Flooded? Here to Help

5/14/2024 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO technician removing insulation due to water damage

Floods can be devastating to your property, leaving behind a trail of destruction. But with the right approach, you can restore your property to its preloss condition. Here are some tips for commercial business owners to tackle emergency property restoration after a flood.

Immediate Response: As soon as it is safe to do so, assess the damage. It's necessary to contact professional restoration services like SERVPRO to help with the cleanup and restoration process.

Safety First: Before entering your property, ensure it is safe. Check for structural damages, such as cracks or collapses, that might make the building unsafe.

Water Removal: Begin by removing standing water. This might require pumps or professional equipment, depending on the severity of the flooding.

Drying Out: After water removal, it’s crucial to dry out the property to prevent mold growth. Use dehumidifiers and fans to circulate air and dry out the premises.

Remember, acting quickly can minimize damage and help in faster restoration.

Catching Water Damage Before It's Too Late

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

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

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

There are many causes of water damage:

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

By responding quickly to water leaks, you increase the chances of preventing further damage. Water damage can become significantly worse in a matter of hours, but taking the proper steps will put you in the right place to stop the problem. Call SERVPRO® of SW Bakersfield at (661) 326-8422, we are 24/7/365.

Mold, the Water Damage Unseen

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

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

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

Inspecting for Mold

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

Bubbling walls: 

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

Musty odor:

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

Rusting in open and/or enclosed spaces: 

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

Understanding the early signs of mold or water damage will help to minimize the extent damage can occur. If an inspection happens and a mold infestation discovered, reach out to SERVPRO® of SW Bakersfield at (661) 326-8422 to return your business or home to its preloss condition.

You Can Control Mold

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

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

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

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

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

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

What is Gray Water?

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

Burst pipe in wall and deteriorating drywall.

What is Gray Water?

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

How We Determine Next Steps

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

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

What is Category 2 Water?

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

What is Category 3 Water?

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

Call the Professionals

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

How Can Water Damage Structures?

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Flood cut drywall.

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

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

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

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

Dealing with Commercial Sewage Backup

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Water extraction after flooding occurs.

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

Common Causes of Sewer Backup Issues

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

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

Preventative Measures for Sewage Backup

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

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

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

Steps To Minimize Water Damage

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage on cabinets.

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

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

5 Common Causes for Bathroom Flooding

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage in bathroom

1. PLUMBING BREAKS

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

2. OVERFLOWED TOILET

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

3. BLOCKED PIPES

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

4. DRAINING ISSUES

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

5. SEWER BACKUPS

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

5 Warning Signs of a Burst Pipe

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

Burst pipe and water damage.

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

1. Fluctuating Water Pressure:

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

2. Water discoloration and or smell:

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

3. Recurring sink puddles:

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

4. Noisy pipes/water movement sounds within walls:

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

5. Rising water bill cost:

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

7 Most Common Causes for Water Damage

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

About 40% of all homeowners have experienced a loss from water damage. The good news is that 93% of all water damage could have been prevented with the right knowledge. Here are 7 items to be aware of that can cause water damage in your home. 

1. Damaged Pipes

2. Appliances

3. Clogged Drains

4. Natural Disasters

5. HVAC

6. Sump Pumps

7. Structural Damage

Residential water damage can be caused by natural disasters, clogged drains or damaged pipes. Water damage is a headache to any homeowner but with the expertise of SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield we can be on the scene immediately and remediating the damage. Our teams are specially trained and have extensive knowledge in how to deal with all sizes of water damage.

HVAC Water Damage

1/1/2021 (Permalink)

Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can cause extensive water damage if it is not maintained correctly and looked after often. Common causes of HVAC water damage include a clogged drain, frozen evaporator coils, and pipes that are not connected correctly. 

Here are some tips to help you prevent HVAC water damage in your home:

• Change the HVAC filter regularly
• Clean the condenser
• Maintain the condensation line and the overflow drain pan

Knowing how to prevent AC from leaking is sometimes not enough to prevent your unit from causing water damage. When leaks occur, the moisture promotes mold growth that can contaminate the air in your home. If you experience HVAC related water damage be sure to contact SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield for immediate restoration.

Flooded Carpet Clean Up

12/20/2020 (Permalink)

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

What To Do When a Roof Leak Leaves You With Water Damage

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Over time, roofs weaken due to exposure to the elements, making roof leaks almost inevitable. Unfortunately, leaking roofs lead to water damage and mold growth if they are not repaired within 24 to 48 hours of the water intrusion.

• Move any items that might get damaged by water, such as furniture, electronics, and valuables to a dry area. Cover furniture with plastic sheets if you cannot move it.
• Place a bucket under the leak to collect the water. 
• Water leaks may cause paint on the ceiling to bubble or blister. 
• Locate and repair the leak, call a professional plumber.

It’s also important to act quickly when you have a leaky roof to prevent water damage and mold growth. Call SERVPRO whenever a leak leaves you with water damage in your home.

Dangers of Water Damage

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

Halloween might be over but the horror that is water damage can happen anytime of the year!
If you’ve experienced water damage in your home or business, it is crucial that the problem is addressed ASAP! When water damages go unnoticed or neglected, the damage it leaves on your home and family only worsens over time.

Here are some results that come from neglected water damages:

• Microbial growth & mildew
• Structural problems
• Electrical problems
• Bacteria & germs

Ready for expert care? When it comes to finding water damage services near Bakersfield, CA SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield has your back. We have restored thousands of homes and want to be your first call. When this winter hits, keep us in mind for our water cleanup cleanup & restoration services.

How To Spot Water Damage In Your Home

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

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

1. Check your floors.

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

2. Look for stains.

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

3. Inspect the outside.

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

4. Watch for rust and mold.

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

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

Commercial Owners Be Prepared When It Comes To Mold Testing

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

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

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

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

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

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

5 Things to Know About Water Damage

9/18/2020 (Permalink)

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

1. Damage Can Happen Numerous Ways

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

2. Repairs Should Be Taken Care of Quickly Once Discovered

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

3. Untreated Damage Can Cause Long Term Problems

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

4. Affected Areas Can Be Restored

No matter how bad the damage may appear at first, a restoration company like SERVPRO can conduct cleanup and repairs. With little time and work, we can soon have the space looking “Like it never even happened.”

5. A Professional Can Help

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

We Specialize in Water Damage

12/25/2019 (Permalink)

Never be afraid to call SERVPRO when you need us!

An influx of water into your home or business can happen for any number of reasons; a burst pipe, a washing machine malfunction or a toilet overflow. Regardless of the cause, excess water can have serious adverse effects and cause water damage very quickly. Water damage can cause wood floors to rot, destroy furniture and personal belongings, and even compromise the structural stability of a building. We understand that water damage is not an every day occurrence for most people but for SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield  it is our specialty. Every single one of our technicians and office staff goes through training to understand what goes on in the field. You'll never have to be stressed with SERVPRO even though dealing with water damage is one of the most stressful situations. We know how to take care of you, your family, your possessions, and most importantly your home. 

Faster to Your Water Damage in Bakersfield

12/20/2019 (Permalink)

We specialize in water damage restoration.

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

Faster To Any Size Disaster

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

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (805)529-5600

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

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

Hours 1 - 24:

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

48 Hours to 1 Week:

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

More Than 1 Week:

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

About SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield

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

Unexpected Water Damage?

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

It can happen when you least expect it and don't want it to!

What do you do when you experience a water loss? The obvious answer should be: call SERVPRO. But that might not always be on the forefront of people’s minds. We understand the panic most people feel because they are worried about their items and probably the expenses that might come with everything they are experiencing. We want to let all current and future customers to know that our technicians and office staff are fully prepared to handle anything that has happened. SERVPRO of Sw Bakersfield is the franchise that you can trust with any of your water needs. This isn't something that everyone experiences and most people might not know where to begin, and it can be a lot to deal with in the beginning. We are here to make everything easy and "Like it never even happened."

Faster To Any Size Disaster

10/22/2019 (Permalink)

Within hours we can be drying out your home.

There's no such thing as a small disaster, especially when the water you don't see has bacteria or causes mold. Water damage can and will affect the value of your property. Before you try and take care of it yourself consider how the damage can affect your home, SERVPRO professionals know how disruptive water damage can be for anyone. Our technicians are trained and equipped to manage the drying process by using equipment and moisture measuring devices. Your home or building will be quickly and thoroughly dried to industry standards. Which, in turn, will prevent secondary water damages. With rapid response time SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield can and will help you regain control and make sure your property is protected. Never put anything you love at risk and let your franchise professionals handle it. 

Reasons to Stop Stressing About Water Damage in Your Home

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

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

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

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

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

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

Back to Basics

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

After a leak into the front room, this home had to have their carpets removed to lessen aby further damage.

Water damage, something SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield is well immersed in and we are not a stranger to. Over 80% of damages we receive from clients are water-related, and they come in all shapes and sizes. All of our technicians are IICRC trained to understand different categories and types of water damages. This way they can best assess the damage and know where to place equipment, where to perform moisture readings, and how to effectively dry the space in the most efficient way possible. Insurance agents, as well as brokers, are also trained in our "world" to understand water damage this way we can work hand in hand in helping homeowners, property managers, business owners in dealing with a water loss. We all understand the high pressure you can feel from dealing with something uncommon such as a water loss but SERVPRO will always make it "Like it never even happened."

The Science of Drying Your Bakersfield Property

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

Do you know the science SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield uses to dry out your home or business?

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

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

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

The bottom line? Your local SERVPRO have the training and equipment to help make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 661-326-8422.

Bakersfield's Water Removal Specialists Explain Moisture Testing

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage

Any time water gets inside your Bakersfield residence, removing the excessive moisture within 48 hours is essential. If wood or paper materials stay wet for longer, then microbial formation can take place. Water can also saturate contents and building materials inside your home ruining them.
 
After something like a pipe break or an appliance malfunctioning takes place and causes water to flood your house, extraction occurs to pull out any standing water and moisture inside porous materials. The next step in any water removal project in Bakersfield is the drying process. Rapid drying of contents and structural components is essential to prevent secondary damage and mold growth.
 
Before drying begins, the area gets tested to determine the extent of damage the moisture has caused. Our SERVPRO technicians check the temperature, relative humidity, and moisture content of wood and drywall. Once we figure out how wet the region got, we can formulate a drying plan.
 
The initial drying plan includes how many air movers and dehumidifiers get set up in the affected area. The plan also indicates drying goals. The drying goals are set by determining what the conditions were before the loss took place.
 
The ending goal is determined by coming up with a dry standard. To establish a dry standard, humidity, temperature, and the moisture content of drywall and wooden materials in unaffected areas of the building get tested. Once the standard is designated as the drying goal, our IICRC certified team uses their knowledge and experience to determine the right pieces of drying equipment to rapidly dry out moisture until it is back to preloss conditions.
 
The air movers and dehumidifiers get set up so that the air movers use the hot, dry air coming out of the dehumidifiers to circulate air in the room in a counterclockwise motion. We return each day and test the moisture levels in the affected area. Once the levels return to the established goals, we remove the equipment and the cleaning and reconstruction phases take place.
 
During the final stage, baseboards get reinstalled, and everything inside your home gets put back where it was before the damage occurred. A final cleaning process takes place to remove any dust or debris created by the restoration work. If you ever need help with moisture damage restoration, call SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield @ 661-326-8422 seven days a week.

Water Extraction Reduces Overall Costs

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

As an insurance agent, adjuster or property manager you may wonder why SERVPRO extracts water from soaked rugs and carpets that will most likely end up being thrown away anyway! There are a few reasons for this; first, the weight of a wet carpet or rug requires more manpower to remove and move, so extracting water reduces the weight of the carpets to be removed significantly. This not only makes the material easier to lift and requires fewer technicians but it is safer for our technicians to handle, reducing on-site injuries. Also, by removing the weight of the water we reduce the amount of total weight of the waste removed, helping to keep waste removal fees down. Finally, by extracting and removing the water from wet carpets and rugs we are removing the water from the property entirely! The importance of this cannot be understated because removing water from the property quickly is the first step in preventing further structural damage and mold growth. Dragging wet rugs and carpets from a property without extraction can leave water behind and exasperate an already dire situation.

Here is a tip from the EPA about removing standing water in your home:

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

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

Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed

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

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

Tips for dealing with water damage

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can be devastating to your home. It can ruin your floors, your walls, and your possessions. However, if you act fast after the initial damage, you can severely mitigate the amount of damage done. Here are a few tips to dealing with the effects of water damage in your home, as listed by Concrobium.

• Immediately turn off, disconnect, and remove any electronics in the area. Electrical items are some of the most vulnerable possessions in terms of water damage, but can possibly be saved if removed quickly. Additionally, if the water rises above the level of your outlets and electronics, having them connected could lead to you or anyone in the area being electrocuted, so remove them as soon as possible.
• Begin pulling carpet. Carpet can be saved if immediately removed and cleaned.
• Remove the water. There are a few methods you can utilize to begin removing the water from your home. The first is to just start getting rid of it manually. Use any buckets, mops, and towels to soak up and dispose of as much water as you can. Pour the water into drains or into your lawn. Another tool you can use is a wet/dry vacuum. If you choose to go this route, remember to be mindful of using electronics around water. Do not plug in a vacuum if it is susceptible to water damage.
• Once the water is removed, you need to dry out the area. Open all your windows, turn on fans, and use a dehumidifier to dry the affected areas. This is also when you should begin removing any damaged drywall from your home.
• Lastly, you will need to begin to dispose of damaged items. This includes drywall, carpet, furniture, and any other damaged possessions. Find out where in your area you can dispose of these things and do so.

Hopefully, these steps have given you a clear idea of how to being to clean your home after experiencing water damage. As always, if you are a resident in or around Bakersfield, feel free to contact us with any questions regarding home restoration after water damage.

Water Damage

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

Water may seem very unlikely to cause damage. Do not be quick to dismiss it just yet. Water in the presence strong winds can be very destructive. It is for this reason that hurricanes and strong rains have claimed lives and destroyed millions worth of property. Water damage can also be as minimalist as broken water pipes that cause molding and rusting. These broken pipes are ranked second from hurricanes in causing water damage.

There are three types of water damage.

Category 1

This is does not cause any threat to human life. It is from is from broken house appliances and pipes which can flood a house or basement.

Category 2

This is also known "gray water". The water is contaminated and contains chemicals, micro-organisms, nutrients and biological contaminants. This water can cause serious health damage and discomfort when consumed.

Category 3

This is also known as "black water". This water is very unsanitary and contains harmful bacteria, fungi and harmful physical components like sharp tools. The source of this water is sewage, seawater, water rising from water bodies due to heavy rains and ground water.

Classes of water damage

The several classes of water damage help in evaluating water control options.

• Class 1- Water damage is minimal and the materials do not absorb a lot of water making repairs easy and less costly
• Class 2- This class has a fast evaporation rate but other materials like cushions and mattresses may be damaged.
• Class 3- water has the fastest rate of evaporation here and the damage caused is greater and difficult to repair. The water may come from overhead sources and may soak the walls and furniture.
• Class 4- This stage requires professional technique and procedures to control. It may damage concrete and hard floors and plaster

Faster to your Kern County Water Damage Event

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

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

Faster To Any Size Disaster

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

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 661-326-8422

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

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

Hours 1 - 24:

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

48 Hours to 1 Week:

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

More Than 1 Week:

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

About SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield

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

SERVPRO's Four Key Actions After Water Damage in Bakersfield

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

Our Remediation Process Takes Many Factors into Consideration

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

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

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

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

Restoring furniture damaged from broken plumbing is an intensive, drawn-out process. To do it correctly takes a professional restoration company. SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield is ready to walk you through every step and make sure you understand the costs associated with restoration, replacement, and when to choose. If you need our help, call today at (661) 326-8422.

Bakersfield 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

5/3/2017 (Permalink)

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

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 661-326-8422

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

What to Expect

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

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

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

About SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield

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

Water Damage for Bakersfield Residents Has a Solution

3/15/2017 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO for Water Removal in Bakersfield

Residents of this area of California know of the risks of water damage to their homes – from storms coming up the coast to Santa Ana winds. Flooding is an obvious threat to your home, but there is a greater and far more common danger from water damage because it can occur at any time of the year. Leaking pipes inside of your home can go unnoticed for weeks or even months, resulting in insect and rodent infestation, physical damage to interior walls, possible mold proliferation, and the expensive price tag attached to the cleanup.

One overlooked fact about water is that it seeks its own path. In your home, this means the water from a leaking pipe can be absorbed into walls, carpets, and woodwork or it can flow into hidden recesses. The size of the leak does not matter. The only way to stop the flow is to turn off the water at the source. Once the source of the water leak is stopped, cleaning up the water damage in your Bakersfield home is the next step on the list. SERVPRO is a company that can address all of your water cleanup needs.
 
The services you need when recovering from any water damage should be both comprehensive and thorough. SERVPRO is a company that has more than 50 years of experience serving homeowners whose lives have been impacted by major flooding or the minor leak that has ballooned into a major problem. All types of water damage need the best professional solution that can return your home – and your life - to normal.

"Like it never even happened" is the professional approach and the personal goal we have when responding to every emergency, large or small. Technical knowledge is essential, and having the training and certifications from the IICRC are proof of our expertise and skill sets. However, knowing the specific problems of the homeowners and empathetically dealing with the issues is what defines SERVPRO quality and customer service. Our local franchise is available 24/7 to respond to any water, fire, or mold emergency you encounter in your home or place of business.

Contact SERVPRO of SW Bakersfield any time of the year, day or night, for water damage assistance. Call (661) 326-8422 to have a professional assess  and restore your water damaged home.