Can SERVPRO Perform Build Back?

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of North Laredo 956-568-0266

When your residential or commercial property has been damaged by fire, water, or storm damage, the immediate concern should be temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris. Taking these precautions temporarily protects your home or business from further damage. We then make sure the property is ready to begin with the reconstruction process.

At SERVPRO of North Laredo, we have specialists trained in Fire Damage, Water Damage, Mold Remediation and more. Why find yourself someone else to come in and reconstruct your home or business? We are there, we are already familiar with your area of concern, and we know what happened. No need to keep explaining and searching for someone properly licensed and insured to schedule and do the work. You already found us! We are licensed and insured and ready to begin your reconstruction.  

With a team of contractors available to arrive alongside our technicians, we can offer both repairs and controlled demolition immediately upon arrival. These repairs benefit your property by providing temporary construction solutions that reduce water penetration to allow mitigation steps like extraction to be more productive. These same professionals can oversee complete build back and reconstruction of areas destroyed in your home. This transition to construction can happen seamlessly after mitigation completes, making it more cost-effective and time saving for customers.

We endeavor to provide a fast response to water and fire damage emergencies that impact your home. We have industry-leading extraction and drying tools and potent cleaning products to address any contamination concerns. 

Please, check out our building and reconstruction services.

Call if you have any questions about our services or want to make an appointment. SERVPRO of North Laredo 956-568-0266.

Consider Air Duct Cleaning for your Business

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Laredo offers duct cleanings for businesses and homes. Call for a quote today (956) 568-0266!

Consider putting air duct cleaning on your to-do list for your business.  Why is getting your air ducts cleaned so important you ask; there are quite a few reasons actually.  Air quality in your business is important and having your ducts clean and inspected yearly can be a huge benefit to your property and your employees.  Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality.  Make it a priority to inspect the duct work of your home or business.  If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating dust, pollen, odors, dirt and debris, and/or other contaminants. 

Dirt can circulate odors, contaminants like mold, and irritating dust throughout a home By inspecting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC), this will help clean can extend the life of the equipment.

SERVPRO of North Laredo recommends addressing any indoor air quality concerns, although it may not be required.  Our team is highly trained and certified and can assist you with duct cleaning and mold remediation.   We are dedicated to helping make disasters "Like it never even happened.”

3 Types of Contaminated Flood Water

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

Category 1 water damage

While all types of floods can potentially cause massive amounts of property damage, it's still important for you to be aware of the type of contaminated water you're currently dealing with. You must handle each type of contaminant differently in order to be successful. Read on if your home in Laredo, TX, is currently suffering from a residential flood.

Types of Flood Water

There are three main types of floods, each categorized by the types of contaminants present in the water:

Category 1: Also known as a clean water flood, this type of floodwater is the least dangerous. Clean water floods are typically caused when a supply line bursts, flooding the home with contaminant-free, non-toxic water. Theoretically, this water is safe for human consumption, but you should still never attempt to drink it.

Category 2: Category 2 floods contain slightly more contaminated water. They are usually a result of a flooding or overflowing household appliance, such as a washing machine or a dish washer.

Category 3: Category 3 floods, also known as black water floods, are extremely dangerous. They're categorized by the presence of biohazards, such as raw sewage and human/animal fecal matter. They're typically caused by toilet back flow, or sewage overflow. You should never attempt to remediate a Category 3 flood by yourself; always contact remediation experts for assistance.

Preventing Residential Floods
Residential floods are relatively simple to prevent, as long as you remain vigilant and stay on top of the proper preventative and protective measures. Prevent toilet back flow by never flushing anything down your toilets that your pipes can't handle. Hire professionals to routinely perform maintenance and inspections on your sewer lines.
Contaminated water floods can cause a lot of problems for your home in the form of water damage, mold growth and other types of disasters. Your best course of action is to contact flood remediation experts to help solve the issue quickly and effectively.

IICRC Certified Firm

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Laredo is IICRC Certified and here for whatever happens.

SERVPRO of North Laredo is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) create the standards for the restoration industry and provide training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

The IICRC Develops the Standards for The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

Important Steps To Prepare Your Business for a Storm

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Laredo is here to take care of any storm damages that may happen to your Laredo building.

Mother nature has a way of making her presence known. An assortment of severe weather such as flood water can wreak havoc on homes and businesses alike. If you want to save your company a lot of money and hassle, you should have a plan in place to deal with these powerful forces.

Check Your Building

As typically rainy seasons approach, it’s important to inspect the inside and outside of your Laredo, TX. facility for spots prone to water damage. You should take the following steps:

• Ensure that your plumbing system is up to date and free from problems.
• Make sure the rain gutters are clear of debris and are diverting water away from your building.
• Look for spots near the foundation where water collects and pools.

Back up Your Data

A flooded building can cause widespread damage. One of the worst issues you face is the possibility of losing crucial data and sensitive information on your computers and other electronic media. If you haven’t created reliable backups for your data on off-site servers, it’s time to take this step today. When you do this, even if flood water ruins all your equipment, you will still be able to access any essential files.

Have a Plan

Discuss with your team what you will do in the event of a major storm or floor. Develop an evacuation plan and decide how you will continue to operate your business if you are unable to remain in your building.

Choose the Right Restoration Company

If water does enter your building and cause damage, you need to call a reliable restoration company for fast and effective cleanup. The best companies will get your facility back to safe conditions so you can resume your operations.

You can’t predict when flood water might infiltrate your facility, but you can be prepared. Follow these tips to ensure your business will be ready. 

Smoke Odor Remediation

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

Ozone machines work by oxidizing smoke residue and neutralizing smoke odors.

Three Methods To Remove Smoke Odor

If you have experienced a fire in Laredo, TX, you may be in need of smoke to get rid of any lingering odors. Whether the problem is overwhelming or barely noticeable, there are people that can help remove smoke odors from a variety of materials within your home. Smoke can permeate carpet and upholstery, walls, and personal items like artwork and paper documents. By working with a professional odor removal specialist, you may soon have things smelling clean and fresh. Here are three common methods professionals use to remove smoke odors.

1. Air Filtration Devices
Air filtration devices work by scrubbing the air clean. The air is sucked in, recycled through specialized filters, and then dispersed back into the room. Some of the most common filters for these machines are HEPA filters and activated carbon filters. Many companies also use specialized filters that are specifically designed to target smoke.

2. Ozone Machines
A popular smoke cleaning device, ozone machines can be tailored to your match your unique environment. Professionals can adjust the settings to control the amount of time the machine runs, the amount of humidity it expels, and the temperature of the exhaust. Ozone machines work by oxidizing smoke residue and neutralizing smoke odors. Although too much ozone can be harmful, these devices are considered safe when operated by a professional.

3. Thermal Foggers
By using heat and pressurization, fogging can help get rid of odors in tiny cracks and crevices. It works by permeating porous surfaces, attaching to smoke particles, and destroying them. The fog is capable of reaching anywhere the smoke damage occurred. This technique also neutralizes harmful, carcinogenic debris that may be left from the fire.
Smoke cleaning is often the last step in the fire restoration process. By working with an expert remediation team, your home may soon look and smell like the fire never even happened.

How To Avert 3 Common Sewage Issues

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

Paper towels should never be flushed down the toilet.

Minimize the Risk of Unsanitary Flooding Inside Your Facility

Many commercial buildings in Laredo, TX, may be susceptible to sewage issues. Because a blocked sewer or overflowing toilet can cause significant damage, it’s helpful to recognize specific factors that may contribute to the problem and learn how to address them. Abiding by the following guidelines can help minimize the risk of unsanitary flooding inside your facility.

1. Broken Pipes

Like most infrastructure, sewage lines can deteriorate and fail over time. While you may not be able to completely prevent pipe breaks, making conscientious landscaping decisions can help minimize the risk.

Roots seek moisture and can easily infiltrate and damage sewer and water pipes. Because of this, it’s important to identify the location of critical infrastructure lines and plant foliage away from these areas.

2. Blocked Lines

In addition to damaging supply lines, excessive root presence can result in a blocked sewer. Inappropriate waste disposal can also have a detrimental impact on the system.

Paper towels, diapers and feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet. To help alleviate this concern, you should have trash bins accessible in every restroom and post signage reminding staff and visitors of appropriate waste disposal techniques.

Grease is another potentially problematic product that can build up inside plumbing lines and cause a blockage. To help minimize obstructions, commercial kitchen staff should avoid dumping cooking oils down sinks.

3. Overflowing Toilets

A toilet overflow is another common sewage issue. Performing routine inspections is a beneficial strategy that may allow you to identify defective toilet components before substantial leaks and water damage occur. You can also help prevent unsanitary commode seepage by encouraging proper trash disposal, promptly completing necessary repairs and using a plunger instead of drain cleaners to remedy slow drains.

No Laredo, TX, business is immune from a blocked sewer or flooding toilet. However, making informed decisions and performing proactive measures can help minimize the risk and may spare you from a messy and potentially costly sewage cleanup.

What To Know About Dryer Lint

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

Lint from the screen should be removed after each use.

To help avoid a lint fire in your Laredo, TX, home, many professionals recommend regular maintenance of your dryer. Fortunately, there are many maintenance steps you can perform yourself. During this process there are several things you may want to consider about lint removal from your dryer.

Where To Clean

Removing lint in order to avoid a dryer fire involves cleaning several locations.

• The lint screen
• The screen vent
• The exterior vent
• The exhaust hose
• The dryer back
• Behind the back panel

If you’re going to do more than wipe off the lint screen, it’s important to unplug your dryer first.

When To Clean

Many experts recommend deep cleaning your dryer at least once a year in order to avoid the build up that can lead to a lint fire. If your dryer seems unusually hot during use, or if your clothes regularly fail to dry fully, you may want to perform a clean then as well. If problems persist then it’s recommended to contact a professional. It’s also recommended to clear the lint screen after every use.

Why Clean

Every year fire damage restoration services conduct repairs to homes that experiences a fire due to lint built up. When lint accumulates inside the dryer it can cause the appliance to overheat. This is turn can lead to a fire made worse by lint’s flammable nature. Keeping your dryer clean is one way to help avoid this type of fire in your home.

Regularly removing lint from your dryer can help prevent a lint fire in your home. You could consider cleaning all the areas of your dryer including the exhaust hose and exterior vent. The dryer should be cleaned at least once a year, and lint from the screen should be removed after each use. If you think your machine is malfunctioning it’s best to call in a professional.

House Fires in Laredo, TX

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage in your Laredo home give us a call (956) 568-0266

Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire in Laredo can be extremely stressful especially when soot has completely covered your belongings. It should be known that fire damage cleanup is one of the most difficult aspects of a house fire.

In the event of a fire in your home, be sure to call your local Laredo fire department first. Your focus should always be safety first. Once you and your family are safe and secure reach out to your insurance agent to see if an insurance claim is necessary.

This is when you call us at SERVPRO of North Laredo. Your family is safe, your insurance has been reviewed, and now you need a fire restoration company.

Soot can develop through three different methods:

• Wet soot residue results from smoldering, low-heat fires. This residue is sticky, smeary, and has a very pungent odor.
• Dry soot residue results from fast-burning fires with high temperatures. This residue is typically dry, powdery, and non-smeary.
• Protein residue is almost invisible but can discolor paints and varnishes in your home. This residue also has an extremely pungent odor.

Each type of smoke damage restoration is different and requires specific expertise to clean. You need a fire restoration company, our team here at SERVPRO of North Laredo. We are highly trained in smoke, fire and water cleanup and restoration and can assist in all aspects. We consider everything we need to clean and what our plan is moving forward.

Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Our team will walk your property to determine the extent of damage. We will use specific equipment and cleaning products for the different types of surfaces and products found within your structure.

Depending on the amount of soot, we can lower the cost of cleaning if lighter soot deposits are found. We can also see if the expense can be lower with repainting or refinishing. If this is not the case, we will clean to prepare for painting. This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.

Contents Cleaning - All the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. Our team will begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate.

Both wet and dry-cleaning services can be provided as we deodorize and restore contents to preloss condition. This process would include electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding and much more. Finally, we can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items if so requested.

Deodorization – We provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance. As we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask us to explain the various methods available and which will work best for you.

No matter how difficult or hard you find your situation to be, we can help. Find your fire restoration team at SERVPRO of North Laredo to help restore your home and bring it back to pre-damage conditions.

What to Do After Water Damage Occurs

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Laredo is ready to help with any water emergency

Flood damage, a burst pipe, or any other form of water in the home or water in the business calls for immediate action. Many home and business owners mistakenly assume they can handle water damage on their own, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The smallest ongoing leak is enough to cause more water damage than most people realize, and it requires the assistance of professional water cleanup, restoration, and mitigation services. If any homeowner or business owner finds water in the home or business, there are proper steps to take to ensure water cleanup and the drying process are handled accordingly.

Call for Help

Any amount of water damage can cause mold to form almost immediately. Mold only needs a few hours to spread rapidly, and leaving the water cleanup too long can result in the immediate need to replace walls, floors, and it can cause thousands of additional dollars in damage. Once a homeowner finds water in the home or a business owner finds water in the business, it’s time to call for professional drying services and remediation.

Turn Off Electricity

Standing water and electricity are not a good mixture, and it’s imperative the power is turned off prior to anyone entering a building with any water.

Cleanup

Immediately after calling for professional mitigation, it’s necessary home and business owners begin the cleanup process. When it’s safe to enter a home or business with water damage, home and business owners must begin removing their personal belongings. The best place to put them is in a garage or on a driveway where they have a chance to begin the drying process.

Call Insurance

Homeowners and business owners must call their insurance company as soon as flood damage or other water damages their home or office. An adjuster must come out to assess the damage to file a claim to get financial help your way sooner rather than later.

For all your water damage needs, give us a call at (956)5680266