Recent Posts

Emergency Property Restoration After a Flood

5/6/2024 (Permalink)

Floods can be devastating to your property, leaving behind a trail of destruction. But with the right approach, you can restore your property to its former glory. Here are some tips for homeowners to tackle emergency property restoration after a flood.

  • Immediate Response: As soon as it is safe to do so, assess the damage. If necessary, contact professional restoration services like SERVPRO® to help with the cleanup and restoration process.

  • Safety First: Before entering your property, ensure it is safe. Check for structural damages, such as cracks or collapses, that might make the building unsafe.

  • Water Removal: Begin by removing standing water. This might require pumps or professional equipment, depending on the severity of the flooding.

  • Drying Out: After water removal, it’s crucial to dry out the property to prevent mold growth. Use dehumidifiers and fans to circulate air and dry out the premises.

Remember, acting quickly can minimize damage and help in faster restoration. Call us at 805-919-8339 and we will be on site as soon as possible. 

Unexpected Disaster

8/30/2023 (Permalink)

Flooded office building, workshop, hurricane hilary Flooded office building.

Out of nowhere, nature can suddenly turn incredibly fierce: floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tropical storms, - you name it. These kinds of natural disasters can throw unwanted stress your way, not to mention wreak havoc on your business. That's where SERVPRO® steps in, ready to tackle the aftermath and provide a lasting fix. We've got all the storm damage cleanup services to aid your business’s revival. Our franchise professionals make sure you're in the loop every step of the journey, ensuring you're well-acquainted with our detailed process.

Dealing with storm damage can be quite the ordeal, thanks to the unexpected curveballs that demand swift action. That's where a reliable, well-known storm cleanup crew comes into play. Whether it's a minor scuffle with storm damage or a more substantial challenge, we've got the know-how and the gear to clean up the mess and bring back your business operations. At SERVPRO, we've got a crew of highly-trained, customer-focused experts - our main goal is to have you back in your restored business as swiftly as can be.

Water Removal Challenges

8/28/2023 (Permalink)

ceiling collapse, apartment building Apartment ceiling collapse.

The Significance of Water Classification

Within the realm of water-related intrusions, it's essential to consider three primary categories: rainwater, fresh water, and sewage. The specific type of water present in your home determines the approach coming into contact and residual cleanup efforts. Sewage water, in particular, can harbor harmful bacteria that pose serious health risks. Fortunately, identifying the type of water is often straightforward, as sewage water tends to emit a strong, unpleasant odor. If you suspect sewage involvement, enlisting the services of a professional water damage cleanup company like SERVPRO® equipped with the appropriate tools and expertise is crucial for safe resolution.

Lingering Challenges Beyond Water Removal

While the removal of water from your home might seem like a sigh of relief, it's important to acknowledge that lingering moisture can persist in concealed areas. Moisture hidden within walls, crawlspaces, and beneath floorboards has the potential to foster mold growth over time. Mold is not only toxic but also capable of causing structural damage to homes, resulting in significant consequences. Engaging a mold prevention expert to assess your property is vital to ensure that this hazardous substance isn't infiltrating your living space.

Smoke Damage Timeline

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damaged office Office fire damage at commercial building.

In the immediate aftermath of a fire within your commercial property, the effects of soot continue their destructive course, targeting your valuable assets. Thus, the urgency of summoning restoration experts immediately post-extinguishment cannot be overstated. Delays in taking action may increase the extent of losses sustained by your business.

Adhere to this timeline to understand the progression of damage to your business items when smoke infiltrates your premises:

  • Minutes: Swiftly after the fire, soot and smoke can imprint a persistent yellow stain on surfaces and possessions composed of plastic, marble, and other porous materials.
  • Hours: Soot's acidic nature has the potential to induce permanent tarnishing or staining on metal objects, grout, and diverse materials.
  • Days: Over this timeframe, your walls might undergo irreversible yellowing, metals may succumb to corrosion or rust, and wooden furniture may face irreparable harm. Flooring, upholstery, cubicles, and fabric-based items could necessitate complete replacement.
  • Weeks: When soot's invasive influence persists, it could trigger lasting corrosion and potentially emit toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Office supplies, furniture, and electronic equipment subjected to smoke damage might warrant disposal and subsequent replacement.

Promptly addressing the repercussions of a fire incident through professional restoration services can be the difference between salvaging your business assets and enduring significant loss.

After the Fire: Steps to Take

8/16/2023 (Permalink)

Burnt down office building Commercial property burnt down.

Following the successful extinguishment of the fire and ensuring the safety and accountability of everyone within the building, the focus shifts to initiating the cleanup and restoration phase. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Initiate an Insurance Claim: Your top priority is to file a smoke damage insurance claim with your company's insurance provider. Make sure to consult your agent regarding any stipulated filing deadlines to ensure timely submission.
  2. Engage Professional Restoration Services: Waste no time and contact a reputable restoration company like SERVPRO® for comprehensive commercial smoke damage and soot removal solutions. Swift action is key, as expert restoration teams can significantly minimize the extensive losses that your business might incur.
  3. Professional Intervention: Upon their arrival, anticipate our skilled technicians to undertake the following crucial tasks:
  • Assessment of Furniture and Equipment: A thorough evaluation of your furnishings and equipment is conducted to ascertain whether the damage is reversible.
  • Development of a Comprehensive Remediation Plan: Collaboratively, a comprehensive plan for effective remediation is crafted.
  • Thorough Cleansing: Every item and surface undergoes meticulous cleaning to eliminate residual smoke and soot.
  • Utilization of Specialized Techniques: Specialized equipment and chemicals are employed to eradicate the lingering smoke odor.
  • Surface Sealing: To avert the risk of recontamination, surfaces are securely sealed.

By promptly executing these steps, you lay the foundation for a successful recovery process, facilitated by expert restoration professionals who are dedicated to restoring your business environment to its optimal state.

Backyard Fire Pit Safety

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Window after an interior fire Keep your fire pit far from any structures, brush, and trees.

It’s summertime, and there’s no better time for an outdoor barbecue and some s’mores by the fire pit. If not cared for properly, however, a relaxing night around the fire could turn into a disaster. Use these tips to help keep your summer nights fun!

Positioning

Keep your fire pit far from any structures, brush, and trees. Ensure no branches or leaves hang anywhere above the fire pit so smoke has a clear escape path into the air. Keep the fire on a non-flammable surface such as concrete or sand. Avoid setting up the fire on grass, and never create a fire on a wooden deck.

Preparation

Keep any flammable materials away from the fire. Staying approximately 10-20 feet from surrounding vegetation and brush will help to prevent flames from jumping or spreading. Dig the pit about six inches deep in the center with a two-foot diameter to contain all embers and flames.

Extinguishing

Always use the proper method to extinguish the flames of a fire as described by your local fire marshal/fire department. Water is usually a primary source to extinguish fire. In addition, a shovel can help with putting out the remaining flames and suffocating the fire. Once the flames are drowned with water, stir with shovel until no flames remain. Ashes remain hot for several days, so ensure they are properly disposed and left to cool. Never dispose of ashes in a compost pile or flammable material.

Stay safe this summer and enjoy the outdoors! If you ever have a fire at your home, Call SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula at (805) 529-5600 to help with the restoration, we are 24/7/365.

Keep your Business Mold-Free

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Machine pumping out mold from closet Mold grows anywhere there is moisture and oxygen. The mold spores are invisible to humans, so you may not even know when mold takes over.

Mold grows in places you cannot even see, and it sometimes grows increasingly worse before it’s noticeable. Mold, however, pollutes the air and can threaten the structural integrity of a structure.

When mold grows on a commercial property, it can be devastating for business owners as they must shut down operations to decontaminate the business. These tips will help prevent mold from growing in your business.

Mold grows anywhere there is moisture and oxygen. The mold spores are invisible to humans, so you may not even know when mold takes over.

  1. Use a dehumidifier: It can be challenging to maintain proper humidity inside your business. To ensure 50% humidity, install commercial dehumidifiers throughout the property.
  2. Repair plumbing issues: As soon as you notice a leak in your business from a roof, pipe, or window, call a restoration company to mend the damages. The longer you wait, the higher the chance of mold growth.
  3. Ensure proper ventilation: If not properly maintained, mold will grow around HVAC systems. Mold spores can spread from vents, so a clean HVAC system will keep mold out.
  4. Stay Vigilant: It’s not easy to notice mold growth in its early stages. By inspecting your property frequently and monitoring high moisture levels, you can notice mold before it becomes a problem. Early signs of mold growth include stains on walls, smells, and marks on floors.
  5. Call a professional: If the mold has spread or you can’t find the origin of the problem, call a professional mold remediation company to assist you.

At SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula, we have a team of certified franchise professionals to take care of your mold problem. Our team is trained with the best equipment and techniques to locate and remove your property of mold and residual pores. Trust SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula for your commercial property mold remediation needs. Call us at (805) 529-5600, we are 24/7/365.

Have Water Damage? Here's What to Do.

8/12/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage from ceiling SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula knows the safe and best way to remove excess water and minimize the chance of mold growth.

Oh no! You notice a leaking pipe or a plumbing issue in your home or business. Don’t fret, SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula is here for you. Before we arrive, however, here are some tips to safely take care of water damage. Keep in mind, these tips apply to clean water only. Sewage water causes different kinds of damage, and it is contaminated, so SERVPRO® treats that damage differently. SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula is the perfect call to begin the water removal process, as our professional team will quickly and properly dry out your home or business from any water damage.

  • When you notice damage occurring, immediately shut off the water source and turn off the power.
  • If safe, remove as much water as possible with a mop and towels to soak up water.
  • Place aluminum foil between wood furniture legs and carpet. Do not keep rugs and furniture upholstery wet against each other, as more damage will occur.

Safety is number one priority, so these steps are only recommended if they are safe to do so. Do not enter a room with standing water, as there could be a risk of an electrical shock. Ensure all power is disconnected as soon as flooding occurs. Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to try and remove water. SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula knows the safe and best way to remove excess water and minimize the chance of mold growth. Call us at (805) 529-5600 to assist you today, we are 24/7/365.

Returning Home: How to Remove the Smoky Smell from your Property

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

A ceiling with smoke damage Deodorizing and sanitizing a home or business after a fire is not an easy task, and you should not have to be forced to do it yourself.

If you’ve ever been around a campfire or experienced an indoor fire, you’ll know exactly what that lingering smoky smell is like after the fire’s been put out. When you suffer from a home or business fire, it’s important to minimize as much of the remaining odor as possible before SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula arrives. These tips will be helpful in maintaining the healthiest living conditions as possible after a fire occurs.

Tip 1: If safe, open any windows to increase airflow and circulation. Additionally, keep doors open to allow air to flow through and out of the structure.

Tip 2: Replace air filters. Toxic smoke particles and soot can become trapped in air filters, which results in unhealthy air being released after a fire. Replace the filters to avoid the spread of the odor.

Tip 3: Deep clean the affected areas. Kitchen counters, curtains, windows and carpets are commons places for smoke particles to stick after a fire. Target these areas to remove the remaining odor from smoke damage.

SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula is the expert fire restoration team for you! Deodorizing and sanitizing a home or business after a fire is not an easy task, and you should not have to be forced to do it yourself. Here at SERVPRO®, we have a team of experienced professionals with advanced odor removal products and equipment that will take care of your fire-related needs. Let our team make your home or business look like the fire “Never even happened.” Call SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula at (805) 529-5600, we are 24/7/365.

Stay Safe from Fires in the Workplace

8/5/2022 (Permalink)

A kitchen after a fire If a fire does occur in your business, call SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula to get the restoration process underway.

A fire is never fun. At the office or workplace, fires can cause danger to personnel in addition to property damage. Read these tips on basic fire prevention to stay as safe on the job as possible.

Steps of Prevention

  • Ensure all staff is properly educated on fire prevention procedures, evacuation routes and fire hazards.
  • Maintain a clean workspace to reduce the risk of fire.
  • Be aware of potential combustible materials and flammable items.
  • Keep a working fire extinguisher in the business and know its whereabouts.

General Safety

  • Dispose of combustible or flammable materials in and around the workplace.
  • Keep combustible materials in approved containers and away from other flammable items.
  • Keep fire extinguisher in an accessible place not blocked by furniture or clutter.

Preventative Safety

  • Keep fire equipment up to date, receive inspections on a regular basis.
  • Have a working alarm system with both sound and lights.
  • Be aware of local authority and fire department information for easy contact when necessary.
  • Keep staff up to date on training, be aware of what’s going on.
  • Work with SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula to create an emergency response plan for your business.

If a fire does occur in your business, call SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula to get the restoration process underway. We know a fire can be devastating, and that is why we take great care in restoring as many of your items as we can. No job is too big for SERVPRO® of Moorpark / Fillmore / Santa Paula. Call today at (805) 529-5600, we are 24/7/365.