Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

Well it looks like the holiday season is finally here in all its shopping and celebratory glory. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many of you are getting ready by putting up decorations, sending out invites and preparing the menu. One of the biggest things to get ready for Thanksgiving is of course the turkey. Whether you are roasting, baking, or even deep frying that bird this year be sure that you are doing it safely. Here are a few tips and pieces of advice for you on how you can stay safe from fire damage this holiday season and have a great time!

1. Ensure all smoke detectors have fresh batteries.

2. Start any holiday cooking with a clean stove top or oven to minimize the risk of fire.

3. Place towels and fabrics far from fire source.

4. If you are using candles for decorations, be sure they are at a safe distance from fabrics or other heat sensitive materials.

5. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen if you are cooking. (Maybe even those clumsy adults)

6. If possible, be sure to have a fire extinguisher no farther than 10 feet from the kitchen. 

The holidays are a great time to surround yourself with the people you love to celebrate the closing of the year and everything that it has brought. Don't let a fire disaster interrupt this time with your family and friends. Follow these tips and be sure to have a blessed holiday season this year.

For any emergency services contact our team 24/7 (we will be open Thanksgiving Day) at 1-800-439-8833.

Risks of Rainwater Damage

Fall bring with it a fresh new season with a wide variety of changes. Fall colors can be some of the best of any season. For the Bay Area however, it also marks a point where the rains slowly creep their way back into our lives. Having been in the Bay Area for over 33 years we at ServiceMaster Restoration & Recovery Services have learned that the weather does in fact impact our business as well as the lives of our clients. In most cases rain damage can be minimum, but in other cases it can causes larger amounts of damage to a person's home or business. In this posting you will find a few of the damages that can be caused by rainwater and also learn about some preventative measures you can put into place.

Some of the most common rainwater damages are:

1. Splash-up Damage to wood sidings

2. Water damage to roofs caused by puddling

3. Broken drain pipes caused by gutter blockage

4. Broken seals in window panes

5. Leaks into the interior of the house (mostly attics and other storage areas with poor insulation)

Of course there are many other risks that are not listed above that can affect a home or property. We have listed below a good resource for you to follow if you would like more information on how you can better protect your home again rainwater damage. 

As the rains and rain season approach, our team is standing by 24/7 to assist any clients who need emergency water damage mitigation services. To schedule our technicians simply call us at 1-800-439-8833 as soon as possible. Remember, QUICK RESPONSE = LOWER COST! 

http://inspectapedia.com/BestPractices/Siding_Splashback.htm

Preventing Water Damage: Rain Gutters

There are many areas of your home that can be affected by a winter rain or storm. One of the most common areas is that of your roof. Rain can gather and cause puddles that can increase the chances to water damage to your roof. This can lead itself to creating a large problem when it could have simply been prevented.

One of the most common reasons flooding and puddling occurs on a roof is due to poor gutter maintenance. A gutter gets very little attention from most homeowners and can be taken for granted many times. However, these simple fixtures provide protection and prevent disaster from occurring to your home every time it rains. The best way to ensure these fixtures perform their duties well is to inspect and maintain them on a regular basis. Here are a few quick tips on rain gutter maintenance to help prevent water damage and rain damage to your home:


1. Clean your gutters at least twice a year.

2. Check for any corrosion or holes

3. Ensure there are no leaks and that the drain runs straight (clear out the downspout for any blockage)

4. Lightly rinse through drain system with a garden hose to ensure clear flow of water

*For emergency response services related to roof damage or water damage contact our team at 1-800-439-8833. Technicians are standing by 24/7

Black Mold- Facts and Prevention

As we have spoken about mold in previous postings, there are a wide range of mold types caused by various conditions. Though there are similarities in the conditions that cause this mold, they are unique in their impact to each home and home owner. Through the various types of mold it is generally the case that "black mold" has the largest impact. The mold itself can be remediated and removed but it is also important to understand what causes the black mold and how it can impact your home.

1. What causes black mold?

Black mold is caused by the same conditions that cause many other kinds of mold. The cause is granted to moisture presence caused by leaks or drips on damp and cold places. Black mold spores can enter a home through open doorways, windows or screens. Once they have entered a home, if they are able to fall in an area affected with moisture, they will in fact be able to grow and reproduce. Black mold feeds on organic materials found in a home's building structure such as wood, paper and other organic products.

2. The impact of black mold:

Many people say that black mold has an effect on a person’s health, impacting their respitory system. This is true in most circumstances but can range quite a bit in its impact to each individual person. Some may be more sensitive to the presence of mold and can develop respitory problems with extended exposure to mold impacted areas. In addition to its health impact, black mold also negatively impacts the integrity of a home’s structural strength. Just is the case with other types of mold, black mold will eat away at the organic materials comprising of a home’s structure, such as its beams, floors and inner materials. Over time this can present a large risk to a home!

3. How do you remove black mold?

This answer is simple; have a PROFESSIONAL remove the mold growth. It is the case that we are called into many situations where a home owner has tried to remove a mold infestation on their own, only to have caused a larger problem. The best way to ensure a living environment safe from mold is to have a professional (such as us!) remove the growth the right way and provide all the appropriate readings to ensure that safe environment. In some cases your home insurance policy may even cover the cost of removal (consultant your insurance agent for more information).

For any black mold removal and remediation services contact us at 1-800-439-8833 or visit our website at
 http://svmrecovery.com/

Fall Home Safety Tips

Fall is officially here. It marks the shift in the summer season to becoming a bit colder outside. As fall takes us into winter, its important to make sure your home is prepared for the next season. Here are some basic and simple tips you can follow to make sure you have your home and property better prepared.

1. For any indoor flames (fireplaces, candles, etc.) make sure flammable materials are kept at a safe distance.
2. Beware Ladders: Fall is a great time to clean out your gutters and make sure there are no impediments in your gutter system. Use proper safety precautions when using ladders.
3. Make sure all exterior lights are functioning and light bulbs have been changed.
4. For proper fire safety, check all fire alarms in your home and make sure they are functioning properly and have fresh batteries.
5. Check walls for leaks and cracks: as the winter rains approach, limit your water damage risk by making sure you have proper run off systems for your home.

There are plenty of other tips you can follow to ensure the safety of your home. The best way to protect your property is to make sure you have taken the right precautionary steps. For any additional advice and safety tips visit our website at http://svmrecovery.com/advice/

How to Find Mold in Your Home

Mold can be present in various areas in a home and can affect people in many different ways. Some people are lightly impacted by the presence of mold in a home, and others are impacted heavily. Those that are impacted heavily by mold can have allergies, and respitory reactions to mold presence in a home. Generally speaking if some is feeling better when they are out of their home, rather than when they are at home, it’s a good sign that there could be something wrong. So to beg the question, if there is mold, how do you find it?

Always start by inspection the areas of your home that have water supply present. This includes the kitchen, bathrooms and sometimes garages. If there is an odor or constant damp feel it is a good indication that it is an environment where mold spores can form and grow. In these rooms it is always good to check for any cracks and actually see if there is any smell close to these cracks. If there is a smell, there could be mold located inside the walls (typically generated from a water leak or cracked pipe inside the walls). Another way mold presence can be determined in a home is by looking for any leaks or moisture build up in the home. If there are any water streaks present there is a good chance that mold has had a chance to develop over time.

Now most people want to perform the mold removal themselves by either using bleach or some other product to remove the mold. However, there is little effectiveness in this method, usually found by the growth of mold in areas that were already affected. The best way to eliminate mold is to begin by eliminating the presence of moisture and humidity. The second is to have a professional look at the problem and recommend solutions.

For any emergency mold removal or remediation services contact us at 1-800-439-8833. For tips on how to respond to mold in your home visit our website at http://svmrecovery.com/

Hazards During Water Damage

In many water damage situations it is critical to have immediate response. But before doing so, it is always important to address the current risks involved with the active damage. In order to do so, it is always important for home owners to follow safety precautions before entering an affected area. There are a few things home owners can do to make sure they are not at risk when entering a home that has succumbed to water damage or one that is going through the mitigation process.

1. Beware of slip and fall areas
    - Since water has now impacted floors and various other areas of the house, beware of conditions that have changed
    - If you have tile floors in your kitchen or bathroom, place towels or old fabric down to limit the risk of slipping
    - Wear shoes (not sandals) with grip to make sure you have proper traction when walking through the home.

2. Beware of electrical risks
    - The highest risk for home owners in the event of a water loss is the risk posed by live electricity still present in the house.
    - ALWAYS turn off the electricity to the house when it is SAFE to do so.
    - If the electricity is off, wear gloves and unplug appliances and remove cords that may be on the floor or close to water affected areas.
    - For best safety practices refer to a restoration or electrical professional

3. Other risks
    - In addition to the first two situations, there are many times we are called into multilevel properties. Beware of debris fall that can be caused due to a loss from a higher level floor.
    - Check walls in lower floors for any signs of water leaks and runs.


These are just a few of the steps that can be followed by any home owner or property owner to help ensure their safety in the event of a water loss situation. It is always best to contact your insurance provider and to seek out a professional for emergency water damage response services. Remember to keeps children and pets in safe distance of the affected areas and document as much of what you can to better inform your insurer and restoration professional.

For emergency water damage services we are available at 1-800-439-8833. Our technicians are standing by 24/7 and that even includes holidays. Call us for your emergency water damage restoration needs. Serving the San Francisco/Bay Area for over 33 years.