It Rained? Top 5 Places to Check for Water Damage on Your Property.

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

When it rains, it pours. But hopefully not into your commercial property! After the storm, check these areas for water leaks to prevent water damage.

Did you know? Mold can start growing within 24 hours following water damage from a rainstorm. The best way to prevent that is detecting and eliminating any moisture that entered your property. Because it seldom rains in Los Angeles, you may not know where or how to look for evidence of a water leak. So here are the Top 5 Place to Check for Water Damage on Your Property following a rainstorm.

1. Beneath and Around Windows
2. By Exterior Doors
3. In the Basement or Crawl Space
4. Near Ventilation Units
5. Between Walls and Siding

Now that you know where to look, what should you be looking for? Besides any obviously wet or damp areas, that is.

Around windows and exterior doors, pay close attention to the sill, molding and framework. These are places where mold goes unnoticed and can thrive because moisture may linger. Look for dry, cracked or discolored wood as signs that water is leaking into your building when it rains.

In your basement or crawl space, checking for standing water following a storm is a must. Poor drainage can damage your property's foundation if left unaddressed. This is another place where mold can grow thanks to the dark and damp conditions.

Ventilation features, like central air conditioning units or chimneys are designed to let the smoke, heat or water vapor out. But, of course, if they can let these small things escape your property, they can also let others, like water, in. Plus, while you're up on your roof, you might look for missing or damaged shingles and clogged gutters. These are two common culprits when looking for ways rainwater may leak into your home or business.

Last, but not least, you should look for signs of lingering moisture in your walls. Outside, water can slip between gaps in your siding or absorb into stucco and other porous materials. Inside, leaks from your ceiling can flow down your drywall and damage studs. You may not be able to see it, of course. But if you spot peeling paint or discoloration, bubbles or soft spots or smell musty odors, these are sure signs of trouble lurking behind your walls.

How can SERVPRO of North Hollywood help?

If you suspect you may have water damage on your commercial property, call us anytime, day or night. Our highly trained commercial water damage restoration specialists know what to look for and have the tools, like moisture detectors, to find the problem fast. With industrial air movers and dehumidifiers, we make water cleanup a snap, minimizing inconvenience and downtime. And should you need further repairs, we're licensed contractors who can fix or replace damaged drywall, cabinets, flooring and more.

Plus, if we discover mold while inspecting for water damage, we can remove it and perform mold remediation services. In short, SERVPRO of North Hollywood is here, 24/7, to make property damage from a rainstorm "Like it never even happened."

3 Reasons You Need Expert Mold Remediation

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Got mold? Call SERVPRO at (818) 754-0050 to make a mold infestation "Like it never even happened."

If you find mold on your commercial property, it may be tempting to try cleaning it up yourself. Mold remediation is expensive, or so you've heard. Maybe you don't want the hassle of an insurance claim. Or maybe you don't have time for proper mold removal, and you think a vinegar-soaked rag will do the job. Whatever your reasons, if you're unsure whether you need professional mold remediation, here are a few reasons to call in the experts.

1. You Have Water Damage

Mold needs several things to grow. Oxygen. An organic food source, like wood or drywall. Warmth (which is abundant in Los Angeles). And, most important, moisture.

If your property suffers a burst pipe or a water leak, removing the water is but the first step. Water seeps into porous surfaces quickly, so even if the surface appears dry, there might be moisture present. And moisture, coupled with the above elements, can spur mold growth.

A professional restoration company, like SERVPRO of North Hollywood, has advanced technology to detect hidden moisture. Whether behind drywall, under hardwood floors or soaked beneath carpeting, our water damage restoration technicians ensure that no moisture is left behind. And because we also handle mold remediation, we can remove any mold spores we find at the same time.

2. The Smell Won't Go Away

You cleaned the visible mold spores, and they haven't grown back. But there's still a musty odor coming from the affected area. Guess what? You probably still have mold spores hiding, inside the walls, under the flooring, in the crawl space etc.

While the cause of water damage can be obvious, sometimes it can go undetected. A leaky central a/c unit, for example, hiding in the attic. If you cleaned the mold, but didn't find the source of the moisture, the mold may grow back. And if the spores get behind or under the surface? You'll need professional mold remediation to open up the walls or pull up the floors and remove the mold. Otherwise, the room, or the entire building, will continue to smell like a locker room or bread that's gone bad.

3. There's a Lot of Mold

If mold covers a small area, like a window frame or the corner of the ceiling, a DIY approach may get the job done.

Sometimes the mold outbreak is so extensive, it's just not viable to try and wipe it all away. Mold can cover an entire crawl space, or infest the walls and ceiling in multiple rooms.

But no job is too big for SERVPRO of North Hollywood! Our certified mold specialists have the PPE, EPA approved biocides and professional contractors to remove mold no matter where it's found.

If you find mold on your commercial property, call the professionals at (818) 754-0050. And we'll take care of your mold problem "Like it never even happened."

How to Inspect for Leaks & Avoid Costly Water Damage Repairs

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

Some water leaks are really hard to spot. Knowing what to look for is the key to mitigating costly water damage repairs to your commercial property.

Water damage can happen as a result of rainstorms and flooding. But there are many places inside your commercial property where water damage can occur. Small water leaks may seem more of a minor inconvenience than a major problem. But, over time, a small leak can cause significant damage and require costly water damage repairs.

You can mitigate damage from small water leaks by inspecting the areas where water damage is likely to occur. Where should you look?

Toilets

In a commercial property, toilets get a lot of use. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that toilets, including key parts like the gaskets, valves and flanges, suffer from wear and tear.

These components typically last for years, though they will wear out faster with more frequent use. Keeping track of the date of plumbing repairs will help you know when it's time to replace worn parts.

Of course, if your toilet is running, failing to flush, or you find dampness around the toilet, call a local plumber ASAP. An unexplained spike in your water bill could also be the sign of a problem with your toilets.

Faucets and Fixtures

Leaky faucets are also common in commercial buildings, and they often go unnoticed or neglected. The drip, drip, drip of a faucet may seem like a “small thing.” But did you know a single leaky faucet can waste several gallons of water every day?

Plus, over time, the water from a leaky faucet can damage fixtures, pipes, cabinets, floors and ceilings.

Ceilings and Floors

Speaking of, if you spot, well, spots on your ceiling, you may have a faulty, or absent, waterproofing membrane. This thin material is used to waterproof concrete slabs, roofs and floors. If improperly installed, of low quality or simply missing, water from plumbing leaks will seep directly into porous wood, drywall and tile.

Take a walk through your facility and look both up and down for signs of dampness on your floors and ceiling. If you find any, but are unsure of the source, call SERVPRO of North Hollywood. We have advanced moisture detection equipment to help pinpoint the source of the water damage. Our highly-trained water damage restoration techs can then clean up and restore the affected area to its preloss condition. Because if you don’t address such problem areas right away, the water damage can lead to mold growth and structural damage to your property.

Pipes and Plumbing Systems

Your water pipes can burst during cold weather (yes, even in Los Angeles), while your sewer drains and pipes deteriorate over time. Like leaky toilets and faucets, they can cause serious damage to your commercial building. They may require your business to close and the building to be evacuated. But these plumbing systems are behind walls and underground, so it can be challenging to detect leaks. 

But there are signs, if you know what to look for. One common sign of an underground plumbing leak is wet soil. You may notice areas of your landscaping where plants and grass are growing faster or otherwise flourishing compared to other areas in your yard. 

Other signs are water stains, blistering paint, cracked or loose tiles, bulging walls, and grout gaps. You may also notice musty smells and a significant increase in your water bills. 

For this type of leak to be found and repaired, call a professional because specialized leak detection equipment is necessary.

HVAC Systems

Air conditioning units get a workout in the heat of a Los Angeles summer. There are also numerous places where water can build up or leak. Drip pans can fill up and overflow. Condenser coils and drainage lines can leak. Condensation can build up on nearby walls and cause mold. An annual HVAC system inspection and regular maintenance will help prevent these common issues.

Need Water Damage Repairs? Call SERVPRO of North Hollywood!

Regular inspection of your commercial facility is crucial to mitigate these common water leaks. By doing so, you can prevent more severe water damage while keeping your plumbing systems operating at peak condition.

If you do discover water damage to your building, SERVPRO North Hollywood offers emergency water damage repair service. We're here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our highly-trained restoration specialists are available for any size commercial property in North Hollywood, Universal City, Toluca Lake, and Los Angeles. Call us at (818) 754-0050 and make commercial water damage "Like it never even happened."

How to Prevent Mold From Growing and Spreading on Your Property

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can grow almost anywhere on your property. You may not even realize your have a mold problem right away. Call now for fast mold removal service.

Mold is a serious problem that can quickly get out of hand. Therefore, you will want to do all you can to prevent mold from growing and spreading on your property. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done; mold can be tricky to deal with! But it is in your best interests to address a mold problem before it worsens.

To help you eliminate mold from your property, we have prepared this short guide on finding and dealing with the beginnings of an infestation. Keep reading to learn more!

What Are the Elements Involved in Mold Growth?

To combat mold, we first must talk about the elements involved in mold growth. What makes mold difficult to deal with is that it can thrive nearly anywhere in a building. This is because all mold needs to grow is oxygen, humidity, a food source, and darkness. With moisture from a plumbing leak or a build up of storm water, mold may develop, and quickly. We know it's pretty dry in Los Angeles, but mold doesn't require much moisture to survive.

Another thing that makes mold difficult to manage is that it can be hard to spot. In fact, smaller mold spores may look like dirt or soot. This is why people may ignore it until their mold problem starts to progress into something more serious.

How Does Mold Spread?

Some people assume that mold sticks to the spot where it’s found. This isn’t the case. If you find mold in your basement or crawl space, the mold spores may rise and spread throughout your building. Warm air rises, providing the mold spores a vehicle to travel and spread to other warm, damp areas, like your bathroom or kitchen.

Likewise, mold spores can also travel through HVAC systems. During an LA heatwave, your central air conditioning is probably on a lot. If you have mold in your attic or around duct work, keeping cool may not be the only outcome from cranking the ac.

Upon discovering water damage or a mold infestation on your property, you will want to deal with it as soon as possible. Mold can colonize and begin to spread to other areas of your property within one to two weeks’ time.

How Do You Stop Mold?

The best way to stop mold is to prevent it from growing in the first place. You can do this by dealing with wet surfaces and material right away. This means checking for leaks and having stagnant water extracted and removed, especially from porous surfaces, like a carpet or wood floors. You will want to do this as soon as possible as mold only takes a day or two to grow.

If you manage to spot an infestation early, it may be possible to remove the visible mold using  vinegar, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. However, many surfaces where mold resides, like walls or ceilings, are porous, so mold can spread to places that aren't visible to the naked eye. If the smell of mold lingers, or the mold returns after cleaning the surface, you may have a mold problem that requires professional mold remediation.

You can call SERVPRO of North Hollywood to  respond 24/7 to any size disaster. We offer fast water damage cleanup and mold remediation services to both residential and commercial properties. Our trained team responds quickly, in as little as one hour to anywhere in Los Angeles. In short, we'll get you up and running again in no time.

So if you need help with water, fire, or mold cleanup, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of North Hollywood. You can rest assured that we will clean and restore your property "Like it never even happened."

Resolutions for Property Managers (You'll Actually Keep)

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Thinking proactively and setting goals is one way to keep your properties in great shape (and your tenants happy).

The end of a year is a great time for all of us to step back and review our accomplishments. It's also a great time for reviewing our mistakes or failures, and resolving to remedy them.

Property management, by its nature, is a reactive role. You're putting out fires, literally and figuratively. But thinking proactively and setting goals is one way to keep your properties in great shape, and your tenants happy.

Here are a few ideas for New Year's resolutions for property managers and management companies. With a little planning and maintenance, you may save yourself countless hours, and dollars, over the coming year.

Create or Review Emergency Response Plan

No one wants to think about the worst case scenario. But we live in Los Angeles, which means we're at risk of a variety of disasters, from wildfires to earthquakes to floods. We can't prevent them from happening, but we can be as prepared as possible to mitigate the potential for injury and property damage.

The most important part of your emergency response is your evacuation plan. Ensuring the physical safety of your residents during an emergency is vital and, dare we say, of greater importance than protecting property. We can restore buildings or replace stuff, after all. Post clear, up-to-date evacuation maps (and here's a free tool to help you create one) in visible locations. Phone numbers, for first responders and emergency contacts for your property management company, should accompany them.

Once immediate danger has abated, you'll need a plan to inspect and repair any damage. You'll also want to control your tenants' access to the building and secure your property. Partnering with a trusted restoration company, like SERVPRO of North Hollywood, can help.

One way you can streamline the process is by signing up for a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile. We'll complete a no cost assessment of your property and create a concise profile document for use in an emergency. In the event of a water, fire or mold disaster, you can contact us using a convenient mobile app. We'll be on site fast to offer the experience and expertise needed to mitigate further damage and manage reopening. And we'll have key details about your property and decision makers so work can begin right away.

Proactively Inspect for Moisture & Mold

Benjamin Franklin said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” He wasn't referring to preventing water damage or mold growth, but he should have been. After all, it doesn't take much more than an ounce of moisture to create a heavy problem.

One way to spot a potential problem is by reviewing your utility bills for the past year. Were there any unexpected spikes in water usage? That may indicate there's an unknown or unreported water leak. When pipes under the sink drip or there's a puddle by the water heater, the problem is obvious. But that doesn't mean your tenants will be prompt in reporting it. More likely, the leak is hidden to the naked eye. If that's the case, here are a few signs of hidden water damage you should look for while inspecting your facility.

Another place to inspect for signs of excess moisture or mold is your HVAC system. Give your air ducts and ventilation systems a once over to clear out dust, debris and other contaminants. Such maintenance improves your residents' air quality and the performance of your system, especially during the next, inevitable Los Angeles heatwave.

If you do spot mold or suspect you have water damage, call SERVPRO of North Hollywood to help. Because when we say faster to any size disaster, we mean it!

Test Fire Suppression Systems

Fires are one of the most expensive, disruptive disaster emergencies a property manager can face. Insurance claims need to be made and processed. Tenants may be forced to relocate for days or weeks during the cleanup process. Even if flames spare your building, lingering odors from smoke and soot may need to be addressed. There could even be water damage or mold growth concerns after first responders depart.

One thing you can do is educate your residents about the common causes of fire damage and how to prevent them. With wildfires an annual, seasonal worry, prepare your property now to mitigate the risk of wildfire damage in the future.

Having fire suppression systems, including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and sprinklers are, of course, mandated by the state. But they're often out of sight, therefore out of mind. Your residents may not take responsibility for testing themselves, so here's a fire suppression inspection checklist you can follow. Regular inspection, testing and maintenance will reduce the risk of loss in the event of a fire.

Property Managers, SERVPRO is Here to Help!

We understand a property manager's responsibilities can be overwhelming. SERVPRO of North Hollywood is here to help! From biohazard or vandalism and graffiti to water, fire and mold, we are your trusted partners in the cleanup and restoration of your property. Call us, 24/7, for a fast response to any size disaster.

Anatomy of a Commercial Water Damage Restoration Job

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

Our team of certified, commercial water damage technicians can be on-site within an hour. Time is of the essence to mitigate more serious damage.

When you hear that SERVPRO of North Hollywood is “Faster to Any Size Disaster,” you might focus on the “faster” part. During a water damage emergency, a fast response is critical, and we're here to help, 24/7.

But the “any size disaster” part is important too. We are a local restoration company, but we're backed by national resources. Large residential or commercial water damage restoration jobs are no problem for us!

For example, take a look at the scale of one of our recent commercial restoration projects. You may not need such an extensive response, of course. But rest assured that SERVPRO of North Hollywood has ample resources, including advanced technology and highly-trained technicians. Here's how we make any size flooding disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Problem: A Commercial Water Damage Emergency

The call came from a building engineer, who shut off a burst hot water pipe on the eighth floor of a Los Angeles hotel. The flooding and moisture from the water leak damaged areas from the eighth floor to the basement. All together, this commercial property suffered about ten floors of water damage!

Our certified, commercial restoration technicians were on-site within an hour. Yes, we really are “faster,” because an immediate response mitigates the risk of more serious damage. And for a large scale commercial water damage emergency like this, time is of the essence.

Solution: A Call to SERVPRO of North Hollywood

To dry, clean and restore around 20,000 square feet (ca. 19 a) of water damage and prevent mold growth, we deployed:

• 100 air movers
• 45 dehumidifiers
• 15 water damage technicians

Plus, we documented the entire drying, cleanup and restoration process for the property owner's insurance company.

Beyond our skilled technicians and advanced restoration technology, we take pride bringing our clients peace of mind. When you call SERVPRO of North Hollywood, our commitment to proactive communication and customer service means your home or business is always in good hands!

But you don't have to take our word for it. Read our dozens of customer testimonials that give voice to the quality of our work. And if you do find water damage to your residential or commercial property, call (818) 754-0050 for a fast response to any size disaster.

Preventing Commercial Fire Damage: 4 Steps to Take Right Now

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

Inspect your electrical outlets and devices regularly and look for signs of a problem, before an electrical fire strikes your business.

One of the worst things that can happen to your business is commercial fire damage. Your business will be closed for days or weeks. Fire damage restoration specialists will need to clean up soot, remove smoke odor and repair fire damaged areas. The lost revenue can be devastating.

You'll want to get your Los Angeles area business back up and running as soon as possible. And SERVPRO® of North Hollywood is here to help!

However, you're better off doing what you can to prevent a fire in the first place. Of course, it's impossible to plan for and prevent fires with 100% certainty. But there are many steps you can take to lower your risk of commercial fire damage. Here are a few to get you started.

Inspect Electrical Outlets and Devices

Wiring, lighting, cords and plugs are one of the leading causes of fire damage to both residential and commercial buildings. If you inspect your facility for workplace hazards, include a visual inspection of your electrical system.

Look for obvious problems like worn or frayed power cords, overloaded outlets or flickering lights. Listen for buzzing sounds when you flip on switches. If you spot discoloration near an outlet, carefully feel for warmth or dampness on the wall. And if you notice any burnt or smoky smells, call a trusted electrician right away.

It's also a good idea to have a professional electrician come and inspect your facility regularly. Depending on your business, a thorough inspection annually or every few years will ensure your electrical systems are up-to-date and working at peak efficiency.

Test Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

While inspection and diligence are your best first defense against fire damage to your business, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers come in a close second.

Just as you would in your home, test the smoke alarms in your business once a month. Change batteries as soon as alerted by a low battery warning or proactively once a year. And replace older smoke detectors every 10 years.

While homes may get by with a single, multipurpose fire extinguisher, your business may require multiple units that suit specific types of flammable material. Restaurants, for example, should have Class K fire extinguishers for fats and oils used in cooking. A factory might need Class D extinguishers for flammable metals.

Most importantly, you should check your fire extinguishers when you test your smoke alarms. Look for visible signs of age and verify the pressure level gauge remains above 185 psi (the green area on the gauge). Be sure you and your employees are also familiar with the PASS method of fire extinguisher use.

Prepare for Wildfires

Fire damage isn't solely an indoor concern. With wildfire season an annual worry across Los Angeles and Southern California, preparing your business for the threat is a wise investment.

The main thing you can do is to create a defensible perimeter around your facility. Clear leaves, branches and other flammable materials from the roof and gutters. Trim back brush and trees up to 100 feet (ca. 30 m) from your building.

For additional wildfire preparation tips for your business, go here.

Get READY with SERVPRO®

One purpose of a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile (ERP) is to mitigate damage and streamline the response to a water or fire damage disaster. But by developing a profile for your business, we can also help you prevent damage with no cost assessment of your facility.

As part of the ERP creation process, you can make an appointment to have our highly-trained and experienced restoration techs walk through your location. We'll gather information needed to complete your ERP. And we can look for problems areas and advise you on ways to prevent water, fire or mold damage to your business.

Commercial Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO®!

“Be prepared” isn't just the Boy Scouts motto. It's a mantra for every Los Angeles area business that wants to steer clear of a fire damage emergency. If disaster strikes, however, you can count on SERVPRO® of North Hollywood to be there with a fast response to any size commercial water, fire or mold damage problem. Call us at (800) 754-0050 to get your business back up and running “Like it never even happened.”

What to Do if You Find Water Damage to Your Property

5/8/2020 (Permalink)

If unaddressed, water can seriously damage your facility. Call SERVPRO 24/7 for a fast response to any size commercial water damage problem.

As a commercial property owner or manager, you have your hands full. With a never ending to do list, finding water damage to your property might feel overwhelming. But rest assured that SERVPRO of North Hollywood is here to help! We're available 24/7 with a fast response to any size property damage disaster.

But before we arrive, here are five steps you can take if you discover water damage to your commercial property. Taken immediately, these steps will help mitigate further damage and reduce the time and cost of repairs. Quick and decisive action also reduces your downtime, limiting revenue loss from unhappy customers or tenants.

Step One: Turn Off The Water Source

Flooding from rain storms can cause property damage. Yes, even in Los Angeles. But water leaks, from pipes, fixtures and HVAC units, are a more common cause of commercial water damage.

So when you find discoloration or dampness in your facility, it is important to find the source of the moisture. And if you can find, and turn off the water source, that can mitigate further damage.

Of course, some sources can be difficult to find. If a leak hides behind a wall or ceiling, you may need help finding it. A plumber specializing in leak detection has the training and equipment to find hidden plumbing leaks.

If the leak is from a sink or toilet, you should be able to just turn off the cutoff valve to that fixture. If the leak is a burst pipe or an unknown source, you may need to shut off the water main itself.

Step Two: Unplug

As the saying goes, oil and water don't mix. Well, neither do electricity and water. It may seem counterintuitive, but water damage can cause a fire. Even a small amount of water dripping on to an exposed wire can cause corrosion or increase the current. Both can heat the wire enough to start a fire if the wire comes in contact with anything flammable.

Did you discover moisture or standing water near electrical equipment or an outlet? It is imperative to unplug the equipment or turn off the circuit breakers to the outlet. But do it safely! Your body can conduct electricity too. Be sure to wear rubber gloves or boots if you must first touch or step into the water to disconnect the electricity. Or better yet, call an electrician.

Step Three: Take Photos

When confronted with a water damage disaster, it is natural to try and protect as much as you can. You do want to move furniture, important documents or other items away from the affected area as soon as possible. But you should document the damage first.

Photos and videos of the damaged area are valuable tools for both your insurance and restoration companies. Proper clean up, repair and remediation is dependent upon an accurate assessment of the damage. And that documentation could prove vital if there is a dispute over the cost or responsibility for it.

Step Four: Consult Your Insurance Company

As a property owner, you should always protect your investment from damage with an appropriate insurance policy. Hopefully your policy covers water damage. Regardless, and to be certain, consult with your insurance carrier as soon as possible following any disaster.

First, you want to make sure you don't do anything that might invalidate your coverage. Second, SERVPRO of North Hollywood works directly with most insurance providers. A direct line of communication between us reduces response time and the risk for miscommunication that might delay your claim.

Step Five: Call SERVPRO for Water Damage Restoration

What is the most important thing you can do to ensure your water damaged property is cleaned and restored "Like it never even happened." Call SERVPRO of North Hollywood ASAP!

Our team of certified and highly-trained restoration technicians can be at your facility quickly. In a commercial water damage situation, every hour spent cleaning can mean lost revenue. Call us, and we'll take care of you and your property to get you back up and running fast.

Proactive Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces for Businesses

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

The CDC encourages cleaning and disinfecting of "high-touch surfaces," including phones, keyboards and other office equipment.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, maybe you are considered an "essential business" and currently open and operating. Or maybe you are planning ahead for the reopening of your business. Either way, cleaning and disinfecting your commercial property is vital for the safety of your staff, customers and yourself.

But first, the bad news: there are currently no cleaning products tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus.

The good news? SERVPRO of North Hollywood uses hospital-grade disinfectants that meet the EPA guidelines for claims against similar pathogens.

So we are here and ready to aid you in your time of need. By providing proactive cleaning services, your facility can be cleaned and ready for business to resume as soon as possible.

What is Proactive Cleaning and Disinfecting?

We are prepared to clean and disinfect surfaces for commercial locations where there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. This is a two-step process:

Cleaning

According to the CDC, cleaning "removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects." This process, typically using soap and water, removes germs but does not necessarily kill them. However, removing germs reduces their numbers and the risk of spreading an infection.

Disinfecting

Using chemicals, including biocides like SERVPROxide™, disinfecting kills germs on surfaces and objects. It does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs from them.

Therefore cleaning and disinfecting should be done together as compliments to each other to effectively sanitize your property.

Proactive commercial cleaning 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
• Disposal of waste

What Surfaces Should Be Cleaned and Disinfected?

The CDC encourages cleaning of "high-touch surfaces" at a minimum. Examples include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards and tablets. In addition, the CDC also recommends regular cleaning of the following areas and items:

• Tables and chairs
• Countertops
• Cabinets and pulls
• Doorknobs
• Floors
• Mats
• Food contact surfaces
• Light switches
• Paper towel/napkin dispensers
• Push doors
• Salt and pepper shakers
• Sink hardware
• Soap dispensers
• Tabletops

• Bathroom stalls
• Countertops
• Cabinets/vanities and pulls
• Floors
• Handrails
• Light switches
• Paper towel/toilet paper dispensers
• Sink hardware
• Sinks
• Soap dispensers
• Toilets
• Diaper changing stations

• Book covers and binders
• Carpets
• Chairs
• Computer equipment
• Doorknobs
• Floors
• Small hard surface items
• Light switches
• Mats
• Paper towel/napkin dispensers
• Rugs
• Sink hardware
• Sinks
• Soap dispensers
• Tabletops/desktops

• Carpets
• Chairs
• Telephones
• Computer equipment
• Countertops
• Doorknobs
• Floors
• Light switches
• Rugs
• Shared office equipment
• Tabletops/desktops
• Water fountains

• Shelving
• Racks
• Displays
• Mannequins
• Packaged inventory
• Carpets
• Fitting room stalls
• Chairs
• Telephones
• Computer equipment and registers
• Sales counters
• Doorknobs
• Floors
• Light switches
• Rugs
• Tables
• Water fountains

• Carpets
• Doorknobs
• Floors
• Handrails
• Light switches
• Rugs
• Water fountains

• Fitness equipment
• Playground equipment
• Lamps
• Storage bins
• Lockers
• Elevators and escalators

For Your Safety and Ours

All of our cleaning specialists wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while on-site. This includes, but is not limited to, N-95 respirators or masks, gloves and goggles or eye protection. In some cases we may wear coveralls or biohazard hoods and suits.

Call Us for Proactive Cleaning and Disinfecting

SERVPRO of North Hollywood is here to help get your business back to normal. We have years of experience in dealing with biological cleanup and restoration. And we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

And should you need water damage, fire and smoke damage or mold remediation services, even during this pandemic, we'll take care of you. SERVPRO of North Hollywood has been assisting local businesses throughout the greater Los Angeles area since 2007.

Call us 24/7 for your commercial cleaning and restoration needs.

Specialty Cleaning Services for Property Management

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Some graffiti may be art. Some is just an eyesore and upsetting to tenants and customers alike. Call SERVPRO for fast graffiti & vandalism cleanup.

Managing a large commercial property is a lot of work and responsibility. And whether you're dealing with tenants, such as with an apartment complex, or business owners such as with multi-unit retail locations, it can also be a pressure packed and thankless job for a property manager. Not to mention one that requires fast turnaround times to address problems and minimize disruption to someone's home or business.

That's why SERVPRO of North Hollywood takes pride in providing you with our certified cleaning and restoration expertise with top notch customer service. When you call us to fix damage to your commercial property, you can rest assured that we will respond quickly, work directly with your insurance provider and communicate clearly with you during every step of the damage restoration process.

And in addition to a loss from water, fire or mold, we also provide specialty commercial cleaning services that help you get up and running again as quickly as possible.

Sewage Cleanup

When a toilet overflows or your sewer lines back up, it's not only gross but also very dangerous. The water is contaminated and highly unsanitary and could cause serious illness if not properly and thoroughly cleaned up. Fortunately, you can call SERVPRO of North Hollywood anytime, 24/7, to respond to a sewage backup problem.

Once we're on the scene, we'll inspect the damage, determine the category of contaminated water and take the immediate and appropriate steps necessary to mitigate the issue.

In addition, we are equipped to handle other types of biohazard cleanup, such as chemical spills, animal waste or trauma / crime scenes. In all such cases, cleanup should be handled by our properly trained and equipped specialists to ensure the health and safety of your property's occupants.

Graffiti Cleanup

For better or worse, living in a city like Los Angeles means dealing with graffiti and vandalism. And while graffiti is considered an art form by some, it can also be an eyesore and upsetting to tenants and customers alike. If accompanied by other forms of vandalism, such as smashed up windows or strewn trash and debris, such damage can also pose a real hazard.

Our team of certified technicians has the advanced restoration technology to clean the affected surfaces, whatever the material, and can also provide building and reconstruction services to repair, repaint and restore the damage "Like it never even happened."

Deodorization

Sometimes the source of unpleasant or offensive odors is obvious and simply requires the removal of the source. Other times, it can be difficult to determine the source of a problem. And even if the source of the odor is found and removed, some smells can linger if the affected area is not fully cleansed and deodorized. The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be tricky, so don't be afraid to call in the deodorization specialists to investigate and resolve a stinky situation.

As a property manager, you've got enough on your hands already. So let SERVPRO of North Hollywood take on the job of cleaning up and restoring property damage from hazardous materials, vandalism or other crimes.

One call to us at (818) 754-0050 and we'll make certain a damage loss to your commercial property is one less thing you'll have to worry about.

What is a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile?

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

Prepare your commercial property for a water, fire or mold disaster by creating a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile using our convenient mobile app.

While September is officially National Preparedness Month, it's never a bad time to prepare your business for a disaster emergency. Creating a free SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile is a good first step.

Every business owner or property manager should have a business continuity plan in the event of an emergency. Many businesses close and never reopen after experiencing damage caused by flooding, fires and other disasters. The businesses that return to full operation do so by planning ahead and being prepared. With that in mind SERVPRO of North Hollywood is here to help you get started.

Register Your Account

Start by visiting SERVPRO.com/ready and to create an account. Be sure to list SERVPRO of North Hollywood as your contact should your commercial property experience fire, water or mold damage.

Begin creating Emergency Ready Profiles (ERP) for each property. The ERP stores important details about your property to facilitate a clear plan of action in the event of a disaster. Your ERP includes vital data, including your property's location, access details, utility and emergency contacts.

Once an account has been created, you can manage your SERVPRO Emergency READY profiles on a phone or tablet using apps available from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by logging in with your account details. This will help you fully complete your profile with the necessary details covered below.

Populate Your Emergency READY Profile

As part of our overall Emergency READY Program, SERVPRO of North Hollywood offers a no cost assessment of your property to help you enter vital information in your Emergency READY Profile.

Whether you do it yourself, or we help you, be as thorough as possible. Include photos with each section of your profile. Make note of the location of water, gas and electricity shut-offs and provide details of any hazardous materials present on site. If you'd like to include anything not specified in a section, you can also add notes on the last step.

Once completed, share your ERP with key stakeholders via email or through the app. You can also email us your ERP to ensure we have it on file.

Should Disaster Occur, Get Help Fast

You can contact SERVPRO of North Hollywood directly through the app. If an ERP exists for the damaged property, some details necessary to submit a fire, water or mold loss pre-populate in the app to facilitate the submission process.

Once you've submitted your information to us, our highly-trained team of restoration specialists springs into action to respond "faster to any size disaster." Review our disaster mitigation tips within the app to guide you on things you can do immediately to mitigate the damage as you wait for us to arrive at the scene.

There are many steps a business owner or property manager should take to be prepared for a disaster. But with a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile, you can feel secure knowing SERVPRO of North Hollywood is ready, willing and able to make commercial property damage from water, fire or mold "Like it never even happened."

Workplace Hazards: Recognizing and Mitigating Risks

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

To minimize the risk of workplace disasters, be sure your employees are well-trained and properly equipped to handle hazardous tasks and materials.

June is the National Safety Council's National Safety Month. With that in mind, here are some of the most common types of workplace hazards and tips for recognizing and mitigating your risk for injuries and other disruptions to your business.

Physical Hazards

Simply put, these are unsafe working conditions that can lead to injury. For example, a power cord running through a high traffic area could lead to trips and falls. Spills, machinery with sharp or fast moving parts, loose flooring and unstable ladders can all lead to injured workers or customers if not properly addressed.

Some physical hazards are also less obvious, such as loud noise or extreme temperatures. Be sure your employees are fully trained and properly equipped if their work involves such potential safety risks.

Chemical and Biological Hazards

Your employees can be exposed to any number of toxic substances through the course of their work. From common cleaners and solvents, to paint fumes to flammable materials such as gasoline or propane, a business often must use a number of different chemicals as part of their normal business operations. Be sure all such hazardous chemicals are both properly labeled and stored and learn how to recognize the signs of chemical exposure, such as skin irritation, breathing problems, headaches and dizziness.

Biological hazards include substances such as mold, bacteria and fungi, animal and human waste, blood and other bodily fluids and even insect bites and stings. Proper training in the handling of hazardous materials is essential, as are well-equipped first aid kits and emergency response procedures.

Some biological hazards can also create serious damage to your property. You can rely on SERVPRO of North Hollywood to properly clean up biohazard and sewage, trauma and crime scene damage, as well as other specialized commercial cleaning services, to help get your business back up and running quickly following such as disaster.

Ergonomic and Work Organization Hazards

Any job task that requires repetitive or awkward movement or heavy lifting can strain the body and lead to muscular or skeletal injuries. These hazards are often overlooked because they tend to develop over time rather than instantly. As with any other type of hazard, be sure your employees are trained to recognize the signs of ergonomic stress and are properly educated and equipped to manage the risks.

Work organization hazards relate to the working environment, including interpersonal relationships, sexual harassment, stress from overwork or deadlines and even workplace violence. To reduce work organization hazards, it is important to foster an atmosphere where employees are empowered to come forward and bring to management's attention anything that may be causing a toxic working environment.

Successful companies recognize the importance of workplace safety and strive to create a healthy environment for employees and customers alike. And SERVPRO of North Hollywood is here to help, 24/7, to handle  hazardous situations. Call us any time, day or night, for a fast response to commercial water damage, fire damage or mold disasters.

How Can Your Business Prepare for Wildfire Season?

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

Prepare for wildfire season by ensuring employees know the location of all emergency exits and that they are well labeled and easy to find.

Like winter on Game of Thrones, summer inevitably comes to Los Angeles. And with it comes the hot and dry weather that is perfect for barbecues, beach days and, unfortunately, wildfires.

Preparing your business or commercial property is similar to preparing your home for wildfire season, but with a few subtle differences.

Have a Wildfire Evacuation Plan

Be sure all of your employees know the location of all emergency exits. Post your fire evacuation plan in multiple locations where it can be easily accessed in the case of a fire.

Select employees may also be trained on the use of fire extinguishers and other fire suppression equipment.

Lastly, have an emergency contact list handy, both to contact employees who go missing during an emergency evacuation and to contact your employees' loved ones, if necessary.

Manage Flammable Materials and Areas

You can reduce the risk of fire damage to your building and other structures by creating and maintaining a defensible space around your property.

However, some businesses also store significant quantities of flammable chemicals, such as fuels, paints or cleaning solvents, as part of their usual course of business. It's important to properly label, store and catalog the location and quantity of any hazardous materials to help firefighters and other first responders stay safe and effectively protect your property. A chemical safety plan, including specialized fire suppression equipment on site, may be necessary to help mitigate the potential for an even bigger disaster.

Create a Business Continuity Plan

In the event a fire emergency damages your business or otherwise requires you to shut down operations, you will want to refer to a business continuity plan. The plan should detail how your business will operate while recovering from a disaster. It should include contingencies for management structure, computer and data backups, and payroll, as well as repairing or restoring property damaged by fire, soot and smoke.

Be sure to also review or revise your commercial insurance plan so you know what it does, and does not, cover.

Wildfire season in Los Angeles is a fact of life for homeowners, property managers and business owners alike. While there are steps you can take to limit the damage, if you do experience a fire damage loss, call SERVPRO of North Hollywood right away. We're here 24/7 to respond immediately to any size disaster. We'll also work tirelessly to repair and restore your property and get your business up and running again as quickly as possible.

Why Call SERVPRO for Commercial Cleaning Services?

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

If your office space or store needs a deep cleaning, call SERVPRO of North Hollywood. We'll make sure your workplace always looks its very best.

Since we're best known for our 24/7 emergency response to water, fire and storm disasters, it's understandable if SERVPRO of North Hollywood is not the first name you think of when hiring a commercial cleaning service. But there are a number of good reasons to call us when you need a quality commercial cleaning service for your office building, retail store or restaurant. Here are but three.

We're Certified Cleaners

When choosing a water damage restoration company, it's important to choose one that is certified to IICRC standards. But even if the cleanup doesn't involve a backed up sewer line or a leaky pipe, our clean-up crew is trained and certified to adhere to a rigorous, deep cleaning standard to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for you and your employees.

And because our team also receives ongoing training and education, you can be confident that our professional cleaners are well-versed in advanced cleaning technology and techniques to make sure your workplace always looks its very best.

We Spot Problems Before They Become a Disaster

It's easier to clean up a localized mold infestation than one that's spread across multiple surfaces or into your air ducts. It's also better to repair a small leak in the roof than to deal with cleaning up water damage after the next big storm.

Even if you have a preferred cleaning service besides SERVPRO of North Hollywood, call us for a proactive commercial property inspection. Our trained eyes, and noses, can help you avoid a loss of business and customers from a future disaster.

We Offer Specialty Cleaning Services

Sometimes a business needs more than just vacuuming and dusting. Specialized clean up jobs, like vandalism and graffiti, odor removal or biohazard cleanup requires specialized techniques and equipment. SERVPRO of North Hollywood has the advanced technology, OSHA-approved cleaning agents and highly trained specialists to tackle even the most challenging cleanup job.

Property managers and operations directors have plenty to worry about from a never ending to-do list. But if you call SERVPRO of North Hollywood for our commercial cleaning services, that's one task you can permanently cross off your list.

Preparing for a Cold Snap

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

Property managers should have HVAC systems inspected and cleaned regularly to keep it running efficiently and to save time and money in the long run.

A cold snap is making its way across the country, and while there's no risk of freezing here in the Los Angeles area, this winter has brought its share of chilly temps.

If you're in charge of a commercial property, whether an office building, retail location or warehouse, now might be a good time to ensure you're prepared to heat things up inside, safely, while temperatures drop outside.

Air Ducts and HVAC Cleaning

A friend of ours (not a customer) turned on their heat in response to complaints from patrons of their business that it was unbearably cold in their building. This heating system hadn't been used in longer than the building's manager could remember. So along with the blast of heat came wisps of smoke and an acrid odor, necessitating a call to the fire department and evacuation of the building.

This unfortunate incident could have been avoided if they'd asked us to come inspect and clean the HVAC system.

Over time, dust, dirt and other contaminants build up and hide in air ducts and other elements of your HVAC system. Having it inspected and cleaned on a regular basis improves air quality, helps it operate at peak energy efficiency and extends the life of your equipment, maximizing your investment and minimizing the inconvenience of problems arising during business hours.

Space Heater Safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires are associated with space heater use annually. So while employees might desire the added warmth from a nearby radiating space heater, some commercial buildings restrict or ban their use completely.

There are no federal workplace safety rules that prohibit space heaters, so if you decide to allow them to be used in your building, be sure to document and communicate the specific rules for use to your employees.

Building managers should inspect both the space heaters themselves as well as their placement to ensure they do not pose a health or safety hazard. And, as always, your commercial property should be equipped with up-to-date fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems to mitigate the risk of fire damage to your property.

Inspect Insulation

Because it's made to last for a very long time (up to 100 years in some cases), your building's insulation is usually out of sight, out of mind. Still, you should have it inspected from time to time to make sure it's still doing its job as intended. Age and pests such as rodents can wear insulation and create enough gaps to cause problems.

More importantly, if you've discovered leaks in your roof during recent rain storms, not only should you have the storm damage repaired, you should also have your insulation inspected for mold and mildew growth. While the insulation itself may be mold resistant (e.g. fiberglass), dirt and other contaminants can support mold growth if the necessary moisture is also present.

And should you need help preparing for cold weather and storms, or cleaning up following one, SERVPRO of North Hollywood is always just a phone call away. Whether it’s a fast response to a disaster or a less urgent, but no less important, inspection and cleaning of your commercial property, we're here to help you keep your business operating at peak efficiency, warm or cold, rain or shine.

Commercial Property Inspection Checklist

7/21/2018 (Permalink)

Check the gauge on your fire extinguishers at least once a month. The needle should point in the green area. If not, it may need servicing.

Business owners wear many hats. In addition to being knowledgeable about your actual products and services, owners also often handle accounting, HR, marketing and other duties vital to growing a business. Further, if your business requires a physical location, be it a restaurant, office or retail store, you may also find yourself with some responsibility for the upkeep of the commercial property in which you reside. While building owners and property managers can and should handle maintenance and repairs, if you are considering moving into a new location or simply taking care of the one you already occupy, here is a short checklist of things to inspect to ensure minor issues don't become major disasters.

Visual Signs of Damage

Those water spots on the ceiling. That damp spot below the sink. The crack in the window out back. All minor eyesores and inconveniences that take a backseat to more pressing concerns. All, however, can also lead to bigger problems if left unaddressed. Determining the source of a potential leak now can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in water damage or mold remediation in the future.

Fire Safety Equipment

According to So-Cal State Fire Protection, businesses are required to have fire extinguishers on site and serviced annually. You should also check the pressure gauge monthly and slap a label on a new fire extinguisher so you don't have to guess when you might need to replace it. In addition, you should also test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and promptly replace discharged batteries. And if your commercial property has a sprinkler system, it should be tested annually. Maintaining a business' fire protection systems is vital to both ensuring the safety of the people occupying the building and mitigating property damage in the event of a fire.

Review Ventilation Systems

Unless something goes wrong, vital systems such as your air ducts or HVAC are often out of sight and mind. SERVPRO of North Hollywood professionals can inspect and clean your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to extend the life of your equipment, save you money in the long run and, of course, improve the quality of the air you and your customers breathe.

At the end of the day, business owners can do a lot to take care of your property if you are diligent in your regular inspection and maintenance routines. But if the worst should strike, remember that SERVPRO of North Hollywood is always just a phone call away.

The 5 Stages of Commercial Fire Cleanup

5/22/2018 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO if you experience commercial fire damage.

If you are dealing with fire damage, smoke damage, or soot damage at your business in Hollywood, CA you should contact a service specializing in commercial fire and smoke cleaning. There are five major stages of commercial fire cleanup and a full-service restoration company can complete them all.

1. Schedule an inspection: As soon as a fire has been put out, you should arrange for an assessment of the property damage. A company that specializes in commercial restoration can help you identify and record damage to include in an insurance claim.

2. Put up boards and security fencing: The property owner or a damage remediation service should board up broken windows and holes in the roof to prevent debris or precipitation from getting into the property. These barriers also prevent unauthorized access to the property during the restoration process, limit additional damage, and provide insurers with proof that you are doing everything you can to protect the property.

3. Remove damaged contents: Whether the contents of a commercial property have been ruined by fire or only suffered smoke damage, these items should be removed and either cleaned or replaced. Some commercial restoration services will help you store these items until the restoration process is complete.

4. Clean: A restoration company will thoroughly clean a commercial property damaged by fire or smoke. This may involve drying water damage before cleaning up soot damage.

5. Restore: The remainder of the restoration process may involve smoke cleaning with industrial air scrubbers or a specialized machine, such as an ozone generator, hydroxyl generator, or thermal fogger. Contents and occupants may return once restoration is complete.

A full service restoration company can help you clean up fire or smoke damage at a commercial property in Hollywood, CA. The sooner you start the process, the easier the restoration should be. Visit http://www.SERVPROofnorthhollywood.com for more information on commercial fire damage. 

What You Need To Know About Category 1 Water Damage

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage is not a DIY restoration project. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to take care of your residential or commercial water loss.

Not all water damage is created equal. Depending on the source of the issue, water damage is categorized as either 1, 2 or 3. Category 2 contains some sort of contaminants, while category 3 – or black water – contains harmful debris and fecal matter. Category 1 damage, however, is clean water and usually stems from a broken pipe or a burst supply line. Depending on the size of the area affected, you can clean up category 1 damage on your own. However, there are a few things you need to understand about water restoration procedures before you get started:

• Identify all safety hazards such as exposed electrical, standing water and loose drywall
• Locate the source of the water and turn off supply lines if necessary
• Move belongings out of the way of the damage
• Check for additional areas of water damage
• Get air circulating either with fans or open windows
• Employ a dehumidifier if you have one
• Clean

Restoration Measures

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may want to hire a Hollywood, CA water restoration team, even if the water is clean water. A restoration team can quickly and efficiently dry out the affected area and mitigate as much damage as possible. They do this by utilizing pumps and other heavy-duty equipment to remove standing water and ensure a faster drying time.

Once all sitting water is gone, the team will remove carpeting, carpet pads and furniture that has been damaged. If necessary, they will make a flood cut in the drywall to remove damaged drywall and insulation so you can replace it with new materials.

Water damage is never fun to deal with, but the good news is that category 1 water is nothing to be worried about. Though it may prove to be a pain to clean up, clean water won’t harm you or your building’s occupants. Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthhollywood.com for more information on commercial water damage. 

What To Do Before Allowing Employees To Return After a Flood

3/13/2018 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team can provide help whether you're dealing with a tornado, hurricane, blizzard, earthquake or flood.

If a flood happens in Universal City, CA it is likely that your business could receive harmful damage. Backed-up sewage lines often lead to black water damage, and leaking water can ruin machinery and important documents. Flood cleanup can take a while, but it’s important to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Here are a few things to consider before calling your employees back into work.

Inspection

Before you allow anyone back into your building, be sure to inspect the stability of the structure. You’ll likely use water damage repair services, but once you can safely reenter the building, it’s important to do a thorough check up on everything. There are a few things you might do to ensure the security of your employees:

• Examining water supplies for any contamination
• Confirming secure connections to all electrical systems
• Testing for asbestos or black water corruption
• Checking air filtration devices used during the cleanup and restoration process

Once you have thoroughly inspected your commercial building, you can consider contacting your workers.

Accommodation

Area-wide disasters can be scary. Be sure to take care of your workers during this challenging time, especially if some of them are dealing with their own loss of property or transportation. Consider accommodations such as flexible scheduling and on-site daycare to support your employees.

Communication

Don’t forget to keep your workers and customers informed. There are many ways to communicate, so use your resources to connect clearly and concisely. Your business should provide reassurance to your employees by sharing restoration plans and recent updates. When you are thinking about allowing your workers to return, notify them in advance so that they can prepare themselves.

Taking these steps to take care of your employees will not only provide security but will also improve their attitude towards your business. Black water damage may harm your building’s structure, but it doesn’t have to ruin your employees’ relationship with the company.

Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthhollywood.com for more information on commercial storm damage. 

How To Handle both Water and Fire Damage

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

A commercial fire in North Hollywood, CA presents more than a few problems for a business owner. Many can feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. After the fire has been extinguished by the fire department, for example, business owners may find that they now have to deal with water damage on top of the fire and smoke damage. Though your business insurance policy is referred to as fire insurance, it will usually cover any water damage to the premises as well. Thankfully, there are restoration professionals who are trained to handle both types of damage, even simultaneously. Here’s what to expect from these companies when treating your building for water and fire damage.

Inspecting

Restoration professionals will use state-of-the-art equipment to assess the severity of water and fire damage on the premises, including all surfaces, belongings and assets. This will include identifying areas that have been damaged by water and those that have been damaged by fire, smoke or soot.

Boarding and Tarping

If windows or ceilings have been destroyed, fire restoration professionals will cover them with boards and tarps. This will prevent any further damage, especially from water, to the affected area. This also creates a more secure environment for the restoration professionals to work in.

Removing Water, Soot and Smoke

A fire hose uses a lot of water in a short amount of time. This inevitably causes water damage on the surfaces on which it is used. Once the environment is secure and the property inspected, restoration professionals will remove any moisture before addressing soot and smoke damage. This is because soot can often mix with the water, and treating areas for soot that haven’t been treated for water is nearly impossible. Once the water has been dealt with, workers will get started on removing all soot and smoke damage.

The remainder of the fire restoration process will be devoted to cleaning, sanitizing, and restoring the affected areas to their pre-fire condition. Once that’s completed, a well-done restoration job will mean your building will look as good as new. Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthhollywood.com for more information on commercial fire damage.

Leaving Your Business in Good Repair

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

To many business owners in Universal City, CA, there's no place like home for the holidays— except when your facility is partially flooded while you're away at home. Water damage is bad at any time, but it's even worse when you and your neighbors aren't around to catch the problem early. Letting the problem slide could cause:

• Electrical fires
• Mold growth
• Severe material damage
• Longer remediation times

You can add the cost of these issues to your water pipe repair bill if you don't notice your leak early: That's why it's better to stop the problem before it starts. Here are a few things you can do to increase the chances that your business will be just as dry as you left it when you return after your holiday vacation.

Pipe Care

A broken pipe is by far the most common cause of water damage over the holiday season. Many of the other issues, such as flooding toilets or utility backups, are caused by active damage. Pipes can break from just about anything, whether it's changing pressure in the system or freezing. The absolute best way to avoid having to deal with water pipe repair over the holidays is to get maintenance done before the season starts.

Creative Scheduling

One useful trick is to use your regular maintenance scheme to your own advantage. Try to make maintenance appointments with plumbers a month or so before your scheduled break. This gives you enough leeway to deal with any problems before you leave, but not so much time that new issues are likely to arise before your vacation.

Plumbing inspection and maintenance is, by far, less expensive than water pipe repair and damage mitigation. Make sure you can hold onto that joy from the holiday season by preparing your business fully before you take off on vacation. When you get back, you should be focusing on reconnecting with your operations rather than performing emergency repairs.

Visit SERVPRO of North Hollywood at http://www.SERVPROnorthhollywood.com/ for more information about commercial restoration.

SERVPRO OF North Hollywood Is Here To Help!

7/18/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO OF North Hollywood Is Here To Help!

As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of North Hollywood has highly trained technicians that are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster. We provide 24-hour emergency service and have the training and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs. 

SERVPRO of North Hollywood is locally owned and operated—so we’re a part of this community too. We are also part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises, which enables us to respond quickly with more resources. For major storms and disasters, we can call upon special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country.

Wheather it's your Home or business, we are here to help!  No job is too big or too small.

SERVPRO of North Hollywood proudly serves North Hollywood, Universal City, Toluca Lake, and surrounding areas.

(818) 754-0050

Commercial Desiccant Dehumidifier gets things moving in North Hollywood

7/12/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial water loss desiccant dehumidifier.

Our desiccant dehumidifier moves air at an impressive 15,000 CFM which allows us to move remove water or moisture from 20,000 square feet of an affected area in a very short time compared to other dehumidifiers.  If the power is out, that's not a problem. This equipment is self-contained with its own generator.  By having this portable self-contained unit on standby 24/7, it allows for us to deploy to your site very quickly.

Our commercial desiccant dehumidifier is an ideal piece of equipment for large loss situations in any of the following commercial environments:

• Small Office Buildings
• Warehouses/Storage
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military
• Churches

Our goal is to get the job done quickly while doing it right.  We know how important it is to you to get back to business as usual. 

If you encounter water damage and to make it like it never happened, then call SERVPRO Of North Hollywood today. (818) 754-0050

Commercial Fire Damage

7/7/2017 (Permalink)

Fire damage is devastating for a commercial property or any business large or small. In addition to fire, smoke, and soot damage, water damage caused by firefighting efforts and fire suppression systems may occur. Every hour spent restoring your business back to a pre-fire condition is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. If you've had a commercial fire call SERVPRO of North Hollywood.

• Small Office Buildings
• Warehouses/Storage
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military

We have the knowledge and skills to take any size restoration or repair.  Our Goal is to get your business back to normal as quickly as possible.  Our team of trained Professionals and our arsenal of equipment are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.  Contact SERVPRO of North Hollywood today to learn more about our commercial restoration services. (818)754-0050.

Fire Sprinklers - Putting out the fire and a whole lot more...

6/23/2017 (Permalink)

While fire sprinklers are designed to quickly suppress the fire, sometimes they cause additional damage too.

Flooding caused by fire sprinklers in commercial properties often results in a large amount of damage that requires a knowledgeable and swift response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup or a large scale flood, we work quickly and efficiently to assess each situation and isolate the damaged area quickly. In many instances, normal business operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.  We can work around you to meet your needs and get the job done right.

At SERVPRO of North Hollywood our trained technicians are mindful of the concerns you may have during the restoration process.  Our crew gets it! We know every moment of cleaning and restoring disrupts your workflow.  That’s why when the call comes in, we are ready to deploy right away and will work around the clock when needed to in order to minimize damage and fully restore the affected areas.  

Meet SERVPRO of North Hollywood's Dave the Desiccant!!

5/28/2015 (Permalink)

Here is Dave in action drying out a large commercial building that was affected by a major flood. SERVPRO of North Hollywood was on the job!

SERVPRO North Hollywood is proud to be the only franchises in the state to have a Desiccant Dehumidifier available for large loss Commercial and Residential water jobs; with this being said meet Dave the Dessicant!

The Benefits of using Dave the Desiccant on your large residential or commercial water loss are many including:

 - No Job is ever to big!

- Dave the desiccant can dry up to 20,000 sqft of an affected area!

- In circumstances where power is not available and a large area is affected by water damage with Dave the Desiccant we can start drying the damaged areas within 30 minutes of arrival on site! In comparison the competition can take up to 4-5 hours if not longer to do the same thing we can do in 30 minutes!

- This saves you not only time but hundreds of thousands of dollars if not more! From commercial buildings to churches this desiccant dehumidifier can cover it all!

Give SERVPRO of North Hollywood a call today at 818-754-0050 to learn more about Dave the Desiccant and how it can help you or your business when the unexpected happens!