We're On Instagram - Come Get Social With Us

1/27/2023 (Permalink)

Here's a sneak peak of our Instagram content!

Being connected to our community is hugely important - and one step we are taking to stay connected is by joining Instagram as @SERVPRO_central_seattle!

If you're an industry partner, a homeowner, a property manager, or just curious about what we do, come give us a follow. We regularly publish fun, engaging content to inform people about fire damage, water damage, mold, and how we can assist with any of those needs - and more!

We also share the fun events we appear at with our industry partners 

What are Signs of Mold Damage in Central Seattle Properties?

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Mold remediation and cleanup for Seattle residence is just a phone call away, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Techs Assist Seattle Property Owners with Mold Damage Inspection and Remediation Services

Many people assume that due to the colder winter temperatures in the Central Seattle area, that mold infestations are not an issue during those months. However, this type of structural threat is something property owners should be on the lookout for throughout the year. Fortunately, there are many small signs that mold is growing within a home or business that can result in mold damage.

Seattle residents, be aware of mold damage in your homes. SERVPRO has some tips for identifying a potential need for mold remediation. 

Mold is Often Found Around Water Leaks

Whenever there is an issue with water damage in a home or business, particularly if it was a slow leak situation, a mold infestation may also be present. Just because it is cold outside, the interior of a home is usually kept at ideal temperatures to sustain mold growth. Combined with the constant moisture from a slow leak, a very hospitable environment gets created, and suddenly, mold damage appears. SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians have the equipment to allow them to see collections of moisture behind walls that can indicate the presence of mold. Mold can grow between the walls, under floors, and behind wallpaper for a long period before the foul odor that never leaves gets noticed. During a mold inspection, the techs may drill tiny holes to confirm through visuals that the colonies are present. This action minimizes the repairs needed post-mold damage remediation. 

Condensation Collecting on Windows and Pipes

When the windows fog up frequently, poor ventilation can be the culprit. This level of air moisture can create a breeding ground for mold damage. One of the biggest issues for this happening, particularly in the bathroom, is a malfunctioning exhaust fan not properly venting the moisture out of the room after a hot bath or shower. Check indoor galvanized pipes for signs of rust, as over time, prolonged exposure to water can make the zinc coating rust, which can be an indicator of mold damage in the vicinity.

Another area in the home that can get affected by poor ventilation is a damp, humid basement. The cooler air in a basement leads to more condensation buildup, which can create the need for mold damage mitigation quickly. Once the spores germinate, they spread rapidly across surfaces and look for consumables such as wood, paper, and sheetrock is a favorite to establish colonies upon. This mold damage may require a controlled demolition.

Be On the Lookout for Water Stains

Property owners should regularly look around their homes, including closets, attics, basements, or crawlspaces, for water stains. This can be a problem with a leak or ground central for mold damage in the home.

SERVPRO can help local property owners through their detailed mold inspections and mold damage remediation process, which can include deep cleaning the ductwork in the home. The techs carefully dry and remove the colonies and identify the reason for the infestation, helping homeowners not have to deal with this issue again.

The local Central Seattle community trusts SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 for mold damage mitigation to their property and contents. Our trained technicians are available 24/7 for any size restoration job.

What Can Central Seattle Property Owners Do to Prevent Water Damage?

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers Seattle home areas with advanced water damage removal and restoration equipment

SERVPRO Technicians are Available 24/7 for Central Seattle Water Damage Cleanup

Water damage of all types is one of the most frequently seen restoration services that SERVPRO handles regularly. Unfortunately, problems such as flood damage, pipe bursts, sewer backups, and appliance failures can cause thousands of dollars in repairs to the property, in many cases, the issue was preventable. 

SERVPRO has several recommendations for property owners in Seattle to avoid water damage in their homes. There are actions that homeowners can take both inside and outside their homes to prevent damage from water. 

Clogged Gutters Can Cause Issues 

When gutters have dirt, debris, and leaves, the water cannot flow through as intended and instead backs up and over the top of the gutters. The liquid then runs into cracks and spills around the foundations causing problems ranging from rotten wood to hydrostatic water damage. Seepage into the eaves can result in water damage to the attic. Getting the gutters cleaned regularly or investing in a gutter cover system can eliminate the potential for this type of water damage to a structure. 

Checking Inside the Home for Potential Water Damage Concerns

There are numerous areas within a home that can be at the heart of a water damage situation. A slow leak can be costly in terms of repairs due to the ruined walls, ceilings, and flooring can all require replacement. While technology such as environmental monitoring systems is beneficial, it is a good idea for property owners to make a list of each room in their home, including closets and utility rooms, and look them over monthly for signs of water damage. Common signs of a problem include:

• Water stains on sheetrock
• Nailed raised out of hardwood floorboards due to prolonged moisture exposure and warping
• Buckling of walls or sagging ceilings
• Corrosive build-ups on pipes

Water Use Outside the Home

Good landscaping practices can assist in keeping rain draining away from your property rather than pooling around it. After a rainstorm, walk around the property and look for areas of standing water close to the foundation; these are the places that will need the grade raised to channel the rain away from the house. Also, consider downspout extensions. Sprinkler systems should get inspected yearly during the winterizing blow-out to avoid pipe breaks from freezing temperatures. The loss of pressure within the system can point to leaks that need addressing. 

Appliances are Another Source of Potential Water Damage

Consider how many devices in the kitchen alone use water, such as a fridge with an ice maker and dishwasher are frequent contributors to water cleanup jobs. The washing machine should be checked monthly for splits in the drain hose and drips in the pressurized water lines. A water heater tank, on average, holds around 55 gallons for the typical household. If a failure happens, many gallons can pour onto a floor and can cause significant water damage to a structure and contents. Monitoring systems and regular maintenance can help avoid these issues

SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 brings highly trained, IICRC-certified technicians for all types of water damage restoration services. Our experts utilize the latest technology in the restoration industry and are available for Central Seattle property owners 24/7.

Tips for Avoiding Fire Damage Year-Round in Central Seattle Homes

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO says--space heaters can cause fire damage to your Seattle area home or business.

SERVPRO Brings Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services Available 24/7 to Central Seattle Properties

According to the Insurance Information Institute, a house fire occurs in the United States every 87 seconds. While not every Central Seattle fire can be prevented, many of them could have been avoided or stopped early on with the right monitoring equipment, knowledge, and tools to extinguish it. This can greatly reduce fire damage.

There are many different ways fire damage can occur within a Seattle home, and SERVPRO has tips to lessen the potential for the need for house fire cleanup services. A little time spent preparing can avoid the cost of fire damage restoration. 

Holiday Season Fire Hazards

While the holiday season is a time of joy, it also comes with a lot of potential fire damage. Christmas trees, in particular, are common causes. Natural trees need to get watered, and the needles should not dry out. The heat from the lights or a spark can set the tree ablaze. Artificial trees are not always constructed using fire retardant materials, and decorations that can overheat should not be in direct contact with the materials of the limbs. No matter what type of tree gets used, homeowners should never leave the lights on unattended. Decorations such as lights hung outside the home should use UL-approved cords and waterproof weather cases around extension cord connections. Prevent fire damage from setting your seasonal hopes up in smoke.

Candle and Space Heater Dangers

When used safely, a space heater is ideal for heating a cold area in the home. To avoid fire damage, consumers should look for space heaters that have the following features: 

• Space heaters should be plugged directly into a wall outlet without the use of an extension cord or 3-prong adaptors
• Inspect the cord and plug occasionally during operation to ensure it is not becoming too hot
• Keep flammable materials and textiles at least 3 feet away from the unit or expect fire damage

While space heaters bring warmth into a home, candles bring the appearance of warmth, ambiance, and pleasant scents. Candles should never be left burning unattended, particularly if there are pets or children in the home. Much like a space heater, the heat from a candle can ignite nearby fabrics or flammable materials and cause minor to major fire damage. Homeowners should burn candles away from anything that could easily ignite, such as curtains, lampshades, books, clothing, or dried flowers arrangements.

Local homeowners should install smoke alarms in each room in the home and test them monthly to ensure they are working. A family escape plan for how to get out of the house in the event of a blaze and where to meet, including pets. Practicing this plan at least a few times a year can work to save lives. 

Benefits of Outsourcing Fire Damage Restoration Services

SERVPRO technicians treat every fire damage restoration service uniquely while following the systems of science upon which they are based. Cleaning fire and smoke damage, soot removal, and fire odor removal are crucial aspects of their detailed assistance.

Seattle residents rely on SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 for any size and type of fire damage restoration needed to make it "Like it never even happened."

How Can I Stop Damages from a Fire Affecting My Whole Seattle House?

9/11/2022 (Permalink)

Even though the fire started in your kitchen, the damage can spread throughout your home. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 to remediate the damage.

Containment Is Vital to Stopping the Spread of Soot, Smoke, and Odors – Our SERVPRO Team Can Help.

Knowing how to reduce the spread and severity of fire loss effects is not common knowledge to homeowners, but it is something that professional restoration teams like our SERVPRO technicians begin working on immediately with our arrival. Containment strategies help to keep the damaged area in one place and do not allow the work involved in restoration to be necessary over the entire property.

How Does Containment Work? 

When it comes to reducing fire damage in Seattle homes, containment barriers are among the first steps that our responding technicians employ. There are multiple approaches to accomplishing this, including physical constructions around the perimeter of the damaged area to keep spreading effects like soot and odors in one area. These walls usually feature wood and thick plastic sheeting. Non-physical barriers are the equipment set up along this perimeter to contain environmental threats like soot particles, floating debris, ash, and odors.

Some other advantages to containing the damage include:

• Singular recovery area
• Maximizes drying and cleaning
• Prevents the spread of harmful effects

How Do You Prevent Contaminating Clean Areas? 

Cross-contamination can be a challenge to avoid on any recovery site. Our SERVPRO team sets up a staging area beside the primary damaged region of your house. This second space also gets contained with the same defense. This area allows us to manage tools getting used in the compromised space and our clothing to prevent contaminating other areas of the house. Setting up a staging area limits our trips in and out of the work area as well, which reduces the chances of contaminating other areas of the house.

Fire losses can be stressful enough without the effects spreading throughout your entire residence. Our SERVPRO of Central Seattle can help with effective containment to maximize our production and focus. Give our professionals a call anytime at (206) 282-9500.

Fire Cleanup of Seattle Corner Diner Makes Hungry Patrons Happier

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

For fast and efficient service call SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500.

Food Tastes Great when Fire Cleanup Clears Soot

Grease buildup in your Seattle diner makes a fire much more likely. When you need fire cleanup, remember we handle soot deposits and odors, too. We also enjoy eating in these small diners and can help keep your business thriving. Customers love knowing that their favorite eatery is clean and healthy.

We make fire cleanup in Seattle easy on our customers. After a kitchen blaze, don’t waste time trying to clean it up and deodorize things - call us, instead. SERVPRO has dedicated crews ready to combat odors, soot, soiling, and physical damage in a kitchen fire. 

Any grease that hardens on surfaces where open flames occur can easily catch fire and lead to more widespread fires. We handle every step of fire cleanup, including:

• Your cookware,
• Countertops and backsplashes, and
• Structural challenges.

Grease coated on cookware can cause a fire, so a repeat blaze is much less likely to happen if we get this cleaned up. Other cookware that might have had problems with high heat sealing food onto surfaces needs specialized cleaning, too. We handle all of this.

We can cut through grease splattered on surfaces and clean up things for you in record time. When a fire occurs, things go everywhere, and that’s why we look at walls and backsplashes, too. We want to get it spiffed up and ready for a fresh start in the kitchen.

Fire can tear up a building, gutting it, and leaving it unrecognizable. We can use your photos and ideas to rebuild everything, of course. Our odor control crew is ready to use each opportunity to gain control over any soot present. Soot gets pushed into small nooks and crannies, and when these areas get opened up during deconstruction work, we work to contain it all. Eliminating odors before they start is possible when you know where to look.

Call us, SERVPRO of Central Seattle, at (206) 282-9500 for help with all sorts of disasters. We’re available 24/7, every day of the year.    

Who Looks After my Home During a Temporary Flood Evacuation?

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can bring floodwater and storm damage. The professionals at SERVPRO are always on call to handle your water damage restoration needs.

SERVPRO Restores Flood Damage at Seattle Residences After Storm-Related Flooding.

How much harm can a storm flood cause?

Floods are one of the top natural disasters causing property damage to occur to Seattle. When combined with adverse weather conditions like high winds or heavy rainfall, the impact of a flood on your home can be catastrophic. 

Is general construction necessary after property flooding?

When dealing with storm-related flood damage in your Seattle residents, we will likely find damaged doorways, windows, or structural harm that can affect your home's integrity. Multiple regions of damage make storm repair more complicated than regular water or fire-related property issues. To return your home to a pre-damaged condition, we must assess the immediate concerns, such as draining the property and rebuilding broken materials or entranceways. Since floodwaters can contain contamination, it is often essential to remove 

We are a service that gears toward flood recovery for residents. Our teams are professionally qualified, holding certificates in water damage restoration (WRT), general construction (OSHA), and applied structural drying (ASD), as well as many other contents or structure-related certifications. When you use SERVPRO, you can trust that we have the experience and the expertise to restore your home to its pre-damaged condition. Since we have a comprehensive roster of skills among our technicians as well as affiliations with essential building, construction, and housing associations in the area, it is likely that you only have to deal with one restoration company from start to finish.

porous building materials from the property altogether. These areas may include drywall, which must be removed after contacting floodwaters and replaced.

What stages are there in flood restoration?

• Assessment and scoping for potential hazards
• Mitigative procedures to reduce harm-causing aspects like water migration
• Repair and reconstruction of the structure 

In an emergency, it is vital to use professional, qualified storm repair technicians. Contact SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500.

Refrigerator in Seattle Kitchen Causes Need for Water Removal

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

You Should Always Have a Plan For The Possibility of Water Damage in Your Seattle Home

The water and ice dispenser on a refrigerator is a great convenience. What you may not think about is the amount of water that has the potential to spill if there is a malfunction. 

When a supply line to the ice maker in a refrigerator developed a split, the Seattle home needed fast water removal. The amount of water spilled into the floor in a shorter time was significant. 

Scoping the Damage in the Kitchen

SERVPRO technicians know from experience that visible water is usually only part of the problem. Moisture wicks rapidly into sheetrock and seeps under tile and into the subfloor. That is why the techs perform a visual assessment and use different types of moisture detection equipment to ensure that they do not miss any areas of water loss. As a result, the techs confirmed the presence of water under the laminate floorboards and within the plywood subfloor required drying. 

Water Extraction Equipment

The removal equipment that the techs bring to the worksite is much more powerful than a consumer-grade wet/dry vac. The centrifugal pumps have the power to pull embedded moisture to the surface. The ability to use multiple extractors simultaneously makes the water cleanup process go much faster and, in many cases, assists with lessening the water loss in the home. 

Removal of Water Loss Materials

The planks directly in front of the fridge were past the point of restoration due to the absorption of water and required replacement. This action opened up the subfloor for drying. The techs set up drying mats to force air into the plywood subfloor and floor joists of the crawlspace. The drying process gets carefully monitored to ensure the water loss area attains preset moisture content level goals. 

Prepping the Floor for Installation of New Floorboards

Before the new replacement flooring got installed, SERVPRO technicians treated the water loss areas with an antimicrobial sealant to ensure mold growth would not be a problem in the home. 

SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 brings the necessary equipment for complete water removal of any scale on your property. Using their advanced restoration methods makes the water loss "Like it never even happened."

Why Hiring Pros for Seattle Flood Damage is Smart

7/17/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage in your home needs to be dealt with quickly. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional water removal and remediation services.

SERVPRO’s Flood Damage Assistance Restores Seattle Properties Fast

Flooding, contamination, and damage to your home and property – are all things that no Seattle homeowner wants to experience. However, the weather can be unpredictable when storms roll in, leaving you with floodwater that rushes into your living space. How you act significantly affects the time it takes to restore your property to pre-flood condition. This is why SERVPRO makes our disaster response teams available 24/7 to assist area residents and businesses whenever powerful flooding takes hold.

Why not handle flood damage in Seattle alone? Because many inherent risks come from flooding at all levels. Water mitigation efforts must begin fast before contaminated water seeps into nooks and crannies to cause secondary damage and mold growth. You also must be careful about damage to your structural elements that could lead to safety hazards.

SERVPRO water mitigation and cleanup

We have IICRC-certified water restoration technicians (WRT) who know how to address flooding situations.

• We contain the flood zone using barriers 
• We treat pooled water with antimicrobials
• We ensure all technicians wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
• We pull up all standing water, remove unsalvageable items and flooding debris

With any water loss event, we also follow the water’s migration to address areas where hidden moisture might lurk. All subfloor and baseboards get checked, and we may perform flood cuts in the drywall to remove and replace unsalvageable materials. This also helps to dry all spaces behind walls thoroughly.

Cleaning is crucial for flooding events, so we use powerful EPA-registered cleaning agents and disinfectants. All surfaces get the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned seal of approval and our odor control technicians (OCT) work to eliminate odors rather than mask them. Your property is left “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Central Seattle is your team for water and flood damage cleanup. Why? Because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster – call us at (206) 282-9500 when you require assistance.

What Everyone Ought to Know About Water Damage Remediation in Seattle

7/17/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage regardless of where it comes from can be stressful. Call SERVPRO to assess the entire situation and remediate the damage.

How to Remove Water from Your Seattle Kitchen

Dealing with a pipe bursting is a frustrating situation. However, when it bursts in your kitchen, it can be even more of a hassle. Kitchens are the most used room in the home, and without a functional kitchen, the disruption severely inconveniences the lives of your family. It is essential to deal with excess water in your kitchen as quickly as possible, so you resume your regular routine. 

If you require water removal in your Seattle kitchen, the trained SERVPRO team is ready to assist you. We understand that the quicker you deal with water damage, the less secondary damage you encounter, such as potential mold infestations or saturated wall materials if the mishap began behind the drywall. Mitigating any further damage is a top priority. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster. 

When removing water from materials within your home, SERVPRO technicians consider items with vapor barriers that are either waterproof or have a permeance level of 1 perm or less (during one hour, only one grain of water vapor can pass through 1 square foot). Examples of vapor barriers are vinyl wallpaper, Kraft paper-faced insulation, masonry brick, and 6 mil plastic sheeting sometimes found protecting insulation. Some semi-gloss and gloss paints serve as a vapor barrier as well. Generally speaking, vapor barriers keep water out of the material; however, when water does get inside, it can be more challenging to extract.

Technicians also consider hygroscopic materials that absorb water and hold onto water vapor in the air with a high permeance factor. Typically, these materials include carpet, upholstery, unfaced insulation, and particleboard. While these materials are often easier to dry, they also tend to withstand more damage.

The SERVPRO professionals remove excess water using powerful portable extraction equipment, effective on both materials with vapor barriers and those that then use high-velocity air movers and dehumidifiers to work together to dry the wet materials while at the same time removing excess moisture from the air to return the relative humidity levels (RH) to preloss conditions. 

Contact SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 24/7 for prompt assistance.