Smoke and Fire Damage in Your Palo Alto Home

11/28/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Palo Alto will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. You may have water damage from the firefighting efforts that may have caused mold. For all your cleaning and restoration services, we have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today – (650) 800-3448

Commercial Mold Remediation at Palo Alto Restaurant

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Damage in Palo Alto

SERVPRO of Palo Alto got a call from a local restaurant that they suspected mold in one of their storage rooms. After using advanced proprietary equipment to detect the presence of mold, SERVPRO of Palo Alto determined there was mold and started on the mold remediation process right away.

Because the restaurant had previously experienced water damage that was not properly taken care of (they forgot to call SERVPRO of Palo Alto!), it created a mold situation that required mediation. The expertly trained technicians brought in their equipment and started to protect the rest of the premises from the effects of mold, in addition to keeping it from spreading and getting worse.

Mold mitigation (or mold remediation, as it's also called) in Palo Alto calls for a quick, professional response from a damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Palo Alto. Serving the Bay Area communities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Atherton, and Stanford, SERVPRO of Palo Alto gets five-star reviews for their work in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, smoke and soot restoration, and in the case of this restaurant, mold mitigation.

If you suspect mold damage, please call SERVPRO of Palo Alto at (650) 800-2448 today! 

How Does Mold Remediation in Palo Alto Work?

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Palo Alto takes care of your belongings.

When you discover mold in your home, there are lots of uncertainties and decisions to made. Can I take care of it myself? Do I need to hire a mold remediation company like SERVPRO® of Palo Alto? In most cases, it's best to call in restoration professionals like those at SERVPRO. They can assess the extent of the mold, propose a solution, and use advanced equipment and trained technicians to mitigate mold.

One area that is often overlooked are your possessions; your art, your clothing, your furniture and all your treasures. When your home has a loss such as fire or flooding from a kitchen fire or pipe break often times, mold can also be an issue with your possessions. Have they also been affected? They may need to be packed out for safekeeping during remediation and repairs.

SERVPRO® of Palo Alto have been helping customers since the beginning protect their treasures and family heirlooms. After a loss happens, we can inventory your contents and create a non-salvage list for those that are beyond repair, we can pack out and store your items in our secure, temperature controlled warehouse, provide a post construction clean after repairs and pack back all your contents, all to help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

If you discover mold in your home call us at 650-800-3448 for a quick and easy mold remediation process.

#SERVPROPaloAlto#SERVPRO #LikeItNeverEvenHappened #HereToHelp #ReBuildingStories

Tips to Prevent Mold in Carpet After Water Damage in Palo Alto

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

Moldy carpet in Palo Alto.

If you have recently had any amount of water damage in your Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Redwood City, or Stanford home, whether it's a small leak or a major flood, there is an increased chance for mold to take occur and grow. Very little moisture is necessary for mold to become harmful and start to spread. Since mold has the potential to cause various health issues, such as respiratory issues and fungal infections, here are a few tips to help prevent mold growth in your carpet after water damage.

Dry Quickly

If you've had recently experienced a flood or a leak, it is important to get the water up as fast as possible. Utilize fans to increase the effectiveness. This will not only help to dry the carpet, it will also circulate the air in the area.

Use a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture in an area. They will make the air feel cooler and inhibit the growth of mold.

Call SERVPRO of Palo Alto

SERVPRO of Palo Alto will arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

For help restoring your home or business after a water loss, call SERVPRO of Palo Alto at (650) 800-3448. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Does your Palo Alto Home Have Mold?

9/21/2018 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO of Palo with your mold mitigation.

As a homeowner, you want to keep your house looking great. You may have purchased ceramic tiles for your kitchen floor, bathroom walls, or hallways. To clean ceramic tiles and keeping them in pristine condition all year round is a difficult task. Tiled surfaces are not safe from mold. Water may seep through and develop mold in grout and behind the tiles. Grout materials are usually made of some porous material which can attract moisture, ultimately creating mold. Luckily, SERVPRO of Palo Alto can help with mold mitigation.

Why Stains and Molds Occur

There many reasons why stains could have developed in your ceramics. One of the reasons causing these stains are various types of bacteria that has formed under or on the tile. Preventing and treating bacteria is the best way to keep your tiles looking wonderful.

 
Behind Tile and Walls 
 
Many times, mold may not be visible to the naked eye, but a particular smell or stain can give you a hint. In some cases, mold can grow into large patches behind tiles or walls, creating large patches of growth out of sight. This bacteria may be dangerous, as these patches of mold can grow to immense sizes before being noticed.

Prevent Mold Growth 
 
Cheap or damaged grout and wall materials can lead to mold growth. It is important to apply new layers of waterproof grout to ensure that wall materials are in good shape. Make sure to pay attention to any stain or odor in order to identify the source and prevent future mold growth in the area.

Our SERVPRO of Palo Alto technicians are trained to thoroughly examine and clean mold from tiled surfaces, and to save as much of the tile as possible. If you need to get rid of your mold fast, call us 24/7 at 650-800-3448 for quick response times and quality service.

Mold Cleanup and Mold Mitigation for Your Palo Alto Property

9/20/2018 (Permalink)

Mold in a Palo Alto home as a result of winter rains

Palo Alto homes aren't immune to mold. When your Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, or Menlo Park home is affected by mold damage, you need mold mitigation experts like those at SERVPRO of Palo Alto to mitigate mold as soon as possible.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. 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 a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• 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.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

Contact SERVPRO of Palo Alto to address mold remediation issues found in your home by calling 650-800-3448 today. We are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week!

Mold Remediation in Palo Alto

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Palo Alto Mold Remediation

Mold can pose a serious problem to your home or business. Not only because mold can damage walls, carpet, and flooring, but because it can also affect your health in various ways. Infants and the elderly, in addition to other vulnerable population, are particularly susceptible to the harmful health effects of mold.This means that once you discover mold in your home or business in Palo Alto, Atherton, Menlo Park, and Redwood City, you need to call a mold remediation company like SERVPRO of Palo Alto to help with mold mitigation and mold remediation. Your health, and the health of those around you can depend on it.

When your home or business suffers water damage due to flooding or human error, a mold infestation can quickly start and spread throughout your property in less than 72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you need experts like those at SERVPRO of Palo Alto that have the extensive training and experience to properly resolve your mold issues that require mold remediation. If you’ve had water damage, there’s a chance that your Palo Alto home or business also has a mold problem. SERVPRO of Palo Alto can inspect, assess, and remediate your Palo Alto, Atherton, Menlo Park, or Redwood City property.

Did You Know?

Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors, so there’s no way to remove all mold from a home or business. Read below to find out why.

• 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. They can even attach to your clothes or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water, which is why you should check for mold after you experience water damage. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before SERVPRO of Palo Alto can start mold remediation, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may come back.
• 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.
• Basements are particularly susceptible to mold since they can flood, especially during rain storms.

The Mold Remediation Process at SERVPRO of Palo Alto

SERVPRO of Palo Alto treats each mold remediation job individually, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. Here are the steps we generally take when treating mold in Palo Alto, Atherton, Menlo Park, and Redwood City:

CALL US! - (650) 800-3448
The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our efficient representative will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel we need to treat your particular mold mitigation issue.

Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
We carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.

Mold Containment
Our professionals use a variety of containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.

Air Filtration
Our specialized filtration equipment allows our SERVPRO expert technicians to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We’ll use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. It may be necessary to remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Your Belongings
We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and disinfect your belongings. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may have been removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. The restoration step gets your home or business back to normal.

The mold remediation (or mold mitigation) process may seem overwhelming and scary, but when you trust in mold remediation experts like those at SERVPRO of Palo Alto for service in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, and Redwood City, your mold issue will be taken care of quickly and efficiently. “Like it never even happened.”

How to Prevent Mold

11/2/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Palo Alto

We here at SERVPRO of Palo Alto know the kind of problems mold can cause to both people and property. Not only is it unsightly, but uncontrolled indoor mold can cause health problems ranging from mild to serious, depending on the extent of mold and on the health and/or ages of a home's occupants. If you have mold remediation needs, give us a call. SERVPRO of Palo Alto technicians are highly trained and certified in mold restoration, mold remediation, and mold cleanup. To help prevent mold in and around your house, read the tips below.

First, what is mold, exactly?

Mold is a type of fungi that lives everywhere. There are at least 300,000 mold species that can spread by disbursing spores that lie dormant until conditions are right for growth. As a homeowner, mold prevention means controlling the conditions that promote mold growth, which means keeping things dry. Mold multiplies where conditions are wet or damp, such as in a bathroom or after a flood or water leakage. If you control the moisture in your home, you hold the key to mold prevention.

How does mold affect your health?

People sensitive to mold, especially those with poor or underdeveloped immune systems (infants, the elderly, those with autoimmune disorders), may suffer minor to serious conditions such as: nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation when exposed to mold. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses may develop mold infections in their lungs, requiring long-term medical care.

Mold thrives and grows where conditions are wet or damp, so as a homeowner, the key to mold prevention is controlling the moisture in your home. With a little effort, you can help prevent mold in your basement, crawlspace, or common areas like the kitchen or bathroom. Here are some tips to keep mold in and around your home at bay.

Start indoors

• Control indoor humidity – the ideal relative humidity is at 30 to 50, but if you live in a high humidity area, you probably need a portable dehumidifier, which can remove up to nine gallons of water a day from the air of a basement or house. However, this can cost quite a bit in electricity, so look for models with an Energy Star seal.
• Ventilate humidity-producing appliances such as your clothes dryer and stove to the outside. It’s obvious with the clothes dryer, but stoves also produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside. When buying a new stove or renovating your kitchen, a gas stove with a hood is preferable.
• When you take a long, hot shower, keep the bathroom fan on or open the window. Use exhaust fans or open windows when cooking or washing dishes.
• Insulate cold water pipes to prevent condensation that will add moisture to the environment.
• Fix plumbing leaks as soon as possible and dry things like any flooring or carpeting thoroughly. Use a dehumidifier if necessary.
• If you spot mold inside your house, clean it from hard surfaces with commercial mold removal products or a bleach solution of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. CAUTION: Never ever mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners because the toxic fumes will create a severe health hazard.
• Keep mold prevention in mind when remodeling or decorating by avoiding the use of carpet in bathrooms and basements where they are likely to absorb moisture.

Go outside

• Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water doesn’t seep into the basement or crawlspace. If water puddles around the foundation after a heavy rain, you may have a problem with leaks and potential mold formation.
• Clean and repair roof gutters regularly. Clean gutters at least every six months--more if you live in an especially rainy area. Make sure the gutter downspouts direct water away from the house.
• Keep air conditioning drain lines flowing well and away from the house.

Do you still have problems with mold? SERVPRO of Palo Alto can help! SERVPRO of Palo Alto technicians are highly trained to properly clean and restore your house so that it feels like home again. We are experts at mold remediation. We can make it "Like it never even happened." Call us at (650) 800-3448 for a free estimate and fast service.

Does your Palo Alto Home Have Mold?

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

As a homeowner, you want to keep your house looking great. You may have purchased ceramic tiles for your kitchen floor, bathroom walls, or hallways. To clean ceramic tiles and keeping them in pristine condition all year round is a difficult task. Tiled surfaces are not safe from mold. Water may seep through and develop mold in grout and behind the tiles. Grout materials are usually made of some porous material which can attract moisture, ultimately creating mold. Luckily, SERVPRO of Palo Alto can help with mold mitigation.

Why stains and molds occur

There many reasons why stains could have developed in your ceramics. One of the reasons causing these stains are various types of bacteria that has formed under or on the tile. Preventing and treating bacteria is the best way to keep your tiles looking wonderful.

 
Behind Tile and Walls 
 
Many times, mold may not be visible to the naked eye, but a particular smell or stain can give you a hint. In some cases, mold can grow into large patches behind tiles or walls, creating large patches of growth out of sight. This bacteria may be dangerous, as these patches of mold can grow to immense sizes before being noticed.

Prevent Mold Growth 
 
Cheap or damaged grout and wall materials can lead to mold growth. It is important to apply new layers of waterproof grout to ensure that wall materials are in good shape. Make sure to pay attention to any stain or odor in order to identify the source and prevent future mold growth in the area.

Our SERVPRO of Palo Alto technicians are trained to thoroughly examine and clean mold from tiled surfaces, and to save as much of the tile as possible. If you need to get rid of your mold fast, call us 24/7 at 650-800-3448 for quick response times and quality service.
 

Common Places in Your Home to Find Mold Damage

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Mold infested kitchen pantry. Don't forget to check out our Before/After photos!

Patches of mold growth are relatively common in homes in Palo Alto, requiring mold cleanup and mold remediation.

In Pantries and Refrigerators 

Food scraps can grow old and begin to rot and grow mold. This is dangerous because mold can spread across surface inside of a pantry, refrigerator, or any dark moist space. Make sure to maintain food fresh and sealed to prevent mold contamination in these areas.

Laundry Rooms

Laundry rooms are a common place for mold to grow. Laundry rooms provide many places for mold to grow and spread. Damp clothes, a humid atmosphere, and sometimes leaks or condensation around washers and dryers can result in mold formation.

In the Bathroom 
Mold Damage in Palo Alto homes grow in bathrooms. These areas provide the perfect atmosphere for mold growth: significant amounts of water, often with humid air, and dark for most hours of the day. Mold can form in cabinets, on towels and clothes. Shower curtains, plain wooden walls, tiles, and floors can be hiding bacteria. Whenever we respond to mold damage in a bathroom, we make sure to locate the source and prevent it from spreading in other areas in the home.

Behind Walls and Ceilings 
Mold patches are usually caused when a pipe leaks or bursts and dampens the wood surrounding it. This can result in mold growth that is out of view and inside the walls. Mold will spread quickly damaging and weakening your home. If you have had a recent water damage in your home, make sure to test the walls for possible mold.

For a homeowner, mold is a threat that they don't even know is there until they either see it or smell it. SERVPRO of Palo Alto is determined to remove that threat and its effects. If you believe you may be dealing with a mold problem that requires mold mitigation, call us today at 650-800-3448 for an inspection, and to get the process started.

"Do I Have A Mold Problem?" Call SERVPRO of Palo Alto to Find Out

9/20/2017 (Permalink)

Experiencing mold issues can cause headaches to homeowners, especially if contractors fail to take the necessary measures to clear the mold. Failing to properly provide mold remediation can cause mold to return.

At SERVPRO of Palo Alto, our customers’ safety and satisfaction is our priority. Our SERVPRO professionals will help you find the source that caused mold to form, and will remediate the problem using the proper steps to give you peace of mind, as well as provide you with exceptional service. Mold remediation is not complete until the source has been discovered and the mold eliminated.

When treating mold growth, SERVPRO of Palo Alto follows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) procedures. Our technicians are highly trained to treat obvious mold growth using plastic sheeting to protect the rest of the home during remediation. For extensive mold, we use state-of-the-art scrubbing equipment to ensure mold particles are eliminated. If demolition is necessary, we remove the colonies and any porous material that has been affected.  Our technicians will follow all local regulations for disposal of removed material.

SERVPRO of Palo Alto looks for even the smallest details in the structure that may allow moisture to intrude and cause another outbreak. Our mold specialists will then disinfect the affected areas using exceptional cleaning methods and techniques.

Call SERVPRO of Palo Alto if you suspect a mold problem in your home, or if you have visible mold from a previous water damage event. If this is the case, you’ll want professionals with the training, experience, and equipment to properly resolve the mold infestation. Call us today at 650-800-3448.

Mold Cleanup for Your Palo Alto Property

8/23/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in a Home Caused After Winter Rains

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. 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 a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• 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.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

Contact SERVPRO of Palo Alto to address mold remediation issues found inb your home by calling 650-800-3448. We are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.