How to Clean a Moldy Shower

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth on shower

Residential bathrooms are one of the most common places to find mold. The warm, wet, humid environment creates a perfect fungal breeding ground. Shower mold is especially common due to the excessive moisture that tends to get left behind. Follow the steps below if your shower in Lafayette, LA, is affected by unwanted mold growth.

Cleaning Shower Mold

Black mold is a common occurrence for many showers, so there are plenty of tried and true cleaning methods available. Here's one of the most effective techniques:

• Create a safe, non-toxic mold cleaning solution using equal parts water and white vinegar. Pour this mixture into a clean spray bottle.
• Mist down the moldy areas with the cleaning solution. Create a generous, even layer, but make sure you don't oversaturate the area. If puddles are forming in the shower basin, you're using too much solution. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Use a clean cloth to wipe down the solution. The mold should easily come off with it. You may need to use multiple cleaning rags, depending on how large the affected area is.
• If some mold still remains, use a kitchen sponge or scrub brush to scrub it off. Mold growing in the shower grout or caulking can be removed using a spare toothbrush.
  Completely dry the area using a clean rag or cloth. Make sure you remove all of the excess moisture to prevent further mold growth.
  
  

Preventing Bathroom Mold
Keeping your bathroom clean and dry is the best way to prevent mold growth. Prevent condensation from building up by opening a window or cracking the bathroom door open next time you shower. After each shower, make sure you wipe down the shower tiles and tub edge (when applicable). Mop up any puddles that are left on the floor. Spread the shower curtain out to help aid in the drying process.
Shower mold is extremely common, but it's also relatively easy to remedy using the above technique. If you find that your mold situation has spread out of your control, or the method above isn't working for you, you need to contact mold remediation experts immediately.

Landlord Responsibilities After a Commercial Apartment Fire

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

An apartment fire in Lafayette, LA

What To Do After A Commercial Apartment Fire

A commercial apartment fire in Lafayette, LA, affects both you and your tenants. You may be in shock and wondering exactly what to do next. You also need to determine the damages for which you are responsible.

First Steps
Once you find out about a fire on your commercial property, you need to take immediate action. Your first steps should include:

• Reporting the fire to your insurance provider
• Setting up appointments with restoration companies
• Talking to your tenants about the cause of the fire
• Asking the fire officer when it is safe to enter the premises to survey the damage
  
  

In the days after the blaze, take pictures of the property and create an inventory of any structural damage. You should also cover openings and lock doors to keep out looters.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
Next, you must determine which of the apartment fire repairs are your responsibility. In general, the landlord is in charge of fixing fire damage to the property itself, including the plumbing and electrical systems. Your insurance policy should help you cover the cost of these emergency restoration services.
The tenants, meanwhile, must repair or replace any items that they purchased for the commercial apartment. However, things get a bit complicated if the fire resulted from negligence by the landlord or tenants. If the tenants can prove that you were responsible for the blaze, they may be able to recoup additional money from you.
Similarly, you may not have to pay for all of the apartment repairs if it is determined that the fire was the fault of a tenant. In this scenario, your insurance company may work with the tenant or the tenant's insurance company to get compensation. You also may want to put in your lease specific language about landlord and tenant responsibilities following a fire.
Make sure that you and your tenants each understand what they need to do after a commercial apartment fire. This will expedite the restoration process.

FAQs About Business Inventory Lists

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

To protect your business, you need to create an inventory list.

Creating an inventory list of everything in your business may seem daunting, but it is crucial. Every business owner should have an inventory to give to their insurance company or remediation professionals, such as SERVPRO, in the event of a disaster.

What Is an Inventory?

An inventory is documentation of everything in your business in Lafayette, LA. It is often organized by room or type of item. These lists should include the following information:

• Descriptions
• Make, model, and serial numbers
  
• Costs
  
• Purchase locations
  
• Purchase dates
  
• Receipts
  
• Replacement estimates
  
  

When Should You Make One?

Make an inventory now. Even the most basic list will help you deal with the insurance company and a disaster remediation team. This is also a helpful tool for when you are reviewing your insurance coverage.

Why Should You Make One?

Create an inventory to serve as proof of loss during an insurance claim. Without a thorough list, you can miss items and not receive enough compensation. This is because it is difficult to remember what is in your business when faced with a disaster. Having an inventory is one less thing you need to worry about.

How Do You Start One?

An easy way to get started on your list is to walk through your business and video everything you see. While a video alone is not enough to serve as proper documentation for an insurance claim, it is enough to get you started figuring out what you need more details on.

How Do You Calculate Value?

Besides providing a list of items, you will also need to have cost estimates for your insurance claim. When calculating these, consider the replacement cost. Check with your insurance company and see that you will receive full compensation for replacement costs. If you don't get these, you may want to upgrade your policy.
To protect your business, you need to create an inventory list. This will serve as proof of loss and help you provide your insurance agent with a complete list of items that were damaged.

How Pretesting Speeds Up the Claims Process After a Home Disaster

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s commitment to pretesting makes the restoration and insurance process more efficient.

How Pretesting Aids In The Claims Process Following A House Fire

Following a disaster in your home, you have many concerns. One of the most important elements of getting back to your normal activities is starting the insurance process and making sure your coverage takes effect and that you aren’t stuck with massive costs. When you hire the right disaster cleanup team, you can count on your claim going through in a timely manner. The best restoration teams use pretesting and other practices to give you the peace of mind you need.

What Is Pretesting?

There is no shortage of disaster relief companies you could hire to help get you back on your feet after a fire, flood or mold infestation. You want to work with someone that does pretesting. This involves the following steps:

• Evaluating the full extent of the disaster.
  
• Making a plan of how to move forward in the best manner possible.
  
• Determining what parts of the home professionals can repair and salvage and what parts they must replace altogether.

Why Pretesting Matters to Insurance Company

You should make an insurance claim as quickly after the incident as possible. Cleanup and repair can be costly, but your coverage should take care of most of these costs. However, slow response from your disaster relief company can also bog thing down on the insurance company’s end. SERVPRO’s pretesting methods gets things in motion with the claims process and helps the insurance agent to his or her part to initiate coverage and payment.

Cost Benefit for You

With pretesting, the insurance company has confidence that it has an accurate picture of the full extent of the damage at your Lafayette, LA, home. This will ensure that the team does the work it should—not handling more or less than is necessary.

As if suffering damage and loss from a fire or flood isn’t difficult enough, you don’t want to get stuck with a slow and costly claims process. SERVPRO’s commitment to pretesting makes the restoration and insurance process more efficient.

Answers to Basic Questions About Interruption Insurance

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage in Lafayette, LA.

Protect Your Business With Interruption Insurance

Even if you've taken all the appropriate steps, your Lafayette, LA, business could still be affected by fire. When this happens, one of the most worrying aspects of the situation is how much money you could lose because of business interruption. Fire isn't the only emergency that could put your business in danger; other financial perils could include extreme weather, hail, windstorms, tornadoes, flooding, and other circumstances that may temporarily close your business. Protect your business with interruption insurance.

What Is Included in the Coverage?

Standard property insurance covers a lot of the physical damages and losses that fire leaves behind, but it doesn't cover everything. There are three main things that business interruption policies cover that your property insurance probably won't.

• Profits you would have earned during the time period
  
• Operating expenses you're still obligated to pay, such as rent
  
• Moving costs to your temporary location
  
  

Sometimes this type of insurance is called business income insurance.

Who Qualifies for Coverage?

Sadly, there are business owners who don't qualify for this protection. One of the primary qualifications for this type of insurance is a dedicated commercial location. If you run a small business out of your home, you probably won't qualify for the policy. However, you may be able to get a business owner's policy. Other aspects of your business that may affect your eligibility include the type of industry, your history of business interruption claims, and the location.

How Long Does the Interruption Coverage Last?

Fortunately for many business owners, interruption insurance is available for the entire period of restoration. This is defined as the length of time necessary for repairing, rebuilding, and replacing any of your property that is damaged or destroyed. It's a good idea to find out exactly what is covered before you talk to the fire restoration professionals.

As you put safety procedures in place and provide training for your employees, don't forget to research interruption insurance in Lafayette, LA. You'll want the peace of mind that comes from knowing your business won't fail when disaster strikes.

4 Cost-Effective Ways To Flood-Proof Your Building

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Sandbags can divert water away from your building.

Flood- Proof Your Building

Most commercial building owners in Lafayette, LA, hate seeing flood damage every time a storm passes through the area. Thankfully, you don't have to resign yourself to this type of damage. You can work with a commercial water damage team to flood-proof your building.

1. Install a pump. Putting in a sump pump can save your building from a lot of flooding. A sump pump removes water from basements by pulling water out of sump basins. This type of equipment is popular in properties that have lower levels below the ground water level.

2. Put up barriers. If enough warning is given before a storm, you can choose to set up barriers. In many areas, sand bags can be used to direct water away from a building's foundation. While this can be a good solution to ward off flood damage, it only works when you have adequate warning about a potential storm. You could also choose to put up permanent earthen barriers around your building to ensure you are always ready for the worst-case scenario.

3. Increase water tightness. Improving the seal around a building can keep storm damage to a minimum. This could include installing new windows and doors, replacing damaged siding or roofing and caulking around existing windows and doors. If water cannot get into a space, there won't be significant flooding.

4. Reorganize your space. If you know the basement of your building floods during every heavy rain, you can reorganize how you use the space to minimize the damage done by the storm. Moving important documents and expensive equipment to higher levels may be enough flood proofing for your property.

As a building owner, you want to do everything you can to keep your property in the best shape possible. Putting preventative techniques in place to stop flood damage can help you keep your business operation even after severe storms.

The Right Protective Gear for Mold Remediation

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

Mold remediation services in Lafayette, LA.

Mold Remediation Protective Equipment

In order to safely clean up a mold infestation, workers should wear the right personal protective equipment. PPE ranges from face masks and respirators to full-face and body coverage. The types of PPE that workers need depends on the type of mold and the extent of mold damage.

A respirator is one of the most important pieces of PPE when working with mold. There are several levels of respirator designs:

• Basic respirators are designed for use when working with potentially dangerous non-chemical substances

• Premium respirators protect wearers from chemical substances used in cleanup

• Full face respirators are designed for extensive infestations or toxigenic mold

Use a respirator rated P100 or better when working with mold. Most half and full face masks are typically reusable as long as you clean them after every session and replace cartridges or filters every day. Depending on the extent of the contamination, you may want to cover as much skin as possible with ordinary clothing or wear a Tyvek or similar style of full-body coverall.

• Ordinary clothing: You should at least wear long sleeves and pants with goggles, boots, and shoe covers when dealing with minor mold issues. Clothing is porous and may capture airborne spores, increasing the risk of skin exposure. Bag and dispose of clothing at the end of each work session and do not reuse clothes contaminated with mold.

• Tyvek coveralls: This style of PPE consists of a non-porous full-body suit complete with an attached hood and booties. These suits are ideal for dealing with extensive or toxigenic infestations or for working in areas with high humidity and poor ventilation.

In addition to face masks and body coverings, you should also wear either rubber or nitrile gloves when dealing with mold damage. If you would like to limit your exposure as much as possible, contact a certified mold remediation service located in Lafayette, LA.

4 Reasons You Should Avoid Driving Through Flooded Streets

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Floods are dangerous, can cause significant destruction.

A significant downpour in Lafayette, LA, can backup drainage systems and cause waterways to overflow, resulting in flash floods. Traversing a flooded street can be extremely treacherous and should be avoided, if possible, for several reasons.

1. Water Depth

It’s easy to underestimate the depth of standing water. High water levels could stall your engine, eliminating your ability to control your vehicle. Attempting to restart a stalled vehicle could also result in significant engine damage.

2. Washed Out Road

Floodwaters can also wash away roadways, removing the surface for your tires to grip. Without the grip, you will have no control over your vehicle and will be at the mercy of water currents.

3. Fast-Flowing Water

If you drive into fast-flowing water, your vehicle could be easily swept away, endangering the welfare of yourself, your passengers and the emergency personnel dispatched to rescue you.

4. Dangerous Debris

Swift-water currents can also carry large debris. If you enter a flooded street, your vehicle could be struck by floating debris. This could result in serious injuries or significant damage that could impede your ability to escape from the vehicle.

Additional Safety Tips

Avoiding flooded roads is the best course of action. However, if you are not able to find an alternate route, take extreme caution and follow these safety tips:
• Drive slowly but steadily through the water
• Try to drive in the middle of the roadway where the water may be shallower
• Avoid driving through areas with downed power lines
• If your vehicle gets washed off the road, abandon it for higher ground

A Dangerous Situation

Floods are dangerous, can cause significant destruction, and often require extensive cleanup and restoration efforts. Most travel tips advise avoiding flooded streets because navigating flooded roadways can damage your vehicle’s engine and potentially endanger the lives of everyone inside the vehicle. If you cannot find an alternative route, drive cautiously and be prepared to abandon the vehicle if it becomes trapped in high water.

How To Control Mold Growth in Your Home

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

Mold prevention often requires a proactive approach.

Mold thrives in moist environments. While many homeowners in Lafayette, LA, may not worry about it, certain conditions inside your home may make it more susceptible to mold growth. To minimize the risk, you should address leaking pipes, water damage, and existing moisture points quickly and efficiently.

After a Flood

If your home sustains water damage from a flood or burst pipe, you must quickly remove saturated items and dry the affected area to prevent mold growth. Use a shop vac to soak up water and open windows to increase airflow. You can also use fans and a dehumidifier to expedite the process. For additional protection, mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water and spray the mixture on hard surfaces in the affected area.

Be sure to thoroughly assess your carpets and drywall. If your drywall is wet, water may seep through to the insulation. When wet, both materials can harbor mold, so you will need to replace them. As an additional safeguard, you may wish to install mold-resistant drywall. However, you must ensure that the area is free of moisture before completing this repair.

Additional Tips

Quickly repairing even small water leaks is an important mold prevention strategy. To further reduce your home’s mold risk, follow these tips:
• Dry soaked materials within 24 - 48 hours
• Inspect caulking around sinks and tubs and replace if cracked or deteriorating
• Clean and repair gutters
• Direct water away from your home’s foundation
• Improve air circulation inside your home

High humidity can also expedite mold growth. One telltale sign of high humidity is condensation. If you notice condensation on windows or sills, you should apply weather stripping or a plastic film to reduce cold drafts. Increasing ventilation and using a dehumidifier can also help reduce the humidity level inside your home.

Mold Remediation

Mold prevention often requires a proactive approach. However, a flood or burst pipe can happen unexpectedly, creating significant water damage. To reduce your risk of mold under these circumstances, you may wish to consult a professional cleanup and restoration team equipped to handle a variety of situations, including mold remediation.

Household Mold and How To Eliminate It

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage

House mold is a pernicious threat feared by every homeowner. When it appears, you must apply the proper methodology for getting rid of it. Here's some information regarding mold growth and cleaning your home of dangerous spores.

Causes of Mold in the Home

There are many reasons you might have a fungal infestation in Lafayette, LA, including:

1. Leaking pipes
   
2. Poor ventilation
   
3. Roof holes
   
4. Broken air conditioning
   
   

Failure to correct these conditions can cause more mold growth than you are able to handle by yourself. Under such circumstances, a team of fungal removal experts will be necessary.

Cleaning Mold in the Home
If your house mold hasn't gotten out of control, you may be able to remove it independently. Should you choose to do so, observe every safety precaution. Wear plastic gloves, safety goggles, and a respirator that specifically guards against mold. Exercise added caution if the situation was caused by contaminated water.
Mold can be scrubbed off hard surfaces with water and household detergent. Place tangible chunks into plastic bags and dispose of them promptly. Recognize that any amount of mold can cause irreversible cosmetic damage to attractive surfaces.
Carpeting and ceiling tiles that become infested may need to be tossed. This is a particular possibility with materials that are porous or otherwise absorbent, as spores are able to get inside and rehabilitation becomes impossible.
Avoid painting or caulking over moldy surfaces. Although this covers up mold's unpleasant appearance, it does not remove the danger or prevent mold from spreading.
Items of sentimental value are often vulnerable. If you are uncertain whether a meaningful object, such as a framed painting or family heirloom, can be restored, consult with a specialist. Check that the professionals you obtain advice from are fully accredited and trustworthy.
Getting rid of house mold is a task that homeowners must take seriously. By following the correct procedures, you can stop the condition from worsening and causing bigger troubles.

About the IICRC and Its Technicians

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

The IICRC is a global organization with certified technicians everywhere.

Why These Technicians Are A Better Option

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the industry's standard-setting organization. It is a global organization with certified technicians everywhere, even in Lafayette, LA. Its primary role is to create certifications for technicians. Additionally, it is a valuable resource for businesses who need to hire a firm or technicians with a cleaning, remediation, or mitigation certificate. This is because it keeps a locator that has thousands of technicians and firms listed. Before choosing someone to perform your restoration work, learn more about these technicians and why they are the better option.

Values
This organization sets a standard set of values that any disaster remediation company must abide by. You can expect a certified technician to be:

• Responsible
• Trustworthy
• Excellent
• Knowledgeable
  

These values ensure that you have quality work performed quickly and without incident. In other words, you will experience less hassle and stress while waiting for your business to reopen.

Organization
The IICRC was founded in 1972 and has since grown to be the restoration industry's primary certifying body. There are currently thousands of certified firms and technicians across the globe that are held to a higher set of standards than others who operate in this field.

Standards
The mission of the IICRC is to create and teach a set of standard practices and principles that promotes the health and safety of technicians and clients. It accomplishes this goal by creating standards for worker ethics, communication practices, and technical proficiency that all professionals must adhere to. When clients hire a certified firm by this organization, they are assured that the company will follow specific protocols to keep workers safe while efficiently performing high-quality work on any business.
When choosing a remediation company for your business, you want to ensure that the technicians performing the job are trained and the best in the industry. To guarantee that you find the right company for you, take the time to learn about the main certifying body and look for a firm endorsed by it.

Mold Cleaning Standard: Does One Exist?

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA has a set of guidelines called Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

Are There Mold Standards?

Mold has a foothold in every building, regardless of whether there is visible growth or not. Businesses are just as vulnerable to the incursion of the ubiquitous fungus as any other structure. Because mold can over time degrade just about any construction material, thus posing a risk to the structural integrity of buildings, business owners who discover mold generally contract with a professional restoration and cleanup company in Lafayette, LA, to do a full mold clean. It is impossible to completely remove black mold and other molds, so how do these professionals determine if they have completed their job? 

EPA
The U.S. does not currently have set federal mold standards or codes for remediation in buildings. However, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has a set of guidelines called Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. The recommendations in this are currently accepted as the standard for commercial buildings, though they are not regulations. It specifies worker protection for three action levels for clean water mold growth:

• The affected area is less than 10 square feet
• The affected area is between 10 and 100 square feet
• The affected area is greater than 100 square feet

It also provides counsel on different cleaning techniques and other relevant information.

OSHA
While the EPA documents are popular, they are not the only ones used. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has a set of personal protective equipment and work practice suggestions for mold cleanup. These may also be used by industry professionals when handling commercial buildings.

IICRC
The non-profit Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or the IICRC, is in charge of certification for the cleaning and restoration industry. Not all states require certification for mold remediation, but many do. The "IICRC S520 Standard for and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation" (whichever edition is most recent) is its standard for mold remediation.
Though the federal government has not released official mold standards, there are guidelines to adhere to. These guidelines are released by trusted organizations like the EPA, OSHA and the IICRC and are usually followed by professionals.

Top 4 Mold FAQs

11/20/2020 (Permalink)

Mold damage after flood

Top 4 Mold FAQs

Mold growth is an extremely common issue that the vast majority of homeowners do have to deal with at some point. Ensuring that you take care of the problem quickly and effectively is the best way to prevent a tiny mold problem from spiraling out of control. Read on to have some of your common questions answered, especially if you suspect that your Lafayette, LA, home is suffering from a mold issue.

1. Where is Mold Commonly Found?
Mold thrives in damp, dark places. This means that rooms, such as your kitchen, bathroom, garage and basement are all especially susceptible to unwanted mold. Any areas in your home that have recently suffered some type of water damage are also at risk.

2. How Can You Tell Whether You Have a Mold Problem?
You can usually spot mold with the naked eye. Black mold, one of the most common residential varieties, looks like a dark black or green stain that spreads across the surface of an object. A musty or dank smell is also a good indication of a mold presence.

3. How Can You Prevent Mold Growth?
Keeping your home as clean and dry as possible is the best way to prevent a mold issue. This involves cleaning spills and leaks as soon as they occur, ensuring your home doesn't suffer from high humidity levels and properly ventilating your home to prevent condensation from building up. Performing regular mold inspections can also help you catch the issues while they're still small.

4. Does Mold Go Away By Itself?
Mold is a living organism, so it's natural to assume that you'd be able to get rid of it simply by depriving it of its vital nutrients. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. Cutting off the mold's access to water and organic matter could potentially halt its spread, but it won't kill the existing mold.
It's important that you address a mold issue swiftly and effectively in order to prevent the situation from becoming worse. If you discover unwanted mold growth in your home, make sure to contact mold remediation experts immediately.

Why Does Mold Keep Coming Back?

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Mold spores need moisture. When water is introduced a spore can grow into a colony very quickly

You found mold and did what you were supposed to do, called a remediation company in Lafayette, LA. The company sent a crew out, and they removed the contaminated surface and repaired the damage, restoring the facility to pre-disaster conditions. Unfortunately, upon later inspection, you are now finding a recurrence of mold growth.

Why Is It Coming Back?

Unresolved plumbing issue
Air-moisture content
Spore transportation

Unresolved Plumbing Issue
In most instances of mold growth and regrowth, there is some water damage issue that has not been resolved. It is possible that the remediation crew repaired one problem and did not see or find the other leak sitting somewhere else in the wall or ceiling. To resolve the issue, you will need to call the same company back to the scene so they can reassess the problem.

Air-Moisture Content
It is also possible that the regrowth is new growth caused by a continued high humidity problem. The air-moisture content in your facility should not exceed 50%. If you find that humidity levels are continuously reaching above that threshold, then consider installing fans, ventilation systems and dehumidifiers in the most humid areas of the building, like kitchens and washrooms.

Spore Transportation
Mold spores are microscopic organisms, which may be hard to believe based on the size of your previous infestation. Unfortunately, due to the small size of spores, it is nearly impossible to control every spec from contaminating another surface during cleaning. The removal company will do their best by wetting down surfaces and being careful not to disturb the existing growth, but sometimes spores catch a breeze and land somewhere else. If they get the same nourishment in that new area, the spores will likely grow.
Are you currently seeing new mold growth in your facility? If so, contact a local remediation company to discuss the removal of the infestation and restoration of your facility.

How Professional Standards Strengthen Mold Cleanup

7/26/2020 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a Lafayette, LA home

When you discover mold in your home in Lafayette, LA, you want a mold remediation company that works to the highest professional standards. This ensures the job will be done right and your property and family will be protected. A certified mold technician understands the nature of this damaging fungus and how to remove mold colonies from your home. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is an industry leader in promoting high standards for the cleaning industry. The organization publishes standards for professional mold remediation and for the assessment for suspected mold contaminated structures. These standards are mostly voluntary but they have been developed through a rigorous process to determine the best practices for mitigating mold.

Mold Certification

It is not mandatory for a cleaning company to be a certified mold franchise; however, many insurance companies prefer to work with a business that engages in certified mold remediation. The benefits of choosing a professional company include the following:

• Highly-trained technicians
  
• Fast, effective cleanup
  
• Safe cleaning agents and disinfectants
  
• Advanced equipment and techniques
  
• Best practices
  
  

A highly-trained company provides continuous education to its employees, allowing technicians to stay current on the latest and most effective cleaning procedures. Positions such as an applied microbial remediation specialist, water damage restoration technician, and applied structural drying technician contribute to better mold containment.

Mold Cleanup
A certified mold company follows a proven process to clear your home of troublesome mold colonies. Technicians begin with an inspection and assessment of the property. They work fast because a delay allows mold to spread throughout a home, especially into areas that have high moisture content due to a water leak or roofing problem. The steps of mold containment, air filtration and the removal of mold and mold-infested materials quickly follow. The final stages of the process include the cleaning of contents and belongings and restoration of your home.

The 7-Step Process for Fire Restoration

6/20/2020 (Permalink)

Burned roof in Lafayette, LA

The 7-Step Process for Fire Restoration

Even a small fire can cause significant damage to your client's commercial building in Lafayette, LA. By trusting SERVPRO with the whole fire restoration process, your client gets one team that handles everything from start to finish.

1. Call
SERVPRO's Customer Care Center is ready to receive a call at any time. With around-the-clock service, your clients can expect technicians from local teams to arrive within hours of the initial contact.

2. Assessment
When technicians arrive on the scene, they survey all the damage to the building. Within 8 hours, they can provide a comprehensive assessment of everything that is necessary for the fire rebuild.

3. Tarping
Fire damage leaves your clients' property vulnerable to a variety of potential problems, such as weather, vandals, thieves, and animals. Board-up and tarp services protect your building from further damage.

4. Drying
Before fire restoration can be addressed, technicians will likely have to mitigate the water damage caused by putting out the fire. Excess water must be extracted and every remaining surface must be dried.

5. Removal
Fire and water can utterly destroy many parts of the building. If that is the case, materials that cannot be salvaged must be torn out before cleanup can progress.

6. Cleaning
Smoke and soot get everywhere during a fire. Fire mitigation experts use special techniques to ensure that all surfaces, cracks, crevices, and air ducts are cleaned thoroughly.

7. Rebuilding
Once the remaining structure is sanitized, rebuilding services can begin. SERVPRO technicians don't just put up new drywall and install new carpeting. They match it with the surrounding area to make it look “Like it never even happened."
Cleaning up after a fire has several steps that are essential to help them get back to business as usual as soon as possible. When your clients need fire restoration in their commercial buildings, they can trust SERVPRO to handle the job from start to finish.

5 Steps to Take if You Find Mold in Your Rental Property

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

Mold found in a Lafayette, LA home

5 Steps to Take if You Find Mold in Your Rental Property

Landlords have specific responsibilities to keep their rentals safe, clean, and livable. In addition to these tasks, landlords are in charge of finances and maintenance. If a tenant comes to you stating they have mold in their apartment, you should take the information seriously and investigate. Mold can spread quickly and you certainly don’t want a mold contamination problem in your apartment building. Here are five steps to take if you find mold in a rental property.

1. Contact Professionals
There are many misconceptions about mold and the average person has little expertise on how to safely remove mold. Mold cleanup involves specific training and equipment. If you’ve gone to the apartment unit and visibly see or smell mold, contact a mold remediation company to help you solve the problem correctly. This will save you time and money in the long run.
2. Investigate and Contain
Mold is naturally present in the air and it’s not until a water source causes moisture that it becomes a problem. A trained technician will locate the source and begin containment measures. They will use specific mold cleanup procedures to keep the mold from spreading in the air while cleaning the problem area.
3. Clean the Air
In addition to physically removing the mold, it’s necessary to clean the air. Using air filtration methods, a technician will capture the mold spores during the mold remediation process.
4. Remove the Mold
There are a variety of treatments, including antifungal, to effectively remove mold colonies. A professional company will be able to clean personal belongings using sanitation procedures; however, it is possible that some items may need to be replaced, such as carpet and drywall.
5.Restore the Area
The final step involves restoring any part of the area that had to be removed. Minor repairs typically include adding new drywall and painting.
Mold cleanup involves specific steps and procedures. Work with a professional restoration company to ensure that your Lafayette, LA, property is clean and inhabitable.

How To Clean Plant Mildew

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

It is important to understand the difference between mold and plant mildew

You may have seen a white fungus growing on the flowers in your Lafayette, LA, home. This is plant mildew. Just as mold damage can be harmful to your property, mildew can weaken your plants by disrupting the photosynthesis process. Read on for more about this parasite and how to get rid of it.

What Is Mildew?

Mildew is a mold that grows on living plants. It can appear on various parts of the plant, including the:

• Fruits
  
• Buds
  
• Flowers
  
• Live tissue
  
  

Mildew typically has a splotchy or powdery appearance. It is usually white or light gray in color.
There are two basic types of mildew. Powdery mildews are fungal pathogens that typically grow on the upper leaves of plants. As their name implies, they often look like flour.
Downy mildew, meanwhile, are fuzzy, gray spores usually found on the lower parts of plants. They are actually more closely related to algae than they are to fungi.

How Do You Get Rid of Mildew?

It is important to understand the difference between mold and plant mildew. Mold is tough to get rid of and often requires professional expertise. Mildew, thankfully, is easier to remove.
In fact, you can address mildew by pruning or washing your plants. Sunlight can also reduce mildew. You can thus try moving an indoor plant outside. There are even some potting soils available that resist mildew.
Weeds can encourage mildew growth and should be kept away from your plants. Fertilizers and mildewcides can help, as well. Look for mildewcides that contain sulfur, baking soda, neem oil or copper. Avoid using regular mold removers, as these could kill your plant.
While you can probably handle plant mildew yourself, mold damage to your home is a more severe problem. Unless your house has only a small amount of this fungus, you should leave the cleanup to mold remediation specialists.

How to Deal with Commercial Fire Damage

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage

How to Deal with Commercial Fire Damage

An electrical fire or a utility room fire can cause a lot of damage to a business when the situation is not brought under control as soon as possible. Apart from destroying the building, a fire can lead to massive losses by destroying your business stock.

To recover from a fire disaster, soot damage or smoke, it is advisable to seek the services of professional fire restoration company. Such companies have the necessary;

• Certification and licenses
  
  
• Equipment
  
  
• Restoration Experience
  
  
• Insurance Information
  
  
• Supplies
  
  

The initial devastation and shock resulting from commercial fire damage cannot allow one to deal with the situation on their own. Moreover, you may not have the necessary equipment such as a fire truck, fire hose, and fire sprinkler system for effective fire suppression and commercial fire damage restoration. A Certified firefighter is in a better position handle an electrical fire or a utility room fire.

Before hiring any fire restoration firm, it is important to review price quotes and references to be sure about the company's profile. A professional fire restoration company follows the procedure below when helping you to recover from fire damage, smoke damage, or soot damage:

Fire Damage Assessment

It is difficult for a restoration company to prepare an accurate price quote without a proper assessment of the level of fire damage, soot damage or smoke damage caused by an electrical fire or a utility room fire. Also, evaluation helps a restoration company to know the best strategies to apply during fire damage restoration.

The firm gets to know the type of equipment required to restore soot damage, smoke damage, and the general damage. The company is expected to arrive on the scene with all the necessary fire suppression equipment like a fire truck, fire hose, and fire sprinkler system.

Fixing Leakages

Commercial fire damage may include water damage as a result of broken water pipes and water tanks. Moreover, the fire can damage doors, windows, and roofs that may need some quick fixing before cleanup. This can be done by placing a tarp on the roof and boarding up windows and doors.

Fire Suppression and Cleanup

A restoration company has to immediately embark on fire suppression in case of a utility room fire or an electrical fire. The most important equipment for use in this process includes a fire hose, a fire truck, and fire sprinkler system. There is a need for an experienced firefighter to operate the fire suppression equipment and other equipment for restoring smoke damage and soot damage.

A firefighter must have all the necessary training and certification to qualify for such assignments. Commercial fire damage requires a thorough clean-up before restoring the property to its normal condition. After putting out the fire, the next step involves general cleanup to avoid permanent damage resulting from soot damage and smoke damage. The company has to vacuum the upholstery and floors after cleaning the ceiling.

Immediate cleanup is vital as most items and walls tend to discolor as a result of soot and smoke damage. The acid that is left behind as a result of utility room fire or electrical fire can lead to permanent destruction of all the furnishings in the building. Drying and sanitization essential to prevent possible mold growth. There is a need for immediate removal of all smoky and residue orders for complete restoration.

Renovation and Redesign

As mentioned earlier, it is never an easy task to restore fire damage. An electric fire or utility room fire can completely destroy furnishings, goods, walls, carpets, floors, and ceilings. A restoration company can help in repairing some of the partially damaged items or remove and replace all the things that are beyond repair.

Renovation may also involve repainting the discolored walls. Furthermore, professionals offer business owners advice on how to deal with or avoid future fires. A firefighter in the restoration team can teach you how to use fire suppression equipment in case of small fires.

Cigarette Smoke Can Be Tough To Get Rid Of

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO if you need smoke odor removed.

Many people smoke cigarettes without realizing that the odor can have negative effects on their home environments. Smoking can cause odors to linger inside the home. This is because smoke and fine particulate matter becomes trapped inside soft surfaces and porous materials such as these:

• Furniture
• Drapery
• Clothing
• Carpet
• Throw rugs
• Bedding
• Towels
  
  

Other surfaces can trap odors, too. Over time the odors can become quite overwhelming; correcting it can call for professional home deodorization. Thankfully, professionals have a range of specialized tools available to them that help them accomplish this important goal. Whether you are planning to sell your Lafayette, LA, home or simply want to give it a much-needed deep cleaning, home deodorization can be an excellent decision that can increase your family’s comfort.

Smoky Smells Can Decrease the Value of a Home

Cigarette removal should be part of the process of preparing a home for sale or viewing. Many people find the smell of old cigarette smoke objectionable, and so they are less likely to purchase a home with this feature. As a result, a home’s value can drop to a surprising degree because of detectable odors. Freshening a house from time to time is usually a good idea. This process can prevent smells from lingering too long and becoming increasingly more established within the soft and porous surfaces found throughout the house.

Ozone Does the Trick

Ozone is typically a powerful natural deodorizer run by a generator that helps capture scent-causing molecules at their very source. It is used in many professional remediation jobs, including deep home cleaning. Ozone is often the choice of professionals, and care should be taken in its application; for this reason, ozone products and technology are not usually available to the general public.

Experts Can Help
A team experienced with home deodorization can help the next time you need to remove cigarette smoke smells from your Lafayette, LA, house. 

Home Safety: How to Prevent Kitchen Fires

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen fire damage in Lafayette, LA

Tips For Avoiding a Kitchen Fire

According to the NFPA, cooking accidents are the leading cause of fire damage in Lafayette, LA. On average, a total of 165 000 houses go up in flames every year due to kitchen fires. However, that does mean cooking is hazardous. It only implies that people should be more careful when dealing with open flames and electrical appliances in the kitchen.
Here are some tips for avoiding a kitchen fire:

• Don’t leave cooking food unattended
  
• Choose your clothing wisely
  
• Always unplug appliances
  
  

Stay in the Kitchen

Kitchen fires usually start when no one is looking. That’s why experts advise people to stay in the kitchen until the meal is ready. For example, if you are frying something with grease and notice the oil is smoking or boiling, please put off the flame to avoid a potential grease fire. The same applies to an oven operating at high heat for long periods.

Be Careful with Clothing

Loose clothing is one of the main reasons why people sustain severe fire injuries in the kitchen or even end up burning the house. Avoid flowing sleeves and large fitting shirts while working with fires. Alternatively, wear a fitting apron over the loose clothing. In case you catch fire, follow the handy fireman’s tips - stop, drop and roll before calling for help.

Unplug Appliances

Always unplug all kitchen appliances after each use. These devices continue draining power even when not in use, and that could have its toll on old wiring. It is also a bad idea to use cooking equipment with frayed wiring as you risk electric shock or even a fire. You might also want to plug all appliances directly to the wall and not through an extension.
There you have it — the top 3 tips for avoiding a nasty kitchen fire. The overall idea is to be very cautious about everything you do while cooking. It is the only way to stay safe and still enjoy a home-cooked meal.