Commercial Air Duct Cleaning and HVAC

9/29/2022 (Permalink)

If the air ducts and HVAC ducts in your workplace are a bit dirty, you may need our services for HVAC and air duct cleaning. When there is build up in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, it can trigger allergies and other health issues. Now you have compelling reasons to make sure the air ducts and HVAC system in your home or business are running efficiently.

Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality. Make it a priority to inspect the ductwork of your business.

If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating one or more of the following:

• Dust
• Pollen
• Odors
• Dirt and debris 
• Other contaminants

The benefits of servicing your HVAC:

• Helps to restore peak energy efficiency
• May help to eliminate offensive odors
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth

SERVPRO certified technicians routinely inspect the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping them clean can extend the life of the equipment and help save you money, and give you cleaner air to breathe. However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. Our certified professionals will make recommendations about the best way to address indoor air quality concerns. Call SERVPRO of Southeast Austin at (512) 420-9824 for help today. 

How to Prepare for Winter Storms & Frozen Pipes

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin

The winter season is here and snow and ice can create major issues for you and your home. As we prepare to support you, it’s best for every business and homeowner to review potentially problematic issues.

Whether it’s snow, ice, heating, thawing frozen pipes or unforeseen accidents, the combination of certain elements can destroy your property. Most people will know to be aware of frozen pipes in the house, but other issues may arise. Ice on your roof can prevent proper drainage, if heat isn’t evenly distributed, some areas may freeze, and water in frozen pipes will freeze causing secondary damage to other appliances or household systems.

Here are three preemptive ways to check in on your property.

1. Insulate Your Roof

The best ice dam prevention solution is to properly insulate your roof. Heat escapes through ceilings and rises to the roof where it warms the wood and shingles above. To prevent this, check the depth of your insulation.

Anything less than 8 inches is usually not enough to prevent heat from escaping, and it's important to use foam or caulk to stop air leaks. This will not only stop roof issues, but it will also save you money on your energy bill.

2. Remove the Buildup

If you notice a large amount of snow gathering on your roof, you might want to consider eliminating it. Houses that have poor ventilation can also have poor distribution of heat. By removing the snow with a push broom or shovel, you can clear any potential problem areas.

3. Create Channels in the Ice

Ice dams can force water into your home through the attic. You can stop this by creating channels in the ice and draining the water into the gutters. Use a hose with warm water and melt the lower edge of the ridge. This solution is a temporary fix but could prevent a large amount of winter storm damage.

Winter storms will always be unpredictable and damaging in one way or another. Our only working defense is to focus on potentially preventable tactics.

You do not need to figure out how to prevent pipes from freezing or fix frozen pipes on your own. Feel free to reach out to us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for additional information on how to protect your home, we're always here to help!

Why Should You Call SERVPRO of Southeast Austin?

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin

One of the biggest misconceptions about emergency fire and water situations is you will know who to call when the time comes. "I haven't had an issue yet, so when I do, I can make a decision then."

Not going to happen.

Preparing for such a disaster, especially for a commercial company, will not only provide peace of mind, but will ensure you aren't forced into making a snap decision that can potentially impact the ability to restore your home or business.

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin is your Texas water damage restoration company providing services for water damage repair, mold remediation, mold inspection, and residential and commercial fire clean up. When deciding on your preferred vendor, look for your SERVPRO Texas locations locally owned and operated. We provide an optimal experience and will have your SERVPRO franchise professional reach out as soon as possible.

Here's how we can help:

1. Restoration Costs Less

A complete replacement can be expensive in labor and materials, particularly if the existing materials must be removed first. Depending on the materials selected it can get very expensive. Restoration, on the other hand, requires less labor and materials, and thus costs less to restore vs. replace.

2. Restoration Extends the Life of Your Property

You can defer complete replacement and make future plans for the expenditure in your capital budget.

3. Restoration is More Sustainable

Millions of tons of construction waste end up in landfills annually. Restoration allows you to reuse your existing materials, which in turn is a much more environmentally friendly option. Plus, it can lead to steps to make your building more energy efficient and may help you qualify for ENERGY STAR or LEED credits.

4. Restoration Helps Prevent Catastrophic Loss

Ignoring the fact that your home or business is deteriorating doesn’t make the problem go away; it can only get worse. The more time passes, the greater the potential damage and the more it costs to restore it. At some point, the only option will be total replacement. Continued neglect can put your business, employees and tenants at risk.

Insulation can become wet in a variety of ways. A pipe could burst, a seam could have been improperly welded, or there could be a puncture somewhere on your roofing system, among a wide variety of other possibilities. However, just fixing the cause of the leak is not enough; the wet insulation must be removed.

Here's three potential ramifications anyone in the restoration industry would tell you about leaving wet insulation or other materials behind in your home or business:

1. Structural Stability

As mentioned above, wet materials can negatively impact your entire building. The trapped moisture can begin to degrade the foundation of your home or business starting at the location of the loss and working it’s way out. Rotting can occur and lead to collapses throughout the structure. There is also the overall weight burden to consider. As moisture is collected that particular item gets increasingly heavier. The pressure can be catastrophic to the building and lead to complete system collapse.

2. Energy Efficiency Compromised

The presence of wet products within any structure will generally negate the energy efficiency benefits of any system. This is due to the fact that the moisture is acting as a conductor of energy rather than repelling it as it is designed. Your building will now require more heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, resulting in higher utility bills. Moisture can specifically cause your insulation to lose as much as 40% of it’s thermal residence capabilities.

3. Indoor Air Quality

It is highly likely that your building is being occupied for a good portion of the day and/or night depending on what industry you are in. As a result, air quality is incredibly important. If anything is wet, mold and bacteria can grow. Not a good sign for healthy air or happy occupants. The longer you leave it untreated, the greater the potential danger to your occupants.

It’s important to be proactive with finding your preferred restoration company and preventing similar occurrences like the above scenario from happening. SERVPRO provides quick inspections to any sized disaster. Call your trusted leaders at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for the best water damage restoration in Austin, TX.

24/7, 365 days a year.

Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire in Austin.

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin

Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire can be extremely stressful especially when soot has completely covered your belongings. It should be known that fire damage cleanup is one of the most difficult aspects of a house fire.

In the event of a fire in your home, be sure to call your local Indianapolis fire department first. Your focus should always be safety first. Once you and your family are safe and secure reach out to your insurance agent to see if an insurance claim is necessary.

This is when you call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin . Your family is safe, your insurance has been reviewed, and now you need a fire restoration company.

Soot can develop through three different methods:

·       Wet soot residue results from smoldering, low-heat fires. This residue is sticky, smeary, and has a very pungent odor.

·       Dry soot residue results from fast-burning fires with high temperatures. This residue is typically dry, powdery, and non-smeary.

·       Protein residue is almost invisible but can discolor paints and varnishes in your home. This residue also has an extremely pungent odor.

Each type of smoke damage restoration is different and requires specific expertise to clean. You need a fire restoration company, our team here at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin. We are highly trained in smoke, fire and water cleanup and restoration and can assist in all aspects. We consider everything we need to clean and what our plan is moving forward.

Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Our team will walk your property to determine the extent of damage. We will use specific equipment and cleaning products for the different types of surfaces and products found within your structure.

Depending on the amount of soot, we can lower the cost of cleaning if lighter soot deposits are found. We can also see if the expense can be lower with repainting or refinishing. If this is not the case, we will clean to prepare for painting. This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.

Contents Cleaning - All the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. Our team will begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate.

Both wet and dry-cleaning services can be provided as we deodorize and restore contents to preloss condition. This process would include electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding and much more. Finally, we can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items if so requested.

Deodorization – We provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance. As we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask us to explain the various methods available and which will work best for you.

No matter how difficult or hard you find your situation to be, we can help. Find your fire restoration near me with SERVPRO of Southeast Austin to help restore your home and bring it back to pre-damage conditions. 

Every state in the US is vulnerable to flooding

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin

Austin homeowners may be surprised to know that every state in the US is vulnerable to flooding--even the dry ones. Storm damage repair in Austin will always be a valuable resource. Changes in sea level, as well as weather patterns, are enough to create sudden floods that cause damage to homes and infrastructure.

Homeowners with flood coverage will still need complete restoration from our professional cleanup team if a flood was to occur. Being prepared and asking your insurance agent about flood coverage is the first step. Once you're aware of what's needed and what a flood policy would cover for your home, you will know exactly what to do if an event like this was to occur.

Water can make its way through any structure causing long-term damage. It is important to hire professionals to provide a thorough water damage restoration process to prevent secondary damage. You can potentially need mold remediation in the future if microbial issues are detected.

If your home has been affected, you need a water restoration company that can provide storm damage restoration and rapid flood damage cleanup.

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin technicians are ready to restore your home or business to a preloss condition. Our team has received training from the IICRC to provide the highest standards of cleaning for fire, water, and mold damage.

We work with insurance companies and homeowners to ensure all cleanup processes comply with policy in the event an insurance claim does need to be made.

Completing a Proof of Loss for Your Flood Claim

Your insurance adjuster can assist you in the process of filling out the right paperwork and completing this portion of your claim. Make sure you file as soon as possible, and everything complies with the needs of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. This will help ensure you are paid within 60 days of the flood.

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin technicians will take photos of the damage, document inventory of all possessions, and coordinate with both you and your insurance adjuster. If there are important documents that need to be restored, we can scan and create electronic copies so you can have access to them promptly.

A successful cleanup begins with thorough monitoring of the situation. We use a variety of moisture meters to evaluate the extent of damage before extracting, disinfecting surfaces, and drying your home.

Throughout the drying process, we can use penetrating and non-penetrating moisture sensors and meters to determine the progress from our restoration services. Infrared imaging allows technicians to see behind structures to determine if subfloors, studs, or fiberglass insulation require further drying.

Every surface in your home has an ideal humidity level to maintain its integrity, from hardwood flooring to drywall or your furniture. Our team strives to ensure your items that can be safely restored are handled with the utmost care. Possessions that require replacement are not removed without documentation and the informed consent of homeowners and insurance adjusters.

Your home could potentially need general contracting services for restoration services, which we can walk you through once you decide. SERVPRO of Southeast Austin is licensed to handle both restoration and rebuilding this type of work.

A Quick Response is key to water removal.

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin

Water damage to your home will always be a major event and something most people are not prepared for. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of water damage in an affected area. Your first move is to contact a water remediation company in Austin that you can trust.

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin is here to help as your restoration company to remediate water damage for homes or businesses. We provide cleaning and restoration for residential and commercial locations. as well as content restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and carpet cleaning. According to industry standards, water damage can be categorized into three distinct levels.

Category 1 Water – That which is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. Category 1 water may become progressively contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings or building assemblies (walls, decking, subflooring). Time and temperature, which promote the growth and amplification of microorganisms in water can cause Category 1 water to degrade. Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances, vertically falling rainwater.

Category 2 Water – That which begins with some degree of contamination and could cause health effects if consumed by humans. As with Category 1 water, time and temperature can cause Category 2 water to become progressively more contaminated.

Category 3 Water – That which is highly contaminated and could cause serious health effects if consumed by humans. Examples: sewage, rising flood water from rivers and streams, ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes. There are two ways in which water enters a building as a result of wind storm damage.

Water damage is one of the most common and costly disasters affecting U.S. homeowners yearly, accounting for billions of dollars in losses. Make sure that you've located the water damage company in Austin that you intend to reach out to if an event like this occurs in your home.

You can protect yourself and your home by preparing for the worst. Homeowners insurance and flood policies cover a vast range of potential heavy rain, water extraction, fire and smoke damage, mold removal, and emergency services. Water that comes from the top down, such as rainfall, is covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy, while water that comes from the bottom up, such as an overflowing river, is covered by a separate flood insurance policy. SERVPRO of Southeast Austin also specializes in flood damage repair for Austin.

By the same token, properly maintaining a home is one of the best ways to prevent water damage. A homeowner can prevent water seepage by painting water-sealant around the basement, and avert a sewer backup by installing and maintaining a backwater valve which allows sewage to go out, but not come back in.

Reach out to us here at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for your water damage restoration in Austin, TX.

What to expect from water damage in your home.

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for more information.

Here at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin , we are available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone, Ready to Help

We understand when you are ready to call, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through. SERVPRO of Southeast Austin  has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration as the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO of Southeast Austin  professionals may be needed.

Here are some of the questions you may be asked:

              Your name and contact information

              Your insurance information (if applicable)

              The street address of the water-damaged home or business

              When did the flooding or water damage occur?

              What caused the water damage (if known)?

              Is there electricity available (on-site)?

We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Call us today at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin  for more information.

Acting Quickly and Preventing Mold

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Here to Help.

Restoring Your Property after Water Damage

Have you recently had water damage in your home or business, and are not sure how to handle it? You are not alone, many people are unsure of the steps they should take after having a water damage event, and how they should go about having their home or business properly restored after the damage occurs.

There are a variety of issues that can cause your home or business to suffer from water damage. These can include a flood, burst pipe, sewage backup and more. These issues can occur without any type of warning and gravely affect your Austin home or business.

It is stressful and often it is not clear what to do or who to call. When your home or business suffers from water damage, even an extra hour can significantly worsen the damage. It is important to call water damage professionals immediately to handle your issue. SERVPRO of Southeast Austin can help immediately to stop the damage from worsening and restore your property and belongings to make it "Like it never even happened." Our SERVPRO of Southeast Austin  professionals are highly trained and certified water damage restoration technicians, and we can handle all your water damage restoration water extraction needs.

The first step to restoring your home or business after a water damage event is to act quickly. Acting quickly can help immensely in salvaging and restoring your belongings and property, including the drywall and flooring that is in your home. It is important to note how quickly water can permanently damage organic material. Unfortunately, it is only a matter of hours before your property can be left with irreversible water damage. If our certified SERVPRO of Southeast Austin  technicians are called immediately, we can respond quickly and often save and restore water damage and lessen the chance of secondary issues such as mold growth.

If mold does begin to grow in your home or business, you may need to have mold remediation as well.

Your first step to restoring your home or business is to call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin so that we can respond to your emergency as quickly as possible. After arriving, our technicians will do a thorough inspection with our moisture readers to determine the extent of and where there is potential for water damage and how far the moisture has traveled. Once assessed, our production team will use heavy duty water extractors (powerful pumps and vacuum units) capable of removing hundreds or thousands of gallons of water to pump out standing water and areas of property saturated with water.       

Next, our technicians use room measurements, temperatures from various locations and relative humidity to determine the appropriate number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business. Our air movers are strategically placed to evaporate excess moisture from belongings and property while dehumidifiers reduce the moisture content of the air, hastening the drying process. Once dry, we use cleaning techniques to provide sanitizing, deodorization, and disposal to decrease the possibility of microbial growth.

We are trained to identify and deodorize offensive odors when necessary. Our technical expertise and industrial grade air scrubbers and fogging equipment go well beyond simply masking odors and other shortcuts that do not work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.

Depending on the scenario, we may additionally use antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant treatments to clean your property. We will remove and dispose of damaged materials with guidance from you and your insurance adjuster.

Call us today at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin as we continue to provide support for all your restoration needs.

Water Damage and the Restoration Process

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Ready for whatever happens, Call SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for all your restoration needs.

As a leader in the cleaning and restoration industry, we strive to meet or exceed the expectations of every customer, client, and business that is involved with water damaged property. Every property, every project, every customer deserves excellence.

Water intrusion in a home or business is always a traumatic event. Effectively restoring a water-damaged property is such a valuable service to any homeowner or business owner. This type of disruption creates stress and uncertainty for many individuals and can be very costly.

This is when you call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin to provide guidance and assistance to ensure the best decisions are made through these difficult times.

Excessive water and moisture in any indoor environment can pose health risks for occupants and if it is not resolved properly. Water intrusion can cause severe damages to both your structure and contents.

Properly mitigating, drying, and restoring a water-damaged structure requires training, expertise, and specialized equipment. With hands-on experience and coaching in the field, we are the best in the industry.

The goal of emergency actions is to protect your structure and contents from further damage, establish a safe environment, extract water, demo unrestorable materials, and create the conditions for drying the structure and contents effectively. This typically involves calculating and positioning air movers and dehumidifiers within the affected area.

Once the equipment is placed, we monitor the drying process and make sure it is working properly. Monitoring services continue until the structure and contents are dry as we evaluate, update monitoring logs, and make adjustments as needed.

Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin , “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Prevention & Safety

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for all your fire restoration needs 512-420-9824

National Fire Safety is important all year round and while the main focus is on preventing residential fires, our team here at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin would like to remind everyone this is a great time to revisit workplace fire prevention and safety 

Below are 12 tips to ensure a fire-safe workplace: 

Step 1. Get Organized– Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by preventing access to exits and emergency equipment. 

Step 2. Designated Smoking Areas – Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas. 

Step 3. Fire Extinguishers – Maintaining the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers and learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher. 

Step 4. Electrical Hazards – Report all electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. 

Step 5. Access to Control Panels – Electrical control panels need to have free access maintained so that the electric could be shut off easily. 

Step 6. Maintenance – Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks. 

Step 7. Sprinkler Systems & Smoke Detectors – Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials. Testing of sprinkler systems and smoke detectors at least annually. 

Step 8. Chemical Safety – Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances. 

Step 9. Waste Control & Storage – Control the accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they do not contribute to a fire emergency. 

Step 10. Prevent Ignition – Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required. 

Step 11. Exits – Emergency exit diagrams should be posted and emergency exits should be well lit with neon-regulation signs. 

Step 12. Contact Info – Employees should have a list of emergency contact phone numbers in case of emergency. Remember that people will often panic in an intense situation; therefore basics such as the company address, phone number and floor plan should be posted. 

Planning to ensure fire protection and safety is key to avoiding unwanted fire issues. Our fire repair process is outlined online for your review. Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for all your fire restoration needs.