How to Deal with a Commercial Fire's Aftermath

5/27/2024 (Permalink)

The kind of damage that a fire can create to your business.

Calling emergency services and the fire restoration company are some of the most critical steps to take when a fire is inside your Austin area business. However, addressing the aftermath requires more action, especially as recovery can take some time. Prepare the building for reconstruction and keep your staff safe with these procedures.

Prepare Your Fire Insurance
Once everyone is safe and the firemen have controlled the situation, you must call your insurance company immediately. They will send representatives to work with you, examine the damage, and determine your business's coverage. The commercial building restoration service that will handle your property can also assist with the claim. It can run the inspection and fire assessment and organize the required paperwork for an easier process.

Avoid Touching the Damage
The experts handling the fire restoration inside the building will have the necessary tools and experience to tackle the scenario. As such, you should avoid touching or cleaning affected areas such as:

• Clothes and cloth-based items
• Electrical devices and equipment
• Ceiling lights and other fixtures
• Packaged and sealed food
• Walls, painted surfaces and carpet floors
• Other soot-coated objects
  
  

Without the appropriate resources and techniques, you can risk spreading the damage or making its effects permanent. To ensure a successful smoke cleaning, you and anyone working in the building should leave these areas untouched.

Make the Building Safer
Though you cannot interfere with the damaged parts, there are some ways you can make your business building safer for anyone using it. Dispose of contaminated food to ensure no one eats it. Also, empty the refrigerators and freezers once unplugged and keep them open to avoid additional contamination. Collaborate with the remediators to board up the building and prevent more damage.
An immediate response following a commercial fire is essential, not just from emergency responders and the fire restoration agents but also from you. Learn about the steps to take after the incident to facilitate the recovery.

Weakened foundations: Unveiling the hidden structural damages beneath the surface.

5/24/2024 (Permalink)

A damaged roof can lead to moisture getting trapped in your home, which can then lead to a host of other issues.

While storms bring immediate visible damage to Austin area homes, one of the most concerning aspects is the hidden structural damage that can occur beneath the surface. Stormwater infiltration can weaken the foundation upon which your home stands, posing a significant risk to its stability and long-term integrity.

When excess water saturates the ground surrounding your home, it can seep into the foundation, causing soil erosion and compromising its structural support. Over time, this can lead to foundation settling, shifting, or even cracking, endangering the overall stability of the entire structure.

Furthermore, water-damaged foundations create an environment ripe for further deterioration. Moisture trapped within the foundation can contribute to the growth of mold and rot, further compromising its strength. The weakened foundation can affect the alignment of walls, floors, and even the roof, leading to a range of structural issues that require immediate attention.

At SERVPRO of Hyde Park, we recognize the gravity of weakening foundations caused by water damage. Our skilled team conducts thorough inspections to assess the structural integrity of your home. We employ proven techniques to address foundation issues, such as drainage solutions, waterproofing strategies, and reinforcement methods. By addressing the hidden damage beneath the surface, we ensure that your home stands on a solid foundation, ready to weather future storms with resilience.

Weakened foundations: Unveiling the hidden structural damages beneath the surface.

5/20/2024 (Permalink)

Image of a roof showing where water damage can start and eventually lead to mold damage.

While storms bring immediate visible damage to Austin area homes, one of the most concerning aspects is the hidden structural damage that can occur beneath the surface. Stormwater infiltration can weaken the foundation upon which your home stands, posing a significant risk to its stability and long-term integrity.

When excess water saturates the ground surrounding your home, it can seep into the foundation, causing soil erosion and compromising its structural support. Over time, this can lead to foundation settling, shifting, or even cracking, endangering the overall stability of the entire structure.

Furthermore, water-damaged foundations create an environment ripe for further deterioration. Moisture trapped within the foundation can contribute to the growth of mold and rot, further compromising its strength. The weakened foundation can affect the alignment of walls, floors, and even the roof, leading to a range of structural issues that require immediate attention.

At SERVPRO of Hyde Park, we recognize the gravity of weakening foundations caused by water damage. Our skilled team conducts thorough inspections to assess the structural integrity of your home. We employ proven techniques to address foundation issues, such as drainage solutions, waterproofing strategies, and reinforcement methods. By addressing the hidden damage beneath the surface, we ensure that your home stands on a solid foundation, ready to weather future storms with resilience.

Weakening foundations: Unveiling the hidden structural damages beneath the surface.

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO ad showing how damaged shingles can cause leaks and lead to future mold damage.

While storms bring immediate visible damage to Austin area homes, one of the most concerning aspects is the hidden structural damage that can occur beneath the surface. Stormwater infiltration can weaken the foundation upon which your home stands, posing a significant risk to its stability and long-term integrity.

When excess water saturates the ground surrounding your home, it can seep into the foundation, causing soil erosion and compromising its structural support. Over time, this can lead to foundation settling, shifting, or even cracking, endangering the overall stability of the entire structure.

Furthermore, water-damaged foundations create an environment ripe for further deterioration. Moisture trapped within the foundation can contribute to the growth of mold and rot, further compromising its strength. The weakened foundation can affect the alignment of walls, floors, and even the roof, leading to a range of structural issues that require immediate attention.

At SERVPRO of Northwest Austin and North Bee Cave, we recognize the gravity of weakening foundations caused by water damage. Our skilled team conducts thorough inspections to assess the structural integrity of your home. We employ proven techniques to address foundation issues, such as drainage solutions, waterproofing strategies, and reinforcement methods. By addressing the hidden damage beneath the surface, we ensure that your home stands on a solid foundation, ready to weather future storms with resilience.

Inundation and its aftermath: The immediate impact that leaves no corner untouched.

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

Back of SERVPRO van heading to a job with the text Faster to any size disaster™ on the back doors.

When a storm unleashes its full fury, the result is a powerful inundation that spares no corner of your Austin home. The rapid influx of water infiltrates every nook and cranny, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Water enters every crevice from the ground floor to the upper levels, leaving no area untouched.

As the water invades your living spaces, furniture, carpets, and belongings are soaked, bearing witness to the storm's force. Floors become slippery, making movement treacherous. Electrical systems are compromised, raising safety concerns. The immediate aftermath can leave you overwhelmed and confused.

Visible damage is only part of the story. Water seeps into hidden recesses and beneath floorboards, causing additional harm. Structural elements may weaken over time. Immediate action is crucial to prevent further deterioration and minimize long-term consequences. SERVPRO of Northwest Austin and North Bee Cave recognizes the urgency of addressing the immediate impact of inundation. Our experienced team arrives swiftly, equipped with the tools and expertise to extract standing water and begin drying.

Call the experts at SERVPRO today and let us handle all of your water and storm remediation needs for your home or office.

Reducing Your Risk of a Mold Problem | SERVPRO® of Lakeway/Westlake

5/19/2023 (Permalink)

Have you noticed mold in your home or business? Call SERVPRO of Lakeway/Westlake's team of experts to handle the situation.

Discovering mold at your home or business can be an overwhelming experience. Taking action quickly can help prevent your mold infestation from spreading throughout your home and from degrading your walls, beams and floors.

However, mold can be tricky at times because it doesn’t always appear in the most obvious locations. It could spread quickly and quietly behind walls, under floors or in your ceilings.

By the time you do discover it, it could have become a major infestation. By understanding what mold looks and smells like and by knowing what signs to look for, you can catch a problem before it becomes a bigger issue.

Mold 101

Mold can grow virtually anywhere as long as the conditions are right. Mold loves damp, moist environments and can spread quickly through these types of areas. Once it starts to spread, it can become a full infestation in a matter of days and spores can even spread throughout your entire home.

It can also be any color of the rainbow! Different mold spores vary in color, but they all tend to smell about the same.

If you notice a musty or earthy smell in your home and can’t pinpoint the reason, it might be time to do a little investigating. A single water leak or lingering moisture around your home could be providing the perfect environment for your mold problem to thrive.

How to Reduce Your Risk of a Mold Infestation

Since mold loves moisture, the key to preventing a mold problem is to take care of your home by keeping it dry. Try to keep indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50%, and ventilate your entire home.

This is especially important in the summer when hot, humid days are the norm around central Texas. You should have fans running or a window open in high-humidity spaces like your bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen. If moisture isn’t lingering, mold has a much harder time growing.

You should also promptly fix any sort of home damage that is causing a water leak in your home. Your roof is a common place for water to be leaking into your home as well as around windows and doors.

If you suffer any sort of water damage or flooding situation, be sure that the water is completely dried out. Even just one lingering wet spot on your carpet is enough for mold to grow.

Our Mold Mitigation Strategy

When you discover the mold problem in your Westlake home, don’t touch it! Call us to come out and assess the extent of your infestation.

Once we have a plan, we will use advanced equipment to identify the source of the water that caused the mold growth. We fix the leak or dry up the water and then we can get to work cleaning up and mitigating the mold.

If the mold has been growing for some time, you might be dealing with structural damages alongside the mold problem. We can handle those repairs, too! Finally, we clean and sanitize the area to help ensure that it won’t grow back.

Got mold? Let our SERVPRO of Lakeway/Westlake team handle it for you.

How To Prevent Biohazards

12/8/2022 (Permalink)

Wash hands with soap and water before handling any samples or materials.

Biohazards are among the deadliest threats to property and people. They need to be handled in a very particular way. In this blog, we will talk about what a biohazard event is an dhow to handle it.

What is a Biohazard?

Biohazards can be found in many places, including homes and businesses, so it's important to know how to prevent biohazards in your home or business. A biohazard is anything that could cause illness or injury if exposed to the human body. This includes bloodborne pathogens like HIV or Hepatitis B as well as harmful bacteria like E.coli and staphylococcus epidermidis (SSE). It also includes animal-borne diseases such as rabies or lyme disease that can spread from pets when they bite someone without being vaccinated against it first!

Mold is a fungus that grows on organic matter such as wood, paper and other surfaces. Molds can also grow in your home or workplace, causing serious health problems. Molds produce spores that contain toxins or irritants which are harmful to humans when inhaled or ingested orally by living organisms. Molds are able to grow in places with too much moisture because they require water to survive. Mold is a common secondary issue with a biohazard event. 

Mindful Hygiene

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of biohazard safety, it's important to understand that the first line of biosecurity is mindful hygiene.

• Wash hands with soap and water before handling any samples or materials. (Did you know that it takes only 20 seconds for germs to spread?)
• Wear gloves when working with samples or materials, especially if they're wet or damp. (Wear clean gloves every time.)
• Wear a respirator in areas where there are particles in the air; this includes work areas and storage facilities where biohazards are present.

PPE is Critical

Please note, PPE is a critical part of preventing cross-contamination. Properly worn PPE must be replaced regularly and at all times during work with biohazards. If you are not wearing the correct PPE (or if it's not in good condition), you could be exposed to the hazard. This can result in injury or illness to yourself and others, as well as spreading contamination through your facility.

In order to protect your property, never underestimate the risk of biohazard contamination. It can happen in any building and its effects can be devastating. A biohazard laboratory is no exception; regardless of how careful you are when working with infectious materials, a spill or accident could occur at any time.

We hope this article has helped you understand the importance of handling biohazards safely. It’s not something that should be taken lightly, as contamination can lead to serious problems for both humans and animals alike. If you have a biohazard issue in your home or business, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals at SERVPRO of Lakeway/Westlake. We can get your Austin, TX property back to normal quickly! 

What's Going On When the Toilet Leaks When Flushed?

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

If you have a leaking toilet, it is important to fix it as soon as possible.

What Causes Leaking Toilets and How To Fix Them

If the toilet is the centerpiece of your bathroom and you've lived in it for a while, you know that everything else works around it. That's why when your toilet leaks when flushed, it's time to start asking questions. The good news is that there's no need to panic, most of these issues can be fixed with a little DIY know-how. Read on for answers to common questions about leaking toilets, including what causes them and how to fix them!

Tank flange issues

There are a few things to check when dealing with a leaking toilet, but it's important to first understand what causes this problem. The tank flange is the part that connects your toilet tank to the floor and secures it in place. If this connection fails, water can leak from inside of your toilet onto the floor below—and trust us, no one wants that! It may be time for a new flange if any portion of it appears broken or cracked. It's also possible that something as simple as over-tightening has caused damage; if this is true for you then all you must do is loosen those screws again and go back to normal operation before things get messy!

As always when talking about home repair issues like this one: don't forget safety precautions like turning off power sources before working on plumbing systems so that nothing gets shocked accidentally during installation or repair attempts!

Dry wax ring or improper installation

If you have a wax ring, it may be cracked or too dry. This can cause the toilet to leak when flushed.

To replace the wax ring, you'll need to remove the seat/lid/tank by lifting it up and pulling outwards on both sides. Then you'll need to unscrew the bolts holding down your old wax ring with a crescent wrench or pliers. If you don't have one of these tools handy, ask someone who does! Once removed, take apart your new wax ring kit (it will come in two pieces) and insert this into your toilet bowl.

How often should you replace your toilet and its parts? 

When it comes to replacing your toilet and its parts, there are a few things you can do to make sure that you get the most out of them.

Toilets should be replaced every 10-15 years, but if you keep your tank clean and free of hair and other debris (like bathroom cleaning products), you may be able to squeeze another year or two out of yours. Use vinegar or baking soda instead of a harsh chemical cleaner when scrubbing down your tank, as these won't damage it like bleach might. And remember to keep an eye on the bolts holding your toilet together; if they're rusted or have loosened over time, replace them before disaster strikes!

Don't ignore a leaking toilet!

Leaking toilets can waste a ton water, which costs money. You’ll be paying for wasted water in your monthly utility bills, as well as on the cost of repairing or replacing parts of your home damaged by water damage from a leaky toilet.

Leaky toilets can also cause problems with septic systems and sewer lines. Sewer lines need regular maintenance and cleaning, but if the line becomes clogged because there's too much traffic through it (i.e., because of too many people flushing their toilets at once), this can lead to backups or even sewage leaks into basements and crawl spaces below houses where they might not necessarily be noticed right away.

If you have a leaking toilet, it is important to fix it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur and the more expensive it will be. Even if you can't fix the problem yourself, a licensed plumber should be able to help.

Be Proactive About Mold Prevention

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Keep humidity levels consistent throughout the property by installing dehumidifiers on the premises.

Mold Prevention

When business owners think about water damage, they likely consider flooding or broken pipes. However, the mold is probably the furthest thing from their minds. Fungal development is a serious side effect of leaks and flooding, and it is something that can spread well beyond the initial contamination site. Unfortunately, its growth does not only occur after significant catastrophes. In fact, your property may have a mold problem right now and you don’t even realize it. Therefore, to reduce your financial risk, it may be beneficial to become proactive about mold prevention sooner instead of later.

1. Repair Seals and Known Leaks

Mold growth most often occurs around sources of moisture. To prevent its development, you should inspect your property, particularly around windows, doors and rooflines where seals may have worn away or sheathing may have been damaged. If you find any weak points or cracks, replace these areas. Additionally, if you know of any small leaks in your plumbing, repair them.

2. Control Moisture Levels

While water damage is an obvious source of mold development, you should not limit yourself to only inspecting areas prone to leaks. Check areas where humidity is higher than average, such as basements and attics. Keep humidity levels consistent throughout the property by installing dehumidifiers on the premises.

3. Improve Ventilation

Beyond controlling humidity and moisture levels with dehumidifiers, you can also use proper ventilation methods by installing HVAC systems and fans. Air returns that are built into HVAC units help to keep air moving, while fans help to reduce the level of humid air in kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms and attics.

4. Install Mold-Resistant Products

Contact a water damage remediation specialist in the Hudson Bend, TX , area to see about putting in mold-resistant products. Drywall and even fabrics exist that repel mold growth.

While water damage is a significant source of fungal development, it is not the only source. Control the level of moisture in your building by ensuring seals are tight and humidity is regulated through the use of humidifiers and ventilation systems. Be proactive.

Why You Shouldn’t Clean Puffback Soot Yourself?

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning puffback soot requires special tools and methods

Should You Clean Puffback Soot Yourself?

Puffback is a term used to describe the soot that gets left behind after a fire. There are several types of puffback damage, but it is important to know what type of damage you have before attempting to clean it up yourself. The reason why you shouldn’t clean up puffback soot yourself is because it can be dangerous and difficult to do correctly. Instead, hire professionals, such as SERVPRO of Lakeway/Westlake, who will ensure that they are properly cleaning your Lakeway home so there are no potential risks involved with trying to do this on your own.

What is Puffback Damage?

Puffback is type of fire that happens when there is excessive heat and pressure in the furnace. It's most often caused by a furnace malfunction, but it can also be caused by other problems with your home's heating system. Puffback damage isn't limited to just one type of flue pipe—it can happen with all types, including those made of plastic, steel, or aluminum.

If you have puffback damage to your flue pipe, it should be replaced immediately so that it doesn't lead to any further problems with your heating system down the road!

What Steps To Take After a Puffback Damage?

A puffback damage can be a very traumatic event for you and your family. It’s important to know that it is not safe to clean puffback soot yourself. If you do, you may cause further damage to your home and property—and potentially make things worse if there are any chemicals in the soot.

We recommend calling in a professional when it comes to cleaning up after a puffback disaster. Our trained technicians have years of experience dealing with this kind of situation, so they know exactly what steps need to be taken to restore the affected area back to normal as quickly as possible. We can also help with insurance claims on behalf of our clients, if necessary, which can help save time and money when trying to get back into normal living conditions after a fire in your home or business premises.

Why Shouldn’t You Clean Puffback Soot Yourself?

Well, there are many reasons why you should leave it to the professionals. Firstly, puffback soot contains chemicals that can be harmful for your health if not handled properly. If you don't know how to handle these substances and if you don’t have the appropriate safety equipment, then the risk of getting injured is high. 

Secondly, cleaning puffback soot requires special tools and methods which only experienced professionals know how to use. In addition to that, a professional will be able to clean up all the remaining messes caused by a fire more effectively than someone without the experience and equipment could.

 Finally: hiring a professional fire cleanup company saves you both time and money. Generally, you don’t want to clean up after a puffback yourself. It is best to leave it for the experts.

We hope that by reading this article, you have gained a better understanding of what puffback damage is and how to prevent it in the future. Cleaning up after a puffback is not easy, it should be done with the right knowledge and equipment. If you have any questions about cleaning up after your own puffback, contact us today! We’re happy to answer all your questions about the process and can help clean up your property so that it looks like new again.