Who To Call After A Water Damage Event Occurs

3/18/2023 (Permalink)

When water damage occurs, give SERVPRO a call!

Water damage can be a scary situation to deal with. Whether your home or business has been flooded by a burst pipe, a storm caused flooding in your home, or your toilet clogged and overflowed...the resulting damage can be devastating. You don't have to panic though! Just follow these simple steps and you'll be back on track in no time.

Who to Call After Water Damage

Water damage can be stressful, but knowing who to call after water damage occurs can make all the difference in the world.

If you have homeowners insurance, call your insurance company first. They'll direct you on what steps need to be taken next and how they will handle any expenses related to removing moisture from your home or business.

Your next call should be to a water damage restoration company. This is the company that will actually clean and restore your property after a water loss. They will make sure that everything is being taken care of properly by trained professionals.

Insurance Company

If you are insured, the first thing you should do is contact your insurance company. They will tell you if there is coverage for water damage in your home or business and what steps to take next. Once they have determined that the damage is covered by an insurance policy, they will send a claims adjuster out to assess the situation and determine how much money it will cost to fix it.

Water Damage Restoration Company

Water damage restoration companies are experts in the field of water damage restoration. They have years of experience and training, and they know exactly what to do when your home or business suffers from this kind of damage.

They can help you with the entire process, from water removal to cleaning to repairs--saving you time and money. Most companies, such as SERVPRO, will also work with your insurance company to process your claim, ensuring that they receive the proper documentation and repair estimates. They will take care of the claims process for you from start to finish.

Why SERVPRO?

SERVPRO of South Baton Rouge is the leading provider of fire and water damage restoration services in Baton Rouge, LA. Our highly trained technicians respond quickly to your emergency, performing a thorough inspection and damage assessment, followed by water removal, drying, and restoration.

We are dedicated to restoring your property back to preloss condition as quickly as possible while being respectful of you and your family's needs during this stressful time. Our goal is to help families get their lives back on track by returning them back to their homes or businesses with minimal impact on daily routine activities.

It's important to know who to call if a water damage situation occurs in your home or business. It's also important that you choose the right company for the job! SERVPRO of South Baton Rouge is always on standby and ready to respond to your water damage emergency. 

What Do I Do If My House Floods?

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

When your property suffers damage from a storm, we are here to help!

Rain and flooding can be a huge pain and it's not fun to find out that your house has been flooded. It can take weeks or even several months to get it fixed. But there are things you can do immediately after a flood that will help mitigate the damage as much as possible, and they'll make the process of cleaning up easier in the long run.

Turn off the electricity.

If your house floods, turn off the electricity. If you have a generator, make sure it's not running on gasoline or propane. If it is, turn it off as well.

If there is no power in your home and water levels are rising, unplug all electrical items and appliances that can be moved. You'll also want to remove any computers or televisions as well—they don't need electricity to conduct damage!

Turn off the water supply.

If you can, turn off the water supply. If you can't find the main water valve, turn off the water supply to the house. If it's a flooding emergency, you're not thinking rationally, so don't worry about what's going to happen later when it comes time for repairs. You need to make sure that there is no running water anywhere in your home while you start working on cleaning up and drying out everything that got wet.

Evacuate.

As soon as you realize your house has flooded, the most important thing to do is to evacuate. If you have time, grab any valuables from your home, such as important documents. If not, leave those items behind and go directly to a safe place.

Take any pets with you when evacuating. This will ensure they're cared for while also keeping them away from danger until help arrives.

Document everything.

When you’re dealing with a flood, you should document the damage as soon as possible. Take pictures of things that need to be replaced or repaired, then call your insurance company and make sure they know about it.

Take pictures of the damage. Take pictures of the flood. Take pictures of the water level. Take pictures of all the damage done to your property.

Be sure to include as much detail as possible in your photos, including items that have been damaged and their current condition (i.e., if they are wet or dry). Also, make sure to take multiple shots from different angles so that your insurer can see everything clearly when reviewing them later on.

It's important to let your insurance company know what happened as soon as possible so that they can begin assessing the damage and make sure you're protected.

Begin the mitigation and restoration process immediately.

The first thing you should do after your house floods is to begin the mitigation and restoration process immediately. This means removing all damaged items, cleaning up the mess, and removing any mold that may have formed in your home.

As soon as possible, dry out your house by turning on fans to circulate air throughout the structure and open windows where possible (make sure it's safe first).

Next, repair damage to your house caused by flooding—and replace any belongings or furniture that were destroyed by water damage or mold.

Lastly, restore your home back to its original condition so no one will know what happened there before it gets flooded again!

A flooded house is a big deal. It can be dangerous and a pain to fix, but with some time and hard work, there are things you can do to make it better. If your house floods, turn off the electricity and water supply immediately. Then evacuate the premises until professionals arrive to clean it up or take pictures of any damage caused by the flood. SERVPRO of South Baton Rouge is always here to help with all your flood damage cleanup and restoration needs!

What Is The Difference Between Mold Remediation and Mold Removal?

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

When it comes to mold remediation, containment is the first step.

Mold remediation and mold removal are two terms that homeowners and renters may hear when there is a problem with mold in their home or apartment. While both terms refer to cleaning up an existing mold problem, these solutions differ significantly in how they are applied. It’s important to understand this difference in order to know what kind of work is required for removing the mold.

Water Damage and Mold Damage go Hand-In-Hand

Mold damage is a result of water damage. In other words, if there were no water involved in the first place, there would be nothing to worry about when it comes to mold growth.

It’s important that you know whether or not your home has been damaged by water (and by extension, mold) before you begin any remediation process on your own.

What is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the process of removing mold from a building or structure. Mold remediation is not the same as mold removal, which involves ridding an area of all traces of the fungus.

Mold remediation entails ridding a space of mold-damaged materials and areas that have been affected by mold growth, while also addressing water leaks or moisture problems that may have contributed to the problem in the first place.

What is Mold Removal?

Mold Removal refers to the process of removing mold from a surface, usually a non-porous and semi-porous material. It also includes the removal of mold from an object. Mold removal does not include the removal of materials such as carpets, insulation, or drywall.  

What is the Difference Between Mold Remediation and Mold Removal?

Mold remediation and mold removal are both processes designed to get rid of mold and the materials that have been contaminated with it.

Mold removal is a cleaning process, while mold remediation involves both a cleaning process and the disposal of contaminated items.

Containment is Essential to Mold Remediation

When it comes to mold remediation, containment is the first step. Without proper containment of a mold-infested area, subsequent steps in the mold remediation process will be ineffective. In fact, failing to isolate and contain the affected area can actually make matters worse by increasing the hazard to your home or business.

Why does containment matter in mold remediation? The answer lies in how mold spreads: through microscopic spores that are released into the air when you disturb contaminated materials. Containment helps prevent these spores from spreading further into other areas of your home or office building by preventing them from getting out into other parts of your living space or workspace.

Clean and Protect Areas Not Affected by Mold

Once you've cleaned up the mold and removed it from your home, you'll need to protect areas not affected by mold. It's also important to clean and disinfect these areas. This can be done using a disinfectant spray, wipes, or solutions.

You may want to consider using an aerosol spray bottle for clean-up if it's available at your local hardware store or online retailer. Aerosol cleaners provide ease of use because they're readily available and require no mixing of ingredients before application on surfaces in order to get the job done quickly!

Mold removal is the process of cleaning up the mold from your home or business. Mold remediation, on the other hand, is a more involved process that involves removing all traces of mold growth from an area and ensuring it does not come back. By knowing what type of work needs to be done in order for your property to be safe again, you will know whether or not hiring a professional company like ours makes sense for you!

After the Fire – A Comprehensive Post-House Fire Checklist

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Baton Rouge, LA

Suffering a house fire is one of the most devastating events a homeowner can experience. The loss of personal belongings and cherished keepsakes often leaves survivors feeling completely helpless. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect your property after experiencing a house fire. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything from getting control over your insurance benefits and securing the perimeter of your home with board-up services to assessing damages and dealing with insurance claims adjusters.

Steps to Take Immediately Following a Fire

The moment your house catches on fire, you’ll be in a state of shock. You may not even know what to do first. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take right away to ensure that everyone is safe and that the damage done by the fire is minimal.

First and foremost, call 911 as soon as possible. The sooner first responders are at your location, the sooner they can assess what’s happening and get control over it—or if necessary, help evacuate everyone from the building safely. Once they arrive on scene, they will direct you through each step needed for them to extinguish the flames and make sure that no one is left inside or exposed to hazardous chemicals/emissions such as carbon monoxide poisoning (see below).

Assess the Damage

The first thing you should do after a fire is assess the damage. This can be overwhelming, but it's important that you know exactly what you're looking for so that you can make an educated decision about where to go from there.

• Look for structural damage and stability. Structural damage refers to any changes in the physical structure of your home that occurred as a result of the fire. You'll want to inspect walls and floors, windows and doors, roofing materials, ceiling beams and supports (if possible), plumbing systems, electrical wiring/outlets/switches—everything!
• Check for smoke or water damage. Even if no flames were visible during the fire itself (or even if they weren't even suspected), there may still have been smoke damage hidden inside walls or ceilings. This means having an expert come in with specialized equipment like thermal imaging cameras, so they can determine whether there was enough heat generated that could potentially cause structural integrity issues down the road. 

Back-Track to the Source

After the fire has been extinguished, you may be eager to see what happened and how much damage has been done. It’s important to back-track to the source of the fire so that you can prevent another one from happening.

• Investigate the cause of the fire: If it was an electrical issue, find out if there are any other problems in your home that could lead to another fire.
• Check for hazardous materials: If it wasn’t an electrical issue, check for any other possible causes like flammable liquids or gas leaks around your house. Also look at all of your belongings and make sure they aren’t leaking anything dangerous onto surfaces where they might ignite a new fire later on – this includes cleaning products!

Gather Valuable Documents and Information

One of the most important steps you can take after a house fire is to gather all of your valuable documents and information. This includes copies of birth certificates, marriage licenses and divorce decrees, Social Security cards (and numbers), passports and immigration papers, wills, deeds to real estate—anything that may be necessary for insurance companies or creditors to prove ownership of property.

Once you’ve begun rebuilding your life after the fire, it’s important that these documents are stored safely in case they are needed later on. Some people choose to use an online cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive; others prefer using a hard drive or flash drive. The choice is up to you!

Evaluate Your Insurance Benefits and Plan Ahead

After the fire, it’s important to collect your insurance information and determine the amount of coverage you have. In addition to making a list of what is covered and what isn't, you should also ask about any exclusions or limitations on your policy. Your insurance company may be able to help you get an estimate for repair costs.

Make a List of Damaged Items

Once the fire is out, you will have time to make a list of damaged items and the rooms they were located in. You should also note how much damage was done to each item. This will be helpful when it comes time to file an insurance claim and replace your belongings.

If firefighters were able to recover any of your possessions, it's important to check with your insurance company to see if they can help you with a claim. Your policy may cover items that were damaged but not destroyed in the fire. If so, you may be able to recover those belongings from the insurance company and donate them to a charity organization that can use them for good.

Securing Your Home with Board-Up Services

After you and your family have safely returned to your home following a devastating house fire, it is important to take steps to secure the perimeter of your home and protect yourself from intruders. If you are not able to secure the perimeter of your home, either by yourself or with help from a board-up company, you may find that strangers enter your property and steal items. This can be especially dangerous for homeowners who have lost their homes in fires because they will likely have minimal possessions left after such an event.

If you’ve been the victim of a house fire, the last thing you want to do is feel like you are alone in this difficult time. A professional fire restoration company, like SERVPRO of South Baton Rouge will be there for you every step of the way. We understand what it means to go through something like this and we want to help ease some of your stress. If at any time during the process, you have questions about getting back on your feet again or just need someone else who understands what it’s like – don’t hesitate to reach out! We will get your Baton Rouge, LA home back to normal as quickly as possible. 

How To Flush a Water Heater?

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Flushing your water heater is a simple procedure that you can perform yourself

How Should a Water Heater Be Flushed?

If you've ever come home and found your water heater leaking, it's likely because something went wrong with the tank. Water heaters are designed to last for years, but they're not immune to problems. A clogged drain line can cause a tank to overflow or leak into your basement. If there's sediment buildup in either the tank or piping (or both), those components will eventually stop working properly due to rusting and mineral deposits that cause corrosion. How do you flush out all that crud? Follow these steps:

Turn off the water and power

Whether you're an experienced DIYer or hiring a professional, it's important to turn off the water and power to your water heater before beginning any work. If you don't know how to do this, enlisting the help of someone who does is always a good idea.

Drain the water heater

If you've never done this before, it can be a little intimidating. But it's actually pretty easy to drain the water heater. All you have to do is find the drain valve (it'll be on the bottom of your water heater) and use a hose to drain out all of that old water. 

Attach a hose to the drain valve

Once you've found the drain valve, attach a hose to it using a garden hose. Make sure that the other end of the hose goes somewhere safe: either outside or down a hole where it won't get clogged with dirt.

Open the drain valve

Flushing a water heater is much like flushing any other plumbing fixture in that you need to open the drain valve and then use some sort of hose or faucet to drain the tank. That said, some water heaters don't have a drain valve, so it's important to know how your system works ahead of time. This will effectively flush out most remaining sediment particles.

• Use a plunger
• Remove the fill cap and pour water into the tank until it's full again

Close the drain valve and refill the tank

Make sure to close the drain valve before turning on the power and water again. If you don't close it, your water heater will not be able to refill. Once the water is on, your heater will begin to refill with water. This process can take hours, so be patient!

How often should I flush my water heater?

Flushing your water heater is a simple procedure that you can perform yourself. It's important to flush your water heater regularly, as the buildup of rust and sediment can lead to breakdowns and prevent it from working properly.

The frequency with which you should flush your hot water tank depends on many factors, such as how much sediment is present in your water supply, what kind of filters are installed on the tank (if any), and how old/new the unit is. As a general rule: if you have hard water that hasn't been treated yet or if there are no filters installed on your hot-water tank then flushing should be done every 6 months; otherwise, flushing should be done once per year.

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand how to flush your water heater. If you're still unsure about what to do with your tank, contact a professional plumber. They'll know exactly how much water you need to drain and will have all the necessary tools for cleaning and flushing.

How Do I File an Insurance Claim After a Fire?

10/16/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Baton Rouge, LA.

What To Do In the Aftermath Of a Fire

Have you ever wondered what to do after a fire? Unfortunately, fires happen, and most people aren't prepared for the financial impact. Fortunately, it's not as difficult as it seems to claim damages from your insurance company. Here's how to get started with filing a claim after a fire:

Contact your insurance agent

In the wake of a fire, you’re likely to be frazzled. Your first step should be to contact your insurance agent and provide them with as much information about what has happened as possible. If you have an agent already but do not know who it is, try calling your local insurance agency or company and ask for their assistance.

The next steps will depend on how bad the damage is in each room of your Baton Rouge home. For example, if only one room is affected by smoke damage and there are no structural damages (meaning that nothing can fall or collapse), then this may be covered under basic homeowner's coverage. However, if several rooms were burned through completely or there are signs of water damage nearby due to hoses being used during cleanup efforts (which could lead to mold growth), then those kinds of claims would have to go through an additional detailed process before they can move forward with repairs

Document the Damage

• Photographs are the most important part of this process. Make sure you take photos of all areas that were damaged by the fire, including walls, floors, and ceilings.

• Make a list of all damaged items with their original purchase date and price. Then keep receipts for any expenses related to your claim such as temporary living arrangements or repairs. You can keep these in one folder for easy access when submitting your claim to your insurance company.
• Keep copies of any police reports that show how much damage was caused by the fire and who was responsible for it (if applicable).

Know What's Covered

Before you file a claim, make sure you know what's covered and what isn't:

• Check your policy. Your insurance company may only cover damage to the building or home itself, but not any other structures on the property (like fences or sheds). If you need to repair these items, check with your insurance company first to see if they're covered by your policy.
• Check your deductible. Once again—your deductible is an amount of money that you pay before they start paying out anything at all. For example, let's say someone breaks their leg in an accident involving something that was previously insured by their house's owners association (HOA). The HOA can go after either party for damages incurred as part of their policies; if so, it will be determined later whether or not there was negligence involved on either side and how much each party would owe based on whatever had been agreed upon beforehand via contract law (or lack thereof).

Claiming damage from a fire is like other insurance claims, but you should work with a professional restoration company.

Fire damage is different from other types of damage, and the process of claiming it can be complicated. If you decide to claim on your insurance for fire damage yourself, there are many pitfalls that you should avoid. You should work with a professional restoration company so they can make sure everything is done right and you get the money that's rightfully yours. Some professional restoration companies, such as SERVPRO of South Baton Rouge, can take care of the whole insurances claims process for you. 

When a fire damages property, it's not just physical damage that needs to be repaired: There may also be smoke or water damage as well as structural issues in addition to cosmetic ones (such as smoke stains). It's important that these areas are restored correctly so they don't cause problems down the road or become more expensive than necessary. With specialized training and equipment specifically designed for this type of work, professional restoration companies have everything they need to make sure properties receive thorough care when recovering from fires—and this makes hiring them worthwhile even if their rates seem high at first glance!

In conclusion, it's important to know what your insurance covers and how much coverage you have. If you're in doubt, speak with an agent to make sure that you're covered for fire damage. 

Tips for Creating a Home Fire Escape Plan

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Create a fire escape plan for your home

During a home fire, you may only have minutes to escape your Gardere, LA, property. You and your loved ones will not have time to figure out a fire escape plan. That is why you need to come up with a fire preparation strategy ahead of time.

Making Your Plan

Involve every member of your household in the planning process. Each person should know the locations of the smoke alarms and the windows and doors.
Next, pick a meeting place outside of your home. This way, everyone will know where to go after leaving the house. Common meeting places include:

• Stop signs
• Light posts
• Mailboxes
• Neighbors' homes

Any security bars on your windows and doors may make it hard for family members to exit the home quickly. As you create your fire escape plan, make sure the bars have emergency release devices.
Finally, have every person in your house memorize the phone numbers for your local fire department and emergency restoration company. That way, someone will be able to contact these professionals from safely outside the home.

Practicing Your Plan
You should practice your escape plan twice each year. This will let you see if there are any faults in your strategy and give you time to correct them.
As each person exits the house during the drill, he or she should practice closing the doors behind them. This can slow the spread of a real fire. If you have an escape ladder, every member of the home should practice locating and using it.
You should also practice a scenario where you or a loved one are trapped in the home due to smoke or fire. In this scenario, you should seal yourself into a room by closing the door and covering and vents or door cracks.
A blaze in your home can be a scary situation. However, having a fire escape plan in place should help everyone keep calm during an emergency.

Why Choose a Certified Drying Specialist?

8/20/2022 (Permalink)

Drying commercial services in Arlington, LA

Why Go with a Certified Drying Expert?

If your Arlington, LA, business has experienced flooding, leaks or other water damage, you will likely need to hire professionals for the water clean up. Choosing a certified restoration service gives you peace of mind that the job is done correctly.

Certification
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration is a global leader with almost 50 years of experience in setting standards and providing training to restoration professionals. In addition to creating standards in other restoration areas, the IICRC offers certification in commercial drying. The IICRC certification ensures that restoration teams are up-to-date on the following:

• Technology
• Equipment
• Techniques
• Project management

The IICRC standards are developed by industry leaders and rigorously tested to ensure they reflect the restoration industry's best practices. You can trust that an IICRC-certified restoration team will perform complex commercial jobs efficiently and thoroughly.

Restoration
The IICRC standards go into great detail about the water clean up process, but the general steps are the same for most restoration jobs. The source of the water is addressed as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. The damage is then documented via photo or video for the insurance company. Standing water is extracted using pumps or wet/dry vacuums, and the remaining moisture is dried using fans and dehumidifiers. Cleaning, sanitization and mold removal are done as needed. Documents, antiques, electronics and other items may be moved off site for more delicate restoration techniques. Everything that cannot be fully cleaned and dried is removed from the property. Finally, all damaged items are repaired or replaced.
Whether your commercial building has experienced a roof leak, broken pipe, flooding or other water event, beginning the water clean up process as soon as possible can prevent further structural damage and mold growth. Bringing in an IICRC-certified restoration team in ensures that the job is done is properly and professionally, so you can focus on your customers, employees and other business matters.

What To Do if You Find Mold in Your Rental Home

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Black barrier mold

How to Handle Mold in a Rental Property

Mold spores are everywhere and are harmless when they're floating around, but the trouble comes when they take up residence in your apartment or rental home in  Gardere, LA. Whether it's in your bathroom or around your windows, mold can pop up wherever moisture is. As a tenant, here are some things to do when you discover mold contamination in your home.

1. Appraise the Situation
Before you do anything, take a closer look to make sure the substance you're seeing is actually mold and not dirt or mildew. If it's mildew, which looks fluffy or powdery and is usually gray, white or yellow, it is easy to clean off. If you determine that the substance is mold, try to find the source of the moisture it's feeding on. If it's around your shower or windows, that's a pretty obvious reason why it might be there, but if it's on your walls, there might be a pipe leaking, requiring some more intense water and mold cleanup.

2. Contact Your Landlord
If you've determined that there needs to be some action taken, call your landlord. Send them pictures of the mold and explain what's happening. Since mold is usually tied to a water problem, they'll want to respond quickly. When you do this, though, don't assume that they'll automatically take care of the cost of the mold cleanup. If the source is a leaky pipe that is outside of your control, it's usually their responsibility, but if you caused a flood or haven't been ventilating the bathroom properly when you shower, it's often your job to cover the expenses. If you think the mold contamination may be your fault, talk with your renter's insurance about what they'll cover and what they won't.
Mold is a common issue in homes, but it's important that you respond quickly if you think you've found some in yours. This keeps the mold cleanup process from becoming bigger and more costly than it needs to be.

3 Reasons Protecting Wood From Water Is Vital To Its Lifespan

7/30/2022 (Permalink)

Wooden floor damaged by water.

Three Reasons To Protect Wood From Water

One of the biggest threats to the longevity of wood is water. Wood continuously absorbs and expels water, a process that eventually degrades the integrity of the material to the point that it is no longer usable. Especially in humid and rainy regions, swelling wood can be a persistent problem that is of utmost importance to address to extend the life of wooden constructions.

1. Contraction and Expansion Damages Wood
Swelling and shrinkage in wood are driven by moisture. Years of water absorption and expulsion weaken the integrity of the fibrous cell walls that make the material rigid. This leads to fragility and cracking, which not only causes breakage but increases the likelihood of decay. Minimizing the amount of water absorbed is key to prolonging the life of wood, making it vital to keep it sealed with paint or finishes like urethane.

2. Variation in Swelling Wood Rates Affect the Integrity of Structures
The speed of swelling and shrinking varies in each individual piece of wood. Uneven rates of swelling or shrinking can not only cause distortion or warping in an individual chunk but can also cause joint problems in the frame of a house or a piece of furniture. Protecting wood with paint or finish thus helps slow the distortion at the joints, increasing the longevity of wooden structures.

3. Keeping It Dry Is Protection, Too
Interior wood (studs, joists, etc.), although not exposed to the elements and hence often left unprotected, still requires vigilant upkeep. Exposure to water from a ruptured supply line or a leak from a water pipe repair can lead to swelling problems if left unaddressed. The life of even this unprotected wood can be prolonged simply by ensuring that any damp parts are allowed to dry and are kept dry.
In most cases, the effects of swelling wood can be mitigated by keeping a watchful eye on the paint or finish that protects it. Hiring the services of protection and restoration professionals is also a good way to ensure that homeowners in Baton Rouge, LA, get the most out of their wood.