Responding to Mold in a Crisis

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

When you find a mold infestation, it’s nothing to ignore; mold should be treated as an emergency situation and removed from your home immediately. If your Georgetown, TX, home has black mold, you shouldn’t try to clean it yourself. You need help, but there are steps you can take to resolve the crisis and contain the situation in an emergency.

How To Stop the Mold From Spreading

Your first step in emergency response should be emergency containment. That means:

1. Shutting off the HVAC system. This should be your first priority. You have mold spores in the air around you at all times. Airflow causes those black mold spores to spread, and you can’t afford to let them drift to other parts of the home and establish another mold colony.

2. Shutting off the water. If you have a mold problem, it came from a moisture problem. Shut off the water to the affected area, or to the entire house if necessary, until the mold problem is resolved.

3. Sealing off the area. If possible, seal off the area. Close all vents, doors, and windows. Tape the door and window frames, or use weather stripping to seal them off. Make the infested area as airtight as possible to prevent further particulate dispersal.

4. Disposing of anything contaminated. You may want to wait on a full tear-out until an assessment by a professional, but if loose items, such as pillows, clothing, food, or books, are contaminated you should throw them out immediately.

5. Contacting a mold remediation company about mold cleanup. Mold remediation companies usually have more accurate methods for detecting the extent of black mold contamination, and can provide more effective solutions for remediation, removal, and future prevention. For safety and a more complete mold cleanup, trust certified professionals with years of experience removing mold from residential homes.

Qualifications Need for Preferred Vendor Status

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

Ready to help in Serenada, TX.

Preferred Vendor Status Requires the Following Qualifications

A close relationship with your insurance agent might not always seem like a critical benefit, but this could change in a matter of moments after a fire or extreme storm damages your facility in Serenada, TX. Then you will find that years of paying insurance premiums and thinking about the best coverages will pay off. Another part of the equation during this time is selecting the right damage mitigation company to lead you out of trouble.
You want a company that is well versed in all the methods of cleaning and restoration, but you also should look for a company that is a preferred vendor for your insurance company. A SERVPRO franchise meets all of these requirements.

The Merits of the Preferred Vendor Program
It is easy to make claims for your business, but backing them up takes knowledge, training and preparation. In the cleaning, inspection and restoration field this credibility depends upon multiple factors:

• Transparent guidelines for measuring success
  
• Validation from independent sources such as the IICRC
  
• Established metrics to measure customer satisfaction
  
• Ongoing training and education programs
  
  

Your insurance agent will also appreciate working with a company that embodies professionalism in everything that it does. This will lead to faster and more efficient cleanups, reduced damages and a streamlined process for settling claims.

The Benefits of a Professional Response
In the initial moments of dealing with a disaster, there are many moving parts. All of these need to work together to result in a truly successful recovery. It begins with trained and motivated workers arriving on-site within hours to begin the restoration process. Then it moves on to following a plan to restore your building to its original condition. Finally, it involves wrapping up important financial details. Your insurance agent will appreciate an orderly and professional process from start to finish.

What To Know Before Making a Water Damage Claim

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Finding bursting pipes in your Georgetown, TX, home is a stressful experience.

Finding bursting pipes or a flood of water in your Georgetown, TX, home is a stressful experience. You have to get the mess cleaned and try to salvage your belongings. You also have to worry about whether your insurance will cover water emergency restoration services. Here are some tips for filing a successful insurance claim.

Types of Water Damage Covered by Insurance

First, you need to understand when a water emergency is and is not included in your insurance policy. Typically, there will be at least some coverage for the following incidents:

• Flood
  
• Overflow
  
• Storm damage
  
• Sewer backup
  
• Sudden discharge of water
  
  

Gradual Damage
Insurance policies usually do not include coverage for gradual damage. Gradual damage includes harm caused by:

• Damaged wires
  
• Leaking pipes
  
• Improper repairs
  
• Basement or roof cracks
  
  

Still, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, your policy may not cover the cost to fix broken pipe issues that leaked over time, but insurance may pay to repair or replace items in your home that were damaged by water from this pipe.

Successful Claims
If you think your home's bursting pipes or another water emergency is covered by your policy, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Once everyone is safe, you can return to the premises to take photos or videos of the damage.
There are several things you can do now to reduce your chances of an insurance claim being denied in the future. Start by doing regular maintenance of your home every six months. This will prevent small issues from causing gradual damage that insurance will not cover.
Be sure to also keep detailed records of any repairs you do or any professionals you hire to work on the home. In addition, you should review your insurance policy and decide if you need to purchase any endorsements for additional coverage.
Homeowners' insurance can cover a variety of water-related disasters, from bursting pipes to a toilet overflow. The above information should help you make a successful claim.

Why Should Insurance Agents Use a Claims Inventory System

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water cleanup in Andice, TX.

Four Reasons Agents and Adjusters Rely On Inventory Systems

Insurers prefer to work with helpful and reliable mitigation and restoration services. SERVPRO provides access to estimates and data through a Claims Information Center and is a leading company in many vendor networks. Here are four reasons agents and adjusters rely on inventory systems when processing an insurance claim related to damage at a residence in Andice, TX.

1. Tracking Estimates

An inventory system makes it possible to view an estimate as soon as it has been uploaded by a franchise. This system can also be useful for monitoring the progress of a job. This is particularly the case if adjustments are necessary once cleanup or restoration is underway.

2. Accessing Data

These systems also make it easier for an insurance agent to determine whether an estimate is in line with regional and national averages. The Claims Information Center allows users to compare causes of loss, job file costs, types of claims and company and franchise performance. All of this information may facilitate the settlement of an insurance claim.

3. Communicating Efficiently

A claims inventory system also makes it easy for insurers to see information uploaded by a mitigation and restoration franchise. Estimates and other relevant files are submitted to an internal system and made available on the Information Center for authorized access at any time.

4. Streamlining Claims

The availability of information on individual claims and aggregated data can make it easier to settle a claim. The Information Center offers all of this information, and SERVPRO also maintains a franchise Participation Agreement to increase the likelihood of coverage.

An agent or adjuster can use an inventory system to track and research claims. A service such as the Claims Information Center makes it easy to compare types of damage and restoration jobs. Insurers can access an individual insurance claim and data on national, regional, area or local damage in Andice, TX.

What You Need To Know About Document Restoration With SERVPRO

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

If valuable documents have gotten wet professionals can restore them for you.

Document Restoration Process

If a client has suffered damage to his or her Georgetown, TX, home, it can require quite a bit of restoration. Not only will the structure of the house need work, but the property inside will need to be repaired or replaced as well. Paper items are often considered lost once they’ve been damaged, but this is not always the case. Here are a few things you should know about the restoration process.

1. When Do You Need Document Restoration?

Clients will most likely need this service when there has been some kind of water damage. In the case of a burst pipe, flood or a fire that involved using a hose, there will be quite a bit of water in the home. If important or sentimentally valuable documents have gotten wet, your client will likely want to have them restored if it is possible.

2. How Is Restoration Done?

Because paper documents are very porous, they absorb water quickly. SERVPRO uses a freeze-drying process during document restoration that removes the water and returns the document to its previous state. Because water can carry contaminants such as pesticides, harmful chemicals, bacteria and viruses, it is important to have your items sterilized as well. During restoration, a gamma irradiation process will be used to clean and disinfect any documents that have been in contact with potentially contaminated water.

3. What Related Services Are Offered?

The experience of nearly losing their important documents can be upsetting to your clients. During the document restoration process, SERVPRO offers a digitizing service that can bring them peace of mind. Creating digital copies of their documents is a great way to prevent any potential losses in the future. It can also be convenient for them to have access to all of their important items in one place.
Document drying can be an incredibly useful service to those who need water damage restoration. It can save important documents and keep your client’s from going through the stressful process of replacing them.

Mold Is Always on the Move

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

Black mold damage in Georgetown, TX.

Mold is Always Moving

You can’t see, smell or feel them, but spores are everywhere in your home. Spreading mold is their job. These tiny seed-like particles travel through the air looking for:

• Wood or another food source
  
• Moisture
  
• Room-temperature conditions
  

Active Mold Colonies Often Go Unnoticed
You can’t assume that mold colonies take root only in visible areas. They establish themselves anywhere that moisture is present. Sink cabinets, basements and crawlspaces are ideal locations for mold to set up shop.
You also can’t assume that mold you see is the only colony present. Having a new colony in a hidden location increases the density of new spores in your home. Heaters, air conditioners and fans move the spore-rich air, spreading mold everywhere.

Mold Cleanup Is Not as Simple as It Looks
Removal of mold requires more than scrubbing it with soapy water. Unlike dirt that washes off, scrubbing will only release more spores into the air. Spores that get wet remain viable and become airborne when they dry. Mold remediation requires special skills, tools and materials not available to most homeowners.

Mold Requires Immediate Attention
Understand that it won’t go away on its own. It won’t get better with time. Mold infestation requires immediate attention, especially if the problem is black mold. Homeowner’s insurance generally covers the expense of repairing mold damage. A delay in reporting it may increase the cost of mold removal. In that situation, your insurance company may not cover the entire expense.

Mold and Water Problems Go Together
You can’t solve one without also addressing the other. Fix that leak under your sink. Repair the roof. Put a dehumidifier in the basement. Install an exhaust fan in the bathroom.
Eliminate spreading mold. Your best option is to bring in mold remediation specialists from the Georgetown, TX, area. They have the equipment and expertise to find and remove the mold from your home. They work well with insurance companies and have a long list of satisfied customers.

Responding to Mold in a Crisis

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth in a Georgetown, TX kitchen.

When you find a mold infestation, it’s nothing to ignore; mold should be treated as an emergency situation and removed from your home immediately. If your Georgetown, TX, home has black mold, you shouldn’t try to clean it yourself. You need help, but there are steps you can take to resolve the crisis and contain the situation in an emergency.

How To Stop the Mold From Spreading

Your first step in emergency response should be emergency containment. That means:

1. Shutting off the HVAC system. This should be your first priority. You have mold spores in the air around you at all times. Airflow causes those black mold spores to spread, and you can’t afford to let them drift to other parts of the home and establish another mold colony.

2. Shutting off the water. If you have a mold problem, it came from a moisture problem. Shut off the water to the affected area, or to the entire house if necessary, until the mold problem is resolved.

3. Sealing off the area. If possible, seal off the area. Close all vents, doors, and windows. Tape the door and window frames, or use weather stripping to seal them off. Make the infested area as airtight as possible to prevent further particulate dispersal.

4. Disposing of anything contaminated. You may want to wait on a full tear-out until an assessment by a professional, but if loose items, such as pillows, clothing, food, or books, are contaminated you should throw them out immediately.

5. Contacting a mold remediation company about mold cleanup. Mold remediation companies usually have more accurate methods for detecting the extent of black mold contamination, and can provide more effective solutions for remediation, removal, and future prevention. For safety and a more complete mold cleanup, trust certified professionals with years of experience removing mold from residential homes.

Water Damage – A Fluid Ounce of Prevention

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Keep your gutters clean.

Mold Prevention Measures

It only takes a brief period of above-average moisture to activate mold spores that are ever-present in the environment. With increasing frequency, residents of Florence, TX, are experiencing water events that far exceed what could be called “above-average.” Enacting some common sense mold prevention measures can both prevent distress and save dollars.

Don’t Let the Water In

One of the first steps to prevent mold from growing is to keep your home dry. Here are a few tips for keeping water out:

• Check all internal and external pipes and fixtures for leaks.
  
• Make sure that there is proper drainage around the house and that grates and drains are free of clogs.
  
• Determine that gutters and drainpipes are intact and are adequately diverting water away from the structure.
  
• Be sure that the slope of the land on which your house sits is not encouraging water to collect around the foundation.
  
• Control the general humidity and moisture levels inside the house to prevent mold growth.
  
  

Following these steps can make a big difference in the amount of water that gets into your home.

What To Do if Water Does Get In

If you do experience a water event in Florence, TX, the very first thing to do is to call a professional service to inspect and assess any possible damage. Some types of water damage are highly visible, while others can be hidden inside walls, ceilings, roofs, furniture and other items. Knowing the extent and specific nature of the damage will determine the course of action employed for mitigation and mold prevention.

How To Prepare for Water Removal

The full-scale removal of moisture and/or water should not be attempted by a homeowner. However, there are measures that can be taken in advance of the arrival of water removal specialists. Remove electrical appliances and mop or blot excess water from floors and wood furniture. Remove any wet upholstery, cushions and area rugs. Place a barrier, such as aluminum foil or wood blocks, between wet carpeting and furniture legs. Remove art objects and loose items.

Take measures to prevent water incursion. However, if it does occur, a quick reaction in its aftermath can be a great help with mold prevention.

Tips for Ridding Your Home of Mold Odors

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage in Florence, TX.

Mold Removal

You walk into your house in Florence, TX, and immediately a musty smell hits you. You may not know exactly where the mold growth is, but that telltale mycotoxin odor means you know it's lurking somewhere in your home. There are several steps you must take to get rid of the fungus and the stench it leaves behind.

Locate Source
The first step in eliminating musty odor is finding the mold that's causing it. If you can't see it on any exposed surfaces, there are other places you can look:

• Inside cabinets
  
• Under sinks
  
• Behind toilets
  
• In bathroom grout
  
• On food
  
  

Even after a detailed search, you may still not be able to find the mold growth in your home. If you cannot see where the odor is coming from, a mold test conducted by a certified environmental hygienist can reveal not only the affected area but the type of mold and extent of the concentration.

Clean Thoroughly
Throwing out moldy items can alleviate some of the mycotoxin smell. If you want to salvage the things that have mold or mildew on them, though, you must have them cleaned well. Thorough mold cleanup involves more than just wiping down the surfaces where you see the growth. Mold remediation experts ensure that they not only take care of the mold you can see but also mitigate the damage underneath. If there is a lingering smell, an air purifier with a HEPA filter can remove the remaining odor from the air.

Prevent Future Growth
After you have gotten rid of the mold, you don't want it to return. Use a dehumidifier to lower the amount of moisture in the air. Ceiling fans or other air circulation methods can also help maintain a drier home that is less conducive to mold growth. Once you solve the problem, you can prevent it from recurring.
If you notice a mycotoxin odor in your home, you must get rid of the mold growth that's causing it before it will dispel. Through proper cleanup and air filtration, your home can go back to smelling like it's supposed to smell.

Here to Help After The Winter Storm

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO Team Jones, we are no strangers of disaster.

The chain of events that began the week before Valentine’s Day has been a never-before-seen national disaster. The ice and snow that quickly piled up, the subzero temperatures that marched in with it, as well as the 50-60 mph winds across many states paralyzed daily life. All in all, 150 million people in 25 states, in a 2000 mile stretch from southern Texas to northern Maine were affected. Over 5 million people were without power, along with hundreds of thousands without water, sewer and natural gas including many of our own teammates.

At SERVPRO Team Jones, we are no strangers of disaster and over the last 15 years our Large Loss Disaster Recovery Team has traveled coast to coast helping those in need. This time around, it was OUR backyard and OUR neighbors who needed the help. With over 30,000 calls in the last two weeks for disaster cleanup, SERVPRO has hundreds of crews from across the country that are leaving their home states to help. Many of these men and women spent months away from their families and friends recently helping our friends on the Gulf Coast.

While the heavy snow and ice did delay many of these crews from being able to hit the road, as well as most trucking services ceasing operations, reinforcements are still coming in daily to help. As neighbors, we’d like to ask for your patience and understanding as our disaster recovery crews are working 7 days a week to put our community back together one building and one family at a time. Many of these crews are working 14-16 hours a day but their relentless servant hearts won’t let them give up on you.

We’re human- we’re going to make mistakes, we’re going to drop the ball sometimes and in a disaster this widespread we won’t be able to make it to every single loss as quickly as we want to. We will keep trying, we will keep working, we will keep drying, disinfecting, cleaning and restoring. It is what we do – it’s how we’re made – it’s what makes us tick.

If you happen to see one of those bright green SERVPRO trucks from here or from out of town– give them a wave. These real-life heroes are trying their best for you. A little smile or a wave is great encouragement to all those that left their friends and families behind to answer your calls for help. Thank you for understanding, thank you for trusting in us and thank you for believing in us.

Vendor Standards Ensure Quality, Professionalism

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Our technicians undergo extensive restoration training and certification through an IICRC-approved school.

As an insurance agent, you want to deliver the best service possible for clients. When extensive damage in a commercial property in Serenada, TX, means needing the help of a fire, water and mold restoration company, you and your client deserve high-quality professionalism. When a company has an established vendor program, it provides peace of mind that the claims and restoration process will be done right.

High Standards

As a provider with more than 1,700 franchises in the United States and Canada, SERVPRO is dedicated to only having professionals that are thoroughly trained and certified. Every franchise employee completes certification courses, including:

• Crew training
  
• Fire restoration
  
• Water restoration
  
• Cleaning upholstery and carpet
  
  

To become a new franchisee, the owner must complete a 15-day program at corporate. It is designed to cover all types of restoration, as well as mold mitigation. Ongoing training includes e-courses and IICRC-specific training. There are also opportunities for insurance professionals to partake in credit or noncredit courses related to the restoration industry.
Franchises that wish to become part of the national accounts must adhere to 21 guidelines and complete annual compliance checks. These guidelines include a background check on every technician and all insurance requirements are up to date. For an insurance agent, that means confidence that all the people doing the work can be trusted and all industry standards will be met.

Easing the Claim Process
Along with high standards for the job being done, all the work behind the scenes is imperative to a smooth claim. An online claims center provides up-to-date information vital for success. It includes a complete job file, estimate details, associated paperwork, pending and completed jobs, performance data, and much more.
The role of an insurance agent requires delicately balancing the client’s needs and minimizing costs. Counting on a professional who adheres to the highest standards helps make every step of the process easier.

How To Salvage Mold-Damaged Belongings: 3 Steps

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can grow quickly and affect your personal belongings

Mold Cleaning Steps You Can Take

When your Serenada, TX, home is damaged by flooding, you may have more to deal with than standing water. The formation of mold can begin quickly after flooding and in some cases takes only 24 hours. Furniture, clothing, books and other belongings can all be affected by fungi, but there are a few mold cleaning steps you can take until your cleaning crew arrives.

1. Salvage What You Can
Setting aside affected items can help your cleaning crew gauge which can be saved and which items must be discarded. Wear gloves during the salvage process and put damaged items in airtight bags to prevent the spread of spores. Documents, books and some toys may be salvageable depending on the extent of mold damage present. If there is a great deal of visible mold in the area, it is wise to wait for your professional cleanup crew to arrive so you avoid stirring up and spreading mold spores.

2. Work With Your Mold Technicians
Your remediation and cleanup crew can help you decide which items are worth restoring and which are not. Many porous items may have absorbed mold toxins and may have to be thrown away. To help you make faster choices, consider the overall value of the item and whether it has sentimental value. Some mold cleaning techniques can even restore fragile items, so working closely with your restoration team may help you salvage them.

3. Accept Losses
While your mold remediation team can help you salvage many items affected by mold, you may experience the loss of some personal belongings. This can be difficult to accept; however, when your restoration team advises you about items that are too badly damaged to restore, the technicians will likely do so to protect you and your family as they work to remove mold from your home.
When water damage strikes your Serenada, TX, home, mold can grow quickly and affect your personal belongings. Working with a restoration and mold cleaning team can help you recover your most beloved possessions and what processes might be used during their cleaning and restoration.