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Serving Richardson Since 1967

Name: SERVPRO of Richardson
Address: 2435 N. Central Expy, Richardson, TX, 75080
Telephone: (972) 690-1414

2/12/2023 (Permalink)

We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SERVPRO of Richardson has been serving the surrounding communities since 1967. Through experience and compassion, we have helped hundreds of home and business owners here in Richardson and throughout Dallas recover from disasters. We aim to deliver the highest possible standard of professionalism and safety and pride ourselves on honesty and hard work.

As part of the SERVPRO family – we are one of 1800 franchises that benefit from incredible experience, ongoing training and access to innovation and information. We have relationships with large and small insurance companies so that your policy claims are handled efficiently and worry free. And we were just named a Top 10 overall franchise system in the nation by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list.

We’re family owned and operated and strive to treat our teammates and customers as though they are part of this family too. We believe that working hard and working together to serve our Richardson neighbors has been an excellent way to spend the last 50 years and we look forward to 50 more.

How to Remove Smoke from Outdoor Bricks?

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

After a major house fire, it’s vital to call in professionals who have the necessary equipment and experience in fire damage restoration.

Getting rid of soot and smoke are some of the toughest stains and odors to tackle after a house fire. Having a fire in your home is stressful. However, after the dust has settled and your home was almost destroyed, you notice something – the rancid smell of smoke is everywhere. Even though the fire has been extinguished, the stench of smoke persists.

Of course, the need to remove smoke from outdoor bricks doesn’t have to be due to a catastrophic house fire. Maybe your outdoor grill went wild, or burning garden debris got out of control and blackened a brick wall. Regardless of the reason, removing smoke damage from blackened bricks is necessary to restore your property’s aesthetics.

4 Ways to Remove Smoke Damage from Bricks

Several steps are necessary to clean the effects of smoke on bricks. You can often clean damaged brickwork on the ground floor if the fire was relatively small. However, for large jobs and cleaning bricks above head height, it’s best to call in professionals who specialize in Richardson fire damage restoration.

Before tackling any cleaning job that involves soot removal and chemicals, it’s crucial to wear protective gear. Use a respirator, protective rubber gloves, goggles, and clothing to cover your skin. It’s also a good idea to cover any garden furniture and other surfaces from soot contamination.

Here are some handy tips on removing smoke stains and soot damage from outdoor bricks.

1. Loosen the soot

First, remove as much black soot as possible from the outdoor brick surface with a stiff brush or vacuum cleaner. Soot tends to smudge easily and cling to brickwork, especially because bricks have a rough, slightly porous surface.

2. Use a chemical cleaning sponge to clean brick

The second step is to remove more of the soot residue before using liquid solutions. A dry chemical sponge is ideal for getting rid of nasty black stains on bricks. For best results, always use a wiping motion with the dry cleaning sponge rather than a scrubbing motion to avoid pushing soot deeper into the bricks.

3. Use a soap solution to clean smoke damage

After removing as much smoke residue as possible, you should use a degreasing agent or dish detergent solution. Many hardware stores have special degreasing chemicals for tough fire restoration jobs. These cleaning solutions will also remove the unpleasant smoke odors from bricks.

Always remember to rinse cleaning cloths regularly to prevent smearing sooty residue further. It’s also advisable to avoid harsh chemicals as they could damage brick facades.

4. Rinse brickwork to remove smoke damage

The last step in removing smoke exterior wall brickwork is to rinse the cleaned bricks. You can use clothes and clean water to do this. However, a power washer is easier to rinse the last residues of smoke from brickwork.

After a major house fire, it’s vital to call in professionals who have the necessary equipment and experience in fire damage restoration. Call SERVPRO of Richardson at (972) 690-1414 to find out how we can help restore the exterior of your property to its former glory.

How to Sell a House After Fire Damage

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Even if the fire causes minor cosmetic damages, it may still deter your efforts when it comes to selling the house.

House fires can be a traumatic experience for homeowners, especially those planning to put the property on the market. The National Fire Protection Association reports 350,000 - 400,000 house fires annually, resulting in approximately 8 billion dollars in damages in the United States.

Fire-ravaged homes are no longer fit for accommodation. So, you can't move in, and the chances are that no one's willing to buy the property in a fire-damaged condition. But there are ways around this dilemma.

Here are our top tips for how to sell a house after fire damage.

Selling Fire-Damaged home: Reliable Approaches

Even if the fire causes minor cosmetic damages, it may still deter your efforts when it comes to selling the house.

If you want to make a quick sale, or if the time and cost of fixing the fire damage surpass your budget, it's good to sell as-is and not make any attempt to repair the damage — with one caveat.

If you choose this route, the offers may be lower, contingent on the extent of the destruction caused.

So why not get the home fixed first? This way, you can be sure to sell the property for top dollar. A home in good condition is desirable to a much larger pool of buyers.

Take these steps to sell a fire-damaged property quickly.

Connect with an experienced realtor

Based on the severity of the fire damage, an experienced realtor can alleviate a lot of your stress. They can help you with many aspects of marketing your fire-damaged property to the right pool of motivated buyers.

Moreover, a realtor will manage the negotiations. It is vital to have backup reinforcements, especially for sellers who feel they’re unable to negotiate effectively compared to experienced home buyers.

Sell to cash buyers

Usually, all cash buyers visit the property and make an offer soon after viewing. Depending on how hot your local real estate market is, they may not even view the property at all. That way, you can close the deal in a few weeks and the fire damage won’t be as much of an issue preventing you from getting to the closing table.

Ready to Sell Your Fire Damaged House The EASY Way?

The bottom line is that selling a property after fire damage can be troublesome and demand adequate effort and time. But it’s still possible to sell a fire-damaged home with the right steps and professionals at your side.

If you’re trying to sell your home quickly after a fire, we can help.

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we aim to help you restore your home or business property to its pre-fire condition. As a leading Richardson Fire Damage Restoration, our professionals have the experience, knowledge, and tools to clean up smoke and fire damage.

Give us a call at (972) 690-1414 to explore your options, and let us help you sell your fire-damaged house as fast as possible and for top dollar.

HVAC Maintenance for Commercial Buildings: What You Need to Know

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Regularly maintaining your HVAC system is essential to keeping it in pristine condition.

HVAC systems provide comfort and relief from harsh weather conditions, especially in commercial settings. Additionally, HVAC systems increase building safety and provide a healthier working environment by circulating fresh air and keeping the humidity away.

However, if you want your HVAC system to work properly and increase its life expectancy, you must perform routine maintenance checkups. Keep scrolling to learn how to maintain your commercial building HVAC system for increased energy efficiency and longevity.

The HVAC Maintenance List

Keeping a maintenance check on your HVAC system ensures proper functioning all the time. Take these steps to keep your commercial building HVAC system in tiptop shape.

Check air filters

HVAC air filters keep the system clean from the inside. In a commercial setting, dirt, dust, and debris easily get inside the HVAC system, damaging the machinery. Air filters protect the machinery, but they can get clogged if not cleaned routinely.

Dirty air filters prevent the system from cooling or heating the room properly. So, check the air filters once a month. And when they get too dirty, you have to replace them.

Check evaporator and condenser coils

Evaporator and condenser coils transfer heat for temperature regulation. Blocked evaporator and condenser oil stop heating and will freeze over time. Water drips from the drain when the evaporator coils are frozen, creating water damage near the HVAC installation site.

If you notice water damage near HVAC, immediately contact Richardson Water Damage Restoration services to minimize the water damage. However, it is better to clean these coils once per month to prevent this situation from occurring.

Clean the exterior unit

In addition to the inside of the system, the outside of the HVAC system should be maintained just as diligently. This is because a dirty HVAC exterior interferes with airflow. Dirt, leaves, grass strands, and stray sticks or branches enter the unit vent. This blocks the airflow, making the HVAC system malfunction.

Along with cleaning the unit outside, keep the area around it trimmed and clean to ensure fewer chances of debris worming its way into the vents.

Check ductwork for damage

The duct system must be regularly checked to ensure all sections are sealed and tightly fitted together. If there is breakage in the ductwork, call an HVAC specialist to insulate the ductwork with a rigid fiberboard or secure it through a standard fiberglass blanket.

Clean drain lines

HVAC systems create water to dehumidify the area. This water is expelled through the drain lines. When the drain lines are blocked, it directly affects the evaporator coil, turning it into ice. So, clean your drain lines every three months with warm water to prevent drain line breakage.

Schedule a Professional HVAC Checkup

Regularly maintaining your HVAC system is essential to keeping it in pristine condition. However, even after keeping a close check, you can miss certain things. That is why you should get a professional service like SERVPRO to check and maintain your HVAC system.

Get in touch with us at (817) 589-1499 to learn more about our HVAC maintenance services for commercial buildings.

SERVPRO Moisture Detection and Measurement Equipment

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Contact the SERVPRO of Richardson technicians if you have water or moisture issues in your house.

Plumbing issues are inevitable. One in fifty homeowners each year submit a claim to their insurance company for water damage. The most common culprits are leaking pipes and flooding. But while it’s true that you can always get rid of the visible water, some parts of your property will retain moisture long after the pipe’s been fixed or the flood waters have receded.

But don’t worry. Certain tools can be used to detect the moisture level within these hidden areas, and SERVPRO can fix the moisture issue for good.

We’ll discuss the impact of lingering moisture and the equipment we use to detect it.

Impact of Hidden Moisture

Excess moisture levels can lead to several complications:

Water in the walls can damage wallpaper, paint, curtains, and wall lining
Bacteria and mold can grow
It becomes harder to keep the house warm, driving up heating bills
Trapped moisture can cause deterioration of your home and its contents

If you think there’s too much moisture and humidity in your home, hire an expert from SERVPRO of Richardson. Our technicians are equipped with high-quality tools that detect moisture and offer fast, reliable remediation services.

Richardson mold remediation and water damage services from SERVPRO can help you get rid of excess moisture and eliminate the problems it causes. .

Types of Moisture Detection Equipment

There are three main types of moisture detection tools on the market. These tools can perform specific functions and come with either an analog display or a digital display that shows the percentage of moisture content. These tools are as follows:

Pin-Type Moisture Meter

These are fitted with two pins that are inserted into the test surface at a specific depth. The moisture content is then measured on the contact pins’ heads.

Pinless Moisture Meter

This type of meter checks moisture in objects made of wood, concrete, and gypsum. These meters operate on electrical impedance and are preferred over pin meters as they cause less damage than the pin-type meter.

All-in-one meter

As the name suggests, this type of moisture meter uses both pin and pinless methods to detect moisture. This allows experts to use the electrical impedance to identify the area and then the pin method to find the exact location of the moisture.

Get Help from the Experts

Although these meters are easily available in hardware stores, we suggest you let a professional use them instead of DIYing moisture detection in your home.

Contact the SERVPRO of Richardson technicians if you have water or moisture issues in your house. Our experts have years of experience in handling all types of moisture-detection equipment and can offer you a solution to your humidity woes.

Get in touch with us today to book a free consultation at (972) 690-1414.

Can a Dirty Oven Cause a Fire?

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Oven fires caused by a dirty appliance can cause serious harm to your property.

A buildup of grime, grease, and food bits can cause an oven to catch fire. However, even if your oven cavity never gets so dirty that it catches fire, cooking in a greasy oven affects food flavor, causes bad smells, and uses more energy. And even though most oven fires are relatively small, you may have to call in professionals to deal with fire damage restoration.

Oven fires caused by a dirty appliance can cause serious harm to your property.

According to statistics, 24 percent of kitchen appliance fires involve ovens or ranges. However, the figure could be significantly higher because many households don’t need to call the fire department for an oven fire. The average oven fire causes $2,300 in property damage.

SERVPRO has expertise in fire damage restoration. Unfortunately, house fires in the kitchen are a common reason Richardson residents use our services. However, most kitchen appliances and range fires are preventable.

In this article, you will find helpful tips on preventing an oven or range from catching fire.

Why Dirty Ovens Cause Fires

Over time, food scraps and grease stick to the inside of an oven. As a result, a buildup of food residue and fat will start to burn when continuously cooking in a filthy oven. If grease or oil gets too hot, it can ignite and burn. Although the fire may be contained, it can cause severe damage.

Other Dangers of a Dirty Oven

Here are some compelling reasons to avoid cooking food in a dirty oven.

1. Poor Flavor

Cooking food in a greasy oven creates excess smoke and fumes that can make the food taste bad.

2. Bad Smells

The unpleasant plume of smoke when you open the oven door will permeate your house. This can result in drapes or soft upholstery and furnishings smelling bad.

3. Ovens are Less Efficient

Another issue when cooking with a dirty oven is that it takes more energy to heat. In addition, the cooking time takes longer, which further increases utility bills.

How to Prevent an Oven From Catching Fire

Regular oven cleaning with baking soda and hot soapy water is the best way to prevent an oven from catching fire. Depending on how much you use it, you should clean a range at least every three months. However, you may need to clean it more often, depending on its use.

Even with a self-cleaning oven, you will need to regularly clean the grates and burners to prevent lots of smoke when cooking or roasting food.

What To Do if a Dirty Oven Catches Fire

If your oven catches fire, here are some handy tips:

Keep the door closed and switch the oven off.
If the oven fire spreads or doesn’t go out, call 911 immediately.
If the oven fire goes out, wait until the oven cools, then carefully remove the hot pan
Get a professional technician to check the cooking appliance for any safety issues.

If an oven fire has damaged your home, contact SERVPRO of Richardson at (972) 690-1414 to inquire about our Richardson Fire Damage Restoration services. Our team of experts will return your home to its original condition.

Is it Safe to Use a Humidifier in a Carpeted Room?

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth caused by excessive moisture and humidity is a serious problem after a flood or water damage.

You might be wondering if you can use a humidifier in a carpeted room if you need to boost air moisture levels. Humidifiers are handy appliances that can ease the discomfort caused by dry air. People use them to alleviate dry skin, cold or flu symptoms, or allergies. Additionally, certain house plants will grow better in a humid environment.

However, there’s one major issue that many people forget with humidifiers — mold. Elevated moisture levels in a room can promote mold growth, mildew, and dust mites. And a dirty humidifier can send mold spores into the air.

But is using a humidifier in a carpeted room a good idea? Using a humidifier in a room with a carpeted floor could be a bad idea if air moisture levels are too high. Although an excessive level of humidity may not make your carpet wet, it can create an environment where mold spores thrive. And dampness can stay in a carpet longer than on a hard floor, causing mold to develop, which can be challenging to remove.

Effects of Using a Humidifier in a Carpeted Room

Mold thrives in damp, cool indoor environments. According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), mold frequently grows on carpets, wood, paper, food, and insulation. Because mold spores are virtually impossible to eliminate, controlling indoor moisture is vital for preventing the growth of mold.

One of the dangers of using a humidifier in a carpeted room is that the mold grows unseen. For example, the EPA says that the underside of carpets and rugs are common locations of hidden moisture and mold growth.

Of course, it’s not just humidifiers that cause excess moisture in the air. Other reasons for high humidity levels are steam radiators, cooking, showering, and dryers.

Experts agree that indoor relative humidity should not exceed 60 percent. The ideal relative humidity is between 30 and 50 percent.

Can a Humidifier Cause Mold in a Carpet?

A humidifier can be unsafe to use in a carpeted room because it can harbor mold spores and hide black mold patches. A 2020 study in the journal Building and Environment reported that fungal growth occurs in carpet fibers under elevated moisture conditions.

Fungal allergens and other microorganisms are commonly found in carpet fibers, and carpets hold more moisture than the surrounding room air.

The study concluded that high relative humidity is one of the most crucial factors contributing to a carpet’s fungal growth.

In addition, it isn’t safe to place a humidifier on a carpet because it increases the risk of being knocked over.

Mold growth caused by excessive moisture and humidity is a serious problem after a flood or water damage. SERVPRO specializes in mold remediation to quickly dry out carpets, furnishings, and building structures. Acting fast after a flood or burst pipe is the best way to prevent mold growth.

If your building has suffered water damage, contact us today at (972) 690-1414 to arrange for our team of experts to assess your situation. Richardson mold remediation services can help prevent issues caused by excessive humidity, moisture, and mold growth.

How to Unfreeze Pipes this Winter

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

If a pipe bursts as it unfreezes this winter, it’s vital to call a company specializing in water damage restoration.

Turning the faucet on a cold winter’s morning only to find a trickle of water usually means one thing — frozen pipes. The major problem with an ice blockage in your plumbing system usually happens when you try to unfreeze the pipes. Water expands as it turns to ice. This can cause a crack or split the water lines. Then when the frozen water pipe thaws, a major leak can happen, resulting in expensive damage to repair.

How can you unfreeze pipes this winter if they have frozen? How can you avoid a major flood in your house as the ice in the pipes melts?

This article contains helpful tips on unfreezing pipes and preventing significant water damage when they thaw.

4 Ways to Unfreeze Pipes

Unfreezing a pipe requires finding where the blockage is located, applying some gentle heat, and being ready to clean up any water leakage. However, it can be tricky to find the frozen pipe if it’s in a wall, crawl space, or another hard-to-reach place.

1. Turn off the Main Shutoff Valve

Before attempting to thaw a frozen pipe, the first step is to turn off the main water valve. Doing this prevents a deluge of water from pouring out a pipe if it bursts.

2. Keep the Faucet Open

The next step to unfreeze a pipe is to open the faucets. Allowing the water to flow freely prevents water pressure from building up between the ice blockage and the faucet. This step is the best way of avoiding a burst pipe as it thaws and water pressure returns.

3. Locate the Frozen Section of Pipe

You will now have to locate where the ice blockage has occurred. To do this, you will need to do some detective work. For example, if only one faucet appears blocked, inspect the water lines back from that point. However, if there is no water flow in the house, you must check where the water enters the building.

You can look for condensation or frost on water pipes to find the blockage. It’s also helpful to tap pipes and listen if the sound is solid or hollow. Or you can use your hand to feel where the water line is its coldest.

4. Apply Heat to the Frozen Pipe

There are three suitable ways to unfreeze a pipe. First, you could use a heat lamp or a portable space heater to increase the air temperature around the blockage. Or you can use a hairdryer on a warm setting and gently thaw the ice in the pipe. Another heat source is an electric heating pad or heat cable to melt the ice in the frozen water pipe.

Top tip when unfreezing pipes: Always start from the faucet end of the ice blockage and work back. This prevents tremendous pressure from building up in the pipe.

What To Do if Pipes Burst This Winter?

If a pipe bursts as it unfreezes this winter, it’s vital to call a company specializing in water damage restoration. Cleaning up after a flood isn’t just about removing excess water. It’s crucial to use specialized drying equipment to prevent water damage that results in mold growth or structural issues.

Contact SERVPRO of Richardson (972) 690-1414 today if a burst pipe has caused water damage. Our Richardson water damage restoration services can mitigate all the harmful effects of a flood in your home.

SERVPRO of Richardson Offers Free Mold Inspections

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Our Richardson mold remediation experts can assess damage and provide helpful advice on preventing mold in bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and basements.

Arranging for a free mold inspection is an ideal way to know if there are issues with fungal growth in your property. Many homeowners and business owners call professional mold remediation experts to inspect for mold when they notice signs of indoor mold growth. These could be a strong, musty mold odor or black mold patches appearing on walls, carpets, or flooring. If a mold inspection reveals fungal growth, then a team of technicians can take steps to remove mold.

SERVPRO is a trusted mold remediation company in Richardson. We offer a free mold inspection for residential or commercial properties. In addition, our professional mold inspectors can test for mold to assess the type of mold and levels of mold spores in the air.

What are the reasons to inspect your property for various types of mold? Please read on to find the answers to this question.

Why Arrange a Free Mold Inspection in Richardson?

Visible mold growth is an unsightly problem that contaminates the air and surfaces if left untreated. Hiring a professional mold remediation service ensures that your home and property will be completely free and clear from mold contamination. A free mold inspection also assesses mold growth in unseen areas.

In addition to checking all areas of a property for mold, SERVPRO also helps prevent a mold infestation indoors by eliminating the sources of excess moisture.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is crucial to clean up mold promptly and remedy the moisture problem. In addition, the EPA recommends drying water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent a serious mold issue.

When is a Mold Inspection Necessary?

It is recommended to arrange a proper mold inspection whenever you notice visible mold growth. However, mold can grow in damp, dark places where you cannot see. Here are a few reasons to call SERVPRO for a free mold test in your home or office.

Mold inspection after water damage: The most common reason to call a mold inspection company is after a flood, leaking roof, or burst pipe. It is vital to dry the area completely in one to two days.
Inspect for mold after remediation: A mold inspection and mold sampling are excellent ways to ensure that mold remediation has resolved the problem and the indoor air quality is improved.
When purchasing a home: Before moving into a new home, getting it inspected for mold is a good idea. You don’t know what moisture and fungal growth issues could be lurking behind drywall, in attics, the crawl space, or basements.
A home has been unoccupied for years: A free mold inspection can determine if an unoccupied house requires any remediation work. In humid climates, mold is a common problem when a building has been shut up for months or years.

Call SERVPRO for a Free Mold Inspection

Contact us today at (972) 690-1414 to arrange a free, no-obligation mold inspection. Our Richardson mold remediation experts can assess mold damage and provide helpful advice on preventing mold in bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and basements. In addition, we can carry out mold testing, file insurance claims, and provide a comprehensive mold remediation service.

Is Mold Common in HVAC Air Ducts?

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

If you find yourself needing only the most experienced Richardson mold remediation experts, look no further than SERVPRO.

HVAC systems are designed to provide comfortable interior climates for occupants whether they want cool or warm air. Because of how they function, moisture can fill HVAC air duct systems. And due to this, mold is likely to grow within them.

Mold spores rely a lot on moisture to grow, and air ducts provide the perfect environment. Due to this, it’s important that you get your air ducts inspected at least twice a year, to ensure that mold doesn’t hinder the performance of your HVAC.

But if you do happen to have mold in your HVAC ducts, call for Richardson mold remediation services right away at (972) 690-1414.

How Do I Know if I Have Mold in my Air Ducts?

If you’re not entirely sure that you have mold in your air ducts, always look out for these two key indicators:

1. Musty Smell

A dank, musty odor is a common indicator of mold growth. If you recognize such a smell within a single area of your property (or on your property as a whole), it’s possible that you have mold in your air ducts.

2. Visible Mold

If mold has accumulated over time, it’s possible that you can easily spot the mold without thoroughly inspecting your air ducts.

There is a wide variety of different molds that appear in various colors. But typically, black mold is most commonly found in air ducts.

Black mold is not difficult to identify; it can appear as black spots that are lined on the surfaces of your HVAC system.

What Do I Do if There’s Mold in My Air Ducts?

As soon as you discover that there’s mold in your air ducts, you should call for a professional right away. Specifically, you should call for Richardson mold remediation services.

Mold remediation services will send over industry professionals who are trained to tackle mold. They will thoroughly inspect and assess the damage that has occurred and will immediately get to work.

Depending on the severity of your situation, your contractors will apply certain methods to the task at hand along with the use of state-of-the-art equipment (i.e. dehumidifiers and vacuums). And after they extract the mold, clean, and sanitize, they will restore your air ducts if possible.

Before you hire a contractor, it’s important that you do your research and hire the most qualified professional. If you need a headstart in your research, feel free to browse SERVPRO’s website and see why we’re Richardson’s #1 mold remediation experts.

Don’t Just Hire Anyone, Hire SERVPRO

If you find yourself needing only the most experienced Richardson mold remediation experts, look no further than SERVPRO.

For any inquiries, you can call us at (972) 690-1414 or visit our contact page.

What Kitchen Appliances Cause Water Damage?

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been in business for 35+ years, making us one of the most established damage restoration service providers out there.

Leaks in the average household can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of wasted water annually. But just as bad as the wasted water is the water damage that leaking or malfunctioning kitchen appliances can cause.

You may not know it, but improper use and failing to inspect your kitchen appliances can cause severe water damage. For this reason, it’s important that you recognize what common kitchen appliances can cause the most water damage — and how to prevent it.

Top Two Kitchen Appliances That Cause Water Damage

Certain appliances in your kitchen rely on water for their usage. But the main two appliances you should be wary of when it comes to preventing water damage are:

1. The Dishwasher

Your dishwasher uses a lot of water for each cycle it runs. Because of this, you should always be careful how you operate it.

If you don’t already have a child lock on your dishwasher, consider getting one. Child safety locks ensure no small children will be able to open your dishwasher doors during operation.

Dishwashers are designed to stop operating once the door is open. But if your dishwasher is malfunctioning, it can still run its cycle with the door open and cause water damage.

Also, adding too much detergent to the dishwasher can cause water damage. When operating your dishwasher, use only the recommended amount of detergent.

2. The Refrigerator

Most refrigerators these days serve filtered water and will always need water to form ice. Due to this, you have to be mindful of the current condition of your refrigerator.

Although durable, the water tubing on your fridge can be damaged over years of use. Eventually, it’s possible that the tubing can break one day, creating a leak that could cause terrible water damage if not detected early.

The most common cause of a leaking refrigerator is when your defrost drain is clogged or freezing. If this happens, you will need to thaw the ice and use hot water to flush your drain. Make sure to check the rubber seals along the door to ensure tightness.

What Happens if Water Damage Occurs?

If water damage has occurred because of malfunctioning kitchen appliances, you will need the professional assistance of Richardson water damage restoration services.

Experts in water damage restoration will use the appropriate tools, devices, and methods to reverse the damage that was dealt to your kitchen.

Call SERVPRO for all Your Water Damage Restoration Needs

SERVPRO has been in business for 35+ years, making us one of the most established damage restoration service providers out there. If you find yourself needing quality water damage restoration, you can count on us.

For any inquiries about our services, call us at (972) 690-1414. Or fill out our online form.

How to Control Humidity Using HVAC in Commercial Buildings

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

If you’re troubled with mold in your commercial property because of high humidity, pick up the phone and call SERVPRO right away.

Humidity control is an important skill you should learn if you are a commercial property owner. As the owner of a commercial property, you want to ensure you provide an excellent indoor climate for all inhabitants. Moreover, you also want to inhibit the growth of mold with less moisture, should it ever develop in your building.

Humidity control is not easy to do. But learning how to control the humidity in your commercial property is more than worth it. To find out how, keep on reading. SERVPRO has all the tips you need to make your indoor climate comfortable for all occupants and mold-free.

Why Control the Humidity in Commercial Buildings?

Controlling the humidity levels inside a commercial building makes the indoor space comfortable and inviting.

Typically, most occupants of a commercial building are either business owners or employees. If their indoor environment is not to their liking, their productivity can be inhibited and they won’t be happy at work. Also, keeping the inside of a commercial building comfortable will also benefit customers and clients.

Additionally, controlling the humidity means you’ll be lowering the risk of mold development and won’t have to rely so heavily on Richardson mold remediation services.

How to Control the Humidity Using HVAC in Commercial Buildings

There are four things you can do to control the humidity in your commercial building with the HVAC system.

Cleaning the Coils

The outside humid air can be tough on your AC’s condenser coils, causing them to get grimy often. And when your coils become grimy, your AC unit’s ability to release heat is not as optimal.

Preventative Maintenance Plan

Invest in a preventative maintenance plan for your air conditioner so that your unit can run as efficiently as possible. Preventative maintenance plans provide you with regular inspections, tune-ups, and cleaning of system components.

With a plan in place, your technician can also identify and resolve issues quickly, before they have the chance to worsen.

Adjust the Airflow

Your technician can adjust your system’s airflow so that your unit’s evaporator coil becomes colder when humidity levels increase. As a result, your indoors will have more moisture removal and you will have better humidity control.

With an adjusted airflow, you won’t have to worry about increased mold growth and paying extensively for Richardson mold remediation services.

Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air before it travels into your interiors. If you’re not sure what dehumidifier you need, ask your technician about which model you can use for your unit.

SERVPRO can Help With Your Mold Problems

If you’re troubled with mold in your commercial property because of high humidity, pick up the phone and call SERVPRO right away. Our business houses a team of professionals who are trained to provide the absolute best Richardson mold remediation services you won’t find anywhere else.

For any inquiries, you can call us at (972) 690-1414 or fill out our online form.

How to Avoid Holiday Decoration Fire: 4 Top Safety Tips

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

If a fire has devastated your home during the holidays, call the professionals at SERVPRO right away.

In 2019, 16.6 thousand fire-related injuries were reported. Compared to the previous year’s statistics, that margin had decreased significantly. Still, fires are no joke and you always want to ensure members of your household are kept safe at all times.

When it comes to holidays, especially, you have to be very mindful of what goes on in your home. The cheerful decorations on your walls or on the tree can cause a devastating fire.

In the aftermath of a fire, SERVPRO will always be there to help. You can count on us for our high-end, 24/7 Richardson fire damage restoration services.

But when you want to protect your family, get familiar with the below tips so you can stay safe during the holidays.

Unplug Your Electronics

The beauty of electronic holiday decorations is that they can light up and bring joy to your home. But on the flip side of that coin, however, electronic decorations can also bring potential dangers.

You should always unplug your decorations before you go to sleep. You should especially unplug decorations on your Christmas tree since leaving them on can cause them to overheat and set your tree ablaze.

Store Lighters and Matches Properly

During the holiday season, people will usually buy themed candles to add to the festive mood. When you light your candles for parties or holiday leisure activities, be mindful of where you are storing your matches and lighters.

Young children are often tempted to play with fire and will find any reason to light a match just because they find it entertaining. With a lit match in a child’s hand, a catastrophe will almost surely happen to which you will need Richardson fire damage restoration services.

Cook Carefully

Roasting that holiday ham or turkey is always a delight. But you need to be careful. It’s very easy for someone to put food in the oven and forget about it. Even when you have a timer on, whoever is preparing the holiday feast must always check up on their food items once in a while.

You should also check up on food items that aren’t in the oven as well. Stovetops can cause fires due to oil splattering out of pans or because of closely placed flammables, like oven mitts.

Use Fireworks Appropriately

Fireworks are common around New Year’s Eve. Just make sure that you use fireworks appropriately if you’re setting them off. Fireworks can cause fires if not used responsibly.

When handling your fireworks, don’t let young children light them. Light them one at a time and ensure they go off at a safe distance away from grass, wood, and other flammables.

When The Fire is Out, Call SERVPRO Right Away

If a fire has devastated your home during the holidays, call the professionals at SERVPRO right away. We offer 24/7 emergency services and will immediately get to work with our Richardson fire damage restoration services.

Call us at (972) 690-1414 or visit our contact page.

Professional Cleaning and Sanitation for Schools in North Dallas

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson's remediation experts can help with daily or intensive commercial cleaning in the North Dallas area.

What do schools and restaurants have in common? Cleanliness is paramount to maintaining safety compliance in public spaces. So, how do you clean something that's been used by hundreds of kids every day?

SERVPRO of Richardson can help. Whether you need a hand with some daily cleaning or more extensive renovations, we offer everything from building clean-up and maintenance to fire and water restoration.

For an immediate professional response and service, contact SERVPRO of Richardson at (972) 690-1414 today!

Here are some of the top reasons why hiring a professional cleaning and sanitation company to provide services for your school:

1. Reduce Time Spent Cleaning and Sanitizing

Do you want more time to spend with your kids? Then allow SERVPRO to handle the cleaning so you don't have to. We provide services seven days a week, so we can accommodate your busy schedule.

2. Professional Cleaners Have the Appropriate Tools and Equipment

Who wants to clean up after hundreds of kids with a scrub brush? You can be sure that your school is in good hands when our professionals are on the job. We use state-of-the-art equipment, such as high powered vacuums, deodorizers, and floor buffing machines.

3. Avoid Overcrowded Hallways

Get your kids back to learning by being able to move freely through your halls. SERVPRO will quickly clear away the mess, so you don't have to worry about people tripping over junk.

4. Avoid Unsanitary Conditions

When you are looking for a cleaning company, be sure that they are able to not only clean up after students but also provide professional sanitation. SERVPRO can kill germs and bacteria to prevent the spread of disease.

5. Peace of Mind

Do you worry about what sits on your school floors? It's time to bring in the professionals so that you don't have to worry anymore! We can restore flooring, including tile and carpet, back to its original beauty.

6. A Cleaner and Safer Place for Kids to Learn

Much of a school's success depends on the kids' ability to learn in a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment. Get your students back to what they do best by allowing a cleaning company that you can trust to handle all of your daily cleaning needs!

7. Increase the Play Area for Your Students

LEGOs, dolls, and sports equipment can all be placed back in their proper place by our professionals. It's amazing how much more room you'll have when your floors are clean!

Professional Cleaners Can Help with Large Messes

Sometimes disasters strike without warning. Our team of dedicated professionals will be ready to go to work anytime, day or night. On average, we respond within 30 minutes of your call anywhere in the North Dallas area!

Contact SERVPRO of Richardson today at (972) 690-1414 for professional cleaning and sanitation services in the North Dallas area!

SERVPRO has over 1,700 Franchises ready to help across the U.S. and Canada and is recognized as the leader in specialized fire and water restoration services.

How to Prepare Your Home, Family, and Pets for North Dallas Storm Season

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

Without the necessary preparations, your home could become severely damaged by strong winds or other elements.

The Office for Coastal Management had reported a combined total loss of $136 billion from weather disasters in both 2018 and 2019. This total loss was mostly due to hurricanes Dorian, Florence, and Michael, as well as western wildfires that impacted California.

While there’s no way to prevent storms from attacking your home, there are ways you can prepare your home, family, and pets for the North Dallas storm season.

If you ever find your property damaged from a powerful storm, feel free to reach out to SERVPRO of Richardson at (972) 690-1414. We can provide you the highest quality Richardson storm damage restoration you won’t find anywhere else.

Top Tips to Prepare Your Home for Storm Season

We often take for granted what our homes offer us. Your home is your place for comfort and rest. But your home also provides shelter from the outside elements. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to forget to prepare for storms and secure the property.

These are our top tips to prepare for storm season that won’t break the bank or take a lot of time to complete.

Prepare for Outages

Take note of what you can live without during a power outage. If you find that you need continuous power, consider buying a generator before meteorologists start calling for a big storm. Generators sell out fast.

Unplug Electronics

Unplugging your electronics is the best method to prevent surge-related damage.

Trim your trees

Branches can easily be torn off during a storm, causing them to fly into your home and break windows or other structures. Trim your trees and other shrubs to reduce the chance of damage.

Budget for Storm Restoration

It’s possible that your home will become damaged after a storm even with the best preparations. Check your home insurance policy. Budget for restoration services in case you need to hire Richardson storm damage restoration services.

Preparing Your Family

The best way to prepare your family for a storm is to create a disaster plan and rehearse it before the wind starts howling.

When you prepare your plan, the first thing you should consider is what the safest part of your home is. Basements are often the go-to for many homes during a storm.

If you don’t have a basement, bathrooms are usually a safe space, too. Regardless of where your safe place is, make sure you communicate with your family and let them know where to meet in case a dangerous storm hits the area.

Preparing Your Pets

Because they’re a part of your family, you should also have a plan in place for your pets.

Make sure they are comforted during the storm and that you stock up on food for them. Ration out food accordingly if you think you’ll be staying indoors longer than expected.

Create an evacuation plan for your pets, too. Long in advance of a storm, be sure to identify which evacuation shelters allow pets.

Don’t Delay in Preparing Your Home for Storms

It’s important you prepare your home before a powerful storm arrives. Without the necessary preparations, your home could become severely damaged by strong winds or other elements.

If your home is still damaged after a storm despite your best efforts, hire SERVPRO of Richardson today. Call us at (972) 690-1414 or fill out our online form.

Sneaky Places Mold Can Hide in Your Richardson Home

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

If you find any mold in your Richardson home, it's time to call the professionals.

Mold can be found anywhere moisture is. It can appear on the floor, in the air, even inside walls. However, mold growth requires three things to form:

Water intrusion
A place to grow
Temperature between 40 - 100 degrees F / 4-38 degrees C

If you have a Richardson home with mold, there's a good chance that it might be hiding out in these five sneaky places.

Call SERVPRO of Richardson at 972-690-1414 to get rid of any visible signs of mold before they spread throughout your home. Our team will get things back to normal before you know it.

1. Drywall

There are plenty of reasons to keep your walls dry. Mold thrives on water, and the longer it's allowed to stay moist, the darker and stronger its roots will grow. Even if there isn't any visible sign of mold yet, damp drywall could just be harboring the spores that lead to mold infestation.

2. Wood or Wood-derived Surfaces

Another culprit for rotting wood is moisture getting trapped behind cellulose materials such as paneling or wallpaper. It may seem like an innocent fix for a problem that is only in the beginning stages, but you might end up with more issues down the line.

3. Air Conditioning Units

Other house appliances such as air conditioning units can also provide mold with the moisture it needs to grow and spread. Not only do these devices need to be kept free of mold themselves but check them regularly to make sure there isn't any leaking where the pipes connect at the exterior of your home.

4. Countertops

As countertops are exposed to plenty of water throughout their lives, they're susceptible to developing mold over time. Cleaning these surfaces too aggressively with common cleaning supplies can also strip the countertops of their natural protection against mold growth, which means that you'll need to be extra cautious when wiping down your counters.

5. Bathroom Sinks and Bathtubs

Water is a leading factor in the growth of mold. As they collect water, these two areas are prime spots for mold to grow behind the fixtures, along grout lines, or under the edge of your tub. One way to check if you have an issue is by wiping down these surfaces with bleach or vinegar—if you see signs of black mold anywhere on the surface, it means that there's hidden mold behind probably everywhere else too.

6. Mattresses

Finally, mold can also be hiding in your bed. Mattresses are particularly vulnerable due to the number of moist hours they spend tucked under sheets and blankets. One small splash could lead to an infestation within weeks.

Get Mold Remediation and Restoration in Richardson

If you find any mold in your Richardson home, it's time to call the professionals.

Sneaky places like these can be tricky to handle yourself, so let the trained pros at SERVPRO of Richardson Mold Remediation and Restoration help. Call (972) 690-1414 today for more information or book an appointment online.

Professional Cleaning and Sanitation for North Dallas Schools

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

With SERVPRO's new more evolved cleaning methods, you can achieve a higher level of cleanliness necessary to ensure children's safety at schools.

Despite being satisfied with the performance of educational institutes during the pandemic, many parents in North Dallas are afraid to send their kids back to school. The only way to remove the doubts about children's safety is to ensure proper cleaning and sanitization.

The pandemic has entirely changed the meaning of deep-cleaning. So, we also need an enhanced and more intense level of facility sanitation in addition to a CDC recommended routine cleaning plan. This is where the high standards of cleaning of SERVPRO come in.

With SERVPRO's new more evolved cleaning methods, you can achieve a higher level of cleanliness necessary to ensure children's safety at schools in North Dallas.

SERVPRO's Professional Cleaning and Sanitization

SERVPRO is well-equipped to secure any facility against deadly diseases, bacteria, and other unseen dangers. In addition, we work closely with colleges and elementary schools to ensure they're entirely safe and ready to conduct in-person learning.

Our responsibility is to ensure a safe and clean environment for staff, faculty, and students. Thanks to 50+ years of diversified experience in proactive cleaning and restoration, our experts know what it takes to help local educational facilities thrive and regain the stature they once had before the pandemic.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

We've partnered with our leading sanitation experts to design the Certified: SERVPRO Clean Viral Pathogen-Cleaning Program to deliver our cleaning services to schools in North Dallas and the DFW area.

The program effectively overcomes the limitations of janitorial services and takes cleaning to a whole new level. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is composed of all the guidelines and procedures from the CDC and local authorities, in addition to the utilization of EPA-approved hospital-grade disinfectants.

If you encounter a coronavirus case inside the institution, call the experts you can trust to help you reset and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Get Certified with SERVPRO Cleaned and commit to a higher standard of hygiene.

Rest assured that we have in-depth experience working with:

Higher Education — Universities and Colleges
Secondary — High schools
Primary — Elementary and Middle Schools
Early Childhood — Nursery

Benefits of Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is the most trusted cleaning and sanitization standard that guarantees the safety and cleanliness of a facility. If you want to be 100% sure whether a particular facility is safe, then check if it is SERVPRO certified or not.

The plans are customizable depending on the complexities and requirements of your facility. The program takes care of it all, from proactive cleaning programs to dealing with confirmed or suspected infections via in-depth sanitation.

Our programs differ based on the following factors:

Foot traffic
Business type
Congestion areas
High-frequency touchpoints
Square footage
Public spaces, and more

Moreover, the SERVPRO Cleaned program serves as a visual reaffirmation to everyone who plans to visit your facility, whether a customer or an employee.

Let's Create Your Custom Cleaning Plans

If you want to get the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program and be absolutely sure your facility is safe, then give us a call at (972) 690-1414 to learn more.

What It Means To Be a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Franchise

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

If you are interested in certification of high-standard cleaning and sanitization, then we are right here.

SERVPRO is the number one cleanup and restoration franchise organization, and we've proven this fact through our outstanding services. With more than 1,800 franchises spread all over the United States, we're the largest growing network of restoration and disaster cleanups service providers in the country.

SERVPRO offers various full-service disaster cleanups and restoration services like fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, and mold testing and restoration.

To get your place inspected for water damages, you can reach out to the Richardson Water Damage Restoration franchise or visit North Dallas Fire Damage Restoration for fire-related fixes.

Moreover, we've launched a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program that certifies whether the facility is clean and safe enough for in-person return to work.

Thanks to this program, employees, and management can finally return to the office and work like they typically did on pre-pandemic days.

Moreover, it ensures that schools are safe for children. In short, if it's Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, then it is safe for people to perform their daily activities.

Why Get Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned?

The pandemic has introduced new standards of cleaning and has altered the methods and requirements of cleaning.

According to a recent survey, 61% of people are still reluctant and afraid to visit brick-and-mortar places, and 40% of them agree that their most significant concern is the cleanness of the site.

Therefore, SERVPRO has introduced the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program, which reaches a level above ordinary janitorial cleaning.

With over 50 years of experience in cleaning and restoration, SERVPRO has developed this comprehensive cleaning program specializing in the battle against viral pathogens like the coronavirus.

How Was The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program Created?

With the help of procedures and methods suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SERVPRO has managed to clean any place free from viral pathogens, including Covid-19.

More than that, SERVPRO has used disinfecting products registered and certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that the facility is free of any infectious substances or other health hazards.

How Does The Certification Work?

The process of the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program mainly involves the following steps:

Consult

First is the consultation stage, where a SERVPRO representative will design a cleaning program specified and tailored according to the needs and requirements of your facility.

Clean

The next stage is the cleaning stage, where SERVPRO will deliver an unmatched cleaning performance. Furthermore, SERVPRO is also available in case of emergency cleaning and proactive cleaning for Covid 19.

Certify

When cleaning is completed, SERVPRO will certify that the facility is safe for people to return and perform their day-to-day activities. However, this certification is only achieved after the complete cleaning and sanitization of the facility.

The Plan Forward

Cleaning and making places safe for people is just the first step of the plan. Employees, customers, and other stakeholders may doubt the cleanliness and hesitate to return to the facility.

Therefore, our goal is to set a standard of cleaning so high that there is no doubt in peoples' minds about the place's safety.

Contact us for more information

If you are interested in certification of high-standard cleaning and sanitization, then we are right here. To get further info regarding the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program, call us on our Richardson Franchise's phone number: (972) 690-1414.

How To Prevent Toilet Clogs in Your Commercial Building

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning your toilet doesn’t just help it look good and function properly. It also allows you to determine any leaks or underlying issues.

Commercial buildings commonly have much larger and more robust plumbing systems than the average residential home. Unfortunately, this makes maintenance more challenging and often makes commercial buildings more prone to common plumbing problems.

Toilet clogs are a recurrent nuisance for commercial building operators. From this perspective, the best way to deal with these problems is to focus on preventing them. On this page, we’ll go over the best tips for preventing toilet clogs in your commercial building.

Regular cleaning is key

When it comes to the best prevention methods for toilet clogs, few things can be as efficient as regular cleaning. Cleaning your toilet doesn’t just help it look good and function properly. It also allows you to determine any leaks or underlying issues. For example, you can spot any water pooling on the floor or dripping pipes and act on the matter promptly to mitigate potential damage.

And, when it comes to toilet drain cleaners, it’s best to stick to the safest options. Many chemical drain cleaners can be too powerful for the pipes. This often leads to damage and can result in more significant structural problems.

At the first sign of trouble, act fast.

If you experience any issue when inspecting the toilets, act on the matter as soon as possible. Never leave the situation for a drawn-out period before working on it. This will only exacerbate the issue and potentially cause more severe plumbing problems in the long run.

Schedule systematic inspections

Lastly, don’t forget to contact an experienced contractor to do a thorough inspection. This is the only way to find out if your plumbing is working as it should be. You should schedule an inspection at least once every year, ideally twice a year.

A practiced eye will know how to determine if you need to upgrade a part of your plumbing system or replace something. Sometimes, replacing a finicky toilet can be the most effective and economical solution for preventing potential toilet clogs.

Contact us for help fast

It’s never a good time to experience a toilet clog on a commercial building. But, to help make sure your problem is fixed asap, our experts are always on call, 24/7, and dispatch fast.

SERVPRO Richardson is one of the oldest and most experienced disaster restoration companies in Texas. Call us at (972) 690-1414 right away, and we’ll fix your clogged toilet promptly and efficiently.

Our North Dallas Technicians Are Ready 24/7

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

Our North Dallas technicians in Richardson are at your service 24/7 and trained to carry out various repair and restoration tasks.

One of the most important things you can do when your property is damaged is call an emergency restoration expert to prevent further property damage or more significant financial loss.

And, when it comes to emergency restoration services, it’s paramount to have a trusted company available around the clock. Our North Dallas technicians in Richardson are at your service 24/7 and trained to carry out various repair and restoration tasks, including:

Mold Testing and Damage Restoration

Mold is very common in homes and can thrive in damp areas of the house. With our professional mold testing service, you can rely on a comprehensive inspection of your property that will uncover everywhere mold is hiding. Our specially trained technicians use the latest technologies to detect mold and any underlying moisture or water damage on your property.

Our experts will recommend the most effective treatments based on the type of mold in your house or commercial business. Additionally, they’ll share with you the best tips for mold growth mitigation so that you can keep any potential mold problems under tight control.

Fire Damage Restoration

Fire can destroy your property within minutes. However, we understand that recovering from such a life-changing event can take years. That’s why we will work with you and your insurance company to minimize the time it takes to restore your household from fire damage. Our technicians will make the entire process convenient, cost-effective, and stress-free with efficient fire damage inspection and prompt restoration.

Water Damage Restoration

Water emergencies often happen without any warning and can cause significant structural damage to your home. Plus, the more you delay acting on the issue, the more damage water can cause to your household.

Over the years, we’ve encountered water damage of all kinds and completed challenging water damage restoration projects. Our unmatched experience and constant availability are your guarantees for expeditious water cleanup. In addition, our technicians are IICRC certified and have mastered extensive education on the science of moisture and humidity.

Restore Your Home or Business Today

When disaster strikes your household or business, recovering and restoring the premises is often an expensive, laborious, and time-consuming task. That said, with our skilled and experienced Richardson technicians, you can count on prompt restoration services at any time of day or night.

Restore your home and your life without delay. Contact us right away at (972) 690-1414, and our technicians will deliver a fast and efficient damage clean-up service.

How Often Should You Repair Your Roof?

9/2/2021 (Permalink)

If your house suffered damage in a storm, it is vital to check the roof and make repairs as soon as necessary.

The old saying out of sight, out of mind shouldn’t apply to your roof. Your roof is subject to the harshest of elements. Failing to repair your roof can cause significant damage inside your home — not to mention put you at risk of building code violations.

A lack of visible signs of damage inside your home might make you think you don’t need to repair your roof. However, structural damage can occur before you realize it. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends checking your roof twice a year for possible damage.

When checking your roof, look for the following issues:

Missing, cracked, broken, or lose shingles
Sagging caused by excess weight (snow, too many shingle layers, etc.)
Mold or rot or other signs of water damage
Dark spots — a type of algae that isn’t harmful to the roof itself but over time, it can dry out the shingles and cause damage.

If your house suffered damage in a storm, it is vital to check the roof and make repairs as soon as necessary. In Dallas, you can call on SERVPRO of Richardson to help remediate any storm damage to your roof.

How Often Should You Repair Your Roof?

As soon as you spot any damage to your roof, you should repair it. Repairing your roof fast protects it and your home from the elements. Roofs have an average lifespan. The underlying structure should last as long as the structure of the house. Depending on the materials, you should also replace the entire top layer of your roof.

Asphalt Shingles

Three-tab asphalt shingles will last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. But if you have architectural asphalt shingles, the average lifespan can be longer — 25 to 30 years, since they’re more resilient.

Cement or Clay

Cement is one of the most durable types of roofs. Cement or clay tiles are resilient and heavy. They’re installed on extra-strong roofing reinforcement, so your home has greater protection. Clay tile roofs can last from 50 up to 100 years.

Slate

Slate is another excellent, if not superior, material for roofs. Slate is the most fire-resistant material for roofs and one of the most aesthetically pleasing. In addition, slate can last for 125 to 200 years.

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles require maintenance to get the most out of them. If you don’t keep the roof clear of leaves and decay, you can shorten the lifespan. On average, wooden shingles will last around 25 to 30 years. However, with the proper care, it may be around 50 years until your roof needs repairing.

Metal

How often you need to repair a metal roof depends on the type of metal. Aluminum and steel will have to be replaced every 50 years or so. Metals such as zinc and copper will last approximately double that time.

Repairing a roof: The bottom line

Repairing a roof is not something anyone can do. Climbing up ladders and working on a sloping roof can be dangerous. And you can’t afford to make mistakes. So it is usually advisable to call in a licensed roofer to make any roof repairs.

If severe storms and flooding have damaged your roof in Richardson, SERVPRO professional Flood Remediation and Storm Damage contractors can help. Give us a call at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate.

Creating a Fire Escape Plan for Your North Dallas Home or Business

9/2/2021 (Permalink)

A fire in your home can be terrifying. But familiarity with your fire escape plan can help everyone in a home or business remain calm and save lives.

As careful as we are in our homes and businesses, fires will still happen. Worryingly, there are several causes of fires that are beyond our control. In 2021, wildfires burned across 20,478 acres of land in Texas.

Official government figures show that there are 5.5 deaths and 22.3 injuries for every 1,000 residential fires in Texas. Additionally, after the fire is put out, the problems don’t end for the house or business owner. There’s tremendous work involved to repair fire damage to a property and sort out insurance claims.

Whether electrical, chemical, accidental, or wild, creating a fire escape plan for your North Dallas home or business is crucial.

7 Steps to Creating a Fire Escape Plan for Your North Dallas Home or Business

Let’s look at seven essential elements of a fire escape plan if you live or work in North Dallas.

1. Consider who the plan is for

A fire escape plan must include children, the elderly, and people with special needs or disabilities. Children don’t always hear a fire alarm if they are asleep. But when they are awake, they may panic. People with special needs may also be terrified at the sound of an alarm or may need physical assistance leaving a building. Therefore, your plan must include a designated person to help those in need. Share the plan with everyone involved.

2. Find your exits

Each room should have a minimum of two exits. These can be windows or doors. As you walk through the rooms of your home or office, check for two exits and ensure they’re easily accessible.

3. Create a fire escape map

You can create maps of exit points using a copy of the blueprints or plans. The fire escape plan should be displayed throughout the building. If your home or business has children, you can get the children to draw their own map.

4. Have the correct number of fire or smoke alarms

The National Fire Protection Association recommends a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside every bedroom, and on every level of the home. For business locations, check the legal number of alarms you need per square foot. To ensure safety, regularly check that fire and smoke alarms are working.

5. Is your home or business address visible?

Emergency responders need to be able to find your address as quickly as possible. So make sure your building number is clearly visible from the street. It’s also a good idea to write down precisely what you will say to the emergency services to explain your location.

6. Have a regular fire drill

Businesses should practice the fire escape plan annually. With children, it is recommended to practice every three months. Practicing how to act during a fire helps to ensure that people remain calm but act immediately. In addition, everybody should know the assembly point outside the building.

7. Always have a backup plan

A backup plan is vital in case you can’t escape from your home or business premises. All doors between you and the fire must be closed, place towels under the door, and head to an exterior window.

A fire in your home can be terrifying. But familiarity with your fire escape plan can help everyone in a home or business remain calm and save lives.

If your home or commercial property has been damaged in a fire, SERVPRO Richardson is here to help. Contact us anytime, day or night, at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate on our Fire Damage Restoration Services.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO Richardson Works with Your Insurance Company

9/2/2021 (Permalink)

We’re the low-stress, lower-cost option when it comes to restoring damaged property. We’ve helped many restore their properties in the DFW area!

When your property is damaged in a fire, flood, or another disaster, one of the first questions to come to mind is, “Will my insurance pay for this?” Chances are, yes. At least, a portion of your claim, and that depends on your particular policy. But the bigger questions are, “How much will everything cost, and how much of a pain will this process be?"

At SERVPRO Richardson, we work with your insurance company to clean, repair, and restore your property to a usable condition for a reasonable price and with the least number of headaches involved. It’s one of the many reasons why people choose SERVPRO consistently over the leading competitors.

Why SERVPRO: An easier insurance claims process

Suppose your property has been damaged in a fire. In that case, you’ll be approached by a multitude of disaster contractors and construction companies promising to help you restore your building. The problem is, these businesses will be offering you a patchwork of services.

For example, one contractor may only handle roof repair. Another business’s bread and butter might be cleanout exclusively and not smoke remediation.

The same is true for buildings damaged in floods. You might get a contractor to offer cleanout, but they can’t do mold remediation. You'd need to hire a different business for that.

At SERVPRO, we’re a one-stop shop for all disaster and damage restoration needs, no matter how your building was damaged, whether in a fire, flood, or storm.

We handle initial clean out, repair, reconstruction, and damage restoration for lingering issues from a disaster, such as mold testing, remediation, and smoke damage restoration.

When you choose SERVPRO, we offer two distinct advantages over hiring a patchwork of contractors:

Since we handle every aspect of damage restoration, you’re able to buy in bulk. Costs to you and your insurance company are lowered.
Communicating with one company to complete a job as complex as disaster cleanup and restoration means fewer headaches and miscommunication issues.

Ultimately, it’s your right to hire any company you want to fix your property. But if you choose a one-stop shop for your damage restoration needs, the entire insurance claims process becomes more manageable and affordable.

Contact Us for Full-Service Damage Restoration Services in Richardson

Most damage restoration companies and contractors who will approach you after a disaster do not offer full service. If you go the piecemeal route, you’ll be dealing with multiple points of contact, a lot of paperwork, and scheduling conflicts. In addition, hiring numerous businesses to restore your property will be a more expensive process, resulting in a higher-cost insurance claim.

So, why SERVPRO?

We’re the low-stress, lower-cost option when it comes to restoring damaged property. We’ve helped many individuals and businesses restore their properties to a pristine state in the DFW area for 30+ years.

Contact us today at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate on our North Dallas Fire Damage Restoration and Richardson Water Damage Restoration services.

Top 6 Common Causes of North Dallas House Fires and How to Prevent Them

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

House fires can be terrifying ordeals. Fortunately, preventing the most common causes of house fires isn’t difficult.

According to the NFPA, a death occurs from a house fire every three hours in the US. Fortunately, some of the most common causes of house fires in North Dallas are preventable. We’ll cover the most common house fire causes and ways to prevent them below.

If your home or commercial building has suffered fire and smoke damage, we can help. Contact SERVPRO of Richardson 24/7 at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate.

Cooking is the #1 Cause of House Fires

Cooking-related fiascos are the most common cause of house fires and injuries in the US. Usually, open flames from a stove or oven are the culprit, setting fire to clothing or objects nearby. Fortunately, these fires are easily preventable.

Be sure to keep flammable materials away from the stove and oven. Also, be mindful of loose clothing when cooking on an open fire. Don’t leave the kitchen unattended when cooking on the stove. Keep pot and pan handles turned inward or toward a wall to prevent them from being knocked over.

Grease and fire don’t mix. So do not put water on an inflamed pot. Instead, use a fire extinguisher and always keep it handy in the kitchen.

#2 Cause of House Fires in Dallas: Smoking

Smoke outside and fully extinguish smoking devices. Use an ashtray that’s too heavy to tip. Smoking-related fires are the leading cause of fire-related deaths.

#3 House Fires Cause: Candles

Children and pets can knock over burning candles. Candles left burning unattended can also catch drapery on fire. Never leave a candle burning unattended and keep them out of reach of pets and children.

#4 House Fires Culprit: Wiring Issues

Bad, old wiring and overloaded wires can quickly lead to fires. Have a certified electrician inspect your home for wiring issues to prevent this common cause of household fires in North Dallas.

#5 Common cause of house fires: Heating appliances

Space heaters and fireplaces are significant sources of house fires. Keep flammable materials several feet away from these items. Fully extinguish a fireplace and make sure logs are cool before closing it. Also, only burn seasoned wood in an interior fireplace. Finally, never leave a space heater running unattended.

#6 Most common cause of house fires: Christmas trees

Unfortunately, the joyful holiday season can turn tragic thanks to faulty Christmas tree lighting. Live trees are very dry toward the end of the season. Hot lights or even tiny sparks from a malfunctioning light fixture can lead to a tree engulfed in flames within mere minutes.

Be sure to plug tree lights into an outlet that is not overloaded, and do not leave the lights on for too long. Always turn out the lights when leaving home.

Causes of House Fires in Dallas: The Bottom Line

House fires can be terrifying ordeals and lead to thousands of dollars in damage and the loss of loved ones and pets. Fortunately, preventing the most common causes of house fires isn’t difficult. Never leave flames and holiday lighting unattended and keep flammable materials away from open flames.

If your home has been damaged in a fire, we’re here for you. Contact us online. Or call us at (972) 690-1414 any time, day or night, for a free estimate on our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Services.

Top 5 Easy Mold Damage Tips Until Professional Help Arrives

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning and removing a serious mold colony isn’t a DIY job. While waiting for the professionals to arrive, keep these top tips in mind.

Water damage and hot, humid summers can fuel mold growth. If you spot mold in your home or commercial property, you’ll need to act fast to prevent further damage to your building. Follow these top 5 quick and easy mold damage tips until the professional cavalry arrives.

Avoid These All-Too-Common Mold Damage Mistakes

When mitigating mold damage DIY while you wait for professionals, avoid these common mistakes:

Pick the right mold cleaner. You might think it’s bleach, but that’s a myth. Natural products like white vinegar are far superior and less dangerous for pets and people when cleaning mold spots and preventing regrowth in humid areas like bathrooms.
Be mindful of cross-contamination. Once you start cleaning mold spots, spores can be released through the air. Turn off HVAC while you’re cleaning mold and dispose of cleaning materials and clothes to prevent cross-contamination.
Remove the moisture source. No matter how much you clean, mold will return if it has enough moisture to support its growth. Fix leaks, clean spills, and lower humidity to 50% to stop mold from regrowing. Add a bathroom vent that goes to the outside to keep mold at bay.

Mold Damage Tip #1: Fix Leaks and Clean Up Moisture ASAP

Mold is everywhere, and nearly any building will be dealing with mold at some point. The trick to keep it from growing to unacceptable levels is to maintain low humidity levels.

Plumbing and roof leaks, water damage from flooding, and water damage from extinguishing a fire can fuel acute mold growth if not cleaned and dried within 48 hours.

For the prevention of chronic mold problems, use a dehumidifier. Keep levels at 50%. Consider adding a bathroom or kitchen vent to lower humidity levels. Bathroom vents should go to the outside, not the attic or house eaves.

Mold Damage Tip #2: Don’t Put Lipstick on That Pig

You might think that simply painting over a moldy wall will take care of the problem. Unfortunately, paint over mold will peel and create an even bigger, more costly mess on your hands. You have to appropriately clean the mold and prime the surface before painting.

If painting in an area prone to mold, opt for mold-killing primers and paint to prevent regrowth.

Mold Damage Tip #3: Use the Right Cleaner

Moldy basement? Prevent it from growing in other areas of the home with the right cleaner. You can purchase commercial cleaning products that inhibit mold growth or use a white vinegar solution in a spray bottle to take care of small spots.

Mold Damage Tip #4: Stay Out of Highly Contaminated Areas

High levels of mold are unpleasant to deal with. In areas of high contamination, stay out until help arrives. Close off the site, and be sure to turn off fans and vents to these places until they’re professionally remediated.

Mold Damage Tip #5: Consult the Specialists

Contacting a mold remediation company for help is one thing. But other contaminated or damaged materials like upholstery and carpets may need more specialized attention.

Contact a water damage restoration professional specializing in mold remediation for a holistic approach to restoring your property and belongings.

Key Takeaways

Cleaning and removing a serious mold colony isn’t a DIY job. While waiting for the professionals to arrive, keep these top tips in mind.

We’re available 24/7 for your water damage and mold remediation needs in Richardson. Give us a call at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate.

5 Reasons to Hire a Mold Remediation Company in North Dallas

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

Professional mold remediation experts will accurately diagnose your particular mold problem and the appropriate course of action to get rid of it for

Mold is prevalent in the damp places, but in addition, mold spores are stubborn, and removing mold isn’t an easy DIY task. However, hiring a mold remediation company is a surefire way to remove persistent, toxic mold from your property.

At SERVPRO Richardson, our mold remediation experts have been restoring water-damaged and humid properties to a dry, mold-free condition for decades. Give us a call today at (972) 843-7879 for a free estimate on our Mold Remediation Services.

Are you on the fence about outsourcing this all-too-important job? Here are five reasons to hire a mold remediation company in North Dallas.

Reason #1: You’ll Get an Accurate Mold Assessment

Professional mold remediation experts will accurately diagnose your particular mold problem and the appropriate course of action to get rid of it for good.

The usual cause of mold is a unique combination of air conditioning and humidity. When an HVAC system quickly cools a building in humid conditions, condensation accumulates in the air ducts.

Result? Mold growth.

Mold remediation experts can find mold in hard-to-see and detect areas, and thoroughly clean and remove it. Call us for Richardson mold testing to correctly identify what type of mold you’re dealing with and how to treat it for fast removal properly.

Reason #2: Mold Problems are Treated Correctly From the Start

Think about all the times you’ve tried to do a home improvement project yourself. You spend a lot of time researching the problem, coming up with a plan, executing the plan, and spending a lot of money in the process.

Okay, now think about all the times your DIY projects went belly up, and you had to hire a professional to fix the initial problem and any issues you caused, and the amount of money you spent in the process.

Hiring a professional from the start ensures that you don’t waste time, money, and your efforts remediating mold. A professional team can get it done the right way right from the beginning, saving you time and money in the long run.

Our mold remediation experts at SERVPRO Richardson have the equipment, tools, and training necessary to pinpoint the mold source, clean existing mold, and stop regrowth.

Reason #3: Correct Mold Remediation Now Prevents a Bigger Problem in the Future

Mold proliferates in hard-to-see places. Professional mold remediation now will prevent massive mold colonies from forming behind walls, ceilings, and attics that can cause health effects to inhabitants.

Reason #4: Pointers from the Experts on How to Prevent Mold From Coming Back

Knowledgeable professionals can give you effective pointers to prevent mold from regrowing after cleaning and removing the initial contamination.

Reason #5: Saves Money

In the long run, you’ll save money if you hire an expert from the start. However, the longer you wait, the more expensive mold remediation will be.

Don’t Delay. Call Us Today for a Free Estimate.

At SERVPRO in North Dallas, we have the experience and equipment needed to assess, remove, and prevent mold contamination properly. Call us today at (972) 843-7879 for a free quote.

Clothing and Textile Restoration After Flood Damage in Richardson

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

When returning to a flooded property, take the following steps to ensure your safety and minimize any further damage when salvaging clothing and other

Water is one of the most destructive elements. Besides damage to floors, walls, and ceilings, you could also be looking at water-logged clothing and textiles after a flood. What steps do you need to take to save your belongings?

We’ll cover our clothing and textile restoration steps in this article. Contact us today for a free estimate on restoring your water-damaged property in Richardson.

Salvaging Textiles: Precautions to Take

When returning to a flooded property, take the following steps to ensure your safety and minimize any further damage when salvaging clothing and other textiles:

Soiled garments can be contaminated with bacteria-laden grey and blackwater after a flood. So, wear gloves and tall boots that adequately cover your arms and legs. If the area is dusty and musty, consider wearing a mask.
Be careful to avoid stretching the fabric. Gently lift water-logged textiles and place them on a solid surface for support when moving the items.

Clothing and Textile Damage From Flooding: What and How to Salvage

Textiles that are beyond at-home cleaning, won’t thoroughly dry, or otherwise fit these categories can still be salvaged by the professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson:

Have discoloration and stains unlikely to lift in your home washing machine
Are severely contaminated with fuel oil or sewage
Are embedded with fiberglass insulation or chemical contaminants

Additionally, very thick clothing or blankets, stuffed animals, and animal beds should not be washed in residential washers and should instead be taken to a professional textile cleaner like SERVPRO. This is because residential washers do not use enough water pressure to properly reach and push the contaminants out of the textile. Likewise, textiles that are delicate should not be put into regular washers because they use agitation to clean which can damage them.

Textiles and clothing that can otherwise be cleaned and dried and aren’t contaminated with the above can be salvaged at home or at a dry cleaner. In that case, you’ll want to separate the items based on whether they must be dry cleaned, machine, or hand washed. Further, sort the items based on color and washing temperature.

Clean, Disinfect, and Pretreat

Floodwater is contaminated with bacteria, so simply drying wet clothes from a flood won’t suffice. You’ll need to disinfect the items with bleach, OxiClean, or a similar disinfectant safe for fabrics.

Clean and sanitize your washing machine with hot water and bleach before you wash machine washable clothing. Then clean and pretreat the items:

Rewet damp clothes with clean water to wash away debris. Outside with a garden hose is best.
Dried textiles must be shaken, brushed, or scraped to remove dirt. Then rinse these items with clean, cool water.

Machine Washing Flood-Damaged Textiles:

Prewash the items to avoid staining. Use cold water with a strong detergent. Only wash a small load, but fill the washing machine to a full level. Use an enzymatic cleaner in the prewash cycle to clean sewage. Rinse, then spin dry. Then, complete the next step before machine drying.
The next step is to wash the items in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabrics. Use a strong detergent and disinfectant. Repeat until satisfied, then you can dry.
Drying will set stains, so be sure to remove stains with pre washing and washing before you turn on the dryer. Use the regular setting. But if you’re worried about shrinkage, line dry your items.
Iron the textiles to kill any remaining germs.

Handwashing:

Pre rinse with cold water.
Prewash with a safe detergent and disinfectant
Wash by hand with the right temp and detergent safe for the fabric.
Lay flat to dry
Iron to kill remaining germs

Dry Cleaning:

Scrape off any mud and debris outside. Do not rinse a dry clean only item.
Dry the textiles outside in the sun to eliminate mold growth
Once dry, take the fabrics to a dry cleaner

Restoration After Flood Damage in Richardson

If your property has suffered water damage, give us a call today at (972) 690-1414 for an estimate on our water damage restoration services in Richardson.

Professional Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Richardson

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

If water damage has got your commercial building operations down, contact us to get it restored and activities up and running ASAP.

It’s a given that when your employees head into work, the office will be dry and clean. But sometimes, accidents happen, and the yellow signs come out. Whether it’s a plumbing mishap or a natural disaster, SERVPRO in Richardson is ready to help with professional, Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services.

Call us anytime at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate.

We’re Available 24/7 and Can Work Around Your Schedule

For our commercial partners, we understand that disrupting operations is a non-starter. Our Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services are designed to work around your schedule and are available 24/7, rain, shine, or flood. No pun intended.

Overnight
Weekends
Holidays
24/7, 365 days a year

If water damage has got your commercial building operations down, contact us to get it restored and activities up and running asap.

Put Away Your Buckets and Mops

Water and flood damage takes way more to remediate than what you’d do for a simple coffee spill. Buildings damaged from water and flooding require the right tools and procedures to fully remediate and prevent mold growth.

Our professional water damage restoration process uses the best tools in the business for cleaning and drying your property fast when consumer-grade supplies just won’t cut it.

Our Commercial Water Damage Restoration Process

Locate the Source

In cases where the water damage source hasn’t been pinpointed, we’ll find it. The first step in the water damage restoration process is locating the source and eliminating it before we proceed with cleaning.

We can repair:

Appliances
Plumbing
Additional water systems

Remove Water

Using powerful submersible pumps and industrial-strength wet vacuums, we remove hundreds of gallons of water from your facility. Disposal involves truck-mounted, portable extraction equipment.

What About Carpet?

If we’re looking at a water-damaged carpet, we may be able to save it with a thorough drying process. In some cases, it will need replacing. Soaked carpet and padding, especially if it’s been sitting for a while, can become moldy and bacteria-laden.

Thorough Drying

With high-powered fans and scientific processes, we’ll dry every square inch of your facility until all moisture is removed. Our thorough drying process ensures that mold and mildew won’t grow and jeopardize occupants’ health.

For treating any lingering moisture and humidity issues, we’ll use desiccants and hygrometers. Also, we’ll look for any hidden water behind walls or inside ceilings with infrared cameras.

Cleaning

We use EPA-registered industrial cleaners to disinfect and deodorize water-damaged areas correctly. If storm waters have entered your facility, we use compliant PPE to remove hazardous materials.

We'll clean upholstery and restore drapery and furniture to odorless conditions. We use the Esporta Wash System to clean fabrics to the highest of industry stands and food-grade cleanliness.

Replacement

Our top goal is to restore your items and avoid replacement. But water is one of the most destructive elements, and sometimes, we can’t save materials that are too contaminated.

But we’re a one-stop-shop. You don’t have to spend time and effort looking for contractors to reconstruct parts of your building. We’ve got a reconstruction team on board who can replace things like flooring, walls, and more.

Contact us today

Our commercial water damage restoration professionals in Richardson are waiting to hear from you. Give us a call today for a free estimate, and let us restore your property

Why is My Toilet Overflowing? What Do I Do?

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

To find a solution for a toilet that overflows, we need to find out why it’s happening. Unaddressed water damage leads to warped flooring and molding.

If you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve grabbed the toilet plunger or “snake” you’re probably asking yourself “Why does my toilet keep overflowing?”

We understand how frustrating it is when a toilet isn’t flushing properly, so we’ve put together some troubleshooting tips and solutions that may resolve this issue.

Why Your Toilet Clogs and Overflows

To find a solution for a toilet that overflows often, we need to find out why it’s happening. Below are common issues that cause a toilet to not drain properly.

Older toilet - An old house is likely to have old toilets. In the 1990s, first-generation toilets were designed to be “low flow.” These toilets are notorious for not flushing well, and newer designs are more reliable.
“Flushable” products - Because we flush toilet paper, we assume that other soft materials like wipes, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, and even paper towels go down the same way. Some toilet and plumbing scenarios cannot cope with anything but a moderate amount of toilet paper. Even if a wipe is packaged as “flushable” it still may not be compatible with some toilets.
Malfunctioning fill valve – The toilet needs enough water force for it to flush properly. The fill valve controls the amount of water in the toilet tank so it has enough for the toilet to function well. Without this balance, clogging occurs.
A pipe is blocked - If there are no apparent problems with the toilet itself, there could be a blockage in the pipe that prevents the toilet from draining.
Sewer line problems - Are your neighbors having issues too? There may be a problem with the sewer line.
Damage to the Plumbing vent – The plumbing vent maintains the pressure needed for normal movement through the pipes. When this component isn’t working correctly, this could affect the toilet’s ability to flush.

Solutions for a Toilet that Overflows

Once you’ve determined the reason the toilet is getting backed up, you can work on a solution. Here are some fixes for common problems.

Upgrade the toilet - If you happen to have one of those old-school “low flow” toilets from the 1990s, it’s time for an upgrade. Ask your local home improvement store staff which one they recommend for your setup.
Only flush toilet paper - Limit what you flush down the toilet to just a moderate amount of toilet paper. If you are on a septic system, use products that are labeled as “septic safe.” Remind people in the household to not flush only toilet paper down, even if the package says a product is “flushable.”
Check the fill valve - Is the tank refilling properly when the toilet is flushed? With the tank lid removed, flush the toilet and look for anything unusual when the tank refills. You may need to replace the fill valve or another component. Don’t attempt to flush the toilet again if it’s currently overflowing.
Call a professional - Sometimes the reason for a toilet overflow is beyond your understanding or control and you’ll need the help of a professional. A reputable professional plumber or sewer line service can resolve the matter.

Contact SERVPRO of Richardson for Bathroom Water Damage

If you find that several instances of an overflowing toilet have caused water damage in your bathroom, we’re here to help. Unaddressed water damage leads to warped flooring, damaged baseboards, and mold growth. Contact us 24/7 at (972) 690-1414 for an estimate!

Sewage Cleaning Services in North Dallas, TX

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Dallas is prepared to respond to any sewage emergency. Our water damage experts will address the damage contamination step by step.

Sewage is also known as wastewater. Washing clothes, dishes, and body parts, as well as flushing toilets, all contribute to wastewater. Because sewage is biohazardous due to it containing human waste, systems are designed to keep sewage securely contained.

Sewage emergencies can and will happen due to sewer line failures or blockage within the system. It could also happen during a storm when floodwaters knock sewage-containing components out of place.

However sewage gets inside your home or business, it’s necessary to exercise extreme caution whenever contaminated water is present. Making contact with the biohazardous waste in sewage threatens your health, and possibly your life.

How to Identify Sewage

If water is coming up through a toilet, shower, or sink drain that smells foul and looks dirty, there’s a high probability that it’s contaminated. If floodwaters enter your home or business from the street, there is also a good chance that the water has mixed with toxic waste.

Septic issues are another cause of sewage backup. The CDC advises those with septic systems to watch for these signs of septic failure:

Sinks drain slowly
Toilets drain slowly
Floor drains overflow
Sewage becomes visible outside the home

What to Do When There is Sewage Indoors

Because sewage contamination poses a serious health hazard, you should do your best to steer clear of it. Here are tips on how to handle a sewage contamination situation that is indoors.

Try to avoid the affected area as much as possible. Do not handle contaminated items without personal protective wear.
Turn off HVAC systems and open the windows for ventilation.
Turn off the main breaker if there are high floodwaters.
Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
You may add small amounts of chlorine bleach to standing water until help arrives.
Do not attempt to unclog drains because the sewage must be removed first.
Do not use a shop vac or other vacuum to remove contaminated water.
Call emergency services if the situation is life-threatening.
Take photos for property insurance documentation.

While no one likes to have a big mess in their space, it’s best to leave it alone and wait for professionals to come help.

Call SERVPRO of North Dallas for Sewage Cleanup

SERVPRO of North Dallas is prepared to respond to any flood damage or sewage cleaning emergency. We have the proper personal protective equipment to get close to the contamination so that you won’t have to.

Our team of water damage experts addresses the contamination step by step. First, we do an assessment of the area to see how much of it is affected. Next, we work to safely extract as much of the contaminated water as possible. Then we dry out the area and rid all materials of contamination, including any textiles that have been touched by the water.

If your home or business has been affected by sewage in any way, don’t delay! Contact us 24/7 at (972) 690-1414 for emergency contact.

Top Areas to Check for Water Damage in your North Dallas Home

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

If you suspect that there is water damage lurking in areas around your household, we have some suggestions on where to look so you get to the damage.

There may be hints that there could be water damage in your home. One of the clues is a musty or moldy smell in the home. If you suspect that there is water damage lurking in areas around your household, we have some suggestions on where to look so you can intervene before it gets worse.

Exterior Water Damage

Look at the frames of the windows and doors. Dew accumulation leads to deterioration on the surface between the materials, such as bubbles, peeling paint, or warping. Also, you might find signs of moisture affecting the framing of the windows where pieces start to degrade and break away.

With siding, check where the panels meet for flaws where water can sneak in. Similarly, the water can pass through protective siding through cracks. If your exterior is wooden, look for signs of rot.

Next, we look to the roof. Are your gutters clear of debris and intact to control water runoff? Are there any missing shingles or depressions along the roof’s surface? Is the flashing in good shape? For tiled roofing, look for broken or loosened tiles. Just one flawed shingle, tile or piece of flashing is a vulnerable spot for water to creep in.

Interior Water Damage

Check around the window framing for signs of warping or peeling of paint. Do you see water stains on the walls or the ceiling? These are warning signs of water problems.

Next, check where water is used most: appliances, bathtubs, showers, and sinks.

For appliances, check under the dishwasher, and behind the clothes washer.
For sinks, check under the sink and look for warping in the surrounding countertop.
For toilets (especially if it wobbles) look for warping and mold growth behind the toilet and around the base where there may be floor damage.
For tubs and showers, look for damage around plumbing connections. If any caulk is missing around the tub, check the tub surround. Look up at the walls surrounding the shower. There may be warped drywall or mold and mildew forming from a lack of ventilation.

Attic or Basement

It’s easy to miss the progression of water damage in an attic or basement when you seldom enter these. Up in the attic, there may be damp or moist areas or watermarks on the surface above. Does it feel humid up there during the summer? Moisture is getting in somehow.

In the basement, water can leak from plumbing or enter via hydrostatic pressure around the perimeter of the house. Look for damage around the windows and window wells along with swelling and water stains on the basement walls.

Check any plumbing that may be running water to the basement (bathroom or laundry room). Also, check for puddles around the sump pump or other draining apparatuses. If the basement isn’t draining properly, this leads to water damage.

Call SERVPRO of Richardson for Water Damage Restoration Services

SERVPRO’s teams are trained on advanced moisture detection techniques and specialized equipment. We remove water-damaged materials, extract as much water and moisture as possible, and use thorough drying techniques.

We work to solve the water damage problem at its source and eradicate all traces of moisture to prevent toxic mold growth. If you have recurring water damage problems or don’t have time to address these issues, give SERVPRO a call at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate.

What To Expect From A SERVPRO Commercial Restoration Project

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

If a death, vandalism, biohazardous event, or contagious disease situation occurs in your facility or property, call on the experts at SERVPRO.

Managing your commercial facility is already a lot to handle, so when an event like a fire, storm, workplace accident, or vandalism happens, it throws your whole schedule off.

The longer your business facility has to be fully or partially shut down impacts your bottom line and often your employee’s pay, so SERVPRO’s top priority is to get your facility back to normal as soon as possible while minimizing interruption of operations.

The Commercial Restoration Process

Commercial property operations are complex, so before a restoration company can make any guarantees or promises, they need to have a full understanding of your situation. During your consultation, they are made fully aware of any regulatory issues involved with the nature of your business so that the restoration process is aligned with compliance.

From there, the scope of the project will be outlined. The restoration company should clearly explain how they will address all the action items needed to recover your property back to preloss condition. SERVPRO is a comprehensive commercial restoration provider, so we usually cover all the action items needed to do a complete restoration.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation

Our thorough water extraction is the fastest in Dallas. We are available 24/7 for emergency contact. Within a few hours, our team of IICRC-certified technicians comes out to the site fully equipped with all that is needed to do a speedy water and moisture extraction. This includes hard floors, carpets, rugs, furniture, and surfaces.

We use the most efficient drying equipment and advanced drying techniques to thoroughly remove all water and moisture from the area so that mold has no chance to take root. We use moisture-sensitive tools to test the area for any lingering droplets.

From there we test for contamination and remove what cannot be salvaged. We replace any construction materials or flooring that had to be removed. We make it "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

From a small fire to significant fire damage, our team of fire damage restoration experts is prepared to do a full restoration while coordinating with your insurance company. We protect your property with tarping, board-up, and secure temporary storage while the project is in progress.

We remove all construction ruined by fire, all traces of soot, and odors with air scrubbers and deodorizers. We also salvage property like furniture, electronics, and even documents.

Other Commercial Scenarios

What makes our commercial services comprehensive is our preparedness to handle less common scenarios. We handle sensitive scenarios with careful consideration and discretion.

If a death, vandalism, biohazardous event, or contagious disease situation occurs in your facility or property, we have the proper personal protective equipment and training to do a complete and proper recovery. We’ll work with you to protect your privacy while making your facility safe and clean again.

HVAC Maintenance For Your North Dallas Apartment Building

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

If your maintenance staff is a bit overwhelmed these days, SERVPRO is here to help to protect your HVAC units while keeping your utility costs low.

Put simply, the goal of HVAC maintenance for your apartment buildings is to get the most life out of your systems. Replacement of air conditioning and heating is very expensive and can easily cut into your investment property profits, so you want them to stay operational as long as possible.

SERVPRO is here to help commercial property owners and maintenance managers keep their apartment properties in great shape. We offer HVAC duct and vents cleaning services to improve the air quality, reduce stress on the overall system, and maintain your utility costs.

Monthly Filter Replacement

While the label on a 1-inch air filter may say that it can last up to three months, heating and air conditioning experts say that it should be replaced about once per month. While the assumption about an air filter is that it manages air quality, this device does more to protect the unit.

When a filter is full to the point that obstructs the airflow, this puts stress on the system causing it to “run hard” and thus shortens the lifespan of the system. This leads to increased use of electricity and raises utility costs.

While some landlords leave it up to the tenants to replace their own filters, you might consider doing this for them as a courtesy. Because the HVAC system belongs to you (and not your renters), it’s in your best interest to protect your investment with well-timed filter replacement.

When to Do Yearly Maintenance

Other HVAC maintenance tasks are done once per year, or sometimes twice a year. According to an experienced HVAC tech-based in Texas, the ideal time to address these items is in the spring when the temperature is above 75.

Wash Down Outdoor Units

The outdoor units should be cleaned once per year to preserve the fan motor. When the fan is too dirty, this causes it to overheat and over amp which affects its performance. For the best energy savings and efficiency, it’s good to clear out any debris once per year.

Have a Technician Check Refrigerant Levels

Is the unit running but not cooling? This could be a sign of a refrigerant leak. Even with no change in performance, it’s still a good idea to have a professional check the levels. The system may be due for a recharge or show signs of a developing leak issue.

Check Drain Lines

Condensation needs a place to go, so that’s why there are air conditioning drain lines connected to your plumbing system. Clogs in a condensate line can cause water damage, so you’ll want to check on this at least once a year to make sure it’s draining properly.

Contact SERVPRO of Richardson for an HVAC Cleaning

SERVPRO is not an HVAC service, but we do duct and filter cleaning to help you maintain the air quality and maximize your system’s lifespan for your apartment building properties.

If your maintenance staff is a bit overwhelmed these days, we’re here to support your efforts to protect your units while keeping your utility costs manageable - especially during those hot summer months.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had your vents, ducts, and permanent filters checked for build-up and debris, contact us at (972) 690-1414 for a free evaluation of your apartment property!

Preparing Trees for Storm Season in North Dallas

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO of Richardson and their team of experts to help recover and restore your storm-damaged property.

Trees beautify any property and give us much-needed shade during the hot months. However, storms can be unkind to trees, forcing them down with strong winds or sending destructive lightning bolts down their trunks.

When a tall tree comes down, it can damage a roof, break a window, or down utility lines. When there are heavy soil saturation and persistent gusts of winds, even the strongest trees can collapse.

While we can’t defend our trees from nature’s fury, we can take measures to mitigate damage to trees and other objects. Make time to tend to your trees before the next storm season hits.

Examine the Trees

Inspect each tree for damage such as “deadwood,” decomposition, dense canopies, splits, or damaged trunks. Infestation, illness, or other weaknesses can topple a tree in a storm.

Next, consider proximity to structures and powerlines. Tall trees too close to these things are a risk. Sometimes utility crews will come through and trim back problem trees. While this should solve the problem, the tree is vulnerable to infection or infestation if the cuts are done incorrectly.

Once you become aware of any tree problems on your property, you can plan the best course of action for each issue you discover.

Perform Maintenance

Trees need seasonal pruning, pest control, mulching, watering, fertilization, and care by an arborist when needed.

Plan to prune your trees in the late fall or early spring. Removing branches that are too close to structures plus dead or weak branches reduces the chance of damage. Pruning the low damage of young trees helps you avoid instability from multiple leaders.

Be careful not to overcut the limbs or cut into the root system. If you are unsure of how to properly prune a tree, consult the experts or hire an arborist.

Thin the crowns by cutting back limbs and foliage from inside the crown. This reduces the weight and allows more air and sunlight to come through.

As for new planting, there are other best practices. New trees should be planted where roots won’t be intrusive or where they won’t tower over things they can fall on. Use stakes and ties to train trees to grow straight up so they don’t bend down.

Be mindful of where you dispose of cut wood and branches. These can become projectiles during a storm.

Call an Arborist

Some tree challenges can leave the average homeowner stumped. Arborists will be able to properly assess storm damage risk factors and help you save your favorite trees from infection and decay.

When in doubt, call the experts. Being proactive saves you emergency tree removal expenses and inconvenience.

Call SERVPRO for Help After a Storm

While we may not be arborists, we specialize in Richardson storm damage restoration. We’ve been recovering storm-damaged properties for over 30 years. If a fallen tree damages your home or business, we’re ready 24/7 to come help! After you call your insurance company, call us at (972) 690-1414.

How to Create a Fire Escape Plan

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

A fire escape plan is an important protocol that you should discuss with all members of your household.

Richardson Fire Department responded to 6,104 fires in 2020. Though fires don’t happen every day they do come on suddenly and without warning. Smoke is an immediate and grave threat to anyone in the home or building. If you don’t already have an escape plan for your family, take the time this week to put one together. We’ll guide you through what a fire escape plan involves.

Plan It Out and Write It Down

You need a written plan so that you can communicate protocol with members of your household. Instructions should include:

Where the best exits are.
How to avoid smoke inhalation.
Feeling the doors for heat before opening the door.
Who is responsible for small children and disabled adults (it’s a good idea to delegate this to someone who has a bedroom close to those who need help.)
What to do about pets.
Warnings to all that they should not re-enter the burning structure.
Where the meeting place is (should be a place outside the structure that is not too close such as across the street).

Inspection

There are several things you should check for ahead of time.

Smoke detectors: Do they work? Test the alarm twice a year and replace as needed. Some use daylight savings time changes as a reminder to put fresh batteries in smoke alarms.
Doors and windows: Make sure each exit opens easily. You don’t want to run into a jam when you are trying to get out. Remove locks from children’s doors so adults will not be locked out when there is a fire emergency.
House number visibility: Can it easily be found by first responders?
Important documents: You will not have time to gather all of your passports, social security cards, birth certificates, and precious family photos. Lock them up in a fireproof box.

Do Drills

Acting it out may seem silly at first, but it helps people remember the steps. Plan to do this rehearsal with your group at least twice per year.

Familiarize your group with the sound of the fire alarm. If you have a carbon monoxide alarm as well, help everyone understand the difference between alerts.

Plan for accommodations for members with special needs such as a deaf person. Small children may not wake to alarms, and it’s been noted that they are more likely to wake to the sound of a familiar voice. Have someone designated to locate and lead small children out of the house.

Have everyone practice opening and exiting each door and window you’ve outlined in your plan. Remind them to feel doors for heat before they open them, and go over best practices to avoid smoke inhalation (example: get down low and crawl out of the home).

The final drill involves everyone meeting at the rendezvous point. This should be easy for you all to locate in the dark, but not too close to the home. Across the street may be best. Once everyone is at the right spot, remind them to never re-enter the house. Belongings can be replaced, lives cannot.

Call SERVPRO After a Fire

Once everyone is safe and you’ve called your insurance company, you will need a professional North Dallas fire damage restoration company to help you recover. Keep our number handy: (972) 690-1414. We’re faster to any size disaster.

SERVPRO is Your #1 Prevention and Restoration Expert

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Being the leader in fire and water damage restoration for North Dallas is not a responsibility we take lightly. Our community depends on it in times of crisis.

It takes time and continuous learning to become an expert. With over 30 years in the restoration industry and with a ceaseless commitment to education, we’ve gained and continue to grow our expertise.

SERVPRO - The Leader in Restoration

Our franchise is not lax about the reputation we have. We continue to deliver dependable and consistent service to each and every customer.

There are several Richardson water damage restoration companies to choose from, so why go with SERVPRO?

Always On Call - Because emergencies never take a day off, we don’t either. Even on weekends or holidays, our emergency contact staff is available year-round, 24 hours a day to take your call.
Leadership - People can rest assured knowing a business has been thoroughly cleaned when they see the “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned” sign. We are also the choice of many top insurance providers.
Accredited - We are IICRC certified along with many other industry-specific credentials. Our franchise is licensed and bonded.
True Specialists - Experience and education come together to form our team of experts. We’ve been at it for over three decades, and continue to implement the latest moisture management and mold mitigation techniques that come from scientific breakthroughs.
Comprehensive Restoration - We make it, “Like it never even happened,” by providing full-service restoration. Streamlining the process saves you time and money. This means you hire one team to do the cleaning and the reconstruction - no need to hire individual contractors. We do it all.

Our team has accrued plenty of positive testimonials from satisfied customers.

Recovery and Restoration for Richardson

After emergency contact, our team immediately dispatches from our prime location near the Central Expressway. We do a comprehensive assessment so our team will have all the supplies necessary to get the job done as quickly as possible.

Removal - Water from flooding, fire-damaged material, and contaminated materials are removed from the affected area. We use advanced drying techniques to eliminate all moisture.
Recovery - We prioritize restoration over replacement. For example, our Esporta Wash System recovers soft goods and textiles back to preloss condition.
Repair - Sometimes broken appliances are the culprit for water damage. We can do many repairs to stop water damage at its source.
Replacement - Once we’ve exhausted all other options, we will replace damaged materials. This includes drywall, flooring, lumber, etc. We’ll also repaint the walls to match the original appearance.

Preventative Measures

We love to see return customers, but not because we missed a step. Our team looks for problems that could lead to future damage. We do Richardson mold testing to get ahead of any toxic mold growth.

Many property owners don’t know that waiting too long to address damage puts insurance claims at risk of being partially or fully denied. We take measures to prevent secondary damage such as boarding and tarping to keep out damaging moisture and vandals.

SERVPRO Experts Are Just One Call Away

At SERVPRO of North Dallas, our goal is for people to be comfortable in their homes, and to have minimal disruption to their business operations. We have restoration efficiency down to a science to save you time, money, and aggravation.

We work directly with your insurance to make the process go smoother. You have one point of contact so there is only one call to make for updates. We’re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call us at (972) 690-1414 any time.

Richardson Water Damage Restoration for Winter Storm Damages

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

If you've experienced water damage due to a winter storm, contact our North Dallas SERVPRO location for professional water damage restoration services

As we’ve seen in 2021, extreme winter weather takes a toll on Texas. We cope with car crashes, empty shelves at the grocery store, downed powerlines, and everything is frozen - pipes included.

While we wish our neighbors could spend the winter blast sipping some cocoa by the fire, many property owners find themselves scrambling to handle damage from fallen trees, frozen plumbing problems, and sometimes even a housefire.

No matter what winter weather does to damage your property, we’re prepared to come to your aid and make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO is Winter Ready

One of the most common problems property owners encounter is water damage from indoor plumbing failure or external problems like roof damage.

Unfortunately, water damage is usually something you can’t just let dry out. The longer you wait to address water damage, the more likely it is that secondary damage happens such as mold growth. Secondary damage easily adds on more repair costs.

Waiting too long to address water damage might also impact an insurance claim. If an insurance company determines that secondary damage could have been prevented, some or all of the claim could be declined.

Where to Check for Damage After a Winter Storm

Because unaddressed damage leads to more costly repairs, it’s wise to account for all damage done to the property. Below is a list of what you should check for after a winter storm.

Fence damage - Fallen trees can ruin the fence or other property structures.
Roof damage - Problems like ice dams lead to roof damage. Look for missing shingles, flaws in the flashing, or depressions on the roof surface. Also, check the spouting and downspouts.
Siding - Are panels loose or cracked?
Windows and doors - Are there any signs of leaks?
Basement or crawl space - Has water collected in these out-of-the-way areas?
Sheetrock and subfloor - Extreme flooding tends to penetrate deep into the construction.

Now is the Time to Call SERVPRO of Richardson

Don’t wait for secondary damage to happen. The longer water sits, the more construction materials will rot and mold will flourish. Timing is everything, so we are, “Faster to any size disaster.” With 24/7 service (even weekends and holidays), we are always ready to get started on Richardson water damage restoration tasks.

What you get with our comprehensive water damage services:

Single point of contact - just one call to make.
Work with insurance on your behalf.
A team of specialists who act quickly and have advanced training in drying techniques and mold detection.
Thorough inspection and damage assessment.
Address the source of the water damage with needed repairs.
High-powered water extraction equipment.
Thorough drying and moisture elimination.
Mold testing and application of mold mitigation measures.
Cleanup and handling of contaminated materials.
Professional-grade cleaners and deodorizers.
Carpet and flooring cleaning.
Repair or replacement of construction materials (including roof repairs).
Furniture recovery.
Textile, clothing, and other soft good restoration in the Esporta Wash System.
Electronics recovery.
Appliance repairs.
Document and photo recovery.
Addressing risks of future damage.

SERVPRO doesn’t wait until the day before the first freeze to prepare for winter weather. We’ve been ready all year. Call us now at (972) 690-1414.

Commercial Water Damage Repair and Clean Up in Richardson

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson provides professional commercial water damage restoration services for businesses in the North Dallas area.

Water problems are a potential threat to commercial property assets. Water on the floor creates a slip and fall accident liability. Extensive mold growth may make a building uninhabitable. Unmitigated water damage may lead to some buildings becoming a total loss.

Our hope is that business owners and commercial property owners find the early signs of water damage before it turns into a big problem. But if it does progress into a big mess, we have your back. SERVPRO of Richardson addresses commercial property water damage of all shapes and sizes.

Comprehensive Commercial Water Damage Care

Running a business keeps you very busy. So instead of hiring several different services to manage water damage recovery for your commercial property, SERVPRO does it all.

Single point of contact - No list of phone numbers to keep track of means only one call to make for progress updates and communication.
Comprehensive cleanup - Most building management has a cleaning staff, but this is rarely enough to cope with a major water damage cleanup.
Advanced drying techniques - Our staff is equipped with special tools and the most up-to-date training on the most effective drying methods. Moisture is no match for us.
Mold remediation - Mold is a tricky problem, but we educated about a wide range of species and our team stops infectious mold dead in its tracks.
HVAC system cleaning - If water damage affects your air ducts or other parts of your system, our team is prepared to clean and remove invasive moisture from your system to prevent mold growth and corrosion.
Biohazard handling - Our team has the right training and full personal protection equipment needed to approach and properly manage water damage cleanup involving hazardous waste.
Restoration - To save you money and stress, our goal is restoral over replacement. We work to salvage as much as possible. Our Esporta Wash System fully restores textiles, furniture cushions, and other soft goods.
Reconstruction - What cannot be recovered is replaced with materials that match the original construction. We replace the flooring, plus a fresh coat of paint gives walls and trim the finishing touch.
Risk mitigation - We love our customers, but we’d rather see you again for a new issue than for one that could have been avoided. We’ll inspect for trouble areas that could lead to future water damage.
Scalable action plans - No site is too big or too small.
Work with Insurance - When you file a property damage claim, we work directly with your insurance on your behalf to make the process more efficient.

SERVPRO of Richardson for Expert Commercial Water Damage RestorationSaving business owners time, money, and stress is our top priority for Richardson water damage restoration and other commercial services. Being at your service 24/7, 365 days per year allows us to work flexibly around your schedule to minimize operation disruption. We get you back to normal and your property back to preloss condition ASAP. Call us at (972) 690-1414 for a free quote.

Is SERVPRO a Good Company?

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is committed to providing comprehensive restoration services for homeowners and businesses in the North Dallas area.

Researching a company before you work with them is not only the smart thing to do, it’s the right thing to do. SERVPRO is one of the best-known names in the restoration industry, but we don’t take this for granted. We never stop working to earn your trust through consistent and reliable service.

Committed to Excellence

Being the best in the business means being on the same page with effective industry standards. At the bare minimum, a restoration company should be IICRC certified, but we hold this and seven additional industry-specific certifications specialized in every aspect of recovery.

Not only do we hire the best technicians for our teams, but we also give our employees access to continuing education so they keep their training updated. Scientific breakthroughs create the tools and techniques that make us more effective in our work, and we adopt more effective methods as we go.

Comprehensive Restoration Service

You can hire a separate service for everything, but with SERVPRO you don’t have to. After cleanup, the remaining damage usually needs extensive repair. We do it all so we can make the recovery process as efficient as possible, including reconstruction.

For each project, we assign the client a single point of contact. This means you have one call to make for updates and communication instead of having to keep track of several services and contractors.

Our motto is to make it “Like it never even happened.” We find that the customer is better served when damaged materials are restored rather than replaced. One way we do this is with our state-of-the-art Esporta Wash System that makes fabrics and soft goods like new again.

Building Rapport

It’s always nice to hear a “thank you” as we leave a job site, but for some of our customers, just that won’t do. They’ve left numerous 5-star reviews and glowing testimonials about our service. Our job is to provide the best service possible, and the overwhelming amount of feedback confirms that we deliver.

After working directly with many adjusters over the decades, we have built a solid relationship with the insurance industry. We’re the cleanup and restoration service of choice for many top property insurance providers.

Committed to Community

Though we have a nationwide brand, as a locally-owned franchise we are rooted in the Irvine community. We are here to lend a helping hand both on and off the job site.

Small businesses are vital to our community, so we work tenaciously to minimize interruption to operations. Our commercial services are on call 24/7 to respond to any emergency. We work quickly to get businesses back to normal as soon as possible, plus we work around schedules so we don’t interfere with any continuing operations.

SERVPRO educates the community about everything related to cleanup and disaster recovery. We go to tradeshows to share best practices on how to handle difficult situations. We also visit schools for career days to invite children to be the next generation of restoration experts.

We believe that there’s nothing more worthwhile than service, and SERVPRO is committed to serving communities across the country and deep in the heart of Texas.

Mold Inspection & Testing Services in North Dallas

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

For professional mold inspection and testing services in the North Dallas area, contact SERVPRO of Richardson.

Mold is often associated with Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) or the types that grow on food (green Penicillium or gray Botrytis cinerea). Mold is a part of nature and is prevalent in our ecosystem with over 100,000 different species. Mold is harmless for the most part, but some species are toxic because they produce mycotoxins.

We spend the better part of our days at home, a place of business, or a school. The air quality of these indoor spaces is affected when toxic mold moves in and begins to colonize. To protect people’s health, mold should be removed, and mold prevention steps should be taken.

Mold inspection is an important part of mold remediation. While black mold is the easiest to spot, other species of mold may not be as obvious. A professional mold inspector knows what to look for and where to look - even those hiding places.

Richardson mold inspection and testing are a part of SERVPRO’s local mold remediation services. We comply with Texas’ mold law guidelines and use advanced mold remediation techniques and equipment.

Whenever environmental health is a concern, SERVPRO is here to ensure your spaces are as hygienic as possible. Our work to remove traces of toxic mold and address those issues that lead to future mold growth.

Professional Mold Inspection and Testing Services in North Dallas

There are about 12 types of mold found in homes, and it’s been speculated that most homes have at least some Stachybotrys spores present. It’s when a mold spore population exceeds a certain threshold and begin to release mycotoxins that the mold must be managed.

Mold tends to grow in places with excess moisture. This moisture collects beneath leaky roofs, windows, or pipes. Flooding scenarios also an ideal place for mold to grow (this usually starts within 48 hours). Mold also likes to grow on cellulose materials like paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood. You might find mold on drywall, paint, wallpaper, insulation, carpet, upholstery, fabrics, and nestled in the dust.

With professional mold testing, we’ll account for where the mold is hiding and what kind of mold species are present. Then we work through a structured mold remediation process to restore your environment back to healthy levels.

How Much is a Mold Inspection in Richardson?

How much does a mold inspection cost? This figure varies depending on where the property is located and who is providing the service. According to HomeAdvisor, The average mold inspection cost for North Dallas is $476. This is lower than the national average ($649).

The typical range for mold inspection is between $344 and $611. Low-end jobs cost around $200 while with some scenarios, it may cost up to $1000.

Keep in mind that these mold testing cost figures are based on industry data collection and do not reflect SERVPRO of Richardson’s rates.

Are Mold Inspections Worth it?

The health and well being of those who live in a home, work in a building, or go to school is SERVPRO’s top priority. Having your property tested for mold is an important step toward ensuring air quality.

The more mold is allowed to flourish, the more damage it will cause. The more damage there is, the more mold remediation will cost. A professional mold inspection during the early stages of mold contamination can save you money.

How to Get a Free Mold Inspection in Richardson, TX?

The previous section regarding mold inspection costs may have given you a bit of sticker shock. We have some good news about that. Because a healthy community matters so much to us, SERVPRO of Richardson offers free professional mold inspection and testing!

With this service, the mold inspection cost is no longer an excuse to put off mold testing. With our black mold inspection, we also provide a free mold remediation estimate that includes a detailed report of where mold growth was found.

Should I Get a Mold Inspection When Buying a House?

For most Americans, purchasing a home is the most significant investment they will make. As you would when buying a car, it is wise to go with something safe.

If it’s an investment property, it would be unfortunate for your tenants to discover mold problems before you do. Tenants have the right to end a lease or sue for the landlord to remove the mold if they can prove the mold affects their physical health.

Here’s why you would want to get professional residential mold testing before purchasing a property.

The seller is either unaware of the mold problem or knows about it and chooses not to disclose it.
Home inspectors check for many things, but mold isn’t always one of them. A mold specialist will check areas that a home inspector may not.
To uncover undisclosed water damage, flooding, leaks, and other potential flaws related to mold growth.
An expert mold inspector donning the proper personal protective equipment gets close to the mold (if present) so you won’t have to.
You require a dwelling that is safe for those who are medically vulnerable.
A SERVPRO professional mold inspection service is free!

Experienced North Dallas SERVPRO Mold Remediation Professional and Inspectors

Other than being no charge, there are other benefits for mold inspection and testing.

With a professional mold inspection and testing, you get:

A proper mold assessment (we know where mold likes to hide and what to look for).
Expert technicians who use various technologies to detect mold, and hidden water sources.
Mold expert recommendations for effective treatment and future mold growth mitigation tips.
Specially trained technicians with the proper personal protection equipment who gets close to the mold so you won’t have to.

We also offer a comprehensive mold remediation service! Our team of mold fighters will contain the spread, use industrial equipment to filter the air, use EPA-approved cleaning solutions to treat surfaces infected with mold, restore items contaminated with mold, and replace construction materials that cannot be restored. If your homeowner’s policy includes mold remediation, we work directly with your insurance company to streamline the process.

This all begins with a free SERVPRO mold inspection and testing. Call us at (972) 690-1414 to schedule yours today!

Fire Damage Restoration Services in North Dallas

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Richardson for thorough and efficient fire damage restoration services in the North Dallas area.

Professional Fire Damage Restoration Service in Richardson, TX

So much we take for granted perishes in mere minutes during a structure fire. Those who experience fire damage are faced with the difficulty of having to accept that some things are gone for good.

Adapting to these circumstances is the only way forward, and with the right Richardson fire damage restoration service at your side, you have all the help you need to recover and move on with life.

SERVPRO of Richardson has been helping North Dallas property owners recover from devastating fires for decades. We understand that the aftermath of a fire is a difficult time for you. We understand that you just want to get back to life as usual.

Our Richardson fire damage restoration team is faster to any size disaster, and we have mastered efficiency. Working with your insurance company, we work hard to minimize the time it takes to complete the recovery.

We understand that choosing a fire damage restoration service is a huge decision. We’re here to take your call 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Call us at (972) 690-1414 with any questions you have about fire damage recovery or for free pricing information.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Process

When placing your property in the hands of Richardson fire damage restoration services, you’d naturally want to know what to expect. We aim to keep our customers in the loop about the entire process. We assign you a single point of contact who provides you with updates and answers any questions you have about the fire remediation process.

In the following sections, we’ll outline the fire and smoke damage restoration process so you’ll know what to expect.

Phase 1: Fire Damage Inspection and Assessment

With Richardson fire damage restoration, where do you start? Before we do any damage repairs, we do a complete assessment of fire and smoke damage so everything is taken into account.

Because secondary damage is so common, we go beyond the obvious signs of fire damage to examine the spaces surrounding the affected area. Fire restoration means bringing the property back to preloss condition, so we are meticulous about locating all the damage.

Phase 2: Board-Up and Roof-Tarp

While our fire damage recovery teams are eager to get started on the work right away, oftentimes we must wait. For example, the insurance needs time to authorize the repairs. In the meantime, we board up and tarp the areas that are vulnerable to additional damage.

Fire destruction takes down walls, obliterates windows, and eats away at the roof. This leaves your property vulnerable to vandalism, theft, and water damage from the elements. Fire damage restoration companies put temporary protection in place until we can address these areas.

Insurance companies will want to know if measures were taken to prevent more damage to the property. Board up and tarping is a proactive way to keep the natural and criminal elements from getting inside.

Phase 3: Water and Smoke Removal

Smoke is a given with fire damage, but why would there be water damage too? Water is the usual weapon to snuff out the flames. Gallons of water from interior sprinkler systems or fire department hoses used to put out the fire creates water damage.

Water damage remediation is a high priority. We use extractors, dehumidifiers, and air circulation to remove all water and moisture from the affected area. Water damage easily turns into toxic mold colonization, so we keep at it until all moisture is eliminated.

Next, we remove all traces of fire damage to all interior surfaces by employing special equipment, advanced techniques, and industrial-strength cleaners. Soot and smoke odors will be eradicated during this phase.

Phase 4: Fire Damage Restoration

With Richardson fire damage restoration, SERVPRO’s priority is to recover property rather than replace it. All the personal and miscellaneous contents of your property will be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized.

For contaminated soft goods like clothing, stuffed animals, and heirloom quilts, we have the Esporta Wash System. This state of the art industrial laundry machine restores your items to food-grade cleanliness.

As hard as we try, not everything can be recovered. When necessary, we replace the carpet, drywall, wooden construction, match the original trim and paint. Our goal is to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fire Damage Restoration in North Dallas?

Generally speaking, your property insurance should cover fire damage. This may include funds for living elsewhere while the restoration is underway. Save all your receipts for expenses related to the evacuation hotel stays, clothing purchases, etc.

For many property owners, it’s been years since you initiated a policy. You may not remember what coverage you signed up for. It’s a good idea to reach out to your insurance agent and go over your coverage. You may find that you need additional coverage or that the deductible is higher than you remember. This is your chance to make adjustments where needed or seek an insurance carrier that offers better benefits.

SERVPRO is a pro at working with insurance companies. We work on your behalf so that the process is more efficient. We are also a preferred restoration company among the major insurance providers.

Other Restoration Services We Provide in Richardson, TX

SERVPRO is a full-service industrial cleanup and restoration company. This means our teams can address all kinds of property damage at the same time. You hire just one company to do the restoration and clean up work rather than have several overlapping. This makes the process more efficient, cost-effective, and convenient.

Dallas area residents have seen their fair share of severe weather. Imagine a property battered by an electrical storm. The house endures wind damage, a bolt of lightning causes a fire, and a fallen tree allows water to enter via roof damage. Working with your insurance company, SERVPRO of Richardson is equipped to manage the recovery for all damage.

When you hire a comprehensive restoration service, you won’t have to juggle several different services at once. Since we’re so experienced in working with insurance companies, we work with them directly on your behalf. You’ll have only one phone call to make during this process - to a single SERVPRO point of contact.

SERVPRO is the master of efficient Richardson fire damage restoration and cleanup. We’re here to take your call 24/7 any day of the year. Call us any time at (972) 690-1414 for emergency contact.

Signs You Need a Sump Pump Replacement

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

If your sump pump fails and you end up with water damage, contact SERVPRO of Richardson for professional water damage restoration services.

If you have a basement, chances are you also have a sump pump, and this is a very good thing. Sump pumps prevent water and moisture damage to your basement and foundation by keeping the area dry.

How long has the sump pump been installed in your basement? If it’s been several years, chances are you will need a sump pump replacement soon, as this is the sump pump life expectancy.

Water collection in your basement can be destructive, so a homeowner must maintain the sump pump. You’ll know it’s time for a sump pump replacement when you start to notice sump pump problems.

As the mold remediation and water damage restoration experts in Richardson, SERVPRO understands how a property owner benefits from the constant operation of sump pumps. To keep your basement in tip-top shape, we recommend you monitor for signs that indicate you need a sump pump replacement.

How Many Years Does a Sump Pump Last?

A sump pump life expectancy is about 10 years. How often to replace a sump pump might be affected by factors that shorten the average life of a sump pump. This happens when a sump pump is overworked, barely used, or if it experiences electrical issues.

Common Signs Your Sump Pump Is Having Problems

The best time for a sump pump replacement is before it fails. The point of having a sump pump is to keep your basement and its walls dry, and once your basement starts to take on water it’s too late for prevention.

Below are three telltale signs that a sump pump replacement may be an immediate need.

Problem Sign #1: Sump Pump is Constantly Running & Is Noisy

When the pump is frequently running but there is no water to extract, there is the risk of a burned-out motor. The wastewater helps cool down the sump pump motor so it doesn’t overheat. This issue should be addressed as soon as possible because of how likely it is that the motor will fail.

Other reasons that sump pumps run constantly are:

The sump pump is not the right size for the basement.
The sump pump switch is stuck and cannot turn off.
Check valve failure

Noises are another sign that it may be time for a sump pump replacement. You might hear gurgling, rattling, grinding, or thuds when the pump is malfunctioning.

When the sump pump is running all the time or is noisy, this problem may be resolved with a motor repair or replacement rather than a whole pump replacement.

Problem Sign #2: Sump Pump is Clogged

Another cause for sump pump failure is when the channels get clogged up. Only water should be entering the sump pump. When other things get inside, this clogs the pump. A sump pump without a lid is vulnerable to clogs. You need an airtight lid to keep out dirt, debris, and other intrusions that would jam sump pump switches.

Another common cause of sump pump clogs is a thick orange slime called bacterial iron. This goo forms around wells and groundwater sources. A chlorine shock can prevent this from accumulating and causing a clog.

Problem Sign #3 Sump Pump Cycle is Erratic

Sporadic activity, shutting off during the cycle, or taking a while to empty are all symptoms of an erratic pump cycle. Reasons for this malfunction are check valve failure, the float valve is too low, faulty wiring, or a short circuit respectively. A sump pump that takes too long to empty isn’t prepared for a flooding emergency.

Troubleshooting an erratic sump pump includes inspecting the check valve or the float valve, examining the wiring, and checking for installation errors. It’s also possible that the pump isn’t compatible with the basement situation, and so a sump pump replacement is needed.

Is a Sump Pump Easy to Replace?

Compared to what is involved in carving out housing for the sump pump, replacing the sump pump is easy. With the pit already in place, the hard part is already done.

While a sump pump replacement qualifies as a DIY project, you should have a fair amount of home improvement experience and a firm grasp of what all is involved with a well-functioning sump pump.

How to Replace a Sump Pump

Depending on the issue, installing sump pump replacement can be a time-consuming project. Below are the basic steps of this procedure.

Cut off electricity to the sump pump then remove the cover to unplug the old sump pump.
Detach the sump pump from the discharge line. Then cut a length of PVC pipe (1 ¼ - 1 ½ inch) for the new sump pump. It’s better to cut it a bit longer than too short (as you can always trim it down).
Find the discharge outlet on the new sump and join it with the PVC pipe using a male adapter. Make this connection watertight by using purple primer and PVC glue.
After the sealants have had enough time to dry, lower the new pump into the sump pump pit. Don’t let the pump lean against the side of the basement, and make sure that the wires do not become tangled. Also, allow clearance between the float switch or back-up pump.
Check to make sure the pump is level. The pump should be flush against the concrete floor. Use a level to check for stability. Shims can be put into place to make adjustments.
Orient the float switch. It needs to be positioned where it can remain unobstructed and at the appropriate height. If it’s too low, the pump will run too much, and if it’s too high it won’t start at the right time.
Connect the new discharge line to the existing pipe. To avoid water reentering the basement after it’s been pumped, put the check valve back in place or use a union connector to connect the pipes.
Power the sump pump for testing. Fill a utility bucket with five gallons of water and pour it so it will enter the pump. If it can handle this influx of water, it’s ready for a possible flood. Monitor to make sure that the water is draining to the appropriate place.

If a sump pump stops working during a flooding event, you’d need to act fast with alternative methods. To monitor your basement for a flooding problem, you should consider installing a sump pump water alarm. Once the water gets to a certain level, this trips an audible alarm.

Do You Need a Plumber to Replace a Sump Pump?

People who are sure they have the right sump pump for their basement and feel comfortable with the skills level required for a sump pump replacement should be able to install it with no problem.

However, some property owners are unsure of what sump pump to purchase, aren’t sure they can do it properly, or don’t have the right tools to complete the sump pump replacement project.

While hiring a plumber can easily double the cost of a sump pump replacement, in some cases, this is the only way to replace it. Keep in mind that plumbers may not be able to do the necessary waterproofing needed around the sump pump. You may need to hire a separate handyman for this.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Sump Pump?

Installing your own sump pump usually costs a few hundred dollars ($150-$300). This includes the cost of the pump itself plus the other supplies needed (PVC pipe, primer, glue, adapters, etc.)

Project costs also depend on what kind of sump pump you need. Submersible pumps are more expensive (between $100 - $400) than pedestal pumps (between $58 - $170).

You can expect sump pump replacement costs to at least double if you hire professionals to do the removal and installation.

SERVPRO Richardson is Ready to Help

Just like any room of a home or business, the basement should stay dry. Having a sump pump in place guards the basement against excess water that causes damage, including toxic mold growth.

Unlike a basement, a sump pump isn’t made to last forever. You can expect to replace the sump pump every 7-10 years.

If your sump pump fails, SERVPRO is always available to provide water damage restoration. We have experience with flooding scenarios of all kinds, including Richardson sewage cleanup.

If your basement floods or the walls show signs of extensive water damage, don’t delay. The sooner you act, the more damage can be avoided. Call us at (972) 690-1414. We’re available 24/7 and faster to any size disaster.

DIY: Make Your Own Homemade Upholstery Cleaner

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Have stubborn stains on your furniture? Contact SERVPRO in Richardson for professional upholstery cleaning.

Fabric-covered furniture is never going out of style. Even the most modern interior design includes upholstered seating and other cloth-clad furnishings. Upholstery offers color and comfort to any living space.

When upholstery is permanently affixed to the furniture, you can’t just strip the fabric from it and put it in the washing machine. So to keep the fabric looking clean and smelling fresh, we clean textiles still attached to the furniture by using an upholstery cleaner.

Over time, the fabric will capture grime and the occasional spill. Oil and moisture make contact with the cloth surface and mix with dirt and other particles to make the fabric look dingy.

Pet owners, parents of young children, and owners of light-colored furniture are likely to seek out upholstery cleaning solutions to remove stains, smells, and dinginess.

SERVPRO of Richardson stays up to date on the best methods of restoration. So today we share homemade upholstery cleaner tips to bring furniture back to its original beauty and hygiene.

What is the Best Way to Clean a Fabric Sofa?

The best way to clean a fabric sofa is to use the methods appropriate for the particular material and to use products that won’t damage or discolor the fabric. The goal is for the DIY furniture cleaning process to be strong enough to resolve stubborn stains and grime, but be gentle enough to retain the original quality.

Step 1: Read the Couch Label for Washing Codes

As with clothing, fabric couches come with labels. This lets you know which upholstery cleaning method is most appropriate for the material.

On the tag or manufacturer’s directions, you may see letters that tell you what method of cleaning is appropriate.

W: Water-based cleaning is okay (and is generally compatible with a homemade upholstery cleaner)

S: Do not use water-based products. Other kinds of solvents (dry-cleaning) should be used instead.

D: Dry clean only.

WS: Water-based or solvent-based cleaning is okay, but avoid products with carbon tetrachloride or other toxic substances.

O: Material is made from organic materials, and to maintain its natural fibers, the cloth should be cleaned with eco-friendly products. A water-based natural upholstery cleaner is okay.

X: Fabric is delicate and should only be cleaned with soft brushing or vacuuming.

So before using a homemade upholstery cleaner, you’ll want to be sure that it won’t alter or ruin the fabric. These labels let you know what upholstery cleaner methods are safe to use on the material.

Step 2: Begin With a Vacuum

Before you apply any cleaners (including a homemade upholstery cleaner), it helps to remove any loose particles like dirt and hair. Hair that is the same color as the fabric may be camouflaged, and vacuuming gets hairs out of the way before you start cleaning.

Vacuuming also loosens up some of the grime and makes it easier to remove. This will make cleaning more efficient, as loose particles mixing with wet cleaners would penetrate the fibers and adds work for you.

When you vacuum, use the upholstery attachment and gently brush over the entire surface of the sofa.

Step 3: Make Your Own Upholstery Cleaner

You don’t need to go out and buy a brand name cleaner when you already have the ingredients for a homemade upholstery cleaner on hand to make your own.

Ordinary household staples come together to be an effective solution to work out dark stains, pet stains, odors, spills, etc. The following are just a few of the many different homemade clear recipes concocted by domestic engineers.

Method #1: Grime Remover

This homemade upholstery cleaner is ideal for grimy surfaces as it goes to work to dissolve built-up gunk.

It includes baking soda as a mildly abrasive agent that breaks down acidic soiling and odors. Cornstarch works with the baking soda in this upholstery cleaner recipe to extract moisture, oils, and smells.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
A little bit of water

Tools:

A vacuum cleaner

Instructions:

Blend the baking soda and cornstarch together and add water gradually until you form a paste. Apply to the fabric and allow it to dry for about half an hour. Once the paste has dried completely, remove the paste layer with the vacuum. Repeat the process as necessary.

Method #2: Stain Remover for Natural Fabrics

This homemade upholstery cleaner is well-suited for organic and natural fabrics. It helps the piece maintain its eco-friendly character.

This solution includes additive-free (“free and clear” laundry detergent), vinegar, and baking soda. This homemade upholstery mixture forms a powerful paste that works out stubborn stains. The non-toxic ingredients retain the integrity of the organic material.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of free and clear laundry detergent (example: Seventh Generation)
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 cups warm water

Tools:

Microfiber cloth
Bucket

For a supplementary extra-strength upholstery stain remover, make a separate paste of just baking soda and water for spot cleaning the tougher stains.

Instructions:

In a bucket or large bowl, create your DIY upholstery cleaner by mixing the water, detergent, baking soda, and white vinegar together.

Dip the microfiber cloth into the mixture and wring out the excess. Using a circular motion, gently scrub the cloth along the surface of the fabric. Avoid oversaturating the furniture.

Allow the fabric to air dry and repeat the process as needed (or use the supplementary paste for remaining stains).

Method #3: Removing Pet Odors

This is the pet owner’s homemade upholstery cleaner. A simple mixture of vinegar and water fights pungent odors left behind by your little darlings.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
2 ½ tablespoons vinegar
Optional: fragrant essential oil.
Optional: baking soda (used separately from the mixture).

Tools:

Microfiber cloth or spray bottle (for application).
Additional dry cloth (for extraction).
Vacuum (for baking soda treatment).

For extra deodorizing power, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture. For accompanying stains, add some hydrogen peroxide to the mixture. Warning: applying undiluted hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain may cause discoloration from its bleaching effect.

Instructions:

Mix the water and vinegar together (add about a ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide for a stain and a few drops of essential oil for fragrance).

You can use a spray bottle or a cloth to apply the cleaner to the fabric, but be careful not to soak the material. Oversaturation of the material would allow the urine to penetrate deeper into the underlayer and make it worse.

Use the dry cloth to dab and lift away the soiling and stains. For additional pet urine treatment, sprinkle the affected area with baking soda. The baking soda works to neutralize acidic urine residue. Let the baking soda sit for a while, then vacuum it away.

Homemade Upholstery Cleaner Tips

Before you round up the ingredients and tools to apply your homemade upholstery cleaner, we have some bonus tips to share.

Vacuum: Vacuuming is highly effective to lift and purge waste particles from the furniture. Start and end with vacuuming (or throughout the cleaning process when appropriate). Shop vacs are ideal if you wish to vacuum while using a wet solution.

Spot test: Test the cleaner on a spot that is hidden (such as the underside of the couch cushion). This will determine if the cleaner is safe to use on the rest of the sofa (especially when the mixture includes hydrogen peroxide). Better to discolor only a small part you can hide than to accidentally bleach-stain the entire sofa.

Moderation: Gradually apply the cleaner. Applying much homemade cleaner creates a whole new problem.

Tool variety: Try different kinds of cloths, brushes, or other cleaning tools to lift the stains with your homemade upholstery cleaner.

Let it sit: Get the most from the cleaning agents in your homemade upholstery cleaner by letting it rest on the surface (about 5-10 minutes) before you start scrubbing or dabbing at it.

Professional Cleaning Services in Richardson, TX

New furniture is expensive. It’s a bummer to see a sofa you spent a lot of money on begin to look like a curbside throw-away. With knowledge about what your furniture is made of and some common household items, you can make your own potent homemade upholstery cleaner to give your sofas and chairs new life!

If you don’t get the dazzling results you were hoping for, SERVPRO is available to come out and do your Richardson upholstery cleaning. Sometimes upholstery needs a professional touch, especially when a mold starts to grow on it. Our expert technicians will make it like the stains never even happened.

SERVPRO is also here for Richardson commercial cleaning. If your office, lobby, or restaurant needs a refresh, we’ll come out and make the upholstery like new! Call us anytime at (972) 690-1414 for free pricing!

Tips For Safely Cleaning Up Biohazard Waste

11/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson has the experience to professionally handle a variety of biohazard cleanup scenarios.

If you’ve ever been to a doctor’s office, you’ll notice that there are separate bins labeled for biohazards. There’s a reason we keep biohazards contained and separate from the public.

Cities will often issue a “boil water notice” when there is the possibility that the water supply has been contaminated with toxic material. Humankind has been battling the spread of illness for centuries, and containing what we suspect to be infectious is one of our best defenses.

SERVPRO cares about public health in Richardson, Texas. We offer safe and professional biohazard cleanup to mitigate exposure to harmful biohazards. Today, we’ll explain why biohazardous waste must be handled with care.

What is Biohazard Waste?

Biohazard material involves any biological material that poses a danger to other living creatures. Biohazards can be present in any environment. Because of the risk of disease associated with biohazards, any biohazard cleanup should be handled with vigilant caution.

Professional biohazard cleaning services have extensive training and proper PPE (personal protection equipment) to remove biohazards and minimize risk to humans and animals. It’s best to leave it to the professionals. When in doubt, call SERVPRO at (972) 690-1414, so we may advise you on how to proceed with biohazard cleanup.

Different Types of Biohazard Waste

We throw things away every day, so what is the difference between trash and biohazard waste? Is your spoiled milk a biohazard? While spoiled food could make you sick, it’s not considered a biohazard.

We’ll cover the criteria for what qualifies as biohazard waste.

Blood - Human blood or tissue that contains human blood.
Animal waste - Animal carcasses or decaying body parts.
Bodily fluids - Human fluids and secretions.
Microbiological - Specimen cultures, disposable dishes for the culture, discarded viruses, and any devices used for transfer or mixing of cultures.
Pathological - Biopsy materials, or anatomical parts from medical procedures.
“Sharps” - Needles, scalpels, or IV tubing, etc.

Biohazard Waste Levels

Assigning levels is how we measure the risk when dealing with certain substances. The higher the biohazard level, the more likely it is that you’ll need professional assistance and protocols to manage the biohazard cleanup.

Level 1 - Minimal threat (may cause illness): E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Naegleria gruberi.

Level 2 - Moderate threat (likely to cause severe illness in humans): HIV, hepatitis B, salmonella, etc. - those transmissions that occur as a consequence of direct contact with infected material.

Level 3 - Serious threat (serious diseases): Tuberculosis, Coxiella burnetii, etc. - those pathogens that spread by way of airborne transmission.

Level 4 - Highest risk (life-threatening diseases with no cure): Ebola virus, Lassa virus, etc.

If any of these diseases are known to be a clear and present danger, please don’t attempt to do a biohazard cleanup if you aren’t trained or don’t have the right supplies for it. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for guidance and assistance.

How to Properly Cleanup Biohazard Waste

The ability to do a biohazardous cleanup is ultimately dependent on what resources or trained workers are available to carefully address the cleanup of the hazardous materials present.

Solid waste - Any non-sharp material that contacts human or animal specimens such as personal protective equipment (PPE), towels, linens, Petri dishes, and pipettes. These are disposed of separately from “sharps” (like scalpels, needles, or fragile glass items). Healthcare workers dispose of solid waste in a designated container lined with an autoclave bag marked with a biohazard symbol. This waste is disposed of as regular medical waste and will be sent to a pre-approved landfill.
Liquid waste - Body fluids or blood that may contain an infectious agent that has a volume of 25 milliliters or less. These are placed in a specified leakproof container (indicated by a hazard label) which is safely installed so it won’t tip over. Sometimes these are placed in a secondary container for added security. Bleach or autoclaving is sometimes applied to liquid biohazard (except for body fluids or chemical waste).
“Sharps” waste - All medical instruments that could be infectious and are sharp enough to puncture the skin or a plastic bag (needles, microscope slides, scalpels, and broken glass vials). Dispose of these items in specified containers that are resistant to puncture, and are leak-proof. “Sharps” containers are picked up by a medical waste service provider for incineration.
Pathological waste - Animal or human organs, tissues, and body parts (such as biopsy material). Any one of these may contain infectious agents. This waste is double-bagged to prevent leaks and is stored in a secondary container. These would be incinerated as with liquid waste.
Microbiological waste - Laboratory waste such as disposable culture dishes and specimen cultures, or discarded viruses and devices used to mix cultures that may contain infectious agents or pathogenic organisms. These items are either treated onsite by qualified personnel or carefully disposed of in a designated waste storage area.

Biohazard remediation is done with the appropriate containment where it can be picked up by a professional medical waste company for transport to an industrial incinerator. Other means of biohazard remediation include disinfection, chemicals, and autoclaving, but in many cases, incineration is a regulatory requirement.

Where Does Biohazardous Waste Go?

To be 100% certain that infectious agents or pathogenic organisms from waste are securely contained, we place such materials in the proper containers and sometimes add additional protective layers. Professional training comes into play as understanding which is the appropriate means of disposal is crucial.

The final destination for the bulk of biohazard cleanup waste is an incineration facility for the safe destruction of toxic materials. All packages are placed into a chamber with heat surpassing 850°C, then moved into a secondary chamber where it retains gases for over 2 seconds. Pollution control systems keep harmful gases from leaking into the environment during the process.

Improper Biohazard Waste Disposal

If biohazardous waste is packed up tight, how is it still a threat? Those in the sciences and medical fields want to make absolutely sure that nothing they throw away will harm other living beings.

Say you tossed a bag of biohazard waste into a dumpster behind a clinic. Animals could break into the bag and come into contact with bloodborne pathogens and spread this throughout the community. Dumpster divers might open the containers and hurt themselves on sharp containers. Also, it would be dangerous to have biohazards in general-purpose landfills.

For everyone’s safety, these materials must be properly disposed of to avoid the spread of such serious illnesses as Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, HIV, etc.

When biohazard cleanup waste disposal is not handled properly, this is likely a violation of state or federal law and could incur steep fines and possibly jail time.

Reach Out to SERVPRO of Richardson for Biohazard Cleanup

If you’re in doubt about whether you can handle a biohazard cleanup, more than likely you will need a dependable biohazard cleaning company to step in and help you dispose of biohazards safely and securely.

SERVPRO of Richardson has experience with a variety of biohazard cleanup scenarios including:

Crime scene cleanup (homicide, meth lab, tear gas, etc.).
Unattended death cleanup (suicide or accidental death).
C Diff Cleaning
Hoarding
Sewage backup or chemical spills
Animal waste (such as a rodent infestation).

Some scenarios are of a sensitive nature, and in such situations, our biohazard cleaning services are carried out with compassion and discretion. If you find yourself with an overwhelming biohazard cleanup situation on your hands, don’t take any chances. Leave it to the professionals. Call SERVPRO for 24/7 emergency contact at (972) 690-1414.

Dealing With A Small Kitchen Fire - What You Need to Know

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO in Richardson after a kitchen fire for professional fire damage restoration.

The leading origin of house fire damage is from kitchen mishaps. When you see a kitchen fire start, the fight or flight response is immediate. What actions you take in those precious seconds will determine how much damage occurs.

Putting out a kitchen fire doesn’t take a superhero, but it does take preparedness. SERVPRO of Richardson is prepared to come to the rescue of property owners who are recovering from a house fire, but it’s best when we can stop a fire before it spreads.

Since a kitchen fire is where house fires are more likely to get started, this guide helps you to be prepared and know how to put out an oven fire or stovetop fire.

How to Put Out a Small Kitchen Fire in Your Home

The consequences of a small kitchen fire range from ruining your favorite pan to destroying the whole kitchen. Being well-versed in the right solutions as well as using your best judgment is your best defense.

However, it’s important to remember that a kitchen fire is most manageable when it’s still small, and we have a better shot at putting out a fire in the kitchen when we catch it immediately. We do this by not leaving cooking unattended.

Knowing how to put out a kitchen fire means understanding that not all are alike. We’ll go over each scenario so you’ll know how to respond appropriately.

Microwave or Oven Fire

You’ve made popcorn a thousand times, but this time you pushed the wrong button or added an extra digit to the cooking time. Accidentally cooking something to the point where it burns is the usual cause of microwave fire.

Oven fires can also be started when the baking is well overdone, or if flammable material drips down to the heating element. Oven fires can also happen when an oven gets to be too dirty from food particle buildup.

You may have a reflex to open the oven door, but do not open the door. Instead, how to put out an oven fire is to allow it to suffocate. Leaving the door closed, you’ll turn off the oven or microwave oven to stop the cooking (unplug when possible).

Eventually, the flames will consume all of the oxygen, and oxygen is what the fire needs to sustain itself. The flames should eventually snuff out, but if they persist, call the fire department.

Fire on a Stove

A stray uncooked noodle rolls underneath the burner. If it gets too close to the gas flame or the electric coils, it will catch on fire. Stove fires happen when oils or bits of food make contact with the heating element.

As you would with an oven fire, it’s best to put out a stovetop fire with something that can cover the flames and deprive it of oxygen. A large or pan lid would be best for this. Cover the flames and let them die off.

Salt and baking soda are also effective with putting out stove fires. Douse the flames with either of these items (but not flour as it may make it worse).

The big lid approach is a lot less messy than pouring out salt or baking soda. Next, we’ll explain why we avoid using water to put out a kitchen fire.

Grease Fires

Fats are a part of the American diet, so when we prepare foods we may have grease from animal fat or use oils for cooking. Say you wanted to try adding olive oil to the water when boiling pasta. If the water starts to boil over, the oil mixed with it makes contact with the burner and a fire starts. The same thing could also happen with oil spills or grease splatters from a pan. Grease fires are more precarious to put out compared to other kinds of fire.

Don’t use water to put out grease fires. Water won’t put out the fire, it will just divert the grease and thus spread the fire.
For a small fire, use the big lid trick as mentioned earlier. Turn off the burner and cover the burning pan or the burner itself with the lid tightly so it’s deprived of oxygen.
Pour baking soda or salt on the flames until it’s snuffed out (again, do not use flour).
Use a water-soaked towel to smother the flames. This is different from pouring water on the flame.
Use a fire extinguisher, pointing it at the base of the flames.

General Safety Tips For Dealing With a Small Kitchen Fire

Kitchen fires can happen unexpectedly. Below are some steps you can take to be proactive and prepared for a kitchen fire.

Have smoke detectors installed in key areas around the kitchen.
Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and ready for use. Don’t discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire. This might move burning grease around the kitchen and cause the fire to spread.
Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles. Immediately clean up oil spills and grease spatters. Keep cloth materials and cardboard packaging away from the cooktop.
To avoid fires from boiling over or grease splatters, make sure your pot or pan is the right size for what you are cooking.
Try to keep pets and children at least three feet from cooking and baking stations. Keep pot handles turned inward so they won’t be accidentally bumped or grabbed by tiny hands.
Don’t wear loose clothing while cooking because dangling sleeves can catch on fire when near the stove.
Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Never leave a stovetop or oven unattended when in use.
Keep a potholder, oven mitt, and lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, turn off the burner, put on an oven mitt, and slide the lid over the pan to smother the fire.
As mentioned earlier, never pour water on a grease fire
If a fire starts in the microwave, unplug it and do not open the door.

If you are unable to get the fire under control, it’s good to have backup on the way. Call 911, or better yet, have someone else call as you keep the situation under control. Have an escape plan for everyone in the household should you need to evacuate.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher for Small Kitchen Fire

Fire extinguishers are a convenient way to stop a kitchen fire from spreading. You can purchase one from your local hardware store.

When it’s time to use the fire extinguisher:

Pull the pin to break the tamper seal.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames.
Avoid touching the plastic discharge on a CO2 extinguisher as it gets extremely cold and could injure your skin.
Squeeze the handle to release the fire extinguishing content.
Oscillate from side to side at the base of the fire until it’s entirely put out. Once it’s extinguished, watch to see if the flame comes back. If the fire starts up again, repeat the process.

Once the fire extinguisher has been used, it will need to be recharged before it can be used again. A recharge can be done by a professional fire extinguisher servicing company.

Reach Out to SERVPRO Richardson for Fire Damage Restoration

Remember, kitchen fires are a common cause of what leads to a house fire. Some basic kitchen safety measures go a long way toward preventing disaster.

SERVPRO of Richardson sincerely hopes that you can minimize the damage of a kitchen fire or prevent them altogether. But sometimes despite our best efforts, things can and will go wrong.

Our fire damage restoration team is prepared to help property owners in Richardson, Texas recover from kitchen fires from a burnt exhaust vent to those with extensive damage. Call us anytime 24/7 for immediate response to your kitchen fire problem, (but remember to dial 911 first to get the fire under control).

How to Deal With Ceiling Water Damage From a Burst Pipe

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO in Richardson at the first signs of water damage on your ceiling. We provide professional water damage restoration in North Dallas.

Thanks to ceilings, we don’t have to see wiring and pipes every day, but when a once smooth and dry facade becomes stained or drips, this is a sign that something is very wrong.

When you have appliances or bathrooms on the floor above, plumbing runs upward to supply water for these functions. Problems with either the pipes or the items they attach to can create a water emergency that damages anything below it, the ceiling included.

The good news is that you’ve now caught the problem, and can take action before it gets worse. As your Richardson SERVPRO, we can’t stress enough how important it is to react promptly to water damage. We’ll share how to spot water ceiling water damage and what to do to fix a leaking ceiling.

Signs of Ceiling Water Damage From a Burst Pipe

As long as water continues to leak from a broken pipe, continuous damage will occur. The sooner you can recognize signs of ceiling water damage to the ceiling, the more likely you are to successfully prevent extensive damage.

Rings of stains are made when water seeps through ceiling material and mixes with its composite fibers. Ceiling stains are a common indication of a leak (and might even be the first sign), but there are other things to look for that could mean you have an emerging leak problem.

Yellow or Brown Watermarks

So what does a ceiling water stain look like? These appear as watermarks that are typically yellowish-brown or “rusty” brown.

Ceiling marks don’t always mean that there is a current water leak. Sometimes they are remnants of water issues that have been resolved a while back (perhaps by the previous owners).

Even if the damage isn’t new, it’s still worth investigating it to find the source of the problem. The more rings that appear and the more they spread across the ceiling, the more likely it is that there is an ongoing problem.

Swollen or Warped Ceiling

Ceilings are made to be flat and even. Swelling in ceiling material can come in the form of a slight bend or more curvy droop. Swelling on your body is a sign of a problem, and it’s the same with ceilings.

Rings of stains are made when water seeps through ceiling material to mix with and activate the composite fibers. Ceiling stains are a common indication of a leak (and might be the first sign), but there are other things to look for that signals for an emerging water leak.

Mold Odor and Stains

Mold loves to be surrounded by cellulose material and moisture - soggy ceilings provide both. You’ll notice mold growth by its musty smell coupled with its dark spotting.

Apart from the ugly and splotchy pattern mold makes on your ceiling, mold can also potentially make the living environment unhealthy.

You might go days without looking at your ceilings. If something abnormal catches your eye, it’s worth it to find out if there’s a water leak behind it. If one area alerts you to water damage, this is a good time to check all of your ceilings for problems.

How to Deal With Ceiling Water Damage

Once you’ve determined that your ceilings are damp from water leaks, It’s time to get an action plan together.

1. Prepare the Area Around Ceiling Damage

For this step, you will ready the area for falling water. This step is especially important for swelling, sweating, or dripping ceilings. Move anything out of the way that you wouldn’t want to get wet.

To catch water that reaches the ground, place a tarp or towels on the floor below. Have on standby a bucket and piercing tool (like an awl or screwdriver).

Set up a ladder under the affected area and carefully climb up the ladder while bringing a bucket and piercing tool with you.

Determine the center of the damage. Place the bucket under the center to catch the water (setting the bucket on the top of the ladder may help so you don’t lose your balance). Carefully poke a hole in the center. If water starts to flow through the hole, allow it to collect in the bucket until it stops.

2. Track Down the Source of Water Damage

If water releases from poking a hole in the ceiling, this confirms that there are recent and possibly ongoing water issues causing the saturation.

Fixing the ceiling but not the source of the water damage means an endless cycle of repairs. The source of the ceiling water damage must be addressed to stop it from continuing.

Investigation Methods

Cut out a piece of the ceiling and use a flashlight to look and listen for drips from pipes.
Scope out the area directly above the leak. This could be the crawlspace or an upstairs room with running water (such as a bathroom or utility room). Look for any plumbing issues in these spaces. Possible causes include leaks in the drain system, faults in the supply line, or broken caulking.

Keep in mind that water leak trickles can cling to and travel along pipes. When this occurs, the source of the damage may not be directly lined up with the site of the ceiling damage.

Once you find the source of the leak, determine if it’s something you can fix with confidence. If not, it’s time to call in the professionals.

3. Dry the Affected Area

Wetness cannot remain. The affected areas must be totally dried to avoid rotting to construction and mold growth. Here’s how to dry ceiling water damage.

High-powered fans and a desiccant dehumidifier will speed up the drying process. This type of equipment can be rented.

For widespread damage, the ceiling material may need to be cut away substantially so that airflow can reach and dry the construction behind it.

Place the drying equipment as close to the affected area as possible. This includes the ceiling material and any wooden structures above it (such as joists). Be sure to empty the dehumidifier as it fills.

The drying process can take up to a full day to complete. Surfaces that appear to be dry may still be harboring moisture. A moisture meter will confirm if the area is actually dry enough.

Don’t have all this equipment on hand? SERVPRO does. We’ll bring the best tools in the industry to ensure that the affected areas are completely dry so that mold and rot won’t set in.

4. Repair Water Damaged Ceiling

Once the leaks have been resolved and the areas are dried, we move on to repairing the water damaged ceiling.

The appropriate remedy depends on the size and nature of the damage. A modest amount of stains can be bleached, sanded down, and painted over with products intended for stains (such as an oil-based undercoat and stain-sealant paint). If you made a hole to check for water build-up, patch that up with plaster or drywall mud before you paint.

In cases where the damage is widespread and sections had to be cut out, you’ll need to replace the drywall or plaster. Retexturize and paint as needed to make it match the rest of the ceiling.

Reach Out to SERVPRO Richardson for Water Damage Restoration

It can be a challenge to fix a ceiling, especially if you have physical limitations or the problem is beyond reach. When you get to a point where you’re not confident you can handle the repair nor locate the cause of the damage, SERVPRO is here to help you.

For decades, we’ve been a trusted provider for Richardson water damage restoration. With our 24/7 emergency dispatch, we are faster to any size disaster in Richardson, Texas.

We’ll come out to your property ASAP to assess the damage, find the source of the water damage, and complete the recovery. In no time, your ceiling will be as good as new!

Don’t delay! The longer a ceiling is exposed to water and moisture, the more likely it is to break down or develop toxic mold growth. Call us any time at (972) 690-1414 with any questions about pipe leaks, water damage, or to request free pricing!

Richardson Home Restoration Services

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO in Richardson for professional fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, storm damage restoration, and mold remediation.

Several advancements in the residential construction industry are designed to prevent damage, but still, homes are vulnerable to Mother Nature and mishaps. Fires consume walls, winds batter roofs, flooding soaks carpets, and mold spores move in to start a colonize.

The aftermath of major damage leaves property owners feeling rattled and isolated. However, one in 20 homeowners will file a property loss claim.

Home damage is a stressful situation to be in, but you’ve made a wise choice to restore your property and protect your investment. Getting your house back to normal is a top priority (and it can be an overwhelming job), and we’re here to help!

SERVPRO remains a trusted brand in cleaning and restoration services. For over three decades, we’ve been protecting the assets of countless Richardson homeowners.

When you work with SERVPRO’s home restoration services, you have the benefit of streamlining the recovery process as we can address multiple issues at once, thus eliminating wait times for the insurance company to approve one kind of work at a time.

When you have a combination of issues that need swift attention, we show up with the best equipment in the industry and put our years of experience to work for you! Plus, with complete restoration as our goal, we make it “Like it never even happened.”

Water damage restoration: Water can end up where it doesn’t belong, so we extract all of it and determine what needs to be fixed to avoid secondary damage.

Fire damage clean up, repair, and restoration: Flames rapidly destroy materials leaving behind soot and smoke damage. We do a thorough inspection and put your home back together piece by piece.

Mold remediation and restoration: As nature’s decomposer, mold should stay outside. When it does make itself at home, we’ll clean surfaces, scrub the air, and carefully dispose of contaminated items to bring your home back to healthy.

Storm damage cleanup and restoration: Weather can be wild in Richardson, Texas. When fierce winds or floodwaters leave your home in tatters, we’re prepared to execute a complete recovery plan.

With all the homes we’ve restored over the years, we know that no two situations are alike. Scroll down to learn how SERVPRO will help with your specific circumstances.

Professional Water Damage Restoration in Richardson, TX

We use water every single day. But when water or moisture ends up where it doesn’t belong, it will cause substantial damage.

Scenarios of water damage include: upstairs plumbing leaks saturate the floor below, rainwater damages ceilings through weaknesses in the roof, or faulty appliances leak everywhere (such as water heater failure).

SERVPRO has successfully completed Richardson water damage restoration for countless homes. Our highly trained water restoration technicians know how to quickly address water damage and prevent secondary damage (such as mold). We take every measure to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Removal of water: Our truck mounts, pumps, and vacuum units are powerful enough to remove gallons of water down to the last ounce.
Water damage cleanup: Once the water is completely extracted, we gather any items that are contaminated and send them to our industrial Esporta Wash System facility for sanitation. We are fully equipped to clean rugs, upholstery, furniture, and clothing.

We will also do a complete inspection to account for all water damage and to determine how extensive the moisture exposure is.

Secondary damage mitigation: To avoid secondary damage (such as wood rot and mold growth), water damage cannot remain. We use professional drying equipment to fully eradicate moisture. We use scientific techniques to make sure areas dry thoroughly and efficiently.
Water damage repair: Once everything is dried, assess the construction for damage. If such damage is found, we will execute a building and reconstruction services plan to suit your unique circumstances (including carpet replacement).

Your Flood Remediation Contact in Richardson

Floodwaters create a huge mess. This could be due to catastrophic infrastructure problems (like city sewers), major issues with a private septic system, natural disasters, or a plumbing issue gone wrong.

Our flood damage restoration process typically includes much of the water damage restoration action items listed above, but we are also mindful of potential water contamination.

When water creeps into your home has mixed with waste, this results in toxic “blackwater.” In such cases, we take measures to properly dispose of contaminated items that cannot be salvaged, or carefully treat items using several techniques.

Fire Damage Repair and Restoration for Your Home

What is more destructive than fire? Water is damaging, but it won’t burn your skin or fill your lungs with harmful smoke.

Wildfires have been rampant for many states across the country, and Texas is prone to these fires during extreme drought. Fireworks are only sold twice a year, but it takes just one landing in the wrong place to cause a structure fire. House fires can also be caused internally with faulty wiring. Whatever the cause, fires bring on extensive damage rapidly.

Fire damage can feel like the end of the world, but with our SERVPRO team on your side, we put together a Richardson fire damage and repair plan to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Inspection and fire damage assessment: The process begins with a full damage assessment of the property. Not only do we survey the affected areas, but we also check the adjacent rooms for any damage (signs of smoke and soot).

Board-up or roof-tarping: Fire damage can create entry points to the home by way of the roof, exterior walls, or windows. When parts of the structure have been compromised, we will board up or tarp to protect your property from secondary damage (from water, moisture, or thieves).

Water damage mitigation: Fire sprinklers and fire department hoses leave damaging water behind. We’ll extract all the water and do a thorough drying process using dehumidifiers and air movers.

Smoke and soot removal: Fire leaves noxious and odorous smoke and soot behind. For smoke damage restoration, we use industrial equipment and advanced techniques to eliminate smoke and soot from your home’s construction that includes ceilings, walls, carpets, or other surfaces.

Care for belongings: We store belongings you want to keep while the restoration is in progress, plus we’ll care for electronics affected by fire damage.

Cleaning and sanitizing: Smoke and soot make a mess. Our professional fire clean up techniques will restore your belongings to their preloss condition. Our industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment work to eliminate odors from the smoke.

Reconstruction: We work to restore all affected areas by recovering them to preloss condition. This involves repairs to drywall, wiring, carpet, and more.

Richardson Mold Remediation and Restoration

Trapped water and moisture leads to unhealthy mold growth. Mold spores will take root in the drywall saturated by plumbing leaks, in the carpet soaked from flooding, or in the ceiling dampened by roof leaks.

Our Richardson mold remediation services are designed to eradicate this toxin so you can breathe easy in your home.

Assessment and testing: Our mold Richardson mold experts do a thorough inspection and mold damage assessment. We know where mold hides, and we are knowledgeable about the various species of toxic mold.
Removal, containment, and HEPA Air Scrubbing: Mold has got to go. We clean and sanitize all affected items, plus we follow up with antifungal and antimicrobial treatments. We’ll discard contaminated items and set up containment to stop mold from spreading (with the help of HEPA air scrubbing).

Restoration: Sometimes construction materials are too contaminated to save. We’ll replace and reconstruct these materials. We also use foggers to eliminate odor.

Texas Mold Legal Paperwork Filing: Mold growth that exceeds 25 contiguous square feet should be reported. We take care of this filing with the State of Texas.

Our Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration Process

For Texas weather, it’s been said in jest that if you don’t like it, just wait a few minutes - it will change. We do tend to have dramatic weather patterns in Richardson. We’ve witnessed ice storms, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms.

Extreme weather causes fire damage from lightning, roof destruction from high winds, water damage from flash flooding, or shattered windows from tornadoes.

Because weather damage is unpredictable, we are prepared 24/7 to apply several different remedies with Richardson storm damage cleanup.

We have experience with each of these specific weather events:

Hurricane Flooding
Severe Thunderstorms
Tornado Damage
Hail Damage / Wind Damage
Wildfire

SERVPRO in Richardson is faster to any size disaster. Once we arrive, we’ll quickly assess the circumstances and take action to prevent further damage. Such measures include:

Emergency roof tarping or board-up: Secondary damage may not be covered by your insurance if measures were not taken to prevent it. When roof parts, doors, windows, exterior walls are blown away or otherwise compromised by storm damage, we’ll tarp or board up the property. This prevents secondary damage from additional water exposure or theft.
Cleanup: We work to salvage contents of the home, such as textiles and electronics. We also clean up any intrusive water with professional extraction equipment and thoroughly dry every inch to prevent mold damage.
Building and reconstruction: What cannot be restored is rebuilt or replaced. Our team will bring every corner of your home back to its preloss condition - from rooftop repairs down to basement water removal and everything in between.

SERVPRO of Richardson, TX Offers Other Services

After restoring countless Richardson homes, we know that properties are vulnerable to more than the forces of nature. Here are other home restoration services scenarios we’ve successfully resolved.

Duct cleaning: Dirty ducts affect air quality and HVAC efficiency. We’ll do a complete routine or remedial cleaning of your air ducts. Mold, soot, and rodents contaminate air ducts. We do a complete duct cleaning so you can breathe easy.
Hoarder cleanup: Hoarding is a sensitive matter. When you or someone you care about is ready to make a big step toward a lifestyle change, we’re here to help. We’ll remove all trash and clean up any hazardous materials with care and compassion.

Crime Scene cleanup: Crime and trauma can happen to any household. We’re prepared to assist with crime scene clean up discreetly and sensitively. Such scenarios include homicide, assault, suicide, accidental death, or vandalism.

Odor removal: You’ve tried everything, and you still can’t get an offensive smell out of your home. With our odor removal services, we use advanced cleaning and fogging equipment to eradicate foul smells once and for all! We treat carpets, upholstery, walls, etc. We remove odors caused by pests, pets, smoke, soot, mold, mildew, etc.

You’ve worked hard to have a place to call home. Our SERVPRO team works tirelessly to ensure that despite misfortune, you get back to life as usual as soon as possible.

Contact SERVPRO of Richardson for Home Restoration Services

Disruptive home damages range from a bothersome inconvenience to a devastating emergency. No matter the situation, SERVPRO of Richardson is ready to spring into action and help you cope with the damage. No job is too big nor too small.

The moment you’re ready to take action, we’re here to answer your call with 24-hour emergency service. We’re faster to any size disaster, and our goal is always to thoroughly restore your home as quickly as possible so you can feel safe and comfortable in your home again. We work with your insurance company to make sure the restoration process runs smoothly.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the home restoration services industry. Our specialists use the best equipment available and are trained with the latest advancements in the industry. The longer damage goes unaddressed, the more likely it is to create additional problems. Make the first step in restoring your home today by calling us at (972) 690-1414.

Water Damage Restoration and Water Cleanup Company in Richardson

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Do you have water damage on your property? Contact SERVPRO of Richardson right away! We're your experienced North Dallas water cleanup company.

Water emergencies happen fast and oftentimes with little to no warning. Water is needed to live, but it can easily ruin property and possessions. And when gallons of water come pouring in, it can be an overwhelming mess!

The more extensive the water damage, the harder it is to clean up and remediate. In most cases, you can’t afford to delay as water damage leads to damaging mold growth.

Cleaning up after a flood isn’t something you can do alone. SERVPROs in North Dallas are faster to any size disaster! Our water cleanup company is available around the clock to dispatch immediately to residential and commercial properties and begin the recovery services process.

Causes of and Common Types of Water Damage

Water can and will end up where it doesn’t belong. These are the common scenarios for water damage to Richardson residential and commercial properties.

Flooding and severe storm damage.
Overflow from rivers, streams, draining systems, etc.
Sewage or septic backup.
Water from firefighting.
Basement flooding.
Water leaks from broken appliances (water heaters, washing machine, or dishwasher overflow).
Water leaks from broken plumbing or pipes and hoses (pipes bursting during the winter).
Overflow from toilets, bathtubs, or sinks.
A leaky roof or foundation cracks.
Moisture accumulation behind walls, in the carpet, in the HVAC system, etc.

SERVPRO of North Dallas has encountered water damage repair of all kinds. Our experience prepares us to come up with the best plan to tackle the job right away.

Do I Need Professional Water Repair and Restoration Services?

While some damage is obvious (such as ruined photos and drywall), other kinds of water damage are not so obvious. A trained eye knows what to look for and how to assess risk with both experience and the help of technologically advanced equipment.

With services from a professional water cleanup company like SERVPRO, you not only get a complete restoration, but you’ll also have prevention measures fully in place.

The longer water damage goes unaddressed the more your property is at risk for further damage. Help from the professionals is here for you to get it taken care of now!

Why SERVPRO Over Other Water Cleanup Companies?

SERVPRO didn’t become the #1 brand for professional water damage companies by accident. Our commitment to high standards is how we can say with confidence that we make it "Like it never even happened."

Since 1986, SERVPRO has been on the scene to assist with water damage recovery to residential or commercial properties. Our extensive experience and professional equipment have us prepared for any job - small or huge!

Highly Trained Water and Flood Damage Specialists

SERVPRO has a solid team with experts specialized in various capacities.

IICRC certified - The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification sets the standards for restoration and cleaning. Our technicians are up to date on the latest water restoration certifications.
Psychrometric training - Our technicians understand, in detail, the science of moisture and humidity. This empowers them to be more precise in moisture management.

Professionals On Hand for Any Restoration Services

Not only do we have world-class technicians on staff who are up to date on the latest industry trends and techniques, but they are also on call around the clock.

SERVPRO is prepared to come out to your residential or commercial property whenever you need us - even on holidays or in the middle of the night.

State of the Art Water Restoration Equipment

For every water damage job site, our goal is to bring the property back to preloss condition and remove any moisture that might lead to mold growth.

In order to do a complete and thorough water damage restoration, we are equipped with the best tools in the industry.

Moisture Detection and Measurement

Our technicians use sensitive moisture detectors, meters, and even infrared cameras to locate, measure, and monitor moisture. This allows us to assess exactly how extensive the water damage is - even through walls and floors.

We monitor the moisture throughout the restoration process to ensure that the property is fully recovered.

Water Extraction

A home or basement may end up with gallons of water. Our truck-mounted or submersible gas-powered pumps efficiently remove water from flooded spaces.

Drying

Once the water has been removed, the drying process can begin. Surfaces may appear dry but are still likely to be damp.

Our high-speed air movers and industrial-grade dehumidifiers efficiently remove damaging moisture from the air, ceiling, walls, and floors of your property. Thorough drying prevents further damage such as warping and wood rot- and most importantly, to prevent mold growth.

Odor Removal and Deodorization

Water damage often leaves an odor behind. Our air scrubbers remove airborne particles and contaminants to restore air quality. We also have thermal foggers and deodorizers on hand to remove any remaining smells.

Sanitizing Agents, Germicides, and Antimicrobial Treatments

We are Richardson’s mold-fighting team. Our professional-grade cleaning agents stop the growth of any remaining bacteria, fungi, mildew, and other harmful microorganisms.

Our Unmatched Water Damage Restoration Process

No two Richardson flood damage restoration residential or commercial scenarios are identical, but our extensive experience allows us to come up with the best action plan for any variables.

SERVPRO is the water cleanup company with the professional expertise needed to swiftly restore your property to preloss condition. Our scientific approach to water extraction and cleanup involves monitoring and documenting the drying process from beginning to end.

While our plans are tailored to your individual needs, our 6-step process applies to most scenarios. Each step is determined according to the specific restoration needs for your property damage including contamination levels.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment

Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction

Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification

Step 5: Cleaning and Repair

Step 6: Restoration

SERVPRO’s thorough process is aimed toward the prevention of mold and bacteria growth or the spread of other toxic microorganisms that could cause further harm. These organisms could create a health hazard and our goal is to completely mitigate this issue (including carpet cleaning services in Richardson).

Water-Related Resources

Getting an action plan together is the first step toward recovery. Here are some resources with the information and tips you need to get everything under control:

Texas Water Development Board guide on what to do before, during, and after a flood.
Texas A&M Disaster Education Network flood emergency resource collection.
Dallas County Homeland Security & Emergency Management flood preparedness guide.
City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management flood preparedness guide.

And from our SERVPRO library:

No matter how much we plan, water damage can still and will happen. You are not alone. SERVPRO is here to answer any questions you have or offer tips about how to recover from water or storm damage as well as provide top-notch water damage restoration services.

SERVPRO is Here and Ready to Serve Your Restoration Needs

Properties are designed to keep water out, but sometimes it still ends up where it does not belong and creates damage. Whether water comes from the outside in or from the inside, this needs to be addressed right away as mold problems are soon to follow.

While you can’t pretend "Like it never even happened," we make it "Like it never even happened." SERVPRO’s Richardson water damage restoration experts are here to get started on water damage recovery right away so it doesn’t get worse.

Call on SERVPRO to get the situation under control and back to normal in no time. We have the professional equipment and extensive experience needed for a full recovery. Call us at (972) 690-1414 anytime 24/7! We also offer free estimates.

Richardson Flood Remediation and Storm Damage Services

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

Has your home experienced damage from a recent storm? SERVPRO can help! We provide professional storm damage restoration services in Richardson.

Texas weather keeps meteorologists busy. When weather warnings are issued, they often include a flash flooding advisory to let us know that torrential rain is coming.

A downpour from a Texas storm drops many gallons of water in a short window of time. When the influx of floodwater has no place to go, it ends up where it does not belong - inside our homes and businesses.

Storms come on suddenly and it’s hard to predict how much damage will be left in its wake. Because storms don’t happen every day, they tend to catch homeowners and business owners off guard. However, SERVPRO is always prepared for a major weather event in Richardson with a team ready to respond with flood recovery and storm damage clean up.

Professional Flood Remediation in Richardson, TX

When floodwaters rise inside your home or business, don't panic. SERVPRO has your back.

SERVPRO of Richardson is your full-service flood remediation company! We are the most experienced Texas disaster restoration industry.

We are always faster to any size disaster. Our team is on call 24/7 and ready to begin flood damage remediation action items right away.

What You Need to Know About Storm Damage

If being knee-deep in water wasn't bad enough, the force of rushing water damages plumbing and wastewater lines that create an even bigger mess that is potentially toxic. Flooding may bring contaminated water into your home or business.

SERVPRO assesses flood damage on a scale of water contamination. This determines whether or not the home or business carries the risk for toxin exposure when contaminated water penetrates the walls or flooring.

Category 1: "Clean Water"

This is water from a clean source, such as a broken clean water supply line or faucet. If left untreated, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 water depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants.

Water from a clean source like a broken water line.
If left untreated can degrade into category 2 or 3.

Category 2: "Gray Water"

This water has a significant level of contamination that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow.

May contain bacteria and viruses.
Can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated.

Category 3: "Black Water"

This water is grossly unsanitary and could cause severe illness or death if ingested, and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes.
Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup.

Blackwater happens when clean water mixes with wastewater containing any of the following: sewage, human waste, garbage, motor oil, fertilizer, etc.

Severe flooding causes extensive damage, and the solution is usually more complex than just letting it dry out with time. The aftermath of storm damage can be overwhelming but an experienced storm recovery cleaning company like SERVPRO knows from experience how to handle it all.

It’s extremely important to remove all floodwater from your home or business to remove toxins and prevent mold growth. SERVPRO uses professional water extraction equipment to ensure that any contaminated water is eradicated, but also to remove clean water and prevent the growth of mold from flood damage.

Water Damage vs Storm Damage

You might assume that all damage caused by a single storm event would fall under the same category (including water damage). It may come as a surprise when your insurance company tells you that not all types of damage qualify under the terms of the policy. This could complicate your claims process or lead to a denial of coverage.

SERVPRO works directly with the insurance company on the property owner’s behalf to move the claims process along. With our extensive experience in working with insurance companies, we know the process well and know how to get it done more efficiently. We’ll even handle the paperwork.

Our Flood Remediation Process in Richardson

Texas storm damage aftermath can be so extensive that you may not even know where to even begin! So, consider a call to SERVPRO as your first step. We have a team of IICRC trained professionals who have the experience to put together an optimal flood remediation action plan.

Our emergency contact customer service team is available to take your call 24/7. Once an agent has collected all the necessary information, we immediately dispatch the right team members out to assess the damage and get started on the recovery as soon as possible.

We have all the right equipment and supplies to do any and all of the following:

Water damage restoration
Debris removal
Roof tarping
Board up services for doors, windows, outer walls
Reconstruction
Roof replacement or repair
Clothing and textile sanitation
Carpet restoration service
Moving services
Storage

After all the cleanup and restoration procedures are complete and the property has had time to dry out, secondary issues such as mold growth may occur.

We’ll apply preventive measures to combat mold growth. We are also the top provider for Richardson mold remediation so if toxic mold growth does progress after flood damage, we have the solution to eradicate it.

Don’t Wait - Contact SERVPRO Richardson for Storm Damage Restoration Services Today

SERVPRO in Richardson, Texas has one goal in mind when it comes to disaster recovery: make it like it never happened. With round-the-clock service, we are always at the ready to assist with storm damage clean up.

Our team is experienced with major events:

Hurricane Flooding
Severe Thunderstorms
Tornado Damage
Hail Damage / Wind Damage
Wildfire

Our team is experienced with all types of property:

One-Room Damage
Hi-Rises: Apartments and Office Buildings
Schools and Universities
Retail
Warehouses
Security Clearance Ready

When a storm warning turns into more than you bargained for, call us right away. We are here to assist you through every step of the process that comes with the storm damage restoration and flood remediation process. Call us any time, 24/7 at (972) 690-1414!

How Long Does it Take for Wood to Rot from Water in Richardson?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

If you've experienced flooding in your home, contact the water damage restoration experts at SERVPRO of Richardson.

Has your home been flooded from a plumbing mishap or storm? Storms and floods, water leaks, and plumbing defects in Richardson can cause the wood in your house to rot. So, how long does it take for wood to rot from water? It depends on several factors. If the decay goes unnoticed or isn’t addressed quickly, wood can rot and be destroyed in just a few short years.

What Causes Wood to Rot from Water?

Water damage causes interior wood wet rot. Leaking roofs, burst pipes, or plumbing defects allow for water ingress into the building’s structure. Wood frames, studs, subfloors, and other wooden parts of the house are at risk of rotting away. When wood is exposed to water over a long period, wet rot takes hold.

Does Wood Rot Spread?

For wet rot to occur in wood, the wood must contain a 30% moisture content over a long period. Fortunately, wet wood rot won’t spread. But if the moisture problem isn’t remediated wood rot will continue to eat away at the wood until it’s completely decayed. Taking care of the moisture content with a dehumidifier, and halting the water ingress will halt wet wood rot. But dry rot is another story.

What is Dry Rot?

Dry rot is a form of wood decay like wet rot. But while water is the direct cause of wet rot, fungi cause dry rot. Dry rot weakens the wood, makes it brittle, and gives the wood a blocky appearance. Dry rotted wood will crumble and splinter when you touch it.

While moisture doesn't directly cause dry rot, it does indirectly. High humidity feeds the fungus that causes dry rot, so remediating water damage is the key to preventing this type of wood decay. Unfortunately, dry rot will spread if left unaddressed.

Dry Rot Treatment

How can you fix dry rot? Dry rot treatment includes using epoxy, commercial antifreeze, and copper components to strengthen the wood and destroy the fungus that’s causing the dry rot. Addressing moisture issues will also prevent dry rot from taking hold.

Wood Rot: A Takeaway

If your home has experienced water damage, wet and dry rot can occur and severely compromise your house's structural integrity. At SERVPRO of Richardson, our water damage restoration experts are standing by to assist. Contact us today to get help for your water damaged property as soon as possible.

How Long Should I Run a Dehumidifier After a Flood in Richardson?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

If your home has experienced water damage after a flood, our storm damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson can help.

How long should I run a dehumidifier after a flood in Richardson? If your home has sustained water damage from storms and flooding, this might be a question that’s on your mind right now. In most instances, you’ll want to use a dehumidifier for water damage to dry porous materials and surfaces completely. That usually takes two days on the low end, to several weeks in more severe water damage cases.

Mold Control: Using a Dehumidifier After a Flood

After a flood, high humidity can feed mold spores and cause damage to walls, floors, carpets, and more. You can use a dehumidifier for water damage to suck the moisture out of the air and prevent mold from taking hold.

Certain materials will take much longer to dry than others. For example, plaster and insulation can take weeks to dry if the only tool in your arsenal against mold is a dehumidifier. It might be a good idea to replace these water-damaged materials. Mold will continue to damage the property even if everything else is dry because mold spores don’t need much to survive on.

How Low Should You Go?

To prevent mold and mildew from ruining your property, you’ll want to keep ambient, indoor humidity levels below 50%. Anything above that will feed mold.

There are many affordable and effective moisture meters on the market that can give you accurate indoor humidity levels. Once you reach below 50% humidity and sustain it for a few days, it’s probably safe to turn off the dehumidifier.

What if My Home is Severely Water Damaged?

Running a dehumidifier for a few days to several weeks can prevent mold growth in many cases. But it won’t restore water-damaged materials. Even a small flood can lead to severe water damage. Another thing to consider is that mold can grow in places you can’t see, like behind walls and underneath baseboards.

For homes that are water damaged, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson for our water damage restoration services. We’re experts when it comes to getting rid of and preventing mold growth from flood damage. We’ll clean and restore your home to tip-top shape. Contact us today for more information.

How to Dry Wood Floors After Flood in Richardson?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

Have water damaged wood floors after a flood? Contact the experienced professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson for storm damage restoration.

Water damage in your house after a Texas storm can severely hinder the structural integrity and look of wood floors. If you’re wondering how to dry hardwood floors after a flood, you’ve come to the right page. You’ll need to mop up the water and use a dehumidifier to completely dry the wood and prevent damage from flooding in Richardson. Cleaning the water from a wet hardwood floor as soon as possible is the trick to preventing you from needing a total floor replacement.

Buckling, Cupping, and Crowning in Wet Hardwood Floors

A hardwood floor’s number one enemy is water. If they aren’t quickly dried, water damaged floors can start buckling, cupping, and crowning. When water gets under the hardwood, the boards will warp and, in some cases, pull away from the subfloor. Cleaning up any spills as quickly as possible is the key to preventing severe water damage, leading to a costly floor replacement.

Steps to Dry Wood Floors After a Flood

Remove Soaked Objects

Wet furniture, area rugs, and other belongings should be removed immediately. Wet furnishings can seed mold and mildew growth, and also trap moisture against the wood floor.

Clean Any Spills

Standing water and puddles should be cleaned as soon as possible. Mops and towels can take care of the visible water, but water might still be pooling deep within the wood pores. Water may also have gotten under the hardwood.

Turn on a Dehumidifier

Run your dehumidifier at full blast for at least a couple of days after a flood. This will suck the moisture from the air and help dry any water trapped within the wood pores or underneath the boards. Running a dehumidifier will also prevent mold growth.

What if the Boards Are Water Damaged Beyond Repair?

Even after all water has been mopped and the house dehumidified, water damage may still be present. In this case, you’ll want to contact a water damage restoration company right away.

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we help Texas property owners clean and restore their flood-damaged homes. Contact us today to learn more about our water and storm damage restoration services. Our experienced team is here to help you get things back to normal after a flood.

Is Storm Damage Covered by Insurance in Richardson?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

If your property is damaged by a severe storm, contact the storm damage restoration experts at SERVPRO of Richardson.

Spring and summer mean increased storms and flooding in Richardson. Most homeowners insurance policies will cover storm damage. But the devil’s in the details. If your property has been hit and you’re wondering if storm damage covered by insurance, we hope to shed some light on this issue below.

What’s Usually Covered in a Homeowners Storm Insurance Policy

Most homeowner's insurance policies will cover any storm damage that occurs to the house structure, other buildings (such as garages), and personal property. These damages are covered up to the amount outlined in the policy.

Homeowner's insurance policies also cover loss of use and costs of personal liability to a neighbor’s property. Suppose a person is injured on your property from storm damage. In that case, your homeowner's insurance will cover part or all of the medical liability costs.

But, some types of storm damage won’t be covered under a typical homeowner's insurance policy. These damages will need to be added to the policy. So what exactly isn’t covered?

What’s Not Automatically Covered Under Storm Insurance

Homeowners have to do their homework when it comes to picking an insurance policy. Some storm damage types aren’t automatically covered and will need to be added to the initial policy. Contact your home insurance provider to get the exact coverage details for your policy. Your risk tolerance will most likely determine what you want to be added to your policy. In some cases, one or more of the following types of storm damage may not be covered by your policy:

Tree damage
Wind and flood damage
Lightning damage

If you live in a storm or flooding-prone area or have many mature trees on your property, it might be prudent to add these types of coverage to your policy. Homeowners must check with their insurance company before storm season starts to see exactly what their policy covers.

Certain types of storm damage can be incredibly costly to clean and repair out-of-pocket. Opting for additional coverage can protect your bank account and peace-of-mind.

Storm Damage and Insurance in Richardson: The Bottom Line

Are you dealing with the aftermath of a storm or flood? At SERVPRO of Richardson, we’ve helped homeowners clean and restore their property with our Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration Services for years. Best of all, we’ll handle the insurance paperwork for you. Contact us today for immediate help.

What to Know When Buying a Home with Fire Damage in Richardson

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

If you're buying a house with fire damage, trust the fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO to help you get the property back to normal.

When buying a home with fire damage, it’s important to be cautious and ensure that the property is safe. Buying a fire-damaged house in Richardson requires an inspection from a certified home inspector, an electrician, and sometimes a structural engineer. Here’s what else you need to know about buying and repairing fire damaged homes.

Pros of Buying a House with Fire Damage

The housing market in Richardson is extremely competitive. For some house hunters, they may be feeling brave enough to put an offer on any home — even a house with previous fire damage. The biggest pro to buying fire damaged houses? The lower price tag. But there are a few things you should know first:

When did the fire happen? Fires from many months or even years ago usually mean some repairs have already been made. So, repairing a fire-damaged house will cost less once you close if this is the case.
Is the property undervalued? Buying an undervalued house means a higher return-on-investment, especially if you can make repairs quickly and affordably.

What to Know During the Buying Process

You won’t get a good idea of when the fire happened, what repairs have been made or need to be made without an inspection. Get the house inspected by a certified home inspector and bring in an electrician to examine the wiring for fire damage. If the damage is significant, a structural engineer may need to inspect the house.

Repairing Fire Damaged Homes

Fire damaged homes often need a complete gut before renovation can start. This is where you can make a healthy ROI if you do your homework. Changing the floor plan and adding modern amenities can make the home attractive to buyers and increase its value.

Make sure the home is examined for structural damage before tackling cosmetic issues.
Hire a professional to clean the entire home of debris.
Start at the bottom, rebuilding from the foundation up to the attic trusses.

Buying Fire Damaged Homes in Richardson: A Takeaway

A professional fire damage restoration company can help you during this process. You can build the home of your family’s dreams, or get an excellent investment in real estate.

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we clean debris and help during the restoration process. Contact us today for an estimate for our professional fire damage restoration services in Richardson.

How Much Does it Cost to Clean Smoke Damage in North Dallas?

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

The cost of smoke damage cleanup depends on many factors and requires an inspection. Call a fire damage cleanup company at (972) 690-1414.

Smoke Remediation Cost

The cost to clean smoke damage depends on the severity of the smoke and the size of the area that needs to be cleaned. Small smoke damage cleanup projects can be a few hundred dollars while larger projects can range in the thousands of dollars.

How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Burned House?

Smoke damage cleanup is almost always involved after a fire. Accidents that result in a home burning happen on a daily basis in North Texas. We see a peak in fire damage restoration requests around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving.

When our clients call us out to inspect their homes for a smoke damage cleanup estimate, we take several factors into consideration:

What caused the smoke. Different burning items cause different types of smoke and soot, and they each have different cleaning needs.
Where the smoke damage is. Kitchens involve a different type of cleaning procedure than bedrooms. We take into account the items in the room because they will also need to be cleaned.
If the smoke got into the air duct system. This is very common, and we inspect your air ducts to check if they need to also be cleaned.
If there is water damage, which is very common after firefighting efforts.

Free Estimate for Smoke Damage Clean Up Cost

We’ve restored thousands of homes in our 30+ year history serving North Dallas. We can help you, too.

Call us anytime at (972) 690-1414 or contact us online to schedule a fire damage expert to visit your property.

Smoke Damage Repair

Smoke damage repair involves getting the smoke and soot particles off the surfaces of each item. For non-porous surfaces, this task is usually simple. Items are either cleaned and sanitized by hand or in an ultrasonic machine.

Porous surfaces present a bit more of a challenge because the smoke particles can easily embed themselves into fabrics. Although you may not be able to see the soot with the naked eye, you can certainly smell the particles--and that is a potential health risk if the smoke particles contain carcinogens.

The most successful way to rid fabrics of smoke and soot particles is with the Esporta Wash System. Our franchise is one of the few Esporta Certified Wash Operators in North Texas, and we routinely clean and sanitize clothing and other textiles after fire damage smoke. The Esporta is a wet-wash system that uses hydraulic pressure and a combination of up to six detergents to literally push the smoke and soot out of the fabrics. The result is a fabric that is food-grade safe.

We can clean smoke and soot from:

Clothing
Stuffed Animals
Leathers
Shoes
Linens and Sheets
Drapes
Blankets and Comforters
Sports Equipment
And much more

Typical Fire Damage Repair for a Fire Damaged House

Every restoration project is unique, but almost all of them involve the same steps. The typical restoration process for a fire damaged house includes:

Inspection - we inspect the property to understand the full extent of the restoration needs
Estimate - we present the estimate to you or your insurance company if you are filing a claim
Moving Services - we may need to move out your property’s items to be able to restore your property safely. Your items are also cleaned and sanitized in our cleaning facility.
Demolition and Trash Hauling - anything in your home that was damaged will be demolished and thrown away.
Cleanup - your entire property is cleaned, including air ducts.
Deodorization - the air in your property is scrubbed with HEPA filters and cleaned.
Reconstruction - any part of the property that was damaged is rebuilt.
Move Back - after your property is safe, your items are moved back in.

Professional fire damage cleanup companies will accept all insurance claims, and many of them will have agreements with major insurance companies.

We’re Full-Service Restoration Company in the North Dallas Area

We are a SERVPRO in North Dallas on the border of Richardson and Plano, Texas. We have decades of experience in the damage restoration industry, and we know how to restore properties of any size safely and correctly.

Call us anytime for fire damage restoration help. We are available 24-hours a day, every day of the year.

Richardson Carpet Cleaning After Flood

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

Has flooding damaged your carpet? SERVPRO of Richardson provides storm damage cleanup to help prevent mold growth and get you back to normal.

Texas storms can be intense and the Richardson area is no exception. As property owners, we don’t get much time to prepare as thunderstorms with flash flood warnings can come on suddenly.

When Mother Nature gives us more water than we can handle, it ends up inside our homes and buildings causing damage to things like walls, electronics, papers, photos, and furniture.

Flooded carpets are another casualty of torrential rains. In such cases, the carpet needs to be treated to prevent mold growth. Dive into this guide to learn the steps to take with water damaged carpet.

Category Types of Floodwater

When it comes to floodwater, there’s more than one type. Some kinds are more harmful than others, so we give each type a different floodwater category.

Water category identification lets our technicians know if the water is likely to be toxic or not. That way we can treat the water with chemicals to prevent further microbial growth.

Knowing the contamination level of the water of a flood scene also helps our team determine whether or not soaked items can be salvaged. When things a property owner wants to save ends up contaminated, we can treat those items in our Esporta Wash System - one of the most advanced cleaning systems in the industry that uses powerful detergents.

Category 1: Clean Water

The water quality scale starts with relatively clean water. Category 1 water is considered low-risk as it doesn’t pose a health hazard.

“Clean water” doesn’t necessarily remain uncontaminated. Carpet water removal must happen as soon as possible. The longer floodwater is left unextracted, the greater the chances are of it becoming contaminated and progressing into the next category.

Category 2: Gray Water

“Gray water” is assumed to harbor unsafe levels of microorganisms and so it is significantly contaminated. Persons coming into contact with this water are at risk of becoming ill or nauseated.

Can wet carpet be saved after Category 2 water damaged? Maybe. It depends on the carpet type and how long it’s been soaked with gray water. Our team will dispose of the contaminated carpet padding and evaluate if the carpet layer can be recovered or not. In the event that it can’t be saved, we’ll replace the carpet with the closest color match.

Category 3: Black Water

Finally, there is the dirtiest of water. “Black water” is considered to be extremely contaminated and highly toxic for humans and pets.

At this stage of contamination, the water has mixed with wastewater that may contain any of the following: sewage, human waste, garbage, motor oil, fertilizer, etc.

Question: should carpet be replaced after water damage? At the black water stage, the carpet is dangerously toxic cannot be salvaged.

All carpet in the area affected by black water (along with the padding) must be carefully disposed of and replaced with new carpeting. SERVPRO will present evidence of this contamination to the insurance company alongside the replacement cost estimate.

Do I Need Professional Flooded Carpet Cleaning?

When flood damage is minimal and you’re certain that the carpet didn’t come into contact with gray or black water, you can probably handle the recovery on your own (steps on how to clean carpet are given later).

In the event of severe flooding or contaminated water, it’s best to get help from a cleaning service. SERVPRO is equipped with professional-level extractors and disinfectants. Having the right kind of PPE allows our team to get close to contaminated carpets so you won’t have to get close to any toxic materials.

Other benefits of calling SERVPRO for both minor and major flooding are:

Save time: Carpet cleaning after a flood can be time-consuming (especially when done on your own). Our cleaning team takes it off your hands to get it done faster while you tend to your daily life.

Prevent mold: Our team knows the drill on how to recover a flooded property all too well. We will leave the space completely clean and dry so that mold doesn’t have the chance to grow. Even with a Category 1 situation, not having the carpet dry enough can welcome mold spores to take root and in this case, we’ll see to it that it’s moisture-free.

Trained eye: Our years of experience with water damage allows us to identify other issues that may go unnoticed by property owners. We’ll catch other coincidental water damage issues and get them squared away before it gets worse.

Need a hand cleaning your flooded carpets? Call us 24/7 at (972 )690-1414. SERVPRO is always on standby for Richardson flood damage restoration and we’re faster to any size disaster!

Steps for Carpet Cleaning After Flood Damage

Whether you decide to handle minor flood damage on your own or just want to know what is involved with a proper carpet cleaning, we’ve provided these steps below.

Note: The sooner you get the carpet clean, the better. Mold spores are always in the air and will root into the damp carpet. The longer it sits, the better the chances are that mold and mildew will start to grow in the carpet fibers.

Step 1: Remove the Water

Carpet cleaning after a flood begins with full and complete water extraction.

Remove all furniture and other objects from the carpet. Once the area is clear, use a shop vac or other extraction equipment to suck out as much water as possible from the flooded area and soaked carpet.

The more water you remove at this step, the faster the drying process will be.

Step 2: Dry the Whole Room

Important: to prevent mold growth, the entire area must be completely dry.

Ventilation and airflow is a huge help in the drying process. Open windows and use several fans to promote air circulation.

Step 3: Dry the Carpet

It’s vitally important that the carpet be totally dry to prevent mold growth. It’s best to dispose of and replace soaked carpet padding as it’s difficult to dry it out completely.

Increased air circulation helps, but it may not be sufficient. Here are three other things to help it dry fully and faster:

Turning on the heater
Sprinkling some baking soda
Placing wet carpet sections in the sunshine for a day

Step 4: Deodorize and Clean the Carpet

Once the carpet is completely dry, treat it with a steam or carpet cleaning machine. Again, make sure the carpet dries completely after cleanings.

Next, apply your carpet deodorizer of choice - baking soda works well for this. Sprinkle the baking soda, let it sit for a while, then vacuum the carpet.

SERVPRO of Richardson Is Ready to Help With Carpet Cleaning After Flood Damage

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we promise to be faster to any size disaster. When the floodwaters get to be too high and create carpet water damage, our Richardson carpet cleaning services team will be there to get to work and make it like it never happened!

For your health and well being, Richardson mold removal and mold mitigation is SERVPRO’s top priority. Our professional staff will ensure that all water and moisture is eliminated from the affected area to prevent further water damage and mold growth.

Let SERVPRO handle the carpet cleaning after a flood. Call us 24/7 at (972)690-1414 or complete our convenient contact form anytime!

Commercial Vandalism Cleanup in Richardson

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson provides commercial vandalism cleanup services to help you get your property back to normal.

Graffiti and other forms of vandalism are not only an eyesore for your Richardson business but broken glass caused by vandalism can also be a potential hazard. A clean, fully restored commercial building is good for business and your peace of mind, so cleaning up vandalism quickly is important.

Why Fast Vandalism Cleanup is Crucial

Graffiti looks terrible. But it typically doesn’t result in structural damage. However, vandalism in the form of broken windows can lead to water damage, mold growth, and if untreated, significant structural damage to your building.

Quick, professional vandalism cleanup not only keeps your building looking good, but also keeps it safe from other problems. Buildings left with vandalism in plain sight can also hurt the surrounding neighborhood and invite more vandals to further damage your property.

When Vandals Harm Your Commercial Building, Act Fast

Dealing with graffiti, broken windows, or other damage thanks to vandalism? Take fast action to reduce your risks:

A poor brand image
Reduction in customer foot traffic
Reduced sales
Increase in more severe vandalism
Lower employee morale
Long-term structural damage

In a worst-case scenario, commercial vandalism that isn’t fixed can end an enterprise. That’s why it’s important to call SERVPRO of Richardson about our vandalism and graffiti removal services as soon as possible.

What We Can Fix with Our Vandalism Cleanup Services

Don’t give criminals any more reason to target your building with vandalism. Removing malicious damage and graffiti fast is one of our specialties. When we clean up vandalism, it makes the property far less inviting for criminals to target for destruction again.

Our professional graffiti removers and vandalism restorers are available 24/7 to assist you with your commercial building. We’re certified and licensed to work with most major insurance companies. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the vandalism cleanup services we provide:

Graffiti removal from the exterior and interior walls
General cleanup of driveways, walkways, asphalt, and more
Brick, stone, and concrete cleanup
Deodorization and odor removal
Debris removal
Fire, water, and mold damage restoration
Content cleaning

We’ll remove spray-paint graffiti from the facade and exterior walls of your building. But we also clean driveways and walkways so your customers feel welcome, safe, and like they’re shopping in a professional environment. Plastic, masonry, wood, and glass can also be restored with our vandalism cleanup services.

Contact our Richardson location online or call us 24/7 at (972) 690-1414 for more information on how we can help. We’re ready and fully equipped to clean the mess vandals have made and get your property back to normal.

How Much Does Smoke Damage Restoration Cost in Richardson?

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

The experienced team at SERVPRO of Richardson provides professional fire and smoke damage restoration services.

Smoke damage can be tough to clean, but it’s not impossible. In general, smoke damage restoration costs in the range of $200 to over $1000. In Richardson, many factors go into determining the final costs of smoke and fire damage.

Two Ways to Clean and Restore Fire Damaged Buildings

The acrid smell of smoke seeps into porous and soft materials. Even hard surfaces aren’t immune to the stench of smoke damage. So, how much does it cost to clean smoke damage? There are two primary ways to restore a smoke damaged building that contribute to the final costs.

Furniture and Textile Deodorizing

Fabrics are notorious for holding in smoke smells. Deodorizing furniture and textiles is one way to get a building smelling fresh again. The only way to completely eliminate smoke from furniture and fabrics is with a professional deodorizing service. This service will get rid of the smoke smell from carpets, upholstery, and other cloth materials.

The size of the building is also a major factor in determining the cost of the service. Usually, furniture and textile deodorizing services are performed via thermal fogging. Costs typically range from a low of $200 to a high of $600.

Ozone Smoke Removal

Thermal fogging isn’t the only way to remove smoke damage. You can also opt for ozone smoke removal services. With this method, you can remove the smell of the smoke even if the interior of the building is still wet and drying from putting out the fire. It’s a quicker way to eliminate smoke damage, and the costs reflect that.

For this method, costs can run upwards of $500 or more. But if the damage isn’t severe, you may end up paying less. Ozone removal requires either hiring a professional smoke damage restorer or purchasing the chemicals and equipment yourself.

With ozone removal, smoke molecules are broken down, which eliminates the smell. Hiring a professional can give you peace of mind that the removal process is being carried out effectively and completely.

Smoke Damage Restoration Costs: A Takeaway

Experiencing a house or commercial property fire can be a harrowing experience. Dealing with the cleanup process can also be challenging. Not only are you dealing with water damage issues from putting out the fire, but smoke smells can also damage the building.

Our team of experts at SERVPRO of Richardson is here to help with professional fire damage restoration services. We’ll clean up any fire damage and also eliminate pervasive and stubborn smoke smells. We also offer water damage services so your building can be restored fully. Contact us online today or call us anytime 24/7 at (972) 690-1414 to learn more.

Richardson Commercial Building Maintenance: Signs of Sewer Line Problems

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

Sewer line problems can cause serious water damage to your property. Contact SERVPRO of Richardson for commercial water damage restoration services.

We rely on them to always work, quietly and faithfully in the background. But the integrity of a sewer line is hardly ever on anyone’s mind. That is until a sewer pipe leak occurs. For commercial building owners in Richardson, here’s how to spot signs of sewer line problems.

The Most Obvious Sign: Toilets and Drains are Backed Up

Sewer problems and backups can occur for many reasons. But one of the most common has to do with the land around the commercial building shifting over time. When this happens, the sewer pipe can become damaged or bent. The result? Toilets and drains that don’t, well, drain.

Not only does this create an unsanitary environment, but it also can lead to water damage to the floors, walls, and contents of your commercial building. Our Richardson commercial water restoration experts can help if you experience water damage from sewer problems and sewer pipe leaks. But the best way to mitigate water damage from sewer trouble is to fix the broken pipe asap.

It Smells Bad Outside the Building

The easiest way to tell if your sewer pipe is broken? Follow your nose. Sewer pipe leaks and problems will give off a distinct and unpleasant odor — especially outside. To check for signs of a broken sewer pipe, contact a licensed plumber right away.

The Lawn Looks Strange

Another sign of sewer line problems is that the lawn will have areas of pooling water and random patches of deep green, lush grass. These are signs of a broken sewer pipe. The grass above the break is pulling in nutrients from the line, resulting in a very lush patch of grass. Water from a broken pipe will also pool to the surface.

Mold Starts to Grow

A broken sewer line often means increased indoor humidity. As a result, mold can start to form on the walls and ceiling of the building. If sewer line problems result in toilets backing up, this will also feed mold growth.

Sewer Problems in Commercial Buildings: How to Deal

Sewer problems often cause water damage to the interior infrastructure. If this is a problem you’re dealing with, we can help. Our Richardson water damage restoration professionals are available 24/7 to assist. Fixing water damage quickly is crucial to the health of your business. Contact SERVPRO of Richardson online today or call us at (972) 690-1414 to speak to one of our qualified representatives.

Water Damage vs. Flood Damage

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

Whether you've experienced water damage or flood damage to your property, SERVPRO of Richardson can help with commercial water damage restoration.

When severe storms or floods occur in Richardson, buildings can quickly experience water damage and mold growth. Here’s what you need to know about between water damage vs. flood damage.

The Main Issue with Water vs. Flood Damage

Why does the difference between water damage and flood damage matter anyway? Well, the main issue boils down to your insurance coverage. Water damage is often covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. But getting financial help for flood damage requires a separate insurance policy for floods.

For commercial buildings, flood insurance is critical. If your business is experiencing water damage from a flood or storm, our Richardson commercial water restoration services can help.

What is Considered Flood Damage?

For flooding to be considered a “flood” in an insurance company’s eyes, the flooding has to occur on at least two properties, or across two acres before coverage kicks in.

But water ingress that happens from a severe storm, a pipe breaking, or from a broken window would be considered water, not flood damage. Our Richardson commercial storm damage restoration services can help commercial property owners clean their buildings after water damage from a storm has occurred.

What Water Damage is Covered Under a Homeowners Policy

Homeowner’s insurance policies typically cover certain types of water damage. However, it’s critical that you read the fine print. Water damage from storms, broken pipes, leaky roofs, or other forms of water ingress is typically covered. But water damage that extends to the yard, like a pool leaking, isn't covered. Also, insurance won’t pay for water damage from neglect or deferred maintenance.

Be Aware of Denied Claims for Water Damage vs. Flood Damage

A claim denial for either flood damage or water damage can result in increased premiums and rates. If you experience water damage or flood damage, look over your insurance policy carefully to make sure you’re covered for either type of damage. Making a claim for something that isn’t covered, resulting in a claim denial, can look bad to the insurance company.

Here at SERVPRO of Richardson, we specialize in water and storm damage restoration. Fixing water damage fast prevents mold growth and increases the lifespan of your building. If you’re dealing with either water damage or mold growth, don't hesitate to contact us online or call us at (972) 690-1414 for experienced water damage and mold remediation.

What Does Commercial Flood Insurance Cover in Richardson?

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

If you've experienced flooding on your property, contact SERVPRO of Richardson for commercial storm damage and water damage restoration services.

Floods are the number one disaster in the US. For commercial business owners in Richardson, knowing what commercial flood insurance covers is critical. Let’s break it down.

Business flood insurance protects you in two ways

Building coverage — The policy will provide coverage for damage that occurs to the building’s structure.
Content coverage — Commercial flood insurance will provide coverage for the contents, such as furniture and equipment, in the building.

For an insurance provider to consider that damage to a building and its contents has occurred due to a flood, the water must have flooded at least two properties or two acres.

Water from overflowing streams, rivers, snow melts, storm surges, broken dams, blocked storm drains, and other occurrences are considered flood events in commercial flood insurance.

If your commercial building has been damaged from a flood, our Richardson commercial water restoration experts can help fix your building and bring it back to life.

How Much is Covered in Flood Insurance Claims?

The short answer? It depends on your policy. But in most instances, the building and the contents inside are covered for up to $500,000.

Primary Coverage

Primary coverage on a commercial building will include the costs to repair or replace certain items. Things like water heaters, A/C units, and electrical systems are often included in primary coverage.

You’ve invested a lot of money into equipment that’s essential for running your business. Contents coverage in a commercial flood insurance policy will help mitigate the costs of buying new equipment damaged in a flood. Machines, inventory, and merchandise can be replaced with a flood insurance claim.

What Isn’t Covered Under a Commercial Flood Insurance Policy

Dealing with a flooded commercial building often means business and sales grinding to a halt. Commercial flood insurance will help pay to fix your building and restore your equipment. But it won’t typically cover sales and income lost from the flood.

Commercial Flood Insurance in Richardson: The Bottom Line

Taking out a commercial flood insurance policy will reduce some of the stress that occurs if your building suffers damage from flooding. At SERVPRO of Richardson, we offer commercial storm damage restoration services. We’ll clean up water damage and mold, and restore your building back to its original condition. Contact us online today or call us at (972) 690-1414 to speak to a qualified representative.

How to Get Cigarette Smoke Smell Out of the House - Richardson Odor Removal

8/19/2020 (Permalink)

If you are struggling with the stubborn smell of cigarette smoke in your property, contact the experts at SERVPRO of Richardson.

Most Americans don’t smoke cigarettes. The CDC reports that in 2018 only 13.7% of the population were found to be smokers. With smoking becoming less common over the years, when we do encounter cigarette smoke it’s more noticeable and often offensive.

While it’s become a common practice for people to smoke outside, some will still smoke indoors. Someone might side-step the rules and smoke inside an Airbnb property or a leased apartment. When this happens, smoke odor elimination is needed in preparation for non-smoking occupant accommodation.

SERVPRO is committed to promoting a healthy and comfortable environment for Richardson, Texas properties. We’ve put together our top tips to help you get rid of the cigarette smoke smell from your property below. If you’re still having trouble with particularly stubborn odors, we offer professional odor removal services to get the smoke smell out of the house and make any space neutral again.

5 Steps to Get Cigarette Smoke Out of the House

The longer someone smokes within a confined space, the more the odor is absorbed by its contents. Daily smoking penetrates surfaces and leaves layer upon layer of ash deposits behind. So a space that has been exposed to just a weekend of smoking would be much simpler to rehabilitate than a space that has been smoked in for a year or more.

No matter how long an area has been smoked in, these following steps can make the air fresh again. Here’s how to get the smoke smell out of the house.

1. Air Out the House

A lack of ventilation is what causes air to be trapped in a space. Trapped air also traps odor. You can undo this by letting in fresh air to cycle out the old stale air.

Open up the windows and set up fans in spots that will get the most air moving. A day may be sufficient for the air to completely cycle out. It depends on the size of the property.

2. Clean Surfaces

Porous surfaces like walls, furniture, electronics, and other fixtures also trap cigarette smoke odor. Vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent that neutralizes odors. Use ammonia or vinegar solutions to wipe down surfaces that have been affected by cigarette smoke. (Don’t forget the ceiling fans and light fixtures!)

3. Fresh Fruit

Citrus fruits (especially lemons) are also excellent for neutralizing odors. You can cut up fruit and let it absorb odors or add lemon juice to a cleaning mixture (lemon and vinegar work nicely together).

Tip: Use baking soda as another natural odor neutralizer.

4. Air Purifying Plants

Plants beautify any space, but did you know that some plants also purify the air? NASA did a Clean Air Study to find out which plants are effective at cleaning the air. They did this by testing plants aboard the International Space Station. Here’s a list of the winners.

Dwarf Date Palm
Boston Fern
Kimberly Queen Fern
Spider Plant
Chinese Evergreen
Bamboo Palm
Weeping Fig
Devil’s Ivy
Flaming Lily
Lilyturf
Broadleaf Lady Palm
Barberton Daisy
Cornstalk Dracaena
English Ivy
Variegated Snake Plant
Red-Edged Dracaena
Peace Lily
Chrysanthemum

If you expect that smokers may return at some point, you might invest in plants that filter the air. For example, a short term rental owner might find that tenants frequently disregard non-smoking policies. Indoor plants would help mitigate the remaining cigarette smell.

5. Clean Air Ducts

Again, the longer someone has been smoking in an enclosed area, the more smoke odor will have settled throughout the space. In this case, air duct cleaning is needed. This will both clear out the odor and allow better air circulation for keeping the air fresh.

For those who have air filters as part of their HVAC system, you’ll want to replace the filter (perhaps with an odor-fighting brand like Arm & Hammer).

Odor Removal for Clothing and Furniture

If you’ve ever been to a smoky bar or inside a car with a smoker, you’ll notice how fast clothing absorbs cigarette smoke odor. It gets in your hair, on your skin and is locked into clothing until it’s laundered. Even tossing a smoky shirt into a hamper makes it rub off onto other clothes. Thankfully a tumble in the washer and dryer usually takes care of it.

Since you can’t throw furniture and carpet into a washing machine, how do you get smoke odor out of these fibers? Again, odor-fighting cleaners like vinegar and lemon blends do a good job of neutralizing odors. For real wood furniture, use lemon-scented furniture cleaner or polish.

Cleaning can be a bit tricky when smoke penetrates deep into furniture, upholstery, and drapes. SERVPRO of Richardson uses our professional cleaning equipment to carefully yet effectively clean furniture and porous fibers. We offer professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, plus we have the Esporta Wash System for complete textile cleaning.

How Much Does Professional Cigarette Odor Removal Cost?

SERVPRO is committed to providing the best solutions on a case-by-case basis, so we encourage you to reach out to us for an estimate so you’ll have the most accurate figures. The information below is not necessarily reflective of what we charge.

Property owners will typically spend between $2,300-$6,300 on professional smoke odor elimination services.

Cost Breakdown:

Carpet removal & replacement: $700 - $2500
Indoor painting: $900 - $2700
Duct cleaning: $200 - $500
Furniture cleaning: $100-$200

Not all of the above remedies are necessary for a given situation. Our priority is to restore rather than replace which may save on expenses in some cases. For example, when it comes to carpet absorption of cigarette odor, we’re in favor of cleaning over replacement whenever possible.

Reach Out to SERVPRO Richardson for Odor Removal

If you’ve done everything you can to get rid of cigarette smoke and it still lingers, or if the space is too big and pungent to handle on your own, SERVPRO can help. We know how to get the smoke smell out of a house or property. We have the advanced cleaning and odor removal solutions to make it like it never happened.

Our professional services in Richardson include:

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Air Duct Cleaning
Odor Removal (HEPA vacuums and air scrubbing)
Esporta Wash System

Non-smoking occupants shouldn’t have to live with the smell of cigarettes. SERVPRO of Richardson has the right solutions to rid the space of cigarette smoke odors so the air is fresh and neutralized.

If you have a cigarette odor problem on your hands, we’ll come out to the property and put together a complimentary estimate of the expected costs. We’ll determine the primary sources of the odor and let you know what treatments we have available to address each factor.

Call (972) 690-1414 to set up an evaluation or with any questions you have about odor removal.

Who started SERVPRO?

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was founded by Ted and Doris Isaacson in 1967. Today, it is the nation's largest damage restoration company.

SERVPRO was started by Ted and Doris Isaacson in 1967 as a painting company in Sacramento, California. Ted and his partner changed SERVPRO to a cleaning business and started to franchise it, with the first franchise sold in 1969.

The company quickly grew across the United States and is now the nation’s largest cleaning and mitigation company, serving millions of customers across the United States and Canada.

SERVPRO of Richardson has been servicing Dallas since the 1970s. We are one of the oldest established SERVPRO franchises in North Texas, and we have continuously added services that we offer our customers.

Today, SERVPRO’s range of services includes:

Water Damage Restoration
Fire Damage Restoration
Mold Remediation
Storm Cleanup
Biohazard Cleanup, including COVID-19 Sanitization
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning
Crime Scene Cleanup
Reconstruction
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned - an enhanced cleaning program

SERVPRO of Richardson is a full-service mitigation company specializing in all of the core SERVPRO services.

We are also a Certified Esporta Wash System operator, and we specialize in the cleaning and sanitization of clothing and textiles.

Every SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated. Our franchise is located on Highway 75 on the border of Richardson and Plano, Texas in the North Dallas region.

Estimates for our services are free.

Call us anytime at (972) 690-1414. We’re here to help.

What does SERVPRO cost?

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

The cost of services from SERVPRO is dependent on the type and severity of your damage.

“How much will this cost?”

That is a question that we get asked when customers call us looking for emergency service in North Dallas.

The cost of services from SERVPRO is dependent on the type and size of your damage.

We break down damage restoration projects into one of two categories.

Insurance Claims

We work with all the major insurance companies to cover any type of damage restoration claim, including water damage and fire damage. If your loss is covered by insurance, then the price of our services is based upon nationally recognized standard pricing that your insurance company has agreed to. When we submit our estimates, we use the price list that your insurance adjuster expects.

For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO of Richardson helps our clients manage the insurance paperwork and process.

Each of our clients is assigned a Project Coordinator. They will walk you through the restoration process from start to finish.
This Project Coordinator is also an insurance expert. They will communicate daily with your adjuster and work with them to get the services your property needs approved.

So, what will your insurance claim cost? This answer is dependent on the services you need, your deductible, and the extent of your damage. To complete an estimate, we will almost always need to visit your property and finish a detailed inspection of the damages. This estimate is presented to your adjuster.

Remember: your insurance deductible will always be owed. An insurance deductible is what you will pay yourself, even if your claim is 100% covered. To find out what your deductible is, contact your insurance company.

What if something isn’t covered by insurance? We always try to get all the services you need for 100% restoration approved by your insurance adjuster. If a service you need is not covered by your insurance policy, we will work directly with you.

How will you know what’s covered by your insurance claim and what isn’t? Since we don’t have access to your insurance policy, this is a question only your insurance adjuster can answer. Navigating what is covered and what isn’t is a routine part of the restoration process and one that we’ve helped thousands of our clients with.

Self-Pay: Paying for the Project Yourself

If the loss will be paid by the customer directly, we adhere to many of those same standard pricing guidelines to ensure that we give quality service at reasonable prices to our customers. We often work with our customers to find ways to get them the services they need at prices they can afford.

Restoration is Preferred Over Replacement

The restoration process is almost always preferred over replacement. The restoration process is less expensive, faster, and safe.

When SERVPRO of Richardson is restoring a property, our goal is to save as much of the property as possible along with the items inside of it.

What can be saved is professionally cleaned and sanitized. What can't be saved is usually just a small percentage of items or the property.

Demolishing, throwing away, and starting over places a heavy financial burden on homeowners. This process also involves a much longer timeline, which causes a lot of stress for clients.

Whether your loss is covered by your insurance policy or you pay for it yourself, you’ll find our prices at SERVPRO of Richardson are competitive for the North Dallas market.

When can SERVPRO handle emergencies?

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can handle emergencies 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

SERVPRO is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

In many cleaning and restoration situations, fast action is needed. An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs. SERVPRO of Richardson understands this, and that’s why we’re always available to help our North Texas neighbors.

SERVPRO franchises are independently owned and operated. Our office is strategically positioned to be faster to any size emergency in North Dallas. We are located on Highway 75 on the border of Richardson and Plano, Texas, and we typically arrive anywhere in DFW within 2-hours of a call.

No matter the time of day or night, a friendly voice will always answer your emergency call. We understand the stress that damage brings to your life--we’ve been there ourselves. When you call, we'll gather all of the information regarding your emergency quickly and efficiently, and as soon as we get off the phone, we’ll dispatch our production team to your home or office immediately.

No matter the time, day, or weather--we’re here for you. We have 24-hour emergency dispatch for:

Damage restoration estimates are free and can be scheduled anytime. Pre-scheduled, non-emergency after-hours and overnight service is available for all services, including mold remediation and COVID-19 sanitization.

Kindness, quickness, and experienced technicians are what you deserve as a proud North Dallas homeowner or a business owner.

SERVPRO of Richardson has been serving our neighbors in North Texas since 1986, and we’re ready to help you, too.

Does SERVPRO replace drywall?

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

Yes, SERVPRO can replace drywall. SERVPRO of Richardson is a full-service damage restoration provider.

Yes, SERVPRO can replace drywall.

As part of mitigating water damage, we sometimes have to remove drywall to help your property dry correctly. Most drywall has insulation behind it, and that insulation acts like a sponge. It will absorb moisture from the water intrusion and hold it within the wall cavity. It may be necessary to cut out a section of drywall to release that captive water, introduce dry air into the wall, and remove the wet insulation.

When that happens, customers usually want to know if we can replace the sections of drywall we removed.

At SERVPRO of Richardson, the answer is always YES, WE CAN.

The process to repair anything that was damaged in your home is seamless because we do it all ourselves. Once our mitigation division has brought your property back to preloss condition, our reconstruction division takes over. And, if you have filed an insurance claim, we’ll continue working with your adjuster to make sure your repairs are included as part of the claim, too.

Our in-house reconstruction team will not only replace your drywall, but they’ll also make your walls and the rest of your home or office look just like they did before you had a water emergency.

Reconstruction services are typically needed after:

Fire Damage Restoration
Water Damage Restoration
Mold Remediation
Storm Damage, including Hurricanes and Tornadoes

As a full-service SERVPRO in North Dallas, we are experts at making any type of disaster in your home or business “Like it never even happened.”

What does SERVPRO do?

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a national fire and water damage restoration company.

SERVPRO is a fire and water damage restoration company currently servicing the United States and Canada. Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Our franchise, SERVPRO of Richardson, is a professional damage restoration company in North Dallas that serves all homeowners and business owners. We are located in Richardson, Texas on Highway 75 near the border of Plano.

We’ve been a part of the DFW community for over 30 years, and we understand the needs of our neighbors--the residents and business owners in the Metroplex.

Our franchise offers many services including:

Environmental cleaning and disinfection (biohazards and COVID-19)
Water damage remediation
Fire damage restoration
Mold remediation
Air duct cleaning
Reconstruction after damage has been remediated

We accept every insurance claim, and each of our clients is assigned a Project Coordinator to help them navigate their restoration project from start to finish.

Since we opened in 1986, we’ve seen just about every kind and size disaster, from a one-room water damage caused by a toilet overflow, to a fully affected downtown hi-rise building with hundreds of thousands of affected square feet.

Our franchise is an IICRC Certified Firm, a certified mold contractor by the state of Texas and an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator. We are fully versed and practiced in the most technical aspects of property damage restoration, and IICRC trained professionals ensure that each of our clients is treated with care and empathy.

If any disaster strikes in North Dallas, SERVPRO is here to help with any of your remediation and restoration needs.

If you are looking for a local company that is always ready to help, we are here for you.

Call us anytime at (972) 690-1414.

We’re here to help.

How to Fix Water Damage on Baseboards in Your Richardson Home

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

If you notice signs of water damage on your baseboards, contact our Richardson SERVPRO location right away.

Are your baseboards looking a bit odd? As you sweep the floor or do a deep clean, you might stumble upon water damage on baseboards.

Perhaps this is the first sign of interior water damage, or you’ve dealt with a recent water damage problem that caused wet baseboards. At any rate, baseboards that show signs of water damage ought to be addressed to prevent mold growth and rot.

SERVPRO is here to provide property maintenance guidance and water damage services in Richardson, Texas. In this article, we’ll get to the bottom of water damage on baseboards.

Signs of Water Damage on Baseboards

A baseboard with severe swelling or bending is a telltale sign of water damage. More understated clues are slight bowing, water stains, the start of mold growth, or peeling paint.

Water that soaks wood greatly compromises its integrity. Baseboards that have been well-soaked with water will show signs of damage.

How to Fix Baseboards with Water Damage

Baseboards are for interior aesthetics. They finish off the wall. So, repairing baseboards restores the look to keep a damaged one from sticking out like a sore thumb.

Fixing baseboards also allows you to investigate further damage to the wall. If mold has started to sprout behind the baseboard or water is leaking under the baseboard, you’ll be able to uncover potential issues during this process.

It’s helpful to have plenty of light for this project. Use a headlamp for extra light, if needed. Also wear safety goggles and PPE (personal protective equipment) should there be any black mold.

1. Loosen Wet Baseboards

Removing the baseboards allows you to observe the extent of the damage and determine how much repair is needed.

To loosen, use a utility knife along the caulk seal to break the hold between the trim and the wall. Be careful not to make the cuts deep as this could damage the drywall.

2. Pry Off the Baseboard

Now that the baseboard is loose, remove it from the wall. Gently separate the trim from the drywall in sections. As you remove the baseboards, keep the finishing nails with these pieces.

Once all the baseboards have been separated from the drywall, inspect for other signs of water damage like warping, stains, mold, sogginess, etc.

3. Clean Up Drywall

This step prepares the baseboard to be reattached to the wall. For the best results, the wall should be as smooth as can be. This allows a nice flush contact between the trim and the drywall with a better seal.

Peel off any bumps from glue or caulk. Use sandpaper to make the surface clean and even.

Use the utility knife to remove old glue and caulk residue from the wall. A smooth surface ensures a better seal when you attach the new baseboard. Finish off rough spots with a drywall sander.

4. Allow Area Under Drywall to Dry

You may discover that the drywall underneath is still somewhat damp. If so, you’ll need to allow the wall and subfloor to dry out completely. If the drywall or subfloor is soaked or warped, it should probably be replaced as well.

The idea is to reattach baseboards to a wall that won’t grow mold or rot. Hopefully, the wall is already dry or mostly dry so you won’t have to replace it.

This is the time to address any sources of water damage. If it’s soaked and you don’t know why you’ll need to determine the cause. If the issue that caused the water damage isn’t fixed, the wall and baseboards will just incur damage all over again and need another replacement.

5. Replace With New Baseboards

Measure the length of where the baseboard trim was removed. This length with an allowance of a few feet is what you’ll need to purchase. The extra length will make up for any errors or miscalculations.

Bring some of the old wood with you to the home improvement store to match the trim. If the original trim was MDF, you might consider upgrading to a wooden trim. MDF is more vulnerable to water damage as it is more porous.

While you are at the hardware store, get a match for the paint color of the original trim. Finding the paint color that matches your trim preserves the continuity of the room’s look.

We recommend that you prime and paint the trim before cutting and reattaching it to the wall.

6. Miter for a Smooth Fit

Miter box cuts at a precise 45 angle for the tail ends of the baseboards. You’ll want the right flush for the trim’s connections at corners and with those pieces still attached.

7. Secure Boards in Place

You’ll need caulk and finishing nails for this step. It is recommended to use silicone caulk for bathroom and kitchen projects. You can either use new finishing nails or reuse nails from the old pieces by removing them.

Apply caulk to the replacement trim so it stays in place. Ensure a good fit with both the trim still attached and the edges (or corners). Once everything looks right, secure the baseboard pieces with the finishing nails.

Apply caulk to the top of the trim for a finishing seal between the baseboard and the wall.

Hopefully, it’s a simple repair with no unsolved contributing water issues. If you can’t figure out what is causing or caused the water damage in the first place, SERVPRO of Richardson is here to help.

Restoration Services in Richardson, TX

SERVPRO is “faster to any size disaster”! Our team of extensively trained water damage restoration technicians is on call 24/7 to respond at a moment’s notice. We arrive completely prepared to start the water damage restoration process so that you can get back to life as usual as soon as possible.

We use the best equipment and technology in the restoration industry to ensure that the property is completely clean, totally sanitized, free of toxic mold, odor-free, and thoroughly dry.

We do an inspection to identify the cause of the water damage to prevent it from happening again.

Our Richardson restoration services include:

Reach Out to SERVPRO Richardson for Water Damage Restoration

Baseboards are for aesthetic purposes, so we tend to determine if damage should be addressed based on how bad they look. However, water damage on baseboards should be addressed whether they look bad or not.

Identifying the root cause is how you prevent having to do the baseboard repair process all over again. We’re here to answer any water damage questions you have and would be glad to send our experts out to help you figure out the source of water damage issues. We’re here to answer the call 24/7 at (972) 690-1414 or fill out our quick and easy contact form anytime!

Neighbor's Tree Fell On My House in Richardson, TX - Who Pays for the Damage?

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

If your house has been damaged by a falling tree, call the experienced professionals at our SERVPRO location, serving the Fort Worth area.

The addition of a couple of trees can enhance the natural beauty of any property, and offer a refreshing respite from the hot Texas sun. With roots that go deep into the soil to support its towering heights, it takes quite a bit of force to uproot a tree - either it’s removed by a person using equipment or severe storms break its stronghold.

A professional arborist will pay careful attention during landscape planning to ensure that trees are planted in spots that aren’t likely to land on people or property. However, prevention can only go so far, and storms are indiscriminate. It’s rare for trees to fall on property, so when it does happen it often comes as a shock.

A tree falling in the front yard or even your car is inconvenient enough, but when it slices through your roof it’s an alarming situation.

In this case, an expensive repair is literally hanging over your head. In most instances, a good homeowners insurance policy will cover storm damage to your home.

But what if the tree that caused this timber intrusion wasn’t yours? Who’s in charge of handling the damages? The neighbor's tree fell on my house, so aren’t they responsible?

It’s reasonable to assume that you won’t have to pay for the damages because the destruction wasn’t due to your own negligence. So do you call your insurance company or call the neighbor to file a claim on theirs?

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we’ve seen our fair share of storm damage and we’re your tree damage restoration experts. When sunny skies are overtaken by wind gusts or the occasional tornado, we cross our fingers that the damage will be minimal. But if the worst does happen, we’re here to help with useful guides or to assist you by phone 24/7.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal After a Storm?

Like any kind of insurance policy, the coverage provided depends on your policy. You may be responsible for a deductible. Typically, “act of God” events are covered by insurance. This means that the damage is not anyone’s fault and beyond human control. This applies to natural disaster scenarios.

Tree removal is more likely to be covered by the policy if it causes property damage. Examples of property damage are a tree crashing on your roof, car, or fence.

It’s wise to reach out to your homeowner’s insurance providers and ensure you have sufficient coverage for significant storm damage.

Who is Responsible if a Tree from My Neighbor’s Property Damages My House?

“My neighbor's tree fell on my house or property, so who pays?”

We sincerely hope you never have to ask this question. But, if you find yourself in this situation, unless it was due to someone’s negligence, the responsibility is in your hands. You pay the deductible or anything not covered with insurance. So with that settled, you’ll want to get in touch with your insurance company and start a claim.

In some cases, your neighbor might be responsible, but those situations are rare. You’d have to prove that the neighbor was negligent and didn’t take reasonable steps to remedy a faulty tree issue. To do this, you’d need documentation to support your claim that you identified a problem, notified the neighbor, and they did nothing to fix the issue. Keep in mind that this potentially leads to a time-consuming dispute.

Let’s say the tree didn’t fall because of a storm but because of a human error. For example, the neighbor got out the chainsaw and started removing a tree near the property line. If the tree fell on your property because of human actions, then the other party is responsible.

Here’s What to Do if a Tree Falls On Your House

When a storm rolls through the city and knocks a tree over onto your house, it’s important to get to the safest place possible.

If it’s safe to leave the home (meaning no active tornado warnings or dangerous winds) this is your best option. Richardson storm safety should be your top priority. If at any point you are in imminent danger while the storm is underway, call 911 for rescue.

The alternative is to stay on the side of the house opposite from where the tree fell. This is where you should remain while you wait out the storm or when staying elsewhere isn’t an option. A tree crashing onto the house may stir curiosity, but it’s best to steer clear of the impact site. The ceiling or other debris could fall through and injure someone.

Again, stay where it’s safe. Consider booking a hotel. Once you are safe and settled, call your insurance company.

Next, call our Fort Worth area SERVPRO so we can send out our Richardson storm damage restoration technicians. We are faster to any size disaster!

Reach Out to SERVPRO Richardson for Tree Removal and Storm Damage Restoration

Your local SERVPRO has extensive experience in Richardson building reconstruction for residential and commercial properties.

After we complete an initial damage assessment, we board and tarp your home to keep it safe and secure while tree removal and storm restoration is in progress.

SERVPRO of Richardson stays in contact with your insurance company so the process is as smooth as can be.

When severe storms bring tree damage to your house, please be safe. Don’t attempt to remove the tree or clean it up yourself. Take pictures and video with caution, then leave it to the professionals to take care of the damage.

Storms can strike at any hour, so we’re here to answer the call 24/7 at (972) 843-7879. Call us or fill out our quick and easy contact form anytime!

How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Basement in Richardson

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson provides mold remediation services

Basements are not common in the Dallas area. This regional novelty adds to a property’s value as extra living or storage space. For this reason, a basement is a notable feature that’s worth preserving.

One way a basement incurs damage is when water sneaks into the basement. A combination of dampness and darkness creates the ideal environment for mold. Mold is damaging to basements and creates a toxic environment.

When you don’t access the basement often it’s easy to forget to check on it. Have you recently seen black spots or smelled mildew down there? Do you know how to get rid of mold in a basement the right way?

At SERVPRO, we are your Richardson mold removal experts. We help Dallas area property owners keep their basements in great shape by getting rid of mold in basements. Please use this resource to protect your property from mold or call us anytime. We’re here 24/7.

Causes of Mold in Basement

Prevention starts with knowing what causes black mold in basements. Basements construction quality ensures that it stays dry but sometimes moisture gets in. Combined with moisture, a dark place with little ventilation is where toxic mold growth starts.

Leaks in Basement Piping

Basements that use running water have pipes. Leaks happen with damage from wear and tear or the pipes freezing. Also, leaks or flooding happens when a water heater fails.

Any place with excess water that doesn't have a chance to dry out is where mold can grow.

Flash Floods

A well-built basement can still succumb to flooding problems. When the home above floods, the water flows to the basement in the small spaces around the entry.

Water may also get into the basement through something called hydro-static pressure. This happens when rain soaks the surrounding soil to the point that pressure builds up. The trapped water forces itself through walls of the basement. Indications of this are water damage or mold on basement walls.

Sump Pump Failure

A sump pump is the backup plan for when excess water enters the basement. When it’s not maintained, it may stop draining as it should.

Poor Ventilation

Is there a lack of air circulation? Ventilation is a huge help in keeping the basement dry. This allows puddles and moisture to air out and evaporate.

From small leaks to major flood events, basement wetness is where toxic mold makes itself at home.

Tips on Basement Mold Prevention

A dry basement is a mold-resistant basement. Here are some tips on how to get rid of mold in the basement.

Dehumidifiers - This makes up for a lack of ventilation and speeds up the drying process.

Fogging or chemical treatments - Foggers or treatments are designed especially for zapping mold.

Fix leaks - Look everywhere for water leaks or signs of water damage. Repairing these leaks solves a problem source.

Maintenance - Do routine maintenance on the HVAC, sump pump, and ventilation systems

Sealants or caulk - Block persistent water leak issues with the appropriate sealants.

Exterior waterproofing - This involves costly professional help. This entails excavation and drain installation. Otherwise, you might solve the issue by blocking or routing rainwater away from your home.

Mold loves dark and damp places, so be diligent to keep the basement dry.

Steps for Getting Rid of Mold in Basements

Know how to get rid of mold in a basement in 5 steps:

Step 1: Inspection

Identify and mark off all the mold-affected areas. Pay special attention to where water or moisture is likely to enter (plumbing, HVAC, water heater, extra bathroom, clothes washer, etc.)

Note: It’s important to know what kind of mold is present for proper handling. Stachybotrys (common black mold) is a prominent type that is toxic and has a bad smell. But there are several other kinds of mold that grow indoors: black mold and white mold. SERVPRO of Richardson can identify all areas of mold growth and confirm what type it is with testing.

Step 2: Put on PPE

Don yourself in old clothes, long gloves, goggles (without ventilation holes), and an N-95 respirator. You’ll be getting up close and personal with the mold, so it’s important to protect yourself from toxins.

If you don’t have access to the right PPE or don’t feel comfortable using chemicals, SERVPRO of Richardson does it for you. We have the right PPE and professional-grade mold remediation products.

Step 3: Remove the Mold

Try these mold fighting solutions:

Bleach - One part bleach to 16 parts water (for hard surfaces).

Borax - One cup of Borax to one gallon of water (for porous and nonporous items).

Vinegar - No mixing needed, use undiluted.

Baking soda - One half cup of baking soda to one cup of water plus one tablespoon of liquid detergent.

Mixture - Combine one part non-ammonia, liquid dish detergent, 10 parts bleach, and 20 parts water (for porous surfaces).

If you want to use a spray bottle to apply your solution, first make sure to build temporary containment. This involves attaching thick plastic around the mold so any spores that you will disturb when spraying the solution will stay within the already-affected areas. If you cannot build containment, do not use a spray bottle. =A better alternative to a spray bottle is to use a clean rag, sponge, or brush. Thoroughly apply the cleanser (including the edges and crevices). Rinse your cleaning tool often to avoid spreading mold. Let the application sit for 5-15 minutes.

Rinse the area with a clean and wet sponge or rag (replace dirty water with clean water as you go).

Do you still see mold? Repeat this process.

Step 4: Throw Out Mold-Infested Items May Be Necessary, but It’s Likely Your Moldy Items Can Be Saved

Many moldy items can be salvaged thanks the latest in clothing and textile sanitization technology. SERVPRO of Richardson is one of the few Esporta Wash System Certified Operators in Dallas Fort Worth, and we have an over 85% salvage rate of mold-infested clothing and other textiles.

We have been able to save many items with mold, including:

Clothing
Leather Items
Linens and Sheets
Blankets and Comforters
Leather Goods
Sports Equipment
Stuffed Animals
Drapes and Sheers

Let us know what items you need restored. We’ll be able to tell you whether they can be restored or not.

Unfortunately, some moldy items cannot be kept. This is usually true when the mold has been on the item for an extended period of time, which may cause holes in the textile. If this is the case, use complete PPE, double bag the affected items and discard.

For valuables like furniture, it may be possible to salvage them with reupholstery.

SERVPRO of Richardson may be able to recover precious fabric items ruined by mold. Ask us about Esporta (industrial decontamination machine).

Step 5: Dry Surfaces and Ensure Proper Ventilation

Cleaning makes it look and smell better, but drying completely and ventilation helps it stay that way. All the affected areas must be totally dry out to keep mold at bay. Absorbent towels, air conditioning, fans, and dehumidifiers all work to eliminate moisture.

Reach Out to SERVPRO Richardson for Professional Mold Remediation

You may not spend a lot of time in the basement, but it’s still a valuable part of the property. Don’t let it be overrun by damaging mold. We’re on call 24/7 for through basement mold removal.

Keep in mind that not all mold is harmful and it occurs naturally as part of our ecosystem. SERVPRO of Richardson mold remediation focuses on eliminating harmful mold (not all mold).

What We Do:

Mold inspection
Mold testing
Removal of mold on carpet
Removal of mold on clothes
Removal of mold behind baseboards
Removal of mold in HVAC
Attic mold removal
Commercial mold remediation
Odor removal

For decades, SERVPRO of Richardson has thoroughly cleaned moldy basements. We make it "Like it never even happened."

You don’t need to get close to the mold. Our experienced North Dallas mold remediation professionals will handle it. Call us 24/7 at (972) 843-7879 or fill out our quick and easy contact form anytime!

The 5 Stages of Hoarding and When to Get Help

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson Hoarding Cleanup Services

A hoarding situation is a delicate matter that is difficult to discuss with loved ones. If you or someone you know is living with a hoarder, you aren’t alone.

1 in 20 Americans lives in mild to moderate hoarding conditions, while 1 in 50 homes qualify as a severe hoarding environment.

Gathering information is a step in the right direction toward a better living situation. Please read through all 5 stages of hoarding and find out how SERVPRO of Richardson can help.

What is Hoarding?

Put simply, hoarding is an accumulation of objects, animals, or trash. It’s caused by neglect, compulsion, or a bit of both. It causes any and all parts of a home to be unlivable.

Life in a hoarding environment can cause problems relating to physical wellness, emotional health, relationships, financial, legal, and other aspects of life.

What Causes Hoarding?

Hoarding is symptomatic of underlying psychological issues such as OCD, ADHD, or depression/anxiety. Some have said it can be linked to a personal history of poverty (but this hasn’t been clinically proven).

Common Signs of Hoarding

Reality-TV displays the more extreme side of it, but there are 5 stages of hoarding that lead up to this. So, what are the first signs of hoarding?

Levels of Hoarding

Experts found that hoarding is on a spectrum. Understanding the problem in-depth (by identifying the different types) aids in the treatment of underlying mental health issues.

Read on to learn about the 5 stages of hoarding.

Level 1 Hoarder

The beginning stage of hoarding is the mildest. In the home of a Level 1 hoarder, you may find:

Some signs of animals/animal waste (pets or pests).
No strong odors.
Moderate clutter.
Mostly healthy and sanitary conditions from regular housekeeping.
Some gathering of items collected compulsively (but the movement is not blocked around doorways and pathways).

In this phase, compulsive collecting begins but hasn’t yet become a health issue.

Level 2 Hoarder

At this stage, the accumulation of items creates a blocked doorway or exit along with more signs of neglect. This level includes:

Increased clutter (to the point of blocking or narrowing the pathways).
Appliances or HVAC in disrepair for 6 months or more.
Mildew in the bathroom or kitchen.
Moderate pet odor.
Pet waste.
Litterbox is used three times and hasn’t been scooped or refreshed.
Several pets including fish, birds, or reptiles.
Signs of rodents.
Trash can overflow.
Dirty food prep stations.

Level 2 brings about social withdrawal due to anxiety, depression, or being too embarrassed to allow guests.

Level 3 Hoarder

Midway through the hoarding scale, there is increased clutter, more disrepair, and advanced neglect. Here’s what is found at this stage:

Visible clutter outside (such as broken appliances and old furniture).
More broken appliances than at level 2.
Light structural damage to the home.
Unmanageable or illegal amount of pets.
Neglected cages, tanks, or litter boxes for animals.
Signs and sounds of rodent pests.
Fleas
Spiders/spider webs.
More than one blocked doorway or narrow passageways through the home.
One bathroom or bedroom is unusable.
Substances or spills remain on the floor.
Dirty laundry pileup.
Noticeable odor.
Overflowing trash cans.

At level 3, personal neglect is also evident. Those living in the home may not be bathing for several days, at or reaching obesity, and eating a poor diet.

The occupants are also avoidant or defensive when others try to talk about the state of the living conditions.

Level 4 Hoarder

At this stage, the environment has reached toxic levels. Some or all of these listed are found in Level 4 hoarding situations:

Mold and mildew throughout the home.
Structural damage has gone 6 months without repair.
Pets counts are in excess of the legal amount (by at least four).
At least three areas have visible animal waste.
Unusable bedrooms/bathrooms.
Presence of rotting food in the kitchen, fridge, and other rooms.
Very old canned goods.
All dishes and utensils are dirty and can’t be used.
Bug infestation in beds (including lice).
Beds without linens.
Several spiders and spider webs.
Bat or rodent sounds and signs.
More than one exit blocked.
Flammable materials stored indoors.

Personal neglect is advanced at this stage with many weeks without bathing, the onset of more severe mental issues, and escapism (living in the past or grandiose dreams of the future).

Level 5 Hoarder

Conditions of a level 5 hoarder home are considered to be unlivable. There is an increased concern for the personal welfare of the residents. Such extreme conditions are:

Severe structural damage to the home or broken walls.
Lack of electricity or running water (leading to human waste collection in buckets).
Fire hazards.
Rodent sightings (or other wild animals getting inside.)
Excessive clutter in bathrooms or kitchen (blocking the path).
Pet counts are in excess of the legal amount (by at least four).
Human waste is seen or smelled.
Rotting food around the house or inside a broken refrigerator.

At this stage, the home may be abandoned with the residents away most of the time or staying elsewhere.

The higher the level of hoarding the more likely it is that a resident has severe depression or other mental health problems. NAMI is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to assist those who need guidance on how to best help loved ones. Call NAMI at 800-950-NAMI (6264) or call 211 for Dallas area resources.

The International OCD Foundation also offers tips on how to approach those affected by hoarding.

Contact Us for Hoarding and Biohazard Cleanup

Our SERVPRO of Richardson biohazard cleanup team understands the sensitive nature of hoarding situations. We’re ready to restore hoarding homes back to healthy environments.

We provide hoarding cleanup services and odor remediation with dignity and respect.

We work with you to come up with a recovery plan for your specific needs. During our free consultation, we offer ways to service the residence while respecting a resident’s privacy (such as overnight cleaning).

We’re here to answer your call 24/7. Reach out to us at (972) 690-1414 or fill out our quick and easy contact form anytime!

Water Damage Restoration Service in Richardson, TX

6/16/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Restoration in Richardson

Water is wonderful - until it makes its way into a house or commercial building. Everything is designed and installed to prevent water from getting where it doesn’t belong, but sometimes plumbing will fault or sewers back up. We rely on quality construction to keep spaces dry, but when this fails, water damage happens.

Recovering from water damage can be a major ordeal but cleaning it up not something you have to do alone. From structural problems to natural disasters, SERVPRO of Richardson is here to help in any water emergency.

Professional Water Damage Restoration in Richardson, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is a locally owned and operated water restoration company. For 30 years we’ve provided home and commercial restoration services. Our decades of experience make us your water damage restoration experts!

Who we are:

We live up to our motto: “Faster to Any Size Disaster.”
24-hour emergency service, 7 days a week.
A trusted leader in the Water Restoration Industry.
A staff of highly trained Water Restoration Technicians.
Provider of advanced water inspection, extraction, and drying equipment.

Reach out to us at any time for prompt and complete flood damage cleanup and water removal services!

What Can Cause Water Damage?

Water damage occurs when too much water comes into contact with items that are designed for a dry environment. Basement flooding is not as common in this part of the country, but below are some possible scenarios that may require water damage restoration for homes and commercial properties in Richardson.

Storm or flood damage caused by severe weather.
Flooding from the use of firefighter hoses.
Gutter overflow.
The entry of water into attics and crawl spaces.
A sewage backup enters a home or commercial space.
A pipe leaks or bursts.
Problems with the plumbing system.
Sinks, bathtubs, or toilets overflow.
Water-related HVAC system problems.
Plumbing or appliances leak water.

Water mitigation measures can be taken to prevent many of the above from becoming a problem. But when best-laid water damage prevention plans don’t hold up, this creates a need for water damage restoration.

Water damage services are the most significant part of our cleaning business. For this reason, we have our team of technicians on-call and available to dispatch to the property in your moment of need. We arrive at the scene prepared to begin the water damage restoration process immediately. Being consistent and reliable has made us the leader in the cleaning and restoration industry.

What Are Signs of Water Damage?

When water penetrates through building materials, it leaves clues behind. Here are some telltale signs that there has been water damage to your property.

Standing water - The room appears to be flooded with several inches of water, or there are pools and puddles of water indoors.
Spots or discoloration - There are dark or discolored areas on the floors, ceilings, walls, or inside cabinets or closets. These might also appear around pipes, sinks, toilets, etc. Paint or drywall that is peeling or cracking could also be a sign of water damage.
Squishy or squeaky floor.
Unusual sounds of rushing water.
The appearance of mold.
The smell of mildew - The room feels musty or humid.
The smell of sewage inside the building or home.
An unexpected increase in the water bill.

Any of the above conditions should be addressed immediately with repairs or water damage restoration solutions.

Our Water Damage Restoration Process in Richardson

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we are the water damage restoration experts. Because each situation we come into contact with is unique, our cleaning approach is not one size fits all. We customize client cleaning plans according to the particular needs of each restoration.

Sometimes the extent of the water damage is more than what is seen at first glance, so we do an in-depth inspection to make sure we uncover all the issues. Being proactive prevents further damage and potential health risks.

To protect your health and property, water and sewage must be completely extracted. The area must be completely cleaned, dried, and disinfected - all with proper ventilation.

What we do:

Water removal: We extract all standing water or sewage from the affected areas.

Water clean up: We clean everything that the water has touched. We make sure the site is thoroughly cleaned and dried to prevent mold growth. When necessary, this process includes disinfection and complete carpet cleaning.

Mold inspection: Our top priority is to prevent a mold health hazard. We carefully inspect for mold as part of the recovery process. Several of our staff are Texas certified mold technicians trained for thorough mold remediation during the restoration process.

Water damage repairs: What cannot be salvaged during the cleaning and restoration process will be replaced or rebuilt.

Below are the 6 steps of our complete restoration and cleaning process structure:

Step 1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment

Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction

Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification

Step 5: Cleaning and Repair

Step 6: Restoration

This process is tailored for the cleaning needs of your property depending on how much damage and contamination levels are found. How each step is executed depends on the issues we find during the assessment.

Don’t Wait - Contact SERVPRO of Richardson for Water Damage Restoration Services Today

30 years in the professional cleaning business makes us your Richardson mold removal and water restoration experts! We offer both residential and commercial cleaning services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Let our IICRC certified technicians thoroughly restore your property and protect the health of the people you care about. Our staff is well equipped with the experience, knowledge, and the training needed to deliver the best value in cleaning and restoration.

Don’t let a water damage event turn into a bigger problem. Reach out to our water damage experts at (972) 690-1414 or fill out our quick and easy contact form anytime!

Daycare Cleaning Services and Guidance for Coronavirus Prevention

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

Daycare Cleaning Services

It’s been a challenging year for American families. Moms and dads are doing their best to provide for their kids while the economy is shifting and childcare centers play a critical role in supporting families. Without a safe place for children to go, parents may not be able to continue to work.

Governor Abbott closed Texas schools for the remainder of the year to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, but childcare centers remain open as they are considered essential businesses.

The state has subsidized the childcare industry to both keep these indispensable businesses afloat and to ensure the families of essential workers across the state can secure child care.

Social distancing and increasing hygiene habits continue to be promoted as the public health strategy, but when you’re running a childcare facility, many of your little patrons are still learning to walk, talk, and wash their own hands. It’s not as simple as putting up advisory posters or making announcements over the speakers.

The current public health climate means more work for staff, but the childcare industry has always been about providing a safe and secure home away from home for children. The extra effort is worth it to protect our little ones.

We’re here to support essential service workers in our community and their families. We understand that keeping track of dozens of children keeps you busy enough, so we put together this time-saving daycare cleaning services guide in support of your efforts to keep your staff and your kids safe and healthy.

Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures

From snack time to playtime and all the in-between, you’ve probably wiped down the same objects and surfaces millions of times by now.

However, these objects and surfaces must now be cleaned more frequently and more thoroughly. Everything in your rooms should be washable, especially items and surfaces that are frequently touched.

CDC guidance for child care programs that remain open serves as the prime resource for modifying childcare facility protocol in response to COVID-19. We recommend integrating the CDC’s tips and best practices into your childcare cleaning services.

Increase Cleaning and Disinfection Efforts

While the facility as a whole (including outdoor play areas) should be routinely cleaned, there is an emphasis on commonly used stations and objects. These fall into the “high touch” category.

Compared to other businesses, daycare centers are an extremely high-contact environment with things being frequently touched every single day.

Diaper changing stations are used constantly throughout the day, tables and chairs are frequent gathering areas, and most notable is the heavy use of toys.

While it’s become the norm for adults to wear masks in public for the protection of their faces, at your average childcare center little kids constantly put things on their faces and in their mouths as part of natural sensory stimulation.

Child development for babies and toddlers does not need to be interrupted. We can’t reasonably expect babies to stop putting toys in their mouths, so we accommodate little ones by changing how we circulate toys.

Clean and Sanitize Child Toys

Toys or other items that cannot be cleaned and sanitized should not be used. Remove these items from your rooms.
Designate an area for used and “soiled” toys. (Optional: store dirty toys in sudsy water pans until they can be completely disinfected. Keep used toys and sudsy water away from children to prevent drowning and spreading germs.)
Toys that children have placed in their mouths or that are otherwise contaminated by body secretions or excretions should be kept out of reach after use. They can be played with again once they have been sanitized.

Put on disposable gloves.
Cleanse the used toys with water and detergent.
Rinse.
Sanitize with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
Rinse again.
Dispose of gloves.
Air-dry.
Return sanitized and dried toys to the play area for reuse.

Toys may also be cleaned in a mechanical dishwasher.
Toys should not be shared in a single session, especially machine washable toys. Once the toy has been used, it should not be used by another child until it has been sanitized.
Paper-based materials such as children’s books, craft supplies, etc, are not considered high risk for transmission. These do not require additional cleaning or disinfection procedures.

Be vigilant about items that are more likely to be placed in a child’s mouth (play food, dishes, and utensils). It’s sweet when a child wants to share toys, but with the Coronavirus being transmitted through the nose and mouth it’s important to avoid sharing toys (especially with babies, infants, and toddlers).

With the new single-use toy policy, increasing your toy supply makes up for this. As toys being frequently removed from use throughout the day, having more toys available keeps kids content.

The Differences Between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting

As we turn to guidelines from official sources such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), it’s important to know what is meant with certain terms. Clean, disinfect, and sanitize are all words that are used to describe the elimination of unwanted substances (body secretions, excretions, dirt, sticky residue, marks, dirt, germs, bacteria, etc.). However, these words do mean different things in an industrial context.

Clean: To remove dirt and debris by scrubbing and washing with a detergent solution, then rinsing with water. Soap and friction remove most germs and exposes any lingering germs so the sanitizer or disinfectant can finish the germ removal.
Disinfect: To reduce germs on inanimate surfaces to levels considered safe by public health codes or regulations.
Sanitize: To destroy or inactivate the majority of germs on an inanimate object, with the exceptions of bacterial spores.

Refreshing your staff on the difference between these health and safety terms would be appropriate to include in your daycare cleaning services training. Since all three are part of the sanitation process, it’s important to know what each term refers to so the staff can effectively communicate about whether all steps have been done.

Caring for Infants and Young Children

Navigating the new normal with little ones who aren’t aware of how the world is changing can be a challenging adjustment. The CDC guidance for child care programs that remain open provides many pointers to support your continuous care services.

Diapering

Childcare centers go through plenty of diapers. Below are the CDC recommendations for how to manage the changing table.

Before you begin to change a diaper, wash your own hands, as well as the child’s hands. Once your hands are cleaned and dried, put on a pair of gloves.

Safe Diaper Changing Procedures

As mentioned above, cleanse your hands and put on a pair of gloves.
Help the child clean up with hand soap and wipes accordingly.
Remove waste (used diaper and wipes)
Put on a clean diaper.
Wash the child’s hands again.
Wipe down the diapering station with the disinfectant product.
Wash your hands.

Once you have finalized your updated diaper changing protocol, train your staff on the new steps, and post the new procedures at the diaper changing stations.

Maintain a clean diapering area before and after use with an EPA-registered fragrance-free bleach that is a sanitizing or disinfecting solution. Any other products are used for sanitizing or disinfecting should also be fragrance-free and EPA-registered.

Refrain from rinsing or cleaning cloth diapers in the facility. Place these in a sealed baggie or plastic-lined container to go home with parents/guardians or the laundry service

Washing, Feeding & Holding a Child

As you well know, children sometimes need to be soothed by being held. Bottle-feeding and washing are also actions that involve a baby being in close contact by a caregiver.

Babies, infants, and toddlers don’t know what social distancing is and that’s okay. We can manage.

When care involves close contact with children (especially babies), providers may wear oversized button-down long-sleeved shirts or smocks and pull long hair up away from the collar into a hair tie or clip.

Close Contact Procedure

When a child leaves secretions anywhere on a provider’s skin (hands, neck, etc.) those areas of the body should be properly cleansed.
Whenever possible, clothing that comes into contact with secretions should be changed.
Place contaminated clothes in a plastic bag or promptly launder them in a washing machine.
Encourage parents/guardians of infants and toddlers to send along multiple changes of clothes.
Encourage the staff to bring extra work clothes to change into.
Have extra back-up clean clothing available for providers, babies, and toddlers.
Have providers wash their hands before and after handling bottles whether prepared at home or in the facility.
Promptly and thoroughly clean bottles, bottle caps, nipples, and other equipment used for bottle-feeding after each use either by dishwasher or with a bottle brush, soap, and water.

With the above adjustments, childcare providers may continue to give little ones the close-contact care they are used to while at the same time being proactive in the prevention of the spread of Coronavirus.

Washing Hands

Here’s a silver lining. Increased handwashing is an opportunity to give your kiddos extra practice and make these fundamental personal hygiene habits stick! It’s hands-on learning.

Clean Hands Procedure

When to wash hands or use sanitizer:

Upon arrival at the facility.
After employee breaks.
Before & after preparing food or drinks.
Before & after eating or handling food, or feeding children.
Before & after giving medication or applying medical ointment.
Before & after diapering.
After going to the toilet or assisting a child in the bathroom.
After making any contact with bodily fluids.
After touching animals or picking up animal waste.
After outdoor play or play with sand.
After handling garbage or waste.

How long to wash hands:

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

When to use hand sanitizer:

When hands are not visibly dirty, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available. Monitor children to make sure they don’t ingest hand sanitizer.

Who to assist with handwashing:

Assist children who aren’t able to do a proper job of handwashing (especially infants who cannot do so without help). Remind staff to wash their own hands after helping children wash theirs.

How to promote handwashing habits

Help your staff and your kids remember the importance of keeping their hands clean to prevent the virus from spreading. Make posters that demonstrate the steps according to your audience (age groups and languages respectively).

Making it fun with games or songs helps these habits stick. Before long, you’ll have a school full of handwashing pros!

Food Preparation

Adjusting to a new normal also includes modifications of the foodservice procedure.

Meal Service Measures

Opt for eating in separate classrooms instead of children congregating in a dining space.
Prepare plates separately instead of cafeteria-style serving.
Make sure children are not sharing utensils.
Whenever possible, ensure that the staff members who serve food are not also responsible for changing diapers.
Sinks used for foodservice should not be used for any other purpose.
Supervise children to make sure they wash their hands before and promptly after eating meals and snacks.
Caregivers should also wash their hands before and after serving and assisting with meals and snacks.
Foodservice operations should comply with all other currently applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

For the health and safety of your staff and your children, consider integrating the above practices in your meal service.

We Provide Daycare Cleaning Services for Child Care Facilities

Keeping little ones safe and healthy is a top priority for any childcare facility. It is a priority for SERVPRO of Richardson as well. To support you in your efforts to maintain a healthy environment for your staff and children, we offer daycare cleaning services.

Once we perform these cleaning services, you can share with parents and guardians that you’ve had a professional and thorough cleaning from SERVPRO--the most trusted brand in commercial cleaning.

SERVPRO of Richardson consistently abides by CDC cleaning recommendations and the appropriate use of the associated EPA-registered disinfectants.

We ensure that our IICRC trained technicians have the proper PPE and cleaning supplies to perform the necessary bioremediation and biohazard cleaning services--to clean, disinfect, and sanitize the property.

If a child or employee at your facility becomes sick with COVID-19 or other viral illnesses, we are available 24/7 to thoroughly clean the building during closures. For those 24-hour care centers, we’ll do our best to clean your facility with minimal interruption of your childcare activities.

What We Offer:

Established trust in the Dallas County community by delivering 34 years of superior cleaning and sanitation services in Richardson, TX.
Experience in cleaning hundreds of thousands of square feet after confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Reliable commercial cleaning services for first responders, airports, homes, and many types of businesses including shipping, manufacturing, healthcare, and more.

We’re here 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about keeping your childcare center safe, childcare cleaning best practices, disinfectant products, and more. We’re also on standby in case someone at your facility tests positive for Coronavirus. We’ll clean your facility ASAP so you can get back to providing families with child care.

Reach out to us at (972) 690-1414 or fill out our quick and easy contact form anytime!

Gym Cleaning and Sanitation Services for Fitness Centers

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

Gym Cleaning and Sanitation Services

For many, shelter in place means being homebodies are becoming out-of-shape bodies. Fitness clubs have been popular because people enjoy a dedicated space for their workouts in an encouraging atmosphere. Good news! Texas has given gyms the green light to reopen on May 18th.

Fitness enthusiasts look forward to getting back into the groove of their old routines, but with the continued concern about the spread of the Coronavirus, it takes the coordination of the staff and cooperation of the patrons to ensure reopening is done properly.

Governor Abbott has limited the operating capacity to 25% (staff and contractors are exempt from the headcount) and strongly recommends the continued practice of social distancing. Businesses across the state that are reopening to the public should encourage patrons to maintain a safe buffer area from one another (around 6 ft), practice frequent handwashing/sanitizing, and adopt policies that prohibit patrons or staff from entering the facility if ill.

Burning calories means sweat production and an increase in breathing. Each of these is conducive to spreading germs. For this reason, clubs like Equinox in Austin have announced plans to schedule morning and afternoon disinfection sessions daily with the use of a hospital-grade product.

At SERVPRO, we use SERVPROxide. We know this hospital-grade solution to be effective against other coronavirus strains and SARS. These may be used as part of our gym cleaning services.

Once your fitness club or gym has decided that it’s feasible to reopen for service, the first phase of your health and safety plan should include a thorough gym cleaning, maintenance, and contingency plan. Ideally, this guide should integrate the tips and best practices introduced by the CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Businesses guide.

We’re here to support businesses to reopen safely and confidently in hopes that we won’t see them shut down again.

Recommended Health Protocols for All Gyms and Exercise Facilities

Corporate or franchise gyms will likely already have an updated Coronavirus-conscious standard operating procedure ready to implement.

If you’re curious how yours compares to the state guidelines, we’ll go over the basics of the State of Texas List of Recommendations for Gyms.

Safety Protocols for Employees and Contractors

These are the state recommended guidelines for the management of fitness club employees and contractors. These are intended to promote vigilant health and safety measures.

All employees and contractors should be consistently trained in best practices for the gym facility. This includes appropriate cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette.
Employees and contractors should be screened for symptoms prior to or upon arrival at the gym or exercise facility or class.
Any employee or contractor who shows potential symptoms of COVID-19 should be sent home. These symptoms are:

Cough.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Chills.
Repeated shaking with chills.
Muscle pain.
Headache.
Sore throat.
Loss of taste or smell.
Diarrhea.
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100F.
Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.

Symptomatic employees or contractors may return to work once 72 hours have passed since recovery.
Return to work criteria for employees or contractors diagnosed with COVID-19 are as follows:

10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared.
Improvement in symptoms (cough, shortness of breath).
Symptom-free without the aid of fever-reducing medication.

Employees or contractors who are suspected to have COVID-19 and do not receive a medical evaluation or testing for COVID-19 should be treated as a positive case of COVID-19. They should not return to work until they have completed the three-step criteria listed above or receive clearance from a medical professional before the 10-day window closure.
Employees and contractors should notify the business of close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. These individuals must self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of the most recent contact before returning to work. (Healthcare workers and critical infrastructure workers are the exceptions.)
Employees and contractors must wash or sanitize their hands upon entering the gym or exercise facility.
Employees and contractors should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from one another.
When social distancing is not feasible, compensatory solutions such as face-covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be faithfully practiced.
Gyms or exercise facilities that provide meals for employees and/or contractors should arrange foods individually packaged rather than buffet-style self-service.
Like many employers across the state have done, have employees and contractors wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth). When feasible, employees should consider wearing non-medical grade face masks to reserve those for medical centers.
Those conducting gym cleaning services should wear the appropriate PPE (masks and gloves) and consistently wash their hands after using disinfectants.

Health & Safety Protocols for Facilities

Likewise, there are overall health and safety guidelines for fitness club facility operations to follow:

Make space of at least 6 feet of separation between patrons and exercise equipment.
Regularly and frequently clean/disinfect any “high touch” areas/surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, chairs, and restrooms.
Disinfect any objects or surfaces that come into contact with customers.
Provide self-serve cleaning products throughout the gym or exercise facility to use in classrooms or open floor areas so patrons and staff can sanitize equipment such as dead weights.
Hand sanitizer dispensers, disinfecting wipes, soap, and water, or similar disinfectant should be regularly replenished and readily available to employees, contractors, and customers.
Post signage in areas of best visibility to remind everyone of best hygiene and social distancing practices.
Appoint a staff member to monitor and ensure that all health and safety policies are being followed during each shift/workday.

It’s important to look at our standard operating procedures critically to determine where they should be modified. When we compare notes, it allows us to include things we may not have considered.

Refer to official government and industry leader guidelines as well as communicate with your management team and staff to ensure that your policies are comprehensive and inclusive.

Coping With Cleaning Supply Shortages

Increased cleaning and sanitizing of gym equipment and general areas means the increased need for sanitation supplies which are already in high demand.

IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) released a complete guide for fitness club reopening including what to do about cleaning supply shortages.

When the usual suppliers are out of hand sanitizer, wipes, disinfectant cleaners, paper products, etc. you can look to sources off the beaten path (like unexpected places to find cleaning products).

As for sanitizers, you may substitute with any products that have at least 60% alcohol or make your own batch using either ethyl alcohol or isopropyl or rubbing alcohol as the main ingredient.

However, handwashing continues to be the most important thing patrons and staff can do to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

Also, keep in mind that the healthcare industry relies on PPE or Personal Protective Equipment (like hospital-grade face masks and respirators) to protect the health of their medical professionals so they can continue to care for the sick and save lives.

Stockpiling such PPE may potentially deprive hospitals of critical supplies. It is highly encouraged that you forgo excessive purchases of those critical items medical staff needs.

With interruptions in the supply chain and increased demand for PPE and sanitation supplies, we will need to get scrappy and creative for the time being.

Gym Cleaning and Sanitation Services

Reopening your gym or fitness center with confidence means having a comprehensive and updated standard operating procedure as well as a thoroughly cleaned facility.

Professional gym cleaning services using the best disinfectant products in the industry gives your staff and your guests the reassurance they need to ease back into daily operations.

The longer a business has been closed, the more necessary it is to have a complete and thorough cleaning dine. SERVPRO of Richardson is on call to do a total commercial cleaning of your facility in preparation for welcoming back your members and staff to the world of health and fitness.

What We Offer:

A trusted name in the Dallas area with 34 years of superior cleaning and sanitation services in Richardson, TX.
24/7 service for emergencies (confirmed case of Coronavirus on-site) or overnight scheduling to work around your long operating hours.
SERVPRO is the most recognized biohazard cleanup and restoration company in the country. Our IICRC trained technicians and industrial disinfectants are trusted by international airports and federal agencies to prepare their facilities for safe and secure use. We have effective disinfecting services for any sized facility and for any kind of situation. (Including expertise with school coronavirus cleaning and nursing home coronavirus cleaning.)
Our uncompromising safety and hygiene standards include protecting our MVPs: our technicians. We insist that our professional staff has the proper PPE when working on site. Other cleaning companies may quote less, but chances are they do this by cutting back on PPE. For SERVPRO of Richardson, it’s always safety first!
Professional bioremediation services to completely clean, disinfect, and sanitize the property with CDC-recommended & EPA-registered disinfectants on all porous and non-porous surfaces, such as walls up to 8 feet.
Hand-wipe all moisture-sensitive surfaces with a disinfectant-wet towelette.
Receive a certification of your property’s cleanup as completed by SERVPRO.
Social media announcement from us announcing your gym has been cleaned and is ready to re-open.
Facility refresh services include:

Carpet cleaning
Upholstery cleaning
Air duct cleaning with new a/c filters
HEPA air scrubbing

Returning customers and new customers alike are probably beyond eager to get to the gym and get back in shape. We’re here to help get your facility ready for your staff and fitness enthusiasts with confidence.

Call us with any questions about your facility’s sanitation needs, cleaning products, or about getting a thorough cleaning done to streamline your reopening plan.

Call us at (972) 690-1414 or fill out our quick and easy contact form anytime!

Water Coming Up Through Basement Floor After Heavy Rain? Here's What to Do

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

For most of us, a day at home hearing the sound of rainfall outside is pleasant and soothing - but not for all of us.

For some homeowners, the sound of rain is the last sound they hear before finding a flooded basement - which is far less pleasant.

One day you went down to the basement to store some items or do the laundry and something wasn’t right. Maybe it was because you found puddles on the floor, or maybe it was because there was a smell of mildew. When the other possibilities were ruled out (such as leaky pipes), you discovered that the basement leaks when it rains.

Aside from ruining possessions you want to safely store, water in the basement after heavy rain can cause significant problems - from minor electrical damage to harmful mold, and significant structural damage.

Main Cause of Basement Leaks

The first step in addressing a basement leak issue before it worsens is to determine the cause by considering the subterranean factors. Typically water in the basement after heavy rain is due to leaks caused by subsurface issues or window well problems.

Problem: Hydrostatic Pressure

When rainwater oversaturates the soil, the pressure builds up as the water has nowhere to go - this is also known as the buildup of hydrostatic pressure. This pressure will force moisture and excess water through the basement walls and floor.

Indicators of Hydrostatic Pressure:

Salt deposits (efflorescence) visible on basement walls or floor.
Foul odor or signs of mold.
Humidity.
Bowing or cracked walls.
Water seems to be entering in through multiple places.
Home is on a slope or hillside with regular rainfall or spring snowmelt.
Signs of soil saturation - this could be pools of standing water or when a hole is dug in the ground, the trapped water is released and fills the hole.
Neighbors encountered the same problem.

Problem: Foundation Damage From Soil Expansion

Soil expansion places lateral pressure against the foundation. This occurs when unpacked soil around the foundation exceeds its limit of water absorption and makes the earth swell. This can damage the foundation and thus create leaks in the basement.

Indicators of Swelling from Soil Expansion:

Visible cracks in the stucco, drywall, basement walls or the foundation.
Floors that slope or are “spongy.”
Doors and windows get stuck when opening/closing.
Doors gap at the top, bottom or side.
Roof droops.

Problem: Window Wells

Basement windows fail to keep rainwater out due to problems with the window well. It could be that the installation is faulty. A window well fills with rainwater allowing water to pass through the window and flow down walls.

Indicators of Window Well Leaks:

Streams or trickling of water during rainfall.
Signs of water damage on the walls (like stains).
Mold forming by the window.
Puddles on the floor directly below the window.

Once you’ve determined how rainwater is getting into the basement, a solution to the intrusion can be planned out.

How to Fix Basement Floor Leaks

You can’t stop the rain from ever falling again, but you can figure out a way to stop water from coming up through the basement floor after heavy rain or prevent water from getting trapped.

We’ll go over the common solutions.

Install a sump pump: This is installed at the lowest part of the basement within a sump pit to ensure the removal of any intruding water. The sump pump keeps your basement dry by flushing water out through the basement floor.
Install weep holes or an interior tile drain system: Another way to prevent water from collecting is to set up basement drainage. This is done by drilling weep holes in the block foundation or installing a drain system around the edges (which can be expensive). This feature catches water and routes it to the drain tile. The water runs to the sump basin where all liquid is discharged with an electric pump.
Keep gutters clear or add gutter extensions: Clogged gutters can create an overflow when it rains causing water to accumulate around the foundation. Keeping the gutters clear of leaves and debris or installing leaf guards prevents clogs from happening. Gutter extensions will route water away from the house to keep rainwater from saturating the nearby soil.
Improve grading: Problems occur when too much rain penetrates the soil. Directing water away from the home or pitching soil away from the foundation prevents an oversaturated ground from becoming a problem in the first place.
Repair window wells: Prevent window well clogs by properly installing a fitted window well cover. Sufficient coverage keeps out leaves and debris that causes the clogging that leads to water intrusion issues.

Making these improvements prevents further damage. Should you see signs of mold, SERVPRO of Richardson will help you remove it with mold remediation.

What To Do if Your Basement Floods

Some rain is one thing, but flooding is a whole other matter. Here are some safety guidelines to consider if you find yourself with a flooded basement.

Avoid entering rooms with sagging ceilings
Don’t touch or use electrical items that are plugged in.
Keep electrical appliances away from floodwater.
Keep children and pets away from flooded areas. Do not allow them to play in the water.
Call your homeowner’s insurance company.
Contact SERVPRO of Richardson for water damage restoration.

Water Damage to Foundation

The benefit of discovering rainwater issues in your basement is when it makes you aware of potential foundation issues with your home. Inspect your foundation for cracks or signs of shifting. Look for signs of water damage inside and outside the home.

Awareness of these issues now allows you to take proactive measures to avoid further structural issues, the spread of unhealthy mold growth, and electrical damage.

The Best Way to Fix the Issue is to Prevent It

Water is a vital resource, but when it shows up where it doesn’t belong, it causes problems. Preventative measures can save you the hassle of water damage to your home.

Water Leak Prevention Checklist

Check lateral sewer lines for blockage or root intrusion.
Protect the structure of your home by directing water away from the perimeter and create a buffer by grading the earth away from the house.
Have an extension of downspouts at least five feet away from the foundation.
Inspect basement walls for weaknesses or cracks.
Seal off trouble spots like window wells and openings.
Snake your pipes once a year.
Consult a professional for repairs and waterproofing.

SERVPRO of Richardson has seen first-hand what damage flood water can do to structures. We’re here to help you with leaky basement issues and provide storm damage recovery.

We’ll come out to assess water damage and help you suss out possible home foundation issues. We also work with your homeowner’s insurance company to help you recover from water damage. Call us anytime at (972) 690-1414 or complete our convenient online form!

How to Disinfect Ambulances to Help Prevent Spread of Coronavirus

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

How to Disinfect Ambulances During COVID-19

In recent months, information about Coronavirus has been circulating at dizzying speed. Accurate information must be readily available for frontline emergency medical management to be able to put together the most proactive and effective plans. More than ever, we look to trustworthy sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for reliable information on how to respond.

What the CDC says about the spread:

There is no vaccine for COVID-19.
The most common way the virus spreads is person-to-person contact (proximity within 6 feet).
When a virus carrier sneezes or coughs, infected droplets are released into the air. The spread advances when another person takes in these droplets through the mouth or nose.

CDC directives (or prevention guidelines) are based on how the Coronavirus behaves.

Recommended daily actions for spread prevention from the CDC:

Frequent handwashing, cleansing hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
When hand washing is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol as needed.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands.
Maintain distance from others, especially from those who have the symptoms or have been recently ill.

As the number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus rises in Texas (you can find the updated case count for Texas here), so do the odds any particular ambulance may come into contact with a COVID-19 patient.

For the protection of EMS personnel, their families and all patients who require that same ambulance after it is used to transport a patient infected with COVID-19, an ambulance needs to be kept sanitary.

Process of Cleaning and Disinfecting Medical Vehicles and Ambulances

In the medical industry, we trust that our providers follow a proactive protocol that ensures everyone’s safety. It is for this reason that, until recently, we wouldn’t think twice about going to a hospital after being injured or feeling unwell. Everything changed when society learned how easily COVID-19 spreads. Concerns about COVID-19 in a workplace, even without a positive test, have led to work-from-home policies in many industries.

Updates to standard operating procedures in response to the pandemic should include the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), special instructions on handling patients who have (or may have) the Coronavirus, and diligent sanitation procedures.

Recommended PPE for emergency medical services (including fire fighters, police, and emergency medical technicians), according to the CDC, include:

Disposable exam gloves that should be changed after contamination
A disposable isolation gown to protect the body
Respiratory protection (for example, the N95 filtering respirators that have been in shortage lately)
Eye/face protection (goggles/disposable face shield that covers the front and sides of the face)

Before we move to the next section, let’s iron out the concept of “PUI,” which stands for “Person Under Investigation.”

According to the CDC, a PUI is anybody who is either exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or somebody who may be at high risk as a result of being in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or recent travel to a high-risk area. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the CDC’s recommendations for keeping people safe when EMS transport comes into play.

The Recommended EMS transport procedure for a COVID-19 patient (PUI), as outlined by the CDC, are as follows:

Notify the destination healthcare facility, so they can prepare for the arrival of the infected person.
The patient’s family/companions should not travel in the ambulance.
If possible, prevent airflow from the patient compartment to the driver’s area.
Provide thorough and detailed documentation on the patient with any other required or relevant information.

As we all work together to make it through this challenging time, it helps to be mindful of the added responsibilities upon our medical personnel (including our ambulance medics).

One of the chief concerns about the rate of the Coronavirus spread is the capacity of our healthcare system to support the demand. In support of our medics in being available to help those in need, please only call for emergency services when necessary.

Process of Cleaning an Ambulance or Medical Vehicle

Perhaps the most important step in transporting patients who have or are suspected to have the Coronavirus (in other words, a person under investigation) is cleaning up afterward. This includes proper handling of PPE and thorough sanitation of the inside of an ambulance.

Cleaning procedures based on recommendations from the CDC:

Step 1 - Leave the rear doors open to ventilate and completely air out the patient cabin. By the time the first responders complete the necessary paperwork, the exchange between outside air and inside should be sufficient.
Step 2 - Bioremediation technicians tasked with cabin cleanup should wear complete PPE. As discussed previously, this should include a full-body gown, double pairs of disposable gloves, and a full-face respirator with the appropriate filters.

Step 3 - Ensure the cabin is properly ventilated during cleaning, especially when using chemicals.

Step 4 - Pre-clean the surfaces. Next, sanitize target areas with an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant formulated for coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogens. The target areas are “high touch” areas and any other areas in contact with the patient/bodily fluids. Keep these areas in mind when disinfecting:

stretcher
rails
control panels and switches
floors
walls
seats
work surfaces
cabinets

Step 5 - Include the standard operating procedure cleaning regimen as directed by your management.

Step 6 - Prepare reusable equipment prior to use with another patient by cleaning and disinfecting all of it per manufacturer instructions

Step 7 - Carefully prepare biohazardous items and disposable PPE for biohazard waste disposal by placing all affected items in the appropriate bags or biohazard burn boxes.
Step 8 - Do not shake the linens. Contain and launder used linen per standard operating procedure.

The CDC put together Transport Unit Decontamination guidelines during the Ebola crisis. For more detailed instructions on how to mitigate the spread of infection with protocol specific to before, during, and after stages, consult this CDC guide.

How Long Does It Take to Clean an Ambulance?

Medics ordinarily follow strict safety protocol by wearing gloves, properly disposing of biohazards (like needles), and other practices meant to ensure the safety of everyone aboard the ambulance.

Transporting a potentially contagious patient means additional time decontaminating the cabin area. This process can take 45 minutes or more. Using an industry-appropriate decontamination sprayer may cut down on time.

Schedule breakdown:

Airing out ambulance: 30 minutes
Donning complete PPE: Around 10 minutes (to save time, it could be done concurrently toward the end of airing out the cabin)
Cleaning of all surfaces and the stretcher: 10-15 minutes
Doffing of PPE and proper disposal of materials: around 10 minutes.

The above is an example of approximately how long each task may take is based on a video demonstration by Superior Ambulance. The time spent all depends on your current standard operating procedure and the additional adjustments necessary to ensure safety when a patient has been exposed to the Coronavirus.

How Often Does an Ambulance Have to Be Cleaned?

An ambulance interior should be cleaned exactly as stated in your standard operating procedure and this frequency should be indicated in those instructions.

For EMS infection control, according to the CDC, it is a best practice to begin a thorough sanitation process of the entire cabin area after transport of a patient confirmed to have Coronavirus (or a PUI).

Esporta Washing Machine for Materials That Have Been in Contact with COVID-19 Patients

SERVPRO of Richardson is prepared to perform commercial cleaning services including proactive decontamination services for soft goods. Our process involves the use of an industrial Esporta Wash System which is specially designed to restore contaminated materials back to their original state.

Laboratory testing has proven the Esporta Wash System to be effective in eliminating unhealthy bacteria as materials were restored to food-grade level or better. We expect this decontamination laundry process to have the same benefits in regard to virus pathogen removal.

The Esporta Wash System Process:

Stage 1: An emulsifying detergent breaks down the food sheath layer of bacteria. This both deodorizes the material and removes harmful organic matter from the fibers.
Stage 2: A special detergent both breaks down inorganic material and eliminates contaminants.
Stage 3: Hydrogen peroxide sanitization kills any remaining molds or bacteria.

Along with its superior cleaning power, this machine uses an eco-friendly and hypoallergenic formula. This added benefit means less harm to the environment and no irritants to a patient’s sensitive skin.

We also ensure that contaminated materials are safely removed and transported for cleaning. We believe our soft goods cleaning service fits in well with an ambulance cleanup plan.

SERVPRO Can Provide Cleaning Services for Hospitals and Other Buildings

SERVPRO of Richardson realizes how inundated Dallas area hospitals and ambulances might become over the next few weeks, given the increasing number of COVID-19 infections across Dallas. We are fully prepared to support our area medical providers with safe and methodical cleaning services, including proper biohazard cleanup.

We’re your ally in this fight against COVID-19. Our team has the gear, the supplies, and the know-how to disinfect medical vehicles and buildings. We will thoroughly sanitize areas affected by Coronavirus pathogens. We’re here to support you.

SERVPRO’s Commitment to Public Health:

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.
SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.

SERVPRO of Richardson stands behind our brave medical professionals to support them in putting forth the best efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19. We employ our years of experience and training in biohazardous situations, especially in the case of pandemic illness affected sites.

Our franchise is prepared and equipped to partner with our healthcare providers in assisting with cleaning procedures including the appropriate removal, transport, and cleaning of infected soft materials.

We continue to monitor the CDC website for any updated information or new instructions. We urge the public to stay current with information and directives from the CDC.

If you need additional support with the health maintenance of your facilities and vehicles or if you have any medical sanitation questions, call us anytime at (972) 690-1414 or complete our convenient contact form!

Coronavirus Cleaning and Disinfection Services for Nursing Homes

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

Coronavirus Deep Cleaning from SERVPRO

Nursing facilities and long-term care facilities are a focal point for the growing domestic COVID-19 (a.k.a coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic. The CDC has identified those with chronic medical conditions (heart disease, lung disease & diabetes) as being even more vulnerable.

As long term care facilities handle the ramifications of this disease on top of all the regular responsibilities of caring for the sick and elderly, cleaning services can be a huge help in managing the disinfection of a nursing home.

Best Practices for Visitors and Caretakers to Prevent the Spread of Pathogens:

Wash your hands with soap frequently and thoroughly.
When hand-washing is unavailable, use hand sanitizing products.
Avoid touching faces.
Practice social distancing (avoid hugs or shaking hands).
Stay home (especially if you’re sick) and cancel any unessential appointments. (If it can wait, cancel.)
Limit facility visitors.
Don’t allow symptomatic people to enter the facility.

Cleanliness is how an administration can be most proactive. Some may claim they have a product or service that can prevent and even cure this virus. Please remain vigilant that such claims are unsubstantiated. No product has been tested and proven to cure or prevent this strain of the Coronavirus.

Actions We Take to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus and Infectious Diseases

Long term care facilities are for those who (to various degrees) require help. This places a great responsibility upon nursing home care providers. Being proactive is crucial to mitigating the threat of pathogens.

The Coronavirus is currently thought to mainly spread through droplets that are released into the air from the cough or sneeze of an affected person. The virus is also believed to live for up to three days on surfaces. This means that if the microorganisms attach to the hands, the virus can enter the body by a person touching vulnerable points (mouth, nose or eyes).

Responding to outbreaks creates a need for bioremediation and decontamination of commonly used surfaces. An action plan should also include the safe disposal and carry of infected materials. It’s highly recommended that biohazard cleanup services be included in response to the threat against our most vulnerable.

SERVPRO Cleanup Scope and Disinfecting Procedures

We’re meticulous and thorough about our clean up procedures. The CDC highly recommends consistent cleaning of "high touch" areas. Below is a list of areas that are more prone to harboring germs.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning

Areas considered to be "high-touch" and should be kept sterile:

Counters
Tabletops
Doorknobs
Light switches
Bathroom fixtures
Toilets
Phones
Keyboards
Tablets
Tables

Examples of heavy use areas:

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

It’s crucial to keep high traffic and "high touch" areas thoroughly sanitized by frequent cleaning.

Disinfection Does Not Protect Against Future Contamination

Using a thorough and professional cleaning service like SERVPRO is not continuous protection for care facilities. The job only decontaminates the structure and its contents at the time of completion.

If it was discovered that another resident was diagnosed with COVID-19, or a visitor affected by the Coronavirus potentially left pathogens of the virus behind, the area and its contents would need a repeat decontamination.

Routine cleaning and decontaminating services may be required to manage risk for nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

SERVPRO Provides Other Services to Combat Spread of Infection

Our Commitment to the Community:

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.
SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.

SERVPRO of Richardson is actively monitoring the latest information and advisories from the CDC. We are a proven provider for the prevention and disinfection of affected areas. Our thorough cleaning plan includes textile cleaning with our industrial-grade Esporta Wash System. This involves the safe transfer of any contaminated objects.

We are on call 24 hours a day to assist in any nursing home or assisted living biohazard emergency. We are available for any kind of cleaning situation be it a preventive measure for suspected cases or a confirmed case of COVID-19 with a nursing home resident or staff member. We understand which resources are needed to carry out the bioremediation services. We thoroughly clean, disinfect and sanitize the facility.

SERVPRO is diligent in following all CDC regulations and guidelines and we recommend that all nursing care facilities do the same.

SERVPRO of Richardson is committed to doing our part to be of aid to those who serve the most vulnerable. We are prepared to respond 24/7. Call us at (972) 690-1414 anytime.

University and School Cleaning Services for Coronavirus

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Provides University and School Cleaning Services for Coronavirus

By now we’ve all heard of the “Coronavirus” which causes the deadly COVID-19 respiratory illness that has taken 4,418 lives so far and made its way into 100 countries globally.

Those in charge of public spaces everywhere are responding to the pandemic threat by canceling events, recommending “social distancing,” and reminding people of best practices in hygiene (frequent and thorough hand washing and avoidance of face touching).

In some parts of the country, schools have closed as a precautionary measure. It’s unknown what impact there will be on the greater Dallas area, but there are things we can do to be proactive.

The World Health Organization released an advisory for schools that remain open to:

Inform students on how to protect themselves.
Promote best practices with hygiene like handwashing.
Cleaning & disinfecting school facilities (especially water & sanitation).
Increasing airflow and ventilation.

When it comes to preventing the spread of this virus, it’s up to us as a community to do the best we can to remain informed and act with thoughtful consideration.

Students and their parents trust administrators to address public health issues and we’re here to offer our school cleaning services to help you put together an action plan that includes decontamination.

Cleanliness is how to best be proactive. There may be some out there seeking to exploit this growing crisis by claiming they have a product or service that can prevent or even cure this virus. But please be aware that claims such as these are unsubstantiated as no product has been tested and proven to cure or prevent this strain of the Coronavirus.

SERVPRO Response to Spread of Coronavirus and Infectious Diseases

Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and other diseases, public facility managers are faced with an urgent need for bio-remediation and decontamination of commonly used interior surfaces. An action plan should also include the safe disposal and carry of infected materials.

What we do know about COVID-19 (a.k.a coronavirus disease 2019) is that it’s usually spread from person-to-person contact when droplets of the virus become airborne through a cough or sneeze.

We also suspect that COVID-19 can be contracted by a person’s skin picking up the contagions from touching a surface or object, then transferring these microorganisms through vulnerable points such as the mouth, nose or eyes.

Because the virus can live on surfaces and objects, it’s critical that areas be properly cleaned and disinfected. SERVPRO of Richardson is prepared to take immediate action for our Dallas area community to mitigate the spread of possible pathogens.

SERVPRO Cleanup Scope and Disinfecting Procedures

We’re meticulous and thorough about our clean up procedures. Below is a list of areas that should be disinfected.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has provided guidelines for what are considered to be “high-touch” areas that should be kept clean:

Counters
Tabletops
Doorknobs
Light switches
Bathroom fixtures
Toilets
Phones
Keyboards
Tablets
Tables

The CDC has also identified the following heavy use areas as susceptible to harboring viruses:

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

The above are examples of high traffic areas and “heavy touch” surfaces which should be consistently sanitized.

Cleanup Does Not Protect Against Future Contamination

Using a thorough and professional cleaning service like SERVPRO only decontaminates the structure and its contents at the time of the cleaning.

If it was discovered that a person testing positive for the Coronavirus was in the facility and potentially left pathogens of the virus behind, the area and its contents would need to be decontaminated all over again.

Professional routine cleaning may be necessary to stay on top of this issue.

Services that We Provide for Disinfection and Preventative Measures

SERVPRO of Richardson cares about this public health issue.

Our Commitment to the Community:

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.
SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.

SERVPRO of Richardson is keeping up to date with the latest information and advisories from the CDC. We make best efforts for prevention and disinfection.

We offer textile cleaning with our industrial Esporta Wash System. We also ensure the safe transfer of any contaminated objects.

SERVPRO is on call 24 hours a day to assist in an emergency. If night time or weekend cleaning is best for you, we’ll be there when you need us.

SERVPRO will respond appropriately to the situation be it a preventive measure for a suspected case or a confirmed case of Coronavirus on the campus. We’ll make sure we have any and all resources needed to completely carry out the biohazard cleanup services. We’ll thoroughly clean, disinfect and sanitize the affected areas.

SERVPRO is diligent in following all CDC regulations and guidelines and we recommend that all school campuses do the same.

The world is still learning about this virus, so there are no guarantees that the Coronavirus pathogens can be completely eliminated, but we do believe our SERVPROXIDE is your best chance at effectively sanitizing an area affected by the virus.

SERVPRO of Richardson is committed to doing our part for public health while we cope with this pandemic. Remember we are ready to respond 24/7. Call us at (972) 690-1414 anytime.

Our 2020 Home Heating Safety Tips for Your Family

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

Home heating safety picture

Being cold is a hard experience to forget. Fortunately, most U.S. homes in today’s modern era are fitted with gas and electric heating and air conditioning. We never have to experience being too hot or too cold inside our houses. The development of ways to keep ourselves warm or cool has been vital to the survival of the human race. But where there's fire or heat, there's always a danger, however minimal.

Sophisticated home heating always carries a risk of malfunctioning or user-error.

Home heating in its various forms can lead to five main types of danger:

Electrical shocks
Burns
Fires
Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Natural gas explosions and poisoning

While home heating mechanisms are very safe these days, they’re only safe when used carefully and as intended. Below are our top fire prevention tips to keep you and your family protected and comfortable during winter.

Heating Safety Tips to Avoid Electrical Shocks

With many heating appliances running on electricity, shocks from careless use can be fatal. Make sure you stay safe by following these heating safety tips:

Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed.
Only use electrical heating appliances that have been approved and certified for use.
Ensure that your circuit breakers and fuses are the correct sizes and the proper current rating for their circuit.
Don't overload extension cords or outlets.
Never use a portable heater in the bathroom.

How to Avoid Burns

Home heaters get hot. But, nevertheless are reasonably safe. The majority of burns in the home happen when people are cooking or using an iron. While a gas fire may become hot enough to burn fingers, most burns from heaters come from portable heaters.

If you've warned the kids to stay away from certain areas such as the stove or fireplace, a portable heater is not in the rulebook, typically. And a portable heater may very well be in the way of tiny, curious hands.

Put heaters out of the way of curious fingers and warn children they aren’t allowed to touch or play with the heater.
Remember that coal and wood can be hot for many hours, and even the day after a fire is extinguished.
Use radiator covers to protect kids from burns.
Never leave kids unattended in a room with a heater.
Set hot water heaters no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Protect your fireplace with a well-fitted screen to prevent sparks and embers from escaping.

Tips to Avoid Fires

By far, the most significant danger home heating poses are house fires. There are so many ways that home heating can cause a fire in your home, so here are a few heating safety tips to prevent this tragedy from striking:

When using an open hearth coal fire, make sure you always use a fireguard. It's so easy for a log to spit and throw out a small ember that can set a carpet on fire in minutes.
Never connect more than two extension cords.
When using any portable heater, make sure it is sufficiently far enough away (at least three feet) from furniture and fabrics.
Never put clothes to dry on a fire.
Never run electrical cords under rugs.
Don't use an extension cord or power strip for portable heaters.
Don't tamper with the fuse box or use the wrong sized fuses.
Unplug all electrical appliances when not in use.

Heating Safety Tips to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, odorless, colorless poison gas. It’s produced when any type of fuel is burned. Every home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, and confusion. Here are some heating safety tips to help you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

Get a carbon monoxide detector and make sure it has fresh batteries installed.
Only use certified and approved heating appliances and have them checked regularly.
Test your carbon monoxide detector regularly.
Vacuum CO detectors to keep them dust-free and in working order.
Replace CO sensors that are past their lifespan.
Never remove or borrow batteries from detectors.
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, open a window to improve ventilation and get to an ER as fast as possible. If left untreated, CO poisoning is deadly.

How to Avoid Natural Gas Poisoning and Explosions

Natural gas poisoning and explosions are rare, thankfully. Natural gas is an odorless gas that will easily blow up a whole house if given the wrong (or right) conditions. For this reason, natural gas has been tainted with an unmistakable odor so people can recognize when this potentially dangerous gas is on the loose. If you smell a natural gas leak, get out of the building and fast.

If you suspect gas, leave the doors and windows open, but not if that means you need to use an electrical switch as the slightest spark could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
Make sure a qualified professional tests your gas appliances each year.
Never use a gas oven with an open door to heat a room.
Only use certified and approved gas heating appliances.
Inspect the vents, flues, and chimneys of all gas water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces to ensure proper ventilation of exhaust.

The Bottom Line on Home Heating Safety Tips

Preventable house fires kill thousands of pets and dozens of people each year. They also cause billions of dollars in damage. Home heating devices are major culprits in starting house fires. But in most cases, regular maintenance, service, and a bit of common sense will go a long way to preventing and stopping house fires.

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we hope you have a safe and happy winter. Sadly, should you be a victim of a house fire, then we’re trained professionals here to help. Our technicians are the fastest on the scene when it comes to smoke damage remediation. Contact us, and we’ll find you a cost-effective way to restore your smoke-damaged home back to its former glory. We’re also happy to work with almost all insurance companies. It's good to know that should the worst happen, SERVPRO of Richardson is here when you need us.

Yuck, Gross! How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of Clothes

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

Pet odor removal picture

Cats are adorable creatures. But all good things in life come with their drawbacks. It's all very well and good when you’re besotted with your cute furbaby's monkey antics. But what goes in must come out. Most cats will happily jump into a clean litter tray and do their business. It's almost like an unwritten rule with cats that they like being clean. Phew. But not so fast. If your cat is peeing on your clothes, there are two ways to address the problem. Basically, you need a two-pronged strategy that addresses the stinky garments, and stops your cat from relieving himself outside of the litter box. Here’s how to get cat pee smell out of clothes.

Toxins in Cat Pee

Your cat is a cute and tiny creature, but somehow and for some reason, they excrete some of the most toxic waste known to man. You can’t even put cat litter down the toilet as it's too toxic. And the only place considered suitable for soiled cat litter is a landfill where it remains unsafe for several years.

Cat urine contains a high concentration of ammonia even before it’s dried. Breathing in ammonia can be harmful to all humans. But it’s especially dangerous if you have respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchitis. Cat pee can still trigger symptoms like rashes, itching, red eyes, and a runny nose in people who don’t usually suffer from allergies.

How to Stop Your Cat from Peeing on Your Clothes

It would be altogether better if your cat didn't pee on your clothes—ever. Let's discuss why and how you can stop your cat from using the laundry basket as a toilet. That way, you may never have to learn about how to get cat pee smell out of clothes.

First, let's address your cat’s typical toileting behavior. It's easy to get super busy and forget to clean the litter tray for several days. But where does that leave your cat? To not soil your house and pee on your clothes, your cat must venture with bare paws into the Trainspotting toilet from hell. So the main reason that a cat will urinate on your fresh laundry is that it seems like a perfectly adequate, cleaner bathroom solution to using an unclean litter tray.

The first port of call is to keep on top of the litter tray cleaning. You can invest in litter trays that will clean themselves. So even if you’re busy or gone for a few days, the cat won’t be tempted to do his business on your favorite cardigan.

Cat Behavioral Issues

If you have an unneutered male cat, he’ll invariably spray his pee around. Like all living creatures, instinct and hormones drive your cat’s (sometimes infuriating) behavior. He simply must get his scent out there to tell any lady cats he’s single and fabulous. His hormones demand it of him, and an unneutered tomcat is rarely a pleasant creature 24/7.

The urine he is genetically and hormonally driven to spray all over your home and clothes will have a pungent odor, almost like stale onions. In Cat World, your pee is your personal eau de toilette. It's Chanel, Gucci, Jean-Paul Gaultier—it's raw—and the pungency is intended to get those ladies coming. But it actually stinks so much that you don't need cat noses to pick up the scent.

As soon as a cat is around 8-14 months old, he will mature and start exhibiting this behavior. So have the little fellow neutered inexpensively, and he'll be much happier. And so will your clothes.

Cats also pee to mark their territory. If you have more than one cat, there could be a few unresolved issues about pecking order among the pride. Generally speaking, though, this should be minimal if all the cats are neutered.

Cat Urine and Veterinary Issues

If you’ve kept pristine boudoirs for your cat's daily needs, and he still chooses to urinate around the house and on your clothes, then take him to the vet. They can rule out any physical problems such as a urinary tract infection which is very common with cats.

Your cat may also find the litter box uncomfortable. Try different designs. Some cats prefer a box that’s built like a cave. While others find an open-bathroom concept more inviting. Also, the litter you use may be too rough for your cats paws. Experiment with a softer litter and see if that solves the problem.

Also, don’t set your cat up to fail. Don’t leave laundry lying around the house. Invest in a lidded hamper and put clothes away promptly. Leaving piles of laundry on the floor for sorting may be too tempting for a feisty tom. Now with prevention dealt with, let's tackle how to cat pee smell out of clothes.

Cleaning Strategies for How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of Clothes

It's never a good idea to put urine-stained clothing directly into the washing machine. Aside from the fact that standard laundering could still leave your clothes smelly, one urine-stained item may make the whole wash stink. Follow these easy steps for how to get cat pee smell out of clothes.

Rinse the affected clothes with cold water and blot dry with paper towels.
Soak the clothes in oxygen bleach. Fill a sink with water and a half cup of oxygen bleach that won't damage clothes. Leave the clothes soaking for one to four hours.
Soak the items in vinegar wash. Make a solution of one-part white vinegar to three-parts cold water and apply to the clothes for a few minutes. Then, scrub in some baking soda on the affected part and let sit for a few more minutes.
Wash the clothes on a cold setting with no detergent. Then, air-dry the clothes after washing. Washing with hot water and then drying with a heat setting risks baking in the odor before the smell is removed.
After the clothes air-dry, wash them again in cold water with detergent. Air dry once more.

Once you’ve followed these five steps, you should be able to wash the clothes on a warm setting with detergent and the smell should be gone.

Need a helping hand?

If the problem of animal odors in your home is a little bigger than just smelly clothes, then we here at SERVPRO of Richardson can help. If you're looking to rent out a home and you need it smelling fresh, then SERVPRO of Richardson offers professional cleaning services that will save you from rolling up your sleeves. And for a home with a lingering odor, then choose our deodorizing pet odor removal service.

For a clean and fresh home, what are you waiting for? Our service is fast and affordable, and you can get a free no-obligation quote today when you call us at (972) 690-1414.

Prevent Sink Overflows: 6 Things You Should Check Before Leaving for the Holidays

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

More than two-thirds of Americans will leave their homes and travel to visit loved ones for the holiday season. Are you one of them? If you’re heading out for Christmas, you’ll want to ensure that your home is safe from sink overflows, damage, and intruders. Houses are like kids or pets, and it’s never a good idea to leave them alone for long. But there are several steps you can take to mitigate the risk of fire and water damage to your property. When you return, you can stop holding your breath and finally loosen your belt after devouring the pumpkin pie and second, third, or fourth helpings of mashed potatoes.

Preparing Your Home for a Holiday Getaway

For most people who own their homes, their house was probably the most expensive thing they’ve ever purchased. If you’re like most, then you’ll want to do everything you can to protect that investment. When most people leave for a vacation or holiday excursion, they do a lot of prep work for the traveling itself - getting the best deal on plane tickets, packing their bags, and ensuring their pets are taken care of while they’re away. It’s easy to overlook the critical task of preparing the house for your time away. Here are the top four things you should do to keep your home in pristine condition while you’re gone.

1. Deter Break-ins

Every thirteen seconds in the U.S., a burglary is committed. Police are only able to solve 13% of all reported burglaries, usually because there is no eyewitness to the crime. The majority of burglaries are home break-ins.

One thing that makes a home attractive to a would-be burglar? If the home appears unoccupied. Bonus points if the house is kept dark, especially the outside. If the exterior of the home is dark and shadowy at night, it’s much easier for a burglar to break in. Fortunately, deterring burglars and making your home an unattractive target for crime is pretty easy. Make the criminal think someone is home.

Before you head out for the holidays, invest in a few sets of timers to make it look like you're home. Get timers for the television, the bedroom lamps, and lights inside and outside the house. These devices can be programmed to turn the TV and lights on and off at certain times. Activate motion detectors. Consider trimming back shrubs and bushes, so there isn’t any cover for a burglar to try and discretely slip in through a window.

Another tactic is to leave a radio playing, tuned to a talk station while you’re away. If someone were to case the joint, they’re likely to hear the radio playing and think people are inside talking. These tactics will lower your risk of being robbed and having the windows or doors damaged from a would-be burglar trying to get inside.

2. Prevent Water Damage and Sink Overflows

Here at SERVPRO Richardson, we’ve seen our fair share of sink overflows and other forms of water damage. Some of the worst damage occurs when people are away from home on a vacation or holiday getaway to visit friends and family. Water is allowed to flow freely and wreak all kinds of havoc when people aren’t around to stop it.

Here’s what you can do to prevent water damage and sink overflows from occurring while you’re out of the house:

First, turn off the water main in your house right before you leave.
Be sure to drain all of the pipes in the home next.
Flush the toilets, and turn on the faucets until the water stops flowing.

It also pays to turn your water heater down to the “vacation” setting. What’s the point of heating water for a nice hot bath or shower when no one is home to enjoy it? Save money on your utilities and protect your house from water damage with these tips.

3. No Pets? Keep it Cool

Pet-free homeowners can save even more on their utilities when they head out for the holidays. There’s no point in keeping the home heated like someone is living there while you're away. Before you leave, remember to turn down the thermostat to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that nothing freezes in the home, but it’s still cold enough to give your furnace and electric bill a break. Don’t have a smart thermostat? Remember this tip by setting an alarm or reminder on your phone before you leave.

4. Unplug Electronics

There’s no point in having certain electronics plugged in while you’re away. Many appliances and electronics are “vampire” appliances that use energy even when you’re not actively using them. Toasters, computers, coffee makers, and washers and dryers can all be unplugged to save energy while you're gone.

5. Arrange for Mail Pickup, Snow and Ice Removal

It doesn’t matter if you do everything else on this checklist. Nothing screams to a burglar “no one is home” like a house covered in snow on the walkway, porches, and driveway. A pile of mail on the porch also tells a burglar the place is empty. If you live in town, you may need to arrange for someone to put salt or de-icer on your part of the sidewalk, so pedestrians don’t fall and hurt themselves while you’re gone. Make sure you arrange for mail pickup, snow and ice removal to keep other people, and your home, safe from catastrophe.

6. Final Walkthrough

Right before you leave, do a final walkthrough. Check and make sure all windows and all back doors are locked before heading out. And remember to unplug all non-essential electronics and appliances.

Leaving for the Holidays: A Takeaway Message

Keeping your home protected while you’re away visiting loved ones for the holiday festivities doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult. With these tips in mind, you can prevent water damage and sink overflows, a high electric bill, or a broken-into home from greeting you when you return.

If your sink has overflown and your house has been damaged from moisture and mildew, contact us at (972) 690-1414 at SERVPRO Richardson today or follow these water damage removal tips. We'll restore your home to its original condition quickly and affordably.

What’s that Nasty, Smelly Odor? How to Get Rid Nasty Odor Fast

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Nothing says home sweet home like a clean, fresh-smelling house. Have you ever walked into your home and wondered, “ew, what stinks?” Worse yet, you may have had the fear that guests could walk into your home and have the same thought. It’s embarrassing to be that friend with the smelly house. But we’re all adults here. Kids, pets, and just normal, everyday living can make your home smell less than ideal. Here’s how you can get rid of nasty odor fast so your home can smell as fresh and clean as the day you bought it.

What Are The Biggest Culprits Making Your House Smell

Several common offenders could be causing a nasty odor to waft down your halls, into your bedroom, or linger in your kitchen, putting a damper on everyone’s appetite. Mainly, the biggest causes of bad smells and odors are:

Pets
Mold and Mildew
Bacteria build-up

Basically, bad smells come from bacteria and germs. Dogs and cats bring in mud and gunk inside, and anyone who has kids knows they can do a number on your carpets. Appliances can hold in mold and mildew smells. And fabrics? The worst offenders. Fabrics like carpets and curtains hold in pet odor, old spills, and odor-causing bacteria like no other floor covering.

You might be worried that you’ll have to replace the carpets to get a fresh-smelling house again. But fear not. It’s possible to clean your carpets to remove pet odor while saving you time, money, and hassle on a carpet replacement. Below are the top odor-causing offenders and the steps you can take to freshen things up.

Remove Odors from the Trash Can

It’s obvious - trash smells. But what if you’ve taken out the trash, and the place still reeks like three-day-old takeout boxes? What could possibly be going on? Sometimes when your house smells like trash, it’s not the trash itself, but the actual trash can or bin that’s causing you problems.

Most trash cans are made of plastic, and plastic is a porous material. Odor-causing bacteria can become lodged into the can, causing it to smell even when it’s empty. Cleaning it and removing the odor is easy. Sprinkle baking soda in the can, especially under the led. Scrub it down with a clean sponge, then spray the trash can with a disinfectant to kill the odor-causing bacteria for good.

Appliances

The fridge, dishwasher, and microwave are top offenders for odor-causing bacteria. Anywhere you prep and store food is going to collect a disturbing amount of germs that waft a not-so-lovely odor. For the dishwasher, be sure to use dishwasher-cleaning soaps or pods at least once per month to eliminate and prevent offensive smells. Be sure to rinse or wipe your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher to cut down on odors and bacteria from accruing inside the appliance.

The fridge is easy to freshen-up as well but will take a bit of elbow grease. Sometimes food and drinks will spill, and crumbs will gather in the corners of the shelves and drawers. Once a month or so, scrub it all down with soap and water. Leave an open container of baking soda inside the fridge to absorb smells in-between cleanings.

Maybe you’ve wiped down the inside of your microwave, and it still reeks. Microwaves see a lot of action when it comes to cooking your food, and as such, they will absorb odors and smells. One way to eliminate them after you clean the inside with soap and water is to boil water and sliced lemons inside the microwave.

Washing machines can trap mold and mildew and start to smell, too, especially front-loading machines. Fortunately, it’s not hard to eliminate odors here. Simply wash away the smell by pouring two cups of bleach into the empty washer, and then run it on a full load with hot water.

Carpets and Pet Odor Removal

Carpets are an attractive home for bacteria and all kinds of smelly odors. Soft and porous materials love to trap smells and germs, and carpets do an exceptional job of it. If you have pets and carpets both, then you’ve got your work cut out for you to keep on top of things. Fortunately, it’s not that hard to freshen up the carpets.

Depending on how much carpet you have, you will need a generous amount of baking soda to get the job done. Sprinkle baking soda on every surface of the rug. This baking soda trick for cleaning carpets also works on pet beds. You’ll need to let the baking soda sit for at least an hour. Go binge-watch your favorite Netflix show, or go visit your friend for a few hours while the baking soda works its magic.

When you return, just vacuum up the baking soda. Mild smells and pet odors should be gone. But for severe smells and offensive odors, you’ll want to contact a professional.

Pet Odor Removal Services: A Takeaway Message

Pets are treasured members of our family, but they sure can cause a stink, especially if you have carpets. No matter how often you clean, these smells can accumulate over time. Pets can also get old and sick and may have more accidents in the home, which can do a number on your carpets and furniture. An accident or two can be easily removed with a little bit of white vinegar mixed with water. But for bigger jobs, you’ll need the help of professionals.

At SERVPRO Richardson, we’ve smelled our fair share of pet odors. We have successfully removed them, too, with our proprietary pet odor removal services. If you’re looking to get your home or rental property market-ready and need it smelling fresh, we can help. If your home sweet home has been smelling less than sweet lately, contact us today at (972) 690-1414. We’ll give you a free, no-obligation quote on our fast and affordable pet odor removal services.

How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in A House

11/21/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a full-service disaster restoration company. They have been restoring homes after fire and smoke damage for over 30 years.

Got Smoke Damage?

If you were able to put out the cause of the smoke damage quickly, then light smoke damage at home can be taken care of without needing to hire a professional -- just be warned, it’ll still take some elbow grease!

Most smoke damage is caused by a small mistake, usually when cooking something. If the incident is small, the smell may be left in the room where the accident happened. In larger cases, it may linger to other rooms of the house or the entire home itself.

These tips are only for very light smoke damage. If you’ve experienced a fire or are experiencing symptoms like headaches and nausea, leave the area with the smoke and grab some fresh air. If it’s too much, call a fire damage restoration company. Inhaling fire smoke can be hazardous to your health.

Light Smoke Damage Cleanup

First, get rid of the source of the smell.

Throw away whatever it is that smoked your home in the first place. Put it into a plastic bag, close it, and throw it away in an outdoor trash can or dumpster. Getting rid of the responsible item will go a long way to clearing the smell out of your house.

Next, ventilate.

Do this to help dissipate the smoke. Open your doors and windows.

Then, deep clean.

Clean the room where the incident happened. Start at the top and work your way down -- this helps any small soot particles fall and be cleaned up later. Deep cleaning includes washing windows, all surfaces, and even your walls. Use mild soap to avoid peeling any paint.

Have cabinets and drawers in the room, too? Open them up, take everything out, and clean them on the inside. All the items that you just took out also need to be cleaned before being put back inside.

Finally, if your floors are made of a hard surface, give them a scrub. If you have carpet, you may want to rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire a local carpet cleaning company.

What about candles and aerosols? Save your money! Candles and aerosols mask smoke odor for a little while. The smoke smell won’t be gone until all the smoke particles have been removed from your home.

Still Smelly? Time for Pro Smoke Damage Cleaner

If your hard work still wasn’t enough, it’s time to take a step further. This will likely be true if you have harder-to-clean items like carpet, upholstery, and clothes.

What you’re really looking for is a fire damage restoration company. When you call, be prepared to let them know:

What caused the smoke damage. Smoke is actually particles of that time item that did not fully combust and is now in the air. Different items create different types of smoke, and different types of smoke need different cleaning techniques. They’ll know what to do!
Where it occurred.
Where you smell the smoke.
What types of items are affected. They will bring the right tools and equipment to clean whatever was affected.

A fire damage cleanup company will visit your home and inspect the damage. They may bring special sponges to test surfaces of your home to see if soot has fallen there.

After their inspection, they should give you an estimate and a general timeline of how long the cleanup process will take.

If the damage is extensive and you need to file an insurance claim, the damage restoration company should be able to work with your insurance adjuster to help process your claim. Ask them if they have experience with insurance claims before you hire them.

Fire Smoke Damage Cleanup

Fire smoke damage cleanup needs different tools, techniques, and an eye for fine detail to be done correctly. Since smoke can get anywhere, the cleanup process can be time and work-intensive. These are some techniques you may see used:

Removing Smoke Odor From Clothing

We wish getting rid of smoke odor could be as easy as throwing them in the gentle cycle at home, but this may just makes things worse. In fact, home washing your clothes may just smell worse as the soot particles embed themselves deeper into the fibers.

The most effective way to get the smoke particles (and thus the smoke smell) out of your clothes is to get them washed in a machine called the Esporta Wash System.

Sophisticated fire damage restoration providers have these state-of-the-art machines. Esporta uses water, hydraulic pressure, and a mixture of detergents to make your clothing and other textiles food-grade safe.

Ask your smoke damage restoration company what method they use to clean clothes.

Ozone Generators

If you’ve searched for smoke damage cleanup, chances are that you’ve seen pictures of ozone generators. Some companies will even let you buy one! Ozone can effectively eliminate smoke odor, but should only be used carefully. For best results, hire a professional.

Deep Wash Carpet Cleaning

Your carpet may be able to be saved. Ask for a deep wash carpet cleaning. Professional fire damage restoration providers use truck-mounted carpet cleaners to push detergent-laden hot water into the fibers of your carpet and extractors to get the soot out.

Upholstery and Drapery Cleaning

Upholstery and drape cleaning tools are designed to wash the fibers of your drapes and upholstery gently. If your carpet cleaning company has a truck mount extractor, ask them if they also have the upholstery cleaning attachments.

Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning

Smoke rises into the air and can settle inside of your air ducts. The last thing you want is to clean your entire home only to turn on your AC and have smoke and soot rain down on you! You need a specialized machine to clean ducts, so make sure to call a pro for this step.

Ultrasonic Cleaning

If an item is covered in smoke, how do you get the particles out of every nook? The answer is to use an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Some professional fire damage companies have one of these machines -- ask to make sure. They are the best in the industry for careful cleaning.

Move-Out, Storage, and Move-Back

When fire and smoke damage has some serious damage to your home, some or all of your home’s contents may have to be temporarily moved out to be able to correctly clean your home. A full-service fire damage cleanup company will be able to do all this for you.

Full-Service Fire Damage Restoration Service

Need some help? We’re here for you. We have been doing this work for over 30 years in Dallas and Forth, and we have restored thousands of properties after damage. We know situations like these can be overwhelming, which is why we guide our clients through every step of the process -- from beginning to end.

Give us a call or leave us a message and let us know what’s happened. We’ll meet you and give you a free consultation and estimate.

Toilet Water Flooding: Here’s What You Need to Know

11/15/2019 (Permalink)

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of doom you get when you look into the toilet bowl and see water going up instead of down. At SERVPRO of Richardson, our flood damage restoration experts know precisely what that’s like. When toilets overflow after flushing, the culprit is usually a clog somewhere in the line. There are several things you can do to stop toilet water flooding before the bathroom gets ruined. But first, you’ll need to assess the source of trouble.

When Toilet Flooding is from a Run-of-the-Mill Clog

Most instances of toilet overflows are due to clogs that are easy to fix. The first thing you’ll need to do to stop the damage before it starts is to prevent the water from flowing into the toilet in the first place. Quickly remove the tank lid and push down on the flapper valve. The water in the toilet tank is clean, incoming water, so it’s safe to put your bare hand inside. When you press down on the flapper valve, it prevents water from going down into the toilet bowl and flooding your bathroom. Secure the flapper valve with something to hold it in place.

Next, you’ll need to stop the tank from filling with water. Pull up on the float that operates the tank fill valve. You’ll need to secure and hold down both the flapper valve and the float for a minute to stop the water supply to the bowl and tank. This will allow the water level in the bowl to go back to normal, preventing it from overflowing down the sides of the toilet and ruining your floors.

Water level not going down? Don’t panic. Turn off the water valve on the back of the toilet at the base. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply.

Remove the Source of the Clog

The first tool you’ll want to use is a flange plunger to get rid of any blockage in the toilet pipes. Secure the head of the plunger tightly over the drain in the toilet bowl, and plunge away. Most of the time, you’ll be able to get rid of the clog with a few plunges before the toilet will flush properly.

Some issues with toilet flooding are due to more than a simple clog. If plunging doesn’t work and the toilet overflows even without flushing, then the clog might be deep inside the drainpipe, where a household plunger won’t touch it.

Clogs can end up in the mainline or sewer line. Any running water from other places in the house, like the dishwasher, will backflow into the toilet, which is the lowest exit point within the entire plumbing system. Are you on a private septic system? If so, the septic tank might need draining. A full tank can cause these types of toilet flooding issues.

What to do if Toilet Flooding Isn’t from a Clog

Overflowing toilets that aren’t due to clogs can cause severe damage to your plumbing system and the home’s interior. Backflows of sewage water are extremely hazardous to the health of anyone living in your home. In these instances, you will need to contact a reputable flood damage restoration pro as soon as possible. At SERVPRO of Richardson, we not only restore your home from water damage, but we can also repair your home’s systems from toilet water flooding.

The Bathroom’s Been Flooded from Toilet Overflow: Now What?

The first thing you’ll need to do if your bathroom has flooded is call us for water damage repair. In addition, there are a few things you’ll need to do to reduce the water damage while you wait for us to arrive.

Keep the water supply to the toilet turned off.
In flooded bathrooms, you need to be concerned about a possible electrocution. Be sure to turn off electricity to a flooded bathroom via the circuit breaker panel. Never enter a flooded bathroom with standing water on the floor when electrical outlets and light fixtures are still supplied with electricity. If you aren’t sure how to turn off your bathroom electricity from the panel, contact an electrician asap, and make sure no one goes into the bathroom while it’s still “hot.”
Document. Even small amounts of water can turn into a massive headache. Take photos of the damage immediately before cleanup starts. Pictures and documentation can also help your case if you end up filing an insurance claim.
Don’t forget your cabinets and storage items. Get everything out of the vanities and bathroom cabinets or other storage items that are in contact with the floor. Water damage inspection is important, so be sure to take photos yourself and leave the cabinet doors and drawers open to allow air to circulate. This can also prevent mold growth.
Small pools of water on vinyl or tile flooring can be easily cleaned with a mop and some towels. Old newspaper laid flat inside wet cabinets can absorb moisture.
Remove any rugs or bathmats from the area. Don’t leave any fabrics in the bathroom (like towels) so as to prevent mold and mildew issues.
Do your best to ensure the air is circulating to that area of the home. If it’s summertime, turn up the AC to keep it cool and cut down on the humidity in the bathroom. Consider opening the windows or setting up a box fan on a stand in the bathroom doorway to circulate the air and start the drying process. Be mindful of running extension cords near the bathroom to prevent electrocution hazards.
Keep children and pets away from the flooded bathroom. Set up a baby gate in the bathroom door if you have pets and kids to keep safe.

Dealing with an overflowing toilet is never a fun part of homeownership. Keep these water damage removal tips in mind if your toilet overflows and the bathroom floods. For severe instances of bathroom flooding, contact the flood damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson. Representatives are standing by to answer your questions about how we can get your home back into tip-top shape.

Fire Safety Tips for Your Thanksgiving Dinner Cooking

11/15/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that fall and winter are the prime times for house fires? It’s these times of the year when people are blasting their furnace, constantly using their fireplace, and cooking large, elaborate meals. Thanksgiving dinner should be a time for bonding over a delicious holiday spread. No one wants to spend the holidays on fire damage clean up duty. Keep these fire safety tips in mind for your Thanksgiving dinner cooking.

Be Proactive, not Reactive

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to house fires. In preparation for your Thanksgiving meal, be sure to inspect the following items to prevent a house fire:

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

First, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are working correctly and change the batteries, so they are ready to work alongside you as you cook for the holidays.

Stoves, Ovens, and Cooking Equipment

A greasy, dusty, or otherwise dirty oven or stovetop can increase the chances of grease fires and other cooking hazards. Before you start meal prep, clean the appliances you’ll be using to cook.

In the Kitchen? Pay Attention

U.S. fire departments respond to approximately 1,700 cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day alone. The most common cause of Thanksgiving fires? Unattended cooking and cooking equipment mishaps. Don’t become a statistic. While cooking Thanksgiving dinner, stay in the kitchen. Some people will run the risk of starting a house fire by leaving home while the turkey is in the oven. Don’t do this. Make sure someone is in the house if you need to run an errand while the turkey is roasting.

It’s easy to get distracted by guests during Thanksgiving dinner cooking. Set a timer if you’ll be stepping away from the kitchen, or set an alarm on your phone. A crowded kitchen where children, pets, and guests will be congregating can create numerous fire hazards, but there are a few steps you can take to mitigate the risks.

Turn handles inward

Pots and pans simmering on the stove can create a fire or burn hazard if the handles are pointing outward where guests can walk into them. Be careful to turn the handles inward, both to keep people safe from burns and to keep your culinary hard work safe from spills.

Set rules

Communicate to parents and children that kids need to keep away from the stove. Food can bubble and splatter, creating a burn hazard if the kids are nearby.

Be mindful of nearby items

Any items that can easily burn, such as oven mitts or wooden cooking utensils, should be kept away from the stovetop while cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Also, electrical cords should be kept far back on the counter, so they don’t dangle in the reach of curious children or mischievous pets.

Be Careful with Open Flames

Candle fires result in an average of 150 deaths per year and over 500 million dollars in property damage. Candles can add to the ambiance of the home and make it smell like the holidays, but you must be careful when it comes to open flames, no matter how small they may be.

Make sure children don’t have access to lighters and matches. It’s a good idea to secure these items up on a high shelf or to lock them away.
Never leave children unattended in rooms where candles are lit.

Sometimes, candles come with more risk than they are worth when guests and children will be in the house. If you are busy cooking or entertaining your relatives, you can’t always keep an eye on things. Consider using electronic candles instead if you’re going for a certain ambiance. Air fresheners that plug into the wall can be used if you want the house to smell like the holidays, and they are safer than candles, too.

Deep-frying the Turkey? Maybe Not.

Fried food is comfort food, and deep-fried Thanksgiving turkey could (in theory) bring even more joy to your holiday festivities. However, it might not be worth the fire risk, and here’s why:

The NFPA discourages deep-frying a turkey due to the dangers
Hot grease can easily overflow when you submerge an entire bird into a vat of oil
Even a small amount of cooking oil making contact with a burner can cause a massive and dangerous grease fire
Deep fryers without temperature controls can overheat the oil to the point that the deep fryer can combust
Since 2002, deep-fried turkeys have been the cause of more than 8 million dollars in property damage

Insist on Deep-frying the Turkey? Be Extra Cautious

With all that said, you might think the deliciousness of a deep-fried turkey this Thanksgiving will be worth the risk. All right, that’s fair - but keep these tips in mind to ensure your holiday is a great-tasting and safe one, too.

Turkeys must be completely thawed and dried before going into the deep fryer. De-thaw the turkey in the fridge, not on the counter. You’ll need about 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey you want to cook.
Do not use the deep fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, or inside the house or garage. Deep fry the turkey outside in an open area and on a sturdy, level surface clear from anything that could catch fire.
Keep pets and people away from the deep fryer at a 3 foot radius.
Wear long, insulated gloves when deep frying the turkey or interacting with the deep fryer in any capacity. Handles, lids, and the pot itself will all be very hot.
Protect your eyes. Wear safety goggles when you deep fry a turkey.
Be prepared. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and never pour water on a grease fire.

The holidays are hectic and stressful enough without worrying about fires and grease burns. If you’re hosting the holidays this year, keep these fire safety tips in mind for Thanksgiving dinner cooking.

Has fire damaged your home? We can help. Contact the experienced fire damage cleanup and restoration pros at SERVPRO of Richardson today. Representatives are standing by to answer your questions about fire damage restoration to your property to pristine condition.

Repair Tornado Damage in Richardson

10/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is repairing Richardson tornado damaged homes and businesses. We are a 30+ year experienced disaster industry company.

Steps to Tornado Damage Repairs

First - Roof Tarping and Board-Up

Roof tarping and board-up are the first steps to take after tornado damage. From an insurance viewpoint, these are called temporary repairs, and they help protect your home from sustaining additional damage.

A roof tarp is a thick, waterproof piece of plastic that covers all broken or damaged portions of your roof. The most popular color for these tarps are blue, but you can also find high-quality tarps in green, brown, and other colors. Roof tarps help prevent additional weather from entering your property.

Board-up or boarding-up is when sheets of plywood are attached to the outside of damaged doors, windows, and outer walls. Like roof tarps, board-ups help prevent weather from coming inside the property, and they also help deter theft.

These temporary repairs are essential and help satisfy your insurance company’s homeowner insurance temporary repairs requirement. Your insurance company will want to see that you took emergency steps to protect your home, even after major damage.

Then, Debris Removal

After emergency repairs are done, it’s a good idea to remove all the debris from your home and yard. It’s important to get rid of as many tripping hazards as possible for the safety of your family and any technicians that will be working on your home. Having a clean space is essential to move in and out of your home. Clearing your home’s yard will also help restore the grass underneath.

Look for a restoration company that is capable of removing any kind of debris -- including large trees and hazardous elements. Ask that all debris be hauled away and not remain on the curb.

After, Move-Out / Pack-Out / Moving Services

All of these terms basically mean the same thing. A move-out or pack-out is a moving service where the restoration company packs everything inside of your home and moves it away temporarily.

A move-out may be necessary if your home was extensively damaged and technicians need to clear room(s) of your house to properly and safety rebuild it. Sometimes only a few rooms of a home need to be moved-out, and sometimes an entire home does. The decision will depend on the severity of the damage.

Move-outs have to be approved by an insurance adjuster if it’s part of an insurance claim.

The process can be time-intensive. A professional restoration company will document every single item they are taking, which will involve taking inventory, photos, and videos. This documentation is necessary to validate your insurance claim, and it will help everyone involved know which items were salvaged and taken versus broken items that need to be thrown away.

A full-service restoration company will typically take your items back to their in-house cleaning facility. Your items, if they need it, will be sanitized, re-packed, and then stored until you are ready to receive them again. If you are moving to a temporary location and need your items, your belongings may also be dropped off there.

Cleaning Your Belongings - Content Cleaning

If your belongings were contaminated, they need to be sanitized so they can be safe to use again. Content cleaning should be approved by your adjuster before any cleaning begins.

One of the most efficient ways to clean contents is with an ultrasonic machine, and many full-service restoration companies have one. Hiring a restoration company that will clean your belongings at their own facilities will prevent them from taking your items to a secondary company; in turn, your items should be cleaned faster and be less expensive.

Ask your restoration company how they plan to clean your belongings.

Cleaning Your Clothes - Soft Goods or Textile Cleaning

Soft goods or textiles are things like clothes, shoes, belts, stuffed animals, blankets, sheets, towels, hats, and sports equipment.

If your textiles need to be cleaned, ask your restoration provider if they clean them in-house.

Just like content cleaning, a full-service restoration company can clean textiles in-house. Many use a process called the Esporta Wash System, which is the most effective way to sanitize clothing today. Esporta Certified Operators are businesses that have a machine and have been trained to use it.

Textile cleaning is almost always covered as part of a claim, but some insurance adjusters may only approve a restoration company if they can clean your items in-house. The reasons why vary, but a popular one is because in-house cleaning (as opposed to contracting a second company to do it) will typically result in less expensive claims and faster cleaning.

We are a Certified Esporta Wash System operator, and you can learn more about our process here.

Demolition

After your home has been cleared, then demolition begins. Demolition may play a big part in the reconstruction of your home if it has been severely damaged. Everything that cannot be fixed must be taken out of your property.

Demolition can take days or weeks, depending on the extent of the damage.

Trash and Junk Removal

At the end of every day, all the debris and trash from your home should be hauled away. Leaving a clean workspace is essential for safety, and it also discourages unwanted visitors from picking through your items as they sit on the curb.

Then - Repairs, Rebuild, or Reconstruction

After your home has been cleared of debris, belongings, and has had demolition completed, it’s time to repair or reconstruct your home.

Repairs or Reconstruction is also offered by full-service restoration companies. Make sure the company you choose has an in-house Reconstruction Manager that will personally work with you through this process.

Always ask to meet the Reconstruction Manager. Ask yourself:

How many years of experience do they have? This is not the time for on-the-job training.

Are they someone I can trust? They will be your partner through this process, which can be lengthy.

How will they work with my insurance adjuster? They should have a strict communications protocol with your adjuster; this helps keep the process moving forward efficiently.

Will they be available to answer all my questions? They should be accessible to you.

How will they guide me through the rebuild of my home? They should have a protocol to help you understand the process and keep you comfortable with the work being completed.

How long do they think repairs will take? During these types of situations, it’s unusual that only a few homes need repairs. The high volume of work needed sometimes may put a backlog on popular items needed for reconstruction, like certain types of flooring. If this is the case, the Reconstruction Manager should give you an honest timeline.

The right Reconstruction Manager should be empathetic to your situation. Both of you must have the same goal -- to rebuild your home correctly, safely, and as quickly as possible.

Then, Post-Construction Cleaning

After construction is complete, the process is almost done. Your restoration company should prepare your home for you to move back in by thoroughly cleaning it, especially where reconstruction took place -- including your air duct and HVAC system.

Finally - Move-Back

This is the moment you’ve likely been waiting for -- it’s time to move back into your home. The belongings that were being stored for you will be returned. Look for a restoration company that will give you great customer service and will even do the unpacking for you (we’re one of them!).

Note: Water Damage Restoration During Tornado Damage

Some homes in Dallas and Richardson were hit in two ways -- first, by tornado damage. Then, by water damage.

Restoring a home that was involved by two damages is more complicated, but something an experienced restoration company can provide easily.

In this situation, temporary repairs (like roof tarping and board-up) are still the first necessary measures needed. Then, expect:

Water Removal. All standing water should be extracted. This water will be considered Category 3, so all the areas it touched need to be sanitized.
Drying. To help prevent mold growth and further damage, your home has to be properly dried. Commercial air movers and dehumidifiers should be installed.
Daily Moisture Checks. Every day, a technician should visit your property to make sure that your home’s drying plan is going to plan. Changes should be made immediately when necessary.

Choosing a Restoration Company

You can choose to work with either one full-service company, or you may decide that working many companies on different portions of your tornado damage repairs is the right path for you.

By law, your insurance company and adjuster must honor your choice of company(ies) to work with.

Richardson Tornado Damage Repairs

Our franchise has been locally owned and operated for over 30 years. In that time, we’ve restored thousands of homes and have worked with insurance companies to process claims.

If you are looking for a company to help you with your home’s tornado cleanup and restoration, we’re here for you.

We are 1 Company for 100% Restoration. We routinely help homeowners in need cleanup and restore their properties -- from start to end. Our full-service restoration services help make an already difficult time easier to manage because we assign you one point of contact that you know you can always count on to guide you every step of the way.

We live and work in our hometown of Dallas Fort Worth. When the tornadoes hit, we were fortunate enough to stay safe. Not everyone is able to say that. Whether you decide to let us be your restoration company or not, we’re here to help our neighbors.

Contact us for a free consultation.

We’ll visit you at your property, answer your questions, and give you guidance during this difficult time.

We’re here to help.

Where To Go If You’re Affected By Water Damage

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

Water is an unforgiving element. You may not realize it, but water has the potential to cause some of the worst and most costly damage to your property. If your home business has been damaged from a flood, a roof leak, or a pipe bursting, here’s what you need to know about water damage repair.

Water Damage Is Easier To Prevent Than To Clean Up After The Fact.

Do you want to know the most effective way to clean and repair water damage? Don’t let it happen in the first place. While it’s true that you’re not a superhero and you can’t prevent every harmful thing from occurring, regular home maintenance will go a long way. When you adequately maintain the property, you significantly decrease the chances of water ingress and leaks from damaging your home or business.

So, what can you do? Periodically inspect the plumbing for visual signs of damage, wear, and tear. Check the pipes and valves in the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and laundry room about every three to four months. Signs of impending interior water damage that will need to be repaired include:

Cracks in the foundation walls
Slow-moving drains
A leaking pipe

Don’t forget to also take a look outside for potential water damage. Gutters and downspouts should all properly flow. They should not be clogged with leaves and other debris. Also, check to make sure that the landscaping allows water to run away from the foundation. If water is left to pool close to the foundation walls, it can cause cracks, bulging, and water ingress.

If you fix these things early, you can do it for far less money than if you were to wait for the water to create a bigger problem. Signs of water ingress don’t just go away on their own: that leaky pipe or crack in the basement wall won’t repair itself.

Clean Up Water Damage Asap

Regular maintenance can certainly protect your home and your pocketbook from costly repairs. But, you can still fall victim to leaks, floods, and other water damage issues. The trick to limiting the damage is to clean it up as quickly as you can.

The first step is to stop the leak. If a pipe has broken, you’ll want to turn off the main water supply line. It might be located in the utility closet or laundry room. Some homes have a main water shutoff valve in the basement or crawlspace. Once it is turned off, you’ll want to do your best to get any standing water out of the house.

What about belongings that have gotten wet? For waterlogged items, you won’t want to move them yourself. Instead, it’s a good idea to contact a water restoration company immediately. Wet items are often surprisingly heavy, and lifting them on your own could result in injury. Once you’ve cleaned up the standing water, and are waiting for the water restoration company to arrive, use dehumidifiers and air movers to prevent mold and mildew from claiming your home as their own.

Why should you use a dehumidifier? Because mold is potentially dangerous and an opportunistic organism. It only needs about 24 hours to grow into a full-fledged, smelly, colony of spores. Most building materials are made of cellulose, which is incredibly tasty to mold spores. Boxes, walls, wood, paper, and other porous surfaces can become prime real estate for mold. So, cleaning up the water damage as soon as reasonably possible can keep the indoor air quality much cleaner and safer for you to breathe. This is also why it’s important to contact a water restoration company asap. These professionals can clean up your home and prevent mold from growing.

Insurance Doesn’t Always Cover Water Damage Repair

Your insurance policy may cover some forms of water damage and repair. Some causes of water damage, however, are typically not covered. For instance, damage from groundwater usually isn’t covered under a standard homeowner's insurance policy. This often includes any rain or snow that has hit the ground before finding its way into the home.

Clear instances of homeowner negligence are also excluded from being covered under a policy. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to avoid delaying crucial home maintenance to prevent water damage. While most insurance policies allow exclusions for significant events such as hurricanes, floods, and sewage backups, getting this type of coverage can be cost-prohibitive for many homeowners, although most flood insurance will cover hurricane flooding in addition to regular homeowner’s insurance. That said, if your home has been a victim of an adverse water event, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if some of the costs of the repairs are covered.

Gotta Small Leak? Don’t Be Fooled

When you encounter a small problem, it’s understandable if you assume that it’s not anything to worry about. But, the problem with water is that it’s relentless and can get into even the smallest of cracks and crevices. Even a tiny leak that gets onto a support beam or into the drywall can wreak major havoc if it goes unaddressed. Fix any leak as soon as it occurs, even if it’s just a “small” roof leak.

Selling the Home is Harder When Leaks And Water Damage are Present.

A home that’s been a victim of water damage that has not been repaired will not look pretty on the MLS, or Multi Listing Service, a database that realtors access to find homes for sale. Homes that have been damaged but subsequently repaired will also be a tougher sell. If you intend to sell the house soon, it’s essential, to be honest about the damage and the repairs you’ve made. Water damage is not a death sentence to your home’s ability to sell and command a fair price. Just remember, preventing the damage from occurring in the first place can make it easier for you to sell your home in the future.

Water Damage Restoration and Repair

A professional water restoration and repair company can return your home to its former glory. Water restoration professionals know how to identify current and future leaks and sources of water ingress. They can give you insight into how to protect your home from future, damaging water events. If your home has recently been hit with a flood or leak, keep these tips in mind. Contact a water damage repair company today for a free, no-obligation quote on repairing your home or business.

Air Duct Cleaning in Dallas: What You Need to Know

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

A home’s HVAC system is comprised of a complex array of ductwork and other components. Ducts are wound throughout the house, bringing either cool or warm air into the living space and keeping residents comfortable. Those air ducts can also become the perfect conduit for dust, mold, pet dander, and other harmful allergens. Is air duct cleaning in Dallas worth the time and investment? We’ll explore what you need to know.

When Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

Some Dallas-based HVAC professionals will provide homeowners with instructions on how and when air duct cleaning in Dallas should be performed. A system’s unique cleaning schedule often depends on the climate, costs, equipment operating programs, air contaminants, and the homeowner’s expectations. The age of the system and any wear and tear on it will also impact when you should be cleaning your air ducts.

New Systems

When a new system is installed, or older ductwork is upgraded, technicians will usually provide access to the system components that should be cleaned or easily replaced if they get dirty. New ductwork and equipment are kept sealed and, therefore, clean until they are ready to be installed. On extensive installation jobs, new ductwork can become clogged with construction debris and dirt. It has to be cleaned before it’s connected to avoid contaminating the indoor air. When upgrading an older system, the ductwork must be cleaned before it’s hooked up to the air handling system.

Old Ductwork

Ductwork will naturally become dirty, soiled, and contaminated as time goes on, which is why it’s essential to have the system periodically cleaned. Dust can accumulate inside the ductwork over several years, pumping out debris anytime you turn on the furnace or AC. Clean ducts and registers will also keep dust from settling on your furniture and walls, helping to maintain the cleanliness of the home. Ductwork with dead bugs, rodents, mold, dirt, and dust won’t always result in problems with the indoor air quality, or IAQ. In fact, most ducts will be contaminated with dry dust, which is a common issue requiring periodic duct cleaning. This is especially important for home occupants that are prone to allergies and rhinitis.

Damaged Ductwork

Periodic air duct cleaning in Dallas can also uncover damage to the system. But if you observe any of these issues, you’ll want to schedule a cleaning. In some instances, these issues may even warrant ductwork replacement.

Signs of water damage
Mold and mildew growth
Debris restricting airflow through the system
Air supply registers emitting dust and debris
Strange, offensive smells coming from the HVAC system and ducts

The home should be a place of comfort and respite. It’s not good for the home occupants when the HVAC system starts emitting odors or dust and debris. Scheduling a cleaning can keep the ducts free from offensive contaminants and also uncover any issues with the ductwork that needs to be fixed. Scheduling an air duct cleaning can also help to detect mold in the air ducts, and hiring an expert for mold removal services can prevent and inhibit and further mold growth.

Signs You Should Schedule an Air Duct Cleaning in Dallas

Indoor air quality impacts the health of the home’s occupants. Growing concerns about the quality of the home’s indoor air make ductwork cleaning and maintenance a must. When people spend an average of 93% of their lives indoors, breathing in clean air is critical. The following issues and signs indicate that you should have your ductwork cleaned.

Home Renovation

Are you remodeling the kitchen or having some work done on the interior of the house? This can kick up a lot of dust and debris. Older homes are also likely to have been painted with lead paint at some point in their history. Asbestos abatement in older homes also means the ductwork can become contaminated. During home renovations, the ductwork should always be sealed. If not, dangerous materials can get inside the ductwork and become inhaled. After a home renovation is completed, schedule an air duct cleaning for your home in Dallas.

Pests and Rodents

Unwanted animals can wreak havoc on the ductwork if they manage to find their way into the system. Debris from pests can cause allergy-like symptoms in the home’s occupants. Plus, debris left from rodents can cause offensive odors to leach through the ductwork. Once pests have been removed, you’ll want to schedule a ductwork cleaning.

Mold and Mildew

Signs of visible mold growth within the ductwork warrant a cleaning asap. Mold and mildew can have severe impacts on people’s health and make seasonal allergies much worse. While it’s true that mold spores are present in any air you breathe, high concentrations of mold spores in an enclosed space can be harmful to anyone’s health.

Signs of Contamination

If pet hair, dust, and offensive smells are coming from the ductwork, then it needs to be cleaned. If you’ve already cleaned and vacuumed the registers and are still dealing with dust and contaminants from the ducts, then schedule a cleaning for ductwork in Dallas.

Sickness

Has someone in your family been struggling with a strange, allergy-related sickness? The ductwork might be to blame. Sometimes the only signs that ductwork needs to be cleaned are if someone suffers from allergy-like symptoms inside the home. Clearing the ductwork of allergens can significantly improve symptoms.

How to Schedule an Air Duct Cleaning in Dallas

When it comes to scheduling an air duct cleaning, avoid settling. You’ll want the company to do a full cleaning of the heating and cooling unit, not just a sweep of the ducts. Always be sure to check the company’s references, too. Look up third-party reviews and find out everything that is provided in for the price of the advertised duct cleaning. A good rule of thumb is to ask for at least three estimates from reputable HVAC cleaners. A reliable company will provide a free inspection and a detailed, accurate estimate. If you require air duct cleaning in Dallas, keep this information in mind so you can make an informed decision on when and how to clean the ductwork.

Temporary Repairs and Tornado Insurance Claims

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated. We have restored thousands of properties in our 30+ years of disaster restoration experience.

The Texas Department of Insurance’s Guide on Temporary Repairs

Temporary repairs to a property that has been damaged are encouraged by homeowner’s policies. The Texas Department of Insurance states:

Make only temporary repairs to protect your house and belongings. For instance, board up broken windows or put a tarp over a damaged roof. Don’t make permanent repairs. The insurance company might deny your claim if you make permanent repairs before it sees the damage.

Why Temporary Repairs are Needed

When major disasters happen, there are usually many home and business owners contacting their insurance companies. The increased number of calls can translate to a lengthy wait period as insurance adjusters are assigned different claims and schedule visits to everyone’s properties. In some instances, an adjuster may not be able to visit a property for weeks.

Waiting for an adjuster’s visit to start temporary repairs puts a property at risk of additional, secondary damage.

Call Your Insurance Company

Your insurance company knows what is detailed in the homeowner’s insurance policy you’ve signed. Give them a call to talk about you hiring a reputable restoration company to start temporary repairs.

Your insurance company, by law, must honor your choice of cleanup, restoration, and construction company. Choose a company you know and trust, and let your insurance adjuster know who you have chosen.

Temporary repairs include:

Roof Tarping

The goal of a roof tarp is to prevent weather and other objects from getting inside the property. A roof tarp can cover a small section of a roof to almost all of a roof. The roof tarp should be waterproof and thick enough to withstand wind and weather elements for weeks.

Roof tarping should only be completed when weather conditions are safe for the installers.

Once your claim has been approved for permanent roof repairs or roof replacement, the tarp will be taken off. Be prepared to have your tarp on your roof for an extended period of time.

Board-Up or Boarding Up

Sheets of wood are attached to the outside of your property to cover broken doors, windows, and damaged outer walls. Like roof tarping, the purpose of boarding up your property is to prevent weather from coming in; it will also help deter theft.

Any portion of your home that required a board-up needs to be reconstructed. This step will be done after your claim has been approved by your adjuster.

Temporary Repairs Companies

During disaster situations, many companies offer their services. It’s common for news sites and the state to warn people against using individuals or companies without a reputation or paying fully upfront for services. Sadly, many past disasters have caused these types of warnings to be necessary.

When choosing a company to work with, we recommend asking yourself:

Can you find them online? Reputable companies should be easy to find, and their websites should be professional and up-to-date.

How easy are they to contact? Call them. If they don’t answer immediately, keep looking. Even a busy company will answer their phone and address you.

How long have they been in business? A disaster isn’t the time for on-the-job training. Choose a company that has had past experience and success.

Do they have agreements with insurance companies? The best companies are trusted enough by the insurance industry to have vendor agreements with them. These agreements help protect homeowners from unfair pricing.

Are they local? If you only want to work with a company that you know lives in your hometown and is easy to get a hold of, check out where they are from. Many companies travel from out of town and stay only while they have work. If you do choose an out-of-town company, make sure they can still serve you even if you need more helps months from today.

Are they full-service? Most companies only offer one or a few services. Using a full-service restoration company will mean you only have to work with one company to get your property fully put back together. Working with one business is usually less stressful and can make the work done on your home more efficient and cost-effective.

Tornado Cleanup and Restoration Services

A full-restoration company should be able to offer you the following services you may need to fully restore your home after a tornado.

Temporary Repairs - roof tarp and board-up.

Moving Service - they will inventory your home’s contents, pack them out, and take them to a long-term storage facility where your items will be cleaned and secured until you are ready to receive them again.

Long-term Storage - preferably, the company themselves will own the storage locations. This makes it easier for you to ask them for an item’s retrieval.

Debris Removal - they should remove all trees and trash from your home and haul it away.

Reconstruction - they should have a team to rebuild any part of your home that was damaged. Look for a company with a dedicated Reconstruction Manager that will be your point of contact.

Clothing and Textile Cleaning - if they clothing, stuffed animals, blankets, sports equipment, etcetera was affected, they should be able to take your items and clean them. Many companies also offer you an emergency wardrobe, where they will clean wash-and-fold items and return them to you within 1-3 days.

Water Damage Restoration - in the instances where the home was also wet, the company should perform water damage restoration tasks to secure the home and dry it.

SERVPRO of Richardson: Full-Service Restoration

SERVPRO of Richardson has over 30 years of experience in disaster restoration. We are a locally owned and operated company in Richardson, Texas. We live and work in our hometown, and we’re always available when our neighbors are in need of help.

We’ve restored thousands of properties, and our team is experienced in processing insurance company claims.

If you’re in need of help after the Dallas tornado, we’re here to help.

Contact us for guidance or a free estimate. We’re a full-service restoration company, and we are available to clean up and restore your property from start to end.

North Texas Duct Cleaning

9/3/2019 (Permalink)

We recommend air duct cleaning every 5-7 years for homes. If you see dust rings on or around your air vents, schedule an air duct cleaning today.

When Was Your Duct’s Last Cleaning?

If you can’t remember the last time your home had its duct cleaned, or if you just looked up at a vent and see rings of dust around it, it may be time to sneak a peek inside the vent and see what’s going on in there.

Some air vents are high up your home’s walls or ceilings while others are low on the floor. Usually, there is at least one per room. Grab a screwdriver, ladder, and a flashlight, and then go to a room you and your family spend a lot of time in and open the vent. Shine a light into the vent.

What do you see?

If you see a lot of dust buildup or even dust balls, it’s time for an air duct cleaning.

What is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air duct cleaning is the process of clearing all the debris out of your air ducts and HVAC system. Most homes should consider an air duct cleaning anywhere between 5-7 years, and homes with multiple pets, tobacco smokers, or people suffering from allergies or asthma should consider it more often. Air duct cleaning may lead to improved indoor air quality, and sometimes even help with general household odors.

How Long Does Air Duct Cleaning Take?

Air duct cleaning is a simple process that takes just a few hours for most homes and apartments. For large properties with many vents and HVAC units, the process is still simple, but it can take up to a day or two.

What’s the Duct Cleaning Process?

When you set up your service cleaning, we’ll ask you:

How many vent openings do you have?
How high are the ceilings where those vents are?
How many HVAC units do you have?
What size filters do you use?

We’ll use this information to prepare for your service date. When we arrive, we’ll ask you to show us a source of water and which room you’d like us to start in. We’ll take care of everything else on our own while you relax.

The process itself is simple and takes time to do it correctly.

First, we will find every vent opening in your home and take down the vent. The vents themselves will be sanitized and dried.

Then, we’ll use our professional air duct cleaning machine and insert it into the vent opening. A specialized brush will travel into the vent, spin, and collect the dust from the vent’s walls while a powerful vacuum takes the dust and carries it into the air duct cleaning machine itself.

After the dirt has been removed, we’ll inspect your vent and make sure we didn’t miss any errant dust balls. If the vent is clean, we’ll spray a vent sealer and then reinstall the vent cover.

We’ll repeat this process until every vent has been cleaned. Then, we’ll visit your HVAC units and clear them of dust and debris, too.

Finally, we’ll take out all of your old filters and replace each one with a new one.

What if There’s Air Duct Mold?

Finding mold in air vents isn’t uncommon. In fact, we’re often called for an air duct cleaning because the mold has grown enough to come out of the vent and spread onto the adjoining wall.

If this is the case, we can still help. We are a licensed Texas Mold Remediation Contractor, and we’ve handled air duct mold removal for many homes and businesses in our 30+ years of serving North Texas.

We will take photos of the mold and measure it. Depending on how long the mold stretches will determine if the mold remediation needs to be filed with Texas or not. Learn more about Texas Mold Law and our mold remediation process here.

Free Air Duct Cleaning Estimates in North Texas

Unless your project is complicated and needs a visual inspection, most estimates can be completed over the phone in a short amount of time. In either case, the estimate is free.

Give us a call or contact us today for a free air duct cleaning estimate.

Full-Service SERVPRO Restoration

SERVPRO of Richardson is a restoration company based out of DFW. We specialize in fire and water damage restoration, mold remediation, and cleaning services like residential and commercial air duct cleaning. We are one of the full-service restoration companies in North Texas capable of handling any kind and any size of claim from start to end.

Our headquarters is on the border of Richardson and Plano, TX. We dispatch 24-hours a day to emergency situations, and we can arrive anywhere in DFW quickly.

Our franchise has been serving our home of North Texas for over 30 years, and we can help you, too.

Water Stain on Ceiling? Get it Inspected for Free

8/29/2019 (Permalink)

Ceiling water stains are often signs of slow-leaking water damage. For a free water spot inspection, give us a call today.

See a brown spot on your ceiling?

If you’re reading this, you are probably trying to figure out what to do with that brown or yellow spot you are seeing somewhere on your ceiling. These brownish spots are called water spots or water stains.

Water spots indicate that the ceiling is wet or was wet and has now been stained. If the ceiling is still wet, then you have water damage. If the ceiling is dry, the water spot is a cosmetic stain.

The big question here is -- is your ceiling wet or dry?

Signs you have Ceiling Water Damage

There are various ways you can tell that you have ceiling water damage. Here are some suggestions:

Is the ceiling visibly soaked? If you can see water droplets with your naked eye, you have a pool of water on top of that water spot that needs to be taken care of quickly.

Is the water spot growing? Even if you can’t see water droplets, you might have a slow leak if your water spot keeps growing.
Are you smelling a sweet, musky odor? This odor is one sign of mold growth, which is very common when water damage was not restored properly. If you’re experiencing this smell but can’t see mold, call for a mold inspection. The mold remediation professional should be able to check out the area above your water spot and check it for mold growth.

Do you see brown, green, or black spots on your ceiling? You might be seeing mold. Call a licensed mold remediation contractor to get this area inspected.

If any of these ring true, you’re going to need the help of a water damage restoration company. Depending on the source of the leak, you may also need a plumber or roofing contractor. If you don’t want to bother with multiple contractors, find a full-service restoration company that can take care of the entire project on their own.

How Can I Tell if the Water Spot on my Ceiling is Dry?

The best way to know if your ceiling is dry is to have it inspected by a professional who have the right moisture detection tools and expertise to inspect the area above your ceiling to make sure there is no active leak.

To get any possible moisture checked out, call someone specializing in moisture detection and drying. The contractor should be able to:

Bring professional moisture meters and even a thermal imaging camera.

Inspect the area above your ceiling, including an attic.

If the ceiling is dry, they can prove it with their readings.

If the ceiling is wet, they should inspect to find the source of the leak.

Do it for free. Really! Unless they are providing you with additional services, an inspection like this shouldn’t cost you anything.

It’s Dry! Now, Fix the Water Stain on Your Ceiling

After you’re sure the ceiling water stain is dry, you can go ahead and get it taken care of. This process is simple!

First, clean the area where the stain is. If you take a mild bleach cleaner, you may even be able to lighten the color of the stain. The point is to take off any dust from the surface so the paint adheres correctly when you apply it.

Next, wait for the ceiling to dry. This is so important because you don’t want to paint over the stain and trap moisture in there! Since you didn’t soak the ceiling with the cleaner, just wait for the ceiling to feel dry to the touch.

Finally, take some oil-based paint that matches the rest of your ceiling and paint over the ceiling spot.

Free Ceiling Water Stain Inspections

Getting that yellow spot on your ceiling checked out is better than hoping nothing more serious comes of it. If you’re ready for a water stain inspection, contact us.

Our inspections are free to any home or business in DFW.

Full-Service Restoration Company

SERVPRO of Richardson is a full-service restoration company located on the border of Richardson and Plano, Texas. We live and work in our hometown of DFW, and we’re always ready to help.

Our franchise dispatches to fire and water damage remediation calls 24-hours a day, every day of the year. We are also a licensed Texas Mold Remediation Contractor.

Our full-service restoration services can help you with every step of your water stain problem, from inspecting the issue and taking care of any possible water damage, to reconstruction (if necessary).

We’ve restored thousands of properties in 30+ years we’ve been serving North Texas. We can help you, too.

Call or contact us today and let us know what kind of help you need. We’re ready!

Texas Disaster Restoration

8/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a leader in Texas Disaster Restoration. We are a full-service damage restoration company with 30+ years of experience.

What is Disaster Restoration?

Disaster restoration is the myriad of services that are provided to victims of disasters. The term today encompasses many different types of disasters, including:

Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Strong Wind
Hailstorms
Wildfires
Other extreme weather

Many national and government organizations exist today to help families in need when a disaster impacts their communities. The most well-known services include FEMA and the American Red Cross.

Yet, even with these organizations helping those in need, families and businesses still have to know what to do if they are ever in need of Texas disaster restoration services. The most pressing questions everyone should be able to answer are:

Where do I go if my property is impacted?
Will my insurance cover the damage to my property?
Will my insurance cover to replace all the damaged items inside my property?
Who is going to clean and restore my property?
How long will it take for my home to be cleaned?

Insurance During a Disaster Declaration

The only way to be certain that your property will be covered during a disaster is to call your insurance company and ask. We have worked with many homeowners who kept a copy of their homeowner's insurance policy and, unfortunately, misunderstood a portion of it. Have a candid conversation with your insurance agent and ask:

What kinds of disasters does my policy cover? Some policies may cover earthquakes but exclude tornadoes. Know exactly what you’re covered for.
Can I add flood insurance? Homeowners insurance is not flood insurance. If you want flood insurance, ask to take out a policy.
What’s my deductible? A deductible is the amount of money you owe before your insurance company covers the rest. Know what your deductible is and have this amount ready.
Does my insurance pay for temporary lodging? For how long? At what kind of accommodation?
Does my insurance policy cover contents? Contents are all of your belongings inside of your home. Almost every insurance policy has some limit to how much they will cover, which often leaves homeowners responsible for covering the replacement or cleaning costs of the rest. Make sure your policy covers enough to replace all of your belongings. To do this, you may have to complete a home inventory.

The time to speak with your insurance is before anything happens. If you want for a disaster, chances are, you won’t be the only one trying to get through to your agent or adjuster, and you may have to wait for answers.

What Companies Specialize in Disaster Restoration in Texas?

Texas has many companies that focus on restoring homes and businesses affected by all kinds of disasters. In recent years, many new companies have begun restoration businesses in Texas. The reason for the growth of this industry is because restoration is faster, less invasive, and less expensive for homeowners. Before restoration, the only solution was to tear down a property and start over -- something that is almost never needed today.

When choosing a disaster restoration company in Texas, you may want to consider:

Do I want a full-service disaster restoration company, or do I want to hire multiple contractors? More and more homeowners and insurance companies are choosing to work only with restoration companies that do full-service work. Full-service means they can take care of every portion of your claim themselves from extracting water, drying your property, cleaning your property and contents, to rebuilding anything that was damaged. A full-service company means you have one point of contact and saves you the hassle of managing and paying multiple contractors. If you prefer a full-service restoration company, ask them how much of your project they will do themselves.
Is the disaster restoration company local or have they traveled from another state? Many companies travel to assist in restoring entire communities. It’s important for you to understand if the company you’d like to work with is properly licensed to work in your area.
Is the disaster restoration company experienced, or are they new to the industry? The time for learning is never on your property. Consider hiring an established company with plenty of experience. Ask them what kinds of claims they have handled before, how large their projects were, and if they have traveled to communities impacted by disasters before.
What kind of reputation does the disaster restoration company have? Make sure your chosen company is easy to find online and has a great reputation.
Does the disaster restoration company work with my insurance? Not everyone is willing to work with your insurance adjuster to process your claim. Make sure that you hire a company with extensive experience working with all insurance companies and adjusters.

Water Damage Restoration - Most Commonly Needed

The most common disaster restoration need is water damage restoration. Water damages occur as a result of hurricane rising water, flooding, and severe thunderstorms. Water damage can also happen when a hailstorm damages a property’s roof and the hail melts inside the home.

During a water damage restoration, you can expect:

Water removal - all the water has to be extracted to stabilize the building.
Sanitation - a virucide and biocide will be needed to help the property be safe for restoration technicians.
Demolition - due to rising water being considered Category 3, a flood cut will be needed.
Inspection - the restoration company will check for structural damage in walls and ceiling. They should also inspect for mold growth.
Drying - your entire structure has to be dried to prevent further damage and help prevent mold growth.
Content cleaning - the items that can be saved will be taken to the restoration company’s cleaning facility for cleaning and, if needed, storage.
Mold Remediation (when necessary) - if the mold is large enough, a Texas licensed mold remediation contractor will be needed to remediate the mold.
Abatement (when asbestos is found).
Reconstruction - the restoration company will rebuild any part of your home that needed demolition; often this is portions of your drywall, flooring, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Throughout this process, the water damage restoration company should be in touch regularly with your insurance adjuster to process your claim.

Disaster Preparedness

There are many great sources for tips and preparedness guides today, a lot of compiled by government agencies. We recommend:

Ready.gov. This website includes lots of great resources for families and businesses looking to prepare themselves before any kind of disaster occurs. Their resources are available in both English and Spanish.
NFPA.org. The National Fire Protection Association focuses on fire-related disasters. Fires are particularly devastating because even a small fire can completely impact a household.
Flood Insurance. We recommend that everyone take the time to learn a little bit about flood insurance simply because flood insurance is not covered by regular homeowner’s insurance. We have seen firsthand how properties, even those not in traditional flood zones, have been impacted by rising water. A great resource for flood insurance is Floodsmart.gov.

Choosing a Reputable Restoration Company

Knowing who you can trust to help you during your time of need is important. It’s unfortunate when homeowners in need are duped by fake restoration companies promising to help only to disappear. Prepare yourself by knowing how to hire a reputable restoration company during natural disasters.

Experienced & Compassionate Full-Service Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Richardson has been a leader in Texas disaster restoration for over 30-years. Our headquarters is on the border of Richardson and Plano, Texas, and we have traveled to many communities impacted by natural disasters for nearly two decades.

Our team has restored thousands of homes and businesses, and we can help you, too.

Do you have questions about disaster restoration we haven’t covered? Contact us, and we’ll be happy to respond.

We’re here to help.

What is a Flood Cut?

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

Flood cuts are cuts to a property’s walls, typically at least 12 inches above where the water rose up the wall.

Flood cuts are cuts to a property’s walls, typically at least 12 inches above where the water rose up the wall. The end result is the wall being cut nearly halfway up (see photo).

Why are flood cuts necessary? And how can water damage restoration companies fix them? Let’s dive right in.

When is a Flood Cut Needed?

Flood cuts are most typically needed when rising water enters a property -- both residential or commercial. Rising water happens most often during:

Hurricanes
Severe thunderstorms
Overflowed dams, rivers, and lakes

Although flooding is usually the reason for a flood cut, water damage restoration companies may also choose to use it in cases where other contaminants touch high into the wall. It’s not very common for this to happen during non-storm situations (for example, a pipe leak doesn’t usually cause enough damage to warrant this type of cut), but it is possible in extreme situations such as firefighting efforts.

Why Are Flood Cuts Needed?

Flood cuts are needed because rising water is grossly contaminated -- another term for this is Black Water or Category 3 Water.

With few exceptions, what Black Water touches cannot usually be cleaned. Drywall is a porous material (it absorbs what it touches, even with high-gloss paint) and is one of the items that cannot be sanitized, so its removal is needed to guarantee the cleanliness and safety of inhabitants.

The affected drywall is cut away, bagged in thick plastic, and disposed of. Due to the level of contaminants on the wall, cut drywall should not be handled without personal protective equipment such as medical-grade gloves, safety glasses, and a respiratory mask rated at N95. Any powder left behind after the demolition should also be vacuumed using HEPA filtration.

House Decontamination Before and After Flood Waters

Taking out the affected walls isn’t enough to properly decontaminate a home or business after rising floodwaters have entered. All affected areas, including floors, furniture, clothing, and other items also need to be cleaned.

The SERVPRO of Richardson water damage restoration process during storms helps our technicians the property's inhabitants have a clean space in which to work and live in.

Property Decontamination

Clear every affected room of items. Clearing the room gives us full access to the floors.
Apply an EPA registered bactericide, fungicide, and virucide to all surfaces in the room. The agent is allowed its full dwell time for the agent to effectively eliminate the contaminants. This step gives our technicians a safer environment in which to perform flood cuts and continue the restoration process.

Cleaning Household Items

The items that can be safely decontaminated are taken back to our cleaning facility for processing.
Items that cannot be decontaminated are documented for an insurance claim and disposed of after we have the permission of the owner.
Items that can be saved are ATP tested post-cleaning to scientifically validate our cleaning process and ensure the owner their items are safe to handle again.
Long-term storage is available in our facility when necessary. The cost of storage is typically covered by insurance.
When the owner is available is to receive their items, they are delivered and unpacked by our technicians.

Why is Rising Flood Water Contaminated?

Even though it might look clean, rising water is always considered to be contaminated because we don’t know what the water has mixed with outside before it made its way into the property. Consider the probable biohazard rising water has touched outdoors -- oil, gasoline, poisonous pesticides, animal waste, fungi, etcetera.

Reconstruction After a Flood Cut

Once your home is dry and clean, all the structural elements of the property that were damaged and needed to be demolition need to the reconstructed. This is the last step your property needs in order to be move-in ready.

We usually see reconstruction needed for:

Drywall
Flooring
Kitchen Cabinets
Bathroom Cabinets
Paint

If you are filing an insurance claim, we will work with your insurance adjuster to get your claim approved. If all or a portion of your claim is not accepted, we can still work with your directly to rebuild your home.

Buying Flood Insurance

When an insurance claim is denied during a storm situation, it’s usually because the homeowner does not have flood insurance. This type of insurance covers property damage caused by floods; contents (everything inside of your home) are additional coverage that we highly recommend. Visit the National Flood Insurance Program for more information.

Hiring the Right Flood Restoration Company

When your home has been affected by flooding, it’s likely that many of your neighbors have been affected, too. When the storm has caused enough destruction to warrant a national response, we recommend you hire only reputable companies to trust your home’s restoration to.

When hiring a flood restoration company, look for:

A professional and well-established presence online. Is there information easy to find? Are they easy to get a hold of? Where is the company based out of? How many years have they been in business?
Are they a local office or have they traveled to your location? It’s very common for national companies, like SERVPRO, to travel to hurricane and other storm-related areas to help the local franchises meet the demand of their services. A company that is not local is still fine to work with as long as they have national connections to guarantee you will still get the help you need should they return home.
A company that has experience and success filing claims, especially flood insurance claims. Ask: have you restored flood-damaged homes before? How long does it usually take? What are your procedures?
Read more about hiring reputable disaster restoration companies.

We’re a Water Restoration Company with Nationwide Reach

While our headquarters is on the border of Richardson and Plano, TX, our franchise travels nationwide to assist any community in need. We have over 30 years of experience in disaster restoration, and we have traveled to many hurricane, tornado, and hail-affected communities.

Our team of administrators has successfully processed thousands of water damage claims, and we can help you, too.

Contact us or give us a call anytime. We’re here to help!

What do Water Damage Restoration Companies Do?

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration companies clean and restore properties affected by water damages including floods, plumping failure, and firefighting.

A water damage restoration company restores a property that has experienced water damage. Some restoration companies handle only a small portion of the water damage like water removal and drying, while others are full-service and can handle everything a property needs to be fully restored.

Before we get into the details of water damage restoration, let’s take a deep dive into what water damage is.

What is Water Damage?

Water is a vital commodity; without it, life isn’t possible. But too much water in the wrong place can cause chaos – particularly in residential and commercial properties.

Water damage is the catch-all name given to the damages caused by water being where it shouldn’t. We see thousands of water damages every year, and the most common causes are:

A kitchen flooded due to a pipe burst.
A wet ceiling and floor flooded after an attic water heater burst.
Storm damaged properties. Storms can be severe thunderstorms or rising floodwaters.
Damage caused by firefighting efforts.
A small, unnoticed leak that eventually caused large mold growth.

Water damage covers everything from a ruined carpet or a broken appliance and it can lead to mold growing in flooded crawl spaces or between walls.

The causes of water damage are as varied as the effects; it’s not just a problem that affects houses in flood-prone areas. In fact (according to Insurance Journal) more than half of non-weather related water damage claims were the result of plumbing failures. Other causes of water damage can include a lack of proper weatherproofing, a washing machine or dishwasher fault, or using water to combat a fire inside a property.

Whatever the cause, water damage can be a costly and stressful issue to face. So what can be done about it?

Here’s a brief look at how water damages your home, and the repair process for setting that damage right again.

What Water Damage Does to Your Property

Water can damage your property in a number of different ways.

First and foremost, the presence of water can destroy electronics and appliances and damage or destroy a range of other possessions. Even items you may think of as waterproof can be affected, especially when the water is mixed with sewage, mud, or other pollutants.

Contaminated water is known as “grey water” when the contamination is mild or the pollutants are inoffensive. The wastewater from your shower and sink is a good example of grey water.

“Black water”, on the other hand, refers to water that is heavily polluted or contains traces of sewage. A flood which includes black water can be incredibly destructive, and continue causing damage even after most of the water has been removed.

As well as contaminating your possessions and your home, water can cause metal surfaces to rust, porous materials like drywall to become discolored and sodden, and laminated materials like plywood to warp and become delaminated.

Even a small leak can eventually turn into a big headache. Just a few drops of water each day causes moisture that can be trapped in between walls, under floors, or behind appliances. Over time, lingering damp can also cause mold spores to form. Mold isn’t just unsightly; it can cause symptoms, permanently damage the surface it's growing on, and can easily spread to cause further damage to walls and floors.

What is a Full-Service Water Restoration Company?

A full-service restoration company is one that doesn’t just deal with one part of the cleanup process after a water damage incident but instead handles the entire job from start to finish.

SERVPRO of Richardson is a full-service restoration company in Dallas Fort Worth. Rather than having to hire different companies to pump out water, assess the damage, and carry out repairs, many homeowners and renters choose to let us handle the entire recovery process as they focus on getting the rest of their life back in order.

Our full-service water damage restoration process varies from home to home, but the basic principles apply to every case.

Assessing Your Water Damage

In the case of water damage, a full-service restoration company will begin by making an assessment of the damage done. This includes inspecting damaged possessions and determining what can be saved or repaired and what must be disposed of or claimed against an insurance policy. They can also inspect the fabric of a property and decide how to approach removing water and repairing the damage.

Water Removal

The second step is to remove water from the property. This may be done using pumps or specialized water vacuums that can remove water from carpets, walls and other absorbent surfaces.

Drying

Once as much water as possible has been removed, the process of drying out can begin. This may involve using dehumidifiers and other specialized equipment to dry out the fabric of the building and remove moisture that cannot be seen or felt. Your full-service restoration company will have access to water-sensing technology that can tell when a surface is truly dry and when unseen moisture still remains.

Cleaning & Restoration

Once your property is dry, cleaning and restoration can begin. This may involve cleaning and refinishing items to their original condition. A full-service water restoration company can clean:

Clothing and textiles - we are Esporta Wash System Certified
Electronics
Furniture

If your items need to be stored while your home’s restoration is completed, we also offer short and long-term storage solutions. Your items can be packed out and then returned to you at your convenience.

Reconstruction

Finally, if a property has experienced any damage to its structure, a full-service water damage restoration company will rebuild any part of it. Reconstruction is almost always approved as part of a homeowner’s insurance claim.

Our reconstruction services included:

Carpet restoration
Drywall rebuild
Painting
Flooring replacement
Cabinetry repair and replacement
Post-construction cleanup
And more

A full-service company like SERVPRO of Richardson will handle every detail of the reconstruction, right down to sourcing paint and liaising with your insurance company. It’s our mission to restore a property to its preloss state and make any damage “Like it never even happened.”

Filing a Water Damage Claim

Many of our clients have never had to file a homeowner’s claim before. While it’s great news that your property hasn’t had previous claim, we understand this means that some guidance is necessary to feel comfortable during the process.

We work with every insurance company, and we help file thousands of claims every year. Our team of administrators work with insurance adjusters on a daily basis, and we know how to navigate the claims process. We’re happy to assist you as well.

Full-Service Restoration for Water Damage in Dallas-Fort Worth

SERVPRO of Richardson is a 30+ year veteran of water damage restoration. We are available to all residential and commercial properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our office is located on the border of Richardson and Plano, TX.

Working with our franchise gives you access to our decades of expertise, the most advanced specialist equipment, and our friendly and professional team.

Crucially, we are available 24/7 to attend immediately when disaster strikes, allowing you to begin the restoration process promptly and prevent mold and other damage from getting a foothold.

Do you have any questions or need a free estimate? Call or contact us today. We’re here to help!

Does My Building Need Commercial Duct Cleaning?

8/12/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial duct cleaning is offered by SERVPRO of Richardson for any property in DFW.

Commercial Duct Cleaning in Dallas, Fort Worth

If you look up right now and find a duct, do you see dust surrounding it?

If it’s been a while since your last duct cleaning, the good news is that commercial air duct cleaning is a simple process, and getting it scheduled and done will most likely be an easy task.

As a commercial building owner or manager, you’ve got a lot on your plate regarding regular building maintenance. You’ve probably got a maintenance crew or two that handles various tasks such as taking care of the parking lot, landscaping, and cleaning within the public areas of the building. The truth is, duct cleaning is often overlooked.

Consider the following reasons why most of our clients consider commercial air duct cleaning.

Preventative: Air Duct Cleaning Maintenance

Preventative maintenance may help improve the air quality in the building for employees and visitors. Air ducts that have not been cleaned in years can hold an accumulation of dust and debris, which can be circulated through the air whenever the air conditioner is running.

You may need to consider air duct cleaning maintenance if:

You can see dust around your air vent opening.
Your AC bills are getting higher (it may be a sign of a clogged duct making the AC work harder to cool your property).
The air from the vent isn’t blowing as strongly as before.
Your workplaces are getting dusty more often.
Employees are experiencing increased symptoms like allergies.

Not Sure if you Need Commercial Air Vent Cleaning?

If you need your commercial ductwork inspected, just contact us or give us a call now to schedule us to come out. We’ll take a look inside your vents and can tell you if your ductwork is in need of cleaning.

FDA Cleaning Inspections

A common reason that many properties, especially commercial manufacturing buildings, need their air ducts cleaned is to prepare for an inspection from the Food and Drug Administration. We receive calls many of our manufacturing clients often to keep their commercial ductwork clean. We know how important inspections are, and we make sure to get the job done right. You can trust us, too, to help you pass your inspection.

If you have an upcoming FDA inspection, give us a call and let us know what you need. Along with commercial air duct cleaning, we can also clean your carpets and sanitize hard surfaces to food-grade clean.

Mold in Air Ducts

There are, of course, also times when you need to have commercial air duct cleaning performed, such as when mold is present in the air ducts. In cases with mold, commercial air vent cleaning is a must.

If your building experiences high humidity, or if there is water leaking into one of the air ducts, mold can grow. Mold spores can circulate through the building each time the AC system turns on and what started as an isolated problem can turn into a bigger project quickly.

In Texas, it’s especially important to have your mold remediated as soon as you find it. Texas Mold Law dictates that mold growth that is 25-contiguous square feet and above is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which means more paperwork, mandatory waiting periods, and more mold remediation professionals to coordinate with (read more details here).

We have extensive experience in commercial mold remediation, and we’re also a licensed Texas Mold Remediation Contractor.

If we find mold in your commercial ductwork, we’ll be able to help.

Cleaning Air Ducts After a Fire

Another time when commercial ductwork becomes a must-do is when a property has experienced a fire. After a fire, soot and smoke particles may settle in the air ducts and then blow around your building. Soot may contain carcinogens, so it’s important that it be removed.

When a fire occurs, smoke naturally moves to the cooler areas of the room it’s located in. Most of the time, that is the HVAC and ductwork system. This is why it’s very common to see smoke and soot clogged ductwork after commercial fire damage. When we prepare a property for fire damage cleanup, the air ducts is always one of the first places we inspect.

Rodent Infestation in Air Ducts

Additionally, air ducts can become a prime environment for rodents, roaches, and other pests to nest. Rodent debris can also be circulated throughout the building when the fan is turned on. These situations usually happen in buildings with high humidity and other pest-favorable conditions, but even every building can suffer from this problem.

How Often Should Commercial Ductwork Be Cleaned?

If it has been about five (5) years since the system was last cleaned, we recommend getting your commercial ductwork inspected. A commercial cleaning expert will be able to tell you if your ductwork needs cleaning or is still good to go.

Benefits of Duct Cleaning

Getting commercial air duct cleaning performed as preventative maintenance offers a number of benefits both for the building and for the people within. For starters, the air quality may be improved and cleaning lets you know your air ducts are absent of mold spores, dust, and other small bits of debris.

Removing dust and debris also helps to improve the life of your building’s HVAC system, which can otherwise suffer in performance if dust and debris are allowed to build up over time. The components will last longer and work better as well, consuming less energy because the motor and the fan will not need to work as hard to efficiently distribute the air.

Why You Need a Professional Commercial Air Vent Cleaning Service

Commercial air duct cleaning requires specialized tools to properly gather all the debris in your ducts without causing the ductwork any harm. Experienced air vent cleaning professionals will also know how to handle different types of commercial ductwork and will know how to prevent contaminating other areas of your property while the ductwork is being cleaned.

Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Process

To properly perform commercial air duct cleaning, professionals arrive with a duct cleaning machine—typically a truck-mounted vacuum for small commercial buildings or portable equipment for large commercial buildings. The equipment is designed so that the brush and suction can reach the entire duct.

The equipment also typically comes with a camera that is snaked into the duct so that the technicians can verify that the duct has been successfully cleaned. Professionals have been trained so that none of the ductwork is damaged during the cleaning. Afterward, if the technicians deem it necessary, a sealant can also be sprayed into the ductwork to prevent future dust buildup.

Depending on the complexity of your property, this work can take anywhere from a few hours to multiple days.

For your convenience, we offer after-hours and overnight commercial air duct cleaning to help you keep business interruption to a minimum.

How Much Does Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Cost?

A professional commercial air duct cleaning service will need to send a technician to your commercial building in order to provide an estimate. The estimate will be based on the size of the building and the scope of the work to be performed.

Take the time to ask questions and voice any concerns you may have so that you are fully aware of the process and how long it will take.

We Provide Commercial Duct Cleaning Services Near You

SERVPRO of Richardson is available to anyone in North Texas, and we are always happy to provide a free estimate. Contact or call us today!

Dallas Flooding Leads to Black Mold Removal

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Richardson specializes in water damage restoration in Dallas Fort Worth. We've restored thousands of properties since 1986.

Water Mitigation and Mold Remediation in Dallas

What was already a difficult situation for the Johnson family became more of a headache when they found out their flooded home had mold growing underneath their flooring. The mold was discovered during water damage cleanup when a severe storm flooded their backyard and the water flooded their kitchen and living room. What was supposed to a typical flood repair in Dallas ended up also becoming black mold remediation.

Months before the storm, the Johnsons had what they thought was a small leak behind their refrigerator. They called a plumber who fixed the leak, and the family mopped up the water themselves. They thought that would be the end of their small water damage, but it was only after their floor was ruined after the storm and the boards were pulled up that they realized their previous water damage was actually the cause for mold growth underneath their wood floors.

Dallas Storm Damage

When a severe storm in Dallas dumped inches of rain in a matter of a few hours, the Johnson’s yard began to flood. The family attempted to keep the water out by putting all of their towels underneath their sliding door to their backyard. Yet, the water still rose above their door’s threshold when their drainage system became clogged from storm debris.

When our technicians arrived at the Johnson's house, the first thing we did was remove the storm damage debris from their yard in an effort to help the yard drainage begin to work. This helped alleviate some of the problem, but there was still water inside the house that needed to be extracted immediately.

Contaminated Water

Water from floods that rises from the ground up is considered to be contaminated. We consider this water to be Category 3 which means it has the potential to be hazardous to a person’s health. The reason flood waters are considered contaminated is because they have touched the ground where many pesticides and other unknown factors have mixed with it.

When our technicians are cleaning Category 3 water, they take into consideration the safety of all occupants. We spray sanitizer before and after water removal to make sure that everyone is safe during the water removal process.

Learn more about water categories by reading our article Classification of Water and Water Category.

Demolition

Because storm damage water is contaminated, properties that experience flooding need demolition. This is why many homes that needed flood cleanup in Texas after Hurricane Harvey had a portion of their drywall cut and removed. For the Johnsons, this was also the case. The drywall the water had touched was permanently ruined and had to be removed. Unfortunately, this was also true for their flooring in their kitchen and living room.

It was when the kitchen and living room flooring was being removed that we found mold growth underneath the boards. Because the family had called us immediately when the water came in from the storm, we knew that not enough time had passed for mold to begin growing from the storm’s water damage. Instead, what we found was mold from their previous water damage which we traced back to their refrigerator leak months ago that was not properly remediated.

It was at this point that what was already a difficult situation for the Johnson family became more of a nightmare as we needed to now include mold remediation as part of their cleanup project.

Mold Inspection

Upon discovering mold, our licensed mold contractor visited the Johnson’s property. The mold that was present in the house was on the kitchen floor and the adjoining living room floor. We came up with a mold remediation plan and got to work immediately.

Black Mold Removal in Dallas Fort Worth

In order to prevent the mold from going airborne and traveling to other portions of the Johnson’s family house, our technicians installed mold containment. Mold containment is when we isolate the mole infested areas in the home with a floor-to-ceiling covering. We also installed HEPA vacuums two remove airborne particles. For the Johnson family, this meant that mold containment was set up both in their kitchen and their living room.

With the containment set up and the HEPA vacuums running, our mold remediation technicians removed the Johnson’s flooring and began removing the black mold in their home.

It’s not uncommon to find black mold in Dallas Fort Worth, especially after water damage restoration. The natural environment found in our area of the world is conducive to this type of mold. While many articles have been written about mold symptoms related to the toxicity of black mold such as Stachybotrys Chartarum, there are actually thousands of different types of molds, many of which also have a black color.

Structural Drying

Because of the Johnson’s flood, we had to make sure that their property was properly dried. Correct structural drying helps prevent damage to walls and flooring, and it also helps prevent future mold. Our team set-up dehumidification equipment and created a drying plan. The Johnson’s property was monitored every day to make sure that our drying plan was proceeding and working to plan.

Homeowner’s Insurance and Water Damage Repair in Dallas

Every insurance policy is different, and only your insurance company can tell you what your policy covers in the event of water damage to your home. If your insurance company considers your water damage to be caused by a flood, they may not cover your claim. For this reason, it is important to consider flood insurance for your property, especially if you live in a flood zone.

Fortunately, the Johnson family had considered flood insurance before and purchased a policy that covered the cost of their storm caused water damage remediation. Their regular homeowner's insurance covered other costs of their mold remediation.

Flood Insurance

If you're unsure if you're living in a flood zone please check out FEMA's website here. Even though we do not live in a coastal region, there are still many flood zones in Dallas. If you are interested in purchasing flood insurance, contact an insurance agent that can sell you a policy.

To learn more about flood insurance, read FEMA's article The National Flood Insurance Program.

Reconstruction

Many water damage companies are only able to help you extract the water and dry your structure. But when demolition needs to happen and your drywall has been cut away and your floor removed, the next step to actually getting your property back the way it was before the damage is to rebuild what was torn out.

We are one of the few full-service Texas disaster restoration companies that can handle your Dallas restoration claim from beginning to end.

For the Johnson family, this meant that after we were done with their mold remediation and their water damage, our reconstruction team was able to get their homeowners insurance to approve the replacement of the drywall, fresh paint, new floorboards, and a new floor for their kitchen and living room.

In a matter of just a few weeks, the Johnson family’s living room and kitchen were put back together, and their disaster was “Like it never even happened.”

How to Prevent Mold Growth in Home after Water Damage

Whenever you have water damage, no matter how small it is, it’s a necessity to get your property dried. Mold grows and dark, moist environments and will continue to grow unless it is removed completely. Even a few mold spores can end up causing property damage if it's allowed to fester. There are many companies that offer mold clean up in Dallas. Make sure they are licensed by the State of Texas, and choose one that also offers reconstruction services in case they need to demolition any part of your home.

If you've taken care of what was a small water damage and you are wondering if you have properly dried your home, give us a call. We will be able to inspect your property and check for any wet spots that may have been missed.

To learn more about preventing mold after water damage, read our article.

Leader in Mold Cleanup and Water Damage Restoration in Dallas

SERVPRO Richardson is a trusted leader in Texas disaster restoration. We are an expert mold removal company in Richardson, TX, and we have helped restore thousands of homes and businesses in our hometown for over 30 years. We know how to properly clean and restore all properties, and we have performed residential and commercial restoration in Dallas, Fort Worth, Lewisville, Garland, McKinney, Waxahachie, and Plano, TX. Our SERVPRO in Dallas franchise also has a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License. We offer free mold inspections in Dallas and all North Texas. Besides residential services, we also offer commercial mold remediation. You can trust us to handle all your residential and commercial restoration and cleaning service needs.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 986-7677. Call us any time!

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We're a locally owned and operated business. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Hospital Affected by Water Damage in Dallas

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Richardson is a leader in Texas disaster restoration. We've restored thousands of properties since 1986.

24-hour Emergency Response

When there is water damage in DFW, we are ready to respond 24 hours a day. The last place that we like hearing about having water damage is a hospital. When we received a call about a flooded hospital with an emergency water damage in Dallas, we knew we needed to work as fast as possible.

Hospitals cannot be shut down. When they have an emergency, we’ll help them no matter what time of day it is. For this hospital, their water damage happened in the middle of the night.

Within 30 minutes of their phone call, a team of our Dallas restoration managers were on site inspecting the water damage. Minutes later, our water remediation technicians arrived and began to execute the managers' water damage restoration plan.

Multistory Water Damage Inspection

The water damage this hospital experienced happened across a portion of two different floors. When a pipe burst on the upper floor, it flooded the hallways and rooms. The water also found its way down to the floor directly underneath it by escaping through the ceiling. Our restoration managers were you able to find exactly where the water traveled to by using thermal imaging cameras.

After our technicians extracted all of the water from the flooring, walls, and ceiling, it was time to set up a drying plan. We needed a drying plan that achieved our goal to open the hospital rooms for patient care as quickly as possible.

Water Classification and Category

There are three different water classifications and categories that we use in the restoration industry. Classifying water helps us determine the safest way to handle the damage.

For this hospital, we were lucky to find that the water was Category 1 which meant it was clean. Clean water can be removed quickly because the areas do not have to be sanitized. Learn more about water classification by reading our article Classification of Water and Water Category.

Water Extraction

It took just a few hours for our technicians to extract all of the water from the flooded hospital floors. Although the water was Category 1, our technicians still sanitized every area the water touched due to the nature of this environment needing to be as sanitary as possible.

Proving Sanitation with TPA Testing

It's never enough to apply a sanitizer onto an area and hope that it does its job correctly. Chemicals need a specific dwell time to work effectively. It’s important for us to know that the job was done properly, especially in an environment where patient safety is the main concern.

Our office uses TPA testing to make sure that our sanitation efforts have worked. TPA stands for adenosine triphosphate. We test TPA levels on surfaces to scientifically validate the results of our cleaning.

Our cleaning technicians tested all the areas that we sanitized by using TPA reader. Any areas that scored higher than a zero for TPA were immediately cleaned again. It was only when areas tested zero that anyone was allowed back into that area.

A zero score on a TPA test means it is food-grade safe. This means that the area is clean enough to eat from without the risk of biological hazard.

Dehumidification and a Commercial Desiccant

When we are drying a structure after water damage, we make sure everything is dried properly. A correctly dried structure helps avoid mold and permanent damage. In a small water damage, a few professional dehumidifiers is usually enough to correctly dry the structure. In a large loss like this hopsital, the use of a commercial desiccant is needed.

A desiccant is a very large and specialized dehumidifier that is a specially made for large areas. Our office temporarily installed a desiccant to dry the structure’s vast air space.

Water Damaged Paper Health Records

When the water damage occurred, a significant amount of water found its way into one of the hospitals records room. In a matter of just minutes, thousands of patient files were wet. Due to the sensitive nature of these files and healthcare privacy laws, this paperwork needed to be saved.

There are many water restoration companies in DFW, but few have the capability to save damaged paperwork. We knew from other water damages in schools and libraries how to respond to the hospital’s need to salvage important paperwork. We also knew we had to act quickly to save the paperwork’s integrity. Before the paper is permanently damaged we brought a refrigerated truck and loaded sealed boxes of sensitive paperwork into it. Inside the truck, the boxes of papers were quickly frozen. Once the truck was loaded, it immediately left to the SERVPRO sublimation chamber where the documents underwent restoration services.

Saving Water Damaged Paper with Sublimation

The SERVPRO sublimation chamber is state-of-the-art equipment created to save water-damaged paperwork.

The first step is to freeze the paperwork as quickly as possible. The freezing stops the paper from falling apart. The paperwork needs to stay frozen until the sublimation process can begin. This is why we immediately freeze paperwork and keep it a frozen state as it travels to our chamber.

Sublimation is the process where water goes from a frozen state directly to air. Usually, the stages of water mean that it will go from frozen to liquid to air. Sublimation skips the liquid part which makes it possible for water damaged paper to be saved. The paper goes directly from a frozen state to dry.

Sublimation is a very sophisticated process that very few disaster restoration companies in the nation can accomplish. With the use of the SERVPRO sublimation chamber, this hospital was able to save all its patient paperwork.

After the sublimation was done, the documentation was once again loaded onto a truck and delivered back to the hospital.

Commercial Property Insurance

Our office administrators were able to contact the hospital's insurance company within just a few minutes of their water damage happening. We were able to establish the hospital’s claim and get their entire project approved within a few hours.

There are many water removal companies in DFW. Our franchise has over 30 years of water restoration in Dallas. We’ve restored thousands of properties, and we work with all insurance companies to handle commercial water removal in Dallas Fort Worth. Trust us to help you. When properties need water damage repair in Dallas, we’re their first call. Our franchise has the expertise to work with insurance adjusters and make sure that water damage claims are processed correctly and quickly. We are one of the few full-service water damage repair companies available. We can help from start to end -- from emergency water removal to construction. If any commercial mold remediation is needed, we’re licensed for that, too.

Leader in Water Damage Restoration in Dallas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted fire and water damage restoration company in Dallas, TX. We have the expertise and experience to properly restore all properties needing water mitigation in Dallas Fort Worth. We have performed residential and commercial restoration in Dallas, Fort Worth, Lewisville, Garland, McKinney, Waxahachie, and Plano, TX. Our SERVPRO in Dallas franchise also has a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License. We offer free mold inspections in Dallas and all North Texas. You can trust us to handle all your residential and commercial restoration and cleaning service needs.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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We are locally owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

How to Find Mold in Commercial Properties

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Richardson specializes in commercial mold cleanup in Dallas Fort Worth.

Commercial Mold Cleanup in Dallas Fort Worth

Commercial properties usually have a lot more space than the average property to grow mold. The size of a commercial property alone makes mold remediation inspection an important undertaking. When mold is found in a commercial property, it should be remediated as quickly as possible to prevent the issue from growing.

Our franchise is a licensed Texas Mold Remediation Contractor, and we have helped many businesses and commercial property owners properly remediate the mold on their properties.

To prevent mold from becoming an issue, we recommend inspecting your property for mold at least once a quarter. These are the most likely places for mold growth in a commercial property.

Mold in Bathrooms

Bathrooms are a good place to look because there are so many places that water flows through them. Look behind sinks, especially if they are in close to the cabinet, and behind and around every toilet. If you see any pipes leaking, call a plumber and get it taken care of immediately.

Mold in Kitchens or Kitchenettes

Many businesses have small kitchens for their staff to use. If you have a kitchen area, look for leaks wherever the sink is and around any cabinetry. If you have a refrigerator or ice maker in this area, also inspect the area surrounding it.

Make sure to also look inside all of your cabinets. There may be pipes running water behind the walls, and if there is a small leak behind it, you may not notice it until you see water spots on the drywall or cabinet.

Sinks

Many industrial settings have multiple sinks around their property. Look for leaks around every sink you have on your property.

Break Areas

Break areas are popular places for mold growth due to spills and leaking vending machines. Look behind vending machines and see if there is excessive moisture behind it. If the machine is not operating correctly, there may be too much condensation that can then turn into a source of mold growth.

Mold Around Water Fountains

While not all commercial properties have water fountains, they are still widely used in public buildings such as schools and libraries. Look for mold growth around every water fountain in your facility. Make sure to have absorbent mats to absorb any spilled water around these areas. These mats should be cleaned and left to completely dry on a daily basis.n If you see the floor loosening or becoming a different color around your water fountain, this is a sign that water is being allowed to absorb into the floor.

Ice Makers

Look for water leaking from the ice maker on a regular basis.

Freezers

Just like ice makers, freezers are common in many commercial properties, especially industrial kitchens. Look for leaking water around your freezer. The smell of must means mold is likely already growing.

Mold in Laundry Areas

There tends to be some water spillage every day in a laundry area, and this water should be cleaned up quickly. Another aspect to look out for is a leak from the many pipes that carry water. If your laundry machines are close to the wall, make the effort to look behind them on a regular basis to ensure that there is no mold growth or moisture.

Mold in Showers

Some industrial properties have showers, but they are mostly placed in areas like gyms or places that host sporting activities. Communal gyms are a very popular place for mold because moisture is almost constantly introduced into the area. Showers also tend to not be regularly cleaned. If you are charged with the upkeep of a shower, make sure that there is a way to remove the moisture from the air as it's introduced into the environment.

Windows

Windows that are not sealed properly let precipitation into a building after a storm or even on a regular morning with dew in the air. A convenient time to check for moisture is after a storm. Look at your windows and ensure that no water has been able to break the moisture barrier. If you see any water, repair the moisture barrier quickly.

Doors

Doors have the same situation that windows do in case of storms. Check your moisture barriers around your doors, especially on the bottom, to make sure that water stays out.

Loading Areas or Garage Doors

Because loading areas have a lot of interaction with the outdoors and typically have vehicles coming in and out, it's important to make sure that these areas remain dry. Not only is this a matter of personnel safety, but the water that is allowed to stay indoors will eventually become a problem.

Mold in Previous Sites of Water Damage

Previous sites of water damage are also places where we ask to inspect when we are looking for mold. The reason for this is that those places have seen higher-than-average moisture content for a period of time. If the water damage remediation in that area was not done correctly, moisture was left behind and likely caused mold growth.

We recommend only hiring reputable water damage restoration companies to handle your water damage. Always ask to see the drying logs from the company you have hired to make sure that they dried your property correctly.

Mold in Air Ducts and around HVAC Systems

The areas around AC units are usually places with problems. If your unit is placed on the roof of your commercial building, make sure that the unit is inspected and working properly so no water pooling occurs. If you also notice moisture in your HVAC system, this is a sign that there is likely something blocking the air duct. In this case, we recommend you schedule an air duct cleaning.

Mold in Water Heaters

Water heaters tend to be enclosed in dark spaces, which create a perfect environment for mold. If your water heater is enclosed, make sure to expect it regularly to see if any water is leaking. If you see any leak, no matter how small, make sure it’s taken care of.

Many water damages in DFW are caused by water heater failure. In a matter of just a few hours, entire homes have been flooded. Be sure to upkeep with your water heater maintenance. If you do have a water heater leak and need water cleanup in Dallas Fort Worth, we are available 24 hours a day.

Mold Inspection in Dallas Fort Worth

If you are interested in a professional mold inspection, give us a call anytime. We are happy to visit your property and inspect it for mold growth.

Mold inspections and estimates are always free and available to all businesses in North Texas. Give us a call today.

Commercial Mold Remediation

If you find mold during one of your routine inspections or we find mold during our inspection, we can help. We have helped restore thousands of properties since we began servicing Dallas-Fort Worth in 1986. We are a licensed contractor for the state of Texas, and we have the experience you need remediate your mold quickly safely and legally.

Unfortunately, many commercial properties only find mold when it has grown past the 25 contiguous feet the state of Texas allows before it becomes mandatory for the mold remediation to be filed with the state.

We understand that businesses interruption is expensive, and any mold remediation project that occurs on your property has to happen quickly and correctly. We routinely work with other businesses to remediate their mold problems after hours. This either minimizes business disruption or eliminates it completely. Give us a call to talk about how we can best serve your business to keep your employees safe and your business disruption at a minimum.

Mold Removal Companies in Dallas

There are many mold removal companies in Dallas to choose from. Many of them are specialized and cannot also offer water damage cleanup services even though they are usually the cause of mold growth. We are proud to be one of the SERVPRO Dallas franchises that offer both in-house mold remediation and water damage repair in Dallas Fort Worth. Our ability to be a full-service mold remediation company is what makes us a leader in Dallas restoration.

Black Mold Removal in Dallas

Black mold remediation requires the same process of any other kind of mold remediation. We often receive calls about black mold in Dallas Fort Worth. It’s understandable why black mold is a major concern. There have been many news articles talking about the toxicity of black mold like stachybotrys chartarum. There are many types of mold. Rest assured that our franchise is a licensed Texas Mold Remediation contractor, and we have experience removing black mold from all properties.

Trusted Leader in Mold Remediation in Dallas, TX

SERVPRO Richardson is a trusted leader in mold removal and water mitigation in Dallas. We are an expert water restoration company, and we have helped clean up homes and businesses in our hometown for over 30 years. We know how to properly clean and restore all properties, and we have performed residential services and commercial restoration in Dallas, Fort Worth, Lewisville, Ennis, Garland, McKinney, Waxahachie, and Plano, TX. We have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections in Dallas and all DFW.

If your property requires mold clean up in Dallas Fort Worth, give us a call. You can trust us to handle all your residential and commercial restoration and cleaning services.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 986-7677. Call us any time!

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We're a locally owned and operated business. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Fire Damage Restoration: Dallas Apartments

1/8/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Richardson is a trusted leader in fire damage restoration in Dallas, TX. We have serviced Dallas Fort Worth since 1986.

Fire Restoration in Dallas

When a Dallas apartment fire happens, many units are usually affected. While the apartment that originally caught fire will have the most fire damage, surrounding apartments will also need clean up. For example, the apartments on either side of the originally affected apartment will usually have damaged adjoining walls. They will also have significant smoke damage. Other surrounding apartments, even if they are three or four units away, may also need smoke damage restoration. Some apartments fire are bad enough to affect the roof of multiple units.

SERVPRO of Richardson regularly responds to Fort Worth and Dallas fire damage in apartment complexes. We’ve handled every size of fire damage from a small, smoke only stove fire, to a large fire that started and spread to dozens of units.

Apartment Renter Considerations

Renter’s Insurance and Fire Remediation

When you sign your lease agreement, you may or may not have to get renter’s insurance. Renter's insurance isn't legally mandatory, but some apartment complexes still require you to get it in case of an emergency. If there is fire damage in your apartment complex, your renter's insurance can cover the cost of fire damage cleanup for everything inside of your unit.

Our franchise is a leader in Dallas restoration. We have worked with many insurance companies to handle renter's insurance claims during disaster restoration situations. You will be assigned an administrator from our office who will be tasked with working with your insurance adjuster to make sure that your claim is handled appropriately. Because the apartment complex usually takes care of the unit itself, you as a renter will usually only be concerned with cleaning the smoke damage from your contents and clothing.

When to Call A Fire and Water Damage Restoration Company

As soon as you realize there is fire damage to your apartment unit, give us a call. We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Your apartment complex nor your insurance company can tell you which fire damage restoration company to use. It is solely your choice.

By law, no one can tell you who to use or punish you if you choose a different company other than the one they might recommend.

When you call us, we will go to your unit and inspect the type of fire damage your contents have sustained. We will create an inventory of every item in your apartment and report it to your insurance company as either salvageable or unsalvageable. We will also let your insurance adjuster what fire damage restoration services you need.

Salvageable Items

Salvageable items are those that can be cleaned and completely restored back to how they were before the fire. These items are packed up and taken to our cleaning facilities where they are sanitized and deodorized of all smoke particles. The items are then either stored until your apartment has been cleaned and you move back in, or they can be moved to wherever you are living.

Unsalvageable Items

Unsalvageable items are those that have been destroyed by the fire. They cannot be cleaned and saved. With these items, we take inventory and report them to your insurance company. Your insurance adjuster will receive a list of all of the items that were permanently damaged in the fire along with a suggested price for a replacement. Ultimately, it is up to your insurance adjuster to decide how to replace these items for you.

Sometimes items may be burnt beyond recognition and may not be replaced as it is impossible to tell what they once were. For this reason, we strongly recommend you have a home inventory of your items before any disaster occurs. A home inventory will provide proof of your items to your insurance adjuster.

How to Get Smoke Damage Out of Clothes

It's understandable that one of the first things that someone needs after fire damage is clothing. Regular washing machines do not take the fire smoke odor out of clothes. In fact, some clothing can be permanently damaged when they are put into a regular washing machine after a fire smoke damage.

It's best to trust professional textile cleaners to wash your fire and smoke damaged clothes. One of the first things that our office will do when we arrive is pack up your entire wardrobe. In a matter of fewer than two days, we can wash and remove fire smoke odor from 100 pounds of your clothing and return it to you immediately. We know you need a wardrobe to live from while the rest of your unit is being restored, and we are dedicated to providing you with one.

We are one of the few Texas disaster restoration businesses that are certified by the Esporta Wash System. This makes us uniquely qualified to sanitize and remove smoke odor from all types of clothing and textiles, including blankets, shoes, stuffed animals, and much else.

It's important to understand that taking fire smoke and soot affected items to a traditional dry cleaner may not get your items clean.

Our Esporta Wash System uses natural detergents to clean your items with water using the science behind hydraulic pressure. The result is a sanitized item with a near neutral pH that is safe and comfortable to wear again. Our office has one of the highest rates of clothing fire smoke odor restoration with over 85% success rate. To learn more about our cleaning process, please read our article.

Moving Services

In order for the apartment unit to be cleaned, everything that is inside of it usually has to be taken out. All of your items will be packed and moved to our cleaning facility where they will have all smoke and soot cleaned away and deodorized. Your items can either be stored in our long-term storage facility or they can be dropped off at your new living quarters.

Temporary and Long-Term Storage

SERVPRO Richardson has its own storage for our customers. We have the capability to store items of all sizes for a short-term or long-term period. What our customers need items back, we simply move them to their new living location.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Business disruption is extremely expensive, and we understand that you need to get your apartment units cleaned and running again. Our goal is to make sure that all of your units are clean and safe again for your renters so they can move back in.

While your renters will each have their own and renter’s insurance company handling their portion of their claims, we will also work with you and your insurance company to make sure that your claim is approved and all of your units are clean and reconstructed as soon as possible.

Commercial Property Insurance

We work with all insurance companies and adjusters. We have processed thousands of insurance claims over our 30 years of experience, and we know exactly how to process apartment complex fire damages. As soon as you call your insurance company and get your claim number, give our office a call so that our administrators can get in contact with your insurance adjuster to start processing your claim immediately.

By law, your insurance company cannot tell you which fire damage restoration company to use. It is your choice. When you choose to work with SERVPRO Richardson as your fire damage restoration company, trust that you have one of the most experienced and trusted leaders and fire damage restoration working for you.

Emergency Roof Tarping

One of the first things that you are responsible for as an apartment complex owner is to install temporary protective measures to prevent secondary damage. Emergency fire damage services such as roof tarping and board-ups are exactly this. Secondary damage is any damage that happens after the fire that could have been prevented if emergency measures were taken. If your insurance company finds that you did not take proper care of your property after fire damage, it has the ability to deny your claim. This is why emergency services are so important after fire damage.

When a roof is damaged during a fire, it has to be covered with weatherproof tarping. Our technicians will install the temporary tarp to make sure that precipitation does not enter the unit and cause secondary damage such as water damage or mold growth.

After the temporary roof tarping is installed, we will take roof measurements and turn in an estimate to your insurance company so that we can have a permanent roof replacement.

Emergency Board up

Just like emergency roof tarping, fire damage will also likely need emergency board up services. This is when we install boards on damaged doors, windows, and outer walls. This is important to prevent weather from coming inside of the building and causing secondary damage. It also tells possible thieves that the property is being taken care of. It's an unfortunate fact that theft often occurs when a fire damaged property is not boarded up.

If weather conditions prevent us from safely boarding up or tarping your apartment complex, we will hire a live security guard to stand watch for 24 hours a day until our technicians can safely work.

Apartment Fire Damage Cleanup

It is very likely that your renters' contents will all have to be removed from the unit for us to be able to properly clean it. We will work with your renter directly and their renter's insurance company to pay for the moving and cleaning of their items to our cleaning facility. Even though your renters may all have different renters insurance companies, our office will handle all of them individually.

We will remove the contents from all apartments as fast as possible so that we can get the cleanup of your units started quickly.

There are different types of smoke and soot depending on what items were burned during the fire. Every type of smoke needs a different type of cleaning method. Our technicians are experienced and will identify the type of smoke and clean it properly. If the apartment units have carpeting, we will perform carpet restoration services at this time as well.

If any part of the unit is permanently damaged, our technicians will demolition that portion of the unit and prepare it for reconstruction.

Fire Smoke Odor Removal

Smoke damage restoration is necessary. You know your apartment is cleaned of all smoke and soot when you were able to walk in and not recognize that there was ever a fire inside. Fire smoke odor removal and deodorization after fire damage are important, and the most important reason is the health of the occupant.

Our office uses HEPA vacuum filtration to make sure that all smoke particles are removed from the air. Along with fire damage cleanup, we may also use other deodorant removal techniques such as fogging and ozone to ensure that all fire smoke odor is removed.

Reconstruction

Once the apartment unit has been thoroughly cleaned and deodorized, it is time for the apartment to be put back together. Any part of the unit that was permanently burned will now be replaced by a reconstruction team. The result is an apartment that looked the same as it was before the fire occurred.

Leader in Fire Restoration: Dallas, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in the fire damage Dallas industry. We are based out of Dallas, TX, and we have helped clean up homes and businesses in our hometown for over 30 years. We know how to properly clean and restore all properties, and we have performed residential and commercial restoration in Dallas, Lewisville, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Allen, Ennis, and Plano, TX. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections in all DFW. You can trust us to handle all your residential and commercial restoration and cleaning services.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 986-7677. Call us any time!

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We are a family owned and operated business. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Commercial Mold Cleanup Dallas, TX

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson has been a trusted leader in Texas disaster restoration since 1986. We have restored thousands of homes and businesses.

Mold can be disruptive to a business. If you find mold on your commercial property, it’s important to get it remediated quickly to avoid disrupting your business any further. The longer mold is allowed to fester, the more the mold will grow and cause damage to your building.

The best time to remediate mold is as soon as you find it. If mold grows larger than 25 square contiguous square feet, then Texas state mold protocol becomes mandated. The time for mold that has to be cleared by the state is longer, which causes a bigger disruption to business operations.

Businesses that need mold remediation have important factors to consider when choosing a mold remediation company.

24 Hour Mold Remediation

Business disruption is expensive and has to be minimized as much as possible. We understand how important it is for the disruption of the mold remediation project to either be minimized or eliminated altogether. We have successfully completed many commercial mold remediation projects by simply scheduling our work after business hours.

Our offices are open 24 hours a day. This gives our franchise the unique ability to schedule mold remediation at any time that is convenient to your business. In past projects, we have scheduled mold cleanup:

After business hours (after 5 P.M.)
Overnight
During weekends
During popular holidays when employees are away from the building

We’re willing to work with you to find the best time for your mold remediation project.

If your business is a 24 hour operation like us, we will work to find ways to minimize the interruption of the mold clean up as much as possible. We can usually accomplish this by using mold containment.

Containment for Mold

Containment means we will isolate the mold affected area so the spores will not be allowed to spread to other areas of your property. This is especially important if your employees begin to experience mold symptoms or you have customers that need to enter your property.

Our mold technicians will set up floor to ceiling containment and run HEPA air scrubbers if needed.

Containment can be set up immediately; we do not have to wait for Texas state approval. While we are happy to set up containment to help prevent mold growth, it is only a temporary solution as we make arrangements and get state approval for complete mold remediation.

Texas Mold Laws

Texas has mold laws that begin when mold has grown over 25 contiguous square feet. Mold that is smaller than that still needs to be remediated, but it does not have to be filed with Texas.

If your mold is over 25 contiguous feet, then it mold falls under Texas Mold Assessment And Remediation Rules (TMARR).

TMARR requires a Texas Licensed Mold Assessor to write a Mold Protocol. Since we are a mold contractor, we cannot legally choose an assessor for you. For a list of licensed mold assessment companies in Texas, please see the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation.

After you’ve received a mold protocol from a mold assessor, a Texas Licensed Mold Contractor (us) will file a Work Plan with the State of Texas. Once the Work Plan is filed, mold law mandates that we wait at least five (5) business days before starting your mold remediation. Our company will work with you to schedule your mold remediation as soon as the mandatory waiting period is over.

When we finish the mold remediation, the Mold Assessor has to check the cleaning to make sure it’s successful. If it is, they will issue a Clearance Document.

The Texas Licensed Mold contractor (us) can then issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation to you which documents that the mold cleanup was done successfully. Keep this document as part of your permanent records. It may come in handy if you should sell your property or have questions about the mold remediation from your insurance provider.

Mold Damage

Mold grows on surfaces of moist objects. If left to grow long enough, the mold will eventually damage the object it has been resting on. We have seen mold eat into wood, drywall, carpet, clothing, and even rubber and leather shoes.

The longer mold is allowed to fester, the more it has a chance of growing. Mold is a spore that is very small and light. When there is air movement near the mold, the spore will float into the air. When the airborne spore lands, it will have a chance to attach itself to a new surface and continue growing. The problem here is obvious -- the more mold there is, the higher the chance there is for spores to go airborne and infest another area of your property. This is why it’s so important to control mold growth as soon as it is found.

Mold Inspection

Our franchise has a Mold Remediation Contractor license with the state of Texas, and we offer no cost mold inspections to all properties in Dallas Fort Worth. If you are not sure whether you have mold or not, that’s okay. Give us a call to schedule your mold inspection, and we will be able to help.

You can also inspect your property for mold yourself. Follow our mold inspection recommendations.

Look for mold in the places most likely to have moisture. This includes:

Kitchens. Inspect for mold around sinks, behind the dishwasher, and behind any refrigerators, ice makers, and coolers.
Break rooms. Look for mold behind vending machines with a cooling component and behind water fountains.
Bathrooms. Look for mold under sinks and around toilets.
Laundry area. Look around every machine that uses water.
Around water heaters. If your water heater(s) are in an enclosed space, keep a closer eye on them. Enclosed, dark spaces that have any moisture introduced in them will create an excellent environment for mold growth.
Around air conditioning units if they are placed on the building’s roof
Around windows. Look to see if the window’s moisture barriers are still intact. If you see any moisture inside the building, dry the area and fix the window’s barriers.
Around doors. Look after a rainstorm to see if any water has permeated.
Any other part of your property that previously experienced water damage.

Other Commercial Services

If your commercial property requires other services, we are prepared to help. Our other commercial services include:

Commercial Mold Remediation: Dallas, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in the Texas disaster restoration industry and has the expertise to handle mold remediation in Dallas and all of North Texas. We are based out of Dallas, TX, and we have helped clean up homes and businesses in our hometown for over 30 years. We have performed residential and commercial restoration in Dallas, Garland, Denton, Grapevine, Ennis, Waxahachie, and other North Texas communities. We have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections in all DFW. You can trust us to handle your commercial restoration and cleaning mold needs.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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We are locally owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

SERVPRO Dallas Franchises' 1-4-8 Guideline

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in the fire and water restoration industry. We've serviced DFW since 1986.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

This isn’t just a catch phrase for us. When we say that SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster, we mean it. No other damage restoration company in Dallas Fort Worth will arrive faster to any disaster restoration job with the capability to start cleanup immediately.

How do we know we’ll always respond faster? All SERVPRO franchises in the nation uphold the 1-4-8 policy.

SERVPRO 1-4-8 Response Guideline

1 Hour: Service Arrangement

When anyone calls our business, we are committed to responding within 1 hour. Our office has a live on-call manager 24 hours a day ready to answer the phone as soon you call. We ask you pertinent questions about your emergency and then relay that information to our staff.

In our office, every customer is assigned to one administrator and one remediation manager. These two individuals are charged with making sure you are taken care of from beginning to end. Within the hour, they receive your information, understand what has happened, and are preparing crews of technicians to respond.

Within the same hour, we will also have technicians dispatched to your property or have scheduled your job for a future time and date of your choice.

4 Hours: Arrival

Within 4 hours of your call, a crew of technicians will arrive at your property ready to work. Our franchise is available to every residential and commercial property in Dallas Fort Worth plus surrounding counties. In most instances, we are able to arrive within 2 hours of your phone call.

While you’re waiting for our arrival, take these safety precautions to mind:

Water Damage Safety

If the water is contaminated, do not allow any person or pets in the affected areas. Contaminated water comes from sewage backups and storm flooding. To learn more about water contamination, please see our article: Classification of Water and Water Category.
Do not handle any compromised electronics.
If the water is not contaminated, you may want to pick up objects off the floor to prevent them from getting permanently damaged. Consider picking up rugs, clothing, and toys. If you’re unable to, please wait for our technicians to arrive.
If you do pick up items off the floor, be mindful that the water absorption makes items much heavier. Do not strain yourself! If you’re unable to pick up an item comfortably, please wait for our technicians.

Fire Damage Safety

Do not handle any compromised electronics. It is possible for the smoke particles to have breached inside the machinery and compromised its integrity.
Do not stay in an affected room without proper ventilation.
In the event where there is a lot of smoke, do not run your air conditioning unit. This may cause soot that settled in the air ducts to blow out and circulate around your property.
If the ceiling or walls were damaged, stay away from that area.
Do not load soot affected clothing or textiles in your washer and dryer. Household washing machines are not equipped to handle this type of cleaning, and the soot will likely permanently damage your clothing.

Mold Cleanup Safety

If you or anyone in your property is experiencing mold symptoms, stay away from the mold affected area.
Do not attempt to clean the mold yourself. Improper cleaning will disturb the mold which causes its spores to go airborne.
Do not run a fan or the air conditioner in the room with mold. This will cause the mold spores to go airborne.

Biohazard Cleanup Safety

A biohazard is a biological agent that poses a health hazard to humans. These include blood, vomit, and feces.
Do not touch the biohazard with your bare skin.

8 Hours: Response Plan Briefing

If you are filing a homeowners insurance claim, we will start your claims process and make initial contact with your insurance adjuster to let them know we’ve received your information. Within 8 hours of your call, we’ll provide them with the restoration plan our technicians have created, and they will start the beginning documentation of your claim.

As your restoration project continues, our administrators will continue to keep in touch with your insurance adjuster. In many instances, we will communicate with them on a daily basis.

While we will guide you through your situation, it’s sometimes comforting to know what to expect.

Water Damage Restoration

While every situation is different, the water damage restoration follows a general process. This includes:

Inspection. We will inspect for the extent of the damage in your home and prepare a plan to extract all water and dry your property.
Disinfecting. If the water is contaminated, we will disinfect the affected areas.
Water removal.
Carpet removal. We will try to save your carpet, but in almost every case, the carpet itself will have to be elevated to allow us to remove the padding underneath. If the carpet is not salvageable, it’ll be completely removed. A small sample of your carpet will be saved to let your insurance company replace it. Carpet restoration services are possible after your property has been dried.
Drying. We will set professional drying equipment to remove excess moisture.
Drying monitoring. We will visit your property once a day to take moisture measurements and remove equipment as its no longer necessary. Removing excess equipment as we meet our drying goals will reduce your bill.
Documentation. We will send all measurements, photos, and the restoration plan to your insurance company. This will help them know your property is being taken care of properly.
Learn more about the water removal process by reading our article.

Fire Damage Restoration

Just like water damage, the process for fire cleanup will be different for every property. The general process is as follows.

Emergency roof tarping and board up. This will prevent precipitation from entering your property and will also help deter theft. It’s especially important to do this as soon as the fire is out to prevent secondary damage. Many insurance companies will not cover the cost of secondary damage as they consider it preventable and the responsibility of the homeowner to take care of.
Water damage restoration. Many times, a fire and water damage go hand in hand since firefighters use water. We will extract all the water to help prevent mold.
Inspection. Before work begins, many insurance companies require an estimate of the damage the fire caused. Many adjusters will want to approve our work before anything actually begins. For this reason, we will inspect your property and send the estimate as quickly as possible.
Textile cleaning. We are one of the few businesses in North Texas with an Esporta Wash System certification, which makes us qualified to sanitize fire and smoke affected clothing.
Demolition. If any portion of a property is permanently damaged, we will perform demolition.
Moving and storage services. In almost every case, an entire home’s contents have to be packed and moved out of site in order for the home to be cleaned.
Fire damage cleanup. Cleanup includes the removal of all soot, air duct cleaning, and odor removal.
Odor removal.
Cleaning household items. When items are taken out of a home, they are transported to our cleaning facility where they are also cleaned and deodorized.
Reconstruction. If any portion of the home needed demolition, we will reconstruct it.

Mold Cleanup

Containment. To prevent mold spores from traveling to other parts of the property, we will set up floor to ceiling containment as remediation occurs.
HEPA vacuum filtration. During mold remediation, we may run HEPA vacuum filtration to clean the air.
Cleanup.
Demolition and Reconstruction. If the mold was on an item long enough, it may have damaged it permanently. In this case, that part of the property is taken out and replaced.
To learn more about our mold remediation process, please read our article.

Response During Dallas Flooding

Our 4-hour policy holds true in almost every case. Please note that in extraordinary circumstances where widespread storm damage is happening, we may not be able to arrive within 4 hours. While these cases are rare, we will give you an estimated time frame for our arrival and call you as we’re on the way.

During storm situations, please be vigilant of unreputable water damage companies or individuals claiming to be Texas disaster restoration experts. It is understandable to want help to arrive as fast as possible. During storm situations, our office activates its Storm Protocol to reach as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Our crews work around the clock to make this possible. Just as important as receiving quick service is receiving the proper service. Improper water damage cleanup can lead to more property damage, including mold growth.

When a community is in need, it’s an unfortunate fact that some people are taken advantage of by unknown companies claiming to help. These people typically solicit work door-to-door and ask for a cash down payment before promising to begin work. With money in hand, they often leave town after either doing a poor mitigation job or not beginning work at all.

Please be mindful of fake disaster restoration companies during storm situations. Learn more about reputable restoration companies by reading our article.

Fire and Water Damage Restoration: Dallas, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is a leader in the restoration industry. We are based out of Dallas, TX, and we have helped restore communities in our home of North Texas for over 30 years. We have performed restoration services in Dallas, Grapevine, Frisco, Plano, McKinney, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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We are locally owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Family Owned and Operated in Dallas

1/6/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson has restored thousands of homes and businesses in Dallas Fort Worth since 1986.

SERVPRO of Richardson was started in 1986 by the Weaver family. We bought our franchise from Ted and Doris Isaacson, the founders of SERVPRO. Ted and Doris would occasionally visit our office in Dallas and talk to us about their vision for the future of SERVPRO. Back then, Ted knew what direction he wanted to take the company, but none of us had any idea that the company would become the largest restoration provider in the United States.

In the ’80s, SERVPRO was mainly a carpet cleaning company. We opened our first office in south Irving, Texas. It was a tiny workspace, but it provided us with all we needed. After all, when we started, we had just a couple of pieces of equipment, one van, and some detergents. We didn’t need that much space at all!

Back then, two owners were the only employees our company had. The idea was for one person to stay in the office and take care of the phones and administrative work while the other went to the homes that asked us to clean their carpets. For a few years, this is exactly what we did.

There was just a handful of franchise owners in Dallas at the time. One of our favorites photos is the one we have listed here. This shows all the Dallas SERVPRO franchises from almost three decades ago. If we were to recreate this photo today, you can imagine that the downtown Dallas landscape would look very different. All the SERVPRO owners and vehicles of today also wouldn’t fit in the pictures!

Disaster Restoration Industry

As the years passed and Dallas grew, so did we. After carpet cleaning, we decided to expand our business services to include Dallas fire damage and water damage restoration.

Back then, restoration services were relatively unknown. Whenever a home or business was flooded, people would usually tear everything out and rebuild it with new items. This meant that for water damages almost always turned into construction projects where families had to endure the lengthy and expensive process of removing floors and walls and having them rebuilt again. This process took a long time and was very expensive for everyone involved -- homeowners and insurance agencies alike.

Restoration services are now the preferred method when handling water and fire damages, and SERVPRO has been a leader in developing the standards that today are widely accepted.

The reason restoration is preferred over replacement is simple. With restoration, we clean and save as many items as possible. This process is faster, less expensive, creates less waste, and saves valuable items in a home that people are usually emotionally attached to.

Decades ago, we knew that restoration was going to change the property damage industry, and we wanted to be leaders in the Texas disaster restoration industry from the start.

Full Service Restoration

As insurance agencies have studied the effect of restoration companies on the industry, they’ve discovered that the best way to restore a home after the damage is to hire the least amount of vendors. This means that when a family is going through the process of rebuilding their home, they show the most satisfaction when they have to work with the least amount of people. The reasoning behind this is logical and easy to understand.

Property damage is never pleasant. Accidents still happen and have to be dealt with, and homeowners have an easier time navigating through the cleanup process when they are talking to the least amount of people to get the project done. The least amount of people involved, the less they have to keep track of and, usually, the faster a project can move because those few people can better coordinate their schedules.

When our family understood this, we immediately had the goal to be the restoration provider that provided this for a homeowner. We wanted to be the only company that someone needed when they experienced any kind of damage to their property.

In other words, we wanted to become a full-service restoration company.

Disaster Restoration Services

This goal required a lot of reinvestment and growth on our end. We needed to learn more than just carpet cleaning and water damage. It was no longer enough to walk into a home, extract water, dry it, and clean their carpets. We needed to learn smoke and fire science, mold remediation, biohazard cleanup, textile cleaning, air duct and AC cleaning, and much more.

It has taken decades of learning, training, investment, and finding dedicated and fearless individuals in Dallas Fort Worth to make our vision come true. The second generation of Weaver family members that have spent their entire life growing up hearing about SERVPRO on a daily basis and learning about restoration is now running our franchise. And, just like we grew up around our office, our own children -- the third generation -- is experiencing the same we did.

The SERVPRO franchise community is special because many franchises are family owned and operated. Many franchises in Dallas were started by a family and today their kids that grew up around the franchise are running it. While we all share the SERVPRO name and green and orange colors, our businesses are unique. When someone hires a SERVPRO franchise, they are hiring generations of a family to work with them.

Because SERVPRO of Richardson is family owned and run, we take everything that happens personally. We celebrate the successes and take opportunities for growth seriously. Our employees are our extended family. Just like a family, our group shares the good days and the bad.

Working in the restoration industry isn’t always easy. We meet people that are going through a difficult time every day, and we know--many times from personal experience--the pain and stress they are going through. We have been asked to restore properties that have seen Dallas flooding, fires, trauma and unattended death, and crime scenes. We have restored entire neighborhoods affected by Dallas storm damage like major wind, hail, and tornadoes.

Our drive and dedication have been well worth with. We have restored thousands of homes and businesses in our hometown of Dallas in over three decades.

Just as importantly, we’ve also achieved our goal.

Today, we are one of the few full-service Dallas restoration company.

We started as a carpet cleaning company. Today, we offer:

Over the years, many other water restoration companies have started and tried to replicate the success that SERVPRO has. None have been as successful as we are. SERVPRO has the most franchises, the most technicians, and the furthest reach of anyone. We have the capability of handling a job anywhere in the United States as a moment’s notice, and we can handle jobs as small as a one-room water damage to a building with hundreds of thousands of square feet. We have traveled to every kind of natural disaster and helped to rebuild entire communities. Our speed and depth of service cannot be matched.

Dallas Fire and Water Damage Restoration Company

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in the restoration industry. We are based out of Dallas, TX, and we have helped clean up homes and businesses in our hometown for over 30 years. We know how to properly clean and restore all properties, and we have performed residential and commercial restoration in Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Plano, McKinney, and Grapevine. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections in all DFW. You can trust us to handle all your residential and commercial restoration and cleaning services.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Fire Damage Restoration Equipment

1/6/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in fire damage restoration. We have serviced our home of Dallas Fort Worth since 1986.

Board Ups

Boards up are needed on an emergency basis and are usually one of the first things that happen in fire damage. After the fire department leaves, a property is sometimes left with damaged doors and windows. These open spaces create two problems.

First, damaged entryways allow the weather to enter the property. If rain, snow, or just natural moisture enter the property and wet items, the property is setting itself up for both water damage and mold growth. This type of damage is considered secondary damage, which an insurance company will not typically cover if it can prove that a property owner could have taken steps to prevent it but didn’t. It’s important to seal entryways with weatherproof barriers to prevent both secondary damages to your property and to help your fire damage insurance claim be wholly covered.

Secondary, damaged entryways make it easier for thieves to enter your property. It’s unfortunate but common for robberies to occur in fire damaged properties. Even though many items inside have been damaged, thieves typically ransack the home looking for anything valuable. Boarding up doors and windows both make it harder for thieves to enter, and the barriers send a clear message that the property is being taken care of.

When the weather prevents our office from immediately boarding up a property, we will hire a live security offer to monitor your property.

To learn more about our emergency board up services, please read our article.

Roof Tarping

Another part of a property that typically needs immediate attention is the roof. We will install a temporary roof tarp to all damaged portions of your roof to prevent any precipitation from entering the property and causing secondary damage. Secondary damage to your property from a leaking roof can include water damage which then leads to mold growth.

The roof tarp is meant to be a temporary security and safety measure. After the tarp has been secured, our office will send your insurance company an estimate to permanently fix or replace your damaged roof. See our pictures of previous roof tarping jobs.

Thermal Foggers

An ultra low volume fogger is specialized equipment that we use when deodorizing a home or business after fire damage. The fogger vaporizes solvent-based deodorizers and creates what looks like smoke. This “smoke” is made up of very small particles that will reach the tiny crevices that a person cannot otherwise clean with traditional methods. The use of ULV foggers has risks and should only be used by professionals with training and experience.

Ozone

Ozone is used for fire damage deodorization. Items that have been wiped of soot but still retain smoke odor are typically sent to our specialized ozone room. Items that are being treated with ozone remain in the ozone room until the smoke odor has been eliminated. Just like ULV foggers, ozone should only be used by a trained professional.

Commercial Air Duct Cleaner

Our office uses commercial air duct cleaners to clear residential and commercial air duct vents of all soot. Smoke contains very small particles of the substance that was just burnt. When a fire occurs, the properties of smoke say that the smoke will first travel to places in a property where the temperature is cooler. Oftentimes, this means that the air ducts in that property will become full of smoke. When the smoke cools, it settles into the air ducts and becomes soot.

When we inspect a property for fire damage, one of the first places we will inspect is the air duct system. If it needs to be cleaned, it’ll be one of the first things that is taken care of in our fire damage restoration process. The last thing a homeowner needs is to have their entire home cleaned only to turn on their air conditioner and have fresh soot blow throughout their home!

Our air duct cleaners are commercial grade and clean air ducts of all sizes. Visit our air duct cleaning page to learn more.

Truck Mount Carpet Cleaner

A typical carpet cleaner will just not be powerful enough to get a smoke and soot affected carpet clean again. A typical carpet cleaner that you can purchase at an electronics store or rent from a grocery store do a decent job with day to day wear, but smoke and soot permeate the fibers of a carpet and require a deeper clean.

In our SERVPRO production vehicles, we have specialized and commercial truck mounts that help us extract water after flooding. These truck mounts also have the ability to deep clean carpets. SERVPRO has developed a carpet cleaning method for fire and smoke that involves hot water extraction and specialized shampoos. Our cleaning has been refined after decades of research and is an effective cleaning method for fire damaged carpets.

Fire Damage Sponges

Fire damage cleanup is rarely as straightforward as many people think. Our technicians use specialized sponges that are specifically made to capture the fine soot particles that embed themselves into walls and furniture. Before applying any chemicals to clean surfaces, we will first wipe the entire surface with fire damage cleaning sponge to remove as much soot as possible.

Ultrasonic Wash System

An ultrasonic machine is a sophisticated piece of equipment that we often use in fire damage clean up. An ultrasonic machine looks like a very large tub that is filled with water and proprietary chemicals made to remove soot from items.

Items that need to be cleaned are loaded into the machine and dipped into the water. The water itself looks like billions of tiny bubbles are swimming inside of it. The bubbles are caused by high frequency, low amplitude vibrations. Items remain in the ultrasonic bath until all the smoke and soot particles are removed from the item. This process usually takes no more than a few minutes.

After the items have been cleaned, they are removed from the ultrasonic machine and transferred into a specialized drying chamber. After items are dry, they are packed and stored for the homeowner.

Esporta Wash System

The Esporta Wash System is the most effective way to sanitize clothing and other textiles after fire damage. Soot is acidic, which makes it damaging to clothing once it touches it. The longer soot is allowed to remain on a piece of clothing, the higher the chance that is will permanently stain it. Clothing is also a necessity for everyone, and one of the first things a family needs after fire damage is fresh clothing to wear. For these reasons, we work to quickly pack up all clothing and textiles from a home and take it back to our fire damage cleaning facility for processing.

An Esporta machine looks like a large front loading washing machine, but inside of it are chambers where we load clothing. Once the machine is running, the chambers of clothing spin rapidly inside the machine which forces the detergent-laden water to push all smoke and soot particles out of the clothing. A typical Esporta wash lasts well over an hour with a variety of six different detergents used. Esporta proprietary chemicals are environmentally friendly and result in clothing having a near neutral pH after a wash.

We introduce different cleaning agents to each load we wash until the item of clothing is food grade clean, meaning it is safe to wear again.

The Esporta Wash System is safe for almost every type of clothing and textile, including shoes, stuffed animals, and leather. After a wash, the clothing is transported to a specialized drying chamber.

We are one of the few businesses in Texas licensed by the Esporta Wash System. We have successfully restored thousands of pieces of clothing and textiles. Our restoration rate is over 85% -- one of the highest in the industry.

Learn more about the Esporta Wash System in our article Esporta Cleaning for Clothing and Textiles.

SERVPRO Proprietary Chemicals and Detergents

SERVPRO has developed many chemicals that help us properly clean after fire damage. We have perfected the use of our own proprietary chemicals after decades of research of experience.

Trusted Leader in Fire Damage: Dallas, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated leader in the restoration industry. We have the expertise to handle any size smoke and fire damage restoration in Dallas, TX. We have performed residential and commercial restoration work in Dallas, Plano, Garland, McKinney, Allen, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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We are locally owned and operated. Learn more about us.

Fire Damage Restoration Articles:

Fire Insurance Claim Process

Fire Restoration Process

Fire Damage Restoration Terms

How to Get Fire Smoke Out of Clothes

Hurricane Categories and Disaster Restoration

12/31/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a disaster restoration company based in Dallas, TX.

Studying Hurricane Categories for Disaster Restoration Response

When a community is impacted by a hurricane, SERVPRO is quick to respond. Our company has access to over 1,700 franchises nationwide, and our storm response teams have decades of experience.

Hurricane Harvey was emotionally impactful for our franchise and all of Texas. The hurricane hit the Houston and Galveston areas in Texas in 2017. Thousands of homes were impacted, and the damaged cost well over $100 billion. Days before Hurricane Harvey hit, franchises nationwide were already preparing to deploy to Houston metro and Southwest Texas.

For our franchise in Dallas, our preparation was two-fold. Our first concern was to receive our friends and family members from Houston. When it became apparent that Harvey was going to hit as a major category storm and evacuations were going to be suggested, we needed to make sure our loved ones would be safe. Members of our team prepared their homes to receive guests all the while preparing themselves to dispatch to the storm itself. We understood that we would be traveling to both help strangers and our loved ones as well. For friends and family that chose not to evacuate, we made agreements to meet them at their homes to make sure their properties were safe.

The second part of our preparation was to study the meteorological reports. Understanding the category of hurricane helps us prepare for the amount of damage we expect to see. We take into the consideration the community that is impacted, how much water has fallen, how quickly its fallen, and wind conditions. All these factors tell us the amount of damage a typical home will have, which then tells us what tools and equipment we need to take to best respond to those that call us for help.

When our franchise is considering how to prepare for a hurricane, we take various aspects of the storm into consideration. One of them is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Hurricane Categories

Category 1 Hurricane

Dangerous winds are associated with Cat 1 hurricanes. During these storms, we expect to see damage to a home’s roof, gutters, and vinyl siding. We also expect to see some tree damage, especially branches falling atop of unshielded vehicled or falling onto homes. In this case, our franchise prepares expects to see some water damage and a large need for roof tarping.

Category 2 Hurricane

The winds in a Cat 2 hurricane are around 100 mph and will cause more damage than before. Even well-constructed homes have a large possibility of getting major damage to its roof and siding. We also expect to see trees uprooted and block roadways. Power outages are also extremely common. In this scenario, our franchise will take a large load of roof tarping materials and power tools to assist with debris removal for roadways that are blocked on the ways to homes in need. We also expect the need for our own power generators.

Category 3 Hurricane

A category 3 hurricane is considered to be a major hurricane. In a Cat 3 hurricane scenario, we expect to see major damage or even the removal of the roof decking. We also expect to see trees and branches uprooted and either block roadways or damage homes themselves as they fall. Electricity and water outage will likely be a factor. In this case, our franchise responds similarly as we do to Cat 2 hurricanes, which is by taking roof tarping materials, power tools to clear debris, and carrying our own generators. Due to the amount of fallen water associated with this category of hurricane, we also expect to not have immediate access to flooded areas of the community. If this is the case, we will wait for approval from first responders before proceeding.

Category 4 Hurricane

In a Cat 4 hurricane, we expect to see homes lose some or all of their roof and have damage to their exterior walls. Many trees, even those deeply rooted, will be snapped and often fall onto homes, vehicles, and block roadways. It’s not uncommon to see many homes cut off from emergency services due to debris. With the loss of electrical power and water plus the flooding and blocked roadways, the areas impacted with a category 4 hurricane may not be accessed for days or even weeks. In this scenarios, our crews are first helping the outer areas and assisting homes that are accessible as we wait for first responders to reach these areas and deem them accessible. Due to the time it takes the water to recede, our franchise expects major damage to homes and businesses. Flooring and a major portion of the walls in these properties will need demolition. Sanitation will be a major concern, and mold growth may already be present. Roof tarping and board up services will almost always be necessary to secure the property.

Category 5 Hurricane

In a Cat 5 hurricane situation, we expect to see many homes and businesses experience a roof collapse and damage to the exterior walls. Sections of a community will be flooded and not be accessible for weeks. Uprooted trees will also damage properties and block roadways. Our response to this category of damage is the same as in a category 4 with our franchise understanding that it will take a longer time for the flood waters to recede and first responders to allow restoration service workers to enter.

Storm Surge Scales

Storm surge threat is not as easily scalable as wind scales due to local conditions such as bathymetry. For this reason, our franchise pays close attention to meteorological reports that focus on the depth of inundation expected at the impacted areas. These storm surge warnings greatly help us know how to approach properties and prepare demolition, sanitation, and drying techniques. Depending on the time it takes for the waters to recede will also tell us how much, if any, of the contents inside a home or business will have a chance to be restored. This helps us know if debris removal will be necessary, and if mold remediation needs are likely.

Food and Lodging

When a storm is strong enough to call for evacuations, it’s often bewildering to see the green SERVPRO trucks head towards the storm when some are leaving. Our franchise has studied the storm and is heading to the closest but still safe destination. Our choice of lodging is either a hotel or another SERVPRO franchise location that is safe from the storm. Wherever we are able to stay, our crews will set up a command center, dispatch, and sleep. During Hurricane Harvey, we had both options ready. We set up a command center as close as possible to the open impacted section and began to help homes in that area. As first responders allowed more areas of the Houston metro to be open, we relocated closer to the city. Eventually, we traveled to other parts of Texas that were calling for help and were not receiving the saturation of help they needed. These areas included communities in Southwest Texas.

Hurricane Harvey and Texas Disaster Restoration

Hurricane Harvey was a devastating storm. SERVPRO franchises nationwide responded to Harvey and spent months in the Houston metro and Southwest Texas regions responding to calls. For our franchise, we were thankful that no one of our friends and family was injured by the storm. While some of their properties had only minor damage, others needed more extensive restoration and reconstruction needs.

By many accounts, Hurricane Harvey tested the resolve and preparation of Texas disaster restoration teams. We were personally humbled by the outpouring of support shown for impacted residents from the thousands of volunteers from across the nation that traveled to south and east Texas ready to help. We saw volunteers from almost every state come together and assist homeowners, and we were thankful for them. Texas Strong became a rallying cry that we will not soon forget.

Now, over a year after Hurricane Harvey hit, portions of Texas are still rebuilding. To learn more about the Rebuild Texas Fund, please visit: https://www.rebuildtx.org.

SERVPRO of North Richardson's Disaster Cleanup Services

SERVPRO of Richardson is a leader in the restoration industry and has the expertise to handle storm damage cleanup. We are based out of Dallas, TX, and we have helped restore communities in our home of North Texas for over 30 years. Our franchise has traveled to disaster locations such as Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey. We have performed restoration services in Dallas, Arlington, Garland, Plano, Waxahachie, Midlothian, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

You can trust us to handle your disaster restoration needs. We offer:

Water damage restoration
Debris removal
Roof tarping
Board up services for doors, windows, outer walls
Reconstruction
Roof replacement or repair
Clothing and textile sanitation
Carpet restoration service
Moving services
Storage
Read more about our storm damage services.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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We are locally owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Storm Causes Sewage Backup Cleanup in North Texas

12/30/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in Texas disaster restoration. We have restored thousands of homes and businesses since 1986.

When they received an alert about a severe storm warning in her area, Derek and Marilyn made sure they were prepared. They brought the car into the garage, gave their dog a break outside, and then went back inside to start preparing dinner.

“I keep up with all the usual home maintenance,” Marilyn said. “My gutters were cleaned out and all my drains are set up to prevent pooling in my backyard. Storms had never been a problem before.”

The surprise came when the storm continued for almost a week. Soon, the streets of began to flood.

Home Flooding Service

“It was at around 3 in the morning that I woke up and noticed the smell. It was dark in our bedroom, but when my husband got out of bed to check out what was going on, he said the carpet was wet and we had a problem. When we turned on the lights, we saw water flooding out of our bathroom.”

The water was coming out of the toilet and the bathtub. The unpleasant smell was just one of the problems. There was no way to stop the backup. The rain was still pouring outside and it was spreading to the entire house. It was in two bedrooms, all the bathrooms, the kitchen, and the laundry room.

Marilyn continued, “The storm had been causing problems in other parts of the town and I had seen SERVPRO’s green trucks everywhere. I felt bad for my neighbors who were having flooding issues. For us, we weren't flooded because of the storm’s rising waters, but we still needed help.”

SERVPRO of Richardson received Marilyn’s call at about 3:30 in the morning. Our on-call manager, Jessica, took in Marilyn’s information.

“We had been receiving storm-related calls for a few days at that point, so I wasn’t surprised we got another call in the middle of the night. But Marilyn’s case was different. I was expecting her to say rising water got into her house, but the problem was actually a sewage backup. There’s never a good time for a sewage backup, but this one was even worse timing because of the surge of storm calls.”

During a storm, our franchise activates its Storm Protocol. Everyone in our office is well aware of storm and traffic conditions, and we prepare ourselves to work overtime in order to reach all the families and businesses asking us for our help.

“I was relieved when SERVPRO arrived,” Derek said. “I knew they were already very busy with the storm, but they assured us they’d be here for us. They checked out our situation and got to work right away. A few minutes later, a plumber came to fix the pipes. That’s when they figured out the sewage backup was actually linked to the storm.”

It’s not a situation we see often. In the case of Derek and Marilyn’s home, the days of heavy rain had filled their town’s drains and was causing the water in their own home’s drains to be pushed back into their property.

“We realized that unless the city took care of the drain issue on their end, our house was just going to keep backing up with sewage. With the storm still happening, the city was busy fixing other flooding problems around town and they were not going to be able to get to us for a few days. It was a nightmare,” Marilyn continued.

The situation captured the attention of our entire management team. Leaving a home with a recurring sewage backup wasn’t an option, so we came up with a plan to help our Derek and Marilyn while their city was able to fix the drains.

“SERVPRO came twice a day until the city got their end fixed,” Derek explained. “Every time they came, they took out all the water and sanitized everything it had touched. They kept in touch with us to see how we were doing every day."

Marylin said, “They also prepared for the house with the water damage in mind. They elevated our furniture so it wouldn’t get touched by the water, and they moved everything off the floor that could be damaged."

Sewage Affected Clothes and the Esporta Wash System

“Because our closet was affected and our clothes were in the dirty water, they also rushed everything back to their office and did our laundry for us,” Derek said. “They made sure our clothes and even our pet bed was sanitized after touching sewage water. I didn’t know that was possible.”

Our franchise is one of the few water restoration companies in North Texas that is Esporta Wash System certified. We have the unique ability to take clothing and other textiles affected by sewage, smoke and soot, and mold sanitize them to be food grade safe. We have cleaned thousands of pieces of clothing, and our restoration rate is one of the highest in the industry at over 85%.

We understand that when clothing is affected, time is of the essence. We can pick up, process, and drop off 100 pounds of clothing in as little as 48 hours to help you have enough of your wardrobe to be okay while the rest of your claim is processed.

Filing an Insurance Claim

“This was the first time I’ve ever needed to file a claim,” Marilyn said. “I thought it was going to be a lot of work, but all I had to do was call my insurance and answer their questions so that I could get a claim number. SERVPRO has taken care of the rest.”

Many homeowners are concerned when they file a homeowner’s insurance claim. We have a team of administrators that are experienced in handling the claim’s process for all insurance companies.

Every claim is different, but the general process is straightforward:

Call your insurance company and let them know about your situation.
Tell them SERVPRO of Richardson is the restoration company you’ve chosen to handle your cleanup. By law, your insurance company must honor your choice of restoration company.
When they give you a claim number, call our office and let us know what it is.
The administrator from our office that is assigned to guide you through your restoration project will then contact your adjuster and work with them to process your claim.

“The person from SERVPRO that has walked me through this is Jessica. She’s kept in touch and let me know what’s going on with our claims process. I really haven’t had to worry about anything.” Marilyn said.

Flood Repair in Dallas and North Texas

After Derek and Marilyn’s water damage was resolved, it was time to handle the reconstruction needs of their home. The sewage water had permanently damaged their flooring and kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.

SERVPRO of Richardson is a full-service restoration business, which means we can take care of water damage from beginning to end. When a property has been cleaned and dried of all water, our reconstruction team will work with you to replace anything that was damaged as a result of the water. We handle all documentation and processing your insurance adjuster needs to make sure this portion of your claim is also covered.

“SERVPRO removed everything that had to go and worked with us to replace it all,” Derek said. “They worked with our adjuster to get everything approved, so we didn’t have to worry about costs other than our deductible.”

Texas Disaster Restoration

If you find yourself in need of help during a storm, we’re here for you. Our franchise has been servicing our home of North Texas for over 30 years, and we have the experience you need to get your property taken care of the right way.

Our storm services include:

Water cleanup
Roof tarping
Board up (windows, doors, outer walls)
Debris removal
Textile Sanitation / Laundry Service
Carpet Restoration
Moving Services
Storage
Reconstruction

Trusted Leader in Dallas Flooding Restoration

SERVPRO of Richardson is a leader in the restoration industry and has the expertise to handle storm damage cleanup company in Dallas, TX. We have helped restore communities in our home of North Texas for over 30 years, and our franchise has also traveled to disaster locations such as Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey. We have performed restoration services in Dallas, Garland, Plano, McKinney, Midlothian, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to handle your restoration needs.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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We are family owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Reputable Restoration Companies & Natural Disasters

12/28/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in Texas disaster restoration. We have restored thousands of homes and businesses since 1986.

It’s a story that we hear all too often. There is a natural disaster in a community and people in need of help are approached by an out-of-town and unknown restoration company. These folks canvas neighborhoods and solicit homes. They offer water extraction, drying, and needed demolition. They’re willing to either start work or put you on their “list” if you’re willing to put down a cash deposit.

Many homeowners, understandably overwhelmed and in need of assistance, give them this deposit.

Then, the restoration company disappears.

There was never any list. There was no equipment. The number they left you to call either goes unanswered or has been disconnected. Your money is gone and your home is still left a mess.

This situation is unfortunate and happens often during natural disasters. When a hurricane, major storm, or tornado hit a town, many disaster restoration companies travel across the United States to offer their services to the hard-hit community. While many reputable companies are available, there are also teams of scammers looking to prey on those in need of help.

Horror stories of people being scammed flood the news and people wonder which company they can really trust to help them. What these scammers do is wrong and unethical. No one deserves to be lied to or stolen from.

How do you choose which disaster restoration company to trust? Look for these qualities when making a decision.

Trusted Restoration Company

Ask yourself:

Is this restoration company well known?
Can I find them online easily?
Does their website look professional?
Can I see proof of their previous work?
Do they have reviews online that speak of their work?

If the restoration company asking for your business is one you have not heard of and you cannot easily find online, then how likely is it that you will be able to find them later? Even if the company is online, consider the quality of their website. Make sure it’s professionally done and not one that was hastily put together in an attempt to look legitimate just for the storm event. A reputable company will also have reviews from customers on various social media websites. Check the dates on the reviews and make sure they span a considerable length of time.

National or Local Company?

Ask yourself:

Is this restoration company from my hometown or did they travel to come here?
Are they a franchise?
If they traveled, can I still reach them when they go back home?

Many restoration companies travel to impacted sites, so it is not uncommon to work with professionals that are only in your hometown temporarily. This should not necessarily dissuade you from working with them. If they are from out of town, check out their credentials online. Ask them how their process works, how long they plan on staying in town, and what plan they have to make sure you’re taken care of. If they can’t answer your questions, consider a different company that can help you through any situation.

Working with SERVPRO is a great way to make sure you will get service, no matter if the franchise you’re working with is from out of town or not. If you need additional help after the franchise that serviced you leaves, there will still be another SERVPRO franchise in town to assist you.

Restoration Training and Experience

Ask yourself:

How long has this restoration company been in business?
Have they worked in other natural disaster situations?
Are the technicians trained with certifications?
Do they have the proper equipment and chemicals?

Make sure your restoration company has had plenty of experience helping other people in a variety of natural disasters. Ask if their technicians have a certification in water mitigation, specifically from the IICRC. The IICRC is an independent organization that specializes in the certification of individuals in the restoration industry. This organization issues certified technicians wallet sized IDs to prove their training. Also, ask what equipment and chemicals they plan on using to restore their home. If they do not want to answer or can’t show you proof, reconsider hiring them.

Your property is likely one of your most valuable investments. A natural disaster is not the time for a restoration company to get on-the-job training.

Storm Damage Services

Ask yourself:

Can this company handle all parts of my restoration project or will they just handle one portion?
Can this company sanitize my affected clothing and textiles?
Can this company restore my affected electronics?
Can this company rebuild my property?

Not all companies can provide you with full service. Some will only be able to handle the water remediation. Others will only be able to provide you with construction services. Ask them what services they can provide and then decide if you want to piecemeal your restoration project or if you’d rather work with a company that helps you from start to end.

SERVPRO and Natural Disasters

When a community is in need, SERVPRO activates a storm center and calls on franchises nationwide to assist. With over 1,700 franchises nationwide, we can meet the demand for professional restoration services for everyone in need.

Franchises that choose to respond will pack up hundreds to thousands of pieces of equipment and have professional and trained technicians travel to the community. Technicians stay anywhere from weeks to months to help every household and business that asks for assistance.

SERVPRO responds to every natural disaster in the United States. We have responded to:

Hurricanes. Our franchise personally responds to hurricanes that impact Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Our crews spent months in Houston and Galveston responding to Hurricane Harvey.
Tornadoes.
Wind and hail storms. When North Texas experiences a hail storm, we respond by tarping roofs and boarding up damaged windows and outer walls. We also remove storm debris and repair homes from fallen trees and other airborne debris.
Wildfires.
Severe thunderstorms. When a storm is severe and flood-prone areas see damage, our crews respond immediately. It’s not a common occurrence, but Dallas flooding is possible and is something we are always prepared for.

Cash Deposits During Storms

Some restoration companies will ask you for a cash deposit, even a reputable one. Many times, cash deposits indicate to the company that you are serious about receiving restoration services. During a storm situation, many households and businesses ask a company to help them remediate their property and agree to get on a waiting list. When the restoration company schedules technicians and gathers the equipment to help that property, they sometimes find that the property owner has either left or decided not to use their services anymore. This creates a problematic situation for both the restoration company and other customers they could have otherwise been helping.

Every franchise and every company will have a different way to approach the question of a cash deposit. Some may ask for a deposit, some may ask for nothing, and still, others will ask for a secure form of payment (credit card) and not charge you anything until services are performed.

Ask the restoration company you are thinking about working what their policy is, and then decide if this is acceptable to you or not.

Storm Safety

It is very likely that you will have to wait for service during a major storm situation. Even with thousands of restoration professionals coming to service your hometown, the number of calls and infrastructure problems will most likely prevent immediate service. The wait time may be only a few hours, but at times it can extend to a few days.

Make sure to stay safe while you wait for service. Keep in mind:

Rising water is contaminated and should not be touched. Read about water contamination levels and classifications here.
Mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours when water mitigation services are not performed. Stay in an environment that is dry.

Please read our article Storm Safety for more information and tips.

Trusted Leader in Dallas Flooding Restoration

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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We are family owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Storm Safety

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in Texas disaster restoration. We have restored thousands of homes and businesses since 1986.

Planning is essential to keeping your family and property safe during a storm. While many major storm events are often seen coming ahead of time and allow time for preparation, others happen almost without warning.

The best plan for safety is to plan ahead. It’s always better to be over prepared than under prepared.

When preparing for a storm, keep the following in mind.

Storm Watch

What is a storm watch? We’re watching to see what develops.

A storm watch means there may or may not be severe weather coming. Keep your eye on the forecast and remain vigilant.

If there is any prep you need to get ready for any severe weather, do it now. This may include:

Bringing in pets from the outdoors.
Tying down or bringing in outdoors items that may go airborne.
Make sure your safe room is ready.

Storm Warning

What’s a storm warning? A storm is either happening or is about to happen soon. Take action now!

When you hear the forecast call for a storm warning, the storm is definitely going to happen. Get your family and pets to a safe location immediately, and follow local emergency management instructions.

Weather Apps

There is an abundance of free weather applications that will help you keep updated on weather forecasts. Choose your favorite application and allow it to send you severe weather alerts. Here are just a few you can use:

The Weather Channel. This app shows you temperature forecasts on an hourly and daily basis. It also has an interactive Doppler radar map that shows rainfall and severe weather.

The Weather Channel on Google Play Store (Android)

The Weather Channel on iTunes (Apple)

Yahoo! Weather. This app shows you detailed 5-day forecasts and interactive radar maps.

Yahoo! Weather on Google Play Store (Android)

Yahoo! Weather on iTunes (Apple)

AccuWeather. This app gives you a 15-day forecast that you can integrate with your phone or tablet’s calendar. It also gives you detailed forecast information for the next two hours.

AccuWeather on Google Play Store (Android)

AccuWeather on iTunes (Apple)

Dark Sky. This app gives you the usual array of weather data plus a precipitation map and UV information. You can customize this app to receive specific notifications.

Dark Sky on iTunes (Apple)

Weather Underground. This app uses a compilation of thousands of weather stations to gather its data. You can receive forecasts as specific as by the hour or as general as a 10-day preview.

Weather Underground on Google Play Store (Android)

Weather Underground on iTunes (Apple)

Emergency: Alerts by the American Red Cross. This app gives you the option to follow information from various cities. It’ll alert you about severe weather, and it’ll also give you information about Red Cross activities like shelters.

Emergency: Alerts on Google Play Store (Android)

Emergency: Alerts on iTunes (Apple)

Emergency Management for North Texas

North Texas doesn’t have to worry about the immediate effects of hurricanes, but many portions of Dallas Fort Worth are still prone to flooding from severe thunderstorms. Our home has also seen major wind and hail storms and tornadoes.

Keep up to date with important weather announcements. There are many local emergency management offices that are charged with instructing citizens on the latest weather threats and helping them stay informed. Follow your local emergency management office on social media or sign up to receive weather alerts on your phone.

Dallas Emergency Management

Sign up for Dallas OEM Alerts
Twitter: @DallasOEM
Facebook: OEMDallas

Tarrant County Emergency Management

Tarrant County Emergency Management Website
Twitter: @TarrantOEM
Facebook: TarrantOEM

Collin County Emergency Management

Denton County Emergency Alerts

Ellis County Emergency Management

FEMA

FEMA Website
FEMA App for nationwide alerts, tips, and shelter information.

FEMA on Google Play Store (Android)
FEMA on iTunes (Apple)

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

If you an individual living in Texas that needs assistance during major emergency situations, consider signing up for the STEAR program. The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry is a free, voluntary, and confidential program designed to assist Texans during emergency events such as natural disasters. Signing up for the program helps emergency responders plan for each community’s needs.

STEAR is made for:

People with disabilities
People with access and functional needs such as:
- Limited mobility
- Communication barriers
- Requiring additional medical assistance
- Requiring transportation assistance
- Requiring personal care assistance

Hurricane Safety or Severe Thunderstorm Safety

Hurricanes and severe thunderstorms are the main reasons portions of Texas sometimes find themselves flooded. In these cases, storm waters may overwhelm our drainage systems and eventually cause the water to rise high enough to enter our homes and businesses.

Texas Flood Zone Map

If your property is in a flood zone, please strongly consider purchasing flood insurance. Storm flooding is not always covered in homeowner’s insurance!

Learn more about flood insurance at floodsmart.gov.

Flood zones are areas defined by FEMA. Input your property’s address in FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to know if you are in a flood zone or not.

Hurricane Preparedness

Reinforce doors and windows. Wind and debris may cause damage to these vulnerable parts of your home. We recommend boarding up your doors and windows.
Anchor outdoor items. Strong winds tend to blow items into the air, which can then cause considerable damage as they are airborne or land once again.
Trim tree branches. We’ve seen the devastation a fallen tree can cause to homes and vehicles. Consider trimming branches that have a chance of falling on your home.
Clean gutters and drains. Backed up water systems can cause damage to your roof, which then trickles water into your home or attic. The last thing you need on your mind in the middle of a storm is water damage. Take care of this basic home maintenance ahead of time.
Buy sandbags. If your yard is prone to flooding, sandbags may help the water from coming into your house. Unclogging french drains will help your yard’s drainage.
Move valuable items away from low lying areas in your home. If you can elevate items--do this. We saw many families take their first floor items to the second floor during Hurricane Harvey. Doing this helped save furniture, rugs, and electronics.
Have basic home supplies to help prepare your home. Go to the hardware store early as many stores tend to run out of supplies in the event of an emergency. Purchase:

Extra plywood
Hammer
Nails
Plastic sheeting - 6mm
Duct tape
Flashlight with extra batteries
Multi-purpose tool
Work gloves
Protective eyewear

Prepare a home inventory. If your property is damaged or destroyed, a home inventory is a great way to prove to your insurance company what items it should help you replace.
Have a first aid kit. Our first aid kit recommendation is easy to build at home.
Have a family communications plan. Know where to meet your family in case you are separated. Phone lines may not be functioning during the storm.

Tornado Safety

Tornadoes can happen anywhere. If you see a tornado warning, make sure your safe room or space is prepped for your entire family and pets. If time permits, you may also consider tying down loose outdoor objects or bring them in to prevent them from being dangerous airborne debris that may cause harm to other objects or people.

What makes up a safe space?

Choose a place on the first floor of your property that is away from windows.
Make sure its large enough for your family and pets.
If possible, keep a battery operated radio and a first aid kit with prescription medications and water with you.
Take your charged mobile phones.
If you are in a multistory building without a basement, choose a hallway.
Mobile homes are not safe spaces; please seek a building to shelter in.

Wind and Hail Safety

Be proactive to help protect your property as much as possible. Damage may not always be possible to avoid, but fixing previous damage to your home or business may prevent serious damage from the storm like water intrusion and roof damage.

Check for:

Damaged shingles.
Missing shingles.
Clogged water drains. If your drains are clogged and rain also falls with the storm, you are risking water buildup that could enter your home and cause water damage.

Other considerations:

Bring all pets indoors.
Stay indoors.
Keep away from skylights and windows.
Close your drapes and curtains.

Dallas Storm Damage Repair

If you’ve experienced storm damage, we’re here to help. SERVPRO of Richardson is available 24 hours a day every day of the year for emergency flood repair in Dallas Fort Worth. Our franchise restored thousands of homes and businesses since 1986. We are leaders in Texas disaster restoration having responded to many storms, including Hurricane Harvey.

We offer:

Water damage restoration / flood cleanup
Roof tarping
Board up - doors, windows, outer walls
Moving services
Debris removal
Reconstruction services for any part of your home that was permanently damaged, including roof replacement.

Trusted Leader in Dallas Flooding Restoration

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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We are family owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Process for Water Removal in Dallas

12/21/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a leading restorer for water damages in Dallas, TX. We have restored thousands of properties since 1986.

Do you have water damage in Dallas?

You may be wondering what is about to happen, how long the remediation process is going to take, and, if you’re filing an insurance claim, how to navigate this claim with your insurance adjuster.

While every property is different and requires its own plan of action, our office follows a general guideline for every water damage. This process has been refined for decades and is scientifically proven and accepted by the restoration industry.

Our franchise has successfully restored thousands of homes and businesses in Dallas Fort Worth since we began operations over 30 years ago.

When you call our franchise for water damage, this is what you can expect:

24 Hour Emergency Service

Our franchise is available for 24 hour emergency service. When you call, our on-call manager will ask you a few questions that’ll help our crew prepare for dispatch. We’ll ask for:

The size of your property
The number of rooms and affected
The type of flooring in each room
The source of the water damage
Ask if you are filing an insurance claim

Cutting off the Source of the Water

It’s important to cut off the source of the water damage as fast as possible. Leaking pipes can be stopped by shutting off the water to that area of your home or by cutting off the water completely from the street. If you need assistance, please call a plumber.

If the source of water damage is from a leaking roof or ceiling, please let our on-call manager know so our technicians can be prepared to install temporary tarping.

If your water damage is the result of Dallas flooding or storm damage, please be aware that some insurance companies may consider this a flood claim. For more information about flood insurance, please see FEMA’s article on flood insurance.

Home Inspection

When we arrive, we’ll ask to inspect your property. We will start at the source of the water damage and work our way outwards. We may ask to go into rooms where the floor may appear dry. The reason for this is that we need to test the walls or ceiling to ensure no water is hiding in them. The goal is to find all the affected areas and prepare a remediation plan.

Insurance Documentation

We’ll start documenting the water damage by taking measurements, photographs, and taking a digital sketch of the affected areas of your room. All documentation is uploaded to a secure, proprietary program owned by SERVPRO. This documentation may be shared with your insurance adjuster if you are filing a homeowners insurance claim.

Our crew members will also ask you to sign documents authorizing us to start work at your home.

Disinfecting

If the water isn’t clean, we will disinfect the affected areas like the flooring and portions of the wall. Our disinfectant is EPA registered and OSHA compliant. It is used for the safety of all occupants in the building and our water damage technicians. It is sprayed and allowed to dwell for an appropriate time to be effective.

Water Removal

We will remove all standing water from the home. Water is removed using either portable extractors or a truck mount extractor that is attached to our service vehicle. Our technicians will move furniture as necessary to reach all the water. If necessary, they will also remove or detach the carpet and floorboards.

Carpet Removal / Drying Setup

If a room with carpet has been affected, our technicians will either remove the carpet or detach it. Our decision will be based on water classification.

If the water is clean, we will most likely only need to temporarily detach the carpet in order to set drying equipment underneath it. If the water is gray or black (contaminated), then the carpet is not salvageable and will have to be removed.

Our technicians will keep a sample of your carpet and take it back to our office where it will be tested for the color and textile type. We will prepare a report of your carpet’s type and send it to your insurance adjuster so it can be replaced with one of like quality and color.

At this time, our technicians may also have to remove baseboards and possibly drill small holes on the base of your drywall. The air holes will allow our equipment to dehumidify and spread warm, dry air and dry your property properly. Many times, the baseboards are salvageable and can be reattached to the walls after the drying process is complete.

Equipment Setup

We will set up the professional drying equipment around your home. Our most common equipment is the use of air movers and dehumidifiers. For larger properties, a desiccant is used. For a property with specialty floors or unique circumstances, other drying equipment may be used.

Our equipment will remove the humidity from the property and introduce warm, dry air into each affected room.

Please keep the following in mind:

Our equipment will make noise. We understand the noise may not be ideal. All equipment we place is necessary to achieve a dry state at the speed we need in order to reduce the risk of mold growth. As we get closer to our drying goals, our technicians will remove the equipment.
Do not move the equipment. All pieces are strategically placed.
Do not shut off the equipment. Our machines are meant to be run throughout the day and night in order to achieve the results we need. Turning off the equipment will cause a delay in the drying process.
Some equipment may appear to turn off at times. This is normal. The equipment is defrosting and will turn back on when it can continue the dehumidification process.
Do you think a piece of equipment is malfunctioning? Give us a call.

Drying Monitoring

We will schedule a time to visit your property each day to monitor our equipment and record atmospheric readings. We use our data to validate our drying process. This data is also sent to your insurance adjuster.

How long the drying process takes depends on a variety of factors. Even the temperature outside can affect the speed of drying! Structures are typically dry in less than a week.

You don’t have to be home for our technicians to complete their daily drying monitoring. Just let us know you can’t be home, and we will install a temporary lock box to let ourselves in and out of your property.

Filing an Insurance Claim

We’ll do the majority of the heavy lifting to make sure your insurance claim is processed. When you experience water damage, give your insurance provider a call and receive a claim number. Tell them you have chosen SERVPRO of Richardson as your restoration provider. By law, your insurance provider must honor your choice of restoration company, regardless of what they or an adjuster suggest.

Then, give us your claim number and our office will contact your insurance provider to begin the claims process. Throughout the project, the documentation our technicians obtain will be forwarded to your adjuster. By the end, our invoice will be sent to your adjuster, and we will work with them to collect payment.

Our office works with all insurance companies.

Insurance Payout

Every job and every insurance policy is different, so we cannot say what your water damage will cost without visiting your property and visually inspecting the damage.

If you are filing an insurance claim, you will be responsible for your insurance deductible. This is the amount of money a homeowner owes before your insurance covers the rest of the invoice. Please ask your insurance provider what your deductible amount is. Your deductible can be paid directly to our office using a major credit card, wire transfer, or check.

What if your insurance won’t cover all or part of your claim? We will let you know what your adjuster has agreed to pay for. If there is work you need completed that isn’t covered, our office will work with you.

Water Damage Repair in Dallas

If your carpet had to be removed or any other portion of your home that needed demolition, our franchise can also rebuild anything that was affected. Don’t worry about hiring another business or a series of small contractors to put your property back together! Just let our office know you’d like to use our reconstruction services. We will send our reconstruction manager to inspect your property and add the rebuild portion of your claim to the documentation we are already sending your insurance adjuster.

Many families and businesses trust us to be their one and only disaster restoration company. We can handle your restoration from start to end. Working with just one business saves you time and stress. We are one of the few businesses in DFW prepared to handle every aspect of the claim, and we are ready to help you, too.

Do you have other questions? We’re here for you! Contact us.

Trusted Leader in Water Mitigation in Dallas, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated leader in the restoration industry. We have the expertise to handle any size fire and smoke damage restoration in Dallas, Texas. We have performed residential and commercial restoration work in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Ennis, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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We are family owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Fire Insurance Claim Process

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in fire damage restoration. We have restored thousands of homes and businesses since 1986.

When you experience a fire damage in your home, one of the first questions that is likely to pop into your mind is, “Will my home insurance pay for this?”

We have helped thousands of families navigate the fire insurance claims process, and we can help you, too. Our office routinely works with every insurance company. We also work hand in hand with insurance adjusters on a daily basis to help process claims.

Every fire damage is different. This is what you can you generally expect one happens.

Evacuate and Call 911

When a fire occurs, the most important thing is always the safety of every occupant on the property. Evacuate your home immediately and call 911.

When Fire Damage Restoration Companies Approach You

It’s only when the fire department has cleared the scene that it is appropriate for any company to begin the fire damage restoration process. If you remain on your property while the firefighters are working, you may notice various disaster restoration companies approach you. These representatives are there to sell you their fire damage cleanup services. Often, they can only help with a portion of your claim. For example, one company may be there only to board up your windows. Another only to tarp your roof. And another only to take your affected clothing and textiles to clean them.

You may also be approached by construction companies. They will try to sell you on the idea of demolishing your property and having them rebuild it from scratch. Unfortunately, choosing this alternative often ends up with a bill that is higher than if restoration procedures were first implemented.

You Have the Right to Choose Your Disaster Restoration Company

It is your right to either hire any of these companies or ask them to leave your property. Ultimately, who works on your property is your choice. By law, no one, including your insurance provider and adjuster, can make this decision on your behalf.

Full Service Fire Damage Restoration Service

You don’t have to piecemeal your fire restoration damage process. Hiring multiple companies that can handle only portions of your claim results in you managing different points of contacts, a load of documentation, and schedules. Hiring multiple companies usually ends up in a more expensive insurance claim.

Less stress often results from hiring one company to take care of your fire damage restoration from start to end. We are one of the businesses in Dallas Fort Worth with the capability and expertise to handle your restoration completely. When you hire our franchise, you will work with one point of contact who will guide you the entire way. From an insurance perspective, costs are also lowered.

We have helped many families and businesses rebuild their properties over the last 30 years of our service to DFW. We can help you, too.

Choosing SERVPRO of Richardson for Fire Damage in Dallas

While every insurance company is different, you can generally expect the following when you choose us to handle your fire damage insurance claim.

1. Call us for emergency roof tarping and board up.

Our office is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We will travel to your property and begin emergency fire damage services. We will install a weatherproof roof tarping and board up damaged windows, doors, and exterior walls. These services are important to prevent secondary damage to your property and to deter theft. If the weather prevents our technicians from performing this work, we will send a live security guard to monitor your property.

2. Call your home insurance company.

Tell them you have experienced fire damage on your property, and you have chosen SERVPRO of Richardson as your fire clean up company. Advice them that our office will be:

Installing emergency fire damage services such as board up and roof tarping
Handling the water damage clean up
Handling the property clean up
Handling the contents cleaning including textile and electronic
Handling reconstruction

By law, your insurance provider and adjuster must honor your choice of fire damage repair company. Your insurance adjuster may advise you to choose another company, but the choice is ultimately up to you. You cannot be penalized for choosing a company different than the one they initially suggest.

3. Receive an insurance claim number

When you receive an insurance claim number, call our office and let us know. Our office will assign an administrative manager that will personally guide through the restoration process from start to end. They will get in touch with your insurance adjuster and begin the claims process immediately.

4. Fire and smoke damage restoration begins

Our fire damage restoration process has been refined over 30 years of service.

5. Working with your insurance adjuster

You’ll be assigned an administrative manager from our office. They will guide you through the fire damage restoration process and the insurance claim from start to end. They will also communicate with your insurance adjuster on a regular basis, most times every day. We will forward all documentation our technicians have gathered such as photographs and the inventory of your contents. We will ask for approval for various portions of your claim as we progress through the fire damage restoration process.

6. Insurance documentation

Documentation is a vital part of an insurance claim, especially in a fire damage. Our technicians will document every step of the fire damage process. We do this to validate your claim for your adjuster and help every portion of it be approved. Documentation includes photographs, sketches, and inventory of your contents.

A home inventory is essential. Our technicians will inspect your property to identify everything they can, from clothing to appliances. We will take pictures of items and record in what room or area they were found.

The items that are salvageable are packed and taken back to our cleaning facility to be restored.

The items that are not salvageable are reported to your insurance adjuster and disposed of when we receive permission. Our office also provides a suggested cost replacement estimate for each item that cannot be saved.

Home Inventory

What happens if some contents in the property are so badly burnt that they are no longer identifiable? This is where your home inventory becomes necessary. A home inventory is a list of contents, with pictures, that you had in your property before the fire occurred. When items are burnt, this list will provide proof to your insurance adjuster of what was destroyed in the fire. Without proof, it is very difficult for an adjuster to agree to replace items.

To prepare a home inventory, please read our article How to Build a Home Inventory.

7. Fire Damage Insurance Payout

We will work with your adjuster to get every portion of your claim approved. Once your project has been completed, the invoice will be sent directly to your insurance provider. Most times, your insurance company will send us payment directly to close your claim.

While the majority of an insurance claim will be covered by the insurance company, homeowners are still responsible for their deductible. A deductible is the part of a claim that a homeowner is directly responsible for and has to pay directly to the restoration vendor. Our office will work with your insurance agent to determine your deductible. This can be paid to us at any time.

Do you have questions we haven’t talked about in this article? Contact us and we’ll be glad to answer.

Trusted Leader in Fire Restoration in Dallas, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated leader in the restoration industry. We have the expertise to handle any size smoke and fire damage restoration in Dallas, TX. We have performed residential and commercial restoration work in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Garland, Grapevine, Corsicana, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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We are family owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Fire Emergency Roof Tarp and Board Up

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson responds 24 hours a day to fire emergency restoration needs. We've been a trusted leader since 1986.

When fire damage occurs, the most important thing is to get everyone out of the affected property and call 911. Fires are devastating and very emotional with good reason. Our home or business property is usually the biggest investment in our life. Our memories and well being are tied to everything inside of it. Whether your home, apartment, or business has been affected, many people ask themselves how they can possibly get their property and life back.

It’s important to act quickly after fire damage. Acting quickly will help prevent secondary damage to your property and help your claim get started.

Secondary Damage

Secondary damage is damage caused after the primary damage -- in this case, the primary damage would be a fire. For example, secondary damage after a fire can be water damage from a rainstorm that entered the property from a damaged roof. Oftentimes, secondary damage can even be theft if the property was left without being boarded up or supervised.

Your insurance provider will want to know you prevented secondary damage from happening to your property. If it finds that you did not do enough, your claim may be partially denied.

The best way to prevent secondary damage from happening is by hiring a fire damage restoration company to start emergency fire damage services.

File a Fire Insurance Claim

Call your insurance provider as soon as possible and begin to file your claim. By law, your insurance company must honor the disaster restoration company of your choice. Choose a reputable company that is experienced in fire damage restoration and can dispatch a crew immediately to start work.

Emergency fire damage services are a cornerstone of our franchise. These include:

Board Up

This service includes boarding up damaged doors, windows, and damaged outer walls. Board up services are important for two reasons:

1 - Prevent the weather from getting into the property. Any form of precipitation that enters the property can cause secondary water and mold damage. Our board up services will prevent this from happening.

2 - Deter possible theft. It’s an unfortunate fact that fire damaged properties are sometimes vandalized, adding insult to injury. Boarding up your property will tell would-be thieves that the property is being taken care of and monitored.

Emergency Roof Tarping

When a fire occurs, the roof is often damaged. To prevent precipitation from entering the property, our crews will install a temporary, heavy duty and weatherproof tarp on the roof. The tarp will remain in place until a permanent roof is approved by your insurance carrier and can be installed by our reconstruction team.

24 Hour Live Surveillance

When the weather does not allow our crews to immediately start board up services, we will send a security guard. Our security will watch over your property and make sure it is not vandalized.

Water Damage Repair

After firefighting efforts, properties can experience water damage on top of the fire damage. When this water is left standing on the property, it can lead to mold in less than 48 hours. For this reason, our crews will work to extract the water as soon as possible.

Additional steps our franchise can immediately take are:

Inspection

Once your property has been secured, our team will visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection. We will begin documenting the extent of the fire damage and prepare an estimate for your insurance adjuster. Our team of specialists will work with all insurance companies to get your claim approved as quickly as possible.

After your insurance adjuster has approved your claim, other fire damage services can begin. These include:

Smoke and Soot Cleanup from Clothing

This portion of the fire damage restoration is one of the first to happen. Our technicians will inventory all clothing and textiles they find on your property. The salvageable textiles are packed and moved to our cleaning facilities where they will be washed in a specialized machine called the Esporta Wash System. Our Esporta wash will remove up to 99% of all smoke and soot particles from your textiles. After they’re washed, they will be safe to wear again.

Our franchise is one of the few businesses in Dallas Fort Worth certified to use the Esporta Wash System. We have one of the highest success rates in fire and mold damaged clothing and textile restoration, and we are able to process everything in-house. To learn more about our cleaning process, please read How to Get Fire Smoke Out of Clothes.

Moving Services and Storage

We will inventory everything identifiable on your property. The contents that we can clean and restore will be packed and moved back to our cleaning facility. After they have been sanitized, they will be placed in long-term storage until you are able to receive them again.

Contents Cleaning

Soot is acidic, which means that the longer your contents sit without being cleaned, the less chance they will be able to be restored successfully. We understand smoke and soot, and we will work to quickly clean the contents we find in your house.

Contents are divided into two categories: salvageable and unsalvageable.

Salvageable contents are those we know we can restore. These items we pack and move to our cleaning facility for processing and long-term storage.

Unsalvageable contents are those that have been permanently damaged by the fire. We inventory these items and prepare a report of them to your adjuster, complete with suggested replacement costs. These items are then thrown away after we receive your permission.

What about items that were so badly damaged that they cannot be identified? Please read our article How to Build a Home Inventory of Household Items to understand the importance of a home inventory.

Demolition

When parts of your property are permanently damaged, they have to be taken out of the property and disposed of. Demolition is always the last resort for our company; our goal is to save as much of your home or business as possible. Restoration is a faster and less expensive process, which is why many insurance adjusters prefer restoration over construction. Nevertheless, when restoration is not possible, our crews will demolition what is necessary and prepare it to be rebuilt by our reconstruction team.

Property Clean Up

We will clean every affected surface of your property to make sure it is safe once again. This will also include air duct and HVAC cleaning when necessary. Our technicians are trained and qualified to identify the many different types of smoke and soot present. They will use the appropriate methods and chemicals to clean your property correctly.

Smoke Removal and Deodorization

To help the cleaning efforts, we will also deodorize and remove all airborne smoke particles. This process is done through one or a combination of HEPA vacuuming, fogging, or the use of an ozone machine.

Reconstruction

Besides fire damage cleanup, our franchise is also uniquely qualified to rebuild any portion of your property that suffered permanent damage. Our reconstruction team will work with your insurance adjuster to add rebuild services to your claim.

We Are A Full Service Restoration Company

There are many Dallas fire damage restoration companies but not many are full service and can restore your property from beginning to end. Insurance companies and adjusters prefer to work with us because we can completely handle your restoration. We make the fire damage claims process easy and less expensive than our competitors by taking care of the entire process. Our franchise is a trusted leader, and we are qualified to:

Perform emergency roof tarping and board up
Clean all your contents
Clean and deodorize your entire property
Clean your air ducts and HVAC system
Move out all contents.
Provide long-term storage
Clean your clothing and textiles
Reconstruct your property

When you hire our franchise, SERVPRO of Richardson, you will be guided by our team step by step.

Call SERVPRO of Richardson for Fire Damage in Dallas, TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated leader in the restoration industry. We have the expertise to handle any size smoke and fire damage restoration in Dallas, TX. We have performed residential and commercial restoration work in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Garland, Grapevine, Corsicana, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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We are a family owned and operated business. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Process for Fire Restoration in Dallas

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted restorer for fire damage in Dallas, TX. We've restored thousands of properties since 1986.

Experiencing fire damage can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. Even in cases of small fires that are contained quickly, the smoke produced can cause residual damage throughout an entire household. In more serious and unfortunate cases, most or all of a property and its contents are damaged or destroyed.

SERVPRO of Richardson has restored thousands of properties in the 30+ years we’ve been servicing North Texas. We are a full service fire restoration company ready to handle your restoration’s every need from emergency board ups to reconstruction.

While every fire damage is different, you can generally expect the following when you hire us as your fire damage restoration company:

Emergency Board Up and Roof Tarping

Did you know that some insurance companies deny at least part of a fire insurance claim if it finds that a property owner did not try to protect their property from secondary damage? This can be avoided by hiring a contractor to do emergency board up and roof tarping.

After fire damage, many properties experience damaged roofs, windows, doors, and even damaged outer walls. This type of damage makes a building susceptible to secondary damage. Weather can come in and cause water damage and mold. Easy access also makes it easy for theft to occur.

For these reasons, we recommend emergency fire damage services as soon as the fire department has left. We can:

Attach a weatherproof roof tarp.
Board up damaged doors, windows, and outer walls.
Send a security guard to protect your property 24 hours a day.

After your property is secure, we can inspect your property and begin fire damage cleanup and remediation services.

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage and fire damage usually go hand in hand when larger fires occur. This is because the fire department is called, and their services require the use of water to put out the fire. When the fire is put out, properties have experienced the catastrophe of smoke and fire, and they are also flooded.

In order to prevent secondary damage such as mold, our crews will extract all standing water.

Fire Damage Inspection

If you are filing a homeowners insurance claim, your insurance company will want an estimate to put your property back to a preloss state. To provide them with this information, we will inspect your property and take into account the following:

The cost to clean salvageable clothing, textiles, and contents.
The cost to replace permanently damaged clothing and contents.
The cost to clean and deodorize all affected areas of the home including the air duct and HVAC system.
The cost to rebuild any portion of the home that was permanently damaged.
The cost of moving services and long-term storage, if needed.

Your insurance company may also provide you with a temporary living location while your property and its contents are being cleaned.

Textile Cleaning: How to Clean Clothes After a House Fire

We are one of the few businesses in North Texas that is certified to clean and restore smoke and fire damaged clothing. We are a certified Esporta Wash System operator. Our office has the ability to pick up clothing and other items at your property at the time of inspection and transport them back to our cleaning facility for immediate processing. Cleaning smoke and soot affected textiles quickly increase the probability of them being able to be fully deodorized and sanitized.

To read more about our clothing and textile cleaning process, please read How to Get Fire Smoke Out of Clothes.

Demolition

When fire damage permanently damages a portion of a property, our team will demolition the areas that cannot be cleaned and restored. The demolition process is an essential first step to the cleanup process. All demolition items will be removed from the property and disposed of properly.

Moving and Storage Services

To salvage contents inside a property, we will pack all salvageable items and transport them to our cleaning facilities. Before moving any contents, our technicians will inventory all items that are identifiable.

At our facility, all items are restored and then packaged for long-term storage. Items are returned at either a temporary residence or once the property has been rebuilt.

Items that are not able to be restored are documented and inventoried for your insurance adjuster. Our office will provide a replacement cost estimate for each item for your insurance adjuster’s consideration.

In the case of a devastating fire, many items are burnt beyond recognition. We will do our best to identify all items, but this is not always possible. In this case, our technicians will not be able to provide documentation for your insurance adjuster for replacement. We understand the frustration and, at times, heartbreak this can cause.

We recommend having a digital home inventory to make sure your insurance adjuster knows what items were in your property and cannot be recuperated. This is the only way to provide proof of your belongings in the case of a devastating fire. If a homeowner cannot provide proof of an item existing in their home, it will usually not be replaced by insurance.

Please read our article for instructions to prepare a home inventory: How to Build a Home Inventory of your Household Items.

House Fire Clean Up

After demolition, our technicians will begin cleaning the entire structure. The structure includes anything in the property that is physically attached, such as walls, floors, and cabinets. There are different types of smoke and soot that all need unique cleaning techniques. Our team of technicians is trained to use the appropriate SERVPRO proprietary chemicals to clean all types of smoke and soot that are present.

The first step to structural cleaning is to check the air ducts and HVAC system. If soot has settled in the air ducts, it's important to remove it all before turning the air back on. After the air duct system has been cleaned, then the rest of the property’s structure can be cleaned.

Removing all smoke particles is essential to deodorization.

Smoke Odor Deodorization

The most important part of deodorization is to clean the entire structure and all contents inside. When odor-causing particles continue to linger, our team will place a series of HEPA vacuums on the property. When necessary, we may also fog the property or temporarily install an ozone machine.

Cleaning Items

The contents in your home are everything we can physically take such as clothing, textiles, appliances, electronics, furniture, toys, beds, etcetera.

Clothing and textiles are cleaned using the Esporta Wash System. All other contents are cleaned according to the type of smoke and soot they have been affected by.

Just like textiles, time is of the essence when cleaning contents. Since soot is acidic, the longer an item sits in it, the less of a chance it has of being cleaned and restored. This is why our technicians will move contents of a property as quickly as possible.

Reconstruction / Rebuild

After your property has been cleaned and deodorized, our reconstruction team gets to work. They will determine what is needed to restore your property back to preloss condition. Then, they work with your insurance adjuster to get this portion of your fire damage claim approved.

Our office is able to restore any part of a home or business, no matter the size.

Fire Insurance Claim Process

We’ll do the majority of the heavy lifting to make sure your Dallas fire damage insurance claim is processed. When you experience a fire damage, give your insurance company a call and receive a claim number. Tell them you have chosen SERVPRO of Richardson as your fire damage restoration company. By law, your insurance company must honor your choice of disaster restoration company, regardless of what they or an adjuster suggest.

Our office works with all insurance companies. If you have more insurance claim questions, see our About Insurance Claims FAQ article.

Do you have other questions? We’re here for you! Contact us.

Trusted Leader in Fire Damage, Dallas TX

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated leader in the restoration industry. We have the expertise to handle any size fire and smoke damage restoration in Dallas Texas. We have performed residential and commercial restoration work in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Garland, Corsicana, Midlothian, Ennis, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin YouTube

We are family owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Insurance Claims Process FAQ

12/19/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated leader in the restoration industry. We have the expertise to handle any size disaster.

Why Trust SERVPRO of Richardson With Your Home Insurance Claim?

Our franchise has been processing home insurance claims since we began servicing Dallas Fort Worth in 1986. We have helped thousands of homeowners and businesses clean and restore their properties after fire and water damages, and we can help you, too.

When you choose our franchise, one of our office administrators will be assigned especially to guide you through your insurance claim from start to end. They will establish contact with your insurance adjuster and communicate with them on a daily basis as your property is being restored. When we have a question or need documentation from you, we’ll ask. Otherwise, we do all the heavy lifting in the claims process, and we will keep you updated as the remediation process continues.

Our franchise works with every insurance company. Many insurance adjusters and insurance companies prefer to work with our franchise because we are a full service provider, meaning we can handle every portion of your claim ourselves. This makes us more efficient and less expensive than hiring multiple companies to restore your home.

When all or part of your claim is denied, we will find a way to work with you to still get your property cleaned and restored properly. Learn more about our unique franchise here.

What is an insurance claim?

An insurance claim is when you request coverage or compensation from your insurance company. When you experience a water damage, fire damage, or any other damage to your property, you can call your insurance company to request that they help cover the expenses to restore or rebuild your property back to a pre loss condition.

Who should I call to report a loss?

You can call us before contacting your insurance provider in order to get your emergency handled immediately. It’s important to quickly get your damage taken care of because some insurance companies deny at least part of an insurance claim if it finds that a property owner did not try to protect their property from getting more damaged.

While we’re on the way, call your insurance provider to report the loss. Once you’re given a claim number, call us to let us know. The administrator from our office that is assigned to help you will contact your insurance adjuster and begin to process your claim.

What is secondary damage?

Secondary damage is the damage that occurs to a property that happened as a result of the primary damage not being taken care of. For example, a property has a fire damage and it now needs smoke and soot cleanup. During the fire, the roof was damaged. The homeowner did not choose to hire a fire damage restoration company to perform emergency fire damage services such as roof tarping. Due to their failure to act, the home gets flooded when a rainstorm passes overnight. In this case, the water damage that resulted is now considered a secondary damage because the roof was not taken care of properly.

Secondary damage is an important consideration when working with insurance because some insurance providers deny all or parts of a claim if they can prove a homeowner did not do enough to prevent secondary damage to their property. For this reason, it’s important to take care of a water or fire damage as soon as it occurs.

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowner’s insurance provides coverage for your private home. It can also be called home insurance or property insurance. In the event of a loss, your insurance provider will pay to repair the damage, replace your belongings, and rebuild your property.

Homeowner’s insurance may cover:

Property damage - this includes damage to your home and detached structures
Personal liability - this includes the cost to repair a property or medical care when you or a family member causes damage or is injured on your property
Personal property loss - this includes damage or theft of personal property. If you have valuable items inside your home, you may need extra insurance to make sure the cost of replacement for those items is included, too.
Added living costs - this includes the cost of temporary living if your home is not habitable while it is being restored

Every homeowner’s insurance policy is different. Please contact your insurance provider to know what exactly is covered in your policy.

Is flooding covered in my homeowner’s insurance?

Flooding from a storm like a hurricane is typically not covered in homeowner’s insurance. To verify what your policy excludes, contact your insurance provider.

You can purchase flood insurance from an insurance agent or insurance provider that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). To learn more, see: FEMA Flood Insurance.

What is pre loss condition?

Pre-loss condition refers to the state your property was in before it was damaged. Many times, insurance policies will only pay to get your home back to where it was before the water, fire, or mold damage. In other words, insurance will not typically pay to upgrade your home.

What is replacement cost?

Replacement cost is the cost to replace your entire home. This is not the same as the market value of your property, how much you initially paid for it, or how much you have left on your mortgage. For example, if your insurance company determines that it will cost $100,000 to replace your home, it will pay $100,000; it will not take into account that its market value is $250,000, that you initially paid $175,000 for it, or that you have $50,000 left in your mortgage.

What is renter’s insurance?

Renters insurance covers your stolen or damaged items, and it also pays when someone is injured on your property. It may also pay for alternative living arrangements if your property is damaged and not habitable. Renter’s insurance is not mandatory, but it may be part of your contractual agreement with a landlord.

How much does renter’s insurance cost?

The cost of renter’s insurance varies by the size of the property and your location. Contact your local insurance company for a quote.

What does my insurance policy cover?

We are not given a copy of your insurance policy. To know what you are covered for, please contact your insurance provider.

What is an insurance deductible?

A deductible is the dollar amount you are personally responsible to pay before your insurance company covers the rest the claim’s cost. Every policy has a different deductible. Please contact your insurance agent to know what your deductible is.

We do not require you to pay your deductible before emergency services are started. While the project is ongoing, your deductible will be due and can be paid directly to us.

What is an insurance adjuster?

An insurance adjuster is another name for a claims adjuster or claims representative. This is the person that works with your insurance provider and is assigned to your claim to process it. Our office administrators will be in contact with your assigned insurance adjuster throughout the restoration process to ensure your claim is processed.

What is an independent insurance adjuster?

Sometimes your insurance provider does not have an adjuster that works directly for them. Instead, they hire an independent adjuster to process your claim. Independent adjusters can work for many insurance companies. Their role is the same as an insurance adjuster.

What does an insurance adjuster do?

An insurance adjuster will visit your property and inspect it. They will see the extent of the damage and determine if your claim is covered under your insurance policy or not. They will take documentation of your loss and handle the claim process by working directly with the restoration company you choose. Our office administrators will work with the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim. We talk to them on an almost daily basis and share all the documentation we gather from the project. When we need approval to finish parts of your project, they are the person we talk to.

How do I know if my water damage or fire damage is covered?

Water and fire damage is typically covered in insurance policies, but the only way to know with certainty is to read your policy or ask your insurance provider.

How do I know if mold remediation is covered?

Contact your insurance provider to ask if mold remediation is covered.

Will my insurance cover temporary housing?

Some policies include temporary housing costs but others do not. Contact your insurance provider to verify.

What if my insurance adjuster suggests another disaster restoration company?

By law, your insurance adjuster and your insurance company must honor which restoration company you want to work with. They cannot force you to use any one company, and they cannot impose any sort of penalties or deny your coverage if you choose a company they initially did not recommend.

The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim may suggest you use another disaster restoration company or may even suggest you use a variety of smaller companies to each handle a different portion of your claim. The choice is really yours.

You can feel confident when you choose SERVPRO of Richardson as your preferred restoration company. We have worked with thousands of families and businesses in DFW over 30 years. We work with all insurance companies, and we will help your claim be processed successfully.

How long does the insurance claim process take?

Because every project is different, the length of time for an insurance claim to be processed is also different case by case. Our goal is always to restore your property quickly so you can get back to your regular life.

What if my insurance claim is denied?

We work with insurance adjusters to make sure that the work our technicians are doing is covered. This is accomplished by asking your adjuster for approval before starting non-emergency parts of your water or fire damage cleanup. Once we get approval, then we begin work.

Our office seeks approval from agents first because the last thing we want to do is start work on a portion of a project that is later denied. This causes an invoice higher than the insurance deductible the homeowner was expecting to pay.

If a part of your claim is not covered, we will let you know what next steps you can take. Many homeowners choose to self-finance denied portions of their claim in order to finish the cleanup.

How do insurance payouts work?

Every insurance company works a bit differently, but in general, this is what you can expect:

Your insurance adjuster will ask you to pay your deductible so they can pay for the rest of the claim. The deductible is paid directly to us. We accept checks and all major credit cards.
We will work with your insurance adjuster to process your claim. Your adjuster will approve or deny different parts of it. When the project is done, we will send your adjuster the invoice for your claim.
Your adjuster will issue a check to pay for the claim. The amount the check is for exactly covers the invoice.
The check is sometimes sent directly to us. When this happens, your claim has been completed.
Other times, the check is sent to you, and you are responsible for paying us in turn. When you pay your invoice, then your claim has been completed.

Can I switch restoration companies in the middle of my project?

Yes, it is possible to switch restoration companies. Customers usually choose to do this because they are either unhappy with the work another company has done, or they have chosen to work with a full service restoration company that can handle their entire claim versus many smaller companies that can only handle one portion of their claim.

If you would like to work with our franchise, just give us a call and let us know. We will make arrangements with your current restoration company to take over the work.

Trusted Leader in Texas Disaster Restoration

SERVPRO of Richardson is locally owned and operated leader in the restoration industry. We have the expertise to handle any size fire and smoke damage restoration in Dallas, Texas. We have performed residential and commercial restoration work in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Garland, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin YouTube

We are family owned and operated. Learn more about us.

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Happy 33rd Birthday SERVPRO Richardson!

12/12/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is celebrating a birthday! We have been a family owned and operated business for 33 years in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

SERVPRO of Richardson Celebrates 33 Years

We opened our doors 33 years ago as one of the first SERVPRO franchises in Dallas Fort Worth. Back then, there were not many SERVPRO franchises around Dallas, but today it’s uncommon to spend any time on a major highway in Dallas Fort Worth and not see one of our bright, green trucks heading to a job. Our metroplex has over 30 franchises servicing the North Texas population, and we are growing every year.

A lot has happened in the past 33 years. When SERVPRO of Richardson first came into existence, we were a carpet cleaning company. Our franchise had a team of two people, a husband and wife team. One person stayed in the office to answer the phone and schedule carpet cleaning jobs while the other did the production work in our one and only van.

We were pretty busy running our small family company, and we still are today -- except now we have a large team of technicians, administrators, and managers traveling around DFW in our fleet of green vehicles. We now have crews of technicians available for dispatch 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

As we looked to expand our business, we always asked our customers what other services they wanted us to perform. This is how we learned that our customers also wanted restoration and cleaning services. We listened to what our customers wanted, and we began to invest, hire, and train. That’s how, today, we offer one of the largest service offerings of all SERVPRO franchises in Dallas Fort Worth.

We’re not just carpet cleaners anymore. Today we also offer:

Water Damage Restoration

We offer 24 hour emergency water cleanup in Dallas Fort Worth. Our technicians extract standing water, disinfect and sanitize contaminated structure and textiles, demolition of permanently damaged structure, and structural drying. Our water damage process has been scientifically proven and refined over the last 30 years.

Fire Restoration

When the fire department leaves, our crews come in to start fire damage restoration in Dallas Fort Worth. The first step to fire restoration is emergency board up and roof tarping. Our crews will board up broken windows, doors, and place a weatherproof tarp on your roof. Board up services discourage theft and prevent precipitation from entering the property. When the weather doesn’t allow board up services, 24 hour live surveillance will be placed on the property until conditions are favorable.

After board up services, we will remove damaged structure, clean and deodorize the entire property, move out, clean, and store all salvageable belongings, and then rebuild the property. We are one of the few businesses in Dallas Fort Worth that offer complete fire restoration services.

Mold Cleanup / Mold Remediation

We are a licensed Mold Remediation Contractor for the state of Texas. Our office offers free mold inspections and bids to any home or business in Dallas Fort Worth. During mold remediation, we install temporary mold containment and also run HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of mold during cleanup.

Dallas Flooding Cleanup

Our franchise has responded to natural disasters for over a decade. We are experienced in restoring flood damaged properties after a hurricane or thunderstorms. We also have the expertise to handle a response to major wind and hail storms, tornadoes, and wildfires.

Biohazard Cleaning

We have experience cleaning homes and commercial properties with biohazard needs. We clean up are unattended deaths, crime scenes involving trauma and homicides and traumatic accidents. We have also cleaned homes that gone through SWAT procedures and need chemical cleanup such as tear gas.

Reconstruction / Rebuild

We are one of the few full service SERVPRO franchises in DFW that also offer reconstruction services after mitigation work has been completed. Our reconstruction team will rebuild any part of your home or business that was permanently damaged.

Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning

We offer residential and commercial air duct and HVAC cleaning. We offer free estimates and can clean air ducts during off business hours to prevent the disruption of a normal business day.

Esporta Textile and Clothing Cleaning

We are one of the few restoration businesses in North Texas that is Esporta certified to clean and sanitize clothing and other textiles. Our Esporta technicians can salvage clothing, stuffed animals, leathers, and other textiles that have been affected by fire smoke, contaminated water, and even mold infestation.

Commercial Cleaning

Our cleaning crews are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to service the cleaning needs of any DFW business. From one time cleanings to regularly scheduled deep carpet cleaning, we are available. Our franchise works with hotels, schools, and government buildings on a regular basis, and we are happy to work with you, too. Click here to learn more about our commercial services.

As 8th generation Texans, we are so thankful to continue servicing our home of Dallas Fort Worth. We know there are many water restoration companies in our hometown, and we're proud to continue being the top choice for water damage repair in Dallas.

We’d like to thank all our customers of the past 33 years for being the reason we are still in business today. Because of you, we are a leader in the restoration industry.

We look forward to at least another three decades of service.

Thank you!

The Weaver Family

Trusted Leader in Disaster Restoration, Dallas

SERVPRO of Richardson is an experienced water and fire restoration company in the Richardson and Plano, Texas city borders. We have restored homes and businesses that have experienced water and fire damage, mold infestation, and biohazard situations. We have performed work in Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Frisco, Plano, Waxahachie, Corsicana, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

C Diff Cleaning in North Texas

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is an experienced biohazard cleanup company. Call us today for a free C Diff cleaning consultation and estimate.

C Diff Cleaning in North Texas

If you or a family member is experiencing a C Diff infection and need your home cleaned, give us a call. Our franchise is experienced in biohazard and bloodborne pathogen cleanup, and we have helped families impacted by C Diff around Dallas Fort Worth clean their homes.

What is C Diff?

C Diff is an abbreviation for Clostridium difficile, which is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea. According to the Mayo Clinic:

“Spores from C. difficile bacteria are passed in feces and spread to food, surfaces and objects when people who are infected don't wash their hands thoroughly. These spores can persist in a room for weeks or months. If you touch a surface contaminated with C. difficile spores, you may then unknowingly swallow the bacteria.”

For more information about C Diff, see the Mayo Clinic’s article.

C Diff prevention steps include hand-washing, contact precautions, and thorough cleaning. For families looking for professional C Diff cleaning services, our biohazard team is ready to help.

C Diff Diarrhea Cleaning

When we are called to complete a C Diff cleaning, we are prepared to clean up diarrhea from the exposed individual. Our office has established a procedure to safely and effectively clean an area exposed to C Diff infected feces and immediate surrounding areas.

Bathroom Cleaning

Our technicians will clean surface areas of the bathroom, including the toilet, with an appropriate biohazard cleanup agent. Surfaces will be wiped clean after application.

C Diff Cleaning Services

Give us a call if you are interested in having other areas of your home cleaned. We will visit your property for an inspection and provide a free bid. We offer the following services:

Kitchen cleaning
Bathroom cleaning
Communal area cleaning
Vehicle cleaning
Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning

Free Cleaning Bids

Call our office today to schedule a free C Diff consultation and cleaning estimate. Bids are free between 8 AM - 5 PM. Our technicians are available to clean your property 24-hours a day, including weekends.

C Diff Commercial Cleaning

If you are a business or property owner and you are concerned about C Diff spore exposure, we are available to disinfect your facilities 24-hours a day, including weekends. Give us a call now to schedule a free consultation and estimate.

Biohazard Waste Disposal

Due to the nature of C Diff, our biohazard cleanup technicians will take every precaution to maintain your safety and their own while they clean your property. Our technicians will wear appropriate personal protection equipment for their own safety. All cleaning instruments will be treated as biohazard waste and disposed of at an appropriate biomedical waste facility.

Trusted Leader in Biohazard Cleanup, Dallas Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is an experienced biohazard cleanup company in Dallas Texas. We have cleaned homes and businesses that have experienced crime scenes, unattended deaths, and other types of trauma resulting in bloodborne pathogen cleanup. We have performed work in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Source for C Diff Information: The Mayo Clinic

Mold Remediation Process FAQ

8/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license and is ready to help you any time.

Mold Remediation Process FAQ

What is Mold?

Mold is a naturally occurring fungus. It’s present in all kinds of environments, both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores are microscopic and spread through the air, which makes mold growth easy when its disturbed by air. The best environment for mold growth is a dark, warm, and humid room. We often see the need for mold remediation in rooms where a source of water is introduced, like kitchens, bathrooms, attics, and laundry rooms.

Does Mold Removal Take Care of All Mold?

100% mold removal is not possible. Since mold is a natural part of our environment, removing it completely is an impossible task. Although most people think “mold removal” is what happens when they have a cleanup, the better term is “mold remediation.” Mold remediation companies eliminate a large amount of mold to make the environment safe and healthy for habitation again.

What Happens in a Mold Inspection?

Every mold remediation company works differently. The mold inspection process our business uses as follows:

Our mold inspections and bids are free.
We receive a call from a customer and schedule a time to inspect their property. We can almost always be there within a day.
We send a mold remediation specialist to inspect your property. They will look for the usual hot spots and ask you questions about your property’s history with water damages, roof damage, and anything that will help them know where mold may be growing.
If we find mold, we will take its measurements and photo documentation. Shortly, we’ll present you with a bid to remediate your mold.
If your mold is large enough, we will have to report it to the State of Texas. The process for a large mold like this is more throughout, but we will guide you through it every step of the way.
If your mold is small enough to not need official Texas documentation, we can start your project as soon as you approve our mold cleanup bid.
If we don’t find mold on your property, we will ask if you are experiencing symptoms or other smells that may indicate mold. Sometimes, the problem isn’t mold but something else. In each case, we will try to solve your problem.

Do I Need Mold Testing?

Few people really need to know the exact type of mold found on their property. All mold remediation is treated with the same level of caution and care, and knowing the type of mold present will not change our procedure. Unless you have a specific medical or personal need to know the type of mold, we advice against mold testing. If you do request mold testing, we will take a sample of your mold to a licensed mold testing laboratory. Most results are ready within 3 days.

How Do I Get Mold Out of Clothes?

Throwing moldy clothes your home’s washing machine will not guarantee that all the spores are removed. Instead, trust us to get the job done correctly for you.

We are one of the few Esporta licensed businesses in North Texas. We have a specialized machine that uses a mixture of up to six detergents dedicated to washing contamination out of clothing. Our mold remediation specialists will take your moldy clothes and take them back to our cleaning facility for mold removal. Emergency items can be returned to you within 3 days, and most loads are ready in under 2 weeks.

How Much is Mold Remediation Cost?

It’s important for us to perform a mold inspection at your property to give you an accurate bid. Our mold inspections and bids are free. Call us any time.

Do You Remove Black Mold?

Yes, we have successfully removed black mold in many homes and businesses.

Does Bleach Kill Mold?

Bleach damages the mold’s structure. However, mold remediation is not as easy as grabbing a bottle of bleach and doing your own cleanup. In fact, DIY mold removal projects involving bleach is one of the most popular causes for the accidental spread of mold spores. What was once a small project becomes a larger one.

What is Texas Mold Law?

Texas Mold Law comes into effect when the size of your mold is over 25 contiguous feet. This size of mold falls under Texas Mold Assessment And Remediation Rules (TMARR), which requires:

A Texas Licensed Mold Assessor to write a Mold Protocol. We cannot legally choose an assessor for you. Instead, we can give you a list of assessors for you to choose from.
A Texas Licensed Mold Contractor (us) will file a Work Plan and schedule the job with the State of Texas. Once the Work Plan is filed, we must legally wait at least five (5) business days before starting the job.
When we finish the mold remediation, the Mold Assessor has to check the cleaning to make sure it’s successful. If it is, they will issue a Clearance Document.
The Texas Licensed Mold contractor (us) can then issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation to you which documents the success of the mold cleanup. Keep this document and give a copy to your insurance provider. You’ll also want to hold on to it for any future home buyer to prove you’ve taken care of your mold problem correctly.

Our business has a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license and is ready to help you any time.

What Do I Do If There’s Mold in Apartment?

If you find mold in your apartment, one of the first questions you may ask is if you are responsible for the mold remediation cost or the apartment complex. We get asked this question often, but the only person who will be able to answer you is your landlord. Ask to see your rental agreement and how damages like these are covered.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

The Dallas Cotton Bowl Stadium football game has been renamed the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl for 2018!

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium

SERVPRO of North Irving is excited to announce that the Cotton Bowl Stadium football bowl game in our hometown of Dallas has been renamed the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl!

We’re proud to honor and support the service of all America’s First Responders. These brave men and women keep our communities safe every day of the year. First Responders include firefighters, police, EMS workers, military members, and more.

Kickoff is set for December 26, 2018 at 12:30 P.M. Central. ESPN will televise the game, and tickets go on sale in September.

"We are proud to present the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl dedicated to honoring some of the hardest working men and women in our country," says CEO of SERVPRO Industries, Sue Steen. "We recognize the dedication and selfless acts of our First Responders and are honored to help highlight and celebrate the commitment of these everyday heroes."

The 2018 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is part of almost 90 years of history of games played at Cotton Bowl Stadium on the grounds of Fair Park in Dallas.

“This is an exciting change, and we are humbled by the fact that an actual bowl game has been named exclusively for the first responders of this country,” says Dallas Fire Rescue Fire Chief David Coatney.

“We are truly honored to have a bowl game here in Dallas named after the hard working men and women serving and protecting communities across this country. It always feels great to be recognized, and I know our officers and firefighters are touched by this overwhelming show of support,” says Dallas Police Chief, Ms. Renee Hall.

Visit www.firstresponderbowl.com for information as it becomes available.

SERVPRO of Richardson is Locally Owned and Operated in Dallas, Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a locally owned and operated restoration company in Dallas Fort Worth. We are a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company in Dallas TX. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We are also a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor for Texas and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

DIY First Aid Kit

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

A DIY First Aid Kit is simple to build and should be part of your emergency preparedness plan.

DIY First Aid Kit

First aid kits are a must for emergency preparedness. Whether you have a small cut or you are preparing for a serious emergency situation, a first aid kit can help.

First Aid Kit Supplies

Your DIY first aid kit can be held in a waterproof case or bag. We recommend putting your kit’s items into a waterproof material such as plastic. This avoids your items from becoming wet and ruined.

Waterproof cases are easy to find in the fishing supply section of a general or sports store.

2 compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
25 band aids (different sizes)
First aid tape
Antibiotic ointment; many people prefer the triple antibiotic ointment
Hydrocortisone ointment
Aspirin; also include baby aspirin if needed
Ibuprofen
Instant cold pack
2 pair of medical gloves (non-latex); many times these gloves are called nitrile gloves
Oral thermometer
Scissors
Tweezers
2 roller bandages (different widths)
2 elastic bandages
10 sterile gauze pads (different sizes)
2 triangular bandages (for making slings)
First aid instruction booklet, printable - print this basic first aid manual here

Emergency Preparedness Plan

A first aid kit should be part of your overall emergency preparedness plan.

But when you are preparing for an incoming storm and your preparedness plan needs to take into account the possibility of evacuation or your entire home being affected, there are other things in need of consideration to be prepared.

1. Emergency Preparedness Documents for Natural Disasters

When you need to evacuate your home, it’s important for you to carry important documentation. This documentation includes medical records, identification, and other items that prove who you are and what your possessions are.

Keeping these documents on your body will prevent them from accidentally getting destroyed at home. One thing you should not have to worry about is contacting various government agencies while your insurance company is asking you for paperwork to process your claim.

2. How to Build a Home Inventory of Household Items

An inventory of your household items is one of the important documents we recommend you carry with you. While the idea of doing your own home inventory may sound silly (after all, you know what’s in your own home!), it’s one of the important pieces of documentation in the event of a serious disaster, like a fire or tornado.

A home inventory helps prove to your insurance company what items were in your home that are now either too burnt to identify or have disappeared if your home was damaged. When it comes time to estimate replacement costs, only you can prove how much your items were worth.

3. Family Communications Plan During Natural Disasters

If a serious emergency happens in your area, your family may be separated. Having a family communications plan in place can help everyone meet in a safe location after the storm. Don’t depend on phone lines to work consistently during events like these.

4. Hurricane Emergency Kit

This is a kit made with a hurricane situation in mind. The needs for a hurricane are slightly different than other storms.

Full Service Disaster Restoration Company

No matter what happens, we’re here for you.

Our goal is to make your life simple. We want you to get back into your home or business as soon as possible and move on with your life. We take our slogan, “Like it never even happened.” to heart.

The restoration industry involves so many facets. Every customer is different and so are the circumstances of their disaster. It’s difficult for one business to take on every portion of a project, and that’s why many restoration companies choose to specialize and find a comfortable niche.

We’ve been serving homes and businesses in Dallas Fort Worth for over 30 years, and we’ve learned a lot in that time. We’ve taken time to become a full service restoration contractor because it’s the best option for our customers. We are people’s one call and done.

We offer:

Water Damage Remediation

Fire Remediation

Mold Removal

Reconstruction

Air Duct Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning

Esporta Clothing & Textile Cleaning

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Emergency Preparedness Documents For Natural Disasters

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Carrying the right emergency preparedness documents during a natural disaster is necessary. (Photo credit RNR Plastics)

Emergency Preparedness Documents For Natural Disasters

During a disaster situation such as a hurricane, a document bag is an important part of your emergency preparedness kit. You may find you’ll need these documents if you are sheltering in place or evacuating.

Whether you are sheltering in place in a storm shelter or evacuating, keep these documents on you. We recommend you place them in a waterproof sealable, plastic bag.

Emergency Preparedness Kit - Documentation

Document Bag
Current photo ID for all members of your group
Birth certificates
Social security cards
Passports
Photos of all members of your group, including pets
Health insurance cards and prescriptions
Medical records, such as medications and dosages
Phone numbers (written on paper) for family, friends, doctors
Bank account information and loan documents
Insurance documents for:

Home insurance
Renters insurance
Flood insurance
Car insurance

Property documentation (leases, mortgages)
Vehicle titles
Home inventory of household possessions and their value
Backup computer files on a USB drive
Copies of keys (home, vehicle, safes)
Utility bills to prove where you live

Emergency Preparedness Plan

When you are preparing for an incoming storm and your preparedness plan needs to take into account the possibility of evacuation or your entire home being affected, there are other things in need of consideration to be prepared.

1. DIY First Aid Kit

A first aid kit does not need to be fancy or bought in the store. If you want to make one yourself, buy what goes inside in bulk and resupply as you need. We recommend you place your first aid kit items in a waterproof container like a plastic box or bag.

We recommend building a DIY kit for your home and each vehicle you own.

2. How to Build a Home Inventory of Household Items

3. Family Communications Plan During Natural Disasters

4. Hurricane Emergency Kit

This is a kit made with a hurricane situation in mind. The needs for a hurricane are slightly different than other storms.

Full Service Disaster Restoration Company

No matter what happens, we’re here for you.

We offer:

Water Damage Remediation

Fire Remediation

Mold Removal

Reconstruction

Air Duct Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning

Esporta Clothing & Textile Cleaning

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Source: Texas Hurricane Center

How to Build a Home Inventory of Your Household Items

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

A home inventory of your household items is a valuable tool you will use if your property ever needs disaster restoration. (Photo credit: FEMA).

How to Build a Home Inventory of Your Household Items

Why build an inventory of household items?

The reason to have a home inventory is simple. Ask yourself this: if a water damage or a fire damage affected your home, could you make a list for your insurance company of all the lost items? Do you know what all your household items are worth?

Most people cannot remember everything they have in their home.

Homeowners Insurance and Contents Insurance

When natural disasters such as floods, fires, or tornadoes happen, properties are affected and many household items are damaged. To replace your household items, your home insurance company may ask for an inventory of your household contents. The household inventory will help in valuing your items and coming up with a replacement cost.

SERVPRO of Richardson will inventory all the items we find on your property. When a fire damage happens, it is sometimes possible to identify a burnt item and report it to your insurance company. Unfortunately, some items are burnt so badly that identification is impossible.

Without an inventory or proof of your items having existed, your claim may not be fulfilled to your satisfaction.

Before any disaster happens, having an accurate home inventory will help you know how much home content insurance you should purchase. Do this for peace of mind. Should anything ever happen, you will be able to file a claim to replace all lost items.

Use Technology to Inventory your Household Items

A phone or video camera will make this process quick. We recommend you use video to capture general documentation all your items. Then, use photos to capture smaller and important details such as serial numbers and brands.

How to Inventory A Room Using Video

Choose a room in your home. Start on the left of the room and pan the camera up and down. Slowly working your way clockwise until you’ve captured the entire room.
If you need to open drawers or closet doors to show more of your contents, go ahead and do that.
Don’t forget items you may have somewhere else, like a storage unit.

Write Down Inventory Details and Backup Your Claim with Photos

Now it’s time to write down important information about the items you recorded. For example:

If you recorded a TV, write down the name and model or serial number and take a picture of these details.
If you recorded clothing, write down:

The quantity of each type of clothing e.g. dress shirts, t-shirts, shoes, pants, etcetera.
Clothing of high value should have its brand recorded. If you want to prove bag was Prada, for example, take a close picture of the Prada tag.

Are Jewelry and Art Covered in my Home Insurance?

Items like jewelry and art may require you to increase your insurance. This is done through personal property coverage or add endorsements or floaters to your homeowners insurance. Check with your insurance company to make your valuables are covered. If you need extra insurance to cover high end items, your insurance will provide you with instructions.

Have Proof of Value

Keep sales receipts and appraisals in hand to provide your insurance company proof of purchase and value. Add these documents to your emergency preparedness bag.

Backup your Files and Update your Inventory

Keep your recordings and receipts on a cloud-based system to make sure they’re never lost.
For paperwork, look for free apps on Android and iOS to scan paperwork and convert it to a digital file. Save it to secure online storage.
Never rely on printed documentation as your only source of proof. What would you do if that paperwork got damaged in a disaster?
As you make more significant purchases, update your list.

Take your home inventory system seriously! There are two unfortunate situations we see often. One is a homeowner valuing an item much higher than their insurance is willing to accept. The second situation is when a homeowner claims they had an item but they can’t prove it existed. This almost always forces the insurance company to deny that part of their claim. This happens simply because the homeowner did not have adequate documentation of an items’ existence, authenticity, or appraisal.

Our Role in the Water and Fire Damage Restoration Process

We have worked with many homes and businesses affected by a water damage, fire damage, flooding, and tornadoes. One of our first tasks is to create a home inventory of all items found on the property. We search every room until we have found every item we possibly can.

We divide items into two categories:

Salvageable Items are those that are intact and can be cleaned. We pack those items and take them back to our cleaning facility. They are sanitized and brought back to its former condition. While your home is reconstructed, we store them in our storage facility. When you are able to receive those items back, they are delivered at your convenience.

Fire clean up that we have successfully done include:

Furniture
Clothing - we get the fire smoke out of clothes
Electronics
Toys
Anything attached to the home itself (structure clean up)

Unsalvageable Items are those that can be identified but have been destroyed permanently. These items cannot be cleaned and we recommend be thrown away. Our technicians document these items and report to your insurance company.

What about items that can’t be identified? This is where your home inventory plays a vital role in your claim.

Only you can prove to your insurance carrier what items were in your home.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We are also a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor for Texas and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Hurricane Emergency Management in North Texas

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

The Dallas Office of Emergency Management offers 24 hour emergency notices to all North Texas residents.

Hurricane Emergency Management in North Texas

For those of us living in Dallas County, hurricane preparedness is different than for those living close to coastal areas, such as Houston, Galveston, or Louisiana. Many of us living in Collin County don’t typically live in flood zones, so we don’t tend to prepare as readily as our coastal neighbors.

Yet, understanding how to prepare for a hurricane is still important. Dallas County is often a safe destination for evacuees. It’s important for us to know evacuation routes, where shelters will open in our city, and where we can drop off food and supplies.

Emergency Management offices are important sources of information and news for information and planning in Dallas County and surrounding counties.

Dallas Office of Emergency Management

Twitter @DallasOEM

Facebook: OEMDallas

Tarrant County Emergency Management

Website

Twitter: @TarrantOEM

Facebook: TarrantOEM

Collin County Emergency Management

Website

Denton County Alert

Ellis County Emergency Management

Website

FEMA App

Download the FEMA App for nationwide information such as alerts, tips, and shelter locations. The app allows you to input up to five (5) locations to receive emergency news from.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Dallas Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We are also a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor for Texas and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

The Texas Department of Public Safety runs the STEAR program.

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

If you need assistance during an emergency event such as a natural disaster, consider signing up for Texas State’s STEAR (State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry) program.

STEAR is made for:

People with disabilities
People with access and functional needs such as:

Limited mobility
Communication barriers
Requiring additional medical assistance
Requiring transportation assistance
Requiring personal care assistance

STEAR provides local emergency planners and responders with information on the needs of their community. Available services vary by community. To learn more about your county’s use of the program, visit their Emergency Management Office.

Registration for STEAR is free, voluntary, and confidential.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We are also a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor for Texas and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety

Family Emergency Communication Plan

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Do I need to create a family communications plan? Yes! It's always better to be prepared than not. (Photo credit: FEMA)

Family Emergency Communication Plan

The best time to prepare for a disaster is before anything has happened. Ask yourself:

What if something happens and I’m separated from my family?

How will I be able to reach my family?

Where will we meet up?

Having a communication plan with your family may help you reunite with your loved ones. You can plan ahead of time how to reach each other and where you will meet.

Text Messages Are More Reliable than Calls

During storms, text messages are more reliable than phone calls since phone lines are often overloaded. This does not guarantee your text goes through, but it has a better chance of working.

What Should My Family Communication Include?

Meeting Places

What neighborhood place can you all go to meet up? Include its name, address, and number.
Who is a local person that can provide a place to meet up? Include their name, address, and number.
Who is out-of-town that can provide a place to meet up? Include their name, address, and number.

Likely Places to Be

Also, consider where your family spends a lot of time; they may still be at this location when an emergency happens.

Work
School
Other (daycare, gym, friend’s house)

Have each place’s address and phone number.

If the general phone line is busy, call someone else that you know inside to verify the whereabouts of your loved one.

Pet Emergency Kit

If you have pets, make sure these places are all willing to take in your furry little one. Think about what items your pet will need to be safe and comfortable while you’re away from home. Examples include:

Food
Water
Food bowls
Leash
Kennel
Vaccination records
Cat litter with box
Medications

Other Emergency Preparedness Considerations

If you know a storm is coming, have you prepared your home? Read our article about home preparedness here.
Is your car ready? Does it have its own First Aid Kit? Is it filled with gas?
Which car will you pick people up in? Remember to also take your pets with you.
Who will pick up whom? If you’ll be riding in multiple cars, consider making a map for each person’s pick up route.
Do you have go bags ready? If you know there is a chance of a storm, consider packing a go bag ahead of time and keeping it with you. Take necessary items only.
If the roadways are at risk of flooding, how soon will you choose to gather your family?

Where to Keep Your Emergency Plan

Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency preparedness documents bag.

Also, give a copy to everyone involved in it so they can keep it in their bag or backpack. It’s a good idea to keep this paper in a sealed plastic bag or even laminating it to make sure its resistant to water.

Don’t just keep a digital copy on your phone! If you found yourself with a source of electricity and your phone’s battery died, what would you do? Go old school and keep it on paper.

Other Emergency Preparedness Considerations

Build a hurricane emergency supply kit. This checklist will quickly tell you which items you should be prepared to have and breaks it down by category.

Build a DIY first aid kit. A first aid does not have to be fancy. In fact, we recommend buying these items in bulk and simply restocking your kit when necessary. It also makes it easier and more affordable to have more than one kit in your inventory.

Prepare a home inventory of your household items. Your insurance provider will need proof of items you are claiming to have been destroyed or lost. Only you can provide proof of your claim.

Sign up to receive alerts from your county’s office of emergency management and FEMA.

If you have a disability, consider signing up for the Texas Emergency Assistance Registry Program (STEAR).

Trusted Leader in Dallas Storm Damage

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Source: Texas Hurricane Center

What to Include in A Hurricane Emergency Kit

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Having your Hurricane Emergency Kit ready before the storm hits can save you valuable time. (Photo credit: FEMA)

What to Include in A Hurricane Emergency Kit

Start your emergency supply kit with what you already have at home and then shop for the rest. Put items into waterproof ziplock bags and then place small items into a backpack. This will make your kit waterproof and easy to carry.

As you prepare your home for a hurricane, know that many other people will, too. It’s best to stock up early to avoid a run on supplies. Home hardware stores and other retail stores tend to run out of food and supplies as many people in the community rush to prepare.

Don’t depend on your local store being able to restock soon. If roads are damaged or flooded, stores may not be restocked frequently or at all throughout the duration of the storm. This was very common during Hurricane Harvey when our own cleanup and restoration crews had to purchase and load our supply trailers with items from Dallas due to a shortage in Houston and Galveston.

Emergency Food Supply -- Food and Water

3 day supply of food that doesn’t need cooking e.g. canned food
Can opener
1 gallon of water per day for each person
Baby items e.g. food, bottles, formula, diapers

Emergency First Aid Kit and Medications

DIY First Aid Kit
Prescriptions
Hand sanitizer and wipes
Toilet paper and garbage bags
Dental care and vision products
Soaps
Diapers
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
N-95 face masks in case of contaminated air - home hardware stores sell these

Family Emergency Communication Plan

Remember: during storms, text messages are more reliable than phone calls since phone lines are often overloaded. This does not guarantee your text goes through, but it has a better chance of working.

Battery operated radio or hand crank radio
Extra batteries
Cell phone batteries
Car Charger
Matches
Whistle
Glasses/sunglasses
Completed emergency preparedness documents bag - place in a sealable plastic bag

Pet Emergency Kit

3 day supply of food, water, and bowls
Medications
Vaccination records and photos - place in a sealable plastic bag
Crate
Leash and toy
Cat Litter with box

Are you Sheltering in Place?

Unless required to evacuate, many people choose to stay home and shelter in place. Before the storm arrives, make sure to do the following:

Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Have a fire extinguisher.
Purchase plastic sheeting (we recommend 6mm) and duct tape to seal off doors, windows, and air vents in case of contaminated air. There is specialty tape that will stick to most surfaces. Make sure to buy the right kind so you don’t run the risk of your containment coming off.
Prepare your home ahead of time by bringing in loose, outdoor objects. This will help you avoid windborne debris damage.
Trim tree branches likely to fall onto your property.
Clean gutters and drains. When its raining hard, the water needs to have a place to go. If your storm drains and gutters are clogged, that water will pool on your roof and eventually find its way into your home.

If your property is prone to flooding and you have a second story, consider moving your valuables upstairs to keep them from being damaged. During Hurricane Harvey, we met many homeowners who saved their home’s contents by doing exactly this.

Are you under a mandatory evacuation order?

Don’t wait until you’ve been ordered to go to start collecting your belongings. Prepare ahead of time by having the following ready:

Car repair tool kit
Roadmaps
Plastic plates, cups, and utensils
Blankets, pillows
Tent
Clothes and waterproof shoes
Rain gear
Towels
Toys, non-electronic

Other Emergency Preparedness Considerations

Sign up for alerts from your county’s office of emergency management (OEM) for the latest storm news.
Download the FEMA App for evacuation routes and shelter locations
Complete a home inventory of your household items to help your insurance company's claim should a disaster happen.

Other Emergency Preparedness Considerations

Build a hurricane emergency supply kit
Build a DIY first aid kit
Prepare a home inventory of your household items
Create a family communications plan
Sign up to receive alerts from your county’s office of emergency management and FEMA
If you have a disability, consider signing up for the Texas Emergency Assistance Registry Program (STEAR)

Trusted Leader in Dallas Storm Damage Restoration

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Preparing your home against wind and water damage should happen before the storm arrives. (Photo credit: FEMA)

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

The best time to prepare your property for an incoming storm or hurricane is before a storm hits. If your area is a flood zone and has a probability of being affected by a hurricane, don’t wait -- take action now.

Flood Zones

Flood zones are areas defined by FEMA. Do you know if you’re in a flood zone? Check out FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to find out. Just put in your home or business address.

If you’re in a flood zone, consider getting flood insurance. Many regular homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by rising water. Contact your insurance company to know exactly what is covered and what more you can do to protect your home in case of storm damage.

Hurricane Preparedness Kit: Buy Early

Hurricane Damage to Prepare For

Wind Damage

Wind damage is damage to your property that is caused by wind. The wind does not have to be caused by a hurricane or a tornado. There are times when places around the nation have wind storms.

There are a few things to consider when thinking about wind damage.

Damage caused to your property directly by the wind. Wind may blow out your doors, windows, and even damage your roof. The most vulnerable areas double doors, large windows, and windows with multiple panes.

To do: Reinforce doors and windows. Many people choose to board up their windows.

If you do not have permanent wind shutters, strongly consider building some onto your property.

Windborne debris. When the winds are strong, they are likely to pick up items from the street or backyards and blow them around. This is when you see trampolines landing on a neighbor’s roof and destroyed potted plants. Go outside to your yard and see what is not anchored down -- how much damage could that object cause if the wind picked it up and hurled it at your home?

To do: Anchor outdoor objects or bring them inside.

Trees. If any tree on your property broke due to the wind, would it hurt your home? We have been called to many tree damaged properties where trees weighing hundreds or thousands of pounds have had to be removed off a property.

To do: trim branches that are likely to snap. Talk to a lumberjack about removing large trees.

If you are interested in buying or building a storm shelter, make sure it meets ICC 500 Criteria.

Wind Damage Checklist:

Purchase window and door board up materials.
Have your roof inspected and lose shingles fixed.
Anchor items outdoors that may be picked up by the wind.
Trim your yard’s trees.

Water Damage Restoration / Flood Damage

With enough time, water will find a way to get anywhere. However, there are still steps to make your property more flood resistant such as:

Clean gutters and drains. When its raining hard, the water needs to have a place to go. If your storm drains and gutters are clogged, that water will pool on your roof and eventually find its way into your home.
Water alarms and sump pumps. A water alarm rings its siren when it comes into contact with water. This won’t fix your problem, but it’ll give you a chance to know something is wrong and try to fix it before it gets worse. A sump pump may help you remove water to lessen the damage.
Install “check valves” in your sewer line to prevent flood water from backing up into your drains.
Elevate your water heater and electric panel if the areas they’re in are susceptible to flooding. If your electrical system has been compromised by rising water, the water damage restoration company you use may choose to not use your home’s electricity to run machinery until it’s been checked out by a professional. This may not sound like much, but finding service professionals during a storm isn’t always easy.

Water Damage Checklist:

Buy sand packs if your yard is prone to flooding. Put them at the base of doors.
Clean your gutters and drains.
If you have french drains, make sure they are not clogged or prone to clogging.
Purchase a water alarm and sump pump.
Install check valves in your sewer line.
Elevate your electrical panel if it's too close to the ground.

Contents and Household Items

Contents and Household Items Checklist:

Moving blankets
Tape
Hand truck

Have a Home Supply of Hardware and Tools

Have extra plywood, plastic sheeting (we recommend 6mm), duct tape, and sandbags to protect your property. Must have tools to have on hand include a flashlight and a multi-purpose tool.

Home Supply Checklist:

Extra plywood
Hammer
Nails
Plastic sheeting - 6mm
Duct tape
Flashlight with extra batteries
Multi purpose tool
Work gloves
Protective eyewear

Other Emergency Preparedness Considerations

Build a hurricane emergency supply kit
Build a DIY first aid kit
Prepare a home inventory of your household items
Create a family communications plan
Sign up to receive alerts from your county’s office of emergency management and FEMA
If you have a disability, consider signing up for the Texas Emergency Assistance Registry Program (STEAR)

Trusted Leader in Dallas Storm Damage

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Storm Watch versus Warning

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson offers storm damage cleanup. We are available for 24 hour emergency dispatch.

Storm Watch versus Warning

We hear these terms on TV and read about them online, but what really is the difference between a storm watch vs a storm warning?

Knowing what weather terms mean can help you prepare your home and family for any type of weather event. The best time to learn them is before any emergency happens.

FORECAST

A forecast tells you what meteorologists think is likely to happen. A forecast may tell you that storms are possible but not they’re not yet confirmed. The best action to take with a forecast is just to keep in mind and keep up with the news in case something stronger develops.

You can stay up to date with future weather forecasts by downloading many free weather apps on Android or iOS. Make sure you opt for free alerts on your phone or tablet.

Storm WATCH

We remember what a storm watch is by thinking, “We are watching to see if the storm comes towards us.”

A storm watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather, but will they actually happen? We don’t know, but the likelihood is yes more than no. Storms are either developing now or will develop.

Pay close attention to the weather forecast and be ready to take action. This is a great time to prepare your house if forecasts are calling for a strong storm.

Tie down or bring in outdoor items that can go airborne.

Clean out your gutters to prevent water from pooling on your roof.

For serious storms, consider boarding up your windows.

If a possible tornado is on its way, make sure your safe room is ready.

Storm WARNING

A storm warning means severe weather is occurring or is imminent in your area. It’s actually happening! Do not delay. Take action now to keep your family and pets safe.

What do I do if severe weather is coming?

Have a plan for shelter in place.

Where will you place your family?
What about your pets? Bring them indoors.
Choose a place without windows nearby. We recommend bathrooms or large closets that are not touching outer walls.

Be ready to live without electricity for a while.

Make sure you have clean water and food that does not need to be refrigerated. A refrigerator only keeps food fresh for up to 4 hours if it stays closed.
Have fully charged flashlights ready.
Have the means to check the weather forecasts. A battery operated radio is a great idea.

Charge your phones.

Put your mobile phones on their charger prior to the storm to be sure you can make calls in case of an emergency.
If you have extra portable batteries, considering charging those as well.
Just remember -- during severe weather, your cell phone may not work very well. If you have a landline, that may be your best bet.

Carry your DIY first aid kit with you in case of small cuts.
Know where your emergency preparedness documents are.
Prepare your home for storm damage.

Make sure your gutters are clean to avoid water pooling and that you have a working drainage system for your yard.
Is everything outside tied down? If you have a loose bike or lawn furniture outdoors, bring it in or make sure it’s attached to the ground. Don’t let your backyard debris get windborne.
If the storm is severe, consider boarding up your windows to prevent wind damage.

What if my property has storm damage?

SERVPRO of Richardson responds to all types of storm events. We have serviced many homes, businesses, and schools damaged by storm damage such as large hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

Our technicians and managers were dispatched to Houston for Hurricane Harvey cleanup efforts. We spent months performing water removal, sanitizing, and drying homes and businesses affected by flood waters.

We have the experience and expertise you need to put your home back together.

See some before and after pictures of storm damage we've remediated.

Storm Damage Repair Available 24/7

After the storm has passed and conditions are safe for our technicians, our work begins. We provide the following disaster cleanup services to all of Dallas Fort Worth:

Emergency roof tarping
Window board up
Home board up (if damaged occurred to the walls of your home)
Temporary fencing
24 hour live security guard to prevent looting

Emergency Restoration Services

We provide 24 hour emergency water removal, cleanup, and drying if water has breached your property.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We are also a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor for Texas and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin YouTube

www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Water Damage Restoration Process Terms

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration company located on the border of Richardson and Plano, TX.

Water Damage Terminology

Discovering water damage to your home or commercial property is understandably shocking and overwhelming. You may find yourself asking:

What do I do?

Who do I call?

What will happen to my property?

What does this restoration process involve?

This article will shed some light on common terminology and processes in the business to help you understand more about water damage and resulting mitigation.

What causes water damage?

There are many potential causes of water damage. Maybe you’ve returned home from vacation and have discovered a leaky roof after days of storms. Or perhaps your plumbing system has malfunctioned, and your bathroom is now full of water.

Other possible culprits are dishwashers overflowing, water heaters cracking, washing machines breaking down, and natural disasters such as floods.

While it doesn't happen often, winter can also lead to water damages as low temperatures cause freezing pipes to burst.

Water Damage Quick Tips

First and foremost, the source of the damage needs to be addressed. If it is a leak, it needs to be fixed and the water shut should be off. Given the urgency of this, you may need to call your plumber to come out.

Second, call a water damage restoration company. It is imperative to remove the standing water and start the cleanup process to prevent further damage to your property and any belongings in close proximity to the affected area or areas. You will also want to make sure the restoration company you hire follows strict drying protocols to help prevent growth such as black mold.

Finally, you will need to call your insurance company about the situation.

If you choose to partner with us, tell your insurance company that SERVPRO of Richardson will be handling the water damage mitigation for you.

We are here to help! Our emergency dispatch can be reached 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

After arriving at your property, our team of technicians will explain how we will go about handing your restoration needs. If you want to learn more about the water damage restoration process in advance, see our article.

Common terms used across the industry are covered below. You will probably hear many of them during your conversations with our crew.

Water Damage Cleanup Terms

PPE

PPE is the acronym for “Personal Protective Equipment”. Whether PPE is necessary for your situation will depend on the category of water damage that has occurred.

If PPE is deemed appropriate, our technicians will need to wear items such as impermeable gloves, safety glasses or goggles, overalls, Tyvek suits or full-face masks. PPE is essential for human safety in any hazardous work situation (RIA).

Category 1 Water

This category is also known as “Clean Water”. In this case, the water is not contaminated and does not pose a big risk to humans.

However, Category 1 water may turn into Category 2 or 3 as it becomes more contaminated. Typically, this can occur within three days. Most items can be salvaged from clean water so do not delay. Be sure to take the proper steps to begin cleaning up of any clean water damage as soon as possible.

Category 2 Water

Category 2, or “Gray Water” contains significant contaminants, and should not be consumed. The water does not contain human waste but may contain cleaning agents or condensate.

Carpets may be salvaged if soiled with Category 2 water, but some materials may have to be removed and disposed of. There is a risk of Category 2 water turning Category 3 if it is not promptly cleaned.

Category 3 Water

Category 3 water is “Black Water” and is majorly contaminated. This category is unsanitary and poses a significant health risk if consumed. Sewage and contaminated flood water are sources of category 3 water.

Usually, items dirtied and damaged by Black Water are not salvageable, but today’s restoration technology now allows us to salvage over 90% of your belongings (EPA). This is possible with the use of the Esporta Wash System, a wet-wash system that uses a mix of up to seven specialized detergents and hydraulic pressure to sanitize and remove over 99% of contaminants from your clothing’s fibers. Learn more about our process to clean clothing with Black Water damage.

Permeance

Permeance refers to the rate of water vapor through a material. Different materials have different permeance measurements due to factors such as their moisture barrier, composition, and thickness. Other conditions that affect permeance would be relative humidity and temperature. Some construction materials, for example, are already more water sensitive and have higher permeance. Generally, how much water vapor that can pass through a material will affect the mitigation process because extraction becomes more difficult. (IBEC). Some examples of higher permeance materials include flat paints and mesh. Whereas, lower permeance can be found in semi-glossy paint, glossy paint, and polyethylene. (UAF)

Moisture Barriers

Moisture barriers are used to help with moisture control. These materials reduce the rate that water vapor can move through a structure. Different solids hinder moisture at different degrees and include things like glass, sheet metal, rubber, coatings, and baseboards. (USDE). These barriers prevent moisture from penetrating wall surfaces, floors, and roofs.

Relative Humidity and Dew Point

Relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air in relation to the maximum amount that can be present in the current temperature conditions. Factors affecting relative humidity are changes in air temperature and amount of water vapor present or lost. In comparison, the dew point measurement is absolute and not relative. Simply stated, the dew point is the absolute amount of water vapor present in the air and this is useful in situations where predicting the occurrence of condensation is necessary.

Extraction

This refers to the removal of the water. After assessing the situation during their walkthrough, our technicians will start the process of extracting the water from your home or other property. It is important to begin this process as quickly and completely as possible to prevent any further, secondary damage.

Class 1 Water

While water categories consider the degree of contamination, water classifications pertain to the amount of water intrusion and materials affected. Class 1 water refers to cases where a minimal amount of water has flowed into the home or business and the materials affected have mostly low porosity. In these situations, there is little moisture retained and there is a minor amount of evaporation effort required for drying (IICRC).

Class 2 Water

In situations with class 2 water intrusion, a significant amount of water has flowed into the area and the materials sustaining the water damage are medium to high porosity. These items might be carpet or gypsum walls. Given the greater amount of absorption and retained water, more evaporation efforts are required to complete the drying of the materials.

Class 3 Water

With this classification, water has saturated materials within the home or other property but is still accessible to evaporation methods. Specialty equipment may be necessary to remove the retained water from the surfaces.

Class 4 Water

Lastly, class 4 water refers to when water has saturated materials and become inaccessible to conventional methods of evaporation. Potential materials that can be affected include plaster, soaked hardwood, or vinyl. Specialty equipment and significant drying efforts are required to fix these materials.

Read our article “Classification of Water and Water Category” to learn more.

Baseboards

You are probably familiar with this structure in your home. These are the boards that you find where the walls meet the floor. They are often decorative and are likely to be affected by water damage because of their proximity to the floor. Typically, our technicians will remove the baseboards during the drying process to ensure drying of the inner wall areas can occur.

Foundation

You may be familiar with this structure as well. The foundation is the part of the home or business structure that is located partly or completely below ground level.

Luckily, a lot of possible foundation problems involving water damage can be prevented. Learn how to prevent water from damaging your foundation and save yourself the trouble and expense of future repairs.

Chemicals

We find chemicals virtually everywhere in our daily lives in our kitchens, bathrooms, garages and elsewhere. Some are harmful to humans and the environment, so efforts are taken to reduce these risks. Others are used in specialized situations such as our proprietary chemicals used to remediate, restore, and clean your home or business. Upon request, you can access the Safety Data Sheets for our chemicals. An SDS is a document that outlines hazards, precautions, and procedures for a chemical.

Biocide

A biocide is a chemical used to kill living organisms (USDA). These can be natural or synthetic and we utilize these agents to sanitize areas affected by Categories 2 and 3 water damage.

Disinfectants

Disinfectants include chemicals and other substances that destroy unwanted pathogenic microorganisms, except for spores on inanimate surfaces. These agents are commonly used during various restoration cleaning processes as well.

Antimicrobial

Antimicrobial agents inhibit microorganism growth. Oftentimes, you can find these in over the counter consumer products used for household cleaning.

Air Movers

Air movers are not conventional fans. Rather, these pieces of equipment are used in the mitigation process to facilitate the drying of the water damaged areas in your home or business. They are high speed, promote evaporation, and the number of air movers needed to complete the job will depend on the size of the area.

Air Scrubber

Air scrubbers are high volume devices that remove contaminants, particulate matter, and odors from the air. The use of these systems will depend on the specifics of the damage to your structure.

Dehumidifier

The process of dehumidification includes the drying or removal of water vapor in a given area. A dehumidifier is a piece of equipment used to accomplish this. The number of dehumidifiers required to achieve the drying process will depend on the size of the affected structure.

Deodorizing

Deodorization is the process of masking or removing odors. When a smell remains on your salvaged items, our crew will take the steps necessary to deodorize them. Possible techniques include fogging, or the use of an air scrubber equipped with HEPA filtration.

Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation occurs through openings such as doors, windows, and non-powered ventilators (IAVM).

HVAC

HVAC stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”.

Salvageable

Salvaged, or recovered materials from your property can be saved and reused by you. Most items affected by Category 1, “clean water’ damage can be salvaged.

Unsalvageable

Unsalvageable items cannot be saved and reused. In instances of Category 2, “gray water” and Category 3, “black water” damage, carpets and other fibrous materials are not likely to be salvaged. Objects that are found to be unsalvageable will be reported to your insurance with the proper documentation.

Furniture Pads or Blocks

In order to prevent stains on your flooring, our crew technicians will place a small pad or block between the furniture and the floors affected by water damage. We want to prevent any unnecessary damage or distress to you and your home or commercial property.

Hardwood Floor Cupping

When wood flooring expands and contracts in response to changing moisture concentrations, you may see bends, cups or valleys in the wood beams. This means that there is too much moisture and possibly inadequate temperature control in the room or rooms. When water sits too long on a hardwood surface, you will see cupping develop.

If our staff finds any instance of this during the cleanup, they will prioritize extracting the water, drying and trying to save the flooring.

Buckling

This refers to when moisture saturation leads to structural deformation. When this occurs, you may see twisting, bending, or bowing. (RIA).

Subfloor

A subfloor is unfinished and serves as a supporting surface to a finished floor. It is possible for water to reach subfloor surfaces and proper drying measures would be taken to address this.

Monitoring

Day to day monitoring of the job progress at your home or commercial property is an important step of the restoration process. Every day, our technicians will pay a visit to the job, monitor the levels of drying that have occurred, assess the overall state of the area and remove, add, or change any equipment as needed.

Reconstruction

In cases of permanent damage to adhered or attached parts of your home or business, those compromised areas will need to be removed by our technicians. After drying the structure or structures, our reconstruction team will work with your insurance company on the rebuilding process.

Floods and Flood Damage

Flood damage is distinct from general water damage. Flood water is specifically implicated in damaging your structure, as opposed to other sources of water from inside your structure. North Texas floods are not unheard of and we can help you in the event you find yourself in need of water damage restoration following an episode of flooding. Such natural disasters have substantial human, social and economic consequences. It is always best to be aware of your own individual risk and location’s vulnerability to flooding.

Below we cover some terms related to floods and flood damage.

Floodplain

Floodplains are land areas that are susceptible to flooding. These low land areas are generally adjacent to bodies of water such as streams or rivers. (UWEC). The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website offers detailed flood maps for public reference (FEMA). You can use these to see how close you live to a designated floodplain by looking up your home or business address.

Primary Flood Hazard

This refers to the effects of floods due to direct contact with the water. Examples of primary hazards are water damage to homes and their furnishings, automobile damage, structural erosion, and transport of large objects such as automobiles or outside structures like mailboxes.

Secondary Flood Hazard

Secondary hazards occur as a result of the preceding primary ones. For instance, drinking water supplies can become contaminated and electrical services may be disrupted.

Long Term Hazards

Long term hazards refer to long term changes that are detrimental to a community or region. These include changes to river channels, deposits of sediment that impair land use, and wildlife habitat destruction.

Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

We cannot comment on your insurance coverage details. Each individual plan is unique, and you will have to contact your provider for the specifics.

Trusted Leader Fire and Water Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Widely trusted in the restoration industry for decades, we can handle any water damage emergency.

SERVPRO of Richardson is an independently owned and operated water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano, Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years.

We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available to dispatch and we can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414.

Call us at any time!

How to Get Rid of Mold in Texas Using a Mold Contractor

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson has a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License. We offer free, no obligation mold inspections.

How to Get Rid of Mold in Texas Using a Mold Contractor

Seeing mold in your residential or commercial property is never pleasant. Many questions go through the minds of our clients when they realize they need mold remediation services. We’re here to calm your concerns and help.

Do I really have mold?

The first thing we’ll do upon arrival is perform a mold inspection.

Mold is usually found in wet and dark places where water runs such as kitchens and bathrooms. If the area is undisturbed and has a lot of moisture in the air, the mold will find it a favorable place to start growing. We check high mold growth areas first.

Do you smell something musty? Mold tends to give off this smell. If you experience allergy type symptoms along with the smell, you may be sensitive and require a mold inspection quickly to start identifying the problem.

If you see mold or suspect you have mold, give us a call. We will schedule a time to inspect your property. All inspections are free.

Texas State Mold Law

Let’s say we do find mold on your property. One of two things will happen.

The Mold is Under 25 Contiguous Feet

Contiguous means the mold is touching. Mold of this size requires no documentation to be filed with the State of Texas. This means we can begin mold remediation services immediately.

The Mold is Over 25 Contiguous Feet

This size of mold falls under Texas Mold Assessment And Remediation Rules (TMARR), which requires:

A Texas Licensed Mold Assessor to write a Mold Protocol. We cannot legally choose an assessor for you. Instead, we can give you a list of assessors for you to choose from.

A Texas Licensed Mold Contractor (us) will file a Work Plan and schedule the job with the State of Texas. Once the Work Plan is filed, we must legally wait at least five (5) business days before starting the job.

When we finish the mold remediation, the Mold Assessor has to check the cleaning to make sure it’s successful. If it is, they will issue a Clearance Document.

The Texas Licensed Mold contractor (us) can then issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation to you which documents the success of the mold cleanup. Keep this document and give a copy to your insurance provider. You’ll also want to hold on to it for any future home buyer to prove you’ve taken care of your mold problem correctly.

What type of mold do I have?

There are many types of mold. We treat all mold with the same high level of care, so we do not usually test for its type.

If you need to know the type of mold for any personal or medical reason, we can prepare for mold testing. We’ll get a mold sample prepared and deliver it to a Texas Licensed Mold Testing Laboratory. Results are usually available within 2-3 days. We do this for many of our clients, and we’re happy to provide you with this service upon request.

Will All Mold Be Removed?

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Many mold remediation companies advertise mold removal and guarantee to remove all mold. 100% mold removal is not possible.

To read more about removal versus remediation, click here.

Mold Remediation Services

Once you’re ready for mold remediation to begin, our team of experienced mold remediation specialists will walk you through the mold remediation process. We’ll do all we can to make sure everything goes smoothly and your life gets back to normal as quickly as possible. We provide:

Mold inspection

Mold testing

Removal of mold on carpet

Removal of mold on clothes

Removal of mold behind baseboards

Removal of mold in HVAC

Attic mold removal

Commercial mold remediation

Waiting for Mold Removal

What should you do until we arrive?

Leave the area alone. Disturbing mold will cause its spores to fly into the air and spread. This usually happens when a homeowner tries to spray the mold with bleach.
Do not apply any type of air movement.
Give us a call as soon as you suspect or see mold. We can usually be there within hours or schedule an appointment for the following day.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We are also a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor for Texas and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Hoarding Cleanup Services

5/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson offers hoarding cleanup services to all of Dallas Fort Worth. Photo: today.com

Hoarding Cleanup Services in Richardson, TX

We are often called to clean and restore properties with hoarding conditions after a fire or water damage. Many hoarding situations require Richardson biohazard cleanup depending on the items being hoarded.

No matter the type of hoarding help needed, our team has the experience to handle different types of scenarios, even before damage has occurred.

Hoarding Hazards

Hoarding can create cramped living conditions and fill a home to its capacity. Often, only narrow pathways are available to move from room to room, and the number of items prevents the use of normal living space.
Accumulation can be in every room of the house and may spread to the garage, vehicles, and yard.
When there are many items in a room, a fire hazard is caused. This is due to blocked exits and excessive smoke caused by so many items burning at once.
Unsanitary conditions that pose a risk to health may occur. Keeping a clean environment becomes difficult with a large number of items in a room. We encounter this when our technicians have to clean around hoarded items as we try to perform water damage restoration.
A person who hoards may also choose to collect unsanitary items.
Hoarding may cause injury or getting trapped by shifting or falling items.
Hoarding may lead to legal issues such as eviction.

Hoarding Services

SERVPRO of Richardson offers hoarding cleanup services, including biohazard clean up involving bloodborne pathogens. We are a full-service cleaning company.

We are prepared to:

Inventory, sort, and pack items of value.

Many times, the decision of which items to keep and which to throw away are made by the disaster in the house. In the case of fire damages, many items are often destroyed beyond salvage. In other instances, a family member or friend will help our client determine which items to keep and which to let go of.

If needed, kept items will be transported to our facility for cleaning and storage.

In the case of water damage or fire damage, the affected items are sanitized. When there is no disaster, it’s the client’s choice to have their belongings cleaned. The items are kept in our long term storage until the client is ready to receive them again either at a new location or when their home is rebuilt.

Gather and dispose of items that require being thrown away.

Our technicians will inventory the items they can identify and report them to our customer’s insurance company. Afterward, they are thrown away along with other debris.

Identification and cleanup of hazardous contaminants.

Safety is always our top priority, both for our crews and our customers. If we find hazardous conditions, we will advise everyone but trained technicians to keep away from the area until it has been sanitized. Our technicians will put on the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and clean up the biohazardous condition they find. Everything will be bagged according to law and disposed of properly.

Deep clean of the entire home, including the garage and yard.

When a disaster like water damage, fire damage, or mold is combined with hoarding conditions, we often recommend that the entire house is deep cleaned for the safety of its occupant. Deep cleaning includes wet washing carpets, wall cleaning, and air duct cleaning.

If any part of the property is permanently damaged, our reconstruction team will rebuild it.

This situation is only warranted when the disaster that affected the home caused permanent damage. In most cases, water does not do it. Mold and fire damage restoration often do require this level of restoration.

If requested, we can provide our services in unmarked vehicles for your privacy.

Your privacy is important to us. We understand that some homeowners may be embarrassed by the situation they find themselves in and don’t want any added attention to what is happening to their property. We will do our best to accommodate requests for the use of unmarked vehicles.

Fire and Water Damage or Mold with Hoarding

If we are cleaning a hoarder’s house after water damage or fire damage, we will also do the following:

Perform water damage restoration services such as water removal and drying.

Because water soaks into everything and gets into small crevices, we need to have access to every area of an affected room. We also need to have room to properly set up our professional drying equipment in the location and quantity the property needs. For this reason, the accumulation of items that inhibit us will have to move.

Perform fire damage restoration services.

We will immediately provide emergency roof tarping and board up. This helps keep the weather outside of the property and cause additional damage. We will work with our client’s insurance company to also get approval for smoke damage restoration, deodorization, permanent roof replacement, moving and storage services, contents and textile cleaning, and reconstruction.

Perform mold remediation services such as mold inspection and mold removal.

We have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license, and we’ve helped many homes with all different types of mold and mold growth sizes.

When hoarding begins to seriously affect the daily life of your friend or loved one, we’re to help. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24-hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Resources:

Mayo Clinic

National Fire Prevention Association

End of Life and Unattended Death Cleanup in North Texas

5/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson performs unattended death cleanup in Richardson, Plano, and other North Texas communities.

End of Life and Unattended Death Cleanup in North Texas

No two jobs are ever alike, but at SERVPRO of Richardson, one thing remains constant -- our team’s professionalism, compassion, and respect for privacy. This is especially true when we receive requests from family members and friends asking us to clean and remediate their home after the death of a loved one.

Cleanup After the Funeral Home: Natural Causes

End of life events may or may not be in the presence of loved ones. At times, a person may unexpectedly pass away and time passes before the event has been discovered. In this case, the situation can require a biohazard cleanup. Our team comes in after the funeral home has removed the body. At that point, it is our responsibility to remove all biohazard and bloodborne contaminated material in order to make the property safe.

Cleanup After The Coroner: Homicide, Suicide, or Suspicious Death

In other unfortunate instances, end of life events occur due to accidental trauma or involve a crime scene.

After the coroner is finished, our cleanup process remains the same:

We wait to be granted access to the property. In most cases, this comes from a family member or the deceased’s trusted friend. In the case of a crime scene, we must have police approval before beginning any cleanup procedures.
Death cleanups are not pleasant for anyone who knew the deceased, and we will do all we can to help them avoid the scene if they choose.
Even if a family member or friend wants to be present, we do not ask anyone but our trained technicians to be present while the cleanup occurs.
To avoid family member interaction with the cleanup scene until it’s finished, we arrange for access to the home or building using a secured method like a lockbox.
After we have access, we will complete a full assessment of the property.
Then, we will remove all biohazard-contaminated items, such as carpeting, clothing, bedding, furniture, etcetera.
If needed, we will also remove any affected subfloors.
If the death occurred on a top story, we will check the bottom story room for affected areas. If any are found, the same process continues in the room.
The walls will also be cleaned and disinfected if affected.
If any smell remains after affected items have been removed, we will perform odor removal and deodorization services in the property.
If any flooring has had to be removed, our reconstruction team will rebuild the affected areas. We have rebuilt damaged walls, subfloors, and replaced carpeting and wood floors.
If requested, the remainder of the home will also be deep cleaned, including air duct cleaning.
Many times, the family simply wants to sell the property. This happens often and is understandable. In this instance, we will remove all items from inside the house. The items are packed up and moved to our cleaning facility for storage. The family can then have the items moved to another location, or they may authorize us to throw them away.

Cleanup with Hoarding

In the case of a hoarding situation, we will use specialized materials and techniques to lawfully clean and dispose of contaminated items.

After Cleanup

Our team’s goal is to remove all affected items and smells so a family member doesn’t have to live with negative visual or sensory memories of their loved one’s passing.

Once affected items and smells have been taken care of, we notify the friend or family member. It is at this point that the property is safe for anyone to come in and begin to organize, clean, or remove the deceased’s belongings.

Moving Services and Storage Service

In some cases, we’re also asked to organize, document, clean, and pack all belongings and take them to long term storage. When the loved one is ready, we deliver all stored items at a location and time of their convenience.

Your Privacy

We understand a family’s need for privacy during this time. If requested, we will perform our work in an unmarked vehicle to avoid attracting any unnecessary attention.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24-hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Small Business Week Celebrates SERVPRO of Richardson

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson has been a trusted leader in the restoration industry since 1986.

Small Business Week Celebrates SERVPRO of Richardson

As we celebrate Small Business Week, our family is reminded of our own business, SERVPRO of Richardson.

Although SERVPRO can be found in every state across the country, each franchise is independently owned and operated -- many of them by families, like ours.

The Weaver family began SERVPRO of Richardson in 1986. Our small business consisted of its two owners doing everything on their own -- from answering the phone to leaving our small office to do the job itself. Back then, SERVPRO was only in the business of carpet cleaning. Our phone rang a few times per week, and no one was up to answer a 3 A.M. water damage emergency call. We were trying to establish ourselves in the Dallas market along with the relatively new restoration industry.

Our family has been in Texas for almost ten generations, and we've always lived and worked in or around our home in Dallas Texas. We can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Today, our headquarters is only minutes away from downtown Dallas and only a hop away from every major highway. We chose this location to have a direct path to any job in DFW. Plus, we're only minutes away from the great food and entertainment Dallas has to offer. We also have a second office on the border of Richardson and Plano off 75 and George Bush.

SERVPRO of Richardson has grown in the last 30 years. We now offer 24 hour emergency service to any home or business. We still do carpet cleaning, but we've added other services as well:

Residential Services

Commercial Services

Esporta

We are one of the few Esporta certified and trained businesses in North Texas. This makes us uniquely qualified to sanitize clothing and other textiles that have been affected by Category 2 Water, Category 3 Water, Mold, and Smoke and Fire Damage. With an 85%+ success rate, we have among the highest rate of success in the textile restoration industry.

Storm Damage Cleanup

In the past 30 years, we have traveled to many areas of our country that have been devastated by natural disasters. We have responded to hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and even major hail damaged communities.

Commercial Services

We have contracts and agreements with many businesses and commercial properties in North Texas. From being their go to SERVPRO franchise for any size disaster to having their air ducts or commercial carpets cleaned, we are always available. If you are a business also interested in a long term partnership with us, just give us a call. We offer free consultations.

Reconstruction

Our reconstruction division is the newest in our family of services. We decided to add this division to our company after talking to many customers who wished we could finish their projects from start to end. Many times, properties are permanently damaged by a water damage, fire damage, or mold. While we would be available for restoration and mitigation, reconstruction was not part of our offer.

In the end, we listened to the call of our customers and opened reconstruction to become one of the few full service restoration contractors in North Texas. We take our slogan, “Like it never even happened,” to heart!

Check out our before & after photo gallery of work we’ve recently done.

Restoration Industry Experts

We have grown to be a trusted expert in the restoration industry, and we’re now also a full service restoration provider. We have a great group of employees that help us accomplish this every day.

We’ve grown from our first two employees. Today, our family employs 30 full time and highly trained technicians. Our staff loves the work they do -- some of them have been even been with us for nearly 15 years! Our work is not easy and many days are long, but the amount of time we spend with each other makes us tight knit. We have seen each other get married, have their first child, and even welcome grandchildren. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a Richardson water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

How to Prevent Water from Damaging Your Foundation

3/27/2018 (Permalink)

Preventing a water damage from affecting your foundation will save your home from expensive repairs later.

How to Prevent Water from Damaging Your Foundation

The foundation of your home is an important structural element. Without a good foundation, your home will be in big trouble. The house could shift dramatically, causing damage to the building. Thus, proper maintenance of your home’s foundation is essential.

Water damage is the number one culprit that weakens your home’s foundation. It can damage your home’s foundation in a variety of ways such as:

Pooling – Water pooling on the surface around the perimeter of the house eventually degrades concrete and mortar foundations. Causes of pooling include:

Downspouts that are too short, which allow discharged water to flow back toward the house.
Overflowing rain gutters that allow cascading water to the ground.
Poor landscaping that may cause water to stagnate.

Groundwater – This is where hydrostatic pressure pushes against the underside of the foundation. This causes water to infiltrate the basement through cracks and joints.
External pressure – This occurs when loosely packed soil adjacent to the foundation absorbs a large volume of water.

Repairing foundation damage can be expensive. Most homeowners will pay around $5,000 to repair foundation issues or more if the repairs are serious (Source: Granite Foundation Repair).

With that in mind, here’s how to prevent water from damaging your foundation.

1. Utilize berms or swales.

If properly built, berms can greatly reduce storm runoff. Berms are raised areas of ground that encourage water to drain downward, away from your home.

Swales are drainage ditches. They help prevent the foundation from becoming wet. Like ditches, swales collect stormwater from roads, driveways, parking lots and other hard surfaces.

2. Install a French drain.

French drains provide an easy channel for water to flow through. The drain includes a perforated or slotted pipe that helps direct groundwater or surface water away from a certain area, such as your home’s foundation.

Before installing a French drain, there are many factors you should take into account. For example, the drain flow, drain pipe length, drain aggregate, and the drain depth.

To site a French drain, look for areas where water pools for long periods of time. For example, areas like a basement, on the outdoor patio, and in the backyard.

3. Make sure the flower beds around your foundation have borders with openings.

If you don’t do this, water may pool around your home’s foundation. On the other hand, if your flowerbeds have borders with openings, water can run out of the beds and down into the yard.

For the bushes and hedges near your foundation, allow for sufficient air flow between them. This way, you’ll prevent the soil from retaining moisture and enable water to evaporate more quickly.

4. Install gutters with downspout extensions.

Rain gutters are designed to pull water away from your foundation. They are critical to protecting your home’s structural integrity. Downspouts are designed to move water away from your home.

Without gutters and downspouts, rainwater will flow off to the edges of your roof and onto the ground around the perimeter of your home. Also, if the downspouts are short, they may fail to carry water far away. This may cause disaster.

To solve this issue, install gutters with downspout extensions. The following are ways to extend downspouts:

Install a hinged elbow. Extending the downspout using a hinged elbow allows for better drainage and freedom of movement.
Attach a roll-up sleeve. Roll-up sleeves are perfect for those areas that need to remain uncluttered. A roll-up sleeve placed at the end of your existing downspout will sufficiently extend it to allow for drainage away from the home.
Use a splash block. Splash blocks help to direct the water onto the lawn and away from the house. If you end up using it, simply place it underneath the downspout.
Use a drainage pipe. This is a DIY project that any homeowner can perform. Simply dig a trench, lay the pipe and backfill it with soil. Besides the drainage pipe, you’ll also need adapters, couplings, T-fittings, elbows and other PVC specialty fittings.

5. Make sure that your lawn is sloped away from your home’s foundation.

Does your lawn slope toward your home? If so, it’s a recipe for foundation damage. Adjust it!

A lawn with an improper slope can result in serious damage to your home’s foundation. Besides causing potentially expensive foundation problems, an improper slope can cause other issues. For example, this can cause damage to sidewalks.

To keep water away from your foundation, your yard should slope at least six inches over a 10-foot span. This should give you at least a 2% grade. This way, any excess rainwater will drain away from your foundation.

Preventing water damage is a lot cheaper than paying for repairs. If you follow these five tips, you’ll not only reduce maintenance costs but you’ll also add years to your home.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson has been helping commercial properties open their doors after disasters for over 30 years.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

When your business suffers from fire damage, you need the fire clean up and restoration process to start as soon as possible.

We understand that business interruptions are expensive. SERVPRO of Richardson has been helping commercial properties open their doors after disasters for over 30 years.

As soon as you call us, we will have a manager and a team of technicians on their way!

We offer the following fire water damage restoration services:

Emergency Roof Tarp

A thick, weatherproof piece of plastic tarping will be attached to the roof of your commercial property to prevent precipitation from entering the building and causing secondary damage.

Board Up

We install pieces of board over damaged windows and doors to prevent precipitation from entering the building. This also signals to possible intruders that the property is being cared for and watched.

Temporary Fencing

We install a temporary fence around the perimeter of the property. If an entire fence isn’t needed, we’ll only install it around highly damaged areas. A temporary fence helps prevent possible theft and keeps the general public away from sensitive areas.

Security Guard

When a structure cannot be immediately stabilized (for example, it’s raining and it’s not safe to tarp the roof), a 24 hour security guard will be hired to protect the property.

Structural Stability / Stabilizing the Structure

This refers to the need to make a structure safe enough for our technicians to begin fire clean up and restoration work. The fire must be completely put out and we must have authorization from the homeowner to begin with. If the fire department was called, our teams must also wait for their approval to approach the property. Fire board up services may include roof tarping, board up, temporary fencing, and a 24 hour live security guard.

Water Damage Restoration

A water damage occurs at most fires due to firefighting efforts or commercial water alarm systems. Standing water can cause secondary damage to your structure. We will extract all standing water as soon as the structural integrity of your commercial building is established.

Structural Cleaning

After the building is secure, we will begin the process of cleaning the smoke fire out of your property. Debris will be removed.

Smoke Damage Restoration

Smoke damage restoration is when we remove smoke particles have embedded themselves in a material, like a wall, clothing, or piece of furniture. Smoke damage cannot usually be seen, but it can be smelled. Smoke damage cleanup and odor removal should take place.

Contents Cleaning

Contents are things that are not part of the structure, like furniture, appliances, and toys. When affected, contents can either be cleaned on site or taken back to our cleaning facility.

Moving Services / Pack Out and Pack Back

When the structure isn’t safe, contents and textiles are moved out of the property and taken to our facilities for cleaning and storage. They are returned when the property is clean, reconstructed, and safe for inhabitants. Items may also be delivered to a second location if the owner would like them returned sooner.

Storage

Items that have been packed-out are stored in our facilities until they can be returned.

Reconstruction

Reconstruction refers to any portion of your structure that is rebuilt. Any portion that was permanently damaged during the fire damage is rebuild to pre loss condition.

Pre Loss Condition

Pre loss condition is a common insurance term. It means to put the property back together the way it was before the fire damage.

3 Expert Contact Team

You will be assigned 3 different managers that will be your main points of contact throughout the fire damage restoration process. These individuals are each responsible for a major portion of your claim, including communication and coordination with your insurance company, cleaning and remediation, and reconstruction.

SERVPRO Emergency READY Plan

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Plan is pre plans the fire clean up and restoration of your business before a disaster even happens. We understand that business disruptions are expensive, and nearly half of U.S. businesses close due to a disaster. Every minute counts.

A READY plan helps makes the clean up and restoration process faster by letting us know things like the size of your rooms, type of flooring, etcetera. This way, our managers and technicians have a restoration plan in case before they step foot on your property.

We recommend completing a READY plan as soon as possible. Give us a call and we’ll schedule a team member to visit your property and prepare a plan for you at no cost. Or, you can fill out a plan yourself at SERVPRO’s Ready Plan website.

Make sure to list SERVPRO of Richardson as your preferred franchise!

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

How to Prevent Mold Growth After Water Damage

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

If you find mold or suspect mold in your home or business, leave it alone and give us a call instead. We offer free mold inspections.

How to Prevent Mold Growth After Water Damage

When a water damage remediation is handled properly, the chance for mold growth should remain small. Choosing the right water restoration company plays a big part in preventing mold growth after a water damage.

Water Damage Restoration Tips

Make sure the water damage company you hire does the following:

Makes you a priority. If you give them a call and they don’t give you a specific time frame for arrival, look elsewhere. A water damage needs to start being remediated as quickly as possible to avoid secondary damage. Mold growth, for example, starts after only 48 hours.

Uses professional equipment. They should use at least use air movers or axial fans and dehumidifiers. More advanced restoration companies may also use water extraction mats to help save hardwood floors.

Disinfectant affected areas. This is especially important when your water damage is a Category 2 or Category 3 (gray or black water). These categories of water have contaminants that can be unsafe to the touch.

Has a drying plan. If the company you hire just wants to just perform water removal, they are not completing the project properly. Find someone else who will do the job right.

Use professional equipment to monitor the drying process. The right water restoration company will visit your property every day. They will make sure the humidity in your home is decreasing and everything is drying quickly. They should write down all of their data and be able to present it to you or your insurance adjuster upon request.
Can work with your insurance company. There are lots of small companies that are willing to send you a bill, but not everyone has the experience to work with all insurance companies to process your water damage claim.

Water Damages and Mold

Mold grows in humid environments, so it's natural that mold growth happens readily after a water damage. Your water damage restoration company should do all they can to prevent mold growth after a damage. It’s still important to be knowledgeable about mold growth yourself to prevent another disaster.

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that is naturally occurring in our environment. It cannot be completely removed. Many restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This isn’t possible. What you are going to be doing is removing the triggers in your home that can trigger a mold infestation.

Where Mold Growth is Likely

Mold is likely to grow in places that are

Dark

Warm

Humid

These places include

Under sinks (kitchen and bathroom)

Bathrooms

Laundry rooms

Near water heaters
Behind walls where water pipes are laid

Mold growth is also likely to grow in places that have previously had a water damage that wasn’t dried properly.

Sign of Mold Growth

If you smell something musty in the air or see colored spots growing on your walls, you may have mold. Common mold colors are black, white, and green.

If you find mold or suspect mold in your home or business, leave it alone and give us a call instead. We offer free mold inspections.

Mold Prevention Tips

Fix anything that is leaking.

That includes pipes, windows, and your roof. A leak that isn’t fixed will eventually cause mold growth and damage the structure that is absorbing its moisture. Most people discover a leak when they see secondary damage to their home. Examples include a small pool of water on the floor or a water spot on their ceiling.

If you find water damage to your ceiling, read our article “Ceiling Water Damage” and know what the next steps to take are.

Control the humidity in your home.

Mold likes to grow in high humidity. An appropriate humidity level for your home is 40-50% Relative Humidity (RH). In the winter months, it may be lower than 40% RH. You can purchase a home hygrometer and temperature gauge at your local home and hardware store or online for less than $10.

Ventilate humid areas.

Humid areas in homes are typically the kitchen, shower, and laundry areas where warm water is used. After doing any of these activities, turn on your ventilation fan.

Hire an experienced and proven water damage cleanup company.

If your property experiences flooding, hire a company with a record of successfully cleaning water damages from properties. This company should be easy to find online and have a long reputation as a leader in the restoration industry. Make sure they have a 24 hour emergency line and that they can serve you as your emergency starts.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed Richardson mold removal and other work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Winter Storm Damage Restoration Services

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is always active during storm damage situations in Collin County North Texas.

Winter Storm Damage Restoration Services

Storms are not a very common occurrence in Texas. In North Texas, we see just a few days of freezing temperatures in a year. Every few years, a hail storm strong enough to cause damage can occur. Otherwise, we have the luxury of enjoyable temperate or warm temperatures for the majority of the year.

Yet, when there is a winter storm in Richardson or Plano, we see a sharp increase in properties that experience storm damage. From flooded homes due to frozen water pipes bursting, to fire damages caused by portable heaters, we are always ready to help.

SERVPRO of Richardson is always active during storm damage situations.

We offer the following services:

Water Damage Restoration or Flood Damage

Water damage restoration is usually caused by frozen water pipes that have burst.

Fast water removal is important to prevent further damage to your wet items. This is why we are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to start your water damage repair.

When we arrive, we will inspect your property and determine the extent of the damage. We will also determine the water category. If the water is Category 2 or Category 3, we will spray sanitizer on all affected areas.

Then, we will perform water removal services. Our technicians will either use a truck mounted pump or other water extraction equipment to remove the water quickly. Moving furniture in affected rooms will likely be necessary to reach every area of the room. If the rooms are carpeted and affected by Cat 2 or Cat 3 water, both the carpet and the pad may have to be removed.

When all standing water is gone, we will place drying equipment in your home. Our equipment will be strategically placed and other modifications will be made to your room to ensure our drying process is effective.

Every day afterward, a technician will stop by your property for an equipment check. This means we will:

Monitor all equipment to make sure it’s working effectively.
Monitor the atmospheric conditions of your property to make sure the humidity and temperature are conducive to drying. We do this to prevent mold growth.
All data is recorded and sent to your insurance adjuster to validate our drying process.

Fire Damage Restoration

Fire damages are common during the winter months in Collin County. Many of them are caused by improperly used space heaters or fireplaces. The holidays also see an increase in oven fires and kitchen fires.

Even when a fire hasn’t happened, smoke damage restoration is necessary when candles and fireplaces are not watched carefully.

Regardless of the reason for the smoke and fire damage, we provide:

Full Service Fire and Smoke Restoration Process

We are one of the few fire damage restoration companies in North Texas that is full service. We do everything from cleaning and restoration of your property and everything inside of it, to reconstruction, to 24 hour emergency response service. We are have honed our fire damage restoration process after 30 years of experience.

Emergency Roof Tarp

We will tarp the fire-damaged portion of your roof using thick, weatherproof plastic. This will prevent further precipitation from entering your home until the roof can be permanently fixed. Our reconstruction division will contact your insurance company and request permanent roof replacement.

Board Up

We will board up any damaged portion of your property like doors and windows. This will prevent precipitation from entering your home, deter theft, and keep unauthorized persons from entering your property. If our team cannot perform a board up due to bad weather, we will hire a 24 hour live security guard to monitor your property.

Temporary Fencing

We can install a temporary fence around your property to deter the public from entering and provide an extra layer of security.

Security Guard

Sometimes it’s not possible to perform emergency boards ups or install temporary fencing. This may be true in the middle of a storm, for example. When this situation happens, we will assign a security guard to protect your property. After the storm cleans, our technicians will provide emergency services.

Moving Services

Moving services are often necessary after a fire damage. This is especially the case when the majority or entire property has been affected by smoke and soot.

We will pack out your property’s household items and take them to our facility where they will be cleaned and stored. Once your property has been cleaned and reconstruction is complete, we will deliver the items back to you. If you have the need to live in a temporary residence, we are also glad to deliver your items there.

Storage

When moving services are needed, we will provide storage space to keep your items safe until they can be returned.

Textile Cleaning

If you have textiles that have been affected by Category 2 Water or Category 3 water, they will be taken to our facility for cleaning. Textiles include clothing, plush animals, and shoes. We can also clean clothing that requires smoke odor removal, soot removal, or mold removal.

We are one of the few Esporta certified firms in North Texas. Our business will pack your damaged clothing and take it back to our in house cleaning facility. Our Esporta cleaning technicians have cleaned thousands of pieces of clothing with a success rate of over 85%. This rate of success is among the highest in the clothing cleaning industry.

Most of our customers need some of their clothes back immediately to continue living their day to day life. We understand this need, which is why priority clothing can be cleaned and returned in as little as 72 hours. The rest of your wardrobe will be cleaned and kept in storage until you can receive your entire delivery.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for Businesses

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

We have helped businesses in Dallas Fort Worth recover from storm surges, water damages, fire damages, and storm related events.

SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for Businesses

50% of businesses don’t reopen after a disaster. The reason is often preventable -- many of these businesses didn’t have a plan in place for restoration and reopening. This doesn’t have to happen to you.

Pre planning for any disaster can save valuable time and help you know what your plan of action is before anything has even happened. We have helped businesses in Dallas Fort Worth recover from storm surges, water damages, fire damages, and storm related events such as hail damage, wind damage, and even lightning strikes. We have a 24 hour emergency line to make sure our response is always immediate.

Knowing you are “Ready for whatever happens” will build trust with your clients and employees. They will know that although your business was momentarily affected, they won’t have to be. You can reassure them that their employment is safe and everyone will be ready to get back to work in a short period of time.

We work quickly for you because we know business interruptions are expensive. We understand your property has to be remediated quickly and correctly by a professional cleaning company.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) reduces business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation. Being ready will help minimize how water damage and fire damage affect your business and how quickly you can get back to making a profit.

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Provides:

A no cost assessment of your facility.

There is no need to allocate funds to critical pre planning. Simply give us a call, and we will record vital data about your property that will help us pre plan remediation procedures in case of an emergency.

A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.

A Profile Document takes little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. This small time investment will save a lot of time later, if ever needed. If you don’t have time to gather the information to complete this document yourself, just give us a call. We’ll be glad to do the work for you, free of charge.

A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.

A guide can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.

Establishes us, SERVPRO of Richardson, as your disaster restoration provider.

SERVPRO of Richardson is recognized as a leader in the restoration industry. We have over 30 years of experience serving all of Dallas Fort Worth.

When you call us, our mitigation teams are immediately activated. A commercial mitigation manager will head to your commercial property immediately with a team of technicians behind them. Our manager will assess the situation and begin putting your ERP into action. Our technicians are often on site cleaning and remediating your property in as little as two hours after your call.

Don’t let other disaster restoration companies keep you waiting. Ask for an arrival time when the company’s crews will physically be on site with equipment and ready work. Some companies in DFW tell potential customers they are on their way and show up with empty trucks as they stall for time. Don’t allow this to happen to you. Time is precious. If the company you’ve called doesn’t make good on its promise to start work, call someone that is ready to handle the job.

Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.

Knowing the chain of command saves everyone time. It makes sure we contact the right person to get work authorized and keep the restoration process progressing.

Provides facility details such as shut off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.

Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency. Many times, the severity of a water damage can be reduced simply by knowing how to cut off the water to the building.

If your business is ready to start your SERVPRO Emergency READY Plan, give us a call. We will visit your business and complete the plan on your behalf. In the end, you’ll have both a digital and paper copy of your company’s plan.

If you prefer, you can fill out a READY Plan yourself by visiting SERVPRO’s Ready Plan Website. Make sure to list SERVPRO of Richardson as your preferred franchise.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Cleaning Clothing With a Black Water Damage

1/14/2018 (Permalink)

We use hydraulic pressure, which is a gentle way to push detergent laden water through the textile and rid it of contaminants.

Cleaning Clothing With a Black Water Damage

Imagine flipping your house upside down. Anything that falls off the house and does not break when it lands are called textiles. Textile examples include clothes, stuffed animals, blankets, shoes, and towels.

When we’re called to a water damage, we often see the homeowner has tried to stop the spread of the water by putting towels or laundry on the floor. This is a common reaction.

Other times, the homeowner has no choice in what gets wet. When a leak or flooding is substantial, the water spreads to many rooms. Clothing, shoes, pillows, etcetera are on the floor and impacted.

The category of water affects how these affected textiles are cleaned. While many items can be cleaned at home using a traditional washer and dryer, there are other instances when specialized cleaning techniques have to be used to sanitize clothing and make it safe to wear again.

Water Category

Category 1 Water

When the water that wets the textiles is clean, that’s considered Category 1 Water.

Examples of Category 1 Water include:

Tub overflow
Sink overflow
Broken water supply lines
Falling rain water
Broken toilet tanks without added chemicals such as bleach tablets

For Cat 1 affected textiles, throwing them into a laundry machine at home is an acceptable way to get them clean. Cat 2 and Cat 3 water damages are a different story.

Category 2 Water

Category 2 Water is called Gray Water. This water carries waste products and is not clean, but it also does not contain human waste.

Examples of Category 2 Water include:

Toilet leak
Washing machine leak
Dishwasher leak

These leaks are considered Category 2 because of the chemicals used inside of them.

Category 3 Water

Cat 3 Water is called Black Water. This water is considered to be grossly contaminated and poses a significant health risk. Examples of black water include sewage or rising flood waters. These clothes need to be sanitized before they’re safe to handle again.

Examples of Category 3 Water include:

Sewage
Toilet leak that originates from the toilet trap (contains human waste)
Flooding

Flooding is considered Category 3 because the water mixes with contaminants on the ground. Think about everything the falling rainwater can come into contact before it rises and enters your home. Contaminants usually include oil, salts, and trash from the roadways. It can also contain pesticides and other poisons that are used on your garden.

Cleaning Category 2 or 3 Wet Textiles

Many times, homeowners throw away textiles that have been affected by Category 2 or Category 3 Water -- Gray Water or Black Water. We see this often during storm related events when the number of people in need of emergency services. During Hurricane Harvey, we saw many families, unfortunately, throw away almost all of their home’s textiles.

But they don’t have to be. We restore damaged textiles in our Esporta Wash System, which sanitizes items and make them safe to wear and handle again.

For a thorough explanation of water categories and classifications, please read our article “Classification of Water and Water Category.”

Esporta Wash System

Unlike home washing machines or traditional dry cleaning, Esporta is a wet wash system. Our machine uses a combination of up to six environmentally friendly detergents according to the type of damage the clothing contains.

Textiles are placed inside the machine, where they spin in detergent-laden water while staying in place. Since the items don’t move inside the machine, the textiles are by hydraulic pressure instead of agitation. This makes the Esporta system gentle on all fabrics, even as contaminants are literally pushed out of the fabric by the detergent water.

The end result is textiles that are near neutral pH and food grade clean.

We are one of the few Esporta certified firms in North Texas. Our business has the unique capability of packing your damaged clothing and taking it back to our in house cleaning facility. Our Esporta cleaning technicians have cleaned thousands of pieces of clothing with a success rate of over 85%. This rate of success is among the highest in the clothing cleaning industry.

ATP Testing to Scientifically Prove Results

We prove the results of our wash system by using ATP testing. We take ATP tests of the textiles before washing and after. Pre testing proves to your insurance company that your item was contaminated enough to need our professional cleaning services. Post testing gives our customers the peace of mind that their clothing is safe to wear again.

The Textile Cleaning Process

If you have a water damage with affected textiles, trust us to clean them. While our crews are performing water remediation services, they will also collect all affected textiles from your home. We’ll pack your items and take them back to our cleaning facility.

If you have filed an insurance claim, we will contact your insurance adjuster and ask for permission to clean your textiles. In most cases, textile cleaning is approved. Immediately upon approval, your clothing will be washed.

When your clothing is clean, it can be placed in long term storage. Otherwise, it will be delivered back to you at your convenience.

The entire process is usually completed within two weeks of pick up. If you have items that you need ASAP, we can clean select clothing and return it to you within 72 hours.

Esporta uses hydraulic pressure, which is a gentle way to push detergent laden water through the textile and rid it of contaminants.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Commercial Cleaning Services and Restoration

1/11/2018 (Permalink)

Our goal for our commercial clients is to get the cleanup done right quickly so they resume business operations ASAP.

“Can you handle the size of my job?”

We’ve responded to many different types of commercial property losses.

High Rise buildings with over 40 flooded floors
Flooded warehouses with over 50,000 square affected
Businesses with fire damage
Restaurants with fire damages
Libraries with water and fire damage
Hotels with water damages
Gyms that need to be sanitized
Flooded studios with high end equipment
Hospitals with delicate medical equipment

Our goal for our commercial clients is to get the cleanup done right quickly so they resume business operations ASAP. We have the correctly trained managers, technicians, and the best professional equipment to help.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration

When you call our business, we’ll be ready to help. Even before we get off the phone with you, we’ve already contacted our team of managers and have dispatched them. We have a 24 hour emergency line for just this reason.

We know that when a water damage spans into the tens of thousands of feet or involves a multi-story building, there is no time to waste.

As the managers are on their way, our crews of technicians are behind them, no matter the time of day or night.

When we say we’re on the way, that means we’re on the road driving towards you. And when we arrive, we have technicians and equipment ready to work.

We know business interruption is expensive and stalling techniques are not acceptable. We will never show up with empty trucks and stall the job.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration Process

When we arrive, a manager will first determine the source of the loss and ensure that it’s taken care of.

Meanwhile, our veteran technicians will assess the affected areas throughout the building and begin instructing crews to quickly extract the water and from where.

As the crews perform water removal, our managers will begin to execute a drying plan.

Drying large spaces will usually require a desiccant, which is a sophisticated machine that will be stationed outside of your building and run on its generator. A desiccant will dehumidify your space using a system of vents that our technicians will install.

Every day, a manager will be on your property to ensure the drying process advances. They will also make any necessary changes to equipment volumes and locations to meet drying goals.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

When a fire and smoke damage happens, the loss is almost always multifaceted. Due to firefighting efforts and the release of a commercial fire alarm system, fire and water damages go hand in hand.

Fire Board Up Services

Our teams will first install emergency board up materials to prevent any precipitation from entering the building and deterring possible break ins. It’s important for the public to know the building is being cared for and watched.

We will board up damaged doors, windows, and even portions of the building.

If a board up isn’t immediately possible due to weather or another circumstance that makes the work unsafe for our technicians, we will hire a live 24 hour security guard to monitor your property.

Roof Restoration Services

If your commercial property’s roof has been damaged, we will install an emergency roof tarp. The tarp will help weather and animals from entering the property and causing additional damage.

While the roof tarp is being installed, we will also contact your insurance company and begin to process your claim for permanent roof replacement.

Water Damage Service

Due to firefighting efforts, the building will usually also have a water damage. A water extraction team will extract all standing water and being drying the structure to help prevent mold growth.

Smoke and Fire Cleanup

While your building is being dried, our smoke and fire cleanup crews will come in and begin the fire damage restoration process.

Anything that has been permanently damaged will be removed. This involves both structural elements of the building along with contents. Items that must be thrown away will first be inventoried. This documentation will be sent to your insurance adjuster so they can determine replacement costs.

The items that are salvageable will also be inventoried and transported back to our facilities. We will clean, deodorized, and store them until they can be delivered.

When all debris has been cleared of your building, our technicians will perform smoke odor removal procedures, deodorization, and soot cleanup on every portion of your commercial property. Many times, commercial air duct cleaning will also be needed.

Finally, a reconstruction crew will rebuild any portion of your building that was damaged.

Commercial Mold Remediation

Mold works in one of two different ways in Texas to abide by Texas Mold Law.

The Mold is Under 25 Contiguous Feet

Contiguous means the mold is touching. Mold of this size requires no documentation to be filed with the State of Texas. This means we can begin mold remediation services immediately.

The Mold is Over 25 Contiguous Feet

This size of mold falls under Texas Mold Assessment And Remediation Rules (TMARR), which requires:

A Texas Licensed Mold Assessor to write a Mold Protocol. We cannot legally choose an assessor for you. Instead, we can give you a list of assessors for you to choose from.

A Texas Licensed Mold Contractor (us) will file a Work Plan and schedule the job with the State of Texas. Once the Work Plan is filed, we must legally wait at least five (5) business days before starting the job.

When we finish the mold remediation, the Mold Assessor has to check the cleaning to make sure it’s successful. If it is, they will issue a Clearance Document.

The Texas Licensed Mold contractor (us) can then issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation to you which documents the success of the mold cleanup. Keep this document and give a copy to your insurance provider. You’ll also want to hold on to it for any future home buyer to prove you’ve taken care of your mold problem correctly.

No matter the size of your mold, rest assured that our business has handled the same type of mold problem you’re experiencing. We have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license, and we are ready to help.

If you see or suspect mold in your commercial building, give us a call any time. We provide free mold inspections and bids.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin YouTube

www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Mold Growth In Your Home

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson has a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offers free mold inspections.

What is mold?

What does mold look like?

Mold can have different looks. Keep in mind that no one knows exactly how many types of mold exist, but estimates are in the hundreds of thousands! The two most common types of mold we see have:

Spots - black, green, white, yellow, or other colors
Fuzzy growth - it’ll look like it has tiny hair on it

What does mold smell like?

Mold has a musty smell. Some people may also describe it as sweet.

Mold Inspection Dallas

If you suspect mold in your home, we’re glad to provide a free mold assessment and bid to anyone in Dallas Fort Worth. We can many times be at your property within 24 hours, especially if you’re in the greater Dallas area. Our mold remediation specialist will visit your property and check the common trouble spots for mold, like bathrooms, the kitchen, and laundry room. They’ll also ask if you’ve ever had a water damage or pipe leak. Sometimes mold growth is obvious. We usually see mold on walls or mold on carpets. Other times, more investigative work is needed.

If we find mold damage in your home, we’ll provide you with a bid for mold remediation. We have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license, and we’re trusted professional mold experts in Dallas Fort Worth. The Texas licensing office responsible for Mold Law is the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Different Types of Mold in Homes

When we do find mold in a property, we’re often asked what kind of mold it is. There are common molds found in homes that we remediate on a daily basis, but for us to be sure of its exact kind, we need to perform mold testing. We commonly find:

Acremonium
Alternaria
Aspergillus
Chaetomium
Cladosporium
Stachybotrys
Ulocladium

Professional Mold Testing

Even though we are glad to perform mold testing, is it almost never necessary. Unless you have a health or insurance related reason to know, we advise you to skip testing, and its added expense, and go straight to mold remediation services. Our mold specialists treat any kind of mold we find with the same level of care and safety.

Black Mold Removal Dallas

The most common concern from our clients is when they find black mold in their property. We understand why they request emergency mold removal -- there are many websites that have articles written about the toxicity of black mold. While not all black colored mold is toxic, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

If you are suffering from serious health effects, leave the area until our mold specialists can visit your property. We can respond to almost ever request for a mold inspection within one to two days. Be aware that the size of the mold growth determines the procedure we can legally perform mold remediation services. At the very least, our technicians can set up containment and air scrubbers with HEPA filtration to help improve the condition of your home.

Proper Mold Removal and Texas Mold Law

Mold remediation steps involve Texas Mold Law. Let’s say we do find mold on your property. One of two things will happen.

The Mold is Under 25 Contiguous Feet

Contiguous means the mold is touching. Mold of this size requires no documentation to be filed with the State of Texas. This means we can begin mold remediation services immediately.

The Mold is Over 25 Contiguous Feet

This size of mold falls under Texas Mold Assessment And Remediation Rules (TMARR), which requires:

A Texas Licensed Mold Assessor to write a Mold Protocol. We cannot legally choose an assessor for you. Instead, we can give you a list of assessors for you to choose from.
A Texas Licensed Mold Contractor (us) will file a Work Plan and schedule the job with the State of Texas. Once the Work Plan is filed, we must legally wait at least five (5) business days before starting the job.
When we finish the mold remediation, the Mold Assessor has to check the cleaning to make sure it’s successful. If it is, they will issue a Clearance Document.
The Texas Licensed Mold contractor (us) can then issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation to you which documents the success of the mold cleanup. Keep this document and give a copy to your insurance provider. You’ll also want to hold on to it for any future home buyer to prove you’ve taken care of your mold problem correctly.

We have dealt with both mold situations many times. We will walk you through the process and make sure you’re taken care of.

SERVPRO Dallas Mold Removal Cost

For us to be able to give you a bid, we have to perform a free mold inspection. We don’t want to promise you one price only to find out that you need less or more mold remediation work done to correctly remediate your home.

There are many mold remediation companies in Dallas Fort Worth, but few are full service. When you trust SERVPRO of North Irving, you can expect:

A Job File Coordinator to be assigned especially to you. They will work with your insurance company to process your mold remediation claim.
If you do not have mold coverage or wish to not involve your insurance company, we will provide you with a no obligation bid.
We will perform containment, HEPA vacuuming, HEPA air filtration, and mold remediation. If the mold has permanently damaged an area of your home, we will remove it and dispose of it properly. Our reconstruction team will then handle any mold damage repair after remediation is complete.
If we find contents in your home that have been affected by mold, we can either clean them on the spot or take them back to our cleaning facility for mold removal.
We are one of the few Esporta certified firms in Dallas Fort Worth, which makes us trained and qualified to remove mold from clothes. If you have moldy clothing, we can also take it back to our cleaning facility.

Trusted Leader in Mold Clean up, Collin County North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Additional Mold Articles:

How to Prevent Mold Growth After a Water Damage

How to Find Mold in Your Home

Commercial Mold Remediation

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

We have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license mold remediation, and we’re ready to start helping you with your mold problem immediately.

Commercial Mold Remediation

We understand the negative impact of business interruption, which is why we’ve customized our commercial mold remediation services to fit the business we’re working with.

Our mold remediation specialists can work after hours, including overnight.
We can also work on the weekends.
We can set up mold containment and HEPA air scrubbers to contain the mold to its current location while the rest of your business continues its day to day operations.

We will find a way to make sure your commercial property’s mold remediation is complete no matter your hours.

We have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license mold remediation, and we’re ready to start helping you with your mold problem immediately. Call us today for a free mold inspection and bid.

What is Mold?

Mold is a naturally occurring fungus. It grows in almost all environments, which makes 100% mold removal impossible. There will always be some mold in any environment, but the trick is to get the number of mold spores as low as possible to avoid mold growth and infestation.

Molds release small spores in the air which can be inhaled. An indication of mold is a strong musty smell, even when none can be seen. Some mold is clearly visible and appears as black and white spots near a moist source.

Types of Mold

There are many types of mold. Some are not typically harmful to humans, while others are considered toxic. The most well known mold is black mold, which many believe to be toxic. However, there are many types of mold that are black in color. When dealing with mold, being safe is always the priority. Our company deals with any type of mold with care and the highest safety standards in place.

Mold Growth Environments

Mold symptoms are most likely to occur where mold loves to grow, which is in dark, warm, and moist environments. If your business has this type of environment, the likelihood of growing mold is higher.

What Happens When I Find Mold?

Most importantly -- leave the mold alone. Mold is very easy to disturb. The last thing you want is to give the mold an added opportunity to spread its spores to other locations in your business. Ask people to stay away from that area.

Next, give us a call. We will come out and perform a free mold inspection. We’ll check out the area you suspect already has mold, and we’ll also look at the rest of your building to make sure the infestation hasn’t spread.

After inspection, we’ll present you with a bid. Our bids are no cost, no obligation.

Texas State Mold Law

Due to Texas Mold Law, there are two ways the mold remediation process can happen.

No Reporting Needed to Texas State

Your mold does not need to be reported to Texas if it's under 25 contiguous feet. In this circumstance, we can begin mold remediation services immediately.

Reporting the Mold to Texas State is Necessary

You mold project does need to be reported to Texas when its over 25 contiguous feet. This size of mold falls under Texas Mold Assessment And Remediation Rules (TMARR), which requires:

A Texas Licensed Mold Assessor to write a Mold Protocol. We cannot legally choose an assessor for you. Instead, we can give you a list of assessors for you to choose from.
A Texas Licensed Mold Contractor (us) will file a Work Plan and schedule the job with the State of Texas. Once the Work Plan is filed, we must legally wait at least five (5) business days before starting the job.
When we finish the mold remediation, the Mold Assessor has to check the cleaning to make sure it’s successful. If it is, they will issue a Clearance Document.
The Texas Licensed Mold contractor (us) can then issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation to you which documents the success of the mold cleanup. Keep this document and give a copy to your insurance provider or future property buyer.

Our business has dealt with both scenarios hundreds of times, and we know exactly how to navigate this process with you. Rest assured that we will talk you through the process step-by-step and will be there to help you.

Will Mold Remediation Interrupt My Business?

In most cases, mold remediation doesn’t have to interrupt your business. We have been in business for over 30 years, and we have found ways to help all kinds of businesses minimize or eliminate business interruptions.

We can:

Work after hours, including overnight.
Work on the weekend.
Set up mold containment with HEPA air scrubbers to work on the mold infestation while the rest of your business operates.

Our crews of mold remediation specialists are experienced and successful. Our business will work with yours to create a work schedule for your mold remediation project. We understand the high cost of business interruption, and our goal is to disrupt your day to day operations as minimally as possible.

If you suspect mold in your business or see visible growth, give us a call. We’re always available and always ready to help.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

How to Find Mold in House

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offers free mold inspections.

How to Find Mold in House

Finding mold in your house is never a pleasant experience. When homeowners or renters find mold, a lot of questions go through their mind. Am I safe? Who do I call? How much will mold remediation cost? How long will the mold removal process take?

Being proactive about mold is the best policy. Let’s talk about the common places mold grows and what you can do to prevent mold growth in the first place.

What Environment Does Mold Grow Best In?

First, let’s understand what kind of environment mold most loves to grow in. Mold tends to grow in a place that is:

Warm
Dark
Moist

These spots tend to go undisturbed in a house or apartment. For this reason, we are not surprised to find mold growing under kitchen sinks or other places where there is a source of constant water like bathrooms or laundry rooms.

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that naturally grows in our environment. It’s outdoors, indoors -- it’s everywhere. Getting rid of 100% of mold in a house or apartment is simply not possible, and any mold removal company that tries to sell you on that pitch won’t be able to fulfill their promise. The best that a mold removal company can do is remove enough mold to make your home a safe and healthy place to live in again.

Types of Mold

No one exactly knows how many types of mold exist out there. There are some estimates in the hundreds of thousands! The best known kind of mold is black mold, which a quick search will show hundreds of articles talking about its toxicity. Toxic black mold exists, but not every black colored mold is toxic. In fact, many molds are not harmful to human beings in small quantities.

Regardless of the type of mold you have in your home, an experienced and professional mold remediation company will treat every single type of mold with care. Safety is always the top priority in mold cleanup, which is why our company treats all mold the same. Our mold remediation specialists will take all safety precautions to keep you and your family safe.

Mold Hot Spots

If you want to check out the most common places we find mold, inspect these portions of your home. If you find mold in your home, give us a call.

Mold in Bathroom

Bathrooms are ideal places for mold to grow since they tend to be more humid than other rooms around the house. Look around your tub or shower. Typically, you’ll see dark green or black spots on the caulking or wall joints. Look also under and behind your sink, especially if you have a cabinet with pipes running inside of it and into the wall. Also look at your exhaust vents. Mold spores are airborne and can very easily reach your fans and travel to other portions of your house if mold begins to grow in them.

Keep the humidity in your bathroom low to avoid mold. You can do this by turning on the exhaust fans after a shower. Also, leave your shower door open to let the water evaporate faster.

Mold on Carpet

This is common after a water damage that was not dried properly. We see it all the time when someone tries to DIY their own water damage restoration. This simply means that when the water absorbed into your carpet and pad, not all of it was dried quickly enough. Depending on how long the mold has been in the carpet will determine whether we can save it or not. In almost all instances, the pad underneath the carpet will have to be replaced.

Mold starts to grow in as little as 72 hours. This is why our business has a 24 hour emergency line to help people with water damages at any time of day, every day of the year. We make sure to complete water extraction plus set professional drying equipment to avoid mold growth. If you have a water damage, call the professionals. We’ll make sure your home is dried properly.

Mold on Walls

We see mold on walls when a pipe leak goes undetected for weeks or even months. Sometimes a pipe leak is obvious because we see water coming out from under the baseboards. But, other times, the leak is so small that it takes a while for any symptoms to show. Look for this mold problem behind walls where you know water pipes run through.

In this case, we have to cut through the wall to see what’s going on behind it. The leak has to be fixed before we can move forward with mold remediation.

Mold on Clothes

There are a few different reasons we see mold on clothes. One is that a water damage occurred but wasn’t cleaned up properly. This is especially true in closets which are usually dark and warm. If you have carpet in your closet or if it's against a bathroom wall, check it out to make it's always dry and clean. If there’s high humidity in there, mold may start to grow on your clothes.

Another common reason is that some clothing got wet, got put into a corner to be taken care of later. Instead, it was forgotten about. When it’s found a week later, there is mold growing on top of it.

What do you do to remove mold from clothes? Throwing it in with the rest of the laundry may not help since washing machines aren’t powerful enough to push mold spores out of fabrics. Dry cleaners also can’t help you because they don’t have the tools or training to handle mold.

If you’re interested in trying to save your clothes, give us a call. We are one of the few businesses in North Texas that is certified to handle mold infested clothing. Our Esporta Wash System uses up to six special detergents and hydraulic pressure to literally push the spores out of all types of fabrics. Best of all, we pick up and deliver your clothes back to your home.

Mold Behind Baseboards

This one won’t be easy to spot on your own. Still, it’s important to know that if you are dealing with a water leak or have had a past water damage, finding mold behind a baseboard is common. Usually, only a professional can help you find this.

Mold in HVAC

Mold spores fly up in the air when they’re disturbed, which is why they end up in our air ducts and HVAC system. If you see mold growing on your vents or if you get a whiff of something musty every time the air conditioner turns on, it’s time to inspect your air ducts. If you need help, give us a call. It’s important to take care of this quickly. If there really is mold in there, it could be spreading all throughout your house.

Mold in Attic

We usually find mold in the attic when there is roof damaged that has gone unnoticed. After a big storm, head up to your attic and make sure everything is dry. If it’s not, call us quickly. We’ll patch up the damaged portion of your roof and take care of your attic humidity. If you file an insurance claim, we’ll even work with your insurance company to permanently replace the damaged part of your roof.

Many folks call us when they see water spots on a ceiling. This is often the first time they suspect something is wrong up there. We come out for an inspection only to find out that their water heater has been leaking for a while and there’s now mold in the attic. In this case, the mold remediation process will involve a few things: attic mold removal, beam replacement if the mold has damaged the wood, partial ceiling replacement, and water damage restoration services.

Mold Under Sink

Kitchens are popular places for mold growth because of their increased humidity level. Look under your kitchen sink, especially if it's in a cabinet. Also, take a look behind your refrigerator and dishwasher. If you’ve experienced a refrigerator or dishwasher leak in the past, be especially vigilant. Many plumbers are happy to help you with your leaky appliance, but few know to warn you about the wet wall and baseboards left behind.

Free Mold Inspection

Are you still smelling something musty but can’t figure out where that smell is coming from? If you suspect mold in your home, just give us a call. We’ll head over to your place and give you a free mold inspection and bid.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

How Much Is Commercial Fire Damage Restoration?

12/30/2017 (Permalink)

We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We specialize in fire damage restoration. Photo credit: Adjusters International.

How Much Is Commercial Fire Damage Restoration?

In the aftermath of a fire damage to your business, a lot needs to be taken into consideration. As a business owner or manager of a commercial property, you need to find a professional and experienced fire damage restoration company that can get to work immediately. You don’t have unlimited time to make a decision.

We understand your goal is to properly rebuild your property while minimizing business interruption. We have serviced businesses in North Texas for over 30 years, and we know exactly how to help.

Many fire damage restoration companies will offer you an estimate. If this estimate is generic and not guaranteed--be careful. Often, low ball estimates result in significant additional costs are attached to your bid once they begin work. This happens often with companies that can only handle a small portion of your overall fire damage and hire subcontractors with an added O&P to your bill.

SERVPRO of Richardson is a Full Service Contractor

When we’re asked for a fire damage bid, our team gets to work. We inspect your property and take into account:

Fire board up services

After receiving a call, we will immediately dispatch to your property and perform emergency fire damage services. These services are necessary to avoid secondary damage, unauthorized intrusion, and theft.

If the fire department was present, there will likely be a water damage on your property along with smoke and soot. We will perform water removal services and board up windows, doors, and damaged walls.

Roof replacement

Emergency roof tarping is often needed. To prevent weather intrusion, we will install a temporary roof tarp upon our arrival. If you are filing an insurance claim, we will work with your insurance adjuster to process your claim and install a permanent roof.

24 hour live security guard surveillance (when needed)

If the weather does not allow our technicians to perform emergency services, we will hire a 24 hour live security guard to monitor your property. The purpose of a security guard is to protect your property from theft.

Water damage restoration and fire damage restoration

While our emergency crews are performing emergency services, an experienced restoration project manager and reconstruction project manager will assess your property for damage.

Restoration Project Manager: this expert will outline what areas of your property need to be cleaned, deodorized, and if any contents have to be packed out. Their bid will include everything we need to do to perform these services. Their estimate will include all emergency services performed.
Reconstruction Project Manager: this expert will detail all areas of your property that have been damaged and create a bid to rebuild them.

Smoke and fire odor removal

This is part of the restoration project manager’s duties. They will determine the correct chemicals, techniques, and equipment to use.

Debris removal

Debris removal is one of the first things our technicians accomplish. Debris is dangerous and is the main cause of most of the smoke scent. Whatever cannot be salvaged from your business will be inventoried and thrown away. The inventory is given to your insurance adjuster so they may consider replacement costs.

Cleaning and restoration of contents and textiles

Items that can be salvaged will be packed up and moved to our cleaning facilities. After the items are sanitized and deodorized of the fire and smoke damage, we can store them in our facility until you are ready to receive them.

Moving services and storage

Moving services and storage are part of our cleaning process. All items we take are inventoried and reported to your insurance adjuster.

Reconstruction

Our reconstruction team will rebuild any portion of your commercial property that was permanently damaged. Our goal is to restore your property to pre fire condition.

Fire Cleanup Estimate

Our bid will be transparent and simple. Since we’re a full service fire damage restoration company, rest assured that we’ll be your one call and done. There are many advantages to using us as your full service contractor.

If you have any questions, you’ll be able to talk directly to the managers in charge of your project. They will be directly responsible for your property’s well being and care, and they will be knowledgeable enough to answer your questions.
The stress and worry of coordinating multiple contractors won’t be a problem you’ll have to answer to. We handle all the details.
The overall cost of your claim will be lower since so many of our services are produced in house.
Your insurance company will also only have to communicate with us to process your fire damage claim. This can make the claims process much faster and efficient.

Filing A Fire Damage Insurance Claim

We work with all insurance companies on a daily basis -- it’s the cornerstone of our business.

If you are filing a claim with your insurance company, we will provide your adjuster with a detailed estimate covering the full scope of the project. The job file coordinator assigned especially to your project will be in contact with your adjuster every day. We work with a sense of urgency when asking for portions of your project to be approved and completed. We also instill this sense of urgency to the insurance companies we work with and everyone in our staff.

24 Hour Emergency Dispatch

We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We specialize in fire damage restoration, and we’re ready to help right now. Call us any time.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Emergency Water Damage Services After Frozen Pipes

12/29/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richarson has a 24 hour emergency line to receive all requests for emergency water damage remediation. Photo credit Mobile Home Repair

Emergency Water Damage Services After Frozen Pipes

It doesn’t happen often in Dallas, but severe cold weather is when our office receives a jump in calls from homeowners and businesses needing emergency water damage services.

The cause of the water damage is almost always the same -- a water pipe bursting after it freezes.

A water damage caused by a pipe bursting can cause damage to a property if it's not addressed quickly and correctly.

24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Remediation

Our office has a 24 hour emergency line to receive all requests for emergency water damage remediation. We can usually respond to all emergency water damage calls within 4 hours of a call, even in the middle of the night. If wintry weather conditions prevent us from meeting our 4 hour commitment, we will call to let you know. Our policy is never to promise a time that we cannot keep.

Don’t Wait for Water Cleanup Services

Secondary damage is the damage that is caused to your home or its contents when a water damage isn’t taken care of quickly. Some insurance policies may partially deny a water damage claim if they can prove a property owner purposefully ignores efforts to have their water damage taken care of in a timely manner.

Other reasons to call a water damage restoration company as soon as your loss occurs are:

Mold Growth

Mold problems begin about 48 hours after a water damage.

The Water Damage will Expand

The longer water is allowed to stand, the more it will soak into the materials it is touching. This causes the water damage to expand and makes it more difficult to control. Water extraction should happen as soon as possible.

Increased Water Damage Insurance Claim

The longer materials are wet, the lower the chance they can be saved. This will increase the price of your insurance claim.

Water Becomes Contaminated

Water becomes more contaminated the longer it sits. Even if the water damage comes from a clean source, like a water tub overflowing, if the water is allowed to sit, bacteria will be introduced. If we do not remove the water, it will cause the severity of your water damage to grow and the risk of having to permanently throw away contents and structure increases.

Secondary damage from water is often preventable if you act quickly. Secondary damages include floors buckling and water being absorbed by additional materials that may have initially resisted it, like walls and furniture.

Mold Problems

If your property isn’t properly dried after a water damage, then mold and mildew may start to grow in as little as 48 hours.

Our mold remediation specialists will inspect and dry wet areas. The area around the frozen pipe will also be inspected and dried properly. Many mold removal jobs we are called to do are due to slow leaking pipes that the homeowner, unfortunately, didn’t know about until the mold had eaten through their drywall and spread to other rooms of their house. Since we will need to cut through the drywall to reach the pipe, we will take advantage of this situation and perform a mold inspection to make sure mold growth is not a problem.

If the pipe is hidden behind drywall, rest assured that our reconstruction team is capable of replacing it after the pipe has been fixed.

Winter Water Damage Prevention

The best way to prevent water damages is to be proactive in its prevention. While it’s not always possible to prevent a disaster, the severity of the water damage is often lessened when homeowners are prepared.

What’s the weather forecast?

Keep an eye on the weather and prepare if below freezing temperatures are on the forecast. Be especially vigilant for winter weather storms.

Winter Storm Watch

A watch means the conditions are good for a winter storm to occur, but we’re not sure if one will happen or not.

Winter Weather Advisory

This refers to a storm that will produce 3-5” of snow in less than 12 hours, sleet, freezing rain.

Freezing Rain Advisory

A freezing rain advisory means there will be ice accumulation of less than .25 of an inch.

Winter Storm Warning

A winter storm warning means there will be more than 6” of snow in less than 6 hours, more than 8” in less than 24 hours, or more than half an inch of sleet.

Ice Storm Warning

An ice storm warning means there will be more than .25 of an inch of ice accumulation.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Classification of Water and Water Category

12/29/2017 (Permalink)

One of the first things our technicians note when they arrive is the category and classification of the water.

Classification of Water and Water Category

One of the first things our technicians note when they arrive is the category and classification of the water. We do this before starting emergency water damage restoration services because identifying the water serves an important purpose.

Water Category

The category of water tells us how dirty it is. Water can be categorized into three categories::

Category 1 Water or Clean Water

Category 1 Water means that the source of the water is sanitary. The water does not pose a substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. Category 1 Water is called Clean Water.

Category 1 Water will eventually change to Category 2 or Category 3 Water if it is not cleaned promptly. Water changing categories is one of the reasons we respond to water damage restoration emergencies 24 hours a day. If water extraction isn’t prompt, the wet surfaces will run the risk of being permanently damaged. Add a water category change, and the possibility of remediation is lowered even more.

Category 2 Water or Gray Water

Category 2 Water contains significant contamination. It has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if a human consumes or contacts it. Category 2 Water potentially has unsafe levels of microorganisms. It may also have organic or inorganic matter which may be chemical or biological.

When our technicians encounter carpeting wet by Category 2 Water, they will remove the carpet pad and dispose of it. The carpet itself might be saved depending on the carpet type and how many hours the carpet has been wet. If carpet delamination has occurred, the carpet is not considered salvageable.

If your carpet cannot be saved, we will take a sample of it. We use the sample to identify it, and then present this information to your insurance company to estimate its replacement cost.

Category 3 Water or Black Water

Category 3 Water is grossly contaminated. It may contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. This is the dirtiest classification of water. Another name for it is Black Water.

Sewage water and water from storm surges is considered Category 3 Water. Sewage contains human waste, and rising flood waters are contaminated by everything it has touched outside. Consider what the water will touch as it makes its way into your home. Examples include oils and trash from the street, lawn fertilizers, and much more.

When carpet is affected by Category 3 Water, both the carpet pad and the carpet itself are not salvageable. Our technicians will take a sample of it and present its information to your insurance company to estimate its replacement cost.

Why Categorize Water?

We categorize water for various reasons. One is to know the level of care our technicians must take to safely work. If the water is gray or black, we will a spray antimicrobial and antifungal chemicals to kill bacteria. This helps prevent further microbial growth.

Another reason to categorize water is to understand what wet materials can be salvaged or not. Materials in Category 1 Water have a high chance of being salvaged while materials in Category 3 Water have little to no chance of being restored.

One of the few exceptions to saving Category 3 Water materials is if the item can be sanitized in our Esporta Wash System. Our company is one of the few in North Texas that is a Certified Esporta Wash System Operator. This certification allows us to use the most advanced cleaning techniques and detergents in the clothing and textile industry. Our salvage rate is over 85%.

Classification of Water

Class 1 Water

Class 1 Water is when there is only a bit of water, absorption, and evaporation. It means that a portion of a room or area is affected. It can also refer to a larger area where the wet materials have absorbed moisture minimally. Materials that do not absorb moisture readily are those with low permeance. Little or no wet carpet or cushion is present in Class 1 Waters.

Class 2 Water

Class 2 Water involves a large amount of water, absorption, and evaporation. We use this classification when the entire room with carpet and pad is affected. However, the water has not wicked up the walls more than 24 inches. There is moisture in structural materials and substructure soil.

Class 3 Water

Class 3 Water involves the greatest amount of water, absorption, and evaporation. Water in this class may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion, and subfloor in virtually the entire area are saturated.

Class 4 Water

Class 4 Water relates to specialty drying situations, such as wet materials with low permeance or porosity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and specialty drying methods.

Permeance

Permeance is basically is a measure of how much water can pass through an item. An example of a type of paint with high permeance is flat paint. Semi-gloss and glossy paints have more a barrier, so water can’t pass through them as easily. However, once the water does pass through, it’s a lot harder to get the water extracted.

Why Classify Water?

Classifying water helps us know what drying techniques to use, the amount of equipment to set, and how long the drying process may take. Our technicians will try to give you an estimate of the drying time, but there are many external factors that affect the timeline.

Rest assured that no matter the category or class or water involved in a water damage, we are prepared to help. We have seen it all, and we can help you through it all.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

The Science of Dallas Water Damage Remediation

12/28/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is an IICRC Certified firm, and the majority of our employees have IICRC water restoration certifications.

Using Professional Drying Equipment

Drying a residential or commercial property after a water damage in Dallas needs to be done correctly and quickly. Our home water damage restoration process has a scientific process and decades of experience to ensure your home does not experience any more damage. We use the right amount of professional drying equipment strategically placed to make sure your property gets dried properly and quickly. We use air movers, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, and other specialized equipment as needed.

SERVPRO Water Damage Technicians

SERVPRO of North Richardson's technicians are trained in the science of psychrometrics. We are an IICRC Certified firm, and the majority of our employees have IICRC water restoration certifications. We follow strict restoration industry approved standards.

One of the basic lessons in water damage restoration is learning about psychometry.

What is Psychometry?

Psychrometry is the calculation of relative humidity and water vapor pressures from temperature and barometric pressure. It’s also called hygrometry.

We use the science of psychometry to know how to proceed with your water damage restoration. Every day we visit your property, we take careful measurements to know if our process is working or if it needs adjustment to dry your properly on time. We gather data such as temperature, relative humidity, and more.

Why Drying is Vital to Water Damage Services

Materials can often dry on their own if the moisture in the wet material moves to drier air (assuming there is drier air). An example that you probably see almost every day is a glass with a bit of water in it. After a while, that while will have evaporated and your glass won’t be wet anymore. It’s nature!

The problem with letting nature take care of drying your property is that it simply takes too long. The longer a material takes to dry, the higher the chances are for secondary damage. Secondary damage in a water damage involves mold growth and permanent damage of the wet material.

Avoiding secondary damage is the reason we use professional drying equipment, such as air movers, dehumidifiers, and other specialty equipment. The goal is to help nature by speeding up how quickly she works.

Our technicians know the most efficient way to dry your structure. We know which equipment to use, how much, and where to best place it so it can be the most efficient.

Monitoring the Drying Process

Our damage restoration technicians will visit your property every day to check the drying status of all wet materials and our equipment. We document different points of data on every visit and check it against our drying goals. If one room has met its drying goal, the equipment from that room is removed. This is one way where we make sure that we only charge for the equipment while it’s being useful.

If you have filed a water damage claim with your insurance company, all drying data is shared with them as we gather it. This gives your insurance adjuster proof that our company is taking care of you correctly.

The Goal of the Drying Process

Our efforts to dry your property don’t stop until we have proof your entire structure is dry. We consider a room to be dried to goal when its data points match a room that was not affected by the water damage.

SERVPRO DryBook Mobile

We document all drying data into SERVPRO’s proprietary program called DryBook Mobile. This is how we:

Manage industry drying requirements.
Provide real time documentation of the drying process. This documentation is given to your insurance provider if you file a claim.
Validate our water damage restoration services are executed to standard.
Report to all stakeholders involved.
Allow real time updates.

Dallas Water Cleanup Services

We have a 24 hour emergency line to respond to any water damage emergency in Dallas Fort Worth. If your home or business has a water damage, we will:

Dispatch a crew immediately.
Perform water extraction services.
Inspect your property to detect any wet spots.
Measure the amount of moisture in the wet spots and create a drying plan.
Set up professional drying equipment.
Monitor wet materials every day to ensure they dry properly and quickly.
Document all data.
Present all documented data to your insurance adjuster to process your claim.

Water Damage Repair in Dallas

We are one of the few businesses in North Texas that can handle the restoration side of your water damage and also handle your water damage repair. We have a reconstruction division in our business that will work with your insurance company to approve any repair work.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

I Need Water Damage Remediation in Dallas. What Now?

12/28/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company in Dallas Texas.

I Need Water Damage Remediation in Dallas. What Now?

Dealing with water damages is not something our customers ever want to do -- and with good reason. We understand the stress and inconvenience that comes when your bathroom, kitchen, or living room are suddenly flooded. Sometimes the homeowner may be present when the water damage happens and is able to shut off the water. Most of the time, a water damage is just a bad surprise that people come home to after a day of work or vacation.

We’ve helped restore many homes and businesses after a water damage. Our business has over 30 years of experience serving Dallas Fort Worth. We’re ready to help you, too.

#1 Call us. We Are Available for 24 Hour Emergencies

SERVPRO of Richardson's promise is to respond to all water damages within 4 hours of receiving a call. Our on-call manager will gather information about your loss and dispatch a crew of technicians immediately. We are available 24 hours a day every day of the year.

#2 Call your Home Insurance Provider

While we’re on the way, give your insurance provider a call and let them you’re in need of water damage services. Inform them that SERVPRO of Richardson is on the way. Some insurance companies may suggest another water damage restoration company, but the choice is legally up to you.

Learn your claim number and have it ready for our technicians. We will assign a Job File Coordinator from our office specifically to you. They will help guide you through the insurance claims process, and they will also work with your insurance adjuster every day to make sure your claim is processed.

#3 Water Removal

The SERVPRO water damage has been proven to work. When we arrive, we will inspect the extent of the water damage and begin extracting all the water. Our crew will document all affected areas and begin the documentation process for your insurance claim (even when an insurance claim is not filed, our documentation process is still the same).

It’s important to perform water removal services as fast as possible. The longer the water sits, the more it will soak into materials like floors and walls. Fast water removal also helps prevent mold damage and mold growth.

#4 Water Damage Drying and Monitoring

Once all standing water has been extracted, we will set up water clean up equipment to begin drying your home. We will place air movers, dehumidifiers, and other specialty equipment for hard to reach places. Our water remediation technicians know the exact quantity of equipment to use and where to place it to achieve faster drying results and efficiency.

We will return to your property once a day to monitor the drying process and remove or relocate equipment.

For more information about our drying process, read our blog “The Science of Drying after a Water Damage.”

#5 Reconstruction

After your property is dry and clean, we will send one of our Reconstruction Project Managers to assess any permanent damage the water may have caused. They will submit documentation and work with your insurance to get all necessary reconstruction approved. Once we get the green light from your insurance provider, we can repair your property. This service is part of what makes our office a complete water damage restoration service.

Full Service Emergency Water Fire Damage Restoration

We are one of the few water cleanup companies in Dallas Fort Worth that can handle your entire water damage restoration from beginning to end. We can be your one call and done.

When you choose us, a Full Service 3 Expert Team is assigned to work especially for you. This is a team consisting of a Project File Coordinator (works with your insurance), Restoration Manager (will manage the entire water damage), and Reconstruction Project Manager.

These people will be assigned to you and be your main points of contact for everything regarding your project. We understand stress levels are likely to be high, and we want to simplify the process and be here to help.

If you find your property has experienced a water damage, don’t despair. We’re an experienced, certified, and professional team that can help.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Many homeowners insurances cover water damage, but the only way to be certain is to ask your insurance adjuster. Since your policy is a private document between you and your insurance carrier, we cannot read it ourselves and let you know.

If your water damage is covered, you’ll be given an insurance claim number by your adjuster. Provide us with this claim number, and the Job File Coordinator from our office that is assigned to you will contact your insurance company and begin processing your claim. We will be in touch with your insurance adjuster on a daily basis and make sure everything is processed correctly.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Thank You for 32 Years!

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

Billy and Mary Weaver, 1986

Our franchise was started 32-years ago as a family owned and operated business. We still are to this day. Back then, we had one service -- carpet cleaning. Today, we offer seven core services, and we're preparing for more in the upcoming year.

The past 32-years haven't had a dull day. In the emergency restoration industry, we simply never know what will happen. From a water damage at a large business or a fire at a home to a major storm hitting a portion of our country, we have to always be ready when our phone rings.

This past year, our office traveled to Rockport and Houston to help with the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, and we spent nearly three months working for those who called for our help. Communities there continue to recover. We'd like to acknowledge the strength of our fellow Texans as they rebuild, and we'd also like to thank other SERVPRO franchises, restoration companies, and volunteers from around the United States as they helped our fellow Texans.

2017 was a busy year for our franchise. We saw our SERVPRO family grow. Our team has many new faces, and our seasoned employees are mentoring a new generation. Our employees come from all walks of life with a unified purpose--to help. Our technicians have responded to calls at every hour of the day, during all holidays, without complaint. We always say that it takes a unique person to work in our industry and enjoy themselves. The jobs are not always pleasant to see (or smell), but if the spirit of stewardship lives strong in that person, they can always perform their work and be satisfied in having helped. Those are the people our franchise has hired.

We are grateful for our employees and customers, and we look forward to a happy and safe 2018. Thank you for 32 years, Richardson. We look forward to many more.

What to Do If You Have A Fire in Dallas Today

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson's crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414.

What to Do If You Have A Fire in Dallas Today

A fire can be devastating. While a homeowner is dealing with the shock of their home and items being damaged, there are also many more strong emotions and important questions in mind. Where will we live now? Do I have to start over again?

It’s easy to be overwhelmed when a fire damage happens, regardless of its size. We’ve worked to restore many homes and businesses, and we can help you, too. Our priority is to help you navigate this difficult time and get your home back together as quickly as possible. There’s no time to waste.

After the fire department’s job ends, our work begins.

Fire Cleanup Companies: How to Choose

There are many fire cleanup companies in Dallas Fort Worth, but few of them are full service. We have been handling Dallas fire damage for over 30 years, and we have grown our business to respond to the needs and wants of our customers.

Their voice is clear: they want a fire damage restoration company that can help them with every aspect of their restoration. They want one phone call to fix it all.

Fire Cleanup Service

24 Hour Emergency Response

We have a 24 hour emergency line to respond to any disaster. Our technicians are dispatched 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If we cannot perform emergency fire damage repair services due to poor lighting, we will call for 24 hour live security to make sure your home is safe until we can begin work in the morning.

Emergency Roof Tarp

A thick, weatherproof roof tarp will be attached to the roof of your property to prevent weather from entering and causing secondary damage.

Board Up

We board up damaged windows and doors to prevent precipitation and unauthorized persons from entering the building. This also signals to possible intruders that the property is being cared for and watched.

Temporary Fencing

Security Guard

When a structure cannot be immediately stabilized (for example, it’s raining and it’s not safe to tarp the roof), a 24 hour security guard will be hired to protect the property.

Structural Stability / Stabilizing the Structure

This refers to the need to make a structure safe enough for our technicians to begin fire clean up and restoration work. The fire must be completely put out and we must have authorization from the homeowner to begin work. If the fire department was called, our teams must also wait for their approval to approach the property.

Water Damage Restoration

Fire and water damage often go hand in hand. A water damage occurs at most fires due to firefighting efforts. Standing water can cause secondary damage to your structure. We will perform water removal services and other water damage restoration services as soon as the structural integrity of your home is established.

Structural Cleaning

After the building is secure, we will begin the process of cleaning the smoke fire out of your property. Debris will be removed.

Smoke Damage Restoration

Contents Cleaning

Contents are things that are not part of the structure, like furniture, appliances, and toys. When affected, contents can either be cleaned on site or taken back to our cleaning facility.

Moving Services / Pack Out and Pack Back

Storage

Items that have been packed-out are stored in our facilities until they can be returned.

Reconstruction

Reconstruction refers to any portion of your structure that is rebuilt. Any portion that was permanently damaged during the fire damage is rebuilt to pre fire condition.

House Fire and Insurance Claims

Each one of our customers is assigned a Project File Coordinator. This person will contact your insurance company and communicate with your insurance adjuster on a daily basis. If your fire damage insurance claim is not covered, we will quickly find out and let you know what next steps you can take. If your insurance claim is approved, we will work closely with your insurance company to process your claim.

Moving Services to Temporary Housing

During the fire damage restoration process, many families are temporarily housed in an apartment or hotel. Some may choose to live with a parent or family member. While you are in temporary housing, it’s important to continue normal life functions as much as possible, like going to work and school.

This is why we ask you for any important items you, your children, or pets may need. Examples can include a week’s worth of clothing or a favorite blanket.

We will prioritize the cleaning and sanitization of these items and get them back to you quickly, usually in less than 3 days.

We understand the interruption and stress this may cause you, so we’ll do all we can to make sure you have the items you need to feel as normal as possible. As we do this, the rest of our technicians and managers will work on all others aspects of your fire damage restoration.

Trusted Leader in Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

How to Get Fire Smoke Out of Clothes

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is one of the few Esporta certified firms in Texas. We have an 85%+ cleaning success rate of fire smoke affected clothing.

The Danger of Smoke and Fire

When a fire happens, there is almost always visible smoke. Smoke is the result of incomplete combustion, which means that the material that was burning doesn’t burn completely. Smoke is what the unburned particles is made up of. It is mostly made up of soot, oils, and ash. Depending on the material the burning object was made up of determines the type of smoke that gets embedded into clothing.

For the sake of your health, do not inhale smoke. Also, do not wear smoke affected clothing as embedded smoke particles may have carcinogens.

Getting smoke particles and soot out of clothing is not as easy as throwing your clothing in laundry machines or sending it for dry cleaning. Laundry machines, even industrial ones, don’t usually have enough power to force the particles out of clothing. Sending your clothing to a dry cleaner may also result in them permanently embedding the smoke into the clothing.

Fire Smoke Odor Removal is Possible in Clothing!

The highest rate of success for removing fire smoke out of clothes is with a specialized machine called Esporta. Our business is one of the few Esporta certified firms in Texas. We specialize in fire damage restoration and are uniquely trained and qualified to take your smoke affected clothing and eliminate all smoke particles.

One of the first items we take out of a fire damaged home are textiles--clothing, shoes, teddy bears, bedding, towels, etcetera. Sometimes these items smell like smoke, but no visible soot is on them. Other times, the soot is so heavy, you can hardly tell the original color of the item beneath.

Usually, homeowners are quick to throw away these items, thinking they are unsalvageable. But they can be!

85%+ Cleaning Success Rate with Esporta

The Esporta Wash System is a specialized machine that we use to sanitize and deodorize clothing and other textiles. Our machine can also clean items after a Category 2 or Category 3 Water Damage and Mold Damage.

Our system is a wet wash and uses six environmentally friendly detergents to remove all smoke particles and soot from a textile.

Esporta uses hydraulic pressure to gently clean all fabrics. The inside of the machine has different compartments in it that look like metal cages. We place your clothing in one of the cages, tell the machine what kind of contaminants your clothing has, and the wash begins.

Water fills up from the bottom to the machine and the cages begin to turn rapidly. This means that the detergent laden water is literally pushed through each layer of fabric forcefully enough to push 99% of contaminants out of your clothing. No other machine can do that.

Because your clothing stays in place throughout the entire wash, the cycle is gentle enough to be compared to a hand washing.

The result is clothing that is near pH neutral and clean enough to be considered food grade clean!

Choosing the Right Fire Cleanup Company

Many fire clean up companies are available in Dallas Fort Worth, but only a few of them are full service and can handle every portion of your claim. As you make your selection, ask your fire damage restoration company how many fire cleanup services they offer in house versus hiring specialty subcontractors. While subcontractors can also get the job done, your bill will very likely reflect a higher cost of remediation.

Clothing Fire and Smoke Remediation Process

While every fire damage is different and our process changes according to the needs of each of our customers, you can expect the clothing fire restoration process to closely resemble the following:

Our technicians will inventory and remove all affected clothing and textiles from your home and take them back to our Esporta cleaning facility.
If anything is wet, we set it aside to begin the drying process and prevent mold.
We double check our inventory and create an estimate for your insurance company.
Once your insurance adjuster approves cleaning, your clothing is washed.
To dr your clothing, it is placed in a humidity controlled drying chamber.
All items are professionally finished by being pressed, hung, bagged, and boxed. Leather items are also conditioned.
If storage is required, we place your items in air conditioned storage.
When you are ready, your items are delivered back to you.
Any items that were not salvageable are reported to you and your insurance adjuster. We even provide your adjuster with a replacement cost report.

Rush Items Delivered Within 3 Days

We understand that while a fire damage claim is being processed, our customers still need clothing to be able to continue going to work and school. Restoring any sense of normalcy while your home is being restored is important.

For this reason, we ask our clients which items they’d like us to rush clean. We will prioritize those items and can often have them delivered back to you within 3 days.

ATP Testing to Prove Cleanliness

We use ATP testing to prove contamination levels. ATP -- adenosine triphosphate -- is found in all living cells. Anything alive has ATP. The greater the ATP level, the greater the microbial contamination.

We take an ATP sample of different surfaces before and after they are cleaned, and this is how we prove:

1) if your clothing is dirty enough to warrant professional cleaning, and

2) that our team has successfully sanitized your clothing after cleanup

Our primary purpose in testing for ATP is to prove our results and ensure the safety of our customers. If any item fails to receive a passing ATP score, the clothing is cleaned again at no added cost to you. Our process is thorough and gives our customers peace of mind.

Trusted Leader in Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

What Should Renters Do After A Dallas Apartment Fire?

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson handles fire damages in Dallas. We are a trusted fire damage restoration company with over 30 years of experience.

What Should Renters Do After A Dallas Apartment Fire?

Fire damages can be devastating. Even when your home isn’t completely affected, fire damage victims still have to handle significant losses. When you’re a renter at an apartment complex, many questions may enter your mind:

Is the apartment complex responsible for fire damage costs or am I?

Does my insurance cover my fire damage?

Where will I go?

How will I get all my stuff back?

How long will it take to get my apartment back?

Handling a fire damage can easily become overwhelming.

We’ve helped many renters that have experienced a fire in their apartment in all of Dallas Fort Worth. Our team knows how to work with apartment complexes, landlords, and insurance providers to help restore your life. We can help you, too.

Apartment Fires and Insurance Claims

When you call us to handle your fire damage restoration, you will be assigned a Project Fire Coordinator from our office. Their responsibility is to establish a relationship with your insurance adjuster. They will communicate with them day to day about the status of your claim. We’ll work with them to:

Establish your fire damage restoration coverage.

Ask for approval to clean and restore any contents that could be saved from the fire.

Ask for approval to clean your smoke and fire damaged clothing.

Ask for approval to store your contents as your apartment is being cleaned and restored.

Process and close your fire damage claim.

Content Cleaning (Household Items)

Content is what we call everything that is inside your apartment. They are all the belongings you and your family have inside.

The first step when content cleaning is to identify all the items inside your apartment. We separate them into two categories:

Salvageable. These are items that can be cleaned, deodorized, and sanitized. They are inventories and moved to our cleaning facility. Once they’re cleaned, we store them until you’re ready to receive them again.

Unsalvageable. These are items that are permanently damaged and cannot be cleaned. We do our best to identify these items and report them to your insurance company so they can determine the replacement cost. Sometimes, the contents are so badly burnt that we cannot identify them. After we have identified everything we and send the inventory to your insurance company, we ask for your permission to dispose of them.

Smoke and Fire Damaged Clothing

Many fire damage restoration companies will offer to take your clothing and clean them after smoke and soot have affected them. If they offer this service, make sure they can perform the work in house, which means they have their own machines and trained technicians to do the job. If they can’t, these fire damage restoration companies will usually hire another company to complete this specialized work, which makes the process more expensive.

SERVPRO of Richardson will not hire anyone else to clean your clothing. We are one of the few Esporta Wash System certified firms in Dallas Fort Worth. Our Esporta trained technicians will take all your clothing and textiles from your apartment and take them back to our cleaning facility for sanitation and smoke removal. When your clothes are cleaned, we will return them to you at your convenience. Our technicians have one of the highest rates of textile cleaning success at over 85% -- even better than traditional dry cleaners.

Moving Services & Storage

Our technicians will pack out everything in our apartment so it can be cleaned. They will take them back to our cleaning facility where your items will be deodorized and sanitized. When you can receive your items back again, we’ll be ready to deliver them to you.

Rush Item Cleaning and Delivery

We understand that while the fire damage restoration is taking place, you will need to resume normal activities like going to work and school. For this reason, we offer a rush item service, where our customers can request items they need, such as clothing, cleaned and delivered to them as soon as possible. We prioritize these items for cleaning and delivery them quickly, usually around 3 days.

Other Fire Cleanup Companies

We are trained and able to handle every part of your claim. From fire clean up, to smoke removal, to contents and textile cleaning, to moving services, storage, and reconstruction, we’ll be there. Not many other fire cleanup companies are able to do the same.

We are a full service fire cleanup company. With us, you won’t have to worry about coordinating handfuls of different people and companies to handle your claim. We know this will be a stressful time, so our promise to you is to simplify the process by assigning you a 3 Expert Team. Each of these team members will take care of all aspects of your project from beginning to end. Rest assured that if you ever have a question, they’ll have the answer.

Project File Coordinator: they will work with your insurance company to process your claim.

Restoration Manager: they will do the majority of the fire damage restoration process. They will clean all your contents, your apartment, and manage your move and storage.

Reconstruction Manager: if they are needed, they will rebuild any damages to your apartment.

Trusted Leader in Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Landlords: What to Do After a Dallas Apartment Fire

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a trusted leader in commercial fire damage restoration in Dallas Texas.

Landlords: What to Do After a Dallas Apartment Fire

A fire damage can be devastating. When a Dallas apartment is on fire, there are many concerns to take into account. The first is the safety of all occupants. Thankfully, we have great fire departments that help save lives every day. After the firefighters are gone, there is even more to consider:

How many tenants are displaced? Where will they go?
What will happen to the damaged apartments? Can my tenants get their stuff back?
How will insurance cover this type of claim when there are multiple people involved?
How quickly can I get those apartments rebuilt so my tenants can move back in?
Who should I call to start helping me right now?

When there’s a fire in damage today, there is a lot of help that you can get quickly. Fire remediation is a specialty industry that requires years of experience to get right. Trust a company with a long history of experience and success to take care of you.

There are Many Companies for Fire Restoration, Dallas

Our market of Dallas Fort Worth has many fire damage restoration companies. Many will go to you and offer their services even before the firefighters leave. Even as you call your insurance company about your fire damage claim, you’ll still have to consider who you want working for you. Ask yourself:

Do I want a full service fire damage restoration company that will be my one call? Or

Do I want to handle multiple fire restoration vendors myself?

For many of our customers, the answer is simple: they want one company they can trust to handle every aspect of their fire damage claim. This is where we come in.

SERVPRO of Richardson has been a trusted leader in the restoration industry with over 30 years serving Dallas Fort Worth. We are an experienced and full service commercial fire damage restoration company.

We understand the urgency to both get the job done quickly and correctly. Downtime is costly for business, and we know how important it is to get back up and running ASAP. Our managers and technicians are experienced fire damage restorers, and our office also offers reconstruction to rebuild your damaged apartments.

We have helped many property managers rebuild their apartment complexes after a fire damage. We are the “one call” for our customers, and we can be yours, too.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Process

Emergency Fire Board Up Services

As soon as we’re called to your property, we will begin emergency fire board up services. We will perform emergency roof tarping on damaged roofs and also cover damaged doors, walls, and windows. Boarding up a property immediately helps weather from coming in and causing secondary damage. It also deters unauthorized access and theft.

Apartment Fire Insurance / Renters Insurance

We can work with all your tenants and guide them towards filing a claim with their renter's insurance company. Each tenant will be assigned a Job File Coordinator from our office who will connect with each renter’s insurance adjuster and begin their claim process. Many times, it takes only hours for an insurance company to begin approval work in each apartment.

Within a few days, most renters will have all of their household items inventoried, packed, and moved to our cleaning and storage facilities. Any debris inside their apartment is also thrown away.

Clearing the apartment quickly is always our goal. We know it’s important to have a clean and safe space in which our technicians can immediately begin fire cleanup and fire damage restoration services. We will clean all fire and smoke out of the apartment and perform fire smoke odor removal.

If anything inside the apartment was permanently damaged, our reconstruction crews will come and repair it.

Water Damage Services

Fire and water damages usually go hand in hand due to firefighting efforts. If there is any standing water in the apartments, we will perform water extraction and other necessary water damage restoration services on day one and the drying process will begin. We do this to prevent any further damage and mold damage.

Fire Cleanup

After a Restoration Manager assesses your property, we will begin cleaning each apartment. We will remove all damaged structure and clean the soot off all the entire structure. We will also work with the renter’s insurance provider to get permission to remove their contents inside and move them our storage and cleaning facilities.

Fire Smoke Odor Removal / Deodorization

Our technicians will use various techniques to eliminate the smoke smell from the apartment. This will involve removing all materials that have absorbed smoke and cleaning all residues from the walls. We will also install air scrubbers with HEPA filtration to remove airborne smoke particles.

Reconstruction

If the structure of the apartment has been damaged beyond repair, our technicians will remove the damaged portions. At this point, one of our Reconstruction Managers will assess the damage and begin working with your insurance provider to begin the reconstruction process.

Full Service 3 Expert Team

Handling a fire damage claim is stressful. Instead of coordinating the efforts of a handful of vendors, our promise to you is to help simplify this process by assigning you a Full Service 3 Expert Team. This is a team of three individuals in our company that will manage your project from beginning-to-end. Should you ever have a question about your project, our team will answer it.

Project File Coordinator: they will work with your insurance company and your tenants' insurance companies to process all claims.
Restoration Project Manager: they will perform fire cleanup in each apartment, perform fire smoke odor removal, and handle your renters’ contents claims.
Reconstruction Project Manager: they will rebuild any damage to each apartment.

Trusted Leader in Commercial Fire Damage Restoration in Dallas Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Winter Weather Pet Safety Tips

12/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company in Dallas Texas. Photo: Blue Cross Animal Hospital

Winter Weather Pet Safety Tips

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we are all pet lovers. We even have an office pet -- an African Grey named Gracie.

Whether it's our own pets or those of our customers, we’re always looking out for our furry (or feathered) friends and making sure their environments are safe and clean.

This is why protecting pets during winter is an important topic for us.

Winter Weather? Bring your Pet Indoors

If the temperature outside is uncomfortable for you, it’s also uncomfortable for a dog or cat.

Indoor Pet Care

Keep your pet in a safe environment away from poisons or other items they might be tempted to chew when they’re not being supervised (e.g. exposed electrical cords or your favorite loafers). Pet gates are great -- if your pet can’t jump over them or just push them out of the way!
Keep your pet in a kennel when you’re away from home.
Have an extra supply of cleaning supplies should an accident happen. If the accident is too much for you to clean up or becomes a mess on your carpet, just give us a call. We’ll take care of it.

Pet Exercise

Make time each day to take pets out for a walk. This is a great time to release some energy.
Dry your pet’s paws and in between their toes with a towel after a walk. The cold and any chemicals used to melt ice or snow can be irritable to their skin and poisonous if they lick it off.
Short haired pets may need to wear a sweater outdoors.

Pet Food

Place your pet’s water and food in a plastic bowl. Their tongues may stick to a metal container.
If your pet can safely spend a lot of time outdoors, they also may need to consume more food since their body will need more energy to stay warm.
Outdoor shelters should be big enough to allow movement but small enough to contain body heat. They should also be a few inches off the ground and the door covered with a heavy plastic to prevent precipitation from getting inside.

Carpet Cleaning Dallas

With so much time being spent indoors, more dust and dander will accumulate in your carpets than usual. We recommend vacuuming at least twice a week to keep your carpet clean and prevent it from getting damaged.

For deep carpet cleaning services, give us a call. We can wet wash your carpet and spray down a sanitizer and deodorizer to leave it smelling the way you like it. We recommend at least one deep carpet cleaning per year.

Our carpet cleaning bids are free and cover all possible spot cleaning. We will not give you a low bid for your carpet cleaning only to surprise you with upcharges. We’re happy to schedule a carpet cleaning any time.

Upholstery Cleaning Services

If your pets have been taking a nap on the family couch, it may be time to get it cleaned. We can either come to your home and clean your upholstery on the spot or we can take it back to our cleaning facility.

If your pet’s bed needs a wash but is too big for your home washer, or if you just want them professionally cleaned, we can also provide you with this service!

Our Esporta Wash System is a specialized wet wash that handles large pet beds and cleans them to food grade clean. Our cleaning system is something commercial laundromats and dry cleaners cannot replicate. The Esporta uses hydraulic pressure to push detergent laden water through each layer of fabric in the pet’s bed. It literally pushes all contaminants out of the fabric! This leaves your pet bed fresh and as clean as the day you bought it.

Our technicians will pick up all the pet beds you’d like cleaned and deliver them as soon as they’re done.

Air Duct Cleaning

With your pets spending more time indoors, you’ll want to make sure you change your HVAC filters more frequently. At the most, change your filters every 3 months. They’ll need it!

If your family is sensitive to dust, odors, and other contaminants, consider an air duct cleaning. This service will remove the dust in your air ducts and will help push only clean, filtered air through your system. It takes only a few hours and the resulting improvement in air quality is worth it.

Give us a call. We can inspect your home’s ducts and make a recommendation to keep your home’s air quality safe during the winter.

Trusted Leader in House Cleaning Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Hail Damage Repair After Dallas Storm Damage

12/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a Dallas Storm Damage Restoration Specialist. We offer 24 hour emergency services.

Hail Damage Repair After Dallas Storm Damage

During Spring of 2016, North Texas got hit with a major hailstorm. SERVPRO of Richardson responded to the city of Wylie, Texas, where softball sized hail and strong winds damaged many homes and businesses, especially their roofs.

In a matter of hours, we were placing emergency roof tarps and board ups on damaged properties. While it’s impossible to prevent hailstorm damage to our homes, you can still be prepared.

Hailstorm Preparedness

Before the Storm

Do you know what your property insurance covers? Check out your policy and make sure you know your deductible. You want to be sure you can cover your deductible in case of an emergency. If you’re not sure about your hailstorm coverage, give your insurance company a call if you have any questions.
Keep up with weather forecasts. Turn on your local news, download a free app from the Google Play Store, App store, or visit any national weather website.

A storm watch means the conditions for a hailstorm are right, but no one is absolutely sure if one will really happen or not. Keep an eye on the forecast.
A storm warning means a hailstorm is approaching and you need to take shelter.

If you have items outdoors that you don’t want to get damaged, bring them inside or put a protective covering on them for the duration of the storm. This commonly includes glass outdoor furniture and vehicles.

Reducing Hail Damage

Being proactive is always the best way to prevent storm damage. If the forecast is calling for a possible hailstorm, take a look at your roof or call us for a roof inspection. Taking care of your roof’s problems may prevent serious damage from the storm, such as a badly damaged roof, water intrusion, and an indoor water damage.

Look out for:

Damaged shingles.
Missing shingles.
Clogged water drains. If your drains are clogged and rain also falls with the storm, you are risking water buildup that could enter your home and cause a water damage

During the Hailstorm

During the Wylie, Texas hailstorm, we saw baseball sized hail. During Dallas Texas storms, we can see any size hail. These balls of ice can fall between 50 to 100 miles per hour. The velocity mixed with size is what will determine the amount of damage.

If a hailstorm is happening, keep these safety tips in mind:

Bring all pets indoors immediately.
Stay indoors! If a piece of hail can break through your roof, it can also hurt you!
Keep away from skylights and glass objects that the hail is hitting.
In case a window breaks, close your drapes and curtains. It won’t prevent damage, but it’ll help prevent the broken glass from spraying into your room.

After the Hailstorm

We are ready to respond to any home or business in Dallas Fort Worth. For the safety of our technicians, we must wait for the storm to pass to begin emergency services. However, giving us a call while the storm is progressing will allow us to prepare and be ready as soon as it’s over.

As soon as you notice damage to your home, give us a call.

Our 24 hour emergency line is (972) 986-7677.

DFW Storm Damage Services

We are a full service storm damage restoration company. We can provide you with the following services:

Emergency Roof Tarp
We will tarp your roof and skylights with thick, waterproof plastic sheeting to prevent any weather from getting inside your home and causing more damage. Many insurance companies will not cover secondary damage that is caused by neglect on the behalf of the property owner. Secondary damage includes water damage and mold growth.
Board up Services
If any other part of your home was damaged by the hail, we will perform board up services. We commonly see broken windows and glass sliding doors.
Water Damage Restoration
If any water has gotten into your home from the storm, we will immediately perform water removal services. Our technicians will also place professional drying equipment and begin monitoring your property. Mold growth can begin as quickly as 48 hours after water intrusion, which is why we are available for water damage restoration services 24 hours a day.
Insurance Claim
We will document all damage to your roof and interior of the home. All documentation will be forwarded to your insurance provider to support your claim. A Project File Coordinator will be assigned especially to your file. It’s their job to bridge communication between you and your insurance to make sure you’re taken care of.
Reconstruction and Roof Restoration Service
A Reconstruction Manager will be assigned especially to you. They will inspect the damage to your roof and create an estimate to rebuild it. They will work directly with your insurance provider and rebuild your roof once your claim is approved.
Full Service 3 Expert Team
You will be assigned our Full Service 3 Expert Team. This means that if you ever have a question or concern about your project, one of the three experts that are managing your job will help you from beginning to end. They include:

Project File Coordinator - this person works directly with your insurance company to make sure your claim is processed. They handle all documentation.
Restoration Manager - this person performs all restoration services your property needs, from debris removal to cleaning and water damage restoration.
Reconstruction Manager - this person rebuilds any portion of your property that was permanently affected.

Dallas Storm Damage Restoration Specialists

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Fire Safety: Portable Heaters

12/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas.

Portable heaters are popular during the winter, especially when a temporary cold spell falls and you need just a little bit more heat to be comfortable. Most are inexpensive, which makes them attractive purchases every year.

Yet, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 home fires are associated with the use of space heaters.

Our office works with fire damaged homes on a daily basis, and we know that safe practices at home can’t be undervalued. Fire safety practices with space heaters are important to keep families and homes safe during the winter months.

How to Choose a Space Heater

Purchase a heater with the latest safety technology.
Buy a space heater that’s meant for the size of the room you’re heating and not larger.
Choose a heater that has a thermostat so it can know when to turn itself off.

Electric Space Heater Fire Safety

Electric space heaters are the only safe heaters to use indoors because they don’t need ventilation.

Plug it in directly into a wall outlet or a short, heavy-duty extension cord.
Put the heater on a safe and steady platform away from pets, children, and foot traffic.
Purchase a unit with a tip over safety function. This will cause the heater to turn itself off if it notices it’s not standing upright.
Understand the electrical needs of the heater(s) you purchase, and be mindful not to plug so many in that you overload your home.
Give the heater 3 feet of space on every side.

Smoke and Fire Effects: Is it Bad to Breathe in Fire Smoke?

In case of an emergency, do not hesitate to act. Inhaling smoke from a fire is very unhealthy and can cause serious health problems.

For the sake of your health, do not inhale fire smoke. Also, do not wear smoke affected clothing as embedded smoke particles may have carcinogens.

Dallas Fire Damage

Should the worst happen and you have a fire at home, know that we can help. A fire can be devastating. While a homeowner is dealing with the shock of their home and items being damaged, there are also many more strong emotions and important questions in mind.

Fire Extinguisher Clean Up

One of the best case scenarios in fire damage restoration is when a homeowner was able to stop the fire themselves. While fire extinguisher clean up isn’t fun, it’s a lot more manageable than rebuild an entire home.

If you need fire extinguisher clean up, give us a call. We will inspect your home for affected areas and get to work on the fire damage restoration process immediately. Many times, there is a need for fire smoke odor removal. If the fire happened near an air duct, the smoke may have spread throughout the home. Our technicians will carefully inspect your property and advice you on the necessary steps to take to make the air in your safe and clean again. Our reconstruction team will also replace anything that was permanently damaged.

Full Service Fire Cleanup Service

Their voice is clear: they want a fire damage restoration company that can help them with every aspect of their restoration. They want one phone call to fix it all.

24 Hour Emergency Response

Emergency Roof Tarp

A thick, weatherproof roof tarp will be attached to the roof of your property to prevent weather from entering and causing secondary damage.

Board Up

Structural Cleaning

After the building is secure, we will begin the process of cleaning the smoke fire out of your property. Debris will be removed.

Smoke Damage Restoration

Contents Cleaning

Contents are things that are not part of the structure, like furniture, appliances, and toys. When affected, contents can either be cleaned on site or taken back to our cleaning facility.

Moving Services / Pack Out and Pack Back

Storage

Items that have been packed-out are stored in our facilities until they can be returned.

Reconstruction

Reconstruction refers to any portion of your structure that is rebuilt. Any portion that was permanently damaged during the fire damage is rebuilt to pre fire condition.

House Fire and Insurance Claims

Trusted Leader in Fire Remediation, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

What Are Textiles and How to Clean Them

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

An ATP Meter tests the Relative Light Units given off by contaminated textiles and helps us determine the level of contamination.

What Are Textiles and How to Clean Them

Contaminated textiles happen at almost all water damages and fires damages. Our team at SERVPRO of Richardson routinely packs up contaminated items and takes them to our in house cleaning facility for sanitation.

What Are Textiles?

Picture your home being flipped upside down. Everything that is not attached to the house itself will fall down. Those items that fall are called contents. Now imagine going through all those fallen items and sorting them by what broke versus what did not break. The items that did not break are most likely textiles.

Textiles include items like:

Sheets
Blankets
Shoes
Clothing
Stuffed animals
Toys
Sports equipment, including helmets
Hats

We take all of these kinds of items from your property and get them ready for a specialized sanitation wash in a machine called the Esporta. We are one of the few Esporta certified businesses in North Texas, and our technicians have successfully cleaned over 100,000 items that otherwise would have been thrown away. Our success rate is over 85% -- among the highest in the textile restoration industry!

Testing Cleanliness in Textiles with ATP Testing

One of the first actions our textile team does is test the items for their contamination levels.

To test cleanliness, we use ATP testing -- adenosine triphosphate. ATP is found in all living cells. The higher the ATP number something has, the more contaminated it is.

ATP Testing Process

We take an ATP sample of your textiles before and after they are washed. We test before they are washed to prove that your textile is actually contaminated enough to warrant professional cleaning. If it isn’t, there’s no reason to pay us to wash it.

We also test after the item is washed to prove our team has successfully decontaminated your item. This is how we make sure your clothes are safe and healthy to wear again.

Taking an ATP sample is simple.

First, we use an ATP Sampling Swab and swab the surface area of the affected textile. The swab is coated with a detergent that lifts ATP from the textile.

Then, we moisten the swab with a bioluminescent reagent, which will make the ATP create light. The amount of light that is created is directly correlated to the amount of ATP on the textile.

Finally, we insert the wet swab into an ATP meter, which measures the light. The result we receive is in Relative Light Units (RLU). Using this data, our technicians know the level of contamination.

A “pass” score on the ATP meter puts the item at a food grade safe level, meaning it is clean and safe to handle or wear again. If an item receives a fail score, it will be washed again.

How Esporta Works

The Esporta Wash System process is simple. Our machine uses a combination of up to six environmentally friendly detergents according to the type of contamination the clothing contains.

Textiles are placed inside the machine in separate compartments. Inside, they spin in detergent-laden water while staying in place. Since the items don’t move inside the machine, the textiles are cleaned by hydraulic pressure instead of agitation. This makes the Esporta system gentle on all fabrics, even as contaminants are literally pushed out of the fabric by the detergent water.

The end result is textiles that are near neutral pH and food grade clean.

We have successfully sanitized items with the following contaminants:

Smoke
Soot
Category 2 Water - Gray Water
Category 3 Water - Black Water
Biohazards
Bloodborne pathogens
Mold removal, including black mold

Most textile cleaning projects are packed out, cleaned, and delivered back to the homeowner within two weeks.

If emergency items are needed, we ask the homeowner what items they need and make sure to wash those on an emergency basis, which cuts down the time of delivery to less than 72 hours.

We offer emergency items because we understand that everyone needs clothing to continue their day to day living, even in the middle of a disaster.

Esporta

At SERVPRO of Richardson, we have invested in the most advanced wash system -- the Esporta Wash System. With Esporta and the ATP sampling system, we can always prove our results.

An independent study by Wonder Makers Environmental took sewage contaminated textiles. The study concluded that the Esporta Wash System is effective at removing bacterial contamination and that the ATP sampling system is an effective means of field verification.

Since textiles are what we wear, what we sleep on, and what our children play with, cleaning and making them safe to handle again is our top priority.

We can prove it.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Full Service Water Fire Restoration Company

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson's Full Service 3 Expert Team has all the answers. It is designed to simplify projects and help reduce customer stress.

“Policyholders are happier with fewer points of contact on a claim.”

That’s the point that a survey from J.D. Power & Associates proved (“How Homeowners Really Feel”).

It’s easy to understand why this is true. When our customers call us, chances are that something bad has happened. A water damage. A fire damage. Mold problems in their kitchen or attic.

Stress is likely to be higher than usual, and our customers want the damage to be fixed and their lives to go back to normal. They want it, “Like it never even happened.”

Yet, when a typical water damage or fire damage occurs, the following representatives are called into place:

Homeowners insurance company
Insurance adjuster
Public adjuster
Vendor technicians
Vendor management
insurance liaison
textile cleaner technicians
textile cleaner management
textile insurance liaison
reconstruction crews
reconstruction management
reconstruction insurance liaison...

The list can go on and on. It becomes very difficult to coordinate all those appointments, names, and companies. How is someone supposed to keep track of all the expenses and timelines happening at once -- especially when that someone still has a full time job and kids?

We Are Your One Call.

Our company has serviced Dallas Fort Worth for over 30 years. We started out by simply cleaning carpets, but we quickly grew into more. Over the years, we have asked our customers how we could be a better restoration company for them. The overwhelming answer was that they just wanted us to be able to take care of more of their insurance claim. We listened.

We can now handle:

Residential Services

Commercial Services

We are now one of the advanced disaster restoration contractors in North Texas. In fact, less than a handful of other businesses in Dallas can handle clothing and textile restoration cleaning.

Being able to offer all of these services has to make the life of our customer easier and better. That’s the point after all.

We’ve now taken it one step further and organized a Full Service 3 Expert Team for each of our customers. While each customer’s project may end up utilizing the services of dozens of people, they just need to know the one person they can contact when they have a question and get help.

Full Service 3 Expert Team

Whenever you need information about your project, you can contact our 3 expert team that is managing your project from start to end. This group consists of:

Job File Coordinator
Project Manager
Reconstruction Manager (if necessary)

Project File Coordinator

This expert will work with your insurance company to process your claim. They handle all documentation and paperwork your insurance adjuster needs to cover your claim. In fact, our project file coordinators speak with adjusters the majority of the day and have built great relationships with many of them. We believe it’s important to keep a sense of urgency in the entire team to make sure you get back home as soon as possible.

“Do you take my insurance?” is a common question we get.

YES. We routinely work with all insurance carriers.

“What if my insurance company tells me to use another restoration company?”

While your insurance company or insurance adjuster can suggest you use a specific restoration company, they cannot legally make that decision for you. Just tell them you’d rather have SERVPRO of Richardson handle your claim, and we will. We have helped customer switch restoration companies on many occasions. We will handle the details.

Project Manager

This expert will handle every aspect of the fire and water damage restoration portion of your project. They are the go to person for:

Water damage restoration and drying
Fire damage restoration
Emergency fire board up services
Fire and smoke damage cleanup and deodorization
Mold remediation, Mold removal, or any Mold problem
Moving services
Storage
Biohazard cleanup
Demolition
Debris removal
Content Cleaning
Clothing or Textile Cleaning
Air duct cleaning / HVAC cleaning

Reconstruction Manager

Not everyone will need their home rebuilt, so many people will just interact with 2 experts. If this expert is needed to restore your home, they will manage the reconstruction of all damages to your property.

Roof replacement
Drywall replacement
Floor replacement
Cabinet replacement
Rebuild after mold damage or mold growth
Rebuild any other portion of your home that was permanently damaged
Conduct a final walkthrough with you to ensure you’re satisfied.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Texas Strong: Hurricane Harvey

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

"Texas Strong" logo from the "Harvey Can't Mess With Texas" Relief Concert.

Cat 4 Hurricane

We were watching the news as Hurricane Harvey headed for Houston. We hoped it would weaken as it approached land, but forecasters warned of the storm strengthening. The thought of Houston being hit with a Category 4 Hurricane seemed like it out of the question, but in our industry, we know better than to say, “That’ll never happen to us.”

So, we prepared.

We are SERVPRO of Richardson, and our offices are near Dallas, Texas. Houston is about a four-hour drive southeast of us. In the days leading up to Hurricane Harvey, our office was divided. Some of us were working on emergency damages around North Texas. Others were busy at the office, readying vehicles and trailers and loading them to the brim with supplies.

All of us had our minds on Houston, Corpus Christi, and Rockport. We began to receive phone calls from family, friends, and colleagues down there. Evacuations began. We prepared our homes up here for those who would be displaced.

For hours, our office searched for open hotels for our crews to stay. The ones that were still open were full. Others couldn’t guarantee there would be anyone there when we arrived.

So, we packed tents.

We told our families we were headed for Houston, and then we left.

A SERVPRO from the Houston community gave us a call and offered our technicians to sleep in his warehouse. Streets were still accessible to their office for the moment, and that was all the space they had left. It was a plan.

For over a month, our technicians worked 12 to 15-hour days, 7-days a week. The schedule was simple and repetitive: get up at 6, work until 6, plan and verify the next day’s schedule, eat, sleep, repeat. We responded to every call we received, visited homes, sucked out water, dried, and treated properties. Back home in Dallas, our North Texas crews did the same to compensate for the work their Houston-bound teammates would normally take care of.

We are grateful to every first responder that bravely faced the storm and saved people’s lives.

We are grateful for SERVPRO offices from around the nation that left home and came to Texas.

We are grateful for the many organizations in our state and Louisiana that lent a hand and are continuing to help today.

Harvey arrived on August 17, 2017. Our company continued working on homes in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Rockport until a few weeks ago. It is now December.

“Texas Strong” was on our lips as rebuild efforts began. It still is today.

Why and How to Wash A Comforter, Bed Sheets, and Linens

4/26/2017 (Permalink)

An internal shot of the Esporta washing machine. This shows how our machine's compartments lock items in place to ensure a gentle and efficient wash.

We’re talking about everything on top of your mattress -- sheets, blankets, and comforters. All of these items are meant to keep your mattress clean and to keep you comfortable and warm while you sleep.

But if you don’t clean them often enough, they eventually become a bacterial mess.

What’s on Bedding?

What is on your skin rubs off onto your linens. That includes any ointments, unwashed makeup, and whatever else you’ve carried on your skin and hair and haven’t washed off before bed.

Over the course of just a few days, this mixture will accumulate on your linens and rub against you as you sleep, possibly causing your skin some problems like irritation or acne.

How to Clean Sheets

Sheets are easy to clean. Throw them into your washer once a week using the warm/hot water setting. Don’t overcrowd the machine.

After their wash, throw them in the dryer with a rubber dryer ball to make sure they dry evenly.

Then, store them in a cool, dry place where dust won’t find them. This is how they’ll stay fresh and clean for their next use.

How to Clean Comforters and Blankets

Blankets and comforters are usually protected by your top sheet, but eventually, they need some love, too. These can be washed at home, however, large ones with heavy fibers can be a challenge to wash properly.

For these pieces to be cleaned thoroughly, water should penetrate the fibers to force the contaminants off.

We’ve heard about some trouble people have had at home, and we’ve had this trouble ourselves.

The washing machine can’t properly soak the comforter all the way through
The washing machine leaves soap behind

In these cases, you need a bigger and more powerful machine. Some people find a commercial laundromat that can fit their sized comforters, and others take them to their local dry cleaner.

Commercial Laundromats and Dry Cleaners

We don’t prefer either of these methods for a few reasons:

A traditional machine, even a commercial sized one, will wash your comforter using agitation. Imagine it in the machine getting tossed and turned. That agitation will eventually damage the fabrics and cause them to fray. If you are trying to clean a family heirloom blanket, this is a problem.
Dry cleaners use harsh chemicals to wash clothing. This isn’t something many people prefer to have to touch their skin at night.

If you’re having trouble washing your heavy comforter or blanket, we can help.

Esporta

Our Esporta Washing System will not just wash your comforter, but it will disinfect your comforters and blankets.

Our machine looks like a huge laundry machine, but it has different compartments inside. We will place your comforter into one of these compartments and tell the machine what kind of cycle to run.

After we shut the door, the bottom half of the machine fills up with water that gets mixed with up to six different detergents. Then, the machine’s compartments start to spin rapidly.

While your comforter is locked into place and doesn’t move at all, the hydraulic pressure created by the spinning literally pushes the detergent laden water through every single layer of fabric in your comforter. This movement causes over 99% of contaminants to be pushed out.

The lack of agitation inside the machine means your comforter stays in its position and is not rubbed or twisted. This process makes it a lot more gentle on its fabrics.

One of the best aspects of the machine is that the clothing that comes out of the wash are food grade clean and near pH neutral. Our detergents are environmentally friendly and safe for your skin.

After its wash, each comforter is dried either in a gentle dryer cycle or air dried in a specialized chamber. After it’s dry, we test your comforter to ensure it meets our disinfection standards, and you are always provided with a copy of those results.

We’ve successfully sanitized thousands of pieces of clothing and textiles, including those that have been in sewage contaminated water, covered in fire smoke, and even mold infested. We have one of the highest rates of restoration success in the industry with over 85% of textiles sanitized and completely restored to satisfaction.

We pick up and drop off your textiles anywhere in Dallas, Fort Worth Metroplex. Call or email us today if you have questions or you’d like a free quote.

We’re ready to help!

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

A Day in the Life: Christi Robinson, SERVPRO Sales

4/18/2017 (Permalink)

Christi Robinson, Sales Representative for SERVPRO of Richardson Texas.

“Good morning!” is what Christi says as soon as she walks into the marketing and sales office. She’s greeting Gracie, the office pet. A few moments later, Christi is at her desk, and the day’s work begins.

“One part of my job is to finish estimates, lead crews on some projects, and complete follow-up visits,” Robinson explains. This is what she’s scheduling before 8 A.M. before the crews arrive and the entire office begins to hum with the day’s excitement. For a few quiet minutes each morning, it’s just Christi and Gracie checking emails and preparing. Then, Christi is gone to the daily Work-In-Progress meeting, and by 8:30, she’s out the door to the day’s fieldwork.

The Work in Progress is a mandatory daily morning meeting for every member of the company. Here, production managers update everyone on each job’s progress and what work they expect to be completed today. As with all emergency services companies, we also make plans to have crews available for the next water damage or fire damage emergency. In less than half an hour, everyone has received their instructions for the day and they’re out the door with Christi right behind them.

When Christi is not in the field working with a customer, she’s at the office preparing, sometimes with the rest of the marketing team. “My other responsibilities are to market to old and new clients and assisting with social media.” Most of our office’s candid employee shots on our social media accounts have been taken by Christi. She’s well known around the office for her ability to capture someone in their best light.

She’s also known in the field for her ability to connect with customers. “People, no matter what their social status, are vulnerable in time of need.” She keeps this in mind as she works with people experiencing a disaster at their property. “They want an open ear or a shoulder to lean on when going through a loss. That’s what I try to provide for them throughout their entire project. It’s what they deserve.”

Between water and fire damages, mold remediation, general cleaning, and now with textile cleaning added to our list of services, Christi’s day can be unpredictable.

A typical day can involve visiting customers waiting for a cleaning bid, but when a customer calls in with an emergency mold growth situation or a fire damage happening at their property, Christi has to quickly react and head to their property. Some days require her to be out in the field until the late evening.

It’s the life of a sales representative in an emergency restoration company. “Every day is like opening a present--it’s something new and interesting. It keeps me motivated.”

After years with our company, success is still defined by one thing for Christi. “A smile. I’m fulfilled when we can make our customers smile.”

Our sales representatives are available for free estimates.

Carpet Cleaning

We offer one time cleanings and regularly scheduled cleanings. We recommend your carpet be deep cleaned at least once a year and more often if you have multiple pets in your household.

Cleaning Services

Junk Removal / Debris Removal

Even if your junk contains biohazard waste, we will still be able to carry it away. Many regular junk removal companies do not offer biohazard removal.

Crime Scene Cleanup

After the police investigation is over, we offer a discreet and private cleaning of the crime scene.

Air Duct Cleaning / HVAC Cleaning

Cleaning air ducts can improve the air quality of your home or office. It may also help take care of odors that otherwise can’t be taken care of, such as pet odor.

Odor Removal

We have dealt with many types of odor removal, from dead rodents to smoke smells. Each odor removal project is different and requires an inspection of the home or property.

Hoarding Help

Move Out Cleaning Service

When you move out and need your home to look great for a potential home buyer, we can help you prepare with deep cleaning services.

Car Cleaning Service

If something spills in your car or food is left overnight, we’re happy to look at your vehicle and recommend which kind of cleaning service it requires.

Commercial Cleaning Services

We offer one time cleanings to scheduled cleanings as frequently as every day. We’re willing to listen to your company’s needs and alter our services to your schedule.

Mold Inspection

Our office has a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license. We have handled mold removal of all sizes in both residential and commercial properties.

Biohazard Cleanup

Deep Cleaning Services

Construction Debris Removal

After a construction project, there is a lot of fine dust that has to be cleaned up. Our technicians will use HEPA vacuums and air duct cleaning to help remove the dust.

Smoke Odor Removal

Suicide Cleanup / Trauma Cleanup

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Our 30-Year Anniversary: Thank You, Richardson

12/2/2016 (Permalink)

Billy and Mary Weaver months before opening SERVPRO of Richardson in 1986.

We opened our doors December of 1986. Back then, our owners were expecting their son; he turns 30-years-old himself in a few months and now co-owns this business.

This place has changed in three decades. We started cleaning carpets with our two original owners. Today, our range of services has grown to include water and fire damages, mold remediation, restoration, cleaning such as biohazards, soft contents, and, yes, still carpet, but with much more modern machinery.

Even with our growth, our first dollar made hangs in a frame in our entrance hallway. Our first check received, also for $1.00, is nearby. It's important for us to remember where we started and retain our humility.

SERVPRO of Richardson is an independently run, family owned business, and the values we hold continue to drive out daily operations. Our goal is to provide service of the highest quality to our clients in their time of need. A vital component to our first class service comes from our employees. Our technicians and managers are always trained in the latest restoration and reconstruction techniques, and they have a passion for helping clients put their homes and businesses back together after an emergency situation. Without our employees, our business simply wouldn't be what it is. Over the years, they too have become part of our family.

It's been a great adventure so far, and we haven't done it alone.

To the thousands of clients that have given us the opportunity to restore their homes and businesses, thank you.

To our employees that helped us grow our business, thank you.

We appreciate your support more than we can express in words.

We're grateful to have been part of the Richardson community for the past 30 years, and we hope to continue making it "Like it never even happened" for many more.

Julie Goguen: A Day in the Life of a SERVPRO Accountant

11/29/2016 (Permalink)

Julie Goguen, accountant for SERVPRO of Richardson in North Texas.

She’s been working for at least an hour before most people have taken their first sip of coffee -- not that she’ll take any if you offer her some. “Dr Pepper is my caffeine, but not until lunchtime,” she says. “Hot fries do wake me up, but I can’t have those for breakfast, can I?”

She laughs. She’s always in a good mood, which is what she’s known for around the office along with her ability to be everyone’s friend.

And here we find what might be one of the few extroverted accountants in the world. And the bravest.

There was once a loud bang outside the office. When everyone either cowered around their desks or ran to the back of the building, Julie was the only one that ran out the front door. It turned out a car was backfiring.

She also stopped a robbery at a department store one random Tuesday evening, but that’s a story for another day.

Julie is married with three kids and a few dogs at home. We think they have a pretty normal life, but they might be The Incredibles trying country living for a while until the world needs them again. We’ll see.

What we know with certainty is that Julie is the Keeper of Keys for our office. She knows the name of every client that’s needed our help in the past year. She knows every tax identification number by heart. Due dates and phones numbers are ingrained in her memory. Birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions are stored in mind, too.

She comes in early, stays late, answers messages in the evening, two, five, or six in the morning, keeps our books updated, our ratios comfortable, and our vendors alert of our changing needs. Her department is a well-oiled machine.

And, sometimes, if you call us at 3 in the morning, she’ll be the on-call manager picking up your call.

If you ever hear her say, “If you don’t turn in your receipt, I’m not going to give you the reimbursement. That’s final,” you know she’s talking to the owner. It happens.

A while back, she saw the movie The Accountant and said, “I can do better,” and no one questioned her.

And, sometimes, yes, she sneaks in some hot fries in the morning.

Every SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated. SERVPRO of Richardson has been serving the Dallas Fort Worth community for over 30 years by the same family.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance away from buildings or other flammable materials.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Most home fires occur on Thanksgiving.

It’s not surprising why. This is one of the few days of the year when we come together and meet in the kitchen. It’s not really Thanksgiving until you have two types of potato dishes and three desserts! (We can’t be the only ones who think that way, can we?)

With so much activity happening in the kitchen, accidents are bound to happen.

The three most common causes of home fires for Thanksgiving are:

Oven Fires

Oven fires tend to happen because of a burning piece of food. Keep these safety tips in mind if this happens to you.

Don’t overfill dishes. When cooking foods that expand in the oven, like a cake, be careful not to fill the dish to the bin with batter. It may run over and catch fire.

Clean your oven of scraps. Scraps from other meals can also catch fire or create an unpleasant smoke.

Turn on a timer on your phone. The holidays are busy times and there are plenty of ways to distract ourselves these days. Put on a timer and let that remind you to come back for your delicious meal.

We won’t advise you to not use your oven’s self cleaning feature, but we will warn you that many oven fires we’ve been called out to have been a result of this feature being turned on.

How to Put Out an Oven Fire

Leave the door closed. Opening the door and allowing more oxygen in will just fuel the fire.

Turn off the oven. You may choose to make sure the fire goes out on its own, but if there’s any doubt, just call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Candle Fires

Candles set a great ambiance and many have the added benefit of smelling great. We mostly see fire damages caused by candles when people leave them unsupervised and the candle catches something small on fire. The damage to the room may not be significant, but the resulting fire smoke odor tends to reach everywhere in the house.

Burn candles in a well ventilated room. The ventilation lets the billowed smoke spread. Under ventilated rooms tend to smoke up, which makes it hard to see and get some fresh air.

Stay in the room and keep an eye on the candle. If anything happens, you want to be there to put an immediate stop to it.

Keep candles away from flammable objects. This includes things like paper and drapes. Keep the candle at least 3 feet away.

Keep burning candles away from children and pets.

Use a candle holder. A candle holder will catch any melting wax and prevent it from spilling onto other surfaces. Since many people use a cloth tablecloth to line their tables, this is especially important so the cloth doesn’t have a chance to catch fire.

Put the candle holder on a stable platform. This will help the candle from tipping and dripping wax away from its holder.

Keep candles away from each other.

Turkey Fryer Fire

Frying a turkey is fast, easy, and most importantly--delicious. The oil creates a crispy exterior while keeping the meat moist.

Whichever way you like your turkey cooked, please keep safety as your top priority. We often see one of these rules violated when we get called to clean up after garage fires or other outdoor portions of the home affected after a grass fire spread.

Reduce the chance of it tipping over. Turkey fryers can easily tip over. Use them on a flat surface.

Don’t overfill the fryer. An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in. Read your fryer’s safety manual to learn exactly how big a turkey can fit inside. Also look for different colored marks on the fryer itself that tells you where to fill up the oil to.

Make sure the entire turkey is defrosted. Have you ever put a bit of oil into a pan on a stove and accidentally got a drop of water in it? Then you know that the hot oil jumps back at you. Water and oil do not mix! The same thing happens when water and the hot oil in a turkey fryer mix. A partially frozen turkey (partially frozen = ice) will cause cooking oil to splatter when put in the pot. These splatters of hot oil jump out and can land on something that will burn, like grass. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed and patted dry before inserting it into the oil.

Clean up oil spills. Even a small amount of cooking oil spilling on a hot burner can cause a large fire.

How hot is the oil? Use a fryer with temperature controls to prevent overheating the oil. If one isn’t available, many retail stores readily sell oil temperature gauges.

Use the fryer outdoors. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance away from buildings or other flammable materials.

Every year, SERVPRO of Richardson responds to calls from customers whose homes have suffered smoke damage, many related to Thanksgiving related fire incidents. This holiday season, keep the following safety tips in mind to keep your family and home safe from fire:

From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Trusted Leader in Fire Damage Restoration Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

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www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration

Esporta Cleaning for Clothes and Textile Cleaning

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Richardson is one of the few Esporta certified firms in North Texas. We clean mold, fire smoke, and water damaged clothing.

Esporta Cleaning

When someone is dealing with a water or fire damage in their home or business, there are a lot of emotions and things to consider. The idea of handling multiple companies for different parts of the restoration process is a lot to handle. Most customers just want to call one company who can work with them from start to end.

We understand that this is a difficult time and customers need a company who take care of them properly.

This is why we decided to add clothing and textile cleaning as part of our restoration process. Another name for this is soft contents restoration. We can now restore clothes affected by Category 2 and Category 3 water damage, mold growth, and fire and smoke odor removal.

Esporta Wash System

Textiles are placed inside the machine, where they spin in detergent laden water while staying in place. Since the items don’t move inside the machine, the textiles are cleaned by hydraulic pressure instead of agitation. This makes the Esporta system gentle on all fabrics, even as contaminants are literally pushed out of the fabric by the detergent water.

The end result is textiles that are near neutral pH and food grade clean!

We are one of the few Esporta certified firms in North Texas. Our business has the unique capability of packing your damaged clothing and taking it back to our in house cleaning facility.

Our Esporta cleaning technicians have cleaned thousands of pieces of clothing with a success rate of over 85%. This rate of success is among the highest in the clothing cleaning industry.

We’ve successfully cleaned over 100,000 items.

Most items are ready to be returned within 2 weeks.
We also offer a 72 hour emergency item cleanup where we clean clothing you need to continue living your life while the rest of your wardrobe is getting finished. We deliver all items back to you.

Soft Contents Restoration

Soft contents restoration is a specialized service within the restoration industry. Since we clean clothing and other textiles that have been affected by mold, soot, and contaminated water, our specialists put on personal protective equipment while they proceed with the Esporta cleaning process. We have been successful in cleaning the following:

Mold affected clothing and shoes. We have cleaned all types of mold.

Smoke, soot affected clothing. After a water damage, one of the first things we take out of a home is the clothing and textiles to avoid the soot from permanently staining the clothing.

Sports equipment, including sports with padded equipment like football and hockey.

Water damaged clothing from contaminated waters like category 2 water and category 3 water (gray and black water).

Water Damage Restoration Texas

There are many water damage restoration companies in Texas, but only a few offer in house Esporta services. Choose a business that can take care of your clothing themselves instead of a company that will take your clothes and give them to another business (and possibly charge you more) to take care of this specialty item.

The Esporta is special because it can clean items that have been in contaminated water. You may have heard of gray or black water. This is what those terms mean.

IICRC Water Classification

Category 1 Water (Clean)

(Clean): The water is clean and sanitary. It does not pose a substantial risk. Category 1 water may turn into a Category 2 or 3 water damage if it's not cleaned soon, typically within 3 days. If your clothing has been touched by clean water, there’s no problem. A regular washing machine can take care of this for you.

Category 2 Water (Gray)

(Gray): This water carries waste products and is not clean, but it also does not contain human waste. You may choose to put these clothes in your home washer if you use chemicals that can safely kill the contaminants on your clothes, but this still doesn’t ensure that all contaminants will be flushed out of the clothing’s fabrics.

Category 3 Water (Black)

(Black): This water poses a significant health risk. External flooding and sewage backups are both Category 3 and contain gross contamination and present a danger of spreading bacteria and disease. Do not attempt to put clothing this dirty in your home laundry.

Fire Damage Restoration Dallas

Many customers ask if how to get fire smoke out of clothes. Smoke particles are tricky to get out of clothing. Home laundry machines do not have enough power to get the particles completely out, and dry cleaners may permanently leave the particles in. The most successful rate of restoration for clothing with smoke odor is the Esporta.

Our machine uses hydraulic pressure to literally push the smoke particles out of the clothing. In many cases, the soot that has settled onto the fabric can also be completely removed. Unfortunately, the soot sometimes leaves a permanent yellow stain if it has stayed on the fabric for multiple days. If a stain is left, we do not consider the item recovered and we report this to your insurance company.

Time matters when restoring soot stained clothing! This is why our technicians always gather your clothing and textiles and rush them to our cleaning facility after a water damage. The faster we can start cleaning them, the higher the chance of everything being recovered.

Mold Remediation Dallas

We’ve successfully remediated thousands of items of clothes with mold spores in them. When mold is allowed to live on an item long enough, it will eventually eat right through it! Once that happens, the mold damage is permanent. If we find clothing with mold growth, we’ll immediately get them to our Esporta station for cleaning.

We Offer ATP Testing

We take an ATP sample of different surfaces before and after they are cleaned, and this is how we prove:

1) if your clothing is dirty enough to warrant professional cleaning, and

2) that our team has successfully sanitized your clothing after cleanup

We Work With All Insurance Companies

We work with all insurance providers to ask for your textile cleaning to be part of your claim. Since we do not have access to your insurance policy, we can never say anything definitive until we speak with your adjuster. In many, clothing mold removal is covered.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration and Fire Damage Restoration in Collin County, North Texas

SERVPRO of Richardson is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company on the border of Richardson and Plano Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and other North Texas communities in Collin County for over 30 years. With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections. You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 690-1414. Call us any time!

Follow us:

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin YouTube

www.SERVPROrichardson.com

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (972) 690-1414

Archived Blog Posts

Serving Richardson Since 1967

How to Remove Smoke from Outdoor Bricks?

4 Ways to Remove Smoke Damage from Bricks

1. Loosen the soot

2. Use a chemical cleaning sponge to clean brick

3. Use a soap solution to clean smoke damage

4. Rinse brickwork to remove smoke damage

How to Sell a House After Fire Damage

Selling Fire-Damaged home: Reliable Approaches

Connect with an experienced realtor

Sell to cash buyers

Ready to Sell Your Fire Damaged House The EASY Way?

HVAC Maintenance for Commercial Buildings: What You Need to Know

The HVAC Maintenance List

Check air filters

Check evaporator and condenser coils

Clean the exterior unit

Check ductwork for damage

Clean drain lines

Schedule a Professional HVAC Checkup

SERVPRO Moisture Detection and Measurement Equipment

Impact of Hidden Moisture

Types of Moisture Detection Equipment

Pin-Type Moisture Meter

Pinless Moisture Meter

All-in-one meter

Get Help from the Experts

Can a Dirty Oven Cause a Fire?

Why Dirty Ovens Cause Fires

Other Dangers of a Dirty Oven

1. Poor Flavor

2. Bad Smells

3. Ovens are Less Efficient

How to Prevent an Oven From Catching Fire

What To Do if a Dirty Oven Catches Fire

Is it Safe to Use a Humidifier in a Carpeted Room?

Effects of Using a Humidifier in a Carpeted Room

Can a Humidifier Cause Mold in a Carpet?

How to Unfreeze Pipes this Winter

4 Ways to Unfreeze Pipes

1. Turn off the Main Shutoff Valve

2. Keep the Faucet Open

3. Locate the Frozen Section of Pipe

4. Apply Heat to the Frozen Pipe

What To Do if Pipes Burst This Winter?

SERVPRO of Richardson Offers Free Mold Inspections

Why Arrange a Free Mold Inspection in Richardson?

When is a Mold Inspection Necessary?

Call SERVPRO for a Free Mold Inspection

Is Mold Common in HVAC Air Ducts?

How Do I Know if I Have Mold in my Air Ducts?

1. Musty Smell

2. Visible Mold

What Do I Do if There’s Mold in My Air Ducts?

Don’t Just Hire Anyone, Hire SERVPRO

What Kitchen Appliances Cause Water Damage?

Top Two Kitchen Appliances That Cause Water Damage

1. The Dishwasher

2. The Refrigerator

What Happens if Water Damage Occurs?

Call SERVPRO for all Your Water Damage Restoration Needs

How to Control Humidity Using HVAC in Commercial Buildings

Why Control the Humidity in Commercial Buildings?

How to Control the Humidity Using HVAC in Commercial Buildings

Cleaning the Coils

Preventative Maintenance Plan

Adjust the Airflow

Dehumidifier

SERVPRO can Help With Your Mold Problems

Top 4 Customized Solutions for Mold Growth: What You Need to Know

Why Hire a Professional for Help

What Can a Customized Plan Do for You?

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Mold Containment

Air Filtration

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Cleaning Contents, Sanitizing, and Restoration

Call us Today for Fast and Reliable Richardson Mold Remediation Services