Recent Posts

Preparing For Water Damage In Your Home

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

Tips to Prepare for Water Damage

  1. Look up your insurance coverage. Most renter’s or homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flooding, or even a sewer backup. Find out what coverage you have.
  2. Keep a record of all of your belongings. Take photos and keep copies of a receipt or other documents for the more valuable items. Store a copy of these records online or at another location. If you do experience water damage, it can be easy to forget about certain items.
  3. Take steps to limit the risk of water damage within your home by checking pipes frequently and paying attention to any indicators of water damage, such as dripping sounds in the walls, dark spots on the ceiling, or significant change in your water bill.
  4. Set up your home so that it is less at risk of damage from heavy rains or flooding by ensuring that your roof is sound. Make sure there are no cracks in the foundation. Check that the landscaping around your home is sloped to direct water away from your foundation, rather than toward it.
  5. Find an expert you can count on. Water damage can be overwhelming, and you don’t want to be desperately searching for a water restoration expert at 3 AM when the pipes break. SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom is here to take care of you – call 916-525-1241.

Those Fire Damage Facts

2/22/2023 (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 Fair Oaks / Folsom 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.  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 – SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom 916-525-1241.

If you need help with your fire emergency visit http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration to find out how SERVPRO is able to help you.

House Fire Tips

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

House fires can be devastating for a family. You may never truly feel prepared, but there are steps you can take to become prepared. The American Red Cross has gone to great lengths on their web page providing tips and suggestions on home fire prevention. 

The 7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

  1. Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

  2. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

  3. Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.

  4. Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.

  5. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.

  6. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.

  7. Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

For more details visit:

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness

If you need help with your fire emergency visit http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration to find out how SERVPRO is able to help you.

If you have a water or fire emergency be sure to call SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom at 916-525-1241 so we can help you today!

You can follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROfairoaksfolsom

Keep Free Holiday Fire Damage

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping your family safe from fire during the holidays is so important.

Cooking fires are common during Thanksgiving and the holidays. The US Fire Administration has quite a few tips and suggestions on their website to help with fire safety during the holidays. 

If you or your loved one has recently suffered from a fire, be sure to contact SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom to help you with your restoration needs. Call us 24/7 at 916-987-0400. 

Are you considering frying a turkey for Thanksgiving?  Please consider the 

Five dangers of deep frying a turkey:

  1. Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area.
  2. An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in, and a partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when put in the pot.
  3. Even a small amount of cooking oil spilling on a hot burner can cause a large fire.
  4. Without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire.
  5. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot.

For more information visit the US Fire Administration website: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/cooking.html

If you need help with your emergency visit: http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com/. If you have a water or fire emergency be sure to call SERVPRO of Fair Oaks/Folsom at 916-525-1241 so we can help you today!

You can follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROfairoaksfolsom

Proper Cleanup

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

Are you aware of the proper disposal of contaminated needles and blood tube holders? From the OSHA website: 

Appropriate Disposal of Contaminated Sharps:

  • Employers must make available, closable, puncture resistant, leakproof sharps containers that are appropriately labeled and color-coded. The containers must also have an opening that is large enough to accommodate disposal of the entire blood collection assembly (i.e. blood tube holder and needle).
  • Employees must have access to sharps containers that are easily accessible to the immediate area where sharps are used (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i)).
  • If employees travel from one location to another (e.g. from one patient room to another or from one facility to another), the employee must be provided with a sharps container which is conveniently placed or portable at each location/facility, and is capable of accommodating the entire blood tube holder and needle assembly.

Note: Many sharps containers are designed with openings that do not allow for disposal of a SESIP that is attached to the blood tube holder. These containers would not be in compliance with the bloodborne pathogens standard. Employers must ensure that where blood is being drawn, the sharps container is appropriate for immediate disposal of sharps.

Evaluation Toolbox

  • Employers must first evaluate, select, and use appropriate engineering controls (e.g., sharps with engineered sharps injury protection), which includes single-use blood tube holders with sharps with engineered sharps injury protection (SESIP) attached.
  • The use of engineering andwork practice controls provide the highest degree of control in order to eliminate potential injuries after performing blood draws. Disposing of blood tube holders with contaminated needles attached after the activation of the safety feature affords the greatest hazard control.
  • In very rare situations needle removal is acceptable.
    • If the employer can demonstrate that no feasible alternative to needle removal is available (e.g. inability to purchase single-use blood tube holders due to a supply shortage of these devices),
    • If the removal is necessary for a specific medical or dental procedure.

In these rare cases, the employer must ensure that the contaminated needle is protected by a SESIP prior to disposal. In addition, the employer must ensure that a proper sharps disposal container is located in the immediate area of sharps use and is easily accessible to employees. This information must be clearly detailed and documented in the employer's Exposure Control Plan.

  • If it is necessary to draw blood with a syringe, a syringe with engineered sharps injury protection must be used in which the protected needle is removed using safe work practices, and transfer of blood from the syringe to the tube must be done using a needleless blood transfer device.

For complete details visit: https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101503.html 

Have a biohazard clean up?Call SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom 916-987-0400

If you need help with your emergency visit: http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com/. If you have a water or fire emergency be sure to call SERVPRO of Fair Oaks/Folsom at 916-525-1241 so we can help you today!

You can follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROfairoaksfolsom

Understanding The Flood Damages

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

Understanding Your Flood Risk is Vital in Preparation.

Do you understand your true flood risk? Are you and your family prepared? On FloodSmart.gov you can find information to prepare you including the cost of flooding.  It only takes a few inches of water to cause major damage to your home and its contents. Use the online tool to show you what a flood does to your home and what it could cost, inch by inch.

Preparing for a flood is vital. Guard your home and businesses. 

For more information on the true cost of a flood visit: https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/the_cost_of_flooding.jsp

Interested in knowing how SERVPRO can help you during your flood visit: http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com/storm-flooding-restoration 

Are you faced with water damage?  Call SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom at 916-987-0400. We are here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 If you need help with your emergency visit: http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com/. If you have a water or fire emergency be sure to call SERVPRO of Fair Oaks/Folsom at 916-525-1241 so we can help you today!

You can follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROfairoaksfolsom

Restoration Water First

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. 

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 SERVPRO Fair Oaks/ Folsom 916-987-0400 

Here is a Typical Timeline for Water Damage: 

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. 
  • Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

 More Than 1 Week: 

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive. 
  • Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom 

SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom specializes 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. 

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROfairoaksfolsom/  and online http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com.

Are you currently dealing with water damage? Please give us a call 24 hours a day at 916-987-0400. 

SERVPRO Disaster Restoration

12/29/2022 (Permalink)

Utilizing the right equipment and supplies, a SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom professional can handle all of your cleanup needs, such as fire, water and mold restoration services; SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom provides cleanup services for those special needs that surpass the capabilities of your regular maintenance staff.

A National Leader in Large Losses

In the event of a major catastrophe, the SERVPRO system has a nationwide Large Loss Response Team comprised of trained and equipped professionals capable of responding to commercial buildings and large commercial losses.

Reduced Recovery Time

Your SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom professionals understand the urgency in responding to your home following a disaster. By arriving quickly to mitigate damage to the structure and contents, SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom will help your home be back to preloss condition as soon as possible.

When disaster strikes your home or business, get the professionals. Call SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom (916) 987-0400.

What To Do About Earthquakes

11/17/2022 (Permalink)

If you are indoors

  • If you are INDOORS, stay there.
  • If able to do so, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON or LOCK, COVER and HOLD ON for wheelchair or walker users.
  • If there is a sturdy table or desk available, get under it and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
  • Do not run outside or inside your home, since debris may fall and injure you.

If you are in bed

  • If you are in BED, stay there.
  • COVER your head and neck with a pillow or blanket.

If you are in a vehicle

  • If you are in a VEHICLE, pull over and stop in a safe area away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses or utility wires.
  • Make sure to set the parking brake so that the vehicle does not move during the shaking.
  • Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking subsides.

If you are in a high-rise or public building

  • DROP, COVER and HOLD ON if able to do so or LOCK, COVER and HOLD ON or for wheelchair or walker users, or protect your head and neck area as best as possible.
  • Expect fire alarms and sprinklers to be activated.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • When the shaking subsides, move to the designated zones or areas for evacuation and evaluate your next safe action.
  • Do not run outside or inside a building, since debris may fall and injure you.

If you are in a Sports Stadium or Theater

  • If you are in a SPORTS STADIUM OR THEATER, stay at your seat, or if able to do so safely, DROP to floor between the rows, COVER by protecting your head and neck with your arms and HOLD ON if possible.
  • Do not attempt to leave until the shaking stops.
  • Then, follow the instructions from the sports stadium or theater staff or officials. Walk carefully, watching for anything that could fall or injure you if there are aftershocks.

If you are Outdoors

  • If you are OUTDOORS, stay there.
  • Move away from wires, buildings and anything else that could fall and hurt you, but only if you can safely do so.
  • Otherwise, stay where you are and DROP, COVER and HOLD ON if able to do so or LOCK, COVER and HOLD ON for wheelchair or walker users or protect your head and neck area as best as possible.

If you are near the shore

  • If you are NEAR THE SHORE, if able to do so, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON until the shaking subsides.
  • If severe shaking lasts 20 seconds or more, immediately move to higher ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake.
  • It is recommended to move inland two miles or to land that is 100 feet above sea level immediately.
  • Do not wait for officials to issue a warning. Move quickly, and avoid debris and other hazards.

If you are near slopes, cliffs or mountains

  • If you are NEAR SLOPES, CLIFFS OR MOUNTAINS, be alert for falling rocks and landslides.

Smoke And Soot Cleanup For Your Area

11/16/2022 (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 Fair Oaks / Folsom 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.  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 – SERVPRO of Fair Oaks / Folsom 916-525-1241.

If you need help with your fire emergency visit http://www.SERVPROfairoaksfolsom.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration to find out how SERVPRO is able to help you.