Take These Actions if You Suspect a Gas Leak

12/7/2022 (Permalink)

A gas leak can be a dangerous situation that can have serious repercussions for everyone involved.

Take These Actions if You Suspect a Gas Leak

A gas leak can be a frightening situation and is one that needs to be addressed immediately. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to identify and address the problem, as well as ensure your own safety and that of others around you. Here’s what you need to know about gas leaks:

Knowing the Signs

In the event that you suspect a gas leak, it is important to know what to do next. A gas leak can happen for many reasons, including:

• A hole in the pipe or tank
• Damage from an earthquake
• An old pipe that has not been properly maintained or replaced over time. 

While it might be difficult to determine if there is actually a gas leak based on your senses alone, especially if you don't have experience with smelling natural gas, there are certain signs that can help alert you that one may be present. These include:

• A strong odor not normally associated with your Glendale, AZ home 
• Fumes escaping under doors or windows  
• A whistling noise coming from vents on appliances

If you've had any recent repairs done on your plumbing system, it might be worth looking into whether those repairs were done correctly; if they weren't properly completed, this could have caused your pipes to become damaged over time and led to them leaking natural gas into your home—a very serious concern!

Monitoring for Airborne Poison and Other Dangerous Gas Leaks

If you suspect a gas leak, call 911 immediately. Next, find the building's utility shutoff valve and turn it off. This will stop the flow of gas from your building to the main pipe and ensure that no more carbon monoxide enters your home or business until repairs can be made.

If another person is exposed to the leak, bring them inside as quickly as possible and call 911 immediately after doing so. If necessary, give them fresh air until help arrives. Do not leave them alone at any point during this process: they may require medical attention afterwards!

The purpose of this article is to help you learn the signs of a gas leak and understand the dangers associated with one gas leaks. A gas leak can be a dangerous situation that can have serious repercussions for everyone involved. Hopefully, with these tips and information on how you should react in an emergency situation, you will feel more confident knowing what actions to take next time something like this happens.

Required PPE for Mold Remediation

8/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professional checking for moisture

Required PPE for Mold Remediation

When you discover mold damage at your home in Phoenix, AZ, it’s not something to take lightly. Mold is sneaky and can quickly spread throughout your home before you realize it’s there. This is why it’s critical that the proper personal protective equipment, such as face masks and coveralls, is worn during the remediation. It not only protects the cleanup crew, but it also helps to avoid cross-contamination into unaffected areas.

1. Hair Covers

During mold remediation job, everyone in the affected area should cover their hair with disposable hair covers. Mold spores will be floating through the air throughout the process, getting trapped in workers’ hair. This is a significant risk for cross-contamination of mold to other areas of the home.

2. Eye Protection

Safety glasses or goggles must be worn to protect the eyes during mold cleanup. Not only will mold spores be traveling through the air, but also dust and debris. For a smaller cleaning job, workers might wear safety glasses. However, for a larger job, they’ll wear safety goggles that provide additional protection.

3. Masks

Face masks are the most essential article of PPE for restoration professionals. Different levels of protection are available. N-95 is the minimum level appropriate for mold, filtering at least 95% of airborne particles. N-99 and N-100 respirator masks will filter at least 99% and 99.97% of airborne particles, respectively.

4. Coveralls

Disposable coveralls are typically worn over clothes to avoid cross-contamination. They can be removed and disposed of before going into the unaffected areas of the house.

5. Gloves

Disposable gloves (e.g., latex gloves) are used for cleaning mold damage. Just as with the other disposable PPE, they need to be removed and thrown away before leaving the scene. They’ll be replaced by new gloves upon return.

6. Shoe Covers

Disposable shoe covers will be worn during the remediation process to keep from tracking mold and other debris from the affected area to unaffected areas.

Mold remediation can be complicated and requires specialized equipment. Face masks and other PPE are a vital part of this process.

Why a Mold Inspection Is Necessary Before You Purchase a Building

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

A mold inspection is necessary for your building

Why Is a Mold Inspection Required Before Purchasing a Building?

Smart investors know that their decision to purchase a commercial building hinges upon its inspection results. A mold inspection is necessary when considering buying a building near a flood zone in Phoenix, AZ.

Where Can Mold Grow?

After a flood, immediate water extraction is critical for preventing mold formation, but it may not be enough to prevent a mold problem. Although it is not always possible to detect mold with the naked eye, visible mold is usually an indication that mold exists in the following areas:

• Behind drywall
• Under floorboards
• Behind ceiling tile
• In the air

If the building you consider purchasing has experienced a flood, the chance of mold existing in these areas rises.

How Can an Inspection Help?

If you have a sound rationale for purchasing a building based upon location, price, and future profits, investing in a mold inspection might make sense. If mold exists, you may find that a mold remediation specialist can contain it to make your intended use for the property feasible and eliminate future problems. On the other hand, if the inspection substantially raises the amount you are willing to invest in the property, you might choose to forfeit its purchase.

How To Prevent Future Mold Growth?

Every commercial property has some degree of mold, and it is impossible to eliminate it; however, this doesn't mean that a building you purchase will always have a mold problem. You can take measures to reduce the humidity levels including, running dehumidifiers, avoiding and repairing leaky pipes, promptly repairing roof damage and cleaning HVAC coils and drip pans. It is also helpful to schedule periodic property walk-throughs to help detect potential problems before they become large issues that are costly to resolve.

When a mold inspection reveals mold in a building you are planning to purchase, managing it through minor repairs or costly reconstruction can affect your purchase decision.

Vulnerable Areas of Your Property in a Winter Storm

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can happen when you least expect it. SERVPRO has teams ready to respond 24/7/365. Contact us about your storm restoration emergency.

During A Winter Storm, Look For Vulnerable Areas On Your Property.

The damage that can occur due to a winter storm can be obvious at times, but at other times, it can be subtle. You may not notice it at first unless you are specifically looking for it. If you do have storm damage, you have only a limited time to file an insurance claim, so it is best to inspect your residential property in Anthem, AZ , and file any necessary claims as soon as you can.

Specific areas of vulnerability around your property include the following:

• Trees
• Gutters and siding
• Roof

You should inspect these areas carefully as soon as possible after a storm.

Trees

Overgrown tree limbs can break due to the high winds, heavy snows, and ice buildup that often accompany a blizzard. A fallen tree limb can cause damage to your roof, your vehicle, and anyone who happens to be standing underneath at the time that it falls. Keep in mind, however, that a tree limb may break off during a storm but not fall for some months afterward. Therefore, it is best to be proactive in inspecting trees for damage and having broken limbs removed.

Gutters and Siding

The exterior of your home is built to stand up to a lot of punishment from the weather. Nevertheless, factors present during a winter storm, such as ice, moisture, and high winds, can strip the siding or gutters from your home. Be sure to inspect any possible damage, and be sure to have any missing structures replaced as soon as possible. Missing gutters or siding leave your home vulnerable to water damage.

Roof

Roof damage from a storm can be dramatic, such as a cave-in from a broken tree limb, or subtle, such as missing shingles or roof tiles. Either way, the damage needs to be assessed and repaired as soon as possible.

It can be tempting to put off dealing with damage from a winter storm until spring, but that may only make matters worse. If you feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to enlist the help of a storm damage restoration company.

SERVPRO's 7 Steps for Fire Restoration

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Always hire SERVPRO’s disaster recovery wizards to manage the aftermath of a fire.

SERVPRO's 7 Fire Restoration Steps

When a blaze negatively impacts any office, it takes a team of fire restoration experts to get everything back to normal. SERVPRO’s employees have the know-how to make the journey as painless as possible. Here are the seven stages that are followed every time a business fire rebuild is initiated.

1. Service Initiation

Assistance begins by getting in touch with SERVPRO’s friendly and experienced representatives. These skilled information gatherers are always available, so work can get started at any moment.

2. Damage Inspection

SERVPRO’s disaster assessment authorities arrive in Peoria, AZ, and determine what actions are necessary. This step is essential for crafting an effective recovery plan.

3. Protection Application

After a fire, bad weather and intruders have the potential to cause additional havoc. Prevention of damage from outside elements is an often neglected aspect of fire restoration. Use SERVPRO’s skilled helpers to apply boards and tarps wherever necessary.

4. Water Removal

When buildings get damaged in fires, rainwater can seep inside. Indoor flooding caused by pipe breaks is another possibility. Whatever the scenario, dampness must be handled with urgency. Damage increases with every minute it takes to dry out. SERVPRO’s water elimination gurus know exactly how to make this stage extra speedy.

5. Soot Removal

SERVPRO’s rebuilding services include elimination of soot from walls and ceilings. The specialized equipment they possess is necessary for the execution of this critical phase.

6. Cleaning of Office Essentials

Sanitizing computers, chairs and filing cabinets damaged by fires can be a complicated matter necessitating multiple washing techniques. Let SERVPRO get rid of burnt odors and recover salvageable items.

7. Infrastructure Restoration

Severely burned offices need major repairs, everything from replacing drywall to installing fresh carpet. SERVPRO’s rebuilding masters have the ability to do it all

Fire restoration is a complex process involving special skills. Always hire SERVPRO’s disaster recovery wizards to manage the aftermath of a fire.

Where Does Mold Grow?

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO's Mold Removal Specialists to address your mold problem. Their expertise can control your mold quickly and safely.

What Is the Best Place To Find Mold?

Mold is abundant in the environment, even where you live in Phoenix, AZ. In order to reduce your incidence of indoor mold growth, you need to understand where mold thrives.

A Happy Home

For mold, a happy home is moist, has an ample food source, and has a hospitable temperature. The problem is that humans also like to live in similar environments. Many materials in your home are packed with cellulose, which is a prime food source for mold. Watch out for mold damage by knowing what those food sources are:

• Wood
• Drywall
• Insulation
• Carpet and textiles

Why do you see mold on non-organic materials, such as plastic or concrete? These items become soiled and develop a bio-film that is prime for mold and mildew growth. Routine cleaning can help reduce the build-up of scum, but plenty of food still remains in your abode.

How Does It Get Inside?

How do you get mold damage inside a home? The environment is rich with mold spores. Those spores travel on the wind, getting inside through ducts and windows. You can help reduce an accumulation of spores by vacuuming and dusting regularly, but spores will continue to travel inside so the key is moisture and humidity control.

Moisture Control is Key

Sometimes relative humidity is a problem, especially in geographic regions where environmental humidity is high. Maintaining good airflow and using humidifiers can help in these cases. The other way to manage moisture in your home is to be quick to fix minor leaks. You may think those leaks are no big deal because there is no major water damage, but the colonization of mold quickly gets out of hand so any water leak is a serious problem.

Sometimes you don’t realize you have a problem until you find mold damage. This happens easily since mold likes to hide in dark places where you may not notice the trouble until it is too late. Call a good mold remediation specialist to tackle your mold trouble. Their expertise can get your mold under control quickly and safely.