Recent Why SERVPRO Posts
Items That Need Thrown Away After Fire Damage
9/6/2023 (Permalink)
Items To Throw Away After a Fire
Recovering from a home fire is a long, frustrating process. When you face the destruction of the furnishings and cherished items of your West Virginia home, it can be hard to say goodbye to belongings that don't seem to have been affected. However, there are some items that need to be thrown away, even if they don't look like they've been damaged by fire or smoke.
1. Food
You’ll need to toss out anything that was laying on the counter. (Bread, cereal, etc) Of course, you'll throw away anything in open containers and foods there were stored in cardboard or thin plastic bags. It may surprise you to learn, however, that even your canned foods should be tossed out. This is because the high heat of the fire will activate the growth of bacteria, even when food is sealed in glass jars and cans from the store.
The items in your fridge may be safe, even if the power has gone out, but remember that it's always safer to throw out questionable foods than to suffer through physical sickness. Anything that smells smoky or odd has visible soot, or doesn't feel cold should be tossed.
2. Medicine
The last thing you need after a fire is to be left without the medications that you need. But these items can be affected by fire damage. If there's charring, or signs of soot or warping go ahead and throw it out. It's better to contact your doctor for refills than to become sick or suffer any other side effects.
3. Cosmetics
Inspect your cosmetics that were near high heat for soot, dust, chemicals, and signs of damage. If anything is warped due to the exposure to heat, toss it. Stay on the safe side and simply get rid of all medicine and cosmetic items.
4. Clothes
Some of your clothes might be able to be cleaned and disinfected by a fire restoration company that has the proper tools and knowledge and experience. Anything that is burnt needs to be thrown away. Baby and children's clothing need some extra care and attention as you don’t want to risk your little one’s health.
Always use caution with the above items after a fire. It might be smart to just throw away food, medicine and cosmetics, and some clothes for the sake of your health. Always keep in mind that items exposed to high heat could affect your health if you keep them. If you’re questioning anything after fire damage, feel free to give us a call here at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties. We are always happy to help.
304-428-SERV
Google Review From Karen in Parkersburg, WV
6/1/2022 (Permalink)
Outstanding staff and professional Customer service. They did a great Job cleaning and sanitizing my house from a plumbing issue.
We Know that when you experience any damage to your home it is a very stressful time.
So we love to hear stories where we were able to help people during those times. And provide relief & strength during the very stressful time.
We value any and all feedback so that we can endeavor to become better servers to you.
"Outstanding staff and professional
Customer service. They did a great
Job cleaning and sanitizing my house from a plumbing issue. Answered my questions and helped
my husband and I have a sigh of relief ,that it was going to be okay.
Highly recommend this particular"
This is the type of feedback that we love to hear. We strive to always give people the best experience as they go through their difficult time.
Items That Need Thrown Away After Fire Damage
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
Items To Throw Away After a Fire
Recovering from a home fire is a long, frustrating process. When you face the destruction of the furnishings and cherished items of your West Virginia home, it can be hard to say goodbye to belongings that don't seem to have been affected. However, there are some items that need to be thrown away, even if they don't look like they've been damaged by fire or smoke.
1. Food
You’ll need to toss out anything that was laying on the counter. (Bread, cereal, etc) Of course, you'll throw away anything in open containers and foods there were stored in cardboard or thin plastic bags. It may surprise you to learn, however, that even your canned foods should be tossed out. This is because the high heat of the fire will activate the growth of bacteria, even when food is sealed in glass jars and cans from the store.
The items in your fridge may be safe, even if the power has gone out, but remember that it's always safer to throw out questionable foods than to suffer through physical sickness. Anything that smells smoky or odd has visible soot, or doesn't feel cold should be tossed.
2. Medicine
The last thing you need after a fire is to be left without the medications that you need. But these items can be affected by fire damage. If there's charring, or signs of soot or warping go ahead and throw it out. It's better to contact your doctor for refills than to become sick or suffer any other side effects.
3. Cosmetics
Inspect your cosmetics that were near high heat for soot, dust, chemicals, and signs of damage. If anything is warped due to the exposure to heat, toss it. Stay on the safe side and simply get rid of all medicine and cosmetic items.
4. Clothes
Some of your clothes might be able to be cleaned and disinfected by a fire restoration company that has the proper tools and knowledge and experience. Anything that is burnt needs to be thrown away. Baby and children's clothing need some extra care and attention as you don’t want to risk your little one’s health.
Always use caution with the above items after a fire. It might be smart to just throw away food, medicine and cosmetics, and some clothes for the sake of your health. Always keep in mind that items exposed to high heat could affect your health if you keep them. If you’re questioning anything after fire damage, feel free to give us a call here at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties. We are always happy to help.
304-428-SERV
Great review from Tyler in Parkersburg, WV
2/8/2022 (Permalink)
It's understandable that when your home is hit with extensive damage it is an extremely stressful time.
From dealing with insurance companies, restoration companies and contractors. Not to mention the partner and kids and trying to find places to be comfortable.
We value any and all feedback so that we can endeavor to become better servers to you.
It is so amazing when we hear positive reviews have come in for us because it means that we know another family have been comfortable in their homes again.
Kind Words from Tyler
In speaking about this, we'd like to share a great, honest piece of feedback from a customer we helped a few weeks ago, Tyler:
"Just wanted to thank SERVPRO again for your work, even though insurance held them up, they were very professional and had us ripped out and ready in just a couple days after receiving the go ahead... your workers are very kind, respectful, and take there job very professional. Thanks again for your help with our damaged home!"
We truly hope that disaster and stress doesn't come to your home. If it ever does, we are here to help.
The Team at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties
Google Review from Charlie in Wood County, WV about our Staff
2/8/2022 (Permalink)
When someone takes the time to leave SERVPRO their feelings about our service it is very exciting to read.
We love when people share their experiences with us and here are some kind words from a local in Wood County, Charlie Rowan.
Kind Words from Charlie
"Jay is an extremely hard worker and relentless at completing his jobs. My son has worked with Jay in the past and relied on him for innovative thinking to better help their customers in the most productive ways possible."
We appreciate the great feedback from Charlie. It's always great to know that our customers are happy with our service.
We truly hope that disaster and stress don't come to your home. But, if it ever does, we are here to help.
-The Team at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties
Review from Emily on our Water Damage Services in Parkersburg, WV
1/28/2022 (Permalink)
We love hearing incredibly positive reviews and we received this review on Google from Emily in Parkersburg, WV regarding her Water Damage Restoration Issue.
Kind Words from Emily
"We ended up having a condensation leak in our basement which resulted in water sitting under our new floors. We wanted to be sure it would be taken care of the right way & that no mold would accumulate, even if that meant having to take up the floor.
These guys were great! They were quick to get out here, very well mannered, quality work & well knowledgeable! We did end up having to take up about half of the flooring so we’ll try to match or replace the whole thing if needed, at least I know it'll be safe with no issues now & that's all that matters!
They even took care of some mold they found starting on the walls etc & I am so grateful. Worked easily with our home insurance company & everything was a breeze. Glad we were able to find out about SERVPRO to take care of us!"
We always appreciate your feedback and kind words
Please keep your reviews coming in. It makes us so happy to hear that we are helping and this keep our fire lit!
The Team at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties
How Long Should you Wait if the Sewer Backs up?
6/22/2021 (Permalink)
This is what a Sewage Back Up can look like!
Trust when we say ... you don't want this. But you already knew that.
Sewage back up can be very hazardous to our health. It is home to a lot of bacteria and disease. Therefore it is so important that it is treated thoroughly as soon as possible.
SEWAGE GETS INTO EVERYTHING!
Sewage gets right into every crack and crevice it gets near. It will settle into carpet, wood, tiles, anything and everything!
PLEASE BE CAREFUL
It is our suggestion that you do not touch anything. Sewage is riddled with dangers and it is not worth risking your health.
As you can see in the photo, our technician is wearing a gas mask. They're also wearing PPE all over, including a full protective suit.
At all costs, we are taking the safest method to completely dispose of the sewage. From full clean up through to disinfecting the areas thoroughly. It must be safely dealt with.
How Long Should I Wait After the Sewage Backs Up?
The short answer is ... do not wait. Call a specialist immediately. As mentioned earlier, the longer you wait, the more ground in it becomes. From the sewage through to the smell.
Act fast for an easier removal.
For more information you can either read this blog:
Is Your Water Safe? The Three Categories You Need to Know
OR give us a call today on 304-428-7378
SERVPRO Technicians will consider these 4 Dangers when treating your Water Damage Restoration Service
3/15/2021 (Permalink)
During any water damage restoration service there are 4 major dangers that are at play. These include Electrical Hazards, Mold, Septic Tank Spillage & Other Waste Hazards and Structural Damage.
To better understand how our technicians approach these dangers we will give some information in this article. Each job will have differences and nuances and your technician will be better suited to answer detailed about your job.
Electrical Hazards
Electricity and water mix a little too well, and this makes it dangerous. When approaching any water issues our technicians will immediately assess any electrical connections and make sure that they’re turned off.
If you are aware of any circuit boards or other electrical outlets please notify the technicians immediately so that they can neutralize the issue as soon as possible to keep themselves, and others safe.
Mold
Mold growth after water damage is highly likely. Without proper eradication of water (in all areas) your home / premises is vulnerable to mold growth. SERVPRO technicians will make sure that full water eradication through use of fans and other drying appliances is achieved.
Septic Tank Spillage & Other Waste Hazards
Septic tanks and other biological waste spillage is a potential health hazard to people. This type of water can carry high amounts of bacteria and fungi which could cause serious health effects.
For this reason when SERVPRO technicians are called out and we notice one of these issues, the area is immediately block access to the area to prevent any further contamination.
Please notify the SERVPRO technicians of known septic tanks when they arrive so that they can check for any potential ruptures.
Structural Damage
Water is highly effective at creating structural damage (even more so than fire), and what’s more is that water can slowly erode the structure. SERVPRO technicians will check thoroughly through the buildings fixtures, structures and supports to make sure that your building is structurally sound and free from any potential water.
Please remember: Each job will have differences and nuances and your technician will be better suited to answer detailed about your job.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask by calling SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties on 304-428-7378 or email us by clicking here.
How SERVPRO trains their Technicians / Staff
2/9/2021 (Permalink)
Your home and business is important to you. Therefore it’s important that people who are highly trained, professional and respectful come into your home when you need help the most.
At SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties we are always striving to improve your experience. Thorough training, getting our employees knowledgeable to give you the best service possible is our first step. All technicians go through the below certifications and on-going teachings.
- IICRC Training
- SERVPRO© Employee Certification Training
- SERVPRO© Franchise Training
- e-Learnings
- Continuing Education Classes
IICRC Training and Certification
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries across the United States of America.
Our Professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, COVID sanitization and other cleaning and restoration courses.
SERVPRO© Employee Certification Training
The Employee Certification Training is a voluntary, self-paced program designed for SERVPRO Franchise employees. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:
- Crew Training
- Fire Restoration
- Water Restoration
- Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
SERVPRO© Franchise Training
A 15-day intensive hands-on course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility is the foundation of the SERVPRO training program for owners covering many restoration topics:
- Fire Restoration
- Water Restoration
- Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
- Mold Mitigation
e-Learnings
A voluntary, on-going program designed for fine tuning staff skills and know-how. Video presentations and support materials are followed by a knowledge test at the end of each module. This keeps our technicians and office staff up to speed on industry standards and the professional quality you expect.
If you would like to ask any further questions about our staff training, applying for a job, or questioning about any issues you may have in your home or business, please call our friendly staff on 304-428-7378 or email us on our contact page.
We hope that this has helped.
The team at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties.
IS COVID CLEANING REALLY NECESSARY?
1/11/2021 (Permalink)
2021 is here and there does not seem to be an end to the pandemic restrictions in the immediate future. but should we bother about sanitizing our homes and businesses for COVID?
This layered (and perhaps annoying) question has so many differing views on the internet and traditional media from “is the virus even real?” to pure fear. So …
Is COVID actually real?
The short answer … yes.
Symptoms such as loss of smell and taste are not flu-like symptoms. But …
Do we really have to be safe?
Let’s remove emotion and (even) science for a second and look at what we know is happening:
- If COVID cases rise in areas the authorities have the ability to restrict (or even close) shops and other venues. This effects people’s livelihood drastically.
- People are getting sick from COVID and it spreads very fast.
So the question we have to ask ourselves is: "Do you want your business to be responsible for spreading this?"
True or not, the news picks these stories up fast to "notify the public" and the fear surrounding those venues lingers long after the event.
Do we really have to sanitize?
No, you don’t have to because it’s your choice. And so your choice can be as educated as possible. Here are the pros and cons of sanitizing your home or business:
Pros:
- Sanitization gives a little peace of mind to anyone entering your home or business.
- Sanitization minimizes the chances of spread of infection and disease if it is present.
- (Businesses) COVID poses a lot of financial risks. If your venue is deemed “a hot spot” it could result in very bad publicity or even closing down for safety measures.
Cons:
- Sanitization is a cost. So weigh up your risks of not sanitizing verses sanitizing before jumping into a decision.
- Sanitization if not forever. It does not mean your home or venue will not have germs come back. Sanitization removes what is currently there, if something comes afterwards … it’s there.
- Too much sanitizing can be dangerous to our health. Make sure to not overdo it if you’re doing it yourself. Or better yet, ask a professional for advice.
Today, COVID bears risks beyond just health, it is now a financial risk. Consider all the options above before sanitizing your home or venue. Can you afford the risk?
If not, please call our team to find out if your home or business should have sanitization: 304-428-7378 or contact us through our contact us page.
Keep safe,
The Team at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties
3 SERVPRO Tips to Avoid Crippling Storm Damage Expenses in Wood Country
8/17/2020 (Permalink)
Article at a glance: The goal of this article is to give you information on how to avoid storm damage to your home. If successful, this information could save you and your family $10,000+ in damages.
The Damage that Storms Cause
The storms that hit Wood County in June this year had caused multiple family homes a lot of damage. From structural damage to flooding or trees falling onto roofs. It is hard for the team at SERVPRO to see this because it’s very hard to explain the requirements to fix the damage.
It is an expensive endeavor. From removal of debris, water damage restoration and all other requirements it is not uncommon for insurance bills to reach $10,000 to $20,000+. In this article we will give a short description of some options for you to do do avoid the damage and we will link to the full, detailed blog post for you to read further. Please read these carefully and apply. It could save you a lot of money and a lot of stress.
Beware of Nearby Trees
Trees are one of the biggest causes of home destruction during storms. They can either act as lighting rods, attracting lightning to the home or tree, or, in strong winds, trees can become an airborne projectile to cause damage to your home.
Are there any areas that could create major leaks?
Waters ability to expand and penetrate all areas, big and small, means that if it gets in (particularly during a storm) it creates long lasting issues that only get worse in time.
It is important to check (perhaps every 3 months) for any possible areas of the home’s exterior that may give access to water to come in. You can do this personally, but the more recommended method would to have a professional look for you. This ensures that you are thorough. Professionals know where to look for, how to look and, if found, what is needed to resolve the issue in the most effective and cost-effective way for you.
Have the Proper Insurances
Please, this is by far the most important. As mentioned, storm damages can be very expensive. No family should have to go through the heartache of having for dish out tens of thousands of hard earned dollars to fix their home. Storm insurance will help ease the heartache in these times. It won’t make it easy, but it will make it easier. It’s the best we can ask for.
Read further
5 Things in West Virginia Storms to be Aware of to Avoid $10,000s in Damages
All Water Damage Blog Posts
Who is Best For Water Damage Restoration in Wood County?
7/14/2020 (Permalink)
Water damage can cause severe problems within a few minutes by damaging your furniture, appliances, and other electronic equipment. If you face any water leakage in your house, you need to fix it as soon as possible. In this way, SERVPRO provides you with its fast water damage restoration services through highly trained professionals, having heaps of experience in the field.
Types of Water Damage:
There are three main types of water damage; silent water damage, flooded basements and water damage from storms.
Silent Water Damage occurs when Water present in the air due to constant humidity can slowly and silently damage your home foundations, walls, roof, and home appliances.
Flooded Basements are a very common call we receive from locals in Wood County area. These issues can arise from frozen spigots, flooded water heaters or a faulty sump pump.
Storm Damage is a common issue in West Virginia and varies when this occurs. Much like the large storms we encountered last April / May homes are damaged from excess winds and items being thrown around, breaking windows, walls or roof tiles, allowing water to get in to the home.
Services Offered Under Water Damage Restoration:
Our team of professionals is committed to working on both types of water damages. It is necessary to remove water from the damaged areas to restore silent water damage. We use various techniques, including air, heat, and sanitation, to remove get foundations, walls, and roofs dry. Apart from these necessary measures, we also use some advanced techniques to make your house or business free of silent water damage.
Storms can come in an instant, so they demand quick remediation. The following are a few features of the services we provide.
Trained Staff:
Our professionally trained staff has gone through many emergencies, so it knows how to deal with disasters, including storm and water damage.
Instant Services:
Time is a very important factor with water damage. As time goes by water creates further damage in the home due to is pervasive nature. Our staff are fast acting to remedy the situation so that you can avoid further damage within your home or business.
Advanced Techniques:
Our team is well equipped with modern-day tools, frequent knowledge and advanced techniques to prevent you from facing significant damage.
Conclusion
Water and storms can have a massive impact on your home or business. Precautionary steps can help minimise the damage of events such as storms which can dramatically reduce restoration costs. If you still need help, feel free to contact our water damage restoration services.
Related Articles:
3 Tips to Avoid $10,000 in damages from a Frozen Spigot - click here
How to Check (and fix) a Seized Sump Pump (and save you $1,000s) - click here
How to Avoid Your Water Heater Flooding Your Basement - Click here
Meet Our Technician - Ken Rollins
5/17/2020 (Permalink)
Ken Rollins is an inspiration
We want you to know the team that will be helping solve your water restoration and fire damage.
Our crew member, Ken Rollins, is a charismatic young fellow who doesn't let age get in the way.
Ken's Experience
Ken has over 3 years restoration experience and primarily provides service in the water damage sector of SERVPRO.
His service goes back to the navy, where he served our beautiful country.
His service extends beyond the country and down to the local community. Alongside his time at SERVPRO, Ken operates as security at The Rock Church, Parkersburg, and provides meals on wheels to the elderly (he's a young fella remember!).
Age is only a number
Ken uses all his time outside of SERVPRO further providing to the community. Besides what we mentioned above you are also likely to see him chopping firewood and mowing lawns for the locals as well as volunteering for the Wounded Warriors Charity Group.
Somehow, within in all of this, Ken still also finds time to walk at least 5 miles per day.
If you ever see Ken out and about, or on the job, please say hello. This man is a true hero amongst our community.
Meet our Technician - Austin Alexander
5/11/2020 (Permalink)
Austin Alexander - SERVPRO Technician
Our goal for you is to have the best staff for the job. Not only in their qualifications but also with the care and personal touch.
Our restoration technician at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties, Austin Alexander ticks all the boxes and we wanted to introduce him to you.
Austin Alexander’s Experience
Who Is Austin Outside of SERVPRO?
The list of Austin’s involvement in the local community could go for a long time, but we will keep it short for you:
- Active with the Warehouse Church: Austin plays guitar and bass guitar with his band, Praise Lordship at the Warehouse church.
- Mentors local Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings and drug habilitation programs: Helping others get back on their feet is very important to Austin. He believes that everyone deserves a second chance and it’s within everyone to turn around for the positive. His involvement with these programs has seen numerous men and women turn their lives around in the local Mid-Ohio Valley area.
- When he’s looking for time for himself he enjoys outdoor activities like kayaking, camping and hiking “there’s a lot to do out there and it’s fun to explore the nature that we have.”
Austin’s heart is in everything he does. So if you see him around the area or he’s on your job site, please say hello and introduce yourself.
The team at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties.
Meet our Owner - James Miller
3/10/2020 (Permalink)
Parkersburg SERVPRO Co-Owner: James Miller
Experience and expertise are very important when your home or business is experiencing water damage, fire damage, or mold.
James Miller, the owner, and operator of SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties, not only has a history that challenges most veterans in the game, but he is also a very active member of the community.
James Miller's Experience
- Over 35 years of construction experience, 17 of which were within the restoration industry.
- Experienced in major flooding damage, control and restoration.
- Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
James Miller's Community Involvement
James also provides for the local community through his active contribution to The Rock Church.
His responsibilities in the church include construction supervisor, usher, and men's group leader.
James also contributes to the Wounded Warriors and Hunting Heroes charities.
------------------------------------
In highly emotional and distraught times such as flooding, water damage, or fire, it's important to have someone that is extremely knowledgeable for your home or business.
James Miller, the owner of SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties will continually strive to keep not only himself but his team highly accountable and training for your needs.
If you need any questions answered, please do not hesitate to call James directly on 304-428-7378
How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost in the Mid-Ohio Valley?
1/23/2020 (Permalink)
Water Damage Restoration Cost
Water Damage can devastate our homes and commercial buildings far beyond the initial event. Unlike fire damage, water is extremely time sensitive. As time goes by it will further damage the walls, subfloor and structure along with building foundations and furniture if water isn’t removed quickly and properly.
Ongoing water damage can vary from expanding within your subfloor and walls, furniture and by creating a thriving environment for mold to grow. For these reasons water damage must be taken care of as soon as possible.
Luckily almost every water damage claim is covered by your homeowners insurance without any out of pocket expenses.
But what does this cost?
How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost?
The short answer is “it depends” but on average it is around $4,800 but this can increase or even decrease dramatically depending on multiple factors.
The goal of this blog post is to be fully transparent with you, explaining all the factors that contribute to the pricing, so that you can be better prepared when talking to SERVPRO. In addition, we offer a few tips of how to minimize your costs. So be sure to read carefully.
What are the factors?
Factor 1: Time (Time of Booking)
Our base time for call outs is during business hours (Monday - Friday, 8-5pm). There is an industry standard surcharge for emergency calls made after hours, late at night, on weekends and holidays. Typically, this surcharge can be about a $50 per hour surcharge.
Factor 2: Time (Man-hours)
Labor is a vital component in the process and one of the major factors that determine the price of a water damage restoration job. Man hours are summed up in this example; if a job requires 40 hours to complete, one man will do it in 40 hours, 2 men will do it in 20 hours, 4 in 10 hours and so on. There is no extra cost for extra people, the pricing only factors the total hours worked.
What Builds Into These Man Hours?
- Distance: How far is your location from us? The further away, the more travel time required to and from the job, as well as follow up and check up from the SERVPRO team.
- Demolition: In some instances, there is a level of demolition required for thorough water and moisture removal. This can be as small as removing glued carpet or perhaps removal of dry wall that is completely soaked with water and beyond repair. Each job has specific requirements for the team to get under, around or behind items to safely remove all water and moisture.
- Side note about dealing with carpet: Carpet removal can be a time consuming job. If it can be rolled up, great! Some time is saved. However often the team need to cut the carpet into squares to safely remove it from surrounding fixtures.
- Removal of items in area: Unimpeded access to the area is vital. If there is furniture or other objects obstructing access, they must be safely removed. The time required for this part of the process can vary depending on the amount and the size of the items.
- Large or small items?
- Does our team have to carry it up stairs, through the house or is there a basement door?
- Do any items need to be disposed of?
- Do we have to safely store them? Do you have a storage space or do we have to rent out somewhere in the meantime?
All these questions are considered when pricing.
- Money saving tip: If safe to do so, you can save money by removing all the smaller items from the area before the team arrive. Warning: be careful of any electrical currents and the water category of the water in the area.
Factor 3: Time (the environment)
When referring to the environment we are talking about where the water damage has taken place (basement, kitchen, outdoors etc). One of the most important parts of water damage restoration that is often forgotten is the drying after the team has been at your home or building.
Our dehumidifiers are working overtime to completely rid your area of moisture. This is to prevent the build up of mold in the area and make it as safe as possible for you, your family or your employees.
- Humid Airflow: In an ideal world, the area is completely air tight, with no external air coming out. Unfortunately this isn’t often the case. If there is a door with a breeze coming in and it’s humid outside, this can slow down the process up to a couple of days (worst case scenario).
- Money Saving Tip: keep the area free from moisture and humidity as much as possible. If it’s hot and dry outside, a free flowing breeze can actually help speed up the process. We would recommend asking the team first if this is a good idea.
- HVAC System: Your HVAC system may or may not be hurting the drying time. Proper air flow and humidity displacement can help remove moisture from your home and assist with drying faster.
Factor 4: Square Footage of Area
While this is an apparently obvious one we must include it. The more damage there is, the more the price will increase. You can keep your costs down slightly though if obstructions are kept to a minimum or removed entirely.
Factor 5: The Equipment
Our equipment is top of the line and recently updated, meaning they are more effective and efficient than ever before. Our research and development team have worked tirelessly to minimize their electric output while simultaneously improving their power. This means that their electricity consumption has significantly dropped. For example our fans use less electricity than your household vacuum!
The equipment required may range from any or all of these:
- Exhaust fans: to extract air from the area.
- Dehumidifiers: used to remove humidity in the air. Cleaning it as well as removing the moisture in the air that feeds mold.
- Air Scrubbers & Water Extractors: used to clean contaminated air and large amounts of water.
As you can see there is a long list of variables that are considered when we are asked “how much does it cost for water damage restoration?” We hope that this has helped shed some light on to the processes involved so that you can minimize your costs where possible.
Some extra money saving tips include:
As mentioned earlier, the more time saved, the better it is. So be sure to follow these simple guidelines / tips when getting prepared.
- Communicate as much information as possible over the phone: Have as much detail as you can when calling SERVPRO. Concise, detailed information means faster response time. While poor or confusing information means a delayed response time, which may cost more, remembering water damage is time sensitive.
- Photos or videos of the damaged area: photos and videos allow the team to better understand the job ahead. Make sure that they are well lit if possible. Too many shadows may make it harder for our team to understand the area.
Final piece of help: We recommend reading our article How to Minimize Your Costs After Water Damage for some more information that will help you with the process.
If you know someone wondering, “how much does water damage restoration cost?” please feel free to share this article with them. We hope that it helps you better understand everything that goes into the pricing.
From the team at SERVPRO of Wood, Ritchie & Pleasants Counties
24/7 Emergency Service
