Did You Know?

9/29/2024 (Permalink)

Did you know that there are 3 categories of water damage? When water damage takes place it is important  to be able to differentiate between them because depending on the type; each can contain different amounts of bacteria and if not tended too quickly the damage can accelerate and become hazardous. The 3 categories you should be aware of are

Category 1;  known as “Clean Water”

This is the most common type of water damage. The water is mostly clear and comes from a sanitary source such as a sink or overflow.  Being around it does not usually pose a threat. However, if you leave the water lingering things like your floor, walls, cabinets and any of the wet areas can still be damaged considerably. 

Category 2; known as “Gray Water”

This type of water is contaminated with a good amount of bacteria. Exposure to this can potentially cause sickness. It has a dirty grayish color and should not be left lingering in your home too long otherwise it can turn into a category 3 within 24 to 48 hours. Gray water may originate from sources such as washing machines or a toilet overflow with urine.

Category 3; known as “Black Water”

This type of water should be tended to quickly as it is the worst possible type to have in your business or home. It is highly contaminated and can lead to severe illness as it contains harsh chemicals and bacteria. You may even be able to spot the toxins with your eye. Black water can originate from sources such as the sewage system or an ill-maintained toilet. When you see black water it should be tended to immediately.

Regardless of the category, water damage should always be taken seriously and one should be attentive towards it. SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park specializes in dealing with water damage. We have the equipment and certified professionals to arrive and begin the restoration process. Their goal is to get your life back to normal. We can be reached (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so don't hesitate to contact us. 

Fire Damage Tips

9/29/2024 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO Irwindale/Baldwin Park, we make sure that all of our workers are well equipped with the knowledge on what to do if your property has fire damage. We also want to make sure that our community has this information, located as an online resource that you can go to whenever you need to refer back to this article. Fire preparedness in your home is an important thing to know about so that you can protect our homes from being damaged or completely destroyed. You may be asking, “what are the things I can do when it comes to being prepared?”  Here are some tips and tricks to help protect you from house fires. 

1. Ensure that there are Smoke alarms in every room
2. Test the smoke alarms monthly or on a regular basis
3. Make sure that you and your loved ones have a fire escape plan and that everyone is familiar with it 
4. Buy a  fire extinguisher 
5. If a fire does occur, get out and call for help 

We hope that these tips helped you make your home safer. SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park is the best choice you can make when it comes to fire & smoke damage and we serve property owner’s throughout the Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. Call us now! 626-852-9922. SERVPRO Joe is here for all your fire needs. 

Fire Storms and Hot Weather

9/29/2024 (Permalink)

A firestorm is an intense fire that develops its own wind system. The strong wind currents make it easy for the flames to spread and it also increases its potential to cause damage significantly. During the summer the chances of one occurring increase due to the natural hot weather. Areas close to the forest or places with dry vegetation are at a higher risk of being affected by a firestorm. It is key to always be prepared for a fire as they can begin so suddenly. Some important tips to better prepare yourself include

• Have an emergency plan in place
• Install smoke detectors, detecting a fire early on may prevent complications 
• Inspect your home for potential fire hazards; being aware of their location can prevent a fire
• Know the phone number of your nearest fire department; the sooner you call the faster they can arrive
• If a fire occurs indoors if possible you can close the door of the area. This may slow the spread of the fire
• Know the location of fire fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers
• Evacuate your home if there is a wildfire nearby that may reach your home
• Reduce or eliminate dry vegetation surrounding your home; dry vegetation is easily flammable
• Don't try to fight a large fire
• Be aware of your surroundings

No matter the location or size of a fire they are always dangerous. If you see there is a firestorm taking place then you should really remain on alert as they are very dangerous. In the event that you do receive fire damage then SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park specializes in fire damage mitigation. We have the equipment and expertise to assist you with your situation and we always want to help. We can easily be reached at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Protect Your Home from a Storm!

9/29/2024 (Permalink)

Floods can result in the presence of contaminated black water throughout your home. Usually caused by backed up sewers or road overflow during periods of heavy rainfall, black water is classified by the presence of pathogens that could be harmful to your health. We include among these pathogens animal carcasses, raw sewage, herbicides, pesticides, or other forms of debris. Professionals are on hand to help remediate black water emergencies and are equipped with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to work safely in the removal or disposal of biohazard substances.

Biohazardous waste poses a real risk to your health, and its presence is not uncommon with flood damage in Baldwin Park. If you suspect the presence of black water call SERVPRO® immediately on our emergency number and avoid all contact with contaminated water, we can safely remove your furnishings and salvage items using modern cleaning technology. Some items may need to be removed for disposal in line with federal and state guidelines.

Usually, structural components like carpets, subfloor mats, fittings, fabrics, or curtains need to be disposed of after coming into contact with black water. SERVPRO can also demolish sections of drywall to ensure that the property is free from contamination once work is complete. We can replace drywall by engaging with third-party contractors on your behalf.

Pumping water out of the home and carrying out intensive disinfectant cleaning is a must in black water emergencies. SERVPRO can deploy high water pressure to help clean structural components, walls, and ceilings, but we cannot guarantee that these are salvageable. Generally speaking, the safest way of ensuring black water pathogens are removed is by demolishing items that it comes into contact with immediately.

A contaminated water emergency usually results in unpleasant odors being released into the home. Equally, heavy duty disinfectants, bleaches, and anti-bacterial chemicals used during cleaning can also carry with them a thick odor. SERVPRO can thoroughly fumigate the property at the end of service using thermal foggers to ensure your home gets back to its preloss condition after a blackwater emergency.

Protect Your Commercial Building

9/29/2024 (Permalink)

When required, in industrial areas restoration services can take on a different kind of expectation when contrasted with residential losses. With residential properties, services typically focus on salvaging personal effects, cleaning up living spaces, and getting people’s lives back to normal.  In the commercial and industrial setting, there are certainly personal aspects to fire and water damage. There are also considerations that can extend to very large dollar values in inventory, equipment, lost and damaged business relationships, and the lively hoods of employees. 

For these reasons, a restoration contractor with experience with “Large Loss” disasters is important.  A restoration contractor with access to hundreds of trained technicians, truckloads of equipment, and specialists who can advise on every scenario that a complex project can pose may be important to keeping the recovery short and reducing potential loss of revenue.

SERVPRO of Irwindale / Baldwin Park is a Certified Large Loss Contractor working for the past 19 years all over the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles Basin, and across the US.  We are experts at helping businesses impacted with fire and water losses recover with a minimum of lost time and revenue. Frequently, it’s possible to work with the business to avoid complete shut-down, performing the restoration in parallel with operations and around the clock to keep the time for full recovery short.

If your business is threatened with lost revenue, damaged reputation, or a slow-down in production from flooding, fire, or bio hazard contamination consider bringing in professionals who have experience and resources to recover rapidly and reduce the loses. Play it safe and call in SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park as a contractor you can trust and count on in any large scale disaster.

Noticing Water Damage?

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

The damage of a water leak or large spill can be overlooked as soon as the water is dried and not visible. You may think to yourself that the issue is resolved. However, there is a chance the water damage is substantial but you just can’t notice it. Many times the water damage is hidden or the effects have not taken place yet. Some signs of extensive water damage include:

• Increased humidity levels or an unpleasant musty odor in the affected area
• Mold begins to grow
• The wall paint begins peeling or bubbling
• Cracks begin forming in your wall
• Your flooring begins to warp, lift, or deform
• There are stains, dark spots, or discoloration on your walls or floor
• If you hear a dripping sound or running water behind your walls, this may possibly mean the leak source has not been fixed yet and it's still causing water damage

When water damage takes place timing is important. Remember to inspect the area carefully. The faster you take action the more damage you can prevent. SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park specializes in water damage mitigation and mold removal. We respond quickly and we have experts that are always willing to help out. You can contact us  at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year so don’t hesitate to reach out to us in an emergency.

Preventing Fire Damage

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

Your day can be completely normal one minute and then the next a fire can suddenly occur. It is easy to overlook the possibility of a fire taking place at your home, after all the odds may seem low. However, the chance of one coming about is still there. Being aware of potential fire dangers can help you prevent such a misfortune. Fires can originate from a variety of sources including

• Forgetting to turn off or unplug unnecessary electrical equipment
• Malfunctioning appliances
• Faulty electrical wiring
• Leaving candles unattended or too close to flammable objects
• Smoking close to flammable objects or not putting out the butt properly
• Overloaded electrical outlets
• Fireplaces; accidental or lack maintenance
• Defective light bulbs or other lighting fixtures around your home
• Leaving the kitchen area unattended while cooking
• Not storing flammable materials such as gasoline away properly

There are many areas and items in households that can easily be overlooked in being potential fire hazards. It is always a great idea to inspect your home and to be aware of potential fire concerns, doing so may prevent a disaster. If you do happen to experience a fire damage emergency then you can always contact SERVPRO. We are happy to help. We specialize in fire mitigation and we aim to restore your home back to normal. You can contact us at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Don't Forget About Fire Storms!

6/12/2024 (Permalink)

Summer time is getting closer which means the weather will begin heating up. Being cautious and ready for fire storms is recommended because here in Southern California there have been some harsh wildfires in the past.  These fires often begin in the mountains or foothills but their effects can be felt by many.

Even fires that are distant still have an impact on their surrounding areas. The smoke from a wildfire can be carried by the wind for miles. Because of this, one of the first effects felt is the drop in air quality caused by smoke traveling through the area; increasing the air pollution. The smoke odor may stick to products or your home, possibly damaging or causing them to have an unpleasant smell. The embers can also be carried by the wind. These embers can land on your grass, trees, home or any flammable product around your household. The usual high summer temperatures will also be occurring, wildfires will only add on to the heat increasing the chances of a flame igniting.  A dry winter and drought, along with some cities implementing watering restrictions has led to more dry vegetation all over Southern California. Because of this, the chances of a fire beginning in these dry areas increases.

With the fire season approaching it is best to be aware of its dangers. Firestorms can suddenly begin and spread throughout the region. There is also the chance that there are multiple ones taking place at the same time. SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park is aware of these fire dangers and specializes in dealing with fire damages.  We are always willing to help and we aim to be there in your time of need. You can contact us at (626) 852-9922. We are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

Are You Storm Prepared?

6/5/2024 (Permalink)

In California, we always joke that “California doesn’t have seasons” and that is because for the most part, we are able to accurately predict the weather because it is on the milder side and rarely has extremes. However, it is still important to be prepared for anything which is why you should have an emergency plan and kit for the worst case scenarios. This is why it is recommended that you prepare a disaster supply kit in order to be ready for a worse case scenario. When a natural disaster strikes, you may need to survive on your own for several days so it is important to have water, food, and other supplies to last your household for 72 hours. To make things easier on you, SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park has created a sample disaster kit list for you to follow.

Here is an Example of What You Should Include in Your Disaster Supply Kit:

• Gallons of water per person to last a few days which can be used for drinking and sanitation
• Food that is non-perishable
• First Aid Kit
• Flashlight & radio with extra batteries
• Emergency cash
• Tools
• Manual can opener
• Masks to filter the air
• Prescription and any other mediation
• Extra eyeglasses and contact lenses/solution
• Important family documents
• Sleeping bags for each person
• Changes of clothes and sturdy shoes
• Personal hygiene items
• matches/candles in a waterproof container
• Paper cups, paper towels, plastic utensils, garbage bags, moist towelettes

Maintaining Your Kit 

The items listed above are guidelines for how to pack your emergency kit and what you put into yours is completely up to you and customizable to your preferences and needs. Now here are some tips on how to maintain your kit:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
• Replace expired items as needed
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

 Don't Hesitate to Reach Out When Emergency Strikes

If a storm occurs, follow all safety protocols. Once everything has settled down and it is safe, call SERVPRO of Irwindale/Baldwin Park at 626-852-9922 and someone from our crew will be happy to assist you. We service all throughout the Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties.

Industrial Fires

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glendora/San Dimas has been doing business in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles Basin for over 15 years.  

In the residential and commercial Restoration industry, disasters can be big or small, but they all have one thing in common, somebody has lost something that was probably important to them.  If it’s not something with a dollar value or an item of sentimental value, it could be the loss of a sense of security.  A realization and fear that no matter how much you might spend to avoid it and how well you prepare for a disaster there is no way to stop it.  Both man-made and especially natural disasters have a way of striking unexpectedly or with such indiscriminate force that our creations and confidence can be reduced to ruins in seconds.

The good people at SERVPRO understand this sense of loss seeing it on so many faces over the years.  Because of that, we strive to treat each of our customers with the same compassion, no matter if it’s mold under a bathroom sink or a mudslide that has filled an entire home to the ceiling with rocks and debris.  Given different people, we understand these feelings can be the very same regardless of the scope.  

If you need somebody with years of experience expertly handling the physical loss and the emotional challenges dealing with a fire, flood, sewer spill, or mold under a bathroom sink, call SERVPRO of Glendora/San Dimas to help you get back to normal and regain your confidence that life can be good again.