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Kitchen Appliance Cleanup After Azusa Fire Damage

1/13/2024 (Permalink)

Fixing your kitchen after fire damage is a big job. Contact SERVPRO for professional technicians and a remediation plan built for you.

How Professionals Manage Kitchen Fire Residues

The National Fire Protection Association notes that about 44 percent of reported fires involve cooking. Thus, it comes as no surprise that in addition to kitchen counters, walls, and ceilings, residues from the protein-based soot from a kitchen fire affect many appliances, including:

  • Exhaust hoods
  • Ovens
  • Cooktops
  • Microwaves
  • Dishwashers
  • Refrigerators
  • Trash compactors

Kitchen Fire Residues Pose Challenges

The fuels feeding Azusa fire damage in the kitchen are literally foodstuffs and oils. Although flames are possible if textiles or building materials in the room catch, soaring temperatures are the primary reason cooking ingredients undergo the chemical changes that transform them into protein-based soot.

The soot is a fine mist of dehydrated food particles and vaporized oil, spraying all nearby surfaces. The residue also spreads throughout the home on super-heated air currents. The coatings are often nearly transparent but tinted yellow or brownish. Once the protein-based soot touches appliances, it adheres tightly like a varnish or lacquer. The residue’s odor can be horrendous as the grease turns rancid during the super-heating process. 

Safe Residue Removal

Protein-based residues are tough to remove effectively and safely. Obtaining the services of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technicians from SERVPRO® ensures research-based protocols that lead to successful outcomes are in place:

  • Mitigation of water damage from firefighting efforts first to avoid electrical and slip and fall hazards 
  • Mastery of the science of residue cleanup that underlies effective cleaning of fire and water damage 
  • Adherence to sensible precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during active cleaning
  • Training in matching residues to effective cleaners and methods further supported by testing in inconspicuous areas to make sure the strategy works 
  • Carefully considered and implemented manipulations of temperature, dwell time, and the addition of abrasives to improve the odds of physically loosening the residues 

Avoiding Surface Damage

Kitchen appliances usually feature reasonably sturdy materials, including metal, paint, glass, plastic, and composites. However, the decorative finishes can be vulnerable to scratching, etching, peeling, smearing, clouding, and even dissolving if the cleaning product is too harsh or cleaning methods are too vigorous. The use of abrasive tools or a gritty additive in a cleaner, in particular, increases the chance that the surface will only hold up if a skilled and experienced SERVPRO technician does the cleaning.

Call SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina at (626) 387-4111 with confidence to schedule help from the harm caused by a kitchen fire. Our team is Faster to any size disaster™, ready 24/7 to evaluate, plan, and respond to your needs.

Timely Water Mitigation in Azusa

11/3/2023 (Permalink)

When you discover water damage in your Azusa home, call SERVPRO. We'll make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO® Offers Effective Water Restoration Solutions

Water issues in a home can be disruptive and damaging. It's not just about the visible puddles or dampness; untreated water problems can have longer-term consequences. Thankfully, with the expert water mitigation services provided by SERVPRO technicians, homeowners can have peace of mind. Our certified techs use expert solutions to ensure that water-related problems are addressed promptly and thoroughly.

In Azusa, a common cause for water mitigation is unforeseen incidents such as burst pipes, leaking roofs, or appliance failures. Recognizing and addressing these issues quickly can be the key to minimizing damage. Homeowners should turn off the water main and contact SERVPRO to begin the cleanup. The sooner the remediation starts, the better the outcome.

Problems caused by unchecked water in homes include:

  • Weakening of structural foundations and walls.
  • Staining and discoloration of floors, carpets, and furniture.
  • Development of mold and mildew due to prolonged dampness.
  • Electrical hazards and potential short circuits.

To tackle these challenges, SERVPRO implements the following water mitigation strategies in Azusa:

  • Immediate assessment of water damage extent.
  • Extraction of standing water using specialized equipment.
  • Dry and dehumidify affected areas to prevent mold growth.
  • Restoring damaged items, when possible, to their original state.

Azusa residents can trust that when they count on SERVPRO, the immediate water issue is resolved, and preventive measures are implemented to avoid future complications. The technicians use their advanced imaging equipment to locate all areas of the property where water could be found. Additionally, the techs use their air measuring equipment to ensure the interior humidity levels are normal and indicate no remaining moisture. This attention to detail is another reason SERVPRO remains one of the strongest names in post-water damage restoration.

SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina stands ready to assist area residents with any size water mitigation need; call us when you need us (626) 387-4111. Here to Help®

Covina Businesses Desperately Need Commercial Mold Damage Repair

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Prevent or mitigate mold damage repairs with an annual inspection of our Covina facility.

Commercial Mold Damage Repair Firm Serves Covina

In recent years, places near Covina have been in the news because of their mold-related issues. One of these stories, going back some years, involved Johnny Carson’s famed sidekick Ed McMahon on “The Tonight Show,” who was forced out of his home by black mold. Such situations are terrible for homeowners and can do extensive damage to commercial facilities, interrupt normal operations for long durations, and even shut down businesses permanently.

To avoid the worst outcomes resulting from fungal outbreaks, Covina’s premier commercial mold damage repair firm SERVPRO®, advises that you have your property routinely inspected by trained professionals. Failing to do so often allows increasingly more costly problems to develop that might severely impact your operations, customers, and employees. Some of the potential mold damage your establishment could experience include:

  • Foul, musty, difficult-to-eliminate odors that permeate every part of your business and make it unappealing to customers and workers
  • Discolored ceilings, walls, flooring, paint, wall coverings, carpeting, furniture, and other contents
  • Peeling paint and wallpaper, disintegrating drywall, weakened structural elements, and irreparably impacted business supplies and materials
  • Severely mold-fouled ventilation system networks that spread fungal contamination throughout your facilities

SERVPRO’s mold specialists locate this damage early, prevent it from becoming worse, and work to fully restore your buildings with a wide range of services. Some specific services we offer are mold inspection, attic mold removal, basement mold remediation, and black mold damage repairs.

Keeping this all in mind, rest assured that your helpful friends at SERVPRO of Azusa/Covina have the resources necessary to fulfill even your most daunting commercial mold damage repair needs. Regardless of whether you need a simple inspection and minor mold removal project completed or extensive remediation work done, we can likely assist you.

Contact our offices any time of the day or night at (626) 387-4111.

Water Damage Repairs to Flooring After Flooding in Covina Homes

5/7/2023 (Permalink)

Different flooring types require special protocols for cleanup and drying. Call SERVPRO for trained technicians and effective equipment for the job.

What Flooring Requires Water Damage Repair? 

There is no mistaking the damage flooding can do to your Covina home after storms. Several building materials and structural assemblies can require repair or removal to address the direct contamination threat without stopping its progress through the property. Before we can get to work on the flooring needs in this emergency, specific mitigation strategies must first occur:

  • Clearing surface water
  • Removing affected contents
  • Assessing the presence of trapped moisture
  • Inspecting for physical flooring damage

Carpeting

Carpeting is standard flooring in homes and one of the most heavily damaged materials when a flood occurs. This fibrous flooring quickly absorbs water intruding into the room, overwhelming the surface rug layer and spreading to the padding and subflooring beneath it. We remove flood-damaged carpeting and padding to assess the salvageability of subflooring. If contamination is a concern, there is no preserving exposed carpets.

Hardwood and Vinyl Plank

You might have plank flooring installed to create tight seams between the individual units, but even water-resistant materials of this type can be damaged by pooling floodwater. Not only do the potential contaminants serve as a catalyst to remove exposed flooring entirely, but any moisture penetrating the seams and connections of the individual planks can lead to further exposure of subflooring and related systems.

Non-Porous Flooring

Flooding is not likely to penetrate non-porous materials like ceramic tile and concrete. Therefore, disinfection cleaning is often sufficient instead of removing and replacing these installations. This rule can include using concrete as subflooring and exposing it to potentially contaminated floodwater.

The laws of gravity make flooring one of your home's heaviest impacted surfaces and materials after storm damage and flooding. Water making its way into the house can collect on these materials, so it is vital to understand the steps SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina takes to help. Call us at (626) 387-4111.

Remediating Mold Damage in Azusa Homes

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

Mold can spread in 24 to 48 hours. Call SERVPRO for mold damage remediation services at your property in Azusa.

SERVPRO Tackles Mold Remediation Throughout Your Home

It is not always easy to spot fungus in your house. Sometimes you see a colony of mold that appears as a dark patch of fungus. Other times, your first clue is a distinctive moldy smell. 

SERVPRO is available to remediate the mold damage in your Azusa home. Even a tiny patch of fungus can release spores that become airborne and find other places to grow in your home. That is why it is better not to wait: Call us as soon as you suspect a problem so we can get to work.

How Do We Prepare for Mold Remediation?

The initial inspection and scoping of the service are crucial so that our IICRC technicians follow the proper guidelines for mold remediation. 

Assessing the Damage

Upon understanding the issues with mold cleanup, we may erect containment barriers constructed of poly sheeting, tape, and tension poles to isolate mold spores, dust, and debris. This step is essential if a controlled demolition is required to remove non-salvageable building materials, contents, or assemblies. Our SERVPRO technicians can sometimes clean wood if it has not rotted and drywall if the colony has not eaten too deeply into it. We strive to preserve and restore mold and water damaged materials rather than remove and replace them.

Removing Mold from Surfaces

Thankfully, there is better news regarding nonporous surfaces such as metal, glass, varnished wood, and ceramic. We can use a range of cleaning techniques to scrape off the surface mold.

  • Damp wiping with EPA-approved products
  • HEPA vacuuming
  • Soda blasting

HEPA vacuuming uses genuine HEPA filters, which trap particles as small as 0.3 microns. Our technicians adhere to IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) standards, which recommend cleaning in the same direction as the airflow towards the negative air machine for maximum efficiency.

Soda blasting is effective against mold on wood and brick, including exposed timbers, doors, exposed brickwork walls, and storage spaces. Soda blasting uses sodium bicarbonate to remove visible fungal growth. Our technicians direct a lightly pressurized stream of particles to the area to be treated. Soda blasting is gentler than other blasting methods such as sand or grit and offers a non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning option. It also helps to deodorize the area. This technique does not introduce more water or moisture into a treatment surface.

Moisture Fuels Mold Proliferation

The initial visit and inspection can reveal water leaks or poor circulation, leading to excess moisture buildup. Water is essential for mold growth; thereby, repairing leaks or enhancing circulation prevents mold development during remediation.

Drying and Discouraging Further Growth

Several species of fungus can grow inside your home simultaneously, but they all have one thing in common: They need moisture to proliferate. We dry out your home to discourage further fungal growth. 

We position air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers to dry out damp areas and monitor moisture levels as we go so you can rest assured your home is thoroughly dried before we leave. Water vapor can also damage electronic devices, fabrics, furnishings, and paper products like books, so reducing the RH relative humidity in the home can mitigate water damage.

We also spray an antimicrobial agent on affected areas to discourage further spore growth. 

If you are worried about mold damage, SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina is here to help. We aim to leave your home “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at (626) 387-4111.

The Importance of Drying Wet Items after Azusa Water Damage

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the tools to remove water and dry your property in Azusa.

SERVPRO Dries Contents and Structure During Azusa Water Restoration

If you have ever suffered water damage in your home, you know how quickly liquid spreads and soaks into materials. Even a simple kitchen spill or a leaking faucet can swiftly lead to wet carpets, damaged appliances, or sodden wallpaper. Drying wet items as soon as possible is key to water damage restoration. 

SERVPRO technicians are waiting to assist after water damage in Azusa. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we can dry your home. Call us as soon as you can. We are here 24/7.

What Steps Do We Take to Deal with Water Damage?

The first thing we must do is remove excess liquid. 

A mop might do the trick in the case of a small spill or leak. However, we need to use more powerful equipment when standing water is present.

We use free-standing or truck-mounted pumps to draw water out of your house. These pumps are equipped with a heater, pump, and vacuum system and are also used for cleaning carpets and upholstery. During water evacuation, we only use the vacuum action.

Free-standing pumps let us access multiple levels of your home. Truck-mounted pumps are less flexible but can handle larger volumes of liquid. Truck-mounted machines also have their own power supply, so we can use them even if there is no power in your house.

Why Drying Matters During Restoration

 Effective extraction is the first step in remediation. However, we are still left with a damp structure and contents once we finish extraction. We need to dry wet items to prevent further damage, mold, and smells, leaving your home “Like it never even happened.”

Our technicians decide on the best setup for drying your home, including:

  • Setting up fans and air movers to create evaporation
  • Using dehumidifiers to draw moisture out of the air
  • Bringing in axial fans if needed

Equipment positioning is critical. We can use air movers to direct airflow across the floor, into the air, or up towards the ceiling. Air movers encourage water to evaporate from wet surfaces. We can even position them to create a vortex of airflow that gets behind baseboards and takes care of damp inside wall cavities. 

The best place for dehumidifiers is in the center of the water-damaged area. As the air movers increase moisture evaporation, the dehumidifiers draw moisture from the air. The air movers must not blow air across the dehumidifier coils because this prevents the dehumidifier from working efficiently. 

We have both refrigerant and desiccant humidifiers at our disposal. Refrigerant units can remove more significant amounts of moisture per day, which is helpful for larger incidents. Desiccant units work better at lower temperatures: Even Azusa can get quite cool at some points of the year.  

What About Deodorization?

There can be multiple odor sources in a water damage situation, and without treatment, the damp smell can linger for days. Odor sources include:

  • Wet rugs or drapes
  • Damp patches behind furniture
  • Moisture damaged drywall.

Air scrubbers remove odors from the air and pump out fresh air in their place. Ozone machines generate ozone molecules that react with odor-causing particles and reduce the smell. These machines require vacated premises since ozone is a hazardous gas that is typically used following house fire extinguishing. ULV foggers generate a fine mist of odor-fighting products that we can direct into nooks and crannies or use on upholstery and furniture. 

Swift action is best in cases of water damage. Do not delay. Call SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina at (626) 387-4111 for assistance.

SERVPRO Removes Soot from Surfaces after Azusa Fire Damage

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

Fires are a devastating and destructive force. You can trust SERVPRO to restore your home in Azusa to its preloss condition.

Azusa Homeowners can Rely on Us for Thorough Fire Cleaning

Unfortunately, a house blaze can leave your home looking worse for wear. Smoke has a way of coating surfaces, so you are left with blackened walls, ceilings, and floors. Thankfully, SERVPRO is here to help.

Azusa fire damage restoration is a complex process. We must consider everything from the initial security and safety of the structure to cleaning and deodorization. We train our technicians to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. You can rest assured our teams have a thorough understanding of cleaning products and processes.

What Does Fire Damage Restoration Include?

Fire damage restoration is a carefully-planned process to return your home to its preloss conditions. 

Our teams arrive promptly and start with assessing the situation. We look at:

  •  How far the smoke damage has spread
  • What kind of residues does the fire leave behind
  • Whether there are any safety issues

Soot migrates from hot areas to cold, which means soot damage to your home can be extensive. Your home might also suffer structural damage during the fire, so we must secure the site before beginning restoration. We can tarp up the roof, board up windows or doors, and clear dangerous debris. We equip our teams with personal protective equipment to ensure safety throughout the fire restoration process. 

After assessing the situation, we decide on the best methods to restore your home. We keep our customers informed throughout the restoration, so you know what to expect and in what timeframe. 

After we clean and restore fire-damaged structures and contents, we deodorize your home to get rid of the smoky smell.

How Does SERVPRO Clean Soot Damaged Surfaces?

The key to successfully cleaning soot-damaged surfaces is understanding which cleaning products and methods best suit the situation. 

Simple abrasion (scrubbing) combined with the use of powerful HEPA vacuums can loosen and shift dry soot odors. We also use industry-standard cleaning products: 

  • General surface cleaners
  • Heavy-duty cleaners
  • Wood Crème cleaners
  • Strong acid cleaners

General cleaners, such as Wall and All Surface Cleaner, are suitable for most painted and washable surfaces. We can use them to clean walls, ceilings, and appliances. Heavy-duty cleaners can help shift greasy soot residues but are unsuitable for highly polished surfaces. Strong acid cleaners are suitable for cleaning fire damaged wood and brick, such as an open brickwork fireplace or a basement with exposed brick walls.

Not every surface is suitable for wet cleaning. We can also use dry cleaning methods, such as dry cleaning sponges. These are not your average household cleaning sponges. They are rubber sponges designed to clean via a combination of friction and absorption. Dry sponges are suitable for cleaning up fire damage, although it takes some elbow grease to erase soot from surfaces this way. 

Sometimes, the best way to clean smaller items such as kitchen equipment or toys is to immerse the item in a solution. Our ultrasonic cleaning machines use sound waves to create millions of tiny bubbles, which dislodge residues as they burst. Ultrasonic cleaning penetrates deeper than simply soaking in water.

If you are worried about the effects of fire damage, do not delay. Call SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina at (626) 387-4111. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and can arrive at your home within hours of your call.

Surface Mold Remediation for Covina Homes

4/12/2023 (Permalink)

Regardless of the color of the mold, team SERVPRO can help with effective remediation services. Call our team 24/7 - 365 days a year - to learn more.

Cleaning Can Be Effective Mold Remediation

Mold is an underappreciated threat to homes and businesses in the area. As rapidly as these conditions can form and threaten buildings, remediation is often an afterthought until structural compromise results. We utilize a range of mold removal and remediation solutions based on the condition of your property, the location of the colonies, and the salvageability of materials. Surface cleaning is typically the first consideration.

Surface Cleaning Strategies

Surface cleaning is always a preferred method of mold remediation in Covina homes. Using antimicrobial agents and sporicidal products, we can spray solutions onto surfaces and begin to eradicate the spores in contact with the cleaner. Chlorine-based products are especially effective as sporicidal solutions. Applying these agents to surfaces threatened by mold also acts as an inhibiting product and barrier against further infestation and mold development.

The Need for Agitation

Applying sporicidal agents is not often enough alone to remove mold entirely. SERVPRO IICRC -certified professionals use agitation to increase the effectiveness of these applied products. Much like the friction of scrubbing increases the penetration and performance of cleaning agents on materials, agitation approaches improve the results of antimicrobial products. Some of these actions can include:

  • Mechanical Action
  • Sanding
  • Media Abrasives 

More Aggressive Remediation Solutions

Surface cleaning is only sometimes the best choice, however. Sometimes more aggressive measures are required, including abrasive tactics like media blasting with dry ice and sodium bicarbonate. When these are ineffective, we can lean on controlled demolition to remove any infested materials that are too severely damaged to preserve.

Removing mold from your home or business can be a challenging undertaking without the right approaches. We have surface cleaning strategies to help protect hosting materials and prevent unnecessary tear-out and reconstruction. Call our SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina team at (626) 387-4111.

Quick Water Damage Restoration in Azusa Beats Hidden Fungi

3/12/2023 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage issues can be stressful. Partner with SERVPRO for certified technicians and effective equipment for the task.

SERVPRO Combats Hidden Dangers with Fast Water Damage Restoration

The first step in the Azusa water damage restoration process is to assess the damage. Our SERVPRO team of certified professionals will inspect the affected areas, determine the source of the water, and evaluate the severity of the damage. The worst danger from an unexpected water event isn't what you can see. It's what you can't see that poses the biggest threat. If there is a crack or seam anywhere in the area, you can bet water will find its way in. A customized action plan is necessary to remove the water and dry the affected areas properly and thoroughly.

Next, SERVPRO technicians use specialized equipment to extract the water. We have various tools and machines designed to remove water quickly and effectively, including powerful submersible pumps, truck-mounted water extraction units, and portable water extraction units.

Once the water has been removed, our team will focus on drying the affected areas. We use state-of-the-art drying equipment, including air movers, dehumidifiers, and industrial-grade fans, to ensure that every inch of the affected area is completely dry. This helps prevent mold growth, which is often hidden inside walls and other structures in the affected area, which can lead to long-term health and structural issues.

Finally, we'll work to restore the affected areas to their pre-damage state. This may involve repairing or replacing flooring, drywall, and other building materials and cleaning and disinfecting the affected areas. Our team of skilled technicians has the experience and expertise necessary to complete these tasks quickly and effectively.

At SERVPRO of Azusa / Covina, we understand the importance of providing fast, effective water damage restoration services. That's why we're always ready to respond to your call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, if you're dealing with water damage in Azusa, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our certified professional team is here to get your life back on track. Call (626) 387-4111

Professional Water Restoration Technicians Tackle Commercial Water Damage in Covina

2/5/2023 (Permalink)

Regardless of how your commercial space came to be affected by water damage, team SERVPRO can help. Call us 24/7 for services.

Safety and Loss Mitigation Dictate Water Removal and Restoration in Covina Businesses

Residents of Covina know that water incidents can damage their homes. A burst pipe, a faulty appliance, or a leaky sink can cause extensive damage in a home, leaving a slew of problems behind. But the stakes can be very high when water damage happens in a commercial setting. Damaged inventory, disrupted operations, and a compromised location can significantly negatively impact your business and the lives of your employees. To be as efficient as possible in controlling the water intrusion, reach out to a professional team.

In Covina, water damage repairs in commercial establishments are possible thanks to the expertise of our team at SERVPRO. Our field experience and thorough training prepare us to handle even the toughest jobs, regardless of their size. If you aren’t sure how deep the water damage goes, call our 24/7 hotline and let us assess the problem and identify potential complications. Before you explore a do-it-yourself solution, consider the following advantages of calling SERVPRO:

  • We have at our disposal advanced imaging tools to detect water residue beyond what is visible to the naked eye. Failure to remove standing water can leave your business vulnerable to mold spread and its consequences. It can also weaken your drywall and compromise flooring materials.
  • Our SERVPRO team can perform some repairs, including controlled demolition and drywall replacement, which helps minimize downtime for your business operations.
  • Very often, removing and discarding damaged goods is essential to restoring your business. Our team can identify which items are not salvageable and discard them following environmental regulations.

SERVPRO of Azusa/Covina is more than a service provider. When you call us at (626) 387-4111, you have our whole team as a partner in making your business a success.