SERVPRO Cleanup&Restoration; Services Mold Mitigation&Remediation Concerns of Mold Intrusion of water into your home or place of business is an out of the ordinary event. This could result from broken water pipes or water heaters, sump pump failure or from long-standing leaks. Organic materials found inside a building, such as wood, paper, drywall, and some types of insulation, provide food sources for molds (given an adequate amount of moisture) to flourish. A water damage, if left unattended for any period of time, may lead to mold growth. People may experience health effects associated with exposure to mold in damp buildings, according to atwo-year study by the Institute of Medicine. These health effects may include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, congestion, aggravation of asthma, sore throat, or inflammation of the sinus. Concerns are more likely to arise when "at risk" individuals are exposed to mold growth. "At risk" people can include immune suppressed or compromised individuals, young children, and individuals with chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and severe allergies. Dealing with Mold SERVPRO franchise professionals handle water damages every day. Prompt action is required to prevent new mold growth. If your property has sustained a recent water damage, it is vital to have the water removed and the structure dried promptly. When excessive mold contaminates a building, remediators follow five principles in dealing with the mold: Principle 1: Provide for health and safety.Since moldy buildings are associated with health problems, remediators protect the health of workers and occupants. Some work practices prevent workers from exposure as they disturb the mold during cleanup. Other work practices prevent mold from spreading to occupied areas of the building. Principle 2: Document conditions and processes.Remediators record conditions in the building such as the extent of the contamination and the amount of moisture saturation. Once remediation is completed, an independent indoor environmental professional may record that mold in the building is returned to normal conditions. Principle 3: Control the mold contaminant at its source.Work practices aim at keeping mold contamination from becoming airborne and then spreading from the source to clean areas. This reduces the amount of airborne mold that workers are exposed to. It also makes the process of removing mold more efficient. Principle 4: Remove contamination.Once mold has grown beyond normal levels, the most effective solution is to remove the excess mold contamination. This may be accomplished by physically removing materials damaged by growing mold, by vacuuming excessive mold spores into HEPA filters, and by damp wiping soiled surfaces with detergent cleaning products. Priniciple 5: Correct the moisture problem.This is the key to dealing with mold. Stop the source of moisture that initially contributed to mold growth. Even the best cleanup efforts will not keep mold from returning if a building continues to have moisture problems. ...read more

Continueing Education Credit available for insurance agents. (4 total credit hours)Date:    Wednesday, JULY 01, 2009     Location:   Best Western Casablanca1601 N El Camino RealSan Clemente, Ca 92673 Learn About:10:00 – 12:00 (2 HR Water Damage)•The Steps of Water Mitigation•Appropriate Drying Conditions•Moisture and Materials•Drying Theory•Emergency Tips for Water DamagesAnd/Or12:30 – 2:30PM (2 HR Fire Damage)•How to Impress Your Insured When They Have A “Fire Crisis”•How To Recognize A Professional Fire-Damage Restorer Who’s right For You•How toLowerProperty Claim Loss ExpenseandRetain Policyholders  Company Name:  ___________________ Phone #: ___________________________________________ Participant(s)/License # if attending for insurance credit: _______________________________________□Water□Fire_______________________________________□Water□Fire RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED Please fax (949)366-0294 or email:elaine.servpro@gmail.com Contact Elaine: (714)321-0291 for more information/questions   ...read more

For information, please contact: SERVPRO OF SAN CLEMENTE/SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO 949-366-0293 Fire, Smoke Damage Deserve Professional Attention 4/2/2009 San Clemente, CA Fires in the home can be among the most devastating events to ever happen. Whether there was minimal smoke damage or large scale fire damage, the first gut reaction is to begin the cleanup efforts yourself. However, one professional company in the area, SERVPRO®, asks that residents reconsider that decision and have specialists come in to do the job correctly. “We understand the desire to begin cleanup immediately, particularly if the damage is small. Especially with the ‘do-it-yourself’ crowd, it’s common place to bring out every cleaning product they have and start to work,” says Jeff Hanke, a local SERVPRO® franchise owner. SERVPRO® is a nationally franchised professional fire and water cleanup and restoration company in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. “But while we can appreciate wanting to start that initial cleanup, SERVPRO® suggests that homeowners have a professional company handle it.” Contrary to popular belief, “smoke and fire damage is very difficult to clean,” says Jeff Hanke. “Household cleaning products are simply not powerful enough to dissolve sticky soot and residue. Beyond the soot and residue, odors from even a small fire can linger in your home for years if not properly mitigated.” While organizations such as FEMA, Red Cross and the CDC offer tips on how individuals can take care of fire cleanup, they also note that there is a level of health concern for those who initiate cleanup. “By its very nature, smoke is hard to contain. When it gets sucked into heating and air-conditioning systems or blown around by ceiling fans, smoke and soot damage from even the smallest fire can end up in every room in your house. And as anyone who’s spent a night next to a campfire can tell you, the smell of smoke is pretty pervasive. It gets into clothing, upholstery, carpets – you name it. This also means that smoke can easily get into your lungs and cause breathing problems. Even for the healthiest person, breathing in any amount these dangerous particles can pose serious concerns. A professional company, like SERVPRO®, has the people trained to do the job right.” In the event of a small fire in your home, a knee-jerk reaction is not necessarily the right one. According to fire cleanup specialists, the following procedures are recommended. The Do's and Don'ts of Fire Damage 1. Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being imbedded into upholstery and carpets. 2. Blow or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets. 3. Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. 4. If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open. 5. Change HVAC filter. 6. Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting a professional. 7. Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting a professional. 8. Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service. 9. Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged. ### Founded in 1967, Servpro Industries, Inc. franchise system is a national leader and provider of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 1,300 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters affecting entire communities to those suffered by individual businesses and homes. Providing coverage in 49 states, SERVPRO® has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners. ...read more