Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

The Franchise Training Program at SERVPRO Industries, LLC

10/24/2023 (Permalink)

two employees at training center SERVPRO invests in our employees and owner/operators to ensure we provide the highest quality cleanup and restoration services in the Slidell area.

Expertise Through Training

Providing local communities with trusted restorations and excellent customer service are part of the very foundation of all SERVPRO® franchises. Recently, Madison Scott (wearing black) and Kimberly Nicholes wearing blue) of SERVPRO of Slidell completed the Franchise Training Program. This extensive program occurred at the SERVPRO Industries, LLC, headquarters in Gallatin, Tennessee.

This regular franchise training plays an integral role in building individual franchises. The program sets the stage for all aspects of the business. It prepares each franchise owner and employee to better serve the local communities with trusted restorations and disaster recovery. We are only as good as our people.

SERVPRO – Faster to any size disaster™.

Having SERVPRO Do Your Mold Damage Repair in Slidell is Very Wise

9/17/2023 (Permalink)

mold growing on a white wall of a room Mold is not something that can be easily removed. Call SERVPRO for professional mold damage remediation services.

We Help Slidell Homeowners with Mold Damage Repair

Mold growth in Slidell homes is a serious concern that should never be ignored. It not only compromises the structural integrity of your residence and lowers its value, but also makes it more susceptible to future fungal outbreaks and impacts your peace of mind. So, as you can clearly see, there are numerous reasons why you should call a professional remediation firm to resolve your mold-related issues.

Over the years, SERVPRO® has quickly become Slidell’s go-to mold damage repair service. SERVPRO’s growing popularity is the result of our almost unrivaled expertise in everything from dealing with ceiling leaks, burst pipes, and basement flooding to doing complete water damage repairs. This expert knowledge aids us as we work to:

  • Ensure your home’s structural integrity and inhabitability by properly treating mold growths on ceilings, walls, and flooring
  • Prevent mold from spreading around your residence into new, unaffected areas, thereby minimizing the extent of damage and reducing overall restoration costs
  • Keep fungal growths from recurring in the future by identifying and fixing the water leaks or excessive moisture problems that have caused them
  • Preserve your property’s market value by effectively dealing with future buyer’s/tenants’ potential livability, safety, and maintenance cost concerns so that your house retains its appeal to them
  • Ensure your peace of mind by helping you rest assured that your residence has been remediated by trained professionals and is free from mold-related structural concerns and other potential complications

Mold damage repair is a crucial step in maintaining a high-quality living or working environment and preserving the integrity of your property. In promptly addressing mold issues, you prevent further damage, preserve property value, and fully benefit from our expertise.

That said, if you ever need mold damage repair services, don’t hesitate to call your friends at SERVPRO of Slidell. We are always ready for your call at (985) 649-1516.

Understanding Mold Remediation in Your Slidell Home

4/18/2023 (Permalink)

mold growign in corner of wall Mold can grow in any area of the home. Call SERVPRO for fast and effective remediation.

SERVPRO is Ready to Help with Mold Removal in Slidell

Mold in a Slidell home can spread without anyone noticing. Crawlspaces, basements, and even carpet under pads are notorious for letting mold grow while causing damage to flooring and building materials. Traditional household cleaners are not enough to fight mold growth, so if you ever suspect excessive mold growth, it is best to call a professional team to ensure the proper steps are in place to keep your home safe.

Mold remediation in Slidell is possible when you contact SERVPRO and let our IICRC trained team team take charge. Whether mold has been growing or a recent water leak left excess humidity, do not wait to enlist help. Time is your worst enemy when mold grows in your home, and your items, wiring, and other organic materials may rot quickly.

Mold cleanup is not universal. Each surface requires specific treatment to remove mold spores and delay additional growth. Non-porous surfaces like plastics, glass, and marble are easier to clean. In contrast, porous surfaces such as upholstery and curtains pose a more significant challenge and may sometimes need a complete replacement. 

Techniques we may employ throughout your home could include:

  • Dry sponges and vacuuming with HEPA filters, along with antifungal cleaners.
  • Sandblasting, wire brushing, and other abrasive techniques permeate porous and semi-porous surfaces.
  • Isolation of affected areas and creation of negative pressure spaces to prevent further spread throughout the home.

SERVPRO of Slidell is your top resource when mold damage threatens your home. Whether the infestation looks big or small, call us at (985) 649-1516 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

How Mold Damage Affects Slidell Homes and Their Contents

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

Mold damage on the corner area of a white wall Mold can hide under various surfaces or be visible. Are there signs of mold growth in your Slidell home? Call SERVPRO!

Mold Damage Restoration from SERVPRO Saves Slidell Properties from Costly Repairs

Mold damage can set in quickly and often without Slidell homeowners' knowledge. These microbes can start eating away at surfaces and producing spores in as little as 24 hours. Even with DIY cleanup methods, these spores can spread easily, settling into nooks and crannies where they can continue to feed off household materials and reproduce by releasing spores.

SERVPRO mold damage cleanup for Slidell property owners utilizes high-tech solutions and science-backed approaches to disaster remediation. Technicians clean structural materials, furniture, and belongings alike and perform the rebuilding and repair services necessary to return a residence to a safe, comfortable state.

How Mold Eats Away at Surfaces

Mold's growth process is closely tied to how much it can eat and the amount of humidity and warmth where it lives. Visible stains and damage are caused by microbes releasing digestive enzymes that wear down surfaces searching for edible organic material. Drywall is made of paperboard and gypsum, and wood wall framing and baseboards are among the most common places for microbes to hide.

Mold can also exist in such surfaces and areas as:

  • Upholstery fabrics and drapes
  • Insulation
  • Food storage
  • Bathrooms, particularly those with loosened caulk and seals
  • Around leaky supply lines, plumbing, and other water damage sources

SERVPRO professionals can remediate the damage and the circumstances that create it, which mold could exacerbate. Homeowners are advised to avoid performing cleanup on their own to ensure that they do not unintentionally spread microbes to other spaces.

How SERVPRO Training Prepares Technicians and Staff for Mold Mitigation

SERVPRO's extensive training and education resources provide restoration technicians with the essential knowledge necessary to restore affected homes to a pre-damage state.

Education units for technicians cover:

  • Water Damage Restoration
  • Fire Damage Restoration
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

After completing these units and the required Crew Training, restoration pros are ready to remediate a variety of home disasters. SERVPRO e-Learning modules allow technicians and non-restoration staff to expand their knowledge base while staying up-to-date on restoration industry protocols as laid out by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Franchise owners undergo thorough SERVPRO training via hands-on Initial Franchise Training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility. One of this facility's most unique features is the SERVPRO Corporate Training House, which allows for realistic disaster mitigation scenarios to be mitigated and restored.

Franchise owners are educated in:

  • Fire & Water Damage Restoration
  • Mold Mitigation
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Educational courses and seminars, both credit and noncredit, are also available to SERVPRO staff and professionals in industries related to residential disaster restoration. These can include insurance agents, claims adjusters, and real estate professionals.

These sources include:

  • The noncredit Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar
  • Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
  • Restorative Drying for Loss Contol
  • Fire & Water Damage Restoration units

These comprehensive resources allow individuals and SERVPRO professionals to better prepare for a disaster and assist the community in providing more effective home restoration when damage does occur.

SERVPRO's learning resources, industrial-grade mold mitigation technologies, and 24-hour availability ensure that emergency-response restoration services meet a consistently high standard for homeowners and their families.

Property owners can call (985) 649-1516 for restoration services from SERVPRO of Slidell. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and prepared to respond to structural damage concerns seven days a week.

Remediating Mold Damage in Slidell

11/16/2022 (Permalink)

LGR dehu MAX 250 SERVPRO says--reducing humidity with an LGR dehumidifier can help mitigate mold infestations and prevent their return. Call us for help.

How SERVPRO of Slidell Uses Local Mold Remediation Technicians

Microbes are ever present in water and home environments. Microscopic in size, these organisms can reproduce rapidly with sufficient supplies of water, temperature, and organic matter. The materials used to build the interior structure of your home represent food sources for microbes. Indoor heating, combined with a recent water intrusion event, can lead to mold infestations that require professional remediation to remove.

SERVPRO is a licensed mold remediator that can help you with:

  • Microbial infestations
  • Mold Remediation
  • Mold removal

Remediating mold damage in Slidell involves the removal of infested materials and careful containment of affected areas. However, the true test of whether an infestation is remediated correctly is by observing whether it returns. Microbes require water to grow, so protecting a home from infestation long-term relies on drying materials and correcting the moisture problem at the source. Conventional drying methods, such as venting fans or air movers, can be problematic in remediation because excessive airflow spreads microbes around the home and to unaffected areas.

Passive drying equipment with limited airflow or a vacuum component is ideal for drying infested properties

  • Low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers (LGRs) with limited airflow can help to dry the internal structure without spreading spores.
  • Desiccant dehumidifiers can re-establish the natural moisture levels of wet, dense materials such as structural framing or floorboards.
  • Monitoring internal humidity and material moisture content throughout remediation is essential to prevent the mold from returning to the home.

The presence of microbial infestation makes a home unsanitary, while regularly removing mold colonies is unlikely to address the source of the problem and can get expensive over time. SERVPRO is a licensed remediator that uses EPA-registered antimicrobial chemicals, industry-standard equipment, and expert technicians to ensure that your home returns to a preloss condition following mold infestations.

To get your home back to its normal condition, contact SERVPRO of Slidell, quoting mold damage remediation at (985) 649-1516.

Why Leave Mold Remediation to Skilled Technicians?

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

mold growing on the walls of a house Regardless of the color of the mold, team SERVPRO will assess and remediate. Our team is standing by with equipment to mitigate the situation.

When your Pearl River home has mold damage, SERVPRO offers detailed remediation services

Many Pearl River homeowners do not realize that they have a mold issue in their home until it has already advanced. In some instances, mold colonization may go undetected for weeks or months. Once you suspect the onset of mold in your home, you must have skilled technicians take a look as soon as possible. 

Hiring SERVPRO to handle your mold damage in Pearl River gets you detailed remediation services and cleaning. Our team has received extensive training to locate mold growth and then determine the right course of action for the task. The type of surface, porous or non-porous, dictates the methods we use to clean. 

Non-porous surfaces include stone, marble, metals, glass, and some types of plastics. For these surfaces, we may:

  • Wipe dry mold with dry sponges
  • Vacuum dry mold with superior HEPA filtration
  • Handle thick or damp mold with a cloth or sponge dampened with water or anti-microbial cleaner

Porous surfaces include drywall, insulation, carpeting, upholstery, and some painted surfaces. For these surfaces, we may:

  • Clean using antifungal agent sprays
  • Work with foaming action antifungals
  • Soft-scrubbing with brushes

You can always count on SERVPRO of Slidell to use the best method and products to facilitate mold damage restoration within your home. Why call us for cleanup at (985) 649-1516? Because we are Faster to Any Size Disaster and ensure your home is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

Slidell Homes Have the Ideal Conditions for Mold Growth

5/15/2022 (Permalink)

mold behind peeled wallpaper SERVPRO inspects, finds, and remediates mold damage in Slidell homes--even behind wallpaper. "Like it never even happened."

Experienced Mold Remediation for Slidell Homes

Here in Slidell, water is a daily part of life. It’s as much of an artery for our community as I-90 when it comes to commerce and just getting around the city or having fun out on Lake Pontchartrain for some of us. Unfortunately, water can bring problems like flooding and mold.  

Mold removal and remediation need to be accomplished quickly when Slidell homes become infested. SERVPRO Franchise professionals understand that immediate disposal of infested structural and personal property, along with the active mold spores, stops the threat of mold and dramatically reduces the risk of future infestations.  

With the threat eliminated, restoration teams can begin the process of returning each home to its original, clean condition. Team members can replace support structures like wall framing and then hang new sheetrock or other types of drywall and wall paneling.  

In some places, remediation means cleaning out mold in a manner to prevent loss of property. For mold found in attics or sub-flooring, SERVPRO SERVPRO Franchise professionals can use soda blasting to safely remove mold on the surface and even hyphae that penetrated it.  

Similar to sandblasting, our technicians use compressed air to project sodium bicarbonate in a high-pressure stream to clean wood support structures in minutes compared to the hours it takes to scrape beams by hand. The only drawback is that the expended soda also contains spores and dust which presents a hazard. Our personnel don protective masks and full protective suits when needed to prevent eye injury and skin exposure.  

After completing the process, other team members bring in commercial-grade vacuums to capture and remove the expanded material. Once they remove the last of it, they go over the cleaned surfaces again, this time with specialized HEPA filters designed to catch even a single mold spore off of surfaces.  

At SERVPRO of Slidell, we want to return owners and residents to their homes as quickly as we can safely do so. If you have or believe there is mold in your home, call us at (985) 649-1516 today. We are here for you.

How Fire Damage Restoration Can Eliminate Odors in Slidell Homes

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Chair on fire Fire damage mitigation is not a DIY project. Let SERVPROs IICRC certified technicians handle all the hard work for you.

Slidell SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Services Provide Effective Malodor Removal

Slidell property owners can find fire damage challenging to tackle. Even small fires in kitchens or living spaces require more than surface-level soot cleanup. Odor control, debris removal, and thorough appliances cleaning ensure minimal property damage after a residential structure fire. Professional teams are ready to respond to homeowners’ needs to reduce the time, expense, and stress created by a home fire.

Slidell fire damage restoration technicians at SERVPRO provide around-the-clock mitigation and restoration services that include soot and smoke residue cleaning, pack-out services in the event of large-scale restoration needs, and rebuilding services to restore structures to a pre-fire condition.

SERVPRO Training Prepares Techs for Fire Damage Cleanup

SERVPRO technicians undergo extensive education in fire damage restoration theory and applications per Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. SERVPRO’s training program also encompasses mold and water damage, among other restoration topics.

  • E-Learning modules provide a self-paced, accessible educational environment for technicians and staff
  • SERVPRO’s Corporate Training House provides a hands-on look at how disasters impact residential spaces, as well as how to use restoration equipment to address disasters
  • Certified instructors render restoration education
  • New franchise owners receive demonstrative education via a 15-day training program at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility
  • Credit and noncredit courses and seminars are available for SERVPRO staff and professionals in related industries, including real estate and insurance claims adjustment.

This commitment to continually educating new and seasoned professionals alike keeps restoration technicians and staff up-to-date on restoration industry standards and cutting-edge technologies used during fire cleanup, all while complying with SERVPRO best practices.

SERVPRO of Slidell can be reached at (985) 649-1516 to provide “Like it never even happened,” quality restoration services.

Contact SERVPRO When Flood Damage in Slidell Causes a Sewer Back-up

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment at work in living room SERVPRO water damage restoration specialists have the equipment and training for every size of disaster.

Experienced Flood Damage Restoration for your Home

Many dangers can present themselves in your home during a flood. From the risk of electric shock from wet outlets to rushing rainwater, flooding can be a frightening experience. However, one danger that may not be as obvious is sewer backup.

During a flood, your home’s sewer pipes may become plugged with debris and dump dirty water into your home. Removing this water damage from your Slidell home must be handled by an experienced home restoration company, as there are several risks it may pose to those who are not aware of the danger.

  1. Sewage Water May Be Harmful

When flooding causes a sewer to back up, the resulting standing water can be filled with human pathogens, medical waste, and harmful bacteria. Only a certified and experienced home restoration company should handle and remove this water.

  1. It May Contain Caustic Chemicals

When a sewer backup occurs because of severe flood damage, the water may contain cleansers, sewage treatment chemicals, and other caustic products. It is wise to avoid walking in or handling black water, whether it is in your basement or bathroom.

  1. Sewer Gases Can Build

Torrential rainwater can cause septic tanks to overflow or even rupture during a flood. This can release dangerous gases into your home that can cause health effects or increase the risk of fire or explosion. Because sewer gas has a strong odor, you can probably detect it easily. It is wise to leave your home immediately and alert the authorities if you do.

When sewer backup occurs in your Slidell, LA home, it can present several dangers. Only a certified home restoration company should handle removal and cleanup once floodwaters have receded. Visit SERVPRO of Slidell for more information on storm damage or call us at (985) 649-1516.

Why Would I Choose SERVPRO for Fire Damage in My Slidell home?

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

heavy smoke and soot damage on wall Smoke and soot damage are difficult to remove, but our SERVPRO team is trained to restore your fire damaged room.

Restoring a Fire Damaged Property, the Professional Way

Fire damage ranks as the single most significant cause of property damage in the United States. With more than $350 billion each year lost to fire damage, it is the one disaster that can affect just about every property owner at some point in their lives.

Fire Damage Does Not Have to Spell the End of Your Property

With the right fire damage restoration procedures for your Slidell home, it is usually possible to completely restore most properties where the fire has been contained. Modern fire damage restoration techniques may even be used to restore properties that have experienced extensive damage, including widespread soot damage, smoke damage, and ubiquitous and robust smoke smell.

The most important thing to know in the event of fire damage to your property is that a professional restoration company can only carry out the fire damage restoration process. Once the fire department has given you the go-ahead, the first call you should make should always be to your local fire damage restoration company.

Make Sure the Fire Department Signs Off, then Call Your Local Restoration Company

It should be underscored that you should never enter a premises where the fire department has been called to put out a fire without first getting their explicit permission to do so. Even as you reenter, always be mindful of areas where the structure could have been compromised. If possible, you should not enter the residence again until you have called your local restoration company and they have sent an inspector to evaluate the structural integrity of the building.

SERVPRO of Slidell is here to help 24/7 after fire damage. Call us at (985) 649-1516 for help after a fire in your home.

Our Advanced Equipment Can Restore Your Fire Damaged Home In Pearl River

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and soot damage around a hot water heater. Fire damage can hide in so many crevices in a home. Let SERVPRO of Slidell help you out.

Why Sophisticated Equipment Help SERVPRO Fix Fire Damage Efficiently

Widespread damages can happen after a fire, whether it is a small grease fire in the kitchen or a more significant blaze. Fires cause damages through heat action, smoke deposits, and searing from the flames. Restoring the property after an incident, therefore, requires different approaches, including cleaning and refinishing affected materials. We offer professional restoration services and rely on sophisticated equipment to deal with any damage “Like it never even happened.”

Wet Cleaning Methods

Removing the deposits from different materials after fire damage in Pearl River is a challenging undertaking. Air currents drive soot and other deposits deep into materials. The heat from the fire also opens up pores in the materials, thus allowing the residues to penetrate further. Our SERVPRO technicians use sophisticated equipment to ease removal. For example, we can apply wet cleaning procedures on upholstery items because they are more effective than dry cleaning. We rely on Upholstery Cleaning Machines to achieve this goal. The machine offers better agitation than hand washing. It also rinses and vacuums dissolved and emulsified soils.

Soda Blasting or Dry Ice Blasting

Flames scorch materials or surfaces, ruining their visual appeal. In many cases, the solution is to replace the items. However, restoring them can reduce the costs involved. Our SERVPRO technicians combine their FSRT, Fire, and Smoke Restoration skills using advanced equipment to restore materials with superficial damage. We use soda blasting or dry ice blasting machines to remove charred materials and soot without damaging the underlying material, which is better than relying on abrasive cleaning methods.

Smoke and Fire Damage Odors

Fires leave bad smells in the affected properties even after removing charred items and cleaning soot and other fire residues. Taking specific deodorization steps helps restore the property to its preloss state. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on different deodorization equipment, including Hydroxyl generators, foggers, and Ozone generators, which work in different ways to neutralize foul odors. Ozone generators work by oxidizing odor particles while foggers vaporize deodorizing agents allowing them to combine with odor particles destroying them.

Dealing with fire damage is manageable with help from SERVPRO of Slidell. Call us at (985) 649-1516 any time. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Slidell Roof Damage Needs Immediate Help to Mitigate Storm Damage

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

A roof with a blue tarp over it. SERVPRO of Slidell is prepared for whatever it takes to get your home secure after storm damage.

Flood Water Removal Technicians Discuss Problems with Lightning

When a thunderstorm blows into Slidell, there is always a possibility something terrible could happen to your house. In addition, wind and rain can cause you to have to conduct extensive flood water removal. However, these two elements are not the only instance that could occur; lightning can also become a problem during a storm. During thunderstorms, lightning is a common occurrence, but usually, the strikes stay high in the sky. However, in some cases, the lightning bolts can get close to the earth and strike your house, forcing you to call in a professional flood water removal company such as SERVPRO because we can provide fast 24/7 service. 

Lightning bolts can bring with them quite a force sometimes, and they could blast off your roofing materials and create a hole in your structure. If the interior of your house gets exposed during the storm, there is a good chance you may need help from our SERVPRO technicians for the flood water removal project in Slidell. Lightning strikes can create big holes in your roof. When a significant gap in your roof opens during a rainstorm, water can quickly pour into your attic. If the hole goes unrepaired throughout the storm, moisture can go from your attic to your living area.

Why SERVPRO for Ceiling Repairs from Water Damages

Water pouring into your living room and bedrooms coming from above can be a disaster. Lightning can cause much more damage than just fires. Any rainwater that enters from the outdoors is immediately labeled as greywater, meaning contamination. However, once the grey rainwater comes into contact with your attic and insulation, it changes categories and gets classified as black. Category three contamination can contain pathogens, viruses, or fecal droppings from rodents.

If black water coming from your ceiling floods out your living area, there is a good possibility that many of your contents and building materials got ruined and must be removed. SERVPRO has IICRC certified technicians with the skills to restore your home to its preloss condition whenever possible, "Like it never even happened."

If lightning ever blows a hole into your roof or exterior wall, call SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 to get help from our highly trained team 24 hours a day.

Is Mold Remediation Necessary in Pearl River Homes?

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

black spotted mold in corner ceiling, taped off blue When Black Mold has invaded your Slidell home--Call SERVPRO for remediation and removal

The presence of mold can cause health effects and colonies in Pear River properties should get removed as soon as possible.

The discovery of mold in your home can encourage many Pearl River residents to seek out experienced mold removal companies to help. SERVPRO is a leading mold remediation company who can help overcome these organisms' destructive effects in your house. We assist with:

  • Mold remediation
  • Black mold
  • Attic mold
  • Basement mold remediation
  • Bathroom mold removal
  • Mold specialists—that is US!

What Can Be Done to Remove Black Mold?

Despite its alarming appearance and bad press, black mold in Pearl River can be a hazard to those exposed within your home. Even attic mold or the need for basement mold remediation can impact occupants of the house. Our experienced mold specialists can provide multiple solutions for removing active colonies from affected areas in the home, ranging from surface treatments like sanding and soda blasting to more direct measures like controlled demolition and removal of contaminated materials.

The presence of mold in your home can be overwhelming, but our SERVPRO of Slidell team is among the leading mold removal companies. Call us at (985) 649-1516.

How Challenging is Smoke Remediation for Slidell Homes?

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

box spring mattress and bedroom fire damaged SERVPRO says to all our Slidell neighbors--NEVER smoke in bed? Prevent fire and smoke damage and a visit from us!

Odor removal is an involved aspect of fire damage restoration for area homes.

There are many levels of fire damage restoration in Slidell homes and businesses. Lingering odors and other facets of smoke remediation can often be among the most challenging for house fire clean up. With a fast response to these emergencies, our SERVPRO team can help with:

  • Fire damage restoration
  • Fire damaged homes
  • Smoke remediation
  • Fire and smoke damage

What Does Smoke Remediation Entail?

Fire damage restoration in Slidell often revolves around smoke remediation measures taken to clean and recover the property. Soot and soiling residues can be considerable obstacles for fire damaged homes. Smoke damage usually affects the ceiling and upper portions of wall systems most heavily with the convection movement of warm and cold air in your home. These deposits require specific cleaning practices and products to remove and repair. Depending on the widespread nature of these effects, they can impact the severity of smoke odors that must get addressed during fire damage restoration.

Air filtration can often impact the presence of post-fire damage effects. Fire and smoke damage can leave circulating particles of soot, carcinogens, and ash. With HEPA filtration products and instruments like air scrubbers and hydroxyl generators, filters can trap contaminants on a microscopic level.

How Can Odors Get Removed After Fire and Smoke Damage?

Odors are a common obstacle to overcome after fire and smoke damage. Smoke remediation focuses on removing these harsh odors and smells after extinguishment. House fire clean up can often reduce some of these strong scents that persist in open areas and become trapped in high-porosity materials like drywall, flooring, and ceiling elements. Entirely removing burning smells involves fire damage restoration strategies like odor counteractants placed in airflow points.

These granules and beads absorb smoke smells and lessen the severity of these conditions in the property. Fire damage restoration in this phase also relies on leading cleaning and deodorization equipment such as thermal fogging, HEPA filtration, and hydroxyl generators.

Are Repairs Needed in Fire Damaged Homes to Remove Odors?

Water & fire damage restorations often fixate on cleaning surfaces and removing damaged elements and contents from the property. In addition to these critical tasks to recover the fire and smoke damage, homes must also often overcome structural weaknesses and vulnerabilities after combustion and overexposure to spreading post-fire effects. Fire damage restoration cannot complete without repairs and reconstruction. Our contractor license ensures that we can seamlessly transition to build-back services your property might need after mitigation in fire damaged homes. We can help with:

  • Controlled demolition
  • Debris removal 
  • Content relocation

Because fire damage restoration can vary so considerably between one incident and another, our experienced technicians must be prepared to face a broad spectrum of possible damage. Our efficient training and coursework combined with our leading equipment make our SERVPRO of Slidell team a preferred fire restoration choice. Give us a call today at (985) 649-1516.

Efficient Water Restoration for Affected Slidell Homes

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO logo Regardless of the way your home was impacted by water, call our experts for assistance with water cleanup in your home.

SERVPRO is Dedicated to Providing Prompt Water Restoration Services in Slidell

Slidell, Louisiana, may seem like a small-time town. Notwithstanding, the town is rich with history and heritage, making it one of the most intriguing and interesting places in the United States.

Location and Attractions

Slidell is located about 3 miles or 5 kilometers north of Lake Pontchartrain. The town is in the southeastern direction of St. Tammany Parish. Its total area is a combination of both land and water. Of the 15.2 square miles it covers, about 14.8 of land and the other is water.

Slidell starts where Lake Pontchartrain ends, where the lake forges towards the Gulf of Mexico through a deepwater strait. At the Rigolets pass, you might come across tooling sailboats and toiling shrimp boats.

The hinterland has many bayous where canoe travel is better. Slidell is a great place to visit for those who love waterborne recreation. Some activities you can engage in include:

  • Sailing
  • Fishing
  • Waterskiing
  • Canoeing

Slidell is not a remote getaway because it is close to New Orleans. No distinction exists between the two towns culinarily and culturally. Slidell is delighted about its historic old town with its fantastic antique shops, restaurants, and an ambiance that reminds visitors and residents of the city’s simpler times. Slidell also has a top-notch regional shopping mall known as the North Shire Square.

Growth and Development

In 1910 the town began to boom economically and industrially. This paradigm shift induced by the construction is a large creosote plant in the area. Additionally, Slidell became the home of Fritz Salmen Bricklayer, one of the country's largest producers of bricks.

A lumber mill and a shipyard also helped ensure that the town continued to grow in size and population. So did the construction of several interstates passing through the town. It wasn't long before the town became a major crossroads for those traversing across the Gulf States.

In 1960, NASA opened a computer center on Gause Boulevard in Slidell. The area also houses the forecast office for the National Weather Service. It is also home to Vesco Tennis Courts' headquarters, which is a firm that specializes in the construction of surfaces for outdoor sports centers.

Weather 

Over the years, Slidell has experienced some capricious weather. In 2005, it was hit by Hurricane Katrina. There was a lot of damage caused by the hurricane.

Slidell is vulnerable to hurricanes because of its low elevation. In general, the area is of a humid, subtropical climate. It generally experiences mild winters.

SERVPRO is What You Need When it Comes to Water Restoration in Slidell. 

Water damage can occur in your home due to many reasons. Notwithstanding, as a property owner, you can do some things to make sure that your property does not sustain much damage in the event of water intrusion. They include:

  • Identify the source of the water problem and stop it.
  • Shutting off the electricity – Switch off the circuit breakers and unplug devices.
  • Remove valuable items like electronics and documents from the affected area.
  • Lift wet further and remove it from the affected areas.

Moisture can get into areas you cannot easily see or find. Therefore, it is best if you would contact SERVPRO to help you eliminate it. We have specialty equipment like hygrometers, moisture detectors, and thermal imaging cameras that enable our technicians to find trapped residual water. Structural items such as subfloors and walls may need cleaning. Our technicians can clean restorable with cleaning methods ideal for the type of affected material.

When in need of water restoration services, look no further than SERVPRO of Slidell. We offer 24-hour emergency services, so you can count upon us to restore your property irrespective of the time of day. Call us at (985) 649-1516.

Need Help Managing Flash Floods in Slidell?

10/10/2020 (Permalink)

flooding in home “Like it never even happened.”

Flash Flood Damage Can Be Devastating. SERVPRO Can Secure and Restore your Home in Slidell.

Are move-outs necessary following flash flooding?
When flash flooding affects your Slidell home, there is a strong chance of harmful substances being brought in with floodwaters. Biohazardous waste could include dirt, sewage, debris, and viruses. These are commonly associated with flash floods because the water travels several miles, picking up biohazardous substances along the way. If your home is unsafe, your insurance provider may recommend that you temporarily relocate. SERVPRO can transport your possessions from the house to a separate storage facility. Here, we can perform restoration work, including ultrasonic and immersion cleaning, to ensure that your possessions return to a preloss condition.

How are items packed out during flood damage move-outs?
- Crew chiefs carefully inspect and inventory your possessions
- Removal vans pack up items with extra-care taken by using blankets or soft wrap for fragile items
- Once your home is restored, technicians can return possessions to their original rooms

Is my home secure during a temporary relocation from flooding?
It is understandable to be worried about the effects of flood damage in your Slidell home. Especially when a move out has taken place at short notice. Our technicians can secure the structure of your home and prep it for restoration. These duties could include boarding up broken entryways or windows to prevent looting. We can also drain the property, clean and deodorize to provide a safe working space for restoration work to begin. Finally, technical aspects like providing power, lighting, and warning signage can assist workers in the property to allow for extensive restoration.

What happens to a flooded property during restoration?
- Valuable items are removed for safe storage
- Power is restored, and the property is drained of standing water
- A drying procedure is set up during the restoration phase

If you are temporarily relocated due to flash flooding, contact SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516.

Who Can Homeowners Rely on to Locate Mold and Perform Remediation?

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

Mold on wall and ceiling Lots of scenarios can cause mold growth, like improper installation of an A/C unit.

Pearl River Residents Need Mold Inspection and Remediation They Can Count On - Why SERVPRO is the Local Firm at the Top of the List 

It can be hard to feel confident that a suspected mold issue in your Pearl River home warrants and will receive the appropriate attention of a mold remediation company. If you have never needed to address mold growth in damage, you might feel intimidated and worry that you could be taken advantage of by unscrupulous mold removal companies. We are a trusted provider of disaster recovery services, and our reputation is why you can feel confident we pledge to manage your mold inquiry with integrity. 

How Can Professionals Find the Mold You Fear Hides in Your Home? 

When we arrive to evaluate a potential microbial infestation, we carefully listen. When you share your observations, we try our best to make sure our mold inspection scopes your Pearl River dwelling accurately. Although we can arrange for mold testing, that expense is often unnecessary as our technicians are well trained and experienced with household mold issues. Signs of mold growth can include:  

  • Staining 
  • Visible views of feathery or leathery growth common to molds
  • Musty smells
  • Damp and crumbling structural components that indicate water damage 

Why Does SERVPRO Follow the EPA Mold Remediation Protocol? 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a successful mold remediation process through careful research, employing established scientific findings. The straightforward and flexible protocol is why SERVPRO can eradicate mold growth found during an inspection. Inhibiting the second round of mold damage requires we eliminate the moisture that feeds the microbial organisms as well as following the EPA recommendations: 

  • Locate the mold
  • Contain the space -- usually with the help of heavy-duty plastic sheets and negative pressure air scrubbing technology
  • Use mechanical strategies to remove the mold -- brushes, scrapers, and soda or dry ice blasting
  • Clean up, bag, and dispose of the loosened moldy debris lawfully 
  • Apply EPA-antimicrobials to kill any remaining molds and inhibit a recurrence 

The care and integrity our team takes to inspect for and remediate mold damage are why SERVPRO of Slidell gets high marks from local homeowners. To schedule a thorough inspection and discuss mold remediation in your home, call us at (985) 649-1516.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Table tent signs describing the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program on top of a wooden table. Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open in Slidell, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

  • Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
  • Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
  • Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Slidell today at (985) 649-1516 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Seeking Experienced Restoration Technician

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

male employee holding a hose with a caption that says "Now Hiring for multiple positions" Now Hiring!

Job Description

SERVPRO is immediately hiring Experienced Water and Fire Restoration Technician / Remediation Technician.

We're seeking a restoration technician who is comfortable working hard in challenging situations, meeting new people, with excellent communication skills, and who is a serious multi-tasker. If you are self- motivated and have superb interpersonal skills, then you’ll thrive in this work environment.

BENEFITS of Working at SERVPRO:

Benefits for the Technician position include (but are not limited to):

  • Competitive compensation
  • Overtime after 40 hours/week
  • Bonus pay for on-call response
  • Unlimited resources to education of field
  • We will pay for your certifications & education

REQUIREMENTS of Water Remediation Technician:

Requirements for the Water Damage Technician position include:

  • Interior demolition experience
  • Organized persons with positive attitude;
  • Good communication skills with ability to work as a team;
  • Ability to follow detailed instructions, including adhering to safety requirements and the SERVPRO job process
  • Respectful of others, including co-workers and customers;
  • Dependable and on-time;
  • Driver's license and clean driving record;
  • Ability to lift heavy objects and in good physical health;
  • Willing to undergo random drug screening and a background check;
  • Availability on rotating schedule for on-call emergency response after hours and on weekends, with overtime and bonus pay ;
  • A sense of urgency to respond quickly to people who are in need of the services we offer.

Regardless of prior experience, all employees will undergo the proper training for safety and techniques used in the work in both residential and commercial settings, including:

  • Fire damage restoration, including cleaning walls, floors, furniture, and interior contents;
  • Water damage restoration, including pump outs, water extraction, dehumidification, and drying;
  • Mold remediation, including, demolition, cleaning

SERVPRO specializes in disaster cleanup. We are family owned and operated company. As the premier provider of these services we are seeking highly motivated water damage technicians to perform water/ fire damage mitigation & clean up, among many other services we offer. This is a full time position for hard working Water Damage Technicians who will be working with Crew Chiefs and fellow Water Damage Technicians to recover/ restore personal property.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Depending on Experience

Email Resume to jdierking@SERVPROslidell.com

How Will SERVPRO Restore My Carpets After Water Damage in My Slidell home?

4/25/2020 (Permalink)

A rug on hardwood flooring. SERVPRO has the expertise to restore flooring after a flood. Call them today!

This Is Restoring Your Water-Damaged Carpets in Your Slidell Home.

Many damaging situations for your Slidell home only affect specific areas. Even when the circumstances get limited to just affecting a material like the carpets, several steps must get taken immediately to preserve this flooring before the effects of water damage render it unsalvageable. Our franchise has a team available 24/7 to help you overcome any damaging effect of a water loss incident.

When you look to protect and restore water-damaged carpeting in your Slidell home, you need to find professional restoration technicians that you can trust to do the job correctly. Our SERVPRO professionals have extensive training to acquire our IICRC certifications in water restoration, which includes modern tactics and the use of advanced technology designed to save our customer’s time and money.

From the moment that our experts arrive at your address, we begin with a quick assessment of the property to determine if the carpet is the only affected area and the best approach to dry out this damage as fast as possible. We understand that you invested your money into making your home exactly how you wanted it to be, so we work to preserve all of the affected materials before we suggest alternative methods like removal and replacement.

With water damaged carpeting, our SERVPRO professionals often must use our industry-leading equipment to dry out the damage. By pulling up the edges of the carpeting, our technicians can access the underside of the material with our powerful air movers. We can “float” the carpet as we call it, forcing dry, heated air underneath the material to push moisture and dampness into the environment to get collected by our industrial-strength dehumidifiers.

We also offer premier cleaning services designed to improve the look and feel of your carpet beyond drying up the water damage. These deep cleaning methods range in equipment and tactics based on the style of carpet you have from long fibers to short pile varieties.

Water-damaged carpets can be a breeding ground for mold and microbial growth without the appropriate drying steps. Give our SERVPRO of Slidell response team a call today at (985) 649-1516.

Flood Damage In Pearl River

3/8/2020 (Permalink)

flooding in home “Like it never even happened.”

Common Issues for Homeowners With Flood Damage in Pearl River

Flood damage has the potential to destroy property in a short period, mainly when storm surges occur in this area of the state. When the groundwater enters a home, so does everything it encountered on the way.

When SERVPRO techs handle flood damage in Pearl River properties, one of the first actions they perform is testing the water, so they know any hazards present and can deal with them.

Why SERVPRO?
The professional equipment the technicians have access to make the difference because flood loss needs more than wet/dry vacs and fans to restore the property. The techs have extensive training for the restoration of all types of building materials and home contents walloped by groundwater. In many cases, homeowners find items they thought were a loss had restoration potential through the advanced cleaning methods.

Advanced Moisture Detection Equipment
The technicians know that although a single area of the home may look wet; however, other places in the home may have the effects. The water migrates rapidly and can wick into sheetrock and seep into the subfloor, and neither of those issues is visible without help from the various types of moisture detecting technology the techs utilize.

Standing Water is Not the Issue
One of the biggest issues with groundwater is even though the SERVPRO technicians arrive within four hours, the water has already found its way into the building materials and appears receded.

Flooring Often Requires Removal
Whether it is to dry a subfloor or simply a loss from groundwater exposure, the flooring takes the brunt of most flood damage, and there are only a few types with the potential for reuse after cleaning. Various makes of tile sometimes have the potential for sanitization and reuse, if the grout seal is in place, it may dry in place. Carpet is almost always a loss as it does not have restoration potential after absorbing groundwater. Hardwood flooring has varying outcomes depending on the length of exposure, the type of hardwood and drying methods used all play a role in the restorability factors.

SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 for fast action with flood damage in local properties The technicians have the training and equipment to make the loss, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Pearl River click here.

Ultimate Solution for Water Damage in Slidell

2/29/2020 (Permalink)

overflowing toilet Whether it's the supply line or the toilet overflows, contact SERVPRO for water damage remediation in you bathroom. We are available 24/7.

Water Damage from Supply Line in Slidell Bathroom

Two main types of water damage come from a toilet. One is a clean water spill from a supply line, and the other is a sewage-filled mess from the bowl or sewer line. 

A homeowner in Slidell with water damage needed cleanup from water gushing from around the toilet. The water ran from the bathroom out into the carpeted hallway, and he assumed the carpet would be a loss. The homeowner turned off the water at the main shutoff for the house and put down towels to absorb as much water as possible until SERVPRO arrived.

Why SERVPRO?

The certified technicians handle every job they do with both professionalism and compassion. They know they are seeing homeowners on one of their worst days due to the damage to their houses, and the techs work hard using their state-of-the-art equipment and advanced cleaning methods to save as much as possible on every job. 

Extraction and Drying

After scoping the water loss area, the techs found the water did not seep under the tile in the bathroom or under the sink. Since it was a supply line break to the toilet, they could extract the water using weighted head attachments and dry it in place. The techs used a technique known as "floating" the carpet to ensure the padding dried completely. 

Monitoring the Drying Process

Measurements get taken in other areas of the home to determine what the baseline indoor humidity levels are at to set a drying goal for the bathroom. To avoid additional damages from incomplete drying of the structure, the technicians carefully monitor air moisture levels while the drying equipment does its job. The use of both air movers and dehumidifiers assists with rapidly bringing down the ambient humidity and dries the loss area quickly. 

Cleaning and Deodorization

Water has its own unique musty odor, and the techs use their exclusive cleaning formulas to wipe down all water loss affected surfaces. This action ensures there are no residual odors remaining within the bathroom or hallway once the restoration services complete.

SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 restores homes with water damage of any size and makes the water loss, "Like it never even happened."

Click here for more information about Slidell.

How SERVPRO Cares for Your Belongings During Water Damage Restoration in Slidell

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Water damaged floor.  Flooring material removed for drying process This home experienced water damage to the baseboards. We removed the flooring and tied the curtains so their dye would not bleed.

Addressing Customer Concerns During Water Damage Restoration in Slidell

Water damage incidents can result in widespread damages around the affected Slidell property, depending on how much water spills or how long it takes to start the restoration process. Restoration teams view the damage from a unilateral position, such as the value of the affected items or the physical traits of such materials. The homeowner may have a different perspective on the loss.

When addressing water damage incidents in Slidell, our SERVPRO crew chiefs listen to the homeowners' concerns and record them, right from arrival and throughout the restoration process. In many cases, concerns center on:

  • The effect on structural materials
  • The fate of Personal Belongings
  • The time needed to complete restoration
  • The cost of restoration

Water can have adverse effects on structural supports such as frames or other installations such as floors and subfloors, especially if traces of moisture are left unaddressed during the restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians check how far the water migration reaches immediately after arriving at the loss site. We use both penetrative and non-penetrative moisture meters allowing us to inspect any section of the property without causing additional water damage. We record this information of our use during restoration and relay it to the homeowner to alleviate any fears that they might have.

Personal belongings may have sentimental value, so the homeowner may not be willing to let go. Our SERVPRO technicians go the extra mile to ensure any highly valued items are salvageable where possible. For instance, we freeze items made of paper, such as books, to limit the spread of damages. For electronics, we ensure they do not cool down to the dew point to prevent rust, which can ruin them permanently.

Taking too long to complete the restoration of damages creates unnecessary inconveniences. Not knowing how long the process is even worse since it creates uncertainty. Our crews have extensive experience dealing with a wide range of loss situations so we can give realistic estimates of how long the process might take.

Many concerns can arise when there is a water loss in your property. Call SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 to help manage any situation, "Like it never even happened."

More about Slidell.

Why We Are The Best Choice In Slidell After A Water Loss

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Two of our air movers drying the carpet in this home We have the state of the art equipment necessary to restore your home right away to prevent further damage. Call us right away we are here 24/7.

Why Slidell Residents can contact us for Water Damage Restoration in Loft Spaces

Water Damage Slidell

Over a long period, your home may become worn out and suffer from withstanding the elements all year round. These areas of wear may include your roofing materials and the sealants or materials used to prevent rainwater from entering. These situations can be as tricky to spot as they are to stop since we spend little time inspecting our loft spaces. Sometimes damages that occur in the summer months do not become apparent until the winter with increases in rainfall, resulting in water concerns. 

A loft space that suffers from water damage in your Slidell home may be unnoticeable for several weeks or months. Insulation can absorb large amounts of rainwater, which, while creating a mold risk, means that the interior of your home is unaffected by water issues for some time. However, eventually, water issues in your attic begin to manifest in the upper stories of your home with common signs, including discoloration or the yellowing and cracking of wallpaper. If you notice any of these signs, you should ring SERVPRO immediately to discuss restoration options. 

Our water damage restoration technicians are adequately equipped to deal with any water emergency you may face. We can enter lofts and remove any affected insulation to limit the chances of microbial growth immediately. We may also decide to use portable extraction wands to remove moisture from small spaces like those found in your loft. Portable storage tanks can hold up to 40 gallons of moisture before they need emptying. 

Storage spaces in your home are often closed systems. Closed systems are areas of the home that do not have options for natural ventilation by opening windows, for example. SERVPRO technicians can use portable heaters alongside artificial air movers and dehumidification equipment. The combination of all three devices can encourage evaporation and reduce the amount of time it takes to dry the affected space thoroughly. Sheetrock that is removed from your attic can be reinstalled, or we can carry out the replacement of the affected materials inexpensively. 

For thorough water restoration in areas of your home with restrictive access, contact SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516.

See more about Slidell.

Water Cleanup Services In Pearl River

1/12/2020 (Permalink)

water damaged property Contact SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 today.

Destroying Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses with Pearl River Water Cleanup Services

When water is inside your residence, it immediately begins to decay. Throughout 72 hours, water can degrade to grey contamination levels, which can include fungi, rot, or bacteria. Past the 72 hour limit, and there is a real risk of degradation to black water. This decay can present a problem for homeowners. Failure to thoroughly clean and decontaminate a structure can lead to smaller pockets of degradation, which over-time can lead to secondary issues like mold growth.

The best way to avoid repeat insurance claims is by hiring professionals in water cleanup serving the Pearl River area. Decontamination is only complete once all signs of moisture are gone, and treatment of the affected area with solvents is carried out. At SERVPRO, our restoration trucks feature a full range of cleaning products that are suitable for all kinds of materials found in a healthy home environment.

We act responsibly when applying cleaning solvents to ensure that no further harm results. Responsible application of cleaning products includes testing before use. SERVPRO technicians usually select a small surface area to try on contents or fabrics, ensuring that there is no adverse effect. Only when we are convinced, there is no potential harm of using a solvent do we apply it to larger areas.

Two essential cleaning solvents are disinfectants and anti-microbial. We use hand-held pressure sprays to cover the surface area quickly and efficiently. Disinfectants destroy harmful bacteria as well as viruses. Anti-microbial treatments are specifically designed to prevent microbial growth from occurring. Putting in place these guards is essential to ensuring that there are no secondary losses.

In some situations, your contents may benefit from a combination of solvent and machine cleaning. SERVPRO technicians can use extraction units to distribute powders as well as solutions onto fabrics or upholstery. Running over the affected area with a rotary machine can ensure the complete removal of any residual contaminants.

Do not expose your home to the risk of secondary damages. Contact SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 today.

For more about Pearl River click here.

How SERVPRO Dries Water Damage in Pearl River

12/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment drying water damaged carpet This office suffered water damage. We have a variety of equipment at our disposal to dry your carpeting.

Water Cleanup in Pearl River Using Specialized Portable Extractors

Any time you find wet carpet inside your home in Pearl River, the problems can get worse if they do not get treated right away. If water cleanup does not get conducted promptly, secondary damage like raised humidity levels or mold can cause you more issues down the road. If the humidity inside your house rises, places previously unaffected could start to show signs of moisture damage.

Whenever carpets get wet, seeking professional assistance from a restoration company such as SERVPRO can help save you a dilemma and money in the long run. We can use specialized techniques and equipment during any water cleanup project in Pearl River. We can utilize various forms of advanced technology to help prevent secondary damage from developing. Other points that set us apart from other restoration professionals is the wide variety of equipment and restoration techniques that we have at our disposal.

For example, before starting to extract moisture from your saturated carpets, our SERVPRO technicians first assess the situation to figure out the best type of equipment to use. In many cases, we can utilize a truck-mounted extractor to pull moisture out of your contents and building materials. But, in other cases, it is more effective to use a portable extractor.

Portable extractors are easier to use and are ideal for tight places. The main components of extractors are a heater, pump, and vacuum system. We can use these machines to clean and extract both carpet and upholstered items.

Other features our portable extractors have, include a variable heat control. This function is mostly used during carpet cleaning when using hot water to loosen up soils. We adjust the temperature of the water to as hot as 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

The unit also comes with a solution pump and solution tank. The tank holds the water-based detergents, and the pump sprays it out of the tank when conducting carpet cleaning procedures. The machine's vacuum system also has a wastewater tank attached to it to store the moisture extracted from your carpets or the excessive dirty detergents used during carpet cleaning.

For fast 24/7 service from our highly trained team, call SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 as soon as you notice a moisture-related problem because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

More about Pearl River.

Slidell Property Owners Know Whom to Call for Cleanup and Restoration---SERVPRO

7/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians On the Water to Another Restoration Service for a Slidell Homeowner

Floods, Fires, Mold, Odors in Slidell?  If You Wish for, "Like it never even happened." SERVPRO Has the Solutions

The need for restoration services in Slidell homes happens in numerous ways. Storm damage from the intense storms and hurricanes that roar through the area. Fire damage and water damage often occur with no warning and require fast cleanup to avoid secondary issues such as mold, foul odors or weakening of building materials.   

The statistics for the potential for fire damage in Slidell homes is concerning. Did you know an average of five fires can occur in a residential property during its service life?  

SERVPRO team members have certifications as Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and know time is the enemy for fire and smoke damage mitigation. The more time that passes between the event and the fire debris cleanup, the more chance of soot spreading, odors, and mold to develop.
Although the order of cleaning up and restoration tends to run in the same order for the best outcome on each job, our fire damage restoration methods are never a one-size-fits-all project. We test smoke residue to determine what type of damage we are mitigating so we can choose the best cleaning method.  

Depending on the level of fire loss, we perform controlled demolition when needed on charred building materials as they contribute nothing but odor. We examine each item for the restoration potential and remove nothing without the approval of the property owner or adjuster. We assist homeowners whenever possible by providing detailed reports called Contents Claim Inventory System (CCIS) that include before and after photos of the property and content that have undergone fire restoration to speed the insurance claims process along.  

There are cases where the best outcome for fire damage is to prepare the property for reconstruction. That entails removal of all charred and unrestorable items as well as full-scale odor control to give the contractors a clean slate for rebuilding.  

SERVPRO handles water damage in Slidell homes. Broken pipes and appliance failures are among the most frequent reasons for needing water extraction from a residential or commercial property. Water has different ratings as it "ages" in a water spill event. For example, a simple supply line break might age like this:  

    Clean Water-rates as a category one biohazard, meaning it has little to no contaminants and requires no special cleanup safety gear.  

    Gray Water-rates as a category two biohazard and can contain bacteria or chemicals such as laundry or dishwasher soap. Common sources include toilet tanks, dishwashers and standing clean water older than 24-hours.

    Black Water-rates as a category three biohazard and because it may contain bacteria, chemicals, or sewage, avoiding direct contact is a priority. Our technicians wear full-body protective gear when handling this type of water. Clean water that remains unmitigated for over 48-hours carries this designation.

Unless it is a category-three event in the home, in many cases, our certified Carpet Cleaning Technicians can save the carpet using techniques such as drying it in place with our air movers and "floating." This method is where the air blows above and below, drying it thoroughly. We can also remove, dry and disinfect the carpet and rugs in-plant when drying in place is not possible.

After the completion of water removal and drying efforts, our technicians thoroughly disinfect all water affected surfaces to return the home to sanitary living standards for the residents.   

The need for mold remediation happens in many ways in Slidell homes. SERVPRO team members possess extensive training and certification as Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT.) The cleanup of mold damage requires more than removing the visible colonies. It is vital to eliminate the conditions that make it favorable for mold growth in the home.  

When our AMRT's scope the premises for mold, we determine the reasons why. The reasons why infestations occur drills down to three elements mold needs to exist. Excessive moisture or high humidity, temperatures over 70-degrees, and something organic to consume, wood and paper are favorite foods for mold colonies, like the cardboard that sandwiches sheetrock panels.

One by one, our technicians eliminate the favorable conditions and assist the homeowner in identifying the issue such as an inefficient exhaust fan trapping moisture in the attic or a slow leak within the wall cavity. Since airborne mold spores occur naturally both indoors and outdoors, the key to avoiding infestations is in ensuring conditions are not right for activation of the spores.

We put up containment where we find colonies in preparation for mold remediation; this halts the spread of spores to other areas of the home. After drying and lowering indoor humidity below 45%, careful elimination using mold abatement methods such as soda blasting and removing mold colony debris with hand vacuums with HEPA filters. In some cases, we apply an antimicrobial sealer over the areas where colony abatement took place to ensure the mold does not return.

In Slidell, storm damage often comes on fast and strong. Hurricanes, tropical storms and heavy rains fed by the Gulf of Mexico all contribute to the need for restoration services in this area of Louisiana.  

It is crucial that flood water removal and drying occur as quickly as possible. Because water tends to migrate rapidly, it can wind up wicked into sheetrock and in subflooring in a short time. SERVPRO technicians use state-of-the-art technical equipment for finding deeply embedded moisture, and we have specialized equipment for extracting moisture to make the drying phase of water cleanup go even faster.

SERVPRO technicians undergo training in the restoration sciences through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification that teaches the best practices for all levels of a home and commercial cleanup. One of the most important certifications is the Applied Structural Drying Technician (ASD). Using the basics from both physics and psychrometry, our technicians know airflow is used for more than merely drying surfaces. High-velocity blowers called air movers force air at such high speeds; it lifts embedded moisture out of porous objects allowing for thorough drying.  

When possible, we try to disrupt the home as little as possible during flood water cleanup and dry furnishing in place. If not, we can do a coordinated pack-out and remove contents to secure storage in our facility or an on-site secure pod storage unit.

Why SERVPRO? Our technicians serve the local Slidell area for needed restoration services using the most advanced technology in the restoration industry. As new best practices and equipment advances are made, we stay on top of them to deliver the highest quality job to each client, every time.

Call SERVPRO of Slidell at (985) 649-1516 when you need assistance with water or storm damage, fire damage, or mold remediation. Our technicians are available 24/7 to come to your residence, and because we are local, We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slidell,_Louisiana

Steps to Take After Water Damage in Your Slidell Home

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

If a leaking pipe is causing water damage to your home, contact SERVPRO today.

Cleaning Up Water Damage After a Burst or Broken Pipe

Every homeowner winds up with a water accident sooner or later. If it is not a broken pipe or a water heater that gives out, it could be a leaky seal or backed up sump pump. That is just the nature of homeownership.

When you are cleaning up after a plumbing emergency that left water damage in your home in Pearl River, LA it is important to understand the steps you need to take to get yourself back on your feet again quickly.

1. Shut Off Your Water Main. Before you bother calling for a plumber to fix the pipe itself, make sure you turn off the water. This can stop incoming water and allow for cleanup if the problem is a plumbing emergency.

2. Contact Your Insurance Company. Most insurance companies cover cleaning services and repair for water damage from plumbing accidents. Your regular plan deductible will apply. Major carriers often preauthorize cleanup services to streamline billing, so give your carrier’s claims line a quick call.

3. Contact a Cleaning Service. Residential water damage cleanup involves removing the water in home areas and dry cleaning the carpet, furniture, and other items in the area. If you have multiple phone lines in your household, calling for a cleaning service in Pearl River, LA on one line while a family member contacts your insurance company can speed up the entire process.

4. Remove Dry Items. Once you know that help is on the way, it’s time to take dry and unaffected items out of the water damaged areas of the home. That way, the cleanup crew can more easily get to the affected belongings in your home.

5. Contact a Plumber. Cleaning services are not usually plumbing services, so if you have experienced a plumbing emergency, you will need to call for a plumber to fix the problem before turning your water back on.

Remember, while it is essential to take care of the broken pipe quickly, water in home living areas continues to do damage until it is properly cleaned up. That is why it is important to contact a dry cleaning service right away.

Water can damage your home in many ways. Call SERVPRO of Slidell to aid you after water damages your home. (985) 649-1516 can reach us 24/7.


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Will Your Insurance Cover Mold Damages to your home in Slidell?

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

If mold damages your property, contact SERVPRO for help.

Understanding Mold damage and Insurance

Fungus growth is typical in Slidell, LA, and mold damage can interrupt your business. Will your commercial insurance cover the expense? The answer depends on your policy and the circumstances.

Understand Commercial Mold Insurance Basics

There are several different types of insurance that business owners should carry in case of mold damage in Slidell. Each is applicable in various circumstances:

• Liability – Might cover another’s mold remediation expenses if you are at fault
• Property Damage – Pays to repair mold damages to your property
• Worker’s Compensation – Covers the costs of mold-related illnesses for employees


Mold coverage and claims are tricky. Fungus growth is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Insurance providers have become reluctant to cover claims related to mold infestations in situations when claimants ignored their responsibility to perform proper maintenance and repairs.

Check Your Policy

If your policy dates back far enough, you may already have adequate insurance, but it is possible your insurance company added mold damage to the list of exclusions. Additional mold insurance may be required.

If you do carry mold insurance, you still have a responsibility to care for the property and keep it maintained. Insurance providers do not want to pay for unnecessary repairs. Failure to have your location inspected regularly or refusal to repair known leaks in the plumbing may disqualify a claim.

Know the Differences in Claims

If you have discovered excessive fungus growth around your place of business, you may file a primary claim. Essentially, you seek costs for yourself directly related to your situation. An adjuster looks at the case, and your insurance company determines if the claim has merit.

In some instances, you may need to file a third-party liability claim. If you are a landlord or are responsible for a property in some way, tenants may sue for damages related to mold. Your insurance policy could cover some of the costs of your legal expenses or pay mold related expenses for your clients.

Get Your Business Inspected

Regular inspections identify mold, point out trouble spots, and keep your insurance policy in good standing. A professional mold remediation company helps you maintain your property and reduces the risk of infestation.

SERVPRO of Slidell is Here to Help with mold damage found in your home or business. Call us today at (985) 649-1516.

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