Showers and Water Damage

7/22/2024 (Permalink)

Plumbers tell us it's the most common type of bathroom leak. Although it may sound minor, this leak could cause major damage when water seeps into the subfloor where flooring meets the tub or shower. Before long the vinyl flooring or tiles begin to loosen. Even worse, the plywood subfloor can delaminate and rot.

Signs of trouble:

• Curling vinyl flooring or loose tiles next to the tub.
• Peeling paint or flaking, chalky-looking wood finish near the shower.
• Water stains on the ceiling or joists below.
• Mold spots on the wall or floor near the tub or shower.
• If you use a curtain, look for standing water on the floor after you shower.

How to find the source:

• If you have a shower door, splash water all around the door and frame. Leaks around the frame may take five minutes or longer to show up.
• If the door has rubber gaskets or a rubber door sweep, check them for gaps.
• Also check for any gaps in the caulk where the shower or tub meets the flooring
• Contact us at 909-984-3544

Preparing for power outages due to heat waves

7/22/2024 (Permalink)

Managing Without Electricity

A power outage can:

• Disrupt communication
• Make transportation difficult
• Shut down water pipes
• Close businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, ATM, other services
• Disable medical devices

During a power outage be sure to:

• Keep freezer & refrigerator doors closed. It will reduce the chance of food spoilage
• User generators only outdoors and away from windows
• Disconnect appliances/electronics. Power surges can destroy equipment
• Have already set up plan to refrigerate medicines
• For people who use power wheelchairs, have a backup battery.  You may also need a manual chair
• The local power company should already know that someone in your home relies on medical devices
• If travel is safe, go to another location for proper heating or cooling
• Check on your neighbors they may need assistance especially if they are older.

It is important to check appliances in your home.

3/25/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage from second story

As a homeowner being vigilant is key when minimizing damage to your home. This customer noticed that there was water coming down into their family room on the first floor. The cause was a washing machine overflow causing damage to a Family Room ceiling and walls. This picture shows the minimal demolition that was required in order to properly dry the walls and the sub-floor from the second level. 

It is recommended to check appliances regularly to make sure the hoses are properly install and don’t show any kind of damage that can cause a flood.

No job is too big or too small for SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario. When called into this job we moved quickly and aimed to get our customer back to the standard of living that they were accustomed to. When asked how we could improve, the customer simply replied with "None Very impressed by your service".

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario (909) 984-3544

Understanding Water Damage

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage can happen in your home at any time. Here at SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario we are ready to assist you with your restoration needs. There are a couple tips that can assist you in noticing and limiting water damage in your home.

•  Identifying the source

Sometimes the source of water is easy to find, such as an overflowing washing machine. However, sometimes the issue is a pipe in the wall or a slow leak under the sink. As a home owner it is always important to be vigilant. Some signs of water damage are: standing water, discoloration, musty odors, and in some cases mold. Knowing where the water is will assist you in where to shut off the water. Most fixtures in your home have angle stops that will stop the flow of water to the appliance or plumbing fixture. Some homes have a water shut-off valve in the home and most homes have a main shut-off valve commonly by the street. It is important that whatever the source of the water is repaired or replaced by a professional.

• Minimizing the damage

While we cannot plan for when a water loss will happen we can control what happens after. Remember that most water losses happen in the Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, and Water Heater Areas. Water will take the path of least resistance. Shut off the source of water from its source or from the main to your home. If you are able to, move contents such as furniture away from the water or put them on blocks. If safe, or if you want to remove as much of the standing water as possible using rags, towels, or a wet/dry vacuum. Keep note that water can travel underneath floorings such as solid wood and wood laminate as you step on it, so try to limit the traffic in that area. The next step is to call your insurance company and a water restoration company such as us so that we can inspect the damage and come up with and execute a plan to dry your home. It is always better to have a restoration company come out as soon as possible to start the drying process to avoid secondary damages such as mold.

• Time Frame

Remember, minimizing the damage will not stop the damage. Materials such as wood and drywall will absorb damage. Additionally, avoiding secondary damages depend on the source of water as well as time taken to remove said water from the affected materials. Water can wick up drywall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour and wood 1/2 inch an hour. Given that we are able to get to your home and start work promptly our goal is to minimize any damage and necessary demolition in your home.

Enviromental Friendly Products

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario wants you to know that we are doing our part to help our planet.  That is why we want you to know about our Green Cleaning Products.

SERVPRO® Industries, Inc. is a member of the EPA’s Design for Environment (EPA/DFE) initiative. As a member company, SERVPRO® can access the listing known formally as CleanGredients. The EPA/DFE has established a set of criteria for formulating environmentally friendly cleaning products. With the assistance of larger chemical companies the EPA/DFE has put together a listing of safe cleaning components that can be used in Green cleaning formulations. From the listing a formulation can be derived that incorporates “green” chemistry. The initiative is designed to allow chemical formulators a resource to formulate environmentally friendly cleaning products using environmentally friendly raw materials.

So next time you see our Green Vehicles, you'll know we are doing our part to sustain our Environment.

Deodorization after a fire damage

3/16/2023 (Permalink)

Odor removal is an essential component of almost every restoration job. There are a variety of options available from masking agents to foggers to ozone and hydroxyl generators, and so on. In our industry, we have noticed a rather large debate being waged over the benefits and dangers of these two options. There is a clear advantage to using machines to eliminate odors from spaces and items rather than simply just trying to mask them.  SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario technicians are highly trained to recommend the best method for your odor neutralization.  

It is VERY IMPORTANT to know that both ozone and hydroxyl will remove odors – hydroxyl will just take longer.

Differences Between Hydroxyl and Ozone

1. Hydroxyl is not harmful to plants and fish.
2. Hydroxyl does not leave behind a chemical smell.
3. Hydroxyl works on a larger variety of odors.
4. Hydroxyl can be used in wet areas to help deodorize. Ozone machine used in wet areas can bleach a material.
5. Hydroxyl machines will typically take longer to deodorize.
6. Ozone can possibly damage rubber or leather goods.
7. Ozone is to be used in unoccupied areas with return to the area at least one hour after the machine has turned off.
8. Ozone is much stronger and faster and must be closely monitored.  

Both options are very effective and have their time and place on when to be used.  Depending on the type of odor and the amount of time allotted will dictate what option you should choose.  Be sure to only use experienced technicians when using equipment such as these.  Supervision of both methods is necessary to effectively remove the odor. 

Call us if you have deodorization needs, our SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario Technicians are ready to help.  

Mold Remediation

3/16/2023 (Permalink)

Mold Enclosure

With all the rain that Northwest Ontario has been recently having water damage is a great possibility of happening in your home or businesses. Water damage is something that can’t be neglected because it can cause secondary damage. The most common of these damages is mold. Mold growth can occur as fast as 48 hour. These secondary damages are often concealed within the wall cavities, however can sometimes show on the exteriors. The most common areas where visible mold is observed are at: baseboards, under kitchen sink cabinets, under bathroom sink vanities, and water heater stands. Typically, when mold is visible on the exterior of indoor materials, the damage is more significant on the other side. It is important to know that mold spores are present everywhere indoors and outdoors. We take the steps to make sure that the mold is remediated with a mix of water restoration, containment of affected area, HEPA air filtration, removal of mold-infested materials and mold remediation. Additionally, we use an independent lab to perform our post-mold remediation clearance testing to ensure that the area is once again habitable. The best way to avoid secondary damages is to address the water loss immediately with a restoration company such as SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario

Fire Safety at Home

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

The best way to keep your family and home safe from a fire is to take action before it happens!

For your loved ones, take the time to:

• Practice fire drills with your family
• Have an escape plan from each room
• Have a designated meeting place outside of your home to make sure everyone has safely made it out of the house.  

For your home, take some precautionary steps now to fireproof your home:

• Check Your Smoke Alarms Often: Your smoke alarms will alert you of a fire before you see or smell smoke. Check them at least every six months.
• Keep A Fire Extinguisher in Your Home: A fire extinguisher can be used to put out some small fires and stop them from spreading. Every home should have one. If your home has more than one story, it's a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on each level.
• Never Leave Candles Unattended: Candles can easily catch furniture, papers and even hanging pictures and décor on fire. Be sure to extinguish candles when you leave the room and especially if you leave your home.
• Remove Clutter: Clutter that is too close to a heat source can catch fire. Once clutter catches on fire, it can make the fire worse and even stop you from getting out of your home during a fire. Get rid of clutter that could catch fire or block an escape route.
• Check Your Electric Cords, Sockets and Exposed Wires: Check your electric cords and exposed wires often to make sure they are intact and not damaged. Make sure the wall sockets are not too full and that all the plugs are secure.

Acting on these safety precautions will give you and your family peace of mind.

Comercial Biohazard

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

Owning a business means dealing with situation you may not have considered before.

 A biohazard is a biological substance that's dangerous to people or the environment, such as blood or fecal matter. Because accidents are bound to happen, you may find yourself wondering what to do in case of a biohazard in your commercial building.

Anytime a business is dealing with a biohazard, there are procedures to follow set in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards these guidelines were made to keep employees safe. One of the most common types of biohazards that happens in the workplace is spilled blood. If a small amount of blood is spilled on a hard surface, it is possible to take care of the cleanup without calling a professional. However, to be compliant with OSHA standards, any employee who regularly handles the cleanup must have completed Blood borne Pathogen Standards training. The employee must also be provided with personal protective equipment, and they must be using an approved disinfectant product. Lastly, any biohazard waste needs to be clearly marked and properly disposed of.

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario, our teams are expertly trained, use state of the art equipment, and are faster to any disaster.

Effects of water damage

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is a problem that most property owners dread. When it rains heavily or snow melts quickly, the risk of this type of damage increases. Water can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage by damaging wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to remedy. Hiring a water damage restoration company can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies employ experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup.

The water restoration process is an important one. Using the right procedures and materials can help people save cherished belongings and even prevent their homes from being condemned. Water restoration companies specialize in mitigating the effects of water, but the success for water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the amount of water that caused the damage.