What are MOLDS?

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Mold? Call SERVPRO of Olmos Park at (210) 899-1017

One of the most common questions we receive at SERVPRO® is: what exactly is mold.  What kind of mold do I have?  How do I keep it from spreading?

Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. In addition, mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.

What are some of the common indoor molds?

• Cladosporium
• Penicillium
• Alternaria
• Aspergillus

SERVPRO® can help to remediate the mold in your home.  In addition, SERVPRO® will bring in air scrubbers that will help to remove the mold spores in the air in order to prevent any additional mold from forming.  In most cases, the contaminated area will be sealed off in order to contain the mold spores in the air while the air is being "scrubbed" by the air scrubbers.

In many cases, the mold can simply be remediated.  Please give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Refrigerator Leaks

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

Refrigerator Leak? Call SERVPRO of Olmos Park at: (210) 899-1017

Maybe your water alarm alerted you, maybe you see a puddle or some dripping, or maybe you see some signs of water damage (corrosion, water stains, etc.). Once you’ve discovered a leak, consider the possible causes.

Blocked defroster. A blocked defroster can stop defrost-cycle water from draining properly. Try clearing out the small drain by pouring hot water into it. Remove any debris with a pipe cleaner.

Drain pan. Sometimes the drain pan itself can leak. Check for cracks.

Filter. Refrigerators with filters can leak if the filter is the wrong size or not installed properly.

Water line. This is potentially the most problematic. Refrigerators with ice makers or water dispensers have water lines running between the main water supply and the back of the fridge. Feel to see if the water line is wet or dripping. Cracked hoses and loose connections are often the culprit.

Refrigerator leaks can damage the flooring and cabinets in your kitchen.  If you experience a refrigerator leak, please contact SERVPRO of Olmos Park right away to treat and help to prevent any further damage. Call (210) 899-1017. 

Water is Leaking Through My Light Fixture! What Should I Do?

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

Water leaking at light fixture

Water leaking through a light fixture is a common problem in homes that have plumbing leaks, which can occur either under or behind the sink, around the bathtub, or anywhere where water can collect. When it happens, it's important to act quickly to prevent further damage. This article will help you understand why water is leaking through your light fixture and what you can do about it.

If your water is leaking through a light fixture, there are several things you should do immediately. This is a serious problem. Do not touch the light fixture or any electrical equipment in the area. Call an electrician right away to fix it for you. If you don’t know where to find an electrician, look online or ask friends and family members if they can recommend somebody. Do not try to fix this by yourself!

Turn Off the Water and Electricity 

This should be obvious, but it's worth stating. Turning off the water will prevent further damage if you don't know where the leak is coming from yet. If you can't turn off your pipes or faucet, use a wet/dry vacuum to clean up as much water as possible before calling a professional for help.

Clean Up the Mess

If you have a wet/dry vacuum, use it to suck up any water that is on the floor. If this is impossible to do due to the leak being too big or your vacuum not being strong enough, then use a towel or other absorbent material (like an old t-shirt) and soak up as much water as possible.

Monitor the Situation

To monitor the situation, you'll need to keep an eye on the room temperature and humidity levels. If they rise above normal levels and/or you notice a musty odor, it's possible that mold has begun to grow in your home. If this happens, call a specialist right away! It's important not to wait until the damage is too severe before seeking out help—a professional can help you fix any problems before they become too severe.

When you have a water leak in your home, SERVPRO of Olmos Park to help get your home back to normal. 

Three Steps To Avoid Calling a Fire Restoration Company

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

Clean the lint screen of your dryer.

Did you know that your clothes dryer can be a cause of a home lint fire? According to the United States Fire Administration, there are about 2,900 clothes dryer fires reported each year. The USFA also states that almost 35% of those fires could have been prevented if the dryer had been cleaned. Ensure that your San Antonio, home or business' dies not suffer the devastating effects of fire damage by cleaning your dryer regularly. Here are 3 steps to follow. 

1. Clean the Screen
The first part to clean is the lint screen. Every clothes dryer has a lint screen located on top or inside the bottom of the door. There are three ways to remove lint from the screen:

• Run your fingers gently across the screen
• Wipe a used dryer sheet on the screen
• Use a vacuum brush attachment
  
  

It’s important to clean the lint screen before each new load to prevent a lint fire. If you use dryer sheets, remove the screen every month and run it under water to remove any residue.

2. Deep Clean the Vents
In addition to cleaning the screen, it’s necessary to deep-clean the vents at least once a year. Lint can get trapped and accumulate inside the vent, which leads to inefficient drying and possible combustion. Fortunately, cleaning the vent isn’t difficult.

First, unplug the dryer and shut off the power to the machine. Next, move the dryer away from the wall and remove the hose. Third, gently wipe the interior or put a vacuum attachment inside to pull out the lint. Finally, use a dryer cleaning kit and follow the instructions to clean the wall vent.

3. Clean the Exterior and Interior
Cleaning the outside and inside of the appliance prevents a dryer fire. Remove the back panel of your dryer with a screwdriver and gently wipe all areas with a soft cloth. Check inside as well to remove any lint in the drum.
Removing lint from the screen before each load and thoroughly cleaning the vents and dryer can prevent a lint fire.

Call SERVPRO of Olmos Park today at (210) 899-1017. 

SERVPRO of Olmos Park - Faster to any Disaster

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Olmos Park Van is ready to respond faster to any disaster.

Although it is something that none of us ever want to deal with, flooding will happen at one point or another in your home. Flooding can occur many different ways in your San Antonio home -- a malfunctioning appliance, a pipe that burst, a family member who walked away from a filling bath tub for a little too long. When your San Antonio home experiences water damage, immediate action is crucial in minimizing the extent of the damage done to your property. SERVPRO of Olmos Park responds quickly; we make it a priority to get your life back to normal as soon as possible. Our highly-trained professionals use advanced equipment and techniques to remove water efficiently. SERVPRO of Olmos Park will make it "Like it never even happened."

If your home experiences flooding or water damage, don't delay - Call SERVPRO of Olmos Park today. 

Prevent Secondary Damage - Call SERVPRO of Olmos Park

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

Mold! Oh No! Call SERVPRO of Olmos Park 210-899-1017

Call SERVPRO® of Olmos Park to Prevent Secondary Damage

You have heard it said again and again: Time is money.

The old adage is never more true than when dealing with a water-damaged home or business. Every minute matters, because every minute the property remains wet could turn primary damage into secondary- or even permanent damage.  That's why emergency response matters.  

Secondary water damage occurs when the moisture from the primary event (flood, leak, etc.) begins to evaporate on its own into the air.  Over time the air will no longer be able to hold the moisture from the evaporation.  The moisture will have to go somewhere and a very basic principle behind psychometrics is that wet goes to dry.  The moisture may go into your drywall, cabinetry, sheetrock, hardwood floors, vinyl floors, etc.  Once the moisture is allowed to sit, mold can then begin to grow.  This is why emergency action is so incredibly important.

Let's face it: Floods, burst pipes, and leaks simply don't abide by the 9-to-5 workday.  So why should your restoration provider?  SERVPRO® of Olmos Park Professionals are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the state-of-the-art equipment and proven methods to get the job done right as quickly as possible.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is Hazmat and Bio Hazard Removal Trained

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Bio hazard clean up is considered: blood clean up, urine clean up, human feces clean up, animal feces clean up, vomit clean up, and the clean up of other human fluids.  General maid and janitorial services will not remove these items due to their potentially hazardous nature.  SERVPRO of Olmos Park technicians are trained and properly uniformed to safely remove bio hazardous materials. This is why you can rely on SERVPRO of Olmos Park to get the job done quickly, safely, and to sanitation standards.  Many homes and buildings that have been left unattended and/or improperly cared for will generally require this type of service. SERVPRO of Olmos Park will remove all hazardous items and properly dispose of them. If your home or your business is in need of bio hazard removal, please do not hesitate to call today.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is "Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified"

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

If you or your business has suffered a water damage, fire damage, mold damage, or bio hazard damage, odds are it has affected some sort of fabric or textile in your home.  The IICRC is a certification and Standards Developing Organization (SDO) non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. In partnership with regional and international trade associates, the IICRC serves more than 25 countries.

When you see a IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property.

Do you need upholstery cleaning or carpet cleaning for your home or business performed by a company that is IICR certified?  SERVPRO of Olmos Park cleans: carpeting, upholstery for general cleaning, pet dander, rugs, smoke damage, office carpet tile, and more. 

Source: http://www.IICRC.org

Why SERVPRO - SERVPRO of Olmos Park Mold Technicians are Mold Certified

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO - SERVPRO of Olmos Park Mold Technicians are Mold Certified

Are you smelling mildew or a musty odor in your home or business?  Can you visually see mold growth? Have you obtained a mold protocol? SERVPRO of Olmos Park can perform your Mold Remediation using a Mold Certified Technician so you know it will be done right. Mold remediation means the removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter. The mold remediation industry is regulated to ensure that persons conducting mold assessment and remediation services are properly trained and licensed, and are following minimum standards that protect the health of workers and building occupants. Don't hesitate to give us a call today to set up a time to start the mold remediation process. (210) 348-2911

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park has Great Reviews!

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park has Great Reviews!

SERVPRO of Olmos Park works very hard every day to ensure a great customer experience. 

The review below is from a customer in Olmos Park whose kitchen flooded with water due to a refrigerator leak. We were able to come out right away and remove the water and dry out the flooring, cabinets, and walls. The sooner the water is removed, the better - especially for wood. 

Her review is below.

"Greatest experience in a very trying time. My house flooded from a broken ice maker line while I was at work. Angel was there within 45 minutes and had the water extracted lightning fast. He came back everyday exactly when he said he would and dried out my house perfectly! Thank you SERVPRO of Olmos Park!"

Thank YOU for the great review!

If your home or business has suffered from a water damage, please call as soon as possible. The first 48 hours are critical. (210) 871-9752

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO Uses Industrial Grade Equipment and Cleaning Products on your Home or Business

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business has suffered a water damage event, simply cleaning up the water and opening up the windows will not completely dry the space, leaving your home or business vulnerable to future mold growth (known as secondary damage).  SERVPRO of Olmos Park uses industrial grade dehumidifiers and fans to completely dry your home or business.  SERVPRO of Olmos Park uses moister testing devices to make sure your walls, closets, and floors are dry before we leave your home and close out the job.  In addition to drying, commercial grade anti-fungal treatments are applied in order to prevent mold from forming.

If your home or business has suffered a fire damage event, air scrubbers are brought in to the area to "scrub" the air clean and remove the chemical and smoke odor. In addition to air scrubbers, special cleaning agents are used to save as many smoke-affected items as possible in your home or business.

If your home or business has suffered a water damage, fire damage, or mold growth event, please do not hesitate to call us today.

Why SERVPRO – SERVPRO of Olmos Park Has Been Locally Owned and Operated in Olmos Park for Years

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO – SERVPRO of Olmos Park Has Been Locally Owned and Operated in Olmos Park for Years

The owner of SERVPRO of Olmos Park is a resident of San Antonio himself and has been helping home and business owners in the San Antonio area for over a decade. We have worked with all the insurance companies and know most of their agents. We are here to help not only you and your home or business, but Olmos Park as well. When Olmos Park is successful, we are all successful. We also service the surrounding areas of: Shearer Hills, Beacon Hill, Balcones Heights, and Tobin Hill as well. Each franchise of SERVPRO is individually owned and operated. Click HERE to view our team and HERE to learn more about us. SERVPRO of Olmos Park, Here to Serve the Olmos Park Area.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO® Will Work with Your Insurance

3/20/2021 (Permalink)

In the unfortunate event your home or business suffers: water damage, fire damage, mold damage, or bio-hazard clean up needs,  SERVPRO® of Olmos Park will work seamlessly with your insurance company.  This means less hassle and less worry for you. Our employees talk with insurance adjusters every day to make sure things are billed correctly with your insurance and the job is properly documented to ensure things are going according to plan. Being in business for years and years, whatever property and casualty insurance you or your company uses, odds are we have worked with them in the past.  If you need the job done right with less hassle for you, your boss, and your employees, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Olmos Park.  (210) 348-2911

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is Faster to Disaster

3/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Olmos Park offers a 24 hour emergency service.  Our office is open Monday through Friday, however there will always be someone to answer your call after hours and on the weekends.  If the event is classified as an emergency, SERVPRO of Olmos Park will be out right away regardless of time or day.  When hurricanes, floods, wild fires, and other disasters strike all around the country, SERVPRO franchises band together and travel sometimes thousands of miles to come to the disaster area to help restore homes and businesses affected. If there is a catastrophic event in your area, SERVPRO of Olmos Park will call in "extreme teams" that will arrive in your city or town to help cover more ground and to help more home and business owners. If your home or business has suffered a water damage or other emergency event, please do not hesitate to call.  (210) 348-2911

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park Can Clean and Sanitize for COVID-19 Safely

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park Can Clean and Sanitize for COVID-19 Safely

First and foremost, we would like to thank our community’s medical professionals and essential workers for helping us all to get through this time together.

SERVPRO of Olmos Park is HAZMAT and Bio Hazard removal certified. The industrial grade chemicals that SERVPRO of Olmos Park uses to clean, disinfect, and sanitize are high-grade and effective. If you are looking to have your business cleaned and sanitized, please give us a call today. If you are looking to have your business cleaned and sanitized after COVID-19 has infected your office, business, or commercial space, please give us a call today. Because we are HAZMAT certified, we are able to clean areas with known COVID-19 contaminations. SERVPRO of Olmos Park is available and here to help. For more information on Commercial Cleaning, click HERE.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park Understands That When It Comes to Business, Time is Money

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park Understands That When It Comes to Business, Time is Money

When SERVPRO of Olmos Park restores commercial spaces from water damage, mold, fire damage, and other damage, we understand that the longer a business cannot operate, the longer it cannot generate revenue. SERVPRO of Olmos Park will work emergency hours and around the clock to get your business back up and running as fast as possible while working with your insurance company the entire way. No commercial job is too big or too involved for SERVPRO. We are faster to any size disaster and are here to help. To learn more about SERVPRO of Olmos Park commercial restoration click HERE or call today to learn more: (210) 871-9752

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park Employees are Well-Trained

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Olmos Park Employees are Well-Trained

Back in 1992, SERVPRO Corporate developed a National Training Center to teach restoration and mitigation skills to franchise owners, employees, and insurance industry professionals.

The National Training Center offers employee training as a self paced program designed specifically for SERVPRO employees. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Training focuses include:

• Water Restoration
• Crew Training
• Fire Restoration
• Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

SERVPRO of Olmos Park is an approved IICRC (Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning) Training School that offers year-around classes in the following categories:

• Fire Restoration
• Water Restoration
• Carpet Cleaning
• Upholstery Cleaning
• Applied Structural Drying

In addition, SERVPRO of Olmos Park is bio hazard and mold certified as well. Click HERE to view our full list of certifications and affiliations. 

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is at the Forefront of Continuing Education for the Insurance Industry

3/21/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is at the Forefront of Continuing Education for the Insurance Industry

SERVPRO of Olmos Park offers complementary continuing education credits for insurance and real estate industry professionals.  Call today to find out when and where the next class is.

SERVPRO of Olmos Park offers both credit and noncredit courses for: real estate professionals, insurance adjusters, insurance agents, and franchise staff. These programs are designed to improve knowledge of emergency mitigation. Courses include:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Restoration and Remediation
• Restorative Drying for Loss Control
• Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar
  (non-credit course)

When we all work together for our clients, everyone wins. Striving for the most efficient and cost-effective restoration process is always the goal. SERVPRO of Olmos Park is happy to offer CE credits in our specialty lines of business.