Halloween reminders from SERVPRO!

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

Halloween is for costumes, candy and fun! No one wants their fun to be spoiled by a fire! SERVPRO wants everyone to have a fun and safe time this Halloween! We have a list of safety tips below provided by the National Fire Prevention Association.

• Candles - Refrain from having an open flame. Use battery-operated candles or glow-sticks in your jack-o-lanterns.
• Costumes - Choose the right costume. Stay away from long or flowing fabric, and skip extraneous costume pieces.
• Decorations - Avoid flammable decorations including dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper that are highly flammable. Keep decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
• Exits - Remember to keep all decorations away from doors so that they are not blocking any exits or escape routes.
• Smoke alarms - Make sure all your smoke alarms are working and up to date.
• Visibility - Provide flashlights to children or have them carry glow sticks as part of their costumes. Make sure if a child is wearing a mask that the eye holes are large enough to see out of them.

SERVPRO wishes everyone a fun and safe Halloween!

Holidays mean vacation!

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

The most common cause of home water damage in the upcoming months are when families leave on vacation.  They leave their homes empty for days, weeks and sometimes even months.  If there is any kind of leak, even a small one, it'll be left unchecked and can cause a substantial amount of damage by the time someone ever notices.  This could be devastating.

In order to prevent water damage while on vacation it's important that you prepare your home against water damage whenever you're leaving it.  

Follow these actionable tips to ensure the safety of your home. 

• Turn off the main water - shutting off the water main to your house will avoid water pressure from building up in your pipes and weaken the pipes.
• Drain your pipes - Running the faucets in your home will ensure that pipes are relieved of any pressure
• Turn off water heater - Not only will this save you money but prevent any chance of the water heater having a problem.
• Have a friend check your home - so many things can go wrong in your home without having someone present and the best way to make sure it's handled quickly is to have someone checking on your home.

Knowing your water category

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

Different Types of Water Losses

When dealing with an emergency water loss, many people are unaware of the different types of water losses that could happen in their home or business. Knowing the type of water loss help determine the proper drying techniques and designate which damaged materials can and cannot be restored. Water losses fall into three categories: clean water, gray water and black water.

Category 1: Clean Water

This type of water loss comes from a source that does not pose substantial harm. It may include broken water pipes, overflows, and falling rainwater. However, it may not always remain clean after it encounters other surfaces or materials. If left untreated it may become a category 2 water loss.

Category 2: Gray Water

Gray water contains significant contamination and has potential to cause illness or discomfort. Sources include overflows or broke pipes contaminated with chemicals or microorganisms.

Category 3: Black Water

Category 3 water loss is grossly contaminated and may contain harmful agents. This type of water loss carries silt, organic matter, heavy metals, and toxic substances that create black water. With a black water loss, most materials may be removed and properly dispose.

*If you're unsure, call SERVPRO, today. We will dispatch our certified technicians to guide you through the process.*

What SERVPRO of Wilmington / Lomita / S. Harbor City will do for you

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot

A fire in your home or business is a devastating experience that comes with extensive damage throughout the area. The smoke and soot damage is hard to identify at times and still leaves behind linger smells and irritants. Our experts at SERVPRO of Wilmington / Lomita / S. Harbor City will survey the site and determine the damage done from the fire and whatever was used to put it out. Using state of the art machines to detect the areas that have been affected. The visible soot may be able to be wiped off at first but the damages normally run deeper than you expect. 

What we do

Our crew will come out and use the latest technology and equipment to clean up the entirety of the affected area. We clean up and restore your place to its original condition  and much more hygienic and clean then it has ever been. Using things like air scrubbers and specialized chemicals we will get to remove the soot that is stuck to walls and items, and clean the smell from these items as well. Nothing is worse than your lingering smoke smells after a disaster. Do not suffer, give us a call today and let us handle smoke and fire related damages so they get done right. 

Check in on those smoke detectors

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

It’s good to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors every twelve months, but you should also consider replacing the smoke detectors in your home or business if they are more than 10 years old. Most smoke detectors contain some electronic components, and after 8-10 years the alarm sensors wear out. At that point, the entire unit should be replaced. When you replace the unit, write the purchase date on the inside cover, so that you’ll always know when you purchased that unit.  

Generally a smoke detector will let you know if the battery is low. If the smoke detector keeps chirping or there is a blinking red light you might need to change the battery. The smoke detector red light could also indicate that it is over 10 years old and needs to be replaced. A hard wired smoke detector with a red blinking light could indicate there is a problem with the wire connection.

A smoke detector in good working order is an essential component of your home's safety equipment and having at least one smoke detector means that you, your family and your home are safer. 

Avoiding pipe bursts before they happen

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

Pipe bursts are some of the most common causes of water damage. Small changes can prevent a buildup of damage to your pipes over the years. Here are some tips to keep your pipes from getting damaged and to protect your home from water damage.

1. Consider a water softening system. Hard water can cause significant damage to your pipes over time. Early signs of hard water in your home is if your coffee maker has clogs and gives out earlier than expected. This is due to a high mineral content in the water. A water softening system will lower the hardness in the water and reduce the amount of minerals that can adhere to your pipes.
2. Install a pressure regulator. A pressure regulator will help you detect problems in your water supply before any serious damage can occur. High water pressure is one of the most common causes there is of pipe damage. Increased clogs or mineral adherence will cause the pressure to increase in your pipes and can lead to bursting. Contact your local plumber if your pressure appears to be high.
3. Insulate your pipes. Insulated pipes will help prevent freezing in the winter. If water freezes in your pipes, the pressure builds up and can cause a pipe burst.

If a pipe burst does occur, SERVPRO of Wilmington / Lomita / S. Harbor City is here to help! We will help clean up your water damage of any size.

If the Mold is Removed, will it Return to properties in Wilmington / Lomita / S. Harbor City

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Wilmington / Lomita / S. Harbor City (424) 263-9065 for help with mold damage to your residential home.

When consumers find a mold infestation in Wilmington/ Lomita / S. Harbor City many ignore it or wash the surface they find it on with soap and water or vinegar. They are not too worried about the mold or the damage that it might cause to the structure or even their health.

SERVPRO has provided mold and water removal services to homes and companies in Wilmington/ Lomita/ S. Harbor City and surrounding areas for over 20 years. Our experience has been that where there is mold, there is usually a moisture problem. The combination of mold and water can, over time, destroy structures, drywall, and cupboards made from pressed wood, and yes, it will return as long as there is a source of moisture.

Mold is always present in the air outside as well as inside our homes and businesses. Maintaining a clean and dry space prevents mold from growing. Once you smell that stale, musty odor, there is a mold/moisture issue.

SERVPRO has found that proper way to manage a mold situation is:
• Remove the source of the moisture – small leaks or condensation are common
• Remove damaged materials and structures supporting mold colonies
• Apply anti-fungal and antimicrobial chemicals before restoring the area.

Can’t We Ignore the Mold?
Many clients do ignore small patches of mold or perhaps attempt to wash the affected surface. Unfortunately, as long as there is a moisture source, the mold will continue to remain, and grow. Clients who ignore the situation may have to deal with the following:
• Mold can cause health effects.
• Ongoing moisture or water leaks can compromise the structural integrity of building structures
• There may be an unpleasant stale, musty odor

Our SERVPRO IICRC-trained Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians can help track the origin of moisture, supporting mold growth in your home or business. We provide mold remediation and restoration services to prevent the return of mold infestations.

Call SERVPRO of Wilmington / Lomita / S. Harbor City (424) 263-9065 for help with mold damage to your residential home.

Can a Tankless Water Heater Limit the Potential for Water Damage?

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

A hot water heater issue in your home can become a bigger issue than most realize. Let SERVPRO help you through.

SERVPRO techs know plumbing issues can arise with any device and have the skills and equipment to get the water out of your Wilmington home

The average service life of a hot water heater in a Wilmington home is around eight to twelve years on average. If the tank fails, it can dump a sudden thirty plus gallons of water in your home. Once free of the tank, the water spreads and migrates down and seeps under floors, affecting floor joists and can penetrate under the foundation in some cases. Tankless water heaters have some definite perks such as:  

• They do not require a tank to hold the hot water for use 
• Minimal potential for a catastrophic water damage event  
• No waiting for the water to heat up; it arrives hot
• Uses 30% to 50% less energy for hot water since no tank needed   

What is the Best Way to Get Rapid Water Removal?

After a large scale damage event in your Wilmington home requires water removal, the best action a homeowner can take is to bring in outside help. SERVPRO techs have multiple types of equipment to get the water out of your home quickly. A mere inch of water can do numerous types of damage to your home in a short period, including:  

• Destruction to carpet and tile flooring 
• Water may cause the carpet to shrink, deteriorate, or dyes to bleed  
• The subfloor may warp due to seepage and require replacement  
• Sheetrock may buckle or fall apart after wicking water 

Commonly Seen Cleanup Needs for a Home 

When SERVPRO techs work on a home post-water tank failure, there is often a lot of water to extract. Fifty gallons of water does not look like so much when it is sitting compressed in the tank. It can seem overwhelming about where to start the cleanup. Some actions homeowners can take before the arrival of the crew is to remove items off the wet floor such as magazines in baskets, decorative pillows, and porous items that can absorb water or have the potential to bleed inks or dyes onto carpet or laminate flooring. 

The flooring of all types takes a beating after a water spill of this size in a home. SERVPRO techs have comprehensive training in handling damage from water for all kinds of flooring, and they know after inspection if your floor covering has restoration potential or not. 

Laminate flooring, particularly on floating floors, fares poorly when exposed to copious amounts of water. This is due to the composition of most of the floorboards, having a melanin and fiberboard core. Once it has excessive exposure to moisture, the fiberboard swells and causes deterioration for the board. Usually, this type of flooring needs removal and replacement after a massive water damage issue. 

Ceramic and laminate (resilient) tile usually have two very different outcomes. While ceramic tile has one of the best potentials for a full restoration, if the grout line seal remains intact, laminate tile may float up and off when the adhesive loses its grip. 

Since a water tank cleanup has a rating as a clean water restoration job, as long as the cleanup starts within 24 hours, the water poses no hazards, and on a case by case basis, the techs can extract the water from the carpet and dry it in place. This is usually welcome news to homeowners who have an investment in their wall-to-wall carpeting. 

Wood floorboards react differently to water as even sealed boards still naturally absorb some water resulting in bowing or crowning. Until the boards get dried, there is no way to gauge the true restoration potential. Often with the use of drying mats, the boards return to their original shape, although in some cases, they may need refinishing. 

Once the property dries, the techs use their equipment to ensure that there are no areas of moisture that got missed. They look for:   

• Cold areas indicating moisture behind walls as seen through the use of infrared cameras  
• The use of penetrating probes to determine if any water remains within the subfloor  
• Interior humidity readings to ensure drying goals got attained

After the water gets extracted and the work-site dried, SERVPRO techs work on manual cleaning and prepping the area for any needed repairs. The Crew Chief walks the homeowner through the actions taken and goes over any controlled demolition that needed to occur for drying. Homeowners get encouraged to ask any questions, so everyone is on the same page when the restoration services get completed. 

SERVPRO of Wilmington / Lomita / S. Harbor City at (424) 263-9065 when you need assistance with water removal in your home. The technicians have the training and equipment to make the damage to your home, "Like it never even happened."

Is it Possible to Remain on Premises Following a Fire?

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO protects its technicians from biohazardous airborne smoke particles in Los Angeles area homes

SERVPRO Assesses Los Angeles Area Fire Damage for Safe Living Conditions

After enduring a fire in your Los Angeles home, you may not wish to leave, especially if you feel your property is vulnerable due to the extensive damage. However, it is vital to prioritize your safety, ensuring your home is safe before deciding to return permanently. Often, technicians use strong deodorizers and fogging techniques that require residents to vacate the property. They also may need to turn off your power for safety purposes. Our goal is to quickly and effectively restore your home to preloss conditions so that you may return.

Why are Slip and Falls a Hazard After a Fire?

Firefighters Often Use Water to Extinguish a Fire

Surprisingly, one of the major factors impeding fire restoration of your Los Angeles home is water usage during firefighting efforts. Excessive moisture on top of fire damage makes the cleanup and restoration tasks even more challenging. Our trained SERVPRO technicians employ OSHA required Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), which shuts off power as a safety precaution if it senses too much electrical current in a wet environment.

What are Some of the Most Common Safety Hazards After A Fire?

• Electrical Hazards: If the electricity is still running, it is essential to inspect for damaged wiring. It may be necessary to terminate power from the fuse box to ensure safety.
• Structural Hazards: Fire can cause loose building materials and other debris to fall. Technicians wear hardhats as personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Slip, Trip, and Fall: Excess water may cause slipping, while debris, electrical cords, and poor visibility can cause a fall.

For 24/7 assistance after a fire, contact SERVPRO of Wilmington/ Lomita/ S. Harbor City at (424) 263-9065. We make it, "Like it never even happened."

Wilmington's great history!

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Wilmington sure has come a long way and we are dedicated to help restore it one unexpected damage at a time!

If you live in the area or just visiting and love a good day of history! Here are some places you must see!

Wilmington is a city in Los Angeles County near the port of Los Angeles. It was one of the first places to introduce transportation and shipping into the region, thanks to a successful business man, Phineas Banning. A highlight to any visit to Wilmington is the Banning museum comprised of the Phineas Banning's country ranch home built in 1864. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, tours are offered by decents who take you through the history of early Los Angeles through the eyes of Phineas and his family.

A rare collection of portraits, Banning family memorabilia, the ranch barn, and gift house, and 20 acres of lush gardens & grounds grace this 23-room estate. Bringing Greek Revival architecture to L.A., the Banning family lived in the home for over 60 years. The Banning Museum 401 East M Street, Wilmington, CA 90744 Tel: 310.548.7777

Another attraction worth checking out in Wilmington include Drum Barracks Civil War Museum, the U.S. Army headquarters for Southern California and the Arizona territory during the Civil War era. Location: 1052 N Banning Blvd., Wilmington, CA

A museum is housed in the last remaining wooden building of Drum Barracks named after Adjutant General Richard Coulter Drum, head of the Department of the Pacific, served as the Union Army headquarters in the Southwest (Southern California and the Arizona Territory) from 1861 - 1871. Drum Barracks, which was first called Camp Drum, served as the main staging, training and supply base for military operations in the Southwest. The land was sold to the Army by Phineas Banning, and B. D. Wilson, who each received one dollar, with the agreement that the land would revert back to them after the camp was closed.

After all that history visit Wienerschnitzel fast food restaurant's first Der Wienerschnitzel hot dog restaurant located on Pacific Coast Highway east of Figueroa St!