Riverside Homeowners-Do you know what type of water you're dealing with?

1/15/2025 (Permalink)

Knowing the type of water ensures that the clean-up will be done quickly and correctly.

Did you know that not all water is the same, and that there are different types of water that can damage your home or property?

Being able to identify the type of water that caused damage in your home or property is important. Knowing the type of water ensures that the clean-up will be done quickly and correctly. There are three different types of water that everybody should know about: Clean water, Gray water, and Black water.

If a pipe breaks in your home, or if rainwater floods your home, it is considered clean water. When clean water is left untreated, it becomes gray water. Gray water refers to untreated clean water that has been exposed to bacteria and other variants, which makes the water unsafe. Black water is hazardous, highly contaminated water full of fungi, chemicals, and bacteria. This type of water is normally caused by sewage damage, or any kind of natural disaster. It is extremely important that black water is only handled by trained professionals. Keep reading for some ways you can help minimize water damage while you wait for help to arrive!

Before help arrives, shut off the water source, and turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building or house. Only shut off the circuit breakers if there is a safe way to get to the power distribution channel. Do not go into rooms with standing water, as electrical shock hazards may be present. The next thing you can do is remove as much of the water as possible by mopping and blotting. Wipe away excess water from wood furniture, and prop up any wet upholstery to allow more drying. When it comes to contaminated water, stay away from sewage and items affected by sewage. Make sure not to walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread contaminants to unaffected areas. Do not use household fans to dry the contaminated water, as the air flow could spread bacteria. Throw away any food or personal hygiene items that have come in contact with black or gray water.

Here at SERVPRO®, we care about your home and your safety. When you have a water damage, don’t leave your home or property to chance. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of NE Grand Rapids! Our expert teams will make the damage “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of West Riverside City specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after Flood damage. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

If you need help with cleaning up after Flood damage, call the Professionals at SERVPRO of West Riverside City 24/7.

Is Your Riverside Home Clothes Dryer Hiding Something

1/8/2025 (Permalink)

If clothes are still damp after a normal cycle, the lint screen or exhaust vent may be blocked. Hire a professional to clean your dryer and dryer duct

Do you clean your lint trap every time you use your clothes dryer?

The dryer duct is the length of tubing that connects your dryer to an exterior wall where hot air exhausts can be released.  This is not the lint screen (the thing you pull out that traps all the hair/lint).  Lint screens are usually very easy to access and usually can be found on top of the dryer or right inside the dryer.

Did you know that dryers can cause a home fire?

The highest percentage of home dryer fires stem from the following:

Accordingly, the items most likely to ignite first in a dryer fire are as follows:

Here are some tips to prevent dryer fires:

Installation

Cleaning

Maintenance

Source: prevent home fires

About SERVPRO of West Riverside City

SERVPRO of West Riverside City specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

If you need help with cleaning out your home or dryer vent call the Professionals at SERVPRO of West Riverside City 24/7 951.351.8033

Is Smoke Damage At Your Riverside Commercial Property Covered By Your Insurance?

1/1/2025 (Permalink)

This fire broke out in an abandoned building next door to this commercial warehouse. We were there to handle the smoke and soot damage!

Does Your Insurance Cover Smoke Damage?

Has your commercial building or one adjacent to yours recently sustained fire damage?  Are you left dealing with smoke-related damage, and worried about making a claim with your insurance company? Is smoke damage a covered loss? Read on to learn everything you need to know about smoke claims to put your mind at ease.

Soot Damage and Insurance

In most cases, damage from smoke will be covered by your commercial insurance policy. This is also the case if the fire occurred in a facility right next door. However, there are some steps you need to take to properly file your claim and increase the chances of it being covered. They are as follows:

1. Contact your insurance company to report the smoke damage and file a claim.
2. Assess your loss and prepare a smoke cleanup plan with the help of professionals.
3. Record proof of any damage and repairs through photographs, receipts and other documents.
4. Prepare for the insurance adjuster to arrive for surveying purposes.

Following the steps above will increase the chances of restoring your property. Having a solid plan in place will also make it more likely that your insurance company will approve your claim.

Smoke Cleaning Assistance

When a fire damages your business or commercial property, our fire damage and large-loss specialists are equipped to handle smoke and fire damage in all types of commercial spaces to minimize disruption.

• Water removal from firefighting efforts
• Smoke damage and soot removal
• Commercial cleaning including carpet, upholstery, and window treatments
• Commercial large loss services

Creating an action plan for cleanup is one of the most important steps of this entire claims and restoration process. A reliable source is SERVPRO of West Riverside City, we are a commercial fire and smoke damage restoration company.  We arrive on scene during fire emergencies, assess the situation and help you build a cleanup plan that will include reducing odors and eliminating smoke from your building.

Smoke damage isn’t always easy to deal with, and communication with your insurance provider can be even more frustrating. Following the steps above and knowing where to turn for cleanup help can make your business’s post-fire future more positive.

Contact us at 951-351-8033, for a free inspection, we'll help explain the process and take the stress off you during a time of uncertainty.  

Tips for Making a Claim After a Fire

8/12/2024 (Permalink)

When a fire damages your home in Riverside, CA, you may not be in the right frame of mind for making good decisions.

The decisions you make regarding your fire insurance claim, however, can affect how much of the fire restoration is covered by your insurer. Here are three tips to help you think through the process rationally and hopefully get the settlement you need to restore your home. 

1. Call Insurance Company

One of the first calls you make after a fire has ravaged your home is to the insurance company. Timely reporting is essential to getting your claim processed and approved. As soon as the company receives your call, an assessor can be sent to review the damage and substantiate your claim. 

2. Call a Professional Restoration Company

After a fire, your home is likely permeated with the odor of smoke and soot damage. Firefighters probably had to use a lot of water to put out the fire, resulting in water damage as well. Certified fire restoration specialists offer both smoke cleaning and water damage remediation to fix the problems in your home. They often offer board-up services to secure the house during the restoration process, and they can give you an estimate on what the repairs are going to cost, which can back up your claim with the insurance company.

3. Don't Touch Anything

Once you have made the necessary calls and the waiting begins, you may be tempted to start cleaning up the damage yourself. Fight the urge to do so. The insurance agent that comes to assess the damage needs to see it as it is, and without the knowledge and skills of the specialists, you may cause more damage. While you wait, it is a good idea to take pictures of the damage as long as it is safe to do so.

You may feel powerless when your home suffers fire damage. By calling the appropriate professionals and waiting on their guidance, however, you can speed up the fire restoration process.

Contact SERVPRO of West Riverside City

Common Mistakes You're Making with Your "Small" Water Damage in West Riverside

8/12/2024 (Permalink)

The most critical mistake to make is failing to hire a professional restoration company to do the dirty work for you.

When Water Damage Strikes

When finding themselves in the midst of a water damage event, many people immediately react by jumping in and cleaning up the mess. Beginning the restoration process as soon as possible is important, but starting before you have taken the necessary steps or know exactly what you are doing could actually make things worse in the end. To help avoid these mishaps, a few of the most common mistakes in water damage clean up are listed below. The most critical mistake to make is failing to hire a professional restoration company to do the dirty work for you. SERVPRO of West Riverside City is your local expert to help you navigate the “waters”.

Mistake #1- Not Having the Job Done RIGHT the First Time

Adopting the “do it yourself” approach when it comes to water damage clean-up is often the go-to mindset. However, this is usually a more difficult process than people think. It can be a long process and following the proper procedures is very important. For example, if you neglect to begin airing out your home by opening up windows and doors for ventilation and using fans to dry things out as soon as possible, the damage will eventually be worse.

Mistake #2- Not Being Completely Thorough

As mentioned above, the water damage restoration process done right requires that you be very thorough. Cutting corners and major shortcuts will not make a big difference and can actually cause more damage. It is better to have the job done right up front, but it will not happen overnight. To ensure all the water is removed and mold will not begin to grow on and in your walls, ceilings, and carpet, you will want to make sure your contractor is certified to do the work needed in an appropriate time frame.

Mistake #3- Waiting Too Long

It can be tempting to put off dealing with flooding or water damage when it’s just a small incident, especially when life is hectic. Even minor flooding can lead to major damage in the long run. The water seeps into walls and flooring over time when not dried properly and can cause structural damage and mold growth. It’s not worth the risk to procrastinate. It could save you a lot of time, heartache, and money in the long run.

Mistake #4- Not Involving a Certified Restoration Company

Trying to tackle the water damage restoration process on your own is great undertaking. Having it done right the first time requires the proper expertise, the right equipment, and enough time to be as thorough as required. Though it may seem like you have the time and resources to clean it up, you will soon realize the process is more involved than originally thought. Should you ever find yourself in a situation where your home or business has been compromised by flooding or water damage, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at SERVPRO of West Riverside City.

Let SERVPRO of West Riverside City help you recover your property properly following a water damage event. Call us today 951-351-8033.

What to Do When Your Riverside Business is a Victim of Burglary, Vandalism, or Arson

8/12/2024 (Permalink)

If your business is a victim of a crime, it can be costly both financially and emotionally. After law enforcement comes and goes, you might find yourself wondering what to do next to get your business up and running again. At SERVPRO® of West Riverside City, we offer a wide array of services to help you get back to business in no time.

Burglary

After a break-in, you might expect to feel uneasy or angry. You might not expect the mess or damage that can come along with a crime scene.

First, there’s the damage the actual break-in may have caused, such as broken windows, damaged entryways, etc. There may even be blood and other bodily fluids or pepper spray residue. However, crime-solving can leave a mess behind, too. Your property might have substances like fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals as well.

After you file the paperwork and report what’s missing to the police, we can fix your property so you can get back to running your business. Whether you need someone to clean and disinfect or someone to handle larger repairs, we have the knowledge and training needed to restore your property “Like it never even happened® ."

Vandalism

Vandalism can range in severity from graffiti on a wall to destruction of property. You’ll want to take quick action to restore your business for both office morale and safety.

Graffiti may create an unprofessional atmosphere that could potentially drive away clients. At SERVPRO® of West Riverside City we can remove graffiti from most surfaces including, but not limited to:

• Glass
• Masonry
• Wood
• Plastic
• Asphalt

More severe vandalism, like a broken window or entryway, can leave employees feeling unsafe, and it can leave your business open to weather problems and, potentially, more crime.

We have the tools and expertise necessary to get your business up and running in no time. We offer commercial cleaning services above and beyond what a maid service might provide. We can take care of everything from debris removal to board-up services to water damage restoration.

Arson

Even a small fire can cause significant fire and smoke damage to your property. Firefighting efforts may even cause water damage. While police can perform the important work of finding out who committed the crime, you’ll still need to get your business ready to open again.

Our trained professionals understand the urgency of restoring your workplace to professional standards. We work hard to efficiently restore your building and belongings to pre-fire condition. We even help manage the insurance claims process.

When you run a business, you know that time is money. We offer 24/7 service, so don’t hesitate to call us day or night to start the restoration process.

If your business is the victim of a crime, call SERVPRO® of West Riverside City at 951-351-8033, and we’ll make sure your property is cleaned up and ready for business. 

When Fire Damage Strikes Your Riverside Home

7/31/2023 (Permalink)

Board up damaged windows after a fire protects your home from further damage.

Did you know that some insurance companies deny at least part of a fire insurance claim if it finds that a property owner did not try to protect their property from secondary damage?

This can be avoided by hiring SERVPRO of West Riverside city to do emergency board up and roof tarping.  

After fire damage, many properties experience damaged roofs, windows, doors, and even damaged outer walls.  This type of damage makes a building susceptible to secondary damage. Weather can come in and cause water damage and mold.  Easy access also makes it easy for theft to occur.

For these reasons, we recommend emergency fire damage services as soon as the fire department has left.  

We can:

• Attach a weatherproof roof tarp.
• Board up damaged doors, windows, and outer walls.
• Perform an emergency pack out

After your property is secure, we can inspect your property and begin fire damage cleanup and remediation services as well as rebuilding your property.

Call 951-351-8033

SERVPRO of Riverside is Certified in Bio Hazard Cleaning

7/26/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Riverside technicians are trained to safely and effectively remove biohazard.

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO of Riverside also offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers, and owners.

A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO of Riverside technicians are trained to safely and effectively remove bio hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO of Riverside will help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices. SERVPRO of Riverside can help with the following issues:

* Bloodborne Pathogens

* Methamphetamine Labs

* Crime Scene Residues

* Arson

* Vandalism

* Sewage Backups

* Black Water Intrusions

Contact SERVPRO of Riverside Professionals today for more information at:

Office 951-351-8033

Riverside Residents, Are You Aware of Travel Trailer Fires?

7/20/2023 (Permalink)

Motor homes, campers, and recreational vehicles are used for living and traveling. Each year, fires in them cause deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars in damages. Fires can start in the kitchen. They can start in the engine area. Sometimes the fires are electrical. With a few simple safety tips you can help prevent these fires from happening.

Most people do not realize that every year there are several hundred fires caused by electrical and cook top stoves in travel trailers. These fires can be anywhere from a small amount of soot to the extreme loss. Let SERVPRO of West Riverside city come out to perform a free estimate today.

Here are safety Tips from NFPA:

SAFETY TIPS

• Install smoke alarms. Make sure they work.

• Stay in the kitchen while you cook. Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop.

• Only use one heat-producing appliance plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time. Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet.

• Refrigerators, furnaces, ovens and stovetops use propane. Check them for leaks. Keep an updated gas leak detector on board.

• Have your propane system inspected to make sure it still works properly.

• Know two ways out. Make sure windows open easily.

• Have everyone practice the home fire escape plan.

• Do not keep camping heaters and lanterns on while sleeping.

• Before setting up a campfire, make sure it is allowed.

• If campfires are allowed, they need to be at least 25 feet away from anything that can burn.

• Have your vehicle serviced by a qualified mechanic.

• Keep a portable fire extinguisher on board. Only adults who know how to operate it should use it. Only use it if the fire is small and can be contained. Make sure everyone else is leaving. Make sure someone is calling the fire department.

Most of these fires can be cleaned to pre loss condition if the owner acts fast.  The fire Extinguisher dust can penetrate every inch of a trailer making it very difficult to restore. Trailers need to be mitigated professionally by SERVPRO of West Riverside city.

Contact SERVPRO of West Riverside city 951-351-8033 to help with the restoration process after your trailer fire loss so we can get you back on the road and on with your travels. 

Fire or Smoke Damages to your Riverside Home or Business

7/18/2023 (Permalink)

Fire is devastating, we have helped families through this difficult process.

Did you know?  Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas.

Smoke migrates to upper levels of a structure.

Smoke flows through plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go floor to floor.

The type of smoke will greatly affect the restoration process.

Even what seems to be a small fire can cause odors for years to come if the affected areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized or if the burned material is not addressed properly and removed.

Fire, smoke and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems if not addressed properly.

As various materials burn, the smoke produced travels throughout the structure, leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and in hard-to-reach places. Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors. 

Our SERVPRO team members know how to handle a fire loss and have received the proper training needed to address your loss.

SERVPRO is a preferred vendor on all of your major insurance company's lists. 

Contact us today at : 951-351-8033