Common Causes of Water Damage in Your Mount Vernon Home

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

All you need is SERVPRO for all your water damage needs.

Prevention Tips Save You Significant Time & Money 

Not every situation is preventable, and accidents will always be a part of life, even here in Mount Vernon. Too often, we look back and think if we had only known that a small act on our part could have saved us from an unwanted situation.  

SERVPRO® is committed to helping homeowners prevent mishaps that can lead to expensive water damage in Mount Vernon. Some repairs are simple, while others involve a bit of hardware to tighten something or check on something in an otherwise obscure place. Often, calling a plumber to check on a leak can be the first step toward protecting your home.  

Here are some of those small but powerful actions you can do yourself: 

• Turn off the water main
• Know your appliances
• Check more than your bathroom and kitchen plumbing. 

Not all the time, but whenever you're gone overnight or longer, it is a good time to shut off the water main. If there is a major break in the plumbing, less water will drench your home. 

Appliances like dishwashers, ice makers, and washing machines are water-dependent, while others, like window air conditioners, release water slowly due to condensation. Knowing the feedlines' and drainage systems' location on these appliances enables you to regularly check for leaks, drips, loose fittings, and deteriorating rubber sealants, all of which can be early signs of potential leaks.  

Plumbing runs throughout many places inside your home's walls, as it must reach the fixtures from their entry point and then drain to the exterior of the house. To keep water from damaging your residence, you also need to check behind your tub surround for any loosened tiles or other sealed wall coverings.  

If you have questions about other prevention methods or if water damage has occurred despite your best efforts, call SERVPRO of Skagit and Island Counties at (360) 873-8744. We're always Here to Help® 24/7.

Mount Vernon Residents: Detect and Address Hidden Water Damage

10/17/2023 (Permalink)

Is Mount Vernon home suffering from water damage and foul odors? No worries--Call SERVPRO--We are Here to Help®

Fast Action Mitigates Water Damage in Mount Vernon

Having hidden water damage anywhere within your Mount Vernon property can feel like you become trapped in a labyrinth. If you are not sure where to look or have the proper equipment, it can be nearly impossible to pinpoint what is lurking beneath the exterior. SERVPRO® features skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) ready to help you with leak detection and subsequent services to keep your property free of secondary damage and mold growth.

Uncovering your hidden water damage in Mount Vernon

When you think of water issues, visible problems like damp patches or stains may come to mind. However, it would be best to consider all unseen menaces lurking beneath surfaces. If ignored over time, such water infiltration can significantly affect your property, weakening materials and causing structural instability.

Once you contact us at SERVPRO of Skagit and Island Counties, you can expect the following:

• Prompt response to begin the inspection and mitigation processes.
• We locate the root cause of the water problem and fix it before it can cause further damage.
• Our technicians begin water and moisture removal with the help of extractors, dehumidifiers, and industrial-grade fans.
• We utilize moisture meters and sensors to ensure nothing gets left behind.
• Our team ensures you get the repair and reconstruction necessary to handle any areas where water damage ruined building materials to make it “Like it never even happened.”
• We always have our odor control technicians (OCT) ensure proper measures get taken to eliminate foul, musty odors rather than masking them.

Get started with water damage cleanup today!

When you have a water damage incident in your home, SERVPRO also goes the extra mile to ensure all paperwork gets handled for your insurance claim. If you are dealing with hidden leaks and issues in your Mount Vernon property, call SERVPRO of Skagit and Island Counties at (360) 873-8744 or easily request help online. Faster to any size disaster™.

Issues Commonly Left in Mount Vernon Homes by Water Damage

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7 in Mount Vernon and understand that getting equipment on-site to begin the water damage remediation process is crucial.

SERVPRO Safely Manages Vernon Water Restoration Routines

Various problems crop up when water intrudes and spreads all over a property. The issues range from minor to complicated ones requiring significant action to address. Luckily most of the problems left in your Mount Vernon home are reversible, so timely action can help salvage your property from water damage.

One of the most crucial aspects of responding to the challenges in your Mount Vernon home after water damage is possessing the proper knowledge. If you understand all the damages likely to develop after a water intrusion, you can prepare the resources to counter them. SERVPRO plays a critical role in preparing the homeowner to address the problem and providing the resources necessary to facilitate restoration.

The damages moisture causes:

• Moisture accumulation
• Structural deterioration
• Odors
• Mold development

While many of the issues may seem minor, they have a significant impact. For instance, moisture accumulation is not considered a substantial problem since, once dried, most materials are fully restored. However, you cannot use furniture, carpets, or beddings when they are waterlogged. Odors are also common in a property affected by water intrusion, but it is easy to dismiss them since they are not physical. However, staying in a house emitting a strong stench is not comfortable.

The Severe Problems from Wetness

Physical deterioration of items and structural areas is the primary concern after water intrusion since restoration under such circumstances requires elaborate procedures. Typical forms of deterioration in items include swelling of wooden parts in furniture and loss of strength along the joints as glues or cement weaken. The problems involve rotting or warping for solid wood while composite materials delaminate or crumble for structural areas. In most cases, the only solution to such issues is a replacement of the affected materials. Even making a replacement is not easy since it requires teardown and perfectly fitting in new materials.

The other category of severe physical deterioration is mold development which is possible if the heightened moisture levels inside the structure are not addressed within the first 48 hours. Mold is a form of life that consumes organic materials to support itself. If the colonies are left undisturbed on surfaces for long, their root-like hyphae penetrate materials causing rot-like damage. Mold also destroys finishes.

Water damage solutions:

• Expedited and thorough water extraction
• Sustained evaporation
• Balanced humidity control

When water is spread out all over a property, you might not understand its volume. After you start mopping it out, you might notice that every section you wipe is quickly replenished. Our SERVPRO technicians use vacuum extractors which can be portable or truck-mounted, thus simplifying the process. The efficiency of an extractor is based on its vacuum lift capacity. Having an integrated storage unit is also essential for the better management of wastewater.

After dealing with the stagnating water, the next crucial stage of the restoration is managing the moisture absorbed by materials. Improving evaporation rates helps dry wet structural areas and contents. You probably open windows after dealing with a small leak to air the house. For major incidents, airing might not be sufficient. Our SERVPRO technicians set up several air movers and a couple of dehumidifiers. The two sets of equipment work in tandem with air movers releasing moisture trapped in materials into the air while dehumidifiers extract it from the air.

SERVPRO of Skagit County can help you manage any problem from water damage. Call us at (360) 873-8744. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Water Restoration Helps Resolve Any Size Disaster in Mount Vernon

3/17/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO for rapid water removal to mitigate the damage. For our Mount Vernon neighbors, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Your Floors Need Timely Water Restoration Services

SERVPRO works with families in Mount Vernon by using time-tested water restoration techniques. No matter where a water leak happens inside your residence, the floor in the immediate area can get completely soaked.

Slow leaks and sudden gushers are both bad news for your property, but the ability of a slow leak to sneak up on you can mean increased water damage to your home in Mount Vernon. Our targeted water restoration methods help save our customers money, time, and aggravation while eliminating the damaged areas inside their dwellings.

We must work quickly to restore the floors inside your house after being saturated with water. Here are some types of damage you might discover and how our restoration technicians handle such situations:

• Rippling of carpeting,
• Deteriorating underlay, and
• Warping of wood floors.

Ripples in your carpeted floors can lead to trip and fall injuries and other unwanted situations. Waviness and unevenness in the carpet's surface occur because damp carpeting stretches more easily than dry carpeting.

Deterioration because water is soaking into the underlay can cause soft spots to develop. Normal shifting within your home's framework can tear open this now-weakened area. Small holes provide vermin new access points to your home's interior from crawlspaces. Insulation and wiring can also become exposed. Softened areas in front of cabinets can slowly let the weight of the unit collapse further, increasing restoration costs.

When water invades an area with wood flooring, some types are more fragile than others. Traditional wooden planks fare the best, while the glue within wooden parquet flooring rapidly disintegrates and leaves a puzzle-like mess. This second type of damage is rarely restorable and instead requires new flooring. Traditional wood flooring needs little restoration work beyond minor sanding and refinishing.

You can reach SERVPRO of Skagit and Island Counties at (360) 873-8744 when you need restoration services that protect your home.

I Just Discovered Water Damage in My Burlington Property. Which Water Restoration Company Can Help?

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

After a water loss, call SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744 to restore your property to its preloss state.

Contact SERVPRO Restorers in Burlington to Handle the Water Damage in Your Residence

When you notice a broken pipe in the kitchen, fixing it yourself or ignoring it can be tempting. However, the water can slowly sip into various surfaces causing mold growth and severe damage to the structure. Therefore, acting fast by engaging with certified restoration experts in Burlington, like SERVPRO technicians, is essential to save your property.

Are You Experienced in Water Damage Repair?

Our team can use approved and the most advanced equipment to handle the water damage in your Burlington residence. We are among the water restoration companies that have been in business for decades. We have seen and fixed every kind of water damage imaginable during this period. The common causes of water damage we come across in homes include:

• Faulty water heaters

• Sump pump failure

• Leaking appliances

• Plumbing problems

What Does Your Water Damage Restoration Process Involve?

Our team can take several steps to restore your home, depending on the severity of the water damage. Some of the things we do when restoring water damaged homes include:

Mold Cleanup and Prevention

We begin the mold cleanup procedure by locating any leaking pipes, which could encourage more mold growth. Our technicians also check areas with poor ventilation to avoid condensation, which can lead to mold growth. We can examine the areas close to your windows and doors to ensure efficient ventilation.

Dehumidification

This is where we dry mold-causing moisture in the affected property. Our technicians can identify the source of water damage by using sophisticated equipment. For instance, we can use a thermal imagining camera to create a moisture map. This can help us to determine the best tailor-made drying strategy to ensure efficiency. We can use conventional refrigerants alongside fans to increase the airflow in the affected property. The equipment increases the evaporation rate in the affected items and the structure, enhancing the drying process.

Deodorization

Odors can persist even after cleaning and drying your property effectively. However, we can use odor removal products to combat the odors and get fresh air into your property. Our SERVPRO technicians can use a photocatalytic oxidizer to do away with the smells. The equipment shines ultraviolet rays on surfaces and produces hydroxyl radicals. It oxidizes and breaks down odors into carbon dioxide, leaving your property with fresh air.

After a water loss, call SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744 to restore your property to its preloss state. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

We Are the Right Choice For Your Mount Vernon Water Damage Restoration

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7 and understand that being able to get equipment on-site to begin the drying or cleaning process is crucial.

Water Damage Left a Funky Smell in My Home

Sometimes we forget just how beautiful Mount Vernon is. Our lush landscape and proximity to nature make the air feel crisp and clean. As homeowners, we are lucky to invite that sense of purity and cleanliness into our homes and lives. However, every so often, accidents happen in our homes and leave behind consequences that tarnish the wholesomeness of the environment around us. For example, when plumbing issues cause water to seep into carpets or upholstery, you may find an odd smell lingering in your home well after water extraction.

Our professional SERVPRO crew mitigates water damage to your Mount Vernon home. Our technicians prepare to tackle jobs of all sizes, including water restoration and deodorization. As much as store-bought air fresheners promise to eliminate any unwanted scents, it takes a professional team to neutralize the odor instead of merely masking it. By calling our 24/7 hotline, you can access a wide array of deodorizing methods suitable for eliminating the smell.

At SERVPRO, we pay close attention to the chemical composition of the smell in your home.

We may use water-based solutions for some smells, while others might opt for a solvent-based deodorizer. It depends on the smell we are trying to counteract and its severity. Aside from the solutions we apply to the surfaces of your home, you might see us employ industry-grade filtration devices and air movers. These tools encourage air circulation to complete our deodorizing efforts. In some instances, we may choose to deodorize your home by vaporizing deodorizing agents and applying them with a thermal fogger. One of the advantages of using a fogger is the penetration of the agent into crevices within your home.

Handling the smell left in your home after water damage does not need to be overwhelming. Our SERVPRO of Skagit County team is ready to guide you through the pros and cons of each deodorizing option. Call (360) 873-8744 and let our team work to leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

How Can Trapped Water Get Lifted from Carpets in Mount Vernon Homes?

7/24/2022 (Permalink)

Wet carpet can be saved if you act fast. Call SERVPRO to assess the situation and start the drying process. We have the certifications for the job.

SERVPRO Technicians Have Multiple Tools for Carpet Water Removal in Mount Vernon Residences

Carpeting can be difficult for restorers to dry and clean after water damages like burst pipes or ceiling leaks. Water removal tools and extraction devices can help to lift trapped moisture in these surfaces before irreparable harm occurs and causes a greater expense to the customer.

Thorough Inspections of the Flooring

Before water removal in Mount Vernon homes can begin, the condition of the flooring materials affected must be established through thorough inspections. Our production manager can uninstall carpets from their tack strip at the baseboards to inspect that delamination and degradation have not set in for the material. These conditions would require the removal and replacement of the moist carpets.

Tools for Extraction of Trapped Water

Carpeting is notorious for holding water and being a difficult flooring material for extraction and restoration. Because of its fibers and porous composition, water can become easily trapped through every layer of a carpeted floor, requiring multiple extraction devices to remove. As leading water restoration technicians, our SERVPRO team arrive with tools to help like:

• Weighted extractors
• Carpet wands
• Wet vacuums
• Truck-mount extractors

Because carpeting can be such a magnet for water and flooding damage, it is one of the initial target points for our mitigation strategies. Our SERVPRO of Skagit County team is ready to help 24/7 at (360) 873-8744.

Drying During Water Removal in Mount Vernon

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Water lines leading to ice makers are common sources of water damage. Inspect the area around your appliances often for signs of moisture.

SERVPRO Assists with Water Damage in Mount Vernon

If you ask any expert in the water restoration industry, they know that refrigerators with ice-making capabilities can quickly become trouble makers. For some reason, the water lines leading to your refrigerator's ice maker seem prone to problems. One day everything could be going fine, and your ice maker is working perfectly when suddenly it malfunctions. If your ice maker breaks, it could leak into your freezer or cause water to spray out from the back.

When our SERVPRO team conducts water removal in Mount Vernon, the first thing we do is find the source of the problem. If the leak came from the water line running into your freezer, we could shut off the water running into the line if possible. Next, we look for any potential safety hazards such as exposed electrical lines and mitigate any issues we find so that the work area is safe for all occupants.

Things we can do to help after your ice machine breaks and leaks:

• Water Extraction
• Injection Wall Drying
• Water Damage Debris Removal
• Cleaning Up After Sewage Backups
• Applied Structural Drying
• Content Pack-Ins and Pack-Outs
• Restorative Carpet Cleaning

If carpets get saturated after a water leak, your carpets and pad may have to be removed. We can then set up a combination of air movers and dehumidifiers to remove the moisture that evaporated into the air and soaked into your building materials. We can take measurements and calculations to figure out the correct number of dehumidifiers to air movers. If there are too many air movers, the relative humidity level in your house can rise and possibly cause more damage.

If you ever suffer from a mishap with your refrigerator's ice maker, call SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744.

Mount Vernon Water Loss? Attention DIY-Selfers--Call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Removing Moisture is a Key Factor in Water Loss Mitigation in Mount Vernon Homes--So Call SERVPRO!

How Dehumidifiers Assist in Turning Around Water Damage in Mount Vernon Homes

If you have water damage in your home, you might be tempted to handle it independently. In some cases, this works out okay, and in other circumstances, it can make the damage even worse.

DIY cleanup of water damage in your Mount Vernon home may involve mops, towels, wet/dry vacuums, and fans. These are fine for drying surfaces, but blowing a fan on a damp carpet, for example, may only manage to dry the tops of the fibers. That means the padding and lower part of the carpet remain damp, leaving the residence open for further damage from damaged subflooring, mold, and musty odors. 

Professional Detection and Extraction Equipment

The technicians use many kinds of moisture detection devices to determine all areas of water migration. When SERVPRO technicians work on a water spill in a home, they use portable pumps and different types of removal equipment dependent on the types of surfaces they are working on. 

Dehumidification Makes the Difference

The dehumidification equipment used with the air movers starts a cycle that thoroughly dries carpets and surfaces. As the air movers send high-velocity airflow over the wet areas, it causes moisture to rise. The dehumidifiers capture that moisture and remove it from the room. As the cycle continues, progressively drier air circulates. SERVPRO technicians often "float" carpets where they loosen one side and direct air movers to blow above and below, resulting in a completely dry carpet and padding.

Monitoring the Process

As a water loss area dries, technicians take moisture readings during and afterward to ensure drying goals are reached. This attention to detail assists in inhibiting both mold and foul odors happening in the home. The average indoor humidity goal is 50% or less, so naturally occurring mold spores do not germinate.

Contact SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744 when your home has water damage. The technicians show up quickly, dry, and clean the property to make it "Like it never even happened."

What Should I Do If my Home in Mount Vernon Has Burst Pipes?

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

Burst pipes cause major water damage to your property. SERVPRO has the experience and technology for any size disaster.

SERVPRO Can Help with Water Removal Services in Mount Vernon

During the mid to late fall season, it is common to see problems caused by pipes breaking. During the first day of the season, where the temperature drops below freezing, it is possible that your house's pipes could freeze in sections where they are not insulated or they are not staying warm enough. Once the water inside the pipes freezes, it will expand and cause a hole in your waterpipes. Even a small quarter-inch crack can dump out hundreds of gallons of H2O in a short period.

Whenever our SERVPRO technicians conduct water removal in Mount Vernon, we start with the extraction process. Once water gets into your structure, the moisture will evaporate into the air and raise the humidity levels. The moisture will also start to soak into your building materials and contents, making them harder to remove. Therefore, it is best to remove the H2O from your house while it is still a liquid before it soaks into items in your home.

If your pipes burst overnight or perhaps when you were out of town, a large amount of water could have poured into your home. Once you notice a problem, it is wise to call in the professionals such as our SERVPRO technicians. We can arrive at your property 24/7 and help you out with the following:

• Emergency Services for Water Damage
• Remove Moisture from Burst Pipes
• Repair Ceiling Leaks
• Water Clean Up
• Water Damage Repairs
• Basement Flooding Clean Up

Depending on the situation, we can either use a portable extractor or a heavy-duty truck-mounted system during the extraction phase. We can also use various extraction tools depending on what surface needs water removal.

If you ever come home from a short trip after the temperature dropped below freezing, call SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744. 

Drying Saturated Wood Elements in Anacortes Homes After Water Damage

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

Water can quickly damage wooden items in your home, from structural elements to furniture.

Carefully Drying Damaged Structural Elements is Critical to Restoring Anacortes Properties

Wood elements like cabinets, vanities, and flooring can all be quickly and decisively harmed by migrating moisture during a water damage incident. Immediate mitigative actions by our SERVPRO team can help reduce the destruction of exposed wood elements and the subsequent repairs necessary to restore that damage.

Water Removal Services and Surface Drying

One of the critical elements of water damage restoration for Anacortes homes and businesses is water removal services. Because pooling can destructively impact exposed property areas, our team must work quickly to manage these threats with efficient extraction equipment from our recovery inventory. While there are varying levels and types of extraction devices, these water removal tools are often submersible pumps or vacuum systems. 

Removing Trapped Moisture from Wood Planks

One of the consistently positive approaches to pulling trapped moisture from wood plank flooring is floor drying mats. These large mats attract moisture to the surface for collection and disposal. Tenting can make this process even more efficient and prevent more significant destruction of the planks and flooring materials. Monitoring moisture removal is vital at this time as well. 

Why Drying is Continually Monitored

It is vital to keep a close eye on the progress of water and moisture removal from flooring, fixtures, and other wood elements. It is not impossible to over-dry wood structures and contents, making over-drying as destructive as water damage. Monitoring the process of drying efforts involves several tools in our inventory, such as:

• Surface moisture meters
• Thermal imagery
• Hygrometers

Removing trapped moisture from wood elements in your home after a water damage incident is a calculated process. We have multiple drying tools and options to help, beginning with water removal services and evaporative drying equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers. Our SERVPRO of Skagit County team can help make water damage "Like it never even happened," when you call (360) 873-8744.

Can Water Get Removed from Damp Engineered Wood Flooring in Mount Vernon Homes?

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

Water is no friend to wood flooring and needs immediate removal. Call SERVPRO for for your emergency water damage restoration needs..

Moisture and Water Removal Strategies Target Surface and Trapped Water in Mount Vernon Properties

After situations like burst pipes or ceiling leaks, common flooring elements like engineered wood can be at risk of absorbing standing water and become warped. Our experienced SERVPRO of Skagit County team works quickly to manage surface and trapped moisture to protect your home and prevent more invasive restoration needs.

Clearing Surface Water Concerns 

Water sitting on the surface of engineered wood flooring can be the focal point for water removal in Mount Vernon homes. Clearing any pooling and surface moisture is vital to reducing the penetration of this water through seams and flooring pores to bloat and disfigure the planks. There are multiple water removal strategies, including:

• Squeegee Wands
• Light Wands
• Wet Vacuums
• Submersible Pumps

Removal of Trapped Moisture in Wood Plank Flooring

There are several strategies for reducing the moisture content of wood flooring after saturation occurs. Tenting isolates the affected areas making tools like drying mats operate more efficiently. This process enables us to monitor it closely for moisture content changes to ensure that over-drying the material does not occur.

Controlled Demolition and Reinstallation Where Needed

We can also help with the controlled demolition and repairs of damaged wood elements and flooring when necessary with a general contractor license. If trapped moisture in wood planks has already chemically bonded with the material, restoration is no longer possible.

Removing water from the floors of your water-damaged home can be a challenge for even experienced restoration professionals. With our fast response and leading recovery equipment, we can protect exposed elements to reduce demolition and reconstruction where possible. Give our SERVPRO of Skagit County team a call today at (360) 873-8744.

What Should I Do if I Need Water Damage Remediation in Anacortes?

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

When a pipe bursts, there is the potential for many gallons of water to be dumped on your floor. Contact team SERVPRO for effective water removal.

SERVPRO Can Assist You with Emergency Services for Water Damage in Anacortes

When most people think of water damage remediation, they think of major problems when a building gets flooded after it suffers from burst pipes. However, other incidents could occur that aren't as big but still cause some of your contents and building materials to get wet. For example, any of your appliances that use water, like your washing machine, could malfunction and become the source of a leak.

During water damage restoration in Anacortes, our SERVPRO technicians often find that appliances are common sources for leaks. If your washing machine breaks and leaks moisture into your home, it could just affect your laundry room. But, if the issue does not get fixed soon, the water could start to spread into other rooms of your house.

If the water leak gets any of your building materials, such as your walls or carpets, wet, it is wise to call in a professional restoration company like SERVPRO. We are available 24/7, and we can assist you with the following to help with any type of water leak:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Water Clean Up
• Water Removal Services
• Basement Flooding Cleanup
• Ceiling Repairs from Water Damages

If any organic building materials like wood or paper items get wet, they can develop mold if they are not dried out in less than 48 hours. Therefore, our main goals are to extract liquids and set up drying equipment to get moisture levels down to normal as soon as possible.

If any of your appliances ever happen to malfunction and leak out water, call SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744.

Who Do You Call for Water Damage Remediation in Mount Vernon?

7/25/2021 (Permalink)

Water removal is the critical step for water damage remediation. We have the necessary equipment and technicians to handle the task. Call right away.

SERVPRO Can Help You with Burst Pipes in Your Mount Vernon Home

Everyone has been in a situation where you walk through a certain part of your house, and you notice that there has been a water leak. Due to gravity, any time moisture enters a structure, and it first accumulates on your floors. Your flooring can get saturated in some cases, and you could see standing water on your floors.

During water removal in Mount Vernon, our SERVPRO technicians first extract any standing water that is found. If there are more than two inches of standing water, we can remove it using a submersible pump. 

These pumps can be fully submerged in water and pump it into one of your sewer drains at a rapid rate.

Once all of the standing water gets removed, we can perform other procedures to extract water from your flooring. In rooms of your house with carpet, we can utilize a heavy-duty extractor with various extraction tools based on the type of carpet you have. For thick carpets, we can use deep extraction tools that use the operator's weight to compress carpets and the suction power from our truck-mounted extractors to remove moisture from your carpeting.

Once we get all of the liquid H2O extracted, we can then continue with our services by providing the following:

• Ceiling Repairs from Water Damages
• Basement Flooding Cleanup
• Water Removal Services
• Water Damage Repairs

If you ever step on a carpet and find that your foot is wet from a water leak, it is wise to call SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744.

Mount Vernon’s Lincoln Theatre

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community visiting the Lincoln Theatre!

Check Out the Current Events at this Mount Vernon Landmark

The Lincoln Theatre began its notoriety as a vaudeville and silent movie house. It is an architectural delight in the modified Renaissance Revival style. It opened on April 21, 1926. Over time it has seen its share of vaudeville shows, silent movies, and “talkies.” It was so well known that many films would open there, including The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson and the Shirley Temple movies. The original Wurlitzer Organ, which was purchased in 1926 for $22,500, can still be seen today. There are only 98 of them still in their original theaters in the United States.

Today, with the quarantine going on, you can still see shows. They are live streaming from the theater and will resume their regular schedule as soon as possible. For more information, visit the Lincoln Theatre website or contact them at (360) 336-2858.

SERVPRO Provides Water Mitigation for Mount Vernon Residents

Something as simple as a dishwasher overflowing can cause water damage to a home. Moisture quickly seeps under flooring and cabinets. If not removed, this fluid can warp flooring, damage things like cabinets, and cause mold to grow. SERVPRO of Skagit County can take care of the problem with professional water mitigation. Contact us at (360) 873-8744.

Learn to Make Chocolate Truffles in Mount Vernon

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community at the truffle making classes!

Mount Vernon’s Forte Chocolates Offers Truffle Making Classes

On Saturday, December 12, Forte Chocolates on Riverside Drive is hosting a truffle-making class that allows participants to take home a full box of handmade artisan chocolates. This course is a creative and fun way to create and take home an unforgettable holiday gift.

Forte’s confections, concocted by master chocolatier Karen Neugebauer, have won over 40 awards, including dozens of national and worldwide bronze, silver, and gold awards from the International Chocolate Awards and the London Academy of Chocolate.

Gold-medal-winning sweets include:

• Rosemary caramel with orange
• Dark chocolate sea-salted caramels
• Lemon pepper dark truffles
• Cherry almond truffles

Mount Vernon locals are warmly invited to learn about this fun yet challenging craft from one of the premier chocolatiers in the Pacific Northwest. If you find that you enjoy this craft and want to pursue it further, Forte Chocolates offers quality baking chocolate and molinillos, or chocolate frothers, for purchase.

SERVPRO of Skagit County offers rapid water damage mitigation for Mount Vernon homeowners when they call (360) 873-8744.

Helping Anacortes Homeowners Reduce Repair and Replacement Costs

11/22/2020 (Permalink)

Facing hardwood flooring water damage? Contact our experienced SERVPRO water damage remediation team for services.

SERVPRO of Skagit County Restores Anacortes Homes When Property Owners Call (360) 873-8744

The West Coast island town of Anacortes, Washington, was incorporated in 1891 after settlers moved to Fidalgo Island to promote the location as a stop for the Northern Pacific Railway in 1877. Once railroad development began in 1888, real estate and the overall economy boomed but declined once the real estate bubble burst. The industries that have historically helped Anacortes thrive most are fishing, canning, and lumber processing.

Today, this idyllic island town is home to an estimated 17,000 people as of 2019. Its largest industries rely on oil refining, ship and yacht building, and tourism. Two of Washington state’s five major oil refineries are stationed near the town, owned by Shell Puget Sound Refinery Company and Marathon Petroleum.

The location and Mediterranean climate in Anacortes allow for year-round enjoyment of a plethora of activities, which include:

• Whale watching near the Strait of Juan de Fuca
• Travel to the nearby San Juan Islands, including Cypress Island, which can easily be seen from Anacortes
• Sailing, yachting, and other recreational boating activities
• Enjoying several parks, such as Washington Park, Volunteer Park, Anacortes Community Forest North, and Cap Sante Park
• Exploring scenic Mount Erie

Anacortes also derives a significant amount of its economy from providing residences for employees of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor.

The Evolution of Anacortes

Centuries before American settlers founded the town, people from the Swinomish and Samish tribes lived on Fidalgo Island. In particular, the Samish took advantage of the abundant cedar growth in the area to craft longhouses hundreds of feet in length. The most notable one existed on Guemes Island until well into the 1900s.

The name Anacortes is a neologism honoring founder Amos Bowman’s wife, Anne Curtis Bowman. Before it was coined as such by settlers, the town was referred to as Ship Harbor. Bowman’s vision for Anacortes was to turn the island locale into a “New York of the West.” Unfortunately, this dream would lead to an economic downtown that preceded the nationwide economic recession in 1893.

Over the next several decades, however, the town would recover and thrive on the abundance of fish, lumber, and other natural resources available for processing and manufacture. Shell Oil and Texaco purchased land in the area to build refineries in the 1950s. While the ownership of these refineries changed hands over the years, petroleum remains a mainstay industry in Anacortes.

Anacortes is the hometown of several notable people, such as:

• Animator and cartoonist Craig Bartlett, creator of Hey Arnold!
• Television personality Jake Anderson, most known for his work on Deadliest Catch
• Writer Richard Bach, author of such bestsellers as Jonathan Livingston Seagull
• Olympic gold medalist and rower Donald Hume
• Acclaimed singer Kathi McDonald, of The Ikettes and Big Brother and Holding Company fame

Fishing in Anacortes

Anacortes’ island topography and proximity to the ocean means that fishing has been part of life for as long as humans have settled in the region. The San Juan Islands, including Fidalgo Island, is home to a diverse array of both flora and fauna, including the following fish and crustacean species:

• Blackmouth salmon in the winter months
• King salmon and spring chinook from late summer through autumn
• Halibut and lingcod in spring and early summer
• Dungeness crabs and prawns for crab and shellfish enthusiasts

While the Mediterranean climate in Anacortes is not ideal for ice fishing enthusiasts, winter fly fishing is common. One of the best spots for this pastime is easily Pass Lake at Deception Pass State Park on Fidalgo Island’s southern tip. Many of the fish in the area are caught for sport and food, particularly the salmon and crabs. Fishing charters embark all year round in the region, and one-day fishing licenses are easy for tourists to acquire. Many charters even provide equipment and aid with cleaning and dressing catches so that guests can take them home.

Some of the best bait fishing locations include Lake Padden and Campbell Lake. Fly fishers may find the aforementioned Pass Lake to be a year-round source of quality fish. Cranberry Lake at Deception Pass is another popular fishing spot. Just south of Anacortes are even more lakes to explore for fishing opportunities. Fishing aficionados new to the area can benefit significantly from procuring a copy of Terry Sheely’s Washington State Fishing Guide.

Can SERVPRO Restore Water-Damaged Hardwood in an Anacortes Home?

SERVPRO technicians perform water cleanup Anacortes with the affected materials in mind. This team’s approach focuses on restoration over replacement when feasible. Fortunately, in many instances, hardwood flooring is salvageable with the help of industrial-grade tools and the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-accredited mitigation technicians.

Hardwood flooring undergoes the following to remove moisture and ensure that the subflooring underneath is clean and dry:

• If the water damage is small in scale, individual planks can be removed for drying and reinstalled. In more widely affected spaces, rubber drying mats are utilized to suck water out with the vacuum hose on a portable or truck-mounted extraction unit
• Planks that experience slight warping or cupping can be sanded and refinished as needed. In cases of extreme warping, cupping, or cracking, however, replacement is recommended
• Water pooling in the subfloor can be addressed with a squeegee wand
• Microbial growth is treated with EPA-registered biocides

Because hardwood floors, especially those with a vapor barrier sealant, tend toward being low evaporation surfaces, extra care during extraction makes drying with desiccant dehumidification and air movers more efficient.

SERVPRO of Skagit County leaves disaster-affected homes looking and feeling, “Like it never even happened.” Homeowners in need of mitigation and restoration from certified professionals can call (360) 873-8744.

Who Can Quickly and Professionally Help Mitigate Water Damage in My Mount Vernon Home?

10/15/2020 (Permalink)

On your bucket list, put SERVPRO for water damage cleanup and restoration of your Mount Vernon property

SERVPRO Technicians Are Highly Trusted Professionals Who Provide Timely Water Removal and Restoration for Mount Vernon Homes.

When your Mount Vernon home is unexpectedly invaded by water, it's hard to know who you can trust to respond quickly and professionally. SERVPRO uniformed professionals are highly trusted and extensively trained in water removal, cleanup, and damage mitigation.

How to Help Prevent Costly Water Damage Repairs

Not all water damage repairs in Mount Vernon are caused by unexpected major events like flooding. Harm can be the result of a leaky roof, an old pipe, a broken water heater, or other issues. These problems can require expensive property repairs without appropriate water damage mitigation. These are the signs that you may look out for to protect your home:

• Moldy or musty smells in your property
• Dark spots on your ceiling or walls
• The sound of dripping or running water
• A sudden increase in your water bills
• Puddles that return after you have mopped them up
• Rust on metal surfaces

SERVPRO trained technicians in Mount Vernon have expert water removal training and techniques. Many of our professionals are certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.) They utilize advanced water detection, removal, and drying equipment to help mitigate water damage and prevent further costly repairs.

What to Look for in a Water Removal and Damage Mitigation Specialist

How do you know you can trust the water removal company you engage to handle your water damage problems?

• Water removal and damage mitigation specialists should have extensive training and continuing education.
• They should understand and use IICRC best practices.
• Specialists should be available 24 hours for emergency services.
• Water removal and mitigation professionals must provide timely and effective services.

SERVPRO professionals match all of these qualifications. If you find water damage in your home, act before it becomes an expensive repair. Call SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744.

What are the Three Primary Phases of Water Mitigation in Mount Vernon?

9/20/2020 (Permalink)

Water removal is essential to mitigating the situation after a flood. Contact TEAM SERVPRO immediately. We are available 24/7.

Preparing your Mount Vernon property for restoration and recovery after a disaster requires several initial steps.

After a water disaster of any kind, your Mount Vernon home can begin to absorb moisture and adversely react to these changing conditions. Even with a prompt reaction to the situation, the recovery of these events often demands the knowledge and experience of professional restoration technicians like our SERVPRO team. Because we stay prepared for these situations at all times, we can mobilize quickly even when emergencies occur after traditional operating hours. The initial actions taken to protect your property set the tone for the entire restoration process.

Water mitigation in Mount Vernon properties is a critical element to all restoration projects. These preliminary actions reduce the potential for the situation to get out of control and prevent more materials and areas of the house from becoming impacted by unexpected emergencies like pipe bursts, appliance failures, and leaking fixtures. Mitigation involves several individual actions working as part of a whole to protect the damaged property from further irreparable harm. Stages involved in these processes include:

• Job Scoping 
• Water Removal 
• Repairs/Controlled Demolition 

Is Job Scoping Necessary?

A pre-restoration evaluation of the property ensures that the right measures protect and restore an impacted home. Often this assessment occurs before physical mitigation begins, as this inspection catalogs several aspects of the work area. By determining specific data points and tracking the damage's progress, our SERVPRO professionals can better understand what must get done. There are several tools used and evaluated aspects of a water-damaged property, including:

• Moisture Detection Tools – Determining the severity of the moisture and dampness damages to exposed surfaces, contents, and the open environment is critical. While extraction might have to happen first, evaluations with detection devices show pockets of moisture that must get addressed before microbial growth results.
• Structural Integrity – Severe water damages can often quickly compromise structural elements throughout the residence. This can be evident when materials begin to sag or collapse entirely.
• Pre-Existing Conditions – Not every concern we find during our inspection resulted from the water disaster, which can be vital in finding the most efficient approach for reaching preloss conditions.
• Content Damage – Your personal belongings can often hold as much importance as the entire structure, meaning that we carefully inspect and evaluate these items' conditions for restorative actions that might be necessary. 

Are Different Machines Necessary for Water Removal?

Extraction is one of the foundations of efficient water restoration for your Mount Vernon home, meaning that the most suitable machines must get selected based on the current conditions. While electric submersible pumps often play the most significant role with standing water without the threat of debris and solids, extenuating circumstances could make other extractors in our inventory more suitable options instead. The position of the damaged areas, the accessibility of the work zone, the amount of standing water, and several other factors play a role in choosing the best extraction device. Some options include:

• High-Pressure Pumps – When you consider the likelihood of water to migrate and collect in your home's basement, or when pipes burst on the second floor of the house, long-range pumps offer a greater lift. These units efficiently remove clean water from damaged areas without losing power.
• Self-Priming Trash Pumps – Power is not always readily available after water disasters, making the management of this resource critical for our SERVPRO team responding to the situation. Self-priming trash pumps run on gas, meaning that more outlets and available electricity from portable generators are available for other tools.
• Truck-Mount Extractors – These are the most powerful tools in our arsenal for removing water, and we can use these machines to extract at 300 psi. Thousands of gallons of water can get moved quickly, making these options ideal for widespread and severe loss incidents. 

Why Do Repairs Happen Before Other Restoration Tasks?

Repairs must often occur before almost any other restorative actions occur because vulnerabilities continue to threaten the property otherwise. Breaches in the plumbing can continue to feed water to the damaged areas, and repairs also allow for the re-pressurization and restoration of the water service to the house.

While multiple actions describe water mitigation, this entire phase and stage of the restoration process is critical to saving customers time and money. No matter how severe damage might be in your home, you can count on the fast and experienced response of our SERVPRO of Skagit County team. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (360) 873-8744.

Some Tips to Help With Water Damage Remediation in Mt. Vernon

4/19/2020 (Permalink)

Trust your water damaged home to our SERVPRO technicians. We arrive quickly and make it "Like it never even happened."

What Can You do to Limit Losses When Large Bodies of Water Enter Your Home?

By contacting SERVPRO, you are reaching out to a Mt. Vernon team of expert technicians with training in all aspects of water restoration. You can trust us to get the job done honestly, on-time and on-budget.

How can I prevent a water emergency in my property?

While water spills can seem like a random event or an act of god, there are many things you can do to prevent the need or water cleanup in your Mount Vernon home. Conducting regular maintenance of your property can go a long way toward preventing water emergencies from occurring, and you should take special care during the fall or winter months to avoid a costly disaster. 

What can cause water damage in my home?

• Malfunctioning washing or drying appliances
• Pipes with poor insulation, installation or age
• Large amounts of rainfall or overflowing gutters
• Sump pumps as well as crawl space vapor barriers
• Human errors like leaving on faucets 
• Road overflow, flash flooding or other external events

What should I do in a water-related emergency?

Your safety is the priority, which is why you should call your insurance provider to check coverage and then a professional restorer to perform the cleanup. In some cases, you may be able to stem the flow of water, which can be vital. You can shut off the water supply at the source or unplug malfunctioning appliances to prevent more water from releasing into the home. Closing doors and sealing them using old towels or sheets can also help to prevent the migration of water while you wait for a SERVPRO technician. 

How can you extract water from the home? 

Moving water can be a challenging task that requires equipment with sufficient lift capacity as well as volume. Water can damage a Mt. Vernon home vacuum cleaner while different types of water, as well as where in the house it is, can influence the type of extraction you need. Most residential properties benefit from a combination of light and weighted extraction tools. Weighted extractors are suitable for fabrics or carpets, whereas lighter wand extractors are suitable for smaller spaces where there is limited moisture absorption. 

How quickly can you extract water from the home?

The initial extraction phase is possible to complete within a day. More copious amounts of standing water that reach over two inches in height may take longer; however, by using electric submersible pumping equipment, we can remove a massive amount in a short period. SERVPRO trucks have storage tanks of up to 100 gallons for clearing away wastewater from residential properties. Usually, the extraction phase is significantly quicker than the drying stage, which takes more attention to detail and expertise. 

Does water damage lead to mold growth?

Increases in moisture and humidity can lead to microbial growth issues. However, these issues are not an inevitable symptom of home with exposure to moisture. The critical factor in whether or not mold becomes an issue is a time. Mold colonies take around seventy hours to form. SERVPRO can apply safe, antimicrobial chemical products to your home during cleaning that can disrupt the stages of microbial growth. By preventing mold spores from moving through the stages of growth, we can focus on effectively drying the property and eliminating the issue.

Will the interior of my home dry naturally after a water spill?

In nature, water evaporates naturally. Natural evaporation occurs because there is air movement, temperature, and low-relative humidity in outdoor spaces. Your home is an enclosed space, which means there may be areas of the home that do not receive enough exposure to evaporating naturally. Commonly, the center of the room dries without too much input, however areas beneath furniture, wall cavities, crawlspaces, or hallways can dry slowly or become damp spots, which can lead to mold issues. 

How can you dry the home thoroughly to avoid microbial growth issues?

By using a combination of various pieces of equipment and knowing the evaporation process inside-out, we can effectively dry your home. Evaporating water from wet surfaces raises the indoor humidity. With little air movement, evaporating moisture can form a barrier that slows drying at a surface level. SERVPRO uses air movement equipment in combination with dehumidification equipment and temperature to ensure that we create the optimal conditions for a reduction in drying times.

What can I use to measure dryness in the home?

• Borescopes for cavities or areas that are challenging to reach
• Moisture meters for walls, ceilings, and floors
• Moisture sensors for testing moisture content inside materials
• Thermal hygrometers to assess the relative humidity within the affected area
• Thermal imaging cameras to assess water migration in cavities and floor spaces. 

To test if your home is adequately dry or not, you can take humidity readings from an unaffected room of the house. This reading is your home's natural humidity, which means you can use it to measure the effectiveness of the drying setup. You may also need to use invasive measures to assess wetness within walls or other cavities within the home. 

Overcoming water emergencies is challenging without the correct equipment, training, and qualifications. Contact SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744.

Water Removal and Cleaning Terminology in Your Mount Vernon Home

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Call us today, SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744 and we can take a look for you!

Learn the Lingo used by the Professionals

Water can be one of the most damaging things to home in cases of leaks or overflows. Most damage occurs in the bathroom or kitchen area, which can impact textiles, upholstery, carpets, walls, and other materials within your home. 

Quick and efficient water removal in your Mount Vernon home after a spill can mitigate secondary damage like warped flooring and the growth of mold infestation. Knowing some of the cleaning terms explicitly associated with the cleaning and restoration industry may assist in understanding the process to restore your home to its preloss condition. 

Absorption

This is the action where gases and liquids go into the fabric or material fibers through chemical, osmotic, or capillary action. In cleaning, absorption transfers soils or liquids from fabrics and upholstery to something else like towels or stain absorb powder.

Adsorption

The transference of substance from one surface to another surface. This means that the substance does not absorb into the surface but is instead attached to the surface. SERVPRO restoration technicians use the adsorption process when applying topical treatments like fire or stain retardants. 

Agglomeration

The process of agglomeration stops the re-depositing of fine particles of soil into small openings such as scratches, fibers, or pores. In agglomeration, these fine particles merge together to form a larger mass. 

Agents

Oxidizing bleaching agents break down soils by adding oxygen while reducing bleaching agents to remove oxygen to counteract oxidation. Chelating agents are cleaning products like Powdered Emulsifier that reacts with hard water salts to make them water-soluble. 

Dispersion

Breaking up of solid soils in order for separation and suspension to occur within the cleaning solution. This process, also known as deflocculation, suspends soils to stop re-depositing of soils onto the surface. 

Foam Modifiers

Chemicals that increase or decrease foam, allowing technicians to customize detergents depending on the amount of foam needed for the effectiveness of the cleaning process. 

Penetration

Even the smoothest surfaces have small crevices that can hold dirty that becomes difficult to remove. Penetration ability refers to the ability of the cleaning product to get into these small crevices. 

Surfactants

Surfactants lower the surface tension of water-based cleaning products. The thick-skinned surface tension in water causes it to slow penetration; a surfactant fosters faster penetration into porous materials.  

For assistance after any water or fire emergency, contact SERVPRO of Skagit County at (360) 873-8744. We are available 24/7 and are Faster To Any Size Disaster.

See more about Mount Vernon.

Pre and Post Construction Cleaning After Mount Vernon Water Losses

2/13/2020 (Permalink)

We want to make sure your home is mitigated properly after your Mount Vernon water damage, don't let it get this bad.

Your Mount Vernon water loss will take vital build back efforts, let SERVPRO help.

There are many instances in which our SERVPRO professionals must respond to emergencies swiftly and implement demolition and extraction for Mount Vernon homes to help prevent further and more considerable losses. These emergency services are less calculated and precise as controlled demolition later during the mitigation phase. Cleaning technicians with cutting-edge equipment and potent cleaning agents can help to improve the look and function of your home before and after vital build back efforts.

Water cleanup for Mount Vernon homes can encompass many of the steps necessary to fully restore the property. Controlled demolition is often an essential component to recovery, as it provides access for our technicians to use positive pressure systems, low profile centrifugal air movers, and other evaporative drying techniques to manage current loss conditions.

Pre-construction cleanup involves both eliminating debris and preparing the area for the reconstruction to follow. Prepping the workspace can often begin with shoveling out any loose debris and construction material remnants such as deteriorated drywall or wet insulation. Removing this debris, along with deliberately controlled demolition techniques, allows us to remove overly saturated materials and better protect undamaged areas from migrating moisture.

During both the demolition and the reconstruction phases of this process, our SERVPRO team can employ air scrubbers and other HEPA filtration devices. These tools can help to reduce harmful contaminants or particles circulating in the environment until the rebuilding completes. Any loose dust and debris from the new construction by our licensed in-house contractors can get removed using dry vacuums. Wiping down surfaces near to newly installed components can also help to return the property to preloss condition without requiring sophisticated equipment or tactics.

Offering customers a comprehensive approach for restoration can ensure that each phase of scoping and ultimate recovery get accomplished as efficiently as possible. We can help damaged properties through the initial stages of mitigation and clean up the property both before and after build back. No matter how our SERVPRO of Skagit County professionals can help, give us a call today at (360) 873-8744.

To learn more about Mount Vernon, click here.

The Basics Of Water Damage Restoration Training

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration training is one of the important skill sets that a team of professional cleaners need in order to offer comprehensive services. This is a service that involves going into a home or business after a wet disaster, such as flood, burst pipes, or snow destruction, and not just cleaning up the mess, but actually drying and repairing the substructures that high volumes of moisture will affect, such as plaster and drywall, wood, concrete, and metal. Mold is a concern, of course, but there can be many other problems related to moisture damage; crumbling drywall and plaster, weakening beams and supports, rusting metal surfaces, and more. If the moisture is left to sit long enough, it will eventually bring the house to ruin. By having professional water damage restoration training, a cleaning crew will be able to properly assess the situation and devise the best plan for repair.

According the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification), which sets the standards for the cleaning industry and water damage restoration training, there are several different levels and classes involved in liquid destruction. From the IICRC’s S-500 standards, there are three categories describing the type of liquid involved.

•    Category 1. This is liquid from a clean and sanitary source, such as faucets, toilet tanks, drinking fountains, etc. But, category one can quickly degrade into category two.
•    Category 2. This category of liquid used to be called grey water, and is described as having a level of contaminates that may cause illness or discomfort if ingested. Sources include dishwasher or washing machine overflows, flush from sink drains, and toilet overflow with some urine but not feces.
•    Category 3. This is the worst classification and is grossly unsanitary. It could cause severe illness or death if ingested. It used to be called black water, and sources include sewer backup, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support bacterial growth.

Next are the classes of destruction.

•    Class 1. The lowest and easiest to deal with, this has a slow evaporation rate. Only part of a room or area was affected, there is little or no wet carpet, and the moisture has only affected materials with a low permeance rate, such as plywood or concrete.
•    Class 2. With a fast evaporation rate, this level affects an entire room, carpeting, or cushioning, the wetness has wicked up the walls at least 12”, and there is moisture remaining in structural materials.
•    Class 3. This class has the fastest evaporation rate, and ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet and sub-floors are all saturated. The liquid may have come from overhead.
•    Class 4. This class is labeled as specialty drying situations, which means there has been enough liquid and time to saturate materials with very low permeance, such as hardwood, brick, or stone.

The education involved in water damage restoration training teaches the technician to tell the difference between all the classes and categories and form a restoration plan based on those factors. Whether the work is done with a professional, broad-spectrum cleaning company, or if it’s a company limited strictly to moisture damage work, it’s important to make sure the technician has the right knowledge and tools for the job. Infrared probes are used to tell the extent of the destruction, as well as air movers, air scrubbers, different sizes and types of dryers and blowers, special hardwood dryers, and dryers designed specifically for drying the sub-floor and inner wall cavities.  Armed with water damage restoration training and the proper tools, most situations are salvageable.

http://www.IICRC.org/the-basics-water-damage-restoration-training-a-23.html

Safe Flood Clean-Up Tips

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

Before entering a building where flood damage may have occurred, make sure it’s safe: check for electrical hazards and structural damage, and use proper protective gear like boots, gloves and respirators. Before you start any construction or repairs, check for common hazardous materials like lead paint and asbestos, which may require help from professional and State-licensed contractors.

Then, follow these tips:

• Act quickly
  The severity of damage escalates the longer water sits and building components and contents stay wet, so time is of the essence in the aftermath of a flood. In fact, mold will grow within 48-72 hours, so aim to start removing water and drying the environment within 48 hours. Have a list of professionals on hand to call, and understand your insurance policy, as some only cover mold damage up to a certain amount, while others don’t provide any reimbursement for mold.
• Ventilate affected areas to prevent mold growth
  Mold loves moisture and organic materials such as paper or particleboard. In order to mitigate or slow damage, open windows if weather permits and place fans inside of them to keep air moving and maintain moderate temperatures. Work toward the fan as you clean to minimize cross contamination.
• Assess damage to items and materials
  Assess the type of water absorbed by items, such as rainwater, water from broken pipes, contaminated river water or bacteria-filled sewage. There are ways to salvage specialty items but the decision on whether to save or trash an item will vary depending on the dollar and sentimental value to the owner. It may not be worthwhile to salvage drywall, carpets and pads, mattresses, pillows, box springs and particleboard. On the other hand, it might be worthwhile to restore costly Persian rugs, leather couches and antiques or heirlooms. Wet clothing and many household fabrics may be salvageable through machine washing, and a 10-minute soak in detergent and hot water, to remove contamination and stains. The IICRC strongly recommends that in water damages where there are contaminants present (e.g., bacteria, sewage, mold) or where small children or immune-compromised individuals are present that an inspection be conducted by an appropriately trained restorer and remediator.
• Expose pockets of saturation
  Hidden and concealed pockets of saturation need to be opened for cleaning and drying. Layers between building materials hold water that must be discovered and removed or dried. On walls, find the water line and inspect at least a foot beyond it to make sure all damage, wet materials and mold are discovered. Remove and discard the damaged drywall and wet wall insulation. Wet carpets can usually be dried by professionals with the right equipment, but carpet padding, which is like a big sponge, should be discarded. Wood base trim and hardwood can also be saved with the right equipment if they can be accessed and completely dried on both sides. Remember to investigate concealed cavities such as behind walls, in mechanical spaces, under cabinets and furniture, and in crawl spaces.
• Conduct a thorough cleaning
  Durable, non-porous or semi-porous materials, such as studs and joists, hardwood flooring and vinyl products, can be cleaned with common cleaning products or specialized products with detergents. During cleaning, take care to protect areas that are unaffected by the water or mold. After a thorough cleaning of salvageable materials, a disinfectant solution may need to be applied in case of harmful bacteria from sewage, river water debris or even standing water that has gone bad. Professionals like water restoration and mold remediation contractors and indoor environmental professionals can help you decide what is best for your situation. Once you’ve cleaned the wet materials, conduct another round of cleaning. If you choose to vacuum, use a HEPA-filter vacuum to remove allergens, fine dust and spores.
• Confirm drying before reconstruction
  In order to prevent dry rot and structural damage, it’s important not to reconstruct or cover wood and other wet materials until the moisture content has been adequately reduced. A water restoration professional can confirm proper drying before reconstruction.

Water Damage Overview

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.

More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.

All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.

Professional restoration technicians understand the need for quick response. Immediate remediation is key to controlling any escalating costs. The longer the remediation is delayed, the higher the cost of restoration. Certified restorers have the knowledge to test materials and apply the restoration techniques required to return the items to their preloss condition.