Water in your basement can cause damage to your walls and flooring, as well as carpets and furniture, and can harm priceless objects like photo albums, antiques, and family treasures frequently used for storage.
Water damage can be expensive to repair, whether from a plumbing leak, a roof leak, or a flooded basement. Taking the proper preparations now will save you money, time, and problems later on, and it may even help you avoid massive, unforeseeable natural disasters. Here are a few home modifications that will reduce the likelihood of water damage:
Add or update drainage
Use gutters and downspouts to ensure water is diverted away from your home and its foundation. The easiest solutions to overflowing gutters are either adding another downspout on that run of gutter or increasing the size of the downspout.
Install a sump pump
Try this addition if water damage has been a severe problem in your home's lower level. Choose a cast-iron sump pump, which may last longer, and consider buying a battery-powered backup pump if the power goes out.
Seal Your Basement
This is a very logical step, but one many homeowners fail to keep up with year after year. Sealing openings to your basement means keeping weatherstripping around doors in good condition and making sure windows are caulked.
Install a water leak detection system
An automatic water shut-off valve is a water leak detection system that will shut off the water supply to the home when it detects water on the floor or an irregular flow in the pipe.
Check Your Landscaping
Although plants absorb water from the soil, they can also cause water intrusion in your basement. If they're too close to the foundation, roots may penetrate, resulting in cracks or bowing walls that allow water in. Overgrown shrubs may also restrict once-proper drainage and allow water to pool too close to your home.
Clean the Gutters
Clean the gutters on your roof to ensure that they don't overflow during a rainstorm. The downspouts carry the water away from your home, and if they aren't clear of debris, the water might flow into your home's basement.
Check Your Foundation for Cracks
Check your home's foundation from the inside and outside for any cracks. If you notice small cracks, use caulk to seal them. If the cracks are extensive, you will need the help of a professional to fix them before they cause damage to your basement.
Our SERVPRO team of NE Albuquerque are Professionals in water damage restoration. We are your best option to efficiently and thoroughly inspect your home of standing water and get it cleaned up quickly. Several potential problems could arise from waiting to address standing water in your house.
Give us a call today to help avoid these concerns as much as possible. We are 24/7 Emergency Response at 505-828-3567
Windows leaking is particularly common, and they also make it difficult for homeowners to determine what the problem may be. However, there are many factors to consider when analyzing the cause of a window leak, so before repair can take place, a diagnosis is necessary.
Main reasons that windows leak and what you can do about them.
Water on the Windows When There's No Rain
Water droplets that form on the inside of the glass that doesn't correspond to the outdoor weather are a sign of condensation. It can be easily remedied by adjusting your home's humidity with central air conditioning or a dehumidifier. By lowering the moisture levels in the air, you can reduce the amount of condensation that forms on the window. Excess condensation can lead to mold growth over time.
Water is coming in around the window.
Often, these leaks happen because the caulk or sealant around the window has gotten old and cracked, allowing rain to enter the house. The fix for this situation is simple – peel out the old caulking and replace it with new window caulking.
The window leaking Around the Top of Your Window
Leaks at the top of the window can signify mistakes made during installation. For instance, the flashing might be improperly installed, or it might be missing altogether. However, if the house wrap isn't correctly installed, that could cause the window to leak, too.
The window is leaking at the bottom.
If the windows have metal or vinyl frames, they have drain holes near the bottom edge of the frame. These holes are designed to allow the water to escape the frame, but they can become clogged. Clean out the jams.
All windows should have a sill pan that allows water to drain to the house's exterior, and the sill needs to slope away from the window. If either is missing or wrong, you may need to reinstall the window to correct the problem.
Water is leaking between the panes of a double-paned window.
The glass seal has deteriorated, and rain is working between the panes. However, that gas that's supposed to be between the panes to provide an insulating factor is gone. Installing new windows will increase the home's energy efficiency.
For any water damage in your home or commercial property, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque's highly trained technicians are ready to help you out 24/7. We'll restore the water damage and make it look "Like it never even happened." Call us today at 505-828-3567
Commercial Cleaning for your Business in New Mexico
COMMERCIAL CLEANING FOR YOUR BUSINESS IN NEW MEXICO
Most people do not have time to care about the daily wear and tear that contaminates their office or commercial establishment. However, when your typical housekeeping crew can't handle the dirt, odor, or moisture problems, call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque for prompt assistance. Call us today at 505-828-3567
Whether removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on us to make your place of business look it's very best.
Our services
Carpet and Upholstery
Carpets act as a filter trapping dust, dirt, gases, animal hair, and other soils. Carpet and upholstery tend to show soiling over time.
Ceilings, Walls, and Hard Floors
Dirt and dust, pet dander, cooking oils and grease, cigarette smoke, and other contaminants may be present on your business's ceilings, walls, and hardwood floors. These toxins can be spread throughout your home by your heating and cooling system. Soils tend to collect on these materials over time, and specialized cleaning will be required to eliminate this buildup.
Professional Deodorization and Odor Removal
We are trained to detect and eliminate unwanted scents as deodorization specialists. SERVPRO teaches IICRC technical classes on odor elimination. The odor can typically be eradicated without leaving a trace by identifying the source of the odor and determining the conditions under which it comes into contact with any surfaces.
We have a lot of cleaning experience at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, and we're no strangers to construction sites. We provide quick and easy cleanup services once the work is completed and before the building's final touches are applied. With our broad network and readily available equipment, we can handle any size site cleaning when you have work done, big or little.
Post Construction Cleaning
After the floors have been laid and the drywall has been installed, the debris and dirt must be removed to lay carpet, paint, and decorate. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque can help with debris removal to get the building ready for interior design, so you don't have to start from scratch.
Dehumidification and Drying
A building might trap moisture during the construction process. Mold could grow if there is too much moisture. If you suspect a moisture problem with one of your projects, trust SERVPRO to provide the help you need to eradicate moisture and prevent mold growth.
Final Cleaning
When your business first opens, you want it to appear at its finest. To give the building that extra shine, your local SERVPRO Franchise offers cleaning services such as:
Carpet, resilient and non-resilient floor prep and finish
Everybody familiar with New Mexico's weather knows that the windiest months of the year are April and May, with March and June frequently following closely behind. The highest wind events are most common in the Spring.
It is critical to be aware of the risks that come with them. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provide wind warnings, watches, and advisories:
High Wind Warning: Take Action! There are sustained high winds with significantly stronger gusts. Seek refuge. Keep both hands on the steering wheel if you're driving.
High Wind Watch: Be Prepared! It's possible to have sustained, strong winds. To avoid being trapped outside, secure unsecured objects and change plans as needed.
Wind Advisory: Take Action! Severe winds are present but not strong enough to warrant a High Wind Warning. Outdoor objects should be secured, and driving should be done with prudence.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Take Action! A thunderstorm is happening or is imminent in the warning area. Severe thunderstorms have 58 miles per hour wind gusts and hail one inch larger. Seek shelter inside a sturdy building.
Be prepared for High Winds.
Remove any dead trees or branches that are overhanging structures.
Remove loose things that could blow away from patios, roofs, or balconies.
Securely close windows and reinforce exterior doors.
Bring in any unsecured items from outside and secure anything that could blow away and cause injury or damage.
If your home or commercial business needs storm damage restoration services, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque has a team of highly trained storm damage specialists available 24/7 to help you get back to normal. Call us today at 505-828-3567
Flooding occurs when water overflows from a few inches deep to completely engulfing entire buildings. Flooding can happen when rivers and lakes can't handle too much rain or snowmelt or when rain can't be absorbed completely.
It's critical to know the difference between watching and a warning to know what to do to stay safe.
Flood Watch or Flash Flood Watch
Flooding or flash flooding in your area is possible. Pay attention to changing weather and flood conditions, and be prepared to move to higher ground.
Flood Warning
Flooding is occurring or is about to happen. Avoid low-lying areas and, if necessary, evacuate.
Flash Flood Warning
If a flash flood is occurring or is about to happen, seek higher ground immediately.
Be prepared!
It is essential to be prepared for unpredictable weather. Here are a few to stay safe after a flood:
Return only when the authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
Except in an emergency, avoid driving.
When cleaning mold or other debris, wear thick work gloves, protective gear, and boots, and use suitable face coverings or masks.
Be careful that there could be snakes or other animals in your home.
Be cautious of the possibility of electrocution. If you are standing in water, if the equipment is wet, do not touch it. If it is safe, turn off the electrical to avoid a shock.
Floodwater can be contaminated or charged with electricity from downed power lines, so avoid wading in it.
Only use a generator or other gasoline-powered gear outside and away from windows.
SERVPRO NE Albuquerque can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions and is available 24 hours a day – Call us today at 505-828-3567.
SERVPRO Cleaning for your Commercial Property in NE Albquerque
As employees return to their offices, now is a good time for building owners to make sure their workplace is clean and ready to welcome them back.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque provides a wide range of deep cleaning services to keep your commercial or residential property looking its best. We can swiftly and effectively dispatch a team to be deep clean and deodorize your property.
Commercial Cleaning Services
Air Ducts and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Biohazard and Sewage
Trauma and Crime Scene
Carpet and Upholstery
Drapes and Blinds
Ceilings, Walls, and Hard Floors
Odor Removal and Deodorization
Vandalism
We have many years of experience working in all kinds of business settings and buildings:
Small Office Buildings
Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing and Industrial
Government/Military
When your commercial property needs a deep cleaning, you can count on SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque's highly trained technicians to help. We are a 24/7 emergency response company. You can reach us at 505-828-3567
If you’ve ever been faced with a sudden surge of water, whether from a burst pipe or a raging storm, you know just how overwhelming it can be. SERVPRO has been providing water damage cleanup Albuquerque can trust for over 50 years and we take pride in our reputation for service and quality.
It’s hard to imagine disaster striking in this beautiful area, with its picturesque mountains and 42.9 square miles of park land. From its many examples of the unique Pueblo Revival architectural style to its hot and spicy native cuisine, Albuquerque has so much to offer.
Despite the many features that draw thousands of visitors every year, this area is not immune to the potentially devastating effects of water damage.
As part of this community ourselves, we at SERVPRO understand the challenges presented by unforeseen water-related emergencies and we’re ready to respond 24/7 to help get the restoration process started as quickly as possible.
We have cutting-edge training and use the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to tackle every water damage restoration job no matter how large or small and we’re careful to treat every property as if it were our own.
Our restoration process is designed to make each property look “Like it never even happened”, with carefully structured steps to thoroughly address the damage:
Initial Contact – We have operators ready to take your call 24/7 because we know that disaster can strike at any time and speed is essential. We’ll ask specific questions that will help us to determine the equipment and resources we’ll need to handle your job so we won’t have to waste any time in responding and getting the restoration underway.
Inspection and Water Damage Assessment – We’ll have a technician on-site within four hours of your call and they’ll begin by performing a thorough inspection of your property.
We’ll need to determine the source of the problem and ensure that it has been stopped, then we’ll examine the water to identify the type and the extent of the damage so we know exactly what steps need to be taken next.
We’ll also check for any safety concerns that may need to be addressed before work can begin and we’ll move any furniture or other items to prevent rust or stains on carpeting and flooring.
Removal/Extraction – Once the amount of damage has been determined, the process of removing or extracting the water can begin. If the restoration process will be extensive, SERVPRO can help you to perform an organized and efficient moving process in order to protect your belongings from any further damage. With the area cleared, we can then remove any standing water using submersible pumps and industrial-grade wet/dry vacuums.
Other equipment, including moisture detectors and hygrometers, can be used to measure the extent of moisture both on surfaces and in the air while infrared cameras are used to detect any “hidden” water behind walls or in ceilings. It is extremely important that every bit of moisture be detected and removed in order to mitigate damage.
Drying/Dehumidification – We’ll use industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to ensure that all moisture is completely removed from the affected area and surrounding rooms. This part of the process is also important to help avoid the warping of floors, walls, and furniture. Using moisture meters, we’ll carefully monitor the progress until we are satisfied that the humidity and moisture levels have returned to a safe level.
Cleaning/Sanitizing – Water can leave behind a dirty mess, especially if it is heavily contaminated. Once everything has been thoroughly dried, we’ll clean the entire structure as well as any furniture, upholstery, clothing, or restorable belongings that have been damaged. We’ll also use air scrubbers and fogging equipment to help remove any lingering odors while simultaneously applying antimicrobial, antibacterial, and disinfectant treatments to sanitize all surfaces. We’ll even help to dispose of any items that you or your insurance adjuster deem to be unsalvageable.
Restoration – Some repair and reconstruction may be necessary to complete the process of returning your property to its previous state. This may include drywall removal and installation, hardwood or tile floor repair, painting, or carpet repair and installation. At SERVPRO, we understand that having one company perform the entire process can be both time and cost-saving and that’s why we’re prepared to take you through every step with the quality services you expect.
Restoring More Than Just Your Home
SERVPRO always takes a “restore first” approach when dealing with water damage because we understand how important it is for you to feel whole again. But it’s about more than just restoring your property; we also want to help restore your peace of mind.
We are part of this local community too and we provide water damage cleanup Albuquerque can trust. By helping our neighbors we can help to make the whole community stronger and that’s the most important thing we can do.
We’re well aware of just how much damage water can do and we know that trying to replace everything you lost in a flood or other water emergency can be extremely costly.
To ensure that you get the compensation you deserve, you’ll need to provide a thorough inventory to your insurance company and that can be an overwhelming job. SERVPRO is ready to help you there too because we don’t think you should have to go it alone.
We’ll make the job easier by taking a thorough inventory as we go along so that you have the basis you need to file your claim.
You don’t have to be in over your head when water damage occurs. The professionals at SERVPRO are prepared to handle any type of water damage restoration and get you back on your feet again as quickly as possible. So don’t feel that you have to face a flood or its aftermath by yourself.
Call SERVPRO today and we’ll help you start the healing.
How to handle a sewage backup in your Sandia Heights Business?
Sewage is a dangerous substance that just no one should ever handle. The water used is also polluted. If the overflow has spilled onto non-porous surfaces, you can clean them up with a gallon of warm water and 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach. However, just because you can do something doesn't mean it's the best option.
Sewage should always be handled by professionals who conduct the sewage cleanup process themselves. Professionals will know how to address sewage and remove it safely, limiting its potential to cause harm.
If you notice sewage backups on your property, call a professional as soon as possible. The sooner you contact a professional, the sooner the problems will be resolved, and your business will return to normal and be safe. Additionally, the backup may leave behind lingering scents. However, it is in your best interests to act right away.
Our SERVPRO highly trained technicians can effectively handle the following sewage cleanup tasks:
Safe removal of biohazards and water with specialty equipment.
Removal of damaged items
Discard items that cannot be salvaged.
Disinfection of salvageable items off-site.
Drying and dehumidification affected areas.
Ventilating dangerous fumes and airborne particles.
Disinfect flooring and surfaces within a contaminated area.
If your business has a sewage backup that needs to be cleaned, call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque for Water Damage Restoration, specialty cleaning, and Repairs, we can help. Call us today at 505-828-3567. We are a 24/7 emergency response.
After pooling water has been removed, what is left behind might be unsightly or even emit foul odors. Staining and soiling can be difficult to remove using domestic cleaning methods, requiring professional assistance. Our reputation has been founded on water removal, remediation, and cleanup. We follow a few simple rules that have shown to be effective.
Water damage homes usually have an immediate influence on the home's infrastructure. Moisture-soaked subfloor mats can quickly create breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. Similarly, moisture can enter wall cavities or furniture fittings unseen by the naked eye, producing long-term difficulties. SERVPRO of Auburn/Rocklin is trained to recognize possible issue areas that may go unnoticed by you.
If you have any water damage that you need to be cleaned, call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque for Water Damage Restoration and Repairs, we can help. Call us today at 505-828-6184. We are a 24/7 emergency response.
Rainstorms can inflict extensive damage to your property in a variety of ways. It is not only because of the large amount of water falling from the sky but also because of the various forms of harm that it causes.
Water: Due to the large volume of water that falls during rainfall, water may leak through your roof, but your home may also be at risk of a big flood due to overflowing sewers and plumbing systems.
Wind: A rainstorm's swift and strong winds can easily pull trees down, shatter windows, and even damage your roof and ceiling.
Lightning: Lightning strikes can inflict damage in addition to water. If lightning strikes your home, it could harm every electronic hooked into an outlet and trigger an electric outage, which could result in a fire.
If an emergency does strike your home during a rainstorm, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is ready to help get your life back to normal. Call us at 505-28-3567
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque strives to restore every disaster to preloss conditions. Our commitment is to suit the demands of our customers and make them feel at ease throughout the process. Our goal is to be quick and efficient so that the consumer can get back to their routine. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque strives to achieve this goal by remaining professional throughout restoration. We can put the customer at rest during such a difficult and hectic period thanks to our experience. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is ready to help, no matter what the weather brings. You've put in a lot of effort to make your house a home.SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is ready to assist you in restoring your home and personal belongings. We are working diligently to reclaim the client's residence. When you need a thorough cleaning service, you should choose a professional crew because of our precision and attention to detail. Whether it's a fire, water, sewage, mold, post-construction, or regular cleaning job, our skilled personnel brings the best tools, equipment, and chemicals to the business. We're ready for anything, and we make sure the homeowner or company owner is satisfied with the results before we leave. So give us a call today at 505-828-3567.
NE Albuquerque is such a beautiful area, with some of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods including High Desert and Sandia Heights. It is home to the University of New Mexico and features three shopping malls in the Uptown area.
With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that it is such a popular area for visitors and residents alike.
Unfortunately, despite its breathtaking natural vistas, the weather here doesn’t always cooperate and storms can strike, bringing devastating damage to homes and businesses alike. Everything from rain, hail, and high winds has been known to hit this area and the aftermath can take a real toll.
For storm damage clean-up Albuquerque businesses and homeowners can trust, SERVPRO has been the company to turn to for over 50 years.
Trust The Professionals To Do The Cleaning
Storms can strike without warning, but even if you do have a head’s up, it’s not always possible to protect against damage. The aftermath of a storm can not only be costly, it can also be dangerous to try and handle on your own. That’s why you need professionals you can trust to make sure the cleanup is done right.
At SERVPRO we’ve got the training and equipment to handle any kind of storm damage and we’re prepared to respond faster to any disaster because we know how important it is to start the cleanup as quickly as possible.
That’s why we’ve got someone ready to take your call 24/7 and we’ll have someone on-site within four hours of that call to begin assessing the damage and formulating a comprehensive plan to address it.
As part of the NE Albuquerque community, we understand the damage storms can do in this area and we’re prepared to address it thoroughly. Our primary goal is to help you heal and make your property look “Like it never even happened”, so we’ll make sure to handle the job properly and treat your home as if it were our own. We’ll also be sure to stick with the job until we know you’re satisfied because helping you heal is our business.
Clean Up From Top to Bottom
SERVPRO understands the need to get your property restored quickly after a storm hits. We’d want the same for ourselves, so we want no less for our customers. We’re prepared to respond faster to any disaster and we use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure that the job is done thoroughly so that you can begin to feel whole again.
Our technicians undergo regular training in the most advanced techniques for cleanup and restoration and have received certification in everything from carpet cleaning and floor care to water damage restoration and odor control.
We’ll take you through every step of the process, from addressing any immediate threats to removing all standing water and thoroughly drying all surfaces to identifying and remediating any mold infestation.
We’re prepared to handle all sorts of damage caused by severe weather including thunderstorms, lightning strikes, hurricanes, tornadoes, hail and ice storms and freezing weather and ice dams.
No matter what Mother Nature throws at you, we’ve got the answer and we can help get you back on your feet again in no time with the professional storm damage cleanup Albuquerque can trust.
Our goal is to return your property to its previous condition and that means taking a comprehensive approach that includes:
Damage assessment
Water damage repair
Wind damage repair
Emergency board up
Tree removal
Structural stabilization
We’ll begin by boarding up any broken windows and using tarps to cover holes in the roof to prevent any further damage and ensure that your property is secure. Next, we’ll remove any standing water and ensure that all surfaces are thoroughly dried and sanitized.
If your property requires extensive restoration, we can also conduct an efficient move out of the affected area to protect your belongings from further damage.
Next, we’ll employ professional-grade equipment such as industrial-strength air movers and vacuums equipped with HEPA filters to remove any toxins from surfaces and from the air. This is particularly important after a storm as floodwaters can bring many hidden dangers with them such as bacteria and microbes that may be extremely hazardous to your health.
Of course, any time standing water is present that can also leave you open to the potential for a hazardous mold infestation. Mold can begin forming and spreading within 24 to 48 hours after water damage occurs, so the sooner you begin to address the damage the better off you’ll be. We have the training to perform complete mold remediation, paying particular attention to your HVAC system, where mold can easily be spread throughout the home.
Once the initial cleanup is done, we will complete the restoration by taking any necessary steps such as painting, replacing flooring, or even rebuilding entire rooms. We’ll even help you prepare to file an insurance claim by performing a complete inventory of all items in your home or business so you can get the compensation you deserve.
A Local Company With A National Reach
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque has been proudly serving this area for many years and we pride ourselves on providing the personal touch. We also understand that some circumstances are too big for us to handle alone, and fortunately, we have the ability to reach out to a national network of 1,960 SERVPRO franchises and special Disaster Recovery Teams when major storms hit.
Living through a storm can be stressful enough without having to face a difficult and dangerous clean-up all by yourself. We get that, which is why we’re ready to stand by you every step of the way. That’s the approach to storm damage cleanup Albuquerque expects and it’s the SERVPRO difference, which you can only get from us.
When a storm leaves you reeling, trust SERVPRO to put you back on steady ground again
Soot can be everywhere. you need the right tools to clean it
The smell of smoke can be your first warning when a fire strikes, but that smell can linger long after the flames are put out. When disaster strikes your home, you need a company you can trust to thoroughly address smoke damage and make sure everything is completely clean again.
For quick and professional smoke damage cleanup Albuquerque can count on, SERVPRO is the company to call.
NE Albuquerque is a beautiful area, with some of the city’s most expensive homes and plenty of features to attract residents and visitors alike. From taking in historic landmarks like KiMo Theater and Whittlesey House to enjoying the local cuisine at one of the many gourmet restaurants, there is plenty to do in this area.
Unfortunately, the beauty of our surroundings doesn’t protect us from the sudden and devastating effects of fire. That’s why SERVPRO offers the finest professional restoration services, including smoke damage cleanup, to make it “Like it never even happened”.
Clearing The Mountain Air
When fire strikes, it brings the thick, acrid smell of smoke with it and once the fire is put out you’ll want to do everything you can to clear the air. At SERVPRO we understand that need, which is why we use industrial-strength fans to help properly ventilate your home and HEPA filters to remove toxic particles.
Once the area is thoroughly ventilated, we’ll start the cleaning process itself by using industrial strength vacuums with HEPA filters in order to remove any loose soot particles.
We will pay particular attention to upholstered surfaces, which can easily trap soot and smoke and may require deeper cleaning. We’ll also pay special attention to electronic equipment and any other belongings that may require particular care.
Once everything has been aired out and cleaned, we will make sure it is thoroughly sanitized and dried, using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) Foggers that create a fine mist that permeates all surfaces and removes odor-causing residue.
There Is No Need To Go It Alone
At SERVPRO, we know how overwhelming the aftermath of a fire can be, but you don’t have to go it alone. In fact, trying to clean up smoke damage yourself can be very dangerous if it’s not done properly. We have agents ready to take your call 24 hours a day/7 days a week and we have the training and equipment to handle any job, no matter how big or small.
As members of the NE Albuquerque community, you can count on us to treat your property as if it were our own and you can rest easy knowing that we won’t sign off on the job until we know you are satisfied and that we have done everything we can to get you and your family back on your feet again.
This may be the hardest time you’ll ever face and we know it can feel overwhelming, but with our professional smoke damage cleanup, Albuquerque can breathe easier knowing SERVPRO is on their side.
With warm weather and breathtaking natural surroundings, it’s no wonder why so many people decide to settle in beautiful NE Albuquerque. Unfortunately, even this picturesque area isn’t immune to the devastating effects of fire.
When disaster strikes and leaves you feeling hopeless, you can breathe easier knowing that you can trust the professionals of SERVPRO to help make you whole again.
We’ve been part of the NE Albuquerque community for over 50 years, so we know how special this area is.
With incredible shopping and dining, historic sites like Old Town Albuquerque, and natural attractions like Balloon Fiesta Park, home of the world-renowned Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, there is so much to do and see here.
It’s a wonderful place to live but unfortunately, it can sometimes be hazardous too. That’s why for handling residential fire damage Albuquerque has been turning to SERVPRO because we can make your property look “Like it never even happened”.
Treating The Damage From Top to Bottom
From flames to smoke to the water used in firefighting, fires can cause a lot of damage and you need to rely on a company that is ready to handle it all from top to bottom. At SERVPRO, we’ve got professional training and state-of-the-art equipment that enable us to handle every aspect of the job.
Our thorough approach begins with your initial call. We have someone ready to respond 24/7 so that cleanup can begin as quickly as possible. Within four hours of that call, we will have someone on-site to perform a thorough inspection and give you a detailed explanation of what will be involved in the cleanup and restoration process, so you know exactly what to expect.
The process itself begins with closing up or covering any broken windows or roofs and addressing any standing water to prevent the growth of hazardous mold.
We’ll use professional grade equipment to remove all signs of smoke and soot and neutralize noxious odors and we will replace drywall, paint, lay new carpeting and do any rebuilding that’s necessary to restore your home. We’ll even perform a thorough inventory to make it easier for you to file a claim with your insurance company.
Lending A Neighborly Hand
As part of the Albuquerque community, we know how important it is to be good neighbors and that means giving you the help you need when you need it most. We understand how overwhelming the experience can be and we’ll do everything we can to give you peace of mind. With our professional training, we can walk you through every step of the process and with our local touch, we’ll be sure to treat every property as if it were our own.
That’s an approach you can’t get anywhere else and it’s why for handling any residential fire damage Albuquerque turns to us.
At SERVPRO we’ll never sign off on a job until we know you’re satisfied because we know that that’s when the healing really begins.
When you take in the breathtaking vistas of NE Albuquerque, it is hard to imagine disaster striking here, but unfortunately fire can strike without warning and have a devastating impact on your commercial property.
To properly handle commercial fire damage Albuquerque needs the right company to turn to and for many local businesses SERVPRO has been the name they can trust for over 50 years.
From the historic San Ignacio Church to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, to its many shopping malls and business centers, NE Albuquerque has plenty to offer.
It’s a wonderful spot to visit or to settle down and a thriving center for commercial properties.
As a local business ourselves, SERVPRO understands how important it is to act quickly when fire strikes. We’re ready to respond faster to any disaster and provide the thorough, quality restoration service you need to get back in business.
Understanding Fire Damage
There are many ways that fire can damage a property and it can be truly devastating. In order to provide complete restoration service, you need a company that is prepared to handle every aspect of the job, from the charring caused by flames and the thick covering of smoke and soot to the water damage caused by firefighting efforts.
At SERVPRO we have specialized training and certification in fire and water restoration so we know exactly what to do and are ready to act fast.
Put Your Business In Good Hands
You’ve invested so much in your business and you can’t afford to take chances when disaster strikes. You need to know that you’re relying on the best, and that means depending on the professionals of SERVPRO.
Not only are we trained to provide expert restoration, but as a member of the NE Albuquerque community, we will go the extra mile to treat your business as if it were our own.
We have someone ready to answer your call 24 hours a day because we know that time is of the essence.
We’ll have a technician arrive at your business within four hours of that call to perform a thorough walkthrough and put together a comprehensive plan that will help make your business look “Like it never even happened”.
From boarding up windows and covering damaged roofs to helping you perform a thorough inventory and file your insurance claim, we’ll be with you every step of the way. We’ll use our state-of-the-art equipment and professional training to ensure that everything is thoroughly dried, cleaned and deodorized and do everything we can to get you back on your feet again.
Commercial Fire Cleanup You Can Trust
You can’t afford to settle for less when it comes to your business. When it comes to handling commercial fire damage Albuquerque turns to SERVPRO, the name you can trust. We respond faster to any disaster and we won’t be satisfied with the results until you are.
Albuquerque is our home too and we’re ready to help when you need us most
At the base of the Sandia Mountains, northeast Albuquerque is a bustling area that is home to some of the most expensive houses in the city.
Visitors can also find a wide variety of commercial properties from the campus of the University of New Mexico to Cliff’s Amusement Park and several shopping malls, including the Coronado Center.
With temperate weather and breathtaking natural surroundings, it’s easy to see what draws so many people to visit here and to stay.
Unfortunately, whether it’s the aftereffect of a sudden storm or the result of aging pipes, water damage can strike your business at any time and have a devastating effect.
To properly handle commercial water damage Albuquerque needs a name it can trust at times like these.
Commercial Water Damage Restoration With Your Business In Mind
With industrial strength equipment and highly trained technicians, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is prepared to tackle all of the special challenges of commercial water damage restoration.
We can handle any size job and we’ll move quickly so you can get back up and running again.
As a local business ourselves, we take great pride in approaching each property as if it were our own and providing the quality restoration you expect.
SERVPRO: Trust The Pros
If you’re like most business owners, you’ve invested a tremendous amount of time and money into achieving your dream and you can’t let a water-related disaster wash all that down the drain.
When faced with commercial water damage Albuquerque needs a name it can count on to address the problem quickly and thoroughly and that’s where the professionals of SERVPRO come in.
We have staff ready to respond 24/7 and we’ll have an experienced technician at your property within four hours to perform a full walkthrough and damage assessment.
Once the assessment is done, we’ll put together a thorough plan and we’ll go over every step of it with you so you know exactly what to expect.
We’ll also point out any items that aren’t salvageable so that you can decide what you want to do with them and we’ll even help you to file an insurance claim so you can get the compensation you deserve.
The work begins with boarding up windows and covering gaps in the roof in order to prevent further damage.
We’ll use submersible pumps and industrial strength wet/dry vacs to remove standing water, air movers and dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry all surfaces, and other equipment to clean and deodorize.
We’ll also perform a full mold remediation if necessary. Finally, we’ll replace drywall, remove and replace carpeting, replace damaged flooring, and whatever else is required to complete the restoration process.
NE Albuquerque has so much to offer and it’s the perfect spot to make your business dreams come true.
Don’t let water damage stand in your way…call the name guaranteed to respond faster to any disaster.
That’s what has made SERVPRO the brand that Albuquerque trusts for over 50 years
Roof damage to your home or business can be caused by a storm, fire, or other emergencies. The damage needs to be addressed immediately to help avoid further harm by the elements or intruders. For example, if your windows or walls are damaged, you will need professional board-up services to secure your property.
Our highly trained technicians use approved board-up techniques to help minimize further damage and secure your home or business from weather, animals, and illegal entry.
We secure the correct locations and use the proper materials. Our techs know how to navigate around cracked windows and doors. In addition, we can detect areas that appear undamaged to the naked eye but may present leakage and stability issues.
There are several reasons to perform a board-up or tarp over.
24/7 Emergency Service
Our quick response will help lessen the damage, limit further property damage, and help reduce costly repairs. Openings in the wall or roof provide access to harmful elements such as wind, water, and debris. Human or animal invaders could cause even more damage, adding to your existing issues and increasing your repair bill
Reduces additional property loss and liability
Thieves may remove essential belongings or cause unnecessary destruction, and their injuries could become your liability. It is not recommended to re-enter your home until deemed safe by the fire department or proper authority.
We help with your insurance.
SERVPRO will help you navigate the insurance claims process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, more straightforward experience.
Contact SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque for Board up and tarp if your home has fire or water damage. We can help; call us today at 505-828-3567. We are a 24/7 emergency response.
Without warning, nature can take a violent turn: floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards. These can have a devastating effect on your home, turning your life upside-down.
At SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, we know that our fast response time is key to minimizing the cost and time involved with storm damage restoration. Here is a water damage timeline detailing the damage water can do to a structure in a short period:
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
Severe biohazard contamination is possible
When a Storm Damages Your Home, We're One Call Away
Our SERVPRO team of NE Albuquerque is prepared for any storm damage emergency. Our highly trained restoration technicians are ready to assist you 24-hours a day. Call us today at 505-828-3567. We'll restore your storm damage in The High Rockies, and we will make it "Like it never even happened."
All buildings are different, but each is at risk for water damage. From a minor roof leak to violently destructive hurricanes, any unwanted water intrusion can significantly impact the value of a commercial property.
If your business experiences a water-related incident, you’ll need to act quickly to mitigate the damage. Small business insurance can also play a crucial role in lessening the financial impact. However, it’s best to prevent such occurrences from happening in the first place. Use these tips to protect your business from flooding and freezing damage.
Insulate exposed pipes
Exposed pipes during the winter are vulnerable to freezing. Plummeting temperatures can freeze water inside a poorly insulated pipe, causing the pipe to burst. A broken pipe can lead to costly flooding or even structural damage. Ensure the pipes are insulated. The more insulation you use, the better protected your lines will be.
Regular Inspections
commercial buildings tend to have major external HVAC components, roofs decorated with an array of pipes and fans, and large utility rooms. The best way to keep the harsh weather outside is to hire a professional to conduct frequent and thorough inspections. Fallen leaves and other debris in gutters and downspouts can lead to water damage to the exterior and interior walls. Regularly inspect your business’s gutters, downspouts, and drainage system, and remove debris or buildup.
Locate your shut-off valve
If a pipe breaks, you’ll need to act quickly. That means you should know the location of the main shut-off valve for your building’s water supply. Shutting off the main valve will temporarily cut the water flow to the building, preventing flooding until you can fix the problem.
Seal cracks and gaps
Seal any cracks, holes, or other gaps in your building’s exterior and foundation to ensure that cold air doesn’t penetrate your structure, and warm air doesn’t escape. Caulk, weather stripping, and other sealants can be used to make your building more energy-efficient and reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
Plan B
Ideally, each commercial building should have options for temporary office space and plans to inform clients of transient changes in the case of severe water damage. Additionally, it’d never be a poor use of time to back up critical paperwork electronically.
Insurance
It’s essential to have adequate insurance in place if you experience water or freezing damage when it comes to small business insurance—the details of your coverage matter.
Ask your insurer to add a rider, or an endorsement, to your policy to extend coverage to hazards that are excluded from your policy to ensure your business is protected.
Rapid response to water damage events
Even the most carefully operated commercial building will likely experience a water damage event sometime in its lifetime. Building staff should have a well-practiced emergency response plan. The speed of response to a water damage event is the most vital key to quickly getting back to normal day-to-day operations.
Remember, SERVPRO NE Albuquerque is ready to assist you with water damage restoration and help you get back to normal. Our number one priority is getting your home or business back to preloss condition as quickly as possible. We are a 24/7 emergency response. Call us today at 505-828-3567.
Flood risk isn't just based on history; it's also based on rainfall, topography, flood-control measures, river flow, tidal-surge data, and changes due to new construction and development.
Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
Evacuate immediately if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to direct traffic out of flooded areas safely.
Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters; turn-Around, don't Drown!
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the vehicle.
If you experienced a flood or water damage in New Mexico. Call a professional flood restoration company that can help get your home back to its pre-flood condition and make it "Like it never even happened." Our highly trained technicians of SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are available 24/7 at 505-828-3567
Losing your home to a fire is a scary thought, but there’s plenty you can do to prevent fires from starting. Accidents can happen, but you can learn how to avoid a fire from starting and spreading through your home.
Before the Fire
Install smoke alarms that combine flashing lights on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries every six months.
Keep grills, cookers, and fryers at least 3 feet away from your house and shrubs or bushes.
Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
Service your chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves, and central furnace once a year.
Store a fire extinguisher on every level of your home.
If an electric appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, then have it serviced before using it again.
Never smoke in bed
Always stay near cooking to monitor it closely. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles, and wear clothes with short, rolled-up, or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook.
Use only child-resistant lighters and store all matches and lighters up high, where kids can't see or reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Never leave burning candles unattended
Look for frayed wires and damaged cords. If you see any exposed wires, unplug the electronics, and replace them immediately.
Create an escape plan and practice them with your family.
Remember, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is ready to assist you after a fire with fire damage restoration and help you get back to normal. Getting your home or business back to preloss condition as quickly as possible is our number one priority. We are a 24/7 emergency response. Call us today at 505-828-3567
Technician wearing protective gear and a SERVPRO Van
Fires can be devastating, and SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque understands that lives, cherished belongings, and memories are beyond priceless.
It is natural to want to clean your property and get life back to normal. Quick action can be great, but improper or delayed action can risk restoration and cause even more damage.
If you experience a fire or smoke damage in your home, here are some things that you can do until the SERVPRO team arrives.
Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
If electricity is off, empty the freezer and refrigerator completely, and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim, and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.
If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks, and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
Remove pets to a clean environment.
Wash houseplants thoroughly.
Change the HVAC filter but leave the system off until a trained professional can check the system.
Remember, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is ready to assist you after a fire with fire damage restoration and help you get back to normal. Getting your home or business back to preloss condition as quickly as possible is our number one priority. We are 24/7 emergency response, call us today at 505-828-3567.
Water damage caused by heavy rain is one thing, but the damage caused by your household appliances is often preventable. To ensure that your appliances are in good working condition, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque highly recommends you get all your appliances checked a minimum of once a year, as well as inspect the hoses and connections for your appliances.
The most common sources of flooding in your home include the following:
Washing Machines
If you find your washing machine leaking, don’t take it lightly. If you see leaks around the clamps in the water hose, stay alert because it’s a warning sign for future failures. We have experienced small pinhole leaks in a water supply line that have broken out into an all-out basement flood. It is recommended to inspect your water hoses twice a year and search for any cracking, leaking, or rusting on the washing machine. It is advised to replace hoses every five years, no matter how exceptional they look from the outside.
Refrigerators
Our SERVPRO crews have had to clean water damages caused by the water line that supplies an ice maker. When the water lines get damaged, they can leak or, worse yet, become completely unattached. For the defrosted drain, thaw the ice and then flush it with hot water. For improper sealing, examine the rubber seal that runs along with the door.
If you don’t take enough precautions, the ice maker can become a mess maker in no time. It is also advised to check the hose and water line to ensure they are adequately connected every time.
Dishwashers
This household appliance has a supply line, just like refrigerators and washing machines. If a dishwasher water supply line was to burst, you could guarantee that your kitchen would be filled with water after a wash and rinse cycle. We have seen a dishwasher back up some of our more severe water damages caused by dishwashers. Backup typically occurs when debris has clogged the drain, and the water has nowhere to go but inside your home. Never forget that a dishwasher is designed to work for only ten years. So, if your dishwasher is nearing this threshold, it may be time to consider replacing it.
Hot Water Heater
Conventional water heaters with storage tanks are prone to corrosion, age-related wear, and mineral buildup. This can lead to a tank burst or leakage, and then gallons of water could be flooding onto your floor. Therefore, it is recommended to inspect the water heater annually to minimize the chances of excessive water damage. It is advised to flush the tank every six months to remove the sediments. Be attentive and replace your water heater every ten years.
If your home falls victim to a water emergency, time is of the essence. Contact SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque at 505-828-3567
Can sprinklers cause water damage to your East Mountains Business
Fire sprinkler systems offer reliable and affordable fire protection to your property. Not only do sprinkler systems prevent lives and property losses from fires, but they also leave a wet mess behind.
When a fire sprinkler head accidentally discharges, it soaks walls, floors, furniture, and anyone unlucky enough to be nearby. Regular maintenance can’t guarantee it won’t happen, but you can be ready for unexpected sprinkler breakdowns with these tips.
Call the experts in Water Damage Restoration.
Call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque; we are experts in water damage restoration. This is the first step to ensuring all water damage is addressed and managed with the skill to eliminate future damage. This service provider will assess the existing water damage and develop a strategy to return your property to its original, non-damaged state.
Don’t try cleanup by yourself.
When fire sprinkler heads accidentally discharge – usually because they are broken – they release a spray of dirty water contaminated with rust, oil, and sediment. The mixture stains the surface and spreads solid and unpleasant odors throughout the building. Don’t try to tackle the mess on your own. Leave clean up to us.
We do the cleanup and the mitigation. We care for all interior materials, including sheetrock, carpets, and flooring.
Our certified restoration technicians often salvage damaged furniture, equipment, and even paper records.
Document everything
Document water damage from a sprinkler system as soon as possible. Record all the damages immediately. That way, you can demonstrate the extent of loss to your insurance company.
Take detailed pictures and videos of all affected interiors, including broken sprinklers, wet walls, and wet floors.
Leave large items like furniture and equipment in place for the adjuster’s inspection.
Save the receipts for damage-related expenses.
Remember, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is ready to assist you with water damage restoration and help you get back to normal. Our number one priority is getting your home or business back to preloss condition as quickly as possible. We are a 24/7 emergency response. Call us today at 505-828-3567
Is it true that you are considering changing from an electric extent to a gas stove and introducing the apparatus yourself? Reconsider. This is a venture for one, as well as two experts that need to meet codes and investigate the completed item. A gas stove requires both power and gas to work appropriately, so procure a handyman to introduce the gas line and an electrical expert to change the electrical circuit. Something else, this genuinely simple transformation could have dangerous outcomes.
Bother Old Protection
In the event that you claim a more established home, the upper room protection could be polluted with the harmful substance asbestos. While it's conceivable to do a DIY asbestos evacuation, it's not suggested. There is various laws set up to control the evacuation of asbestos in light of the risks it postures to those in close closeness, including you, your family, and your neighbors. Things being what they are, what's the arrangement? Procure an asbestos decrease group.
Repair Your HVAC Framework
Repairing or supplanting a HVAC framework is hazardous. While it might entice to settle it yourself, it's most likely best on the off chance that you don't. Freon breaks are perilous, bringing about discombobulation, asphyxia, and other respiratory issues. Aerating and cooling and warming upkeep requires an authorized proficient who has experienced a thorough preparing and affirmation process. Furthermore, a producer may void your guarantee on the off chance that you, a property holder without fitting authorizing, were to deal with the framework.
Supplant a Boiling hot Water Tank
While introducing or supplanting a water warmer may appear like a DIY suited for the weekend warrior, pondering 240 volts of power or complaining with gas lines, which could bring about a hazardous break, is not work for the unpracticed. In light of the grants, code adherences, wellbeing regulations, and dangers—like conceivable carbon monoxide discharges—an authorized handyman is required to tackle this home assignment.
Pump the Septic Framework
Let's be realistic: Of all the home errands, this is one of the more disagreeable. In any case, notwithstanding being unenjoyably, working with the septic tank requires particular gear and additionally allows to discard the waste legitimately. The main do-it-without anyone's help step you have to bring with this assignment is to get the telephone and call an expert.
Interface with Natural life
Has a rat taken up living arrangement in your rafters? Before wrangling the threat yourself, understand this: A few species, for example, raccoons, skunks, and bats, are inclined to convey rabies and have lawful results on the off chance that they are hurt or caught and moved without the assistance of an expert. Try not to hazard disease; contact a natural life control organization. These authorized experts will evacuate the creatures, secure the openings, wipe out homes, and dispose of waste. It's essentially not worth taking a chance with your security.
Thump Out a Divider
In case you're planning to change your design to an open floor arrangement, or simply need somewhat additional room, uprooting a divider may be on your rundown of things to do. In any case, reconsider before swinging that heavy hammer. A few urban areas require licenses if the divider being referred to is basic, and on the off chance that you don't bring in an authority for a discussion previously, you could be doing significant harm to the trustworthiness of your home.
Tinker with Light Installations
In case you're hoping to supplant or include light installations that will influence the electrical wiring, it's ideal to bring in a circuit tester than have a go at it yourself. In the event that you don't acquire the best possible allows or have it introduced by an expert, the insurance agency has grounds to deny your case in the possibility of a house flame—and defective wiring is one of the main sources of private flames.
Introduce a Bay window
Sky facing windows require cutting an opening, introducing an edge, and fitting a window into the rooftop. The establishment generally must be finished by an ace, or must take after the producer's directions to the letter, generally the guarantee may be voided. Additionally with the precarious incline and the amazing tallness, it's imperative to contract an expert—two, really. You'll require a roofer's experience and a window organization's specific devices and ability to take care of business securely and successfully.
Evacuate Toxic Paint
Owning an object from olden times farmhouse may appear like a fantasy, however evacuating the lead paint could be a bad dream. Seventy-five percent of homes constructed before 1978 may contain toxic paint, which is a significant issue for even the most experienced of experts. It's ideal to call a qualified master than to chance your life to spare a couple bucks.
Chopped Down an Extensive Tree
At the point when an extensive tree should be chopped down, it's ideal to abstain from directing your inward logger. Rather, leave huge tree evacuation to a guaranteed arborist that is acquainted with city laws and conveys heaps of obligation protection that can deal with risks or mischances you may not be furnished to manage—for instance, if the tree falls in an unpredicted way.
Supplant a Carport Entryway Spring
After some time, carport entryway springs lose their strain and should be supplanted, however the first and only steps require discharging and giving back the pressure to the spring. One wrong move and that spring could go rushing toward your body, bringing about genuine, even lethal damage. To keep away from such possibly unsafe mischances, call a carport entryway establishment pro.
Take Out Termites
Termite issues cost property proprietors more than $5 billion a year. Here and there this harm may not be secured by your insurance agency and, shockingly, a boundless infestation can't be battled with locally acquired arrangements. Rather, act quickly and call an exterminator who has admittance to the most strong items, which are accessible just to professionals.
Fire Damage Costs - How to Tackle Fire Damage and Save Money
Let’s face it. Just because it’s March doesn’t mean we have forgotten about those tumultuous holidays; Thanksgiving being that special time to fry your bird. Yes it can be tasty at times but it can also cause some havoc on your home. Fire damage may be something you have to deal with during these times. The U.S Fire Administration says about 2,000 Thanksgiving fires happen each year. Undoubtedly many of these cooks don’t have a handle on their turkey or their flames. House fires can be traumatizing for both you and your fowl. In some cases fire damage cannot be handled on your own.
Fire Damage
FEMA states that in any kind of disaster you and your family should always build an emergency kit and make a family communication plan in preparation. In cases of smaller fires take a look below on ways to DIY fire clean up.
If you decide you want to stay in your home after a fire, you need to make sure the fire damage was small enough to do so. Fumes and smoke can cause unlivable conditions for you and your family. Most likely if the fire was concentrated to a small area, like a stove, you should be fine. Yet it is highly recommended you call the fire department to make sure the fire didn’t spread through the walls or electrical outlets.
First Things First
Once you have an understanding of how extreme your fire damage is, you should start the cleanup immediately. Acquire gloves, masks and proper clothing to start this adventure. You must limit the movement in the home initially to reduce the amount of soot particles that can be embedded into other fabrics and furniture. This should include keeping your hands and shoes clean so as to not spread it further around the home. Cover all furniture with tarps and clean towels so no extra debris settles on them. This is where borrowing your grandmother’s plastic couch covers can come in handy. If you have any plants in the home they need fresh air too. Wipe the leaves with a damp towel and place outside for a couple hours, weather permitting. You must change your air filter as well as covering your vents. Wet cheese cloths over vents help capture those soot particles that may be traveling throughout your ventilation system.
Soot Clean Up
To begin your soot cleanup, it’s a wise idea to tackle as much soot as possible without water. Fire damage can create inches of debris on household services. Since soot contains oil, water can make the particles stain even further. Find a vacuum with a powerful cleaning nozzle and hold one inch above the soot to capture as much as possible.
Soot Clean Up
Soot cleanup from walls and ceilings can be a little tricky. Depending on the type of surface, like stated before, adding water can damage the surface further. Many specialty stores sell chemical sponges that clean up that soot quickly. Trisodium phosphate can be used as a cleaning agent as well. Combine one tablespoon with one gallon of water. Since it is a degreaser it can be used on countertops, plastics and walls. By combining trisodium phosphate with bleach it can also help with Mold Removal. For the first year after the fire be sure to change out your air filters every month.
Extinguish Clean Up
Putting out a fire can always be a scary experience. Having a fire extinguisher in the house is a must. The NFPA states “Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.”
After using an extinguisher you may have a mess on your hands. Most extinguishers use something called a dry chemical as their extinguishing agent. Take a vacuum to start the initial residue cleanup. A shop vacuum can be useful since they are so powerful. – Use a wet rag and scrub brush to lift the residue from a mono ammonium phosphate extinguisher.
– Create a vinegar and water solution to lift remains from a sodium bicarbonate/potassium bicarbonate-based extinguisher. Using excess water may help lift the bicarbonate out of crevices.
– Water and soap can be used when dealing with foam based extinguishers. After a short time the residue will eventually evaporate.
Water Clean Up
In times of panic you may have used water to extinguish this fire. In turn you could have created some water damage. First thing you need to do is to mop up the standing water. Make sure to check your electrical outlets for water damaged. If they have been affected, turn off electric until a professional is able to deem it safe. After assessing which products are able to be saved start the drying process immediately. For the objects that still have soot on them, re-read the above statement on how to remove smoke damage. Opening the windows will allow ventilation throughout the home. Make sure this is done after the soot cleanup, since like stated before, soot can travel to all services through the air. If your ventilation system hasn’t been contaminated, turning the air conditioning on can dry out the air in your home. The sooner you can take care of the soot and water damage the better. Allowing those chemicals and liquids sit on services can create other problems like mold, mildew and odors.
Odor Clean Up
Clean Fire Damage
Odors can linger in your home for quite some time after a fire. Factors include weather, climate and altitude. Carpets, drapes, clothing and woods can keep the smell of smoke within them if the smells are not dealt with quickly. If you think the odor is worth taking care of on your own you can always use an Ozone generator, which can reduce the smell of smoke in fabrics. If you think ventilation can be the cure for your odor problem, that’s great. Yet some fires can cause pungent smells that last for months or even years. If this is the problem, it is best to have a professional take care of your belongings.
Fires can be traumatizing to anyone involved. They not only leave emotional scars but physical ones on your home. Fire damage is something that needs to be handled with concern. Please use these tips above to conquer your small home fires with caution.
When disaster threatens a community, it is often too late to take the necessary steps to prepare homes, businesses and family members for the situation. Whether it's a blizzard, flood, hurricane or wildfire, disasters of all types often give little to no warning before they strike. The time to prepare for a storm is not as it approaches-the time to prepare is now. Inside this newsletter, you will find tips and information to help you be better prepared when severe weather strikes, including a list of items needed to create an emergency supply kit. No matter what part of the country you call home, we want to ensure you are prepared for any type of disaster. Whether you have damage caused by a hurricane, tornado, flash flood, or any other reason, your local SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Franchise Professionals have the resources, experience and training to help get your home back in order or your doors reopened for business as soon as possible.
In 2013, there were more than 440 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,800 injuries. Deadly weather caused more than $8 billion in property damage. Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action, and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.
Know Your Risk. The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where
you live and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
A weather radio is the most reliable source for weather alerts. It is designed to alert you to dangerous weather situations such as an approaching tornado, allowing you to be warned ahead of approaching storms providing time to seek shelter. In 2012, a new nationwide text emergency alert system was launched, called Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The WEA system is a huge step toward keeping our nation informed in crisis situations, however it does not alleviate the need to own weather radios. The new WEA system relies on cell towers to send alerts-if cell towers are knocked out during bad weather or are no longer sending a signal, you will not receive alerts. Television and radio broadcasts can also go down during a destructive event. Having a back-up such as a weather radio is critical to ensure you still receive information in the event media outlets can no longer broadcast or you are unable to receive the broadcast.
When selecting a weather radio, ensure it includes SAME alert programming-sounds an alert only when specific counties are threatened (allowing you to only receive alerts for your county) and review-able alerts (allowing you to turn off alerts you do not want to hear).
Take Action. Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home or business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.
Be an Example. Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same.
Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster and having a plan in place may help minimize the amount of time your home or business is inactive and get you back in the structure faster following a disaster. Don't wait until disaster strikes. Call your local SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Franchise Professional to establish an Emergency READY Profile® for your home or business and be "Ready for whatever happens."
Wildfire Safety Tips
Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. Remove dead vegetation from under your deck and within 10 feet of the house. This prevents embers from igniting your home.
Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches. Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris from accumulating.
Ensure flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks, dry vegetation) are more than 30 feet from your home or business's foundation and outbuildings.
Wildfire can spread to treetops. If you have trees on your property, prune so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
Tips and information provided by the National Fire Protection Association's Firewise® program.
Create an emergency preparedness kit. This should include a flashlight, batteries, and first aid supplies.
Keep a spare power source available to charge cell phones and any other important devices that require power.
If you have an electric garage door opener, make sure you know where the manual release lever is located and how to operate it.
Use ice and frozen water bottles to help keep perishable food cold.
Keep your vehicle's gas tank full to make sure it’s available for immediate use. Additionally, if you use your vehicle to charge your phone or other devices, don’t keep your car running in a closed space (such as a garage) as this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Learn and keep copies of your communities pre-established emergency preparedness plans. These can help you locate available shelters to help keep you warm/cool and provide assistance as needed.
Create a backup plan for any essential, power-dependent medical devices that you rely on.
During the Outage
Prioritize the use of flashlights for emergency lighting over candles. If not careful candles can cause fires.
Don’t open refrigerator and freezer doors closed unless absolutely necessary. An unopened freezer can keep cold for approximately 48 hours; while an unopened refrigerator can keep items cool for approximately 4 hours.
If it’s cold outside, layer up with warm clothing. Never attempt to burn charcoal indoors to keep warm or cook food with. Never use an oven as a source of heat. If the power outage is for an extended period of time, make arrangements to go to another house or public facility that has a reliable form of heat to keep warm.
If it’s hot outside, drink plenty of water to help you stay cool, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Consider going to a cooling shelter, movie theater, or shopping mall that might be open around you. If you decide to stay at your own home, move to the lowest level of your home since cool air falls. Additionally, wear lightweight light-colored clothing.
Consider using surge protectors in the event of a power surge; otherwise, unplug your electronics as a sudden power surge can cause permanent damage to your electronic devices.
Talk to an electrician or engineer before purchasing and installing a generator for your home
Make sure any generator you use is away from your house and don’t connect it to your home's electrical system for use inside your home.
After the Outage
If you have any perishable food that was at 40°F for more than at least 2 hours, has a non-normal odor, color, or texture, dispose of it immediately. Better to be safe than sorry!
If food in your freezer is colder than 40°F but still has ice crystals on it, it can still be frozen again and recovered.
Fully restock your emergency kit with all new supplies.
Construction Repair and Rebuild - SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
Sometimes an emergency remediation comes from Mother Nature and sometimes it comes from the contractor working on your property. The licensed GB-98 General Contractor, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is here to help with any construction repair and rebuild. We specialize in Fire, Water, Mold and Biohazard restorations. What makes SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque unique is because of our General Contractor license, we can repair any catastrophe and restore it back “Like it never even happened."®
Some of the areas of construction repair that we specialize in are:
For instance if a roof leak takes place that you just had repaired and it causes a flood and mold infestation. We will be able to repair the roof, insulation, drywall, paint, carpet/flooring, etc. all in house. This makes the restoration process much smoother for the property owner and/or the insurance adjuster. We work with all major insurance companies and provide free estimates for customers located in the greater Albuquerque area.
If you have any questions on whether we can help with a construction repair and rebuild, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (505) 828-3567.
From large scale fires to basic cleaning needs we get the job done faster and right the first time. Our highly skilled Professionals provide 24-hour emergency services and now Specialized Cleaning Services for your Home and Business. Remember, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, your local restoration company offers maintenance services, helping to ensure your home or business is always clean.
Home Cleaning Services That We Provide
We're Here Because Life's Too Short to Clean Your Own Home
There's a saying that a clean house is a sign of a wasted life. While this may not exactly be true, it's certainly true that there are more important and enjoyable things to do than worry about keeping your home clean! With all your other responsibilities, you should be able to enjoy your free time as you please. Our home cleaning services are designed to give you the peace of mind you deserve and the time you need to enjoy your life and loved ones.
Clean Homes. Clean Earth.
Our team proudly uses residential cleaning solutions that are environmentally responsible.
Do you wish you had more free time? We can make it happen!
We offer different cleaning frequencies according to your needs and preferences, including every week, every two weeks, every three weeks, every four weeks, monthly, and occasional or one-time cleans.
Indoor air can get polluted with dust, allergens, and other small particles. If you are concerned about your indoor air quality, you might benefit from having your air ducts cleaned. Having your air ducts professionally cleaned may make a difference in the overall quality of your indoor air. And, cleaning your air ducts may also help your HVAC system function more efficiently.
When it comes to air duct cleaning, homeowners often have many questions. Here are a few of the most common:
Does a professional air duct cleaning really make a difference? A professional air duct cleaning can benefit you in more than one way. First, the cleaning will remove dust, debris and other pollutants from your air duct system. This can be beneficial to anyone living in the home who suffers from allergies, has breathing problems, or is sensitive to pollutants. Second, clean air ducts can result in a more efficient HVAC system. When your home’s ventilation system is clean, it can function more efficiently – which may ultimately save you money on your monthly energy bill. How often should I have my air ducts cleaned? Unless you are in the midst of a home renovation project or you live in an area with extremely high pollution, you should not need to clean your air ducts more than once a year. In fact, after your air ducts are professionally cleaned, you may not need another thorough cleaning for several years. For advice on how often you should have your air ducts cleaned, make sure to ask your air conditioner repair company. If the air conditioner company does not offer air duct cleaning services, they should be able to provide you with the name of a reputable company to call. Can I clean the air ducts in my home myself? Many homeowners wonder if they can clean their home’s air ducts with their own vacuum cleaner. In reality, it is practically impossible to clean an air duct system with a regular vacuum. Air duct cleaning companies use special equipment that is designed to specifically clean air ducts. As a homeowner, one of the best things you can do to prevent pollutants from infiltrating your air ducts is regularly change your HVAC system’s air filters.
Is a professional air duct cleaning expensive? The cost of air duct cleaning services varies. Factors that are taken into consideration when an air duct cleaning company provides you with a quote include the number of air ducts in your home, the age of your home, the length of time since the air ducts were last cleaned, the current condition of the air ducts, and more. It is advisable to get a quote from more than one air duct cleaning company to make sure you are getting a fair price quote.
For more information about air duct cleaning, and for advice on whether you should have your air ducts professionally cleaned, make sure to discuss the matter with your air conditioner repair company. There are several good reasons to have your air ducts cleaned, and your HVAC system might benefit from a one-time or recurring air duct-cleaning schedule.
If you are planning on selling your home, it is really important to remove any past evidence of smoke damage. Cleaning smoke damage is not an easy task, but it can be completed successfully if you keep the following tips in mind:
How to remove smoke damage tips:
Cover carpeted areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
Tape cheesecloth over intake and outlet air vents to capture any loose soot in the air. This is even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
Clean Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
If the outside temperature is above 60 F, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
Common smoke removal mistakes:
Wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting your professional cleaner. Incorrect cleaning procedures could complicate the soot residue problem.
Clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
Use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.
Use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
Touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing further damage.
it would be amazing if once you bought a major appliance or system that would be the extent of the issue and they would last forever. We all know that is not the case. Just like the systems and appliances in your home have shelf lives so do the systems and appliances in your office building.
We found this amazing infographic that will help guide you as to when you will need to start thinking about upgrading your items.
Use this infographic to see when common house systems like your heating, cooling, plumbing or electrical wear out, or how long your appliances like your oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer have before they need to be replaced. They’ve also included the average cost to replace each item.
Divide Your Workplace Into Zones: Determine how you want and need to use the space and set up zones for your daily functions. You may require a workspace for your computer, a library area for your research, a storage area for supplies and a filing area for your archives. This will provide a foundation for a more efficient use of space.
Keep Only What You Need At Arm's Length: Boxes of pens, stacks of papers and old coffee cups need to go. Rid your desk of visual clutter by paring down the items on top to the essentials only. Supplies, paperwork and personal items should be kept in the zones you've established for them.
Create A Daily Paper System: Consider creating hanging files or baskets labeled "To Read", "To Do", and "To File". Establish set days for each, so that you don't get behind or feel the overwhelming need to do everything at once.
Sort Your Catch-All Drawer: Use drawer dividers to give everything a place, like compartments for paperclips and rubber bands. Go through the drawer every six weeks and clear out anything that is out of place or isn't being used.
Eliminate Digital Clutter: Digital clutter can be just as stressful as physical clutter. Organize digital files and your e-mail inbox just as you would paper files - with a system of logical and clearly labeled folders. Also, keep the icons on your desktop to a bare minimum, and trade in sticky notes on your monitor for calendar reminders.
Disinfect Regularly: Prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, food stains and fingerprints. Wipe down your desk, phone, keyboard and monitor once a week with disinfecting wipes.
Springtime commercial cleaning ability in Albuquerque and surrounding communities
SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration is pleased to announce their availability for commercial cleaning jobs in Albuquerque and its surrounding areas this spring. The company, headquartered in Albuquerque, NM, specializes in cleaning and maintaining buildings like schools, banks, apartment complexes, office buildings and other commercial properties.
With a complete line of available services that includes carpet cleaning, floor buffing, power washing and window cleaning, SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration is prepared to take on the janitorial duties for virtually any commercial building.
SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration sets itself apart from similar cleaning and janitorial companies in the area in several ways; perhaps the most significant of these is the company's green cleaning policy. SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration uses only environmentally-friendly cleaning products and solutions on the properties it services.
For over 18 years, SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration has been providing exceptional cleaning and building maintenance.
Advantages and disadvantages of airduct cleaning methods
Maintaining the house is a motivating factor for everyone, now days. In order to make that happen, one need to keep it looking neat, make sure that the environment around the house is healthy for the other family members, preserving the value of the home and preventing costly repairs and replacements. Out of all of these reasons, health of the family is undoubtedly the most significant. So air duct cleaning is considered one of the most important steps to include in the maintenance routine of your home.
Regular servicing of your air duct system is considered one of the most prevalent home maintenance routines in every household today. This also saves a lot of money, in cases where the air condition breaks down and it is very uncomfortable for everyone in the household. Servicing the heating and air conditioning systems is the key to keep them operating efficiently. This also includes cleaning the cooling coils; drain pans, fans and heat exchangers. This method of cleaning may result in dust, debris, mold or allergens getting into your air ducts. As a result of this, your home can also get affected. The dusts and debris from the air duct can also spread in to your home. So one should be very careful about this, they should clean their air ducts while cleaning the heating and cooling system.
One of the biggest advantages of air duct cleaning methods is a very obvious one. It is energy savings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of U.S. estimates, that removing even four-tenths of an inch of dust from cooling system coils reduces energy usage up to a staggering 21%. This cleaning method can easily save a considerable amount of your electricity bill. If there is an odor prevailing in your house, proper air duct cleaning will eliminate the smell almost completely
By just cleaning your air ducts, using a powerful vacuum, one can save a lot of money. It has been estimated that nine out of ten central heating and air conditioning systems fail or breakdown because proper maintenance routine was not performed on a regular basis. Improper maintenance can lead to replacement of parts and labor for cooling or heating systems, which can be very expensive, ranging to about a thousand dollars.
Air duct cleaning is also considered very essential, in order to maintain healthy indoor air. Different sources can bring in allergies, toxins and dust in to your air ducts. If not cleaned properly then the air duct may release these particles into your house. These particles may not cause allergies, but they might be the key reason why your family members suffer from severe illness.
In order to clean the air ducts properly, one needs to use a good vacuum system. A system capable of sucking in all the dust and debris stored in the air duct. Although, using a vacuum system with a small hose may cause improper cleaning and the internal dust and debris to scatter and spread through out the whole air duct, eventually causing the dust to enter the household. To ensure proper cleaning, one must use a vacuum system with a hose, bigger in radius. Even if an air duct cleaning company comes to do the job, make sure they have an efficient vacuum system.
New Mexico and other areas across the Southwest U.S. are affected by the North American Monsoon System (NAMS) every summer, and the “Monsoon Season” is designated as the period lasting from June 15th through September 30th. With the onset of the Monsoon, New Mexico is typically impacted by a variety of weather hazards that can often put the population at risk for serious injury or death. Thunderstorm frequency increases during this period, while exceptionally hot days are common as well. These pages were prepared to help promote awareness of the life-threatening weather hazards that affect New Mexico during the Summer Monsoon.
Despite the desert environment of the Land of Enchantment, statistics indicate that significant weather events associated with the Monsoon are responsible for property damage, injuries and fatalities across the state every single year. In 2010, monsoon related events were responsible for two fatalities in New Mexico.
As a result, we urge all residents and visitors to become familiar with the hazards associated with the Summer Monsoon. Please take the time to review safety rules that could save your life or help prevent serious injury. Community governments and businesses should review their emergency action preparedness plans and are urged to conduct drills to train staff and employees in flash flood procedures.
The best way to avoid lightning, flash floods, and other dangerous weather events during the monsoon season is by staying alert of the weather conditions and avoiding the threat before it occurs. Many opportunities are available to gain weather information including:
Monitoring current weather forecasts on TV or the internet.
Listening to weather reports on the radio or a NOAA weather radio.
Subscribing to lightning and severe weather notification services.
Scanning the skies 360 degrees around and overhead before leaving a safe location.
Understanding Watches, Warnings, and Advisories:
Watches (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, and Tornado, for example) mean that widespread severe weather or flash flooding is possible. A watch means that severe weather or flash flooding has not yet occurred, but weather conditions are becoming highly volatile. Pay close attention to the weather, and tune into TV, radio, or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts regularly.
Warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Tornado, Dust Storm, Excessive Heat) mean that life-threatening weather is about to occur, or has been reported. Take action immediately.
Areal Flood Advisories mean heavy rains will cause minor flooding of washes, streams, and typical flood-prone areas. Flooding in this situation is usually not serious. If the flooding does become life threatening, then the flood advisory is upgraded to a Flood Warning.
Warnings are not issued for lightning, mainly because thunderstorms, no matter how weak, can produce deadly cloud-to-ground lightning. Any time thunderstorms are in the area, lightning is a serious threat. This is supported by the fact lightning is the number one killer in New Mexico, with 84 deaths since 1959.
Rain isn’t the only thing leaving its mark on our homes. Springtime may have just passed, but storms are still whipping through cities causing power outages and home damage. According to the National Storm Damage Center (NSDC), damage caused by trees during severe weather account for over $1 billion in property damage. Broken limbs or trees can cause mass amounts of damage to your property if they make contact. Such damage can be done to roofing, siding, windows and even structure to the home, causing lots of expensive repairs. Unfortunately there is no way to stop the unpredictable weather, but there are ways to prevent damage from happening to your home.
Assessing your tree
The National Storm Damage Center insists on trying to keep trees healthy and surviving as long as they’re not posing an immediate threat, but how do we know if the tree is ready to be taken down or not? There are different ways that a tree can be assessed to give you a better answer to that question.
Broken limbs – the larger amount of large limbs that are broken on a tree, the less likely it is to survive or recover from storm damage. This tree is unfortunately probably ready to be taken down.
Amount of limbs broken – A tree showing more than 50% of its limbs broken or damaged means that it will most likely have a difficult time producing leaves in the upcoming season, therefor making it harder for it to survive.
Leader branch – Is the upward-trending branch at the top of the tree broken? Without this branch being intact, it is likely that the tree’s growth will be stunted, making it less likely to survive.
Location – Last, but not least is location. Saving trees is important for our environment, but keeping lives safe is obviously more important to us. The biggest decision on whether to keep a tree in your yard or not is purely the location of the tree. Is it in a location that could cause damage or injury to your home, car or family if it were to break? If so, it is better to be safe than sorry and get it removed before a storm comes through.
If the unthinkable happens and you have a tree or storm damage, call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque today!
don't let water damage become a permanent resident of your basement.
If your basement floods every time it rains hard, chances are your house is located in an area with an elevated water table. There are measures that will help prevent your home from flooding.
Sub-surface water accumulates in pore spaces and cracks deep below the ground. The upper surface of this underground aquifer is referred to as the “water table.” During heavy rainstorms, successive strata of soil and gravel become saturated with rain runoff, and the water table rises. Conversely, during extended dry spells, the water table falls.
Other factors contribute to the elevation of the water table besides rainfall. Excess water can drain down into your area from higher elevations, or the soil around your house may not absorb excess water particularly well.
Houses that are built in areas with high water tables often require some structural and landscaping alterations in order to keep foundations dry and your basement flood free. In particularly flood-prone neighborhoods, homeowners may need to invest in a sump basket and a pump.
Tips For a Flood Free Basement
1. Gutters are key.
Make sure your gutters are in good shape, free from leaves and other detritus, and that their downspouts face away from the house and its foundations.
Gutters are engineered to catch rainwater, and to funnel it away from the house. Downspouts need to have at least a 4- to 6-foot horizontal extension to direct water away from the foundations.
How can you tell if your gutter extensions are long enough? Water should not be flowing out the sides of your gutters in a rainstorm. The next time it’s raining heavily, go outside and see if your gutters are performing their job adequately. If water is pouring from the sides of the gutters, add additional downspouts or a wider downspout to increase your water-carrying capacity.
2. Shunt water away from your foundations.
You may need to regrade the yard around your house in order to keep rain from flowing into your basement. Optimally, there should be a four-foot slope around your house. You may need to re-landscape the area around your foundations, and haul in additional soil or gravel. If your house is built on a flat piece of property, you may need to build a reservoir sub-addition.
3. Waterproof your basement walls.
Plug all holes and cracks in your basement walls. Water can seep through those fissures. Patching them with hydraulic cement won’t prevent flooding when other problems are present, but it will help. Additionally, painting a waterproof sealant on your basement walls will help prevent water vapor from seeping in from the outside.
4. Install a basement drainage system.
Installing a drainage system into an existing home can be expensive and challenging, but it is the most effective remedy for chronically leaky basements. To install drainage tubing connected to a sump basket and pump beneath an existing basement floor, you will have to dig up the existing concrete floor, bury the tubing and then re-lay the floor.
The Benefits of a Water Restoration Professional Compared to DIY Fixes
let SERVPRO of ne Albuquerque help with your water restoration needs
When considering the multiple number of ways water can invade a house and remain undetected, it’s no surprise that water damage is the most prevalent type of damage found in homes and other structures. Whether it be intense rains that lead to flash floods, busted or leaking pipes, leaking roofs, or even high levels of humidity, all of these potential problems can lead to severe water damage inside your home.
Many people are tempted to take a DIY approach to fixing their water damage problems. This is not recommended due to the nature of water and its ability to be absorbed into the porous building materials of your home. It can be hard to assess the full extent of water damage inside your home yourself. It is best to hire a professional to handle your water damage restoration needs because they have the experience and training as well as the right equipment to properly and thoroughly remove hidden water and moisture.
The following are the top reasons to hire a water damage professional instead of attempting DIY water damage restoration:
Location of Hidden Water Damage & the Source of the Damage
The trickiest part about water damage is trying to determine the full extent of the damage. Water easily gets absorbed into building materials such as insulation, wood, and drywall and if it is not fully removed from these materials, the damage will only get worse and eventually cause mold and mildew to grow. Experienced water damage restoration professionals know how to look for hidden water damage as well as the source of the excess water or moisture to prevent further damage. Much of the hidden water damage can be very difficult to find without enough experience.
Professional Grade Equipment
One major advantage of hiring a water damage restoration professional is that they use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that excess water and moisture has been removed. This advanced drying equipment consists of shop vacs, air movers, and powerful dehumidifiers. Air movers help the drying process by inciting evaporation and they can also bring the humidity level of your home to an acceptable level. Powerful dehumidifiers are used to remove water completely from the air, structural elements, and furnishings in your home.
Quick Response and Restoration
A speedy response is important to minimize damage. This is why it is standard in the industry for water restoration professionals to respond to your house within 2 to 4 hours after first contact. If immediate action is not taken the risk of water spreading and damaging your home and furniture greatly increases. Additionally, if water is left to sit for multiple days the risk of mold growth greatly increases. Water damage restoration specialists know this, which is why they arrive as a team to allow them to tackle multiple problems areas at once. This helps to speed up the water damage restoration process as well as reduce the time needed for drying.
Mold Remediation
One of the worst possible side effects to come out of water damage is the growth of mold and mildew. Mold grows in an area full of moisture, which is why it commonly follows water damage in houses. What makes mold hard to deal with is that it doesn’t just grow on the surface of the affected area, it penetrates through the surface and grows within and underneath the affected area. This is why many DIY mold cleanup jobs are not done successfully and result in the mold growing back again. With prolonged exposure to mold many different health affects can occur which depend on the type of mold as well as the individual.
Mold remediation is best handled by a mold remediation specialist due the many dangers it presents to one's health. They are trained to quarantine off the affected area(s) to prevent mold spores from spreading during the cleaning process. Technicians also handle potent cleaning products with many chemicals that help to remove the mold, which can be hazardous if mishandled.
Reduction of Health Effects
Depending on the cause of your water damage different health effects could arise. Standing water can spread sewage, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can cause health effects. Water damage technicians are aware of this and trained to properly clean up these types of messes. They will remove any hazardous materials and use the proper chemicals in their cleanup to prevent health effects from occurring.
Reduction of Overall Costs and Losses
Although it might seem more cost effective to resort to Google to help you in doing a DIY cleanup, this can cost you money in the long run. Hiring a water damage restoration professional will assure the job is done properly the first time around. This can prevent water from taking occupancy inside porous materials where it can stay and begin to grow mold. This is a slow process that often goes unnoticed until the mold has begun to take over parts of your home. If you wait until you have this type of problem the costs you’ll incur are a lot more expensive than if you had called a water damage specialist to start with. Additionally, when a water damage specialist cleans up mold, they quarantine the affected area so that they don’t spread microscopic mold spores into the rest of the house during the cleaning process.
Help with Insurance Claims
If you have a problem with water damage the first thing you should do is call your insurance agent. They can help you file an insurance claim for any damages as well as recommend you to a trusted water damage repair specialist whom they regularly work with.
The major benefits to hiring a water damage specialist is you’ll save yourself time, money, and trouble. So as soon as you identify any water damage inside your home call a local, trusted water damage restoration service provider like SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque. We will arrive quickly to the scene to help limit the spread of the damage and immediately begin the restoration process.
Here are 5 ways to protect your possessions and your home from fire damage, courtesy of the Home Safety Council:
Blow out candles before leaving any room. It may look nice or save electricity to have candles burning all around your home, but it could lead to a disaster if left burning close to something flammable.
Learn how to extinguish a small pan fire. If you are cooking and your pan catches fire, be sure you know how to eliminate a grease fire and use the back burners with the panhandles turned toward the back of the stove.
As you get close to the holiday season, be sure that your Christmas tree is at least 3 feet away from all power and heat sources and replace all light strings that show any signs of damage or are missing bulbs.
Don’t install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts. They will not work properly in these places. Ceiling-mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling.
Keep plenty of space around your space heater and make sure it has been tested for safety. Look at the bottom for a label such as ETL, UL, or CSA.
What Should You Do In Case Of Fire Damage?
First, contact your insurance agent to see if any of your damage can be covered under your policy. Second, contact a professional fire damage restoration service to determine if it is possible to repair any fire damage to your home.
How long will the fire restoration process take? Because there are many variables and many services involved in fire and smoke restoration, it is difficult to predict exactly how long the complete restoration will take. Consult with your SERVPRO Technician on the estimated dates and phases of your restoration project.
Can I clean the fire damage myself? We suggest that you do not attempt any “do-it-yourself” cleaning methods without consulting your SERVPRO Technician. Professional cleaning systems and products used by experienced, trained SERVPRO Technicians give you the best chance for complete restoration of your belongings. Pre-testing, using the right cleaning agent for the particular item, mixing deodorizing agents with cleaning solutions, and using correct dilution rates are just some of the ways a fire restoration technician expertly controls the results.
What are some safety concerns? At SERVPRO, occupant and worker safety is a top priority. During the initial inspection, safety hazards are identified and addressed, including debris removal, air quality, electrical hazards, slip and trip hazards, etc. Burnt electrical cords and appliances are separate out for disposal, and questionable electrical appliances are unplugged and tagged for evaluation of the safe operation. Electrical power may be turned off and kept off until evaluation by a licensed electrician.
Can I turn on my heating and air conditioning unit? We recommend that you not turn on your furnace or air conditioning unit without clearance from the HVAC contractor.
What items do I keep in my possession? Cash, Medications, Valuable Jewelry, Checkbooks, Personal Documents, Valuable Paintings, Flammables, Pet, Weapons/Ammunition, Gasoline, Cans, Stamp/Coin Collections, etc.
How do I keep track of non-restorable items? We recommend you make a list of items (including food items) deemed non-restorable. Use a format like a sample below, or obtain a similar form from your insurance company. Make a copy for your insurance company and keep one for yourself.
Do I need to move out of my property during the fire restoration process? This is ultimately your decision. Some things you may want to consider are safety concerns, odors, electricity, noise from equipment, etc. If vacating your premises for any length of time, consider the following: forward your mail to your temporary residence; stop newspaper and other deliveries; notify utility company, Cable Company, etc. of temporary suspension of services.
Do I need general contractors? There are some items that may require general contractors, such as drywall/painting, electrical, plumbing, roofing, framing/finish carpentry, flooring/carpet, installation of doors, windows, cabinets, post-construction cleanup, etc. Please talk with a SERVPRO representative as we have the ability to provide these services to you through our own in-house facility.
Do my belongings need to be moved away from the premises? Depending on the source, nature, and extent of the fire, it may be best to remove all belongings to a secure facility for cleaning, storage and to make room for restoration or construction. SERVPRO will work with you and your insurance claim representative to manage this process.
Will I have access to my belongings while they are in storage? Yes, with advance notice we can schedule a time for you to access your requested items.
What about special items? Artwork, china, heirlooms, etc. Some high-value items require restoration by specialists. Working with your insurance claim representative, we can help you identify these and locate a qualified restorer.
Who is responsible for payment for the service? Ultimately you, the property owner, are responsible for payment and will need to sign a form authorizing repairs and payment for the restoration services. If this is an insurance claim, SERVPRO generally collects the deductible (co-payment) amount from you and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. If you have a large loss, your mortgage company may be included as a payee on the payment from your insurance company, and you may need to obtain a signature from them as well. If your claim is not covered by the insurance or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay in full.
According to statistics floods are one of the most disasters that occur in the USA. When water damages take place time is tight and you need to think and act quickly. Such an emergency situation should be stopped as soon as possible in order to prevent the damage from spreading. What can you do? Who can you call? This water damage restoration cost guide is prepared to help you efficiently solve your problem and restore your home to a normal condition.
What is a water damage restoration and how can this be helpful for you? This is a process in which your home is restored to the condition in which it was before the damages occurred or an improved one by removing the problem and its consequences.
Further on in this article, you will find the particular ways to tacklethis issue timely and effectively.
Water Damage Restoration Cost Tips
Firstly, contact your insurance company and inform them about the damages that you have had to see which part of the damaged items are eligible for an insurance claim.
Secondly, don’t waste any time and call us on our number 505-828-3567. Waiting more could cause water damages to spread. If a pipe is broken, you have another leak in your house or you are experiencing the unfortunate event of being flooded, any minute is important, especially if you cannot locate the source of the damage or you have no control over it. Let us know what problem you have and ask us for the free information you can receive. We can provide for you a free consult regarding our services and the way we can help you cope with your emergency situation. Check out the water damage restoration services that are provided and how we can be helpful for you.
Thirdly, try to return the process of damage. Use the time you have until the water damage restoration company experts arrive on the spot and, if possible, begin drying up the wet areas or closing the leakage, if you have one. The final water damage restoration cost will also be lower if you do part of the work on your home rehabilitation – in this way the professionals will work less on your damages and of course charge you less.
Use our free water damage restoration cost estimator to receive a quick calculation for your particular case.
Another saving money tip is to do some cleaning along with your restoration. If you contact a cleaning company to clean your carpet for example your carpet cleaning costs will be lower compared to a case in which you contact a company only for carpet cleaning. Ask cleaning and restoration companies
Water Damage Restoration Costs And Solutions
Factors That Determine Water Restoration Cost
The cost of water damage restoration depends mainly on two factors – the size of the damage and the restoration company that you chose. It is difficult to give an exact price calculation so before going to particular estimates it is important to first take a look at the factors that comprise the water damage restoration cost:
Size of the damage. When the water has leaked within your home the restoration company needs to extract it so logically the more it is, the more the time for the experts to work and the higher the price. For example, if your home is 1,000 square feet, extracting water that is 5 inches high would cost $17,310 and if the water is 1-foot high flood repair would cost you about $27,150. Another factor that defines water damage restoration cost is the quality of water that has leaked. If it is pure tab water your expenses will be lower but if it is flood water which is polluted and also dangerous the price for the restoration will be higher. Also, the size of the damaged area within your home is another cost compound factor. Fill in the free estimate form offered to you on our homepage or give us a call to know more precisely what your water damage restoration cost will be, based on your particular case.
Check the website of The Federal Emergency Management Agency and in particular the National Flood Insurance Program for extra information that might be useful as well.
Check the factors that define the water damage restoration final cost to decide which services you would like to receive.
Water Damage Restoration Solutions
Ask for a written estimate that includes all factors of the water damage restoration cost to be able to see what is the price for every service you are going to get. When water damage restoration experts arrive at your home the first thing they do is look around and detect the reason for the emergency situation that you have.
They take with themselves all the special equipment necessary and use it to explore the problem and solve it.
Water damage restoration cost includes cleaning the area from the water and damp, drying it, removing any results from the damage like mold, and finally sanitizing the area that has been infected. All of these are important in order not only to restore your home but also to ensure the health and safety of yourself and your family.
The restoration company will also try to restore some of the objects that have been damaged. For some of them, it will be possible. For other items the price of restoring them may be higher than the cost of buying them new in which case they will not be restored. The water damage restoration cost includes this service as well.
Waking up to a basement full of water, a burst pipe in your kitchen, or an overflow of water in your bathroom can ruin your whole day. Before you call a water damage restoration professional, here are some steps to take to reduce the amount of water damage to your property and possessions.
Find out where the water is coming from. This may sound obvious, but if you’ve just come home and found a gigantic mess and don’t know where it originated, the first thing you need to do is to FIND IT. If you are not able to find the actual source of the water, you may have a pipe that has burst. You want to stop additional water from entering your home as soon as possible. If you have a bust pipe, turn off the water supply to your home, if your roof is leaking, stop the leak as best you can.
Figure out how much damage has been done. Some things can be fixed on your own, but if it involves damage to your drywall, flooring, or ceilings, then it’s best to call in a professional.
If it’s something you can manage on your own, then first things first: circulation!! Open the windows, turn on the fans, let the room breathe! This will not only help dry things out, but it’ll also help reduce the smell. Get a dehumidifier out and running – it takes the moisture out of the air and surrounding objects, and helps avoid mold and mildew from developing – a great instrument to have at hand.
This Albuquerque Area Home has suffered significant Fire Damage.
In a complex fire (where plastics are burned), the acid gasses combine with heat and water vapor and penetrate cracked and crevices.
When the surfaces cool, the gasses form highly corrosive solutions. These solutions can permanently etch and stain many sensitive surfaces including machinery, and tools, precision instruments, and household appliances, plus marble, glass and aluminum surfaces. In addition, salts are produced when acids mix with metal and can cause further damage to a metal surface, like the corrosion on cars from salt snow and ice treatments. Fast and proper fire damage restoration service is highly recommended.
Another common product of fire is soot, which is comprised of carbon and other materials, that are completely burned or oxidized. Some soot particles are dry and can be vacuumed effectively, but most are combined with grease and oils and cannot be vacuumed. These situations require and alkaline solution that reacts with the oil or grease and release particles, creating a water soluble product that can be washed away with water.
Other soot deposits, depending on their chemical make-up and the surface on which they rest, may demand physical removal with a putty knife or similar instrument.
Even though the chemistry of fires may vary, the most important thing is to dry out the area as soon as possible to avoid further damage caused by acids and contaminants. A careful consideration of the materials and surfaces affected will then provide and understanding of the fire’s chemistry and allow for a targeted and informed restoration effort.
Cover carpeted areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
Tape cheesecloth over intake and outlet air vents to capture any loose soot in the air. This is even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
Clean Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
If the outside temperature is above 60 F, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
Common smoke removal mistakes:
Wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting your professional cleaner. Incorrect cleaning procedures could complicate the soot residue problem.
Clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
Use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.
Use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
Touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing further damage.
Call 505-828-3567 for professional help!
Disaster Preparedness: 40% of small businesses go out of business after a disaster.
Call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque for your Pandemic issues. 505-828-3567
It’s a harsh reality of opening a small business. Most of the owners' efforts are focused on the opening and consequent upkeep of their small businesses. Many of them don’t find much necessity in focusing on more unlikely and uncontrollable disasters that can affect their business. With this oversight comes a high cost; 40% of small businesses are never able to open their doors again after suffering a disaster (as reported by CBC & SurveyMonkey’s Small Business Survey).
With the life-changing altering consequences a disaster can have on any business, it’s important to be prepared in the event of a disaster. It’s a case of “better to be safe than sorry”. This is why it is important to have a ready-made plan to follow through with when confronted with the unexpected. Having a disaster readiness plan can’t always prevent a disaster from occurring but it can increase the chances that your business reopens, and stays open, successfully.
Do yourself a favor to prepare for a disaster now, to give yourself a greater sense of peace of mind in the future. Here are five helpful tips to consider for all small businesses who are wanting to prepare for the unexpected.
1) Keep your Company Records in the Cloud
This one may seem obvious given our society's current reliance on electronic technology and the internet. Though this doesn’t apply to all businesses; especially small businesses with tighter budgets. Most cloud based services will give you a limited amount of space to use for free on their service. This is great for newly started businesses or businesses which are starting to transfer their information from physical copies to the cloud. Once this storage is fully used then it’s time to consider buying more cloud storage.
Having all of your data stored to the cloud doesn’t mean you have to stop keeping physical records, instead it works as a safety net in the event of a disaster. It also give you the ability to access all of this information from anywhere, not just your office. This is the one tip that is most versatile for all of the different things it can do for your business.
2) Have a Plan to Communicate to Employees, Vendors, and Customers
When preparing for a disaster it’s best to prepare for the worst case scenario. If your physical location is out of commission make sure to have a separate plan to address all employees, vendors, and customers. The reason you have a different plan for each is because each set of people have different needs when dealing with your company.
You should always address your employees first. They should be properly trained and aware of how to proceed, otherwise they won’t be able to effectively communicate and help with all vendors and customers. They are the foundation of your business and will be crucial to making sure business will continue as smoothly as possible during this turbulent time.
Additionally, your employees will be wondering if they will be out of a job or if they need to worry about finding another source of income while the business gets up and running. This can cause all employees to stress and lead to them leaving the company due to uncertainty. If they are well informed of what to do during a disaster this can not only put them at ease, but also make sure they still have work to accomplish, knowing they will still be able to get the money they need to provide for themselves and their family.
With vendors it’s important to contact them to work out an arrangement until you can get your business back on its feet. This way vendors won’t send you products you can’t store, sell, or pay for. The vendors will respect this and know that if they can work with you they can keep you as a customer, therefore working in both of your favors. This can help grow your relationship with a vendor and help you during your comeback.
Lastly, it’s important to contact your customer and inform them of your situation. No need to leave them in the dark and risk them going to a competitor. Transparency is crucial. Alert them as to how long and why you will be closed. Additionally, this also means that you must alert them as to when your “grand re-opening” occurs. Especially with your best, most loyal customers you don’t want to leave it up to social media to alert them, you want to get in front of them as directly as possible. If you put forth the effort for them, they are more likely to give you their word of mouth and business.
3) Develop a Plan to Keep Operations Running During the Repair Process
This step goes hand in hand with communicating with your employees. Make sure all involved in your business are prepared to keep the business running. If you have an online store, consider shipping any undamaged products or talking to your vendor and getting products drop shipped. Finding creative ways to keep your business running while your physical space is getting repaired is important in not allowing your business to close.
4) Analyze Potential Threats
As stated earlier, it’s best to assess and prepare for all potential disasters. When preparing, do be smart about what disasters you prepare for. For example, in New Mexico, there’s no use in preparing for a hurricane but there is value in preparing for a fire, flooding, even tornadoes; these are some of the most common natural disasters experienced around the state. So while it’s recommended you prepare for all disasters, be smart about where you are located and what type you prioritize.
5) Actively Practice Drills
Once a preparedness plan has been created and is ready to be put into effect don’t allow it to sit there and gather dust in a folder. Train employees on exactly what to do and how to use the preparedness plan. Once all employees have been trained and know their specific responsibilities, practice. Practice implementing the preparedness plan much like a fire drill is practiced. If people learn it once and don’t have to use it for years to come, they will forget what to do; making all of the hard work it took to create a plan for naught.
It may seem unlikely and a waste of time, but in the unfortunate event that you need to use the plan, it can prove to be a business and job saver for many.
Spring time has become a staple time of year to undertake deeper cleaning projects. Although this is commonly associated with residential homes, it is just as much needed for workplaces as well as homes. The cold winter months keep everyone cooped up inside and messes start to grow. A good cleaning helps to give workers a more open and less hectic environment; additionally, a clean and welcoming place of business helps to attract customers.
Unless you’re an archetypal Danny Tanner or Monica Geller, chances are cleaning isn’t near the top of your to-do-list. Lucky for you, we are here to help make that part just a tad bit easier with a list of some important areas to inspect during your spring cleaning.
OUTSIDE
Windows
Windows are one of the simplest yet crucial areas to clean. Beyond making sure you have squeaky clean windows, check to make sure they have tight seals. Small gaps in window seals can cause cool air to seep out (and warm air in the winter months), as well as allowing water to trickle in. Checking caulking and weather stripping remains intact and up to par can save you money in the long term.
Landscaping
This is very important for the presentation of your business. Now the grass, flowers, weeds and other plants are starting to grow, it’s important to start grooming your landscape. Don’t wait till your plants get out of control, hire someone now or take some time yourself to pull the weeds, mow the grass, and trim any trees or bushes. Additionally, this is a great time to plant some flowers if you want to spruce up your place of business.
AC/HVAC
When converting your buildings air flow system from heating to air conditioning now is the best time to quality check your system. Test your system by running it for a while to make sure it’s working properly, check any old or out of date parts that might need replacing. Clean out the ventilation system by removing dust particles and any other debris lying inside. Ventilation systems are rarely cleaned, which is why lots of building owners tend to find pest infestation or mold problems when cleaning their vents/ducts. It’s best to take these precautions while the temperature is in a transitioning period.
Pest Maintenance
Along with the rebirthed trees and plants, spring also brings back hordes of pests. Ants, spiders, termites, mosquitoes, and even bed bugs can become a problem. It’s best to take preventative measures to ward off pests instead of being forced to shut the business down for a couple weeks in order to fumigate for pests. Keep in mind your locale because different areas attract different pests, this will help inform you what to spray for. If you’re located near a ditch you’ll have more mosquitoes, among other pests, than a more urbanized area. Lastly, if you are continually having the same pest problems year after year, try to identify exterior factors that might be attracting those pests and any defects in your building that might be letting them in.
INSIDE
Dusting
Simple and effective. Even if you already dust on a regular basis now’s a good time to dust those harder to reach, and often ignored, areas.
Flooring/Carpets
As people come in from the rainy times and wipe their feet on your carpets, dirt begins to build up. Don’t let this grime buildup in your building; buy some strong cleaning products for your floors and a top quality vacuum for carpets. In addition to constantly maintaining floors and carpets, now is a great time to hire a professional carpet and floor cleaner to give your floors a deep clean.
Reorganization
Reorganizing comes in two parts. The first is the organizing of all the previous years files into a consolidated area for ease of access. Best practice is to do this at the beginning of every year so that your files are neatly organized and easy to find when needed. The second is the reorganization of the office itself. This is more to keep a clean and presentable workplace. Ideally this is a continuing process year round. If the office has gotten out of hand this can be a good time of year to tidy up the office and breathe some fresh air into the workplace.
Depending on your type of business will help determine what type of spring cleaning takes priority. For example, if you are in a retail business many of these basic cleanings, such as windows and organization, might already be factored into your weekly/monthly workflow. Although it never hurts to go over all areas to make sure everything is getting done properly and efficiently. Additionally, there will be some other more industry specific actions that require priority over window cleaning. Remember, it’s most importantly to consider your specific business and the area in which you are doing business when prioritizing your spring cleaning.
Home cleaning services see big drop in business during pandemic
While having a clean house seems more important than ever, the potential risks that come with bringing someone in to do the cleaning have caused the industry to see a drop-off in business amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Harry Weingardt, the owner of Albuquerque-based SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, said he’s had about a quarter of the jobs he usually does, so he only has a skeleton crew working to clean the few properties that don’t mind bringing someone in..
Asked why she thinks the 80-year old woman still wants her to come in and clean, Harry said, “I think she’d rather have the house clean.”
When he arrives to do the cleaning, Weingardt said the clients don’t stay and he guesses that they’re okay with his company coming in to clean because they’re practicing good social distancing and everyone is wearing masks.
Harry said when he arrives at a client’s house he immediately wipes everything down with disinfectants, then does the normal cleaning he would do, then wipes everything down again.
Harry is also having his employees take extra precautions, providing them with masks and other personal protective equipment including gloves, he said.
Right now the company is mostly just cleaning commercial buildings, according to Weingardt, but even with the commercial buildings employees are only working about 15 to 20 hrs a week.
He’s already been able to secure some office-cleaning jobs, he said and has been working to get more commercial certifications so he can attract even more commercial clients.
Though things look bleak now, Weingardt suspects things could be looking up for remediation companies in the near future.
He said he guesses that once the state begins to reopen there will be a new push for people who want to “clean everything to a completely sanitized level, so we’re trying to get ready for that.”
Office Cleaning Practices to Help Keep the Coronavirus at Bay
COVID-19 so far shows no signs of slowing down, and it is making the world worry.
The pandemic has hit every part of the labor industry and has left no business untouched. It has crashed the economy of almost every country it has hit, and now people can no longer afford to keep their offices shut.
Amid these crises, if you’re one of those people who either have to go to the office or operate the office, then we have just the right tips to help you keep the virus at bay.
Limit Surfaces That Employees Need to Touch
Limiting the options that can help spread the virus is the first way to deal with it. If you have to open your office during the pandemic, make sure to make some changes first.
According to WHO, the virus is spreading through human to human contact, cough and sneeze droplets, and by touching infected surfaces.
You can eliminate the third mode of transmission of the virus by limiting the surfaces the employees have to touch frequently. For example, you should try replacing conventional doors with swing doors, in which employees don’t have to move with their hands and can open them with foot or elbow.
Install motion sensors in bathrooms, so people don’t have to touch faucets. And finally, have motion lights replace switch lights to avoid touching the switchboards.
Hire Professional Cleaners
Hiring professional cleaners is the most critical thing you can do to disinfect your office entirely. Limiting the contact surface was only the tip of the iceberg. To make sure that no surface is infected, you need to invest in cleaning help. Expert cleaners will leave no place untreated from carpets to windows to office desks. They know how to clean office furniture, carpets, and windows with eco-friendly cleaning strategies and making office environment productive for the employees.
In Edmonton, we have affordable commercial cleaning companies that will be worth investing in, especially during the pandemic, as they will make your office space a safe place for your employees to work effectively.
Hiring these companies after short intervals is recommended to ensure maximum safety and disinfection at the office spaces.
Practice Small Cleaning Tips
Practicing small cleaning tips or even avoiding cleaning mistakes can go a long way. While wiping your desk or any other surface, make sure to not go in a circle or a back and forth position as it will redeposit the germs. Wipe down the surfaces in one direction only.
While dusting, don’t use a dry cotton cloth. Instead, go for a microfiber cloth damped in any disinfectant. Microfiber has a better chance to get rid of the virus than dry cotton cloth. So, use eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
Lastly, gift disinfectant wipes to all your employees and encourage them to use frequently. Also, install hand sanitizers and disinfectant spray wherever you can and make sure that all employees and staff are using them regularly.
Coronavirus, no doubt, has shaken the entire world. The highly infectious virus is hard to control, but it does not mean we should not try to keep ourselves protected. If you’re keeping your office open during the pandemic, make sure to follow these cleaning practices and use echo-friendly floor and window cleaners. It is essential to ask your employees to stay at home if they feel any symptoms and get your employees tested every once a week to limit the spread of the virus. Also, install a disinfectant head spray or tunnel on the building’s entrance to get rid of the virus that your employees might pick up on their way.
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque 505-215-5639
SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need
During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
Specialized Training
We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms
Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevator Cars
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment
Specialized Products
The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.
Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque 505-215-5639
The weather is starting to warm up and springtime is around the corner. Spring may be known mainly as a joyful season, but it's not all sunshine and flowers. Unfortunately there is a correlation between spring and an increase in suicide rates. It is a depressing matter to discuss but it is one that must be addressed. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration is available to help, and many homeowners' policies are aiding as well.
Although the exact reason for suicide rates peaking during the spring season is unknown, there are various speculations, from an increase in energy and motivation to inflammation aggravating depression. Whatever the case may be, people are choosing to go through with tragic ends. If a family loses a member due to suicide, there are many difficulties that accompany this appalling situation. One concern that piles on top of the emotions is that of financial matters. Dealing with a death of a loved one is difficult enough without considering the financial aspects. The costs can vary for biohazard cleanup, depending on the situation, but in some cases, insurance is helping to alleviate the financial stresses. Many homeowners' insurance policies offer coverage for crime scene and trauma cleaning, so it is crucial to check with the insurance policy adjuster to determine if coverage is offered.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration is seeking to alleviate the difficulties that accompany a suicide. The situation is troubling as is and finding a qualified, compassionate company to handle the aftermath should not be a distressing task. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration crews are able to attend the scene and handle the cleanup of any present biohazard. If blood stains or bodily fluids are present, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration will safely and effectively remove the dangers to ensure no one is exposed to hazardous bloodborne pathogens and other potential dangers. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration is working with cooperative homeowners' insurance policies to handle the cleanup, eliminating the emotional burden of having to clean up the traumatic scene without assistance while simultaneously coping with grief.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration's main concern is the well-being of the family. The compassionate crews care about the customers they serve and want to complete the cleanup to ensure the physical and emotional safety of the family members. It is important to consult the insurance adjuster to determine whether or not a suicide cleanup will be covered. If an insurance company is paying for cleanup services, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration will work side-by-side with the insurance company and the loved ones involved in order to provide considerate, proficient services.
Does your home have a mysterious bad smell? If you've already checked the fridge and your trash bins and can't find the source, it could be that you're in need of a carpet cleaning or carpet deodorizer.
Just like stains, carpet fibers can trap odors, making them linger in your home indefinitely. If you think your carpet could be the problem, consider the possible sources of the odor.
Moisture or dampness
Sometimes, moisture can get underneath the carpet and carpet pad, leading to musty odors.
This moisture can come from humidity, spills or potted plants that drip onto the carpeting.
A flood can also cause carpet odor, such as when a finished basement floods during a rainstorm.
If not addressed properly, continued moisture exposure can cause mold and mildew to grow under the carpet padding. Not only will it increase the smell, it also creates a health risk.
Pet odor
When pets use the carpet as a bathroom, the smell can really linger.
Even after a carpet cleaning, the smell of pet urine may return. This is due to the gases released by the bacteria that are digesting the urine. If any of the urine remains in the rug fibers, it will continue to smell.
The same is true for vomit, another common problem associated with pets and carpeting.
These bacteria are activated by water, which is why the smell may intensify after a thorough cleaning.
Dry carpet cleaning treatments or treatments that use enzymatic odor removal products are the best solution for eliminating pet smells. Enzymes are particularly effective because they attack the bacteria, thus eliminating the source of the smell.
Cigarette smoke
If a smoker lives in the home, the carpet can collect the cigarette smoke odor.
While the homeowners may not notice the stench because they live with it, visitors or someone who purchases the home will definitely notice the smoke smell.
A professional carpet cleaner may be able to remove the smell, but if the smoking was excessive, a carpet deodorizer may not be enough, and the carpeting may need to be replaced.
Old age
Carpeting is made from fibers. Over time, those fibers break down. When the carpet begins to smell old, there is little that can be done.
Carpet cleaning cannot take the old, musty smell from carpet. This is when it simply needs to be replaced.
In addition to the smell, old carpet starts to release dust, which can contribute to indoor allergies.
Food and drink spills
Food and drinks that spill onto carpet can lead to odors.
Like pet smells, these organic products attract bacteria. As the bacteria break down, they release smelly gasses. Again, professional carpet cleaning is the best solution to remove the smell.
Once you find the source of your carpet odor, you can decide on the best treatment. For organic smells like pet odors or food spills, consider two professional cleanings to thoroughly remove the bacteria.
For other problems, like old age or mold, you may need to replace the carpet. Knowing where the odor is coming from will help you make the right decision for treatment.
Winter recreational activities may help fight off cabin fever, but they also can be dangerous. Before heading outside, brush up on these safety tips for the slopes, rink, and more.
Dressing the Part
Staying warm is important for all winter activities. Protect yourself from hypothermia by wearing polypropylene undergarments — which absorb sweat but also retain heat — and layers of water- and wind-resistant clothing. And don't forget the essentials: hats, gloves or mittens, wool socks, and waterproof boots.
Hitting the Slopes
These safety tips can help reduce your chances of injury when you're downhill skiing or snowboarding:
Take lessons on how to stop, slow down and turn.
Never ski or snowboard alone.
Always wear a certified helmet with wraparound goggles.
Secure loose straps or clothing.
Identify the appropriate trails for your skill level.
Check your equipment before and after each run.
Skating Outdoors
Keep these safety guidelines in mind when ice-skating or playing hockey outside:
Stick to ice at least 6 inches thick and free of ice fishing holes and other debris.
Avoid ice that has formed over running water, such as a river.
Always wear a helmet: Hockey helmets offer the best protection.
Wear proper hockey equipment, including pads and gloves.
Snowmobile Cruising
Inexperience and poor judgment are both leading causes of snowmobile crashes. Learn how to ride safely:
If you are a novice, consider taking a snowmobile or snow machine safety training course before your first outing.
Wear a helmet
Wear appropriate cold weather gear, such as a snowmobile suit, snow bib, jackets, and gloves, to cut the wind, repel water and allow ventilation.
Always go snowmobiling in groups and notify someone at home where the group is headed and the expected return time.
Always check the weather conditions before departing.
If traveling in mountainous terrain, check for "Avalanche Conditions."
Know the area where you're riding, if possible. There may be hazards, such as washouts (melted snow, flowing water or erosion impacting the trail, road or field), fences and drop-offs in unfamiliar areas.
Before departing, check your machine's fuel and fluid levels to make sure they are sufficient for the trip. You should also check the machine's overall condition and operation.
Never drive too fast for your comfort level, and keep speeds below 40 miles per hour at night.
Stay on designated trails.
Avoid driving on ice, but if it's the only option, wear a lifejacket.
Always ride sober, which includes avoiding prescription medications that may affect how you ride.
Be cautious when crossing roadways.
Never approach wildlife.
Carry a first-aid kit, water and non-perishable food in case of a mishap on the trail.
Everyone has had water in their facility where it shouldn’t be. It’s always a mess, but how much is too much? When water damage occurs, when do you handle it with your own staff and when should you call in a professional water restoration company?
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) sets national standards for how to properly handle water damage in 7 steps:
Turn the water off first. It is no use to start cleaning up the mess until you have fixed the problem. So fix the leak, call the plumber, call the city, wait for the seepage to stop; whatever you need to do to stop the problem is your first step.
Determine the path that the water traveled. Find out where the water started and where it went. This isn’t always easy. Water can travel through walls, behind cabinets, through building materials of all kinds. Only when you know where it traveled can you dry out all the areas affected. Missing some areas means problems later. Your trusted restoration company has several types of moisture meters (costing from $600 into the thousands) that will determine where the water traveled. Find out more about the cost of water damage restoration here.
Protect the contents. Many times, furniture is also affected by the water. For example, wet legs from chairs or furniture can release stain into carpet and other flooring and cause permanent damage. Get everything up and out of the water right away.
Remove the surface water. It seems that it is always more than you think. A simple toilet supply line can leak between 700 to 1,400 gallons of water in 24 hours! Be prepared with enough staff and equipment to vacuum it up in a reasonable time.
Dealing with carpet pad. In most cases, remove and discard the pad from the affected areas. It is inexpensive to replace and very hard to dry. Take it out, dry what is left and replace it.
Prevent mold growth. Treat the wet area with an antimicrobial solution once the surface water has been removed (staff must have the proper certification). Spray this on hard surfaces and under carpet and then draw it through the carpet with a vacuum. Then be sure to dry the area within 3 days or less. Mold takes time to grow so time is on your side, but if the area isn’t dried quickly it will grow and cause further problems.
Balance the moisture evaporation. This part can be tricky without the proper test equipment owned by a restoration company. In a nutshell, when you start a fan on an area to dry it, you put moisture in the air. This requires a dehumidifier(s) to wring the moisture out of the air at the same rate that you are putting it in with the fan. Without the proper balance you can cause secondary damage to walls and other building materials. Qualified restoration companies are experts in this process and should be hired if you feel the amount of water is too large to dry in a single day. Waiting too long to call them results in a host of other problems you don’t need in the future.
A simple evaluation of your ability to respond to water damage today will provide you with an appropriate response when it happens. Do you have enough equipment to vacuum water readily available to all buildings? Do you have large fans available too? Can this affected area be cleaned and dried in one day? If not, call in help.
Secondary damage and mold growth caused by not drying water damaged building materials has resulted in thousands of lawsuits across the county. Your best defense is to plan ahead of time and be prepared to call in help from a qualified restoration company if conditions warrant. It will save a host of problems in the future. Water damage happens in every facility. Be ready.
How long will it take my property to dry? Drying time is determined by a combination of factors including the location, duration and source of water, the types of building materials, the weather conditions and how quickly emergency services begin. Through consistent monitoring and evaluation of the drying process, we can determine when the drying is complete. Your carpet may feel dry to the touch, but padding and sub-floors may still be wet underneath. While there are no rules to determine how long your property will take to dry, we can tell you it may take between three to five days or more, depending on the conditions.
How do I know when my property is completely dry? Proper testing with our specialized equipment is the correct way to determine if things are completely dry. Touch alone may be a false indicator.
Will turning up the heat help dry things out? Not necessarily. We will adjust the temperature to its optimum setting for the proper drying conditions. Please do not change the setting or shut off the system; doing so may prolong the drying process.
My wood floors are wet and buckling. Will they have to be replaced? Wood flooring must be evaluated during the drying process. We employ specialized drying systems and dehumidifiers which enable us to create an environment where wood floors can dry more efficiently and resume their original shape. Due to the density of hardwood flooring and urethane finishes, drying may take up to three weeks or longer. If you filed a claim, your insurance adjuster will work with you to make the final decision as to whether floors will need to be refinished or replaced.
What about my wet furniture? The extent of damage and the construction of the furniture will determine if your furniture can be restored. Your furniture must be dried before damage can be adequately assessed. Non-salvageable furniture will be documented for you and if any items need to be discarded, a customer release form will need to be signed.
Do I need to move out of my property during the water damage restoration process? If you file an insurance claim, you may receive guidance from your insurance representative. However, this is a decision you must reach on your own. Here are several things to consider. Safety is paramount. Our equipment is as childproof as possible, but we require your supervision for making sure no children play with it. Air movers and dehumidifiers will create some noise and make your property drafty for a few days. It is important that the equipment remains on, so if the noise is disruptive to you, you might want to consider an alternate place to stay.
What is that smell? It is not unusual to smell odors during the drying process. Increased heat and humidity can also lead to increased odors that may be coming from the drying building materials, or dormant spill and accident areas. Do not confuse these normal odors for the odor of mold.As the drying process continues and humidity levels drop, you will notice these odors disappearing on their own. Deodorizers are often used to minimize these effects as well.
Does everything need to be moved out during restoration? Not usually. If items need to be moved out, we will let you know in advance.
My ceilings are wet. What needs to be done? Our technicians will evaluate moisture content, determine the severity of the damage and may have to remove some of your ceiling for ventilation. Wet insulation can also be a hazard and may need to be removed.
Should I open the windows to help the drying process? Opening your windows to assist the drying process is not always recommended. Outside weather conditions may vary, so the technicians will determine when and if the outside air is appropriate.
Can I walk on the area during the drying process? It is strongly suggested that you keep the traffic to a minimum. Wearing shoes is recommended for your safety. A few reasons your carpet may not be salvageable: – Delamination (occurs when the backing separates from the carpet fiber) – Loss of adhesion (may be caused my prolonged exposure to water or age of the carpet) – Permanent Stains – Carpet covers wood flooring (to salvage the wood flooring) – Sewage contamination
Why does my specialty floor need to be removed? Non-porous flooring can trap water and prevent it from drying properly.
Why did the technician leave wet carpet on my stairs? Carpet on the stairs is generally not removed for safety reasons. Exposed tack strip or staples, especially on steps is dangerous. However, there are situations where removing carpet from steps is necessary to prevent damage to hardwood steps or in the case of sewage contamination. Removing tack strip is not advised, as this may damage the hardwood or the sub-floor. Extreme caution must be when ever tack strip is exposed or when the carpeted stairs are damp. If carpet left on the stairs is unsalvageable, it will be removed when new carpet is installed.
How will you match my carpet pad? A sample of your pad is brought to the office for a match. When available, an identical pad will be used. When your original pad is not available, we will provide a pad of the same quality, thickness and density. Similar pad may differ in color based upon the time it was manufactured.
What will you do with my area rugs? Rugs are taken to our warehouse for special care. They need to be dried carefully to minimize bleeding and colors and discoloration. Your rugs will be dried, cleaned and returned.
Why are air movers and dehumidifiers used? When water damage has occurred, water can be absorbed into the drywall (sheetrock), baseboards, sub-flooring, etc. Drying these surfaces requires high velocity air movers to accelerate the release of absorbed water into the air. Dehumidifiers are necessary for removing this excess moisture to help protect property and create conditions for efficient drying. Please do not turn off or move drying equipment without first calling ServiceMaster Clean.
Who is responsible for monitoring the drying equipment? Our water damage mitigation specialists will place and monitor equipment to achieve optimal results in the shortest amount of time. Please make sure no one turns the equipment off or moves it. Please notify our office immediately if the power goes off or if the equipment turns off.
What will it cost to run the equipment? Based on average electrical rates, it may cost about one dollar per day to operate the drying equipment.
What about sewage contamination? Hard surfaces can be cleaned and sanitized. Affected items that cannot be sanitized require disposal. Porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, particleboard, paneling, etc. that have been directly affected should be removed during the emergency service visit.
Running your household can often feel like a chore. There are many tasks related to maintenance that you have to keep in your mind at all times to keep your space performing in efficient ways. One primary area to focus your attention is the HVAC system you use to keep your home comfortable. Paying attention to the needs of your units can help you to avoid disaster and keep your home cooled and heated in the best possible ways.
To see excellent results from your maintenance endeavors, be sure to focus on specific aspects of your system. By paying attention to certain areas, you will have a much easier time getting your home in the state that you would like it to be in.
Low Numbers
Staying comfortable at home is not always the easiest of tasks. When you crank up the heat in the winter it can cost you. Energy bills are not cheap and plenty of homeowners are looking for ways to lower the numbers that they spend each month. To keep your costs low while simultaneously reducing the amount of stress on your heating & cooling systems you need to keep the thermostat set to lower numbers. When you turn the heat up as high as it can go, it will cost you a small fortune.
Instead, you can keep the thermostat at a normal temperature and see better results from a financial perspective. In addition to this, keeping your thermostat at a low temperature will help to ensure that you get many years of service out of your HVAC system. This does not mean that you can’t play around with keeping your house different temperatures but the default should always be something reasonable. Finding a balance here will help your home perform the way you would like it to.
Keeping It Clean
Another excellent way for you to make sure that your HVAC system is in great shape is by cleaning it out from time to time. Your units will benefit greatly by you taking a little bit of time to check over the various parts and provide a little care. The filters, for example, can wind up being one of the more important components of your system. These filters are responsible for catching any loose dust or dirt that is floating through the air and circulating through your units. Unfortunately, the filters can clog pretty quickly.
The more clogged a filter is, the more difficult it becomes for your HVAC system to perform the way it is intended. This can put a lot of strain on the unit, causing it to break and wear down far faster than is normal. To avoid all of this, get into the habit of changing the filters at a sensible pace. Knowing when it is time for you to change the filters can allow you the room that you require to keep your system running right and give your home a comfortable feeling whenever you walk through the door.
In the Still of the Night
Many HVAC systems also offer the option of running fans to keep a home circulated. This can be helpful if you want to make sure that your home has a fresh feeling. It can also be useful if you want to cool down your home with the natural air outside instead of having cooler air created by your unit. To achieve this goal with a level of success, run the fans primarily at night. Temperatures are lower at night and keeping the fans of your HVAC running at this point can help you to give your home a cool atmosphere.
Running a household is not always a simple task. To see the most success from your endeavors, focus on the maintenance required by your heating and cooling systems. The more you learn now, the easier it will be to spot an issue down the line.
The winter months can create significant challenges for property managers. Snow and ice don’t have the predictability of grass and shrubs. Furthermore, grass and shrubs don’t cause ice damming and pipe freezes.
How you react to the challenges of winter can set the tone of your relationship with HOAs and association boards come spring and summer. Your clients are more likely to forgive circumstances that are out of your control. As long as they know that when mother nature strikes, you are there trying to get their home a quality fix, in a timely manner.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration recognizes the need to be prepared, this is why when we partner with property managers we help them build a comprehensive recovery plan. This way you can react confidently and quickly in the face of a disaster. Winter months aren’t the time for training in front of upset tenants. Our crews have received technical and service training to help them take the proper course of action while remaining empathetic to the situation.
Our office works with our partners to make sure documents flow through the right channels which simplifies settlement, whether there is a claim or the job is a direct pay. We also anticipate and recognize coverage issues so that tenants and owners understand how the claim will be settled.
The SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration brand is the most recognized and respected brand in the mitigation industry, and SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration is the longest standing SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration franchise in the state of New Mexico. You can feel confident you are calling the right people when you contact SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration. After all, no one gets fired for hiring the industry leader.
Summer Storms Wreak Havok All Over the World and Albuquerque is no Different
If your house has sustained significant water or fire damage call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque. (505)-828-3567
Summer storms can lead to fires, floods, power outages, lightning strikes, wind damage and more. To make sure you and your family stay safe during the summer storms in Albuquerque follow these 5 important tips and procedures!
Have a Summer Storm Damage Survival Kit.
Stay inside and away from windows if possible.
Use flashlights and headlamps instead of candles.
Unplug as many appliances as possible.
Try not to open refrigerators or freezers while the power is out.
When the summer storm settles and power is restored do a survey of everything that might be broken or missing. Also, make sure all family members and pets are accounted for.
If your house has sustained significant water or fire damage call the local authorities first, then call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque. (505)-828-3567. We will help any way we can.
Restoring your home or business after a flood is a difficult job. Depending on the severity of the flood, you may have to deal with structural damage, electrical damage, and potential health hazards. Before you begin dealing with the flood cleanup, ask yourself these questions:
Do you have the time?
Time is a crucial factor in a flood damage restoration project. The longer your belongings stay in the water, the worse the damage will be. Any area that is not dried thoroughly within 24 hours may have long-term mold problems. Can you afford to take several days or weeks off work to clean contaminated water and mud out your home? Once the water is removed, your belongings must be dried and restored. If you hire a professional flood restoration company, you can focus on getting your personal life back to normal faster as the flood damage in your home will be taken care of.
Do you have the expertise?
Flood damage cleanup is a multi-stage process. First, the floodwater must be pumped out and the area thoroughly dried. During this process, you will need to mitigate safety concerns due to the weakened structure of your home. There will also be health hazards as you will have to deal with bacteria and mold. You will have to decide which of your possessions can be saved and what must be thrown away. Only then can you begin the actual flood repair work to make your home livable again.
Do you want to do the work?
Flood damage cleanup is dirty, often hazardous work. After the flood incident is over, do you want to face the job of cleaning contaminated water and mud out of your home, then sort through your possessions to see what can be saved? The emotional impact of flood cleanup can be significant and can interfere with other aspects of your life. Hiring a professional to do flood damage restoration is an investment in your mental and emotional health.
In recent years, many different types of disasters have affected the United States. Flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and blizzards are natural disasters that can threaten your home, business and community. Your local SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Franchise Professionals want you and your customers to be aware of the steps to take to help prepare for Mother Nature's worst.
Right now is the perfect opportunity to review your emergency plan. Emergencies can happen unexpectedly in communities just like yours, to people just like you. Tornado outbreaks, river floods, flash floods, historic earthquakes, and even water main breaks and power outages in U.S. cities affecting millions of people for days at a time.
The more you know about what to do in an emergency, the more confident and secure you will feel in your abilities to manage through a disaster. Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but now, you can plan for it. Contact your local SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque (505)-828-3567 for more information and tools to help you be "Ready for whatever happens."
Lightning causes around 31 deaths in the U.S. annually (based on statistics from 2006-2016). Nationally, lightning ranks second only to flash floods in weather-related deaths. Lightning is the most frequent important weather threat to personal safety during the thunderstorm season, and it is also the MOST UNDERRATED weather hazard. Unfortunately, New Mexico has observed several lightning fatalities and injuries. Why? The main reason is that people stay outside too long as thunderstorms approach or form nearby. During the early part of the thunderstorm season, for example May and June, "dry" thunderstorms are quite common. With these types of thunderstorms, little or no precipitation reaches the ground and, as a result, people are less likely to seek shelter. Click below for statistics on lightning events (resulting in property or crop damage, injuries or fatalities) by month and by hour. While most lightning casualties occur at the beginning of an approaching storm, a significant number of lightning deaths occur after the thunderstorm has passed. If thunder is heard, then the storm is close enough for a lightning strike. DO NOT wait for the rain to start before seeking shelter, and do not leave shelter just because the rain has ended. Did you know?
The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 ° F, which is hotter than the surface of the sun!
The average flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months.
Lightning occurs with all thunderstorms.
It's not raining, is there still danger from being struck by lightning? YES! Lightning often strikes outside of the heavy rain area and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Will the rubber soles of my shoes or tires on my car protect me from being struck? NO! However, the steel frame of a hard-topped car provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside the car than outside. To roughly estimate the distance in miles between you and the lightning flash, count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder and divide by 5. When skies darken or thunderstorms are forecast, look and listen for increasing wind, flashes of lightning, sounds of thunder, and static on your am radio. While no place is safe from lightning, some places are much safer than others.
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
Get inside a house, large shelter or an all-metal vehicle (not a convertible).
Do not use a corded telephone during a thunderstorm. Only use cordless or wireless phones instead.
Remain clear of tall, isolated trees and telephone poles.
Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines or metal pipes and rails.
If you are caught outside, away from shelter, you need to get to a place of safety as quickly as possible.
Wait 30 minutes after you hear the last rumble of thunder before going outside.
What you can do...
Watch for signs of an approaching thunderstorm
Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation
REMEMBER if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning
If possible, move to a sturdy building or hard top automobile
If safe shelter is not available, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles
If boating or swimming, get out of boats and away from the water, get to land and find shelter immediately
There are a large number of structures everywhere throughout the country that is claimed by the United States government. A large number of these structures, some in Albuquerque, are to some degree older structures that need servicing. One service frequently required is water damage cleanup and restoration. Framework substitution of fundamentally critical parts, for example, rooftops and old cast press plumbing turn out to be progressively more pertinent as a building ages. This requirement for substitution can concentrate on the pipes that are exceptionally old and not all around kept up. These channels will probably blast then more up to date pipes. To have a water harm restortion organization like SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque as a reasonable alternative as a quick reaction group is critical.
Likewise, there are numerous administration structures that are situated in spots that experience noteworthy changes in the atmosphere that can go anyplace from to a great degree chilly to a great degree hot amid the yearly regular cycles. These temperature changes can make for a lot of strain on any channeling that is in the building, which can yield blast pipes inside structures.
Despite the fact that many individuals jump at the chance to think about the Unified States government as resistant to ordinary issues, for example, this one, truly their structures are simply structures like any others. They can simply be influenced by issues, for example, water damage as can some other business working in the United States.
Which sorts of offices that are possessed by the Assembled States government can be affected by the blasting of channels?
Military offices encounter impacts because of climate changes that can come without notice. Considering that these offices are disseminated everywhere throughout the country, it is critical to guarantee that the ones that are in calm atmospheres have sufficient protection. On the off chance that they don't, the results will be that the funnels will keep up an inclination to blast, regardless of whether they are situated in the workplaces, plane shelters, or sleeping shelter. In the event that a pipe bursts in one of these offices, the episode could really prompt the formation of mold. This is sufficiently awful in a home, yet when an issue like this affects the military, it is pivotal to ensure that the issue is settled. Shape could antagonistically influence the wellbeing of individuals from the military.
Government court structures could likewise be truly affected by water harm. These structures can be unfavorably influenced by form. There are numerous stories of poor air quality making sickness the representatives, law specialists and bolster individuals.
Government workplaces should be shielded from water harm too.
On the off chance that there are water harm issues in a noteworthy focus of government action, it is conceivable that the organization inside the administration could be unfavorably influenced or even back off to the point of insufficiency. Thus, it is vital for any water damage issues that emerge in these structures, in Albuquerque or different areas, to be settled quickly and in the most expert way that could be available. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration is known for being faster to any disaster.
Privately Possessed Organization with National Assets
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration can react promptly to your business water harm crisis paying little respect to the degree or size of the harm. We are a piece of a national system of more than 1,600 Establishments with extraordinary Calamity Recuperation Groups put deliberately all through the nation to react to huge scale occasions and debacles.
Regardless of whether your water crisis happens in a major box store or a little office building, we will react rapidly to alleviate the harm and deal with the reclamation extend through to its finishing. (505)-828-3567
It’s appropriate for a working person or a mother with small children to employ a cleaning company. It is just a case of valuing a person’s time.
First of all, the cleaning agency is going to do a much better job than you would, because their cleaners are properly trained to clean and they have become professionals. Second of all, your house is going to be much cleaner than if you had done the cleaning yourself and it will be healthier, as you would have probably missed some areas which are vital for the maintenance of excellent health. That is why it’s always better to hire specialists, as opposed to doing the work on your own.
For instance, the typical carpet in many houses is actually full of dust, microbes, insects, contaminants, insects, mold and grime. You need to remember that most of these cannot be removed with simple vacuuming. That is why you should use cleaners who have efficient equipment and they would be able to protect you and your family from any future problems.
You can use individual cleaners if you want, but it is the specialist services that will give you the best results for the money spent. Specialist cleaners come in your property as a group and their cleaning job is going to be more structured and pre-planned.
If you have a full-time job, you could give the cleaner a house key so that they could complete the job while you’re working. It can be difficult to let someone in your property but don’t worry, because they are covered with insurance and if something happens throughout the service, you will be refunded by the cleaning company.
Even if you don’t work full time, why do you have to spend your time cleaning when you could be doing something with your family and friends? Simply book a cleaning service and spend your time in the park or somewhere else.
Top-quality cleaning services will give you the ability to forget worrying about having a spotlessly clean property. Vacuuming the carpet a couple of times per week will not keep it clean and healthy. Eliminating all the filth, sand, dust mites, debris, microbes and other pathogenic things that are harmful to our overall health calls for the use of professional carpet cleaning services. Carpet cleaning services can be booked on a regular basis to ensure that the carpet is kept in fantastic condition.
Only the smell of a clean property is enough to inspire you to more energetic pursuits. Having a clean property will help to ensure that over 90 percent of all the microbes are removed and you stay in great physical shape. When you sum up all of these aspects, the cost of a fantastic cleaning service pales in comparison to the overall improvement in health and hygiene.
Damage from a small, fairly contained stove fire will be less expensive to repair than a damage from a more extensive kitchen fire. The size of the burned area and the type of the materials that burned will determine the final cost of cleaning and repairing the fire damage. Fires that consume natural materials, such as dry grass, produce less soot than those that consume synthetic materials found in many homes. Since cleaning soot is expensive, damage these natural fires cause will cost less to repair.
Price Range For Cleaning Fire Damage
Damage from a simple stove fire may cost around $2,000 to $5,000 to repair, but it may cost $10,000 to $30,000 to rebuild a typical kitchen after a larger fire. If a fire spreads beyond a single room, you may need to rebuild your home, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Optional Fire Damage Cleanup Services
Depending on the extent of the fire damage, many types of services may be necessary for complete fire damage cleanup. If smoke or ash penetrated the vents and the HVAC system, they will need to be thoroughly cleaned and deodorized to prevent smoke particles from being blown back into the house.
There may also be water damage to repair from putting out the fire.
Furniture and other possessions damaged by smoke, soot, or water may need to be removed to an off-site cleaning facility.
Never enter a fire damaged building until the fire marshal has inspected the building and determined that it is safe to enter. Contact your insurance agent and your landlord if you rent the property. They will tell you to stay out of the building until they arrive to document the damage. If a few square feet are affected and the damage is minor, you may be able to clean it yourself using household cleaning products. If the damage is more extensive, you should hire a professional fire damage cleanup service. They will prevent further damage to your home and possessions, and fully restore and repair your property. A fire damage repair team will also tell you which possessions can be restored and which must be replaced.
Prevent Further Damage
In many cases, water damage is more widespread than the actual burned area. Open windows and doors, and set up fans to ventilate the area as quickly as possible. Remove wet carpets, rugs, and other textiles to a dry area to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Place foil, plastic or wooden casters under furniture legs to avoid staining the carpet. Remove any brass or copper items and clean them immediately with a specialized cleaner to avoid smoke etching. Do not attempt to clean fire damaged carpets or other textiles with a regular vacuum.The rotating brush will grind soot further into the fibers, damaging them beyond repair.
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) sets national standards for how to properly handle water damage in 7 steps:
Turn the water off first. It is no use to start cleaning up the mess until you have fixed the problem. So fix the leak, call the plumber, call the city, wait for the seepage to stop; whatever you need to do to stop the problem is your first step.
Determine the path that the water traveled. Find out where the water started and where it went. This isn’t always easy. Water can travel through walls, behind cabinets, through building materials of all kinds. Only when you know where it traveled can you dry out all the areas affected. Missing some areas means problems later. Your trusted restoration company has several types of moisture meters (costing from $600 into the thousands) that will determine where the water traveled.
Protect the contents. Many times, furniture is also affected by the water. For example, wet legs from chairs or furniture can release stain into carpet and other flooring and cause permanent damage. Get everything up and out of the water right away.
Remove the surface water. It seems that it is always more than you think. A simple toilet supply line can leak between 700 to 1,400 gallons of water in 24 hours! Be prepared with enough staff and equipment to vacuum it up in a reasonable time.
Dealing with carpet pad. In most cases, remove and discard the pad from the affected areas. It is inexpensive to replace and very hard to dry. Take it out, dry what is left and replace it.
Prevent mold growth. Treat the wet area with an antimicrobial solution once the surface water has been removed (staff must have the proper certification). Spray this on hard surfaces and under carpet and then draw it through the carpet with a vacuum. Then be sure to dry the area within 3 days or less. Mold takes time to grow so time is on your side, but if the area isn’t dried quickly it will grow and cause further problems.
Balance the moisture evaporation. This part can be tricky without the proper test equipment owned by a restoration company. In a nutshell, when you start a fan on an area to dry it, you put moisture in the air. This requires a dehumidifier(s) to wring the moisture out of the air at the same rate that you are putting it in with the fan. Without the proper balance you can cause secondary damage to walls and other building materials. Qualified restoration companies are experts in this process and should be hired if you feel the amount of water is too large to dry in a single day. Waiting too long to call them results in a host of other problems you don’t need in the future.
A simple evaluation of your ability to respond to water damage today will provide you with an appropriate response when it happens. Do you have enough equipment to vacuum water readily available to all buildings? Do you have large fans available too? Can this affected area be cleaned and dried in one day? If not, call in help.
Secondary damage and mold growth caused by not drying water damaged building materials has resulted in thousands of lawsuits across the county. Your best defense is to plan ahead of time and be prepared to call in help from a qualified restoration company if conditions warrant. It will save a host of problems in the future. Water damage happens in every facility. Be ready.
Here are 4 steps you can take today to prevent water damage to your home, courtesy of State Farm:
Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks, and check the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe may indicate a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.
Check hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around hose ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every 3 to 5 years as part of a proactive maintenance program. To help make sure the hose doesn’t kink, leave at least 4 inches (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine.
Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Check it frequently for problems, and shut off the water if you are away from your home for several days or longer.
Keep the roof free from leaves, twigs, and other litter to allow proper drainage. Clogged gutters can easily lead to poor drainage, which in turn can lead to leaks in both the walls and at the foundation. Also, replace missing, curling, cupping, broken, or cracked shingles.
For people who’ve experienced a fire in their home, the initial cleanup of soot and water can be only the beginning. On top of the devastation of possibly losing irreplaceable personal items and memorabilia, the process of getting the home back in living order can be filled with difficulties.
Restoring the home requires professionals who are experienced in dealing with fires and restoration of the property. The national association that certifies companies’ expertise in fire cleanup is the IICRC, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. IICRC-certified companies must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise.
IICRC, working with the manufacturers of carpet, upholstery and fabric, works to establish the standards on how these items can be restored, whether from fire or water damage. When it comes to cleaning, restoring and inspecting that items are safe to be replaced in the home, the IICRC writes the books, so their certification of a local company offers homeowners the reassurance that the fire restoration work will be done correctly.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is IICRC-certified, and our technicians receive ongoing training in the IICRC best practices. We also understand the need for immediate response, working with your insurance agent to document the loss and items that are able to be restored versus those that are a total loss.
If you ever experience a fire and need a restoration company, look for these factors in your chosen company:
Proof of proper insurances and licenses
Their level of experience in fire-related restoration
Formal and recent training in specialized fire restoration work
IICRC Certification
For restoration of your home and its contents after a fire, New Mexicans turn to SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, LLC. We take pride in keeping our customers informed about their restoration work, and in upholding the standards of our IICRC certification.
Albuquerque residents whose homes may have sustained smoke damage as a result of the fire season can turn to SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque!
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque officials can conduct a thorough appraisal of fire and smoke damage of a home in a timely manner.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is equipped with the expertise to dispose of any burnt building material or unsalvageable items; clean clothings, linens, carpets and furniture to remove any trace of smoke odor; and execute the cleaning and removal of any stains and soot residue contributing to the odor of smoke — including in the home’s HVAC system
In addition, company officials can safely and thoroughly “scrub” the air to break down odor molecules using hydroxyl devices and other specialized techniques to treat any air that may have been contaminated by smoke.
Most insurance companies carry that kind of coverage and we work with all of the major carriers to work through this.
Do not enter the damaged area without conducting a safety assessment. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may not be safe for you to enter the building.
Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of the building. If the ceilings are sagging, do not enter the building.
Be sure the electricity in the building has been shut off. Submerged electrical appliances and electronics can cause serious electrical shock.
If the area has been under water for more than 24 hours, wear a surgical mask to avoid inhaling mold spores, or avoid the area until the professionals arrive.
Keep in mind that the floor will be slippery and objects may have shifted during the flooding. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in water damage cleanupprojects.
Remove Standing Water
If it is safe for you to do so, use a wet-dry vacuum to remove standing water, or use towels to soak up smaller pools of water on furniture, counters, and other surfaces. If the area is flooded with more than a foot or two of water, wait for a professional water damage remediation team to arrive.Removing large amounts of water too quickly will damage the building’s foundation.
Move Furniture, Rugs, and Smaller Items
Remove area rugs from the room and spread them outside to dry. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs to prevent carpet stains. When wood furniture is exposed to excessive moisture, the stain can transfer to the carpet leaving permanent marks. Metal table or chair legs can leave rust stains. Remove smaller items such as books, toys, chairs, and other miscellaneous objects from the area.
The cost of a water damage remediation project is determined by the size of the affected area and the type of water involved. Water is divided into three categories:
Category 1 is essentially clean water. Because it generally does not imply serious health and safety concerns, this is the least expensive type of water remediation. This type of water usually comes from a burst supply pipe or a faucet left on.
Category 2 is dirty water that is not seriously contaminated. This type can come from an overflowing dishwasher or washing machine.
Category 3 is water that is dangerously contaminated, such as raw sewage. This type of water poses serious health and safety risks and repairing damage from this kind of water is usually expensive.
The cost of the project also depends on the size of the affected area. Repairing damage in a relatively contained area will be less expensive than an entire house remediation.
Price Range For Water Damage Cleanup
The cost to fix water damage varies greatly depending on the area and type of damage. Damage from a leaky roof is usually contained to a small area and involves category 1 water. For this, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars.
A burst pipe affecting a larger area can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This kind of water damage can affect a wider area. It also depends on whether the water came from a supply pipe with clean water or a discharge pipe with category 2 or 3 water.
Flood restoration costs range from $7,800 to $26,000, depending on the depth of the water, according to the National Flood Insurance Program.
Optional Services
Minimize the cost of water damage cleanup by starting to dry the area and your possessions within 24 hours. Mold will begin to grow if water remains longer than 24 hours, and removing mold will incur further costs.
To minimize the area affected by water damage, shut off the water supply as soon as a leak is detected – the sooner, the better. A simple water alarm can detect moisture and automatically shut off the water supply. This costs between $50 and $150. These devices can prevent large-scale flooding from a broken appliance or water heater, saving you thousands of dollars.
SERVPRO NE Albuquerque Restoration Satisfied Water Damage Clients
We strive every day to ensure that our quality of work is up to the highest standard and we are always so happy to get positive feedback from our customers.
Here are some recent quotes from real customers:
"MANY THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE AT OUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING. YOUR STAFF ARRIVED IN THE EVENING AND EVALUATED THE NEEDS AND STARTED TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. WE APPRECIATE THE FAST AND QUALITY WORK THAT SERVPRO DID FOR US. I AM GLAD TO RECOMMEND YOUR SERVICES TO OTHERS" -David, New Mexico
"You made our emergency a priority and the service provided was outstanding. As this was my first exposure with SERVPRO, I am impressed with both your office and field staffs, which were always helpful. It was a pleasure doing business with you." -Rick, Santa Fe
"While we were devastated by our water leak and home getting ruined, your crew stepped up and saved our home. In the process, they calmed us and made us feel like all was going to be OK. We can never express how wonderful your crew was and how much they did to make it all OK. Thank you!." -Evelyn, Albuquerque
If water damage, from the smallest overflow from a toilet to full house flood from a pipe burst, threatens your home or office call us at (505)-828-3567 We are here to help and care for not only your home or office, but for you as an individual.
Ciggerette Smoke Odor Removal by using proper Carpet Cleaners
Not only are cigarettes bad for you they also affect the air quality around you and the smoke can get trapped in your home carpets for a very long time.
Carpet cleaning is not always an easy task. You not only need to clean the surface from stains, spills, and dirt but you also need to make sure that the carpet is free from unpleasant odors that may have attached themselves to it. One type of odor that some carpet owners have to deal with is cigarette smoke.
Here are the steps that you need to take to deodorize cigarette smoke odors from your carpet.
· To remove cigarette smoke odors from your carpet you are going to need a lot of baking soda. Baking soda is a great product for removing odors from many things such as shoes and rugs. The beauty of baking soda is that it is also very affordable. And that’s a good thing because you’re going to need a good amount of it.
· Next, find an empty baby powder or talcum powder container, or any type of container with several small holes at the top for openings. You will be using this to sprinkle the baking soda over the carpet. You can always just open the top of the baking soda box and sprinkle it from there also.
· Once you have your materials ready, walk around the area and sprinkle the baking soda all over your carpet. Spread an ample, even layer all over, making sure to pay close attention to the areas where most of the odor is emanating.
· Once you have sprinkled a generous layer of baking soda over your carpet, use a straw broom to spread the baking soda evenly. This will help to work the baking soda into the carpet. Once you have done this, leave the baking soda overnight. This will allow it time to absorb and neutralize the smoke odor from the carpet.
Carpet and furniture deodorizing: Another surface that readily absorbs cigarette smoke are your carpets and rugs as well as upholstered furniture. Use a carpet cleaner or baking soda to help these surfaces – sprinkle it on and leave for several hours or overnight, then vacuum it up again.
Carpet shampooing: When deodorizers don’t work, a deep carpet shampoo treatment may be more effective using a natural carpet detergent. Hiring an eco-friendly carpet care professional is likely a good idea for a truly thorough carpet clean. Learn more by reading our natural carpet cleaning article.
· The next day, simply use a vacuum cleaner to extract all of the baking soda from your carpet. The odor should disappear with the baking soda.
Dealing with cigarette smoke does not have to be a frustrating experience. Just follow these simple tips and you should have a fresh smelling carpet in no time.
A Few Critical Factors To Consider For Fire Damage Restoration
Fire can be one of the most devastating things for a family. Unexpected fires damage property and cause harm to your belongings. However, such accidents do happen and you should be well prepared to face those unfortunate events. Even though all necessary safety measures are followed, accidental fires cannot be prevented. But, steps can be taken for immediate fire damage restorations so that the amount of damages caused and losses suffered can be minimized. Professional restoration services will instantly respond to your emergency calls and experienced staffs will help you to get back to normal life as soon as possible.
In addition to cleaning the premises and assembling leftover articles after fire damage, a service provider will also do the following:
Remove acidic smoke and soot from the interiors of the building.
Take steps for immediate odor control.
Clean and deodorize clothing, upholstery, and other items of the house.
Secure possible pedestrian hazards.
Test and evaluate the extent of damage to structures and contents, and estimating the restoration costs.
Contacting the insurance companies
Getting in touch with the homeowners insurance companies is one of the critical factors that you should consider during an accidental fire. Fire damage restoration experts will talk with the insurance providers about the extent of damage caused and help you to claim the maximum compensation. Moreover, it is also important for the insurance companies to make an inspection of the damage themselves, and it is better if they do it before the restoration work starts.
Do not try fire damage cleanup yourself!
When it comes to fire damage rehabilitation, you should remember that it involves various risks and should not be tried unprofessionally. During a fire, there are various chemical reactions, which may cause irreparable damages to your health. Moreover, oftentimes, sparks remain underneath the rubbles. Such fires are hard to detect by untrained eyes but, can cause great harm if not treated properly. In addition to this there are possibilities of accidents due to weak structures, which might collapse and cause harms. Moreover, using inappropriate cleaning agents in such burnt structures can cause further damages.
You should remember that it is always better to search for a reputed restoration service provider well before such accidents strike. Being prepared will always help to restore maximum damages caused. If you are seeking for a professional service provider for fire damage, Albany, NY has a few of the renowned companies. You must compare and select the best company. Keep the contact details handy, you never know when you’ll need it.
Do you have a pest infestation? When insect and rodents invade your home it's time to fight back.
ANTS
Repel: Clean with white vinegar. Not only does vinegar make a great all-purpose cleaner but ants can't stand the smell and it will mask their scent trails so they will lose their direction. Follow the ants to locate the food source (usually something sticky that has been spilled on the counter or floor). Removing the source and cleaning the area with a solution of one part vinegar and one part water a couple of times a day will usually eliminate the ants.
Exterminate: If you still find ants try this simple bait recipe. Mix one part powdered sugar to one part baking soda*. Place this mixture in small shallow dishes (I found that Gatorade or juice lids work perfectly for this) and leave around the home in places where you often find ants.
*Please note large amounts of baking soda can be harmful to pets. For this recipe, you should only be using a small amount but to be on the safe side I would place the mixture in areas where your pets can't get to it.
COCKROACHES
Repel: Place mint & bay leaves around the home. Cockroaches hate the smell and will stay away. I like to place the leaves in small mesh or muslin bags and place in dark areas such as closets and cabinets where cockroaches like to hang out.
Exterminate: The same recipe we used above for ants will also kill cockroaches. Place equal parts of powdered sugar and baking soda into shallow containers and leave around the home where you notice cockroaches.
MOSQUITOES
Repel: Grow marigolds, basil, & mint. Mosquitoes are repelled by the strong scent of these plants. Place live plants around your home or place dry mint leaves in muslin bags to keep in your home. Also cleaning with mint or citrus scented cleaner will do wonders at keeping mosquitoes away.
Exterminate: Make a mosquito trap. Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 cup hot water. Cut the top off of a bottle. In the bottom half of the bottle add the cooled down brown sugar mixture and 1 gram of yeast. Place the top half of the bottle upside-down inside the bottle. Wrap a sheet of black construction paper around the bottle and tape it in place. Place the bottle in an area of your home where you find the most mosquitoes. Placing these bottles in your front and back yard a few feet away from your home will also attract the mosquitoes and trap them before they have a chance to enter the home.
Mosquitoes larvae live in water. Removing any standing water around your home can greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes in and around your home.
MICE
Repel: Mice hate peppermint. Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil and a drop of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray this around your home especially any entry points or holes that mice use to come into the home.
Exterminate: The best way I've found to kill mice is a simple mousetrap. I've tried other traps and even tried poison with little or no luck. Place a small amount of peanut butter or cheese on the traps before you set them and leave them in several areas around your home where mice have been seen making sure they are out of reach of children and pets. Be sure to check the traps often. You don't want a dead mouse stinking up your home. If you would like to catch mice without killing them try out this handmade 5-gallon bucket trap and leave out the water.
SPIDERS Repel: Peppermint repels spiders. The same recipe used above to repel mice also repels spiders. You can replace the water with white vinegar and it makes a great cleaner. Use this solution to wipe down counters, appliances and even the floors. Your home will be spider free in no time.
Exterminate: Fill a spray bottle with one part white vinegar and one part water. Spray this directly on spiders. The acid in the vinegar will kill spiders on contact.
FLIES
Repel: Lemons & cloves. Cut a lemon in half and stick several cloves in the pulp. Leave the lemon halves on your kitchen table or wherever flies gather. The scent of the lemon and cloves will drive the flies away.
Exterminate: Cut a plastic bottle in half. In the bottom, half pour in a small amount of wine and fruit scraps. (I usually use strawberries or some kind of melon.) Place the top half of the bottle upside down inside the bottom half. Place the trap in your kitchen and replace every couple days until flies are gone. Another option would be to use rotten meat in place of fruit and place the trap outside, away from the home. The rotten meat smell will attract the flies and keep them away from your house.
OTHER
On top of following these methods of controlling insects, you should also find a cleaning schedule that works for you and stick to it. Insects and rodents tend to like messy/dirty homes a lot more than they like a clean home. It seems that every time I find pests in my home it's always after a busy week or after I haven't been feeling well. That's usually when I tend to slack on my cleaning schedule and it doesn't take long for the bugs to set up camp and move on in. Sticking to a cleaning schedule won't guarantee that you will not find bugs in your home but it does help a lot to minimize them.
Another great way to keep bugs out of your home is to make sure they can't get in in the first place. Go over your entire house and look for areas where insects may be entering the home. Replace any caulking around windows and doors, check the weather stripping to make sure it's in good shape, and fix or replace broken window screens.
Life after suicide: Group helps mourners through cleanup, funerals and grieving
Her mom took her own life in 2003, and since then, seven of her friends have committed suicide.
As part of the healing process, she started raising money for suicide prevention.
But after the 2012 suicide of Jason Lockwood, a fixture in Southeast Michigan's local music scene, Hardy saw her friends struggling to navigate their grief, and felt she needed to expand her efforts.
That's when Six Feet Over, a non-profit dedicated to helping the bereaved cope in the wake of a loved one's suicide, started taking shape.
The Hamtramck-based group guides people through the grieving process, helps fund funerals, and pays for the cleanup of suicide scenes.
"I realized that there was a conversation that needed to be had, and we really needed to be there for each other," Hardy said about the aftermath of Lockwood's death. "People I loved didn't know how to talk about it and are now more at risk."
She said her concerns also grew because those who lose someone to suicide are more likely to commit suicide, even if they don't suffer from mental illness.
"[Lockwood's suicide] opened up a thousand people to a really crappy statistic, so these people are at a higher risk," Hardy said. "I wanted to make sure that this didn't become a horrible cycle of loss."
That goal is at the center of Six Feet Over's mission, and it's one of the few non-profits in the nation that pursues it by providing financial assistance to those who can't afford cleanup and funeral costs.
Six Feet Over and Suck It Suicide, which raises money for Six Feet Over, also offer financial assistance to make up for unpaid time off work taken to arrange funerals and deal with the loss.
"These are things that could effect the rest of people's lives in a lot of ways, so to help them heal and do it without worry is important," Hardy said.
An inexpensive funeral runs around $2,000, and clean up costs range between $500 and $2,000.
Six Feet Over contracts with a crime scene cleanup company that scrubs "every last millimeter," Hardy said. The company is sympathetic to Six Feet Over's cause and offers a small price break, but suicide can still be a huge financial burden.
"People were asking us for help paying for the funeral. They were cleaning up messes left behind, and we said 'That's got to be distressing,' so we added that onto our mission statement," she said.
"Those are things that no one thinks about, but they're important."
Hardy said she didn't know she was considered a "survivor" of suicide until several years ago, and there are specific support groups, networks and others who help those around a suicide.
"When you're in crisis you aren't thinking 'What would be the best search terms to help me look for help?' You're thinking 'Someone help me, please,'" Hardy said. "We help find resources and connect people to them. Once people know what's available, then they can open up and start a dialogue with themselves and others."
The group has also started providing support to high school kids who lose a friend, by setting up an off-campus safe space where kids can go to grieve. Hardy said that's a sensitive situation that schools typically aren't equipped to handle.
"This gives kids the time and the opportunity to grieve and get a better understanding of where they're at," Hardy said.
Six Feet Over raises money through donations and at fundraising events like this Saturday's comedy night at Small's in Hamtramck. Hardy also has shirts available on the non-profit's website and sets up at music festivals and events where the group raises awareness and funds.
Hardy's work with Six Feet Over caught the attention of others in the mental health field, and she was recently asked to join the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee, which advises a steering committee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The subcommittee's objective, Hardy explained, is to make the Lifeline more inclusive to those who might need it.
While many of those in the field are doctors and clinical-types, Hardy represents and provides a voice for the crowd that "likes to swear, drink and listen to loud music."
That's a valuable voice on a board filled with people who can't always connect on a certain level with that crowd, she said.
"I'm what they call the 'lived experience,'" Hardy said.
Home and business owners throughout New Mexico considering upgrading their roofing may want to consider the advantages as well as disadvantages of installing a flat roof rather than one featuring sloped construction. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque understands that flat roofs are becoming increasingly popular because of their affordability, but they must be properly sealed in order to maintain their structural integrity as well as properly maintained in order to prevent roof leaks.
There are several important advantages of selecting a flat roof over one that is sloped. Flat roofs are easier to access and stand on for the purposes of roof inspection. Their horizontal surface offers more stability than a sloped roof. They are much more affordable to install as well as re-coat than other styles of roofing. A flat roof is also viewed as more aesthetically appealing for use in warmer climates.
One major disadvantage that flat roofing has over a sloped roof is that its stability decreases as its size increases. A very large flat roof usually cannot avoid flooding after a period of heavy rains, and there is an increased risk of collapse from the weight of this water. In order to avoid flooding problems, the synthetic rubber coating that has been applied to the surface of the roof must be checked on a regular basis. Proper maintenance is also essential to avoiding roof leaks.
Home and business owners whose buildings currently have a flat roof that has not been checked or undergone regular maintenance should contact a licensed roofer for an inspection. If you do have a leak-- contact SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque immediately 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our professional team will ensure that water damage is repaired and get you back into your home or business in no time!
Permanent Flood Fix on the Table for Northeast Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —An Albuquerque family made some big changes to their northeast home to make sure their garage and backyard doesn't flood during monsoon season -- and more permanent help is on the way.
Sasha Patton said her family has spent almost a year and thousands of dollars creating barriers around her house, and funnels through the property where water can flood.
"We haven't stopped," Patton said. "We have done project, after project, after project. If it floods and we're home, we can sit in the window and drink a cup of coffee and not have to worry about it anymore."
Patton and her family made the expensive changes because last May, gallons of rainwater rushed through her garage into the backyard, after a storm drain on her street was overwhelmed.
She caught the whole storm on camera.
After the damage was done, the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority, or AMAFCA, took notice.
Engineers began to look at whether the neighborhoods near Constitution and Washington NE were in a flood plain.
AMAFCA said in a report it found there are several neighborhoods with the same problem because when it starts to rain really heavily, all of the water drains down the street to the lowest point. At the lowest point are many homes and businesses.
Now, AMAFCA is working on a solution. A spokesperson said the idea of a holding pond is in the initial report. It could hold the monsoon rain water, but any solution is still years and millions of dollars away.
Patton said that's why they're prepared.
"We've done everything to keep ourselves safe," Patton said.
Indoor air can get polluted with dust, allergens, and other small particles. If you are concerned about your indoor air quality, you might benefit from having your air ducts cleaned. Having your air ducts professionally cleaned may make a difference in the overall quality of your indoor air. And, cleaning your air ducts may also help your HVAC system function more efficiently.
When it comes to air duct cleaning, homeowners often have many questions. Here are a few of the most common:
Does a professional air duct cleaning really make a difference? A professional air duct cleaning can benefit you in more than one way. First, the cleaning will remove dust, debris and other pollutants from your air duct system. This can be beneficial to anyone living in the home who suffers from allergies, has breathing problems, or is sensitive to pollutants. Second, clean air ducts can result in a more efficient HVAC system. When your home’s ventilation system is clean, it can function more efficiently – which may ultimately save you money on your monthly energy bill. How often should I have my air ducts cleaned? Unless you are in the midst of a home renovation project or you live in an area with extremely high pollution, you should not need to clean your air ducts more than once a year. In fact, after your air ducts are professionally cleaned, you may not need another thorough cleaning for several years. For advice on how often you should have your air ducts cleaned, make sure to ask your air conditioner repair company. If the air conditioner company does not offer air duct cleaning services, they should be able to provide you with the name of a reputable company to call. Can I clean the air ducts in my home myself? Many homeowners wonder if they can clean their home’s air ducts with their own vacuum cleaner. In reality, it is practically impossible to clean an air duct system with a regular vacuum. Air duct cleaning companies use special equipment that is designed to specifically clean air ducts. As a homeowner, one of the best things you can do to prevent pollutants from infiltrating your air ducts is regularly change your HVAC system’s air filters.
Is a professional air duct cleaning expensive? The cost of air duct cleaning services varies. Factors that are taken into consideration when an air duct cleaning company provides you with a quote include the number of air ducts in your home, the age of your home, the length of time since the air ducts were last cleaned, the current condition of the air ducts, and more. It is advisable to get a quote from more than one air duct cleaning company to make sure you are getting a fair price quote.
For more information about air duct cleaning, and for advice on whether you should have your air ducts professionally cleaned, make sure to discuss the matter with your air conditioner repair company. There are several good reasons to have your air ducts cleaned, and your HVAC system might benefit from a one-time or recurring air duct-cleaning schedule.
You cannot clean up mold on your own. The EPA’s recommendation to clean up a moldy area of up to 9 square feet is to wipe it with a cloth dampened with a diluted bleach solution.
The EPA and California Department of Public Health always recommend mold consultants. They do not. In fact, minor mold situations, they say, can be handled by the resident or with janitorial staff.
Mold consultants are licensed. Mold inspectors or consultants are not licensed by the government, but instead hold credentials and memberships in trade organizations.
Mold cannot be caused by the resident. Mold accumulation can often be caused or worsened by a failing to properly ventilate a residence. Mold can build up in stuffy bathrooms or any area where the environment is humid, warm and poorly ventilated.
Insurance never covers mold. Partially true: Property insurance policies do not normally cover mold, fungus or dry rot. If a water damage incident occurs, and the damage is not discovered and ventilated soon, mold can result (and dry rot). The property insurance will normally refuse to cover the cost of mold remediation, but will still typically cover the rest of the repairs. However, if the property owner is sued because of water damage including mold, the liability part of the policy ordinarily will defend the claim.
Let the emergency contractor do everything. Because of the panic associated with mold, the normal reaction is to call emergency services contractors. Such contractors are more expensive, because of their readiness to respond almost immediately at any hour. Stopping water leakage and drying the space might require an emergency contractor. However, sometimes a plumber might be enough.
Keep demolishing walls until you find no mold. Panicked residents often ask a landlord or HOA to open walls to look for mold. However, this is almost always a waste of money. Allow demolition only of what is immediately necessary, and then seek bids for the non-emergency work.
Mold damage situations must cost at least $10,000 per occurrence. The cost of repairing water damage skyrockets due to unnecessary tests, delays in responding to the leakage (the most common cause of mold buildup), excessive demolition and using emergency contractors for everything, and foregoing competitive bids for repairs. Be more deliberate, and save money.
Take things that were wet for 2 or more days outside. Things that stayed wet for 2 days have mold growing on them even if you can’t see it. Take out stuff made of cloth, unless you can wash them in hot water. Also take out stuff that can’t be cleaned easily (like leather, paper, wood, and carpet). Use bleach to clean mold off hard things (like floors, stoves, sinks, certain toys, counter tops, flatware, plates, and tools). Follow these steps: Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, goggles, and N-95 mask. Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach. Mix no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Wash the item with the bleach and water mixture. If the surface of the item is rough, scrub the surface with a stiff brush. Rinse the item with clean water. Dry the item or leave it out to dry.
Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours, and can produce allergens and irritants that have the potential to cause other health effects.
If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration Franchise Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration Franchise Professionals
Provide 24/7 Emergency Service
Highly Trained Water Restoration Specialists
Faster to Any Size Disaster
A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 1,650 Franchises
If You See Signs of Mold, Call 505-828-3567
Understanding Mold
Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. 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 on a pet.
Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water.
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.
Common Mold Misconceptions
With sensational news stories and misleading advertising, you can easily understand why so many people are misinformed about indoor mold. Learn the facts about mold and the mold remediation process.
Why Choose a SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration Franchise Professional?
They’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Franchise Professionals are dedicated to responding immediately when you contact them. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.
They specialize in water and mold damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Franchise Professionals have the training and expertise to safely handle any mold situation.
Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
Water Damage Restoration Technician
Applied Structural Drying Technician
They Use Advanced Mold Remediation Techniques and Equipment
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration Franchise Professionals use advanced equipment to detect the source of water feeding the mold. Next, they isolate the affected area using a negative air pressure chamber.
Exposure to mold in a home can be hazardous, leading to any number of adverse health effects, including respiratory distress. Certain strains of mold may release mycotoxins, which can cause bleeding in the lungs and pneumonia.
Mold can grow in any dark and damp spot, which makes air conditioning units prime locations for mold proliferation. Mold spores can be circulated through a home via a central air conditioning system or window air conditioning unit. Mold spores in the air are very easy to inhale, especially for young children and elderly people.
Air conditioners also are susceptible to mold growth. Preventing mold from becoming a problem means being in tune to indicators that mold may be present, and then taking the necessary actions to eradicate that mold and preventing future growth.
Visible mold or a musty smell when operating the air conditioner are prime indicators of a problem. If anyone suspects mold has infiltrated their air conditioning system, consider these tips.
Keep equipment clean – Routinely clean dirt and debris out of air conditioning ducts and equipment. Pay special attention to organic matter, such as dirt that may come in from outdoors.
Eliminate water sources – Standing water presents an ideal breeding ground for mold. If there is excess water present in or around the system, have the AC unit serviced.
Change the filter – Many manufacturers recommend change an HVAC filters and window unit filters once every three months at a minimum. This can prevent mold growth and reduce allergens like dust and dirt that circulate through the air.
Clean up the mold – Homeowners may be able to clean up a minor mold problem, but larger issues are best left to a professional. Exposure to mold can put a person and the entire household at risk, especially if mold spores are disrupted. Air conditioning repair companies and mold-removal specialists are better equipped to clean and contain mold. If a homeowner cleans a window unit, they should make sure that all components are completely dry before reassembling the parts. Damp conditions can lead to more mold.
Air conditioning can be a life-saver during the summer. But men and women must make sure mold doesn’t become a problem while their AC systems are in use.
Albuquerque Water Damage Restoration
505-828-3567
www.SERVPRONEAlbuquerque.com
Water damage restoration season is upon with nights becoming colder and longer. Before we know it, our heaters will be on and the threat of frozen pipes will be a nightly threat. In the case of below freezing temperatures and broken pipes, be sure to reach out to your local experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque. We specialize in all forms of water damage restoration. Everything from roof leaks, to plumbing problems, to anything else that Mother Nature has in store. There is no project too small or big, residential or commercial. Your licensed GB-98 contractor at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is here to help from claim to completion in the quest to make it “Like it never even happened.®”
It’s not uncommon for construction repair and rebuilds to be a cause of a water damage restoration. Many of times a contractor will be doing work on a property and a leak springs. The benefit to calling SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is that we can fix the pipe, wall, flooring, etc. Even if the water damage escalates to a mold infestation, we can help restore that as well!
Like we said, there is no job too big or small that we can’t handle. We have been servicing the greater Albuquerque for over 20 years and work with all major insurance companies as well as self-pay clients. Estimates are free for customers located in the greater Albuquerque area. Feel free calling us for with any questions and to schedule a time for us to provide an estimate. It’s better to be safe than sorry. So call the heroes at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque at 505-828-3567.
Water Damage Restoration: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
Water Damage Restoration: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
Call 505-828-3567
www.SERVPROnealbuquerque.com
Water Damage Restoration can be caused by a number of different sources including: hot water heater, sink, refrigerator, roof, pipes, weather, toilet, etc. It’s surprising how quickly a small leak can horrifically flood a room or a slow leak that has been running for years turns into a severe mold infestation. Fortunately, Albuquerque’s longest locally owned GB-98 licensed SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is here to help you through any emergency remediation (Fire, Water, Mold & Biohazard). With being a complete one-stop-shop, our goal is to get things back to “Like it never even happened.”®
The first thing that should be done when a water damage restoration emergency comes up is to call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque at 505-828-3567. We will immediately send an available crew out to the site to help contain the site. From there, our licensed GB-98 contractor will schedule a time to come out and put together a complete quote. If the property is insured, we will directly with the adjuster as well as work with the property owner for out of pocket clients.
Time and temperature is the greatest enemy for any water damage restoration. Dehydrating the site is the most crucial step to take to prevent mold and mildew taking over. Our state-of-the-art industrial grade methods are designed to do this in a very timely manner.
From here, any reconstruction or replacement can take place. Rather than having to orchestrate multiple other contractors, we make things easy and convenient by finishing the job from claim to complete. We can dry the carpet or replace it with a brand new floor. If the drywall is damaged, we can replace and paint it back to its original state.
There is no job too big or small for us. If you are in the greater Albuquerque area, please feel free giving us a call to schedule a free estimate or if you have any additional questions. Rest assured that the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here to help!
Fire Property Restoration: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
www.SERVPROnealbuquerque.com
505-828-3567
With the midst of fire season upon us, fire property restoration can be an unexpected need. From fire repair to smoke damage cleaning, odor removal and soot damage cleanup; the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here to serve any aspect of fire restoration. We are Albuquerque’s oldest and original SERVPRO franchise with over 20 years of experience. We are locally owned and are a GB-98 licensed contractor. Our goal is to make it “Like it never even happened.”®
Fire property restoration can be caused by an open fire that takes place within the residential or commercial property. Likewise, fire damage can be caused by a property adjacent to the estate. Much of the time when this happens, smoke and soot damage is the primary culprit. This can affect everything from the walls, carpet, air-ducts, roof, ceiling and more.
Nothing is worse than an emergency remediation then one that is not caused by the property owner/occupant. Fortunately, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque works directly with all major insurance companies as well as out of pocket property owners.
During this process, many of the belongings will need to be temporarily removed so that a complete restoration can take place. One of the services SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque offers is packing, storing and cleaning of your possessions. Some of the methods of cleaning that we offer for your contents are:
Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.
If the structure of the property is beyond cleaning, we can also help provide construction, repair, replacement and painting, installing and finishing of drywalls, countertops, cabinets, ceilings, and various floors including (carpet, tile, pergo, bamboo, wood, etc.).
Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns about any fire, water, mold, and biohazard restoration. For more information, please visit our website at www.SERVPROnealbuquerque.com or call us at (505) 828-3567.
Drug Lab Cleanup: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
Phone: (505) 828-3567
www.SERVPROnealbuquerque.com
Drug lab cleanups in Albuquerque and across the country are an epidemic. Manufacturing of narcotics has moved to the house and property managers are left with a crime scene cleanup that only the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque can help out with. Our professionally trained technicians are specialists for any emergency remediation including fire, water, mold, and reconstruction but we are especially skilled for any biohazard, drug, or crime scene cleanup. We uphold the industry’s highest OSHA standards for property management and care. In addition, we work directly with all major insurance companies making the process even easier for you.
There are a number of steps that need to be taken when it comes to any drug lab cleanup or any biohazard, drug or crime scene restoration job. The first step of course is to reach local law enforcement(911) and report any wrong doing. The second step is to call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque at (505) 828-3567. From here, we will contain and stabilize the site.
Once the site is quarantined, the 20 years of experience of SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque will quickly remove any contaminated materials. Because we are a GB-98 licensed contractor, we are also a one stop shop for the complete remediation. We will work directly with the property manager and remediate any carpet, wood, vinyl, bamboo, tile and pergo flooring as well as drywall, cabinets and countertops.
Because a property requires a drug lab cleanup, that doesn’t mean that the property cannot be restored to its original state or even better. Our moto is that we will restore any property back to “Like it never even happened.”® Please feel free reaching out to your locally owned SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque with any questions or concerns. We are here to help in any way we can!
Fire damage and restoration due to wildfires has riddled the news for years now. Whenever it hits close to home, your whole world can be flipped upside down. Fire damage can be caused by a number of incidents. Regardless how it was started, the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here to help get things back to “Like they never even happened.”®
Fire damage can come in many different forms including:
The most important thing that can be done is to take action as quickly as possible. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque works directly with all major insurance companies, making it easier for you. We know this is a stressful time and we are here to help out in all ways. We are even a licensed GB-98 contractor. This means we will not only remove all the fire damage but we will restore the property back to its original state.
We have been serving the greater Albuquerque area for over 20 years and have seen every remediation job out there. So don’t worry how weird or devastating the fire damage might be. We’ve got your back and will get you back into your place A.S.A.P.! Fire damage is one of our specialties.
It is always a tragedy when dead body cleanup services are required, regardless if it is a loved one or not. Whether it is an unattended death or more recent, the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here to help you with your property and get things back to “Like it never even happened.”®
Any crime scene cleanup including: suicide, homicide, or death caused by natural causes can be a very messy aftermath. The licensed GB-98 contractor at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque can help remediate the entire property, being a one stop shop. We also work directly with the adjusters of all major insurance companies, making it easier for you.
Some of the dead body cleanup services we provide are:
Our experts take after OSHA and EPA protocols to help change a deeply damaged domain once again into a perfect, safe home or business. Our first goal is the wellbeing of all parties, since crime scenes may include bloodborne pathogens, chemicals and other substances. No dead body cleanup is an easy process. We will dependably treat your property and the individuals involved with the greatest sympathy and regard in the extremely troubling times.
Feel free to give us a call with any questions at: 505-828-3567.
Soot Damage Cleanup: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Phone: 505-828-3567
Soot damage caused by fires can be one of the dirtiest jobs. It seems to stick to everything and spread on will. It’s possible for a fire to not cause any major structural damage but soot can speak of a different story. In fact, the fire can be adjacent to the property and still cause soot and smoke damage. The professionals at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque can restore any fire, soot or smoke damage back to “Like it never even happened.” ®
Soot damage does not just affect the walls and ceiling but can grab ahold of anything and everything including but not limited to:
Curtains
Carpet
Cabinets
Clothing
Car
Here are some steps on what should be in an event of fire soot damage:
Call the proper emergency department: 911 or 242-COPS.
Get a hold of us: 505-828-3567
Secure site
Remove any water (if applicable).
Soot damage and smoke removal
Clean and Sanitize
Restore
In conclusion, not matter the degree of soot damage or fire damage; the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are equipped to do a simple cleaning job to a complete rebuild and restoration. We work directly with all major insurance adjusters to help streamline the process for your convenience so that you can get back into your house/property as quickly as possible!
One of the most common casualties of any property disaster is the floor. Flooring replacements are one of the expertises your locally owned GB-98 certified SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque does. Whether you have a tile, laminate, marble, wood, bamboo, pergo, carpet, etc., we can help restore anything back to “Like it never even happened.” ®
When one thinks of a leaky roof, the most common thing to think is that they will need a new roof. Thanks to our friend gravity, water tends to find the lowest point to accumulate. This tends to be the floor and before your know it, that beautiful new pergo flooring is warped and not only does your roof need to be repaired but you will also need a flooring replacement done.
With over 20 years of remediation experience and being a licensed GB-98 contractor, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is uniquely qualified to be a one-stop-shop for all your restoration needs. We can not only help repair the roof, but the flooring replacement with all the other remediations are what we are here for.
Flooring replacements are not limited to water damage. They can also be caused by death and crime scenes, fire and smoke damage, and any number of other disasters. So whether you have a tile, marble, wood, laminate, bamboo, pergo, or carpet; your locally owned GB-98 SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is here day or night 24/7.
Restoration clean up can rear its ugly head in the many forms of water, fire, mold, and biohazard remediation. Within each one of these, there are many sub sequential forms of restoration cleanup such as a basement flooding vs a roof leak. Each of these requires a different set of skills and approach to the restoration cleanup.
Fortunately, the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are a licensed GB-98 and are fully equipped and experienced in the complete restoration of any disaster. This means, that we are a one-stop-shop and eliminate the needs for scheduling and coordinating multiple contractors. In addition, we work with both insured and out-of-pocket customers. Here is a list of some of the most common restoration cleanup jobs that come up.
Water damage can be a major restoration clean up job. This can range from a roof leak, to a damaged water pipe, etc. If the water damage isn’t addressed in a timely manner, this can lead to our next restoration clean up job.
Mold requires ideal conditions for it to thrive and take hold. These are a food source, water and the right temperature. Once established, mold can quickly spread and cause a tremendous amount of damage to a property.
Fire can cause some of the worst restoration clean up jobs. Damage can not only be inflicted from the fire itself but the smoke can cause serious harm. The fire may not even be on your property but collateral damage is a common occurrence.
Restoration clean up can come in the form of various biohazard incidents. Examples of these are suicide/homicide clean up, drug lab disposal, sewage backup, hoarding, chemical spill, and tear gas cleanup.
Overall, there is no job that is too large for the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are capable of. With over 20 years of experience, we’ll get thing back to “Like it never even happened.” ®
Fire Restoration: The great American Holiday celebrating her day of independence, the 4th of July, is upon us this week. It is prudent to have a quick refresher on fire safety. The most prominent risk that comes to mind is the ever favorite, the firework but we must not forget about the old faithful grill. All of these are the backbone to a classic 4th. Fire damage cleaning and restoration are anyone’s worst nightmare. So let’s go over a couple tips to ensure a safe and joyful holiday.
First thing first, let’s let the fire handling to the experts and the more sober ones of our friends and family. Supervision of young ones is vital for their safety and for everyone’s. Obviously, mixing fire and alcohol/other substances is also a bad combo. This can be a recipe for fire damage and restoration.
The second thing to do and probably the first/most important thing to do is to follow local laws. The US Forest Service provides levels of fire risk and restrictions. To prevent any fire damage and restoration, it is a good idea to follow these rules. For further information, please visit: https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/fire.
A third tip to prevent fire restoration and cleaning is to keep fireworks and the grill outside. Don’t be lighting fireworks and your grill off in your home. These are things that are best enjoyed outdoors. Keeping a source of water nearby is also an incredibly good idea. Accidents do happen but having all of your CYA’s checked, is the best way to prevent disaster from striking.
Overall, the 4th of July is the American classic holiday that celebrates everything summer and America. So pull out those freedom overalls and apple pie and let’s make this the best and safest 4th of July. On the off chance the worst takes place; the professionals of SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here for all fire restoration and cleaning needs. Stay safe!
Call us at: (505) 828-3567.
Disaster Cleanup Services: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque provides Disaster Cleanup Services throughout all of northern New Mexico!
Disaster Cleanup Services can come in many forms ranging from: Sewage backups, Crime scene residues, Suicide/death accidents, Homicide cleanups, Blood cleanup, Accident cleanup, Hoarding scenes, Animal waste/remains, Chemical spills, Tear gas cleanup, Meth lab cleanup, Suicide/death accidents, Homicide cleanups, Blood cleanup, Accident cleanup, Hoarding scenes, Animal waste/remains, Chemical spills, Tear gas cleanup, and Meth lab cleanup, etc.
Here are some tips on what to do if a disaster cleanup situation comes about.
Position signage as well as an individual to prevent entry into a defined space, regardless of whether it is in an eating area.
Call any law enforcement, if the situation requires legal intervention.
In the event that the occurrence happens in the kitchen or food-prep area, stop everything including serving activities.
Consider everything in the 25-foot range of the occurrence as being contaminated.
At this point, calling the professionals at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque would be the best thing to do.
Once the site is quarantined and sectioned off, our experts can go to work. Some of the areas of work that we can help out with include:
There is no disaster cleanup service that the experts of SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque can’t tackle. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate reaching out to us: 505-828-3567.
Refrigerator Leak Mold Remediation: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
Mold Remediation: Has your refrigerator been on the fritz and leaking? Who knows how long it’s been dripping for? When you pull the fridge back; have you found an infestation of mold and now require remediation? As disheartening as this can be, fortunately there is a solution and the professionals of SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here to be of service.
The first thing that should be done for any mold remediation is to locate the source of the water and turn it off, if possible. The second thing to do is to call us: 505-828-3567. We provide free estimates for insured customers within the Albuquerque area and work directly with the insurance company and adjuster to help streamline the process for you. Our goal is to help as quickly as possible to get the mold remediation back to “Like it never even happened.” ®
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque has been locally owned for over 20 years and we have some of the latest and greatest technologies/methods for mold restoration for your property. Some of these include:
Moisture Detection and Measurement Equipment
Water Extraction Equipment
Drying Equipment
Odor Removal and Deodorization
Sanitizing Agents, Germicides, and Anti-Microbial Treatments
We are a licensed GB-98 contractor and are a one-stop-shop for your complete mold remediation. If there is a leaky pipe that is the cause of the mold. We will not only fix the pipe but we will also repair the wall/site back to its original condition. This eliminates the needs for hiring multiple contractors.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free reaching out to us. 505-828-3567
With monsoon season creeping up on us, water damage restoration may be an unforeseen hurdle that may need to be tackled. Whether it is a leaky roof or a flooding, the professionals of SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque have a list of tips for any water damage restoration project.
The first thing that needs to be done is to make sure that all electronics are disconnected. During this process, it is important to determine if the house/property is safe to stay in. To help determine this, give us a call at (505)-828-3567. We are more than happy to come out and provide a free estimate for individuals in the greater Albuquerque area who are insured.
It is vital that these initial steps are completed A.S.A.P. Once water is introduced; mold can quickly take hold and spread. The faster the water damage restoration process is engaged, the less hassle and troubles will be experienced.
Once the experts of SERVPRO od NE Albuquerque are on site, the drying and dehumidification process begins. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business for any water damage restoration.
During this step, we also help with the caring and upkeep of your belongings. If the water damage restoration is significant enough and requires the items to be temporarily moved out, we are prepared to help out with this process. Our goal is to be a one-stop-shop for the entire restoration process from A-Z.
After the water damage restoration is dried, the build back can begin. We are a certified GB-98 contractor and will get any damage back to the way it looked “Like it never even happened.” ®
If you have any additional questions, please visit our website and give us a call!
As the monsoon season approaches, it will be extra important to stay on a vigilant watch for water damage and subsequently – mold. Spores and mold take time and ideal environments for it to take hold. They need water, a food source and ideal warm temperatures. Once these three criteria are met, mold can grow at an exponential rate.
Is Black Mold the only mold that I need to worry about?
The answer to this question is NO. Black mold can be more aggressive and irritable/harmful than green and white mold but all mold can have a negative impact on our health. The key is to isolate the infestation and remove its food source. This may require the removal and restoration of the site but specialized treatments done by the professionals at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque can be applied to remediate the site.
What are some tips on what to do once mold is discovered?
We have been serving the greater Albuquerque areas for over 20 years and are a GB-98 contractor and are a one-stop-shop for any mold removal and remediation. For your convenience, we work directly with most insurance companies so that you won’t have to hassle with them and offer free estimates for insured customers within the Albuquerque area.
Call Now: 505-828-3567
Construction Next Door Causes Major Fire Remediation
Construction Next Door Causes Major Fire Remediation
Recently, one of our customers experienced one of a home owner’s worst nightmares; fire and smoke damage caused by a construction site adjacent to their property. They did everything by the textbook with having all of their fire alarm batteries replaced, a fire extinguisher at the ready but something like this just sideswiped their entire life.
Fortunately, the professionals at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are experts in fire remediation for both residential and commercial properties. Many of times, when someone thinks of fire damage the first thought that comes to mind is their property actually catching on fire but some of the most damaging aspects of a fire is the impact of the smoke.
A fire can sometimes be many miles away or right next door and the next thing the homeowner knows; their house has become a smoke house, minus the BBQ and good times. There are a number of Do’s and Do Not’s for any fire remediation job.
Here are a couple of things to consider first for fire remediation:
Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
Change HVAC filter.
Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
Just because as a homeowner, you’ve done everything in our power to prevent the worst from happening; the unthinkable can still happen. When things like this do take place, the experts at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here to help with any fire remediation job to get things back to “Like it never happened.™”
Death Scene Cleanup Experts: SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque
One of the most horrifying and challenging restoration projects is a crime scene cleanup. This is not for those weak of stomach. In fact, it takes a team of experts to tackle all the regulatory and professional requirements to meet the specifications of getting the site back to “Like it never even happened.”® Fortunately, the specialists over at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque are here to help. Here are a couple pieces of background and information that are good to know when a death scene cleanup event like this occurs.
Unattended Deaths
The sooner a death scene cleanup is reported the easier the restoration process will be. Obviously, this isn’t always the way things happen. The professionals at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque have the complete guide and over 25 years of experience to tackle the hardest of challenges.
Step 1: Assessment
It is our pleasure to come out and do a free estimate and assessment to see what the scope of work is and how to best approach the restoration.
Step 2: Contain and Section Off
The first step of a death scene remediation is to establish a control zone so that no further areas of the property are contaminated and damaged. There are a number of certified protocols SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque follows to ensure the highest safety in our working environments.
Step 3: Disposal
Once a death scene cleanup site is sectioned off and under control, the real work begins. Removing any contaminated belongings in the safest manner is key to ensuring the property is restored to its original state while not tainting any other aspects of the residence.
Rinse, Lather, Repeat & Restore
The aesthetic restoration is only half of the remediation process. Making sure air quality and health standards are met is where we excel. Here at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, we make it easy by being a one-stop-shop in the whole process. This saves both time and money in getting the property back up to living conditions.
Does my insurance cover this?
Working with insurance agencies to help streamline the process is one of the things our customers appreciate most. Even if the property owner doesn’t have insurance, we make it as cost effective by being a GB-98 contractor. We can lower restoration costs by providing all the required services under one roof. So whether you have a residence or a commercial property, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque is here to help!
Has the recent storm we experienced caused water damage to your property?
The sooner water damage is addressed, the less likely other problems like mold will appear. There are a couple things that should be addressed for both the property owner and tenant.
Issues around repairs are a standout amongst the most well-known problems occupants bring awareness to respective property owners, says Senior Officer with the Tenants Union of NSW Leo Patterson Ross.
As an occupant, you have to recognize what sort of support a landowner is relied upon to care for and how to ensure the place you call home doesn't fall into disrepair under your supervision.
A genuine rooftop leak is viewed as a critical repair. A rooftop repair is viewed as a top priority repair.
Who is responsible for the repair?
Property managers need to keep the premise in a sensible condition of repair in relation to the age of the property, the measure of lease you are paying and the planned existence of the premises. In addition, they have to follow building, health and safety laws.
While you're in charge of things like yard maintenance and light fixtures, the landowner needs to take care of breakdowns of provided accommodations like cooking and hot water appliances, as well as damage from bad weather, a burst water pipe or other water damages.
Patterson Ross says every state has extremely strong occupant repair rights backed into laws and codes. In case you're uncertain, telephone your property administrator and get their information. They ought to be up to speed on who is in charge of what.
Contact your property director or landowner quickly
Property director Brenda Wayman of Wayman Real Estate says it's a smart move to inform the property supervisor or landowner about maintenance issues when they emerge.
"A great deal of renters would prefer not to report repairs since they feel that next time it comes around to a rent reestablishment, the lease will go up, yet that is not the situation," she says.
"We'd rather know everything that is going ahead in the place and keep it all around kept up, just increasing the rent when the market permits."
Wayman calls attention to that if an occupant doesn't report damage and it creates even more of a problem, it can be thought about as carelessness.
"The renter could then wind up with a court order to pay the landowner's insurance increase since they didn't report an issue," she says.
Record and hold on to all documents
It's essential to monitor all correspondence around your repair issue. Put all communications and moves in written documentation, says Wayman, so there's no questioning about who said what.
Keep a record of telephone calls, including the date and who you addressed, and where fitting take photographs of the thing requiring consideration and forward them to the property director or landowner.
Patterson Ross says the greatest hurdle for occupants to get repairs followed through with is the apparent danger of a "no grounds" lease cancellation.
"Inhabitants are stressed over being viewed as troublesome occupants," he says. "Somewhere in the range of occupants are being told they're being kicked out on the grounds that the proprietor wouldn't like to manage them any longer."
Patterson Ross says while these rent terminations do happen, they're not normal, and renters should continue with their endeavors to have repairs finished.
Work with your property director
Wayman says most property directors would like to give great support to their renters and landowners and their main work responsibility is to ensure repairs are made in a convenient way.
"I say to my proprietors on the off chance that you don't keep up your property you'll wind up with less desirable occupants, and the last thing you need is individuals that won't take care of your property," she says, calling attention to that repairs are typically charged to the deductible.
On a few events, it's the property supervisor who gives repairs a chance to slide. Wayman assumed control over the administration of a Sydney property where water damage was left unattended for over a year in light of the fact that the past property director never got around to procuring a tradesman to settle it, notwithstanding having the thumbs up from the landowner.
The miserable occupants wound up leaving and Wayman was entrusted with restoring the property to great condition before she could rent it out.
In the event that it's your property administrator that is letting the side down, endeavor to contact the proprietor straightforwardly with your worries.
No activity? Bring in the repairman!
On the off chance that your property director or proprietor is inaccessible, there are conditions where you can sort out a repair yourself.
With a specific end goal to be repaid for any critical repairs you should have the capacity to demonstrate the repair was not your blame, that you attempted to contact the landowner or property manager and that the repairs were completed by an authorized tradesperson.
You can likewise visit the site of the Tenants Union or proportional in your state for support, report sheets and documentation that you can download, edit and send off.
If all else fails you can apply to your local authorities in your city/state for a request for the repairs to be finished.
"The legal costs inhabitants time and cash, so on the off chance that you can resolve a repair issue without them it's eventually better, however it's the best way to get binding requests," says Patterson Ross.
"Contingent upon the type of repair, you might be qualified for a lease decrease until the point when the repair is finished. This can be a decent inspiration for the landowner to finish the repair."
Pressing repairs a landowner needs to settle as quickly as possible
Firefighters, real life heroes in our communities. Thank you for you all that you do.
On May 4th, 2018 we will be celebrating International Firefighters Day (IFFD). It is a day to pay our respects to all the firefighters of the past and present who have, and continue to risk their lives. Every firefighter, man or woman, deserves recognition.
The job of a firefighter is an extremely selfless job. Often, the rewards a firefighter gets are not that of material possession. It is an intangible reward. It can be something as simple as the look in a survivors eyes whom they’ve helped rescue. Or a grateful, joyous smile of a child as a family is reunited, safe and sound.
As a firefighter, it can be a self-esteem boost to know that your actions have made a positive impact in another person’s life. Few things can compare to the sense of pride in one’s community, to know that their constant efforts help to protect the community that they endear. This profession helps to create strong, informal leaders of mankind, and a parental figure to those in a time of need.
Although these rewards are not a physical possession to be held, they are much harder to obtain than diamonds. The value of such an internally personal reward cannot be measured by any current system in existence. This is why we must take the time to pay homage to all of the men and women who constitute the firefighter departments around the world. For although we may not be able to give them anything of material possession, a showing of gratitude, respect, and a sincere appreciation is the least we can do for these extraordinary members of our society, whom help protect human lives all around the world.
So on behalf of all of us at SERVPRO: thank you to all of the men and women who serve and protect their communities all over the world. Please enjoy this poem by Nadia De Levea:
Thin Red Line
by Nadia DeLevea
Though flames may roar,
And raging fires sore.
When fear stricken heart,
We always play our part.
The bleak unsure smoke rises dense and dark,
Each moment grows longer with each little spark.
No matter the struggle we keep fighting through,
Alert and aware we know what we must do.
Blink to a hand just before
our face,
Against the clock we must quickly race.
For when it gets down to the last desperate wire,
Swift and efficient we will put out that fire.
Though the chances are we’ve never met,
When needed a savior you can always expect.
While echoed sirens may blare and ring,
We hear the muffled night cries sing.
There’s no such thing as simple routine,
Ignoring monotony that lies in between.
Very real consequences we are more than aware,
From possible situations beyond any compare.
Not a second allowed for one breath of fear,
Never a moment to shed a single silent tear.
Because when you’re in desperate dire need,
We will always strive our very best to succeed.
Blood flowing in Red, White and Blue,
We’re Brothers dedicated in all that we do.
In death’s darkest shadows we may dare to roam,
Yet we know that we may each not always come home.
This is our deepest heartfelt desire,
Given to us from a place so much higher.
In all that we do each risk taken for you,
Our passion runs deep we’re dedicated and true.
Some tend to forget that this is our real life,
That we also have children, friends and our wife.
We walk the thin line though it sometimes narrows,
In this world we are someone’s real life superheroes.
In case you forget dear when you leave in the morning,
I ask you darling to please head my forewarning.
When overcome with adrenalin I remind you to fight,
To come home yourself dear at the end of each night.
Would you know what to do in the event of a wildfire?
Wildfires are usually preventable because many originate from human error.
ABOUT WILDFIRES
Unlike many natural disasters, most wildfires are caused by people—and can be prevented by people, too. Meteorologists are not yet able to forecast wildfire outbreaks, so people in fire-prone areas should plan ahead and prepare to evacuate with little notice. Here are some tips on how to prevent wildfires and what to do if you're caught in the middle of one.
HOW TO PREVENT A WILDFIRE
Contact 911, your local fire department, or the park service if you notice an unattended or out-of-control fire.
Never leave a fire unattended. Completely extinguish the fire—by dousing it with water and stirring the ashes until cold—before sleeping or leaving the campsite.
When camping, take care when using and fueling lanterns, stoves, and heaters. Make sure lighting and heating devices are cool before refueling. Avoid spilling flammable liquids and store fuel away from appliances.
Do not discard cigarettes, matches, and smoking materials from moving vehicles, or anywhere on park grounds. Be certain to completely extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them.
Follow local ordinances when burning yard waste. Avoid backyard burning in windy conditions, and keep a shovel, water, and fire retardant nearby to keep fires in check. Remove all flammables from yard when burning.
EVACUATION TIPS
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Know your evacuation route ahead of time and prepare an evacuation checklist and emergency supplies.
Wear protective clothing and footwear to protect yourself from flying sparks and ashes.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE, PREPARE YOUR HOUSE
Remove combustibles, including firewood, yard waste, barbecue grills, and fuel cans, from your yard.
Close all windows, vents, and doors to prevent a draft.
Shut off natural gas, propane, or fuel oil supplies.
Fill any large vessels—pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, or tubs—with water to slow or discourage fire.
IF CAUGHT IN A WILDFIRE
Don't try to outrun the blaze. Instead, look for a body of water such as a pond or river to crouch in.
If there is no water nearby, find a depressed, cleared area with little vegetation, lie low to the ground, and cover your body with wet clothing, a blanket, or soil. Stay low and covered until the fire passes.
Protect your lungs by breathing air closest to the ground, through a moist cloth, if possible, to avoid inhaling smoke.
The amount of moisture received across the United States’ southern high plains since October has been ridiculously low, and forecasters warned Friday that the intensifying drought has resulted in critical fire danger and some winter wheat crops being reduced to stubble across several states.
Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said during a national briefing that some areas in the region have received less than one-tenth of an inch of rain in the past five months and that’s perhaps the longest period of time these areas have been without rain since record-keeping began decades ago.
The lack of rain combined with above-normal temperatures across parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas have left livestock watering tanks dry, agricultural fields wind-blown and rangeland charred.
“Of course, you can never predict something this severe several months in advance, but we did know going in it was going to be a challenging cold season for the southern plains,” Nielsen-Gammon said.
He showed satellite images of smoke and dust plumes moving across the region and warned that the warm and dry weather is expected to continue through the spring. That could mean continued crop damage, dwindling irrigation supplies and more fires.
“Any precipitation that does fall over the next three months is likely to evaporate relatively quickly at the same time that crops and forage are requiring more water because of the high temperatures,” he said. “That means if and when the rains do return, drought recovery … will proceed slower than expected.”
Due to the dry conditions, the National Weather Service issued fire warnings Friday for most of Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, southern Kansas, northeastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado and southeastern Missouri.
Oklahoma Forestry Services already has requested and received firefighters and equipment from Alabama, Kentucky and Louisiana because of the fire threat. Additional firefighters and equipment from Georgia and Mississippi are on the way.
Oklahoma Forestry Commission spokeswoman Michelle Finch-Walker said early to mid-afternoon is the time many fires begin.
“We call that the witching hour. It’s getting warmer, the humidity is dropping and wind gusts are picking up,” she said.
For Oklahoma, this marks the first time exceptional drought – the worst category of drought – has made an appearance since May 2015. Several counties in the northwest and the panhandle have gone 155 days or more with less than one-quarter of an inch of rain, marking just a fraction of average precipitation for this time of year.
The latest map shows swaths of red – indicating extreme to exceptional drought – covering the southern high plains and the Four Corners region where the borders of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah meet.
In New Mexico, the lack of water and an unseasonably warm winter have already resulted in a high demand for hay, and some livestock owners have been forced to trim their herds. The last time this much of the state was grappling with extreme drought was July 2014.
Winter wheat crops in Texas are also struggling. Officials there say almost one-third of the crop is rated as poor.
Wildfires in Kansas have already burned thousands of acres, and agricultural officials were prepared to move hay to ranchers who need it most or work with the federal government to access additional grazing land.
Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer declared a drought emergency last week, citing the persistent dry conditions and growing fire hazards.
That state’s average precipitation over the past six months was only two-thirds of the normal rate, and in January and February the statewide average precipitation was even less, at less than half of normal.
The pending lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against the City of Albuquerque has halted the implementation of the new Pedestrian Safety Ordinance (PSO). This ordinance was passed by the city council on November 6th, 2017.
The ACLU held private conversations with the city where they persuaded them not to begin implementation of the PSO until the litigation has been resolved.
The PSO makes it illegal for “physical interactions or exchange with a pedestrian” at specific locations, such as street medians and highway entrances. This makes it illegal for both parties to engage in interactions; prohibiting people from giving food, money, and health products to those in need.
The ACLU banded together to sue the City of Albuquerque, claiming this ordinance criminalizes free speech in public areas, siting the broad language of the ordinance. The areas cited in the document are commonly used for political speech and protests, in addition to homeless men and women looking for aid.
Back in 2015 New Mexico was at the heart of a positive new program that continues to combat homelessness by assisting these individuals instead of criminalizing them. This has been the objective of the “There’s a Better Way” initiative (see: http://bit.ly/2D5N8Qk). Cities around the United States have looked toward Albuquerque’s initiative when creating their own policies in combating homelessness.
Instead of trying to criminalize and incarcerate homeless people, “There’s a Better Way” seeks to assist the homeless by giving them shelter, food, and helping them find work.
In 2016 The University of New Mexico’s Institute for Social Research followed Albuquerque’s Heading Home initiative (AKA “There’s a Better Way” program) and reported that for every dollar invested into this initiative, taxpayers saved $1.78.
Other reports indicate similar savings when addressing the problem of homelessness by attempting to assist them instead of trying to punish them. Central Florida’s Commission on Homelessness researched their region and discovered “the annual cost of leaving people homeless – the costs of policing them, throwing them in jail for largely non-violent offenses, and providing medical care – were three times as expensive as providing them with permanent housing and caseworkers.”
It’s becoming more and more prevalent that instituting programs to assist the homeless works better not only from a humanistic standpoint, but also from an economical one.
Still the practice of housing first programs has largely been swept under the rug from a political standpoint. This may be in part because of the prevalent, negative stigma surrounding communities of homelessness.
Eliminating this negative stigma is no easy task. It starts by not initiating more backwards thinking programs like the Pedestrian Safety Ordinance, but instead; implementing programs of positive change in mentality and action, like the “There’s a Better Way” program.
As we are seeing with the PSO, lazy, backwards thinking lawmaking can begin to imperil the basic rights of communities like Albuquerque. These lawmakers may be trying to solve a serious problem, but the negative stigma given to the homeless perpetuates the lack of critical thinking in solving the problem of homelessness. As long as our laws continue to push the stigma that homeless people are criminals, true progress and change cannot be accomplished on a massive enough scale for it to begin to truly make a dent in this nationwide problem.
Luckily there is a strong if not small contingent of people, like those in the American Civil Liberties Union and the Heading Home foundation, who continue to fight for a more holistic solution. Change of this nature is often sparked by a close knit group of people working for a better tomorrow, a tomorrow for all.
Works cited: https://shadowproof.com/2018/03/05/albuquerque-wont-enforce-draconian-anti-panhandling-ordinance-aclu-lawsuit-pending/
As one of over 1,700 individually owned and operated SERVPRO franchises, we are proud to acknowledge the achievements of the corporation we belong to. This year, 2018, marks the 15th consecutive year SERVPRO has been named the top franchise opportunity within the restoration services category by Entrepreneur Magazine.
When looking beyond just the restoration services industry, SERVPRO ranks as the 12th best Franchise opportunity, just behind Jimmy John’s Gormet Sandwiches and right above Culver Franchising System Inc. McDonald’s is at the top of the list followed by 7-Eleven Inc.; Dunkin’ Donuts, The UPS Store, and RE/MAX LLC round out the top 5.
Entrepreneur Magazine is diligent in creating a ranking system that maintains objectivity, through quantifiable metrics, to best inform readers. Their system is called the “five pillars of the Franchise 500”. Included underneath each pillar, as bullet points, are the key factors which makeup that pillar.
Costs & Fees
Franchise fee
Total investment
Royalty fees
Size & Growth
Open & operating units
Growth rate
Closure
Support
Training times
Marketing support
Operational support
Franchisor infrastructure
Financing availability
Litigation
Brand Strength
Social media
System size
Years in business
Years franchising
Financial Strength & Stability
Franchisor’s audited financial statements
SERVPRO surely excels in the areas of “brand strength” and “support”. The bright orange and vibrant green colors allow for a strong, impactful, and recognizable brand. In addition, with over 1,700 franchises, SERVPRO’s brand impresses with a depth of industry knowledge and experiences shared between all past and existing franchises.
With so many franchises many areas are home to multiple SERVPRO’s. At the corporate level SERVPRO has a well-defined territory map that allows all franchises to not compete against one another, but support one another. This allows SERVPRO franchises to share jobs as well as industry knowledge.
Corporate headquarters is also very responsive and always available to assist franchises with any new obstacles encountered. When trying to contact corporate headquarters they don’t encumber you with automated answering services, multiple phone transfers, or constantly referring you back to the website for help. You often end up talking to many of the same people, which helps build a more personal and honestly helpful communication structure. This all leads to a truly helpful support system that flows from the top down.
Here at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque we’ve been in business for 20 years now. We can testify for the longevity of opening up a SERVPRO franchise. We’ve been able to grow locally over this time along with corporate nationally. We are just one of over 1,700 different entrepreneurs whom have benefited from the top quality franchisor that is SERVPRO. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in getting into the restoration industry with their own business, we highly recommend considering franchising with SERVPRO. The help and brand name recognition gives benefits in the short and long term.
As one of the many limbs that makeup the franchise, we are proud to share in the announcement of SERVPRO’s award.
With the popularity of home improvement TV shows, many home owners are taking matters of their house into their own hands. With the use of these TV shows, Youtube, and the internet as a whole, it has become more practical to make your own renovations and additions to your house than ever before.
One of the main attractions of going the DIY route is it can help you save lots of money. This money can be used in turn to fund better quality materials for your home. However, if you overlook the necessity of a building permit all those savings can go down the drain.
Most people aren’t aware that their city requires a building permit even for many DIY home improvement projects.
Even minor fixes can require a permit. Replacing appliances? Yup a permit is required. Building a fence? Don’t forget your permit. Building a patio? You’ll need a permit for that too.
Depending on the work needed to be done, a permit can range from $50 upwards to $7,500 (information based on data collected by HomeAdvisor from its members actual project costs). The average lies around $1,200. However, the cost fluctuates depending on the type of project and the state you’re in. Before proceeding with any DIY projects, check with your municipal building department for all necessary forms and to get an estimate of the permit(s) needed and its cost(s).
Any additions your home are for your long term benefit. Don’t think short-sighted when making renovations; it’ll only hurt you in the long-run.
For example, at a parking meter, it’s better to pay the meter $1.50 for an hour instead of getting a ticket for $50. When tackling projects in your home it’s better to pay $200 for a permit instead of paying three times that to pay a contractor to redo your work to bring it up to proper standards.
Before going out and buying all of the necessary equipment to tackle a DIY home improvement project, become aware of the necessary permits. Ignoring permits, knowingly or unknowingly, can cause major roadblocks when you decide to sell your home in the future.
Blue Cheese is just one of the multiple, positive uses of mold.
When most people think about mold they tend to only think of the negative side of mold. Such as their spoiled bread from a week ago, or those leftovers in the fridge that are starting to smell. Us at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque mostly deal with mold growth within homes. Although none of these types of mold are beneficial, it doesn’t mean that mold can’t be used positively.
Today we are going to highlight some of the more beneficial uses and forms of mold. Learning to understand the positive effects of mold can lead to a more balanced and appreciative opinion on the greater impact mold plays in our lives.
Mold in Food:
Cheese– White molds on the rinds of Brie and Camembert cheese contribute to their smooth creamy texture and unique aroma. Blue molds create striking veins in blue cheeses like Stilton and contribute a peppery taste and distinct aroma.
Soy Foods – Fermented soy sauce, miso and tempeh owe much of their desirable taste and texture to mold fermentation.
Molds in Medicine:
Antibiotics and other drugs – Penicillin and other essential antibiotics were developed from molds, as were some other medications/
Molds in Manufacturing:
Enzymes– Molds are used industrially to produce enzymes that are used in the production of other products. For example, mold can be used to make the enzyme rennet that curds milk for cheese production.
Molds in the Environment:
Decay– Molds play a key role in the breakdown of organic materials and recycle nutrients back through our ecosystem.
If you learned something please share this post. Otherwise, we hope the next time you are dealing with the negative side effects of mold you can think about all of the positive ways it affects our lives.
Don't let water damage destroy priceless memorabilia.
The worst type of water damage isn’t always the damage caused to the building, but what is inside the building. This is the case for the library department at Eastern New Mexico University located in Portales, New Mexico. While faculty and students alike were at home enjoying the last week of their winter break, a disaster struck. Unbeknownst to them a pipe in the ceiling busted due to the cold temperatures.
When the faculty returned to their beloved library, they arrived to find a portion of books located in their closed stacks area to be damaged by water. Due to the busted pipes in the ceiling, water began to build up until the ceiling boards. After enough buildup the ceiling caved in causing water to rush downwards, building up on the floor, corrupting invaluable history in the form of literature.
This was the true disaster awaiting the library staff on their return from their winter break. Some books had autographs of authors long past, but the text can still be bought anew. Other documents were of intimate history directly related to the school, such as editions of the student newspapers dating all the way back to its inception in 1934. With no digital copies available, these snapshots of history are in danger of being lost forever. Maybe the biggest lost for the library is the Mexican Antiquity Books. A collection of 9 books dating all the way back to the 1700s. The monetary loss of these books (worth thousands of dollars) is nothing compared to the loss of history and culture stored in this books.
No matter the damage to these books, hope has not been lost. The university took the proper procedure in this situation. They called a restoration company to help remediate all of the damage. In this scenario that includes document recovery. Started by flash freezing the papers then putting them through a process that transfers the water directly from a frozen state into the evaporated state, thus skipping the liquid state; the chance of recovering these documents and their information is still possible.
The best defense against unwanted water damage is constant maintenance and upkeep of your pipes. Although accidents can occur no matter how prepared you are; in such a situation don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, were here to help 24/7, day or night. You can reach us at (505)-828-3567
Having leaking or broken pipes is a major cause of water damage in residential and commercial buildings, making them one of the most common causes of water damage. Clogged and backed up toilets create a buildup of pressure in the pipes, which leads to the busting/leaking of these pipes. Another common problem that can develop is with garbage disposals. If a garbage disposal isn’t working correctly it is often due to leaks near the bottom of the unit and floods cabinets with a nasty concoction of food waste and water. Roots from trees and plants around your house can spread into sewer lines causing them to break. Lastly, keep an eye out for old and rusty pipes as they are most prone to leaking.
Plumbing Problems
The good thing about potential plumbing problems is they can be prevented fairly easily with an occasional look over of pipes under your sink or in your basement. Although sometimes plumbing issues are nearly impossible to detect since some pipes are hidden behind walls. Normally these pipes cause trouble because of hoses and pipe joints that aren’t fully connected.
Crawl Space, Basement & Attic Concerns
Basements, attics, and crawl spaces are some of the most prone areas inside a house for water damage. This is in part due to the lack of temperature controls in these areas. Humidity levels in a basement can rise over the course of time with aging infrastructure and hydrostatic pressure buildup. When it comes to crawlspaces and attics, these areas foster dark and damp environments which are ideal for mold growth.
Malfunctioning Household Appliances
The two most common appliances that cause water damage in homes are washing machines and hot water tanks. Other appliances such as refrigerators, dish washers are also at risk of failure. Keep an eye on these old appliance’s pipes. With the heavy usage of these electronics their pipes can start to rust and crack faster than other pipes around your house.
HVACS
HVAC stands for heating, ventilating, & air conditioning units. Specifically air conditioners, due to their use of constant water flow, require regular cleaning and maintenance. When left unkempt moisture can easily buildup leading to water and mold damage.
Weather or Natural Disasters
This is the trickiest cause to deal with. There is little predictability when it comes to natural disasters and weather related problems. Take note of your environment where you live and determine which severe weather conditions are most likely. Once you’ve identified the most concerning natural disasters in your area, take the necessary precautions to help prepare your home. The most notable, natural water disasters include flash floods, severe storms, and hurricanes. Don’t be reactionary, be anticipatory.
Gutters
An oft overlooked cause of water damage is gutters. Due to their presence being on the outside of the house and cleverly tucked around the home it becomes a problem of, out of sight, out of mind. During the summer and all throughout fall debris in the forms of branches and leaves star t to flutter around the air. As debris falls it can gather into drainage gutters and get caught, creating blockage. As rain comes it is no longer able to be filtered away from the side of the house. It begins to flood over the gutters and stream down the side of the house. Additionally, if your gutters have any cracks they may be rendered ineffective. As water flows through the gutters it’ll start to drizzle out of the crack and onto the building instead of down and away from it. This constant flow of water can lead to the deterioration of walls due to constant wetness. Even worse, buildup can form around the structure of the home, leading to water leaking into the home (such as the basement), resulting in constant leaks or mold.
Flat Roofs
If you have a home with a flat roof you are at a higher risk of experiencing water trouble on your roof. Most flat roofs are built with a minor incline to prevent rainfall from forming standing water on the roof. This slight incline allows the water to drain off the roof. Flat roof water trouble comes when debris, manmade and from nature, starts to accumulate on the roof. With enough weight this can cause enough pressure to the weakest points of the flat roof which can cause the roof to warp ever so slightly inward. Water will start to pool up on the roof at these warped areas. During the coldest times of the year water can start to freeze up near the drainage point of the flat roof. Ice dams start to form, preventing the drainage of water from the roof. If this goes on frequently and long enough water can start to damage the roof of your house and eve n create cracks which turn into leaks. These leaks cause moisture to seep into the ceiling of your house. The problem turns from standing water on your roof to water damage and mold damage on the roof and ceiling of your home.
The "There's a Better Way" pickup van!
For more info check out this video: https://youtu.be/WFmsOrTpKn8
Albuquerque, like most cities, faces the ongoing challenge of eradicating homelessness. It isn’t an easy problem to face, particularly when many ordinances passed by city council members try to solve the problem through negative reinforcement such as penalization, criminalization, and incarceration. There is an often overlooked, more challenging, yet more beneficial approach to this problem. Giving a helping hand, not just spare change, with the idea to uplift the homeless is the idea behind the “There’s a Better Way” initiative.
The “There’s a Better Way” initiative was formed in 2015 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its mission statement is to “give panhandlers a chance at a change in life and provides caring members of our community with a better way to donate their money”. What’s even better is the action steps that are taken in progress of this mission statement. Signs are posted around major panhandling destinations to inform panhandlers of a way to contact someone who can assist them in finding work. Additionally, St. Martin’s branded “There’s a Better Way” van drives to areas frequented by panhandlers to inform them of how they can get temporary work (paying above minimum wage) to help them get back on their feet. This work comes in the form of assisting the City’s Solid Waste Department via landscape beautification and garbage removal. After their workday is completed they are picked up and taken to St. Martin’s to connect them with housing, a warm meal, employment opportunities, as well as mental health and social services.
This program has been such a positive reworking of how to tackle the issue of panhandling, that many other cities around the United States have begun similar initiatives. Some cities include:
Denver
Tuscon
Chicago
Portland, Maine
Portland, Oregon
Spokane, Washington
Seattle
Amarillo
San Antonio
Dallas
According to data collected by the City of Albuquerque, “There’s a Better Way” has provided 4,240 day jobs, helped house 21 homeless residents, and connected 414 people with continued work since its inception in 2015. This is just for the program in Albuquerque. Not only have the results been positive, the feedback has been well received.
The really disappointing part is the implementation of the Pedestrian Safety Ordinance (PSO); passed by the City Council on November 6th, 2017. This ordinance goes directly against the successful implementation of the “There’s a Better Way” program. The PSO goes in the direction of trying to criminalize panhandlers again instead of attempting to address the problem at its root in a helpful way. The PSO specifically bans “physical interaction or exchange with a pedestrian” at specific locations, such as street medians and highway entrances.
What’s even worse is that all of the cited research and data used to justify the implementation of the PSO, all predates the implementation of the innovative “There’s a Better Way” program. The very program that has earned the City of Albuquerque national praise as a forward thinking administration is potentially being undercut by this new legislation. Instead of building off recent successful legislation the city council is moving Albuquerque two steps backwards.
The positive thing to remember is that the “There’s a Better Way” program is still in effect today. If the Albuquerque community bands together to show strong support of this program we can still encourage progressive policies. I ask of you, if you are inspired to help, please donate your time as a volunteer or any amount of money that you can afford to St. Martin’s, Heading Home, Healthcare for the Homeless, The New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, or the Barrett House. Each of these organizations is in some way involved with the “There’s a Better Way” program.
New Mexico drought map courtesy of "U.S. Drought Monitor"
New Mexican’s may not be used to a white Christmas but there is generally a little bit of snow around to satisfy their cravings. This year that hasn’t been the case. For example, Ski Santa Fe has only received 7 inches of snow so far this year; shocking when compared to a seasonal average of 225 inches of natural snowfall. The warm temperatures are also making it hard to sustain manmade snow, even at the higher elevations near the mountains peaks. This has all lead to a new drought that is just starting to take effect.
Symptoms of a drought are beginning to form around the state. This is unwelcomed news since just three and a half months ago the entirety of New Mexico was drought free for the first time since the USDA Drought Monitor started in 1999. Even with the weather recently turning positive in New Mexico, having drought symptoms isn’t anything new to the residents of this state. New Mexicans know the conditions all too well and how important it is to take preventative measures to ensure no fires ignite.
Here’s a friendly reminder to all, be aware of precipitation and weather conditions wherever you reside in the state. Don’t do anything reckless or careless when dealing with fires, grills, stoves, chimneys, or any other heat sources. Be smart and take proper procedures to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your community.
If any accidents do occur, don’t hesitate to call us at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque, our immediate response team will be on the scene ASAP! Our number is (505)-828-3567, we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
Welcome to Product Watch! Today we’ll be discussing EasyDECON.
Hello and welcome to the first edition of Product Watch! This is where we will aim to inform you, our reader, about interesting products in the remediation and construction industry. For this inaugural post we are going to learn about a product called “EasyDECON”.
"EasyDECON", also branded under the name “Crystal Clean”, is a decontaminate/disinfectant offered by Intelagard. It was originally developed in response to the Tokyo train scare of March 20, 1995. After which it was commissioned by the U.S Department of Defense and developed by the workers at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
It has since been used by the U.S. government in the 2001 anthrax scare; as well as the Ebola virus pandemic in 2014. It even found its way into cleanup crews’ equipment for the Boston Marathon bombing.
Currently the U.S. Special Forces/Special Operations units use it to assist them with the destruction of biological and chemical weapons in all areas of the world. Other government agencies, such as the FBI, also use "EasyDECON" as their main decontaminate product.
"EasyDECON" is used by the government due to its greater effectiveness when compared to more common bleach products. Not only does it allow better penetration into porous materials it also requires less applications to fully remediate an effected area. Perhaps the most unique thing about "EasyDECON" is it’s ability to be utilized in 3 different states of matter which includes: liquid, foam, and fog. This help to increase effectiveness of the product for all different type of jobs. For example, when dealing with an area that has a lot of airborne mold, using the solution in fog form is most effective for remediation.
Not only is "EasyDECON" being used by the government for its originally intended purpose, to help in response to biological and chemical terror attacks, it has more recently gaining use with more local tasks. For example firefighters are using it to disinfect their protective suits, aka bunker gear, of cancer causing toxins. This hints at the ability to help in cases of fire remediation. Additionally, it is more effective than bleach in mold remediation, as well as more efficient as it requires fewer applications for remediation. Both of these hint at the possibilities this product could have to cross over into the commercial/residential remediation industry. It’s quite possible "EasyDECON" could become a go-to product in the remediation industry.
As temperatures rise, especially in dry, warm climates, fire risk increases as well. Entire communities need to work together, especially those in fire-dependent ecosystems, creating fire-wise solutions that will help to prevent fires from happening, and to ensure that when they do, that fire fighters can effectively extinguish them.
Follow these tips to help reduce the risk of fire, and when fire does occur, that it is possible for firefighters effectively combat them.
Check smoke detectors Working smoke detectors can save lives. What may start as a small kitchen fire can quickly spread. Make sure to keep smoke detectors fully charged and operational.
Have an EDITH EDITH stands for: Exit drills in the home. Cal Fire suggests sketching a floor plan of the home, and then creating an escape plan with arrows that map out the primary and secondary escape routes. Then, have a drill and test out the routes.
Create a firebreak around your home A firebreak is a gap in vegetation that will stop or slow the spread of a wildfire. Having flammable vegetation directly surrounding a home will make it extremely difficult for fire fighters to save it.
the following standards for clearance requirements of vegetative growth:
a) Maximum height of 4 inches b) Located within 100 feet of any building or structure, or to the property line, whichever is nearer c) Located within 50 feet from the edge of any improved roadway d) Located within 50 feet from each property line e) Located within 10 feet on each side of driveways
Firewise landscaping Replacing plants that are prone to fire with plants that are more fire resistant can dramatically reduce the risk of fire around a home. Some fantastic fire resistant plant options include: all species of iceplant, wild strawberry, carnations, and all succulents. In general, look for moist, supple leaves, and plants with little sap production. Keep in mind that fire resistant plants can still ignite, but they can reduce the risk of fire and make it easier for firefighters to access the home during the event of a fire.
Why Commercial Business Should Take Mold Remediation Seriously
There are thousands of species of fungi and mold that are in existence in commercial establishments. They are present in almost any environment, but warm and damp settings boost their growth. If you are aware of the main source of mold growth in your business property, and if you think it is not yet largely spread, cleaning the area and fixing the problem by means of mold remediation usually do the trick.
There are several cases in which it is really difficult to find the origin of the infestation, even though the awful odor of the mold cannot be ignored. The mold growth may likely have spread to a vast area in the office building, which makes it extremely difficult for someone to locate it without having professional assistance.
What Kills the Mold?
You can find lots of professional service providers that are qualified enough to give an effective mold remediation to this particular problem. However, because a mold infestation is a serious matter, it is advisable to do an in depth research and go for an agency whose work speaks for the credibility of the company.
Generally, mold infestations are formed on the moist parts of the buildings, particularly during the rainy seasons. This mold growth is commonly found on the flooring, basement, drywall, bathroom tiles, and many others. These grubby patches can make your commercial business look dirty, and it can also make a person at risk of health problems.
Certain mold species give off biologically active compounds known as mycotoxins, and being exposed to these chemical substances can easily make you susceptible to various diseases. Aside from causing various health issues, these kinds of infestations can seriously damage the structure of the building, if left without treatment for a long period of time.
Extent of Infestation
You can get rid of minor mold infestations by using a mold killer and a scrub brush, which can be purchased from retail stores. Keep in mind though that you need to hire the experts to get rid of major mold infestation in vast locations. Also, the severity of the infestation is a major factor that determines the cost of the mold remediation.
If your office building is infested with mold, follow some tried-and-tested treatment methods for the removal of mold, or simply call the professionals to do the mold remediation. Ultimately, take the precautionary measures so that you can prevent such a problem in the future.
It takes less than an inch of water to cause serious water damage to the carpeting in your home. Not only is the carpet itself soaked, but the padding beneath is ruined, and the flooring and drywall may also end up warping or cracking. Basically, it makes for a lot of problems.
In almost every case, the easiest thing to do would be to simply throw the damaged carpet out and start all over again with new, but for some reason, there are folks who exist in this world who feel it necessary to do all they can to save their carpeting. The good news is, it can be done. The bad news is, once you do it, you may find yourself convinced that throwing it out should have been your first choice.
But I digress. Water damaged carpets can be cleaned, provided that they have been soaked for less than 48 hours, and provided that the water in question is not sewage based. If you have a sewage problem, skip the rest of this article and just throw the carpet out. You’ve got far more serious issues to contend with. Trust me on this one.
When it comes to cleaning a water damaged carpet, the first thing to do (as with any kind of water damage) is to locate the source of the water and shut it off. This prevents more water from coming in, but it also allows you to determine what kind of water you’re dealing with.
The excess water damage will need to be removed from the carpet. Usually this is accomplished through the use of a wet dry vac unit or pump. Most of the water can be removed during this process, but not all of it. The bad news is that the carpet will still retain a good bit of moisture, not to mention that found beneath the carpet or in the walls. The good news is that the carpet should now be light enough to lift.
Yes, children, I said lift. The carpet will need to be taken up and moved outside to completely dry, preferably somewhere that it can be laid flat, such as a patio or driveway, and in direct sunlight. You can also use fans or blowers to help speed the process along. Laying the carpet out flat is imperative…..otherwise it may dry unevenly and may not even fit back into the room from whence it came.
Once the carpet is dried out, it will need to be clean, disinfected, and sanitized…..twice. That’s right, once it’s all done, do it again for good measure. You want it to be as clean and fresh as it can possibly be before putting it back down.
While the carpet is drying, don’t neglect the flooring. Chuck all the padding out the door and replace it with new padding. Trying to repair damaged carpet padding is an exercise in futility. Don’t put yourself through it. Make sure the flooring is dried out, cleaned, disinfected, sanitized, you know the drill. All surfaces must be completely dry before the carpet is put back down, or else you’re inviting mold to start growing.
Depending on the depth of the water, check the surrounding drywall for the telltale stains or swelling that usually accompany water damage. The drywall may have to be cut and either partially or wholly replaced.
Remember, the operative word in the whole operation is “dry”. Everything must be completely dried out in order to prevent subsequent problems from materializing.
Again, my advice would be to call in an airstrike and start all over again, but if you are one of those folks who believe that your carpet can be saved, and that we have the technology, etc etc……then the good news is that it can be done, provided you act swiftly and thoroughly.
The intense rains and high winds of monsoon season in the Southwest here. The high concentration of moisture and very real flash flooding risk during monsoon months can wreak havoc on the exteriors of homes and other buildings.
If you find yourself requiring assistance with roof leaks or water in your home or business, contact us today.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque specializes in providing ‘round the clock flood restoration services during monsoon season, and any time that we are needed. Deferred maintenance only exacerbates the consequences of heavy rainfall, so don't hesitate to contact us at the first signs of water damage. Safety and prompt attention to detail are top priorities with our company.
We react quickly and are licensed, bonded, and insured. Our IICRC certified team understands the safety measures to take when addressing hidden flooding dangers that become apparent during severe weather. Heavy rainfall can cause unexpected emergency leaking and flooding situations, and it is important to know who to turn to when immediate assistance is required.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and is the top choice for flood restoration services. Again, deferred maintenance will only cause further damage to both the structure and integrity of any building impacted by monsoon season. In addition to keeping up to date with weather trends and forecasts, have the SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque phone number handy with your disaster supply kit and supplies— 505-828-3567. We are available and capable to quickly respond to any monsoon emergency that you may experience.
Property owners should understand that water supply lines or pressurized toilet tanks can create flooding dangers inside a residential or commercial structure, leading to significant damages to a building’s materials and structure. To prevent a flooding incident that can cause serious damage to a structure’s walls, floors or ceilings, at SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration, we recommend checking all of a building’s plumbing fixtures inside and outside of a building frequently.
Some signs that a line is degrading is seeing metal corrosion or drops of moisture near the item, and if there is damage to the lines, then property owners should arrange an immediate repair.
However, if the lines do break our customers should move away from flooding dangers such as slippery floors or wet electrical wires, and contact us immediately anytime of the day or night for prompt remediation services. Because our technicians have IICRC certification, we are able to remove the clean moisture from broken water lines in addition to the dirty wastewater from a failing pressurized toilet tank. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification organization helps to train our technicians to make expert flood restoration repairs.
At SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration, we are ready to assist homeowners or business managers with flood restoration repairs after water supply lines degrade, leading to damage inside a building from the invading moisture. Located in Albuquerque, our technicians have IICRC certification, ensuring that our customers receive the most specialized repairs after a business or home flooding incident. Contact us for fast remediation services at 505-828-3567
In the right environment and conditions, the mold will develop on wood surfaces, garments, drywall, inside air channels, on deck, and roofs. Much of the time, the mold develops in territories that are clammy and sodden and require an ideal temperature, and additionally oxygen. The restroom is the place a ton of dampness is regularly found. On the off chance that you have an unventilated restroom, it is recommended to leave open windows and entryways after every shower. By lessening the stickiness in the home and keeping up a level of 50 percent or lower, will forestall organism development. Washing the shower window much of the time keeps the development of mold, yet in the event that conceivable, put resources into a mold safe shower shade. Evacuate toys, void cleanser jugs and other shower things and keep them perfect and dry.
Mold Prevention
To confine the development of mold, the home must have satisfactory ventilation and consideration ought to be given to any harmed funnels, window seals, and surface waste around the home. Unfinished cellar territories are infamous for organism development, this is on account of they are normally sodden and go unattended considering the region is for the most part utilized for capacity. Assessing under the sink or any funneling for breaks can avert over the top dampness in your home. Although entering a flooded room because of a leak in the washing machine is not pleasant, the clean-up process to prevent mildew can be even more frustrating.
Mold Removal
Normal items have been effective in evacuating growths, for example, refined vinegar, Tea Tree Oil, and cleanser and-water. Obviously, there are a few business items available. Despite the procedure picked, cautious consideration ought to be given to the headings to appropriately blend the arrangements. Moreover, you will need cleaning materials, for example, cleaning fabrics, basins, gloves, garbage sacks and receptacles. Despite the fact that ventilation is unequivocally proposed, you ought to abstain from utilizing a fan, so that the mold spores are not released into the air and blown to different territories of the home, expanding wellbeing dangers.
When in doubt call SERVPRO of Northeast Albuquerque at 505-828-3567. Well sort it out, “Like it never even happened."
Consumers may be surprised to learn just how much water damage restoration may cost them in their home state.
Most homeowners aren’t as vigilant about water damage as they should be, which can potentially lead to problems down the road. The potential for a disaster is often underestimated, as burst pipes or damage acquired from storms aren’t usually pressing concerns until after they’ve occurred. Many homeowners don’t know how to spot the signs of water damage while it’s still in its infancy, letting simple fixes become larger projects than they need to be.
While the average costs for water damage restoration services in the United States tabulates to $2,990, some states have worked harder than others to attribute to that figure. Averages for states like Nevada and Florida come in at nearly double what homeowners should expect to pay in other areas of the country.
The Ten States with Highest Water Damage Restoration Costs
While some states boast average costs that are reasonable, falling within the realm of affordability for most homeowners, some states boast shocking highs. If you own property in one of the following states, you’ll find you may need to make some considerations regarding the risks that water damage may impose on your home.
This data excludes Vermont, South Dakota, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Alaska, as Restoration Local does not yet serve these states.
For the full breakdown of averages in each state they serve, please click here.
What Can Be Determined From These Figures
A variety of factors contribute to these average restoration costs. In some situations, the cost of labor and materials in these states may be slightly higher than others. The magnitude of these costs can also be attributed to other sources that are far more complicated. It could very well be that these states are subject to a multitude of factors that can cause or hasten water damage.
For example, many areas of Nevada are subject to flash flooding. Florida is covered in waterfront property, and also highly susceptible to hurricanes. The winters in Minnesota and Massachusetts are harsh, which can lead to pipes freezing and thawing, causing the weakened pipes to burst. Georgia has humid summers, which can support the spread of mold in garages, closets, and basements. Certain environmental factors can multiply the risks of serious water damage, depending on the region in which the affected property is located.
These figures could be significantly lowered if homeowners understood the risk of water damage on their properties and were quicker to implement preventative measures. There are plenty of steps a homeowner can take, such as repairing roof issues the moment they appear, waterproofing vulnerable crawlspaces, or regularly inspecting their pipes, that can reduce the potential for serious water damage that would require restoration services.
Early detection and prevention are the keys to bringing this figure down. Water damage left unchecked becomes more serious over the course of time, and extensive damage simply costs more to repair. Homeowners should keep a watchful eye over vulnerable areas of their homes, setting safeguards in place when necessary. Preventative measures are always a worthy investment, especially if a few small expenses are substantially less than the average cost of restoring damage. At the first signs of water damage, homeowners should contact a restoration specialist to deal with issues the moment they arise.
Reclamation experts are regularly inquired as to whether they can expel cigarette or tobacco smoke scents. For example, a home should be aerated when it is being sold; a flat may require the administration between inhabitants; a car may require scent evacuation; and so forth.
The EPA says that Natural Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is the smoke that originates from the cigarette, pipe, or stogie, in addition to the smoke breathed out by the smoker. It is an unpredictable blend of more than 4,000 mixes, more than 40 of which are known to cause malignancy in people or creatures, and a significant number of which are solid aggravations. ETS is regularly alluded to as "used smoke," and presentation to ETS is frequently called "aloof smoking."
The smoke from tobacco mists the air and adheres to each surface of the territory. Individuals can likewise observe, smell, and feel a yellowish-darker, sticky substance that is left on all surfaces and furniture in territories where smoking has occurred. This amazingly difficult to evacuate deposit stains painted surfaces and plastics. It can forever change the presence of backdrop, blinds, paint, and numerous different things in the zone. The smoke can enter furniture, floor coverings, dividers, windows, and each other niche and crevice in the region. Furthermore, the building's HVAC framework will convey the smoke smell and the deposits all through the structure. The contaminants are unattractive as well as can off-gas scents that many individuals essentially find excruciating.
The final product of long haul smoking in encased territories is much the same as that of a genuine fire. One distinction is that the smoke from a fire is at times significantly simpler to expel from dividers or different surfaces than tobacco smoke. Expelling tobacco buildups can be a genuine test. It is extremely tedious, as buildups are available all through the whole home, business, or other influenced zone.
Rebuilding experts, protection experts and property proprietors ought to know, toward the start of a tobacco-smoke cleanup venture, that there is no enchantment projectile that just whisks away deposits and smells. Even though it is decent to have the capacity to connect to an "enchantment" machine or shower some "supernatural occurrence" fluid to take out tobacco smoke issues, such items basically don't exist. The main compelling approach to expel tobacco buildup and smell is through extremely careful cleaning and afterward fixing every single basic surface. Even though buildups may seem, by all accounts, to be gathered in just a single zone, once cleaning begins it will typically be discovered that all regions are defiled, and cleaning all surfaces will be important to expel contaminants and scents. The exceptionally little particles of tobacco smoke discover their way into all zones. The cleaning procedure will dependably incorporate aerating operators to help with that procedure. Indeed, even after careful and fruitful cleaning, it is generally important to seal surfaces with a sealant intended to secure in the remainder of the stains and scents. Recognize that a typical "groundwork" isn't adequate, and an item intended to seal smoke buildups is required. At long last, the surfaces will be prepared to paint, resurface, or to apply new covers.
The "delicate" things in a home, for example, upholstery, bedding, window covers, garments, and so forth will require unique consideration. Since they assimilate smells so well, and are frequently effectively harmed, they will be extremely hard to effectively reestablish and may require outside pros. Testing ought to be directed to assess the accomplishment of such endeavors. Much of the time, the choice is made to just supplant these materials and things.
After the reclamation proficient has completed the cleaning, it might be important to utilize, proficient hardware to help evacuate the remainder of the smells, frequently in territories that can't be cleaned (inside joints, inside dividers, and so on.) This will regularly include hydroxyl generators or ozone generators. Both are proficient hardware that makes atoms which can take after the smoke into little spaces, and the two procedures successfully decimate the rotten particles.
Similarly, as with each property misfortune, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque rebuilding experts cause take property back to a pre-misfortune condition. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque rebuilding experts are exceptionally prepared and talented in strategies to cure tobacco smoke smells, as well as to return property proprietors to their reestablished property cost-adequately and in the most limited time conceivable.
Advice That Can Help You With All Your Water Damage Issues
If your house experiences water damage don’t waste any time, begin cleaning up right away. Time is of the essence when dealing with water damage. The longer you wait to tackle the problem the more difficult it will be to restore your possessions back to their original condition. If you are a handyman by hobby you might be able to fix a small leak by yourself, if you have a more serious problem than a small leak you should call a water damage restoration professional for assistance in cleaning up.
Water damage is one of the most common problems experienced by homeowners in the United States. It is the second most common reason for filing an insurance claim, and annual losses due to water damage are close to $3 billion. Nearly 40 percent of homeowners will have to file a water damage claim at some point during their lives.
Different Causes Of Water Damage
There are a number of different causes that can lead to water damage. Depending on where you live, although less prominent in New Mexico, a heavy rainstorm can cause flooding in your area. This flooding can seep into basements, causing several inches of standing water in it. Another source of water damage can be caused through plumbing problems, like a clogged toilet or leaking/broken pipes. Lastly, older water heaters can start to leak, thus causing a flood in your home.
When you discover flooding or water damage in your home, there are certain steps that you need to take right away. If the water is coming from your plumbing or water heater, shut the water supply to your home off right away. This will prevent any more water from entering your home.
Once your water supply has been shut off try to move as many of your possessions as you can to higher ground where they will be safe from any standing water. Focus on valuable or irreplaceable items first, such as personal documents, family heirlooms, and electronic equipment. The sooner that you can get these away from the water, the less likely they are to get irreparably damaged.
Some Tips On What Not To Do When Your Home Is Flooded
The first and most important tip may seem obvious, but in a time a of panic common sense can elude the best of us. Due to obvious dangers, never use electronic equipment when your home has been flooded. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, so using electronics puts you at risk. Additionally, the wiring in your house may have been damaged by the flood. This makes it important to get an electrician to inspect your house and make any needed repairs before you plug anything back in.
Once you’ve cleared yourself of the dangers talked about above, be sure to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. Aside from getting yourself safe, this should be the first step taken in your process to recovery. The sooner you get this process started, the sooner you can receive your funds to help you recover your house. However, you need to know what is covered by your homeowner’s insurance. Some insurance policies may not cover flooding or other types of water damage. If yours does not, you may want to purchase additional coverage to provide more protection.
After you have contacted your insurance agent, they can help you find a water damage restoration professional whom can help you start cleaning up the damage as quickly as possible. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque responds within 2-4 hours as to help minimalize any damage to your home and belongings. Especially when dealing with severe flooding, it is necessary to hire a professional who has specialized equipment to properly remediate the water damage. Professionals don’t just clean the water damage, they make sure no moisture is left to prevent any mold damage from growing and causing more problems.
The Problem of Mold and the Prevention of its Growth
Time is crucial when drying any areas affected by water damage. If moisture is left to sit for mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 hours after a flood. Mold spore are very small and can spread throughout your home undetected, which can lead to health problems. Mold is sneaky and can start to grow inside your walls or underneath floorboards. This is because these types of materials hold in moisture which helps the mold to grow. Sometimes mold doesn’t make itself aware to occupants until it has already taken foothold inside a home.
Due to the extra possibility of water damage causing mold growth, water damage is a very serious problem that shouldn’t be put off. Do not try to cut corners when it comes to water damage. Instead, call an experienced water damage restoration professional for assistance. Us at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque will be willing and able to provide the expertise that you need to restore your home to a livable condition.
Mold is a worrisome sight for any homeowner as once it has invaded your house it can be problematic to remove. For mold to grow inside your home the right moisture and temperature levels need to exist. It is best to be proactive instead of reactive when combating mold. When mold begins to grow, it can cause health effects as well as property damage to your home. Many homeowners who find mold inside their house turn to the internet and end up using the wrong chemicals to remove the present fungus. That is why this article seeks to inform people about some common mistakes homeowners use in their fight against the resilient fungus, therefore it’ll allow you to avoid making the same mistakes.
Neglecting Or Failing To Notice Mold Growth
If you notice any of the following signs of mold growth in your home, you may be in need of mold remediation. Ignoring them or failing to notice will only make the problem worse.
People in your family begin to show signs of new, mold related health problems make sure to explore the possibility of mold growth in your house.
Don’t ignore even the smallest amount of mold spotted.
A sudden strong musty odor in your house can be an effect of mold growth.
Any porous materials, such as drywall and wooden objects, with water stains could be hiding mold underneath the surface.
Neglecting Or Failing To Fix Maintenance Issues
Mold needs a moisture source to come to life. The most sure fire way to prevent mold growth is to control the moisture levels inside your home. All of the following problems should be taken care of, otherwise continued exposure to moisture can cause the mold to spread.
Leaks in the roof, plumbing, or sewer line.
Humidity level of 60 percent or higher.
Wet or damp basements, cabinets (near sink), crawlspaces, and attics,
Failing To Notice Non-Visible Mold Growth
Not all mold growth in a home is visible, mold can easily grow within walls, ceilings, floors, basements, attics, and within air ducts among other hidden places. If you have noticed some typical signs of mold growth but have not seen any visible growth, you may need to hire a mold removal service to check these hidden spots because it can be dangerous to assume that no visible mold means no mold at all.
Assuming Lack Of Moisture Means No Mold Growth
Mold needs moisture in order to spread and grow; if mold growth is not removed but the moisture is this doesn’t mean the mold will disappear. Mold spores can remain dormant even if they aren’t spreading. This type of mold can still cause musky odors and negative health effects. If you’ve seen mold but there is no moisture source, take care of the problem before it has the chance to spread.
Treating Mold Growth With Bleach
Many homeowners assume that bleach is the best method of household mold removal but bleach is not strong enough to effectively kill mold. Bleach also only attacks the mold that is on the surface not the rest of the mold that is hiding inside and underneath porous materials. Your best option is to hire a mold removal service to completely remove all mold growth.
Mold Removal Cost
The ultimate cost of mold remediation services will depend on the extent of the mold growth in your home as it can range anywhere from $500 to upwards of $30,000. Mold remediation often involves repair of the affected surfaces as well as removal of the mold itself so it is possible that even small jobs can cost up to about $1000. It is important to contact a professional for mold removal immediately because the longer you wait to take action, to more the mold can spread which will make the remediation process even more expensive.
When you inspect your home for mold, make sure to take these tips into account so that you do not make one of these common mistakes which can lead to a bigger problem. If you do discover mold growing anywhere in your home, contact a professional for mold remediation services to have the problem eliminated.
Many people think they know about mold, but if their information is wrong, it can be dangerous. Here are five common beliefs about mold, and information about their accuracy.
All mold is bad. There are several beneficial kinds of mold. Some varieties of cheese, like Stilton and Roquefort, are made using a special strain of mold. Penicillin comes from the Penicillium strain. Mold helps break down organic materials during the composting process, turning leaves and kitchen scraps into highly fertile growing material.
Bleach kills mold. Bleach only kills the live mold growth, not the spores themselves. The water from cleaning can provide the perfect environment to allow new mold to grow even faster.
There should never be any mold inside the home. Mold spores occur naturally in the air and even with the most sophisticated filters, they are almost impossible to remove completely. They only cause problems when they combine with a source of food and moisture and begin growing.
It’s ok to ignore small mold outbreaks. You should never ignore any signs of mold. It will only grow larger, damaging your home and its contents and causing sinus and respiratory problems. The more it spreads, the more expensive it will be to clean and restore, especially if it gets into walls and the HVAC system.
You can always clean mold yourself. You can clean smaller infestations of 10 square feet or less on your own using a mix of household detergent and water. Don’t use UV light or high heat drying, which may make the mold grow faster. If the infestation is larger than 10 square feet, or you have allergies, call a professional
If you find mold in your home or business in Albuquerque, NM that’s more than you can handle, call the professionals at SERVPRO Of NE Albuquerque Restoration. Our certified technicians use the best mold remediation methods in the industry. Proper mold removal will save you money by getting the job done right the first time.
Don't wait until it's too late, get your home inspected for mold damage.
Mold is found just about everywhere, but when it is found in your home it can be a major problem. Mold can occur in a house because of flooding. Flooding can be caused by a broken water pipe or hose, or it can be caused by torrential rain, such as a hurricane or tropical storm.
Flooding is not the only cause of mold. One of the most common places homeowners find mold is in the basement. The reason for this is because basements are usually dark and damp, the perfect environment for mold to grow in. If the mold finds plenty of cellulose to feed upon along with moisture, it will grow, and can grow so much that it invades other parts of your home. Therefore getting a mold inspection can be important to either finding mold, or giving you peace of mind.
Reason One – Health
There are over 100,000 different types of known mold. Due to the sheer amount of possibilities mold can cause different issues for different people. This is why it's recommended to get your house examined by a professional. Don't take the risk of spreading the spores throughout your house by trying a DIY method. Instead contact the trained technicians at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration.
Reason Two – Damage to Your Home
Mold can spread through your home very fast. Unfortunately, most people don’t see the mold as it grows because it often grows behind walls where it isn’t visible. By the time the mold has spread through the inside of a wall to the outside, the damage it has caused can be too excessive to be repaired. Dry rot can cause damage to the integrity of your home’s frame.
Mold inspections are the easiest way to find out if there is mold in your home, and if there is, where the mold is located. After you have a mold inspection done the inspector will discuss the results with you. The best case scenario is that you don’t have mold, or the mold is minor. If, however, you find that you have a lot of mold in your house the inspector can be a great resource for learning about who you can turn to for getting rid of the mold, as well as repairing the damage caused by mold. If you ever suspect that you may have mold, contact a SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration right away so that you can deal with the problem before it gets worse.
Fires are one of the most destructive disasters a home can experience and the following days and weeks after a fire can be difficult to endure. The most important thing to do in a fire is make sure everyone within your house escapes safely but once the fire is put out, you are left with a heavily damaged house and belongings. The smoke and fire damage restoration process must begin immediately and taking the following steps immediately after a fire will help get this process started.
The first thing to remember after a fire is to keep organized records of the damage to your home as well as records of all communication between you and the insurance company and restoration professionals. Make sure to save all relevant receipts and documents and take notes on all correspondences between you and the professionals involved. This will help you protect yourself from miscommunications.
The first call you make after a fire should be to your insurance provider. Most insurance companies require that you file a claim immediately after a disaster and it is also in your best interest to do so. Your provider will want proof of the claim and will send an adjustor to your property to assess the damage. After calling your insurance company, contact a professional restoration service provider for fire damage restoration. It is beneficial to hire a restoration service provider that also specializes in construction services to help rebuild your home in addition to cleaning and restoring your belongings.
The fire damage restoration company should work with your insurance provider to develop a recovery plan and help file damage claims. As the construction side of the restoration company assesses the structural damage to your home, the restoration specialists work with you and your insurance provider to decide which of your belongings can be salvaged and which will have to be replaced. If you have items that need to be cleaned off site, many restoration companies offer pack out services to transport and store your belongings in a safe location.
Homes in the Albuquerque, NM area could be hit by a fire at any time and it is important for homeowners to know how to react if one should strike their home. It is important to call your insurance provider and a trusted fire damage restoration company such as SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration after a fire and to keep detailed records of the communications with these providers. Taking the right steps in the aftermath will help you achieve a full recovery.
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration wishes you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Ensure all smoke alarms are working. It is crucial to notice the fire as soon as it starts to put it out as soon as possible.
Never leave the stove or oven unattended. Especially with young children or pets, make sure to watch and keep them out of the kitchen.
Roll up sleeves before turning on the burner. Low hanging clothing can easily catch fire and cause severe burns.
Set up cooking timers. Doing this is more beneficial than just knowing when to pull the food out of the oven. Overcooking can also lead to oven fires.
Keep flammable materials away from burners. This includes towels, paper towels, oven mitts, food wrappers, pot holders, pizza boxes, and other paper, plastic, and fabric materials.
Turn off appliances when done cooking. Forgetting to turn off the stove or oven is a common mistake and has been known to cause a number of cooking fires.
Remove household objects from the floor. This will prevent dangerous accidents when cooking in the kitchen, especially with kids and pets.
Keep matches away from children. Teach them to bring it straight to you or another adult if they do find one.
Blow out all of the candles after everyone has left the dinner table
Pick up all electric cords. Especially in the kitchen, pick up the cords from plate warmers, mixers, toasters, coffee makers, electric knives, and other appliances and keep them out of their reach.
Blow out all candles. As soon as everyone is done eating, blow out all of the candles on the table, but don’t forget others in the living room, kitchen, and other common areas.
Store a fire extinguisher. In the event of a small kitchen fire, you can stop it before it spreads by keeping a small fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure that it is easily accessible and everyone knows where it is.
Be prepared in case of an emergency. Always keep the phone numbers of emergency services, such as the fire department, hospital, and a disaster restoration service such as SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration. You will save a lot of time just by calling the direct line instead of searching for it on your phone.
Don't let an unexpected fire damage your Thanksgiving.
Compared to the tradition of roasting the turkey in the oven on Thanksgiving, many families prefer a little more flavor by frying it instead. But many organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Laboratories, are strongly against them due to the dangers they pose. If you have ever watched a turkey fryer fire video, you will notice that once the fire starts, it shoots up in seconds, engulfing the fryer and surrounding materials in a thick, fiery cloud.
But if these videos don’t scare you from sticking the bird in the hot oil, be sure to follow all instructions and practice extreme caution before doing so. Check out these turkey fryer fire safety tips to keep you, your loved ones, and home safe from a Thanksgiving fire disaster.
Emergency Fire Damage Restoration
While not all disasters can be prevented, knowing who to call after a fire damage emergency is crucial when it comes to restoring your property and contents. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration is a professional fire and smoke damage restoration company that is available 24/7 to handle all property emergencies. From the initial inspection to rebuilding the structure, they will restore your home’s previous condition within a timely matter.
They can also restore personal items to their original conditions with professional content cleaning and pack out services. Using commercial cleaning products, they can remove that thick, oily residue left behind from the smoke and soot byproducts. As soon as the flames have been extinguished on your property, you can rely on these professionals to handle all aspects of the restoration process.
Cause Of Turkey Fryer Fires
One of the best ways to prevent turkey fryer fires is to know what causes them. When a frozen turkey is submerged into a pot of oil, it won’t mix with the frozen water on the turkey. Instead, heavy pockets of water will sink to the bottom of the fryer while the oil surrounding them quickly heats it beyond its boiling point. The water then evaporates, expands, and splatters the oil everywhere.
As soon as the beads of oil hit the burner, they heat up instantly, igniting into flames that will quickly spread in all directions from the fryer. This is why the turkey can never be frozen or saturated before being fried.
Turkey Fryer Fire Safety Tips
While many families are successful in frying up a perfectly cooked bird, others become victims to large, thick clouds of fire that destroy their home and/or send them to the emergency room. This is why it is so crucial to know what you are doing before firing up the burner (no pun intended).
Location is key
Even if you have been frying your turkey for years and have never experienced a problem, you should know that doing it at least 10 feet away from all buildings is the most crucial safety tip. Because hot oil will spray everywhere when cooking, it can easily start a fire when making contact with combustible materials, such as wood or fabric. If the oil touches bare skin, it can also cause severe burns.
When finding an ideal spot to fry the bird, keep it at a safe distance away from all housing structures. The base should be made of dirt or concrete, a non-flammable material that won’t ignite when coming into contact with hot oil. Also keep the burner’s propane tank as far away from the burner as possible without causing too much tension on the hose or tipping over the tank.
For extra safety, keep a fire extinguisher next to you in case anything gets out of control.
Finally, keep everyone out of the frying area for their own safety – unless their help is absolutely necessary.
Thaw the turkey
Even if you choose to roast the turkey, thawing it is an essential part of the preparation process. Before adding any spices or seasonings, make sure that it is fully thawed.
To do this, allow it to sit in the fridge for every 4 pounds of meat, or if you are running short on time, place it into a cold water bath, and let it sit for one hour for every 2 pounds.
After ensuring that the turkey is fully thawed by checking it for ice, dry it out completely and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Be careful with the seasonings
While everyone has their own opinion about which seasonings to add to a turkey, extra attention must be put forth when deep frying the bird. If you are marinating it first, make sure that it dries completely before placing it into the hot oil. You can also inject the liquid seasoning deep within the muscles, under the skin so that the oil won’t splatter when it cooks.
Measure the oil thoroughly
While you are waiting for the seasonings to dry (if you used liquid), you can start the measuring process. This is also another essential step to prevent the oil from spilling over the sides, landing on the burner, and causing everything to go up in flames.
To measure the perfect amount of oil, first practice with water. Place the turkey into the pot and fill it with water until it reaches between 4 and 6 inches below the rim. Then remove the turkey and measure the volume. This will be the exact amount of oil you will want to use when frying the turkey. Just make sure that both the pot and the bird are thoroughly dried before adding the oil.
Lowering the turkey
As soon as you are ready with the seasonings and have ensured that the bird is fully thawed, it is ready to be placed into the oil. If you choose to do it by hand, make sure to cover every inch of bare skin. This includes wearing oven mitts, long sleeves, pants, and close-toed shoes. Otherwise, the hot oil will stick to bare skin, causing severe burns that can result in an emergency trip to the hospital.
If you want to use something else to lower it, make sure that it can hold a lot of weight by testing it with heavy books, rocks, or a strong fryer basket. Then practice lowering them to get the feel of how to do it slowly.
After practicing, be sure that the turkey is securely attached to the rope, or it won’t slip from your hands. Then carefully lower it into the oil. If it starts spitting, DO NOT DROP THE TURKEY, but lift it out of oil and find out what’s wrong.
Non-fire risks
While grease fires are the most dangerous risk when frying turkeys, don’t forget about the most general cooking risk: undercooked meat. But it can be difficult to dip the meat thermometer in boiling oil to measure the bird’s internal temperature.
A general rule is to cook the turkey for three minutes per pound. Then you can carefully remove the turkey from the hot oil to take its temperature. If it reads 145 degrees, allow it to cool down at room temperature for 20 minutes before carving into it.
Cleaning up the mess
Even after a successful frying job, cleaning up the oil can be a chore. First allow it to cool down before taking it out of the pot; you can measure its temperature before disposing of it. As soon as it safe to do so, do NOT dump the oil down the drain.
Instead, pour it into a disposable container, such as a large can or plastic container, and then throw it in the garbage. If you are afraid it may leak, place the container into the freezer until it becomes solid, and then throw it away.
Afterwards, wipe away the grease from the burner with either dish soap or vinegar. And there you have it – a successfully fried turkey and undamaged house!
Always Be Prepared
Even if you have been frying turkeys for years, accidents can still happen. The turkey can slip from your hands when lowering it into the fryer or your rope-and-pulley system could break, spilling the oil everywhere and igniting a fire. The point is that something can always go wrong when frying a turkey; therefore, you should always be prepared. Ensure to have all emergency contact numbers, including your local hospital, fire department, insurance company, and fire damage restoration company.
Especially during Thanksgiving, SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration has restored numerous homes that have caught on fire due to turkey fryer accidents. In fact, they are always prepared for the unexpected, being available 24/7 to start the cleaning, demolition, and rebuilding process as soon as possible. As a result, they have been known to not only restore homes but restore peace of mind during a Thanksgiving disaster.
Installing smoke detectors in your home has always been one of the most effective preventative measures against fires. Testing your smoke alarms and regularly changing the batteries is a common task done by many homeowners, but what about when the alarm goes off? Do you know what you and your family will do if your smoke detector warns you of a real fire? Modern homes that contain synthetic materials burn very quickly, leaving little time to escape a fire unharmed. When your smoke detector goes off, you and your family must know exactly what to do to save your lives.
The Dangers Of Smoke
Do you know what to do if your smoke detector goes off?
The smoke from the fire sets off the smoke alarm, but there are also other harmful gasses in the air when a fire breaks out. Smoke and dangerous gasses rise to the ceiling which makes it important to stay close to the floor. Smoke inhalation causes more deaths during a house fire than the fire itself. Understanding the nature of smoke and remembering to stay close to the ground will increase your chances of escaping.
Fire In The Middle Of The Night
If your smoke alarm wakes you up in the middle of the night, immediately roll off your bed and onto the floor. DO NOT SIT UP! The smoke and dangerous gases could be right above your bed which makes sitting up very dangerous. In fact, many victims are found in their beds because they sat up and inhaled a fatal amount of smoke. After rolling out of bed, try to assess the situation from the floor. If your room is full of smoke, look to evacuate any way you can. Feel the doorknob before opening your bedroom door and look for a different way out if it feels warm.
If there are other family members in your home when a fire breaks out, check the condition of your room before going to help them. If your bedroom is warm or has a dangerous level of smoke, get out right away and try to help your family from outside the home. However, if the conditions allow, gather your family together while staying low to the floor and get them to the nearest safe exit.
Evacuating The Home
When evacuating your home during a fire, every door and window is a possible way out. Escaping through a window may be dangerous, especially a second story window, but cuts and broken bones can be treated much easier than severe burns or smoke inhalation. If there is still someone trapped inside the home after you have escaped safely, tell the firefighters immediately. Give them a description of the person and where in the house they might be so they can be saved quickly.
Here are some important things to remember when evacuating your home during a fire:
Touch all doors with the back of your hand before opening them.
Look for a window for escape if you cannot use the doors.
Stay low to the ground and move around on your stomach.
NEVER sit up in bed if your smoke alarm goes off in the middle of the night.
Cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel if you can grab one safely.
Remember to stop, drop, and roll if necessary.
Do not waste any time, evacuate your home immediately.
Have A Fire Escape Plan
Creating a detailed fire escape plan and practicing it with your family gives you the best chance of evacuating safely during a fire. The exact details of the plan will vary depending on the layout of your home, but every fire escape plan should include the following:
Identify at least 2 exits for every room.
Establish a meeting place outside the home for your family to gather.
Fire Damage Restoration
During a fire, nothing is more important than making sure that every person in the home has evacuated safely. Remember to stay low to the ground, assess your situation, and escape out of the closest and clearest exit. Once the evacuation is complete and the fire is out, you should immediately call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration for fire damage restoration services. The damage from a fire will continue to spread and get worse in the aftermath and our fire restoration professionals will effectively limit its spread and save your belongings from permanent damage.
Need soot cleaning or fire restoration services? Call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration.
Soot is the black residue left behind on fireplace walls and charcoal grills after the flames go out. A house fire creates a great deal of it because wood, plaster, natural fibers, synthetics, foams and plastics all create soot when they burn and most homes are full of these materials. Soot sticks to any surface that’s cooler than the fire itself, usually walls, ceilings and other hard surfaces.
Different types of fires produce different types of soot, which require different cleaning methods, so it’s best to leave it to the professionals. High oxygen fires produce soot that is best cleaned with a dry cleaning sponge or dry chemical sponge. Low oxygen fires can be cleaned with a wet sponge. However, if soot from a high oxygen fire is cleaned with a wet sponge, it can smear and cause even more damage. If you do decide to vacuum up soot before the professionals arrive, do not use an ordinary household vacuum cleaner, which is not designed for that type of cleaning. Use a shop vac, or other type of heavy duty vacuum cleaner. Always hold the nozzle about a half inch away from the surface that’s being cleaned. Making contact with the soot can smear it and make an even bigger mess.
While waiting for experts to arrive, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Never touch anything during your initial inspection, to avoid spreading the soot.
Wear gloves, a mask and long sleeves and pants when working in soot covered room to protect your skin and lungs.
Keep the room ventilated to minimize breathing in soot particles and allow smoky smells to dissipate.
Remove as much debris as possible to allow for easy cleanup.
If you’ve just experienced a fire at your home or business in the Albuquerque, NM area, call the professionals at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration.
The only thing longer than waiting for Game of Thrones season 8 to come out is the mythical "winter" that they have been preparing for. In the spirit of this much beloved show we want to help you prepare for the real winter that is upon us.
To help you secure your personal fortress from the harsh elements of winter, it's important to take care of your pipes. Busted pipes cause stress and can run up a hefty bill to fix. Before winter is in full effect take preventative measures to help avert the risk of frozen pipes and other cold-weather threats. Without further discourse let's begin to PREPARE YOUR PIPES!
Priority Areas
The first step in protecting your pipes is to identify the most at risk areas and give those sections priority. These areas include:
Exposed pipes in unheated areas of the house.
Pipes located in exterior walls.
Any plumbing on the exterior of the home.
Precaution Measures for Outside (External Threats!)
A simple hose can be the cause of major pipe damages. This is because if water inside the hose freezes it can cause pressure buildup inside the entire plumbing system. Since As the pressure builds, older pipes can crack, which leads to leaking and busted pipes. This is why one of the simplest and first precautions to take is to disconnect your hose, drain any water inside of it, and store the hose before the first severe freeze of the season.
If you don’t have frost-proof spigots, close the interior shut-off valve leading to that faucet, open and drain the spigot, and install a faucet insulator. They cost only a couple bucks and are worth every penny.
Uncovered Inside Plumbing (Inside Threats!)
When most people think of busted pipes inside a home they think of pipes in an basement. This is a possibility but it isn't the most problematic area because the basement is a heated area of the house. Busted plumbing pipes are most common in unheated spaces in the house such as the garage, attic, or crawl spaces.
Often, economical foam pipe insulation is enough for somewhat cold climates. For very cold climates, opt for wrapping problem pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape (ranging from $50 to $200, contingent upon length), which will turn on at certain minimum temps.
Under-Insulated Walls (Fortify Your Walls!)
One way to tell if some of your walls are under-insulated is if you have needed water damage repair or mold cleanup inside your walls before. This is often a case of inadequately installed insulation. In cold climates it's worth considering opening up your walls to improve your insulation for a couple hundred of dollars instead of paying for more expensive water damage or mold removal later.
Once you have assessed all potential threats to your pipes it's time for you to go inside and "man the fort". So get nice and cozy inside your home, pour yourself some hot chocolate, and stay alert because winter is among us my friends!
At SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration our main focus for September is Emergency Preparation Month. We want to raise awareness and help initiate preliminary action, so that you will be safe and ready to act in the event of any size disaster.
National preparedness Month is an annual event sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is a means to raise awareness about the importance of preparing in-advance for the unexpected. SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration supports FEMA's initiative and encourages all property owners and families to take some simple steps in order to better prepare yourself for unexpected disasters.
Step 1: Take the time to review, update, or create an emergency preparedness plan. If you don't have a plan, let FEMA help you build one using their tools.(https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan) Additionally, you can call your local SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration and we use our expertise to help you construct a quality preparedness plan.
Step 2: Gather in a concise document, critical information that can assist first responders and help save your property. Gather information such as: location of shut off valves, fire suppression system controls, emergency contact numbers, etc. It is a good idea to have a physical and a digital copy of all this information. Some disasters, such as a fire, can require you to quickly evacuate; this is where a digital copy comes in handy. Compared to a disaster like a water leak, where a physical copy can be more accessible. Once you have the information together utilize the best of both worlds, physical and digital!
An important distinction should be made when comparing an emergency preparedness plan to an evacuation plan. An emergency preparations plan acts as compliment to any and all evacuation plans. An evacuation plans importance is to help you safely evacuation the premise in the case of a disaster. An emergency preparation plan is used to help you quickly restore your property and get back into your home/business as soon as possible. The emergency preparedness plan is used to minimize downtime.
An Emergency Readiness Proposal (ERP) helps the property owner and/or manager to quickly reach out for expert help immediately following the disaster. At SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration we have professional who will help you create an ERP. This is a free service that we offer to anyone who is interested, because we believe everyone should be prepared in the event of a disaster.
Traffic streaming through the flooded streets on Gold Street between 2nd and 3rd.
4:20 p.m. — Albuquerque mayor Richard Berry called the storm that pummeled Albuquerque and other parts of the state Friday night a “Category 1 hurricane”, and he asked residents to check on their neighbors as he outlined resources for folks preparing for another storm.
Sand bags are available at all Albuquerque fire stations, and piles of sand can be found at stations 1, 6, 7, 18 and 19, Berry said. Police and firefighters have been out all day doing damage assessments and responding to calls for service.
Some 5,950 households were still without power Saturday afternoon, down from more than 30,000. PNM officials said that it’s not possible to predict when those customers will again have power.
“Some customers may be out for quite some time due to the severity of the damage caused by the microburst, unfortunately. We know it is frustrating. We will try to keep you posted,” PNM posted on its Facebook page.
Berry and police chief Ray Schultz patrolled the city until 1:30 a.m. last night, the mayor said, surveying damage and assessing what the costs could be. Berry said that the early Friday morning storm, which hurled huge thunder claps and brilliant flashes of lightning all over the city, cost $500,000. That doesn’t even include the Friday night storm, which appears to have been more damaging.
The city’s Senior Affairs division is doing welfare checks around the city, Berry said, but he asked residents to look out for each other, knock on doors and make sure neighbors are fine.
“Check on them,” Berry said. “Make sure they’re doing OK.”
As of 12 p.m., 25 traffic signals were out of power. That means drivers should treat those intersections as a four-way stop.
Elsewhere, Bridge between Fourth and Eighth Street was closed as crews repaired damages, and four city pools — Valley, Rio Grande, Highland and Sunport — were closed.
The Rio Grande Zoo saw no injuries to animals or humans during the storm, which caused the abrupt cancellation of a Friday night concert. Watching this video of the storm at the zoo, it’s surprising no one was hurt.
The zoo will reopen tomorrow, but was closed today. Concertgoers who abandoned personal property can describe their lost items to zoo staff in order to retrieve them, Berry said.
An emergency radio communications tower struck by lightning early Friday morning was not at “100 percent”, the police chief said, but officers have been doubling up, using cell phones and using other backup methods to prevent any impact in emergency response. The tower is expected to be fixed in the next 24 hours.
2 p.m. A flash flood watch for part of northern and central New Mexico, including for the Albuquerque metro area, is in effect through late tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
“Abundant moisture already in place will increase further this afternoon and evening as a weak disturbance draws even deeper moisture from Arizona into New Mexico,” the Weather Service says. “Slow moving thunderstorms with rainfall rates near 2 inches per hour are possible with the stronger thunderstorms.”
The Friday night thunderstorm that hit the Duke City turned out to be a record breaker.
The Weather Service reports that a record rainfall of 1.36 inches was set in the city on Friday. “It breaks the old record of 0.85 inches set in 1939,” according to the agency.
Some parts of the Valley received nearly 2.5 inches of rain since Friday afternoon.
Also, the 89 mph gust measured at the Albuquerque International Sunport on Friday at 7:36 p.m. “is the strongest gust recorded at Albuquerque Sunport since 1939.”
The two days of rain have turned the Rio Grande into a river again, if only temporarily. Flows on the Rio Grande peaked at 3,070 cubic feet per second at the Central Avenue bridge in Albuquerque at around 10 a.m. this morning, the highest flow since the spring runoff in 2010.
Today, residents cleaned up and authorities worked to fix traffic lights and restore power to thousands affected by the Friday night storm.
Emergency management officials urged residents to avoid major roadways as workers battle the aftermath of floods and downed trees and utility lines, The Associated Press reported.
Authorities said most of the water that created havoc on streets had receded today and street signs or police officers had been placed at more than two dozen intersections to handle malfunctioning traffic signals, the AP said. Officials said the storm also caused minor damage to a levy.
“Right now we need time to restore basic services,” Director of Emergency Management Roger Ebner said in a statement. “The best thing the public can do is to stay home, relax and enjoy their weekend while crews work to restore power, clean the roadways and assist motorists.”
Police said that traffic control officers or street signs were at more than two dozen intersections to handle malfunctioning traffic signals, according to the AP report.
“We got hammered,” said APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. He said crews began working at 3 a.m., and he directed every principal to go to their school and walk through each classroom checking for damages.
One of the most intense thunderstorms in recent memory slammed into the Albuquerque metropolitan area Friday night, flooding streets, toppling power lines and leaving more than 27,000 people without electricity.
Gusts of nearly 90 mph blew past the Albuquerque International Sunport, and police had to shut down a section of Interstate 25 from the Big I to Rio Bravo to clean up power lines that fell near Gibson Boulevard. Flooding and stalled vehicles were also reported near Alameda and Rio Grande and along Coors between Eagle Ranch and Irving. Trees were uprooted and debris was strewn about.
“Metro experienced one of the most intense rain, severe wind-producing storms in recent memory, if not on record,” the National Weather Service in Albuquerque posted on Twitter on Friday evening.
An inch of rain fell Friday evening at the Sunport, and northeastern parts of the city also saw between 1.6 and 1.8 inches of rain, according to preliminary reports.
And it fell quickly.
Mark Summerlin, 24, was driving his parents’ Buick sedan west on Central Avenue under the Downtown bridge, which had flooded, when his car stalled. He sat in his vehicle as water levels rose, and continued rising, to above the center console.
“It started getting higher, so then I called 911,” Summerlin told the Journal on Friday. “… Once they got there they just pulled me out of the car and walked me out.”
An Albuquerque firefighter hoisted Summerlin onto his shoulders and walked out from under the bridge as waters reached to above chest.
“I was very anxious to get out of the car,” Summerlin said.
The Buick, which sat empty under the bridge until around 11 p.m., entered the underpass behind several other vehicles, Summerlin said, and still others passed him when he stalled.
“It seemed like it was about to get through, but then it just died out,” he said. “I should have got a Jeep or something like that.”
Apart from the flooding, the storm knocked out power in areas all over the city. PNM crews had to wait for a couple of hours before they deemed it safe enough to begin restoring power to the 27,581 homes without power.
More than 2.7 inches of rain have fallen at the Sunport this month, making it the 10th wettest July on record, the National Weather Service reported Friday night.
When the storm left the city, it continued south. A National Weather Service meteorologist said the storm didn’t appear to lose intensity as it moved south, though the service received only one report of a flooded road in Belen. More damage will likely be assessed today, she said.
Flooding damage was also reported at the ABQ BioPark zoo and other parts of the BioPark, prompting officials there to close the zoo today, and possibly even close the botanic garden and aquarium, which were left without power. Today, staff was going to be cleaning up tree limbs and other storm debris.
Also, attendees of the Luke Bryan concert at the Isleta Amphitheater had to flee to their vehicles when the storm hit. The show was quickly cancelled, leaving the musician “bummed,” according to his Twitter page.
The National Weather Service reported gusts of up to 89 mph at the Sunport.
A flash flood warning was extended twice Friday night, from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. That warning included all of Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties, and officials warned that, even though the heaviest rains didn’t fall for more than a few hours, the flash flood danger persisted in area ditches and arroyos.
Albuquerque police even had to call in additional officers to help deal with damage large and small all over the city, and officers were still directing traffic off the Interstate as of 10 p.m. They warned drivers to stay out of underpasses underneath Interstate 40 and Third through Sixth streets.
The levee at Bridge and Central was also damaged and potentially dangerous to the public, police said.
A weaker storm system was expected for today but the potential for flash flooding is forecast to persist until things start to dry out on Sunday.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM -- Much of the state braced for the winter storm that hit over the weekend.
Temperatures dropped sharply as the storm started to move into the state Friday night.
Snow fell across most of the storm’s path and dropped 10 inches of snow in Tijeras, 15 inches in Tererro, and just over 8 inches in portions of Santa Fe.
The snow came as a surprise for travelers to the area, and some took the weather as a second Christmas.
“I was greeting tourists all over saying Merry Christmas to then in the spring,” said Myles Calladitto.
“I love it. I’m all for it. I feel like time traveled back to Christmas time and it’s amazing. Yes, I have Christmas music on,” said Lucero Maldonado.
Several roads had to be closed due to the snow. HW 64 is still closed between Clayton and Raton due to the snow and ice. I-25 is covered and in ice and snow and caution should be used in the Watrous area near mile markers 364 to 402.
Eastbound I-40 was closed starting near Zuzax. Crews spent the day clearing the roads and most roads are open.
Spring snowmelt often leads to flooding conditions in New Mexico. These tips will help reduce the impact spring floods have on you and your property.
Advance Preparation
Prepare in advance with a SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration Emergency Ready Profile® (ERP). Our convenient mobile app stores all your utility and emergency response information in one place, so you can access this information from your smartphone or computer.
Watch for Pooling Water
Look for places around your property where water pools, and channel it away from buildings. Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and they are directing water as intended.
Maintain Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, check to be sure it is operational before water starts rising. Consider a back-up generator to ensure your pump works when you need it most. Contact your insurance agent to add coverage in case your sump pump fails.
Raise Storage Goods
Use shelving and/or pallets to keep storage items off the floor to reduce the impact of small floods. In many situations, raising boxes just a few inches will be enough to keep storage goods above the water line.
Cut Power if Necessary
As rising water approaches the level of electrical outlets, you risk having a live current flow through all the water. Cut the power if you can safely do so without standing in water. Otherwise, evacuate and contact an electrician to cut the power before you go back in for recovery.
Keep Storm Drains Clear
If you see water pooling around a storm drain, the drain may be clogged with debris. Clearing the debris will help keep the water flowing away from your neighborhood.
Consider Flood Insurance
Homeowners insurance will not cover floods; you must purchase a separate policy for flood protection. When all else fails, flood insurance will provide you the means to respond to a catastrophic flooding event.
Be Aware on the Road
Be careful when driving during spring storms, especially when you hear flash flood warnings. Never drive into fully submerged roadway. The water surface will be at the same level as the pavement you can see. This view can deceive you into thinking the water is shallow because you cannot see how the road dips under the surface.
Act Fast
When a flood happens, you need to act fast to dry out any wet items, particularly structural materials like walls and flooring. Call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration at 505-828-3567 to extract water and mitigate any mold growth. Our franchise professionals have the training and experience to make flood damage “Like it never even happened.”
Got Mold in Albuquerque? Better Call SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration
Mold remediation is one of our primary areas of expertise here at SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration. We have the training and experience to contain the infestation, scrub health-threatening spores out of the air, remove the contaminated materials, and help prevent future microbial growth.
A Moldy Situation
Imagine you were cleaning out a storage closet at work, and you found mold growing on the back wall. Most likely this year, an ice dam supplied the water that created an ideal situation for microbes to grow in this closet. Once you identified and resolved the source of the leak, you would still want to contact a professional to mitigate the mold and ensure healthy air for your employees and customers to breathe.
Containing the Infestation
When SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration franchise professionals begin a mold job, our first concern is to contain the mold infestation. The mold you can see is only a small part of the danger posed to building occupants. Mold reproduces by releasing invisible spores into the air. These spores pose the real hazard for those who breathe the air in the infested building. Therefore, we begin by preventing air from the contaminated area traveling to other parts of the building.
Scrubbing Mold Out of the Air
Each job is unique in its challenges and solutions. However, in most cases, a SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration mold mitigation team will set up a containment barrier and create a “negative air” situation inside the infested area. A “negative air” situation is essentially a vacuum that ensures air only flows into and not out of the contained area while the air scrubbers filter the spores and other contaminants from the air.
Removing Contaminated Materials
Organic materials like drywall, carpeting, and ceiling tiles must be removed and discarded once they become contaminated with mold. This is why we encourage people to contact us immediately after a water loss to dry all the materials before microbial growth begins. Blowing a fan across moldy materials hoping to dry them and save them spreads mold spores in the air and increases the health risk to building occupants.
Inhibiting Future Growth
SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration franchise professionals can never promise to prevent all future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere in the atmosphere, and they take root and thrive whenever they find the perfect mix of moisture, food (organic materials) and temperature. However, our team does have several products that discourage microbial growth. Once your moldy materials have been removed and the air has been scrubbed to reduce the concentration of spores, we can apply one of these anti-microbial agents to help protect your building’s structural elements.
Call SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration for Mold ASAP
When you see mold, remember you cannot see the biggest threat that mold presents. Contact our SERVPRO of NE Albuquerque Restoration mold remediation team at 505-828-3567 for a free estimate and good advice about protecting yourself and other building occupants until the mold is removed and the air is clean again.
No one likes an unwelcome guest in their home. We’re not only talking about your crazy relatives, but that pesky mold that seems to find every crevice of your humble abode. Seeing your walls, molding and shower tiles start hosting this guest can be traumatizing to any homeowner. Not only is it physically unattractive it can also cause serious health issues, depending on the degree of mold. Use these mold removal tips to help you and your walls breathe a little easier while keeping your wallet full this spring.
Even though you might be accustomed to your daily food mildew, you need to know not all mold is the same. Let’s start with the different types of mold you might be dealing with.
Mold spores and allergenic moldare generally not harmful, but can be dangerous to people with asthma and immune problems. Usually these types of mold can be easily removed without future problems.
Mycotoxic mold spores are those containing toxins in the cell wall. This type of mold can be harmful to you and your family’s health. It can cause immune diseases, cancer or even death in some cases. This type of mold should never be handled alone. Cleaning such toxic mold should be handled by a professional cleaning service. See the link below to find a service near you.
Pathogenic mold is the type that can cause infection. It can affect anyone who has suppressed immune diseases, those with autoimmune disease or anyone taking chemotherapy. This mold should again, not be tackled on your own.
Mold Removal Cost
If you decide to tackle this monster on your own to save a couple of bucks, you’re in luck; there are ways to rid your home of the mold. Just make sure you know it’s safe to proceed. If the mold is confined to a surface area of no more than 10 square feet (about 3-feet-by-3-feet), the EPA suggests you can remove it yourself by scrubbing hard surfaces with detergent and water, then drying.
Bathroom Mold Removal
Begin this adventure with the proper gear. Make sure to cover your mouth and nose with a safety mask. Be able to wear latex gloves, because like stated before, mold can cause serious health issues. Bathrooms are one of the most popular places to find that mold. It’s constantly exposed to warmth and water on a daily bases. Tile grout is a fashionable place for this pest to live. It provides cracks and crevices for the mold to grow in strength, while germs accumulate on the service daily. Use chlorine bleach mixed with water, a 50/50 solution ($2.69). Spray on tile walls or floor grout and mold should disappear quite quickly, but only with constant care. Since your bathroom is constantly being exposed to high humidity and water, be sure to wipe down your tile walls and shower doors after every visit. This will keep the water from sitting on the surface for a long period of time. If your bathroom has a window, be sure to crack it while showering or leave your door open so heat has somewhere to travel. Keeping your surfaces free of water, heat and germs will guarantee your bathroom’s a little prettier next time. Estimated Cost- $2.69
Drywall Mold Removal
Drywall Mold Removal
Drywall can be tricky when dealing with mold. If the infected area is less than 10 square feet, you can tackle this problem yourself. Some supplies you will need are an x-acto knife ($4), sand paper (2$), scrub brush($4.99), scrap rags, drywall patch kit ($10) and a mold cleaner that can be picked up at any utility or hardware store ($3.99). You will need to cut out the drywall that has been infected. Be sure to add a couple inches outside the mold to make sure any spores aren’t left behind. Once the wall is removed make sure to sand any studs surrounding the wall since the spores could have easily spread to the posts. Spray your mold cleaner on the posts so the liquid can penetrate the wood while killing any infection that may be left. Once the area is dry, you can now use your patch kit to repair the wall. Unfortunately if the mold has traveled more than 10 square feet you will have to have a specialist take care of the mildew.Estimated cost- $24.98
Mold Removal Upholstery
Mold Removal Upholstery
Many homes in warm climate naturally have a higher humidity in their homes. This can lead to your homes furniture carrying mold spores. Since upholstery is very porous this provides an ideal home for mold growth. Make sure that any fabrics that become wet are dried quickly with fans and blow dryers. If you are able to remove the fabric and place it in a dryer, this will provide the quickest drying method. Air conditioning can help as it tends to dry out your homes air. If you are not able to remove the fabric, make sure to take the furniture outside since mold is so easily spread to other objects. Vacuum up any noticeable mold on the outside and be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag immediately. Apply mild soap to a rag with minimal water and massage into infected area, wipe dry. You may use a rubbing alcohol water mixture as well ($1.99). A 50/50 solution should help kill and dry out the mold a little quicker. Keep the object outside as long as possible so it can dry out. If a mildew smell is still existent there are many aerosol solutions that can tackle those smells ($5.99). If the mold has spread too far into the fabric or furniture you may have to dispose of the object or have a professional take a look. Estimated cost- $7.98
Attic Mold Removal
This type of mold might be a little harder to find and is easier to prevent than to fix. Most people don’t make a daily trip to their attics. It is used as a storage room for many homeowners in which you should make sure your property isn’t being damage from this mildew. Mold thrives in dark places, and nothing is darker then this storage area. The first thing you should notice is your home ceilings. If there is any water damage to them, there is most likely water coming from your roof, which in turn is coming from your attic. Make sure your insulation is up to date as well as your ventilation system. Attic fans can run anywhere from $60-$300 dollars. Keeping the attic dry is crucial. Since summer time can cause high humidity make sure to take that ladder out once and awhile to make sure your attic is keeping nice and dry. If you do find mold, it would be in a homeowner’s best interest to have a professional inspect it. You never know what type of mold it is or how long it has been growing. Once mold has started to grow in large scale so do the costs. Estimated cost- $60-$300
When it comes to cleaning your home, it may be difficult to decide what to do and which area of the home to start cleaning. One aspect of the home that can be difficult to clean at least on your own is the carpet. Are you better off having a professional clean your carpet and if so, what is the cost of professional carpet cleaning? This guide will provide you with some information and tips for choosing a professional carpet cleaning service and what you can expect as far as cost. The cost of the job will largely depend on the company you choose and this article explains the average costs of carpet cleaning services and how they are formed.
How To Clean A Carpet
The carpet is the most used furnishing of a home and should be cleaned quite often. Professionals recommend that you have your carpet cleaned once every year or two but most people realistically have their carpet cleaned more like every three years. The main reasons for the delay in cleanings is the lack of understanding on how to clean and maintain the carpet and misconceptions about the cost of carpet cleaning services.
Professional Carpet Cleaning Cost
Most homes have an average of between 800 and 1000 square feet of carpet and the cost of carpet cleaning per square foot can range from $0.30 to $0.40. This means that the carpet cleaning cost for the average home will be close to $350. With this price, that would equate to $70 per year if you had your carpet cleaned once every 5 years. If your home is larger with more square feet of carpet, than the price of carpet cleaning will be higher but some companies may provide discounts for larger jobs. However, carpet cleaning costs cannot go much lower than $350 because homes with smaller carpeted areas are generally charged more per square foot to compensate. This extra cost for smaller areas is justified by the fact that carpet cleaning professionals still must take time to come to your home, prepare their equipment, complete the job, and pack the equipment back into their trucks.
Carpet Cleaning Discounts
There are several ways a homeowner can decrease the cost of professional carpet cleaning. One way is to have your carpet regularly cleaned every two years or so as recommended. If you hire the same company to clean your carpet regularly, you may save costs by getting a discount for being a repeat customer. This will also help ensure that your carpet stays clean and free of dirt, dust, and other allergens to improve its look and longevity. Do not hesitate to ask the company if they usegreen cleaning methods or technology to clean carpets and the costs of their green cleaning methods. The cleaning standards of the carpet cleaning industry are unofficially set by the Clean Trust, the former Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, and you can check their website for more useful information.
Go green! There are modern and green technologies for cleaning your carpet. When contacting a cleaning company, ask them about it!
Another way to decrease the cost of professional carpet cleaning is to have the company do other cleaning services for you as well. Instead of calling them just for carpet cleaning, see what else in your home needs cleaning and what other cleaning services the company offers. If you have a professional cleaning company clean your carpets and upholstery at one time, the cost of the cleaning will be lower than if you hire out for each cleaning service separately. You can ask a company what other cleaning services they offer when you call for a carpet cleaning appointment.
These average carpet cleaning prices are based on data from a number of different service providers. Before hiring a carpet cleaning professional to come out to your house, call around and request an estimate for the work and choose one with a price and quality of work that suits you. Make sure to ask each company what cleaning methods they use and the cost of each before making a decision. There are three main cleaning methods that are used by most carpet cleaning companies that include hot water extraction, steam cleaning, and dry cleaning. To learn more about each of these methods, ask the carpet cleaning companies for an explanation as you call around for estimates.
If you ever have any questions regarding professional carpet cleaning services, contact a professional service provider. Most carpet cleaning companies offer free estimates and will answer any questions or concerns you may have. Call a carpet cleaning service provider in your area today to get started.
For the cleaning of your home every part of it needs its special attention. Not always people pay attention to carpet and rug cleaning but it is important not only for their longer functioning but also for keeping dust, dirt and allergens away from you and your family. The carpet is one of the parts at the home that get dirty very quickly so you shouldn’t make a compromise with that. If you have never organized cleaning your carpet and this is your first time you may be wondering what does carpet cleaning mean and what can a cleaning company do for you. The carpet cleaning cost also varies depending if you do the work yourself orhire professionals. You can find carpet cleaning and carpet cleaners services explained here for your convenience.
Carpet Cleaners Services
There are a number of ways in which you can clean your carpet or have a carpet cleaners servicesrented. In order to maintain your carpets in a good condition you need to provide for them regular maintenance. Of course, it is important what you do at home.
Currently, you can also ask a cleaning company about what carpet cleaners services they offer. Ask them also how they clean and what steps professionals take in order to do their work on your carpet. Do they charge per square foot or per room? A cleaning company would usually give you an estimate to let you know what it would cost you to hire it. Calling a company for the carpet cleaners services they offer is useful because you will know if other services will be subtracted from the pricing like for example other area or larger pieces of furniture.
Be sure to ask what method the cleaner is using and what steps they perform in the preparation and the actual cleaning.
Best Carpet Cleaners Rentals
What would usually carpet cleaners inspect when they arrive? First of all, they would inspect your carpets’ condition and see if there are some stains as well. The best carpet cleaners rentals should use modern up to date equipment, technology and materials in order to restore their optimum condition in terms of looks and color, remove any dust, dirt and odors. Included in the carpet cleaners services should be also an expert opinion on what will the results after cleaning be, what you can expect and how much it would cost you. You could also ask for carpet cleaners for pets’ stains. You can combine carpet cleaners services with asking a cleaning company to do more work on your home like upholstery, air ducts, or some restoration work.
Carpet Cleaners Rental Prices
The average square feet of carpet that you could find in most homes is around 1000 sq. f. and you can expect carpet cleaning to cost you about $0.40/ sq. foot. Another factor that influences carpet cleaners services costs is the cleaning method that each company uses. An option to have more exact numbers is to look for a cleaning company near you and get a free quote from it. It is also important for you to know that carpet cleaners prices are formed also based on the regularity of you hiring one company. If you are an office owner most probably the carpet cleaners services will cost you less because you request it more often. You can try to arrange a discount with the cleaning company if you agree on a schedule for cleaning.
Carpet cleaners rental prices could be based per room as well. This is why it may be a bit difficult to compare quotes from companies but still request them and have a few options for taking a decision. Carpet cleaners services vary because cleaning companies have different expenses based on the fuel they use to come to your home, the cleaning materials they use, the cost for labor to do their job, cost of advertising and many more.
Commercial Carpet Cleaners Services
Commercial carpet cleaners services can also vary significantly. Usually a cleaning company would make an offer depending on how often the working premises are planed to be cleaned and a more regular customer may have a discount. Unlike home cleaning, for carpet cleaners services for an office you will be charged based on square feet or hours of work. Even if the price per square foot may seem low in the end if the area for cleaning is large you may still come up with not so little bill.
Carpet Cleaners Machines
Hiring a carpet cleaning machine would cost you between $25 and $30 but even still it may not do such an efficient work as professional cleaning equipment.
Doing the cleaning of your carpet on your own means renting a carpet cleaners machine. It would be between $25 and $30 for 24 hours in most stores like this one at Rug Doctor, for example. Even if you wish to buy such a machine it would be possible to get one on a good price.
The main component of the cost for cleaning yourself is the cleaning materials you would have to buy. The chemical solutions could be rather expensive. Also, renting carpet cleaners machines may not be as good as you wish it to be because the cleaning may not be as efficient as a professional one is. A machine may leave inside your carpet dust, soil and other dirt. Also, paying for a carpet cleaners machine may mean a lot of effort to do a lot of work. This is why most experts would advice you to consider carpet cleaners services of a professional company.
Another pro for that is the fact that today more and more cleaning companies use green technologies for carpet cleaning and environmentally safe products which makes their work even more highly efficient.
Carpet cleaners service vary significantly in terms of cost and methods for cleaning. Before you hire a carpet cleaning equipment or a cleaning company make a carpet cleaners comparison in terms of prices and performance.
Do you have any questions? If there is something else you would like to ask or if you need any additional information you can ask as a comment below.
Carpet cleaning is a vital part of keeping you and your toes blissfully happy. High traffic areas are prone to extra dirt and dust and should be tended to at least once a month. Below are some helpfulhome carpet cleaning tips on how to remove those pesky stains from your carpet.
New Pet Stains – Carpet Cleaning Tips
Pet stains can be the trickiest to tackle. Pet stains can be one of the most popular and problematic things to clean from your carpet. Home remedies can often do the trick as well. Whether they are old or new, cleaning the area is a must for keeping you and your home healthy. Carpet cleaning pet stains should be done as soon as possible to avoid any damage to the floors below the carpet. The first thing that should be placed on the stain are paper towels. Over the paper towels should be a couple layers of newspaper. This will help extract the liquid quicker. Placing a heavy object on top of the paper stack will allow pressure to be applied on the spot for a period of time. Repeat this with stacks of towels until you know the area is dry.
After you think the area is rid of liquid, dowse the carpet with water to pick up any excess debris. Keep rinsing with water until carpet is thoroughly washed. Your local department store should have many products that can help with the excess stains if the carpet is still showing signs of damage.
Odors can be a problem as well. Opening windows and doors can help you ventilate the room and allow the spot to dry quickly and the odors to pass.
Old Pet Stains – Carpet Cleaning Tips
Stains that have been left on carpets for long periods of time can still be tended to. Renting a wet vac can help with those stains. This machine works much like a vacuum cleaner. Wet vac machines are capable of forcing clean water through your carpet and then forcing the dirty water back out resulting in deep carpet cleaning. Following instructions is very important when using these machines. Don’t use any chemicals with these machines; they work much better with plain water.
Stain removers are capable of extracting old stains as well. Be careful on the type of carpet you need cleaning since directions on stain removers may very.
Wine And Juice Stains – Carpet Cleaning Tips
How to remove wine and juice from your carpet
Red substances never fail to find your carpet. Whether it be grape juice or your favorite cabernet, extracting those stains from your berber needs to happen quickly. When dealing with red wine, apply white wine to the stain. This creates the initial condition of the red wine making it easier to remove. Reapply the white wine as necessary until the red stain is gone. If your carpet is still showing signs of residue, a commercial cleaner may be able to help.
Juice is another difficult stain. Applying soda water can help. Since the carbonation lets the carpet open up, it lets you flush out the stain easier. Keep applying the soda or water until the stain is removed from the carpet area.
Wax Stains – Carpet Cleaning Tips
Wax cleaning tips can come in handy for any homeowner. Whether your candles have reached your carpet or your child’s crayons have melted on your shag, being able to extract the wax is important. Let the wax dry completely on your carpet before you proceed with the cleaning. Once dry, apply a paper bag over the melted wax. On medium heat, place your iron on top of the bag and iron as you would your clothes. By applying pressure to the wax and carpet, the wax should transfer to the paper bag. Repeat with a clean section of the bag until the wax has completely transferred. If any residue still exists after the ironing, a butter knife can safely scape off the excess wax.
Coffee Stains – Carpet Cleaning Tips Vinegar
Coffee seems to be a popular liquid that leaves stains in your carpet and clothes. To start the cleaning process, mix a teaspoon of dish detergent in a quart of warm water, making sure the detergent is odor and dye free. Apply this mixture a little at a time. Try using a spray bottle if available. Gently work the liquid into the carpet then blot dry with a white color safe rag. Making sure the rag has no dyes in it to transfer to your carpet. Repeat this process until you have used up the mixture.
Now mix three ounces of plain white vinegar in six ounces of water and apply this to the stained area several times. Using a clean rag, blot up the substance until there is no longer any color transfer to the rag. Finish the vinegar/water solution to make sure there aren’t any hidden particles.
Make sure the carpet no longer has the odor of coffee or cleaner. This will let you know it has been successfully extracted from the carpet. Blot up as much moisture as possible. Opening a window or turning on a fan will help the drying process.
Blood Stains – Carpet Cleaning Tips
Having children always means mysterious carpet stains. Blood may make an appearance on your carpet from time to time. Since many carpets today come with stain resistant treatments acting fast is very important. Apply cold water to the stain. Do not use hot water since warm water help stains set. Blot the cold water making sure not to spread it to surrounding carpet fibers. Using a shop vac lets the water be directly sucked up, not out. Keep repeating the cold water until the stain is successfully removed. Thoroughly drying the spot makes sure that foot traffic doesn’t spread the stain even further.
Green Carpet Cleaning Tips
Last but not least, it is also important to consider green ways of cleaning like for example green carpet cleaning. It means using efficient technologies and products that are safe for you, your family and the environment of course.
Sewage removal can be stressful for any homeowner. It can be costly if the damage is at a large scale. After assessing the situation and you feel that it is safe for you to handle the problem on your own, use the following tips on how to tackle this sewage removal project safely and inexpensively.
Bathroom Sewage Cleanup
Sewage flooding generally happens because of broken pipes, roots or excess debris caught in your plumbing system. When this occurs, backed up sewage can enter your home through sinks, drains or any other opening. When this happens, be sure to act quickly to make sure little property is damaged. As explained by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), “Too late, property owners become aware of the on-going effect of this trapped water on structural and contents materials, which may include: discoloration, warping, splitting, delamination, and musty odor and mold growth.” This can be prevented by making sure you have cleaned the area thoroughly during and after the damage has happened.
Sewage Removal
Before you begin your sewage removal, like stated before, make sure the water damage is small enough to be handled on your own. Some sewage problems are too big to be handled by homeowners. After assessing you sewage problem and recognize its severity, proceed with caution. The first thing to remember is if any electrical boxes or power lines are in or around the water source, DO NOT ATTEMPT if you feel that it is unsafe to enter the water for cleanup. Unless you know how to successfully turn off your home’s power source, call your local electrician to make sure it’s safe to proceed.
Once you know the area is safe, begin with removing any furniture or personal items. Higher ground, outside air or large industrial fans can help the items stay dry and cool. Begin with the largest area first then move to any items that may have gotten wet. Your home is a large area when it comes to water damage so beginning with the larger space first could reduce your sewage cleanup cost.
Large fans can help speed up the drying process.
Like stated before, move all furniture and personal items to a higher ground or move outside to let the drying process start.
When returning to the damaged area, starting the sewage cleanup immediately is essential. The faster the water is removed the less likely mold and mildew will start to grow in the space. Wet vacs ($49.88) are some of the most effective machines when it comes to removing debris and water. If your sub pump is broken, a wet vac may be the only option for removing the water on your own. The old fashion way of removing sewage water with buckets may be helpful as well. Removing the water by hand can be effective in the beginning if there is large particles and debris that may clog the wet vac. By removing a bulk of the debris, the wet vac can clear the rest of the contaminated water, thus saving you time and money in the long run.
Move the wet vac in a dry area making sure the power outlet is away from any water. Starting your sewage cleanup should be less of a hassle if you have a high-powered wet vac. Place the nozzle in the area with the least amount of water, which should be by a door opening so your wet vac has a safe area to sit. As the water begins to drain, it will be safe to start bringing the wet vac further into the room. Along the way, make sure you are wearing protective gloves, masks and shoes. Sewageremoval can be very dangerous for your skin and respiratory system, depending on how well ventilated the room is. Once the room has been cleared of water, the sewage cleanup of all walls and floors should begin.
Your local hardware store should be able to rent out drain rooters ($78 daily) to make sure your drains are cleared as well. By cleaning out your sewer lines, it ensures that any roots or debris that may be blocking your pipes are destroyed. A yearly cleaning of your pipes is essential. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Sewage Cleanup of Personal Items
For the items that may have been damaged during the flood, you may be able to restore them if the water wasn’t too contaminated. Begin with wiping down all surfaces. Since items like wood and upholstery are so porous, airing them out quickly is important. If you kept your items inside, air conditioning or heat generally dries out your home’s air, allowing the objects to dry quicker. A home remedy of 3 to 1 water/alcohol can be useful for harder surfaces to disinfect the area. If upholstery items that can be removed and washed, place in your washer at a higher water temperature to make sure all dirt and debris have been removed.
Once the sewage cleanup is complete make sure the room is fully dry before returning your furniture and personal items. Ensuring that all moisture has left the damaged area will prevent any mold or mildew that might thrive in a wet environment.
Changing your air filters frequently after the flood will also keep your home’s air constantly clean and keep any smells at bay.
It is very important for all of us to think about the environment while cleaning. You always have the option of cleaning on your own or hiring a company on your own. It is an unarguable fact that today more and more professional cleaning companies begin to perform their service with consideration of the environment. Nowadays more and more companies consider cleaning green. It is a method for cleaning carpets that uses less energy, eco-friendly products and is more efficient than the other carpet cleaning methods. This new “green” technology could also be applied to home items like rugs and upholstery as well. So, what is green carpet cleaning, how much will it cost you and why is it useful?
Green Carpet Cleaning Services And Solutions
Nowadays the technology used for green carpet cleaning is already energy efficient and comes with environmentally safe products that cannot harm you, your family, or nature. The technology for green carpet cleaning uses degradable cleaning solutions that can clean your carpet, remove stains, bacteria and unpleasant odors and at the same time make your carpet look new.
An additional benefit for using green cleaning is that it uses less water than regular cleaning methods, which in the long run, dries your carpets faster. Green carpet cleaning may be of good use to you in future restoration projects like water damage. Green carpet cleaning means not using chemicalsthat can be harmful for your home or your family.
Green Carpet Cleaning Companies
If you want to postpone using chemicals for your carpet cleaning that are potentially dangerous go for natural products or, even better - call a green professional cleaning company.
When it comes to professional green carpet cleaning you can rely on experts to help get the good job done. In the meantime you can request free green carpet cleaning prices. You can find a professional cleaning company near you and ask them if they use environmentally safe products and methods for carpet cleaning. Usually a company that uses green carpet cleaning technologies will state it on their website along with general prices.
Green Carpet Cleaning – Do It Yourself
If you feel that carpet cleaning can be accomplished on your own, use the following tips to proceed. It is possible to clean your carpet the green way without strong and dangerous detergents. For example, you can use salt or baking soda to remove stains from wine, mud or other substances. The baking soda is also good to extract unpleasant odors from your carpets – just apply some to spots you want to freshen up and wait a few hours for maximum effect. Another easy green carpet cleaning solution is to shake out rugs outside, allowing dust and allergens to escape to open air.
Another option you have is to get a steam cleaning machine.There are many places where you can rent or purchase a machine, like this steam cleaner from Amazon.
Nowadays, green cleaning is popping up all over stores and hardware stores. This allows a homeowner to choose how they clean and sanitize their home. Requesting green cleaning from your restoration cleaners can help as well. In general the number of professional cleaning companies that do not use green technologies is plummeting. Also cleaning experts can give you some more tips and ideas based on experience.
Green Carpet Cleaning Costs And Ideas
Green carpet cleaning costs are on average about $80 a room and about $120 for two rooms. Every additional room will cost about $40-$50 more. The more often you request the green carpet cleaning service the lower the price may be lowered. Another important question is how often should you clean your home or office? Actually, cleaning regularly is important – this will not allow for dirt to stick to your carpet for long periods of time.
If you are about to sell your house or apartment and you have mold to deal with, you’d better count on professional mold removal to make your home as appealing as possible to a potential buyer.
Removing Mold From Your Home
You can save a lot of time and money on mold removal if you hire professionals to cope with the situation. Also, as mold is dangerous for health, it is a good idea to consider hiring a mold removal company.
Money Saved by Using a Professional Mold Removal Service: $8,750 – $57,000+
Replacing roof shingles (without a warranty): $6,000 – $50,000 (depending on roof)
Replace drywall and shower tile: $100 – $200 per wall
Doctor visits to the allergist and medicine: $100+
Replacing an HVAC system: $2,500 – $7,000
Occasionally, mold can be found in the bathroom, in a windowsill, shower curtain or on the walls. This mold can be wiped off the surface with a damp cloth and cleanser (such as Windex or bathroom cleaner). It forms as a result of having excess moisture in cool places. Preventing mold growth requires controlling the moisture source. This may be as simple as using a dehumidifier or fixing a simple leak. If the mold issue has started to grow beyond solving with household cleaners, then it is time to bring in a professional.
Our mold cleaning services include drying the moldy surfaces and disinfecting damaged areas. The technicians then dispose contaminated materials in sealed bags as part of the mold and mildew remediation (removal). Proper disposal of contaminated materials is an important part of mold damage restoration in order to prevent releasing mold particles into the air.
Dusting, mopping and scrubbing, oh my! Do you see double when you think of cleaning your home or professional office space?
Here are 3 reasons why it may make sense for you to budget for a professional cleaning service:
A professional cleaning service uses the appropriate products to clean your space How much time have you spent in the grocery store reviewing the cleaning products to determine which ones work best on granite, hardwood and glass. Will they scratch your surfaces? Are the fumes too toxic? Will it clean old and heavy stains? No need to worry about this when you hire a professional cleaning service. They are experts when it comes to cleaning hundreds of surfaces correctly and efficiently. Most services also carry environmentally- and pet-friendly products to protect the health of all your family members or co-workers.
A professional cleaning service remembers what you forget Because you spend so much time in the space, you view the entire area with restricted vision. This means, you may notice that your floor needs to be vacuumed, but you may not consider that you have cobwebs in the corners of your front door. You may be surprised on what details a visitor may pick up on during their first walk-through, so don’t leave anything to chance.
A professional cleaning service cleans the same way each time Depending on the amount of time (or energy) you have when you clean your own home, you may omit the dusting or mopping the bathroom floors or cleaning out the microwave. A professional cleaning service will send the same 2-3 individuals to your home or office each time. This serves two benefits: these individuals remember the layout of your home and their efforts are duplicated, so the whole space is cleaned correctly each time.
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts & Vents?
Think the sneezing and sniffles you have every morning signal allergies or a cold? You could be mistaken if the issue is caused by your own home. Just as the air filter in your vehicle and the lint trap in your dryer must be replaced or cleaned, the same attention must be paid to your air ducts and vents. Having your heating and cooling system cleaned as a preventative measure is wise in response to certain events:
You think that water has entered your duct-work. This can occur if your roof begins to leak or a pipe bursts.
Your air conditioner condensation drainage system malfunctions. This water may collect and harbor mold.
There was a nearby forest fire or industrial fire. Ash and soot can settle into your heating and cooling systems.
You experienced flooding in your house or in your area. Moisture may have settled into your ventilation system and can trap allergens in your home.
You recently did a home remodeling or home improvement project. Drilling, resurfacing and replacement of tiles and flooring may kick up dust in your home.
You resolved an insect or rodent infestation. It is best to consult a professional duct cleaner to ensure all traces of this issue have been removed.
You are moving into a new home. You may not know what the previous owners’ habits were, so it is wise to have the ducts cleaned before you move in.
There is visible mold growth in your vents or you smell mold or mildew in the ducts. It is possible the problem has spread to other areas of your home, which means it’s time to call in a professional.
How Often Should You Deep Clean Your House Of Office?
Does an afternoon of vacuuming cobwebs, waxing floors and washing windows overwhelm you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Deep cleaning is a comprehensive and thorough cleaning that can be maintained with light dusting, vacuuming and wiping down of surfaces. When you deep clean a home, everything is touched, from the ceiling, down to the baseboards and the floor. You can deep clean your house or office once a month, once a season or once a holiday season, depending on the amount of traffic your home/office receives. What about the costs? Just ask us! The price for cleaning will vary depending on the company you choose to do the work for you. And another tip – if you call a cleaning company for several things at your house like cleaning your carpet and upholstery – the price will be a better deal rather than if you request only one service.
Helpful Tips To Make Cleaning Process Go Smoothly, Courtesy Of Mrs. Clean
Put all your cleaning supplies in a tote so you can carry it with you from room to room.
Begin with the back of your home, and work your way to the front.
Clean left to right, back to front, and top to bottom for maximum efficiency.
If it’s dirty, clean it now. It takes less time to remove fresh dirt than caked-on dirt.
Make your every move count. Get organized before you start with the cleaning tote.
Focus on the job at hand. You are cleaning the house; distractions (such as the TV and the phone) will drag out the job.
Try to clean regularly. It’s easier to do routine cleaning and maintain your home than deep clean every week.
Is your seating looking surrealist because of stains and dirt? Over time, your furniture may show wear and tear or show dirt and stains, so it’s best to learn how to take care of it now.
Here are four steps you can take today to take care for your upholstery, courtesy of DoItYourself.com:
The cushions on upholstered furniture should be reversed and turned once a week. This frequent turning will help the cushions to wear evenly. Reversing the cushions on a regular basis will also help you to spot any stains early, before they have had time to set.
Before cleaning the upholstery, brush or vacuum away the loose dirt first. This will help to avoid rubbing in any existing dirt as the fabric is cleaned.
All upholstery should be carefully dried after it has been cleaned. Leaving a window open or running a fan will help the fabric to dry quickly and thoroughly.
Giving the upholstered furniture a light brushing and vacuuming at least once a week will help to remove dirt from the fabric. A light brushing will help to keep the fabric clean and keep dirt from penetrating the upholstery.
If you are about to sell your house or apartment and you have mold to deal with, you’d better count on professional mold removal to make your home as appealing as possible to a potential buyer.
Removing Mold From Your Home
You can save a lot of time and money on mold removal if you hire professionals to cope with the situation. Also, as mold is dangerous for health, it is a good idea to consider hiring a mold removal company.
Money Saved by Using a Professional Mold Removal Service: $8,750 – $57,000+
Replacing roof shingles (without a warranty): $6,000 – $50,000 (depending on roof)
Replace drywall and shower tile: $100 – $200 per wall
Doctor visits to the allergist and medicine: $100+
Replacing an HVAC system: $2,500 – $7,000
Occasionally, mold can be found in the bathroom, in a windowsill, shower curtain or on the walls. This mold can be wiped off the surface with a damp cloth and cleanser (such as Windex or bathroom cleaner). It forms as a result of having excess moisture in cool places. Preventing mold growth requires controlling the moisture source. This may be as simple as using a dehumidifier or fixing a simple leak. If the mold issue has started to grow beyond solving with household cleaners, then it is time to bring in a professional.
Our mold cleaning services include drying the moldy surfaces and disinfecting damaged areas. The technicians then dispose contaminated materials in sealed bags as part of the mold and mildew remediation (removal). Proper disposal of contaminated materials is an important part of mold damage restoration in order to prevent releasing mold particles into the air.
Dusting, mopping and scrubbing, oh my! Do you see double when you think of cleaning your home or professional office space?
Here are 3 reasons why it may make sense for you to budget for a professional cleaning service:
A professional cleaning service uses the appropriate products to clean your space How much time have you spent in the grocery store reviewing the cleaning products to determine which ones work best on granite, hardwood and glass. Will they scratch your surfaces? Are the fumes too toxic? Will it clean old and heavy stains? No need to worry about this when you hire a professional cleaning service. They are experts when it comes to cleaning hundreds of surfaces correctly and efficiently. Most services also carry environmentally- and pet-friendly products to protect the health of all your family members or co-workers.
A professional cleaning service remembers what you forget Because you spend so much time in the space, you view the entire area with restricted vision. This means, you may notice that your floor needs to be vacuumed, but you may not consider that you have cobwebs in the corners of your front door. You may be surprised on what details a visitor may pick up on during their first walk-through, so don’t leave anything to chance.
A professional cleaning service cleans the same way each time Depending on the amount of time (or energy) you have when you clean your own home, you may omit the dusting or mopping the bathroom floors or cleaning out the microwave. A professional cleaning service will send the same 2-3 individuals to your home or office each time. This serves two benefits: these individuals remember the layout of your home and their efforts are duplicated, so the whole space is cleaned correctly each time.
After fire, flood, or other disaster, it can be difficult to restore your belongings. The first step is to find out what needs to be restored. A good content restoration service will inventory your belongings at the site of the disaster and help you to determine what can be restored and what must be replaced. The items to be restored will be shipped to a central restoration facility. Your restored items will then be repacked and stored until your home is repaired or rebuilt.
Factors Affecting Content Restoration Costs
The cost of content restoration is determined by the number and type of items as well as the type of damage. Specific procedures are used to restore wood furniture, books, and other types of items. The procedures used will affect your final cost.
Optional Services
Some content restoration services include delivery with their service while others charge extra. The reviews on RestorationMasterFinder.com can tell you about different content restoration services’ delivery policies. You can always ask if you aren’t sure if delivery is included in your content restoration quote.
Some sensitive items like antiques, fine art, or other specialty items will cost more to be cleaned because of the delicate nature of the process.
Mold and mildew do more than just cause simple damage to your home or business building. Inhaling or touching mold can cause allergic reaction and asthma attack. Mold is also a leading cause for rot in windowsills and other areas that are exposed to moisture.
This time we are offering you some helpful tips in case you are dealing with mold. Take into consideration that if you put off the mold removal for too long, severe damages may occur. Do not underestimate the mold. You may be busy with work and family, but remember that you have to deal with mold on time. You should hire professional mold removal services.
Preventing Mold
Most types of mold cannot grow without moisture. If you have flood or water situation, it is essential to clean and dry the area quickly. In most cases, if the area is completely dry within 24 hours, mold appearance will be minimized. HVAC systems are another common source of indoor mold. The professionals at RestorationMasterFinder.com will check your HVAC system for leaks and condensation, and keep your HVAC system in good condition, preventing mold growth in your home.
Mold And Mildew Removal
Safety should always be your first concern during a mold and mildew removal. The EPA recommends that you wear a respirator, non-ventilated goggles, and protective clothing during mold cleanup. This equipment will protect you from inhaling mold spores. You must also wear protective clothing to avoid contact with mold, which can cause eye irritation and skin rashes. You’d better consider hiring experienced mold removal professionals to handle the mold and mildew safely.
If the mold is visible, an expert mold removal team will help you to decide whether the item can be cleaned or must be replaced. Items with porous surfaces such as ceiling tiles, curtains, and carpeting may contain hidden mold spores and should be thrown away. Mold spores can grow in the spaces between the fibers and are nearly impossible to clean completely.
Hidden mold is more difficult to deal with. Mold can grow in any space that is exposed to moisture. If an area smells like mold or mildew, but you do not see any obvious source, beware that mold may be growing inside the walls, behind the wallpapers, or in the ventilation ducts. Hidden mold cleanup is a complicated job that usually requires a professional mold removal team.
Mold Cleaning Services
If you have a widespread or hidden mold problem, do not attempt to restore the area yourself. It is not an easy task to cope with by yourself. A professional mold cleaning service is a safer, more effective solution. Before hiring a mold removal specialist, ask these questions:
What guidelines do you follow? A mold cleaning service should follow the guidelines given by the EPA, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, or another well-respected industry organization.
How much experience do you have with projects like mine? A mold cleaning company dealing with cleaning surface mold may not be enough experienced in a mold removal that involves the HVAC system or in mold growing inside the walls.
Can you provide references? Speaking with previous clients is the best way to find out how the mold cleaning experts will treat your home or business. When you talk with customers, ask if the mold returned. If it doesn’t appear again, then the mold cleanup services you are about to hire are reliable.
Mold cleanup is only the first step. Once the mold is removed, you must identify and eliminate the source of moisture in the area or the mold will return.
Mold is a fungus that grows on organic surfaces. While most types of mold are non-toxic, some can cause serious health problems, especially in individuals with asthma or allergies. Mold and mildew require moisture to survive. Finding mold is usually a sign that there is a large problem with the plumbing or the ventilation systems in your home. Unless those underlying problems are solved, the mold will return.
Factors Affecting Mold Remediation Cost
If the mold is confined to a fairly small area, you may be able to clean it yourself. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes guidelines for mold cleanup. However, if the damage covers more than about 10 square feet or the HVAC system is infected, you should hire aprofessional mold and mildew removal service.
The biggest factors that affect the mold remediation cost are the additional repair necessary to prevent mold from returning. If mold growth is extensive, it can cause structural damage to wood-framed buildings, and you may need to find alternate housing until the reformation is completed.
Price Range For Mold Cleanup
mold removal from a residential crawlspace costs between $500 and $4000, but the final cost of a typical mold cleanup project usually comes up to $2000 and $6000. Mold is rarely confined to one area of a home. It tends to spread into the walls and ventilation system, making it difficult to remove.
Optional Services
A thorough mold inspection should be done both before and after a mold cleanup project. Some companies offer a free inspection, but industry experts recommend having the inspection done by a third party.
Asbestos has been heavily used in the recent past as a soundproof, insulator and fireproof material in all types of buildings. It was later determined to be the cause of serious and fatal lung disorders. It is generally not considered to be a hazard unless it is disturbed from the location it rests. Removal is important, but you want to make sure it is done by experts like American Restoration that are EPA/AHERA certified.
Dangers of Asbestos
The tiny fibers that comprise asbestos material are the real culprit when it comes to health risks. Once they are set free in the air they become a danger to any living person or animal that breathes them in. It can cause a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma, or simply attack the lung function in other ways. Exposure over time can prove fatal in some cases.
Asbestos Cleanup and Asbestos Removal
The fibers from asbestos are considered so toxic that you should not attempt removal on your own. This is a project that should be well-planned and carried out by a professional licensed team like one at American Restoration. Anything less could mean putting the lives of you and your family at risk for serious health problems on down the line. It is not worth taking the chance. Asbestos cleanup is a sound investment for the sake of safety.
Asbestos Abatement
Our experts at SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration will come to your location and make a determination as to whether it is actually asbestos material. You can trust experienced professionals that are EPA/AHERA certified to make the right call. They will formulate a plan for the safe removal from your home or business. You will be involved in every level of planning so that you know the time frame and cost.
Contact the professionals at SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration today for complete and safe asbestos removal.
How Professional Mold Removal Protects Your Health
Mold grows in your home or workplace for a variety of reasons. It thrives in damp spaces, so bathrooms, basements, and other spaces with elevated humidity levels provide breeding grounds for it to develop and expand. It also penetrates, moving beyond the visible surfaces and extending into porous materials like wood and concrete. And when mold develops, many people develop health issues as a result.
Wiping down surfaces removes the appearance of mold, but even when you use bleach, it might not eliminate the threat, and may even make it worse. Professional Mold Removal Service goes beyond cosmetic fixes and takes the problem out of your home. As a result, it can have tremendous protective impact on your health, and that of your family or your employees. Protects Your Respiratory System
The most common health concerns mold creates come to respiratory health. In homes and other buildings where mold is present, people report symptoms similar to what seasonal allergies produce: stuffy or runny noses, shortness of breath, wheezing, and eye and skin irritation. These usually are not life threatening, but can certainly be nuisances for anyone occupying that building. Further, it tends to weaken the immune system and leave people vulnerable to other illnesses. In the home, it means you and your family may be less active and spend more time sick. At work, it leads to absenteeism and more sick days for your work force.
When you wipe away mold that gathers on the surfaces of your space, it may look better. In reality, though, you simply remove visual evidence of mold that continues to infiltrate that space—both underneath the surfaces and in the air. Unfortunately, this means it moves more quickly and directly into the respiratory system, creating more problems than it solves for you and those around you.
Professional mold removal includes not only removing the visible mold on walls, counters, and wood, but filtering it out of the air and removing it from, or extracting, woodwork and other materials with mold expanding inside. The work is detailed and intense; it requires a systematic approach of testing, analysis, removal, and re-testing. But when the work is done, the space is clean and clear of mold. The symptoms you and your family or team have experienced clear up,and you all breathe freely again.
Helps Prevent Infections
For some individuals, the health concerns move beyond basic respiratory issues. If mold remains in your home or work space, some people develop lung infections and other more serious conditions. This particularly affects younger children and older adults, but can hit others as well. The symptoms tend initially to be similar to the allergy-like symptoms described above,but can become more intense over time. The longer the mold persists in your space, the more severe infections and other illnesses can become.
Again, it comes back to the condition of the air you are breathing. The presence of mold on the surface itself is not what creates health problems. Rather, when people inhale the spores in the air, the mold moves inside the lungs and can produce infections and illnesses in otherwise healthy people. Mold looks unsightly on the walls and woodwork, and can create structural problems when you allow it to grow there. But it is the invisible side of the problem that can give problems to your health.
This is why your mold removal work should be best left to professionals. If it were as simple as disinfecting every place that you see it growing, anyone with protective gear would be able to take care of the job themselves. M Builders goes to the heart of the problem by detecting mold spores moving through the air and growing beyond where the visible signs lie. We then use air filtration equipment to remove those spores from the air and clean it up for you. Hiding the problem is counterproductive; we get rid of it for you.
Helps Prevent Recurrences
Of course, you need more than the removal of mold in the moment. The problem with this kind of infiltration in your space is that it tends to come back. When you clear the air and the surfaces on which mold has been growing, you take care of it for the moment. If you stop there,though, the respiratory symptoms you and your family or employees have developed will barely have time to clear up before they start coming back again. The cycle of mold recurrences can be very difficult to escape when you try to go it alone.
Professional mold removal focuses on more than just the present. We go deeper,testing and taking care of the problem as far into your woodwork and structure in your building as needed. Some kinds of surfaces, especially steel and other metals, prevent mold from sinking in deep. Others, though, like wood and concrete, can be compromised and require removal and replacement to eliminate mold from your home or workplace. We identify the extent of the problem and the work required to resolve it, and develop a plan with you to take care of it all.
In addition, we can recommend and take steps to change the conditions that allowed the mold to grow. Damp spaces and materials foster mold growth; thus, using different materials as replacements and using dehumidifying equipment can help prevent its return. You don’t just want to reset to your starting point. Rather, you should strive to improve the space so you can truly prevent the problem from returning.
Mold removal requires a diligent, careful process to do more than get rid of the appearance or even the current presence in the air of mold spores. When you go it alone, you might get your space looking better, or even feeling better. But unless you fully eliminate mold from the space and take steps to keep it out, the improvement will be temporary. Count on us for Professional Mold Removal Service that keeps you and your family or work force healthy.
Most people know that mold in the home can present problems for the health of you and your family. But not everyone knows what to look for. After all, mold in your basement doesn’t always present itself as obviously as green growing on an old loaf of bread. Still, if you wait for more visible signs, you risk deeper, more significant structural damage in your home, resulting in greater removal and restoration costs. More importantly, it allows threats to your respiratory health to grow and fester for longer. If you notice any of these signs of trouble, it may be time to reach out for professional Mold Removal Services.
1. Discoloration on Your Walls
One early sign of mold is discoloration on your walls. This, by itself, may or may not signal that mold is present; other staining on your walls can come from fading paint, water spots, or rubbing against the surface. You can determine whether the discoloration comes from mold in a few ways. The most obvious is textural: if the spot is soft, fuzzy, or fibrous, it has a greater chance of being mold growth. Another comes from where the discoloration occurs. Mold tends to grow more in cool, damp places. A basement and/or near a water heater or water line is the most obvious example.
Finally, if you cannot tell, you can test the sample. Home tests are available, or a professional mold removal service can inspect and test the spots, and the area in general, for the presence of mold. In either case, you want to find out quickly before mold has a chance to spread further into your living environment.
2. Musty Smells
Often, even before you can see mold emerging, you notice a stale, musty smell lingering in the air. It may be subtle at first, but it provides an important signal for potential mold growth in your space. What’s more, because mold spores spread in the air, it can also start clinging to your clothing and other fabrics in the area. One way of figuring out whether that scent comes from mold is to keep track of whether the scent stays away after you address it. Air freshener should help remove the scent from the air, and washing your clothing, shower curtain, or other materials should get rid of it there. If the smell keeps returning, there is a good chance you do have a mold problem. On the other hand, you want to be careful about letting airborne spores spread through your home. Having the air tested can be an important safety precaution to prevent it from advancing into other areas.
3. Cold or Allergy Symptoms
Seasonal allergies are common, and can present themselves in any family.But some of the same symptoms—runny noses, scratchy throats, headaches, and the like—can be signs of mold present in the air in your home.If the symptoms linger longer than normal, or if they come up in times of the year you would not expect, you may want to look into it. Most of the time these symptoms do not become larger health problems, but the symptoms can be frustrating and prevent you or your family from feeling or working your best. And if anyone in the home suffers from asthma, mold spores can exacerbate the problem and bring on shortness of breath and even full-fledged asthma attacks. If you start to see symptoms or breathing difficulties develop in yourself or your family members, have a professional test the areas potentially affected.
4. Soft, Soggy, or Damp Materials
Because mold grows better in cool, damp places, you find a softer, damper feel to materials that it has infiltrated. If you touch cardboard or wood and find it squishy or softer than you would expect those materials to be, there is a good chance that mold has worked its way in. This kind of damage can be troubling in two ways. First, the more mold works into the materials, the weaker those materials become. Deep mold damage can disrupt the structural integrity of your home. Similar to termite damage, mold seeping into your woodwork can create problems that remain invisible until too much has been done to remedy it. Second, when mold works into porous structural parts, it can be difficult or impossible to remediate in a way that allows you to save those elements rather than replacing them. Merely cleaning these surfaces with antibacterial cleaning materials will not remove the problem; you need to work with a professional mold removal service to truly get rid of this level of mold in your home.
5. You See It!
Sometimes you can see mold growing and do not need to do any kind of analysis or deeper investigation. If you see black and white specks on the wall or ceiling, or gathered around appliances that run water, you have mold. It may also appear just as a black or white or orange mass of crystalline structure gathered in those places. If you look with a magnifying glass, you will usually see spores or fibers present on the substance. This is clear evidence of mold present in your home, and something you need to address right away before it can spread.
Get Rid of Indoor Mold
If you see any of these signs of mold invading your home, trying to take care of it on your own is usually a mistake. Wiping surfaces by itself might remove the mold from those surfaces, but it has the side effect of pushing mold into the air where it can do more damage if inhaled. And for all of that, the mold will likely return to the surface you wiped down to begin with! We take a thorough, professional approach to removing mold from the surfaces, structures, and air in your home. When you think mold may be present in your home,Contact Us for all of your professional mold removal needs.
we perform mold removal services as well and as thoroughly as any other on the market. You can count on us to restore your space and help return you and your family or your employees to better health. But there are many steps you can take to protect your property from mold, either before you ever need us or to make sure you don’t need us again. Mold flourishes in certain conditions, so the more you do to avoid letting those conditions develop, the less likely you are to deal with mold growth on your property. If you take these steps and follow through on them, you can remain mold-free for years to come.
Control Humidity Levels
The most important thing you can do to prevent mold growth in your home or office is to keep moisture levels low. Every kind of mold requires moisture for it to grow; cool, damp spaces give it the environment it needs to develop and then to expand. So the more you can do to lower moisture levels in your building, the less likely it is that mold becomes a problem for you.
One step you can take is to use a dehumidifier, particularly for your basement. Because cooler, denser air settles at lower levels, the basement becomes the place where moist air settles in your home. Focusing efforts to remove some of that moisture from the air there can go a long way toward preventing the insidious creep of mold into the lower level of your structure. Control the humidity levels there, and you are much less likely to see mold grow.
Besides the dehumidifier, you can take other steps to keep the basement dry. Sealing the walls, floor, and ceiling can prevent moisture from slipping in from the outside. All too often, tiny structural cracks can lead to mold development inside your home or office. To stop it, you should check your walls regularly, and treat them on a regular schedule as well. Even with the dry air we normally see in the Albuquerque area, you can have moisture creep in from time to time, and create the conditions to let mold grow. Take proactive steps to prevent this, and keep the mold out.
Condensation and Leaks
Moisture doesn’t just come into your home through the walls, or even just in the basement. Condensation often occurs around the pipes and water heater in your home. The temperature differences between water in the pipes and the air outside them makes this inevitable when the pipes are not insulated properly. Sometimes this results in visible water droplets on and around the pipes, and others it manifests as damp walls in the area. In either case, it can create the conditions that lead to mold growth in your home.
Beyond condensation, pipes wear down over time, and leaks can appear—small at first, but enough to introduce water to your walls, ceiling, and floor. Because this often occurs in hidden areas and spaces, you may never realize what has happened until mold starts to grow. The result is a spread into your living and working spaces that affects the health of everyone there. It may appear at the corners of your house, behind appliances, or even inside the walls.
Proper insulation should be your first preventative step in avoiding these issues. Check the walls around your pipes and appliances for any sign of dampness on the material. If you do find any, the area will need to be dried and cleaned, and then the pipes checked to ensure that, whether the cause is a leak or condensation, you can fix it before mold has a chance to emerge. And if mold already has surfaced, catching it early minimizes the remediation work that may be required to restore the building to a healthy, mold-free environment.
Cleaning and Ventilation
Finally, mold can develop in your ventilation system in your home or workplace. The spores that cycle through your home get trapped in the vents or your filters. This affects the quality of the air circulating throughout your home or workplace. If you or others in the space have cold or allergy symptoms, this can often be an unseen cause. Filtration can catch some of it, but even then, you are left with an inefficient HVAC system and air less clean and healthy than it should be.
Some people believe mold in ventilation systems is unavoidable. While it can be difficult to prevent it entirely, there are steps you can take. Having them cleaned and dried regularly helps, as does using a dehumidifier attached to your system. Using fungicides regularly when you clean can also do a great deal to prevent problems. By taking proactive maintenance steps, you can do a great deal to prevent problems from arising and keep your home or office mold-free for longer.
When It Is Already There
Unfortunately, mold does sometimes enter your home or work space, no matter how diligent you may be. A flood or a burst pipe can bring it on quickly, or a hidden leak or condensation issue can fester unnoticed until mold spreads out into view. At this point, you may be tempted to attack the visual problem and wipe away the black or discolored spots that appear on your walls. When you do so, you find all too quickly that the mold comes back, and that any sudden allergy symptoms or asthma attacks linger even after the appearance of mold is gone.
Our New Mexico Mold Removal service gives you a better way. We are trained and certified in getting rid of not just the appearance, but the existence of mold in your home or workplace. We attack the problem directly, on surfaces, in structures, and in the air, clearing it all of the mold spores that, even when you can’t see them, create the problem you are experiencing. You should do all you can to prevent the growth of mold in your home, but when it does appear, contact us. We will get you breathing freely again.
Mold is relentless and, to make matters even worse, this enemy of the average homeowner starts off microscopic and can grow almost anywhere. These organisms don’t discriminate either—they live inside or (preferably) outside and they are even part of something as common as the dust on your furniture.
Maybe you’ve stopped reading this blog to get up and check the basement for this intruder that can cause health concerns over the long run? Even if you’re looking for those tell tale black blotches on the wall down there you might not be getting to all of the problem. The truth is, mold creeps and hides in places you might not have thought of. Mounting an attack that will beat this invader back is about much more than just opening a window downstairs and hoping for the best.
We know how to fight back against mold. We offer professional services to put your mind at ease including Assessment and Repair and Filtration and Removal because we’ve been in business long enough we know where to look and just what to do to in those other places mold grows like:
The Kitchen
If you hadn’t thought about it before, you might be cringing a little now to think there’s mold growing on something else beside that loaf of bread that’s been sitting in the cupboard for weeks. Still, there’s mold in the kitchen and with a little detective work you can expose it. Here’s what you need to do:
Sniff the air because the enemy smells. The scientific explanation is that mold produces microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) but all you really need to know is it stinks. It has a musty air to it that you really can’t mistake for anything else.
Corner the problem. Mold likes to attach itself to corners and places where you’ll have a hard time finding it like the tops of kitchen cupboards and the corners of walls. You might even encounter Stachybotrys chartarum or black mold near any of the sinks in your kitchen due to faulty plumbing or moisture.
Mold can hide in ventilation systems and that includes the range hood over your stove. Even if you can’t see any of this fungus growing there, using the sniff test is a great way to catch the culprit.
Here’s just some of the molds that we’ve found hitching a ride in the kitchens of some of our clients.
Cladosporium cladosporioides, Don’t let the fancy name fool you. This version can cause allergic reactions if you’re exposed to it over a long period of time. That’s why we offer a certification on all of the work we do for you.
Ulocladium botrytis. You might want to write this one down because even though it’s not known to cause any health problems, it can result in economic damage on the inside of your house.
Check Those Carpets!
If might seem shocking at first, but when you stop and think about it , there shouldn’t really be any surprise when you read there could be mold found in your carpets. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean mold isn’t growing in your home and the carpets are a favorite habitat.
Any carpet that’s been damaged from a flood should be disposed of as a preventative measure and it’s good to remember that any carpeting that’s below grade level where there’s a lot of humidity is also at risk.
Aspergillus versicolor is just one of the nasty sounding varieties you might find in this floor covering. This is considered a class A hazard because it can pose risks to your health. If you think you might have this or one of the other common mold intruders growing under your feet, you can get in touch with us right away for our assessment and containment services.
Our complete testing of your home includes air quality and containment of any affected services. We don’t want any mold to spread around your house so we act quickly to contain any sources including your carpets.
Like Looking Out The Window? Keep An Eye Out For Aureobasidium Pullulans!
Mold is a sneaky invader that likes to hide in places where you least expect and that’s why you need to check your window frames for Aureobasidium Pullulans and a variety of other species of mold like Cladosporium Sphaerospermum. Here’s a few things you’ll need to look at to keep one step ahead of this potential problem.
Searching the windowsills is a great place to start. Mold needs organic matter to grow and it can start on either aluminium or wooden windowsills. Once the dust settles on either type, mold starts to grow.
Keep an eye on the glass panes in your windows too. Although mold doesn’t usually grow on glass, moisture can get trapped between the panes and dust can accumulate on the inside creating the environment it needs to get started.
Frame the problem up properly. Mold can even hide in those hard to reach places like the corners where the window frame meets the glass. If you see the glass fogging up with condensation in the winter or when the windows are otherwise closed, you need to look in the hiding spots for the tell tale black spots.
We’ve been in the business of looking after all of your mold concerns for years now. We take a personal interest in making sure you home is a healthy and happy place that’s completely free of this problem.
Remember, your health and satisfaction are our top priorities and you can get in touch with us at 505-828-3567 and one of our professionals will start looking into any mold issues you’re having.
We are affordable and, perhaps best of all, licensed, bonded and insured so you know that you’ll get the best service from each and every one of our expert technicians.
As experts in deodorization, SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration is trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. These odors can come from a number of sources both inside and outside a structure.
SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration teaches IICRC technical classes in the proper removal of odors. Masking and other short cuts don't work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.
We have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. By identifying the cause of the odor and determining the conditions in which it contact any surfaces, the odor can often be removed over time without a trace. Our technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly.
The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give us a call, and leave the restoration to us.
Does your home have a mysterious bad smell? If you've already checked the fridge and your trash bins and can't find the source, it could be that you're in need of a carpet cleaning or carpet deodorizer.
Just like stains, carpet fibers can trap odors, making them linger in your home indefinitely. If you think your carpet could be the problem, consider the possible sources of the odor.
Moisture or dampness
Sometimes, moisture can get underneath the carpet and carpet pad, leading to musty odors.
This moisture can come from humidity, spills or potted plants that drip onto the carpeting.
A flood can also cause carpet odor, such as when a finished basement floods during a rainstorm.
If not addressed properly, continued moisture exposure can cause mold and mildew to grow under the carpet padding. Not only will it increase the smell, it also creates a health risk.
Pet odor
When pets use the carpet as a bathroom, the smell can really linger.
Even after a carpet cleaning, the smell of pet urine may return. This is due to the gases released by the bacteria that are digesting the urine. If any of the urine remains in the rug fibers, it will continue to smell.
The same is true for vomit, another common problem associated with pets and carpeting.
These bacteria are activated by water, which is why the smell may intensify after a thorough cleaning.
Dry carpet cleaning treatments or treatments that use enzymatic odor removal products are the best solution for eliminating pet smells. Enzymes are particularly effective because they attack the bacteria, thus eliminating the source of the smell.
Cigarette smoke
If a smoker lives in the home, the carpet can collect the cigarette smoke odor.
While the homeowners may not notice the stench because they live with it, visitors or someone who purchases the home will definitely notice the smoke smell.
A professional carpet cleaner may be able to remove the smell, but if the smoking was excessive, a carpet deodorizer may not be enough, and the carpeting may need to be replaced.
Old age
Carpeting is made from fibers. Over time, those fibers break down. When the carpet begins to smell old, there is little that can be done.
Carpet cleaning cannot take the old, musty smell from carpet. This is when it simply needs to be replaced.
In addition to the smell, old carpet starts to release dust, which can contribute to indoor allergies.
Food and drink spills
Food and drinks that spill onto carpet can lead to odors.
Like pet smells, these organic products attract bacteria. As the bacteria break down, they release smelly gasses. Again, professional carpet cleaning is the best solution to remove the smell.
Once you find the source of your carpet odor, you can decide on the best treatment. For organic smells like pet odors or food spills, consider two professional cleanings to thoroughly remove the bacteria.
For other problems, like old age or mold, you may need to replace the carpet. Knowing where the odor is coming from will help you make the right decision for treatment.
Nobody ever cheers at the thought of tackling home repairs. They’re annoying, costly, time-sucking endeavors. So often we put them off, over and over, justifying to ourselves that they can wait. Light switch doesn’t work? Whatever—you never go in that room anyway. Squeaky floors? You’re already used to them!
But there are some home improvement projects that simply can’t wait, lest you risk much bigger problems (and costly expenses) down the line. Here are 12 home repairs experts say you should never put off:
1. A leaking roof
If you see water stains on your ceiling or down your walls, get moving on the repairstat—there are a host of problems that can arise and get progressively worse with a leaking roof.
“Not repairing a leak as soon as you notice it can lead to mold, damage to the structure of your home, water damage, and even fire if water comes in contact with electrical wiring,” says Carlos de León, vice president of the León Group, an estate management company on Long Island, NY. Scared yet? Good.
2. Damaged or missing shingles
This one seems obvious, but Derek Perzylo, owner of Big 5 Exteriors in Calgary, Canada, says he regularly encounters homeowners who have never had their roof inspected.
“After a big storm, especially if there’s a lot of gusting wind and hail, it’s always a good idea to visually inspect your roof,” he says. “If you see shingles out of place, or if you see shingles on the ground, you might have some damage that could cause potential problems, like leaks, down the road.”
3. Sagging roof
Roof sagging can be caused by moisture in the attic space, says Joe Todaro, director of operations at Gold Medal Service in East Brunswick, NJ. If left untreated, the structure of the wood will weaken and settle, causing cracks in the exterior walls. Proper ventilation is essential for an attic.
4. Cracks in the foundation
Your home’s foundation may develop small cracks over time, and it’s best to address them to prevent spreading. Otherwise you might have to replace the foundation, which can cost as much as $100,000. Large cracks that go unaddressed can lead to everything from leaking to parts of the concrete collapsing.
“The damage could be life-threatening if your home is not supported properly,” León says.
5. Gas leaks
Silent but deadly
BanksPhotos/iStock
Since natural gas and propane are heavier than air, they “pool” in the low points of your home. The second you smell gas (a telltale rotten egg–like smell), call your gas company and vacate the premises until a company worker arrives.
“You risk having an explosion or fire by not doing something about a gas leak immediately,” León says.
6. Plumbing leaks
Leaking water can lead to mold, structural problems, and health issues. Homeowners should check under sinks at least once a year to ensure no water is leaking into the cabinets. If you see any, call a plumber right away.
7. Mold
Is there good mold and bad mold? Not really. When you see it, deal with it. And simply having a “mold remediation” company come in to assess things is not the entire answer, says Jeff Wilson, HGTV host and author of “The Greened House Effect.”
“The reason the mold formed in the first place needs to be sussed out and the problem fixed by a building science professional trained by an organization like Building Performance Institute,” he says.
So just to be clear: While not all molds are life-threatening, all of them—even the ubiquitous shower mold—can potentially make you sick. So it’s best to be aggressive no matter what kind you see.
8. Overtaxed or poor electrical systems
More than 40,000 electrical fires occur each year in the United States. And most of them could have been easily avoided. Some warning signs of faulty electrical work include circuit breakers blowing unexpectedly, lights flickering, and outlets and/or switches being warm or hot to the touch. Not calling an electrician can result in your home catching fire. Got it? Call the electrician.
9. Clogged gutters
Clogged gutters are easy to ignore, but they can cause substantial damage to your home if you don’t make it your business to keep them clean.
The role of gutters and drainpipes is to draw rainfall away from the home. If they’re stopped up, water begins to pool in vulnerable areas. You’ll face a higher risk for wood rot around the fascia and for foundation damage in low, sloped areas around the perimeter of your home.
Homeowners should clean out their gutters twice a year and water test them with a garden hose afterward. Make sure the water travels easily through the gutter system, into the drainpipe, and away from the home’s foundation.
10. Cracked driveways
Most driveways are pitched to direct water away from your foundation. If there are cracks and settling in your driveway, not only are they a tripping hazard, they could also lead to possible water damage in your home.
11. Damaged decks
The No. 1 danger spot with decks is when there’s worn or missing flashing, the thin layer of material that keeps water from getting into places it doesn’t belong. Without flashing, water can get into the ledger board (which connects the deck to the house) and weaken the wood and metal fasteners that hold the deck together. And if a weakened deck is overloaded, it can have expensive—if not deadly—consequences.
12. Clogged dryer vents
Removing the lint from your dryer vent isn’t just one of those things your mama nagged you to do. It could mean the difference between life and death.
So you have your work cut out for you. The good news is that you don’t have to do many of these repairs frequently. But when you see warning signs, get going pronto—or risk bigger problems down the road.
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
What are the main ways to control moisture in your home?
If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the inside of a window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.
There are many ways to control moisture in your home:
Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants.
Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the air. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.
Moisture On Windows
Your humidistat is set too high if excessive moisture collects on windows and other cold surfaces. Excess humidity for a prolonged time can damage walls especially when outdoor air temperatures are very low. Excess moisture condenses on window glass because the glass is cold. Other sources of excess moisture besides overuse of a humidifier may be long showers, running water for other uses, boiling or steaming in cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. A tight, energy efficient house holds more moisture inside; you may need to run a kitchen or bath ventilating fan sometimes, or open a window briefly. Storm windows and caulking around windows keep the interior glass warmer and reduce condensation of moisture there.
Humidifiers are not recommended for use in buildings without proper vapor barriers because of potential damage from moisture buildup. Consult a building contractor to determine the adequacy of the vapor barrier in your house. Use a humidity indicator to measure the relative humidity in your house. The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends these maximum indoor humidity levels.
Outdoor Recommended Indoor Temperature Relative Humidity
+20o F.35%+10o F.30%0o F.25%-10o F.20%-20o F.15%
Source: Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the Association for Home Appliance Manufacturers (www.aham.org).
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.
Should I use bleach?
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain - these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.
Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.
If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
EPA's Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? provides an excerpt on duct cleaning and mold which follows, please review the entire document for additional information on duct cleaning and mold.
You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about 50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.
Hidden Mold
Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth. For example, removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores if there is mold growing on the underside of the paper. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, consider hiring an experienced professional.
Has EPA issued specific recommendations on how frequently carpet should be cleaned?
No. EPA recommends that consumers and others follow manufacturer recommendations and industry standards for keeping carpet clean to protect indoor air quality wherever carpet is installed. A number of carpet cleaning companies have been under the incorrect impression that EPA issued official carpet cleaning recommendations in a 1989 letter from the then-Deputy Director of EPA’s Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office in EPA’s Office of Research and Development. That official provided a response based on his own expertise and investigation. However, the table at the end of the letter identifying specific carpet cleaning frequencies for different indoor environments was not intended to and does not convey an official EPA position, and therefore should not be construed or represented as EPA carpet cleaning recommendations.
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing.
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.
Are there federal regulations or standards regarding mold testing?
Standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.
If you already have a mold problem - ACT QUICKLY. Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.
Leaky window - mold is beginning to rot the wooden frame and windowsill.
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, follow theMold Cleanup Tips and Techniques. However:
If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building.
If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.*
The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you clean up your mold problem. Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered in this publication. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. It may not be possible to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored.
Mold growing on the underside of a plastic lawn chair in an area where rainwater drips through and deposits organic material.
Mold growing on a piece of ceiling tile.
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold. See discussions:
Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.*
Bathroom Tip
Places that are often or always damp can be hard to maintain completely free of mold. If there's some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing ventilation (running a fan or opening a window) and cleaning more frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep the mold to a minimum.
Floods and Flooding
During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.
Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
Increasing ventilation
Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
Workers clean up an area surrounded by crime scene tape.
Despite a drop in violent crime across the United States, the crime-scene cleanup industry has boomed. Profits for the nearly 600 firms in the United States totaled more than $99 million in 2015, on revenues of $357.5 million, according to IBISWorld, a market research group. But those profits are sometimes reaped from those who can ill afford costs that may run into the tens of thousands of dollars when insurers do not pay.
Some say the field was not so crowded six years ago, and owners credit the boom to its depiction in popular media, including the indie film Sunshine Cleaning.
Weak or nonexistent government regulations, on such issues as training and proper cleaning standards, have allowed too many people to get into the business and are starting to drive down profits.
The lack of regulation has made cleaning companies rely on self-policing through the American Bio Recovery Association, which certifies operators and sets standards. But those rules are unenforceable, and the group simply asks that companies fall in line.
For consumers, the problem with biohazard removal is its price. Cleanups can cost from $1,000 to $40,000.
Homeowners insurance typically covers most of the costs to clean up a crime scene, but coverage usually is lumped together under the same coverage as fire and water damage, And because there is no specific exclusion for crime-scene cleanup, insurance adjusters can underestimate the real cost.
Bottom line, end of story is that biorecovery is not the same as having a fire or a flood in the house, As a result, there will be instances in which insurers won't pay the full bill, leaving it to consumers to shell out the rest.
Nowadays very few people spend money on expensive flooring for their house. Instead, they invest in carpets which impart to your floor a touch of elegance. Carpets have become an integral part of home décor. They impart a plush and cozy look to a house. However, if not maintained properly or cleaned from time to time, these carpets accumulate dust and dirt and look messy. Also, dirty carpets can be harmful for the health of the household as they can trigger allergies or other serious problems like asthma. Hence, is important to get your carpets cleaned from time to time.
Now, you can either take up the cleaning yourself or you can hire a professional carpet cleaner for the job. The problem with cleaning the carpet by yourself is that you might not be well aware of the procedure to be followed to get a proper cleaning done. Also, you might not have the necessary equipments and the proper cleaning agent that is required for your carpet. But most of all, you might not have the time on your hand that a thorough cleaning of your carpets would demand. Hence, the safest way to get your carpets cleaned would be to hire a professional carpet cleaner.
Searching for and subsequently finding an experienced carpet cleaner is not always a cakewalk. Before you decide upon a particular carpet cleaner, you must do some background checks, get some referrals, ask some questions and establish the credibility of the company before you hire their personnel for cleaning your carpets. The initial step to finding a professional carpet cleaner is to make a list of a number of carpet cleaners providing service in or around your vicinity. You can do this by looking for such service over the internet in domains like Google places or other search engines, which not only give the contact details of the company, but also provide feedback about their services from actual customers. While good feedbacks mean you can trust a particular company, negative feedbacks are also useful as they can help to rule out some of the names. Friends, colleagues or relatives are also a source of useful recommendations. Is someone you trust says that the service of a certain carpet cleaner is satisfactory, it instills some confidence in that service. Now, once you have got together a few names, you need to start the work of short listing.
You should interview the cleaners about how they will go about the job of cleaning, whether they have the necessary equipments or what cleaning agent they will be using. You should make sure that the process of cleaning the carpets does not come in the way of your work. Accordingly, you should ask for a quotation to get an idea of how much the cleaning job would cost you. You should then compare the quotations of some of the cleaning services that you interviewed and then decide upon a particular one. But, before you employ them, you should get a written and duly signed payment agreement, so that you don’t have to incur any hidden costs at a later stage.
According to the American Duct Cleaner’s Association, the air ducts in those ac’s, heating systems and furnaces tend to gather dirt, debris and other contaminants with time. There are some more factors that can lead to accumulation of other particulates such as cigarette smoke, pet’s hair or any debris due to home renovation. Get in touch with air duct cleaners in Los Angeles and let those experts come and check those ducts in your home. Chances are that they are heavily blocked. These blocked ducts not only raise the indoor pollution but also prevent hose heating and cooling systems to work to their maximum efficiency.
As a home owner too, you can make out if those ducts need cleaning. Remove the wall register with the help of a screwdriver. Take a mirror and flashlight to inspect the duct or take picture with your camera. Even if you see slight amount of dirt or debris, this is a signal enough that those ducts are blocked and need professional duct cleaning. Thankfully, there is no shortage of these services for duct cleaning in Los Angeles.
It is a wrong idea to clean those ducts on your own. You may end up spreading more dirt and pollution inside your home and still not manage to do a good job. Call in experts for air duct cleaning in Los Angeles California who carry the right expertise and knowledge to do the task. They carry the right tools and equipments to reach those difficult areas and clean those duct completely.
They will also make sure that there is no dirt or moisture left in those pipes and ducts. Professional cleaners often document the result of their work as pictures so as to make sure that there is nothing inside those ducts.
Blocked air ducts can increase the pollution inside your home and erode the quality of air inside. You will be breathing those pollutants and allergens day and night. This can lead to serious respiratory problems and other allergies. Moisture on those ducts an also lead to mold growth and spread mold spores inside your home.
Why Should A Technician Be Hired For Odor Removal?
While some forms of odor removal can be done by a homeowner without any technical experience, professionals will be needed for more stubborn, unpleasant smells. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC, is the agency in charge of certifying technicians skilled in this field. Through training supervised by IICRC approved instructors, these technicians possess the best methods and products available for handling this problem. Their advanced skills allow them to eliminate smells caused by fire, smoke, mold, and thorough pet soiling. While homeowners have some tools available to help control these issues, professional help is usually required to eliminate them completely.
According to a survey commissioned by the IICRC, more than 80 percent of homeowners state that how clean their floors are is a major factor in their family’s health. However, only 15 percent of homeowners have their carpets cleaned every year. Odor removal is a major component of preventing airborne contaminants from affecting the family’s health inside the home. Also, a lingering stench almost always comes from a source that is hazardous to people and pets. For these reasons, the problem should be treated as soon as it is noticed.
The best way for a homeowner to perform simple odor removal is with a readily accessible substance. Homeowners have been getting rid of foul smells with home remedies for decades. While these substances are easy to apply to the carpet and are effective for smaller jobs, they aren’t feasible for more extensive problems. Also, they don’t typically eliminate the cause of the scent but cover it up instead. This just masks the health hazard in the room and so it remains a threat.
Technicians trained in odor removal through an IICRC approved instructor are taught the four general principles of eliminating unpleasant smells. They first attempt to locate and destroy the source of the smell. In some cases, like during fire and smoke restoration, this may be too difficult to do before cleaning the area. Once the source is destroyed, the technician will thoroughly clean any surfaces or items that were affected by the source. While carpets are often a primary spot for odors to take root, furniture, clothing, and drywall may also take on the scent if they are exposed long enough. These surfaces must be cleaned to prevent the smell from coming back.
Technicians also have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize the unpleasant smell thoroughly. Every material has its own physical properties that determine which substances to use for effective odor elimination. Trained professionals can find the best product for each material, from carpet and fabric to wood and ceramic. Once the surface has been treated, trained technicians are able to seal the surface to trap what scent does remain. Foul smells are created by airborne particles that can be sealed away for good.
These professionals can handle odors caused by urine contamination, decomposition, mold, chemicals, and fire and smoke damage, among many other sources. Their expertise means they are prepared for any job, no matter the scope.
Importance of Air Duct Cleaning: Ask Professional Company's Help for Best Results
We all want to provide a healthy environment for our families and employees. One way to help in doing this is to make sure the air quality inside the residence or business is free of polluting debris in the air ducts. Often when a home or business complex is constructed, everything including the kitchen sink is cleaned before residency, except, yes, you’ve guessed it, the air ducts.
Professional air duct services can make sure that the debris that has collected inside the ducts is dislodged and sucked right into a vacuum system that they use to clean the ducts thoroughly. This should be done about every three to five years on a regular basis to keep your heating and cooling systems running smoothly. Contact a professional air duct service representative and discuss the questions you may have. Find out about the service you will receive and the cost. You are going to be surprised how little it really costs to keep the indoor air quality up to par when you talk to a representative.
Los Angeles and areas that are surrounded by highways, manufacturing plants, and commercial buildings are exposed to bacteria, smog, molds, hazardous petroleum fumes and chemical fumes as well as air borne debris. All of these pollutants are hazardous to our health. Inside buildings in these areas or even on the outskirts of these areas, like the suburbs of Los Angeles, are experiencing polluted indoor air quality.
One way to ensure the quality of air indoors is to keep the air ducts clean. Most people do not realize their ducts can be the breeding ground for all sorts of contaminants such as mold, mildew, rodent droppings and dust mites. This is why it is so important to have a professional duct cleaning service and protect the indoor air quality in your home or business.
The professional air duct service company that you are searching for in Los Angeles are not always the first ones listed in the telephone directories. Doing some research will help you determine the company that will give you the quality service you need at an affordable price. There are many shyster companies out there, so it is a very good idea to really check these companies out.
NADCA’s rule of thumb for consumers is that “if your ducts look dirty, they probably are,” and that dirty HVAC systems should be inspected by a reputable, certified HVAC professional. Below are some other reasons homeowners choose to have their air ducts cleaned.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is one concern that homeowners have when they decide to investigate air duct cleaning. In a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually through everyday living. Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The system taken air in and breathes air out.
Through normal occupation in a home, we generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work.
While dirty ducts don’t necessarily mean unhealthy air in your home, school or workplace, they may be contributing to larger health issues or harboring contaminants that could cause serious problems for people with respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders or some environmental allergies.
Energy Savings
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use.
When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness.
Builder confidence points to strong construction in 2016
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes remained unchanged in May at a level of 58 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).
Ed Brady, the NAHB’s chairman, explained in the association’s report that the index’s current level bodes well for housing, although challenges remain.
“Builder confidence has held steady at 58 for four straight months, which indicates that the single-family housing sector remains in positive territory,” Brady said. “However, builders are facing an increasing number of regulations and lot supply constraints.”
Sales Expectations High, Buyer Traffic Low
As with past months, there was a bit of a contradiction at the heart of builder confidence – while the HMI components measuring sales expectations in the next six months increased three points to 65, the component gauging buyer traffic remained low at 44 (any measure lower than 50 indicates that more builders see the market as bad than good); meanwhile, the component charting current sales conditions was unchanged at 63.
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said that economic trends are behind the rise in sales expectations.
“The fact that future sales expectations rose slightly this month shows that builders are confident that the market will continue to strengthen,” Dietz said. “Job creation, low mortgage interest rates and pent-up demand will also spur growth in the single-family housing sector moving forward.”
Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the South and Midwest both registered one-point gains to 59 and 58, respectively. The West remained unchanged at 67, and the Northeast fell three points to 41.
nfidence among U.S. homebuilders held steady in May, signaling limited progress in residential real estate during the busy spring selling season, National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo data showed Monday.
Key Points:
--Builder sentiment gauge unchanged at 58, where it's been for four straight months. Readings greater than 50 indicate more respondents reported good market conditions. Median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists projected 59.
--Gauge of prospective buyer traffic held at 44 in May, while index of current sales was also steady at 63.
--Measure of the six-month sales outlook rose to 65, highest this year, from 62.
Big Picture:
The figures suggest homebuilding won't add much more to U.S. growth in coming months even with mortgage rates at the lowest levels in three years. Economists had been looking for gains in residential construction to give the economy a much-needed leg up as manufacturing was weighed down by weak growth abroad and the still relatively strong dollar. Housing, which was at the center of the last recession, wasn't able to fulfill its role as a spark to the early phase of the expansion.
Economist Takeaways:
--"The fact that future sales expectations rose slightly this month shows that builders are confident that the market will continue to strengthen," NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said in a statement. "Job creation, low mortgage interest rates and pent-up demand will also spur growth in the single-family housing sector."
--"There remains a big disconnect between what homebuilders are saying and what they are actually doing," Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR Inc. in New York, said in research note. "We expect housing starts to largely tread water" in coming months.
--"The failure of the index to recover at all after it fell three points in February is puzzling and disappointing," Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics Ltd. in Newcastle, U.K., said in a research note. "We remain of the view that home sales are likely to rise over the next few months, but housing is not going to be a major driver of the whole economy."
The Details:
--Sentiment among builders in Northeast dropped to the lowest level since June 2014.
--Confidence climbed in South and Midwest and was unchanged in West.
Construction on new houses rebounded in April after a sharp dip in the prior month, but a slowdown in building permits suggest work on new properties could taper off from last year’s double-digit pace.
Housing starts climbed 6.6% last month to an annual pace of 1.17 million, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. In March, starts were revised to a 1.1 million rate.
Housing has been one of the economy’s strongest sectors of growth over the past few years, but sales and construction are not growing as fast in early 2016 as they did in 2015. Starts surged by more than 10% last year.
Permits for new construction, a sign of future demand, might offer another clue. They rose slightly to an annual rate of 1.12 million in April, but they are running 5.3% below year-ago levels.
Rising prices may be scaring buyers off and construction companies complain about a shortage of skilled workers, a growing problem that could limit supply and keep prices at elevated levels.
Most economists expect activity to pick up as the prime buying season gets underway, but there are still lingering questions of just how fast. Steve Blitz, chief economist of ITG Investment Research, said there’s little evidence “to suggest a great surge in construction is upon us.”
In April, new construction sped up in the Midwest and South and declined in the Northeast and West, the government said.
Construction on apartments, condos and other buildings with at least five units surged 10.7%. Single-family home starts advanced a smaller 3.3%, though the South posted the biggest increase since the end of 2007.
Spring cleaning is kind of awesome. If you're the type of person that enjoys cleaning, then the process is fun, but even if you don't enjoy cleaning, it still means spring is here. The trees start leafing out, and daffodils and tulips start popping through the dirt. People are finally getting a bit of energy back with longer daylight hours. As a result, it's time to clean!
Spring cleaning is not unique to the U.S. It's actually practiced all over the world, in one variation or another. Spring is the most popular time, which seems to have roots in religion. Passover is a traditional time for those of Jewish faith to remove all leavened foods from the house, which are forbidden during Passover. Leavened foods are anything made with wheat, oats, barley, spelt, rye or yeast. This eliminates a lot of foods, and the tradition is usually expanded to include a general cleaning of the entire home.The History
In addition, Catholic churches usually clean their altars during spring. This may not be exactly what you think of during spring cleaning, but you can see how it would easily translate to a general cleaning at home. More directly, the Greek Orthodox Church has spring cleaning during Lent, called Clean Monday. Because the church was the main governing body for so much of history, it makes sense that its influence became a sort of worldwide phenomenon.
The Psychological Aspect
Part of why it's so popular to go through spring cleaning is that it makes people feel better. Having a clean space is good for you. It reduces stress, increases productivity, cuts down on errant snacking behaviors and helps promote gratefulness. This works especially well if you don't just tidy up, but also toss out old items you no longer need.
You might not need to work on all of these things. However, there are some things that everyone can benefit from. Part of the reason behind spring cleaning isn't just to follow tradition or because your mother told you to do it - it's also a sort of mental cleaning. You have the chance to throw out old or useless items. It can help you jumpstart new goals, or keep up the motivation for older goals, like the ones you made back on Jan. 1.
The Workout
One of the other benefits of cleaning up is that it's actually a really good workout. You can pump up the music and turn your cleaning into a dance party. Use the vacuum to work out your arms, take the stairs as much as you can, climb ladders and move furniture - although you might want a partner for that. All that activity gets your heart rate up and your blood pumping. If the option is between hanging out and watching your favorite show or getting up to clean the house, then cleaning is definitely the healthier option.
If you're looking for specific exercises, try calf raises while dusting. Do lunges to reach the far end of the carpet while vacuuming. Cleaning the floor is a great time for pushups and mountain climbers, and of course, the music is there to make you dance. Get your boogie on!
The Health Benefits
In addition to being good for the mind and a decent workout, there are other health benefits. Giving the house a good dusting can help reduce allergies for everyone in the home. It's also the best way to give your home a close look. Being able to expose dangerous pests in your home is probably the No. 1 reason to give it a good, solid cleaning on a semiregular basis.
It's not just allergies that cleaning will help with. If anyone in your home suffers from asthma, spring cleaning can also help with that. Since you'll feel better, get some exercise and get any pests out of the way, there's really no downside.
No matter why you're doing spring cleaning, either because of religion, because it makes you feel better or because your mom told you to, it always ends up the same. You'll feel better, your home will look better, and you can take a nice break from cleaning when it's all done.
It’s June and New Mexico’s summertime heat will soon be a fact of life. If you’re deciding to do something to cool down your home with an active system this year, there are two basic options: air conditioning or an evaporative (“swamp”) cooler. Both types have their adherents, and their critics.
Some say that refrigerated air conditioning just recirculates the house’s stale dry air, while evaporative coolers continually bring in fresh air. On the other hand, evaps also might bring in dust, pollen, and automobile exhaust, and, if you don’t open your windows, the house can get swampy-humid; whereas air conditioners create a controlled, clean-air environment.
An Office of the State Engineer brochure on evaporative coolers estimates that in Santa Fe a modern unit with a bleed-off valve to prevent mineral buildup uses about 4,500 gallons of water a year. A bleed-off valve on a high-efficiency evaporative cooler allows it to regularly refresh its circulating water supply in order to prevent the buildup of scale and calcium from our hard water.
Now, what about heat pumps? According to manufacturer Daikin, one of the biggest advantages of a heat pump over a standard heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is that there’s no need to install separate systems to heat and cool your home.
Ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps are a specific type that add air conditioned by stable ground temperatures to the system. “It’s the same principal as air-to-air. At zero degrees, there’s a ton of heat in the air or in the ground,” Onstad said.
There are big ground-source heat pump installations at Santa Fe Community College’s new Higher Education Center and the Academy for the Love of Learning. While residential systems are much smaller, they are still quite expensive. But tax credits are available. The New Mexico Geothermal Ground-Coupled Heat Pump Tax Credit will pay up to 30 percent — with a $9,000 maximum — of the purchase and installation cost of a geothermal ground-coupled heat pump system. In addition, the federal government will pay 30 percent of your system cost in a federal tax credit.
Most people are used to seeing crime scene investigators collection evidence. But after all their pictures of the scene are taken, someone has to come in and clean up.
Hollywood has often portrayed the crime scene clean-up process.
The film "Sunshine Cleaning" profiles two women who start a crime scene cleaning company. In "Pulp Fiction," actors John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson famously get help from Harvey Keitel to clean up their own crime scene.
And ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder" shows people desperately trying to clean crime scene evidence.
But in real life, the legal clean-up truck that arrives is from SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration.
The clean-ups are typically paid for with homeowner insurance.
When tear gas is fired, it takes up to three months to clean.
While some may ask who would want to do this job, employees like the fact it's always something different every day at work.
CONSUMER REPORTS ON HOW TO AVOID RENOVATION MISTAKES
Consumer spending is projected to reach $155 billion this year. Consumer Reports has some ideas on how to avoid the biggest renovation mistakes.
Consumer Reports says planning is essential.
Sally Loizeaux started planning a year before work began.
"There is no such thing as over planning. It's key to helping homeowners stay on budget," said Daniel Diclerico, Home Editor for Consumer Reports.
But general contractors say homeowners make common mistakes, adding cost and aggravation.
Fifty-nine percent surveyed by Consumer Reports said homeowner indecisiveness was at the top of their list of biggest mistakes.
Changing your mind once the work begins can really bust your budget.
Just ask Loizeaux, who opted to re-do her kitchen midway through her renovation.
"I think adding the kitchen probably added another 15 to 20 percent to the budget," she said.
Before her kitchen was finished, she faced a second common cause of cost overruns: uncovering damage.
"When I found out about the gas leak, I wanted to cry. We were a week away from moving in," she explained.
"Getting a pre-inspection can really help avoid unwanted surprises. It's useful knowing problems beforehand so you can adjust your budget accordingly," said Diclerico.
And don't forget, it's a mistake not to bargain. Thirty percent of the contractors surveyed say they are very willing to negotiate.
And no matter what you think the renovation will cost, be sure to build in some padding.
"Homeowners should assume their project will cost 20 percent more than you expect and take 20 percent longer than planned," he said.
And that happened to Loizeaux.
"We had to move in before the house was finished. It's a stressful process. But we're really happy with it," she said.
So, how long should a renovation take? On average, bathrooms task two weeks and a kitchen can up to three weeks.
Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.
When considering a big renovation project, homeowners can easily feel overwhelmed with how many directions they can go in and how pricey the renovation can ultimately be. Some will choose to do the work themselves and use off the shelf materials, but others may decide to hire an architect to help with a renovation. However, working with an architect may be unfamiliar territory for many just getting started with their first big renovation. And even then, architects generally have different strengths or specialties. To help answer some of the basics, we've reached out to Matt Nardella of moss design, a firm that specializes in sustainable design.
When working on a big renovation project for a residential client, where do you start?
After understanding the desired goals for a project, based on our client’s input, we start by uncovering the problems we need to solve and studying all the free elements our project site has to offer. Such as what desirable environmental qualities can we harness through good design that does not cost us anything. For example, how does the sun and wind influence the project site and how, with smart design moves, can we utilize these resources at no cost to the overall project. Only after we understand that, can we start on our favorite part of a project; drawing.
moss design
Sustainable design and materials are important elements in your work. Why do these things matter?
Sustainability matters to me because there is no such thing as infinite resources on a finite planet. And for what can seem to be an insurmountable problem, as an architect I feel as if I can help to shape the built environment and be part of a solution. It’s only a small piece of environmental stewardship, but something that motivates me and the entire moss team to do good work.
What's your response to the people who think that sustainability and environmentally conscious design is just a fad?
That environmental unconscious design was just a fad. Relatively easy access to materials and energy has shaped our buildings over the last century, but I think we are now realizing that it shouldn’t have. The recent bonanza of thoughtless design is just a small blip in our long history as humans building sustainably. Employing passive design techniques and healthy materials is not only better for the environment but can help make people that interact with our buildings feel better and be more productive. Sustainable design is about thinking holistically and is more important than buying so-called "green" gadgets.
When doing a major renovation, what are some of the things that can go wrong?
A whole host of things can go wrong, which is why it’s important to have an architect on your side given the unpredictability of construction. Since we primarily work on projects inside of existing -- sometimes 150 year old -- Chicago infrastructure, we have a pretty solid understanding of how to deal with and take advantage of archaic materials while we are still in the design phase. However, it’s impossible to predict what is under all the layers of previous construction, so problems arise as we uncover during the demolition phase. Working with our builders we can problem solve on the spot when the unexpected happens, while still having the design goals in mind while we do.
moss design
Is it possible to over personalize when doing a renovation?
As long as your personal taste is rooted in good design, no. I think natural light is the most beautiful, useful and timeless building material there is. Ancient architecture that feels good to walk through and be in today was designed with access to natural light in mind. We approach our projects from a volumetric perspective, so we assess how light and air travel through the space. If we get that part right then I think you can apply almost any personal touch you want. The underlying design is what makes the space feel right and timeless. It’s also why architects think everything should be painted white.
What was one of the most memorable renovations your team worked on?
Working with old buildings, the things I remember most are the old things we uncover. Sometimes I feel like we are architectural archaeologists trying to piece together a forgotten history. I remember all the old signs that revealed themselves after demolition, antiquated fixtures, and long-ago-covered structures. It’s why I love working in Chicago.
The moss design HQmoss design
Are renovations always going to be expensive? What would you say to those who are on the fence about approaching an architect for a job?
Renovations, relative to building something new, is likely to be less expensive. Utilizing existing infrastructure, whether it is the exterior wall or finish materials will reduce costs, and more importantly, keep perfectly good materials out of the waste stream.
If there are numerous project goals that may not be realistic for the project, my advice is to let us develop a master plan for what could be done if the budget was unlimited. This exercise helps to inform the small decisions we are going to make about a project, but also may uncover something that our client didn’t even intend to do in the first place, but becomes an integral part of the project. In a construction project the design fees are only going to be a small percentage (5-20% typically depending on the size) so I think, however biased, that good architecture is a small investment for something that you will live in for years to come. If you’re going through the trouble of doing it, at least allow us to do it well for you.
What's the best end result when working on a big renovation project?
A space that people love to be in, within the budget and projected timeframe. Ultimately, if our client is pleased then we have accomplished our goal.
Reality television isn't just the provenance of singles looking for a mate, singers trying to best each other, and would-be or quasi-celebrities seeking attention. A good number of programs in this genre deal with another kind of elusive state: The experience of a perfect home renovation.
Like relationships and fame, renovations are seemingly made-for-television. We fantasize about them, dreaming of a beautiful home whose transformation is easy, fast, and affordable. According to the pros, the reality can be a lot grittier. We went to contractors around the country (all members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI) to help pull the veil off the process and reveal truths.
Myth #1: Remodeling is Easy
Tom Miller of Tom Miller Remodeling in Portland, Oregon sums it up this way: "If remodels were easy, everyone would do their own." At the beginning of every project, he tells his clients that their kids and dogs will be the only occupants who miss the crews when they depart (children like the excitement, dogs enjoy the extra attention and treats workers sometimes provide).
"Reality television makes it look so simple. Major remodels are done in the space of 30 or 60 minutes while the homeowner is out. What the viewers don't see are the hundreds of people working on those projects 24/7 to make it happen," he says.
"The truth is that it takes longer than that, and that it requires time and emotional energy from the clients. What the clients don't always realize is that the process is going to be unavoidably messy and will intrude into their lives, although a good contractor will minimize that as much as possible. The kids and dogs get excited about it, but the owners will be glad when it's over."
Myth #2: Remodeling is Inexpensive
David Pekel of Pekel Construction & Remodeling in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin notes that reality television and articles on budget remodeling have conditioned homeowners to believe that renovations can be done inexpensively as well as quickly.
"If you want to buy cookware, you can go to the store and check out the price on a set you like. You can then look at an unlimited number of retailers online to see if you can find the same thing for less," he says. "You can't think of remodeling in those terms, as it's harder to put a price point on it. The materials and products you are putting in are only a portion of the cost, the skill of the labor behind the installation is a very significant part of it."
A remodel usually costs twice what the client thinks it might.
He notes that on TV, the labor cost is not always factored in, so when homeowners are quoted a price that includes labor, they feel like they are being mislead. "It's not just the labor either," he says. "A good quote should factor in project management and all the associated things that go along with it. In my experience, the remodel usually costs twice what the client thinks it might."
Myth #3: You Can Do It Yourself
Pekel says people who wouldn't think of trying their hand at surgery or dental work might be persuaded to take up the hammer, and that it's not usually advisable. "Doing things like demolition or electric work can be deleterious to your health," he says. "Professionals should have a lot of experience and training on how to do things safely."
Pekel, along with the other contractors interviewed for this story, all mentioned occasions when they've been called in to correct a DIY project. "I'm not saying there aren't things you can do yourself," he says. "But it's unrealistic to think your regular citizen will be able to spent the weekend safely gutting the kitchen."
Myth #4: The Low Bid is the Best Value
Dale Conant of Atlanta Design & Build has a theory: If three contractors possess similar experience and a skilled crew, their project bids should all be about the same. "You don't want to overpay for a project," he says. "But I contend that going with the low bid and then paying to fix mistakes is more expensive than the highest bid."
Myth #5: Products That Look the Same, Are the Same
Pekel uses the analogy of a diamond to illustrate this point. "You can have a large stone that looks good until you get it under a microscope and you see it's not really clear and it has a lot of inclusions. Then again, you can have a small stone that looks like a rainbow in the sun. In those cases, the small stone might be one third the size but five times the cost," he says.
"Locally, we have a store that sells a Moen faucet for $200 and, a few shelves down, offers what looks the same thing for a price of $89. The difference is one is metal and brass and the other is mirror-covered plastic. In the lifecycle of the product, the less expensive one will end up being more expensive because you will have to repair and ultimately replace it."
Myth #6: Remodels Always Take Longer Then Planned
Robi Kirsic of TimeLine Renovations in New York City notes that many clients seem to expect tardiness from their contractors. "I am punctual. Ninety percent of my clients express shock and surprise when I arrive on time for the initial meeting. They seem to be expecting me to be late because of my profession," he says.
He notes that most contractors want to finish on time so they can move on to the next gig. He says that the antidote for delays is good planning and organization. "The key is starting with a good understanding of what you want and the scope of work. That will insure that project goes smoothly and wraps up on time."
He says that change orders (when homeowners want something different from or above and beyond the original plan) are big reasons for time overruns. "Here's an example: If we have a plan for a door style, we order them right away as they can take four to six weeks to arrive. Later if the homeowner decides they want a different style of door, then we have to reorder, and that results in a delay." It also ends up costing more, which brings us to our seventh myth.
Kirsic feels that sticking to your plans is key to holding the monetary line. "If you can decide what you want and stick to it, you can stay in budget," he says.
"The problems happen when you allocate $10 per square foot for tile, but fall in love with tile that's $25 per square foot while shopping. Or you allow for $10,000 worth of appliances, but you decide later you want something higher end. Obviously, that will add costs to the project."
In his mind, leaving as little to chance or imagination as possible is how to end up at the figure you expected. That said, all the planning in the world can't eliminate the element of surprise.
Myth #8: Good Planning Can Outwit Surprise
The only way to combat the unexpected is to, well, expect it. "Every home, new or old, can hold a surprise. Undetected slow leaks, pests, handy person fixes—any of these can end up in hidden flaws that you don't see until you pull a floor up or take a wall down," says Miller. "The only way to deal with surprises is to try and budget for them. If no surprises come to light, then you can go shopping with the money."
Myth #9: You Can Make It Up As You Go Along
By now, it's clear that starting with a solid plan is a good idea. However, it's important not just for cost and timeliness, but for general outcome as well. Years ago, I was writing a story about a kitchen remodel. The contractor rhapsodized about the incredible "mind meld" he and the client experienced, making the design up as work unfolded.
I called the client expecting a similar feel-good story, but much of her response is unprintable. She was unhappy with the time it took, the amount it cost, and deeply regretted some last minute field decisions. Conant says it's a good idea to ask a contractor for a copy of project plans and then talk to the homeowner to see how closely they were followed. "It's important to see if the goal set was the goal met," he says.
Myth #10: Fancy Trappings Make a Good Contractor
Conant says that it's easy to be fooled by appearances. "It takes more than a fancy truck with your name on it," he says. Conant suggests that people go about hiring a contractor with the same thoroughness they use to hire someone at their place of work. "Check these people out," he says. "Are they licensed? Do they have legit credentials? Check out their references."
The renovation the process is like childbirth: The pain fades in time.
Both Conant and Kirsic says that when it comes to hiring contractors, it's better to do an Internet search than to be swayed by slick marketing materials. "A quick Google search will tell you if the owners of a contracting company have filed bankruptcy or have had liens filed against them," Kirsic says. "You will also find a lot of reviews, but what I find more helpful is to check city databases [many cities have the information on the planning department website] and see if there are any old open jobs under the company name. If there are, you can assume there's a history of walking off the job."
Myth #11: You Will Be Bitter When It's Over
Conant says that the process is like childbirth: The pain fades in time. "We've had a few projects where something unexpected was discovered that led to a long, expensive, and difficult job," he says. "Yet, these clients have come back to us again, given us multiple referrals, and allowed the project to be photographed and published. If the end result is great, they are happy."
Santa Fe inmates sickened by dust, fumes during lengthy renovation, lawsuit charges
A new lawsuit says hundreds of inmates at the Santa Fe County Jail on N.M.14 south of town were sickened and injured by dust and fumes from renovation
SANTA FE – A lawsuit requesting class action status filed Friday alleges that hundreds of inmates at the Santa Fe County Jail were exposed to massive amounts of dust and chemical fumes that “created an epidemic of severe ailments” in 2014 while showers and lavatory areas were renovated.
The state District Court suit claims inmates “experienced a variety of painful, serious symptoms, directly attributed to the conditions created by the renovation,” including difficulty or pain when breathing, tightness in the lungs, chronic nosebleeds, body rashes, hives, blurry vision, stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a high “similar to huffing paint.”
Symptoms persisted well after the work was completed, according to the suit. At least 300 inmates, and possibly as many as 500, were injured to varying degrees, the complaint says. At least three employees of the jail also suffered health issues.
The lawsuit filed by Rothstein, Donatelli, Hughes, Dahlstrom, Schoenburg & Bienvenu law firm asks for damages from Santa Fe County, the jail’s former warden and the company that did the work, Industrial Commercial Coatings LLC of Albuquerque.
A spokeswoman for Santa Fe County said it does not comment on pending or threatened litigation. Messages left for former warden Mark Gallegos, now jail administrator in Curry County, and with ICC were not returned Monday.
The suit says ICC was hired to apply a highly toxic chemical sealant containing isocyanate to approximately 28,880 square feet that included 51 showers and space for lavatories. It claims that the work was performed in a “hapless and reckless” fashion, bypassing safety protocols and exposing inmates to hazardous conditions “all day, every day, for months at a time.”
During a first project phase of grinding work, the lawsuit alleges, a fine dust comprised of cement, paint, metal and a polyurea sealant came into contact with inmates’ food and bedding.
Then, while sealant was applied during the second phase, inmates were exposed to toxic fumes circulated throughout the facility through heating and cooling vents.
“This left the inmates with no respite from the dangerous conditions created by the renovation,” according to the lawsuit. No attempt was made to protect inmates, the lawsuit alleges.
The complaint says dozens of inmates and at least three employees at the jail, one who now relies on an inhaler, sought medical attention and that jail staffers tried to talk people out of documenting their symptoms. It claims that when one employee who had to go on medical leave told Gallegos that the situation was “not good” and something needed to be done the warden his dismissed concerns, as well as those of other employees, including a staff doctor.
Representatives of the plaintiff class are Christopher Mavis, a member of an inmate crew that assisted with the renovation, and Joe Martinez, an inmate porter assigned to clean up common areas.
They were not provided with protective gear while many ICC employees were outfitted in “hazmat-type suits with hoods, full protective face masks, and respirators,” the lawsuit says.
Air sampling canisters at a home near the Laun-Dry plume
Decades ago, a chemical business called Laun-Dry Supply Company leaked poisonous dry cleaning solvents into Albuquerque’s groundwater.
In the years since, nobody has investigated possible health impacts to people living near the contamination.
But that changed this week. On Wednesday, the New Mexico Environment Department started the process of testing houses for chemicals from the Laun-Dry spill.
There are at least a dozen homes and many more businesses in the path of the dry cleaning chemical plume, and anyone inside those buildings could be breathing toxic gases rising from the groundwater.
Robert Miranda, whose house lies closest to the groundwater plume, is the first to have his home tested for toxins. He says whatever the results, at least now he’ll have some kind of answer.
“I’m hoping for something…any kind of results, it’s nice to know," he said. "If I have to move out, I’ll just have to move out.”
The company that spilled the chemicals is now working on a full cleanup plan.
The first call for the fire came in at 9:24 p.m. Saturday. There is no information on how the fire was started.
Albuquerque Fire Department says the Bosque fire near Tingley Beach is 100 percent contained and the area affected is estimated to be less than five acres.
According to AFD, approximately 20 crews and 50 firefighters remained on scene throughout the night working with the fire.
AFD says although the fire is 100 percent contained, very hazardous conditions still exist. Many hot spots still remain and winds are expected to be gusty Sunday.
AFD is asking everyone to stay clear of the Tingley Beach area.
There are no reported damages to the BioPark, Zoo, or Tingley Beach.
Albuquerque Fire Department received 911 calls reporting what looked like a camp fire Saturday night.
The first call for the fire came in at 9:24 p.m. Saturday. There is no information on how the fire was started, but AFD Chief David Downey says the cause is "suspicious." No injuries have been reported.
AFD says personnel are still working on extinguishing hot spots from Saturday's fire. Thirty personnel are on scene in 2 Brush trucks, 3 saw teams, 1 dozer, and 2 tenders.
The fire remains under investigation. If anyone has any information regarding this latest Bosque fire, please call 242-COPS.
Fires at the White Water Baldy Complex in New Mexico 2012
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – New Mexico is no stranger to drought, but this past winter was wetter than we’ve seen in the past several years. Meteorologists say that could have big impacts on the season.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Friday's powerful storm not only damaged trees and power lines, it also flooded homes and businesses. Now, restoration companies are working to mop up the mess.
Martin Luther King Avenue and Broadway Boulevard looked like a lake this weekend. All of that water had to go somewhere and it went into businesses just down the street.
After the storm bombarded the metro, restoration companies like Servpro, are getting bombarded with phone calls.
"Here we got a one thousand volt shock, our systems can't handle it," said Harry Weingardt with Servpro Restoration. "We expect volume during monsoon, but not like this.You get 35 calls in one day."
The monster downpour flooded homes and several businesses, causing thousands of dollars in damages to floors, walls and anything in the water's path.
Not being able to handle all of the water seemed to be the biggest problem for most buildings and homes flooded this weekend.
Now, it could take weeks for buildings to dry out.
SERVPRO Albuquerque Restoration is proud to annouce the success of the first Wilson Middle School Silent Auction. This event took place Saturday May 18, 2013. Wilson Middle School identified a handful of students to raise money for to provide opportunites for these students to be engaged in diverse activities througout the year. Through community engagement Wilson has been fortunate enough to access community members committed to making a difference in these students lives.
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