Common Q&A for Water Damage

4/11/2024 (Permalink)

Here to help

Water damage to your home or business can come when you least expect it. Often people will find themselves in a situation and unsure of what to do first to start the mitigation of damage and clean up. 

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake have trained professionals to help you in your time of need.

We would like to share some Q&A we commonly see from our customers. 

1) How soon should I call a mitigation company to assist with my water damage? 

In short, the answer is ASAP. Time is of the essence to prevent future damage and eliminate the potential for growth of mold.The sooner you call the less risk you have of additional damage and mitigation work required overall.

2) How long does the process of water mitigation take? 

This time to mitigate will vary for each situation depending on the size of the area affected and severity of the damage. It is important to have a professional team access the damage so they can recommend the appropriate steps needed to be taken. There are times that water just needs to be extracted and fans and dehumidifiers can be set to complete the dry out. Other times water make get into the walls and will require removal of some dry wall to ensure the work is done right. Your SERVPRO professional is trained to ensure the proper steps are taken for a successful restoration. 

3) What happens to all my contents that have been damaged from water? 

Our professional team will be able to access content cleaning and work with you to share what is salvageable. The goal is to clean and restore the items, so they do not look or smell damaged.

4) Will my insurance company cover my water damage?

In many cases, insurance does cover water damage. Incidental water damage is typically covered from insurance companies. A pipe bursting, a leak in your face, a leak in your bathroom supply line are all examples of incidental water damage. However, certain kinds of water damage likely won’t be covered. An example of this is coverage for people living in flood zone areas. When water damage is caused by nature this is typically not covered under insurance. It is important to check with your insurance company regarding this prior to submitting a claim. 

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake is available 24/7 to assist you in an emergency. Call us today at 570-714-3828.

Why Chose SERVPRO ?

3/8/2024 (Permalink)

Why choose SERVPRO

For half a century, millions of customers have chosen and trusted SERVPRO^®. Our professionals are skilled and help to make the damage "Like it never happened".

There are many reasons why customers chose SERVPRO for their emergency needs. Here are some of our top three reasons:

1) Customer Care -Customer Care is our top priority. We are available 24/7, year-round and will help navigate this emotional time for you. Our professionals will educate you on the restoration process and be sure to walk you through each step of the way. 

2) Insurance Company relationship- We works directly with your insurance company to help facilitate, navigate, and manage necessary paperwork for a more streamlined experience.

3)Customer Reviews- Throughout our SERVPRO system there are 61,000 positive reviews and experiences posted on Google. Our customers share their testimonials of the work performed. We are proud and thankful to make such a positive impact on people during their most stressful times. 

We are here to help. Call SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Havery's Lake today at 570-714-3828.

Mold Remeidation Process

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

MOLD PROBLEM?

Post water damage can lead to mold growth and it is very important to have trained professionals assist in identifying the type of mold as well as remediating the mold.  Below we share the process of Mold Remediation and how we go about restoring your home or business. 

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:

1. Emergency Contact - (570) 714-3828
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
7. Restoration

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake is here 24/7 to help. 

Risks of Poor Fire Cleanup

9/18/2023 (Permalink)

structural fire damage

It is very important to take proper steps in cleanup after a fire loss. Trying to clean yourself or hire an unexperienced professional can cause more damage to your home. 

Damages are not always visible

Not all damage is visible to the naked eye. 

Smoke damage can cause significant damage to your home . Structure damage includes walls, ceilings and floors. It can cause odor problems from mold growth caused by moisture trapped in porous materials like drywall or wood paneling and furniture.

Professional help

Smoke Contains harmful chemicals.  If you don't know how to clean up after a fire yourself, hire a professional who does know how to do so safely.

If the smoke is not cleaned up correctly, it can become permanent. Smoke odor damages property value by devaluing homes on the market.

Poor fire damage clean up jobs can result in long-lasting damage

The first step in restoring your home after a fire is removing the smoke odor. The second step is removing any fire damage that may have occurred to your property, including drywall and other building materials. The third step involves making sure there's no mold growth on or around anything that was damaged by water or smoke during cleanup efforts. Finally, you need to make sure all of your belongings are safe and secure while they're being cleaned up by professional contractors who know what they're doing

Not taking the proper steps will cause potential more damage and additional costs in repairs to you as the homeowner. 

If you are suffering from a fire loss our professionals at SERVPRO of Kingston, Pittston City and Wyoming County are here to help. Our trained professionals will assist you and ensure proper measures are taken to restore you home. We are available 24/7 at 570-714-3828

Why SERVPRO

9/7/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake team

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake is happy to announce our new office opening in Hazleton. We are located at 125 N. Warren St. West Hazleton, PA.

We are thankful to serve the community we were born and raised in. We are proud members of the Hazleton Chamber of Commerce and look forward to an upcoming ribbon cutting ceremony. 

We look forward to continuing to be a part of this great community and be a local resource for you. 

SERVPRO is the #1 choice in Cleanup and Restoration. Water Damage, Fire Damage, Mold Remediation, and Biohazard clean up are some of our key services. 

Here 24/7 for you! Call us today at 570-714-3828

Fire Tips

9/7/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Damage prevention tips

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (570) 714-3828

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake is available 24/7 for your emergency needs. 

Water Damage Prevention

7/11/2023 (Permalink)

Water loss clean up

Water problems within your property are not just inconvenient, they can cause severe damage, mold growth, health hazards, and expensive repairs if not mitigated quickly. Finding water in your home because of a pipe bursting or aged water heater leaking can cause stress and a sense of overwhelmingness. The first step in limiting the damage to your property is being aware of the location of the water shut -off valves. So, knowing how to find and operate the property’s water shut-off valve is essential to mitigating damage.

Below are some action steps you can take to prevent an extensive water loss.

1. Locate the Shut Off Valve– If you do not already know the location of this in your home or commercial properties, this is the first step. It is typically found in a utility area, garage, or basement. 
2. Turn Off the Water– Once you find the valve, turn off the water. 
3. Minimize Damage – Try to contain water and move personal items and furniture out of the way to protect your contents. Mop and clean up as much water as possible quickly.
4. Notify Your Insurance Company on the extent of damage.
5. Contact a Professional Mitigation Company who will work with your insurance company to ensure proper clean up. 
6. Repair and Replace– Your Mitigation and Reconstruction partner will extract any excess water and dry out timely to prevent mold and future damage to the property.

As mentioned previously, being aware of the location of the valve and shutting off the water quickly is imperative to minimize the damage and cost of repairs. 

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake is a trusted mitigation partner and can help you in your time of of need. 24/7 support. Contact us at 570-714-3828

Water Damage Mitigation

4/16/2023 (Permalink)

Water Damage Mitigation

Spring storms can lead to unwelcome water losses.

Spring showers bring May flowers but can also bring about unwanted water losses, flooding, and leaky roofs.

When evaluating a loss due to water, it is important to understand the proper mitigation steps necessary. 

There are 3 Categories of Water

Category 1 water damage: Consists of Clean water that is sanitary

Category 2 water damage : Consists of Grey Water that is significantly contaminated

Category 3 water damage: Consists of Black Water that is Grossly Contaminated

Pending on the Category of the water loss there are specific steps to follow and at times containment that must take place.

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey’s Lake has trained and certified technicians that can diagnose the category and take proper measures to ensure your home or business can be restored.  Our team is required to follow safety regulations and always keep the customers’ safety and satisfaction in mind when stabilizing the loss.

We are open 24/7 and are Here to Help! Call us today at 570-714-3828

Why SERVPRO

3/17/2023 (Permalink)

You can count of SERVPRO

Emergency Situations call for quick response time, especially in a case where your home or business is compromised.

SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake is here to help.

We offer :

• 24/7 availability
• Honesty
• Trained  and certified professionals
• Commercial equipment
• Integrity

Our SERVPRO Brand has more than 50 years of experience and over 2000 Franchises.  Our key Services Include the following:

• Water Damage Remediation
• Fire Damage Remediation 
• Mold Remediation
• Biohazzard Cleanup
• Reconstruction Services

If you find yourself in need of help in a disaster please contact SERVPRO of Hazleton/Dallas/Harvey's Lake at 570-714-3828  Here to help! 

Mold Remediation

2/17/2023 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation professional help

It is important that you contact a professional if you should see signs of mold in your residential or commercial property. The first step is to determine what kind of mold you are dealing with . Once this determined you can take the proper steps.

Utilizing Chlorine Bleach to stop mold from growing is a Myth. Bleach loses its effectiveness overtime an will evaporate leading you right back to where you started.

SERVPRO of Kingston, Pittston City, Wyoming County is here to help with any question you may have or needs regarding mold remediation.

Contact us at 570-714-3828