Water Damage: the Timeline // SERVPRO of East Honolulu

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

We understand water like the back of our hand! SERVPRO of East Honolulu is proud to host technicians who have the experience and the qualifications to correctly do their job. Which we boast about and helps you in the long run. 

    We aim to categorize your damage accurately, and with precise measurements, controlling the whole process. As if we were to take your home in our arms artfully replacing damaged goods- in the tangible. Because of this we know the water damage timeline, and learned how to generally gage this on the field. 

Here is how it goes, as explained through the time since the water damage occurred and the original source  is stopped. 

MINUTES 1-22 

• Water is absorbed through housing materials, completely saturating all sponge materials. 
• This affects anything from floors, walls, upholstery, and house-hold belongings. Vinyl tends to get extremely damaged, as does wood finishing and drywall alike. 
• Paper goods are starting to warp, swell, bleed, or blend; this completely damages books, documents,  and photographs. 
• Carpets, curtains, or furniture will also start to bleed, these pigments will stain 

THE FIRST DAY 

• Drywall starts to bulge 
• Finishing on metal will fade 
• The dyes and inks of household matters/items will continually spread 
• Malodorous scents start to appear 

THE FIRST WEEK 

• There will be physical manifestations of both mold and mildew 
• Warping will start to happen in doors, windows, and openings and furnishes alike. 
• Furniture or finishing with water damage will start to show mold and mildew 
• Completely deteriorated metal finishing, will start to corrode or rust 
• Paint jobs will start to discolor, falter, peel 
• Flooring also warped 
• The presence of bacteria accrues enough to be deemed a biohazard

AFTER AND BEYOND 

• Damage is getting more costly by the day, replacing the contaminated materials would be the top priority. Secondary damage is already happening. 

• Issues stated above become dramatically worse.  

SERVPRO of East Honolulu is here to help with any and all water damage, and our scope goes beyond that. Call us with any comments, questions or concerns at (808)396-9545

Fire Plans For East Honolulu Businesses Are Integral To Being Safe!

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Having a fire plan is simply indispensable to your business safety, keeping you, workers, and equipment ok during the worst of times. Being honest about one's potential risks from every source- including but not limited to equipment, stoves, open fires, and natural disasters informs one of their greatest concerns. 

Commercial fires are always a costly possibility, preparing for it is the best way to keep your costs to the minimum. 

Planning for fires in your commercial space may not seem like an easy feat. A great place to start is from a “safety standpoint”. Where the first pillar in which you establish your fire plan is all about safety. Safety for all living organisms, and equipment. Showing one’s employees on the key logistics if a fire was to occur is the most important way to keep everyone safe if it ever becomes a reality.   

This can come through training your employees on certain protocols that succeed in a real fire emergency.  If you deal with equipment that are more prone to chemical or oil fires, one should teach their employees on the differences of handling various fires. 

There are many tips on cultivating good fire evacuation plans, with the internet on one’s fingers there are so many tools. Here are some of the most noteworthy ideas that one might fester one when creating a fire evacuation plan.  

Deciding evacuation routes, know all the fire exits in your facility, finding all the ways possible one could exit your commercial business. One way to get great advice on your personal fire plan is our local fire stations in the East Honolulu community. Call our local fire officials who can help provide you personalized advice that may scope beyond that of the internet. 

Once you decide your best evacuation routes, clearly label them and consistently update your staff. Make sure you continuously practice fire safety by doing annual fire drills.  

Running fire drills for your employees to follow accordingly, it is important to run different fire scenarios. There are numerous ways fires can start in restaurants or offices alike. It is beneficial in the long run to integrate various scenarios in one's drills/training. It is unrealistic to fully capture the extent of a fire emergency but to plan for most foreseeable variables helps with preparedness. That may look like stating the fire is from the coffee machine blocking an exit or the turbo oven in the back instead of from the open flames. Personalizing the fire plan will only bring information and a greater gain for your workers, and a peace of mind. 

In any case, should your Honolulu business catch ablaze, SERVPRO of East Honolulu is here. We pride ourselves in the knowledge, equipment, and tools necessary to probably remediate and restore properties from natural disasters or  natural emergencies. 

We will be running right after the authorities to start our through process to help restore your commercial business. "Like it never even happened." Call us at (808)395-9545, for any comments, questions, or concerns. 

How Commercial Water Damage Restoration Saves Businesses Money

4/14/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage in commercial buildings can cause extensive disruption to business operations, leading to expensive repair and restoration costs. However, when the right steps are taken immediately following a water incident, businesses can save thousands of dollars through preventative measures like professional water damage restoration services. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the ways commercial property owners can use water damage prevention and restoration solutions to minimize their financial losses. Keep reading to find out how you can protect your business from costly repairs or insurance claims!

One of the main advantages of investing in commercial water damage restoration is that it helps to save businesses money. By promptly and properly restoring a business’s property back to its original condition, companies can avoid costly repairs or replacements that would otherwise have to be done if an area had been left untreated. 

Commercial water damage restoration services also help reduce lost profits due to business closures. When businesses can keep their doors open, they are more likely to remain profitable and successful in the long term. This is especially true for businesses located near bodies of water where flooding could be a common occurrence. 

In addition to saving money on repairs and lost productivity, investing in commercial water damage restoration can also help businesses reduce their insurance costs. By restoring property quickly and efficiently, businesses may be eligible for additional discounts from their insurer thanks to their proactive approach to maintenance. This could save them even more money over time! 

The most cost-effective way for businesses to handle water damage is by hiring experienced professionals who specialize in commercial water damage restoration. These professionals have the training and expertise to identify and address any potential problems quickly before the damage worsens and costs become unmanageable. Professionals also use advanced equipment and techniques to restore an area back to its pre-damaged state, so businesses can get back up and running as soon as possible. 

In relation, commercial water damage restoration professionals are specially trained in identifying areas that could become long-term problems due to excess moisture or standing water. From inspecting ceilings for potential leaks to repairing damaged walls and floors, these experts have the experience and knowledge necessary to mitigate losses quickly. Additionally, they are also able to provide advice on preventing water damage in the future, such as installing a sump pump or ensuring all plumbing fixtures are properly maintained.

Commercial water damage restoration services are also invaluable for businesses that rely on computers or other sensitive electronics. By restoring damaged items instead of having them replaced, these companies are able to save a substantial amount of money. In addition, these services can help recover precious data that could otherwise be lost if the affected items had been discarded. 

Overall, commercial water damage restoration is a cost-effective solution for businesses that are looking to protect their investments and remain profitable.  With the help of experienced professionals such as our team at SERVPRO of East Honolulu, businesses can restore their property back to its original condition and quickly get back up and running. In addition, they can save money by restoring instead of replacing items that have been damaged due to water exposure. Investing in commercial water damage restoration is a smart decision for businesses of all sizes. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today!

HOW TO SAFELY REMOVE MOLD FROM YOUR HOME

4/14/2023 (Permalink)

Mold is a type of fungi that grows in damp, humid environments. Mold spores are everywhere – in the air, on surfaces, and in the dust. When these spores come into contact with moisture, they can start to grow and multiply. Mold grows best in warm, damp, and dark places. It can often be found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or any other area of the home that doesn’t have good ventilation.

If you think you have mold in your home, it’s important to take action immediately to remove it.

The first step is to identify the source. Mold can grow on many different surfaces, including paper, wood, carpet, and cloth. Check for visible signs of mold growth. Look for discoloration or staining on walls, ceilings, or floors. If you see mold growth, you should also look for any damp or water-damaged areas in your home. These areas may be the source of the problem. Check for leaks in plumbing fixtures or appliances. Look for condensation on windows or in other cold spots.

Once you’ve identified the source of the mold, you’ll need to decide how to remove it. You can use commercial cleaning products, bleach, or vinegar. However, it’s important to note that none of these methods will completely kill mold spores. As such, it’s important to take precautions to prevent mold from returning.

One of the best ways to remove mold is to use a mixture of water and bleach. This solution will kill most types of mold and spores. However, it’s important to use caution when using bleach as it can be harmful to your skin and eyes. If you’re not comfortable using bleach, you can also use vinegar. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and will kill most types of mold.

Once you’ve removed the mold from your home, it’s important to take steps to prevent it from returning. One way to do this is to make sure that your home is well-ventilated. This will help to reduce the humidity in your home, which is one of the key conditions that mold needs to grow. Additionally, you should regularly clean all surfaces in your home with a solution of water and bleach.

If you have mold in your home, it’s important to take action immediately to remove it. As a matter of fact, mold can be dangerous to your health, so it’s important to remove it as soon as you see it. Although there are many do-it-yourself mold removal products on the market, we recommend that you leave this job to the professionals. Our team of experts has the experience and training necessary to safely and effectively remove mold from your home. Contact us today at SERVPRO of East Honolulu for a free consultation.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATER MITIGATION AND WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION?

4/14/2023 (Permalink)

If you're looking for a reason to choose SERVPRO of East Honolulu, this is the WHY

Water damage restoration and water mitigation are two vital processes that should be carried out as soon as possible. However, many people do not understand the difference between the two services. Most people would say water mitigation and water damage restorations are the same. This, however, is not always the case.

Water damage restoration refers to the process of restoring an area to preloss conditions or, even better, after being damaged by floods, hurricanes, storms, sewage, or leakages. Water damage can negatively destroy your property from floors to ceilings and anything in between. That is why you need professional help from SERVPRO of East Honolulu to prevent further damages to your property.

On the other hand, water mitigation refers to any service that reduces or prevents additional damages caused by flooding or leaking pipes. This could be installing tarps over a damaged roof during heavy storms or mitigating moisture inside walls after washing machine overflows.

Why You Need Professional Water Mitigation and Damage Restoration

The following are five vital reasons to work with a professional for all your water damage and restoration services:

1. It is Cost-Effective

SERVPRO of East Honolulu will ensure that all the damages are addressed effectively and promptly, minimizing any extra cost to you.

2. You Will Receive A Timely Response

We understand the urgency of these situations and will do everything possible to mitigate the damages as quickly as possible.

3. We Have Professional Equipment and Expertise

Water must be removed as quickly as possible to prevent any further damage. We have the necessary equipment and workforce to handle even the most massive water removal jobs.

4. We Are Water Damage Restoration Experts

Once the water has been removed, we will start our restoration services such as drying, dehumidifying, and odor removal. We also provide mold testing to ensure your property is safe for you and your family.

5. We Are Skilled With Water Damage Repair

Water can cause a lot of damage to any property. If you have had flooding or backed up drains, SERVPRO of East Honolulu will help you repair these damages.

SERVPRO of East Honolulu Services

We offer a wide range of water mitigation and damage restoration services for both personal and commercial enterprises. Some of our popular services include:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Solving Commercial Services Water Damage Issues
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Storm Damage Restoration

Conclusion

SERVPRO of East Honolulu is full-service water mitigation and damage restoration company that has been in business for more than a decade. We have the experience and expertise necessary to handle even the most giant water removal jobs. We are fully insured and bonded, so you can rest assured that your property is in good hands. Call us today for more information on how we can help with all your water damage needs.

Hidden Water Damage in Honolulu

4/1/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Honolulu is well versed in continuously occurring water damages. There are many reasons as to why a home has water damage, this manifests in varying ways. It may not be the most noticeable, and more often than not it creeps with age.  

We were called in once to inspect a home that had suspected water damage. Over the course of 10 years a hairline fissure in their copper piping caused odors and discoloration on their drywall. 

Undetected water damage is quite the headache for numerous reasons, here are some signs that you may have hidden water damage: 

• Peeling paint: paint can start to peel when there is an unsustainable amount of water within your drywalls. 
  • Drywall is like a sponge, when there is no dry surface for the paint to attach itself to then the paint starts to peel. This is a sign of major water damage, since the drywall needs to be very wet. 
• Warped flooring: Water will always be looking for the lowest point of Earth- partly due to gravity and its molecular properties. Water will flow and seep into the deepest parts of your home if left unchecked. If water reaches your sub-flooring it is time to call us at SERVPRO of East Honolulu. Warping and deforming floors are the best indicators that your sub-flooring has water damage.  
  • This sub-flooring is where mold can grow and multiply, thus it is integral to the safety of your property for there to not be standing water underneath. 
• Staining on walls or ceilings: These stains will be slightly discolored and range based on the type of water damage done. 
  • For instance, if there was rain and your ceiling leaks, the evidence of water damage would arise from corners of rooms, mostly the ceiling being discolored. It may also manifest as long lines of discoloration. Where pipes or streams have come across your walls and ceilings. 
• Mold growth: Occasionally there could be “fuzz” on your ceiling corners which originally look like webs or dust and may be mold. Mold accrues from the sitting water damage, mold spores are microscopic and most often airborne. 
  • If there are discolored patches of drywall within your home that may be a good indicator that water damage has occurred. 
• Malodorous smells: If you smell something earthy or a little “dank” that may also be a sign of water damage. Basements should not smell like mildew, and if they do it's a sign that there has been standing water recently. 
  • Any smell that seems spoiling, could be the water compromising clean building materials. And if not removed, these compromised materials can affect more housing goods. 

Keep your house safe by knowing the small- creeping- signs of water damage. And if anything arises, or you seem to find them in your home… SERVPRO of East Honolulu is there for any damages. Call us at (808) 395-9545 for any concerns about these kinds of water damages and its implications to your home. We are available 24/7. "Like it never even happened."

The Cleaning Experts of East Honolulu

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Honolulu offers a vast range of services, whether it is water remediation or a general clean for your carpets. We host numerous services due to the expertise, advanced cleaning agents, and ample equipment. Serving commercial and residential properties alike in the east Honolulu area. 

Our cleaning services are needed now more than ever because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We are so grateful for the kokua of the people in the medical field allowing us to stay in business as we follow CDC regulations throughout our whole process. With our knowledge on chemicals, our technicians have been needed for the experience that is beyond the scope of a janitor’s day to day clean. 

We have many ways to clean for COVID-19 as well as thoroughly disinfect your commercial or residential property. There are a few places in which we take special care in ensuring it is fully disinfected, these areas are high-touch surfaces. As deemed  by the Center of Disease Control these surfaces are more prone to bacteria and viral contaminants, these are: 

• Tabletops
• Light Switches
• Phones
• Counters 
• Bathroom Fixtures
• Tablets
• Toilets 
• Tables 

Cleaning these common surfaces is crucial for keeping your workers and ohana safe. As people pass through and touch these areas frequently.  

We have also cleaned an array of spaces with our EPA safe products. Like 

• Bathrooms
• School Classrooms
• Dentist Offices
• Sale Counters
• Playgrounds 
• Kitchens
• Fitness equipment. 

We can also sanitize these surfaces from COVID19 in the most efficient way using a thermal fogger and our EPA approved SERVPROxide: a powerful cleaning agent that is safe to stay on your surfaces. 

These kill pathogens and viral organisms within minutes, sterilizing all surfaces. SERVPROxide is a hospital grade cleaning detergent safe for all living organisms. 

SERVPRO technicians have also cleaned airport restaurants, after one of the workers tested positive for COVID-19. We came in using a thermal fogger to spray every surface possible, making sure that each crevice was covered with smoke. 

      This smoke contains agents that disinfect anything it touches. As a smoke it cleanses all areas being touched by it, including soft goods that can't be traditionally sanitized without a lot of work. 

We aim to uphold sanitation standards from the IICRC, with microfiber cloths, spraying agents, and a thorough finish. You can trust us with all types of building materials, vinyl floorings, metal shelving, marble countertops. We use safety measures and protective practices to make it… "Like it never even happened." 

For any questions, comments or concerns contact us (808)395-9545. We are proudly locally owned and operated business in east Honolulu. 

SERVPRO of East Honolulu’s Timeline

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

We take pride in our efficient and seamless process we employ for each and every new damage. Our customers appreciate our straight-forward methods, because time is of the essence once disaster strikes your commercial property! 

This is the essential timeline that happens once we get a claim or a call 

Within the hour: After receiving the claim or the call we contact the insured and/or the residential tenants to schedule the initial assessment. This is when we gather contact information, if there is still water, what materials are damaged...etc 

The Initial Assessment: The initial canvas of your commercial property occurs, taking pictures of the damaged structures, gaining measurements of the areas that need demolition, and simply inspecting the nature of your damage. 

Insurance Pause: Within the next few days an estimate will be drafted up by one of our technicians. This estimate will be sent to your insurance companies, and we will proceed with a treatment.  

Cleaning, Demo: When everything is approved by insurance, and the restoration process is drafted up. Our technicians will swing by the commercial property to do a controlled demolition or a thorough cleaning process. Regardless of which route one pursues this step is essentially removing the remnants of damage incurred.  

Restoration: After our technicians have finished prepping for the other contractors who restore your property. Whether that is fixing parts of drywall or replacing tile, it takes 2-3 weeks. 

Final Moments: This is when we do a final inspection, just overall inspecting the progression of restoration. Retrieving materials or tools left on site, adjusting your home to its pre-damage condition. Whether that is moving your couch, or unwrapping furniture. 

SERVPRO of East Honolulu strives to be quick and efficient after all our motto is… "Like it never even happened." Regardless of the natural disaster, you are safe in our care and we are prepared!! Taking pride in our company, means we stand with values that you can see in the field. Call us (808)395-9545.

Escape Plan Basics

3/3/2023 (Permalink)

Because fire is a risk in every building — whether you sleep, study, or work there — you should always have an escape plan. You may need to escape within a few minutes of a fire’s start, so your safe exit depends on immediate warning from smoke alarms and advance planning of escape routes.

Escape Plan Basics

• Include two ways out of every room in all escape plans
• Designate a location to meet outside the building
• Verify that smoke alarms are installed to provide early detection and warning so you’ll have enough time to execute your escape plan
• Make sure doors located in your path of travel can be opened from the inside under all lighting conditions
• Verify that doors located in your path of travel Do not require a key to open from the inside
• Take note of whether any disabled or elderly residents will require evacuation assistance
• Conduct a roll call to verify everyone has escaped the building
• Remain outside until notified by the fire department that it is safe to re-enter the building
• Practice, practice, practice your plan!

If your secondary escape route is a window…

• Make sure the window can be opened from the inside
• Assure the window is large enough for you to pass through the opening
• Verify the windowsill is low enough to allow you to crawl through the opening
• Make sure any security bars can be opened from the inside without the use of a key, and that you can open them under all lighting conditions
• Determine how you will escape if the window is above the first floor: will you purchase a rope ladder or other emergency escape device, or will you wait for the fire department to arrive and evacuate you?
• Make sure sloping terrain, the location of the window, or other factors will not prevent the window from being used as a secondary escape route

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY GUIDELINES: HOME

3/3/2023 (Permalink)

By following these simple guidelines, you can protect yourself and your family from nature's most violent storm.

The most important things to remember are:

• GET IN - If you are outside, get inside.  If you're already inside, get as far into the middle of the building as possible.
• GET DOWN - Get underground if possible.  If you cannot, go to the lowest floor possible.
• COVER UP - Flying and falling debris are a storm's number one killer.  Use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris.

HOME

Your plan at home should be known by everyone in the home and practiced at least twice each year.  Children who may be at home alone should know what to do and where to go even if no adults are there.

When selecting your shelter area, remember that your goals should be:

1. Get as low as possible - completely underground is best.
2. Put as many barriers between you and the outside as possible.

It is not the wind inside - it's the flying debris that's in the wind. Items can fly through the air (broken glass, etc) or fall down (could range from small objects to objects the size and weight of cars). A basement is also a good shelter in most cases.  If your basement is not totally underground, or has outside doors or windows, stay as far away from them as possible.  Items from above could fall into the basement, so it's a good idea to get under a stairwell or a piece of sturdy furniture.  If possible, avoid seeking shelter underneath heavy objects on the floor above. Use coverings (pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, coats, etc) and helmets to shield your head and body and to protect yourself from flying debris.

If No Underground or Reinforced Shelter is Available

If you're like most people, you don't have an underground shelter.  In this case, you need to find a location that is:

• As close to the ground as possible
• As far inside the building as possible
• Away from doors, windows and outside walls
• In as small a room as possible

Here are Some Ideas

• Bathrooms
  Bathrooms MAY be a good shelter, provided they are not along an outside wall and have no windows.  Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing magically safe about getting in a bathtub with a mattress.  In some cases, this might be a great shelter.  However, it depends on where your bathroom is.  If your bathroom has windows and is along an outside wall, it's probably not the best shelter.
  Bathrooms have proven to be adequate shelters in many cases for a couple of reasons.  First, bathrooms are typically small rooms with no windows in the middle of a building.  Secondly, it is thought that the plumbing within the walls of a bathroom helps to add some structural strength to the room.

• Closets
  A small interior closet might be a shelter.  Again, the closet should be as deep inside the building as possible, with no outside walls, doors or windows.  Be sure to close the door and cover up.

• Hallways
  If a hallway is your shelter area, be sure to shut all doors.  Again, the goal is to create as many barriers as possible between you and the flying debris. To be an effective shelter, a hallway should as be far inside the building as possible and should not have any openings to the outside (windows and doors).
  
  
• Under Stairs
  The space underneath a stairwell could be used as a shelter.