What Are the Stages of Water Damage Restoration for Raleigh Homes

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the training and equipment for water damage restoration at Raleigh properties.

Water damage restoration in Raleigh properties is complex, but individual steps fit into designed stages.

Between plumbing leaks and breaks or flood damages, the need for water damage restoration is a constant for Raleigh area homes and businesses. Structures in the Triangle can be quickly and thoroughly impacted by even minor water damage incidents, illustrating the need for experienced WRT-Certified professionals to reach the property fast to help. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest does more than say We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Site Preparation and Pre-Job Action

Understanding the home's needs and the current damage is necessary before our damage restoration and water mitigation actions can begin in Raleigh. Production management of our SERVPRO team is a competent inspection officer cataloging damage and documenting the spread and severity of water damage events. This phase consists of:

• Damage Assessment – Documenting the impact of damage to the house and tracking moisture movement after a disaster helps guide our SERVPRO team to the most efficient water mitigation solutions that protect the property.
• Staging – Time and money are saved when we can reach needed equipment and products more easily and consistently. We can prevent cross-contamination through undamaged areas by establishing a transition room next to the damaged areas.
• Customer Consultation – Our priorities are not always the same as the homeowners, making a consultation a valuable aspect of the water damage restoration plan. We can use gathered information to prioritize what matters most to you.

Mitigation and Damage Prevention

Water mitigation describes the combination of actions SERVPRO professionals take to reduce loss and prevent post-disaster conditions from worsening. These needed efforts change based on the catalyst of the damage and how subsequent effects impede comfortable living. Some mitigative actions include:

• Water Removal Services – Removing surface water involves several industry-leading extraction devices available to SERVPRO restorers, including high-pressure pumps, trash pumps, electric submersible pumps, wet vacuums, and engine-driven extractors.
• Bulk Material Removal – Building materials can be quickly and overwhelmingly impacted by spraying or flowing water from plumbing damage. Structural collapse or degradation is often easy to spot and requires removal to restore the rest of the property.
• Content Relocation – SERVPRO professionals scope the property for unaffected areas that will remain clean and dry through the restoration process. These rooms and spaces become temporary storage to protect personal belongings in water restoration zones.

Drying and Moisture Management

Drying focuses on the most readily available resource in our recovery inventory, air movers. These units have a high-velocity output of warm, dry air that can help promote fast and thorough evaporative drying needs. As centrifugal and axial movers produce a higher humidity and moisture content level as surfaces dry, we must also pair this effect with desiccant and low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers. The progress of evaporative drying tools is continually monitored for production values, and units are increased or moved to suit changing conditions and needs.

Restoring the Original Appearance

Pre-loss condition means achieving the appearance and functions of your property before the damage occurs. Beyond the water damage restoration required to remove threats, your home might still require reconstruction and repairs to achieve this pre-disaster state.

Because water damages remain a continual threat to Wake County properties, our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team stays ready to help 24/7 with pre-stocked Green Fleet vehicles. Give us a call today at (919) 790-1222.

What Makes Mold Damage Threatening for Raleigh Homes

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO for mold remediation in Raleigh to make it "Like it never even happened."

Understanding the Impact of Mold Damage Shows How SERVPRO Helps Raleigh Properties.

Mold is a common threat to homes around the Triangle, especially during the warmer months, where rainfall and severe weather become a concern for the area. Under the appropriate conditions, microbial colonies can develop in as little as 48 to 72 hours, using organic matter and building materials as hosting materials and food sources for the growing organism. There are many catalysts responsible for moist environments in the house that lead to mold remediation needs, including:

• Flooding
• Water damage
• Elevated humidity
• Damp confined spaces

Types of Residential Mold

Homeowners may have an easier time choosing professional mold remediation and effective cleanup when they understand what they are dealing with on their property. There are hundreds or more types of internal mold threats a home might experience. Aspergillus, for example, is a type of mold often found in an air conditioning system. Cladosporium is the mold typically found in moist, dark spaces or on drywall behind toilets. Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, is another possible development for Raleigh residences that requires swift mold removal.

Is Mold Dangerous?

Certain molds can produce byproducts that infiltrate the environment, but not all of them. A driving force for professional mold remediation should be the impact of these active organisms on installed building materials, contents, and other surfaces. 

How Can SERVPRO Remediate Active Colonies?

Choosing the appropriate mold remediation strategy is contingent on the type of organism in the house, the affected areas, and the severity of the infestation. A thorough mold inspection allows our mold remediation team to create a custom recovery plan for the property. We begin with efforts like surface cleaning, but often more aggressive and abrasive cleaning tactics will be needed.

Are There Lingering Concerns After Mold Removal?

Often there are some lingering effects and concerns with treatment. While much of the mold remediation process can be handled rapidly through direct action by our SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians, there are other needs your home might have that can draw out the recovery process until they are resolved. Some include:

• Mold Malodors – Volatile organic compounds generate harsh malodors throughout the property, where mold becomes a concern. We have effective deodorization equipment available to neutralize these smells and promote a comfortable living condition for the residents.
• Mold Damage Repairs – There are times when your home may require some degree of damage repair after the treatment and removal of active colonies. Our team can help you quickly identify these areas to overcome this final step.
• Post-Damage Surface Treatment – We can treat nearby surfaces otherwise unaffected by spreading mold using mold inhibitors and antimicrobial products. The objective is to make these surfaces uninhabitable if moisture becomes a concern again in the immediate future.

Understanding how microbes impact a home or business can help property management seek out experienced mold remediation help when these problems arise. Allowing mold to go unchallenged lets the colonies spread, worsening the situation. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team can help 24/7 when you call (919) 790-1222.

The Tools Needed for Raleigh House Fire Damage Mitigation

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

Call on SERVPRO for expertly trained technicians and thorough fire damage restoration.

From fire mitigation to soot removal, specific tools are essential to restoring Raleigh homes after a disaster.

Even with our expertise and extensive training to make us among the most knowledgeable fire restoration professionals in Wake County, we could not perform the needed fire and smoke damage cleaning without the appropriate tools and equipment from our inventory. With so many facets of smoke remediation and fire restoration, the list of needed tools is extensive.

Hand Tools and Small Powered Units

Smaller tools can directly impact emergency services and fire mitigation practices early in a Raleigh home. Situations like debris removal can have far-reaching impacts on the total fire damage restoration process. Non-powered hand tools can aid us in scooping and removing debris, soot, and ash. Other hand tools might help with other aspects of cleanup or controlled demolition, such as:

• Drywall saws
• Oscillating tools
• Shovels
• Wet/dry vacuums

Indoor Air Quality Tools

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the main concerns of a fire damage restoration team working in a residence. Our SERVPRO professionals must be mindful of airborne contaminants and carcinogenic particles created during the partial combustion of several materials in the house. IAQ concerns create a volatile environment that slows the progress of other aspects of fire restoration. Hydroxyl generators are a common choice to resolve these threats, as the onboard HEPA filter traps particulates, and the unit also reduces the severity and presence of smoke malodors. 

Soot Cleaning Equipment

One of the most challenging aspects of contending with soot and smoke soils during fire damage restoration is the varying compositions of the residue in question. Wet smoke damage, for example, create a thick and formidable soil deposit that dry solvents cannot clean. Several tools and products are needed to overcome soot deposits on surfaces to prevent the marring of the underlying substrate. These can include:

• Media/Dry Ice Blasting Equipment – Abrasive cleaning is sometimes needed when soot soils are formidable or penetrate porous materials. Blasting equipment puts media with high-pressure water or air to dislodge and remove set-in soot damage.
• Vacuums – Dry vacuums are a powerful tool to help pull loose soils and debris from a surface, leaving only the affixed soot damage on the surface for management with wet cleaning strategies.
• Dry Chemical Sponge – When thinner and more manageable soot residues exist, we can use rubber sponges that pull soot away from the surface. As the sponge becomes incapable of handling more soot soils, the rubber crumbles off for continued cleaning with a new surface.

Malodor Removal

Harsh and offensive odors are common traits in post-fire environments. The combustion of plastics and fuels can create overwhelming smells to accompany smoke and soot particles. These smells are among the final restoration aspects to address. They are partially removed by the time for deodorization with counteractant products and surface cleaning to remove soot and smoke residues in affected areas. When complete odor neutralization is needed, our tools to help in this endeavor include:

• ULV foggers
• Air filtration tools
• Hydroxyl machines
• Ozone

Having the right products and equipment makes a considerable difference in the efficiency and efficacy of fire damage restoration. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team works to mitigate loss quickly using modern equipment and approaches that provide the shortest path to preloss conditions. When you call our team we can make it "Like it never even happened." (919) 790-1222.

Mold Damage Cleanup After a Water Leak in a Raleigh Home

2/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO arrives with certified IICRC technicians to remediate the mold damage to your Raleigh property.

SERVPRO Can Help with Mold Damage Restoration in Raleigh Homes

Mold requires three fundamental conditions in our Raleigh homes to begin growing and damage contents and structure. These conditions are:

• Food Source – mold needs an organic food source that is plentiful in our homes: E.g., wood, paper, drywall, and indoor dirt, including food particles.
• Temperature – mold typically grows in temperatures from 68 to 86 degrees F, also typical of homes.
• Moisture – high humidity above 65%, water leaks, AC condensation, bathrooms showers

SERVPRO helps homeowners with mold damage restoration in their Raleigh homes, cleanup and removal, and help with managing the source of the moisture in the home. Our technicians identify the source of moisture and encourage the homeowner to make repairs and control the water/moisture source to avoid future mold infestations.

Mold damage restoration depends on the size, location, and time elapsed since the infestation began. SERVPRO has encountered many mold infestations, and the combination of training (IICRC)  and experience ensures that our technicians provide the best service in the industry. The steps followed in dealing with mold damage restoration include:

• Fast response to your call, immediate assessment of the cause, the location, and the required removal plan
• The size of the mold infestation may require notification to local and state governments.
• Isolation of the infested area, negative pressure rooms, HVAC systems blocked off to prevent mold spores from traveling to other portions of the home, etc.
• Bag in place for all contents and structures that must be removed
• Provide cleaning, disinfection, and controlled demolition as needed.
• Restoration of your home “Like it Never Even Happened.”

SERVPRO works closely with the homeowner and their insurance adjuster to explain and inform them about all activities involved in removing mold from your home.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for mold damage repair services. We provide service to Raleigh and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (919) 790-1222.

Water Removal Is the 1st Step in Drying Out Your Raleigh Business

1/16/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO manages all types of devices for water removal from Raleigh commercial properties--like this injecti-dry system. We prevented demolition.

With Our Equipment, Water Removal Is Fast & Easy

SERVPRO works with area business owners after disasters happen. These situations can start with leaks, backed-up drains, or a broken sprinkler system. The complete restoration of a business requires water removal first.

To protect your Raleigh business, water removal professionals must start the process as soon as possible. Otherwise, the damage caused by water spreading continues to worsen. We use the most efficient and powerful equipment possible to do our tasks.

Because we continue the water extraction process until we get the interior of your business dry again, our pump trucks’ large hoses are not the only things we use. Our customers also see different portable water extraction units, such as:

• Hand-held devices, portable wet vacs
• Weighted devices, riding (Rovers) machines
• A floor-mat system.

One type of device is so small it can fit into places that can hold large amounts of water that was forced into small spaces. Once in, this bonded water is no longer under the pressure that forced it into whichever area it now occupies. The small tubes on these injecti-dry system does the job.

Using weighted devices to pull clean water out of your carpeting and the underlying padding can reduce restoration costs by saving the carpet and reducing what needs replacing. These work by forcing the water out and into the device. We might use a small-sized device called the Claw or riding units for larger areas and hallways.

Wood floors are beautiful, but they also require a substantial investment. To rescue these from destruction, we use our Injecti-Dry system. It removes moisture from underneath the floorboards and can also force warm, dry air into enclosed spaces, including the interior cavities of walls or underneath cabinets and stairwells.

We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 for the professional water removal services you need.

Advantages of Fast Water Removal from Raleigh Properties

12/18/2022 (Permalink)

Removing standing water and moisture are cornerstones of SERVPRO's water damage restoration for Raleigh properties. "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO for Quick Water Mitigation in Raleigh

Any water that escapes inside your home threatens almost everything, from the metallic furniture legs and wood furniture to the fabrics in carpets, draperies, and upholstery. The effects of moisture are cumulative, so the longer the materials remain exposed, the more significant the damage. Water removal is the answer to limit problems, especially if done in good time.

The speed of water removal from your Raleigh home depends on many factors, so each incident is unique. You can achieve a faster turnaround if a professional team assists you. SERVPRO responds quickly, sending help within the first four hours of notification, thus providing the necessary resources to facilitate faster removal.

Factors Influencing the Removal Speed

• Amount of water involved
• Level of absorption by materials
• Level of concealment

Some sources, such as burst supply pipes, release significant amounts of water within a short time, while others, like faulty HVAC systems, release small quantities which may remain hidden over a long time allowing accumulation in hidden areas. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on physical observation and specialized measuring tools such as moisture meters to estimate the wetness levels. Penetrative meters are particularly helpful in establishing how deeply the moisture is embedded in semi-porous materials like wood, thus establishing whether there is a need for specialized extraction.

Specialized Extraction

Physical barriers preventing direct access to the intruding water can impair your goal of completing the removal promptly. The barrier can be a resilient floor material such as tiles and wooden floorboards or a panel separating different spaces in a property. Removing the obstacle may be a straightforward way to eliminate the moisture, but it's a destructive option. SERVPRO prefers other solutions, such as using specialized equipment to remove concealed water fast.

Specialized Moisture Management Equipment

• Drying mats
• Self-propelled extractors
• Structural cavity drying equipment

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is a reliable partner when you need fast water removal. Call us at (919) 790-1222. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Fire Restoration at Raleigh Homes- How to Repair Smoke Damage

11/20/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire causes damage to your living area, charring can often be the result. Contact SERVPRO as our technicians are standing by 24/7.

Rebuilding Your Raleigh Home after Fire Damage with SERVPRO

A fire is one of the most destructive elements of nature and can turn a habitable Raleigh home into a heap of dust within a short time. Even though there are proactive methods to control the destruction of the house, you cannot snub the damage that may have already occurred. Not only do the flames from a fire cause charring on things like cabinets, but you would be looking at the smoke, which causes widespread damage. The smoke penetrates carpets, clothing, furniture, upholstery, and other porous materials.

The ultimate goal of fire restoration in damaged Raleigh homes is to reinstate the property and contents to pre-incident condition, leaving a clean and safe environment. If cleaning is not done properly, the smoke odor lingers, and further ruin can occur to your contents and structure. SERVPRO professionals start by evaluating the situation, including the extent of the damage, to know what they are dealing with. Depending on the situation, our crews can use onsite and offsite techniques to restore your home.

Onsite restoration may include the removal of odor particles using the following:

• Air scrubbers
• Thermal fogging
• Ozone treatments

Cleaning smoke damage

Only some restoration projects require a pack out. Some contents can be manipulated and cleaned within their respective spaces. SERVPRO crews might even clean items onsite and then move them to a designated area that has not been affected to be stored. However, when cleanup requires multiple treatments, contents could be packed and taken to the Franchise warehouse for cleaning.

Types of surfaces requiring detailed cleaning include:

• Wood surfaces
• Porcelain fixtures
• Metal surfaces
• Plastics and synthetic surfaces

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest knows rebuilding a fire-damaged home can be stressful, but you don’t have to face fire restoration alone. Call us at (919) 790-1222. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

You Need Proper Flood Damage Mitigation Allowing Your Family to Move Back into Your Raleigh Home Safely

9/18/2022 (Permalink)

After flooding occurs in your home, you want everything dealt with properly. Contact SERVPRO for certified professionals to help you.

SERVPRO Provides the Services to Mitigate Flood Damages

Before and during a flood, your family's reaction can often reveal how much stress and shock they feel. At times, it might seem as if the flooding event equals the end of Raleigh as they know it and that nothing can ever bring things back to normal again. SERVPRO wants to assure you that we can help your family by remediating most things affected by the flood and help you manage your belongings so that your family recovers as quickly as possible.

Our services include taking an inventory of your belongings that we box up while in your Raleigh home to protect them from possible flood damage. Items that you disclose to SERVPRO workers that require special handling or that your family needs during the mitigation process receive priority treatment so you can relax and take care of other issues affecting your family.

After your home's mitigation process comes to a conclusion and the time for your family to return home comes closer, we begin returning your belongings so your family can easily find them. After we begin cleaning boxed items in our warehouse, we rebox them according to matching labels, keeping things orderly for your convenience. When we return your family's belongings to your home, we place each box or larger item back in the place designated at the time we packed it for cleaning, drying, and other restorative work. This inventory control helps reduce confusion and keeps things neat and tidy for unpacking items. We catalog non-salvageable items in a CCIS, Contents Claim Inventory Service, providing assistance with your insurance carrier and protecting our customer's interests.

Flooding can cause problems with plumbing, gas lines, and electrical systems. Before your family's arrival, experienced and IICRC-certified technicians and other specialists that SERVPRO partners with thoroughly checked to ensure these all met safety code and other standards of safety. Air vents and ducts in positions below the water line also required cleaning and disinfecting. All materials in your home are now in a preloss state, "Like it never even happened," and safe once again for all members of your family.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can assist you and your family from start to finish when flood damage threatens your home. Call our emergency services hotline at (919) 790-1222 so we can help you through the entire process of damage repair and mitigation.

Are Chemical Agents Effective Against Mold?

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless whether there is a lot of mold or just traces, team SERVPRO is ready to investigate the extent and remediate. Call us right away.

SERVPRO Technicians Use Specific Chemical Agents During Mold Remediation in Your Raleigh Home

Molds are living organisms that can grow and become out of control in a home environment. While the guiding principle of mold remediation is to correct a moisture problem, chemical action may also be necessary to reduce mold growth or eliminate it.

Some chemical products can damage materials, so they should be pre-tested before used in mold remediation for Raleigh properties. Some common chemical agents for use against molds are Chlorines such as bleach are not effective, but Phenolics are adequate sporicides. However, specific steps and understanding of how these chemicals are used are essential before applying since some chemical agents may give off toxic fumes.

• Sterilizers destroy all living organisms on a surface, making them effective at cleaning resilient non-porous items like ceramics.
• Bio-Stats are products that slow microbial growth and are especially useful for surfaces left overnight during remediation.
• Biocides are similar to Stats. However, these agents are targeted to affect specific microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Chemical action can help reduce or remove mold colonies. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for mold remediation at (919) 790-1222.

We Are The Right Choice For Fire Damage Restoration In Raleigh

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage including soot and charring can certainly surprise you. Call SERVPRO to assess and remediate the situation even any lingering odors.

Attention to Detail Is Why SERVPRO Effectively Cleans Raleigh Fire-Damaged Hardwood

When a fire moves through your Raleigh home, the harm done to walls and ceiling feels overwhelming, but drywall and ceiling tile replacement is relatively straightforward if restoration is impractical. The heartbreaking sight of sooty hardwood floors, cabinetry, and furnishings is another matter. Our technicians learn a broad range of strategies to clean hardwood during restoration-focused training courses, why we can bring most furniture, floors, and built-ins back to preloss condition.

Finish Matters

The first question we pursue when hardwood sustains fire damage in Raleigh is what type of finishes are involved. Depending on the age and construction of the furnishings, different finishes are present. Cleaning methods vary based on the finish. Our training and experience prepare our crews for likely restoration outcomes, why we start by determining whether the finish is:

• Varnish
• Shellac
• Lacquer
• Paint
• Waxes 
• Oils
• Unfinished

Level of Damage Matters

We strive to be transparent in communications with you and your insurer, why SERVPRO is candid about the impact of significant fire damage on restoration potential. Cleaning works best if the integrity of the finish and wood's surface shows a limited extent of harm. Refinishing, repair, and replacement might enter the picture if we note the following damage:

Blistering -- this effect occurs when the surfaces affected were close to the heat, warping and cracking the finish and allowing soot to penetrate under the finish.

Staining -- this effect occurs if after blistering or other fire-related harm wet or protein-based soot infiltrates the wood.

Preferred Hardwood Cleaning Methods

Dry Cleaning -- used for unsealed or unfinished wood or where the residues are dry and ashy.

Details: Examples include feather or cloth dusting, dry sponges, and vacuuming.

Wet Cleaning -- Appropriate for moderate levels of wet or sticky soot using low alkali cleaners or mild detergents. 

Details: We move cloth or sponge in the direction of the wood grain, and apply oil-based furniture polish to replenish the wood's natural oils.

Semi-Refinishing -- Thick or adhesive residues might need a solvent-based cleaner that lifts off the uppermost layer of finish.

Details: We apply proprietary paste cleaners for a short dwell time (fewer than five minutes), and then remove with a soft, dry cloth, always wiping in the direction of the grain.  

Commitment to best restoration practices and the most effective products are why SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can return the beauty of your hardwood furnishings. Call (919) 790-1222 day or night for our professional assessment.