Archived Blog Posts

Fort Lauderdale Fire Damage Threats Require Fast Action

Name: SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North
Telephone: (954) 733-1006

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

tech removing soot from walls servpro poster

For a "Like it never even happened," house fire damage recovery for your Fort Lauderdale residence--Just Call SERVPRO

SERVPRO FSRT Technicians Restore Fire Damage

Ft. Lauderdale and its surrounding area are home to hundreds of thousands of people, and many small shops, businesses, offices, and other commercial properties. With such an assortment of structures, it is crucial to have experienced professionals to help when situations like fires occur.

Fort Lauderdale fire damage can appear in many forms, from overloaded circuits in a condominium to a kitchen flare-up in a single-family home. We understand the urgency of these situations, making it a conscious effort to show We're Faster To Any Size Disaster with our SERVPRO Green Fleet, often arriving within hours of the first notice of loss.

Creating a Safe Work Environment

Safety must be the focus of SERVPRO professionals. There are many hazards associated with post-fire cleanup and recovery services, and the earliest efforts of experienced technicians from our roster are meant to address these possible hazards. The most pressing concerns are often airborne contaminants and structural weakness, which SERVPRO fire restorers can resolve with HEPA filtration products and controlled demolition services.

Addressing Pressing Concerns Early in Restoration

Mitigation can be one of the most productive priorities for responding SERVPRO professionals. Fire damage can be traumatic and stressful for homeowners to witness in these stages, so many early efforts are intended to keep this situation from worsening. This phase can include removing debris, cleaning up standing water, relocating contents, and conducting a thorough inspection of the property to determine how restoration should proceed.

Removing Soot Soils from Surfaces

Fire damage is often most visualized as the black, soot-laden surfaces of a home after a blaze gets extinguished. This situation can worsen until steps are taken to filter out spreading soot particles and clean surfaces impacted by this soiling. We make decisions based on the type of smoke damage present, determining the ideal restoration and removal approach. Types of soil deposits include:

Dry Smoke
Wet Smoke
Grease Residues

Removing Strong Malodors from the Property

After fire damage gets cleaned up in homes, there are still additional loss effects to deal with for professionals. Lingering malodors present the most direct issues for comfortable living, and we must use a combination of cleaning efforts to overcome them:

Fogging – Mobile fogging units can help spread neutralizing agents throughout the property. Because of the vaporous emission of the machine, these are ideal for clearing trapped odors from building materials.
UV Cleaning – UV breaks down molecular structures circulating in the environment. Exposure to UV prevents these compounds from replicating and can even destroy these particles in some cases.
Ozone – Oxidation units in our supply create an unstable molecular compound of O3, which can seek out odor molecules in the environment and bond. When this union occurs, the smell is neutralized. In its unstable form, ozone can be hazardous to those exposed, so it gets used cautiously.

SERVPRO Can Help with Post-Fire Repairs

Few structure fires do such minimal damage to residences that no replacement materials or repairs are needed. Because this is a standard part of the recovery process, it is beneficial that our SERVPRO team has a general contractor license. With this license, we are permitted to complete several build-back services your home or business might need, starting with controlled demolition and material removal through utility repairs, roof repairs, and new construction.

When you contend with Fort Lauderdale fire damage, you need experienced restoration professionals to help. As leading fire recovery specialists for Broward County, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is ready to help with the restoration and recovery services you need most. Call now at (954) 734-1006.

Water Damage Restoration from Severe Weather in Fort Lauderdale

4/16/2023 (Permalink)

water covering the floor of a living room

When flooding brings excess water into your home, team SERVPRO can help. Contact our technicians 24/7 - 365 days a year for effective services.

What Restoration Is Necessary After Flooding?

Storm damage and flooding are a persistent threat in the coastal homes and even condominiums of the Fort Lauderdale area. We know the damage that nature can do to structures, so we have a disaster relief team and a Large Loss response unit to help secure homes immediately with board-up, tarping, and mitigation.

The Earliest Efforts to Secure Your Home

Mitigation is a case-by-case situation for water damage restoration in Fort Lauderdale homes. Severe storm systems can leave homes compromised by the elements, letting floodwater into the main living spaces. We must work fast to address these concerns with mitigation strategies like:

Water Removal - We eliminate standing water in the living space using extractors and vacuums.
Debris/Muck-Out Cleaning - We remove contaminated debris and muck from the structure using hand tools and vacuums. After removal, we can better assess the condition of the building materials and what controlled demolition is necessary.
Content Removal - We remove flood-damaged contents from the structure. Anything we can save is moved to our nearby warehouse for restoration and storage.

Removing Ruined Materials

Controlled demolition is a necessary component of flood recovery. Contamination cannot be overcome with porous materials like drywall and carpeting, making it essential to pull out these ruined elements for replacement.

Thorough Drying Solutions for Your Home

Even though many porous materials require removal after exposure to contaminated floodwater, our responding professionals must also have suitable drying solutions to help. We have air movers and dehumidifiers to manage surface water concerns and the humidity in affected rooms. The combination of these tools accounts for much of the drying effort in the house.

Post-storm water damage restoration can take many forms. When flooding is a concern for your home, the prompt arrival of experienced recovery technicians like our SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North team helps to keep your cherished belongings and structure as safe as possible. Call our rapid responders at (954) 734-1006.

Work With Certified Technicians During Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Fort Lauderdale

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

We can demolish and repair a water damaged subfloor. Our team is trained and always standing by.

SERVPRO Repairs Damaged Subfloor During Commercial Water Removal in Fort Lauderdale

Commercial water damage restoration services can ensure normalcy resumes in your business within the shortest time possible after the scare. If, for instance, the unfortunate incident happens in a building with several floors, operations might come to a standstill. Also, the water might flow to other floors and cause costly damage.

Our SERVPRO technicians can demolish and repair a damaged subfloor during commercial water damage restoration in Fort Lauderdale. It is a layer located between the foundation and the flooring. If the water is allowed to sit in the building for a long time, it may affect the subfloor – resulting in serious structural problems.

The following are some of the steps that our team follows to demolish and repair a damaged subfloor when offering water damage remediation services:

Site preparation: During this step, we remove personal belongings, furniture, and other office items to ensure the site is clear.
Moisture mapping: We use the technique to identify the exact locations the moisture affects. Since the information can highlight the damage's extent, we can decide whether such areas must be demolished and repaired.
Demolition:

Our SERVPRO technicians remove the damaged sections of the subfloor. If the damage is severe, we might be forced to remove the entire subfloor.

We dry and sanitize the affected areas to lower the chances of mold growth.
Subfloor replacement: We repair the existing subfloor or install new layers of plywood or appropriate material.
Finishing: We install appropriate flooring, vapor barriers, and insulation.

Our team has the right tools to make the water mitigation process successful. We also document all our work and hold frequent meetings with stakeholders to update them accordingly. The documentation is valuable if you stand to be compensated by your insurer.

Call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North at (954) 417-7074 for professional commercial water damage cleanup services. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster and promise to exceed your expectations as we work to return your property to its preloss state.

Mold Removal with Damp Insulation in Fort Lauderdale Homes

2/7/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides mold removal, inspection, and repair services to Fort Lauderdale residents dealing with mold infestations.

SERVPRO Provides Mold Removal and Repair in Attics in Fort Lauderdale

Mold spores need moisture or high humidity, warmth, and organic food sources to thrive, often available in Fort Lauderdale homes. Plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and high humidity levels are common in our area, especially in attics, leading to compromised insulation and roof structures.

SERVPRO provides mold removal, inspection, and repair services to Fort Lauderdale residents dealing with mold infestations. The impact of high humidity in the attic leads to conditions that compromise the insulation in your home:

Insulation inefficiency due to matting and wet materials
Rockwool insulation may rust when wet due to its metal content
Insulation may be full of mold spores and colonies
Structures may be compromised with long-term mold infestations

Vapor barriers are installed to prevent moisture from passing into your home into the interior and vice versa. Vapor barriers also impede the drying of insulation and attic spaces, increasing concerns about further mold growth in these areas.

SERVPRO's IICRC trained techs carefully remove all insulating material exposed to mold and is too wet to dry appropriately with ventilation from high-capacity air movers. Once the insulation has been removed, dry air is blown into the attic to dry all cavities and spaces inside the attic before reinstalling new insulating materials.

We utilize moisture meters to check for high moisture conditions inside walls, cavities, and attics. We may create holes in the walls or ceilings to access any high moisture areas and blow dry air into these areas to dry the cavity and drywall. SERVPRO may remove drywall to access the site and complete the mold cleaning.

Once mold removal is complete and the space dried, SERVPRO finishes all repairs and restoration needed to return your home to its original condition “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North for mold removal services. We provide service to Fort Lauderdale and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (954) 734-1006.

Effective Water Damage Repair by SERVPRO in Fort Lauderdale

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO says we repair water damaged drywall in Fort Lauderdale "Like it never even happened."

Fort Lauderdale Drywall Water Damage Restoration

Water intrusion in your Fort Lauderdale property disrupts normalcy. It can seep into cracks and crevices, soaking into nearby structural materials and belongings where all sorts of problems develop. Drywall is one of the readily affected materials. It would help if you repaired water-damaged drywall as soon as possible, as it can cause even more significant issues, such as mold growth. Depending on where water has intruded and damage accrued, you can partially or entirely replace the drywall.

Homeowners should limit further damage by prioritizing water damage repair in Fort Lauderdale. A water-damaged property poses many hazards which can be dangerous. For example, if wet drywall is due to overhead flooding, the ceiling might collapse, putting your safety at risk. In this case, have your home’s structure evaluated by a professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO. Our teams know how structures are built and inspect the entire assembly to extract moisture successfully.

Other hazards

Electrical
Biohazards
Molds

Safety precautions are essential as some old drywall joint compounds contain asbestos. Also, the electrical system runs through the wall and could cause electrocution when not handled with care.

Drywall moisture removal

To start working on moisture-damaged drywall that requires cutting out some sections, SERVPRO crews clear the area by removing or pulling back items like wet furniture, carpet, and padding. Our crews utilize moisture meters to probe moisture content or level on drywall before deciding how much to cut out. Depending on the damage extent, we may have to remove damaged wall studs, flooring, and cabinets. Once the damaged section is removed and bagged, our crews dry the area around and inside the wall using air movers and dehumidifiers, treat it to remove any odor and prevent microbial growth, then install the new drywall pieces.

Some useful tools when cutting out damaged drywall

Keyhole saw
Rotary saw
Kett saw
Reciprocating saw

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North provides quality drywall water damage repair. Call us at (954) 734-1006. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Reasons Expert Fire Restoration is Best in Fort Lauderdale

12/13/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration services are not an easy task. Call SERVPRO, who are IICRC certified.

Call SERVPRO 24/7 in Fort Lauderdale for Pro Fire Restoration

Some Fort Lauderdale property owners understand that the quicker you act after a fire to begin cleanup, the better. But why? The IICRC-certified team at SERVPRO wants all area businesses and homeowners to know why prompt mitigation is the only way to save time, money, and belongings. When you call us for fire restoration and cleanup, we mitigate the damage quickly to restore versus replace whenever possible. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Response times matter in all occurrences

Rapid response is imperative after a fire as it limits loss and helps reduce secondary damage. Charred debris and pungent odors are just a few aspects SERVPRO addresses once called to help with fire restoration in Fort Lauderdale. Never wait to contact our team for professional cleanup, nor try handling your fire damage as a DIY project alone.

These are some of the reasons to call the trained fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT):

Faster response and expert services – We arrive within hours of your initial call, and our IICRC-certified technicians know proper practices for handling all fire and water-related emergencies. You can count on us for efficient soot and smoke residue cleaning, removal of charred building materials, and odor control.
Careful inspections and accurate evaluations – Initial assessment of your property help us to determine all levels of damage and the right equipment and methods to use for cleanup. We have a dedicated crew chief that looks at the damage to formulate a plan for fire mitigation, restoration, drying, and reconstruction/repair.
Deep cleaning you can count on – You want to re-enter your home or business without hazards, odors, or reminders of the fire. We have EPA-registered antimicrobials, odor control technology, and everything else necessary to make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North strives to provide exemplary fire restoration for commercial and residential customers. Call us at (954) 734-1006 to speak with our customer care team about dispatching our Green Fleet to your door.

The Impacts of Flood Damage on a Fort Lauderdale Home

11/8/2022 (Permalink)

Rain coming in through the roof, man catching it in a bucket.

SERVPRO provides fast and immediate storm damage restoration services; call now!

SERVPRO Helps Minimize Damage after Fort Lauderdale Flood

A flooding event can be quite invasive. You should evacuate to higher ground immediately and avoid driving in flooded areas. Typically, one of the first things you would notice when you return to your house is the smell and physical deterioration of your belongings. The impact on your home depends on several factors. These include the type of flooding that has occurred, whether fast or slow-moving waters, the volume involved, and the duration your house has been submerged.

Addressing flood damage quickly in Fort Lauderdale properties is the best course to take within 24 to 36 hours of the disaster. Contact a restoration services provider such as SERVPRO as soon as possible. SERVPRO immediately dispatches restoration technicians to your home who takes you through the expected restoration process and answers any question you may have. If it is still raining, we temporarily patch any holes or breaches in your ceiling and walls to keep as much extra water out of your house as possible.

Ways flooding can affect your home include:

Sewage and bacteria
Damaged electrical and natural gas lines
Emergence of sinkholes
Mold development

The invading water can hide dangerous debris, like glass or metal fragments, mostly if muddy. Additionally, the water can displace animals, insects, and reptiles. It may also contain sewage, dead animals, and chemical hazards, not forgetting the electrical circuitry throughout your home, which might be below the water line. Submerged outlets, appliances, and electrical cords can put you at risk of electrical shock. With training, tools, and availability of safety equipment, SERVPRO crews can manage such situations well.

Noticeable structural changes after inundation

Doors swell and jam
The drywall swells and becomes fluffy
Furniture joints loosen

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North has the resources to respond to any flood damage situation “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (954) 734-1006.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Ft. Lauderdale Calls for Expert Assistance

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO commercial damage restoration services are top-notch. We are the team of professionals you want.

SERVPRO Handles Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Ft. Lauderdale

Water damage in any building is usually a catastrophe, but the risks can elevate in an office building. When not quickly and properly handled, it can cause some debilitating effects; it halts business activities such as mobility of the workers and availability of services to your customers while also leading to the destruction of merchandise and the structure.

We would love to see commercial property owners back on their feet in the shortest time possible, which is why at SERVPRO, we have a team of restorers experienced in performing commercial water damage restoration in Ft. Lauderdale. Our main aim is fast and efficient restoration with as less destruction of property and frustration of movement inside the building as possible.

The initial assessment our SERVPRO team does helps us identify the level of damage and the risks posed, some of which might include:

Electrical hazards that might comprise power strips in the wet offices and water that from above impacts lights, junction boxes, and fire alarm systems
Slipping and falling, which we can reduce by extracting the water, erecting warning signs, and also restricting entry into the affected areas
Contamination of the HVAC system risks bacteria and microorganisms becoming airborne and deteriorating air quality.
Damage to electronic equipment like multifunctional printers, computers, and smartphones.
Mold growth can cause structural damage by eating away the component of building materials.

Water can also ruin supplies and stock. Our SERVPRO technicians can remove stagnant water quickly using powerful electric submersible pumps. These pumps eradicate suction lift limitations and operate continually and quietly.

SERVPRO also has centrifugal air movers that come in handy when drying out the building. The equipment moves large volumes of dry air, accelerating the water evaporation rate from the building structure and materials affected. We also use dehumidification equipment to eliminate water vapor from the air. This gives us room to restore all recoverable materials to their original state sufficiently.

Your commercial property deserves experienced and well-equipped professionals to work towards its prompt restoration. Contact SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North for help at (954) 734-1006. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO Has the Expertise Required to Offer Mold Remediation in Ft. Lauderdale

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Mold remediation services for your home is no easy project. Trust the professionals at SERVPRO for fast and immediate service.

Safe Mold Remediation in Ft. Lauderdale Requires Expertise

I have identified mold in my home. What’s the next step I should take? The next step is ensuring effective mold remediation. When considering the potential permanent property damage that mold can cause, removing it from your property as fast as possible is essential.

You can trust the professionals at SERVPRO to perform mold remediation in your Ft. Lauderdale home. Different kinds of mold exist. Our technicians can identify the mold strain in your home and remediate it. We take several steps to remediate mold, including the following:

Fixing moisture problems
Isolating moldy areas
Discarding absorbent materials
Cleaning the mold away
Thorough drying

Fixing moisture issues

If your home still has water ingress, remediating the mold is difficult. Therefore, if the mold problem results from a leak, our SERVPRO team can fix it first. Additional ventilation may be necessary if the mold issue is present in a naturally wet environment like the bathroom.

Isolating moldy areas

Any airflow occurring across moldy surfaces can cause mold spores to spread around the building. We can isolate moldy areas from unaffected areas before demolition, drying, or cleaning to prevent cross-contamination.

Discarding absorbent materials

Removing certain items that mold has affected, especially porous ones, is necessary. We can use specialized techniques to clean such items or discard them. For instance, furniture and carpets have fibers where mold can remain after cleaning them. Discarding them prevents the issue from recurring.

Cleaning away the mold

Once we remove highly affected porous materials like gypsum board, our SERVPRO technicians can clean remaining materials like Douglas fir framing and plywood subfloors. We can remove the visible traces of mold and then use a biocide or antimicrobial spray to clean the surfaces through wet wiping.

Thorough drying

During the mold remediation process, it is necessary to perform thorough drying. We accomplish this using air movers and dehumidifiers. Our SERVPRO team can also use moisture meters to determine if the affected materials are dry.

Mold remediation requires a great deal of care. Contact SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North at (954) 734-1006 to remediate the mold in your home.

Water Removal in Wilton Manors Homes Requires SERVPRO’s Assistance

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians are ready at a moment's notice for all water damage restoration projects. 24/7 365 days a year we are here for you.

Get Help with Water Removal in Your Wilton Manors Home

Water emergencies are usually unpredictable, happening when property owners least expect them. No matter what has caused the water intrusion, it can ruin the hardwood floors, carpets, upholstery, appliances, and other items. Saving time is vital to prevent additional and costly damage.

SERVPRO provides professional water removal services in Wilton Manors and can restore your home to a preloss state. Our water removal experts can provide you with the following services:

A quick assessment of the incident, describe an action plan and offer a cost estimate before restoration work starts.
Remove standing water.
Extract water from the carpet and pad.
Use anti-microbial solutions to treat affected areas.
Use air moving and dehumidifying equipment to speed up drying.

Assessment

Due to water’s invasive nature, it is crucial to locate the source of the leak and start extraction immediately. Our technicians can use moisture detection tools like infrared cameras to locate areas with high moisture content.

Remove standing water

Our SERVPRO team can use powerful portable pumps to remove the standing water quickly to reduce water damage repair needs. Our training ensures that we know and uphold every industry standard for proper and safe water removal jobs.

Extract water from the carpet and pad

Aggressive water extraction can cause carpet delamination. Carpeting is 50 percent weaker when wet. Heavy equipment can help squeeze out water from the carpet to be extracted. Generally, we use carpet wands to remove water from glue-down carpeting.

Use anti-microbial solutions to treat affected areas

Applying anti-microbial products is one of the effective ways to control microbial growth. These products can control microbes when we use them, along with fast drying.

Use air movers and dehumidifiers to expedite drying.

Our SERVPRO team knows the proper technique for using airflow during the drying process. Air movers enhance evaporation at the surface level and minimize drying time. Dehumidifiers emit dry, hot air that is useful for drying hard-to-dry areas like pillars, walls, and other saturated areas.

After experiencing water damage, call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North at (954) 734-1006 to handle the problem. We can make the mishap seem “Like it never even happened.”

Thoroughly Drying Ft. Lauderdale Water Damage

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO controls water damage with extraction, drying with advanced equipment, and dedication to making our Fort Lauderdale customers happy.

Tools Help Show Water Damage Drying Progress

Drying up the damage in your home after a disaster is a priority of responding technicians. We have talented professionals capable of rapidly assessing the condition of your home and counteracting any troubling circumstances with equipment like air movers, dehumidifiers, and heaters. The objective is to dry the property and prevent thoroughly:

? Damage to the structure

? Unresolved and continued water damage

? Mold spore development

Moisture Migration Concerns

Water damage in Fort Lauderdale homes can spread quickly and indiscriminately, making multiple rooms of your home susceptible to its effects. Migrating moisture must be tracked and documented; specific sensors and products in our inventory can help. With advanced technology like infrared imagery, we can show where moisture caches exist that could require demolition to reach or where further surface drying attention is needed.

Effective Placement of Drying Tools

One of the applications for sensors and probing detectors is to assess the production of drying tools placed throughout the residence. For example, discovering moisture pockets or damp areas would require a more focused drying need in these positions. Probing moisture meters have a clear and concise readout into the wetness of installed building materials and the general effectiveness or impact of placed air movers seeking to evaporate this water.

Regulating Relative Humidity

Moisture in the environment is essential to successful or failing drying practices. SERVPRO professionals must introduce tools that can help regulate these concerns in the air, such as desiccant and low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers. Thermohygrometers and other moisture sensors can track the room's dehumidification success.

With water damage events that impact homes in the area, professionals like ours must respond quickly. Without thoroughly drying your residence, you could leave it vulnerable to other secondary effects and damage. Give our SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North team a call to help at (954) 734-1006.

Factors of Fire Damage Cleanup in Wilton Manors Properties

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

Microwave fire damage with dry smoke in a Wilton Manors kitchen. SERVPRO can make it "Like it never even happened."

Certain Conditions Impact Fire Damage Recovery

As leading fire damage professionals in the state, SERVPRO works quickly to reach homes and businesses impacted by fires and subsequent smoke effects. When these effects exist, the cleaning of the house can be influenced by several factors. Soot and soiling can target many areas of the property, including:

? Ceilings

? Walls

? Contents

? Floors

What Type of Smoke Damage

When SERVPRO professionals first assess fire damage in Wilton Manors properties, we must determine the nature of the damage.

What Type of Smoke Damage?

When SERVPRO professionals first assess fire damage in Wilton Manors properties, we must determine the type of smoke damage impacting the structure. A considerable difference exists between wet and dry smoke damage, but the cleaning can become even more challenging with added obstacles of grease and proteins.

Workspace Temperature

Your home can often be warm after a fire for a lengthy period, but when surfaces cool, they become more challenging to clean and restore. Maintaining warmth in the workspace allows chemical processes to occur faster, with molecules moving more quickly than in colder temperatures.

Contact Period with Cleaning Products

Contact time measures the exposure period with cleaning products on soiled surfaces. In some situations, contact time must be lengthy to allow solvents or pairing chemicals to have the desired effects. Other potent cleaning agents can mar or ruin underlying substrates with too long contact time. SERVPRO professionals must continually monitor conditions to avoid unpleasant outcomes.

Environmental Moisture Levels

Humidity is an important factor in the salvageability of materials after a fire and how readily SERVPRO can clean specific surfaces. Reducing high moisture content can positively affect the overall cleaning, reducing the probability of soils staining surfaces or being unnecessarily challenging to lift and remove from affected materials.

Many factors can influence the ease of cleaning up after structure fires. Our professionals understand how to utilize these factors to provide a positive and swift result for your home. Give our SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North team a call to help at (954) 734-1006.

Finding Where Flood Damage Enters Fort Lauderdale Homes

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

ceiling damaged by water, demolition showing insulation

We're Faster To Any SIze Disaster. Call SERVPRO to mitigate storm damage to your Fort Lauderdale home. We do attics.

Stopping Flood Damage Entering the Property

Flooding can be among the more challenging situations that a home faces, making it a condition that restoration professionals must rapidly respond to resolve. SERVPRO is equipped, licensed, and certified to help in all facets of flood recovery, such as:

Extraction
Water cleanup
Surface disinfection
Thorough drying
Repairs

Structural Openings of Main Floor

Flood damage in Fort Lauderdale homes can often occur directly, powering through doorways and openings in the structure. With these events like flash floods, the main floor of the property can be quickly overrun with standing water concerns. We have powerful extractors to help regulate these emergencies, allowing cleaning and drying to begin.

Flooding in the Attic

Roof damages during severe weather the Ft. Lauderdale area experiences can create penetration points in the roof with missing shingles or structural compromise. Water intrusion reaches the connected attic space, requiring low-profile air movers and portable extraction solutions to dry and clean.

Backed Up Drain Intrusions

Floor drains, especially those tied to areas like a garage, can be a point where backup impacts the house. Sewer systems become overrun with water or a blockage, which can occur during flash flooding and severe weather events. Drains feeding into this system can backup to spilling contents in connected areas of the house, even through toilets and other installed fixtures on lower levels.

Driven Water Damage

Heavy rains and strong winds can push rain against vulnerable areas of the house. Most commonly, this is a penetration between siding and the main exterior wall system of the residence, allowing water into the living space. Resolving this requires drying out any structural elements creating this assembly and flooring materials within the house that have been impacted.

Understanding how flood damage impacts your home or business prepares property owners to secure professional services after disasters. Our SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North team has a fast storm damage response team for disaster relief and complete restoration. Call now at (954) 734-1006.

Commercial Water Damage in Fort Lauderdale, FL

8/1/2021 (Permalink)

Hotel room looking like brand new after water damage clean-up

Ft. Lauderdale Commercial Water Damage

With an average year-round temperature of 75 degrees and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, it’s easy to see why Ft. Lauderdale is such a draw for everyone from retirees to college students on spring break. The white sand beaches, restaurants, museums, shops and nightlife make this one of the most vibrant cities in Florida. The shopping and dining district of Las Olas Boulevard is a big draw, as are the many historic sites including Stranahan House, the oldest building in Ft. Lauderdale.

Of course water is a huge part of life here but water can have its down side too. Whether from a burst pipe or storm surge, when water damages
your commercial property it can become a costly problem. That’s when you should turn to SERVPRO for commercial water damage restoration you can trust. Our goal is to get there faster to any disaster and to provide the quality service that Ft. Lauderdale businesses expect.

Water Damage Restoration With Commercial Properties In Mind

Water damage in commercial properties can bring special challenges and SERVPRO is prepared to address your needs, no matter how large or small your property is. We have industrial strength equipment and highly trained technicians that can tackle any size job. In business, time is money and we understand that, which is why we work quickly to help you get your doors open again.

SERVPRO: The Expert Approach

You’ve invested so much in your business and you need to take care of it. When water damage occurs, that means getting the problem addressed quickly and thoroughly. SERVPRO has a proven process designed especially for commercial properties that begins with your initial call.

We have staff ready to respond 24/7 and we’ll have an experienced technician at your property within four hours to perform a full
walkthrough and damage assessment. With that assessment in hand we’ll be able to work up a thorough plan and we’ll go over every step of it with you so you’ll know exactly what to expect. We’ll also identify any items that may not be salvageable so that you can decide what to do about them and be better prepared to file
an insurance claim.

The work begins with boarding up windows and covering gaps in the roof in order to prevent further damage. We’ll then use submersible pumps and industrial strength wet/dry vacs to remove standing water, air movers and dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry all surfaces, and other equipment to clean and deodorize. We’ll also perform a full mold remediation if necessary. Finally, we’ll replace drywall, remove and replace carpeting, replace damaged flooring and whatever else is required to complete the restoration process.

Ft. Lauderdale is more than just Florida’s sunshine spot, it’s our home and being part of this community is important to us. If your business has severe water damage, call the name you can count on to treat your property as if it’s our own. That’s the SERVPRO way and it’s what helps keep Ft. Lauderdale in business.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Affiliations: We are affiliated with Professional Golfers' Association of America, American Red Cross, Better Business Bureau, BOMA, Community Association Institute, Ft Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Independent Agents of Broward County, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, Lauderdale by the Sea Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Broward, Plantation Chamber of Commerce, South Florida Claims Association, Wilton Manors Business Association

Certifications: AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician, ASD -Applied Structural Drying Technician, CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician, ECTP -Employee Certification Training Program, FSRT -Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician, UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician, OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program, HST -Health and safety Technician, OCT - Odor Control Technician, RRRP -Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation, WRT -Water Damage Restoration Technician, IICRC -Certified Firm

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

SERVPRO: Experience When It Counts

3/13/2021 (Permalink)

Ready to quickly respond to any fire, water, storm or mold damage situation!

SERVPRO: Experience When It Counts

Whether your home has been damaged by fire or water or the aftermath of a calamity, it can be stressful and traumatic.

In those situations, you need trained professionals you can turn to for any of your restoration needs.

Since 1950, SERVPRO has been providing water removal, fire removal, mold removal, and other restoration services.

There are franchise locations throughout the country, so it’s the name people turn to in their time of need.

Emergency Response Cleanup

We are known for getting to the scene of any disaster fast and for providing the best service to both residential and commercial properties.

The Ft Lauderdale North franchise keeps up the tradition of speed, quality, and expertise in the Ft Lauderdale area.

Our owner and general manager have each worked in the residential and commercial real estate development world for over 35 years, so they have extensive knowledge of the rebuilding and restoration process.

South Florida Water, Fire, Mold Damage Response NOW

As residents of the Fort Lauderdale community, we are also concerned with our neighbors and work hard to provide the best possible service.

We’ll treat your home as if it’s our own, putting our years of experience to work to make it "Like it never even happened."

Our word is our bond, and we stand by it.

Whenever you suffer the consequence of a flood or a fire, surviving a hurricane, or risk a biohazard cleanup at work, you need a name you can trust.

SERVPRO's years of experience make us the standard in the restoration industry. We are the company you can count on when you need it most.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

Check out our previous blog!

We at SERVPRO Ft Lauderdale North Are Experts In The Industry

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Employees are prepared with the skills and equipment to get the job done right.

We at SERVPRO Ft Lauderdale North Are Experts In The Industry

We are the experts in the field of restoration at SERVPRO because we are constantly updating our cleanup and restoration services. We take your restoration needs seriously. Ft Lauderdale weather can bring many challenges and our entire team is trained on the latest restoration and mitigation techniques so we can handle everyone. We are ready to handle any damage caused by storms, fire, or other disasters.

In our company, we take training seriously because our reputation is on the line for every job we perform. Everyone on our team has undergone training and received certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification

The IICRC sets the standards for the restoration and cleaning industry, and its extensive training covers every aspect of this industry including that of water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, and carpet and upholstery cleaning.

In addition to these, SERVPRO offers a variety of in-house training for all employees, including extensive certification courses for employees and hands-on franchise training at the SERVPRO corporate training facility.

Stay Updated

In order to stay updated with the latest developments in the industry, employees are encouraged to take part in continuing education through a variety of web-based courses offered by the company.

SERVPRO is the name you can trust for all of your restoration needs due to our extraordinary dedication to excellence and training, along with the very best equipment and techniques. We are here to provide you with the help you need when you need it the most, and that includes 24 hours a day.

When disaster strikes, don’t feel as if you have to go it alone. Call the professionals in the restoration and mitigation industry and be assured that you are in the hands of professionals who will bring your home or business back to normal as soon as possible.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

Check out our previous blog!

Why Hire A Professional to Handle Mold?

Steps To Protect Your Property During A Hurricane

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

The Stages of Water Damage from Flash Floods and How to Handle them

Steps To Protect Your Property During A Hurricane

A hurricane emergency can strike at any time, especially in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Unfortunately, hurricanes and tropical storms are a regular part of life on the coast. For homeowners that means being prepared and protecting your home and property from storm related damage.

There are steps you can and should take ahead of time to prepare for hurricane season, which generally extends from the end of August through October and sometimes beyond, but there may be times when you have less warning and you may need to move quickly to protect your home.

Here are a few steps you can take during a hurricane emergency:

Guard against wind damage – Strong winds are one of the biggest threats posed by hurricanes and they can do a considerable amount of damage to your home. You should always be sure your gutters are clear and make any needed structural repairs. Aside from that, you can guard against wind damage by using safety measures such as roof straps, head and foot bolts on doors and window covers or storm shutters. Also, put caulking around windows and doors and check your drains and sump pumps to avoid water damage. You’ll also want to protect any attached structures like porches, decks and carports to be sure they’re stable and take in any outdoor furniture to prevent it from becoming a dangerous projectile.
Check your landscaping – It’s not just your house itself that can be damaged during a hurricane. Make sure there are no loose tree branches and tie down any shrubs that might get pulled up so they can’t be blown through windows or walls. If you have a gravel driveway or walks, you might also want to consider changing to shredded bark, which is much less destructive when blown.
Review your insurance – It’s too late to change your coverage during a hurricane emergency, but you’ll want to review the insurance you have so you know where you stand. That way you won’t face any surprises when it comes time to file a claim.
Take photos – Having a thorough record of the current status of your home before the storm hits will be invaluable when you need to file an insurance claim. Keeping a comprehensive set of photos of your home, inside and out, will help with taking inventory, something that most insurance companies require.

Of course, it is not always possible to avoid damage during a hurricane emergency, but if you do face repairs and restoration you don’t have to go it alone. One of the most important steps you can take to protect your property is to consult with a professional restoration company. The professionals will be able to assess your damage and help to get your home back to normal as quickly and smoothly as possible.

As a part of the Ft. Lauderdale North community, SERVPRO is keenly aware of the potential dangers of a hurricane emergency and our technicians are ready to respond to your call immediately. With thorough training and state-of-the-art equipment, we’re prepared to handle any of your water mitigation and restoration needs. We’ll even help you file your insurance claim because we know how complicated and difficult that process can be.

When a hurricane emergency strikes, you can rely on SERVPRO to get you back on your feet in no time. We can make rebuilding after a storm a lot less stressful for you and your family because we treat your home as if it were our own.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

Check out our previous blog!

Is Your Ft. Lauderdale Property Damaged by Storm Floods or King Tides?

Unusual Problems That Hurricanes Can Cause For Your Property

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

Hurricane/Storm Water Damage is better handled by the professionals!

Unusual Problems That Hurricanes Can Cause For Your Property

Life is good in Ft. Lauderdale with its sunny beaches and beautiful homes but it can also hold hidden hurricane dangers for homeowners. Located on the southern coast of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale is a traditional spring break location and a draw for snowbirds eager to soak up the year round warm weather. Unfortunately, its coastal location also puts it in the danger zone for hurricanes and tropical storms.

With high winds and heavy rains, hurricanes are among the most devastating natural disasters. Because they tend to hit the Florida coast regularly, it pays for residents here to be prepared for the potential damage hurricanes may cause. Most homeowner’s policies cover hurricane related damage, but it may be necessary to carry extra coverage for flooding.

When most people think of hurricane damage, they probably picture ripped up roofs and waterlogged basements. While those are certainly common results of severe storms there are other hidden hurricane dangers that you may not necessarily have considered. But it is important to be prepared for any potential issues to keep your property protected.

Here are some hurricane related hazards that could threaten your Ft. Lauderdale home:

Storm Surge – Because hurricanes originate over the water and move inland the strong winds they contain can push water toward the shore. This is called storm surge and is one of the most prominent hurricane related hazards, especially when it coincides with regular high tides. When excess water moves toward shore it has nowhere to go but inland and that can cause severe flooding and may even be powerful enough to wash away parts of buildings or even entire homes.
Flash Flooding – Hurricanes can also cause inland flooding and if rainfall or storm surge amounts are large enough that can lead to flash flooding. As waters rise, they can wash away buildings, trees and other debris and possibly direct debris into your property. Rising waters can also cause severe erosion, which can undermine your foundation.
High Winds – Another severe hazard related to hurricanes are high winds. Hurricanes are classified by their wind speed and winds can reach well over 100 mph. In some cases, hurricanes can also trigger tornadoes, one of the more destructive hidden hurricane dangers a home owner can face. Strong winds can damage roofs and even remove them entirely and they can turn common objects into dangerous projectiles that can cause property damage on impact. These high winds can even damage surrounding landscape, which can in turn lead to problems for your property.

When hurricane damage occurs it can seem devastating, but you are not alone. There are resources you can turn to in order to get your home back to normal, starting with the professionals at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North. We have the training, expertise and equipment to handle any problem, big or small, and as part of the Ft. Lauderdale community ourselves we understand what it’s like to rebuild after a hurricane strikes.

We’re ready to respond immediately, 24 hours a day and we’ll even help you deal with your insurance company so that you can get back to living the good life. So if you suddenly find yourself dealing with hidden hurricane dangers, be sure to call SERVPRO and let the professionals take good care of your home.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

Check out our previous blog!

What Type of Clean Up Should You Expect After A Hurricane In Ft. Lauderdale?

Here’s Why To Hire Professionals To Handle Fire Damage

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Damage is not only devastating in the moment but can ruin your property and belongings after the blaze.

Here’s Why To Hire Professionals To Handle Fire Damage

A fire can be a devastating experience and cleaning up and restoring your home to its previous condition will certainly be your primary concern in the aftermath. It can be a stressful and emotional time for you and your family and it’s understandable if you just want everything handled and repaired as quickly as possible, but when fire strikes you need to proceed with caution.

Repairing fire damage can be a complicated process, as there is more involved than just soot and dirt. The firefighting efforts can also cause their share of destruction, including broken glass and water damage. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you rely on the services of trained remediation professionals to help restore your home after a fire.

What Can The Pros Do For You?

Fire can strike for any number of reasons, including after one of the many tropical storms that regularly hit the Fort Lauderdale area. Homes, commercial properties and even boats in one of the area’s many marinas can all be at risk and may require the services of a professional remediation company like SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North.

While it may be tempting to roll up your sleeves and begin the clean-up process yourself, there are some specific reasons why hiring a professional service is a better idea:

They’re trained to handle the danger – Fire cleanup can be a very dangerous process. Not only can there be hazards like broken glass and weakened support structures, there may also be toxic chemicals and mold present. A professional remediation company is trained to identify these kinds of hazards and take the proper steps to both avoid and address them.
They understand the regulations involved – There are specific fire regulations in place in Broward County and as a professional remediation company in the Ft. Lauderdale North area, SERVPRO is up to date on those regulations and knows exactly what steps to take to ensure that your property is adhering to them.
They are trained to restore a wide range of items – Fire damage can affect any number of surfaces in your home, from walls and floors to fabrics and fibers. A study by the University of Missouri outlines some of the delicate handling required for fire damaged fabrics. With our comprehensive training in fire damage remediation, we know what it takes to address damage to your home and belongings and have the necessary equipment and techniques to properly address it.

We’re Ready To Handle Your Restoration

At SERVPRO, our technicians have been certified in fire and smoke restoration by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and we are prepared to handle every step of the restoration process. We’ll inspect for structural issues, address the removal of fire debris, soot and smoke, take steps to ensure air purification and the removal of odors, fully address any water damage to prevent mold buildup and take steps to protect the contents of your home as well.

Though every fire damage situation is unique, there is a general process we follow for fire damage restoration, which includes:

Emergency Contact – We’ll ask all of the pertinent questions when you make your initial call so we’ll be prepared to handle your specific situation once we arrive on site.
Inspection and Assessment –The on-site process begins with a thorough inspection of your home and property, including rooms adjoining the damaged area to identify any issues and help us prepare a plan of attack.
Board up and Roof Tarping – Windows, walls and roofs can be compromised by fire damage. We’ll board up any missing windows or walls and put a tarp on your roof to prevent any further problems.
Water Removal and Drying – Mold can develop quickly after water damage, so we’ll move fast to remove any excess water and ensure that the area is completely dry to avoid mold issues.
Removal of Soot and Smoke – We use specialized equipment to remove soot and smoke from ceilings, walls and other surfaces.
Cleaning and Sanitizing – Once the water and soot is addressed, we use a variety of techniques to thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces and any items that were damaged by the fire. We’ll also use industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment to help remove odors.
Restoration – Our end goal is to restore your home to its pre-fire condition and we’ll take any necessary steps to repair the damage, whether that means replacing drywall and carpeting, painting or undertaking the entire reconstruction of a room.

We’re Part of Your Community

We live here in the Ft. Lauderdale North area ourselves, so we have a vested interest in helping this community. At SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North, we are committed to responding faster to any disaster, but our service doesn’t stop there. We’ll also go the extra mile to ensure that your home is treated with the same loving care you would give it yourself. That means returning your home to its pre-fire condition and making sure it’s safe for you and your family.

As traumatic as fire damage can be, you can rest easier when you put your home in the trained hands of the SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North restoration professionals.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

Check out our previous blog!

Can Smoke and Fire Damage Be Cleaned?

Best Commercial Restoration Company in Plantation

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO supports local commercial business through water, fire, mold or storm disasters.

Best Commercial Restoration Company in Plantation

With its central location and quality lifestyle, Plantation is considered the ideal location for businesses, which is why the area has become home to more than 5,000 commercial establishments.

Everything from Fortune 500 companies like Motorola Solutions to small, independently owned businesses calls this area home and all of those businesses rely on the best commercial restoration company in Plantation, SERVPRO, for all of their restoration needs.

While the sunshine and sandy beaches of South Florida are a major draw for both residents and tourists, the weather can also bring its share of issues, particularly during the storm season. As members of the Plantation community ourselves, SERVPRO understands the particular concerns of commercial properties in this area and that’s why we offer full restoration services to help get your business operational again as quickly as possible after disaster strikes.

Commercial Restoration With Your Needs In Mind

For a commercial property, dealing with fire, water or mold damage can be very costly. SERVPRO understands the unique needs of your business and is prepared to provide quality restoration designed specifically for commercial properties so that you can rest easy knowing your business in the best possible hands.

Since commercial properties are often much bigger than homes, performing restoration services for a commercial property generally requires a more comprehensive approach. At SERVPRO we use top of the line industrial grade equipment that is designed specifically to cover larger areas. We’ll also be sure to use a larger crew equipped with all of the necessary cleaning supplies to tackle any job, no matter how large in scale.

More complex commercial restoration jobs may also require more expertise in order to get the job done properly. Our technicians are trained in all of the latest procedures so that they are prepared to handle each job, whether residential or commercial. We understand how important your business is to you and we’ll handle it with the same care we’d want for our own property.

We also understand that for any business, large or small, time is of the essence so we’ll move as quickly as possible to get your business back up and running. We can even provide you with an Emergency Ready Profile, an online tool you can use to provide critical information in the event of an emergency so you’ll never be caught unprepared.

Your Business Matters To Us

Your business is valuable, which is why you can’t afford to trust it to just any restoration company. As part of the Plantation community, SERVPRO has a vested interest in ensuring that every business has the best possible chance to succeed. Your business matters to us, which is why we have specific training that allows us to address fire, water and mold damage in any type of commercial property.

We’ve handled everything from small or large office buildings to restaurants, shops and hotels, residential high-rises and even government and military properties and we do it all with the care and expertise you’d expect from the best.

With that in mind, SERVPRO employs a thorough, step-by-step process for all of our commercial restoration services to make your property look “Like it never even happened.” The process begins with your initial call for help. We have someone ready to answer all calls immediately, 24 hours a day and we’ll have a technician at your location within four hours of that call to begin a thorough walkthrough and assessment of the damage.

Once we have all of the details, we’ll be able to draw up a complete plan of action to cover all of your specific needs. We’ll also identify any items that we feel cannot be salvaged so that you can make the final decision about how to handle them and have all the information you need to file an insurance claim.

With a crew on site, we’ll begin by boarding up windows and covering roof damage with tarps in order to prevent any further damage and mitigate your expenses.

Next we’ll remove standing water and any other hazardous debris and then utilize our state-of-the-art equipment and professional training to thoroughly dry and clean all affected surfaces. Since we also know that water damage can easily lead to mold infestation, we’ll also perform full mold remediation to ensure that your property is safe for you, your employees and your customers.

Because our end goal is to make your business whole again, our services for commercial properties also include replacing drywall, removing and replacing carpeting and carpet pads and replacing damaged flooring. We’ll even make recommendations for specialized services that are beyond our scope, such as roof repair, restoration of furniture, electronics and other items, preservation of important business documents and tree removal.

First and foremost, we understand the need to move quickly so that you can get your business operating again and cut your losses. We don’t want your business to be shut down for a moment longer than necessary so we’ll do everything we can to get you on your feet again soon.

The Best Commercial Restoration For The Plantation Community

At SERVPRO community is important to us and that’s why we go the extra mile to ensure that every business in Plantation has restoration services they can count on. We keep up our training and employ the best possible techniques and equipment to provide quality restoration for all commercial properties, from large companies to small businesses.

With Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) certification our technicians have the training to handle water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning and other cleaning and restoration techniques.

We can specifically address the removal of sewage and biohazards, treat fabrics and upholstery including drapes and carpets, and remove any signs of vandalism on your property and we’ll pay special attention to your HVAC system and air ducts to prevent mold infestation.

Because being clean has taken on a whole new meaning these days, we’ve also instituted the “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned” program which is designed specifically to provide deep cleaning that prevents the spread of viral pathogens and other hazardous agents. With the “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned” shield affixed to your building, customers, visitors and employees will all be able to enter your property with confidence knowing that it is completely safe.

When disaster strikes your business, don’t settle for second best. Call on the company that many Plantation area businesses have come to count on for all of their restoration needs. With SERVPRO you’ll know that you’re in good hands and that’s a feeling that you can’t get anywhere else.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

Check out our previous blog!

What is the difference between residential and commercial cleaning?

Safest Fire Restoration in Plantation

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

When a fire disaster strikes, after first responders call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North

Safest Fire Restoration in Plantation

Any disaster can take a toll on a home or business but perhaps nothing is more devastating than the effects of a fire. Fires usually strike suddenly and cause a wide range of damage, which can leave you reeling and unsure of where to turn for help. As desperate as you may feel, it’s important to know that you can turn to SERVPRO for the safest fire restoration services in the Plantation area.

As beautiful as Plantation is, it’s hard to think about something as awful as fire striking, but unfortunately it can occur at any time. For the many residents of the area to businesses like Aetna Insurance and other large and small companies that call Plantation home, it’s essential to have a professional restoration company to rely on when a fire occurs so that you know you’re in good hands.

Understanding The Full Scope of Fire Damage

Of course the immediate picture most people have of fire damage is burned and broken belongings, scorched structures and melted plastics caused by the extreme heat of flames. Sadly, in terms of fire damage that only begins to scratch the surface. There is much more to fire damage and all of it has to be taken into consideration when performing safe and thorough restoration services.

Flames bring along the added hazard of smoke and soot, both of which can permeate surfaces and cause health effects. In order to thoroughly restore fire damaged property, a careful and exacting cleaning process is required, using professional quality equipment and specialized training. Professionals will also need to assess each item to determine if it is capable of being restored or will need to be discarded.

Surprisingly, when it comes to fire damage the single most harmful factor is actually water. While water is essential for putting out fires, it can also compound the damage to homes, businesses and belongings from the fire itself and may lead to rotting of support systems as well as mold growth and infestation if it is not addressed quickly and thoroughly.

SERVPRO Addresses All Fire Damage

It’s usually impossible to avoid fire damage, which is why it is so important to make sure that the damage is addressed properly. Because fire can affect every part of a residential or commercial property, right down to the interior support structure, it is essential to move quickly and safely when handling fire damage. The sooner you begin the restoration process, the sooner you can get back on your feet again and the better your chances of reducing your expenses.

SERVPRO understands the need for speed, so we’re ready to respond to your call 24/7. We’ll have a technician on-site to perform a thorough assessment of your damage within four hours of your original call and we’ll have a customized plan of action specific to your property within eight hours when we supply a complete verbal briefing.

We’ll even provide a thorough inventory of all of your damaged surfaces and belongings to help expedite the process of filing your insurance claim. We understand how emotional this time can be for you and we’re prepared to do everything we can to make it easier on you and ultimately help you to get the reimbursement you deserve.

Of course, our goal with any property is to make it “Like it never even happened,” and we’ll always proceed with that in mind. Our technicians will put their training and expertise to use to make sure that the restoration process is handled as safely as possible in the shortest amount of time so that you can put the pain behind you and let the healing begin.

The Professional Approach To Fire Restoration

Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming, which is why it is so important to have professionals that you can depend on. At SERVPRO, we understand how difficult this time can be and we have the training and equipment to handle the job efficiently and safely, so you never have to go through the restoration process alone.

Our quick and thorough process begins by responding faster to any disaster. Once we have assessed your damage and drawn up your personalized comprehensive plan of action, we’ll provide you with a detailed explanation of every step that we’ll be taking in the restoration process so that you always understand exactly what’s happening. We’ll then complete pre-testing of all surfaces and items so we can determine exactly what is able to be restored and what must be discarded.

Our restoration process includes the latest techniques and high-tech state-of-the-art equipment that can handle any size job. Our Ultra Low Volume (ULV) and Thermal foggers can remove all hazardous odors from any type of surface while our industrial vacuums with HEPA filters remove all water and help to mitigate mold growth to prevent infestation.

We use industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry all surfaces and employ specialized techniques where necessary to address any salvageable belongings. When the restoration process is finished we’ll perform a complete walkthrough of the property with you to ensure that you are completely satisfied with what we’ve done.

Because filing an insurance claim can be one of the most time consuming and emotionally trying parts of the entire restoration experience, we’ll even help you generate a comprehensive room-by-room inventory to facilitate matters. We know that the most important thing for you is to get your property back to its previous state, so we’ll do everything we can to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.

Don’t Go It Alone

Unfortunately, even a place as beautiful as the Plantation area is not immune to the devastation caused by fire. SERVPRO is a part of the Plantation community and we understand that devastation all too well, which is why we’re prepared to respond quickly when you need us most. There is no reason why you should have to face the emotional journey through the repair and restoration process alone when there are trained professionals that you can count on.

When fire strikes your home or business, your first response should be to call the professionals at SERVPRO. We’ve got the training and equipment necessary to handle any level of fire damage and we’ll treat every property with the utmost care, just as if it were our own.

At SERVPRO we make it our business to respond faster to any disaster and to handle every fire restoration job with the utmost safety. That’s the professional difference and that’s the experience you’ll get when you call SERVPRO. With our state-of-the-art equipment and certified training you’ll know you’ve got the best in restoration by your side.

About the Author

Tyrone Po

We understand the challenges that can happen 1st hand (I have experienced them myself) and how we can help you get things back to normal.

Awards: Better Business Bureau - A Rated, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Recipient

Check out our previous blog!

SERVPRO: When life hits hard, we make things easier

What Type of Clean Up Should You Expect After A Hurricane In Ft. Lauderdale?

1/27/2021 (Permalink)

We will help you in any disaster

Hurricanes can strike without much notice in the Ft. Lauderdale area and that means homeowners have to be ready to deal with the damage that can occur during these severe storms.

High winds, heavy rains and storm surges can all take a heavy toll on your home, leaving you with a cleanup process that may seem overwhelming.

The cleanup after a hurricane can be a devastating time, both emotionally and physically

The wind and rain of hurricanes can result in everything from damaged roofs to water logged basements.

Trees, branches and common outdoor items like trash cans and patio furniture may become dangerous projectiles, which can damage the outside of your home.

Heavy rain and storm surge can lead to flooding, leaks and mold buildup

Fortunately, you don’t have to face this difficult cleanup process alone.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North have the training, expertise and equipment to handle even the toughest cleanup.

We can:

clear fallen branches,
repair damaged roofs,
remove standing water and
provide thorough mold remediation so that you and your family can literally breathe easier

With teams available 24 hours a day, we’re prepared to respond faster to any disaster and we can even help you deal with your insurance company so that you are sure you’re getting the help you need.

So don’t let that hurricane cleanup overwhelm you, just call SERVPRO and let our professionals get your house back to normal again.

Can Smoke and Fire Damage Be Cleaned?

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Can Smoke and Fire Damage Be Cleaned?

Fire can strike at any moment and it can be devastating, whether it hits a home or commercial property.

Facing the aftermath of a fire can be daunting, since the damage left behind may be extensive.

Not only can the flames and smoke themselves leave their mark, the water used by firemen can compound the damage even more

While this type of situation may seem overwhelming, it actually is possible to clean and restore a property that experiences smoke and fire damage provided you go about it correctly.

In cases like these, your best option is to rely on the services of a professional company like SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North.

Our professionals are trained to handle the specific dangers that can come with cleaning up after a fire such as broken glass, weakened support beams, toxic materials or mold infestations.

We take all the necessary safety precautions and have heavy duty, state-of-the-art equipment designed to handle this kind of damage.

We’re also up to date on the fire regulations in Broward County and will ensure that the cleanup of your property is following them at every step of the process.

With our extensive training in fire damage remediation, we can thoroughly clean and restore any number of surfaces, including walls, floors, fabrics and fibers.

At SERVPRO, we have a vested interest in helping to rebuild the community because it’s our home too

That’s why we are committed to responding faster to any disaster and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that your home or property is treated with the utmost respect.

How Do You Remove Soot?

12/25/2020 (Permalink)

Soot problems happen in Sunny Florida, not just up north in the cold and snow :-)

Soot is one of the most dangerous of all hazards that you can face in the aftermath of a fire. Because it can contain any number of toxins, breathing in even the smallest amount of soot can cause serious health effects.

It can build up on all sorts of surfaces and create noxious odors, which can make it a challenge to clean.

Removing soot is a delicate process that requires proper safety precautions, specialized equipment and professional training.

That’s why it’s recommended that you leave this job to the professionals at SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North

The longer soot is allowed to remain on a surface the more dangerous it is, so it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible.

It’s also important to ensure that it is cleaned properly so that it doesn’t make the damage any worse.

If you'd like to see our reviews on Google My Business... have a look

At SERVPRO we have specialized equipment, including industrial vacuums with HEPA filters that can remove soot particles from the air and from various surfaces, as well as air scrubbers to trap any soot particles released into the air by vacuuming.

We can then clean walls, carpets, floors, furniture and other items using the proper products to ensure that the soot is removed without damaging the item or surface itself.

We understand how devastating a fire can be and we’re prepared to respond immediately, 24 hours a day, to help you begin the cleanup process as quickly as possible so that you can put the trauma behind you for good. SERVPRO Ft Lauderdale, we are here for you.

Can Smoke and Fire Damage Be Cleaned?

12/22/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke from a fire or from cigarettes, we can make it like it never happened

Fire can strike at any moment and it can be devastating, whether it hits a home or commercial property

Facing the aftermath of a fire can be daunting, since the damage left behind may be extensive. Not only can the flames and smoke themselves leave their mark, the water used by firemen can compound the damage even more.

While this type of situation may seem overwhelming, it actually is possible to clean and restore a property that experiences smoke and fire damage provided you go about it correctly.

In cases like these, your best option is to rely on the services of a professional company like SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North.

Our professionals are trained to handle the specific dangers that can come with cleaning up after a fire such as broken glass, weakened support beams, toxic materials or mold infestations.

We take all the necessary safety precautions and have heavy duty, state-of-the-art equipment designed to handle this kind of damage.

We’re also up to date on the fire regulations in Broward County and will ensure that the cleanup of your property is following them at every step of the process.

With our extensive training in fire damage remediation, we can thoroughly clean and restore any number of surfaces, including walls, floors, fabrics and fibers.

At SERVPRO, we have a vested interest in helping to rebuild the community because it’s our home too

That’s why we are committed to responding faster to any disaster and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that your home or property is treated with the utmost respect. Make sure to check our Google reviews here.

What is the difference between residential and commercial cleaning?

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

Residential or Commercial... we can help.

When it comes to cleaning in the Fort Lauderdale North area, there are two basic categories that most services cover:

residential and
commercial

Each comes with its own challenges, especially given the extreme weather conditions that often hit in this area, which can cause a lot of damage to homes and businesses alike.

So what is the difference between residential and commercial cleaning?

Residential cleaning focuses on the kind of issues faced by most homeowners, including roof repair, mold remediation and water damage.

Whether damage is caused by a household emergency like a burst pipe, a hurricane or other storm or just routine wear and tear, a professional cleaning service can help to repair and restore your home.

Commercial cleaning focuses on businesses, both large and small, and other types of properties like schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

In the case of commercial properties, the cleaning process can be more extensive simply because it usually involves a much larger area.

It can also involve specific conditions like the hygienic needs of hospitals and medical facilities or the handling of hazardous materials.

Whether you’re in need of residential or commercial cleaning services, the professionals at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North are ready to provide the help you need.

We have trained technicians ready to respond quickly to any job and state-of-the-art equipment to properly address any issue in your home or business.

With the professionals of SERVPRO every cleaning job gets the treatment it deserves. You can see our Google reviews here.

What Commercial Cleaning Means

12/13/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial business of all kinds can count on us :-)

Cleaning a commercial property is entirely different from routine house cleaning or even more extensive home repair and restoration.

At SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North we’re trained to provide through commercial cleaning services for properties of every size, from office buildings to restaurants to nursing homes and small businesses.

So what exactly is involved in commercial cleaning?

Our process is comprehensive, covering everything from inspection/assessment to applying the proper treatment methods for any specific issues we identify and even providing thorough remediation to help prevent future problems from occurring.

That can be particularly important if there is any indication of mold in your building, which can be a severe health hazard.

We’ll check areas like the HVAC system and air ducts, look for damage in the ceilings, walls and floors and identify any other mold, water damage or odor issues and use our state-of-the-art equipment to address them.

We can handle biohazards, sewage issues, crime scene cleanup and severe water leaks. We can even help to remove and replace damaged carpets, drapes, blinds and upholstery, all of which can retain nasty odors.

We understand the needs of commercial property owners in the Ft. Lauderdale North area because we’re a local business ourselves and we love the Ft Lauderdale beaches!

That’s why SERVPRO is ready to respond quickly and stick with the project until your property is restored to its previous condition. You can see our Google reviews here.

That way you, your employees and your customers can all get back to business as usual.

Unusual Problems That Hurricanes Can Cause For Your Property

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

Most times sunshine... Some times storms...

Life is good in Ft. Lauderdale with its sunny beaches and beautiful homes but it can also hold hidden hurricane dangers for homeowners.

Located on the southern coast of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale is a traditional spring break location and a draw for snow birds eager to soak up the year round warm weather.

Unfortunately, its coastal location also puts it in the danger zone for hurricanes and tropical storms

When most people think of hurricane damage, they probably picture ripped up roofs and water logged basements. While those are certainly common results of severe storms there are other hidden hurricane dangers that you may not necessarily have considered.

But it is important to be prepared for any potential issues in order to keep your property protected

Here are some hurricane related hazards that could threaten your Ft. Lauderdale home:

Storm Surge – Because hurricanes originate over the water and move inland the strong winds they contain can push water toward the shore. This is called storm surge and is one of the most prominent hurricane related hazards, especially when it coincides with regular high tides. When excess water moves toward shore it has nowhere to go but inland and that can cause severe flooding and may even be powerful enough to wash away parts of buildings or even entire homes.
Flash Flooding – Hurricanes can also cause inland flooding and if rainfall or storm surge amounts are large enough that can lead to flash flooding. As waters rise, they can wash away buildings, trees and other debris and possibly direct debris into your property. Rising waters can also cause severe erosion, which can undermine your foundation.
High Winds – Another severe hazard related to hurricanes are high winds. Hurricanes are classified by their wind speed and winds can reach well over 100 mph. In some cases, hurricanes can also trigger tornadoes, one of the more destructive hidden hurricane dangers a home owner can face. Strong winds can damage roofs and even remove them entirely and they can turn common objects into dangerous projectiles that can cause property damage on impact. These high winds can even damage surrounding landscape, which can in turn lead to problems for your property.

We’re ready to respond immediately, 24 hours a day and we’ll even help you deal with your insurance company so that you can get back to living the good life

So if you suddenly find yourself dealing with hidden hurricane dangers, be sure to call SERVPRO and let the professionals take good care of your home.

Why Hire A Professional to Handle Mold?

11/26/2020 (Permalink)

Get expert mold remediation help

Water damage is always a troubling issue for homeowners, but when water enters your home it can open it up to an even more dangerous invader, mold.

Unfortunately, in the Ft. Lauderdale area where hurricanes are a regular occurrence, water and mold are common issues

For residents of this area it is particularly important to know how to handle mold to minimize the threat to your family.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the health threats posed by mold can be severe. Mold can cause health effects.

Since mold can grow and spread fast, it is absolutely vital that you address any issues as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

While there are DIY steps you can take to help protect your home from mold or remove mold build up, including keeping all surfaces dry, fixing any potential water leaks and ensuring your entire home is properly ventilated, the best and safest way to handle mold issues is to hire a professional mold remediation company.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has plenty of information about the potential hazards of mold as well as a list of resources for cleanup and treatment.

If you have a mold problem or are concerned about the potential for mold infestation, this can be a great starting point

Beyond this, your best choice is to hire a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North.

We have the training and expertise necessary to recognize and locate mold infestations and state-of-the art equipment designed to thoroughly address the issue and remove all traces of mold from your home

Why Call The Pros?

You may think that you’re perfectly capable of handling mold removal on your own, but here are a few specific reasons why it makes more sense to trust the job to the professionals:

We can provide a proper inspection/assessment – We are trained and certified as mold remediation experts so we know exactly what to look for and will thoroughly inspect every inch of your home. We’ll even take a close look at your air ducts, which can be a vital step to prevent mold from spreading throughout the home.
We know how to treat the problem – With certification in Applied Microbial Restoration from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI), we are prepared to handle any problem and know exactly what steps to take to ensure that your home is thoroughly treated.
We’ll help prevent future problems – Proper mold remediation is about more than just treating the current problem; it should also ensure that you won’t face any more problems in the future. At SERVPRO we follow the five principals of mold remediation: safety and health, project documentation, control the contaminant at its source, remove contaminant and prevent further contamination by correcting the underlying moisture problem. With this approach, we’ll help to safeguard your home against future mold outbreaks by ensuring that any water issues are addressed and the threat of further mold growth is eliminated.
We’ll help you save money – We’re homeowners ourselves, so we understand how costly maintaining a home can be. While you might think that you’re saving yourself money by undertaking remediation on your own, that can actually open you up to more expenses if your DIY measures don’t solve the problem. By hiring a professional remediation company now, you can save yourself money in the long run by ensuring that the problem is handled correctly from the start.

Don’t Hesitate To Make That Call

Mold grows extremely fast. In fact, it can begin to spread within 48 hours after water damage occurs. So the sooner you begin to properly address the problem, the better.

You don’t want to take any chances with the health of your family, so when water damage occurs you should act quickly to call in the professionals and begin the remediation process.

As residents of the Ft. Lauderdale North area ourselves, we understand how critical water damage can be and that’s why SERVPRO is ready to respond as quickly as possible.

We offer 24 hour emergency service and we’ll stick with the project until your home is restored to its previous condition. We’ll even help you navigate through the often complicated and difficult process of filing an insurance claim because we know what kind of a headache that can be.

When it comes to mold, you can’t afford to take any chances. Don’t assume that you can handle it yourself; be safe and give yourself peace of mind by calling the professionals at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North.

We’re ready to answer your call at any time and we guarantee results because we treat your home as if it were our own.

Here’s Why To Hire Professionals To Handle Fire Damage

11/26/2020 (Permalink)

Faster to any disaster and ready to help

A fire can be a devastating experience and cleaning up and restoring your home to its previous condition will certainly be your primary concern in the aftermath.

It can be a stressful and emotional time for you and your family and it’s understandable if you just want everything handled and repaired as quickly as possible, but when fire strikes you need to proceed with caution.

Repairing fire damage can be a complicated process, as there is more involved than just soot and dirt

The firefighting efforts can also cause their share of destruction, including broken glass and water damage.

For this reason, it is highly recommended that you rely on the services of trained remediation professionals to help restore your home after a fire.

What Can The Pros Do For You?

Fire can strike for any number of reasons, including after one of the many tropical storms that regularly hit the Fort Lauderdale area.

Homes, commercial properties and even boats in one of the area’s many marinas can all be at risk and may require the services of a professional remediation company like SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North.

While it may be tempting to roll up your sleeves and begin the clean-up process yourself, there are some specific reasons why hiring a professional service is a better idea:

They’re trained to handle the danger – Fire cleanup can be a very dangerous process. Not only can there be hazards like broken glass and weakened support structures, there may also be toxic chemicals and mold present. A professional remediation company is trained to identify these kinds of hazards and take the proper steps to both avoid and address them.
They understand the regulations involved – There are specific fire regulations in place in Broward County (https://www.broward.org/CodeAppeals/Documents/fireamend2009.pdf) and as a professional remediation company in the Ft. Lauderdale North area, SERVPRO is up to date on those regulations and knows exactly what steps to take to ensure that your property is adhering to them.
They are trained to restore a wide range of items – Fire damage can affect any number of surfaces in your home, from walls and floors to fabrics and fibers. A study by the University of Missouri outlines some of the delicate handling required for fire damaged fabrics (https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/gh145). With our comprehensive training in fire damage remediation, we know what it takes to address damage to your home and belongings and have the necessary equipment and techniques to properly address it.

We’re Ready To Handle Your Restoration

At SERVPRO, our technicians have been certified in fire and smoke restoration by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and we are prepared to handle every step of the restoration process.

We’ll inspect for structural issues, address the removal of fire debris, soot and smoke, take steps to ensure air purification and the removal of odors, fully address any water damage to prevent mold buildup and take steps to protect the contents of your home as well.

Though every fire damage situation is unique, there is a general process we follow for fire damage restoration, which includes:

Emergency Contact – We’ll ask all of the pertinent questions when you make your initial call so we’ll be prepared to handle your specific situation once we arrive on site.
Inspection and Assessment –The on-site process begins with a thorough inspection of your home and property, including rooms adjoining the damaged area to identify any issues and help us prepare a plan of attack.
Board up and Roof Tarping – Windows, walls and roofs can be compromised by fire damage. We’ll board up any missing windows or walls and put a tarp on your roof to prevent any further problems.
Water Removal and Drying – Mold can develop quickly after water damage, so we’ll move fast to remove any excess water and ensure that the area is completely dry to avoid mold issues.
Removal of Soot and Smoke – We use specialized equipment to remove soot and smoke from ceilings, walls and other surfaces.
Cleaning and Sanitizing – Once the water and soot is addressed, we use a variety of techniques to thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces and any items that were damaged by the fire. We’ll also use industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment to help remove odors.
Restoration – Our end goal is to restore your home to its pre-fire condition and we’ll take any necessary steps to repair the damage, whether that means replacing drywall and carpeting, painting or undertaking the entire reconstruction of a room.

We’re Part of Your Community

We live here in the Ft. Lauderdale North area ourselves, so we have a vested interest in helping this community. At SERVPRO, we are committed to responding faster to any disaster, but our service doesn’t stop there. We’ll also go the extra mile to ensure that your home is treated with the same loving care you would give it yourself. That means returning your home to its pre-fire condition and making sure it’s safe for you and your family.

As traumatic as fire damage can be, you can rest easier when you put your home in the trained hands of the SERVPRO restoration professionals.

After A Fire - Call The Ft. Lauderdale Professionals

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

Fort Lauderdale Florida Fire Damage on the side of wall

Protect Your Property After the Fire

One of the most terrible experiences a family can have is dealing with the aftermath of a fire. The destructive force of a fire is life threatening. Besides dealing with the safety aspects of surviving a fire catastrophe, many families face the harsh reality even more after the flames are put out.

Fires don’t just damage homes and property, they leave damage within each and every one of us.

After the Fire Fighters, We Respond Fast

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help you and your family do as much as possible to prevent further damage after the fire. Many involved in property fire incidents don’t realize that your home or business may still be in danger after the fire because of potential damage to the infrastructure of the building, so keeping safety in mind as you proceed is a major key.

As for the damage within the building, the first two days after the damage has occurred are the most sensitive to managing how much restoration can really help or not. Because of this and the safety issue we mentioned prior, it is very important that you contact a professional immediately! Our team at SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North is here to support you in your time of need. After you call us, practice these tips to prevent further damage to your property:

Don’t go in and out of the space, limit the movement to reduce the spread of soot particles
If you must move through the structure, put clean towels or used linens on the high traffic areas or the furniture
Do not wash any walls or painted surfaces
Do not touch any electrical equipment
Do not attempt to shampoo any carpet or upholstery
You may coat chrome fixtures, trim and appliances of with petroleum jelly or oil
If you have something like wood blocks or aluminum foil, you can place it between the legs of furniture and wet flooring or carpet to prevent more damage to the furniture
Do not send clothing to the dry cleaners, improper cleaning can further damage the item

You have to get your life back to normal after a disaster, but if you attempt to clean up the damage yourself, you may cause more damage. We hope you never have to call us, but unfortunately, accidents and emergencies happen and when they do, we work hard for you to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Learn more about our team at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North here: http://ow.ly/LYpy50CcDIG

To learn more about what we are doing to protect you, your family, your employees and our team click here: http://ow.ly/uZ9k50CcDOV

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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What Type Of Water Damage Is Covered By Insurance?

9/5/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can also mean dirt and germs...

Water damage is one of the most common types of homeowner insurance claims, with statistics showing that as recently as 2017, insurance payouts for water damage totaled more than $13 billion. (https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/study-water-damage-claims-surging-161741.aspx).

Despite the common occurrence of water damage, many homeowners are unaware of the fact that insurance companies don’t cover every specific type of damage.

In fact, there are certain general rules of thumb that govern what water damage is covered by insurance.

Being aware of these rules before you purchase coverage can help you save money in the long run.

What Is Covered

According to the Insurance Information Institute, most homeowners’ policies cover damage caused by sudden or accidental sources. (https://www.iii.org/article/how-protect-your-home-water-damage).

That can include any of the following:

Burst pipes caused by cold weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Accidental leaks, such as those caused by broken appliances.
Water damage after a fire, whether it is from the sprinkler system or firefighters’ hoses.
Water damage from a roof leak caused by accidental means like a tree falling on your roof during a storm.
Wind-driven damage from storms such as heavy rain or hail.

What Isn’t Covered

Water damage from neglect or lack of maintenance, including failure to fix plumbing problems, repair roofs, or keep the heat on during freezing temperatures.
Water damage from intentional acts such as setting fire to your home or intentionally shutting the water off.
Water damage from earthquakes, landslides or mudslides
Water damage from floods, hurricanes or tsunamis
Sewer main backups
Swimming pool or other structural leaks
Seepage through the foundation of a home
Water damage from a sump pump failure

Of course, knowing when is water damage covered by insurance is only half the equation.

Even in cases where water damage may be covered, most homeowner’s policies will not cover the cost of repairing or replacing the cause of the damage, such as buying a new dishwasher or washing machine.

Coverage will only cover mold removal if the water damage was covered by the policy, otherwise, any mold removal or remediation will come out of the homeowner’s pocket.

One of the specific areas people want to know about when asking is water damage covered by insurance is flooding.

While floods can be a major cause of water damage, standard homeowners’ policies do not cover flooding.

For flood protection, you’ll need a secondary policy that can be acquired through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

While asking about water damage is it covered by insurance is only natural, there are certain types of damage that won’t be covered.

Since homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by neglect, it makes good sense to take care of your home so you can protect it from water damage.

Aside from addressing any obvious problems like leaks as soon as you notice them, other steps you can take to prevent water damage include:

Draining your water heater twice a year to prevent a buildup of sediment.
Installing smart water leak detectors that will notify you whenever a leak is detected and in some cases even shut off the water automatically to prevent damage.
Inspect the hoses of all of your appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers to make sure there are no cracks or other signs of wear and replace any worn or damaged hoses.
Regularly inspect your roof and make any necessary repairs. This may be the most important step you can take to protect your home as the majority of water damage in most homes stems directly from worn or damaged roofs.
Take steps to ensure that your pipes don’t freeze during winter months. This is particularly important for homes in areas that have harsh winters but it can be effective for any home. Keep your heat set to at least 50 degrees and wrap exposed pipes with some form of insulation.

In many cases, you can help to strengthen your claim by acting quickly to address the cause of water damage and mitigate the effects.

The best way to improve your case is by calling a professional water mitigation company like SERVPRO

The technicians at SERVPRO have extensive training and professional equipment and are guaranteed to respond immediately whenever disaster strikes.

Not only can this help to reduce the growth of hazardous mold and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible, but it can also help to give you peace of mind when it comes to filing your insurance claim and asking what kind of water damage is covered by insurance.

The professionals at SERVPRO are up to date on all of the requirements of the insurance industry and they can help you to be fully prepared when you file your claim so that you can get the best possible result every time.

Knowing what water damage is covered by insurance and having good insurance coverage for water damage can help protect your home against unforeseen problems and when it comes to your home you can’t be too careful.

That’s why you shouldn’t take any chances when disaster strikes and call the water mitigation professionals at SERVPRO to get you and your home on the road to recovery.

Any questions? Just give us a ring (954) 733-1006

What Is Water Damage Insurance And How Much Does It Cost?

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

Is this enough to call your insurance company?

Water damage coverage can be a complicated issue, but it is also one of the most important parts of any homeowners’ insurance policy.

When you consider that every year one in 50 homeowners will file a water damage claim, you can begin to understand why having the best possible coverage is so important.

So while everyone can agree that it is crucial for every homeowner to have some sort of coverage for water damage, the intricate part of the equation is determining exactly what a specific policy covers and how much is water damage insurance.

Costs can vary drastically from one company to another and depending on what specific type of coverage you opt to carry.

So what is water damage coverage on homeowners' insurance?

In general, most homeowners’ policies cover damage that is considered “sudden and accidental”.

This can include burst pipes, accidental leaks, and water damage after a fire. This doesn’t include damage from floods or other natural disasters, however, which will require separate coverage.

Damage that occurs through neglect or from intentional acts like turning your water off for the winter will not be covered.

Even in the case of damage that is covered if your insurance company believes that the damage was made worse because you didn’t act quickly enough to mitigate it, they may refuse to cover it or cut back on the amount they pay out.

According to Forbes, the average cost of a water damage claim is $10,900 (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/homeowners-insurance/water-damage/) and with so many claims being filed each year, it’s easy to see why your insurance company might be hesitant to provide full payment on every claim.

So the more you can do to help your case, the better your chances of getting significant reimbursement

Of course, the amount of your deductible will affect how much you’ll get in return, as that cost will come off the top of your claim.

Also, the type of policy can affect how much you can get in a claim.

Cash value policies only guarantee the current value of your property, taking wear and tear into account, while a Replacement value policy will give you the full amount of a new item.

While specific policy prices can vary from company to company, when asking how much is water damage insurance the answer can depend on certain steps you can take to help reduce your costs.

You should always shop around and never be afraid to ask any relevant questions so that you can compare each company’s prices and know exactly what you’re getting.

In many cases, you can also save yourself money in the long run by raising your deductible. (https://www.iii.org/article/how-to-save-money-on-your-homeowners-insurance)

Since the amount you get from a claim can depend on how quickly you respond when disaster strikes, you can also help to save yourself money by hiring a professional water remediation company like SERVPRO.

Not only can SERVPRO address your water damage thoroughly with our trained professionals and high tech equipment, but we can also help you file your insurance claim so that you can get the best possible result.

Who Should I Call For Water Damage In My Ceiling?

8/23/2020 (Permalink)

We are here to support you

Nothing is as troubling as the sight of water leaking from your ceiling.

If you’ve got a leak, or just have discoloration, bubbling or other damage to your ceiling without an active leak, you need to take action before the water damage gets any worse.

When you’ve got water damage who to call can be the most important question of all.

The statistics on water damage are eye-opening. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaks in the average household can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of wasted water every year (https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week), so even the most seemingly insignificant leak can eventually add up and knowing when to call water damage professionals can make a huge difference.

So what do you do if you notice a leak or other water damage to your ceiling?

The common instinct for most people is to call their insurance company first.

Obviously, when you have water damage when to call insurance is an important question, but in most cases that shouldn’t be your first consideration.

Even the smallest amount of damage can be serious, as it may signal a much more widespread problem.

For that reason, your first thought when you experience water damage to your ceiling should be to address the underlying cause of the problem as quickly as possible.

The faster you stop the leak or otherwise cut off the water source, the better your chances of mitigating your expenses.

In particular, you need to know who to call for water damage in the ceiling, walls, and floors so that you can begin addressing water damage quickly in order to prevent the growth and spread of mold.

Mold can affect a number of surfaces, including drywall and ceiling tiles, and once it appears it can begin spreading within 24-48 hours.

With this in mind, the EPA suggests that certain actions, including removing and replacing damaged ceiling tiles, should take place within that period. (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/table1.pdf)

First Call The Pros

Since mold growth can be a severe health hazard, it is important that any water damage is addressed by a professional remediation company that is equipped to handle the job thoroughly.

Companies like SERVPRO have the training and expertise necessary to identify potential problems and take the proper steps to make sure that they are adequately addressed.

Using specialized equipment such as moisture meters, infrared imaging devices, heavy-duty dehumidifiers, and fans, the professionals at SERVPRO can detect water issues, stop them at the source and thoroughly dry out all surfaces.

They’ll also perform complete mold remediation to ensure that all traces of mold and fungus are removed from your home before they can spread and affect your family’s health.

When To File Your Claim

Insurance coverage for water damage can be a tricky proposition, as not all types of damage are covered by most homeowners’ policies.

You will undoubtedly want to contact your insurance agent once the immediate emergency has been addressed and when you do you should be sure to have all the necessary information at hand to help determine whether your damage is covered and how much money you’ll be able to recover.

Be sure to fully document every step of the process, including taking comprehensive before and after photos and keeping track of all of the bills for repairs and remediation.

The more evidence you can provide for your insurance agent, the better your chances of having a positive outcome for your claim, but it’s not guaranteed.

Most standard homeowners’ policies only cover damage that stems from sudden problems, such as a burst pipe, and they won’t cover damage that results from the gradual wear and tear that occurs over the life of your house.

So if the damage to your ceiling resulted from a worn roof that you failed to maintain, you’ll likely be out of luck.

Don’t Get In Over Your Head

While it can seem overwhelming, when there’s water damage ceiling who to call can be an important factor because having the right response can keep you from ending up in over your head.

The important thing is to take the damage seriously even if it seems minor. While some damage may only require a quick DIY project, more often it is just a signal of more extensive issues beneath the surface and you need to treat the whole thing to keep the damage from building.

When water damage occurs to your ceiling, don’t hesitate to call in the pros

A professional water mitigation company like SERVPRO can keep your water emergency from getting out of hand and help return your home to its original condition so you can breathe easier.

With their extensive knowledge of the industry, they may even be able to help you file your insurance claim to improve your chances of getting positive results.

So don’t let a water damaged ceiling drive you over the edge, rely on SERVPRO to get to the heart of the problem, and prevent mold growth before it can affect your family’s health.

When you have water damage who to call to prevent disaster can be the first step toward restoring your peace of mind.

https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

(954) 733-1006

We cover all of Fort Lauderdale FL

What Will Water Damage Insurance Cover And How Much Do I Really Need?

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

We are here to help

There are a number of ways that water can damage your home, including burst pipes, ground seepage, sewage backups, and natural disasters like hurricanes or floods.

Not all instances will be covered by most homeowner’s policies so it’s important to understand what water damage to claim on insurance and what kind of coverage you really need.

When it comes to water damage what will insurance pay for is the first question most people ask

Most homeowner’s policies cover water damage that is sudden and originates inside the home.

This includes scenarios like burst pipes and water damage caused by the fire sprinkler system or by vandalism.

Damage that originates outside the home, such as water seeping in through the foundation or sewage main backups are generally not covered.

The other type of damage that is not covered by a standard homeowner’s policy is what is termed “gradual” damage

This is water damage that results from a lack of regular maintenance.

For instance, if your roof was in a state of disrepair and that lead to a leak, that wouldn’t be covered because you failed to maintain the condition of your roof.

There are additions, called endorsements or riders, that you can make to your standard policy to cover specific kinds of damage not directly covered.

Endorsements address things like mold/fungus and flooding or other natural disasters.

Whether you actually need these riders will depend on the area where you live and whether it is prone to severe weather conditions.

If you have any questions about how much water damage insurance do I need and what type you should get, you should talk with your insurance agent and be sure to ask about what type of policies are offered, what they cover and how much they cost.

Two specific areas that can be particularly challenging for homeowners are mold damage and flooding

You’ll want to pay specific attention to what is and isn’t covered in your home insurance in these areas and figure out when it comes to water damage what to claim on insurance.

Mold/Fungi Damage – In general, mold damage will be included in your home insurance only if it stems directly from a covered loss.

Because mold remediation can be expensive, most insurers will guard against these kinds of claims by either excluding or limiting coverage or raising premiums to cover it. (https://www.naic.org/prod_serv/HMR-ZU-17.pdf)

Flood Damage – Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner’s policies. In order to cover damage caused by flooding, you’ll need to have a separate flood policy, which can be obtained through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Flood insurance can be quite costly so it makes sense to determine if you are in an area that is prone to flooding before purchasing it. (https://www.floodsmart.gov/flood-insurance/requirements)

Water damage can be a real headache for homeowners, whether it is covered by your insurance or not

Fortunately, the professionals at SERVPRO have the training, expertise, and equipment to handle any problem big or small and help make your home safe again.

When it comes to water damage, the best thing you can do for your home has the right insurance coverage and call SERVPRO so you know you’re in good hands.

If you have questions?

We are always happy to help.

And we are standing by 24/7/365

Just call (954) 733-1006 and we will help you.

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Mold Damage Restoration and Cleanup

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Map of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Mold Damage Restoration and Cleanup

Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is a charming seaside village whose name says it all.

What’s not to love about sun, sand, and life on the water? Unless, of course, that water works its way into your home and business, bringing with it uninvited guests like mold and mildew.

At times like these, you need to trust the professionals at SERVPRO

We’ve been serving the Ft. Lauderdale North area for years and are active members of the community so we know how enticing LBTS’ beautiful beach, sidewalk cafes, public places and frequent live music events are. exactly what life can be like in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.

We also know how much of a problem mold can be, which is why we’ve dedicated ourselves to handling any water-related emergency and providing full mold remediation services.

What Can SERVPRO Do For You in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea?

Living by the ocean can be the best of all worlds, whether you’re enjoying the quaint shops or taking in landmarks like the Anglins Fishing Pier.

Everything about this community revolves around water, but water can become a problem too and that’s where we come in.

At SERVPRO, we’ve got the most up to the minute training and equipment to help us handle any kind of water damage.

We also know that mold growth can begin within 48 hours after initial water damage and can spread rapidly and cause a host of health problems, so it’s important to address it as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Since the remediation process can be more complex for commercial properties and family-owned businesses like Dr. G’s Pharmacy and P.J. Rossi Jewelers.

Of course, water damage can be equally devastating in a private home and we take all of our customers’ needs to heart.

We guarantee speedy response 24 hours a day and once on site we’ll remove standing water, address any damaged materials and use our specialized equipment to thoroughly dry every surface so that any mold growth can be stopped at the source.

Is Mold Really A Problem?

For something so small, you’d be surprised at just how destructive mold can be.

It can grow on almost any surface, including fabrics, clothing, and upholstery and can spread its roots deep within the structure of your home or commercial building.

Once it reaches the ventilation system, it can spread even quicker and become a real health hazard for anyone on the property.

Unfortunately, areas like Lauderdale-By-The-Sea with its warm, humid weather provide the perfect breeding ground for mold.

That’s why it’s particularly important to make sure you hire a professional water mitigation company like SERVPRO to handle cleanup after any water-related emergency, so you can be sure that any mold problem is being handled properly.

Don’t Just Remove…Remediate!

If you’re like most people you probably assume that when it comes to mold removal and remediation are the same thing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Removing mold means cleaning up any visible growth, which is important but may not be a complete solution.

Remediation treats the problem at the source, not only getting rid of visible mold but preventing future mold growth by thoroughly drying and treating beneath the surface of walls and floors and inside air vents.

SERVPRO provides complete remediation services for homes and commercial businesses in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea because we understand the kind of water damage common to this area and what is required to treat it.

We don’t want your property to suffer when water damage hits, so we’ll respond quickly and begin the remediation process right away.

Since we’re members of this community too, we proceed with extra care, treating your home or commercial property as if it were our own.

That means doing more than just sopping up standing water and drying damp surfaces. We’ll also remove any damaged materials and either repair them or make sure they are safely disposed of.

Water damage can be particularly complex for a hospitality related businesses such as the Driftwood Beach Club, the Plunge Beach Resort or any one of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea’s other beachside hotels and resorts.

SERVPRO knows what it takes to address problems at these properties so we’ll use the same basic steps as we would for home mitigation and stick with the job until we’re satisfied that the problem has been completely resolved.

Whether we’re handling home or a business, we understand how important your property is to you.

That’s why we use only the best professional equipment and ensure that all of our employees have the most up-to-date training so we can handle any problem, big or small.

We’re dedicated to stopping mold growth at its source so that you and your family or customers can breathe easier.

Leave The Water Mitigation To Us

In Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, the water should be part of the fun, not a costly problem. If you have a water damage problem that needs mitigation, don’t despair, call the professionals at SERVPRO. You can trust us to get the job done right every time so you can get back to enjoying the beach!

Here to Help Neighbors in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

We are your neighbors so you have probably seen us parked in El Prado Park. But because we are your local SERVPRO, our being connected to the community is important to us.

We are an active member of the Lauderdale By The Sea Chamber of Commerce and are here to support the one-of-a-kind boutiques, the world class restaurants and welcoming hotels and resorts that make LBTS so attractive to residents and visitors alike.

During the COVID pandemic, we’ve supported LBTS’s first responders and helped sanitize and helped sanitize the vehicles of the Broward Sheriff Office.

Other professional groups that we are involved with include Leadership Broward, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), Community Associations Institute (CAI), the South Florida Claims Association, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

More information is available at the LTBS Chamber Visitor Center or you can visit us virtually on Google My Business or follow us on social media (#TYPOSERVPRO) to learn more.

Or make one phone call to 954-733-1006, and we will be faster to your disaster.

Water Mitigation Professionals You Can Trust

The water is an integral part of life in Lauderdale By The Sea but it can also become a real problem at times.

Whenever water damage strikes your home or business, you need to act fast and rely on the water mitigation professionals at SERVPRO.

We’re a name you can trust and we’ll do our best to serve every member of our seaside community with care.

You can reach us at (954) 733-1006

SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North is here to help. We are SERVice PROfessionals and are ready to respond to your moment of misery

Oakland Park Mold Damage Restoration and Cleanup

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

Map of Oakland Park Mold Damage Restoration and Cleanup

Located on Broward County’s Middle River, just east of the Atlantic Ocean, Oakland Park is a charming city and is in the heart of the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

It boasts a thriving culinary district and a growing downtown, which when combined with its parks, shopping and other community amenities, make it a great place to live or visit in Florida.

But being so close to water and living in the tropics also means dealing with water damage.

Whether you’re in a private home or a business like 2 Lips Floral Design or Allied Kitchen and Bath, when water invades your space it can lead to all sorts of potentially costly hazards such as mold.

As members of the greater Ft. Lauderdale community ourselves, SERVPRO certainly understands how destructive water can be.

That’s why we offer a professional solution to all of your water mitigation needs.

We have the training, equipment, and personnel dedicated to address any water-related issues and restoring your property, whether it's your home or business.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North Is Committed To Serving The Community

The secret behind our business is that we were customers before we became a opening a SERVPRO franchise, and as a result, we know first hand just how distressing water damage can be, both for homeowners and commercial business owners.

We also understand how water damage can be a particular concern here in Oakland Park, so we’ve made a commitment to respond quickly and thoroughly to any emergency.

Mold growth can begin within 48 hours after initial water damage and it can be happening even if you don’t see it, which is why it’s vital to begin the mitigation process as quickly as possible.

Since mold can be a serious health hazard, businesses like Funky Buddha and any of Oakland Park’s other restaurants and shops have to be particularly cautious about mold remediation and make sure the process is done right to protect their customers.

Not only does SERVPRO guarantee immediate response to any emergency 24 hours a day, but once we’re on-site we’ll employ the most state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that your property is thoroughly dried and cleaned.

We’ll even go below the surface by looking inside the walls and air ducts to prevent the growth and spread of mold.

Don’t Underestimate Mold

Mold is literally everywhere, both outdoors and indoors, so it is almost impossible to avoid. But since mold thrives in warm, humid locations it can be a particular problem in areas like Oakland Park.

While mold spores can be microscopic they can cause a huge amount of damage and health problems, especially for families with children or seniors as well as individuals with compromised immune systems.

Mold may already be present in any dark, damp area such as a garage, attic, or closet but when water damage occurs it can spread even further and faster.

That’s why you need to address the problem as soon as you can so you can stay one step ahead of a mold infestation.

Simply removing visible mold is only part of the equation; in order to thoroughly address it, you need complete remediation from trained professionals like those here at SERVPRO.

Can’t I Remove Mold Myself?

Removing visible mold growth is certainly possible and it is a good idea, provided you take all the necessary safety precautions.

No matter how thoroughly you clean, though, you’re probably only scratching the surface.

In most cases, visible mold is just one sign of a much larger problem and if you don’t address the mold growth beneath the surface, in walls or air vents, it can just continue to spread.

When it comes to mold you can’t afford to take chances, whether you’re a home or business owner.

We’ve serviced many homes and commercial businesses in Oakland Park so we understand the particular concerns that our topical weather can raise. That’s why we’re prepared to respond faster to any disaster and ensure that all traces of mold are removed from your residence or business.

We’ll see the job through from the initial drying process to the removal and repairing of damaged materials.

Then we’ll put our training and expertise to use to perform thorough mold remediation, paying particular attention to air vents, where mold can take hold and do the most damage to your property.

Once we’re sure that everything is completely clean we’ll use our professional-grade equipment to dry the entire affected area.

The remediation process can be much more extensive for commercial property but we’re prepared for that too.

As a fellow area business, we know how important it is to provide the safest, healthiest environment for your customers and that’s always our main goal.

Of course, we’ll apply that same level of care to treating private homes, assuring that you and your family can breathe easier without fear of being affected by mold.

We understand the importance of community and want visitors and residents alike to enjoy everything that Oakland Park has to offer, from the culinary district to the beauty of landmarks like Jaco Pastorius Park.

That’s why we go the extra mile to ensure that we’ve got the most up to date equipment and training to get the job done right.

Water Mitigation Professionals You Can Trust

If your Oakland Park home or business encounters water damage, don’t hesitate to start the mitigation process.

You can trust the water mitigation professionals at SERVPRO to respond right away and provide the service you need because we live here too so we know how you feel.

We are members of the community. Our owner, Tyrone Po, serves on the board of directors of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and he is active the with Chamber’s Oakland Park/Wilton Manors Uptown Council.

As members of the community ourselves, we know how costly water damage can be so we’ll do everything we can to handle your problem and get you back in business again. (How to Choose The Best Water Mitigation Company in Fort Lauderdale)

We’re a name you can trust and we’ll do our best to serve every member of our community with care.

You can reach us at (954) 733-1006

SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North is here to help. We are SERVice PROfessionals and are ready to respond to your moment of misery

Wilton Manors Mold Damage Restoration and Cleanup

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Map of Wilton Manors FL Mold Damage Restoration and Cleanup

“Life’s just better here” in Wilton Manors. But as an island city, water damage and flooding can be issues that can cause trouble in paradise. This is true for residential homes in the East Side, West Side, and Central Area neighborhoods, for commercial establishments along Wilton Drive or Dixie Boulevard and to the many guest lodgings like the Island Sands Inn.

No matter what type of building you have, once it becomes impacted by mold, it can become a costly problem it is not addressed and allowed to fester.

That’s where the professionals at SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North come in

This is our community too, and we’re dedicated to solving any water mitigation problems you might have to ensure that your home or business stays safe.

That means going beyond the immediate water damage and providing full mold remediation to make sure that mold growth is stopped in its tracks.

Why Trust SERVPRO in Wilton Manors?

Water damage can be distressing, both for homeowners and commercial business owners, and that requires a quick and thorough response.

At SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North, we’ve got the desire, the training, and equipment necessary to respond to any water-related emergency and we provide immediate response 24 hours a day.

We know what it’s like to be on the other end of those problems as customers ourselves and we take your concerns to heart.We work to reduce the stress, worry, and anxiety that you might experience.

In your moment of need, we will be there 24/7, to provide you with extraordinary care and minimize the disruption that an emergency can cause to your life, home or business.

It’s important to remember that mold growth can begin within 48 hours after initial water damage so the sooner you begin the mitigation process, the better.

This is particularly true for commercial properties like the famous To The Moon Marketplace or any of Wilton Manors many shops, restaurants, and clubs, where the mold remediation process can be considerably more complex and time-consuming.

Once the initial water damage has been addressed, we utilize psychrometry or the science of drying, to make sure that your property is thoroughly dried.

If there is a mold problem that has been assessed, we will remove mold and use specialized equipment and engineering controls to prevent any further growth or spread.

What Makes Mold A Problem

Mold is everywhere in Florida, and one can not eliminate mold completely from a property.

But mold can develop into a serious problem that can cause serious health issues and can spread from one room to another, particularly if it gets into the ventilation system of your home or commercial building, where it can quickly spread from one room to another.

Mold needs food and water to grow

Unfortunately, humidity in the air, a condition that we often find in Broward County, can provide mold with enough water to grow and spread.

Mold thrives in any dark, damp area. It can grow in places that you may not even to able to see, such as behind walls or within a ventilation system.

Certain species can spread to fabric, clothing, and upholstery as well.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have a professional water mitigation company handle the clean up after any water-related emergency, to ensure that no residual moisture is left that can develop into a mold problem.

“Killing Mold” vs. Remediation

The idea that bleach is able to kill mold is a myth.

While dealing with surface mold, the use of bleach does not address membranes that lie beneath mold’s fuzzy growth.

This is why professional remediators like SERVPRO will remove mold during its remediation process.

We follow the standards and best practices from the S520, the standard and reference guide for professional mold remediation from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Remediation (the IICRC).

We’ve serviced many homes and commercial businesses in Wilton Manors so we understand what it takes to treat and repair the kind of water damage common to this area.

We’ll be able to respond quickly at any time of night or day because we know how important it is to begin the remediation process immediately.

Once we’re on-site, we’ll do everything we can to make sure remediation is conducted safely, making certain that a dry standard has been achieved and removing damaged materials.

We will use our professional equipment to ensure that any mold growth is stopped at the source.

Clean up of commercial properties similar to the Bona Italian Restaurant or Island City Stage can be more extensive, but it follows the same basic steps as home mitigation and you can be assured that we’ll treat your business with the utmost care while we minimize the potential impact on your business.

We are members of the Wilton Manors Business Association and support group in the community such as WiltonArt and KID.

We also know how important your family and your customers are to you and that’s why we use only the highest-grade professional equipment and ensure that all of our employees are well trained so we’re prepared to handle any problem we might encounter.

No matter how big or small the job, we’ll stick with it until we’re confident that all traces of moisture or mold have been removed and the health threat is eradicated.

Water Mitigation Professionals You Can Trust

The water is an integral part of life in Wilton Manors but it can also become a real problem at times.

Whenever water damage strikes your home or business, you need to act fast and rely on the water mitigation professionals at SERVPRO.

We’re a name you can trust and we’ll do our best to serve every member of our community with care.

You can reach us at (954) 733-1006

SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North is here to help. We are SERVice PROfessionals and are ready to respond to your moment of misery

Is Tamarac Ready for Biohazard Cleanup?

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

Ft. Lauderdale knows they can count on us to safely clean and restore biohazard spills.

Safe Biohazard Removal

The decontamination of a residence or commercial business must be handled with specialized training and experience to ensure that the biohazardous material is removed safely and disposed of properly according to OSHA and health regulations. Biohazard spills can occur for a number of reasons and can leave infectious and smelly deposits that can introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants the residents and business owners of Tamarac to know that we provide cleanup and restoration services to safely clean, deodorize and sanitize many types of biohazard spills.

Ready to Respond

When you contact us, we will ask a series of questions to help us determine the number of technicians and the type of equipment to send to immediately begin the decontamination and restoration process. From the moment you call, we can be onsite within four hours and are on call 24 hours a day to respond to biohazard emergencies such as:

Sewage backups
Crime scene residues
Suicide/death accidents
Homicide cleanups
Blood cleanup
Accident cleanup
Hoarding scenes
Animal waste/remains
Chemical spills
Tear gas cleanup

Call Us Today

No matter type of biohazard cleanup service you may require for your home of commercial business, SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants to help. We will restore your biohazard damage in Tamarac “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North is Independently Owned and Operated.

Is Pompano Beach Ready for Hurricane Season?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Our team is ready to respond to any storm damage emergency in Ft. Lauderdale.

First Named Storm of the Season

The first named Atlantic storm of the season, Tropical Storm Arthur, came weeks ahead of the official start of Hurricane season. This is the sixth year in a row that a named storm has come ahead of the official June start to Hurricane season, causing many meteorologists to think of assigning May as the start of Hurricane season. During storm season, strong winds will whip water through the many canals in Ft. Lauderdale causing flooding and other property damage. SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants the residents and business owners of Pompano Beach to know that we are ready to respond to any size storm emergency.

Disaster Recovery Team

When a major storm occurs, we are uniquely positioned to combine resources with other SERVPRO franchises to pool equipment, personnel, and resources that could overwhelm another restoration company. We also have access to Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically placed across the U.S. that can be quickly and cost effectively mobilized to disaster locations. Some examples of the types of clients we serve through this program include:

The Hospitality Industry
Property Managers
Universities
Municipalities
The Pentagon

Call Us Today

No matter type of storm damage you may experience, SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants to help. We will restore your storm damage in Pompano Beach “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North is Independently Owned and Operated.

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North Wins Over Storm Damage

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

Whatever storms bring ashore, SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North will clean it up

Warm-weather storms in Wilton Manors can be severe, even without hurricanes. When storm damage hurts local homes and businesses, SERVPRO^® of Fort Lauderdale North is Here to Help^®.

Storms can leave building interiors open to the elements, allowing rain, run-off water, and micro-organisms inside. Other kinds of water damage are possible. Any time water is left for over a day, microorganisms, such as mold, can develop.

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North owners and employees are local, so of course we want the best for Broward County. Call (954) 733-1006 any hour of any day, and we’ll be on-site and ready to tackle mold, water damage, or other kinds of storm damage.

We are always Faster to any size disaster.

Your home or business will look "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Link:

https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

SERVPRO Repairs Commercial Property Damage in Oakland Park

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

We’re here 24 hours a day to restore commercial damage in Ft. Lauderdale.

Non-Essential Businesses Reopen in May

Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he is begun the process of easing stay-at-home restrictions for Florida residents. Broward County may see restrictions eased and non-essential businesses opening their doors around the middle of May. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants the residents of Oakland Park to know about the commercial cleanup and restoration services we offer. We have the training and equipment to safely restore any sized restoration job including:

Small Office Buildings
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

Emergency Ready Profiles For Your Business

As part of our commercial services, we will create an “Emergency Ready Profile.” This no-cost assessment will allow us to create an online tool that will prove critical information about your facility in the event of an emergency. The information received during the pre-planning process allows us to accelerate the recovery time and minimize the impact on your employees, tenants and customers.

Call Us Today

No matter what your commercial damage need, we are able to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we can be on site within four hours of your call. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial business owners to know that our team of highly trained professionals is ready to respond to your call in Oakland Park. We’ll clean and restore your property “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

We Are Ready to Respond to Storm Damage Emergencies in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

We’ll take care of your storm damage in Ft. Lauderdale “Like it never even happened.”

Did you know that Florida has the greatest number of thunderstorms in the U.S.? Florida has the three perfect ingredients for producing this type of weather: a moist atmosphere, unstable air and a source of lift. According to the American Red Cross, every year people are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms despite advanced warning. SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants the residents of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea to know that there are steps you can take to prepare your home or business before a thunderstorm. Here are some tips from The American Red Cross:

Learn about your local community’s emergency warning system for severe thunderstorms
Discuss thunderstorm safety and lightning safety with all members of your household
Pick a safe place in your home away from windows to gather during a thunderstorm
Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a severe thunderstorm
Make trees and shrubbery more wind resistant by keeping them trimmed
Protect your animals by ensuring that any outside buildings that house them are protected in the same way as your home
Get trained in first aid and learn how to respond to emergencies

SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial business and residential property owners to know that we are available 24 hours a day to clean and restore your storm damage in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North is Independently Owned and Operated.

SERVPRO: When life hits hard, we make things easier

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO: When life hits hard, we make things easier

Life doesn't always go smoothly in Wilton Manors. Hurricanes, residential or commercial fires, and other disaster are just as likely to happen in the areas served by SERVPRO^® of Fort Lauderdale North as anywhere else.

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North serves Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, Tamarac, and several other areas.

When something goes wrong, call us at 954-733-1006, or reach us online. We are available 24/7, regardless of the day. We keep our promise to be Faster to Any Size Disaster.

You can also call us when nothing has gone wrong; we provide free inspections, and cleaning services for both residential and commercial buildings.

High Ratings

You can read what our customers say or look at the before/after pictures to learn about the quality of our work and of our customer service. Don't take just our word for it, look up our rating at the Better Business Bureau; we are proud to have earned an A+. These ratings are not based on customer reviews, but several criteria that the Better Business Bureau applies independently.

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North has the expertise, the technology, and the drive to provide the best care for your home or business. Whether you need mold remediation or a through cleaning, we will restore the premises "Like it never even happened."^®

Links:

https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/fort-lauderdale/profile/fire-water-damage-restoration/SERVPRO-of-ft-lauderdale-north-0633-90357493

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is Independently Owned and Operated.

How to Choose The Best Water Mitigation Company in Fort Lauderdale

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Pipes leaking

When water damage strikes, whether, from broken pipes or severe weather, it can be devastating

Not surprisingly, your focus at times like these is to get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.

Hiring a professional, efficient and highly qualified water mitigation company can make all the difference, as they will be prepared to handle your water damage safely and thoroughly.

With the unique weather issues that Florida faces, including heavy rains, hurricanes and king tides, this can be even more crucial.

Fortunately, finding the best water mitigation company in Fort Lauderdale is easy if you know what to look for.

Here are a few qualities that can help you make an informed choice.

A Company That Responds Quickly

The key to mitigating water damage is acting quickly. Since mold begins growing within 48 hours, the faster you begin the cleanup process the better off you’ll be. You should look for a water mitigation company that responds to your emergency and begins the mitigation process immediately.

(https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf)

SERVPRO understands how important it is to act quickly, which is why we offer 24/7 emergency service.

For more information, please call (954) 733-1006
We are open 24-7
https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

We know that emergency situations can be distressing and our goal is to help alleviate that stress.

We’ll answer your call immediately, at any time of day, and get a team to your location ready to begin the mitigation process as soon as they arrive.

A Company That is Licensed, Insured and Well-trained

When it comes to your home, you can’t afford to trust just anyone.

You need to be sure that the water mitigation company you hire has the proper licensing, certification and insurance and that their employees are up-to-date on all of the current mitigation techniques.

Don’t be afraid to ask pertinent questions such as how long they’ve been in business and what kind of training they have.

At SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North, our employees undergo regular training in our Corporate Training Facility and get regular certification from organizations such as the IIRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration), NORMI (National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors) and NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association).

We also pride ourselves on using the most current and effective remediation and cleaning techniques.

A Company That Has Good Local References

You need to be sure that the company you hire is reputable and nothing speaks louder than recommendations from satisfied customers.

That’s the advantage to hiring locally; you can easily find references by simply asking your friends and neighbors. You can also, check a company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine if they are truly reliable.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is locally owned and operated, so you can be sure that we not only understand the particular needs of the Ft. Lauderdale area but also that we really care about the community because we’re a part of it.

We are accredited by the BBB and have an A+ rating. We were also recognized by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce as the 2019 Small Business of the Year in the professional services category.

We will be happy to provide you with reviews from our many satisfied customers so you’ll feel better about trusting us with your home or business.

A Company With A Detailed Plan

Since effective water mitigation means acting quickly, you want to be sure that any company you hire has a detailed plan of attack.

The best water mitigation company will give you an accurate assessment of your damage, and when possible, will try to salvage building materials so that you can avoid costly repairs.

At SERVPRO, our process begins with your initial contact and includes inspection and damage assessment, water removal and extraction, drying and dehumidification and cleaning.

We will monitor your damage, making adjustments to our drying plan, until we have achieved a dry standard. We also realize that every situation is different and we’ll be fully prepared to address your specific needs while employing our general mitigation process.

A Company That Will Help You Navigate the Insurance Process

Dealing with insurance claims can be one of the most difficult parts of any water-related emergency and the best water mitigation company will be aware of that and prepared to help you find your way through the often complex process of filing an insurance claim.

SERVPRO is ready and willing to help you manage the insurance claims process, from accurately documenting the damage to filling out the paperwork.

In times of emergency, you’re under enough stress as it is…we’ll do our best to keep the insurance process from adding to your stress level.

A Company That Uses The Latest Equipment and Techniques

When water damage occurs, it’s important that the extraction, drying and dehumidifying process is handled properly both to correct the immediate problem and to avoid any mold problems in the future.

The best water mitigation company will use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to make sure that your water damage is repaired and future mold growth is prevented.

The need to stay current is crucial to SERVPRO, which is why we employ state-of-the-art equipment for moisture detection, water extraction, drying, odor removal and sanitizing.

From infrared cameras to locate water, to truck-mounted and portable extraction units and high-speed air movers for thorough drying, we can ensure that every step of your job is handled with the latest technology and the utmost skill and expertise.

A Company That Treats You With Respect

Your home matters to you and when disaster strikes, you want to be sure that it will be treated with the same care and respect that you give it. An emergency is stressful enough; you don’t need a thoughtless water mitigation company making it even harder.

The best water mitigation company will offer the assistance you need, from answering questions to carefully handling your valuable possessions so you can breathe easier.

As members of the local community ourselves, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North takes great pride in providing the kind of service you expect because we’d want no less for our own homes.

Our goal is to restore your home so that you can’t even tell that water damage ever occurred. We go out of our way, from your initial call to the final step of the mitigation process, to make sure that you always feel cared for in your moment of need.

The Bottom Line

When emergencies strike, you need to be sure that you’ve got the best water mitigation company in Ft. Lauderdale on your side. We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

SERVPRO has the expertise, training and service record that you can rely on.

We respond faster to any size disaster and we’ll go the extra mile to give you and your family peace of mind during your “moment of misery.”

For more information, please call (954) 733-1006
We are open 24-7
https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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How to Clean Sewage Backup in Your Bathtub

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

Sewage floating on water

SEWAGE BACKUP

There are few things more distressing than the sight…and smell…of sewage backing up into your bathtub, or any other place it’s not meant to be.

Unfortunately, a sewage backup can be fairly common and once it happens, the aftermath can be equally distressing.

Depending on the severity of the problem, you may be able to handle clean up yourself or you may have to rely on a professional service to get the job done safely and thoroughly.

Cleanup will involve removing the contaminated water and any solids contained in it, thoroughly disinfecting any surfaces that it came into contact with and treating any signs of possible mold growth.

Once cleanup is finished, then it will be possible to address the cause of the backup to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

What To Do When A Backup Occurs

Obviously, the ideal response of any homeowner should be to take all necessary measures to prevent a backup by ensuring that your pipes don’t become clogged.

Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to avoid a backup, so once it happens you need to be prepared to handle what comes next. (https://www.iii.org/article/protect-your-house-from-sewer-backups)

A sewage backup isn’t like any other water emergency since sewage contains any number of bacteria which can be extremely hazardous.

In order to minimize the potential danger, sewage should be cleaned out as quickly as possible, but cleaning it properly involves taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria and the growth of mold.

If the backup is relatively minor, you may be able to handle it yourself.

If this is the case, begin by taking the following precautionary steps immediately:

Seal off access to the bathroom to keep children, pets and the elderly safe.
Shut off the electricity, water, and gas to the bathroom.
Open windows to ventilate the area.
Remove any dry, uncontaminated items.
Add small amounts of chlorine bleach to contaminated water to begin the disinfection process and prevent bacteria from spreading.
Notify your insurance company, as this kind of household damage, is generally covered by most homeowner’s policies. Be sure to take several photos before you begin any cleanup so that you have full documentation of the severity of the problem.

For help or if you have questions you can reach us at Office@SERVPROftlnorth.com
https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/
or call us 24-7-365 (954) 733-1006

Begin Cleanup

Because of the potential dangers from handling raw sewage, it is generally recommended that you call a professional mitigation company to perform cleanup but in mild cases, it may be possible to handle the cleanup yourself.

Be sure to use the proper safety gear, including rubber gloves, rubber boots, goggles, and a face mask

It is imperative that you don’t let any exposed skin come into direct contact with sewage as the bacteria in sewage can cause infections. (https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/mstr-ch5.pdf)

Once you have the proper gear, you should take the following steps to ensure careful and thorough cleaning of the sewage backup:

Close the door of the bathroom to prevent tracking sewage and potential contaminants into other parts of the house. This will also prevent airborne sewage-contaminated dust from spreading throughout the house.
First and foremost, remove sewage-contaminated standing water, using a pump or a wet-dry vac with a proper filter. If you rent a pump and/or generator for this purpose, be sure to notify the rental agent that it is being used to clean up a sewage backup so that it can be properly disinfected afterward.
Shovel any dirt, soil or debris into sturdy trash bags and dispose of them immediately.
If there are any items in the bathtub or shower area that have become soaked or damage, it is probably best to dispose of them. This includes towels, bathmats, curtains or other fabrics.
Thoroughly wipe down any surfaces, including the tub itself and surrounding walls, with hot water and bleach or some other antibacterial agent.
After the initial wipe down, you can then deep clean using household detergent and hot water. Take particular care washing down the floor by using a brush dipped in one part bleach to four parts water, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Let the area dry completely, which may take several hours. You can open the windows to facilitate drying if the weather is warm and dry. In humid or cold weather, keep the windows closed and use a dehumidifier.
After everything has dried, perform another disinfection by applying bleach and letting it sit for 15-20 minutes before cleaning.
It is essential to get the water damaged area dried out within 24-48 hours after the backup in order to prevent mold growth.
Once you have finished clean up, you’ll want to wash any clothing that came in contact with the contaminated water with chlorine bleach.

(http://brevard.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2019/08/proper-sewage-clean-up-procedures-2019.html)

When to Call the Professionals

While you may be able to handle the cleanup of minor sewage backups yourself, it’s usually a safer idea to contact sewage cleanup professionals in order to ensure that your house is cleaned and decontaminated properly.

There are some instances in which professional cleanup will be absolutely necessary, including:

If the backup is not confined to one room.
If the backup occurred more than 24 hours ago or has been sitting for an undetermined number of hours. The longer raw sewage sits, the more the bacteria it contains will spread making the handling of the backup extremely dangerous.
The backup is caused by a sewer main or septic tank issue.
If there is any possibility that the sewage water may have come into contact with your home’s air conditioning system. If the air conditioning system is affected, the contaminants can be spread throughout the house so it will be crucial to have proper duct cleaning in order to prevent this possibility.
If anyone in your family has underlying health issues that may be aggravated by the contaminants in the backup.

For help or if you have questions you can reach us at: Office@SERVPROftlnorth.com
https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/
or call us 24-7-365 (954) 733-1006

What the Professionals Can Do For You

Professional sewage cleanup services are really your best option for handling any kind of backup as they have the equipment and the knowledge to handle these issues and are committed to returning your home to its pre-backup condition.

They will take all necessary safety precautions while working to keep contaminants from spreading throughout your home and to mitigate the spread of mold.

When you do contact a sewage cleanup service they’ll be able to remove sewage backup and solid materials in a safe manner; completely clean and sanitize the affected area and decontaminate the entire home if necessary; use professional dehumidifiers or air movers to thoroughly dry the area; remove mold damage and mitigate further mold growth and perform any necessary repairs.

After Clean Up

Whether you perform the cleanup yourself or call in a professional sewage cleanup service, once the cleanup has been completed, you can then address whatever the cause of the backup may be.

Remember, if you do have a sewage backup in your tub you need to move quickly to prevent any danger to your family. A sewer backup is certainly distressing, but there’s no need to panic.

A professional sewage cleanup service can ensure that the cleanup is handled properly and your home is restored to its former condition.

For help or if you have questions you can reach us at:
Office@SERVPROftlnorth.com
https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/
or call us 24-7-365 (954) 733-1006

COVID-19: We're Always Here to help our Fort Lauderdale Community

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

South Florida Faces Corona Virus, yet another disaster. We are still always here to help.

COVID-19 Quarantine in Broward County

In our current world climate, with the COVID-19 pandemic and many staying forced to stay at home, we want you to know SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North is always here for you. Our homes are right now our base for our personal and professional lives, making it increasingly important to handle situations that may disrupt our safe haven quickly and efficiently.

Every business and family has had to make adjustments during these challenging times, and we wanted to provide you with an update regarding our operations and assure you that SERVPRO is still here to help, 24/7, should our services be required. We know that your inbox is being overwhelmed with COVOD-ID updates so we will provide updates when its urgent or when we identify resources that we feel you might find useful.

Stay Home. We Can Still Come to You to you for Mold, Water, Fire Damage Needs

All of our office, business development and relationship managers are working remotely, but remained connected and available due to virtual office technology that we have deployed.

SERVPRO technicians has been designated as "professionals performing essential services." As a result, we continue to respond to the most pressing disaster restoration, cleanup and disinfection issues facing our customers -- whether it involves emergency mitigation and recovery or cleaning and disinfection businesses, homes, schools, or healthcare and quarantine facilities.

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North: Playing Our Part

To keep you and our technicians safe, below are some of the protocols we have initiated:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - We always wear appropriate PPE on projects. Our employees are trained on the proper ways to put on, dispose of and clean this equipment in a safe manner.

Health Screening - We are asking customers whether they or any occupants in their home or building have been feeling unwell. If we are performing any disinfection services, we ask to certify whether anyone at their location has been identified as a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case. We are also screening our technicians daily for early onset symptoms.

Social Distancing - We love our customers, but for the safety of your family, tenants as well as our employees, we will be following CDC guidelines regarding social distancing. If possible, we are requesting that no non-SERVPRO personnel be present in the rooms we are cleaning or remediating.

Corona Virus: We're in This Together

SERVPRO has a NATIONAL network of franchises available to ensure we are available when you need us, right in your neighborhood.

We are available at the time of your emergency, 24 HOURS A DAY / 7 DAYS A WEEK. Recognized consistently for dependability, seeing us even as the preferred responders for HGTV shows, we are here no matter the time or situation. While most are quarantined, we keep doing business as usual, implementing extra precautions even before our arrival to ensure your family’s safety and comfort in times of quarantine.

Health Safety First: Stay Home

We thoroughly vet our contractors and suppliers to deliver nothing but the best in terms of quality, knowledge and care. We are professionals in this industry, but above all we are people going through this pandemic together, understanding of the sensitivity required to resolve any disaster.

No matter how big or how small, whether private or commercial, we are here for you when you need us. Give us a call and breathe easy; we will manage the insurance claim process while acting quickly to resolve your emergency. There is enough to worry about today, let us help you out and carry some of the load – call SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Checklist For Preparing For A Flood in Ft Lauderdale

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

When it floods... be prepared with a solution, step by step

Checklist For Preparing For A Flood

Flooding is the most common form of natural disaster in the U.S. and it can happen anywhere at any time

Your odds for surviving a flood can increase dramatically if you know what to do and take the proper steps not only ahead of time, but also during the flood itself and afterward.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to start acting; the sooner you begin to prepare the better off you, your home and your family will be.

There are several types of flooding that can strike a given area, from slow onset to flash floods. In the case of flash floods, that occur quickly when a levee or dam breaks, there may be little time to prepare. This is why taking steps ahead of time, before disaster strikes, is so vitally important.

Before The Flood Strikes

It is important to take certain steps well before any type of emergency, while you still have a clear head and have the time to be thorough.

In some areas, the chances for flooding can be greater at certain times of the year, so knowing when the flood season is should be your first step in disaster preparation.

Here are other important steps to take ahead of a flood:

Know Your Risk – do some research to determine exactly what your risk is for flooding.

Even if your home isn’t located in a high-risk area, you should still be prepared. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 25% of all flood claims each year come from homes that aren’t in high-risk areas.
Stay Informed – Getting up to the minute weather reports and emergency warnings can mean the difference between life and death. Local news and community emergency notification systems can give you vital information.

You should also have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio that works with a hand crank or have extra batteries for it in case of a power outage.
Know Evacuation Routes – evacuating the area is generally the best way to stay safe when a flood hits. You should have a clear inland route that stays away from bridges or bodies of water and all members of your family should be aware of it.

If you can, you should drive that route during good weather to become more familiar with it.
Plan For Relocation – it may be necessary to remain away from home for some time until floodwaters recede, so you’ll need a safe place to go for temporary shelter.

Either make plans to stay with family and friends outside of the area or learn where your local American Red Cross shelters are so you can get to safety quickly.
Have A Communication Plan – You may be separated from your family members when an evacuation order is issued, so you should know beforehand how to communicate with each other in this case.

When emergencies strike phone lines can quickly become jammed so texting is usually a quicker and more secure way to communicate.

Keep important phone numbers written down in your wallet as well as on your phone so you’ll be able to communicate in any eventuality.
Know Your First Aid Skills – It may be necessary to provide emergency first aid if first responders can’t get to you right away, so you should get training to administer First Aid and CPR.

Have a well-equipped first aid kit handy so you’ll have any emergency supplies you might need. The Community Response Team (CERT) Program provides training in basic response skills such as fire safety and light search and rescue.
Make An Emergency Kit – You should put together a “Go Bag” with important supplies that you can grab quickly as you evacuate.
When compiling your bag, remember the “5 P’s”:
- People – you, your loved ones, and when possible, your pets should come first.
- Prescriptions – make sure you have all of your medications as well as dosage information, any other necessary medical equipment, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
- Papers – keep hard copies and electronic copies on hard drives or thumb drives of all important documents.
- Personal needs – be sure to include clothes, toiletries, food, water, first aid kit, phones and chargers, batteries, and any items needed for individuals with special needs, the elderly or infants.
- Priceless items – include pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and any other valuables.
Don’t Forget Important Documents – You’ll want to have all of the necessary documents to begin making an insurance claim, including your insurance policy, a complete list of your home’s contents and rental or mortgage agreements.
Prepare Your Home – you can help mitigate damage by elevating the heating system and electrical panel, installing “check valves” in sewer lines, waterproofing your basement and installing a sump pump, keeping gutters and drainpipes clear, and stockpiling emergency equipment such as sandbags, plywood and plastic sheeting.
Have A Family Plan – it’s important that every member of your family is aware of the proper flood preparation steps and what to do in an emergency so be sure to discuss it with everyone ahead of time.

Talking through your disaster preparation ahead of time can help to make everyone safer.

During The Flood

Most flood-related injuries and deaths stem from people becoming trapped. When flooding occurs you should pay careful attention to any evacuation orders and follow them carefully.

Don’t assume that you can handle the situation on your own; even a small amount of water can have deadly results so keep yourself and your family safe by following these steps:

Evacuate– this is THE most important step to take. Just six inches of moving water is enough to knock you off your feet and a foot of water can sweep a vehicle away, so you should never risk trying to cross floodwaters. As soon as an evacuation order is issued, follow the route you’ve prepared and get to safety.
Prepare Your House – if the flood is slow-moving and you have time to take emergency precautions, move any valuables you can’t take with you to higher ground; turn off the gas, water, and electricity if you can do so safely; put sandbags around your property to help stem the flow of water.
Avoid Flood Water – if you see flood water, do not attempt to cross it. Even if it seems shallow, the ground underneath the water could be compromised which might present a greater danger.

Floodwaters can also contain other hazards such as rocks, mud, oil, debris and even venomous snakes.
Know What To Do If You’re Trapped – if you become trapped by quickly rising water, call 911 and move to the highest level of the building you are in, avoiding closed attics as you could become trapped and only moving to the roof as a last resort.

If you’re in a vehicle and can turn around safely, do so, otherwise climb up onto the roof. If you’re outdoors, move to higher ground.

After The Flood

It can take several days for floodwaters to recede completely so don’t assume that you can get back into your home safely right away.

Even as the water recedes it can still contain hazards so you need to exercise caution. Here are the steps to take after a flood:

Wait For The All Clear – do not attempt to return to your home until the authorities have declared it safe to do so. When you do return, don’t drive through floodwaters and be on the lookout for debris. Also, stay away from downed power lines.
Enter Cautiously – even when you have been allowed to return to your home, you should proceed with caution as you don’t know what kind of damage has been done or what kind of dangerous debris the flood may have left behind.
Don’t Wade In Floodwater – even as floodwater recedes, it can still be dangerous so you should avoid wading through it. Floodwater can be contaminated with gas, oil or even raw sewage so it should be treated as a hazard.
Take Personal Safety Precautions – be particularly careful to protect yourself from health hazards such as mold, asbestos, electrical shock, and lead paint.

Wear protective clothing when beginning the cleanup process, including respiratory masks and goggles.
Don’t Touch Electric or Gas Sources– turn off the electricity in your house and call a licensed electrician to make any repairs or turn the power back on. Contact your utility company to turn the gas main back on.
Remember Fire Safety – use flashlights in homes without power rather than any source of light with an open flame, like torches, lanterns or matches, as these can be a fire hazard.
Only Use Generators Outside – Remember that carbon monoxide discharge from generators can kill, so only use generators outside and away from windows.
Service Damaged Septic Systems – damaged sewer or septic systems can be a serious health hazard so get any damage repaired as quickly as possible.
Don’t Eat or Drink – have wells checked for contamination and check with local authorities to find out when it’s safe to use tap water. Also, throw out any food that did not stay at a proper temperature or was exposed to floodwaters and don’t eat from flooded gardens.
Clean Carefully – Clean and disinfect anything that got wet, using proper protective measures including gloves, goggles, and masks. In order to assure proper clean up follow five basic steps: air out, move out, tear out, clean out and dry out. For any cleanup that is beyond your capabilities, call a disaster relief company.
Check the Structure – use a moisture meter to ensure that all wood studs and framing are sound; remove any damaged drywall or paneling. Make sure everything is thoroughly dry before replacing drywall to avoid mold growth.
Take Photos – your insurance company will require photographic evidence of the damage so make sure you get plenty of photos of everything before you start repairing.
Mitigate Damage Not Covered By Insurance – take any necessary steps to mitigate damage that your insurance policy won’t cover, such as putting a tarp on a damaged roof or boarding up windows.
Stay In Communication – in the immediate aftermath of a flood, stay up to date with local information sources to get any alerts or information. Remember to use texts or social media to communicate with family members as phone lines can become overwhelmed.
Look Out for Loved Ones – the stress of dealing with this kind of emergency can take a toll on you and your loved ones. Be aware of any signs that you or your loved ones are becoming depressed or anxious and if you need it, seek professional help.

See what wood floor water damage looks like.

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SERVPRO Repairs Water Damage “Like it never even happened,” in Ft. Lauderdale

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

We’re here 24 hours a day to restore water damage in Wilton Manors.

If a water leak causes a flood inside your home do you know what to do? Water damage can occur at any time. A broken pipe, a broken valve or even a broken dishwasher can cause major damage in a short period of time. Sometimes it is not even apparent where the water leak is coming from. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants the residents of Wilton Manors to know that we are ready to help in the event of water damage to your home or business. With specialized training in water restoration and using state-of-the-art equipment, we will arrive quickly, pinpoint the cause of the damage, and begin the water extraction and mitigation process immediately. We provide the following commercial and residential water cleanup and restoration services:

Commercial Water Damage
Residential Water Damage
Caring For Your Belongings
Storm Damage
Mold Remediation
Sewage Cleanup
Odor Removal
Building Services
Help Manage The Insurance Process

No matter what your water emergency may be, we are able to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial business and residential property owners to know that we will clean and restore your water damage in Wilton Manors “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Will Insurance Pay for Flood Damage in Ft Lauderdale?

3/15/2020 (Permalink)

Garages can get flooded too

Will Insurance Pay for Flood Damage?

Water is one of the main necessities of life and it can be a lifesaver when a fire strikes, but when water suddenly accumulates as the result of a storm or rising tide it can become a powerful foe.

Water damage is one of the most common claims made by homeowners, with 1 in 50 homeowners claiming flood or water damage each year.

It’s no wonder then, that one of the most frequent questions insurance agents get is whether insurance will pay for flood damage. (https://www.wsj.com/articles/american-homeowners-and-their-insurers-face-a-flooding-crisis-from-within-11551960001)

The short answer is that flood damage is generally not covered by most homeowner’s policies.

Of course, there are other ways that water can damage your home and some of them may be covered, which can lead to confusion when making a claim.

In order to more specifically determine what is and isn’t covered it’s first necessary to understand the various types of water damage.

Types of Damage

The three most common types of water damage are sewer or water backup, overflow and discharge, and flooding.

The ability of any of these types of damage to be covered by your insurance may depend on the cause of the damage.

Generally speaking, the damage that results from a sudden or accidental source can be covered and damage that results from long term wear that wasn’t properly addressed likely won’t be covered, but the specifics of your situation may vary.

Sewer or Water Backup –

as the name indicates, sewer backup is when water comes up or is pushed into your home via the sewage or drainage pipes. Sewer backups can be the result of a blocked city main, aging sewer system, tree roots that block a pipe or a backup of the drainage system in your home.

Cleanup from this type of backup can be costly and more often than not, sewer backup is not included in a standard homeowner policy.

Overflow and Discharge Damage –

This is the type of water damage that occurs when pipes burst or a washing machine overflows. It is the most common type of water damage, but the ability to be covered by insurance depends on the cause.

In order to be covered, the cause has to be sudden and accidental rather than maintenance or wear and tear issues.

Flood Damage –

this is the type of damage that occurs when a large amount of water accumulates inside your home in a short amount of time.

Trying to determine whether you have a flood damage claim can be more confusing than you’d think.

There is a distinct difference between general water damage and flood damage and that can make the difference when it comes to your insurance.

The official definition of a flood includes general or partial inundation of two or more acres of land that affects two or more properties that are normally on dry land.

If your home is the only one affected, then you will probably not have a flood claim, no matter how much water you may have.

If the water accumulation in your home was sudden and accidental, however, it could still be covered as a water damage claim.

If other homes have also been affected, then your claim would fall under the definition of a flood. Unfortunately, this means you will likely not have any coverage as most flooding is not covered by home insurance policies.

In order to get reimbursement in these cases, you would need to have supplemental flood insurance, which can be obtained through the National Flood Insurance Program (https://www.floodsmart.gov/faqs).

Flooding can stem from several causes, ranging from sudden storms to melting from heavy snowfall, all of which can be devastating.

Whether it’s a body of water overflowing its banks or a sudden surge from a dam break, the damage can be heavy and costly.

On average, a residential flood claim can be close to $30,000 and that’s just covering the immediate aftermath and not the potential long term effects such as mold buildup.

Some homes are considered high risk because they are located in flood zones, but even for those homes flood damage will not be covered by a standard homeowner’s policy.

For homes that aren’t considered high risk having flood damage covered is more unlikely

In most cases, if your home is considered high risk and you have a mortgage, you will be required to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.

Premiums for this type of policy are based on a variety of factors including the age of your home, the number of floors, the location of contents and the severity of flood risk.

Gradual vs. Sudden Damage

As stated above, only certain types of water damage will be covered by homeowner’s insurance. Damage is generally divided into two basic categories: gradual and sudden.

Gradual damage is usually not covered as it is considered the result of improper maintenance by the homeowner.

Sudden damage, such as that caused by a burst pipe or a sewer backup, maybe covered provided that it only affects your home.

Unfortunately, most gradual damage is not visible to the naked eye, so you likely won’t realize it’s an issue until a problem occurs.

Your house could look perfectly sound on the surface, but beneath those walls, ceilings, and floors there could be issues that may worsen over time if they aren’t adequately addressed.

Common causes of gradual damage include leaking faucets or pipes, seepage from the foundation, deterioration of roof tiles, deteriorating electrical wiring and mold or rot.

While this type of water damage usually isn’t covered, there may be some exceptions.

If, for instance, mold results directly from a covered loss then you may also be covered for mold remediation, but this will depend on your particular insurance company as rules can vary from one company to another.

Flood Insurance

In order to cover damage to your home and belongings caused by floods or rising water, you’ll need to have separate flood insurance.

Most insurance companies will offer flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). When you consider that just one inch of water in your home can cause $25,000 or more in damage, you can see why it is so important to have flood coverage.

The NFIP offers two types of flood coverage: Building Property and Personal Property or Contents.

One covers the actual structure and the other helps to cover everything inside your home. The general recommendation is to purchase both types of coverage to insure against all potential damage.

Even with this comprehensive coverage, however, there are still some types of flood-related damage that won’t be covered, including:

Damage caused by mildew, mold or moisture that could have been avoided with proper maintenance by the homeowner.
Precious metals, currency and valuable papers like bonds and stock certificates.
Property and belongings outside of the home, such as trees, swimming pools, and fences.
Living expenses for temporary housing.

(https://www.allstate.com/home-insurance/flood-insurance-coverage-options.aspx)

There is little doubt that flood damage can be devastating and the last thing you want to be doing in the immediate aftermath of a flood is worrying about whether you have the funds to help repair your home.

Talking to your insurance agent about what coverage you qualify for and making sure you’re covered ahead of time can take a lot of the burden off of you if disaster should strike.

If you do wind up dealing with water damage caused by flooding, it’s important to remember that you may have options for receiving help. Your insurance agent can be a valuable resource, helping you to determine exactly what kind of coverage you have and what kind of resources are available to you.

When it comes down to dealing with mold and mildew caused by flooding, consulting a mold remediation specialist can also be helpful.

These are professionals who are trained to deal with potentially hazardous mold and who are up to date on all of the latest rules and regulations so they can advise you about what steps to take.

Dealing With Insurance Claims

If you do have insurance, getting the most out of your claim can be a tricky prospect, especially in the immediate aftermath of a flood when you’ll be under a lot of stress. You can help yourself when it comes to filing your claim by keeping a few basic steps in mind:

Call A Disaster Relief Company First – While your immediate inclination may be to call the insurance company, you’ll be much better off if you contact a disaster relief company first. Not only do they know what to do to repair the damage, but they also know how to deal with insurance companies and can be an important advocate, helping to properly document damage and negotiate with your insurance company.
Move Quickly To Begin The Restoration Process – Because insurance companies will want complete, detailed proof of damage, the sooner you start the process, the better off you’ll be. Plus you’ll want to make immediate repairs, like closing holes in the roof or sealing off broken windows, as quickly as possible to avoid further damage.
Gather Evidence – when it comes to making insurance claims, the evidence is key. The better your evidence, the higher the likelihood of a positive outcome on your claim. Your disaster relief company can help you to get the pictures and other evidence you need to place your claim.
Stand Up For Yourself– Remember, your insurance company is looking out for their own best interests and will want to pay out as little as possible, so it’s up to you to make sure that you get the most out of your claim. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself. Again, your disaster relief company can be a good advocate, helping to speak up on your behalf and providing photos and other evidence to prove your claim.
Be Patient – While your focus after a flood or other disaster may be returning back to normal as quickly as possible, unfortunately, the insurance industry doesn’t usually work quickly. Claims can take days or even weeks to be completely processed so you need to be patient and wait it out.

Stay One Step Ahead of Disaster

You can help yourself by being prepared ahead of time. Know the disaster relief companies in your area so you’ll know who to call when disaster strikes.

Review your insurance policy regularly to make sure you know exactly what coverage you’ve got. Finally, be sure to keep good records of all of your belongings and when they were purchased as this can help to expedite your insurance claim.

Your insurance may not cover flood damage but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own.

By taking the right steps now you can maintain peace of mind, whether you’re covered by insurance or not.

Mold cleanup tips here

We service Ft Lauderdale

We’ll Take Care of Your Property Damage in Pompano Beach

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

Go to the beach and let SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale restore your property damage “Like it never even happened.”

Did you know that SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North offers business and homeowners in Pompano Beach over forty different commercial and residential cleanup and restoration services? Using advanced technology and techniques our team of highly trained professionals are ready to respond to any emergency or disaster. Our qualified professionals study the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses. We also work with your insurance to ensure a stress-free claims process. Some of the many services we provide include:

Water damage cleanup and restoration services
Mold inspection and remediation services
Fire damage cleanup and restoration services
Storm and major events damage
Commercial services for business of all sizes
Biohazard cleanup and restoration services including crime scene cleanup
Commercial cleaning services outside the scope of routine janitorial service
Odor removal
Building services
Disaster recovery team
Carpet cleaning
Caring for your belongings

When emergency damage affects your home or business, we are ready to respond 24 hours a day every week. We work on jobs of all sizes, from high-rise buildings to small office complexes and homes of all sizes. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial business and residential property owners in Pompano Beach to know that we will clean and restore your property and make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

25 Mold Damage Myths Exposed

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

I'm a mold cartoon... nice to meet you!

25 Mold Damage Myths Exposed Ft Lauderdale FL

Whether from flooding or burst pipes, when water damage occurs one thing is certain…mold will almost certainly follow. I’ve been through it a number of times in different homes that I’ve lived in over the years.

There are many popular myths about mold damage, but don’t let them confuse you. While mold can certainly be a cause for concern, you can keep your home safe by separating the facts from fiction.

Let’s take a look at 25 myths related to mold damage… for more mold facts, go here

Myth 1: Mold Testing is Critical

Though many experts recommend testing for mold, it isn’t necessarily crucial. In fact, testing will let you know the amount and type of mold but none of that information has any effect on treatment options so knowing this information doesn’t really make a difference. https://www.niehs.nih.gov

Myth 2: If It’s Black, It’s Deadly

Despite the panic over “black mold”, color alone doesn’t determine toxicity. There are thousands of types of mold, in a variety of colors, and any of them can be a health hazard provided they produce mycotoxins. Not all black mold produces these toxins, so being black doesn’t automatically make it dangerous.

Myth 3: You Must Clean Mold With Bleach

Surprisingly, it is not always necessary to clean mold with bleach. In most cases, soap and water is perfectly effective at removing mold from hard surfaces and it is also much safer, as fumes from bleach can be harmful to the lungs. It’s only really necessary to use bleach in situations that involve sewage.
https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home

Myth 4: If There’s No Smell, There’s No Mold

This may be the biggest myth of all. Most people assume that since mold has a distinctive smell you can identify a mold issue by simply using your nose. In fact, mold can be present even without that musty smell, so if you suspect a mold issue you should perform a thorough inspection.

Myth 5: Mold-Killing Products Are The Solution

There are a number of products on the market today, from chemical cleaners to paints to air filters, but even these options can’t guarantee a solution. Mold thrives on moisture, so the only way to completely eradicate a mold problem is to eliminate all moisture sources.

Myth 6: Mold Is A New Threat

With all of the recent furor over black mold and its potential health risks, the assumption might be that it’s a new problem…but that’s far from true. Mold is actually one of the earliest life forms and has existed for thousands of years.

Myth 7: Mold Has Many Health Dangers

While there are certain dangers associated with mold, particularly to individuals with respiratory disorders like asthma, when it comes to otherwise healthy individuals the reality is a little more blurred. A 2004 study by the National Institute of Medicine on the effects of mold exposure showed that many of the assumptions about health issues caused by mold have been widely exaggerated. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215639/#ddd00189

Myth 8: Mold Cannot Be Caused By The Homeowner

Yes, mold exists naturally, it’s all around us every day, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t occasionally give it a helping hand. Mold growth can be caused or worsened by poor ventilation, which creates warm, humid enclosed spaces that are ideal breeding grounds for mold.

Myth 9: Insurance Never Covers Mold

This is not entirely true. While most property insurance policies don’t cover mold or mold remediation, if you are sued because of water damage that includes mold, the liability section of your homeowner’s policy will likely cover the claim.

Myth 10: You Can Handle Mold Infestations Yourself

While it is certainly possible to stay ahead of routine mold issues with regular cleaning, more serious issues require professional mold remediation to be treated properly. The professionals have the experience and equipment necessary to handle mold issues, so it makes sense to let them do the job.

Myth 11: You Should Demolish Walls Until You Can’t Find Any More Mold

While it is important to rid your home of all traces of mold, that doesn’t mean you should start tearing down walls. Not only is that expensive, it can actually make the problem worse by releasing more mold spores into the air. On the contrary, if mold is inside the walls it isn’t likely to be posing a health threat, so better to leave the walls intact.

Myth 12: Mold Cannot Be Managed

A common misconception is that it is not possible to stay one step ahead of mold. While more serious infections will require professional remediation, smaller issues can be handled with simple DIY steps and regular cleaning will keep you ahead of the game where mold is concerned.

Myth 13: Mold Has No Benefits

While some types of mold can be hazardous, not all mold is bad. In fact, some types of mold can even be beneficial, helping to decompose fallen leaves and dead trees, used to make cheese such as Blue Cheese, Brie and Gorgonzola and in the production of antibiotics such as Penicillin.

Myth 14: Ideally A Home Should Have No Mold

Mold spores exist everywhere, inside and out, including the air you breathe, so it isn’t possible to completely eliminate them. Focus instead on preventing mold buildup by ensuring proper ventilation and removing excess moisture.

Myth 15: A Small Amount of Mold Is Nothing To Worry About

On the contrary, even a small amount of mold can be a warning sign. If it is not addressed properly it can easily spread within 24 to 48 hours and become a much bigger and more costly problem. As such it is important to address any mold, no matter how small the amount.

Myth 16: Once Mold Is Removed It Won’t Come Back

No matter how thoroughly mold is removed, if the underlying water issue isn’t addressed, mold can and will grow again. The only way to completely prevent a repeat performance is by thoroughly drying out the infected area.

Myth 17: Mold Only Occurs After A Water Leak

While broken pipes, flooding and other water leaks can certainly result in a mold infestation, it is not the only way for mold to grow. Mold requires a warm, dark and humid environment, which can be the result of poor ventilation rather than a leak.

Myth 18: Mold Only Grows In Wet Or Moist Environments

Though mold needs initial moisture to start growing, it can grow even after its immediate surroundings are dried out because it can pull moisture out of the air. It will completely die out only in the air that has less than 4% relative humidity, which can only be achieved with absorbing or drying agents.

Myth 19: All Cleaning Services Are Equipped to Handle Mold

In order to properly remove mold from any infected areas, a company must comply with the EPA’s “Mold Remediation In Buildings” guidelines. Any service you use should always be staying on top of the industry standards and taking proper safety precautions.

Myth 20: Vinegar Will Not Kill Mold

Actually, white vinegar is a mild acid and can be more effective against mold than bleach, killing up to 82 percent of all mold species. While it can’t treat a serious mold infection, for regular cleaning or spot cleaning in trouble areas, you can remove mold by applying white vinegar and letting it sit for at least an hour before wiping it away.

Myth 21: You Can Solve Your Mold Problem By Painting Over It

Many homeowners assume that if they simply paint over mold the mold will die, but this is far from the truth. In fact, mold can actually eat through paint. To solve your mold problem you have to address the underlying moisture issue before applying a new coat of paint.

Myth 22: Mold That Has Been Killed Can’t Affect Your Health

When mold is treated it isn’t really killed, it simply goes dormant, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still pose a threat. Before becoming completely dormant, it still releases spores into the air and if the underlying ventilation and moisture issues aren’t treated, it can reappear, so it can still affect your health.

Myth 23: Mold Is The Only Problem Associated With Water Damage

Though water damage can obviously lead to mold issues, water can actually cause a wide range of problems including both cosmetic and structural damage, and can also promote bacterial and viral growth. That’s why it is so important to clean up quickly and thoroughly whenever water damage occurs.

Myth 24: Cleaning The Mold You See Solves The Problem

Mold spreads quickly and can penetrate beneath the surface, so simply cleaning the mold you see will not completely address the problem. Mold remediation specialists are trained to get to the source by treating the moisture problem that is feeding the mold.

Myth 25: Only Old Homes Get Mold

While older homes are certainly vulnerable, even brand new construction can harbor mold if there are moisture issues such as high humidity, gaps that can allow leaks and poor drainage. Also, the energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems in newer homes have less air exchange and circulation, which can lead to moisture retention.

We service the Ft Lauderdale FL N Area

SERVPRO: When life hits hard, we make things easier

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Storm damage can be big and small, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is Here To Help.

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North serves Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, Tamarac, and several other areas.

When something goes wrong, call us at 954-733-1006, or reach us online. We are available 24/7, regardless of the day. We keep our promise to be Faster to Any Size Disaster.

You can also call us when nothing has gone wrong; we provide free inspections, and cleaning services for both residential and commercial buildings.

High Ratings

Links:

https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/fort-lauderdale/profile/fire-water-damage-restoration/SERVPRO-of-ft-lauderdale-north-0633-90357493

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is Independently Owned and Operated.

We’ll Clean and Restore Your Commercial Property “Like it never even happened.”

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

We provide specialty cleaning services to businesses in Lauderdale Lakes.

You never know when you may need specialty cleaning services for your business or home. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial business owners in Lauderdale Lakes to know that no matter what type or size of business, we are available to help you with your specialty cleaning needs. Our staff of highly trained professionals is prepared to tackle any size job for small office buildings, large office and high-rise office buildings, apartment buildings, hotels and motels, retail stores, industrial plants, and government offices and military buildings. Here are some of the many commercial cleanup and restoration services we offer:

When you require specialty cleaning services for your business or home that go beyond the scope of your normal janitorial service, we want to help. From cleaning a dirty restaurant exhaust hood to cleaning a biohazard spill, our staff of trained technicians are available to respond any day, 24 hours a day. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial business and residential property owners in Lauderdale Lakes to know that no matter what your need may be, you will be glad you called us. We will clean and restore your property in Lauderdale Lakes “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

No matter what your commercial damage may be, we are able to respond 24 hours a day, every day. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial business and residential property owners to know that we can respond to your emergency in Lauderdale Lakes “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

SERVPRO Supports Local Fort Lauderdale Non-Profit to Support Children

2/20/2020 (Permalink)

Join the SERVPRO Duck Cleaners Help us support Kids in Distress and get the chance to win $10, 000

Fort Lauderdale’s Mold, Water, Fire Damage Experts also support the community

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North isn’t JUST Fort Lauderdale’s best choice for mold cleanup and mold removal services. Our SERVPRO franchise isn’t just well known for its emergency response to water damage, leaks and floods. And MOST OF ALL, we aren’t ONLY known as especially equipped for quick response to fire damage and bio hazards. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is engaged in our community and supports local non-profits that are doing great work throughout Broward County.

“Kids in Distress”

One of the organizations we support is Kids in Distress (KID). “Kids in Distress (KID) is a licensed nationally accredited agency working for the prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family, and the treatment of abused and neglected children.”

Air Duct Cleaners or Water Duck Cleaners?

As part of our support for KID, we are proud to announce our participation team, the SERVPRO DUCK CLEANERS at the 2020 Duck Fest Derby presented by JM Family Enterprises, Inc. There will be a wonderful part of the event in which the audience will cheer on a goal of 40,000 rubber ducks as they float down the New River at Esplanade Park in Fort Lauderdale to see which duck makes it to the finish line first. And the duck that crosses the finish line first wins a $10,000 prize. The event will be on March 28^th.

Fire, Mold, Water Clean Up Promotion

For every restoration and clean up service we complete between now and the Duck Fest Derby, we will be donating an entry on our customers’ behalf into the competition to support the kids in the community as long as ducks are still available.

We know you only need us when you need us, but you can still help support our efforts to help KID by joining our team, the SERVPRO Duck Cleaners. The link below will bring you to our team's website where you can sign up and purchase a duck. And, yes, SERVPRO also can also clean your ducts and air condition system too.

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JOIN OUR TEAM – CLICK HERE

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SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help. We are here to help when you need the best choice in emergency water, fire and mold damage cleanup. We are also here to support local non-profits and charities that are making a difference for kids in our community.

For more information on the event, visit DuckFestDerby.org and to sign up on the SERVPRO Duck Cleaners team with the link above.

Experience with Rapid Water, Fire Disaster Response

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

Follow our Social media for exclusive tips on dealing with mold, fires, water damage and more: SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North

Instructional Leak/Flood Youtube Videos Found Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDTCuL8UbqJYGvp74l8Vbpg

SERVPRO Can Help You Restore Your Home or Business in Galt Ocean Drive

2/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians will respond to your emergency in 24 hours.

Did you know that disaster losses along the coast are likely to escalate in the coming years? According to the Insurance Information Institute, catastrophe losses are likely to double every ten years due to development. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants business and property owners to know that when a disaster strikes, we are on hand 24-hours a day to respond to your emergency. We also can help manage the insurance paperwork and process. Here are some of the residential and commercial services we provide:

Water damage cleanup and restoration
Mold remediation and mitigation services
Sewage cleanup
Storm damage
Building services
Commercial water damage cleanup and restoration
Fire damage cleanup and restoration
Carpet and upholstery cleaning
Odor removal
Biohazard removal
Disaster Recovery Team

Our highly trained technicians are on hand to respond to any of these emergencies and will be with you throughout the cleanup and restoration process. We are proud to be part of SERVPRO’s elite “Storm Team” that responds when large scale disasters strike such as Hurricanes Matthew, Harvey, Florence and Michael.

No matter what your damage may be, we will respond to any disaster or emergency 24 hours a day, seven days a week. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North provides emergency cleanup and restoration services to Galt Ocean Drive business owners and residents “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Water Damage Prevention Tips for Ft. Lauderdale

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage cleanup services in Sea Ranch Lakes.

Did you know that the longer you wait to repair water damage the more expensive the repair becomes? Even waiting one week can increase the cost dramatically. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial and residential property owners in Sea Ranch Lakes to know that our team of highly trained technicians will respond to your emergency quickly for any size water loss and will begin the extraction process quickly to begin the mitigation process. Once the water is removed, equipment will be placed in the damaged area so building materials can dry as quickly as possible. Here are some tips from the American Red Cross until help arrives:

From wallboards to rugs, items that are not thoroughly dried can sprout mold and mildew
Bring all soft items (such as sofas, clothing, bedding, and throw rugs) outside if possible – sunlight and wind will help them dry faster
Throw out items that have absorbed water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys.
Keep the windows open and run fans – or keep them shut and run dehumidifiers – to pull moisture out of wood floors and subfloors, beams, doors, etc.

We are highly trained water damage specialists who will respond to any water damage emergency within 24 hours. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North provides water cleanup and restoration services to Sea Ranch Lakes business owners and residents “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Mold Cleanup and Prevention Tips for Ft. Lauderdale

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

Mold can be controlled in Oakland Park.

Did you know that varieties of molds are always present in the air? SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants commercial and residential property owners in Oakland Park to know that damp indoor conditions can become a breeding ground for various types of molds. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, buildings should be inspected for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance. Here are some tips to follow to control mold growth:

Keep humidity levels as low as you can—between 30% and 50%–all day long.
Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes
Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding
Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas
Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months
Fix any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow
Be sure the building has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside

Once mold starts to grow in carpet, insulation, ceiling tiles, drywall, or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problem is by removal and replacement. This is why SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North provides mold remediation and mitigation services to Oakland Park business owners and residents “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 954-733-1066.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Ease your Burden when Disaster Happens in Ft. Lauderdale North

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is able to help you restore your property after fire or flood damage.

When disaster strikes…

For many, your home in Ft. Lauderdale North represents a lifetime of hard work and a place where roots are important. It is where family gathers, and where your most endearing and important memories are made. When a disaster strikes; whether it be fire, storm, mold, or other water damage/flooding, it will likely be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. When these things happen and stress is high call us. Our professionalism and rapid response time, as well as our nonintrusive clean up and exit should do much to ease the burden you are bearing. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North really does want to help you carry the load.

…we’ll be there to ease your burden.

Sharing a load to SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North means our work makes your situation more bearable. Twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week we are on call with equipment that is up-to-date, and people who are professional and efficient. Our goal is to keep you moving forward with as little worry as possible in Ft. Lauderdale North. Please contact us online or at(954) 733-1006.

Sharing the SERVPRO History in Ft. Lauderdale North

2/1/2020 (Permalink)

Why use SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North? Because we are ready to help you 24/7, 365.

Why SERVPRO?

Ted Isaacson opened the first SERVPRO® in 1967 in Sacramento, California selling his first Franchise in 1969. In 1988 the SERVPRO headquarters moved to Gallatin, Tennessee. SERVPRO now has 1700+ Franchises in the United States and Canada. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North specializes in cleanup and restoration services in Ft. Lauderdale North. We can make your fire, smoke, water, or mold damage “Like it never even happened.”

What does SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North do?

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North provides:

residential & commercial cleanup of:

water/ flood damage
fire damage
storm damage

mold remediation
restoration

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North performs these specialties, including:

Water Restoration
Fire Restoration
Mold Removal
Biohazard
Sewage
Drapes and Blinds
Odor Removal
Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup
Vandalism and Graffiti
Air Ducts and HVAC
Ceilings, Floors, and Walls
Carpet and Upholstery

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North works directly with most insurance companies, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in (City or County).

Why SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North? Each franchise is an individually owned and operated company. We have advanced expertise in water restoration along with specialized equipment in water removal and also advanced drying equipment.

Technicians at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North will keep you informed as they restore your damage so you will know what SERVPRO did, and how the process worked.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Who Should I Use for Restoration Purposes in Ft. Lauderdale North

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Who should I use?

Emergency situations usually call for quick reaction. In cases where a home or business structure in Ft. Lauderdale North is being compromised by unhealthy and/or unsafe conditions, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is the-fast-response you need to get relief. Chaotic situations can be handled or endured in an orderly fashion with professionals and the right tools applied. When you must choose your clean-up/restoration specialist, you are likely considering a few important things:

Convenient location
24/7 availability
Professionalism
Efficiency
Honesty
Experience
Latest equipment

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is the answer.

In a problematic and possibly chaotic situation, remember, we’re here to help. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North are business owners, homeowners and renters just like you so we understand the initial needs. Our promise to you is to provide the same quality and integrity based service that we, as your neighbor, may also need in the future.

How to Choose the Best Mold Mitigation Company

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

Mold is awful, make sure you choose the best mold remediation company

The reality is simple: wherever water damage occurs, mold is likely to follow.

And while mold may not initially seem like a big deal, it can have disastrous consequences for your home or commercial space if you don’t immediately apply mold mitigation.

Mold can spread in as little as 48 hours and cause significant damage to your health and the structural integrity of your property. The longer you wait to act, the worse this spread can become and the greater the risks you will face.

If you think there is even the possibility of a mold infestation in your space, the sooner you handle it, the better.

Why You Need Professional Mold Mitigation or Remediation

Whether you’ve experienced a leaky pipe, a flood, or are cleaning up after a hurricane, you will want to move fast and you will want to hire a professional mold remediation company.

Mold can be tricky and just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean you don’t have it and it doesn’t mean that it isn’t spreading.

Mold can not only cause structural damage to your property but it can cause or aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma.

If you attempt to remove the mold yourself, you run the risk of doing an incomplete job or spreading mold spores throughout your home or commercial property.

Mold spores can attach themselves to dust particles, your clothing, or even your pet making their spread easy (and dangerous!) if you do not understand proper mold mitigation techniques.

Proper mold mitigation will require time and expert knowledge to ensure your safety and that of the property.

Mold mitigation means doing more than just removing the mold you can easily see.

It means using specialized equipment, HEPA filters, and air scrubbers to prevent airborne spread as well as the removal of carpets and/or drywall and any other porous material that may have come in contact with the mold or experienced water damage.

A professional mold mitigation company will conduct an assessment of your property and determine exactly what steps are necessary to restore your property, contain mold growth, and remove any odors that are left behind.

How to Choose the Best Mold Mitigation Company

Because mold can cause health effects, it is critical to choose the best mold mitigation company available.

While you may think they are all the same, this is far from being the case.

You do not want to have to make repeated attempts at mold mitigation and you do not want to be living with a hidden danger that you thought was already addressed.

To find the best mold mitigation company, look for:

Speedy Service

You will want a mold mitigation company that responds to your property within 24-48 hours. The best mold mitigation professionals understand that time is of the essence and will be there quickly to conduct an assessment and get the ball rolling.

A locally owned and operated mold mitigation company that offers 24/7 service is a great place to start!

Proper Training and Certification

Do not trust a mold mitigation company that does not carry the proper certifications. Mold is a serious problem and any mitigation company you hire should be properly trained and certified.

Look for a mold mitigation company that is:

Certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Any company you hire should be certified in Applied Microbial Remediation by the IICRC.
Certified by the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI).
Certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). Sometimes proper mold mitigation will require duct cleaning which will make this certification necessary.

Specialized Equipment

Mold mitigation requires specialized equipment. The best mold mitigation company should have things like:

negative air machines (NAMs) fitted with HEPA-filters
Air scrubbers
HEPA vacuums
Hydroxyl and ozone generators for air quality and odors
Media blasting and sanding equipment

This equipment will not only mitigate the mold you have, but it will also keep it from spreading to other locations on your property.

It may also be a good idea to ask a potential mold mitigation company how they handle their equipment.

Mold can be tracked from one job site to another so look for a mold mitigation company that properly wraps its equipment and then properly disposes of those wrappings before moving between locations.

Care for your Belongings

Mold can impact more than just your property. The best mold remediation company will be able to help clean and restore many of your personal items and belongings.

This means helping to clean furniture, curtains, clothing, electronics, and keepsake items like photographs.

If you have massive water damage or a major mold infestation, it is likely that you will need very in-depth remediation. In most cases, this will mean moving items out of the impacted area.

Look for a mold mitigation company that will help remove items from your home or business to prevent further damage and facilitate a quicker restoration.

If you need to make an insurance claim, choose a company that provides Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS). This service can provide a complete list of your belongings and a detailed room by room inventory making it quicker and easier to file and provide evidence for a claim.

The experts at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North understand the mold-friendly damp and humid conditions in Flordia as well as the steps involved in proper mold remediation and are on hand and available 24/7 to start the mitigation process.

From Ft. Lauderdale Beach to Rio Vista and all points in between, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is your best choice for mold mitigation, remediation, restoration, and recovery.

Locally owned and operated, you’ll receive speedy, friendly, safe, and professional mold mitigation services from the initial assessment to the final walk-through.

Fort Lauderdale FL

Tips for Escaping a Structure in the Event of a Fire in Ft. Lauderdale

1/1/2020 (Permalink)

An escape plan is critical for successfully exiting a burning home.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North knows a small flame can turn into a large fire in a matter of minutes. Sometimes, a portable fire extinguisher is not enough to save your Fort Lauderdale North home or business and the only thing you can do is escape.

Lives are more important than objects, so get yourself and others out of danger.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North Offers these Tips for Escape:

Make an escape plan ahead of time. Make sure everyone knows the plan
Make sure that all doors and windows open easily
Plan at least two different ways of escaping every room
When you leave, close the doors and windows to shut in the flames
Practice the plan
Do not stop to pick up valuables. You can replace objects
Make sure your plan includes a place to meet that is a safe distance from the home
Do not turn off smoke alarms when you cook. You may need the warning
If you have to go through smoke, crawl under it

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North reminds you to call the fire department once you are outside the home.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Links:

https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/fire-and-life-safety-equipment/fire-extinguishers

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/EscapePlanningTips.ashx?la=en

Safety Tips when using Candles in Ft. Lauderdale North

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

The threat of fire damage increases during the Holidays. Be careful.

Although fires from candles happen more often around the holidays, many people use candles all year round. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants you to be safe from fire and smoke damage. It is important to be careful any time you have an open flame in your Ft. Lauderdale home.

Fire Prevention is the best way to fight against fire damage or injuries.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North offers these Tips for Fire Prevention from Candles:

Do not let children near candles
Keep trees and other plants away from candles
Make sure candles are not near window curtains or blinds that could catch fire
Keep lit candles in safe candle holders
Do not leave children alone in a room with lit candles
Do not light candles in the bedroom. You might fall asleep. One-third of all candle fires start in the bedroom.
If the power goes out, use flashlights instead of candles
If someone in the home uses oxygen, do not use candles
Fire damage from candles happens 35 times a day in the U.S.
Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can catch fire
Put out candles when leaving the room or going to bed

A little caution goes a long way to protect you and your loved ones. If you have to deal with damage caused by smoke or fire from a candle in your Ft. Lauderdale home, your friends at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North are just a phone call away.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Top-causes-of-fire/Candles

https://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/public-education/resources/safety-tip-sheets/religious_candles_safety_tips.pdf

Tips to Prevent Kitchen Fire in Ft. Lauderdale North

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

Cooking fires cause damage in Ft. Lauderdale North.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North understands that cooking equipment is a leading cause of fire damage and fire injuries in your Ft. Lauderdale home.

To help prevent fire damage, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North shares these tips. They make more sense than not cooking at home.

Many kitchen items can catch fire, including: dish towels, oven mitts, recipes, wooden tools, and loose clothing
Never operate the stove or oven when you are tired or have been drinking alcohol
If you are frying, broiling, grilling, or boiling food, stay in the kitchen. If you leave, even for a short time, turn off the heat
Keep flammable items at least three feet from the stove top
Do not allow children within two to four feet of the stove or oven
If you must leave the house while cooking of any kind, turn off the heat sources

Remember that fire is fast. If you cannot contain a fire immediately, leave and bring everyone with you. Call 9-1-1 from outside your City or County home.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North reminds you that fire prevention is the best strategy against fire damage.

SERVPRO of Franchise is independently owned and operated.

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/

Bring Your Pets When You Have to Evacuate Your Plantation Florida Home

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Bring your pets with you when you have to evacuate your home

Hurricanes and other severe storms can make Wilton Manor unsafe for its residents. If people must evacuate, the pets have to go too. SERVPRO^® of Ft. Lauderdale North hopes you can use these tips from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

Before a Storm Strikes Wilton Manor:

Make sure the information on pets' tags is current
Rabies tags
Consider a microchip for the pet
In case you and your pet(s) are separated, have photos of yourself with each pet
Know where to find pet-friendly motels and shelters
Lists of all medications and conditions
Comfortable and secure carrier for each pet
For pets that can be leashed: leash or harness for each animal
Copies of all prescriptions

Emergency Kits for Pets

Proof of vaccinations, veterinary records
At least a 3-day supply of food and water for each pet
Pet first-aid kit
Treats and toys, especially favorite ones
Familiar blankets or other bedding
Something that smells like you (old t-shirts are good)
Enough medication for 3 or more days
Rx and other medications

If you want more information, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North recommends the Red Cross website.

Storm damage and water damage do not have to ruin your home. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North can remediate damage “Like it never even happened.^” We are available 24/7.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Link: https://www.fema.gov/helping-pets

Unclog Gutters to Prevent Davie Florida Water Damage

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Keeping Your Gutters Clean in Wilton Manor

Wilton Manor gets plenty of rain. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North has no power to change that, but we're sharing information about the importance of cleaning the gutters of your home or office.

Clear Gutters Help Prevent Storm Damage and Water Damage in Wilton Manor:

Debris such as twigs, leaves, and litter can clog the gutters
Clogged gutters cannot channel rain to downspouts, leaving the water to run off the side and pool near the building's foundation
Signs of a possible clog: sagging or off-kilter gutter, nesting birds, water near the building's foundation, leaky roof, rotting foundation
Clean out the gutters twice a year
Be sure to check the seams, downspouts, and bends
Broken struts mean the gutter is more likely to collapse, so replace broken or missing support pieces
Clogged gutters may worsen storm damage or water damage
Check for damaged or missing screens, replace if necessary
Find out if any downspouts lead to underground pipes and check those for clogs or debris

If storm damage or water damage hits Wilton Manor, call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North. We're available 24/7, and we're Faster to any size disaster.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Links: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/diy-repair/how-to-unclog-gutter/

https://www.fema.gov/

Fort Lauderdale Yacht Water Damage Restoration

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage on Carpet within a Wilton Manors Yacht

Yacht Water Damage Restoration

Yacht water damage cleanings are just one of the many services we offer. Not many consider the need for this type of cleaning service until something happens in their Yacht that would require cleaning. We’re here to inform you of what to look for and how to prevent it so that you may never need to request our services.

With the Ft. Lauderdale Boat show underway, it’s important that all yacht owners out there know who the professionals are when reaching out for damage restorations services. Owners need to know how to take care of yacht water damage.

Potential Yacht Water damage can be noticed by the following:

Bubbling of surfaces or in the main structure of a yacht’s interior
Odor associated with mildew or mold growth even if you cannot see it
Crusted salt build up on the Yacht’s upholstery

If you believe that water damage has occurred within your yacht, make sure to take the necessary next steps to have the problem fixed at its source. Don’t use appliances or attempt to fix the problem on your own as this may cause more damage in the long run rather than if you let a professional handle it.

Call a professional like those at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North (954) 733-1006. Once you identify and possibly fix the cause of the yacht water intrusion, you can take steps to prevent them in the future.

Water intrusion can include:

slow leak
hurricane
salt spray
etc.

A SERVPRO team can get started on cleaning any upholstery, decks, walls, and anything else infiltrated by water.

The sooner you get a team to your yacht, the less salt damage will occur. Salt will corrode important seals, joints, and mechanical components if left unfixed for too long. Ocean water and even brackish water, like that in the inter-coastal, are particularly difficult to remediate due to the salt content and should be left to your SERVPRO team.

The Fort Lauderdale Boat show runs from October 30th to November 3rd. For more information click this link.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

Follow our Social media for exclusive tips on dealing with mold, fires, water damage and more: SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North

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Check out our videos! https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/video-content

Commercial Fire Prevention in Wilton Manor

10/30/2019 (Permalink)

Prevent commercial fires in your office by being prepared.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a small flame can turn into a major fire within 30 seconds. Fire and smoke can destroy your home within minutes. While SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North can help you recover from fire or smoke damage, we’ll feel better if you never need this help.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North posts these tips in honor of Fire Prevention Month.

Preventing Fire Damage in Wilton Manor:

Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from heat sources such as candles stovetops, fireplaces, or heaters
Items that can catch fire include food, paper, cloth, & wood
Keep employees feet away from all heat sources
Be cautious using space heaters
Turn off portable heaters & put out flames when leaving the room
If your office has a fireplace, have the chimney inspected & cleaned once a year
Let ashes cool before removing them to a metal container
Test smoke alarms once a month
Pay attention any frayed plugs or cords near your desk space

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North suggests you have at least 1 fire extinguisher accessible, and that you know how to operate it.

Remember: Fire moves quickly. If you cannot contain a fire immediately, leave and bring everyone with you. Call 9-1-1 once you are safely outside.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/

Check out our videos! https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/video-content

Remediating Mold in Wilton Manors

10/30/2019 (Permalink)

Mold in your office does not have to a problem. Call SERVPRO to find out what you can do about it.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North understands that even a tiny bit of moisture can lead to mold growing in drywall. You may not be able to see the mold growing, but it can cause all kinds of problems, and the sooner you get rid of it, the less damage it can cause.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that only licensed professionals can clean any surface that has more than 10 square feet of mold. The EPA is not able to monitor how business owners resolve these problems, but they do encourage inspection of the affected area. If you are considering selling or renting out business space, you will need an inspection. Mold can be destructive to your property, and some kinds can even create health issues.

If you are looking for mold company in Wilton Manor’s or the greater Fort Lauderdale area, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is licensed in mold remediation. While SERVPRO can address the damage from mold, you will need an actual mold inspector to investigate what kind of mold or fungus you are dealing with.

Mold remediation means getting rid of the spores that become mold as well as fixing the root cause of the dampness.

Mold:

can start growing on a damp surface within 24 hours
can destroy the materials they grow on
can spread and destroy adjacent materials
grows from tiny spores that travel through the air

SERVPRO can:

remove drywall
disinfect certain surfaces
find the source of moisture
stop the moisture problem

If you suspect a mold problem, do not wait, give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call today.

Links:

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/index.html

Check out our videos! https://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/video-content

King Tides Bring Flood to Fort Lauderdale and the Isles

10/24/2019 (Permalink)

What do you do after a King Tide Flooding?

King Tide Floods

King tides are the highest predicted high tides of the year at a coastal location for example in the Rio Vista Isles and even the Las Olas Isles. They occur when the orbits and alignment of the Earth, moon and sun combine with seasonal variations to produce the greatest tidal effect of the year. During king tides, Ft. Lauderdale is vulnerable to flooding in low-lying areas due to its seven miles of beaches, over 200 miles of canal coastline, its flat topography and its shallow, porous aquifer.

King Tides are on the Way

Upcoming dates for king tides in Broward County are November 24 – 28, 2019.

What to do?

There are a number of things you can do to be better prepared for the flooding that may occur during a king tide:

Relocate electrical panel boxes, A/C units, water heaters and other appliances to elevated locations.
Remove garbage bins from the street.
Report or fix any drainage problems around your property.
Install check vales to prevent floodwater from backing up into drains.
Consider constructing a flood wall to stop flood water from entering your property.

When King Tides occur, remember the following:

Avoid walking through flood waters as it is a health hazard and can be dangerous.
Rise off all your landscaping if is touched or covered by flood water.
Be sure to follow any road closure or detour signs to avoid driving through flooded streets.
If you must drive through floodwater during a king tide, take it afterward to a car wash equipped with an undercarriage sprayer to remove saltwater from your vehicle.

The City of Fort Lauderdale will respond to flood inquires 24/7 if you call its 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000. And should flood water enter your home, SERVPRO will provide local emergency response 24/7 when you call 954-733-1006.

Additional Resources

Additional information about king tides can be found on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s website here: http://ow.ly/bN2d50wT0vK

Brizaga, Inc

Brizaga, Inc., a Fort Lauderdale company that specializes in helping property owners and governments prepare for rising sea levels also has a number of resources on their website (www.brizaga.com) including a link to FEMA’s interactive flood zone map as well as information regarding what to consider when constructing a flood wall.

Broward County is looking for citizen scientists to help document local tidal flooding. Clicke here learn more.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

Follow our Social media for exclusive tips on dealing with mold, fires, water damage and more: SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North

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Roof Tarps can Help Prevent Water Damage in Wilton Manors

10/14/2019 (Permalink)

Protecting a damaged roof in Wilton Manors during rainfall can prevent further damage.

If you live in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, you know that we might experience almost any kind of weather at any time of the year. With this in mind, there is a chance you could be forced to deal with water damage to your home or office. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North knows that this can happen without much warning. Something as simple as a small roof leak can lead to massive water damage. Sometimes this is compounded by heavy rainfall and flooding.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is ready to help if you need us, but we also want you to be prepared. If you notice a small roof leak, it is worth it to contact a local roofer to track down the problem. However, in the meantime, if you need some help to tarp your roof to prepare for oncoming storms, give us a call. We can keep that small leak from becoming a big one. Tarps are not good long-term solutions, but they can save you thousands of dollars during storming weather.

After the weather has cleared, we can return to repair both the roof and any damage you experienced from excess water.

Don’t let storms in Wilton Manors get you down.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is “ready for whatever happens.”

Hurricane Preparation and Boarding Your Windows in Wilton Manors

10/14/2019 (Permalink)

Boarding your windows can prevent further interior damage

If you are familiar with hurricanes, you know this kind of stormy weather includes heavy winds, a lot of water, and the potential to be extremely dangerous. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North wants to remind you that there are many ways to prepare for a hurricane, including finding a secondary shelter for safety, making sure you have plenty of bottled water and non-perishable foods, extra clothing and hygiene products, etc. If you have time before facing a hurricane it is important to try and board up your windows and all other glass areas throughout your house.

Heavy winds can send objects flying, which can result in your windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors to be blown out – if this happens, plan on dealing with broken glass spread throughout your home as well as the water that gets in as a result of the storm damage.

When preparing, make sure you measure out the correct amount of wood you will need to cover all glass areas. One tip (if time permits) is to paint the wood with an exterior primer and paint to prevent moisture damage. Secure the wood with galvanized screws and make sure your safety plan is in place. Hurricanes frequent Fort Lauderdale, and SERVPRO wants you to stay as safe as possible. In the event that a hurricane does create some disaster, know that you can count on our services, especially if you have storm damage inside your home.

Commercial Fire Damage Prevention for Wilton Manors

10/11/2019 (Permalink)

Wilton Manors businesses can stay safe from fire damage by taking a few prevention precautions.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of the most common causes of commercial fires is electrical and lighting equipment. This type of fire is not easily predicted, as the lighting equipment can look totally fine on the outside in your Wilton Manors home or business. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North wants to share the following information about commercial fires and how safety equipment helps to lessen the possibility of fire damage or smoke damage to your property. More importantly proper precautions can also assist in preventing any bodily injury:

Wet pipe sprinklers installed in the ceilings of commercial buildings are very effective in helping to fight the fire(s)
Building sprinklers should be examined and tested every 5 years
There should always be a fire extinguisher in reach inside of a commercial building and they must be checked annually to ensure they are in working order
If an office building is on fire, exit the building immediately and do not try to fight the fire yourself
If there is a lot of smoke inside the building, cover your mouth and nose and do your best to not inhale any of it

In the unfortunate event that a commercial building in Wilton Manors does catch fire, rest assured that SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is prepared to help clean up any fire damage the building/area has sustained. Fort Lauderdale businesses should always practice fire damage prevention to keep our community safe.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Link: https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Building-and-Life-Safety/US-Structure-in-Office-Properties

In-home Fire Safety for the Wilton Manors Area

10/11/2019 (Permalink)

Don’t let smoke damage or fire damage from a candle ruin your Wilton Manors home.

Fall is quickly approaching! That means all of the fall activities are about to begin in Wilton Manors, if they haven’t already. One popular item associated with the fall season is the candle. If a house smells like fall, it feels like home. SERVPRO® of Ft. Lauderdale North knows that candle fires happen and even though candles are small, the damage of a residential fire by a candle can turn out to be larger than expected.

Here are some candle fire safety tips to prevent fire damage in the Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors areas:

When lighting a candle in the home, keep the candle at least twelve inches away from anything that can burn
Try to avoid keeping a lit candle in bedrooms, bathrooms or sleeping areas
Do not leave a lit candle where a child or family pet can access or reach it

One more important candle safety tip to consider about leaving a lit candle in the bathroom. It’s common to use aerosol chemicals when cleaning, but this becomes extremely dangerous if there is a lit candle nearby. Aerosols are highly flammable and this can cause an explosion of sorts – please practice safety first and share this tip with friends and family (especially young people) who may not be aware of it. Prevent bathroom fires and kitchen fires by applying the tips listed above.

If your Wilton Manors home suffers from fire damage or smoke damage as a result of a candle fire candle, please call the trained professionals at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North so we can help clean up the fire mess and damage.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is independently owned and operated.

Link: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/media/pictographs/candles.html

Rental Property and Mold in Wilton Manors

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

If treated properly, mold does not have to destroy your Wilton Manors home, office, or commercial property.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North understands mold and we want to educate our community about the best ways to prevent and treat your Wilton Manors property to avoid costly repairs.

Mold:

grows from mold spores

spores are too small to see unaided
spores can survive harsh environments for many years

can grow almost anywhere
needs to have only

above-freezing temperatures
protein, such as in animal dander, skin cells, wood, plaster, carpet
moisture (high humidity is enough)

grows rapidly
damages property
has a bad smell
is unsightly

If you have a small amount of mold on a dish, you can clean it. You can even throw it away. However, if you have a large amount of mold, you need licensed mold remediation from an industry professional. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a “large amount” as 10 square feet or more. If you need a recommendation for a certified mold inspection company from the greater Fort Lauderdale area, we suggest Air-Mazing Mold Testing.

If you suspect your apartment or office building might have mold, you need to have a certified mold inspector out to examine the area. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North cannot identify what kind of mold you have, but we are licensed in mold remediation and we can repair the damage caused by mold.

When you have a concern about mold damage in your apartment or condominium, speak with your landlord or property manager if you think he/she should hire licensed professionals. Whatever the disaster, remember that SERVPRO is Here to Help.

Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf

Keep Your Wilton Manors Office or Commercial Property Prepared for a Fire

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

Have a fire extinguisher within easy reach in your Wilton Manors place of business.

Office fires in Wilton Manors are more common than you might think. If you have a break room in your office or small business, it probably contains a coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator and/or other small appliances. All commercial properties with a kitchen in the greater Fort Lauderdale area should also include a fire extinguisher! SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North wants to remind you that fires can start as easily as turning on one of these appliances. There could be a short somewhere in the wiring or something inside the microwave could catch fire. Unfortunately, the possibilities are real and they do happen. Your workplace should have a training session on how to use fire extinguishers. If the owner of the business or property manager has not done so, please look into setting up a training session. Local fire departments are usually happy to assist with this training, and they can provide some real-life examples of ways to practice fire safety.

If your break room (or any other area of your office building) catches on fire, you will likely have smoke damage as well as damage from the fire. That is where SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North comes in. We are here to clean up the damage and make your Wilton Manors building look new again. We are open 24/7 and are proud to serve our community and want to keep your Wilton Manors business safe from unnecessary fire damage. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have questions or need our restoration services. We are Here to Help.

http://www.fireextinguishertraining.com/en/use.html

Wilton Manors Fire Loss Water Damage?

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

Aftermath of a Fire Loss Water Damage in Wilton Manors

Fire Loss Water Damage?

When a fire occurs in Wilton Manors, fire loss water damage is peering right around the corner. Unfortunately, fire loss water damage can follow a fire because water plays a heavy roll in taking a raging house or business fire down. Here are a couple of ideas you might not have considered.

Water damage follows fire damage

Since water is usually the main combatant to put out fires, whatever is on fire or near the fire is bound to get wet. Burnt and wet isn’t ever a good combination, but one you should be expecting and be ready for in the unfortunate case of a fire loss water damage.

Fires can lead to damaged or burst pipes which can cause flooding at a rapid rate. Especially if the fire is still going on, it would be incredibly hard to get to and fix the water leak fast enough to prevent further damage.
Sprinkler systems react to the fires and help to put them out but can also lead to gallons of water all over your home or business. These systems never discriminate, so EVERYTHING in the surrounding area usually gets a downpour. Even worse, sometimes these systems aren’t cleaned regularly, so the first parts of water than shoot out can be very discolored or dirty.
Fire fighters do just that, they fight fires! Water is their primary ammunition, so everything in, around or near your home or business that is engulfed in flames will be drowned out by water shot out at what can be up to 24 gallons per minute.

Although nobody is truly ever ready for a disaster like a fire or like a flood, it doesn’t hurt to have the knowledge and prepared mindset to what one would face during a fire. All three of these mentioned aspects could definitely work together to leave your home or business soaked, but it is there for your structures well being.

Water or Fire isn't the main priority...

The safety of your Wilton Manors family or your employees are most important, and the typical person handles water a lot better than fire. On a good note, many professionals like SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North are ready with the equipment, experience and expertise to handle both the fire damage aftermath and that of the fire loss water damage caused by the fight against the fire.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

Follow our Social media for exclusive tips on dealing with mold, fires, water damage and more: SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North

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Wilton Manors Water Damage: What You Don't See

10/3/2019 (Permalink)

Overflowing Dish Washer water causing Water Damage in Wilton Manors

Wilton Manors Water Damage can’t always be seen

Whether you can see it or not, water damage can be around you. The problem is, ANY type of water damage can affect the structure of your home or business. Your family or your employee’s health may also be at risk if the water damage turns into a mold problem (another aggressor that you may not always be able to immediately see.)

When trying to avoid the repercussions of letting a water damage issue become costly, its most important to handle the situation from a holistic approach so that it doesn’t become chronic. The only way to truly handle and assess a situation like this is to have the professionals take care of the problem at its source and for those inhabiting the premises to be well educated to make sure issues like this are prevented in the future.

Call your local restoration professionals

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is one of your powerful allies to handle the problem. We have the expertise and industry grade equipment to properly coordinate and take care of your water damage situation. We are always there to support our local Fort Lauderdale community and even those outside of the immediate area. If help is needed, feel free to give us a call. To keep educated on these types of issues, feel free to look through our various learning materials which include Water Damage Restoration, Mold Damage Inspections and even Air Duct Cleanings.

Professional Level Water and Mold Damage Support Tools

Technology plays a heavy role in the success of noticing water damage and we use ours to find the issues right at the source. Here are a few:

ULV Foggers (Ultra Low Volume Foggers) – these take liquid detergents and deodorants

Thermohygrometers – These basically measure temperature and humidity in areas. This is very important when it comes to hidden moisture because we can make sure to completely dry the area as well as disinfect and deodorize it. Not always is the water problem simply clean water.

Thermal Fogger – This device allows for us to create a fog that consists of tiny particles of odor removing solution. We tend to use this on fabric and structural areas that may have absorbed fowl odors, but it is especially helpful in hard to reach places.

Moisture Sensors – These sensors come in handy when trying to find the moisture source, hence our title. You can’t fight a battle if you can’t see your enemy, so this device successfully allows us to do just that.

Moisture Meter – Working hand in and hand with the Moisture Sensors, this device allows for us to understand what the moisture if made up of as well as for us to maintain observation of the area as it dries.

Disaster happens. Don't let it get worse before it gets better.

Being Hurricane Ready is the most important skill for a Wilton Manors family. Your hurricane preparation should be complete well before a storm hits. The American Red Cross has an additional hurricane preparation checklist available here. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North hopes you have a safe and damage-free storm season, but should disaster strike, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North will arrive "Faster to Any Disaster" and make it "Like it Never Even Happened."

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Weather the Storm in Wilton Manors: Emergency Evacuation Kit

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

What if you had to Evacuate your Wilton Manors home?

With possibilities of other hurricanes yet to come and 2 months left of hurricane season, we at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North want to remind you to be prepared.

When models show us in the path of a tropical storm or hurricane, we all “storm” to stock up on items and be ready before it hits. But what if you can't bunker down this time around? What if a mandatory evacuation is announced?

When at this point, most stores are low on inventory and long lines amass. The best practice is to prepare the essentials ahead of time, instead of in the nick of time. If you've ever been through the couple of days before a hurricane or through the evacuation process, you know how crazy your local grocery store, gas stations and highways are.

Evacuation Kit

You have to be prepared for anything, especially when dealing with a potential category 4 or 5 hurricane. Please find below a list of necessities and reminders. Don’t have time to read it? No problem! Check out SERVPRO’s hurricane preparedness video.

Evacuation Essentials:

Water: 1 gallon per person/pet for at least 3 days
Nonperishable foods
Pet food, if applicable
Hand crank radio or weather radio
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Medications
Baby diapers, wipes and formula, if applicable
Feminine hygiene items
Manual can opener
First aid kit
Cash

If planning on staying at evacuation shelters, pack as well:

Linens
Blankets
Entertainment options (books, cards, board games),
Change of clothes
Pet owners:
Ensure your pet is wearing a tag with your contact information linked,
Pet carrier
Bowls to provide food and water

Reminders:

Fill up your car’s tank with gas. Especially if considering evacuation.
If there are power outages you will be unable to use any card or to take out money from an ATM.
Gather important documentation in a waterproof container, such as identifications, insurance documents, titles or deeds, pictures that would otherwise be irreplaceable. Be mindful to keep it light to ensure you can carry it on your person.

Useful resources: Stay updated to know the latest on the storm’s development and path.

Online http://www.weather.gov/
On the radio http://www.weather.gov/nwr/
Need help finding Hurricane Evacuation Shelters? Please follow the link below to find one near you.
http://www.broward.org/Hurricane/Documents/PI201867423EmergencyMapA.pdf

Disaster happens. Don't let it get worse before it gets better.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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2019 Hurricane Ready Tips

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

Hurricane Ready this Year

Even with Dorian just passing by the South Florida area, 2019's hurricane season isn't in the clear yet. Florida residents should still be prepared and ready for any disaster. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help with these 2019 hurricane ready preparation tips.

2019 Hurricane Ready tips:

Be sure to withdraw cash from your bank account before the storm as some banks can be closed for days until power is restored.
Invest in a battery powered or hand crank radio to stay up-to-date on what's going on in your area.
If you can't stay with friends or family outside of evacuation zones, be aware of your nearest hurricane shelter, and overnight kennels for your furry friends.
Having a few camping lanterns will come in handy in the event of any power failures.
Fill your vehicle's gas tank and any gas cans ahead of time.
Before a storm hits be sure you've stocked up on clean drinking water or bottled water- one gallon per person per day for no less than three days.
Fill large freezer bags with water and freeze them with your freezer turned to its coldest setting. If the power goes out, you'll have blocks of ice to preserve things in the fridge and coolers.
Unplug TVs, computers, and appliances before the storm to avoid damages to electronics.
Consider boarding up your house and going out of town until officials in your area say it's safe to return.

Being Hurricane Ready is the most important skill for a south Florida family. Your hurricane preparation should be complete well before a storm hits. The American Red Cross has a complete hurricane preparation checklist available here. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North hopes you have a safe and damage-free storm season, but should disaster strike, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North will arrive "faster to your disaster" and make it "like it never happened."

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Don't Be Afraid of Dorian - Be READY for it.

8/28/2019 (Permalink)

When the Storm Rains Down, we’ve got you covered.

Dorian is the first named storm of the season that looks like it will impact Florida. Although we don’t know what route it will take, it is always a great idea to be prepared for not only the before, but also for the after.

We’ve put some tips together to help you prepare for this year’s hurricane season. They come in the form of videos and articles that really dive into what to do before, during and after the storm. We’re also here as a resource for both knowledge and for services to help you recover after the disaster. We hope Dorian doesn’t bring the harsh weather to us, but we’d rather you be a warrior in times of peace than a gardener in the times of war.

From Water Damage due to flooding after Dorian arrives, to the mold damage that may occur due to potential moisture soaking into your home, we will arrive faster to any disaster. Fire damage is also an important consideration during these types of events because many things can cause fires. Lighting strikes to down power lines, there is always potential for danger. If your home is affected by a fire, we’ll be at your service to bring things back to normal the best that we can. Dorian doesn’t scare us, and we want you to be prepared and ready, so it doesn’t scare you either!

The link below will take you to our website where you can watch several video’s that address key aspects of getting prepared including insurance review, how to put a hurricane kit together, an evacuation zones. We also provide articles that give you power in the form of knowledge to face this foe of a storm now formally known as Dorian.

Catch our latest storm preparedness videos here.

View our articles about storm preparedness and other mold, fire or water damage topics here.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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South Florida's Flooding

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding Tips

Florida’s hurricane season is one of the largest causes of flooding in South Florida, but if you are a Florida resident, you surely know that it doesn’t have to be hurricane season for your streets to be flooded.

As a peninsula, average thunderstorms can bring lots of rain and downpour leading to flooding in local communities like Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and Miramar. Some other areas like Weston and Delray have better suited streets that handle the flooding well. But no matter where you live in “Sunny” South Florida, you’ve had your fair share of driving through and having your home surrounded by rising waters.

Here are some general tips about the do’s and don’ts when dealing with flood situations wherever you are.

After the Flood:

Gather your items, whether it be in your car or your home, get your items off the floor and to higher areas within home or vehicle. If that isn’t possible, get them out to somewhere safe and dry.
Try to get out excess water in the area, whether it be on your floors or on your upholstery, try drying the area with a mop or with a towel to blot the wet spots or areas.
If it is within your home, place something that is water resistant between the item and the floor. Aluminum or wood works well in this situation, especially for furniture.
Turn on fans and the air conditioner (if they are unaffected by the water or moisture) to get the air flowing.

Do not do:

Don’t leave your belongings to soak in the flood water. Flood water can be contaminated or dangerous. Materials like leather or paper will definitely become damaged beyond repair if left alone in the moisture.
Books, papers, documents and anything cardboard will definitely rot if left soaking in water.
Do not use standard home appliances if wet and don’t try to use a regular vacuum cleaner to pick up anything. Leave this to the professionals.
Don’t turn on anything that could shake your environment. When flooding occurs, many aspects of your home may be structurally unsafe, so leave pieces of your home like your ceiling fan, OFF!
If you feel your home or vehicle is unsafe because of the flood damage, do not stay there.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Mold Removal: Oakland Park, Wilton Manors

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

Is Mold Removal Important?

When you hear the words mold or fungus you immediately think “yikes!”

Although they are not welcome guests in our homes, they are common in nature. While some may have positive effects, such as helping develop medicines to combat illnesses like tuberculosis, others can be harmful, especially in the long run. The concept of mold removal is extremely important. Water damage remediation isn’t always holistic and this can lead to chronic issues pertaining to mold in one’s home.

South Florida offers the perfect environment for mold and fungi to grow with its humidity. We are no strangers to hurricanes which can bring large amounts of rainfall in a short period of time resulting in flooding, damaging our home, office or even our belongings. This can also occur with more menial issues that may result in water damage, such as a water leak or air conditioning condensation/poorly aired bathrooms. When this occurs, it is imperative to act quickly; not only to eliminate these uninvited guests but also to ensure they do not return.

There are multiple types of fungi and mold, a few that do not require large quantities to be present to elicit health issues. While being aware of any signs (musty or fetid smells, visible mold or moisture issues) is the first step, mold removal will be the most definitive step to protect you and your loved ones. Don’t let things go “ft. lauderdale south,” call #TypoSERVPRO at the first sign!

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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2019 Hurricane Prep Tips for Your Wilton Manors Home

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Hurricane Storm Damage? Call us now!

Hurricane season is stirring up a storm. As we are already getting hit with rains all the way from Oakland Park to even the Plantation area, 2019 hurricane preparation should be top priority for all Florida residents. If the weather leaves your home going "Ft. Lauderdale south" for a lack of a better pun, you shouldn't waste time in reaching out to SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North. We're always ready to rescue you during your hurricane troubles.

Every year people's lives are affected by these major storms. (Look back to 2017!)

Even more so, here are some 2019 hurricane preparation tips.

2019 Hurricane preparation tips:

Fill your car's gas tank and any extra gas cans ahead of time. If you live near water dense areas like Lauderdale by the Sea, things may go South very quickly and you may find yourself needing to quickly evacuate. In which case, you'd definitely need a full tank of gas.
Having a few camping lanterns will come in handy in the event of any power failures. Not everywhere has underground power lines like the Weston area.
Fill large freezer bags with water and freeze them with your freezer turned to its coldest setting. If the power goes out, you'll have blocks of ice to preserve things in the fridge and coolers.
Before a storm hits be sure you've stocked up on clean drinking water or bottled water- one gallon per person per day for no less than three days.
Invest in a battery powered or hand crank radio to stay up-to-date on what's going on in your area.
Be sure to withdraw cash from your bank account before the storm as some banks can be closed for days until power is restored.
Unplug TVs, computers, and appliances before the storm to avoid damages to electronics.
If you can't stay with friends or family outside of evacuation zones, be aware of your nearest hurricane shelter, and overnight kennels for your furry friends. Check your city's main website for details on shelter locations. For example: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/
Consider boarding up your house and going out of town until officials in your area say it's safe to return.

Your hurricane preparation should be complete well before a storm hits. Hurricane preparation is the most important skill for a south Florida family.

The American Red Cross has a complete hurricane preparation checklist available here. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North hopes you have a safe and damage-free storm season, but should disaster strike, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North will arrive "faster to your disaster" and make it "like it never happened."

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Office Water Damage in Ft. Lauderdale

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

Office Water Damage Tips

Whether it be in Ft. Lauderdale or Weston or even Hollywood, office water damage affects many lives as well as many pockets. South Florida has many businesses that can be affected by office water damage. Mold is also a potential follow up to the moisture caused by any water office water damage situation. Retail stores, banks, schools, movie theaters can be be damaged in ways that can also affect the health of visitors.

Standard preventative measures to get things back to normal

You have to reduce the instances of damage as well as the amount of time it takes to remediate the damage when it does occur.

Education is the most important aspect because nothing gets done if nobody knows what to do. You may find the situation getting worse if it is attended to in the wrong manner. The basics of turning off the water supply within the building is important for everyone to know since the damage can continue if the source is still active.

If someone doesn't have the means to access or stop it, they should definitely know who to call. Having the right tools can be very important when these emergencies occur. In the case someone gets hurt, emergency contacts should be easily accessed or already distributed among the leaders.

Aftermath

Swift reactions are needed in a office water damage situation. There is always a potential of damaging expensive items or equipment, or the potential of damaging critical aspects of the business that could lead to money loss later.

First someone specializing in fixing water lines or structural damage that caused the spill of water in the first place should be contacted.

Immediately after, call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North to support in assessing and remedying the office water damage. We specialize in handling insurance as well, so you may find us useful when working with your insurance company.

At SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North we are the leaders of office water damage restoration.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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SERVPRO Fort Lauderdale North: Why I Chose It

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North?

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North was the restoration company I had decided to purchase, but many people aren’t sure why I made this decision. The funny thing is, before I was an owner, I was a customer of SERVPRO! I had had water damage in my apartment and, like most, I wasn’t really sure who to call. In my mind, one restoration service must be as good as another, right?

Well I can tell you I was wrong. I decided to go with SERVPRO because I remembered them as industry leaders in restoration services. Their tagline “Like it never even happened.” had gotten stuck in my head somewhere along the line. I placed a call and within a day they were at my apartment giving me an assessment. Even though I found my self in a decidedly unpleasant situation (my apartment being flooded) I began to feel relief as soon as SERVPRO arrived on the scene. The speed of the response began to set me at ease

The Process

What happened next, I couldn’t believe. The entire experience was, for me, completely top-notch. The professionalism of the technicians, the superiority of their equipment and the overall quality and attention to detail of their work left me in awe. I was beyond satisfied, and after my apartment was restored I was left thinking.

My father worked in hospitality, and instilled in me from a young age the importance of good customer service. This core value of mine I saw reflected in all that SERVPRO had done for me. I was hooked.

From that point, I decided that I wanted to be a part of that outstanding experience for others, even though they may be in a hard situation. I made the move and became owner of SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North, and the rest, as they say, is History. They even call me #TypoSERVPRO now!

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone at any stage of the process, whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Contaminated Water: Three Tips for Lauderhill & Ft. Lauderdale

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

Contaminated Water: Three tips

What you do right after a flood can have a major impact to your safety and health; the same goes for what you don't do. When dealing with flood water damage, it's important to get the water out of the way, but you should be sure to pay attention to these tips when dealing with the flooding in the Lauderhill or Ft. Lauderdale Florida area.

1. Dangers of exposure to contaminated water

Water that has been still after a flood is many times considered black water or stage 3 water. It may contain dangerous pollutants that could harm your health if you come in contact with it. If it comes into contact with your skin or it accidentally gets in your system either by fumes, consuming or it entering a wound, it can have disastrous effects. Keep your loved ones or your pets away from it.

When the time comes to get rid of the water and to resolve the water damage, be smart and call a professional like SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North. If for some reason you choose to do it yourself despite the dangers or the fact that the issue may come back if not properly handled, make sure you at least use the correct safety equipment. We highly advise against handling this kind of damage yourself. But if you must make sure you use heavy duty water proof equipment as well as a respirator and eye protection.

2. Be aware of, turn off and stay away from sources of electricity

ANY time there is a large flood or pooled water source, you must be aware that the water may be made even more dangerous by any possible electric wires nearby. If you are working in a specific area within your home, it is highly advised for you to shut off all power sources so that you reduce the risk of getting shocked. Even more so, doing this can help you reduce the amount of damage to your electric system within your home.

You should always reach out to a professional before putting your life at risk or your family's life at risk when handling a flood situation or a situation that may include short circuited electric systems or live wires.

3. Handle these problems immediately

Especially in the case of water damage, it is important for you to handle the situation as quickly as possible. That is why it is highly important to call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North because the more time that has passed, the more likely mold has begun to grow and to spread. Mold can begin to grow in a flooded home in 24 to 72 hours.

In general it is important to remove yourself from the situation of dealing with contaminated water or water that may be exposed to open live power lines. These situations may cause harm to your health or even danger to your life.

Don't let it get worse before it gets better.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Pompano Beach Water Damage Disaster!

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

Ever find yourself walking into a mess like this?

If you've ever walked into a surprise Pompano Beach water damage situation like this, you know first hand how stressful it can be. You begin to think about how to handle the mess yourself, and you start to dry everything up. But, it is not until you're a few minutes in that you realize that you are in over your head. Even then, beyond what you may be thinking about is the fact that even if you somehow get things in a seemingly dry state, they may not truly be dry - leading to the growth of mold (maybe even under the surface where you cannot see.)

Sound like you?

Now that you're reading this, you're probably swelling with a bit of stress and anxiety because you realize that something like this recently happened and you may have mold growing somewhere you hadn't though to check.

Who do I call? What do I do next? Is it too late, and how far has the damage probably gotten? Listen, stop for a second and take a breath. Everything will be OK. Alright?

That is why SERVPRO exists. So we can take on these stresses so that you don't have to. We see this all the time, and we have the tools, skills, knowledge and experience to get things done right.

If we come to save the day, you can find recreational things to do while you wait here.

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North Is Here to Help!

We will work with you so that you can have peace of mind while we get things done the right way! Your worst day is usually our daily work and you can give us a call if you have a disaster in the immediate moment, or you may schedule inspections on a routine basis or even just randomly so we can see if you have a worse problem on your hands or if there are minor improvements

Knowing that this is your personal space, we treat your Pompano Beach home, work place, your family and your employees with the utmost respect and consideration. It is important that we make things "like it never even happened."

You've got the support, always here to help.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Black Mold in your Oakland Park or Sunrise home?

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

Black Mold

Black mold can be a tricky problem to handle - Learn the basics.

Your normal may not be so normal - is black mold affecting health?

Many mold types can cause allergic reactions and irritate your loved ones, especially Black Mold. It's important that you reach out to a specialized black mold remediation company like SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North whenever you see any kind of mold. Different types of mold can affect your home, even at the same time. If you believe that you have a mold issue give a professional team like SERVPRO right away. Black Mold grows and spreads very quickly, so every minute counts!

What We Need To Understand About Black Mold?

If you have any sort of water damage, mold can usually start to grow within the first 48 to 72 hours depending on the size of the leak. Keep in mind these following facts about Black Mold:

Spores from mold are so tiny that you cannot see them. Which makes their spread even more easy as they may travel through the home without you even knowing. Travelling through moving air, they can pass through many openings in your home and even stick to surfaces like walls, clothing, pets etc.
Mold feeds off of moisture, so anywhere excess moisture is created or left or even trapped serves as a breeding ground for black mold. Even worse is the fact that moisture isn't always immediately seen or felt.
Areas that may be affected by black mold have to be prepped properly so the spread doesn't continue or so that the problem doesn't come back or persist after treatment. This is especially why it is important to reach out to a professional like SERVPRO who has the proper training and equipment to handle these areas and those situations.
Black mold can possibly produce strong odors and spores that may affect the health of those in contact with it. On the contrary there are types of mold that don't have an immediately noticeable smell or health effect. A specialist should be contacted so that they can truly test whatever microbial growth is in the area to see if it is mold and how to handle it.

Nobody will "know" what it is until it is tested.

Don't let it get worse before it gets better. Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Different Kinds of Water Damage in Lauderdale

3/18/2019 (Permalink)

Different Kinds of Water Damage Need Different Kinds of Support

Different kinds of water damage can vary based on the degree of contamination in the water. In many Davie Florida and Sunrise Florida homes, you may see these different kinds of water depending on the environment near your home (especially near the Coral Springs Farms or just regular animal owners). Check out what Plantation offers here.

Differentiated by the change and darkness of color, each type of water could cause a different type of property damage. Each type of damage may also require a different intensity of restoration chemicals or equipment and may be damaging to health if exposed to.

Not many people know about the different kinds of water damage

Many usually think of flood caused by a natural disaster or from a nearby water source. While it is usually the case that these different types of water damage can be caused by some nature event of some sort, there are many other ways they can occur. For example:

House hold appliances may leak, including your fridge, freezer, washing machine, etc
overflowing sewage or toilets/urinals
Unattended water sources that overflow like showers, baths or sinks
Damaged pipes or drainage ports that cause even further issues around the facility
Compromised shelters allowing outside sources of water to come in
Natural events that create the destruction of property causing the water damage or water to come in

Different kinds of water can come from different sources, internal or external at times.

But water is water right??

Well not quite. We tend to consider water all the same, but there are definitely different kinds of water and ways to classify them. Each classification has to be treated differently as well.

There are THREE different kinds of water:

Type 1 – Is the generally safe water. As many consider “clean water” it is not contaminated
Type 2 – This could also be referred to as “grey Water”, meaning it contains some contamination and would not be sanitary enough for human consumption, this can be because of soap, fat, oil, dust, dirt etc.
Type 3 – “Black Water”, this is water that is entirely contaminated and usually has disease causing organisms, pathogens, and other dangerous materials. In many cases, black water may contain fecal matter or worse.

Now that you know the different kinds of water

Now you know more about these different kinds of water, you can know how to interact with them or more specifically how NOT to deal with them. Call the restoration professionals who have the proper training and certifications to handle these different types of water damage. We can handle types of dangers so it can be “like it never even happened.”

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Commercial Disaster: Fire in Weston and Sawgrass

3/18/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Disaster Restoration is Serious Business

Bringing things back to normal after any commercial disaster is always a difficult task, especially a fire. Even smaller fires cause large damage that can leave any home or business filled with lung clogging soot. The smell itself will leave a permanent reminder of the disaster if not treated properly. Thus, the importance of reaching out to a professional restoration team like SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North for your commercial disaster.

Treat You with Care

We have the most experience and specialized training and equipment to handle your commercial disaster the right way. Not only are we trained for the situation, but we truly take pride in supporting those in need in disasters just like yours.

Your home or business as well as your family or team will be treated with the utmost respect and care as our goal is not only to help restore your place to the way it was before, but to also support in an effort to make it feel like the commercial disaster never happened in the first place.

SERVPRO Has Your Back

Being a specially certified SERVPRO Franchise, we have the backing and support to provide for you with the most advanced tools, technology and methods. The most reliable commercial disaster relief and restoration team doesn’t just bring on anyone! And you shouldn't just bring on anyone either. Make the right choice and call the experts.

Hopefully you won’t ever need our services, but if the need does arise we're here for you!

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Fire Evacuation Plan: Florida How to by SERVPRO

3/15/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Evacuation is important for residents all the way south of Pembroke Pines to north of Las Olas and beyond

A Fire Evacuation is last thing most of us expect in our own home. An extreme event like a house fire seems unlikely, but the truth can be terrifying. We see disasters like this on TV, or hear of them but don't ever really think they can happen to us. In fact, things like this happen more often than not. There were 365,500 house fires in 2015 alone!

Prevention is key for a Fire Evacuation Plan

Keep up to date fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, you should have one in each room people sleep as well as outside on and in every level of the house.

If a fire happens, these few moments can change the outcome of the entire situation. The important part is that your family escapes safely.

Tips if a fire occurs:

Plan for everyone and involve them in the process. Plan with elderly and even children in consideration so they can keep up with and follow the guidelines. Children remember to react more often when they were involved in the process in the first place.
Find multiple ways out. Go to each room of your house and find any exits, including windows and doors. Make sure they all open easily. You could even install emergency opening devices on any openings to help get through more easily.
Choose a meeting spot. Organize a place to meet once out of danger for example a neighbor’s home, or in outside and away from danger near a mailbox or sign. You would need to figure out a public meeting spot where emergency responders can notice you when you arrive at the scene. Everyone involved has to agree and understand that they cannot go back inside to grab any personal items. Your life is worth more than what can be restored.
Set a backup plan. If you are stuck and cannot get out, the best plan of action is to close all doors between you and the immediate fire. You can prevent the fire for getting in the room you are in temporarily by putting a towel in between the bottom crack of the door. Now call the fire department to let them know about the danger.
Practice regularly. Practice and review the plan often.

With a smart and well organized plan in place, you can be one step ahead of the disaster and save yourself and those you love.

Safety should be your main priority when considering a Fire Evacuation Plan

After the fire passes, authorities come and the scene is cleared, call a professional restoration company like SERVPRO to support you in your time of need.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Odors in your Dania Beach Home? Call SERVPRO

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Odors cause by mold and damp staining painted wall surface around an internal home window.

Odors in Certain Parts of your Home?

While cleaning the house have you ever experienced certain smells or odors coming from inside the house, carpets, flooring, or closet? Ever consider that your health may be affected by that smell? You may not even know who to call!

Don't stress, call SERVPRO! We are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. Our company and team provides 24/7 days of week of emergencies, if you are very concerned about the odor or smell we will be out there as soon as possible.

We have the odor removing knowledge & experience.

SERVPRO has certified technicians who are knowledgeable and experienced on the proper removal for odors straight from the odor's source. There are different types of odors that can come from numerous of places inside or outside your home. SERVPRO provides industrial grade equipment to locate and remove said odors.

After identifying the source of a odor and looking at the conditions required for its removal, the odor will be eliminate over the course of a strategically planned visit schedule. In many cases, we try our very best to get things done as soon as possible.

Don't try to remove the odor yourself. You may make it worse!

It's important that you do not try to get rid of odors in your home by yourself as many times it makes the problem worse or its cause (which could be harmful to your health) spread to other spots in your home..

If you are in the Dania Beach area, check out this website for events and attractions.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Commercial Buildings & Mold: How to prevent the spread

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Buildings & Mold are not what you want in the same sentence.

Commercial buildings being forced to shutdown due to toxic mold growing isn't something you want your name associated with. Many times it causes workers to suffer from respiratory problems. As a result, business comes to a halt and the company executives face serious legal action.

It’s important to implement a process that will prevent mold growth in commercial buildings.

Mold counts are higher in humid conditions than dry conditions and some mold is always present, even indoors. Especially not following procedures when using equipment you THINK will help the situation. Many times these tools can serve as both a laboratory for growing mold and a highway system for transporting mold spores throughout a building. The good news is that interior mold can be controlled through regular commercial building maintenance and inspections combined with the proper design, installation, and maintenance of commercial HVAC systems.

What commercial building managers are concerned about is interior black mold, which can become an ugly nuisance, and cause serious illness in humans and structural damage to buildings.

Some workers are sensitive to mold in the workplace and have allergic reactions when exposed to mold spores. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause allergic reactions such as coughing, sneezing, nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, and skin rash. Workers who are extremely sensitive to mold or have asthma, are more prone to the building related illnesses mold can cause.

Controlling Indoor MoldMold is typically considered a problem when it is visible, but at that point a commercial building’s air quality has already been compromised. By understanding the conditions that cause mold to thrive and spread, you can prevent mold growth in commercial facilities.

The best way to prevent mold growth is to reduce moisture with a regular building maintenance and inspection process. Here are some strategies for controlling interior mold:

Inspect all areas of the building for moisture, mold, and water damage routinely. Mold is sneaky.Repair any leaks or water damage you discover as soon as possible.Clean HVAC system coils and drip pans regularly. Pans that are plugged and not draining properly cause moisture to accumulate, quickly becoming a breeding ground for mold.Make sure that all HVAC ducts and system components such as air handlers, blowers, and any enclosed chambers are free of any moisture.Perform proper housekeeping in all areas of the building keeping walls and floors dry.Check the location of HVAC air intakes. Air being pulled in from areas near standing water or dumpsters can cause an increase in fungal spores inside the building.If you have a mold problem already, cleaning up the surface will not solve the problem. You need to have someone specifically trained in the principals of commercial mold removal to get it all. Give the pros at SERVPRO a call!

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Preventing Fireworks Fires for the New Year

12/28/2018 (Permalink)

Preventing Fireworks Fires for the New Year

Here are some general tips to prevent injury or fire damage during the New Year fireworks fun.

Fireworks most likely to cause fires are not large displays that go high in the air but the smaller items that go up less than ten feet. Larger cake style displays go high enough in the air for any sparks to extinguish long before they could hit the ground but smaller items geared towards kids that spin and shoot sparks close to the ground need to be handled with caution.
The best place to stage your show is away from tall, dry grasses or trees on a level, cement surface. If you have to light your display on grass or gravel we recommend using a piece of plywood to create a level surface.
Wet the ground in and around the area where you will be setting off your display and always have a fire extinguisher or hose and adequate water supply on hand.
NEVER take fireworks to national forests or park areas! Even in wet years, fireworks are never legal or appropriate in these areas.
NEVER put spent fireworks or "duds" in a fire. Soak spent fireworks with water and dispose of them only when completely cooled.
Don't attempt to pick up or relight "duds". Wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak in a bucket of water before disposal. Buying from a reputable distributor will minimize your chance of purchasing "duds".
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a designated sober shooter. There is no substitute for good judgment.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile 2018!

12/24/2018 (Permalink)

Don't hesitate to call the professionals at SERVPRO to handle water damage.

Is your business ready for disaster? We here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North have always emphasized how important it is to have disaster plans in place for your home or business, but did you know that we have an app that can make disaster mitigation easier for you and your business? Meet the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile! With your ERP in place, you have the disaster advantage of:

A free assessment of your facility.
A Profile Document with information that would be critical to quick response in an emergency.
A guide to prepare you and help you get back in your building faster after a disaster.
Establishes SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
Identification of the line of command at your building/business to begin restoration work ASAP.
Provides facility details, identifies priority areas, and priority contacts for our team to use.

How to get a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile:

STEP 1: Visit SERVPRO.com/ready. Register for an account using your email address as your username and choose a password.
STEP 2: Choose SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North as your preferred SERVPRO Franchise Representative to contact in the event your home or business experiences water, fire, mold or other type of damage.
STEP 3: Begin creating ERPs for all of your properties.
STEP 4: Download the SERVPRO Ready Plan Application on your iPhone, tablet, Android or Blackberry device from the respective App Store.
STEP 5: Launch the Ready Plan App and sign in using the same username and password from STEP 1.

After that, go through and add information, play around a little and get to know the app before you really need it.

With your SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile in place, our teams can arrive faster to your disaster. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North can make it "Like it never even happened."

Wall Paper Mold: Hidden Dangers!

12/15/2018 (Permalink)

Wall Paper Mold is a big health concern. To get rid of the mold you must remove the wallpaper. First and foremost remove the wallpaper safely by wetting it with a wetting agent and water. But first wear a good cartridge-type respirator.

When removing mold behind wallpaper safely wet it first. Even if the wallpaper removes dry still wet it

A simple dust or particulate mask won't offer adequate protection. Also wear gloves and goggles, remember safety first. In a garden type sprayer add the wetting agent and water for easy application.

Using the sprayer to wet the wallpaper down will reduce the mold spores from becoming airborne. Even if the wallpaper removes dry still wet it first. Move slowly and deliberately so you don't stir up spores as you work.

Once the wallpaper is removed from the walls the next step is to wash the walls down with a water and bleach solution. This should remove the mold from the walls if it is just surface mold. If the walls are soft and spongy the mold may have penetrated deeper into the wall.

One way to tell if the walls are totally saturated with mold you can take a utility knife and cut a small square out of the wall and look at the back side of the square. If there is mold behind the wall then you should replace the walls.

But the best option is going with the pros!

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Prevent Fire Damage 2018 New Years Resolution! Ft. Lauderdale & Plantation

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

New Years Resolution: Prevent Fire Damage

New Years' resolutions are a staple of many Americans' holiday seasons when decisions are made to fundamentally change the lives of those making them for the better. While we often struggle to maintain and meet up to our expectations, these resolutions can be very beneficial if we really followed them... Of course some more than others (Like to prevent fire damage).

Happens to Everyone...

Have you ever caught yourself almost causing a fire? Leaving the stove running, or forgetting a pot of cooking food on the stove? Maybe over microwaving something or accidentally forgetting to blow out a candle? It happens to everyone, but for some, these small instances turn into major life changing fires..

Let's make a new years resolution to prevent fire damage chances in all of those little moments, so we don't have experience one of those BIG moments!

Being Careful With Flame

Open flames of all sizes can directly lead to significant fire damage in your home. Anything in your home that produces an open flame could represent an enormous fire hazard. In general, we recommend keeping the use of these devices to a minimum, but instead of giving up your habits entirely, consider making them more safe and well-contained. Never let candles and kitchen appliances run without your presence in the room. Little changes like these can make a big difference in the future.

Cleaning Up Around The Home

Keeping your home neat and clean not only makes it look better and more livable but also reduces your risk of fire damage. Many fires start because of excess dirt and clutter in a home, and can easily be averted with a reduction to these factors.

Perform Monthly Maintenance

Every month or two, inspect essential safety devices such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and any relevant escape routes to make sure they are ready and able to react to disaster. Just thirty minutes per year could avert a disaster that might otherwise cost thousands to clean up.

Learn how we handle these fixes once it happens by clicking here!

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Reducing the Spread of Mold -Aventura, Biscayne Park, Boca Raton

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Reducing the Spread of Mold Anywhere!

If you notice that mold has already started to grow, the remediation specialists from SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will need to fix not only the water damage but also the mold problem. When your home floods, the subsequent water damage can lead to black mold growth if not remedied fairly quickly. Before they arrive for water and mold cleanup, however, there are three steps you need to take, reducing the spread of mold.

Stop Moisture Causing Source to Reduce the Mold Growth

One thing your situation does not need is more moisture or water flow to the area. You may not be able to undo the damage that has already occurred, but you can prevent further damage by cutting water off at the source. Unless you know specifically where the leak is coming from, you should just turn the water off for that whole section of your home.

Stop All Air Flow, Reducing the Spread of Mold

The first instinct of many homeowners when they have a moisture problem is to open up all the windows and doors and get air flow going through the house. When mold is actually growing in a particular area, the concentration of spores in the air is higher. You want to keep that mold concentration contained as much as possible.

If you have a black mold problem, however, this increased air flow just spreads the problem. You may start with mold in one room but it may grow into the hallway and surrounding areas. Shut air intake vents and turn the system off to prevent an epidemic of mold growth through your entire home.

Call The Professionals - SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North

Mold cleanup is generally a job for the professionals, but you can make their job easier by keeping the black mold from spreading into other areas of your home. By shutting off the air flow and the water supply, you can help keep the problem contained.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Flood Damage Vs Water Damage: Ft. Lauderdale

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

Flood Damage and Water Damage are different - FEMA

The difference between a water damage and a flood damage is best distinguished by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood definition.

Simply put, the main difference between a flood claim and a water damage claim is where the water comes from. With flood damage, the water comes from a natural source and two or more properties are involved (if you reside in a generally residential versus rural area).

If you and your neighbors are all having water issues due to heavy rains and/or rising waters, then you are likely dealing with a flood damage. For water damage, you may have the water damage issue inside your home, but your neighbor may not. Either source is still a problem of course.

Flood Damage

A flood is defined as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres and two or more properties of normally dry land. Flood damage can only be caused by:

Overflow of inland or tidal waters
Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source
Mudflow
Collapse of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above

If the water causing damage in your home is coming from any of these sources, you are probably dealing with flood damage. Click here to see some tips to prevent water damage in the future. Thanks for reading!

No matter what it is considered, call a professional restoration company like SERVPRO to cleanup!

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Choose SERVPRO: Restoration Team - Davie, Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

Choose SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North Services Cities in all of South Florida

All the way from up north in Deerfield Beach to South Miami.

Choose SERVPRO the right water cleanup and water restoration company. Though cleanup of a building inundated with water requires special equipment, trained staff and a complete understanding of the process. The company must know it's vital to remove damp rugs, paddings, the baseboards and other finishings to allow

for proper air movement within the structure. This helps the drying process and helps to improve the air quality within the home or business that has been damaged by water.

No matter where in Florida you live or do business, having water in home or water in business can be a serious problem. One that costs thousands of dollars to fix. Check out our Hurricane Tips!

It's essential to get the insurance company involved as quickly as possible.

In addition to recommending water cleanup and water restoration companies, having them involved from the beginning makes it easier to get the needed work approved and the claim paid. You don't have to use the water mitigation company the insurance company recommends, but the company you choose must be experienced, licensed and insured and have the necessary equipment and expertise.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Handling a Fire Loss in Sunny South Florida: Pembroke Pines and Weston

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

Emergency services make it possible for a family to handle a fire loss and get the house back into working order in just a couple days instead of weeks or months depending on the damage.

Handling a fire loss things have to move as quickly as possible, and you need to have someone you can trust to handle the job. Smoke damage, soot damage and air quality need to be checked and restored to normal, so the best thing that can be done is to have someone come inspect and get a plan going of the next immediate steps.

The preparation for something like this is much more robust with a focus on not leaving lingering problems that could make a family sick or unhealthy in the future. Locations are much easier to care for when a local company is on the scene, so reach out to SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North as we offer services to handle a fire loss in many cities for example: Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Deerfield Beach or even Dania Beach!

Handling a Fire Loss - leave it to the Pros! Call SERVPRO

The work may be complex, and it must be scheduled for several days or weeks to ensure completion, but the specific type of work has complexities here and there that you're going to want the pro's to handle rather than handling it yourself. The safety or staying in the building and the air quality will begin to improve when the building has been cleaned, and there will be regular tests until we are pleased with the results. To learn about some of our tools and methods, check out our other blog here!

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2018 Halloween Vandalism and Your Business

10/31/2018 (Permalink)

Halloween- a time for dressing up in fun and scary costumes and eating way too much candy than is good for us. Unfortunately, Halloween is also the time of year for pranks and vandalism.

Here are a few tips to protect your business from falling victim to pranks, so that you won't have to call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North for Halloween vandalism cleanup on November 1st,.

1) Lock it down

Make sure all doors, windows, and gates are locked up tightly when you leave for the night. Double check the day of that your alarm system is working and remember to set it before you leave.

2) Light it up

If your business is open late, keep the parking area well-lit so employee and customer cars are less of a target for egging or keying.

After hours, keep the outsides of the building well lit, including parking lots and dumpster areas. Also, be sure your outdoor security cameras are running.

3) Security

If you have a high-risk business, or have been targeted in the past, consider hiring overnight security, or beefing up existing security.

4) Halloween vandalism cleanup

Don't wait! Clean up vandalism as soon as you find it, and call professionals for help with difficult cleanup. Cleaning up quickly will deter vandals targeting your business in the future- they'll know you're not messing around.

5) Double check

Go over this list night-of to be sure you are protecting your business as much as possible this prank season. Halloween doesn't have to be a nightmare for you or your business. And should vandals strike, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "Like it never even happened."

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Yacht and Boat Mold Air Effects 2018

10/31/2018 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North, we love boats and yachts.

But we don't just love watching them, we also love getting to work on them to make them as beautiful as can be. Many people don't realize that due to the extreme conditions under which boats and yachts operate, the air quality on board can become contaminated with hazardous mold or bacteria. In fact, the EPA estimates that indoor air pollution, such as that on board a boat or yacht, can reach up to 100 times as contaminated as the air pollution outside!

Symptoms of possible mold in air:

irritation of the eyes, skin, and nose while on board
agitation of pre-existing conditions such as allergies or asthma
sore throat
headaches and dizziness,
or nausea and fatigue associated with the presence of a musty odor

If you or any of your guests experience these symptoms while on board, give SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North a call so we can get to work remediating the problem. The long-term exposure to poor yacht air quality can result in severe health effects if left untreated.

Fortunately, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North has the qualified professionals to improve your yacht air quality.

If you own or insure a boat or yacht (or have a friend or family member who does) and you suspect that the air quality of the vessel may be in need of an inspection, give the yacht air quality and mold remediation specialists at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North a call.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Boat & Yacht Water Damage 2018: Hurricane Michael

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

It can happen to anyone.

As we've seen in the major damage of Hurricane Michael this October.

Whether you enjoy cruising the ocean blue, relaxing on sunny weekends, or taking a boating trip every summer, your yacht or boat is important to you, so you need to know how to take care of it and what to look out for that indicates yacht or boat water damage in need of professional attention.

If you suspect your yacht has been water damaged.

Don't turn anything on and don't try to fix or clean anything yourself as this can cause more harm than good. Call a professional like those at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North (or for your local SERVPRO team call 1-800-SERVPRO). Once you identify and possibly fix the cause of the water intrusion- which can include:

salt spray
slow leak
hurricane
etc.

A few signs of potential water damage include:

minor blistering or bubbling of surfaces in the structure of the yacht
excessive mildew odor inside or on deck
salty buildup on surfaces inside

-a SERVPRO team can get started on cleaning any upholstery, decks, walls, and anything else infiltrated by water.

Ocean water and even brackish water, like that in the intercoastal, are particularly difficult to remediate due to the salt content and should be left to your SERVPRO team. The sooner you get a team to your yacht, the less salt damage will occur. Salt will corrode important seals, joints, and mechanical components if left unfixed for too long.

Call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North for all your yacht cleaning needs. Faster to any yacht water damage disaster SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "Like it never even happened."

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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2018 Mold Remediation Process: How it's Done

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

If your are in need of mold remediation services call SERVPRO

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

How do we know where there's mold? How do we get rid of it? Who else do I need to hire? Well, we're going to share with you today the complete step-by-step mold remediation process.

Step 1: Determining Mold

A third party mold inspector will need to come in and determine that there is, in fact, a mold problem, and the extent of the mold problem. You can either find one yourself, or call us for someone we recommend. The reason we cannot do the mold inspection ourselves is because of a Florida state law that protects the homeowner from being swindled by seedier remediation companies. If another company tells you they can do it themselves, in the state of Florida, it is a crime.

Step 2: Containment

Once a mold inspection has been done, we start mold containment procedures to help prevent the spread of harmful mold and mold spores while cleanup is taking place. We set up what is known as "air scrubbers" to clean the air of possible contaminates in the quarantined area while the job is being done.

Step 3: Mold Cleanup and Total Mold Remediation Process

After containment is set up, the cleaning can begin. Depending on the amount of mold present, our team may need to do little more than antifungal/antimicrobial treatments; or, in some cases, gut out drywall and flooring in order to eliminate mold colonies altogether.

Although you will need to hire a general contractor to replace any of the structure that needed to be removed, "restorable" items, such as curtains and furniture, can be thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and deodorize by our specialists.

We'll work closely with property managers and/or insurance companies to ensure the mold situation is handled as quickly as possible with as little hassle as possible. While we here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North hope you won't be in need of our services, should the need arise, we'll be there to make it "Like it never even happened."

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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General Air Duct Tips - SERVPRO 2018

10/4/2018 (Permalink)

Is air duct cleaning usually expensive?

Cost of the service varies and depends on multiple factors. Where you live, how dirty your system is, how easy it is for the contractor to access the ducts and what your ducts are made of.

How often should I get my air ducts cleaned?

We recommend air duct cleaning every three to five years. But if you have pets that shed a lot, recent water damage, construction going on in your home, residents with respiratory problems or humid environments, you may want to clean it more often.

How long does it usually take to get my air ducts cleaned?

The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system can vary depending on the complexity of the system. You will usually be given an estimate of how long it will take.

Why should I have my air ducts cleaned?

Air duct cleaning helps to reduce energy costs in your home, reduce the potential for mold growth, improve indoor air quality, increase air circulation and flow, and increase your home system performance.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Campfire Safety: Staying Safe this Season 2018

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

Let's Warm Up - But Not Too Warm!

Halloween candy is flooding into the stores, pumpkin spiced everything is approaching, and in South Florida, campfire season is upon us! In the colder months when people have fun around outdoor fires with friends and loved ones, campfire safety is the most important to ensure everyone has a good time and stays out of harm's way.

Simple campfire safety-

Teach both your children and pets that fire is dangerous and not to be played around. Always keep an eye on little ones and four-legged friends to be sure they don't get careless and end up hurt. If you feel you need a little extra protection you can

tie up or anchor pets at a safe distance
put a mesh lid on the pit
set up a baby gate around the fire

If you plan on having a fire on your own property, consider investing in a good quality fire pit. Most pits come with a stand and a protective mesh top and are made out of non-toxic metal with no dyes or finishes. Having a self-contained pit (like the one pictured) will help assure the safety of everyone around, as well as protecting your property.

What NOT to burn-

As satisfying as it might be to throw your greasy burger plate on the fire and watch it burst and sizzle, resist the urge to put anything in the fire besides firewood. Styrofoam and plastic can create toxic smoke, and paper products cause large amounts of hot ash and smoke to billow around the pit area.

Some plants that grow here, like mango trees and black olive can be toxic if burned. Try staying away from burning plants found on your property, as the smoke of toxic plants not only burn the eyes and throat, but poison any food prepared over the fire.

More than anything, campfires are meant to be a fun, warm gathering place for friends and family as the nights grow colder. We wish everyone a safe, fun season.

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Fire Restoration using Ozone Generators

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

Disclaimer!

We at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North use machines known as ozone generators to produce the gas. Remember to not use any ozone generators on your own and call in only qualified professionals like our team at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North to deal with smoke odors.

(954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

How it Works:

The machine uses a high voltage corona mechanism to emulate the same conditions that would allow ozone to form in nature (such as lightning). Regular oxygen from the air goes in, ozone comes out and can then be directed wherever it is needed.

Ozone is triatomic oxygen or enriched oxygen. Rather than having two atoms like in the oxygen we breathe, ozone has three bonded oxygen atoms. It is a strong oxidizing agent as well as a sterilizing agent most commonly used in fire restoration to eliminate smoke odors.

Some examples of what can be deodorized with ozone are odors associated with:

cooking
decay
biohazards
fire
tobacco

However, ozone is less effective on inorganic odors (meaning odors not derived from living matter) such as:

chlorides
sulfates
nitrates
ammonia
phosphates

The reason for this is because the third oxygen molecule bonds with the organic odor compound and oxidizes it. The ozone then turns into regular oxygen and eliminates the smell by breaking it down at a vastly accelerated rate compared to standard oxygen. Oxygen molecules have trouble bonding with and oxidizing inorganic compounds, making it less effective on them.

There are very little drawbacks to using ozone generators in fire restoration jobs, if used correctly and as mandated by OSHA. Ozone is converted back to oxygen in a matter of minutes, so rooms or buildings only need to be evacuated for a short period of time.

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2018 Dos and Do Nots: Fire Damage

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage dos:

For water and fire damage restoration, DO call SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North!
Limit the amount of movement through the affected area to prevent the spread of soot and other particles which may cause additional damages. If the affected area is too large to avoid, evacuate while repairs are being done.
Placing large clean rags, or old linens on rugs and upholstery in your home can also help prevent the spread of soot.
Coating chrome fixtures like your faucets, or other parts of appliances with petroleum jelly.
If there is water in your home and on your floors, protect your furniture by putting a barrier like foil or wooden blocks where the furniture touches the floor.

Fire damage do nots:

Do not try to clean or shampoo any carpets, rugs, or upholstery. Trying to clean up fire damage yourself is extremely hazardous to your personal health. Always call a professional.
Do not wash any walls or other painted surfaces yourself- improper cleaning can stain the walls.
Do not clean any electrical equipment as this is dangerous, have a professional look at it, or replace it.
Do not send clothes to a dry cleaner as improper cleaning can set smoke odors and stains.

After a fire takes place, there's a million things on your mind. Hopefully you had a plan in place to protect your loved ones and important property. To help protect your home and belongings from further damage, here are a few tips for what you should and should not do after fire damage takes place.

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Hygienic Houses Sell More Quickly

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

People Notice the Small Things

If you are looking to rent out or sell your house, ensuring its total cleanliness before putting it on the market is pivotal to finding a buyer faster. Old tenants can leave behind stains on walls, ground in dirt on the carpeting, and all other kinds of wear-and-tear in and around your property. Hygienic homes don't only look better, they sell faster, so here are a few steps you can take to get your property in tip-top shape for selling:

1) Air ducts

The first step to making your property smell and feel clean is to get the air ducts cleaned out. Clean ducts (and a fresh filter in the AC unit) can help to eliminate allergens in the air. The buildup of dust and other particles in ducts can also lead to dank or musty odors in your place, so clean before selling, and continue their upkeep regularly, can keep your building safer and more pleasant to be in.

2) Upholstery

If you are looking to rent or sell your house fully-furnished, have all the upholstery cleaned next. Years of use means years of food stains and other messes on your furniture. Make your chairs and sofas like new again with professional cleaning.

3) Floors

Getting your floors cleaned comes with a host of health benefits as well as making your place look good. Clean floors and carpets help people breathe easier, especially if they have known allergies or other conditions such as asthma.

4) General upkeep

Of course, the general upkeep and appearance of your building is to be kept in consideration. If you know you'll be showing someone a house, make sure the common areas like hallways and stairwells have been cleaned recently. First impressions are important!

Remember, for all your commercial cleaning needs give us a call!

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Post-Hurricane Mold: Aftermath of Florence

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

The 2018 hurricane season brought some surprises!

After a storm, your top concern, after you and your family's safety and well being, is damage done to your property. Flooding, leaky roofs, and busted pipes all account for water damage that can turn into a mold problem quickly. Mold issues after a big storm are not uncommon, even if you weren't aware of any moisture in your home.

If you were unable to catch the water before the formation of post-hurricane mold, or are worried post-hurricane mold may have formed anyway, call us!

But lets go over some basics.

Loss of power

Air conditioning units:

Air conditioning keeps our homes cool and less humid than the outside, but when the power fails, so does your AC's ability to remove moisture from the air. The busiest part of hurricane season is also the hottest and most humid. In a matter of hours your entire home can become even hotter than outside temperatures. This warm, muggy climate is the perfect breeding ground for microbes like mold.

Refrigerators and freezers:

If you lost power during the storm, there are a few things to look out for that indicate a moisture issue. Refrigerators and freezers often fail during hurricanes. Although keeping the doors closed sometimes helps keep the contents cool, when the power is out for several days, the food will start to get warm and condensate, causing moisture to form (like water on a cold glass). This moisture will leak and puddle, and can even seep into nearby walls.

What now?

We will be with you every step of the way to have a third party check for mold while we work with insurance, and get the mold remediated. Even well after the storm, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North has your back with recovery.

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Using Chemicals on Mold?

10/2/2018 (Permalink)

DOES BLEACH KILL MOLD?

Lets get this straight first!

As soon as you notice a presence of mold, call SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North at (954) 733-1006 24/7 for immediate assessment. Our qualified technicians have the tools and training to identify the severity of the problem and can best inform you where to go from there. Remember, faster to your disaster, SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North will make it "Like it never even happened."

Bleach

You clean your bathroom with it, disinfect household items with it, when diluted properly, you can even use it to clean things like toys or dental retainers. So why wouldn't you use it for something as harmful as mold? Well, when mold appears on walls and ceilings in your home it's likely already formed on the inside of those structures from water events, like a pipe leaking, or excessive humidity. Because of the chemical composition of bleach, it won't do an effective job of permeating into where the mold is living. The particles of the bleach are simply too large to penetrate most surfaces. So even if you "clean up" the mold and can no longer see it, it can still be lurking and pose a health threat to you and your family.

It's not uncommon for people to think dumping bleach on areas affected by mold will solve the problem without needing to call in professional help. This could not be farther from the truth.

Dead mold is still dangerous

Even if bleaching completely kills all the mold in an area of your home, it can still be dangerous. While dead mold can no longer grow, these "non-viable" mold spores can still be hazardous to your health, particularly to people with allergies, asthma, or people that are immune-compromised such as the elderly.

So what can you do?

Be on the lookout for these signs of mold:

strong musty odors
evidence of moisture
excessive humidity
visible mold

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Hurricane Florence Floods: Caring for the Carolinas

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricane Florence - "Faster to Any Disaster"

Last month, the largest storm to make landfall in the Carolinas dumped over 2 feet of water on the Carolinas over the course of 3 days. Hurricane Florence rained more in one hour over the city than the area typically gets during the entire month of September. This record amount of rainfall left homes severely damaged or completely washed away.

After the rain stopped, everyone got to work picking up the pieces of their homes and businesses to get things back to normal. During this time, local SERVPRO teams were so over-encumbered they called in other SERVPRO teams from all over the country to aid in clean-up and restoration. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North was one of hundreds of teams who responded to the call.

We loaded up two trucks , an RV, and a few SERVPRO vans and caravaned through to the Carolinas. Over the weeks that followed, we helped many families get their lives back to normal by drying hardwood floors, cleaning carpets, and ripping out soggy drywall.

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is proud to be part of the Storm Response Team Caring for the Carolinas. Faster to any size disaster, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "Like it never even happened."

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Mold Safety Tips: Be Aware of the Basics

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Safety Tips

If you find mold in your home you may ask yourself, "how dangerous is the mold and what precautions should I take?" There are many questions when it comes to mold, so take a moment and learn about mold safety and removal.

What is Mold?

Molds are fungi. There are over 100,000 different types of mold, and they come in a wide variety of colors including black, green, orange, and white.

Molds reproduce by producing spores. These spores are tiny and float through the air, often into your home. If spores land somewhere dark, moist, and warm, they might grow until they form a visible mold colony. Mold will not grow without moisture, so to prevent mold keep your home dry.

Mold Toxicity and Mold Safety

Most molds are not known to cause infection in healthy adults. However, scientists only have good information for a few number of molds, and people’s reactions to mold vary greatly. There are people who are more susceptible to illness from mold than others. Overall, mold’s effect on humans is still little understood, so all molds should be treated as if they are toxic. Mold-induced illness can affect the respiratory system, throat, eyes, and skin. Wearing protective gear (goggles, mask, gloves) is recommended whenever you clean mold. In which case, many people may not have the appropriate gear or knowledge to handle it. Therefore, it is recommended to reach out to a professional for handling mold remediation.

Our Recommendation

We strongly recommend hiring a professional mold removal service like SERVPRO for your mold clean-up needs. A professional will have the right equipment, will be familiar with common types of mold and their dangers, and know how to handle the situation. It is even better to use a professional's service because at times if you try to handle the mold yourself it can either come back anyway or spread to even more parts of the house..

SOURCE: Maids By Trade

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Tips to Prevent Water Damage - Pay Attention to Tip 3!

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

Tips to Prevent Water Damage

Most Homeowners insurance policies cover basic water damage claims up to the purchased limit.Preventing the water damage in the first place is a lot easier than going through the claims process! Use these tips to get the best outcome.
Source: Farmer's Insurance

Tip 1: Be careful where you plant

Some plants and trees, like weeping willows, have pretty invasive roots. If you’re not careful, they’ll grow right into your sprinkler system, drainage field, pipes, and septic tanks. Plan before you plant to keep roots away from any water lines. It's not everyday that you'd think about this as one of the tips to prevent water damage!

Tip 2: Clean out roof gutters

You know it’s on your to-do list anyway, so if you can, take a safe climb up to your roof next Sunday and check out your gutters. If you’re seeing lots of leaves, birds’ nests, sticks, and whatnot up there, your gutters may not be doing the job you hired them for. And on a rainy day, a clogged gutter can send water spilling into your home’s foundation, through the roof, or down to your basement. That could cause some serious water damage! So next time you’re doing some seasonal cleaning, make sure those gutters are clean. And if your gutters are too high, be safe and get a professional to check them.

Tip 3: Keep an eye on your water bill

This is one of the trickiest of tips on this list. With so many water pipes hidden behind walls and in the floors in your house, you might not know there’s a leak until the damage is done. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your monthly water bill. If you see it starting to creep up, or get one that’s uncommonly high, it’s a pretty good sign that you may have a leak somewhere.

Tip 4: Use a drain snake instead of unclogging chemicals

No matter how crazy clean you are, from your shower to your kitchen sink, clogs are going to happen. And chances are at some point in your life you’ve used one of those powerful chemical drain cleaners to get things moving again. But as convenient as they may be, most folks don’t realize those caustic chemicals are also eating away at their pipes (and they might not be too good for you either). If you rely on them a lot, you could be setting yourself up for leaks. That’s why owning a drain snake is a good solution to clear away clogs. This is one of the less expensive tips, as you can get them at your local hardware store for cheap. Use them to cut through most any clog you’ll have without damaging pipes or making your eyes red and teary.

Tip 5: Never pour grease down your sink

You’ve probably heard this before, but you should definitely avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. It doesn’t matter if you flush it with hot or cold water. It can still congeal and cling to your pipes, and could still cause some serious damage and blockage.

Some people use detergent to break up grease before pouring it down the drain…and that may help sometimes. But there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep the grease from sticking to your pipes, so why take the risk?

The safest thing to do is just to pour your grease in an empty can, and either let it sit or put it in the refrigerator. Once it hardens you can toss it in the trash and get rid of it. Done and done.

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2018 Hurricane Preparation Tips and Tricks

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

With the height of hurricane season looming, 2018 hurricane preparation should be top priority for all Florida residents. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help with these 2018 hurricane preparation tips.

2018 Hurricane preparation tips:

Fill your vehicle's gas tank and any gas cans ahead of time.
Having a few camping lanterns will come in handy in the event of any power failures.
Before a storm hits be sure you've stocked up on clean drinking water or bottled water- one gallon per person per day for no less than three days.
Invest in a battery powered or hand crank radio to stay up-to-date on what's going on in your area.
Fill large freezer bags with water and freeze them with your freezer turned to its coldest setting. If the power goes out, you'll have blocks of ice to preserve things in the fridge and coolers.
Be sure to withdraw cash from your bank account before the storm as some banks can be closed for days until power is restored.
Unplug TVs, computers, and appliances before the storm to avoid damages to electronics.
If you can't stay with friends or family outside of evacuation zones, be aware of your nearest hurricane shelter, and overnight kennels for your furry friends.
Consider boarding up your house and going out of town until officials in your area say it's safe to return.

Your hurricane preparation should be complete well before a storm hits. Hurricane preparation is the most important skill for a south Florida family. The American Red Cross has a complete hurricane preparation checklist available here. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North hopes you have a safe and damage-free storm season, but should disaster strike, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North will arrive "faster to your disaster" and make it "like it never happened."

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After the Storm Important Tips SERVPRO Ft Lauderdale North

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Be careful to take certain precautions after the storm has passed. Damage to your home can have a dramatic emotional impact, and it's best to have a plan before the storm strikes for how to reenter your home. Having a plan, and being aware of certain risks, will minimize the threat of harm to you or your family after the storm.

Keep these after the storm tips in mind:

Make sure that you have current identification. You may have to pass through identification check points before being allowed access to your home/neighborhood.
Avoid metal fences and other metal objects near downed lines.
DO NOT use matches in a storm ravaged area until all gas lines are checked for leaks (keep flashlights and plenty of batteries at hand).
Stay tuned to local news organizations, such as a radio or television station, for important announcements, bulletin, and instructions concerning the storm area.
Remember that, after the storm, you may not have immediate access to your home. Emergency rescue crews, power crews and other personnel may be attending to special needs. Roads could be blocked, power lines could be down and people may be trapped and in need of assistance.
Use a camera or camcorder to record thoroughly any damage done to your home before any repairs are attempted.
In certain areas, the flooding rains that accompany a storm can create pest problems. Be aware of potential pest problems in your area, such as mice, rats, insects or snakes that may have "come with the storm".
Make sure that you have current identification. You may have to pass through identification check points before being allowed access to your home/neighborhood.
Avoid driving as roads may be blocked after the storm.
Avoid sight-seeing or entering a storm ravaged area unnecessarily. You could be mistaken for a looter.
Avoid downed power lines even if they look harmless.
Avoid turning the power on at your home if there is flooding present. Have a professional conduct a thorough inspection first.
Consider having professionals/licensed contractors inspect your home for damage and help in repairs. This includes electricians, as well as professionals to inspect gas lines, remove uprooted trees and check plumbing.
Remember that downed or damaged trees can contain power lines that can be a hazard after the storm.
Telephone lines will likely be busy in the area; use a phone only for emergencies.
Flooding brings with it the risk of waterborne bacterial contamination.
After the storm you should assume that the water is not safe and use properly stored water or boil your tap water.

These are just a few ideas to be thinking about before and after a severe storm hits. Remember to keep your radio tuned to a station issuing emergency bulletins and updates with the latest information.

We often only focus on the before when it comes to storms (you can see our tips for before the storm here) but knowing what to do after is just as important.

Source: Federal Alliance For Safe Homes

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Types of Hurricane Damage: SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Types of Hurricane Damage to Expect During and After the Storm

There are a couple types of hurricane damage you can expect whenever you're anticipating one of these powerful storms. Below we list a few of them.

Winds

The winds of a hurricane range from 74 mph (65 knots) in a minimal storm to greater than 155 mph (136 knots) in a catastrophic one.

Wind is responsible for much of the structural hurricane damage. High winds uproot trees and tear down power lines. The maximum winds from fast moving and powerful storms may remain high, even when the storm is well inland. Often this is actual wind speed combined with the speed of the storm.

Rainfall-Induced Flooding

The heavy rains associated with a tropical weather system are responsible not only for major flooding in areas where the storm initially strikes, but also can affect areas hundreds of miles from where the storm originally made landfall.

During landfall, it is not uncommon for 5-10 inches of rain to fall. If the storm is large and moving slowly, rainfall could be even more excessive. Intense flooding also can occur from tropical depressions and storms that do not reach hurricane strength.

Storm Surge

Storm surge is a rapid rise in the level of water that moves onto land as the eye of the storm makes landfall. Generally speaking, the stronger the hurricane, the greater the storm surge.

As a hurricane approaches the coast, its winds drive water toward the shore. Once the edge of the storm reaches the shallow waters of the continental shelf, water piles up. Winds of hurricane strength force the water onto shore.

At first, the water level climbs slowly, but as the eye of the storm approaches, water rises rapidly. Wave after wave hits the coast as tons of moving water hammer away at any structure on the coastline.

The surge is greater if a hurricane's track is perpendicular to the coastline, allowing the surge to build higher. The storm surge is also greater if the storm affects a bay or if it makes landfall at high tide. The greatest storm surge occurs to the right of where the eye makes landfall.

Tornadoes

Tropical cyclones also can trigger tornadoes. Each storm has a unique pattern of tornadoes whose frequency and occurrence is highly variable from one storm to the next.

Tornadoes spawned from hurricanes are more likely during an intense hurricane or one that is intensifying at or near landfall.

Source: The Weather Channel

For more storm preparation or recovery tips see our various other blog topics here.

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After a Hurricane Call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North

8/27/2018 (Permalink)

7 Facts About Hurricanes you NEED to know...

by SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North

What about hurricanes causing damage to your home? And what should you do to stay safe?

As Hurricane Lane is creeping towards Hawaii - we realize more and more that these natural disasters are real and can approach even when we least expect it. Being prepared is the best plan.

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North provides restoration services that will help to save the day after even the worst of hurricanes. If you haven't seen our previous posts about Hurricanes, click the links below.

Hurricane Prep Tips – Ft. Lauderdale and Plantation

Hurricane Facts and Figures

1. Primary Causes of Hurricane Damage

The two main causes of hurricane damage are from high winds and flash flooding from the torrential rains.

These high speed winds can break windows and blow in garage doors. Damage in your neighborhood is inevitable because everything in nature can become a projectile in these powerful gusts.

On the other hand the torrential downpours can often cause flooding from overwhelmed gutters and downspouts, broken windows and damaged roofs, and saturated soil around and near your home.

2. Categories?

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was created in the 1970's and rates hurricanes based on their wind speed.

A larger number means a more intense hurricane: a Category 1 hurricane will inflict some damage to houses while a Category 5 will destroy a significant number of houses.

Click this link to see a visual interpretation of each category provided by the weather channel.

3. Flooding

To best prepare for storms, check to see whether you live in a flood or storm surge zone. The federal government has several websites designed to help you figure out your risk of flood hazards. You can just search your address and the database will tell you whether you’re at low, moderate, or high risk of flooding.

4. Storm Warnings vs Hurricane Warnings

Hurricane or tropical storm watches mean that weather conditions make it likely that there’s going to be a hazard. These are issued 48 hours before authorities think storm-force winds will reach the area.

A warning, on the other hand, means that the tropical storm or hurricane is expected to hit your area, and come 36 hours before the anticipated onset.

Meanwhile, an extreme wind warning means that hurricane-force winds of more than 115 miles per hour are expected within the subsequent hour, so you should take shelter somewhere stable immediately.

5. Safety is Preparedness

You and your family should have an emergency plan that includes where you will meet if you get separated during an emergency, how you’ll get in touch if your phones don’t work, where you’ll go if you need to evacuate, and how you’ll get there.

6. What about our fluffy friends?

Can you evacuate with Po? Will he fit with you in the safe room? Furthermore, will you even be able to find Po? Keep pet food in your emergency kit, and don’t forget a can opener if you need one. When the storm hits, even if you’re staying home, put your pet in a carrier in case you have to evacuate last-minute. And microchip your cat or dog so that in the event you get separated, vets and rescue personnel will be able to track you down.

7. Call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North

In the wake of a particularly bad hurricane, you may need to get in touch with emergency personnel, your electric company, your insurance agent, etc. Make sure you have numbers for hospitals, important utilities, your property insurer and your local restoration company.

A storm damage restoration company like SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will help you deal with hurricane damage quickly. With 24-hour emergency response and the tools and equipment to deal with the damage to trees, siding and flooding, they’re you’re one-stop-shop for hurricane damage.

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Hurricane Facts and Figures

7/9/2018 (Permalink)

Illustration of how the Coriolis Force acts with the curvature and rotation of the Earth.

Hurricanes are a force of nature to be reckoned with. They are warm, wet cyclones- some with winds strong enough to snap branches off of trees and send debris flying. But there are some interesting facts about hurricanes even seasoned Floridians might not know. How many of these do you know?

Two hurricanes won't crash into each other to become a single storm, but will circle each other.

The Fujiwhara Effect, named after meteorologist Sakuhei Fujiwhara, describes a phenomenon where two cyclones will circle around each other as they continue on their path. If given enough time, the two storms will circle one another, gradually closing the gap, until they swirl into a single storm.

Hurricanes spin counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere, and clockwise in the southern.

The rotation of the Earth causes the spinning of ocean waters, winds, and yes, hurricanes. This force is known as the Coriolis Force or Coriolis Effect and has a huge influence over air and sea travel as well as storm formations.

Cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes are different names for the same weather phenomenon.

The globally used meteorological term for the phenomenon is "tropical cyclone." In the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans, we call them hurricanes. In the Western Pacific, they are called typhoons. And in the Indian Ocean and Southern Pacific they are referred to as cyclones.

Hurricanes can’t form on the Equator because they need the Coriolis Effect to spin.

The equator is the dividing line between the northern and southern hemispheres. Because of its location, there's no Coriolis Effect to spin low pressure systems into hurricanes. No Coriolis Effect means no hurricanes.

Nearly double the amount of hurricanes happen in the northern hemisphere than in the southern.

Oceans in the southern hemisphere tend to have stronger winds than their northern counterparts. Because of these winds, it's less likely to create the conditions needed for hurricanes to form. Hurricanes require warm waters, storm conditions (meaning rain clouds), and gentle wind to steer and shape the tropical cyclone. With harsh winds, storms get broken up and are less likely to form south of the equator.

We hope you learned some interesting hurricane facts from this blog! Check back often this hurricane season for more facts, hurricane prep tips, and other readiness info.

Hurricane Prep Tips - Ft. Lauderdale

6/26/2018 (Permalink)

Image courtesy of Broward County.

Hurricane season is here in South Florida and for many Ft. Lauderdale residents, that means being prepared for mother nature's fury. Last year, most of South Florida including Ft. Lauderdale was affected by Hurricane Irma. Our crew was helping Houston recover from storm damage after Hurricane Harvey when Hurricane Irma rocked South Florida. Because it had been over ten years since the last major hurricane (Hurricane Wilma, 2005), many residents in Ft. Lauderdale were not prepared for the resulting storm damage.

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help with these quick hurricane prep tips:

Know your area’s evacuation protocol; when to evacuate and where to go.

Plan to stay with family or friends outside of the hurricane evacuation zone, or make plans in a hotel. While hurricane shelters are an option, not all of them are equipped to shelter people with special care requirements, or pets.

Stock up on supplies ahead of time before stores are cleared out.

When a storm is named, stores are flooded with people trying to stock up last minute. Get a few supplies every time you go grocery shopping before a storm is on the way. This not only ensures you get everything you need, but also takes away the financial strain of having to pay for it all at once.

Review your policy coverage and make any changes as soon as possible.

Most insurance companies won't let you make changes to your policy thirty days before or thirty days after a storm hits. Review your coverage at the beginning of storm season and make any changes you may need this year.

Back up important files and documents digitally, and/or in a safe location.

Water damage from hurricanes and other kinds of storm damage, like electrical or fire damage, are a huge threat to your files and other critical documents. Invest in waterproof storage for paper documents, or digitize what you can. Uploading digital files to the cloud makes it so that even if your computer fails, you still have access to those important documents.

Fix any issues that could worsen during a storm, like a leaky roof.

Last hurricane season, most of our calls at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North were for water intrusion. Leaky roofs and windows were a huge contributor to this, and were worsened by the storm. It's also a good idea to give your property a check-up for problems you don't know are there. If you are unaware of water intrusion from a storm, it could lead to a potentially hazardous mold problem after the fact.

We here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North want you to stay safe this hurricane season, so be prepared. And while we hope you'll never need to call us for an emergency, if you ever need us, we'll be ready.

Antimicrobial Duct Cleaning Treatment

3/14/2018 (Permalink)

The air you breathe-- is it important to you? Of course it is! Which is why SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North offer not just your ordinary duct cleaning service, but an Antimicrobial HVAC & Duct Treatment. So what exactly does that mean? Take a look:

Standard Duct Cleaning-

Our team of qualified professionals start the treatment process with a standard duct cleaning. This includes a thorough brushing and vacuuming of your vents to remove dust, cobwebs and other particulates.

In-Place Evaporation Coil Cleaning & Blower Wheel Cleaning-

Once your vents and ducts are cleaned out, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North's team will clean both your property's evaporation coils and blower wheels. This is an important step in your HVAC system's regular maintenance.

Antimicrobial Deodorization-

The final and most important step is the antimicrobial deodorization. This step helps to not only limit microbial growth such as mold in your air vents, but also reduces and helps eliminate odors associated with:

smoke and fire damage
cigar or cigarette smoke
mold and mildew
biohazards and decomposition
crime scenes/trauma scenes or vandalism

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North's commercial-grade antimicrobial fog is pushed through your vent system to reduce the presence of bacteria and other microbes. This fog is powerful enough to help eliminate any odor, while still being safe enough to be used around pets and people.

Remember for all your commercial or residential fire, water, cleanup, and restoration needs SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North are always here to help!

Document Drying with SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

Your personal documents are in good hands with our HIPAA certified document specialists.

Our team here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North understands the importance of your personal records and other documents. Whether it's personal financial records or medical records from a doctor's office, whenever documents are damaged, you can trust SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North to handle your document drying for you.

When we come across water damaged documents at a fire or water loss, our SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North team's top priority is getting them shipped to our state-of-the-art HIPAA-certified protected document drying facility. This means your files and papers will be immediately frozen, documented, and express-shipped to a secure location. After it arrives, it goes into a low-pressure vaporization chamber that takes the water straight from a solid ice state to a vapor without a harmful liquid state. While your documents can never be the same after water damage, we will do our best to restore them to a usable state. Take a look at our document drying and restoration process:

Step 1) Document Inventory

We barcode every box using the iCat system, allowing us to know the location of any box in our state-of-the-art facility at any time. All Documents are inventoried at the location of the loss prior to packaging and video monitored 24/7 once they arrive- so you know your records are safe.

Step 2) Document Drying

This process involves drying materials frozen by SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North using various vacuums and pressurization to achieve sublimation (meaning the ice turns to vapor without getting your documents wet again).

Step 3) Document Decontamination

Gamma Irradiation is a process that is used for cleaning/disinfecting and decontaminating documents or other consumer goods. We use this process to kill any bacteria or other microbes without further damaging important documents.

In a CAT 3 situation (Sewage or Flood water) documents are not only deteriorating but are also infected with all types of bacteria. In most storm situations, we are dealing with CAT 3 water, therefore most of the affected documents will be contaminated; if this is the case than de-contamination is always a must.

Step 4) Document Cleaning

We will go through each box page by page to wipe down and remove dirt, soot, or other contaminants.
We have 3 levels of cleaning based on the type of soiling, and how heavy it is.

Step 5) Document Deodorizing

Many times documents that have been affected will hold residual smells of contaminants, or mildew, and will be deodorized before being returned.

Remember, when it comes to document drying Ft. Lauderdale North is the way to go! SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North's certified team is available 24/7/365 for your emergency water damage needs.

Is Vent Cleaning Necessary for YOUR Dryer?

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Commercial dryer vents should be cleaned at least once every three months.

It's a new year, and time to get your dryer vents cleaned out! SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North are ready to serve your New Year's cleaning needs, including commercial dryer vent cleaning. Dryer vent cleaning is a vital chore that is often overlooked by building and home owners, and property managers. Everyone knows to get carpets and HVAC systems cleaned regularly, but is vent cleaning necessary for your dryer?

Is vent cleaning necessary? Of course it is! Here's why:

If left unchecked, dryer vents can pose a huge fire hazard in your home or building! Dryer fires are one of the top ten causes of house fires in the US resulting in 2,900 yearly reported fires on average. Failure to clean the dryer regularly is the leading cause of these fires.
Lint trapped in dryers can also hinder the dryer's ability to do its job. Trapped lint blocks the airflow, and if left unchecked for too long, can cause the machine to not work at all anymore! Regular cleanings can save you money on repair bills.
If your dryer vents are not properly maintained, it can cause a musty odor to form in your laundry room.

So how often SHOULD dryer vents be cleaned?

We recommend yearly dryer vent cleaning for residential dryers (such as those in homes). For commercial dryers (like those in salons or spas, or apartments and condo buildings) vent cleaning should be done at least four to six times a year. Start the new year off right! Contact SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North today to schedule your professional vent cleaning.

New Year's Safety 2018

12/28/2017 (Permalink)

Happy New Year from all your friends at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North!

Countdown to the new year! And with that, drinking, partying, and celebrating. We all enjoy bonfires, sparklers, and fireworks to start off the new year with a bang! Fire and fireworks can be fun, but they can also be dangerous if used carelessly. in fact, fireworks alone were responsible for some 11,000 injuries in 2016 alone. So, let one of your resolutions this year be New Year's safety with these firework safety tips.

New Year's Safety: before lighting fireworks:

Make sure there are no overhead obstructions such as trees.
Stay away from dry grass or other flammable materials.
Know the law in your area for fireworks.
Never allow fire from a match, cigar/cigarette, or other fireworks to get anywhere near where you are storing the rest of the fireworks.
Keep a bucket of water or hose withing reach.

New Year's Safety: while lighting fireworks:

Wear safety glasses, and make sure young children have ear protection when lighting larger fireworks.
Only give age-appropriate fireworks to children (such as sparklers) and only under direct supervision.
Keep pets safely indoors. Fireworks tend to spook animals and they can get hurt!
Never try to light damaged fireworks- wet them down and throw them out.
Never let someone under the influence light fireworks!

New Year's Safety: after lighting fireworks:

After the fireworks burn out, wet them down as you go. Wet them down again before throwing out.
Any "duds" should be thoroughly wet when they don't go off.
Pick up debris from any sparklers, bottle rockets, etc.
Store any unused fireworks in a cool, dry place away from all potential fire starters or fire hazards.

For more information on firework safety, click here. And for all of your fire and water damage needs, call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North for 24/7 emergency service every day of the year.

SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile

12/27/2017 (Permalink)

For faster 24/7 emergency service, sign up today!

Is your business ready for disaster? We here at SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North have always emphasized how important it is to have disaster plans in place for your home or business, but did you know that we have an app that can make disaster mitigation easier for you and your business? Meet the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile! With your ERP in place, you have the disaster advantage of:

A free assessment of your facility.
A Profile Document with information that would be critical to quick response in an emergency.
A guide to prepare you and help you get back in your building faster after a disaster.
Establishes SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
Identification of the line of command at your building/business to begin restoration work ASAP.
Provides facility details, identifies priority areas, and priority contacts for our team to use.

How to get a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile:

STEP 1: Visit SERVPRO.com/ready. Register for an account using your email address as your username and choose a password.
STEP 2: Choose SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North as your preferred SERVPRO Franchise Representative to contact in the event your home or business experiences water, fire, mold or other type of damage.
STEP 3: Begin creating ERPs for all of your properties.
STEP 4: Download the SERVPRO Ready Plan Application on your iPhone, tablet, Android or Blackberry device from the respective App Store.
STEP 5: Launch the Ready Plan App and sign in using the same username and password from STEP 1.

After that, go through and add information, play around a little and get to know the app before you really need it.

With your SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile in place, our teams can arrive faster to your disaster. SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North can make it "Like it never even happened."

5 Mold Myths Debunked with Mold Fact

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

With mold, what you can't see can be very dangerous.

There are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings about mold in Fort Lauderdale. Today, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is going to debunk the old mold myth with some mold fact!

Mold Myth:

I can just get rid of mold with bleach.

Mold Fact:

Not true! Although some types of mold can be killed with bleach alone, not all of them can. And what's worse? When a structure has visible mold, there is often more mold where you can't see- and where you can't get to it with household cleaners.

Mold Myth:

Painting over visible mold will take care of the issue.

Mold Fact:

Wrong! Even if you use an antimicrobial paint, mold can still grow and cause the new paint to peel. Get rid of the mold before painting.

Mold Myth:

The only safe level of mold is no mold at all.

Mold Fact:

Nope, wrong again. While high levels of mold in the air can be hazardous to one's health, it's impossible for a space to be completely free of mold. Very low levels of mold are okay.

Mold Myth:

If I kill the mold with fungicides, it's completely safe.

Mold Fact:

Not quite. Killing mold is a good start to prevent it from spreading, but even dead mold can be potentially harmful. The only way to be sure mold isn't a threat to you is to call in a professional to have it properly removed.

Mold Myth:

I'm not immune-compromised, so I can live with mold.

Mold Fact:

No way! Even though people that are immune-compromised such as the elderly are more vulnerable to the hazards of mold, it can effect anyone. If there's mold in your home, contact SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North right away.

When it comes to mold, it's important to know the facts. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help and are always ready to make any mold problem "Like it never even happened."

Killing VS Removing Mold: Proper Mold Remediation

12/11/2017 (Permalink)

Mold spores are microscopic. Visible mold is actually a colony of hundreds of tiny spores.

So you may be thinking "I have mold, why don't I just spray it with chemicals like bleach or fungicides? That'll take care of it, right?" The answer: "No way!" There's a big difference in killing VS removing mold- and it could impact your health!

Working in South Florida, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North has seen a lot of mold. In most places, and especially in the sunshine state, no building will ever have zero traces of mold in the air. But when mold occurs in high amounts, that's when it poses a hazard to you and your family or employees' health.

Killing VS Removing Mold- Why can't I kill it?

First of all, if you have visible mold in your home or business, it's likely already inside the walls of the structure and other hard to get to places. If you can manage to get something to where the mold is to kill it, that only stops it from growing. The health risks from airborne particles are still present and cannot be removed without our professional equipment.

So how do I get rid of it?

Call your friendly neighborhood SERVPRO, of course!

When you call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North for a mold problem, our trained professionals will not just kill the mold, remove the mold to the IICRC standards.

Once all the visible mold is removed, everything is wiped down with a powerful, but pet and child safe antimicrobial to stop the spread of mold we can't see. On top of all that, we also set up containment and air scrubbers to clean the air and stop the spread of mold to other areas of the structure.

When we're all done we even have a third party mold testing specialist come in to check and make sure the mold levels are safe and up to code.

SERVPRO Ft Lauderdale North is looking out for you. Faster to any size disaster, we'll make it "Like it never even happened."

Water Class: What Does It Mean?

12/7/2017 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO 24/7 for emergency service 365 days of the year.

When it comes to water damage restoration, part of SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North's assessment process includes categorizing the water loss into four standardized classes. Knowing the water class makes it easier to treat and mitigate a water loss.

Water Class 1

The IICRC defines class 1 water as:

"The lowest and easiest to deal with, this has a slow evaporation rate. Only part of a room or area was affected, there is little or no wet carpet, and the moisture has only affected materials with a low permeance rate, such as plywood or concrete."

What this means is that the water loss is minimal and has not been sitting for long enough to seep into dense or high permeance materials.

Water Class 2

Class 2 water is a little more difficult. IICRC defines it as the following:

"With a fast evaporation rate, this level affects an entire room, carpeting, or cushioning, the wetness has wicked up the walls at least 12, and there is moisture remaining in structural materials."

This means that the water damage had affected an entire area of a building such as a hallway.

Water Class 3

One of the more difficult water loss situations to mitigate is a class 3.

"This class has the fastest evaporation rate, and ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet and sub-floors are all saturated. The liquid may have come from overhead."

This means an entire room has been affected by water damage.

Water Class 4

Class four water is the hardest to treat due to it usually being trapped water.

"This class is labeled as specialty drying situations, which means there has been enough liquid and time to saturate materials with very low permeance, such as hardwood, brick, or stone."

For more info on water damage, visit the IICRC here. And for faster service to any size disaster, call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North for 24/7 emergency service and make it "Like it never even happened."

Holiday Fire Safety Tips 2017

12/5/2017 (Permalink)

Make sure your decorations are flame-retardant this holiday season.

During this time of year, we cannot stress enough how important fire safety is. Almost every wintertime holiday celebration involves candles, bonfires, or other potential fire hazards. In 2016 alone, 3,390 civilians died in fire-related incidents- the majority of which occur around the holidays. Stay safe this holiday season by following these holiday fire safety tips:

Keep decorations away from space-heaters, stoves, and other heat sources in your home.

If you have a tree, make sure it has enough water every day to reduce the risk of it catching.
Check all string light decorations before you put them up, and then check again every day to be sure no pets or pests have chewed through the wires.
Don't overload an outlet by trying to have too many things plugged in and running at once.
Never use a turkey fryer, meat smoker, or grill (gas or charcoal) in or near a structure such as your garage, shed, or workshop.

Of course, every home should have working smoke alarms in every room, as well as a fire extinguisher in the kitchen or garage. All adults in the home should learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher, and what types of fires they can be used on. For more information on holiday fire safety, visit our friends at the American Red Cross here.

We here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North hope you won't be in need of our emergency services over the holidays, but if you do, we are ready 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help with your emergency water and fire cleanup needs.

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is NADCA Certified!

12/4/2017 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North for all your commercial HVAC cleaning needs!

Your friends at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North are proud to announce our official HVAC cleaning certification with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association!

What does it mean to have a NADCA certification?

That means that members of our team have gone through the regulated training process and passed their exams to earn the national certifications for HVAC system and duct cleaning.

So what does our NADCA certification mean for YOU?

This means you can rest assured that your HVAC systems are cleaned up to ACR and NADCA standards to meet their cleanliness requirements as well as being aligned to their code of ethics. For more info on the benefits of choosing a NADCA certified HVAC and duct cleaner, visit NADCA's website. And for all of your NADCA certified HVAC cleaning needs, call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North.

Water Damage? Here's What You Need To Do

12/1/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage? Better call SERVPRO!

So you found some water damage in your home or business and don't know what to do next. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help!

Step one: Identify and fix the source of the water

Has it been raining a lot lately and flooded your kitchen? Did the storefront next door have a pipe burst? Identify the cause of the water loss, and do your best to remedy the issue. If water is still coming in to the area, there's little our teams can do until the problem is fixed- even if it just means shutting off the water main.

Step two: Call SERVPRO of course!

Don't forget to call your friendly neighborhood SERVPRO! We have an emergency response team available 24/7, any day of the year. If you suffer from water damage, don't wait to call us. Letting water sit can breed hazardous mold and other harmful germs. In fact, mold can form in as little as three days! If you are unsure how long the water has been sitting, you may want to have a third-party mold test done. The point of this test is to see whether or not mold is present so our professional technicians can treat the issue accordingly.

Step three: You can help

If you don't want to wait for our team to arrive, you can start the cleanup by mopping up water and setting out fans in the area affected by the water loss to start the drying process. We'll take over with our professional equipment when we get there.

No one likes being in a water loss situation, but it doesn't need to be a nightmare. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North has the best crew of experienced and certified professional technicians available to make your water loss situation "Like it never even happened."

Your Fire Safety Plan and You

11/30/2017 (Permalink)

Know your building's fire escape routes!

Home fires have been in a steady decline for the last 30 years, but they still account for over 2,000 deaths and 10,000 injuries every year. Unfortunately, some disasters you can't predict, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure your safety in the event of a fire in your home. The most important step you can take is having a fire safety plan. Here are some key tips to keep in mind.

Before a fire:

Ensure your home has a smoke alarm in every room, and test them every month to make sure they are working. If they don't work, change the batteries, or upgrade.
Draw out a floor plan and map out at least two possible escape routes from each room. Take into consideration the needs of small children, pets, or people in your home with mobility issues while making an escape plan. Go through your plan with everyone in your home twice a year to make sure it'll work (windows open, etc.).
If you live in a condo or apartment, ask your landlord what the best course of action is in the event of a fire.

During a fire:

Touch the body of a door (do not touch the doorknob!) before opening to check for heat. If the door is hot to the touch, do not open it and find another way out.
As you move through doors, close them behind you to hinder the spread of the fire.
In the presence of smoke, stay low to the ground because smoke rises.
A wet towel or blanket put over your head and face can help prevent injury from flames or smoke inhalation.

After a fire:

Once you have made it safely away from the fire, call for emergency help.
Do a headcount of everyone that made it out. If someone is missing do not go back for them, tell the fire department so they can rescue them. They are prepared to battle a blaze- you aren't.
After a fire, if the structure of the building is still in tact, call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North 24/7 for emergency service 365 days a year.

For more information on building a fire safety plan, visit the National Fire Protection Association. We here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North hope you'll never be in a fire situation, but if you are, you won't regret having a solid plan in place. Our teams are always ready to help and make it "Like it never even happened."

2017 Hurricane Season

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

The 2017 Hurricane Season was on of the busiest on record!

Hurricane Season, the time of year most likely to produce devastating storms, is finally over for this year. The 2017 Hurricane Season ran from June 1 until November 30 and yielded a whopping 18 total storms, the most powerful of which impacted the South Florida and Caribbean areas. Lets take a took at the stats for this seasons most powerful storms.

Jose-

Duration of storm: September 5 - September 26

Strength at landfall: N/A

Total deaths: 1

Cost of damage: Minimal

Ophelia-

Duration of storm: October 9 - October 16

Strength at landfall: Category 3

Total deaths: 54

Cost of damage: $71 million

Irma-

Duration of storm: August 30 - September 12

Strength at landfall: Category 5

Total deaths: 134

Cost of Damage: $66.77 billion

Harvey-

Duration of storm: August 17 - September 1

Strength at landfall: Category 4

Total deaths: 91

Cost of damage: $198.63 billion (costliest on record)

Maria-

Duration of storm: September 16 - September 30

Strength at landfall: Category 5

Total deaths: 103

Cost of damage: $103.45 billion

This year has been one of the most intense storm seasons in recorded history, but as always, we pulled together and weathered the storm. While there are still some places here in the US and the Caribbean islands trying to recover and rebuild, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North has your back.

Halloween Vandalism and Your Business

10/27/2017 (Permalink)

Halloween doesn't have to be scary! Make sure your business is prepared.

Halloween- a time for dressing up in fun and scary costumes, and eating way too much candy than is good for us. Unfortunately, Halloween is also the time of year for pranks and vandalism. So that you won't have to call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North for Halloween vandalism cleanup on November 1st, here are a few tips to protect your business from falling victim to pranks gone wrong.

1) Lock it down

Make sure all doors, windows, and gates are locked up tightly when you leave for the night. Double check the day of that your alarm system is working, and remember to set it before you leave.

2) Light it up

If your business is open late, keep the parking area well lit so employee and customer cars are less of a target for egging or keying.

After hours, keep the outsides of the building well lit, including parking lots and dumpster areas. Also be sure your outdoor security cameras running.

3) Security

If you have a high-risk business, or have been targeted in the past, consider highering overnight security, or beefing up existing security.

4) Halloween vandalism cleanup

5) Double check

Your Yacht's Air Quality and What It Means To You

10/21/2017 (Permalink)

On a yacht, air quality is often overlooked.

Here at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North, we love boats and yachts.

Symptoms of poor yacht air quality can include:

irritation of the eyes, skin, and nose while on board
agitation of pre-existing conditions such as allergies or asthma
sore throat
headaches and dizziness,
or nausea and fatigue associated with the presence of a musty odor

If you or any of your guests experience these symptoms while on board, give SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North a call so we can get to work remediating the problem. The long term exposure to poor yacht air quality can result in severe health effects if left untreated.

Fortunately, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North has the qualified professionals to improve your yacht air quality.

If you own or insure a boat or yacht (or have a friend or family member who does) and you suspect that the air quality of the vessel may be in need of an inspection, give theyacht air quality and mold remediation specialists at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North a call.

Mold in Rented Properties: Who's at Fault?

10/13/2017 (Permalink)

This blog post is no substitute for actual legal advice. Call a lawyer if you need one.

So you found mold in a rented unit. Whether you're the landlord/landlady, or the tenant, this isn't good news. Thankfully, you know to call SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North to handle the remediation process. But who is responsible for paying for the cost of services and damages for mold in rented properties?

Although there is no federal or Florida state law that dictates who is responsible for the cost of remediation of mold in rented properties, there are certain steps that can be taken by the renter, or the property manager (or landlord/landlady) if they believe the other party is at fault.

If the landlord/landlady or property manager negligently created a mold problem, or knowingly allowed one to form, a court may find them at fault and responsible for payment for remediation services and other subsequent damages. If the landlord/landlady or property manager are in direct violation of health and safety codes as a result of their actions or negligence, the tenant should gather as much evidence as they can such as photos of the issue, proof of doctor's visits from mold-associated illness, and so forth.

If the tenant is directly responsible for the growth of mold by creating the conditions, or being aware of an issue and not reporting it in a timely manner, the landlord/landlady may choose to take the cost of remediation out of the tenants security deposit. If the tenant feels they are not at fault, this may require a court case, so compile evidence of mold, and keep records of any communication on the topic.

Hopefully, the issue can be resolved without a court case by just talking it out. However, either party may wish to get in touch with a lawyer to help them through the process. Because there are no set laws one way of the other, a court will take this at a case-by-case basis and may be in favor of one party or the other with no guarantee of settlement in your favor. This blog post should not be used as a substitute for actual legal advice. Please rely on your own attorney for advice and guidance.

Remember, for mold remediation in commercial or residential properties, SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North will arrive faster to your disaster and make it "Like it never even happened."

Yacht Water Damage: Can It Happen To You?

10/10/2017 (Permalink)

Your yacht is important to you- always be on the lookout for water damage.

Whether you enjoy cruising the ocean blue, relaxing on sunny weekends, or taking a boating trip every summer, your yacht is important to you, so you need to know how to take care of it and what to look out for that indicates yacht water damage in need of professional attention.

A few signs of potential yacht water damage include:

minor blistering or bubbling of surfaces in the structure of the yacht
excessive mildew odor inside or on deck
salty buildup on surfaces inside

If you suspect your yacht has been water damaged, don't turn anything on and don't try to fix or clean anything yourself as this can cause more harm than good. Call a professional like those at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North (or for your local SERVPRO team call 1-800-SERVPRO). Once you identify and possibly fix the cause of the water intrusion- which can include:

salt spray
slow leak
hurricane
etc.

-a SERVPRO team can get started on cleaning any upholstery, decks, walls, and anything else infiltrated by water.

Call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North for all your yacht cleaning needs. Faster to any yacht water damage disaster SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "Like it never even happened."

Mold Remediation Process: How We Do It

10/10/2017 (Permalink)

Our tools allow us to find mold you didn't even know was there!

If your are in need of mold remediation services from SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North, you may be wondering how we do it. How do we know where there's mold? How do we get rid of it? Who else do I need to hire? Well, we're going to share with you today the complete step-by-step mold remediation process.

Step 1: Determining Mold

Step 2: Containment

Step 3: Mold Cleanup and Total Mold Remediation Process

Post-Hurricane Mold: Aftermath of Harvey and Irma

10/5/2017 (Permalink)

Post-hurricane mold is one of the biggest concerns AFTER a storm.

The 2017 hurricane season was one of the worst in years. Not only were there more than 5 storms, but over half of them were classified as a "major hurricane" ranking as a category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. This hurricane season is already being called one of the costliest in history as far as damages.

Loss of power

Refrigerators and freezers:

Air conditioning units:

What now?

If you were unable to catch the water before the formation of post-hurricane mold, or are worried post-hurricane mold may have formed anyway, call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North (or for your local SERVPRO call 1-800-SERVPRO). We will be with you every step of the way to have a third party check for mold while we work with insurance, and get the mold remediated. Even well after the storm, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North has your back with recovery.

Clean Condos Sell Faster

10/2/2017 (Permalink)

From townhouses to high-rises, get your property in tip-top shape!

If you are looking to rent out or sell your condo, ensuring its total cleanliness before putting it on the market is pivotal to finding a buyer faster. Old tenants can leave behind stains on walls, ground in dirt on the carpeting, and all other kinds of wear-and-tear in and around your property. Clean condos don't only look better, they sell faster, so here are a few steps you can take to get your property in tip-top shape for selling:

1) Air ducts

The first step to making your property smell and feel clean is to get the air ducts cleaned out. Clean ducts (and a fresh filter in the AC unit) can help to eliminate allergens in the air. The buildup of dust and other particles in ducts can also lead to dank or musty odors in your condo, so clean before selling, and continue their upkeep regularly, can keep your building safer and more pleasant to be in.

2) Upholstery

If you are looking to rent or sell your condo fully-furnished, have all the upholstery cleaned next. Years of use means years of food stains and other messes on your furniture. Make your chairs and sofas like new again with professional cleaning.

3) Floors

Getting your floors cleaned comes with a host of health benefits as well as making your condo look good. Clean floors and carpets help people breathe easier, especially if they have known allergies or other conditions such as asthma.

4) Clean condos- general upkeep

Of course, the general upkeep and appearance of your building is to be kept in consideration. If you know you'll be showing someone a condo, make sure the common areas like hallways and stairwells have been cleaned recently. First impressions are important!

Remember, for all your commercial cleaning needs, call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North today!

Fire Damage: Dos and Do Nots

10/2/2017 (Permalink)

For water and fire damage cleanup and restoration, call SERVPRO!

Fire damage dos:

Limit the amount of movement through the affected area to prevent the spread of soot and other particles which may cause additional damages. If the affected area is too large to avoid, evacuate while repairs are being done.
Placing large clean rags, or old linens on rugs and upholstery in your home can also help prevent the spread of soot.
Coating chrome fixtures like your faucets, or other parts of appliances with petroleum jelly.
If there is water in your home and on your floors, protect your furniture by putting a barrier like foil or wooden blocks where the furniture touches the floor.

Fire damage do nots:

Do not wash any walls or other painted surfaces yourself- improper cleaning can stain the walls.
Do not try to clean or shampoo any carpets, rugs, or upholstery. Trying to clean up fire damage yourself is extremely hazardous to your personal health. Always call a professional.
Do not clean any electrical equipment as this is dangerous, have a professional look at it, or replace it.
Do not send clothes to a dry cleaner as improper cleaning can set smoke odors and stains.

For more information on our fire damage restoration services, visit our page or give us a call. With 24-hour emergency service, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will arrive faster to your disaster, and make it "like it never even happened."

Bonfire Safety: Keeping Your Family Safe This Season

9/29/2017 (Permalink)

Set up seating at a safe distance from your pit.

Halloween candy is flooding into the stores, pumping spiced everything is approaching, and in South Florida, bonfire season is upon us! In the colder months when people have fun around outdoor fires with friends and loved ones, bonfire safety is the most important to ensure everyone has a good time and stays out of harm's way.

Basic bonfire safety-

put a mesh lid on the pit
set up a baby gate around the fire
tie up or anchor pets at a safe distance

What to burn-

More than anything, bonfires are meant to be a fun, warm gathering place for friends and family as the nights grow colder. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North wishes everyone a safe, fun season.

Ozone Generators and Fire Restoration

9/29/2017 (Permalink)

Here is a simplified graphic of how ozone generators work.

Some examples of what can be deodorized with ozone are odors associated with:

fire
tobacco
cooking
decay
biohazards

However, ozone is less effective on inorganic odors (meaning odors not derived from living matter) such as:

ammonia
phosphates
chlorides
sulfates
nitrates

Remember to not use any ozone generators on your own and call in only qualified professionals like our team at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North to deal with smoke odors.

Water Loss Restoration Equipment

9/26/2017 (Permalink)

This infrared camera shows us the water in the wall (indicated by blue).

When water damage threatens your property, it's important to call in a restoration company like SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North to mitigate the water right away, so no secondary damages occur. Since some water can be contaminated (such as flood waters or sewage leaks), do not try to clean it yourself. The professionals at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North are highly qualified, and armed with the water loss restoration equipment and the know-how to deal with any size water loss situation.

Water detection devices

moisture sensors and moisture meters- detect the presence of water, and measure the moisture content (how much water is in it), respectively.
thermo-hygrometers- measures both temperature and humidity. This knowledge helps them set up the right kind of equipment to extract the moisture from furniture, flooring, etc.
infrared cameras- allow technicians to identify water in the walls that might otherwise be undetectable.

Cleaning and restoration equipment

extractors- either truck-mounted or portable, this equipment is for cleaning carpet and upholstery, as well as for removing moisture from floors after water loss.
dehumidifiers- suck moisture in from the air and condense it (it'll be drained into a bucket or directly into a sink or bath tub) the machine pumps back out dry, warm air, allowing the area to dry faster.
foggers- atomizes deodorizing agents into a mist or fog that can penetrate and help clean hard-to-reach places like the inside of walls.

Click here for more information on our water restoration services, or click here to view water loss before and after pictures. And remember, faster to any size disaster, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Helping Houston

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North helping Houston!

Last month, the largest storm to make landfall in Texas in over 50 years dumped over 2 feet of water on Houston over the course of 3 days. Hurricane Harvey, a category four on the Saffir-Simpson scale, rained more in one hour over the city than the area typically gets during the entire month of August. This record amount of rainfall left homes severely damaged or completely washed away.

After the rain stopped, Texans got to work picking up the pieces of their homes and businesses to get things back to normal. During this time, local SERVPRO teams were so over-encumbered they called in other SERVPRO teams from all over the country to aid in clean-up and restoration. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North was one of hundreds of teams who responded to the call.

We loaded up two UHaul trucks (that UHaul rented to us at a great discount!), an RV, and a few SERVPRO vans and caravaned through three states from Fort Lauderdale to Houston. Over the weeks that followed, we helped many families get their lives back to normal by drying hardwood floors, cleaning carpets, and ripping out soggy drywall.

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is proud to be part of the Storm Response Team helping Houston recover from the storm. Faster to any size disaster, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "Like it never even happened."

Bleach and Mold- What You Should Know

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Don't try to clean up mold yourself- call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North today!

It's not uncommon for people to think dumping bleach on areas affected by mold will solve the problem without needing to call in professional help. This could not be farther from the truth. Let's take a look at why you shouldn't try to clean up mold yourself with household bleach.

Bleach

Dead mold is still dangerous

So what can you do?

Be on the lookout for these signs of mold:

strong musty odors
evidence of moisture
excessive humidity
visible mold

As soon as you notice a presence of mold, call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North at 954-733-1006 24/7 (or for your local SERVPRO call 1-800-SERVPRO) for immediate assessment. Our qualified technicians have the tools and training to identify the severity of the problem and can best inform you where to go from there. Remember, faster to your disaster, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "Like it never even happened."

Lightning Safety and Education

9/19/2017 (Permalink)

Lightning is supersonic!

Lightning strikes the Earth approximately 100 times every second. At up to one billion volts, it is one of the most powerful forces of nature. Due to the high amount of thunder storms, Florida is sometimes called the lightning capital of the world. It's important for everyone living here in South Florida, or even just visiting, to know some basic lightning safety.

What is lightning?

Let's start by looking at what causes lightning. Lightning is caused when negatively charged air particles in the clouds shoot out to meet positively charged trees, lightning rods, ground, etc. The positively charged ground reaches back up to meet up with the negative air particles. When the positive and negative charges meet, the electricity in the air causes it to heat up to 30,000 kelvins (over 53,000 degrees Fahrenheit!). The surface of the sun, in comparison, is only 6,000 kelvins (a little over 10,000 Fahrenheit). The air heats up faster than the speed of sound, creating the crackling SNAP! of thunder. That's the sound of air breaking the sound barrier!

Lightning Safety Tips:

When lightning is in the area, seek shelter right away- indoors is the safest place for you
Consider installing a lightning protection system for your home- they are relatively inexpensive and can protect your electronics from lightning strikes
If there is no lightning protection system, stay away from corded electronics as they can carry the dangerous current for miles
Only fully-covered metal-framed cars are safe in a thunderstorm- convertibles, motorcycles, and fiberglass-based cars are not safe!
Stay out from under trees since lighting can still hurt you even if it's not a direct hit

Lightning Fun Facts:

Lightning strikes have a 10-30% mortality rate
There's a 1 in 3000 chance you will be struck by lightning in your lifetime
Lightning often strikes the same place twice- in fact, someone that has been struck once already is more likely to be struck again!
Lightning can strike 10-15 miles away from the thunderstorm under clear skies- these are called "bolts from the blue"
Wearing metal has no bearing on whether or not lightning strikes you
Lightning strikes 30 million different places on the ground in the US every year

Mold Prevention: What You Can Do

9/16/2017 (Permalink)

Mold often forms on perishable foods, so check and toss old food regularly.

Mold is everywhere- in the air, the water, the dirt, and even in the foods we eat. Molds and fungi can be beneficial to humans in a number of ways, but some molds that can form in buildings can be a huge health hazard. In south Florida, it's impossible to be completely mold-free, but this mold prevention guide will show you what you can do to ensure mold never becomes a threat to you or your family.

Clean air-

Indoors, be sure your air conditioning it set to a low enough temperature to always be ventilating all the rooms in your house, and constantly filtering any mold spores and other particles out of the air. Investing in a good quality air filter, and changing it regularly can help prevent the growth of mold.

Clean home-

Another key to mold prevention is to keep a clean house- inside and out. Clean thoroughly and regularly to prevent mold from forming in the first place or sticking around.

When choosing cleaning supplies, aim to pick a cleaner that is pet and child safe, but also makes the claim of eliminating mold and mold spores. Any messes involving water or other liquids should be cleaned thoroughly with these agents as soon as you notice them.

If a water leak is a recurring problem (like a leaky fridge or AC unit), seek out professional help in repairing the problem, and then call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North (or to find your local SERVPRO call 1-800-SERVPRO) to check the inside of your walls and floors for mold. There can be dangerous mold hiding out in your walls without you even knowing!

Be on the lookout for these signs of a mold presence in your household:

small black dots on surfaces
strong musty odors
any evidence of past moisture problems (discoloration, warped floors or walls, etc)
excessive humidity

Mold prevention in South Florida is necessary to keep your family healthy, so make sure you do all you can to prevent mold before it becomes a problem. And should you ever need mold remediation services SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will make it "like it never even happened."

Flood Preparation and What it Means for You

9/12/2017 (Permalink)

According to NOAA, flooding is a daily threat from coast to coast in the US.

Flooding and flash floods can happen anywhere and to anyone. You may not think you're at risk for flood damage, but even the highest and driest of places can be at risk, so it's important to have a flood preparation plan. But first, let's take a closer look at flooding and why it happens:

Causes of flooding-

Sometimes flooding can move in with very little warning and very quickly, we call this manner of flooding "flash flooding." Both kinds of floods can be caused by:

rains/storms
spring thaw/snow melting
seasonal flooding
dams or levy's breaking
tide/storm surge
river's over-flowing

NOAA has more information on floods and flood safety on their website.

How to build a flood preparation plan-

Know your area. Someone in the middle of the country won't have to worry about storm surge, but may be more at risk for their rivers overflowing with the spring thaw. If you are given the opportunity (in the case of severe storms or hurricanes, and other predictable phenomenon), evacuate your property. Make sure any important documents are secured in a flood proof safe. Be informed about your insurance plan- most don't cover flooding. If you feel you may need flood coverage, alter your plan before disaster strikes.

Flood preparation includes having a plan for after the fact. Know who to call for insurance purposes. Do you own the property, or do you rent? Do you have renter's insurance for your belongings? These are all questions you should keep into consideration while making your plan.

Flood waters are often category 3, also known as "black" water. This water can look safe and clean, but harbors dangerous pathogens and should be avoided, if possible. Never try to clean up water damaged property by yourself. Call in professionals like those at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North to handle the cleanup for you.

Hurricane Preparation 2017 Tips and Tricks

9/5/2017 (Permalink)

NOAA's website has the latest information on developing storms.

With the height of hurricane season looming, hurricane preparation should be top priority for all Florida residents. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is here to help with these hurricane preparation tips.

Hurricane preparation tips:

Before a storm hits make sure you've stocked up on clean drinking water or bottled water- one gallon per person per day for no less than three days.
Fill large freezer bags with water and freeze them with your freezer turned to its coldest setting. If the power goes out, you'll have blocks of ice to preserve things in the fridge and coolers.
Invest in a battery powered or hand crank radio to stay up-to-date on what's going on in your area.
Fill your vehicle's gas tank and any gas cans ahead of time.
Having a few camping lanterns will come in handy in the event of any power failures.
Unplug TVs, computers, and appliances before the storm to avoid damages to electronics.
Consider boarding up your house and going out of town until officials in your area say it's safe to return.
If you can't stay with friends or family outside of evacuation zones, be aware of your nearest hurricane shelter, and overnight kennels for your furry friends.
Be sure to withdraw cash from your bank account before the storm as some banks can be closed for days until power is restored.

Hurricane preparation is the most important skill for a south Florida family. The American Red Cross has a complete hurricane preparation checklist available here. Your hurricane preparation should be complete well before a storm hits. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North hopes you have a safe and damage-free storm season, but should disaster strike, SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North will arrive "faster to your disaster" and make it "like it never happened."

Carpet Cleaning: Why Should I Have It Done?

8/30/2017 (Permalink)

Regular steam cleaners just don’t cut it- call SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North today!

Everyone knows to vacuum their carpets every day- whether it be at work or at home- but not everyone knows they should also be doing deep cleanings regularly with trained professionals like those at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North. So today you’re going to be learning about the benefits of regular carpet cleaning.

Health-

Thorough carpet cleaning eliminates harmful particles that may be lurking in the debris caked into your carpet. These particles can include:

mold spores
allergens such as pet dander and pollen
dirt tracked in from outside that may contain fecal matter and lead
dust and dust mites
pesticides and paint particles

Regular carpet cleaning can not only reduce the risk of these particles negatively affecting small children and pets, but can also help protect the elderly, the immune compromised, and people who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Business-

Along with the above-mentioned health benefits, carpet cleaning is also important to businesses. The aesthetic of clean floors allows customers to be less distracted, and focus more on what you have to sell to them. Carpet cleaning is also good for the longevity of your carpet. As larger items like staples become trapped in the carpet, it can rip up and destroy the fibers little by little. Regular cleanings can assure your carpets last.

Carpet Cleaning and Stress-

Everyone knows that your everyday surroundings shape how you look at life. At home and the workplace, cleaner floors means feeling better and happier, as well as easing stress-related anxiety and depression. A clean work environment also drastically increases productivity which can lead to higher profits.

Happy carpets means happy people. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North can help with all your carpet cleaning needs. “Faster to your (carpet) disaster.”

Check out our next blog about why clean condos sell faster!

Water Loss Categories... What Do they Mean? 2019

3/23/2017 (Permalink)

Don't get swamped in a water loss, call SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North!

IICRC Water Loss Categories

At SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North, we understand that you hope you never have to call us for a water loss. But unfortunately, sometimes fate has other plans. When a water loss strikes, arming yourself with knowledge is the first step to avoiding severe water damage. In the water restoration business, we have refer to three categories of water, as laid out by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification or IICRC. We refer to these as categories 1, 2, and 3.

Don't get swamped in a water loss, call SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North!

Category 1 Water

Category 1 water is the least contaminated, and therefore the least hazardous to your well being. Category 1 water is any water that comes from a potable water source. However, just because a water loss is has category 1 water doesn't mean that the issue should be ignored. Category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 water is left standing.

Category 2 Water

Category 2 water is defined by the IICRC as "having a level of contaminates that may cause illness or discomfort if ingested." This can include water from sources such as backed up drains, dishwashers, and toilet overflows that contain urine, but not feces. If you believe you have a category 2 water in your water loss, it is even more important to seek professional help, such as SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North, immediately. The microbial growth that can occur in category two water can be hazardous to your health, and should be removed as soon as possible.

Category 3 Water

The final category of water that can occur in a water loss is category 3 water. This water is defined by the IICRC as "the worst classification and is grossly unsanitary. It could cause severe illness or death if ingested. It used to be called black water, and sources include sewer backup, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support bacterial growth."

Scary stuff...

Category 3 water requires special remediation techniques due to the highly hazardous nature of the water, and should only be cleaned up by an IICRC certified restoration company, such as SERVPRO Fort of Lauderdale North. Attempting to clean a large category 3 loss without professional knowledge or equipment can lead not only to loss of property, but also damage to your health.

No matter what category of water you find in your water loss, SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North has the equipment and know-how to make your water loss "Like it never even happened."

Don't let it get worse before it gets better.

Give us a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

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Is Your Family at Risk from Lead Paint?

12/28/2016 (Permalink)

Is your family at risk from lead paint exposure?

What You Need To Know

Lead paint was commonly used in the US prior to 1978, when it was banned, but not before being used in over 38 million homes. Exposure to lead can affect development of the brain and nervous system, particularly in children. This can cause reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Older homes, child care facility, schools and other buildings are more likely to contain lead paint, the percentages are as follows:

Built between 1960-1978= 24%
Built between 1940-1960= 69%
Built before 1940= 87%

What Do I Do About Lead Paint?

Usually, lead paint that is in good repair and maintained properly is not hazardous. The danger comes whenever paint dust is present, or the paint is disturbed, either by peeling or by a construction or restoration project. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires firms performing renovation, repair and painting projects on buildings with lead paint to be certified by the EPA in the use of lead-safe practices. An EPA certified firm shall follow the following lead-safe procedures.

Contain the work area
Minimize dust
Clean up thoroughly

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North is certified by the EPA to handle restoration jobs involving lead paint safely, using approved procedures to avoid potential harm to your family.

How Can I Protect My Family From Lead Exposure?

If you are renting your property, notify your landlord if you notice peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up any paint chips immediately.
Regularly clean floors, window sills and other painted surfaces. Use a mop, sponge or paper towel with warm water and an all purpose cleaner, or a cleaner designed specifically for lead.
Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dusty areas.
Wash children’s toys, bottles and pacifiers often.
Keep children from licking or chewing on window sills or other painted surfaces.
Make sure children maintain a healthy diet, as recommended by the USDA. A healthy diet lowers the risk of harm from lead.
Clean and remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.

When it comes to the safety of your family, you don’t want to take any unnecessary risks. If you’re in need of a restoration service, contact SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North, the team you know will work safely in a lead paint environment.

Where to Turn for Automotive Biohazard Cleanup

12/19/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Fort Lauderdale North Can Restore Automotive Biohazard Damage

What is an Automotive Biohazard and How Does one Occur?

An automotive biohazard occurs when an organic fluid, most commonly blood is introduced into a vehicle, usually the cabin area. This can lead not only to a difficult stain to clean, but a potential hazard for the vehicle owner.

There are many causes for an automotive biohazard. The first and most obvious cause of an automotive biohazard is one everyone prays will not happen to them, an automotive accident. Most people don’t have a real plan for how to recover from a car crash, despite the fact that 27,000 accidents occur every single day. Most of these result in minor damage, and only 0.3% result in a fatality.

Everyone knows the immediate plan, call the police, file an insurance claim and wait for the damage to be repaired. But what if the damage is not something that a mechanic is trained to handle, like blood or other organic material? Even a minor injury from an accident can cause blood stains inside a vehicle.

There are other reasons a car may be contaminated with a biohazard as well. A minor injury can cause quite a lot of bleeding, and emergencies that don’t require an ambulance often cause some staining of blood in the car used to reach the ER. A woman entering labor, also, would need transportation to a hospital and cay cause an automotive biohazard.

What to Do if Your Vehicle is Contaminated

A biohazard contaminated vehicle needs more than just a simple cleaning, it needs a dull decontamination of the organic material. Organic material can be difficult to clean, and also needs to be properly sanitized to ensure safety for the vehicle owner. Enter SERVPRO. Our highly trained Automotive Biohazard Remediation Specialists will not only clean the staining, but also make sure there is no risk of bacterial infection or other dangers left inside your vehicle. Click Here to learn more about SERVPRO’s biohazard cleanup system.

9 Holiday Fire Safety Tips From the American Red Cross

12/6/2016 (Permalink)

Using candles safely is one of the Red Cross' holiday fire safety tips.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

The holidays are a time for decoration, celebration and family. But with our secor and festivities comes a creater risk of fire. Candles, festive lights, decor and large scale cooking all come with the season, but can lead to some dangerous scenarios. In fact, The American Red reports that nearly 47,000 fires occur during the winter holidays claiming more than 500 lives, causing more than 2,200 injuries, and costing $554 million in property damage! Listed below are some holiday fire safety tips to make your holiday season safe and wonderful.

Preparedness Tips

Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
Purchase flame retardant metallic or artificial trees. If you purchase a real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water.
Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed. 9 Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
Use only sturdy tree stands designed not to tip over. Keep curious pets and children away from Christmas trees.
Keep anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove top.
Designate one person to walk around your home to make sure that all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished after guests leave.
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

Source: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340080_FireHolidayFactSheet.pdf

The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show is Coming!

11/2/2016 (Permalink)

The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show is Coming!

We wanted to remind everyone that the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show will open on Thursday, November 3rd and run until Monday, November 7th. We love boats, so we are excited for this years event, and we hope you are too.

Not only do we love seeing boats, we also love working on them. We know that your nautical refuge is your pride and joy, but also how easily they can be threatened. Water in the cabin or below deck can he a real troublemaker, and can set the stage for potentially dangerous mold growth. But boat owners can breathe a little easier knowing that SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North has a proven track record with marine restoration projects including marine mold remediation.

Even the most protective boat owner cannot predict when their prized vessel may be threatened by mold, but they CAN rely on the boat and yacht mold remediation specialists at SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North after a disaster to make everything ship-shape again.

Preparing for Hurricane Season

10/3/2016 (Permalink)

Prepare for Hurricane Season storm damage with SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
- Benjamin Franklin

Floridians, it’s time for the age old drill: Board up the windows, pull the lawn chairs inside, stock up on food, water and gas. Anyone who has lived here for for a while knows their preparedness procedure like the back of their hand. But something that is often overlooked in the plan for what to do AFTER the worst should happen. Emergency services will do their duty to make sure you and your family are safe following a disaster, but who will restore your home and your life back to the way it was?

Enter the SERVPRO Ready App. Simply download our app on your mobile device and fill out all the important information you may need before hand, saving you time after a disaster, when minutes count and saving your information in case of loss or damage. And best of all, it’s FREE! So add the SERVPRO Ready App to your hurricane preparedness kit, and choose SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North as your disaster response team. Stay safe this hurricane season, hope for the best, but if the worst should happen, depend on SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North to make it “Like it never even happened.”

After the Blaze: How to Protect your Property from damage AFTER a Fire

9/30/2016 (Permalink)

The first 48 hours after a fire are the most critical to protecting your home or business from further damage.

A fire is a truly destructive force of nature. With all the devastation a fire can cause while burning, it's easy to forget that your home or business may still be in danger after the fire is extinguished.

The first 48 hours after a fire are the most critical to protecting your property from any residual dangers, and can often make the difference between restoration or full on replacement of your valuables. The first step is to contact a professional restoration service, like SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North. However, there are other steps you can take to protect your home or business, such as:

Limiting the amount of movement through the affected area to prevent the spread of soot particles which may cause additional damage
Placing clean towels or used linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery
Coating chrome fixtures, such as faucets, trim and appliances with petroleum jelly or oil
Placing aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet
Not washing any walls or painted surfaces
Not shampooing any carpet or upholstery
Not cleaning any electrical equipment
Not sending clothing to a dry cleaner (improper cleaning can set smoke odor)

At SERVPRO, we understand the need to get your life back to normal after a disaster, but before you risk doing further damage by attempting to clean up the damage yourself, call the fire damage restoration and cleanup experts at SERVPRO Fort Lauderdale North to make it “Like it never even happened.”

The 2016 Red Cross Dine and Dock

9/28/2016 (Permalink)

The American Red Cross of Fort Lauderdale entertained SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North and honored humanitarian leaders in their recent Dine and Dock.

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North had the pleasure of attending the 2016 Red Cross Dine and Dock. The view was stunning from the HYATT Pier 66 overlooking the waterfront, as guests enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres, knowing that their admission benefits powerful causes such as aiding in the Red Cross’ response to local disasters, ranging from home fires that affect a single family to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands.

The food smelled delicious and the sunset was absolutely stunning as guests made their way into the Panorama Room. The options for food seemed endless, and following the feast was a celebrity auction. Soon after was the highlight of the evening, the Humanitarian awards, honoring humanitarian leaders in the South Florida area for their generous contributions to society.

Selling Your Home? A Clean Home Sells Faster!

9/22/2016 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO professional cleaning makes homes more desirable to buyers.

There’s a lot on the mind of a homeowner looking to sell and it’s easy to become buried in advice. However, one thing a seller should keep in mind is giving their property a thorough deep cleaning. Along with tons of other advice, seasoned realtors will encourage their clients to keep their home in top condition to increase market value, reduce list to sale conversion times on homes and to enhance their own reputation for quality listings and quick sales.

A common response is, “But I’m very tidy, clean my home all the time.” While it’s true that regular cleaning goes a long way in making your home look desirable to a buyer, a professional deep cleaning can go way further than most people would imagine. For example, imagine a prospective buyer loves the look of a home, but suffers from allergies. Even if a homeowner has tirelessly cleaned the home from top to bottom, there will likely be pet dander and other allergens in the air ducts and HVAC system that may affect the prospective. An owner why smokes can leave undesirable odors in a home, and they can even be transferred from clothing if the homeowner didn’t smoke inside. These odors can make a property less desirable to a potential buyer.

Fortunately, SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North offers comprehensive cleaning solutions to make your sale quick and clean.

What is Biohazard Remediation?

8/9/2016 (Permalink)

Biohazards are anything that originates from organic matter (something that is, or once was, living) or produced artificially that poses a health hazard to living beings (e.g. humans and pets) or has the capability to alter or interrupt cell growth or reproduction. A couple examples of biohazards are sharps or other such medical waste, human blood or tissue, sewage, etc. Biohazard remediation is not an uncommon call for us at SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North, and it is something we are professionally qualified to handle, should the need arise.

We make sure that any dangerous biological matter or odors are completely eliminated so that any harmful pathogens this matter harbors cannot be spread. Damages from a biohazard remediation call can include trauma or crime scenes, death/decomposition, hoarding removal, and filth removal. It's important to call professionals such as SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North as soon as possible to have these biohazards removed from your home or property. Biohazards can effect everyone- not just the immune compromised- and are often deadly.

Never attempt to clean up biohazards yourself! If you have any question in your mind or think it may be dangerous to handle, call in a qualified professional immediately. Attempting to clean a biohazard yourself is not only dangerous for your health, but can make it easier for illness to spread to places that otherwise would not be contaminated. Our professionals come out with the proper protective suits and professional-grade chemicals and tools to get the job done in a safe and effective manner.

Deodorization

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

Interesting fact about SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North, we can deodorize the toxins that come from substances such as nicotine. Tobacco smoke is composed of numerous types of gasses as well as carcinogens and heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, and cyanide. Sticky, highly toxic particulates, like nicotine, can cling to walls and ceilings. Gases can be absorbed into carpets, draperies, and other upholsteries. Many times hotels or realtors will call on us to come in and clean rooms that have been inhabited by heavy smokers. Your basic cleaning service is not going to have the expertise to effectively deodorize your home. Take advantage of SERVPRO’s residential cleaning services to remove unwanted odors.

Whether its water damage, fire damage, mold damage or even bio-hazard remediation, small scale or a large loss, you can rely on SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North's qualified Mold, Fire and water damage specialists to give you peace of mind knowing we'll arrive faster to your disaster and make it "Like it never even happened". Call us anytime at 954-733-1006

Yeah, We Do This!

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

Sewer backups are more than downright gross -- they are potentially dangerous. Sewage and other forms of "Black Water" are "grossly contaminated" and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. We strongly encourage customers to refrain from tackling these jobs themselves. Sometimes hiring a trained, certified professional is well worth the investment -- most importantly for your health!

Pelican Grand Beach Resort

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

When Pelican Grand Beach Resort received noticed that one of their VIP clients was staying in the hotel for a few days, their first thought was to call SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale North to come in make their carpets look VIP ready. Our crew had a very busy schedule this morning, but that didn’t bother them. They were on site within minutes setting up equipment to get the job done. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North responds quickly to any job small or big such as cleaning carpets to a large loss disaster. We are reliable, we are efficient, and we are professional. Call us for all your cleaning and disaster needs!

Anything Can Happen, Let Us Help

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

Living in South Florida we experience a lot of heavy rains and, unfortunately, hurricanes. Hurricanes mean a lot of water. A lot of water can lead to water damage. If water damage sticks around for too long it can cause major issues within the home. SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North professionals are here to help immediately after a storm passes through, making sure the storm doesn’t ruin your home any further. Hurricane season lasts until November 31^st so make sure to be prepared and have SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North on speed dial (954-733-1006) if anything should go wrong.

Category 3: Not a Hurricane

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North and Plantation recently performed a water restoration and clean up at an apartment that experienced category 3 water damage. Category 3 water damage is when Feces, urine, and toxic chemicals are found in the water contaminating the home. In this particular water damage job, the contaminated water from the bathroom seeped through the carpet and reached heights as high as the bed. Category 3 water damage is considered to be a bio-hazard due to all the toxicity found in this type of water. This is something that we at SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North and Plantation can take care of and make it look “Like it never even happened”.

What Is an ERP?

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Benjamin Franklin

If a disaster strikes, are you ready with a solid plan for your place of business? Are you equipped with information to handle a disaster remotely? Do you have vital business data and emergency contacts right at the palm of your hands?

If you answered no to any of these questions, it’s time to be proactive and get prepared. Luckily SERVPRO® of Fort Lauderdale North and Plantation has you covered. With our Emergency READY Profile or ERP you will be able to handle any disaster remotely right at the palm of your hands. Our ERP comes in form of an app that can be downloaded right to your smart phone. The app can hold all of your emergency contacts, specific instructions, and can be shared with all important members of your team.

We offer this very handy service for FREE.

Why free you might ask? Well, SERVPRO® is a national sponsor of the American Red Cross' Ready Rating program, and as a part of our community service, we are helping local business prepare for disasters. Our mobile app is a way to help you get started and in the event of a disaster we at SERVPRO® of Fort Lauderdale North and Plantation would hope you consider us for service, but it’s not a requirement.

By working with SERVPRO® of Fort Lauderdale North and Plantation to develop your personalized Emergency READY Profile your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order and minimizing the amount of time your business is inactive hence saving you money.

Give us a call today to set up an appointment. It’s quick, easy, and no cost to you.

Wine Jazz and Taste

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Plantation recently had the pleasure of not only attending the 18^th annual Wine Jazz and Taste of Plantation, but also participating as a sponsor of this fantastic event. The Plantation Chamber of Commerce did a wonderful job gathering local restaurants and businesses from the community. The delicious array of food paired with tasteful varieties of wine made for an enjoyable night of connecting and networking with the community.

Surprise! Mold is Everywhere!

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

Think your home is pristine? There is no way mold can be infesting your sanctuary, right? Think again. Mold may be hiding within your residence. Mold problems can occur anywhere if conditions are ideal for growth, and some portions of your home may be home to mold, as well. You may try to maintain a clean environment, constantly dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, organizing, and doing a thorough cleaning of your property, but you may have missed a spot…or a few. For example, your washing machine may be a hot spot for mold. Check the door of the washing machine, inside the gasket. Dark, warm, moist areas are ideal for mold growth. Make sure to wipe under the door gasket after each wash to prevent mold growth. Also leave the door open to air-out the washing machine.

Costa Del Sol Hotel

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Ft. Lauderdale North is a very diverse restoration company offering a variety of services. Along with taking care of water loss and mold remediation; we clean carpets and upholstery. Recently we cleaned a couple of rooms for a hotel called Costa Del Sol in Ft. Lauderdale. We deep cleaned the carpet, upholstery, and the tile floor, leaving the rooms looking spotless. Call us at 954-733-1006 to let us help you keep your home or business clean!!

9/11 Cleaning

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

When we mention that we can take care of places other than homes and small businesses, we dont mention how we participated in the clean up of 9/11 clean up in D.C. SERVPRO professionals dried 300,000 square feet of the Pentagon, as well as provided fire, soot, and smoke clean up. The job was finished in 90 days proving that SERVPRO is motivated to get the job done on a local and national level. Call your local SERVPRO and rely on us to get the job done.

No Job Is Too Large

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are prequalified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster.

Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor. Get the professionals, call SERVPRO.

Clients for the Commercial Large Loss program include the following:

The Hospitality Industry
Property Managers
Universities
Municipalities
The Pentagon

Commercial Cleaning

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North offers a wide variety of cleaning services, ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business. Our cleaning services include the following:

Post Flame Recovery

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

Fires cause unnecessary havoc in people’s lives. Half the battle is getting rid of the flames. After the flames are gone, there is a lot more to be done and that’s where we come in. Your home definitely suffered smoke and fire damage as well as possible water damage and the professionals at SERVPRO have the skills and equipment necessary to restore your house to the way it was before the fire. We follow these steps to make sure your home is back to the way it was before the fire. For an easy and hassle-free experience, trust SERVPRO to help manage everything for you, including the insurance claims process.

American Red Cross Events

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is proud to announce its participation of sponsoring the American Red Cross in local events. It’s important for Red Cross sponsors to be active in the events the Red Cross hosts so we do our best to show our face. The most recent event that we attended was the Sips for Tips event, held at the Mod Wine Lounge. The event was hosted so that 20% of bottle sales benefited the American Red Cross, allowing the organization to maximize what they receive to help others.

Another upcoming event that we will be attending hosted by the American Red Cross will be the Dine and Dock event. This event will be a VIP Celebrity auction event with the presentation of the 2016 Humanitarian awards. All proceeds raised from this event benefit the American Red Cross aiding in their response to local disasters, ranging from home fires that affect a single family to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands. To attend or sponsor, visit http://www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida/humanitarian-dinner. Hope you can make it!

Survive The Storm

7/21/2016 (Permalink)

As you may know, hurricane season has already started and it will be sticking around until the end of November. This unpredictable season can affect your travel plans or just a quiet and simple summer at home. If you plan on traveling during hurricane season and are concerned about the weather believe it or not....there’s an app for that. The American Red Cross Association, who we are a proud sponsor of, created an app called Hurricane by American Red Cross to monitor hurricane conditions in your local area, throughout the storm track, and let others know you are safe even if the power is out. The app also allows you to monitor the weather of the destination desired. This is a great app. We recommend to download it and use it throughout the year.

Also, if you haven't done so already, building a hurricane survival kit is essential during this time of year. Especially if you decide to stay home and weather out the storm. Here are some essential items to start a Hurricane Survival Kit:

· Water (one gallon per person, per day)

· None perishable food

· Flashlights and batteries

· First Aid Kit

· Battery powered radio

· Insect repellant

· Moist towelettes

· Manuel can opener

· Change of clothes

· Toiletries

The list can go on, but these are some essentials that would make surviving a disastrous hurricane a lot easier.

Have a safe and happy rest of the summer!

Fires Don't Have to Burn

7/12/2016 (Permalink)

Fires can happen in the workplace and in the home. The most common ways that fires occur in homes are from cooking, candles, careless smoking, and something minor such as having too many electronics plugged into an outlet at once. When it comes to fires in the workplace, the issue seems to be general negligence. General negligence refers to leaving food in the microwave to long or leaving a coffee where it can be spilled on electrical wires. Most of these fire issues are able to be avoided simply by having fire extinguishers nearby, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and in building fire sprinklers installed. It is also a good idea to inform friends and family of fire hazards and safety.

Breathing Concerns After a Fire

7/12/2015 (Permalink)

Soot is potentially very dangerous and can cause severe respiratory issues. Never enter a home without facemasks or other forms of respiratory filters, since breathing in soot can be very hazardous. If it has been some time since the fire, you may also be at risk of breathing mold spores or other biological matter. If it is not within 24 hours after the fire, mold, spores, and other potentially deadly contagions may be present, so you should hire a professional to help you clean up the areas with house fire damage. Even though smoke may not be visible, it may still be present in your home and cause subtle respiratory issues. Respirators or facemasks are always mandatory after a house fire. Let your professional restoration company’s contractors decide whether or not they are necessary. Call us at SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North & Plantation for a professional assessment.

Free on-site inspection, deductible assistance

5/29/2015 (Permalink)

Many property owners simply aren't sure if they have a water or mold problem. Say, for example, a neighbor in a condo upstairs had a leak inside their unit. Did the water fall onto your ceiling? In between the wall cavities of your unit? Don't leave it to chance for heaven's sake! Call us and we will be delighted to come check it out for you. Either we can put your mind at ease if there's no problem, or we can diagnose solutions immediately! We can do this at no charge. So there's no reason not to call!

Deductibles are also proving to be a problem for many property owners. We've been able to help many property owners understand how they can lighten this sometimes heavy burden, and sometimes even eliminate the need for out-of-pocket expense entirely. Just call us at (954) 733-1006 for a free consultation!

RealGreen, Real $ Savings

2/11/2015 (Permalink)

Would your commercial property like to save money -- potentially thousands or tens of thousands of dollars per year -- on electricity bills every year . . . with little or no up-front cost?

SERVPRO just launched (we're in BETA-test mode) a GREAT new program to help our commercial property managers do just that. Give us a call and we can recommend inexpensive or no-cost initiatives that save serious expenditures with no impact on the quality of your work space. At SERVPRO of Fort Lauderdale North we are part of the BETA test group to roll out this incredible program nationwide. It's hard to believe how simple some of the initiatives can be, with little or no negative impact on the work space . . . and in some cases improvements to existing facility quality.

The energy analysis / recommendations are free to our commercial property manager clients, and just another way we're able to help clients do their jobs! Call us for a free energy analysis and cost-savings tips.

Check out our next blog about Carpet Cleaning and why you should get it done!

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (954) 733-1006

Archived Blog Posts

Fort Lauderdale Fire Damage Threats Require Fast Action

SERVPRO FSRT Technicians Restore Fire Damage

Creating a Safe Work Environment

Addressing Pressing Concerns Early in Restoration

Removing Soot Soils from Surfaces

Removing Strong Malodors from the Property

SERVPRO Can Help with Post-Fire Repairs

Water Damage Restoration from Severe Weather in Fort Lauderdale

What Restoration Is Necessary After Flooding?

The Earliest Efforts to Secure Your Home

Removing Ruined Materials

Thorough Drying Solutions for Your Home

Work With Certified Technicians During Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Fort Lauderdale

SERVPRO Repairs Damaged Subfloor During Commercial Water Removal in Fort Lauderdale

Mold Removal with Damp Insulation in Fort Lauderdale Homes

SERVPRO Provides Mold Removal and Repair in Attics in Fort Lauderdale

Effective Water Damage Repair by SERVPRO in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Drywall Water Damage Restoration

Other hazards

Some useful tools when cutting out damaged drywall

Reasons Expert Fire Restoration is Best in Fort Lauderdale

Call SERVPRO 24/7 in Fort Lauderdale for Pro Fire Restoration

Response times matter in all occurrences

The Impacts of Flood Damage on a Fort Lauderdale Home

SERVPRO Helps Minimize Damage after Fort Lauderdale Flood

Ways flooding can affect your home include:

Noticeable structural changes after inundation

Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Ft. Lauderdale Calls for Expert Assistance

SERVPRO Handles Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Ft. Lauderdale

SERVPRO Has the Expertise Required to Offer Mold Remediation in Ft. Lauderdale

Safe Mold Remediation in Ft. Lauderdale Requires Expertise

Water Removal in Wilton Manors Homes Requires SERVPRO’s Assistance

Get Help with Water Removal in Your Wilton Manors Home

Remove standing water

Extract water from the carpet and pad

Use anti-microbial solutions to treat affected areas

Use air movers and dehumidifiers to expedite drying.

Thoroughly Drying Ft. Lauderdale Water Damage

Tools Help Show Water Damage Drying Progress

Effective Placement of Drying Tools

Regulating Relative Humidity

Factors of Fire Damage Cleanup in Wilton Manors Properties

Certain Conditions Impact Fire Damage Recovery

What Type of Smoke Damage?

Contact Period with Cleaning Products

Finding Where Flood Damage Enters Fort Lauderdale Homes

Stopping Flood Damage Entering the Property

Flooding in the Attic

Driven Water Damage

Commercial Water Damage in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Ft. Lauderdale Commercial Water Damage

Water Damage Restoration With Commercial Properties In Mind

SERVPRO: The Expert Approach

About the Author

SERVPRO: Experience When It Counts

SERVPRO: Experience When It Counts

Emergency Response Cleanup

South Florida Water, Fire, Mold Damage Response NOW

About the Author

Check out our previous blog!

We at SERVPRO Ft Lauderdale North Are Experts In The Industry

We at SERVPRO Ft Lauderdale North Are Experts In The Industry

Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification

Stay Updated

About the Author

Steps To Protect Your Property During A Hurricane

Steps To Protect Your Property During A Hurricane

Here are a few steps you can take during a hurricane emergency:

About the Author

Check out our previous blog!

Unusual Problems That Hurricanes Can Cause For Your Property

Unusual Problems That Hurricanes Can Cause For Your Property

Here are some hurricane related hazards that could threaten your Ft. Lauderdale home:

About the Author

Check out our previous blog!

Here’s Why To Hire Professionals To Handle Fire Damage

Here’s Why To Hire Professionals To Handle Fire Damage

What Can The Pros Do For You?