Flooded Property? Act Fast!

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

The sooner you begin the recovery process to stop the flood, the more likely you will be to save damaged items and foundation.

When you experience a flood in your home or business, it is important to act fast and not delay. Water damage quickly builds up and will become more devastating as time goes on. The sooner you react and clear the contents from the flooded area, the more likely they are to be restored to previous conditions. Your items and possessions are important to you, and that’s why SERVPRO® of Simi Valley is here to help!

The sooner you begin the recovery process to stop the flood, the more likely you will be to save damaged items and foundation.

To prevent further damage and the potential for widespread mold build-up, call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley within the first 48 hours that you notice flooding. After giving us a call, take these steps to prevent a greater problem:

1. Turn off the electricity. It can be extremely dangerous if your property is flooded and there are items with electrical current nearby. Do not touch flood waters or any surrounding electronics until you’ve turned off the power first.
2. Contact your insurance company. Each insurance policy may differ, but homeowner’s insurance typically covers damages due to water leaks and plumbing malfunctions.
3. Remove water as fast as possible. By now, SERVPRO® will be on their way to begin the water extraction and restoration process. Until then, and if safe, you can try removing water with a shop-vac, “floor sucker” or bucket.

Once SERVPRO® has arrived, our experienced team will take over and determine the next steps to ensure your home or business is dry and safe. Don’t hesitate, call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley as soon as you notice flooding or additional signs of water damage. Our number is (805) 522-2945, we are 24/7/365.

Catching Water Damage Before It's Too Late

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

To avoid severe damage after weeks or even months of water buildup, the key is to act fast in getting expert help.

Often, water will create problems in a building without being noticed in the slightest. Water damage can accumulate fast, the longer a leak goes on the higher the affected cost will be. To avoid severe damage after weeks or even months of water buildup, the key is to act fast in getting expert help. Water can ruin flooring, furniture and walls, but it can also cause more severe damage to structural components within the property.

There are many causes of water damage:

• Leaky roof: An old or damaged roof may suffer from rainfall leakage, leading to the accumulation of damage over time.
• Broken pipe or gutter: Broken plumbing can cause leaks or gushes of water when not handled properly. You may notice a broken pipe due to backups in the toilet or sink, but bursts are not always apparent.
• Condensation: Over time, air conditioning units can leak if not properly maintained. When this happens, small water droplets penetrate the foundation of buildings, leading to mold.

By responding quickly to water leaks, you increase the chances of preventing further damage. Water damage can become significantly worse in a matter of hours, but taking the proper steps will put you in the right place to stop the problem. Call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945, we are 24/7/365.

How We Respond to your Calls

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® can guarantee to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today and let us help you.

Did you suffer a disaster in your home or business and don’t know what to do next? Well, after safely removing yourself from the scene, you can begin taking steps forward. It’s difficult to know how to proceed following fire, water or smoke damage, but our team of experts at SERVPRO® of Simi Valley will help you through the dilemma. Call SERVPRO® as soon as you can and let us assist you!

When You Call

We have a supportive team of representatives ready to answer your call. They will likely ask you a variety of questions which will help SERVPRO® determine the resources and equipment necessary to assist you. By answering our questions, you are allowing our representative to best prepare for response to your disaster.

Some Questions to Expect

• Name and contact information (Phone number, email address)
• Street address of home or business
• What year was the structure built?
• What type of damage has occurred? (Flood, fire, water, etc.)
• What caused the damage? (If known)
• Is there electricity and water available?
• Your insurance company?

SERVPRO® of Simi Valley

SERVPRO® of Simi Valley is here for you. With the best training in fire, water and smoke cleanup and restoration, we guarantee our SERVPRO® staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your home or business. In addition to our restoration services, we also offer mold mitigation and deep cleans of properties. SERVPRO® can guarantee to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today and let us help you. No disaster is too big or small. Call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945, we are 24/7/365.

Call SERVPRO® After Your Interior Flood

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® is the best choice for restoration after water damage.

Even the slightest amount of flooding or leaking pipe can cause an unimaginable amount of damage. Water can begin damaging floors and furniture as soon as it hits them, so fast action is required to protect your home or business. At SERVPRO® of Simi Valley, our rapid action and trained staff will achieve the best results in making your hardwood floors like new again. SERVPRO® is the best choice for restoration after water damage.

Potential Damage to Hardwood Floors

• Crowning: The planks arc upward due to excessive moisture
• Cupping: The planks bend downward and curve due to excessive moisture
• Buckling: Planks lift from place in the floor

To avoid this damage, SERVPRO® responds as quickly as possible to begin water cleanup and removal. Our team at SERVPRO® of Simi Valley is given industry leading training to handle the extraction, drying and replacement of flooring that has been damaged thus far. We use controlled methods to remove specific flooring safely. Additionally, our team will contain the water to further control contamination of unaffected areas. Following our restoration and treatment of the damaged area, we sanitize the home to ensure it’s “Like it never even happened.” Call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945. We are the best water restoration team, ready 24/7/365!

Get Your Business Back Up and Running!

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

In addition to restoring your property, SERVPRO® will help with the complicated insurance process to make for a simple experience.

At SERVPRO®, we understand how disheartening it can be to close your store or restaurant doors due to water or fire damage. That is why our franchise professionals work diligently to return your property to its preloss condition as quickly as possible. Having to shut down business operations due to an unforeseen problem can be seen as a shock to your employees, so it’s important to know that SERVPRO® of Simi Valley is your community specialist in disaster recovery. Seeking professionals when there is damage to your property is best for a complete job. At SERVPRO®, we have the right infrastructure in place necessary to handle the smallest to largest problems. Additionally, our staff is made up of experienced franchise professionals who know just what to do to when water, fire or other damages occur.

Our team works hard to restore as much property as possible. We always limit damage to the best of our abilities, and we will save as much as we can. In addition to restoring your property, SERVPRO® will help with the complicated insurance process to make for a simple experience. We will work with you every step of the way, from the initial disaster to the end of restoration, the team at SERVPRO® of Simi Valley is ready to answer your calls 24/7/365. Give us a call at (805) 522-2945.

SERVPRO: Here to Make Your Life Easier

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we take pride in strong customer service and experts in the industry. Our team has years of experience and constant training.

Did you experience a fire, a flood or a plumbing problem in your home or business? There’s no one better to call for your reparations and restorations than SERVPRO® of Simi Valley. We will make it “Like it never even happened.” Our quick and professional response team will know just what to do when you need assistance.

Highly Trained Professionals

Our restoration technicians are experts at restoring salvageable items from water or fire, and they document their work every step of the way. We guarantee our team will do their best job on your remediation and/or restoration project.

Customer Care

At SERVPRO, we take pride in strong customer service and experts in the industry. Our team has years of experience and constant training to ensure we do the best job in getting your home or business back to normal after we come through it.

Easier Insurance Claims Process

Insurance claims can be confusing and challenging, but we are here to help. Our team assists you in documentation for a quicker, easier insurance claim experience.

Don’t wait, the technicians at SERVPRO® of Simi Valley are waiting to assist you today! Give us a call at (805) 522-2945, we are 24/7/365.

What to do After a Flood

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you experience a flood on your property, let our experienced team of franchise professionals assess the flooding for any potential water damage.

Even while in a drought, Southern California is an area of high flood risk. Floods, when not treated properly, can potentially result in hundreds of thousands in damages. Heavy rain is just one potential cause of flooding. In reality, there are a variety of ways that your property could flood.

Top 3 Common Causes of Floods

1. Poor drainage
2. Broken pipes
3. Damaged foundations

Floodwater often becomes contaminated with sewage and chemicals, and it is unsafe to live in these conditions. It’s important to keep pipes in good condition as water damage is costly to repair.

If you experience flooding in your home perform the below actions to help keep damage down, but only when it is safe to do so:

• Stop the flooding from its source
• Turn off electricity (take extra care to avoid any moisture or collected water)
• Safely evacuate the structure affected by flooding

Once in a dry, safe location:

• Contact your insurance company
• Document the flooding (Take note of what was damaged by the water)

If you experience a flood on your property, let our experienced team of franchise professionals assess the flooding for any potential water damage. We will get your home back to pre-flood condition. Contact SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945 to begin the flood restoration, we are 24/7/365.

Count on SERVPRO to Fix Your Property

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

No matter what time it is or how large the job, the SERVPRO team is always ready to quickly respond to your emergency. Just give us a call today!

SERVPRO of Simi Valley is the restoration service for you! Whether it’s an issue with fire, water, mold or more, the team at SERVPRO is dedicated to responding to your emergency. When there is significant water or fire damage to your property, always seek out professional help. Our professionals have the proper skills, techniques and equipment needed to quickly combat any problems. Quick action to restore damaged property is our number one priority. By trusting the SERVPRO experts, we can ensure as many items will be salvaged as possible, in a safe and healthy way.

In addition to our restoration services, you can contact SERVPRO of Simi Valley for any of your cleaning service needs. From air duct cleaning to removing biohazard contaminants, our team will take care of what you don’t want to for a safe, clean and comfortable home.

All it takes to getting your disaster taken care of is a visit to our website or a call to our dedicated 24-hour emergency line. They’ll have all the answers to your questions about next steps following damage to your home or property. No matter what time it is or how large the job, the SERVPRO team is always ready to quickly respond to your emergency. If you don’t know where to turn after your home suffers damage, just call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945, we are 24/7/365.

Steps to Take After Smoke Damage from a Wildfire

7/7/2022 (Permalink)

Even if it's not visible, smoke damage still remains following wildfires.

Wildfires are all too common in Southern California, and smoke and ash damage cause devastating damage to a home if not addressed properly. Contact SERVPRO of Simi Valley, as well as your insurance company, and provide information about the damage that has occurred. Most of our work starts off by first contacting your insurance with you or on your behalf and scheduling an inspection of the property. We will go through the difficult process of returning your business or home to its preloss condition. Since smoke damage can be invisible to the naked eye, it is important for qualified experts like SERVPRO of Simi Valley to conduct the inspection.

While the inspection takes place it will benefit you to do the following:

• Take note of any damage you observe. Make sure to photograph any noticeable damage due to smoke and ash. The more you can document from the damage, the more it will assist you for insurance claims purposes.
• Move children, pets and anybody else away from the home and to a smoke-free area. Stay away from the residence until restoration is complete.

Smoke released in the air contains an array of toxins, and these toxins may persist if not treated correctly.  Let us work with your insurance company to help with your home’s wildfire recovery. Call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945, we are 24/7/365.

Water Mitigation or Restoration?

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration is the process of restoring your property to its preloss condition, even after being damaged by leaks, sewage, floods, storm

Restoration and mitigation are the two most important process to be carried out as soon as possible. There are some who would argue that water damage restoration and water mitigation are the same, however, this is not always true.

Water mitigation refers to any and all services involved in reducing and/or preventing additional damages resulted from leaking pipes or flooding. This can include moisture mitigation between walls after a storm event.

Water damage restoration is the process of restoring your property to its preloss condition, even after being damaged by leaks, sewage, floods, and storms. Water damage can affect your property from floor to ceiling and everything in between. Request assistance from the water damage experts at SERVPRO® of Simi Valley to help prevent further property damage from developing.

SERVPRO® of Simi Valley tackles the tough issues from start to finish. We have experienced franchise professionals and the infrastructure to handle any sized loss 24/7/365. We are fully insured and bonded, so you can rest assured that your property is in good hands. Call us today – (805) 522-2945 – for more information on how we can help with all your water damage needs.

What is My First Step After a Business Fire?

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Special techniques developed in the field can salvage nearly any item from paper records to electronics.

Call The Insurance Company

Your insurance company will need to know the full details of what occurred. Prepare yourself for the first call by collecting as much information as possible. Give the adjuster the extent of the water and fire damages. The following are important point to cover.

• Insurer’s damage documentation requirements
• Scheduling inspection of property with adjuster
• Proof of loss statement deadlines
• Request possibility of extensions and approvals

Don’t Throw Away Your Things

Items can be saved, and you will want to review the list of items damaged to determine what can be salvaged. Leave everything in its place so when the adjuster / inspector arrives onsite they can see the full extent of the damages incurred.

Our experienced franchise professionals frequently save business items after a fire. Special techniques developed in the field can salvage nearly any item from paper records to electronics. When speaking with your designated claims manager and project manager, the entire process is discussed and documented from start to finish.

Call a Remediation and Restoration Professional

We regularly work directly with your insurance and keep you in the know on the details. Call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945, we are 24/7/365.

Mold, the Water Damage Unseen

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Understanding the early signs of mold or water damage will help to minimize the extent damage can occur.

Mold thrives in unseen places, and less rather than more property owners are successful in identifying mold. In order to be vigilant, understand the importance of carrying out proper inspections and maintenance. Inspections should be performed at least twice a year, especially for those who live in areas where temperatures and moisture levels rise and fall frequently.

Inspecting for Mold

Check for water damage at the same time you inspect for mold growth. Water damage typically provides the prime spot for mold growth to occur. See below for the more common signs of water damage.

Bubbling walls: 

A telltale sign of mold is bubbling forming on painted walls. These are the areas contain the most moisture and are more likely to bubble up.

Musty odor:

When pipes begin to leak and mildew forms, it will create a very unpleasant scent. This is one of the first signs to check for water damage and mold. The closer you are to the affected area the more extreme the odor.

Rusting in open and/or enclosed spaces: 

Rust is the result of corrosion after the iron particles in an object have been exposed to oxygen and moisture. This can be a sign of excessive moisture in your commercial building. Humidity can also create the optimum conditions for mold growth.

Understanding the early signs of mold or water damage will help to minimize the extent damage can occur. If an inspection happens and a mold infestation discovered, reach out to SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945 to return your business or home to its preloss condition.

Facts and Falsehoods about Fire Suppression Systems

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Acting fast when a fire breaks out in your business will be the difference in mitigating your losses.

Fire suppression systems are typically the first response to any fire in a commercial building. Acting fast when a fire breaks out in your business will be the difference in mitigating your losses. It is important to know what is true or false when it comes to your fire sprinkler system.

False: Water Damage from Fire Sprinklers is More Costly Than Fire Damage

Fact: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advise sprinkler systems as more cost effective than damaging comparatively to other fire fighting efforts. Since they can keep the fire contained within a single room rather than allowing the fire and smoke to spread throughout the building.

False: Every Fire Sprinkler Will Trigger

Fact: First, confirm with the manufacturer and/or installer what the activation and release methods are for your buildings commercial fire suppression system. Typically, when one sprinkler in your commercial sprinkler system goes off, the others do not. Fire sprinklers act individually and should only release when high levels of heat are detected.

False: Fire Sprinklers are Overly Sensitive

Fact: Fire sprinklers only activate when high heat is sensed. Meaning, employees burning their lunch in the break room will not set off the fire alarm. Protection and safety are most important when keeping operations running.

When the unexpected happens, you are not alone. SERVPRO® of Simi Valley at (805) 522-2945 is 24/7/365 and committed to helping you every step of the way. Use our fire, smoke, and water damage clean up services to return your business to its preloss condition.

3 Facts About Water Damage

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

Additional inspections are performed after the water extraction process to confirm the extent damage has occurred.

Dealing with water damage is a nightmare. Uneasy questions about what to do, what insurance will cover, and what to save first will begin to pile up. When a pipe bursts or fire suppression system fails, life is put on hold until everything is dried and secured. That is not always the easiest of tasks.

Here are a few facts about the water restoration process to help educate you, and help in securing your property should a water damage disaster occur.

1. Water Type

Generally, water damage invades a property in (3) types: sewage, rainwater, and freshwater. Depending on the water type invading your property, it may need the expertise of a professional remediation company like SERVPRO®. It is critical when dealing with water damage to understand the source of the issue so as to safely remediate current damage and limit any potential future damage. If sewage water damage is suspected, a professional and experienced water damage restoration company will have the appropriate tools to return your property to it’s preloss condition safely and effectively.

2. Water Damage Continues After Extraction

It may be tempting to breathe a sigh of relief once water has been extracted from your property, however, be wary and know that moisture likes to hide. Additional inspections are performed after the water extraction process to confirm the extent damage has occurred. This helps to remove the potential for mold growth. Mold can cause damage to the structural components of a home, leading to serious consequences. Make sure a mold prevention expert inspects your property post clearance to ensure no mold growth has transpired.

3. Attic Spaces Are Cause for Concern

Most common water damage sources include roof leakage and gutters malfunctioning, meaning your attic is at a higher risk for water damage. Have your attic space inspected regularly by water damage professionals to make sure any small leak doesn’t turn into a serious problem.

If your home is flooded, or suspect of water damage, call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley (805) 522-2945. All forms of water damage require immediate attention to minimize further losses. We will help you stay safe and protect your assets.

What to Do When Your Toilet Overflows at Work

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO®, a water damage restoration company specializing in commercial sewage backup cleanup services.

Toilet overflow at a business is a Category 3 water loss, with damage sometimes reaching beyond the scope of the bathroom. This water is known as black water damage and is filled with contaminants from urine and fecal matter. It is vital to block off the area until it is cleaned professionally. Review the below steps to help reduce the time and money it will take to return your property to its pre loss condition. More damage will occur the longer that water is left sitting.

1. Stop flushing, use a plunger.

If pipes are clogged, flushing again will increase issues and not alleviate them. Be aware of your surroundings and perform this in the safest manner possible.

2. Turn off the water.

If water is overflowing already, spreading all over the floor, turn off the water to the toilet. The shut off valve is usually located on the wall near the base of the toilet, below the tank.

3. Inspect the water damaged area.

Water travels, and depending on the extent of the leak, damage may not be isolated to the bathroom. Water travels farther than you think. You will need to call in a professional to ascertain the extent of damages.

4. Close the Bathroom with Safety Signs.

Being safe is the most important. Safety signs hung up around the affected areas are a good way to notify others the bathroom is off limits. Provide signs to guide people to an alternate restroom until the issue at hand is resolved.

5. Call your insurance company.

Reach out to your insurance agent about what options are available to you. Sometimes damage will go beyond the bathroom. Your insurance will assist greatly with the appropriate next steps.

6. Call a water damage restoration company specializing in sewage backup cleanup services.

Hire a professional, certified remediation company to safely return your home to its preloss condition. Black water contains numerous pathogens which can carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Most of what is touched by this water remains unsalvageable. Cleanup doesn’t stop at waste and water; a professional restoration company will sanitize the area before conducting repairs. SERVPRO® of Simi Valley is here 24/7 - (805) 522-2945.

You Can Control Mold

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Increase the circulation and raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses.

There are many ways to control the internal moisture of your business or home to help with mold prevention. Review below for a comprehensive list of actions that can be taken to help prevent mold growth.

• Fix any leaks and / or seepage. If water is entering your business from outside, remediation efforts can range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. Water collecting in your basement could be a result from a lack of gutters or water flowing toward the house. Water leaks from pipes or around tubs and sinks are a perfect breeding ground for microbial growth.
• Use plastic coverings over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming up from the ground. Make sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.

• Exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens help to relocate moisture to the outside.
• Increase the circulation and raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. To increase air circulation, keep doors open between rooms, use fans to increase circulatory air, and place furniture away from corners. This promotes better air and heat circulation and carries heat to cold surfaces.

Moisture problems and their solutions vary from place to place. While the Southwest is hot and dry, the Northeast is cold and wet, the South is hot and wet, and the Western states are cold and dry. All these regions have different and complex moisture problems. The area you live will directly affect the remediation process.

What is Gray Water?

2/27/2022 (Permalink)

Ceiling pipe burst at commercial residency.

Water Damage is extremely difficult to deal with. Responding in a timely manner is important but take it a step further and prepare yourself in case something should happen to your property. Knowing how to respond is as equally important to responding quickly, prevent further problems from developing by creating an emergency plan. See below for more about where Category 2 and 3 water damage comes from and what you can do to keep your property and family safe with the following information.

How We Determine Next Steps

One of the most critical steps to recovering from water damage is determining what kind of contamination you're dealing with. There are three different types of contaminated water according to The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) which are based on:

• The source of the water damage
• The length of exposure to the structure
• The likelihood of harmful chemicals or contaminants that may be present

What is Category 2 Water?

Also known as gray water or sullage, Category 2 water damage can harbor some amount of contamination that would be harmful to humans and animals. The sources most common to Category 2 water damage are toilet bowls containing urine, dishwasher or washing machine water, and sump pump failure resulting in flood damage.

What is Category 3 Water?

Category 3 is the most extreme and should be handled by the professionals. Also referred as blackwater, this category includes sewage, rising flood waters, seawater, as well as river and ground water. When category 3 water damage occurs, often many items and materials will need to be removed from your property, then after drying has occurred your home will need to undergo significant disinfecting.

Call the Professionals

Our franchise professionals at SERVPRO® here in the Simi Valley area are familiar with the risks associated with water damage to your home. As a leader in the water damage disaster industry, we use proven systems to address water damage when calls come in. There may not be a single source of water damage, so using specific procedures to minimize loss is essential.

4 Tips for Business Owners After Fire

2/20/2022 (Permalink)

Any delay in seeking professional help could result in damages extending past where they could have been mitigated.

When fire damage does occur, reach out to SERVPRO® of Simi Valley to assess your fire damage restoration needs. Any delay in seeking professional help could result in damages extending past where they could have been mitigated. Smoke, a byproduct of fire, is acidic. It’s corrosive elements are capable of corroding away nearly any surface. Smoke and soot damage should be addressed immediately by experienced fire restoration professionals.

1. Call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley – you need professional services, so before moving to the next step, call the experts.
2. Move children and pets to a smoke-free area. Move them to a relative's or friend's home until the fire cleanup or restoration is complete.
3. Open all the windows to get air circulating to help alleviate the smoke smell.
   1. Inventory your belongings. Create a list of your business’s or home’s contents, this will assist when filing a claim with your insurance. Taking pictures of the affected items or damage is also a good idea. You will need these for insurance claims purposes, and for your own records.

Prepare Your Business for Fire Season

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

Fire suppression systems require a minimum of (4) annual inspections performed by a 3rd-party fire protection expert.

As summer and fire season approach, it is important to have your property inspected to ensure your business’s readiness should a fire break out. Keep workspaces clear of combustibles, and have any damaged electrical cords replaced. Work with your team to develop an evacuation plan and have your staff trained on the safety procedures unique to your commercial property. Once determined, the fire escape routes will need to be posted in multiple areas around the office. This way, everyone has an equal opportunity to see them. It takes minutes for a fire to become an inferno and knowing the proper routes for evacuation may be the difference in getting out safely. Fire drills should be performed with your team on a semi-regular basis to help ensure their knowledge of escape routes is up to date. Many commercial properties have fire suppression systems in place that require a minimum of (4) annual inspections performed by a 3^rd-party fire protection expert.

Call the Professionals

Our franchise professionals at SERVPRO® of Simi Valley are familiar with the risks associated with fire damage to your home. As a leader in the fire damage disaster industry, we use proven systems to address fire damage when the call comes in. If a fire affects your property, contact us 24/7 - (833) WTR-FIRE (987-3473).

Team Safety and Training

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

We never know when or where we can be of service.

As SERVPRO® Franchise of the Year 2020 and consistently in the top five of all SERVPRO® franchises we have a mission and responsibility to our team that helped get us here. As Americans we value life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

SERVPRO® of Simi Valley insists on its team’s participation in CPR training as we never know when or where we can be of service.

The premiere training company we use, HOMESAFE, Inc. a Division of ACADISAFE, is only made possible with their Training Director and Principal Instructor Gio Fanelli. We’ve included a brief bio on his background and the trainings HOMESAFE, Inc. offer and how to make contact. CPR is only ONE of the many trainings that they offer.

Gio Fanelli, Training Director and Principal Instructor:

Gio is authorized by Federal OSHA as a Construction Safety Outreach Trainer (10 hr & 30 hr), By EPA as a Principal Course RRP Instructor (Lead), State of California CDPH (Lead) and DOSH (Asbestos) Approved Instructor and Director of Training at HomeSafe / AcadiSafe.

He has performed Radon testing evaluations, Clandestine Methamphetamine "Meth" Drug Lab Cleanup, Crime & Trauma Cleanup also called "Biohazard or Biorecovery"?, Healthcare & Life Science, Infection Control, Disaster Response, Critical Cleaning in Sensitive Environments, Project Design & Monitoring, Phase I, III ESA, Initial Site Surveys to Clearance Sampling, H.E.P.A Challenge Testing by "DOP" on Portable Exhaust Equipment Vacuums and Negative Air Machines as well as Respirator Fit Testing Services, Rotameter / Flowmeter NIST Traceable Primary Source Calibration.

HOMESAFE, Inc. a Division of ACADISAFE - State and Federal Accredited Asbestos, Bio, Lead, Mold, HazWoper, Infection Control, Occupational Safety & Health Training Company.

Office | Website | Email
800.789.SAFE (7233) | acadisafe.com / homesafe.org | gio@homesafe.org / gfanelli@acadisafe.com

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giofanelli

Office Address: 18012 Cowan Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92614

Training Location: 16601 Ventura Blvd 3rd floor, Encino, CA 91436

Preparing a Commercial First Aid Kit

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

Search for OSHA's First Aid Kit Checklist to get started!

Your Commercial property is important and needs protection, and the people inside it even more so. Know that if the unforeseen happens to your commercial property, the experts at SERVPRO® of Simi Valley are here to help. We are faster to any disaster and will strive to make it “Like it never even happened.”

There are steps you can take to ensure your workplace is compliant and safe, starting with a First Aid Kit.

Continue reading for tips on putting together a commercial property first aid kit:

Use OSHA’s First Aid Kit Checklist

Go online and search for OSHA commercial first aid kit checklist to start. There you will find the necessary items as required by Occupational Health and Safety Administration; they are the industry experts on these matters. Most items are found at local drug stores or local retailers.

Continued Education

No emergency response is straightforward, and there is no such thing as too much training when it comes to ensuring the safety of the people on your property. Once you finish your kit make sure everyone knows where to access it and that the regular people onsite are trained in it’s use.

OSHA Resources

To find more information on putting together first aid kits or how to use them when needed, consult OSHA’s website. And remember, once you can ensure the health of all the people on-site, you can call SERVPRO® of Simi Valley 24/7 to respond to any restoration emergency at (833) WTR-FIRE (987-3473).

How Long Does Residual Smoke Damage Last?

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Aftermath of fire in utility room.

Ridding a property of smoke damage is a difficult task unto itself. One of the worst things a home or business can experience is a fire as it not only destroys household items but can also affect structural materials as well. The damage can sometimes extend after the fire has been extinguished in the form of water damage due to the fire-fighting efforts.

Residual smoke odor can linger within your business or home until affectively treated after the flames have been put out. If a fire affects your home or are, such as is the case with when a wildfire occurs, take the necessary steps to rid yourself of the smoke smell effectively and fast.

It can be quite difficult to remove the odor of smoke from your property. When the smoke first infiltrates your home, the small imperceptible particulates can stick to all household surfaces and even become embedded in porous materials – carpeting, furniture, fabrics, books, and even paint. Removing them requires a lot of effort and, often, specialized cleaning equipment. SERVPRO of Simi Valley have the expertise and industry leading equipment (air scrubbers, nano filters, ozone generators, hydroxl technology, etc.) that is required to effectively deodorize after a fire loss. We use safe and efficient odor removal techniques to make it like it never even happened.

Difficulties When Choosing Commercial Remediation

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Water from ceiling leak pouring into bag held by SERVPRO production team member.

It is important to have a plan before disaster strikes. Plan before the worst happens so you know who to call when disaster strikes. As a business owner you know that every day your business is closed or partially operational, you are losing profit. Consider the below when researching and deciding on the right remediation company for you:

Location

As far as the location of the remediation service provider goes, you will want to choose a local company. SERVPRO of Simi Valley works daily in the community remediating and restoring business and homes to their preloss condition.

Response Time

Choose a restoration company that shares your sense of urgency. SERVPRO accepts calls 24/7/365. You need an immediate response, and our team of best-in-class project managers and technicians gets the work done correctly and quickly.

Size & Experience

SERVPRO of Simi Valley has the infrastructure to handle any sized loss. Our team of restoration and construction experts can handle even the largest projects with ease. A company that does both the cleanup and the reconstruction work will greatly simplify the entire process for you.

You can count on SERVPRO to:

• Respond immediately
• Identify the cause of loss
• Find the right solution
• Perform work accurately and fast

5 Common Types of Smoke Damage

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen fire damage.

Depending on the substance that a fire consumes determines the type of smoke damage which occurs. Prior to inspection, in the initial call, we may ask what burned or request photos to get a better grasp on the extent which fire and smoke damage occurred. Below are some common types of smoke damage SERVPRO of Simi Valley may inquire about.

1. Tenant Smoking

This is the most common type and is caused by residents that smoke. In multifamily buildings, property managers / owners deal with these odors on a regular basis. This smoke can cause a great deal of damage to the structure, from unpleasant odors to surface damage. Smoking damage typically requires intense cleaning. 

2. Protein Smoke Damage

Second to tenant smoke kitchen fires are the most common. They typically produce protein smoke. Protein smoke damage occurs when food burns and clings to wood or painted surfaces and has the potential to discolor the surfaces it affects permanently.

3. Wet Smoke Damage

This smoke damage occurs when a fire is slow burning with a low temperature. It is one of the more difficult forms of smoke damage to address and is sometimes the hardest form of smoke damage to clean. It tends to be sticky and thick, and latches to almost all surfaces.

4. Dry Smoke Damage

Usually, this is one of the easier forms of smoke damage to take care of. It is nearly the opposite of wet smoke damage and occurs from high-temperature fires. This damage produces finer particulates, however, if it lands on porous surfaces this will make it more difficult to clean up.

5. Petroleum Smoke Damage

When an oil-based substance is burned, petroleum smoke damage occurs. This smoke is darker and lingers on nearly all material it comes in contact with, and often stains surfaces.

How Can Water Damage Structures?

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Flood cut drywall.

Water damage is never an experience a property owner or tenant wishes to experience. Water is meant to stay in drainpipes, supply pipes, basins, and sinks. It should never run unabated within the dwelling or structure. Simple repairs and maintenance can help you to avoid minor to major water damage.

We do not always experience water damage from hurricanes and floods. More commonly, business and homes experience water damage from:

• small, pinhole-sized leaks in pipes
• poor grading techniques on soil
• gutter blockage
• sump pumps that may be malfunctioning

Many cases of water damage result from non-professionals attempting to remediate the problem(s) themselves without the proper equipment or experience. If left unchecked water damage can increase exponentially and will even rot out drywall and cause mold to grow. Talk with a professional like SERVPRO of Simi Valley when you experience water damage to get best practices and next steps in addressing your loss.

Mold Can Grow Anywhere

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Thermal imaging of water loss.

Mold can grow on any surface. It is most seen in places of high moisture or lower lighting such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, cabinets, and near pipes or ducting. Behind drywall is one of the most regular placements to find mold as wood and drywall are excellent potential sources for growth. Ceilings with a lack of ventilation will accumulate moisture over time and can become an additional location for mold to grow. If the temperature is correct, and there are adequate amounts of moisture and oxygen, mold can grow.

Below are some typical ways mold can infiltrate your home or business.

1. Constant Humidity – ensure to ventilate your home properly, especially during warmer months.
2. Leaking Pipes in the Home – Mold behind drywall can also signify a faulty or broken pipe.
3. Poorly Ventilated Homes – A dehumidifier will help humidity stay below a certain range.
4. Leaking AC Unit – leaks anywhere on an AC unit can cause moisture to form and prevent the AC working correctly.

Conclusion

Make sure you have proper ventilation and low moisture content to limit the potential that mold will develop. Mold is a common issue, and many businesses and homeowners have to deal with it. It is important to get the source inspected by professionals and a professional remediation company to perform the remediation work. Call SERVPRO of Simi Valley once you need remediation work performed.

Dealing with Commercial Sewage Backup

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Water extraction after flooding occurs.

Sewage backup in your office is not a basic cleaning task. The cleanup process should only be handled by professionals. If signs of sewage backup occur, call SERVPRO of Simi Valley to return your business to its preloss condition.

Common Causes of Sewer Backup Issues

Sewage issues are difficult to recover from, however, knowing how they occur is the first step to preventing the worst from happening. Some common reasons why commercial properties experience sewage backups are:

• Stress on your plumbing and sewer system from soil settling in and around your building.
• Misaligned connections or cracked pipes within your plumbing system.
• Tree roots infiltrating plumbing / pipes.
• Irregular maintenance and cleaning. Commercial settings usually experience high-volume and require regular maintenance to make sure facilities stay functioning.

Preventative Measures for Sewage Backup

Here are some preventative maintenance measures that can be taken to lessen the impact of what may occur. See below for suggested guidelines:

• Semi-annual / Annual plumbing and sewer inspections.
• Make sure you use a water pressure reducing valve to limit stress on your building's system.
• Add pop-up sewer release valves if your plumbing system does not have them.

It is difficult and potentially unsafe to deal with sewage backup yourself and is a job that should be left to the professionals. With SERVPROs expert processes, training, and customer experience, we are here to help!

What To Do When Your Property Floods

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

Hydrometer Reading by SERVPRO Technician

Property damage adds up fast. Whether you are dealing with a burst pipe or a flash flood, water fills up your house within minutes and spreads through each room, causing significant structural damage. Know what to do when your property floods.

Stop the Water Supply

Try to identify the source and prevent additional flooding from happening. It is important to remember to stay safe. If the cause of loss is in unsafe area call a professional to assist you.

If the leak is coming from a flash flood or natural disaster, there could be little you can do to stop the flow of water. However, you may be able to slow the water down. A best practice method for minimizing impact is to start from the bottom and work your way up. If you can, try to place sandbags around the base of your external doorways. This is a good method to reduce flood impact.

Reach Out to a Professional

Remember you are not alone. We are here to help. When the unexpected does happen count on SERVPRO of Simi Valley to guide and support you through the recovery process and help get your home or business back up and running again as quickly as possible.

Choosing the Right Water Restoration

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Project Manager performing inspection.

A professional water damage company offers many benefits to both business owners and homeowners. Licensed work is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a water damage restoration company as they are licensed under local government. This means that their methods of restoration have been reviewed and are legally accounted for. Post work being performed, should you find some problem with the electrical restoration or other physical repair work, then you can easily locate the agency and request additional repair work. Government Agency registration is one of the most important aspects of a professional company and is of immense benefit to clients.

1. Reputation is important! Review the online reputation of the selected water damage restoration company you go with. Do not choose a company under the radar, but one with an established presence on the web and in the community.
2. Tried and true, effective, and fast protocols. Immediate action during emergencies proves the reliability of any emergency remediation service.
3. Well established and fully geared. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has the infrastructure to handle any sized loss, commercial or residential.
4. Best Working Tools and Resources. One advantage of a licensed water damage company is that they are likely to have access to the best tools of the trade. This is because a licensed agency will be able to apply for authorial permission to get some of the best water damage control equipment that is available in the market. All in all, opting for a well renowned water damage company is a sure way to restore your home effortlessly.
   

Whether it is a natural flooding incident or some other flooding damage, water damage poses some major risks to your home. By hiring a professional water damage company, you will not only minimize risks but also ensure you the restoration services are handled correctly.

Holiday Emergency Services

12/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment setup

With holidays coming and going throughout these winter months SERVPRO of Simi Valley knows that these times are the worst possible moments to deal with the headache of a fire or water loss. Everyone should be with their loved ones this holiday season. We would much rather everyone be with their loved ones celebrating the joyous season. However, disaster waits for no one and never occurs at convenient times.

We are here to help! Even on holidays our teams are available and working around the clock. No job is too big, too small, too far, and too much of a hassle for us to handle. We have the infrastructure to handle any sized loss. If you suffer from a holiday water and/or fire loss this holiday season, be sure to call the professionals at SERVPRO first.

Recovery After a Storm

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO van towing generator

Storm damage wreaks destruction on buildings as well as surrounding area. Wind damage can loosen the shingles or tiles on a roof which can allow moisture such as rain or snow to infiltrate the roof itself. This can allow said moisture to enter the protective surface of the roof, which will result in swelling wood with later disintegration, and sometimes becoming mold ridden. This outcome leads to a sagging ceiling and further problems. The elements such as wind, rain, lightning, or hail can result in catastrophic losses, turning lives upside down.

This is what you can expect from SERVPRO of Simi Valley storm restoration service professionals.

• Regardless of whether it is a business or residence, our company will come to your property with trained experts and perform a thorough inspection of your loss. This helps us to understand and discover the full extent of damage.

• Once the scope of work is confirmed and agreed upon, the work begins. Depending on what type of damage is present, this will determine the type of equipment SERVPRO of Simi Valley will use.

• Generators may be brought in to operate the dehumidifiers and air movers to combat potential mold and mildew to not have a change to make matters worse.

It is important to reach out immediately to reduce the extent that damage may occur. Once contacted and scheduled we will work tirelessly to rescue your building from greater structural issues.

Steps To Minimize Water Damage

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage

1. Call a professional immediately. They can coordinate your next steps best and get you scheduled for assistance. A professional will give you advice that you can trust. In addition, remember to turn off your water and power to the affected areas. 
2. Take safety precautions. Even if you are aware of the source of water it still may contaminated. Water can be clear and still contain harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
3. Protect your belongings. If you have things that have objective or sentimental value to you or your family, scoop these things up and store them away in a safe place so that they won’t be exposed to water. It can be helpful to put a dry layer (some plywood, plastic, etc.) between legs of furniture and wet ground to prevent water seeping into the legs and deforming it. 
4. Begin water removal. Follow any specific instructions that were given when you were on the phone when you called for help. Don’t do anything potentially dangerous.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley has 24-hour emergency services, so don’t hesitate to contact us. Almost everyone experiences a flood in their home at some point make sure you have a plan to address.

Commercial Fire Cleanup Steps

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

pressure washing foundation

These are typical steps in the commercial fire damage restoration process:

1. Inspection

Call your local SERVPRO to come and inspect the damage to your property. Our highly trained Project Managers and Technicians thoroughly inspect your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. Hiring a professional restoration company will allow for a complete comprehensive review of the property damage. They will also record and document all damage for your insurer if needed.

2. Safety Work

Property damage can continue even after the fire has been extinguished. The priority should be to prevent further damage to your property. A restoration company will look at what needs to be protected and take the proper steps to do so. With a lot of your windows, walls, and roof potentially damaged, the restoration company will look at what needs boarding up or if your roof needs tarping. This helps to protect your property from further damage.

3. Water Removal

Water removal post firefighting efforts is top of the list. Hiring a professional team to investigate the possibility of leaks or places where mold can develop is very important.

4. Smoke and Soot Removal

Odors and staining left behind from smoke or soot damage go beyond surface level. With SERVPRO’s specialized techniques, the next step for SERVPRO of Simi Valley is to remove the smoke and soot left behind on the ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

5. Cleanup

There are a variety of cleaning techniques that can be used to clean up these damaged items and structures, along with equipment such as industrial air scrubbers and foggers that will help remove smoke odors.

Commercial Restoration Challenges

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage

Every property loss is different. Being a local business ourselves, we understand the importance of getting your business reopened as soon as possible. Our job is to return your property to its preloss condition and the doors opened.

It’s hard to be prepared when disaster strikes. You can take steps to both prevent disaster from ever happening and make an emergency plan if they do.

Plumbing Maintenance

Make sure your plumbing is well-maintained and in good condition. Plumbing problems cause the biggest share of water damage, so regularly get your plumbing inspected. Regular inspections will end up saving you money over time. Another part of preparing for a disaster is drafting an emergency plan.

If you’re not sure where to start, consider some of the following suggestions:

• Create an emergency contact list
• Make clear emergency procedures
• Train Employees in common emergency scenarios
• Back up data storage offsite

These are suggestions and not a full list. When it comes to water, fire, and smoke damage, keep SERVPRO of Simi Valley in mind and call us right away.

5 Steps to Protect Your Home in a Storm

11/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician performing work.

1. Have Your Roof Inspected

A roof is the primary line of defense against extreme weather. Your roof should be in good condition to minimize any potential damage which may occur. Hire a professional roof inspector to ensure your roof's health. This should happen roughly twice a year.

2. Power Surge Danger

Unplug your appliances prior to a storms arrival if you know one is on its way. To help with the safety of your home make sure to unplug your appliances to reduce the risk of a power surge damaging your appliances.

3. Invest in Storm Shutters

If you live in an area of high wind powerful enough to break your windows, storm shutters can provide an impact resistant feature that will prevent the wind damage from occurring in the first place.

4. Trim Trees

Trim the trees that are at risk of damaging your property. Any overgrown trees can damage their surrounding area and cause damage to your home. They have the potential to take down power lines, damage nearby vehicles and other outdoor items. It is worth the time invested to take care of your home landscaping.

5. Have Evacuation Plans

There are times when certain authorities will call for evacuation and inform you when it is safe to stay or leave. Create an emergency preparedness kit to get ready for any storm event which may occur for when you need to hunker down and stay home. 

Why Use Professional Mold Remediation

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Mold on ceiling.

When searching for the best way to carry out mold remediation services, hire a trustworthy professional to perform the mold remediation for you. Professional mold remediation is about results, giving value that not only corrects problems but also prevents them.

1. Professional Mold Testing

One common cause of mold is from a combination of humidity and air conditioning. When HVAC systems try to cool down a home or business amidst humidity, air condenses inside vents. If mold occurs in your home, the source needs to be uncovered, the problem areas you don’t see require investigation, and the enlistment of professionals to remove that mold for good. From the onset, address the problem right by contacting a mold remediation expert. Rest assured that our highly trained technicians will deliver a proper mold assessment.

2. Address the Mold Problem Right

When you’ve found a professional mold remediation company you can place absolute confidence in, the level of experience shown will be immediate. Our Step One involves completely assessing and documenting the moisture problem. Step Two is to properly treat and clean all affected areas.

3. Helpful Tips

When hiring a mold removal specialist, you’ll receive multiple tips to prevent future mold problems and secure safe and proper ventilation. As mold problems require specialized expertise, you’ll want a good communicator in the field who is both dependable and honest. Meet the professionals at SERVPRO, who have serviced thousands of satisfied business owners and home owners.

4. Save Money

Saving money is important, especially when it comes spending on repairs. The longer a problem lies unaddressed, the costlier it is going to be when it finally is fixed.

Comment, Like, and Subscribe to SERVPRO of Simi Valley

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vehicle.

Come find us on our Social Media! Our aim is to assist in educating all on SERVPRO of Simi Valley. We put out content regularly across our social media pages showcasing our work, helpful tips, product descriptions, day in the life and more. We have done work in the city of Simi Valley and all over the West Coast. We pride ourselves on the range of the work we have performed from simple toilet leaks to commercial losses.

Being a leader in the remediation industry, SERVPRO of Simi Valley is outfitted to assist any disaster. We understand the criticality of an immediate response and our “faster to any size disaster” attitude keeps at the forefront of remediation services. There’s a reason SERVPRO placed in the top ten of Entrepreneurs Franchise 500.

Follow us on the below social media account and understand why SERVPRO makes it “Like it never even happened.”

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5 Common Causes for Bathroom Flooding

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage in bathroom

1. PLUMBING BREAKS

Pipes age over time and can rupture. Excess water pressure is the main cause and can result in a quickly flood a bathroom.

2. OVERFLOWED TOILET

Toilet overflows are common occurrences and can often be the result of blocked toilet traps or backed-up sewer laterals.

3. BLOCKED PIPES

Wet wipes down toilets and hair down sinks are a few examples of the items that we routinely find as the primary cause of loss when performing water mitigation in a bathroom.

4. DRAINING ISSUES

When your overflow drain fails, simply running your bathtub fills the tub to overflowing and can send water cascading behind the shower wall and across the bathroom floor.

5. SEWER BACKUPS

Flooding from storms will often be one of the causes of loss and can cause sewer main backups that fill the bathroom with sewage, but tree roots also can crack, clog and back up sewer lines.

Round the Clock Emergency Services

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO team on jobsite.

SERVPRO is known for being “faster to any size disaster,” commercial or residential. When compared to other restoration companies SERVPRO of Simi Valley is not only on site the fastest. We also maximize our efficiency while on the job to make sure we are fastest at getting you back into your home or place of business as well. Why SERVPRO? Because we understand what it means to be the leader in restoration not just in our city but across the nation, being a company that is available 24/7 we are truly around the clock. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has a professional always on call to make sure we are ready to jump into action no matter what time it is or what the job call may be! You will never have to worry about what time your emergency may happen knowing that we will be there for you immediately.

Treat Smoke Damage Immediately

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERPVRO Fire Damage Experts

Fires are a devastating loss. Not only do they do physical damage to your dwelling, but soot will also cling to the inside of your home. Immediate action is needed to help mitigate damages. It can be difficult dealing with the aftermath of a fire.  However, if left untreated, smoke and fire damage can be even more devastating in the following ways:

• Restoration Cost Increases

Smoke and Ash is a very corrosive element. It can corrode away ceilings, walls, floors and nearly any other surfaces in your home. Cleaning quickly with soap and water is not enough. Hire an experienced remediation company like SERVPRO of Simi Valley to do proper cleaning with the appropriate chemicals to contain damages that occur.

• Deposits of Soot

Removing soot residue and deposits is a highly effective first step. Soot can travel and penetrate rooms unaffected by fire damage causing harm to both those rooms and their contents within.

• Damage Extends/Permanent Damage

Smoke damage starts to set within hours and can cause permanent harm to your property. It begins to worsen and becomes more difficult to deal with if left untreated for too long. This can make the treatment process harder and more time consuming. After a fire, make sure to treat your home immediately. This can help protect yourself from prolonged smoke exposure as well as make it easier to restore your home post fire and smoke damage.

Top 5 Causes Resulting in Commercial Water Damage

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage.

Commercial buildings are not immune to water damage. It is disastrous and can impact your business physically and financially. The best way to minimize damage to your business is with an immediate response.

1. Damaged sprinkler system
   Over time, sprinklers can malfunction. Once this occurs, sprinkler systems can activate even without fire which leads to serious flooding.
2. Roof leaks
   As roofs age, they become more vulnerable to heavy rains, resulting in water damage in your building’s roof.
3. Improper Equipment and Appliance Maintenance
   Commercial buildings have appliances such as water heaters, HVAC systems, washing machines etc. There are also pipes within buildings that can receive damage anytime and result in water damage in the commercial space. Regularly have your buildings equipment and appliances inspected especially if they are in consistent use. Major problems can result if appliances and equipment break, and no one notices it or during off-hours.
4. Improper Window Maintenance
   Moisture can seep through windows which are not properly maintained and sealed. It may not cause immediate damage, however, over time if left untreated may result in microbial growth and damage to the interior structure.

5. Natural disaster
   Not just natural disasters such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, hurricanes can result in damage to your commercial property. Clean your rain gutters as well to limit rainwaters opportunity to stream towards your buildings foundation resulting in more water damage.

Commercial Restoration Experts

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vans in a row.

Our size and scalability allow us the ability to handle multiple commercial projects at once and enable us to perform work with maximum efficacy. Unforeseen events can have serious effects on your home or business and our business is to keep yours moving forward. We are well trained experts in performing this task. From minor delays to major disasters, we are there 27/7 to support you.

We pride ourselves on being a restoration company that knows what it takes to ensure business continuity, and with our immediate response we can maximize our mitigation services. Timing is key when determining your first response and we are faster to any size disaster. Make us your single remediation and restoration services partner. If your business or home is affected by fire, water, mold, or storm damage call SERVPRO of Simi Valley.

Wildfire Season Preparedness Tips

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency preparedness.

Should a wildfire start in your area you will need to be able to move quickly and efficiently. You may have to leave your home to stay safe. Have different escape routes planned out from your home or community. Make sure to understand the procedure your community follows when making your emergency preparedness plan.

1. Emergency Supplies
   1. Go kit: (3) days of supplies
   2. Stay at home kit: (2) weeks of supplies for home confinement/stay
   3. 1-month supply of medication in child proof container
   4. Keep personal, financial, and medical records in safe, fireproof container.
2. Communication Plan
   1. Sign up for local government emergency alerts
   2. Obtain back up battery/ies for any mobile devices
   3. Obtain a battery-powered radio
   4. Monitor weather conditions near you
3. Emergency Skills
   1. First-aid training
   2. CPR training
   3. Be ready for no power. Plan for your needs, including cell phones and medical equipment.
4. Download American Red Cross Wildfire Safety Checklist: https://bit.ly/Wildfire-Safety-American-Red-Cross

Link to current California Wildfire incidents: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/.

Reduce Structural Risk Against Wildfires

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

No symbol over wildfire symbol.

Readyforwildfire.org advises that a large step in reducing wildfire risk to your property is creating defensible areas or zones. These are described as (3) zones with varying defined distances and details to perform within each Zone: 0, 1, and 2.

Zone 0: (0) to (5) feet

The Immediate Zone is the area closest to the structure and the most vulnerable. Remove any combustible material surrounding your property. This can be dry grass or brush, outdoor furniture, trashcans etc. Clean any fallen leaves and needles regularly and repeatedly during the fire season.

Zone 1: (5) to (30) feet

The Intermediate Zone can include other buildings, structures, trees, etc. Keep it “lean, clean, and green.” Remove dead plants, dry leaves, pine needles, etc. from your rain gutters, roof, and yard. Regularly trim your trees to a minimum of 10 feet from other trees. Branches that hand over your roof should be removed and any dead branches should be kept 10 feet away from your chimney. Move any woodpiles at least 30 feet from any structure.

Zone 2: (30) to (100) feet

The Extended Zone includes space more than 100 feet away if defined otherwise by vegetation conditions, steep slopes, and or your local fire department. Cut down/back annual grass to the regulatory size in your area.

5 Warning Signs of a Burst Pipe

9/3/2021 (Permalink)

Burst pipe and water damage.

Not all broken pipes cause immediate water damage. It can sometimes be a slow leak that eventually causes water damage to your home or business. Be alert to the warning signs of a broken pipe.

1. Fluctuating Water Pressure:

Don’t immediately blame the city. It may be a busted pipe. Pressure changes are hard on plumbing system and can damage pipe fittings.

2. Water discoloration and or smell:

The water has taken on a brownish or “rust” colored feature and or smells of rotten eggs. Fun fact, that rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide, a naturally occurring gas that can also form in sewer lines. Make sure to call in a certified technician to handle this type of issue.

3. Recurring sink puddles:

You try to stop any leaks under sinks to no avail. Inspect your home or business carefully just above pipe cover plates, additionally look for damp spots.

4. Noisy pipes/water movement sounds within walls:

If no water is running in your home, you should not be able to hear water. A single broken pipe can influence the water pressure of an entire structure.

5. Rising water bill cost:

Small drips can add up. Make sure to regular check your water bill and plumbing fixtures for leaks to lessen the chance a pipe burst will occur.

4 Steps Towards Preventing a Complete Business Shutdown

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

Side by side SERVPRO vans.

Storm damage can be serious, but it does not mean the end of the world. By creating a plan and partnering with the support and help you will need, there is no reason why you should have to shut the doors to your business. When the damage to your building is serious enough to need repairs, but not catastrophic, you may be concerned about running your business while the emergency mitigation services are being performed. SERVPRO of Simi Valley works with countless various industries and are experts in commercial remediation. Our various customers’ industries include those such as: residential, hospitality, medical, manufacturing, law, and government.  

We keep a clear line of communication open with our customers. Our highly trained claims managers work in tandem with our schedulers daily to confirm and memorialize the scope of work being performed daily. By understanding to our customers’ needs our team is able to devise the proper mitigation plan to minimize business interruption. Over 60% of small businesses don’t have a plan in place, and more than one in four businesses undergo a critical or significant loss every year.

Preventative Steps:

1. Create a plan.
2. Understand your coverage.
3. Get prepared.
4. Make SERVPRO of of Simi Valley your remediation partner.

Commercial Main Fire Sprinkler Break

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Main fire sprinkler break with rising water and silt.

This wholesale distribution client suffered a main fire sprinkler break which caused silt and water to rise where the fire sprinkler pipe extends from the concrete slab. Approximately 590k square feet was affected by silt and water. Our team worked (2) 12-hour shifts to help mitigate their business interruption and restore the space back to its preloss condition. We also assisted in inventorying and disposing of our clients damaged contents. This is also known as non-salvageable contents or total loss items. We were able to successfully restore this customer’s business to their preloss condition.

When your call comes in a SERVPRO claims managers will be assigned as a liaison between you, our onsite team, and the insurance carrier to make sure your home is restored to its preloss condition with all appropriate post clearance testing, city inspections, and most importantly our customer satisfaction form signed by you our client once work is complete.

Top 5 Difficulties Faced When Working Commercial Remediation

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage in commercial building.

After your home or business structure becomes compromised from unforeseen events such as extreme weather, poor building techniques, or some other circumstance, owners must decide on the best course of action to take.

1. Pathogens

There is a great deal of risk after a disease outbreak when it comes to water damage remediation and cleanup. There is a high risk of potential exposure to bacteria, viruses, mold, and other pathogens. Water damage remediation and cleanup after a disease outbreak both come with the risk of exposure to bacteria, viruses, mold, and other pathogens. This is a special concern relative to sewage and or fire sprinkler water damage. SERVPRO of Simi Valley ensures that our crews have training in and access to the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning equipment.

2. Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

Meth labs in homes or hotels, industrial spills etc. all require remediation to rid the chemicals on surfaces where they may be present. Knowing the chemicals which are potentially present will help determine what type of PPE is needed to protect crews from touching or breathing them in. Proper precaution is taken so as to limit exposure to the remediation chemicals and the pathogens being treated. 

3. Decontaminating Both Large Areas and Hidden Surfaces

In your home or building, you may encounter a myriad of surface types and materials, including but not limited to:

• Walls and ceilings
• Metal, wood, or concrete
• Ridged or uneven surfaces
• Carpet, upholstery, and other fabrics
• Hidden spaces behind walls or equipment

Some remediation chemicals require mechanical scrubbing to effectively remove contaminants. This can present challenges in large commercial spaces and can require a lot of manpower.

4. Penetrating Walls to Reach Areas Behind Them

Mold remediation costs can also escalate when sections of walls must be removed to access the areas behind them. Those sections require replacement, which adds to the overall remediation cost, and will require additional work to return the space to its preloss condition. 

5. Working in Areas with Limited Access

Small areas such as crawl spaces and attics are difficult to access for remediation and to perform the visual inspections needed to confirm surfaces have been treated. Fire damage remediation also present unique challenges where structural damage may occur preventing access to affected areas. It is important to have both the right products and equipment in order to ensure all affected areas are treated, no matter the difficulty in reaching them.

Call a SERVPRO certified professional. We are experts in all manner of remediation and restoration. Our Project Managers and Technicians are highly trained, certified, and committed to best in class service and production.

Top Five Reasons Fire Suppression Systems Fail

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage by inactive fire suppression system.

Fire sprinkler suppression systems are common in commercial and becoming more common in residential. Top five failures for fire suppressions systems:

1. Improper maintenance – most common: faulty pumps, failing suppression material supply.
2. Typically, in hotels or apartments tenants hang a coat hanger on the sprinkler head.
3. Influx in pressure to fire sprinkler system.
4. Crack or break in the plumbing lines.
5. System shut-off. This is the cause for nearly 2/3 of fire suppression system failures.

It is important to regularly get your Fire Suppression System checked. Four times annually is the recommended amount that it should be inspected.

Regardless of the fire damage source in your home or business, SERVPRO of Simi Valley is there to support and educate you during your loss. Fire remediation and repair pose many questions and concerns depending on the nature of building materials burned. Our senior project managers are well trained in the science of combustion byproduct cleanup. SERVPRO of Simi Valley claims managers will be designated to be your liaison between you, our onsite team, and the insurance carrier to make sure your home is restored to its preloss condition with all appropriate post clearance testing, city inspections, and most importantly our customer satisfaction form signed by you our client when we hand back the keys to your home.

How We Dry Your Home After Water Damage!

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

First a detailed assessment must be performed onsite to confirm the extent of water damage which has occurred. Depending on the building materials that are affected our team will provide a detailed scope of work and dry out/mitigation scope of work for your review and that of your insurance adjuster.

Sometimes, the damage is minimal and the dry out plan can happen very quickly with minimal cost. If this is the case an insurance claim may not be required as it the cost of mitigation will be less than your deductible amount possibly. In other instances where the damage is more significant, we are able to communicate all aspects of the scope and cost in a timely fashion. We divide the process into (3) phases. Phase (1) initial moisture mapping, and or fire mapping, stabilization through the use of engineering controls and equipment. Phase (2) is to assess our client’s contents such as furniture, artwork, clothing. Phase (3) is a detailed reconstruction estimate itemizing the building repair scope of work and cost to be performed.  

There are many different types of equipment that can be needed for a significant loss. Some of this equipment includes:

• Dehumidifiers
• Air movers
• Water extraction vacuums
• HEPA vacuum, both backpack and canister type
• Submersible pumps
• Moisture detectors
• Hygrometers
• Infrared
• Floor mat drying system
• Desiccants

Four Simple Ways to Prevent Mildew in Your Bathroom

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

In this photo, you can see the microbial growing from allowing mildew to grow in the bathroom.

1. Paint the walls with Mildew-Resistant paint. Your bathroom walls can and will absorb lingering moisture from a steamy shower which can spur the growth of mildew. Painting your walls with mildew-resistant paint will give your bathroom extra protection.
2. Keep your bathroom well ventilated because mildew thrives in damp places. Which can make a bathroom a prime breeding ground.
3. Fix any leaks you might find; the tub, the sink, the window. They can all lead to future problems if not assessed quickly.
4. Always mop up excess water. After a bath or shower, or even washing your hands, don’t let standing water stay.

By doing these 4 things you can prevent mildew and microbial growth from entering your home. If you ever suspect mold in your home you should always call SERVPRO for the expert experience.

Keep Your Ductwork Clean. Here Are Five Reasons Why.

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

The air quality in your property is important. Keeping dust, pollen, pet dander, and other irritants out of the air you breathe involves more than changing the air filter. What about the air ducts? Contaminants collect in the duct system too, and regular cleaning of the air channel is important.

1. Improves your health- poor indoor air quality ranks among the top five environmental risks to your health. 

2. Energy consumption- clean ductwork helps lower your utility bill and helps your HVAC unit last longer. 

3. Smelly air- odors continue to plague your property long after you remove the offensive item.

4. Moldy reasons- microbial growth can grow in your duct system especially if your property suffered recent water damage from flooding or foundation cracks. 

5. Call a professional- We here at SERVPRO are the experienced professionals you want to take care of this for you!

We Take Your Water Damage Details with Serious Consideration

7/18/2021 (Permalink)

We work as quickly as possible to get you back into your home.

The rains have stopped for now, but plumbing issues still happen to California homes just like they always have. The damage from a broken kitchen sink or a pipe behind a wall is indistinguishable from stormwater that finds its way in from under the roof.

Regardless of the water damage source in a home, SERVPRO has four key actions we take before moving on to restoring furniture. First, we move every piece of furniture off the carpeting. Next, we clean any furniture stains before we even start to dry the home. Next, we tent all cushions to prevent color bleeding and speed up drying time. Finally, we calculate the restoration cost against the replacement price for the customer.

With that accomplished, our technicians move on to drying and protecting the upholstery. They take the first step by tenting the cushions. Tenting is simply standing the cushions up and leaning them against each other with a sheet of waxed paper between them to stop or at least reduce color bleeding. Now, they place air movers and dehumidifiers underneath or next to them to speed the process. Zippers and most metal buttons quickly rust, which they are hand-dried immediately. We also insert waxed paper between the zippers and cushions and place pads around the buttons to prevent any possible transfer of rust, no matter how small.

It may be necessary to dampen the entire fabric of a piece of furniture to keep a uniform color. Then, water extractor wands are used to draw out any moisture evenly. We use a variety of upholstery tools to ensure the nape of the fabric is carefully brushed out to its correct form as it dries.

Restoring furniture damaged from broken plumbing is an intensive, drawn-out process. To do it correctly takes a professional restoration company. SERVPRO is ready to walk you through every step and make sure you understand the costs associated with restoration, replacement, and when to choose. 

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoring Certification

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoring Certification or IICRC for short. IICRC is a nonprofit organization that develops and publishes standards detailing the proper procedures for safe cleaning and restoration. All of our technicians and as well as our office staff are IICRC certified. Being up to IICRC standards allows all of our employees to have the best knowledge industry-standard training giving each and every one of our customers the best service.  We are constantly holding classes for employees and professionals to be up to date and work towards new certifications in areas such as Applied Structural Drying, Commercial Drying, Fire and Smoke, Mold Removal, etc. This helps us to ensure that no matter what situation clients can always rest assured that they are choosing the best restoration company.

SERVPRO and Farmers Insurance

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have Farmers Insurance? Did you know SERVPRO is part of the Farmers Emergency Mitigation Referral Program (EMRP)?

That means we are here for you and on-call 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are one call away.  We offer emergency services to mitigate the effects of damage caused by fire, smoke, and water. The goal is to prevent further damage to your home and save as much building material as possible.

We here at SERVPRO are reputable vendors who are properly licensed and insured — and have agreed to follow accepted industry standards and practices. We have the equipment, technology, training, and customer diplomacy for any size disaster. We thoroughly document and communicate each step of the restoration process, because an informed customer is often a happy one.

How To Protect Your Hardwood Floors

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water is arguably one of the biggest enemies of hardwood floors. After a flood, your best chance of recovering your flooring is to hire a professional restoration company immediately. However, failing to protect your floor from moisture or spills on a daily basis can also cause irreversible damage.

• Remove wet, moist, or damp items, such as carpets, clothes, boots, or appliances, from contact with the floor as soon as possible.
• Wipe up any spills from the surface immediately to prevent the liquid from penetrating the floor.
• If a room with a hardwood floor has an exterior door, place a rug in front of the door.
• Inspect the plumbing and fix any leaks that might contribute to water getting onto the floor surface (or any structural component, for that matter).
• Control the humidity in your home. During the summer, the air tends to be moister and during the winter, the air is dryer. Both moist and dry air can affect wood, so adjust your humidifier accordingly.

If the water has started to damage your floors, call the professionals of SERVPRO to help dry out your precious floors.

Decontamination Chambers

5/29/2021 (Permalink)

Three-stage decontamination chambers consist of a clean room, shower/decontamination chamber, and an equipment room.

Single or 3 stage decontamination chambers are effective in preventing cross-contamination. Strict protocols are used when entering and exiting the decontamination chambers. Three-stage decontamination chambers consist of a clean room, shower/decontamination chamber, and an equipment room. Each chamber is separated from the other and the work area by specially designed airlocks.

The clean room is used to remove and store street clothes, don personal protective clothing, and respiratory protection before entering the work area. Workers then use the shower/decontamination room on their way out after leaving any contaminated clothing in the equipment room. From there the equipment room is the contaminated area where any contaminated work clothing such as boots, hardhats, goggles, and any other equipment is stored after proper HEPA and/or wet cleaning.

An important part of the decontamination chamber is a manometer which indicates pressure differential inside the work area compared to areas outside. This digital device indicates if proper negative pressure is current inside the work area.

Signs To Help You Spot Water Damage In Your Home

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Quick signs that could lead to possible water damage in your home. 

1. Check your floors.

No matter what kind of flooring you have, it will manifest signs of water damage.

2. Look for stains.

Unusual stains could indicate there is a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall. Cracks in the drywall or areas that appear swollen and are soft to touch also may signify trouble. Peeling paint is another sign of loose water within wall spaces. As the drywall gets saturated, paint can lose adhesion.

3. Inspect the outside.

What you want to look for are pools of standing water that can indicate poor drainage in the yard, gutter spouts that aren’t transporting water far enough from the house, or leaky rain gutters.

4. Watch for rust and mold.

Inspect your water heater and check for rust on the tank or damp spots on the floor.

By following these tips and being aware as a homeowner you can possibly catch water damage early on and save yourself a headache in the future. 

Tips to Prevent Storm Damage to Your Residential Property

5/27/2021 (Permalink)

While rain gutters are often overlooked, they actually play a big role in maintaining the condition of your home. The gutter will become heavier from the excess debris and water, potentially causing it to break. If your gutter breaks away from the house, you’ll have to cover the costs of a new gutter, as well as any damages done to your siding and/or windows. If the gutter is barely hanging to your roof and there is resting water, it can lead to the risk of rusting. Excess water in the rain gutter can lead to spilling over onto the house’s siding, and flooding in the basement, etc.  These complications and costs of repair can be avoided by keeping your rain gutters clean.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost. Give us a call if you have any further questions! 

First To Utilize Matterport

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

We are committed to the SERVPRO brand, our customers, and the restoration industry to uphold excellence.

Have you ever heard of or used Matterport before? Matterport delivers accurate, transparent, and fair documentation and valuations. Our team was the first to utilize Matterport photo document technology with SERVPRO. We advise Matterport of the benefits of using their technology in the insurance and restoration space.  We have a saying throughout the company, “We don’t get paid for what we do, we get paid for what we document.”

This technology and other moisture mapping and thermal imaging advancements are now providing transparency at the highest levels helping to reduce insurance abuse. Our purpose is to always tell the truth, be transparent, provide best-in-class mitigation, remediation, and reconstruction.

We are committed to the SERVPRO brand, our customers, and the restoration industry to uphold excellence.

Are You On Social Media? Let's Connect!

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Do you already follow us on our social media pages?  If you have not done so already, come find us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram!  We aim to provide great content by giving everyday helpful tips, showcasing our work, and just keeping it fun overall. 

Some of our posts include the science of identifying and eliminating odors can be tricky, but as professionals in deodorization, we can take care of it.  Some other examples of what we post are many emergency preparedness tips and showing before and after photos.

We also like to share the jobs we have completed in cities such as Los Angeles, Century City, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown, Bakersfield, Sylmar, and just all over the West Coast region. 

What would you like to see us share on our pages? Let us know! We would love to connect and hear from you. 

Here are the links to our pages:

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Twitter: click here

LinkedIn: click here

Smoke Damage Restoration

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke damage is a common side effect of fire damage, but it can happen on its own if a fire is contained. After a fire, even a small one, it’s important not to skip the important step of smoke damage restoration. A fire can devastate you and even affect your sense of security in your home or office. And while fire damage tends to be obvious, smoke damage can be a bit more subtle. However, smoke damage also needs to be repaired to restore the beauty and stability of your building’s interior.

A fire is easier to contain than smoke damage and with smoke damage, it can be destructive even if it doesn't seem that way. Smoke restoration requires special equipment and knowledge of where smoke can penetrate, the sources of smoke odor, and the best cleaning and restoration method for specific surfaces and materials. Call us if you have any questions. We're here to help!

Keep Your Home Safe From Fire

5/23/2021 (Permalink)

Protect and fireproof your home with these five tips.

Fire season is upon us and there are some things you can do to minimize damage to your property.  Here are five tips to fireproof your home:

• Apply fire-retardant chemicals:  You can use eco-friendly fire-retardant sprays that can be applied to at-risk areas that are most prone to fire in your home.  They are a great line of defense and decrease the ability of materials to ignite. The chemicals in the fire retardant are applied to materials to create a barrier or slow the growth of the fire. 
• Get rid of Vegetation:  Make sure there is no dry or dead vegetation around your home because it causes the highest risk. Be sure to prune highly flammable shrubberies that are dry. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends creating at least 30 feet of defensible space between your home and surrounding vegetation to reduce the potential for damage.
• Limit roof combustibility:  Complex roofs with a lot of ridges are more prone to fire because wind can cause embers to get caught on the ridges and valleys. A safer option would be to consider replacing your roofing with fireproof material and applying fire retardant chemicals. Cleaning out debris such as leaves and pine needles is helpful along with checking for broken shingles then replacing them to reduce your home catching fire. 
• Keep your gutters clean:  It’s important to clean your gutters because they can accumulate vegetation and other debris when it’s windy. Then the debris in your gutters is more likely to catch fire when the season is dry. Removing the debris regularly can help reduce fire risk.
• Focus on protecting your windows:  Older windows may consist of a single pane of glass. Newer windows are “dual-pane” or “multi-pane.” In general, dual- or multi-pane windows are better choices from both a wildfire resistance and energy efficiency perspective.  Window failure can occur if the glass in the window breaks, allowing embers and flames to enter the building, or the combustible frame ignites and the fire is able to move into the occupied space. The most vulnerable window during a wildfire is one that is left open.

Why SERVPRO Should Be Your First Call

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals understand all of your situations when it comes to remediating water, fire, mold, or storm damage. 

Our technicians have regular training, even if they are the most knowledgeable in the game. We make sure to have refresher courses and are constantly studying up with our crews to make sure they always know what to do. You can trust that when a SERVPRO technician enters your home or business, you will be satisfied with them.

Restoring property is SERVPRO's first priority. You will appreciate the immediate response and you will know everything is being done to limit the damage. It doesn't matter what time or what day you call we will have a crew to you in a matter of hours, assessing the damage, and beginning work on your property. 

Secondary Damage

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

While water is essential for our survival, it doesn’t suit well in some situations when it comes into contact with materials at work in your office building suddenly in quantities or consistently over long periods of time. An immediate burst of flooding can cause terrible damage, but undetected water over many months or years can introduce secondary damage and other problems such as black mold. It’s important to understand the issues that can arise when gradual water damage occurs.

So, how does flooding start? You can do all you can to try to prepare and guard your business against disasters, but they’re not always possible to predict or prevent. Floods are among one of the most devastating emergencies you could face at work and one of the biggest causes of secondary water damage. Here’s are a few ways how they can start:

• Sewer backup
• Leaky or broken pipes
• Weak roof or missing roof shingles
• Poor drainage
• Water that finds its way into your building’s foundation

What It Could Leave Behind

When water gets on the floor, onto furniture or on the drywall, you may still have some damage even after you clean it up. This is known as secondary damage. From this, you may find fungal growth and other bacteria in parts of your building. It usually requires a trained professional mold remediation specialist to remove. 

What Happens If You Do Find Mold

If you spot mold, there’s a good chance it is black mold. This is not something you should try to clean up yourself, and you definitely do not want to ignore it. A professional crew will use specialized chemicals and processes to get rid of the mold and sanitize the affected area so you feel comfortable resuming your work duties in the building.

What You Should Watch For To Stay Proactive

Parts of your building with high humidity, such as laundry facilities, bathrooms with showers, or exercise rooms, may be susceptible to mold growth before or after a flood. Checking your plumbing systems regularly is recommended as well.

Storm Damage Cleanup in Simi Valley, California

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

When the wind sends branches and debris hurtling into your home, or other acts of storm-related damage, force destruction on your property, we understand that it’s not your favorite thing to deal with. But at SERVPRO of Simi Valley we are equipped and trained to handle storm damage cleanup in the aftermath of a storm. We’ll clean up the debris and broken pieces of your home and make sure that all harmful substances are removed from your area so that it’s clean again. DIY storm restoration is never a good idea. As a homeowner, you can never be sure what stormwater and/or mud is contaminated with. 

If you suffer from any storm damage your first call should always be to SERVPRO, we can make it "Like it never even happened."

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know 50% of businesses may never reopen after suffering a disaster? According to the latest research, half of the time when businesses are affected by a fire or water damage, they end up having to close down. For the businesses that do survive, the majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.  By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Emergency Ready Program, ERP for short, allows SERVPRO to help commercial properties to be ready in case of a water or fire emergency. By entering detailed information before an event happens, you can minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. 

There's also useful information such as how to turn off electrical panels, main water, gas, etc. to stop any more damage from happening. It's at no cost of your company, as well as a concise profile document, and a guide to help get back into your building after a disaster. This approach is a great investment of your time and is designed specifically with the customer in mind. If you or someone you know would love to have an ERP done, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO today! 

We are Number One

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

You can rely on us to be the best restoration company you ever deal with.

When you simply google "fire damage restoration", "water damage", "commercial restoration" lots of information pops up and it seems overwhelming, especially if you have never been placed in a situation like this before.

It can be an absolute nightmare if you don't deal with professionals and you should always do your due diligence check first. With SERVPRO, you'll never have to worry about what other restoration companies are doing, as a franchise, we are held to an industry-standard that holds true for the entire company and we pride ourselves in being #1 not only in the nation but in the Los Angeles County.

All of our technicians are IICRC certified and have continuous training. Our office staff is available to you 24/7 and we are known to get you back into your property as timely as possible.

If you ever suffer fire damage or water damage, you should always call SERVPRO. 

Texas Winter Storm 2021

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

Here is our incredible team in Texas up early to serve and respond to our Texan customers in their time of need.

Texas, our team has arrived to help the state after the freezing storm. We have deployed over 200 people to help. We have over 1 million dollars worth of equipment on hand to dry out the damage. We want to help get your commercial or residential property dried out if you have suffered any water damage.

Our team has mobilized to provide best-in-class production, service, and discounted pricing for Commercial and Industrial clients.

Thank you to all Insurance Adjusters, Insurance Consultants, and Independent Adjusters for working so hard to get Texas up and running!

If you need assistance please email texascatteam@SERVPROwestcoastdrt.com

Here is our incredible team in Texas up early to serve and respond to our customers in their time of need. We want to send a big special thanks to our team members for all their efforts, working long hours providing every single customer the best white-glove service. We see you and appreciate everything you are doing to make a difference in people's lives. This is what One Team is all about!

Texas, we know Mother Nature is challenging us during this time but know that we are here for you. We doing everything we can to restore your homes and businesses. Thank you for being patient with us as we are working long hours providing white-glove service to each and every one of our customers.

My Kitchen Still Smells After the Fire Damage Gets Cleaned Up. Why is that?

3/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Help Remove Odors in Your Kitchen

Fire damage from cooking is also known as a protein fire is one of the most common fire losses in residential properties. 

Particular actions need to happen to make sure fire damage in the kitchen from this type of loss. This actively demonstrates that the first and foremost thing to do is wiping down all surfaces in the vicinity with a cleaning agent with a solvent base to release the greasy residue's grip. 

Odor control methods are also a part of this type of mitigation. Cleaning lessens the pungent odor, SERVPRO techs usually have to do a multilayered approach for complete scent elimination using methods such as: 

• Thermal fogging 
• Hydroxyl generators 
• Sealants over painted walls and ceilings 

We Are The Professional Water Damage Experts

3/27/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO Today

There’s a number of ways for property damage to happen but most often it is from the result of excess water.  The particular reason for the circumstance of water damage can be so many different things. Some of them included are caused by rainstorms and internal property issues like a pipe burst.

Do act fast in making the call to seek a professional like ourselves at SERVPRO,  if you think you have experienced water damage to your property because the water will spread quickly, and the longer it’s left untreated, the damage could get worse.  The affected areas can become rotted, warped, and could possibly be affected by mold growth.

Also, trying to restore the damage yourself is not the best course of action in such a situation. Give us a call. We offer a range of services for customers suffering from water damage for residential and commercial properties. We are available 24 hours a day seven days a week.

You can count on SERVPRO. We're Here to Help.

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

We're Here to Help.

Texans are going through one of the worst catastrophic freeze storms and are in dire need of help. Our team has the resources, equipment, and manpower to do what we can to help recover the community in Texas. Our teams are on-site on location and ready to take action to bring back Texas. We are humbled that we have the opportunity to participate to support the community in Texas. 

If you are experiencing any water damage from a storm, please give us a call and we will take care of you.

We are a mission-driven company and we strive to be there for our customers doing everything we can to help restore your properties. A dedicated claims manager will be your point of contact for white-glove service and communication with your insurance adjuster!

Reducing Fire Damage

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Reducing fire damage is one of the first considerations after a fire in a home or a fire in a business. Commercial fire damage can greatly affect the ability of a business to continue operations. In order to recover as much value as possible from a property that has undergone fire damage, smoke damage, and soot damage, a restoration company like SERVPRO should be contacted immediately after the premises are secure. The fire cleanup team can assist in evaluating the damage to the property and listing the items that are present.

They can also perform fire damage restoration and offer an estimate onsite. The fire cleanup will also involve drying up all the water that firefighters may flood the premises with in order to put out the fire. This water can cause extensive water damage causing the growth of mold. A certified technician can dry out the property and prevent mold growth using industrial equipment that sometimes includes a water extractor, a dehumidifier, and an air current mover.

All surfaces are sanitized and cleaned after all the soot damage and smoke damage has been reversed. The fire clean-up team will also instruct property owners how to prevent commercial fire damage in the future. Any residual smoke smell will be ventilated until gone. If the smoke smell continues, chemical solutions like an ozone treatment or thermal fogging are also options depending on the needs of the property owner. Additional treatments may be needed weeks or even months after the initial incident.

Fire cleanup can be extremely daunting for someone who is shocked by a fire whether in a home or a fire at their business. However, fire damage restoration is normal for a fire cleanup specialist, even in the aftermath of commercial fire damage. A specialist who has the experience and the expertise to guide a property owner will ensure that fire damage is minimized as much as possible. 

Water Damage: Five Things To Know

2/27/2021 (Permalink)

A pipe burst just happened in your California home and you might be wondering what to do next and how to avoid water damage. There are a few things you should know to prevent long term problems after flooding, 

1. Damage Can Happen Numerous Ways

A waterline may break, a storm could lead to flooding, or you might have a leaky seal around a window. No matter what type of water damage you could be worried about, a SERVPRO professional should still be able to help. Give us a call! 

2. Repairs Should Be Taken Care of Quickly Once Discovered

Any time you have any water damage, whether, from a pipe burst or roof leak, it’s important to make repairs as quickly as possible. A quick cleanup may help save your home from more costly problems long term.

3. Untreated Damage Can Cause Long Term Problems

Fix all the damaged areas as soon as possible. Putting off repairs can lead to additional issues like warped wood or mold growth.

4. Affected Areas Can Be Restored

Remember that no matter how bad the damage may appear at first, a restoration company should be able to conduct cleanup and repairs. With a little time and work they can soon have the space looking “Like it never even happened.”

5. A Professional Can Help

Anytime you think you may have flood water issues of any kind, call SERVPRO for details. We are here to help!

Wind Damage Restoration Specialists

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

No matter where you live, you’re prone to some type of storm damage, even if it’s just a little wind damage. This is why we should all be prepared, especially in Southern California with the Santa Ana winds. 

At SERVPRO of Simi Valley, we have knowledgeable storm-damage restoration technicians prepared to offer assessment, repairs, and cleanup services. We’re prepared for any challenge, from massive storm damage to minor wind damage. Time and time again, we’ve helped homes get back to the way they were before the damage occurred.

We are here to help you pick up the pieces of your life after wind or storm damage. Wind damage may not happen often but when it does we know it can be a headache to deal with. You can always trust the storm damage restoration specialists at SERVPRO.

Removing Smoke Damage After a Fire

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

Any fire restoration professional can tell you when it comes to fire damage, the fire is the easy part. There’s really only one way to get rid of most damage to building materials charred by fire: remove them. Getting rid of the sight of smoke damage is a fairly easy thing to do. You can clean it, paint over it or remove the items. Odor on the other hand is invisible and even more bothersome and must be dealt with immediately. SERVPRO uses scientific methods and quick measures to remove smoke damage after a fire.

1. Get rid of the source of smoke odor

2. Seal salvageable surfaces

3. Clean everything left behind

Having your home professionally cleaned after soot, smoke, and fire damage can impact your health. The hidden damage from smoke can be hard to detect, you should always call SERVPRO after experiencing a fire loss of any size. 

Should I File A Claim?

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

When you've had water or fire damage in your property one of the questions to ask is should I file a claim. 

A claim whether how big or small gets on your record so it is important for a company like SERVPRO to perform a FREE damage assessment to you property to determine the scope of work. Once that claim is filed there is no turning back and that is why it is important to have a SERVPRO expert inspect the property for FREE to provide you the best guidance about your damages. 

SERVPRO will perform a moisture mapping of the property to determine the extent of the damages or a fire damage inspection report to determine which areas of the property are affected. 

SERVPRO is also an insurance preferred vendor by major insurance companies like State Farm, Farmer's Insurance, AAA of Southern California, Mercury Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, Travelers Insurance, The Hartford, CHUBB and many more. 

Once next steps are determined SERVPRO will do all the heavy lifting for you to help restore your property "Like it never even happened." We are a full service restoration company that does mitigation, remediation, abatement, packout and construction for all your restoration needs. We're available 24/7 every day so just give us a call and someone will be there to assist you. 

For a FREE Damage assessment please call us at (805) 522 - 2945.

Earthquake Safety with SERVPRO

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Earthquakes are one of the most destructive of nature’s forces and Southern California knows them well. Due to their unpredictable nature and the amount of damage they can cause, everyone should be prepared for an earthquake. 

Creating an earthquake safety checklist can keep you, your family and pets, as well as your home more safe. Having emergency kits that last up to 3 days or practicing the "stop, drop, and hold" protocol can always become of use. 

After an earthquake sometimes home can experience broken pipes or kitchen machines and that brings water damage into the home, or outside forces come indoors. If your home suffers water, fire, or storm damage from an earthquake call SERVPRO of Simi Valley (once it is safe to do so).

The Do's and Don'ts of Dealing with Fire Damage

12/31/2020 (Permalink)

Facing a fire in your home or business can be overwhelming, to say the least. It’s crucial, though, to start your fire damage cleanup and restoration process as soon as possible, to get your life back to normal.

The Do's

• Make safety a priority
• Call your insurance agent
• Call SERVPRO
• Remove all clothing from the property and have it cleaned by professional fire damage restoration cleaners, not just a dry cleaner

The Dont's

• Enter the building before the fire department gives you the go-ahead, even if it looks safe
• Start to clean or wipe residue from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces
• Use or try to clean carpets or furnishings impacted by smoke residues or debris until they are professionally cleaned

The residue left behind after fire damage may cause health problems if it’s not handled correctly. Only trained experts with professional equipment can ensure fire damage restoration is done safely and thoroughly. Call SERVPRO of Simi Valley immediately when dealing with fire damage in your home or business.

Flooded Carpet Clean Up

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

After a flood, many home and property owners may wonder if their carpet and pad can be saved as carpeting can be an expensive investment. Saving it is more cost-effective than replacing it but successful flooded carpet cleaning depends on many things. While trying to extract the water yourself has some benefits, professional carpet cleaning is a much better solution. A shop vacuum, towels, and ceiling fans are no match for professional extraction and drying equipment. Plus, an expert can evaluate the entire water damage incident and mitigate and remediate the entire loss, not just the carpet. While trying to extract the water yourself has some benefits, professional carpet cleaning is a much better solution. A shop vacuum, towels, and ceiling fans are no match for professional extraction and drying equipment. Plus, an expert can evaluate the entire water damage incident and mitigate and remediate the entire loss, not just the carpet. For any of your flooded carpet cleaning needs, call the SERVPRO professionals. Our restoration teams will provide an industry-standard estimate and create a proper plan of action to restore your carpet quickly.

Fireplace Safety Guidelines

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than a third of home heating fires in the U.S. involve fireplaces and chimneys. Here are some critical fireplace safety tips that could help prevent a smoke or fire-related accident in your home during these cold months.

• Inspect your chimney cap regularly. If it’s damaged, repair or replace it.
• Make sure there is a fire extinguisher in the room.
• Keep all flammable objects, such as newspapers, books, holiday decorations, and furniture, at least two feet away from the fireplace.
• Have a mesh metal screen or glass fireplace doors installed to prevent embers from shooting out of the fireplace.
• Always supervise the fire and never leave it burning when going to sleep or leaving the home.

Even with all the proper fireplace safety measures in place, accidents can still happen. As smoke can severely damage a home, it’s essential to get the house remediated as soon as possible. The longer soot and smoke sits on a surfacer, the more damage it can do. Our fire damage restoration technicians use the latest equipment and techniques to remove soot and deodorize your house after fire damage, quickly and properly. For professional fire damage cleaning services, contact SERVPRO of Simi Valley.

Holiday Restoration Professionals

11/21/2020 (Permalink)

With holidays approaching rapidly we at SERVPRO of Simi Valley know this would be the worst possible time to have to deal with the headache of dealing with a water or fire loss. We would much rather homeowners and business owners be with their loved ones celebrating the happy season. But disaster waits for no one and more than likely never happens at the best time.

Don't be afraid to call us! Even on holidays our teams are available and work around the clock. No job is too big, too small, too far, and too much of a hassle for us to handle. If you suffer from a holiday water and/or fire loss this holiday season be sure to call the professionals at SERVPRO first. 

Tips to Protect Your Hardwood Floors

11/15/2020 (Permalink)

Water is arguably one of the biggest enemies of hardwood floors. After a flood, your best chance of recovering your flooring is to hire a professional restoration company immediately. However, failing to protect your floor from moisture or spills on a daily basis can also cause irreversible damage.

• Remove wet, moist, or damp items, such as carpets, clothes, boots, or appliances, from contact with the floor as soon as possible.
• Wipe up any spills from the surface immediately to prevent the liquid from penetrating the floor.
• If a room with hardwood floor has an exterior door, place a rug in front of the door.
• Inspect the plumbing and fix any leaks that might contribute to water getting onto the floor surface (or any structural component, for that matter).
• Control the humidity in your home. During the summer, air tends to be moister and during the winter, the air is dryer. Both moist and dry air can affect wood, so adjust your humidifier accordingly.

If the water has started to damage your floors, call the professionals of SERVPRO to help dry out your precious floors. 

Wildfire Restoration Experts

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

When a wildfire takes control of your life, we help you take it back.

The cleanup afterwards is just as important.

Wildfires can strike almost anywhere. A wildfire can cause more than just the damage that you see. If fire damages your property, it can throw your life into chaos, SERVPRO of Simi Valley are dedicated to restoring you damaged property back to preloss condition and helping your life get back to normal.

Even if you property didn't suffer fire damage, there may be soot particles and residues left to clean up. If cleaned improperly, the odor and effects can linger long after the fire has been put out. From the structure itself to the contents inside, your SERVPRO of Simi Valley professionals use the latest technology and training to leave your property smelling fresh and clean.

What Do Fire Restoration Companies Do?

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Sometimes it is confusing understanding exactly the purpose of a fire restoration company. We are not the fire department and we cannot put out your fire, however we can clean up the aftermath. The job of a restoration company is to clean up the mess and to preserve and protect the home and its contents so that further damage will not occur. Our crews of professional technicians will enter your home and immediately begin logging your items and begin cleaning your home from soot and smoke damage. 

The fire damage restoration process can reverse the damage caused by a fire in your home or business premises so that you are able to get back to normal living as quickly as possible. If you experience a fire loss always call SERVPRO of Simi Valley immediately. 

Why Should Seek Professional Restoration Help

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

Always seek professional help in the face of water damage.

When there is water damage in your property, there is only one thing that you should do. You should always seek to get professional help. There are two advantages to getting professional help when it comes to having water damage to your property. One is that water damage companies have the proper equipment and they employ the best professionals to do the job. With a water damage restoration professional, your home will be in good hands since you have SERVPRO professionals working with you to combat the water problem.

At the first sign of water damage call SERVPRO of Studio City/Valley Village to deal with your issues. We will work on your residential or commercial property immediately. When it comes to water damage, your action must be quick in order to prevent further damage to your property and health.

Hiring a Professional for Your Storm Damage

10/24/2020 (Permalink)

To accomplish restoration work, it is essential to hire professional, trusted, and experienced storm restoration contractors. SERVPRO of Simi Valley will fix your home and help give you back peace of mind regarding your property.

It is important not only for your safety and the health of your family to hire professional technicians but to prevent the start of microbial growth. It is important to fix your storm damage as soon as possible. Fixing the problem area will free your house from having unwanted and uncontrollable growth of destructive mold. Mold can destroy household things and also cause health effects.

Since storm damage can cause more complex problems at home, it has to be handled by experts. If you have to deal with storm damage in Minnesota, choose to work with storm damage restoration professionals such as SERVPRO of Simi Valley. We provide the best storm restoration services in Southern California.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley: The Best Restoration Company

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

Water and fire restoration companies can seem like they are a dime a dozen. It's hard to know which ones you can fully trust based on a quick Google search because they all promise the same thing. But at SERVPRO of Simi Valley we have 10+ years of experience in our community. 

When it comes to water, fire, mold, or storm restoration our crews and office staff are the best of the best. Every person is IICRC certified, has continual education courses, and is prepped for any level of damage when a call comes through to our office. We work closely with insurance companies and brokers as well as property managers who trust us completely when they have a client call up with an issue. 

You can trust SERVPRO to make it "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage? Trust SERVPRO

10/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Simi Valley is certified and experienced in water restoration with knowledgeable technicians and advanced cleanup technology. 

Water damage can have costly consequences. The ruined wallpaper, furnishings, and personal items rack up a considerable bill and cause headache for homeowners. Even though it feels like it’s hotter and drier because we are in Southern California, you still need to be aware of water damage that can happen from burst pipes, flooding, or other natural causes. By taking precautions and being aware of the key signs of damage, you can take action before a more extensive repair is needed.

We are your trusted source for for water restoration, if your home of business experiences water damage be sure to call SERVPRO of Simi Valley immediately. 

SERVPRO of Simi Valley: Getting Better For You

10/5/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Simi Valley our promise to our community is to make any water, fire, mold, or storm damage "Like it never even happened." What we also promise are technicians that are fully trained and also receive continuing education courses to make sure they stay up to speed on all things restoration. All of our office staff is also IICRC certified to make sure that when you call in we will have a professional answer for you. We work closely with insurance agents and brokers as well as property managers who know us throughout the community and want to work with us. SERVPRO of Simi Valley understands that no one wants the headache of restoration which is why we want to take it on for you and make it as seamless as possible.

If you suffer from water, fire, mold, or storm damage always call SERVPRO. 

The Basics Of Commercial Restoration at SERVPRO of Simi Valley

9/27/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Simi Valley, we specialize in the restoration of both residential and commercial properties that have been damaged by weather, mold, water, and fire. Our professionals are experienced and knowledgeable, with the training and equipment necessary to restore your commercial property. We have years of experience and a full range of restoration services for commercial clients.

We believe in the importance of ensuring that our customers are happy. No matter how difficult the restoration process, we want to ensure that you understand the steps ahead and that you are confident in our technicians. We understand that your business may well depend on our ability to provide efficient, effective restoration services. You can have confidence in our team to make it "Like it never even happened." 

Certified Commercial Restoration Specialists

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

We are your trusted restoration technicians and when it comes to commercial restoration we are #1. Our size and scalability gives us the ability to handle multiple projects at once, so we can move with maximum efficiency.

It's our business to keep yours moving forward, from minor delays to major disasters. Unforeseen events can have serious consequences for your business. That’s where we come in. We respond immediately, so we can maximize mitigation.

From minor delays to major disasters, unforeseen events can have serious consequences for your business. That’s where we come in. We respond immediately, so we can maximize mitigation. Operating with urgency allows us to help our clients in the face of disaster. 

If your business suffers water, fire, or microbial growth damage call SERVPRO of Moorpark/Fillmore/Santa Paula for an immediate response.

What to Know About Commercial Water Damage

9/18/2020 (Permalink)

Buildings are the biggest asset for every business owner; discovering structural damage of any type will surely be stressful. While there are a number of preventative measures to take to prevent this type of damage, accidents like frozen and burst pipes, backed up sewage lines, and even floods can happen at any time.

A few things to keep in mind if your property is affected by water damage:

1. Mold can grow quickly after water damage.

-After water has affected a particular area, mold can grow in as little as 24 – 48 hours. All excess water and humid conditions should be dried out right away to prevent the risk of mold growth.

2. Problems are not always fixed even if the water has dried out.

-While the water evaporates in the area, moisture will accumulate in the walls, ceiling, and even the floor below, promoting microbial growth.

3. Timing is everything.

-As soon as you find water damage on your property, taking the necessary steps right away can make a big difference in financial costs.

Always call SERVPRO of Simi Valley for any water restoration needs. Our crews are available 24/7, 365 days out of the year and can make it "Like it never even happened."

How to Prevent Your Home from a Fire

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

Fire prevention is more important than many may realize. Fire safety can make all the difference in fire-prone areas and can help to prevent wildfires from spreading in dry, hot locations. Rather than letting a normal fire get out of hand, keep it contained by arming your home with the appropriate fire protections.

1. Clear your home’s surroundings of debris and combustible materials.

2. Maintain your lawn and keep bushes and trees trimmed.

3. Use fire-resistant materials when building or updating your home.

4. Make sure your home has a fully functioning fire alarm system.

5. Keep a shovel and fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place.

6. Practice appropriate fire safety measures with campfires.

7. Prepare a fire safety plan.

Taking these precautions into mind, if your home suffers fire damage and needs remediation you should immediately call SERVPRO of Simi Valley at 805-522-2945.

Prevent Your Home From Storm Damage

9/13/2020 (Permalink)

The wind in our area can get pretty extreme; damage develops on your roof, in your walls, windows, and many other areas of your home, causing you to fall victim to storm damage that often requires professional attention to repair. Making you look for someone you can trust to assist you through a pretty hectic time.
 
SERVPRO offers these services and more, creating an experience that meets or exceeds your expectations and returns your home to a quality pre-damage condition that you and your family can enjoy for years to come. We even work with your insurance company and assist you with any paperwork associated with your claim process.
 
SERVPRO can help you become more informed, providing you with prevention and preparation methods to prevent excessive damage to your property. When damage does happen on your property, we respond quickly and pay specific attention to each and every area of your home. 

Fire Safety Tips To Protect Your Pets From Potential Danger

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

According to the American Red Cross, home fires are the most common disaster they respond to - and also the most preventable. Planning ahead is the best way to promote the safety of the people and animals in your home. From preventative caution to making an evacuation plan which should include pet safety.

Here are some steps to protect your pets:

• They should have their own disaster supplies kit ready in advance which should include food, water, pet records, spare collars and/or leashes in case you need to control or calm them from being frightened.  
• Have a safe place for them to stay if you need to leave your home.
• Include your pets and take them with you when you practice your escape plan.  Train them to come to you when you call for them. 

Following these steps can lower the risk of harming your pets from a fire.

What To Do After Flooding

8/11/2020 (Permalink)

What should you do after flooding? Are you in need of some tips for what to do after flooding?  Either way, being prepared just in case it might ever happen is helpful as well!

Here are some tips:

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after the removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summertime.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe and dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

Avoid additional risks and do not hesitate to call us at SERVPRO.  We are ready and here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days all year!

City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

We are proud to be serving our community!

It was such an honor to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for the work our SERVPRO has done for the City of Los Angeles, California. Absolutely privileged to have Councilman David Ryu to tour our facility.  We were also happy to be able to help and donate much-needed gloves, masks, and supplies to our front line medical workers that are fighting this pandemic.

We are professionals that are uniquely prepared during this unprecedented time to clean and disinfect your home or business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Fitness Equipment
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment

Commercial Owners Be Prepared When It Comes To Mold Testing

7/18/2020 (Permalink)

Mold becomes a problem only when there is too much of it. In commercial buildings, mold overgrowth occurs in places that collect too much moisture such as air conditioning ductwork, trash chutes, and around water leaks from pipes, fixtures, or into the building envelope. Sometimes overgrowth is obvious to the eye and nose, drawn by a moldy smell, you discover a patch of greenish mold in the bathroom under a dripping sink valve. 

Other mold problems flourish out of sight with faint or no odor clues: behind the wall, for example, fed by a failing roof. 

Always schedule professional cleaning if you suspect the following on your property(s):

• There is no visual evidence of mold but the smell of mold is present.
• There has been a history of leaks or standing water issues.
• Tenants complain of allergy or health symptoms that could be caused by mold such as sneezing, coughing, and headaches.
• Tenants suspect mold issues or are unsure whether mold may be present.

You should call SERVPRO for any mold infestation that is more than a few feet in diameter; related to flooding or water damage; inside ventilation or heating systems or inside walls.

How To Go About A Water Loss

7/18/2020 (Permalink)

We assume everyone around us knows about water losses because that’s the bread and butter of our business. But we often forget that it’s not every day our clients suffer a water loss, thank goodness, so we want to get back to basics. 

If you, unfortunately, suffer from a water loss it’s good to know your resources. 

Two main priorities are calling your insurance company and getting a water restoration company out to you. The longer you wait the more damage you risk in your home, standstill water can lead to microbial growth and that’s another headache you don’t need on top of a water loss. 

And most importantly, even if you think you can handle it and dry out the water yourself, you should always, and no matter what call SERVPRO. We would hate for you to not be able to complete the job and create a bigger problem for your home, and it’s what we are here to do. We want to handle your water loss!

Summer Heat Safety At Home

7/18/2020 (Permalink)

In sunny southern California, it's hot enough to be outside!  Beat the heat this summer and stay cool indoors with the following tips:

• Cover windows to block extra heat from direct sunlight coming in.
• Use fans strategically. Your ceiling fans should be turning counter-clockwise to force the air downwards. 
• Cook with small appliances, such as a slow-cooker or tabletop grill to minimize the heat level.
• Check on your elderly and disabled neighbors regularly. 
• Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking water steadily; don't wait until you're thirsty.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol which causes us to lose water more rapidly.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightly colored, and lightweight clothes.
• Do not exercise outdoors. If you must exercise outdoors, only exercise in the early morning hours, before 8 a.m.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Check the local news and other outlets for important safety information.

Commercial Owners Be Prepared When It Comes To Mold Testing

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Mold becomes a problem only when there is too much of it. In commercial buildings, mold overgrowth occurs in places that collect too much moisture such as air conditioning ductwork, trash chutes, and around water leaks from pipes, fixtures, or into the building envelope. Sometimes overgrowth is obvious to the eye and nose, drawn by a moldy smell, you discover a patch of greenish mold in the bathroom under a dripping sink valve. 

Other mold problems flourish out of sight with faint or no odor clues: behind the wall, for example, fed by a failing roof. 

Always schedule professional cleaning if you suspect the following on your property(s):

• There is no visual evidence of mold but the smell of mold is present.
• There has been a history of leaks or standing water issues.
• Tenants complain of allergy or health symptoms that could be caused by mold such as sneezing, coughing, and headaches.
• Tenants suspect mold issues or are unsure whether mold may be present.

You should call SERVPRO for any mold infestation that is more than a few feet in diameter; related to flooding or water damage; inside ventilation or heating systems or inside walls.

Here Are 10 Tips To Avoid Water Damage To Your Home

7/9/2020 (Permalink)

In Southern California, there are ways to protect yourself against costly water losses and claims. Follow these 10 easy tips to keep your home safe and well-maintained:

On The Outside:

1. Maintain Trees and Vegetation

Thriving shrubs can be a beautiful thing – except when their roots wrap around your pipes and break them.  That’s why it’s important to minimize landscaping near utility pipes or, if necessary, remove trees and shrubs that have become too big.

2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Clean your gutters at least twice a year to avoid blockage and ice dams. Standing water can cause damage to your gutters and roof, and unmanaged overflow may create puddles that could damage your foundation. Don’t forget to clean downspouts to ensure water can flow through, and secure downspouts so that they point away from the home.

3. Disconnect Hoses

Standing water in a hose may freeze back into the pipe and create an ice block that may bust your pipes and create damage to walls, floor, and foundation.

On the Inside:

4. Know your Water Main

Know the location of your water main and shut it off if you leave for an extended amount of time.  If no water goes into the house, chances are no faucet drips can wreak havoc on your home.

5. Check Appliances Regularly

Check and maintain your appliances regularly for leaks according to the manufacturer’s directions.

6. Investigate Leaks Right Away and Fix Promptly

If you opt to ignore moisture damage or postpone making the necessary repairs be prepared to experience mold, mildew, dry rot, or even structural damage to your home.  Keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance provides coverage for damage that is sudden and accidental.  Damage that results from a lack of maintenance is not covered on a standard homeowner’s insurance policy.

7. Upgrade Washing Machine Hoses

Old, brittle, or leaky washing machine hoses are among the most frequent causes of water loss for homeowners.  Replace yours regularly to avoid a mighty mess and expensive damage.

8. Install Water Detection Devices

A water detector is a small electronic device that sounds an alarm when its sensor is in contact with moisture.  Its main benefit is that it detects low moisture levels or slow leaks that often go unnoticed.  Install it near water heaters, sump pumps, washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets to prevent extensive damage and mold growth.

9. Check Your Water Pressure

If the water pressure to your home is set too high, pipes and hoses may fail under the pressure. Buy a water pressure gauge at a local hardware store, attach it to an outside faucet, and turn the faucet to full force. The gauge will give you a reading of the home’s water pressure. Typical residential water systems are designed for water pressure of 40 – 70 psi. If your home’s water pressure exceeds 100psi, install a pressure regulator (which is available at hardware stores as well.)

10. Do Monitor Your Water Bill

Sometimes, the only way you know that water is leaking is by taking a closer look at your water bill.  If your usage jumps significantly from one month to the next without explanation, put your “water detective’s hat” on.  Is there a leak in your crawlspace? Or, is it a pipe in your front yard? Don’t leave mystery leaks unattended!  

Call us if you have any questions!  We are here to help!

Area Disinfection Certification Program

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

As America gets back to business, we all have a new sense of what it means to be clean. In fact, 89% of consumers are uneasy about going back to brick-and-mortar locations. At SERVPRO, we’re dedicated to inspiring confidence in communities across the country as we find our way to a new normal. And we’re doing just that with our Area Disinfection Certification Program.

Our new defensive pathogen disinfecting program goes way beyond standard janitorial cleaning practices. This is a proactive viral pathogen disinfecting. With over 50 years of experience in biochemical spill remediation and decontamination, you can trust SERVPRO professionals to bring a higher standard of sanitizing to the places we gather.

Let us know when you are ready for us to help your facility become certified. When everyone sees our SERVPRO disinfected shield, they will enter with confidence knowing that the #1 choice in clean up and restoration was there.

Contact Genna Grinblat, Executive VP at (818) 730-1434, or email at genna@SERVPROwestcoast.com

Commercial Restoration Process and How It Works

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

We understand that each situation is unique and how urgent it is for your business to function again. To mitigate fire and smoke damage as much as possible and minimize the interruption to your business, we may take the following steps: 

Secure the facility, ventilate the premises to draw out dust and soot from the air, Removal of any contents, separating salvageable and unsalvageable items in the process. Salvageable items are moved to a secure location for restoration and storage until the reconstruction process is complete, cleaning the facility, including ceilings, walls, floors, and any permanent fixtures to prevent further damage from the acidic effects of soot, clean carpets, and upholstery, if possible, to completely neutralize any acid contained in soot and minimize further damage, using specialized equipment, deodorize the facility. We’ll also clean and sanitize any salvageable items. We may also decontaminate the ductwork and HVAC system.

If your commercial property suffers from a fire always call SERVPRO of Simi Valley. 

We are Top Rated in Commercial Restoration

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Simi Valley, we specialize in the restoration of both residential and commercial properties that have been damaged by weather, mold, and other causes.

Our professionals are experienced and knowledgeable, with the training and equipment necessary to restore your commercial property.

We have years of experience and a full range of restoration services for commercial clients.

We believe in the importance of ensuring that our customers are happy. No matter how difficult the restoration process, we want to ensure that you understand the steps ahead and that you are confident in us.

We're the best partners in your time of need. If you shop around, you are sure to discover numerous restoration services in the region, but none can compare to the level of quality or customer satisfaction offered by SERVPRO.

We will always make it "Like it never even happened." 

Do You Have a Plan for Commercial Water Damage?

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can strike your commercial property in Simi Valley at any time without notice. The after-effects of commercial water damage can be devastating to a business owner who is now faced with having to clean up the water damage and reopen their business as soon as possible.

Do you know how to handle water damage at your commercial property?

Are you prepared to make the necessary decisions after a pipe breaks, your roof leaks, or the streets flood to protect your property?

What is your plan?

Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. A little preparation for a water damage emergency and a plan of action in the event it ever happens can significantly reduce property damage and will get you back to business as soon as possible. 

Simply just call SERVPRO, we provide 24/7 emergency commercial service and we will be there quickly to begin the job.

In the meantime, you should call your property manager, insurance adjuster, and turn off the water to the building.

Leave the rest to us! 

How To Not Let Your Pipes Freeze in the Winter

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Though it is rare for Southern California to get that cold, frozen pipes do happen!

Your body isn’t the only thing that you should be bundling up during the winter, and frozen pipes are more than an inconvenience. Because they affect your home’s water supply, as the water may have difficulty running through the pipes.

Frozen pipes can cause property damage, too.

When temperatures are cold enough, the water inside the pipes will freeze into ice. When water turns into ice, it expands in size. If the water expands enough, then it places pressure on the pipes.

Enough pressure will then cause the pipe to burst, not only damaging the pipe but also spreading water throughout your home and causing water damage.

If you suspect your pipes to be frozen you will need to wrap it with an electric heating pad or a towel and keep the faucet on so you will know when it has thawed.

Knowing the signs of frozen pipes can save you during the winter.

Are You Experiencing Water Damage?

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

If you are experiencing water damage you are going to need more than just a mop and a bucket to clean up.

The Institute of Inspection and Cleaning and Restoration Certificate (IICRC) advises that ever water damage be treated the same as soon as it begins, regardless of the size of water in your home.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley provides fast and reliable water damage restoration services to homeowners and business owners.

We are available on-call 24/7/365 and will start work immediately in your home or business with the proper drying tools used to stop microbial growth, wood rot, and other unforeseeable damages if the water loss is not properly taken care of.

Water damage can be an expensive setback, call us, the restoration professional, to take care of the problem and take some of the stress off of you.

Fire Restoration: Every Fire is Different and Can Still Ruin Your Precious Belongings

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Every fire is different and even a small fire can ruin the most precious of your belongings.

With all the soot and the ash coming down it can seem like a total loss but that is not always the case, by calling a professional fire restoration company you can expect they will do their best to restore your items to preloss condition.

Fire restoration teams are essential, and SERVPRO of Simi Valley can be there the minute the fire department clears it for our technicians to enter.

We will begin assessing your property immediately to determine what we can save and what needs to be replaced.

After the fire is out that’s where the team of SERVPRO of Simi Valley comes in to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Can Electronics Be Damaged by Smoke?

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Can electronics be damaged by smoke?

The simple answer is yes!

Smoke can damage your electronics in several different ways: the black film is smoke that can seep into all parts of your electronics leaving a black film, hence the name “black film”; the film creates an insulating effect and makes your electronics prone to overheating.

The magnetic charge could cause the shortening of an item’s circuits which can happen to TVs, computers, appliances, and other electronics. The acidity from soot can lead to the early degradation of your electronics, shortening their usable lifespan. The first thing to know about cleaning your electronics is that you should always call a professional.

The best thing you can do on your own is to remove any storage or memory, try removing anything personal from the hard drive a computer to one that was not affected. For televisions, it is best to unplug them and leave them turned off.

Treat smoke damaged appliances like you would a television. Your electronics and appliances are some of the most valuable items in your home and we understand their importance when it comes to restoring them after smoke and fire damage.

Always call the professionals at SERVPRO of Simi Valley for any fire restoration needs.

Here Are Signs You Have a Water Leak Behind Your Wall

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

There are many potential causes of water damage in your home.  Some sources of water damage, such as floods, burst pipes, and sewage backups, are obvious and homeowners notice them right away. 

However, there are some sources of water damage that are much more difficult to detect such as water leaks behind walls.  Homeowners typically do not notice hidden leaks until they have already caused a considerable amount of damage.

Hidden water leaks can be dangerous because they can cause structural damage and also cause microbial growth to spread undetected. While most signs happen out of view here a few to be on the lookout for musty odors, staining, peeling or bubbling wall paint, warped walls, buckled ceilings and/or floors.

All of these signs can point towards a water leak but you need to have a professional come out and take a look.

When you find a water leak always call a plumber first to stop the leak and then call SERVPRO to come out to assess the water damage.

Trust a water restoration professional like us to remove all the affected materials and the possible microbial growth safely.

Keeping our workplace safe!

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

Call us to disinfect and sanitize your office! SERVPRO of Simi Valley professionals is uniquely prepared during this unprecedented time to clean and disinfect your home or business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC.

We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.

Here are other ways to keep the workplace safe:

Practice good hygiene. 

Stop handshakes and use non-contact greeting methods.

Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders.

Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, and desks regularly.

Avoid touching your face and cover your coughs and sneezes.

Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.

Limit meetings and non-essential travels

Use video conferencing instead of face-to-face meetings.

When video calls are not possible, hold your meetings in well-ventilated rooms and spaces.

Suspend all non-essential travels and trips.

Stay home if you are feeling sick. Also, consider staying at home if you have a sick member at home. 

Take care of your emotional and mental well-being is just as important as the others on the list. Let us take care of all your deep cleaning and disinfecting your workplace to put your mind at ease. 

3 Signs Your Crawlspace Needs Professional Attention

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

Sign # 1 - Moisture:
Moisture can seep into the foundation in your property and cause damage over time. If that’s not bad enough, a dark and moist environment like a crawlspace can offer an excellent breeding ground for mold. Most of the air in your house goes through your crawlspace at some point. That air can carry mold spores into your home and reduce the air quality of the entire house.

Especially after it rains, keep an eye out for moisture in your crawlspace. You can detect it in the air if you have a good nose. You can also touch the ground and the walls looking for wet spots.

#2 - Rodents, insects, and other pests:
Keep an eye out for critters and signs of their presence, such as animal feces, nests, and gaps in the crawlspace that could serve as the entrance and exit points. Insects and rodents should be eliminated quickly, as unchecked activity can quickly grow into an infestation. 

#3 - Wood rot:
This form of fungus grows inside the wood, weakening it as it spreads. Rot can be a very costly problem but some good news is that there are lots of chemical products on the market that can kill and remove rot from wood.

The bad news is that these methods don’t work when rot damage is too extensive. Detecting the early signs of wood rot can save you the expense of having to replace huge chunks of a house’s foundation.

There are two types of rot that may affect your crawlspace: wet rot and dry rot.

Signs of wet rot include the wood becoming darker, feeling soft or spongy when pressed, and the appearance of cracks in the affected area, as well as localized fungus growth, which may resemble mushrooms.

Dry rot will also cause wood to feel weak and spongy. This tends to be a more destructive variety of rot, but it’s also easier to spot due to the growth of the mycelium — a white substance that looks a bit like cotton or wool and clings to the affected wood. If you spot that, or any other sort of fungal growth or rot, call us today at SERVPRO to come to help you!

Yearly Home Maintenance Checklist

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Simi Valley is always here to help and in this blog, we want to provide you a detailed yearly home maintenance checklist to follow to stay on top of being a great homeowner.  

• Check your furnace filters.
• Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Clean range hood fan.
• Vacuum refrigerator coils.
• Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces.

• Clean garbage disposal.
• Clean and vacuum curtains.
• Check caulking around showers and bathtubs.

• Inspect roofing for damage.
• Check exterior drainage.
• Get A/C serviced.
• Flush hot water heater and remove sediment.

• Check water softener.
• Clear dead plants/shrubs.
• Clean out window wells of debris.

• Oil garage door track.
• Trim trees, bushes, shrubs.
• Maintain yard growth.
• Fertilize lawn.
• Clean window screen.

• Remove lint from dryer exhaust.
• Clean garage.
• Inspect plumbing for leaks.
• Power wash windows and siding.

Coronavirus Cleaning Services

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help disinfect, sanitize and clean your home and business!

As we are learning new developments about the Coronavirus COVID-19, we must do our part and take advised measures to flatten the curve and protect ourselves and the ones we love.  

Need Specialized Cleaning Services? 

Call Us Today 818-730-1434

SERVPRO of Simi Valley professionals are uniquely prepared during this unprecedented time to clean and disinfect your home or business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

Our professionals are trained to perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for the cleanup process, and disposal of waste.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks

• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here are 10 key indicators of Coronavirus symptoms which can appear two to two weeks after exposure:

1. Shortness of Breath
2. Fever
3. Dry Cough
4. Chills and Body Aches
5. Sudden Confusion
6. Digestive Issues
7. Pink Eye
8. Loss of Smell and Taste
9. Fatigue
10. Headache, Sore Throat, Congestion

It is important to consult your medical provider if you develop any severe or concerning symptoms.  

Tips from the CDC on stopping the spread of germs is to:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
• When in public, wear a cloth face covering over your mouth and nose.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touch objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

As a vendor of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, we are always here to help the community. For more information about our services, please contact our Executive Vice President of Sales, Genna Grinblat at Genna@SERVPROwestcoast.com or at 818-730-1434.  Let us know how we can help. 

Sources: 

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
• https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/15/health/10-key-coronavirus-symptoms-wellness/index.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fsummary.html

Working From Home? Here Is Our Guide To Staying Productive And Being Successful

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

As coronavirus changes the daily lives of Americans, lately many of us get the privilege to work from home to be safe.  There are certain perks to working from home. You officially have the shortest commute and your meetings do not happen in the conference room.  But, if you are not careful, working from home can also come with some downsides.  If you are the type to get distracted easily, do not worry, there is hope.  

Here is our guide to staying productive.  Want to know if they work?  Well, this blog you are reading right now was written from home sweet home.

1. Get an office. Set aside a whole room or a portion of your home that is for all business and only business. Your bed would not be the ideal location to set up your office because that is where you sleep. 

2. Get rid of background noise. Be aware of how productive you are while listening to music.  Playing music all day helps some people while it can distract others. So, find out which one you are.

3. Break a sweat! Since gyms are shut down in California for a while due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, make it apart of your job to set aside about 30 minutes to an hour to get your body moving at home. Working from home can reduce the amount of calories we burn in a day. You can still workout outside in nature. You could even throw on a workout video to your liking on YouTube. So, grab that jump rope, some light weights or both.  No excuses.

4. Keep essentials in your workspace. Keep items such as snacks, coffee or a cozy sweater near your desk.  This is a way to prevent you from getting up to grab something and encountering who-knows-what distractions around the house.

5. Know when to take a break.  When your home is also your office, it can feel like you are always working.  Decide when you are done for the day, and stick to it. 

6. Communicate! Make sure to stay in communication with people throughout the day.  Chat with colleagues, schedule phone meetings or even check in on Zoom.  This will make you feel less lonely and it will also make you feel like an asset to the company you are working for.

7. Get Dressed. Keep your outfit casual and comfortable, but not in the pajama family.  It might sound unnecessary, but you will feel more professional, and you will be prepared if a last-minute meeting comes up.

8. Keep things clean! Make sure to always have your workspace clean by the end of the day, so when you come back to it the next day, you are ready to work without clutter.  Also doing this will help reduce trash from piling up.  

9. Look at the perks of working from home.  You are home during the day. Do you realize what that means?  You save on gasoline because you don't have to drive to the office.  Most importantly, you won't get anyone sick if you come to work with a sniffle.  The more you enjoy working from home, the more you will enjoy your job.  Now, get back to work!

Leave It To The Professionals

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO at your service!

We have been busy disinfecting to make a clean and safe environment for our customers!  Not all heroes wear capes.  We just try to do our part for the community.  Our SERVPRO team follows the process of proper donning and doffing of PPE when entering and exiting the decontamination chambers. The decontamination chamber is a three-stage chamber consisting of; clean room, decontamination chamber and equipment/dirty room. We used hospital-grade disinfectants called SERVPROXIDE.  

Our SERVPRO team utilized foggers for the decontamination of areas before cleaning was performed. 5-10 minute dwell time for high contact, non-porous surfaces. 60 minute dwell time for all porous surfaces. Our team decontaminated up to 8 feet of high contact areas. We cleaned and removed containment upon completion of cleaning.

Stop The Spread of Germs!

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

Do your part to stop the spread of germs!

Here are some helpful tips to prevent the spread of germs.  This is to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.  The first tip is to avoid close contact with people who are sick.  If you feel any ill symptoms, make sure to cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Another helpful tip to avoid getting germs to attack into your immune system is to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  Also, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.  Some more tips include staying home when you are sick, except to get medical care.  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the important ways to spread germs.

Another way to fight germs in your home or business is to call SERVPRO to professionally disinfect and clean it for you.  Call us anytime!  We are here to help!  

Who To Call For Your Worst Cleanup?

3/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here To Help!

It might be an embarrassing phone call to make, but rest assured that SERVPRO of Simi Valley is prepared to handle it all, and we mean all. Biohazard cleanup can be challenging work that requires technicians to handle potentially hazardous materials and a proper handling of the viruses, crime or trauma scene, which is crucial to the safety of everyone involved. Biohazard cleaning is NOT the same as a standard cleaning company or janitorial service; it involves cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing the affected area(s). If you’re facing the task of cleaning up a biohazard, don’t do it alone. Leave it to the professionals and not the NCIS pros you see on TV. Biohazards can be extremely serious and if not handled properly can be an even bigger issue in the long run. 

Follow us on our Social Media pages!

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Stay in touch with us on any of our social media channels! Which one do you have?

Do you already follow us on our social media pages?  If you have not done so already, come find us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram!  We aim to provide great content by giving everyday helpful tips, showcasing our work both commercial and residential jobs and just keeping it fun overall.  Some of our posts include the science of identifying and eliminating odors can be tricky, but as professionals in deodorization, we can take care of it.  Some other examples of what we post are many emergency preparedness tips and showing before and after photos. We also like to share the jobs we’ve done in the past in cities such as Los Angeles, Century City, Hollywood, Downtown, Bakersfield, Sylmar, and just all over the West Coast.  What would you like to see us share on our pages? Let us know! We would love to hear from you. 

Here are the links to our pages:

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Twitter: click here

LinkedIn: click here

What Should I Do When My Water Heater Leaks?

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

There are a few reasons a water heater would leak. Here are five things to look for when finding the source of a leak:

Leak at The Water Supply Lines.

It’s always important to check above the water heater first because you want to check the plumbing pipes.  A drip from the top can easily leak down making it look like it’s coming from inside the tank.

Leak at The Water Heater Nipples.

These are located at the top of the water heater.  The water heater nipples connect the water heater to the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water exit pipe.  This is another common area to find a leakage.

Leak at The Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve.

It is more serious when there is a leak coming from the T&P valve because it can be a few causes in itself to figure out.  For example, the leaking t & p may point out the overall water pressure in your home is too high, and that the pressure regulator is not working properly.

Leak at The Drain Line.

This is located a the bottom of the water heater and it is common for the drain valve to fail to close completely after draining or flushing.

Leak in The Tank.

If you’re unable to find the leak from any of the four above, it is likely the tank inside the water heater has gone bad and will need to be replaced. 

A leak will not fix itself. If you do not feel comfortable fixing it yourself, the best thing to do is to not wait for it to get worse. Call SERVPRO of Simi Valley here in Southern California to find and fix the source of your leak, so you can avoid dangerous damages and expensive repairs.

SERVPRO of Culver City / Baldwin Hills Has The Resources and Experience To Mitigate Any Size Water and Fire Damage!

1/9/2020 (Permalink)

Westside of Southern California, Santa Monica, Los Angeles Luxury Hotel suffered fire and water damage.

Luxury hotel located in Santa Monica, Los Angeles suffered a small fire that set off the fire suppressant system causing water damage to four floors.  Our team quickly deployed our key project coordinators and water technicians to moisture map, photograph the entire loss for the insurance companies and owners, document the smoke/soot, set the proper mitigation equipment to control odor and begin to speed up the evaporation process. 

Our ownership is the first SERVPRO to utilize Matterport digital photography. This camera system provides a virtual tour of the affected areas to help all interested parties. Our team has performed work for the Ojai Valley Inn located in Ojai, California, the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake, California, the Disney Holiday Inn in Anaheim.  Rosewood Miramar in Santa Barbara was also cleaned by our team. Our team is the preferred vendor for Caruso Properties.

Why Choose a Professional Fire Restoration Company

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

No matter what your business is we will be prepared to help you through a fire damage.

Smoke and soot travel further than flames, so cleanup can be a challenge. A fire cleanup company is trained to identify and remove smoke and soot damage from your business or property. After an assessment, they have the right equipment to professionally restore your property.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley should be your top choice for the following reasons: local professionals, licensed and insured, professional equipment and techniques, 24/7 emergency service, and we have the promise to make it "Like it never even happened." 

With these things in mind you can be rest assured that SERVPRO will take care of you and your commercial property. We have worked hundreds of fire damage jobs and are the best in the business when it comes to working with you and your insurance company. 

Water Damage According to Science

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know there is actually a science behind the process of drying? The knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its preloss condition. While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the damaged area, SERVPRO of Encino/Sherman Oaks professionals are trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry-approved standards to help lower the chance of any secondary damages. If your business suffers from water damage, our SERVPRO professionals will:

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
• Measure how much moisture is in wet materials and monitor whether that materials are drying
• Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment.

What exactly does “speed up Mother Nature” mean? A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material- but only if the air is, indeed, drier. The only problem is, nature often takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out. For this reason, the professionals at SERVPRO have been trained to use top-of-the-line equipment to help Mother Nature along, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces inside walls, and much more. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has state of the-art monitoring equipment and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business.

The bottom line? Your local SERVPRO have the training and equipment to help make it “Like it never even happened.” 

Property Management

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

Professional to work with both you and your clients.

At SERVPRO we know it is our priority to return your damaged property and items to preloss condition.

Whether natural or man-made, a disaster at one of your client's facilities needs to be handled by experienced professionals who understand the importance of your tenants' safety. At SERVPRO of Simi Valley, our teams are experienced in helping manage both commercial and multi-family properties during the recovery process while maintaining the security and safety of the facility and tenants. Our professionals work hard and fast to minimize the interruption for your tenant's daily operations. SERVPRO is a reliable resource when an emergency occurs at your properties. SERVPRO responds fast and works with the property owner/property manager to get tenants back to their lives.

Tips about Water Damage from the EPA

10/19/2019 (Permalink)

We only see mosquitoes every few months a year but they can can huge problems. 

https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/flooding

Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. 

Mosquitos can sharply increase after a flood, due to the sudden availability of standing water which they require for breeding -- even very small amounts of water. As flood waters recede be sure to drain, overturn, or empty areas -- no matter how small -- to reduce mosquito breeding areas and help reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

• Get rid of standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, pools, or any other containers.
• Empty water from damaged materials that aren't usually outdoors, such as discarded furniture, household items, bookshelves, building materials, trash, etc.
• Drain wet areas and puddles of water, or fill them with dirt.
• More ideas for controlling mosquitoes
• Why? The importance of controlling mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus or Zika

Jump on your water damage immediately by calling SERVPRO of Simi Valley.

Our Promise To You

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

You would think this questions would be easy but it isn’t. In your city there could be dozens of restoration companies that you could choose from. Your insurance agent will probably recommend some restoration companies to you but you might want to research for yourself. And we are to tell you that SERVPRO of Simi Valley can promise that we are around the clock, reliable, and professional. We have been around for just under a decade and we understand that you might Google names like Service Master or Restoration Management Company but we promise we want to work with you and your insurance agent to get you back to living like normal. You can always check out our Yelp page for more customer testimonials or we are just a call away to explain to us what your issue is, we want to deal with your restoration issues! Our promise is that you won’t be disappointed you chose us as your experts.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

Coming up on our 3 year anniversary SERVPRO of Simi Valley was taken over by its now owner, Alan Reed, since then he has built a successful multi franchise operation in Southern California. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has been onsite for the Thomas Fire in 2017 and the Malibu Fires in 2018 as well as other natural disasters around California. His offices are filled with technicians that are passionate about their line of work and claims managers that are compassionate about restoration. There is not a job that Alan and his team cannot handle and they thrive in hard situations where they can pull through to fix everything in their power. If you ever have any doubts about working with SERVPRO please feel free to read our testimonials page or Yelp reviews from clients we have had the pleasure of working with in the past to be assured that you are making the best decision when it comes to hiring a restoration team. SERVPRO of Simi Valley can and will make it "Like it never even happened."

Being Prepared and Recovering from Frozen Pipes

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

It's obviously not very cold in Southern California but it is possible for your home to suffer from frozen pipes. A burst pipe can have serious and costly effects on your home or business. However, there are things you can do to be prepared for these freezing conditions. Any areas of your home or business where pipes are present should be well heated during the winter, or at the very lease well insulated. It's optimal to keep the temperature well above freezing and not letting it get below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 

When you know temperatures are going to dip close to freezing, leaving your faucets dripping can also help prevent pipes from freezing. 

But what should you do if a pipe has already burst? Know where your main water shutoff valve is! This is one of the most important things to be aware of to quickly stop the extent of damage being done, shutting the water off can prevent additional areas from damage. 

After all this is said and done and if you have still suffered a water damage from a frozen or burst pipe call SERVPRO of Simi Valley for immediate assistance. 

Small Space Heaters & Your Safety

10/3/2019 (Permalink)

Heating and electrical equipment are some of the top causes for structure fires in the United States, especially in homes. Space heaters should be setup at least a few feet away from furniture or other combustible objects. Always make sure to check the equipment and clean it regularly. It is a good idea to make sure the appliance is turned off, or even unplugged whenever you leave your home. Cleaning your space heater can be done by spraying compressed air throughout the inside and vents to get rid of dust and debris that may accumulate but you may need to remove the front cover to do so. While many modern space heaters have safety shut offs built in, it is still a good idea to turn it off when it will not be monitored, just to hopefully prevent you from a fire loss.

3 Ways to Prepare for Commercial Water Damage

9/30/2019 (Permalink)

When you own a business, you have a bit of pressure on your shoulders to protect your assets as well as the assets and information of your clients. Here are some ways to protect yourself from a commercial water damage on your property.

• Computer Backups – the most necessary thing you can do!
• Plastic and Metal Filings – sometimes computers aren’t reliable and having paper backups can save you in case computers can’t be saved.
• Dehumidifier and Ventilation – this can help with microbial growth problems later on after a water damage and keeps your office air dry.

There isn’t a guarantee that you will always be safe from water damage but if you are prepared it can make the headache a lot easier. When it’s time always call SERVPRO of Simi Valley, we understand that you need to get back into business quick and we will work with you to make that happen. Keeping not only you but your customers satisfied!

The Best in Commercial Restoration

9/23/2019 (Permalink)

Even if it seems like everything is going well, and no disaster is on the horizon, you and your company should be taking proactive steps to manage the potential risk that a disaster could bring your commercial property. Take time to establish a working relationship with a commercial emergency restoration management company, such as SERVPRO of Simi Valley, that you may need in the future. Here are some things to look for when you are shopping around and don't know where to start.

• Are they a 24-hour emergency response team? If 25/8 was a thing SERVPRO is on it, never be afraid to call us because we will be there.
• Do they work with your insurance? Of course, we want you to be covered so we will do our part to help you and communicate with all parties involved.
• Are they safe and reliable? Absolutely, we hold team meetings every morning to go over a new or refresher topic of safety to keep everyone reliable and aware.
• Do they have expert technicians and the experience? All of our technicians and office staff are IICRC trained and have continual training to ensure they are up to date and aware of all possible losses.
• Will they update you and keep your file safe? Yes, we promise daily updates to both you and your insurance company so you will never be in the dark.

These are all great questions to have and to ask along with many others. Never be afraid to ask too many questions. At SERVPRO we can guarantee that you will be satisfied with us as your primary commercial disaster response team because we know we can make it “Like it never even happened.”

SImi Valley Water Restoration

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

When you google “water damage restoration” or “water damage” thousands of entries pop up and it seems overwhelming. On that page you will see “best water damage company” and “water restoration pros” but when you see SERVPRO you should know that we are the best in the business. In our franchise alone we operate with 4 other franchises under one owner who has taken the time to thoroughly understand the water damage business and has built a reputation as the water damage experts in Ventura County. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has dealt with over hundreds of water damaged homes and will continue to service those in the Simi Valley community. Trust your home and property with SERVPRO we can make it “Like it never even happened.”

Things to Know About Fire Damage

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Those who survive the fire with minimal or no damage to their homes are very fortunate, but recovery may still take some time. This is particularly true if the fire was close enough to your home to cause soot, smoke or water damage. And, even if the fire never threatened your home, fires occurring miles away can still deposit ash and cause your home to smell like smoke. Before any fire cleanup efforts begin, you must ensure that the area is safe. Confirm that evacuation orders have been lifted and assess your property. If your home or property sustained damage that you need to report to your insurance company. If your home experienced significant fire or water damage, it is best to hire a company that specializes in this type of cleanup to do the work for you. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has dealt with hundreds of fire damaged homes so you will feel confident trusting them with your home as well.

Create a Disaster Plan for Your Business

9/13/2019 (Permalink)

Natural disasters may not be predictable but the resources that your restoration business company will need to handle them is not. Make sure your company is ready to help with restoration efforts when disaster strikes by having the best equipment, supplies, and informational resources for those affected. Specific to California flooding, wildfires, and earthquakes are the most common. You should be prepared with these items: dust masks, moisture meters, flashlights and extra batteries, first aid kit, cell phones and chargers, generators, water bottles, emergency pamphlets with information, etc. When disaster strikes the last thing you want is to be frantic and unorganized when it comes to the basics. Having a plan ahead of time will benefit not only you but the people that you will be able to reach and help. SERVPRO has a program called the Emergency Readiness Program where we come to your home or business and map out a plan for you in case of an emergency. If you are interested in having an ERP done please call us!

What Your Insurance Sees

9/8/2019 (Permalink)

More than likely after a fire damage your insurance will categorize your loss into one of two categories. This also helps determine what actions need to be taken to restore the home most efficiently.

Primary Fire Damage

This damage refers to damage sustained as a direct result of the flames, to include the building and contents of both homes and businesses.

Secondary Fire Damage

The secondary type refers to damage sustained due to smoke and other corrosive substances caused by the fire. It’s often that secondary damage accounts for the majority of damage inside a fire damaged home or office. Additionally, a fire can expose the building to the outdoor elements which could tack on water damages due to rain.

Fire damage is no joke and you should always take the proper steps by calling both your insurance to file your claim and SERVPRO to remediate your home.

What Storms in SoCal?

8/11/2019 (Permalink)

Massive rains flooded this Simi Valley home and we were called out to help asses the damage.

A fire loss can be one of the toughest things to get through, but that’s why at SERVPRO we can make it “Like it never even happened.” Unlike a water damage, fire can damage a lot more and the smell of smoke can be overbearing. Once the fire department has deemed your home safe you should call SERVPRO of Simi Valey.  We have the equipment and cleaning tools that you will need to remove any smoke, soot, and ash from your home. It is not smart to stay in your home while the remediation is going on because smoke is known to cause headaches, you will be comfortable letting the professionals of SERVPRO handle your fire loss and get your home to preloss condition.

Back to Storm Loss Basics

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Taking necessary steps to keep other storm elements out of the home.

Southern California is not known for our “storms” we don’t get hurricanes or tornadoes, but yet all of California goes into an absolute panic when it begins to rain. Then we get the mudslides and sometimes we do have unruly fires from the Santa Ana Winds.  After a storm has finished it’s delay and you are experiencing problems such as: rain water or flood water in your home or a mudslide in your home you should immediately call SERVPRO. It is rare for us to have storm losses but when one storm hits we are able to jump into action even though it isn’t our everyday routine like water and fire losses our teams are still professionally trained and will get you back into your home.

Always Call SERVPRO of Simi Valley

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

It doesn't matter how big or small your issue may seem, we want to be who you call.

SERVPRO specializes in helping businesses prepare for and quickly recover from a disaster or emergency. We cover commercial buildings from: senior care, multi-family housing, medical, retail, and industrial. No matter what business you are in SERVPRO can create a disaster plan detailed to you. Being prepared allows you to be ahead of the disaster and even though have suffered a loss you have a full proof plan that you know will have you in the best hands in restoration. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has handled hundreds of claims and is thoroughly trained for whatever loss your company may have gone through. Whether it's just a simple pipe break in the bathroom or the entire office is covered in microbial growth from storm damage we will make it "Like it never even happened." and that's a promise. We want to work with you! If your company suffers a loss be sure to call SERVPRO.

It Can Happen to You...

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

We are always here for you!

As much as we would hate for it to happen to you; water, fire, mold, storm damage can happen to just about anyone and not just in your home. It's not common for business owners to think about a pipe leak or flood coming through their establishment but it does happen. Even to the best of us. But when it does happen you are not alone. The easiest thing to do is type into google "commercial restoration" but then you have to sift through hundreds of companies just to settle on the right one. Hopefully you or your insurance will make the decision to call SERVPRO, with our track record we are known for our quick and reliable service. We understand that commercial restoration is different from residential and we will work closely with you no matter how big or small your problem is. Always call SERVPRO if it ever happens to you.

Commercial Restoration

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO with all your commercial needs.

Your commercial property is always at risk of being damaged by natural elements. If your business gets hit by a disaster, you’ll need a commercial restoration company with professional experience and the resources to return your property to its best state, if not even better than the original. SERVPRO of Simi Valley offers:

• Commercial water damage restoration
• Commercial fire damage restoration
• Commercial mold damage restoration
• Commercial storm damage restoration

Our professionals have the training and equipment needed to restore your business after common issues with minimal interruption to your daily operations. It doesn't matter if your loss affected your entire work space or just the bathrooms we know you can feel confident in trusting us to come out and remedy the situation at hand.

Make Sure Your Business Is Up To Code

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

Officials regularly revise fire codes and inspect businesses, usually annually, to certify compliance. As a business owner you should always make sure you are up on the following:

• Sprinklers have been installed in buildings where they are now required.
• Manual fire alarms have been installed where they are now required.
• Fire egress routes are maintained as required.
• Signage has been updated as required.
• Fire prevention equipment – sprinklers, fire department hook-ups, extinguishers, fire alarm systems and smoke alarm systems – are inspected and maintained as required.
• Fire prevention equipment has been updated to comply with structural changes to the business.

By following these simple rules you might save yourself a ton of money, time, and heartbreak. Your property can quickly become unsafe and hazardous. Prevent yourself from a fire and fire damage but if you ever do suffer a loss always call SERVPRO of Simi Valley.

Our Water Restoration Process

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

Don't ever wait to call SERVPRO about your water loss, we are 24/7 365 days a year.

While the water damage restoration process varies with each situation, there are a number of steps we usually take to restore the affected area to its previous condition. First, we do an initial inspection of the area and figure out the best course of action. We will take thorough documentation of the area for your insurance claim process. Next, we will immediately start to extract any standing water or sewage debris. We move wet furniture to a safe, dry area, and take any of your belongings that need to be stored to a safe storage location. We use infrared moisture detection cameras and sophisticated testing equipment to test the moisture level and check for microbial growth. We then begin the drying process using state-of-the-art de-humidification and drying equipment. Then perform daily moisture checks in your home to make sure that everything is drying properly and back to preloss condition. And then you are back to being a happy and worry free homeowner!

You Never Know When You're Gonna Need Us

6/17/2019 (Permalink)

We WANT to handle your big stuff!

When it comes to commercial restoration you can never really plan for a disaster, so it's always helpful to know that SERVPRO has your back. Because you never know when you are going to need us after a commercial loss. 

Commercial losses look different for everyone and we have dealt with over hundreds of different scenarios ensuring that we will be able to handle yours, no matter how large or how small. It's also completely different from home restoration as well. We understand the sense of urgency to get you back into work and making your company run as quickly as possible. Even if that means working overnight so you can occupy the space during the day, working in taped off areas and switching off. We will work with you so you know that you have chosen the best commercial restoration company. 

How the Commercial Restoration Process Works

5/31/2019 (Permalink)

We understand that each situation is unique and how urgent it is for your business to function again. To mitigate fire and smoke damage as much as possible and minimize the interruption to your business, we may take the following steps: 

Secure the facility, ventilate the premises to draw out dust and soot from the air, Removal of any contents, separating salvageable and unsalvageable items in the process. Salvageable items are moved to a secure location for restoration and storage until the reconstruction process is complete, cleaning the facility, including ceilings, walls, floors and any permanent fixtures to prevent further damage from the acidic effects of soot, clean carpets and upholstery, if possible, to completely neutralize any acid contained in soot and minimize further damage, using specialized equipment, deodorize the facility. We’ll also clean and sanitize any salvageable items. We may also decontaminate ductwork and HVAC system.

If your commercial property suffers from a fire always call SERVPRO of Simi Valley. 

Top Rated Commercial Restoration

5/31/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial restoration is no joke, we at SERVPRO are always prepared.

At SERVPRO of Simi Valley we specialize in the restoration of both residential and commercial properties that have been damaged by weather, mold, and other causes. Our professionals are experienced and knowledgeable, with the training and equipment necessary to restore your commercial property. We have years of experience and a full range of restoration services for commercial clients. We believe in the importance of ensuring that our customers are happy. No matter how difficult the restoration process, we want to ensure that you understand the steps ahead and that you are confident in us. We're the best partners in your time of need. If you shop around, you are sure to discover numerous restoration services in the region, but none can compare to the level of quality or customer satisfaction offered by SERVPRO. We will always make it "Like it never even happened." 

How to Handle Commercial Water Damage

5/31/2019 (Permalink)

Prepped with the equipment you'll need in case of water damage.

Water damage can strike your commercial property in Simi Valley at any time without notice. The after effects of commercial water damage can be devastating to a business owner who is now faced with having to cleanup the water damage and reopen their business as soon as possible. Do you know how to handle water damage at your commercial property? Are you prepared to make the necessary decisions after a pipe breaks, your roof leaks, or the streets flood to protect your property? What is your plan? Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. A little preparation for a water damage emergency and a plan of action in the event it ever happens can significantly reduce property damage and will get you back to business as soon as possible. 

Simply just call SERVPRO, we provide 24/7 emergency commercial service and we will be there quickly to begin the job. In the meantime, you should call your property manager, insurance adjuster, and turn off the water to the building. Leave the rest to us! 

Commercial Building Restoration Services

5/31/2019 (Permalink)

We offer a wide range of commercial restoration services to help you.

Trust SERVPRO with your business’s commercial reconstruction and restoration needs. We employ a variety of services that will ensure your happiness even after a stressful loss. We also offer 24/7 emergency services and we can get you back to business as usual fast, with minimal disruption. 

We offer these following services for your commercial property: fire damage, water damage, structural drying, mold removal, content pack out cleaning and restoration. 

If your property were to ever suffer from a loss and need these restoration services you should always call and rely on SERVPRO of Simi Valley to get out and do the job right. Commercial properties need to be handled differently than residential and we know the even higher pressures to get your office or retail space back up and running. 

Top Quality Fire Restoration

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

Save or replace this roof? SERVPRO of Simi Valley would be able to tell you!

Every fire is different and even a small fire can ruin the most precious of your belongings. With all the soot and the ash coming down it can seem like a total loss but that is not always the case, by calling a professional fire restoration company you can expect they will do their best to restore your items to preloss condition. Fire restoration teams are essential, and SERVPRO of Simi Valley can be there the minute the fire department clears it for our technicians to enter. We will begin assessing your property immediately to determine what we can save and what needs to be replaced. After the fire is out that’s where the team of SERVPRO of Simi Valley comes in to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Frozen Pipes in the Winter

5/26/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let frozen pipes lead to this.

Though it is rare for Southern California to get that cold, frozen pipes do happen! Your body isn’t the only thing that you should be bundling up during the winter, and frozen pipes are more than an inconvenience. Because they affect your home’s water supply, as the water may have difficulty running through the pipes. Frozen pipes can cause property damage, too. When temperatures are cold enough, the water inside the pipes will freeze into ice. When water turns into ice, it expands in size. If the water expands enough, then it places pressure on the pipes. Enough pressure will then cause the pipe to burst, not only damaging the pipe but also spreading water throughout your home and causing water damage. If you suspect your pipes to be frozen you’ll need to wrap it with an electric heating pad or towel and keep the faucet on so you know when it has thawed. Knowing the signs or frozen pipes can save you during the winter.

How to Clean Smoke Damaged Electronics

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

Can electronics be damaged by smoke? The simple answer is yes! Smoke can damage your electronics in several different ways: black film is smoke that can seep into all parts of your electronics leaving a black film, hence the name “black film”; the film creates an insulating effect and makes your electronics prone to overheating. Magnetic charge could cause the shortening of an item’s circuits which can happen to TV’s, computers, appliances, and other electronics. Acidity from soot can lead to the early degradation of your electronics, shortening their usable lifespan. The first thing to know about cleaning your electronics is that you should always call a professional. The best thing you can do on your own is remove any storage or memory, try removing anything personal from the hard drive a computer to one that was not affected. For televisions it is best to unplug them and leave them turned off. Treat smoke damaged appliances like you would a television. Your electronics and appliances are some of the most valuable items in your home and we understand their importance when it comes to restoring them after smoke and fire damage. Always call the professionals at SERVPRO of Simi Valley for any fire restoration needs.

Signs of a Water Leak Behind a Wall

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

A hidden water damage in the walls that lead to lots of mold in an office.

There are many potential causes of water damage in your home.  Some sources of water damage, such as floods, burst pipes, and sewage back ups, are obvious and homeowners notice them right away.  However, there are some sources of water damage that are much more difficult to detect such as water leaks behind walls.  Homeowners typically do not notice hidden leaks until they have already caused a considerable amount of damage. Hidden water leaks can be dangerous because they can cause structural damage and also cause microbial growth to spread undetected. While most signs happen out of view here a few to be on the lookout for: musty odors, staining, peeling or bubbling wall paint, warped walls, buckled ceilings and/or floors. All of these signs can point towards a water leak but you need to have a professional come out and take a look. When you find a water leak always call a plumber first to stop the leak and then call SERVPRO to come out and then asses the water damage. Trust a water restoration professional to remove all the affected materials and the possible microbial growth safely.

Heavy Rains Can Cause Water Damage to Your Property

5/14/2019 (Permalink)

Flooded front room from torrential rains.

As our climate changes, occasions of violent storm and intense rain that causes flash floods seem to be increasing.  Rain water that drenches your property should flow away from your home.  However, if it does not, the damage to your home could be quite extensive. You may be surprise at how many homes are damaged by the very items that should protect them—gutters.  Damaged or blocked gutters can result in storm water being directed to the home. After a rain storm is the best time to walk your property to identify areas of poor drainage.  These areas will tend to have either pools of water or remain wet longer than other areas. Good home drainage redirects water away from the foundation.  If this drainage is blocked, damage, or inadequate, storm waters can collect near your home. If you suffer from water damage caused by a rain storm you should always call SERVPRO, as we are not only water damage professionals but storm damage professionals.

Experiencing Water Damage?

5/11/2019 (Permalink)

If you are experiencing water damage you are going to need more than just a mop and a bucket to clean up. The Institute of Inspection and Cleaning and Restoration Certificate (IICRC) advises that ever water damage be treated the same as soon as it begins, regardless of the size of water in your home. SERVPRO of Simi Valley provides fast and reliable water damage restoration services to home owners, we are available to call 24/7 and will start work immediately in your home with the proper drying tools used to stop microbial growth, wood rot, and other unforeseeable damages if the water loss is not properly taken care of. Water damage can be an expensive setback, call restoration professional to take care of the problem and take some of the stress off of you.

Wildfire Safety in Southern California

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

In Southern California we are fortunate enough to not suffer from tornadoes or hurricanes or tsunamis. But we do however have to deal with fire season towards the end of every calendar year. The fires within recent years remind us all how important wildfire safety really is, as well as how important it is for us to remain in safe areas and protect our health. One of the far-reaching effects of wildfires are their significant reduction of our air quality.  Our eyes and respiratory system are susceptible to damage even if we a hundreds of miles away from wildfires. You should always follow instruction from firefighters, first responders, and policemen as to when you should stay indoors and when you should evacuate. The easiest way to protect yourself is to wear eye protection and an air quality mask to help your breathing and eyes. Wear clothing that will cover you from violent winds picking up debris and any dust as well. If the wildfire does reach your home wait for the authorities to give you the okay to reenter and then immediately call the storm restoration experts at SERVPRO of Simi Valley.

Should You Be Worried About Storms?

4/23/2019 (Permalink)

Living in California might have you wondering why we too should be ready for when storms come. California does not see many major storms throughout the year but storms should still be something we prepare ourselves for.

Specifically during the rainy season, we must be extra careful.  After our super dry, hot summers and how often we have wild fires, a lot of the time our mountains are left without the trees and bushes.  We are left more vulnerable to landslides and flash floods from the rain we receive.

When your home is hit by a flood or storm, remember that your local SERVPRO is here to restore your home to its pre-storm condition. We specialize in restoring homes and buildings in a quick and timely manner, so that you and your family could go back in to your normal routine.

Call SERVPRO at 818-995-6444

The Essentials After Fire Damage

4/23/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage experts will perform a thorough cleaning of all areas of your property affected by the fire.

When fire damage occurs, you need to get immediate fire damage restoration help to prevent further damage to your property. Any delay in getting professional assistance could result in extensive damage to your property.

After a commercial fire damage, the probability of further damage due to standing water or excessive moisture is higher. It is imperative that you protect your investment by acting fast to get professional help.

Smoke is a byproduct of fire and because it is acidic, it is capable of causing corrosion and staining of surfaces such as counters and walls. In some cases there is extensive smoke damage, soot damage and smoke, which need to be addressed appropriately.

Flooding and methods used to extinguish fire in home or fire in business lead to excessive water in the affected area. Fire cleanup professionals provide fast services for smoke damage, soot damage and smoke smell.

What You Should Do

• Call the professionals – you will need the services of professionals, so before you do anything else, call the experts.
• Open all the windows to get air moving to remove the smoke smell.
• Move kids and pets to a smoke-free area. Move them to a relative's or friend's home until the fire cleanup or restoration is complete.
• Inventory your belongings. Make a list of the contents of your home or business that need replacing. Taking pictures of the affected items or damage, is a good idea. You will need these for insurance claims purposes, and for your own records.

The Initial Assessment

Fire cleanup professionals enter the property to conduct the necessary assessment and determine how to approach the situation. During the assessment, they will be able to come up with an approximate estimate for the fire cleanup.

Filing The Insurance Claim

Fire damage restoration teams can also file your insurance claims for you to accelerate the process. They will be able to provide details about the fire in home or commercial fire damage to your insurance company. This gives you immediate access to money to pay for fire damage restoration services.

They will answer your questions, address your concerns, and explain the entire process to you. They get everything taken care of so you can get back to your normal life.

Water Removal

The most important step for remediation is removing all water in home or water in business. All standing water increases the risk of weakening the framing and support. Fire damage restoration professionals use state-of-the-art vacuums and high power dryers to remove all water and moisture from the area.

Eliminating Damaged Materials

Fire cleanup experts remove all damaged materials and smoke smell using appropriate protocol. They wear protective clothing and remove the materials prior to beginning the fire cleanup efforts.

Commercial fire damage experts will perform a thorough cleaning of all areas of your property affected by the fire, smoke damage, soot damage and smoke smell. Fire damage technicians will examine your property after the fire in home or fire in business cleanup to ensure that their efforts are successful.

Reputable Fire Damage Team

Dealing with a fire in business or fire in home is something most property owners have never had to experience. Restoration teams deal with this type of crisis often and they know exactly how to handle it. 

It is crucial that a highly experienced and dedicated restoration team of professionals can get in quickly to provide the fire cleaning service.

If you need commercial fire restoration, you should contact a reliable commercial fire damage company with a team of professionals. Experienced technicians have great expertise in mitigating fire in home, fire in business as well as smoke damage and soot damage.

After your commercial fire restoration service has been handled by a reliable team, you will be certainly amazed at the quality and condition of your property. If you need fire restoration, do not hesitate to contact a fire damage restoration company right away.

Roof Damage in Simi Valley, CA

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

With all the rain we've been experiencing in the Simi Valley area it's no wonder the number of roof leak calls into our office has been skyrocketing. Water damage can affect all family members, human or not. 

The roof in question was only a few years old, but the wind of the last storm was too much. If you experience a roof leak, here are some suggestions about how to go about fixing it:

Step 1: Stop the water. Hire a roofing company to either fix the leak or to install a temporary roof tarp to keep more water from entering the structure. If you suspect the water intrusion is gutter related, contact a gutter cleaning company.

Step 2: Perform water remediation:  Open affected areas to perform drying and to prevent mold.  Install drying equipment and apply anti-microbial to discourage mold growth. Caution: If you are unsure about your property's lead paint or asbestos status, test first before any demolition.

Step 3:  Perform repairs to affected areas. Always research your contractors make sure they hold valid licensing.

Diagnosing a Shower Leak

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

If you have a shower head leaking in your Simi Valley, CA bathroom it is time to replace it

Amidst the many aspects of maintaining your home in Simi Valley, CA, attending to a bathtub leak can be frustrating without an idea of what to look for. It is important to remember that some signs of damage are easier to distinguish than others; however, confirming the occurrence of a leak is possible with a keen eye and a thorough bathroom inspection.

Check for Telltale Signs

Identifying any immediate indicators of a leak can help determine how best to handle the situation. Giveaway signs may include the following:

• Pooling water near the shower pan. This is often the result of a shower door with a poor-quality seal and is one of the simplest leaks to repair.
• Wet spots and dampness on any walls near the shower. If the leak is occurring within the plumbing system, the pipes behind the wall may expel water, thus leaving visible wetness.
• Water leaking from the shower head. When lime scale and other minerals accumulate in the spray holes, water may leak from other parts of the fixture. Cleaning the shower head and replacing the O-ring may solve the issue.
  
  

Scratch Beyond the Surface

Unfortunately, a bathtub leak may cause damage that is not as apparent and may require a more in-depth analysis. One critical factor to be aware of is the presence of mold or mildew anywhere in the bathroom; this includes any odors that occur. The flooring underneath and walls connected to the shower should be examined for breakages, moisture, loose tiles, and stains. Finally, any crawl space area underneath the bathroom should be investigated for moisture, dripping, or mineral buildup. Typically, these signs indicate a leak that may need to be addressed by a professional.

Determine the Best Course of Action

Generally, a shower pan leak with telltale indicators can be repaired without the need for professional intervention. For more internalized leaks, it is wise to consider contacting a water damage repair specialist for further analysis.

While diagnosing a shower or bathtub leak can be challenging, an informed approach can simplify the process. Understanding what to look for and when to contact a professional can make all the difference in preserving your home.

Some Reasons You Need to Stop Stressing About Water Damage Remediation in Simi Valley

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

Rapid Solutions for Standing Water in Your Simi Valley Home

When water loss incidents threaten your Simi Valley home, getting the right professional assistance responding quickly to the disaster is critical to protecting both your property and its contents. Effective solutions for removing standing water and drying out saturated elements is only the beginning to fully recovering your property exposed to higher volumes of spreading water. Our team has a 24/7 response to these emergencies, arriving with the full measure of our recovery equipment and experienced technicians to begin effective mitigation tactics right away.

There are many steps to water loss recovery in your Simi Valley home, but water removal is among the priorities for technicians responding to the emergency. Standing water can pose significant risks to exposed materials including flooring, walls, and ceiling spaces. Without adequate removal and drying techniques to follow, you can find this water damage continuing to spread throughout your home and degrading construction materials, weakening structural elements, and facilitating the growth of hazardous secondary effects like mold.

From the time that our SERVPRO professionals first arrive at your home, we work to establish the full scope and spread of the water damage. We can utilize moisture detection equipment for areas difficult to see clearly. We must gain a fast understanding of affected materials and determine when flood cuts and other controlled demolition techniques are necessary to gain access to damp or highly saturated areas of your property.

With industry-leading extraction equipment like our extractor trucks, wet-vacs with wands, and portable submersible pumps, we have a variety of options to handle standing water we encounter in your home. Our SERVPRO professionals can work quickly to remove all excess water to ensure that we can get to critical drying efforts as promptly as possible.

While standing water might be difficult to see in your home, our SERVPRO of Simi Valley professionals have a broad inventory of recovery equipment designed to reduce this threat quickly. You can count on our IICRC-certified professionals to respond 24/7 to this water loss emergency and make it “Like it never even happened. Give us a call today at (805) 522-2945.

Candle Safety Tips

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

There is something calming about candles. They look pretty and enhance the ambiance in a room, they give off a fragrant smell that can be so luring, but they can also be the cause to a house fire. December has been noted as the peak month of candle fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 3 out of every 5 candle fires started when they were placed to something that can burn, such as furniture, bedding, or decorations.  Review the tips below to prevent any house fires this holiday season:

• Blow out candles before leaving a room or going to bed
• Keep candles one foot (30 centimeters) away from anything that can burn
• Use a sturdy candle holder, that will not tip over easily
• Put candle holders and a sturdy and uncluttered surface
• Light candles carefully, keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame
• Do not let the candle burn all the way to the bottom; put it out before it gets too close to the container or holder
• You should not light a candle if oxygen is used in the home
• During a power outage, use a flashlight or battery-operated lighting instead of a candle

Although candles can add to the decor in the room, however, they can also add danger. Remember candles are an open flame which means they can easily ignite. Create an environment that is safe for you during this holiday season, use alternatives to prevent any candle fires in homes like using flameless candles.  As always, remember SERVPRO of Simi Valley is here to help!

What Sets Smart Smoke Detectors Apart?

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

Protect your Simi Valley, CA home with a smart smoke detector

Smart smoke detectors are a relatively new technology that can send push notifications to smartphones and may be controlled remotely. Find out how a next-generation smoke alarm can protect your home.

Smart Alarms Types

There are three types of smart fire safety devices:

• Smart batteries
• Smart detectors
• Listeners

Smart batteries can be used in standard battery-powered smoke detectors or as backups in hardwired units. Smart detectors may cover more square-footage than standard alarms and can be controlled remotely. Listeners send alerts when any alarm is triggered.

Technological Differences

A smart battery is an affordable way to monitor your home while you are out. This technology functions like a nine-volt battery but has Wi-Fi connectivity to send notifications. You can silence battery-powered alarms remotely, but this function does not work for hardwired alarms with smart battery backups. 

A smart smoke alarm also sends notifications, can be remotely controlled, and may be capable of monitoring more than one floor of your home. Some devices alert users to elevated carbon monoxide levels. Listeners send notifications whenever an alarm sounds in your home, though these devices are not capable of silencing alarms.

Smart Alarms Effectiveness

A single smart alarm may monitor an entire floor of your home, or more. If your home is spacious, you may want to just install a listener to notify you of any alarms.

Smart Detector Costs

Smart fire safety solutions are available in a wide price range:

• The initial smart battery unit retails for about $35 with $15 replacements once or twice a year
• Smart detectors start around $100
• Listeners range from $50 to $100

Consider a smart smoke alarm or smoke detector device to receive timely push notifications about alarms. All of these devices can increase overall safety at your residence in Simi Valley, CA. If a fire results in damage, rely on the expertise of damage restoration professionals. 

Mold Cleanup Steps

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

Mold cleanup can be a complicated process. If you have house mold in Simi Valley, CA, you will likely need to enlist the help of mold remediation specialists. If your problem covers a space smaller than 10 square feet, however, you may be able to address it yourself. To do so, you will still need to follow certain steps. If at any point in the process you discover that the problem is bigger than you can resolve, contact the professionals immediately.

1. Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Before experts start a mold remediation job, they will don several items:

• Protective coveralls
• Goggles
• Face mask with ventilator
• Gloves
• Rubber boots
  
  

If you are going to take on a cleanup job yourself, you must also wear protective gear. Try to avoid direct contact with the mold growth.

2. Use Detergent to Scrub

Getting rid of mold requires some elbow grease. Most surfaces can be cleaned with detergent, water and a scrub brush. If an item cannot be scrubbed or if you don’t know how to clean it, leave it to the professionals.

3. Dry Area Completely

It doesn't do any good to get rid of house mold if you leave the moisture that attracted it behind. After the surface is clean, make sure it is also completely dry.

Understanding Mold Growth in Commercial Property

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

Understanding mold in your commercial property is key

Upon noticing the smell or sight of black mold in your Simi Valley,CA business, you probably wonder what caused it to appear. Despite so many different varieties, molds have a single process of growing and spreading. Knowledge of how and why these fungi infest businesses teaches how to prevent them from taking over yours.

Knowing the Water Where Mold Often Grows

Mold needs time, temperature, food, and moisture to thrive. A moisture problem is often the cause of mold growth. Water that gets into building materials, utilities or flooring comes from plenty of sources:

• Burst or leaking pipe
• Flooding from nearby overflowing bodies of water
• Humid weather
• Broken supply line
• Defective sprinkler systems
• Clogged gutter drainage systems
• Defective HVAC systems accumulating condensation

Once identified, any broken utility or component should be fixed by an appropriate professional. This prevents additional water damage and the mold that comes with it.

Preventing Spores From Finding Ideal Conditions

Microscopic spores float through the air looking for a suitable place to settle. Even if the spores are floating in the air of a room, no mold species will grow without a place to settle that has food and water. The parasitic nature of black mold and other organisms means that they can be stopped from being a problem by denying environments they desire.

Treating the Mold That Grows

Proactive water cleanup can prevent the need for mold cleanup. Fixing any existing water damage stops the airborne mold from ever finding a place to survive inside your property.

Contacting a professional water cleanup crew with mold expertise is advised to make sure any water is completely removed with the power of their industrial-grade tools. Additionally, experts can find mold and water hiding in unnoticeable locations that most people miss. This prevents mold from quickly recolonizing.

Getting a Hold on Mold

Black mold may seem daunting at first, but prevention can make it seem like a nonissue. Even if mold does take advantage of a water accident at your property, there are ways to remove it without much hassle.

Which Types of Mold Grow in Houses?

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

There are many different types and subspecies of mold that may grow in a house. If you have found mold in your home or smell an odor that leads you to suspect the presence of hidden mold, you should contact a certified service that provides testing, clean-up, and restoration services. Skilled professionals can determine whether mold growth poses a risk to any member of the household and limit your family's exposure. 

• Aspergillus is a common genus of mold found on food such as bread or potatoes and in HVAC systems. This type of mold is highly aerobic and depends on the presence of oxygen in order to thrive.
• Cladosporium is black or green mold growth that often forms on air ducts, toilets, or painted surfaces in high humidity or when excessive moisture is present.
• Black mold is a type of mold that is known to cause problems for residents in homes with substantial growths. The scientific name for black mold is stachybotrys chartarum. This type of mold should be identified and handled only by mold experts. 
• White mold tends to be in the early stages of growth. A reputable service should be able to prevent this type of mold from continuing to grow into mature colonies. White or light grey molds on plants are mildew – a related type of fungus.

These are just a few of the major types of mold growth that you may see in a home in the wake of water damage. You may attempt to identify visible mold in your home, but when it comes to determining the real risk posed by mold and eliminating its presence, you should rely on trained hygienists and remediation experts in Simi Valley, CA. These specialists can provide accurate results with either microscopy or culturing and determine the type or subspecies of mold and the best way to eliminate it from your home.

Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Business

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

The warmer months are finally just around the corner. Finally! And this is always the time of year that we all consider changes and upgrades to help us start fresh. You will want your business to reflect the upbeat mood of Spring with fresh and clean surroundings and atmosphere; it is a great way for your business to be inviting to your clients, customers, and workforce, too.

Here are some spring-cleaning tips for your business:

The Professionals. Any type of commercial cleaning project needs professional assistance. Connect with area services that are well-established and highly respected. Those reviews on social media platforms can actually be a big help here. These companies will come right to you, and they will make sure that your spring cleaning is done right by following your instructions precisely.

Going green. Using green products is always a good idea. These products aren’t composed of harsh chemicals, so there is no danger of negative reactions to your working environment and those with sensitivities. There are a wide variety of environmentally friendly cleaning items these days, and your customers will be happy to know that you are going green, too.

A weather eye. Whenever you plan any seasonal job, always keep an eye on the weather. It can change at the drop of a hat sometimes, making your project difficult or impossible. When you are scheduling spring cleaning services for your business, select alternate days or a full range to allow for a change of plans. Extreme temperatures can have a negative effect on some products, as well.

Working together. Every member of your team has something valuable to add. When planning for the spring cleaning of your business, ask for input from everyone. Perhaps there is something they have noticed that needs attention that has escaped you, or maybe they have a perspective on how to streamline the process that will help you avoid work disruptions. Teamwork will help any project get done faster and more efficiently, and a cleaning job is no exception!

Fire Damage? Here's some things to avoid doing before we arrive!

4/9/2019 (Permalink)

When faced with fire and smoke damage, we're Here to Help®.

If you experience fire or smoke damage in your home, here are some things that you should NOT do while waiting for your remediation team to arrive.

Don't:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Simi Valley.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO of Simi Valley.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water (they may be contaminated).
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create a secondary damage.
• Send garments to dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

Stay in Business after a storm!

4/9/2019 (Permalink)

As a business owner or manager, you are a leader in your community, and have the opportunity to set an example for your employees, customers, and community to follow.

This year, join your community in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and leading efforts to encourage the community as a whole to become more prepared.

Disasters not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities, including businesses of all sizes. As an employer in your community, having a business continuity plan can help protect your company, its employees, and its infrastructure, and maximizes your chances of recovery after an emergency or disaster.

Ready Business asks companies to take three simple steps: - Plan to stay in business - Encourage your employees to become ready - Protect your investment

Ready Business, an extension of the Ready Campaign, helps business owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses to prepare their employees, operations, and assets in the event of an emergency. At ready.gov/business, companies can find vital information on how to get started preparing their organization and addressing their unique needs during an emergency.

Community Lives in Us

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

Our extreme response team!

SERVPRO of Simi Valley wants to serve our communities in the best way possible; we participate in our city chamber events, love to sponsor the Boys & Girls club, and you can catch us at all the emergency readiness preparation meetings. We find it necessary to be connected with those surrounding us and not only show up when there is a loss or disaster. . It’s very important that we are not just another company entering your home but we are truly someone that you would trust to take care of you when a not so happy situation happens. Our previous clients have loved the work we provided and wish it wasn’t under bad circumstances and we take true pride in being involved. If you have a community event you think we would fit in please feel free to reach out, we want to benefit anyone anyway we can!

Faster To Any Size Disaster

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Our crews ready for the day with proper PPE, always!

SERVPRO is a leader in the restoration industry and its professionals are faster to any size disaster. SERVPRO of Simi Valley is a trusted leader in the restoration industry and we pride ourselves on truly being available 24/7 to all of our customers. We understand a fast response is very crucial and can change the outcome of any water loss, this helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs. Every situation is different and we take our professional time to act quickly but within reason to make sure all losses are handled properly. Our clients can rely on us to get crews mobilized and in action, and get there faster to any size disaster. No matter how big or small you think your loss is you should always call a SERVPRO professional.

Vendor Qualifications & Professionalism

3/18/2019 (Permalink)

Our vendors thanked us for our business by throwing us a go-kart team building party!

SERVPRO of Simi Valley only uses the best of the best when it comes to vendors that we bring in on clients claims. Whether it’s a fire claim and we have to bring in someone to clean the smoke smell out of your clothes, or a storage pod after a water damage to make sure other items are not involved we only trust sub vendors that we hold to SERVPRO standards. We treat clients like family and we want all of them to know that their claim is just as serious as the next, no matter the damage done or the size; everyone is important and will be treated as such. We also expect the same from our vendors when they interact with any customers and are proud to be working with them, if you ever experience water, fire, or mold damage you should always call SERVPRO for immediate assistance.

Around the Clock

3/12/2019 (Permalink)

Our crews jumping into action!

SERVPRO is known for being faster to any size disaster, commercial or residential. When compared to other restoration companies SERVPRO of Simi Valley is not only on site the quickest but maximizes the job to make sure they are faster when also getting you back into your home or place of business. Why SERVPRO? Because we understand what it means to be the leader in restoration not just in our city but across the nation, being a company that is available 24/7 we are truly around the clock. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has a professional always on call to make sure we are ready to jump into action no matter time it is or what the job call may be! You’ll never have to worry about what time your emergency may happen knowing that we will be there for you immediately.

IICRC

3/5/2019 (Permalink)

IICRC, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoring Certification, is a nonprofit organization that develops and publishes standards detailing the proper procedures for safe cleaning and restoration. SERVPRO of Simi Valley prides ourselves on having our technicians as well as office staff to be IICRC certified.  Being up to IICRC standards allows all of our employees to have the best knowledge industry standard training giving each and every one of our customers the best service.  We are constantly holding classes for employees and professionals be up to date and work towards new certifications in areas such as: Applied Structural Drying, Commercial Drying, Fire and Smoke, Mold Removal, etc. This helps us to ensure that no matter what situation clients can always rest assured that they are choosing the best restoration company.

The Do's and Don'ts of Fire Restoration

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

Our most recent fire loss.

In a state of panic it may be hard to make good judgment calls but we want to remind you of a few simple things.

Do turn off utilities: Turn of water, electricity, gas, and any other utilities until a SERVPRO professional can evaluate if any of these systems were damaged during the fire.

Don’t clean walls or clothing: Also, do not clean walls, ceilings and other similar surfaces, and wait to clean your clothing and similar garments. A professional should examine them first and provide advice.

By remembering just these two simple do’s and don’ts you could save yourself a big headache when it comes to dealing with a fire loss in your home. You should always trust a SERVPRO professional to come on the scene to give you the best recommendations for you, your home, your items, and your pets.

Basic Water Loss Knowledge

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

A recent water loss in a large office.

When the rain stops and water subsides, flood victims can follow a few simple steps to reduce property damage and limit health risks.

Flooding occurs when rising water overflows the natural boundaries of bodies of water, such as rivers and streams, and flows across the ground picking up all kinds of contamination. The water can be contaminated with soil bacteria, decaying insects, animal droppings, oils and fluids from roadways, and fertilizers and pesticides from fields or gardens.

Flooding can also happen in the home from any sort of pipe back up whether it’s in your kitchen, garage, or bathroom and be filled with the same kinds of contamination as outside water. When you experience a flood in your home you should always immediately call a SERVPRO professional.

Our technicians will make sure to use caution when entering the building to make sure all electrical is off, protect themselves with the proper PPE, identify what items to keep and what items to throw away, remove all affected materials, and begin the dry out process to prevent any microbial growth that could cause further and more serious damage.

Why SERVPRO of Simi Valley?

2/18/2019 (Permalink)

All of our crew showing off their PPE.

Simi Valley is relatively close to Moorpark and Team Reed felt it was essential to be able to serve the adjacent communities with best in class service for fire, flood and mold remediation.    Shortly after acquiring Simi Valley, Team Reed earned the Elite Designation of Large Loss Response Team which allows the Company to perform and assist neighboring franchises for large losses.   With the acquisition of Simi Valley we also increase our packout facility to 30,000 square feet and increased our contents division.  We are also involved with this city’s Chamber of Commerce and support them in any way they can when it comes to community activities.  We are very proud of our work in the community particularly with the support of homeowners and business owners after the Thomas and Woolsey fires. If you ever experience water, fire, or mold damage call us any time and our friendly and professional staff will be available to help you.

Water Damage Prevention for Commercial Buildings in Simi Valley

10/17/2018 (Permalink)

All buildings are different, but each is at risk for water damage.

The components of a commercial building envelope are as varied as its occupants and uses. Brick and glass, bitumen and composite panels, marble and stone, all can be used. And, all respond differently to the forces of wind, rain, snow, and ice. Ideally, the envelope ensures that the weather stays on the outside, where it belongs, and that the people and property inside are protected. One of the best ways to minimize a building’s risk of water damage is to develop, maintain, and follow a systematic Operations and Maintenance inspection routine that includes all elements of the building envelope.

Follow a Regular Inspection Routine

Monthly:

• Check all at-grade plumbing systems.
• Check all at-grade drainage systems.
• Test basement flood control and sump systems.
• Replace any leaking fittings or drains immediately, even if small.
• Does the irrigation system spray water against the foundation wall?
• Are roof drain outlets clear of debris?
• Are any water elements at-risk for vandalism?
• Do downspouts direct water away from the foundation?
• Investigate the source of any standing water.

About SERVPRO of Simi Valley

SERVPRO of Simi Valley specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

Water Damage Prevention in your Simi Valley Commercial Building

10/17/2018 (Permalink)

Large-scale losses can be prevented by following a few simple guidelines.

Know where your emergency water shut-off valves are located, and have a contingency plan in place in case you are not available. Create an emergency plan with directions for what to do in an emergency as well as a list of phone numbers of approved companies to call in an emergency situation. Make sure someone you can trust has the authorization to make decisions if you are unavailable.

Commercial Water Damage Prevention

Flooding may affect your commercial property by way of pipe bursts, rising river beds, tropical storms, heavy surface rainfall, or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, to name a few. As a property owner or manager, your disaster preparedness plan should address flood concerns. While you may not be able to stop the rain from falling, you can take efforts to keep your commercial buildings safe from impending damage, by conducting regular inspections of the building.

About SERVPRO of Simi Valley

SERVPRO of Simi Valley specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley Wildfire Damage Event

10/9/2018 (Permalink)

As many as 90 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by people, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Some human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, negligently discarded cigarettes and intentional acts of arson. The remaining 10 percent are started by lightning or lava. 

According to Verisk’s 2017 Wildfire Risk Analysis 4.5 million U.S. homes were identified at high or extreme risk of wildfire, with more than 2 million in California alone. Losses from wildfires added up to $5.1 billion over the past 10 years.

Ready to help Here at SERVPRO of Simi Valley we are monitoring any wildfire situations closely. Our thoughts are with those neighbors who may be put in harms’ way during this event. In many cases, a wildfire can result in a total loss for a home or business, but in others it may be a partial loss, or can result in mild smoke damage. If your home or business is affected by a wildfire, SERVPRO of Simi Valley is Here to Help®. 

About SERVPRO of Simi Valley

SERVPRO of Simi Valley 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.

Simi Valley Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

10/8/2018 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Simi Valley basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today – (805)522-2945

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Simi Valley and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help (805)522-2945

Helpful Tip to Prevent Storm Damage To Your Home

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

The gutter will become heavier from the excess debris and water, potentially causing it to break. If your gutter breaks away from the house, you’ll have to cover the costs of a new gutter, as well as any damages done to your siding and/or windows. If the gutter is barely hanging to your roof and there is resting water, it can lead to the risk of rusting. Excess water in the rain gutter can lead to spilling over onto the house’s siding, and flooding in the basement etc.  These complications and costs of repair can be avoided by keeping your rain gutters clean.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Simi Valley, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Simi Valley Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading microbial growth throughout your home.

If you see visible microbial growth, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the microbial infestation throughout your home. When microbial growth is disturbed, it can release microscopic spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Simi Valley for microbial growth remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Simi Valley specializes in microbial growth cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your microbial growth problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Microbial Growth, Call Us Today – (805)522-2945

Faster to your Simi Valley Water Damage Event

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Simi Valley provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Simi Valley

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Simi Valley provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into the floors, walls, furniture, and more. SERVPRO of Simi Valley arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. The immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (805)522-3945

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Simi Valley

SERVPRO of Simi Valley 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.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Simi Valley provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Simi Valley

SERVPRO of Simi Valley is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - (805)522-2945

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Simi Valley 

SERVPRO of Simi Valley 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.

Does your Simi Valley Home Have A Mold Problem?

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

In Simi Valley, mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today (805)522-2945

Simi Valley Smoke and Soot Cleanup

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Simi Valley Home.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Simi Valley will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (805)522-2945

Restoring Your Simi Valley Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage Events Present Unique Challenges.

Flooding and water damage events at Simi Valley commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Simi Valley

SERVPRO of Simi Valley specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

When Storms or Flood hit Simi Valley. SERVPRO is ready!

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Simi Valley specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Simi Valley, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams (Storm Flooding Restoration) that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today! (805)522-2945

Master Bedroom Fire

7/16/2018 (Permalink)

After math of flames through the roof of the master bedroom.

A fire started from electrical misfiring led to the large fire remediation performed by SERVPRO of Simi Valley. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire, neighbors called the fire department when they noticed smoke coming from the roof of the home. By the time firefighters were able to settle the flames and smoke SERVPRO was on the scene with crews and equipment to start putting the home back together.

With only damage to the master bedroom the family was able to stay in other parts of the home while remediation was happening and we were able to get them back into their bedroom in no time at all.

If you ever suffer a fire loss you should always call the experts at SERVPRO of Simi Valley.

Commercial Restoration: Water and Mold Damage

6/27/2018 (Permalink)

Our commercial crews detailing all affected materials.

When commercial damages arrive SERVPRO of Simi Valley and our sister SERVPROs have been given the Large Loss Response Team designation title. This ensures companies that we are capable of handling any size loss. 

This hotel is just one example of the commercial restoration that we handle monthly. Our crews set up hundreds of pieces of equipment, monitored every single one for progress, sketched all affected rooms, removed all affected material, and worked diligently to help the hotel to reopen these rooms to guests wanting to occupy them on their visit. 

Our office staff stayed on site and worked around the clock providing proper paperwork and documentation to help the process run smoothly and to make sure there were no bumps along the way. Always call SERVPRO for any water or mold damage needs. 

Hotel Mold

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

Hallway mold from the water damage.

We think it won't happen to the best of us but then it does, mold attacks! Over the last month and a half our Large Loss Response team has worked around the clock to get this hotel back up and running to fill rooms with visitors. It started when they had a massive water damage through out several floors and since it was so big and the conditions were perfect microbial growth began to form on the walls, in the carpet, and other various places. The hotel could not allow guests to stay because microbial growth is not good for respiratory system when exposed to it. All of our supervised technicians wore proper PPE to clean up the water, get rid of the mold, and remediate the damage.

April Showers, May Flowers

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

torms in SoCal! While they are not common when the storms hit Southern California it seems as if this state falls apart. While we do need the water and California looks much prettier with lots of green, if you were to ever experience a storm damage loss to your home or business your first call should always be SERVPRO. We have the experience, trained technicians, and detailed office staff ready to go in case of an emergency. Mostly we have seen leaking roofs and clogged drains outside causing standing water to seep into homes, even though it doesn't happen often it is always best to be prepared until SERVPRO can get on site. You should check your home's rain gutters and clear them of all debris as well. You can always ask your local fire departments for sand bags if you have water seeping in from under your doors.  Just like SERVPRO they are always here to help.  

3 Tips To Make Sure Your Home is Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safe

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

Crawl space after fire remediation.

Carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless, and invisible which makes it extremely deadly to those unaware of it. Most fire alarms in a home are equipped with a carbon monoxide detector as well. However, if yours does not here is a simple tip: you can buy a wall plug in carbon monoxide detector pretty much anywhere in your house. But experts suggest you place it next to your hot water heater. The second tip to keep your home safe from a fire is to have an emergency fire extinguisher within your home but also out of the reach of small children. The third and final tip is to know all the exits in your home and to have an escape plan. No one can ever plan for a fire but we can be prepared. Always call SERVPRO of Moorpark/Fillmore/Santa Paula in case of a fire emergency, we are the trusted industry experts.

5 of the Most Common Places to Find Microbial Growth

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

Hidden mold in kitchen cabinets.

We all know microbial growth in your home is not wanted but do you know where to even begin looking? Mold definitely has it's favorite places to thrive, if you were wondering where they are here are the 5 top places that our technicians have recorded. 

1. Basements and cellars after water damage

2. Kitchen and bathroom sinks

3. Your refrigerator

4. Air conditioning units

5. Water Heaters

Now, mold can grow anywhere that gives it a cozy home such as environments that are moist and cellulose. All homes have the key ingredients to house microbial growth, and if you suspect there is mold in your home you should always call the experts at SERVPRO. We have highly trained technicians that are qualified to deal with any and all mold. 

Commercial Restoration: Microbial Growth

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

Water heater in a commercial garage affected by mold.

When it comes to commercial jobs SERVPRO of Simi Valley has all the qualified technicians, trained office staff, necessary equipment plus the skill and knowledge on how to move quickly to get places of business back to work all while remaining professional. Recently a client had a very large mold problem that had taken over the entire back of the warehouse and it needed to be addressed immediately. Our crews worked after hours and sometimes all night as to not disturb the business process. Once all of the demolition to remove any mold was complete our project managers had testing done to be 100% sure there was no more mold to be found, and then they monitored the equipment to ensure a job well done. 

Is Smoke Damage Really That Harmful?

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Power washing gets rid of soot from fire losses.

A question we hear at SERVPRO from clients quite often is: is smoke damage really that harmful? The answer is yes! Smoke damage can affect in more ways than one, while direct exposure to smoke is harmful to your respiratory system, it can also negatively affect your property's structure, sometimes in unexpected ways. Smoke from any type of fire is comprised of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and soot. Depending on what’s burning, many other harmful chemicals also enter the air, and are inhaled into your lungs or latch onto walls, furniture, clothing, ductwork, and other areas. While it may not seem like as big of a deal as the flames that burned personal property, smoke damage definitely should never be ignored! ALWAYS call SERVPRO for all your fire/smoke remediation needs. 

Water Damage

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

A bathroom hallway affected by a bathtub overflow.

Water damage comes in many shapes and sizes, and the source of origin is almost always different. Wether it comes from a broker water supply line that burst, the dishwasher overflowed, the water heater burst, etc. SERVPRO of Simi Valley are your water restoration experts through and through. We have a team that works 24/7 around the clock in case of any emergencies that may happen in either your home or in your place of work. We are able to get crews out immediately to place equipment and start the drying process to ensure that no further damage occurs. An ignored water damage can cause microbial growth and if we can take care of it in the first place we should always be your first call.

From Water to Mold Real Quick

5/31/2018 (Permalink)

After ignoring a water damage in their home mold crept into all the walls and covered the floors.

Being in the water and fire restoration field we know that if water damage is not taken seriously or taken care of immediately microbial growth can begin to form and thrive where the water damage once was. At SERVPRO we do our best to educate our property managers, insurance agents and brokers, as well as past clients about the process in which eliminates the most mold causes. As if water damage isn't bad enough most people will tell you that dealing with mold is twice as bad. It is also completely unhealthy to let sit in your home or place of work. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has trained technicians who are knowledgeable in all things dealing with microbial growth and have the client's best intentions in mind.

What To Do After The Storm

5/31/2018 (Permalink)

A whole home was affected after brutal rains entered their home.

Spring often brings with it severe storms and rainfall that have the potential to cause significant damage to homes and other structures. This inundation of water can potentially cause a variety of issues within the home.  When the storm is over, it is important to know WHAT to do, as well as what NOT to do.

First always make sure that you are safe, and there are no injuries. Once you are able to see the damage begin taking pictures as is, this will help in your insurance claim. Never try to remove any damaged items, always contact a professional to come out and help you.

As a storm restoration destination SERVPRO of Simi Valley has technicians ready and available to help during the worst storm times. 

Failed Water Filtration System

5/31/2018 (Permalink)

Faulty water filtration causes home loss.

These homeowners in Simi Valley, California experienced a minor water loss due to a failed water filtration system that affected their kitchen and damaged their flooring and cabinets. SERVPRO technicians were called out to the home to remove the excess water and place equipment effectively to help with the drying process. Over the next few days our technicians monitored the affected areas to make sure that the drying process was improving and that there would be no microbial growth. Water loss is very common in homes, and it can happen to anyone. If you ever experience a water loss you should always call SERVPRO to help you remediate at the damage. Our technicians are all professional and understand the best needs for all of our clients.

Mold Remediation FAQ

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can be sneaky, this wall of microbial growth was hidden behind a work desk.

What is the difference between mold and mildew?

The difference between mold and mildew is that they are different types of fungi with different colors and textures. Mildew one of the many types of mold that exist but it is more common in a home which is why you may have heard of mildew previously.

Do I need to hire a mold removal expert or can I do it myself?

Mold is very tricky and when trying to attempt to remove mold you can disrupt it and make it worse than previously. When mold remediation is completed it should be set under negative air and contained with containment barriers and commercial grade antimicrobial to prevent the mold from reoccurring.

It is recommended to follow the IICRC mold removal guidelines which the industry uses as a standard to remove mold correctly.

How long does it take for mold to grow after a water damage?

Mold can start to grow in areas damaged by floods in as few as 24 hours, but it can also take weeks to develop. Labs usually let mold grow for between 48 and 72 hours under ideal conditions before testing. Some materials such as carpeting are known for growing mold quickly. For this reason, it’s important to dry out the area and remediate flood damage quickly.

Commercial Restoration: LLRT

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Our crews lining up for proper PPE check for commercial jobs.

This past December part of Southern California was heavily destroyed by wildfires that spread over 440 square miles of land. The Thomas Fire was recorded as the biggest fire in California history. 

SERVPRO Simi Valley suited up and head out immediately to help pass out masks, water, and other necessary items at safe zones for the residents of affected areas.

Once it was clear to go deeper into Ojai, Team Alan Reed was on multiple projects to help remediate and restore as many homes and businesses as possible. Working around the clock to restore the city back to a running status. 

Part of having the Large Loss Response Team title means that this SERVPRO has the ability to handle jobs that reach massive remediation and can see the job through it's entirety. SERVPRO Simi Valley and it's sister franchises are known for the LLRT title and hold it proudly. 

California Commercial Restoration

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Business can be affected too.

If you haven't noticed California is filled with enormous sky scraper buildings and boulevards filled with apartments, condominiums, town houses, businesses, etc. This means if your neighbor has a pipe burst in their bathroom and floods his entire unit you more than likely are going to have some sort of damage to your property as well. Sometimes you might get lucky and escape the wrath of an angry burst pipe, but in the case you don't SERVPRO is the expert to call. We have been able to build special relationships with property managers and building owners that have used us either in the past or have been referred to us which allows us to help them with any properties they own or manage. 

Pack Out From Water Damage

5/23/2018 (Permalink)

Storage units containing items from pack outs.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley has a separate division from the water and fire restoration team and that is our pack out team. When a client's house is affected from water damage our pack out team comes in and removes necessary items to help with the mitigation. They have a very detailed process in organizing, tagging, and packing out the items into a storage facility of our own. Pack out is necessary for home owners or business owners because it reduces the risk of any damage, if not more, being caused to the items at hand. And proper pack out is something you can count on SERVPRO for, we take care of all items and return them back to the owner when their remediation is complete. 

Storm FAQs

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

A school library affected after storm damages.

It's been said before that Southern California really does not experience natural disasters like other states might, maybe that is why it is so populated! As a restoration franchise we see other franchises that deal with tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods and it is rare for us to deal with anything other than heavy storm rains and snow depending on where you reside. 

Did you know that flooding occurs more than any other natural disasters in America? This means that flood water can easily enter into your home and cause both storm damage and water damage. 

SERVPRO provides all necessary needs for storm related damages, we are available 24/7 and 365 days a year. You should always call SERVPRO when dealing with storm damage remediation.

The Dangers of Smoke Damage

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

A bedroom affected after a unit fire.

Fire and smoke damage can wreak havoc to your personal property and structures. A quick reaction can help you minimise the impact of the destruction as some of your household goods can be cleaned and salvaged if treated immediately.

If left untreated, smoke and fire damage can be more devastating in the following ways: extensive and permanent damage, soot deposits, and cost increase. 

Following a fire, it is necessary to seek smoke treatment immediately to save yourself from the effects of prolonged exposure to smoke and to make it easier for you to restore your home. 

SERVPRO has trained technicians that are knowledgeable when it comes to treating both homes and businesses for fire, smoke, soot damage that has occurred. You should always rely on a professional to help restore your property. 

Break Room Blues

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mid demolition inside of the break room.

This advertising company was in a pinch when a pipe burst under their sink and flooded their break room and a few of their offices. When we arrived there was about 3in of standing water in the space and it had spilled over into the hallway and into conjoint offices. Our technicians removed all of the standing water and began demolition immediately, after placed equipment after. Even though they were without a lunch room for a few weeks during the remediation and remodel everyone was thankful to not have to be wading around in the water while they enjoyed their sandwiches. If they would have ignored the water damage it could have resulted in microbial growth, so by them being proactive and calling SERVPRO they were able to dodge an even bigger problem missed.

Commercial Restoation

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

One of the highly sensitive rooms with equipment placed properly.

This fertility clinic suffered a large water loss due to a broken toilet supply line. Our technicians had to work carefully and quickly with this high-end fertility clinic because relocation of the IFV clinic was not an option nor was it allowed. The business was to remain open during business hours, which meant that our crews worked from 5PM to 6AM, this way not to disturb the business.  Every morning when our large loss response team left you would never have known they were there all night taking care of the water damage that was in the clinic. Being an elite large loss destination means that we have the ability to accommodate any emergency circumstance such as this one where we had to work over night and in under a week to ensure that the company was able to still run smoothly and take care of their patients.

Protect Your Schools

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

The auditorium of the school after the loss.

Recently, SERVPRO of Simi Valley teamed up with the Simi Valley USD to conquer water and mold in schools. When SERVPRO was called out on the first job to take care of a high school dance stage the school district was impressed with the strong work that was performed and continued to use SERVPRO for all their needs. Protecting our community schools and kids is important and when we are given the chance to make a difference we take it. Knowing that there is no possibility of the kids getting sick or worse because our technicians were able to put their skills and knowledge to use. It may be hard to detect water leaks right away with the size of schools but always know that you can call SERVPRO to keep your school safe and water damage free. 

How Long Do Fire Extinguishers Last?

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

An after shot of a home that suffered a large fire loss, they did not have a fire extinguisher in home.

Fire extinguishers last between five and 15 years but they all ultimately expire and become ineffective, no matter what fire-fighting substance they contain. Household fire extinguishers—which are typically filled with dry chemicals (carbon dioxide or halon)—lose their charge over time. Those with compressed gas can leak contents slowly as their seals weaken, while those with ammonium phosphate will solidify over the years, rendering the entire device unusable. Read on to get a handle on the age and effectiveness of your fire extinguisher, plus tips on how to extend its life, get it serviced, and dispose of it correctly if necessary. Store a fire extinguisher in a clean, indoor location can help extend its life. Exposure to sun, UV radiation, wind, or rain can cause corrosion, rust, and deterioration. If the canister is dented or bruised, or if the tamper seal and pin are missing, there’s a possibility that it might explode unprompted. Examine the entire unit and if it’s not in good shape, properly dispose of it without delay.

So, What is Microbial Growth? AKA Mold

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Ignoring a water damage may not always lead to mold in your home, but for these homeowners it took over every inch of space.

You may not be able to see or smell it, yet it may be growing in your home and the reason you feel sick.  So, what is mold? Molds are multiple types of fungi that grow in filaments and reproduce by forming tiny spores that sprout and fly away, invisible to the naked eye. Mold grows in damp, warm, and humid locations, inside and outside. Mold can grow in your bathroom, in the showerhead, or in the corner near your shower, especially if the room is not well ventilated. Mold can attach to your shoes, pets, clothes, carpets, furniture, books, and papers. Mold can circulate in your air system. Overall, water-damaged buildings create a complicated mixture of contaminants present in the air and dust, resulting in a toxic chemical stew. Additionally, mold produces toxic chemicals called mycotoxins, present on spores and fragments of mold released into the air. Would you believe that half of buildings in the United States are water damaged, leading to the growth of mold? Which means you should always call SERVPRO if you suspect microbial growth in your home or place of business. We have expert technicians and trained office staff prepared to deal with all mold emergencies.

5 Things You Need to Have in Your Earthquake Bag

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

A quick snapshot of a home that suffered earthquake damage. Thankfully the homeowners were not home at the time of the incident.

Last Friday the Ventura County encountered a 5.3 magnitude earthquake near the Channel Islands. Some people mentioned they felt it in Simi Valley, Westlake, and even in Thousand Oaks. Most everyone in Southern California will tell you that the state is overdue for a massive earthquake, and SERVPRO thinks you can never be too prepared. We have compiled a quick list of 5 things you need to have in your earthquake bag. 

1. The actual bag itself

2. Water purification tablets

3. First Aid kit

4. Light source

5. Sleeping bag

Obviously, there are other things you will want to consider such as: packaged food, batteries, etc. But in having these items in case of an emergency can alleviate some stress during an earthquake. SERVPRO is your emergency storm relief team. 

Precautions to Take After a Storm Damage

4/6/2018 (Permalink)

This golf course was turned upside down after a fire driven storm.

Storm damage can occur at any time and can cause an immense amount of harm to your home. Heavy rains can cause flooding and powerful winds can cause roof damage and downed trees on your property. Some post-storm damage can create safety and health hazards as well, so having a strategy to deal with damage will help you to be ready to take steps immediately after the storm. A severe storm can change everything in the blink of an eye. It doesn’t always have to be a tornado or hurricane to cause destruction on your home or office, and poor restoration can leave you with an unhealthy home for your family.We specialize in the stabilization and restoration of homes and businesses that have suffered small or large loss from water, flood, wind, storm, fire damage, and smoke disaster. Always remember to be safe during and after a storm.

Microbial Growth Exposure Symptoms

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

Some hidden mold that was giving the homeowners allergy like symptoms but they were convinced there was mold in the house and they were correct.

Most mold symptoms can be confused with allergy symptoms. Some molds produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins, but mold itself is not poisonous or toxic. Common symptoms can include but are not limited to:

• Sneezing.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Cough and postnasal drip.
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat.
• Watery eyes.
• Dry, scaly skin.

Although bathrooms and basements are typical moist areas prone to mold growth, any moist area in the home can be affected by microbial growth. However this does not exclude other areas such drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets, furniture, ductwork, roofing, paneling, wallpaper, under sinks, and the areas around plumbing pipes. 

If you suspect that mold is growing in your home you should always contact a professional. SERVPRO of Simi Valley has trained technicians who will remove any and all mold from your home or place of business. We are the industry leader in mold remediation. 

Winter Water Damage

3/15/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO for ALL water remediation emergencies.

While Southern California doesn't have as harsh of winters as the rest of the nation your home or business is still at risk for water damage during the winter months. In extreme cases water pipes can freeze and burst and just because it is winter time does not mean mold can not grow as aftermath. Especially in homes with poor ventilation and/or unresolved water leaks. Most home or business owners do not think to have their roofs checked before storm season which leads to many leaks that could have been prevented. SERVPRO Simi Valley is your water restoration industry professional. Our technicians are trained and prepared even for weather related water incidents. Not your typical flooded kitchen from the sink situation. Always call SERVPRO for any of your water restoration needs. 

Commercial Restoration: OVI

3/9/2018 (Permalink)

You can see here all the ash on the ground from the fire burning.

As a Large Loss Response Team, we are able to handle jobs that come in massive size. After the Thomas fire in December SERVPRO Simi Valley spent just under two months at the Ojai Valley Inn to get them back into business as quickly as possible. Running two separate shifts, the crews worked around the clock to expedite the process. Team Alan Reed understood the importance of getting the Inn back up and running. The Inn suffered massive damage from soot and smoke, as well as falling ashes as the fire was still burning close by. 

Fire and smoke jobs require a lot of PPE, such as respirators, eye protection, and hard hats. The air quality in Ojai during the fire was not the best and we made sure that all SERVPRO parties were taken care of when it came to keeping them safe. 

Flood Facts

11/21/2017 (Permalink)

While it may not be common in Southern California to get a lot of rain but when we do it seems to come in insane amounts. Here are some flood facts from SERVPRO corporate:

Flash floods can bring walls of water 10 to 20 feet high.

Flooding can be caused by spring thawing (snow and frozen grounds melting in the spring), heavy rains, snow melt runoffs, flash floods, and mudflows.

Floods are the most widespread natural disaster aside from wildfires. 

In preparation for a flood, it is important to stock up on first aid items, non-perishable foods, gallons of water, battery operated electronics, extra batteries, and personal hygiene necessities. 

SERVPRO of Simi Valley will be your flood expert. We are always here to help.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

11/1/2017 (Permalink)

Water damaged carpet that resulted in mold underneath.

There's no such thing as a small disaster, especially when the water you don't see has bacteria or causes mold. Water damage can and will affect the value of your property. Before you try and take care of it yourself consider how the damage can affect your home, SERVPRO professionals know how disruptive water damage can be for anyone. Our technicians are trained and equipped to manage the drying process by using equipment and moisture measuring devices. Your home or building will be quickly and thoroughly dried to industry standards. Which, in turn, will prevent secondary water damages. With rapid response time SERVPRO of  can and will help you regain control and make sure your property is protected. Never put anything you love at risk and let your franchise professionals handle it. 

5 Reasons To Keep Your Ductwork Clean

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

The air quality in your home is important. Keeping dust, pollen, pet dander, and other irritants out of the air you breathe involves more than changing the air filter. What about the air ducts? Contaminants collect in the duct system too, and regular cleaning of the air channel is important.

1. Improves your health- poor indoor air quality ranks among the top five environmental risks to your health. 

2. Energy consumption- clean ductwork helps lower your utility bill and helps your HVAC unit last longer. 

3. Smelly air- odors continue to plague your home long after you remove the offensive item.

4. Moldy reasons- microbial growth can grow in your duct system especially if your home suffered recent water damage from flooding or foundation cracks. 

5. Call a professional- SERVPRO is the professional you wan to seek!

You need to know the air you breathe at home is free from contaminants. What you don't know will hurt you. Make sure you contact a certified HVAC technician for ductwork cleaning. 

Flood Insurance 101: What Homeowners Need To Know

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Home had 3in of water flood their home after a washing machine was installed improperly.

The fact is any property can flood. Your home doesn’t have to be under five feet of water from hurricane flood surges to suffer flood damage. Normal amounts of rainwater can drain under your home, and flood your basement or the lowest floor level, causing flood damage. This kind of flooding can cause mold, increase the risk of termites and cause electrical problems. But the good new is that SERVPRO is able to take care of all your flooding problems with our prompt response and quick timing. 

SERVPRO works closely with insurance companies to ensure that your home and your insurance are both taken care of correctly. We are on multiple preferred vendors list as a corporation with insurance companies such as State Farm and Farmers insurance. 

Restoration VS. Replacement

8/4/2017 (Permalink)

Items to be restored and stored during the loss.

After a water and/or fire loss replacement may seem like the easiest and quickest option. We are a business of restoration rather than replacement. Some of the pros to restoration include: being more cost efficient, helping our carbon footprint by limiting what we put in landfills, and saving many items with sentiment cannot be replaced. SERVPRO of Simi Valley will work seamlessly with insurance companies nationwide, providing them with restoration budgets that not only meet their stringent guidelines, but provide the homeowner with the best possible outcome. After the classification, cost effective remediation methods are tailored to the expected condition of the items in each conditional area. The professionals at SERVPRO will always do their best to act quickly and restore what they can.

Dryer Fires

7/24/2017 (Permalink)

You may not think of your clothes dryer as a fire hazard, but these appliances account for tens of thousands of house fires each year. The problem most frequently occurs when lint and dust are allowed to build up. Over time, this can cause the dryer vent to become clogged with highly flammable materials, which easily combust when exposed to high temperatures. Your best option for dryer safety is to clean the lint trap each time before you use the dryer, and to inspect and clean the dryer vent area to remove lint buildup and other potential blockages. Regular cleaning can ultimately make all the difference in avoiding a house fire.

Quick statistics: 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.

Roofs, Rain, and Damage. Oh My!

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Roof tarping after major rain damage to the roof of this home.

Let's be honest, how often do you really climb up onto your roof and check to make sure everything is looking one hundred percent? Probably not at all, I would assume that most people don't. It's not until they experience a storm damage that they realize their roof may not be in the best shape to be over their head. Recently storms rolled through Southern California and a lot of unhappy homeowners realized that their homes were NOT prepared for all the rain that we were receiving. Because the high winds and heavy rains were not a good combination and led to most water damages within the ceiling and/or in the home. SERVPRO should be your first call when it comes to any storm damage that you may experience. 

Helping Hand In A Storm

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Fallen over tree due to wind and rain.

While Southern California may not experience tornadoes, hurricanes, or any other natural disasters we still do get hit with mud slides, heavy rains, and wild fires. It is always best practice to understand that area and the surroundings of which you live in. If you know that your home has been near storm damages and experiences it is best to be knowledgeable. SERVPRO specializes in all extreme storm damages, even if you think your damage may be small, we are the best team to help you. SERVPRO of Simi Valley is also a Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) and we are equipped with everything needed to handle even the largest of storm damages, we work with neighboring SERVPRO's to help them with anything that they might need a few extra hands for. 

Small But Mighty Water Damage

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Little water damage found under sink

Even the smallest water damages need to be treated as if they are the most important thing right then. Because if not treated it's possible that even more damage can or will occur. This homeowner almost didn't call SERVPRO when he noticed the damage because he didn't think it would be a big deal. However when our technicians arrived the problem was bigger than what could be seen in plain sight. Once the scope of work was done it was determined that the entire underneath of the sink would need to be removed and treated so that no mold growth would be possible. Once the job was done what was originally supposed to go as unnoticed revolved into a near kitchen remodeling. 

Warehouse Fire

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Left over soot and smoke from the large fire.

This warehouse fire happened late one night, with an unknown cause at the time, when the property manager got a call from a neighboring warehouse that there were flames to be seen from the windows. Once all the soot and smoke had a chance to settle the property manager was able to call the experts of SERVPRO Simi Valley a Large Loss Response Team to help with his fire damage. After a few weeks of mitigation, demolition, and reconstruction our technicians were able to get this company reopened and back in business. The property manager, as well as the business owner and his employees, were thrilled with the outcome of the mitigation. The warehouse looked brand new and everyone was happy to be back at work. 

Mold Remediation

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

After picture of the mold remediation.

Recently, SERVPRO of Simi Valley completely gutted this den of the mold that had taken over every square inch. Mold like this family had needed to be "demoed" out and removed from the home. The husband tried to clean and remove the mold himself but it came back fiercer and all at once, they had but no choice to call out the professionals of SERVPRO. By containing the mold area we were able to prevent other mold spores from travelling to other places in the home and contaminating there as well. Mold can also cause serious health issues, which is why containment is so important and necessary, all mold situations should be treated as an emergency. When demolition was completed SERVPRO completed a final wipe down of everything to prohibit the mold from growing back and allowed the family to open back up the space and continuing living their lives. 

Unwanted Mold

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Setting up containment for mold so it will not disturb other areas of the home.

Mold can be sneaky, and sometimes goes unnoticed much longer than it should and you cannot get rid of it easily. If you think mold is growing in your home trust your nose and your gut, if you start to feel sick you should always call a specialist, precisely SERVPRO of Simi Valley to get the job done quick. All mold needs is food, water and a dark, stagnant environment with steady temperatures that neither freeze nor swelter to grow. By trusting SERVPRO to use high-tech equipment and modern methods to conduct our remediation services you will find that mold has no chance! With mold you want to make sure that it is cleaned up properly and have no lingering microbial growth. Which in turn prohibits any health risks that come with mold. Call SERVPRO of Simi Valley today with any mold requests.

Fourteen Unit Water Loss

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial water loss

A water main break caused this commercial building in Los Angeles, California to flood fourteen of it's units. This picture shows the floor being tented after demolition and after all the water and flooring had been removed. SERVPRO of Simi Valley was called out as a Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) to help mitigate any and all of the water damage. Our technicians immediately set up equipment in all the units and quickly worked to stop any more damage from occurring. Within the next few days they began to remove all of the affected material to prep for the dry out process. Working with fourteen different tenants, a property manager, and usually different insurance companies is something we thrive on and we were thrilled to work with everyone. 

We Want Your Commercial Loss

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Ten unit fire damage, progression picture of demolition.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley has been deemed as a Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) which means we have the capability to handle any size loss. Within the last few months we have had the opportunity to work with large companies all over Southern California. With this title it allows us to really make a different on corporations and businesses that need to get back to operating hours quickly. But just because we have these opportunities doesn't mean we can or could forget about our other claims, we understand the importance and clients needs to get back to a normal life quickly no matter the size of their damage. You can always trust that SERVPRO of Simi Valley is reliable and will make it "Like it never even happened."

Soot and Smoke Clean Up

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Soot covered this apartment after an electrical spark caused a massive fire.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley deals with a lot of fires in the area, this specific one was caused by a tiny electrical spark from bad plumbing in a A/C and heater unit. This unit covered multiple condominium units and affected many tenants and their belongings. The before picture shows the mess that the soot had left after the flames had been put out and the smoke settled. All tenants had to evacuate because of the health hazards that are brought with fire damages. Including, but not limited to, limited ability to see and hard time breathing; more severe symptoms can include headaches and/or migraines. The HOA was thrilled when the clean up was done and the tenants were able to move back into their homes. 

Kitchen Water Damage

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage in kitchen.

The recent rains in Southern California have cause a lot of problems from sink holes, to fallen trees, to power outages. No one is ever really prepared in California and after these last rains are we sure this isn't the East Coast? SERVPRO of Moorpark/Santa Paula/Fillmore is ready to help, being a twenty-four seven emergency services company allows us to work around the clock and be there when you need us. 

Best Practices: Do not wait to contact your insurance company to see what you are covered for. Do not wait to contact SERVPRO in hopes that Mother Nature will dry your home out by itself. 

Reminder: Leave wet electronics and appliances alone, do not turn on in case of electric shock.

Always: Call your neighborhood SERVPRO at 818-995-6444

Our Biggest Threat, Appliances

6/2/2017 (Permalink)

Fridges are no stranger to water losses.

Water damage from appliance and plumbing leaks,  like water heaters, dishwashers, ice makers and washing machines in your home can cause your laminate floors to buckle or warp. Many times, these leaks are quite slow and often go unnoticed. Slow leaks are not easy to identify since they are underneath the laminate where they penetrate the core material. While you might not be able to see the leak, a SERVPRO technician will be able to find excess moisture by using a moisture meter. We arrive ready to protect your home with all necessary equipment to do that. It is common to use dehumidifiers and airmovers to help dry all affected areas. However, if not caught in time, laminate floors will have to be removed because moisture gets trapped underneath the laminate. 

Why Is Rain So Heavy?

5/31/2017 (Permalink)

Rain is heavier than it looks.

Late one evening this homeowner heard a loud crash in his bathroom and immediately thought it was a burglar. Little did he realize that his roof collapsed in due to all of the rain Southern California experienced one winter. The roof in his bathroom could no longer hold the weight of the water leaking through into his home and pooled over his bathroom and fell in. SERVPRO of Simi Valley was called in to clean up the aftermath. Our technicians removed all the debris and removed all the standing water from the home's bathroom. The homeowner joked that the bathroom hadn't looked that clean since they bought the house two years prior. You can always trust SERVPRO to get your home back to prime condition.  

Unexpected Office Mold

5/31/2017 (Permalink)

Mold may not be the best coworker

This company experienced two water leaks in their roof within a month of each other during a really bad rain season recently. With water damage comes mold, especially in a situation like this where they were hit hard with water in their offices. The mold came quietly and was hard to find, mostly hidden behind cabinets and on the walls behind decorations. It wasn't until our technicians started the water mitigation they realized the bigger problem at hand, mold. SERVPRO of Simi Valley was able to handle the extensive process and remove all the mold that was encasing the office. This before picture shows the mess left behind after all the water damage, we were able to work through the entire process and get the office ready for reconstruction

Tips & Tricks for Mold

5/30/2017 (Permalink)

Here are some things you might not have already known about mold:

Molds can be found almost everywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

It’s worth noting that not all mold is harmful. In fact, some types of mold can be quite beneficial.

You cannot completely eliminate mold spores in your home, but you CAN prevent mold growth by controlling humidity, keeping areas free of excess moisture, etc.

Typically the mold we see is not the mold that you want hanging around your home, your workspace, or maybe the schools your children attend. Always take mold seriously if you suspect it and call the professionals at SERVPRO. 

You Can't Run From Mold Forever

5/30/2017 (Permalink)

Hidden mold behind cabinets.

No home is mold free forever but you can take precautions. Soap and detergents can remove mold stains but do not actually kill mold, and any mold that is left behind can quickly regrow. The key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth is to control excessive moisture and condensation. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is critical. Most people have no reaction when exposed to molds. Allergic reactions, similar to pollen or animal allergies, and irritation are the most common health effects for individuals sensitive to molds. SERVPRO of Simi Valley are the mold and mold removal experts in your area. If you suspect mold in your home or workplace you should never hesitate to call. We want to take on your mold problem!

Fire & Water Damage

5/26/2017 (Permalink)

Fire and water damage to a home in Simi Valley after a kitchen fire.

No one ever plans for a water or fire damage in their homes, but if you were to ever experience one SERVPRO of Simi Valley should be your first call for mitigation and remediation. Having a fire in your home can be a life altering event and you want your property to be restored back to the way it was before the fire. When a fire occurs at your house or commercial property, you should take swift action to handle the cleanup and restoration left behind by the fire itself and the efforts of the fire department. At SERVPRO we value your home as if it were our own because we understand clients in their time of need. If you need more opinions on who to call ask friends/family, neighbors, or even your insurance agents they will be able to help you in this process. 

Commercial Fire Loss

5/26/2017 (Permalink)

We set up a tent as a point of reference for those on site.

Recently, SERVPRO was able to be onsite for a commercial large loss fire. As a Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) we are equipped with the technicians, equipment, and ability to handle some of the largest jobs. This food production company went up in flames late one night and our crews were out there the next day to help pack out all the contents in the affected building. All of the contents were affected with soot and smoke damage and most of the electronics had already been removed to be cleaned and salvaged. It was extremely important to work quickly because of the circumstances of the business being run out of this large warehouse. We were able to help get them on their way to being back to normal and running a flawless operation. 

SoCal Storms Damage Roof

5/26/2017 (Permalink)

Storm damaged roof.

While Southern California may not experience tornadoes, hurricanes, or any other natural disasters we still do get hit with mud slides, heavy rains, and wild fires. It is always best practice to understand that area and the surroundings of which you live in. If you know that your home has been near storm damages and experiences it is best to be knowledgeable. SERVPRO specializes in all extreme storm damages, even if you think your damage may be small, we are the best team to help you. SERVPRO of Simi Valley is also a Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) and we are equipped with everything needed to handle even the largest of storm damages, we work with neighboring SERVPRO's to help them with anything that they might need a few extra hands for. 

Do You Have an Unexpected Water Loss?

5/24/2017 (Permalink)

Setting up drying equipment in preparation for the water damage mitigation.

What do you do when you experience a water loss? The obvious answer should be: call SERVPRO. But that might not always be on the forefront of people’s minds. We understand the panic most people feel because they are worried about their items and probably the expenses that might come with everything they are experiencing. We want to let all current and future customers to know that our technicians and office staff are fully prepared to handle anything that has happened. SERVPRO of Simi Valley is the franchise that you can trust with any of your water needs. This isn't something that everyone experiences and most people might not know where to begin, and it can be a lot to deal with in the beginning. We are here to make everything easy and "Like it never even happened."

We Go Together Like...

5/24/2017 (Permalink)

An outside look of the Camden Plaza after a fire.

Well, we go together like peanut butter and jelly. We go together like that one Grease song. SERVPRO of Simi Valley works closely, and has great connections, with many surrounding property managers. We understand that property managers control a lot and along with insurance agents and adjusters, other than the client, they are our top priority. It's important to use that we work closely with the property managers to keep their tenants happy and keep their property intact. SERVPRO of Simi Valley is also a Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) and property managers that have worked with us before know that we are capable of handing any size loss at any property within Southern California. We go together like two peas in a pod!

Commercial Department Store Water Loss

5/24/2017 (Permalink)

Progress pic of the demolition being done.

A toilet overflow caused this retail business to have to close it's door for a little bit. The water damage covered the entire square footage of the store which resulted in all of the carpet needing to be removed. Our technicians worked long hours to move quickly, knowing that the owners needed to open their doors and resume business. Once the work was finished the owners felt as if the store looked brand new and were excited with how quickly the process was finished. The picture shown is a few days in after all of the merchandise had been removed from the store and everyone was preparing for demolition to start. As a Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) SERVPRO of Simi Valley is able to handle an size of loss. 

Soot and Smoke Damage

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

Water, fire, smoke, and soot damage.

Most people don't realize the soot and smoke damage can and will affect your health. Exposure to smoke and soot during a fire loss may occur via the skin and eyes, inhalation, and ingestion. Once soot enters your blood stream, it can cause a wide array of serious health issues, including respiratory issues, shortness of breath, bronchitis, asthma, stroke, heart attack, cancer, and premature death. You may unknowingly be affected, unfortunately, safety risks from fire do not end once the flames are extinguished. The damage can affect the surfaces of your home, your clothing, and everything in between. SERVPRO of Simi Valley are your fire cleanup professionals. Never hesitate to call when experiencing a fire loss, we can make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Partners with The American Red Cross

5/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO and the Red Cross join forces against storm damage.

SERVPRO began a National partnership in March of 2013 with the American Red Cross as the largest corporate sponsor for the Ready Rating Program. As a Disaster Responder member, SERVPRO of Simi Valley is among an elite group of companies and foundations from almost every industry. The Red Cross, and SERVPRO alike, are very refutable companies that people know and trust and by working together we are able to come together for our communities and neighbors in any time of need. Even though Southern California may not experience storms like the rest of the country doesn't mean that when storms do hit they are taken lightly. Partnering with the Red Cross allows our company to be apart of something bigger than just water and fire remediation. We are always here to help.  

I Day Success!

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

Here is our marketing rep, Caila, with Eric Dickerson and Chris Hale after an inspirational lunchtime pep talk.

Our marketing team works tirelessly both out in the field and in the office. Business to business marketing, web marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, etc. You name it and they're on it. Every year there is a convention called I Day where vendors back in a venue and use the day to network with people they might not otherwise have the chance to come into contact with. This year we were invited by a close partner, Greenspan, and had a great time getting to walk around and talk to other marketing representatives. The guest speaker was former NFL star Eric Dickerson and he had a lot of inspiration to share during lunch and even stopped by the SERVPRO booth after to participate in our games. All in all it was a great event and we look forward to next year as a team. 

What To Do When You Experience a Fire Loss

5/3/2017 (Permalink)

Home fire in Simi Valley, CA.

Fire losses are no less messy than water damage. You have to factor in the soot and smoke damage as well as anything that was completely burned and non salvageable. Smoke and soot can be hazardous to your health, it can make it hard to breathe and give you unforgettable headaches. SERVPRO of Simi Valley should be your first call if you were to ever experience a fire loss in your home or place of work. By working closely with not only the client but the agents and adjusters we are able to get in and get out as quickly as possible. All while making sure your home or work is on it's way back to normalcy. The experts at SERVPRO want to make your fire damage "Like it never even happened."

Teacher of the Year Award!

5/3/2017 (Permalink)

You can see our SR VP enjoying his time at dinner celebrating all these wonderful teachers.

Recently, SERVPRO of Simi Valley Large Loss Response Team (LLRT) was a sponsor of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce 'Teacher of the Year' Award. We were able to be apart of the dinner and present the teacher with a special gift from us here at SERVPRO. All of the teachers that were nominated were outstanding candidates and we are proud to have them within our community, working with our future generations, and making an impact on our schools. SERVPRO of Simi Valley  is a proud partner, and works closely, with the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce to help sponsor other events and be hands on within the community. We pride ourselves in the philanthropic work that we have been able to be apart of already and we look forward to future opportunities. 

Emergency Readiness Program

5/3/2017 (Permalink)

Emergency Readiness Program flyer.

Emergency Readiness Program, better known as an ERP, allows SERVPRO to help both residential and commercial accounts to be ready in case of an emergency. An ERP allows to you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action, SERVPRO of Simi Valley teams up with property managers to show them all the basic steps. How to turn off electrical panels, main water, gas, etc. to stop anymore damage from happening. It's at no cost of your facility, as well as a concise profile document, and a guide to help get back into your building after a disaster. This start up approach is a great investment of your time and is designed specifically with the customer in mind. If you or someone you know would love to have an ERP done don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Simi Valley today at 818-995-6444.

Water Damage, Simi Valley CA

5/3/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage caused this ceiling to fall out and create even more damage for the homeowner.

According to the homeowner they had seen the bubbling of water in the ceiling for a few months but disregarded it hoping the water wouldn't cause any damage. After a large storm hit Southern California more water entered the attic/ceiling and caused the ceiling to fall through. After having a professional roofer out the property we were able to fix the hole in the ceiling and clean up the standing water in this bedroom. SERVPRO of Simi Valley is your neighborhood water mitigation experts. Just a few days later we had started removing all affected carpet and walls and dried out the room and within about a week they were able to set up furniture back into the bedroom and live peacefully knowing their water damage had been taken care of. 

Who Ya Gonna Call? Mold Busters!

4/20/2017 (Permalink)

Hidden mold under an office desk.

We might look like ghost busters in our tyvek suits and vacuums but I promise we aren't. SERVPRO of Simi Valley are your neighborhood mold experts. Sometimes mold can be hard to detect but if you were to ever suspect it in your home or find mold you should always call a professional to help. Mold is hazardous to your health if left alone and can be a large problem if not attended to. Clients can rely on us to get the mold safely and quickly out of their living spaces and/or place of work. Mold grows in damp and humid places; we mostly see mold after clients had a water loss and decided to dry out their space by themselves. Always call SERVPRO for any mold suspicions and we can make it "Like it never even happened." 

Storm Damage, Simi Valley CA

4/20/2017 (Permalink)

Tree removal after heavy rains let up.

While it's not common in Southern California, like it is for the rest of the nation, to get storms we do still experience them from time to time. Recently, heavy rains hit Southern California and no one was prepared for the immensity of the constant rain. SERVPRO of Simi Valley is your storm damage destination filled with expert technicians. We are a 24/7 emergency service which means that whenever your damage happens we can be there for your aid and help to get the situation under control. Most Californians panic when it starts to rain, and forget how to drive, but in that panic they should remember SERVPRO. Storms are our specialty and we "are always here to help". Call 818-995-6444

Who Do You Call For Water Damage?

4/19/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage in Simi Valley, CA.

SERVPRO of Simi Valley are the experts you need for your water loss. We specialize in any size loss and any length of process that you need help with. There are many water specialists in Simi Valley, that being said, you don’t want to hire any old company. You want to hire a company that is going to do a good job. Water damage can lead to mold if it is not cleaned up properly. *As a side note, SERVPRO of Simi Valley are also your mold specialists.* Life isn't exactly fair sometimes and no matter what form of damage your water loss comes in we want to help in every way we can. SERVPRO can make it "Like it never even happened."