How Can I Protect My Home From Mold?

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is a fungus that grows in damp, dark places.

How Can I Protect My Home From Mold?

Mold is a fungus that grows in damp, dark places. It can grow almost anywhere if there's moisture present, including inside the home. It typically starts as a small spot on an indoor surface—your bedding or clothes, for example—and then spreads as the spores develop and spread.

Mold can be found on almost any type of material or surface because it thrives in damp environments with little light and air circulation. Some common places you might find mold include:

• Bathrooms (bathtubs and showers)
• Basements
• Rugs/carpets
• Ceilings

Places Likely to Develop Mold

Mold is more likely to grow in areas that are warm and humid. However, mold can also grow on surfaces that are dry, as long as there is moisture in the air for it to condense on.

Some of these places include:

• Bathrooms: Shower curtains can collect mold if they're not cleaned regularly. A leaky toilet or sink can cause water damage and create a damp environment where mold thrives; it's not uncommon for this kind of damage to go unnoticed until you notice a musty smell coming from your bathroom.
• Damp basements: Basements should never be left unoccupied for extended periods of time without being adequately aired out (either by opening windows or running an exhaust fan). This is because basements tend to stay humid due to their location below ground level and proximity to moisture-holding soil and concrete walls—both of which can trap humidity even during summer months when air temperatures are higher outside than inside your house!  You'll also want to keep any windows facing northward closed during winter months so they don’t get covered in snowdrifts—this will help prevent cold drafts from carrying off all those nasty allergens you’ve got stuck inside them all season long!

React Quickly

When mold is left untreated, it can cause damage to your home and be a fire hazard. In addition, the longer you allow mold to grow in your home, the more expensive it becomes to remove it.

Waterproof Your Walls

If you have an older home, it could be that the walls are not completely waterproof. You can purchase a sealant at your local hardware store or home improvement store and apply it to your baseboards and window frames to help prevent water damage. You should also make sure that any doors in the house are sealed properly as well (you may need to replace them if they're not). If you have a crawlspace under your house or garage, consider sealing this area too.

Finally, you can use a sealant on any visible areas of drywall since mold will often begin growing behind them before spreading throughout the rest of the wall cavity.

If you want to go above and beyond when considering how to protect yourself from mold from leaking pipes or roof damage due to hurricanes/tornadoes/etc., consider hiring an expert who specializes in waterproofing techniques for homes like yours!

Preventing Mold Growth

As you can see, mold is a common problem in homes. Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to prevent mold from growing in your home or on its surfaces.

• Keep humidity levels low (around 30%) by using exhaust fans when cooking or taking showers, opening windows during humid months, and using dehumidifiers when necessary.
• Use ventilation systems to keep air circulating throughout the house. If you don't have a ventilation system, make sure your windows are open at least one inch per square foot of room size per day; this will help equalize temperature levels throughout the house more efficiently than just opening doors with no extra circulation (which may actually increase humidity).
• Repair leaky plumbing pipes as soon as they're discovered—leaky sinks, toilets, and faucets will all contribute to higher humidity levels if left unattended!

If you're not sure whether or not it's time to take action against mold, consider these signs: There are patches of black or green mold growing on walls or ceilings; You have found mold growing in places where there shouldn't be any moisture (like behind cabinets); The house smells musty or damp at times when it shouldn't (like after a rainstorm).

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, contact SERVPRO of Sri Cities West/Franklin County today. We will remediate the mold in your Franklin County home and get you back to normal quickly. 

4 Ways SERVPRO Helps With Claims

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO restoration specialists are available 24/7 to clean up after fire, water, mold and more.

4 Ways SERVPRO Can Assist With Claims

Experiencing a disaster at a Benton City, WA, business causes feelings of frustration and stress. Frustration is a common reaction because disasters hinder your normal workday. Stress is also a typical response to emergency situations because there is increased concern for the well-being of employees, as well as the need to work with insurance companies to handle claim services. Fortunately, there are four ways that an emergency response team assists business owners with claims to reduce these stresses.

1. Emergency Disaster Response

Fire, flooding and storms wreak havoc, and the longer the situation is left unattended, the more damage is done. SERVPRO offers a team of professionals with the training and skills to quickly attend to any situation. Restoration specialists are available 24/7 to clean up after fire, water, mold and more. A fast response to any disaster reduces damage by enabling businesses to restore items rather than replace them.

2. Pretesting

Another way that emergency specialists assist with claim services is by performing pretesting. Trained technicians inspect items before throwing them out, evaluating furniture and belongings to see if they can be restored.

3. Electronic Claims

Business owners and insurance adjusters are busy people, and disasters only add to their amount of work. Fortunately, SERVPRO has a claims information center that enables all parties to see claims electronically. Electronic job files contain important information such as loss info and photos, estimates, pending jobs and completed jobs.

4. Best Practices

Finally, insurance companies want to ensure that a restoration job is handled correctly. SERVPRO outperforms the competition by ensuring that all franchises meet the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration’s certification requirements. Insurance companies and business owners can rest assured that their cleanup and restoration project is done correctly.

Take advantage of the claim services offered by emergency response specialists. The amount of frustration and stress you experience can be decreased by utilizing their expertise.

The Many Benefits of Operating a SERVPRO Franchise

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO franchise may be your best option if you want to be a part of a successful business model.

The Numerous Advantages Of Owning A SERVPRO Franchise

If you are currently looking to become part of a successful business model, a SERVPRO franchise offers a lot of potential. It begins with being part of a team that helps people in trouble all across the North American continent. Highly-trained specialists respond to companies and homeowners who have experienced a flood, fire or some other type of disaster.

You will be part of a valuable community resource. Also, you will be part of a company that offers many benefits to you personally. As emergency restoration services go, this franchise is always at the top of the cleanup and restoration industry's top places to work.

A List of Benefits

Operating a SERVPRO franchise in Richland, WA, means that you will always have meaningful work for your community. Weather disasters, fires and mold outbreaks are a part of life. You will also belong to a company that offers many significant advantages:

• A positive company culture
  
• A team of professional workers
  
• A company that is locally owned
  
• A critical mission to help others
• A successful business model for 53 years

While you will have flexibility, you won't be on your own. You will have access to wide-ranging corporate resources that contribute to your success.

A Variety of Options

You can decide which role is best for you, whether it is working as a certified specialist, taking on the role of a manager or owning your own franchise. Each option brings you into a company that started in 1967 and is still going strong. Perhaps one of the best things about the franchise is the strong relationships that have been developed over the years with customers, homeowners, insurance companies and other organizations. These relationships have been strengthened by a focus on excellence and adherence to best practices in the restoration industry.

Opportunities to become part of the SERVPRO franchise mission can be a positive step. You can decide which role suits you best.

Document Restoration for Your Business

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

When documents need to be dried, SERVPRO is a document restoration company that will respond quickly

Document Restoration for Your Company

Every business has sensitive documents it must protect. If a commercial building is damaged by fire, storm, or flood, it is crucial to respond quickly so that documents can be saved.

When documents need to be dried, timing is crucial. SERVPRO is a document restoration company in Kennewick, WA that will respond quickly to any disaster and treat your documents with professional care.

Here are some of the benefits of a professional restoration service.

1. State-of-the-Art Technology

SERVPRO uses the latest technology, including document freeze-drying and gamma irradiation. With these tools, technicians clean, dry, and deodorize documents. The freeze-drying process has been approved by General Services Administration (GSA) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

2. Transportation to a Document Restoration Facility

In the aftermath of an emergency, a team of highly trained professionals will arrive at your building and safely transport all damaged documents to a restoration facility. The facility features 24/7 surveillance and digitizing technology to ensure that the contents of the documents can be recorded in an electronic system.

3. Emergency Service Any Time

A professional restoration service with 24/7 availability ensures that even if an emergency happens in the middle of the night, you will be able to respond quickly. While waiting for the team to arrive, it is a good idea to collect all the damaged documents so that the pack-out process will go smoothly. Do not lay the documents flat or re-moisturize them.

4. Lower Recovery Costs

Professional document drying ensures that you are saving as many documents as possible. Attempting to dry or restore documents yourself may result in a lower number of documents that can be saved, which means that more time and effort must be spent replacing the documents and recovering from the situation.

Ultimately, a professional document restoration service can help your business get back on its feet as quickly as possible.

Why SERVPRO Makes the Best Choice for Business Restorations

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Choose SERVPRO because their crews are well-versed in all types of recovery situations and can begin work at any time.

Why Is SERVPRO The Best Choice For Commercial Restorations?

In the event your company suffers a catastrophic loss, you need a team of recovery experts to start the journey back to normalcy as quickly as possible. That’s what makes SERVPRO’s 24-hour service and more than 1,700 locations throughout North America so advantageous. Besides their competency at bringing offices back to life, the ability to arrive at any site in a timely fashion pushes these disaster restoration specialists above the rest.

Types of Disasters

SERVPRO handles the aftermath of many emergency scenarios in Kennewick, WA, including:

• Flooding
• Storm damage
• Mold infestations
• Electrical fires

As restoration experts, they possess the capability of making your office look “Like it never even happened.” Before you know it, your catastrophic loss will be a mere distant memory and everyday operations will have resumed.

Types of Damage Repairs

Whether the cause is a leaking roof or a broken pipe, SERVPRO’s repair wizards know what it takes to dry your location and make it safe again. Their deep cleanings provide assurance that harmful substances lurking in floodwaters have been completely removed. Rugs soaked with contaminated water will be professionally discarded. Soaked walls and floors may see mold within as little as a day. SERVPRO’s fungal-removal professionals can help keep your business free of harmful spores.

Fires can be triggered by faulty wiring, lightning strikes or nefarious activity. Computers and business records are vulnerable to fires no matter how they begin. Limit data loss by allowing SERVPRO’s electronics gurus to preserve hard drives and dry saturated documents. The value inherent in saving hard-earned data may be enough on its own to make hiring SERVPRO a worthwhile decision.

If your office is affected by a disaster and subsequent catastrophic loss, you need a fantastic repair service working on your behalf. Select SERVPRO, as their crews are properly versed in all sorts of recovery conditions and able to start work at any hour.

3 Preferred Vendor Program Advantages

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Franchise owners and employees who participate in the SERVPRO Preferred Vendor Program receive numerous benefits.

3 Benefits Of The Preferred Vendor Program

Many advantages accrue to franchise owners and employees who participate in the SERVPRO Preferred Vendor Program. Program participants are more likely to obtain approval for jobs from leading insurance agencies. Whether you are an insurance agent or prospective investor considering opening a franchise in Richland, WA, here are three advantages of partnering with or becoming a Preferred Vendor.

1. A Large Franchise Network

An extensive network consisting of more than 1,700 franchise locations across North America provides Preferred Vendor Program participants with the support necessary to deliver the highest quality of cleanup and restoration services for any commercial or residential property. When it comes to calling on specialists or summoning reinforcements for large loss events, this network enables the trusted franchises to provide a consistent level of service.

2. Established Insurer Relationships

An insurance agent can count on a straightforward dealings with a Preferred Vendor. Property owners can also rest assured that more of the total estimate calculated by this restoration franchise and provided to insurers is likely to be covered. An electronic claims center makes it easy for representatives to access information on new, in-progress and past jobs and compare costs to national industry averages.

3. Marketing Resource Access

A SERVPRO franchise that becomes a Preferred Vendor gains access to a full suite of marketing and promotional materials. Furthermore, the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification program, which is one of the most trusted bodies in the restoration industry, also has a longstanding relationship with this national company and partnered franchises.

When a restoration company in Richland, WA, is accepted into the Preferred Vendor Network, the owner and employees stand to benefit from a connection to other franchises across the continent. On the other hand, an insurance agent can count on participants in this program to provide the highest level of service for commercial and residential restoration projects.

The Dirty Reason Why Taking a Shower Can Cause Toilet Overflow

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is highly trained and experienced in water damage cleanup and restoration and we are always here to help, no matter the day or hour.

The Unsavory Reason Why Taking A Shower Can Lead To Toilet Overflow

If you have a home or business, sewage cleaning may be the farthest thing from your mind. However, something as simple as toilet overflow during showering could be costly. Most people don't have the extra time or funds to go through an unexpected loss like this. If you're in Kennewick, WA, working with a preferred clean up and restoration vendor of your insurance agency can mitigate this threat.

Steps to Take When a Shower Causes Toilet Overflow

Residential houses, and some commercial businesses, usually have a shower that is frequently used. If, say, the showers in the gym you own are running and, simultaneously, the adjacent toilet starts gushing water, it's time to look into the root of the issue. This is almost always due to a clogged pipe between the toilet and sewer.

The shower is connected to waste waterlines, and if there is a clog, the toilet will be the first place it shows! Everything is connected. What do you do now that you know a clog is causing the back up? Here are some sewage cleaning options that may need to be taken by professionals using a commercial-use snake tool:

• Running the snake directly through the toilet.
• Taking the toilet out from the floor and snaking the drain from there.
• Heading to the drain cleanout in a crawlspace area, lifting the heavy cap, and snaking the opening.
• Or repairing/replacing the entire pipe.

Make Sure your Insurance Works with the Right Professionals

The outlined steps above gradually increase in difficulty, and they should always be performed by a professional. If the snake is noncommercial, it likely won't be long or tough enough to reach a clogged pipe causing the toilet overflow. After each step, the professionals will test the clog status by running the shower again.

In the worst case scenario, it's possible that something such as the roots of a tree or a rusted pipe collapse caused the blockage. In this case, step four of repairing or replacing the entire line is the only option. In order to get the job done correctly and save money, it's best to have already made sure that your insurance works with trusted sewage cleaning professionals.

Grill Safety: Avoiding Fires

11/17/2021 (Permalink)

Clean your barbeque on a regular basis to lessen your chances of starting such a fire.

Grill Safety: How to Avoid Fires

If you are a grilling enthusiast, the risk of starting a grill fire may have crossed your mind once or twice. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure better security while barbequing outside in Richland, WA. You just need to learn what those steps are. Here are 3 safety tips to keep in mind when cooking with your propane or charcoal grill.

1. Grill Placement Is Important

Never place your grill too close to your house. Keeping it away from hanging branches, rails and eaves is also a very good idea. The main thing to remember is that you want to keep as many flammable objects and surfaces as far away from the grill as possible to avoid a far-reaching barbeque fire that could cause extensive damage.

2. Clean Your Grill

Grill fires sometimes start because grease and other types of buildup have been left to sit on the grill’s trays and surface. Clean your barbeque on a regular basis to lessen your chances of starting such a fire. You will likely be pleased to have a cleaner piece of equipment, as well.

3. Stay by the Grill

A lit barbeque should never be left unattended. Stay very close to it during the entire time that you are cooking. You also need to make sure that no children or animals come near it at any time, as they will be unable to prevent an incident and may even cause one. Any time you are not watching your grill, a fire and subsequent smoke damage can occur.

Now that you have some ideas about how you can keep your home and family safer while grilling, you can cook some barbeque favorites with an easier mind. A grill fire is not fun, but taking the right precautions allows you to avoid many disastrous accidents outside of your Richland, WA, home.

Professional Technicians

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Tri Cities West/Franklin County for your restoration needs!

SERVPRO Technicians in Kennewick, WA are always professional and maintain a file process, whether you’re paying out-of-pocket or insurance is covering your loss, you can be assured that there is a detailed record and pictures of the events of each job that meets the standard in the Insurance industry.

The job file forms include:

SERVPRO first notice of loss FNOL documents proper identification of the loss which is important for proper preparation of the job, including the appropriate technicians, tools and equipment.

Authorization to Perform Services must be signed by the customer before work begins and signifies the official hiring of a SERVPRO franchise to perform services. We won’t trick you into services: You always get to choose. 

SERVPRO Customer Information Form - Water Damage provides answers to commonly asked questions and alleviates potential misunderstanding, give you a clear expectation and helps answer your questions.

SERVPRO Water Damage Emergency Services Report provides a record of the emergency work done to mitigate the loss.

SERVPRO Water Damage, Equipment Validation and Drying Report tracks the usage of drying equipment and the progress of the drying process to ensure quick and effective drying results that comply with IICRC standards.

Certificate of Satisfaction provides written evidence the job was performed to the customer’s satisfaction. It is our way to ensure perfect customer service.

SERVPRO is the brand you know and trust

Can An Air Filtration System Remove Mold From a Home?

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage

Air filtration systems often make many claims. Some assert that they can remove mold from a room, but is it true? The answer is both yes and no. Here’s what you need to know before you purchase one.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungi. Mold spores are in all the air that you breathe and in general, are entirely harmless. This includes inside air, which typically contains hundreds of mold spores per cubic meter.
The problem isn’t the spores, it’s what they need to survive that can become an issue. Black mold needs three things to thrive:

• A food source
  
• A water source
  
• A restricted airflow.
  
  

Why Is Mold Bad?
Black mold rarely finds a hospitable environment outdoors. But homes are filled with its favorite food: cellulose. Wood, drywall and paper are a feast to it. It also grows on textiles, such as carpets and couches. Plus, once established, it tends to spread everywhere. It also eats away at the materials your home is made of and emits a disgusting odor that can fill a home.

Can an Air Filtration System Eliminate Mold?
While they can’t actually remove established mold, an air purifier with a certified HEPA air filter can reduce mold spores in the air. Nothing short of expensive, laboratory-grade filtration will eliminate spores, but a HEPA filter is the gold standard for home air purification and most experts recommend getting one.

How Can You Get Rid of Established Mold?
Black mold is extremely tenacious once it settles in. It requires sophisticated techniques, disinfectants and equipment that only the top local mold restoration experts have access to. The impacted area must be contained to prevent further spread, and the source of the excess moisture will be identified and corrected. Indoor mold always indicates a problem with moisture intrusion.
Mold cleanup includes cleaning the contents of your home. In most cases, it’s cheaper to replace heavily mold-damaged items, but if they are valuable or sentimental, they can often be saved by experts.
Air filtration is one way to reduce the number of spores in your indoor air. However, it’s not going to be effective at eliminating established mold.

Carbon Monoxide: A Silent Cold Weather Killer

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels, it can kill a person in minutes.

Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (or CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, and propane burn incompletely. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning. It is estimated another 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning with some groups including unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or repertory problems being more susceptible to the effects of carbon monoxide.

An excess of CO, leading to CO poisoning, can result from faulty furnaces or other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers, or idling cars left running in garages. Taking some basic, precautionary steps can help eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect yourself by reviewing the following tips provided by the United States Fire Administration.

• Have fuel-burning appliances, like oil and gas furnaces, gas or kerosene heaters. Fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a trained professional every year.
• Open a damper for proper ventilation before using a fireplace. Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home
• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid CO poisoning. Keep the venting for the exhaust clear and unblocked.
• If you need a warm vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Never run a vehicle or other fueling motor or engine indoors even if the garage door is open. Make sure the exhaust of a running vehicle is not blocked with snow, ice, or other materials.
• Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow and other debris.
• Only use barbecue grills outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings. Some grills can produce CO gas. Never use grills inside the home or the garage, even if the door is open.
• Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the home.

With every flood comes a flood of emotions. With every fire, a momentary spark of uncertainty and loss of control.

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

With Every Flood Comes A Flood of Emotions.

With every fire, a momentary spark of uncertainty and loss of control.

And when it’s your home, your business or your belongings that become damaged, you don’t just want things clean; you want your life back as well.

And that’s where SERVPRO comes in... like a hero to the rescue.

A company with over 40 years of experience in cleanup and restoration, SERVPRO professionals are faster to any size disaster. Our #1 goal is to turn items back to pre loss condition. Doing all we can to help homeowners and business owners regain control following a disaster.

SERVPRO is uniquely qualified to help you when you suffer from water, fire or mold damage. We blend customer service and high knowledge and education of water, fire and mold damage. The result is a 24 hour emergency medication damage restoration, and a quality job you can be assured with.

We use documented, measured performance to improve the value for you. You can be assured will do our very best to help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

Here's To Our Youth!

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

Donations make these amazing programs for our youth possible!

The countdown is on! 

SERVPRO of Tri-Cities West is participating to raise money for our community youth with Junior Achievement of Washington Southeastern Region at their annual fundraising Rodeo Bowl.

Junior Achievement is a program designed to help our youth with work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to face real world experiences.

And donations make these amazing programs for our youth possible! Without the generous supporters, JA could not meet the growing demand for their high-impact programs.

JA's K-12 programs provide relevant, hands-on education and reach nearly 11,000 youth in the Tri-cities region and more than 75,000 students annually throughout Washington and Northern Idaho.

SERVPRO of TRI-CITIES WEST supports JA because we understand the tremendous need for a well-educated workforce, and appreciate the value in our youth. We believe that education is the essential component of success for young people and their future.

4 Things To Do After a Disaster

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Your insurance policy is a contract.

Steps To Filing An Insurance Claim

If you are filing an insurance claim for your business, you will start working with an adjuster. This person will meet with you over the phone or in-person to settle your claim. Either way, you will need to follow a certain set of steps to get through this process.

1. Read Your Policy
Your policy is a financial management tool. View it as the contract between your business and your insurance company. This document explains your coverage amounts, what items are covered, and how you will be compensated for an insurance claim. For instance, this document can tell you how much you can spend on hiring a remediation company, such as SERVPRO. Knowing your policy is crucial.

2. Inventory Your Items
Take inventory of your items in Island View, WA, before disaster strikes. This will be extremely helpful when facing a stressful situation and can't remember what was in your building.

3. Notify Your Insurance Company
After a loss occurs, notify your insurance company as soon as possible. If the disaster happens during working hours, you can call your agent directly. Otherwise, most companies have a 24-hour insurance claim line for disasters that occur overnight. You can find this information by calling the voicemail of your agent. You may also have the number in your policy.

4. Get a Claims Check
The goal is to make your business whole again. Every insurance company will get to this goal differently. Most companies have an agent contact you and discuss the damage. They can help you reach an agreement on how much the company needs to pay you for property damage, inventory losses, and costs associated with disaster restoration professionals.
Your insurance policy is a contract. This is the key to recovering from a disaster financially. The claims process is what your insurance agent will use to fulfill this contract. To get through this successfully, make sure you know key information. Then, be sure to notify your insurance company promptly. This can help you get your check quickly.

SERVPRO Offers FREE Professional Advice And Scopes

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

Here in our community. Here to Help®

As water, fire and mold restoration professionals we see the stress each flood or fire puts on you. Most people don’t know what to do after an incident. They don’t know if they should open an insurance claim, start cleaning up themselves or how much damage there really is under the layers of material. All of it is overwhelming for most people but don’t despair because SERVPRO is here to help.

We don’t respond to situations; we respond to people that are in situations

When you call us, a trained water, fire and mold restoration SERVPRO expert will come to you with our state of the art equipment, moisture meters and thermal imaging if needed and give you 100% free advice. You can ask us any and all questions you may have about your water or fire damage and we can even give you a general direction on what to do next as well as a plan of action if you decide to hire us to do the restoration and mitigation work.

SERVPRO... Here in our Tri Cities community. Here to Help® 

Call us today for your free professional advice and scope

509-943-9290