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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Blog Posts

Advantages of Fast Water Removal from Raleigh Properties

12/18/2022 (Permalink)

Removing standing water and moisture are cornerstones of SERVPRO's water damage restoration for Raleigh properties. "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO for Quick Water Mitigation in Raleigh

Any water that escapes inside your home threatens almost everything, from the metallic furniture legs and wood furniture to the fabrics in carpets, draperies, and upholstery. The effects of moisture are cumulative, so the longer the materials remain exposed, the more significant the damage. Water removal is the answer to limit problems, especially if done in good time.

The speed of water removal from your Raleigh home depends on many factors, so each incident is unique. You can achieve a faster turnaround if a professional team assists you. SERVPRO responds quickly, sending help within the first four hours of notification, thus providing the necessary resources to facilitate faster removal.

Factors Influencing the Removal Speed

  • Amount of water involved
  • Level of absorption by materials
  • Level of concealment

Some sources, such as burst supply pipes, release significant amounts of water within a short time, while others, like faulty HVAC systems, release small quantities which may remain hidden over a long time allowing accumulation in hidden areas. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on physical observation and specialized measuring tools such as moisture meters to estimate the wetness levels. Penetrative meters are particularly helpful in establishing how deeply the moisture is embedded in semi-porous materials like wood, thus establishing whether there is a need for specialized extraction.

Specialized Extraction

Physical barriers preventing direct access to the intruding water can impair your goal of completing the removal promptly. The barrier can be a resilient floor material such as tiles and wooden floorboards or a panel separating different spaces in a property. Removing the obstacle may be a straightforward way to eliminate the moisture, but it's a destructive option. SERVPRO prefers other solutions, such as using specialized equipment to remove concealed water fast.

Specialized Moisture Management Equipment

  • Drying mats
  • Self-propelled extractors
  • Structural cavity drying equipment

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is a reliable partner when you need fast water removal. Call us at (919) 790-1222. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Fire Restoration at Raleigh Homes- How to Repair Smoke Damage

11/20/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire causes damage to your living area, charring can often be the result. Contact SERVPRO as our technicians are standing by 24/7.

Rebuilding Your Raleigh Home after Fire Damage with SERVPRO

A fire is one of the most destructive elements of nature and can turn a habitable Raleigh home into a heap of dust within a short time. Even though there are proactive methods to control the destruction of the house, you cannot snub the damage that may have already occurred. Not only do the flames from a fire cause charring on things like cabinets, but you would be looking at the smoke, which causes widespread damage. The smoke penetrates carpets, clothing, furniture, upholstery, and other porous materials.

The ultimate goal of fire restoration in damaged Raleigh homes is to reinstate the property and contents to pre-incident condition, leaving a clean and safe environment. If cleaning is not done properly, the smoke odor lingers, and further ruin can occur to your contents and structure. SERVPRO professionals start by evaluating the situation, including the extent of the damage, to know what they are dealing with. Depending on the situation, our crews can use onsite and offsite techniques to restore your home.

Onsite restoration may include the removal of odor particles using the following:

Cleaning smoke damage

Only some restoration projects require a pack out. Some contents can be manipulated and cleaned within their respective spaces. SERVPRO crews might even clean items onsite and then move them to a designated area that has not been affected to be stored. However, when cleanup requires multiple treatments, contents could be packed and taken to the Franchise warehouse for cleaning.

Types of surfaces requiring detailed cleaning include:

  • Wood surfaces
  • Porcelain fixtures
  • Metal surfaces
  • Plastics and synthetic surfaces

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest knows rebuilding a fire-damaged home can be stressful, but you don’t have to face fire restoration alone. Call us at (919) 790-1222. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

You Need Proper Flood Damage Mitigation Allowing Your Family to Move Back into Your Raleigh Home Safely

9/18/2022 (Permalink)

After flooding occurs in your home, you want everything dealt with properly. Contact SERVPRO for certified professionals to help you.

SERVPRO Provides the Services to Mitigate Flood Damages

Before and during a flood, your family's reaction can often reveal how much stress and shock they feel. At times, it might seem as if the flooding event equals the end of Raleigh as they know it and that nothing can ever bring things back to normal again. SERVPRO wants to assure you that we can help your family by remediating most things affected by the flood and help you manage your belongings so that your family recovers as quickly as possible.

Our services include taking an inventory of your belongings that we box up while in your Raleigh home to protect them from possible flood damage. Items that you disclose to SERVPRO workers that require special handling or that your family needs during the mitigation process receive priority treatment so you can relax and take care of other issues affecting your family.

After your home's mitigation process comes to a conclusion and the time for your family to return home comes closer, we begin returning your belongings so your family can easily find them. After we begin cleaning boxed items in our warehouse, we rebox them according to matching labels, keeping things orderly for your convenience. When we return your family's belongings to your home, we place each box or larger item back in the place designated at the time we packed it for cleaning, drying, and other restorative work. This inventory control helps reduce confusion and keeps things neat and tidy for unpacking items. We catalog non-salvageable items in a CCIS, Contents Claim Inventory Service, providing assistance with your insurance carrier and protecting our customer's interests.

Flooding can cause problems with plumbing, gas lines, and electrical systems. Before your family's arrival, experienced and IICRC-certified technicians and other specialists that SERVPRO partners with thoroughly checked to ensure these all met safety code and other standards of safety. Air vents and ducts in positions below the water line also required cleaning and disinfecting. All materials in your home are now in a preloss state, "Like it never even happened," and safe once again for all members of your family.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can assist you and your family from start to finish when flood damage threatens your home. Call our emergency services hotline at (919) 790-1222 so we can help you through the entire process of damage repair and mitigation.

Are Chemical Agents Effective Against Mold?

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless whether there is a lot of mold or just traces, team SERVPRO is ready to investigate the extent and remediate. Call us right away.

SERVPRO Technicians Use Specific Chemical Agents During Mold Remediation in Your Raleigh Home

Molds are living organisms that can grow and become out of control in a home environment. While the guiding principle of mold remediation is to correct a moisture problem, chemical action may also be necessary to reduce mold growth or eliminate it.

Some chemical products can damage materials, so they should be pre-tested before used in mold remediation for Raleigh properties. Some common chemical agents for use against molds are Chlorines such as bleach are not effective, but Phenolics are adequate sporicides. However, specific steps and understanding of how these chemicals are used are essential before applying since some chemical agents may give off toxic fumes.

  • Sterilizers destroy all living organisms on a surface, making them effective at cleaning resilient non-porous items like ceramics.
  • Bio-Stats are products that slow microbial growth and are especially useful for surfaces left overnight during remediation.
  • Biocides are similar to Stats. However, these agents are targeted to affect specific microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Chemical action can help reduce or remove mold colonies. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for mold remediation at (919) 790-1222.

We Are The Right Choice For Fire Damage Restoration In Raleigh

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage including soot and charring can certainly surprise you. Call SERVPRO to assess and remediate the situation even any lingering odors.

Attention to Detail Is Why SERVPRO Effectively Cleans Raleigh Fire-Damaged Hardwood

When a fire moves through your Raleigh home, the harm done to walls and ceiling feels overwhelming, but drywall and ceiling tile replacement is relatively straightforward if restoration is impractical. The heartbreaking sight of sooty hardwood floors, cabinetry, and furnishings is another matter. Our technicians learn a broad range of strategies to clean hardwood during restoration-focused training courses, why we can bring most furniture, floors, and built-ins back to preloss condition.

Finish Matters

The first question we pursue when hardwood sustains fire damage in Raleigh is what type of finishes are involved. Depending on the age and construction of the furnishings, different finishes are present. Cleaning methods vary based on the finish. Our training and experience prepare our crews for likely restoration outcomes, why we start by determining whether the finish is:

  • Varnish
  • Shellac
  • Lacquer
  • Paint
  • Waxes 
  • Oils
  • Unfinished

Level of Damage Matters

We strive to be transparent in communications with you and your insurer, why SERVPRO is candid about the impact of significant fire damage on restoration potential. Cleaning works best if the integrity of the finish and wood's surface shows a limited extent of harm. Refinishing, repair, and replacement might enter the picture if we note the following damage:

Blistering -- this effect occurs when the surfaces affected were close to the heat, warping and cracking the finish and allowing soot to penetrate under the finish.

Staining -- this effect occurs if after blistering or other fire-related harm wet or protein-based soot infiltrates the wood.

Preferred Hardwood Cleaning Methods

Dry Cleaning -- used for unsealed or unfinished wood or where the residues are dry and ashy.

Details: Examples include feather or cloth dusting, dry sponges, and vacuuming.

Wet Cleaning -- Appropriate for moderate levels of wet or sticky soot using low alkali cleaners or mild detergents. 

Details: We move cloth or sponge in the direction of the wood grain, and apply oil-based furniture polish to replenish the wood's natural oils.

Semi-Refinishing -- Thick or adhesive residues might need a solvent-based cleaner that lifts off the uppermost layer of finish.

Details: We apply proprietary paste cleaners for a short dwell time (fewer than five minutes), and then remove with a soft, dry cloth, always wiping in the direction of the grain.  

Commitment to best restoration practices and the most effective products are why SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can return the beauty of your hardwood furnishings. Call (919) 790-1222 day or night for our professional assessment.

We Work With Your Schedule To Provide Raleigh Water Damage Restoration So It Is Convenient

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage can certainly be trying. Contact SERVPRO and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

When Water Damage Strikes, SERVPRO Can Keep Your Business On Its Feet!

Even small leaks at your real estate offices can be disruptive for your normal work flow. If left unaddressed, a small restroom leak can quickly evolve into a small-scale disaster causing water damage to carpeting, electronics, and flooring. We at SERVPRO offer services to mitigate water damage in your business while being as unobtrusive as possible so that you can resume normal operations as soon as possible.

Our commercial water damage services in Raleigh begin with timely removal of spillage to avoid interrupting your office’s normal schedule. Professionals can come to your business during off-hours to deploy wet vacs that can suck up any water pooling on your floors. Our techs can then plug the leak if it is minor, however, a plumber may be needed in the case of a major leak.

Unfortunately, water that seeps into commercial grade carpeting will cause irreversible water damage, and the carpeting will have to be removed and discarded. Our IICRC-certified technicians can efficiently perform this service for you using our carpet removal tools to expedite the process and minimize strain on your work routines. Additionally, we are flexible in our work times and can perform clean up operations during times that work best for you.

Electronic equipment that comes into contact with water may short circuit and corrupt your company’s important data. SERVPRO can act as your first line of defense against electronic water damage by removing electronic equipment from areas affected by spillage and drying the outside of equipment to minimize further damage. It is recommended that you additionally contact an electronic specialist qualified to inspect and repair your equipment.

We know that real estate offices are busy places that can suffer when the normal work schedule is disrupted. If you need water damage mitigation in your business, then call SERVPRO of North Raleigh and Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

Understanding the Components of Water Removal in Raleigh Homes

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage mitigation by SERVPRO using advanced drying equipment can often salvage belongs for our Raleigh customers

Mitigation Starts with Water Removal

Standing water can quickly threaten your household with flooding, broken pipes, appliance failures, and other major water damage events. More than this, several types of water removal services might be necessary to avoid costlier structural damage.

Getting Emergency Services Started Early

Water mitigation hinges on early efforts like water removal for Raleigh homes. Because there are multiple ways to reach this goal, we first prioritize the pressing issues like standing water and saturated building materials. The prompt arrival of our SERVPRO professionals ensures no delay in getting these mitigative steps started fast.

What Tools Influence Water Removal Services?

With how important the water removal objective is to the restoration process, it is no surprise that many of the tools and equipment in our inventory are designed for this purpose. We utilize several strategies and approaches to minimize moisture migration through the structure, however possible. Some of the common implements and instruments include:

  • Extractors: Water removal services begin with eliminating surface water by using pumps and vacuums. 
  • Air Movers: High-velocity blowers promote evaporation of wet materials, often preserving these elements in the process. 
  • Special Drying Tools: Some of our equipment is exclusively designed for specific materials that get wet, such as drying mats pulling moisture from plank flooring. 
  • Dehumidifiers: These tools help remove water in the air, which can increase with evaporative drying tools like air movers. 
  • Positive Pressure Systems: These units (injecti-dry) infuse dry air into the wall systems to promote evaporation of moist cavities. 

Water removal services combine several efforts of our professionals to eliminate as much water and harmful moisture from the property as possible throughout the mitigation and restoration processes. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team arrives with the tools listed here to get emergency services started as soon as possible and protect your property from avoidable harm. Call now at (919) 790-1222.

Hotels & Motels Searching for Help with Water Damage in Raleigh

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan can prevent or at least mitigate water damage to your Raleigh commercial hotel.

SERVPRO Technicians Determine the Cause of Water Damage When It Is Not Apparent

Water can cause significant damage in a small amount of time, especially when you are busy running a well-established hotel or motel in Raleigh. You become distracted by daily events while a storm can take its toll on your roof or a minor plumbing leak occurs that can go unnoticed for months. These situations allow water to enter your property at various locations and lead to corrosion, rot, and mold.

To continue providing your clientele with the highest quality stay possible, you should have your area hotel or motel inspected for water damage in Raleigh. Allow an expertly trained restoration specialist to help you maintain your property with little to no interruption to the services you provide. A quality restoration company has the personnel and resources available to locate, repair, and even prevent problems quickly and efficiently.

SERVPRO technicians have access to the latest advances in water location and detection devices. Infrared moisture detectors make locating water on your property easier, while hygrometers accurately determine the amount of saturation. We also have water extractors of every shape and size, including attachments that allow us to easily reach small patches of water hidden within your walls, crawlspaces, or attic.

At SERVPRO, we show you the respect and understanding you deserve. Regardless of the problem, you are experiencing, our technicians put forth every effort to repair the situation to the best of our ability. We can even offer a variety of recommendations that help you prevent these incidents from developing in the future, saving you from dealing with large-loss situations that prevent your business from operating normally. We can set up a meeting to discuss the ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan for your particular building.

SERVPRO services include carpet cleaning, water removal, and restoration to cover every emergency, including fire, water, mold, and storm damage. Our technicians provide a one-stop solution, performing repairs and finishing touches on even the most challenging jobs. We also have commercial cleaning services that make maintaining your building a cinch, with cleaning technicians doing far more than a regular janitorial service.

Take advantage of emergency services available at SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest. We serve the entire area. Call today. (919) 790-1222

Fire Damage Can Interrupt Your Family's Life in Raleigh

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. Let SERVPRO restore your fire damaged Raleigh home, "Like it never even happened."

Rely on SERVPRO to Restore Your Home after Fire Damage

Fires and other disasters occasionally happen in Raleigh, making regular routines challenging to maintain. Restoring your home means your family's lives can also return to normal. Temporary housing in another location can create stress that affects other areas of your life. Even if your family stays with close friends or relatives, unnecessary stress can have long-lasting effects.

Families in Raleigh dealing with fire damage can look forward to a fully restored home when SERVPRO technicians begin working on it. We come prepared with the skills, training, and equipment to carry out the repairs and restorative work your home requires. Our training includes certifications from the IICRC. Our equipment ranges from small detection devices, aiding us in locating pockets of moisture, ash, and soot to larger items required to keep our workers safe while restoring your home. Other devices like HEPA-filtered air scrubbers remove smoke particulates from the air, improving the IAQ indoor air quality.

Smoke particles infiltrate almost every part of a home during a fire. The extreme heat generated by the house fire can force malodourous particles into materials. Unless we remove these particles physically or change their chemical makeup, they can continue to bother your family. Thermal fogging can eliminate this situation for you and leave your home smelling fresh again. While this step often occurs after the other restoration aspects, mainly when large fires cause extensive damage, smaller fires and their repair work can finish, followed by thermal fogging soon after.

Restoring your home after a fire can mean the end of disruptions to your family's regular routines and habits. Keeping this time to a minimum can help reduce the stress that follows any disaster, including fire damage. We want to help you protect your family from this unwanted interruption by reducing the time involved as much as possible. Our ability to work well as a team and communicate with you consistently helps reduce this time even more.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest also assists families in the Six Forks and Sandy Plains areas. Surrounding area residents can also rely on us for our professional skills and dedication to helping those coping with the stress of fire damage and other disasters. Call us at (919) 790-1222 to speak with one of our trained professionals, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Need Fast Turnaround from Mold Removal Companies?

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians know how to help with mold damage in your home. Contact us 24/7 to begin the remediation and mitigation process.

Restoration Technicians Remove Mold from Wake Forest Homes

Wake Forest, North Carolina, is home to one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States, with the population increasing from 30,000 in 2010 to over 45,000 as of 2019. This locale is considered part of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill statistical area, which houses almost 2 million residents.

This bustling town, incorporated in 1880, is also home to several places listed on the National Register for Historic Places, including:

  • The DuBois Center, formerly the W.E.B DuBois School
  • Lea Laboratory
  • Wakefield Dairy Complex
  • Glen Royall Mill Village Historic District
  • The Calvin Jones Historical House, also known as the Wake Forest Historical Museum

Education in Wake Forest: 1834-Present

Wake Forest’s early years as a community are filled with the establishment of schools, colleges, and universities, including the Wake Forest University located at the Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Here is a brief look at Wake Forest’s earliest educational accolades:

  • In 1832, the North Carolina Committee on Education procured Dr. Calvin Jones’ 600-acre plantation with the intent to build the Wake Forest Institute, a Baptist college focused on providing affordable education and expanding youth access to knowledge about agriculture and science
  • Wake Forest was home to two primary literary societies in the mid-1830s: the Euzelians and the Philomathesians. These two groups trained members in forensics, diplomacy, and literacy
  • The Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute initially focused on teaching agricultural science to students. Attendees were required to perform three hours of manual labor per day in exchange for an education. This arrangement proved beneficial for both the school and the students in that tuition costs remained low while the university could expand. This institute was rechartered as the Wake Forest College in 1838

Wake Forest College’s first graduating class received their diplomas in 1839, with William Tell Brooks being among the first to receive his degree. More infrastructure was built around the college, including the College Hotel in 1850. During the Civil War, the college was closed.

How Does SERVPRO Availability Preserve Wake Forest Homes?

SERVPRO teams offer round-the-clock availability, which includes late nights, weekends, and holidays. As a result, when Wake Forest homeowners need mold removal companies, they can get necessary services more quickly. This commitment to continuous service can minimize damage to residents’ property, which can lower repair and replacement costs.

Why does mold damage require a fast response?

  • Mold means moisture is present. Mold proliferation indicates the presence of water damage or some other moisture source on your property
  • Mold damages possessions over time. Mold requires moisture, adequate temperatures, and organic material to sustain itself, and SERVPRO techs can eliminate this with EPA-registered biocides
  • Mold affects indoor air quality. Not only is mold unpleasant to smell, but it can spread through your home’s HVAC system. SERVPRO teams are trained to clean and service home ventilation to remediate microbial growth

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest offers a fast-responding service among mold removal companies for homeowners who call (919) 790-1222.

Who Can Help with Fire Damage Restoration in Raleigh Homes after an Electrical Fire?

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

If your home suffers from an electrical fire, contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage. Our certified professionals are available 24/7.

Raleigh Area Homeowners Contact SERVPRO for House Fire Cleanup

Watching your house contents being engulfed by flames and your family put at risk, can be frightening. However, SERVPRO professionals have decades of experience in the restoration industry. Our technicians can stop further fire damage, salvage most of your valuable items, and get your property to its preloss state.

What precautions should I take?

Before you get into the affected property, wait for the local authorities to deem your property safe for re-entry. Contact our franchise within 48 hours to help with any size of fire damage in your Raleigh home. If you have to get into the property, try to avoid:

  • Getting into the property before the relevant authorities declare it safe
  • Surfaces with soot and smoke residues to minimize spreading
  • Trying to restore the affected area

What are the first steps for fire damage mitigation?

Before we begin the restoration process, we inspect the affected area thoroughly to get a clear picture of the damage intensity. Our team of technicians can use pre-testing of upholstery, fabrics, and porous materials to ensure application of the correct cleaning products.

Can restorers clean valuables with soot?

We ensure to clean and repair our customer’s contents in our off-site warehouse. Our experts can use the immersion technique for delicate items using the ultrasonic cleaner to remove soot and smoke residues. The cleaning technique uses sound waves to form and implode bubbles. The collapsing bubbles produce energy and water movement, which eliminates the soot residues on the items.

With our innovative skills and state-of-the-art equipment, fire damage restoration should be hassle-free. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can bring your home back to life, “Like it never even happened.” Talk to us today at (919) 790-1222.

Extraction During Commercial Water Mitigation in Raleigh

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

We know how inconvenient a broken pipe can be to your office. Call SERVPRO 24/7 for quick and effective remediation services.

SERVPRO Helps with Water Mitigation in Raleigh

Everyone at one point in life has probably suffered from a water line breaking or some type of leak inside their building. However, the damage could disrupt your workflow when it happens inside your company's office. The bad news is that it seems like a water leak always takes place overnight while nobody is in the office. If a leak goes unnoticed all night long, the issues when you come into your office to work in the morning could be quite severe. 

Whenever our SERVPRO technicians work on commercial water mitigation in Raleigh, we start by figuring out where the moisture went and how severe the damage is. When water leaks out of your lines, it begins as a liquid, follows gravity, and heads straight to your floors. But when liquid H2O sits inside your office for a long time, it can start to soak into your contents and building materials and evaporate into the air, which can cause more issues to arise. 

Whenever we work on restoring a severe water damage situation, we know that it is easier to remove the moisture while it is still in liquid form. If there are more than a few inches of standing water on your office's floors, then we can use a submersible pump to suck the water up and pump it into one of your sewage lines. We can use a weighted extraction tool to extract thick carpets that use the operator's weight to squeeze the fibers. We can also use a wand for hard surface floors and a handheld tool for contents like upholstered furniture items. 

Other ways we can help your business after a water leak

If you ever go to work one day and find standing water in your office, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

When is Wet Cleaning Preferred for Smoke Residues in Raleigh Homes?

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

You can count on our team to remove any trace of fire and smoke damage on your home. Just call SERVPRO at (919) 790-1222.

Smoke Damage Can Affect Surfaces and Contents Throughout Your Property, Requiring Several Cleaning Approaches. 

Smoke and soot residues that impact Raleigh homes require special cleaning and restoration practices to remove. Without a single universal approach for this cleaning, several factors play a role in which wet cleaning methods are ideal for removing these soils. 

Wet cleaning is often one of the most efficient methods of contending with fire damage in Raleigh homes. Though pre-sampling cleaning approaches are ideal for ensuring the success of proposed techniques and products, our SERVPRO team utilizes our knowledge of the soil type and underlying material to choose among several wet cleaning tactics, such as:

  • Dissolving – Allowing detergents and solvents to break down soils on the surface is the basis for how dissolving works. With this approach, soils require a product with a similar composition to work. 
  • Emulsification – Unlike dissolving, emulsifying involves using the opposite type of base cleaner to repel particles from the surface. Loosened soils can get rinsed or blown off. 
  • Alkaline Cleaners – Because so many particles are acidic, much like most soot and smoke residues, seeking a pH balance can increase the probability of efficient cleaning. 

Are Other Cleaning and Restoration Strategies Efficient? 

Dry cleaning approaches often work on the premise of agitation and reducing the thickness of surface soiling. Vacuuming can often be an efficient base approach to begin these cleaning methods, but these practices are often less efficient and thorough as wet cleaning strategies with solvents and detergents. 

Regardless of the approach used to restore and recover damaged structural elements and contents in your home after a fire, it is always a priority to restore over replacement. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team has extensive experience and industry-leading equipment to help after a fire. Give us a call at (919) 790-1222.

Does a Homeowner Need Professional Flood Damage Assistance for a Few Inches of Water in the Basement Post-Storm?

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Storm flooding can quickly cause water damage. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation services.

Significant Safety Hazards Present After Storm-Related Flood Damage in Raleigh Can Hide - Your Local SERVPRO Knows Where to Look and How to Keep Your Family and Home Secure.



With great relief, you believe the damage to your Raleigh home after recent storm damage is minimal. Just a slick of water spread across the floors of your lowest levels, and you notice little exterior damage. Is it enough to haul out the wet/dry vacuum and open some windows to get your home back to pre-storm condition?

Can Storm and Flood Damage Hide in Your House?

When the media features storm-related flood damage in Raleigh, the pictures and videos often feature downed trees, branches, and utility lines crushing roofs, windows, doors, and siding. Reporters stand in knee-deep floodwater while sharing real-time information. However, water intrudes even in structures that appear unaffected, and failure to locate and manage that damage can cause severe, although hidden, deterioration and secondary damage. It also presents safety risks as the structures affected can collapse, fail to handle intended load-bearing, and provide an environment conducive to mold.

How Do Professionals Find Trapped Flood Water After a Storm?

Regardless of a homeowner's hopes, SERVPRO managers and crew leads know how stealthy stormwater can be once it enters a home. A loose flashing or row of shingles loosened and blown up during fierce winds and heavy rain can allow gallons of water to intrude. Once inside the house, it migrates downward, often between walls. When encountering a ceiling, it pools; when stopped by nonporous building materials, it seeks dry, permeable components, perhaps wicking upwards from the base of a wall into the gypsum board. If the water is there, we must extract it and dry out the structure. Our storm and flood damage experience plus the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training completed help us anticipate likely migration routes, but we also use:

  • Visual signals like bulging ceilings, bubbling paint, or staining
  • Thermal imaging cameras utilizing temperature variations interpreted by trained technicians to locate water cached in cavities
  • Moisture detectors and meters that find and then measure the amount of moisture soaked into surfaces and fixtures like carpets

Trust SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest to assess your flood-damaged home with integrity and honestly advise you on the best practices needed to make it "Like it never even happened." Our lines at (919) 790-1222 answer 24/7 for any concerns.

Professional Water Removal Tools Make a Difference in Raleigh

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

You can count on our professionals with state of the art equipment to thoroughly dry your property so you can return safely after a water incident.

SERVPRO Offers Water Removal Services for Raleigh Homeowners and Businesses

Nothing compares to professional equipment when you have standing water in your Raleigh home or business. If you have storm flooding, burst pipes, or a significant spill, you need to handle the standing water quickly before it can infiltrate your building materials or migrate into dry zones of your property. SERVPRO is here and ready to go 24/7 with all of the right tools to handle water removal and drying so that your property gets back to normal quickly. 

Regarding water removal in Raleigh, SERVPRO utilizes different equipment based on the project and the damage present. We bring everything with us on our Green Fleet of vehicles, including tools like inspection devices, extraction tools, cleaning agents, and drying equipment. Everything gets used as part of a carefully orchestrated plan to restore relative humidity (RH) and limit the damage that takes place.

Extraction Methods and Equipment You Can Count On

The more water we can pull up in a short time will increase your property's chances of successful restoration. While you may want to reach for a wet/dry vacuum to pull up water, nothing compares to the technology SERVPRO uses. Some of the equipment we may use on your project include:

  • Extraction Units – We have larger truck-mounted extractors and portable units to pull up water depending on the levels and space we have to work in.
  • Light Wands – Also known as carpet wands, these tools help us remove water from glued-down carpeting.
  • Pumps – We have a variety of pumps that we may use, including submersible pumps, self-priming trash pumps, electric submersible pumps, high-pressure pumps, etc.

Nothing beats our proven processes and industrial-grade equipment at SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest when it comes to water removal. Call us whenever you require assistance at (919) 790-1222. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster – ensuring your property quickly returns to normal.

What Does Surface Mold Removal Mean for Raleigh Homes?

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

Finding mold in a corner of your home can signal a more widespread infestation. Call SERVPRO to assess the extent and offer solutions to remediate.

Surface Treatment Is a Popular Mold Remediation Method in Raleigh Properties

One of the reasons that mold is so widespread and destructive to many properties is that homeowners do not approach it with the same urgency as other disasters. Without prompt addressing of the problem, organisms spread more completely into hosting materials and cause a greater need for aggressive remediation methods. Early approaches allow options like surface cleaning to be productive in remediating active mold damage.

How Deep Is the Mold Damage?

The first question in resolving mold damage for Raleigh homes and businesses is how widespread and penetrative the mold infestation has become. Hosting materials can be overwhelmed to require replacement after several days or weeks of exposure. A thorough inspection of the impacted surfaces shows where superficial cleaning and sporicidal products can still be effective.

Antimicrobial Products

Surface treatment solutions rely on sporicidal and biocide products in our inventory to destroy mold spores on contact. Infestations are eliminated with antimicrobial solutions, and these same chemicals work as mold inhibitors for nearby services that have yet to show signs of active mold colonization.

Are More Aggressive Remediation Measures Needed?

Surface treatment solutions are not the only option available to our remediation technicians working on the property. There are multiple instances where more aggressive and abrasive cleaning measures are necessary to overcome the full spread and severity of the organism and the hosting material. Some of these tactics include:

  • Sanding
  • Sponge Pressure Cleaning
  • Soda Blasting
  • Controlled Demolition

Our professionals work to introduce the least invasive mold removal tactics when cleaning up mold damage in your home. Surface treatment solutions offer the most direct path to addressing the earliest onset of microbial development, and we have multiple products that can provide this type of remediation. Give our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team a call when you suspect mold growth at (919) 790-1222.

Fire Damage Technicians Out of New Hope Discuss Cleaning Techniques

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless whether the fire affected your kitchen or another room in your home, team SERVPRO offers cleanup and effective remediation services.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup Can Be Challenging--Call SERVPRO for Help

When most think about a fire starting at their house in New Hope, they realize that burnt building materials may need to be replaced. Any structural components that received charring must either be treated or repaired. After problems with burnt materials are mitigated, other issues related to smoke can exist. Smoke spreads throughout a structure leaving behind soils and soot residues.

Residues can ruin the finish on some objects and produce burnt aromas. One significant part of restoring fire damage in New Hope is cleaning and removing soils created by smoke. The difficulty of cleaning these residues varies based on the type of soot present, and what kinds of elements got affected. When synthetic materials like plastics burn, the soot generated is more challenging to remove than soils left behind from fires that burn mainly organic elements such as wood.

The soot removal process usually involves a combination of methods and specialized chemicals. Our SERVPRO technicians use cleaning solutions to release soils from being stuck onto surfaces. In most cases, we must use some form of agitation to cause friction that aids in the releasing of soot particles. In some scenarios, mechanical action can remove residues without using any type of chemical.

Some mechanical actions produce mild agitation and can be used to clean most surfaces. Feather dusters can often be used to remove soot from hard surfaced furniture items. Paint brushes can work well when cleaning decorations and ornaments. On surfaces like walls, carpets, and upholstery vacuuming can help pull particles off of the surface. Typically, the first choice of cleanup of smoke and soot is to vacuum dry areas and then move on to another step with detergents. Other things get cleaned well using compressed air to blow off the soot.

When soot residues adhere strongly, and the affected surfaces can withstand more agitation, methods like dry sponges prove to be useful. Dusting cloths containing light mineral oils also work well to clean soils. Crumbly cleaners work like a graphite pencil erase and crumble away as they clean objects. When wet cleaning products are used, our SERVPRO restoration crew uses cleaning towels to scrub items.

In certain situations, choosing the best method that can remove the soot and not ruin the object can be difficult. Many times we try multiple techniques until we find the one that works the best for your specific situation. For help with soot removal after something burns on your property, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 seven days a week.

Keeping Shoppers Shopping After a Hurricane in Your Raleigh Convenience Stores

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane can be difficult alone. Partner with team SERVPRO during this time for commercial water damage remediation.

How SERVPRO Keeps Convenience Stores in Raleigh Open after Hurricane Water Removal

Some of the hardest-hit businesses in the Southeast after a hurricane are small stores and service industries. With extended periods of closed doors, expenses incurred when replacing lost merchandise, and mounting water removal costs, Raleigh convenience stores often have a hard time surviving after taking massive damage from a hurricane. SERVPRO can help to make sure that your store stays open for business through the hard times ahead by maximizing the quality and efficiency of our services and taking precautions against future threats.

Rapid Response and Cleanup Times

One of the most easily avoided killers of convenience stores in Raleigh is slow water removal after a hurricane. Store owners often fail to get professional water removal services on-site in time to prevent additional damage from happening to the building, causing dangerous and expensive situations to arise on the premises. Over decades of refining our technique, SERVPRO has developed a reputation for providing some of the fastest response times and removal processes in the industry.

Preventative Action

While conducting water removal and restoration work, our technicians can also provide additional help to eliminate other potential sources of damage in your business. Anti-fungal treatments can help to safeguard against mold infestations, and we can conduct a comprehensive review of your water lines and systems to ensure that they remain safe and reliable for years to come.

Paperwork and Insurance Help

Our services extend beyond physical damage assessments and restorations. Our trained representatives can help with other critical tasks after a disaster, such as taking inventory of lost merchandise and communicating with insurance providers. Many local insurers prefer their clients to work with SERVPRO because of our communicative and experienced team and may have even recommended us to you. Call us if you are unsure about what steps to take after incurring water damage.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest has helped local businesses to survive through years of hurricanes and water damages and carries the equipment and experience necessary to get doors open quickly and with minimal hassle. Contact us at (919) 790-1222.

How Soot Moves in Fire-Damaged Raleigh Homes

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Burning materials generate smoke and soot and distribute soil deposits on surfaces throughout your home.

Fire Restoration Hinges on a Fast Management of Soot Effects in Raleigh Properties 

So many types of materials are impacted by smoke and soot damage after a fire. Because the threats are widespread and move through pathways like the HVAC system and structural openings, mitigating steps are crucial. We can help protect many surfaces from smoke damage, such as:

  • Building material surfaces
  • Upholstery
  • Furniture
  • Contents

The Turbulence of Smoke During a Fire

Before fire restoration in Raleigh homes begins, homeowners experience the full measure of damage that both the fire and its byproducts can do to the house. Burning materials generate smoke and soot and distribute soil deposits on the surface of building materials and contents through processes like convection currents.

Circulating Solids After Extinguishment

The atmosphere and environment of a fire-damaged house can feature many circulating smoke solids and soot particles. Combustion alone is enough to distribute these aerosolized particles throughout the property and impact several surfaces and contents within the path of migrating smoke damage. 

Amplifying Conditions

Certain conditions can increase the concentration and spread of soot and smoke deposits within the house. It is essential to manage threats like fire debris and burned contents to prevent smoke solids and carcinogenic particles from spreading rapidly throughout the damaged area and adjacent spaces. For this reason, the first emergency services our professionals provide upon arrival.

How Can SERVPRO Help?

Despite how devastating soot can be to homes and businesses in the area, we can provide experienced and reputable restoration professionals to help when you need it. We have multiple approaches to remedy soot and smoke deposits on building materials and contents throughout the structure. Our SERVPRO team and its FSRT-Certified technicians are ready to help when you need it.

Regardless of how a fire started and how severely your home was damaged, one of the most significant fire restoration needs is soot cleanup and removal. Give our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest fire recovery team a call today at (919) 790-1222.

Flood Damage Cleanup After Storms in Your Raleigh Home

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure that you and your family are safe during a storm and possible flooding. After that, contact SERVPRO to safely dry out your property.

SERVPRO's Fast Actions After Flooding Can Help Prevent Secondary Damages From Forming

When a severe thunderstorm rolls through the Raleigh area, the risk for damage to property rises significantly as the heavy rains create water damage, plus flooding inside your home. Flooding from storms like this is a significant problem that requires a combination of methods to treat it correctly and protect your health. Unlike a typical burst pipe or a leaky roof, flood damage often includes raw sewage, which can complicate the process of remediation.

As soon as flooding happens in your home, you need to get in touch with us at SERVPRO to mitigate the flood damage in Raleigh and remove the flood water safely. Our team of experienced workers is specially trained and equipped to get the floodwaters out of your home quickly and dry your home back out.

As soon as we arrive at your home, we do a damage evaluation of your property. We estimate the progress that needs to be started before we initiate any cleanup work and give you the most precise approximation.

Once you consent to the quote, our SERVPRO staff can remove the floodwater. We drain as much damaging water as we can by using industrial, truck-mounted pumps. Once this part of the process is done, the chances of hazardous mold growing lessen. We also target water by using advanced moisture detectors to find hidden water behind drywall and under flooring.

Once we drain the standing water, we use powerful fans and dehumidifiers to complete the drying process. Then, once the debris and water are removed, there can still be odors lingering in the air. Therefore, we clean and deodorize the affected areas to remove these odors.

Some cosmetic restoration may need to be done, as flooding can cause condensation on windows, scattered debris, peeling wallpaper, and stuck drawers or cabinets. We help you restore all these issues and more so that your home is fully restored to preloss condition.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest understands that flooding in your home in New Light, Six Forks, or New Hope is very stressful. However, when you contact us at (919) 790-1222, you can rest assured that you have called on the team that can help you get your home back.

Why Professional Restoration Is a Wise Choice for Water Damage In Your Raleigh Home

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can cause significant damage to your home.

Water Damage in Your Home

There are certain things that every Raleigh homeowner worries about at one time or another. Among these is the possibility of falling victim to a natural disaster like a fire or flood. While these circumstances always remain a possibility with the appropriate conditions, internal water emergencies are often far more likely and frequent than any more detrimental disasters.

While water damage to your Raleigh home might come from several different sources, cleaning up this damage and restoring its effects is a similar process across the board. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that even moderate water emergencies can get taken care of with conventional drying techniques and that the problem is in the past. Unfortunately, without properly cleaning up water damage and drying the area thoroughly, you could be allowing worsening losses to occur.

Fortunately, our SERVPRO technicians get trained to handle all manner of water emergencies and ensure that the job gets done right. This restoration process begins with a thorough inspection of the immediate damage. We also use thermal imagery to inspect the areas that are out of the line of sight for persistent moisture, and a broader range of damage you could not initially tell was there.

Working quickly to dry the area and clean up the mess are both standard practices of our SERVPRO professionals. Once the site has gotten sufficiently dried using air movers and dehumidification equipment, a better inspection can occur with your home's structural components and building materials to ensure that they are as strong and stable as they should be. Overly damaged materials might require removal and reinstallation to complete the restoration process.

Water damage in your home might come from many potential sources, but overcoming the effects is rarely something that you should handle on your own. Even smaller-scale water damage can have severe impacts on your home if the appropriate, thorough measures do not get taken to ensure the area is cleaned and dried adequately. Trust our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest technicians to help you through every possible effect of water damage. You can reach us anything by calling (919) 790-1222.

Who Can Handle Water Extraction Fast for Best Results in Raleigh?

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

All you need is SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for all your Water Extraction needs. Call (919) 790-1222.

Raleigh Residents Trust SERVPRO for Water Removal and Drying

One of the more frustrating situations to encounter is interior home flooding that leaves your property in disarray when you own a home. A home flood in Raleigh is often challenging to navigate, especially if you have never dealt with water infiltration in the past. Not only can a massive spill or overflowing tub bring on severe damage, but it can be complete chaos that uproots your life. The good news is SERVPRO has the equipment and training to bring your home back to pre-emergency condition with extraction and drying!

It is normal to wonder what can be done to save you time and money after having water spilling into your home. The truth is that water extraction in Raleigh gets done in a fraction of the time with SERVPRO than any DIY ever could. We specialize in water remediation, extraction, drying, and restoration so that you can sit back and focus on other areas of your life despite this traumatic event. 

Some of the common causes of interior flooding in the home include:

  • Foundation cracks
  • Sump pump failure
  • Overflowing toilets, tubs, or sinks
  • Aging pipes that crack or burst
  • A leaking roof from storms
  • Appliance failures, i.e., washing machine, water heater, dishwasher

What About Storm Flood Insurance?

Insurance coverage may be one of the first things that come to mind when you have a home flood. Whether or not you are covered depends on your carrier and your chosen policy. Some flood zone areas call for homeowners to have additional policies for coverage. Traditional insurance will not usually cover flooded homes within a flood zone. The good news is that we are here to assist with documentation so that your insurance claim goes as smoothly as possible.

Water extraction, drying, and controlled demolition are just some of the ways we can help here at SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest. Give us a call at (919) 790-1222. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

All Flood Damage in Raleigh Homes Needs an Immediate Response

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

Don't wait! Keep mold from growing by contacting your local restoration experts at SERVPRO of North Raleigh.

SERVPRO Technicians Respond Quickly and Help Prevent Secondary Damages Such as Mold From Forming

Even without being on the coastline, the weather in inland areas can reflect the weather nearer the ocean. This includes the Raleigh area, and residents in our area often suffer weather-related problems when this happens.

One of these problems that homeowners might experience includes flood damage in Raleigh. This year, because of the increased amount of tropical storm activity, the chances seem more significant than in previous years for this type of specific problem.  

Flooded homes need immediate and professional mitigation services to remain protected. Some homeowners believe waiting for the season to pass can provide cost savings, but this can result in the opposite. Increased financial strains occur because damages spread easily, increasing quickly, in a home sans timely mitigation.

Instead of waiting for the end of the worst weather, realizing that much of it may never affect the properties in our area, including your home, rendering a wait-and-see approach costly instead of paying off with financial savings. Assuming otherwise and waiting to mitigate the already existing damage from flooding ensures that any existing damage inside your home increases, spreads, and develops secondary issues.   

SERVPRO wants to help you keep overall costs low and manageable by providing timely mitigation for all of the issues your home currently faces. As we work to remove damaged materials, clean areas infiltrated by floodwaters, and reduce the overall humidity inside your home, we can provide you with tips that protect your property against future flooding disasters. There is no reason to wait for the season to pass before performing the work that can keep mold from growing or drywall from disintegrating.

Even though we can never prevent any disasters from occurring, having first-hand knowledge of your home can provide us with the information needed to diminish possible damages. Following through can save homeowners from experiencing more significant damages than necessary during future flooding events.  

Tips that might work can include keeping valuables, such as electronics and heirlooms, and perishable items, mainly foodstuffs, in higher-than-normal locations until the season passes. Sandbags placed around your property's perimeter can also provide some protection for short-lived flooding events. Having already filled sandbags ready before such events can save an enormous amount of time while keeping your family less-stressed about such circumstances.

Always ready to help you with both small and enormous disasters, SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can be contacted by calling their local number, (919) 790-1222. Flood damage can leave your home in unlivable condition, but we can help reverse any flood damage present.

How Commercial Water Removal Can Help Your Raleigh Restaurant Get Back in Business

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

Need commercial water damage restoration services? You're in luck because SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is here for you24/7.

SERVPRO Offers Quick and Efficient Commercial Water Removal Services

Whether you are ready for it or not, water damage is almost inevitable as a restaurant owner. However, if you are prepared, you can handle the incident like a pro and take control of the situation. If you face such an incident in your Raleigh restaurant, make sure that you seek professional help as soon as possible.

Water damage in your Raleigh restaurant can rapidly get out of hand if you do not act fast. Thankfully, here at SERVPRO, we have a team of experts who can help you get things back in control in no time. Our IICRC-certified technicians are trained to handle any size disaster quickly and efficiently.

We understand that keeping your doors open is crucial for you and your employees. Our technicians work tirelessly to achieve this goal. As soon as we hear from you, our staff springs into action, and we reach you as soon as we can. Once our team is on site, we evaluate the situation, develop a plan, and start taking steps toward restoration.

Stagnant water can quickly seep under the floor, walls, and other places in your restaurant and start secondary damage. SERVPRO technicians make sure to remove the stagnant water and eliminate the residual moisture as efficiently as possible. We use some of the best equipment, such as pumps, dehumidifiers, air movers, and foggers, to remove as much moisture from the affected area as possible.

We treat you and your property with care and work with you to develop a plan of action that you are comfortable with, and you can afford.

SERVPRO technicians are available round the clock and are eager to put their skills and expertise to work for you. All you need to do is make a call to SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 as soon as possible. We will ensure that your restaurant is back to pre-damage conditions as quickly as possible.

Stormwater Extraction from Raleigh Homes Happens Fast with SERVPRO

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Homeowners have to deal with many things which may include storm damage. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to assist with remediation services.

How Can SERVPRO Help in Stormwater Extraction From Raleigh Homes? 

Stormwater extraction from your Raleigh home can be difficult due to the presence of debris and particulate matter. SERVPRO techs use advanced tools that can remove stormwater quickly and efficiently to reduce the impact of water damage.   

SERVPRO techs use centrifugal pumps for stormwater extraction from flooded Raleigh homes. The pumps convert rotational energy from a motor to move fluid. SERVPRO techs use several types of centrifugal pumps, including-

  • Self-priming trash pumps
  • High-pressure pumps
  • Electric submersible pumps

How do SERVPRO Techs Choose the Right Pump During Water Removal Services in Raleigh? 

SERVPRO techs consider several factors before deciding which pump to use to extract floodwater from your Raleigh home-

  • Does the water contain solids: If the floodwater contains solids, techs use self-priming trash pumps that allow the passage of solids of up to 3”. 
  • How much suction lift is required: If the fluid needs to travel more than 25 feet of distance, SERVPRO techs often use high-pressure pumps.
  • The flow-rate requirements: If a higher flow rate is required, SERVPRO techs use a high-capacity pump to remove several gallons of water per minute (GPM). 

What is a Diaphragm Pump?

Most centrifugal pumps become inoperable if air enters the hose during operation, bringing the water removal process to a halt. SERVPRO techs use a different type of pump called a diaphragm pump to prevent this from happening. Although these are not used often, they can remove water to near zero depth as they are designed not to lose prime even if air enters the pump.  

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. 

Can You Trust SERVPRO for Flood Cleanup in Raleigh?

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

When flooding damages your home, SERVPRO will be there. We will restore your home to its previous condition.

It Pays to Hire SERVPRO for Flood Cleanup of Your Raleigh Home

Flood cleanup of your Raleigh home is much more than merely removing the standing water from the property. SERVPRO techs understand that the best way to minimize the damage after a flood incident is by removing the residual moisture as quickly as possible. 

SERVPRO techs speed up the drying process during flood cleanup from your Raleigh home by reducing the humidity ratio of the air. A lower humidity ratio increases the evaporation rate of the moisture in the building and its contents. SERVPRO techs accomplish this by establishing a ‘closed drying system’ in which air movement is restricted. The techs develop a controlled environment in the water-damaged area conducive to drying, thus speeding up the process. 

How do SERVPRO Techs Control the Humidity Ratio of the Air During the Water Cleanup of Raleigh Homes?   

SERVPRO techs control the humidity ratio of indoor air by employing the following scientific principles-

  • Removing the free moisture from the air by either condensing it or trapping it 
  • Increasing the airflow across the drying surface
  • Increase the temperature of the air

For removing the moisture from the air, the techs rely on dehumidifiers, which either condense the air (refrigerant dehumidifiers) or absorb it (desiccant dehumidifiers).  

Utility of Dehumidifiers in Water Damage Repairs

Although dehumidifiers are very useful, SERVPRO techs know their limitations. Our techs understand that these can only be used in a 'closed drying system .' Techs use them combined with air movers to get the most out of dehumidifiers. SERVPRO techs also use their frying science and psychrometry knowledge to place dehumidifiers for the best results strategically. 

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 to know how our techs can help. 

Raleigh Homeowners Trust SERVPRO with Water Damage Restoration

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians know all the steps to take after water damage strikes in your home.

SERVPRO’s Advanced Tech Makes Water Damage Restoration of Raleigh Homes Efficient 

Implementation of modern technology can significantly improve the outcome of water damage restoration of your Raleigh home. SERVPRO techs use a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary tech to speed up the drying and reduce long-term damage after a water incident. 

What makes SERVPRO so efficient during water damage restoration of your Raleigh home goes beyond the advanced equipment we use. Our techs understand the science behind the process and spend countless hours training to use specific pieces of equipment, making them experts. 

How do SERVPRO Techs Use Heat in the Water Cleanup of Raleigh Homes?   

A heat and air exchange drying system involves using an indirect fired furnace to heat the airspace of your Raleigh property. Heating the indoor air can speed up the drying process by-.

  • Increasing the humidity ratio of the air 
  • Allowing the surface moisture layer to evaporate
  • Decrease the vapor pressure, promoting evaporation of water from wet material

The indirect-fired furnace takes dry outdoor air and heats it before introducing it into the drying zone. Techs usually set up indirect-fired furnaces outside the structure. The process air stream is then ducted into the building.

Portable Electric Heaters

If heat needs to be directed toward a particular building area rather than heating the entire airspace, SERVPRO techs use portable heaters. These systems are designed to heat materials and focus heat on limited areas as needed. Most of these units use heat exchangers to transfer heat from hot coils to air streams produced by air movers.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222; our techs are available round the clock to answer your questions. 

Fire Damage Restoration in Raleigh

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

IICRC certified technicians from SERVPRO have the training and experience for all phases of fire damage restoration for your home.

SERVPRO Can Clean and Restore Your Raleigh Property from Fire Damage

Fire disasters in Raleigh may occur unexpectedly and wreak havoc on your property. The resultant smoke and soot can ruin your upholstery, fabrics, furniture, and even walls. The fire may even bring the whole structure down in worst-case scenarios, leading to immense losses. It is essential to have a fire damage restoration company on speed dial. A competent and experienced professional can arrive at the site on time and salvage most of the property that sustained damage.

At SERVPRO, we have a team of IICRC-certified fire damage restoration experts and a stock of resources that enable us to respond swiftly to fire emergencies in Raleigh. We are locally based and understand the importance of quick action for smoke damage restoration. Within a few hours of notification, we can arrive at the site and complete the cleanup process quickly, “Like it never even happened.”

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

Smoke damage occurs after the firefighters extinguish the fire. The soot and smoke from the fire spread across the room rapidly and settle on various surfaces. Soot is a fine, black substance that binds to fabrics and walls. It is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and comprises dust, acids, and chemicals. Not only can this cause health effects, but it can also cause extensive property damage if not handled immediately.

The type of soot or smoke damage determines the cleanup process we use. SERVPRO technicians have a vast knowledge of dealing with different kinds of smoke and soot damage. If you contact us quickly, we may be able to salvage most of your items. To maintain Health and Safety regulations, all our professionals use Personal Protective Equipment (or PPE) during restoration.

We remove all restorable items from the site and clean them up before returning them to you. Depending on the extent of smoke damage, we may also apply specialist cleaning. Our technicians can use visual observation to assess the best approach for the situation.

You risk losing valuable items when a fire disaster occurs in your home. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is just around the corner if you need quick, reliable fire damage restoration services. We have dedicated personnel who can arrive promptly at the site and begin the restoration process. Call us anytime at (919) 790-1222.

We Fight Water Damage in Your Raleigh Area Home So You Don't Have to

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration services by SERVPRO are second to none. We are here to help 24/7 365 days a year.

SERVPRO's Technicians Arrive Quickly to Help Prevent Secondary Damages

Having severe water damage on your Raleigh property can potentially cause significant problems over time. You need to address water issues as soon as you find them and give your home the best chance at a full recovery. 

Today, it is common for homeowners to seek professional help to address water damage issues found in their Raleigh area home. You may not have the expertise, time, or tools necessary to perform all of the needed repairs alone, and there is nothing wrong with that. Times have changed, and you no longer need to work a full-time job only to come home to fix the toilet or a broken appliance, never getting time for yourself.

Today, some highly-trained professionals offer to perform these services for you. Places like SERVPRO maintain a regular crew of IICRC-industry certified technicians that perform a wide variety of repairs, including cleanup and restoration for any part of your home. We offer you personalized services, free of judgment and ridicule, providing you with excellent alternatives that make taking care of your home easier.

Water Damage Restoration Trained Technicians

SERVPRO technicians train gruelingly, making them exceptionally qualified to provide you with the best results possible. Our technicians help you make the most out of unforgiving situations using the latest methods and equipment available. Our services are available to homeowners and property managers throughout the area, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Calling us gives you access to trusted members of the restoration community that you can count on to provide you with answers to disasters that occur on your property.

Whether you have a backflow in an upstairs toilet or water damage caused by a recent storm, SERVPRO can provide you with the necessary services to recover quickly and efficiently. You only have to make one call to have it all; we offer full-service solutions, making your restoration as stress-free as possible. 

Make the most of what is available to you; call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest to receive quality results to water damage issues in your home today. (919) 790-1222

Are There Telling Signs You Need Mold Remediation in Your Raleigh Home?

12/23/2021 (Permalink)

Mold remediation for your property is no DIY project. SERVPRO has the knowledge and understanding for all phases of mold restoration.

Knowing what signals indicate possible mold growth can help protect your Raleigh property.

As destructive as mold damage can be for area homes and businesses, it might not always be completely clear that these threats exist. Some of the telling signs of this need for remediation include:

  • Water damage
  • Foul odors
  • Visible growth
  • Ruined materials

Moist and Damp Areas of the House

To discover your need for mold remediation in Raleigh homes, signals like moisture damage that could facilitate growth should be addressed as fast as possible. Damp pockets could hide developing mold in structural cavities, so any wet surfaces should be checked for additional damage during drying.

Musty Malodors

Mold is not always visible and easily identified, making effects like malodors a trusted source of information that might indicate possible problems. Musty odors can be a formidable presence during remediation, requiring various deodorization practices to resolve.

Physical Spotting on Surfaces

The presence of active colonization leaves little to the imagination about mold damage in the house. In the earliest stages, black mold and other residential types appear as spots on surfaces of impacted materials. This spotting can often be resolved with surface cleaning strategies.

Deteriorating Materials

Another telling sign that damage is actively occurring to hosting materials sensitive to mold colonies is a deterioration of structural elements like drywall. Ceiling and wall system sheetrock can begin to crumble and degrade after a short period of being a food source for active colonization. These conditions almost always require demolition and reconstruction to resolve.

Understanding the telling signs of mold production can ensure that appropriate work begins as soon as possible to remediate colonies and restore the damage these organisms can cause. Our AMRT-Certified technicians of our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team are ready to help 24/7 when you call (919) 790-1222.

How Can I Tell if the Flood Water in My Raleigh Home Is Contaminated?

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest knows the severity of storm damage and what water can take over. Call us today.

Assume Infectious Waste and Other Hazards Flow into Your Raleigh Home as Flood Damage and Call SERVPRO for Professional Help with Containment and Disposal.

Overland flooding drags muck and silt from the surrounding area into your Raleigh home during and after torrential rains. As rainwater collects and flows, it runs across the pavement, industrial yards, and landscaping. Chemicals, oils, dirt, organic and inorganic debris, and even dead insects and animals sweep into your house. These fluids are rightly considered contaminated and require containment to keep you and your family safe.

How Are Flood Waters and Debris Contained?

Depending on the quantity of solid refuse, the first task might be to dig out the mud in the flood damage, clearing your Raleigh house in anticipation of pumping and extracting with equipment designed for fluids. When our technicians finish the digging, they bag the debris for hazardous waste disposal. Then the service vehicles open up, rolling off:

  • Submersible pumps for water deeper than two inches
  • Truck-mounted extractors for water remaining after the pumping
  • Portable extractors for fluids in confined areas

The pump usually off-loads floodwater into a treated sewer line. Fluids extracted flow into a tank, which can hold 100 or more gallons for the truck-mount extractor. We are up to date on the local requirements for flood water disposal and take care of necessary paperwork and other provisions.

Are There Special Cleaning Procedures Needed After Flood Damage?

We consider containing the workspace with 1.6 polyethylene and installing an air scrubber to manage airborne contaminants' drift. Before we attempt structural drying, we use EPA-registered cleaning and disinfection products to ensure no harmful waste remains on surfaces. Then we set drying goals and use air movers and dehumidifiers to facilitate bringing moisture levels in your home's structure to normal levels.

When flood damage overwhelms, SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is ready with the workforce and equipment to safely remove the water and debris. Schedule an assessment by contacting us at (919) 790-1222 as quickly as possible after the waters begin to rise.

How Can Being Prepared Save Your Raleigh Business After Water Damage?

11/24/2021 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest help you get business prepared for water damage today.

SERVPRO Helps Raleigh Businesses Prepare For Water Damage

Business owners in Raleigh are keen to keep their companies thriving and profitable, no matter what is happening in the world.

Did you know that up to 50% of businesses don’t reopen after suffering a disaster such as water damage? Raleigh business owners need not panic, though – help is at hand. Being prepared for an emergency makes it much more likely that your business will recover.

How Does Being Ready Help Your Business Survive?

In the event of water damage in Raleigh, time is of the essence. When you are responding to a water problem, every second counts, the faster you can start the mitigation and restoration process, the quicker you can get your business up and running again. SERVPRO recommends that your preparedness plan should include:

  •   Emergency contact details for all staff
  •   A clear plan of action in the event of water damage
  •   A list of valve shut-offs, high-risk areas, and assembly points
  •   A list of who to call in a disaster situation
  •   A note of the chain of command

What’s The Best Way To Start Preparations?

The best way to start your disaster preparations is the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan (ERP). An Emergency Ready Plan gives you a master document of steps to take, and necessary facility and contact details. It’s on hand as soon as water damage occurs, which means you don’t lose a second of valuable time. The process is so easy:

  • Plan a no-cost facility walkthrough to gather information for the ERP
  • Download the Ready Plan app
  • Create your free profile
  • Walkthrough your business and fill out all the information the app requires
  • Take pictures to supplement the information you capture

When you have all the information, you simply log in to the ERP program on a computer or laptop to create your business profile. In the event of water damage, log in to your profile to get all the information you need to start the damage mitigation process. You can also call us direct for further assistance.

Don’t let water damage take you by surprise – start preparing today. For help or advice, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

How To Ensure Your Raleigh Home Is Sanitary After Flood Damage

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is equipped for all storm damage needs. Call us today at (919) 790-1222.

SERVPRO Cleans Soils and Takes Care of Contaminated Materials and Odors

One of the effects of flooding is depositing dirty materials inside the affected home leaving behind an unsightly and even smelly environment. You may not believe that your once clean home can regain its preloss conditions after flood damage.

Unlike other forms of flood damage in your Raleigh property, soiling is more manageable, provided there are sufficient cleaning resources. You might even resolve the situation without replacing any materials or items in your house if soiling is the only problem. That is why involving a professional service like SERVPRO helps since we provide sufficient work crews and powerful cleaning equipment to tackle tough cleaning tasks. 

A cleaning exercise after flooding must ensure that:

  • The house looks clean
  • All areas smell clean
  • All surfaces are sanitary

The choice of cleaning agents is the first thing that can help reinstate sanitary conditions in your home. A cleaning product is as good as its chemical constituents since they determine the effectiveness against soils or hazardous materials. Since most cleaning products combine several chemicals, choosing the right concentration is the essential aspect.

The essential chemical agents in a cleaning product include:

  • Antimicrobial action against microorganisms
  • Disinfectant or germicide properties to destroy 99 percent of microorganisms
  • Sanitizers that reduce any microbial to acceptable levels

When cleaning the house or drying wet areas, it is possible to aerosolize contaminants, thus spreading them. One way our SERVPRO crews manage this is by running air filtration devices that remove aerosolized materials from the air since they are layered with filters, including HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of airborne particles.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest takes the necessary actions to ensure your home is fully restored after flood damage, “Like it never even happened.”

Why Professional Fire Damage Cleanup Is the Best Route to Take in Raleigh

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can produce smoke and soot throughout your home. Call SERVPRO for your water damage restoration needs.

Fire Damage Cleanup Is Faster and More Efficient When Calling SERVPRO to Your Raleigh Property

It all starts with restoration efforts when you need to put your life back together after a fire emergency. Many people with fire damaged homes may be eager to start, but it is best to wait for professional assessment and mitigation services. Jumping into such a project too quickly puts your Raleigh home at risk, and failing to use the proper methods will worsen the situation. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster at SERVPRO, so calling us will get you on the path to fire recovery.

Smoke and soot play a significant role in the need for professional fire damage cleanup in Raleigh. Quickly Moving around can kick up toxic dust and soot, making it potentially dangerous to breathe it in. Anyone inhaling lingering chemicals, smoke, and soot could end up with health effects. Safety is paramount, and our SERVPRO crew arrives using the right personal protective equipment (PPE).

What About Structural Damage?

There are risks involved with DIY fire restoration, mainly because structural aspects impacted by fire could be unsafe. SERVPRO assesses all building materials, fixtures, and structural elements so that we can proceed in the safest manner possible.

There are several proactive procedures that you can implement as a homeowner that will help keep you and your family secure in the event of a fire:

  • Ensure everyone in the home knows the fire alarm sounds and how to react when hearing them.
  • Always practice safe cooking so that you can eliminate the chance of kitchen fires.
  • Hide lighters and matches from children within the home.
  • Respect various heat sources, especially taking time to remove dangers of open flames around kids and pets – including candles, etc.

With one call to (919) 790-1222, you can have a crew from SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at your door and ready to help with fire damage cleanup!

How Should Raleigh Business Owners Handle Commercial Water Damage?

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

From water extraction to drying to restoration, SERVPRO is your one-stop-shop for water damage.

Fast Action at Your Raleigh Business Makes a Difference – Call SERVPRO for Commercial Water Damage Restoration

SERVPRO is locally owned and operated, offering Raleigh businesses and homeowners the rapid action they need when faced with water damage. When you run a retail location, bar, restaurant, real estate office, or any business, you need someone there to handle the water extraction, drying, and reconstruction so that you have little or no downtime. Rather than leaving secondary damage to chance, hiring skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) gets you back on track while saving you downtime and money rather than leaving secondary damage to chance.

Is water damage in your Raleigh commercial space an emergency? In short, yes. All water damage poses a risk. Therefore, you need to address it as soon as possible before structural elements get compromised or mildew and mold have the chance to develop. Regardless of the type of business you have, you need to beware of potential hazards that come with many types of water emergencies, including:

  • Waterlogged appliances or equipment
  • Musty odors, mildew, and mold
  • Issues with gas or electricity supply
  • Standing water that may include contaminants like chemicals, sewage, or gas

It is important to understand that not all water damage will be visible. SERVPRO technicians handle standing water, but we also know what to look for that points to other areas that call for prompt attention, including:

  • Damaged windows
  • Roofing leaks
  • Sewer clogs
  • Leaking pipes

When you contact SERVPRO, we arrive at your commercial property to begin water damage assessment and inspection, followed by rapid water mitigation. We bring extractors, pumps, and other equipment that allows us to get into all spaces. We then formulate a plan for all cleanup, drying, and sanitizing of all surface areas. If needed, we perform controlled demolition to help us achieve our restoration goals.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest also works with your insurance provider to ensure your claim for commercial water damage goes nice and smooth. Reach us by calling (919) 790-1222.

Why Is Professional Mold Remediation So Important for Raleigh Residents?

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Don’t let mold take over your home. Our SERVPRO team is always ready to remediate the issue.

Proper Mold Remediation with SERVPRO Ensures Your Raleigh Interior Gets the Attention It Deserves

Many people fail to realize that mold can grow in many common areas within your home. You could find it on your drywall, carpeting, and hidden in other spots anywhere in your Raleigh property. Rather than thinking mold cleanup is something you can do on your own, it is always better to seek the help of trained technicians to safely and effectively handle black mold damage repair and more. SERVPRO shines with our IICRC-certified team in the restoration arena, making properties in the area Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

Why does mold call for professional remediation in Raleigh, and what can SERVPRO do to help? Whether you need help with attic mold or basement mold remediation, you need to remember the following:

  • Avoid Health Effects –Mold can cause health effects.
  • Proper Gear –Hiring SERVPRO as your local mold specialist means a team onsite using all the right gear for the job. 
  • Keep Mold from Returning –If you cannot treat the cause of the mold issue, you will run the risk of it coming back. We will determine the root cause, formulate a plan for repair and remediation so that your home gets back to normal fast. 
  • Save Money and Time –Your time is money, but you also want to save on your overall mold remediation project. We perform a professional assessment and work most efficiently to provide cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing to make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is available to address all of your questions and concerns regarding mold remediation. Call us when you need us at (919) 790-1222.

Getting the Best Water Damage Remediation Services for Your Situation in Raleigh

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Carpet is the flooring of choice for many commercial spaces. Should you face water damage, don't go it alone. Call SERVPRO!

Removing Water from Carpeting in Raleigh Municipal Buildings

Because many Raleigh municipal buildings serve as a hub for specific activities, from paying your property taxes to getting building permits for new construction, even a small compromising disaster can limit your availability to customers. Water loss incidents can spread quickly throughout the affected areas and require immediate attention from qualified restoration specialists.

Water Damage Restoration

Undoubtedly, you have a custodial staff that manages your entire municipal building, though they might not have the expertise and training to manage water damage in Raleigh structures. Inadequate cleaning and management of water loss situations can lead to microbial threats or material degradation, both of which can result in costlier restoration work and a likelihood of replacing damaged materials and flooring.

Carpeted office spaces can often get preserved and protected with the fast response of qualified professionals like our SERVPRO team. Because We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, we have technicians ready to respond to threats 24/7. Carpets can quickly absorb water, so drying out these flooring options requires an array of sophisticated tools and practices beginning with extraction.

Short pile carpeting common to office spaces does not have a thick layer of the carpet before you get to the subflooring, padding, and concrete beneath it. Because this material can become thoroughly saturated after direct exposure to migrating water loss conditions, we have weighted extraction attachments for our wet vacuums to force water out of the fibers in the carpet and subflooring materials. Depending on the space available, we can use self-propelled or stationary extraction tools.

Because our SERVPRO team seeks to preserve instead of replacing materials unnecessarily, drying out the carpet is another critical step. By detaching the corners of the carpet, we can place a variable-speed centrifugal air mover between the subflooring and carpet to evaporate moisture lingering behind after extraction.

Much of the work that your office needs can happen after hours. It is our business to get you back in business, and that starts with an effective game plan to reduce moisture and dry out damaged areas to make it “Like it never even happened.” Give our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team a call today at (919) 790-1222.

Fire, Smoke, Soot, and Odors--Never Pleasant Effects for a Raleigh Home--Call SERVPRO for Restoration Services

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

You know the restoration process is in good hands when you look out the window and see a SERVPRO restoration vehicle after a fire.

Fire Damage in a Raleigh Kitchen– Another Grease Fire

Fire and smoke damage to your house is a traumatic event. Even a small grease fire on the stove can leave smoke residue and odor all over your home. Firemen responding to the grease fire can have the fire under control quickly. Once the blaze is out, the main danger and threat to your home and family is over. Restoration from a small grease fire often involves:

  • Cleaning all contents in your home.
  • Deodorizing.
  • Repairing any structures or surfaces damaged from the fire.

Fire Cleanup and Restoration

Fire damage in Raleigh caused by a grease fire contained quickly can leave sooty residues and pungent odors, especially if meats were charcoaled to coal. SERVPRO fire and smoke damage technicians (FSRT) can work closely with you to assess the damage. We develop a plan of action to clean all surfaces, clean in place all your furniture, or send it out to a facility for restoration. Clothing and fabrics may need dry cleaning, and deodorization equipment may be required to remove all remaining odors from the grease fire thoroughly.

We understand that this grease fire event is scary for you and your family. Our teams are trained to listen to all your concerns and address them to your satisfaction. Smoke particles penetrate various surfaces differently. Hard non-porous surfaces, like countertops, can be washed to remove all the odor from the fire. For example, metal and porcelain surfaces are also examples of non-porous materials.

Our SERVPRO crew neutralizes remaining malodors as we remove any charred debris with hydroxyl generators and light fogging. During the deodorization process, you may need to stay out of your home for a few hours while the service is happening.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 for 24/7 service. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. We are located strategically to respond quickly to your fire damage event.

How Can Property Owners Perform Water Damage Restoration in Raleigh Homes?

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Water damages everything in your home, from flooring to possessions. SERVPRO is on call 'round the clock for all your water damage restoration needs.

They Should Involve Reliable Water Damage Restoration Experts in Raleigh for Professional Services

The most common water damage problems homeowners face includes faulty water heaters, leaking faucets, and burst pipes. Unless you treat excess water in your home immediately, it can lead to electrical hazards, structural damage, and mold growth. Water damage restoration experts like SERVPRO can help when the worst happens. Our team of experts is one call away, offering expert guidance and solving problems fast.

SERVPRO’s team of restorers is available 24/7 to provide you with emergency water damage restoration services in Raleigh. We use advanced equipment and tools to help us handle water damage of any magnitude in a brief period. Our highly trained technicians also use innovative equipment and strategies to deal with the various challenges we face during the restoration process. Since water seeps into multiple surfaces, we can use moisture sensors to detect moisture in carpets and padding, helping us determine the severity of the damage. 

Regardless of the cause of water damage, the restoration process usually involves these steps:  

  • Thorough inspection
  • Water removal
  • Effective drying
  • Cleaning and sanitizing

Delaying the water removal process can increase the magnitude of the destruction. We act fast to minimize damage by using our hi-tech drying equipment. SERVPRO can use several centrifugal air movers to dry the affected surfaces. These tools help in increasing air movement in the property leading to a high rate of evaporation. Since water can bring about electric hazards, we can use portable ground fault circuit interrupters to protect our equipment and your appliances.

SERVPRO restorers have access to various unique but approved products that help us clean and sanitize the affected area. We can use microban mixed with a nonionic detergent to clean and sanitize your property. The product is effective against a wide range of bacteria. It also helps combat any odors present on the property.

Water damage restoration requires special equipment and products. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh and Wake Forest to get your home to its preloss state, “Like it never even happened.” Talk to us today at (919) 790-1222.

Who Do You Call When Fire Damage Overtakes Your Raleigh Home?

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage often follows fire damage. SERVPRO can completely restore the fire and water damage.

Fire Damage to Your Home

Fires can be a devastating force to your Raleigh home. Sometimes one of the worst effects fires can leave behind come less from the flames and more from the extinguishing efforts of the dedicated firefighting teams in the area that put out the blaze. Depending on the severity of the structural fire to your home, extinguishing might have taken quite a lot of water and time to achieve. This scenario can result in a lot of water damage on top of the fire restoration that you already need.

While this is often a lesser considered fire damage aspect to Raleigh homes, excessive water damage is often the result that many families have to deal with before proper fire restoration service can even begin. Fortunately, you have a local restoration company at your disposal that can help you deal with all aspects of fire and water restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians have the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to give you back the home you had before the fire ever started.

When our SERVPRO restoration specialists arrive at your home to begin assessing the damage, our concentration lies in preventing further damage from occurring. Our team boards up broken windows and tarps over holes that might have gotten created from the fire or the extinguishing efforts, successfully protecting your home. This process prevents elemental damage from occurring while the inside restoration process is getting completed.

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and Cleanup

To successfully restore your home from its fire damage, water restoration has to get accomplished first. Our specialists utilize pump trucks and portable pump devices to quickly extract all present pooled water from your floors throughout the affected area. Once drying efforts are a success from combining both dehumidification and air moving equipment, our focus can switch back to assessing the fire damage present in your home.

While there are many stages to successfully restoring your home after a devastating fire, choosing the right restoration team can take a lot of stress and worry off your shoulders. When you are facing fire damage in your home, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest. We can be reached anytime at (919) 790-1222.

Raleigh Property Owners Benefit from SERVPRO's Advanced Techniques for Water Mitigation

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

Unchecked water damage on hardwood floors can lead to warping and cupping. SERVPRO knows how to restore your flooring.

Why SERVPRO Combines Advanced Skills and Equipment during Water Cleanup in Raleigh

Water loss can happen at any time since water plays a significant role in day-to-day life. The steps you take after noticing the loss play a significant role in determining the outcome of the incident. Among the steps that should be prioritized is cleanup. Cleaning up the affected area helps remove standing water and any soiling or debris from the incident. We are IICRC certified, so we offer highly skilled teams and use state-of-the-art equipment to restore your Raleigh home.

Water Cleanup and Restoration

An exercise of water cleanup in Raleigh should address both current and future problems. In most cases, the current problem is making the affected areas habitable again. Extracting any standing water and drying contents should help make the area habitable. Our SERVPRO technicians use advanced equipment such as dry-wet vacs and truck-mounted water extractors to remove water fast from all affected areas. The water extractors have pumping and vacuum capabilities, which allow the collection of standing water and extraction from soggy materials such as carpets.

Extraction removes most of the water. However, a significant percentage remains as moisture, which is more stubborn to deal with, especially when involving materials like wood. This moisture is also likely to cause long-term problems if not adequately addressed. Our SERVPRO technicians tap into their Applied Structural Drying skills to overcome challenges in the drying phase. In addition to using advanced drying equipment such as air movers and dehumidifiers, we also use unique approaches. For example, when drying hardwood floors, we can seal the damp area with a plastic sheet to control the drying process, further preventing issues like the splitting of floorboards.

Water loss incidents can also cause foul odors because of microbial growth or from wastes pushed into concealed spaces. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on their training to identify problem areas where mold can grow, or wastes pushed and remain hidden for long. We clean and deodorize such areas eliminating any odors.

In case of a water loss incident, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest Does Clean Up Water Damage in Raleigh Offices

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

Water damages not only your office's structure, but also the furniture, electronics, and documents.

Removing Standing and Trapped Water Can get Raleigh Offices Back Up and Running Quickly

With the open spaces of an office building, standing water can migrate quickly through the affected level. Mitigation by experienced restoration professionals like our SERVPRO team allows better protective coverage of the damaged area, cleanup, and water removal. 

Extraction Solutions for Local Businesses

Water removal is one of the critical processes completed by water removal companies in Raleigh office buildings. With short pile carpeting being a commonly installed construction material with concrete subflooring, water pooling can be a significant concern after situations like a burst pipe or a ceiling leak. We use several tools and devices that help us manage surface water and trapped moisture, including:

  • Carpet wands
  • Wet vacuums
  • Squeegee wands
  • Truck-mount extractors
  • Submersible pumps

Protecting Inventory and Furniture

From electronics to furniture in the office building, water damage can ruin fixtures and contents. Part of the mitigation plan for damaged office spaces is relocating these items before irreparable harm results. Even sensitive materials specific to the business do not require off-site relocation but can be dried and stored in the building to keep these records acceptable. 

Drying Options to Restore Damaged Offices

Thousands of commercial properties exist in the Greater Raleigh area and rely on rapid drying solutions to resume normal operations. Office buildings have several building materials that can quickly absorb moisture, from short pile carpeting to drywall. Evaporation involves using efficient water removal equipment like carpet wands, air movers, and trailered desiccant dehumidifiers. 

Removing water and drying up the damage can involve many processes and equipment. Because migrating moisture can spread quickly, irreparable harm can result without the fast and focused intervention of our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team. We can help 24/7 at (919) 790-1222.

Flood Damage And Insulation In Your Raleigh Home

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage in odd places after storm damage is not uncommon. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest knows what to do.

Flood Damage And Your Insulation

Even though fire is a more common fear among homeowners in Raleigh, you can be as much as ten times more likely to have your home damaged by water than by fire. Sources of flooding and water damage to your property can come from weather-related flooding, including flash floods, heavy rains, tidal storm surges, tidal storms, and mudflows.

Even if you are not living in a high-risk flood zone, flooding is always possible from heavy storms. If your home in Raleigh has experienced flooding and flood damage, it is imperative that action is taken right away to restore your home. SERVPRO is always standing by to help you mitigate any flood damage and clean up your home.

Storm Flood Damage Remediation 

When your home is flooded, one thing we need to check is your insulation. Moisture lessens its ability to work, and so it may have to be removed. Unlike other kinds of insulation, however, fiberglass insulation might not permanently lose its power. It is sometimes possible for us to dry it.

Rockwool and cellulose insulations usually mat when they get wet. Plus, moisture antimicrobial qualities and the fire resistance of cellulosic material. Rockwood also has metal in it, which can rust when wet. Therefore, these kinds of insulation might need replacing.

SERVPRO techs also understand that vapor barriers on fiberglass insulation can slow drying, so it cannot always be restored. It can be difficult to dry insulation inside fully enclosed ceiling cavities or walls. Stopping the growth of mold is also a big concern in this situation.

Drying wall cavities requires us to ventilate them. One way we do this is by drilling holes in between studs and removing the baseboards. We then use these holes to force air into the wall cavities to increase evaporation. If a lot of moisture is present, we might need to remove the drywall. There won’t always be moisture inside your walls during a flood situation. We use moisture meters to detect any hidden moisture.

When you experience flooding in your home, SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is thorough with the remediation process to get your structure dry and safe again. Give us a call at (919) 790-1222 as soon as possible after an emergency like this so we can help.

Three Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Fire Damage in Raleigh

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

Trust our SERVPRO team to assist your Raleigh fire damage.

Heed SERVPRO's Advice to Reduce the Chance of Fire & Smoke Damage

Keeping your home safeguarded against fire damage in Raleigh does not take much time or money, but still, every year, SERVPRO franchises nationwide clean up after hundreds of fires that could have been avoided or prevented with minor changes. While the risk of your home catching fire is probably low, you can drive that risk even further down with some simple changes in your lifestyle and situation. Some of these changes could even end up saving you money on other expenses, in addition to reducing the likelihood of a future fire. 

A Good Lightning Rod

Lightning remains one of the most common causes of fire damage in Raleigh and other cities in the Carolinas due to relatively frequent rainfall, thunderstorms, and the occasional hurricane in many months of the year. Lightning rods are designed to attract lightning to a contained, grounded metal avenue and prevent many fires from starting every year across the United States. Make sure your lightning rod(s)is in good condition and, if you do not have one installed, consider hooking one up to your property. Nearby tall trees can also divert lightning away from your home but can also catch fire themselves and later spread to the home.

Keeping Lights Off

Not only does reducing light bulb usage in your home save money on power expenditures, but it also significantly lowers your risk of an electrical fire. Traditional light bulbs may sometimes produce sparks or catch fire when they burn out or experience a power surge, potentially blooming into a dangerous and fast-spreading electrical fire. Consider investing in newer LED lighting, or just flip the lights off whenever you do not need them.

Avoid Using Candles

Candles are a remarkably common source of house fires in the United States, even though most American homes use them only for decorative and ambiance purposes. While candles can imbue the air with a pleasant smell and make your home prettier, they are also a huge fire hazard. At the very least, you should put out any candles when you leave the room for longer than a two or three-minute period, but cutting back on their usage altogether is often a better option.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is an experienced local provider of fire damage restoration and cleanup services. If your home has been affected by fire, call us at (919) 790-1222.

Why is Water Mitigation Important for Raleigh Residents?

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Trying to wrap your head around water damage can be frustrating. Reach out to SERVPRO of North Raleigh and Wake Forest today.

Water Mitigation Can Help Reduce Losses and Prevent Secondary Damages. SERVPRO Can Help Mitigate Water Damage in Your Raleigh Home

When water empties into a home environment, it begins to attract microbes and can immediately absorb any pre-existing dirt or grime. A water spill can often worsen over time as micro-organisms reproduce, which can cause a clean water spill to escalate into a grey or black water scenario quickly. The process of preventing water from degrading and damaging materials in the home is mitigation. Mitigation can help with:

  • Water damage repairs
  • Water clean up
  • Burst pipes

The main proponent of water mitigation in your Raleigh home is to drain and dry the property as quickly as possible. Wet surfaces and materials can easily break down with prolonged exposure. SERVPRO technicians guarantee to arrive on-site within four hours of notification of loss to help reduce the likelihood of water damages becoming permanent. Water mitigation relies on:

  • Expert organization, including setting staging areas, tracking water migration, and assessing materials.
  • High-powered machinery to pump out water or dry the indoor environment efficiently.
  • Effective cleaning methods specific to the type of materials, such as emulsifying powders for carpets or disinfectants for hard floors. 

To prevent excessive losses after a water leak, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh and Wake Forest for water mitigation at (919) 790-1222.

SERVPRO Meets The Challenge Of Attic Restoration After Fire Damage In Raleigh

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is a must for your Raleigh home. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for all your restoration needs.

SERVPRO Resolves Soot, Odors, and Charred Lumbar Problems

In the case of a house fire, the attic is at risk of smoke damage. In any fire restoration situation, the aim is to restore every affected area of your Raleigh property so that your home feels like your own again. An essential facet of fire cleanup is tackling any soot damage in the attic. 

Attics pose particular challenges when it comes to restoration after fire damage to your Raleigh home. That is why we recommend calling SERVPRO as soon as you can. We train our technicians to IICRC-standards and make sure they have all the training and equipment needed to tackle even challenging situations. When you call us, you can rest assured that your attic is in safe hands. 

Attic Fire Damage Restoration

An attic is usually a small space or at least one with slanting eaves. It is less accessible than the rest of your home, which is why you need the best experts on hand to help you. The unusual shape of the attic poses a problem, and much of the timber in the attic is likely to be unfinished, which means it is harder to remove soot residue. 

Our team starts by sorting and cataloging any items in your attic. Non-salvageable items are disposed of, while salvageable items are logged and taken to our specialist facilities for cleaning. Do not worry – no item is removed or destroyed without consulting you first. 

Once the attic is clear of items and debris, we set to work cleaning it up. Because much of the timber in attics is untreated, several methods are available for restoration. Under the right conditions, pressurized CO2 pellets are directed at the affected lumber to chase the residues off. Since the carbon dioxide sublimates from solid to gas, there is no mess other than the removed particles. Abrasive cleaning actions such as wire brush scrubbing are often the most efficient choice for soot removal. We train our technicians in a range of cleaning methods so they can tackle the aftermath of any fire. 

If necessary, exposed timber is treated with a duct sealer or a deodorizing sealer to control odor and restore the surface as much as possible. 

Our team also deodorizes your attic, so you will not even notice that a smoky smell used to linger there. Depending on the situation, we bring in either thermal foggers or ozone machines to thoroughly deodorize the space and leave it clean once more. By chemically altering the noxious particulates, the odors are removed, not masked until a scent wears off.

Attics present a unique challenge to restoration teams, but SERVPRO does not stop until your attic is clean and usable once more. For help with fire and smoke cleanup to your Raleigh, North Hills, and Morrisville property, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 today for assistance.

Fire Damage Can Close Raleigh Restaurants

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

Having a fire in your Raleigh business can cause panic. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for help. We are

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and Cleanup

Kitchen fires can happen in both homes and businesses. When a restaurant in Raleigh experiences one, it can change everything in a matter of minutes. After the primary shock and evacuation of your restaurant, diners typically expect you to reopen quickly. After all, it was only a 'small fire.'

However, whenever a Raleigh restaurant sustains fire damage, it can take a very long time to get everything back to normal again. SERVPRO technicians undergo extensive training and education to remediate problems caused by smoke, soot, and fire in a rapid manner. Working quickly not only gets the job done faster but also keeps existing damage from spreading.

Water & Fire Damage Restorations

While experts recommend against using water on a kitchen fire as it sits on the stove, any areas that catch fire where firefighters attend to, later can sustain water damage, as well. This damage continues to spread. It can also affect metal throughout your kitchen.

As moisture seeps underneath floors, inside walls, and behind cabinets, smokey residues and soot slowly harden on materials. The black-coated walls, shelves, equipment, and anything else needs specialized cleaning skills to restore them. Without timely removal, the materials covered by soot and smoke can lose their shine or luster when cleaning occurs later.

Smoke Damage Restoration

Charring of walls and other structures requires repairs, as well. Removal of damaged materials and followed by replacements help cut the odor down a great deal. However, the soot and smoke permeate everywhere, including the dining area. Your patrons might not expect the scent of your restaurant to also return to normal, but if it smells terrible when they return, you should expect complaints.

Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) works alongside the rest of our crew members, ensuring your restaurant is genuinely ready to reopen. Scent makes up a large part of our daily lives. While eating a meal, much of the taste is made up of how it smells. Bad smells can adversely affect the taste so almost any food. We want to make sure that even the food served at your restaurant is once again "Like it never even happened."

The technicians of SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest enjoy eating at our local restaurants with their families, and we want to help your restaurant reopen quickly after fire damage. Call us for our 24-hour service at (919) 790-1222 any day of the year.

Does SERVPRO Offer Mold Damage Remediation in Raleigh?

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage can be frustrating on all accounts for your Raleigh properties. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for assistance today.

Can Mold Be Removed from Porous and Non-Porous Materials in Raleigh?

Mold spores are everywhere, and a mold infestation can do a lot of damage to your Raleigh home or business if not addressed immediately. Mold spores love dark, warm moist areas. Anywhere there is a leak, moisture from an air conditioner, or water seeping in through walls and windows, there is a good chance that mold colonies will form and cause damage.

SERVPRO provides mold damage remediation to Raleigh homeowners and businesses. Mold infestations can do a great deal of damage, especially to porous materials. In most cases, these materials must be carefully removed and properly disposed of. Non-porous materials can be cleaned and moved to a staging area for later return to their original locations.

SERVPRO examines the semi-porous materials and, if possible, will clean and disinfect these materials as well.

Our SERVPRO team sets up a containment area to prevent exposing other areas of the home or building to mold spores as mold removal, and cleaning takes place. Once the moisture source has been removed or repaired, we remove all damaged materials, clean up the area, and begin drying the structure to prevent further contamination.

SERVPRO provides complete service – inspection, containment, removal, cleaning, disinfection, and drying. Our services include:

  • Black mold removal
  • Removal of attic mold
  • Basement mold removal

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for mold damage remediation in Raleigh and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (919) 790-1222.

Avoid Continuing Water Damage Problems in Raleigh

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO deploys advanced equipment to dry structures in Raleigh following a water damaging event--from a small leak to a pipe burst.

Elimination of Water Drips Prevents Hidden Damages from Expanding

Many people view home maintenance as a checklist, taking care of routine or obvious problems one by one. A mysterious puddle of water gets mopped up every few days without much thought, or a persistently musty-smelling bathroom gets a regular scrub and an air freshener. SERVPRO recommends an evaluation of unexpected dampness and odors as hidden water damage can be the cause.

Water damage in your Raleigh home can be stealthy, fine cracks in a pipe or a loose connection dripping water over time. Failing to install or use an exhaust fan in a bathroom or kitchen allows humidity to soar, dampening walls enough for mildew or mold to take hold. These types of seemingly minor water incursions are prevalent and eventually create severe harm to your home if ignored. Our highly trained technicians know where to find concealed water incursions and how to restore the damage they cause.

Left untreated, even tiny amounts of water soak into the structure of a home. Wood swells, rotting out under sink cabinets or producing warped areas on a hardwood floor: drywall crumbles and ceilings sag, the paint bubbling and peeling. Anywhere water lives, mold can take up residency, proliferating between walls or under tiles. SERVPRO crews unravel the mystery of this damage, finding the leaks and measuring the moisture content of your home’s building materials and air. Then we formulate a plan to abate the leaks or excessive humidity and the damage they caused.

We expose the wet areas any way possible, open cabinet doors, remove kick plates to extract standing water, and position air movers to thoroughly dry the spaces. SERVPRO crew members punch holes in drooping ceilings or stained wall areas to release water and permit airflow to move the remaining moisture out. Technicians check out steamy spaces and recommend opening windows or, preferably, adding and using exhaust fans consistently. Powerful dehumidifiers and sometimes heaters aid the restoration effort. If mold is present, our workers trained in EPA-approved remediation techniques manage microbial outbreaks.

SERVPRO is committed to restoring current water damage and educating on strategies to avoid problems in the future. After the structure dries, repairs and refinishing complete the job. We focus on restoration, never suggesting radical tear-outs and remodeling when proven recovery methods bring your dwelling back to its condition before the hidden destruction.

Involve SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest as early as you can when you notice persistent moisture, discoloration or warping of floors and walls, or a moldy smell. Call (919) 790-1222 day or night to schedule an inspection by our experienced team.

Keeping Your Family Safe in a Flood Damage Situation in Raleigh

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

The Green Fleet from SERVPRO removes floodwaters and mitigates storm damage in the Greater Raleigh Area.

SERVPRO Technicians Remediate Your Flood Damage

Floodwaters present various risks, such as the risk of injuries, hazards, and health effects to the residents of Raleigh. Furthermore, they can lead to immeasurable damage to your property, belongings, and the environment at large. In the end, you may need several repairs and maintenance.

Dramatic climate changes can put you at risk of flooding and, consequently, flood damage in Raleigh. When this happens, safety should be your main priority. Once everyone is safe and out of danger, SERVPRO can come in and proceed with the flood damage restoration process. Our IICRC-approved technicians are highly experienced and highly skilled, using state-of-the-art equipment when responding to an emergency.

Contaminated Black Water

In most flood damage situations, the floodwater is usually contaminated. Any floodwater can contain dangerous bacteria that could cause health effects - from sewers and drains in urban areas to animal wastes in rural areas.

SERVPRO flood damage restoration technicians can disinfect any item that has been in contact with the floodwater and then discard the ones that cannot be adequately cleaned. Hand sanitizing gel or wet wipes can work as a temporary cleaning solution before we arrive. Any food that the floodwater has contaminated should be disposed of, including fresh produce from the refrigerator or freezer.

Flood damage comes typically hand in hand with foul odors and dampness, which may take SERVPRO several months to eliminate from your home. Generally, steer away from flood water that is moving or is above 4 inches (10 cm) from the flood. Fast-moving water can unbalance and knock you off your feet. Considering that water levels may change drastically anytime, you need to position yourself in a place where you can escape to safety when the levels rise. Indeed, floodwater can hide numerous physical hazards such as open maintenance holes, raised drain covers, sharp items like metal or glass, and other trip hazards.

Storms and floods are unexpected, but when they come knocking, you can trust SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest to restore any flood damage they may bring about. Our services are available 24/7, every day of the week. Call us today at (919) 790-1222.

Businesses in Raleigh Use Commercial Water Removal Restaurant Specialists for Urgent Mitigation

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

When your business is out of commission because of water damage, it now becomes ours. Call SERVPRO for fast and immediate restoration for your company

SERVPRO Can Help Restore your Restaurant in Raleigh Quickly with Minimum Inconvenience

A busy restaurant can suffer water intrusion from several different sources. Installed plumbing systems can leak, crack or burst. Equally, appliances that are used throughout service can succumb to malfunctions or other issues. SERVPRO is here to help our local restaurants with:

  • Emergency services water damage
  • Water damage remediation
  • Burst pipes

Shutting off the source of water is the first step in commercial water removal for restaurants in Raleigh. This step can often be invaluable to reducing further damages. Technicians can then use advanced moisture measuring equipment to track water migration from the source through the structure. 

In an emergency, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for water removal restaurant (919) 790-1222.

Are Flood Restoration and Repair Services in Raleigh Expensive?

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has you covered from A to Z when it comes to storm restoration. Call now for the service needed for your property.

SERVPRO Works Hard to Mitigate Loss and Reduce Expense for Raleigh Residents in Need of Flood Restoration

the damage caused by flooding in residential properties can snowball without correct and timely intervention. Often, the trauma of a flood scenario can make it difficult to make the right decisions and prioritize effectively. Our crew chiefs have years of experience working in these scenarios and can help you with:

  • Flood restoration
  • Basement flooding cleanup 
  • Cleaning up after sewer backup

An efficient flood restoration and repair operation in your Raleigh home relies on excellent task management. We operate with an agile team that can quickly alleviate your concerns and put in place the necessary steps to reduce losses in your home significantly.

  • Setting up a staging area for equipment can greatly reduce time and foot traffic in a flooded property.
  • Organizing contents restoration and storage are possible with our climate-controlled warehouses. 
  • We can help record, inventory, and track every step of restoration to make your insurance claim easier. 
  • The CCIS Contents Claim Inventory System can catalog and document belongings.

In an emergency, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for flood restoration and repair at (919) 790-1222.

How Can Water Damage Remediation Help Raleigh Residents?

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO will be on the scene within 4 hours of the initial call. Water damage restoration is a specialty of ours, call now!

SERVPRO Water Cleanup Technicians Can Reduce Losses and Return your Home to a Sanitary State after Water Intrusion

Raleigh is a vibrant city in the American south that has established itself as a powerhouse for scientific research and study. The city itself is one of the fastest-growing in the country, with 474,069 permanent residents spread across 147 square miles. Raleigh's sheer size has seen it divided into specific regions, including the downtown and midtown districts. For most visitors, the downtown is among the top destinations with its thriving business districts, historic buildings, art and science museums. Navigating the neighborhoods of Raleigh is straightforward. The city is an example of a planned city created in the late eighteenth century as the capital of North Carolina. As a planned city, it operates on the grid system with only the historic downtown district representing the sprawling neighborhoods of an unplanned township. 

The city in North Carolina has played a key role throughout American History. It was at the center of the American Revolutionary War and a stronghold during the Civil War a century later. During the civil rights movement, Raleigh again took center stage with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Today; the city is lined with testaments to, particularly, African American history, with the Luther King Memorial Gardens among some of the highlights. While Raleigh celebrates its rich heritage, it remains an innovative and modern city. Several galleries are exhibiting contemporary artists from the international stage and numerous interactive science and history museums. Eating out in Raleigh is a chance to enjoy the famous southern hospitality and pit barbecues renowned the world over. 

  • The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is enormous and holds one of the largest permanent collections in the southern states. The museum also includes a three-story theater for educational exploration of the early life on earth. Group tours are available, while many exhibits at the museum are specifically designed to engage young children.
  • Pullen Park is a great place to relax and unwind after a busy day downtown. There are 66 acres of kept land to explore here with boat rentals and kayaking along the river. Alongside the sports fields, tennis courts, and swimming pools, a stunning open-air amphitheater host shows throughout the summer. 
  • Taste Carolina is a gourmet food tour that transports guests across the distinguished delis, restaurants, steakhouses, wineries, and barbecue joints that litter downtown Raleigh. The tours are available for group and corporate bookings. 

SERVPRO Water Cleanup Technicians Can Help Remove Bacteria and Return your Raleigh Home to a Sanitary Condition 

Water intrusion worsens over time. It is vital that you reach out to professional services on the first discovery of a water issue. Sometimes what might seem like a benign problem can be causing serious damage. Homes are full of cavities that, when wet, can become hotbeds for microbial growth activity. 

SERVPRO helps with:

  • Flood restoration
  • Water damage restoration
  • Water clean up

Microbial growth is a concern for any professional water cleanup service in Raleigh. As a homeowner, microbes can contribute toward unpleasant odor, discoloration of decor, and even break down organic matter in your home. Water contains microbes that can become worse without fast-drying and remediation procedures. 

  • We use specialty drying equipment such as air movers to ensure cavities, wall joints, and crawlspaces do not harbor moisture. 
  • Our technicians follow guidelines for indoor hygiene from the S500. A nationally recognized institution. 
  • We can apply biocides or anti-microbial chemicals to your home to prevent the buildup of water contaminants. 

To rescue your home after water intrusion. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for water cleanup at (919) 790-1222.

Can Flood Restoration Occur when Properties Experience Power Outage?

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage also brings electrical hazards. SERVPRO has the training to safely restore your home.

SERVPRO Flood Water Removal Services Can Continue Restoration if there is a Power Outage in Your Raleigh Home

It is not uncommon for floods to knock out power across several blocks. It is expedient to shut power off at the source if your property becomes flooded to avoid damage to electrical devices and reduce the possibility of an electrical fire. The lack of an adequate power source can often make flood restoration more complex, with most equipment requiring an electric power source.

Conducting flood water removal in a Raleigh home without power is possible using external generators, truck-mounted extractors, and indirect fired furnaces. All of this equipment either power equipment or have their internal power supply, removing the mains' need for mains electrics. SERVPRO can mobilize this equipment quickly in an emergency to ensure your home restoration begins.

  • Indirect-fired furnaces rely on diesel or gas for a power source and are placed outside the residential structure blasting hot air through ducted windows or doors.
  • Truck-mounted extraction units rely on power sources located on the trucks themselves and can operate successfully while stationary.
  • Industrial generators are designed to support restoration in an environment without power for up to twenty-four hours.

Do not wait on restoration. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for flood water removal at (919) 790-1222.

How are Large Volumes of Water Extracted from a Property?

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the equipment to create barriers, targeting the water damaged areas.

SERVPRO Can Utilize Professional Water Removal Equipment for your Raleigh Home

North Carolina's capital city, Raleigh, is affectionately known as the 'city of oaks' due to the huge number of oak trees found in the center and downtown areas. The current population of 474,069 is estimated to be one of the fastest growing in the United States. People consistently flock to attend reputable universities or seek employment in globally recognized financial, medical, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries. Raleigh's prominence as a global leader in innovation is evidenced by its local university North Carolina State University, and its presence within "the research triangle," which refers to the three-leading research centers; the remaining two are in Durham and Chapel Hill.

Raleigh's city is an early example of the grid system defining many of the USA's major cities. Planned cities were intentionally created and drawn up rather than developed organically from a collection of villages or hamlets. Raleigh was intended to become the United States' capital by Secessionist forces during the American Revolutionary War. Modern-day Raleigh has consistently been voted one of the best places to live and work by financial magazines like Forbes. Several leading technology companies such as Imangi Studios and PRA Health Sciences headquarter in Raleigh.

  • The Carolina Hurricanes are the most high-profile sports team in Raleigh and play their hockey in the NHL. Games take place at the PNC Arena, which seats 18,680 ice hockey fans on match days. The Arena is also home to the Raleigh Firebirds, which play Basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) division.
  • Located on West Jones Street, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences features one of the largest collections of dinosaurs, walk-through dioramas, live animals, and education initiatives in the South East. The center won the National Medal for Museum Service (IMLS) in 2014.
  • For local history, the Historic Yates Mill County Park is a 154-acre plot of land that features an authentically restored, water-powered gristmill. The mill is the oldest surviving architecture from that period in North Carolina, and regular educational tours occur with the Yates Mills Associates and North Carolina state university.

SERVPRO Can Prevent Water Migration and Mitigate Loss in your Raleigh Home

Large bodies of water can cause significant damage to a home environment. A water intrusion issue can rapidly dilapidate your home's contents and structure since water naturally moves from wet to dry areas. Water migration happens quickly and can result in cavity damages within the home's design. SERVPRO technicians can remove water quickly and dry cavities to prevent damage.

  • Wall cavities can be inspected using a borescope that allows technicians to see cavities' condition without demolishing walls.
  • Air-movers can be fitted with flex hoses to circulate warm air into cavities and dry them.
  • Maintaining temperature above dew point throughout restoration is essential to preventing condensation inside wall cavities.
  • Variations in using injecti-dry systems with tubes and hoses

Protect your home after water intrusion. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for water removal at (919) 790-1222.

Seeking Raleigh Home Fire Damage Restoration Services?

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

After a fire incident takes place. You can trust that your home is in good hands with the experienced technicians at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Techs Save Raleigh Homes Affected by Fire

Kitchen fires, which account for 44% of overall home fires, are among the least reported. This problem is exacerbated by how thoroughly soot affects surfaces by imbuing them with tough-to-remove stains and odors.

SERVPRO technicians can respond to Raleigh homeowners' fire damage restoration calls within hours of their call. Technicians use sophisticated tools, EPA-registered antimicrobials, and a scientific approach to ensure that homes are restored per Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. 

How pH Factors into Fire Damage Cleanup

While lighter damages can be manually cleaned with dry cleaning sponges or HEPA filter vacuums, technicians must take pH levels into account when treating moderate to heavy fire damage stains and residues. 

  • Most cleaning agents used are alkaline, meaning their pH is higher than 7. This includes household items like dish soap (pH 9) and baking soda (pH 10)
  • The neutral pH level is 7, the same as water
  • Alkalinity is neutralized by an equal amount of acidity and vice-versa when cleaning

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for home fire damage restoration at (919) 790-1222.

How Can Raleigh Homeowners Remove Water Damage?

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

Water can quickly damage the flooring in your home. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation efforts.

SERVPRO Offers Premier Service Among Water Restoration Companies

Homes across America experience copious amounts of water damage each year, and pipe leaks and appliance failures can add to any homeowner’s stresses. Unfortunately, an estimated one in 50 homeowners experiences the stress of home water damage each year.

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) -accredited Raleigh water restoration companies like SERVPRO respond quickly to disasters 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How Do SERVPRO Techs Restore Wet Carpet and Pad?

SERVPRO professionals implement various tools and techniques to restore a home’s carpeting. These include:

  • Lifting carpet and pad so that air movement and dehumidification equipment can dry underneath it
  • Extracting moisture with carpet wands and rover vacuums
  • Controlling odors with EPA-registered antimicrobial solutions

Unsalvageable carpet can be removed from the property with the permission of homeowners and insurance adjusters. SERVPRO technicians can reinstall and re-seam both new and restored carpet and pad or provide a new pad for salvageable carpet.

Call (919) 790-1222 for service from SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, which numbers among the area’s premier water restoration companies.

How Thermography Helps with Storm and Water Damage in Raleigh

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO trained technicians are ready for any size disaster that comes your way.

Using infrared cameras during restoration in your home

One of the most essential parts of storm and water damage restoration is assessing the level of water damage. It is impossible to do this by look and touch alone.

When our technicians arrive to remedy storm and water damage in Raleigh, they bring many kinds of equipment with them. One useful bit of kit is the infrared camera.  An infrared camera displays areas of heat and cold. When water evaporates from a surface, the surface cools. That means that dry areas show up warmer than wet ones when viewing through an infrared camera.

There are several advantages to using thermography to inspect your home after water damage:

  • We can inspect a larger area in less time – this is especially helpful when dealing with extensive storm damage.
  • We can examine challenging to reach areas such as high ceilings.
  • Infrared cameras cause no damage as we do not need to penetrate the wall or ceiling's surface.

Thermography helps us build a clear picture of the water damage situation to decide on the next best steps.

For help with storm or water damage, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

Dealing with Odors after Fire Damage in North Hills Stores

1/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified for all size fire damages done to your property. Call fast for immediate service.

SERVPRO keeps your North Hills premises smelling fresh

Any business owner who has suffered a fire in their store knows that dealing with leftover smells is one of the most challenging parts of remediation. Smoke smells can linger for a long time after the blaze is extinguished.

SERVPRO understands that fire damage smells in North Hills are not welcoming for customers or staff. That is why we take care of deodorization as part of our remediation process.

Many factors affect the intensity of odors, such as the fire's temperature, the type of material burned in it, and damaged surfaces' porosity. The steps for proper deodorization include:

  • Removing the source of the odor, such as removing charred materials from your premises.
  • Cleaning smoke-damaged surfaces by wiping and scrubbing away soot.
  • Using deodorizing equipment such as foggers, air scrubbers, spot cleaning spray, and odor removing pellets to trap bad smells.
  • Sealing surfaces if necessary.

We aim to leave your store smelling as fresh as if the fire never even happened.

For help with fire damage, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

Help for Flood Water Removal in Raleigh

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

Flood water removal is no easy task. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the water mitigation services needed for your home.

SERVPRO can handle Raleigh floods

Raleigh is a great place to enjoy some fresh air and exercise. This charming North Carolina city has a population of 474,069 and is home to several large companies (including Lulu), research institutes, and higher education institutions. Raleigh was number 1 on the Forbes 2015 list of the best places for business and career.

Raleigh’s bustling size and wealth of educational and career opportunities are great reasons to live or visit here. And you will never be short of open spaces to enjoy when you need a break from all that thinking or shopping!

Enjoy the outdoors in Raleigh.

The Parks and Recreation Department in Raleigh offers a wealth of outdoor locations to enjoy, including:

  • Eight thousand one hundred acres of parkland that includes five public lakes.
  • Seventy-eight miles of the greenway to explore.
  • A championship level BMX race track.
  • One hundred twelve tennis courts and eight public aquatic facilities.

The city is also home to the JC Raulston Arboretum. This wonderful outdoor space belongs to the North Carolina State University and is free to visit for both residents and visitors. You can explore several beautiful themed gardens and see plants and trees from over 50 countries. Some of the most popular gardens at the arboretum include:

  • Paradise Garden engages all the senses for a genuinely immersive walk.
  • Winter Garden, where you can enjoy plants that thrive in the colder months – perfect for visiting the offseason.
  • White Garden, where all the plants have white, silver, or gray leaves and foliage. The White Garden was modeled after writer Vita Sackville-West’s white garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent, England.
  • Finley-Nottingham Rose Garden, where you can enjoy over 200 different kinds of roses.

Try a game of Kubb

If you are looking for something fun to do with the family in Raleigh, try a game of Kubb. Kubb is a deceptively simple lawn game where you knock over wooden blocks by throwing wooden batons at them. It is fun for all ages, and Raleigh is home to a Kubb Club that hosts both championship and non-championship games. 

Kubb is an ideal way to spend an afternoon outdoors as you can play it on all kinds of surfaces, including sand, grass, cement, and even snow or ice. Kubb lovers claim it dates all the way back to the Viking Age, and some people even call it Viking Chess.

We are here for flood water removal.

Raleigh is no stranger to floods. In 2020, tropical storm Isaias wreaked havoc across North Carolina, spawning several tornadoes and claiming two lives.

Our trained technicians know that every flood water removal project must begin with:

  • An assessment of the situation.
  • Thorough water extraction to remove as much flood water as possible.
  • Securing your home to mitigate any structural damage risks.

If necessary, we can arrange for your belongings to be stored at our facility while we clean and dry your home – this process is known as a “pack-out.” We log all items and pack them carefully to ensure they arrive back at your home safely when the time comes.

If you need flood water removal in your home, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

Historic Raleigh Bus Tour

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and soot cleanup services are not a DIY job. Call the professionals of SERVPRO for the restoration services needed.

A Recurring Bus Tour for People to Enjoy Sights and Learn the History of Raleigh

The City of Raleigh has overcome many challenges since its establishment, including lack of economic enterprise, underdeveloped transportation, and a fire incident that damaged the first statehouse. Significant developments have also happened in the city, including the development of streetcar systems and various higher learning institutions. One great way to learn the city's history is by taking the Raleigh Historic Bus Tour since it combines the narrative with an enjoyable sightseeing experience. The Tobacco Road Tours organizes the tour.

Some of the things you can await during the trip include:

  • A two and a half-hour sightseeing session that traces the origins of the city
  • An itinerary divided into four sections: the Historic Mordecai Park, the State Capitol, a former 5,000-acre plantation, and a visit to the Raleigh City Market.
  • The event is organized weekly, except Sundays.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest helps homeowners in Raleigh manage fire and soot cleanup processes conveniently. Call us at (919) 790-1222 if there is an incident at your property.

Fieldstream Farm Festival of Lights in Raleigh

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Water mitigation needs to start with the help of SERVPRO. They have the certified technicians and experience for the job no matter the size.

Raleigh Residents Can Enjoy Unique Light Displays While Maintaining Social Distance

Decorations, multicultural celebrations, starry lights, and other displays are a staple of festive seasons. However, the safety restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the pandemic virus threaten to curtail the thrill of attending such ceremonies this year. However, there are events designated in a way that overcomes such limitations. The Fieldstream Farm Festival of Lights in Raleigh is one such recurring event that runs up to December 31, 2020. It is a drive-thru Christmas light show that people can enjoy from the relative safety of their vehicles, thus minimizing interaction.

The main aspects of the event include:

  • A display of approximately 1 million lights 
  • A tunnel of lights that features over 200,000 LED lights  
  • Participants are charged $20 per vehicle. Each vehicle can have 1-8 passengers.

You can enjoy the display every evening starting from 5:30 PM to 9:45 PM. During weekdays, the show starts one hour later at 6:30 PM. 

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest helps Raleigh businesses when they need water mitigation resources. Call us at (919) 790-1222 to address any damages.  

Local Restoration Service helps Expedite Storm Water Extraction from Raleigh Homes.

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Does your property have flood damage from a storm? Call the professionals at SERVPRO for their expertise.

SERVPRO Uses Sophisticated Equipment to Help Raleigh Homeowners Remove Floodwater 

Raleigh was set up in 1792 to serve as the permanent seat of the North Carolina state government. Unlike other towns established during the same era, which fulfilled specific economic needs, Raleigh was set up for administrative purposes. While this aspect may seem like a minor difference, it had an impact on the development of the city since there was no dominant force driving the economy, apart from the administrative functions of the government. However, various changes over the years helped turn around the city's fortunes. One of those was the growth of its main retail venue, Fayetteville Street, which became the top commercial center in the eastern part of North Carolina. Several higher learning institutions were also established by 1899, thus supporting the mostly middle-class population even in the absence of manufacturing or other heavy industry, unlike in other cities. 

The value of education institutions to the local economy is still high even in the 21st century. When the Research Triangle Park was established in 1959, it created tens of thousands of jobs in technology and science fields, propelling Raleigh to become one of the fastest-growing US communities. According to the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top five employers in 2017 -2018 in the city were:

  • State of North Carolina
  • WakeMed
  • North Carolina State University
  • Wake County Public School System
  • UNC Rex Healthcare

The Origins of the Term City of Oaks

You have probably use the term "city of oaks" when referring to Raleigh city without realizing its origins. Although many oak trees line up the streets in the heart of the city, the expression has more to do with the city's establishment than the current flora. A piece of land measuring 1000 acres was purchased to help establish the city. The land was part of an oak forest owned by Joel Lane. Apart from being a plantation owner, Lane was also accomplished in administrative matters since, in 1770, he had petitioned the creation of a new county by the North Carolina General Assembly.

The location of the town was chosen for various reasons, including safety since it is located in a central area, thus shielding it from coastal attacks. Initially, New Bern was the capital of North Carolina. However, the British army laid siege to the port town, so it was no longer viable as a capital. Another cited reason was its proximity to Hunters Tavern, which state legislators frequented at the time. Raleigh was chosen as the name of the new town in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh, who sponsored two attempts to establish English colonies in North America.

Exciting Places to Visit in Raleigh

The booming metropolis offers visitors a big city feel and Southern charm. There is a combination of unique historical and current attractions that visitors can try to get a feel of what the city offers.

  • The James B. Hunt Library of the future. The bold, iconic library was established in 2013. It exhibits the preeminence of North Carolina State University as a technological research center. It has a unique architectural design with glass and zigzagging solar fins. Apart from the structure, the facility offers futuristic features, including touchscreen kiosks and a robot that fetches books. 
  • The Juniper Level Botanic Garden showcases over 27000 exotic, native perennials and unusual tree specimens that you cannot find anywhere else. It covers 28 acres and is open to the public only eight weekends a year. It is famously known as the "Eden of rare plants" by gardeners and researchers worldwide, even though it is not known to some locals.
  • The North Carolina State Capitol, which was originally the city's central point before it expanded. The Capitol was originally built in 1796, but a fire destroyed it in 1831. A new building was set up and completed in 1840. The administration still uses the Capitol, but it is open to the public for free tours, events, and education programs.
  • The Drive Shack is an interactive golf complex that caters mostly to big groups. It opened in 2019, so it is one of the recent developments in the city. It has 96 golf bays, a rooftop bar, an arcade area, and a full-service restaurant.

The futuristic Amenities in the city keep the progressive tradition of the town alive considering at its establishment, it was one of the few planned cities in the US. The initial city plan was a grid with two main axes intersecting at the central square.

What Strategies Does SERVPRO Utilize for Effective Stormwater Extraction from Raleigh Properties?

Flooding from storms or other extreme weather elements can leave properties in Raleigh inundated. Damage to the structure and contents within is the likely outcome after such an incident unless the correct steps are taken to mitigate the situation. SERVPRO has years of experience in the restoration business and offers homeowners viable solutions to save their properties.

Stormwater extraction differs from regular water removal for various reasons. In most cases, it involves more water compared to water spills. The water is also likely to contain debris or contamination, thus requiring specialized handling. SERVPRO counters these challenges by having the right resources, such as advanced equipment and highly trained staff. On arrival at the affected property, our technicians inspect the situation to establish the right response.

  • In case the water contains debris such as silt, mud, or other solids, specialized water extraction equipment such as self-priming trash pumps are necessary to handle the extraction. Our crews have access to various types of self-priming trash pumps that can handle anything from slurry to solids larger than 3 inches.
  • The effectiveness of extraction equipment may vary depending on the area covered or the standing water's depth. Our technicians use various equipment, including submersible pumps, truck-mounted water extractors, or high-pressure pumps for convenient removal.
  • Wading into contaminated water during extraction can pose health risks. Our crews use PPE's such as rubber boots and bodysuits to protect against such risks.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest helps with cleanup and stormwater extraction from Raleigh properties. Call us at (919) 790-1222 for fast assistance. 

Are You in Raleigh and Want to Learn More about Yoga?

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Enjoy a drink with others in the community and get involved with Yoga, while SERVPRO completes mold remediation in your business property.

Come to Clouds Brewing in Raleigh for “Plank n’ Drank Yoga.”

Yoga is increasingly becoming a trendy physical fitness and relaxation activity.  This is especially true among Raleigh’s young, fitness-minded professionals.  With all this in mind, Clouds Brewing is proud to offer “Plank n’ Drank Yoga,” an activity that offers locals the opportunity to learn about exciting yoga poses like the Adho Mukho Svanasana, Bhujangasana, and Tadasana. After class, to further facilitate relaxation, attendees can have an adult beverage of their choice.  This activity takes place every Sunday, through January 24th, 2021, from 12-to-1 PM.  The $10 admission fee covers the one-hour yoga class, plus your choice of one of the following drink options:

Beer Pint

Beermosa

Mimosa

Modern hectic lifestyles are often quite stressful.  They are made even more so by the everyday maintenance issues associated with owning a business.  SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest understands well how business-related issues can impact your state of mind and is ready to help.  So, if you ever need assistance with mold removal and related repairs, call us at (919) 790-1222.

Get in the Holiday Spirit with a North Hills Light Show.

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

We look forward to seeing the community at the very first “Lights of North Hills” Holiday Light Display.

Come Watch the First-Ever “Lights of North Hills” Holiday Light Display.

Residents and visitors to the Raleigh area often enjoy its numerous festive seasonal events. One new event this year takes place in a community near downtown. The inaugural “Lights of North Hills” holiday light show begins on Friday, December 4th, and runs through Friday, December 11th. The thirty-minute show commences every half hour starting at 6 PM, with the final show beginning at 10 PM. Before coming, it is important to note the following details:



No pre-registration is required, and admission is free.

This event takes place in The Commons, an outdoor park area in North Hills’ Main District.

Parking is available in the Main District Garage.

It is expected that you wear a mask and practice social distancing while in attendance.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, your neighborhood fire damage restoration service, is proud to announce this show. We also would like to remind you to always remain vigilant against potential fire-related accidents. If you ever do experience one, remember that we are always here to help. Call us anytime at (919) 790-1222 for assistance.



Raleigh Area Homes Face Potential Water Damage from Many Different Sources

11/20/2020 (Permalink)

When you experience water damage in your property. Call the experts at SERVPRO right away.

Various Types of Leaks Could Turn Your Raleigh Home into a Water-Damaged Mess

Over the past few decades, North Carolina has experienced a population boom and undergone rapid development. This is especially true of the state’s Research Triangle region, located roughly within conceptual lines connecting Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Specifically, the zone received its interesting geometric title due to the imaginary triangle formed by the area’s three major universities and the research park located within the polygon’s confines. Research Triangle Park, created in 1959, is the largest research park in the United States with over 300 companies that, in total, employ an estimated 65,000 people. The park is a hotbed of high-tech research and development, and the area it is in shares some similarities with San Francisco’s Silicon Valley region.      

Why So Many People are Making Raleigh Their New Home

The Research Triangle, in recent years, has become a popular place to relocate to for many reasons. These involve everything from enhanced educational and employment opportunities to greater access to recreational resources. Some of the varied specific reasons more people are choosing to call the Triangle home are:



It offers them more employment opportunities in diverse, high-paying professional fields.

The area gives them easy access to the educational resources of top-rated private and public universities, including those of Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and relatively nearby Wake Forest University.

It provides residents with more socializing and shopping options, as well as greater access to high-quality medical services since it is located in a major population center that is relatively close to substantial cities like Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte.

The region’s climate tends to be much more pleasant and moderate than those in other parts of the country; the Triangle has a good sunny-to-rainy day ratio, is not too arid or wet, does not usually suffer the excessive heat of the Deep South, nor the unbearable cold of the North, and rarely experiences heavy snowfalls.

Residents are within close reach of multiple diverse recreational resources, including the Great Smoky Mountains to the West, the Outer Banks to the East, and various parks, lakes, and waterways in North Carolina’s interior.    

The Triangle is near the midway point between New York City and Miami, making it convenient for those with connections to both cities.



As you can clearly see, it is no wonder why so many people have been migrating to Raleigh and its environs over the past half-century or so.

Problems the Population Boom and Rapid Development Have Caused

While population increases and development in the Raleigh-Durham area have fueled its economic growth and raised its standard of living, they have also led to various problems. These issues, which affect both the region in general and certain unfortunate homeowners individually, include:



Substantial rises in rates of crime and other related urban problems

Increased traffic congestion on local roadways

More air and waterway pollution

The growth of unsightly urban and suburban sprawl

Excessive losses of farms and woodlands

More rapidly built, poorly constructed housing.



As the Research Triangle’s population has grown, the region has increasingly experienced urban issues like elevated rates of murder and other violent crimes. Also, due to the ever-increasing demand for housing, homelessness has quickly become a concern as local residential options are becoming too expensive for some to afford. Moreover, the area’s convenience and picturesque natural beauty have been severely reduced by increased traffic and pollution, the rampant spread of development, and the steady disappearance of natural environments.

Troubles Associated with Shoddily Constructed Housing

Oftentimes, trendy boomtowns suffer from a “Gold Rush” mentality. Such a mindset drives unscrupulous profiteers to rush into an area to exploit those seeking to live and earn their fortunes there. Some Triangle area homebuilders are, in fact, profiteers that show little concern for constructing well-built homes and are only concerned with making a fast buck. As a result, there are more than a few local homes that may suffer from the following problems:



Poorly constructed, leaky roofs.

Ineffectively planned drainage systems

Areas around openings, like door frames and windows that are improperly sealed

Poorly designed or sealed appliance connectors.

Improperly designed or assembled pipe networks.



Anyone of these potentially hidden issues could make your residence a money pit susceptible to expensive water damage. So, remember to have properties professionally inspected before purchasing them.  

With all that said, your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest are experts at successfully remediating water damage. In fact, we are one of the most highly rated water damage restoration companies in the Research Triangle region. So, if you ever experience the hardships associated with a water-related event, do not hesitate to call us at (919) 790-1222 for assistance.      

As a Raleigh Area Resident, How Can SERVPRO Help Me?    

SERVPRO offers numerous services beneficial to residents of Raleigh and the surrounding communities. These offerings include professional inspections for those looking to purchase homes or find suspected water leaks and related damage. Of course, we are also able to help homeowners overcome the effects of water leaks and standing water in various ways. As a local that is either planning to buy a home or is already a homeowner, our skilled technicians can do the following things for you:

Perform a thorough home inspection, using moisture sensors/meters, Thermo hygrometers, and infrared cameras to identify potential or current water-related issues

Remove standing water from your residence with wet vacs and powerful extractors

Thoroughly dry your home with air movers, dehumidifiers, and sophisticated Injectidry systems.

Treat water-impacted surfaces with antimicrobial and deodorant-spraying foggers.

Completely rebuild all destroyed parts of your residence.

Our efforts generally help you avoid buying troublesome properties or recover from water damage you have suffered.

As one of the most experienced water damage restoration companies in Raleigh, SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can handle almost any water-related issue. So, if you ever need help with one, contact us at (919) 790-1222.

See the Many Things that Raleigh has to Offer

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

We always enjoy the First Friday events - whether virtual or in person. Looking forward to participating with you!

Raleigh Locals and Visitors Can Have Fun at the First Friday Event

Raleigh, NC, hosts many events yearly, including enriching events for visitors. The city has the most music in North Carolina, a professional sports scene, hopping collegiate, and many accolade-worthy, homegrown cultural and culinary festivities pioneered by passionate and smart locals.

One of the events you can participate in on November 6, 2020, is First Friday. This event takes place on the first Friday of every month at different locations throughout downtown Raleigh. During this event, studios and art galleries are open late with rotating artist talks and exhibits. Exhibitors feature music, artists, and special offers. Retailers offer refreshments and deals. Restaurants provide specials. Therefore, there is somewhere and something for everyone. The other activities to enjoy on First-Friday include:

  • Photography and videos from local entertainers and artists
  • Sculpture demonstration
  • Digital photography

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest welcomes you to First Friday and is ready to serve you if you need fire and smoke restoration in your Raleigh residence. Call us at (919) 790-1222 for prompt and effective fire damage restoration.

Why DIY Water Extraction Efforts in Raleigh are Not Enough

10/31/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can occur in your house without you even knowing. Contact SERVPRO for professional remediation and mitigation services in your home.

SERVPRO Utilizes Powerful Water Extraction Tools to Ensure All Standing Water Gets Removed from Your Raleigh Property

Whether you recently had a flood, a water pipe broke, or encountered an appliance failure, extracting water as soon as possible is vital. Failing to begin extraction right away allows the water to migrate into dry spaces and your interior and structural materials are subject to the onset of secondary damage.

What Does Extraction Entail?

Water extraction in Raleigh can involve powerful equipment like pumps and truck-mounted extractors to pull up as much water as possible, as fast as possible. Even if you have a shop-vac on-hand that can handle water removal, skilled SERVPRO technicians can get the job done much quicker and achieve better results with:

  • Submersible pumps are elemental when standing water measures over two inches in depth, typically in a basement.
  • In many situations, the extraction process calls for multiple passes to ensure thorough drying.
  • Careful selection of extraction tools to keep from damaging carpets by way of delamination.
  • Portable extractors help get into tight spaces or restricted areas.
  • Truck-mounted extractors have their own power source and are more potent than portable extractors, usually not needed for small water spill cleanups.

To achieve our drying goals, SERVPRO formulates a plan to use drying and extraction in unison. We determine the type and number of dehumidifiers and air movers to set up within the water-loss zone and adjust as needed to stay on track. Once our moisture meters give us regular readings within your Raleigh home or business, we then wrap up the project with the application of EPA-registered cleaning agents and deodorizers.

There is no water extraction job that is too large or too small for our knowledgeable team at SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest. If you need assistance after experiencing a water emergency, call us at (919) 790-1222, and we will deploy a crew to your front door within hours. We make sure it looks, “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more information about Raleigh.

How Can Mold Companies Help Your Business Prepare for Fungal Problems?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO Assist You in Preventing Mold Infestations in Your Commercial Property. Try our ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan!

Raleigh Entrepreneurs Need Mold Companies That Help Them Get Ready

Fungal growth is just one of the many annoying problems that can occur in a Raleigh business. When it comes to issues on your commercial premises, it is best to deal with them as soon as you can. If left too long, most problems will worsen and ultimately cost your company more money to remediate them. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is available 24 hours. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, which means we can start the remediation process quickly.

As most Raleigh mold companies will tell you, it is better to prevent mold if you can, and be alert to signs that your building has a problem. As an entrepreneur, you are continually juggling deadlines, responsibilities, and pressure. That is why SERVPRO designed our Emergency READY Profile Plan to help you prepare for possible emergencies.

Why is mold remediation so necessary?

Compared to more severe disasters that can befall a business, mold might not seem like an urgent concern. However, if left untreated, mold can cause many problems in your business:

  • Your premises will smell moldy, which is unpleasant for staff and customers alike
  • Mold can cause health effects
  • The fungus spreads rapidly and can eat into paper, textiles, and wood
  • Mold can cause structural damage, including rotting wood, damaged drywall, and peeling wallpaper

Most molds propagate quickly, and the spores can drift throughout your premises, looking for new places to set up camp. Spores are difficult to contain and remove, which is why you should call a professional mold company as soon as you can.

Why is it disaster preparedness essential?

We understand that getting back to business after a disaster can be challenging. Companies that survive and thrive after closing down to deal with a disaster have a preparedness plan in place. Mold might not seem as immediately concerning as fire or flood, but it can still hamper your business and lose money. By having a plan in place, you can:

  • Ensure staff know what to do if they see signs of mold
  • Have a note of essential details about your facility
  • Establish SERVPRO as your go-to mold remediation company
  • Ensure staff know the chain of command and who to call

Being prepared saves you valuable time, especially when it makes it faster to get in touch with mold remediation specialists. Because staff knows what to do and who to call, it cuts down on confusion and means you can take action faster. Having all the details to hand also makes it easier to liaise with your insurance company.

Speeding up the process means getting back to work faster, and that is good news for your staff and your bottom line.

How can SERVPRO help you prepare for mold growth?

We created the SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Plan (ERP) to help businesses prepare for disaster. Your ERP includes:

  • A free facility assessment
  • Premises details including assembly points, valve shut-off sites, and priority contact information
  • Details of the line of command for authorizing remediation work, so we can get started faster
  • A guide on how to get your business up and running again

Your ERP also includes a concise profile document that contains only the most necessary information for emergencies. We know how busy local entrepreneurs are, which is why we designed the ERP program to be fast and easy to use. You get a useful list of information and guidelines, but you do not have to take too much time away from your working day to do it.

Setting up your ERP is easy. First, register for an account online. It is free! Then download the app and follow the on-screen instructions to carry out a premises assessment and start building your ERP. The app will tell you which photographs to take and which information to log. In the event of mold growth, you can use the app to call your preferred franchise or to submit the first notice of loss.

How can businesses prevent mold growth?

As well as preparing for disaster, you can take steps to prevent fungal growth. Mold loves moisture, so keeping extra water out of your premises is the most crucial step. Consider investing in a thermo-hygrometer to monitor humidity, and some dehumidifiers to lower humidity if need be. It is also essential that you take care of any leaks or spills immediately.

We will measure moisture and humidity during the mold remediation process and dry out your premises to help prevent future problems. Do all you can to maintain your newly-dried premises, and do not hesitate to call us if you suspect the fungus has come back.

For help with mold growth, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

Water Damage Restoration Raleigh

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO for Raleigh Water Damage Restoration Services

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest Now (919) 790-1222.

As the capital city of North Carolina, Raleigh is one of the areas in continual growth, only surpassed in size and growth by Charlotte in the southernmost portion of the state. As a humid subtropic zone for climate, temperatures and weather events vary significantly from one season to the next. Apart from the dangers and risks of natural disasters like Hurricane Florence that damaged many structures and homes in 2018, it is the beauty of the fall in the City of Oaks that can be a present reminder of what attracted settlers and continues to draw in new residents. As the seat of Wake County, Raleigh has more than 475,000 residents, so restoration companies like our SERVPRO team must stay prepared for water, fire, and storm emergencies.

Raleigh Area Emergency Water Removal, Cleanup, and Restoration

  • Local Restoration Professionals (919) 790-1222. 
  • Experienced Water Restoration, Extraction, Drying & Cleanup. 
  • Deodorization and Deep Cleaning 
  • Fire & Smoke Damage Cleanup and Restoration
  • Mold Inspection, Remediation, and Build Back
  • Storm Cleanup, Extraction, and Restoration
  • Commercial Cleaning Specialists

Restoring Raleigh Properties After Water Damages

While Raleigh might be best known as the capital and its namesake in Sir Walter Raleigh and his lost Roanoke colony, it is also the home to one of the state's largest universities. North Carolina State University has been a catapult to the city's growth and cultural expansion, especially in the communities immediately surrounding the campus. Wolfpack athletics draw in thousands on gameday, whether to PNC Arena for Men's Basketball or Carter-Finley Stadium on a fall Saturday.

With more than 43 inches of annual rainfall, a large portion of which results from severe thunderstorms during the east coast hurricane season, flooding and structural damage can follow along with these events and require immediate mitigation and attention. This is a testament to the Downtown District's impressive architecture and construction, including the Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel built in the early 20th century. A fast response ensures that areas like the revitalized City Market and cultural centers like the North Carolina Museum of History and Museum of Natural Sciences can resume business as usual quickly. 

Emergency Water Damage Scenarios for the Raleigh Area

  • Hurricane Flooding and Storm Damage 
  • Freezing Pipes and Fixtures
  • Malfunctioning Appliances 
  • Flash Flooding Conditions 
  • Leaking Roofs 
  • Sewage Backup
  • Flooded Basements 

Why Choose SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest?

We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

An effective strategy for protecting more of your home and business after a water damage incident is responding quickly to the situation. We have pre-stocked production vehicles and technicians ready 24/7 to help.

Expertly Trained and Experienced Professionals

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) oversees the education and training of our experienced professionals for initial accreditations and continued coursework for Water Restoration (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD.)

Advanced Water Restoration Tools and Technologies

We have advanced equipment and technologies to make water restoration as efficient as possible, from our top-notch extraction tools like submersible pumps to data collection and inspection tools like thermal imagery and moisture meters.

Questions or Concerns? We can help 24/7. Give SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest a call now at (919) 790-1222.

Also of Interest-  Raleigh Restoration Company    Durham  Mold Inspection

What Type of Solvents Should Homeowners Use for Fire Damage Cleanup?

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

We know the steps to get your Raleigh home back from fire damage.

SERVPRO techs have comprehensive training in the use of various specific cleaning agents post-fire in Raleigh homes.

You may have heard or read online that certain types of solvents are useful for the removal of smoke and fire damage in your Raleigh house. The truth is, they are, but you can do severe damage if you apply this type of cleaner to certain kinds of fibers or hard surfaces. SERVPRO techs have a strict protocol during fire cleanup to avoid marring surfaces or ruining fabrics or carpet by testing the fibers to ensure the right choices in cleaning agents get chosen.   

Can Draperies Get Cleaned Using Fire Damage Restoration Methods?  

When SERVPRO technicians handle fire damage restoration in Raleigh properties, the goal is always to save as much of the contents as possible for the homeowner through the use of their advanced equipment and cleaning methods. Window treatments often have the potential for reuse if:  

  • The fabrics do not have damage from the flames or heat  
  • If the fibers testing shows a propensity for the fabric to bleed or shrink, a petroleum-based dry cleaning solvent can get used for cleaning  
  • In cases where the window treatments are washable, the techs use the Esporta Washing System to clean away the impurities and odor from the fire

In What Situations Should Solvents Not Get Used?  

The petroleum-based dry cleaning solvents are suitable in most situations where the soiling is light. However, if there is any rubber-backing, the chemical reaction between the solvent and the rubber can lead to deterioration. When only a small amount of stain and spot removal needs to happen, SERVPRO techs often rely on the power of volatile dry solvents. These solutions evaporate quickly and leave no residue behind. 

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 is ready to handle any size fire damage restoration needed. The trained techs bring their equipment and years of experience to ensure the best outcome for your property and contents. 

Why Is The Science of Drying So Important to Water Cleanup in Raleigh?

9/18/2020 (Permalink)

For water cleanup backed by scientific principles, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

Raleigh Homeowners Need Water Cleanup Services They Can Rely On

Every homeowner in Raleigh has dealt with a water spill, whether from a toppled glass or an over-enthusiastic toddler soaking the bathroom at bathtime. When mopping up spilled liquid, most people do not stop and think about the science of it. After all, you are not in high school experimenting, you are merely keeping your home clean.

However, if you need water cleanup in Raleigh, the water damage restoration team you choose must understand drying science. A thorough understanding of the scientific principles means more effective work and a better result.

Why is the science of drying so important?
The science of drying means understanding how temperature, humidity, relative humidity, airflow, and the amount of water present, affects the drying process. Understanding the underlying principle is the difference between knowing that air movers and dehumidifiers can help remove moisture and understanding how that process works.

If the remediation team properly understands the science behind drying, they know:
    •    What kind of equipment to use to dry your home
    •    How to position devices for the best results
    •    Which monitoring tools to use when assessing water levels
    •    How to know when something is thoroughly dry, not just surface dry
    •    How to search for hidden damp patches

A well-informed team will get you better results because they know how to carry out drying to maximum effect. They also understand how to find hidden moisture and deal with it, which helps to prevent fungal growth in the future.

What does a restoration team need to know?
Before commencing water cleanup, SERVPRO technicians must understand:
    •    How temperature and humidity levels affect drying conditions, and how to manipulate temperature and humidity to create an optimum environment
    •    How to measure the amount of moisture air is capable of holding versus how much moisture it is currently holding
    •    How vapor pressure and dew point affect drying
    •    How water moves between solid, liquid, and vapor states

Armed with this knowledge, technicians can calculate the best placement and settings for extractors, pumps, air movers, and dehumidifiers.

How does SERVPRO ensure its technicians understand the principles of drying?
SERVPRO trains all our technicians to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. The IICRC is the industry-standard body for restoration certification, and they have training programs that cover every aspect of water cleanup and repair.

All our franchise owners attend a fifteen-day hands-on course at our central training facility to ensure they understand every remediation aspect. Our teams also have access to ongoing e-training to help them stay updated with the latest industry best practices and drying techniques.

Because SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest has access to nationally-accredited training courses, you can rest assured your home is in good hands.

What is the difference between open and closed drying?
One of our team's critical decisions is whether to use an open or closed drying system to dry out your home. But what is the difference?

An open drying system means exchanging the humid air inside your home with the drier air from outside. For open drying to be effective, technicians must accurately measure the humidity of both inside and outside air. We equip our teams with a range of equipment, such as thermo-hygrometers, to measure the air's moisture content.


Open drying means opening doors and windows and using air movers to bring about the air exchange. Because our teams understand the science of drying, they know how many air movers to use and where to position them.

A closed drying environment does not use air from outside but instead focuses on removing moisture from the indoor air. The technician will close off the affected area and use air movers and dehumidifiers to remove the air's moisture. In some cases, they will also use a negative air machine.


Whether to use closed or open drying depends on many factors, including the humidity levels inside and outside, the temperature, the weather, and any security concerns regarding leaving doors or windows open. Constant monitoring helps our technicians keep the drying process on track.  Because our teams are well-versed in drying science, you can trust them to make the right call.


What happens after the water cleanup?
Once the SERVPRO team has removed water and dried your home, we deodorize it. We aim to leave your home “Like it never even happened,” and deodorization is an essential part of making your home feel fresh and clean again.


We use air scrubbers, charcoal filters, fogging, and spot cleaning as needed to remove odors from your home.


Our team will check in with you a week after cleanup to make sure you are satisfied.

For water cleanup backed by scientific principles, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

How Do I Get Mold Out of My Business?

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Raleigh WorkPlaces and Buildings Needed? Call the Experts--SERVPRO--from a small patch of hyphae to any size infestation!

To Clear Your Raleigh Business of Active Mold, Call SERVPRO

How Quickly Can You Remove Mold?

SERVPRO provides thorough commercial mold remediation to Raleigh businesses. How fast our technicians can accomplish that depends on how much mold and water are present. Mold spores only become active when there is enough moisture to ‘wake’ them from their inert state and begin expanding.

Is Mold Dangerous to My Employees and Customers?

Mold may cause some health effects but that is about it; not even Black Mold is typically lethal. If you can see or detect that distinctive musty odor, call us, and technicians can arrive at your Raleigh workplace to start the mold remediation before it causes permanent damage to your building.

That is the real threat of active mold colonies. As they grow and expand, individual spores extend hyphae to absorb food and water. With enough time, these hyphae can dig into drywall, ceiling tiles, even the wood that makes up wall framing and larger support structures. To stop the growth, our technicians search for any pools, leaks, and other sources of water. This starts the process of returning the mold to an inert state.

To remove the mold, our response team members carefully demolish the infested property, bag it for transport, and dispose of it outside the facility. Where the mold is only on the surface or has only slightly penetrated the surface, technicians use chemical agents to disinfect the affected surfaces and then scrape it off for disposal.

Is My Business Now Free of Mold?

No. Mold spores, especially when they are inert, are too small to see with the unaided eye. Fortunately, they are no more of a threat than common house dust when inert. The best way to keep your business free of active mold growth is to have SERVPRO periodically ensure there is no standing water or leaks inside your facility.

For more information for your business here or in North Hills, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 today. We are here for you.

What Disasters in Raleigh Can SERVPRO Help Restore?

8/15/2020 (Permalink)

Raleigh Area Property Owners Rely on the Local Premier Cleanup and Restoration Company after a Flood, Fire, Mold, or Commercial Mishap--SERVPRO!

With a team of both qualified technicians and general contractors, we can help your property through multiple damaging scenarios

We did not become one of the top 100 franchises in the country by not providing an unparalleled customer service experience with every loss incident that affects Raleigh homes and businesses. We have an ever-expanding roster of qualified technicians and contractors capable of helping to return your property to preloss condition regardless of the disaster you have faced. Our team features four master certified technicians in our core niches of restoration, providing experience and knowledge when needed most for damaged properties. The restoration services that we provide can make a difference in the ultimate time and cost of recovery.

Water

Because water damage is a usual threat to the greater Raleigh area, we respond to multiple disasters every year. Our fast response to these situations can make a considerable difference in the overall time and money involved with restoring your property to its original condition. The majority of our technicians have water restoration certifications, ensuring that we always have qualified professionals to handle your emergencies as they happen. We also have a master certified water restoration technician trained through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to appropriately steer this department.

How Does Mitigation Work?

Mitigation is one of the critical tasks that our professionals undertake when we first arrive at a water damaged Raleigh home. This phase of work aims to reduce the overall loss that your property experiences, including the protection of contents and personal belongings throughout the house. Mitigation as a whole describes many specific tasks involving both our qualified restoration technicians and residential contractors to perform repairs and reconstruction as required.

What Tools Best Dry My Residence?

Drying your Raleigh home or business is not a universal approach that always uses the same tools and equipment in the same ways. A careful evaluation occurs during the job scoping phase and after mitigation completes to ensure that the right tools and devices are used to address lingering moisture and dampness concerns throughout the property. While we have stables and fundamental tools to help with the drying process, where their place and how they get used vary from site to site. Some of these standard devices and pieces of equipment include:

  • Air Movers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Positive Pressure Systems
  • Floor Mat Drying Systems

Fire

The work required in a Raleigh property after a fire loss must begin as soon as possible. The longer that a structure sits after extinguishment, the more widespread and concentrated fire loss effects can become. Our responding SERVPRO technicians can implement emergency services that start with the arrival of our team. Between qualified restoration technicians and experienced building trade contractors on our roster, we can offer immediate action including: 

  • Temporary Construction Solutions
  • Debris Removal
  • Air Quality Control
  • Content Management

Demolition or Surface Cleaning?

Assessing the property for damage is a careful process conducted by qualified professionals like our project manager and crew chief. We also consult with the homeowner to determine pre-existing conditions within their Raleigh homes or businesses. The objective in thorough inspection is learning whether surface cleaning to remove soiling and residues is cost-efficient against demolition and reconstruction. With a team of in-house contractors capable of assisting in this area, it is often more cost-effective to choose controlled demolition and later reinstallation.

Does SERVPRO Perform Reconstruction After a Fire?

These same contractors can help with full-scale reconstruction, repair, and rebuilding after fire loss effects get removed from your Raleigh property. We can also help with remodeling and renovations to help turn the negatives of fire loss into a lasting positive for your home. We also can steer our clients to reputable construction companies when extreme build back is required.

Storm

There is no mistaking the substantial storm systems that can impact the Raleigh area. With many commercial properties spanning thousands of square feet, our involvement as a large loss recovery team can be beneficial. Many restoration teams lack the resources and equipment to manage substantial loss incidents, but with networking through sister franchises, we can pool:

  • Resources
  • Personnel
  • Experience
  • Equipment

Addressing Severe Weather as It Occurs

The Raleigh area has seen multiple hurricane-level storm events over the past decades, requiring restoration teams to stay alert and aware of rapidly changing weather conditions. Our fast response in these situations can help repair structural concerns to reduce flooding and other detrimental conditions resulting from storm loss incidents.

Removing Floodwater and Damages

Flooding is often an unavoidable concern for Raleigh homes and businesses once structural breaches exist. In addition to the damaging presence of natural flooding, water penetration from areas like the roof or siding can be equally destructive. Removing these threats involves multiple extraction tools in our inventory, including submersible pumps, wet vacuums, and weighted extractors.

Commercial

Disasters can strike all types of commercial properties, leaving hundreds at risk for direct exposure to loss effects or threatening conditions. As a team with the capabilities of addressing larger commercial structures after fire, water, storm, and flood incidents, we can respond quickly to help however your Raleigh property needs. Our professionals have helped to restore and recover massive commercial structures, including:

  • Hospitals
  • College Campuses 
  • Warehouses
  • Hotels 
  • Nursing Homes 

What Does Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Mean?

More than ever, providing sanitary environments for your staff and customers in your Raleigh business is critical. On the heels of a global pandemic, many companies recognized where they lacked the appropriate focus and attention on surface cleaning and disinfection. Our defensive cleaning program entitled Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned offers the top-tier levels of sanitation, disinfection, and surface cleaning techniques in the restoration industry.

Cleaning and Recovery on Your Schedule

One of the advantages of choosing our premier cleaning services for your Raleigh business is our technicians' flexibility. We understand that the ideal times to perform a thorough cleaning on your property is after you have closed for the day, so we work around your schedule to meet the appropriate times when cleaning best suits your business.

Disasters can strike your home or business without warning, but our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team is ready 24/7. Give us a call whenever you need us at (919) 790-1222.

Why Is Monitoring A Vital Part of Water Mitigation?

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

Sometimes we have to remove structural elements like flooring and drywall to thoroughly dry your home.

Raleigh Residents Can Rest Assured Their Water Mitigation Project Is Under Control

People living in Raleigh know that sometimes when it comes to home maintenance or disaster mitigation, you need to call in the professionals. Dealing with a water loss event in your home is frustrating – why make it even worse by trying to handle everything yourself?

For water mitigation in Raleigh, look no further than SERVPRO. Our professional water cleanup service includes professional monitoring to ensure the job is complete. What is monitoring, and why does it matter? Let’s take a look.

What are the steps for water mitigation?

Water monitoring occurs after several other restoration steps. First, our teams:

  • Assess the situation and make a plan
  • Remove any structural elements, such as drywall that are not salvageable
  • Make sure the building is safe and secure, so we begin work
  • Extract water from your home
  • Clean your home and belongings

Once all this is complete, we set up drying equipment. Our drying kit includes dehumidifiers and a range of different air movers.

What is water monitoring?

Water monitoring means setting up our drying system and then leaving it to run for a while (usually around 24 hours.) After the dryers have run for a while, we come back and test the moisture levels to assess how well the drying is going.

What tests does SERVPRO carry out?

Monitoring begins with a visual assessment where our teams check out the overall look and feel of the area and assess whether all equipment is still funning as it should Then, we use the following equipment to assess drying progress:

  • A penetrating moisture meter to assess moisture levels in materials that can be probed such as carpet, carpet backing, or soft furnishings
  • A non-penetrating moisture meter reads moisture levels in materials that cannot be probed such as hardwood flooring, tiles, or cabinetry
  • A thermal hygrometer to assess evaluate the temperature and humidity

We use these tests to ascertain if drying is proceeding according to plan and make any necessary adjustments.

Proper monitoring means there is no guesswork involved – we rely on facts and figures, so you know our results are accurate.

For a thorough water mitigation service, you can rely on, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

More about Raleigh.

How Severe is Odor Damage After a Fire in My Raleigh Home?

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

The charring on this cabinet indicates the home will have smoke odors throughout. We are equipped and trained to restore your home.

Smoke and fire odors can spread quickly through a residence, requiring cutting-edge tools and potent products to resolve.  

One of the fastest-changing conditions after a fire in your Raleigh home is the odors created by combusting materials. Regardless of the fire's size, these scents generated through the burning of construction materials and contents can become an overwhelming presence. Our SERVPRO professionals can address these concerns as soon as we arrive, though official deodorization does not occur until one of the final restoration stages.

When it comes to fire and odor restoration for Raleigh homes or businesses, many look at our technicians' experience and fast response. We have a growing supply of recovery tools specifically to address lingering odors circulating in the environment, and those trapped in porous materials. Much of choosing which deodorization process is most effective begins with a thorough inspection to identify factors specific to the odor damage you are currently facing. 

What Factors Determine Odor Damages?  

Many elements and factors that can determine the best approach for removing lingering odors from open-air environments and those that become trapped in materials like drywall. Knowing how these various factors can impact the best plan for removing the scent can showcase how many possible methods exist to eliminate this condition in your house after a fire. The severity of the present odor damage falls into three possible categories: 

  • Type of Fire - What is meant by the term type of fire is often the disaster's heat and spread. Wet smoke fires smolder and move slowly throughout the property, while high-heat, dry smoke incidents move fast, and are much more destructive to structural elements. Each of these produces a different type of odor damage, with wet smoke being among the worst. 
  • Material Affected - What materials burn or char throughout the property can also impact the lingering odors present in the building, which can get determined by tracking the migration of fire loss effects throughout the structure. 
  • Time of Exposure - The length of time odors and other damaging conditions exist in the property can amplify their spread and severity. The more prolonged exposure is, the worse these conditions often become. 

How Do Embedded Odors Get Removed?  

Odors are not always easy to get to and remove. There are many situations where porous materials can absorb smoke odors and trap them within Raleigh homes. When the structure cools back down, these odor molecules cannot escape. The solution involves sophisticated deodorization tools that can Impact trapped odor molecules within these structural elements and contents. This method often falls to portable machines like our thermal foggers, because they can produce a gaseous compound that can penetrate services to reach trapped odor molecules and eliminate them. Some of the most sensitive materials to absorb these odors include: 

  • Drywall
  • Wood
  • Fabrics
  • Textiles
  • Carpet 

What Are the Tools Used for Odor Removal?  

Surprisingly many different tools can get used for odor removal in your home. The choice of these tools varies based on the severity of the damage and its location throughout the property. Making the correct decision for your home can be the difference between efficient restoration and much more prolonged and costlier approaches. In many of the fire recovery situations that our SERVPRO team addresses, multiple tools might be necessary to achieve the fastest results. Some of the most common deodorizing tools that we utilize include: 

  • ULV and Thermal Foggers – Foggers produce a gaseous output of deodorizing compounds that can neutralize smoke and other harsh odors on contact. Because it is among the fastest options to move from place to place, it can be a useful tool for considerable damage areas when occupants are still present. 
  • Hydroxyl Machine – One of the advantages of the hydroxyl machine is its ability to address widespread deodorization needs and clean the environment with onboard HEPA filtration. 
  • Ozone Generator – As prevalent and beneficial as ozone machines can be for deodorization in an entire property, they cannot get used when occupants or living creatures are present. obstacles after a fire loss in your home or business, few can be as widespread and potentially challenging as smoke and burning odors. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team can assist with a fast response featuring our industry-leading equipment. Contact us anytime at (919) 790-1222.

How Can I Bring My House Back to Normal After Flooding?

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding quickly causes flood damage. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation services.

Calling SERVPRO to Your Raleigh Home Provides You with Prompt, Reputable Flood Damage Clean Up

Whenever the Raleigh area gets hit with a significant storm with wind and rain, you could see a bit of flooding enter your home. It is vital that you address it as soon as possible to save your interior from prolonged exposure that brings about secondary damage. SERVPRO wants you to know that we are Faster to Any Size Disaster, available 24/7, and come with the manpower and equipment to get the job done right the first time.

How Does Restoration Begin?

Once you contact our team, we send out a crew that will assess the extent of your flood damage in Raleigh. If the storm damaged your roof, we would tarp it off to help eliminate further damage during the inspection phase. We also have board-up services that will help ensure your property remains protected from additional exposure from the elements or from animals or people from getting inside.

When you call us for flood restoration services, you get:

  •   Skilled technicians certified via the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
  •   Professional-grade equipment for water extraction, including submersible pumps, truck-mounted extractors, light wands, and more
  •   Industrial-strength drying equipment, such as powerful fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers

The longer that you let floodwater fester inside your home, the higher the risk of the onset of harmful bacteria and mold growth. Our crew ensures all saturated and unsalvageable materials get removed with controlled demolition. Everything is then replaced with brand-new materials before getting a thorough cleaning with EPA-registered cleaning agents and deodorants. Your interior is left in preloss condition to make it “Like it never even happened.”

For help with flood damage from a recent storm, give us a call at SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. We have a crew standing by for emergency service 24/7!

Learn more about Raleigh.

Is Professional Restoration Best for Water Damage in Raleigh?

6/19/2020 (Permalink)

We have premier equipment and technologies that can make these disasters “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage Restoration In Raleigh

When water losses occur in your Raleigh home, there are several advantages to choosing our SERVPRO restoration.

A prompt response to water loss emergencies in your Raleigh home works to ensure that the situation does not get out of control. From malfunctioning appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heater tanks to breaches in the plumbing from unexpected cold snaps or aging fixtures, these emergencies can have many different sources that all require unique approaches to resolve.

Determining what is best for your home often falls to professionals capable of restoring water damage in Raleigh residences. A singular restoration event can feature dozens of recovery tasks in a specific order. Considering how finite the timeline is after a loss incident, having professionals like our SERVPRO team begin these steps as soon as possible can help to protect more of your home and its contents. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, so we have a 24/7 response to threatening disasters that can destroy your home.

What Can You Expect from Professional Restorers?

Professional restoration differs significantly from DIY approaches that you can begin on your own. Our technicians have premier equipment and strategies taught by standard-setting firms like the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA.) We can offer a fast and confident approach to water emergencies at all hours of the day through the coursework to obtain certification in Water Restoration (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), and other relative niches. While the individual steps and methods of accomplishing the various phases might differ, water recovery often follows a specific pattern:

    •    Extraction
    •    Content Management
    •    Controlled Demolition
    •    Drying
    •    Cleaning

What Is the Best Choice to Remove Standing Water?

As you might expect, extraction is one of the most vital elements of water loss recovery. Removing surface water can prevent flooring materials and other exposed construction materials from becoming saturated by pooling liquid. Carpeting and wood flooring are often the most susceptible surfaces to begin absorbing standing water, which can happen immediately. Similarly, contents throughout the structure can also absorb this pooling water and become irreparably damaged. Your personal belongings can often get protected during the initial stages of mitigation through relocation to a safer area of the house or by getting moved to our SERVPRO facility. Regarding extraction, several potential tools can help, often chosen based on the severity of the present damage:

Submersible Pumps – Submersible pumps are one of the ideal water removal choices when a substantial volume of standing water exists in the damaged areas. With continuous, quiet operation, electric submersible pumps can quickly reduce the amount of water damage.

Truck-Mount Pumps – With widespread threats where massive homes or businesses are contending with higher volumes of water damage, truck-mount pumps can extract this pooling threat at a rate of 300 psi.

Wet Vacuums – Wet vacuums offer versatility to water removal needs that your property might have. These units can move easily from one point to another and support several attachments, making them a universal tool in the recovery effort.

Can Water Get Removed from Exposed Flooring?

Flooring is often one of the materials most heavily impacted by pooling water and moisture concerns. With migrating loss effects moving through the house, absorption can happen quickly, especially with porous materials like carpeting and hardwoods. Addressing these wet surfaces involves some of the specialty water removal and drying tools in our inventory, including:

    •    Carpet Wands
    •    Drying Mats
    •    Air Movers

What If Your Home Needs Reconstruction?

While every loss situation does not equate to controlled demolition and build back needs, there are several instances where a need for reconstruction is unavoidable. With a team of licensed contractors in-house to help, we can offer experienced hands for material removal and a prompt transition between mitigation and build back. In many scenarios, prolonged saturation and exposure can lead to a need to remove and reinstall flooring materials like linoleum tiles, carpets, and wood plank flooring. It is always the focus of our SERVPRO team to restore before replacement when it is cost-effective to achieve this.

Understanding how professional restoration works can save you time and offer some peace of mind during a traumatic experience. With our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team available 24/7, we can provide a fast and reliable response to water loss emergencies. We have premier equipment and technologies that can make these disasters “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (919) 790-1222.

Do I Need To Evacuate My Storm Flooded Home In Raleigh?

6/17/2020 (Permalink)

North Carolina experiences several severe storms each year which can cause flooding. SERVPRO is equipped to restore your home and family treasurers.

SERVPRO Is Right by Your Side in the Case of Evacuation and Returns Your Home to You as Fast as Possible 

If there is storm damage in Raleigh with severe flooding, you may have to evacuate. Safety is a top priority for you and your family. SERVPRO leads you step-by-step get you back in your home where you belong. 

Will my possessions be safe if I have to leave? 

North Carolina experiences, on average, twenty-six tornadoes yearly, according to Spectrum News. Other severe weather conditions can cause city-wide flooding too. If water damage in your Raleigh home forces you to evacuate, SERVPRO steps in with emergency mitigation. We provide move out services that include: 

  • Secure storage for home content while restoration takes place.
  • Digital inventory of content
  • Professional moving services to a climate-controlled warehouse
  • Cleaning and drying services
  • Returned to their original position when safe 

Move Out Cleaning & Restoration 

Our content restoration services get to work right away, cleaning and restoring the items in your home that were affected by the storms. You can rest assured possessions are in good hands. Once in the warehouse, we provide the following restoration services to your belongings: 

  • Cleaning and decontamination
  • Fabrics and textiles are dry cleaned
  • Esporta washing that gets rid of 99% of soils
  • Immersion cleaning for dense items
  • Deodorization on contents that require it
  • Insurance protection and security
  • Full accountability 

While cleaning your possessions at the warehouse, great things are happening at your residence. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) technicians are busy restoring your house. Their goal is to get you back into your home as quickly as possible and leave it “Like it never even happened.” 

Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 for quality water damage service that is Faster To Any Size Disaster.

More about Raleigh.

4 Reasons a Drain Cleaner Might Not Be the Best Solution

6/11/2020 (Permalink)

Drain cleaners are toxic to humans and to pets

4 Reasons a Drain Cleaner Might Not Be the Best Solution

Plumbing problems can range from a horrendous sewage backup to a simple clogged drain. The former will likely require the services of a professional disaster response franchise, while the latter might be something you can tackle on your own. There are many ways to get a drain working again, some better than others. Though reaching right away for a drain cleaner seems like a good idea, a closer look suggests pouring chemicals into your pipes should be approached with caution. These reasons clarify the dangers of resorting to chemicals.

1. Chemicals Are Harmful to People. Drain cleaners are toxic to humans and to pets. Merely breathing in the chemicals can cause stinging in the eyes and discomfort in the mouth. The chemicals can also burn exposed skin.

2. They Are Dangerous to the Environment. Chemicals that go down the drain in your home or business in Brookhaven, NC, wind up in lakes, streams, and groundwater. These chemicals are toxic enough to kill fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. There are less harmful ways to clear a clogged drain, including mechanical and biological options.

3. They Are Tough on Pipes. Chemical drain cleaners work by creating enough heat to burn through substances causing the blockage. Whether the source of the heat is lye, bleach, acid, or some other substance, the chemicals can harm older, weaker pipes and plastic pipes.

4. Chemicals Don't Always Work. In situations where the drain is completely blocked, chemicals often just sit in the pipes creating heat and not clearing the drain. Oil and grease buildup in the drain is another occasion not conducive to being cleaned with chemicals.
Whether your home or business has a clogged drain or a major sewage problem, SERVPRO professionals are Faster to Any Size Disaster and are trained to remediate water damage. They are experienced in sewage cleaning methods that restore a building to excellent condition again. The franchise has been helping people recover from fires, floods, and other disasters for over 50 years.

5 Things To Know About Water Damage

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration in Millbrook, NC

5 Things To Know About Water Damage

After a pipe burst at your Millbrook, NC, home you might be wondering what to do next and how to avoid water damage. In order to prevent long term problems after flooding, there are a few things you should know.

1. A Professional Can Help

Anytime you think you may have flood water issues of any kind it’s important to contact a local water damage restoration service. They can help remove the water, dry the area, and make any repairs that may be needed.

2. Damage Can Happen a Number of Ways

It’s important to note that water damage can happen in a number of ways. A water line may break, a storm could lead to flooding, or you might have a leaky seal around a window. No matter what type of water damage you’re worried about, a professional should still be able to help.

3. Repairs Should Be Made Quickly

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

4. Untreated Damage Causes Long Term Problems

It’s important to fix all the damaged areas as soon as possible. Putting off repairs can lead to additional issues like warped wood or mold growth.

5. Affected Areas Can Be Restored

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

After a pipe burst in your home, it’s important to remember these five tips in order to help prevent long term damage. Contact a restoration service as soon as you can, look for various types of damage, make repairs quickly, don’t leave damages spaces un-repaired, and remember that restoration is possible.

A Few Tips on Candle Safety in Your Home

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Never leave a candle unattended

Candles have been a mainstay of homes in the U.S. for hundreds of years. Until recently, nearly every home in the nation had at least a few candles stashed away in a cupboard or drawer somewhere. Is the candle era over? The answer is... maybe. The risk of a candle fire in Crabtree, NC, has convinced many people that there are better options than having an open flame in the house. New technology has given rise to tiny, yet bright flashlights and of course everyone has a mobile phone. Nonetheless, the appeal of candlelight still speaks to some, whether it is on a holiday or during a relaxing bath, so candles aren't likely to completely disappear.

The Need for Safety

A candle fire in a home is a scary event and should be avoided at all costs. For those who insist on using a candle, the following precautions should be used at all times:

  • Never leave a candle unattended
  • Do not allow a child to use a candle without supervision
  • Never place a candle near curtains or highly flammable objects
  • Always make sure the candle is in a secure holder
  • Do not allow pets near candles

For those who crave the calming glow of a candle, a few alternatives exist that mimic the flickering of candlelight. Small lamps set in windows or along the bathroom counter top come in both battery and electric-powered models.

The Necessity for Fire Cleanup
If a candle fire does get out of control, a fire remediation team can respond quickly and lead the way to recovery. Fire and smoke cleanup can restore a home to its original condition. Trained technicians will use the latest technology to clear away soot and smoke damage and to remove the effects of water and chemicals from fire fighting. Smoke odors can also be removed with the proper methods. Professional fire cleanup is a necessary step after a home fire.

4 Steps Landlords of Older Properties Should Take

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage restoration in Rolesville, NC

4 Steps Landlords of Older Properties Should Take

Older properties have a few advantages such as charm and location, but they can be difficult to maintain, especially for landlords. Plumbing issues can haunt landlords and operators of apartment complexes. Many of the systems are outdated. Obsolete pipes made of polybutylene not only frequently crack and break but they also affect the quality of the drinking water. If the goal is to avoid constant repairs and frequent complaints from tenants, a landlord should try these solutions.

1. Schedule Inspections. Regular plumbing inspections can catch small problems before they get big and expensive. They can also prevent expensive problems with water damage that destroys flooring and creates other issues such as mold growth. Plus, an expense that is planned for is often easier to manage than a surprise bill.

2. Replace Polybutylene Piping. This product was popular in the 1970s and the 1980s because it was inexpensive and easy to install. Unfortunately, it doesn't belong in a rental unit plumbing system, or anywhere else for that matter, for a number of reasons. Repeated repairs will just result in more repairs. The solution is to replace the pipes with CPVC, copper, or some other suitable material.

3. Partner With a Mitigation Company. The services of a professional water remediation franchise can come in handy for a number of circumstances. Water restoration experts arrive quickly on the scene and take care of a water problem 24/7 and 365 days a year. A local company in Rolesville, NC, is Faster to Any Size Disaster. Certified technicians have the training and equipment to handle water leaks, toilet overflows, and broken pipes.
4. Monitor Sewer Lines. Tree roots and other obstructions can cause sewage overflows and backups. Regular maintenance can clear away dangers to sewer pipes.
Problems such as polybutylene piping and other outdated components complicate the lives of landlords. A professional response to a water problem can make their work easier.

Tips To Reduce Mold in a Humid Environment

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

Humidifiers are also very useful in water damage restoration

Reduce The Risk of Mold Damage in Your Building

Your commercial building, located in Millbrook, NC, is subjected to high humidity, especially in the hottest months. Mold thrives in a warm, wet environment, so the key is to reduce the high humidity in the air. You can’t totally eliminate the humid conditions, but there are ways to decrease humidity, and along with it, reduce the risk of mold damage in your building.

Utilize Air Conditioning
An air conditioner pulls moisture and heat out of the air as it blows the cool air in.

Keep the thermostat set on “auto” mode, not the “on” mode. If the air conditioner is kept on the cooling "on" cycle, moisture doesn’t have a chance to drain off the evaporator coil before it is evaporated again and sent back into the building.
Don’t turn the air conditioning off at night. Keep it set at a constant temperature 24 hours a day. The system has to work that much harder in the morning to remove the humidity and warm air if it’s turned off at night.
Make sure your air conditioning units are well-maintained. Clean the filters every month and replace them frequently during the hottest months of the year. Check the condensate drain pipe for proper drainage. At least annually, schedule an inspection with a service professional to ensure that your system is running at peak performance.

Install a Dehumidifier
Commercial dehumidifiers can be installed within your building’s ductwork to pull moisture out of the air. Humidifiers are also very useful in water damage restoration. Since they dry wet surfaces quickly, they can significantly reduce the risks involved in mold clean up.

Choose Mold-Resistant Materials
Plastic, glass, and metal countertops and desks are more resistant to moisture than the wooden varieties. Laminate floors are also more resistant to mold than carpeting.
You can never completely eliminate the risk of mold in your building, but controlling the high humidity will help reduce the risks.

Driving on a Flooded Street Can Be a Deadly Mistake

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

Never drive through a flooded street. Turn around, don’t drown

You’ve driven on the same patch of road hundreds of times; what’s a few inches of water? Flash floods are sudden, very dangerous, and can quickly overcome local drainage measures, causing a fully flooded street. Many drivers are tempted to just cross it quickly – and unfortunately, some will pay with their lives.

Very Little Water Is Needed for a Disaster

It doesn’t take much water to turn a flooded street into a death trap:

  • 6 inches of flowing water can knock over an adult.
  • 12 inches can whisk away a small car.
  • As little as 18 inches can carry away an SUV or truck.

Also, flowing water can undermine a road and cause sections to crumble, which might not be detectable on flooded roads. It’s also often difficult to determine the depth of water as the water itself obscures your normal reference cues and can be quite disorienting.

Floods Are the Deadliest Natural Disaster
According to the National Institutes of Health, floods are “the main cause of death” from natural disasters, with most of those caused by flash floods. On average, 84 lives are lost to flooding each year, with around two thirds of those deaths in vehicles.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown
Probably the two most essential travel tips for safety are to wear your seatbelt and avoid flooded roads. As part of a national highway safety push, the National Weather Service initiated their Turn Around, Don’t Drown campaign to raise driver awareness of the dangers of driving on a flooded street.
Unfortunately, the numbers of flash flood deaths continue to rise in recent years, probably attributed to the increasing number of miles Americans drive overall. Flooding is also one of the leading causes of deaths in homes, including residences in Six Forks, NC. The best way to avoid this is to pay attention to evacuation orders and flood warnings for your area.
Once the floodwaters have subsided, you’ll need water damage restoration experts to inspect the home for structural soundness. Next, they can assess what needs replacement and what can be saved and then begin mold remediation efforts.

3 Things To Look for in a Restoration Company

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Ask your insurance agent to call SERVPRO

Three Things To Look In A Restoration Team

If your Leesville, NC, business has experienced fire damage, then you may be looking for a local fire restoration service to help with cleanup and repairs. However, knowing what to look for in the best company to help your business can seem daunting at first. Here are three recommended things to look for in your chosen restoration team.

1. They Can Work With Your Insurance

Try to look for a restoration service that can also work with your insurance adjuster. Some crews offer services such as damage documentation, electronic inventory databases, and regular progress updates. All of these services can help your insurance stay on top of the information they may need for your claim.

2. They Can Clean Up Different Damage Types

A fire damage restoration service should also be able to clean up the various types of damage that may result from a fire. Not only does this include repairs to any burned areas along with smoke and soot repairs, but water damage as well. Water damage can result from fire suppression efforts, so choosing a company that can make these types of repairs as well means you can work with a single team, and your business repairs may be completed faster.

3. They Can Help with Mitigation

A restoration service that can help with fire mitigation may also benefit your company. During the restoration process, they can help update any fire suppression systems you may have, ensure the property is up to fire code and address other mitigation concerns you may be worried about. Once repairs are completed they can walk you through any recommendations they have for further protective measures your company can take.

When looking for a restoration service to help with fire damage at your place of business, consider contacting a company that can do these three things. Work with your insurance provider, clean up different types of damage, help with future mitigation needs. A company that can do all three can help ensure you find all the services you need after a fire in one, reliable place.

How Watching the Weather Strengthens Your Business

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

The weather will eventually show its damaging side, so be prepared

How Watching the Weather Strengthens Your Business

Some people hardly pay any attention to the weather, while others always keep on alert for the possibility of a storm. As a business owner or property manager, the weather should be an area of concern for you for many reasons. A powerful winter storm could affect the bottom line of your business in such ways as reducing customers, impacting employ absences, increasing expenses and requiring adjustments to your operations. Preparing for the weather covers the following actions:

  • Watching the weather on a daily basis
  • Paying special attention to weather alerts
  • Knowing about the seasonal weather challenges in Wake Forest, NC
  • Fortifying your building against storm damage
  • Developing a plan for severe weather

These efforts make your company stronger. Solid preparation for a winter storm has many facets.

More Preparation Strategies

An emergency severe weather plan for your company can be put together to help cope with a major storm. It should include a list of resources to contact in the case of an emergency, such as government agencies, the fire department, utility companies, and medical facilities. The services of a local storm remediation team can provide a fast response to water damage from a roof leak or a pipe break. An experienced storm response company is a good source of valuable information at a time when you need it most. Your plan could include backup equipment such as generators and supplies for first aid, food, water, and warmth.

Additional Solutions

Your building is your fortress and it protects nearly everything of value in your company: employees, equipment, documents, and inventory. Having a strong roof and durable siding can turn back the high winds of a winter storm. A little foresight in the way of removing old trees and clearing storm drains helps avoid larger problems. The weather will eventually show its damaging side, so be prepared. A lack of preparation can have negative consequences for your company.

What To Know About Mold Containment

3/29/2020 (Permalink)

Containment is done to help prevent the spread of mold to other locations

Here Are Some Things You May Wish To Know

When your home faces mold contamination in Cary, NC, you may see the mold restoration team working on the space initiate some containment procedures. This is done to both prevent further mold spreading, and protect your home. Here are some things you may wish to know.

1. Why Containment is Important

Containment is done to help prevent the spread of mold to other locations. Because mold remediation could involve measures such as removing drywall or flooring, there is the potential risk for mold spores to become airborne. Containment also creates barriers that keep these spores from escaping into the rest of the house which could cause mold problems in other spaces.

2. How Containment Works

Containment prevents further mold contamination, by creating a barriers between the affected area and the rest of your home. In most cases this is achieved by the use of plastic sheeting which should block the space from the rest of the home, sealing off air vents to the space, and setting up a fan which which exhaust outside the home. This could create a negative pressure zone which should prevent mold from becoming airborne.

3. What Containment May Look Like

You may see your restoration teak set up plastic sheeting to protect the room as well as a fan that exhausts to the outside of the home. While working in the contained area, professionals may were protective safety gear to help prevent tracking spores outside of containment. This may include clothing and shoe covered where are only worn in the work space, and then are removed before going anywhere else.

Containment is important for preventing the spread of mold contamination. The professionals working on your home will often separate off the area and wear appropriate safety gear to insure spores don’t escape into the rest of the home. If you have any questions about this process your restoration team can help.

How can I protect my business during an outbreak?

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

How can I protect my business during an outbreak like Coronavirus?

With the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus, many people are scrambling to ensure their property is protected. There is a consistent rise in business owners/parents/caregivers interest to ensure that facilities are taking every precaution to prevent any widespread outbreaks. In this article, we will cover what  the Coronavirus is, how you can protect yourself, and how SERVPRO can provide assistance with cleaning and disinfection. 

So, What is the notorious Coronavirus and how does it spread? 

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, which means they are transmitted between animals and people. This virus can cause a variety of symptoms and can lead to a more serious prognosis when introduced to infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Once transmitted to humans, other humans can spread the virus through respiration such as coughing and sneezing. 

How can I protect myself, my family, my employees, and my customers?

Pathogens can rarely be seen or detected with the naked eye; but surfaces, toys, furniture, door knobs, etc are often carriers for communicable disease. When it comes to decontaminating surfaces and airborne Infectious diseases, it’s important to call on a professional that is trained & certified in biohazard remediation including the disinfecting of infectious disease. Surface cleaning is not enough these days, and unfortunately the average consumer does not fully understand the products and the chemical components behind the products intended usage. So many products we use and are familiar with are not used properly, and thus get rendered ineffective which is not the case.

How can SERVPRO help during the Coronavirus?

SERVPRO of North Raleigh/Wake Forest offers thorough cleaning and disinfection services for schools, hospitals, and commercial properties. We have a passion for the prevention of illness through proper cleaning and sanitization. Our crews are always ready to go in their PPE to ensure the buildings in our community are safe to enter. 

Our disinfectants & virucides are EPA, FDA, and OSHA compliant, they have a very low toxicity rating, and are effective against the most common disease and odor-causing organisms, including MRSA, HIV-1 (AIDS virus), Influenza A2, Avian Flu, VRE, TB, Herpes, to name a few. The CDC is recommending a labeled Hospital Grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID19. SERVPROXIDE has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to COVID19 on hard non-porous surfaces. This product can be used against COVID19 when used in accordance with the directions for use against Norovirus Feline Calicivirus** and Canine Parvovirus, Strain Cornell-780916, ATCC VR-2016** on hard, non-porous surfaces. In addition, SERVPROXIDE currently has EPA approved claims for Feline Coronavirus (Strain WSU 79-1683, ATCC VR 989**) and Canine Coronavirus (Strain 1-71, ATCC VR-809**). More product specific information can be obtained on the TDS & SDS.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh/Wake Forest today to ensure you have a proper disease control prevention strategy moving forward to help support a healthy and safe atmosphere. (919) 790-1222

We are Cleaning Experts

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

We are here to help you be proactive!

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

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

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

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, (919) 790-1222

Stay Aware of the Weather to Help Avoid Water Damage to Your Business

3/5/2020 (Permalink)

Gutters need to be regularly cleaned

Stay Aware of the Weather to Help Avoid Water Damage to Your Business

When a winter storm or unusually cold temperatures strikes Morrisville, NC, widespread damage can be expected to strike businesses and residences. Among the worst type of damage is water damage, which can take a few forms, including

  • Water and ice damage from clogged gutters
  • Frozen outdoor hoses causing burst valves
  • A pipe break in exposed plumbing

Businesses Should Clean the Gutters Just Like a Homeowner
Even if you rent the building you occupy, the gutters need to be regularly cleaned. Leaves and debris can cause ice dams during a winter storm, leading to serious water damage. It can force water under eaves and destroy a roof.
Once water gets into unprotected areas, it can cause tons of havoc inside. Plus, mold can grow from wet building materials, and if it gets bad enough, your operations might be shut down while it’s cleaned up. Gutter guards can also help prevent ice dams.

Rubber Hoses Can Cause a Plumbing Disaster
If your business uses hoses outside for cleanup or landscaping maintenance, make sure they are taken in if the weather is supposed to drop below 30 degrees. The water valve can take short excursions below freezing, but not long ones. If you expect a deep freeze, protect the valve with an outdoor foam faucet cover.

Exposed Plumbing Suffers During Unusual Cold
Virtually every winter in Morrisville, NC, comes with a prolonged cold wave that will cause burst pipes for many businesses. They tend to be more susceptible to a pipe break, possibly because landlords don’t take great care to protect your assets, but also because employees don’t either. If a winter storm happens late at night, it might not be caught for hours, causing massive destruction.
Once it gets this serious, you’ll need an experienced local storm damage cleanup company to evaluate your immediate needs and stop further damage. Top restoration companies will assign you a personal representative to help review your insurance coverage and, if it’s a major event, help determine if you are eligible for disaster assistance.

As a Renter, Does My Insurance Cover Fire Loss?

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a North Hills, NC home

What Does This Insurance Coverage Typically Include?

Insurance can be confusing. As a renter of your residence, it can be even more complicated to understand exactly what renters insurance does or doesn’t cover. After all, you don’t own the building, but you certainly have an investment in your own belongings. If your home sustains a fire disaster what does this insurance coverage typically include?

1. Personal Property

This coverage includes fire damage caused by the negligence of you or someone else (criminal acts are excluded). While your policy doesn’t cover the structure in which you live or any property owned by your landlord (walls, light fixtures, flooring, appliances — your landlord’s policy covers these), it does include the loss of your personal property (except for your vehicle). Fortunately, it usually covers the replacement cost instead of the actual cash value. So, you’ll receive payment on what it costs to replace the item versus the depreciated value. Subsequent damage such as smoke and/or soot is also covered.

2. Loss of Use

Oftentimes a fire causes such extensive loss that the home is unlivable. Your insurance will reimburse you for living expenses (e.g., hotel stays) during the fire restoration process.

3. Liability

A fire caused by your negligence could cause injury to someone else (i. e., a neighbor or visitor) or cause their property to sustain damage. Your renters insurance will step in to cover these losses.

4. Medical Expenses

If someone sustains a small bodily injury as a result of your fire, “medical payments to others” will pay for their medical bills. This is no-fault coverage, which means that it doesn't require determination of fault, unlike liability coverage, allowing for faster reimbursement.
If you're renting your residence in North Hills, NC, renters insurance isn't required but could be worth the extra expense for the added assurance. Fire damage cleanup experts will return your home to its preloss condition in the event of a fire.

How To Handle a Broken Pipe in Your Home

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

Hardwood flooring damaged by water in Raleigh, NC

Bursting pipes can really throw a wrench in the works of the day-to-day routine of running your household in Raleigh, NC. The disruption can be a great concern and understanding what needs to be done can be of great help. Knowing what to do can be a great relief if such a situation occurs in your home, and can help prevent secondary damage to your property.

Secondary Damage and How To Prevent it

In the event of bursting pipes, swift and thorough treatment at the first sign of water can help minimize secondary damage. This type is of damage is typified by the water beginning to become contaminated, for one thing. Following are some additional indicators.

  • Hardwood or subflooring that has buckled
  • Swollen and rotting sheet rock
  • Vinyl flooring that has begun to flake
  • Sour or disagreeable odors coming from the water
  • Black mold or evidence of spores

Cleaning Up Before Secondary Damage Happens

Secondary damage can come from allowing water to sit, even clean water. The water and the humidity that comes from it causes these problems. The water should be shut off and extracted immediately so that it does not stagnate. Fix broken pipe and consider calling on a water remediation and restoration professionals in Raleigh, NC will help with assessing the damage and making critical decisions. They can clean up the water damage and mess safely and completely.

Preventing Black Mold

The number one thing that can help prevent the onset of black mold is to thoroughly dry out the area. This includes drying out behind the walls, including studs and insulation if they have gotten wet. Industrial fans may be needed to do a good job of drying, and a dehumidifying unit is also helpful in controlling residual moisture.
If you should experience bursting pipes in your home, take care to get the problem taken care of immediately. A dryer house is a safer house and will help to set your mind at ease.

Navigating the Claims Process to Begin Fire Mitigation in Raleigh

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

A fire can happen at any time. Contact SERVPRO for fire damage remediation services.

We can Help to make the Process a Little Easier for you

One of the most significant challenges that a homeowner faces after a fire loss incident is navigating the claims process for their Raleigh home. Without a working knowledge of the extent of your coverage and what services and actions get covered by your policy, many property owners might find themselves paying out of pocket unnecessarily. While it is no secret that professional restoration is not cheap, it does offer the most efficient route to returning your home to preloss condition.

There are multiple layers of fire damage in Raleigh homes after a disaster. Mitigation can help to address the most pressing of these concerns with emergency services provided by our SERVPRO professionals. With a combination of experienced Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) accredited through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and our division of experienced, licensed general contractors, we have a full-service approach to provide your property the mitigation it needs.

While the first call that you make amid a crisis is to your insurance provider, they often want you to secure a professional restoration team to provide a thorough inspection of the property and determine the work to get done to return your house to its original state. A detailed estimation can get delivered directly to your insurance provider to prevent delays and added steps.

In this same vein, we can work with your insurance adjuster to ensure that mitigation work gets started as quickly as possible. Effects like debris, structural compromise, lingering odors, and soot can all worsen over even a brief period. We work with your insurance company to know the limitations of your coverage and remain upfront and honest about what your home might still need despite the shortcomings of your policy.

There are multiple areas of focus for our professionals restoring a home after a fire loss, and part of this process involves helping our customers through the red tape of filing a damage claim. No matter what your house needs, our SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest team can help. Give us a call anytime at (919) 790-1222.

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How Flood Damage in Raleigh Impacts Different Types of Flooring

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

Water loss events can quickly damage flooring. SERVPRO has the equipment to quickly remove the water. Call us today!

Storm Flood Damage in Your Raleigh Home Can Cause Problems with Your Hard Surface Floors

After severe weather strikes the Raleigh area, moisture from the outdoors can find any weaknesses in your structure and make its way into your residence. Once water enters any building, the storm flood damage created can come in a variety of forms as it can affect each of your structural components and contents in different ways. Professional restoration companies like SERVPRO can help you determine what was affected and then find the best mitigation solutions.

When most people think about storm flood damage occurring in Raleigh, they often imagine saturated carpets and issues caused by damp wooden components. However, water can also cause several different problems with other building materials inside your house, like your hard surface floors. The flooring industry designs many types of hard flooring to be resilient to moisture, but problems can still occur with them if enough water gets into your dwelling.

Some houses contain concrete floors in specific areas like garages. Excessive moisture can cause painted concrete floors to flake and blister, thus requiring the floors to be re-painted. Concrete is porous, so water can soak into the floors and leave behind chalky, calcium deposits, which can require cleaning to remove. Dust and dirt present on the concrete can be a source where mold can grow if it gets wet. If your floors have any fungi growing on the surface, our SERVPRO technicians can remove it by using a vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter.

Moisture can also cause issues with any of the floors in your home covered with vinyl or linoleum.  Often kitchens or bathroom floors contain linoleum. Water loss events impacting vinyl laid on concrete can loosen up the glue and cause the floor covering to separate from the cement underneath it. Since the flooring material often peels right off of the concrete, it is usually cheaper and easier to replace the vinyl than to dry it. If moisture affects vinyl flooring materials placed on top of a wooden subfloor, then the vinyl can often work as a vapor barrier and seal in water, damaging the wood underneath.

Once building materials inside your home get wet after a storm, the issues can get worse if the problems do not get mitigated right away. For prompt 24/7 restoration services, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Revealed: Team SERVPRO Offers Custom Solutions for Fire Damage Situations in Raleigh Homes

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage and its related odors can seem to linger for a very long time. Contact SERVPRO for effective remediation services and odor removal.

Why SERVPRO Succeeds in Raleigh Post Fire Damage Deodorization

A most frustrating effects of a house fire in Raleigh is the odor that can endure long after all signs of charring and soot are cleaned up, and your home looks as it did before the blaze. We learn in the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training that each individual perceives smells differently, complicating matters for both you, members of your family, and our technicians. This unique way of experiencing the issue is why we are patient when addressing odors.

An Art as Well as a Science

The trick to eliminating fire damage odors in Raleigh is protocol, practice, and perseverance, why we invest in training and innovative products and equipment. We follow a procedure when seeking out and eliminating odors, repeating steps, and changing strategies until success. 

The Odor-Elimination Framework

Consistency is adhering to a proven protocol, ensuring that we do not miss a straightforward solution. This theory is why SERVPRO starts smoke and soot odor remediation by following with the below agenda.

  • Remove the odor source and debris
  • Deep-clean surfaces
  • Recreate the conditions that resulted in odors penetrating
  • Seal surfaces that continue to emit malodors

Debris and Deep Cleaning

If any charred and residue-covered debris remains, chances are high they continue to give off an odor. This persistence is why SERVPRO technicians go over your home with a fine-toothed comb more than once, looking for missed items. Checking in hidden recesses and taking on the next step, deep cleaning, with vigor can make the difference. We also try options like the placement of masking and absorbent agents as we discover spaces where odors are high to try to turn the deodorizing corner.

Recreating and Adapting Conditions

The most commonly discussed “recreation” strategy is thermal fogging. We combust deodorants at a high temperature to minimize their size, with the hope of having the small particles seek out and pair with the odiferous bits still airborne or settle. The pairing neutralizes the smell by changing the chemical composition of the molecules. Slight different science underlies ozone machines or hydroxyl generators that produce invisible particles that find and alter or break up the bonds between soot particles and the bad smells.

Sealing as a Last Resort

Some porous surfaces absorb and retain the odors despite all other efforts, why SERVPRO eventually recommends using a sealant to trap the odors inside. Although not the first choice, sealing works well when demolition and replacement is not an option.

Our investment in employee training and up to date equipment is why SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest delivers post-fire damage deodorization success. Have confidence that one call to (919) 790-1222 is the first step toward eliminating malodors.

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Did Candles Cause a Fire in Your Raleigh Home?

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

Candles are a leading cause of home decoration fires. Call SERVPRO! We have what it takes to restore your holiday cheer!

My Raleigh Home Smells of Holiday Cheer… and Smoke!

As we welcome Fall, we start to change our homes into their end-of-year persona. We carve pumpkins, take pictures of changing leaves, and start burning candles smelling of cinnamon and apple. The whole air smells of holiday celebrations and gatherings with friends. However, you may suddenly smell more than that, only to realize that one of your candles ignites a nearby decoration, provoking flames and leaving you to rush for an extinguisher to put them out. As you survey the fire damage, it does not look quite catastrophic, but undoubtedly severe.

Thankfully, homeowners in Raleigh facing fire damage can call SERVPRO for assistance. Even when the fire in your home is not worthy of a fire truck, the remaining soot and smoke can be enough to puzzle even the most resourceful homeowner. Before you decide to apply cleaning products to your furniture and walls, consult with a professional team like ours to protect yourself from causing more damage to unsuitable abrasive cleaners.

Our SERVPRO fire restoration technicians (FRT) hold certifications by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to address situations like yours. Apart from our expertise in the field, we have the technical framework to inform our action plans, and we apply them as soon as we arrive at your home. All you need to do is call our 24/7 hotline and allow our team to jump into action.

An essential step in cleaning each surface in your home includes understanding the nature of each one of them. A wood credenza does not burn in the same way your electronics do or your carpets. Knowing which chemical solution and cleaning tool to use with each item is the key to a successful restoration. Most homeowners fail at this step and end up aggravating the fire damage, ultimately damaging some items. When we restore your home effectively, we can save the value of your property, both actual and sentimental. All you need to do is rely on our expertise and allow us to work to your benefit.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is an expert resource ready to work for you when there is fire damage to your home. Call our team at (919) 790-1222 and let us prepare your home for the holiday season. With our help, your home can look, “Like it never even happened.”

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We Are The Right Choice For Your Raleigh Fire Damage Restoration

11/3/2019 (Permalink)

We were able to do a full demolition in this kitchen to ensure the cleanup would be thorough and allow for full restoration.

What to Expect of Post-Fire Content Management in Raleigh Homes

While many homeowners might get preoccupied with the appearance and damage to their Raleigh properties, soot and smoke damage to your belongings can often exact a more substantial toll on families. Many households have items and possessions with no set monetary value, but sentimental attachments can make it devastating to lose to spreading fire effects. Part of the services that we offer after a fire loss incident is content management.

Content management is a vital element of the spectrum of services our SERVPRO team can offer after fire damage in Raleigh residences. Our experience in these tasks can allow for the fast and secure removal of at-risk items from damaged portions of your property to our safe, climate-controlled facility here in Raleigh. Not only does this pack-out process provide more space for our technicians to work inside of the house, but it also allows our experienced team to provide focused attention and cleaning of specific personal belongings in our care.

During the scoping of the work to get accomplished, our management dictates which items have gotten the most fire damaged and require restorative action. Our content management professionals can utilize packing materials we have brought along, including boxes, bubble wrap, and other protective fillings to safely transport these items to our facility nearby.

In our care, items get thoroughly cleaned and deodorized with advanced equipment and cleaning products. Cutting-edge equipment like our ozone chamber or industry-leading soot removal solutions like our ultrasonic submersion tanks offers effective and efficient cleaning. Once dried and clean, our SERVPRO professionals can store your belongings with its own unique classification system so that you can always have fast access to your possessions even before it is time to return them to your fully restored property.

There are multiple phases of restoration after a fire loss incident, including mitigation, cleaning, and even content management. For a team that can help you manage nearly all of these needs your home has after an emergency, give our SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest team a call at (919) 790-1222.

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How I Improved My Fire Damaged Home in Raleigh

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage can happen fast and you must act fast to get it fixed. Contact SERVPRO today to mitigate fire damage in your home.

Why Should I Hire a Professional Restoration Company?

Home fires can be life-changing and leave homeowners at a loss when deciding on their next steps.  Regardless of its size, fire damage affects your life and derails your sense of normalcy. When disaster strikes, you make decisions that impact your safety and your finances, and it is hard to know if you are making the right choice.  One crucial step is choosing between complete replacement of items or hiring a professional restoration service. Generally speaking, a professional restoration team will prove more cost-effective than replacing all your furniture, cabinets, and flooring.

If this cautionary tale about fire damage applies to your Raleigh home, you are not alone.  SERVPRO is your local resource to restore your home or a portion of it after flames have spread soot and smoke throughout.  When you enlist the services of a professional team like ours, you can trust that we apply our industry expertise to restoring your property.  Our goal, like yours, is to restore as much as possible before suggesting that you replace an item. This conservationist approach helps you save time and money in the aftermath of the fire. 

Restoration efforts in our SERVPRO crew apply specific principles to cleaning and restoring each surface.  Because we are experts in our field, we recognize the most effective cleaning methods based on the chemical composition of each item and work accordingly.  Aside from making our cleaning efforts effective, this approach also lets us avoid collateral manage resulting from abrasive cleaners touching unsuitable surfaces.  By keeping in mind the optimal moisture, temperature, and constitution of every item in your home, we can restore much of it in and avoid the expense of purchasing a substitute.  The interaction of oxygen, the path of the fire, and the reaction of each material to heat all play a role in the action plan our SERVPRO team develops to bring your life back to normal.

When firefighters extinguish the last flame, take a deep breath, and consider your next step carefully.  Resorting to a professional restoration service allows you to mitigate your losses after fire strikes. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919)790-1222 and let us work, so your home looks “Like it never even happened.” 

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The Best Way to Dry and Restore Water Damaged Hardwood Floors in Raleigh

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

Water damages hardwood quickly. SERVPRO has the know how and equipment to restore your flooring. Call us today!

Salvaging Hardwood Flooring After Water Damage in a Raleigh Home

While most insurance policies offer coverage for replacing floors, there are many situations where homeowners can save money by drying instead, especially with solid hardwood. Other types of flooring, including engineered hardwood and laminate, are more prone to structural damage, delamination, and other issues that make replacement preferable. Solid hardwood's durability makes it more salvageable and safer to reinstall.  The durability saves you time and costs when it comes to reinstallation, staining, and refinishing.

If a sudden pipe leak causes water damage to floors in your Raleigh residence, professional disaster mitigation technicians at SERVPRO can restore your flooring to its preloss condition. Commercial-grade equipment an eco-friendly, EPA-registered antimicrobial cleaners work in tandem to salvage floors, subflooring, and other structures in the home that are affected by water. Technicians always work with both homeowners and insurance adjusters to handle damages and restoration per local, state, and federal regulations.

SERVPRO works fast not only to save flooring but also to preserve the layers of infrastructure that support it. Without proper mitigation, water damaged floors can become distorted and start cupping or buckling. These conditions can also become host to mold and wood rot that affect the safety and integrity of hardwood floors.  After dispatching a team to your home, they can use wanded extractors and back-mounted pumps to collect any remaining standing water. Thermal imaging and penetrative and non-penetrative moisture measurement tools can be used to assess the extent of damage to floors and subfloors. We replace non-salvageable planks as needed.

Desiccant dehumidifiers are often necessary to tackle the remaining moisture in hardwood planks due to hardwood's low evaporation rate. These types of industrial dehumidifiers collect moisture from surrounding surfaces by passing it over desiccant materials like silica gel. Heat then evaporates the collected water into an air stream which vents outside of the home. If odors from water damage are evident, OSHA-approved cleaners and ultra low-volume (ULV) fogging deodorizers can be used to eliminate odor-causing particles.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest serves the community by being Faster to Any Size Disaster. Call (919) 790-1222 today to have a team at your home in mere hours.

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Fire Damage in Your Raleigh Residence Necessitates Soot and Odor Removal

10/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows their most important role is getting you back to normal after your Raleigh fire damage.

We know that fire damage in your Raleigh home will need the Pro’s.

Most homes have bathroom exhaust fans that help prevent damp walls, steamed up mirrors, fogged windows, and damp walls along with eliminating odors. However, these exhaust fans present a potential fire hazard if property owners do not clean and maintain them well. When lint accumulates in fans over time, it may cause the motor to get too hot and ignite plastic fan blades, and close by wood structures.

One problem linked with fires is soot damage, even if it may not be as devastating or noticeable as the charring that flames cause. You can deal with the aftermath of fire damage in your Raleigh property by enlisting fire restoration services from SERVPRO. Soot is a mixture of fine particles that appear after incomplete combustion of materials. It occurs when a fire burns anything containing hydrocarbons. 

Soot is mainly made up of carbon, but it may also contain trace amounts of dust, metals, and chemicals. All kinds of soot cause some discoloration. Most soot appears the same, but some types of soot are harder to clean and can cause intense smells. 

  •       Oily soot – When rubber, plastic, and other products containing oil burn, soot usually turns into a greasy, sticky substance. 

  •       Protein soot – This is oily soot that is often the product of a kitchen fire. Overcooked proteins turn to soot that has a pungent scent. 

  •       Wet soot – This soot is created when the fire smolders on low heat for a while and burns high moisture items. 

  •       Dry soot – It occurs when a hot fire burns natural ingredients swiftly. It is easier to remove compared to wet soot.

It can be daunting to clean significant soot damage on your own. Also, you may lack the appropriate cleaning solutions for eliminating soot from some surfaces without ruining them. SERVPRO has the expertise and tools required to leave your home soot-free. We can wet clean some surfaces and dry clean others. Dry cleaning is ideal with it is impossible to wet clean a surface using water-based cleaning products. The dry cleaning procedures we use include vacuuming, compressed air, and brushing. We also use different products like odor counteracting beads, water-based odor counteractants, and solvent-based thermal fog dispensers to remove malodors.

When you need to eliminate soot and odors from your walls, ceilings, furniture, and other surfaces, SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can help. Contact us at (919) 790-1222 for prompt cleanup. 

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The Most Important Elements of Commercial Fire Damage Remediation Success in Raleigh

9/29/2019 (Permalink)

When warehouses suffer from fire damage, time is of the essence. Contact SERVPRO for quick action after a fire.

Special Challenges Cleaning Up Commercial Fire Damage in a Raleigh Warehouse

A warehouse is the backbone of a business. When it receives fire damage, the result is operations grind to a halt. The majority of warehouses store stock, and soot and smoke damage bring additional loss if not adequately mitigated. 

SERVPRO technicians carefully inspect the commercial damage to a Raliegh warehouse before beginning the cleanup process. It is crucial to test various smoke residues to determine the best cleaning methods as well as perform any water extraction left behind by fire extinguishing efforts to halt any further water damage occurring. 

Limit Loss to Stock 

The goal of technicians on a fire loss cleanup is always to reduce loss through their restoration methods. Stored merchandise receives inspection and removal in an organized pack out for storage. This action prevents the likelihood of contamination by soot or smoke residues during mitigation. SERVPRO's pack-out service is a way to move out stock and furnishings to a safe, secure environment until the completion of restoration efforts. 

Cinderblock is Often Restorable from Smoke Damage

Because of the porous nature of cement blocks, it absorbs smoke residues quickly with the result of staining and odor. Technicians use mild acid-based cleaners to lift away the smoke damage and wipe the blocks clean. 

Ductwork Inspected and Cleaned, If Needed

Running the HVAC after a fire loss spreads soot and odors throughout the property. After the cleanup and restoration process completes for the business, technicians inspect the ductwork for signs of cross-contamination. If found, they thoroughly clean the ductwork and also the HVAC. 

Flooring Requires Special Attention

Rubber safety mats are a common feature in a warehouse with cement flooring. If they are damaged by smoke, they have the potential for residue removal and cleaning with specially formulated solutions that are suitable for use on rubberized products to clean without damaging the object. SERVPRO technicians test each item before cleaning for color-fastness, shrinkage potential or other aspects so they utilize the restoration method with the potential for the best outcome.

Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 when you need commercial fire damage cleaned up and restored quickly. Our trained, certified technicians arrive quickly and make the loss "Like it never even happened."

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Removing Standing Water in Morrisville Homes with Wet-Vacs

9/13/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the tools and the power to take down the water damage in your Morrisville home.

Let us help remove your water damage issues in Morrisville.

While standing water can present substantial stress for Morrisville homeowners, cleaning up the mess has to be a priority. In many cases, property owners have left the extraction of this threat to the trained professionals of our SERVPRO team. With the extensive inventory of removal tools and our well-trained collection of qualified water restoration specialists, we can offer effective and efficient recovery solutions regardless of when disasters strike.

Water removal in Morrisville homes often involves multiple layers of powerful machines and tools available to our professionals. We keep these tools stocked on ready trailers prepared to roll out from our facility at the first sign of trouble. If you have the situation relatively contained, however, you might want to rely on your ability to remove standing water. In many cases, you can complete much of this work with the deployment of a wet/dry shop vac.

Often, homeowners have little knowledge of the full functionality of their wet/dry vacs. Even if you have purchased the unit to handle bouts of standing water in your basement after a heavy rain, many still use the machine as a reservoir tank – dumping out the contents every time the unit fills. In truth, our SERVPRO wet-vacs, much like the machines that you can purchase at home improvement locations, have a discharge functionality.

By hooking a hose up to both the suction end and a discharge hose on the other side, you can direct water flow to wherever you want. Often hoses can be increased in length endlessly, giving you as much distance to cover as you require. This approach can often manage even several inches of standing water, though it does not help to address a saturation or exposure issues that might have occurred since the disaster began.

The professionals that we can maneuver to your address at the initial signs of water loss can work to not only address these extraction needs that you have, but also manage rapid drying solutions. This focus can help to protect installed construction materials from requiring removal and replacement from overexposure.

Whether you need a second opinion for the restoration you attempt, or you want to leave the recovery of your home to our competent SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest professionals, we are here to help. Give our team a call anytime that you need us at (919) 790-1222.

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Did Flooding From Hurricane Dorian Cause you to Move Out of Your Home? SERVPRO's Pack-Out Service to the Rescue!

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

Sometimes it is necessary to remove furniture to dry the home. SERVPRO's Pack-Out Service can help you move out and then back in again.

Severe Flood Damage in Raleigh May Require a Temporary Move-Out, but SERVPRO Can Help

Sometimes, severe flood damage like what we saw with Hurricane Dorian can cause enough damage to your home to render it temporarily unlivable. While SERVPRO can reverse the damages and make your home look "Like it never even happened," the possibility remains that you may need to move out of the home temporarily. Here are some of the ways that our technicians can make that a more comfortable and faster process.

The Initial Scoping

One of the first things we do after starting work on severe flood damage in Raleigh after a hurricane like Dorian is to accompany you through the home to identify restorable contents. While many things may prove to be unsalvageable in the aftermath of a hurricane, you may be surprised at how much of your home is restorable to its original appearance without replacing anything. During this time, we can identify valuables and items that you'd prefer to take with you if you decide to move out of the home temporarily. From these careful evaluations, we construct cost estimates for both the structure and belongings to make sure that your insurance company covers as much as possible.

Packing Up and Moving Out

With our help, packing up your belongings and transporting them to a temporary residence is easy and fast. Depending on the situation, we may handle the entire process ourselves or bring in a local moving company to assist us in this work. We conduct a thorough inventory of all your belongings before moving them so that any breakages or lost items can be identified and replaced at no additional cost.

Moving Back In

Once SERVPRO restoration professionals have finished drying out and sanitizing your water damaged home, you can begin the process of moving back in. We handle your belongings either through our personnel or an approved and insured local contractor, and typically try to set your move-back to the earliest possible date. Some restorations may be ongoing when you move back in, but your home is guaranteed to be safe and livable once we give you the go-ahead.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest stays ready 24/7 when major storms like Hurricane Dorian strike. Call our emergency number at (919) 790-1222 for our services.

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We Put Safety First In Raleigh During Fire Damage Restoration

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

After a fire a demolition was necessary to ensure the cleanup would be thorough and allow for full restoration.

Cleaning Walls and Ceilings After Fire Damage in Raleigh

When small scale fire damage occurs, one of the first things homeowners want to do is break out the all-purpose cleaner and start wiping the walls. This, unfortunately, is one of the worst actions to do after a fire.

Outsourcing the cleaning of ceilings and walls that have smoke and fire damage in Raleigh homes is smart. A professional restoration services company knows to test the residue before performing any type of mitigation, so the structure does not receive further destruction.

Special Attention to Ceilings

Light fixtures and vents offer unique challenges when cleaning ceilings. SERVPRO technicians take special care to test the residue on the ceiling before cleaning so they use the correct method for removal. 

Since smoke rises - copious amounts of smoke may be found on the ceiling. Dry cleaning sponges are the most common method used for cleaning as they lift away residue without smearing or driving it in further. 

Safety First on Every Job Site

SERVPRO technicians put safety first during mitigation. Before cleaning ceiling-mounted fixtures, it is a commonplace to shut off the electricity. Whenever possible, they perform in-place cleaning of fixtures to limit the disruption to the home during fire damage mitigation.

Challenges of Cleaning Smoke Damaged Walls

During a fire, when the air heats up, it expands. This expansion drives odor-causing soot into walls, especially when paint bubbles and becomes soft from the exposure to heat. After testing the residue left on walls from the fire, technicians choose the appropriate cleaning methods. It is not uncommon for team members to use different applications on walls than on ceilings. 

Handling Built-In and Kitchen Cabinets

In kitchens or living rooms with built-in cabinets, it is vital to pack out the contents to another area for inspection and cleaning. The technicians make detailed reports of all items handled and moved in a record that includes before and after photographs for easy expediting of insurance claims. The cleaning applications chosen for cabinetry with smoke damage depends on the materials that make up the structure. 

Fire damage should never be a DIY project. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 and get the fire loss in your home cleaned up and forgotten "Like it never even happened."

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How You Can Deal With Fire Damage Remediation Almost Instantly

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage can overwhelm you when it comes to your business. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation help.

My Jewelry Store is Up in Flames

Some people are born to be artists, and Raleigh is a great community to let your creativity flourish. What probably started as a hobby has now become a livelihood, allowing you to open a store in a fashionable part of town, where your patrons can browse your jewelry designs and walk out feeling happy. Never in your wildest dreams did you imagine that an electrical fire in your building could threaten to burn down all you have built and leave you in need of professional help.

Luckily for you, SERVPRO is at the ready to help restore your shop in Raleigh after it suffers fire damage. Our team specializes in knowing the latest techniques related to fire restoration and water removal, which are essential in saving your store and its inventory without causing further damage. Like you, we want to mitigate the time and financial losses an accidental fire can cause, and being deliberate in the restoration efforts is the key to success. 

Our SERVPRO technicians understand the limitations of working in a commercial building, and we know how to work within those parameters. When we arrive at your jewelry shop, we first assess the situation and quickly identify objects that are beyond repair. Once we remove and dispose of them according to environmental guidelines and regulations, we proceed to extract water left behind by sprinklers and firefighters. Once our moisture meters let us know that humidity levels are back to normal, we proceed with disinfecting each surface, paying close attention to the chemical composition of each of your displays and jewelry pieces. By using surface-specific cleaners, we can prevent further damage due to abrasive substances not suitable for some of your creations.

As our SERVPRO team concludes the job, we apply our technical expertise to remove lingering odors resulting from the fire. We know that pleasant smell is essential to the shopping experience which is why we use deodorizing pellets, ozone generators and charcoal activated filters to purify the air and leave it smelling fresh without a trace of the fire.

Do not let your dream go up in flames. Reach out to SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest if you ever need help after a fire. You can call us at (919) 790-1222 around the clock and let us be a part of your team. When we leave, your shop will look, “Like it never even happened.” 

Click here to see more about Raleigh.

Significant Flooding in Raleigh? Call SERVPRO-A Premier Cleanup and Restoration Company

8/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Call Us After Your Insurance Agent Post Flooding in the Raleigh Area!

Learn How to Restore Your Raleigh Home After Flood Damage

Heavy rain is a common cause of flooding in Raleigh, and it can cause contamination and damage to the structure and contents of your home. After a flood, a majority of homeowners are worried about getting the house looking great once again. However, recovering from flood damage involves more than just cleaning up the water, replacing the carpet and repainting the walls. Your priority should be ensuring that your property is safe.

Flood damage in your Raleigh residence creates the ideal environment for poor indoor air quality and mold, which can cause health effects. If you do not perform the post-flood restoration process well, the contamination from mold and bacteria can affect your home’s structure. Acting quickly after the incident can help prevent further damage.

Some steps you should take after floodwaters enter your house include:

• Call your insurance provider, meet the adjuster, follow the lead--if suggested--Ask if SERVPRO Is an Approved Vendor

• Hire an electrician if the water rose as high as the outlets, electrical panels, or switches of your house, or if it got to appliances or fixtures. Having an electrician check these items before turning the power back on ensures safety.

• Hire an HVAC expert to inspect your heating and cooling system, particularly if you suspect that the water got into ducts or heat registers.

• Hire a flood damage cleanup company to extract the water, remove the debris, and sanitize the affected areas.

SERVPRO Can Offer Many of the Above Services


SERVPRO is the company you can trust to perform effective flood cleanup in your home. Our Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRTs) are skilled in handling any flood cleanup scenario. We can arrive quickly to your residence, assess the destruction, and determine the steps to take towards restoring your home to its preloss state whenever possible. Our technicians evaluate if it is possible to decontaminate the structure and contents or not. The decision to replace or repair depends on the porosity of the materials, pretest results, and type of contamination. We remove and dispose of porous items like carpet and pad appropriately since we regard them as infectious waste. If there is standing water, we can extract it using powerful portable pumps.

If necessary, our SERVPRO technicians can pressure clean the structural components of your property and then use an EPA approved disinfectant to disinfect affected surfaces. We also wash and dry interior wall surfaces and other inaccessible areas that rising water or sewage has contaminated. Our crew also removes any final debris and water and disposes of them in the right way. Once the cleaning procedure is complete, we place air movers and dehumidifiers in a property to speed up the drying process. We have the expertise to deal with the flood damage to make it seem “Like it never even happened.”

Flood damage calls for efficient cleanup services. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can help you restore your flood-damaged home in North Hills, Morrisville, and Cary. Call us 24/7 at (919) 790-1222 for emergency restoration services.

Let the Professionals Aid in Your Raleigh Home Remediation Plans

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

When a catastrophe happens in your home you need to call the remediation specialists at SERVPRO for help immediately.

Learn How SERVPRO Helps Local Raleigh Homeowners with Restoration Services

It can happen at any time of the day or night whether you are snug in your Raleigh home or at work or on vacation. Damage to your home occurring from fire, water, storms or even mold quietly growing undetected. No matter what type of loss has happened in your property, SERVPRO has the expertise and equipment to return your home to its preloss condition. 

Why SERVPRO? We know you have choices for restoration companies. We are part of the local community and take pride in supporting our friends and neighbors when they need assistance with cleanup from fire, water, or mold. Our technicians undergo extensive training and learn the best practices for mitigation as taught through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This organization is considered the highest standard of quality in the restoration sciences industry. We work hard on every site with a goal to always restore rather than replace items. This mindset saves property owners the cost of replacement for things that might otherwise get counted as a loss.

Mold damage in Raleigh homes requires fast remediation. Mold relies on stealth to remain undisturbed. Each spore only needs warmth, steady humidity, and food such as wood, paper or sheetrock to maintain a colony that, once established, tends to spread rapidly. 

Many homeowners first discover mold from a musty smell that does not diminish no matter how much air freshener gets sprayed in the room. The key with mold remediation first and foremost is containment. When SERVPRO mitigates mold damage in a home, we first identify any areas of excessive moisture. These areas are likely to host mold colonies, and then our technicians contain those areas to stop spores from reaching other areas of the home. 

Dryness is the enemy of mold. It cannot exist when humidity levels average below 45%. Our technicians carefully take readings in the home until the affected areas verify less than optimum moisture levels to ensure the colonies cannot regenerate. 

Once dried, our certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians remove the mold. We accomplish this using gentle hand-scraping, or for stuck-on infestations, the use of lightly abrasive soda blasting is a highly effective method. After removal, we commonly apply an antimicrobial sealer to halt any regrowth.

Water damage in a Raleigh residence emanates from many sources. Any of the plumbing in the home has the potential to leak. Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, or the supply line to the water and ice maker in your fridge tend to give out over time.

When SERVPRO answers a call for water cleanup, we know the longer the premises remains wet, the more damage that happens. We arrive on-site quickly with every piece of equipment we require in our green service vans. Our certified Water Restoration Technicians scope the residence with our moisture detection equipment such as:

  • Non-Penetrating Meters: These detectors have two sensors and compare levels of moisture for anything between the two points and assist our technicians in determining exactly where moisture absorption begins and ends.
  • Penetrating Meters: Have surface-penetrating prongs that identify trapped moisture under the surface.
  • Hydrosensors: A penetrating meter that measures moisture within porous surfaces such as carpet or padding.
  • Thermo-Hygrometers: This type of detector measures both temperature and humidity within the water loss area, and assists our technicians in determining drying goals.

This advanced technology ensures we locate every possible place water migrated for thorough extraction. We have specialized equipment to assist in the mitigation of water damaged carpeting or upholstery, so there is a higher chance of restorability. 

Thorough dryness is paramount to halting secondary water damage issues such as buckling sheetrock, warped hardwood floorboards, or mold. Using our thermo-hygrometers, SERVPRO technicians carefully set drying goals that are unique to each location. No residence has zero percent humidity. Some air moisture is vital for air quality, but it should not be enough to allow mold spores to germinate.

After thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the water loss areas, we give the homeowner a detailed report of the actions taken during mitigation as well as any repairs necessary. 

When a Raleigh home has storm damage, we act quickly to begin water cleanup. Often by the time our emergency response teams arrive, in many cases, the water has receded or wicked into sheetrock, disappeared within wall cavities and requires speedy removal. 

SERVPRO technicians tarp over any damaged areas of the home to prevent any further water from entering the property during mitigation. We then perform water extraction and controlled demolition techniques such as flood cuts as needed to save as much of the structure as possible. 

If our technicians are unable to clean and restore water-damaged items on-site, we pack them out for in-plant cleaning on a case by case basis. After water removal and drying the home, we then thoroughly disinfect the property, so it is safe and healthy for habitation. 

Fire damage in Raleigh homes ranges in size from a small corner of a kitchen with charring and smoke damage due to a hot pan catching aflame to an entire home destroyed by an intense fire where the best outcome is to prepare the property for reconstruction.

Soot travels quickly, and airborne particles can easily be smaller than the human eye can see. SERVPRO technicians install airlock barriers or use heavy plastic sheeting over doorways and vents to contain the work site area. Removal of smoke residues requires testing it to determine the type of fire that left the residue and the proper kind of cleaning method for the best outcome. Improper cleaning of soot and smoke residues has the potential to cause further damage. 

After fire debris removal and cleaning, our technicians concentrate on odor removal. We have several types of specialized equipment for odor control as fire loss often leaves behind significant scents that require a layered-approach to complete odor eradication. When SERVPRO technicians complete fire loss mitigation, we leave behind no residual reminders within the property.

When home disasters strike, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. Our emergency response teams stand ready 24/7 to support our local community with assistance mitigating fire, water, storm or mold damage and make it "Like it never even happened."

Click here to learn more about the city of Raleigh. 

Don’t Just Sit There! Start Your Water Damage Remediation in Raleigh Now. 

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage in Raleigh can cause major headaches if not done correctly. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Removing Persistent Malodors after Water Damage in your Raleigh Property

One element of restoration is the combating of smells referred to in the industry as removing malodors. Unpleasant aromas can come from several sources. Sometimes, the odor is residing inside furniture or wall cavities but only becomes noticeable once the water has loosened pre-existing grime or soiling. There are also microbes present in water which may be odorous themselves or, if the water is contaminated, then raw sewage, animal carcass or mold could be causing odor. 

After water damage in Raleigh, there may be several different sources contributing to malodor. Sometimes an odor disperses naturally once the property is dry. SERVPRO technicians can mobilize a range of tools such as industrial water extraction equipment, air movers, or dehumidifiers to dry your home. We may even use a drying tent, to isolate a particular area and provide concentrated drying techniques- this process can sometimes quarantine sources of odor as well. 

After a property has dried, you may find that odors persist. Since the source of an odor is tough to pin down, we may need to use a multi-faceted approach to controlling it. SERVPRO can place deodorizing pellets inside cavities which can mask an odor until it disperses naturally and no longer poses a problem. In situations where odor persists, we may combine thermal fogging or light deodorant sprays to surfaces in general. Both methods can be instrumental in pairing with odors and neutralizing them rather than covering up the smell. 

SERVPRO is capable of controlling immediate odors in your home, but can also take steps to ensure future odor problems are kept to a minimum. During service, we can apply anti-microbial and biocide treatments to surfaces, carpets, and flooring. If repainting is required, we can create a base layer using special anti-microbial paint to prevent mold from forming and causing issues. 

Our technicians communicate with you every step of the way and can pass on an inventory of work completed to your insurance adjuster on your behalf. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. 

Click here to see more about Raleigh. 

We Respond Quickly To Restore Your Raleigh Home After A Flood Damage Disaster

7/5/2019 (Permalink)

Our skilled technicians extracted the water and executed a partial demolition to mitigate the damage in this home.

Flood Damage Raleigh - Broken Windows

A recent storm blew in several windows in a customer’s home. Several tree branches were actually found inside the home along with lots of water and debris. Aside from some minor damage to the outside of the home, most of the damage was contained to water inside the living room along with debris scattered throughout the room. The owner was able to board up the windows to prevent further flood damage from the storm.

For all water damage situations including flood damage in Raleigh call SERVPRO for 24/7 service. Regardless of the time of day we can respond to all of your emergencies. Our team can respond immediately to help this customer contain further damage and mitigate the impact of the water in his home.

A great deal of rain can come through a broken window. Homeowners are often surprised how much water is removed from their home in these situations. First our SERVPRO technicians focus on removing as much water as possible and then we use dryers and dehumidifiers to dry out the home. Window openings must be sealed prior to setting up dehumidifiers.

The efficiency of these machines is greatly improved when they are operated in a closed environment. Our flood restoration process includes:

Inspection

Water Removal

Drying

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Restoration

SERVPRO also has restoration personnel available to completely restore your home to it’s original condition. We also clean hard surfaces such as tile and hardwood in addition to soft surfaces such as fabrics on couches and chairs. We use moisture meters to make sure that all moisture is remove to avoid the growth of mold and flood damage to fabrics. Mold can also cause health issues for many people. We react quickly to your call to mitigate the growth of mold and the associated impacts.

We are strategically located to respond quickly to your flood damaging event. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 for 24/7 service. We also serve Raleigh, North Hills and many more local communities in the area. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

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Our Team Is Prepared To Restore Your Raleigh Home After A Water Damage Disaster

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7, 365 days per year. We have the equipment and expertise to remove the water and restore your property.

SERVPRO - Remediating Water Damage To Raleigh Kitchens

Despite the Falls and B. Everett Lakes, plus various creeks and more nearby, most Raleigh residents deal with water problems from causes like failing dishwashers and broken water heaters. Even smaller amounts of water from these items can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair and replacement.

Common types of water damage to Raleigh homes after either appliance failure are in the kitchen. SERVPRO restoration teams train to restore linoleum and sub-floors when possible and replace them when needed.

When water damage remains too long on linoleum, it can cause the glue holding it in place to loosen, forming pockets of air and water. For small air pockets, team members can press them flat again using a flooring roller. For larger pockets, they carefully make a tiny pinhole, then use the roller to slowly squeeze out the air and force the vinyl back into place. Once the affected area is flat again, specialists seal the pinhole with vinyl glue. The process is similar to water pockets or bubbles except that specialists make a pinhole in each one to drain the water, regardless of size.

If they are unable to press the linoleum back in place with the flooring roller, SERVPRO specialists can, at the owner’s direction, cut away the affected section and replace it. They can also lift and dispose of the entire vinyl floor if needed, then replace it with new linoleum.

In homes where the water soaked into the floor while the family was away on vacation, it can damage the sub-floor support structure. Team members can dry these areas using air movers, and make repairs such as replacing several 2x4s. If the floor is severely compromised, the team leader recommends the homeowner bring in a general contractor for repairs.

At SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, our teams take every step to return each home to its original, pre-damaged condition. If your home has suffered through a recent water issue, contact us today at (919) 790-1222. We are here for you.

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How Our Experts Can Help Reduce The Effects Of Flood Damage In Your Raleigh Home

6/5/2019 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7.

Steps To Reduce The Effects Of Flood Damage In Raleigh

Whether it is a flash flood or other incident that leaves you grappling with flood damage in your home, there is a need to take immediate action to rectify the situation. Some actions, when taken at appropriate times, can help limit the level of damages to your property. The advantage of working with professional restoration services is the level of training and experience they bring to the table, ensuring that steps that can have a positive impact are applied.

The water that causes flood damage in Raleigh homes affects several construction materials, including insulation. Depending on the kind of insulation, it can damage the R-value or cause matting, among other problems. Such issues diminish its insulation properties, which can increase your power bills significantly. Our SERVPRO technicians evaluate the affected areas and establish whether it is possible to dry or replace the insulation. Cellulose and Rockwool typically require replacement, but it is possible to restore fiberglass through drying in some situations.

Most of the water that pools around is visible on floors and other surfaces. However, some of it migrates into wall cavities and other concealed areas such as cabinets or subfloors. Such water requires extra steps for effective removal. Our SERVPRO technicians open up wall cavities by creating vent holes or making flood cuts. We also use specialized equipment such as injectidry systems to extract water and venting equipment to push air into the cavities to facilitate better evaporation.

Contamination is a significant concern during flooding incidents because the water sweeps various types of wastes, including biohazards such as raw sewage, and chemicals into the house. Failure to clean all contaminants from your house can jeopardize the health of the occupants. Our SERVPRO technicians remove highly porous materials such as carpets and pad from the property for disposal because cleaning cannot eliminate all traces of contamination. We also use professional cleaning agents to sanitize non-porous surfaces eliminating contamination traces “Like it never even happened.”

To minimize long-term effects after a flooding incident in your North Hills, Morrisville and Cary home, you should call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. We are available 24/7.

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Fast Water Removal Limits Damage to Raleigh Kitchen

5/31/2019 (Permalink)

To ensure that your water damage is properly taken care of, call SERVPRO today.

SERVPRO can help you limit your damage.

During cleanup from water damage in Oak City homes, the extraction phase is one of the most crucial. The reason is that the more water we can pull out of carpeting, furnishings, or the structure, the faster the drying phase goes.

SERVPRO answered a call from a homeowner in Raleigh with water damage, who needed water removal in their kitchen area from a supply line leak under the sink. During the initial phone call, our technician verified with the homeowner she turned off the water and put down towels to help absorb the water until we arrived.

We arrived on-site a short time later and immediately deployed our portable pumps to extract any water left. We carefully scope water loss events precisely to ensure we remove all excess water in the room. Our moisture detection equipment showed water migrated behind the baseboards, and the hollow area under the cabinet showed elevated moisture levels.

To let maximum airflow under the cabinet area, our SERVPRO technicians removed the baseboards and positioned the air movers attached to the Injecti-Dry to direct air into the interior wall and cabinet spaces. We have different types of dehumidifying equipment that we use in tandem with the air movers to port out the moisture the air movers bring to the surface.

Once the kitchen was dry, we used our probes to confirm there were no remaining areas of excessive moisture. Mold is always a concern after a water loss. By lowering the moisture levels and following up with thorough hand cleaning with our professional-grade antibacterial and antifungal solutions, we inhibit the potential for mold to become an issue.

After completion of the water loss mitigation, our SERVPRO technicians gave the homeowner a list of the actions we took for remediation of the damage from the water, and we made a list of the necessary repairs the homeowner would need to have completed for restoring the home to its preloss condition. 
Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 when you need assistance with water removal. We have the equipment and experience to handle any water loss event and are available 24/7 because We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.

To learn more about the aspiring City of Raleigh, NC click here.

SERVPRO Will Clean Up Your Raleigh Kitchen After A Fire

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week so don't hesitate to call us any time. We have the experience, equipment and expertise needed.

Prompt Fire Damage Restoration in Raleigh Can Preserve Your Home

Most fires occur because of preventable mistakes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states that one out of every three home fires begins in the kitchen. Kitchen fires can cause significant damage to homes. They commonly occur because of unsafe cooking practices and leaving the stove or oven unattended.

After a kitchen fire has damaged your home, you do not have to struggle to clean up the affected areas. It is better to opt for professional fire damage restoration for your Raleigh home. The professionals at SERVPRO can assist you to restore your home to its preloss condition. We have the specialized tools and expertise required to salvage as much as possible from the aftermath of a fire. Our staff is also compassionate to ensure that you are your property are both taken care of. We can complete the work quickly while paying attention to your concerns to minimize your stress levels.

To achieve the best results, call us immediately after extinguishing the fire. The ash and smoke residue left behind can mix with the water used to extinguish the fire and turn into an acidic mess. The acid can further ruin any surface it is in contact with, worsening a bad situation. We can prevent additional damage to your home by using low or high-alkaline general surface cleaners to neutralize the acid and prevent it from reacting with the flooring, walls, appliances, furniture and other items.

Smoke can get to places where the fire did not start, but the most smoke damage commonly occurs directly above where a fire burned, like on the ceiling. If the fire burned near an open window or door, the rising smoke damages the areas just above these openings. Our IICRC certified technicians have access to specialized equipment and cleaning products designed to handle ash and smoke damage. Smoke odors may also fill your entire home. Our SERVPRO technicians can use odor removal equipment like thermal foggers and ozone machines to eliminate the odors effectively.

If a fire has damaged your home, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 to help you remove the smoke, water, soot, ash and odors left behind. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster and can restore your home to its normal state quickly.

Click here for more information about Stream Cleanup on May 4.

Proof That Flood Damage Remediation in Raleigh Really Works

4/30/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding and storms bring more issues. Don't let them pile up. Contact SERVPRO today for help.

How to Effectively Restore a Flood Damaged Basement in Your Raleigh Home

A flood damage experience should not bring your business or home to a standstill. By working with certified restoration service providers, you can still get your property back to its former condition. If you rebuild too quickly and make a mistake, then you are likely to experience recurring problems. For instance, if you did not notice a submerged wood in your Raleigh home, then future problems such as mold growth and deterioration of wall and wood coverings are likely to occur.

Our SERVPRO technicians inspect your building and determine whether it is safe to enter. We check out for structural damage and turn off electricity and gas services. We understand that flood water in Raleigh is contaminated and remove porous building materials and advise the owner to do a replacement. We have the equipment to clean and extract water from any flooded basement. When the depth of the standing water is less than an inch, we may decide to perform wet or dry vacuuming.

If our SERVPRO technicians are dealing with moderate and large flooding, we may use a sump or submersible pumps. Usually, the pressure of the pool of the water outside the building is balanced by that of the water inside the basement. We are careful not to extract the water so quickly when the outside of the building is still flooded since a significant pressure change may make the walls to crumble or crack.

After pumping out the water, it is time to perform basement cleanup. Our SERVPRO technicians wear rubber boots, gloves, overalls, protective eyeglasses and face masks as part of the safety precautions. We shovel out the mud before it can dry and clean the surfaces using disinfectants to lower chances of mold growth. Through dehumidification and installation of air movers, we can dry the wet locations.

Work with SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for industry proven commercial and residential restoration services. Call (919) 790-1222 and get 24-hour emergency help from our highly trained technicians.

Click here for more information about the city of Raleigh.

The Best Way to Dry a Water Damaged Basement in Raleigh

4/11/2019 (Permalink)

You can trust the SERVPRO Brand to restore your water damaged basement.

Use Water Removal Services in Raleigh to Restore Your Basement After a Leak From Malfunctioning Appliances

Basements are popular due to their ability to increase the value of a home and add extra living space to it among other benefits. Nonetheless, they are one of the areas that are most prone to sustaining water damage because they are in the lowest part of a home. If you have a washing machine or water heater in your basement, they are potential hazards if they malfunction or become clogged. Water in the basement is often a significant issue when the sump pump is not working. You have to remove the water, dry everything and address any mildew or mold present. It is often best to let the experts handle basement flooding.

If you are searching for professionals who offer water removal services in Raleigh due to a flooded basement, SERVPRO is the right company to call. Our well-trained technicians can use sophisticated equipment to clean your basement so that your home is comfortable to live in again. Extracting unwanted water is vital in completing property restoration after water loss.  

Our technicians can use pumps and truck mounted vacuums to remove water from your basement. We can also use submersible pumps to remove most of the water and then use wet/dry vacuums to remove the rest. Our water removal services offer several benefits, including preventing mold growth and other secondary damage in the affected areas. Our technicians extract as much water as possible from the affected areas so that they can dry faster. Pumping more water out of a structure reduces the need to use dehumidifiers for lengthy periods.  

Here at SERVPRO, we do our best to solve the problem our customers are facing within a short time. We are trained to seek out hidden water damage. Water can be captured or flow in seemingly unlikely places. Our technicians can identify all wet materials through moisture inspections involving thermo-hygrometers, moisture detection devices, and infrared technology. We also remove contaminated materials from the affected areas to prevent microbial growth.  

When there is unwanted water in your basement, SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can assist you in removing it before things get worse. Contact us today at (919) 790-1222 to get your basement water removal done professionally and quickly. We serve several local communities, including Raleigh, North Hills, and Morrisville. 

Read more about Raleigh here.

Our Specialists Explain Our Restoration Process After A Fire In Your Wake Forest Dental Office

4/4/2019 (Permalink)

In case of a fire in your North Hills, Morrisville or Cary office, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest to assist.

Important Steps In Restoration Of Commercial Fire Damage In Wake Forest Dental Office

A fire at your dental practice can be very destructive because the flames from the blaze and the water used in the process of firefighting can damage furniture items, electronics, patient records and supplies such as dental impressions. Fast restoration of regular operations is necessary to ensure minimal interruptions in service delivery to patients. We offer professional restoration services in Wake Forest that help you deal with the damage “Like it never even happened.”

After an incident of fire damage in Wake Forest, there is a need to limit the level of secondary damages that occur. Various aspects of the incident continue causing damages long after the flames are doused out. Residues such as soot are corrosive and can, therefore, cause irreversible damages to metallic tools used daily. Standing water and other forms of moisture can also cause problems such as mold development, rust or rot. Our SERVPRO technicians work fast to safeguard against these damages. We extract standing water and wipe down items that can be affected by soot preventing further damages.

A fire is a combination of several aspects, so it leaves different levels of damages especially in contents within the dental office. It is possible to save some items, while others have to be thrown away. Our SERVPRO technicians have a systemic way of separating items based on levels of damage. We separate items into salvageable, questionable and unsalvageable items. Such separation speeds up restoration and helps save more items.

People like to enjoy a fresh, relaxing environment when they visit their dentist. Odors caused by smoke and debris from a fire can ruin that environment. Our SERVPRO Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians take every step necessary to deodorize the office. We use specialized equipment such as vacuums and upholstery cleaners to remove all debris from items and surfaces. We also have deodorizing equipment such as Ozone generators, which oxidize odor particles neutralizing them.

In case of a fire in your North Hills, Morrisville or Cary office, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest to assist. You can reach us at (919) 790-1222 any time. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

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Fast SERVPRO Fire Restoration Allows North Hills Properties to Get Back to Business

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team will work quickly to recover your business from fire damage.

SERVPRO Can Assist with All Commercial Fire Damage Needs in North Hills

Restoring a business after fire damage is often a multi-layered approach. Fire brings flames, smoke, soot, and heat. After the blaze, there is often water damage requiring restorative efforts from both the fire fighting efforts and fire suppression systems such as overhead sprinklers triggered by the fire. 

It is vital to extract any standing water as quickly as possible as the first step of commercial fire damage in a North Hills business. If the water cleanup occurs within the first 24 hours, it is handled as a clean water cleanup. Saturated mats are removed for drying, and if any part of the affected area has carpeting, it is not automatically a loss if it is soaked with water or smells like smoke. Our technicians have multiple applications to dry carpeting in place and neutralize odors from a fire.

After removing standing water and wet items to dry in another area, desks and chairs can often dry in place raised on blocks when we set up air movers to direct air up and out carrying moisture with it. Once dry, SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians use both wet and dry sponges as needed for the type of residue as they clean and disinfect surfaces and items affected by both water and the fire. Our goal is to restore to mitigate as much loss as possible for your business.

Employees do not want to smell the after effects of fire, and neither do your customers. SERVPRO's Odor Control Technicians are specialists in neutralizing even deeply seated odors from a fire using tools such as HEPA air scrubbers or thermal fogging to eradicate foul scents from furnishings and anywhere the smoke touched within the business.


At SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, our goal is to remediate commercial fire damage quickly so you can reopen with as little loss of revenue and productivity. Call (919) 790-1222 - our team of technicians is available 24/7 to go to work for you immediately.

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How to Prevent Water Damage to Your Raleigh Home

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage from Clogged Gutters in Raleigh Is Not Necessary with Inspections--SERVPRO Tip

Call SERVPRO to Restore Your Property After Rains or Floods Occur

Prevention is better than cure,’ so goes the old English adage. Water damage to your Raleigh homes and real estate property is a hazardous eventuality. As such, it is in your best interest to employ all tactics to see to it that it does not happen at all. You can only be sure of this if you are acquainted with all the possible strategies and best practices for prevention.

We at SERVPRO are familiar with these preventive strategies. This arises out of our experience with the mitigation of water damage in Raleigh. Our skilled and IICRC-certified technicians have compiled a list of these strategies and would be glad to share them with you. 

By far the most outstanding tool in this arsenal is the proactive approach. This entails putting in place timely interventions beforehand rather than waiting for the problem to arise first before responding to it. 

SERVPRO’s technicians recommend that you carry out regular inspections of your premises and properties. This way, you can be able to identify potential hotspots and develop a counteractive response. Doing this shall also earn you the benefit of spending less on restoration services and forestalling worse damages to your property. 

Unclogging your drains and gutters regularly suggested by SERVPRO ensures a smooth flow of water and eliminates most chances of water intrusion because of poor rainwater channeling from away the structure. This also goes a long way in reducing the likelihood of your property suffering damages from mold infestations and foul odors.

Nothing lasts an eternity. The plumbing parts and components of your premises are by no means exceptional. Consider a timely and regular replacement of the worn out parts and components of your property’s plumbing system. This way, you can ward off the possibilities of water damage caused by the malfunctions of these parts. 

If your home or business is in need of water removal and restoration, rely on a professional local franchise SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for positive results. Call us 24/7 at (919) 790-1222.

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Remediating Raleigh Fire Damage Can Be Complicated

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Raleigh House Fire? Call SERVPRO for a Stress-Free Cleanup and Restoration

SERVPRO Carefully Manages Restoration Services After a Fire

Cleaning up a Raleigh home after a fire is directed at the big items. First efforts are to examine the structural property and determine what is needed to restore floors, ceilings, and walls. That is where much of the restoration cost comes from, but it is not everything. 
 
To completely remediate the effects of fire damage in Raleigh homes; a professional restoration company looks at every item in the home. SERVPRO understands that the items most important to a homeowner are rarely ever walls and ceilings. It is the personal touches like light fixtures and in rooms like the kitchen or living area made by the owners. 
 
Kitchen cabinets are among the first personal choices made by a homeowner. The exteriors are usually covered with a clear varnish to emphasize the appearance of the wood, so we remove the handles and back plates to examine the entire surface and then use a mild cleaning agent to remove smoke and soot residues. 
 
Interiors are usually unfinished or exposed wood. Our first action is to wipe them down with a dry sponge. That normally removes the residue, but for thicker layers, we wipe down each panel and shelf with a wet sponge dipped in denatured alcohol. If the soot has penetrated the surface, we use sandpaper to remove it. 
 
Accents in the living room help define a homeowner’s style. We use special detergents and washing machines to clean curtains and drapes, but we also take care of the drapery rods and valances as well. SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians remove them from the walls and wipe down every piece of hardware. Then, they spray silicon on them to protect from future damage. We thoroughly clean the walls before rehanging them. 
 
Light fixtures in both rooms and throughout the house are not just personal, but can also be very expensive to replace. To clean them completely, we remove them from walls and ceilings and use as mild a cleaning agent as possible to prevent staining any metal finishes or etching glass covers. 
 
Restoring a home means more than just cleaning the carpets and wiping smoke damage from the walls and ceilings. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest understands that our customers want to return to their home, and not just a house. If you need our help, call (919) 790-1222 today.

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When A Fire Occurs In Your Raleigh Home, You Need To Call A Professional Restoration Company Like SERVPRO!

3/13/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is here to help you when you need us.

Fire Damage In Raleigh- Big Or Small We Are Here To Help

Regardless of where you live, your home or business can be affected by fire damage. If the fire reaches or starts in your home, it may be the result of faulty wiring or small kitchen fire. The same is also true for business establishments that fall victim to open flames. If you are cautious, sprinklers and firefighters act promptly to curtail the effect of the fire and mitigate losses. However, soot and smoke residue can be just as big of a challenge as the actual flames.

To help remediate fire damage to your Raleigh home or business our SERVPRO crew is at the ready to assist. Our 24-hour response team is just a phone call away and suitably equipped to handle fires big and small.

Our specialized SERVPRO team arrives on-site and examines the progress of the smoke to determine the extent of the damage. As the evaluation advances, our technicians identify the different types of surfaces that need to be cleaned and the methods to be used. The nature of each material and the path of the fire help determine our course of action.
 
Ideally, we work to salvage all of your belongings including any paper products. Some surfaces can be wiped clean without further dousing with chemicals, while others require specialized solutions to return to their original condition. Depending on the seriousness of the fire and the time lapse between its being extinguished and our team arriving, our SERVPRO team may recommend disposing of some of the contents of your home. When items need are removed we carefully comply with regulations dictating their proper disposal.

To finalize our process, we focus on disinfecting and deodorizing your home or business to erase any trace of the flames. To do this, we employ products designed explicitly for this purpose, which far exceed the performance of products available at local home stores. It's always our goal to leave your property “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is here to help you when you need us. Call us at (919) 790-1222 and allow us to put our expertise to work for you.

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SERVPRO Acts As A Rapid Response Team To Handle Restoration In Your Raleigh Business

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

Our team has the right equipment to handle flood damage in your business within a timely manner. We are available 24/7 day and night to help you.

Helping Customer Facing Businesses with Commercial Flood Damage in Raleigh

A backed up sewer point in your place of work can force temporary closure while the issue is assessed and remediated. In a customer facing business, this can easily lead to a loss of revenue and usually occur during the busier times of the year. A timely restoration depends on using the right kind of service — one with experience and locally based technicians who can deal with BioHazard materials.

The idea of commercial flood damage in Raleigh usually creates notions of extreme weather conditions, heavy rainfall or other natural events. Most often the problem can be traced back to older plumbing systems that have steadily deteriorated over time. SERVPRO technicians live and work in this area so they can recognize the unique problems faced by our business community.

As a start, we operate a 24-hour emergency call line. Our business communities know that they can reach us anytime, day or night. Following a quick assessment over the phone, SERVPRO can send a rapid response unit to your property immediately. Expertly trained technicians can find the source of damage quicker and put in place preventative measures to limit recurring problems.

When dealing with raw sewage, the priority is to wear the right equipment. Black Water can be harmful and is often loaded with pathogens. SERVPRO technicians are given the correct clothing which allows them to remedy the situation quickly. The priority is to find the source of the problem and shut it off at the source.

Once we are confident that the source is dealt with, we can begin to remove the damages. Using submersible pumps alongside industrial-grade extractors waste is removed efficiently. After that, we can apply proprietary cleaning solutions and sanitizers to the affected zone. Where there is drywall, we can demolish it, clean behind it and then replace it with new drywall. Our last step is to thoroughly deodorize the affected area to make the damage "Like it never even happened."

If your business suffers unforeseen flood damages, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

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We Are Your Best Option When Your Raleigh Home Suffers Flood Damage

3/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is a full-service flood damage restoration company.

How SERVPRO Safeguards Your Packed-Out Possessions After Raleigh Flood Damage

Whatever the reason -- natural disaster, mistake, or malfunction -- when large quantities of water pour into your Raleigh home you need a plan that allows for robust structural water removal and drying strategies while also protecting your household goods and possessions. Our professional disaster recovery team members master training in a wide range of strategies ensuring both the physical structure and your mementos, documents, clothing, furniture, and other personal effects receive the attention they need.

It might feel unnerving to watch the majority of your possessions leave the premises after a flood damages your Raleigh home. Your sense of loss increases as the boxes move out of sight, but the pack-out makes a lot of sense on several levels. We don't make such a recommendation lightly but hope to achieve a balance between rapid water removal and drying within your house and the specialized cleaning and drying of furnishings off-site.

SERVPRO offers the security of our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) during a pack-out. CCIS creates a detailed and accurate list of the belongings we remove. A room-by-room inventory is developed using digital photos, and often barcoding. If needed, you can access items during the restoration process. We keep your insurance company in the loop, providing documentation of the various methods used to dry out items and the results of our efforts.

With most of your stored possessions safely packed out SERVPRO water removal technicians can focus on removing water via pumps and extractors. Items in place during flood water removal would need to be continuously repositioned and risk dye or rusting transfer to carpeting or other flooring. The moisture trapped in possessions also extends the amount of time needed to complete structural drying.

SERVPRO production facility technicians use appropriate techniques to remove moisture from the broad array of materials represented in your pack-out articles. Vacuum freeze or thermal drying concentrated drying chambers, and industrial dryers, among other approaches, return items to function and appearance. Electronics are saved from ruin, safe to use after restoration and final inspection by qualified electronics technicians.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is a full-service flood damage restoration company. Take advantage of our training and advanced technology by calling (919) 790-1222 for an assessment.

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SERVPRO States Mold Remediation in a Wake Forest Property Is Often Needed After a Flooding

2/13/2019 (Permalink)

Drying Attics and Ducts in Wake Forest Homes Helps Prevent Mold Growth--Says SERVPRO

Lingering Flood Damage Can Cause Mold in Wake Forest Homes

Natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding have taken their toll on homes throughout the past several years, and many homeowners have experienced the benefits of professional restoration firsthand. For those that did not seek out professional restoration from the onset of flooding and storm damages to their homes, contaminated water saturated through construction materials and structural elements to provide a damp environment hospitable to mold colonization.

Flooding can be an easy path for mold damage in your Wake Forest home, as it has become widely accepted that the intruding water could have become contaminated by multiple hazardous substances reaching your property. With microorganisms and bacteria in the floodwater, the saturation through structural elements provides an inviting scenario for mold spores. These microscopic spores land on saturated materials, seat into them, and begin to grow and spread throughout the home.

Proper flood restoration from our SERVPRO professionals cannot guarantee that mold colonization does not occur alongside flood damages, because tear out and drying of the property can often take several days or more to complete. If mold colonization does occur while our professionals work on your home, we can set up the necessary containment and address the potential threat immediately to prevent extensive damage and possible health effects.

For those choosing to care for water damage in their homes on their own, the possibility of mold growth is greater still, as homeowners lack the advanced equipment required to reach all of the moisture pockets that flooding can leave behind. Our SERVPRO team can utilize our high-powered drying equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to begin drying out structural elements to get saved, as well as an antimicrobial spray that can get applied to unaffected materials and areas to make them uninhabitable to mold spores.

While our region has seen its fair share of flooding and other natural disasters, preventing mold growth and its array of damages can be as simple as choosing our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team. We can arrive quickly with the tools and expertise to help. Give us a call at (919) 790-1222.

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Call Our Trusted Professionals When You Have A Fire In Raleigh

2/8/2019 (Permalink)

A simple outlet can cause a fire in your home leaving you with an enormous amount of damage, our experts are ready to handle your restoration.

Why is SERVPRO your Best Resource when there is Fire Damage to your Home in Raleigh?

The smallest of sparks can be the culprit behind fire damage to your home. It only takes an electrical failure to ignite the fire that leaves you facing a home smelling of and covered in soot. Overwhelming as it may seem, there are professionals specially trained to work with you to bring your home back to mint condition. Your most important task is to make the initial call.

When your Raleigh home faces fire damage, SERVPRO is at your service to help navigate the complexity salvaging the building and your belongings, all while taking appropriate steps to coordinate with contractors and claim adjustors who may require information regarding the extent of the damage to your home. Our team works around the clock to answer your emergency call and take quick action towards restoring your home.

The remnants of fire damage, including smoke, soot, and subsequent water damage, need to be viewed with safety as a top priority. The use of protective personal equipment is standard practice for our SERVPRO team, as is a close inspection of any openings or weakened structures the fire may have left in its wake. We can provide this level of knowledge not only because of our field expertise but also because of the formal training we offer each of our technicians. This continuous education approach prepares us with the latest practices and innovation to deal with the aftermath of a fire.

Aside from the initial steps of removing any debris and extracting remaining water residue, we focus on leaving your home deodorized and disinfected. In doing so, our SERVPRO team may apply techniques such as dry fogging, where deodorants are released into the affected areas with the goal of neutralizing remaining odors. This method, complemented by air scrubbers and direct spraying efforts, contribute to removing telltale signs of the fire.

Attempting to remove fire damage without the help of a professional team could leave potential hazards unattended, so we urge you to seek our help when the situation occurs. At SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, we are a phone call away. Just call (919) 790-1222, so we can put our services to work for you.

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Why Safety is Important When Removing Mold From Your Wake Forest Home

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

Safety is important when removing mold.

Safety Tips for Mold Damage Restoration in Wake Forest

Mold damage may lead to health effects, and at SERVPRO, we advise you to act as quickly as you can when you face such a situation. We take precautionary measures during the restoration process to ensure no one is affected when we are working at the site. For each restoration task conducted by our experts, there is a well-laid safety plan formed to the extent of the contamination. When the restoration work starts, we determine the extent of the mold damage on your Wake Forest property.  

Before we get down to work on any mold damage incident in Wake Forest, we must assess the site to determine how bad the situation is. Through the findings of our SERVPRO experts, we can now determine the restoration process to adopt and the safety measures to put in place. Moreover, the findings enable us to come up with appropriate restoration procedures.  

Once recognizing the presence of mold, our SERVPRO experts start the restoration process. During this process, we wear appropriate protective gear. Respirators, gloves, safety boots and goggles are part of the protective gear that we use. The degree of contamination determines the type of the respirators that we use.

Gloves prevent out technicians from physically contacting the mold. We prefer chemical resistant gloves since some of the deodorants may have corrosive effects. Eye protection is also vital to ensure that the chemical elements used do not come to contact with the eye. Apart from safeguarding the health of our experts, the property owners are also advised accordingly to guarantee their safety throughout the mold damage restoration process.  

SERVPRO of North Raleigh and Wake Forest offers industry proven mold remediation services to both commercial and residential properties. To enjoy the best restoration services, call us at (919) 790-1222 and get value for your money.   

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When Your Possessions Are Damaged After A Flood In Your Raleigh Home You Need The Help Of Our Team

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

Flash floods can cause billions of dollars worth of damage to properties across America every year.

Returning Your Possessions To Pre-Loss Conditions After Flood Damage In Raleigh

Flash floods can cause billions of dollars worth of damage to properties across America every year. Heavy rainfall can be a contributing factor causing city sewer systems to back up and overflow. Nearby road floods can flow downstream into the lower levels of your property and cause extensive damage to your possessions or structure. Due to the harmful nature of floodwater, you need professional help to get your home back to preloss conditions.

Typically the impact of flood damage in Raleigh homes depends on the type of water. SERVPRO groups flood water into three distinct categories. The first is white water which may contain odors and microbial fungi but poses no significant risk to your health. The second is grey water which may have herbicides or pesticides present. The third and most dangerous type is black water which presents a biohazard risk by containing raw sewage or other pathogens.

A black water flooding issue requires expert help. It may seem prudent to remove your furniture from the affected area but doing so can be reckless. SERVPRO has external facilities where we can store your possessions and prepare them for deep cleaning. You need to contact us on our 24-hour emergency line to arrange a service to your home. We can arrange a service within one hour of notification of loss and arrive onsite within four hours.

The pathogens present in black water mean we may have to remove areas of drywall as well as the proper disposal of saturated subfloor mats or sheetrock inside wall cavities. Possessions though can benefit from thorough cleaning using industrial Esporta washing machines. Valuables can be sent to our specialists for ultrasonic remediation. SERVPRO work to a restore over replace mentality which means we use all equipment at our disposal to help return your items to preloss conditions.

Salvaging possessions is part of our remit in restoration. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 today.

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How Professionals Remediate Mold in Your Wake Forest Home

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Is mold growing in your home? Call SERVPRO for professional remediation.

Protect Your Wake Forest Home with Professional Mold Remediation

There is a growing belief among Wake Forest homeowners that mold growth is something that is not challenging to overcome. Solutions like bleach combined with some elbow grease can remove the presence from your home instead of costlier ventures like professional mold remediation. While it is indeed possible for a homeowner to identify the presence of mold in their home through sensory signals like a harsh musty odor or physically seeing a colony, removing this organism is not as simple as you might have thought.

While there are still many who think that mold damage in their Wake Forest homes is simple to overcome, the trouble lies mainly in the spread and depth of the colony. Often what can appear like a small cluster often has penetrated and spread much farther just below the surface of the affected material. While you can remove the top layer of the mold with scrubbing, the majority of this colony and its hazardous effects for your home and its occupants remain intact.

Moreover, many homeowners do not get prepared for the health effects that exposure to mold colonies can produce. Especially with something as involved as removing the organism, the spread of active mold spores and volatile organic compounds can affect people in sometimes severe ways. Our SERVPRO technicians get trained extensively on the use of personal protective equipment and safe removal practices to prevent the spread of these volatile compounds and to keep our staff and others in the house safe.

Professional remediation like our SERVPRO team provides does not get satisfied until the property has gotten thoroughly inspected for total mold growth removal. This process extends to our reduction or removal of moisture throughout the affected areas, and even helping to provide lasting solutions to regulate this dampness moving forward to prevent recurrences.

Mold growth in your home is something that you need to address as quickly as possible. Without the training and expertise on removal and restoration, you leave your home open to further damages. Give our SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest rapid response team a call today at (919) 790-1222.

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What Few People Know About How Fire Damage Can Continue to Affect Your New Hope Home's Contents and Structure

12/15/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage affecting your home needs quick remediation or secondary damages will result. Call SERVPRO because we are available 24/7.

How Fire Damage Restoration in Your New Hope Home Prevents Further Damage 

Fire damage does not end the moment the firefighters leave your home or once the fire has been successfully put off. More damage may result from the water that was used to extinguish the fire; therefore, our restoration team employs specialized techniques to attend to the various challenges that arise. Though the restoration procedures may sound the same, your New Hope property requires unique solutions after such experiences.
 
The fire damage restoration process in your New Hope property begins the moment you call our SERVPRO team. We understand that such situations require an immediate response, and our representatives usually ask questions regarding the event. By responding to our questions, we are in a position to immediately respond with appropriate resources and equipment. To determine the extent of the damage caused by the soot, smoke, and fire, we perform a careful inspection of the building. The examination helps us to formulate a relevant plan of action.

Some fire incidents may compromise the roofs, walls, and windows of your property. By offering immediate roof-tarp and board-up solutions, we can attend to such concerns. Such services ensure the security of the building is maintained and help in minimizing further damage. If water is present, we employ appropriate water removal techniques. For instance, we can use pumps to physically extract the water, as well as using air movers and dehumidifiers to dry wet areas.
 
When soot particles are mixed with water and penetrate hard to reach areas, rotting may take place, and the odor challenge may result. Our SERVPRO technicians are trained to locate and eliminate the unpleasant odors through a process known as deodorization. We can use thermal foggers to dispense deodorants into target locations and neutralize the odor causing particles. Where possible, we physically remove any decomposed particles to control the odor problem.
 
SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is a trusted industry leader in residential and commercial fire damage cleaning and restoration. Call (919) 790-1222 today to have your questions answered, and your property returned to its preloss state.
 
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How Water Damage Can Create a Mold Issue in Your Raleigh Home

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage inside the drywall can cause mold. Call SERVPRO at the first sign of water damage.

Raleigh's Water Damage Experts Discuss How Inject-Dry Systems Are Used

The goal during any water damage situation is to remove moisture as quickly as possible and preferably within 48 hours so that fungi cannot form. When your home in Raleigh gets negatively affected by moisture, professional companies like SERVPRO can help reduce the severity of the issues created. In most cases, we speed up the natural evaporation and drying process by utilizing air movers and dehumidifiers. The air movers create air flow so that water keeps evaporating from wet surfaces while dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air and provide the fans with hot, dry air. However, when certain building materials receive water damage, other measures must be taken to drop moisture levels and prevent mold growth quickly.  

When water leaks into your home, it usually accumulates on the floor first. Then, it soaks into your drywall and starts to wick its way up your walls, possibly causing extensive water damage to your Raleigh residence. If wall cavities get wet, fungi can form on the paper backing of the drywall and the wooden studs to which the drywall is attached. In some scenarios, our SERVPRO technicians cut the drywall a foot or two up from the floor so that air can get pushed into the wall cavity. In other situations, we use advanced technology to dry out the drywall and the wood trapped behind it without tearing up your walls.  

When your walls get wet, we often use injectidry systems to get air behind the drywall material by drilling holes into your drywall. We then connect the tubes coming from the injectidry unit to the holes in the walls so that the machine pushes air into the wall cavity, thus speeding up the drying process. The use of injection drying can save you and your insurance company the cost of replacing a large amount of drywall.  

Our highly trained team always strives hard to provide fast 24/7 service if you ever suffer a property disaster. If you ever notice that your drywall got wet after a water leak, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 right away.

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What Few People Know About Flood Damage Remediation in Raleigh

11/25/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding affects your home when you least expect it. Contact Team SERVPRO for water removal and remediation efforts.

How We Can Help with Flood Recovery in Raleigh Home

When the waters begin to rise around Raleigh, our restoration franchise remains on alert to help those with the trauma that can result. We strive to provide the fastest possible service in the face of emergencies, and that begins with our customers. Whenever flooding occurs within your property, calling our experienced team of professionals to help can get our emergency response team in route with the tools and expertise to help preserve your home and its contents.

Overcoming flood damages within your Raleigh home begins with protecting the things that matter most. While it can be unsafe for homeowners to remain on the property once flooding has affected the house, our SERVPRO professionals can help to assess the full scope of the damage that the property has sustained and determine what items require removal to protect from further degradation.

Our fast response times and availability 24-hours a day is a direct response to the short timeline that homeowners have when dealing with formidable disasters to their residence. Within moments of exposure, construction materials can soak up pooling water and allow saturation of the material to the point of degradation in as little as a day or two. Getting the right mitigation solution started immediately is critical to preserving these structural elements to prevent unnecessary demolition and reconstruction later on.

The franchise prides itself on our top-tier equipment made available to our water restoration technicians. With extraction tools like our truck-mounted pumps in the SERVPRO Green Fleet that can pull water out of affected areas at a force of 300 psi to our drying equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers, our team gets uniquely prepared to quickly gain control of damages in a flooded home.

Flooding can be a challenging event for your home, and without the right resources and response to the situation, can get out of control quickly. Trust our SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest water restoration technicians to help you clean up the mess and restore your property entirely. You can reach us anytime by calling (919) 790-1222.

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How Professionals Remove Water From Your Raleigh Home

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

Water can damage everything it touches, from the structure to furniture. Removing water quickly is important to restoring your home.

Choosing an Appropriate Drying System during Water Damage Restoration in Raleigh

There are several ways in which water damage incidents affect your property. For instance, if your wooden furniture stays in the water for an extended period, then it may swell, crack, or even break. Quick response is the best way of dealing with such incidents when they take place in your Raleigh home. We have to physically extract the water from your property by using pumps and portable/truck-mounted extractors. 

After using physical means to extract water from your water damaged Raleigh property, our SERVPRO technicians select an appropriate drying system. As water evaporates from wet surfaces, it gets added to the surrounding air as moisture. When the temperature of the room lowers with time, the moisture in the air can condense and cause secondary damage. The drying system that we choose must address this concern and remove the moisture as soon as it accumulates in the air. 

When it is necessary to exchange the moist air in the room with the outside air, which is usually drier, our SERVPRO technicians use an open system. During this technique, we may ventilate the building using air movers or fans, or even open the windows. We use this process when the air outside the structure has more than 20 gpp relative to the air within the building. Since the weather can change at any given time, it means the open system is efficient under certain conditions. 

Sometimes it is necessary to close off the site from the unaffected areas of the structure and the outside air. Under such circumstances, we use a closed system. We use dehumidifiers and air movers when controlling the indoor environments to yield the needed results. Irrespective of the drying system our SERVPRO technicians settle on, we work towards achieving a balanced drying system. Under such a scenario, we remove as much water vapor from the surrounding air as the fans or air movers put in. 

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can restore and clean your residential or commercial property after it experiences water, fire, storm, or mold damage. You can learn everything about our 24-hour emergency services by calling (919) 790-1222.  

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We Have 6 Methods To Clean And Restore Your Fire Damaged Personal Property In Brookhaven

11/5/2018 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we use every method and tool in our inventory to restore everything possible after a fire.

Cleaning Personal Property After Fire Damage In Brookhaven

When possible, restoring a Brookhaven resident’s property after a fire is not just cost-efficient. It also helps lessen the personal loss to a family still dealing with watching that fire race through their home.

SERVPRO can restore most fire damage to the personal property of Brookhaven homeowners if flames did not heavily scorch it. Our teams use six methods to clean and restore personal property based on the type and level of damage, and the material that makes up the damaged item.

Dry Wiping
This is the first step our technicians take with almost every item. They use dusting cloths and sponges for dry surfaces with non-greasy, light-to-medium soot residues, usually a powder. If the layer of soil is very thick, they may use a commercial grade vacuum to remove it from the surface. Dry wiping is useful for other types of damage before our teams begin using other methods.

Wet Wiping
Technicians use this cleaning method for moderate-to-heavy soot and smoke residues. They use the same cloths and sponges, but also water or a mild cleaning solution. It is also our preferred choice for the property we cannot saturate with water or cleaners. In some cases, they use brushes for the better effect to remove much of the residues.

Spray and Wipe
SERVPRO technicians use a spray bottle filled with water or a cleaner for more control over how much they use for cleaning an item. It is our first choice with curtains and drapes when there is a risk of the color fading, or running down the surface and onto carpets or floors.

Foam Cleaning
This is similar to spray and wipe, but our teams use a pump-up bottle to force air into the liquid and apply foam. The method uses much less moisture while still applying a large amount of cleaning agent. It is our choice for cleaning upholstered furniture since too much liquid can cause the fabric to shrink and pull away from the frame.

Abrasive Cleaning
When the soot covers rough surfaces, like rock and marble, our technicians use a thicker cleaning agent and a variety of brushes to remove residues. For metal surfaces, they may have to use steel wool rather than a brush.

Immersion Cleaning
This is our choice for items with very thick residues and when other methods do not work. We immerse them in a tank containing water or cleaning agent and then use sound waves to agitate the entire surface area with thousands of cleaning bubbles. It is exceptionally effective, even on items which absorbed a large number of residues over time.

Cleaning and restoring personal property is not a quick process. At SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, we use every method and tool in our inventory to restore everything possible after a fire. Call us at (919) 790-1222 today to schedule a visit.

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The Ultimate Guide to Fire Damage Remediation in Your Brookhaven Home

10/21/2018 (Permalink)

If your property has suffered from a fire, cleaning and remediation is key. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Cleaning Your Brookhaven Property after a Fire Damage Experience Counts

Several problems that negatively affect our properties result when we experience fire damage incidents. Since most of the homeowners are not experts or do not have specialized restoration equipment to restore their property, it is necessary to work with professionals to reduce further damage and get your home or business back to its feet. Some of the areas that the fire ruins and renders them not fit for work includes countertops, cabinets, and walls. We are going to look at some of the processes that experienced restoration professional in Brookhaven use when attending to your property.
 
Our SERVPRO technicians can clean your cabinets, lighting fixtures, insulation and attics in your home during fire damage restoration in Brookhaven. Cabinets can be unfinished or finished, and that helps us to come up with an appropriate cleaning method. It means we have to start with an inspection, which helps us determine whether there was any preexisting damage and document everything before the cleaning process starts. The interior of most cabinets is typically unfinished wood, so, we use a dry cleaning sponge to remove the smoke residues. Some cases may force us to use sanding to remove the stubborn smoke particles.
 
We have to clean the lighting fixtures when we are cleaning the ceiling area. Our SERVPRO team turns off electrical power before cleaning these appliances. If we are not sure whether the cleaning solutions can affect the fixture's finish, we can start by pretesting. We understand that soot settles behind the light fixtures because of the lower temperatures of such areas. We use hand washing when the residues at the site are light to moderate; otherwise, we may decide to use the low-pressure steam cleaning technique. If we had to disassemble the chandelier when cleaning, we have to reassemble it back at the end of the cleaning process.
 
Generally, it costs less to restore your contents when compared to what you have to spend when refinishing or replacing. Since we have to dispose of the waste at the end of the cleaning process, we have to abide by the state and local regulations.

The goal of SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is to make your commercial or residential property “Like it never even happened” after the disaster. Call us at (919) 790-1222 and work with a trusted leader in the cleaning and restoration industry.

Upstairs Bathroom Leaks Result in Downstairs Damage in Your Home in Raleigh

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

A leak in the upstairs shower caused a water stain on the downstairs ceiling.

Leaky Drains in Upper Stories can Create Water Damage in Ceilings in Raleigh

Even smaller-sized homes in Raleigh have a multitude of places where things can go wrong. Small cracks in materials, corrosion, normal wear and tear, and accidents can all create damaged and broken things that let additional damage happen to the same elements as well as other locations.

Downstairs water damage in your Raleigh home can occur when any leaks in drains or water lines create water damage below the floor and affect ceilings downstairs. SERVPRO can handle this predicament by repairing small plumbing issues and getting the area dried out. Once we have accomplished this, we check for water damage that affected the strength of the floor's framework. You may have noticed soft spots in your floor. These often appear before larger deficits. Rebuilding these must occur before we can continue with the restoration of visible parts of floors, ceilings, and any affected walls.  

Having a stable, sturdy framework in place and repaired plumbing that no longer leaks means we can begin working on re-establishing a normalized moisture content. We cut away and remove those materials that sustained water damage and get these ruined boards, sections of flooring, and rusted nails out of your home. Drying out damp materials keeps them from becoming damaged and keeps restoration expenses low.  

Soft spots in floors are not the only sign of water damage. Ceilings can also start showing discoloration and staining where water bleeds through to the paint. Staining does not always indicate water damage severe enough to necessitate the removal and replacement of the ceiling. Desiccation can often save your ceiling if caught in time and mitigation work begins soon after. SERVPRO technicians can then repaint the surfaces, restoring the room “Like it never even happened.”  

Just as floors can become soggy in the room where leaks exist, the ceiling below can also retain water. This extra weight can cause the ceiling to become misshapen, bowing downward from the load. Our technicians can drill a series of weep holes from which the water can drain away. Afterward, we patch these holes, and we reattach the drywall to the ceiling's framework. We complete the restoration with a fresh coat of paint in your choice of color.  

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can get your home back to normal again after water damage sneaks up on you. Serving New Light, Rolesville, and Leesville, our IICRC-certified technicians help residents protect their property by performing the latest mitigation and restoration techniques. Call us at (919) 790-1222 to reach our 24-hour service line.

Raleigh is known as the ‘City of Oaks.’  Learn more interesting facts about Raleigh by clicking here.

How SERVPRO Can Help When it Comes to Flood Damage in Your Raleigh Store

9/21/2018 (Permalink)

If your retail location ever suffers from flooding, contact the team at SERVPRO to mitigate the damage.

When Flooding Affects Your Raleigh Retail Store

The responsibilities of managing your Raleigh retail store unfortunately also come with maintenance and restoration duties when disaster strikes. When coastal storms hit land with enough force, this severe system can spell significant trouble for those in its path. Hurricanes, for example, can unleash several feet worth of rainfall over a brief period, even well inland. You need to have a plan of action which preserves your investment and your building, helping you to move forward in the aftermath of severe weather that allows for flooding.

One of the troublesome aspects of flood damages to your Raleigh business is how quickly this damage can spread throughout the building. With many construction materials and the content of the structure itself at risk, time is of the essence to help mitigate the situation so that it is not so detrimental to your business or to the possibility of reopening to the public in the immediate future. Our SERVPRO rapid response team can help you safeguard your stock that remains at risk throughout the disaster.

It is essential that one of your first calls should be to the insurance company that offers coverage for the building that you use. This agent can help you to understand what the insurance company needs to file a claim, and this often requires proof of the damage you believe occurred, as well as a catalog of the items that became ruined or irreparably damaged by the intruding water.

As tempting as it might be to begin this estimation and assessment on your own, it is better left to the SERVPRO estimator and project manager assigned to your project. These individuals get extensively trained in safe practices inspecting areas that could have extensive damage and considered dangerous for those without the appropriate safety equipment.

The critical thing to remember about flooding in your retail store is that the situation only stands to get worse the longer that you wait for professional assistance. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team of professionals is available 24/7 to help you throughout every step of the restoration process following a flood in your building. Give us a call anytime at (919) 790-1222.

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Preparing Now Can Help Reduce Your Need For Water Removal Services In Raleigh

9/13/2018 (Permalink)

When your property sustains a flood or a broken pipe, you need a company that can dry things out for you with rapid water removal services.

Water Removal Services

September is National Preparedness Month, and SERVPRO wants to help those living in our local communities become prepared for disasters that might strike. Many accidents involve water that invades homes and businesses, either through natural weather events or from incidents that only affect the interior of one house.

When your property in Raleigh sustains a flood, a fire, or a broken pipe, you need a company that can dry things out for you with rapid water removal services. SERVPRO technicians are both certified by the IICRC and Faster to Any Size Disaster, saving homes from worsening damages. Water spreads quickly, and as it does, costs increase significantly. Water does not need to be dirty to damage your home's furnishings or your family's belongings.

SERVPRO technicians know the latest methods in quickly removing the water that can slowly destroy your home. Because our services always match the magnitude of the disaster affecting your family, you never need to worry about paying for machinery we never used, nor about us not having the necessary equipment to do the job correctly. You play an essential role in defending your home from disasters involving water, also. Your actions can grow in scope far beyond shutting off the main water valve, stocking food, or filling sandbags.

The Ready.gov site breaks September into four weeks, with the first two devoted to making and practicing disaster response plans and learning skills to save lives. Invasive water poses several risks, including drowning and electrical shock. You can more easily prevent either of these by practicing a plan that your family puts together. After a life-threatening incident occurs affecting a loved one, knowing how to respond can save their life.

Emergency responders are often overwhelmed with disaster calls when an entire community floods, causing response times to increase drastically. Becoming a first responder for your family can thwart a tragedy and keep it from becoming a permanent loss. While we at SERVPRO can help restore your home and belongings with water removal strategies and drying out your home, we, unfortunately, can never undo the loss of life.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest wants your family and all those in Brookhaven, Sandy Plain, Leesville, and Six Forks to use September to become more prepared for disasters that can strike any time of the year. Our water removal services help in successfully mitigating many types of damage, just as your preparedness can aid your family when they come face-to-face with disasters involving storms and floods. Call us at (919) 790-1222 for professional and skilled technicians who can assist you in rapid mitigation of these and other misfortunes.

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Understanding Hurricane Florence and the Impact on the Raleigh Area

9/11/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricanes Like Florence Can Be Extremely Dangerous, Be Prepared.

SERVPRO Advises All Residents to Heed the Hurricane Instructions from National and Local Authorities

September is the peak of hurricane season in the United States, even as Hurricane Florence heads towards the coast of the Carolinas. When it comes to being prepared for a tropical storm, and knowing what to do when one hits, it is essential for you to understand the nature of a hurricane. Understanding the basics about hurricanes can help you avoid injury during a storm and can give you the necessary knowledge to consider all the aspects while preparing your home for one.
 
So what is a hurricane?
When the winds of a tropically-based ocean storm hit seventy-four miles per hour, it is considered a hurricane. Hurricanes can strike Raleigh and the Wake Forest area this time around. They are low-pressure tropical cyclones that come from the Atlantic Basin, forming over tropical or subtropical waters where the heated water fuels the air currents. Additionally, they can be accompanied by thunderstorms, and in this case up to 30 inches of rain.
 
They are known for their characteristically intense and high-speed winds that are more than capable of doing property damage. Furthermore, the rain they bring can be so intense that it has the power to cause flooding in addition to deadly coastal storm surges. Stack this on top of a high tide, and the volume of water can cause catastrophic results. A Cat 4 or Cat 5 hurricane can submerge homes entirely in the area that they strike. EVACUATION. EVACUATION. If you are directed by the authorities, do not hesitate.
 
Hurricanes start at winds of seventy-four miles per hour, but they do not cap at that rate. There is a Category 4 rating that marks the destructive force of hurricane winds called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The scale measures the storm by giving it a number, one through five. A category one hurricane is a storm that has the least potential for damage, while a category five is the most dangerous and has the highest potential for damage. There is an exponential destructive potential between the numbers.
 
The rating of a hurricane is still only a number. Prepare, have your property secured as much as possible, have an emergency kit at hand, and prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

Remember, safety first for you and your family. In the aftermath, you can call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for help with water and debris removal. Our SERVPRO franchises also offer Storm Disaster Recovery Teams to help. (919) 790-1222

NC prepares for a potentially destructive Hurricane Florence.

Flood Damage Technicians in Raleigh Talk About the Different Problems That Can Occur After a Storm

9/9/2018 (Permalink)

If a lightning storm brings flooding into your home, contact SERVPRO to dry out the property and remediate the damage.

Team SERVPRO Effectively Dries Out Your Home After a Storm

This is the time of year that severe thunderstorms are a common occurrence in Raleigh. When storms get violent, there are several different types of flood damage that can occur. Stormy weather creates various conditions that can cause problems with your property. Excessive rains often come with thunderstorms in Raleigh, and they can cause moisture to get inside your home.
 
Whenever moisture enters a structure, several things can go wrong. During any flood damage situation in Raleigh, both structural issues and problems with your contents can occur. The longer items inside a building stay wet; the worse these problems can become if professionals like our SERVPRO technicians are not called in right away to remediate the problem. If building materials remain saturated for a long time, they can lose their structural integrity, requiring that they get replaced. If moisture stays inside organic materials for more than two days, then microbial growth can take place.
 
Different elements like the wind created during a storm can cause things to blow into your house and allow rainwater to enter. Wind can blow rocks or branches into windows or your exterior walls. High-speed winds can also cause roof shingles to blow off, thus allowing rain to leak into your home.
 
If a considerable amount of rain falls in a short period your neighborhood can get flooded which can also cause water to enter your home. Moisture can get in through faulty door seals and make your floors wet. Flooding can also cause water to move rocks and other items into your home breaking your doors or exterior walls.
 
Lightning and hail created during a thunderstorm can also cause damage to a building. Lightning strikes can ruin structural components that can open up holes in your house's exterior. Hailstones can shred roof shingles that can cause your roof to leak during the excessive raining.
 
Our SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified and experienced in dealing with various types of flood-related damage. We first repair the hole where water entered, then we use extraction and drying procedures to mitigate the rest of the issues. After the problems created by moisture are no longer a threat, we take steps to reconstruct your house to preloss conditions.
 
If lightning, hail or wind during a storm ever causes your house problems, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest at any day of (919) 790-1222 the week.
 
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We Can Eliminate Strong Smoke Odors From Your Raleigh Home

8/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest fire damage restoration services can make it “Like it never even happened.”

We Can Eliminate Strong Smoke Odors

The firefighters successfully put out the fire at your residence, but the lingering and pungent smoke odors are overwhelming. Also, there is quite a bit of soot, debris, and ash covering your living room furniture, walls, floors and ceilings and other surfaces in the home. Calling professionals in this type of emergency situation may save further damage to your belongings and your property.

SERVPRO professional fire damage restoration in Raleigh can restore your home. Our techs can use various methods to remove fire and smoke residues from the affected areas in your home. Charred items like carpeting, drapery and clothing and burnt furniture can cause odors. The crew can remove these contents from the structure. Plus, they can clean and sanitize salvageable items that we take from the premises and store them until the job is complete. The team can discard unsalvageable items with the permission of the homeowners.

The team may also use air movers to push odors from the atmosphere and to improve the air quality. The team may also utilize air scrubbers to reduce the level of smoke odors inside the structure. We can also use air scrubbers to clean odor-causing particles and smoke odors from the atmosphere. Our team may also employ thermal foggers to neutralize and eliminate heavy and lingering smoke odors.

The techs can also clean surfaces that have soot, debris and smoke residues on them. Fire residues can generate odors, which is why the crew can effectively clean the walls, ceilings, floors and other affected surfaces. We can check all the rooms in the home to see how far the odors have penetrated the structure. In some cases, we may need to clean the entire structure as well as all the contents to remove smoke odors.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest fire damage restoration services can make it “Like it never even happened.” If there is ever a fire emergency in your home, call us 24/7 at (919) 790-1222. We are nearby and ready to help.

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Mold Damage can Spread From Wet Bathrooms Throughout Your Wake Forest Home

8/19/2018 (Permalink)

Looking up and seeing mold on your bathroom ceiling is a cause for alarm. Call SERVPRO to investigate and remediate the damage before it spreads.

Team SERVPRO Effectively Stops the Spread of the Mold Infestation in Your Home

Mold, mildew, and other fungi live on almost every surface inside your Wake Forest residence, no matter how often you clean. These microorganisms can survive through harsh conditions because of their structures and capabilities.
 
Wiping things down with a damp cloth to clean the interior furnishings of your home can lead to mold damage in Wake Forest becoming worse. Microbes like these thrive in moist conditions and a regular drink from your cleaning sponge can provide this. Bleach rarely kills these microorganisms as well as you might expect, especially if you clean areas like drywall and other semi-porous surfaces. This happens because water can get in to nourish the microbes, while larger bleach molecules remain blocked and unable to penetrate as deeply.
 
SERVPRO teams know how to get excessive amounts of mold out of your home and back to normal, acceptable levels. Before we begin, we prepare the area with plastic sheeting and compartmentalized areas to maintain better control over the microbe we intend on remediating. We use air scrubbers to direct the air in specific directions to more efficiently handle the work.
 
Materials with mold damage cannot remain inside your home safely and can end up causing future contamination. We remove these materials and bag them up in heavy plastic bags. Then we remove them from your home. Our workers are dedicated individuals who want your family to live in a safe and healthy home, without any risk of the possible health effects mold might cause.
 
We use equipment with HEPA filters to ensure that all microbes, as well as the dust created during the removal of materials with mold damage, stays contained and never enters the rest of your home. Other pieces of our equipment have other uses. Our moisture meters help us detect where the excess moisture comes. Without moisture, mold and mildew cannot survive. While dampness from cleaning activities can help microbes survive, we might find other sources, as well. We always discuss our findings with the homeowners and help them decide which options might work best.
 
SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest answers their emergency line at (919) 790-1222 every hour of every day, 365, days a year. Mold damage does not need to affect your home, ruining belongings and creating foul odors in your New Light, Six Forks, or Sandy Plain home. Call us and we can start mold remediation right away.

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Secondary Water Damage in Raleigh Residences can Include Mold, Defects in Wood, and Corrosion

8/5/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage in any part of your home needs to be remediated as it can quickly lead to mold. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Team SERVPRO Thoroughly Remediates Water Damage in Your Home to Help Prevent a Mold Infestation

Water coming into your home through pipes and leaving through the drain system keeps things in Raleigh perfectly normal. Anything that changes this, such as the development of a small leak or drip, can slowly cause problems. Small crevices in your home's siding or roof can also give water from rain or snow a way into your house's interior.
 
When your home sustains water from any source, water damage in Raleigh can happen quickly. Allowing this moisture to just evaporate into the air can lead to problems later. Secondary water damage in the form of mold growth can appear anywhere in a home. This occurrence is possible because water vapor travels in the air, pushed along by your home's air currents.
 
Microbes in the air also end up in the same area that moisture accumulates, making it easy for these spores and mold particles to start colonizing on your house's interior surfaces. Any wood items in the area not only provide cellulose for the microbial population to consume, but these pieces also serve as a reservoir by retaining the moisture inside them. The water vapor absorbed can also warp wood while slowly deteriorating particle board components. Metal pieces such as hinges or sliding lock can become rusted because of the elevated humidity.
 
SERVPRO sends in technicians to mitigate the damage caused by water and moisture, removing damaged materials that we cannot restore while cleaning and repairing as much as possible. Our technicians know the most effective methods for restoring items damaged by both water or mold. Replacing rusted items is often more cost-effective than cleaning and oiling them to undo the corrosion caused by heavy moisture in the air.
 
Our workers also spend time drying out your home to prevent further difficulties. We want to make your home like it was before any water damage existed. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222, so we can help you restore your Leesville, Brookhaven, or Sandy Plain home "Like it never even happened."

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Why Air Movers Are Crucial During Flood Damage Restoration in Raleigh

7/28/2018 (Permalink)

Happy Raleigh Customer Looking at the SERVPRO Van after Completing Water Damage and Restoration

Dehumidification Is a Key Component of Stormwater Restoration

Drying is an essential procedure during flood damage restoration. Apart from being one of the processes that return your property and contents to their preloss state, it can help in preventing mold growth. Here, we are going to look at how the setup of air movers can facilitate the drying of your Raleigh property.
 
Our SERVPRO technicians use air moving devices to create an efficient drying environment when addressing flood damage in Raleigh. When the continuous rapid airflow comes into contact with the wet surfaces, it forces these areas to lose the water that they are holding. That means the water transforms from a liquid state to a gaseous state in a process known as evaporation. Some of the factors that influence the rate of evaporation include temperature, air movement, RH (relative humidity) of air, the water vapor differential between the surrounding environment and the wet item, and accessibility to the wet surface or items.
 
As evaporation takes place, additional water vapor is added to the air, and it reaches a point where the air cannot hold any additional moisture. If the temperature of the air decreases, the vapor can condense into water and cause additional damage. That is why our SERVPRO technicians use dehumidifiers to absorb the moisture from the air. To come up with a balanced drying system, we monitor that there is a balance between the number of dehumidifiers and air movers. Since dehumidifiers generate dry and warm air, the installed air movers must also circulate it across all wet items in the structure.
 
After drying your structure, we perform deodorization to eliminate any odors that might be present. If we are dealing with confined areas, we may use thermal foggers - devices that dispense dense fogs to neutralize the odors. We can also use Ultra Low Volume (ULV) Foggers to apply disinfects and fungicides to reduce the chances of mold growth.
 
SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is a trusted industry leader that offers commercial and residential restoration services. You can learn more about our 24-hours emergency services by calling (919) 790-1222.

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What To Expect From SERVPRO Mold Remediation In Wake Forest

7/12/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO for Mold Remediation in Wake Forest--"Like it never even happened."

Wake Forest Homeowners Appreciate Professional Mold Remediation from SERVPRO

You can feel very discouraged and overwhelmed when mold growth in your Wake Forest home does not respond to your efforts to eliminate it. Many homeowners do not realize that we offer mold remediation as one of our core services, able to help under circumstances where our customers wrestle with fear and helplessness in the face of a tough mold problem.
 
Mold damage remediation in Wake Forest is best left to well-qualified technicians with both the training and the experience to plan and execute appropriate abatement. Reputable microbial mitigation firms clearly communicate the process and explain the goals. It is impossible to eliminate mold spores entirely, but we aim to reduce their levels to what is considered normal amounts. We help our customers understand the necessity and benefits of mold remediation without unreasonably increasing anxiety or promising what cannot be delivered.
 
The SERVPRO procedure for mold remediation begins with a comprehensive inspection of the affected space, including checking for areas of mold behind walls, in closets or cabinets, or other surfaces or cavities. We are on the lookout for moisture, as water, organic materials, and oxygen are the only requirements for microbial growth. Expect us to discuss the moisture source and ideas for you or a contractor to eliminate it. If moisture remains after remediation, mold colonies are likely to recur so this step is crucial.
 
We then follow the EPA-developed remediation protocol. SERVPRO employees contain the moldy area, sometimes with barriers only but often with the help of negative air pressure systems that prevent non-contaminated spaces from tainting with debris as we remove the colonies and tainted materials. The mission is to scrape, scrub, or use necessary abrasives to strip the mold from surfaces, returning them to preloss condition or ready for touch up painting or repairs if structural components were partially removed. Our technicians don personal protective equipment during these stages, excluding the home’s inhabitants from the project zone for safety.
 
SERVPRO stocks EPA-registered antimicrobials to treat the affected area after the moldy residues exit your home, vacuumed, bagged and ready for proper disposal per local codes. We apply the disinfectants via wipe downs or spraying systems to inhibit mold resurgence. When the appropriate time frame for the disinfectant action passes, we dismantle the containment system and return your home to you, remediated, sanitized, and ready for your comfort and enjoyment.
 
You can rely on SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest to provide timely, respectful, and professional mold remediation services. Call (919) 790-1222 to arrange for a consultation with our skilled and experienced technicians.

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A Severe Storm Can Make Your New Hope Home In Need Of Water Removal Services

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

When a severe storm rolls into town and causes flooding inside of your home, you're going to need water removal services.

Water Removal Services

When a severe storm rolls into town and causes flooding inside of your home, you're going to need water removal services. A window left open can allow hundreds of gallons of water to pour into your basement home gym, endangering the expensive equipment there. Metals that are left exposed to water can rust, and electrical devices can malfunction.

When your New Hope home is in urgent need of water removal services, it is fortunate that help is not far. When it comes to water flooding your home, it is best for the longevity of your residence that you call for professional help as soon as possible. The faster our technicians can get into your home and begin the remediation process, the better it is for your gym equipment.

SERVPRO can bring specialized tools to remove the water from your home. Depending on the nature of the water, we can use extractors, wet/dry vacuums, and submersible pumps to remove it. If it is not a significant volume of water, we can merely remove the water and pump it away from your house. However, if the volume is significant, we can bring truck mounted tools to carry the water away from your home.

Once we have extracted the water, we can inspect the structure of your home for any water damage. If any of your electrical gym equipment is shorted out, SERVPRO can send it away to be carefully inspected. If it cannot be fixed, we can help you claim anything that you lost with your insurance company.

Finally, the last thing our experts can do for your home is to make sure that it is up to dryness standards. Our SERVPRO technicians can use tools like dehumidifiers and ventilation fans to create an environment that fosters evaporation. Once your home is returned to an acceptable moisture level, and we have cleaned the space of any grime and dirt, the remediation is complete.

Do not hesitate if rainwater finds a way into your home. When you need damage remediation services, reach out to SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest by dialing (919) 790-1222. We strive to make you feel "Like it never even happened."

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Remediating Commercial Flood Damage In Raleigh

6/25/2018 (Permalink)

Remediating commercial flood damage can be limited to just a day or two, or it can take weeks, depending on the amount of water and what it affected.

Remediating Commercial Flood Damage

Flood damage is not a regular occurrence in Raleigh, but it does happen enough that business owners know when to take precautions. Filling and stacking enough sandbags to keep Lake Johnson and Lake Raleigh out of their commercial operation may take a day or two, but it certainly beats losing that same time and paying for cleanup costs afterward.

Remediating commercial flood damage in Raleigh can be limited to just a day or two, or it can take weeks, depending on the amount of water and what it affected. In a business like a dry cleaning plant, SERVPRO restoration teams pay attention to drying and protecting the structure, customer property, and equipment.

Since this is a commercial operation, our personnel do not have to worry about carpets or office paneling, but removing the water is still necessary. Technicians draw out any standing water with pumps so our team can inspect the floors and walls for other damage.

Once they bring the water down to the surface, the next step is to remove the rest of it using extraction wands. These devices can draw out the remaining water, leaving only spots of it along the floor. At this point, team members use squeegees to push the rest out the nearest doorway.

If the water rose high enough, clothing is certainly at risk. Fortunately, in this situation, the items are already on racks for the most part, and not stacked together. To increase the drying process and reduce the chance of permanent damage, SERVPRO specialists set up a series of box fans and air movers to increase air circulation and blow warm, dry air over surfaces.

They use the same devices to force warm air underneath the dry cleaning equipment that was partially under the flood water. The team leader examines everything to ensure it is dry, but if there is any other damage, he recommends to the manager to bring in a licensed contractor to inspect before restarting that particular piece of machinery.

The goal of SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is to help every business recover from a flood and quickly reopen their doors for full operation. If you need us, call today at (919) 790-1222. We are here for you.

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What to Do (and What to Avoid) When Dealing With Mold Damage in Wake Forest

6/6/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Stains Require Professional Remediation from SERVPRO in the Wake Forest Area

Call SERVPRO to Inspect and Remediate Mold Issues in Your Home

One of the most difficult types of home damage to deal with on your own in a Wake Forest home is mold damage. Mold, like other types of fungi, can cause severe long-term damage to your home while simultaneously being hazardous and nearly impossible to remove with standard household cleaning products. Taking the wrong steps can potentially make the problem worse or even run the risk of causing ill health effects for you. Here are a few things you should and should not do after coming into contact with mold growth in your home.
 
What to Do
If you find signs of mold damage in your Wake Forest home, you should first attempt to verify both whether the infestation is still active and to what extent it has spread. Gathering this information early on can help to get a more accurate response from SERVPRO technicians. However, you should never go beyond the bounds of what you feel is safe. Many types of mold can cause health effects with both direct and indirect exposure, making them hazardous to interact with in close proximity. In addition to attempting to gather more information about the problem, you may also be able to identify any sources of water that may have allowed the fungus to grow. Knowledge of these sources allows us to stamp out the root of the problem immediately and prevent further damage from happening.
 
But, Don't:
Do not underestimate the ability of black mold and other types of spores to become safety hazards. Never put yourself in what could be a dangerous situation without the direct guidance of SERVPRO technicians. In addition, you should not attempt to remove the mold on your own, as your efforts may only serve to spread spores around, even with the aid of specialty mold cleansing products. Our specialized equipment and mold remediation techniques are designed to avoid the many eventualities that can result from unprepared mold damage treatments.
 
SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest provides mold removal and remediation services to homes across the local area. If you ever find signs of mold growth in your home, call us at (919) 790-1222.

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Do You Need Professional Water Removal Services in Your Raleigh Kitchen Store?

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Keep the Unwanted Water Out of Your Raleigh Commercial Kitchen by Calling SERVPRO

SERVPRO Can Work Hard to Keep YOur Business Open During Water Extraction 

Many situations can cause a business owner to seek professional water removal services. A burst pipe, a storm, and faulty appliances are typical examples of things that can cause flooding inside of the building of your business. It can get particularly acute if this water accumulates overnight while you were at home during closed hours. A severe storm hits, the window breaks, and then water is everywhere by the next day when you get to work. It is entirely too much water for you to handle by yourself, but fortuitously, there is a professional help that you can contact close to your establishment.

Stagnant water should be removed from your Raleigh kitchen store as soon as possible. The longer it sits, the more the surrounding structures can absorb the water. Excessive moisture and flooded water can lead to complications such as rot, mold, and the warping of building materials. The equipment that you sell could also be in danger, stoves and appliances can rust, any foodstuffs can get waterlogged, and the water can ruin packaging.
 
At SERVPRO, we know how important it is to have your establishment open according to its schedule. Every hour the doors are closed is another hour of lost business. When we receive your all, we aim to get to your property as soon as we can so we may get your doors back open the very same day, if it is possible.
 
SERVPRO can address the water removal with tools like extractors, wet/dry vacuums, and pumps. Extractors can be truck-mounted if there is an excessive amount of water on your property. All of these devices use suction to remove the water. Using these tools allows our techs to get the rainwater or plumbing failure liquid out of your building as fast as possible so we can address the drying.
 
Our SERVPRO techs can use many different tools to address drying out the structure of your business. A few common ones are axial fans, dehumidifiers, and air movers. They are all designed to move fresh air around excessively damp places to create an environment of evaporation and water vapor capture.
 
If you are in dire need of water removal on your property, do not delay. Phone SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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What to Do When a Storm Floods Your Raleigh Bookstore Stockroom

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

A Raleigh Book Store Calls on SERVPRO for Storm Mitigation

Call SERVPRO Immediately to Attempt to Salvage the Book Inventory and Furnishings

Flood damage is the last thing any business owner would want to find in their stockroom after a storm. During an intense storm, it is easy for wind and rushing waters to cause debris to break a window or force open a door. An opening is all the rainwater needs to drain into your property and settle inside, and the stockroom of your bookstore is perhaps one of the worst places to be flooded. In these situations, it is good that there is adept help close.

There is no need to cover the expenses of professional water removal equipment to handle the damaging flood waters on your Raleigh property by yourself. Our skilled technicians can arrive at your business on your schedule to work out of sight when possible and come prepared with all of the equipment that they might need. Day or night, we can work the hours that work best for your business.
 
SERVPRO can remove the water from your property as quickly as possible with extractors and pumps. Depending on how much water is on your property, we can use portable extractors or truck-mounted ones. Our employees can identify if the water on your property has been contaminated by chemicals, or sewage, and recommend what should be kept or thrown away based on it. The final determination is yours.
 
After draining the water from your property, SERVPRO can clean up any debris and then proceed to dry out the structure of your property and belongings. We use tools like desiccant dehumidifiers and axial fans to encourage the evaporation of excessive moisture. We can also create a system to dry out wall cavities with our tools, to ensure everything dries evenly. SERVPRO can keep an inventory of the items you lost during the flood to make insurance claims easier on you.

Since a bookstore holds a very water-sensitive inventory, often books and ledgers can be non-salvageable. When possible, a freeze-drying process known as lyophilization can help salvage the pages and bindings in books.
 
When your property floods and it causes damage, do not hesitate. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222.

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What to Do When the Basement of Your Raleigh Cosmetic Boutique is in Need of Water Removal

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

To prevent mildew growth, SERVPRO quickly removes water and dries out your commercial space after water damage.

SERVPRO Acts Fast to Remove Water and Restore Your Commercial Space

When an appliance breaks or a pipe bursts, your property may become in urgent need of water removal services. A burst pipe can spew hundreds of gallons of water a minute. A basement is a common place for a business to store old accounting information that has yet to go digital as well as excess stock. When it becomes flooded from a burst pipe, your merchandise and records could be in severe danger. Fortunately, there is help nearby that can remove the water from your property as swiftly as possible.

Our experienced and IICRC-certified technicians can swiftly arrive at your Raleigh cosmetic boutique to conduct water removal services as quickly as possible. The issue of stagnant water can often be time sensitive. The longer it sits, the more damage it can cause to the structure of your building and your merchandise.

SERVPRO can bring advanced technology to your business so our specialists can remove the water promptly. Getting the water out of your basement is essential, so we use tools that can do it quickly and efficiently, like portable pumps and wet/dry vacuums. However, the water removal is only the first step in the remediation of your business.

Most basements have a concrete floor, and it can easily attract dirt or films to build upon the surface. When exposed to excessive moisture and left to sit, these dirty surfaces can easily support mold growth. Our technicians can thoroughly clean your concrete flooring with HEPA vacuums to help prevent mold. Afterward, we can use EPA-registered disinfectant if our technicians deem that it is needed.

When SERVPRO leaves your business, we want to ensure that the job is thoroughly done, including water removal, clean up, and drying excessive moisture. We strive to return your business to its preloss state while remaining as unobtrusive as possible.

When your business is in need of water removal, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222. After receiving your call, we can send our technicians as soon as possible.

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Raleigh's Methods for Water Removal After a Storm

3/31/2018 (Permalink)

The first step after a storm is making sure that you and your family are safe. Follow that with a call to SERVPRO to get your house back to normal.

Water Extraction After a Storm Takes Professional Tools and Certified Technicians

When a storm makes its way into town, there are many ways water possibly enters your Raleigh home. Sometimes moisture comes into a building when it collects after the excessive rain. Other times high-speed winds blow objects into the exterior structure and create holes that water enters.
 
The first step in mitigating problems at your property is to make the area safe for occupants while work takes place. SERVPRO's water removal technicians in Raleigh then fix the source of the problem to keep moisture from entering. Next, our team extracts as much water as possible out of the building.
 
During the extraction process, we use a variety of equipment. Most extractors we use have three components a heater, pump, and vacuum system. All three components usually only get used when cleaning carpet or upholstery. During extraction, only the vacuum component is needed.
 
Some extractors are portable and get brought into the structure and used to pull water out of tight or restricted areas. Other extractors are truck-mounted, more powerful and able to hold more water. Truck mounted extractors are typically designed to be efficient for both water extraction and restorative carpet and upholstery cleaning.
 
Another component of any extraction system is the tool attachment used to vacuum. If the amount of water is small, then a lighter extraction wand gets used. However, if the carpet is wet, then it is 50% weaker than normal conditions. Sometimes agitation with light-weight extraction tools causes damage to the carpeting.
 
When carpet gets heavily saturated with moisture, larger extraction equipment often gets used. Some heavy-duty extraction attachments use weight to squeeze the carpet and make vacuuming water easier. Some tools use the weight of the operator as the technician using it stands on the unit.
 
If standing water inside a structure is over two inches deep, then a submersible pump gets used. A pump only gets used if the water does not contain any solid materials. The water then gets pumped in our extraction tank out your sewer system through your toilet.
 
After our technicians extract as much water as possible out of the building, the drying process begins. During drying the ideal environment gets created to lower moisture levels inside building materials. For professional assistance with moisture restoration issues, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 any time of the day.
 
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Mold Damage Cleanup from a Leaky Pipe in Your Wake Forest Home

3/22/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO TIP--Stop Leaks in Wake Forest, Less Chance of Needing Mold Remediation

SERVPRO Says that Moisture Is the Invitation for Mold Growth

One of the biggest wastes of water in your Wake Forest home is a slow water leak. If not taken care of, plumbing leaks hidden behind your walls can lead to severe water damage. One subtle sign of such a leak is mildew or mold. Dark, moist areas that are usually hidden under flooring and behind walls allow mold to thrive. If a pipe begins leaking, mold begins to grow in the area. When you see mold in unusual places where water does not ordinarily accumulate, you could have a leaking pipe.
 
Not only do you need to deal with the failed plumbing and water damage, but the mold damage now present in your Wake Forest home also needs to be handled. Mold continues to grow and spread until the moisture is gone and the mold is cleaned up. Since mold can cause health effects, it is critical to deal with it as soon as you find it. SERVPRO technicians are always standing by to help you with these issues and make your home safe again.
 
The leaky pipe has to be taken care of to stop your moisture problem in the first place. When cleaning up the mold, we may have to take out and discard porous materials such as drywall. Mold can grow on or fill the empty crevices and spaces of these materials, making it difficult to clean or remove the mold thoroughly. When it comes to nonporous materials, these can be cleaned most of the time with damp wiping techniques and HEPA vacuuming.
 
SERVPRO staff clean from the top of your structure to the bottom, since mold spores settle downward. Not that we necessarily, clean the entire house. We clean surfaces in the direction of airflow,  toward the negative air machines which we set up. The area is also contained with a physical barrier to prevent the mold spores from spreading to clean areas of your home.
 
We dry your structure as well to keep the fungi from continuing to grow. Instead of setting up air movers which could spread the mold, dehumidifiers with a low airflow can be used. Some of the drying procedures have to wait until containment and mold removal are complete. Air scrubbers that use HEPA and carbon filters can capture motes of mold floating in the air and also help to deodorize any unpleasant musty odors. By removing damaged materials that have absorbed moisture, we also speed up the process of drying.
 
SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest makes sure to thoroughly clean and dry your home in Rolesville, Six Forks, or Sandy Plain when there is mold damage present. Reach out to us at (919) 790-1222 as soon as you realize there is mold growth so we can help you stop it.

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New Hope's Mold Damage Specialists

2/27/2018 (Permalink)

If you discover hidden mold growing in your home, call the professionals at SERVPRO to remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Follows Industry Standards to Remediate Mold Damage in Your Home

Sometimes fungi hide from you and you do not find it until it gets out of control. Anytime water gets into your New Hope home, mold possibly forms. Many times a fungus grows from a slow water leak that you did not know existed.

As soon as you notice fungi growth, it is vital that the problem gets remediated promptly. Sometimes if left untreated, mold causes health effects in some people. To be on the safe side, call SERVPRO's mold damage experts in New Hope to give you an estimate on what the remediation process entails. Anytime a fungus is present it means that mold spores exist as well. If you do not do anything about the mold problem, many times the spores float to other areas of your home and create more fungi.

Our SERVPRO specialists are IICRC certified and know how to mitigate many types of mold damage scenarios. Our crews use industrially advanced equipment and chemicals to remediate fungal issues. All procedures we conduct throughout the restoration process follow strict standards and guidelines set by the EPA and IICRC.

The EPA mold remediation guidelines got developed for schools and commercials buildings. Our team of specialists follows these guidelines for residential properties. The guidelines provide a flowchart of critical steps in mold remediation.

The IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide For Professional Mold Remediation is the first published standard for the restoration industry. The guide includes principles to follow including to protect the health and safety of workers and occupants during the restoration process.

Another principle we follow from the IICRC guide is to control the contaminant from its source and make sure spores do not get airborne and cause fungi to grow in other rooms. The guide then suggests that everything contaminated gets removed from the home. Lastly, the guide stresses the importance of correcting the moisture problem so that a fungus cannot grow in the same or other areas.

Do not take your chances with mold. Anytime you even think you might have a mold problem call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 for help twenty four hours a day and seven days a week.

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Understanding the Basics of Mold Damage to Your Raleigh Home

2/6/2018 (Permalink)

Finding mold in your home does not need to cause a panic. Contact SERVPRO to investigate and remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Offers Mold Remediation as Well as Preventative Tips for Homeowners 

Mold can cause extensive damage to your Raleigh home if it is neglected. Understanding the basics about mold can help you spot the early signs of the damage and take steps to mitigate the problem before it gets out of hand.

The best line of defense against mold damage to your Raleigh home is to act fast and seek professional help. SERVPRO technicians have a better chance to control the situation if they spring into action during the early stages of the damage. Here are some facts that you should be aware of regarding mold and the damage it causes to your home.

Mold begins with a spore
Spores are microscopic structures that germinate to form mold. As they are microscopic, they can stay suspended in the air for a long time, and even a tiny mass can contain thousands of individual spores. If a mass of these spores is disturbed by anything, thousands of them are set free and can float in the air to reach almost anywhere in your home. SERVPRO professionals have the necessary equipment to limit this spread and contain the damage.

As the spores are tiny, even a gentle wind can carry them off and keep them suspended. The airborne spores eventually do settle down due to the gravity.

Spores germinate to form mold colonies
Spores can stay dormant for a very long time, waiting for the right conditions for germination. The right conditions include high moisture content, the right temperature and organic material to support growth.

Once the spores settle on a surface, they can absorb excess moisture and swell. They begin to grow by forming a network of filaments called hyphae. Some of these hyphae function as make-shift roots and anchor the mold network to the surface. Other hyphae bear spores on their tops.

Right conditions are essential for mold to thrive
Mold can thrive and grow if the conditions are just right. Excess moisture and a temperature between 68 to 86 degrees are ideal for the spores to germinate. Organic material such as wood, paper, fabric, walls, can act as a source of food as well.

Any surface that is open to the air accumulates spores over time, and if the conditions of temperature and moisture are conducive, mold can start growing.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest today at (919) 790-1222 to schedule an inspection today.

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Cleaning Up After Water Damage In Raleigh

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has Industry-Leading Pumping Equipment for Water Removal from Raleigh Properties.

Fast Water Removal Mitigates Damage to Your Home--Call SERVPRO

There may be a number of causes of damage to your Raleigh home or commercial property, but whatever the reason for the damage it needs to be dealt with quickly. The longer the problem is left, the harder and more expensive it can be to put right. SERVPRO has experts in water removal and damage restoration, and we are confident that we can help with the problems you are experiencing.

The most important thing to remember in cases of water damage in Raleigh is that quick action is the key. SERVPRO can be contacted at any stage of the water removal and damage restoration process but for expedient results call when you first notice any excess water so that we can see the process through from start to finish. We can respond to your call quickly and can get started on assessing the extent of the damage straight away. We use tools such as moisture meters to help us find out exactly how much water we are dealing with and this allows us to plan our next steps accordingly. Of course, puddles of water can be suctioned up quickly as we search for hidden water and moisture.

We can remove all excess water through the use of water pumps. These can be either truck mounted or portable, depending on the location of your property and how much water there is to remove. When all traces of visible water have gone, then we use drying mats and air movers as well as a range of other techniques to ensure that there is no moisture left behind. Strategically placing dehumidifiers capture the remaining airborne moisture. This reduces the likelihood that any mold might develop and also ensures that all surfaces are ready for any restoration work to begin.

Our SERVPRO technicians are trained to IICRC standards for water damage restoration. This assures our customers that they are getting the very best and professional service carried out on their property.

You should call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest as soon as you notice any signs of water damage in your property. We are available 24/7 at (919) 790-1222. We also serve the areas of New Hope and Brookhaven.

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How To Remove Mold From Your Wake Forest Home

1/14/2018 (Permalink)

Contacting SERVPRO right after you see or smell mold in your home is your best action to start the remediation process and deal with the mold.

Team SERVPRO Quickly Investigates and Then Remediates the Presence of Mold in Your Home

Your Wake Forest home is inevitably going to find times throughout the year where there is a good deal of moisture in the air, and this could present the right conditions for mold to grow. Even something as simple as a small water incident that did not get cleaned up thoroughly could provide the right scenario to feed spores in the air to grow colonies. The trouble is, you might not be able to see these colonies growing until they are relatively widespread throughout the entire area.
 
In any instance where you have discovered mold damage to your Wake Forest residence, you have to know whom you can trust to fix the problem. Our SERVPRO technicians have both expertise and expert training to hold themselves to the high standards required to be IICRC-certified. We have the skill set to identify not only where mold is, but what kind of mold and how to remove that type individually.
 
When we begin our assessment, and confirm the presence of mold in your home, we shut off circulating systems like heating and air conditioning to prevent the new spores from finding a home elsewhere around the house. Our SERVPRO specialists form a barrier around the present colonies using negative air chambers which deactivates spores floating in the air and prevents them from leaving the containment area.
 
Scrubbers with HEPA filters get used to thoroughly clean the affected surfaces and upholstery to remove the organism entirely. The entire process coincides with a continued effort to dehumidify the affected area, successfully removing moisture and preventing the condition necessary for the future growth of mold colonies. Assessing what the cause of the present moisture is an integral part of the remediation process as well, and our certified specialists can often determine where it has come from and how to prevent it from recurring.
 
Finding mold damage in your Wake Forest home might seem like a traumatic event, but with the right professional assistance, it can get rectified quickly and successfully. Give SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest a call today at (919) 790-1222.

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How Flood Damage can Affect Your Raleigh Residence when Appliances Malfunction

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

Accidents can happen from broken or worn out pipes. If your home is flooded as a result, contact SERVPRO for quick remediation.

SERVPRO Technicians Arrive Quickly After a Water Damage Incident in Your Home

We know that protecting your Raleigh home from damage is a recurring task that you take seriously. Your home is one of your most substantial investments and provides the majority of your family's protection. Making sure it remains intact and damage-free ensures that your family stays protected from the elements and other dangers.

One problem that occurs in homes is flood damage in Raleigh caused by a broken water line. Washing machines, dishwashers, or ice makers can quickly flood a home when the line supplying the water breaks or comes loose. Even a partial detachment can create a catastrophe. Water heaters can also cause the same issues and with even worse complications than the other appliances.

All too often, once installed, these lines rarely receive a second thought. Without thinking about these, inspection of those same lines does not happen as it should. While homeowners can help prevent these from happening, this is only true when a loose hose or worn out hardware is detected before a problem happens. Timely inspections cannot eliminate all problems, only decrease their possibility.

Because accidents happen with even the most diligent care, SERVPRO offers 24-hour service. Every second counts when your home is taking on water, so we respond when you need us, for your convenience. When we arrive, we arrive ready to start removing the water, helping your home recover from the water that slowly but steadily sets in throughout your home.

The water coming from water lines is clean and drinkable, until it hits the floor and becomes contaminated. Even if your home is spotless, residues from cleaners and home care products can mix in the water and spread to areas where they then cause damage. If we can remove the water quickly enough, and if several other factors are favorable, the chances of saving any carpeting increase.

Just as we take extraordinary measures to dry a wood floor, there are newly developed methods that can now restore carpeting. However, these measures usually fail when flooding comes from outside sources because of the amount of contamination. If interior-sourced water stagnates inside your home, this can also cause these measures to become ineffective.  

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest wants to help your family recover after flood damage, including helping you retain your current carpeting. Call us at (919) 790-1222 for the latest in technological advances and equipment used by IICRC-certified technicians who care about your family and your home.

For more information about the City of Raleigh, North Carolina visit:  https://www.raleighnc.gov/

Water Damage in a Raleigh Home's Kitchen or Pantry

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

When mopping water can seep under appliances causing a build up water damage.

SERVPRO Can Detect Hidden Water Damage in Your Kitchen

Storing your cookware in an easily-accessible location in your Raleigh residence helps make meal preparation a smooth process. Sometimes, when in a rush, it might seem unimportant if these items remain damp when you put them away. This dampness can accumulate, though, and cause problems in your home if you allow this to happen repeatedly.

Raleigh homes with water damage can suffer other consequences. Microbial growth is almost impossible without an abundance of moisture. Other pests, such as rodents and insects, find homes with damp areas much more inviting than they do drier homes. Removing the damaged areas can make your home less likely to succumb to invasions by pests in the future.

At SERVPRO, we install dehumidifiers that remove any problematic moisture from the air and keep it at a comfortable level for you and your family. Complete dryness is not healthy, either, so we use models that you can adjust for your comfort. We recommend for you to check kitchen and pantry shelves to ensure their placement remains level to prevent moisture from running back toward the wall and traveling downward.

Any visible damage that seems minor can hide severely damaged areas, so we check these areas with high-tech devices to reveal where elevated moisture accumulation exists. Water pipes that leak remain one of the most common reasons for water damage, but condensation on appliances can also become problematic. Regardless of the source, we can locate it and put a stop to the problem before it worsens.

For water damage that already affects your kitchen, we first remove damaged materials and then clean other areas of grit and grime that seems to build up in these types of areas. These locations can include behind your sink and underneath the cabinet, under appliances where mop water often seeps, or around windowsills. After completion of our work, your kitchen and pantry areas can function once again as they should, “Like it never even happened.” We know that your kitchen is a focal point in your family's life, and we want to make it a clean place to prepare food and eat meals for everyone in your home again.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest's employees are trained and skilled Applied Structural Drying Technicians (ASD) who care about the state of your home. We can be contacted at our local number, (919) 790-1222, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call us so we can undo the problems water damage can cause.

For more information about Raleigh, visit https://www.raleighnc.gov/.

Contact A Professional To Address Mold Damage In Your Raleigh Area Home

9/13/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Colonies Like These Pictured Require Professional Remediation--Contact SERVPRO

Trust Mold Remediation to the Experts

If you currently have mold growing inside of your Raleigh home, you should understand that there are a few species of mold that are more hazardous than others. More dangerous species release mycotoxins into the air that are the source of health problems that develop in some individuals once exposed.

However, many other species also produce toxins that mix with moisture covering vast areas of indoor growth, making the entire affected area potentially problematic. Regardless of the amount or type of mold damage, you find in your Raleigh area home; you should take steps to remove it promptly.

Suspecting that you have mold somewhere in your home is enough to warrant contacting a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO for help. You never want to take too long or ignore this possibly hazardous problem entirely. Let the professionals figure out if it exists, stay safe and let us assist you with making your next steps.

If you intend on locating mold before asking for help, the most practical way to locate a mold on your property is by using your eyes and nose. Finding mold stains on your walls obviously, means you have a problem. However, it is entirely possible to smell a mold problem that exists, without seeing any growth. It is also entirely possible to have an extensive mold problem and no odors are detectable.

Visible mold growth can come in a variety of colors and appearances. You might find a mixture of white, gray, brown, black, yellow, or even green, followed by discolorations, stains, or what looks like a fuzzy surface on regularly smooth building materials.
 
Always pay close attention to areas with a noticeable musty, dirt smell, or signs of excess moisture, water damage, and elevated humidity. Again, you can leave this task to IICRC certified professionals available at SERVPRO; we never want you to put yourself in a possibly unsafe situation.
 
One call gives you access to qualified professionals who can do the heavy lifting for you, call our office at SERVPRO of North Raleigh to begin your home’s mold remediation services. We are ready to assist homeowners throughout the Raleigh and Wake Forest areas, anytime, 24/7, 365. (919) 790-1222

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Raleigh Mold Damage Source

8/5/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Raleigh Stops the Spread of these Hyphae--Call SERVPRO

Moisture Removal Begins Mild Damage Remediation in Raleigh Properties

Mold is everywhere. The spores that form mold growths are in the air and inside every home and business. The only exceptions are ‘clean rooms’; surgical theatres for example or some electronic assembly chambers.

If you want to understand mold damage in your Raleigh home, it is necessary to know how mold expands and grows anywhere in the right temperature range with sufficient moisture and food. SERVPRO has more than twenty years of experience in North Carolina studying mold and the most efficient ways to stop its growth and remove it.
 
Mold starts as a tiny spore, usually airborne. Each one is tinier than a mustard seed, and a mass of thousands is smaller than the head of a pin. When these airborne spores settle on a surface, they remain inert unless they come into contact a source of moisture. The initial amount of water does not need to be more than a few drops, that is all it takes for spores to expand and extend hyphae.
 
These extensions spread across surfaces to expand the new growth. When they find a food source, hyphae grow into the material; normally construction items like drywall and ceiling tiles. They sustain the growth and speed expansion as well.
 
Most mold grows at a range of 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Since this is the temperature range for most homes in North America year-round, fungi growth is a problem in Fall and Winter as well as Spring and Summer. Obviously, the best way to stop mold growth is to turn off the moisture since it is also the starting point of the growth. Then we eliminate the source, be it a leaking pipe, pooled water under a damaged section of roof, a severe flood, or something else.
 
With the mold halted, we begin cleaning and removal. First, we isolate the area as best as possible; this prevents accidental contamination of other, clean parts of the house. After an initial pass with commercial grade vacuums to pull up loose spores, we remove all building material and personal property with mold. Depending on the item and the amount of mold involved, we clean it on-site, at our facility, or dispose of it.
 
For mold on the structure, we use a variety of antifungal agents and tools to kill and remove surface mold. If the spores have grown just below the surface, we remove the piece or cut away the affected section if structural integrity remains uncompromised.
 
Stopping mold and removing the damage from your home is not a simple task. At SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, we have the personnel, training, and equipment needed to ensure we do it as quickly as possible and still provide a safe environment for you and your family to return home. If you need us, call today at (919) 790-1222.

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A Train Of Storms Result In Raleigh Flood Damage

7/24/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Saves Many Raleigh Homes from Excessive Flood Damage

SERVPRO Provides Great Solutions to Raleigh Affected Storm Damaged Properties

Sometimes several days of heavy rains follow one after the other, greatly increasing the possibility of home flooding. Rivers and streams rise with the added precipitation, threatening nearby homes, and another flood risk indicator is the saturated soil. SERVPRO is ready to help local homeowners reverse the lasting effects of flood damage.
 
One storm front follows another, pushing the capacity of the ground to absorb more water. This train of storms means water flows downhill into your home’s walkout lower level, and you notice more moisture seeping in through the foundation. Do not wait for the rains to stop before calling us about the flood damage to your Raleigh home.
 
Our crew arrives with truck-mounted pumps and extractors, powerful and ready to start removing water even if the storm knocked out local power lines. Work begins after we ensure electricity is not live in the flooded area -- safety first for you and the SERVPRO restoration crew. The water collected may be contaminated with fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste, so we contain and dispose of it under local regulation.
 
Technicians sanitize surface with appropriate antimicrobials as others operate the extractors on carpeting. SERVPRO workers receive advanced training on how to remove the most moisture without stretching or tearing the carpet fibers from the backing. The impure flood water is difficult to pull out of the padding and may accelerate mold growth. Usually, we remove and replace the padding as it is cost effective and because of the risk of retained impurities contributing to secondary flood damage.
 
The SERVPRO team positions air movers and dehumidifiers to reduce lingering moisture quickly. Throughout the process, we measure moisture levels to ensure we hit appropriate drying targets. Because the flooded space is partially within the home’s foundation, we check the perimeter for additional seepage and hidden pockets of water in cinder blocks or behind paneling or drywall. We do not consider the restoration job finished until all evidence of excess moisture disappears and measurements are within the normal range.
 
We move furnishings and stored personal belongings out of the flooded area for evaluation and to allow easier cleanup of the floors and walls. SERVPRO inventories items transferred and consults with you to help determine what to dry and restore and what to discard. Important documents and treasured pictures and heirlooms respond best to a freeze drying restoration procedure and need to be stabilized off-site swiftly.
 
Rely on SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest to respond fast and efficiently to your home’s flooding issues. Our staff awaits your call at (919) 790-1222 to schedule an estimate.

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Practice Firework Safety to Prevent Home Damage and Bodily Injury

7/2/2017 (Permalink)

Photo courtesy of CPSC and newsweek.com

Celebrating the summer brings gatherings, food, and on holidays - fireworks. While the lights of a backyard firework show or small handheld sparkler can be fun there are dangers just underneath the lights. When celebrating Independence Day, The National Fire Protection Association estimates sparklers account for more than 28% of emergency room visits due to fireworks and of nearly half of all fires reported 47% were started on July 4th due to fireworks.

If used improperly, fireworks can be dangerous. Professionals disagree on the use of personal use of fireworks. Some stating they should only be used by trained pyrotechnicians and others touting a use cautiously approach. HOA’s have weighed in on the matter usually erring on the side of caution and banning them from neighborhoods altogether.

The firework related injury stats can understandably give HOA’s cause for concern. Fireworks cause an average of nearly 18,500 reported fires across the country each year. Smaller hand-held sparklers account for more than 25% of emergency room fireworks injuries. The average sparkler is 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s 300 degrees hotter than what is required to melt glass, at 900 degrees Fahrenheit!

Other homeowner concerns for fire from fireworks include:

  • Roof shingles
  • Grass and landscaping
  • Siding
  • Fencing
  • Decks
  • Vehicles filled with gasoline in the driveway or street

If you do decide to have a home firework show please do so safely. Here are some tips to help prevent fire from ruining your home celebration:

  • Light fireworks on pavement or concrete a safe distance away from your home
  • Keep hair and loose clothing tied back
  • Keep a bucket of water close and a primed water hose ready
  • Light fireworks one at a time
  • NEVER attempt to relight a dud firework

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go see a display put on by the professionals. This allows you to enjoy the show with little worry of bodily harm or property damage. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest wants you to enjoy the festivities safely with family and friends. Happy Independence Day!

Source: www.nfpa.org

Commercial Carpet Cleaning for your North Raleigh & Wake Forest Business

6/27/2017 (Permalink)

Regularly scheduled professional cleaning of your North Raleigh and Wake Forest commercial flooring will extend its life.

When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial services it is time to call in the professional services of SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest.

Our certified technicians can work around your operational schedule to clean your company’s carpets.

Vacuuming the carpets in your commercial property is a good way to limit accumulation of debris from taking root in commercial flooring. However, for those deep cleans its’ best to set up a carpet cleaning scheduled. Offices with heavy foot traffic may need a professional cleaning twice a year, whereas offices with lighter foot traffic may only need a professional cleaning once per year. Unfortunately, flooring in a commercial setting is often better at hiding soiled areas for longer periods of time than a residential carpet. There are benefits to having your commercial carpet professionally cleaned.

There are benefits to having your carpets professional cleaned on a regular schedule

Indoor Air Quality Improvement

Carpets collect a variety of compounds over time. Every time someone walks on the carpet their footsteps kicks the soil in the carpet into the air, representing a breathing risk. This is one of the contributors to poor indoor air quality. This is why regular maintenance is recommended.

First Impressions

A business with daily vacuumed and regularly cleaned carpets looks and smells fresh. This leaves a positive impression on any visitors that many come to the office and also lets employees, clients, and stakeholders know you care about your property.

Extending the Life of the Flooring

Having your commercial flooring regularly cleaned will help extend the lifespan of the carpets. When debris is left to stay in the flooring it breaks down the fibers leading. Keeping the flooring clean limits the amount of time contaminants are in the carpets.

If your commercial flooring is in need of a professional cleaning call SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at 919-790-1222 to schedule an appointment with one of our certified carpet cleaning technicians today.

Document Restoration for Your North Raleigh & Wake Forest Business

6/21/2017 (Permalink)

Libraries, books, and documents are just a few of the items SERVPRO can restore for your business.

As a business owner, you may have an emergency readiness plan but does it include document restoration? After a significant water intrusion, storm, or flood many businesses have records they must still maintain for legal reasons. Some of the most valuable parts of business lies in its record-keeping documents, books and photos. The loss of these records are typically irreplaceable and could lead to a delay in resuming regular business operation or worse.

Did you know SERVPRO® can restore wet documents? SERVPRO has a proprietary document restoration process and can restore nearly every type of document including (but not limited to):

  • paper files
  • books, manuscripts, magazines
  • photographs
  • blue prints, maps, drawings, plans
  • microfiches
  • x-rays
  • vellum
  • archives, library materials
  • vital records

Document restoration services are secure, include a chain of custody, and are handled by Master HIPAA certified technicians.

If your commercial property has experienced water damage, SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can mitigate your damages and restore your documents making your business operational again. Call us today at 919-790-1222.

Sources:

www.archives.gov

Commercial Duct Cleaning for Your North Raleigh & Wake Forest Business

6/21/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can clean ducts in any size business or commercial building.

The temperatures in NC require heavy dependence on the HVAC system to heat and cool your commercial building, products, and employees. Your air ducts are in constant use carrying warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer.

If it’s been a while since you have had your ducts inspected they could be circulating odors, dust, and other contaminates leading to poor indoor air quality and ultimately decreasing the performance of the system.

You can decrease duct contamination by preventing dirt from entering the system:

  • Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system
  • Change filters regularly
  • If your filters become clogged, change them more frequently
  • Make sure there are no missing filters
  • During construction or other type of work that causes dust in your place of business, seal off supply and return registers
  • Vacuum and dust your commercial building on a regular basis

Even with routine maintenance and prevention, air ducts can still become dirty and need professional cleaning. We can work with your business to develop a schedule to minimize interruptions to your day-to-day operations.

Commercial Services

There’s never a convenient time for fire or water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. When the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest has the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

Sources:

www.epa.gov

Is It Mold or Mildew?

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Mold and mildew need warm, moist, areas like bathrooms to grow.

Owning a home means you will undoubtedly encounter many different smells. Some of those smells are enjoyable like a home cooked meal or the fresh smell of a clean home. Other smells are unwanted, and unwelcomed intruders like the dank, musty smell of mildew or worse, mold.

Mold and mildew are part of the same fungi family and often confused with one another in the residential environment because they look similar.  

Only an environmental scientist can properly identify mold. If you suspect you have mold it is best to call us to schedule an appointment.

Identifying the difference between mold and mildew is straightforward, once you know what to look for.

Mildew

Mildew, identified by white or grey patches on a moist area can be easily cleaned with consumer level retail products and a good scrub. Like mold, mildew requires moist, warm areas to grow. Mildew will grow on a wide range of surfaces from your shower to food. It can cause discoloration and odor problems, and in severe cases lead to allergic reactions along with other health concerns.

Mold

While the most commonly associated color with mold is fuzzy green, it can come in a wide range of colors. Black, blue, brown, orange, and even blue are some of the other colors of mold. No matter the color, if you suspect it’s mold, it needs to be removed.

The best way to prevent either from appearing in your home is to control it. Control mold by keeping your home dry and moisture free.  The appearance of mildew and/or mold in your home indicates there is a moisture problem. Fix the moisture problem and then remove the mildew yourself.

About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest Today 919-790-1222

Is Your Family Storm Ready?

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Rain can quickly turn into several inches of flood waters in the Triangle NC area. Have an emergency plan ready.

An excessive amount of rainfall from storms can wreak havoc on North Raleigh, and Wake Forest North Carolina homeowners. The rainfall is already 3.42 inches above normal since the start of hurricane and tropical storm season.

It is advised to do a checkup of your home to make sure it is protected. While prevention is the best way to handle a possible storm for your home, preparedness is the best way to protect those who live in your home.

Have a plan to meet at a designated area if everyone of your household is not together when the storm hits. If you have a pet, have a plan to care for them and include food for them in your disaster supply kit.

Evacuation Routes

Know where to go in case of an evacuation. Evacuation routes vary depending on the type of natural disaster. Therefore, there is not a predetermined route. ReadyWake! is Wake County’s official website to alert residents of which evacuation route to take when necessary. When storm alerts begin, it is a good time to fill up your gas tank and go to the ATM to withdraw cash. This way you are prepared to evacuate if necessary.

If you are unable to evacuate stay indoors on the lowest level away from windows and glass doors.

Disaster Preparedness Kits

Have a disaster supply kit ready in case of emergency evacuation. This kit should include several flashlights, batteries, (including back up power supplies for personal electronics such as mobile phones) cash, meds, and first aid supplies. Copies of important documents should also be included in case they are destroyed or you are unable to come back to your home for any length of time.

After a storm, you may have damage to your home. Your local SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is faster to any-sized disaster any time of the day or night at 919-790-1222.

Preparing Your Pets for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Event

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Keep your pets safe during a storm event with a pet preparedness plan!

For many families, their pets are considered family. When making an emergency readiness plan for storm events pets, although very loved, are often left out. This oversight can make for untold heartache during and after a storm. After Hurricane Matthew in 2016, hundreds of pets were separated from their owners. Fortunately, regular county and temporary rescue shelters were able to accommodate the influx of lost pets during and after the storm. To avoid inadvertent separation from your pet during a storm, have a plane in place.

Before the Storm

Microchip your pet. A registered and up-to-date microchip is the fastest way to become reunited with your pet if you become separated.

Keep a collar on your pet with tags that have current contact information.

Have a pet carrier ready with your pet’s name and your contact information written on the carrier. Keep a spare leash in the carrier.

Know where your pet will be staying, if not with you.  In the event of an emergency, many shelters do not provide an option for pets. You will need to have a facility to shelter them should you be required to evacuate and cannot take them with you to your final location.

Disaster Supply Kits

Your pet should have its own disaster supply kit. Your veterinarian may be able to assist you in planning an individualized kit that is right for your pet. Some common items include:

2 weeks worth of food

Water

Plastic bags and/or litter boxes and litter

Paper towels and cleaning agents

Medications

Medical records

Familiar toys and blankets

Photo of the pet with members of the family. This will help with identification in case you are separated from your pet.

After the Storm

If your pet’s food was exposed to floodwater, throw it out. Floodwaters could be contaminated and the food would not be safe for consumption.

Do not let your pet walk in the flood waters. They may lick their paws before you have a chance to clean them, exposing them to harmful contaminants.

Like you, after returning home, pets could be stressed and confused. Keep them inside as much as possible until they are reacclimated with their environment.

Like you, our technicians care about their families and the community they live in. They work hard to restore order after any-sized disaster. If you have storm related damage call us today at 919-790-1222.

Sources:

www.ncdps.gov

www.cdc.gov

Top 4 Common Mold Myths

6/16/2017 (Permalink)

Excessive long term water intrusion lead to mold in this homeowner's bathroom.

All mold is bad. When facing mold in your home and business, it is understandable to see how all mold could be considered unhealthy. Not every mold that grows indoors is a dangerous mold. There are some molds, that are good for humans, such as penicillin. According to the CDC, there is always some mold everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces. An environmental specialist should be consulted to determine if there are any dangerous molds in your home or business.

Bleach kills mold. Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent. It can kill a whole host of bacteria on non-porous items. Killing mold, however, is not something bleach was ever intended to do. In fact, bleach is not a remedy recommended by the EPA or OSHA. Using bleach could lead to more damage due to the corrosive nature of the product.  The same caution and advice holds for other consumer level retail cleaning products.

Cleaning up Mold Can Be Done Yourself. In small areas, this may be possible with the right products and equipment. Most people, however, are simply not equipped to do a proper mold remediation. Attempting to remediate a small area yourself could lead to larger problems if caution is not taken when disposing of mold infested debris. Lack of proper containment in a small area, could lead to infecting the entire residence causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Painting Over Mold Will Seal it and Prevent Regrowth. Also referred to as encapsulation this is a good method but only when done within a full mold remediation protocol. A common household fix is to use bleach to wipe down the problem area. Bleach will discolor the mold, but not remove it. Once the area is wiped down with bleach, then it is painted in hopes it will seal in any mold that was missed and prevent future mold from growing. This method does not work unless the initial cause of the mold growth is addressed and corrected. Underlying causes of mold can be excessive moisture or excessive humidity. If the moisture problem is not repaired or eliminated then the chances of the mold returning are greatly increased.

About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest Today 919-790-1222

Sources:

www.cdc.gov

www.epa.gov

www.osha.gov

How to Control Mold

6/16/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can be found everywhere, indoors and out. Modern conveniences allows homeowners to manipulate their indoor environments to control mold growth before it becomes a problem. There are four keys to controlling mold inside:

Control humidity levels. Mold needs a warm, dark, humid environment to grow. By keeping humidity levels consistent at 50% this inhibits mold growth.

Repair leaks quickly. Leaks from pipes, windows, or roofs can start as water damage and turn into mold damage as well. Routine maintenance of the roof will alert you to any potential hazards before they become problems, and promptly repairing a leaky roof will keep secondary repair costs low. Check the seals on windows and be sure to keep them closed during adverse weather events to prevent water from entering your home.

Clean and dry after flood and storm events. Unfortunately, the Triangle area is prone to storms and flooding. It is important to have all affected areas thoroughly cleaned and dried immediately to prevent secondary damages such as mold remediation. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest has a large team that can respond quickly to storm events, saving you from dealing with costly mold remediation protocols later down the line.

Ventilate bathrooms, laundry and cooking areas. The activities in these rooms tend to produce moisture. Ventilating the area while in use, will cut down on the amount of moisture and humidity produced. Remember high humidity is one of the chief causes of mold.

If you do find mold in your home, it will need to be cleaned and the source will need to be repaired or eliminated. Failure to rectify the source of the problem will lead to recurring growth.

About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest Today 919-790-1222

Protecting Your North Raleigh & Wake Forest Home From Summer Storm Events

6/6/2017 (Permalink)

Damage from lightning can create costly damage for homeowners.

For many, a gentle summer rain can be refreshing especially when faced with the alternative of the Triangle area heat and the uncertainty of drought from year to year. From thunderstorms to hurricanes summer storm events can be severe causing homeowners across North Raleigh and Wake Forest thousands of dollars in damages. The hurricane and tropical storm season runs from Jun 1 to Nov 30. The season peaks in mid Aug and winds down in late Oct.

Now is a perfect time to do a checkup of your home to make sure it is as protected as possible before storm events including thunderstorms start to occur.

Check gutters and downspouts. Failing gutters can cause serious damage to the foundation of your home. Properly installed gutters carry water away from your home’s foundation.

Sump pumps. Many basements will have sump pumps installed to remove excessive ground water. If your system fails in the middle of a storm event, you may have to end up dealing with a flooded basement, and damage to any contents in the room.

Roof. Have a professional inspect the shingles for any damages that could lead to leaks during heavy rains.

Landscaping. Regular maintenance of your yard to include trimming trees and shrubs will help minimize damage during a storm. Well pruned shrubbery is more wind resistant and less likely to cause damage to your property. Dead branches and limbs are easily transported when the winds are high. Anything outdoors that is not tied down, such as furniture, decorations, patio umbrellas, etc. should be bought inside.

Generator. Weather-related outages can wreak havoc on the modern home. Since 2003 the number of weather related outages have doubled, leaving 15 million customers each year without power for at least an hour. Without electricity, sump pumps stop working, food begins to spoil, and home alarm systems are vulnerable. Having a standby generator, can keep essentials running until power is restored.

Extra Tips

Documents. Keep your important documents in an easily portable fireproof, waterproof container. You may not have access to digital copies during or after the storm event.

Road Ready. It is also a good idea to completely fuel up your vehicle and have cash on hand as gas stations and ATM’s may be closed following a storm.

After the storm, if your home has suffered from water damage, remember SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is always ‘here to help.’

North Raleigh Swimming Pool Damages and Safety Tips

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

After Memorial Day pools across Wake County and North Raleigh begin to welcome their first guests of the swimming season. For many homeowners, swimming is an activity best enjoyed in the privacy of their own home, but there are some dangers associated with owning a pool. Other than fire, water damages can be one of the most costly disasters affecting your home. If you are installing a pool this season, whether above ground or below check your county and city ordinances to make sure your new structure is incompliance and check your homeowner’s policy to be certain you are covered.

Pool Safety Tips

Pools are a great way to enjoy the summer and have gatherings with friends and family. Unfortunately, they are also an attractive nuisance. Generally speaking, homeowners are responsible for anyone that uses their pool. Even if they were uninvited! Because your home is probably one of your most valuable possessions it is important to protect it inside and outside. Here are some safety tips every homeowner with a pool should know:

  1. Keep lifesaving equipment in the pool area. It only takes a moment for an incident to occur regardless of the swimmer’s skill level. Having lifesaving equipment and those properly instructed in its use can prevent tragedy’s.
  2. Store your pool chemicals in a safe area. These should be in a location away from the pool and remember to those pool chemicals away from children.
  3. Keep your pool clean. A dirty pools is not only unattractive, it is also a health hazard that could hold you liable. Not only should the pool itself be clean, but the area around the pool needs to be kept tidy. Ideally glass, bottles, and food should be kept away from the pool area. Pool toys and floats should be removed from the pool when not in use so as to avoid tempting small children to reach for the item.
  4. Refrain from imbibing while swimming. The CDC states that in 70% of deaths involving adult water recreation there was alcohol involved.
  5. Inspect your pool for signs of wear and tear. Ensure your pool is equipped with an overflow system that will drain excess water. Leaks from your backyard pool could flood your lawn or your basement. Discontinue use of the pool upon discovery of an issue and make repairs immediately.

Your local SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest wants you to enjoy a safe summer. We are here for you no matter the time of the night or day.

Source: www.cdc.gov

Is Your Business Prepared for a Disaster?

5/23/2017 (Permalink)

50% of all businesses close after a disaster.

A disaster is any event that disables, interrupts, or adversely affects the ability to operate a business in a normal manner. Fifty percent of businesses never recover from a disaster. Those that do, usually had a contingency plan. SERVPRO® of North Raleigh and Wake Forest provides complimentary ERP’s for commercial businesses in our service area. 


The Emergency Readiness Profile provides businesses with critical information when faced with a disaster. It allows businesses to know what to do, who to call, and what to expect in advance of a mitigation.


ERP’s Include:



  • Snapshot of each building owned or managed by the business

  • After hours emergency contacts

  • Brightly labeled shut off locations

  • Concise report with eight pages of information including photos

  • And more!


A SERVPRO representative will come to your business and walk the property with you discussing the information required to be included in the ERP. The representative will also go over a typical loss, discussing what the disaster has left behind and how it can be handled depending on the type of loss.


The ERP is at no cost to the business but it will undoubtedly save the company time and money during a disaster. Timely response during a crisis can minimize business interruptions and associated loss revenue. There is also the potential of thousands of dollars to be saved in secondary damages, and allows for restoration of the business with minimal downtime.


The ERP is available in several different formats, hardcopy and in a convenient app. Call us today to schedule your appointment at 919-790-1222.

Why Your Home Needs Surge Protectors

5/16/2017 (Permalink)

Surge protectors protect your electronics and prevent costly electronic replacements.

A power surge is an unwanted and unexpected surge of voltage that can damage or destroy your electronic equipment. Most people think of lightning and/or storms as the source of power surges however, the National Electrical Manufactures Association estimates over 60% of surges originate from inside the home.

A surge protector will protect your smaller more expensive electronics. Some surge protectors include outlets for ethernet, cable, or satellite connections. Surge protectors are relatively easy to use. You simply plug them into the device you wish to protect. Only the electronics plugged into the device will be protected. Most surge protectors look like a power strip. Be sure to determine you are using an actual surge protector and not power strip.

The surge protector limits the unexpected voltage supplied to the electronic device by blocking those voltages that are above a safe level. If a surge does happen, and your electronics were protected, you will need to replace the surge protector after the event. You will also need to replace your surge protectors over time to ensure they will work properly when needed. While surge protectors offer a great deal of protection, no surge protector can handle a direct lightning strike.

There are many threats to your home, both inside and out. SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest strives to educate home and business owners on protecting their most valuable assets.

 

Source: www.efsi.org

Activities for Memorial Day Weekend in Raleigh and Across North Carolina

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

Although summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, 2017 many mark Memorial Day weekend as the beginning of the summer season. Some families choose to celebrate by staying home while others are more inclined to find an outing. If you prefer to travel outside of the Raleigh, and Triangle areas, North Carolina has an abundance of natural resources to enjoy.

Raleigh

  • May 26th WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest at Fleming Loop Park
  • May 29th Memorial Day Observance at Historic Oakwood Cemetery

 

Zoos, Beaches, Aquariums, Museums, or Historic Sites open on Memorial Day

  • NC Aquariums
  • NC Zoo
  • NC Museums of History and Natural Sciences
  • State Parks and Recreation areas (most are open check before going)
  • May 27th Town of Atlantic Beach annual fireworks display

Mold - A Hidden Houseguest

5/10/2017 (Permalink)

Mold spores are naked to the human eye.

Why Is Mold Harmful

  • You cannot see mold spores with the naked human eye
  • Disturbance of mold causes spore masses to aerosolize releasing spores into the air
  • You cannot visually determine if materials are contaminated with settled spores.

Mold begins its life as a tiny spore and has over 20,000 species. The size of the spore is smaller than the size of a pinhead. These spores move, uninvited, into the dark, damp, places of your home and wait for the perfect conditions to go free. Once a disturbance causes the spores to aerosolize, the airflow carries the spores off, which remain airborne until gravity helps find them a place to settle.

Mold feeds on organic matter such as:

  • Wood
  • Paper
  • Drywall
  • Insulation
  • Natural fibers
  • Plants, potting soil
  • Paints
  • Starch in wallpaper paste
  • Caulk

 

You can help prevent mold growth by having good ventilation, maintaining a dry environment and providing a lack of organic food sources for mold to thrive.

 

Common Moisture Problems Contributing to Mold Include

  • Poor construction
  • Roof leaks
  • Basement leaks
  • Plumbing leaks

 

If the mold problem in your home has become more than you can handle on your own, SERVPRO®of North Raleigh and Wake Forest is ready to assist you.

 

Containing mold spores is a primary task of mold remediation. Mold spores are invisible to the human eye. This is why having a professional trained in mold remediation is key to ensuring the mold is properly removed.  When cleaning moldy materials, it is imperative to avoid spreading the spores. A small area can quickly multiply to an entire home if remediation or removal of affected materials are done improperly.

 

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

If you see signs of mold, call us today – 919-790-1222.

 

 

 

Source: http://www.epa.gov/mold

 

Growth Across the Triangle Area

4/17/2017 (Permalink)

Night view of the Raleigh skyline.

North Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. The weather is moderate, the cost of living is reasonable, and the school system has consistently been lauded across the country. It’s no wonder people from all over the country come to settle in the Triangle area.


Listed as #4 in Forbes list of top 20 Fastest Growing Cities the Country, Raleigh is a hubbub of activity and growth.


In 2014 Wake county reached the 1million mark. The county continues to grow by 63 people per day.


Wake County is projected to reach 2 million residents by 2054.


The increased population has not come without its challenges. Still lacking in major transportation, residents rely heavily on their own vehicles for commuting to work. The average commute is now about 25 minutes. This influx of vehicles on the road means Wake County suffers from low air quality. According to the EPA, Wake County consistently ranks among the top counties in the number of unhealthy air quality days per year.


The population also threatens some of the natural beauty that makes North Carolina unique. The Triangle area alone is projected to lose up to 37% of its natural habitat by 2027 unless some sort of legislative action is taken.


In the State of the City Address in March Mayor Nancy McFarlane stated:


“There are a lot of things we cannot control. But we can continue to work together to find that common thread and create the kind of community that we want to call home.”


The Triangle area is indeed home to millions of residents creating a vibrant, artistic, business community that SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is proud to call home.


 


Sources:


www.forbes.com


raleigh-wake.org


wakegov.com


www.epa.gov

Earth Day 2017 Events Across NC

4/14/2017 (Permalink)

Earth Day 2017

Earth Day was created on April 22, 1970 to create national environmental awareness. The most common way to celebrate is to plant a tree. If you’re looking to explore some of the lush greenery in North Carolina’s own State Park system, here is a listing of events across the state:


 


Earth Day Events in NC State Parks


Not all events are on Saturday, April 22, some are the week of.  Be sure to double-check before you go.


Crystal Coast Earth Day


Fort Macon State Park


252-726-3775


Celebrate Earth Day with over a dozen local organizations at Fort Macon State Park.  Each group will have a booth with displays and/or activities showcasing their conservation efforts.  


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 10:00am to 2:00pm


Start Location:


Fort Macon Visitor Center


Earth Day - Salamander Soiree


Lake James State Park


828-584-7728


Earth Day! What better way to celebrate our wonderful planet than by searching for slimy amphibians? The wonderful world of salamanders will be on display as Park Ranger Kevin Bischof leads a hike to different types of salamander habitat in search of these small, elusive amphibians.


Date of Event:


Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - 1:00pm


Start Location:


Paddy's Creek Area - Holly Discovery Trailhead


Lake Waccamaw State Park Friends - Earth Day 5K Walk/Run/Corn Hole Tournament/Concert


Lake Waccamaw State Park


910-646-4748


Lake Waccamaw State Park Friends Earth Day 5K Trail Walk/ Run/ Corn Hole Tournament/Concert on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Come out with family and friends and enjoy Lake Waccamaw State Park on Earth Day. Walk or run a 5K course covering the trails and boardwalks of the beautiful and diverse park terrain. The 5K event proceeds go directly to park improvements and new programs for visitors.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 8:00am to 7:00pm


Start Location:


Lake Waccamaw Visitor's Center


Earth Day at the Park


South Mountains State Park


828-433-4772


Bring a friend, or just come and make a friend! Volunteer with Friends of South Mountains State Park and show your love for the park by getting your hands a little dirty helping park staff with a project to make your park more beautiful. Project will be decided by park staff prior to the event, but projects may include trail work or a project in the picnic area or on the Kids TRACK trail.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 9:00am to 1:00pm


Start Location:


Visitor Center


Discovery Hike


Jones Lake State Park


910-588-4550


Join a park ranger for a hike through the bay forest at Jones Lake State Park and "discover" why this environment is unique.  Discussion on the hike will include the flora and fauna of the forest, and why Carolina Bays are important.  Participants should meet at the Visitor Center at 10:00 am for this program.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 10:00am


Start Location:


Visitor Center


Nature Designs Art Festival


Raven Rock State Park


910-893-4888


Nature Designs Art Festival is an official event of the 2017 North Carolina Science Festival presented by the Biogen Foundation.
 


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 10:00am to 2:00pm


Start Location:


Visitor Center


Biological Wonderland Hike


Carolina Beach State Park


910-458-8206


Come celebrate Earth Day by joining a Park Ranger at 11:00 a.m. in the Flytrap Trail Parking Area for a hike along the trails. Learn about the different habitats that exist within Carolina Beach State Park and how each habitat affects the plants and animals that call the park home. Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather. For more information, call 910-458-8206.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 11:00am


Start Location:


Flytrap Trail Parking Area


Earth Day at Chimney Rock


Chimney Rock State Park


828-625-1823


Help us celebrate the NC Science Festival! Public and private conservationists have been protecting lands in and around Chimney Rock for well over 100 years.  Join state park rangers, regional biologists, and other environmental educators to learn about the great work being done to protect our beautiful landscape.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 11:00am to 3:00pm


Start Location:


Riverwalk behind the Old Rock Cafe


Earth Day – 4/22/17


Gorges State Park


828-966-9099


Earth Day – 4/22/17
Join the Gorges Park Naturist on Earth Day for and informative and fun look at the connection between the Park Visitor Center and Earth Day!  The LEED certified center has many Golden Features which work in harmony with the earth.  This will be a rain or shine event with,  
No Reservations Needed! 


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 11:00am to 12:00pm


Start Location:


Park Visitor Center


Earth Day Scavenger Hunt


Goose Creek State Park


252-923-2191


Meet at the visitor center to learn about Leave No Trace ethics on Earth Day and participate in a fun and interactive scavenger hunt.  All ages are welcome.  Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to take a walk through the woods.
 


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 11:00am


Start Location:


Visitor Center


Not all events are on Saturday, April 22, some are the week of.  Be sure to double-check before you go.


Stewardship Hike


Jockeys Ridge State Park


252-441-7132


Jockey's Ridge offers a view into preservation projects of the past as well as restoration projects. On Earth Day, join us for this 1.5 mile hike to look at the decisions and science involved in the management of public lands.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 11:30am


Start Location:


Visitor Center


NC SciFest: Natural Pigments


Elk Knob State Park


828-297-7261


Come see the different colors you can find in nature.  Learn the process of creating your own natural pigments.  Experiment with different colors.  All materials provided.  Wear clothing you don't mind getting dirty.  Meet at the outdoor amphitheater.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 1:00pm


Start Location:


Outdoor Amphitheater


Earth Day Hike


Pettigrew State Park


252-797-4475


Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk to learn about the plants and animals that call the area home.  You will get to see Pettigrew State Park from a different perspective!  Call the park office for more information (252)797-4475


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 2:00pm


Start Location:


Park Office


Earth Day Hike


Medoc Mountain State Park


252-586-6588


To celebrate Earth Day, come to the park, join a park ranger, and hike the Stream Loop Trail.  As we walk the trail, we will talk about the various sights and sounds around us.  The hike will take us alongside Little Fishing Creek and then deep into the woods.  Dress for the weather and bring a bottle of water.  Call the park office at 252-586-6588 to register for this FREE program!


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 2:00pm


Start Location:


Picnic Shelter parking lot


Earth Day Celebration


Mayo River State Park


336- 427-2530


Come out and celebrate Earth Day at Mayo River State Park!   We will have Greensboro Parks and Recreation's Famous Ecobus displaying live birds, snakes, and other live animals on board! Do you want to do a service project to help the environment?  We will be hosting a cleanup project on the Mayo River. (registration is required).  Do you want to help with a resource management project?


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 3:00pm to 8:00pm


Start Location:


Mayo Mountain Access


Earth Day Night Hike


Mount Jefferson State Natural Area


336-246-9653


Meet the park ranger on Earth Day for a one-mile round-trip hike along the ridgeline out to Luther Rock. See amazing views, stars and the lights of town below. We watch for owls, and listen for wildlife.  Bring a small flashlight and wear sturdy shoes.  Parts of this hike are considered strenuous and hiking at night can be physically challenging.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 8:00pm


Start Location:


Park Office


NC Star Party: Celebrate Earth Day


Hammocks Beach State Park


910-326-4881


Join us for the annual North Carolina Statewide Star Party which is part of the North Carolina Science Festival. Come learn the basics of stargazing and be amazed by all to see!  We will also be celebrating Earth Day at this event... GO EARTH!  You will get a chance to use a telescope to get a closer look at the sky above.


Date of Event:


Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 8:00pm


Start Location:


Visitor Center


 

Raleigh Facilities Maintenance and Management Expo

4/10/2017 (Permalink)

Akeshia (L) and Jill (R) of the marketing department at the booth for the Raleigh Facilities Expo.

Earlier this month, SERVPRO® of North Raleigh and Wake Forest participated in the annual Raleigh Facilities Maintenance & Management Expo. This event took place at the NC State Fairgrounds. The marketing team was onsite to answer questions about the services we provide to the Triangle, and Wake Forest area; attendees who visited the booth left with colorful and useful swag bags.  


SERVPRO® of North Raleigh and Wake Forest strives to be a resource to the multi-family community. While we are most commonly associated with our emergency services for water and fire remediation, we also provide mold, trauma and bio-hazard cleanup, as well as scheduled floor buffing, duct, and carpet cleaning.


“Like it never even happened.” Call to schedule routine maintenance services today 919-790-1222.

Easter Egg Hunts Across the North Raleigh, Wake Forest and Wake County Community

4/5/2017 (Permalink)

With March 20th marking the official first day of Spring 2017 the Easter Bunny and his colorful eggs are not far behind. If you haven’t made it to an Easter Egg hunt yet, there is still a little time. This year Easter is on April 16th. There’s still plenty of time to take the kids to egg hunts around the North Raleigh and Wake Forest community. This year you can find egg hunts at the following locations:

April 6th

Apex - Flashlight Egg Hunt. Ages 6 and older for those with disabilities. Register at apexnc.org

April 8th

Cary -  8:30am. Continental breakfast at Cary Senior Center with the Easter Bunny followed by an egg hunt at Bond Park at 10am for 10 and under. There will be food trucks, face painting, and bounce houses from 10 am - 1:30pm. With a magic show at the Sertoma Amphitheater. Tickets required for the breakfast portion only.

Chapel Hill – 10am – 1pm. Peter Cottontail at Southern Community Park’s Spring Festival.

Fuquay Varina – 10am. 10 and younger at South Park. This hunt boasts over 12,000 candy filled eggs.

Holly Springs – 10am – Noon. Spring Fling Sugg Farm at Bass Lake.

Knightdale – 11am. Easter Eggstraordinaire ages 8 and younger.

Morrisville – 10am. Morrisville Community Park Springtime event ages 2-8.

Raleigh – 11am. Raleigh Laurel Hills Community Center 10 and younger.

Rolesville – 10am. Rolesville Middle schools 10 and younger.

Selma - 11am. The Great Egg Scramble ages 3-10.

Wake Forest - 10-11am. Four separate hunts.

April 9th

Smithfield - Smithfield Community Park ages 2-7 Prizes for the top egg collectors

April 13th

Clayton – 10am. Clayton Community Center ages 5 and younger.

April 14th

Clayton – 10:30am. Clayton Community Park 5 and younger. You can catch the Easter Bunny riding the Clayton fire engine prior to the hunt.

If you’re looking to travel for an egg hunt here are some iconic locations across the state:

April 14th

Wilmington – 10am – 2pm. Battleship NC

April 15th

Benson – Smith’s Nursery 10 and younger. Non-perishable items to the West Johnston High School is appreciated as admission.

Winston-Salem – 9:30am – 4:30pm. Easter Festival Old Salem’s Historic District.

April 16th

Asheville – Biltmore House Ages 10 – 16.

2 Alarm Fire Engulfs Raleigh Apartment Complex

4/3/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial Fire Alarm

A recent 2 alarm fire in Raleigh, NC sent dozens of residents evacuating from their apartment homes late night on Thursday 03/30/2017. The source of the fire has not yet been released. Initial reports from interviews of the tenants on the local news stated the residents did not hear the smoke alarms going off. Investigation into whether those alarms were operational at the time of the fire are still ongoing. The US Fire Administration shares some startling facts about smoke alarms:

  • Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.
  • More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
  • The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

Fire deaths most frequently happen at night when people are sleeping. Usually between the hours of 11pm and 7am. By testing your smoke alarm monthly you can be assured it is working if you should need it. Some fire departments offer a complimentary installation of a battery operated smoke alarm. You can contact your local fire department on their non-emergency line to see if this service is available to your community.

Apartment dwellers and home owners alike should take this time to check the batteries in their smoke alarm. If your alarm was installed more than 10 years again then it’s time to replace it. Homeowners can do this themselves, leasee’s should contact their management or maintenance department first. Change your batteries twice a year. Spring and fall are excellent times to do this when the clocks fall back and go forward.

Our hearts and thoughts are with those in the community affected by this tragedy.

Preventing Clothes Dryer Fires

3/22/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial dryer fire

One of the most useful appliances of the modern home is also the costliest to run and the most dangerous. The clothes dryer.  In the 50’s only 10% of homes owned a time saving clothes dryer. By 2009 over 80% of US households owned this modern convenience. While this domestic appliance has been around for over half a century their dangers remain the same. The US Fire Administration reports there are close to 3,000 fires every year resulting in 5 deaths, 100 injuries and over $30 million in property losses. Surprisingly the most common reason for dryer fires is also the easiest to prevent, failure to clean. Lint is the most common culprit for dryer fires. Once these fires start they spread easily and even if stopped in time they can leave behind a large amount of smoke damage.

Preventing dryer fires is easy

Never operate the dryer without its lint filter.

Clean the lint filter after each cycle. Periodically, use a lint brush or special vacuum attachment to remove lint from under the lint trap.

Check hoses behind the dryer to make sure they are in good repair and not bent or restricted.

Keep the outdoor vent open when the dryer is operating. For outside wall dampers place a covering on them to keep out rain, and debris.

If you have a gas-powered dryer make sure it is professionally inspected each year.

Dryer fires can occur in both residential and commercial settings. By following the tips above you lower your risk of a dangerous dryer fire.

 

Source: www.usfa.fema.gov

5 Alarm Fire Downtown Raleigh

3/17/2017 (Permalink)

Largest fire since 1920 engulfs downtown Raleigh, NC.

Late Thursday night around 10pm on 03/16/2017 a fire broke out on West Jones and West North Street at a construction site. According to the Raleigh Fire Department Chief this is the largest fire the area has seen since the 1920’s.


Over 250 residents have been displaced by the fire. There is extensive water, heat, and smoke damage. Many residents quickly evacuated their home with only the clothes on their backs, leaving their possessions to burn.  


The Red Cross has set up camp at The First Baptist Church on Salisbury Street for those in need.  


Your local SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is on the scene assisting local businesses and residents in their time of need. We are here to help 24/7. Give us a call at 919-790-1222.

What to Look for in a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company

3/6/2017 (Permalink)

Professional carpet cleaning for your North Durham home will help prolong the life of your carpet.

While you may know your local SERPVRO® can restore your home to its previous condition after a water loss, we also offer other services to keep your home in top condition, such as carpet cleaning.


If you have carpets in your home, then you know vacuuming is a part of your cleaning regime to keep your carpet in good repair. Vacuuming alone is not enough to keep allergens, bacteria and other uninvited houseguests out of your carpet. While many companies offer a carpet cleaning service, the IICRC warns against using any company that is not a professionally certified carpet cleaner. As a homeowner, it is recommended to have your carpets professionally steam cleaned at least once a year to maintain the life of your carpet.


Steam cleaning the carpet is a relatively straight forward process. Heated water is pumped through a spray extraction tool using a truck mounted power unit. The proprietary cleaning solution is injected under pressure deep into the carpet and 24 hours later your carpet is dry, fresh, and looking brand new. 


For high traffic areas of the home, a traffic lane cleaner is first sprayed and then worked into the fibers of the carpet before cleaning it using the hot water extractor. Based on the condition of the carpet, technicians may opt to use a free rinse emulsifying agent instead of a traffic lane clean.


Untrained persons and DIYers can likely cause additional damage by using too much water which will extend drying times and provide the perfect environment for potential secondary growth or pests. Using too little water or detergent leads to an overall inadequate job, while using too much detergent can cause the opposite effect leaving behind residue and leading to soiling. Professionally trained technicians may need to use different tools for different areas of the carpet and will know exactly what treatments will best suit your needs. 


When choosing a carpet cleaning company, you should look for one that is certified, communicates well, and cleans with solutions that will extend the life of your carpet.        


Communication


A properly trained technician will assess your carpet prior to beginning any treatment and may need to do a spot test in order to use to the correct tools and treatments. You should look for a technician that will inform you of the necessary steps to take to prolong the life of your carpet.


Certification


The technology needed to steam clean a carpet has become increasingly less expensive, however, that doesn’t mean less expensive is always better. IICRC (The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) technicians have access to resources and products that homeowners and non-certified persons do not. This allows for a superior clean that will prevent your carpet from deteriorating from left behind dirt and soil.   


Cleaning


Before any type of extraction is performed, the technician will vacuum up any loose soils on the carpet. Many companies use a high pH solution because customers seem pleased with their initial cleaning power. Unfortunately, using a high pH solution can damage your carpet’s fibers, shorten the life span of your carpet, and leave behind that stiff, crunchy feeling, which allows your carpet to pick up dirt faster than before it was initially clean. This is due to the film of residue left behind.


Our proprietary cleaning solution is in often low pH or in many cases a neutral pH which protects your carpet and gives a deep, long lasting clean.


Call us today at 919-790-1222 to schedule carpet cleaning services for your North Durham home, and see what a difference a professional clean can make.

Deodorization Techniques

1/26/2017 (Permalink)

Ozone machine. SERVPRO® of North Raleigh and Wake Forest has the powerful equipment you need!

The glam and glitz of last year’s holiday parties are long gone. Winter Storm Helena has passed and many residents in the Triangle area are left with post party doldrums. Cleaning glitter out of the carpet, strange stains in weird places, and that lingering smell.

People often use masking agents such as air fresheners and candles in an attempt to eliminate a smell. While these methods may do a decent job of masking the odor they are temporary solutions. The offensive odors noses pick up is a result of volatile molecules. These molecules are in compounds or chemicals that evaporate very quickly. As a result, they stream through the air and end up in the nose.

There’s a science to removing smells. Humans have a highly sensitive olfactory and the human nose contains millions of sensory neurons. Malodors send subliminal messages about a space that silently screams, this place is unclean!

Some of the top offensive odors include:

  • Cooking odors
  • Mold and/or mildew odors
  • Pet urine or feces
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Fire and smoke damage odors

Your local SERVPRO® offers cleaning options that do more than just make your home temporarily smell good. Our professional and certified technicians use state of the art HEPA filters, air scrubbers, and deodorization techniques that will ensure a long lasting deep clean long after the crew leaves the premises. High volume trafficked areas are notorious for lingering smells. Commercial areas such as:

  • Restaurants
  • Apartment communities
  • Retirement homes
  • Community centers

Can be cleaned by our certified technicians to restore your property with a pleasant aroma. We also offer deodorization treatments to residential customers and this can be combined with a carpet and or duct cleaning for a new home smell.

Top 3 Deodorization Treatment Techniques

Absorbents. This type of treatment is good for confined spaces, air ducts, and filters.

Neutralization. An equalizing chemical neutralizes stinky odors

Biocides. Another type of chemical process but this one kills or greatly reduces growth of microorganisms.

Ozone machines are another way to clean the air. They work by attacking ozone molecules and pollutants at their source to oxidize the air.

SERVPRO® of North Raleigh and Wake Forest has the training, experience, and equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.” And to make your house feel like a home again.

Covering Your Storage Items

1/16/2017 (Permalink)

Now that the holidays are over, many homeowners are storing away their festive decorations until the next annual outing. Some residents may not have enough space in their home, and a storage facility is often the next best place for wanted items, that are not used frequently or have sentimental value but take up unnecessary space. The Self Storage Association reports about 10.85 million US households rent storage space.

It is easy to forget about those items, nestled away, in storage until a catastrophe happens. Familiarity with your homeowner’s insurance is a must. Unfortunately, many policy holders find out the holes in their policy all too late, when what they need is not covered. Many policies do cover off site storage, but check your policy to make sure an additional rider is not required. Sometimes coverage limits are set lower for belongings located away from your home and is often described in most policies as off-premises coverage. Here are some tips for covering your items while in storage.

  • Make sure the facility is in a safe well lighted neighborhood, preferably with gated access.
  • Ensure the property is in good repair. Ask to tour an empty unit, to check for cracks, pests, etc.
  • Pack your items with care.
    • Use sturdy boxes; placed on pallets to help protect from flooding.
    • Pack clothes in a wardrobe box. Plastic containers often trap moisture and may cause your clothes to mildew.
  • Clean furniture before storing, dismantle if possible, and cover with a sheet.
  • Wrap your fragile items in bubble wrap.
  • Some items, such as antiques, require special care and temperatures. You may wish to consider a climate controlled storage facility for those items. While it may cost more, it will ensure your valuables remain in the same condition year in and year out.

Recently a Triangle resident needed our services because their storage pod, along with many other, had incurred some smoke damage while being moved on a 18 wheeler trailer. The transportation company did not inform the owners until after delivery. We were able to remediate the smoke damage to the contents in the storage pod and save many of the homeowners items.

This is just one more service, we provide getting your life back to “Like it never even happened.”

Top 4 Reasons Why Sump Pumps Fail

1/14/2017 (Permalink)

Top 4 Reasons Why Sump Pumps Fail

A sump pump is a simple piece of ingenuity invented by a US Navy electrician in 1946. Sump pumps do not prevent water from accumulating, but rather they control the water underneath your home and then pumps it back out after the water has collected at a certain point.

For the most part sump pumps quietly take care of your home without much maintenance required. However, when they fail, they often cause huge losses. Here are some of the top four reasons why sump pumps fail.

Overwhelmed – You chose or inherited a sump pump that was the wrong size for the job. Bigger is not always better. If you have a sump pump that is too big for the space, then your pump is likely overworking and will eventually shorten its lifespan. Likewise, if you have a pump that is too small for the space it will result in overwork and eventually shorten its lifespan. The average lifespan of a sump pump is about ten years, although depending on the manufacturer they can range from five to fifteen. Don’t wait until your pump fails you to replace it, if it has otherwise been working properly. Have a plan to replace it at the appropriate intervals to keep your home dry.

Clogged –Small bits of nature, like leaves, rocks, mud and even little critters can clog up your sump pump. It’s easy for a pump to become clogged with debris. Fortunately, it is just as easy to prevent it from clogging as well. A simple protective cover will help keep the debris out, and keep your pump working.  Keep your cover clear, by periodically checking it, about once a quarter. While you’re checking ensure the air vent hole is clear, as well.

Frozen – This January 2017, the Triangle area experienced its first winter storm, Helena. The bitter cold, snow and ice she left in her wake caused many pipes to burst. This is also a dangerous time for sump pump discharge pipes as well. Those pipes are prone to freezing. Unfortunately, it may not be possible to prevent the line from freezing. However, a preventative measure would be to add a secondary discharge line that will allow water to exit even if the main line is frozen.

Lost Power – Storms don’t always mean frozen, sometimes they mean lost power as well. If your water is still on but you home is out of power, and not on a backup generator, then your pump is at risk for backing up and possibly flooding. Make sure to have a back up generator in case the power goes out to prevent flooding.

Regular inspection of your sump pump can help offset some of these reasons for sump pump failure.  If you experience a water loss, you can count on SERVPRO of North Raleigh, Wake Forest & SERVPRO of North Durham to respond quickly "like it never even happened."

Sump Pump Insurance Coverage

1/14/2017 (Permalink)

Sump Pump Insurance Coverage

Sump pump - Most commonly found in basements, this a pump used to remove accumulated water from a sump basin.

You have homeowner’s insurance but are you really covered? If you have a sump pump it can, and most likely will fail at some point. Other than preventative maintenance your only other fail safe is to have the proper insurance for that inevitable day. For preventative maintenance tips, please see our other article on Top 4 Reasons Why Sump Pumps Fail.(SS add hyperlink here internal linking)

Most homeowner’s policies will not cover the sump pump unless you have a specific rider for it. This rider will protect you against failed sump pumps that result in water damage. This would include drains and discharges where water can backup into your home. This rider is not to be confused with a sewer backup rider which covers water backed up into the home from drains, toilets, etc. Depending on where the break occurs, your municipality may not cover the damages to your home and you may be stuck with repairing a sewer pipe as well as removing sewage from your home.

The rider covers you for damage and clean up of water. For some policies, the resulting flood itself may not be covered unless an additional flood insurance rider is on the policy. Also beware of contents coverage. This means, even if you are covered for the flooding, your furniture and pricey electronics may not be eligible for replacement. The extra amount for a rider is nothing compared to the stress that can be caused by having to cover a loss yourself due to inadequate or non-existing coverage.

Having the coverage in itself is not a fail-safe. You must keep the pump in good working condition, and keep it free from debris in order to be eligible for a claim. This is determined by your insurance company adjuster. If the pump is found to be clogged or neglected, your claim may be denied altogether or you may face steep increases for renewal or face being dropped.

After a failure it is important to start the drying process right away. Leaving items wet can potentially lead to secondary damage, which again may not be covered due to the source of the damages. Your local SERVPRO® of North Raleigh, Wake Forest, and North Durham can be on-site with a professionally trained team within hours of your call.

We can repair your damages and get your home back to its incident state… “Like it never even happened.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrations around the Triangle Area, North Carolina

1/14/2017 (Permalink)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 1/16/17

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, January 16, 2017.  It is a special day to honor Dr. King and there are many events going on in Raleigh and the Triangle.  Take the family and enjoy the celebrations in honor of the life and dreams of one of the greatest visionaries in American history.

Here are just a sampling of the events and activities in the area to check out.

Monday, Jan. 16

Day of service: The United Way of the Greater Triangle holds volunteer projects at various locations throughout the Triangle. Events include packing meals for area food pantries, community service workdays and more. For more information, go to bit.ly/2iMD2eO.

Prayer breakfast: James White, pastor of Christ Our King Community Church in Raleigh, is the keynote speaker at the 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at 7:15 a.m. at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, 4700 Emperor Blvd., Durham. Breakfast will be available from 6-8 a.m. Doors open at 5:45 a.m. Free. Sponsored by the Triangle Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. trianglemlk.com, durhammlkcommittee.org

5K run: The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 5K run begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Old Well on Cameron Avenue on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Fundraiser for the Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award. Cost: $25. To register: rocts.web.unc.edu.

Fuquay-Varina march: “Unity and Togetherness: All Lives Matter,” a celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. in Fuquay-Varina, begins with a march at 8:15 a.m. from Council Gym, 106 Ennis St., to St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church, 605 Bridge St.

A breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. for those not participating in the march and at 9 a.m. for march participants. A program begins at 10 a.m. at Bazzel Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 1228 Wilbon Road. Wake County Commissioner Jessica Holmes is scheduled to speak. Transportation to event sites is available. For information, call Gwen Thornton at 919-291-2764 or Marion Tucker at 919-285-4135. Sponsored by the Cultural Arts Society of Fuquay-Varina Inc.

 

Hillsborough march: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March begins at 9 a.m. at the Historic Orange County Courthouse on East King Street in Hillsborough. Participants will travel north on Churton Street, stopping briefly for prayer at Dickerson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The march will end at Mount Bright Baptist Church, 211 W. Union St., where a worship service and commemorative program will be held at 10 a.m.

The Hillsborough Police Department will close Churton Street between Margaret Lane and Union Street shortly before 9 a.m., opening each intersection once the march has passed. West Union Street also will be closed during the march. Free parking is available in the Eno River Parking Deck, on King Street and in other lots. A parking map is available at bit.ly/2jbPoQ4. hillsboroughnc.gov

Chapel Hill march: The Martin Luther King Day Celebration begins at 9:15 a.m. with a rally at the Peace and Justice Plaza, 179 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. A march follows on Franklin Street to the First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill, 106 N. Roberson St. A worship service begins at 11:15 a.m. Guest speaker is Blair L.M. Kelly, associate professor of history and assistant dean for Interdisciplinary Studies and International Programs for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at N.C. State University. Sponsored by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and UNC-Chapel Hill chapters of the NAACP. unc.live/1GksOLd

Raleigh march: The Martin Luther King Jr. 37th annual Memorial March begins at 11 a.m. from the Edenton Street side of the State Capital Building in downtown Raleigh. Lineup begins at 10 a.m. trianglemlk.com

Day of Service: The Town of Cary’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service features community workday sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Middle Creek Community Center, 123 Middle Creek Park Ave., Apex. Free; registration required. bit.ly/19aRV3i

Idea Generation Next: The Idea Generation Next - College Edition program is noon at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Sterling Freeman of Durham. Free and open to the public. trianglemlk.com

Musical celebration: The 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Evening Musical Celebration is 5:30 p.m. at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. The event will feature Ruth LaOntra, the Martin Luther King All Children’s Choir, the Christian Angels and more. Free. trianglemlk.com

Book reading: Jean Dolduc reads from her new book “African Americans of Durham & Orange Counties: An Oral History” at 6 p.m. at the Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E. King St., Hillsborough. 919-732-7741, bit.ly/2j7P6t8

King tribute: The program “He was a Poem, He was a Song,” a tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in verse and song, is 7 p.m. at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History, 150 South Road, Chapel Hill. Free. RSVP: 919-962-9001, stonecenter.unc.edu, unc.live/1GksOLd

Day of service: North Carolina Central University, 1801 Fayetteville St., Durham, partners with the United Way of the Greater Triangle for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service from 9 a.m. to noon at the university’s LeRoy T. Walker Physical Education and Sports Complex. Volunteers will package meals for area food pantries, make blankets, put together diaper kits and more. nccu.edu

Packaging meals: Volunteers will work to package 100,000 meals for the United Way of the Greater Triangle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Durham Technical Community College, 1637 E. Lawson St., Durham. Soup mixes, rice bags and bean bags will be prepared for food pantries in Durham, Orange, Wake and Johnston counties. bit.ly/2iMD2eO, mlk.duke.edu

Service projects: Volunteers will assist with service projects for Durham-area nonprofits from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event begins on Duke University’s East Campus Quad in Durham. Transportation available. Nonprofits include Habitat for Humanity of Durham, Ronald McDonald House, Kidznotes, TROSA and more. mlk.duke.edu

Durham march: The downtown Unity March and Rally starts at 10:30 a.m. at North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co., 411 W. Chapel Hill St., and ends at First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St. Participants are asked to donate new or gently used children’s books to the Book Harvest’s Dream Big Book Drive. Donation bins will be available at the beginning and end of the march. durhammlkcommittee.org

Birthday party: Celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. at the seventh annual party for children from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Center Court at Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd., Durham. The program, designed for preschool to middle school children, will feature various activities and workshops, fitness workouts, story time, birthday cake, crafts, performances and more. Free.

The event will include a discussion of Durham’s Black Wall Street and J&L Page and Sons Grocery Store, once an anchor in the city’s Hayti neighborhood. A civil rights photo exhibit showcasing moments in local history also will be on display. Donations of non-perishable foods, children’s winter clothing and new underwear and socks will be collected for local families served by Urban Ministries of Durham. durhammlkcommittee.org, northgatemall.com

Book drive: Book Harvest’s annual Dream Big Book Drive is 1-4 p.m. at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St. Donations of new and gently used children’s books will be collected. A celebration and day of service also will be featured, including volunteer service opportunities, live music, local mascots, the Scrap Exchange, food trucks, a photo booth and more. Free admission. durhamcentralpark.org, bookharvestnc.org

Church service: The Rev. Prince Raney Rivers, senior pastor at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, is the keynote speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day religious service at 6 p.m. at Peace Missionary Baptist Church, 2608 N.C. Highway 55, Durham. Free and open to the public. durhammlkcommittee.org, peacemissionary.org

 

 

Sources of Moisture in Commercial Buildings

1/14/2017 (Permalink)

Moisture problems in commercial settings can be caused by a variety of conditions, including increased humidity, condensation, and roof and plumbing leaks. High humidity at 60% and above is the leading cause of commercial moisture problems. Some moisture problems in buildings have been caused by changes in building construction practices during the past twenty to thirty years. These changes have resulted in more tightly sealed buildings that may not allow moisture to escape easily. Moisture issues are also associated with delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance, due to budget and other constraints. Temporary structures, such as trailers and portable classrooms, have frequently been associated with moisture and mold problems.


If you suspect a moisture issue in your facility, call SERVPRO.  We handle commercial and residential facilities and can service you quickly and efficiently. "Like it never even happened."

Don't Store These Items In Your Garage

1/13/2017 (Permalink)

With the start of the new year, most of us try to accomplish new goals, a new fresh start.  Getting healthy, organizing our homes, bettering our lives' always seem to be at the top of the list.  One space to start cleaning out & organizing- the garage! That extra storage area that easily becomes a catchall for our items.  We have compiled a list of items that should not be stored in your garage. Get them out and reclaim your space.

1. Paint- Because the garage is prone to extreme temperature changes, paint should not be stored in the garage.  Recycle paint according to your county guidelines or donate it.

2. Electronics- If you are putting electronics out in the garage, you must not be using them.  Donate these items because they can not withstand the temperature fluctuations and will easily break.

3. Propane and Hazardous Chemicals- Proper ventilation is key for storage of propane and hazardous chemicals.  For safety reasons, these items need to be stored outside.  

4. Food- Keeping food in the garage is an open invitation to rodents and insects.  Although shopping in bulk can save money, storing extra food in the garage will cause problems. The moisture and humidity will spoil the food. Find room in the house for food storage.

5. Cardboard boxes- Insects, mice and other rodents love cardboard.  Invest in waterproof plastic bins to store your items.

Hope these tips help you gain back your garage. Happy Cleaning!

Winterizing your North Carolina Home

12/13/2016 (Permalink)

10 Tips for Winterizing Your Home

While the start of winter is not officially until December 21st, the cold weather has already begun making its way towards residents of the Triangle NC area. Though the occasional warm front may tease, winter is coming.

 

Before an all-out cold front attacks it’s best to have your home prepared by winterizing it. Winterizing your home is not as difficult or expensive a task as you may think. Your home is one of your largest assets. Protecting it as much as possible from disaster can potentially save you thousands.

Most everything on the following list can be done by anyone with even modest home improvement skills.

 

Identify The Water Line Shut-Off Valve

This important control device is usually located inside the home in newer construction. Once detected inform other members of your household and mark it with a large colored tag. The tag will come in handy during an emergency. After pinpointing the water valve, check that is not rusted and that it can closed completely. If any issues are discovered the valve will need to be replaced right away.

 

Keep It Tidy

Make sure gutters are clean and downspouts are facing away from the home. Also trim any tree limbs that are in danger of breaking during a storm or under the weight of snow and ice.

 

Check Your Chimney

Fireplaces keep us warm, but they can also be a hazard in the winter. Don’t let your ashes pile up. Keep the fireplace and hearth clean. An extension of your fireplace is the often neglected chimney. Wood burning chimneys need to have a free and clear chimney cap.

 

Regular Maintenance When it’s cold outside, you want your heat to work. Routine maintenance twice a year on your heating and cooling system will detect potential problems early and keep your unit running efficiently.

 

Replace Batteries

The US government reports carbon monoxide-related deaths are highest during colder months. Be sure there are working carbon monoxide alarms in centralized locations on every floor of your home. It’s also a good time to check your fire alarms are in good working order as well.

 

Clean Filters

A clean furnace filter will not only reduce allergens in your home, but also maintain the health of your heating system. Depending on the type of filter, you can change it once at the beginning of the season and you’re good to go all winter long!

 

 

 

 

Keep Your Faucets Warm

Now that summer is over, it’s time to put away the garden hoses and pull out the faucet wraps. Wrapping your outside faucet is an easy, economical way to keep it from freezing when the temperatures drop.

 

Drain Your Tank

Hot water heaters should be flushed once every six months. This is especially important in the Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest area because of the large amounts of sediment that collects in the bottom of the tank from the regions hard water. Flushing the hot water heater, extends the life and could potentially keep the bottom of the heater from rusting out due to heavy sediment debris weighing down the bottom of the heater floor. While you’re out there, check the pressure relief valve as well.

 

Wash and Dry

FEMA cites there are close to 2,900 home dryer fires every year. Cleaning the lint trap in your dryer isn’t enough. You will also need to clean the trap on the outside of your home. This trap is easily clogged, but only takes moments to clean.

 

Cover your AC Unit

Your AC unit worked faithfully during the summer months. Before it goes into hibernation, clean out the drain pans, empty any excess water, and cover your unit for the winter. If you have window units, either remove them to reduce energy costs, or insulate them if removing the unit from the window is not an option.

 

There are your ten tips for winterizing your home. Preparation is always the best defense. However, if a catastrophe does strike, your local SERVPRO® of North Raleigh, Wake Forest, and North Durham is always here night or day. Disaster never takes a day off and neither does SERVPRO®.

 

Keeping Raleigh, Durham and Wake Forest Healthy, Flu Prevention

11/28/2016 (Permalink)

According to the CDC, Region 4 which includes North Carolina, is at an elevated risk for the flu this season.  Every year hundreds of productivity hours are lost due to the flu. In extreme cases hospitalization and fatalities occur. Below are a few tips from your local SERVPRO on staying healthy during the winter season.

KEEP THE FLU AWAY

-Get an annual flu vaccine

-Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when sneezing and coughing

-Keep your hands clean with soap and water. If soap and   water are not available, use hand sanitizer

-Periodically wipe down door knobs, keyboards, telephones, and other high traffic items with disinfectant

Homes and businesses can depend on SERVPRO of North Raleigh, Wake Forest & North Durham to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA registered cleaners and disinfectants. Our professionals are also trained and equipped to clean your HVAC and duct systems to help provide better air quality and help reduce the risk of circulating harmful contaminants. If you have any concerns about the cleanliness and sanitization of your home or place of business, call us today at 919-790-1222.

Fire Safety Tips for Christmas Trees

11/16/2016 (Permalink)

As I pulled up to my local grocery store in North Raleigh today, I noticed employees setting up an area outside to start selling fresh trees. Already? Thanksgiving is a week away, can't we celebrate one holiday at a time? I know, I know, it is the "most wonderful time of the year". I must admit, the joy and nostalgia I experience while decorating my tree and home, the glow of lights sparks memories and warms the soul. With that said, it is important to know that fires unfortunately are common this time of year.  Christmas tree fires account for approximately 13 million dollars a year in damages. Follow these tips from The American  Christmas Tree Association (yes, there truly is an association for everything) for a safe holiday season.

-Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire. Choose a tree with vibrant needles. 

-Place your tree away from all heat sources.

-Properly care for your tree. The tree base should always have fresh water inside to prevent the tree from drying out. 

-Be sure all your indoor and outdoor lights have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety and throw away damaged lights.

-Keep all candles away from furniture, decor and your Christmas tree

-Bedtime means lights off! Unplug all Christmas lights!

Stay safe and enjoy "the most wonderful time of the year".

When Flooding from Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Nicole hits Wake County and Durham County, SERVPRO is ready!

10/7/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh, Wake Forest, North Durham specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

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

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When Hurricane Matthew hits Wake & Durham Counties, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 919-790-1222

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