Smoke Alarms Save Lives

10/6/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms play a crucial role in saving lives, and when properly installed and maintained, can reduce the risk of fire deaths and injuries in half. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke alarms be installed in the following places:

• every bedroom
• outside all sleeping quarters
• on each level of the home

Smoke alarms will help alert you to a fire but it is also a good idea to have a fire escape plan. A plan will allow your family, employees or clients to escape quickly and safely in an emergency situation. Don't forget to also practice this drill twice a year/

Smoke Alarm Safety Tips

• Smoke alarms shouldn't be installed in a kitchen because they can prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance. 
• Make it a monthly habit to test smoke alarms by pressing the "test" button. 
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm "chirps", don't be tempted to remove it and put it in a closet. This means the battery is low and needs to be replaced right away.
• When smoke alarms are 10 years old they should be replaced.

Flood Safety and Action Tips - Storm Season

10/2/2019 (Permalink)

As a large part of the United States enters the storm season, we've put together some flood tips:

• Account that all employees or family members are safe by establishing evacuation plans in advance, identifying areas outside the building that are designated meeting places. Assign select individuals to keep a list of their assigned team’s names and contact numbers in order to account for their whereabouts.
• If water enters the building and evacuation becomes impossible, move to an upper floor, and wait for rescuers.
• While evacuating, avoid attempting to drive through floods or rising water, nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto-related.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do not walk through moving water. Even six inches of moving water can make you fall.
• Use no open flames (there may be gas escaping from ruptured mains).
• Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged. If the water has entered the structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is considered to be black water and could be hazardous to your health. Avoid contact with contaminated items as much as possible.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Listen for news reports to learn if the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Return only when authorities indicate it is safe.

If your home or business suffers from water damage due to a flood, give us a call!

Veteran's Day in San Diego

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

In the USA, Veterans Day falls on November 11 every year. Thisday is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States onVeterans Day. This year Veteran's Day falls on a Monday. See over 4,000 Veterans, Active Military, Bands, Floats and Civic Groups celebrate Veterans Day with the San Diego Veteran's Day Parade. It begins on Monday November 11th at 10am. Viewers will see the parade start on N. Harbor Drive one block south of Grape Street, and proceed south past a long row of grandstands, past the USS Midway, ending at Pacific Highway. SERVPRO of La Mesa and Lemon Grove is proud to employ numerous veterans and their spouses.

The link below lists a number of Veteran's Day deals:

https://militarybenefits.info/local-area-veterans-day-deals-for-veterans/

Can Moldy Contents Be Restored?

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

If you have mold damage in your home it is important to have it professionally re-mediated. One question we often get from customers is if their contents and furniture can be saved. Every year after the rainy season we see an increase in mold claims. 

Here are a few items we recommend discarding if they contain mold damage:

• Clothing, blankets, and bedding (even after laundering the odor can still linger)
• Bath toys
• Books and any paper contents

So what can be cleaned and restored? Hard surface plastic, wood, and non-porous surfaces and contents can sometimes be cleaned.

We understand that special and sentimental items are important and although we may recommend they be discarded, sometimes they can be restored but not suitable for use.

If your home has more than 10sf of visible mold we recommend having an independent assessment completed. This way you can have a report on which items will need to be discarded.

For mold issues or concerns, call SERVPRO of La Mesa and Lemon Grove! 858-527-1144 we are available 24/7

First Day of Fall

9/27/2019 (Permalink)

Happy fall, ya'll!

Monday, September 23rd, 2019 marks the official first day of fall. In San Diego, fall can sometimes still feel like summer but with greater benefits. Now that school is in session, family-oriented attractions have fewer visitors. Additionally, with fall comes fewer conventions, making hotel stays cheaper. Another great thing that comes with fall in San Diego is San Diego Restaurant Week and Festival of Beer. If you like apples, a visit to Julian is a must for a fresh baked apple pie! In La Jolla, we recommend taking a snorkel or kayak tour to check out the (harmless) leopard sharks. One of the absolute best things about fall in San Diego is the breathtaking sunsets. The best place to view a sunset is probably Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach or from a high rise in downtown. No matter what you decide to do, San Diego has plenty of options to enjoy the fall season.

Tropical Depression Imelda Flooding Impact

9/27/2019 (Permalink)

In 2017 we sent a crew to Houston, Texas to assist with Hurricane Harvey. It was one of the most damaging and costly storms our country has ever endured. Unfortunately Texas was recently hit with another catastrophic storm, Imelda. For many Texans this feels like a Harvey 2.0; they never expected to experience something like this again. Imelda, although not a hurricane, brought 43 inches to some areas in southeast Texas. Now that the storm has subsided, damage assessments are underway. Although it is still too early to tell how much damage was done, early reports state over 2,400 insurance claims have been filed. Just like with Hurricane Harvey and all the other storms we've weathered, SERVPRO will be there to assist in the disaster clean-up and restoration.

Why SERVPRO for Saving Hardwood Floors

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

A common concern customers bring up is if we can save their hardwood flooring after a water damage. Depending on a few factors it is possible to save and dry out wood flooring. The most obvious factor is if the flooring is already showing irreparable signs of water damage such as severe buckling. Another factor is if there are other layers of flooring underneath the hardwood trapping the moisture. If it is determined the flooring can be saved we have several pieces of specialty equipment to dry it out. Our most commonly used piece of equipment for top down drying is the Injectidry with floor drying mats. It dries the floor by using negative air pressure to remove the moisture. This equipment can also be be used on tile, marble, and even plaster. 

Importance of Home Maintenance

6/13/2019 (Permalink)

The number one cause of water damage is weather. However, that's something we can't control and don't have to worry too much about in San Diego. The other main causes of water damage are roof leaks and pipe bursts and leaks. The most expensive claims though are fires. Follow the maintenance tips below to help prevent a water or fire damage from happening in your home:

• regularly check the roof for signs of damage, holes, and deterioration
• look over and maintain air conditioners, water heaters, and supply lines
• keep an eye out for signs of slow pipe leaks such as staining, bulging, cracking, and increased water bills
• in commercial buildings, check water sprinklers for signs of damage or rust

If you think you may have water damage, give us a call today and we'll come inspect your home!

Fire Damage Dos and Dont's

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

The most frequently asked question we have from our clients with fire and smoke damage is "What do I do until help arrives?"
Safety is always the number one priority for everyone involved, from resident to property manager to service providers. If at any time a situation feels unsafe, trust your instincts and wait until help arrives to take care of the damage.
If the circumstances are safe, the following emergency tips will assisy you in taking the proper action until your service provider arrives.

Fire & Smoke Damage

DO:

• 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.
• If the electricity is off, empty freezer and leave the door open to prevent odor buildup.
• Gently wash the leaves of house plants.

DON'T:

• Consume any food or drinks that were stored near the fire, whether sealed or not the heat could penetrate the packaging causing it to spoil.
• DIY clean the rugs, upholstery, clothing, or soft goods. Leave it to the professionals to clean the soot and odor from these materials.
• Attempt to wipe down the walls/ceiling without consulting a professional first.

Storm Preparedness

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Are your prepared for a storm? San Diego's city crews work hard preparing storm drains, roadways, and city facilities for the winter months. 

They also need our help as residents and business owners to make sure we are ready.

Before it rains:

• Use the Get It Done app to report blocked storm drains, potholes, and broken street lights.
• Sign up for Alert San Diego notifications on your cellular device.
• Prepare sandbags ahead of time if you live in an area that is potential to flood.

When rain arrives:

• Flooding can be reported to the city's emergency dispatch center at 619-527-7500.
• Report downed electrical lines or gas emergencies to San Diego Gas & Electric at 800-411-7343.
• Drive carefully and allow extra time on your commute getting home or to work.

After rain passes:

• To report structural damage to your property or residence, call the City's emergency dispatch center at 619-527-7500.
• Contact your property insurance carrier to report damages to your property and learn how to file a claim with the City for flood damage.