Flooding after a storm.. What Next?

11/16/2022 (Permalink)

The second you notice flooding in your home do not hesitate to call SERVPRO immediately!

Time is the biggest factor in preventing further damage, as well as slowing the spread of water into places like your floors and walls. With a quick enough reaction to the issue we can make a huge difference.

Regardless, if you notice damage days after a storm we can still help. With a team of experts who know the ins and outs of storm damage we can find the source and solution to your issue. Not only do we perform the cleanup and treatment of the area, we restore what was ruined. When we leave it will be, "Like it never even happened".

SERVPRO of Palm Desert Specializes in Commercial Carpet Cleaning!

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Lets us professionally clean your carpets.

The SERVPRO franchise has been in operation since 1967, so they know a thing about cleaning. SERVPRO of Palm Desert's is no different. Their staff has dealt with all cleaning levels, believe me when I say that we have seen it all!

We understand the need to have your office/restaurant/church/store carpets cleaned at the hours when you are not open for business, and we accommodate that for you.  We use air movers to help facilitate a quick drying process, so you can be open on time the next day. We know that no one wants to walk into a building with soggy carpets. 

We at SERVPRO of Palm Desert have some of the best equipment, an understanding of the different carpet types, very effective cleaning agents, and our staff is highly trained and professional.

We do not just give quotes over the phone because we know that cleaning cost is not just about the square footage of the carpet. We have to consider the amount of soil, the material that the carpet is made of, and the age and/or condition of the carpet. 

Let us give you a custom carpet cleaning quote by giving SERVPRO of Palm Desert a call at (760) 346-7270. 

September is National Preparedness Month - week 1 topic - Make a Plan

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

National Preparedness Month - week 1 - Make a Plan

SERVPRO Industries, Inc. is once again proud to be a member of the National Preparedness Month Coalition and is committed to helping the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in their efforts to promote the importance of preparedness planning.

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time like Hurricane Ida that recently hit the Louisiana.

This week's theme is: "MAKE A PLAN."

If your family hasn't already make an emergency plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes in your area, so it is important to know the different types of disasters that your area can be effected by. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

Things to think about when making a plan: 

1. How will we find out about the disaster in our area?

2. What is our shelter plan?

3. What is our evacuation plan?

4. How will my family communicate during the disaster if we are not together?

5. Do we have an emergency kit and has it been updated?

6. Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and update my emergency plans due to COVID protocols.

The next thing you will want to think about is your households specific needs. What age groups will you have in your group? Is there any dietary or medical needs? Is there someone with a type of disability and do you have everything they would need? Do you have enough medication to last the duration that you will be away from your home? What about cultural or religious considerations? How about pets? Do you need food for them and how will you transport them?

You should have someone in your household fill out the Family Emergency Plan form so you have all of this information readily available. 

Then don't forget to practice this plan with all of the members of your household so everyone knows what they need to do so you all can evacuate safely and in a timely manor. 

Make sure you come back next week to learn how to make an Emergency Kit. 

If your home receives damage from a disaster, give SERVPRO of Palm Desert a call 24/7 at 760-346-7270. We will make it "Like it never even happened."

“Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” 

Prevent Kitchen Fires in your Commercial Kitchen

8/28/2021 (Permalink)

Follow these steps to prevent commercial kitchen fires!

According to FEMA, on average, a fire in a commercial kitchen will result in an average loss of $23,000. For about 43 percent of those restaurant’s, that fire caused a total loss, forcing the restaurant to shut its doors.

Fire Risks:

• Tight, cramped kitchens with staff going in and out, combined with open flames, heat and combustible material put commercial kitchens at risk of fires.
• Cooking is the leading cause of non-residential building fires.

The two most common kitchen fires can be avoided with regular cleaning. They are exhaust hoods and grease traps.

Poorly maintained Exhaust Hoods can turn a minor fire into a raging inferno. Built-up residue on an exhaust system becomes combustible and grease residues can ignite and spread throughout the entire duct system. This would result in a wider area of your building affected by the fire and smoke damage.

When Grease is present in a commercial kitchen it is highly combustible and is an obvious fire hazard. It is one of the most overlooked, but easy to avoid causes of commercial kitchen fires.

Commercial kitchen fires can happen at any time. It is very important to be mindful of your cleanliness, processes and equipment on a daily/weekly basis to ensure there is not an obvious hazard staring you in the face. Educate your staff to recognize these hazards and have safety procedures in place. Following these very important steps will help with fire prevention in your commercial kitchen. 

Another important thing that you can do is to make sure that your staff is adequately trained on how to operate a fire extinguisher to help minimize damage.

If a fire does occur, our technicians here at SERVPRO of Palm Desert are here to help with the clean-up! Give us a call 24/7 at (760) 346-7270!

SERVPRO specializes in Mold Remediation and Restoration in the Palm Desert area.

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Palm Desert before mold takes over your home or business!

Mold does not need much to start forming in your home or business. Mold can start forming due to a little water leak from a pipe or some humidity build up in a bathroom. Once that mold starts forming it can spread as quickly as 48 hours!

Here at SERVPRO of Palm Desert, we pride ourselves on how fast we get to the bottom of your mold issue and restore the area "Like it never even happened."

Mold is a very serious thing to deal with because it has the potential to produce allergens, irritants, and other health effects. SERVPRO of Palm Desert will inspect and assess your property before remediating your mold problem. Our SERVPRO technicians have undergone specialized training to ensure the job is done right and quickly! 

Call us right away at (760) 346-7270, if you smell a “musty” odor or see black spots. The earlier we catch the problem, the simpler it will be to fix. 

Should You Buy a House with Mold Problems

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

Realtor showing a Potential buyer a home without knowing if there is mold.

You finally find the home of your dreams after searching forever in the Palm Desert area. Just before signing on the dotted line, you discover that the home has mold problems. Should you buy your dream house anyway?

First, let’s talk about what mold is. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow anywhere if given the right conditions. Thousands of species of mold can be found in houses; from the kind that grows on bread and fruit to the mold that inhabits humid spaces. Exposure to some types of mold can even cause health effects, so you'll need to have it removed from the home as soon as possible to be safe.

Also, mold may cause serious structural damage to a building because it feeds on and breaks down organic matter. Therefore, when mold infests walls, insulation, paper backing, or carpeting, the materials must be removed.

Before you buy any home, make sure you have it inspected for mold and other problems. Insist that the inspection contains a contingency clause (which defines a condition or action that must be met for a real estate contract to become binding). Never take a seller's or real estate agent's word about the presence of mold. Even if you're getting a really good discount, you want to get an inspection. The cost of removing the mold could end up being greater than your savings. If mold is exposed during the inspection, you have a bargaining chip. You can then do one of three things:

1. Ask the seller to reduce the asking price
2. Ask the seller to fix the problem
3. Walk away from the deal

Sellers are required under state real estate disclosure rules to disclose if there’s an ongoing mold problem in the house or if it’s been previously flooded, but they don't always do so. If they do not, the owner may be liable to you for failure to disclose. (See the Nolo article, "Home Defects: Sue the Seller," which provides useful advice on determining who’s legally responsible for home defects and how to file suit.)

You may decide to tackle the mold clean up yourself, but some mold grows deep roots that can only be removed with the right tools. This will cause the mold to keep coming back if it is not removed properly. Mold can also be very difficult to find. You would be better off using a company that specializes in mold removal like SERVPRO of Palm Desert. 

There's no right answer for whether it's OK to buy a home with mold. Your primary concerns should be your budget, your health and how soon you need to move in. On the other hand, if you’ve got the time and money to get rid of the mold, purchasing a home with mold in it could save you money, especially if your home is appraised lower because of the mold.

Give SERVPRO of Palm Desert a call today and let our professionals handle the mold in your home!

Helping Schools Provide Clean, Healthy Environments

5/27/2021 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Palm Desert keep your school buildings clean and healthy!

Educational institutions can depend on their local SERVPRO of Palm Desert for fast, thorough service in the event of fire, water or mold damage.  With 24-hour emergency response, SERVPRO of Palm Desert provides mitigation, cleanup and restoration services to reduce recovery costs and to help ensure minimal interruption to your curriculum.  Your local SERVPRO of Palm Desert also provides expert cleaning for emergencies or special needs exceeding routine janitorial capabilities, including stain removal, upholstery and drapery dry cleaning, indoor air quality and vandalism cleanup.  Our professionals are trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA registered cleaners and disinfectants. We are trusted by hundreds of insurance companies nationwide.  We have served the Coachella Valley since 1967.  Call us today at, (760) 346-7270  to get your free estimate. 

Fire Pit Safety

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Pits can be fun but they can cause serious damage if not set up right. Let SERVPRO of Palm Desert help clean up the damage 24/7!

Now that the weather is getting nicer, everyone is spending more time outside.  Why stop enjoying the fresh air once it starts getting chilly and dark outside?!  Backyard fire pits are all the trend nowadays.  They are so great to sit around and enjoy now that we can spend time with our friends and family again.

Before you place your fire pit in your yard, you must be real careful whether it is a fixed unit or a moveable one.

• Your fire pit should be on a flat even surface to reduce the chances of fire escaping.
• Place your fire pit at least 10 feet away from any flammable structures.  This includes trees, fences, your garage and house.
• Make sure your fire pit doesn’t have anything above it like a porch or tree branches.
• Don’t place your fire pit on a flammable surface like a porch or grass.  Elevate your portable fire pit so it’s safe from grass, flowers and weeds.

If you find that you have a disaster on your hands call 911 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  These kinds of fires can grow very rapidly so do not try to put it out by yourself. 

Should your house sustain any damage from fire or smoke, please give SERVPRO of Palm Desert a call and we will come out immediately - day or night - to begin the clean up and to board up your home if needed. 

SERVPRO of Palm Desert Can Handle Any Kind of Storm Damage!

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let storm damage get you down! SERVPRO of Palm Desert is here for you 24/7!

I am sure you know that storms can cause horrific damage and come without notice! We have been there to help after Rainstorms that flood the area and Wildfires which can leave horrible smoke damage! 

SERVPRO is the number one leader in Disaster Recovery with more than 1,700 franchise locations across the country. In the event of a large storm the Disaster Recovery Team is available to rush in and help. This team consists of franchise locations across the state that have the tools, training and resources to handle the unpredictable. 

With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 1,700 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. Recent mobilizations of the Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:

• 2017 California wildfires
• 2017 Hurricane Irma
• 2017 Hurricane Harvey
• 2016 Hurricane Matthew
• 2015 Carolina floods
• 2014 Polar Vortex
• 2012 Sandy
• 2010 Nashville floods

In 2019, a neighboring location in Southern California was getting calls every 5 minutes to help with water/flood damage at both residential and commercial properties. They were able to call in the SERVPRO Storm Team to help them ensure that all of the properties were taken care of and restored as if there wasn’t any water in their buildings! 

You don’t have to worry about storm damage to your property! SERVPRO of Palm Desert is here to help! Give us a call 24/7 at (760) 346-7270!

Things That You Should NOT Do After Flooding

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let flooding in your home get you down, SERVPRO of Palm Desert is here to help, day or night!

Here are some simple things that you should avoid doing if there is flooding in your home:

• Don't use your television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove any water.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors their dyes could transfer to the carpet.
• Don't leave wet fabrics in place, they are the perfect place for molds to grow. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave valuables in the home without letting the technicians note them in your job file.

SERVPRO of Palm Desert will be out quickly to begin removing the water from the places that it shouldn’t be but doing these few things will keep you safe and make the dry out go more quickly.