Recent Posts

Efficient Storm Debris Removal for Raleigh Property Owners

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

Our area is frequented by storms. Did you know SERVPRO provides roof tarping as part of our restoration storm damage services?

Call SERVPRO 24/7 for Rapid Storm Cleanup Services

Once a severe weather event leaves the Raleigh area in the wake of destruction, all property owners need a storm damage repair team they can count on. SERVPRO is a trusted name in the restoration industry, offering disaster-ready crews 24/7 – We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. Whether you are picking up the pieces from hailstorms, high winds, hurricanes, or flash flooding, we have the storm debris removal services you need to return to normal quickly.

Have you suffered from a loss that calls for emergency storm debris removal and restoration in Raleigh? SERVPRO is available for a prompt response and detailed inspection to start getting your property back to pre-storm condition. We will handle all debris, floodwater, and roof damage and work closely with your insurance provider to ensure your claim goes off without a hitch.

Debris removal after storm damage

SERVPRO understands what building owners go through when in a difficult position after a storm causes damage to their property. We have perfected our processes to ensure safe, efficient debris removal so your restoration may begin.

  • We evaluate structural integrity for areas where debris caused roof damage, including load-bearing walls and rafters.
  • Once an action plan gets developed, our storm damage repair crew removes debris, ceiling materials, drywall, and other items that took on the damage.

Proper safety protocols dictate that no restoration can move forward until all debris has been safely extracted from the site.

Storm damage repair services

We provide tarping and board-up services to protect the interior of your Raleigh property immediately. Our skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) then perform extractions and set up drying equipment to address any moisture lurking throughout your interior. Controlled demolition may also handle flood-damaged flooring, ceiling materials, and drywall.

SERVPRO of East Raleigh/Zebulon is available 24/7 with emergency response and proven methods to handle storm debris removal and restoration needs. Call us at (919) 250-0455 or request help online when you need us.

Better Information Eases Raleigh Mold Damage Management

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians in Raleigh are trained and experienced in all phases of mold damage remediation.

Certified SERVPRO Technicians Tackle Mold Restoration Easily

Mold might have developed beneath the surface when you notice dark or brownish patches appearing on walls or ceiling panels. Other signs of trouble include materials like drywall swelling and crumbling at the slightest touch. You may have heard of people dealing with mold damage, but it is only when it develops in your Raleigh home that you get a clear idea of its full effects. 

When your Raleigh property has mold damage and requires remediation, you can get satisfactory results if you understand how and why it develops. Mold falls in the fungus family, and it contaminates any surfacae, provided the conditions it requires for growth are prevalent. These conditions include organic food sources and abundant moisture. These conditions allow microscopic spores that cannot be seen with the naked eye to sprout and start colonizing surfaces. Any remediation process must address the colonies on the surface and prevent new spores from germinating. SERVPRO provides the resources necessary to facilitate such steps.

Necessary mold remediation resources:

  • HEPA filtration equipment
  • Physical agitation equipment
  • Chemical agents
  • Cutting or drilling equipment

Mold colonies consist of the residues at the surface and the hyphae buried deep within materials. Mold also develops openly or within enclosed areas. With such variations in its development, abundant resources are necessary to facilitate remediation. Filtration devices help remove fine mold residues from different regions of a property. For instance, our SERVPRO technicians use HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners to dry clean structural surfaces and contents, removing fine residues and spores. The filters are also essential in addressing particulate matter released into the air during cleaning or demolition. An air filtration device layered with different types of filters and the High-Efficiency Particulate Absorbing filters helps restore indoor air quality after an incident of mold contamination.

Physical Solutions to Fight Mold

Unlike other forms of contamination, mold involves significant physical changes such as debris from the colonies accumulating on surfaces and physical material deterioration when mold consumes them to fuel its development. The physical aspects of the problem require physical solutions such as cutting away deteriorated materials from the structure.

Typical materials to remove:

  • Carpets and pad
  • Drywall
  • Wallpaper

Removal is usually necessary when an affected material is organic and porous since hyphae penetrate deep into its core, where even the most aggressive cleaning processes cannot significantly impact the outcome. During removal, drilling or cutting materials helps limit unnecessary damage, debris, and time wastage. Our SERVPRO crews have various tools, including drills, circular saws, pry bars, and rubber hammers, to tackle the tasks necessary for physical material removal.   

Another critical aspect of mold remediation is using chemical products to help manage soils or stop microbial growth processes. Chemical agents are also helpful in combating odors that develop in contents or structural areas affected by mold contamination. When addressing mold, it is essential to pick the right class of chemical agents. Generally, antimicrobial products should be good enough. However, a special category of products such as sporicides or disinfectants may be necessary when addressing specific challenges. For example, after wet cleaning surfaces, our SERVPRO technicians must take steps to ensure any residue moisture does not prompt the rapid growth of new mold colonies. Using a cleaning product with antimicrobial properties or applying such a product after cleaning helps delay growth. 

SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon is well equipped to handle mold damage. You can call us at (919) 250-0455. We can manage any incident at your property "Like it never even happened."

Necessary Technologies That Help Raleigh Homes with Water Damage

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

After a water intrusion occurs, you can trust that your Raleigh home is in good hands with our experienced technicians at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Helps When Raleigh Homes Need Water Restoration

Moisture intrusion may not seem like a severe issue since leaks often happen. Depending on the amount of water involved and the lead time before discovery, wetness can trigger severe structural deterioration at your Raleigh property. The best way to respond to severe incidents is to involve a professional water damage restorer who can use advanced technologies to counter the problems.

When someone mentions technology usage in Raleigh homes with water damage, it is easy to imagine big machines that may require special operation and transportation to your property. However, restoration technologies can be pocket-sized and still pack a significant punch that changes the course of water remediation processes. The trick is to know them and understand how to utilize them in the restoration process. Our SERVPRO crews are well equipped and fully trained on how to handle the tools to deliver quality outcomes.

Moisture location and management resources:

  • Infrared cameras
  • Moisture meters
  • Dehumidifiers

Locating moisture is a crucial weapon in fighting structural deterioration after water leaks. You may need to find a hidden leak source or moisture migration patterns since absorption, wicking, and evaporation transport moisture far after the initial exposure. Such movement means you might take significant action to extract and dry the visible water, only to face challenges because of the hidden moisture traces.

When the moisture is hidden or absorbed by materials, there is no easy way to make observations and derive conclusions. However, technology eases things by using other metrics for such evaluations. Electrical conductivity is one such metric and requires equipment with two penetrative probes. After driving the probes into a material, the conductivity rate between the probes helps establish the moisture content. Our SERVPRO technicians use penetrative moisture meters driven into wood, drywall, and other materials to take readings. The probes are insulated, leaving only the tips bare, thus allowing the meter to take readings of different layers separately. The second option relies on temperature differences since wet areas tend to be colder. Thermal cameras rely on this metric.

How Reliable are Water Restoration Technologies

Technology is only as adequate as the mastery level of the operator. Knowing where to use a specific tool and how to interpret the readings it produces is a basic skill. For example, our SERVPRO IICRC-Certified technicians know that natural wood contains some moisture content, so we do not expect a moisture meter to return a zero reading. We also check the material to ensure the chosen tool is appropriate and thus not likely to cause physical damage. For example, we can opt for non-penetrative moisture meters to evaluate vulnerable or hard materials such as tiles.

Preparing the equipment before use is essential for maximum effectiveness. Checking whether the tool is calibrated for the material you want to evaluate is vital. Moisture meters can be calibrated for wood or drywall, affecting the readings. Taking readings of known dry areas before proceeding to the wet areas can help you confirm the tools are functional. Finally, you should know that a fully functioning device can present false readings if extraneous factors interfere. Thermal cameras are particularly vulnerable to such interference.

Likely sources of interference:

  • Warm and cold air movement
  • Shadows and sunlight
  • Indoor air conditioning

SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon ensures you reap maximum benefits from various water restoration technologies by providing tools and trained technicians to operate them. You can reach us at (919) 250-0455 for timely assistance. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Hazard Assessment Helps in Raleigh Properties after Fire Damage

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

Call our experts after you experience fire damage in Raleigh. We have training in fire & smoke restoration, odor control, and fabric cleaning.

SERVPRO Runs Smooth Fire Restoration in Raleigh Homes

Whatever financial or sentimental losses you face after fire damage pale compared to the threat of personal injury. Fire causes not only immediate property deterioration but also poses other significant hazards that can prevent you from entering your Raleigh home or taking the appropriate restoration actions. A professional can help identify and mitigate the risks at your premises.

A speedy conclusion to any task is desirable when dealing with Raleigh fire damage restoration processes. Therefore any action that does not seem to facilitate progress may seem unnecessary. Setting aside time to look for hazards that may or may not be there might seem like wasting time. However, since hazards can affect equipment and personnel, stopping all work, any time spent on evaluation is not lost even if you do not find anything of concern. Since SERVPRO crews are made up of several technicians, we can perform such assessments quickly.

Likely hazards after a fire:

  • Overhead hazards from partially burnt panels
  • Openings that may allow unauthorized entry 
  • Electrical shock hazards
  • Slip, trip, and fall hazards

Fire precipitates these hazards in many ways, including compromising the structural integrity of materials through combustion. Our SERVPRO technicians check the level of char depth for solid wood or hanging materials attached overhead to ensure there is minimal risk of collapse. We can perform controlled demolition or provide temporary support for any vulnerable areas before we start working. 

Hazards From The Utilities In Your Burnt House

Utilities such as water and electricity can make your house hazardous in the event of a fire. The insulation of the electric cables running through the affected sections of the house can be compromised by the exposure to high temperatures leaving frayed wires that can shock anyone who touches them or damage any equipment plugged into outlets. Our SERVPRO technicians turn off power at the mains immediately on arrival at the property. If power is needed, we use equipment such as circuit analyzers to check for anomalies before turning on the power.

Water can cause hazards directly or affect other utilities, making them hazardous. For instance, the water spilled to quell flames can get into electrical circuits. Since moisture can conduct electricity, electrocution is possible when handling wet structural materials. Our technicians use non-contact voltage detectors to establish whether electric current flows through wet materials or standing water. Another problem from moisture, whether deposited during firefighting efforts or from damaged pipes, is leaving surfaces slick, leading to injury when people slip. 

Other likely sources of the slip or trip hazards:

  • Cables and hoses
  • Debris
  • Inadequate lighting

Your home can be hazardous after a fire because of poor management of resources and waste. For instance, most of the equipment used for cleaning, drying, and other restoration tasks requires cables and hoses to supply power or transport air or liquids. Careful positioning is essential when using or storing them. Our crews establish a staging area for all equipment before starting restoration. We also ensure a tidy layout of cables and hoses by taking actions such as bundling and zip-tying them.

Debris can also trip people if left scattered. We use large, wheeled trash cans to hold pieces of drywall, ceiling, or insulation that we tear down from the structure. Such demolition is necessary if there is significant charring or residue deposit. 

SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon takes every step possible to ensure fire damage mitigation efforts at your property run smoothly and safely. You can reach us at (919) 250-0455. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Water Restoration After a Bathtub Overflow in Your Raleigh Home

4/16/2023 (Permalink)

Regardless of the room affected, dealing with water damage does not need to cause panic. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for water removal and drying services.

Steps of Water Restoration for Damage Emergencies

As you might suspect, water damage on the second floor of your home could be disastrous for the immediate surrounding areas on this level and the rooms under the bathroom. Removing water and drying up the damage are focal points for responding SERVPRO professionals sent to help.

Water Resistant Bathroom Materials

Several considerations must occur when evaluating water restoration in your Raleigh home after a bathroom leak or bathtub overflow. While there are often water-resistant materials like flooring installed in the bathroom, this is not enough to prevent all the issues that could result. SERVPRO helps with:

  • Water Migration – Water will continue to move through materials and adjacent rooms, requiring our team to focus on containment. 
  • Absorption into Porous Materials – The overflow can absorb into exposed wood, drywall, and other porous installations to allow moisture migration through structural systems. 
  • Penetration to the Floor Below the Bathtub – Even with nonporous installations like tile, water can still get underneath the flooring with an access point. We must track moisture movement and effectively dry these overwhelmed materials.

Water Restoration Objectives

As with many water damage restoration situations, the first step for our professionals is removing the standing water. Pooling immediately threatens the connected porous building materials like flooring and drywall. Extractors help to ensure thorough drying can follow.

Surface water is not the only restoration challenge after these disasters, however. We must also use effective drying equipment, like air movers and dehumidifiers, to evaporate trapped water and remove it from the air when it becomes environmental moisture. 

Spills and unexpected disasters are an uncomfortable and unfortunate part of homeownership for some. When a bathtub overflow or backup causes water damage to your residence, SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon can help. Call us 24/7 at (919) 250-0455.

Raleigh Homeowners Trust SERVPRO with Mold Remediation

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO AMRT technicians utilize HEPA filtration to improve IAQ during mold remediation in Raleigh homes

SERVPRO Mold Remediation is Quick and Efficient in Raleigh Homes  

Mold remediation of your Raleigh home needs professionals like SERVPRO, who have the training, tools, and experience to do the job safely and efficiently. The primary objective of mold remediation is to prevent the release of mold spores, fragments, and dust from surfaces, causing cross-contamination.

SERVPRO techs follow the IICRC S520 guidelines during the mold remediation of your Raleigh home to ensure a high standard of safety and efficacy. We develop a restoration strategy that not only addresses the present contamination but also reduces the chances of future infestations.

Role of Air Filtration Devices in Mold Removal

Air filtration devices (AFDs) are essential in mold removal by capturing airborne mold spores and preventing them from spreading to other areas. SERVPRO mold specialists use HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters for effective mold remediation, as they can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%.

Apart from using the AFDs, SERVPRO techs also establish proper airflow and exchange rates to minimize spores from spreading to unaffected areas and to ensure the safety of the remediation workers. Techs use negative air pressure, where the air is drawn out of the contaminated area and filtered through HEPA filters before being discharged outside or through other means of air exchange, such as natural ventilation or air scrubbers.

The specific airflow and exchange rates depend on the size of the area being remediated and the extent of the contamination. That said, SERVPRO techs usually carry out a minimum of four air changes per hour.

Vacuum Systems Used During Mold Removal

Apart from the HEPA-equipped vacuum systems, SERVPRO techs use the following types of vacuum systems recommended by the IICRC during mold remediation:

  • High-filtration vacuums
  • Standard wet-dry canister vacuums
  • Exterior-venting vacuum systems

Call SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon at (919) 250-0455 for fast and efficient service.

Managing Electrical Safety Hazards During Water Restoration in Raleigh

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

Play in safe when water damages your Raleigh home office; call SERVPRO for cleanup and restoration. "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Provides Electrical Generators during Water Restoration in Raleigh

Commercial buildings in Raleigh present many different hazards during water restoration activities. Depending on the business, there may be various environmental hazards, including hazardous materials and chemicals that have been compromised, structural problems, and electrical issues from live circuits and equipment powered by electricity.

Live electrical circuits are particularly dangerous during water restoration in Raleigh commercial buildings. Water conducts electricity endangering anyone working in the area or attempting to shut off circuits at the main distribution panel. The water inside wall panels can enter the electrical conduit system unseen, leading to dangerous situations. SERVPRO technicians always check for live circuits and follow a common sense approach:

  • Turn off circuit breakers providing power to damaged areas
  • If in doubt, turn off all circuit breakers
  • A licensed electrician may be required to complete an inspection
  • Add lockout tags on the panel
  • Post signage on the panel indicating “Work in Progress, Do not reset breakers.”
  • If the electrical panel is underwater or too dangerous to reach, turn off the power to the building

Once it is safe to enter the premises, SERVPRO utilizes truck-mounted generators powering sump pumps, water extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers to remove standing water and dry the area. SERVPRO checks all cavities inside walls and floors for water and high moisture levels to avoid secondary damage to structure and mold infestations.

Additional safety steps that building owners should consider in these situations include:

  • Utilize Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to prevent high electrical current
  • Check tools, cords, and accessories for damage.
  • Avoid using lightweight light gauge extension cords to power equipment.
  • Before energizing the electrical panel and circuits, have a qualified electrician verify all electrical circuits are safe to use.
  • Ensure all equipment and appliances are properly dried and safe to use.

Call SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon for water restoration services. We provide service to Raleigh and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (919) 250-0455.

SERVPRO Offers Fire Damage Restoration Services in Raleigh

1/9/2023 (Permalink)

Even small fires can create damage throughout your home.SERVPRO is equipped to restore your home to its preloss condition.

Need Fire Damage Restoration, Cleanup, and Repair in Raleigh – Call SERVPRO

Even if it is a small fire in your Raleigh home, the damage can seem overwhelming to the homeowner and their family. The fire may leave charred remnants in the immediate area of the fire, soot and smoke residue in adjacent rooms, and smoke odors throughout the house. In many situations, the home's HVAC system runs and distributes odors and residues to every room.

SERVPRO offers fire damage restoration services to our clients in Raleigh and surrounding areas. We are on-site less than four hours after your initial call and often before the fire department leaves the scene. Our technicians can begin cleanup as soon as the fire department, your insurance adjuster, and our clients approve.

Many potential dangers are associated with fire: live electrical circuits, slips, falls, and structural issues related to severe fire destruction. We focus on keeping our clients and our employees safe during controlled demolition if needed and cleanup after a fire.

Many residents are concerned about the strong odors after a fire. We remove the debris left from the fire, clean all surfaces and remove surface smoke residues to reduce odors to a minimum. We also clean your HVAC system to remove any residue that may have settled inside the system.

Once all residues are removed and all surfaces have been cleaned, our final step is to deploy powerful deodorization units to remove any lingering odor from the fire. Our building services team can also coordinate the restoration of your home after the fire. Structure repair, plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring, etc., are coordinated to return your home to its original condition as quickly as possible.

Our services include:

Call SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon for fire damage restoration services. We provide service to Raleigh and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (919) 250-0455.

Storms Can Require Water Damage Restoration for Raleigh Homes

12/18/2022 (Permalink)

Team SERVPRO is what you need after a water damage scenario in your home. Our technicians have the expertise and the equipment to help you.

Storm Water Damage Restoration Objectives

We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, and this is an important piece of knowledge when your home suffers flooding and storm damage. We know how critical mitigation and emergency services become, including:

  • Containing the damage
  • Demolition and repairs
  • Effective drying
  • Thorough cleaning

Containing the Damage 

As you might expect, water damage restoration for Raleigh homes after flooding relies first on keeping the situation from getting worse. Surface pooling spreads fast through openings and available pathways of the house, so it is critical to establish barriers and a restoration perimeter where all the work happens inside.

Demolition and Repairs 

After flooding, controlled demolition is an essential aspect of the mitigation services SERVPRO provides. We carefully remove contaminated materials and open pathways to wet areas of the property that are otherwise inaccessible. We can expedite drying and disinfection through emergency repairs and careful material elimination.

Efficient Drying Solutions

Drying is a universal need for all water damage recovery situations that homes endure, but it can be especially important after storms. It is critical to limit the moisture in areas of the house and prevent them from persisting for several days when possible. Mold and microbial development can begin in as little as 48 hours. We utilize air movers, dehumidifiers, and heaters for regulating in-house dampness and surface water.

Thorough Cleaning 

Stormwater can be a hazard for homeowners and those exposed to these moist environments. It is easy for bacterial and viral pathogens to find a home on surfaces and in the air. At the same time, contaminated water contact also amplifies the potential for mold and microbial growth. We have potent surface cleaning products to disinfect and sanitize.

When considering water damage restoration for Raleigh homes and businesses, it is important to act fast when the storm passes to protect what matters most. Our SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon team is ready 24/7 to help when you call (919) 250-0455. 

Keys to Cost-Effective Water Damage Mitigation in Raleigh

11/8/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides water damage restoration services for all homes. We are here to help.

Fast Mitigation of Water Damage Crucial in Raleigh

Sometimes property owners in Raleigh need to choose what to do after a disaster. A swift reaction to a destructive event like a broken water line initially seems expensive. However, professional water damage mitigation prevents the development of related complications – impediments that require extensive repairs and for a much higher cost.

When your property in Raleigh sustains water damage, you need specialists who can handle everything and uncomplicate the process. SERVPRO can do this and make it all "Like it never even happened." We also perform reconstruction work, including minor demolition, to prepare your property for the necessary work.

Other aspects involved in recovery from a water damage event include restoration of:

  • Plumbing,
  • The electrical system, and
  • Flooring repairs or tear-outs and reinstallation.

While the water damage might have occurred because of a broken pipe, older plumbing systems often have more than one place where a joint is loose or sections of the length are weak. With metal pipes, corrosion can cause leaks where water sprays onto surfaces in the area and leaves them continually soaked. We can repair these sections with upgraded materials, helping prevent future leaks.

Water and electricity never mix. If a busted water line sprays water onto an outlet, let SERVPRO's experienced technicians handle the situation. We have portable power resources available to us in the interim.

Water affects most flooring types harshly, and SERVPRO trains our technicians to deal with carpeting, tile, hardwood, and many other styles. Repairs are typically the most cost-effective option, but our specialists can remove the old flooring and reinstall new ones when the damage becomes severe. This option allows property owners to install new flooring, generally adding to their property's interior space.

SERVPRO of East Raleigh / Zebulon is always available to meet your needs. Just call our emergency services line at (919) 250-0455.