Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Process

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, construction and restoration projects, both large and small.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Process

You will require a commercial restoration service if a fire has damaged your commercial property. And to begin with this, restoration efforts must get underway as quickly as possible to prevent company disruption and further recovery costs. But what are the commercial fire damage restoration procedure when a fire occurs? 

Hire a commercial restoration service near you 

Your first concern should be preventing more damage to your commercial building. So, set up an appointment with the most recognized business repair company in your area for an inspection to evaluate the damage. 

Remove standing water from the structure.

When the firefighting efforts are complete, the most critical step is to evacuate as much water as possible. If you want to make sure there are no leaks or spots that might produce mold, you need to employ a business restoration firm.

Cleaning up the work area of smoke and soot

The restoration company's next step is to use specialized equipment and processes to remove smoke and soot from the building's surfaces. This is because subsurface stains and odors are common when dealing with fire and smoke damage.

Disposal of Unwanted Items and Organization

All damaged products and structures will be removed from the space. After that, the whole commercial space is reorganized back to its original state

Restorative Services

Lastly, you may have to repaint, restore drywall, and install new carpet to get your commercial space back to how it was before the fire. Even if you must rebuild a large portion of your property, professional contractors will know how to maximize your return on investment.

You can rely on SERVPRO of San Leandro for Commercial Restoration. We will take care of the whole commercial facility restoration process. Contact us right now for a free consultation at (510) 352-2480.

Causes Of Fire In A Commercial Building

5/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Causes Of Fire In A Commercial Building

Fires constitute a major concern and may result in the loss of property, productive time, and even the risk of life. The most prevalent causes of fire in commercial buildings are well-known to the public. However, there are other, less prevalent causes of commercial fires for which company owners and residents should exercise caution. Here are a few causes of fire in a commercial building.

Use of cleaning agents, including solutions and other compounds

Following the directions on how to store cleaning products properly is essential. Make sure you're acquainted with them, particularly when it comes to the utility room or if you're keeping chemicals beneath the sink. Certain chemicals may start a fire if combined or heated up from being improperly stored.

Animals

Animals may have a role in some of the strangest fire starts. Consider the following:

• A bird may choose to make its nest near electrical wires or on top of buildings that may get hot.
• Mice may gnaw through electrical lines, resulting in a fire outbreak.

Dust 

It's no secret that we despise dust, but now we have even more reason to get out the vacuum cleaner. Almost every sort of dust has the potential to catch fire. It is possible for materials that are not easily ignited to provide a fire danger when they are in the form of dust.

Computer and Laptop Overheating

Computer and laptop fires may be rare, but they do happen. Fans or batteries that fail, worn-out connections and excessive temperatures are all possible causes of computer and laptop fires.

What to Do If Fire destroys a Commercial Building

Restoring a commercial building after a fire is out and everyone has been evacuated may be challenging. To help restore your fire-damaged property to its former glory, call on the experienced specialists at SERVPRO of San Leandro (510) 352-2480.

Patching Drywall: A Guide

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

We offer all services needed to get your business or home constructed. 

Patching Drywall: A Guide

A top concern when prepping for a move to new business location or home includes patching drywall. This material is extremely vulnerable to holes, cracks, and dents, but it can easily be repaired with painting, sanding, and joint compound. 

Damage can occur from multiple reasons. Most damage to drywalls is observed in the form of popped nail heads, dents, and screw holes. These incidents are very minor and can be easily remedied. 

Fill tiny holes and dents with lightweight spackle using a putty knife. Ensure the spackle fills the hole and is level with the rest of the wall that is undamaged. Allow it to try for up to 30 minutes. Use sandpaper to smoothen the area. Touch up the paint and brush away debris.

For cracks, widen it with the aid of a utility knife and ensure dust is brushed away. Apply a coat of spackle across the entire area, and smoothen with a putty knife. If wider than half an inch, cover with drywall tape composed of self-adhesive fiberglass. Allow the compound to dry thoroughly.

When dealing with popped nail heads, it's likely that they have loosened from wall studs. A simple drywall screw can reattach drywall to the stud. Drive the screw in about 2 inches above the location of the popped head. Sink the head just below the surface of the drywall. Hammer the head back in, being mindful of unwanted hammer damage. Cover with a spackle, allow it to try, then touch up the paint. This works in all cases.

When projects are larger than you can handle, contact SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480. 

The Process Of Commercial Restoration For Fire Damage

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, construction and restoration projects, both large and small.

The Process Of Commercial Restoration For Fire Damage

If your commercial property has been devastated by a fire, there is a need for a commercial restoration service. However, the restoration procedure must begin as soon as feasible to avoid business interruption and additional recovery expenditures. Doing so swiftly and efficiently will ensure normal company operations resume quickly. But what are the restoration process of commercial property in a fire disaster? Read on to learn about this.

Evaluation

When you hire a professional, you'll get a complete evaluation of the damage, critical for the restoration, cleanup, and insurance processes. Make an appointment for a damage assessment with your region's most reputable commercial restoration company.

Occupational Safety and Health

Preventing further harm to your property should be your priority. The restoration team will inspect your windows, walls, and roofs to see whether they need to be boarded up or if the roof needs a tarp.

Water removal from the building.

The most crucial step is to remove as much water as possible when the firefighting actions have been completed. It's critical to hire a professional commercial restoration team to check for leaks and areas susceptible to mold growth.

Smoke and soot removal from the work area.

Smoke and soot frequently leave behind stains and smells that extend well below the surface. The following phase for the restoration firm is to remove smoke and soot from every part of the building surfaces using specialist equipment and procedures.

Reorganization and Debris Removal

The next step is to thoroughly clean all damaged goods and buildings that can be repaired. Many different cleaning methods and equipment like industrial air scrubbers and foggers may be utilized to remove smoke odors.

Repair and Restoration

Finally, restoring your house to its pre-fire condition may necessitate work such as painting, drywall restoration, and new flooring installation. Even if a significant piece of your property must be rebuilt, skilled contractors will know how to get the most bang for your buck throughout the restoration process.

We at SERVPRO of San Leandro take care of the complete restoration procedure for commercial buildings. You may get a free consultation by contacting us today at (510) 352-2480.

Commercial Restoration: What It Is And What You Need to Know

4/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, construction and restoration projects, both large and small.

Commercial Restoration: What It Is And What You Need to Know

At SERVPRO, we recognize that your business is essential to you, and we understand how painful it can be to incur damage to your facilities. Commercial restoration companies like ours can help you restore your business after a fire, flood, storm, or other harmful disasters. Read on to learn what you need to know commercial restoration process.

Every disaster has a unique restoration process.

Commercial restoration is a broad phrase that encompasses a wide range of restoration services to businesses or offices after a disaster. Storms, fires, floods, and other natural disasters are just a few of the many potential causes of damage to your organization, and each one necessitates a unique restoration strategy. With SERVPRO restoration experts, you can be confident that your business will promptly restore to its pre-incident state.

There is a need for a timely response.

If you wait too long to begin the method, the recovery process for commercial restoration will suffer from delayed response time. And so, we're here to answer your calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also make every effort to dispatch our professionals to the location of the damage as quickly as possible to begin repairs.

There can be a slight delay in results.

However, commercial restoration does take time, and you may need to take precautionary measures to safeguard your organization in the interim. SERVPRO teams, for example, may be required to board up windows to protect your business from the elements while repairs are in progress. However, you may rest sure that we will rescue, clean, and restore as much of your property as we possibly can.

We've earned the reputation as #1 in the cleanup and restoration industry. Find more about us on SERVPRO of San Leandro  or give us a call at (510) 352-2480.

What To Do If Your Sink Gets Clogged At Your Business

4/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, construction and restoration projects, both large and small.

What To Do If Your Sink Gets Clogged At Your Business

If your sink is draining slowly or not at all, producing an odor, there may be a clog. It is critical to take care of these as soon as possible. In the event that a blockage is allowed to accumulate, it can result in burst pipes and a need to reach out to a professional plumber.

Prior to unclogging a sink with water, use a basin or cup to remove the standing water. Always attempt to plunge the water first. Small clogs are often easily dislodged with the standard cup plunger. It's recommended to try using one with a flat rim that creates a seal over the hole to apply the pressure necessary to dislodge it.

Ensure that the sink contains the right amount of water to submerge the plunger's head. 

Another way to solve the issue can involve taking a half-gallon of water and bringing it to a boil with heat. After taking measures to remove the sink's standing water, pour the boiling water directly towards the drain with the aid of a steady stream. It should start to drain. If it fails, let the water cool completely, then repeat an additional time.

Baking soda mixtures offer a natural way to unclog a sink, as it proves gentle on the pipes in comparison to chemical openers. Pour a single cup of baking soda down the drain in addition to white vinegar of the same amount. Place a sink hole cover or rubber stop over the opening. Wait 15 minutes, then remove the cover and run water down to clear out the clog. If these solutions do not work , SERVPRO will be there to help find the solution.

SERVPRO of San Leandro provides a variety of commercial services to ensure your business runs smoothly. If you have any questions call us at (510) 352-2480.

Protecting your Business with Fire Damage Restorers here in San Leandro

9/18/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians are trained and experienced in all phases of commercial fire damage restoration.

Fire Damage Restoration For Your Business, Done by Professionals Who Care

A workshop or studio can become severely damaged by a sudden fire. Often, commercial fires that occur can take longer to control than those found in residential buildings. As a business owner, you may have valuable materials or stock inside the building when a fire breaks out, which may still be salvageable. However, bringing in specialist remodelers, repairers, or general constructors may take several days, particularly in larger structures. In the meantime, you need to ensure that your business is safe, secure, and that mitigation is already underway. 

Benefits of SERVPRO’s Fire Damage Restoration Service

Businesses can benefit from our emergency commercial fire damage service here in San Leandro. There are several vital services SERVPRO can perform in the immediate aftermath of a fire that could help to save your business from unnecessary expenses. Our restorers work between first responders and contractors to create a safe, workable job site for repair while also mitigating further fire damage. You can speak to a crew chief throughout the restoration to inform us of any potential valuables or outcomes you need. 

Our first duty onsite is to inspect the building. Inspections can involve a pre-testing procedure to assess the extent of damage in your commercial building accurately. We may also earmark specific areas for mitigation or restoration. However, our first concern is the security of your business, and our team can perform emergency board-ups of broken windows, doors, or ceilings to prevent unlawful entry and theft overnight. 

If you do need to bring in third-party contractors or repair specialists, our team of technicians can establish an emergency power supply as well as lighting to assist them. By deodorizing the affected area, we can create a safe workspace for third-party contractors as well as carrying out critical cleaning tasks. These tasks may include pre-cleaning carpets as well as drying the property to protect you against secondary damages. 

Restoring your business may take time and third-party assistance. Contact SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 to help manage your commercial restoration.

SERVPRO Protects Businesses in Mulford Gardens from Flood Damage

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the manpower and experience for any size commercial water damage restoration. Call now!

Why You Need Professional Restorers for Flood Damage Restoration of your Mulford Gardens Commercial Property

Water cleanup after flood damage at your commercial property in Mulford Gardens can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Seeking immediate help from SERVPRO can save you a lot of time and headache dealing with the aftermath of flood loss. Our technicians are available 24/7, and We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

The restoration process after flood damage involves meticulous planning and spot-on execution to restore your Mulford Gardens commercial space to preloss condition. SERVPRO experts have the experience, training, and equipment to get the job done. 

What Steps do SERVPRO Techs Take During Flood Restoration at Mulford Gardens Properties? 

SERVPRO experts of Mulford Gardens carry out the flood restoration in many steps-

• Establish engineering controls- Include building containment and establishing negative pressure to limit exposure to unaffected parts during the water cleanup process
• Remove water- Excess water from carpets and other flooring is extracted with truck-mounted or portable extractors and wet vacuums.
• Provide Humidity Control- Dehumidifiers and air movers control the humidity to minimize potential secondary damage and microbial amplification.
• Decontamination of salvageable material- We use pressure washing, wet cleaning, and HEPA vacuuming to clean the damaged material. SERVPRO technicians also use antimicrobials and disinfectants to decontaminate surfaces and materials

Call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 for a fast and efficient flood damage restoration service.

Why is SERVPRO a Trusted Name for Fire Damage Restoration Amongst San Leandro Businesses?

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and fire damage is no easy task. SERVPRO will be onsite within 4 hours of the initial call. We are ready 24/7 365 days a year.

Fire at your San Leandro Commercial Property? Leave the Fire Damage Restoration to SERVPRO

Named after Saint Leander of Seville, San Leandro is a beautiful city located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. Like many towns in California, Spanish Missionaries had a major influence on the city of San Leandro in the mid-18th century. The city has a population of over 90,000 people, which is on the rise. 

The city's temperate climate, along with a variety of landscapes from mountains in the east to coastland in the west, makes it a great place to visit. There are tons of activities to keep you occupied in the city, but if you want to wander a little bit, the city of San Francisco is just a few miles away as well. 

Notable tourist attraction of San Leandro

There are many things to do while you are in the city. Here is a list of some of the most popular tourist destinations-

• The San Leandro Farmers Market- Open from spring to fall each year, the farmer's market is fun for the entire family. The market is held in downtown San Leandro on Parrott Street. There are often additional events such as live music, fun activities for the kids, and even cooking classes. 
• Walking Historic Tour- The city of San Leandro still has numerous historic buildings and monuments. A massive earthquake in 1868 damaged many historical buildings, but the local government and historical society successfully preserved several. If you don't mind walking on the pavement, take a self-guided tour for the best experience. 
• Daniel Best House- Built over 150 years ago, it was the childhood home of Daniel Best, America's one of the most prolific thinkers and inventors. His contributions to the tractor and farm equipment industry are monumental. His company, later on, merged with another local equipment manufacturer and became Caterpillar (CAT), the world's leading farm equipment manufacturer. The tour of the Best house provides a glimpse into the life of this great American hero. 

How SERVPRO Helps in Fire and Smoke Cleanup of San Leandro Businesses? 

Fire damage restoration at your San Leandro place of business can be expensive and time-consuming. The best step forward after a fire damaging incident is to call in the professionals of SERVPRO to help you assess the damage and plan the mitigation process as we advance. We have years of experience in dealing with fire and smoke restoration of many San Leandro businesses. Our experts use meticulous planning and state-of-the-art equipment to limit the damage and restore your property "Like it never even happened."

Depending on the extent of the damage and severity of the fire, SERVPRO techs can use any of the following approaches-

• HEPA vacuuming- To eliminate loose particles of soot and carbon after fire and smoke damage
• Chemical cleaners- To eliminate sticky residue.
• Spot cleaning- To eliminate stains from delicate surfaces. 
• Soda blasting- To clean and polish the exposed brickwork. 

Call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 round the clock for fire damage restoration of your San Leandro property. 

Does Your San Leandro Business Need Crawl Space Mold Removal?

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Mold will spread like wildfire within 24 to 48 hours. SERVPRO has trained technicians in mold remediation services for your commercial building.

SERVPRO carries out mold removal in San Leandro business premises

Mold is an occurring substance that is present in nature. That means there are always some mold spores present in your business premises. The problem comes when those mold spores find the right conditions to form a colony. Once a colony grows, it is all too easy for spores to split off from the main colony and find a new place to grow, causing a series of mold patches to spring up in your shop or office.

The fungus thrives in dark, damp places. That makes crawl spaces an ideal home for mold. If you have mold growing in your San Leandro business premises crawl space, you need a San Leandro mold removal service. But how do you know there is mold in your crawl space?

• Use your nose – if the crawl space smells musty, there might be a problem.
• Shine a torch in and see if there are any visible mold patches.
• Look for damp patches or signs of mold on the floors or walls near the crawl space.

SERVPRO techs can seal off your crawl space and then tackle the mold using media blasting, HEPA vacuums, and wiping down.

If you are concerned about crawl space mold removal, call SERVPRO of San Leandro (510) 352-2480.

Looking Inside Walls Prevents Water Removal Damage in San Leandro

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Did your office receive water damage? Call SERVPRO for fast and reliable service.

San Leandro offices need careful pre-water removal testing

San Leandro is a bustling city of almost 90,000 residents that somehow still retains a small-town charm. San Leandro is ideally situated for a visit to the San Francisco Bay area. The town sits on the edge of the bay and also has easy access to wetlands and mountains.

Native people have inhabited the San Leandro area since around 3500 BC. European settlers visited the site in 1772. Settlers named it after Leandro of Seville, a sixth-century Bishop who was later canonized as a Saint.

Explore the San Leandro community

San Leandro has a strong community vibe. Some popular community attractions include:

• Weekly farmers markets where you can purchase local food for cooking or ready-prepared hot food to take away. You can also buy local arts and crafts and fresh flowers.
• A lively community library that offers regular events for children and teenagers.
• A yearly cherry festival where you can enjoy San Leandro's best cherry crops, along with music, street entertainment, and kids' activities.

If you're craving some fresh air, the proximity to the sea and the hills will delight you. And if you want to go for a walk but do not know where to start, you might enjoy a self-guided history tour. The downtown area is full of historic buildings, such as the County Courthouse. Simply head downtown and take a wander – you will find lots to admire. Or visit the city website for ideas on what to look for.

There is plenty to see and do in San Leandro

Although San Leandro is conveniently located for San Francisco, there is plenty to do within San Leandro without traveling further afield. If you are looking for a fun way to pass the time, why not check out:

• Cara Peralta is a historic house museum and one of the most interesting historic buildings in San Leandro. The house is modeled after a grand Spanish villa and even includes hand-painted tiles that tell Don Quixote's story.
• Marina Park is perfect if you want to get away from it all without driving very far. The park is located very close to San Leandro and has bbq areas, picnic benches, green spaces for the kids to play, and stunning water views.
• Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline used to be next to a landfill and is now a stunning area of natural beauty. Walkers, artists, and photographers frequent the site to enjoy the beautiful natural light and the vast array of wildlife.

What happens if office walls get wet and need water removal?

If you need water removal in your office, you naturally do not want to deal with extensive building repairs afterward. If the water soaks into the walls and baseboards, it can cause multiple problems such as structural damage and mold growth. Dismantling walls to look for damage is costly and inconvenient, so it is the last resort. Instead, SERVPRO uses a range of tools to examine inside walls:

• Borescopes let us look inside cavities to determine what they are made of and any visible water damage.
• We use moisture meters and probes to determine water levels inside materials.
• Infrared cameras let us track water across the surface and spot potential problem areas.

Being able to examine inside and outside of walls lets us take care of water removal with minimal damage to your office.

If you need help with water removal, call SERVPRO of San Leandro (510) 352-2480.

San Leandro, Home to Numerous Thriving Businesses, is Susceptible to Flooding.

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage to your commercial property is no easy task to handle. Call the pros at SERVPRO and let them do all the work.

Business Owners Benefit from San Leandro’s Opportunities But Also Suffer Its Hazards.

San Leandro has developed into a thriving commercial town. Over the years, this East Bay community’s proximity to San Francisco has fueled its growth and attracted various types of businesses to its environs. Initially, San Leandro became a center for the meatpacking industry, drawing in operations like the Santos Linguisa Sausage Factory and Saag’s Artisanal Meat Company. The town’s population ballooned following the Second World War, increasing from about 20,000 in 1945 to an estimated 90,000 today. This rapid growth attracted other types of businesses, like the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Maxwell House, The North Face, and JanSport, to the area. Today, like other parts of the southern Bay Area, this community is quickly becoming another home to the tech industry. 

The Environmental Perils of Operating a Business in San Leandro 

While San Leandro is an excellent place to locate your business, it is also susceptible to numerous potential environmental perils. The most serious of these regional dangers are substantially increased risks of earthquakes and flooding. These catastrophic events could be caused by any of a number of occurrences like:

• Movement along the Hayward Fault, which runs under San Leandro, or one of the other six significant faults that pass through the Bay Area
• Tsunamis, resulting from seismic activity along the Pacific Rim, which could deluge the local area
• Strong spring and summer winds that could possibly cause significant tidal flooding
• The failure of the Lake Chabot Dam, which recent studies have shown could send a seventy-one-foot tall wall of water toward our town
• Rising sea levels resulting from climate change, which could make flooding much more likely in the not-so-distant future

Ultimately, potential earthquakes pose one of the greatest threats to business owners and residents of the San Leandro area. In fact, just along the seven major faults in the region, the United States Geological Survey estimates that there is a 62% probability that a 6.7 or greater magnitude quake could occur between now and 2032. The chances of this occurring are greatest along the Hayward Fault that runs under our community. 

Local flooding can result from earthquake-related events, wind action on tides, catastrophic dam failures, climate change, or other causes. Regardless of how flood damage occurs, SERVPRO of San Leandro is always ready to help your business recover and can be reached at (510) 352-2480.

How Does SERVPRO Remediate Your San Leandro Business’ Flood Damage?

If flooding ever damages your San Leandro business, you want the resulting mess professionally dealt with quickly and cost-effectively. At SERVPRO, we understand the importance of rendering timely, swift flood damage clean up and restoration services so that you can return to normal operations as soon as possible. This is why we employ the following innovative measures and equipment when solving your flood-related issues: 

• Removing standing water with commercial-grade wet vacuums and extractors
• Professionally disposing of hazardous waste according to EPA standards
• Drying interior air with air movers and dehumidifiers
• Using Injectidry systems and floor pads to dry areas behind structural elements
• Fully or partially reconstructing damaged structures using our advanced skills
• Treating flood-impacted materials/air with foggers filled with EPA-approved agents 

If you ever need commercial flood damage remediation services, call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480.

Entertaining the Family in the San Leandro Area

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

Enjoy San Leandro fun at the fairgrounds and call SERVPRO for storm damage cleanup and restoration

The Alameda County Fairgrounds Offers a Unique Experience for San Leandro Residents

Families in San Leandro navigating our new may be looking for activities to enjoy together. If your focus is on finding an affordable option that entertains the whole family, you may want to consider the possibilities the Alameda County Fairgrounds offers. Celebrating the diversity of the area around it, the Fairgrounds typically offer concerts, fairs, and other events where people can congregate to have a good time. The behavioral changes most have adopted in 2020 have us seeking activities that avoid direct interaction with many people.

To accommodate our new reality and still have fun, you may want to enjoy the Dinosaur Adventure Drive-Thru, which runs November 12th through the 29th. As you plan your visit, consider the following-

• Tickets are sold for specific days and times
• Each ticket allows one vehicle with up to 8 people in it
• Over 80 life-sized dinosaurs are visible from the comfort of your car

Just as the Alameda County Fairgrounds focuses on safety, so do we at SERVPRO of San Leandro. If disaster strikes and you are looking for a fire damage restoration company capable of working within commercial establishments, search no more. Call us at (510) 352-2480 and let us leave your business “Like it never even happened.”

What Is The Most Reliable Way To Manage Moisture During Water Damage Restoration In San Leandro Clothes Shops?

7/7/2020 (Permalink)

You can depend on our technicians to respond quickly to clean up and restore your shop so you can get back to business as usual.

Moisture Control Is a Complex Issue, but SERVPRO Has Sufficient Resources to Help Tackle It Restoring Your Store to Its Pre-Loss Condition

If a pipe burst or other form of water intrusion happens at your San Leandro cloth store, you have much to worry about since moisture can cause widespread damages to the structure and contents. Clothes and other items in your stock can readily absorb and hold water if exposed. Packing materials such as boxes have hygroscopic properties so they can absorb moisture from the air.

What moisture problems does water damage restoration need to address in San Leandro Stores?

• Physical deterioration such as the disintegration of packing
• Staining of clothes or upholstery and carpets 
• Strong odors
• Mold infestation

Once the water is released into the store, various forms of deterioration begin happening. Some may have immediate implications, while others can affect the business for a long time. Removing all standing water from the property and drying most of the affected items or materials in the property within 48 hours ensures you can salvage more items and prevents long-term problems such as mold development. Our SERVPRO technicians can also help with odor control processes such as removal of odorous materials and deodorization of the entire property eliminating traces of the incident, "Like it never even happened.”

What moisture control steps are necessary when restoring water damage?

• Drying your wet stock
• Dealing with humidity 
• Extracting standing water
• Preventing condensation and other moisture transfer

The main problem with water damage incidents is the excessive moisture introduced to the indoor environment. Finding a way to restore normalcy, therefore, helps stop or reverse any problems that develop. In most cases, you can stop the water source by turning off the mains immediately you discover the loss. Our SERVPRO technicians complement your efforts by expediting the extraction of standing water from the display areas, storage, or other sections of the store. 

We have various types of equipment to support faster extraction. For example, we have portable water extractors with an auto-fill and auto-dump feature for continuous operation. We also have weighted extractors useful for carpeted areas within the store.

Another problem is moisture transfer, which can damage materials unaffected by the initial water spill. For instance, when the water spill originates from the floor level, it is less likely to affect the clothes on hanging displays or shelves. However, the rising humidity levels in the store can lead to moisture transfer affecting those items. Another challenge arises since transferring the items away from the store is likely to take time and require additional storage resources. Our technicians take steps such as running a dehumidifier or two when we start restoration to control humidity.

Do odors develop whenever there is a water spill?

An odor problem in a cloth store can be a disaster since it can dissuade people from buying the items you sell. Smells develop for several reasons, so there is a high chance that your store could develop an unpleasant odor after a water spill. The common ones include:

• A higher concentration of sulfate in the spilled water
• Microbial growth processes
• Dissolving of soils in the areas water reaches

Our crews take several steps at different stages of the restoration to ensure we remove all odors from your property. When cleaning surfaces, we use products such as synthetic phenolics, which have antimicrobial and odor counteracting properties, thus stopping odors at the source. 

Microbial growth, such as mold development, tends to thrive when pockets of moisture remain in hidden areas. Our technicians inspect the store to find out whether moisture remains in the wall, ceiling, or floor cavities. We use thermal cameras for non-invasive inspection. We also check whether solid wood, concrete and other porous materials with moisture meters to ensure they dry properly. In case we find hidden moisture, we perform controlled demolition to reach the wet materials. In most cases, water finds a way into wall cavities through the porous drywall or openings, then internal components such as insulation act as a moisture reservoir. With the controlled demolition, we can remove the outer coverings such as the drywall to reach the wet materials and to circulate dry air within the wall assembly.

The upholstery items in areas such as the fitting room or waiting area can also retain moisture leading to mold development and other problems that create an unpleasant odor. Our SERVPRO technicians help perform the elaborate drying procedures needed to dry such items forestalling the problems. We confirm the level of wetness with penetrative moisture meters before taking restorative steps. If the items only absorbed minimal amounts of water, we can dry them by placing them close to air movers. In case of a thorough wetting, we first use a water extraction tool to remove most of the liquid water before starting drying procedures.

Combating moisture is a crucial step when there is water intrusion in your clothing store. Call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 to assist. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Do I Protect My San Leandro Business After A Water Spill?

6/27/2020 (Permalink)

Regardless of the day when it happens, water damage from a broken pipe needs to be handled right away. Call team SERVPRO.

Call SERVPRO to Rid Your San Leandro Business of Water Damage

Pipe breaks never seem to happen in the open, at a convenient time on a Tuesday. They always seem to be overnight on a weekend or about an hour after the store closes and no one is around. 

What Exactly Is Water Mitigation?

Commercial water mitigation in San Leandro businesses means reducing the severity of a water spill as quickly as possible. SERVPRO response teams can begin removing water and restoring your tux and formal dress shop within minutes after arriving in the parking lot.

What is the First Thing Team Members Do?

Our first task is to get the water out of your shop. Our teams usually begin with large pumps, but for a smaller operation, we begin with extraction wands. These devices work exceptionally well on concrete and wood floors, as well as commercial carpets. Water removal takes several days to a week for most stores.

There is still moisture in the air and trapped in carpets though. To finish the task and bring the inside humidity to a normal level again, our technicians use a combination of exhaust fans, dehumidifiers, and air movers.

Is There Anything I Can Do When It Comes to Mitigation?

Yes, absolutely! Even with our rapid response team, SERVPRO technicians still arrive an hour or more after someone notices the problem. Owners and employees can perform these tasks:

• Shut-off the water. Every building has a cut-off valve or switch. If you can’t find it, call the Water Department immediately to do it for you.
• Open the doors and windows. This allows water to drain out of the store and increases airflow to improve the rate of evaporation. 

Both actions help prepare your business for our response team but remember safety first. If there is any risk of being inside, wait for our team leader to help assess the situation.

To schedule a service call, contact SERVPRO of San Leandro today at (510) 352-2480. 

Click here for more information about San Leandro.

How Severely Can Water Damage Affect My Oakland Car Rental Firm?

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

When your car rental company has water damage, delays can cause additional problems. Contact SERVPRO to assess and remediate.

SERVPRO Can Provide a Team to Help Stop or Reverse Some Effects of Water Damage Saving Your Business

Although water spills may not damage the cars, which are the main assets supporting your car rental businesses, other damages can occur, affecting your business negatively. SERVPRO responds promptly when called to help Oakland businesses hit by water spills.

What problems can impede business after water damage at my Oakland car rental service?

• Malfunctioning electronics
• Ruined documents 
• Damaged façade 

After water spills and pools around the property, evaporation follows, increasing the humidity levels in the air. Such humid air spreads all over the property, finding a way inside many electronics, including computers and printers, although you might not notice. Later, problems arise when temperature changes lead to condensation causing water damage to the interior components of the electronics. Our SERVPRO technicians can help by dehumidifying the property to keep moisture levels in the air constant or regulating heating to prevent temperatures from reaching the dew point.

Can we salvage wet papers?

Water damage to papers is usually irreversible since it causes smudging of ink or matting. Such damage affecting contract documents or other records can be challenging to reconcile. The use of specialized techniques and quick action can help stop further deterioration. Our SERVPRO technicians take a couple of steps to help salvage your documents.

• Freezing wet documents
• Separating wet paper materials from dry ones
• Drying items with specialized techniques

Freezing stops the mechanical disintegration of papers and dissolution of ink, ensuring that what was written on the paper remains legible. Applying sophisticated drying procedures such as sublimation, whereby the solid ice changes directly to vapor, eliminates chances of further damage to the documents.  

Apart from using sophisticated approaches to save your documents, our technicians also rely on simple solutions such as separating wet materials from dry ones to prevent the transfer of wetness.

A simple water spill can lead to complicated problems. Call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 to manage any loss situation, "Like it never even happened."

Click here for more information about Oakland.

My San Leandro Hair Salon Took on a Lot of Floodwater, What Can I Do?

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

For all of your flood damage cleanup and restoration needs, the team at SERVPRO of San Leandro is here to help.

Calling SERVPRO Ensures your San Leandro Business Gets the Prompt Flood Damage Cleanup It Deserves

Whether there is a little or a lot of flooding in your San Leandro hair salon, this is a mess better left to trained professionals to clean up. SERVPRO has the right methods and training necessary to get your doors opened up faster so you can get back to business. If there is any chance of harmful contaminants and bacteria, you can feel confident we do everything possible to have it cleaned and deodorized once the space is dry.

Will the Flooding Ruin the Floors?

When dealing with commercial flood damage in San Leandro, it is essential to pay attention to all building materials impacted by water saturation. Not only do we begin extraction measures right away, but we also take special care to use methods made for the type of flooring that you have.

What Makes SERVPRO Qualified for the Job?

We use specialized planning and techniques to execute each job with precision and efficiency. We have skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) on the roster who know the best steps for mitigation and water cleanup. While it may be tempting to try a DIY cleanup before we arrive, you can leave it to our trained crew so that no stone is left unturned.

There are many reasons you can count on us for dependable, cost-effective flood damage restoration, including:

    •    Advanced water extraction tools and technology
    •    Training that is fully compliant via the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
    •    Professional-grade moisture detection technology
    •    Strategic material removal and replacement with controlled demolition
    •    EPA-registered, commercial-grade products for cleaning and sanitizing

Trying to navigate all of the potential contaminants throughout your hair salon is one of the initial tasks once we arrive. We must assign the right personnel and tools for water extraction, drying, and cleaning to facilitate professional results.

How Do You Address Different Types of Flooring?

If you have tile or concrete floors in your hair salon, which means they require immediate attention after extraction is complete. We work to clean the floors to limit the onset of bacterial and microbial threats that can worsen over time.

We Have a Cleaning Crew that Comes In – Can We Have Them Do the Work?

For something as substantial as floodwater in your business, hiring trained technicians is the best way to ensure you get the results you need. We want clients to understand that following a flood loss:

    •    Floodwater is known for having a range of contaminants within, including fuel residue, chemicals, debris, silt, and even fecal matter. Our team trained and certified to handle all potential contaminants and make sure that we limit or eliminate water migration.
    •    It is vital that standing water should not be left to linger for an extended period. Water removal must commence promptly to lessen secondary damage and restoration costs.

What Happens if I Wait Too Long to Have Restoration Begin?

Many issues become more substantial, the longer that you wait after a flood loss event. Depending on the time and the exposure, some of these effects could include:

    •    Breakdown of structural materials – Water left to linger can cause wood to crack, swell, and warp. Soaked drywall can warp and crumble, and the paint or wallpaper on the walls of your salon may peel and blister. Stains and musty odors may also develop, and any carpeting in the waiting area must be replaced entirely.
    •    Hazardous mildew and mold growth – Organic and porous materials like subflooring and sheetrock take on water. What this does is create a moist environment that becomes the perfect platform for microbial growth. The mold spores thrive on organic materials when temperatures and relative humidity are just right.

Our skilled crew gets to work fast to limit secondary damage when your hair salon suffers flood loss. We use a variety of commercial-grade drying tools as well as OSHA-approved biocides that help limit the onset of mold.

    •    Water extraction begins with the help of submersible pumps and truck-mounted extractors.
    •    Thorough drying is next, which includes the strategic placement of centrifugal air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers to speed up the process.
    •    If necessary, controlled demolition helps us remove all damaged materials for a full replacement.

Will My Salon Be Free of Foul, Musty Odors?

We have advanced moisture detection technology at our disposal, but we also come back to your place of business for follow-up moisture readings. With the help of moisture sensors and thermal imaging technology, we can pinpoint hidden pockets of moisture before they start to fester.

For all of your flood damage cleanup and restoration needs, the team at SERVPRO of San Leandro is here to help. Call (510) 352-2480, and we deploy a crew to your hair salon in at little as four hours to get to work.

There is Water in My San Leandro Retail Store, Who Do I Turn to for Help?

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

Facing water damage doesn't have to stop your business. Contact team SERVPRO for effective water removal and remediation services.

Contact a Company that Performs Commercial Water Removal in San Leandro

Water loss in a retail store can happen because of several reasons, such as overflowing sinks, burst pipes, and a leaking roof. Your retail store can suffer immediate losses in terms of destruction to electronic equipment, merchandise, and fixtures. The water can also seep up walls into insulation and other structural materials.

How Can I Prevent Further Losses?

Water damage can cause you to incur longer-term losses such as lost business because of the time your store remains shut for cleanup and restoration. To prevent additional losses, you need to start the process of commercial water removal in your San Leandro retail store as soon as possible. At SERVPRO, we understand business operations, and we have served different commercial clients for many years. We know our way around retail stores and other business premises. Some benefits of working with us include:

•     Round the clock availability.
•     Courteous and helpful water damage restoration technicians (WRTs).
•     Advanced water removal equipment to handle water extraction projects of any size.
•     Complete water removal and drying services.
•     Thorough cleaning and decontamination using EPA-approved products.
•     Working with your insurance company.

How Do You Conduct the Water Removal Process?

Our technicians conduct an assessment to know which steps to take to remove the water and dry a property quickly. During the process, our technicians do the following:

•     Look out for safety hazards like falling stock, uneven flooring, and ruined electrical wiring.
•     Determine what caused the water loss and take steps to prevent further leaking. 
•     Determine the most appropriate and effective strategy for cleaning up your property. 

After a water loss incident in a retail store, it is imperative to clean it up properly, so it does not turn into a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other harmful microorganisms. Our SERVPRO team can extract the water efficiently using electric submersible pumps, which offer continuous and quiet operation. 

We can also inventory the salvageable items, equipment, and fixtures and move them to our facilities for proper drying and restoration. Our team can also get rid of debris and unsalvageable items, including furnishings and structural items.

We can then place structural drying equipment like air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers throughout your store to dry the affected areas thoroughly. Air movers expedite the drying of surfaces like flooring and enhance air circulation of the whole indoor space. Desiccant dehumidifiers use chemicals called desiccants, which absorb moisture from the air dehumidifiers process readily. 

When a water loss problem occurs in your retail store, you can trust SERVPRO of San Leandro to remove the water and dry the business premises. Contact us any time at (510) 352-2480.

Click here for more information about San Leandro. 

Our Specialists Discuss Tips For Handling Water Damage In Your Oakland Bank

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

After a water loss incident in a bank, you need prompt water removal services.

Tips For Handling Commercial Water Damage In An Oakland Bank

Banks and other financial institutions are vital facilities to the economy both at the local and national level. Any threat to their infrastructure can paralyze the areas they serve. If water damage occurs in a bank, it can create several risks to data processing and cash reserves. Water can cause loss of data and destruction to computer hardware and software which are essential to the availability of banking services.

In the event of commercial water damage in an Oakland bank, the facility manager or staff should do everything possible to recover fast and efficiently to meet the banking needs of the customers. The immediate repercussion of a water loss incident is the apparent destruction to the physical structure of the bank, including the floorings, walls, computers, office furniture, and other equipment.

After a water intrusion incident, a bank may not provide services like new account opening, loans, and deposits to customers. The customers would have to visit other branches for their banking needs. Affected on-site ATMs can be out of service, inconveniencing customers further. Customer valuables in the safety deposit boxes may also be at risk during a water damage emergency. Apart from the customers, even the employees of a bank could be inconvenienced.

Everyone expects banks to have sound and efficient action plans if a disaster occurs. After a water intrusion incident, the priority should be to assess the destruction. The financial institution should also inform its customers about the incident and where they can go for banking services. If the water has pooled in areas where members of staff work, it is vital to get to them to dry areas.

When dealing with water loss, one essential step to take is to turn off the main water and power supply lines. The manager and staff can also document the damage by capturing images of the scene, which can be helpful when filing a claim. Calling for help from SERVPRO is also crucial. We can assist you in addressing the damage by removing the water and moisture. The two main methods we use to remove water from a building are extraction and evaporation. Extraction is more effective in removing water quickly. We can remove the standing water using portable extractors, which provide a high amount of vacuum lift. Our experts can extract water from all types of flooring using wet vacuuming.

We also use advanced drying equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to dry commercial buildings to prevent secondary moisture problems like mold growth. We focus air movers on damp materials to ensure effective drying. Our SERVPRO crew also uses moisture detecting equipment like infrared cameras, moisture meters, and thermal imaging cameras to confirm that the affected areas are dry.

After a water loss incident in a bank in Hayward, Alameda or San Leandro, you need prompt water removal services. SERVPRO of San Leandro is ready to assist you in handling the damage to make it “Like it never even happened.” Our emergency helpline is (510) 352-2480.

For more about Oakland click here.

Your Oakland Coffee Shop Can Be Restored After A Mold Infestation

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of San Leandro is your business partner in keeping your coffee shop mold-free.

Serve Coffee, Not Mold In Your Oakland Coffee Shop

One of the highlights of doing business in Oakland is that the city offers the opportunity to showcase your creativity at your storefront. In such a diverse community, expressing the talents of your patrons by displaying their art in your coffee shop is excellent for your bottom line. Some of your customers come to see your new displays, and the artists themselves enjoy their cup of java while gauging the public reaction to their pieces. Your business plan is lucrative and fills a need in the community.

What may derail your success is finding mold damage in your Oakland coffee shop. It could take some time for you to identify the offending smell and unexplainable spots. Once you do, you must act swiftly. Mold has a way of spreading very quickly in your environment, putting your health and your business in jeopardy. Relying on a professional company like SERVPRO to help you remediate the situation is a wise choice.

At SERVPRO, we are available 24/7 to act with speed worthy of your mold issue. Our team is quick to assemble and apply its expertise to clean your environment while being mindful of any health regulations applicable to a restaurant. Rather than spending time investigating the latest techniques, you can reach out to us and let us use our industry-grade tools to mitigate your losses and keep your business going as usual.

As our technicians arrive, you may notice that they shut off your air conditioning or heater. This is done to prevent mold spores from traveling and circulating within your coffee shop. Our SERVPRO team can also be seen eliminating traces of mold by sanding your surfaces and using anti-microbial solutions designed to eliminate any mold growth.  Throughout this process, you must remember that mold needs to be eliminated by intervening; mold does not go away on its own. Regular household cleaners are also insufficient in tackling this problem.

SERVPRO of San Leandro is your business partner in keeping your coffee shop mold-free. Call us at (510) 352-2480 and let us be your ally in leaving your shop “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Oakland click here.

ReadingWriting, and Oakland Flood Damage? Call SERVPRO to get Your School Opened Quickly

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has 'been to school' to learn how to restore your educational facility quickly.

Risks of DIY Flood Recovery for Oakland School Buildings 

During the typical school year, custodial staff and the maintenance department combat countless scenarios that can damage the Oakland facilities they oversee. As much as these circumstances can threaten the schools, natural disasters can do even more widespread damage. Without the appropriate skills, equipment, and safety items, it is unwise to attempt to address flood effects on your own – regardless of your pressing timetable to get the doors back open to the school. 

With many of the harshest weather events taking place in rainier seasons encompassing much of the summer, flood damage in Oakland schools can often occur during this break. While this removes the immediate pressures of affecting hundreds of students and their families, it is vital to work right away still to resolve the present conditions. Standing water deteriorates construction materials and can damage linoleum, furniture, and even saturate the concrete floor beneath the surface flooring material. 

Even more alarming with flooding situations is how quickly areas like the library and computer labs can become substantially damaged. Even just elevated moisture levels in these rooms can damage their contents, and that is why our SERVPRO team inspects all affected areas quickly upon arrival to determine what items and possessions must get removed from their current location to protect them from flood effects. 

A risk of flood recovery performed without the guidance and experience of certified professionals is unknown dangers in the building resulting from structural deterioration or failures. Floors in certain areas can become too weakened to support your weight, or ceiling materials can get too saturated and heavy to stay installed above. We have a full team of licensed (General Contractor License #: 937457) contractors that can assess these risks and repair them once mitigation work completes 

Flooding is never a situation that should remain unchallenged for long. Standing water can be a hazard to the school and those exposed, and our SERVPRO of San Leandro team can help. Give us a call at (510) 352-2480 so we can show you that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

More about Oakland.

SERVPRO Is the Answer to Oakland Commercial Property Fire Loss Cleanup and Build-Back

7/27/2019 (Permalink)

The Oakland Fire Department Puts Out the Fire--Then SERVPRO Gets the Business Restored and Re-Opened

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration For Oakland Businesses

Commercial fires have been in the Oakland news quite a bit in the last few years. The pictures and stories always center around property loss and how it affects local employment. Despite the sensational portrayal in these stories, most fires do not result in the total loss of the structure and restoration is nearly always an option.

Restoration of Oakland commercial fire damage requires accomplishing multiple tasks simultaneously to help the owner reopen to customers quickly. As an example of what SERVPRO provides, we’ll use fire in a furniture showroom with offices overhead.

In this situation, the fire began in the first floor breakroom after a toaster oven shorted out and caught fire. Fortunately, this was at the end of the day, so there were few people inside and quickly evacuated. Unfortunately, the fire quickly consumed the breakroom and spread smoke through most of the showroom. The smoke also traveled swiftly up the nearby stairwell and into most of the offices there. The physical destruction was limited to the breakroom.

In this instance, SERVPRO technicians spend their efforts on demolition and reconstruction of the breakroom and cleaning smoke residues from the rest of the facility and the property inside. Team members quickly tear out the affected walls, cabinets, and ceilings, dispose of it and the ruined appliances and furniture. Specialists clean the remaining structure, and then our builders (General Contractor License #: 937457) replace the wall framing, drywall, and ceiling panels. This all takes time, planning with the building owner and the insurance carrier.

Meanwhile, technicians start cleaning. They can remove most of the residues using sponges and a mild cleaning agent from surfaces and much of the furniture in the showroom and offices upstairs. For thicker residues closer to the fire, they may use brushes and stronger cleaners to break up the residue layers for easier removal.

For upholstered furniture, technicians use the same cleaners and more powerful agitation devices to break up the residues and either water or a cleaner to force them out of the item. For the lingering odors, team members can use a counteragent to neutralize them or an ozone generator to create a gas that breaks down the molecular structure completely.

For SERVPRO of San Leandro, the goal is always to help businesses here and in surrounding communities like Hayward, Alameda, and Danville get back on their feet as quickly as possible. If your business is dealing with fire damage, call us at (510) 352-2480 today to schedule a service call and start restoration procedures.

The Oakland FD

Managing Commercial Water Damage in Your Oakland Medical Office After a Sprinkler System Leak

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

Always make sure you check your sprinklers.

Sprinklers in your building may cause a mess.

Most modern commercial buildings have overhead sprinklers designed to spray large volumes of water if a fire occurs. Sprinklers can prevent the flames from growing, damaging the whole building, and hurting people who may be inside. Although overhead sprinklers have saved many businesses and lives, they can cause water damage.

Overhead sprinklers can malfunction or leak, and if this occurs after business hours, a large amount of water can pour into the building. Dealing with commercial water damage in an Oakland medical office is not that easy. It’s likely for the water to ruin the ceiling, walls, and floors since sprinklers can spray water out at the rate of about 25 gallons per minute. The water can also ruin costly medical equipment, devices, and medications.

To prevent further damage, shutting off the water should be the first step. It is also essential to contact the sprinkler system company and schedule an inspection immediately after a sprinkler failure to ensure the system’s operational integrity. When broken fire sprinkler heads discharge accidentally, they often release a spray of dirty water contaminated with sediment, rust, and oil. The mixture can stain surfaces and spread unpleasant odors throughout the building. Instead of trying to tackle the mess on your own, you can hire an experienced restoration company like SERVPRO to handle the cleanup, drying, and dehumidification process.

Our technicians can assess the damage and get the cleanup process started. We can use extraction equipment like shop vacs to remove any standing water. Structural items such as floors and walls may require cleaning. We use the right method to clean restorable items. We can also clean and deodorize the carpeted areas exposed to water. We choose the most suitable carpet cleaning method based on the soiling level. Our technicians also evaluate all the contents that have been exposed to water or high humidity for cleaning needs. SERVPRO franchise professionals also have the equipment required to dry a water-damaged commercial building effectively. We can set up air movers and dehumidifiers in the affected areas to eliminate the moisture.

When there’s water damage in your medical office, SERVPRO of San Leandro can help you remove it and dry the affected areas. Call us at (510) 352-2480 for fast cleanup and restoration services. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

If you would like to know more about San Leandro, CA, click here.

By the Book: How SERVPRO Restores Water Damaged Publications in Oakland

4/15/2019 (Permalink)

Water and books don't mix. Call SERVPRO of San Leandro to mitigate the water damage.

Saving a Bookstore from Commercial Water Damage in Oakland

Running a small local bookstore is often satisfying work that benefits the community greatly. Not only do you get familiar with locals, but you get to connect and communicate with tourists and other travelers who love to read. However, when water damage from a leaky pipe affects both your walls and your inventory, action needs to be taken quickly to prevent mold growth and restore your goods. 

If commercial water damage in your Oakland small business is affecting your inventory and storage space, certified SERVPRO technicians are here to help. Our goal is to mitigate damage and restore your space with efficient, effective tools so you can get back to business as usual.

After you call one of our representatives, we can send a team out to assess your inventory space and detect moisture for precise and thorough cleanup. After moving and securing your inventory, our dream can focus on drying your walls with industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers. Manual cleaning with an EPA-registered antimicrobial solution can also be used to mitigate mold development.

Water-damaged items must be addressed with care before mold, warping, or other damage can develop. If inventory at your bookstore has been affected by water damage, our team at SERVPRO can use lyophilization tools to restore it without affecting the quality of your goods. 

Lyophilization, also known as freeze-drying, can be vital to preserving and restoring water-damaged inventory, even rare or antique books. The process involves freezing inventory to prevent mold growth and additional moisture accumulation. From there, with the assistance of a man-made vacuum, moisture can be drawn out of materials while frozen and leave them completely dry and in good condition to sell. 

When a disaster of any size affects your business, it is crucial to preserve your assets. SERVPRO of San Leandro is here to help. If you need our emergency cleanup services, give our team a call at (510) 352-2480 today.

Read more about Oakland here.

Cleaning the Hornet

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

The bow of the Hornet.

SERVPRO of Belmont/San Carlos and SERVPRO of Stockton to help prepare the USS Hornet Museum for the tourist season.

The SERVPRO crew participated in the Volunteer Cleaning Day at the USS Hornet Museum aircraft carrier located in Alameda, at the former  World War Two Navy base on the San Francisco Bay.  Our crew performed pressure washing and dusting services to help clean and restore this historical treasure. Several SERVPRO employees performed dusting and cleaning ij exhibit areas on board the historic ship, while other team members worked hard at removing years of contamination from the service of the hanger deck.  All in all it was a great day to be able to make this great ship and cleaner more enjoyable place for tourists an history buffs to explore.

Cleaning for the Coast Guard

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

Cleaning onboard a USCG Cutter.

SERVPRO Services CG Cutter in Alameda for Cleaning and Mold Removal

Recently, SERVPRO of San Leandro cleaned carpets and removed mold in the officer's quarters on board a US Coast Guard cutter based at Coast Guard Island located in the Oakland Estuary of Alameda County. Today, this base is home to the USCG Pacific Area and serves as a facilities and logistics center. In past years it was a recruiting and training base. Today, a fleet of five-cutters like the one in the photo, sail in and out of Coast Guard Island, Alameda to protect mariners everywhere as they patrol our nation's west coast. 

It's nice to give back by providing expert environmental cleanup services that protected the health of the officers and crew.  
 
The nearby cities of Alameda, Oakland and Berkeley have an active maritime industry including protected harbors for motor yachts and sailing yachts and the busy Port of Oakland's container shipping facility. Providing specialty cleaning and restoration services for yachts and commercial ships is part of what we do. 

SERVPRO of San Leandro is available 24 hours a day to restore your San Leandro property or your boat. We have the expertise, equipment, and highly trained personnel to handle your commercial fire,water, or mold damage. We can also access the resources of our national network of 1,700 Franchises to handle large commercial projects and major storm events. Call us for information and help. (510) 352-2480

Water Damage Preparation

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

Fire Damage often includes water damage.

Dealing With Water Damage and Fire Damage in San Leandro

By Clayton A. Barry, partner of SERVPRO of San Leandro

These tips were prepared for Property Managers of apartment buildings and rental houses in the East Bay and were presented to an income property association based in Oakland at an annual meeting.  However many of the tips apply to individual homeowners.

When serious problems occur (beyond routine maintenance issues), there are immediate remedies and safety actions that can be quickly implemented to contain the water damage reduce restoration costs and protect health. That’s why when you call SERVPRO of San Leandro at 510-352-2480 we do our best to contact you within 5 minutes and to be on location in one-hour or less. When you call us, be sure to provide your callback information in addition to the name, phone number(s) and address of your client/referral. Our on-duty technicians confirm every call and will keep you informed on the job status and important information. 

Our company provides emergency mitigation. We also offer many restoration repair services (such as controlled demolition, board-up, debris removal, expert wall and plaster repair, new floor and carpet installation, and reconstruction, etc.) We will work alongside your established vendors and contractors. This is not a problem for us.

When our emergency personnel and technicians are dispatched, we could use your help.  Please ask the residents to provide convenient parking and, for nighttime arrivals, please have the porch light and other outside lighting turned on. 

By the way, SERVPRO is an approved service vendor for several of the country’s largest insurance companies. Additionally, we have agreements in place with many others.  If your project becomes an insurance claim, we will prepare the “estimate” to comply with insurance industry guidelines to accelerate resolution of your claim.

Window & Door Breakage

Take action immediately to preserve security and human safety. Call our office ASAP so we can schedule proper board up and/or repair service, especially when the damage presents a threat to security or personal safety 24/7

?    If the breakage is the result of vandalism or burglary, notify the police
?    Tell your residents to be cautious of sharp objects……splintered wood and shards of glass
 
Fallen Tree/Limbs

The concerns with a fallen tree or branch are similar to the dangers associated with broken windows and doors. Residents need to be aware of sharp objects.  There may also be a risk of electrical or fire dangers caused by damage to wiring. These problems will be intensified if it is raining. 

?    Call our office immediately so we can schedule tree removal, tarps, board-up and/or repair services

Water damage / Water Intrusion

Rapid mitigation response reduces the extent of the damage and speeds up the overall repair time, saving you money. Implementing early drying procedures can prevent mold growth and secondary damage caused by humidity. Call our office as soon as possible so we can dispatch emergency cleanup help 24/7.

(Stop the Water Flow)

?    Have the water flow valve to the plumbing appliance that is leaking turned off.  If there is no shut-off valve or the shut-off valve does not operate properly, ask the resident to turn off the main water to the residence
?    Toilets, sinks, dishwashers, ice makers, and hot water heaters usually have dedicated water shut-offs
           
OF SPECIAL NOTE: If the hot water heater is leaking, it may be necessary to drain the hot water tank. Hot water heaters usually have a drain that is equipped to accept a standard garden hose.  It may also become necessary to turn off the electricity (or gas flow) to the hot water heater.

(Warn Residents, SAFETY CONCERNS).

?    Wet floors are a slip hazard. People need to be cautious. Walk slowly.  Remember, walking from a damp carpet onto a hard floor surface is also a slip hazard

?    Electrical shock can occur in a water-damaged structure.  Be careful around electrical appliances and electrical extension cords. Do not run ceiling fans, electrical tools or other equipment (especially a vacuum cleaner) in a wet environment.


(Be Pro-active).

?    Water spreads by gravity and wicking action… check opposite walls and inside closets for dampness
?    Paper goods, boxes, etc.  NEED TO BE MOVED away from wet carpets, floors, and walls
?    Aluminum foil should be placed under furniture legs.  Remove wet Oriental rugs from the wet areas
?    Hang damp or wet furs and leather goods separately at room temperature

The pro-active actions listed above are the sort of service that our trained and certified water mitigation technicians perform. They also come equipped with advanced moisture detection equipment to track the extent of the wetness. Their service vehicles are stocked with an array of specialty drying tools to mitigate hardwood floors, cabinets, and wall cavities.  Specialty equipment, containment barriers, and indoor air quality equipment are available to our techs.

Our goal is to have wet structural material dry within three days or less and to minimize demolition. However, it must be understood that some substrates and building materials become ruined when they are wetted. Some building materials may require longer periods of drying.

An added benefit: Our job documentation, including photographs that are routinely included in our water damage restoration invoices, will more than satisfy the requirements of the typical buy/sell “disclosure” paperwork.

Sewage Backup

A toilet overflow, while nasty, is not a serious “sewage damage”. Toilet flush overflows require simple clean up procedures that include wearing rubber gloves. These matters do not generally require professional services.

A sewage backup is when the sewage discharge from one or more homes overflows into one house, often into a bathtub or shower and spilling over the toilet bowl. Backups may be twenty or more gallons of wastewater. 

Much of the information that applies to water damage within a home applies to a sewage discharge. There are also concerns regarding bacterial contamination. However, most bacteria within sewage (water) will remain within the water until it is disturbed by physical action (such as mopping, wiping) or by using fans and air-blowers.

A significant sewage overflow always requires professional assistance.  Call our office immediately so our trained and certified technicians can provide the appropriate type of cleanup.

(Be Pro-active)

?    If washing machines or dishwashers are operating during a sewage discharge, have them turned off

?    In an apartment complex or multi-unit building ask the neighbors to not operate their appliances and to not use their shower until the blockage has been cleared by a plumber/maintenance specialist

?    Insist that residents stay out of the mess so they do not spread the contamination into unaffected areas 
nor compromise their own health and safety

SERVPRO’s sewage clean up procedures feature the erection of containment barriers and the installation of HEPA air cleaning and filtration machines. All hard surfaces are sanitized. Porous materials may need to be removed as recommended by the US and California EPA standards. We do things the right way per each situation.

Trauma Scene / Hazmat

Our SERVPRO franchise is licensed by the State of California to perform trauma scene and HAZMAT cleanup (which also includes asbestos awareness and lead renovation). This specialty cleaning is performed to high standards. Recovered waste materials and contaminants are disposed of in compliance with regulations. The costs are commensurate with the complexity of the project.

            Blood and bodily fluids 
            Dead animal cleanup
            Chemical Spills
            Skunk odor removal
            Cooking odor removal
            Asbestos – with associate
            Lead

Be assured……..Upon job completion, the indoor environment we treat will be clean, safe and odor free.

Vandalism

When an empty house or building has been vandalized, the damage can be anything from a nasty cleanup job to major restoration repair. We’re here to help with an array of licensed services… one-stop shopping.

            Hazmat cleanup 
            Graffiti removal                        
            Structural damage
            Cosmetic repair
            Plaster
            Paint
            Carpet cleaning
            Structural repair
            Cabinet
            Carpet and flooring

Fire & Smoke

The first concern in a fire is to protect life. Residents need to get out of the building quickly. Heat accelerates rapidly and oxygen vanishes quickly. Even a small fire can become life-threatening in as little as four minutes.

When there is a Structure Fire, the first responders will usually be the fire department. Residents must follow their instructions. Often “fire-chasers” (repair and cleaning contractors) listen to fire and police radio/internet channels. These contractors may arrive at a fire scene offering their services. If you are a landlord or property manager, advise your tenants that they do not have authority, or permission to hire these services.  

In some localities, the Fire Department will dispatch a pre-approved contractor to provide emergency board-up services of the roof, windows, and doors. This can be verified by the senior firefighter on the scene. 

Less Severe Damage: In some situations, a small fire, or smoke and soot damage caused by cooking, a fireplace, or BBQ may pollute the indoor environment with soot and odor. Residents should not attempt to clean. Soot and odor damage requires professional products and techniques that are not readily available or known outside the restoration industry. Improper cleaning techniques will often “set” the soot or make it more difficult and more expensive to remove.  
    
(Report Damage)
 
?    Call our office as soon as possible so we can help with:
        Board-up 
        Debris removal 
        Emergency power
        Cleaning and drying of the structure
        Deodorizing of the structure
        Pack-out, cleaning, and storage of     personal contents
        Re-construction

(Warn Residents, SAFETY CONCERNS)

?    A fire scene becomes a slip hazard when water has been used to extinguish the fire (especially when                        fire sprinklers have been discharged)
?    Broken glass, damaged wood and other objects may present a danger of sharp object injury

(Be Pro-active)

?    Soot becomes a permanent stain, resulting from improper cleaning methods 
?    Keep hands clean, do not touch items – body oil will increase soot damage
?    Do not open doors that were closed – it may spread soot contamination
?    Do not operate the furnace or HVAC system – it will spread soot
?    If power is off, remove contents from the refrigerator and freezer/prop doors open  

In review: This information was written by Clayton Barry for property managers in the East Bay. Hopefully, you agree this information provides good advice for anyone who has a structure that suffers water, fire, sewage or other damage. When you need help in Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Hayward, Union City or San Leandro we are as close as the phone: 510-352-2480    

Copyright 2015 – Clayton A. Barry for SERVPRO of San Leandro

Locally Owned and Operated

SERVPRO of San Leandro is locally owned and operated so we are part of this community too. When you have a flooding or water or fire emergency, we’re already nearby and ready to help. We take pride in being a part of the San Leandro community and want to do our part in making our community the best it can be.

We are as close as the phone: 510-352-2480  

Big Commercial projects

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO team effort.

We are aware that not every property repair is an emergency: Building owners, property managers and facilities personnel face a variety of important maintenance and restoration issues that can be planned and scheduled. That’s why SERVPRO of San Leandro performs non-emergency specialty cleaning and restoration services. Services such as: Mold remediation, HVAC system cleaning, odor control, graffiti abatement, hoarder scene cleanup, death scene cleanup, power washing, Asbestos removal and even reconstruction services. For local help with a large or small project contact us at 510-352-2480

Water Damage Brew Rescue in San Leandro

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage shut down your brewery. Contact SERVPRO and our technicians will help to keep your business doors open

Our SERVPRO Technicians Handle Your Business Water Damage Quickly and Efficiently

Water can be very harmful to a commercial space, even when it is one of the most important ingredients used in the business’s final product. A business can be ruined if a water event causes a shutdown of even a few days. We work closely with our commercial customers to keep any closure short-lived and try to allow at least a portion of the retail space to remain open for business. 
 
Your craft brewing company is threatened with a bottling line halt when a supply line springs a significant leak it is to poised to close down production of your brand until it can be repaired and the area dried out. We have some ideas on how your business can continue in a limited way as we respond to and resolve the water crisis. 
 
The first job is to shut off the supply line and arrange for repair. Then our crew of highly trained SERVPRO technicians gets to work pumping and extracting the water from your bottling room. If you have found it necessary to shut down the power for safety’s sake, we are able to remove the water with our truck-mounted equipment, ensuring we lose no time as we complete this job. 
 
Next, we measure moisture levels and set up a configuration of air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out your bottling area completely. While the drying team does its work, SERVPRO managers evaluate the operational safety of your equipment and work to have supporting contractors fix any damaged machines so you can get back in business once the drying is complete. 
 
Meanwhile, we encourage you and your staff to continue operations in your retail space or brew pub. You may not be able to add to your craft beer supply while we restore the damage, but if we erect barriers to hide the sight and noise of the drying process, you should be able to offer the public the finished product. SERVPRO does everything in our power to keep at least a portion of your company open during restoration for your morale and to avoid disappointing your customers, who may look elsewhere for refreshment if you close. 
 
SERVPRO of San Leandro is eager to craft creative responses to commercial water damage crises. Give our office a call at (510) 352-2480 to schedule a speedy inspection and start your rapid recovery. 

Don't Make Your Entire Oakland School into a Science Experiment When Water Damage Strikes

9/21/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can quickly lead to a mold infestation and prevent kids from going to school. Contact SERVPRO for remediation.

Water Damage Can Severely Affect Your Oakland School

Education is something that Oakland residents take seriously, and that is why when a disaster threatens one of the local schools, it is critical to get this situation resolved immediately. The less time that incidents take to get restored and cleaned up, the less time that students have to spend without a place to go and learn.

Water damage in your Oakland school is often among the situations that get overlooked by overseers as minuscule or non-threatening. Unfortunately, this is not the case. An inadequately or improperly cleaned and restored water damage incident can lead to many severe effects for the building and also those that use it.

Our SERVPRO professionals are available 24/7 to help you through any emergency that one of the schools in the area districts faces. This commitment ensures that your institution is getting highly trained restoration specialists with industry-leading equipment to overcome any level of water damage incident that you face. However, how can water damage cause significant problems for the building?

One of the first concerns is the penetration into flooring and wall materials like drywall, wood, and linoleum. In just a brief period these materials can become oversaturated and deform, break loose and fail. This hazard can affect both faculty and students and persist gradually after the water had presumably gotten cleaned up with conventional approaches.

Another pressing concern for school officials should be persistent dampness and moisture. These conditions could lead to hazardous secondary effects like mold growth which could affect those occupying the building. Our SERVPRO team has moisture detection equipment we utilize to ensure that our efforts have successfully removed all of the water from the affected areas, not just the areas that can be readily seen.

When you are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of an entire school, there are often hundreds or even thousands of people to consider with every decision. Trust in the experience and rapid response of our SERVPRO of San Leandro water restoration team to help you through every step of restoring the building. Give us a call today at (510) 352-2480.

Click here for more about Oakland.

Commercial Water Damage Experts Out Of Oakland Discuss Cost Saving Strategies

6/25/2018 (Permalink)

Excessive moisture that exists inside a building for a long time can cause several different issues to arise.

Commercial Water Damage

If an incident happens to take place inside your Oakland grocery store overnight, it is possible that you will come into your business in the morning to excessive damage. Sometimes appliances can malfunction, or pipes can break when your company is closed, and nobody is inside the building. When this happens, it's likely that water flows into the structure all night long causing your products and building materials to get saturated.

Excessive moisture that exists inside a building for a long time can cause several different issues to arise. During any commercial water damage project in Oakland, reducing moisture levels quickly is vital in preventing secondary problems. When contents and structural components inside your store get wet, they can become ruined. If materials stay saturated for an extended period they may lose their structural integrity.

To prevent microbial growth, our SERVPRO technicians know that it is essential to bring moisture levels back to preloss conditions within 48 hours. We also know that when disasters take place at your place of business that reducing the cost is vital. Our IICRC certified team develops a plan for the project that interferes with your business' functions as little as possible.

In some severe cases, our SERVPRO technicians must remove several of your grocery store's products so that we can dry the contents and your building's structural materials. However, before we pack up several of your items and move them to another location, we see if there are places inside the building that we can temporarily store your products. In many cases, items can be placed in an unaffected area of your store. There may be a storage area that has room for your contents, or a mobile storage unit can be placed on your property.

We know that restoration work can be a process that causes your business a loss of revenue. Our experienced SERVPRO crew often changes the way they mitigate issues so that our work does not prevent your company from functioning as usual. In some situations, we accomplish this task by doing the required work a small section at a time so that your grocery store can stay open throughout the process. If you ever need help saving money when a disaster happens at your business, call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 any day of the week.

Click here for more about Oakland.

Commercial Water Damage Technicians In Oakland Talk About Content Drying

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

Don't Be a Dummy in Oakland, Call SERVPRO to Keep Your Retail Shop Open for Business After a Water Loss

SERVPRO Follows Best Practices for Water Removal and Minimal Disruptions to Your Retail Shop

If a pipe breaks inside the building that your Oakland clothing store is in, water can ruin many things that can cost your business considerable money. Excessive moisture can damage multiple items inside your store such as your building materials and products. Water can cause mildew-like odors to exist in porous materials leaving your store smelling unpleasant.
If moisture does not get removed within 48 hours, then it is possible that mold develops.

When mitigating commercial water damage in Oakland rapid structural drying occurs to reduce the chances of microbial growth. Our SERVPRO technicians set up air movers and dehumidifiers to speed up the rate of natural evaporation.

During any restoration project that takes place in your business, we take special measures to reduce a loss of revenue. We know that your products are important and try to keep them from getting ruined. Moisture can cause problems with specialized cloth materials sometimes requiring our SERVPRO technicians to dry them separate from the structural materials.

In many cases, if contents that are fabricated of porous materials get wet, then it is difficult to dry everything in the same area in a short period. Often we move your clothing inventory into a separate unaffected room where we can control the environment. When drying out porous materials temperature and dehumidification are vital when attempting to drop moisture levels.

Dehumidifiers speed up evaporation by removing the water out of the air and dispensing it into a container in liquid form. As moisture naturally evaporates from the wet items, it fills the air with water vapor increasing the room's relative humidity. Dehumidifiers lower the humidity so that high levels do not slow down the natural evaporation rate, a process we often push to accelerate.

When drying structural contents, air movers get set up so that they blow air in a counterclockwise motion. The air coming from the moving system hits wet surfaces at a 45-degree angle pushing the wet air away from the surface so that moisture can keep evaporating off of the wet materials. Rapid drying also works best at higher temperatures sometimes our SERVPRO technicians add heat to the region being dried. Drying out your building materials and contents inside your shop can help keep certain items from getting removed and replaced.

If completed correctly, drying can help reduce the overall cost the damage causes your company. Whenever you need help mitigating problems at your clothing shop, call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 24/7.

Click here for Oakland city services.

Removing Mold Damage From Oakland Commercial Property

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

Oakland Businesses Rely on SERVPRO for Mold Remediation

SERVPRO Employs Many Methods for Mold Remediation to Commercial Materials

Oakland is a vibrant, growing city with an incredible variety of neighborhoods and businesses. One thing that puts them all at risk for property damage and restoration costs, however, is mold growth.

Oakland commercial mold damage affects property and structures, especially structures that can be taken down and moved from one location to another. Party planners use everything from bouncy castles to tents, and other awnings in all types of weather. If they are not properly cleaned and dried, mold can quickly expand and grow into a large colony. SERVPRO technicians train to clean and restore all of these surfaces and items.

Although mold cannot penetrate the rubber and plastic of inflatable playground equipment, it can grow in the soil and other debris not cleaned off the surface. Washing it off with a hose normally does enough to control mold growth, but if the item remains in storage for an extended time, the owner can unroll the item weeks later to find mold on every surface and in each crevice.

To clean them, SERVPRO technicians stretch each one across the floor or over a rack. They spray it with an anti-fungal cleaning agent and use a scrubbing brush to clean out each seam and crease. Once finished, team members allow the item to dry. If needed, they use air movers to force warm, dry air over the surface to speed the process.

Depending on the material, mold can grow into a tent or portable awning. Canvas and other porous fabrics are more vulnerable than rubber and can even serve as a food source for the mold spores. The cleaning procedures are the same as for the inflatable equipment, but the fabrics also retain odors. To remove them, our technicians either add a deodorizing agent to the cleaner or apply it to the surfaces after cleaning.

If the mold odors remain after cleaning, our restoration specialists can use an ozone machine to generate particles that bind themselves to the odor-causing particles. The binding changes them, eliminating the odors.

Eliminating mold damage is not a quick process, but SERVPRO of San Leandro’s goal is to help every business reopen its doors to serve the people of Oakland. If you need us, call today at
(510) 352-2480.

More about this city by clicking.

Working Quickly to Restore Water Damage to Your Oakland Music Store

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Excessive moisture in your music store can damage the instruments you are trying to sell along with the structural elements of your business.

Rely on SERVPRO to Restore Your Business after Water Damage

Your Oakland music store offers a diverse collection of instruments and devices to musicians and artists all throughout the region to explore their musical craft. With the sensitive nature of many of these instruments, the last thing that your store needs is a water emergency in the building that not only threatens the stock that you have but the quality with which these instruments and tools sound and function.

Combatting water damage in your Oakland music store can be something that is well out of the depth of your abilities, even with your fervor to protect your investment and the quality of the supplies that you offer the community. Fortunately, SERVPRO is available to help you through any of the effects that could occur from a water emergency and works quickly to restore the damages to your building and keep your store from losing profits and customers with your doors closed for an extended period.

One of the most significant concerns that any business owner who showcases and sells guitars and other instruments is the harmful effect of excessive moisture on these instruments. These circumstances can warp the wood and modify the tailored sound of the instrument, lessening their value to professional or experienced musicians and compromising your ability to sell them at a price they would have been worth.

Another concern that any store owner might have when faced with water damages is the effect that this water might have on structural elements like flooring, the ceiling, and the walls. The faster that you can react to the problem in your store, the less likely that these conditions would become too severe for our SERVPRO technicians to restore without the need for reconstruction.

While you might not ever want to see your store threatened by something as potentially devastating as water damages, SERVPRO of San Leandro is always available to help. You can give us a call anytime that you need us. Our emergency response team is available 24/7 by calling (510) 352-2480.

Click here for more information regarding the city of Oakland.

Commercial Water Damage Affects the Whole San Leandro Community

2/26/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO understands the importance of keeping your doors open after a water disaster.

SERVPRO Responds and Works Quickly to Restore Your Commercial Space

When water damages any property in San Leandro at least some of our neighbors, acquaintances, or business partners experience direct harm. The water loss a business suffers can have broad ranging implications for many in our community. We pride ourselves on possessing the capacity to respond quickly and efficiently to commercial water damage issues, getting the affected company and those who rely upon it back in business.

A San Leandro business afflicted with water damage must respond fast, and find a partner willing to work with them to assess the problem and plan a path back to productivity. The owners of the company fear a financial burden as they manage the damage, but they also feel grave concern for their employees and clients or customers if the damage leads to even minimal downtime. As our highly qualified team of water damage technicians assisted by our state of the art equipment swiftly moves in to help, we focus on a speedy yet top-notch turnaround.

Our SERVPRO restoration professionals deliver proven water damage remediation services backed by decades of combined experience. Technicians on our work crews are trained thoroughly to meet and exceed the IICRC industry standards. After assessment of the scene and the specifics of your business’s water damage, our management devises a plan based on our familiarity of what works to transform a water loss circumstance back to a fully restored and supportive working environment. We listen to your desires and needs as we craft the framework of the restoration.

The SERVPRO work crews dispatched to your property waste no time as they identify the sources of water damage, arrange for repair or adjustment to halt the continued water incursion and begin the process of drying out, repairing, and restoring affected spaces. We are happy to work with other contractors and vendors in a collaborative effort to turn the destruction around.

The less time your employees are idle, the better for them and the community that relies on you for goods and services. Early in the process SERVPRO management consults with you and brainstorms ways to contain the damaged areas so you can continue commerce in unaffected places within your physical plant. Every moment a company stalls waiting for water damage recovery increase the risk of business failure no matter how proficient our restoration efforts prove to be.

Our community is an interrelated network of businesses, families, and individuals. SERVPRO of San Leandro pledges to be there for your company if water damage threatens your ability to deliver your products or services. Contact us at (510) 352-2480 immediately after suffering a water loss so we can get the restoration moving.

For more information regarding the city of San Leandro, click here.

SERVPRO Cares For Carpets During Water Removal From Mulford Gardens Businesses

12/4/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Dries Carpets to Keep Your Mulford Gardens' Office Suite Working

Shops and Offices Benefit from Rapid Water Extraction

It only takes a moment for water to damage a Mulford business. A broken pipe, leaking appliance, damaged roof or leaky window can all cause problems. Entrepreneurs in the local area know that cleanup often means closing doors until cleaning and drying are complete. SERVPRO understands that re-opening swiftly after a leak or flood is essential. That is why our water removal crews are on hand ready to arrive and being remediation quickly.

We also understand that a significant water removal concern for Mulford Gardens businesses is damage to the premises, including carpets, drapes, and furniture. Carpets are often costly to install, and also contribute significantly to the ambiance and professionalism of the business. We understand that you do not want to replace carpets unless it is vital. That is why we take extra care when it is time to dry water-logged carpets.
 
The main risk when drying carpets is delamination. Delamination occurs when the primary and secondary carpet backing become separated from one another. Signs of delamination include buckling, lumps, fraying or uneven spots.
 
SERVPRO helps guard against delamination by conducting initial extraction very carefully. We use a range of tools including extraction wands and make as many passes as necessary to remove as much water as possible. We know that removing as much water as we can before we begin drying reduces the risk of damage to the carpet.
 
After the initial extraction is complete, we use air movers and fans to encourage evaporation and dry both the surface and underneath of the carpet. We use a mix of different air mover types including centrifugal movers which blow air over the surface, downdraft units which draw warm air down and push it over the surface, and low profile which are smaller and therefore easy to guide into different positions.
 
We also use dehumidifiers to reduce the amount of moisture in the air and encourage faster drying. Rest assured that our technicians do not consider the job done until your commercial carpet is dry once more. We use moisture meters and probes to assess moisture levels before finishing the work.
 
For help with water removal in San Leandro, Mulford Gardens, and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of San Leandro at (510) 352-2480 today.

See more here about this area.

Clean Air in Commercial Buildings

10/25/2017 (Permalink)

Having good indoor air quality is important.

What You Can Do to Improve the Indoor Air in Your Office:

• Do not block air vents or grilles.

• Comply with the office and building smoking policy.

• Water and maintain office plants properly.

• Dispose of garbage promptly and properly.

• Store food properly.

• Avoid bringing products into the building that could release harmful or bothersome odors or contaminants.

• Notify your building or facility manager immediately if you suspect an indoor air quality problem.

  If You Manage an Office:

• Maintain a good working relationship with building management on indoor environmental issues.

• Place office furniture and equipment with air circulation, temperature control, and pollutant removal functions of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in mind.

• Coordinate with building management in instances when responsibility for design, operation, and maintenance of the ventilation system is shared.

• Establish an effective smoking policy that protects nonsmokers from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke.

• Avoid procedures and products that can cause indoor air quality problems.

• Integrate indoor air quality concerns into your purchasing decisions.

• Work with the building manager to ensure use of only necessary and appropriate pest

  control practices, and non-chemical methods where possible.

• Work with building management and the contractor before you remodel or renovate to identify ways of keeping building occupant exposure to pollutants to a minimum and to ensure that the air distribution system is not disrupted.

• Encourage building management to develop a preventive indoor air quality management program following guidance issued by EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).                  

  These tips came from an EPA booklet available free from the EPA website. It is titled,"An office Occupant's guide to Indoor Air Quality." 

  At SERVPRO, we're pleased to share this information with you.

Being prepared for water damage.

7/26/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage often includes water damage.

Dealing With Water Damage and Fire Damage in San Leandro

By Clayton A. Barry, partner of SERVPRO of San Leandro

These tips were prepared for Property Managers of apartment buildings and rental houses in the East Bay and were presented to an income property association based in Oakland at an annual meeting.  However many of the tips apply to individual homeowners.

When serious problems occur (beyond routine maintenance issues), there are immediate remedies and safety actions that can be quickly implemented to contain the water damage reduce restoration costs and protect health. That’s why when you call SERVPRO of San Leandro at 510-352-2480 we do our best to contact you within 5 minutes and to be on location in one-hour or less. When you call us, be sure to provide your callback information in addition to the name, phone number(s) and address of your client/referral. Our on-duty technicians confirm every call and will keep you informed on the job status and important information. 

Our company provides emergency mitigation. We also offer many restoration repair services (such as controlled demolition, board-up, debris removal, expert wall and plaster repair, new floor and carpet installation, and reconstruction, etc.) We will work alongside your established vendors and contractors. This is not a problem for us.

When our emergency personnel and technicians are dispatched, we could use your help.  Please ask the residents to provide convenient parking and, for nighttime arrivals, please have the porch light and other outside lighting turned on. 

By the way, SERVPRO is an approved service vendor for several of the country’s largest insurance companies. Additionally, we have agreements in place with many others.  If your project becomes an insurance claim, we will prepare the “estimate” to comply with insurance industry guidelines to accelerate resolution of your claim.

Window & Door Breakage

Take action immediately to preserve security and human safety. Call our office ASAP so we can schedule proper board up and/or repair service, especially when the damage presents a threat to security or personal safety 24/7

?    If the breakage is the result of vandalism or burglary, notify the police
?    Tell your residents to be cautious of sharp objects……splintered wood and shards of glass
 
Fallen Tree/Limbs

The concerns with a fallen tree or branch are similar to the dangers associated with broken windows and doors. Residents need to be aware of sharp objects.  There may also be a risk of electrical or fire dangers caused by damage to wiring. These problems will be intensified if it is raining. 

?    Call our office immediately so we can schedule tree removal, tarps, board-up and/or repair services

Water damage / Water Intrusion

Rapid mitigation response reduces the extent of the damage and speeds up the overall repair time, saving you money. Implementing early drying procedures can prevent mold growth and secondary damage caused by humidity. Call our office as soon as possible so we can dispatch emergency cleanup help 24/7.

(Stop the Water Flow)

?    Have the water flow valve to the plumbing appliance that is leaking turned off.  If there is no shut-off valve or the shut-off valve does not operate properly, ask the resident to turn off the main water to the residence
?    Toilets, sinks, dishwashers, ice makers, and hot water heaters usually have dedicated water shut-offs
           
OF SPECIAL NOTE: If the hot water heater is leaking, it may be necessary to drain the hot water tank. Hot water heaters usually have a drain that is equipped to accept a standard garden hose.  It may also        become necessary to turn off the electricity (or gas flow) to the hot water heater.

(Warn Residents, SAFETY CONCERNS).

?    Wet floors are a slip hazard. People need to be cautious. Walk slowly.  Remember, walking from a damp carpet onto a hard floor surface is also a slip hazard

?    Electrical shock can occur in a water-damaged structure.  Be careful around electrical appliances and                      electrical extension cords. Do not run ceiling fans, electrical tools or other equipment (especially a vacuum cleaner) in a wet environment.


(Be Pro-active).

?    Water spreads by gravity and wicking action… check opposite walls and inside closets for dampness
?    Paper goods, boxes, etc.  NEED TO BE MOVED away from wet carpets, floors and walls
?    Aluminum foil should be placed under furniture legs.  Remove wet Oriental rugs from the wet areas
?    Hang damp or wet furs and leather goods separately at room temperature

The pro-active actions listed above are the sort of service that our trained and certified water mitigation technicians perform. They also come equipped with advanced moisture detection equipment to track the extent of the wetness. Their service vehicles are stocked with an array of specialty drying tools to mitigate hardwood floors, cabinets and wall cavities.  Specialty equipment, containment barriers and indoor air quality equipment are available to our techs.

Our goal is to have wet structural material dry within three days or less and to minimize demolition. However, it must be understood that some substrates and building materials become ruined when they are wetted. Some building materials may require longer periods of drying.

An added benefit: Our job documentation, including photographs that are routinely included in our water damage restoration invoices, will more than satisfy the requirements of the typical buy/sell “disclosure” paperwork.

Sewage Backup

A toilet overflow, while nasty, is not a serious “sewage damage”. Toilet flush overflows require simple cleanup procedures that include wearing rubber gloves. These matters do not generally require professional services.

A sewage backup is when the sewage discharge from one or more homes overflows into one house, often into a bathtub or shower and spilling over the toilet bowl. Backups may be twenty or more gallons of waste water. 

Much of the information that applies to water damage within a home applies to a sewage discharge. There are also concerns regarding bacterial contamination. However, most bacteria within sewage (water) will remain within the water until it is disturbed by physical action (such as mopping, wiping) or by using fans and air-blowers.

A significant sewage overflow always requires professional assistance.  Call our office immediately so our trained and certified technicians can provide the appropriate type of cleanup.

(Be Pro-active)

?    If washing machines or dishwashers are operating during a sewage discharge, have them turned off

?    In an apartment complex or multi-unit building ask the neighbors to not operate their appliances and to not use their shower until the blockage has been cleared by a plumber/maintenance specialist

?    Insist that residents stay out of the mess so they do not spread the contamination into unaffected areas 
nor compromise their own health and safety

SERVPRO’s sewage cleanup procedures feature the erection of containment barriers and the installation of HEPA air cleaning and filtration machines. All hard surfaces are sanitized. Porous materials may need to be removed as recommended by the US and California EPA standards. We do things the right way per each situation.

Trauma Scene / Hazmat

Our SERVPRO franchise is licensed by the State of California to perform trauma scene and HAZMAT cleanup (which also includes asbestos awareness and lead renovation). This specialty cleaning is performed to high standards. Recovered waste materials and contaminates are disposed of in compliance with regulations. The costs are commensurate with the complexity of the project.

            Blood and bodily fluids 
            Dead animal cleanup
            Chemical spills
            Skunk odor removal
            Cooking odor removal
            Asbestos – with associate
            Lead

Be assured……..Upon job completion, the indoor environment we treat will be clean, safe and odor free.

Vandalism

When an empty house or building has been vandalized, the damage can be anything from a nasty cleanup job to major restoration repair. We’re here to help with an array of licensed services… one stop shopping.

            Hazmat cleanup 
            Graffiti removal                        
            Structural damage
            Cosmetic repair
            Plaster
            Paint
            Carpet cleaning
            Structural repair
            Cabinet
            Carpet and flooring

Fire & Smoke

The first concern in a fire is to protect life. Residents need to get out of the building quickly. Heat accelerates rapidly and oxygen vanishes quickly. Even a small fire can become life threatening in as little as four minutes.

When there is a Structure Fire, the first responders will usually be the fire department. Residents must follow their instructions. Often “fire-chasers” (repair and cleaning contractors) listen to fire and police radio/internet channels. These contractors may arrive at a fire scene offering their services. If you are a landlord or property manager, advise your tenants that they do not have authority, or permission to hire these services.  

In some localities the Fire Department will dispatch a pre-approved contractor to provide emergency board-up services of the roof, windows and doors. This can be verified by the senior firefighter on the scene. 

Less Severe Damage: In some situations a small fire, or smoke and soot damage caused by cooking, a fireplace, or BBQ may pollute the indoor environment with soot and odor. Residents should not attempt to clean. Soot and odor damage requires professional products and techniques that are not readily available or known outside the restoration industry. Improper cleaning techniques will often “set” the soot or make it more difficult and more expensive to remove.  
    
(Report Damage)
 
?    Call our office as soon as possible so we can help with:
        Board-up 
        Debris removal 
        Emergency power
        Cleaning and drying of the structure
        Deodorizing of the structure
        Pack-out, cleaning and storage of     personal contents
        Re-construction

(Warn Residents, SAFETY CONCERNS)

?    A fire scene becomes a slip hazard when water has been used to extinguish the fire (especially when                        fire sprinklers have been discharged)
?    Broken glass, damaged wood and other objects may present a danger of sharp object injury

(Be Pro-active)

?    Soot becomes a permanent stain, resulting from improper cleaning methods 
?    Keep hands clean, do not touch items – body oil will increase soot damage
?    Do not open doors that were closed – it may spread soot contamination
?    Do not operate the furnace or HVAC system – it will spread soot
?    If power is off, remove contents from the refrigerator and freezer / prop doors open  

In review: This information was written by Clayton Barry for property managers in the East Bay. Hopefully you agree this information provides good advice for anyone who has a structure that suffers water, fire, sewage or other damage. When you need help in Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Hayward, Union City or San Leandro we are as close as the phone: 510-352-2480    

Copyright 2015 – Clayton A. Barry for SERVPRO of San Leandro

Locally Owned and Operated

SERVPRO of San Leandro is locally owned and operated so we are part of this community too. When you have a flooding or water or fire emergency, we’re already nearby and ready to help. We take pride in being a part of the San Leandro community and want to do our part in making our community the best it can be.

We are as close as the phone: 510-352-2480    

Property Damage Happens

5/12/2017 (Permalink)

Flood damage is always a risk.

Property disaster at a business location often interrupts the operation of the business. Disaster compounds the problems for the company, its’ employees and their clients.

Repair work should be completed as quickly as possible to reduce the potential negative impact on revenue.  

SERVPRO of San Leandro is an experienced specialist in restoring commercial properties. We have worked at many restaurants, office buildings, manufacturing plants and retail establishments in San Leandro and surrounding areas.

When a property disaster happens many things can go wrong and quickly. Let’s use a burst pipe flooding as our example. While each building and business will face its own specific situations, these following items are fairly common problems:

1 - Portions of the structure will get wet and may need to be removed and replaced. 2 - Water service may be interrupted. 3- Electric service may also be compromised. 4 - Office equipment and manufacturing equipment could be ruined or in need of repair. 5 - Production and assembly processes may be compromised. 6 - Employee safety is in jeopardy (Slip hazard / risk of electrocution) 6 - Alarms, telephones, computers may not function reliably. 7- Elevators don’t work. 8 - HVAC systems compromised.

An established commercial mitigation specialist should also provide solutions for business interruption. That’s why SERVPRO of San Leandro provides restoration management services beyond just the initial emergency response of water extraction and structural drying, such as:

An experienced commercial mitigation specialist should also provide solutions for:

Water extraction, humidity control, document drying, emergency power, emergency lighting, security services, electronics cleaning and repair, HVAC system cleaning and service, elevator repair, communications systems restoration, structural repair, plumbing repair, temporary office modules, temporary fencing and toilets, OSHA safety inspection services, Industrial Hygienist services, consultation and more.  

Being a great commercial mitigation and restoration company, is much more than simply drying a building. It is helping a company get back into operation as quickly as possible. 80% of companies fail within one year of having a disaster. It’s not because they don’t have insurance or resources. It’s because too much time goes by allowing clients to go to competitors.

SERVPRO of San Leandro provides a free Emergency Ready Plan that can help any business be ready for a disaster. Preparedness reduces the down time and that improves the chances for a company to return to profitability after suffering a disaster.

Office Content Pack-out

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

Vaults containing office contents outside our storage center..

When an office for a large medical facility was damaged by sewage, SERVPRO of San Leandro responded. We extracted the sewage and removed contaminated building materials such as carpeting and portions of sheetrock. 

The furniture in the office, such as desks and chairs were made of metal. We were able to clean and sanitize theses items.

To facilitate the final cleaning of the structure, including performing reconstruction, the furniture had to be removed.  

SERVPRO of San Leandro technicians carefully cleaned the furniture at the location and carefully packed it into storage vaults for transport to our storage facility in Hayward California. We can be reached at 510-352-2480.

As soon as the office structure was ready for occupancy the furniture and office equipment was returned and set up. 

Facilities Managers, check out our Pre-work Authorization

4/26/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial Pre-work Authorization form.

When a property disaster event strikes, it's often in the middle of the night or during the weekend.

Getting an emergency restortion company on the spot is not difficult. Having the paperwork and an agreement signed and in place before work starts is the hard part.

That's why we developed what we call Green Response. It is a proactive disaster recovery plan provided by Cleanair Image dba SERVPRO of San Leandro  It allows us to work with you in pre-planning for the complex challenges that often arise during a major catastrophe such as fire, extreme flooding, earthquake, etc. Your participation in this plan will empower us to mobilize and direct a coordinated team of restoration specialists who will work on your behalf to make it… better than before.

Green Response clients sign an agreement that pre-authorizes our company to provide prompt emergency services. In this agreement the labor and materials pricing schedule and payment terms are determined in advance to prevent misunderstandings, and to expedite services.

Our Emergency Response Manager will tour your facility to work with you in developing a specific and comprehensive restoration/mitigation plan for your location.

Once a preparedness plan has been determined, our team will conduct a meeting at your facility to establish a working relationship, to address your concerns and demonstrate how we may best satisfy your needs. There is no charge for this service. Your investment will be a few hours… time well spent for peace of mind. For details please call SERVPRO of San Leandro at 510-352-2480.