Barbecue season is coming and along with it the increase of fire.

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

A gas grill that's on fire

With spring here and summer coming the sun is out and people are ready to start grilling season. That means that the risk for fire increases once more.

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) May is at 13% for grill fires and that include both structural, outdoor or unclassified fires. June has a 15%, July at the top with 18%, and last is August with 12%. Gas grills involve in an average 8,900 home fires per year. An average of 22% of those fires were due to leaks or breaks in gas grills.

In 2014-2018 an average of 19,700 patients went to emergency rooms due to injuries involving grill.

So, before you start grilling, inspect your grills. Make sure that there are no gas leaks.

Clean your grill as well as often as possible. When you grill is not clean it adds more potential to start a fire. Keeping a clean grill means a safer environment.

The Dean residence in Bellflower, CA

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy soot damage

This property came to us as a water job, but I did not go thru because the water claim was not worth to open. We were honest with the customer. We will not lie just to get the job.

Not long after the job was closed, the customer called us again because this time she had a fire in her kitchen which didn’t destroy anything but the range hood. Although, nothing else was destroyed there was a lot of soot in the kitchen, dining room, a sun room, the den, hallway and the laundry room. The soot was able to travel to different rooms because of the smoke.

Because of how extensive the soot traveled we had to remove contents from inside of the affected rooms. All the big furniture was cleaned and stored in an onsite storage unit. All the other small contents were wrapped and boxed to bring to the SERVPRO of Bellflower facility to be cleaned and stores.

When the rooms were emptied, we got to cleaning the wall, ceilings, windows, floors, and everything in-between. In the kitchen everything was cleaned including the cabinets exteriors, everything she had inside the cabinets. We used specialized chemicals to clean everything. It took us a few days but it got done.

All the things that were wrapped and boxed were brought back to the office and a team got to cleaning them at the SERVPRO of Bellflower facility. Clothes were washed and dry-cleaned.

 When all was done, the customer saw this as a blessing in disguised because in the beginning she was distraught at what had happened, but after we were done, she was so happy and thankful!

Can water damage be a DIY?

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

A woman trying to remediate water damage herself, but cannot.

How hard can getting rid of water damage be? Have you ever though that water damage can be easy enough to be able to handle it by yourself? HA! Yes, if the water damage was very, very, but very small, maybe you can handle it on your own without the assistance of professionals. How do you know though if the damage was small? How do you know where the water damage stopped? You really don’t know unless you have the equipment to detect water.

With your bare eyes you may not be able to see what has water damage. You may not be able to see that there is water trapped inside the walls, or in the framing, or maybe even under you flooring or home. That is why I said that you need special equipment that can detect water that material has absorbed but yet it not noticeable.

What if you say “Well it was wet but I think its dry now because I dint see any more water.” You leave it like that and don’t realize it that mold may grow. Sure enough a few weeks later you notice that there are black spots on the wall. You clean it up but they return a few days later. This time you call a professional to take a look and they say that the water damage that you thought was small actually penetrated inside that wall and there is mold growing inside.

When mold is present it becomes a biohazard and it is a more complicated and bigger job. So, if you have water damage call SERVPRO of Bellflower to do an inspection and see in actuality how much and what has water damaged but most importantly how to take care of it.

SERVPRO of Bellflower 562-608-8805

Water Damage at the Belle Porte Residence

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

Taped down plastic on the floor

It is always so hard to have to go thru a water loss at your property, now imagine how much harder it is when it happens in the holidays. That is the worst.

That is what happened to one of our clients. She called in the beginning of November, right before Thanksgiving. One of the pipes that ran under her home in the crawl space ruptures. That caused water damage to the floor, subfloor and the framing. We had to move everything out of her master bed room, the hallway and part of the living room. Then we had to tent the floor. That means that we tape down plastic to cover the floor and the set up a dehumidifier with a plastic tunnel connecting the taped down plastic tape and the dehumidifier. That way the hot air is concentrated on the floor and extracting the moisture only from the floor as well.

It didn’t take it very long to dry the floor but the subfloor and the framing took about two days longer than the floor.

Once done drying out, then we start with the repairs as carpet was removed. Once the carpet was places and small touches were done. Then the move back off all their belongings and furniture was done. “Like it never even happened.”

Charlemagne Property

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

Removed Material in the living room

This work for this property was started on the 15^th of December 2021 and we are already working on the repairs.

Here is how it all started. We received a call from a customer on December 13^th at 12:30 pm saying that he needed our services because he had a leak in the living room ceiling. He advised that he went upstairs trying to find out where the leak was coming from. As he inspected the upstairs rooms, he notices that the toilet tank was overflowing. He immediately turned the toilet.

Our techs arrived on site on December 14^th,2021 at 8am per customer’s request. They stated the inspection in the top floor and found high levels of moisture on the vinyl sheet flooring in the bathroom. Continuing the inspection to the bottom floor high levels of moisture were also detected on part of the wall and ceiling of the living room.

Due to the year when the property was built, it needed lead and asbestos testing. Test results came back negative and we started the mitigation process in which we began the drying material that can be dried in place and removing affected material that is not salvageable.

The repair process is almost done as well. In a matter of weeks, we are almost done with everything.

If you have water damage for what ever reason, can me a toilet overflow, an appliance that malfunctioned, or even due to mother nature, we are here and can handle anything big or small.

SERVPRO of Bellflower   562-608-8805

Sanitizing a Restaurant In Bellflower, CA

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned table sign stand

We, here at SERVPRO of Bellflower, understand that Bellflower is a small city, small community and since we are a small community, we look out for each other.

Recently a restaurant here in Bellflower, CA had to close its doors for a few days due to Covid. One or two of their employees got covid and they understood that safety come first.

This restaurant is very well known here in Bellflower, CA. Everybody was sad to see that this restaurant had to close temporarily. As the days grew closer for them to open up the restaurant, we offered to do sanitizing of the front of the restaurant because we saw that they were cautious and wanted to make sure that their staff and customers were safe.

We did the sanitizing and they were happy because now they had peace of mind that they can open the restaurant with confidence that it is clean and safe for customers.

We also want to do our part to keep every one safe and covid free.

Residence at Fanwood Bellflower, CA

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Blue tape was placed to enclose where there was moisture detected.

We received this customer who needed assistance because he noticed water leaking from the ceiling in his living room. SERVPRO of Bellflower arrived at the property not to long after and proceeded to the inspection. Upon our inspection the tech noticed that they had a crack/splitting in the rolled roof. There was where the water entered their home due to the recent heavy rains.

Inside the home you were able to observe that there was yellow staining in the ceiling and bit of bubbling.

That day our field tech installed a roof tarp to help minimize the water intrusion in the case it rained again.

The insurance was contacted and a claim was opened. The whole mitigation process was covered. We are all done with the mitigation and now to the repairs.

We also have updates on our work thru social media.

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

The Briercrest property

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Different stages of the work performed

In every rainy season we get a lot of work. Mostly Homes with roof damage. They call because they have a leak in their ceiling and this year is no different.

This owner of a property in Bellflower, CA. noticed a leak thru the bathroom fixture. They did the smart thing and called SERVPRO of Bellflower.

Our team arrived within the hour. The owner explained that they were able to set up a roof tarp. We added to the roof tarp to maximize the protection against further water intrusion. 

High levels of moisture were detected in the ceiling and wall. Water was also observed on the floor of the bathroom.

We suggested to the owner that he get the roof repaired by a licensed professional before any mitigation service starts because if we would have started and it were to rain again and water seeps thru again the drying was done for nothing. They did get the roof repaired and we did the dry out. Now it’s time to start the reconstruction.

If you have water damage due to rains call us, SERVPRO of Bellflower.

Where SERVPRO Ranked in 2022

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Our 3 badges

There are many restoration companies out there, and yes, they are great companies, but there is one that stands out! SERVPRO! SERVPRO was recently recognized AGAIN as one of the best overall franchise opportunities by Entrepreneur magazine’s 2022 Franchise 500, the industry’s most comprehensive franchise ranking. SERVPRO was evaluated in many categories like growth, brand power financial strength, and stability. It was named #8 overall franchise system. Best of all, it was placed #1 in the cleaning and restoration industry for the 19^th consecutive year!

SERVPRO of Bellflower is so proud to be a part of this growing and well recognized company. We also understand that it took teamwork from each and every franchise to get to where this company has gotten and we will continue to do our part to grow and get to #1 in all categories! We were meant to be #1.

Hosting Blood Drives

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Blood Drive

We are not only committed to going above and beyond in every job that we do, but we are also committed to our community. We are always involved with helping other and our community. Whether it’s a toy drive, collecting donations for major catastrophes or many other ways.

This is one we are always one that we host and plan to host every few months. We partner up with The American Red Cross to host Blood drives 2 to 3 months. We take pride in this event because we know that it is to help out people who need that donation for their quality of life. Some are going thru a surgery and need that blood transfusion or whatever it may be.

We have had very successful drives and we will continue to do blood drives. Next Blood Drive is scheduled for March of 2022.

Keep up to date on our social media.

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

The Ace Hardware

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

The sales floor before and after

This was an emergency commercial job. We received a call on a Sunday around 6pm requesting emergency serviced due to an over flow of a toilet. Of course, the team headed to our facility to load up the special equipment, tools, and specialized chemicals for this type of job. This job was a bit far from our facility but we were there in a matter of less than 2 hours.

Our team got there and began the water extraction so that the damages did not extend further. The owner of the hardware store was surprised that our team responded on a Sunday evening. That our team was there in less than 2 hours and got the job done so quick. We also did the mitigation and the repairs.

Happy Customers, Happy franchise!

Consultants

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Waiting lobby before and after

On a regular Monday in December, we received a call for a nail salon owner in a little bit of a worried state of mood. I answered and the man on the other side sounded a bit worried. He was needed a cleanup company to remove water for a business. He explained that a main water line in his location ruptured and flooded his store but also flooded the neighbor’s location. He was not much worried for his location but that of his neighbors. He requested that we go do the water removal as soon as possible. I advised not to worry, that I would have a team at his location that same day in a matter of less than 2 hours. I aske if he knew what the main water shut off are and if he had already shut it off. He advised that he did know and he did shut it off.

Our team arrived onsite an hour after and did the water removal. He seemed a bit more relieved after. Now his concern was to have the place dried. So, he also hired us to do the remediation. He was impressed how quick we work to get things done and with the best quality work. Even though it was his unit’s issue that damaged the neighbors issue we treated the neighbors as if they were the ones that hired us because it doesn’t matter who we were hired by, we know that everyone affected by this most likely stressed out by this loss.

In a matter of weeks, we did the water removal, the remediation and the repairs. Back to business in weeks not months! "Like it never even happened."

Can SERVPRO of Bellflower handle a commercial job?

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

Before and after hardware store

Can a commercial job be too much for SERVPRO of Bellflower?  Absolutely NOT!

SERVPRO of Bellflower is ready and stocked up on all the equipment needed to handle the big commercial jobs. We have not only had residential jobs, but big commercial building. These jobs have been from water damage jobs to weekly cleaning and disinfecting during the hard times in the pandemic.

We also have the man power to handle them. We have a whole team with years of experience and knowledge to handle whatever it may be. Our team is trained to handle big and small situations with professionalism and care.

We understand that because it is not a residential job does not mean that we are going to treat them with lack of caring out sympathy. This commercial property is someone’s source of income, not only for the owner but the employees. So, yes, we know how important it is to get you back to open door business as soon as possible.

The photo is an actual hardware store that we did the water damage cleanup.

Need a cleanup and restoration company for your commercial property, we are the professionals you are looking for. SERVPRO of Bellflower 562-608-8805

Commercial Shut Offs

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Utility shut offs

We cannot stress this enough. How important it is to know where are all you main shut off. Now where the main water shut off. As well as the electricity, and gas if the commercial building has gas.

I’ve been to many commercial buildings where the persons in charge did not know where the main shut offs. That is a bit concerning for several reasons.

Let say that for whatever reason the building needs emergency repairs and need the main shut off turned off. How will you do it quickly. Or let’s say one of the supply lines broke and a huge amount of water is flooding the building, how will you turn it off as quickly as possible. Now there is water touching electrical lines and need to turn off electricity NOW. Are you able to do that when you don’t even where the shut off are? No.

There is a service that SERVPRO of Bellflower offer that is very beneficial to any commercial building. This service is called ERP (Emergency Ready Profile). Read “How is an ERP beneficial to my Business?”

How are is an ERP beneficial to my business.

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

ERP app

To begin, you might be wondering what is an ERP? An ERP is an abbreviation for Emergency Ready Profile. Now you are wondering what is an Emergency Ready Profile? An ERP is a service that is worth about 120 a month but since SERVPRO knows that every business should have it, they decided to offer it free of charge.

What does it do or how does it work? It is a profile that is built by us with all your business information. From you address to where the main water shut off is. Picture of your business, like entries, parking, photos of main shut off and much more info. All of this info is stores in secured encrypted database and can access it with login info, that’s not all. You can down load the app and all of this info is at your finger tips at any time!

How is it beneficial to your business? Let’s say that your business suffers a loss. (Cross fingers it never does). This profile helps authorities to get to where they need to get even faster. If is a water loss you or authorities know where to shut the water off. They know how big and where each office or room is.

It helps you by helping the cleanup and restoration company move things along quicker because most of the info is in that profile, which in turn your business opens up for business so much quicker.

If you want more info or want this service let us know. SERVPRO of Bellflower 562-608-8805

Roof tarps can be a real home saver.

12/23/2021 (Permalink)

Tarp on a residential roof

When Mother Nature strikes us with strong winds, strong rain, or storm you may have not know that your roof was in need of some repairs or maintenance. So, when we get hit by any of those, your roof gets damaged and you could potentially be facing a leak inside your home, insects or debris entering your home. None of those are fun.

What to do then? If there was any type of storm, rain, or wind, check your roof for any damages that may have occurred. If you see that your roof may have been compromised, a tarp is the way to go. A tarp can temporarily protect your home from any further damages.

Hire professionals to install a tarp. It may look easy to install but do underestimate how easy it looks to set up.

The photo with this blog is and actual photo of a tarp that we, SERVPRO of Bellflower, set up for a home that actually suffered water damage due to a storm. We installed the tarp, for temporary protection while they hired a professional to repair the roof.

Not all tarps are blue. There are different types of tarp material and colors. For example the one that we set up.

Keeping a workspace clean

12/23/2021 (Permalink)

Bacteria, germs, and viruses on a keyboard

Let’s talk about commercial workspace and keeping it clean and sanitized.

Your work is a place where you spend the most time besides your home. So, why not keep it clean and sanitized?  Whether you work in a restaurant, garbage company, office or what ever it may be, bacteria and viruses are everywhere and anywhere. So, not just because you work in an environment where it does not look dirty, means that the surfaces are not contaminated. Highly touched places are where it is most common to be harboring bacteria and viruses.

Examples:

- Door knobs/handles

- Cabinet doors

- Faucet handles

- microwave

- Refrigerator door handles

- Water fountains or machines

- Computer Keyboard and mice

- Etc. (the list can go on)

Clean work space frequently. At least one a week. Specially in these times where viruses are on the rise and very dangerous. Highly touched areas clean every day. Use EPA (Environmental protection Agency) approved cleaners that kill all sorts of viruses including Covid-19.

Going Above and Beyond

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Team

SERVPRO offers many services but what you don’t see in out list of services is that with every job that we do is that we always try to go above and beyond. Our customers are not just that but we build a relationship that will last, so that they remember us for years to come.

In every one of our jobs, big or small, SERVPRO of Bellflower is always asking “what is it that we can do help a little more?” We do that because we understand that the situation that our client is going through. We understand that whether it’s a water loss, a fire loss or any type of loss, ultimately, it’s a loss and the stress that comes with it is not something small. We see it in all of our clients that the fact that sometimes they have to live in their property, having to see every step of the process from the time that we may have to tear out walls, ceiling, floors. Then having to listen to the drying equipment or equipment to clean the air that we have to set up to run day and night. To us having to enter their homes often to monitor if the affected area is drying properly or testing companies to make sure that the air tested come out clean. To the last step which is the reconstruction. Sometimes, the process is a bit long and not fun at all for the client. So, whatever we can do to help out a little more and make our client feel a little better we definitely will do it! We do go above and beyond for out clients!

Fire prevention tips for this holiday season.

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Christmas decoration in a home.

It has been said many times before to prevent fires during the holidays, but do we actually pay attention? I know that we do but, sometime we may forget. That’s why we are here to give you a friendly reminder.

The preventative measures are there for a reason. We want that everyone to have a very happy and definitely safe holidays!

Here are some tips to keep safe.

1. Keep any type of flame a safe distance from anything that is flammable. Threes, decorations, garlands, etc…
2. Keep an eye out on any all greenery. Water Christmas trees constantly. Use spray bottle on garlands, makes it a whole lot easier.
3. Monitor you trees health and recycle when you see signs of drying out.
4. Buy lights tested by Underwriters Laboratories
5. Throw away light when they look work out.
6. Check the instructions to see how many strings you can connect safely
7. Use outdoor light for out door and indoor for inside.
8. Hang lights on plastic hooks. Nails can damage the cord making it a fire hazard
9. Torn off light when leaving the house or going to bed.
10. When lighting candle never leave them unattended.
11. Electric candles are always a safer alternative.

Roof maintenance for the storms to come.

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

storm damage to a roof

Its cold season and with that comes rains and storms. Your home is what stand between you and the storm. The roof is what takes the most damage when there is rain or hail or a storm. When was the last time you replaced or at least did some maintenance? If you have not done any in many, many years, eventually there are going to be damages to it. If you are at that point then expect to get showers inside you home.

It is not difficult to inspect and do small repairs to your roof.

Here are some tips to what to look for when doing an inspection.

• Any appearance of sagging or leaning
• Obvious patches and cracks
• Torn, cracked, or missing shingles
• Damage or loose material around your chimneys, vents, and pipes
• Lots of visible shingle granules (These look like sand.)
• Detached gutters and downspouts
• A large accumulation of debris
• Algae growth
• Wet spots on the ceiling

If you notice damage that you cannot repair hire a licensed roofer and if you already have water damages inside your home, we are the professionals to call. SERVPRO of Bellflower 562-608-8805

Prepared with an Emergency ready plan

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency pack

Prepared with an Emergency ready plan

Emergencies happen when least expected, but are you ready? If were hit by a natural disaster, or major fire are you prepared?

The majority of homes are not prepared. Being prepared can help minimize the impact of the tragedy for you and your family. Here are some steps to help in the case of a catastrophic event.

1. Plan you evacuation route and include emergency contacts and address in case you need their help and specify a location where to meet like the Torrance High school big clock not just Torrance high school.
2. Prepare an emergency pack with

*Prescriptions and other meds

*First aid Kit

*Bottled water

*Flashlight, battery powered radio, and extra batteries

*Clothing and sleeping bags and pillows

3. Create a home inventory about all of your persona property which will help when applying for disaster aids, help speed up the process with an insurance claim
4. Have Important documents in a safe place where only you and persons of trust know and can reach for it easy. Include Prescriptions, Birth and marriage certificates, passport, Driver’s license/ Real IDs, SS cards, Insurance poly docs, most recent tax docs, employment info, wills and deeds, stocks, bonds and other negotiable cert., financial information like bank, savings, and retirement account numbers.
5. Last but not least, do the 10 minute test. Practice until you can gather all your things and family to be out the door and on the road without panicking and without confusion in 10 minutes or less. Practice, practice, practice until you get it down.

Rats and Plumbing in your home/crawlspace

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Pipes were damaged due to rats

I would have never thought that rats could be a problem when it came to plumbing. Boy was I wrong! We just came across a home where they called us out to do a water inspection. Thinking it could have just been a burst pipe we arrived and started the inspection inside the home where a significant part of her kitchen had water damage. Following the inspection one of our techs went under the home, to the crawl space to inspect and see if he could find the source of the water leak. What he found was surprising to me.

He came out of the crawl space and showed us what he found and pictures he took. He explained that there were rats under the home and that they were the cause of the water leak. The homeowner had a water filtration system installed for her home and the some of the connections ran under the home. Those connections were chewed by the rats.

If you ever decide to get a water filtration system, be sure that the tech installing the system places copper or galvanized pipes to avoid this type of disasters.

Also make sure that all the crawl space is well secured, meaning that you inspect that there are no entry points for any type of animal.

If you suspect you have water damage already call us SERVPRO of Bellflower.

Can SERVPRO of Bellflower handle it?! OF COURSE!

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Trailer ready

I you are wondering if SERVPRO of bellflower can handle fire damages. The answer is yes it can.

SERVPRO of Bellflower can not only handle water damages but fire damages as well. We are equipped with the correct cleaning supplies, machines and experienced technicians to clean and restore any size fire damage.

So not to worry to find who can handle you fire damage. Look no further because we are the professional you need to call. Even if it is in the middle of the night. We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for emergencies!

We will explain everything that we will do to clean-up all the affected area. If we have to remove material, we will let you. In other words, we will walk you through all the steps to be taken.

The Do’s and Don’ts with Fire and Smoke Damage.

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellflower specializes in Fire restoration

Fire damage can be scary , until help arrives here are some tips to help minimize damage.

Do’s:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
• Wash both sides of leaves on the house plants.
• Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

Don’ts

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Bellflower.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, Radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water. (They may be contaminated.)
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.