After Removal of the Water, Odor Control Is Often Needed to Finish the Restoration

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Removing water with pumps and extractors is the lion’s share of the work with lowering humidity taking most of the remaining time. Even when the personal and structural property is dry to normal levels, there is still the issue of odors.

Although this is usually a minor point, odors left untreated, result in a permanent loss just like any other aspect of water damage in a Burnsville home. When it comes to this final step, SERVPRO is ready with a series of methods designed to handle whatever is in the air or the couch.

The Injection Method works well on spots in the carpet or on upholstered furniture. Technicians use a needle with either a syringe or a pump to inject small amounts of a deodorant chemical directly in the contamination. It is especially effective for removing pet odors.

Direct Spraying utilizes a hand pump or a powered sprayer on larger areas. It is the method we use most when cleaning up after a water disaster. Since this approach soaks the surface, we prefer using it where discoloration of the material is unlikely or is not a concern to the homeowner.

Wet Fogging dispenses a deodorizing agent using a ULV or ultra-low volume fogger. This machine generates tiny particles that penetrate most areas where there is an odor particle. The deodorant particles bind with the odors and neutralize them. Technicians carefully watch the surface they are ‘fogging’ to make certain they do not oversaturate the surface and cause secondary damage.

Our SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians also utilize a Dry Fogging method, dispensing deodorants with a device that forces the chemical through a heating coil. It vaporizes the solution, so it penetrates further into an affected item. Dry Fogging is usually a method used where there are smoke odors, but it is effective on water-borne odors that resist other methods of cleaning.

To augment these methods, technicians use air scrubbers that remove airborne odors by forcing them through special HEPA filters. We also place venting box fans at entry and exit points to bring in cleaner, outside air and force the inside odors out of the home.

Removing water-borne odors from your home is a complicated process, but SERVPRO of Burnsville / Lakeville is here to help our fellow Minnesotans return to their homes as quickly as possible. If you need us, call today at (952) 846-4400 to get started.

SERVPRO’s Tips on Preventing Mold Damage During the Holidays

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

There are many articles online about the dangers of mold in Burnsville homes – and when the festive season approaches there are many concerns about the fungal growth of holiday trees. It is true that some articles about “toxic” black mold are little more than scaremongering. However, it is possible for mold to enter the home and grow on holiday trees. SERVPRO recommends taking simple steps to avoid mold damage during the holidays.

Fungi are omnipresent and easily cause mold damage in Burnsville homes. Mold colonies grow wherever there are moisture and an organic food source such as paper, leather, drywall or wood. It is easy to see how mold grows on holiday trees thanks to the presence of moisture on the tree and wood to use as a food source.

It is possible to remove surface mold by hosing down the tree before bringing it inside. Washing does not prevent mold growth but removes some of the existing spores. It is essential to dry the tree thoroughly before bringing it indoors, as fungus loves damp spaces.

Run a dehumidifier near the tree to keep air humidity down and reduce mold growth opportunities. Be mindful that mold spores can travel through your home on your skin or clothes; do not handle the tree more than you have to, and use disposable gloves each time.

Do not keep the tree in your home for an extended period. As trees decay, there is, even more, an opportunity for mold and mildew growth. It is best to remove your tree from your home after seven days.

Consider replacing your real holiday tree with an artificial one. There are many beautiful artificial trees available today that look as good as the real thing but do not carry the same risk of fungal growth. If you enjoy the pine scent of a festive tree, purchase an air freshener, festive candle, or even a tree-scented room spray.

SERVPRO is on hand to help with mold growth all year round. Call our IICRC-certified technicians at the first sign of fungal growth.

For help with mold problems in Farmington, Orchard Garden, Deer Park and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of Burnsville / Lakeville at (952) 846-4400 today.

Deodorization is One of the Most Important Steps of Water Damage Cleanup

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

If it goes untreated for too long, a water leak in your Burnsville bathroom can be very costly, especially if it causes significant damage to the flooring, walls, and paint. You can check for some small issues to decide if you need the help of professionals before things get worse. These include mold or mildew growth, damaged paint or wallpaper, damaged walls, and damaged flooring. You also want to keep an eye out for stains on the ceiling or smells from old, accumulated water.

Water damage in your Burnsvillehome’s bathroom is never a welcome thing. SERVPRO professionals can help you get the issue fixed that is creating the damage in the first place, dry your bathroom back out and get it clean and safe again for you and your family.

Once we have extracted any standing water and taken care of the issue causing the water damage, we must deodorize your bathroom to combat any smells. To do so, we have to remove the cause of the odor in the first place. Odor problems from water damage happen because wet materials have not dried completely. As the level of moisture returns to normal, a lot of the odor problems also go away, but some might remain.

In most situations for deodorization, the odors are coming from various sources. To find all the sources and figure which methods are best to fight all of them, SERVPRO staff use technical equipment and our knowledge andtraining. Most of the time, we use multiple methods of deodorizing to ensure that we entirely combat all the smells.

Chemical odors might mask the smells at first, but later when the structure adjusts to its normal condition, odors can return, so using the various methods that we do keeps the odors from coming back. We also realize that sometimes what we use to deodorize the bad smells can be more offensive than the original ones, so we ensure that you like the smell of the professional products we are planning on applying before we use them.

SERVPROof Burnsville / Lakeville knows that getting the odors entirely out of your bathroom once we have dried it up is just as important as cleaning up the damage. Your home in Orchard Garden, Farmington, or Argonne is in good hands when you contact us at (952) 846-4400 to help you with a leak in your bathroom.