Water Damage Drying in Silver Lake

2/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's expert team can quickly dry out your Silver Lake property to prevent further damage and mold growth.

SERVPRO Technicians Mitigate Silver Lake Home Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most ubiquitous home disasters in the United States, regardless of climate or geography. In locales like Silver Lake, homeowners may face potentially costly water damage repair and remediation costs that average as much as $300 for a small-scale ceiling leak. While DIY options are available for property owners, certified professional water mitigation can lower the risk of future damages to structures and contents.

Highly-trained SERVPRO water removal crews respond to Silver Lake disaster calls 24 hours a day because water damage does not abide by a schedule. Mold can grow in as little as one to three days after water damage starts. However, commercial-grade equipment handled by certified restoration technicians can prevent mold from further impacting a home’s contents or comfort levels.

Factors That Impact Structural Drying

SERVPRO technicians assess many variables while formulating a water cleanup plan that successfully restores Silver Lake homes. Considerations specific to structural drying include:

• Relative humidity. The amount of water present in the air impacts the equipment necessary for drying. Air moisture levels also vary as drying equipment pulls water out of surfaces and into the air.
• Disaster scale. The size of the area impacted by water damage and its location is a crucial consideration during planning. A small pipe leak in a living room ceiling requires different accommodations compared to a similar-sized leak behind a wall-mounted bathroom cabinet.
• Containment measures. It is possible to reduce structural drying time by using polyethylene sheeting to seal off impacted rooms or areas, thus reducing the workload and equipment.

The Water Damage Restoration and Drying Process for Silver Lake Homes

SERVPRO’s structural drying techniques rely primarily on air movers and dehumidifiers working together to gradually isolate water from surfaces and the air for disposal in a treated sewer.

Centrifugal and axial air movers are designed to target different surfaces. The former is ideal for carpet, while the latter is primarily intended for walls and other structural components. These fans typically cover approximately 150 square feet, or 10 to 16 linear feet, of affected space in a home. Water mitigation technicians can also implement air movement underneath flooring or inside wall and ceiling cavities.

Dehumidifiers also vary based on their mechanisms and intended purposes. Low-grain refrigerant (LGR) units are commonly used to dry water damage on porous materials like carpets and sheetrock. Meanwhile, desiccant dehumidifiers can restore hard or nonporous structural surfaces like wall studs or concrete floors.

These drying systems work best after SERVPRO water removal technicians perform thorough cleanup with moisture extraction units, saving surfaces from acute moisture exposure while reducing drying times. After drying, crew members can address lingering microbial growth and water damage malodors with EPA-registered biocides and odor control solutions.

Homeowners can contact the SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park team at (213) 628-2000. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster for community members in need 24/7.

Silver Lake Homeowners and Heavy Fire and Smoke Damage

2/21/2023 (Permalink)

After fire damage at your Silver Lake property, you will need a team of experts by your side for the restoration. Call SERVPRO for assistance.

Fire Restoration Techs from SERVPRO in Silver Lake Revitalize Damaged Fixtures and Structures

Each year, homeowners in locales like Silver Lake run the risk of encountering fire damage from electrical components, appliances, or kitchen mishaps. Even small-scale disasters can quickly turn into potentially costly renovation projects without fast-acting service from knowledgeable professionals.

SERVPRO technicians provide fire and smoke damage cleanup for Silver Lake homeowners needing emergency-response restoration services. This crew performs cleanup, fire odor removal, and rebuilding tasks that return affected structures to pre-disaster states per Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards.

The Benefits of Abrasion Blasting for Fire Damage

Soot removal can prove challenging with conventional cleanup methods. Many tough-to-remove stains and residues require more rigorous cleanup to restore the surface. Even fire and smoke damage cleanup proves successful, removing odors remains challenging. Abrasion cleaning can effectively address stains and residues while implementing fire odor removal.

Blast media used during heavy-duty abrasion cleaning includes:

• Dry ice, which is among the most potent cleanup options available for fire damage cleanup and odor control
• Corn cobs, which are gentle, effective, and biodegradable
• Soda ash, which offers additional odor control benefits during abrasion cleaning

Abrasion cleaning is not necessary for every endeavor, however. Other options, such as alkaline solutions and dry cleaning sponges, are typically sufficient for cleaning fire-damaged structures and contents. Abrasion cleaning is ideal in preserving charred wall framing and cabinetry.

SERVPRO Can Implement Heavy-Duty Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup with Dry Ice Blasting

Dry ice, which consists of carbon dioxide pellets, is among the most effective abrasion media available for heavy fire damage residues and odors. This material provides a range of benefits for Silver Lake SERVPRO technicians.

• Dry ice's non-toxic, environmentally friendly nature makes it safe for use on a wide array of surfaces affected by fire damage. Its use is approved by the FDA, USDA, and EPA.
• The lack of moisture present guarantees potential secondary damages from water damage or mold growth.
• Because dry ice blasting only uses recaptured CO2, no additional solvents or chemicals are present that require cleanup or preparation after use.
• Dry ice blasting equipment requires minimal preparation before and after use compared to many other fire damage cleanup tasks, and its use can expedite restoration.
• These carbon dioxide pellets do more than mask fire damage odors. This type of cleanup mitigates fire-related smells by rendering the environment inhospitable for malodor-causing bacteria and residues.

Dry ice is gentle enough to restore masonry without scratching it. It is also a powerful solution for potential microbial growth in a Silver Lake home, which may be present from water exposure after fire suppression. SERVPRO can implement these solutions anytime, including weekends, late nights, or holidays.

SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park provides comprehensive services from trained technicians that leave homes looking and feeling "Like it never even happened." Homeowners can call (213) 628-2000 to begin the cleanup process.

ilver Lake Mold Damage Mitigation by SERVPRO

2/21/2023 (Permalink)

Discovering mold at your Silver Lake property can certainly raise an alarm. Call our SERVPRO team for mold removal services right away. We are here 24

SERVPRO Mold Inspection and Remediation Can Lower Silver Lake Home Repair and Replacement Costs

Mold growth can prove more damaging to Silver Lake homes than termites or structure fires, partially because microbes can feed on wood and other organic materials essential for maintaining structural integrity. Mold can even proliferate on nonporous surfaces in the proper environment, provided there is at least some sustenance available for these microbes. Surface-level mold damage on drywall and surfaces can indicate a more severe contamination issue inside wall cavities or even HVAC systems.

Silver Lake SERVPRO mold remediation technicians are available around the clock to render restoration services. This team does not provide total mold removal, which is not possible. Instead, it focuses on drastically reducing populations to average levels for clean, dry residential spaces.

How Mold Damage Can Spread Throughout Silver Lake Homes

While all indoor and outdoor spaces contain some amount of mold traveling through the air, microbial growth relies on many factors to spread. Microbes can proliferate in as little as 24 to 72 hours after settling in a suitable space. The ideal conditions for mold growth are room-temperature areas with elevated humidity and limited air circulation.

On top of that, mold spores can form colonies less than two weeks after initial growth. The more spores there are, the more quickly these microbes can deteriorate drywall, wood, and other porous materials. Home disasters like water damage can exacerbate microbial growth, which can continue even after water cleanup has been successfully performed. Mold inspection and remediation from certified technicians can determine microbes' location for more comprehensive mitigation.

SERVPRO Mold Damage Mitigation Includes Thorough Sanitation of Structures and Contents

SERVPRO's mold remediation crew tackles mold with a focus on making the environment inhospitable for microbial growth. This process entails demolition and removing unsalvageable debris and mold spore clusters, sanitation with EPA-registered biocides, and drying procedures that reduce air and surface moisture. Combined with commercial-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) and stringent containment procedures, these tactics prevent mold damage from spreading and maximize the number of spores removed from the property.

Sanitation and odor control tactics that aid in mold damage mitigation include:

• Manual cleaning of mold-prone areas
• Injection systems for spot removal of stains and odors in carpet and pad
• Pump and trigger sprays on walls or flooring with OSHA-approved biocide solutions
• Disposal of solid spore clusters and mold damage debris in heavy-duty sealed plastic bags
• Collection of spores and debris during cleaning with HEPA-filter vacuums

SERVPRO technicians can implement rebuilding services to restore the affected property should surfaces like drywall require demolition after suffering mold damage. These services can include installing new drywall, repairing and re-seaming carpet, and HVAC cleaning.

SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park is ready to restore properties throughout the day or night. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and only a phone call away at (213) 628-2000.

Pressure Washing is Key to Successful Fire Damage Restoration in Los Angeles

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can pressure spray smoke and soot damaged properties in Los Angeles as part of a fire damage restoration service.

SERVPRO Professionally Cleans Fire-Damaged Properties in Los Angeles

Cleaning surfaces is crucial during fire damage restoration since it helps prevent additional damage, removes toxic substances, and helps return your property to its preloss condition. Smoke deposits typically settle on ceilings, walls, pavements, and other surfaces. It is recommended to work with professional restoration experts to ensure the restoration process is a success,

For a successful fire damage cleanup process in Los Angeles, our SERVPRO technicians use several methods. Since we have been in the industry for a long time, we understand the cleaning complications that arise from such incidents, and as a result, we know the right equipment and procedures to do the job right. The goal is to let the property owner understand that the property is being restored efficiently and safely.

Sometimes our team may use pressure washing to remove heavy smoke and soot particles from concrete and brick surfaces. In the processes, we use water under high pressure and appropriate cleaning solutions to remove the contaminants. We follow the following steps for a successful cleaning process:

• · Our SERVPRO experts cover surrounding surfaces to protect them from possible water damage
• · We then prepare the surface through the removal of loose residues
• · We ensure the pressure is set to a level appropriate to our cleaning surface.
• · We start cleaning the surface from the highest point downwards in a back-and-forth motion.
• · We repeat the procedure severally until the surface is free of smoke particles.
• · We then rinse the area to remove any remaining residues.

After successful cleaning, we use dehumidifiers, fans, and other equipment to dry the fire-damaged areas. We also perform smoke odor removal procedures to neutralize unpleasant smells. We may repaint or do the necessary refinishing work when discoloration happens after exposure to the soot and smoke particles.

Call SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park today at (213) 628-2000 when you experience any fire, mold, or water damage crisis. Our technicians follow our tagline--We're Faster to Any Size Disaster and will offer you the professional help you need to restore your property.

Specialized Commercial Water Mitigation Services in Los Angeles

1/29/2023 (Permalink)

When water damage affects your business, time is of the essence. Contact SERVPRO for both experienced personnel and the equipment needed for the job.

SERVPRO Can Provide Water Mitigation Services in Los Angeles During Non-Business Hours

In Los Angeles commercial businesses, water leaks and spills seldom occur during regular working hours. But when they do, business operations are brought to a standstill. Clients and employees may need to leave the premises with the commercial business closing. Completing repairs, cleaning contents, drying, and restoring damaged structures must be completed before everyone can return.

Fast response by SERVPRO technicians utilizing water mitigation techniques in Los Angeles commercial buildings can limit the damage and reduce the time your business is offline. 

We are available 24/7 and can be onsite within four hours of your call, including weeknights and weekends.

Every water event presents unique challenges for commercial businesses, employees, and customers. A hotel's entire floor may need to be closed until water cleanup and repairs are completed. Closing showrooms or office areas, while water recovery and drying are underway is often required. Employees in business offices may need to work from home while we remove carpets and renovate offices after a water event.

SERVPRO technicians utilize the appropriate equipment to extract excess water, air movers, and dehumidifiers to dry the commercial space before additional damage is caused. Mitigating water damage involves fast response and immediate action to protect the contents and structure from the effects of water on porous materials.

Water mitigation efforts and fast-applied action by SERVPRO can limit the total damage caused by a water leak. For example:

• Water Damage Demolition of drywall and flooring structures
• Reduction in the damage to paint and wallpaper
• Damage to showroom contents, furniture, or office items

Call SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park for commercial water mitigation services. We provide service to Los Angeles and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (213) 628-2000.

What Mold Remediation in Los Angeles Properties Involves

12/23/2022 (Permalink)

Visible Mold removal is a step in SERVPRO's remediation for Los Angeles area homes and buildings.

SERVPRO Offers Broad Mold Restoration Services in Los Angeles

Discovering mold on your property is not something pleasing, so you may want to take immediate action to arrest the situation. However, before embarking on mold remediation, you must evaluate the case to determine what needs addressing exactly.

Every incident might present different dynamics based on your structure type and the infestation source point. Therefore, mold remediation at your Los Angeles property should start with an elaborate inspection process. SERVPRO crew chiefs prioritize such evaluation to reveal the extent of the problem.

Some Things to Know When You See Mold

• There are unresolved moisture problems
• Materials are rapidly deteriorating
• You must deal with contamination
• Surface finishes are likely to deteriorate

Mold requires a combination of factors to thrive. Sufficient moisture is one of the main triggers since it helps spores propagate. Other factors, such as organic food sources, are easier to satisfy because of the wooden structural materials and contents. Therefore, identifying and resolving moisture issues is as essential as any other remediation step. If moisture is not readily visible, our SERVPRO technicians can use specialized tools such as thermal cameras to identify hidden leaks.

Contamination Levels

Mold development is a microbial process that contaminates properties with its colonies which are a biohazard that requires careful handling. Necessary precautions depend on the contamination extent or affected area. For example, cleaning a small, contaminated area may only require gloves and an N95 mask, but a full bodysuit and full-face respirators may be necessary for extensive contamination.

You may know the signs of mold, such as dark patches and surface discoloration. However, you may fail to realize what goes on beneath the surface where materials deteriorate rapidly. If left unaddressed, wooden structures can develop rot-like disintegration. Evaluation helps determine whether surface cleaning is sufficient or if demolition is necessary.

Other Effects of Mold

• Flaking paint
• Fabric stains
• Musty odor

SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park performs standard mold remediation to resolve issues, whether deeply embedded or relegated to the surfaces. Call us at (213) 628-2000. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Understanding Moisture Movement for Los Angeles Water Restoration

11/27/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage that has affected your home can be exhausting. Partner with SERVPRO during this time for effective water removal services.

Drying Principles for Water Restoration in Homes

Our SERVPRO professionals are well-educated in psychometry or the behavior of water. As certified WRT specialists through the IICRC, we have become educated and experienced with how water reacts in specific situations and what to expect when the drying process begins. Tenets of psychometry include:

• Wet to Dry
• Hot to Cold
• High Pressure to Low Pressure

Wet to Dry

One vital component of efficient water restoration in Los Angeles homes is knowing that wet conditions seek out dry conditions. This constant natural process to seek equilibrium forces moisture through permeable surfaces to spread water as far out from the source as possible. Drying efforts must establish a perimeter to avoid this known phenomenon.

Hot to Cold

Warmer temperatures always seek out colder temperatures, so you can expect this same factor to exist with the movement and migration of water in your residence. This can apply greatly to measures needed to get implemented when the drying process begins, as it is customary to warm up the area and increase the air pressure of the drying zone. Containment measures help to keep this warmer condition from finding paths to other, cooler regions of the house.

High to Low Pressures

A good way to think of the movement of high pressure to low pressure is a force pushing against a surface where there is no competing pressure on the other side. The result is a siphoning of moisture from the damaged portion of your home to an area otherwise unaffected by the leak. Understanding the capacity of water to migrate this way can help SERVPRO better contain damaged areas.

Knowing how to handle water restoration in Los Angeles begins with appreciating how moisture moves in a household. We have experienced professionals educated through the IICRC in psychometry to provide the best restoration services for your home. Call our SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park team today at (213) 628-2000.

Early Actions Reduce Flood Damage in Los Angeles Homes

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

Rainwater from a storm can severely damage Los Angeles attics, ceilings, and fixtures. Be safe, and call SERVPRO for help.

Los Angeles properties damaged by flooding require fast mitigation solutions

Homes can be quickly and wholly damaged by flood penetration and the spread of this water damage. Fast mitigative solutions can help reduce restoration costs and the length of recovery efforts set to begin. We are ready 24/7 to help with trained WRT-certified professionals.

Sealing Up Structural Vulnerabilities

Early actions to slow flood damage in Los Angeles homes start with a full structural damage assessment. Little can be done to complete the drying and cleanup of flood-damaged homes or businesses if the penetration points are not sealed up and stopped. With a contractor license, our SERVPRO team can complete temporary repairs to prevent water intrusions first.

Clearing Out Standing Water

The pooling of floodwater in areas of your home can be a considerable obstacle for even experienced restoration professionals. Not only must we provide extraction devices capable of managing deep surface water concerns, but we must also have water removal tools able to manage smaller solids and debris as well. Some of the extractors used for post-flood recovery include:

• Trash pumps
• Wet vacuums
• Truck-mount extractors

Muck-Out Cleaning and Debris Removal

With the standing water resolved, we can also focus on the cleaning and debris removal needed to protect the property. Contamination is a considerable concern after these loss effects, including every material directly exposed to migrating water. . Our muck-out cleaning process removes mud, silt, decaying organic matter, and bulk materials from the property, allowing drying to begin unhindered.

Mitigating flood damage losses begins with the first steps professionals like ours take when arriving after a disaster. There is an urgency to flood recovery with so much of the property at stake for extreme damage, so our SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park team works fast to mobilize with cleanup and restoration tools. Give us a call now at (213) 628-2000. 

Los Angeles Homeowners Trust SERVPRO with Fire Damage Restoration

8/28/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning up fire damage in your home is a daunting task. Contact SERVPRO for certified professionals who are ready to help you 24/7.

Does fire damage restoration in Los Angeles by SERVPRO include deodorization?

Controlling the odors after fire damage to your Los Angeles property can be challenging. SERVPRO techs employ a systematic approach toward odor elimination that starts with identifying the source. 

Rather than relying on a single method of odor elimination, SERVPRO techs usually employ multiple procedures after fire damage to your Los Angeles home. While some ways, such as wet fogging and thermal fogging, are great if the damage is heavy, they are not ideal for tackling localized odor issues confined to relatively smaller areas. 

How do SERVPRO techs manage localized odor problems during fire restoration in Los Angeles?

SERVPRO IICRC-certified techs use the following two methods to control localized and minor odor issues during the house fire cleanup of your Los Angeles home. 

• Injection Devices: Techs use a syringe and a needle to inject a relatively small amount of deodorant into confined spots on carpets and upholstery. The method is effective if the techs cannot lift the carpet to get to the padding or backing material and if the affected area is small.  
• Vaportek Units: It is a deodorizing system that contains a compound of natural oils sealed into a membrane. SERVPRO techs use these systems to distribute the deodorizing volatile oils to neutralize the odor molecules. 

Why do techs sometimes use sealers during house fire cleanup? 

If the odors remain even after all other deodorization methods have been performed, techs sometimes use sealants to seal the odor molecules. Most sealants are alcohol-based shellac or acrylic polymers that lock in the odor-causing molecules in the pores and crevices of the surface. Applying a sealant is usually considered after every other method has been tried.

Call SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park at (213) 628-2000 to discuss your restoration needs after fire damage.

If Your Los Angeles Supplies Showroom Experiences A Water Damage Disaster Call Our Experts

8/28/2022 (Permalink)

If water damage strikes your showroom, you need to get it back up and running quickly. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for certified technicians and equipment.

Unique Aspects Of Commercial Water Cleanup In Your Los Angeles Supplies Showroom

A typical day at a supplies showroom involves a considerable level of cleaning to keep the items on display in top condition for the clients who might visit. A water spill can ruin all the effort you put in cleaning and polishing the items every day. It might also damage some of the items, particularly if you deal with furniture or electronics. Apart from your efforts, you can involve a professional to clean up the mess.

Each case of commercial water cleanup in affected Los Angeles showrooms is different because it depends on how the spilled water soils various contents and parts of the structure. If the source of the leak is at a high point such as a burst pipe in the ceiling, the water might spray dust and other loose debris to contents in the room. If it takes long before you notice the water spill, stains from dissolving dyes or resins in furniture, upholstery or other items in your showroom can complicate the cleanup process. Our SERVPRO team has members certified in different Fields including WRT, Water Damage Restoration Technicians, and RRRP, Lead-Based Paint Activities, and Renovation experts who can deal with various situations that arise after a water loss.

Water spills create various hazards for members of your staff and clients that visit your showroom during the incident. If your showroom has one of those highly polished floors, people can easily slip and fall when water pools around. Water splashing on items that you are displaying in the showroom might also damage them. Our SERVPRO technicians observe high safety standards when cleaning up your water-damaged showroom. We set wet floor signs and other warnings to help people avoid slippery surfaces. We also evaluate the soiled areas to determine where to use cleaning equipment such as pressure washers and where to clean by hand to avoid damaging your valuable items.

Removing standing water and drying any wet materials helps finish the cleanup process after a spill. Our SERVPRO technicians use wet-vacs or track-mounted water extractors in case of significant spills. We also have a variety of drying equipment, including LGR dehumidifiers and high-speed air movers to finish the job.

To restore your showroom to its preloss state after a water spill, call SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park to help. You can reach us anytime at (213) 628-2000. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.