Recent Posts

Air Movers Have Many Uses in Lyon & Storey Counties

3/16/2024 (Permalink)

water damage image Finding water damage in any part of your home or business can seem overwhelming. Call SERVPRO and we'll be your ally during the remediation process.

SERVPRO technicians find the most effective way to remediate water damage at your home or business property.

While our approach to water removal can vary greatly depending on the size, intensity, and duration of water damage, you will almost always see us using our signature air movers. They are powerful, directed fans that create fast and carefully planned streams of air throughout an area. These are employed in a wide variety of situations, from tight corners to vast, open warehouses. Scientific planning goes into our application of these industrial-grade machines, and every SERVPRO technician is well-trained in operating them.
 
Air movers are critical in Lyon and Storey County water removal jobs because they accomplish a tough task: drying up water already soaked into materials. Whether it is carpet, wood, grout, or even concrete, air movers apply a consistent and heavy stream of air to the surface to pick up individual water droplets and put them into the air. These services are needed in almost every water removal job SERVPRO does because we specialize in some of the heaviest and most thorough cleanup jobs on the market.
 
Many different protocols and planning situations can affect how our technicians arrange air movers in your home or business. Some types of carpeting, when soaked, can only be dried when an air mover blows underneath it. So, a common treatment is to lift up one end of the carpet to create a long air tube underneath it. Alternatively, for irregularly shaped rooms or situations requiring drying of high walls and ceilings, we may position the air movers at a vertical angle to direct air currents upwards. In most cases, air movers are kept in a room with closed doors to make air currents most efficient, but we may also strategically position some machines to push moisture from one room into another. This setup is most common when rooms are too small to dehumidify on their own and must be linked with a larger area.
 
Regardless of the size or severity of your damage, SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is ready 24/7 to respond to your time of crisis. Just call us at (775) 588-2355.

SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster because we know what an impact quick action has during a property disaster recovery

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

weather changes When weather changes cause storm property damage our crews are always here to help, with fast and effective action to minimize damages.

Quick response and cleanup are key to a successful storm damage restoration.


When rain and wind come to local Tahoe, Truckee, Reno, and Lyon County communities causing fallen trees, damage to roofs, and flooding to basements, our local SERVPRO team of property restoration specialists is ready to help. We have years of experience handling disaster cleanup and mitigation, we know how important it is to be prepared, and our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size of a property disaster.

Contacting SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, and SERVPRO of Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties for immediate service after you experience a flood or water damage can be the difference between a quick cleanup and mitigation or more costly and intrusive restoration, construction and mold remediation services. Our Emergency Service Team technicians are available 24-7 to help clean up and repair your storm and flood property damage. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”


It’s critical to take quick action and call our SERVPRO team to begin taking steps to stop the damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding, or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity, and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your property and contents to help minimize additional damages.


OUR STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE
    •    Water Extraction
    •    Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets, and furniture
    •    Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
    •    Remediating mold and mildew
    •    Reconstruction and Repairs

Our SERVPRO Storm Team has the experience and resources to handle your storm property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after the storm and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! Call our cleanup, restoration, and repair teams today at (775) 588-2355.

How Matterport Technology Helps Protect You After a Loss

3/1/2024 (Permalink)

Matterport camera energy Insurance estimators were able to capture a hurricane-damaged hospital's ground floor in 3D while crews were able to mitigate damage (Matterport)

As we've all seen this month in the historic winter freeze heavily impacting many states across America, property owners' assets are always at risk in the hands of the unpredictable. Regardless of whether you run a mom-and-pop shop or an industrial empire, property damage can be a devastating blow to your business, especially if your insurance doesn't cover it. Recovering property from a disaster is a long and complicated process. 

Depending on size, claims can take anywhere from two to six months at minimum and may involve numerous visits to a site by an appraisal professional who must detail the extent of damage for you to receive full compensation. The larger the claim, the larger the hassle one faces throughout the insurance process. The finite details matter when taking inventory of damages, but reporting on minor elements (like water-damaged walls after a flood, for example) can be a daunting task even for the most experienced claims adjuster. Using a 3D camera to create a virtual model can dramatically increase the comprehensiveness of documentation, providing a level of dimensionality and detail that matters when it comes to insurance claims.

For the past 50 years, pen, pencil, and ruler have been the standard of appraisal professionals across the industry. Photographs and videos are used as well, but they are often incomplete and lack context and depth. The invention of 3D technology makes it easier to respond to natural disasters, allowing quick deployment of repair crews and restoration of livelihoods. This equipment lets property owners sleep better at night knowing they're protected against loss. We have adopted 3D scans performed by Matterport, a fully immersive end-to-end VR platform, to capture the entirety of properties.

WHAT IS MATTERPORT?

Matterport is a 4K camera system made to create schematic floor plans and 3D virtual environments of any physical space, both interior and exterior.

Matterport makes SERVPRO even more efficient, allowing us to estimate repairs and inspect for loss prevention faster, better, and more accurately.

Auditing precisely what a business has lost in a disaster could mean the difference between immediate financial failure or recovery, so being able to present an accurate and complete record is key to speeding the claims process and recouping costs on damages. 3D scans freeze a property owner's most valuable assets in time so that property owners can get back on their feet again – often before their insurance claim is finalized. Without this documentation, any move to repair a property could protract a claims process by "disturbing" the scene of damage meaning that if/when appraisers return, they won't see the property in the state it was in after the initial damage occurred.

The Matterport system allows 99% accurate measurements with the ability to share walk-throughs of the property with carriers and owners who aren't physically present. This technology is transforming our industry.

PROPERTY OWNER BENEFITS

Having a loss is costly, time-consuming, and stressful.  Understanding how to navigate the insurance claim process, selecting restoration professionals, and how to manage life while your home or business is completely disrupted is made difficult when you are not the expert. Matterport allows SERVPRO to help you become more involved and informed in all those processes. Our goal is to empower the property owner with information and ease the process. We assist in communication with your adjuster and insurance company, and this technology allows you to see exactly what we are working with. 

When an adjuster misses a piece of damage in the home, our estimator can pull up the 3D imaging and point to every bit of information needed to get approvals for repair without any additional costs to the property owner. 

Another great benefit to Matterport is Cortex, the artificial intelligence software otherwise that blocks all personal information from images. For example, if you have a photo of your children on the fridge that you would prefer to remain private, Cortex blocks out faces automatically so no one will see images of anyone in your home during the photo-taking process. 

The ability to share the virtual tour is very easy as well. Once your images have been completed, you can ask SERVPRO to share the link for your viewing. This is a wonderful tool if you don't live in the same area as the property damaged. Many owners have properties that are damaged while on vacation, or it may be your seasonal home. Perhaps you manage a business from another city. This allows you to understand the extent of damages in detail, which also provides a better path of communication between you and your insurance carrier. 

When You Choose a Restoration Company That Uses Matterport Technology, Such As SERVPRO, 

You get an accurate and comprehensive way to document your home or business and any assets within them, and expedite your claim should you have to file one.

  • Get a complete record of your property's condition.

  • An accurate inventory of personal items and other assets within your home or building.

  • Reduce discrepancies and disputes with insurance carriers.

  • Expedite the entire claims process, reducing the need to provide documentation or receipts in some instances.

Using Matterport technology, SERVPRO can digitally capture the entirety of your damaged property in 3D immediately, allowing extraction and drying crews to get to work on mitigation as soon as possible which will not only allow your business to get back up and running sooner but also prevent further damage such as mold growth from water damaged materials. In as little as one day, we can give a detailed and much more accurate estimate of damages, allowing you to recoup your repair costs and us to start work right away. 

SERVPRO is Faster to Any Size Disaster and available 24/7 for YOU.

Preparing Your Business for a Potential Fire Disaster

2/28/2024 (Permalink)

computer external hard drive Back up important data and documents.

How Can I Prepare for a Fire Disaster?

Although there is only a slight chance, you never know when your Reno, NV, commercial property could catch fire. Whether it's a result of a faulty electrical system, a toaster fire in the breakroom, or a wildfire intrusion, it's essential to think about fire preparation before the worst occurs. Being proactive can potentially save lives, your building, and your business.

1. Back Up Your Important Data and Documents
The survival of your business could depend on having backups of your essential data and files. As an extra precaution, you can store this data in a separate physical location, such as on a hard drive kept in your own home. However, your best option is to keep backups of everything in the cloud. You can also scan essential paper files and upload them to your cloud storage.

2. Prepare Your Employees
Familiarize all of your employees with the building evacuation plan, the location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits, as well as other critical information. Part of your fire preparation should include routinely practicing fire drills and presenting fire safety rules with all personnel.

If you don't have a binder with this information available to employees, contact SERVPRO to come to your building and create a free Emergency Readiness Plan for your office.

3. Review Your Commercial Insurance
A critical part of your plan is reviewing your commercial insurance policy to ensure you have the correct type and amount of coverage. Having the proper insurance could mean the difference between saving your business or losing everything.

4. Create a List of Emergency Contacts
Another vital component of disaster preparation is creating a list of emergency contacts. The list should include employees and their emergency contacts, suppliers, local emergency services, your insurance company, and fire damage restoration professionals. Keep a copy of this list off-site in case the original gets destroyed in the fire.


Any type of disaster at your business can be traumatic for everyone involved. However, having a fire preparation strategy in place can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind. SERVPRO is here to help you prepare for the worst, and restore your assets if anything happens.

Cleanup And Assessment After Flooding In South Lake Tahoe Homes

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

flooded home After a flood, homeowners often get overwhelmed by the debris, dirt, and excess water throughout the property.

Initial steps to take once a disaster strikes your South Lake Tahoe home involve finding suitable professional assistance that can arrive quickly with the resources to protect your home from further harm. With flooding, many areas of your property can get affected simultaneously which poses a risk greater than homeowners can remedy on their own. Our professionals can help by arriving quickly with fast extraction tools to help remove the excess water from the affected sections of your property as promptly as possible.

After flood damage to your South Lake Tahoe home, your primary concern is getting flood cleanup and assessment of structural issues. With the advanced equipment that our SERVPRO professionals have in our Green Fleet dispatched out to emergencies, we can make accurate inspections of properties affected by flooding to determine what tools and personnel are necessary to restore your home completely.

From the moment that our professionals arrive at your property, we begin our assessment of the spread of the damage throughout your house. With our moisture detection equipment, we can identify pockets of moisture that require our immediate attention and which materials have become saturated by the excess water introduced to the environment.

Additionally, our SERVPRO technicians get to work quickly on cleaning up the area once the water has gotten extracted and we begin drying efforts. Demolition is often a big part of this process, as many materials require removals such as carpeting, portions of drywall, and other oversaturated surfaces and contents. Once these areas get removed, we can prepare these portions of your home for reconstruction that can follow our initial mitigation efforts.

After a flood, homeowners often get overwhelmed by the debris, dirt, and excess water throughout the property. Our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties has the tools to quickly remove the water from the affected areas and return your property to preloss conditions fast. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (775) 588-2355.

What to Expect When You Call SERVPRO

2/14/2024 (Permalink)

Here to Help SERVPRO technicians are highly trained in property damage restoration.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call SERVPRO Today

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, Reno East, Lyon & Storey Counties has specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

  • Your name and contact information including your phone number and email address
  • Your insurance information (if applicable)
  • The street address of the water-damaged home or business
  • When did the flooding or water damage occur?
  • What caused the water damage (if known)?
  • Is there electricity available (on-site)?
  • Is there standing water (if applicable)?
  • What year was the home or business built?

About SERVPRO

SERVPRO specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

2/6/2024 (Permalink)

fire extinguishers There are several different types of extinguishers, designed for various types of fires.

For homeowners in Carson City, Nevada, keeping the home and everyone in it safe is a top priority. While hopefully, a fire doesn’t break out, fire preparedness is an essential component of staying safe and knowing what to do. A key tool in defending against fire is a fire extinguisher, but choosing the right one isn’t always easy.

Types of Extinguishers

When it comes to avoiding fire from spreading, an extinguisher is the first line of defense. If the flames are already too much, immediate evacuation should take place. For handling small fires, the right extinguisher needs to be used. The wrong one has the potential to fan the flames. Below are the types available and what they are designed to put out.

Class A: Common combustible materials, such as cloth, wood, and paper.
Class B: Flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, and oil-based paints.
Class C: Electrical equipment and appliances.
Class D: Flammable metals.
Class K: Oils and animal fat used in cooking.

For homeowners, the best to have around the home are A, B, or C. A combo of those is also available, which will be listed on the label. If your kitchen is a busy place and food is always being prepared, it may be worth considering having a Class K to help put out a grease fire.

Choosing the Right One
A fire extinguisher also comes in different sizes, from 10 pounds to 2 pounds. That weight indicates the number of chemicals inside, not the weight of the canister. In many cases, going bigger is better, especially in garages, but it may be too heavy for indoor use. A 5-pound extinguisher near the laundry room and kitchen is a common choice. Ease of use and storage is also a consideration. Some are available with a hose and disposable, while others are rechargeable. Many come with mounting hardware, ensuring that stay in a secure, stable location.
Regardless of what is best for your home, having an extinguisher provides a little extra peace of mind.

Using Your Extinguisher

Once you have picked the right extinguisher, you can follow the P.A.S.S. technique to put out the fire. First, pull the pin and break the seal. Next, aim the extinguisher's hose or nozzle at the base of the fire. Then squeeze the handle to release the chemical or water onto the fire. Finally, sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side until the flames are gone.
Even a small blaze can cause major damage to your home. Thankfully, SERVPRO can assist with house repairs once the flames have been extinguished.

Call SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties if you have a fire or any fire-related questions! 775-588-2355

Did You Know: We Can Repair Your Smoke Damaged Electronics

1/29/2024 (Permalink)

smoke damaged electronics There is a possibility that your smoke-damaged electronics can be restored. Call SERVPRO to discuss!

We have reached that time of the year when everybody seems to be out buying new gadgets and electronic devices. In fact, electronics are a huge hit during the festive season. People buy new televisions, media players, speakers, computers, phones, and more, both as gifts for others and treats for themselves.

Unfortunately, this coincides with a sharp increase in domestic fires and it is no accident that the two trends develop at the same time of year. Many instances of fire damage in South Lake Tahoe homes, for example, are a result of overloaded sockets and improperly used electronic equipment.

SERVPRO®  handles cases like this all the time and works hard to help devastated homeowners breathe life back into their damaged possessions.

Rescuing Electronics Equipment after a House Fire

It is a common misconception to assume that things like televisions, stereos, game consoles, and speakers cannot be saved from fire damage. It does, of course, depend on the extent of the destruction, but if the damage is primarily smoke-based, there is a good chance of salvaging them.

For instance, electronic equipment can be sent to a special facility, where it is treated with high-strength cleaning chemicals. These chemicals dislodge soot and debris from the inside of the machine, but they do not cause any further damage while doing so. It is then placed in an industrial drying container, where it is slowly warmed, and all of the moisture is eliminated.

How to Give Your Electronics the Best Shot At Survival

Electronic devices and machines have the best chance of survival if they are sent for professional cleaning within 72 hours of the fire. This is just one of the reasons why it is so important to get in touch with SERVPRO, as soon as the immediate danger has passed and everybody has been accounted for.

Our experts will arrive on-site and carry out a full inspection. With your consent, they will then identify and remove all items that they believe can be salvaged. You do not have to worry about losing track of anything valuable because we use a comprehensive labeling and index system to monitor everything that leaves the property.

What Homeowners Can Do To Help

Apart from calling our fire damage restoration team, the best thing that you can do is avoid moving any electronic items. This could cause further damage, by stirring soot and sending it into sockets, holes, seams, and cracks. Do not attempt to clean with any commercial or household detergents.

The salvageable items must be gently transported to a clean environment, where they can be assessed and treated. Once they have been restored, they will be returned to your home – but only after the rest of the repair and restoration process is complete. Otherwise, there is a risk of contaminating the devices with soot all over again.

If you need help or advice after a fire, you can get in touch with our experts at any time. SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe/Reno East/Lyon & Storey Counties is a locally based company, so you can expect a fast response. Call us 24/7 at (775) 588-2355.

5 Tips to Protect Your Home From Mudslides

1/19/2024 (Permalink)

mudslide damaged home You should coat and seal all of the structures on the lower level of your house, such as the foundation, walls, doors, basement, and windows.

Sudden storms in Tahoe can create flash floods at any time of the year, but these events are particularly dangerous during the snow season in winter. While homeowners can’t do anything to control the weather, they can protect their properties from mudslides and water damage. Here are a few ways you can fortify your home and minimize the need for cleanup.

5 Ways to Defend Your Home Against Mudslides

1. Invest in Insurance

Standard home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. If you’re not in a high-risk zone, you may not be required to have flood insurance, but it’s a good idea to open a policy anyway. This protection will help cover the cost of structural repairs and flood cleanup, so you can get back to your normal life in a timely fashion without draining your bank account.

2. Seal Walls

Even if it seems like your home’s exterior will provide a barrier against a mudslide, water may seep through the cracks. That’s why you should coat and seal all of the structures on the lower level of your house, such as the foundation, walls, doors, basement, and windows.

3. Develop Better Drainage  

The position of your home’s landscape can greatly reduce your risk of flood damage. You should have your landscape graded on a decline away from your home so water can flow away. Foundation vents are another feature that can help prevent mud and water from pooling around the perimeter. 

4. Have Sandbags Ready

Placing sandbags around your home in a strategic fashion can help keep mud and water back. However, since filling sandbags can be time-consuming, have them prepared and laid out well before the floodwaters start to approach your home.

5. Move Lower-Level Belongings

If there is a high chance that floodwaters will penetrate your home, minimize the amount of damage by clearing out the lower levels of your home. Save your furniture, electronics, photographs, and any other belongings susceptible to water damage by elevating them or moving them to the second story. To avoid electrical accidents, cut off the power supply within exposed areas.

When spring weather starts to warm up and heavy snowfalls begin to melt, you can be sure to expect excess water with the potential to cause issues. Basements and below-ground shelters are highly susceptible to unwanted water infiltration. Faulty windows with improper or aging seals can become an access point for outside elements. Mud, dirt, and sediments can all become intertwined in the seeping water, causing an even greater mess to deal with. Our highly trained and skilled professionals at SERVPRO®  have seen it all and have the tools and experience to cleanse, dry, and repair all water damage from the bottom up. 

Steps To Fix a Kitchen Sink Leak

1/11/2024 (Permalink)

sink leak A leaky kitchen sink may seem like a minor issue, but an ongoing leak could have serious consequences.

Here Are Three Steps To Fix An Under- Sink Leak

A leaky kitchen sink may seem like a minor issue, but an ongoing leak could have serious consequences. Business owners may be able to fix a malfunctioning faucet, drain or drain seal at a residence in Reno, Nevada. A leaking supply line or other plumbing problems that could cause flooding to require expert repair. 

1. Find the Source of the Leak
A leaky or broken water supply line may visibly drip or spray water in a home. A P-trap or sink drain leak may only be evident after water has run through the sink. If you cannot locate the source of a leak, shut off the water supply and contact a plumber.

2. Fix the Drain, Seal or Faucet
A leaky faucet is relatively easy to replace, along with one or two washers or gaskets. A P-trap leak may require clearing a blockage, tightening connections, or replacing a corroded trap. A sink drain leak may need to be unscrewed and repacked with plumbers putty. A broken supply line is more likely to cause category one water damage or flooding and require expert repair.

3. Contact a Plumber If a Leak Continues
If the kitchen repair measures you take to stop a leaky sink are not effective, it is a good idea to call a plumber sooner rather than later. The longer an under-sink cabinet or other areas remain wet, the higher the risk of major water damage and mold.
A leaking sink often starts off as a drip, but a problem that goes unaddressed could end up flooding a home kitchen in Carson City or Reno, Nevada. If you cannot resolve the underlying cause, contact a plumber to minimize primary damage. An under-sink cabinet that has been exposed to water for a long period or repeatedly may suffer primary and secondary damage.

If you need assistance, call SERVPRO® at 775-588-2355.