also help stave off mold buildup.

Your washing machine creates the perfect environment for mold growth. Giving the appliance a thorough cleaning can help get rid of fungus, but you need to change a few habits if you want to keep mold growth away.

How To Decide When To Call In The Pros

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

Mold spores have grown and spread on an inner wood structure.

How To Decide When To Call In The Pros To Clean Up Water Damage

Water damage in your home can occur from a number of different sources ranging from outdoor flood damage, roof damage that lets in precipitation to interior causes such as a burst pipe or overflowing washer causing flood damage. Obviously, the longer water sits, the more water damage it is likely to cause. In addition, damage mitigation of water that comes from a clean interior source such as a pipe or washing machine is also easier than damage mitigation from flooding or a sewer issue. In some cases, whether it is water in your home or water in your business, you absolutely want to call in professionals to deal with the issue. However, there are some types of water damage restoration - particularly if it is water in your home - you might want to tackle on your own. For water in your business, there is the additional issue of valuable electronics, which are more susceptible to water damage and require different restoration and mitigation techniques. For water in your home, however, here is brief overview of how drying and water cleanup should occur.

1. Lift furniture

Once you have cleaned and evacuated the majority of the water, your best friends in the final stages of water cleanup, restoration and drying are air and heat. For restoration and damage mitigation in floors in particular, getting the best airflow possible means getting furniture up above the surface of the floor so as not to block the airflow. In addition, you will also want to protect the legs and lower surfaces of furniture from wicking up the water and leaving stains once it dries. Drying out carpeting and flooring is also important and lifting furniture will aid in the drying process.

2. Remove baseboards and drill large holes in the bottom of drywall

Drywall is not only dry, it also acts like a sponge, which means it will wick water high up into the walls where you can't see it because it's covered by paint. The paint also acts as a protective barrier that will keep air from being able to dry out the drywall. Drilling holes in the bottom of the drywall allows air to get inside the walls and dry out the drywall from the side that is not covered by paint. Drilling the holes in the bottom of the drywall also means they will be covered up once you replace the baseboards.

3. Spray a strong disinfectant on the walls

Mold, mildew and bacteria thrive in moist environments. To make sure that you do not have long-term mildew damage, be sure and spray any carpets and walls with a strong disinfectant or anti-bacterial spray. Also keep in mind that many insurance companies will cover flood recovery, but they will not cover mold and mildew damage, since that should have been taken care of in the initial recovery. This is something to consider when deciding whether or not to call in pros to recover from flood damage.

4. Set up industrial fans, an industrial dehumidifier and crank up the heat

While regular household fans might be enough to create a cool breeze, they are not powerful enough to create a strong enough wind current to climb up high into your walls. Heat will help water evaporate, and dry air will absorb the water as it evaporates, but you have to then remove the water from the saturated air so it will absorb more moisture, which you do with the dehumidifier. You want to keep doors and windows tightly sealed during this process, so you may want to leave the house while the heat and fans do their work.

Water in your home will create damage if left standing long enough but water in your business has the potential to create even more damage due to the presence of more electronics. For water in your business, you will most likely want to call in the pros to do the water cleanup. Even in your home, however, water cleanup from flood damage can be pricey even if you do all the work yourself.

The cost of renting industrial fans and an industrial dehumidifier might be comparable to hiring professionals to do it for you and you can be sure if you hire professionals that it is done properly and does not result in even costlier mold damage.

3 Advantages of Using SERVPRO's Document Restoration Service

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Wet documents can cause devastating and costly losses.

3 Advantages of Using SERVPRO's Document Restoration Service

One of the most devastating effects of a flood or other disaster in a commercial setting is damage to — or the loss of — valuable documents, such as client files, accounting ledgers, contracts, books, photographs, blueprints, documents with original signatures, and other important papers. SERVPRO is the industry leader in water damage remediation, including document restoration. Its acclaimed document drying process features several unique elements that stand out from the competition.

1. Specialized Restoration Facility
First, water-damaged documents are transported to a secure, specialized restoration facility where they are entered into an advanced digital inventory system. Each restoration facility is managed by specially trained technicians who have received HIPAA Master certification. These secure facilities are closely always monitored and have the capacity to accommodate even large commercial recovery needs.

2. Advanced Cleaning and Drying Techniques
At the document facility, a team of experienced restoration specialists evaluate the damage to documents and then utilize state-of-the-art document restoration methods to repair the damage. SERVPRO’s inventive vacuum free-drying technique, for example, is the same method that the U.S. Library of Congress uses to restore priceless historical documents and is the only document drying technique that has been approved by the General Services Administration and the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Technicians then employ an advanced gamma irradiation procedure to disinfect and deodorize documents.

3. Digital Archiving Service
One highly valuable but sometimes overlooked benefit of the restoration process is the digital archiving process. At the drying facility, each water-damaged document becomes a part of a computerized document inventory. The restored documents are also scanned into this inventory. The result is that all paper documents that enter the facility are converted into a high-quality digital format. These digital versions can then be uploaded and stored, safe from any future physical damage.
Wet documents can cause devastating and costly losses. Fortunately, SERVPRO’s document restoration professionals are always ready if disaster strikes.

Why Your Restoration Service Looks for Secondary Damage

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Why Your Restoration Service Looks for Secondary Damage

After a flood at your place of business, it’s possible for secondary damage such as black mold, warped wood, or rusting metal to occur. Fortunately, your local water damage restoration service is already trained to look for these types of damages. Here are a few things you may want to know about why they do this.

1. What Secondary Damage Is

This type of damage is any damage that occurs as a result of the original damage. For example, high humidity after flooding can lean to mold problems, or could cause softening and crumbling of drywall. Wood can have warping from soaking in floodwater, and metal can rust leading to compromised integrity of plumbing fastenings.

2. How It Affects the Property

There are a number of ways this can affect your business property. Any type of mold, including black mold, can feed on the organic components of the building material weakening it. Warped wood can lead to uneven flooring, and rusting metal may cause issues with areas such as plumbing leading to additional long term problems. All of this can also cause the property to lose value.

3. What a Restoration Crew Can Do

A restoration team has been trained to deal with a variety of damage types. These include the damages that may be classified as secondary. In many cases they can clean the area and begin repairs, both restoring and replacing materials as needed. With a little time that can have the business looking “Like it never even happened.”

Secondary damage can take a number of forms, including black mold. This can negatively affect the property and reduce both it’s integrity and it’s value. Fortunately, your local restoration service can help conduct clean up, repairs, cleaning, and sometimes can help with prevention as well. If you have any questions the restoration team should be able to help.

Do You Have a Mold Problem?

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Do You Have a Mold Problem?

Sometimes something just seems off. As a business owner you know your building. You understand how it works, and you can feel when the premises are different. In fact, your chances of spore growth are likely if you can answer yes to any of the following three questions below. If you do, then reach to an indoor environmental specialist for guidance in locating and eradicating the hazard.

1. Do You See Spots?
One of the more common signs of fungal growth is the development of blackish spots, signs that spores are reproducing. Using a household cleaner is a common first line of defense. However, those spots are only an external sign of an internal problem. Chances are you have a leak inside the walls. If that's the case, the spots are a signal of a serious issue that needs attention. Have the source fixed, and call in a mold restoration company to complete a mold test. These professionals can determine the extent of the infestation.

2. Is There a Strange Odor?
Not all contamination is visibly evident. In fact, sometimes one of the first signs is a musty odor, a by-product of spores breeding. In this situation, you'll need to uncover the location of the trouble. Work with an indoor environmental specialist. This expert has high tech equipment systems and can conduct a thorough investigation into the situation, pinpointing where you need to attack.

3. Have You Experienced a Flood?
Anytime water exposure increases mold growth could happen. Flooding, particularly, leaves businesses vulnerable. The deluge not only brings a dramatic increase in moisture, but the fluid also transfers high levels of microorganisms. It's the perfect storm for pollution. Those little microbes just dig on deep into anything porous. It may not be noticed at first, but you'll want a mold and water remediation crew to immediately attend to the premises. They should dry out the humidity and tear ruined materials.
If you suspect mold development, look for signs. Spots, odor, and water accumulation are primary indicators. Then, work with an indoor environmental specialist to find the extent of the invasion.

3 Ways To Eliminate a Moldy Smell

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Use The Following Three Tips To Remove Mold Odor

The signs of mold are not always so simple: It's not always a crumbling wall or the gathering of black fuzzy spots. Often, it's the subtle hint of a strange odor, a byproduct of the fungus's mycotoxin release. If your nose senses something off, you can try to take care of it. Homeowners can tackle the problem using the following three tips.

1. Have the Air Unit Cleaned

Sometimes the musty odor develops from mold growth in the air unit. All of those vents help pull in moisture from your home, keeping the place cool; however, sometimes, that humidity sticks in there, allowing microbes to grow; thus, you get a smell. Call out a service to inspect and scrub the system.

2. Purchase a Filtration System

Concerned about what you're inhaling? You can pull out the mycotoxin from the air using a HEPA air filtration device. By removing the chemical release, you decrease the funk, allowing you to breathe easier. Just be aware that this doesn't eliminate it from the source, though. Explore further to find where it's coming from.

3. Remove Contaminated Materials

While the smell is irritating, the main issue is that you have spores growing in the house. You need to find them and remove them; otherwise, the scent could only grow worse. Call a mold remediation company in Naples Lakes, FL, to assess the premises, determining the source of the trouble. A leaky pipe behind a wall could be the complication. Once it's found, tear out everything with mold on it. Allow the crew to sanitize the section and restore it to its initial condition.
It's unpleasant to get a whiff of mycotoxin, filling the house with stuffy smell. Attack it by seeking help from professionals. Work with your air conditioner company and mold team to find the growth, remove it and rebuild. Then, purchase a HEPA air filtration unit that maintains a healthy circulation for your entire family.

5 Essential Mold Prevention Tips

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

Keep your gutters clean.

Use These Essential Tips

Mold is one of the most feared infestations for homeowners. Where there's moisture, water damage and organic matter to snack on, mold will inevitably appear. That doesn't mean that you make the necessary precautions to keep this home invader out, however. Use these essential tips to help keep your home clean.

1. Control your home's humidity: Humid conditions can create an excess of moisture that attracts mold. If you notice condensation forming on your windows and walls, then your home's humidity is definitely too high.

2. Keep your home properly ventilated: Routine household activities, such as cooking and showering, can generate moisture. It's important to properly ventilate this moisture, not only to prevent mold growth, but to also avoid unwanted water damage.

3. Opt for mold-resistant products: Believe it or not, there is such thing as mold-resistant drywall and paint inhibitors. Installing these products can help you avoid a costly mold remediation session further down the road.

4. Protect your household plants: You might think your plants are there to help keep your air clean, but they aren't completely safe from mold. Overwatering your plants can result in a buildup of excessive moisture, which is an inviting place for a wayward fungus to settle down.

5. Manage your gutters: Neglecting to clean out your gutters regularly can cause water to build up and potentially leak through your roof. Prevent this issue by taking the time to routinely scoop out gunk and repair any damage as soon as you discover it.
Mold prevention is manageable when you take the time to set the proper precautions. Even so, you might still fall victim to a mold infestation. If you've experienced any type of recent water damage, it's a good idea to contact mold remediation experts to perform a thorough mold inspection. You can never be too careful when it comes to keeping your property clean.

Finding Mold in Your Air Conditioner Ducts

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth in air duct system

Know The Signs Of Mold

Most offices, stores and other businesses clean their carpets, bathrooms and have regular pest control. One important task that gets missed is HVAC cleaning. Since it only has to be done twice per year, it is an easy task to forget. Unfortunately, forgetting can cause mold to build inside your ducts, which reduces your HVAC system's efficiency. Since you cannot see inside your ductwork, you should know the signs of mold.

Look for Moisture
If you have moisture, chances are you have mold. You will need to look for moisture in/on your:

• Air ducts
• Indoor unit
• Outdoor unit
• Vent covers
• Drainage pipe

Moisture can include standing water or sweating on the surface of your unit.

Look Inside Your Vents
Although you cannot look inside your ductwork, you can look inside your vents. Start by cleaning vents and opening them as wide as possible. If you want, you can remove the vent covers entirely. Then look inside. Look for white, grey or black spots inside the vent. If you see any of these, you need an HVAC cleaning due to mold buildup.

Follow Unusual Smells
When you turn your HVAC unit on for the first time in the spring or fall, it is normal to smell burning dust. It is not normal to smell anything earthy. Mold smells similar to rotting wood or leaves. If you have an unusual smell, track down where it is coming from, and you should find the problem.

Call In the Professionals
If you are unsure whether you have mold or not, it is time to call in the professionals. Not only can they help you find out if you have an HVAC mold problem, they can also take care of it for you.
A good HVAC cleaning is beneficial, particularly if you suspect that you have a mold problem. It also helps your system run more efficiently and prevents future issues.

Salvaging Belonging with Mold Damage

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage

When unexpected water penetrates your home, it can quickly lead to mold damage. If not caught in time, it can spread to precious belongings that may seem unsalvageable. Before tossing cherished items or figuring out how to budget to replace expensive items, know that a professional mold cleaning service may help you save more than you thought.

Professional Cleaning Methods

Seeking the help of a mold remediation and restoration expert means placing your belongings in the hands of certified experts who have to the tools and know-how to get your home back in order. Along with assessing the damage and finding potential hidden fungus lurking in the structure, they have high-tech industrial techniques to clean and sanitize sensitive items. Depending on the severity of damage and type of item, the following mold cleaning methods are used:

Dry Cleaning – Pre-cleaning and light residue removal
Wet Cleaning – Removes heavy residues
Spray and Wipe – Used when wet cleaning isn’t possible
Foam Cleaning – Cleans fabrics that may bleed
Abrasive Cleaning – Agitation method for surface cleaning
Immersion Cleaning – Items dipped in a cleaning solution bath

Along with cleaning more durable items, more sensitive possessions, such as artwork or electronics, can also be cleaned. For TVs, computers, DVD players, and similar devices, the cleaning process starts with the exterior to prevent corrosion and then is inspected and further cleaned by a technician certified to handle electronics. Photographs and documents may not always be salvageable, but a professional uses various drying techniques to restore them.

Keeping Belongings Safe
In many cases, some belongings will need to be removed from the home and taken to a safe, secure cleaning facility. Along with the confidence that many items won’t have to be tossed, the experts also keep a secure inventory of all items to be cleaned.
Mold cleaning is an extensive process, but saving your prized belongings is worth it. For many items, using a professional can help you get back to “Like it never even happened.”

Faster Water Cleanup

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

When your home becomes a victim of a disaster that is spreading quickly throughout the property, you want to know that a phone call can retrieve experienced professionals with the ability to clean up the mess before your home becomes irreparably damaged. You need effective solutions to the water loss incident fast, and our franchise professionals can respond quickly to offer real-time results to the emergency in progress.

When a water disaster occurs, you need prompt water cleanup services. Many homeowners can quickly discover that recovering their home from substantial water loss situations can be overwhelming, and even stopping the source of the damage can prove problematic. For example, many residents have shut off valves for the water supply into the plumbing for their home, but few know where this shut off is, let alone how to access it if it is not out in the open. In these scenarios, you need a professional crew that can arrive shortly after you call with the expertise and experience to shut off the source of the water damage and begin effective strategies to preserve the property through extraction, drying and cleanup efforts.

Our SERVPRO of Fort Smith professionals are a wise choice for restoring your home and mitigating the initial loss you could experience due to our commitment to having highly trained technicians available to our customers. Through the steps required to obtain the water restoration certification through the industry standard-setting organization IICRC, to our continued online and in-house educational opportunities, we can offer technicians prepared for a wide range of potential effects from significant water loss incidents to a property.

You often do not have the time to spare to get the damage and excess cleaned up when facing water loss incidents on the property. Instead of spending valuable time clicking through reviews on the internet, you can trust in the fast response and vast experience of our SERVPRO of Fort Smith water restoration specialists. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (479) 452-8282.

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Fort Smith Home

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Fort Smith Home

SERVPRO of Fort Smith is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Fort Smith

SERVPRO of Fort Smith specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Coronavirus COVID-19

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

Across the nation and the world as a whole, coronavirus is the top headline as everyone tries to comprehend the situation.

Experts are saying the virus seems to be hardest on the elderly and health-compromised populations, while children and young people are not affected as seriously. However, it is important we all do our part to help stop the spread of this illness.

Because the situation is changing rapidly, it is important to continue referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most up-to-date information related to the response. 

• SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
• SERVPRO is performing all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities.
• SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.
• There is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the Coronavirus.
• Proactive cleaning will not prevent or protect the building from future contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration, we can minimize the spread of germs with a proactive cleaning for your home or business. Give us a call at 479-452-8282

Why SERVPRO? The Professional Packout & Content Restoration Company for Your Home or Business

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO®? We’re the professional packout and content restoration company for your home or business. 

You’ve had a minor fire at your place of residence or establishment. One of the many things that crosses your mind is all your sentimental valuables. Everything is affected: your autographed balls, cards, and photos from your favorite sports team, your family heirloom, your framed picture frame that contains all your degrees, and the list goes on. Just ruined. Or so you think. 

When you’re faced with something as overwhelming and stressful as that, you need someone to come in to turn that into a stress-free situation. That’s where our heroes here at SERVPRO® of Fort Smith come in. Our heroes save the day by making it "Like it never even happened."® 

When you have fire damage at your home or business, our team can properly pack out your belongings and perform content restoration. We’ll treat you with respect and empathy, and we’ll always treat your home or business and belongings with care.  

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, SERVPRO® Fort Smith can conduct an organized, efficient move-out/pack-out of the affected area. Move-out will provide several benefits, including:

• A quicker remodeling process
• Protecting items from potential damage
• Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Content Restoration 

If your belongings are affected by fire damage, we can restore them with content restoration. SERVPRO® of Fort Smith’s expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your belongings to determine what items we can restore to pre-fire condition. We use several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

If you ever wonder why SERVPRO®, it’s because we’re the professional packout and content restoration company for your home or business. We have specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment. We can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition. Allow us to take on your next fire damage job. Call our One Team MVPs at 479-452-8282.

We are Cleaning Experts

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are
specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope
of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures,
toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails

• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus.
Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no
product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local
authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Fort Smith, 479-452-8282

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-preventspread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F
%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-preventspread.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Fort Smith Home

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Fort Smith Home

SERVPRO of Fort Smith is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Fort Smith

SERVPRO of Fort Smith specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Why SERVPRO? Deeply Invested in You, Your Family, Your Business, Your Community

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Blog | SERVPRO Franchise Website Administration

When you need a leading franchiser of residential and commercial property damage restoration services, you need and want the best. So, why SERVPRO®? We’re deeply invested in you, your family, your business, your community. And that’s exactly who and what SERVPRO of Fort Smith is.

Speaking of deeply invested, Blackstone is deeply invested in SERVPRO®. On March 26, 2019, according to SERVPRO’s blog post, “SERVPRO® and Blackstone (NYSE:BX) announced that private equity funds managed by Blackstone (“Blackstone”) have recapitalized SERVPRO®, a leading franchiser of residential and commercial property damage restoration services. Blackstone is acquiring a majority stake in SERVPRO® as part of Blackstone’s Core Private Equity strategy, which is designed to hold investments for much longer periods of time than traditional private equity.” This is just one other reason “why SERVPRO®.” If Blackstone, one of the world's leading investment firms, a multi-billion dollar investment company, strategically chose to invest in SERVPRO®, why wouldn’t you?! This speaks volumes. In fact, Peter Wallace, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, said, “We are excited to make this investment…”

SERVPRO® of Fort Smith is continually investing and reinvesting our resources so we can better serve our customers, to fulfill our vision of becoming the premier cleaning and restoration company, which affords us the opportunity to be there for you, for your family, for your business, for your community in your time of need. We are constantly making strategic decisions and moves for our continued success, and future growth. It’s all about growth. David Kestnbaum, Managing Director at Blackstone, said, “SERVPRO® is a high-quality company with a strong management team and great long-term prospects. We look forward to working with SERVPRO® and its franchisees to help fuel the business’ next phase of growth.” We are humbled and blessed for this strategic partnership with Blackstone.

The next time your home or business needs property damage restoration services, give us the opportunity to best serve you, your family, your business, your community, so you can tell us your why. Your next fire damage, water damage, mold damage, storm damage … we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."® Why SERVPRO®? Because we are deeply invested in you, your family, your business, your community. Will you give us your next restoration job? Call 479-452-8282 to do so. We thank you in advance.

SERVPRO Specializes in Storm and Flood Damage

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Fort Smith specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 479-452-8282

Never Stop Learning

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

The Marketing Team

SERVPRO of Fort Smith attended meetings in Little Rock this week with several other SERVPRO franchises. We, here at SERVPRO, believe it is our duty to make sure we educate ourselves so that we can educate you. When disaster strikes you want to know where to turn and who to turn to. SERVPRO is the answer! We are constantly evaluating ourselves to make sure we are the best!  We strive to learn every facet of mitigation and restoration so that we can do our jobs more efficiently everyday.  Getting your life back to normal or getting your business back in full operation is what we shoot for on every job.  Thanks for choosing SERVPRO of Fort Smith.

Call us for any of your disaster needs 479-452-8282.  Let us fix it "Like it never even happened."

Facebook Live Broadcasts

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Every week, SERVPRO Fort Smith go live on Facebook sharing facts and tips helping the general public with simple, frontline, easy-to-do emergency mitigation tips for the inexperienced homeowner, renter, or facilities manager of any type or size of area.

Whether it is a commercial facility or a residential property our SERVPRO crew knows just what our community is looking for. As our Business Development team is on the ground speaking to customers and property owners, we incorporate those conversations into quick handy tips. Those tips are then shared weekly on Facebook. You can watch our live broadcasts and interact with your favorite host once a week, every Friday at 3 P.M. central time. to receive your SERVPRO Live broadcast go to SERVPRO Fort Smith on Facebook, like our page, and get access to all the great, wonderful, and sometimes life saving tips. 

We Were Ranked #12 of 1,020 Franchises in 2018

3/19/2019 (Permalink)

Fort Gibson business ranks high in company

by: Muskogee Phoenix

• Feb 9, 2018

FORT GIBSON - SERVPRO, a cleanup and restoration franchise company, continues to dominate its segment of Entrepreneur magazines Franchise 500 list, receiving top ranking in the Restoration Services industry for the 15th consecutive year. 

Arthur Kelley, owner of SERVPRO of Muskogee/McIntosh counties and Tahlequah and SERVPRO of Fort Smith, said the company also achieved the number 12 spot overall in the prestigious rankings, standing out in a record-breaking group of more than 1,020 franchises qualified for the 2018 list.

Contact SERVPRO of Fort Smith today for any of your fire, water, storm disaster needs at 479-452-8282.  You can trust us to be here and ready to help!  Like it never even happened!

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Fort Smith Home

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Fort Smith Home

SERVPRO of Fort Smith is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Fort Smith

SERVPRO of Fort Smith specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Fort Smith basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today 

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Fort Smith and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help