Is Water Damage Common To See After A Fire?

10/25/2022 (Permalink)

Is Water Damage Common Following A Fire?

People often associate water damage with a leaking pipe or flooding. But did you know that water damage can often be a common result of fire damage? Fire suppression systems and tactics used by firefighters to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading can result in extensive water damage. When water comes into contact with smoke or soot particles, these can be absorbed into wall coverings and other materials that are difficult to clean and dry out. This can then cause mold growth just a few days after the fire has happened.

Water damage is common to see after a fire

Water damage is often a result of fire damage. Fire sprinklers go off when a fire starts, and firefighters use water to put out the fire. When this occurs, it adds an entirely new level to the mitigation and restoration process.

Wet ceilings and walls need to be dried carefully after a fire

When a fire and water damage occur, the structure and contents of your home need to be dried out immediately. If this process is not done properly, you may be left with long-term problems: mold and mildew growth, structural damage, and other unwanted effects.

For example, ceiling tiles can sometimes be removed without causing any structural damage to walls or ceilings. However, if not dealt with carefully, removing these tiles can cause wood framing behind them to rot prematurely (or even collapse).

A certified water and fire cleanup crew can come in as soon as the fire has been put out and begin the mitigation and restoration. From start to finish, the crew will take care of your home and restore it back to preloss conditions.

Some materials are hard to dry out enough 

When you've experienced fire and water damage, it's best to clean up and dry out your home as quickly as possible. However, some materials and wall coverings are hard to dry out enough to prevent mold. In many cases, materials that have been affected by fire and water damage need to be removed and replaced to prevent any further damage to your property.

Wet flooring and wet carpets must be removed as soon as possible after a fire in order to prevent secondary damage. 

If you see signs of mold in your home after a fire or other natural disaster, it's crucial that you get professional help right away. Mold can cause serious damage to your property.

The next time you hear about a fire, remember that water damage is often unavoidable. Though a fire and water loss might seem devastating, just know that there are highly trained teams available to help with all the cleanup and restoration necessary. For example, SERVPRO of Laguna Beach is the leading expert in fire damage cleanup and restoration in the greater Laguna Beach area. Our team offers our services around the clock, so no matter when a loss occurs, our team is there to help!

5 Things Commercial Owners Can Do After a Building Fire

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Fire restoration services in Treasure Island, CA.

Five Things To Do After A Fire

Fire restoration is a complicated, multi-step process. In-depth cleaning must take place to avoid significant issues such as mold and structural loss. It's imperative that commercial owners in Treasure Island, CA, understand that this takes time and outside assistance. While owners allow professionals to tend to the facility, there are vital steps that proprietors should take. The following are five things to do immediately after the fire occurs.

1. Initiate Your Claim
Contact your insurer, and ask to use your fire insurance policy. Create a claim, and discuss details of the process. Know your deductible, maximum coverage and any exclusions. Inquire about mortgage assistance and property loss as well. Ask questions. It's better to know what the agent needs than to hope you are doing something right.

2. Gather Important Business Documents
While the building undergoes fire restoration, owners may not have access to essential paperwork. Locate your reports and accounts files. Have a copy of mortgage statements or lease agreements. Take them to a safe place for continued reference.

3. Secure the Facility
Protect the property from further harm. Contact a fire remediation company to oversee the area. These professionals arrive directly after the blaze and assess immediate vulnerabilities. The team should board up any openings and put a tarp over the roof.
The main goal here is to limit entrance. Keep others out, including curious bystanders, animals and rain.

4. Approve Remediation Efforts
Allow some work to begin before insurance approval. For instance, allowing water and smoke cleaning to start promptly could reduce overall costs, time and trouble. Save the receipts. Insurance usually compensates for it. Always speak with agents, however, to see what is required on that end.

5. Locate Temporary Workspace
The building is typically off-limits during remediation. Hunt down a temporary venue where you can set up shop and continue projects.
While specialized crews focus on fire restoration, owners should focus on insurance communication and business operations. In doing so, the operations may continue and financial help may be received.

What You Should Know About Landlord Insurance

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

What You Should Know About Landlord Insurance

Many things can be destroyed by fire damage: homes, furniture, and vehicles being among the most common. When this occurs in a rental building, there can be confusion about who pays to replace the content and hire the restoration company. In this case, a line must be drawn between the landlord and the tenants' responsibilities. Therefore, landlords need to know more about the potential expenses and who pays them.

The Expenses That Will Occur

An apartment fire will affect both the landlord and tenants in Laguna Beach, CA. While fire, smoke, and water damage are the biggest expenses, other things need to be considered. Here are some of the expenses that will occur after a fire:

• Restoration
• Legal fees
• Relocation
• Lost income

The Ways They Are Paid

Deciding who is responsible in the event of an apartment fire is complex. To completely cover the damage, there should be both landlord and renter insurance. Understanding these policies will help establish how costs are paid. This is because the landlord and renters insurance covers different things. In general, these policies cover the belongings owned by the insured.

Landlord insurance will cover the damage to the structure. Most policies will cover the building, utilities, and provided appliances. Ensure that your policy provides enough coverage to completely replace all of these items to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

On the other hand, renters insurance will cover the tenant's possessions. This includes all of the personal items in their unit. Furniture, electronics, and clothing will all be covered. Renters should have appropriate coverage to ensure they do not have out-of-pocket costs.

When an apartment fire occurs, the tenants and landlord have different responsibilities. Because of this, these individuals should have their respective insurance policies. This will prevent landlords and tenants from having out-of-pocket costs due to a fire. Knowing more about potential expenses and how they are paid can prepare both renters and landlords for disasters.

Typical Standby Generator Maintenance

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

Maintenance of a Standby Generator

The typical life expectancy for a generator is between 20,000 and 30,000 hours, serving a crucial role while waiting for a storm restoration company to come to your business. If you are looking to push the maximum number of hours and avoid generator problems, you need to consider the required preventative maintenance.

Weekly
You are going to need to perform small maintenance tasks every week. These include:

• Running the engine
  
• Checking for alarms or warnings
  
• Ensuring adequate fuel levels for an emergency
  
• Setting the engine to auto mode
  
• Checking that the circuit breaker is closed
  
• Ensuring there are no leaks
  
  

Monthly
On a monthly basis, you will need to spend more time checking fluid levels, such as the coolant and oil. You should also check the battery to ensure you are ready for a disaster.

Bi-Annual
You are going to want to check the thermal protection levels every six months. Use the appropriate tester for the type of coolant you are running in your generator in Emerald Bay, CA. At the same time, inspect the drive belts to ensure they have the proper tension and are in good condition.

Annual
A certified technician will need to come out every year and perform crucial tasks, such as changing the engine oil, fuel filter, air filter, and spark plugs. While there, they will also clean the crankcase breather. Aside from these tasks, they will also check various aspects of your systems, such as the coolant concentration. If any extra maintenance is needed, like a coolant system flush, your technician will perform these items at your annual service. Also, if you have a diesel engine, your technician will test and condition the fuel and remove any water from the fuel tank.
This list will get you started on your generator maintenance. Taking precautions like this can have many benefits for your business. The primary one is that you put off replacing your equipment longer.

A Close Look at 3 Types of Damage From a Fire

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

oot requires specific cleaning methods as it can penetrate porous items and find its way into the smallest openings.

Three Types Of Damage From a Fire

A lot goes on in your building after a fire and it can be difficult to accurately quantify the damages amid the chaos. You might focus on the visible structural damage, but there could also be significant smoke damage that needs to be addressed. Working with a trusted local fire restoration company will help your company take care of all damage caused by a fire.

1. Soot Damage

These small, grainy particles from a fire can quickly spread throughout your building in Treasure Island, CA. Soot requires specific cleaning methods as it can penetrate porous items and find its way into the smallest openings. Just moving too freely in an area with soot can cause further spread of the particles, and using the wrong methods can cause additional and irreversible damage to equipment and sensitive systems.

2. Smoke Damage

This invisible presence after a fire poses many challenges for cleanup crews. Even after a thorough cleaning, the smoke odor can return in just a few days and linger for weeks or even months. The proper techniques and equipment are mandatory. A professional smoke cleaning includes the use of approved agents, a regimen of cleaning and sanitizing, and the cleaning of personal items. In some cases, items have to be taken off-site for effective cleaning of smoke odors.

3. Water Damage

Nearly every significant fire also results in damage from the water used by fire fighting equipment. This should be removed at once, and then the affected surfaces and items should be dried completely. Specific measures for dealing with sensitive equipment such as computers and lighting must be followed. Failure to address water damage could lead to mold growth and other problems.
Issues such as smoke damage require advanced techniques from trained professionals. Cleaning up after a commercial fire is a multi-faceted undertaking.

2 Ways To Find Out If You Have Mold

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

Mold infestation can quickly grow out of control. If your business is suffering from a potential mold infestation, don't wait! Call our SERVPRO team!

2 Ways to Determine If You Have Mold

Property owners never want to hear the news that they have a problem with mold. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find mold in commercial buildings. Mold is found everywhere, including indoors and outdoors, and doesn’t cause a problem unless it is allowed to grow. Mold spores feed on moisture, which is why it’s commonly found in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. To the untrained eye, it may be difficult to identify mold. An indoor environmental specialist is someone who has been certified on mold and moisture problems. Here are two ways to find out if you have mold in your Dana Point, CA, building.

1. Do an Inspection

One way you can find out if you have a mold problem is by doing an inspection. You can walk around your building and look for signs of mold, such as discolored ceilings and walls. It’s also possible to smell mold. An area that has significant mold growth may produce a musty odor, similar to damp, dirty socks. If you think you have a problem with mold, it’s best to get help from an indoor environmental specialist.

2. Contact a Professional

While it is possible for you to see or smell mold, it’s not advised to take care of the problem on your own. Remediating mold in commercial buildings is a major project due to the large size. Mold can spread quickly if left untreated, but thankfully mold remediation specialists are available anytime for emergency service. Once professionals arrive at your business, they will begin a thorough inspection to understand the extent of mold growth. After inspection, professionals will contain the mold, clean the air, remove damaged materials, clean belongings and restore the property.

It can be difficult to determine if there is a mold problem at your Dana Point, CA, business. Fortunately, an indoor environmental specialist can conduct a mold test even if there is no visible sign of mold. Rely on trusted professionals to help you remediate a mold problem.