Hiring a Water Damage Restoration Company

2/24/2023 (Permalink)

If you’ve been through a flood and need help repairing the damage, these questions can help you find a qualified water damage restoration company.

Water damage is a serious and expensive problem. If you have a water damage emergency, it's critical to hire a company that has the experience, tools, and resources to get your home back in order quickly. If you're considering hiring a water restoration company to help with the cleanup of your home after a flood or some other type of disaster.

Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

Get the company’s license number and do a quick Google search to find out if they are indeed licensed. If they aren't, hire another company.

Asking this question will also help you determine if the company is bonded and insured. These two things are important because they protect your home from damage and the restoration company from liability in case of an accident. Licensing, bonding, and insurance are required by law in most states such as California. Insurance protects both you and them against lawsuits and provides legal protection for their employees during cleanup operations after water damage occurs at your home or business location.

Do you have experience with this type of damage?

If you're looking for a water damage restoration company, the first thing to do is find out if they have experience with your type of building and business.

There's no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to water damage restoration, and each type of property has its own set of problems. So before you hire a company or contractor, ask if they have experience working with your type of loss.

If they don't have any experience working on properties similar to yours, then consider hiring someone else that does. SERVPRO knows exactly what kind of damage needs fixing so that your investment can get back up and running ASAP!

How long have you been in business?

It's important to ask the water damage restoration company how long it has been in business. A reputable company will be able to provide you with a solid answer, and if they can't, that's a red flag.

This question is best answered by talking with either the owner or one of their senior employees. They should have enough experience to know exactly when their company was founded. This information may also help you determine whether or not they're certified and licensed and insured.

What kind of training do your employees receive?

Training is an important aspect of any business, but it's especially crucial when it comes to flooding and water damage. Water damage restoration companies are expected to provide high quality services and products that meet the needs of their customers. That's why you should ask about the training your potential contractor provides before hiring them.

Quality training should be provided in multiple settings: in-house, in the field, and/or in a classroom setting as well as online. Training will help ensure that employees can deliver quality work on every job they take on so that you're left feeling satisfied with their service delivery.

Can you help me file an insurance claim?

It’s important that the water damage company you hire can help you with the insurance claim process. While most people think of their local plumber as a person they could go to for anything and everything, this isn’t always the case when it comes to water damage restoration services. If a company doesn’t have experience working with insurance companies and filing claims, then they may not be able to help you get the money back that is owed to your business or home.

What is your process for water damage repair?

Your process for water damage repair depends on the type of damage. Small, localized damage can usually be repaired quickly with little or no drying time needed. This is because localized water doesn’t penetrate very deeply into your walls and floors, so it only affects a small area. The faster you can get in there and clean up the mess, the better! On the flip side, large-scale flooding can involve significant moisture penetration that requires several days or even weeks to dry out properly. In these cases, it’s not just about how long it takes for water to evaporate; you also need to ensure any remaining humidity doesn’t cause mold growth or otherwise compromise indoor air quality.

Do you offer 24/7 emergency services?

If you’re looking for a water damage restoration company, it's important to ask about their emergency services. Many homeowners don't realize that they need to be prepared for an emergency and have someone on standby at all times. If a pipe bursts or some other major problem occurs, it’s crucial that you have someone who can respond quickly and efficiently.

The best water damage restoration companies offer 24/7 service in addition to weekend hours, but what exactly do those terms mean? What makes one company better than another when it comes to emergency situations? Restoration companies are also available on nights, weekends, and holidays. We are here to help when you are in need of restoration emergency services.

If you’ve been through a flood and need help repairing the damage, these questions can help you find a qualified water damage restoration company.

Protective Gear for Mold Mitigation

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Before they can take care of your house, mold specialists have to take care of themselves.

Protective Gear for Mold Mitigation

Mold spores are everywhere. They are in the air you breathe every time you go outside, and they are even inside your home. They travel indoors daily on hair, clothes, shoes, and pets. If spores multiply and grow in your home in College Station, TX, though, the technicians who handle the cleanup and anyone else who enters the affected area need more than just face masks to ensure their protection.

Body Protection

Mold remediation often releases a concentrated number of spores into the air. Certified mitigation specialists won't start the mold cleanup process until they are fully outfitted in personal protective equipment:

• Ventilated masks
• Rubber gloves
• Goggles
• Boots
• Coveralls

These protective measures may seem like overkill to the casual observer, but they serve an important purpose. They keep mold spores from getting into the technicians' eyes, nasal passages, and lungs. The full-body protection also prevents the mitigation team members from spreading mold everywhere they go after they leave the site.

Structure Protection

Mold damage in one part of your home can easily spread to other areas unless technicians take specific measures to stop it. Just like their face masks provide a shield between them and the mold spores in the air, the polyethylene sheeting over doorways and vents protects the rest of the house from the excess fungus concentrations that are released during cleanup. The affected area must be isolated before mold growth is addressed. If technicians leave the area during the cleanup process, they remove their protective clothing so that they don't spread the mold that may have attached to it anywhere else. Thorough mitigation requires containment so that the job is completed and the mold doesn't come back.

Before they can take care of your house, mold specialists have to take care of themselves. Face masks, gloves, and other protective gear are necessary safety precautions throughout the remediation process.

3 Benefits of Professional Fire Restoration

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Fire restoration in College Station, TX.

Three Ways SERVPRO Stands Out From The Competition

When fire damages a commercial building in College Station, TX, the quality of the fire restoration determines how quickly the business can reopen and how much secondary damage occurs. A top-tier restoration service is one you can confidently recommend to your insurance clients.

1. IICRC Certification Ensures Quality Restoration

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification has been setting high standards for the restoration industry since 1972. The standards cover everything from continuing education requirements to liability insurance. Due to these rigorous standards, IICRC-certified SERVPRO franchises are often given preferred vendor status by insurance companies.

2. Quick Response Prevents Further Damage

The soot leftover after a fire has been extinguished is often corrosive, but that is not the only post-fire risk businesses face. The firefighting efforts may have resulted in broken windows and holes in the roof that can allow vandals and wildlife to enter the property and cause even more damage. Standing water leftover from firehoses can lead to mold growth if not dried up within 24 hours. Boarding up openings and beginning the fire restoration process as soon as possible is the best way to prevent further damage. SERVPRO franchises are open 24/7 and are able to get to work quickly.

3. ‘Restore Versus Replace’ Saves Money

SERVPRO technicians are taught to approach every job with a “restore versus replace" mentality. This means that the goal is to restore when possible and replace only when there’s no better solution.

Although complete rebuilding services are sometimes necessary after a fire, this approach saves money and allows business owners to keep more of their original possessions.

Business fires are upsetting and stressful, but the fire rebuild process does not have to be. When insurance companies choose IICRC-certified companies with a customer-centric approach to fire restoration, the damage to the property and the stress on the client are both minimized.

SERVPRO Is Uniquely Positioned to Respond to a Catastrophe

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is on standby 24/7/365 and ready to respond. Our team is ready to restore your home or business, no matter the size of the damage.

SERVPRO Is Ideally Placed To Respond To A Disaster

When a widespread catastrophic loss hits around Burton, TX, most restoration companies are completely overwhelmed by the number of requests for service. This can quickly compound a disaster because an immediate response is needed to mitigate the damage.

It’s essential that a disaster restoration company gets in right away. They’ll take immediate steps to prevent further destruction, such as:

• Tarp and board exposed areas.
  
• Remove flooding.
  
• Squeeze out excess moisture.
  
• Decontaminate toxic residue left over from floodwater.

When a disaster overwhelms an area, you need a damage restoration company with the widest reach. That’s why most insurance companies like to use a large organization.

Local Company, Nationwide Resources

SERVPRO has over 1,700 franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their specialized Disaster Recovery Team can call on resources from far outside the region to enter a structure as soon as rescue teams have cleared them.

If a storm severely damages a building, it may not be structurally safe to enter. A recovery team will enter and repair the structural soundness, so that a complete inspection may happen.

Storm damage is pretty random, so a building needs to be structurally appraised before entry. During a catastrophic loss, team availability will be drastically reduced, meaning help from outside the area is essential for faster service.

SERVPRO Is the Top Choice for Many Insurance Companies

Sadly, many restoration vendors have been noteworthy for shoddy service and surprise costs. SERVPRO franchisees have all been vetted by the national corporation and are required to meet many strict standards.

New franchises must go through mandatory training upon opening, and the company offers employee certification training in fire and water restoration as well as carpet and upholstery cleaning. They’re also an approved Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification trainer for the highest standards in restoration.

Continuing Education

Not only do they offer more advanced courses to franchise employees, but they also provide both credit and noncredit education for insurance and real estate professionals. They’re committed to making the process work as smoothly and quickly as possible.

A catastrophic loss is always a disaster, but the response usually makes the biggest difference. Always choose a local company with national resources for the most effective response.

How SERVPRO Helps During a Disaster

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

With highly-trained professionals that are always available in many locations across the country, SERVPRO is an obvious choice.

How SERVPRO Can Assist In A Disaster

During a natural disaster in Bryan, TX, it can be expected that there will be a large amount of damage to the area. When this happens, it is important to call on a reliable service for disaster recovery. Here are just a few reasons why SERVPRO is a leading choice during emergencies.

1. They Can Handle Any Size Disaster

When a large disaster occurs, it can cause a devastating amount of storm damage. It can take a lot of work to get the rebuilding process completed, starting with mitigation and ending with restoration. Whether it’s a flood, hurricane, tornado or blizzard, they can handle any kind of disaster. Their large-loss specialists are trained and qualified to take care of an emergency of any size.

2. They Are Available Nationwide

SERVPRO has over 1,700 franchise locations across the nation, so they can arrive quickly wherever they are needed for disaster recovery. Corporate locations can provide any needed equipment to franchise locations so that they have the right tools to get the job done. When extra help is needed in a particular location, teams from other areas can be called in for help.

3. They Are Always Ready

Because they are open 24 hours a day and are available any day of the year, SERVPRO is always ready to come to your aid. Their quick storm response time means they can start working as soon as possible to mitigate any property that has been affected by the disaster. Getting mitigation done in a timely manner means that there will be less overall damage and the restoration process will take less time and money to complete.

When you are in need of a disaster recovery service, you should choose a company that can work well while completing mitigation and repairs as quickly as possible. With highly-trained professionals that are always available in many locations across the country, SERVPRO is an obvious choice.

When Does Mold Start Growing After a Leak?

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

The smallest water leak can lead to a major mold outbreak in your home.

Mold Prevention In Your Home

The length of time leading up to mold growth is a common concern after a leak or another form of residential water damage. Mold takes 24 to 48 hours to start growing if sufficient moisture and nutriment are available. Here are a few pointers regarding which measures should take place during this timeframe to prevent mold from becoming a major problem at a residence in Bryan, TX.

12 Hours

It is important to extract all standing water within the first 12 hours after a leak. A water damage mitigation service may recommend several methods:

• Using pumps or a wet vac
  
• Tearing out porous materials exposed to contaminated water
• Cutting holes in walls to promote ventilation
  
  

Getting rid of standing water is the first priority for limiting primary damage. Afterward, a homeowner should eliminate residual moisture that may support mold growth.

24 Hours

The first day after a leak is critical for preventing mold. It may be necessary to take several measures in this span of time:

• Cleaning or disinfecting areas exposed to contaminated water
  
• Promoting drying with ventilation
  
• Running a dehumidifier to draw moisture out of the air and porous surfaces
  
  

Maintain humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent to discourage fungal growth. Even a small amount of residual moisture can support the growth of hidden mold behind baseboards, in or under carpet, or within wall cavities.

48 Hours

Drying should be underway within two days of water damage. Keep in mind that water may affect areas near the primary location of damage. Restoration experts should perform a thorough inspection to ensure that all moisture from a leak has been removed.

The more quickly an affected area is dried, the less likely mold will be to grow. Hiring water damage mitigation professionals is the best way to prevent mold growth after water damage at a home in Bryan, TX.