Recent Posts

How To Choose The Right Extinguisher

5/15/2024 (Permalink)

Keeping a fire extinguisher in your home can save you and your property from a small fire. However, there is a wide selection of fire extinguishers to choose from and they are all intended to be used for different fires. 

Extinguisher Classes

Each class of extinguisher fights a different type of fire:

Class A: Wood, paper and trash
Class B: Grease, oil-based liquids and gasoline
Class C: Electrical equipment
Class D: Flammable metals
Class K: Animal and vegetable oils used in cooking

Household extinguishers are rated A, B or C. On the label, the numbers that precede the letters give the rating of the extinguisher's effectiveness against that type of fire. An extinguisher with a 4-B rating, for example, is more effective against a grease fire than one rated 2-B. Higher effectiveness usually means a higher-priced extinguisher. There is no number designation for Class C.

Extinguisher Sizes
You can choose your extinguisher size based on where you will use it. A 5-pound extinguisher is suited for a typical home fire and is easy to pick up and use. A 10-pound fire extinguisher is a good choice for the garage, where a fire may grow before you see it. You can also find stove-top extinguishers that mount above the range.

Best Extinguisher Locations
Safety experts recommend you keep an extinguisher on each floor of your home for maximum fire preparedness. The kitchen is an ideal place because of the enhanced risk of fire in that room. Keep the extinguisher where household members can reach it quickly and easily. The best location is near an exit if the fire gets out of control and you must evacuate.

Equipping your home with the right fire extinguisher can save your home and your family. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Clearing the Air: How SERVPRO® Eliminates Odors for Good!

5/10/2024 (Permalink)

Odors, it's a word that is not pleasing to the ear nor to the nose. Smelling an odor throughout your home or business can be intolerable, especially if you do not know where it is coming from. People often attempt to get rid of the odor by spraying air freshener and while it is a temporary fix, it does not completely eliminate the odor.


This is because they are simply masking the odor instead of eliminating it. Fortunately, SERVPRO specializes in eliminating persistent smells such as smoke, pet urine, and other foul scents whether it is inside or outside. Our advanced equipment allows us to target the source and leave your home or business smelling fresh. Here is how we do it in just 4 steps:


1. Remove the source of the odor. The odor removal process starts with identifying the source of the smell and removing it. If not removed, debris contaminated with odor-causing residues will continue to give off the odors which will interfere with the cleaning process.


2. Clean residues from surfaces. Once the source of the odor is removed, our technicians will properly clean the surfaces to deodorize them effectively using advanced equipment.


3. Re-create the conditions that caused odor penetration. Our technicians then distribute a deodorizer to the surface in a manner similar to the way the odor-causing substances penetrated the surface.


4. Seal Surfaces Exposed to Unpleasant Odors. This step is more for severe situations when an odor removal is impractical and the only solution is to seal the location where the odor is coming from.


SERVPRO’s priority is to leave your home or business smelling fresh and feeling clean.
Our uniquely trained professionals will identify the source of any foul odor and eliminate it from your home or business.

Inside or outside, you can count on SERVPRO for your odor elimination needs at any time of the day.

What To Do When You Have Water Damage

5/9/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can wreak havoc on your home or property. Water damage can occur from burst pipes, leaking roofs, storms, floods, and hurricanes. The consequences can be devastating, leading to structural damage, mold growth, and potential health hazards. 

When facing these situations, it is best to contact a restoration company such as SERVPRO®. However, here are some simple actions you can take while you wait on a SERVPRO team to arrive at your home. 

Turn off the Power 

Attempt to safely switch off the electricity and gas to avoid electrocution and gas leaks. If unable to do so due to an extensive amount of water in the home, wait for a SERVPRO team to arrive and cut the power off. 

Locate and Stop the Water Source

Identify where the water is coming from. If it is coming from a burst pipe or leaking appliance, turn off the water supply to prevent further flooding. 

If the source of the water is external, such as a storm or flooding, do your best to divert or contain the water from further damaging your home and furniture. 

Remove Excess Water

Use pumps, wet/dry vacuums, buckets, or towels to remove as much water as possible from the affected area. The faster you can extract the water, the better chance you have of preventing further damage and mold growth.  

Move Belongings Out of Water

To prevent further damage to your furniture, move them to another room that is dry. If you have heavy furniture that you are unable to lift and move around, wait for a SERVPRO team to arrive to assist with moving the furniture. 

SERVPRO also specializes in restoring any piece of furniture that has been damaged during the disaster. 

Call your Insurance Company

Once you have done all the above, now is the time to contact your insurance company and investigate what is covered in terms of water damage. Document the damage thoroughly and file a claim with your insurance as soon as possible in order for you to get reimbursed for the costs of mitigation. 

Dealing with water damage is a long and stressful process. Luckily, SERVPRO is available 24/7 with a team of certified professionals who are equipped with advanced equipment to resolve disasters like these. 

SERVPRO, the only restoration company that makes “Like it never even happened” happen. 

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.

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.