How to Safely and Effectively Remove Mold from HVACs and Ducts: A Step-by-Step Guide

5/8/2023 (Permalink)

Removing potential mold in HVAC/air ducts can be complicated, call the professionals.

Mold growth in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and ducts can be a serious health hazard, as it can spread mold spores throughout your home or building. If you suspect that there is mold in your HVAC system or ducts, it's important to take action as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading. In this blog, we'll discuss how to remove mold from HVACs/ducts.

Turn off the HVAC system

The first step in removing mold from HVACs/ducts is to turn off the system to prevent the mold spores from spreading. This may involve turning off the power to the system and shutting off the air supply.

Assess the extent of the mold growth

The next step is to assess the extent of the mold growth in the HVAC system and ducts. This may involve inspecting the system and ducts visually or using specialized equipment to test the air quality and moisture levels. This may require a professional with expertise in the HVAC industry.

Contain the mold

Once the extent of the mold growth has been determined, the next step is to contain the mold to prevent it from spreading. This may involve sealing off the affected area with plastic sheeting and using negative air pressure to prevent mold spores from escaping. Call a professional immediately to prevent secondary damages.

Remove the mold

The next step is to physically remove the mold from the HVAC system and ducts. This may involve using specialized cleaning solutions and equipment to remove the mold from the ducts, coils, and other components of the system.

Clean and disinfect

After the mold has been removed, the HVAC system and ducts will need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent the mold from returning. This may involve using specialized cleaning solutions and techniques, such as HEPA vacuuming, to remove any remaining mold spores.

Repair and maintenance

Finally, any damage to the HVAC system and ducts will need to be repaired, and steps will need to be taken to prevent mold from returning. This may involve repairing leaks and improving ventilation and air flow in the system.

In conclusion, removing mold from HVACs/ducts can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it's important to address the issue to protect your health and prevent further damage. By working with a professional mold remediation service, you can ensure that the mold is properly removed from your HVAC system and ducts, and steps are taken to prevent it from returning.

Clean and Safe: A Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Dryer Lint from the Exhaust

4/12/2023 (Permalink)

Keeping the dryer vent cleaned is important to reduce the risk of fire.

A clothes dryer is an essential appliance in most households, but it can pose a fire hazard if not maintained properly. One of the main maintenance tasks for a dryer is removing lint from the exhaust. Lint buildup can obstruct the exhaust, causing the dryer to overheat and potentially start a fire. In this blog post, we will discuss how to remove dryer lint from the exhaust safely and effectively.

Unplug the dryer

Before starting any maintenance work on the dryer, make sure to unplug it from the electrical outlet. This will ensure that there is no risk of electric shock while working on the appliance.

Locate the exhaust vent

The exhaust vent is typically located on the back of the dryer or on the side. It is usually a thin, flexible metal tube that runs from the dryer to the outside of the house.

Disconnect the exhaust vent from the dryer

To remove lint from the exhaust, you will need to disconnect the vent from the dryer. Depending on the type of dryer you have, this may involve unscrewing clamps or simply pulling the vent off the back of the dryer.

Clean the exhaust vent

Once you have disconnected the exhaust vent from the dryer, take it outside and use a vacuum cleaner or a brush to remove any lint buildup. You can also use a dryer vent cleaning kit, which typically includes a brush and a flexible rod, to clean the vent thoroughly. Run the brush through the vent from both ends until you remove as much lint as possible.

Clean the dryer duct

While the exhaust vent is disconnected, you should also clean the dryer duct that runs from the back of the dryer to the exhaust vent. This can be done using the same methods as cleaning the exhaust vent. Make sure to remove as much lint as possible, as even a small amount of buildup can pose a fire hazard.

Reconnect the exhaust vent

After you have cleaned the exhaust vent and dryer duct, it is time to reconnect the vent to the dryer. Make sure to secure it properly to prevent any leaks or disconnections.

Plug in the dryer

Finally, plug the dryer back into the electrical outlet and test it to make sure it is running smoothly. Regular maintenance of your dryer's exhaust vent is essential to prevent fire hazards and ensure the efficient operation of the appliance.

In conclusion, removing lint from the dryer exhaust is a crucial maintenance task that should not be neglected. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can safely and effectively remove lint from your dryer's exhaust and reduce the risk of fire. Remember to perform this task regularly to keep your dryer running smoothly and safely for years to come.

How do you keep pipes from freezing?

3/8/2023 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO a call for your broken pipes.

There's nothing worse than taking a shower and then realizing that there's no hot water. Or worse, you may find yourself trying to take a shower in freezing cold conditions and discovering that the water from your faucet has turned into ice. While this isn't an everyday occurrence for most people, it does happen occasionally. In this article, we'll talk about how to keep your pipes from freezing so that your home stays warm during those cold winter months.

Insulate pipes and keep the heat turned up.

The best way to keep pipes from freezing is to insulate them and keep the heat turned up. Make sure you have enough insulation around your pipes, which means wrapping them in foam or fiberglass wool. You should also make sure that any air leaks are sealed up before winter hits so that heat doesn't escape through these cracks.

When it comes to keeping your home warm enough for your plumbing system, that means keeping an eye on things like drafts coming in from windows or doors; if you can feel cool air blowing against parts of your house, then it's time for some weatherstripping or caulking. If possible, try not leaving any gaps between window frames where cold air could get into the house. This will help prevent freezing temperatures from affecting those exposed pipes under the house.

Adequate insulation on the pipes in the crawl space.

If you have a crawlspace, make sure there's adequate insulation on the pipes in that space. If not, add some! Insulation should be at least 6 inches thick and cover all sides of the pipes.

exterior pipe insulation

If you have an exterior pipe, cover it with insulation. The best way to do this is with foam insulation. You'll want to make sure the foam isn't too thick or else it won't be able to keep the water flowing through your pipes warm enough. If this is an option for you, consider using a heat tape along with your new layer of protection so that no matter how cold outside gets (or how much snow piles up), there will be no need for concern about frozen pipes.

No Small Openings

To keep your pipes from freezing, you should make sure that there are no small openings for air to get in around your pipes, especially if you have underground pipes and pipes in unheated spaces like crawlspaces or attics.

You can insulate the entire length of any exposed pipe with insulation that's made for outdoor use. If possible, insulate the crawlspace under your house so that heat doesn't escape through those areas. This will help keep both hot water tanks and furnaces warm enough to avoid freezing temperatures inside them as well!

Don't Turn the Water On

If you have frozen pipes, don't turn on any water until SERVPRO has arrived. Turning on the faucet can cause a pipe to burst or crack and begin leaking immediately. If this happens, shut off the water and call us right away so that we can fix it before more damage occurs

Frozen pipes can be very dangerous to your home so take care to protect your home when it's cold out. If you have any questions about how to keep your pipes from freezing or if you have any other plumbing issues, contact SERVPRO today. We are here 24/7 and ready to help!

What Are the 3 Categories of Water Damage?

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Water categories

What Are the Three Types of Water Damage?

Water damage can be serious, especially if it is not dealt with quickly. It is important to know the difference between the three categories of water damage so that you can get the right help. Classifying the kind of water damage that has occurred is important because it helps you determine what you should do next. The more information you have, the better equipped you are to make an informed decision about what to do with your property.

Category 1 Water – “Clean Water”

Category 1 Water is water that has been used for drinking, washing or other household purposes. This type of water is not harmful to your health or the environment and does not require any cleanup. 

Category 1 water includes:

• Water from the kitchen sink faucet when you are washing dishes
• Water from your bathtub after showering
• Water from a toilet flushed without any waste matter in it

Category 2 Water – “Gray Water”

This type of water is mainly comprised of toilet waste, but it's not as dangerous as black water because it contains less harmful bacteria. However, gray water can still contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Category 3 Water – “Black Water”

Category 3 water is the worst kind of water damage. It’s usually caused by sewage or flood waters. If you see any signs of black water, get out of your house immediately and call us! We can help you identify what needs to be done to fix your home so that it will be safe again after dealing with this type of disaster.

Call SERVPRO of Mid-City San Diego

If you have a water damage emergency, call us as soon as possible. We are available 24/7, and we will be happy to send one of our highly trained technicians out to your home or business in San Diego, CA to provide a free estimate. With over 1,700 Franchises in the United States and Canada, we can be there quickly in times of need, no matter the time or day.

We offer complete services for any type of water damage—from leaks in the kitchen or bathroom to flooding from heavy rain and storms—and our technicians are ready with the right equipment to do the job.

Water damage can be devastating to your home or business. The first step to getting your property back to normal is to properly classify the type of water damage that has occurred. If you have just had water damage, it is important to know how to classify it so that you can get the right help. If you find yourself in this situation, call us at SERVPRO of Mid-City San Diego and we will help you out.

How Do I Install a New Toilet?

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Attach the water supply line to the toilet.

What Is the Best Way to Install a New Toilet?

Replacing a toilet at home in San Diego is fairly simple. Before you do this, however, make sure that you have all the parts on hand for installation—and double-check that you're using the correct parts! Once your new toilet is in place, you'll need to run some water through it to flush out any debris from manufacturing or shipping (which could affect how well everything flushes). Here is how you install a new toilet.

Install the new wax ring

Use a wax ring kit, which includes a wax ring and the necessary bolts to install it. Put the wax ring on the flange, making sure that it is centered and sitting flat against the bottom of your toilet bowl. You can use a small amount of plumber’s putty if needed to help keep it in place as you set your toilet bowl onto it later on in this process of installing a new toilet (this is also known as “setting”).

Slide your new toilet into place over top of your old one and gently lower it down until all four legs are resting firmly on top of their corresponding base bolts or screws—you should hear three distinct clicks when they hit home! 

Tighten the bolts

Once the bolts are in place, you can tighten them using a wrench or pliers. If you’re using a torque wrench (which is highly recommended), be sure to use it to tighten the bolts.

If there were any minor leaks around the base of your toilet before installation, this should have fixed those problems and stopped them from happening again.

You may notice that there are two types of bolts: one type has a flat edge while the other has an indented edge on one side and an indented groove on its opposite side. These different bolt types ensure that your toilet will drain properly into either hooked-up drains or into P-traps with vents attached to them respectively.

Connect the water supply line

Attach the water supply line to the toilet. Tighten the nut on the bottom of your water supply line, making sure it's not kinked or pinched. Then, look for any leaks that may indicate a problem with your toilet installation.

Test Your Work

After you've completed the installation and tested your work, it's time to verify that everything is working properly. Check for leaks first by placing a bowl under the toilet base. If there are any drips, tighten any loose nuts on the underside of the tank or connect some leak-stopping putty if needed.

Next, flush your toilet and make sure that it performs as expected every time. It should fill completely with water before draining completely as well as drain completely in less than four seconds. If these steps don't seem right to you or if there are any other issues with performance, call a plumber immediately!

Replacing a toilet at home is simple

For the most part, replacing a toilet is a very simple process. However, before you start loosening bolts and unscrewing nuts, it's important to make sure not to over tighten them. Over tightening can cause cracks in the porcelain and lead to leaks over time.

To avoid this problem, use either a wrench or pliers to tighten your bolts after everything else has been put together. Once the seat is installed and all other parts are in place, re-tighten all of them so they're snug but not too tight.

Replacing a toilet is not a difficult project and can be accomplished by anyone with a few simple tools. This guide is designed to help make the process as easy as possible by walking you through each step of the way. By following these instructions and being mindful of what you are doing, you will be able to install a new toilet in no time at all!

How do You Estimate a Fire Damage?

10/1/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage to a home in San Diego, CA.

What You Should Know Before and After a Fire Loss

Fire damage is a devastating event that can have major consequences to your home and life. Fortunately, it's also usually something you can recover from. The more you know about fire damage, the more prepared you'll be during this time of need. Here's what you need to know:

What is fire damage?

Fire damage is caused by heat. This can be caused by electrical fires, gas leaks, explosions (like when a stove or furnace explodes), or cooking accidents (like when you spill hot grease on your carpet). It can also be caused intentionally with arson or cigarettes/cigars.

What can be done to prevent or minimize fire damage?

Preventing or minimizing damage is the best way to reduce cost, but it's not always possible. If you do find yourself in a situation where fire damage is imminent and cannot be avoided, there are some things that can be done to protect your property:

• Use a fire extinguisher if you're able to reach one safely.
• Close doors and windows to keep smoke out of rooms where people are trapped or sleeping.
• Stay out of harm's way until emergency responders arrive on scene or until all occupants have made their way outside the building safely.
• Call 911 immediately when smoke starts pouring into your home from an unknown source (or even from within).  This will alert firefighters to get there as quickly as possible so they can begin working on containing and extinguishing the fire.

What will the fire inspector look for?

When a fire inspector arrives on-scene of your loss in San Diego, CA, he or she will ask what kind of fire it was. This is to determine whether the fire was accidental or intentional. After determining the type of fire, the inspector will begin an inspection to see if there is any damage that was caused by heat, smoke and/or water from firefighters' efforts to extinguish the blaze.

If there are no structural concerns after inspecting both interior and exterior areas of your property—meaning that everything looks safe enough for people be present on your property—then it's time for cleanup!

How long does it take to restore fire damage?

The time it takes to restore fire damage depends on the severity of the fire and whether there are any additional damages that need to be addressed. If your home was destroyed by a raging inferno, you may be looking at months before you can return home. However, if only some of your furniture and belongings have been damaged, then you could expect restoration work to be completed within a few days.

Fire damage is a serious matter. It can be dangerous for the property owner, as well as their neighbors and family members. In addition to being dangerous, it can also be very expensive. If you find yourself in need of repairs after a fire or other type of emergency, it’s important that you understand how this process works so that everything runs smoothly.

Exploring the Benefits of Smart Smoke Detectors

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Smart smoke alarms detect smoke inside your home.

Advantages of Smart Smoke Detectors

Worrying about house fires in Azalea, CA, is something that all homeowners concern themselves with. The risk of property damage or injury is significant enough that laws insist dwellings install working smoke detectors. Smoke can be just as dangerous as fire, sucking the oxygen from the room and facilitating a scary and potentially deadly environment. Smart smoke detectors can do all that standard smoke alarms can and more.

What Is a Smart Smoke Alarm?
Smart smoke alarms detect smoke inside your home. If smoke is detected, the alarm rings at a volume high enough to make people aware that the issue is occurring. If the smoke dissipates, the alarm will stop. Besides these similarities to traditional smoke alarms, smart smoke alarms have other capabilities. They can do the following:

Connect to the home's Wi-Fi network to communicate with other devices
Send messages to smartphones
Be disabled remotely using smartphones
Detect carbon monoxide
Employ voice alerts rather than a siren
Help pinpoint the location of the disturbance

Where Should You Place Smart Smoke Alarms?
Traditionally, a smoke detector is placed near where people sleep. The same is true for a smart smoke alarm. Placement in hallways outside of bedrooms is a popular spot because the sound will travel immediately to adjacent rooms.
Kitchens are also important spots to install alarms because fire safety specialists insist that fires can start anywhere, especially when ovens and ranges are in play. Additionally, there should be at least one device on every floor of a home.
When a smoke alarm goes off, immediate action needs to be taken. Smart smoke alarms help you to quickly get your bearings when this unusual scenario unfolds and can be the difference between you putting out a small kitchen fire or calling in a professional restoration service to clean up damage caused by a large one.

5 Ways the Right Restoration Company Eases the Claim Process

8/27/2022 (Permalink)

24/7 Storm Response

Five Reasons SERVPRO Hits the Mark

After a severe storm hits Chollas Lake, CA, there is a good chance that insurance adjusters will have a massive workload. Knowing how important quality yet quick storm restoration is to the business affected, choosing the right storm damage restoration company is essential to ensuring an easy and fast claims process that results in restoring a property to preloss condition. Below are five reasons SERVPRO hits the mark.

1. 24/7 Storm Response: No matter what time of day or day of the week, you can count on your call being answered 24/7. Once the claim call is answered, there are more than 1,900 local franchises ready to take action and get the process rolling.

2. Corporate Network: Every franchise is backed by a corporate network. That means support at all levels, from assisting the technicians to helping answer questions regarding claims or other items.

3. Certified Local Technicians: As a nationwide brand, every franchisee must adhere to strict training standards. Every technician is required to complete ongoing training to maintain IICRC certification. That training is also focused on restoring versus replacing.

4. Electronics Claims: After the initial assessment, every detail of the damage and needed cleanup and restoration repairs will be available in electronic form. This keeps the data secure and accessible across devices for all parties involved.

5. Full-service Restoration: Instead of trying to deal with numerous contractors, you get a one-stop-shop for all a business’s flood damage needs. From the get-go, the restoration team will complete any board-up services, remove damaged items, extract water, dry out the property, clean affected areas and complete all restoration needs.
When storm restoration is needed, time is always of the essence. Instead of getting bogged down by the claim process, it is worth choosing a restoration company that provides all the services need and trained to ensure a smooth claim.

3 Reasons To Hire Professional Flood Cleanup

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to mobilize for any disaster, from fires to floods and anything in between!

Reasons To Hire Expert Flood Cleanup

A heavy storm near your home in Rolando Village, CA, can cause a lot of water damage. Water can leak in from damaged areas of your roof, through broken windows or even from an overtaxed sewer. If your home needs repairs, it is better to call flood mitigation professionals than try to clean up the mess yourself. Here are three of the many reasons why experts are necessary.

1. Thorough Assessment

Certified professionals have the training and experience needed to determine the repairs your home needs. Without reliable testing, you may end up with a mold problem that festers in the damaged areas your own inspection misses. Technicians can root out the cause of the problem so that it can get completely resolved.

2. Proper Disinfection

Flood water is considered black water, or Category 3 water. Category 3 water is contaminated with bacteria, viruses and other microscopic organisms that you don’t want living on the surfaces in your home. Storm remediation isn’t just a matter of cleaning up water damage. Experts can also disinfect all the affected areas so that your home is free of any germs brought in by the storm.

3. Claim Information

Hiring professional mitigators can give you the information you need to file a successful insurance claim. The specialists can provide an itemized list of repairs you need and how much each repair costs. This list can be especially helpful if your insurance adjuster is delayed by the volume of claims in the area. Having documentation means you don’t have to wait on the adjuster to arrive to start the restoration process.

If a storm causes water damage to your home, one of your first calls should be to a local restoration company. Professional technicians can help you by identifying the whole problem, making sure cleanup includes disinfection and providing vital information for your insurance company. You may find that such services are well worth the cost.

What To Do With Electronics After a Fire

7/31/2022 (Permalink)

Electronics damaged by fire.

The Aftermath of a Fire

Residential fires can be devastating to personal belongings, especially electronics. Devices such as televisions, computers, tablets, DVD players, and gaming systems can all suffer damage from fire and smoke that may not be immediately apparent.
To ensure that your electronic devices are restored and safe to use after you have had a fire, it is important to perform an effective fire cleanup process. Here are some tips on how to proceed in the aftermath of a fire.

1. Do Not Turn On Devices
It may be tempting to test your devices in the aftermath of a fire to see if they work. This is a natural impulse, but it is not advisable. Metals in your devices may have corroded due to acids found in smoke residues, which could render the devices unsafe to use. It is better to wait until after a professional has assessed the damage and included it in a comprehensive fire cleanup process.

2. Check For Smoke Damage
In addition to having corrosive acids that damage electronics, smoke can also coat the interior of your devices, which creates an insulating effect that can lead to overheating and shortcircuiting. The effects of smoke and soot can last long after the fire has been extinguished. If there are visible layers of soot on the device's exterior, it may not be salvageable.

3. Hire a Professional
The only way to ensure that your electronics are safely restored to their fullest potential is to hire a professional fire cleanup and restoration company in Kensington, CA. A trained electronics technician will be able to assess the damage accurately and determine which devices can be saved and how to save them.
By acting quickly and following these steps, you can minimize the damage to sensitive electronic devices. A professional cleanup service will help you return your home to a comfortable living space as soon as possible.