If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (509) 534-0566

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Blog Posts

It is Critical to Act Fast in the Face of Water Damage

6/5/2022 (Permalink)

When you have water damage in your home, acting quickly to manage it is very important. The first goal is to remove the water and ensure mold does not grow. For that to happen, though, you need to dry out surfaces quickly and ensure proper cleanliness along the way. Yet, even in these situations, mold growth is a risk. Hiring a professional water damage and mold remediation company can help you to reclaim your home.

When Do You Need More Detailed Cleaning?

The mold remediation process is a higher level and a more in-depth cleaning process for removing mold. It involves containing the mold as much as possible, using air filtration to pull out spores from the air, and then removing all mold and mold-infested materials properly and safely.

Because this is a complex situation, it is best left to those who have extensive training in water damage cleanup. Our team works closely with you to find all areas of potential mold so it can be safely contained and removed in the proper manner. Taking these extra steps is necessary when you want the best level of protection against mold growth.

Finding the Right Help Is Critical: We Can Help You

When you have any type of water damage, remember you do not need to handle the problem on your own. Our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is available to you 24/7 Just call 509-534-0566.

SERVPRO Will Be There for You Anytime 24/7

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

24/7 Service sign SERVPRO of Spokane South & West Spokane County maintains a response team that can be at your disaster 24/7.

Emergencies, whether they are water or fire related can’t wait until business hours. That is why SERVPRO is available anytime of the day and any day of the week, 24/7. Guaranteed immediate response day or night to help with any emergency or disaster. We understand the importance of getting on top of an emergency and that’s why we are always available. When it comes to water damages and disasters, water spreads quickly and is very invasive. It will absorb into floors, walls, furniture, and more. That’s why it is important for us to get out right away to start absorbing that water and lessen the potential damage. For any emergency fire or water, it is important for us to quickly set up our machines to clean the air of any bacteria or chemicals. Emergency situations can be extremely stressful and overwhelming and that is why we want to always be available to be there in your time of need.

If you have fire, water, biohazard or other property damage emergency, make sure you call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County for help anytime 24/7. You can reach us at 509-534-0566.

Join Our Team

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Crew Group Photo Join the hardworking team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County

Want to join a great team and have a rewarding job? SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has your opportunity! We're a fire/water damage mitigation company and we're currently hiring for all positions.

We may not rescue people, but we rescue their property and help restore peace of mind after disaster strikes! When there's been fire or smoke damage, water damage, storm damage, or any type of property damage, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is on the scene to secure the property, begin the cleanup process and restore the property.

If you're ready to work, we've got your job!

  • Full Time
  • Competitive Salary
  • Great Benefits

First: Download an application here:  

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7er2gui0js99tz0/Application%20for%20Employment.pdf?dl=0

Second: Send the completed application to rachael@SERVPROnwspokane.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

If You Have Experienced Property Damage, Hire Experienced Pros for Restoration

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

There are many things to consider when hiring a company to help you after a storm, fire, or flood. At this devastating time, you are worried about your home or business and your future. That is why it is so important to hire a team of dedicated professionals to work with you, guide you, and support you on the right path to cleaning up and restoring your home.

Seek Out a Company with Experience

At the heart of the process is choosing a company that can stand behind the work they offer. They have experience. They know exactly what to do. They pay attention to the local building codes in your area to ensure the work is done properly. When you call in someone like this to support your efforts, you know the results you are going to get are exceptional.

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is a smart choice when you have any kind of property damage that needs to be cleaned and restored. We have an expertly trained IICRC certified crew of dedicated professionals available to answer the phone and take your 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. We tell you what we are going to do and how the process works. You can feel confident in the outcome because you know our team is providing you with the level of service you need. When you have a tragic situation like this, nothing but the best matters.

Put Your Trust in Our Team

When it comes to choosing a company that can help you, select one that stands behind the work they do. Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County to help you. We’re here for you 24/7. Just call us at 509-534-0566.

SERVPRO is the Right Solution for Your Commercial Cleaning and Restoration

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

A commercial restoration and cleaning service such as SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is essential in maintaining your commercial property. The condition of your building impacts productivity at work and eventually your bottom line. Here are a few of the benefits you can expect when you hire the right pros to take care of cleaning and restoration.

Faster Insurance Process

If you have suffered a loss from fire, flood, water damage, biohazard, or more, you’ll have the information you need when you file for a claim with your insurance company. Experienced restoration experts can help you fill out the forms and provide documentation that prevents the insurance company from downgrading the losses or damages.

Experience

As an established restoration service provider, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has the experience and industry knowledge to provide the assistance you need. That ensures efficient and stellar results. With a team of IICRC certified technicians who are up to date with the latest and best practices in restoration techniques, you can look forward to getting your property restored and your business back in operation quickly.

Tailored Solutions

Not all commercial cleaning and restoration services provide solutions tailored to your needs. That’s why it’s essential that you sort out the details with the firm. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County will come up with a plan that fits your needs and is just right for your budget.

Continued Use

Pros can take a look at your building or facility, assess the damage, come up with a detailed plan for repairs, and proceed to restore the property. With their help, you can get back to using that space in no time. It's possible that the firm may be able to restore portions of your property to operational status while still working on more difficult areas. This will help you begin to get back in business quickly.

Hire the Right Pros

When you’re looking for a cleaning and restoration service provider, there is no better choice than SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Our team of experienced professionals is IICRC certified. That means we’re up to date with the latest training, techniques, and equipment to make short work of your cleaning and restoration no matter how serious your property damage. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

Water Damage Often Results in Mold Growth and Damage

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

If you've had any water damage or even excess moisture in your home, there is a real possibility that you also have hidden mold.

Assessing mold growth isn’t easy. But if you think there’s a stale smell in your home, or if you or a family member keep suffering from respiratory and breathing problems, then those are some of the signs that you might have a mold problem. Here are a few steps you can take on how to resolve the issue.

Learn More About Moisture

How does moisture result in mold growth? Knowing how moisture affects the structural integrity of your property will help you get a better understanding of just how problematic moisture is. And why you’ll need to put in measures to keep it out of your home.

Document Everything

If you see mold anywhere, document the problem. Take photos, write down descriptions, dates, and when you can, take videos of the affected sites. These will all make it easier for mold remediation experts to assess the condition of your home. With the documentation, they can come up with a remediation plan in the quickest way possible. If you’re a commercial property owner you’ll also need the documentation to manage the liability for your facility.

Know the Extent of the Issue

How much of your property is contaminated with the mold? How bad is the problem? The extent of the contamination will determine the mold removal measures to be undertaken. The goal is to remove all the mold. That’s where pros come in.

Hire Mold Removal Experts

Don't try to do this on your own. Pros have the expertise, tools, and resources to get the job done and done right. They know what signs to look for. They are in a better position to find and remove the mold in the best and safest way possible.

Pick a Trusted Crew

Make sure you hire a trusted firm. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is IICRC certified. That means that have the training, tools and know the proper processes to solve your water damage and mold problems. Call them anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

When Water Damages More Than Just Your Home--Your Keepsakes and Belongings

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

Books and documents under water When your treasured keepsakes and important documents have water damage, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has the expertise to help.

Water damage can happen from a range of different reasons, with it brings immense stress and worry for you, not to mention extreme damage and risk to your home. On top of that you have your personal belongings that could also be affected by such tragedy. Luckily SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has the skill and methods of restoring items that could be considered irreplaceable or just too expensive to replace.

Our contents team specializes in restoring your personal and sentimental belongings. We can also securely store items that need to be taken out of the home and clean most items affected by the water. These items include clothes, furniture, even photos. Our crews try and focus on restoring rather than replacing because it helps you save money, plus they can preserve your sentimental keepsakes that can’t be replaced.

Knowing that your treasured heirlooms and keepsakes are in good hands takes much of the stress out of having water damage in your home. When water damage happens, give us a call 24/7. We're here to help you. Call 509-534-0566.

Even a Small Fire Needs Professional Cleanup

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can spell trouble in the aftermath. Cleanup by professionally trained technicians is critical to prevent even more damage. An assessment by a reliable restoration company is a good investment, making certain the cleanup plan does not exacerbate the situation. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County specializes in restoration of the damage done by fires large or small.


Smoldering for several hours, an old, poorly functioning surge protector covered by an old rug shorted out, causing fire damage to your Spokane home. Little actual charring is present, and you discovered the problem, shut off the circuit, and removed and disposed of the cord without calling the fire department. Calling a restoration firm helps you determine the extent of damage caused by smoke and soot and devise a plan to return all areas of your house to preloss condition. We are eager to help.

SERVPRO technicians inspect all areas of your home for soot, including your HVAC system. The cord smoldered for an extended period, causing a significant amount of potentially toxic materials to spread throughout the dwelling. The heat and incomplete burning of plastics and fabric release fine and sometimes sticky substances that coat surfaces and lodge in clothing, furniture, and linens. If it is pulled into the heating and cooling system, it recirculates until the ducts are cleaned and sealed.

Our crew deep cleans the soot away, using a variety of methods depending on the texture of the contaminated surfaces and the characteristics of the debris. We match professional cleaning products to the tasks; using different techniques for the varying soot presentations. We also evaluate foods, documents, and personal belongings, identifying items that can be restored, and recommending disposal of those that cannot. Professional sorting saves you money as an overwhelmed homeowner may throw everything away. And SERVPRO team members are also proficient at eliminating odors, a significant lingering effect after a smoldering fire.

SERVPRO works with your home insurance company, making certain you receive compensation for destroyed items and at least part of the cost of our services. Our familiarity with proper fire damage restoration decreases the time your home is filled with soot and smells, quickly returning your living areas to a fresh and comfortable condition, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County offers the trained technicians, professional products, and specialized equipment to restore your home after fire damage. Call (509) 534-0566 to schedule an assessment.

Safety Should Be On Your Mind--Even After a Fire

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Technician cleaning wall of soot after fire If there's this much soot on the walls, it's likely in the air too. Don't go in without proper respiratory protection!

It is traumatic to experience a fire in your home or business. And the dangers don't present themselves only during the fire. They can appear after. It is important to take specific actions to minimize hazards to your health after the flames are gone.

One of the biggest concerns after the fire is out is air quality. It is likely that materials caught fire and debris were sent airborne. These could be toxigenic. Without proper respiratory protection you will be consuming these items.

Another big concern has to do with "slip and fall" hazards. If you must go into the structure, make sure to wear proper shoes, and avoid areas that may be wet from the water that was sprayed to put out the blaze.

Use the buddy system.  Only do activities that are safe for you to perform. Use your legs to lift things -- don't use your back!  Be very careful.

There are some things you should do, following a fire. Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork. Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. If electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator and prop the doors open. Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil. Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves. Change HVAC filter. Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Most of all, remember that the contents can be replaced. Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones. Getting injured after the fire is something that can be avoided!

And most important, call the professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County for certified cleaning and remediation. Contact us 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Spring and Summer Storms Are Coming--Check Your Sump Pump

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Sump pump diagram It's easy to forget about doing maintenance on your sump pump. Do yourself a favor and check it out before the next severe storm.

Sump pumps are headache savers when it comes to saving our basements from flooding whenever a downpour occurs. The sump pump sits in the lowest part of our basement or crawlspace and is automatically activated when it detects that there is water starting to fill up the hole it is sitting in. As the pump runs, it sends the water out of the discharge line and away from the home making sure that the home does not flood. Like any other mechanical device, sump pumps still have the possibility of failing.

Causes of sump pump failure

  • Power failure– The most common cause for failure of a sump pump is a power outage. As we know, most power outages happen when we need the sump pump most, during a storm. Purchasing a backup generator to keep your sump pump moving during a storm can save your home from a flooded basement.
  • Improper installation– The installation of a sump pump is crucial to it working properly. One mistake or misstep in following the manufacturer instructions can lead to water to be displaced. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s manual or consult a professional to make sure the sump pump is installed correctly.
  • Frozen or clogged discharge line– The discharge line is where the water exits the home. It is important to make sure that the line is protected from freezing and does not have debris such as dirt, rocks and sticks. A grated discharge line will give water a separate way to flow in case of a blockage.
  • Lack of maintenance – Manufacturers recommend testing and running the pump every 2-3 months.
  • Switch problems – The purpose of the sump pump is to automatically turn on when a sensor notices that there is water build up. If the pump gets shifted and moves position inside of the basin, it can cause switch to be inaccurate and not know where the correct water level is, making the pump not switch on at the correct time.
  • Manufacturer defect – Although it is rare to get a bad machine right out of the store, it still is possible. It is important to test the pump after installation to ensure that it is running properly so that you aren’t finding the defect when it is already too late.

If you experience flooding in your home or business, you'll want to call the water damage experts at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. You can reach us 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Storm Damage to Your Spokane Property Needs Professional Restoration

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Tree fallen on a roof after a storm Rain & wind can cause devastating damage to your Spokane property. That's where SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can help.

When heavy rains and high winds hit hard, property destruction and loss can be devastating. Structural damage to the exterior of your home is usually followed by interior devastation from water and winds. Storm damage is rarely isolated to just a few buildings in an area adding the challenge of finding a restoration company that can respond swiftly to your needs to an already anxiety provoking situation. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County delivers the help you need swiftly even when a local disaster is widespread as we are able to call upon a network of over 1,650 franchises nationwide to respond if the need is great. 
 
Storm damage in Spokane can feel overwhelming, but when our team of professionals responds to your water, wind and flooding repair and restoration needs you'll feel a sense of relief. Your property is of paramount importance to us, and you need not worry that your repairs and restoration will take a back seat even when many in your area are struggling to recover from the same issues you face. Choosing our company puts in motion a vast support system, but our local ownership means you will receive a personalized approach to your particular situation, efficiently returning your home back to its pre-storm condition just “Like it never even happened.” 
 
Placing your trust in SERVPRO for your storm damage needs will reap you benefits that less qualified companies simply cannot deliver. We use state of the art equipment to clean, repair and restore your home and in the process, we also restore your and your family’s peace of mind. Our technicians are highly trained and qualified, current in Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IIICRC) for any procedure needed to bring your home back to the comfortable and comforting refuge you deserve. We also work closely with your insurance company, ensuring that all the work necessary is approved and compensated according to the terms of your policy. Our high standards and relentless drive to do the job on time while meeting local specifications means you and your family will quickly return to the quiet enjoyment of your house and neighborhood. We are not satisfied until you are happily back in your restored dwelling. 
 
Once you make sure that your family is safe after a major storm, your first call should be to SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Dial (509) 534-0566 24/7 and begin the road to recovery by scheduling an inspection with our storm damage experts.

If Your Business Has Water Damage You Need the Pros Instantly!

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

Water damaged office area When your business experiences water damage, you need a team that will help you get back in business fast.

Flooding and water damage events at Spokane-area commercial properties are often complex, with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County will work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area.

Business owners understand that the business downtime can be more devastating than the property damage -- we understand that too. Many times the most important thing to Spokane-area businesses is to get back in business . . . fast. It is critical that business owners be put in a position where revenue-generating activities can begin again as quickly as possible.

The professional technicians at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area quickly while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is IICRC Certified and highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Call us 24/7 at (509) 534-0566.

When Your Business Suffers Property Damage, Call SERVPRO 24/7

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO truck parked in front of large commercial office building No matter the size of your disaster, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can get you back in business quickly and safely.

Commercial Storm Damage Restoration

Storms and dangerous weather can be devastating to any business. Wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding can occur suddenly and cause substantial damage in a matter of minutes. We don't like to think about these things happening in our beautiful Northwest, but they do. There’s never a convenient time for flooding or storm damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour lost revenue and productivity. So, when an emergency situation arises in your business, give the pros at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County a call and we’ll be there as fast as we can with the help you need.

Commercial Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial storm or water damage emergencies. Regardless of your property type or size, we will respond quickly to clean the property and manage the restoration project through to its completion.

It is our priority to get you back in business quickly and safely. Our IICRC certified technicians are highly trained and experts in all types of property damage restoration. Give us a call anytime 24/7 and we'll be at your service in no time. Call 509-534-0566.

Hiring a Storm Damage Restoration Team in Spokane

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Home with fallen tree on the roof No matter what kind of damage you have from a storm, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is ready to help.

When you have storm damage that has made your home impossible to live in, call a team of restoration specialists to help you recover your home. Disaster recovery services like this can do all of the work you need them to do. This may include any of the following services.

Extracting Water and Shoring Up Risks

Your disaster recovery team can help to stop the problem from worsening. This may mean extracting water from the home’s basement. It may also mean adding coverings to holes in the roof. The goal is to quickly make your home as safe as possible.

Determining the Level of Support You Need

The next step in the process is to provide a full assessment to determine the extensiveness of the problems from the storm damage. A full inspection, completed by a disaster recovery specialist, will address any of your concerns fully. Working with your insurance company is also possible.

Getting the Clean Up Going

Whether you need permits or just help removing the damaged materials from your home, the team does the work for you safely. This includes removing damaged materials, cleaning the home, applying mold remediation as needed, and then working to rebuild your home’s damaged areas.

Expect Fast, Reliable Service from Our Team

When you call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, you get customized help restoring your home to a safe condition again. Let our team help you with all aspects of storm damage recovery. Call us 24-hours a day for immediate help. Call 509-534-0566.

When You Have a Property Damage Emergency, SERVPRO Will Be There

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Service 24/7 postcard When you need immediate help for your property damage you want a reliable and skilled resource that can be there for you 24/7.

Emergencies, whether they are water or fire related can’t wait until regular business hours. That is why SERVPRO is available anytime of the day and any day of the week, 24/7.

Guaranteed immediate response day or night to help with any emergency or disaster. We understand the importance of getting on top of an emergency and that’s why we are always available. When it comes to water damage, water spreads quickly and is very invasive. It will absorb into floors, walls, furniture, and more. That’s why it is important for us to get out right away to start absorbing that water and lessen the potential damage.

For any emergency fire or water, it is important for us to quickly set up our machines to clean the air of any bacteria or chemicals. Emergency situations can be extremely stressful and overwhelming and that is why we want to always be available to be there in your time of need.

When you need us, we'll be there because we're faster to any size disaster. Just call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.  We'll be there for you.

Hiring The Right Restoration Firm is Essential to Successful Results

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

A commercial restoration and cleaning service such as SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is critical in maintaining your commercial property--especially if you have experienced a water or fire emergency. The condition of your building impacts productivity at work and eventually your bottom line. Here are a few of the benefits you can expect when you hire the right pros to take care of cleaning and damage restoration.

Faster Insurance Process

If you have suffered a loss from fire, flood, water damage, biohazard, or more, you’ll have the information you need when you file for a claim with your insurance company. Our experienced restoration experts can help you fill in the form. They also provide documentation that prevents the insurance company from downgrading the losses or damages.

Experience

As an established restoration service provider, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has the experience and industry knowledge to provide the assistance you need. That ensures efficient and top quality results. With a team of certified and skilled technicians who are up to date with the latest and best practices in restoration techniques, you can look forward to getting your property restored and your business back in operation quickly.

Tailored Solutions

Not all commercial cleaning and restoration services provide solutions tailored to your needs. That’s why it’s essential that you sort out the details with the firm. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County will come up with a plan that fits your needs and is just right for your budget.

Continued Use

Pros can take a look at the building or facility, assess the damage, come up with a detailed plan for repairs, and proceed to restore the property. With their help, you can get back to using that space in no time. It's possible that SERVPRO may be able to restore portions of your property to operational status while still working on more difficult areas. This will help you begin to get back in business quickly.

Hire the Right Pros

When you’re looking for a cleaning and restoration service provider, there is no better choice than SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Our team of experienced professionals is IICRC certified. That means we’re up to date with the latest training, techniques, and equipment to make short work of your cleaning and restoration no matter how serious your property damage. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

Important Considerations for Restoration Companies

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Restoration services help put your property back in shape. Whether you’ve been through a disaster, a fire, storm, or leaks and flooding, finding a restoration team to provide the services you need is an essential step in making your home safe and habitable again. If you’re looking for help, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County should be on top of your list. Here’s why hiring the SERVPRO crew is your best hiring decision.

24-Hour Emergency Service

Not all restoration firms provide 24-hour emergency response. But we understand that problems often happen without a warning and with little to no regard for schedules or daylight hours. Our emergency service is open 24/7, so you can count on us to come to your aid, night or day.

Faster Relief Response

Our experience over the years has equipped our team with the necessary knowledge and skill to address issues and provide solutions as fast and as efficiently as possible. Our fast response times is one of the reasons why our customers love us. We are able to restore many of our clients’ belongings and properties because we get to the premises as soon as possible.

Trusted Reputation

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has an excellent reputation for providing outstanding service quality. With positive client feedback and years of experience in the field, our team knows how to help you. We are in a position to resolve your damage and restoration problems. Our team is made up of trained contractors who are up to date on the latest and best practices for restoration, as well as mold removal.

Advanced Techniques and Tools

Our cleaning and restoration professionals are IICRC certified and not only know advanced techniques; they also have advanced tools to make the process a lot easier. The specialized equipment means that we are able to save and restore a lot more. Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County anytime 24/7 and we’ll be faster to any disaster. Call us at 509-534-0566.

When Storm Damage Strikes SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is Your Best Call

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Tree fallen on a roof after a storm Storm damage and present a significant challenge in the Inland Northwest. SERVPRO is here to help.

When you have storm damage that has impacted the livability of your home, call a team of restoration specialists to help you recover from the damage. Damage restoration services like this can do all of the work you need them to do. This may include any of the following services.

Extracting Water and Shoring Up Risks

Your disaster recovery team can help to stop the problem from worsening. This may mean extracting water from the home’s basement. It may also mean adding coverings to holes in the roof. The goal is to quickly make your home as safe as possible.

Determining the Level of Support You Need

The next step in the process is to provide a full assessment to determine the extensiveness of the problems from the storm damage. A full inspection, completed by a disaster recovery specialist, will address any of your concerns fully. Working with your insurance company is also possible.

Getting the Clean Up Going

Whether you need permits or just help removing the damaged materials from your home, the team does the work for you safely. This includes removing damaged materials, cleaning the home, applying necessary mold remediation as needed, and then working to rebuild your home’s damaged areas.

Expect Fast, Reliable Service from Our Team

When you call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, you get customized help restoring your home to a safe condition again. Our team is IICRC certified and specially trained to help you with all aspects of storm damage recovery. Call us at 509-534-0566 24-hours a day for immediate help.

Storm Damage? Follow IICRC Restoration Recommendations

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

IICRC Storm Damage Restoration Recommendations
The following information is submitted by IICRC as a public service to those who have suffered water-related losses due to storm damage (e.g., hurricane, tornado). Since there are many variables involved in deciding about appropriate restoration steps, users of this information assume any and all liability for implementing the procedures covered herein.

The following recommendations assume water-related storm damage to residential or light commercial structures. For recommendations regarding restoration of major commercial properties and building assemblies, it is important to consult with professionals who have specific training and experience in this area.

Whether insured or not, it is important for property owners to document damage with photographs or video, and immediately begin loss mitigation procedures themselves; or hire a qualified contractor to do this on their behalf. It is totally inappropriate to put off mitigation while waiting for an insurance claims representative to arrive on the scene to evaluate the loss. By that time, in all probability sufficient time will have passed to grow and amplify microorganisms, which may not be covered by insurance. Loss mitigation is defined by insurance policies as “reasonable and prudent measures designed to preserve, protect and secure property from further damage,” including microbial growth and amplification.

According to IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (IICRC S500), there are three categories of water that cause damage in buildings. They are summarized as follows:

Category 1 Water – That which is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. Category 1 water may become progressively contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings or building assemblies (walls, decking, subflooring). Time and temperature, which promote the growth and amplification of microorganisms in water can cause Category 1 water to degrade. Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances, vertically falling rainwater.

Category 2 Water – That which begins with some degree of contamination and could cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. As with Category 1 water, time and temperature can cause Category 2 water to become progressively more contaminated.

Category 3 Water – That which is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious illness if consumed by humans. Examples: sewage, rising flood water from rivers and streams, ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes. There are two ways in which water enters a building as a result of wind storm damage:

The first involves falling or windblown rainwater that enters as a result of damage to roof components or wall assemblies. The second involves horizontally traveling ground surface water (Category 3) containing silt and soil contaminants that infiltrate into structures, generally through doors or around foundation walls. This ground surface water (storm surge) may accumulate to a depth of several inches or several feet. When structures are partially submerged or remain substantially flooded for weeks, far more elaborate procedures usually are required.

Most household microorganisms (fungi, bacteria) typically require five conditions for germination, growth, amplification and dissemination. Generally, they include:

• organic food source, especially cellulose (e.g., paper, wood), which are found in abundance in construction materials
• moisture, even high humidity (67% RH plus)
• moderate temperature – 68-86°F/20-30°C
• stagnant air
• time – several hours to several days

Anything that can be done to control or minimize these optimum conditions will prolong the time required for microbial growth.

With the above background information in mind, loss mitigation procedures may include but are not necessarily limited to:

A. Foremost, consider safety:
1. Structural Integrity – Before entering a storm or flood-damaged structure, consider structural integrity, which may be impacted by the force of the wind on, or the force of the water entering the structure. When in doubt, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering.
2. Ventilation – Fresh moving air discourages the growth and amplification of microorganisms. Open windows and doors and air the structure out thoroughly. It is highly recommended that ventilation be maintained during and following the restoration effort, or until damp areas can be contained and subjected to mechanical dehumidification (HVAC or specialized equipment). This reduces, but does not eliminate, inhalation of microorganisms.
3. Shock Hazards – Ensure that electrical shock hazards have been eliminated by turning off the supply of electricity (circuit breakers) to damaged areas. Anticipate that electricity may be restored suddenly without notice.
4. Personal Protective Equipment – Wear protective clothing, boots with steel or fiberglass shanks, and a hard hat. Protect yourself from injury or exposure to microorganisms. Wear protective gloves before handling contaminated materials. Splash goggles are highly recommended to protect and prevent microorganism entry through the eyes. An organic vapor respirator (paint respirator) is highly recommended to prevent inhalation of most microorganisms or spores.

B. Remove quantities of debris (silt, vegetation, floating objects brought in by storm surge), if present, with shovels, rakes, etc. Carefully clean all tools with appropriate detergents after use.

C. Identify the source of water and extent of wetting:
1. When wind-blown rain water enters a building, it is important to identify the route of entry and to trace its path, as possible, to identify all wet components (ceilings, walls, insulation, framing). Professional water restoration contractors, when available, have specialized water-detection equipment and may be available to assist in this determination.
2. In rising water situations, typically there will be a visible water line on drywall or paneling. However, water may migrate or wick upward within the wall material itself or within insulation behind the wall.

D. Remove unsalvable or wet materials:
1. When wetting is caused by storm damage and comes from overhead or around openings in the building envelope, and especially when power has been interrupted in hot climates, it is important to remove wet components, as possible, to expose pockets of saturation to air circulation before microbial growth can occur.

a) Begin at the point of water entry and trace the path of wetting, removing ceiling and wall components and insulation as you go.
b) Although it may be possible for professionals with specialized equipment to dry carpet, pad and subflooring materials, when damage is wholesale in an area, seldom will qualified contractors be available to respond for this work. Therefore, it is normally prudent to remove saturated carpet and pad.
c) It is highly recommended that solid or laminated wood flooring, or sheet vinyl be removed to expose pockets of saturation.

2. In rising water situations (storm surge with contaminated ground water):

a) Remove and dispose of drywall (Sheetrock®), paneling or other wall materials up to a point 15-24″ inches above the water line visible on the wall. If possible, stay within four feet of the floor to salvage as much wall material as possible, since drywall is usually installed horizontally in 4’x8’ or 4’x12’ panels.
b) Remove and dispose of wet insulation materials exposed during wall removal. Look for evidence of moisture wicking up insulation materials. Leave only wall framing components that are durable and minimally porous, and which can be cleaned and decontaminated with relative ease.
c) Remove and dispose of floor coverings; carpet, cushion, pad, felt and sheet vinyl, laminate, or tile flooring materials. Porous materials may absorb considerable quantities of water and contaminant, and non-porous materials may trap moisture to prolong drying. The inevitable result will be rapid microorganism growth, along with associated odor and health hazards. Hardwood flooring should be removed since contaminants and moisture will collect underneath in the flutes or hollow areas between the hardwood and the subfloor.
E. With Category 1 (clean source) water (e.g., rainwater), drying is the next course of action required to prevent on-going damage due to microbial development.

The following procedures may require the assistance of a professional water damage restoration company, if available, which has trained technicians, specialized cleaners, biocides, extraction, drying and dehumidifying equipment, and moisture measuring and monitoring instruments. A certified professional can be located by calling the nonprofit IICRC toll free at 800-835-4624 or by accessing www.IICRC.org.

F. With ground surface water (Category 3), steps for cleaning soil residues brought in by heavy rainfall or storm surge may include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Since many biocides are inactivated by quantities of organic contaminants, cleaning always should precede biocide application.
2. When fresh water is restored within the structure, mix an appropriate general-purpose household cleaner according to label directions and liberally spray it onto salvable components.
3. Brush agitation may be required to evenly distribute cleaning solutions, followed by at least ten minutes of “dwell time” for soil suspension.
4. Where appropriate, flush contaminants from salvageable surfaces with a water hose or pressure washer. Work from top-to-bottom and from walls-to-flooring.
5. Wet vacuum or mop up excess rinse water from flooring materials immediately. Be sure to thoroughly flush all contamination from wall frame (sill plate) areas. Pressure washing, if available, is specifically recommended to flush contaminants from hard-to-access areas, followed by removal of contaminated water with industrial wet vacuuming equipment.
6. Repeat steps 6-9 as necessary, until all surfaces are clean and contamination is physically removed.

G. Disinfecting:
1. Applying disinfectants or biocides usually is unnecessary with Category 1 (clean source) water, since this may only serve to introduce additional moisture into the building, which may prolong drying.
2. With Category 2 or 3 water contamination, while maintaining ventilation and skin and respiratory protection, liberally spray cleaned salvageable materials (studs, decking, joists, etc.) with an appropriate biocide. A 6% solution of household chlorine bleach (e.g., Clorox®) mixed 1 part bleach to 11 parts water (½%) may be used on durable, colorfast surfaces. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or strong acids! An appropriate alternative to chlorine bleach may be a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
3. In rising water situations, following application of properly diluted biocides, brush agitate all areas to encourage biocide distribution and penetration into cracks and crevices.

H. Dry structural components with plenty of air circulation, while maintaining constant ventilation (weather conditions permitting). If possible, take advantage of low outside humidity (check local weather reports). Use oscillating or box fans, repositioning them within the structure every few hours. Avoid temperature extremes that might slow drying, or promote microorganism growth (around 72-75oF/22-24oC is ideal). Rent high-volume professional drying equipment (airmovers and dehumidifiers) if available, especially in areas where ventilation is not possible (sealed buildings, security problems). It is highly recommended that electrical components that were wet be checked for operational safety by a qualified contractor.

I. Leave cleaned structural surfaces exposed to fresh air movement for several days or even weeks, or until you are sure that they have returned to within four percentage points of normal moisture content (MC) levels (generally the normal MC of structural wood is around 10%). Otherwise, subsequent structural damage and/or health effects may result after wall and flooring materials have been replaced or painted. Professional water restoration contractors with specialized, high-capacity drying equipment can shorten drying times considerably.

J. Reconstruct or replace components as required.

Where financial resources permit, it is highly recommended that comprehensive restoration be accomplished by trained, IICRC Damage Restoration Technicians. They may be located by calling IICRC referral line at 800-835-4624 or by accessing www.IICRC.org. Consider hiring a professional restorer to evaluate moisture levels in structural materials before reconstruction.

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is your IICRC certified resource for all kinds of property damage restoration. Call anytime 24/7 509-534-0566.

When Water Damage Happens Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage Requires Your Immediate Attention

If you experience water damage on your property it's critical that you call a restoration and mitigation specialist right away. The longer you wait the bigger the problem you will have. 

ONE HOUR:

Within one hour your call, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will contact you to arrange for service. You'll know help is on the way!

FOUR HOURS:

Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.

DETAILED EXPLANATION:

A trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professional will walk through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome.

PRETESTING:

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.

EIGHT HOURS:

Within eight hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.

CLEANING & RESTORATION:

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will work neatly and efficiently to help to regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. They will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.

FINAL WALK-THROUGH:

After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

SERVPRO OF SOUTH & WEST SPOKANE COUNTY IS HERE TO HELP!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER DAMAGE OR YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A WATER DAMAGE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US @ 509-534-0566!

Fast Water Damage Clean Up Helps Prevent Mold Growth

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

When you have water damage in your home, acting quickly to manage it is very important. The first goal is to remove the water and ensure mold does not grow. For that to happen, though, you need to dry out surfaces quickly and ensure proper cleanliness along the way. Yet, even in these situations, mold is a risk. Hiring a professional water and mold remediation company can help you to reclaim your home.

When Do You Need More Detailed Cleaning?

After the water is removed and the space has been professionally dried, mold often follows. The mold remediation process is a higher level and a more in-depth cleaning process for removing mold. It involves containing the mold as much as possible, using air filtration to pull out spores from the air, and then removing all mold and mold-infested materials properly and safely.

Because this is a complex situation, it is best left to those who have extensive training in water damage cleanup. Our team works closely with you to find all areas of potential mold so it can be safely contained and removed in the proper manner. Taking these extra steps is necessary when you want the best level of protection against mold and the health effects it creates.

Finding the Right Help Is Critical: We Can Help You

When you have any type of water damage, remember you do not need to handle the problem on your own. Our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can provide guidance on hold to handle water, mold, and remediation efforts. Contact us today for an immediate consultation. Call 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

Fire Damage Restoration Can Be Complex

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a home or business is a complex situation. The damage is often much more than the things you can initially see. If you have a fire, you want to ensure all of the damage is removed, so your family is safe to enter. In a business, you need to be sure it is safe to open your doors. That is where we come in to play.

Restoration Starts with Assessment

The first step in restoring your property is knowing where the problems are. We will work closely with you to pinpoint concerns. This includes structural damage, areas of electrical or plumbing damage, and concerns with your home’s water damage, if any. It is necessary to have a full picture of the problem in hand before moving forward.

Exploring the Best Outcome

Restoration work means cleaning away what is damaged and creating new solutions to move forward. That may include repairing drywall, managing replacement of flooring and properly sanitizing your home’s HVAC system. Your home may have smoke damage in other rooms, too, so everything needs to be checked carefully. Our goal is to tackle it all for you so you do not have to worry about the cleanup on your own.

To Find Out What Your Next Steps Are, Call Us

Fire damage restoration can be rather complex. With many steps to manage, you want to ensure you only have the best professionals on hand to handle the concerns. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can do the work for you. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Fire in Your Commercial Kitchen? SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial kitchen fires are more common than you think. They mostly happen as a result of grease buildup, but fires can also occur due to employee mistakes, or simply as a result of an electrical problem. In every situation, these are complex fires that require experts to handle them properly. 

Cleaning Up Your Space

Our commercial kitchen restoration team works to clean out and remove all of the debris after a fire. We ensure the work is done properly and thoroughly, which includes documenting the process. After this process, the next step is to clean the area properly. We need to be aggressive here, to ensure that all potential mold risk is removed from the space. If this is not done properly, it can create years of cleanup problems and concerns for you.

Rebuilding Your Space

Getting your doors open again is always a priority. To do that, we need to properly restore the space to good condition. We can work with you to do this within all building codes and requirements. This can ensure the best possible outcome.

Seek Out Trusted Help from an Experienced Company

When there is damage in your commercial kitchen from a fire, speedy help is available. Our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can help you to get the space cleaned up and back in good condition in no time. Call us immediately for help. You can reach us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Increased Risk of Water Damage in Hotels and Motels

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage in any commercial business is a problem. In a hotel or motel, the risks are many, and damage to these areas is not uncommon. Someone may leave a faucet running or a shower may be left on. You may have a pipe that bursts that you do not know about until the damage is significant. Condensation from air conditioners can also lead to concerns. When you have all these risks, you need specially trained professionals to tackle them.

Properly Cleaning Up the Space

Our team works to find the source of the problem and then stops the damage from continuing. From there, we work to dry out the space as quickly as possible. Water damage that is left for even just 12 hours can lead to the aggressive growth of mold, so we want to ensure this does not happen.

We will remove all of the damaged materials that cannot be cleaned from your property. This may include drywall, flooring, furniture, or other materials. After this, we work to sanitize the property. We can then work to rebuild any of the damaged areas that need it. This type of comprehensive process ensures the best possible outcome in your space.

Call Our Team for Immediate Help

When you have damage to your property, do not wait to get help. The sooner you reach out to our team, the less costly the cleanup may be. Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County today for the support you need. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Follow These Four Suggestions for Commercial Property Restoration

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

Don’t let fire and smoke damage, water damage, or storm damage put your facility out of commission for too long. Here are sound suggestions on what you can do.

Hire Pros

Whether you have a large or small restoration project, it’s better to get pros to handle it. A commercial restoration cleaning service works quickly and efficiently. That makes a huge difference, especially since a great deal of restoration work is essentially a race against time. The longer your property or belongings are subjected to smoke, fire, or water damage, the harder it will be to restore them. By hiring pros, you have a better chance of restoring them to their pre-damaged states.

Confirm It’s Safe

Enter the property only after you’re certain that it’s safe. Avoid wading into standing water, for instance. Have a professional team come in to check for structural damage that compromises the facility in any way. It’s especially important that you don't try to take any of your belongings out yet. Wait until you get the go-ahead from pros.

Remove Debris and Soot

Before restoration can start, your restoration team will need to handle the removal of the soot and debris from the property. Soot might not seem to leave a huge impact, but the longer it stays on the surface, the greater the damage it leads to. Removing it will improve the quality of the air inside the facility and cut down on the airborne odors.

Remove Possessions

The restoration team will start taking your possessions out of the property. This is when you’ll find out which items are too damaged to restore, or which parts of your home will need to go. 

Let the Professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Handle It For You

In Spokane you have access to a team of highly trained professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. These pros are IICRC certified and have the latest equipment and technology to make sure you have the best possible outcome when dealing with your property damage. Call anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566

Worried About Wildfire Smoke in Your Indoor Air?

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

Hazy, smoke-filled sky Smoke from wildfires is everywhere. Clean the indoor air in your home or office with air scrubbers from SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County.

Wildfire season is in full swing in the Inland Northwest. It seems to have started earlier this year and has only become worse as the summer has progressed. Many of our customers are concerned about the effects of exposure to smoke during this troublesome time of the year.

 Wildfire Smoke Contains Gases and Particulates

Wildfire smoke often contains gases and particulate matter from burning vegetation and other materials. This can even be a problem for people who are well outside the immediate area of the fire as the smoke and particulates can spread for hundreds of miles. When smoky conditions persist in your outdoor environment it’s very likely that the same smoke is penetrating your home or office.

If you feel that poor air quality from wildfire smoke—or any other source—is impacting your home or place of business, you have a solution right at your fingertips. A quick phone call to SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County will give you access to professional, industrial strength air scrubbers.  These devices can be deployed in your home or office to clean your indoor air and restore it to pristine quality. Our air scrubbers feature a two-stage filtration system that captures larger particulates such as household dust, followed by a professional HEPA filter that captures 99.7% of the small particles down to 0.3 microns. This effectively removes wildfire pollutants.

The Difference Between Air Purifiers and Air Scrubbers

You might be thinking that you don’t have to worry about your indoor air quality because you have an air purifier. While air purifiers and air scrubbers both use negative ions to do their work, the air scrubber has a decided advantage in that it can not only clean particles from the air, but can also remove settled dust and bacteria. As a result, air scrubbers are much more efficient at creating an indoor air environment that is free not only of wildfire smoke, but other odors and pollutants that may be in your home or office.

Call Now to Get Air Scrubbers and Clean Your Air!

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has technicians on staff who are IICRC certified and trained in the use of this specialized equipment and can quickly create a solution for your indoor pollution issues. Just give us a call at 509-534-0566 anytime 24/7.

Call the Experts for Water Damage Restoration

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

Graphic illustration of water flooding books and other paper items When water damage impacts your home or business you need trained experts to help you restore the damage.

Water damage can happen for a wide variety of reasons. Invariably, it brings with it intense stress and worry for you, not to mention heavy damage and risk to your home. In addition, you have your personal belongings that could also be affected by such an event. Luckily SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has the skill and techniques for restoring items that could be considered irreplaceable or just too expensive to replace.

Our contents team specializes in restoring your personal and sentimental belongings. Often, items that you might consider completely destroyed can be rescued using specialized equipment and advanced technology.  We can also securely store items that need to be taken out of the home and clean most items impacted by the water damage. These items include clothes, furniture, and even photos. Our crews try to focus on restoring rather than replacing because it helps you save money, plus they can help preserve your irreplaceable sentimental keepsakes.

When you have water damage in your home or business it is a good idea to call the IICRC certified team of experts at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Specialized equipment and trained technicians are available for you 24/7. Just call 509-534-0566.

The Fire is Out, But Your Troubles Are Not Over

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke billowing from a building on fire. When the fire is out, you still need the help of professionals to properly handle the cleaning and restoration.

A quickly extinguished fire may seem like the end of your troubles, but the reality is the fire’s aftermath causes far more destruction than the typical homeowner expects. An assessment by a professional restoration company is a good investment, making certain the cleanup plan does not exacerbate the situation. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County specializes in the restoration of the damage done by fires large or small.

Calling a restoration firm helps you determine the extent of damage caused by smoke and soot and devise a plan to return all areas of your house to preloss condition. We are eager to help.

Technicians inspect all areas of your home for soot, including your HVAC system. The heat and incomplete burning of plastics and fabric release fine and sometimes sticky substances that coat surfaces and lodge in clothing, furniture, and linens. If it is pulled into the heating and cooling system, it recirculates until the ducts are cleaned and sealed.

Our crew deep cleans the soot away, using a variety of methods depending on the texture of the contaminated surfaces and the characteristics of the debris. We match professional cleaning products to the tasks; expect different techniques for the varying soot presentations. We also evaluate documents, and personal belongings, identifying items that can be restored, and recommending disposal of those that cannot. It is likely professional sorting saves you money as an overwhelmed homeowner may throw everything away. SERVPRO team members are also proficient at eliminating odors, a significant lingering effect after a smoldering fire.

SERVPRO works with your home insurance company, making certain you receive compensation for destroyed items and at least part of the cost of our services. Our familiarity with proper fire damage restoration decreases the time your home is filled with soot and smells, quickly returning your living areas to a fresh and comfortable condition, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County offers the workforce, professional products, and equipment to restore your home after fire damage. Call (509) 534-0566 anytime 24/7 and we'll be there to help.

First Things to Do in the Event of Water Damage in Spokane

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Home with standing water Most types of water damage is best handled by trained professionals with specialized equipment.

Whether it is a broken pipe or flooding from a storm, knowing what to do when you have water damage is critical. Your first question should always be whether or not it is safe to stay in your home. Electrical hazards may warrant leaving the home until the water is removed. You also want to ensure you are not doing anything that puts you at risk. Wet materials are heavier than you might expect, so attempting to lift them could cause injury.

When You Have Flooding

If you have water damage, your first goal will be to remove the water. This may be done by mopping, but when there is excessive standing water, other extraction methods are a better option. Any type of wet upholstery or fabric needs to be removed from the space. You also want to remove any wood furniture so it can be properly cleaned.

Next, tackle the floors. Pull up any wet carpeting, rugs, or damaged laminates. If you have hardwoods, tile, or other solid surfaces, you may not have to remove these as long as they remain in good condition. To find out what your best steps are, just work with a licensed professional like those at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane. They have the training and the equipment to make your water damage “Like it never even happened.”

Do Not Wait to Call Our Licensed Professionals for Help

When you have water damage, the most important step to take is to call our team. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, we can provide fast, even immediate help to you. Contact us 24-hours a day for immediate water restoration and cleanup services. Call 509-534-0566.

Conquering the Devastation of Fire Damage

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen with heavy fire damage Fire damage can be devastating, but do not lose hope. The professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can help.

When you have fire damage to your home, you feel overwhelmed, sad, and scared about what the future holds. Having a professional help you to restore your home can give you some hope for the future. There are several things to know about this type of help.

Learn What Can Be Saved

Hiring an IICRC certified professional to handle the restoration work will ensure anything that can be saved will be saved. Often, items with fire damage, in addition to items damaged by water or smoke, must be thrown out. A professional can help you to determine if something can be cleaned and kept.

Get Insurance Support

Often, after a fire, you can get help from your insurance company. Licensed fire specialists are available to work with you and your insurance company to ensure the process of getting compensation is done well. They can also help you to know what your options are for replacing what is damaged.

Get Support at Your Most Vulnerable Time

With the help of a highly trained fire restoration technician, you will feel more confident moving forward. These pros do the best job to ensure your home is restored to the level it was.

Secure the Support You Need to Get Started

At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, we understand fire damage is devastating. It can be hard to overcome what you are facing, but we can help you to get the process started. Call us, 24-hours a day, for immediate help. Call 509-534-0566.

Storm Damage in Spokane Can be Professionally Restored

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Tree fallen on Spokane home Storm damage often causes trees to topple onto homes damaging roofs and impacting the structural integrity of the home.

Damage to your roof, flooding in your basement, or fallen trees over cars or backyard structures are just a few of the ways storm damage could be impacting your property. When you are facing intense repairs like this, it is best to leave your home and call a team like SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County to provide you with fast, reliable help.

Securing Your Home Immediately

When there is significant storm damage that puts your home at risk, the first step in restoration is to stop the problem from becoming worse. This may mean tarping the roof until repairs can happen. It may mean preventing the water from flowing into the home if possible.

Removing the Damage

The next step is to remove all of the damaged material. This should be done by a professional to ensure you are not putting yourself at risk. Wet material can be heavy and dangerous to move on your own. Once all material is removed, an intense drying process is necessary. Specialized equipment is required for fast and complete drying.

Restoring the Structure

Once the drying is done, your SERVPRO team will work to make necessary repairs, including repairing flooring, drywall, painting, and cleanup as needed. The steps taken will depend on the type and amount of work you need. A customized plan will address every one of your areas of concern.

Work with a Team You Can Trust

When it comes to storm damage, having a team of professionals you can trust is everything. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County we are ready to help you with storm damage anytime 24-hours a day. Just call us. We’ll be there. Call us at 509-534-0566.

Let Certified SERVPRO Experts Restore Your Business Property

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

When your business needs help after a fire, storm, or other major event, let the team from SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County help you. We can help to restore your business property to its proper condition and allow your business to reopen quickly.

Commercial Water Damage Repair

If you have water damage at your business property, our team is dedicated to handling the problem efficiently and quickly. Water extraction and drying out the space is critical to minimizing the risk of mold development. Our team handles the cleaning out of debris as well as the rebuilding of surfaces as needed. We work to protect your belongings whenever possible.

Fire Restoration Work

If you have had a fire, the problems may be a bit more extensive. Smoke and water damage combine to create a highly dangerous space. Our team can help you with damage repair and restoration in any of these situations. Customized attention to unique needs is always our priority.

Mold Remediation Services

In cases where mold development risks are high, you may benefit from our comprehensive commercial mold remediation services. This can help minimize the risk of mold growth that could create health issues for your employees or your customers.

Expect Exceptional Service When You Call Our Team

If your commercial property is at risk, now is the time to call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Let our IICRC certified professionals go to work for you, cleaning up and restoring the safety of your property. Call us for immediate, same-day help. Call 509-534-0655.

Mold Damage Removal and Restoration

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

The process of managing mold damage is rarely simple and straightforward. There are multiple steps necessary to ensure mold is properly cleaned up and removed from surfaces in your home. The professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can handle it and give you the confidence that it is done right.

Determining Where the Mold Is

The first step is for a mold damage assessment to be completed. Our IICRC certified mold damage restoration team will handle this for you. The goal is to detect mold using technology to pinpoint areas of concern.

Containment and Filtration

Mold containment is a multi-step process itself. The goal is to prevent mold from spreading. The use of negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area will help. We also use air filtration methods to help capture even the microscopic mold spores from the air.

Removing the Mold

Restoration continues when we properly remove the mold and all materials damaged by the mold. We then provide specialized cleaning of the contents of the area and your belongings. After this, restoration work begins to put your home back together and restore it to its proper condition. That is a critical step in getting mold damage under control.

Invest in a Professional to Help You Get Rid of Mold

Mold damage in a home is a significant problem requiring fast, accurate attention. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, our team will work closely with you to get rid of the problem for good. Call us for immediate help. Call 509-534-0566.

Professional Cleaning Has Never Been More Important

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here With Specially Trained Professionals During This Time of Need

Even after more than a year of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our vigilance must continue. It has never been more important to individuals and businesses to maintain a high standard of cleanliness.

Specialized Training

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has decades of experience in dealing with biological contaminants of all types and is prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, carefully following protocols set forth by government health agencies and the CDC. Our work goes much deeper than what regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.

The CDC guidelines emphasize the cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends the use of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple professional-grade products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, 509-534-0566.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html

Join Our Team!

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Crew Group Photo The hardworking team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is looking for a few more people to join their ranks.

Want to join a great team and have a rewarding job? SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has your opportunity! We're a fire/water damage mitigation company and we're currently hiring for all positions.

We may not rescue people, but we rescue their property and help restore peace of mind after disaster strikes! When there's been fire or smoke damage, water damage, storm damage, or any type of property damage, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is on the scene to secure the property, begin the cleanup process and restore the property.

If you're ready to work, we've got your job!

  • Full Time
  • Competitive Salary
  • Great Benefits

First: Download an application here:  

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7er2gui0js99tz0/Application%20for%20Employment.pdf?dl=0

Second: Send the completed application to rachael@SERVPROnwspokane.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

What You Should Know About Filing an Insurance Claim

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Wind Topples Tree Into Spokane Home Winds in excess of 70 mph toppled trees all over the Spokane area. Many fallen trees caused property damage. Photo Credit--Ginny Campbell.

The recent windstorm in Spokane caused a significant amount of property damage from falling trees. Of course, this has kept insurance companies very busy processing claims. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is experienced in helping homeowners file insurance claims. Here are some facts you should know when dealing with your insurance company. This list of your rights has been compiled from various Washington State insurance and consumer rights organizations. 

Washington State Insured Bill of Rights

  • YOU MAY TAKE AND BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR THE COST OF EMERGENCY STEPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PROPERTY FROM FURTHER DAMAGE AFTER A LOSS.
    In fact, you have the obligation to do so under the terms of your policy. The insurance company may not be liable for additional expenses if you fail to provide such protection.  
  • IF YOU HAVE SECURED ADEQUATE COVERAGE, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FOR THE FAIR COST OF FULLY RESTORING YOUR HOME TO ITS PRE-DAMAGED CONDITION.
    You are, however, not insured for the repair of unrelated problems such as code deficiencies and or prior damage.
  • YOU ARE ENTITLED TO EMPLOY AND SHOULD INSIST UPON A FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED REPAIR FIRM OF GOOD REPUTATION.
    If you choose not to employ such a firm, the consequences, and liability for any injury, damage or other actions will rest with you. 
  • YOU ARE ENTITLED TO EMPLOY A FIRM WITH SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE AND STABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY TO STAND BEHIND ITS WORK AND WARRANTY RESPONSIBILITIES.
    The repair contract and its execution is strictly between you and the contractor. Your insurance company does not warrant or guarantee the performance of any firm you hire.
  • YOU ARE ENTITLED TO MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP FULLY EQUIVALENT TO YOUR EXISTING INSTALLATION IN “LIKE KIND AND QUALITY”. The insurance company has no obligation to improve your existing installation. 
  • YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ACCEPT THE LOWEST BIDDER. NOWHERE IN YOUR POLICY DO THE WORDS “CHEAPEST”, “LOW”, OR “LOWEST PRICE” OCCUR.
    Repair rates should correspond to prevailing standards in your area for work of good quality. 
  • YOU ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A DETAILED LISTING OF THE SCOPE OF REPAIRS AND QUANTITIES OF MATERIALS TO BE PROVIDED BEFORE WORK BEGINS.
    Provision for hidden or latent problems relating to the damage should be spelled out in as much detail as possible. 
  • YOU ARE ENTITLED TO AND SHOULD REJECT ANY CONTRACT THAT DOES NOT INCORPORATE ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION WORK.
    You must be familiar with these requirements in order to enjoy the protection the law provides. Contact a Professional Restoration Contractor for this important information. 
  • YOU ARE ENTITLED TO SELECT A FIRM WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE SKILL AND EXPERIENCE IN INSURANCE DAMAGE REPAIR AS A FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL SERVICE.
    Ask for references, credentials, and association memberships that indicate professional training and status in insurance repair, as contrasted with ordinary home improvement work.
  • IF SUBSTANTIAL DISAGREEMENT ARISES BETWEEN YOU AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY OVER THE AMOUNT OF THE LOSS, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO REQUEST ARBITRATION (APPRAISAL) AS DESCRIBED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE POLICY LINES 123-140 OF THE STANDARD HOMEOWNERS FORM WHICH SPELLS OUT THE PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING DIFFERENCES WITHOUT RESORTING TO LAWSUIT. The insurance company is also entitled to this provision, which may be invoked at any time prior to settlement, regardless of whether or not you have received advanced payments.  
  • YOU ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY WITHIN THE TIME SPECIFIED BY THE POLICY AND YOUR STATE INSURANCE REGULATIONS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM USING DELAY AND PERSONAL HARDSHIP TO COMPEL A LOWER SETTLEMENT.
    The policy also has time requirements for the policyholder, within which you must prepare and submit your claim. Ask your adjuster about these requirements at the outset so that you can be in compliance.

For more details you can visit the following website:

https://www.insurance.wa.gov/your-homeowner-claim-responsibilities-and-rights

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County works with your insurance company to make sure your claims are handled quickly and efficiently.  Contact us for any of your property damage repair and restoration solutions. You can reach us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Cleans Vandalized Lincoln Statue

11/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Crew Cleaning Vandalized Lincoln Statue The crew from SERVPRO South & West Spokane County cleans the vandalized statue of Abraham Lincoln in downtown Spokane.

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County finished cleaning the red paint off the Abraham Lincoln statue downtown, which was vandalized on Thanksgiving.

It took two days and more than 40 working hours to completely clean the statue, which was doused in red paint on Thanksgiving.

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County volunteered the time and materials to clean and restore this important landmark in downtown Spokane. 

“We love our community. We love Spokane,” said Jess Hockett, Marketing Manager for SERVPRO. “We’re proud to be members of the community, and the statue belongs to each one of us. It just doesn’t belong to the City of Spokane. It belongs to each one of us as members of the community.”

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane specializes in property damage restoration whether from vandalism as in this instance or fire damage, water damage, storm, or flood damage. 

Safety is Important Even After a Fire

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

Walls covered in soot If the soot is this bad in your home after a fire, you should not be entering without a respirator.

It is traumatic to experience a fire in your home or business. And the dangers don't present themselves only during the fire. They can appear after. It is important to take specific actions to minimize hazards to your health after the flames are gone.

One of the biggest concerns after the fire is out is air quality. It is likely that materials caught fire and debris and particles were sent airborne. These particles could easily be toxic. Without proper respiratory protection, you will be inhaling these potentially toxic particles.

Another big concern has to do with "slip and fall" hazards. If you must go into the structure, make sure to wear proper shoes and avoid areas that may be wet from the water that was sprayed to put out the blaze.

Use the buddy system.  Only do activities that are safe for you to perform. Use your legs to lift things -- don't use your back!  Be very careful.

There are some things you should do, following a fire.

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
  • Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
  • If electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
  • Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
  • Change your HVAC filter.
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Most of all, remember that the contents can be replaced. Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones. Getting injured after the fire is something that can be avoided!

The smart thing to do is hire professionals to handle the cleanup and restoration after a fire. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is ready to help. Our teams of IICRC certified professionals are available 24/7. Just call us at 509-534-0566.

Hoarding Problems Need Special Attention

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Room with massive amount of clutter and garbage This room belonged to a hoarder. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane cleaned and sanitized the residence to help with recovery.

If you're faced with the problem of cleaning up after a hoarder, then you know, it's not just a matter of straightening up a room's contents and clearing away clutter.

Hoarding is a serious mental problem and can be very difficult to deal with. Hoarders don't just accumulate "stuff" they often pile rooms high with garbage, pet feces, and other items that attract rodents and their associated contaminants and diseases. Cleaning up after a hoarder is a job for a professionally trained team. 

Whether you're a property manager, owner, or family member of a hoarder, you can feel confident calling SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County for help. Our teams are IICRC certified and highly trained in both cleaning and disinfecting--as well as dealing with the often sensitive issues that come with hoarding.

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is available 24/7. Just call us at 509-534-0566 and we can have a professional out to your property in no time. 

Dangerous Mold Can Grow in Unexpected Places

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

mold colonies on a wall Dangerous mold can crop up in hidden spaces and be nearly undetectable. That's why you need the professionals from SERVPRO of South & West Spokane.

Anything attached to the outside of your home poses the possibility of providing a pathway for water to invade the home. Whatever material covers your home’s exterior must be in good repair and reinforced in areas where moisture regularly collects. Even a small breach gives microbial growth a chance to take a foothold. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is waiting to help you find and eliminate this serious problem.


For example, if you added a bank of window boxes beneath your living room window, in addition to making your home more attractive, the new addition, unknown to you, may actually be a source for mold damage to your Spokane home. 

The technicians SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County sends to deal with mold are IICRC certified and receive advanced training in EPA techniques to manage mold. 

Our technicians can find mold under the window overlooking those new garden boxes, hiding between the exterior cladding and the plaster wall facing the living room. The odor wafts through wall outlets, and the colony was revealed when our crew cut out a section of lathe and plaster. Containment was achieved with plastic draping, followed by removal of the mold and the wood lathe upon which it fed. After we bagged the moldy material, proper disposal followed according to local regulations.

Technicians from SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County discovered small cracks through the stucco that occurred during the installation of the window boxes. Every time the spray of the watering hose hit the stucco some moisture leaked into the dwelling. This small amount of water then activated mold spores and the infestation was inevitable. Sealing of the cracks and replacement of the plaster removed to expose the mold finalized the remediation and restoration process.

Waste no time when you smell a musty odor. Contact SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County at (509) 534-0566 and a mold remediation team will quickly respond.

Commercial Water Damage is a Different Problem Than Residential Water Damage

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

Water damaged office space If your office space of business property has flooding or water damage, call the professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County.

Flooding and water damage events at Spokane-area commercial properties are often complex, with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County will work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area.

Business owners understand that the business downtime can be more devastating to the property damage -- we understand that too. Many times the most important thing to Spokane-area businesses is to get back in business . . . fast. It is critical that business owners be put in a position where revenue-generating activities can begin again as quickly as possible.

The professional technicians at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area quickly while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is IICRC Certified and highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Call us 24/7 at (509) 534-0566.

Sprinkler System Malfunction? You Need SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

How many times have you heard this nightmare? A business owner shows up early for work only to find that a sprinkler system malfunction has soaked the business and all of its furnishings!

It happens more often than you think. A sprinkler head comes or even just comes loose. Or a sensor goes bad and before you know it, your beautiful retail or office location is a disaster.

At SERVPRO, We're Fastest To Any Size Disaster. We arrive as quickly as we can so no time is wasted, and your emergency is brought under control as soon as possible. Removing the standing water and excess moisture is paramount to ensuring that any potential damage is stifled before it can become a reality. 
 
Removing the water from a broken sprinkler head often means drying out not only your building but anything and everything between the sprinkler system and the floor. Merchandise, displays, carpeting, furniture and much more all face damage if allowed to remain saturated. Preventing subsequent damage is impossible unless water removal begins immediately. 
 
Removing excess water and moisture from your building can be accomplished with the use of heaters, air movers, and dehumidifiers. Using these together increases each type of machine's efficiency, cutting the overall drying out period drastically. Water vapor removal is crucial to preserving inventory and keeping a shop open.
 
Some materials that are highly sensitive to contact with water might need specialized care to preserve it. Other items may be so fragile that no amount of attention can salvage them. Each item is always assessed on a case-by-case basis. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County makes it a point to explain all details of such matters with you, before disposing of anything. We understand that inventory may need to be photographed in such situations when damaged beyond repair or restoration. 
 
For the fastest response from start to finish, contact us, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. We are local and always ready, day or night. Our number is (509) 534-0566, and we are available 24/7 to answer your call.

4 Benefits of Commercial Restoration Services

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

A commercial restoration and cleaning service such as SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is essential in maintaining your commercial property. The condition of your building impacts productivity at work and eventually your bottom line. Here are a few of the benefits you can expect when you hire the right pros to take care of cleaning and restoration.

Faster Insurance Process

If you have suffered a loss from fire, flood, water damage, biohazard, or more, you’ll have the information you need when you file for a claim with your insurance company. Experienced restoration experts can help you fill in the form. They also provide documentation that prevents the insurance company from downgrading the losses or damages.

Experience

As an established restoration service provider, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has the experience and industry knowledge to provide the assistance you need. That ensures efficient and stellar results. With a team of certified and skilled technicians who are up to date with the latest and best practices in restoration techniques, you can look forward to getting your property restored and your business back in operation quickly.

Tailored Solutions

Not all commercial cleaning and restoration services provide solutions tailored to your needs. That’s why it’s essential that you sort out the details with the firm. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County will come up with a plan that fits your needs and is just right for your budget.

Continued Use

Pros can take a look at the building or facility, assess the damage, come up with a detailed plan for repairs, and proceed to restore the property. With their help, you can get back to using that space in no time. It's possible that the firm may be able to restore portions of your property to operational status while still working on more difficult areas. This will help you begin to get back in business quickly.

Hire the Right Pros

When you’re looking for a cleaning and restoration service provider, there is no better choice than SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Our team of experienced professionals is IICRC certified. That means we’re up to date with the latest training, techniques, and equipment to make short work of your cleaning and restoration no matter how serious your property damage. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

Benefits of Storm Damage Restoration Services

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Stormwater damage to your property is a serious problem. It could lead to all sorts of trouble, such as bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. Get the help you need right away by looking for pros. Here are a few of the benefits you can expect when you hire a team of storm damage restoration experts.

Fast Restoration

The longer the property and your belongings are submerged in water or exposed, the less likely it is for restoration efforts to be successful. That’s why calling in pros as soon as the problem happens is a must. They work fast to ensure they get to save as many of your belongings—and as much of your home—as possible.

Safe Mold Removal

When stormwater enters a structure, mold is often the result. Pinpointing spots of mold growth in your home is challenging work. It can develop in the property’s siding, ceilings, walls, and more. If you or a family member keeps getting sick or respiratory problems, mold allergens could be a factor. Hire pros to find and eliminate them from your home. They know the most effective and safest ways to find and deal with the problem.

Cut Down on Losses

Water damage can lead to heavy losses in damages. Calling in professionals as soon as possible, though, can make the difference between being able to save some of your belongings or a portion of your property and writing everything off as a complete and utter loss. By hiring pros with a trusted reputation for delivering quick results, you can cut down on the losses and the costs of your repairs as well as replacements.

Hire a Pro and Get Experienced Advice

A reputable water damage team such as SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is able to inspect your property and belongings and can tell you which ones might still be re-used and which ones are a lost cause. Our team is IICRC certified and has the training, specialized equipment, and experience to make quick work of your clean up and restoration.  Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

Storm Damage – What to Do with Flooding

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Strong storms that happen occasionally in our area can create a significant amount of flooding in a home. That floodwater may be trapped inside your home causing extensive damage. What do you do when this happens?

Keep Safety in Mind

Your first and primary goal is to maintain the safety of your family. To do that, you need to stay out of the water. Stormwater may look harmless inside your home, but it is often filled with contaminants that can be harmful. You may even need to leave the home if the water is more than a few inches or if it continues to rise.

Removing the Water

In some cases, the water will recede, but you do not want to wait too long for that to happen. If the water will not quickly drain on its own – that is when you need professional help right away. The faster you can remove the water, the less damage will be done. Our team can extract the water properly, minimizing any risks to you along the way.

Drying Out the Space

Storm damage like this needs to be carefully assessed and remediated right away. A key component of the process will be to dry out the space and, if something cannot be dried out properly, it should be removed. Proper cleaning is also necessary since water is likely to leave behind harmful substances such as raw sewage or toxic chemicals.

Get the Support You Need Now

It is best not to wait to get storm damage cleaned up. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, our experienced, IICRC certified technicians can help you to overcome the damage you have quickly. Call us 24/7 at 509-534-0655 for immediate help.

We Are A Company That Stands Behind Our Work

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

There are many things to consider when hiring a company to help you after a storm, fire, or flood. At this devastating time, you are worried about your home and your future. That is why it is so important to hire a team of dedicated professionals to work with you, guide you, and support you on the right path to cleaning up and restoring your home.

Seek Out a Company with Experience

At the heart of the process is choosing a company that can stand behind the work they offer. They have experience. They know exactly what to do. They pay attention to the local building codes in your area to ensure the work is done properly. When you call in someone like this to support your efforts, you know the results you are going to get are exceptional.

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is a smart choice when you have any kind of property damage that needs to be cleaned and restored. We have an expertly trained IICRC certified crew of dedicated professionals available to answer the phone for you 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. We tell you what we are going to do and how the process works. You can feel confident in the outcome because you know our team is providing you with the level of service you need. When you have a tragic situation like this, nothing but the best matters.

Put Your Trust in Our Team

When it comes to choosing a company that can help you, select one that stands behind the work they do. Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County to help you. We’re here for you 24/7. Just call us at 509-534-0566.

Conditions Requiring Professional Storm Damage Help

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Fallen tree on top of roof Strong storms can topple trees creating a dangerous situation for homeowners.

It is not uncommon in the Inland Northwest to have areas of storm damage that are severe. After such a storm you may have some areas of your home with a significant amount of damage, but your lucky neighbor may have nothing. Even a small amount of storm damage, especially water damage can lead to more severe issues if not handled properly.  It is critical to have a professional available to help you.

Trees on Your Home

One of the most important times to call our team for help is when you have trees or tree limbs on your house – don’t try to handle these on your own. This creates a very risky situation where you may struggle with damage to the structure that you cannot initially see. Sometimes powerlines can come down with trees or tree limbs. This is definitely a job for professionals. Our job is to make sure you and your home are safe from any issues as a result of the storm damage.

Standing Water

Strong storms can overpower any drain system, allowing water to enter into your home quickly. It is our goal to ensure the water is removed as quickly as possible. That means we need to employ specialized equipment to dry out the space and prevent mold from growing.

Holes in the Home

If you have roof leaks due to falling objects, it is critical to get those covered up as soon as possible. This ensures the home is not subjected to ongoing damage from the rain and debris – that can worsen the condition even more so. Our team is available 24/7 to come to your home and place tarps on your roof or take other temporary measures to prevent further damage.

There Is No Better Team to Call

After a storm, know you are not alone to pick up the pieces. Let our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County do the heavy and hard work of cleaning up and restoring for you. Call us 24/7 for immediate help. You can always reach us at 509-534-0655.

Here's What You Need to Know About Mold

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

mold growth Mold can grow undetected, so it's important to have your home professionally inspected if you suspect the presence of mold.

Mold can occur in your home or business under a wide variety of circumstances. You do not necessarily have to have a flood or any water damage to have mold growth, but if you have had any water damage that has not been professionally handled, you are a prime candidate for mold growth. 

Mold growth can sometimes be hard to detect. That's one of the reasons why you should hire a professional mold remediation team with the proper mold detection equipment. They can find mold growth in hidden areas where you may not even suspect.

If you have or suspect you have mold in your home or office, it is critical that you hire a professional mold remediation team to help prevent any health effects. 

Here are some important things to know about mold.

  1. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, inside and outside. The spores are microscopic and float along in the air. That’s why it is so important to get the mold issue taken care of right away, even if you think you may not see a lot of mold or any its spores are floating in the air.
  2. Mold spores can enter your home by attaching to your clothes or your pet's fur. They can also come through windows, doors, and AC or heating systems.
  3. Mold spores love moisture and will grow into colonies if given the opportunity to live in the moisture. Finding the source of the moisture is very important because it must be done before any mold services can be done or the potential of regrowth is very high.
  4. Finally, mold often has a strong, musty odor that can help you identify where the mold is coming from and the cause of it or its growth.

Water Damage to Your Belongings Can be More Stressful Than Damage to Your Home

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can happen for a variety of reasons. But no matter what the cause, water damage is always stressful. Not only do you worry about your home and structures, but your personal keepsakes can also be affected. 

Oftentimes the destruction of your sentimental personal belongings can be more stressful than the damage to your home. 

Luckily our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has the skill and techniques of restoring items that could be considered irreplaceable or just too expensive to replace.

Our dedicated Contents Team specializes in restoring your personal and sentimental keepsakes. Things like clothes, furniture, even photos. Our crews concentrate on restoring rather than replacing, not just because it helps you save money, but because they can help you preserve your sentimental keepsakes that can’t be replaced.

If you find yourself in this situation, give us a call 24/7 at 509-534-0655 and we'll be there to help.

No Matter What Time You Call, We'll Be There to Help

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Service 24/7 We are always available to help you. Anytime. Just call.

Property damage emergencies, regardless of whether it's fire, flood, broken pipe, sewage backup, can't be delayed. That is why SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is available any time of the day and any day of the week, 24/7.

Call us and we'll be there day or night to help with any emergency or disaster. We have dealt with property damage emergencies for decades and we have learned that when it comes to water damage the water spreads quickly and is very invasive. It quickly gets into floors, walls, furniture, and more. The longer you wait to deal with it, the worse it gets. That’s why it is important for us to get on the property right away to start extracting and removing water to lessen the damage.

For any fire or water emergency, it is important for us to quickly set up our equipment to clean the air of any bacteria or chemicals. Emergency situations can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. Having a team of experienced professionals on your side gives you a sense of peace that things will eventually be back to normal. 

Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County: Cleaning and Restoration Pros

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Restoration services help put your property back in shape. Whether you’ve been through a disaster, a fire, storm, or leaks and flooding, finding a restoration team to provide the services you need is an essential step in making your home safe and habitable again. If you’re looking for help, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County should be on top of your list. Here’s why hiring the SERVPRO crew is your best hiring decision.

24-Hour Emergency Service

Not all restoration firms provide 24-hour emergency response. But we understand that problems often happen without a warning and with little to no regard for schedules or daylight hours. Our emergency service is open 24/7, so you can count on us to come to your aid, night or day.

Faster Relief Response

Our experience over the years has equipped our team with the necessary knowledge and skill to address issues and provide solutions as fast and as efficiently as possible. Our fast response times is one of the reasons why our customers love us. We are able to restore many of our clients’ belongings and properties because we get to the premises as soon as possible.

Trusted Reputation

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has an excellent reputation for providing outstanding service quality. With positive client feedback and years of experience in the field, our team knows how to help you. We are in a position to resolve your damage and restoration problems. Our team is made up of trained contractors who are up to date on the latest and best practices for restoration, as well as mold removal.

Advanced Techniques and Tools

Our cleaning and restoration professionals are IICRC certified and not only know advanced techniques; they also have advanced tools to make the process a lot easier. The specialized equipment means that we are able to save and restore a lot more. Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County anytime 24/7 and we’ll be faster to any disaster. 

If You Have Water Damage--Mold is Not Far Behind

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

If you've had any water damage or even excess moisture in your home, there is a real possibility that you also have hidden mold in your property.

Assessing mold growth isn’t easy. But if you think there’s a stale smell in your home, or if you or a family member keep suffering from respiratory and breathing problems, then those are some of the signs that you might have a mold problem. Here are a few steps you can take on how to resolve the issue.

Learn More About Moisture

How does moisture result in mold growth? Knowing how moisture affects the structural integrity of your property will help you get a better understanding of just how problematic moisture is. And why you’ll need to put in measures to keep it out of your home.

Document Everything

If you see mold anywhere, document the problem. Take photos, write down descriptions, dates, and when you can, take videos of the affected sites. These will all make it easier for mold remediation experts to assess the condition of your home. With the documentation, they can come up with a remediation plan in the quickest way possible. If you’re a commercial property owner you’ll also need the documentation to manage the liability for your facility.

Know the Extent of the Issue

How much of your property is contaminated with the mold? How bad is the problem? The extent of the contamination will determine the mold removal measures to be undertaken. The goal is to remove all the mold. That’s where pros come in.

Hire Mold Removal Experts

Don't try to do this on your own. Pros have the expertise, tools, and resources to get the job done and done right. They know what signs to look for. They are in a better position to find and remove the mold in the best and safest way possible.

Pick a Trusted Crew

Make sure you hire a trusted firm. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is IICRC certified. That means that have the training, tools and know the proper processes to solve your water damage and mold problems. Call them anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Water Damage Restoration: 4 Things to Avoid

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage cleanup mistakes can lead to a lot of headaches and stress. If your property needs water damage restoration, here are a few of the mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

Waiting Before Cleanup

Water damage can lead to a lot of problems. The first rule of cleanup is to do it as soon as possible. Every minute that your belongings and property stay submerged lessens the chances of you getting that item or property back to its pre-damaged state. If you wait until it’s convenient to perform the cleanup, you’ll only end up with bigger problems.

Wrong Equipment

Using the wrong equipment will only aggravate the problem. Plus, the kind of equipment or tools you have might not be suitable for handling the water in your home. That means you won’t succeed at drying your home completely, which will leave your home at the mercy of mold and mildew growth. Don’t let that happen. Hire pros to handle this for you. They have specialized equipment to ensure the fast and efficient drying of your belongings and property.

Neglecting Important Details

Most of the time, people forget about the items they slog through when they wade through water damage. But there could be an electrical problem, broken glass, and other items that could injure you. It’s best that you hire pros instead of tackling this on your own. Restoration experts know what to look out for and how to do this in the safest way possible. They’re much better equipped to handle this than you with your makeshift tools.

Not Doing Your Homework

When you look for a restoration service, don’t hire the first company that you find. Look at the company’s history and background. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is your trusted resource for cleaning and restoring water-damaged property. Our teams are IICRC certified. We have the latest advanced equipment and training to make sure your water damage problems are solved completely. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

4 Ways to Deal with Fire and Smoke Damage

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

If your home or facility needs to undergo a fire smoke damage restoration, make sure you take the proper steps. The following tips will help you minimize your losses and prevent the total destruction of your property and belongings that could be the result of smoke damage.

Assess the Property

The first step is to find out the amount of damage that the property suffered from. Determining the extent of the destruction is paramount. How much soot and smoke damage is there? How much of your walls are covered? What about your fixtures and furniture? Do they show any signs of smoke or fire damage?

Removal of Belongings

After a thorough and comprehensive assessment of your property and the damage it sustained, the next step is to record and document everything. You’ll need that documentation when you file a claim with your insurance provider. If there are any untouched items or furniture, they need to be moved out of there as soon as possible. Doing so will improve the chances of those belongings surviving or being restored fully to their pre-damaged condition.

Cleanup of the Property

The property needs to be cleaned by professionals. Hire a professional fire and smoke damage crew right from the get-go to handle the assessment, removal of your belongings, and the cleanup. Only professionals have the experience and know-how to handle the restoration work.

Look for Trusted Options

Find a company that you can trust. Pick a company that offers a wide range of services as it convenient to hire the same firm to handle the cleaning and restoration of the property and of your items or belongings. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has long been a trusted resource for smoke and fire damage restoration. Their teams are IICRC certified which means they have both the training and equipment to quickly and efficiently handle your smoke and fire damage restoration. Call them anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0655.

Steps to Take After Fire and Smoke Damage

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

If your property needs fire smoke damage restoration, here are some of the steps involved. Aside from the assessment, removal of your belongings, and cleanup of the debris, you’ll want to be familiar with all the other steps too, especially when you hire a team to do the restoration work. Here’s what you can expect.

Secure the Foundation

To get started, the crew will need to secure the foundation to prevent any more damage from happening. That typically involves plugging up the holes or any of the weakened structures. If any part of the structure has been singed—whether the floors, walls, or roof—then an inspection is necessary to check whether these should be repaired or replaced. Don’t rely on an ‘eyeball test’ of your interior. Hire pros to check for potential leaks, mold, and other problems.

Clean and Remove Soot

Don’t tackle the smoke and soot damage on your own. These leave stains behind. Pumping and airing out the moisture left behind after fire suppression is an essential step in the cleanup process. Pros have specialized equipment such as heaters and fans to make that happen. With expert assistance, you can prevent mold growth with ease.

Perform the Repairs

Repairs must be done right away. This goes for both the structure and your belongings. Do you have heirloom pieces among your furniture? Some of the items might be impossible to restore if they’ve been subjected for too long to the soot and smoke. Talk to the restoration firm to learn more about the workaround solutions they offer.

Do the Renovation

A lot of people opt for a complete renovation, though. That’s often because of extensive damage. Talk to the restoration firm. Experienced restoration contractors such as SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County know when property owners are much better going for a renovation. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has professional restoration teams that have experience in fire and smoke damage restoration. These IICRC certified teams have the training and equipment to deal with your fire and smoke damage problems and restore your property. Call them anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566

Restoration Work After a Fire in Your Commercial Kitchen

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial kitchen fires are somewhat common. They can occur as a result of grease buildup, but fires can also occur due to employee mistakes, or simply as a result of an electrical problem. In every situation, these are complex fires that require experts to handle them properly. We can provide that level of expertise for you.

Cleaning Up Your Space

Our commercial kitchen restoration team works to clean out and remove all of the debris after a fire like this. We ensure the work is done properly and thoroughly, which includes documenting the process. After this process, the next step is to clean the area properly. We need to be aggressive here, to ensure that all potential mold risk is removed from the space. If this is not done properly, it can create years of cleanup problems and concerns for you.

Rebuilding Your Space

Getting your doors open again is always a priority. To do that, we need to properly restore the space to good condition. We can work with you to do this within all building codes and requirements. This can ensure the best possible outcome.

Seek Out Trusted Help from an Experienced Company

When there is damage in your commercial kitchen from a fire, speedy help is available. Our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can help you to get the space cleaned up and back in good condition in no time. Call us immediately for help.

Managing Water Damage in Hotels and Motels

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in any commercial business is a problem. In a hotel or motel, the risks are many, and damage to these areas is not uncommon. Someone may leave a faucet running or a shower may be left on. You may have a pipe that bursts that you do not know about until the damage is significant. Condensation from air conditioners can also lead to concerns. When you have all these risks, you need specially trained professionals to tackle them.

Properly Cleaning Up the Space

Our team works to find the source of the problem and then fixes it. From there, we need to work to dry out the space as quickly as possible. Water damage that is left for even just 12 hours can lead to the aggressive growth of mold, so we want to ensure this does not happen.

We will remove all of the damaged materials that cannot be cleaned from your property. This may include drywall, flooring, furniture, or other materials. After this, we work to sanitize the property. We can then work to rebuild any of the damaged areas that need it. This type of comprehensive process ensures the best possible outcome in your space.

Call Our Team for Immediate Help

When you have damage to your property, do not wait to get help. The sooner you reach out to our team, the less costly the cleanup may be. Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County today for the support you need. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Four Commercial Restoration Suggestions

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

Don’t let fire and smoke damage, water damage, or storm damage put your facility out of commission for too long. Here are sound suggestions on what you can do.

Hire Pros

Whether you have a large or small restoration project, it’s better to get pros to handle it. A commercial restoration cleaning service works quickly and efficiently. That makes a huge difference, especially since a great deal of restoration work is essentially a race against time. The longer your property or belongings are subjected to smoke, fire, or water damage, the harder it will be to restore them. By hiring pros, you have a better chance of restoring them to their pre-damaged states.

Confirm It’s Safe

Enter the property only after you’re certain that it’s safe. Avoid wading into standing water, for instance. Have a professional team come in to check for structural damage that compromises the facility in any way. It’s especially important that you don't try to take any of your belongings out yet. Wait until you get the go-ahead from pros.

Remove Debris and Soot

Before restoration can start, your restoration team will need to handle the removal of the soot and debris from the property. Soot might not seem to leave a huge impact, but the longer it stays on the surface, the greater the damage it leads to. Removing it will improve the quality of the air inside the facility and cut down on the airborne odors.

Remove Possessions

The restoration team will start taking your possessions out of the property. This is when you’ll find out which items are too damaged to restore, or which parts of your home will need to go. 

Let the Professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Handle It For You

In Spokane you have access to a team of highly trained professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. These pros are IICRC certified and have the latest equipment and technology to make sure you have the best possible outcome when dealing with your property damage. Call anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566

What Happens During Fire Restoration Work?

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a home or business is a complex situation. The damage is often much more than the things you can initially see. If you have a fire, you want to ensure all of the damage is removed, so your family is safe to enter. In a business, you need to be sure it is safe to open your doors. That is where we come in to play.

Restoration Starts with Assessment

The first step in restoring your property is knowing where the problems are. We will work closely with you to pinpoint concerns. This includes structural damage, areas of electrical or plumbing damage, and concerns with your home’s water damage, if any. It is necessary to have a full picture of the problem in hand before moving forward.

Exploring the Best Outcome

Restoration work means cleaning away what is damaged and creating new solutions to move forward. That may include repairing drywall, managing replacement of flooring and properly sanitizing your home’s HVAC system. Your home may have smoke damage in other rooms, too, so everything needs to be checked carefully. Our goal is to tackle it all for you so you do not have to worry about the cleanup on your own.

To Find Out What Your Next Steps Are, Call Us

Fire damage restoration can be rather complex. With many steps to manage, you want to ensure you only have the best professionals on hand to handle the concerns. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can do the work for you. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Storm Damage Restoration: 5 Steps to Get Started

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

After the storm, one of the first things you need to do is make your home habitable again. Look over the following steps to help you make the property safe for you and your family.

Work Safely

Wear protective gear along with safety glasses before you check the structure. Have the local officials indicated that it’s safe? Make sure you follow those instructions. Don’t start clearing your home of belongings until you get that go-signal from the local authorities.

Dry Your Belongings

Start taking furniture and items out of your home. Let them dry as soon as possible. You’ll want to do what you can to clear the water from your property as well.

Hire Pros

Pros have the knowledge and expertise to determine which items or belongings are worth saving and which ones are beyond any restoration efforts. They also know the best techniques and practices on how to dry items, which increase the chances of your items or belongings being restored to their pre-damaged state.

Repair or Replace?

When you hire pros, you can also answer the question: should you replace or repair? You’ll ask this a lot when you go over and inspect parts of your home with the restoration experts. They can tell you if repairs are still worth it or if you’ll only end up throwing money down the drain.

Remove the Dirt

Storm damage brings with it mud and dirt. This is exhausting to clear from your walls, floors, and other parts of your home. Hiring a storm damage restoration service that offers cleaning assistance is a tremendous help. You and your family will already be exhausted from dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Having pros come in and do this for you means you have fewer things to worry about, allowing you to focus on what you and your family need.

The Pros You Need

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is the best resource for you to help repair and restore your property after storm damage. Our storm damage team is IICRC certified and has all the latest in equipment and processes to make sure your work goes quickly and efficiently. Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

What Happens After Water Damage?

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can create a number of complications for property owners. This type of damage can create both obvious repair needs and hidden concerns. Without the help of an experienced professional, it can be very hard to know what steps you need to take to get your home back to a safe level. We can help you.

Assessing What Needs to Be Done

At the heart of the process is understanding what needs to be done after water damage occurs. Our team works closely with you through this. That includes providing a full inspection to find areas of damage. This may include drywall, flooring, furnishings, and even ceiling tiles in some cases. You may need help with hidden moisture that has built up in your walls. Our specialized moisture detection equipment is vital to locating hard to find pockets of moisture so drying can be thorough.   

Rebuilding Is the Next Step

With a clear idea of what needs to be done, we work carefully with you to remove debris, clean what can be saved, and then rebuild what needs to be replaced. There is also the likelihood that you will need some help with mold remediation. This can happen if the property does not dry out soon enough.

Get the Help You Need from Our Team

When you have water damage, it is worrisome. With the help of our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, you can have the confidence of knowing that IICRC certified professionals are on the job. Let us get your home back to a safe and cozy place again.  Call us anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

Why SERVPRO: 4 Reasons to Hire Us

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes, you’ll need the help of a team of competent restoration experts. That’s where we come in. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, we provide fire and smoke damage restoration, water damage restoration, storm damage restoration along with cleaning services, mold removal, biohazard cleanup, and sanitization. Here’s why calling us is the best move you can make.

Credentials

Our team of qualified restoration contractors knows what to do to deliver the best possible results. We know how important training and experience are, so we make sure our employees have both.  Our teams are IICRC certified and have the latest in equipment and technology to handle all your property damage issues. With an established crew of experts, you can count on us to deliver fast and efficient results.    

Reputation

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has a reputation for being trustworthy and for good reason: the company is dedicated to providing customers with the services they need not matter the time of the day or night. That’s because we offer 24/7 emergency response service. We can be there when you need us, no matter what time it is.

Results

We have a team of experts who know what they’re doing, access to specialized tools as well as equipment to ensure speedy results, and the kind of processes that have made it possible for our teams to respond to emergency calls with greater efficiency.

Services

We offer a wide range of damage restoration services. We also provide cleaning and mold removal assistance. If you’re looking to hire restoration experts, our team fits the bill. Our cleaning assistance will prove invaluable, too, especially for those who don’t have the time or inclination to do the cleanup themselves. Dealing with the aftermath is already tough. Hire a pro to handle that for you.  Call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County anytime 24/7 at 509-534-0566.

When You Need to Get Back to Business, Hire a Commercial Damage Repair and Restoration Team

6/6/2020 (Permalink)

Come In We're Open signage If you want your business to re-open fast and safe after a fire or other damage, be sure to call the specialists at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane.

From fires to storm damage, when big events like this shut down operations, running your business gets costly. Yet, you know you must provide your employees with a safe place to work. Your customers have the expectation of safety as well. For that reason, it is best to hire a commercial damage repair and restoration company to do all of the work for you.

Getting Back to Function Fast

One of the most important services our team can offer is helping you to handle the proper cleaning and damage repair so you can get your business up and running again. Doing so properly ensures you and your employees are not without work for long.

Ensuring They Are Safe

When you have storm or water damage, you also want to ensure the work is done properly to make certain your employees are safe from problems such as mold buildup. With proper cleaning and mold remediation, you can be sure the air quality is safe for your team to come back into and work in again. You also ensure they are not at risk for injuries from an unsafe place to work.

Protect Your Business with the Help of Our Professionals

When you have any level of storm or major event damage, let SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County handle the cleanup for you. Our team is licensed, experienced, and properly trained to handle any type of problem you have. Call us for immediate help.

Calling a Disaster Recovery Team After Storm Damage

6/6/2020 (Permalink)

Tree limb down on roof of home When storm damage hits and you need help fast, call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane 24/7 for immediate service.

When you have storm damage that has made your home impossible to live in, call a team of restoration specialists to help you recover your home. Disaster recovery services like this can do all of the work you need them to do. This may include any of the following services.

Extracting Water and Shoring Up Risks

Your disaster recovery team can help to stop the problem from worsening. This may mean extracting water from the home’s basement. It may also mean adding coverings to holes in the roof. The goal is to quickly make your home as safe as possible.

Determining the Level of Support You Need

The next step in the process is to provide a full assessment to determine the extensiveness of the problems from the storm damage. A full inspection, completed by a disaster recovery specialist, will address any of your concerns fully. Working with your insurance company is also possible.

Getting the Clean Up Going

Whether you need permits or just help removing the damaged materials from your home, the team does the work for you safely. This includes removing damaged materials, cleaning the home, applying necessary mold remediation as needed, and then working to rebuild your home’s damaged areas.

Expect Fast, Reliable Service from Our Team

When you call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, you get customized help restoring your home to a safe condition again. Let our team help you with all aspects of storm damage recovery. Call us 24-hours a day for immediate help.

Mold Damage Tips: What to Do When You Find Mold

6/6/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth next to a window Mold remediation is serious business. If it happens to you, call the professionals at SERVPRO South & West Spokane County.

Mold damage happens quickly and often without warning. When it does occur, it is critical to take quick action to get rid of it. This often means removing damaged material, using proper cleaning methods, and replacing damaged surfaces. You should not do it alone. Instead, let a team of professionals help with the process instead.

What Should You Do First?

After contacting a professional specializing in mold damage, follow their instructions about what to do. Most of the time, you will need to stay out of any affected area. You also should keep your HVAC system off to help prevent the spread of mold through the entire home.

What You Should Never Do

When you find mold damage, act quickly to manage it. Avoid disturbing the mold in any way. Do not blow any air across the surface of the mold or any area you suspect could be growing mold. It is also important not to spray anything on the mold, including disinfectants or bleach.

When you call a professional to handle mold damage, you get better results. You can count on the mold being removed properly and safely to ensure no risk to you or your family.

Get Immediate Help from an Experienced Team

Mold damage is worrisome. Do not let it remain in your home without proper treatment. Our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can provide immediate help. Call us today for a consultation.

3 Benefits to Hiring a Professional for Fire Damage

6/6/2020 (Permalink)

House with outside porch on fire FIre is physically and emotionally devastating. Pick the professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane to help restore your home.

After a fire, working to restore your home can seem like a challenge. With the help of a professional, the work can be done efficiently to restore the home from fire damage. There are several benefits to turning to a team like this to get the work done.

#1: Emergency Service Is Available

The most important step is to get out of the home until the repairs are done. Since 24-hour service available, you do not have to worry about leaving your home even if it is the middle of the night.

#2: It Is Faster to Get Help and Repairs Started

Fire is also devastating emotionally. As you focus on restoring your sense of well being, the team can get to work for you. This means processing any claims with insurance companies sooner. It also means the time it takes for you to move back into your home will be shorter.

#3: A Trained Professional Is Working for You

Because you will have a fire restoration technician working on your fire damage repair, you know the work will be comprehensive and complete. You also know it will be safe for you to move back into your home after the work is done.

Expect Exceptional Service from Our Team

Hiring a licensed and experienced fire damage repair and restoration team is the best move you can make. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, we can help you. Contact our professionals to learn more about how you can clean up after a fire quickly and efficiently.

Water Damage and Mold: When You Need More Help

6/6/2020 (Permalink)

When you have water damage in your home, acting quickly to manage it is very important. The first goal is to remove the water and ensure mold does not grow. For that to happen, though, you need to dry out surfaces quickly and ensure proper cleanliness along the way. Yet, even in these situations, mold is a risk. Hiring a professional mold remediation company can help you to reclaim your home.

When Do You Need More Detailed Cleaning?

The mold remediation process is a higher level and a more in-depth cleaning process for removing mold. It involves containing the mold as much as possible, using air filtration to pull out spores from the air, and then removing all mold and mold-infested materials properly and safely.

Because this is a complex situation, it is best left to those who have extensive training in water damage cleanup. Our team works closely with you to find all areas of potential mold so it can be safely contained and removed in the proper manner. Taking these extra steps is necessary when you want the best level of protection against mold and the health effects it creates.

Finding the Right Help Is Critical: We Can Help You

When you have any type of water damage, remember you do not need to handle the problem on your own. Our team at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County can provide guidance on hold to handle water, mold, and remediation efforts. Contact us today for an immediate consultation.

Water Damage Management Tips: What to Do Fast

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage to flooring in hallway leading to family room Even a small amount of water can cause damage to your home. It's always best to call the professionals at SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County.

Whether it is a broken pipe or flooding from a storm, knowing what to do when you have water damage is critical. Your first question should always be whether or not it is safe to stay in your home. Electrical hazards may warrant leaving the home until the water is removed. You also want to ensure you are not doing anything that puts you at risk. Wet materials are heavy.

When You Have Flooding

If you have flooding and resulting water damage, your first goal will be to remove the water. This may be done through mopping it up, but when there is excessive standing water, other extraction methods are a better option. Any type of wet upholstery or fabric needs to be removed from the space, including cushions. You also want to remove any wood furniture to be properly cleaned.

Next, tackle the floors. Pull off any wet carpeting, rugs, or damaged laminates from the space. If you have hardwoods, tile, or other solid surfaces, you may not have to remove these as long as they remain in good condition. To find out what your best steps are, just work with a licensed professional like us. We have the training and the equipment to make your water damage “Like it never even happened.”

Do Not Wait to Call Our Licensed Professionals for Help

When you have water damage, the most important step to take is to call our team. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, we can provide fast, even immediate help to you. Contact us 24-hours a day for immediate water restoration and cleanup services.

Overcoming Fire Damage: How Can You Get Beyond This Point?

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

fire damaged kitchen Fire damage can be devastating physically and emotionally. Working with a professional from SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is the best option.

When you have fire damage to your home, you feel overwhelmed, sad, and scared about what the future holds. Having a professional help you to restore your home can give you some focus on the future. There are several things to know about this type of help.

Learn What Can Be Saved

When you hire a professional to handle the restoration work, they will ensure anything that can be saved is. Often, items with fire damage, as well as those items damaged by water or smoke, must be thrown out. A professional can help you to determine if something can be cleaned and kept.

Get Insurance Support

Often, after a fire, you can get help from your insurance company. Licensed fire specialists are available to work with you and your insurance company to ensure the process of getting compensation is done well. They can also help you to know what your options are for replacing what is damaged.

Get Support at Your Most Vulnerable Time

With the help of a highly trained fire restoration technician, you will feel more confident moving forward. These pros do the best job to ensure your home is restored to the level it was.

Secure the Support You Need to Get Started

At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, we understand fire damage is devastating. It can be hard to overcome what you are facing, but we can help you to get the process started. Call us, 24-hours a day, for immediate help.

Restoring Your Home After Storm Damage

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

Fallen tree on top of roof When storm damage happens you need help from the professionals at SERVPRO South & West Spokane County.

Damage to your roof, flooding in your basement, and fallen trees over cars or  backyard structures are just a few of the ways storm damage could be impacting your life right now. When you are facing intense repairs like this, it is best to leave your home and call a team like SERVPRO in to provide you with fast, reliable help. What needs to be done?

Securing Your Home Immediately

When there is significant structural damage that puts your home at risk, the first step in storm damage restoration is to stop the problem from worsening. This may mean tarping the roof until repairs can happen. It may mean stopping the water from flowing into the home if possible.

Removing the Damage

The next step is to remove all of the damaged material. This should be done by a professional to ensure you are not putting yourself at risk. Wet material can be heavy and dangerous to move on your own. Once all material is removed, the drying process is necessary. Specialized equipment is required for fast and complete drying.

Restoring the Structure

Once this work is done, your team will work to make necessary repairs, including repairing flooring, drywall, painting, and cleanup as needed. The steps taken all depend on the type and amount of work you need to repair. A customized plan will address every one of your areas of concern.

Work with a Team You Can Trust

When it comes to storm damage, having a team of professionals you can trust is everything. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County we are ready to help you with storm damage anytime 24-hours a day. Just call us. We’ll be there.

Commercial Services After a Storm or Major Event

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

When your business needs help such as after a fire, storm, or other major events, let our team help you. We can help to restore your property to its proper condition.

Commercial Water Damage Repair

If you have water damage at your business property, our team is dedicated to handling the problem properly. Water extraction and drying out the space is critical to minimizing the risk of mold development. Our team handles the cleaning out of debris as well as the rebuilding of surfaces as needed. We work to protect your belongings whenever possible.

Fire Restoration Work

If you have had a fire, the problems may be a bit more extensive. Smoke and water damage combine to create a highly dangerous space. Our team can help you with damage repair and restoration in any of these situations. Customized attention to unique needs is always our priority.

Mold Remediation Services

In cases where mold development risks are high, you may benefit from our comprehensive commercial mold remediation services. This can help minimize the risk of mold development that could health issues to your employees or your customers.

Expect Exceptional Service When You Call Our Team

If your commercial building is at risk, now is the time to call SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Let our professionals go to work for you, cleaning up and restoring the safety of your property. Call us for immediate, same-day help.

What Is the Mold Damage Restoration Process?

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

Mold behind bathroom vanity Mold damage can be hidden. Sometimes it takes a professional to locate the mold and perform remediation.

The process of managing mold damage is not always simple and straightforward. There are multiple steps necessary to ensure mold is properly cleaned up and removed from surfaces and your home in general. We do it for you and give you the confidence that it is done right.

Determining Where the Mold Is

The first step is for a mold damage assessment to be completed. Our professional mold damage restoration team will handle this for you. The goal is to detect mold using technology to pinpoint areas of concern.

Containment and Filtration

Mold containment is a multi-step process itself. The goal is to prevent it from spreading. The use of negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area will help. We also use air filtration methods to help capture even the microscopic mold spores from the air.

Removing the Mold

Restoration continues when we properly remove the mold and all materials damaged by the mold. We then provide proper cleaning of the contents of the area and your belongings. After this, any restoration work begins to put your home back together and restore it to its proper condition. That is a critical step in getting mold damage under control.

Invest in a Professional to Help You Get Rid of Mold

Mold damage in a home is a significant problem requiring fast, accurate attention. At SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, our team will work closely with you to get rid of the problem for good. Call us for immediate help.

We Are Cleaning Experts

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help During This Time of Need

Even after more than a year of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our vigilance must continue. It has never been more important to individuals and businesses to maintain a high standard of cleanliness.

Specialized Training

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County has decades of experience in dealing biological contaminants of all types and is prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, carefully following protocols set forth by the CDC. Our work goes well beyond the scope that regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.

The CDC guidelines emphasize the cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends the use of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple professional grade products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County, 509-534-0566.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html

Commercial Storm Damage Restoration

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Storm Damage Restoration

            Storms and dangerous weather can be devastating to any business. Wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding can occur suddenly and cause substantial damage in a matter of minutes. There’s never a convenient time for flooding or storm damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour lost revenue and productivity. So, when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there as fast as we can with the help you need.

Commercial Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

            SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial storm or water damage emergencies. Regardless of your property type or size, we will respond quickly to clean the property and manage the restoration project through to its completion.

Odor Removal and Deodorization

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

We, SERVPRO, are experts in deodorization. We are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. These odors can come from a number of different sources, both inside and outside a home or structure. Masking and other shortcuts don’t work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.

We have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate the offensive odors. When we identify the cause of the odor and determine the conditions where it contacts surfaces, the odor can then be removed over time without a trace. Our technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly.

The science to identifying and eliminating odors can be tricky, give us a call, and leave the restoration to us.

Mold Damage Tips

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

In as little as 48 hours mold can become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, or sewage backup. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your home or property. SERVPRO has the correct training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

            Please consider these following facts if you have a mold problem in your home or business:

  • Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
  • Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
  • A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What To Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Spokane for mold remediation services.

What NOT To Do:

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

Fire Damage Restoration Process

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Spokane have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition. Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step-getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

9/6/2019 (Permalink)

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

No matter the quality of any carpet or upholstery, after some time it can show some soiling. Protect your investment by calling us to clean and maintain your carpet and upholstery. The SERVPRO team offers several cleaning options to match any type of upholstery or carpet.

We offer a range of specialized cleaning methods

  • Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short piled carpets
  • Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types
  • Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas
  • Showcase Premier Cleaning: the most thorough cleaning method in the industry
  • Dry Cleaning: When colorfastness is an issue

Preventative Maintenance

Carpets act as a filter, trapping dust, dirt, gases, animal hair, and other soils. All carpet manufacturers agree on actions you can take between carpet cleanings to increase the life span of your carpet.

IICRC states that 79% of soil in carpet is dry soil. Vacuuming is a key component to proper care and maintenance of carpet.

Preventative maintenance actions include: 

  • Regular vacuuming
  • Spot removal
  • Plating the carpet to prevent matting
  • Moving furniture to change traffic patterns
  • Using walk-off mats to limit the amount of soil tracked onto the carpet

Water Damage and Your Personal Belongings

8/29/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage can happen from a range of different reasons, with it brings immense stress and worry for you, not to mention extreme damage and risk to your home. On top of that you have your personal belongings that could also be affected by such tragedy. Luckily our SERVPRO franchises have the skill and methods of restoring items that could be considered irreplaceable or just too expensive to replace. Our contents team specializes in restoring your personal and sentimental belongings. We can also securely store items that need to be taken out of the home and clean most items affected by the water. These items include clothes, furniture, even photos. Our crews try and focus on restoring rather than replacing because it helps you save money, plus they can preserve your sentimental keepsakes that can’t be replaced.

Faster to Any Disaster

8/29/2019 (Permalink)

Emergencies, whether they are water or fire related can’t wait until business hours. That is why SERVPRO is available anytime of the day and any day of the week, 24/7. Guaranteed immediate response day or night to help with any emergency or disaster. We understand the importance of getting on top of an emergency and that’s why we are always available. When it comes to water damages and disasters, water spreads quickly and is very invasive. It will absorb into floors, walls, furniture, and more. That’s why it is important for us to get out right away to start absorbing that water and lessen the potential damage. For any emergency fire or water, it is important for us to quickly set up our machines to clean the air of any bacteria or chemicals. Emergency situations can be extremely stressful and overwhelming and that is why we want to always be available to be there in your time of need.

Important Facts about Mold

8/28/2019 (Permalink)

  1. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, inside and outside. The spores are microscopic and float along in the air. That’s why it is so important to get the mold issue taken care of right away, even if you think you may not see a lot of mold or any its spores are floating in the air.
  2. Mold spores can enter your home by attaching to your clothes or your pets fur. They can also come through windows, doors, and AC or heating systems.
  3. Mold spores love moisture and will grow into colonies if given the opportunity to live in the moisture. Finding the source of the moisture is very important because it must be done before any mold services can be done or the potential of regrowth is very high.
  4. Finally mold often has a strong, musty odor which can help you identify where the mold is coming from and the cause of it or its growth.

Free Insurance CE Classes In Spokane, WA

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

Free Insurance CE Classes In Spokane, WA - 2/6/2019

SERVPRO of Northwest Spokane, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane & Spokane County & SERVPRO of The Spokane Valley are offering FREE Insurance CE Course's in Spokane on February 6th hosted on the north side of Spokane at the Quality Inn on North Division. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are able to attend either or both of these classes.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6th

Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry (4 Insurance Credit Hours)

Quality Inn Oakwood, N Division

8:00am-12:00pm (Check-In is at 7:30am)

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6th

Mitigation Awareness & Response Seminar (2 Insurance Credit Hours)

Quality Inn Oakwood, N Division

1:00pm-3:00pm (Check-In is at 12:45pm)

Muffins, Pastries, Lunch & Beverages Provided.

We would love for you and/or anyone else from your agency to attend and please share this information with any other agents/agencies who you think may be interested. We fly our instructor in from our Corporate Tennessee office.  Mary has several years experience in the insurance industry as both an agent and agency owner and she does an excellent job by teaching the classes with humor and hands-on learning that keeps you engaged!  I also have fun giveaway's for class attendees, leaving you with an opportunity to leave with something really cool! We are looking forward to your participation.


Please confirm that we will see you Wednesday 2/6 by emailing jess@SERVPROnwspokane.com and also, please feel free to forward this information to your friends in the industry - all are welcome!  

Free Insurance CE Classes In Spokane, WA

8/28/2018 (Permalink)

Free CE Classes In Spokane, WA 9/6/2018

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is offering FREE Insurance CE Course's in Spokane on Thursday, September 6th 2018 – hosted on the north side of Spokane at the Quality Inn on North Division. Please RSVP as soon as possible as space is limited and we are filling up fast!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6th: Ethics

Quality Inn Oakwood, N Division

8:00am-11:00am (Check-In is at 7:30am)

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6th: Restorative Drying for Water Damage

Quality Inn Oakwood, N Division

12:00pm-2:00pm (Check-In is at 11:30am)

Muffins, Pastries, Lunch & Beverages Provided.

We would love for all Spokane-area insurance agents to attend and please share this information with any other agents/agencies who you think may be interested. We fly our instructor in from our Corporate Tennessee office and he does an excellent job and teaches the class with humor and some hands-on learning that keeps you engaged!  We also have fun giveaways for class attendees, leaving you with an opportunity to leave with something really cool!

This is a once a year event so save your spot today by emailing jess@SERVPROnwspokane.com.

So You Sent The Restoration Company Home Early...

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

Look closely.. the wallpaper looks as though it is in good shape. As it peeled away from the wall it revealed the scope of the mold problem.

A home owner or business owner wants to get back to normal as soon as possible. Working to make that happen is our goal. That being said water damage or fire damage is never a pretty thing. The right expectations need to be understood. Beyond that what needs to be understood is the reason for the time frame and process.

Let me explain. All too often especially with water damage issues we are asked to cease and desist. Pack up our stuff and leave before the work is done. There are even times that we recommend opening a wall, or pulling up the floor. Home owners and business owners will refuse to let us to do this sort of work. Why would they do that you ask. There are a number of reasons but the main one is that they do not want the inconvenience of more intrusion into their home. This is always a bad idea.

Restoration companies have extensive training and certifications that most do not. They also have years of experience working with insurance companies and property adjusters. This leads to a great understanding of the scope of work that is needed to properly mitigate your building. This ensures what they call secondary damage is not an option.

First let us get into what secondary damage actually is. Secondary damage is something that would not have happened even if the first occurred. Let me explain. If you do have a pipe break, you call and get the plumber out and stop the water. Moisture damage is what happens when you do not mitigate the water that intruded into your home fast enough.

Some key examples of what is considered secondary damage is when your wood floors start to buckle. This is not from the water intrusion it is from the wood sitting in the water that is underneath . The wood warps. This warping forces the finish to crack and the floors are not salvage able.

Ok, so you don’t have wood floors. Vinyl is not much better, look at that edging popping up. That is damage from the water getting under the floor and damaging the glue.

Cracks in sheet rock and sagging ceiling are a result of moisture continuing to collect if they did not have an outlet to release the water.

Mold colonization. This is probably the most problematic. The challenge here is many times it will be somewhere you cannot see until it is a real problem. Similar to an iceberg you only see a fraction what is there. Lurking behind a wall under a floor or even where you see nothing at all such as in a duct system.

Let us get back to the reason for this post. We have clients that ask us to leave early and no explanation in the world is going to change their minds. Business owners are looking at the short term issue they have to be closed. Closing means so money is coming in and many do not have the proper insurance to cover loss of business. Additionally they tend to have very high deductibles or inadequate coverage.  Coupled with lack of income there are a lot of bad decision made. They only want the visible water dried out. They will not allow demolition to occur for it will delay the process of reopening. Another problem is that they do not want to pay for anything more than absolutely necessary.

Home owners often as us to leave early but not always for the same reasons as a business owner. The equipment that is used in the drying process is industrial. It is not like the fan you put on your night stand to lull you to sleep. These are high powered fans used to circulate the air and create a tornado like event that forces strong air movement. They are positioned in such a fashion that they are pointed at wet objects , such as a wall.  This positioning is tied directly to where the dehumidifiers are located as well. This will force the air to push the moisture out of the wet materials into the air and the dehumidifier will capture the wet air and release it as drier air. This requires the area to be warm. We ask people to turn up their heat and the equipment itself gives off quite a bit. All too often the home owner will say the fans are too loud. They are too big and in the way. I have a party planned for this weekend. It is just too hot inside I cannot stand it anymore.

All of these decisions are bad ideas. We have 3 different kinds of waivers that are required. One that states you know we do not advise removal of equipment. One that advises you are declining the scope of work we are recommending. There is also a limitation on standard compliance form when we are not allowed to perform the necessary scope of the work. We have to make sure when the mold appears down the road we are not held liable and the parties in question were explained the scope of possibilities for this refusal.

We try to work with the residents of the property to the best of our ability. At the end of the day they are the ones affected and we will honor their wishes. You must know the potential ramifications for your actions and know that down the road be it 1 week, month, one year or even several years later. Mold can be a very serious problem. Kicking off a professional can be expensive. Now we agree not everyone may be doing the work up to par and that is your right to change whom it is that is doing the work. Have a plan in place to get it completed in a timely fashion. Do not kick them off totally without a solid replacement plan.

The cost associated with Mold Remediation far exceeds what a few days of inconvenience could ever be. So before you kick a remediation company off the job, think about what is going on and have a plan.

Safety - After You've Had a Fire

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

If there's this much soot on the walls, it's likely in the air. Don't go in without proper respiratory protection!

It is traumatic to experience a fire in your home or business. And the dangers don't present themselves only during the fire. They can appear after. It is important to take specific actions to minimize hazards to your health after the flames are gone.

One of the biggest concerns after the fire is out is air quality. It is likely that materials caught fire and debris were sent airborne. These could be toxigenic. Without proper respiratory protection you will be consuming these items.

Another big concern has to do with "slip and fall" hazards. If you must go into the structure, make sure to wear proper shoes, and avoid areas that may be wet from the water that was sprayed to put out the blaze.

Use the buddy system.  Only do activities that are safe for you to perform. Use your legs to lift things -- don't use your back!  Be very careful.

There are some things you should do, following a fire. Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork. Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. f electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open. lean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil. Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves. Change HVAC filter. Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Most of all, remember that the contents can be replaced. Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones. Getting injured after the fire is something that can be avoided!

Commercial Losses Bring Unique Challenges

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

Water, fire and mold losses present challenges that are unique versus residential losses.

Flooding and water damage events at Spokane-area commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. Many business owners understand that the business downtime can be more devastating to the property damage -- we understand that many times the most important thing to Spokane-area businesses is to get back in business . . . fast.

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. We can be reached at (509) 534-0566.

Emergency Water Damage Process

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

ONE HOUR:

Within one hour from notice of loss, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will contact you to arrange for service. You'll know help is on the way!

FOUR HOURS:

Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will be on-site to start mitigation services. the key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.

DETAILED EXPLANATION:

A trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professional will walk through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome.

PRETESTING:

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.

EIGHT HOURS:

Within eight hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.

CLEANING & RESTORATION:

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Professionals will work neatly and efficiently to help to regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. They will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.

FINAL WALK-THROUGH:

After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

SERVPRO OF SOUTH & WEST SPOKANE COUNTY IS HERE TO HELP!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER DAMAGE OR YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A WATER DAMAGE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US @ 509-534-0566!

Prevent Water Damage in Your Spokane Home This Spring by Watching for Sump Pump Failures

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Sump pump diagram Source - http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/sump-pump1.htm

Sump pumps are headache savers when it comes to saving our basements from flooding whenever a downpour occurs. The sump pump sits in the lowest part of our basement or crawlspace and is automatically activated when it detects that there is water starting to fill up the hole it is sitting in. As the pump runs, it sends the water out of the discharge line and away from the home making sure that the home does not flood. Like any other mechanical device, sump pumps still have the possibility of failing.

Causes of sump pump failure

  • Power failure– The most common cause for failure of a sump pump is a power outage. As we know, most power outages happen when we need the sump pump most, during a storm. Purchasing a backup generator to keep your sump pump moving during a storm can save your home from a flooded basement.
  • Improper installation– The installation of a sump pump is crucial to it working properly. One mistake or misstep in following the manufacturer instructions can lead to water to be displaced. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s manual or consult a professional to make sure the sump pump is installed correctly.
  • Frozen or clogged discharge line– The discharge line is where the water exits the home. It is important to make sure that the line is protected from freezing and does not have debris such as dirt, rocks and sticks. A grated discharge line will give water a separate way to flow in case of a blockage.
  • Lack of maintenance – Manufacturers recommend testing and running the pump every 2-3 months.
  • Switch problems – The purpose of the sump pump is to automatically turn on when a sensor notices that there is water build up. If the pump gets shifted and moves position inside of the basin, it can cause switch to be inaccurate and not know where the correct water level is, making the pump not switch on at the correct time.
  • Manufacturer defect – Although it is rare to get a bad machine right out of the store, it still is possible. It is important to test the pump after installation to ensure that it is running properly so that you aren’t finding the defect when it is already too late.

 Source - http://renewservices.com/7-causes-of-sump-pump-failure-what-to-do/

SERVPRO Professionals are the Storm Damage Experts in Spokane & Spokane County

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County is ready to deal with any size storm damage.

When heavy rains and high winds hit hard, property destruction and loss can be devastating to you as a homeowner. Structural damage to the exterior of your home is followed by interior devastation from water and winds. Storm damage is rarely isolated to just a few buildings in an area adding the challenge of finding a restoration company that can respond swiftly to your needs to an already anxiety provoking situation. SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County delivers the help you need swiftly even when a local disaster is widespread as we are able to call upon a network of over 1,650 franchises nationwide to respond if the need is great. 
 
Storm damage in Spokane can feel overwhelming, but your fear and panic will disappear when our team of professionals responds to your water, wind and flooding repair and restoration needs. Your particular situation is of paramount importance to us, and you need not worry that your repairs and restoration will take a back seat even when many in your area are struggling to recover from the same issues you face. Choosing our company puts in motion a vast support system, but our local ownership means you will receive a personalized approach to your particular situation, efficiently returning your home back to its pre-storm condition just “like it never even happened.” 
 
Placing your trust in SERVPRO for your storm damage needs will reap you benefits that less qualified companies simply cannot deliver. We use state of the art equipment to clean, repair and restore your home and in the process, we also restore your and your family’s peace of mind. Our technicians are highly trained and qualified, current in Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IIICRC) for any procedure needed to bring your home back to the comfortable and comforting refuge you deserve. We also work closely with your insurance company, ensuring that all the work necessary is approved and compensated according to the terms of your policy. Our high standards and relentless drive to do the job on time while meeting local specifications means you and your family will quickly return to the quiet enjoyment of your house and neighborhood. We are not satisfied until you are happily back in your restored dwelling. 
 
Once you make sure that your family is safe after a major storm, your first call should be to SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. Dial (509) 534-0566 24/7 and begin the road to recovery by scheduling an inspection with our storm damage experts.

SERVPRO Storm Teams Are Ready!

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

When a storm or disaster strikes, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® is poised and “Ready for whatever happens.” With a network of over 1,600 Franchises, the SERVPRO® System strives to be faster to any size disaster. Strategically located throughout the United States allowing for a faster response time, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team®, is trained and equipped to handle the largest storms and highest flood waters.

Providing experience, additional manpower, equipment and other resources, the Disaster Recovery Team® assists your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals. SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® has responded to hundreds of disaster events, including those listed here. 

In the aftermath of a disaster, there is only one objective, to help you make it “Like it never even happened.” 

2017 Hurricane Irma: Extreme winds and abnormal amounts of flooding in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia & Puerto Rico.

2017 Hurricane Harvey: Caused extreme flooding in parts of Houston.

2014 Polar Vortex: Record low temperatures caused by a break in the North Pole’s polar vortex resulted in an unprecedented freezing event, spanning from east of the Rocky Mountains to as far south as Central Florida, effecting all or part of 39 states and 70% of the SERVPRO® Franchise system. 

2013 Colorado Floods: Heavy rainfall, with amounts up to 17 inches in some areas, resulted in widespread flooding in Fort Collins, Boulder and surrounding Colorado mountain communities. The Disaster Recovery Team® responded with 109 crews from 48 Franchises to assist the local SERVPRO® Franchises in the emergency response. 

2013 Alberta, Canada Floods: Heavy rainfall triggered flooding affecting more than 120,000 residents, and ultimately, the costliest disaster in Canadian history with damages estimated at C$5 billion, with C$1.7 billion in insurance damages.

2012 Hurricane Sandy: Affecting more than 20 states, Sandy left widespread damage and flooding from Florida stretching the entire eastern seaboard to Maine. The Disaster Recovery Team® placed nearly 1000 crews in affected areas, representing over 300 SERVPRO® Franchises from across the country. Teams traveled from as far as Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.

2012 Hurricane Isaac: Hurricane Isaac caused flooding and damage across five states before weakening, including Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. Nearly 100 SERVPRO® Franchises were activated to assist in the cleanup and restoration efforts. 

2011 Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee: With storm damage spanning from North Carolina to New England, activation of the Disaster Recovery Team®, combined with local resources, placed approximately 1,000 crews in affected areas. 

2011 North Dakota Floods: SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals provided restoration services to more than 400 residents and businesses, including municipal buildings and the area hospital. The SERVPRO® System sent hundreds of crews to help.

Important Tips for Choosing a Biohazard Cleanup Service in Spokane

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County Offers Biohazard Cleanup & Remediation Services

Always Choose a Trained Professional

  • Because it’s traumatic: No one should have to deal with the personal impact of cleaning up after the traumatic loss of a loved one. A SERVPRO professional can get a situation cleaned up quickly, compassionately and discreetly.
  • Because it’s safer: Federal regulations classify all human and animal remains, including blood, urine, feces, vomit and bodily fluids, as biohazards. This is because they have the potential of carrying life-threatening pathogens such as Hepatitis B and C, AIDS, HIV, MRSA, Tuberculosis and many more. The safe cleanup and removal of biohazardous materials involves extensive analysis and detailed work, and the use of state-of-the-art cleaning and odor removal technologies.

Licensed Bonded & Insured

  • It is important to use licensed professionals because they conduct safe cleanup, removal and disposal of biohazardous waste. Additional considerations include being registered and compliant with OSHA and FEMA, federal agencies that oversee disasters and workplace safety. Cleanup crews will be coming into your home or the home of your loved one, so be sure the professional you choose is bonded and insured.

Will Work with Insurance Companies

  • In most cases, insurance will cover much or all of the cost of traumatic even cleanup. You can minimize or eliminate your out-of-pocket expenses by working with licensed and bonded professionals such as SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County who will deal directly with insurance companies, saving you one more headache in this already difficult process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Can I just use my regular cleaning or janitorial service for biohazard cleanup of blood or bodily fluids?

A: Not unless your regular cleaning or janitorial service has been properly trained and equipped to handle biohazard cleanup and waste such as blood or bodily fluids, and has a legal place to dispose of the recovered biohazardous waste.

Q: Who pays for bio-recovery services?

A: In many cases home, business or auto insurance will pay for bio-recovery services. Ultimately the property owner may be responsible for cost of the service.

Q: Can I have an employee of my business clean the scene?

A: Federal Regulation 29cfr1910.1030 states that no employee can be placed in a position to be exposed to biohazard cleanup of blood spills without first:

  1. Receiving Blood Borne Pathogen (bbp) training.
  2. Having a written BBP exposure control plan.
  3. Having been provided personal protective equipment.
  4. Having been offered Hepatitis B vaccine and exposure evaluation and follow-up.
  5. Being provided with a method to remove and properly store the bio-hazardous waste in properly marked containers for disposal at an approved site.

For more information please visit:

Washington State Insurance Fraud - Most Wanted

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

The total cost of (non-health) insurance fraud is estimated at more than $40 billion per year, meaning the average U.S. family pays between $400 and $700 per year in the form of increased premiums. The Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) identifies and investigates insurance fraud by organizations and individuals, including medical fraud, staged auto collisions, property, inflated bodily injury claims and other types of fraud.

These Individuals are wanted for arrest because they failed to appear to answer to charges of criminal insurance fraud and theft. Do not attempt to apprehend any of these fugitives. If you have information that may lead to their arrest, please contact your local law enforcement agency or contact CIU.

Insurance fraud costs the average family $400 to $700 per year in increased premiums. Please report suspected insurance fraud on the Insurance Commissioner’s website: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-fraud

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane Named Among Best in Washington State

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Congratulations to our local friends at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital!

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital has been recognized as one of the Best Hospitals in Washington State and recognized in eight types of care by U.S. News & World Report.


The medical center is listed as the #2 hospital in the state and recognized as high performing in the following specialties and procedures: 

Orthopedics 
Pulmonology 
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair 
Aortic Valve Surgery 
Heart Bypass Surgery 
Heart Failure 
Hip Replacement 
Lung Cancer Surgery 

For the 2017-18 rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. In the 16 specialty areas, 152 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals as high performing across multiple areas of care. 

The U.S. News methodologies include risk-adjusted survival and readmission rates, volume, patient experience, patient safety, quality of nursing care and other care-related indicators.

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane Named Among Best in Washington State

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Congratulations to our local friends at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital!

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital has been recognized as one of the Best Hospitals in Washington State and recognized in eight types of care by U.S. News & World Report.


The medical center is listed as the #2 hospital in the state and recognized as high performing in the following specialties and procedures: 

Orthopedics 
Pulmonology 
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair 
Aortic Valve Surgery 
Heart Bypass Surgery 
Heart Failure 
Hip Replacement 
Lung Cancer Surgery 

For the 2017-18 rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. In the 16 specialty areas, 152 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals as high performing across multiple areas of care. 

The U.S. News methodologies include risk-adjusted survival and readmission rates, volume, patient experience, patient safety, quality of nursing care and other care-related indicators.

Free Admission to Spokane City Pools for 2018!

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Free Admission to Spokane City Pools for 2018!

With a goal of giving everyone a chance to swim, the Park Board approved a proposal to make open swimming free for adults and children at all six City aquatic centers beginning this year (2018).

City of Spokane Parks & Recreation would like to reduce barriers for the community to access open swim times across all neighborhoods and to increase attendance for open swim, especially at underutilized pools like Liberty and A.M. Cannon. The City also has a goal of helping more kids learn to swim, so they have this important life skill and benefit from the health aspects of swimming.

“Swimming is such a great way for kids to be kids during the warm summer months and an important life-long skill,” Spokane Mayor David Condon said. “We are thrilled to be able to offer a way for kids to enjoy themselves with friends and make memories that will last a lifetime.”

“Offering free open swim at city pools provides a great opportunity for many kids and families in our area,” said Nick Sumner, Park Board President. “Increasing access to our aquatic centers gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy a family-friendly activity that is fun, promotes safety, and leads to a healthier community.”

The approved proposal includes free open, parent-tot (a calm and exclusive swim time in the zero-entry area) and lap swimming, plus family nights. Swim lessons, novice swim team, aquatics fitness programs, and pool rentals will continue to have affordable, family-friendly rates.

The number of lifeguards is not anticipated to change, because Parks and Recreation staffs lifeguards for maximum capacity.  There will be a small reduction in staffing as the City eliminates the cashier position at pools, and a reduction in cash-handling expenses such as armored car services. Visitors will be able to bring in outside food, and vending machine options will be explored.

The aquatics season runs June 18 – August 25, with an extended season at Witter pool for lap swim from May 7 – September 14.

About City of Spokane Parks and Recreation

The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department is the place to go for events, activities, classes and more. Enjoy all your city has to offer by visiting our website at spokaneparks.org. For more information, follow us @SpokaneParks on Facebook and Twitter.

After a Sprinkler Snafu, Commercial Water Removal is Quickest Route to Restoring any Spokane Shop

8/18/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Removes Water Keeping Shops Open in Spokane

Rapid Drying Mitigates Water Damage to Commercial Businesses

Sometimes, the best intentions in protecting our investments go awry. One of these instances might involve sprinkler systems that malfunction. Instead of protecting our assets in the event of a fire, they damage those same items when a sprinkler head comes loose. It does not even have to come off entirely for this to happen.

When your business floods because of a loose sprinkler head in your Spokane shop, the fastest commercial water removal is exactly what you need. At SERVPRO, We're Fastest To Any Size Disaster. We arrive as quickly as we can so no time is wasted, and your emergency is brought under control as soon as possible. Removing the standing water and excess moisture is paramount to ensuring that any potential damage is stifled before it can become a reality.
 
Removing the water from a broken sprinkler head often means drying out not only your building but anything and everything between the sprinkler system and the floor. Merchandise, displays, carpeting, furniture and much more all face damage if allowed to remain saturated. Preventing subsequent damage is impossible unless water removal begins immediately.
 
Depending on the type of materials involved, and any cross-contamination that might exist, we tailor our efforts to your specific needs to provide you with the best results possible. This is true no matter how small or large the catastrophe might be at your location. Some materials might need to be removed to a drier location, such as our facility for better processing, while other items can remain safely where they already exist. Either way, we are dedicated to providing you with the best in services during the entire process.
 
Removing excess moisture from your building can be accomplished with the use of heaters, air movers, and dehumidifiers. Using these together increases each type of machine's efficiency, cutting the overall drying out period drastically. Water vapor removal is crucial to preserving inventory and keeping a shop open.
 
Some materials that are highly sensitive to contact with water might need specialized care to preserve it. Other items may be so fragile that no amount of attention can salvage them. Each item is always assessed on a case-by-case basis. SERVPRO makes it a point to explain all details of such matters with you, before disposing of anything. We understand that inventory may need to be photographed in such situations when damaged beyond repair or restoration.
 
For the fastest response from start to finish, contact us, SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County. We are local and always ready, day or night. Our number is (509) 534-0566, and we are always available to answer your call.

Click here for the Spokane City Directory

Window Boxes Are Beautiful But Can Cause Mold To Your Spokane Home

7/22/2017 (Permalink)

Mold spores are always present and generally result in little harm to humans or their homes and possessions.

Window Boxes Cause Mold

Anything attached to the outside of your home poses the possibility of providing a pathway for water to invade your dwelling. Whatever material covers your home’s structure must be in good repair and reinforced in areas where moisture regularly collects. Even a small breach gives microbial growth a chance, and SERVPRO is waiting to help you find and eliminate this serious problem.

You recently added a bank of window boxes beneath your living room window. In addition to making your entryway more welcoming, the new gardening area, unknown to you, contributes to mold damage to your Spokane home. We investigate a musty smell reported behind a couch and work on remediating the mold causing it.

The technicians SERVPRO sends to abate mold receive advanced training in EPA techniques to manage mold. You never hear our promise to eliminate mold entirely because that is not possible. Mold spores are always present and generally result in little harm to humans or their homes and possessions. Only when activated by water do the spores multiply, attaching and receiving nourishment from carbon-based surfaces and residues. Wood, wallpaper, gypsum board, and insulation all provide mold with the perfect environment for proliferation if moisture is present.

Our workers find mold under the window overlooking those new garden boxes, hiding between the exterior cladding and the plaster wall facing the living room. The odor wafts through wall outlets, and the colony revealed when our crew cuts out a section of lathe and plaster. Containment, achieved with plastic draping, is followed by removal of the mold and the wooden lathe upon which it fed. After we bag the moldy material, proper disposal follows local regulations.

Disinfection of the area completes all but the most important part of the remediation process. SERVPRO workers discover small cracks through the stucco occurred during the installation of the window boxes. Every time the spray of the watering hose hit the stucco some moisture leaked into your dwelling. This small amount of water activated mold spores and the infestation was inevitable. Sealing of the cracks and replacement of the plaster removed to expose the mold finalizes the remediation and restoration process.

Waste no time when you smell a musty odor. Contact SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County at (509) 534-0566 and a mold remediation team responds within hours.

Click here for more information about Spokane.

Why You Should Call The Pros After “Just A Little Fire” In Your Spokane Home

7/20/2017 (Permalink)

A quickly extinguished fire may seem like the end of your troubles, but the reality is the fire’s aftermath causes far more destruction.

Contact The Pros Immediately After A Fire

A quickly extinguished fire may seem like the end of your troubles, but the reality is the fire’s aftermath causes far more destruction than the typical homeowner expects. An assessment by a reliable restoration company is a good investment, making certain the cleanup plan does not exacerbate the situation. SERVPRO specializes in restoration of the damage done by fires large or small.

Smoldering for several hours, an old, poorly functioning surge protector covered by an old rug shorted out, causing fire damage to your Spokane home. Little actual charring is present, and you discovered the problem, shut off the circuit, and removed and disposed of the cord without calling the fire department. Calling a restoration firm helps you determine the extent of damage caused by smoke and soot and devise a plan to return all areas of your house to preloss condition. We are eager to help.

SERVPRO technicians inspect all areas of your home for soot, including your HVAC system. The cord smoldered for an extended period, causing a significant amount of potentially toxic materials to spread throughout the dwelling. The heat and incomplete burning of plastics and fabric release fine and sometimes sticky substances that coat surfaces and lodge in clothing, furniture, and linens. If it is pulled into the heating and cooling system, it recirculates until the ducts are cleaned and sealed.

Our crew deep cleans the soot away, using a variety of methods depending on the texture of the contaminated surfaces and the characteristics of the debris. We match professional cleaning products to the tasks; expect different techniques for the varying soot presentations. We also evaluate foods, documents, and personal belongings, identifying items that can be restored, and recommending disposal of those that cannot. It is likely professional sorting saves you money as an overwhelmed homeowner may throw everything away. SERVPRO team members are also proficient at eliminating odors, a significant lingering effect after a smoldering fire.

SERVPRO works with your home insurance company, making certain you receive compensation for destroyed items and at least part of the cost of our services. Our familiarity with proper fire damage restoration decreases the time your home is filled with soot and smells, quickly returning your living areas to a fresh and comfortable condition, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County offers the workforce, professional products, and equipment to restore your home after fire damage. Call (509) 534-0566 to schedule an assessment.

Visit https://my.spokanecity.org/ to learn more about Spokane, Washington.

Water Damage Restoration Services Available Throughout The Spokane Area

7/9/2017 (Permalink)

Drips Lead to Money Loss and Water Damage to Your Spokane Property--Call SERVPRO for Service

Rely on the SERVPRO Experts for Water Removal and Cleanup

It is curious to find that wood homes deteriorate at about the same rate as brick homes, due to water damage. Water is extremely relentless and rather fanatical when it penetrates areas where it was never meant to be, spreading without remorse if given the opportunity.

When you have water damage issues developing in and around your Spokane area home, a qualified restoration company on your side can make a huge difference. We can locate water problems before they cause significant damage, help prevent loss, and even be there for you when emergency situations occur.
 
You may think that your property is safe and secure. However, it only takes a small hole on your roof to allow cold, dry air to enter. When this cold air mixes with the warm, humid air in your attic, cellar, basement, and other crawlspaces, condensation forms that can lead to dangerous situations.  
 
Your windows, even if installed correctly by your contractor, were only designed to last 25-years or so, about as long as your roof lasts after initial installation. Moisture finds its way through even seemingly solid objects like brick or stone. Gaps or cracks between brick walls that connect to wood structure left unattended can allow moisture to enter your home.
 
At this point moisture damaging your paint or wallpaper is the least of your worries. You end up with major structural damages that need to be taken care of by a professional. Since your home already exists, your best support for these situations comes in the form of water damage restoration companies, like SERVPRO.  
 
SERVPRO gives you IICRC certified professional technicians, with many years of experience, access to advanced equipment and resources that help protect your home. We do far more than repair water problems found on your property. Our technicians make every effort to return your home to a quality condition so that you and your family remain safe. "Like it never even happened."
 
Contact SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County for additional information about our services or to schedule your home inspection, today. (509) 534-0566

Learn more about Spokane by clicking here.

IICRC Storm Damage Restoration Recommendations

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

IICRC Storm Damage Restoration Recommendations
The following information is submitted by IICRC as a public service to those who have suffered water-related losses due to storm damage (e.g., hurricane, tornado). Since there are many variables involved in deciding about appropriate restoration steps, users of this information assume any and all liability for implementing the procedures covered herein.

The following recommendations assume water-related storm damage to residential or light commercial structures. For recommendations regarding restoration of major commercial properties and building assemblies, it is important to consult with professionals who have specific training and experience in this area.

Whether insured or not, it is important for property owners to document damage with photographs or video, and immediately begin loss mitigation procedures themselves; or hire a qualified contractor to do this on their behalf. It is totally inappropriate to put off mitigation while waiting for an insurance claims representative to arrive on the scene to evaluate the loss. By that time, in all probability sufficient time will have passed to grow and amplify microorganisms, which may not be covered by insurance. Loss mitigation is defined by insurance policies as “reasonable and prudent measures designed to preserve, protect and secure property from further damage,” including microbial growth and amplification.

According to IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (IICRC S500), there are three categories of water that cause damage in buildings. They are summarized as follows:

Category 1 Water – That which is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. Category 1 water may become progressively contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings or building assemblies (walls, decking, subflooring). Time and temperature, which promote the growth and amplification of microorganisms in water can cause Category 1 water to degrade. Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances, vertically falling rainwater.

Category 2 Water – That which begins with some degree of contamination and could cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. As with Category 1 water, time and temperature can cause Category 2 water to become progressively more contaminated.

Category 3 Water – That which is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious illness if consumed by humans. Examples: sewage, rising flood water from rivers and streams, ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes. There are two ways in which water enters a building as a result of wind storm damage:

The first involves falling or windblown rainwater that enters as a result of damage to roof components or wall assemblies. The second involves horizontally traveling ground surface water (Category 3) containing silt and soil contaminants that infiltrate into structures, generally through doors or around foundation walls. This ground surface water (storm surge) may accumulate to a depth of several inches or several feet. When structures are partially submerged or remain substantially flooded for weeks, far more elaborate procedures usually are required.

Most household microorganisms (fungi, bacteria) typically require five conditions for germination, growth, amplification and dissemination. Generally, they include:

• organic food source, especially cellulose (e.g., paper, wood), which are found in abundance in construction materials
• moisture, even high humidity (67% RH plus)
• moderate temperature – 68-86°F/20-30°C
• stagnant air
• time – several hours to several days

Anything that can be done to control or minimize these optimum conditions will prolong the time required for microbial growth.

With the above background information in mind, loss mitigation procedures may include but are not necessarily limited to:

A. Foremost, consider safety:
1. Structural Integrity – Before entering a storm or flood-damaged structure, consider structural integrity, which may be impacted by the force of the wind on, or the force of the water entering the structure. When in doubt, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering.
2. Ventilation – Fresh moving air discourages the growth and amplification of microorganisms. Open windows and doors and air the structure out thoroughly. It is highly recommended that ventilation be maintained during and following the restoration effort, or until damp areas can be contained and subjected to mechanical dehumidification (HVAC or specialized equipment). This reduces, but does not eliminate, inhalation of microorganisms.
3. Shock Hazards – Ensure that electrical shock hazards have been eliminated by turning off the supply of electricity (circuit breakers) to damaged areas. Anticipate that electricity may be restored suddenly without notice.
4. Personal Protective Equipment – Wear protective clothing, boots with steel or fiberglass shanks, and a hard hat. Protect yourself from injury or exposure to microorganisms. Wear protective gloves before handling contaminated materials. Splash goggles are highly recommended to protect and prevent microorganism entry through the eyes. An organic vapor respirator (paint respirator) is highly recommended to prevent inhalation of most microorganisms or spores.

B. Remove quantities of debris (silt, vegetation, floating objects brought in by storm surge), if present, with shovels, rakes, etc. Carefully clean all tools with appropriate detergents after use.

C. Identify the source of water and extent of wetting:
1. When wind-blown rain water enters a building, it is important to identify the route of entry and to trace its path, as possible, to identify all wet components (ceilings, walls, insulation, framing). Professional water restoration contractors, when available, have specialized water-detection equipment and may be available to assist in this determination.
2. In rising water situations, typically there will be a visible water line on drywall or paneling. However, water may migrate or wick upward within the wall material itself or within insulation behind the wall.

D. Remove unsalvable or wet materials:
1. When wetting is caused by storm damage and comes from overhead or around openings in the building envelope, and especially when power has been interrupted in hot climates, it is important to remove wet components, as possible, to expose pockets of saturation to air circulation before microbial growth can occur.

a) Begin at the point of water entry and trace the path of wetting, removing ceiling and wall components and insulation as you go.
b) Although it may be possible for professionals with specialized equipment to dry carpet, pad and subflooring materials, when damage is wholesale in an area, seldom will qualified contractors be available to respond for this work. Therefore, it is normally prudent to remove saturated carpet and pad.
c) It is highly recommended that solid or laminated wood flooring, or sheet vinyl be removed to expose pockets of saturation.

2. In rising water situations (storm surge with contaminated ground water):

a) Remove and dispose of drywall (Sheetrock®), paneling or other wall materials up to a point 15-24″ inches above the water line visible on the wall. If possible, stay within four feet of the floor to salvage as much wall material as possible, since drywall is usually installed horizontally in 4’x8’ or 4’x12’ panels.
b) Remove and dispose of wet insulation materials exposed during wall removal. Look for evidence of moisture wicking up insulation materials. Leave only wall framing components that are durable and minimally porous, and which can be cleaned and decontaminated with relative ease.
c) Remove and dispose of floor coverings; carpet, cushion, pad, felt and sheet vinyl, laminate, or tile flooring materials. Porous materials may absorb considerable quantities of water and contaminant, and non-porous materials may trap moisture to prolong drying. The inevitable result will be rapid microorganism growth, along with associated odor and health hazards. Hardwood flooring should be removed since contaminants and moisture will collect underneath in the flutes or hollow areas between the hardwood and the subfloor.
E. With Category 1 (clean source) water (e.g., rainwater), drying is the next course of action required to prevent on-going damage due to microbial development.

The following procedures may require the assistance of a professional water damage restoration company, if available, which has trained technicians, specialized cleaners, biocides, extraction, drying and dehumidifying equipment, and moisture measuring and monitoring instruments. A certified professional can be located by calling the nonprofit IICRC toll free at 800-835-4624 or by accessing www.IICRC.org.

F. With ground surface water (Category 3), steps for cleaning soil residues brought in by heavy rainfall or storm surge may include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Since many biocides are inactivated by quantities of organic contaminants, cleaning always should precede biocide application.
2. When fresh water is restored within the structure, mix an appropriate general-purpose household cleaner according to label directions and liberally spray it onto salvable components.
3. Brush agitation may be required to evenly distribute cleaning solutions, followed by at least ten minutes of “dwell time” for soil suspension.
4. Where appropriate, flush contaminants from salvageable surfaces with a water hose or pressure washer. Work from top-to-bottom and from walls-to-flooring.
5. Wet vacuum or mop up excess rinse water from flooring materials immediately. Be sure to thoroughly flush all contamination from wall frame (sill plate) areas. Pressure washing, if available, is specifically recommended to flush contaminants from hard-to-access areas, followed by removal of contaminated water with industrial wet vacuuming equipment.
6. Repeat steps 6-9 as necessary, until all surfaces are clean and contamination is physically removed.

G. Disinfecting:
1. Applying disinfectants or biocides usually is unnecessary with Category 1 (clean source) water, since this may only serve to introduce additional moisture into the building, which may prolong drying.
2. With Category 2 or 3 water contamination, while maintaining ventilation and skin and respiratory protection, liberally spray cleaned salvageable materials (studs, decking, joists, etc.) with an appropriate biocide. A 6% solution of household chlorine bleach (e.g., Clorox®) mixed 1 part bleach to 11 parts water (½%) may be used on durable, colorfast surfaces. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or strong acids! An appropriate alternative to chlorine bleach may be a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
3. In rising water situations, following application of properly diluted biocides, brush agitate all areas to encourage biocide distribution and penetration into cracks and crevices.

H. Dry structural components with plenty of air circulation, while maintaining constant ventilation (weather conditions permitting). If possible, take advantage of low outside humidity (check local weather reports). Use oscillating or box fans, repositioning them within the structure every few hours. Avoid temperature extremes that might slow drying, or promote microorganism growth (around 72-75oF/22-24oC is ideal). Rent high-volume professional drying equipment (airmovers and dehumidifiers) if available, especially in areas where ventilation is not possible (sealed buildings, security problems). It is highly recommended that electrical components that were wet be checked for operational safety by a qualified contractor.

I. Leave cleaned structural surfaces exposed to fresh air movement for several days or even weeks, or until you are sure that they have returned to within four percentage points of normal moisture content (MC) levels (generally the normal MC of structural wood is around 10%). Otherwise, subsequent structural damage and/or health effects may result after wall and flooring materials have been replaced or painted. Professional water restoration contractors with specialized, high-capacity drying equipment can shorten drying times considerably.

J. Reconstruct or replace components as required.

Where financial resources permit, it is highly recommended that comprehensive restoration be accomplished by trained, IICRC Damage Restoration Technicians. They may be located by calling IICRC referral line at 800-835-4624 or by accessing www.IICRC.org. Consider hiring a professional restorer to evaluate moisture levels in structural materials before reconstruction.

Greater Spokane Emergency Manaagement

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

Spokane News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Homeowner, Renter, and Business, Flood/Water Damage Assessment

Greater Spokane Emergency Management is conducting a preliminary damage a...ssessment from Spokane County residents and businesses. If you suffered damage or loss due to the winter weather snow melt, flooding, and/or other water damage to your Spokane primary residence, property, personal property, or business.

Some residents may be covered by homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. Businesses affected may also be insured against these losses. We encourage you to contact your insurance company or agent regarding your damage.

Damage assessment forms can be found on our website at: www.gsem.us

Damage assessment information does not guarantee funding or assistance and only will be used to determine if Spokane County qualifies for disaster aid by meeting local, state, and federal guidelines.

For more information please reference the Frequently Asked Questions on our homepage: www.gsem.us

Flooding info from Spokesman Review

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

Spokane mayor declares flooding emergency, closes river

Posted: Mar 21, 2017 3:54 PM PDT Updated: Mar 22, 2017 6:16 AM PDT

 

 
 
Courtesy @SpoRiverfrontPk

SPOKANE, Wash. -

Spokane Mayor David Condon has declared an emergency, closing the Spokane River through the city of Spokane and authorized additional city resources to address localized flooding caused by rising river levels fueled by the wettest winter on record.

Spokane County also closed Spokane River due to dangerous conditions.

Current National Weather Service models shows the river will most likely crest Tuesday night, at nearly 43,000 cubic feet per second. Water levels are expected to remain above flood stage up into next week.

“Rising river levels are posing a real threat to public safety so we are imploring people to stay out of the river and to view it only from safe vantage points,” Condon said. “We are also coordinating with emergency management to mobilize additional resources to monitor and address localized flooding.”

Upriver Drive is still closed from Mission Avenue to Greene Street. South Riverton under the Greene Street Bridge and Water Avenue at Ash Street also are still closed.

The Spokane Parks Department has closed the suspension bridges over the river in the park because of safety concerns, and the Centennial Trail under Division Street and the Washington Street because of flooding.

City crews in Spokane have dropped off sandbags in neighborhoods impacted by flooding and are evaluating whether or not more will be needed.

Crew are also monitoring in the Peaceful Valley, Riverview and Iron Bridge areas, and along Upriver Drive for additional flooding impacts. The last time the city experienced major flooding was back in 1997.

While the Weather Service models currently forecasts that levels will begin to stabilize if the weather remains mild, city officials warn that additional localized flooding is possible because Spokane is experiencing record soil saturation.

The city is also monitoring low-lying sewer pump stations near flooded areas to ensure ongoing operations. Bridge teams have inspected city bridges for potential impacts caused by rising water levels.

FEMA-identified historic flooding areas are available at maps.spokanecity.org by turning on the FEMA flood zone layer and zooming into your area

If you are in these flood vulnerable areas you can take these actions:

  • Move valuable off the floor or out of the basement
  • If you believe your power utilities may have contacted water, call 9-1-1

Zags come so close, still our heroes

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

ESPN.com: Men's College Basketball[Print without images]
Monday, April 3, 2017
Updated: April 4, 3:43 AM ET
Gonzaga has to live with coming so close
By Eamonn Brennan
ESPN.com



GLENDALE, Ariz. -- One day before he won the third national title of his career, Roy Williams was talking about the third title that wasn't -- trying to explain what it's like to be on the other end of a loss like the one North Carolina took against Villanova when Kris Jenkins' buzzer-beater sailed through the net almost exactly one year ago.


"In the locker room was the most -- it was the most difficult time I've ever had as a coach," Williams said. "Because I felt so inadequate. What was I going to say to my guys?"



Williams didn't have this problem Monday night. Mark Few did. Few's task was almost equally impossible: The 37-2 Zags had just lost their last game of the season a possession or two from the goal they were sure, right up to the final few moments of Monday's 71-65 loss, they would achieve.


What do you say to Przemek Karnowski, the winningest player in college basketball history, about the 1-of-8 he shot in his final game? How do you console Nigel Williams-Goss, who sprained his ankle and refused to leave the floor for the second time in two games, who burst into devastated tears the moment a win was out of reach?


How do you buck up a team that just played its worst offensive game of an otherwise brilliant season when a few more buckets would have made all the difference? How do you assuage a group of 18- to 24-year-old kids -- a group that carried Gonzaga basketball further than it had ever gone, a group that had so reveled in proving that everything everyone had said about the Zags and the NCAA tournament was silly and wrong -- worried they let you and thousands of others down?


Seriously: What do you even say?


"To be so close for us is a temporarily crushing blow right now," Few said. "But I'm hoping and knowing perspective will come with time."


   Przemek Karnowski walks off the court as North Carolina players start to celebrate.


"He even used that word too," Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins said, whispering and red-eyed at his locker. "Not right now. I don't even know what that means."


Whether Perkins and his teammates wanted to acknowledge it, there was good news embedded in their anguish Monday night: It is impossible to be this disappointed if you didn't fully expect to win.


Twenty years ago, when Gonzaga first streaked into the NCAA tournament as a lovable unknown insurgent, this dynamic would have been unthinkable. Those Zags were flying by the seat of their pants, enjoying the ride, undoing one tournament favorite after another, free of expectations. This weekend, Few described those early years as "foot loose and fancy free," because no one at Gonzaga, from the administration to the players, knew any better.


Then, almost miraculously, Gonzaga refused to recede into the college basketball wilderness. Instead, Few and his program grew and grew and grew -- first to a perennial tournament team, then to one with a player of the year-level star like Adam Morrison, then to a powerhouse with frequent, and legitimate, national-title aspirations.


Along the way, this former startup from the 5,000-enrollment Jesuit school in Spokane, Washington, somehow morphed into a lightning rod -- a modern blue blood from a mid-major conference, a locus for ridiculous annual takes about strength of schedule and NCAA tournament seeding and NCAA tournament "disappointments," as if Gonzaga hadn't proven how crazy the NCAA tournament is in the first place. Somehow, Few became the poster child for concern-trolling about having never been to the Final Four.


The 2016-17 Gonzaga Bulldogs exploded all of that nonsense into myth. If nothing else, the intelligent college basketball fan should thank them for that.


"They absolutely ignited a lot of stale people that were kind of bored with the Zags and saying that we haven't been capable of achieving something like this," Few said.


 Bulldogs guard Jordan Mathews offered his take. 


"How many teams would take 37-2, league champs, national runner-up?" said Mathews, whose Cal team lost in the first round last spring before his graduate transfer to Gonzaga. "We broke that glass ceiling that everybody said we couldn't get over. Everybody was saying the Zags couldn't get to the Final Four. We did that."


Even better, Gonzaga didn't just get to the Final Four -- the way that, say, the 1999 Bulldogs got to the Elite Eight. They didn't ride in on some wacky series of upsets; they weren't some mind-blowing March story that just happened to stick around for an extra weekend.


They were the best team in the country pretty much all season. They lost two games. They finished first in ESPN's Basketball Power Index and first in KenPom.com's adjusted efficiency ratings. They starred several elite recruits. They brought a potential first-round draft pick, Zach Collins, off the bench. Despite an incredible blue-blood opponent led by coaching legend, a tough, late non-call out of bounds on a Kennedy Meeks rebound/jump ball and Williams-Goss' horribly timed sprained ankle, they finished (basically) a possession short of the national title.


And there's no reason to expect Gonzaga won't be back in this exact same position, sooner rather than later.


"Talking to [Syracuse coach Jim] Boeheim earlier in the week, he told me it will crush you if you don't win it," Few said. "And I guess I didn't understand it. But the cagey old veteran is right. Man, it crushes you."


Few described that conversation shortly after he described the 10 minutes he had spent trying to console Williams-Goss. The guard couldn't "process losing," Few said, "because it doesn't happen very often to him."


Therein lies the upside of Gonzaga's hurt, the thing Few tried to get across even when there was nothing he could really say.


Gonzaga wasn't happy with a mere place on the stage, nor should they have been, which is exactly why they were so inconsolable Monday night.


The Bulldogs were great, and so their pain was too.

IICRC Standard for Trauma & Crime Scene Cleanup

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Standard Published: ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard for Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup

Las Vegas – April 3, 2017 – The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announces the publication of a new ANSI-approved ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard for Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup (1st edition, 2017).

ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard defines criteria and methodology used by the technician for inspecting and investigating blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) contamination and for establishing work plans and procedures.

The S540, which assumes that all scenes have been released by law enforcement or regulatory agencies, describes the procedures to be followed and the precautions to be taken when performing trauma and crime scene cleanup regardless of surface, item, or location.

Trauma and crime scene cleanup consists of the following components for which procedures are described in the ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard:

? Principles of Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup

? Safety and Health

? Biocide and Antimicrobial Technology

? Administrative Procedures, Documentation, and Risk Management

? Inspection and Preliminary Determination

? Equipment and Tools

? Limitations, Complexities, Complications, and Conflicts

? Structural Remediation

? Vehicle and Machinery Construction

? Contents Remediation

? Containment and Disposal of Waste or Sharps

? Confirmation of Cleanliness

"This Standard has been a labor of love for all of us who have wanted this niche industry to reach the level of professionalism enjoyed by other markets who have had standards established by the IICRC," said Kent Bert, S540 Standard Committee Chairman. "We have worked tirelessly

to ensure the information conveyed is concise, easy to understand and most importantly, truly represents a consensus across our industry. I am honored to say that our team worked seamlessly and harmoniously throughout the entire process and represented some of the brightest minds, not only in Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup, but the restoration industry as a whole. Every company doing this type of remediation, or thinking about entering the field should consider obtaining a copy of the S540 Standard as a comprehensive resource for their company and their crews."

According to IICRC Standards Chairman Howard Wolf, "This standard is a true collaboration of the best minds and talent in the fields of cleaning, restoration and infection control. We are proud to add this standard to our family of restoration and remediation standards."

To purchase a copy of the new ANSI/IICRC S540: 2017 and other standards, visit http://webstore.IICRC.org. IICRC Standards are also available via the IICRC Standards Subscription website at http://publications.IICRC.org. For more information on other certification programs and standards offered by IICRC, visit www.IICRC.org.

About IICRC The IICRC is a global, ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO) that credentials individuals in 20+ categories within the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. Representing more than 54,000 certified technicians and 6,000 Certified Firms in 22 countries, the IICRC, in partnership with regional and international trade associations, represents the entire industry. The IICRC does not own schools, employ instructors, produce training materials or promote specific product brands, cleaning methods or systems. For more information, visit www.IICRC.org.

Spokane group seeks supplies for medical mission trip to Uganda

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

Mon., April 3, 2017, midnight

A new Spokane mission group is sending its first medical team on April 18 to support orphans in Uganda.

The nonprofit Medical Assistance & Missional Outreach, or MAMO, is seeking supplies for medical kits through an Amazon wish list. Members on next month’s trip will deliver 18 medical kits to schools, offer medical clinics at seven sites, and provide training for pastors and teachers.

Six people on the team, including four from Spokane, will be in Uganda for nearly two weeks. They include one licensed EMT and a registered nurse along with volunteers. This trip’s main goal is to deliver kits and train people to use them, said team member Marchauna Rodgers.

MAMO formed after several people from Washington state went on a mission trip to Uganda last summer. Rodgers and others witnessed children who suffered from medical issues such as malaria and lacked access to basic medicines.

Several organizations have donated medical supplies toward the next trip, helping reduce the medical kits’ overall cost. Spokane’s Indaba Coffee has a specialty roast of Ugandan coffee, and the owner is donating money from each bag of that blend toward MAMO’s medical support.

Under long-term goals, the nonprofit plans to support Ugandan schools with nutrition and public health education, as well as help many pastors to open medical clinics at their schools. MAMO is working with 18 schools, each with 300 to 500 children.

More information is available at www.mamouganda.org or by emailing MAMO.uganda@gmail.com.

Spokane entrepreneurs Ron and Debbie Reed sell PacifiCAD after 28 years in business

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

 

The Spokesman Review

UPDATED: Mon., April 3, 2017, 6:09 p.m

By Becky Kramer beckyk@spokesman.com(509) 459-5466

Ron Reed launched PacifiCAD in his Chattaroy home in 1989 with a computer and a plotter.

Computer-aided design was transforming how architects, engineers and manufacturing companies did their drafting, modeling and design work. Reed recognized the new technology’s potential.

During a 28-year run, the business owned by Reed and his wife became a dominant force in Eastern Washington. PacifiCAD sold Autodesk software and provided consulting services.

In mid-March, the Reeds sold the company to IMAGINiT Technologies, a division of Rand Worldwide.

Reed said he and his wife, Debbie – PacifiCAD’s chief financial officer – were ready to retire, but the couple wanted to leave their customers and 30 employees in good hands.

“I think it’s a good move for Spokane and for our design community,” he said of the sale. “I always wanted to grow and provide a higher level of service.”

IMAGINiT has about 350 employees, with more than 100 technical support staff and 40 offices in the U.S. and Canada.

The company will keep PacifiCAD’s Spokane office in the Steam Plant building and retain the staff in Spokane, Seattle and Boise. Reed will continue working through the end of April to help with the transition.

As a young adult, Reed played in rock bands and did a variety of odd jobs. In his early 30s, he enrolled at ITT Technical Institute earned an associate degree in applied science.

He went to work for Telect, where he persuaded the founders, Bill and Judi Williams, to buy Telect’s first CAD system. While Reed worked there, he spent several years teaching CAD part-time at Gonzaga University.

“That’s where all the architects and engineers in town were going to learn CAD,” Reed said. “I got to meet almost all my future customers while I was teaching at Gonzaga. It was a huge opportunity.”

When Reed left Telect, former students heard he was available and started hiring him for projects.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” he said.

Rain, rain go away

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

As Halloween brought October to a close, meteorologists say Spokane has never received so much rain in any single month.

Through early afternoon Monday, 6.22 inches of rain fell on Spokane, shattering the previous record for any month – 5.85 inches set in November 1897, said Jon Fox, a forecaster for the National Weather Service in Spokane. The third-highest amount is 5.71 inches in May 1948. Records have been kept since 1881.

The city saw 0.91 inches of rain on Sunday alone, which set a daily record. The previous record for Oct. 30 – 0.70 inches – was set in 1990.

But the rain kept falling after midnight on Sunday, bringing another 0.36 inches for a two-day total of 1.27 inches at Spokane International Airport, the city’s official weather reporting site.

“It rained and it rained and it never stopped,” Fox said.

The October total is more than a third of what the city normally gets in a full year, which is 16.53 inches of annual precipitation.

This October’s rain total is more than 5 inches above normal.

And only five days this month were rain-free.

The heaviest rainfall on Sunday night and Monday morning was confined to the Spokane region and areas to the northeast and into North Idaho.

One location at Mount Spokane reported 1.5 inches of rain from the overnight storm.

The heavy rain was triggered by a combination of two low-pressure systems along the Pacific Coast – one offshore of Washington and another off California.

Together, they created conditions for upward motion, or convection, in the atmosphere, which allowed for the heavier rain accumulations, forecasters said.

Rain clouds extending from nearby mountains may also have enhanced the storm, forecasters said.

Spokane is one of 21 locations across the Inland Northwest to set October rainfall records.

Topping the list was Priest River with 9.26 inches through Monday morning, followed by St. Maries at 9.19 inches and Boundary Dam at 8.76 inches.

Boundary Dam has more than doubled its previous monthly record of 3.97 inches set in 1968. However, the dam’s weather records date only to 1965.

Elsewhere, Kellogg had more than 8.8 inches; Colville, 5.82 inches; and Rosalia, 5.9 inches.

Pullman, Moscow and Davenport all had record amounts of around 5 inches for the month.

Of the ten highest monthly precipitation amounts, there are only four months not on the list: March, April, July and August.

A little more rain Monday afternoon wouldn’t come as a surprise, Fox said.

“I wouldn’t rule out some showers tonight during trick-or-treating, but it won’t be like last night or early this morning,” he said. “It’ll be pretty hit or miss.”

In addition to showery weather, the departing shot of the Sunday night storm should bring windy conditions with gusts to 36 mph this afternoon. Steady southwest winds will range from 14 to 20 mph through this evening.

The weather service posted a hazardous weather outlook for Monday because of the winds, which might gust to 40 mph in some locations of the region, including the West Plains in Spokane County and the Palouse.

 

By Mike Prager mikep@spokesman.com(509) 459-5454

South Hill residents, be on alert

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

SPOKANE, Wash. -

“He looked me in the face. He knew I was afraid.”

That’s how a Spokane woman named Caroline began to describe what happened to her on the South Hill Friday. She asked that KHQ not show her face or share her last name because she said she is still terrified. Caroline said she and her dog Dexter were running through the trails on the High Drive bluff near Hatch Friday around 10:30 am when a man popped out from behind a tree and blindsided her.

“The trail goes into a very deep ravine, and it’s very dark in there. And that’s where he came out of the woods at me,” said Caroline. “I was absolutely panicked. I’m not going to lie I was panicked.”

Caroline said she started to run faster, but the man came after her.

“He started trying to engage me in conversation, asking me where I was parked, could I help him, where did I come from. He was looking for a woman with a backpack,” said Caroline.

She said she knew something wasn’t right.

“I started running very fast, and I turned around and he turned and starting running after me,” said Caroline.

She called her husband and didn’t stop running until she made it back up the bluff.

“I was up there gasping trying to catch my breath,” said Caroline.

Seconds later, Caroline realized the man was still coming after her.

“I stood there and straight up from the bushes the guy came. Literally he had been right behind me,” said Caroline. “He chased me for a mile.”

Caroline said she got a good look at the man before she continued to run away. Once she made it safely to her car, she called 911 and gave a description. She said the man was in his 30s, white, between 5’10” and 6’ tall, 160 to 170 pounds with reddish blond hair. She and her husband put that description on flyers placed throughout the bluffs.

“We just thought that women needed to be aware,” said Caroline.

Caroline added that she is still not sure if she’ll run through the bluffs in the future, but if she does, she’ll be armed.

“In the past, I did not carry a weapon. I will carry one now,” said Caroline.

KHQ asked Spokane Police if there have been other cases like Caroline's recently, and they said no. Police did say to trust your instincts and call 911 if you think you're in danger.

Real Estate with Melissa Murphy

7/29/2016 (Permalink)

The July meeting of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce featured speaker Melissa Murphy with her presentation on The State of Real Estate.  Melissa is a Spokane native who graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor's degree in political science and received her Masters in Business Administration in 2012.  During her tenure as a top agent, Melissa has listed and sold hundreds of properties throughout Spokane and Northern Idaho.  She has been a predominant player in the world of real estate by evolvong as the masket has.  She has maintained a consistent reputation for high customer service and client success.  Most recently, Melissa received a nod from Catalyst magazine for Business Woman of the Year.  Her brokerage, Prime Real Esate Group, has offices in both Spokane and Coeur d'Alene and comprises 30 agents, in0house agent serv ice and full administrative staff.

(Excerpt from The West Plains Chamber of Commerce)

Blast from the past

7/14/2016 (Permalink)

Came across this lovely blast from the past and wanted to share. This is an article from the Spokesman review from April 30th 1992. Amazing how fast time flies!

30 Years

7/14/2016 (Permalink)

This year we celebrate the 30 year anniversary of being in the SERVPRO family.  Mark began his journey as a technician at SERVPRO in Hawaii and before long was the owner there along with wife Sharon.  When the time came to start a family, they decided to come back to Washington and purchased SERVPRO of South & West Spokane in 1992.  They have thrived ever since and Mark's name is known throughout our area as an outstanding restorer and community leader.  Mark has been relied on to help mentor new franchisees in the area and has always made himself available to help and answer questions for all of the local SERVPRO offices in Eastern Washignton and Northern Idaho.  I believe I can speak for all of the wonderful employees here when I say that Mark and Sharon are a great team and a pleasure to work for.  Congratulations to Mark and Sharon Johnson for the recognition of their 30 years of hard work and dedication to the SERVPRO system.

West Plains Breakfast

6/22/2016 (Permalink)

The West Plains Chamber breakfast was excellent. Happy to be part of such a great group of people!

Sam Song shared great information about the Chinese Int'l Lantern Festival and the positive impact/exposure it has brought to Spokane - opening day is September 16th.

Post Construction Cleaning

6/21/2016 (Permalink)

Grand Opening of their new location right now! Great celebration deals!  My 16oz Velvet Hammer with 3 shots was a $1 (tip=phat). Come in, check out their new location and show your support! Their place turned out beautifully ...and their baristas are awesome!

Commercial toaster fire

2/9/2016 (Permalink)

When the wonderful folks at Pearson Weary Chiropractic had a toaster fire in their break room, we were there to get them back in business quickly.  They were kind enough to post the following message to our Facebook page:


A well deserved shoutout to SERVPRO.  Friday Jan 29th was a day in which our devoted toaster decided to give us a clear message about the dangers of Gluten.  To our surprise rather than cooking it decided to ignite a flame sending a clear message.  Sadly in the end it meant a loss of that said toaster and the damage was one very smoke filled clinic.  Thank you Patients for your patients with us as SERVPRO of South & West Spokane County took charge and cleaned out our office.  Project Manager Jason Taylor and assistant Denine made the place look "Like it never even happened".  We thank them for their efforts.  Everything is bright and shiney and we are so grateful for thie kindness, amazing work and outstanding customer service.  Moral of the story: Yet one more reason not to eat gluten!

Looking for a career?

11/12/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane is looking for positive, energentic people to join our crew.  Check out our open positions in the "About us" section of our website.

West Plains Chamber of Commerce

9/9/2015 (Permalink)

Beautiful morning for a meeting

Vendor Days at Fairchild Air Force Base

6/22/2015 (Permalink)

FAFB hosted their annual Vendor Days, giving the different department heads an opportunity to meet local vendors and learn about the services they offer.  Marketing reps Bruce Groshong and Jessica Zacher represented us well.

Landlord Association Night

5/21/2015 (Permalink)

Marketing rep Jessica Zacher represented us beautifully at the LLA meeting last night!

Red Nose Day 2015

5/7/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane supports RED NOSE DAY 2015! Red Nose Day is all about having fun, raising money and changing lives. Money raised through Red Nose Day will help transform the lives of children living in poverty in the U.S. and overseas. Find out more about Red Nose Day and how you can get involved by visiting www.rednoseday.org and watch the Red Nose Day special on NBC on May 21st.

Best of the West - West Plains Chamber of Commerce

3/26/2015 (Permalink)

We were so honored to have been voted as the Medium Size business of the year by the members of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce.  The credit all goes to our incredible staff, they are the hardest working bunch of workers and deserve all the kudos.

West Plains Chamber of Commerce

2/26/2015 (Permalink)

We were honored last Spring to be the West Plains Chamber of Commerce "Member of the Month". 

Appreciation Night was a success!

2/23/2015 (Permalink)

Chiefs night

Although our Chiefs couldn't hold on to the lead, we still had a great time with wonderful people.  Thank you to all of the Maintenance Supervisors who came out to the Spokane Chiefs game with us.  

Hockey Night

2/18/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South & West Spokane will be hosting an Appreciation Night this Friday for local Maintenance Supervisors.  It's sure to be a blast, stay tuned for pictures.

Hoarding in Spokane

1/15/2015 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO can help with a hoarder situation?  This customer needed some help cleaning out years of collected contents.  Our crew helped her get back to where she felt was a managable place.

Categories

Archived Posts