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Because SERVPRO

8/8/2023 (Permalink)

"SERVPRO" is a franchise company that specializes in disaster restoration and cleaning services. The name "SERVPRO" stands for "ServiceMaster Professionals." The company was founded in 1967 in Sacramento, California, and has since grown to become one of the largest and most recognizable restoration and cleaning service providers in the United States and Canada.

SERVPRO offers a wide range of services, including water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, storm damage restoration, cleaning services, and more. They are often called upon to help homeowners and businesses recover after emergencies such as floods, fires, storms, and other disasters.

There are several reasons why individuals and businesses might choose SERVPRO for their restoration and cleaning needs:

  1. Expertise: SERVPRO franchises are staffed by trained professionals who are skilled in handling various types of restoration and cleaning tasks. They have the knowledge and experience to address a wide range of situations.

  2. Fast Response: SERVPRO is known for its quick response times. When disaster strikes, immediate action is often necessary to minimize damage, and SERVPRO aims to be on-site as soon as possible.

  3. Resources and Equipment: SERVPRO franchises have access to specialized equipment and technology that can aid in the restoration process. This includes equipment for water extraction, drying, dehumidification, and more.

  4. Insurance Coordination: Dealing with insurance companies can be complex after a disaster. SERVPRO franchises often assist clients in navigating the insurance claims process, making it more streamlined and less stressful.

  5. Customized Solutions: Every disaster is unique, and SERVPRO franchises tailor their services to the specific needs of each situation. This personalized approach helps ensure that the restoration process is efficient and effective.

  6. Trusted Brand: SERVPRO has built a strong reputation over the years for providing reliable and professional restoration and cleaning services. This reputation can provide peace of mind to clients during stressful times.

  7. Franchise Network: With over 1,800 individually owned and operated franchises across North America, SERVPRO has a widespread network that allows them to respond to disasters in various locations.

  

TO DO's In the event of an WATER EMERGENCY!

8/7/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage is the most common natural disaster in the United States, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It can cause property damage and loss of personal belongings, health concerns for those exposed to the water and mold growth, and even death.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where your home or business has been damaged by flooding or leaks, here’s what you need to know:

Do not use electrical appliances or electronics until they have been checked by a professional.

Call 911 if there are injuries or signs of illness such as dizziness, nausea or headaches.

Shut off all electricity at the main breaker before cleaning up any spills. If you cannot find the main breaker box right away, turn off power at every electrical outlet until you locate it.

Move furniture and other items that might be damaged by standing water into dry areas of your home or business as soon as possible. Do not use these items until they have been cleaned and dried thoroughly.

If you can not find the SOURCE of the leak be sure to call your local plumber immediately.  They should be able to detect and stop the source of the leak.

Finally, do NOT PANIC. These emergencies in the home are very common and can be mitigated very quickly.  You can count on a professional restoration company like SERVPRO to make it like it never even happened!

Get Professional Water Damage Repair in San Jose

5/29/2023 (Permalink)

water covering the tile floor of a kitchen Regardless of how the water entered your home, team SERVPRO is equipped to remove it. Contact our technicians to assess and start the remediation.

Water Damage Repair in San Jose by SERVPRO

San Jose is the third largest city in California, located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley. The city is known for iconic attractions, like Winchester Mystery House, the San Jose Museum of Art, and the Tech Museum of Innovation. The city is also an education hub and home to education institutes like Santa Clara University and San Jose State University. 

Regarding water damage repair, San Jose residents trust SERVPRO for the expertise and experience their techs bring. Our IICRC-certified techs can handle any water damage incident in your home, whether due to burst pipes, ceiling leaks, or plumbing problems. 

Deodorizing During Water Damage Restoration 

While the most common reason for water damage in San Jose is plumbing issues, HVAC leaks, and appliance malfunctions, Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek experience flash floods. The city faced one of the worst flooding incidents in 2018, resulting in over 14,000 residents being evacuated from their homes. 

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo were one of the hardest-hit areas during the flooding, with water rising to five feet in some areas. The San Jose State University campus was also affected by the flooding, with water entering several buildings and causing damage to classrooms and offices.

SERVPRO techs are always prepared to help residents of this metropolis with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Our techs prepare meticulous mitigation plans to restore your home “Like it never even happened.” Odor control is one of the biggest challenges during water damage repair. The odor can linger even after drying the property if not addressed promptly. 

SERVPRO techs use several types of equipment to deodorize your property during restoration. Some of the equipment we use include-

  • Air scrubbers
  • Ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers
  • Hydroxyl generators 
  • Ozone generators

Call SERVPRO of NE San Jose at (408) 834-7663 for round-the-clock help regarding water damage issues.

Expert Restoration Services After Fire Damage in San Jose

5/21/2023 (Permalink)

a fire damaged hallway with soot covering the walls and ceiling Dealing with fire damage is a task best left to the professionals. Call SERVPRO 24/7 for certified technicians to help remediate your home.

SERVPRO Provides 24/7 Fire Cleanup Assistance

San Jose City is the largest in area and population in all of Northern California. Whether you are planning a visit to the region or living and working here, this region is visually stunning and rich in history. As your local water and fire damage restoration provider, SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians take immense pride in the local community. We offer rapid response and trusted results for any repair and restoration project we get called to, ensuring commercial and residential customers get back on track.

In addition to counting on SERVPRO for fire damage restoration in San Jose, you will find many other fantastic businesses, retail locations, and eateries to enjoy. Whether you are planning a night out with friends or want to grab lunch in the middle of your workday, there is never a shortage of memorable things to see and do.

Local eats and sightseeing opportunities abound.

Families, single travelers, and couples spending time in the city have plenty of unique options to choose from, such as:

  • Santana Row: A true gem of the city, Santana Row is a chic shopping development in the downtown area. Not only is there a movie theater and countless eateries, but you will also have your pick of designer shops like Gucci and Kate Spade. Once the sun goes down, this shopping district turns into an urban nightlife hub.
  • Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum: Whether you are looking for a great learning opportunity for kids or you are an ancient history buff, this is an excellent choice. The museum is home to the most extensive Egyptian collection along the West Coast, with over 4,000 artifacts to explore. There is also an onsite planetarium that screens three unique space films.
  • The Tech Interactive: Since San Jose is the hub of Silicon Valley, this is an excellent facility in the downtown area that involves hands-on learning exhibits involving clean energy, biotechnology, space exploration, and more. 

Have you had a recent fire at your San Jose property? For prompt, reliable fire damage cleanup and restoration, you can count on SERVPRO of NE San Jose. Call us at (408) 834-7663 or request assistance online.

Changes That Occur in Your San Jose Building with Mold Damage

4/24/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO box truck San Jose customers feel relieved when they see the SERVPRO truck in their driveway to help with their mold remediation.

SERVPRO Intervenes to Limit Mold Damage in San Jose Homes

You should avoid dismissing any mold signs at your property, such as mild surface browning or dark spots. If left to advance, mold damage can have severe implications for your building, necessitating expensive repairs. Appropriate interventions can preserve your San Jose property and save you unnecessary inconvenience.

The changes mold damage triggers in San Jose properties develop gradually. Most contaminants also start out of sight, in wall cavities, subfloors, or behind fixtures such as bathtubs, thus significantly growing before you notice alarming signs. You can call SERVPRO to help you probe any slight changes before severe problems develop.

Severe implications of mold damage 

  • Poor indoor air quality
  • Decaying structural supports
  • Irreversible contamination of porous materials 

Mold affects air quality in two distinct ways - its mycotoxins release volatile organic compounds that fill the air with a musty smell. On the other hand, its colonies break down and dissipate into the air as ultra-fine debris, increasing the concentration of particulate matter. Addressing both aspects when handling mold damage is essential to improve indoor air quality. SERVPRO crews take steps to halt the microbial growth that builds up colonies and also clean surfaces safely to limit the residues released into the air.

Other Forms of Deterioration

The mold fungus feeds on organic matter, which is plentiful in most structural elements, such as wooden frames and drywall panels. As the colonies form on the surfaces, their root-like hyphae penetrate the materials, extracting nutrients deep within. Given sufficient time, the process triggers or accelerates decay in the materials, leaving them structurally unstable. 

In porous materials such as drywall or insulation, mold colonization quickly spreads, leading to irreversible contamination requiring demolition and replacement.

Other problematic changes

  • Flaking on painted surfaces 
  • Staining and other surface discoloration
  • Mold development under wallpaper

SERVPRO of NE San Jose can help thoroughly investigate mold problems at your property, determining viable solutions to remediate the contamination. Call us at (408) 834-7663.

Setting Drying Goals for San Jose Water Damage

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO hat on a ladder in front of water damage equipment We have state-of-the-art equipment necessary to dry water damage in your San Jose home. Call us right away to prevent further damage.

SERVPRO's Efficient Water Removal Mitigates Damage in San Jose

With more than a million residents in San Jose alone, water emergencies happen every day. We are a growing team of restoration professionals certified in water restoration and applied structural drying through the IICRC. We are equipped to help mitigate loss through direct action when disasters strike.

  •   Limiting the spread of water
  •   Eliminating surface water concerns
  •   Protecting wet contents
  •   Reducing structural damage

We understand that an urgent response to San Jose water damage can make a difference. Getting mitigation actions started rapidly can ensure that restoration takes less time and ultimately costs the customer less. We keep trailers and production vehicles stocked with extractors, drying equipment, and cleaning products to get mitigative actions started at the first notice of loss.

Thorough Water Damage Estimations

Before much of the restoration work can begin in the household, we must determine the scope of the recovery necessary. Our production manager can meet with the customer to decide on their specific priorities for cleanup and the pre-existing conditions and evaluate the state of contents and personal belongings. Early assessments can provide a detailed plan of restoration to come.

Water Removal Services

Extraction is the approach to resolve pooling on the house floors and reduce the saturation into semi-porous flooring like hardwoods or highly permeable installations like carpeting and padding. Water removal services incorporate several types of extraction units like:

  • Submersible Pumps – These machines are best for eliminating standing water damage more significant than a few inches in depth. Electrical and gas-powered units are available, each providing powerful discharging of standing water outside the property.
  • Wet Vacuums – If pumps are needed, wet vacuums will likely be. These manage smaller depths of water that are insufficient to maintain prime on submersible units. They are portable, making them ideal for multi-story structures common in the city.
  • Specialty Extractors – Units like weighted extractors force trapped moisture out of carpeted floors to prevent unnecessary tear-out.

Surface Drying Goals

Drying water damage involves an extensive assortment of tools and equipment. The process involves a carefully crafted temperature, airflow, and humidity balance to achieve optimal evaporation and moisture removal. Continually monitoring the progress of individual elements allows the team to change conditions like the frequency and placement of air movers to ensure continued high production.

Reducing Humidity Concerns

Moisture content in the environment can slow the drying process. If the air saturation becomes high enough, the drying could stall entirely. We implement several strategies, mostly with powerful dehumidification units, to help humidity below the desired saturation threshold. Processes that help include:

  • Condensation – Low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers pull moist air across cold coils in the machine, causing condensation that can be collected and removed.
  • Absorption – Blowers force moist air through a desiccant dehumidifier and a wheel lined with airways and silica gel inside absorbs the moisture and exhausts dry air. 
  • Ventilation – Proper ventilation can also help remove and regulate moisture content by venting damp air outside.

Returning Contents After Restoration

Protecting the contents of your home is a vital element of mitigation, but the same care and consideration must go into returning these items where they belong in the house. We do a final inspection of each room's contents for damage before moving them back to their original positions based on our photographic record and customer input.

San Jose water damage happens every day, so our SERVPRO of NE San Jose team must stay prepared for emergency service calls to help. Our talented roster keeps the Green Fleet of vehicles and equipment ready to mobilize 24/7. Call us when disasters strike at (408) 834-7663.

The Main Obstacles of Fast San Jose Fire Damage Restoration

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

Back of a SERVPRO van by wooden boxes holding contents If you are unsure how to restore your home following a house fire, contact SERVPRO in San Jose.

Restoring Fire Damage Involves Several Steps

In a city of more than a million residents, fires happen at all hours of the day and night. Much like first responders reaching the scene to begin extinguishing the blaze, the faster you or your insurance provider can reach out to our experienced team, the better prepared we are to enter the property. In many cases, we have teams ready to mobilize before the fire is entirely out to transition to restoration and mitigation when it is safe to do so.

San Jose fire damage happens in several ways, from electrical overloads to grease fires, so the responders have to be experienced and knowledgeable about the best and most efficient cleanup approaches. With talented and accredited FSRT-Certified technicians on our roster, we have a division of employees who are cross-trained in other related fields like odor control and water restoration – ready to help.

The Insurance Red Tape

Working with the insurance company is never an easy feat, especially when acting as the mediator between restoration services and their specific demands to get a damage claim approved. Our SERVPRO team works directly with many of the Bay Area’s top insurance companies and has become a preferred vendor. We know that adjusters are looking for specific information in the early stages of claims:

  • Estimations
  • Detailed Work Plans
  • Calculated Timelines
  • Content Claim Inventory Services

Working Fast to Protect Your Home

Once we have the clearance to get started in your home, we can prioritize the helpful mitigation services we offer to limit post-fire effects. Mitigation is a process suitable for nearly all our restoration professionals on the scene, as several actions simultaneously protect the property and its contents from irreparable harm. Some actions include:

  • Clearing Contents
  • Removing Debris
  • Controlled Demolition
  • Air Filtration

Assessing Soot Damage Concerns

Soot is among the more challenging obstacles for our fire damage restoration professionals and should be addressed as soon as possible. The longer that soot particles rest on sensitive surfaces, the more likely they are to cause irreparable harm. Several practices lift and remove these stubborn soils like solvents and detergents. We pre-test and find the best product for the job to limit structural damage.

The Truth About Smoke Malodors 

Combustion also creates strong odors that spread through the household and impact materials and occupants. While one of the final restoration objectives, malodors must be resolved entirely to put customers at ease. This battle occurs on three different fronts:

  • Open-Air Odors – This references the overall smoke odor throughout the structure, which can often be mostly resolved with ozone machines or hydroxyl generators.
  • Trapped Malodors – Trapped odors occur when the heat of a fire widens the pores of building materials, so infiltrating smoke molecules become trapped when the pores shrink again. Foggers are ideal for this challenge, as they turn liquid deodorizer into a vapor that can penetrate these pores. 
  • Imaginary Smells – Imaginary smells are what customers believe they are experiencing, even if they are not there. The sight of fire damage can bring these to fruition, and we must treat this condition with deodorants and masking products. 

Trusted Full-Service Contractors 

Fire damage repairs are more common than you might think. SERVPRO helps save time and money for the customer without compromising installation quality with our general contractor license. Our experience allows us to complete several build-back services your residence might require after a fire.

San Jose fire damage is stressful and destructive in many cases. Let our SERVPRO of NE San Jose team help you through the cleanup by calling (408) 834-7663.

SERVPRO Addresses San Jose Commercial Water Cleanup Challenges

4/2/2023 (Permalink)

a water damaged floor with bowed wood When water damage affects the floors in your commercial space, the situation demands quick attention. Contact SERVPRO right away.

San Jose Hardwood Floor Commercial Water Removal

When water intrudes inside your business, damage to hardwood floors can be of particular concern. Beautifully polished and maintained flooring sets a tone of elegance and success for your company. Destruction of a structural component that everyone immediately notices when visiting your premises creates the impression that your brand, products, and management are subpar. Warping and buckling from flooding present significant hazards for your customers and employees, creating safety and liability issues.

Can Hardwood Floors Survive a Soaking?

Fortunately, SERVPRO offers options for commercial water cleanup in San Jose that can restore even substantially saturated hardwood floors. Avoiding the disruption and expense of tearing out and replacing multiple layers of materials gets your business back on track faster. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technicians have the knowledge and skills to remove water from all affected structural components using:

  • Brooms, squeegees, and wanded extractors to cleanup standing water
  • Negative air pressure floor mats systems to suction out fluids previously drained through joints and crevices into subflooring 
  • Strategic removal or elevation of sections of floorboards so that warm air directed underneath can reach to dry wet areas

How Does Water Distort Hardwood Flooring?

The finished topside of a hardwood floor can shed liquids. The materials swell when fluids drain into the plywood layers underlying most floors. The sides and bottoms of the finished strips or planks are also absorbent. Water cleanup is essential to minimize cupping (where the bottom of strips are wet), crowning (where the edges of strips are wet), or buckling (where the wood is so swollen with extra moisture that it pulls away from the subfloor, loosening fasteners). Controlled drying of the commercial subfloors and top decorative strips or planks planned and implemented by SERVPRO experts ensures minimal distortion of the materials.

The water cleanup specialists at SERVPRO of NE San Jose have advanced training in water cleanup, removal, and drying, including when hardwood floors are at risk. Call (408) 834-7663 to schedule an evaluation of your commercial water damage.

San Jose Residents Often Suffer Storm-Related Water Damage

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

certified servro cleaned emblem Contaminated stormwater removal by SERVPRO helps restore your storm damaged San Jose property.

SERVPRO Helps Fix Water Damage in San Jose

Dealing with storm-related damage is something many San Jose homeowners have to do at one time or another. Although such problems brought on by severe weather typically affect local residents in the spring and winter months, they can surprise them at almost any time. When your home is affected by a storm, it could be impacted in several ways and require professional attention.

For decades, San Jose water damage repair firm SERVPRO has routinely cleaned up and restored weather-devastated homes. As a highly experienced biohazard remediation company, we have expertly handled everything from basic water removal services and water damage repairs to extensive sewage cleanup and flood restoration projects. Over their numerous years of experience, our technicians have:

  • Thoroughly inspected impacted residences, locating ceiling leaks, drippy windows, cracks or other foundation-compromising issues, drainage problems, and all forms of water damage
  • Rapidly extracted toxic floodwaters from basements and other inundated areas, dried various types of interiors with cutting-edge equipment, etc.
  • Skillfully cleaned up sewage, responsibly disposed of hazardous wastes, and cleaned fouled surfaces with commercial-grade disinfectants
  • Used powerful antifungals to help prevent materials from developing dry rot or mold growths
  • Employed strong deodorants to combat pungent, flood-associated odors from persisting
  • Protected damaged homes with tarping and fencing, repaired or replaced roofing, fixed various kinds of leaks, demolished irreparable parts of structures, and helped rebuild destroyed rooms of residences

As you can see, SERVPRO has effectively dealt with a wide variety of storm damage. As a result, we have gained the reputation of being one of this region’s best remediation services.

Keeping all of this in mind, remember that high-quality water damage repair help is available nearby. Your dedicated, helpful friends at SERVPRO of NE San Jose are ready to assist you whenever you need it. Call us any time of the night or day at (408) 834-7663.

Expert Fire Restoration in San Jose

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

techs posing with owner in drivers seat of box truck This group of SERVPRO technicians provide superior fire damage restoration service for San Jose

San Jose SERVPRO Technicians Can Restore your Home

Unattended kitchen stoves, candles, and open fireplaces can all be causes of a housefire. Most typical fires caused at the home lead to minimal damage. However, the cosmetic aspects of the home, such as the decor and indoor air quality, can all be seriously affected by smoke. Smoke is released when materials combust. Hot air rises, which can lead to the most significant smoke residues appearing directly above the source of the fire. However, it is not uncommon for smoke residues to be found in hallways or staircases adjacent to the affected area. SERVPRO can help rid your home of:

  • Fire odor
  • Fire debris
  • Smoke residues

Planning fire damage restoration in San Jose

Communication and planning are vital to get direct information about the property and the types of damage. Different materials respond differently to cleaning actions and equipment. Equally, fires can vary significantly from property to property, with factors such as the type of materials combusting, the length of the fire, and the temperature all being important considerations ahead of a restoration project. Our technicians have experience working with local homes. Still, crucially, we also perform a pre-test at each home we work at to ensure we tailor our approach to any unique requirements presented by the restoration project.

  • Pre-testing includes using cleaning agents on discrete parts of damaged surfaces to assess their effectiveness and whether there are any adverse reactions.
  • Using these tests on fabrics helps us avoid dye-bleeding, shrinking, or watermarking problems.
  • Our technicians are experienced in the proper application, dilution, and rest time of solvents used to get rid of smoke residues and soiling.

For a tailored approach to restoration, contact SERVPRO of NE San Jose for fire restoration at (408) 834-7663.