Stages of Water Damage in Lake Worth Homes

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

Our team of highly trained water damage specialists in Lake Worth is ready to respond to your water damage emergency.

How Does SERVPRO Restore Lake Worth Homes After Water Leaks?

Water damage is a severe issue that usually starts small and then worsens. Therefore, the problem can be classified into stages, making it easier to decide an adequate response based on the level of the incident at your Lake Worth home. Responding when an incident is at the early stages may require less work. If it is in the advanced stages of damage, using sophisticated equipment and disposal of several materials may be necessary.

Knowing there is a leak in your Lake Worth home and water damage levels are two separate issues. Leaks or other intrusions are easily identified by pools of water or patches of wet materials. On the other hand, damage manifests as alterations in color or physical changes in materials. SERVPRO provides certified water restoration technicians to help determine the true state of your problems.

Early Signs of Water Damage

• Peeling or bubbling paint
• Bubbling wallpaper
• Surface discoloration

Catching water damage in time creates an opportunity to take remedial actions before unsalvageable deterioration develops. Cleaning the affected areas and drying excess moisture are two simple yet effective ways to tackle the problem. Our SERVPRO crews combine a skilled approach and sophisticated equipment to facilitate drying procedures. For example, before attempting to dry a wall or ceiling surface, we establish whether a moisture barrier might inhibit drying, even when using sophisticated equipment. Typical moisture barriers are layers of gloss paint, polyurethane sealers, and wallpaper. Our IICRC Certified technicians do not have to strip off such surfaces to facilitate drying. We can use an accessory such as a perforation roller to create tiny holes on the surface, thus allowing water vapor to escape.

Advanced Moisture Damage

Water primarily affects porous and semi-porous materials, which become bloated as moisture fills up the natural pores in these materials. Fabrics such as carpets, concrete, and wood are all porous materials that readily absorb water. However, the moisture affects them differently, with carpets losing up to 50% of their tensile strength when wet while materials like wood are weakened or change form by warping. That is why ceilings and walls feel spongy to the touch after water exposure.

The severe problems that develop can quickly become permanent if there is no intervention. Our SERVPRO teams combine preventive and restoring approaches in managing the situation. That way, permanent issues like rot which leaves unsalvageable damages, do not develop.

Preventive Intervention Tasks

• Expedited water extraction
• Continuous moisture management
• Separation of vulnerable materials

Once water is introduced into your property, materials start deteriorating. The amount of water involved influences the deterioration rates. Therefore, leaving stagnating water or wet materials unaddressed leads to unnecessary damage. Our SERVPRO teams are prepared to complete extraction as fast as possible. We bring several powerful extractors to your property, allowing us to remove water from several areas simultaneously. An extractor is equipped with a vacuuming component and accessories such as squeegee or carpet wands that simplify thorough extraction from different surfaces.

Moisture control during water restoration requires a clear understanding of the drying processes. Water is constantly evaporating, so wet materials dry when left for some time. The moisture in the materials escapes into the air, and if there is sufficient ventilation, it dissipates. However, the moisture evaporating from wet materials saturates in the air in an enclosed house. Managing wetness in materials and humidity in the air is essential for sustained drying. Our technicians set up dehumidifiers from the early stages of restoration for adequate moisture management.

SERVPRO of Lake Worth can help address water damage at any stage, "Like it never even happened." Call us at (561) 588-9777 when there is a water intrusion at your house.

The Basics of Repairing Lake Worth Homes after Fire Damage

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

Our team of fire damage experts are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors in your Lake Worth home.

The Essential Steps SERVPRO Takes in Lake Worth Properties during Fire Restoration

Some sections of your house or entire structure may be unrecognizable after a fire incident since damages like charring and soiling change the appearance of items and structural areas significantly. For your Lake Worth property to regain its preloss conditions, various repairs are necessary to counter the effects of fire damage.

Since each case is unique, no specific approach must be followed in all Lake Worth properties with fire damage. Understanding a fire's effects on materials is the best yardstick to use when formulating a response plan to guarantee viability. Fire can singe, char, melt, stain, or entirely consume materials. As an experienced restoration service, SERVPRO has significant knowledge on the issues that develop from property fires. Therefore, we can draft a practical response plan.

The course of a restoration exercise is greatly influenced by the goals a homeowner might have in mind. For example, the sense of hopelessness after such an incident might prompt you to want a fresh start, and thus your goal might be removing all items for disposal. Alternatively, many of the affected items might have sentimental value to you, so saving most of them would be a desirable outcome. When you involve a professional restoration team, you need one that can respect your goals but still point out the best course of action based on the professional evaluation.

Goal-oriented Fire Restoration Actions

• Identifying unsalvageable materials
• Setting restoration schedules
• Calculating the cost outlay

Flames and heat penetrate materials reducing some to ashes and leaving others compromised beyond reprieve. Loss of over 10 percent of a material's cross-section due to charring makes materials like trusses and other structural supports structurally unstable, thus necessitating removal. Charring can render many different materials, including wooden furniture, unsalvageable. Therefore, the decision to salvage or dispose of items is not purely based on personal preferences.

Distinguishing Salvageable and Unsalvageable Items

Apart from burning, other issues like soiling or moisture can cause significant deterioration of materials leading to disposal. For instance, when smoke residues settle on surfaces for an extended period, their acidic properties can lead to permanent staining. Surprisingly, materials like stone and metal, which are ordinarily resilient against fire, are affected by this issue. Therefore, whether you can save items is not always clear-cut. Our SERVPRO technicians use different approaches to simplify decision making, including:

• Rigorous physical inspection
• Classifying items as salvageable, unsalvageable, or questionable
• The input of other professionals like insurance adjusters

Repairs and other fire restoration procedures can start after identifying the damages and choosing a response plan. Cleaning is one of the main procedures that helps reverse fire damage. Cleaning varies from simple surface cleaning using dusters, vacuums, or brushes, to deep cleaning with rotating brushes, blast cleaners, and other specialized equipment. Our SERVPRO crews are well equipped to handle any level of cleaning needed. For example, when removing fire residues from wall or ceiling surfaces, we can use chemical sponges which remove soils without leaving streaks or over-wetting the surface. Chemical sponges are made from natural vulcanized rubber which wipes soot away efficiently without necessitating the application of liquids.

SERVPRO of Lake Worth can help prepare and execute a response to any fire damage incident at your property. Call us at (561) 588-9777. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

When to Tell Specialists Your Lake Worth Home Has Mold Damage

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

If you have any concerns about mold growth in your Lake Worth house, contact our mold remediation specialists right away!

SERVPRO Is Set to Offer Lake Worth Homeowners Mold Remediation Services at Any Stage

Mold readily appears on surfaces in the interior or exterior home areas. Therefore, you may opt to take no action if only minor signs are visible. However, if vast surfaces in your Lake Worth home are covered with mold spots or you notice changes in indoor air quality, you should take steps to arrest the situation. Involving a professional like SERVPRO ensures you take the right action against mold damage.

The effectiveness of the response mounted in your Lake Worth home after mold damage varies. Knowing the general causes of mold and understanding which specific factor fuels the contamination in your home is essential in ensuring a positive outcome. SERVPRO can perform detailed inspections to determine the source of the mold and spread patterns.

Common Causes of Mold Damage

• Hidden leaks
• Humidity issues
• Hidden moisture

Leaks from pipes, appliances, or HVAC systems can remain hidden if they release minimal water at a time. Rather than that being an advantage, it can lead to a significant mold problem in your home when you notice something is amiss. Another insidious problem is uncontrolled humidity inside your house. Humidity can spike from daily activities which involve steam, such as cooking and bathing. Usually, if the relative humidity constantly exceeds 60%, it can trigger widespread infestation on walls, ceilings, and contents. Mold can also develop if an incident involving spilled water is not fully extracted or wet areas such as subfloors or wall cavities are not dried. 

Useful Mold Remediation Actions

Fighting mold requires a comprehensive approach since a single method is not likely to bear any fruit considering mold is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Eliminating moisture from organic materials halts further proliferation since spores require wetness to propagate. Our SERVPRO technicians take different actions to ensure no moisture abundance in your house. Opening up enclosed areas and circulating warm dry air helps dry porous or semi-porous materials that could act as a reservoir feeding further contamination. Air movers or specialized cavity ventilators facilitate the processes. An air mover is a specialized fan designed to direct a mass of airflow in a specific direction at various speeds. Cavity drying equipment is a ventilator with tubes that you can plug into enclosed areas through vent holes. Some units rely on an air mover to supply airflow, while others have inbuilt blowers. Other actions such as ensuring sufficient ventilation in the house help manage humidity levels.

Halting microbial growth processes is also necessary. Various chemical products classified in the antimicrobial category help destroy microbes or stop growth processes. The products also require the proper application procedures. For instance, over wetting surfaces when applying antimicrobial products would be counterproductive. Our SERVPRO crews damp-wipe surfaces or mist the agent with fogging equipment for maximum contact with mold-contaminated surfaces. As you have noticed, any case of mold presents many challenges.

Instances When to Call Professionals

• When you notice early signs
• On discovery of severe damage
• When the problem keeps recurring

SERVPRO of Lake Worth can be a great companion when dealing with mold damage in your property since we can provide appropriate resources. Call us at (561) 588-9777. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What are the First Things West Palm Beach Homeowners Can do After a Fire?

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Fires happen and the cleanup is a messy process. SERVPRO can remediate your home to its preloss condition. Call us today

Emergency Fire Damage Cleanup Tips for Homeowners in West Palm Beach

During the aftermath of a fire in West Palm Beach, a homeowner's journey can be long and arduous. Mitigation and remediation after a household fire are priority services for our disaster recovery company. We understand your desire to take steps to jump-start the process back to normality, but we want to guide your efforts so that your actions do not cause additional harm or safety concerns. Hints on focusing your response to productive tasks as you partner with us include the following:

Limit Migration of Residues 

The tiny particles of incompletely combusted materials that are the solids found in smoke are also known as soot, visible evidence of fire damage in your West Palm Beach house. Soot floats on air currents, seeking surfaces to settle that are cooler than the fire that created it. Ventilation systems and even the movement of you or our workers walking through the affected areas can accelerate soot distribution. To limit the spread of soot, we recommend: 

• Turning off HVAC systems, blocking vents and registers with cheesecloth, and changing filters 
• Minimizing walking through affected rooms 
• Keeping hands clean to prevent the transfer of soot to clean surfaces 
• Creating clear pathways on flooring and protect upholstered furnishings by placing clean, colorfast sheets or towels on surfaces 

Protect Metals and Other Surfaces 

A thin lubricant coating prevents the highly acidic fire residues from tarnishing or pitting fixtures. Faucets, appliances, and trim benefit from this treatment until a thorough professional cleaning by the SERVPRO team completes.  

Get Recommendations for Competent Dry Cleaners and Electronic Service 

Not all resources available in the community have the training and experience to evaluate fire damage and resolve the harm. SERVPRO can share contact information with you for area contractors who take the extra steps necessary to clean and deodorize fabrics and electronics. Our crews are familiar with and can provide assessment and cleanup of fire-damaged carpeting and upholstery. 

Food Safety Concerns 

Empty freezers and refrigerators if fire damage interrupts electrical service. Pantries and cupboards need an inspection by knowledgeable SERVPRO technicians to ensure any food retained is safe. Even sealed cans, bottles, and jars could provide an environment for spoilage if temperatures were high enough during the fire. Soot can climb the threads of caps to contaminate food.  

Following the appropriate actions recommended by SERVPRO of Lake Worth during the initial assessment can streamline fire damage cleanup from start to finish, keeping you and your family safe. Contact our skilled team at (561) 588-9777 for emergency assistance and tips on what you can do to help us help you. 

How Time Impacts Fire Damage Restoration in Lake Worth

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Your Lake Worth home deteriorates quickly once a fire breaks out. Call SERVPRO to restore your home.

SERVPRO Timelines Limit Secondary Fire Damage in Lake Worth

Your Lake Worth home deteriorates in a few minutes once a fire breaks out. Since fire damage restoration is time-sensitive, estimating the duration to complete the entire process or specific tasks helps with planning.    

Fire damage restoration in a Lake Worth home involves several actions that rehabilitate or remove the materials with which fire, heat, and smoke interact. The difficulty in completing repair depends on the deterioration level or the material's location since those in concealed or hard-to-reach areas require more time.

Other factors contributing to time wastage:

• Moving contents
• Drying moisture 
• Demolition and reconstruction
• Waste disposal

When materials ignite, smoke rises as it pushes the colder air in the rooms towards the bottom. Such movement deposits significant portions of residues on the ceiling and up sections of the walls. Cleaning such areas means dripping soot, and cleaning solutions can soil the materials and contents below. Moving the contents helps safeguard them. Since move-outs consume time, you might end up with more costs. Our SERVPRO found alternative solutions. For instance, we cover valuables with a protective sheet and connect cleaning sponges to extension poles to reach the ceiling easily without moving anything.

Delays caused by moisture

Moisture is a real problem when addressing fire loss since it sets residues and causes significant deterioration of materials through rusting and rotting. Moisture mainly accumulates when quelling the fire or washing affected areas. Removing moisture absorbed by materials or concealed areas takes considerable time. Our SERVPRO technicians use various approaches to unlock this debacle, guaranteeing faster drying. For instance, we set up dehumidifiers in the house immediately on arrival for humidity control as we perform other tasks. 

Other steps that expedite fire restoration:

• Bagging wastes during demolition
• Performing controlled demolition
• Using specialized cleaning techniques

SERVPRO of Lake Worth has resources to ensure minimal time wastage during fire damage restoration. You can reach us at (561) 588-9777. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Our Certified Professionals Are Available 24/7 In Lake Worth

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

We can move your possessions from the flood damaged home to a secure location.

Understanding How a Pack-Out Benefits Lake Worth Homeowners with Flood Damage

Water damage is most destructive in the form of an in-home flood. The goal of SERVPRO is always to cause as little disruption as possible during cleanup efforts, and the technicians clean and dry both the structure and contents in place when possible.

A pack-out is the best solution when cleaning up a Lake Worth home with flood damage. There are several benefits to using this service during restoration.

What is a Pack-Out?

This action is an organized removal of a customer's contents from their home into a secure location. The location may be at the SERVPRO facility or an on-site secure storage pod. In the cases of a partial pack-out, the items removed go to another area of the home that is unaffected by water loss for safe storage until the completion of water damage restoration efforts.

Cleaning Before Moving Saves Time

This cost-saving strategy reduces the time needed to pack, unpack, and repack the items repeatedly. Home contents receive restoration efforts and then filled until it is time to bring them back into the home. Because this reduces the number of times the objects require handling, limiting the chances of accidental damage. Items with mold or insect infestation receive special attention for cleaning to prevent cross-contamination during storage.

Pack-Out Sorting of Items

During the pack-out process, the sorting of items occurs. Flood damaged items with restoration potential through SERVPRO's proprietary methods go to storage. In the case of items requiring disposal, discarding the articles does not occur without the consent of either the property owner or adjuster.

Inventory Pack-Out Items

We document each item we remove by a photograph and a detailed report which includes its condition and home location. This information assists the insurance carrier in expediting the claim and not paying for items that had restoration potential. The report accounts for every item SERVPRO technicians handled and details about the cleaning or discarding of each piece. SERVPRO utilizes the CCIS Contents Claim Inventory Service program to establish a chain of custody for each item removed from the premises.

SERVPRO of Lake Worth at (561) 588-9777 has certified, experienced technicians that are available to clean up flood damage 24/7, whether it is a single room or a whole house with water loss; we're Faster to Any Size Disaster

Commercial Flood Damage Mitigation for Lake Worth Businesses

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Disaster may strike at any time in Lake Worth. Call SERVPRO for the flood damage restoration services needed for your property.

Lake Worth SERVPRO's 24/7 Flood Damage Cleanup

Flooding is among the most common natural disasters in the entire United States and occurs in all flood zones. The Lake Worth area, in particular, sees high levels of precipitation in the spring and summer that can significantly increase commercial flood risk. Businesses face additional challenges during restoration due to losses incurred by downtime and the necessity of cleanup performed to code.

When Lake Worth businesses experience flood damage, SERVPRO technicians respond with emergency cleanup that removes unsafe debris, sanitizes facilities with EPA-registered biocides, and restores affected property to a dry, pre-disaster state. SERVPRO can also provide power sources for businesses that do not have access to electricity after flooding.

Restoring Flooded Commercial Facilities with Extraction Equipment and Demolition

SERVPRO's flood remediation tools and techniques are designed to clean and eliminate debris based on restoration industry best practices. Crew members prepare for cleanup with careful inspection, usage of personal protective equipment, and clear communication with property owners and insurers. 

Techs can undertake such flood remediation tasks as:

• Implement pack-outs and inventory for commercial assets to move them offsite to an approved SERVPRO warehouse for cleanup
• Perform necessary debris of unsalvageable materials like flooded carpet, mattresses, and waterlogged drywall
• Use various extraction tools, including portable and truck-mounted units and gas-powered pumps.
• Dry and remediate moisture and microbes with OSHA-approved biocides, containment procedures, and commercial-grade structural drying tools like air movers and dehumidifiers.
• Perform necessary structural repairs and renovations before moving restored commercial assets back into their respective areas

SERVPRO of Lake Worth is available 24 hours a day for business owners seeking emergency-response, "Like it never even happened" quality restoration. Call (561) 588-9777 to get started.

Lake Worth Business District Stores and Service Centers Count on SERVPRO to Mitigate Water Damage

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Sets up a Negative Air Pressure Containment to Dry Out Water Damaged Lake Worth Properties

Containment to Keep Your Water-Damaged Lake Worth Shop Open

Water damage can quickly get out of control in Lake Worth shops, regardless of the source of this incident. With store-based water loss incidents, plumbing is often the primary culprit. With this network of pipes usually hidden behind walls, it can be challenging to identify the primary point of a break or rupture in the plumbing to repair it. Even with the main water supply shut off to the building shortly after the disaster occurred, it is still vital to pinpoint the vulnerability and to get this situation resolved before water service can get restored. Also, qualified technicians must address the damage the water has done to the shop.

One of the primary concerns that shop owners should have in their Lake Worth location after water damage is the effect that this situation has on their stock and investments. While spreading water can affect these items and your product in many ways, there are also options that our SERVPRO team employs to protect and preserve these contents when possible. Our team can remove at-risk belongings and your inventory to prevent oversaturation and potential total loss.

A massive obstacle to overcome when our team first arrives at your shop is containing the results of the disaster to the specific area around the source. With how quickly these damages can spread throughout a property, our SERVPRO technicians have physical containment barriers and the use of advanced equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to address moisture and saturation concerns. Our technicians can set up plastic sheets for isolation and use negative air pressure to channel excess moisture from the interior of your place of business.

An advanced containment strategy that begins along with our mitigation efforts can help to save our customers money. We strive to provide every business with the most effective actions. Our commitment helps to get their doors open again quickly.

We understand that water loss incidents can have a dramatic and damaging effect on your shop. Still, it does not have to mean a total loss, either. Give our SERVPRO of Lake Worth professionals a call 24/7 at (561) 588-9777 to make water loss effects “Like it never even happened.”

Call Us For Immediate Access To Qualified Personnel In West Palm Beach

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

We will clean to “prepare for painting”. This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface after a fire like this.

Principles Used To Clean Fire Damage In Your West Palm Beach Home

As a homeowner, you want to clean as much as possible after a fire occurs in your West Palm Beach home. The idea is that cleaning and restoration services reduce any costs associated with your claim versus the disposal and replacement of every item in your home. 

The cost of services offered by a local fire damage restoration company in West Palm Beach is only a small percentage when compared to the cost of replacement or even resurfacing. A restorer can apply the principles and elements of cleaning, helping you restore materials to a quality pre-damaged condition and reduce any losses you might experience. 

1. A qualified Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT) from SERVPRO uses the five principles of cleaning to accomplish the restoration of your home. Remember, the idea is to return materials to an acceptable condition, not to replace or resurface anything. 
2. Careful Inspection of the Affected Area: Starting near the source of the fire, trace how far smoke, soot, and additional residues move through your home.
3. Identifying Different Residues: Smoke residues often change, even within the same loss environment. A restorer selects an effective cleaning method depending on the type of smoke residues present in each area. 
4. Identity of Different Surfaces: The surface material also has an impact on which cleaning methods and products your technician uses. A restorer's job is to preserve the material, not cause additional damage.
5. Capture and Remove Residues: Using either a wet or dry cleaning process, your restorer prevents residue from bonding with different materials and surfaces, lifting particles away. 
6. Disposal of Residues: There are local, state, and federal guidelines used to dispose of debris and clean waste associated with an event. 

Your cleaning and restoration technicians from SERVPRO use the four elements of cleaning to suspend residues and remove them. We go through extensive Employee Certification Training (ECT) and Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) before ever stepping foot in your home. 

At SERVPRO, temperature, agitation, chemical action, and time all play a significant role in how we suspend and remove residues found in your home after a fire. We combine the principles and elements of cleaning to remove smoke, soot, and odors, providing a unique solution to your specific circumstances.

Contact SERVPRO of Lake Worth for immediate access to qualified personnel, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. (561) 588-9777

How to Dry Your West Palm Beach Home After Locating Standing Water

3/27/2022 (Permalink)

Water removal is critical when finding standing water in your home. Call our team 24/7 for technicians and water removal equipment to tackle the job.

Removing Standing Water from Your West Palm Beach Home

Water loss incidents persisting long enough to create a standing water situation in your West Palm Beach residence can be an overwhelming circumstance for homeowners. Finding the right equipment and the best approach to handle these effects fast and effectively requires a quick response. As soon as you recognize an emergency developing, you need to react immediately with preventative measures and powerful tools available through specialty locations like major chain hardware superstores. 

There are many machines and practices that our SERVPRO professionals use to address water removal in West Palm Beach houses. The objective is first to determine the cause of the water damage and what must occur to both repair this problem and to stop the supply pouring out temporarily. Since you need to stop water flow to repair plumbing and fixture concerns successfully, find your shutoff valve where your service enters the property. Turning off the water supply prevents further water movement so that you can assess the severity of the plumbing issues and begin drying and cleaning. 

Even our SERVPRO professionals utilize sump pumps and wet-vacs for specific scenarios. Many homeowners already own a wet-dry vac, especially considering the likelihood of severe weather threats to the coast. With some patience, you can extract the bulk of saturation and standing water from flooring materials with this machine. 

Dehumidification units and drying fans like the air-movers that our professionals use in water loss recovery are also available for rent in specific shops. These tools help you to dry out damaged areas of your home before the spread worsens. 

Ensure that your home is entirely dry and clean after a water loss incident. Lingering water in any area of your property can welcome situations like mold and microbial growth. Whenever water loss situations occur, you can count on our SERVPRO of Lake Worth team to help you however you need. Give us a call at (561) 588-9777.