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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Blog Posts

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.

What You Need to Know About Storm Damage and Flooding

1/3/2024 (Permalink)

impending storm on road When a storm is on its way, remember that no matter what happens, SERVPRO has seen it all and is ready to help if disaster strikes!

When storm damage or flooding occurs, you need professionals to help with repairs and remediation of your property. There are many different elements that go into residential or commercial property restoration, so be sure to contact a local professional who deals specifically with storm damage remediation or water damage restoration.

Whether you are dealing with flooding, roof damage, hail damage, ice damage, or even roof leaks, you need professional remediation technicians. SERVPRO®  technicians will come to your home or business with flood pumps and specialized tools that get rid of floodwater safely and efficiently.

When it comes to storm or flood damage in Lyon, Storey, and Douglas Counties, knowing about the different types of damage may help you when it comes time to call your insurance agent and conduct repairs on your property. Many insurance companies categorize storm and flood damage as two separate types of damage under your policy.

Here's what you want to know:

What Is Storm Damage?

Storm damage is considered to be any damage caused by nature. Damages in this category may include:

  • Wind damage
  • Hail damage
  • Flooding caused by rain
  • Broken gutters
  • Fallen tree limbs

What Is Flood Damage?

Flood damage is often considered to be a separate category from damage caused by a storm. Floodwater can be caused by a number of factors not related to nature. These include:

  • Broken or leaking pipes
  • Water from fire suppression effort
  • Water from irrigation systems
  • Sewer overflow

What Should I Do If My Property Is Damaged?

If your home or business has suffered damage, it's best to begin the restoration process quickly in order to prevent further issues. Your insurance company may recommend boarding over the damaged area. It will be necessary to thoroughly dry the affected zones and inspect for mold growth or structural damages. Your policy might provide coverage for repair costs.

Why Should I Contact a Restoration Professional?

Different types of damage require different repair methods. Hiring a damage restoration service is your best option. Professionals have the tools and knowledge needed to deal with a variety of damages, including flooding, storm-related property destruction, and any potential mold problems that could result from water damage.

Professional restoration efforts involve a lot more than just using a water pump. Storm Damage can leave behind a lot of problems once the storm has passed and flooding can cause rapid mold growth, compromising the integrity of your building. Whether you are looking for water restoration due to a broken pipe or you need roof repair done after a storm has brought hail, you should contact a local restoration service such as SERVPRO.

You want to protect your residential or commercial property. Understanding the difference between flood and storm damage can help when it comes time to talk to your insurance company and begin repairs. If you have any questions, we can help you navigate the restoration process.

Give us a call at (775) 588-2355.

SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties is ready to respond immediately to any disaster. We are prepared to bring the expertise and equipment necessary to get your property back in great shape. 

Commercial Properties in the Reno/Sparks Area Rely on SERVPRO for Water Removal and Cleanup

12/29/2023 (Permalink)

flooded office When Your Reno Office Is Flooded, Call SERVPRO!

Water or flood disasters can lead to office losses from damage to furniture and office equipment, as well as the destruction of paper records and computer files. These losses can have a significant impact on the finances of the business. The incident can also force office operations to shut down, leading to further loss of income.

To safeguard your property, you need to consult a trustworthy cleanup and restoration company. SERVPRO is a reputable company that offers efficient water damage cleanup services in an office for Sparks and Eastern Reno residents. Our restoration efforts are aimed at minimizing loss of property and returning your office to working conditions as soon as possible. "Like it never even happened."
 
Once we locate and stop the source of water, we can then proceed with the cleanup process. We start by inspecting the office and its contents and then determine appropriate safety and drying procedures. The inspection involves looking for water damage on the walls, cabinets, baseboards, crawl spaces, hidden areas, insulation, carpets, and other elements.
 
During the water damage cleanup process, office staff and any customers around should vacate the area in case of any hazards. We pay particular emphasis to safety, keeping in mind that this is still a disaster situation. When the office is clear, our technicians use appropriate pumps to extract any standing water that is two or more inches deep. Under more minor effects from water intrusion, our technicians endeavor to be unobtrusive and work around the daily operations of the business.
 
Our specialists then use a moisture meter to determine how far the water has traveled on the floors, ceilings, or carpets. We usually discard any pads that have sustained severe water damage. If there are any stains on the carpet, we use powerful solutions to remove them quickly before they become permanent.

To dry the office, SERVPRO technicians place air movers that facilitate rapid airflow to the wet areas – following IICRC recommendations. We also calculate equipment amperage on individual circuits to prevent overloading and then turn on the drying equipment. Once the office is dry and back to normal, we finish the cleanup by removing any resulting debris, even throughout the entire service.  
 
An unexpected flood or pipe leakage at your office can inhibit business and lead to loss of property. As a locally operated business, SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is readily available to counter the water damage. Call us at (775) 588-2355.

SERVPRO's Cleanup Process After a Fire

12/18/2023 (Permalink)

fire fighting SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies.

Fire Damage is a traumatic experience. There are several common damages that occur to businesses or homes after a fire. Smoke and soot can be the most difficult to deal with but our highly trained professionals are here to help. We take you step by step through the process. 

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels in the air, coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, and help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO is here to help repair commercial and residential fire disasters through these steps.

    1.    Secure your business site including board-up and tarping services

    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary

    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages

    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials

    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials

    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair, and restoration solutions for your property

    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, public, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically, SERVPRO progresses through your business, room by room, to assure that all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke are permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone, ready to help with your property damage.

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

Make Sure You Are Prepared to Weather Any Storm

12/9/2023 (Permalink)

storm damaged house Immense destruction can be left after a large storm, but we are here to help restore homes, businesses, and hope.

Remnants of Hurricane Laura unleashed twisters of wind and heavy rain hundreds of miles inland along the Gulf Coast, leaving a path of mangled buildings. 

The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby for disasters like these. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, SERVPRO professionals are prepared for the unpredictable.

SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, and Lyon & Storey Counties is here to help in any storm. The Tahoe and Truckee areas are no stranger to heavy snowfall. Hurricanes and tornadoes may be less common in our areas but we are not immune to weather emergencies and storm damage.

Immense destruction can be left after a large storm, but we are here to help restore homes, businesses, and hope.  

According to www.weather.gov, the peak threat for hurricane season is from August through September. 

SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties wants to help you be better informed for the hurricane season. Hazards can include inland flooding, tornadoes and destructive winds, and storm surges. 

Here are 5 things to know. 

  1. Storm surge is defined as a large amount of water generated by a storm’s wind. It is one of the leading causes of hurricane-related deaths in the USA. These surges can cause a massive amount of destruction along the coast and can travel miles inland.
  2. Flooding from heavy rain is the second highest cause of death from tropical cyclones. This can be destructive depending on the number of days rain persists after the storm has passed.
  3. Winds from a hurricane can be dangerous due to signs, outdoor furniture, or other materials that typically live outside.
  4. Tornadoes can accompany hurricanes making landfall. These tornadoes typically occur in rain bands well away from the center of the storm.
  5. Waves contain rip currents which can cause damage to structures along the coastline.

Stay safe this hurricane season.

If you need storm damage recovery assistance, call SERVPRO at (775) 588-2355.

Snow Melt Can Cause Flood Damage

12/3/2023 (Permalink)

snowy mountains Snow Melt Can Cause Flood Damage in the Lake Tahoe Region

Sometimes Mother Nature dumps heavy snow. The Lake Tahoe region hasn’t seen much snow this winter season – yet. It’s coming. When winter rears its head, you need to be ready for anything.

Torrential rains following blizzards create flooding conditions at your property which is made more problematic in freezing temperatures and 3 feet of snow. SERVPRO’s flood damage technicians are up to the challenge of this merry-go-round of precipitation.
 
The lower levels of your property often contain mechanical heating and cooling systems as well as water heaters and laundry facilities. Snow melt can cause flooding which endangers these expensive components and the integrity of your dwelling. If critical components of your home have been affected by water damage, a call to SERVPRO will put your appliances back online. We have professional grade pumps and wet vacuums to remove standing water. Our specialty equipment ensures that water does not re-enter your building. Saturated carpeting and flood damaged furniture can be dried in place, saving you money and time instead of buying and installing new items. We emphasize restoration over tear-out and replacement. We also supply emergency generators when electricity is not available onsite.
 
Once our restoration technicians finish removing water using pumps and vacuums, they add air movers and dehumidifiers to the mix to dry floor coverings and walls. As the temperature dips, heaters join the list of specialized equipment we use to restore your flood damaged property. Our project manager develops a drying plan early and revisits it as moisture levels fall. Certified technicians measure temperature, humidity, and residual water retention to keep restoration on track. Your building is our priority.

Flood damage, complicated by sleet and snow, puts your property at risk of significant and permanent damage. Choose your restoration company carefully, searching for flood damage specialists “near me” that have a solid reputation and nationwide resources.
 
Feel confident when you reach out to SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Lyon & Storey Counties for flood damage control and restoration. A call to our dispatch staff at (775) 588-2355 sends an experienced project manager to your home or business as soon as possible, ready to begin the restoration of your flooded property.

Do You Know About Our IAQ Services?

11/27/2023 (Permalink)

air 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)

fire line 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)

mold in schools 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)

Water Heater Inspector 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)

water damaged baseboards 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)

Here to Help 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 tape 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 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)

We can help sign 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)

packing a moving box 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:

  1. Video and photograph the job site.
  2. Perform an initial scope & job estimate.
  3. Electronically inventory items.
  4. Pack, tag, inventory, and sort clean and claim items.
  5. Move to a warehouse, clean, deodorize, and repack.
  6. Claim list suggestions from the customer.
  7. 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!

SERVPRO Often Remediates Mold Infestations with Controlled Demolitions

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

mold sign Call SERVPRO for Professional Mold Removal and Remediation in the South Lake Tahoe Area

Homeowners are usually concerned with disasters like floods or fires. The effects are apparent, and getting there usually draws much attention. The opposite is true with mold infestations. They tend to hide from attention and usually start in an out-of-the-way place like an attic or behind an appliance or wall.

SERVPRO restoration teams often start remediating South Lake Tahoe mold damage by finding out just how far it extends into the home. They use an air content meter to find the highest concentration of mold inside the home and then perform a visual inspection to find the origin point, if possible.
 
Since mold spores need a source of moisture to expand and grow, the origin point is often at the source of a leak. These are usually minor like a small leak in the roof or a pipe that needs to be tightened down or taped up. SERVPRO technicians can make these minor repairs, but major construction or plumbing issues need a general contractor.
 
Once we stop the leak and dry the moisture source, technicians remove the mold spores. In attics and wall spaces, they often start with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter inserted. These specialized filters are designed to remove and trap even a single spore off a surface like an attic floor or a wall frame. As small as a 0.3 micron can be captured in this system.
 
Attics can present a particular difficulty. If the fungi have grown into the insulation, technicians have to remove and replace it. Rolled insulation can easily be pulled up, but blown-in insulation requires using a larger vacuum to remove it all. In both cases, it is necessary to scrape the area clean, spray an anti-fungal agent, and let it dry before replacing the insulation.
 
For wall spaces, before engaging the vacuum, our specialists carefully remove the drywall panels to avoid spreading the mold. They spray an anti-fungal agent on them to kill the mold and then break up and bag the panels for disposal. If there is insulation in the walls, they follow the same procedure as in the attic before replacing the insulation and hanging new panels.
 
The goal of SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is to return you to your home as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have mold and need our services, call us at (775) 588-2355 today to schedule a visit.

Minimizing the Impact of Commercial Water Damage.

8/25/2023 (Permalink)

commercial water damage Don't let a small leak turn into a big problem. Let our pros at SERVPRO fix it!

Reducing The Impact of Water Damage on Your Commercial Property 

One of the most disruptive things that can happen to a business is to experience a sudden water emergency. Whether it's a severe storm, burst pipes, or a malfunctioning sprinkler system, the longer your building is out of commission, the more your bottom line will suffer.

No matter how it happens, water damage can wreak havoc on a business. Entrepreneurs dealing with the effects of commercial water damage in South Lake Tahoe are often overwhelmed, but quickly taking steps to minimize the impact is essential. Here are things you can do if your business is affected by commercial water damage.

1. Safeguard your important documents and records. Whether it's stored electronically or in print, if you can access your business's records get it to a safe place. Our team has experience restoring and recovering documents, and it may be possible to salvage materials that you think are a lost cause if we're called to the scene quickly.

2. Alert employees and customers who come into the building. The last thing that you want after facing commercial water damage is for a client or worker to get hurt as a result. If the building is unsafe, it may be best to temporarily close as opposed to being liable for an accident. SERVPRO technicians can get your business ready to open again, and we'll make sure the premises are safe.

3. Prevent future mold problems. Mold infestations are common after commercial water damage has occurred, especially if the water is not cleaned up immediately or all of the excess moisture doesn't get removed from the building. We're experts at repairing water damage and employing strategies to prevent the development of mold and mildew.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Here at SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties, we understand how important it is to get your business up and running again after a water emergency. For a quote or to get more information about our commercial water damage repair services, call us 24/7 at (775) 588-2355.

Checking in on Fire Safety Measures.

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

fire extinguisher Check that the fire extinguisher in your home is up to date. Having one in the house that is in usable condition can help stop the spread of fire.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Provide Fire Prevention Tips for Your Home

Preventing fire damage is far easier than cleaning up after it, so your primary concern should always be to secure your home against future disasters. Ultimately, the biggest mistake most people make is in maintenance. It can be difficult to make sure that every fire safety measure in your home is working at full capacity, but the effort is worth it to avoid disaster. Many of SERVPRO's recent calls could have been avoided if the homeowner put in place the appropriate preventative measures, and resultingly, we hope that these reminders might help local residents to prevent fires in the future. 
 
Smoke Detectors 
 
Inadequate smoke detectors are one of the most costly contributors to fire damage in Carson City. Many people are content just to replace smoke detector batteries every year or two when the devices start beeping. However, this is not enough to make sure that they are up-to-date and working as intended. If the devices stop working entirely, you may forget they even exist as they fail to beep on their irregular schedule. At least once a year, go through your home and make sure all your smoke detectors are working and free of damage. 
 
Fire Extinguishers 
 
Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. Some are based on ineffective and dangerous water solutions that are weak against big fires and inflammatory for some electrical fires. Others have short lifespans and require replacement by dates long enough in the future that most people forget entirely. Make sure your fire extinguishers are modern, undamaged, and well-constructed to keep small fires from growing into much larger ones. 
 
Fire Audits 
 
Having a certified company like SERVPRO come to inspect your home for fire safety irregularities can be one of the best ways to identify obscure problems or unseen risks. Our training and equipment help us to identify problems you might not even know you have. Contact one of our representatives to learn more about what we can do to help in this regard. 
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / East Reno is ready around the clock to get to your home and begin fire damage restoration after a disaster. Call us for expert service.

Even Small Storms Can Cause Damage to Your Property.

8/13/2023 (Permalink)

uprooted tree Storms Can Uproot Trees Causing Large-Scale Damage.

When Storms Come, SERVPRO Can Fix the Damage

Many homeowners expect only the worst storms to do damage to their home, but even short storms can cause damage to a home when trees are victims of disease. Many diseases can create weak trees with dead limbs, and some diseases can affect the roots of the tree instead. A tree that looks healthy may not be healthy in reality, and it can actually be a huge danger to your home or garage without you knowing until it is too late. If your home, garage, or any other buildings have been damaged by tree limbs or trunks, it is good to know that we have the skills and equipment to make it "Like it never even happened."

Rain is not Always Needed for Storm-Like Conditions to Exist, Nor for Damage to Happen.

Dust storms can create conditions ripe for storm damage to happen. Shingles and siding can come off, ripped away by high winds and debris that is carried by the wind. If sand is carried by winds, this can corrode and pit paint and other surfaces of your home's exterior. With trees, rain often erodes soil away from roots, making it easier for entire trees to topple onto houses and garages. Rain is not always needed for this to happen, however, if erosion has already happened.

When damage happens during a storm, or when storm-like conditions happen, repairs should be started and completed as soon as possible. This can substantially reduce the risks posed by the elements to the interior of your home. Repairs will also keep insects and other pests from further deteriorating your home. Termites and other pests, some of which may have been the reason behind diseased trees on your property, won't be able to infiltrate your home's exterior if repairs are made, and completed, in a timely manner.

Begin Storm Damage Repairs to Your Home with a Call to SERVPRO775-588-2355

At SERVPRO, we have the training, education, and experience to get your home or garage back in pre-damage condition. Call SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355. We will arrive at your door at your earliest convenience to assess the damages and begin repairs.

Sign up for the SERVPRO Newsletter for recommendations on keeping your property healthy and being emergency ready.

Why Should I Get a Professional to Clean My Carpets After a Water Leak?

8/8/2023 (Permalink)

water damage cleanup SERVPRO technicians are always here to help. Call our office 24/7 - we are faster to any size disaster.

SERVPRO Has the Knowledge and Professional Equipment to Help You Quickly

Even after a minor water leak in your home or business, there may be extensive damage to your carpet, especially if the moisture under the carpet pads was not detected immediately. Our professionals come in, assess the situation, address the loss, and mitigate any further damage from happening, such as warped floorboards or mold growth.

What Does SERVPRO Use to Get Rid of the Water From my Carpet?

Our Technicians Use Extraction and Drying Equipment to Clear Away Excess Moisture
Our IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) technicians use best practices to deal with the water damage in your home. They typically extract all standing water with portable or truck-mounted extraction equipment before going about treating and cleaning the carpet. Technicians remove the pad underneath the carpet and usually replace it.

After Extraction, What Do SERVPRO Technicians Do to Treat and Clean the Carpet?

    •    They treat the surfaces of the carpet, first checking to ensure there is no mold or damage.
    •    Use deodorizers and antimicrobial cleaners to treat the flooring and carpet backing.
    •    After putting the carpet back down, treat the front of the carpet with the same deodorizers and antimicrobials.
    •    Extract more water if needed.

After technicians treat the carpets and flooring underneath, they set about the task of thoroughly drying the room. They place air-movers around the room to forcefully push airflow over surfaces. While air movers work, dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air and exhaust warmer air, causing the carpet to dry more quickly. Using our professional services promotes more thorough restoration in a shorter amount of time than if you were to attempt it on your own.

For premium restoration services, Contact SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Lyon & Storey Counties. We make it, “Like it never even happened.”

How Fast Can Water Ruin Walls?

7/26/2023 (Permalink)

water damaged celing Water trapped in your walls can cause severe damage to untreated framing materials, and insulation, and lead to corrosion, rot, and mold growth.

Lingering Water Can Result in Structural Issues If Not Addressed Quickly

After locating water damage in your home, you might not be aware of how dangerous it is to ignore the problems you find. Even with just a little moisture trapped in your home, significant issues can develop that compromise the structural integrity and overall condition of your working or living environment.  

With the help of an expertly trained professional, you can defeat the water damage present in your building. The right company provides you with quality personnel, advanced equipment, and access to resources you likely do not have on your own. This gives you a better opportunity to protect your investment and provide for your family.

Within days, water can do major damage that you cannot see. 

Water trapped in your walls can cause severe damage to untreated framing materials, insulation, and lead to corrosion, rot, and mold growth. You should always assume wherever water damage occurs, or a leak happens, that mold growth is not so far away. SERVPRO can send IICRC-industry certified technicians to your home that understand how water and mold act, giving you a plan of action that helps you take care of even the worst problems.

Compromised structural integrity severely impacts the value of your home. However, you can minimize any losses you experience by having a trained professional clean and dry your home after water incidents occur. Our restoration representatives can help you understand which steps to take, remove any standing water with the proper extraction, drying, and cleaning equipment and help your home become liveable again, "Like it never even happened."

We repair the damage caused by water emergencies.


Because of our proximity to your area, 24-hour emergency services are available year-round. We give you access to the help you need, whenever you need it by proudly supplying quality water damage restoration throughout our community. Whether you have a faulty appliance, damage caused by leaky or broken pipes, weather-related water problems, or something as terrible as a flood, we can help.

Advantages of catching water damage early:

Failure to attend to water damage can lead to mold growth, electrical hazards, and cause costly losses to your property. That means such incidents are stressing and the best line of action to take is to work with a team of restoration experts as you try to get your business or home back to its former state.

It is vital for any Douglas County resident to act within 48 hours from the time the water event took place.

When our technicians arrive at your property to address water damage, we immediately do a site inspection. With the help of specialized devices, we are in a position to determine the magnitude of the problem. By using moisture meters and infrared cameras, we can detect any hidden moisture in ceilings, walls, and floors. The inspection also helps us to find out salvageable contents, items that need replacement. With all these details, we formulate an appropriate restoration plan.

The Water Extraction Process


During the water extraction process, our team can use pumps and truck-mounted systems to remove deep standing water. If we notice that the water has gone through your carpet or padding, we lift it and dry it separately or discard it when necessary. After removing the water through extraction and drying the site, there are chances of the structure having high humidity. When the humidity is high, there are chances of secondary water damage -like mold growth - taking place once condensation takes place. To prevent that, we perform dehumidification with the help of Desiccant Dehumidifiers and Refrigerant Dehumidifiers.

Water can cause organic items to rot and emit odors. When there are strong odors at the site, our technicians may decide to perform ozone deodorization. We perform the process using ozone deodorizers which are machines that produce ozone, which breaks the molecular formula of the odors thus freshening up the area.


SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, Lyon & Storey Counties stands ready to assist homeowners with professional water damage restoration, cleaning, and deodorization services you can trust.

Give our offices a call, today. (775) 588-2355

Sprinkler System Malfunction Requires Water Removal

7/20/2023 (Permalink)

sprinkler system Sprinkler systems help immensely when they engage during a fire. Should they go off by accident, you'll need to contact SERVPRO.

Ironically, a system designed to protect your business from a catastrophe can damage it in other ways. A common example of this is a sprinkler system installed to protect a commercial building from fire. The waters sprayed to knock down the flames cause their own harm, and a restoration company needs to be skilled in both water and fire damage to offer your company the services you need.
 
Even more disappointing is when your firefighting sprinkler system malfunctions, creating an immediate need for commercial water removal in Reno and Tahoe City without the excuse of an actual fire. Regardless of the cause, a sprinkler, once activated, releases up to 24 gallons of water per minute. If more than one sprinkler head engages, the amount of water pouring into your commercial space can be significant. Water damage is serious and can result in a broad range of secondary damage issues if not remedied quickly. Our crews of water removal specialists have the skill and the equipment to remove large quantities of water fast.
 
If you do not have an alarm or security staff to notify you of sprinkler engagement, the water removal situation worsens if the flow happens when your business is closed. SERVPRO does not shy away from large water events, and water removal action can begin immediately after one of our experienced project managers assesses the scene.
 
Powerful submersible pumps and water extractors are carried in every vehicle we send to water damage calls. Often electricity is unavailable due to safety concerns, but our truck-powered equipment does not rely on the customer's power grid to be operational for the water removal to proceed. A benefit of moving the water to containers on our trucks is a straightforward process to contain and then dispose of the water completely outside of your property. This is crucial if the water is assessed to be contaminated, not unusual if it remained within your property and has had several hours to become tainted with household chemicals or the beginnings of microbial growth.
 
SERVPRO moves into structural drying mode after the water is removed. High-efficiency air movers and dehumidifiers help reduce the moisture content of structures and fixtures after the standing water is evacuated. Our technicians train to accurately measure moisture levels in walls, flooring, ceilings, and contents. The education they receive from IICRC coursework supports their determination of drying targets and the techniques used to achieve them.
 
Sprinkler systems protect your property unless they operate unexpectedly and in error. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is a trusted water removal partner for your commercial needs. Call (775) 588-2355 to schedule a speedy evaluation and begin the restoration process.

Rely on the Trained SERVPRO Experts to Remove Hazardous Conditions from Your Property

7/12/2023 (Permalink)

pipe Biohazard Material from a Broken Sewer Line Is Safely Cleaned up by SERVPRO.

FEMA reports that floods are one of the most extensive water damage problems for a building. Floods cause sewage from sewer lines to back up into homes and businesses through drain pipes. The common signs within your home or business that you have a sewer problem are dirty water backing up out of a drain or the toilet, or a gurgling sound coming from the pipes. Did you know that you are responsible for the maintenance and repair of your building or sewer lines to the exterior? A sewer lateral is a pipeline between the city's main sewer line which is underneath the street of your structure to your interior drainage system.

sewage biohazard in Carson City, Sparks, or East Reno can be the result of a crack, age, or blockage from plants and tree roots. Shrubbery and trees with deep roots can grow into sewer lines causing a significant amount of damage. The blockage of an underground sewer line can be the combination of city and private property trees. As a result of this, the costs of its repair are divided between the two entities. If any type of blockage occurs in sanitation lines, it will cause a back-up into your property through the floor drains, most likely in your or first level.
 
What to do when a sewer backup happens in Nevada:

Sewer water is defined as contaminant water. Contact with this type of biohazard liquid can lead to diseases and illnesses, not to mention its destruction of your valuables. Cleaning up sewer water is urgent, and it needs to be done immediately because its secondary damage is mold, mildew, contamination of household items, and much more.
 
Steps needed to clean up a sewage backup in your home or business is best handled by a professional from SERVPRO. Biohazardous materials like feces, blood, chemicals, and bodily fluids must be handled with the personnel suited in HAZMAT gear. A wet vacuum should be used, floors and walls need to be mopped and cleaned, disinfectants must be used, and plumbing fixtures have to be flushed out. Additionally, floor coverings like carpets must be steam cleaned or removed. Repair or remove any wet or damaged wallboards and the ductwork must also be dried and sanitized.
 
When you need emergency help, contact SERVPRO! Our professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment needed to clean and remediate biohazard contamination events safely. Concerning crime scene cleanup, call the experienced pros for help. We provide 24-hour emergency services.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is locally owned and operated. We are here to help our neighbors, whenever you have an emergency caused by fire, water, mold, or storm damage. When an emergency occurs, call us at (775) 588-2355.

Our Technicians Discuss The Equipment We Use To Save Your Fire Damaged Home Fire DamageApproved

7/7/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Both the heat and flames created by an inferno can cause you extensive fire damage.

Fire Damage Experts In Carson City Talk About Equipment Used To Remove Soot And Burnt Material

If something ever happens to burn inside your Carson City residence, many items inside your house can get ruined in a short period. Both the heat and flames created by an inferno can cause you extensive fire damage. In Nevada, there are over 2,000 reported structure fires every year. Over 25% of the total calls fire departments in the state receive are because of buildings burning.

The longer the blaze burns, the worse the fire damage in your Carson City home can get. The first thing to do once you see flames on your property is to attempt to extinguish them yourself before the problems get out of hand. If the inferno becomes more than you can handle, make sure everyone is safe and then call your local emergency services. Once the blaze gets put out, it is then wise to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO.

In some situations, your building materials and contents could be covered in soot or burnt on the surface, but using the right tools our SERVPRO team can save certain items. When cleaning and refinishing, we use the following five tools of the trade.

1. Dry Ice Blasting
Using dry ice can be very effective in removing soot and charred substances from many different materials such as wood, concrete, and metal.

2. Soda Blasting
This method uses baking soda and not only can be used to clean many types of surfaces, but the baking soda helps absorb odors.

3. Sanding
When restoring some wooden materials inside your structure, we can sand off the burnt material and save the item.

4. Wet Cleaning
If we ever clean hard, non-porous surfaces, we usually receive good results when using water-based detergents and a damp rag.

5. Dry Sponge Cleaning
For surfaces that are porous, wet cleaning could soak the soot and burnt materials into the item making the problems worse. Dry cleaning can be useful and prevents secondary soaking issues.

If you ever suffer from a structure fire on your Stateline, Minden, Reno, or Zephyr Cove property, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355 any time of the day, because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Sparks, TRIC, and East Reno Commercial Building Fire Damage Cleanup

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

commercial property fire damage SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored and rebuild your property completely.

Fire damage can have a devastating effect on local businesses.

SERVPRO is here to help, providing emergency and rebuild services to local property owners and managers in Sparks, TRIC, East Reno, Douglas County, and more.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage, destroying structural materials, and business items, and bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution, and unhealthy smoke levels to your property. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your building, the clock begins ticking on successful property restoration. SERVPRO of Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Lyon & Storey Counties understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.

COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

    •    Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring, and cabinets
    •    Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies, and appliances
    •    Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
    •    Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
    •    Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
    •    Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels in the air, coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, and help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO is here to help repair commercial fire disasters

    1.    Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair, and restoration solutions for your property
    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, public, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically, SERVPRO progresses through your business, room by room, to assure that all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke are permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone, ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professionals will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution, should you ever have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple because all the details are assessable to our staff and technicians should you need us. The emergency ready profile also helps your staff know what to do in the event of an emergency, and where important safety items are located. We provide this service free of charge, so call us today at (775)-588-2355.

A Fallen Tree Can Cause Trouble For Your Property

6/21/2023 (Permalink)

24/7 service key Our technicians and team members can work quickly to minimize damage.

How Fallen Trees Can Mean Flood Damage In South Lake Tahoe

Severe weather systems can affect South Lake Tahoe homes and businesses through every season of the year. From torrential rainfall and flooding scenarios that occur during the spring and summer months to the heavy snowfall expected every fall and winter, homeowners must always have a contingency plan in place to protect their property from standing water threats that a compromised exterior to their home can allow. Every season also presents its own unique risks for fallen trees and breaking limbs, and these can lead to disastrous circumstances for properties they affect.

Trees that fall or lose limbs can puncture roofs and tear off siding, leading to flood damage in South Lake Tahoe residences. With the severity of these situations as they occur, flooding can often start immediately without giving homeowners any legitimate warning. At the first sign of problems like this, property owners should reach out to our SERVPRO rapid response team. We have a full-service approach to these emergencies, working to address structural concerns, tree removal, and the harsh effects of flooding within the property as well.

While our team can quickly provide temporary construction solutions like board up and tarping for structural compromise allowing water penetration, another hurdle present at the emergency is the tree that caused the damage. Our technicians and team members can work quickly to remove this threat against your property and work to remove it entirely from the premises when more favorable weather conditions exist.

Addressing the flood effects in your home must begin at the point of penetration, utilizing drying efforts in areas like the attic and upper floors of the property. Where water has been collected, our SERVPRO team can utilize portable extraction equipment like wet-vacs with extraction wands and submersible pumps. We can run these tools on our generators if the tree damage also severed consistent power to the property.

There are many hazards present when fallen trees allow for flooding in a home. Let our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties professionals help you through every phase of recovery with our experience and advanced equipment. Give us a call whenever disaster strikes at (775) 588-2355.

Campfire Safety During Drought Season

6/13/2023 (Permalink)

campfire Find out if the campground has an existing fire ring or fire pit. Remember: If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. "Pack in, Pack out."

The dry season is upon us!

While it is always important to stay safe when making a fire, it is especially helpful to know these safety tips when chances for a forest fire are higher due to drought.

For your safety and the safety of others, implement these safety tips on how to pick a good camping spot, prepare a fire, and extinguish it properly.

How to Pick a Campfire Spot

  1. Find out if the campground has an existing fire ring or fire pit.
  2. DO NOT build a campfire if the campground, area, or event rules prohibit them.
  3. Take wind, and its direction, into account when choosing the site. Choose a spot that’s protected from gusts.
  4. DO NOT build a campfire in hazardous, dry conditions.
  5. If there is not an existing fire pit, and fire pits are allowed, choose a site at least 15 feet from tent walls, shrubs, trees, or other flammable objects. Beware of low-hanging branches.
  6. Choose an open, level location away from fuels such as logs, brush, or decaying leaves.

How to Prepare your Campfire Pit

  1. Clear a 10-foot-diameter area around the site. Remove any grass, twigs, leaves, and firewood.
  2. Dig a pit in the dirt, about a foot deep.
  3. Surround the pit with rocks.

How to Build Your Campfire

  1. Gather three types of wood from the ground always. Never cut whole trees or branches, dead or alive. Live or fresh materials won’t burn, and you’ll be damaging the forest. Dead standing trees often are homes for birds and other wildlife.
    1. Tinder: Small twigs and dry leaves grass and needles.
    2. Kindling: Sticks smaller than 1″ around.
    3. Fuel: Larger pieces of wood. Keep these stacked upwind, away from the fire.
  2. Make sure you have a source of water, a bucket, and a shovel nearby at all times.
  3. Loosely pile a few handfuls of tinder in the center of the fire pit.
  4. Ignite the tinder with a match or lighter.
  5. Wait until the match is cold, and discard it into the fire.
  6. Add kindling and fuel, the larger firewood, as it grows and to keep it going.
  7. Keep the fire small and under control.

How to Extinguish your Campfire

  1. If possible, allow the wood to burn completely to ash.
  2. Pour plenty of water on the fire. Drown ALL material, not just the visibly red material. Pour until hissing sounds stop.
  3. If you do not have water, stir dirt or sand into the embers with a shovel to bury the fire.
  4. With your shovel, scrape any remaining sticks and logs to remove any embers. Make sure that no embers are exposed and still smoldering.
  5. Continue adding water, dirt, or sand and stirring with a shovel until all material is cool.
  6. Remember: If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. "Pack in, Pack out." It is your responsibility to pack out everything that you packed in, including any trash.

For professional fire damage services, or fire safety tips, SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties is here to provide 24/7 services. Call us at (775) 588 - 2355, or visit our website for more information.

Mold Can Effect Even the Cleanest Properties

6/7/2023 (Permalink)

clean house Mold infestations can affect even the cleanest properties.

Certified Professionals at SERVPRO Will Make Sure That Your Remediation Process is Done Correctly

Mold is present in almost every location, both indoors and outside. Mold has many different varieties, and while some are harmless, others can cause health effects. Mold comes in many different colors, and most will discolor the surfaces that the mold is found growing on. If left alone and not remediated, mold will not only discolor surfaces, but it will also begin to decompose and eat away at the material it is located on. 

Mold Could be in Your Home – Here is What You Can Do About It

While mold produces a very strong musty odor that can be very disagreeable, it is not necessarily the sign of a dirty home. Because mold is found almost everywhere, any home can become the victim of a mold infestation. Mold does not need dirt and filth to survive, but rather moisture is required. If you smell a musty odor or find mold itself growing somewhere in your Bijou home causing mold damage, there's no reason to be embarrassed by it. Rather, you should call us to begin the process of restoring your home to lower levels of humidity and to start the remediation process. 

When you discover mold, it is important not to disturb it. Do not touch it or blow on it. This is because mold creates spores that are sent out into the air when it is disturbed by the wind, even small gusts. Shut off any water lines that may be leaking into the area. Then you can remove any water or condensation you find present near the mold, taking care to use rubber gloves. These, and any cleaning cloths you use should be disposed of in a plastic bag that you tie closed when you are done. Absorbent cloths are best to use. 

SERVPRO Professionals and Technicians Use the Latest in Technology 

We use the latest devices to determine where mold is likely to grow in your home's interior, coupled with the latest developments in remediation processes. We assess, extract the mold, and complete the drying process. We then assess again to ensure that drying has been complete in scope. 

Part of these assessments will include examining the surfaces the mold was present on for deterioration. Materials in your home that have become deteriorated need to be removed and replaced. These repairs will further reduce the chances of mold recurring. Leaking water lines and other sources of water and moisture will also be repaired. 

Mold Damage Remediation is Most Effective with Water Extraction and Drying 

Without control of the water that has caused the mold problem, mold can quickly return. Mold does not require large amounts of water to survive. When the water source is discovered and repaired, remaining moisture cannot be left to simply dry up on its own. It must be evaporated so that it will no longer be present. Moisture can deteriorate many materials in your home, even after the mold has been remediated. Damage caused by mold and water should be removed and repaired. This will protect surrounding structures from future damage. 
 
For Mold Damage Repair and Mold Remediation, Call Us for Fastest Service 

We are available 24/7 to answer your call at SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, Lyon & Storey Counties. We will send a professional team to assess your mold damage problem and explain to you what exactly needs to happen in your unique situation

If A Pipe Bursts And Causes Damage To Your Store, Our Experts Can Help!

5/31/2023 (Permalink)

"we can help" sign When damage strikes, never hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties.

What You Can Do When A Pipe Bursts Over Your Carson City Sports Equipment Store

As a business owner, dealing with water damage can be a nightmare, especially when a pipe bursts and leaks gallons of water into your store. It's crucial to act fast and turn off the water supply to prevent further damage to your property and merchandise. Once you've done that, the next step is to call for professional help immediately. The sooner you get experts into your store, the better the chances of restoring it to its pre-damaged state.

If a pipe bursts in your Carson City sports equipment store, you'll need to act quickly to prevent your merchandise from being damaged and your building's structure from being compromised. That's where SERVPRO comes in. Our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration-certified technicians are available 24/7 to respond to your emergency and help get your business back on track.

Our first priority is to get your merchandise out of harm's way. We'll pack up all undamaged items and take inventory of the lost ones for your insurance claim. Next, we'll remove the standing water using rover-mounted extractors and wet/dry vacuums. The rover-mounted units allow us to extract water from carpeted sections and dry them simultaneously with the heating element inside the device. We'll also set up devices such as air movers, flood mats, and dehumidifiers to dry out the structure of your store.

At SERVPRO, our goal is to get your doors back open as soon as possible. We understand the value of your time, and we'll work around your schedule to minimize disruptions to your business. Once we're done, we'll leave your store "Like it never even happened."

In case of water damage, don't hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties by calling (775) 588-2355. We're always here to help you in your time of need.

Our Technicians Can Help After a Flood Has Caused Significant Damage

5/25/2023 (Permalink)

flood in home SERVPRO maintains constant readiness to help you handle the effects of flooding in your home.

Don't Let These Effects Of Flood Damage In Carson City Happen To Your Home

Some of the most severe effects of flood damage in Carson City only show themselves hours or days after the disaster happens, and only if no action is taken in that time to prevent additional damage from happening.

Companies like SERVPRO exist to provide 24/7 protection against floods in Carson City by responding quickly to your home and removing water before anything worse can happen. However, without a professional mitigation crew helping out, the problems can add up quickly. Here are some of the things that can happen to your home without a fast response.

Hours After the Incident - Water Seeps In
When water first enters the area, its effects are often only at the surface level. However, with more time, moisture can seep deeper into the wood, concrete, tile, and other common home materials. The deeper water reaches, the longer we must spend drying the area out and the more resources we have to invest just in getting the place dry again. Every minute counts after a disaster, so be sure to call SERVPRO without delay!

Days After the Incident - Severe Effects
When standing water and excess moisture remain in the environment for several days without intervention, they begin to cause more severe effects in the home. Wood boards can bend and warp, metals can start to oxidize, and some types of carpeting may become impossible to save. Mold can also become a significant problem at this time. Even if damage has progressed to this stage, you should try to call us in as soon as possible so that our experts can stop these issues from becoming permanent.

One Week or More - Permanent Damage
Once roughly a week has passed without thorough drying solutions, permanent damages start to drastically increase the restoration and repair costs associated with the incident. Concrete can crack and fragment, woods can become heavily deteriorated, and mold growth may be so extensive as to pose significant health effects. We can help to remove water and restore damages even well past this stage, but the problems may be much harder for us to deal with than if we had responded earlier.


SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Lyon & Storey Counties / Reno East maintains constant readiness to help you handle the effects of flooding in your home. Call us.

Fire Damaged Belongings Can Be Restored for Douglas County Properties

5/21/2023 (Permalink)

match stick fire SERVPRO is Here to Help Restore Your Property and Belongings After a Fire.

Douglas County Properties Can Use SERVPRO's Off-Site Contents Cleaning and Storage

Don't Get Overwhelmed with Cleaning Fire Damaged Possessions - Call SERVPRO for Restoration and Off-Site Contents Cleaning.

Most home and business owners throughout the Douglas County area agree that while they have invested considerable time and money into their homes, they value several of the possessions inside with higher regard and importance. Photos, artwork, computer drives and other unique items that cannot get duplicated are treasured belongings. When disasters like fires occur, it can be challenging to protect these items. Many consider them lost to the compounds overtaking the property.

One of the advantages of choosing professional restoration services for fire damaged property is the division of content management technicians that our SERVPRO team can provide in this crises. We have highly trained experts capable of assessing the status of multiple items, furniture, and belongings to determine which need temporary relocation and which items can benefit from focused cleaning and restoration efforts in our nearby facility. It is our mission to provide your possessions with the very best care and consideration throughout every phase of the recovery process.
 
Taking your belongings off-site can be stressful to many home and business owners. We help to ease your mind by answering your questions and concerns, and through thorough cataloging of your full inventory of items to show detailed accounts of where every item is at any time, whether it is getting worked on or it is stored safely in our climate-controlled warehouse. Our CCIS Contents Claim Inventory Service documents your belongings and serves as a useful tool for dealing with your insurance adjuster.
 
While in our possession, our content management professionals can utilize cutting-edge equipment like ozone chambers for large-scale deodorization projects and ultrasonic tanks for unparalleled cleaning of soot and smoke-damaged items. Once the restoration work is finished on the property, our SERVPRO team can carefully return these removed items to their original positions, making your property look “Like it never even happened.”
 
While structural concerns are often a priority for our customers, the same sense of urgency is placed on restoring and protecting damaged belongings as well. Our SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Lyon & Storey Counties team can help however you need.

We have a full roster of qualified restoration specialists that can help you through every phase of fire loss recovery.

Give us a call at (775) 588-2355.

SERVPRO Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Service offers surprising benefits to your Reno Business

5/16/2023 (Permalink)

dusty air duct Our SERVPRO commercial cleaning specialists are familiar with all types of commercial and industrial HVAC/air duct systems.

Business owners and managers are busy. Countless daily tasks and emergency situations make paying attention to routine maintenance difficult at times. Turning your attention annually to your commercial HVAC system and air duct system, including performing scheduled inspections, maintenance, and cleaning services, is crucial to keeping your operations running efficiently.

There are many benefits to having our SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, Carson City, Lyon & Storey County, & Reno East commercial cleaning professionals perform an air duct, vent, and register cleaning at your Tahoe/Truckee commercial building.

Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Benefits:

  • Reduce energy costs for your business
  • Reduce the potential for mold growth
  • Improve indoor air quality
  • Increase air circulation and flow
  • Increase your commercial system performance
  • Extend HVAC equipment life

Whether your focus is eliminating contaminants, dust, debris, and other harmful pollutants to improve your building's indoor air quality, or you want to extend the life and efficiency of your HVAC and air duct system; SERVPRO professional commercial HVAC/air duct cleaning services could benefit your business. According to the US Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling is wasted due to air pollutants and other dirt and debris clogging up residential/commercial air ducts.

Things that decrease airflow in your commercial air duct system:

  • Obstructed condenser unit
  • Blocked vents and registers
  • Clogged filters
  • Blocked or leaky ducts

Our SERVPRO technicians have advanced training to help resolve potential airflow concerns and accurately clean and remove the buildup of dust/debris, contaminants, mold spores, and particulates circulating throughout your commercial air duct system. Our crews use a variety of specialized equipment to overcome years of buildup and pollutants within your air duct system, including high-powered HEPA vacuums, negative air machines, and whisking brushes to help remove debris and mold spores from internal surfaces. Our goal is to provide a thorough commercial air duct cleaning and remove built-up sediment and pollutants from your system, improving efficiency and indoor air quality.

Why is Cleaning Your Commercial Air Ducts Important?

The air ducts in your Tahoe, Truckee, or Reno commercial building serve an important function, bringing heating and cooling throughout your facility as well as circulating the air through a filter, which cleans out some of the dust particles before reaching the rooms in which air is breathed by you and your employees.

Air Duct Cleaning Improves the Quality of Indoor Air

By routinely having your air ducts cleaned you can significantly decrease the number of airborne molecules in your office, all while avoiding weighty fees for other air-purifying solutions. Air ducts, like everything else in our office, collect dirt and debris. While filters may catch a lot of streaming debris, there is still a considerable amount of dust that settles within the ducts.

Air Duct Cleaning Conserves Energy

Air duct cleaning provides a beginning in optimizing your duct function, a properly and thoroughly cleaned HVAC system can reduce the costs associated with running your HVAC system and increase the useful life of your air conditioner and furnace. Performing routine commercial air duct cleanings removes obstructions and improves airflow, helping your systems to work better, faster, and more efficiently, all while using less energy!

Your local SERVPRO specializes in cleaning commercial and industrial air ducts; contact our staff to schedule an inspection and estimate for your commercial cleaning solution. Our crews have experience, training, and advanced equipment to restore your HVAC system to optimal performance. Our SERVPRO commercial cleaning specialists are familiar with all types of commercial and industrial HVAC/air duct systems, give us a call so we can get to work, and you can start experiencing the benefits a commercial air duct cleaning service can bring to your business!

Call (775) 588-2355

Tahoe Snow Resorts Turn to SERVPRO for Help Dealing with Seasonal Water Damage

4/27/2023 (Permalink)

temperature guage Call SERVPRO to learn how to prevent water damage from frozen pipes.

Burst pipes and roof leaks can be a common cause of water damage in Tahoe

Getting ready for seasonal guests and want to ensure that all services, locations, and attractions on your Tahoe snow resort function properly? You can easily gain access to qualified professionals who remain dedicated to helping your business flourish.

Our technicians specialize in providing a variety of emergency services, not the least of which includes locating frozen pipes on your Tahoe area property. We can repair any resulting water damage and prepare your pipes to combat future issues that often lead to delays or closure of facilities and attractions offered to resort guests. 

At SERVPRO we understand how important it is to meet deadlines and expectations. With of all of the attractions such as lodging, shopping, nightlife, wedding, and dining services offered at your Tahoe snow resort, a single water damage problem can lead to catastrophic issues. You need your property running at peak efficiency, and we are here to make water problems disappear, “Like it never even happened.”

With severe fluctuations in temperature, it is common for piping to experience severe stress, which leads to bursts or frozen pipes. The obvious thing to do under these circumstances is to shut the water off to whichever building has the break. However, this also means shutting services off to the building in question. You can work with SERVPRO professionals to help ensure costly repairs associated with frozen pipes on your snow resort are a thing of the past.

Give SERVPRO’s IICRC-industry certified technicians the opportunity to inspect at-risk areas of your property including basements, crawl spaces, unheated utility rooms, and outside walls for proper weatherproofing. Our technicians can provide you with unique solutions that keep operations moving forward, should a pipe freeze or burst. 

We have access to all of the personnel, equipment, and resources necessary to tackle any size emergency. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond and provide you with quality solutions you can count on to keep your snow resort running smoothly.

Contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties for access to restoration experts in Douglas County and South Lake Tahoe, today. We are here to help, anytime. (775) 588-2355

To learn more about Lake Tahoe, click here.

Tahoe's Water Removal Specialists Explain Moisture Testing

4/21/2023 (Permalink)

flooded washing machine room Facing a water damaged room can be a stress-causing experience. Contact SERVPRO right away and we will help you through the entire process.

SERVPRO Quickly Establishes a Drying Plan Based on the Initial Assessment

Any time water gets inside your Tahoe residence, removing the excessive moisture within 48 hours is essential. If wood or paper materials stay wet for longer, then microbial formation can take place. Water can also saturate contents and building materials inside your home ruining them.
 
After something like a pipe break or an appliance malfunctioning takes place and causes water to flood your house, extraction occurs to pull out any standing water and moisture inside porous materials. The next step in any water removal project in Tahoe is the drying process. Rapid drying of contents and structural components is essential to prevent secondary damage and mold growth.
 
Before drying begins, the area gets tested to determine the extent of damage the moisture has caused. Our SERVPRO technicians check the temperature, relative humidity, and moisture content of wood and drywall. Once we figure out how wet the region got, we can formulate a drying plan.
 
The initial drying plan includes how many air movers and dehumidifiers get set up in the affected area. The plan also indicates drying goals. The drying goals are set by determining what the conditions were before the loss took place.
 
The ending goal is determined by coming up with a dry standard. To establish a dry standard, the humidity, temperature, and moisture content of drywall and wooden materials in unaffected areas of the building get tested. Once the standard is designated as the drying goal, our IICRC-certified team uses their knowledge and experience to determine the right pieces of drying equipment to rapidly dry out the moisture until it is back to pre loss conditions.
 
The air movers and dehumidifiers get set up so that the air movers use the hot, dry air coming out of the dehumidifiers to circulate air in the room in a counterclockwise motion. We return each day and test the moisture levels in the affected area. Once the levels return to the established goals, we remove the equipment and the cleaning and reconstruction phases take place.
 
During the final stage, baseboards get reinstalled, and everything inside your home gets put back where it was before the damage occurred. A final cleaning process takes place to remove any dust or debris created by the restoration work. If you ever need help with moisture damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355, seven days a week.

Click here for more information on the city of Tahoe.

Is Your Home Overrun By Catastrophe? SERVPRO Can Help!

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

fallen tree Let SERVPRO assist you in any disaster recovery situation.

How Our SERVPRO Personnel Recovers Disasters for Reno, Tahoe, and Carson City Residents

With so many of our service areas rooted in various facets of the entertainment industry, we know how important it is to get businesses and even area homes up and running normally again quickly. With the high volume of residents in Carson City alone, our SERVPRO professionals must stay prepared continuously for the main divisions of the restoration work that we do: water, fire, mold, water, and storm loss incidents. With an ability to mobilize quickly in a crisis, we can reach damaged properties fast to showcase the full measure of our elite training, our growing inventory of advanced equipment and products, and the compassion and empathy of our technicians on the job. 

Fire 

In every possible sense of the word, the recovery of fire damage in Carson City is about efficiency. There is no chance for wasted opportunities, resources, and talent when attempting to restore a property to preloss condition. That is why our entire SERVPRO team works to get the damage assessment and preliminary steps handled immediately upon our arrival, so there is no delay in vital mitigation and restoration work to follow. We even have our estimator on the phone within minutes of working in your home to determine precisely what your insurance provider needs to approve a damage claim so we can begin. 

In an area prone and susceptible to wildfires, certain precautions must always be at the forefront of the minds of Carson City residents and those in the other booming areas served like Lake Tahoe or the rest of Douglas County. Even in the situations of wildfires, our professionals are a trusted hand to help overcome the effects and get your property back to looking its best. We are recipients of the Storm Trooper Award, recognizing our vital role in the recovery of northern California fires in recent years. 

Fires are never single-symptom situations, either. Overcoming these damages to your Carson City property requires recovery on multiple fronts happening simultaneously including soot and smoke residue removal, air duct cleaning, air quality purification, odor removal, controlled demolition, and more. 

Mold 

There is no mistaking the severity of mold damage in Carson City homes, as the organism can quickly spread throughout a property and become a hazardous situation for those involved. Even beyond the family occupying the residence, pets on the property can also become adversely affected by exposure to active colonization. Our SERVPRO professionals can offer a fast and confident response for these situations, helping our customers to get their homes back to their original condition and their lives back to normal as well. 

With many more significant properties in the Carson City area, it can be easy for mold growth to get overlooked in less trafficked areas like attics or even crawlspaces beneath the main floor of the house. Either of these scenarios presents a substantial risk, as both do not get addressed until the spread of the organism has begun to affect a more heavily used area of the home. While proper ventilation and air circulation can often address many of these issues before they become a widespread damaging presence, this is typically a long-term solution installed after the fact. 

Our entire team benefits from pooling our talents and our expertise together to help homeowners in Carson City through the traumatic mold growth scenarios. It’s a “WE” thing, and it shows in the way that we handle every facet of mold recovery, colony elimination, and home restoration. We even have a full-service construction team that can help in both controlled demolition and reconstruction efforts, ensuring that no customer ever waits on secondary contractors or construction teams. 

Water

With both the frequency of water damage to Carson City properties, our professionals must actively remain prepared to mobilize quickly when we get these calls. We have an entire Green Fleet of service vehicles that stay stocked with the leading equipment for extraction and drying, tools that can help to begin reducing damage on multiple loss situations even unrelated to water. With water loss emergencies, time is of the essence, and the severity of the circumstance can get determined officially in a matter of hours. 

We have invested in the top equipment available through our parental SERVPRO company to become leading professionals in the area for water loss recovery. With truck-mount shaft-driven pumps and an inventory of hundreds of air movers and dehumidification units, we can confidently address any loss scenario. This same dedication to our Carson City customers and their homes helped us to stand out among a business directorship of more than 100 companies in our area to become the Flying with Eagles recipient in 2018. 

We seek to offer our Carson City customers experienced and well-trained professionals as well, and that is why our entire recovery division has accreditations as Water Restoration Technicians (WRT), many of which also have secondary training in Applied Structural Drying (ASD), through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.)  

Storm

Our area is one that receives a wide berth of damaging weather systems in every season of the year, making our response to storm damage in Carson City critical for our customers. From hard rains and gale-force winds to several feet of snow in the higher elevated areas during inevitable intense storms, our SERVPRO team has to stay prepared for all of what might happen. We have fitted our service vehicles with the appropriate equipment and tires to make harsh weather a situation that cannot stop us from reaching our customers in need. 

We know how damaging some of these weather events can become for Carson City homes, and we have a full-service reconstruction and contracting division to help. With many specific niches from plumbing and electrical repair through full-scale new construction, we have experienced personnel with years in the building trades to perform emergency solutions and final high-quality results. 

We have IICRC-Certified technicians accredited in every facet of the restoration industry, helping us to provide an experienced and confident response for every Carson City home and business affected by adverse weather conditions. We also have the backing of our Large Loss Recovery Team, which ensures that no situation is too substantial for our professionals to handle successfully. 

If you want to make loss incidents “Like it never even happened,” trust the experience and leading equipment of our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties team.

Give us a call anytime at (775) 588-2355.

Preventing Mold Begins With You

4/12/2023 (Permalink)

mold remediation technician Do not clean or apply biocides to visible mold on porous surfaces - call SERVPRO to safely take care of mold remediation.

To minimize the potential for mold growth in your building, you must: 

• Keep your building clean—particularly the kitchen, the bathrooms, carpets, and floors. Regular vacuuming and mopping, plus cleaning hard surfaces using a household cleaner, are all important to remove the dirt and debris that harbor mold or food for mold. Throw away moldy food immediately.

• Remove visible moisture accumulations on windows, walls, ceilings, floors, and other surfaces as soon as reasonably possible. Look for leaks in washing machine hoses and discharge lines, especially if the leak is large enough for water to seep into nearby walls. If your property has them, turn on exhaust fans in the bathroom before showering and in the kitchen before cooking with open pots. Also when showering, keep the shower curtain inside the tub (or fully close the shower doors). Experts also recommend that after a shower or bath, you (1) wipe the moisture off shower walls, shower doors, the bathtub, and the bathroom floor; (2) leave the bathroom door open until all moisture on the mirrors and bathroom walls and tile surfaces has dissipated; and (3) hang up your towels and bath mats so they will completely dry out. 

• Notify your service provider about any air-conditioning or heating-system problems you discover. Make sure to replace the air filters. It’s good practice to open windows and doors periodically on days when the outdoor weather is dry (i.e., humidity is below 50%) to help humid areas of your building dry out.

• Promptly notify SERVPRO of any signs of water leaks, water infiltration, or mold. We will respond within the same day.  

Avoiding Moisture Buildup 

To avoid mold growth, it’s important to prevent excess moisture buildup in your building. Failing to promptly attend to leaks and moisture accumulations on property surfaces can encourage mold growth, especially in places where they might get inside walls or ceilings. Prolonged moisture can come from a wide variety of sources, such as:

• rainwater leaking from roofs, windows, doors, and outside walls, as well as flood waters rising above floor level;

• overflows from showers, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, washing machines, dehumidifiers, refrigerator or air-conditioner drip pans, or clogged air-conditioner condensation lines;

• leaks from plumbing lines or fixtures, and leaks into walls from bad or missing grouting or caulking around showers, bathtubs, or sinks;

• washing machine hose leaks, plant-watering overflows, pet urine, cooking spills, beverage spills, and steam from excessive open-pot cooking;

• leaks from clothes-dryer discharge vents (which can put a lot of moisture into the air); and

• insufficient drying of carpets, carpet pads, shower walls, and bathroom floors.  

Cleaning Mold 

If small areas of mold have already accumulated on nonporous surfaces (such as ceramic tile, Formica, vinyl flooring, metal, wood, or plastic), the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you first clean the areas with soap (or detergent) and water and let the surface dry thoroughly. (Applying biocides without first cleaning away the dirt and oils from the surface is like painting over old paint without first cleaning and preparing the surface.) When the surface is dry—and within 24 hours of cleaning—apply a premixed spray-on household biocide such as Lysol Disinfectant®, Original Pine-Sol®Cleaner, Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover® or Clorox®Clean-up® Cleaner + Bleach. (Note two things: First, only a few of the common household cleaners can actually kill mold. Second, Tilex and Clorox contain bleach, which can discolor or stain surfaces, so follow the instructions on the container.) Always clean and apply a biocide to an area five or six times larger than any mold you see—mold can be present but not yet visible to the naked eye. A vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can be used to help remove non-visible mold products from porous items such as fibers in sofas, chairs, drapes, and carpets—provided the fibers are completely dry. Machine washing or dry cleaning will remove mold from clothes.  

Warning for Porous Surfaces and Large Surfaces 

Do not clean or apply biocides to visible mold on porous surfaces such as sheetrock walls or ceilings or too large areas of visible mold on nonporous surfaces. Instead, notify SERVPRO.

Call 775-588-2355 and we will come to your location quickly to assess the damage. Our trained technicians will make sure your property is safe and professionally cleaned. 

9 STEPS TO HANDLING COMMERCIAL WATER DAMAGE

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

water damage equipment warehouse SERVPRO equipment warehouse, ready for any size disaster.

MY BUSINESS IS FLOODING! WHAT DO I DO?

A storm has swept the region, or perhaps your property suffered a plumbing failure. Water soaks inventory, covers floors, puddles around equipment, and ruins furnishings. Taking in the damage can be overwhelming.

9-STEP GUIDE for HOW TO DEAL WITH A FLOODED BUSINESS

With the building flooded, it’s hard to serve customers or do any kind of business. Dangerous mold growth, sewage backup, and structural damage are just some of the problems you may face.

Our guide helps you overcome flooding caused by fractured frozen pipes, faulty fire sprinkler systems, storm flooding and more.

Recover from a flood with these 9 steps:

1. TURN Off WATER AND UTILITIES

Immediately turn off gas and electricity to your building. If your commercial property is flooding due to plumbing or leaky pipes, shut off the water main. If you’re not sure of the location of shut-off valves, contact your property manager. If you have an Emergency Ready Plan from SERVPRO, this information will be available already for any employee on property.

2. CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE AGENT

Second, call your agent to outline the extent of damage and schedule an inspection for the adjuster. Keep communication records of all emails and calls with your insurer. Include dates, times, and names.

3. CALL A LOCAL RESTORATION COMPANY

Rather than cleaning up yourself, certified technicians should take care of water removal, structural drying, and if necessary, mold remediation. Contact a water damage restoration company, such as SERVPRO, with experience handling all types of commercial business flooding. Licensed technicians minimize business disruption, so that you can reopen as soon as possible.

4. DOCUMENT ANY DAMAGE

Next, make detailed documentation of damage. Take photos and video of all water damage inside and outside of your property. Share the information with your adjuster and insurance company.

8. GET FRESH AIR MOVING

Open interior doors, cabinets and drawers in affected areas. If it’s not humid outside, open windows and exterior doors. From there, the SERVPRO restoration team will set up heavy-duty equipment that expedites and completes the process.

6. SORT FOR SALVAGE

As you sort, don’t assume all water-damaged items are a complete loss. Our technicians can often restore inventory, furnishings, electronics and paper records.

7. SAVE FOR THE ADJUSTER

Items which cannot be recovered must be examined by your adjuster. Don’t throw anything away until your adjuster completes a full inspection. From waterlogged furniture to flood-soaked inventory, you want the adjuster to note all damage and every loss you’re aware of.

5. SECURE YOUR PROPERTY

It might be days or weeks before you can reopen for business, so secure the property. Limited access keeps it safe and keeps your insurance carrier happy. If you need to board up windows, SERVPRO can help.

9. SPREAD THE WORD

Keep employees, customers, and suppliers posted on the restoration status. Use social media to let everyone know about your temporary closing and prospective reopening, updating information as progress is made. When the flood cleanup, restoration, and repairs are finished, celebrate the milestone with a grand reopening.

REMEMBER:

-KNOW YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

-GET AN EMERGENCY READINESS PLAN

-BE CAREFUL WITH CLEANUP

If you decide to tackle cleanup on your own, be careful. Flooding in a business setting can leave behind contaminated water, unhealthy debris and raw sewage.

It’s best to leave flood cleanup to certified technicians.

If you don’t have coverage for natural disasters, look into your options through FEMA’s flood insurance program for businesses. The agent who handles your business insurance can help with the details.

KNOW WHO TO CALL

Even a small amount of water can shut business down indefinitely. Bringing in a restoration company saves valuable time. These are just a few of the services that get you back in business.

  • Help navigating insurance claims
  • Pumping systems for fast water removal
  • Structural drying that speeds up recovery
  • Mold remediation to protect health
  • Air duct cleaning which restores fresh interiors

We provide expert commercial water damage cleanup and restoration services in Northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe regions.

Our teams are always ready to respond to your flood emergency 24/7, helping you to minimize losses and maximize recovery efforts.

When you’re prepared in advance, it’s easier to prevent further damage and manage the aftereffects of a flooded business. You can get a free Emergency Ready Plan for your business’s property today. Call 775-588-2355 to get a response plan, showing your property’s shut-off valves and other details allowing employees in your facility to respond quickly to any water-related incident and prevent further damage.

When you need to get the doors open once again, call SERVPRO: 775-588-2355

Maintaining a Sump Pump

3/16/2023 (Permalink)

sump pump A sump pump will be ready to protect your property from water damage

How To Maintain a Sump Pump

Regardless of whether you live in an area that is susceptible to floods, it is beneficial to consider having a sump pump in your home in Douglas County, NV. An exceptionally heavy rainstorm, rapidly melting snow, or a broken pipe could all be the cause of a flood in your basement that can more easily be managed with the proper equipment. Once you have your pump, there are several tasks that you should undertake regularly in order to keep it properly maintained.

Clear Obstructions

The discharge pipe and vent hole, pit, and intake screen are all points that are vulnerable to obstructions. Proper pump maintenance means checking for dirt and debris that could be preventing proper drainage, eliminating anything that is blocking the screen, and clearing things that prevent the float component from functioning. You can conduct periodic tests by pouring water into the basin. The pump should activate and drain the water. Regular maintenance of your sump pump ensures that it is ready for an emergency.

Maintain a Safe Connection

Pumps are usually run off of an electrical source, so make sure that yours is plugged into the correct type of outlet (ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI). You should also check the cord once in a while, especially if you have any history of rodents in your basement that could damage the cord.

Replace Backup Power

Your pump probably has a backup power source. Test the battery at least annually and replace it every couple of years. The backup power source is your last line of defense in the face of a flood, so if it's been sitting unused for a lot of years, there's a good chance it won't work when you need it to. If that happens and your basement does flood, call an emergency mitigation company to evaluate for safety before you start to clean up.
A sump pump will always be at the ready to protect your home from water damage if it is maintained properly.

Three Factors for Successful Water Extraction

3/8/2023 (Permalink)

standing water If water is allowed to stand for too long, you run the risk of losing your furnishings and possessions to moisture-based rot and deterioration.

There are many reasons why a home might sustain water damage, requiring repairs and restoration by a team of experts. Whether your property is the victim of natural floods or you are dealing with the aftermath of a broken appliance, water must be removed quickly.

If water is allowed to stand for too long, you run the risk of losing your furnishings and possessions to moisture-based rot and deterioration. This is why the restoration experts at SERVPRO do not waste any time starting water removal in Lyon and Storey County homes and commercial buildings. The success of the process, however, depends on the careful consideration of three key factors: Temperature, Amount of Standing Water, and Relative Humidity

Temperature
Water removal requires a lot more precision than you might think. For instance, the optimal drying conditions are at a temperature between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the first few days, it is better for the air in the room to be below 80 degrees. So, water damage restoration experts have to monitor conditions very carefully for the affected area to dry fast.

Amount of Standing Water
This is the amount of water which can be physically removed (pumped or vacuumed), as opposed to being dehumidified. It is much easier to pump liquid water than it is to interact with gas, so the SERVPRO team will remove as much liquid as possible. The amount of standing water has a great impact on how long the process lasts.

Relative Humidity
The term “relative humidity” refers to the amount of moisture that the air is holding. SERVPRO technicians formulate your drying plan with an accurate measurement of relative humidity. Anywhere between 30-50% is considered to be a comfortable level of humidity for most homeowners. Once levels pass 60%, the air is heavily saturated, causing a clammy and unpleasant atmosphere. Dehumidifiers are used to eliminate unwanted moisture from the air and bring the conditions back to a comfortable and healthy level for the home or business owner.

SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe/Reno East/Lyon & Storey Counties has the equipment, knowledge, and expertise that you need to bring your home or business back to life after a flood. We are locally owned, responding quickly to all property owners. Call us 24/7.

Ways You Can Prepare for Winter Storms

2/26/2023 (Permalink)

Storm Damage Planning and preparing ahead of time can prevent unwanted winter storm disasters.

Unfortunately, property owners don’t get to choose when a storm moves into the area — but we can be ready for when it does. SERVPRO specializes in fast, affordable, and efficient storm damage restoration services. Below, we've compiled a few tips to help reduce and prevent severe storm damage from impacting your property.

3 Ways to Minimize the Need for Storm Damage Restoration Services

1. Regularly Inspect Your Roof

Checking whether any shingles have blown off of your roof or if there are any minor leaks and repairing such problems immediately will help you avoid serious structural damages when extreme weather sets in. If you find your home has suffered extensive storm damage, it may be necessary to invest in the services of a water damage restoration professional like the experts from SERVPRO due to rain leaking through the roof.

2. Trim Dead Wood

No matter what time of the year, hard winds or heavy rain and snowfall can easily snap dead limbs, branches, or trees surrounding your home and cause storm damages. The professional technicians from SERVPRO recommend regularly trimming dead wood and branches on your property. Doing so will help keep you safe and minimize storm damage to your home should a storm set in.

3. Consider Storm Windows

One way to help minimize the need for storm damage restoration is by investing in high-quality storm windows or hurricane shutters. These investments will help prevent leaks and other storm damage by protecting the glass of your windows and adding an extra layer to protect against wind and rain.

For more tips on how to avoid the need for costly storm damage restoration services, contact the professionals from SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, East Reno, and Lyon & Storey Counties. 

SERVPRO Has The Knowledge and Experience Needed to Perform Water Removal Services for Local Casinos

2/16/2023 (Permalink)

casino floors Casinos require special cleanup after water damage; SERVPRO has the expertise and experience to properly mitigate the damage.

When a casino requires water removal, there are often a set of unique factors that SERVPRO technicians have to contend with. Casinos have different layouts, construction materials, amenities, and furniture than other businesses, so the planning is more specific to get this type of business back up and running.

SERVPRO successfully handles water damage restoration and mold remediation services for the largest casinos around. We’ve helped The Hard Rock, Montbleu, and others restore multi-story buildings. We pride ourselves on being ready, flexible, and competent in our water removal work.

These are some of the components to restoring a casino after water damage:

Commercial Carpets

Carpeting in the average casino may require special water removal techniques to dry out properly. Casinos tend to use large, comfortable yet durable carpets across broad areas and floor spaces, which, while resistant to some types of damage, can be especially tricky to restore when they are damaged with water. We have extensive experience dealing with commercial carpeting that’s prevalent in casinos and can often save rather than replace your flooring materials.

Machines and Games

Slot machines and digital games are staples of most casinos. When these electronic devices get damaged by water, the effects can be disastrous if not handled appropriately. First, we work to remove cash from the machines, which is typically a natural process due to most machines' water-resistant cash storage. If any cash has been soaked, we use specialty drying solutions to prevent it from being lost. Once the machines have been dried out, we evaluate them on a case-by-case basis and conduct repairs as necessary.

Hotel Rooms

If your casino has an attached hotel, these rooms often have their own, unique problems related to water damage. We get more calls from apartments and hotel rooms than any other type of business and know how to take care of damages in these types of structures.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties / Reno East is available around the clock to help your business in a time of need. Call us.

SERVPRO Provides Emergency Services, Build Backs, and Communication

2/7/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO work van Call us as soon as trouble strikes at (775) 588-2355.

When severe damage strikes a business, it can be difficult for owners to cover the costs of repairs.

In addition to material losses, expenses of new materials, safety and preventative fixtures, labor, and many other factors must be considered, quickly adding up before the business ever gets a chance to reopen. Insurance companies are critical in these scenarios, as their prompt delivery of payment and quick processing may mean life or death for a business trying to overcome its damages. SERVPRO works in close cooperation with insurance companies, providing them with regular updates on the situation by any means necessary, and in many cases acting as a go-between with the agency and the claimant.
 
Commercial build back in Douglas County can vary widely on time and resources spent before the business can reopen, depending on what reconstruction efforts are needed. Removal or rebuilding of walls, pillars, and other structural elements can take lots of time, as can full replacement of aesthetic elements such as flooring materials and wallpaper. These types of repairs not only add days or weeks to restoration times but rack up thousands in material costs. SERVPRO works to make sure that the insurer understands both forms of financial loss, helping to keep your business open during the crisis, if at all possible.
 
If your business has been recently hit by damages, by far the most important step in reducing costs and headaches related to your insurance is in calling us early for a fast response. By contacting us immediately, we can respond to the damages and begin mitigation within hours, reducing any co-payments or demands the insurer might make. This fast-initial action is contingent upon the signing of our SERVPRO Service Authorization Form. You must also contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. We do emphasize that we are not an insurance company and will always follow the suggestions or demands of the client and the insurer.
 
We have staff, project managers, and an established protocol to rebuild many damaged facilities. We can also partner with other companies with whom we have a working relationship or other companies of your choosing.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties has a strong reputation and relationship with all local insurance companies, helping businesses to build back as quickly and with as little cost as possible.

We work with your Insurance

If you are unsure if you will be filing a claim to cover damages, contact us. We can work with any insurance company to make sure your insurance is utilized to the fullest while directly billing them for you. You may not be aware of what rights you have based on your policy. We know how to work with commercial and small business insurance, giving you peace of mind.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / SERVPRO of Reno East / South Lake Tahoe and SERVPRO of Lyon & Storey Counties is committed to helping you overcome build back obstacles and many other property issues.

Call us as soon as trouble strikes at (775) 588-2355.

Stay Safe in Your Community With The Citizen App

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

putting out a fire on the street Make sure you know what is happening on the streets nearby!

In times of economic uncertainty, crime rates rise. Know what is happening around you and stay safe with the Citizen App. Whether a crime is taking place or there's a fire is spreading in your building or a building nearby, the app alerts you when something is happening in your area that you should know about. You can also report anything you see by taking a live video.

This free app is one of the most powerful ways to stay safe. It gives you access to verified 911 information and lets you know what is happening in real time. The app covers events from missing pets to natural disasters and everything in between. This community transparency empowers everyone to create a safer world.

The app is connected to your phone’s GPS tracker so it will let you know what is happening around you according to your current location, not only your home address. Next time you see a road shut down and police sirens inside the closure, you have a way to understand exactly what is going on.

In some areas, the company that runs the citizen app has installed antennas that allow them to listen to police and fire scanners. Artificial intelligence along with humans then decipher what is being communicated and translate that into reports that are coded with neighborhood data inside the app. Reports are a step above what you will find on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor because the data comes not only from your neighbors but also directly from police reports.

Though live streaming from the scene of a crime can be very dangerous, getting real-time alerts to situations unfolding nearby can be life-saving by preventing people from walking into a sticky situation, or allowing them to keep an eye on a nearby fire to make sure it does not have potential to spread to their residence.

The Citizen App blog tells a story of a Philadelphia resident who was alerted to a fire near his dwelling:

Before hearing sirens, smelling smoke, or seeing flames, Citizen user ‘petz215’ received a notification.

Citizen user ‘petz215’ was getting ready to leave his South Philadelphia home for a dentist appointment on November 18th when he received the Citizen notification above.

“If there were a house fire that close to me, I would definitely already know about it,” he thought. “Sure enough, I stepped outside to see a raging fire.”

He canceled his appointment to monitor the fire and make sure it didn’t spread closer to his house.

The fire destroyed the house where it sparked and affected two neighboring homes.

“I was astonished. Not only did I find out about this nearby fire with a push notification, but there was already a live video of something that started minutes ago. I couldn’t believe how fast it happened.”

From Blog: https://medium.com/citizen/south-philly-resident-alerted-to-fire-on-his-own-block-b9dbcdca8e35

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In the few weeks I've had the app installed, I've been alerted to various incidents happening nearby including building fires, car accidents, and gunshots fired. The app tells me exactly how far away a situation is from my location, down to several hundred feet. I’m able to add friends and family to my "inner circle" to get alerts about potential situations unfolding near their real-time location as well.

If there is a dangerous situation occurring near you, it's better to be an informed citizen than not.

Download the app here:

https://citizen.com

SERVPRO Uses a Multi-Faceted Approach to Major Water Damage

1/11/2023 (Permalink)

flooded home Water, Flooding, and Fire Damages Get Cleaned Up by SERVPRO in Reno, Carson CIty, and Douglas County.

Fire and flood damage each have their set of problems and requirements for cleaning. Every homeowner needs a restoration company that deals with both. In some circumstances, this means at the same time.

SERVPRO knows that a fire and water combination is devastating to a home. Heat and smoke damage is bad enough, but sprinklers continue until they are turned off, and a firefighter’s first concern is stopping visible flames from spreading. The combination means standing water in every low spot, carpets, and floors underwater, as well as personal and structural property, covered in soot and smoke residues.

It also means we start with conflicting priorities. When there is a fire, our first concern is to remove soot residue before it causes permanent harm to property and structure. If there is standing water, the soot must wait until technicians pump out the water to work in a safe environment.

After removing the water, each room is inspected to determine the soot and smoke levels. We clean the rooms with the heaviest coating first. We start the process to extract water from carpets and wood floors in the rooms with a lighter residue layer. By using this method, we can service both types of restoration as quickly as possible.

With both fire and water damage, saving certain building materials is almost impossible. Every charred drywall panel must be removed to examine the frame wood behind it. Excess water further weakens panel integrity to the point where some crumble and come apart as technicians attempt to remove them.

There is one process we have that supports both restoration priorities. After removing smoke and soot residues, we use air movers and fans to remove lingering smoke odors. These same machines also help us lower the moisture levels in affected areas of the home to prevent wood floors from warping and carpets from rotting or growing mold. Our goal is to restore and not discard and replace. Circumstances, you and your insurance company have the final say on how we move forward with the service.

Restoring your home after any disaster takes a professional service with decades of experience. When the clean-up involves two, separate, types of damage, speed, and training are twice as important. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties keeps a 24-hour response team on call to support you in every step and task. Call today at (775) 588-2355.

Our Highly Trained Staff is Ready to Restore Your Home After Water Damage

12/21/2022 (Permalink)

water damaged stairs Water damage soaked the carpeting and the structural elements of this staircase in this home. Our technicians arrived quickly and restored the home.

Water Damage Restoration for Your Home

One of the most common reasons for water intrusion in homes is a leaky roof. Various things such as missing shingles, wind damage, clogged gutters, or storm damage can cause a leaky roof. Unfortunately, you probably won’t realize there is an issue until the water starts dripping down into the living space of your home.

When you’ve seen signs of a roof leak in your Carson City home, you need help to clean up the water damage and restore your home to how it was. SERVPRO staff is highly trained and experienced, plus we’re faster to any size disaster, so you can trust us to do a thorough and timely job before additional damage can be done.

When you see water spots on your ceiling or water dripping down from the ceiling, you need to take immediate action. Since the leak made it this far, you can’t be sure how much damage is done already in your attic, but you do not want it to come down and drip onto furniture, flooring, or walls and do additional damage.

When checking an attic space, SERVPRO techs examine all sections of the construction of the roof. We check to see if any roofing material is damaged if the decking was affected and if the water leak is stopped. The structure of your roof and home are checked for damage and what repairs need to be made.

Some attics are easy for us to access but getting into others can be difficult. How much equipment we can get up there is limited, and sheetrock can complicate the drying process. Once we demolish any damaged sheetrock, structural parts in your attic area are relatively simple to dry. Plus, we might have to remove sheetrock so we can access areas inside the attic.

Many times, when working to restore an attic, we have to work with the insulation that is there. We might be able to dry and save any wet fiberglass insulation, but wet plaster or sheetrock under the insulation might not be restorable. A majority of the time when plaster or sheetrock is sagging, we have to move the insulation to an area that is not damaged so we can get to the sagging sheetrock. We use large insulation vacuums to remove insulation and maybe save it for reuse.

We may need to build containment around the water damage, as the removal of sheetrock and insulation create large amounts of dust. Negative air pressure can also be needed.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties / Reno East is always available to help you restore your home in Reno, Genoa, Bijou, or Zephyr Cove when you have a leaky roof. As soon as you see signs of a problem, reach out to us, and we can have your home fixed up before you know it.

Cleanup and Reconstruction Needed?

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

under construction sign SERVPRO Restores and Reconstructs Following Water Damage in Carson City.

Flooding can ruin a property. Owners look at standing water and sometimes want to give up. Make sure to call a professional restoration service to restore your home after damage caused by burst pipes or other failed plumbing and appliances. SERVPRO not only remediates damage but rebuilds so that your property is like new.  

Regardless of where the damage came from, SERVPRO is the water damage restoration and reconstruction company to use in your area. We are fully licensed in Nevada and California to perform the tasks needed to return a home to its pre-disaster condition. After the water has been pumped out, we continue to carry out an inspection from the foundation to the roof. Here are a few of the more common damages and how we rebuild after a disaster. 

First things first, we replace damaged plumbing. Until we stop the source of the water, it is a waste of time to affect any other repairs. Our specialists are fully trained to replace bathroom fixtures, install new dishwashers or lay new intake pipes anywhere in the home. If the problem was a failed septic tank that backed up into the home or across the outside property, we can remove the old tank and set a new one, including a new concrete cradle, in place. 

Next, come the floors. If our inspection finds damage to the subfloor, our technicians pull out each piece of the damaged frame and replace it. If necessary, we go down to the foundation and relevel the dirt or concrete to put down a surface without rolls or raised points. Our technicians have years of experience in framing and laying new wood floors that increase the value of the home and are appealing to everyone who sees them. 

When it comes to walls, hanging new sheetrock is only the surface of what we do. Before putting up the new panels, we replace every bit of wall framing that shows water damage. Although we do not move load-bearing walls, we can expand closets or decrease a formal dining area to increase the living room for a young, growing family. 

Finally, there is the roof. Our response team not only replaces damaged or missing tiles but also removes and installs new support beams underneath them. With a nationwide network of equipment at our disposal, we can even lay in a new main support beam if needed. 

Rebuilding your home can be a lengthy process, but hiring the right company for the job can make it much less painful. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties has the experience, training, and equipment needed to help you from the ground up. Call us today at (775) 588-2355 to begin.

SERVPRO Responds Swiftly to Remove Stormwater for Businesses

11/17/2022 (Permalink)

flooded vehicles Carson City Flooding Gets Help from SERVPRO

Your Douglas County dealership helps drivers of all ages find the appropriate car to fit their respective budgets. As a part of your presentation to the area, you have a very clean and modernized showroom and lobby for those wanting to beat the heat or other elements outside as they wait. With all of the time spent with the upkeep of your facility, natural disasters are one of the last things that your business needs. With close proximity to the river, rising water levels can impact even businesses above the normal floodplains.

The trouble with flooding from rising levels of the bodies of water nearby is that you often have little time to prepare your dealership for the coming disaster. With so many vehicles to move to safety and contents and records that need to be preserved within the main facility itself, it would be difficult to prepare for flood damages.

Being at the mercy of rising water is never an easy sight to see, but when you call our SERVPRO professionals, it is nothing that you have to face alone. Our team can move quickly to help remove the contents of your building to a safer location and prevent irreparable damage. Preventative measures can help to limit the actual water that enters the building altogether, making extraction a much more straightforward process.

Once the water gets pulled from the floors throughout the facility, drying is the next phase. Great care is spent ensuring that the entire building is thoroughly dry. Thermal imagery often gets used to locate moisture or dampness in areas that are out of sight or difficult to access. This inspection ensures that all of the moisture gets removed through this phase of restoration.

There is nothing as unnerving to a business owner as a natural disaster. With a looming threat drawing closer and closer, or worse yet rushing in all at once, a fast response time can help limit the overall damage and length of time needed for restoration. Trust in our experienced SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties restoration specialists to help you remove flood waters and clean up the mess.

Moisture Removal and Dehumidification Are Vital to Reduce Water Damage

11/9/2022 (Permalink)

burst pipe A Burst Pipe in a Carson City Building Means Significant Water Damage--Contact SERVPRO for Removal

Your offices in Carson City can suffer slow leaks anywhere there are water pipes. These can split open and release hundreds of gallons of water during the night, or slowly leak water from loosened joints.
 
Property owners in Carson City must maintain a building's safety at a certain level, and commercial water damage can make this extremely difficult. SERVPRO technicians adhere to protocols established by the IICRC and OSHA. These methods effectively restore both commercial and residential properties to their preloss condition and prevent additional damage from occurring. When extensive damage already exists, we can mitigate this as soon as we remove any existing water and future water can no longer gain entry.
 
Water can damage partitions by dry-rotting fibers or allow microbial infestations to thrive. Floor coverings can slowly become damaged by slowly leaking pipes while broken ones can soak them almost instantly. While we can often rescue the carpet itself, the padding's fate depends on several factors. Its age, density, and composition, as well as the amount of time it remained exposed to invasive water, can affect our ability to save it from destruction. We advise our customers on their specific situation as soon as possible. Tiled and industrial-grade vinyl floorings can reduce the immediate effects of water flooding.
 
Sensitive documents can also become tinged with a moldy scent. Conditions of high humidity can change the feel of paper. Ink also becomes affected and become illegible in places when water damage takes place. Other media can become stuck together when their protective coatings fail under situations involving high moisture environments. These problems make mitigation of water damage crucial for your building's occupants' businesses.
 
Office furniture and equipment, depending on their position to the water's source, might also suffer severe damage. We can dry and clean furniture, keeping it functional. Equipment with electronics often fares well after one of our licensed partners or yours examine them and discusses any necessary repairs or special handling. A small group of technicians can place desks, display cases, or other furnishings on blocks, so no stains develop.
 
Getting your office building dry again requires a concerted effort at eliminating the water at its source, removing damaged materials, drying out the environment and contents, and preventing secondary water damage effects. Dehumidification and restoring normal RH levels are crucial to mitigating damages.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties wants to help you keep your tenants satisfied by getting things back under control as quickly as possible. Call us at our 24-hour services number, (775) 588-2355, whenever you need our assistance.

SERVPRO Wants To Restore Your Stateline Home

10/26/2022 (Permalink)

mold on celing Mold in your home needs immediate attention - call the experts at SERVPRO today.

Why You Need SERVPRO For Mold Remediation In Your Stateline Home

At this time, mold is probably the last issue on the minds of folks in Stateline. However, while families are spending a lot of time together inside, it is important to make sure air ducts are cleaned and mold spores are not growing where it is nice and warm, endangering your family's health. While it may be too cold outside for many things to thrive, with enough moisture inside, mold can grow.
 
That is why many Stateline residents need mold remediation. Why call SERVPRO instead of another agency? No other business trains and equips its restoration teams to handle mold as we do. From certified inspectors to the latest tools for blasting mold out of a home, our company brings the best to every home or business building.
 
To determine the extent of a mold colony, our inspectors use air content meters to augment their visual inspection. The meters allow us to trace mold behind walls without drilling holes or compromising the drywall panels of the home’s interior.
 
Finding the extent of the colony’s growth also gives us the origin point. That is where we find the source of moisture that allowed the inert spores to expand and grow. After finding it, team members spray the area with an anti-fungal agent to kill the spores and then clean up both the mold and the water source.
 
In many cases, SERVPRO technicians can clean and remove the mold using anti-fungal cleaners and either wiping down or scraping the mold off affected surfaces. When the mold goes undetected over a long period, the mold layer can become very thick and penetrate surfaces, even the wood beams in ceiling and roof supports.
 
If that happens, team members use a new method called soda blasting to remove the mold. They use a specially designed high-pressure spray device to force sodium bicarbonate into a concentrated stream. It can clear out even deeply penetrated mold spores without compromising the integrity of building supports.
 
Regardless of how far the mold has grown into your home or business, SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties has the training and equipment to clean and remove it. If you have seen mold or detected that distinctive, ‘musty’ odor, call us today to schedule an inspection.

SERVPRO Provides Homes with Plenty of Fire Damaging Odor Suppressing Solutions

10/12/2022 (Permalink)

fire damaged wooden chest SERVPRO provides cleanup and removal of contents, odors and Fire Damaged items.

Fire Odor Specialists In Carson City Describe The Deodorization Process


If a fire ever ignites inside your Carson City townhome, your building can suffer from other problems than just ruined and burnt materials. Soot removal and fire odor control are also two common aspects of any restoration process. A professional company such as SERVPRO can be of much help when dealing with mitigation procedures. We always follow a set of guidelines to ensure that we return your home to its preloss state "Like it never even happened." Before tackling fire odor problems, our technicians take steps to make sure the working area is secure, and all burnt items get removed.
 
After severely charred objects get taken out and discarded, our SERVPRO technicians work towards cleaning off soot residues. Charred materials and soils can often be a source of fire odor in your townhouse. However, since smoke can penetrate deeply into substances, unpleasant aromas could still exist after all charred objects, and residues get removed. When foul smells are still present, we take further steps to deodorize your building materials and contents. The deodorization process includes several different techniques that work in various ways to provide more pleasant aromas.
 
To start, our SERVPRO team conducts chemical containment to chemically block or restrict malodor particles from circulating into the air. We use a pump sprayer to dispense these chemicals in areas around the source. Next, we apply volatile vapors that contain strong masking and pairing agents that combine with malodor particles. We can apply vapor crystals to floors and horizontal surfaces as well as emit deodorants into the air using a vapor diffuser.
 
If foul smells still exist after these first two procedures, we can then implement pressurized thermal fogging methods. These foggers use heat to break down deodorant chemicals to microscopic particles so that they can mimic the behavior of smoke. If unpleasant aromas are still present, we can then utilize an ozone generator. These machines produce O3 particles that oxidize and neutralize malodor compounds.
 
If you ever notice burnt smells after something torches inside your townhome, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355 24/7.

SERVPRO Will Organize Your Exit In Lake Tahoe After A Flood

9/28/2022 (Permalink)

trees Rely on the experts to help you when a flood causes you to evacuate your home.

Post-Flood Recovery Includes Pack-Up and Removal of Belongings in a South Lake Tahoe 

Many residents who experience a natural disaster in South Lake Tahoe find themselves wondering how to protect their belongings and household items. The possibilities of theft, new damage, and other problems create additional stress when life already seems full of too much turmoil with the latest events.
 
When flooding affects residents in South Lake Tahoe, SERVPRO offers pack-up and removal services of belongings and other items inside a flooded home. We get everything in your home packed up in new boxes, complete with inventory sheets that help you locate any things you might need. We realize that after a flood, many people do not understand how much a flood can impact their lives, making it essential that they have access to specific items during their recovery.
 
These detailed sheets can also make the task of putting everything back in its proper place more manageable and faster for you once you return home. Flood damage makes it impossible for your family to stay in your home, but our teams work as quickly as possible to make your home safe again. Making the situation more orderly for you in as many ways as possible helps your family not only return home soon after but also to recover more fully once home again.
 
During the initial packing up of your family's belongings, we place any soiled items that the floodwaters contaminated into specific boxes or bins. This ensures that not only do they not affect non-damaged items but also that they receive specialized handling. We take these items and clean them with our in-house cleansers, rinse and dry them, and then place them in a special chamber for deodorization. These items receive a new box afterward and an updated inventory notation.
 
Removing the water and all of the debris after a flood invades your home takes care of your house. At SERVPRO, we look at taking care of your family as part of our job. There is a world of difference between knowing where the small comforts of home are placed in a box on a shelf and hoping to find that same item 'someday.' We are always here to help you by providing guidance in a time when you might feel like the world has become a very uncertain place.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties wants to help residents in Bijou, Carson City, and Skyland make a fast and secure recovery after flooding, or another disaster causes chaos. Call us at (775) 588-2355, and we can start helping your family pick up the pieces and move forward. Click here for more information on winter recreation in Lake Tahoe.

Hurricane Prep - Create an Emergency Plan

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

build an emergency kit Have an emergency kit at work, in your car, and at home so you're ready any time, anywhere.

Hurricane season has begun so we're sharing tips to help you get ready.

Step 1. Create a plan.

Start by creating an emergency plan for your family that includes emergency meeting places in your home, neighborhood, and outside your neighborhood. Create a plan here-> https://bddy.me/2SBwVQp

Step 2. Build an emergency kit.

Have an emergency kit at work, in your car, and at home so you're ready any time, anywhere. This kit could include a backpack, water, non-perishable food, a blanket, and more. See the full list here-> https://bddy.me/3y0hrWq

Step 3. Review your insurance.

Look at your policies ahead of time to see what's covered and if flood insurance is available to you since it's the leading cause of damage from tropical systems. For more insurance tips visit https://bddy.me/3uH6hE5

Step 4. Have an evacuation plan.

Plan your route and have an alternate. Remember, you may not have to drive hundreds of miles to evacuate, only far enough away from the evacuation area.

Step 5. Get your home ready.

Trim your trees to prevent damage from snapped branches and board up your windows to protect them from flying debris. Here are more ways to strengthen your home-> https://bddy.me/3tMHgWH

Remember, if a massive flood happens in your community, SERVPRO has storm teams all over the country that will be sent in to help. Our SERVPRO national coverage allows us to dispatch resources from all over the nation to support our local community. That's one of the reasons we are a top choice restoration company - Faster to any size disaster!

Call SERVPRO of Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties if you need any help with emergency preparedness.

National Preparedness Month Opportunity for Local Businesses

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

National Preparedness Month September is National Preparedness Month!

SERVPRO is giving Business Owners an Opportunity to be Ready for an Emergency this month!

SERVPRO highlights no-cost tools to help property owners prepare and maintain a comprehensive emergency readiness plan

No matter where you live or work, emergencies caused by weather, fire, wind, water, and other natural or manmade disasters can strike at any time and are largely unpredictable. The property restoration professionals at SERVPRO, an industry-leading provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services, remind home and business owners that preparing in advance is the best thing you can do to help minimize a disaster’s impact on your loved ones and your property. Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates September as National Preparedness Month – a time to create, or update, your plan for when disaster strikes.

“In the same way that people make ‘resolutions’ at the New Year, National Preparedness Month is a great time to resolve to create a plan, or review your existing plan, each and every year,” said Rick Isaacson, CEO of SERVPRO Industries, LLC. “Everyone needs a comprehensive emergency plan. Business owners also need to plan for business interruption and continuation. But equally importantly, families and businesses alike need immediate access to data like emergency and insurance contacts, shut-off valves, electrical panel locations, and the line of command to authorize work so emergency responders can react quickly and appropriately during the emergency. This month’s focus on preparedness is a great incentive for both families and businesses to put a plan in place and review it regularly.”

Creating an emergency plan is straightforward. No matter what type of threats exist where you live or work – wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other natural or manmade disasters – tools are available from FEMA with guidelines for preparing emergency food, water, and medical supplies; planning for special needs, and creating communication and evacuation plans. These tools and others, like the SERVPRO READY app, also help you store essential contact and property information electronically where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes. Both home and business owners can download the free app at https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp.

Business owners can take an additional preparedness step by designating their local SERVPRO franchise as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a no-cost assessment of the facility and assist the owner in completing a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) to be stored in the READY app.

“The key to getting your life or business back on track is the timely response after a disaster strikes. That’s why it’s important to take the time to record and store your information electronically, and then commit to a time – like National Preparedness Month – to review and update your records at least once each year,” said Isaacson. “Remember, filing cabinets and their contents may be inaccessible or even destroyed in an emergency situation, so don’t depend on them to keep track of critical insurance, property, or contact information in the event of a disaster. Store your data electronically. If disaster strikes, you’ll have the information you need literally at your fingertips.”

SERVPRO specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit http://SERVPROtahoe.com/

Flood Damage Caused by Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal in Reno, Nevada

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

garbage disposal Improperly used garbage disposal units can clog and flood your kitchen. Call SERVPRO after this occurs to help prevent any subsequent mold!

SERVPRO Technicians Have Dealt with Damage From Many Types of Appliances

Almost everyone has done it – crammed things into that obnoxious garbage disposal. Some people tend to think that garbage disposals can gobble up anything you can throw in them, when in reality, they can only handle light food residue. Garbage disposals are not built for large chunks of food like many homeowners hope. Heavy food buildup can exhaust the disposal blades or even send whole pieces of food into your drainage system, which clogs it down the pipelines and could create flood damage in your home. If this happens to you, you will need professional help right away, like our team at SERVPRO. 

If you know how to properly take care of your garbage disposal in your South Lake Tahoe home, you can avoid flood damage from clogging up your disposal and pipelines. Below, you will find tips for keeping your garbage disposal healthy. 

Grease – Never drain grease, even with hot water, down your drains, especially one which is connected to your garbage disposal. This is the most common misconception of homeowners when it comes to drains. Hot water will only cause the grease to run and clog further down your pipes. 

Potatoes – Peel your potatoes over a garbage can instead of your garbage disposal. You will otherwise be making mashed potatoes in your drain. 

Grains – Not every food group can go down the drain, especially grains. Bread will expand when it gets wet, which in turn will cause clogs to form. 

Large or Foreign Objects – Things like plastic forks, bones, leaves and most other like things should not go down the drain of your disposal. 

Cold Water and Dish Soap – Run the cold water and use dish soap while running your disposal for a few minutes every week. This will clean the blades, stop rust, and allow your disposal to last longer. 

When catastrophe does strike, and your garbage disposal causes flooding in your home, it is essential that you get in touch with our technicians at SERVPRO right away. The longer the damage is allowed to sit, the more damage you will have to deal with and pay for. Plus, hazardous mold can begin to grow after just a day or two. 

SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe/Reno East/Lyon & Storey Counties has someone ready to take your call whenever you need us, day or night. Therefore, don’t hesitate to call us at (775) 588-2355 right away when your garbage disposal causes flooding in your home.

Important Steps To Restoring Your Water Damaged Property

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

mold Water enters the affected area increasing humidity levels, which then provides the conditions needed for mold spores to prosper.

Guarding Against The After Effects Of Commercial Water Damage In The Reno/Tahoe Area

Relying on your staff to perform restoration services may seem financially prudent, but without the right expertise, it can cause further problems. Using a professional service with extensive experience allows you to solve a problem on the first attempt and gets your business back to doing what it does best, serving customers.

Over the years our team has helped businesses with commercial water damage in Carson City, becoming experts in the field along the way. We know that commercial property issues are costing revenue and can draw on all our experience to ensure an efficient, painless service. You know your business best, so we make an effort to communicate with you every step of the way.

Clearing away water is our priority, but guarding against secondary damages is equally essential. Secondary damages are the result of a chain reaction. Water enters the affected area increasing humidity levels, which then provides the conditions needed for mold spores to prosper. A reaction like this can happen in as little as 12 hours and, in ideal conditions, mold can grow full-size colonies within 24 to 48 hours.

Monitoring humidity levels is an essential part of mitigating against mold growth. As a rule of thumb, humidity levels need to be brought down below 60% to guard against secondary mold damage. SERVPRO can do this using moisture meters as well as dehumidifiers to control indoor air quality.

Areas that are challenging to reach, such as gaps between floorboards or behind fittings, can be tackled using extraction wands. These tools blast hot air into smaller spaces where moisture could be residing. Getting the job done at the first time of asking is part of what we do at SERVPRO. Not only can we remove any excess water, but we can also guard against secondary damages that might not be noticeable until long after the initial water damage occurred.

Contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355 for an emergency service that can protect your business from secondary damages.

Where Stains Are Most Troublesome In Your Office

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

stained walls Stains and the odors they emit are one of the problems that our crews often spend the most time dealing with in a flood damage scenario

Staining is a part of most floods, especially after a storm. Water easily picks up and mixes with contaminants, many of which can then be coated in your building and on your belongings. Stains and the odors they emit are one of the problems that our crews often spend the most time dealing with in a flood damage scenario. Some materials are more prone to staining than others and can create significant problems if they have been heavily marred.

Carpets
Of all flooring materials, carpeting often fares the worst in Stateline flood damage. Carpet is highly absorbent, easily picking up much of the water flowing over it, along with any contaminants inside. Some types of carpeting, and especially rugs, are prone to color bleed, spreading their color to other parts of the floor or other carpets. In many cases where water is allowed to pool for an extended period, the carpet will have to be fully replaced.

Wallpaper
Walls get stained easily from flooding, but wallpaper is particularly vulnerable to the damage. Much like carpeting, wallpaper is more porous than most other materials. It traps water and contaminants inside. Wallpaper is harder to replace than paint, requiring another restoration process rather than a simple repainting.

Fabric Furniture
Furniture made of woven fabric is more vulnerable to extensive staining than wood, metal, or even leather counterparts. Fabrics easily pick up water and debris, often requiring unique and delicate restoration procedures, some of which may take time. SERVPRO keeps machines and knows specific techniques for the many types of fabrics found and will be able to find an effective solution for most pieces of furniture.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is locally owned and known for excellent service, friendly technicians, and fast work in restoring buildings and belongings from any damages. Give us a call at (775) 588-2355 to learn more about our services or request assistance.

Don’t Tackle Fire Damage Remediation in Your Reno or Carson City Business Alone

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

commercial building Don't let your hotel in Reno or Carson City get ruined by fire damage. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation help.

How Quickly Fire Effects Can Spread in Carson City Hotels

Hotels in Reno and Carson City is a vital component to the infrastructure of the entire area, helping tourism to continue to be as prevalent and steady as ever. With the massive structures that many of these accommodations are, a single disaster or emergency can spread over a broad area in a brief time. Incidents like fire loss offer multiple levels of damaging effects that can move far beyond the ignition point and can be a devastating force for multiple rooms in your hotel.

Structural concerns are most often the priority for addressing fire damage in your lodging. With experts with extensive training in fire and smoke damage restoration and recovery, as well as education in the modern approaches for deodorization and fire residue removal, our SERVPRO staff on site is knowledgeable and confident in work to get done. In most cases, containment of the effects is critical because even after extinguishment occurs, soot/smoke residues and carcinogens can continue to spread throughout the building.

Containment strategies for our SERVPRO professionals often come down to our advanced equipment like our hydroxyl generators, air scrubbers, and other physical barriers. Plastic sheeting can often be a literal hindrance for airborne particulates and contaminants from reaching other areas of the hotel. With these effects limited to a specific space, our contracting division can get to work on controlled demolition and fire debris removal.

One of the risks of fire effects in your area hotel is how easily certain conditions like harsh odors can pass through construction materials and structural elements. The longer that your business goes without the appropriate preventative actions like the use of hydroxyl and ozone machines, the more widespread and overwhelming these symptoms can become. A significant spread of these effects compromises not only your ability to offer rooms to potential guests but can affect your overall reputation with current customers.

Fire loss incidents can produce multiple damaging effects that can spread quickly through your hotel. Our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties team can help. Give us a call anytime disaster strikes at (775) 588-2355.

Firefighter Appreciation Program - Donating to First Responders

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Firefighters SERVPRO is proud of our Firefighter Appreciation Program and our support of the First Responders Children's Foundation. Thank you, firefighters!

One year ago, SERVPRO® announced our Firefighter Appreciation Program which is a $100,000 donation to First Responders Children’s Foundation

We partnered with Northern Trust to honor first responders at the PGA TOUR event!

 June of 2021, more than 1,900 SERVPRO franchise owners across North America gave back to first responders in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

SERVPRO gave back in two ways. We partnered with Northern Trust, the primary sponsor of THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA TOUR event, at the Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, New Jersey, to launch the Firefighter Appreciation Program.

The program, created to honor first responders, provided free admission, as well as a dedicated venue on-site and special amenities to help ensure an enjoyable weekend at the tournament.

“Each and every day, SERVPRO’s 16,000-plus teammates witness the admirable work brave first responders perform as they rush into a disaster while others rush out,” SERVPRO CEO Rick Isaacson said.

“It’s only after these acts of bravery by those selfless men and women that our SERVPRO teammates can step in to mitigate the water and fire damage and begin the task of reconstructing the homes, businesses, and lives of those affected.”

Secondly, SERVPRO announced its support of the First Responders Children’s Foundation. FRCF provides financial support to children and families who have lost a parent in the line of duty or who are enduring hardship due to tragedy. FRCF also funds educational programs operated by first responder organizations that benefit children and the communities in which they live.

To kick off our relationship with FRCF, SERVPRO donated an initial $100,000 to support FRCF’s mission.

“As CEO, I cannot overstate how proud SERVPRO is to present the Firefighter Appreciation Program or how excited we are to announce our support of the First Responders Children’s Foundation. We applaud the foundation’s work, and we are proud to support the children and families of first responders,” Isaacson said.

Fire Damage Cleanup in Douglas, Lyon & Storey Counties

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Property Fire Damage - We are Here to Help! SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored, and rebuild your property completely.

Fire damage can have a devastating effect on local businesses.

SERVPRO is here to help, providing emergency and rebuild services to local property owners and managers in Douglas County, Lyon County, Storey County, and more.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage, destroying structural materials, and business items, and bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution, and unhealthy smoke levels to your property. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your building, the clock begins ticking on successful property restoration. SERVPRO of Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.

COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

    •    Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring, and cabinets
    •    Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies, and appliances
    •    Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
    •    Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
    •    Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
    •    Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels in the air, coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, and help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO is here to help repair commercial fire disasters

    1.    Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair, and restoration solutions for your property
    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, public, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically, SERVPRO progresses through your business, room by room, to assure that all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke are permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone, ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professionals will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution, should you ever have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple because all the details are assessable to our staff and technicians should you need us. The emergency ready profile also helps your staff know what to do in the event of an emergency, and where important safety items are located. We provide this service free of charge, so call us today at (775)-588-2355.

Professional Deep Cleaning For Your Commercial Property

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

PPE on an employee sanitizing a space Our SERVPRO technicians sanitize commercial properties with the highest quality products and years of experience.

There has never been a better time to re-evaluate your cleaning policies and procedures. Whether it's an office, residential building, or your place of business, cleanliness is one of the highest priorities.

Here's how to find a professional cleaning service.

Find a Trusted Professional Cleaning Service

Professional cleaners are in high demand because of. If you are going to trust a professional cleaning service, you need to be sure they are qualified for the job. 

Look for a service that has experience cleaning spaces like yours. A company specializing in individual homes may not be the right choice for your office building or vice versa.

Read reviews for the cleaning service before hiring them. If other people have had a good experience, chances are you will too.

Make sure the professional cleaning service has procedures with regard to PPE and other precautions when entering your space. Most services now have clear guidelines on protection for safety and the sanitation of the property.

One-time cleaning is not going to be enough. Talk with the cleaning service about setting up a regular cleaning schedule weekly or bi-weekly. This is separate from regular janitorial services!

Be Proactive

A professional cleaning service will make a big difference in the safety of your workplace. But it doesn't mean that you can be complacent about other sanitation measures.

In between cleanings, you should clean surfaces, including door handles or elevator buttons. Any surface that people could potentially come in contact with should be disinfected to prevent illness. 

Promote handwashing in bathrooms and kitchens. You can use sticky notes, posters, or any other signage that might be helpful to remind people to wash their hands.

Keep sanitizing agents available in areas where handwashing may not be convenient.

If you are looking for a reliable cleaning service, contact us today at (775) 588-2355. 

Bear-proofing Your Home Prevents Great Damage

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

black bear Bear Break-ins can cause a lot of damage. Do your part to keep yourself and your home safe.

As a damage restoration company, we are here not only to repair the damage but to help you prevent damage to your home or business.

One type of damage specific to our area is bear break-ins. If this happens to you, there are steps you should take to stay safe. We want to give you tips to help prevent the damage a bear could cause, but if you do have property damage due to a bear break-in, we can help.

Do your part to protect your home and property by preventing conflicts with bears.

Many bears enter homes through an unlocked or open door or window, so make sure to close and lock all windows and doors when you leave the house, especially at night.

If you must leave downstairs windows open, install sturdy grates or bars. Screens don’t keep out bears. Keep garage doors and windows closed and locked at night and when you’re not home. Don’t leave your garage door open when you’re not outside. Install extra-sturdy doors if you have a freezer, refrigerator, pet food, or other attractants in your garage.

Keep car doors and windows closed and locked if you park outside. Make sure there’s nothing with an odor in your vehicle, including candy, gum, air fresheners, trash, and lotions.

Bears are great climbers — remove any tree limbs that might provide access to upper-level decks and windows. n

Replace exterior lever-style door handles with good quality round door knobs that bears can’t pull or push open.

Put on talk radio (not music) when you leave home; the human voice startles most bears.

Get Rid of Attractants.

Bears follow their super-sensitive noses to anything that smells like food and can follow scents from up to five miles away. Don’t leave trash out overnight unless it’s in a bear-proof container. 

Teach Bears They’re Not Welcome 

If a bear comes into your yard or close to your home, do yourself and the bear a big favor, and scare it away. A confident attitude plus loud noises like a firm yell, clapping your hands, banging on pots and pans, or blowing an air horn sends most bears running. If a bear enters your home, open doors and windows and make sure it can leave the same way it got in. Don’t approach the bear or block escape routes. If a bear won’t leave, call your local CPW office. If a bear presents an immediate threat to human safety, call 911.

Call your local Parks and Wildlife Office for more information.

If a bear has damaged your home, call SERVPRO at 775-588-2355.

Call Our Experts At SERVPRO When You Have A Mold Issue In Your East Reno Home

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

mold forming on a wall SERVPRO is a professional mold damage remediation company that can help your home win the fight against mold.

Hire Professionals To Take Care Of Mold Damage And Odors In Reno, Tahoe, and Carson City

One of the most noticeable signs of mold damage in Carson City homes is often the smell. Many types of mold that grow in local homes emit strong musty odors that catch the attention of occupants and guests alike. Unlike many other foul smells, these cannot be quickly taken care of with standard household cleaning agents and air fresheners. Instead, you should hire a professional mold damage restoration company like SERVPRO to employ thorough and specialized treatments that take care of the issue for good.

Our Work Is Thorough
Our treatments for mold damage are designed to take care of the issue to such an extent that no signs of damage remain once we leave. That means that all mold smells in the home are entirely eliminated, and they cannot return later as they might with standard cleaning solutions and air fresheners. Our deodorization technology employs unique chemical compounds that can permanently mask mold odors, and with the help of high-efficiency particulate air filters, we can also directly pull many odor molecules out of your home. Once this process is complete, the air should have a completely neutral smell.

We Address The Underlying Problem
Generally, if your home smells like mold damage, it probably also has other symptoms of the problem. Mold infestations can spread out and travel around your home, eating away at structural materials and potentially causing health effects for you and your family. We can help to eliminate the problem at its source, applying sanitizing and cleaning treatments alongside deodorization protocols to ensure that your home is free of not only the smells caused by the mold but also the fungus itself. Also, many infestations are caused by leaks and other water damage issues that we can identify and fix while simultaneously repairing any damage done by the mold.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is a professional mold damage remediation company that can help your home win the fight against mold. Call us at (775) 588-2355.

Removing Odors from a Flood May Require SERVPRO's Expertise and Equipment

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

skunk Post Flooding Odors in Your East Reno or Tahoe Home? Call SERVPRO!

Physical damage from a storm is simple to spot. The clean-up processes are labor-intensive and require heavy equipment. Trying to remove other damage such as the odors left behind from floodwaters is often just as difficult.

When it comes to flooding from severe storms in Carson City, time compounds the problem. If a house or apartment has suffered structural damage, then it may be several days before the owners or a SERVPRO restoration team can even enter.


Once we do enter and ensure a safe work environment, team members track down the source of the damage as best as possible. Since there are multiple potential sources throughout the structure, the likelihood is that there are many odors as well. To combat them all, we use the multiple methods approach, which pairs different types of deodorants depending on what is needed.


Masking agents are time-release beads that cover unpleasant odors with a pleasant smell while other agents absorb or otherwise neutralize them.

Absorption and filtration agents use activated charcoal to absorb the sources of the odor; specifically, the humidity, moisture, and oils.

Pairing agents are dispersed using a ULV fogger to combine with odor particles in the air. This combination then falls to a surface where a team member cleans and removes it.


Disinfectants and sanitizers serve a double purpose. They are sprayed onto bacteria and fungi to stop further growth while also neutralizing the odor.

An electrically generated deodorizer is ozone gas. The gas is used to chemically pair with odor particles that have had time to penetrate deeply into furniture, other property, and the structure itself.

Each method is effective individually, but none of them work on every odor source. By applying multiple methods, our restoration team recovers almost any property.

If you have damage from the previous storm or want to get a jump on the next one; contact us at SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / East Reno / Lyon & Storey Counties. We are here to help 24/7, so call today at (775) 588-2355.

We Are Cleanup and Biohazard Experts

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning infographic You should implement daily sanitization of all high-touch surfaces, even after cleaning services have been performed.

Here to Help® and Ready to Respond

During these uncertain times caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, we want to remind our customers that we are specialists in cleaning and biohazard services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages the cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Minimize Your Risk

Tips and Best Practices to Minimize Your Risk

Cities and states are taking increasingly drastic measures to curb the severity of the pandemic, including the closing of bars, restaurants, and public venues. In some areas, officials have issued “shelter in place” orders in order to compel residents to stay in their homes and limit movement. To further protect yourself, minimize your exposure with the following tips:

Practice Good Hygiene

    • Clean hands with sanitizer and wash your hands frequently
    • Avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes
    • Disinfect “high touch” surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, tables, doorknobs, and handrails regularly
    • Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting the air conditioning

At The Office

    • Stop shaking hands – use other non-contact methods of greeting
    • Use video conferencing for meetings when possible
    • When not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces
    • Disinfect “high touch” surfaces like desks, keyboards, light switches, doorknobs, and telephones
    • Consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings

Stay Home if...

    • You are feeling sick
    • You have a sick family member in their home

Symptoms

Illness from COVID-19 is wide-ranging, from mild to severe symptoms and death. According to the CDC, symptoms may appear two days to two weeks after exposure:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

It is important to consult your medical provider if you develop any severe or concerning symptoms.

Need Proactive Cleaning Services?

If your home or business needs specialized cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, East Reno, and Lyon & Storey Counties, 775-588-2355

Water Damage Comes in Many Forms

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

water damage on wall It is critical to get a certified restoration company in to handle any water damage.

There are three different categories of water damage.

Category 1—Clean Water

A building damaged by clean water or treated water is the least contaminated type of water damage. By definition, clean water is “clean” because it likely poses no substantial risk to human health. The source of clean water normally does not contain microbes in concentration or kind that would pose substantial health threats. For clean water to remain in the “clean” category, it must not come into contact with structure or materials that would result in harmful microbial contamination. Given enough time, clean water damages can produce reservoirs of microbes. The longer clean water is present in a structure, the more likely conditions will develop where microbes (such as bacteria and fungi) grow rapidly and attack human health. High humidity increases the concentrations of bacteria and fungi in the air. Warm temperatures allow microbe colonies to expand.

Category 2—Gray Water

Gray water contains a significant level of contamination that could potentially threaten human health or cause discomfort. Clean water damages can develop higher levels of contamination and become gray water damages if not removed promptly. Over time, water becomes more contaminated with biological contamination and the danger to human health increases. Spores from fungi and bacteria can be inhaled, causing allergies or disease. Water is also classified as gray water when contaminated with chemicals or other types of matter.

Category 3—Black Water

Blackwater is the most contaminated type of water damage and, therefore, the most threatening to human health. Contaminants include not only human waste products, but also dangerous chemicals. Blackwater situations always contain pathogens, which are disease-causing agents, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even parasites. Being exposed to microbes from black water can result in infectious diseases, allergies, and toxic poisoning. Viruses can grow and multiply only in living cells. Sewage contains hundreds of viruses that can be transmitted to humans by hands contacting the mouth, by inhaling airborne viruses, and by ingesting contaminated foods and liquids. Once infected, humans can suffer diarrhea, infections of the respiratory tract, eyes, stomach, or intestines. Sewage contains the hepatitis A virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Parasites are organisms living on or in another organism. Sewage may contain parasites such as the tapeworm that lives in the human intestines. The helminth worm, one of the various parasites in sewage, can cause intestinal disease in humans. Bacteria found in sewage are extremely virulent and able to overcome our bodies’ defenses. Such bacteria as Salmonella and E. coli release poisonous toxins as their cells die and cause health problems like diarrhea and food poisoning. Unprotected restoration professionals and building residents are at risk since bacteria are dispersed into the air when sewage-contaminated materials, particularly carpets, are extracted. 

It is critical to get a professional water damage restoration company in to handle any water damage in your home or commercial building. If you experience flooding, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355 for the rapid response necessary for any of these types of water damage.

Proactive Cleaning for Businesses in East Reno

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

covid-19 protein The coronavirus pathogen can remain on certain surfaces for days. Make sure your property is cleaned properly.

SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We offer cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to help your customers have confidence entering your building.

About the Coronavirus

The virus known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is thought to spread mainly from person to person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Scope of Cleanup Protocol

SERVPRO professionals can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection where the customer states that there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. The customer will be required to acknowledge that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. The structure would not be protected from future COVID-19 contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning

The CDC encourages the cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables at a minimum.

These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well, including: • Kitchen/Food Areas • Bathrooms • Schools/Classrooms • Offices • Retail Spaces • Water Fountains • Shelving and Racks • Sales Counters • Carpets and rugs • Stair Handrails • Elevator Cars • Playground Equipment • Fitness Equipment

Cleanup and Disinfecting Procedures

Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for the cleanup process, and disposal of waste. The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID-19.

  • SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties uses Benefect® Decon 30 Disinfectant which is a Botanical Disinfectant, Bactericide, Fungicide, Virucide*, Cleaner and Deodorizer which we will be using on our job sites.
  • Benefect® Decon 30 Disinfectant is EPA registered as a No Rinse No Wipe product. It is a hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19).
  • There is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the Coronavirus.
  • Proactive cleaning will not prevent or protect the building from future contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

SERVPRO has the People, the Products, and Protocol to Perform Pro-Active Cleaning and Disinfecting of any residential or commercial building.

To schedule deep cleaning services from SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, East Reno, and Lyon & Storey Counties, call 775-588-2355.

Winter is here! Protect your Tahoe Home from Water Damage following Snow Storms

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

icicles Icicles are a sign of Ice Dams that can cause major damage to your home.

When winter sets in, storm damage is a big possibility.

Winter storms are often accompanied by water damage. For instance, frozen pipes may burst during arctic temperatures, heavy snow piles on a roof can cause it to collapse, Ice dams can build on your gutters, trees can fall etc. Knowing what you can do to try and prevent damage from winter storms is important. Such as keeping tree branches trimmed and away from your house. Getting weaknesses in your roof or siding fixed. Keeping gutters clear, so that water and melted snow can drain away instead of freezing and forming ice dams. Below is a more in-depth info on some contributing factors of winter storm damage and tips on how you can try and prevent them.

  1. Your Roof

Heavy or constant wind can blow shingles loose or take off gutters. If damage like this occurs, it will let in moisture from sleet, snow, rain and melt water into your home. Sometimes damage can occur to a part of your roof that you can't easily see, meaning you may not even realize that damage has been caused to it until after water starts coming in to your home.

Make sure your roof is winter-ready BEFORE a storm hits. Allow ample time for this prior to the season so that anything needing repair can be fixed before winter storms arrive. Inspecting your roof before a storm comes and making necessary repairs can often help to avoid storms from taking their toll on your roof. Clean all your gutters of any debris often, especially prior to a storm. Tarps if you have them offer a temporary fix in case any shingles loosen or blow off, but it is best to get a professional over as quickly as possible in order to address any damage before it worsens or leads to more issues. A professional can help you understand where you might need some preventative maintenance.

After a storm, you may need to arrange to have snow removed from your roof. As little as two feet of packed snow can be enough to cause a roof collapse. So, if it’s going to be too cold for snow to melt in between storms, or if one storm is expected to “dump” a lot more snow on top if what is already there, than that can lead to major roof damage. Reach out to professionals who have the knowledge, experience and proper safety equipment to work on the pitch of your roof and around ice.

  1. Your Gutters

Don’t forget about your gutters! Especially when tending to your roof. You want to ensure that your gutters stay clean and clear all year long but it is most important before any size winter storm hits to ensure that they are ready for it. If ice forms on your gutters the weight can cause them to fall right off of your home. Even without a major amount of snow, any accumulation of sleet or rain in cold temperatures can lead to a build up of ice in your gutters. Clean gutters allow water to easily drain out. As the weight of ice alone can cause damage, it is also for that reason to ensure your gutters are cleared so that additional weight on them is not a concern.

Ice is not the only concern, but ice dams. “Ice Dams” form when heat escapes from your home causing ice to melt along your roof and allowing it to drip to the edges and refreeze. Usually this causes icicles, which as pretty as they are, they are a sign that you’ve got a dangerous ice dam.

The best protection against the formation of ice dams is insulation. Prepare to prevent ice dams by sealing any gaps from light fixtures. That will help to keep warm air from rising into your attic. Also, it is best to insulate the attic itself to prevent heat from escaping out to your roof. Experts suggest keeping the attic temperatures no greater than 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the outside air.

Make certain too that your gutters are pointed away from your home. That way as any ice melts it lessons that chance of water pooling close by to your foundation, or flowing towards the side of your home which can allow water to seep into any cracks.

  1. Tree Branches

Low, or overhanging branches will most likely break during winter storms. While the appearance of snow on branches is pretty, the weight of the snow and ice weighs heavily on the branches below. Heavy, falling tree branches can damage your roof or other parts of your home. Any nearby power lines can also sustain damage if tree branches are not maintained and tumble below as a result of winter storms.

Trim all tree branches that surround your home in order to protect against damage. Be proactive by pruning all dead, broken and weakened branches as soon as they are spotted. Survey trees on your property often to look for broken or weak branches and also to try and determine the health and stability of the tree itself. Entire trees not only branches can come down due to winter storms by high winds or the weight of ice and snow. Trees that are not healthy are more susceptible to come down, becoming a major cause of damage.

In addition to the weight of ice and snow, melting snow as it puddles below ground can weaken tree roots causing trees to fall over. Unfortunately that can happen no matter how healthy a tree is.

  1. Snow Melting

Aside from just being able to cause trees to fall over, as snow melts, it poses a risk of water damage, such as flooding and mold to your home. As snow melts, a foot of snow can turn into an inch or more of water. Mold growth from moisture or flooding can happen quickly! Melting snow getting into your home can cause structural damage, like warping, floor separation and discoloration.

No matter what the cause of winter water damage to your home, at SERVPRO, our dedicated team of professionals are available to effectively evaluate and quickly repair the damage. We can be reached 24/7, 365 days a year at (775) 588-2355. Be sure to give us a call in order to assist you.

Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Below-Freezing Weather

12/26/2021 (Permalink)

frozen pipes Frozen pipes can create an inconvenience but, more seriously, can cause major damage to your property.

When the temperatures drop, one major issue that could come up is a frozen water pipe and its potential to bust, leading to flooding and water damage in your commercial or residential property. Learn why frozen pipes are so dangerous, the types of pipes that are most vulnerable to freezing, and four signs that a pipe is actually frozen.

Why Are Frozen Pipes Dangerous?

Frozen pipes are a problem for a couple of reasons.

They can create an inconvenience but, more seriously, can cause major damage to your property.

  • Lack of Running Water– The most obvious danger of a frozen pipe is the inability to access running water. This can interfere with your ability to do everyday tasks such as washing the dishes or taking a shower.
  • Potential to Burst- The second problem that can occur when a pipe freezes is that the pipe can burst. Once the water in the pipe freezes, pressure is created between the closed faucet and the blockage that can build up to a point that causes the pipe to explode and extensive water damage to your property can occur.

Pipes That Are Vulnerable to Freezing

There are some pipes that are more vulnerable to freezing than others:

  • Exterior Walls- Water pipes that are located along the exterior walls of a home can be vulnerable to freezing. This is because they may not have an adequate amount of insulation protecting them from the exterior temperatures.
     
  • Attics and Basements- Pipes that are located in attics or in basements may also have a greater tendency to freeze. These pipes may not receive the same amount of heat as the rest of the property. If these areas are not used as living space, they also may not be properly insulated.

4 Signs of Frozen Pipes

There are a few clues that can help you determine if you have frozen pipes at your property:

  • The Temperature Is Right- Pipes cannot freeze if it is not cold enough outside for them to do so. Water does not freeze when it is 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and neither do pipes. When the temperature falls to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, you should begin to take precautions to prevent vulnerable pipes from freezing.  
     
  • There Is Frost on the Pipe- For pipes that can actively be seen, such as those under sinks, you may be able to see frost that has accumulated on the exterior of the pipe. This can serve as a warning sign that the pipe is frozen before you ever try to turn on the faucet.
     
  • No Water Is Coming Out of the Faucet- Another sign that you may have a frozen pipe on your hands is a lack of running water. If you or a tenant turn on a kitchen or bathroom faucet and only a slight trickle of water or no water at all comes out, the water pipe leading to the faucet may be frozen.
  • Strange Smells- A fourth potential sign of a blocked pipe is an odd smell coming from a faucet or drain. If the pipe is partially or completely blocked, the only way the odor can escape is back up in the direction of your property.

Act Quickly

Once you are aware that a pipe is frozen, you must act quickly to thaw the pipe. Depending on the location of the pipe and your level of expertise, you can attempt to thaw the pipe yourself or you can contact a licensed plumber to thaw the pipe for you. It is imperative to thaw the pipe as soon as possible because it has the potential to burst and cause extensive damage to your property.

If a frozen water pipe bursts and you experience flooding, turn off your water shut-off valve to prevent further water damage. Contact a professional water restoration company, such as SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, and Lyon & Storey Counties, to extract and mitigate the water loss and restore your property to its preloss condition.

We work with your insurance.
For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO can help manage the insurance paperwork and process.

Have Questions? Call Us Today –(775) 588-2355

Stay Safe This Holiday Season

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

"Have a safe holiday season" Have a safe holiday season!

If your home, like millions of other households in the United States, includes a Christmas tree and festive holiday decorations, you should be aware that the breathtaking beauty of the decorations also comes with a fire risk. That is why we are offering helpful tips to people as we come closer to one of the biggest holidays of the year!  

Candles and Christmas trees have been reported to be two of the contributing factors of fires during the winter months. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Christmas trees account for an estimated 200 fires annually and cause more than $6 million in property damage. Candles alone cause an estimated 15,600 fires each year, causing 1,270 injuries and more than $539 million in property damage. December is the peak month for candle fires, and Christmas is the peak day. 

The following are a few tips for individuals to consider when putting up and maintaining their holiday decorations this December: 

• Do not overload power outlets with holiday lights. Pay close attention to the 
manufacturer's instructions on the number of lights you can string together. 
• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles. 
• Be careful not to splatter wax when extinguishing a candle. 
• Use flashlights instead of candles for emergency lighting. 
• Do not purchase a Christmas tree that is dry or dropping needles excessively. 
Be sure to water your Christmas tree regularly. 
• Do not use strings of lights that are worn, frayed, manually spliced or broken. 
• If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled fire-retardant. 
• Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. 
Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the 
outlet. Be sure to periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the 
touch. 

If a fire disaster does strike your home, SERVPRO offers services to help people quickly recover and restore any damaged property. Within four hours of the initial notification, SERVPRO will be on-site to start the mitigation process. 

For more information please visit https://www.SERVPROcarsoncitydouglascountysouthlaketahoe.com/ or call us at (775) 588-2355.

When Life's Storms Come, SERVPRO is Here to Help

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

Helicopter flying above a forest Helicopter monitoring the area from above.

When a storm hits and causes any form of damage, SERVPRO is here to help. Recently, the Caldor Fire stormed through the Sierra Nevada mountains towards South Lake Tahoe. As Tahoe locals prepared to watch the fire ravage their homes, their worst fears did not come true. Instead, the Caldor Fire burned up Highway 50 toward Echo Summit and roared into the Lake Tahoe Basin. It even jumped over Christmas Valley but did no damage to the area. Firefighters were able to protect all the homes in the area. 

When storms do cause damage from fire, smoke or flooding, SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties is here to help. Our crews are ready to respond to your property emergency 24/7, 365 days a year. Yes, even at 2 AM our highly trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment will respond to your building fire or facility flood. When you make the call, our staff is READY to take immediate action to help preserve as much of your property as possible and help to avoid additional damage and cleanup costs.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disaster losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood, and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey County communities every day.

Getting Back to Business after the Caldor Fire

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Company briefing Company briefing before cleaning the hockey academy in South Lake Tahoe.

When the time comes to get back to business once the Caldor fire is contained and evacuations are lifted, our highly trained professionals will pay close attention to every detail in order to get your facility back to normal, "Like it never even happened." The devastation caused by wildfires can be very overwhelming and difficult to deal with. SERVPRO is here to help.

Soot & Ash Combustion Byproduct Cleanup

Our protocols and jobs are overseen by IICRC Master Fire and Smoke Restorer. Our team has over 45 years of combined experience in helping businesses recover from the devastation caused by wildfires. SERVPRO professionals offer critical services to insurance companies. 


When calling our team, SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas Country, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties, to handle property fire damage claims, the insurance company can fulfill their obligation to restore the damage while avoiding unnecessary administrative costs and reducing the overall loss expense. Charges for restoration services are only a fraction of the cost of replacement, which lowers the overall cost of a claim for the insurance company. 

Following exposure to the Caldor fire embers, many businesses will have smoke odor damage and possibly other types of issues that arise when coming so close to a wildfire. SERVPRO has the expertise to get your property looking and smelling like new again, so your customers have the best experience they can.

South Lake Tahoe Under Threat of Caldor Fire

9/11/2021 (Permalink)

A forest fire. Large forest fire.

SERVPRO owners, John and Kimber Allen, have been residents of South Lake Tahoe for 30 years. "Tahoe is our home feild and we are here to do everything we can." As they watched the Caldor fire start over 70 miles south from home base, they prepped their teams for the road ahead. In just 10 days, the blaze covered over 139,000 acres, destroying the small town of Grizzlie Flats, and approaching Christmas Valley at the edge of their home town.


Victims of a fire it may experience many overwhelming feelings. SERVPRO has evacuated from South Lake Tahoe and are reorganizing offices just outside of the city. Restorations teams are still dispatched and ready to help wherever you are in your time of need. "This fire is close to home, and so our hearts are deeply affected with our community." John said. "We have seen and are grateful for all the outside help our city has received and are still able to take on fire and smoke damage jobs at this time."

Working together as a community is key to rebuilding the beautiful place that we all call home. SERVPRO is bringing in outside resources to help as quickly as possible with all restoration and rebuilding.


Our experienced professionals know how to ensure that your home or business is returned to its original condition. Even smoke odor can keep returning customers away, so we want to ensure your property is returned to working order "Like it never even happened." Our restoration professionals:


  • Inspect and assess the damage.

  • Board up and tarp to prevent further damage. 

  • Perform any needed water removal and drying.

  • Removal of soot and smoke residue. 

  • Final cleaning and sanitizing.


SERVPRO is here to get you back to normal and return everyone to their homes safely. We are so thankful that our highly trusted teams are coming to help from surrounding areas, and that our home team is still ready and able to serve you.

We love our Tahoe community and are Here to Help! Call 775-588-2355 to speak with us today.

How We Rescue Flooded Homes With Water Removal

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

toilet flooding An overflowing toilet requires professional water removal services to properly restore your home and prevent further damage.

SERVPRO’s Water Removal Process for Flood Damaged Homes

When a home in Katy, Texas becomes flooded from an outside source, such as incorrectly aligned gutters or an interior one, like an overflowing toilet, water immediately begins damaging everything it comes into contact.

In a flooded home in Katy, the restoration process only begins with water removal services. The other services help prepare your home for your return by removing materials damaged by the water and replacing them with all new materials. We do what it takes to make your home “Like it never even happened.”

After the pump trucks extract all signs of standing water from your floors, we move onto saturated materials. The drying out of your home continues with the use of smaller extraction units, both portable and easily maneuverable by hand as well as stationary units. Then we bring in powerful air movers that increase the circulation rate of the air inside your home.

As air moves rapidly through your home's interior, we take meter readings of the surfaces of your dwelling so we can assess our progress. Sometimes we need to dry the interior of walls, so we make small openings, which we close upon completion of the drying process. Carpeting can sometimes take a terrible toll during a flood, so we often replace the entire carpet and the pad below.

Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) is ready to help make the odors left behind by flooding, due to the high organic content flooding brings into homes, not only less obvious but eliminated. We do not merely cover up odors. We eliminate them at their source by removing the compounds that cause them.

SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, Carson City, Lyon & Storey Counties, and Reno East wants to help your family recover from horrific events such as flooding that can keep you out of your home until they no longer pose a problem for your family's occupancy. Call us as soon as you know there is a problem with an impending flood, and we can give you helpful tips on lessening flood damage. We Are Faster To Any Size Disaster, including floods.

Hoarding Causes Increased Fire Risk

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

clutter A woman with a hoarding disorder received assistance from a case manager from an outreach program near Toronto.

Hoarding Causes Increased Fire Risk in Douglas County, Nevada

            “Hoarding is defined as collecting or keeping large amounts of various items in the home due to strong urges to save them or distress experienced when discarding them.”  - nfpa.org

Hoarding is often caused by a stressful life event such as divorce, eviction, or losing possessions in a fire. This can be a vicious cycle because hoarding is also a fire hazard. 

Hoarding increases fire risk in many ways: Heating units may be too close to things that can burn, blocked pathways and exits could hinder escape from a fire which puts residents and first responders in harm’s way, and exit routes should change as new items are brought into the home.

See Hoarding Safety Tip Sheet

Ignoring clutter is dangerous. SERVPRO’S hoarding cleanup technicians have encountered innumerable safety threats to homes and businesses. We have learned from years of experience that the buildup of belongings increases the risk of accidental fires and diseases that can fester in piles of clutter. Toxic mold and carbon monoxide can develop leading to health effects.

In the photo from Newscom, a woman with a hoarding disorder receives assistance from a case manager from an outreach program near Toronto. Such services are partnering with the fire service to identify people with hoarding problems and work with them to clear clutter from their homes. Paper and other material in many hoarding households blocks windows and exits making a fire rescue difficult and giving even more substance for the fire to grow. 

We know customers can have difficulty parting with belongings. We work closely with clients to meet their specific needs throughout the process of returning their homes to a safe, comfortable, and clean environment.

“People who are embarrassed about their homes and overwhelmed by the prospect of cleanup sometimes decline to call plumbers or electricians when problems develop; hoarding homes can exist without functioning refrigerators, toilets, and furnaces, with residents resorting to bottled water, space heaters, and candles, adding to the potential hazards.” – nfpa.org 

We handle each case with the sensitivity needed in understanding the hoarding condition, working closely with the individual and their family.

SERVPRO provides hoarding cleaning services to restore Nevada homes in Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, East Reno, and Lyon & Storey Counties. Our technicians can safely clean up all items and disinfect the home to provide a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment.

There are clear dangers of having too much stuff. Anyone can make a new year’s resolution to cut down on material possessions for mental health and physical safety.

Our technicians at SERVPRO are equipped and trained to remove material possessions and clean and sanitize the home for safer living conditions. If you or a friend or family member needs hoarding cleanup services, call 775-588-2355.

We Are Cleanup and Biohazard Experts

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

surfaces to clean You should implement daily sanitization of all high-touch surfaces, even after cleaning services have been performed.

Here to Help® and Ready to Respond

We are still in uncertain times due to the global pandemic and so we want to remind our customers that SERVPRO technicians are specialists in cleaning and biohazard services. We adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages the cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. We are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Minimize Your Risk

Tips and Best Practices to Minimize Your Risk

To further protect yourself, minimize your exposure with the following tips:

Practice Good Hygiene

    • Clean hands with sanitizer and wash your hands frequently
    • Avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes
    • Disinfect “high touch” surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, tables, doorknobs, and handrails regularly
    • Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting the air conditioning

At The Office

    • Stop shaking hands – use other non-contact methods of greeting
    • Use video conferencing for meetings when possible
    • When not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces
    • Disinfect “high touch” surfaces like desks, keyboards, light switches, doorknobs, and telephones
    • Consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings

Stay Home if...

    • You are feeling sick
    • You have a sick family member in their home

Symptoms

Illness from COVID-19 is wide-ranging, from mild to severe symptoms and death. According to the CDC, symptoms may appear two days to two weeks after exposure:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

It is important to consult your medical provider if you develop any severe or concerning symptoms.

Need Proactive Cleaning Services?

If your home or business needs specialized cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties, 775-588-2355

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Stay Safe in Your Community With The Citizen App

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

putting out a fire Make sure you know what is happening on the streets nearby!

In times of economic uncertainty, crime rates rise. Know what is happening around you and stay safe with the Citizen App. Whether a crime is taking place or there's a fire is spreading in your building or a building nearby, the app alerts you when something is happening in your area that you should know about. You can also report anything you see by taking a live video.

This free app is one of the most powerful ways to stay safe. It gives you access to verified 911 information and lets you know what is happening in real-time. The app covers events from missing pets to natural disasters and everything in between. This community transparency empowers everyone to create a safer world.

The app is connected to your phone’s GPS tracker so it will let you know what is happening around you according to your current location, not only your home address. Next time you see a road shut down and police sirens inside the closure, you have a way to understand exactly what is going on.

In some areas, the company that runs the citizen app has installed antennas that allow them to listen to police and fire scanners. Artificial intelligence along with humans then decipher what is being communicated and translate that into reports that are coded with neighborhood data inside the app. Reports are a step above what you will find on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor because the data comes not only from your neighbors but also directly from police reports.

Though live streaming from the scene of a crime can be very dangerous, getting real-time alerts to situations unfolding nearby can be life-saving by preventing people from walking into a sticky situation, or allowing them to keep an eye on a nearby fire to make sure it does not have potential to spread to their residence.

The Citizen App blog tells a story of a Philadelphia resident who was alerted to a fire near his dwelling:

Before hearing sirens, smelling smoke, or seeing flames, Citizen user ‘petz215’ received a notification.

Citizen user ‘petz215’ was getting ready to leave his South Philadelphia home for a dentist appointment on November 18th when he received the Citizen notification above.

“If there were a house fire that close to me, I would definitely already know about it,” he thought. “Sure enough, I stepped outside to see a raging fire.”

He canceled his appointment to monitor the fire and make sure it didn’t spread closer to his house.

The fire destroyed the house where it sparked and affected two neighboring homes.

“I was astonished. Not only did I find out about this nearby fire with a push notification, but there was already a live video of something that started minutes ago. I couldn’t believe how fast it happened.”

From Blog: https://medium.com/citizen/south-philly-resident-alerted-to-fire-on-his-own-block-b9dbcdca8e35

----------------------------------------------------

In the few weeks I've had the app installed, I've been alerted to various incidents happening nearby including building fires, car accidents, and gunshots fired. The app tells me exactly how far away a situation is from my location, down to several hundred feet. I’m able to add friends and family to my "inner circle" to get alerts about potential situations unfolding near their real-time location as well.

If there is a dangerous situation occurring near you, it's better to be an informed citizen than not.

Download the app here:

https://citizen.com

Don't Gamble on Restoration for Your Casino

4/29/2021 (Permalink)

casino table After Water Loss in Your Casino, call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

Fast Recovery for Water Damage in Your South Lake Tahoe Casino

Your casino and dining establishment in South Lake Tahoe can see a great deal of foot traffic and reservations throughout the year. Providing a quality experience can bolster your presence with the local community and travelers to come. Providing the best experience goes beyond the food that you serve, however. The atmosphere and cleanliness of your space play a critical role, which leaves many business owners valuing the efficient response of our restoration specialists in a time of crisis.

While the last thing that any restaurant entrepreneur wants to contend with is water damage in their South Lake Tahoe building, the effects can spread quickly to make it challenging to avoid professional intervention. Our SERVPRO team does not just say that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, this is a commitment that we make to every one of our clients to minimize the effects of the disaster you face and to help you restore your property as quickly as possible.

As a business owner, you can appreciate the value of a good review and rating on travel sites and review forums throughout the internet. A water damage incident that has not gotten appropriately cleaned can provide a bad experience for a casino or diner; a situation made even worse by the possibility of mold growth on top of the current concerns.

Our SERVPRO team can arrive quickly and help to assess both the source of the damage and the full extent of the effects so that restoration is effective. Our industry-leading equipment can help us to remove the excess water and moisture from affected areas and surfaces. A combination of air movers and dehumidification equipment can allow us to return your building below acceptable humidity parameters to prevent the possibility of mold growth as well.

Water damage incidents in your property requires immediate attention from more than the custodial staff that you have. With the likelihood of saturation and spreading of the damage, you need a team with the experience and equipment to handle any effect that the situation might cause. Also, consider the possible food inspector's report if required to reopen your kitchen and dining area. Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe emergency response team a call today at (775) 588-2355.

The Best Way to Remove Water From Your Property

3/27/2021 (Permalink)

water spilling Water damage has a variety of causes. You can trust the SERVPRO Brand to restore your home to its preloss condition.

Water Cleanup is Often Vital to the Restoration of Your Reno/Tahoe Property

Owning a home in Reno, Carson City, or Tahoe means learning how to prepare for a variety of disasters that can happen to your property. Restoring a house after a catastrophe that makes your home's interior unimaginably messy or downright unlivable requires partnering with professionals in the restoration industry. We are here to provide you with the services you need during those times.  

Many homes in Douglas County that sustain damage after a disaster requires water cleanup services to get started. Getting rid of the water and cleaning up the initial stages of the mess caused makes it easier to continue with the rest of the necessary work.  

When SERVPRO sends specialists out to remove lost water, flooding, or other damaging moisture from a house, we bring all the equipment with us. This equipment includes ladders, buckets, hand tools, and other smaller items that support our use of larger equipment and the implementation of highly effective techniques.

We want to undo as much water damage as possible that your home suffers, as this keeps overall restoration costs low and more manageable for you. Mitigating damage that, when we first assess it, has not yet become permanent means we can ensure it remains only temporary. Cleaning moisture from surfaces wherever it condenses keeps it from causing further problems. Many surfaces inside your home can fare equally well when we use air movers that help wick this moisture into the air, where we can either send it toward a powerful desiccant machine or out open doors and windows.  

Other situations that can leave your home soaked in localized areas include extinguishing a fire. Part of the water used to put out a fire turns to steam. This water vapor is then free to invade other areas of your home. The other part of the water left in the area soaks into anything it comes into contact with, and below. We remove charred materials that often become soaked, leading to rusty nails and other dangerous aspects. We can find all of the moisture that evaporated with our moisture sensing equipment, including our infrared cameras. This equipment works regardless of the source of water.  

After any incident, large or small, calling SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Lyon & Storey Counties only takes a few minutes but provides you with results that make your home “Like it never even happened,” quickly. Call us when our water removal services can help restore your home. Our emergency services line, (775) 588-2355, is always available, 24/7, every day of the year.

SERVPRO Storm Teams help clean up Texas homes after historic winter storm

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Image of snowy SERVPRO vehicle "The people are so appreciative and excited to see some help." - Mongan

Over 146 SERVPRO Storm Teams from around the nation dispatched to the Houston area alone to help clean up the damage left in the wake of the historic winter storms. Hundreds more came to surrounding cities and states through our large loss provider program to respond to the incredible amount of damage that occurred within the freezing storm week.

Two weeks after the unprecedented winter storms, Texans are still recovering from the damage. After the ice melted, residents across the affected states faced a new problem: frozen pipes bursting, sending water through the ceiling, into the walls, and beneath the floors.

“It’s unreal what we’re seeing out here, the number of people that were impacted,” Quinn Mongan, owner and president of SERVPRO out of Roanoke and Salem, said.

He and a team of six left for Austin, Texas last week to help people get the water out of their homes.

“We’re usually out by seven in the morning and we’re in by 8-8:30 at night just taking care of as many as we can,” he explained over a Zoom call from his hotel room. (2021 WDBJ.com)

Crews can typically knock out two projects a day, but they’re facing some unique challenges.

“All the hot water heaters are in the attic.”

This means when the pipes burst, the damage extends to the whole house.

“We’re seeing homes that have had five and six pipe breaks,” he said.

But even so, sometimes the water still isn’t visible from the outside.

“And that’s where we use our tools to find it. Then we’re removing property, materials out that are water-damaged beyond repair and then we set up our dehumidifiers and set up a drying environment.”

Not only is the damage inside the homes a lot, but there are also many homes still on the waitlist to get help.

“I’ve already talked to a SERVPRO team that rotates people out every 14 days and they plan to be here for two months or more,” he said.

Mongan and his team, however, will only be in Texas another week. He said it’s humbling to help people who have lost so much.

“They’re devastated. No one’s ever lived through this, especially this area that’s never had that bad of a cold event,” Mongan said. “But the people are just so appreciative and they make you feel welcome. And they’re just so excited to see some help.”

The team plans to leave Texas Friday, March 12, after serving three weeks.

Mongan gave a shout-out to all his team members who joined him in Texas, and those who held down the fort at home.

(Interview Credit WDBJ.com)

No matter what happens within our community and beyond, SERVPRO is always Here to Help.

Find a Trusted Professional Cleaning Service For Your Commercial Property

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician sanitizing a commercial property. Our SERVPRO technicians sanitize commercial properties with the highest quality products and years of experience.
Many people are hesitant to go into commercial buildings for fear of being around people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, and Lyon & Storey Counties is part of Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. Our program is a method meant to rid properties of viral pathogens. It is a 3 C’s step by step program we provide for businesses: Consult, Clean, and Certify. When a commercial business has gone through our program, they will receive a decal sticker on their window to show their customers and employees that they are in a disinfected area.
Whether you're looking to re-open a business, keep your property regularly disinfected, or wanting to reassure occupants of a safe holiday space, a professional cleaning can help relieve COVID-19 anxieties.

There has never been a better time to re-evaluate your cleaning policies and procedures. Whether it's an office, residential building, or your place of business, cleanliness is now the highest priority.

If you want true peace of mind about potential exposure to COVID 19, you should find a professional cleaning service.

Here's how to do it!

Find a Trusted Professional Cleaning Service

Professional cleaners are in high demand because of the pandemic. If you are going to trust a professional cleaning service, you need to be sure they are qualified for the job. 

Look for a service that has experience cleaning spaces like yours. A company specializing in individual homes may not be the right choice for your office building or vice versa.

Read reviews for the cleaning service before hiring them. If other people have had a good experience, chances are you will too.

Make sure the professional cleaning service has procedures with regard to PPE and other precautions when entering your space. Most services now have clear guidelines on protection for safety and the sanitation of the property.

One-time cleaning is not going to be enough. Talk with the cleaning service about setting up a regular cleaning schedule weekly or bi-weekly.

Be Proactive

A professional cleaning service will make a big difference in the safety of your home or workplace. But it doesn't mean that you can be complacent about other sanitation measures.

In between cleanings, you should clean surfaces, including door handles or elevator buttons. Any surface that people could potentially come in contact with should be disinfected. 

Promote handwashing in bathrooms and kitchens. You can use sticky notes, posters, or any other signage that might be helpful to remind people to wash their hands.

Facial coverings should be worn in offices and shared spaces of larger residential buildings (apartments, condos, assisted living facilities). 

Keep sanitizing agents available in areas where handwashing may not be convenient.

Limit Exposure Opportunities

If you are working in an office building, consider having some or all employees work remotely if possible. Try to host meetings virtually instead of in-person.

If you must hold a meeting in-person, inform every participant of the precautions, and collect contact information in case someone does get sick. 

You can limit your exposure at home by reducing the number of people inside and encouraging guests to wear masks. You can also offer to host outdoor gatherings to reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading. 

Be Clean, Be Healthy, Be Safe 

These are uncertain times we are living in, but if you can promote a clean, safe space, it will ease anxiety. Covid-19 cases are likely to spike after the holidays, so stay safe and keep these guidelines in mind. The best proactive measure you can take is to find a professional cleaning service you can trust, and be diligent about cleaning regularly. Take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus by protecting yourself and your community at all times.

If you are looking for a reliable cleaning service, contact us today at (775) 588-2355. 

Help Prevent Flooding With These 3 Landscaping Features

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

A beautiful green residential yard Level your yard to keep floodwater out!

Protective Landscaping Features

Rain can be a welcomed sight, but a flooded yard is not. To keep your lawn from becoming a swamp, here are three landscaping features to help you disperse outside flooding.

A Driveway Built for Drainage
The two most commonly used materials for driveways are concrete and asphalt. These pavements don’t allow water to seep into the ground. This creates a lot of runoff with nowhere to go. Here are some ideas for getting good rain drainage when installing a driveway:

Channels on sides of concrete/asphalt driveways to catch and redirect runoff
Covered drains in-between concrete slabs to let water slip through and absorb into the ground
Paving stones with spacing for water seepage as a pleasingly aesthetic alternative
Gravel as a classic, budget-friendly option

By making wise design choices, you can build a driveway that helps prevent outside flooding.

A Leveled Yard
Keep floodwater out by leveling your yard. Low areas in yards are where flooding happens most. Fill them in with topsoil to keep water from pooling. The high points of your yard should be around your home and then gradually slope away, keeping storm runoff from your foundation. Low points near the house can lead to water in your basement. If this happens, call your local storm damage experts and ask for future prevention advice during your assessment.

A Strategically Placed Swale
A swale is any type of “ditch” that redirects rainwater away from your home. It is often integrated into lawns as a water feature. A swale does not only move rainwater but slows it down and allows it to seep into the ground. Planting shrubs along its edges and laying stones in the bottom of a swale helps it slow and disperse water even more.
Making smart design decisions and preparing for the storm season in Carson City, Nevada, will help you prevent outside flooding and enjoy your lawn, even after heavy rain.

Our Cleaning Program is Designed With Your Business In Mind

10/15/2020 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned window emblem Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned emblems let your customers know you are keeping the highest standard of clean.

Our New CSC Program

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned 

It is not uncommon to think of a cleaning service as a janitorial service. After all, to many of us, that is what it is- right? Well, SERVPRO is here to change the mindset of what "cleaning" truly is. Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program offers the benefits that go beyond typical janitorial services. 

1) We Consult With You-

This is a tailored cleaning program to meet your needs. Right down to the details of your business- we make it work for you and what you need!

2) Clean-

This is proactive and COVID-19 emergency response cleaning. SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Lyon & Storey Counties is trained in bio-hazard cleaning, decontamination for porous and non-porous surfaces, and adhering to the CDC standards. We use EPA approved, hospital grade products, and have been in this industry for over 50 years.

3) Certify- 

Committed to cleaning from your employees to your consumers. Reassurance for yourself, your business, and your clients is important to us. With our "Higher Standard of Clean" touchpoints, we include window emblems, signage, digital footprints, and more. 

When you think of Clean, think of Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  

There is no job too big for SERVPRO! With the largest footprint for restoration companies in the world, SERVPRO has you covered. Call the professionals for a consultation.

775-588-2355

OSHA Recommends COVID-19 Cleaning for Construction Sites

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

construction workers on construction site Individuals working in construction need to be aware of OSHA safety guidelines.

With remote work spiking due to coronavirus, pushing employers to allow employees to telecommute, a surge of bay-area residents are moving to the Truckee-Tahoe area. This has lead to an increase in home building and home sales. 

Individuals working in construction and real estate need to be aware of OSHA safety guidelines.

SERVPRO follows OSHA COVID-19 guidelines for the construction workforce, including using proper PPE and EPA registered chemical cleaning agents. 

Who needs to hire professional cleaning technicians?

- Home Inspectors: Remediation for failed home inspections due to mold in the crawl space or rodent infestation.

- Real Estate Agents: Covid-19 cleaning from our "Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned" program provides official signs verifying safe homes for open houses, and more. 

- Construction Project Managers: Covid-19 Cleaning to protect the workforce.

- Building Contractors: Post-construction cleaning to finish out a project.

For more information, visit www.osha.gov/coronavirus or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

For COVID-19 cleaning, call SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, and SERVPRO of Lyon & Storey Counties at 775-588-2355.

What Are The Kinds Of Equipment Needed For Water Restoration?

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO tech working with water damage equipment Water Damage Restoration Equipment

SERVPRO houses many types of equipment to restore your property. In fact, our warehouse includes 27 categories including Moisture Meters, Air Movers, and Air Scrubbers to name a few.

When it comes to restoration there are dozens upon dozens of machines that are used to facilitate the process. There are some that are fairly common to all restoration processes and some that are more specific.

The first type of restoration equipment that you might come across are those items that are used in water restoration. Pumps, vacuums that remove water from carpets, shampooers to help remove sediment, and dryers are all going to be used. These machines are generally going to be larger, commercial units meant to help families and businesses get back to their buildings faster after water damage has occurred.

You will also find equipment that is used to restore a property after fire damage. This type of equipment includes machines used for water restoration, but also have more specific functions. One such piece of equipment is called an ozone machine. This will work to remove the smell of smoke from the home or business after a fire has happened. Another common tool are supports which help hold the structure up while the restoration process is taking place, allowing beams, joists, and walls to be replaced.

You may also come across smaller tools that are used in the restoration process. Most restoration services have common tools likes hammers, wrenches, and nails on hand to help with basic tasks. Restoration equipment is going to be anything that is used in the restoration process. They can run the gambit from very complicated machines that only highly trained technicians can use to tools that we all have in our tool boxes.

If your home or business is damaged, contacting a professional restoration company will be the fastest, safest, and most efficient way to get back on your feet.

Need Water Damage or Flood Cleanup Services?
Call Us Today – (775) 588-2355

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

"Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned” table top indicators Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

SERVPRO is here to help get you back to business.

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and healthy is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new, higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the bio-storm of COVID-19. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned*.

Extensive training and specialized products set SERVPRO commercial disinfecting apart

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities.

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.


    •    Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.

    •    Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible.

    •    Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties today at  775-588-2355 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Quick action cleanup and mitigation response, even in the storm of Covid-19

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment in a home Property disaster events might be unpredictable, but our SERVPRO response and rapid cleanup and restoration service is reliable.

Even though the storm of Covid-19 is still amidst our cities, fire and flood damage can still happen. Emergency property damage can strike your home or business at any hour of the day or night. When you are dealing with fire, smoke, storm, flood or another type of property disaster, immediate action is crucial.

That’s why SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, and Lyon & Storey Counties is here to help. Our crews are ready to respond to your property emergency 24/7, 365 days a year. Yes, even at 2AM our highly trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment will respond to your building fire or facility flood. When you make the call, our staff is READY to take immediate action to help preserve as much of your property as possible and help to avoid additional damage and cleanup costs.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disaster losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey County communities every day.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful, after a frustrating and confusing property disaster event. Whether your home or building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire or water disaster, you’ll have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration and reconstruction.

Disaster restoration and repair is best left to professionals. Our SERVPRO professionals are skilled with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete your home or commercial building cleanup and repair properly. Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and rebuild project quickly, correctly, and affordably.

Some of our property restoration services include:

  • Water Removal and Extraction: This important and often first step in the process involves us removing and extracting standing water from all areas of your property. Our SERVPRO technicians utilize industrial grade equipment to move large volumes quickly and efficiently to minimize long term hazards and damage.
  • Property Drying: After the bulk of the water is removed hazardous levels of moisture can still exist in fibrous structural and aesthetic components in your home or business building. We utilize specialized equipment to pull moisture from the air to create an environment suitable for drying of these important pieces and may also attempt to speed the drying process with heat.
  • Cleanup and Debris Removal: After water and moisture have been removed and dried it’s important to conduct thorough cleaning of the affected area to prevent future health hazards. Flooding from rivers and sewers can pose exceptional risks to health and welfare due to the silt and bacteria they carry. Our team will remove damaged items that are beyond repair.
  • Soot and Smoke Mitigation: SERVPRO’s full-spectrum cleanup and restoration capabilities have many benefits when it comes to fire and smoke damage restoration. We often use air scrubbers to create negative air pressure to force contaminants through HEPA filters before exhausting to the outdoors. Air quality is improved, including the clearing of any fumes from cleaners or solvents used to remove protein-based soot from kitchen fires.

Our team provides professional and prompt emergency restoration services for all commercial businesses and homeowners. SERVPRO’s building services gives our location a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property restoration and recovery process, while mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish.

If disaster strikes, call SERVPRO of South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Douglas County, and Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355.

Decontamination and Cleaning Guidelines for Reopening Your Building After Lockdown

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

"Yes, We're Open" sign on door While you prepare to reopen your facility, make sure proper safety guidelines are in place, and professional cleaning has been completed.

COVID-19 Decontamination and Cleaning Services

Americans miss conducting business as usual and Californians are no exception. 

El Dorado County has gotten the state OK to reopen more quickly.

The California Department of Public Health posted documents from Butte and El Dorado counties on its website with a note that “These counties can move more quickly through Stage 2 opening sectors once state guidance is posted for that sector.”

Businesses and offices that are ready to open must do so with care and caution to ensure the health and safety of employees and guests. 

Many businesses don’t have professional cleaning and sanitization plans in place. It’s wise to put together a best practices strategy including updated cleaning guidelines for virus spread prevention efforts.

Priority #1: What Every Owner and Employer Needs to Know

You need not navigate the reopening process on your own. Comparing notes with others in your industry helps ensure that all your bases are covered. 

Right on time the National Restaurant Association recently released a publication on COVID-19 reopening guidance. Check associations for industry-specific reopening guidelines.

Below are some tips for cleaning and sanitizing as businesses reopen:

  • The entire facility should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized (especially if it has been shut down for a while). Special attention should be given to decontamination of “high touch” areas. However, complete cleaning guidelines should also include sanitizing areas that are rarely touched. Ensure that disinfectant products are the appropriate strength and that they are used properly for best effectiveness.
  • Disinfect everything at tables between patron uses, especially high touch areas. 
  • Establish a schedule that includes more frequent cleanings on the back end as well as the front end. 
  • Check restrooms regularly. Clean and sanitize more often in relation to how frequently each is used.
  • Make hand sanitizer readily available to guests. Consider installing touchless hand sanitizing dispensers.

This is only a preliminary list. Communicate with your staff to explore anything relevant that addresses the special hygiene needs of your building.

Priority #2: Update Existing Policies and Procedures

Our way of life has completely changed this year and so must our practices. It’s more important than ever for management to do their part to prevent virus spread in public use areas.

To properly adjust to a new normal, make sure your updated protocol includes the following:

  • Social distancing promotion with posted reminders and floor markers. Reduce the number of people standing around in waiting areas by offering wait alternatives (like texting them when it’s their turn).
  • Clearly outline expectations for use of staff PPE (personal protective equipment like masks and gloves).
  • Set clear guidelines regarding employee health practices including comprehensive sanitizing and disinfecting schedule/instructions.
  • Minimize inventory “grab and go” food coolers.

Come together as a team to construct a comprehensive and updated safety protocol. Listen to feedback and concerns from your staff to account for the needs of your particular operations. Use clear and consistent communication to ensure everyone is on board with the updated practices.

Priority #3: Monitor Employee Health and Provide Proper Safety Equipment

Below are some recommendations on how to direct your staff to ensure they are in the best condition to come into work.

  • Make it clear that sick employees should not come to work.
  • Monitor staff for signs and symptoms of illness. Pre-work screenings may be necessary such as taking temperature to make sure the employee doesn’t have a fever.
  • Establish rules for staff who become ill. Per CDC guidelines, a worker with symptoms of COVID should self-isolate for 7 days, and is not ready to return to work unless symptom-free for at least 3 days (without the use of medications like fever reducers).
  • Establish hand hygiene protocol including:
    • How often they are expected to wash their hands, 
    • Appropriate use of hand sanitizer. 
    • Don’t touch the face with your hands.

Employees play the most important role in your business. Take special care of them so that they can take care of your facility and your operations.

Priority #4: Implement Social Distancing

While some government officials are starting to roll back certain lockdown rules to allow businesses to gradually reopen, they continue to be adamant about social distancing and protecting senior citizens. 

Here are some suggestions for social distancing success:

  • Post friendly reminders about social distancing best practices.
  • Adjust your floorplan to reinforce the current state rules for facility capacity (such as a temporary removal of some tables and seating).
  • Limit the amount of people in the facility.
  • Make sure seating areas are at least six feet apart.
  • Rope off or install barriers between seating areas.
  • Encourage cooperation from your guests and have a trained employee monitor the capacity in the reception and dining areas. It helps to have a monitor who has excellent customer service and communication skills. Some guests may not respond well to restrictions.
  • Reserve space for delivery personnel so that they can maintain space and expediently serve those who need to stay home.
  • Post advisories that people who are sick or symptomatic are not allowed to enter your building. Encourage calling or doing business from home if possible.
  • Provide and instruct public-facing staff to wear face protection.
  • If possible, install transparent barriers at counters for public-facing staff.
  • Reduce physical contact by encouraging/incentivizing mobile ordering, use of POS tablets, and contactless payment. Ideally, employees should be minimally handling credit cards, currency, and machines.
  • Furnish hand sanitizer dispensers for guests (contactless if possible).
  • Design a strategy that prevents guests from congregating. This includes floor markings, encouraging people to wait elsewhere (in cars), opening additional entrances/exits, adjusting traffic flow from bathrooms. The goal is to keep people apart as much as possible.
  • See to it that the staff aren’t working too closely together. Space them six feet apart whenever possible. This means making space between workstations.
  • Limit how many employees occupy the break room at a time.
  • See to it that the staff is aware of important social distancing policies with training and prominent notices.

Preventing the spread also means preventing future lockdowns. When everyone does their part, we can avoid more closures.

How Businesses Can Instill Customer Confidence

Stepping into a store, restaurant, or other facility for the first time in months may feel a bit surreal. The first step of helping the public ease back into doing business is to reassure patrons that the establishment is safe. 

Here’s how you can do that:

  • Conduct a complete and thorough cleaning using a professional cleaning company such as SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, and South Lake Tahoe. The confidence a sparkling clean building brings will shine through from the management to the staff and finally to the customers.
  • Be transparent about your cleaning practices. When customers see staff diligently following conscientious cleaning guidelines, they will see first-hand evidence of your attention to cleanliness.
  • Communicate your updated health, safety, and cleaning policies around your establishment and on social media. This lets people know exactly what measures are being taken to prevent the spread of illness.

Easing into this new normal is an adjustment for all involved. With a little empathy and thoughtful communication, you put your customers at ease through the reopening process.

Follow Your State or City’s Guidelines on How to Reopen

While the governor’s orders are expected to override any orders from local authority, it may be wise to adhere to what local officials advise. 

Each state and city has a different timeline for when they plan to reopen businesses. Check your county’s site for updated information.

SERVPRO’s Coronavirus Cleaning and Decontamination Services for Commercial Buildings and Local Businesses

We have no doubt that you put full trust in your staff to do quality cleaning. However, your staff may not have the use of the best EPA registered disinfectants in the industry or have enough personal protective equipment to go around.

SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties has the professional deep cleaning experience and all the equipment needed for our IICRC trained technicians to comprehensively sanitize your facility for reopening.

What we have to offer:

  • 24/7 service for biohazard cleanup emergencies or overnight scheduling that works around your operating hours.
  • SERVPRO is the most recognized cleaning, decontamination, and restoration company in the country. Our disinfectants are trusted by international airports and federal agencies to clean their properties. We have effective disinfecting services for any sized facility and for any kind of situation.
  • Professional bioremediation services to clean, disinfect, and sanitize the property while also protecting our MVPs - our technicians. We practice uncompromising safety and hygiene standards.
  • We apply CDC-recommended & EPA-registered disinfectants on all porous and non-porous surfaces. 
  • We hand-wipe all moisture-sensitive surfaces with a disinfectant-wet towelette. 
  • We hand-wipe all high-touch surfaces. 
  • We provide you with a certification of your property’s cleanup as completed by SERVPRO. 
  • Social media announcement from us announcing that your business has been cleaned and is ready to re-open.
  • Refresh services include:
    • Carpet cleaning
    • Upholstery cleaning
    • Air duct cleaning with new a/c filters
    • HEPA air scrubbing

SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties is honored to serve the community alongside our local businesses, state offices, and more. We’re here to support the safe and efficient reopening of your facility. 

Call us today at (775) 588-2355 

Proactive Cleaning

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

Coronavirus pathogen The coronavirus pathogen can remain on certain surfaces for days. Make sure your property is cleaned properly.

SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We offer cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business.

About the Coronavirus

The virus known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Scope of Cleanup Protocol

SERVPRO professionals can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection where the customer states that there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. The customer will be required to acknowledge that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. The structure would not be protected from future COVID-19 contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables at a minimum.

These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well, including: • Kitchen/Food Areas • Bathrooms • Schools/Classrooms • Offices • Retail Spaces • Water Fountains • Shelving and Racks • Sales Counters • Carpets and rugs • Stair Handrails • Elevator Cars • Playground Equipment • Fitness Equipment

Cleanup and Disinfecting Procedures

Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of waste. The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID-19.

  • SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Countiesis using Benefect® Decon 30 Disinfectant which is a Botanical Disinfectant, Bactericide, Fungicide, Virucide*, Cleaner and Deodorizer which we will be using on our job sites.
  • Benefect® Decon 30 Disinfectant is EPA registered as a No Rinse No Wipe product. It is a hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19).
  • There is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the Coronavirus.
  • Proactive cleaning will not prevent or protect the building from future contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

SERVPRO has the People, the Products, and Protocol to Perform Pro-Active Cleaning and Disinfecting of any residential or commercial building.

To schedule deep cleaning services from SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties, call 775-588-2355

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-preventspread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-preventspread.html iv https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

SERVPRO is Here to Help During This Time of Need

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Benefect Decon 30 Disinfectant Benefect Decon 30 is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus.

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, the last thing you want is water damage to befall upon your property, preventing you from comfortably inhabiting your home during quarantine. SERVPRO is currently working on water damage restoration jobs in South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, and surrounding areas. We are considered an essential business which will continue to operate, making sure that damaged homes are restored and businesses have access to professional deep cleaning and disinfecting services for public and high-contact facilities.

Find a complete list of essential businesses in Nevada here:

https://bit.ly/33Tl1TP

SERVPRO has been performing fire and water restoration work in homes and business for more than 50 years and in that time, we have had to do work in some very hazardous environments; many times, in environments that involved more deadly pathogens than the coronavirus. As a company, we have taken many precautionary steps to prevent contaminating ourselves and the environments we work in.

  • All tools and equipment coming into your property have been cleaned and disinfected.
  • All workers wear personal protective equipment to protect themselves while performing work.
  • We’ve all been provided with training to safely work in contaminated environments.
  • We’ve all been provided with training to identify coronavirus symptoms and carefully monitor ourselves and our co-workers
  • We have stringent safety and health policies and procedures; and we continually strive to follow and improve our safe work practices.

We are taking the appropriate measures to ensure we don’t cross contaminate ourselves, our co-workers, our customers, or our families.


In our best effort to keep everyone healthy, safe and working, we are implementing the recommended procedures on all of our SERVPRO job sites. We are committed to the federal and local government's guidelines to help prevent and limit exposure in our community. The wellbeing of our employees and our customers is our top priority.

SOCIAL DISTANCING, LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON OUR JOB SITESAND MANDATORY HYGIENE PROCEDURES WILL BE ENFORCED.

We are also working with an Environmental Hygienist who can provide an “Instant Clearance Test” once we have completed our cleaning. With this, our clients and their customers can be assured through documentation that we did the work properly. If we are performing a cleaning job for your commercial property, you will have documentation when we finish stating:

“Based on our visual inspection and sampling results, the cleaning, sanitization, decontamination, and disinfection of accessible high touch surfaces throughout the above-mentioned facility was successful in removing pathogenic and other types of organisms to current state of the industry hospital cleanliness standards.”

Because the situation is changing rapidly, it is important to continue referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most up-to-date information related to the response. 

  • SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
  • SERVPRO is performing all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities.
  • Benefect® Decon 30 Disinfectant is a Botanical Disinfectant, Bactericide, Fungicide, Virucide*, Cleaner and Deodorizer which we will be using on our job sites.
  • Benefect® Decon 30 Disinfectant is EPA registered as a No Rinse No Wipe product. It is a hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19).
  • There is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the Coronavirus.
  • Proactive cleaning will not prevent or protect the building from future contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

We must all do our part to help stop the spread of this illness.

We will continue to perform essential functions for fire and water damage restoration in our communities while continuing to take every precaution against spreading any contaminant.

In addition to fire and water damage restoration, SERVPRO has the People, the Products, and Protocol to Perform Pro-Active Cleaning and Disinfecting of any residential or commercial building. We are following the CDC Recommendations and using the EPA Registered Product, Benefect Decon 30 Disinfectant.

SERVPRO can minimize the spread of germs with proactive cleaning for your home or business. Give us a call at 775-588-2355

Educate Children About Flood Dangers

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

“Teach” spelled out in letters Let’s teach our children how they can be safe in an emergency!

Flooding is dangerous and destructive. It can happen anywhere, and at any time, for a variety of reasons. Flood-related injuries are usually due to lack of proper preparation and/or nonexistent safety measures. As difficult as it is for adults to remain safe during a flood, it is even more strenuous for children.

Children must be properly taught about the dangers of flooding, what to do and not do, and how to remain safe. Adults should be proper role models by heeding warnings issued by the National Weather Service and taking appropriate precautions.

Teaching Tips

Teach children to avoid water when unsupervised. After a storm occurs, creeks can be tempting to play in, but any area overflowing with water can be dangerous. Water does not always indicate its depth, and what looks like a shallow puddle may be a hole that is several feet deep.

Children should never try to walk or run across any kind of flowing water. It takes only six inches to knock a grown man off his feet. Running water carries debris such as rocks and branches, which may cause serious injury if they come in contact.

Children should know how to operate a portable radio or television, and where to tune it for weather forecasts and conditions. Flash floods occur suddenly. Most deaths related to them happen because people do not evacuate rapidly enough. Establish a family emergency plan and make sure your child knows the drill. Keep them involved in the process. They should also know how to dial 911 and explain any emergency that may happen to the operator.

Teach children the tagline: "Turn Around, Don’t Drown". It is designed to drive people away from flood conditions. Avoiding floodwater is the best way to stop accidental injury or death. In emergencies, kids should remain with their parents or the closest responsible adult. Following directions is a must for safety.

Never assume that your child will do the correct thing in emergency situations. Make certain that they are properly educated on all facets of severe weather and emergency scenarios like flooding.

Vandalism and Graffiti Removal in Carson City, Nevada

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

Broken windows and unwanted graffiti spray paint on outside and inside of building Graffiti is often unwanted damage to personal property. The vandalism damages in this photo include graffiti spray paint and broken windows.

Carson City, Nevada and surrounding areas have encountered many cases of wide-spread vandalism and graffiti damage in the past few years. Graffiti is often unwanted damage to personal property. Damage can consist of spray paint on personal property including vehicles, buildings, fences and street signs.

SERVPRO provides exterior building cleaning, paint removing, pressure washing, wall cleaning, sand blasting, and repainting. Serving Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties, SERVPRO is available 24/7 for emergencies and works with fire and police departments on issues requiring cleanup services that are legally licensed to handle sensitive information.

Vandalism drives away business causing customers to not feel safe, it erodes the community sending property values plummeting, and graffiti is toxic to the environment. Graffiti removal can be expensive but it is important for your area.

Imagine how beautiful our city could be if we clean up and prevent graffiti and vandalism.

Timothy Kephart is the founder of Graffiti Tracker (www.graffititracker.com), a web-based system designed to help people identify, track and prosecute graffiti vandals. 

Anyone who has suffered losses as a result of vandalism is asked to file a report and damages at the Sheriff’s Office, located at 911 Musser Street in Carson City.

If you have information regarding incidents, please contact the Carson City Sheriff’s Office at 887-COPS (2677).

If you need help making the damages “Like it never even happened,” call SERVPRO at (775) 588-2355.

Stateline’s Fox & Hound reopens while Carson City’s Café at Adele’s permanently closes after Fire Damage.

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Business neon “Open” sign Fox & Hound bar and restaurant reopens in Stateline, Nevada off of Kingsbury Grade. Photo by Prateek Katyal

Why do some companies never reopen?

“Forty percent of businesses do not reopen after a disaster and another 25 percent fail within one year according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Similar statistics from the United States Small Business Administration indicate that over 90 percent of businesses fail within two years after being struck by a disaster. It is a common misconception that insurance awards and aid from government agencies will allow merchants to pick up the pieces after a disaster — many types of disasters are not covered under normal insurance policies and aid from government agencies may be too little, too late. In this time of uncertainty, emergency preparedness is a hot topic.” (Spectrum-bend.com)

With this in mind, let’s look at two local restaurants that suffered structure fires this year with very different outcomes for their businesses:

“With the closing of Cafe at Adele’s, Carson City and its community will witness the end of an era.

This decision by owners Charlie and Karen Abowd, comes in the wake of a fire that occurred March 28, and the subsequent inability to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that would cover reconstruction costs.

They had hoped to transfer title in a way that would continue the restaurant under new ownership, the point of having formally put the property on the market in spring 2018. Of course, the fire made that impossible.

It was determined the fire began in the restaurant’s laundry area, smoldering hours before igniting. As a result, the actual fire damage was fairly limited, but the smoke damage so extensive that near complete reconstruction would be required in order to make the structure viable.”

-Karel C. Anocona of Nevada Appeal (https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/business/carson-citys-cafe-at-adeles-will-not-reopen-at-march-fire/)

Now let’s look at the second business:

“STATELINE, Nev. - Popular Kingsbury Grade restaurant, Fox & Hound, has reopened after a small July 9 fire on their deck caused by a generator forced them to close. The restaurant has undergone a complete renovation over the past ten weeks.

For 27 plus years, Fox & Hound has served locals and visitors with great food and a great view of the Carson Valley.”

-Paula of South Tahoe Now (http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/23/2019/fox-hound-reopens-after-deck-fire-forced-closure-july)

SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, and South Lake Tahoe worked with the Fox & Hound to mitigate the damages caused from the fire. We readied the property for safe reconstruction efforts, allowing the business to reopen just a couple of months later.

Both of these family owned businesses have been around for decades and suffered small fires which caused great smoke damage. It seems that the largest factor for reopening was the insurance claims, reconstruction costs and circumstances of the owners. We don’t know much about the mitigation efforts from Adele, but it appears that reconstruction costs would have been too great. Meanwhile, the mitigation work that SERVPRO provided Fox & Hound set a quick, high quality foundation for reconstruction to take place.

SERVPRO works directly with your insurance provider to maximize the benefits you are entitled to. We also are licensed in California and Nevada to perform any reconstruction needs. If you are an owner of a business, take a look at these tips including the benefits to having an Emergency Response Plan, knowing what to do after disaster strikes, and steps for reopening your business after a forced closure due to a fire or other disaster.

Why does my business need an ERP?

An Emergency Ready Profile® also referred to as an ERP, is a no cost service offered by SERVPRO® of Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, and SERVPRO of Lyon & Storey Counties to all business owners in the region. It contains critical information needed in the event of an emergency, to help you from becoming part of the 40+% of business that do not reopen after a disaster.

Preparation is key for making it through any size business interruption whether it is a small water leak, large fire, or a burst pipe that flooded your business over the long holiday weekend. No one ever plans on these events and they usually happen at the most inopportune times. However, planning ahead for such disasters can save you a lot of time and money. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize any “down time” to your business.

Emergency Ready Profile Highlights:

  • No cost assessment of your facility.
  • Concise documentation (also available digitally on an app), that contains all of the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
  • Establishes your local SERVPRO® as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
  • Identifies the chain of command authorizing work to begin.
  • Provides detailed information such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and contact information. It is so detailed it contains information for our crews so they know where to park, what door to enter, and what elevators to take if needed.

SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and we want to help you quickly get your business back in working order. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever happens?”

Get a free customized ERP (Emergency Ready Plan) for your business by contacting SERVPRO here.

What do you do after disaster strikes?

Here are the six tips for the six days following a business fire or other commercial property disaster from Jansen Adjusters International:

  1. Take steps to prevent further damage (Refer to your ERP)
  2. Speak to the experts (Call SERVPRO)
  3. Notify your insurance company
  4. Stay organized
  5. Know that fire claims are unique
  6. Stay calm to avoid bad decisions

Read details on these six steps from the referenced article here.

Reopening a Business After Commercial Fire Damage

A fire can cause all kinds of headaches for a business owner such as soot damage and smoke damage. When confronting commercial fire damage from an electrical fire, any business owner may understandably feel the prospect of opening again is quite daunting. Many spaces inside of the business may have been damaged during the course of a utility room fire. Additional fire damage can happen when a firefighter comes to the property with a fire hose from a large fire truck to put out the flames. During the course of the efforts of the firefighter and additional helpers on the fire truck, there can be all kinds of serious soot and smoke damage to the property. The firefighter next to the fire truck may need to break open one or more windows to get the fire hose inside and help put out the electrical fire. A firefighter with a fire truck may also need to head deep inside of the property with the fire hose as a utility room fire may be isolated from the rest of the space. It's important to start with fire restoration efforts as soon as possible in the aftermath of commercial fire damage. Such fire restoration plans should also include a timeline for reopening the business.

Clearing Out Damage

Clearing out commercial fire damage may take several kinds of efforts. The fire sprinkler system may not yet be turned off. The fire sprinkler system used as part of any former fire suppression plans may also be leaking water in many spaces. Any plan to open up the space after commercial fire damage from a utility room fire or other kinds of fires should include removing items that have suffered from smoke damage or soot damage as soon as possible. Fire suppression methods of all kinds such as s fire sprinkler system and a fire hose may have caused additional damage. The business owner needs to see what has fire damage or soot damage. They need to hire professional fire restoration experts who can examine every corner after a utility room fire and determine why a fire suppression method such as a fire sprinkler system did not work well enough to stop the fire. It's important to think about what can be cleaned out and what cannot.

The Electricity

For many business owners, one of the most important parts of their business is the electrical system. An electrical fire can damage the electricity in the space. The electrical fire can also harm wires that run through the space further so it's hard for any electricity to be turned on. Getting this system turned on again is often important as it can help with further fire suppression efforts. An effective fire restoration company can help with this process, allowing the business owner to think about when they can have power running again. This kind of help is vitally important when think about how to cope with fire damage and how to reopen a business again.

Getting Ready to Welcome Clients

When in the process of working with a professional to get rid of smoke damage and fire damage, it helps to think about plans for reopening the space. SERVPRO can offer soot damage cleanup that fully removes all of the soot from the space including in the interior walls. We can also help make sure the entire area is truly safe to enter again. The business owner along with their clients need to feel safe knowing they can conduct business there even after a serious and dangerous fire. It is important to feel confident in the company hired to help. SERVPRO can help the business owner be assured they can fully welcome guests, clients, employees and others into the space even after a prolonged period of closure after fire has affected many areas of the business.

Conclusion: Property damage takes a huge toll on the business. Sometimes if reconstruction is required, the costs add up to a lot of debt. It’s important to minimize damage by preparing with an ERP and get proper mitigation work done in the case of damage so that the space is safe to re-enter and a clean foundation is laid for any necessary reconstruction. This will allow your business to reopen and flourish once again.

SERVPRO puts you back in business. Call (775) 588-2355

Find Fire Damage Emergency Tips:

https://www.SERVPROcarsoncitydouglascountysouthlaketahoe.com/fire-damage-tips

Learn about what to do if your commercial business suffers from fire damage:

https://www.SERVPROcarsoncitydouglascountysouthlaketahoe.com/commercial-fire-damage

When You See Water Damage on Your Property, Call SERVPRO

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

Washing Machine Water Lines SERVPRO Says Inspect Your Washing Machine Water Lines to Prevent Damage to Your Tahoe City House

It seems that water leaks occur at the most inopportune of times, quite often when you happen to be away for the weekend. How often does this happen? More than we would like to think. There is always help, only a phone call away from your local water removal experts from SERVPRO.


Water damage in Tahoe City can strike at the most unexpected moments. We have seen many familiar culprits of water damage. Hopefully, rising floodwaters from the Lake isn't the cause. Several of the most typical household appliances that are prone to water damage include dishwashers, washing machines, and the water line to an ice maker in the refrigerator. These water lines can break or leak causing water damage to your home. We service customers with water damage ranging from a subtle problem to the extreme case of flooding. The severity of the water damage is dependent upon the water pressure in the line and the amount of time spent leaking. When a dishwasher is broken, this can create wet spots on the floor and moisture underneath of the dishwasher. The dark areas under the dishwasher plus accumulated water can lead to mold growth. A more visible dishwasher leak is when the drain is clogged leading to water escaping out the sides of the dishwasher all over the floor. Broken water lines to ice makers of refrigerators may present in a similar fashion resulting in water all over the floor. This creates an obvious slip-and-fall hazard on the floor.
 
Washing machines used for laundry can develop a leak in the water lines. This excess water can accumulate in the drip pan underneath the washing machine. This is a common problem of washing machines located on a second floor or other location upstairs. We, at SERVPRO,  are available for water emergencies for the havoc caused by these leaking appliances. Gravity does not always have to be your friend. Pressurized water can flow leaving a large wake of destructive water damage to your Tahoe City property. If a central drain valve overflows, the water may try to escape leading to a flooding situation. It is always important to know the location of the central water line in the house to turn it off in the event of a flood until our team of IICRC certified technicians can extract the standing water.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe is readily available to meet your needs when water damage strikes. We are strategically positioned with a rapid response team and can be reached at (775) 588-2355. When water emergencies or floods occur, call on us to meet your needs 24/7.

Biohazard Cleanup Services in Carson City, NV

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

Crime Scene "do not cross" yellow tape at a Biohazard scene in Carson City, Nevada 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 EMT’s should be the first contacted. Next, a professional such as SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe 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 accident, 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 cleanup crime scenes in Carson City, NV.

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 a serious accident.  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 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

Professional Mold Remediation Services in Virginia City, NV 89440

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

Potential mold in abandoned or old buildings and properties in Virginia City, Nevada Contact SERVPRO to check and make sure your property is free of Mold. If you do have a mold issue, we are Here to Help.

Virginia City is a Northern Nevada city located in Storey County, founded 1861.

Some of the properties here date all the way back to the 1800s and could have hidden mold damage that may pose health risks to inhabitants. Mold from old buildings can quickly spread – even within hours if the moisture levels are high enough. Don’t wait to get your property checked!

Humidity zone maps show that dwellings in the Virginia City, NV 89440 area are at an increased risk of mold development.

Where Can You Find Mold in Virginia City Nevada?

Do you smell a musty odor? Many types of mold are hidden or invisible to the naked eye. Mold prospers in humid environments but you can find it anywhere. Making your home entirely mold free is impossible, but our goal is to keep the high concentrations of mold, such as black mold, at safe levels which is the level that matches levels outside. You can find mold in Virginia City Nevada houses in certain common areas such as: Basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Mold is especially common in crawl spaces and attics due to the lack of ventilation increasing moisture levels.

Mold can spread in your Virginia City home or business from excess humidity or even a small water leak. In only 48 hours you could find the mold has spread quickly. Don’t risk the allergens and other health risks mold causes for the property’s inhabitants. SERVPRO partners with environmental hygienists that test for elevated mold levels with specialized equipment. It is important for us to have an independent third-party test for mold so there is no conflict of interest in testing. Then if mold is found, our trained professionals come in for remediation. When our job is done, the environmental hygienist comes back to re-test the mold levels and SERVPRO GUARANTEES a pass of the clearance test.

Learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives by reviewing these mold damage tips.


Understanding Mold

Mold and mold remediation can be confusing topics. Some businesses claim to remove ALL mold from a facility but this isn’t possible. Microscopic spores float in the air and can enter a property through HVAC systems, windows, doors, or enter on your clothing or from a pet. Mold spores occur naturally both indoors and outdoors. Keep these things in mind:

  • Mold often produces a strong, musty odor.
  • Indoor humidity that’s even slightly higher than normal can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.
  • Mold spores thrive on moisture. They could quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens, irritants, and toxins. 
  • Any sources of water or moisture must be addressed before mold remediation can begin. If not, the mold may return. 

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same:

Step 1: Emergency Contact – (775) 588-2355

Our representative will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.

Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Our environmental hygienist will use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.

Step 3: Mold Containment

We use specialized equipment such as zip walls to keep the mold spores from spreading further through your Virginia City, Nevada home or business.

Step 4: Air Filtration

We use air scrubbers and HEPA filters to vent mold spores to the outside which is a faster and more efficient method than internal scrubbing only. We clear the air and prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Physically removing the mold is the key to success.

Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Sanitizing

Mold infestations cause a persistent musty odor. Our professionals are trained to remove odors and provide deodorization using fogging equipment. Though most carpets and fabrics cannot be restored, hard surfaces can be cleaned and sanitized.

Step 7: Restoration

The restoration step could involve minor or major repairs and gets your home or business back to normal. Our SERVPRO has a general contractor license for Nevada and California, so we are qualified to handle any repairs needed following mold remediation.

SERVPRO knows Mold

Here at SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties we understand what it takes to properly remediate a mold situation in Virginia City, Nevada. Encountering mold can be risky for any home or business owner, but SERVPRO is here to put your mind at ease. We have the proper tools and trained professionals to get the job done right. We are a leader in the industry for mold remediation.
Give us a call at (775) 588-2355 and we will be on our way to help.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

Mold spreads quickly, so a minor mold infestation can quickly escalate into a major problem. We’re dedicated to responding immediately when you contact us. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

Locally Owned, with National Resources

SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties is locally owned and operated. Our company is new to Virginia City, but has been serving other local communities for 17 years. When you have a water or mold damage issue, we’re already nearby and ready to help.

We are proud to serve our local communities including Virginia City, NV 89440 and surrounding areas.

We work with your Insurance

If you are unsure if you will be filing a claim to cover damages, contact us. We can work with any insurance company to make sure your insurance is utilized to the fullest while directly billing them for you. You may not be aware of what rights you have based on your policy. We know how to work with homeowner’s insurance, giving you peace of mind.

Highly Trained Water and Mold Restoration Specialists

We specialize in water and mold damage restoration, with advanced training in restoration techniques and the experience and specialized equipment to quickly restore your property. Our team holds a list of certifications such as:

  • WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
  • ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
  • CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
  • FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
  • RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation


SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe and SERVPRO of Lyon & Storey Counties is committed to helping you overcome mold infestation quickly.

When we handle your mold remediation job, we do it the right way:

  • Complete structural drying and dehumidification
  • Sanitizing and deodorization
  • Monitoring of Damaged Property
  • Crawlspace mold removal
  • Crawlspace vapor barrier replacement
  • Complete repairs after crawlspace clean
  • Clearance Test Pass Guaranteed

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (775) 588-2355

SERVPRO also helps with reconstruction needs, for damaged properties or those just needing a little TLC.


For more about Virginia City, NV 89440 click here.

SERVPRO at South Lake Tahoe's Fire Fest 2019

9/23/2019 (Permalink)

male and female from SERVPRO at the Fire Fest booth. Anthony and Leslie from SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe posing in front of our Fire Fest 2019 booth in South Lake Tahoe!

Families flocked to the hard rock in South Lake Tahoe this past weekend to learn about fire safety and conservation. We at SERVPRO have the pleasure of meeting with our community at Fire Fest every year.

Helicopters landed just outside the venue giving an incredible opportunity to get a close-up look at these amazing machines! Crews were on hand to answer questions and explain how the emergency response teams help when we need them most.

The K9 dog demonstration was back this year and kids had an opportunity to climb aboard a fire engine, squirt a fire hose, enjoy the bounce house, and 'escape from the burn house.' Our local firefighters showed how they use the Jaws of Life to extract someone from a demolished vehicle, as well as put out a burning building.

This annual event is hosted by our local fire agencies, including Lake Valley Fire District, the Tahoe Douglas Fire District, Fallen Leaf Lake CSD Fire Department, the City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, CAL FIRE and the USDA Forest Service and is sponsored by the Lake Tahoe Kiwanis Club. Fire Fest highlights all our safety agencies, creating a day focusing on fire safety.

Our SERVPRO table taught about home safety and emergency response plans to children and families. Plus, Anthony and Leslie from SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe and SERVPRO of Lyon & Storey Counties had a great time serving hot chocolate in the morning and snow cones in the evening to the excited Fire Fest attendees!

"Fire Fest began as a way to recognize National Fire Prevention Week, which was initially established in remembrance of the great Chicago fire of 1891, and to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention
Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the second Sunday in October. This year, Fire Prevention Week runs from October 7-13. Fire Prevention Week is the longest-running public health and safety observance on record, according to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center."

-Paula of South Tahoe Now (https://southtahoenow.com/story/09/12/2019/annual-firefest-returns-lake-tahoe)

Learn more about Fire Prevention Week at http://www.nfpa.org/.

Learn about what to do if your home suffers from fire damage at https://www.SERVPROcarsoncitydouglascountysouthlaketahoe.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration.

We Arrive As Soon As Possible To Restore Your Lake Tahoe Home

8/8/2019 (Permalink)

We arrive right away to minimize secondary damages to the sub flooring or other permanent building materials after water damage hits.

My Coffee Beans Are Soaking Wet!

South Lake Tahoe has the benefit of being a year-round destination. Whether people arrive to enjoy summertime activities or to visit the slopes, South Lake Tahoe is virtually guaranteed to be a good time. This year-round approach is also great for coffee shops catering to visitors, serving snacks and beverages as people drive to their selected activity for the day. Having to close down because a water main broke and flooded your shop means not only a loss in revenue but also an opportunity for customers to take their loyalty to a competing store. 

Water damage in South Lake Tahoe does not have to be all doom and gloom. By placing a quick call to SERVPRO at our 24/7 hotline, you can quickly turn your coffee shop around and put the water damage behind you. Our crew of technicians trains specifically to handle emergencies such as yours, even when restoration includes food product and health department regulations. Like you, we aim to mitigate your loss in time and money so you can continue to reap the benefits of your hard work as soon as possible. 

Moving swifly when there is water damage is crucial to minimizing the time in which your coffee drinks are not available to your patrons. Even before our SERVPRO team arrives, you can start the restoration process by taking the steps below. 

-Identify the source of the problem and get the water leak under control 

-Separate dry items from those affected by the water and keep them apart 

-Bring in fans, air circulators and any other water absorbing tools you might have 

-Prop up any furniture immersed in standing water, so it does not absorb any more moisture 

When our SERVPRO water restoration technicians (WRT) arrive, you could see us use several water extraction methods. For larger volumes, we use our truck-mounted pump, while smaller volumes may warrant handheld wand technology or even injectidry technology. As we go about our job, we closely monitor humidity levels until we reach optimal readings. Controlling humidity is especially important if your coffee shop boasts hardwood floors or wooden furniture that could buckle due to excess moisture. 

SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/ South Lake Tahoe is your ally for water cleanup and restoration. Call us at  (775) 588-2355 and let us leave your coffee shop “Like it never even happened.” 

See more about Lake Tahoe.

How Ultrasonic Cleaning Plays A Crucial Role In Our Fire Damage Restoration Process In Carson City

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe rapid response team a call anytime at (775) 588-2355.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Fire Damaged Contents From Carson City Homes

We know that many fire loss situations claim large structural areas of Carson City homes, and these structural concerns alone can become pressing concerns for a homeowner. Another pressing concern homeowners must consider are their personal belongings. You have spent your life collecting your treasures and possessions, and now this collection of your finest things becomes at risk for fire effects, including soot and smoke residues that can collect on surfaces throughout the affected areas, even far beyond the ignition site.

We have an experienced SERVPRO contents department with advanced tools to help overcome fire damage in Carson City homes, specifically the effect that these disasters can have on the personal belongings of property owners. We continue to invest in this recovery department of our team, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for advanced and thorough restoration such as the ultrasonic cleaning tanks.

These recovery solutions feature an advanced approach to cleaning soot, smoke residue, and other threats to your belongings. Items get submerged in the tank, and thousands of bubbles begin to break sediment and buildup from the surface. Vibrations through the tank help to improve the effectiveness of these bubbles cleaning the surfaces of the materials, and ensure the thorough recovery of these items before they go into a drying area.

These machines help our SERVPRO professionals to address cleanup and recovery of fire-damaged contents in an efficient manner, which can allow these same items to get to vital processes like deodorization and storage much more quickly.

Not all of the recovered belongings from your home are ideal for getting cleaned in these ultrasonic tanks, however. We have advanced cleaning products, chemical sponges, and other effective solutions to ensure that these items get the same treatment to prepare them for the reintegration into your restored property.

We always continue to grow and improve the restoration solutions we offer our customers. With tools like ultrasonic tanks, we can make fire loss incidents “Like it never even happened.” for the contents of your home. Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe rapid response team a call anytime at (775) 588-2355.

For more about Carson City click here.

Your Carson City Bakery Can Be Restored After A Flood By Our Crew Of Professionals

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

We work efficiently to get your bakery back in business as soon as possible with as little disruption as possible.

SERVPRO Can Help Preserve Your Carson City Bakery's Beautiful Hardwood Floors!

Heavy rainfall in Carson City can bring large amounts of flooding to your bakery business. Flood waters can disrupt your daily working schedule and can make it impossible for customers to access your store. It's important to contact professionals who can get your business back in working order.

Commercial flood damage in your Carson City bakery can result in ruined baking equipment and supplies, disrupting your daily baked goods production flow. Water can infiltrate the circuitry in your ovens, causing short circuits, and can ruin bags of sugar and flower you have stored. SERVPRO technicians are IICRC (The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certified and can remove flood waters from your business and help dry your supplies and equipment. We can arrive at your business during times most convenient for you so that there is minimal disruption to your normal business flow.

Once our techs are on site, we can begin pumping out flood waters with the assistance of underwater pumps and industrial-grade wet vacs. We can then use air movers to pull moisture from your floors and walls, then use dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture in your bakery's air. This has the benefit of helping prevent mold formation in your dry baking supplies and can facilitate the drying of your supplies if they were exposed to water. The process can be done during your off hours or between rushes of business to avoid inconveniencing you more than necessary.

Additionally, we can help begin the drying process of your over and mixers. Electrical equipment can be unplugged to prevent hazards, and water can be removed from the interior of your equipment. We can set up additional dehumidifiers to remove moisture from electronics. An electronics restoration specialist should later be contacted.

If commercial flood damage is threatening your business' livelihood, then contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355 for quick and efficient assistance. We work efficiently to get your bakery back in business as soon as possible with as little disruption as possible.

Click here for more about Carson City.

We Use Specialized Techniques To Clean Up Nicotine Stains After A Fire In Your Carson City Home

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

Our 24-hour services number is (775) 588-2355, which we answer every day of the week, including all holidays.

Cleaning Up Nicotine Stains Requires The Same Techniques As Fire Damage Restoration In Carson City

Acquiring a home through purchase or inheritance in Carson City can mean cleaning up the accumulation of dust, in many cases. Older homes can also hold thick films of smoke residue from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Painting over these often suffices in covering the discoloration nicotine can cause, but not in all cases.

When inspecting your home for its condition, finding nicotine stains might not seem as bad as most cases of fire damage in Carson City. However, the way smoke travels within a home can mean that nicotine became trapped in areas that you might not expect. SERVPRO's specialists look at nicotine stains on walls, ceilings, and other structural elements like smoke from a fire. While the fire might not exist in the traditional sense, every time someone lit a cigar or other nicotine-producer, a bit more staining occurred.

Depending on the severity of staining, we use different techniques. Dry sponges can remove residue, as can misting with a liquid agent that dissolves sticky substances, which is then wiped away, along with the nicotine and tar. Heaver staining might have become permanent, requiring us to apply primer before repainting those surfaces.

Nicotine can also affect vintage and older furnishings. Rugs, draperies, and upholstered furniture from years gone by can retain nicotine and other components from cigarettes. Not only does this dull the appearance of these textiles, but it can also produce a musty, unpleasant odor. We clean these items with gentle methods that do not damage older textiles but still provide effective results.

When heirloom items take on odors like this, we can deodorize them in specially made chambers where ozone, thermal fogging, or other methods can eliminate the substances that cause the offensive odors. We also use these methods on areas of the home, when needed, as these provide excellent results.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe also works in Genoa, Gardnerville, and Bijou. Call us when you need professionals with extensive experience in the elimination of fire damage from your property. Our 24-hour services number is (775) 588-2355, which we answer every day of the week, including all holidays.

Click here for more about Carson City.

Even Small Water Loss Events in South Lake Tahoe Require Professional Remediation

4/12/2019 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe team is always available for your water loss emergencies- no matter the size.

Using Water Removal for Small Disasters in South Lake Tahoe Makes Sense

When an accident happens in your residence that involves water, knowing there is a company of professional restoration experts in South Lake Tahoe always on call can help keep you and your family calm. SERVPRO trains our employees to IICRC standards, so they are always prepared to make your home “Like it never even happened.”  

After a small-sized disaster in a South Lake Tahoe home, we use scaled-down water removal techniques that extract water quickly. We do this to minimize and control damage, while other members of our crew work rapidly to mitigate existing damage from floors and other objects.  

No disaster is ever too small for our services. Because water spreads so quickly, we use the same technology to locate and remove it from your home that we use in more significant incidents. We want to help you protect your property and keep it in excellent condition. You and your family deserve to live in a house that does not contain water damage, mold, or other problems caused by lost water.  

One thing to remember is that the sooner we can begin, the more easily we can remove the water and get your home dry again. We are Faster To Any Size Disaster, but that always begins with your initial call to our emergency services line. We are always here to answer your call and provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions possible. We partner with property owners to ensure that our services meet or exceed their needs.  

As water spreads, it continually infiltrates the many different materials it encounters. Our equipment is designed to remove this water, and our techniques prevent water stains and discoloration wherever possible. Some items do become permanently damaged when in contact with water, which makes it crucial to react as quickly as possible.  

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is always here to help undo the damage and prevent additional harm to your residence and its contents. Water removal can help immensely, and we have the equipment and tools that our trained specialists use efficiently complete the work required. Call us at (775) 588-2355 when you need to protect your home from lost water and other disasters.

Read more about South Lake Tahoe here.

Our Crew Is Your Best Option When Your Carson City Home Experiences A Water Damage Disaster

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

Our emergency services are available 24/7, just call (775) 588-2355 and start the cleanup process for your home.

SERVPRO Serves The Need For Fast Water Removal In Carson City

No matter the type of water in your home, whether it is from a pipe break in a ceiling or flood water from a storm, the key to avoiding water damage and secondary issues such as mold and foul odors is fast extraction by professionals.

SERVPRO technicians know the faster they can begin water removal in Carson City homes, the higher the possibility for restoring the house to preloss condition with as little loss of contents as possible. The longer water stands in a home, the probability of contaminants and loss increases. After 48 hours, the water is rated as black water, and increased measures are required for remediation.

Tools that expedite the removal of water such as truck mounted pumps with weighted extractors to push water out of carpet padding so, in clean water cleanups, carpeting can dry in place without the need for removal from the home. In the case of tight spaces or small scale water cleanups, our technicians use multiple portable vacuums to suction up water quickly. In clean water spills, furniture legs can be wrapped in foil and raised on blocks to dry in place and limit disruption in the home during cleanup.

Our IICRC-certified technicians hold certifications in many kinds of restorative sciences and continue their on-going education learning the latest technology for damage restoration. Our professionals keep up to date with the most recent advances which means they can always apply the best water damage remediation techniques for extraction, mold prevention, drying and odor neutralizing on a case by case basis. Even the setup of air movers is unique to each cleanup site as technicians calculate the best paths to move moist air up and out for the fastest drying.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe uses the latest in water removal techniques to prevent as much loss to personal property as possible. Our emergency services are available 24/7, just call (775) 588-2355 and start the cleanup process for your home.

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South Lake Tahoe Property Fire Damaged? SERVPRO Provides Professional Restoration--Call Us for Help

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

South Lake Tahoe House Fire? We Can Clean Up the Mess and Restore Your Property--Call SERVPRO

What Is Fire Debris Removal in Your South Lake Tahoe Home?

Once a fire has occurred in your property, there are many effects that you have to overcome on the path to returning your home to its original condition. While many homeowners might want to take care of some of these preliminary tasks on their own to save themselves some potential out-of-pocket expenses, this is not a wise decision to make. Cleanup and debris removal after a fire can leave your home with many hazards and risks that can end up injuring or adversely affecting untrained individuals. Our restoration team has extensive training in the use of personal protective equipment and effective mitigation strategies to reduce these problematic conditions quickly.

While debris removal is among the first steps that our professionals take in addressing fire damage in your South Lake Tahoe home, many homeowners might not fully understand what this work entails. Debris removal is much more than conventional cleanup throughout the property and picking up damaged structural components in the affected areas of your home.

When our SERVPRO team first arrives at your home, we begin with an overall assessment of the damage to your property. We take this opportunity to inspect structural elements and materials for irreparable damage. With controlled demolition techniques, our professionals remove only the materials too badly damaged to preserve. We do strive to restore and not replace building elements and belongings. This designed removal can help to save time when our licensed contractors get to work on the reconstruction needs that your home has to get fully restored.

During this demolition process, we run machines like our hydroxyl generators and air scrubbers that can help to reduce dust, debris, and particulates in the environment. These get even worse during material removal, and the HEPA filters onboard both of these machines can capture particles as small as .3 microns. By rapidly discarding burnt items from the property, sources of pungent odors are also reduced. Healthy indoor air quality is an essential goal of any fire damaging event.

Fire debris removal is one of the initial components to the recovery of your damaged property, but it requires the certified and experienced professionals of our team. You can reach our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe fire restoration technicians and our licensed contracting division 24/7 by calling (775) 588-2355.

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From Detecting Mold to Remediating the Damage in Carson City

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

Discovering where mold is hiding is one of our known talents. To learn more about what SERVPRO can do to remove mold from your property call today.

Professional SERVPRO Technicians Know How to Find Mold Hiding in Your Walls

When mold growth infests a home, the damages can range from low cost (cleaning surfaces of spores) to expensive (demolition and removal of affected material and property). In extreme cases, the growth goes unnoticed or untreated, and the mold has infested every drywall panel and even structural supports. 

It takes a professional, licensed company to build back a Carson City home after mold damage has made it uninhabitable. SERVPRO has the employees, skills, and equipment to return your home to its pre-mold condition. 

After our technicians complete removal and cleaning, we perform an inspection. If we find compromised structural integrity, we install jacks and other devices as secondary support while we remove the framing for load-bearing walls and support beams. Then, we replace the damaged supports with beams and framing that meets Nevada state and Federal standards. 

If wood floors are damaged, we replace the sections removed earlier. Our team members are well-trained in laying new sections and can expertly stain the new pieces to match the existing floor. If a homeowner wants to re-stain the entire floor, we can do that too. 

With the new floor and supports in place, it is time to put up the new walls and trim. We can hang new drywall panels for an average sized room in less than a day and begin putting on a coat of primer. After it dries, our team can paint the same room in another day or two. Once the paint dries, it is a simple matter for us to install new wainscoting, floor trim, or crown molding. 
Of course, all of this is a waste of time if the sun and the wind or raccoons find a way inside. As a licensed, general contractor, we can replace any roofing as well as the panels and supports underneath. If the material is available, we can even match the new roof to look just like the old one. 

Rebuilding your home after a disaster is not a simple process, but it is one that SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe has been doing, successfully, for decades in our area. If you need us, call today at (775) 588-2355. 

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Recovering from Flood Damage at Your Tahoe Residence

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO works to restore your home and the furniture and personal belongings inside after flood water invades your home.

SERVPRO Technicians Thoroughly Remove Water and Restore Your Home after Flood Damage

Flooding is one of the worst nightmares any homeowner in Tahoe can experience. Water seeping in under your door can seem unbelievable at first. Garages and sheds, full of stored items, are also at risk of becoming flooded. Damaged carpets in your home, increased humidity, and many other detrimental facets of flooding steadily worsen.

Tahoe homeowners need to begin restoring their properties as soon as possible after flood damage happens. Water continues to recycle itself inside the enclosed area of a home. The experts at SERVPRO know how flooding affects homes and can perform the restorative work that also prevents additional problems. Until we remove the water caused by flooding, it remains inside, continuing to spread throughout your home, creating further damaged areas and increasing the expenses related to restoration. 

As we work in your residence, SERVPRO restores not only your home's structure, but also your personal belongings and household items. Furniture typically suffers horribly from extensive flooding, but a rapid response can often minimize the damage enough that it is possible to save unique items. 

Carpeting and the padding underneath also become damaged beyond the point of reclaiming. Disposal of wet soggy carpet, laden with pathogens and other filth occurs in sections. This aids in the distribution of the weight, as well as easier bagging for removal to the curb. Removing all tacks makes sure that the area remains safe for children and pets who might wander in before new carpet installation.

Because the moisture in a home after flood events remains elevated until we eliminate it all, we immediately begin drying out a flood-damaged home. Large air movers, heaters, dehumidifiers and other pieces of our equipment help achieve our goals. Directing airflow out open windows can also speed things up when the temperature outside is warm, and the air outside is drier than that inside your home. 

While saving carpeting after a flood is next-to-impossible, saving hardwood floors by drying them quickly is achievable when we use heated floor mats that also remove the evaporated moisture before it ever enters your home's indoor environment.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe helps homeowners all around our area deal with flood damage and many other types of disasters. Contact us at (775) 588-2355 for our 24-hour service to start your home's recovery off right.

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The Real Truth Behind Water Damage and Mold in Your South Lake Tahoe Home

3/8/2019 (Permalink)

The winter snow and ice can wreak havoc on your home, especially the attic. Contact SERVPRO to investigate the extent of the damage and remediate.

Attic Moisture from Harsh South Lake Tahoe Winters

Many potential hazards could arise for South Lake Tahoe residents throughout the harshest months of the winter season. While frozen pipes are a leading concern for homes in the area, another potential problem rests in heavy snowfall resting on your roof for prolonged periods, which can begin to compromise its strength and defense against invasive moisture and dampness. Our team has encountered many attics throughout our service area experiencing dampness with roofing materials leeching moisture in from the slow snowmelt.

Moisture present in the attic of your home can present water damage effects in South Lake Tahoe that homeowners are entirely unaware about and do not immediately remedy. In many cases, without the attic being a livable space or frequently accessed, homeowners do not realize there is a problem at all until the same water damage has penetrated through ceiling areas to access the lower levels of your property. Our SERVPRO professionals can help with a fast response and the right tools to dry out this water damage.

From the time that our professionals arrive at your home, we have to establish the full measure of the damage to your property to set up containment measures and keep the water damage from spreading further. We can work to determine if secondary effects like mold growth have begun, and if so, get the necessary mold remediation personnel from our team working to set up physical barriers and setting up containment equipment such as hydroxyl generators or air scrubbers with HEPA filters.

Our SERVPRO team also sets up our fast-drying air mover machines along with LGR dehumidifiers to dry out the damage. We can then safely identify penetration points in the roofing material and work to repair these areas as other restoration work continues throughout the property.

The winter can bring about many potential hazards and damaging situations for your home. Let our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe water restoration specialists work to remove moisture and its effects in your home. Give us a call anytime you need us at (775) 588-2355.

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Flooding Can Spell Big Trouble For Your Home In Carson City!

2/6/2019 (Permalink)

Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe team a call anytime that disaster strikes!

How Likely Is Flooding For Your Carson City Home?

While Carson City residents are no stranger to potential disasters and emergencies that can threaten entire communities under our care, there are many of these incidents that homeowners remain ill-prepared to face. Flooding is something that many area homeowners do not put enough stock into, and because of a belief that it is less likely to occur than other emergencies, these owners are unclear of what to do once the damage has occurred.

Flash flood damage to Carson City homes is something that can occur at almost any point when torrential rainfall happens too quickly for the ground absorption to keep up. Many residents might even remember the widespread flooding in 2017 that affected homes even beyond the flood-prone areas of the city and surrounding regions. Our SERVPRO team was there to help. Under the right conditions, the area remains at risk during the rainier seasons when severe weather can get expected to pass through the area.

Regarding likelihood, it could be beneficial to know that since the 2017 incident, many homeowners who have not previously included flood protection in their home insurance policies have sought out this additional coverage. It has also encouraged municipalities and city officials to rezone the flood regions and low-lying areas to help residents better determine the probability of flood damages in the future.

With rising waters penetrating your home, the risk for contamination is high to exposed materials and structural elements. Our SERVPRO team can work quickly to remove damaged materials and mitigate the loss by removing at-risk contents from your home until restoration work can officially complete. We can work closely with both the homeowner and the insurance adjuster to provide constant communication as we work efficiently to restore your property entirely.

While flooding might not occur all year long to the area, the area is often only one severe weather system away from meeting conditions for flash flooding and other widespread concerns. Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe team a call anytime that disaster strikes at (775) 588-2355.

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How Our Team Will Restore Your Stateline Home

1/25/2019 (Permalink)

A mold infestation needs immediate attention contact SERVPRO right away.

Why Homeowners in Stateline Call us to Repair Mold Damage

The assessment and remediation of mold is a professional job. Air-borne mold spores can quickly spread around the home causing further damage if the affected area is not treated possible using the right methods, expertise, and equipment. A thorough mold inspection can help to reduce the risk of secondary damages as well as the return of mold after service is complete. Getting to the source of the problem and removing it is essential.

Home holds with mold damage in Stateline can become unpleasant for their inhabitants creating musty odors and staining. SERVPRO uses technicians with mold assessment and remediation qualifications and can send them to your property within four hours of notification of loss. On arrival, our highly trained experts can find the source of mold in the home and begin working to remove it.

During the removal procedure, it is necessary for us to establish barriers. Mold spores are microscopic so, during intensive agitative cleaning methods, they can become airborne and spread to other parts of the home. SERVPRO can use negative air pressure or physical barriers in the form of plastic sheeting to prevent spreading into unaffected areas. Our equipment is fitted with HEPA filters which can filter mold spores out of the air and prevent a reoccurence of the issue.

Fabrics tend to absorb mold colonies in a way that may make clothing, upholstery, carpets or curtains non-salvageable. SERVPRO is a restoration provider that values restoration over replacement. We use foam cleaners to help absorb and sanitize affected fabrics. For precious fabrics, we can use industrial strength mechanical cleaning equipment, Esporta washing machines, which are capable of removing up to 96% of soils from material.

Getting your home back to its best should not be a stressful experience. Many homeowners choose SERVPRO because we provide extensive training to our technicians allowing them to gain IICRC certificates in areas like mold assessment and remediation. Our equipment is second to none, and we use a local workforce to reduce callout times.

Noticing mold in the home need not be a tough experience, just contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355.

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Why Hiring A Professional Restoration Company To Cleanup After Your Home In Genoa Experiences A Fire Is The Best Choice

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Genoa does not have to be a headache.

The Principle Of Cleaning After A Fire Damage In Genoa

Surviving the aftermath of the fire damage can be quite a relief. However, the replacement and repairs can be very detrimental. Luckily, there are some insurance companies out there who would help with the costs. However, dealing with the aftermath does require some skills and expertise. The cleaning process isn't an easy task. Keep in mind that it requires extensive inspection, identifying types of residues and services, removing the residues, and disposal. All of this should be taken care of by a fire restoration specialist. After all, doing this on your own can be very dangerous, exhausting, time-consuming, and expensive.

Fire damage in Genoa does not have to be a headache. This situation is mainly because the SERVPRO tech can take care of everything. They can start by inspecting the areas near the source of the fire and see how far the damage has moved through various structures. There are different types of smoke residues, and the SERVPRO specialist can select a cleaning method that can effectively remove these residues. Another thing to note is that the type of surface that has undergone the fire damage may require specialized cleaning method and products that are safe to use on the surface. The fire restoration experts may have to be cautious to preserve the materials or surface during the cleaning process.

Since smoke residues can bind to the surface that they come in contact with, the fire experts can use a dry and wet screening process to release these particles away from the affected surface. The restorer can adequately get rid of the debris and cleaning waste. Once everything is completed, the technicians can walk you through your home to make sure that you are satisfied with the results.

If you are interested in getting a specialist to clean and restore your home after fire damage, then give SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe a call at (775) 588-2355, and we can promptly send our experts to your home.

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Carson City Homeowners Trust SERVPRO for Cleanup to Build Back Services

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Rebuild Your FIre or Water Damaged Home in Carson City--From Cleanup to Completion

Build Back Services for Damaged Carson City Properties Is a Seamless SERVPRO Service

Many disasters threaten the structural integrity of your Carson City property. From mold damages to flooding, a compromised construction can allow for worsening conditions from the elements in a short time. Taking care of these damages as well as the effects of the disaster that caused them are equally important, so it is cost-effective and time-saving to choose a restoration company capable of doing both.

Regardless of what incident might have caused structural damages or destroyed portions of your Carson City home, restoring these effects through build back services must happen quickly to avoid further degradation and destruction. Our SERVPRO response team is available 24/7 to help you assess the full measure of the damage to your property and design a tailored plan to bring it back to original condition.

Something that sets our franchise apart within our service area is our ability to provide comprehensive assistance to our customers from the initial inspection of the property through the completed restoration. With licensed contractors within our branch, we can provide every customer with structural concerns peace of mind and an efficient solution to restoring their home using one company exclusively.

With advanced equipment designed to make mitigation fast and efficient, we can prepare your home quickly for the reconstruction to follow. Our licensed contractors fit into the schedule designed by our franchise, so the entire process is seamless and time-saving, rather than having customers find their own reputable contractors and wait on them to become available. Restoration work cannot occur without completing the reconstruction requirements, so having all of these processes in-house makes SERVPRO a wise choice for damaged homes.

When your home has suffered significant damages that require reconstruction and rebuilding, our build back services can save you time and money on the restoration process. Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe experienced restoration technicians and licensed contractors a call anytime that you need us at (775) 588-2355.

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How Our Team Of Experts Deal With Water Damage In Your Carson City Home

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

When water pools in areas it was not intended to, it can cause many damages.

Effective Ways Of Dealing With Water Damage In Carson City

When water pools in areas it was not intended to, it can cause many damages. Such incidents can happen quickly because the causes are also widespread. Common causes include leaking or burst pipes, malfunctioning household appliances, build up in areas that collect water easily, and issues with ventilation systems. Whatever cause leads to damage in your Carson property, it is necessary to take the correct remedial action.

Some cases of water damage in Carson City might seem overwhelming, but they are easy to deal with when a WRT, water restoration technician, is involved. If a pipe bursts, flooding a vast section of the property with clean water, fast extraction and drying help restore the property within a short while. This outcome is unlike the case of a slow leak that may go unnoticed long enough to allow the formation of mold, or rotting in the structure. These additional problems are harder to address. Our SERVPRO crew brings different types of water extractors and pumps to your property to ensure we remove all standing water. Our truck mounted extractors have a vacuum lift capacity of up to 198 inches while portable ones have a 140-inch lift capacity.

Water problems such as leaks in pipes sealed behind wall cavities might be hard to detect early. However, some signs like changes in air quality can alert you that there is a problem. Since you might not know the actual point of the leak, it is essential to do a thorough inspection. Our SERVPRO technicians can help you locate the source of the moisture problem using thermal cameras. We also use moisture sensors with probes that penetrate soft materials such as carpets, and pad to establish the level of water migration.

Whenever there is water damage, it is necessary to clean up and dry the structure and the contents properly. Cleanup is necessary because water carries debris from one area to another and if unaddressed, such debris can cause problems such as bad odor. The water might also lead to the formation of stains when dyes dissolve and transfer from one item to another. Our SERVPRO technicians use various approaches and professional cleaning products to clean the property thoroughly.

When water spills into your property, it can cause severe damages. Call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe to help. You can reach us at (775) 588-2355 any time.

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Hail Can Cause Flood Damage To Your Carson City Home

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

Hail and wind account for the majority of flood damage calls.

Carson City's Flood Damage Restoration Team Talks About Problems With Hail

Whenever a severe thunderstorm strikes the Carson City region, hailstones can form due to water getting pushed back into the clouds and freezing then falling. Hail and wind account for the majority of flood damage calls. Wind and hail are responsible for about 40 percent of all insurance claims. Every year the U.S. sees over 5,000 major hailstorms that cause over $15 billion of damage each year. Hail can ruin your building materials and cause extensive flood damage to your residence.

The largest hailstone ever recorded was eight inches in diameter and weighed almost two pounds. However, even hail that is pea-sized can cause flood damage to your Carson City home. Large hailstones can cause serious problems, and sometimes they can fall with so much force that they shatter skylights on your roof and exterior windows. If windows break during a storm, rainwater can get into your home and ruin your contents and building materials.

If smaller sized hail pours onto your roof for an extended period, it can cause your shingles to weaken and lose their strength. When even the smallest pits get put into shingles by the hail, moisture can get underneath them. If the shingles do not stop moisture from getting to the roof water may leak into your home.

When dealing with problems after a storm, the first thing our SERVPRO crew does is seal off the hole in your roof. In most cases, we board up the holes or seal them off with plastic temporarily so that moisture stops entering your structure. Next, we mitigate any potential safety issues such as a trip, fall, or electrical hazard so that your home is safe for all occupants.

Then, we work on moisture removal starting first with extraction. Once our SERVPRO technicians vacuum up all of the water they can with our specialized extractors, we set up equipment that helps rapidly dry structural components. After moisture levels return to preloss conditions, we then call in a professional contractor to permanently repair your roof. If hail ever causes damage to your home, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355 immediately after the storm.

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Warning: What can You do About Mold Damage in a South Lake Tahoe Home Right Now

10/21/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can quickly progress into a mold infestation. Contact SERVPRO immediately to address the damage.

Helping Prevent Mold Damage in the Future After Remediation of Your South Lake Tahoe Residence

When you find microbial infestations in your South Lake Tahoe home, worrying about its recurrence is normal. Knowing what caused the situation initially can help you prevent future problems, and SERVPRO helps make sure that any other preventative methods decrease the chances of mold and mildew returning.

This area is known for its beautiful homes, but mold damage in South Lake Tahoe can detract from this, even when mold stays hidden. This is because many strains of mold produce a distinctive and unpleasant scent whenever the mold releases spores into the air. Without air scrubbers during the initial remediation, spores can easily escape and lead to future infestations almost immediately after an increase in the amount of water vapor.

While air scrubbers remove odor-causing spores from the air, mold resting on surfaces can remain viable until we physically remove it. Unless we get rid of the mold, it can release spores in the future and renew your home's odor problem.  

Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) often chooses ozone generators to rid a home of odors caused by living mold. One drawback to ozone is that the treatment can only take place once the house is unoccupied and fairly arid. Typically, this period lasts for about three to four hours.

We also use hydroxyl generators in situations where dampness is an issue or occupants cannot leave for one reason or another. This treatment takes much longer but is just as effectively powerful at getting rid of strong odors, and without the possible bleaching effect of ozone.

Other preventative steps we take for homeowners in keeping microbes from growing out of control involve treatment of the areas most likely to succumb to mold and mildew. We can apply a safe but highly effective antimicrobial spray that begins working as soon as it is applied. As it dries, it encapsulates mold and crushes it. Using both remediation of visible and hidden mold and topical agents afterward, SERVPRO can ensure your home stays free of excess microbial activity and the damage it can easily cause.

Other ways we help keep your home's microbial population at normal levels involve ensuring unwanted moisture always remains at normal levels. Installing a dehumidifier can help when a wet crawlspace is affecting your home's interior environment. Small leaks in your plumbing can also cause unwanted water vapor.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe also serves those in Gardnerville, Genoa, and Bijou by providing professional mold damage remediation and prevention services. Call us at (775) 588-2355 when microbes threaten your home.

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How to Recover From a Fire in Stateline

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage doesn't mean everything is not salvageable. Remediation techniques can help restore your treasured items to their pre-fire state.

Putting the Pieces Back Together after Fire Damage in Stateline

Putting your home back together after fire can be a difficult and emotionally taxing routine. Many personal possessions or items may seem beyond repair, and even small contained fires can require much effort to remove the reminders of soot and smoke. Employing a professional restoration service could help you to get back on top and save some of those precious possessions.

When you think of fire damage in Stateline, you may think of huge infernos that obliterate homes and the surrounding area. In truth, the majority are small kitchen or living room fires that have been contained. However, smoke and soot residues can often travel much further than the source of fire making thorough cleaning difficult. Firefighting efforts generally use water as well, which means you have to guard against secondary water damages as well as mold growth in the home.

SERVPRO has a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing with restoration. We can arrive onsite within 4 hours of notification of loss and begin working toward remediation almost immediately. That begins by conducting a pre-test to discover what type of materials burned in the fire, synthetic or natural, and which methods to use for an effective approach.

Remediation involves removal of all visible signs of fire damage. That can mean removing carpets for thorough cleaning on both sides.  Remediation also includes applying abrasive cleaning chemicals to structural areas with heavy smoke damage or sending valuables to a specialized facility where they are restored.

SERVPRO works toward a restore over replace method and can do our utmost to save possessions you may have thought were beyond saving. With all signs of smoke residue or soot removed we can begin restoration. Our restoration process involves returning carpets, repainting walls or ceilings and returning possessions to their places. The final step is to thoroughly deodorize the property to remove smoke particles from the surrounding atmosphere and improve your indoor air quality.

Should your home be in need of professional restoration, contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355 for immediate advice.

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Tips to Help You Manage Costs When Restoring Flood Damage in Carson City

9/10/2018 (Permalink)

Don't Take Chances, Hire SERVPRO for StormWater Removal and Drying in Your Carson City Home

For Your Carson City Property, SERVPRO Aims to Mitigate Storm Losses while Reducing Expenses

The cost of fixing a flood-damaged property varies depending on the affected areas. For example, a roof leak that damages the ceiling in your Carson City property is much cheaper to fix than a flooded basement. The amount of water that flows into the property also affects the level of loss. If the water is less than 4 inches deep, it is likely to cost you less than half what it costs if the floodwater reaches over 9-inches. An inadequate response can also exaggerate the overheads, which is why you should consider working with a professional restoration service.
 
In cases of flood damage in Carson City, you have probably heard that speed is critical. However, safety is also a vital part of the restoration process and not just for your wellbeing. For example, before entering your water-filled house, you must turn off the power. Using any affected appliances is also out of the question to avoid damaging them further. Before our SERVPRO technicians begin restoring your property, we do a thorough inspection to find out whether there are any hazards or items at risk of further damages.
 
Time being money might sound like a tired cliché, but when you have to put up in a different place such as a hotel as you wait for the restoration of your home to end, it is easy to equate every passing day with money lost. Completing the process faster can save some of this money. By combining proper training, the right equipment and experience handling similar situations, our SERVPRO technicians can help make your home habitable within a reasonable period.
 
Sometimes in a bid to reduce expenses, you might be tempted to take shortcuts. Actions like drying wooden floors without removing the floorboards to the reach moisture below them fall under this category. The problem with doing the job halfway is that other problems arise later. In the case of moisture left below wooden planks, problems like warping, rotting, and cupping develop. Unfortunately, the process of correcting these problems is higher than it would cost to get rid of the moisture. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on specialized equipment such as the Injectidry system and drying mats to extract moisture below hardwood floors without removing them.
 
To deal with flooding related damages, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Effective Cleaning Methods When Dealing With Mold Damage in Carson City

8/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread quickly and be quite challenging to clean. Contact SERVPRO for effective methods of remediation and professional service.

SERVPRO Technicians Offer Many Cleaning Methods When Remediating a Home Mold Infestation

Damages caused by mold infestation can cause great inconveniences ranging from unsightly surfaces, musty smells to health issues after prolonged exposure. Whether the problem turns out to be easy or hard to deal with depends on the method used to remove the mold from the affected Carson City home.

Several cleaning methods can be useful in remediation of mold damage in Carson City. Each method has specific benefits over the others. If you are dealing with the problem on your own, lack of equipment or limited skills might restrict you from using some methods. Professionals like us, on the other hand, are not limited in these areas, increasing the chances of a positive outcome from the remediation.

Before starting the remediation process, our SERVPRO team inspects the property establishing which areas are affected. Depending on what we observe, we can opt for dry cleaning methods. We prefer this when there are light mold residues. We can also use it as a precursor to wet cleaning which involves using cleaning solutions and agitation. The two methods are perfect for hard, flat surfaces such as walls.
 
Sometimes the infestation might affect contents such as seats or other upholstery that cannot withstand wetness or vigorous agitation. Our SERVPRO technicians can opt to spray and wipe or use foam to clean the affected areas. We use equipment such as thermal foggers that make it possible to reach all sections of the areas we clean. With the mist they produce, it is possible to kill the spores without introducing too much wetness in the area.

In case we have to immerse the items we clean, we have to ensure they are dry enough to prevent further infestation. Our SERVPRO team relies on high-quality dehumidifiers, drying mats and air movers, which help deny mold the moisture needed for further proliferation.

There are obvious benefits of involving a professional in your fight against mold and especially the chance to inhibit growth over a longer period. You should call SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355, and we can help you find the right solution.

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A Pipe Bursting Above Your Storage Room Can Cause Water Damage In Your Carson City Bakery

8/7/2018 (Permalink)

If the water damage is not addressed as soon as possible, mold could begin to grow.

Water Damage In Your Bakery

The storage room in your bakery is where you keep your stock of ingredients, such as flour and sugar, and one of the worst things that could happen to it is water damage. It is crucial to keep the dry ingredients for your baked goods away from moisture. However, when a pipe bursts upstairs inside the building above your business, there is not much you can do about the water leaking down into your store.

As the water damage makes its way into your Carson City bakery, the dry ingredients that were kept safe inside of your storage room are not so safe anymore. Once the water is inside, it can mix into the flour and dissolve the sugar. Additionally, it can also cause damages to the structure of your store, which is far more worrying and costly to you as a business owner.

If the water damage is not addressed as soon as possible, mold could begin to grow. Mold growing inside of a bakery violates many health and safety regulates. It is best for your business, and your customers, that you hire a professional restoration service company as soon as you can.

SERVPRO knows how valuable your time is and we cater to your schedule. Should your accident happen in the evening, we can work through the night to remediate the damage. SERVPRO always aims to work fast and minimize the loss of foot traffic.

SERVPRO uses advanced tools such as portable pumps, dehumidifiers, air movers, and ventilation box fans to remove any pooled water and remediate the water damage. We can test the moisture levels in your bakery storage room with moisture meters and then determine the best solution to dry out the structure of your building. SERVPRO can set up the dehumidifiers, air movers, and fans in a particular way that can encourage evaporation and help dry out your store as quickly as possible.

When water damage happens inside your store, never hesitate. Contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355. We strive to work quickly and return your business to its preloss state.

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Carson City's Mold Damage Experts Talk About Prevention Methods

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

If you ever notice a pungent smell or see signs of a fungus inside your Carson City home, it could be the start to problems in the future.

Mold Damage Experts Talk About Prevention Methods

If you ever notice a pungent smell or see signs of a fungus inside your Carson City home, it could be the start to problems in the future. Once microbes get activated, and fungi have developed, they can ruin contents and building materials in your house. Once spores have what they need to grow, they form structures called hyphae. These structures grow deep into the stuff, across its surface, and out above the item. The hyphae then release microscopic spores into the air. The spores become airborne and float around the building until they find somewhere else to settle. If the place they land is an organic food source with elevated moisture levels, then the spores can form a new contaminated area.

Many times areas in a structure become contaminated due to a water leak. When dealing with any water issues, our SERVPRO technicians know that preventing mold damage in your Carson City home is essential. If a fungus grows inside your house, it can contaminate the air, ruin building materials and contents, and cause foul odors to exist. Mold can also cause health effects for some people.

In most cases, it takes mold 48 to 72 hours to form. Any time water damage takes place it is vital to call our SERVPRO restoration team immediately. We can show up at your residence and begin mitigating the water problem right away. We use specialized extraction and drying equipment to reduce moisture levels. If we can return wet materials to preloss moisture levels within 48 hours, then the chances of microbial growth are significantly reduced.

Once mold forms, our SERVPRO technicians take measures to remove the contamination and prevent future problems. If the fungi have grown deep into the affected materials, then the objects may have to be removed. If the contamination is only on the surface, then it is possible to scrub it or sand it off. Once the contamination gets removed, the area is then dried out so that it is not wet enough to develop more mold in the same spot.

We can also prevent future problems using containment during the work process. Before any remediation work begins, the area gets sealed off with thick plastic so that dust and particles created by the removal process do not float around the building and cause growth in other places. We also attach an air scrubber to the containment chamber so that it sucks up and removes any harmful particles from the air. If you ever notice the presence of black mold, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355 right away.

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Cleaning And Removing Carson City Commercial Flood Damage

7/9/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Extracts Stormwater and Gets Office Up and Running Fast in Carson City

SERVPRO Follows Best Practices for Mitigating Damage to Carson City Area Buildings

Carson City business owners are usually more concerned about fires than flooding. When they do start to consider the risk, most think about minor issues like broken plumbing. Major flooding still comes from storms and the rain they drop which raises area creeks and rivers.
 
The type and extent of commercial flood damage in Carson City depend not just on the amount of water, but also the type of business. SERVPRO technicians have the experience to clean and restore commercial facilities from large hotels to small businesses like the corner hair and nail salon.
 
Our teams start with water removal. If the weather permits, they open doors to facilitate drainage and then bring in the equipment. When the water is more than ankle-deep, our restoration team begins with a commercial pump to draw down the majority of the water. Once there is water barely covering the surface of the floors, they switch to extraction wands. These smaller devices remove surface water and also draw it out of carpets. We can salvage the carpets when the standing water is not deemed contaminated.
 
Next, our teams clean the floors, walls, and every other surface covered by the flood. Since this water is from the outside, there is a higher risk that it contains soil or other contaminants. SERVPRO technicians use an anti-bacterial spray or another antimicrobial agent to neutralize any health risk. The increased water and moisture in the facility heighten the risk of mold spores expanding and causing additional damage. Removing water reduces the risk of mold growth, but cleaning kills these spores to help prevent an infestation.
 
Now, our restoration team examines the structure for damage. In flood, building material like floor trim and drywall can absorb a significant amount of water if not removed quickly enough. Technicians can dry the property if it has not already started to warp or crumble. They accomplish the task using a combination of axial fans to increase circulation and draw the damp air out of the facility, and air movers to push warm air over the surface of an affected surface. They force moisture out of the building material and into the surrounding air for the fans to remove. Dehumidifiers work along with the above equipment.
 
Our goal at SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is to help every business reopen as soon as it is clean and safe to do so. If you are dealing with any water problem, call us today at (775) 588-2355 to schedule a visit.

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Restoring Your Morning Routine After Fire Damage Takes Out Your Tahoe Home's Bathroom

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

When a fire breaks out in your bathroom, you need fast remediation and restoration. Call SERVPRO right after the fire fighters leave.

Team SERVPRO Quickly Takes Control of Your Bathroom Fire Disaster

Hectic mornings in Tahoe can take their toll on us, and sometimes, the lack of time causes us to forget to do minor but very crucially essential things. Curling irons and other hair styling instruments heat up to do their jobs, but few have safety shut-off switches to protect our homes from those times that we forget and leave the house without turning them off.
 
A curling iron can quickly reach temperatures high enough to ignite nearby towels or other linens, leading to your home sustaining unnecessary fire damage in Tahoe. Not only does the burning of different synthetics in an enclosed area create caustic odors, but any cosmetics can also become a terrible mess. Cans of hairspray, deodorant, and other beauty care products can explode and cause burnt and scorched areas on walls, the ceiling, and any fiberglass components of your bathroom. In short, a small moment of forgetfulness can render your bathroom unusable. Professional mitigation experts from SERVPRO can restore this kind of damage in your home and get your family's morning routines back to normal.
 
After we clear your bathroom of any damaged items and materials, we can clean up the remaining surfaces to make things safe for the restoration stage. This sometimes includes exhaust vents and their ducts. We can wash textiles that suffered only smoke damage with a specialized laundry detergent that removes both the stains and the odor, so your family can safely use them again without worrying about any carcinogenic effects.
 
Odors accompany fire damage, and they can find their way into areas near the bathroom, so we perform deodorizing services wherever we detect smoke or other foreign particles. During showers and hot baths, the steam can make any remnant odors much more noticeable, so please advise us regarding any continuing problems with such odors.
 
Fire damage can affect any area of your home, but when it happens in the bathroom, your home may seem livable, but in reality, many hindrances soon become apparent in your daily activities. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe wants to help you enjoy every part of your home like you should. Fire damage can prevent this, so we offer our services every day of the year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us at (775) 588-2355 so we can assist you and your family.

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Building Back Carson City Residences After Water Damage

6/9/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage in Carson City Requiring Rebuilding and Renovations? Contact SERVPRO for a One-Stop Solution

SERVPRO Provides Complete Cleanup and Restoration of Carson City Properties After Damaging Water Events

Those of us in Carson City has the advantage of nearby desert and mountain terrain. It provides for a wide range of activities that not a lot of other Nevada residents get to have year-round. The extremes in geography and temperature also increase the chances of a water problem from cracked pipes leading into a home, and split lines in walls with poor insulation. There are also the usual problems with failed appliances and water heaters that maybe should have been replaced years earlier.

When SERVPRO needs to build back a Carson City home after water damage, our office provides a full-service response. One of our inspectors or reps shuts off the water into the home and carefully examines the structure while restoration crewmembers begin removing any standing water from the residence. Both of these steps are necessary to reduce the amount of damage while also providing an idea of the potential repair needs and costs for homeowners and insurance companies.
 
When specialists finish these procedures, other technicians start the demolition and removal of property too damaged to be cleaned or otherwise restored. That includes structural elements such as tearing out carpets and lifting wood flooring along with removing drywall, and even wall framing if the wood absorbed too much water and already started to crack or splinter. Removal also includes personal property such as furniture, books, and fabrics like curtains, drapes, and clothing. We can provide a move-out to clean, dry, and store personal items until the rebuild is completed.
 
SERVPRO technicians then dry the affected areas so other crewmembers can start replacing the damaged property. Our personnel train and qualify to lay in almost every type of flooring and carpets. When it comes to replacing walls, our crews can build in new framing and hang new drywall, but if the inspector finds any major structural issues, the team leader may recommend bringing in a licensed general contractor for further consultation to ensure the best results.
 
Building back any home after major water damage is not a quick or simple process, but SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is here to make it as painless a procedure as possible for every homeowner and resident. If you need our services, call today at (775) 588-2355 to get started.

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Remediating Mold Damage in Tahoe

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's first step in mold remediation is to seal off the contaminated areas with plastic sheeting to prevent the spores from spreading elsewhere.

SERVPRO’s Five Step Mold Remediation Process

Mold can grow through a Tahoe home and go unnoticed for months or even a year. An individual spore is smaller than the eye can see, and even a group of thousands is smaller than an eraser head. With enough moisture and a food source, mold can expand and grow in any home.

To stop mold damage in Tahoe homes, SERVPRO uses the industry standards established by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). It is a five-step process which cleans and removes mold, changes the environment in the home to prevent new growth, and protects our technicians as they return each home to its original condition.

First, they reduce the risk of exposure. Team members contain the infested areas by sealing entrances with plastic sheeting. It prevents accidental transfer of spores to an unaffected area of the home.

Second, our inspectors and team leaders write it down. They record each inspection result to include the type of mold, its location, and test results for air and structural property in every room. We use the results in the unaffected areas of the home as a baseline for finishing the rest of the home.

Third, technicians reduce the level of contamination. Team members set up negative air machines which draw out mold spores, and other particulates from the air and force them outside the home.

Fourth, they remove the mold. SERVPRO technicians use vacuums with HEPA filters to capture spores that settled on walls, floors, furniture, and other surfaces. The filters are designed to capture even a single spore. After this initial cleaning, we wait for mold spores to settle and then repeat using vacuums or dry sponges to wipe down surfaces until test results meet the baseline levels.

Finally, our teams lower the interior moisture levels. They start by setting up dehumidifiers to draw water from the air. Technicians augment this process using air movers to blow warm, dry air over a damp surface to force out the moisture and exhaust fans to pull the cooler, damp air from inside the home.

The goal of SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is to return a home to its clean, dry, original condition. If you need our help or have any questions, call us at (775) 588-2355. We are here for you.

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Building Back Carson City Homes After Water Damage

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Rebuild Water Damaged Hardwood Flooring in the Carson City Area

Water Removal and Drying Proceed the Build-Back of Homes In Carson City--Call SERVPRO

Water damage to Carson City homes can run from minor problems like crumbling drywall to major ones such as water trapped under floors. Each issue requires not just clean-up, but a certain amount of restoration, repair, and replacement as well.
 
To build back a Carson City home after water damage, SERVPRO technicians first need to find and stop the source of the water. Since most damage comes from failed appliances and household plumbing issues, we isolate the problem and turn off the water so we can start the clean-up. If necessary, we can turn off the water into the home at the main.
 
Once our restoration teams finish clean-up and dry the interior of the home, they begin rebuilding the home to its pre-damage condition. One of the common tasks our specialists handle is the restoration or replacement of drywall. If the water damage is not severe, they use an air mover to force warm, dry air over an affected panel to push out the moisture trapped inside.
 
If the cavity behind the panel is very damp as well, they drill a set of holes behind the baseboard. They provide ventilation, and our technicians then use a hose to force warm air inside the wall space and dry both the drywall panel and the surrounding air. If the panel is already crumbling from the water damage, we replace it immediately. SERVPRO teams are experienced in hanging new drywall and can quickly replace the lower level of panels in any size home.
 
If the water was able to find its way underneath the floors, it can quickly affect the sub-floor and cost hundreds or even thousands in damage. Our technicians can carefully remove floorboards near the walls and examine the sub-floor for problems. Although our teams do not perform major construction, they can dry out the sub-floor area and replace smaller pieces of the supporting structure if wood rot has already started.
 
The goal of SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is to return each home to its original, dry condition. If you need our help after a rusted out water heater or a broken dishwasher spilled water across your home, call us today at (775) 588-2355. We are here for you.

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Tahoe's Water Damage Drying Systems Explained

4/30/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage coming from an inside or outside source can quickly produce an unwanted result. Contact SERVPRO for remediation services right away.

Team SERVPRO Arrives Equipped With Tools to Calculate the Most Efficient Drying Process for Your Water Damaged Home

When restoring water problems inside a Tahoe residence, there are two main types of drying systems that get used. During the drying process, wet contents and materials can be dried by using either an open or closed drying method. The most efficient drying system to use when removing moisture depends on several environmental factors.
 
An open system uses air from the outside to speed up evaporation inside your home. Using an open drying system during water damage mitigation in Tahoe is only efficient if the climate outside is hot and dry. Before we begin the drying process, we measure the relative humidity and temperature inside and outside of the structure.
 
If our readings indicate that the air outside has at least 20 grains of water per pound less than the air inside, then open drying is considered. If the outside temperature is significantly higher than inside, open drying may be the most effective way to remove moisture promptly. If all of these conditions are met, our SERVPRO technicians open up all of the windows inside your home and set up air movers and fans to circulate the hot, dry air from the outdoors through your home.
 
However, open drying is not used as much as closed drying because it has a few setbacks. Having windows open creates a security risk and can waste energy. Open drying depends on ideal conditions outside; weather can change thus altering the environment.
 
When open drying is not deemed to be effective due to outside weather conditions, a closed drying system often gets implemented. During closed drying, the affected area gets sealed off from the outside air and the air of unaffected regions inside the house. If one room is affected the doors get closed and air movers and dehumidifiers get set up to create an environment that speeds up evaporation and removes water from the air. If the affected area is only a small portion of a large room, our crew can seal off the affected section with plastic creating a drying chamber.
 
Upon inspections, professional restoration technicians take measurements and moisture readings to decide if an open or closed system is going to be the best solution for structural drying. You can get professional assistance 24 hours a day from SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe by calling (775) 588-2355.

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Smoke and Fire Damage can Affect all Areas of Your Tahoe Home

4/15/2018 (Permalink)

Burned plastic can produce bad smelling odors and residues. Contact SERVPRO for remediation services right away.

SERVPRO Technicians Understand That Fire Damage Remediation Includes Smoke and Odors

Smoke ranges in various types and can affect your Tahoe home in many ways. Heavy smoke, from burning plastics and other synthetic materials, can leave a messy, difficult-to-clean mess behind while smoke from wood or paper leaves much less residue. Homes today contain many furnishings made from plastics and other similar materials. Many of these release poisonous gasses when they become too hot or burn.
 
Homes with fire damage in Tahoe also have smoke damage. Many people decorate and furnish their homes with various items. Glass does not burn, but it can shatter when it becomes too hot, or other household items fall on it during a fire. However, few things react like glass does during a fire. Plastic items can range from photo frames, wall clock housings, tables and chairs designed for children, and utility shelving. Many furnishings that contain synthetics range from carpeting to insulation to lighting fixtures. All of these can produce heavy smoke residue and soot while burning.
 
SERVPRO can help your family by restoring your home, making it livable again. From removing charred materials and cleaning up soot, to removing the firefighters' water and foam to tarping your home's roof, we can help make the nightmare end. We know that the insurance paperwork and taking care of your family's immediate needs can take a toll on you, and we understand the many questions and concerns you want to be answered. While this new experience for you may seem unending, we know from experience that we can help make things "Like it never even happened" for you and your family.
 
Once we have removed the physical effects of the fire and its smoke and restoration work finishes, you may notice a persistent odor. Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) can help mitigate this. Thermal fogging remains one of the most effective methods for this situation because it forces the deodorizing fog into the same areas that the smoke did during the fire. Quickly done, your home only requires a short period for our crew to complete the process.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe wants to help families in the Minden and Skyland areas dealing with fire damage and the smoke that follows. Contact us at our local 24-hour service line number at (775) 588-2355 to speak with us.
 
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Restoring A Home With Flood Damage In Tahoe

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding within a home in Tahoe can bring about a sense of loss and utter helplessness.

Restoring A Home After A Flood

Flooding within a home in Tahoe can bring about a sense of loss and utter helplessness. Not only did the impending waters cause a sense of dread, but the devastation caused, both inside and outside, ruin so much of what made up a home.

Property owners in Tahoe can rely on professional restoration companies to undo the problems caused by flood damage. SERVPRO's employees include technicians and specialists, certified by the IICRC, who know how to mitigate existing damage and prevent further additional problems quickly.

Flooding brings in more than water. Debris includes microscopic particles that can include pathogens capable of causing life-threatening diseases.These particles can end up in minute spaces within your floorboards, and anything else where the water travels. On the other end of the spectrum, debris of much more substantial dimensions can pose health risks, including punctures and scrapes. Some debris may even come from your home's interior, where slightly buoyant items remain partially submerged.

We remove the debris that can harm your family and leave your home an eyesore. Elimination of these things and extensive cleaning only does part of the work required. Your home needs to have its original dryness restored, also. We use specialized equipment that can complete this aspect quickly. We use tubing attached to air movers that force dry air into small areas of your home that can harbor large amounts of water. Unless we eliminate this water, it can slowly invade otherwise dry areas of your home. The Injectidry system carries out this task almost effortlessly.

Other equipment, such as moisture meters, helps us measure how dry your home becomes during our work. We know that the air must hold only average amounts of moisture. Until these readings detect normal amounts, we know that pockets of moisture still exist within your residence.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe assists people living in the area, including Berryville, Lowell, and Bella Vista whenever flood damage affects their homes. This kind of damage brings about many drastic changes to both the interior and exterior of a home, but we have experience in both large and small disasters of this type. Contact us at our 24-hour service line, (775) 588-2355, any day of the year.

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Ensuring Water Damage does not Return to Your Carson City Residence

3/29/2018 (Permalink)

Carson City Homeowners Rely on SERVPRO for Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration

SERVPRO Inspects for and Discovers Sources of Water Penetrations to Prevent Future Damage

Seepage and Leakage can lead to damaging water effects in homes. Finding the source of unwanted water is a key element in eliminating recurring incidents from the same origin.
 
SERVPRO helps homeowners in Carson City with both the mitigation and prevention of water damage. We train dedicated individuals in the science of home restoration and damage prevention, which helps them earn certificates from the IICRC. Our professional attitude and understanding of the stress a damaged home can cause the occupants help us provide excellent service when homeowners need it most.
 
Our tools and equipment do more than mitigate any damage, but also help us determine the cause or causes of such damage. The possibility of more than one source for damaging elements such as water always exists. Unless we detect all sources affecting your residence, we cannot achieve our goal of making everything "Like it never even happened" and keep it that way.
 
Using moisture detectors helps us determine where undesired moisture enters your home. These can include internal locations, such as water lines that either leak or form condensation on their surfaces, improperly connected hoses, or leaky toilet bases. Moisture from external sources can stem from breaks in the siding that allows rainfall and other precipitation to enter, torn shingles that act in a similar manner, flooding, or forgotten windows left open during a thunderstorm.
 
Finding these locations precedes repairing them, or using other methods to stop the flow of moisture and water into your home. Because this step takes place before the removal of damaged materials and subsequent restoration work, we help ensure that water cannot damage any new materials before or after installation.
 
To dry out your home, we address the absorbency of both existing materials and the air inside your home. Raising the temperature of affected materials helps cause moisture to evaporate, leaving the material affected drier, and powerful air movers help direct the more humid air outdoors. Desiccant machines can help dry out problematic areas, as well. No matter what issues your home faces, SERVPRO employees know which pieces of equipment can solve the problem quickly and efficiently.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is here to help families and businesses around Stateline save their properties from water damage. Preventing such circumstances can often save homeowners from both the damage and the expense that misplaced water so easily causes. Call us at (775) 588-2355 when water threatens your home.

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South Lake Tahoe's Fire Damage Technicians

3/15/2018 (Permalink)

Whether your home is a single family, townhome or condo, facing the aftermath of a fire can be daunting. Contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage.

Team SERVPRO Speaks the Language of Soot and Smoke Removal After a Fire in Your Home

Even if the smallest fire starts, it is likely that smoke damages your South Lake Tahoe home. Smoke often leaves behind soot residues that cause damage to contents and building materials if not cleaned. Soot also causes pungent odors inside a structure.
 
After any charred debris gets removed, the next step is the cleaning process. SERVPRO's fire damage experts of South Lake Tahoe are IICRC certified and trained in all of the principles of cleaning soot left behind by smoke. When remediating a building that contains soot residue, the IICRC sets out some principles that our professionals always follow.
 
First off, our restoration crew finds and identifies smoke residues that are present inside the house. Our SERVPRO specialists have experience with fire theory and know how smoke behaves indoors. Often, we test which methods of cleaning work the best removing the soot during the initial inspection.
 
Next, we capture and remove soot particles. Sometimes soot gets removed by a vacuum. Other times, chemicals get sprayed onto soot so that it dissolves the residue and gets wiped away.
 
Most smoke residues consist of tiny, solid Carbon particles. Once moisture gets applied to the residues, vacuuming becomes impossible. We always attempt to vacuum soot particles before chemicals get applied.
 
If residues and soils present are not loose particles, dissolving the soot is the only method that works. We use chemicals that dissolve smoke particles when they get applied. After they get applied, our experts rinse the area with water. Then, we dry out the affected region as the final cleaning step.
 
The last thing we do before we end a project is the disposing of anything that got covered in soot. If items do not get cleaned, they get put in sealed bags and discarded of correctly according to local regulations. Any cleaning supplies that get covered in soot get disposed of in the same fashion.
 
We always follow all local regulations and standards when disposing of hazardous materials. For professional help remediating smoke problems, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Helping SERVPRO Out With Tahoe Flood Damage Mitigation

3/5/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows that even when you do your best, some disasters are too big to be overcome alone.

Flood Damage Mitigation

In the aftermath of Tahoe flood damage, assuming standing water is gone, and the area is relatively safe, there are many things you can do to start the process of recovery early and make our job easier. You can set out upholstery and cushions to dry, elevate furniture off the ground, start mopping up stray water, organize the area, and conduct many more small tasks that can make a big difference for SERVPRO later on.

When Should I Leave Things Alone?
While we appreciate any help we can get, there are some circumstances in which the best thing you can do to help us treat flood damage to your Tahoe home is to stand by and cooperate with our technicians. Most of the time, our concerns have to do with safety, as some floods can create especially dangerous conditions within the home. If any water with measurable depth remains on the floor, do not enter the area. If you've reason to believe that the structure may be unstable or electronics and electrical systems may pose an electrocution threat, steer clear of the area. In general, if there is any question on whether or not the area is safe to re-enter, wait for a SERVPRO technician to arrive and advise before heading in.

What Can I Do If All Seems Clear?
If you have been given the go-ahead by SERVPRO employees or otherwise feel that there is minimal risk of danger, you can start with common-sense cleanup measures and tasks. Separate objects so they can dry out faster and do not get a chance to bleed into one another. Mop hard surfaces to remove excess moisture. If you feel that you're capable of additional work, ask our technicians what else you can do to assist. Simple considerations like these can end up saving a great deal of time for us and lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars saved for you.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe knows that even when you do your best, some disasters are too big to be overcome alone. We are there to help when you need us most. Give us a call at (775) 588-2355.

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Flood Damage Restoration Services Stateline Residents Can Trust

2/25/2018 (Permalink)

Make sure that you are safely entering your home after flooding as many dangers can be hidden below the waters. Contact SERVPRO for remediation.

SERVPRO Technicians Are Trained to Safely Dry Out and Remediate Your Home After Flooding

We all understand how floods, in general, are dangerous. Regardless of whether you have a basement flood or extreme weather flood, an obvious risk is drowning. However, smaller home floods in Stateline can also result in electrical hazards and contamination risks that concern everyone.  

Remember to seek professional help returning to your home after flood damage in Stateline occurs. You want to remain safe, avoid hazards, and prevent losses, so avoid adding to them by entering your home without someone who understands what to walk on, touch, or evade.  

Flash-floods are arguably the most dangerous, catching homeowners off-guard, where a mere 6-inches of water can knock over a full grown adult or 12 to 24-inches can carry your car away. Drowning, electrocution, injury, and contamination are all ever-present risks associated with the aftermath of a flood on your property.  

Flooding can put you at risk of electrocution if you make contact with floodwaters where a connection to your electrical grid still exists. Always have a professional disconnect your power, even after the loss of electricity during a storm, you never know when power might come back on.  

SERVPRO can respond to your request for help day or night, helping you assess damages on your property after a flood. We put IICRC certified technicians, advanced restoration methods, and our vast resources to work to work for you, limiting your losses as much as possible while providing you with excellent services you can trust.  

SERVPRO works with your insurance company, keeping both of you informed of any changes throughout your restoration process. Our technicians maintain a clean, safe, working environment, performing cleaning and restoration services as quickly and efficiently as possible while maintaining a quality level you expect.

SERVPRO technicians can handle any size problem that exists on your property, with experience in Clean, Grey, or Blackwater situations we begin your restoration right away. We use personal protective equipment, containment, and exposure prevention methods that fit local, state, and federal guidelines.  

Contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe for full-service solutions to flood damage on your property, today. (775) 588-2355

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Tahoe's Flood Damage Specialists

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

When big storms come into your neighborhood, it is always a possibility that your Tahoe townhome gets damaged.

Flood Damage Specialists

When big storms come into your neighborhood, it is always a possibility that your Tahoe townhome gets damaged. Excessive rain sometimes causes flooding. Any time there is enough water to flood an area, it is likely that water makes its way into your structure.

When mitigating any water damage situation, there are many steps involved. It is a wise call to make to SERVPRO's flood damage crew in Tahoe to mitigate your problem. One of the most important steps to completing the job is the last cleaning and deodorization stage.

After all of the water is extracted from the flood damage and the area is dry, deodorization occurs. Having a clean smell is one of the most critical pieces of having an overall decent job. SERVPRO often pleases their customers by completing the project and leaving the area with a pleasant smell. When water is inside a building humidity goes up, and foul odors are more prevalent.

The deodorization step gets carried out via a variety of methods. One way odors get removed is an injection method. Some deodorants get injected into carpet and upholstery. Other deodorants get sprayed directly onto a surface with powered or pump sprayers. This technique gets used when applying disinfectants and anti-microbial chemicals.

Sometimes deodorizers get applied with wet foggers. These ultra-low volume foggers generate tiny deodorant particles that make their way into materials that hold foul smells. In some cases, dry thermal foggers that heat up and vaporize the deodorant get used but mostly only in cases of smoke damage.

When deodorizing your structure ventilation is essential. Large venting box fans often get used before and after the deodorization process. In some cases, air scrubbers with HEPA filters get used to fighting unpleasant odors. Air scrubbers use negative air pressure to suck air into a screen that catches particles causing awful smells.

If you ever have weather-related water damage, it is vital to call in the professionals to ensure the deodorization process gets completed correctly. Whenever you notice rainwater entering your home, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355, for 24/7 assistance.

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Fire Damage to a Child's Club or Tree House in South Lake Tahoe Can Cause Extensive Damage

2/6/2018 (Permalink)

If your child's tree house or playhouse catches fire, call on SERVPRO to restore it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Restores Fire Damaged Structures of Any Size

Children have many benefits living in South Lake Tahoe, and the great outdoors is one of those wonderful things life has to offer. While it may seem of little consequence to many, a child's private hide-away plays an essential role in the lives of many children. However, some children enjoy experimenting with fire, and this can sometimes lead to disastrous consequences.

When such an incident happens in South Lake Tahoe, contacting a professional fire damage restoration company can help. At SERVPRO, we perform whatever helps to make everything "Like it never even happened." Many outdoor play items require extensive and complicated construction diagrams for their small sizes, relative to the family home. The cost of these smaller 'buildings,' however, means a significant financial investment that often plays a role in real estate listings and property tax amounts. We understand that the emotional factor can severely impact your children, as well.

When fire damages such small structures, a considerable amount of smoke escapes to the outside and never poses a problem again. Some materials, such as plastics used or rubber toys, can produce much heavier smoke than a house fire typically makes. Being heavier, this smoke may not travel as far and affect other structures on your property. As we clean the area involved in the fire, we thoroughly inspect all materials that seem undamaged.

If something needs repairing to salvage it for rebuilding, we perform these small tasks. Broken down materials exhibiting shards or splinters, however, can put your children at risk of injury. We can discuss with you any issues about any questionable materials, however, just as we do with any other special requests or concerns.

Depending on the size and elaborateness of your children's playhouse, restoring it and including previous materials might not work well. When total destruction occurs, we can help by cleaning the area, ensuring the removal of all debris from both the area and your property, and preparing the ground for either the seeding of a new lawn section or for the rebuilding of a new structure that your children can enjoy. We understand that you might prefer other options and we can work with you to make these a reality.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe helps homeowners with both large and small events of fire damage. A fire of any size can become a traumatic event, especially for children. We would like to help families recover from such disasters when they occur in our area. Call us at (775) 588-2355, our local number, anytime, day or night, 365 days a year for understanding professionals.

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How Do Professionals Get Rid of the Residual Moisture after Flood Damage to Your Tahoe Home?

1/27/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding from Melting Snow in Tahoe Means a Call to SERVPRO for Water Removal and Restoration

SERVPRO's Expertise, Experience, and Equipment Handle Stormwater and Moisture Removal

A Flood can ruin your home if the floodwater is not promptly and efficiently removed from your property. However, removing the standing floodwater is not enough, the residual moisture remaining in your Tahoe home can cause secondary water damage.

Professional flood damage restoration experts have the necessary equipment and expertise to get rid of this residual moisture from your Tahoe home after flooding. SERVPRO experts use some of the best equipment to detect and remove the residual moisture. Here is how the residual dampness is eliminated after flood damage.

Detection of the moisture level
The first step is to determine the level of the moisture. We can use state-of-the-art moisture sensing equipment to establish the base level of moisture before we begin the mitigation process.
Moisture sensors are the equipment that can detect moisture in carpets, walls as well as in baseboards. The level of the moisture is usually measured by instruments called moisture meters. We can also use infrared camera equipment to discover hidden pockets of water and wetness inside wall voids and other recesses. SERVPRO technicians can use the information from these devices to chalk out a plan that ensures a prompt and efficient drying.

Technicians can also use a Thermohygrometer- an instrument that determines both the humidity and the temperature. The data from this equipment allows the technicians to create ideal conditions for rapid drying.

Eliminating the residual moisture  
Dehumidifiers extract water vapor from the air making the air dry. The drier air is ready to pick up more moisture from the wet material, and the drying process is sped up. Air movers, on the other hand, are large blowers that increase the airflow close to the wet surface. These devices often work in tandem to expedite the return to standard RH levels inside a property.

Call SERVPRO of Carson City/ Douglas County/ South Lake Tahoe at (775)588-2355 today to schedule an appointment. We can make you feel "Like it never even happened."

What caused the formation of Lake Tahoe?

Removing Mold Damage In Tahoe City Homes

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Tahoe City Is No Problem for the AMRT Technicians from SERVPRO

SERVPRO Understands the Mold Life Cycle and Can Remediate Problems

Mold spores are everywhere in Tahoe City. The only exceptions are hospital surgery rooms and maybe so-called ‘clean rooms’ needed for assembling some types of electronics. As inert spores, they are no more dangerous to homes or people than common house dust.

For homes in Tahoe City, mold damage is only a concern when three factors achieve the right levels of moisture, food, and temperature. To halt mold growth and deal with the damage, SERVPRO technicians know to interrupt one or more of these factors.

The temperature range most mold thrive in is 68 to 86 degrees. That encompasses the comfort range for nearly every home in Nevada. Raising the temperature is fairly simple, all we have to do is turn off the air conditioning for about an hour. Since homeowners cannot live like that and it is too expensive to keep a home under 68 degrees, we can only alter the temperature in a commercial building like a warehouse.

Spores feed and grow on common building materials like ceiling tiles, drywall, and wood. Even the insulation in walls and attics can serve as food. As the mold colony grows, spores extend growths called hyphae to dig into the materials and feed. If they penetrate deeply, the only way to remove the mold is to remove the infested drywall or other material. Since it is impossible to remove all building materials from the home to prevent mold growth, SERVPRO technicians concentrate on interrupting the moisture.

The source for most moisture in a home is a leak or drip from a poorly connected or damaged pipe. The simplest way to find the source is to trace the mold growth and follow it to its origin. We do this with visual inspections and an air content meter which measures the number of spores in the air. Once we find it, technicians tighten the connection, repair the pipe or another leak source, or simply replace the damaged section. For complicated repairs, we recommend for the homeowner to hire a plumber.

Next, we dry up any pools of water. Usually, this is a small amount, and technicians use sponges to soak it up and remove it. After removal, we spray the location with an anti-fungal agent to kill any possible remaining spores. We do this to reduce and hopefully eliminate the chance of future growth.

To learn more about what SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe can do to protect your home or to schedule an inspection, call us at (775) 588-2355 today. We are here to help.

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Flood Damaged Homes in Tahoe Need Prompt Mitigation Services

12/28/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO restores your home after flood damage leaving it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO is Prepared and Ready to Tackle Flood Damage Fast

Protecting and maintaining your home in Tahoe can keep you busy year-round. Flooding can happen at any time, even in the winter months. Freezing temperatures can cause undrained outside water lines to freeze, causing indoor pipes to burst. Rainfall mixed with snow flooded homes in the recent past, and a similar event could happen again. 

If the Tahoe community suffers from flood damage in the future, SERVPRO is ready. Our Green Fleet of truck-mounted pumps and vans of specialized equipment make us Faster To Any Disaster. A quick response is crucial as it can save homeowners from unnecessary damages. We can prevent additional expenses from accruing by arriving quickly and starting to undo the damage and prevent more damage from occurring.

Pumping out water while removing any dangers such as broken lumber and boards, garbage and debris, and carrying undamaged household furnishings to higher levels of your home can keep damages in check. After the flood recedes, we continue to work on your home. Removing additional water, cleaning items, so they do not suffer additional harm and removing damaged materials.

Using powerful air movers, we can dry out walls, including their interiors. Flooring always suffers badly during a flood, and we apply heated mats that suck the moisture out of them. Carpeting holds substantial amounts of water, silt, mud, and the potential for pathogens, as well.

Disposing of damaged materials keeps your home free of these microbes, including those that cause mold growth. SERVPRO technicians monitor how dry your home becomes, making sure that it happens quickly. Allowing it to dry slowly can allow water damage to develop. Curled floorboards and peeling paint can keep memories of the flooding event alive, and we would like to ensure that your home, once restored, is “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe can assist homeowners with flood damage and other disaster events by restoring the home's interior and exterior. No job is too small, nor too messy for us to tackle. Contact us at (775) 588-2355 for all your disaster recovery needs, year-round.

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Get the Ball Rolling Again with Commercial Water Removal in Tahoe

12/27/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers quick and efficient water removal services so that your bowling alley suffers as little damage as possible.

Fast and Effective Water Removal Services

Entertainment venues often contain a bar or restaurant or both in Tahoe. With food and drink comes many ways for water to intrude unexpectedly into your business’s areas. A leak, a break, or a malfunction can send large quantities of water surging through the spaces normally reserved for your customers to relax, eat, dine, or play. We provide a fast and effective solution for your water removal needs.

The ice maker in the bar and grill of your Tahoe bowling alley overflowed, requiring quick water removal. Melted ice and a clogged and now burst water pipe contribute to large quantities of water saturating your bar and kitchen areas, as well as a portion of the dining room. At this busy time of the year, the last thing you need is a “Closed” sign on your door. We have the trained technicians and the specialized tools to get your destination dried out and up and running again.

If it is unsafe to operate electrical equipment until the moisture is eliminated, SERVPRO uses sources on our service vehicles to generate the power needed to pump and extract the icy water. The carpeting in your dining area responds well to a weighted wanding with a commercial grade extractor. Our technicians receive IICRC training intended to prepare them for comprehensive in-place water removal of floor coverings. The carpet, padding, and subfloor must all be dried to industry standards to minimize secondary damage.

After the extraction, SERVPRO employees place air movers and dehumidifiers in strategic spots to complete the drying of the floors and other areas. We use advanced monitoring probes to measure the moisture levels and to isolate any pockets of water that may be lurking behind equipment, in walls, or below the floor. If residual pooling of water is a problem, we take steps to release the water and either pump or extract it out of the spaces.

We move quickly to remove the water and dry out spaces as we realize any downtime is disadvantageous to your business. If it all possible we work with you to isolate our work areas from your customer service areas so that your patrons can enjoy a few lanes of bowling while we clean up and dry the affected areas. SERVPRO has a restoration mentality and strives hard to transform a water loss “Like it never even happened.” with as little muss and fuss as possible.

Call on SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe if your business experiences a water disaster. Contact us at (775) 588-2355, so we can schedule a fast assessment and get our water removal team on the job right away.

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Mold Damage Mitigation And Remediation Services Available For Your Tahoe Property

12/11/2017 (Permalink)

Tahoe Residents Rely on SERVPRO for Mold Remediation to Their Summer Homes

SERVPRO Provides Proper Protocols for Successful Mold Remediation


Looking at everywhere mold can choose to grow on your Tahoe property; it is no surprise that it often finds a comfortable spot in your basement. Basement mold is a common occurrence that many homeowners face, especially since mold only needs water, oxygen, and food to grow. Lack of sunlight is also a plus for these fungi to proliferate.

Gravity sends water to the lowest spot in your home. So, it makes sense that your basement or the crawlspace under your Tahoe area home has the highest chance of mold damage. If the problem is severe, you may want to consider locating a professional mold remedremedmold iation company to handle the situation.

Regardless of what some sources might say, the species or amount of mold growing in your home has zero impact on your mold remediation process, and any amount or species may cause health effects. SERVPRO technicians follow specific guidelines designed to focus on controlling mold growth found in your home. We use EPA-registered disinfectants, negative airflow machines, and plastic sheeting to help reduce the spread.

Your team of SERVPRO IICRC-industry certified professionals removes saturated materials and additional debris and pay close attention to detail, cleaning every surface. Each material requires a specific cleaning method or a combination of cleaning methods to achieve favorable results. However, our technicians have years of experience performing mold remediation services and work in a quick, efficient manner to save you time and money.

SERVPRO staff works with your insurance company and keeps you informed throughout the remediation process. We make sound recommendations to help reduce or prevent future growth and offer a variety of solutions that help you control your indoor living environment.

We can do everything from mold remediation services to the installation of a basement or crawlspace encapsulation system, install dehumidification equipment, and thoroughly inspect your ventilation system throughout your home. You have the power to take charge of the air quality in your home.

Contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe today for detailed information about any of our services or to begin your home’s mold remediation service, today. (775) 588-2355


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Fire Damage In South Lake Tahoe

11/27/2017 (Permalink)

After the wildfires, this summer, homeowners are taking the time now to examine their homes and determine repairs or clean-up.

Fire Damage Restoration

After the wildfires, this summer, South Lake Tahoe and many other communities are taking the time now to examine their homes and determine repairs or clean-up. Many people lost their homes, but others have minor damage. Some homeowners may not be aware of it.

Most South Lake Tahoe fire damage is easy to see. Scorched roof tiles and soot-covered walls tell a homeowner it is time to call SERVPRO. Lesser damage from sparks and smoke can cause thousands of dollars in repair costs if not found and dealt with quickly.

Sparks from nearby fires usually do not burst into flames. They ignite leaves and paper easily enough, but roofs are much harder to set ablaze. Sparks do smolder and slowly burn away tiles just a little at a time. It means not just tile damage, but problems with the panels underneath. Exposed and damaged panels lead to more problems.

Our technicians carefully examine roof tiles and then go into a home to examine for panel damage. If there is no panel damage, we remove damaged tile, clean the surface underneath, and then replace with new tile. If there is panel damage, SERVPRO crew members remove all damaged panels and replace them. That means a larger number of tiles to replace as well. Depending on how much of tile we remove and the age of the roof and, our restoration crew chief may recommend replacing the entire roof along with a free estimate.

As the tiles smolder, they generate smoke. If there is tile and panel damage, smoke can find its way under the roof where it leaves smoke and soot residues. These residues can leave strong odors in the home and even cause wood rot if not cleaned off surfaces.

We first apply a commercial cleaner. In most cases, this neutralizes both the residue and the odor. If it only destroys the residue, we spray a deodorizing agent over every affected roof panel and structural support.

Remediating fire damage does not always mean a massive clean-up. At SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe, we understand that getting ahead of minor damage can prevent much larger damage and repair costs later. If you need our services, call us today at (775) 588-2355.

If you are interested in learning more about South Lake Tahoe click here.

Restoring Carpets and Other Materials after Fire Damage in Your Carson City Home

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage to Carson City Carpets and Properties? Call SERVPRO

SERVPRO Provides Essential Cleanup and Carpet Cleaning Post Fires

Children playing with lighters or matches cause small burns and holes in carpeting and rugs, which can then grow larger. You can protect your carpeting, a substantial investment, in your Carson City home by having a professional skilled in restoration repair the damage. Restoration work can stop most deterioration from progressing.
 
We have local technicians in Carson City who can restore carpets with fire damaged sections. Highly skilled, we can restore any area of your home that suffers from burn in addition to carpeting or other floor types. This salvaging saves many homeowners from having the expense of replacements. We can restore almost anything in your home that suffers from damage due to smoke or flame more easily than we can replace those same materials.
 
SERVPRO employees include Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT), with extensive IICRC training and experience in dealing with the destruction of all types of materials. Cleaning and restoration, when started shortly after the damaging event occurs, can often remedy many smaller fires in a home. We must also eliminate any water that you used to put the fire out, to prevent other types of damage from developing. Mold and mildew often set in after fires take place because of this new addition to their otherwise inert environment.
 
Our employees quickly and professionally restore your home while working around your schedule. Cleaning hard surfaces, laundering soft materials, including stuffed toys, curtains, heavy bedspreads and quilts, and walls and ceilings help reduce the smoky odor fire leaves behind. Our Esporta washing system and ultrasonic cleaning equipment offer exceptional options for cleaning and restoring. Any areas that have charring or blackening that does not wash away may require replacements, but we closely work with homeowners to ensure we only use acceptable matches.
 
For any fire damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe. Our local number is (775) 588-2355. Calling us puts you in touch with our 24-hour services, designed to help you protect your investment and make your home safe again.

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Dealing with Mold Damage on Clothing for Tahoe City Residents

10/6/2017 (Permalink)

Most clothing is very susceptible to mold damage because of the natural materials they are made with.

Let SERVPRO Help You Determine Which Mold Damaged Items are Salvageable

Mold in the house is something every homeowner in Tahoe City fears. Mold problems usually mean that you have water or moisture coming from somewhere. Therefore, your first priority should be to address this source, whether it is a hole in the roof or a leaky basement. When correcting the root of the mold problem, it is important to remove any mold that has managed to grow on any of the surfaces. This includes furniture, walls, and sadly, even your clothing.

With many years of experience in the restoration industry, SERVPRO has dealt with different kinds of mold damage in Tahoe City and can help you restore your clothes. Our IICRC-certified technicians are well-versed with effective mold remediation techniques, thereby guaranteeing a smooth restoration process. We are a part of your community and are strategically located to respond instantly to your emergency.

Mold damage on your favorite clothing can be heartbreaking. One of the main ways mold may develop on clothes is if they have been in storage for too long. Perhaps you stored your winter pullovers in boxes in the attic where there is a hidden moisture problem, or you accidentally tossed wet clothes into a storage bag before they had a chance to dry completely.

Clothes made from natural fibers like silk, wool, rayon, jute, ramie, linen, and cotton are more susceptible to mold damage than those made with synthetic fibers. SERVPRO technicians can help you sort out those that are salvageable with mold remediation techniques. When mold develops on clothes, it produces enzymes that break down the protein or cellulose to compounds that the mold uses for food.

Often, the initial sign of mold damage on clothes is a distinct musty smell in the closet. After careful examination, SERVPRO technicians can detect stains with visible mold growth or visible pigmentation. Mold on clothes can appear in the form of spores, which are easy to clean up using simple mold control techniques.

However, you need to consider health effects when dealing with mold growth on your clothing. In case of severe mold damage, it is best to get rid of the item. Even then, such clothes should be handled with caution because certain species of mold may cause health effects.

If you notice signs of mold damage on your clothes, contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe immediately. We have a wide range of equipment and industry-standard products that can kill mold growth before it gets out of control. You can reach us anytime at (775) 588-2355.

For more information about Tahoe City, visit https://tahoe.com/.

Casino Closed Due to Commercial Flood Damage in Tahoe

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

If your Tahoe casino experiences flood damage, call the experts at SERVPRO to remediate.

Effective Commercial Flood Damage Restoration

As a popular destination spot for both Americans and tourists, Tahoe is home to a multitude of casinos. When the weather turns ugly and pours down rain, some of these locations fare poorly and end up partially flooded. Parking areas and entryways, as well as interior sections, can end up drenched and worse.

When a casino in Tahoe needs to close off areas because of commercial flood damage, this can result in lost profits and other problems. SERVPRO has experience in restoring large businesses, schools, and hospitals after flooding events. We know what needs completing and how to carry out the work best to ensure your complete satisfaction. Communication with the customer is an ongoing process, and we are always available to discuss the work as it progresses and answer any questions. As always, if areas of your establishment remain open, we can easily accommodate working around patrons as the job progresses.

Casinos hold many different machines that require specialized care if damaged. We can relocate the units that are at the most risk, making repairs on-site or picking them up for transport easier. We can similarly handle other equipment, if needed, and place these other items wherever you desire.

To remove the water from flooded areas, we use equipment based on saturation level. We have equipment that can swiftly handle any amount of water. Our highly skilled Carpet Repair and Reinstallation Technician (RRT) has experience in leading teams when restoring carpeted areas. Carpet care and restorative work is a large part of the deodorization process.

Floodwater holds many particles that produce odor. Cleaning carpet soon after extraction of the floodwater can save the carpet in many situations, but special care is required to neutralize the odor-causing particles to attain complete success. This is why our Odor Control Technician (OCT) works alongside our RRT.

Other aspects include food service items and foodstuffs. Sanitization of the components used in preparing and serving meals is sufficient for their future use, but all foodstuffs are no longer usable. Drying walls and all other surfaces to a normal state is also imperative toward restoring your casino fully. Doors, entryway walls, glass cases and displays all can show highly visible signs of dirty floodwater until cleaned meticulously.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe knows how vital the casino industry is to our area's economic development. For expert and professional mitigation of flood damage and other destructive events, call us at (775) 588-2355. We answer our phone every day of the year, so your wait time is minimized.

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Do Dark Conditions Contribute to Mold Damage in Your Tahoe Home?

9/13/2017 (Permalink)

Mold is more likely to appear in warm, damp areas of your home such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Common Reasons for Mold Growth in Your Home

Mold damage is a risk for any homeowner. It does not take much for mold to start growing. The fungus is quite resilient and given a food source (unfortunately this includes organic material in a home such as wood or drywall) and some moisture; it can easily sprout a colony in your Tahoe kitchen, bathroom or laundry room.

At SERVPRO we handle a lot of mold damage remediation requests in Tahoe. Our IICRC-certified technicians know all about fungus and how and why it grows indoors. One thing to be aware of is the fact that dark conditions can contribute to mold growth.

Why is light level a factor in fungal colonization? One reason is that ultraviolet light kills mold. That is why you do not see mold growing in sunny gardens and do not often see it in areas of the home that get much natural light (although that is not a strict rule as other factors come into play also.)

Another reason is that mold spores need moisture to settle and grow new colonies. Dark areas are usually damper than light areas. Light, especially sunlight, dries things out and reduces the moisture the mold needs to grow. Sunlight also dries out the mold itself.

If an area is both dark and warm, it provides the ideal growing conditions for mold. That is why mold is more likely to grow in warm, damp, dark areas of your home such as tucked away corners of laundry rooms and bathrooms where there is plenty of dampness and not much natural light.

SERVPRO recommends you check warm damp areas of your home regularly to assess whether there are any signs of mold growth. It is also a good idea to invest in dehumidifiers, as they remove moisture from the air and make it harder for the mold to grow. If you find signs of mold growth, get in touch with us – our trained technicians are waiting to remediate the mold situation and take steps to discourage regrowth.

If you have a problem with mold in your home in Stateline, Minden, Zephyr Cove, Skyland or surrounding areas, give SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe a call at (775) 588-2355 for assistance and remediation.

For more information on Lake Tahoe, visit https://tahoe.com/.

SERVPRO Prevents Mold Damage In South Lake Tahoe By Drying Out Wet Furniture

8/24/2017 (Permalink)

South Lake Tahoe Homes Prefer Mold to Remain in Petri Dishes

Mold Growth Needs Remediation Through Drying and Sanitizing

Mold damage is a problem no South Lake Tahoe homeowner wants to face. Mold is a fungus which grows in wet and dark conditions. It smells unpleasant, looks unsightly, and can even cause health effects. Wet sofas and chairs are susceptible to damage by mold. The fungus needs an organic food source, and upholstery and fillings are unfortunately an excellent food supply.
 
There are many ways furniture gets wet in South Lake Tahoe, and wet furniture, as we have seen, is at risk of mold growth. Sometimes extreme weather or a storm is to blame. Other times, the problem is with a damaged pipe or a leaking appliance. The upshot is the same though – wet furniture is a breeding ground for mold. That is why drying furniture is an important part of our mold damage remediation process.
 
SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified experts use hand-held water extraction tools to draw as much water as possible out of wet furniture. The more water we draw out at the beginning, the easier drying becomes. Without dampness, mold proliferation gets stymied.
 
The next stage is encouraging air flow around the damp furnishings. That means removing the mattress from the bed and propping it up, and tenting chair and sofa cushions to create more air flow and encourage drying. SERVPRO staff take great care of your furniture and always use waxed paper to prevent metal buttons spreading rust onto the surrounding material.
 
Reducing humidity is a vital part of preventing mold damage to your furnishings. Lessening the humidity of the room hastens the drying process. Our technicians use a range of dehumidifiers and air movers to lower the humidity of the area and encourage evaporation across the surface of your furniture.
 
It is important that each item is dry inside as well as on the surface. We equip our teams with a range of moisture meters and probes that penetrate soft furnishings and take moisture readings from inside. You can rest assured that complete drying of each item is our primary goal.
 
Do not let wet furniture become a breeding ground for mold. Call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe for help with mold issues around the Carson City, Minden, and Glenbrook area. (775) 588-2355

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Remediating Commercial Flood Damage in Carson City

8/7/2017 (Permalink)

If you have flooding after a fire sprinkler system was set off in your hotel, call the technicians at SERVPRO to evaluate and remediate damage.

SERVPRO Has the Manpower to Handle Your Commercial Flooding Disaster

Flooding in business is usually the result of damaged plumbing or a sprinkler system going off. This situation is bad enough in a private home but spread the damage across ten floors, and 200 rooms and the restoration costs start to look like the purchase price of a mini-mansion.

Eliminating the effects of commercial flood damage in a Carson City hotel can take several days or weeks, depending on the amount of water on the floor and what is in it. With more than 20 years experience in the restoration business, SERVPRO knows that replacing carpets is one of the most common, and expensive, costs.

In most cases, the room and hallway carpets get soaked, but the water levels are not more than an inch. Our technicians can move in with water extraction wands to draw out the bulk of the water and remove it from the building within a day or two for each floor of the hotel.

With removal accomplished, we begin the process of drying the carpet. This procedure is needed to prevent the fibers from rotting, mold forming, and to stop delamination, which is the process where carpet fibers separate from the carpet backing. We use a combination of air movers and exhaust fans to direct warm, dry air across the carpet surface and force the damp air out of the rooms, down the hallways and into the stairwells where we can vent it outside. Our technicians prop open the fire exits to assist venting the air if weather permits.

Since commercial grade carpets normally do not have a pad underneath, there is rarely need to pull them up. However, if they were underwater for more than a day before we arrive, it may be necessary to carefully pull up both an entry and an exit point to force air underneath. It speeds the drying process and is particularly useful if delamination is a concern.

At SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe, we understand that each day lost to flooding means a loss of thousands of dollars. To help keep your doors open and your guests happy, we keep a response team on 24-hour notice and arm them with the latest restoration equipment. If you need our services, call us today at (775) 588-2355 for more information.

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Carson City Build Back After Fire Damage

7/22/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO, Rebuilds Fire Damaged Homes in Carson City

SERVPRO Can Cleanup and Reconstruct Your Carson City Property After a Devastating Fire

While most of the property loss and cost after a fire is smoke related, some fires live up to their destructive reputation. A blaze not quickly stopped can put holes in roofs, destroy everything inside and even cause a structural collapse in extreme cases.

To build back your Carson City home after fire damage, you need a company that is licensed, experienced and has access to the equipment necessary to put everything back together. SERVPRO has decades of experience in Nevada when it comes to rebuilding a foundation, installing new appliances, and laying a new roof over everything we do. This is all after the fire damage cleanup.

After we remove the damaged property and perform an inspection, our technicians start at the foundation. Fire can blister and crack concrete surfaces, although deep damage is rare. Crew members are trained to break up and remove the damaged layers of concrete and then pour a new surface. Once completed, our new top for your foundation or driveway may blend seamlessly and is indistinguishable from the original surface.

After repairing the foundation, we move on to the home’s support structure and framing. In most cases, we may recommend complete removal of wall and window frames. Framing is wood that has absorbed some of the smoke odors as well as suffered direct burn damage. It is more cost efficient to replace this cheaper framing than to waste time picking out undamaged sections or cleaning it. However, we always attempt to restore before replacing and rebuilding.

Heat and smoke destroy appliances such as water heaters, washers and dryers, and refrigerators quickly. Our personnel is trained to install most appliances according to the manufacturer’s rules and warranties. It is often more cost-efficient to use our technicians than to schedule a separate installation visit from the manufacturer or distributor. Of course, this is dependent upon your personal needs and wishes.

When it comes to a roof, we can replace every tile or install a new roof to include laying a new main support with the heavy equipment that few restoration companies or other general contractors have immediate access. There may be some types of roof repair or rebuild that we may refer you to a partnering company. Your best interests are also ours.

As a locally owned franchise, repairing and restoring your home is not just a job to SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe. You are our neighbors and family. If you need us, call today at (775) 588-2355.

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Combating Fire Damage In South Lake Tahoe

6/7/2017 (Permalink)

Severe Fire Damage in South Lake Tahoe Needs Professional Cleanup--Call SERVPRO

South Lake Tahoe Homeowners Count on SERVPRO for Comprehensive Fire Damage Restoration

Having a fire occur on your property can cause significant damages that make you doubt whether you can recover. Sometimes the harm appears so severe that you want to give up before you even think about contacting a restoration company. However, that would be the wrong response.

A qualified fire damage restoration company in South Lake Tahoe can provide you with the services you need to recover many of your belongings and save your home. Some even help you find temporary housing, assist with insurance paperwork, and manage the entire restoration process for you. Of course, this is in the case of extreme fire damage where extensive cleanup and reconstruction is needed.
 
SERVPRO offers these services and much, much more. Contacting us gives you access to IICRC industry certified technicians with years of experience that appreciate the opportunity to assist you with restoring your property to a quality condition. We treat your home and belongings as if they were our own and put every method at our disposal to use to limit any losses you might experience.
 
SERVPRO technicians maintain a safe, secure working environment, we utilize personal protection equipment and eliminate obvious hazards before entering your property. Safety comes before anything else; we would never want one of our workers or any person involved to become injured on one of our job sites. If the area is not safe for you or your family, we ask you to relocate to a safe location and communicate with you remotely, providing you with regular updates until completely done with your restoration. We can secure the property before the cleanup even begins.
 
You never have to guess if SERVPRO has your best interests in mind. We work with insurance companies throughout the claims process to provide you with the best results possible while maintaining a manageable budget. Our work often exceeds homeowner expectations and may even improve upon what you had installed before.  
 
Contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe to receive a quick response to your call for help; we can give you the best possible services and provide you with a full-service solution to emergencies that occur on your property. Call now to get started with your restoration as soon as possible. (775) 588-2355 To learn more about this city click here.

Tankless Water Heater Malfunction Causes Water Damage in South Lake Tahoe

5/31/2017 (Permalink)

Tankless water heaters can still cause water damage. Call SERVPRO to start the water removal process and drying out of the property.

SERVPRO Quickly Remediates Water Damage in Your Home

Water heaters are often the villains in appliance-based water damage stories. Over the years they collect sediment and develop cracks and then spill water all over. Today many homeowners swap out the conventional tank heater with a tankless, on-demand system. If that choice still results in water damage, SERVPRO stands ready to help.
 
A remodel of your kitchen includes a tankless, hot water on demand heater. You breathe a sigh of relief as you believe it needs to be replaced less frequently and is leak-proof. Unfortunately, you return home from work to find a wet kitchen floor and completely waterlogged cabinets under your sink. The newest technology failed, causing significant water damage to your South Lake Tahoe home.
 
SERVPRO staff arrives quickly and first ensures that the water supply is shut off to the defective tankless heater. Then we remove the water from the floor with our powerful professional water extractors. Because the cabinets cannot be moved, but likely water hides behind or beneath them, our technicians use a couple of strategies to dry out those areas.
 
The kickplate at the bottom of the cabinet pops out with careful effort, and we use this access to complete the removal of the standing water. We also descend to your lower story to see if water drained through. If so, we punch holes to release water or remove a ceiling tile or two, depending on the construction.
 
Our talented technicians then position air movers to speed the drying process -- some in the kitchen and one or more aimed at the ceiling in the lower level. Throughout the process, SERVPRO staff monitors moisture levels, determines drying targets, and adds ancillary strategies like dehumidifiers and heat if necessary.
 
A speedy response from SERVPRO is essential when dealing with water damage. The longer the water remains pooled up or seeping into structures, the more likely more severe issues such as mold damage occur. Water incursions in the kitchen are common because of the plumbing, but also have the possibility of unfortunate complications because of the presence of food debris and many hidden areas below and behind appliances and cabinets.
 
When unexpected water damage greets you at the end of a busy work day, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355. Our experience, equipment, and training set us apart in the water damage restoration industry.

For more information regarding South Lake Tahoe, click here

Build Back a Carson City House After a Storm

3/25/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Rebuilds Flood and Storm Damaged Homes in Carson City

SERVPRO Provides One-Stop Shopping for Restoring and Reconstructing Your Carson City Property


Home repairs after a disaster range from replacing roofing tiles to stripping out walls and ceilings. This process can be time-consuming and expensive; it is not something that can be done by a homeowner over a week or two.

To build your storm damaged Carson City home back to its original state, you need a professional restoration company. SERVPRO keeps a response team on-call to secure your home immediately and to rebuild structural property; regardless if the cause was a fire, flood or another disaster.

Our first actions prevent further damage and loss due to the weather, trespassers, or vandals. The SERVPRO restoration team accomplishes this by using plywood to close up broken doors and windows. Technicians seal up roof damage using primarily plastic sheeting and tarps; they use plywood if entire sections have been pulled away or damaged by tree limbs or strong winds.

Next, team members cleanup the damaged property. We remove all burned, soaked, or otherwise ruined elements and, of course, we check with you before throwing out a single item.

Following is a common scenario for rebuilding a storm damaged structure. With that accomplished, we begin the rebuild. Team members start with the walls. First, they install new, interior framing to hang drywall panels. We carefully follow the original floor plan to ensure your home has the same room dimensions as it did previously. Perhaps, our project manager and you set up a new design for the reconstruction. Renovation also includes painting and replacing floor trim to make sure that the finished look is as close as possible to its pre-disaster appearance.

Now, technicians construct a new ceiling frame. Depending on the type of tiles you want to use (in some cases drywall panels are a good choice) or just based on your personal preference, this new frame can be wood or aluminum. Once completed, technicians paint if necessary and install crown molding to ensure a professional, finished look.

Next, we repair the outside to match the inside. The restoration team strips out the door and window framing and replaces it to match the original dimensions. Once the frames are in place, installing new windows and doors takes only a short time. As technicians complete this, other team members replace roofing panels and tiles. Our technicians also replace framing that was damaged as well. If we discover that the roof is not safe to continue work, we stop and recommend a professional carpenter or construction crew come in. At no time will we put your home at risk.

Once you call us, every action we take is to return you to your home as quickly as we can. If your home has damage from a previous disaster, call us today at (775) 588-2355 to get started. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is here to help.

Flood Damage Issues in Carson City

3/13/2017 (Permalink)

Exercise safety precautions and prevent electric shock by staying out of your house and away from your electrical panel after flooding.

SERVPRO Response Teams are Standing By to Tackle Your Flood Damage


It is not an everyday statement to say there is a flooding problem in Nevada. It does happen, though, and when it does, the effects stay around for a long time if not quickly removed.

There is no real safe place to build in Carson City to avoid flood damage. The Nevada State Railroad Museum severely suffered when it flooded from storms about eight weeks ago. It was over a month before removal of the last of the mud, and standing water. Fortunately, when it comes to restoring local homes, SERVPRO has a much faster track record.

Calling us is also the safest action you can take. Unless your breaker box is outside the home and completely dry, don't even try to touch it. It only takes a slight amount of water to turn a switch into a shock that can give you a scare or even kill you. Our inspectors are trained to examine your electrical system to ensure the environment is secure for our response team and you to safely enter your home and get started.

Our first step is to isolate and remove the flood water. If your home is in a position where there is still water coming in from a creek or another source, we block the access using sandbags. Next, technicians deploy industrial pumps. If the power is out for any reason, they also set up a generator from our equipment inventory to ensure uninterrupted service. In nearly every situation, we remove all standing water in less than 24 hours.

The second step is water extraction. Technicians use specialized wands and vacuums to draw moisture trapped in carpets and flooring. If not done quickly, carpets and carpet pads begin to rot and disintegrate; wood floors warp and twist in a day or two if not accomplished. In some cases, space heaters may also be used to raise the temperature to help prevent warping.

Once accomplished, the response team also uses heaters to draw down the moisture level of surrounding property and the air. They also deploy dehumidifiers which dry the air by removing up to 20 gallons of water depending on the size of the devices and how high the humidity may be.

With all of this safely accomplished, we can put you back into your home. The process takes a bit longer than what you read here, but SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas Count / South Lake Tahoe restores your home to its pre-flood state as quickly as possible. Call us at (775) 588-2355 to begin.

Build Back Services Available In South Lake Tahoe

3/13/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Restores and Rebuilds Water Damaged Homes in South Lake Tahoe

Call SERVPRO to Restore Disaster Damage and to Reconstruct Damaged Buildings and Infrastructure

Throughout the years we have watched as our communities and citizens are struck by disaster after disaster, rushing to assist when possible and quickly returning homes and businesses to quality pre-disaster conditions. It is time for us to demand more as a community.
 
If your family's home receives damage from a disaster, take advantage of our South Lake Tahoe build back services available to help you improve your home's ability to recover quicker and to fight future events.

 Using qualified technicians to do more than simply rebuild after tragedy strikes.
SERVPRO provides you with expertly trained technicians, well versed in the restoration and reconstruction methods necessary for sustainable development. We can help you plan, implement, and perform integration of disaster risk reduction methods during the restoration services we perform on your property.
 
Use the experience and training of SERVPRO technicians to install improvements such as raising electrical sockets, light switches, wiring, and circuit boxes at least a 1ft above the estimated flood plane of your area. We can place your home's heating unit, water heater, and any other indoor equipment so that it remains safely above your properties flood plane as well.
 
We can also adjust any fuel tanks, air conditioners, and generators found on your property. Helping prevent these items from breaking free and severing supply lines, further contaminating the area during an emergency. By installing backflow valves, SERVPRO technicians can assist in avoiding sewage backups and the problems that accompany them.
 
A variety of additional services such as grading, or performing major retrofits in your home can help maintain its integrity and limit any damages experienced during a disaster. Grading or sloping your yard directs rainwater away from your home, to a specific drain system to prevent flooding, while raising your home on piers or columns to keep it above the flood plane of your area may be necessary as well. Of course, this last action is left for only the most extreme of circumstances.
 
You can also further 'wet-proof' your home by having foundation vents installed that allow water to flow through the building, rather than rising inside and causing additional damage. Waterproofing the exterior and interior of basement or crawl spaces also can be positive build back action. All of these services and much more can serve as a way to speed up your recovery after a disaster. Thinking ahead, or adapting after a disaster makes your choices clear.
 
Contact SERVPRO of Carson City - Douglas County - South Lake Tahoe today for access to expertly trained technicians with years of experience, bent on customer satisfaction. (775) 588-2355

Fire Damage Affecting Homeowners In Carson City

2/21/2017 (Permalink)

Flames in Carson City Can Cause Damage

Carson City Damage from Fires is Remedied by SERVPRO

Fire damage affecting your home can be a devastating event. In some cases, you and your family are required to relocate and seek assistance in dealing with the aftermath of the situation. You want access to a company that can make reclaiming your home a stress-free, successful event.
 
When it comes to choosing between recovery or replacement when dealing with fire damage in your Carson City area home, our team maintains a restoration first mentality. Providing you with highly trained, IICRC certified technicians who take pride in providing you with the fire, smoke, water, and cleaning restoration services you deserve.
 
SERVPRO technicians train in procedures to limit interruptions and minimize losses that you experience during a disaster. While each situation is unique, we work hard to get your life back to normal and save as many of your possessions as quickly as possible.
 
Our entire restoration process begins as soon as you contact us. We use the information you provide during your initial call to deliver the right team, with the right equipment to tackle the damages you are experiencing on your property.
 
When a fire strikes your home, SERVPRO technicians perform an onsite inspection of the structure and its surrounding areas to help identify potential hazards and determine the extent of damages you are experiencing, while helping us develop a safe, effective restoration plan that suits your situation.
 
If necessary, we can perform board-up and tarping services to cover compromised areas and limit additional damages from forming. While not needed during every restoration, these services become necessary when firefighting efforts or storm damage causes areas of your roof to get exposed to outdoor elements, or regularly secured entry ways are no longer secure.
 
SERVPRO technicians utilize water removal and drying services that include the use of a variety of hand-held and truck mounted water extractors, thermal sensors, air movers, and dehumidifiers to help get control of the entire damaged areas. While using water pressure, air pressure, rotating brushes, scrubbing, wiping, and sandblasting in some instances to clean a variety of surfaces affected by the fire.
 
As with any quality restoration company, time is the most important factor regarding our ability to provide you with quick, efficient services. The longer it takes for you to contact our office, the harder it is to dissolve soils, chemicals and other residues impacting the contents of your home.
 
Contact SERVPRO of Carson City - Douglas County - South Lake Tahoe today for the quality services you deserve. (775) 588-2355

Commonly Asked Questions About Mold Damage

1/30/2017 (Permalink)

Mold damage is most common in the spring and autumn months when rainfall is still common, but temperatures are most desirable for the mold.

Mold Damage and the Concerning Questions that Come with It


Mold is a difficult substance to detect, and most homeowners don't even know it's growing until significant damage has already resulted. To complicate matters, once the mold has been remediated and is effectively gone from a home, there is little stopping it from taking root again and renewing its growth. Some homeowners have come to our local SERVPRO franchise on three or even four occasions with separate mold damage cases, and many find themselves at a loss on where and how to protect their homes from mold. Answers to these questions might help to prevent mold from growing in your home in the future.
 
When Does Mold Grow Most Commonly?
 
Mold damage in Minden is most common in the spring and autumn months when rainfall is still common, but temperatures are more desirable for the mold. Mold grows when it's warmest and wettest, meaning that winter months here are often too cold for most mold but summer months are too dry. Note, however, that mold can grow at any time of year: these are just the times when we see an uptick or downturn in calls.
 
Can Mold Grow Without Water Damage?
 
Although much of the mold we deal with comes as a side effect of water damage, standing water is far from a required precursor. Mold can find sufficient amounts of water from mild spills, heightened levels of humidity, or even just the regular moisture in your home.
 
What Can I Do to Prevent Future Mold Damage?
 
Making sure that your water systems are secure and leaks are sealed is the most important step in stopping future mold damage. Past that, talk to a SERVPRO representative to learn about mold-resistant paints and finishes that we can apply to help ward off mold even if conditions do go awry.
 
Why Do I Need a Professional Remediation Service?
 
Some homeowners may assume that mold cleanup is a simple job, and choose to forgo hiring professionals for it. However, if you don't hire a certified company, you may end up doing more harm than good, spreading mold damage to other surfaces and perhaps giving it a fresh food and water source to feed on. Also, mold may be hazardous to your health and necessitates some advanced safety measures.
 


Locally Owned Company with National Resources


SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe has fought and won many battles against mold, with the aid of professional training and top-of-the-line equipment. Call us so we can handle your mold colony at (775) 588-2355.

Does Your Zephyr Cove Property Have Mold?

10/26/2016 (Permalink)

Drying sheetrock is not a perfect process either. The material becomes more fragile the longer it is exposed to water.

Mold Damage And Sheetrock

As fall approaches, increased rain and now snow is beginning to work its way into homes around South Lake Tahoe and elsewhere. Home and business owners need to pay attention now to repairing or replacing drainage systems to prevent mold growth from undiscovered water and moisture. If damage has occurred, then clean-up and restoration need to begin as quickly as possible.

Mold damage in Zephyr Cove can happen in every home and commercial building. Water-soaked building materials must be dried quickly. SERVPRO has the training to help prevent permanent damage from both water and mold when they are discovered.

One of the primary sources of water-soaked material is sheetrock. It is also one where we carefully work with the customer on cleaning versus replacement costs. Drying a single layer of sheetrock takes an average of 5 to 7 days. A two-layer panel takes 10 to 14 days. If the rest of the clean-up process can be completed before that time; especially if the affected panels are two layers, then the customer needs to consider if waiting the extra time is worth the cost.

Drying sheetrock is not a perfect process either. The material becomes more fragile the longer it is exposed to water. If it has been soaked for more than 24 hours, a panel is much more difficult to remove and begins to disintegrate as it is handled. If the number of sheetrock panels becomes excessive, then this is another cost factor that we make sure the customer understands.

Rainfall is swiftly becoming a common occurrence again in our area. Before it becomes a problem for your home or business, please call us here at (775) 588-2355 for help. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe is ready to assist you with a mold problem or to prevent one.

Renovations Are Possible After a Natural Disaster

10/5/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Rebuilds Lake Tahoe Home After a Natural Disaster

Services SERVPRO Provides Before or For a Build Back After Storm Damage

If your home has been severely damaged in a flash flood or other major disaster, you may be worried that the entire property may need to be rebuilt or you may need to move. However, with the tools and technology available today, this often isn't necessary even in the worst of disasters. SERVPRO is trained and equipped to deal with many different types of home emergencies and provides top-quality restoration work to avoid a full build-back. If all else fails, we may be able to work with you for a full reconstruction of your home's interior.

Structural Changes and Renovations
If small to moderate structural repairs are necessary, we can help to complete them on a smaller scale or as part of a larger build back in South Lake Tahoe. Structures we regularly remove, restore, or replace include interior walls, flooring, ceilings, pipes, some staircases, windows, and other parts of the structure. We always aim to restore first to avoid the costs of full replacement, in structural fixtures or otherwise. On extensive renovations, we work with construction partners who are carefully screened by us for professionalism.
 
Furniture Replacement and Restoration
Furniture is often the first to go in a major disaster such as a flood or storm, and SERVPRO can help to prevent further damage and reverse existing damage to furniture in the household. However, should a room and its furniture be damaged beyond repair, we can assist in the replacement of furniture and fixtures across the home. We also offer a pack-out to store and dry your personal belongs off-site.
 
Improvements and Prevention
Many homeowners simply want their home back to the way it was before, but first, you should consider some of the potential improvements that can be made to your home following a disaster. If the home was not up to safety codes or has other issues to be addressed, we can help to find them and work towards preventing future damage. If the home was becoming dated and needed a facelift, now may be the perfect opportunity to reinvigorate the home and bring it to a state better than it has ever been before.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe has the materials, tools, and personnel to take on heavy-duty restoration and rebuilding work for your home. For a full overview of our services and to find out how we can help, call us 24/7 at (775) 588-2355.

Laundry Room Tips on Preventing Mold Damage in Area Homes

8/7/2016 (Permalink)

Mold Can Develop Behind Walls

Mold Can Grow in Many Parts of the Home

Many homeowners realize that there is more than one way to protect their home. Often, a home is the largest investment a person will make in their life, and protecting it should be a priority. One culprit, however, that many homeowners neglect to keep under control lives in both the outdoors and also inside almost every home in the United States. That culprit is mold.

Mold can live anywhere there is moisture, even in minute amounts. In Gardnerville, mold damage can result rather quickly if mold colonies are present. Mold often hides where it is not easily detected. This is because sunlight is a natural enemy of mold. Mold thrives best in damp or moist environments that receive little or no sunlight, and where natural substances that it can consume are present.

One area that is often found to harbor mold is the laundry area. Damp clothing, either still soiled and waiting to be washed, or clothing that has been removed from the dryer too soon, or left wet in the washing machine can cause mold to grow. These small amounts of mold can rapidly spread to other areas of the home, as well. If there is a ventilation intake in the laundry area, mold can quickly enter when the ventilation system is turned on, and be whisked to all different areas of your home.

One area that should be looked at in the laundry area of any home is the washer and dryer, when searching for mold growth. Dryer ducts need to be vented outdoors. Lots of moisture is released into the air during the drying process. If there is a humidity problem in the laundry area, a dehumidifier might be an excellent option to help control how much humidity is present on an ongoing basis. Families who have front loading washing machines should note that many of these have been found to harbor large colonies of mold. These should be inspected, particularly if a musty odor is present, especially in freshly washed clothing.

If you feel mold is a problem in your home, and it is present in varying amounts in practically all homes, you should call our professional and certified teams to help you have mold damage checked. Repairs are less costly when found earlier, and can help protect your investment in your home, as well as your family's health. We can perform remediation services, followed by repairs and restoration of any mold damage. Call us at SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe, 24/7, at (775) 588-2355 and we will schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to inspect and detect mold growths that may cause your mold damage in your home.

Why and What Can be Done About Mold Damage

6/26/2016 (Permalink)

Mold Damage Can Spread Quickly If Not Remediated Professionally

Quick Action is Crucial for Remediation Success

Many newer homes will have problems with mold more often than older homes will because of the newer construction guidelines calling for tighter construction of homes. This has occurred over the last two decades and has resulted in not only homes with more problems in air quality but also other buildings, such as universities and libraries. Having less of a seal in a building or home's construction allowed air to circulate more easily, and this alone would help keep mold growth at acceptable levels.

If you own a newer home or recently constructed commercial property in Stateline, mold damage can become problematic for you much more easily than it might have a few decades ago. Mold has not increased in population or strength, but the locations where mold can grow best have increased because of the latest developments in building technology. Better energy efficiency seems to have been gained, while the airing-out effect of looser construction appears to have been lost.

Mold Damage Affects Many Items Found Within Your Home or Business

Mold needs not only moisture to live and grow, but also materials to feed off of. These materials can be anything organic, such as wood or paper, microscopic components in brick, carpeting and upholstery, cotton and linen in clothing and bedding, and many other things found in and around your home or business. A mold infestation can begin with only a slight rise in moisture, and then quickly take over an area in your home. Soon, mold spores will become airborne and create mold colonies wherever they travel and find moisture. A leaky pipe or drain can be the source of moisture, as can a wet cloth used for cleaning furniture that was accidentally forgotten and left behind.

Mold Can Damage Your Home's Interior, Leading to Substantial Damage
 
Because mold can grow so quickly, often as rapidly as 48 to 72 hours, it is important that call our highly trained and experienced professionals to assess the damage right away.  They can not only reduce the moisture that has created the perfect environment for mold growth in the first place but are specially trained to remediate any mold present. Remediation is control of the environment and extraction of mold and its spores, so they are reduced in number substantially enough so that the problem is alleviated. When mold is left to thrive, it will do exactly that. It will begin to eat at the paperboard found in drywall, paneling surfaces, and anything else that seems durable. Rotting of structures in high mold areas can damage a home or business's interior structures quickly.

Call Us for an Appointment to Determine Your Mold Levels
 
If you have encountered discoloration of walls, textiles, such as draperies, carpets, and upholstery, or experienced a musty smell or odor, you should find out more about how mold remediation can help you. We have the equipment to assess quickly and determine mold levels and humidity percentages. Other equipment that we are certified in the use of will remove the mold itself and also remove any excess humidity and moisture that is being utilized by the mold. Make a call today to SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, and South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355 to set up an appointment at your earliest convenience. 

Preventing Fire Damage: Four Key Points

6/26/2016 (Permalink)

Knowing the Location of Your Local Fire House Can Be Helpful

Some Planned Out Steps to Save Lives and Control Damage

Preparation and defense are the key points to preventing fire damage to your home or business. Unless you live on the 2100 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd, you have to do it. Oh, in case you did not know, the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department's address is 2101.

Our Regional Fire Chiefs recently provided four key points to protecting lives and property in the Lake Tahoe Basin. At SERVPRO, we believe they are excellent ideas and need to be followed by every business owner, homeowner, renter or vacationer hoping to prevent fire damage around the Lake Tahoe area.

1) Remove leaves, pine needles and other dead vegetation from next to and around all structures. Included in that is climbing a ladder and getting everything cleaned off of the roof and out of the rain gutters. This creates a defensible space so that embers and sparks cannot find easy fuel to spread the fire.

2) Trim back all branches lower than 10 feet on all surrounding trees. For a spreading fire, this is the 'low-hanging fruit' that feeds it. Take it away so the fire starves and dies.

3) Move and restack your firewood to a point at least 30 feet from your home. Yes, the nights are still cool, but what you have next to your home right now is a pile of wood that is cut and shaped to burn! Get it away from the house.

4) Sit down with your families and employees to develop an evacuation plan. Have a gathering point so you know everyone is safe. This is also critical so you can tell the Fire Department they do not have to risk their lives looking for someone who is not there.

Here at SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe, we have one more: When the alert sounds on your TV or radio, get out! Memories are important, but not even great-grandma's favorite tchotchke she brought from the old country is worth dying for. If you are concerned about potential threats, please contact us at 1-775-588-2355 to have a free assessment performed.

Commercial Water Damage: A Major Cause of Secondary Damage

6/26/2016 (Permalink)

Water Damaged Rental Property In Need of Remediation

We Are Standing By To Dry Out Your Water Damaged Business

When you work for yourself, you realize rather quickly that many things can affect your business. From clients and customers to employees, and then the day-to-day functioning of your business, you can find yourself with little time for emergencies and accidents. However, they often happen when there is absolutely no time for them. This is why we are available 24/7 to assist with your commercial water damage clean up and restoration needs.

SERVPRO technicians and professionals are trained in the latest techniques, and with the latest equipment, to pump out the excess water that is damaging your place of business. After our pumps have drained the excess water, we can begin drying your office or factory. Complete drying is needed so that damage assessments will be accurate. These must be completed prior to any restorative work beginning. In Minden, commercial water damage can halt business, and cause financial woes to both you and your employees.

Secondary Damages to Commercial Water Damage

In addition to the threat of mold developing, the are other secondary damages that increase in risk in the presence of commercial water damage.  These are electronics and their internal components becoming corroded, metal structures becoming rusty or corroded, and weakened by this damage (posing additional risks to employees and clients), weakened floors, and bacterial contamination. These risks are not as high when the water is from an internal source, nor are they as extensive in many situations but the secondary damage may still result if water is left standing for too long a period of time. Slower deterioration of building materials can also take place over time, as well. This can lead to an infestation of silverfish and termites if not repaired promptly.

When You have Flooding in Your Place of Business, We Will Begin with Specialized Commercial Water Damage Repair

To start cleaning out flood waters and begin repairing the damage caused, give us a call at SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, and South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355. We'll make sure the clean-up process, as well as the repairs made, are completed as quickly as possible.

Kings Beach Water Damage - Water Damage in Kings Beach

5/9/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe will respond immediately to your water damage emergency needs!

Kings Beach Water Damage

Water damage in Kings Beach is something that any property owner dreads. When there are heavy rains, the risk of this kind of damage only rises. Water can cause thousands of dollars in damage by affecting household appliances, furniture, electronics, upholstery, and plumbing equipment. Water damage can also raise the risk of the growth of mold, which can be a problem that is very costly to repair. You will want to hire a professional restoration company who specializes in water damage to make the process of cleanup faster and easier to handle since these companies will have workers who have the experience needed and know the right ways to replace or repair damaged items and help with the cleanup. 

Water Damages Causes 

Many possible causes of water damage in Kings Beach can occur. Toilets which are clogged, leaking dishwashers, broken hoses on dishwashers, broken pipes, leaky roofs, washing machines that are overflowing, and cracks in the foundation are a few of the causes that are possible for water damage in businesses and homes. Heavy rains and floods can also cause this kind of damage and can lead to water being in basements. Too much water can cause minor problems, or it can lead to the destruction of businesses and homes. Once a building sustains Kings Beach water damage, it is imperative that you begin water damage cleanup right away. 

Types of Water Damage 

There are three different kinds of water damage, all with varying degrees of severity: 

Clean Water Damage 

This type of water damage involves water which isn’t contaminated at all, and it is safe to work with. An example of something that can cause this is a leaking appliance or broken pipe. Rain water coming from a roof which is leaking can be clean as well. Even though the water is clean, it still has to be removed within twenty-four hours so you can avoid the growth of mold. Contact professionals right away for help with this. 

Gray Water Damage 

The water with this kind of damage is contaminated slightly, and can, therefore, be dangerous to work with. It can cause someone to be uncomfortable or ill as well. Also, if clean water is left too long, it can turn into gray water. Any water which is used is thought of as gray since it is not pure any longer. When cleaning up gray water, take precautions like wearing boots and gloves to protect yourself against microbes. 

Black Water Damage 

This type of water is very contaminated. It can have chemicals, fungi, pesticides or bacteria in it. Black water is a result of sewage damage or a type of natural disaster. The contamination in this kind of water is very dangerous and can cause sickness or even death in some cases. Black water should be handled by a professional at all times. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

When suffering from any water damage, especially black water damage, contact SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe immediately. We can be reached 24/7 at (775) 588-2355. 

Lake Tahoe Fire Damage--More Than Stuff Getting Burned Up

4/6/2016 (Permalink)

Fire Damage to a Lake Tahoe Home Can Use the Help of SERVPRO

SERVPRO's Fire Damage Service Reconditions Your Lake Tahoe Home

Fire damage in Lake Tahoe leads to a confusing time. The fire occurred, and the fire trucks have all gone. What is left is a big mess, and this describes more than the home you have invested in time and money. It is the residence that you and your family have lived in for quite some time. It can take a professional company, working in Lake Tahoe fire and water damage restoration, to get you back home.

There is also all of the water that was used to put that fire out. It, of course, went everywhere because, if it did not the fire would probably still be raging. Because of all of this, the fire department has declared it uninhabitable, so you also have to deal with that.

You need to go ahead and call your insurance company and also ask for a list of preferred companies specializing in fire and water restoration services. Time is of the essence and all the ruin that has already happened and secondary water damage that will still occur, because of the standing water, must be taken care of fast.

The first thing that must be done will be to determine what is damaged, what is OK and what program needs to be set up to handle all of it. SERVPRO, if called upon, will arrive and immediately assess the urgent actions required to limit water and fire damage, and to board up and secure damaged sections of your home's structure.

1. Air movers have to be setup to begin the process of cleaning the air out of the house. The soot, smoke, and odors need specialized attention.
2. Water and moisture need to be eliminated, through the use of powerful pumps, and wet vacuums. The placing of dehumidifiers in the proper locations will assist in the evaporation efforts.
3. Possessions that are beyond restoration must be discarded. Furnishings, clothing, and even photographs can be dried and cleaned on-site or shipped to our cleaning facilities for rehab.
4. Any building materials that are non-salvageable must also be removed and disposed of using local code directives.
5. IICRC standards of cleaning and restoration are followed by the trained SERVPRO technicians.

The final fire damage restoration processes will ensure everything is back to pre-loss condition. SERVPRO can either execute the repair and replacements or subcontract out extensive projects so that you can focus on your personal needs as we help to alleviate stress.

If fire damage to your Lake Tahoe home is widespread, place your trust in SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe to repair and restore your home. Call 24/7 for an immediate response for assistance at (775) 588-2355.

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