SERVPRO Tips: How to deal with torrential rains when they hit your home or business

10/1/2022 (Permalink)

When the sticky, hot air common during the “dog days” of summer collides with a cold front hinting of fall, Portage can be deluged with torrential rain. Areas of the city struggle with stormwater runoff issues, with flash flooding threatening to invade the lower levels of homes in locations with poor drainage history. If your home is the unfortunate recipient of unwanted water because of overland flooding, we can help manage it safely and quickly.

Poorly Maintained Gutters and Downspouts Contribute to Flooding

If it has been some time since your roof drainage system has had attention, clogged gutters and disconnected drains could be making flood damage in Portage more intense. When the system does not guide roof runoff properly, excess water saturates the ground right next to your foundation and can seep inside. The water moves through cracks or even straight through the semi-porous materials like cinder blocks or concrete that form the walls of the foundation. Wet moves to dry, and if the extra water has nowhere else to go, it can force its way inside to flood your basement.

Flood Water Contains Contaminants

Professional mitigation and remediation follow a thorough professional assessment of all aspects of residential flood damage. Our managers and technicians complete comprehensive training developed by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) before working on your project. We master the techniques needed to pump and extract and then contain floodwaters. Our technicians expect that water is contaminated with road and landscaping chemicals, sewage, organic waste such as dead animals and vegetation, topsoil, and silt. Our team follows local regulations when disposing of contaminated fluids, for your health and welfare and also that of the community. We clean and disinfect all affected surfaces with EPA-registered products to inhibit mold and other pathogen growth.

Thorough Structural Drying Must Follow Flood Water Removal

Removing flood waters is just the first step to complete flood damage mitigation and remediation. We follow up with a drying plan designed to return the moisture levels of structural components to normal readings. We use air movers and heaters to facilitate the transfer of absorbed water to vapor. Then we use evaporative or desiccant dehumidifiers to capture the moisture for off-site disposal.

SERVPRO of Porter County is ready to respond if your home suffers flooding from late summer storms. Call (219) 476-1883 day or night, secure in the knowledge that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Why SERVPRO? 24/7/265 Restoration Company

9/24/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage can occur at any given moment. It typically happens at the most inconvenient time, when you least expect it. If that’s the case, you need a 24/7 fire damage restoration company that’s Here to Help.® We come to your family’s rescue. That’s what we exist for. The heroes at SERVPRO are available 24 hours a day (including holidays), 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. We are here to make the fire damage at your residential or commercial property “Like it never even happened.” 

When you’re on vacation, enjoying the sun, playing in the sand, spending quality family time together on the beach, or, perhaps, when you’re at work giving a presentation, that’s typically when fire damage may strike. And once your neighbor makes that phone call informing you there’s a fire at your home, that’s when everything changes everything. That’s when everything comes to a halt. Again, it tends to occur at the most inconvenient times. No time is ever a good time.

If your home or business is hit with a fire, here are some fire damage emergency tips for you: 

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator, and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

The experienced and qualified team at SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster. We will get your property back to pre loss condition. We’re committed to responding immediately -- no matter the time of day or night. Did you know a faster response helps prevent secondary damage, and it helps reduce costs? It’s true. That’s why we are big on quick response time. 

Smoke and Fire From a Home After Damage is Tough--Not For SERVPRO Though

9/24/2022 (Permalink)

While many effects linger throughout your home after a fire occurs, homeowners do not have the resources and advanced equipment to handle removing and restoring them on their own. Our professionals offer effective and fast service following a fire, and that includes restoring and combatting threats to the indoor air quality including smoke damage, contaminants, and a persistent harsh odor.

When it comes to removing the effects of smoke and fire odor from your Valparaiso property, time is of the essence to get the right trained professionals to your home to get the processes started. Recovering from a fire gets more difficult the longer that you wait to secure restoration services, so it is important to reach out to our SERVPRO professionals as promptly as possible once the first responders and firefighters have extinguished the blaze and secured the property.

Smoke damages can affect your home in many ways from a residue or powdery film on contents and surfaces throughout the affected areas to the lingering odor that can become embedded into surfaces and materials as pores open more in the excessive heat of a fire. In many ways, these pungent odors can get concealed in the materials themselves and not re-emerge until specific atmospheric or temperature conditions release them. That is why professional cleanup is vital, as we can identify these problems and address them during our restoration.

We have many advanced tools and equipment that can help us to eliminate odors from the recent fire in your home permanently. For fire recovery, we often rely on our hydroxyl generators and our thermal foggers for deodorization. They can both work in different ways to neutralize odor molecules and leave no discernable scent behind. Unfortunately, a situation known as phantosmia has no solution from our SERVPRO crew.

While there might be many concerns that come with restoring your home after a fire, many find that the lingering odor can make comfortable living a challenge. Let our SERVPRO of Porter County emergency response team help you through all facets of fire restoration by calling (219) 476-1883.

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Valparaiso Water Damage? DIY or Call SERVPRO?

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Use Quality Products and Equipment on Water Damage in Your Valparaiso Home

Regardless of the type of water damage you suffer from on your property in Valparaiso, it helps to have a restoration professional at your side. You never want to put you or your family in harm's way; we can help you avoid hazards that often occur after water intrudes. Take advantage of years of experience and valuable training.

Having advanced equipment and professional products available to deal with water damage in your Valparaiso home can often make a massive difference in the quality of your restoration. Homeowners that do not follow the proper use of products and equipment can unwittingly cause additional damage. We highly recommend you call a local restoration expert for help.

By calling a professional, you gain access to skilled workers with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), like the technicians offered at SERVPRO. Our highly trained technicians use moisture detectors, moisture meters, hygrometers, dehumidifiers, air movers, and water extractors of all shapes and sizes. The proper equipment and training help improve the quality of the services we offer, as well as the results you receive.

SERVPRO also follows strict safety procedures and uses specialized personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure a safe, secure working environment. Different types of:
Gloves
Eyewear and goggles
Respirators and masks
Rubber boots
Full-body suits, Tyvek
 We also use electrical circuit testers and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) on all restoration equipment to help avoid any electrical hazards that may arise.

SERVPRO technicians train year round to provide you with quality restoration services you can trust. Every member of our restoration team takes part in our employee certification training program (ECTP) as well as ongoing specialization training in various areas. We can help you find quality solutions that fit your unique situation and provide suggestions that help limit future problems.

Call our staff at SERVPRO of Porter County with any questions you might have or to start your home’s water damage restoration service, today. We have entire emergency response teams available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year for your convenience. Think ahead, prepare your homes in Portage, Chesterton, and Kouts against future water damage issues now. (219) 476-1883

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The Real Truth Behind Fire Damage Remediation in Valparaiso

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO Deodorizes Smoke Damage that Happened Inside an Attic in Valparaiso

Three aspects of your attic over your Valparaiso home can become the refuge of soot particles that continue plaguing your family with foul odors. Anything your family stored in this area of your home can become saturated in soot particles and slowly give off odors. We also must consider the soot affecting the wooden structure and exposed insulation.

When your property in Valparaiso sustains smoke damage in the attic or another enclosed space, stripping it of the soot makes deodorization of the rest of the house more complete. Soot particles and ash, as well as aerosolized oils and other liquids from the fire, can become airborne and travel through the HVAC system. We want to prevent this from happening, as it can affect the rest of your home. 

We bring the items stored in the attic down and place them into a chamber where we can clean them. We might approach you about moving these items to our secure warehouse if we do not have sufficient space or the items seem highly damaged. Cleaning these and then placing the contents in new boxes eliminates any residue that might produce odor.

Attic insulation can retain large amounts of fire-related particles. When we determine this to have happened, our building services staff remove the damaged insulation. If soot deposits only cover the outer layer of the insulation, we can vacuum this away and leave the insulation intact. Once we finish the cleaning and other work required, we install new insulation.

The structure of a typical attic consists of exposed timbers and other wood pieces. This can include the floor, ceiling, walls, among other structures. Small doors might separate smaller sections of the attic, too. Unsealed wood quickly absorbs soot particles into the pores because these small molecules retain a lot of the heat from the fire. Once in, they often become wedged into place.

Sanding these items also removes the wood, so we only use this where charred wood occurs. Blasting with soda pellets is a non-toxic way that pulls embedded soot out of these pores. It also extracts soot from in between wooden pieces. However, it is gentle enough to be used on any painted surfaces, such as window frames and smaller doors.

SERVPRO of Porter County performs odor control after a fire by looking at all areas of the affected home. Our coverage area includes Chesterton and Porter, as well as Kouts and Burns Harbor. Call us at (219) 476-1883 for these and other services that help restore your property after a disaster.

Click here to see more info about the city of Valparaiso.

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Why SERVPRO? We Extract Water Rapidly & Efficiently in Porter County

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

We will be there every step of the way for your water loss. Clean up of minor spills and quickly discovered leaks are certainly within the DIY capabilities of a homeowner who has a bucket and a mop. On the other hand, if a major plumbing fail or an appliance malfunction pours gallons of water into your home, you need to find trustworthy professional help. Not only are the quantities of water in these cases substantial, but the migration of the fluid into building cavities and materials is also a concern. 

We Extract Water Rapidly and Efficiently in Porter County

All it takes is a broken dishwasher hose, a ruptured water heater, or a clogged toilet to require significant water removal. Our ability to respond fast with a well-trained and equipped crew is why we can extract large amounts of water safely and to dry out spaces thoroughly. Investment in training through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) aligns with investment in up to date, commercial-grade equipment and products to provide our customers with results that meet or exceed industry best practices.

We Follow Research-Based Protocols

A solid understanding of the science of drying, psychrometry, is why SERVPRO of Porter County efforts in removing water and returning your home to preloss condition are successful. Research demonstrates that the more liquid water initially removed, the faster and more efficient drying operations can be. Our submersible pumps clear out water deeper than two inches. Wanded extractors then take on the task of removing as much of the remaining fluids as possible. 

We Are Skilled at Moisture Detection and Monitoring

Mastery of IICRC coursework in the tracing of water migration combined with decades of experience in detection implementation are why SERVPRO can go that extra mile for our customers. Surfaces can look dry, yet hide caches of water in cavities or absorbed into the structural components. We use thermal imaging to find temperature disparities that signal trapped water and moisture meters to set drying goal baselines. Controlled demolition techniques like flood cuts or weep holes release hidden water. Air movers and heaters accelerate evaporation, moving water into the air for our commercial dehumidifiers’ collection and disposal.

Dependable and experienced workers and top-notch equipment are why SERVPRO of Porter County meets your water removal needs fast. Contact us today! We are faster to any disaster and ready to make things "Like it never even happened." 

SERVPRO Tips: What to do After a Flood

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

After a flood happens, homeowners may be faced with property losses and damage. Unlike a pipe leak, which is relatively clean water, the cleaning requirements for floodwaters are different. Along with potential black water in the mix, there can also be debris and loosened materials to watch for.

Assessing the Damage

Anything the flood waters touch will need to be addressed. If the flooding is overwhelming, a flood clean professional help you address the problem and provide services to get your home looking “Like it never even happened.” During initial inspection, in addition to checking flooring and walls, check the following for any contact with the waters:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Carpet
• Kitchen utensils, plates, cups, etc.
• Appliances
• Mattresses
• Toys

While some of these may be able to be cleaned, such as appliances and furniture, some of them should be thrown away. Things like mattresses and stuffed animals can be difficult to completely clean. If a rug has been saturated more than 24 hours, it may need to be tossed. Any clothes, rugs and furniture should immediately be removed and set out to dry before cleaning.

A Thorough Clean

One of the main cleaning requirements for floodwaters is a good flood disinfectant. It will not only eliminate bacteria, stains, and odors but also help reduce the potential for mold to grow. Once any wet items have been dried, usually for at least 48 hours, the cleaning process can start. Be sure to clean anything that has been in contact with water and remember to take safety precautions during the process, such as:

• Wear disposable gloves and clothing.
• Avoid touching the face or eyes.
• Refresh cleaning solution when it becomes cloudy.
• Thoroughly wash hands after cleaning.

While cleaning requirements may feel overwhelming on top of all the other stresses from the flooding itself, it’s important to ensure everything is clean. That will ensure any mold or bacteria is stopped in its tracks before becoming an issue down the road.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Dealing with a Business Fire? Read these Tips to Help Lessen the Damage

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Proactive Tips to Help Mitigate Effects of Commercial Fire Damage

Fires in business places present several challenges including closing down to clean up and restore damages, which leads to interruptions of normal operations. If appropriate measures are taken in time, it is possible to reduce the impact such incidents have. We offer professional fire restoration services helping businesses in Chesterton resume their normal operations faster.

Prevention is better than cure even when dealing with commercial fire damage in Chesterton, which is why our SERVPRO technicians help businesses develop ERP, Emergency Response Profiles. Understanding the factors likely to cause or spread the fire quickly at your premises is part of the response plan. If it is an office, electrical equipment such as photocopiers, monitors, printers, lamps, and kettles can start fires due to malfunctions or frayed cables. Periodic inspection can help identify these issues before they lead to fires.

The abundance of combustible materials in many work environments can fuel uncontrollable fires. In offices, discarded packaging materials, loose paper, and other regular wastes can fuel small fires to uncontrollable levels. Also, the materials used to make soft furnishings, as well as the adhesives used in furniture and aerosols, create perfect fuels for fires. As part of the emergency response profile, we help businesses identify these additional dangers and adopt solutions like clean desk policy in which papers are stored in cabinets until needed.

During fires, there is a need to turn off utilities and call emergency services immediately. Most emergencies lead to confusion so delays can happen. The SERVPRO ERP can help you in many ways. We help you appoint key personnel to handle fire emergencies. We also ensure you know where utility turn-off switches are located and provide you with contacts of emergency services. The emergency response profile also equips our staff with valuable information that helps us respond properly when you call us.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Being proactive can help reduce the impact of fire damage. Call SERVPRO of SERVPRO of Porter County to help evaluate and advise on steps that can help your business premises. You can reach us at (219) 476-1883 any time.

For more on Chesterton, click here.

SERVPRO Tips: 5 Reasons to Choose SERVPRO For All of your Fire Restoration Needs

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage can occur in a home at any time in many ways, and the end result, even from a small scale fire loss is charred belongings, damaged structure, and smoke odors.

When choosing a restoration services company to mitigate fire damage in your Valparaiso property, there are a few points to consider.

Qualifications for Cleaning and Restoring Fire Loss

SERVPRO technicians undergo extensive education for cleaning up fire damage. They know cleanup is not a one-size-fits-all undertaking and fibers and surfaces require testing before cleaning, so they use the proper methods. Their training is through the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) standards in fire and water cleanup and restoration.

Locally Based SERVPRO is available 24/7 and arrives within an hour of your call for fire loss cleanup. Being members of the local community, they know the rules and regulations for the disposal of charred items. As residents, they know the unique things about this part of the state of Indiana.

Advanced Technology

The technicians have access to a diverse array of equipment for cleaning up fire damage. Air quality is a considerable concern, and the removal of odor-causing soot is a priority. They use techniques such as negative air chambers to inhibit the possibility of cross-contamination as well as machinery such as air scrubbers with HEPA filtration for the capture and removal of airborne particles.

Assistance Expediting Insurance Claims

SERVPRO technicians provide an itemized loss inventory to maximize the accuracy and expedite insurance claims for faster reimbursement. The report includes detailed descriptions and photographs of items, including before and after photos.

Odor Control in the Home

There are numerous types of scents left behind after a fire. Soot winds up driven into porous materials, carpet, furniture and even paint on the walls. The technicians know how to prep the property for rebuilding with controlled demolition for the removal of charred items, sealing walls when necessary for the application of fresh paint and neutralization of smoke odors in the home.

SERVPRO of Porter County at (219) 476-1883 is ready to assist the local community with the cleanup and restoration from fire damage and make it, "Like it never even happened".

See more about Valparaiso.

When Fire Hits your Business in Porter County, SERVPRO is Here to Help

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Supplying your B2B customers with their packaging needs requires different types of raw supplies. Storing these so your employees always have them ready means having them shipped in from other companies to your Portage location. Between their arrival and the time your workers use them to make new products, their loss can cause long-lasting problems for your company and your customers.

Factories that sustain any size of fire in the Portage area can lose a significant percentage of their inventory to commercial fire damage. When plastics and other synthetics burn, the smoke produced can ruin other materials. Hot ash can scorch other plastics as it lands. Water or foam from extinguishing the fire can also create damage of its own.

When a local company calls SERVPRO to mitigate the effects of a disaster, we collect information about the situation and any extenuating circumstances. We need to know how to ensure that our employees understand any risks on-site. We want to arrive well prepared for all aspects of the mitigation work necessary to make your facility, “Like it never even happened”. Restoring your facility to preloss and fully operational condition includes looking at the hazards that might hinder your employees' performance or cause unwanted health effects. These risks go beyond the slip, trip, and fall problems caused by a fire. When plastics and other man-made materials burn, the air becomes polluted with chemicals that can make breathing without a respirator ill-advised.

During the fire damage mitigation work, SERVPRO specialists wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators. Using air scrubbers and other means to clean the air, we eliminate particles that can cause problems for your workforce. This takes care of the smallest particles, but our crews must remove all of the damaged inventory to ensure that off-gassing from the chemical exchanges caused by fire and high heat no longer pose a risk to health.

Both this soot and the partially combusted materials continue to release gas and other substances into the air. Removing them becomes a crucial part of restoring safe conditions. We dispose of damaged materials according to local regulations, helping ensure compliance with your industry's protocols. We can inspect the air circulation system and deployed HEPA and charcoal based air scrubbers that can capture particulates as small as 0.3 microns. Improving indoor air quality is a critical segment of the fire damage restoration service.

SERVPRO of Porter County can help mitigate and restore your factory. When a fire hits your Beverly Shores or Chesterton facility, call us at (219) 476-1883. We are here to help make things safe and get your production back on track.

Map information here.