LA County 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch 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 - (818) 842-1400

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 Burbank 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 Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch

SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch 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.

Faster to your Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch Water Damage Event

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in LA County

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch 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 Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch 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 – (818) 842 - 1400

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 Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch

SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch 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.

Does Your L.A. Home Have A Mold Problem?

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

In LA County, mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce health effects.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

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 –(818) 842 - 1400

Titan

10/2/2023 (Permalink)

Hydroxyl Generator/Titan

For this next round in the ‘SERVPRO® Equipment Spotlight’ series, we will be giving a brief summary of one of our most technologically savvy and futuristic looking tools of our SERVPRO tool belt. The Hydroxyl Generator (or more commonly known as ‘Titan’) is one of the most scientifically-advanced pieces of equipment we use to combat malodors and leave a property deodorized following biohazard, fire or water damage events.

The main benefit of using a true hydroxyl generator is that they are safe to use in occupied areas for deodorization purposes. For insurance companies and commercial businesses alike, they love this machine because it means less out of pocket expenses and henceforth, less business disruption!

These generators have been successfully tested on fires and other restoration and bio jobs, including protein fires, floods, dead body situations, skunk odors, pet urine odors, musty odors and many types of odors. However, it’s important to note that hydroxyl generators are not intended for use on mold remediation jobs where there is a large infestation on surfaces or behind walls. The established protocols should always be followed in these instances. But generators with good filtration are excellent for airborne microbial remediation where bacteria or fungi have become aerosolized.

Here’s a rundown of some additional facts in order to give you the inside scoop, should you ever need to reach out to us for smoke/soot deodorization needs:

When to Use:

• When odors, gases and organic pollutants are needed to be remediated

How it Works:

• UVA rays are emitted from the titanium dioxide photocatalytic lamps (wow, that was a mouthful) where they then pass through a permanent anatase coated super reactor screen, forming electron hole pairs that react with water and oxygen in the air to form free electrons and hydroxyl radicals that then decompose and eliminate organic and inorganic gases and air pollutants. Wow, trying saying all that in one breath!

Applications:

• Use on fire and flood damage restoration jobs
• Use to destroy odors from cigarette smoke, dead body, urine, garbage, airborne VOCs and more

Tips:

• Always remove the source of the odor before operation
• For optimum performance, a 60%+ humidity level is best. If needed, place a bucket of water or a wet towel behind the machine to allow more moisture to be pulled into the air stream.
• Use air movers to circulate the air for thorough air cleaning.
• Although purifying an area depends on many variables, a general time guide for purifying a 1,000 cubic foot area with light to moderator odor is 1 to 3 hours.

As always, if you want to learn more about any of our SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch pieces of restoration hardware, feel free to reach out. We have helpful staff willing to explain further any of our services – (818) 842-1400.

Commercial Loss

10/2/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Crew with drying equipment

When talking to business owners regarding potential water damage events, they often visualize a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices. Resulting the fear of having to shut down businesses for days at a time with it potentially not opening. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms. Although living in sunny Southern California; hurricane-like storms are few and far between.

However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only cause of floods and water damage. Commercial water damage is surprisingly common year-round, and it can drastically affect the operation of your business. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings.

• Malfunctioning sprinkler systems: Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.
• Damaged appliances and equipment: This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency.
• Broken pipes and plumbing: Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. If you question the stoutness of your building's pipes, contact SERVPRO® for a thorough inspection and assessment.
• Backed up sewer lines: This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. SERVPRO has certified IICRC technicians to deal with this type of water damage.

If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch call us anytime 24/7 at (818) 842-1400 for fast help.

Customer Service

10/2/2023 (Permalink)

Open 24/7

SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch prides themselves on customer service. Here at SERVPRO we make ourselves available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our office staff work hard day in and day out to help every customer who may call. They are well trained and up to date with everything there is to know about SERVPRO so that they might help to the best of their ability. 

 When it comes to our techs and men who work out in the field they carry respect for every customer they come in contact with. They are aware that everyone they help are in a stressful situation and try their best to alleviate any stress they can. Our men are kind and well trained here at SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch! 

SERVPRO Standards and the IICRC

9/21/2023 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch, all of our crew chiefs are certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians. Management staff are certified in Applied Structural Drying. We are a certified IICRC firm also. There is a standard for the industry and we follow it closely. We strive to be experts on the standard and SERVPRO stands out from our competition because of the amount of effort we put into training and development in field expertise. 

What exactly is the IICRC? 

The IICRC is the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a non-profit organization for the cleaning and restoration industry. It's main purpose is to establish and advance globally recognized standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, restoration and installation industries.

When using SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch you can rest assured that we hold ourselves accountable to the IICRC standards. For more information on the IICRC visit the link below!

https://www.IICRC.org/

SERVPRO and The American Red Cross

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Van

The American Red Cross recently recognized SERVPRO®, a cleanup and restoration company, for participating in its Disaster Responder Program. As a member of this program, SERVPRO pledges a donation to the Red Cross as an action of preparation against the calculated 66,000 disasters that occur annually. SERVPRO is entering their third year of partnership with the Red Cross, and to date their donations to the organization exceed one million dollars.

The majority of the disasters that occur every year are house fires. Statistics cited by the Red Cross state that in the U.S. seven people die in a home fire each day. The Red Cross has aimed to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires 25 percent by the year 2019. Because of this goal, they launched a Home Fire Campaign in October of 2014. The support of SERVPRO and other Disaster Responder Program members allows the Red Cross to pursue their home fire prevention goals while continuing to provide critical services to disaster victims.

"Statistics compiled by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show the majority of home fires are related to cooking accidents." Dave Tronson, owner of SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch, states, "the risk for home fires exists all year long," further extending their pledge to help Red Cross to respond and prevent such a disaster as a home fire.

Not only does SERVPRO help other business and home owners with recovery for fires, floods, and other disasters, the company and its franchises actively support disaster preparedness education, including fire prevention efforts. When disaster strikes, the relationships with major insurance companies combined with the industry-leading job-management technology that SERVPRO has can smooth the path to rebuilding and restoration for home and business owners affected by disastrous events.

"SERVPRO’s commitment to the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program means that when disaster strikes, homeowners can count on the Red Cross to address their immediate needs and supply essential services," said Tronson. "Once the immediate emergency is under control, homeowners can count on the expertise of restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch to help restore their property and move forward with their lives."

For fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit www.SERVPRO.com. For more information on SERVPRO® of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch, please contact Dave Tronson at (818) 709-6090 or SERVPRO2720@SERVPROburbank.com

About SERVPRO®

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO® Franchise System is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services, and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO® System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

Tips To Avoid A Flood

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

Flood

Floods are the most common natural disasters in the United States. There are many effects a heavy rain storm can cause. Some significant things such as flooding, potential flash floods, mud-flows, or over-topping levees and dams. Here in California heavy rains can happen, putting properties like your home or business at risk.

Tips to help your home or business avoid floods:

1. Purchase flood insurance. (Call your insurance agent make sure your covered for FLOODS)
2. Install rain gutters and other drainage systems. (Clean out rain gutters frequently)
3. Fix any leaks IMMEDIATELY.
4. Extra roof protection (spend a few hundred dollars more to install a rubber roof underlayment, a waterproof barrier that goes under the shingles and protects the roof from water intrusion.)

Tips for drivers during the rain season:

1. Avoid cruise control (This feature works great in dry conditions, but when used in wet conditions, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can increase)
2. Slow down and leave room in front of you (Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car’s chance of hydroplaning, when the tires rise up on a film of water.)

Remember if you do experience a flood in your home or business SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch is one call away and we make your water damage "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO of Chatsworth/Stevenson Ranch at (818) 842-1400

Tips For Rainy Weather

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

Rain

Here are some tips for your home and rainy weather! 

Tip #1: Check those gutters! This can be a simple but very effective way to prevent unwanted water from entering your home or business. Gutters that are clogged with debris from overhanging trees, trash, or roofing materials can easily clog the drain and shuffle unwanted water your way. 

Tip #2: Tarp up any unfinished roofing projects. Going along with our first tip, small openings in the roof of your home and business can quickly become large openings with heavy rain, causing water damage inside your building. Make sure to give your local roofing company a call and get those potential problem areas patched up ASAP. 

Tip #3: Examine your window glaze and compound. Often times, glazing compound can shrink during the warmer months, making windows more susceptible to unwanted rain water penetration. Your local contractor can help patch this up for you, ensuring that you are set and ready for even the heaviest of rains! Another helpful tip… make sure you close your windows before going to bed or leaving the home!

And finally, Tip #4 (the most important!): Should you find yourself in a situation where you do have a water damage emergency, call SERVPRO of Chatsworth / Stevenson Ranch. Our staff is prepped and ready to respond and help make your rain disaster, "Like it never even happened."