Recent Posts
Do You Know About Our IAQ Services?
11/27/2023 (Permalink)
Air quality is important for overall health.
It is no secret that our region has been suffering a dangerous decline in air quality due to the severe California fire conditions. Did you know you can get help with air quality improvements in your business or home?After an emergency, you might not be able to immediately return to assess damages to your property because there may be hazardous conditions such as poor air quality. These conditions don't just affect fire damaged property, though. Smoke from outdoor fires fan reach as far as other states with the help of wind. Though the fire may been extinguished, the lingering effects could potentially threaten those without the appropriate training and personal protective equipment. Our team of professionals can arrive quickly to address these concerns and help mitigate other losses on your property such as smoke damage if you are closer to the fires.
IAQ stands for indoor air quality, which is something people may not automatically think about when dealing with fire damage.
Airborne hazards and fire odor control are among main concerns for property owners. While much of the initial stage is assessing the full scope of damage in order to state the needs of the insurance provider that offers coverage for your building, we can also begin the steps necessary to overcome potentially hazardous conditions, noxious odors, and debris or particulates circulating in the environment.
Cleaning up the atmosphere throughout the property and improving indoor air quality requires several pieces of equipment strategically placed throughout the building. Our air scrubbers and hydroxyl generators can both be useful in this situation, as they trap particulates, debris, and smoke residue as small as 0.3 microns. The longer these machines run, the cleaner the air within the building becomes.
Overcoming lingering foul odors from smoke and fire is another concern because it can make restoration work challenging for our technicians and others that could be in the building throughout this process. Often the best approach to permanently eliminating or substantially reducing odors present after a fire or residual from a nearby forest fire is with the use of thermal foggers. These machines release a dense chemical compound that neutralizes foul odor molecules on contact.
While odors and environmental hazards might not be as visually obvious as severe structural damage, they are a factor that needs to be addressed as promptly as possible. Our Truckee/Tahoe area fire restoration specialists have the tools and expertise to overcome all hurdles encountered in returning your property to pre-fire and healthy air quality conditions.
We are dedicated to helping families, and business owners remove fire damage, as well as smoke and soot damage, from their homes and businesses. SERVPRO has been in the area for decades and will still be here for decades to come. Adjusters make recommendations for who to use but select a company based on relationship. We are grateful for outside companies who have come to help our community, but remember, we will be here in years to come for follow-ups and other needs, while others will not. Give us a call today.
How Professional Cleaning Can Reduce Your Loss Expenses
11/16/2023 (Permalink)
Suffering fire damage in your home does not have to be a total loss. Contact SERVPRO for effective cleanup after a fire.
Team SERVPRO Offers Many Effective Services After a Fire
Insurance claims can be costly, especially if filed under damage caused by you. In the event of a fire, replacement is by far the most expensive part of a claim, closely followed by resurfacing of structural elements. However, replacement or resurfacing can sometimes be avoided. Cleaning can help to restore possessions to their preloss condition and prevent your insurance rates from rising unnecessarily.
In our experience, insurance claims for fire damage in Minden properties can be lessened by thoroughly cleaning the affected area. Our restoration experts can use tried and tested methods of cleaning to help salvage some of your items and restore them to pre-fire conditions.
The first thing a SERVPRO technician does onsite is to locate smoke residues by conducting a thorough visual inspection. Tracing how far smoke has traveled as well as identifying the type of residue and surfaces affected is a crucial part of the restoration process as it allows us to apply the right cleaning chemicals and technique for each affected area.
Smoke residues bond with the surfaces that come into contact with them. Porous surfaces and materials absorb smoke which can become worse if tackled with the wrong equipment. A SERVPRO restoration specialist can use a combination of dry and wet cleaning methods to lift residue away from the affected surface.
The first port of call is industrial-grade wet/ dry vacuums. After vacuuming, there are four specialized methods your restorer can use depending on the situation. Temperature cleaning causes materials to react with higher temperatures and lift settled residue from soft textures like upholstery. Chemical cleaning and soaking time are also very effective in getting rid of high concentrations of soot or smoke.
If you have jewelry or other valuables damaged in the fire, ultrasonic equipment can be brought in to restore them. Selected items are placed in a vat of solvent or water. Sonic waves are used to agitate the liquid which produces microscopic bubbles. These bubbles burst on the surface of the items creating pressure. The pressure created by bursting bubbles cleans the surface of high-value items, sometimes bringing them back to preloss conditions.
In most cases, we can complete item restoration on-site. However, if there is a lot of damage or limited space to carry out cleaning, we can take items from the site to a storage facility for cleaning and restoration. Pack-outs free up space which can help us extract water, clean or dry the structure efficiently.
SERVPRO has helped some homeowners to reduce the expense of their insurance claim by restoration using professional cleaning methods. In cases of severe damage, cleaning may not be possible. As part of our service, we can walk you around the affected area after cleaning as well as completing a customer content inventory service (CCIS) that lists salvageable and non-salvageable items.
When you are next filing an insurance claim, contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties for expert assessment and professional cleanup services. Arrange a home visit by calling (775) 588-2355 today.
Moisture Control For High Risk Buildings
11/2/2023 (Permalink)
EPA Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Indoor Air Quality Publication
In 2008 the EPA published Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings which outlines the importance of proper structural drying to avoid mold growth especially in "high risk" buildings including schools and commercial buildings.
In the article the EPA suggests, "It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors".
The most effective way to control moisture indoors is to:
- Fix plumbing that cause frequent leaks.
- Stay mindful of wet spots caused by reoccurring condensation.
- Keep HVAC drip pans flowing properly by clearing any obstructions and maintaining them regularly.
- Ensure dryers are vented to the outside.
- Maintain indoor humidity to 30-50% where possible.
- Immediately clean and properly dry any wet areas.
- Do not let building foundations remain wet for prolonged periods of time.
- Have a remediation plan or Emergency Ready Profile on hand from SERVPRO to be prepared to quickly and effectively remediate any water damages.
The EPA also recommends in their publication:
"The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control!
- When addressing mold problems, don’t forget to address the source of the moisture problem, or the mold problem may simply reappear!
- Remember to check for high humidity and condensation problems as well as actual water leaks, maintenance issues, and HVAC system problems.
- Protect the health and safety of the building occupants and remediators. Consult a health professional as needed. Use PPE and containment as appropriate when working with mold."
Always consult with a licensed remediation company, like SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355 if you suspect you have a moisture problem or had a recent water loss.
Not All Fire Damage is Fire Related
10/25/2023 (Permalink)
Servicing Your Water Heater Can Prevent Puffback
Regular Maintenance of Gas and Oil Appliances Can Prevent Property Damage
Fires do not simply burn and destroy things in a building or home. Fire also produces extremely dense smoke and soot. Soot is very corrosive and often contains chemicals and abrasive substances that can permanently etch porcelain and glass. Electronics are particularly vulnerable to soot. It can be just as damaging these items as the heat from a fire.
For apartments, homes, and office buildings without a basement, soot damage can happen without fire damage being present. This is true when a furnace is not functioning as it should. “Puffback” is something that happens in furnaces that have not been maintained well. It creates finer soot, but can still be damaging to the ceiling and nearby walls. Anything nearby can become coated in the soot resulting in damage if the furnace is not repaired and the soot cleaned away.
Why Puffback Happens & Related Dangers
Puffback occurs because the ignition in your furnace, and in some cases, your hot water heater or boiler, does not ignite correctly. The oil or gas builds up, and when the ignition does occur, there is too much fuel. Another cause of puffback is leaking fuel. If there are leaks present in the fuel line, these can create a build-up of fuel inside the furnace's chamber or below the water heater or boiler. When the unit is ready to ignite what is supposed to be a normal amount of fuel, the extra is ignited instead, causing a contained explosion.
Because there are defined areas that the explosion can escape to, at least at the beginning, the explosion does not damage your appliance any further. Explosions can happen once and be very large, or smaller bursts can occur much more frequently. Inspection of the furnace or heater can determine exactly why the unit is malfunctioning.
What Should You Do About Puffback
Inspection of your furnace or heater can determine if a unit is malfunctioning. Repairs should be completed as soon as possible, and the unit should not be used until then. Puffback shows that oil or gas is leaking, and this is a fire hazard. Puffback and its explosions can start fires if any combustible items are in the line of the soot and smoke on the exterior of the furnace or boiler.
If the furnace is oil-based, the soot will be more difficult to clean than gas-based furnaces. In gas-powered furnaces, however, the soot will be more substantial. Both should be cleaned by professionals. At SERVPRO, we are experienced in cleaning up soot damage caused by furnace and boiler puffback.
Where You Will Find Evidence of Puffback
Puffback leaves its calling card in several places. Some areas will be more damaged than others. If soot is left to build up over time, it will become hardened. Hardened soot will need to be scraped away before cleaning of the area can begin. Repainting should only be done after the faulty furnace or boiler is repaired or replaced. You will find puffback soot and smoke damage on the ceiling and on walls adjacent to the furnace. You could find damage around air vents, along with and above some baseboard heaters, and on the floor around the unit if it is a hot water heater malfunction.
The first few times puffback happens, soot is less likely to be detected. If you hear a loud noise when your furnace is starting up, it could be puffback. Remember, this can create a high risk for a home or commercial fire and should be remedied quickly. If you need help determining if your home is at risk for puffback damage, our SERVPRO technicians are trained in assessing and remedying this issue.
We Are Ready to Protect Your Home and Repair Any Current Damages
We are dedicated to helping families, and business owners remove fire damage, as well as smoke and soot damage, from their homes and businesses. SERVPRO has been in the area for decades and will still be here for decades to come. Adjusters make recommendations for who to use but select a company based on the relationship. We are grateful for outside companies who have come to help our community but remember, we will be here in years to come for follow-ups and other needs, while others will not.
At SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties, we are available 24/7 to answer your call.
Our Storm Damage Experts Can Save Your Home
10/19/2023 (Permalink)
When a flood damages your home, count on SERVPRO. We are Here to Help.
Storm Damage In South Lake Tahoe Is Not What You See On TV
Most storm flood damage is much milder than the massive natural disasters that you might occasionally see on television. While professional damage mitigation companies like SERVPRO stay prepared to deal with situations that bad, you probably do not need to worry about such drastic damages happening to your home. Here are a few of the more common problems that might happen in your home after a flood.
Damaged Carpeting and Flooring
One of the most popular reasons why owners in South Lake Tahoe with flood damage call up SERVPRO is to help deal with the effects that flooding can have on their floor materials. The floors of your home are not designed to be submerged underwater and soaked through, so when a flood strikes, these materials may warp in unexpected ways. Carpeting tends to shrink and warp when drying out and typically requires full replacement after a storm flood. Other materials like tile and wood typically do not need to be replaced but may require some specialty restorative treatments.
Baseboard Damage
Many local homes have baseboards on the bottoms of most or all of their interior walls. During a flood, these can start to shrink, bend, or become discolored. If the water becomes deep enough, similar types of damage can happen to wallpaper and paint on the walls themselves. Depending on how quickly we arrive after the disaster, we can typically reverse most of the damaging effects done to baseboards in your house.
Mold Growth
Perhaps the most important reason to call SERVPRO immediately after a flood is to stop mold from growing in your home. Fungal spores can spread whenever they have both a food source and sufficient levels of moisture, and the average flood provides them with both of these things. While we can remove and sanitize mold damage after it happens, the more straightforward solution is often to remove the water before spores get the chance to grow. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster to set up drying equipment that cuts off the water supply and stops mold damage in its tracks.
We are here to help our community in any way we can. SERVPRO has been in the area for decades and will still be here for decades to come. Adjusters make recommendations for who to use but select a company based on relationship.
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyons & Storey Counties is committed to helping you overcome flood damage quickly and at as low of a cost as possible. Call us 24/7.
SERVPRO Is Ready To Help Your Business
10/11/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is Here to Help Your Business
Investing in and growing your own business is the dream of many Americans. Business owners have come to terms with numerous struggles presented in the response to the Coronavirus pandemic, wild fires and many other common issues.It is more important than ever to be ready to get back to business as soon as possible after any closure experience happens.
Soot Cleanup
Now that fire season has come upon us our team is more prepared than ever to help in homes and businesses. We were hit so close to our home base this time and we want our community to know that we are here to help you reopen as soon as possible.
Ash blows away but soot grabs to paint, and even skin. Without good insulation, it will get into houses through windows and roofs. We come in to clean attics and duct systems. After turning furnaces on, soot can get into systems and not only dirty them but damage them. Soot will get onto screens and sliders of windows and corrode finishes. It can also cause health effects and decrease your immune system. We use a dry sponge cleaning approach using HEPA vacuums to clean your home or office inside and out. We use biodegradable products after lightly pressure washing not only the roof and outer structures but also the grounds around the property such as walkways, patios, driveways or parking lots. Soot resides on these grounds and is brought in on shoes. We make sure your property is ready for the housekeeper and/or landscaper to come back. We also clean furniture, deodorize, clean duct systems and replace filters so you have clean air to breathe. We also can stain clean carpet if needed, which insurance is typically willing to cover. Most of all, we don't interrupt your business. We can block off certain areas, or do after-hours and overnight cleaning. During covid-19 cleanings last year, we would stay until 4am many times cleaning businesses after hours. We are here for you when you need us.
How Professional Cleaning Can Impact Your Business
When needed we can help with the professional cleaning of your offices and customer-contact spaces. Once our services are complete, you will get a sign verifying to your customers that your building has been professionally cleaned. This shows them that their health is of the utmost importance to you.
Business operations were put on hold, employees couldn’t go to work as scheduled, and customers were homebound as a result of the lockdown efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. Once you reopen your doors, it is important to let your customers and employees know that you’ve taken precautionary steps to keep them healthy.
With your customer-facing sign certifying that your building has been professionally cleaned, you will gain the lasting trust of your customers that are re-entering stores and other buildings for the first time in a long time.
Getting Back to Business Requires Professional Clean-Up
With so many changes happening daily, SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties would like for our local businesses to know we are here to help, no matter what the developments look like in the next months. If your property needs proactive services to clean for potential COVID-19 contamination, we are available 24/7.
SERVPRO follows the appropriate protocol set by the CDC and we use EPA registered disinfectants that are certified for hospital use. They are among the most effective for disinfecting against viruses.
Here's a list with examples of just a few of the commercial properties our team is ready to tackle:
- Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
- Apartment Buildings
- Restaurants
- Hotel/Motels
- Pharmacies
- Small Retail Stores
- Large Retail Stores
- Manufacturing & Industrial
- Government/Military
It's best to utilize proactive cleaning to help minimize the spread of germs. Please keep in mind these cleanings will not prevent or protect the building from future contamination.
We also take the wellness and safety of our SERVPRO crew very seriously. They play a vital role in our franchise. We take adequate preemptive measures to keep ourselves, and those that we are in contact with, safe.
If you see us working within the community, know that our employees are in good health. Our trained technicians are always available to service water, mold, fire, and other emergency needs that would involve deep cleaning and disinfection of buildings.
Let your customers know that you care about protecting their health.
In preparation for reopening your business, call our professional restoration experts and cleaning technicians at SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe/ Lyon & Storey Counties for the caring service your company and your customers deserve.
SERVPRO handles Biohazard Cleanup in the Reno/Tahoe area
10/3/2023 (Permalink)
Crime Scene "Do Not Cross" yellow tape at a Biohazard scene in Carson City, Nevada
Discovering the scene of a major injury or death can be extremely traumatic. Despite the shock, one must remember to call the proper authorities and avoid contact with the scene because biohazard materials can spread infection and disease if they are mishandled. Traumatic situations that involve injury or death can be extremely dangerous and may involve hazardous materials. Violent crimes or scenes of serious accidents likely contain bodily fluids like blood or tissues and must be handled by certified professionals, helping to prevent any contamination spread.
Law enforcement officials and EMTs should be the first contacted. Next, a professional such as SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East and SERVPRO of Lyon & Storey Counties should be contacted to safely restore the scene. We are certified to properly clean and sanitize the scene to make it safe.
If this is a crime scene, our technicians cooperate with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. It can be very difficult emotionally for friends and family members of the victim to cope with the situation. Our technicians work with the utmost respect and compassion for those who are grieving.
Death, suicide, crime, and other dramatic scenes can be emotionally taxing to handle alone. We provide support such as insurance negotiations, confidentiality, and situation sensitivity. See our resource guide at the bottom of this article for some resources that may help in the Carson City, Nevada area.
Learn more about the importance of proper crime scene cleanup here.
Common Biohazard Scenarios
Sewage Backups
Sewage backups and dark water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits – these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. We remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, and help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized.
Bloodborne Pathogens
We remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue, and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accidents, trauma, crime, or death. Trained SERVPRO Franchise Professionals clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure.
Methamphetamine Labs
SERVPRO realizes many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. We follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.
SERVPRO knows Crime Scenes
At SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties we understand what it takes to properly clean up crime scenes in Nevada and California.
Our technicians are highly trained to clean up and remove all types of biohazard materials to restore sewage backups, crime scenes, death scenes, and the scene of serious accidents. We use the best cleaning products and equipment in the industry. The biohazard cleaning services we provide follow state health regulations as well as the regulations of OSHA.
Equipment like thermal foggers and ozone generators can remove or significantly reduce harsh odors that exist both on the property, and on some individual affected contents that require focused attention, disinfection, and cleaning off-site.
Please refer to our Biohazard Emergency Tips - Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.
Need Biohazard Cleanup Services?
Call Us Today – (775) 588-2355
The decontamination of a home or business due to trauma, sewage backups, chemical spills, hoarding, or other biohazards can be both dangerous and emotional. Specialized training and experience are key when choosing a cleanup company to resolve these circumstances.
We provide cleanup and recovery services for many biohazard situations. These include the following:
Give us a call at (775) 588-2355 and we will be on our way to help.
Resources in Carson City, Nevada for difficult times
Family Crisis Center near Carson City
Grief Counseling & Support Groups
Victims Services
To Obtain Copies of the Death Certificate
Obituaries
Funeral & Cremation Services
Home Remodeling Services
How to Choose the Best Company for Your Job:
Ultimately, it is up to you to assess who will provide the best service. Many companies will likely provide great service. Make sure the company you choose is emotionally sensitive to your type of job. SERVPRO can inform you of the time and cost of your job. We are always sensitive to the situation, keep your information confidential, and are certified to handle the job properly.
Find more tips for choosing a crime scene cleanup company here.
When we handle your biohazard job, we do it the right way:
- Certified technicians who work with compassion and respect
- Removal of all biohazard materials as well as cleaning and sanitization of the scene
- Transport and proper disposal of biohazard materials to a licensed facility
- Work in compliance with local, state, and federal safety standards
If you encounter a scenario involving biohazard materials, whether it be a crime scene, sewage backup, or accidental death, make sure you stay clear of the area and call SERVPRO at (775) 588-2355for biohazard cleaning services. We can be reached 24 hours a day to respond to biohazard emergencies in Carson City, NV.
We have caring professional team members ready to help in difficult times.
We hope you will never need our biohazard cleaning services, but if you do, we are here to help.
If You Need Biohazard Cleanup, Call Us Today – (775) 588-2355
The 5 Simple Steps of the Restoration Process After a Fire
9/27/2023 (Permalink)
Tarping and boarding services in a Douglas County home
The 5 Simple Steps of the Restoration Process After a Fire
Once you’ve been the unfortunate victim of a fire in your home, you may feel overwhelmed by events. Those feelings are normal, but there are active steps you can take to begin to put your home – and your life – back together. If you have homeowner’s insurance in Douglas County, or Lyon & Storey Counties, you will be far better off if you leave the fire cleanup process to an experienced, professional smoke cleaning and soot damage restoration company. Once you contact them, they have a precise order to ensure your home is returned to the original condition:
- Inspect and assess the damage.
- Board up and tarp to prevent further damage.
- Water removal and drying.
- Removal of soot and smoke residue.
- Final cleaning and sanitizing.
Inspection and Assessment
The company will send out a team of professional inspectors to determine the best course of action and what tools they need to complete the job. During the fire cleanup process, they will determine if wiring and pipes have been impacted, the extent of smoke damage and any hazardous conditions.
Board-Up and Tarping
The immediate priority after a fire is to prevent any further damage. Boards and tarps provide an excellent barrier to elements and would-be thieves.
Water Removal and Drying
Air circulation equipment, including fans and negative pressure devices, will speed up this essential step. Dehumidifiers are also used to get the moisture out of walls and flooring as fast as possible. Then a further assessment is made to determine what can be saved and what must be replaced.
Soot and Smoke Cleaning
This takes specialized equipment and techniques that experienced fire cleanup personnel have to complete the job. Done correctly, the odor of smoke should be completely eliminated.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
All exposed surfaces and personal items that were smoke and soot damaged will be restored or replaced during the final fire cleanup process. Air scrubbers and fogging devices may also be used. Once complete, a home in Douglas County, Nevada can be just as beautiful as it was the day you moved in!
Call SERVPRO at (775) 588-2355 if you have any questions.
SERVPRO Can Save Your Commercial Property After
9/22/2023 (Permalink)
To resume normalcy faster after a fire ruins a commercial building, call SERVPRO.
Resources Can Help Improve Restoration Of Commercial Fire Damage In Carson City
Fire damage in a commercial center with multiple offices or other businesses creates major inconvenience by disrupting regular operations. Even if the fire does not affect every part of the building, the interdependency in such a facility means that the rest of the businesses operate at limited capacity or stop operating altogether. Restoring normalcy quickly is crucial, underlining the need to expedite the repair work and cleanup processes that follow such an incident. We offer professional fire restoration services for commercial centers in Carson City.
Issues affected access to damaged areas can delay commercial fire damage restoration in Carson City. Facilities such as theaters and conference halls or even parking garages have large wall surfaces or high ceilings, which present several problems unless restoration crews have the right equipment to ease access. Apart from regular ladders, our SERVPRO technicians use self-propelled man lifts, which not only facilitate access to high walls and ceilings but also ease our back-and-forth movements as we remove debris and clean up areas damaged by the fire.
Fire affects surfaces in different ways, including depositing layers of soot and other debris, as well as, charring the materials on the surfaces. Such areas require thorough cleaning, which in most cases includes mechanical abrasion to loosen the debris - a tedious process that can take substantial time. Our SERVPRO technicians use various types of scrubbing equipment, both manual and automated, to eliminate light and stubborn deposits. We also have pressure washers that simplify cleaning the soiled areas.
In addition to deposits left on surfaces, fires also lead to bad odors in the affected buildings. It is impossible to work or serve clients in such an environment. Efficient removal of fire debris and soils may require more than mechanical abrasion and plain water. Our SERVPRO technicians use professional cleaning agents that change the soils chemically, easing removal. We might also incorporate heating into the cleaning process because heat speeds up chemical processes, improving the overall outcome.
To resume normalcy faster after fire ruins a commercial building, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / East Reno / Lyon & Storey Counties to help. You can reach us at (775) 588-2355 at any time. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.
How Does a Pack-Out Work After a Property Disaster?
9/18/2023 (Permalink)
Our pack-ins are tailored to original records so that your space looks "Like it never even happened."
Move-Outs/Pack-Outs
If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning after water or mold damage, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can conduct an organized, efficient pack-out of the affected area. Pack-out will provide several benefits such as a quicker remodeling process and protection of your items from potential damage.
By itemizing, recording, and relocating your contents to a secure location, the pack-out will provide several benefits, including:
- A quicker remodeling process.
- Protecting items from potential damage.
- Provide extensive restoration to contents.
- Protecting contents from further on-site damage.
The pack-out process usually consists of six steps:
- Video and photograph the job site.
- Perform an initial scope & job estimate.
- Electronically inventory items.
- Pack, tag, inventory, and sort clean and claim items.
- Move to a warehouse, clean, deodorize, and repack.
- Claim list suggestions from the customer.
- Pack-in: Move items back to the customer's property after remodel.
When restoration is completed, SERVPRO will work with you to coordinate the move-in/pack-in according to your needs. Our pack-ins are tailored to original records so that your space looks "Like it never even happened."
Keep in mind:
- After the initial inspection, we will let you know whether or not an item can be restored. You will find that most items can be brought to preloss condition. All contents will be inspected and any pre-existing damage will be documented before being packed out and restored. Our electronic documentation helps to estimate the losses and facilitates the filing of your insurance claim.
- When the transportation begins, items will be loaded and secured in a covered box truck using pads and the appropriate packing protocols.
- Small items will be individually wrapped in paper, boxed, labeled, and inventoried. This includes kitchen utensils, dishes, pots, storage containers, etc.
- Large items like upholstery and wooden furniture will be carefully inspected, often using high-intensity light to detect all damages that existed before the disaster.
- In some cases, affected items are cleaned in place to prevent acidic residues from causing any further damage.
- If an item does not require packing out, it will be secured and protected while structural repairs are made to the property.
- The restoration process is constantly monitored and you will be informed of the status of your claim before the items are ready to be sent back to your property.
- You will receive a copy of every inventory sheet with noted preexisting damage.
SERVPRO processes and returns contents as quickly and conveniently as possible while caring for your items as if they were our own. Contact SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, Lyon & Storey Counties after a disaster to make sure you are getting the best care!