SERVPRO and Plumbers United!

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

Call a plumber or SERVPRO right away if you see this!

Something that customers, insurance adjusters and property owners should know and be aware of. When a water loss happens pertaining to a busted pipe, most people call their plumbers first. A plumber will show up on scene and determine the cause of loss. If there is standing water or sewage, they seek our services here at SERVPRO. This is a working relationship with the plumber and SERVPRO to mitigate the water or sewage issue and then immediately have the plumber back in to fix the origination of the loss. If this course of action is not taken, we will be requested again to provide mitigate services and causing additional cost that do not need to be if set up correctly. We here at SERVPRO aim to help in assisting with this process and alleviating additional steps in the recovery efforts of a water loss. Call the Pros (503) 883-8960.

Dripping Faucet Causes More Damage Than You Think

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

Look for the warning signs

Ring Ring… Ring Ring… Ring Ri… Snooze.

If you are in the majority of America, 57% to be exact, you push the snooze button on your alarm at least once every morning. If that five to fifteen minutes is going to benefit or hurt your morning, depends on your situation.

Drip Drop… Drip Drop… Drip Drop…

Unfortunately, there isn't a button to stop the flow of water or prevent further water damage. After the water damage has happened every minute that you snooze yourself away from taking action can be more and more harm to your property. Within minutes of the water leak, piping malfunction, or one of the other numerous ways water damage can occur, the water quickly spreads throughout your property. Absorbing into walls, floors, and other easily susceptible areas of your home. Your personal belongings such as photos, important documents, family heirlooms, and electronic devices can be completely destroyed within that first fifteen minutes.

Spring Spring… Into Into… Action Action…

Locating your water shutoff valves can be a hassle when you only have a few minutes left on the clock to prevent further damage. Don’t catch yourself snoozing – it is important to know the location of all your major water shut off valves so that you can quickly spring into action and minimize the damage to your home and belongings. While 15 minutes of extra sleep goes by in a flash in the morning; that 15 minutes is all the leaky pipe needs to destroy memories while taking cash out of your pocket. Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Salem and we will drop what we are doing to spring into action for you.

Post Water Damage Tips

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

Don't hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns you may have about water damage.

Whether a flood is caused by ground water, falling water, or home water system malfunction, there are some best practices you’ll need to employ within the first 24 hours after the flood to ensure the safety of your home and family and give you the best outcome possible with your insurance company.

If the flood was serious enough for you to leave your home, be sure you stay safe upon your return. The Federal Emergency Management Agency warns that you should check for any visible structural damage, such as warping, loosened or cracked foundation elements, cracks, and holes before entering the home and contact utility companies if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, and sewer lines.  

Even if the power isn’t operational, it’s a good idea to go to your fuse box and turn off the main, plus all of the individual fuse connections. That way, if the power is reactivated, you’re not at risk for mixing standing water and electricity.

Protect Your Health

Even if the water in your home is clear, it could be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. Wear waders, hip- or waist-high waterproof boots. In addition, wear rubber gloves to remove water-damaged possessions and to avoid contaminants. Be sure to throw out any food that may have come into contact with flood waters. FEMA recommends boiling water until authorities declare the water supply is safe.

Flood Damage is Number One Natural Disaster

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded business or home is never a good thing!

Floods are the number 1 natural disaster in the United States. Flooding causes damage and destruction across regions nationwide, wiping out homes and businesses. However, many residents and business owners are unaware that they qualify for flood insurance. You can take steps to reduce the financial impact of flooding before a disaster strikes. One important step is understanding your risk. Even a heavy rainstorm can cause significant flooding, contributing to flash floods, mudflows, or overtopping levees and dams.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and follow their directions. Not all flooding is covered by a basic homeowners policy, so work with your agent to discover the cause and identify coverage you can qualify for. Do not remove any water before talking to them so you don’t accidentally do anything that will decrease the amount of coverage you’ll be able to claim. If the insurance company wants you to wait for an adjuster before making repairs, do so — but make sure you give them a clear picture of the damage and repairs that are immediately needed.

Categories of Water Damage

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

If you see any water in your home call of office for an inspection. (503) 883-8960

Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different categories assigned to water damage. Category 1 refers to clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows. Category 2 water is also called gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness of ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage. Category 3 water is known as black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.

There are also several classes of water damage. The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options. Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation. Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage. Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture. Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.

SERVPRO's Best Tip for Water Damage Control

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

Call an electrician or the fire department if it's un-safe to turn the water off to your home or business.

Stop The Flow.

Your first priority is stopping the flow of water. If you’ve identified the appliance that’s leaking, shut off water to that appliance. If you’re not sure where the leak is coming from, shut off water to the whole house. Next, turn off electricity at the fuse box. If you can’t reach the box without wading into water, call an electrician and stay out of the wet areas.

Before removing any water, document the damage for your insurance company. Capture the extent of the water damage and all possessions impacted by the flood. Digital photos are best because you can quickly upload them directly to your agent for assessment.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and follow their directions. Not all flooding is covered by a basic homeowners policy, so work with your agent to discover the cause and identify coverage you can qualify for. Do not remove any water before talking to them so you don’t accidentally do anything that will decrease the amount of coverage you’ll be able to claim. If the insurance company wants you to wait for an adjuster before making repairs, do so — but make sure you give them a clear picture of the damage and repairs that are immediately needed.

Water Damage Can Cause Black Mold

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

We can help! If you smell or see any black/browning in your home call us right away.

There are several reasons that harmful and toxic black mold can spread through your home. One of the most common factors that leads to this mold is improperly treated water damage. There are two separate types of water damage that can cause mold spores to spread inside your home. The first and most common is a slow, unnoticed leak. The second would be a large and sudden loss.

Slow, Unnoticed Leak: This damage is common when there is a leaky pipe that hidden underneath a sink, inside of the walls, near a windowsill, or under the floor. The affected areas are now filled with moisture and become a breading ground for black mold to grow and spread.

Large, Sudden Loss: When a homeowner has a large leak, or a pipe burst that leaves standing water there are two routes normally taken. A DIYer will typically try to remove all the water themselves and then dry out the affected area with retail fans and opening a few windows. This is not recommended and can lead to more problems. If you are not properly trained to fight water damage it can be difficult if not next to impossible to locate all the moisture without the proper equipment. If any of the damaged area is left untreated it becomes a harbor for black mold. The second and recommended route is to call a water mitigation company that can properly identify all the affected areas and can get to work quickly.

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem’s technicians are highly trained to identify and target water damage at the source. The best preventative measure to identify a slow, unnoticed leak would be to monitor your water usage bill. If you see an unexpected and noticeable spike in the amount of water being used it could be the sign of a leak. Calling a plumber to identify any potential problems is best. After a large, sudden loss, it is best to give a water damage restoration business a call so that your problem can be handled by professionals. As the best water damage restoration business out there, SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Storm and Large Loss Water Response is A Team Effort!

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Storms Brewing of the Ocean!

Here at SERVPRO we have “Storm Teams” set and ready to Mobilize when called upon. Storms, Large Losses and catastrophic losses such as fire, water, tornado, hurricanes, flooding, mid slides and earthquakes; require immediate attention. Our appropriate response goals are to reduce business interruption, reduce claim cost and minimize call backs. We do this by prioritizing, a written plan with daily goals, a tremendous amount of activity and working fast! We often work with other restoration companies, as a team, to have availability to double our response and efficiency in all types of storm exposures. Our Storm Teams have been trained and work throughout the year to be prepared. As being one of the leaders in large loss nationwide, we take great pride in being able to work side by side with our fellow franchise owners. When a major catastrophe strikes, call your trust SERVPRO for immediate response!

Contaminated Water Repsonse

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Microbe Growth Thrives Between 68 and 86 Degrees!

We follow the IICRC S500 Principles of Water Damage Restoration.  The Standard for water damage restoration is designed to:

-Provide for the safety and health of workers and occupants

-Document and inspect further damage

-Mitigate further damage

-Clean and dry affected areas

-Complete the restoration and repairs.

As a water response company, it is extremely important to know the type of water we are dealing with. Immediate response is taken to prevent the growth of microbes. Microbes found in water damages are fungi, bacteria and viruses. Excessive water and humidity can result in microbores multiplying. Microbes become airborne and spread to clean areas, causing cross contamination. To prevent mold growth, keep indoor relative humidity to below 60%. Receive fast, quality service by calling the professionals at SERVPRO, who will help prevent further issues!

Course of Action When a Water Loss Has Occured!

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

Water Drying Process

Today we talk about Water and our Course of Action. Here at SERVPRO we first show up on sight and access the level of damage and type of water loss. We must determine the type of water loss if it is contaminated water or not so that we can take proper course of action. If it is not a contaminated water loss, we determine the levels of water in the material using a moisture sensor tool and a thermal imaging camera. Next, Dehumidifiers will be set up. A dehumidifier is a machine set up to pull the moisture out of the area effected. This machine has a tube that drains the excess water that has been pulled from the effected area. We set up the machines and return daily to monitor moisture readings, until the readings return to a dry number. Itis imperative to contact SERVPRO after a water loss to determine the proper course action. This could prevent second issues. Call us 503-883-8960

Plumbers & SERVPRO Working Together for the Customer

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

Busted Pipes Need Immediate Attention

Something that customers, insurance adjusters and property owners should know and be aware of. When a water loss happens pertaining to a busted pipe, most people call their plumbers first. A plumber will show up on scene and determine the cause of loss. If there is standing water or sewage, they seek our services here at SERVPRO. This is a working relationship with the plumber and SERVPRO to mitigate the water or sewage issue and then immediately have the plumber back in to fix the origination of the loss. If this course of action is not taken, we will be requested again to provide mitigate services and causing additional cost that do not need to be if set up correctly. We here at SERVPRO aim to help in assisting with this process and alleviating additional steps in the recovery efforts of a water loss. Call the Pros 503-883-8960

Damage from a Faulty Air Conditioner

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

Damage from a Faulty AC Unit

This past week we had a referral come in from a dear friend. His friend who is a single mother noticed that the air conditioning unit in the attic quit working. In a matter of days, she started noticing water stains on her roof and began to think, where is this water coming from? She then called her trusty friend, to ask for a painter and that is when he advised that painting was not the only thing she should be worried about. He advised that there needed to be a company to check how much water was in the wall and if there was any mold growing. Then she could worry about the paint. He then remembered us here at SERVPRO and said hey, give them a call and they will advise of the damage! The best compliment is a referral! We thank our continue clients for their kind words.

A Water & Odor Smell Beyond Normal!

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

Caution, Biohazard, Beware!

We had a dual call come in this past week. A property management company called to ask us to route our guys out to a water and odor job. The tenant was reporting a very foul smell seeping up into the house. The bathroom and kitchen had water backing up into the sinks. With further investigation, we found beneath the house a foot of standing water. Discovery showed the hot water line had a slow leak and needed repair. The smell was horrendous. Standing water typically does not create that much of an obnoxious smell. We began water remediation services. After about 45 minutes, our crew discovered the smell. A cat had passed away and was the reason behind the smell. Biohazard is also an expertise of ours. So, we continued with remediation services and cleared the biohazard, creating immediate relief for the tenants. Next time you have a foul odor or standing water call us here at SERVPRO. 503-883-8960!

Cause and Effect Regarding Water

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

When Water Over Flows, Call the Pros!

Water has a way of creating damage no one would think of. We recently had a call for a dryer fire in a three-story condo. We responded to the fire and began to assess the damage.  The owner was in a state of shock and was focused on the dryer fire and the smoke that had inhibited the home!  After discussion he remembered that when the fire started, he ran to the bathroom and used the faucet for water. He started throwing water on the fire, running away and then calling the fire department. Not remembering that he had left on the faucet. Leaving the sink to overflow and for water to saturate down and into the floorboard, through the dry wall and thus affecting all three levels of the condo. So, what was a fire job with minimal damage turned out to be a large water loss. Always remember to turn off the water when trying to put out a fire, or it could lead to further disaster!

A Dripping or Leaking Faucet Can Lead to More Damage Than You Might Think.

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Ring Ring… Ring Ring… Ring Ri… Snooze.

If you are in the majority of America, 57% to be exact, you push the snooze button on your alarm at least once every morning. If that five to fifteen minutes is going to benefit or hurt your morning, depends on your situation.

Drip Drop… Drip Drop… Drip Drop…

Unfortunately, there isn't a button to stop the flow of water or prevent further water damage. After the water damage has happened every minute that you snooze yourself away from taking action can be more and more harm to your property. Within minutes of the water leak, piping malfunction, or one of the other numerous ways water damage can occur, the water quickly spreads throughout your property. Absorbing into walls, floors, and other easily susceptible areas of your home. Your personal belongings such as photos, important documents, family heirlooms, and electronic devices can be completely destroyed within that first fifteen minutes.

Spring Spring… Into Into… Action Action…

Locating your water shutoff valves can be a hassle when you only have a few minutes left on the clock to prevent further damage. Don’t catch yourself snoozing – it is important to know the location of all your major water shut off valves so that you can quickly spring into action and minimize the damage to your home and belongings. While 15 minutes of extra sleep goes by in a flash in the morning; that 15 minutes is all the leaky pipe needs to destroy memories while taking cash out of your pocket. Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Salem and we will drop what we are doing to spring into action for you.

The Effects of Water Damage

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

The damage caused by water can be devastating for property owners. Heavy rain or quickly melting snow increases the potential of this type of damage. Unwanted damage can result in costly damages to wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth.  The cost of the remediation process can be very expensive as well. Hiring a water damage restoration company can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies employ experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup.

Causes of Water Damage

There are several possible causes of water damage. Leaky dishwashers, clogged toilets, broken pipes, broken dishwasher hoses, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs, plumbing leaks, and foundation cracks are just some of the possible causes of water damage in homes and businesses. Floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain are other possible causes of this type of damage and can lead to having water in basements. Too much water can lead to minor problems such as water in basement areas, or it can lead to the destruction of homes and businesses. Once a home or business sustains water damage, it is important to start the water damage cleanup immediately. Starting water damage cleanup as soon as possible increases the likelihood of saving water-soaked furniture, carpets, rugs, clothing, and other items.

Categories of Water Damage

Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different categories assigned to water damage. Category 1 refers to clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows. Category 2 water is also called gray water.  Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage. Category 3 water is known as black water. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.

There are also several classes of water damage. The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options. Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation. Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage. Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture. Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.

Restoration Process

The water restoration process is an important one. Using the right procedures and materials can help people save cherished belongings and even prevent their homes from being condemned. Water restoration companies specialize in mitigating the effects of water, but the success for water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the amount of water that caused the damage. Water restoration companies may hire outside experts such as SERVPRO of Southeast Salem to assess a property and determine a water restoration and water removal plan. SERVPRO of Southeast Salem uses high-tech equipment and well-documented procedures to control water damage. Water in basement areas may only require a short cleanup process, but water in other areas of a property will require extensive remediation.

Flooded Basement? SERVPRO of Southeast Salem can Help!

8/8/2019 (Permalink)

Basement here the Pacific Northwest are unfortunately prone to flooding.  Some of the reasons your Salem area basement would flood are: 

• A clogged or failing sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rains causing water to pool around the house
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure

If any of these happen to you, give us a call and we will dispatch our highly trained technicians immediately.  If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

We specialize in water restoration and extraction:

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

Call SERVPRO of Southeast Salem if you ever have a water emergency and we will make it, "Like it never even happened."

Flooded Chiropractic Clinic

8/8/2019 (Permalink)

A Chiropractic and Wellness center located in SE Salem had the unfortunate experience of a clogged drain their restroom. We were contacted by the owner and in just an hour our team here at SERVPRO of Southeast Salem was there to help.  When our technicians arrived promptly to inspect the loss with the owner they realized the damage had affected the entire building.  Unfortunately spreading through the entire first floor going through multiple rooms as well as contaminating many contents. SERVPRO of Southeast Salem was able to go in and get the job done efficiently and effectively. The picture shows the before of the source of damage. The owner was extremely pleased with our fast response time as well as our overall remediation process. We pride ourselves on being able to help out our local friends and neighbors when an unfortunate situation occurs.  

Floods may not be that common, but they do happen in Oregon

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

The Christmas Flood that happened in 1964 may not be known by many.  Anyone that experienced it may have forgotten and of course some of us had not been born or were too young to recall. This particular flood caused hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage and continued for over three weeks. This was one of the most devastating floods to hit the Willamette Valley in recorded history.  As a result of the damage over three thousand people were displaced from their residences and sadly there were seventeen casualties.  This flood has been referred to as a 100-year flood which means a similar occurance may happen again.

Another instance of flooding more recently was the Willamette Valley Flood of 1996.  The rising waters affected the areas of Oregon City, Tillamook, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The destruction caused an estimated half a billion dollars in property damage leaving some areas under water for a couple weeks.  Again there were unfortunately eight casualties resulting as well in Oregon.

If there is another flooding natural disaster, SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is always faster to any size disaster.  We also use the best equipment available so our highly trained technicians will restore your property to get things back to normal as soon as possible.  

Untreated Water Damage Can Lead to a Mold Problem

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

Black mold can spread through your home as the result of a few things. The most common is improperly treatemed water damage. The two types of water damage that may result in mold spores  inside your home are a slow, unnoticed leak the other a large and sudden loss.

First the slow leak is common when there is a leaky pipe that isn't easily visable under a sink, inside the walls, around a windowsill, or underneath the flooring. These result in the affected area being dark and damp which allows for the mold growth.

The second most common is a large sudden loss.  These generally occur as the result of a burst pipe, glogged drain, roof leak or a flood that result in standing water.  Many will remove the water themselves with a shopvac and attempt to air it out with fans and opening windows.  In a situation with this amount of water this may not fix the problem properly and can lead more porblems.  The main problem being the growth of mold from not properly drying out the affected area. Having a reputable water mitigation and restoration company that can properly identify the and remediate the situation can help any issues in the future.

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem’s technicians are highly trained to identify and target water damage at the source. One way to detect the slow, unnoticed leak would be to monitor your water usage bill. If there is a noticeable increase in water usage without any explanation could be the result of a leak. Calling a plumber to identify any potential problems would be the best thing to do. After a large, sudden loss, it is best to give a water damage restoration business a call so that your problem can be handled by professionals. As the best water damage restoration business out there, SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”