Recent Posts

SERVPRO Can Save Your Commercial Property After

9/22/2023 (Permalink)

We can help sign To resume normalcy faster after a fire ruins a commercial building, call SERVPRO.

Resources Can Help Improve Restoration Of Commercial Fire Damage In Carson City

Fire damage in a commercial center with multiple offices or other businesses creates major inconvenience by disrupting regular operations. Even if the fire does not affect every part of the building, the interdependency in such a facility means that the rest of the businesses operate at limited capacity or stop operating altogether. Restoring normalcy quickly is crucial, underlining the need to expedite the repair work and cleanup processes that follow such an incident. We offer professional fire restoration services for commercial centers in Carson City.
 
Issues affected access to damaged areas can delay commercial fire damage restoration in Carson City. Facilities such as theaters and conference halls or even parking garages have large wall surfaces or high ceilings, which present several problems unless restoration crews have the right equipment to ease access. Apart from regular ladders, our SERVPRO technicians use self-propelled man lifts, which not only facilitate access to high walls and ceilings but also ease our back-and-forth movements as we remove debris and clean up areas damaged by the fire.
 
Fire affects surfaces in different ways, including depositing layers of soot and other debris, as well as, charring the materials on the surfaces. Such areas require thorough cleaning, which in most cases includes mechanical abrasion to loosen the debris - a tedious process that can take substantial time. Our SERVPRO technicians use various types of scrubbing equipment, both manual and automated, to eliminate light and stubborn deposits. We also have pressure washers that simplify cleaning the soiled areas.
 
In addition to deposits left on surfaces, fires also lead to bad odors in the affected buildings. It is impossible to work or serve clients in such an environment. Efficient removal of fire debris and soils may require more than mechanical abrasion and plain water. Our SERVPRO technicians use professional cleaning agents that change the soils chemically, easing removal. We might also incorporate heating into the cleaning process because heat speeds up chemical processes, improving the overall outcome.
 
To resume normalcy faster after fire ruins a commercial building, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / East Reno / Lyon & Storey Counties to help. You can reach us at (775) 588-2355 at any time. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

How Does a Pack-Out Work After a Property Disaster?

9/18/2023 (Permalink)

packing a moving box Our pack-ins are tailored to original records so that your space looks "Like it never even happened."

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning after water or mold damage, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can conduct an organized, efficient pack-out of the affected area. Pack-out will provide several benefits such as a quicker remodeling process and protection of your items from potential damage.

By itemizing, recording, and relocating your contents to a secure location, the pack-out will provide several benefits, including:

  • A quicker remodeling process.
  • Protecting items from potential damage.
  • Provide extensive restoration to contents.
  • Protecting contents from further on-site damage.

The pack-out process usually consists of six steps:

  1. Video and photograph the job site.
  2. Perform an initial scope & job estimate.
  3. Electronically inventory items.
  4. Pack, tag, inventory, and sort clean and claim items.
  5. Move to a warehouse, clean, deodorize, and repack.
  6. Claim list suggestions from the customer.
  7. Pack-in: Move items back to the customer's property after remodel.

When restoration is completed, SERVPRO will work with you to coordinate the move-in/pack-in according to your needs. Our pack-ins are tailored to original records so that your space looks "Like it never even happened."

Keep in mind:

  • After the initial inspection, we will let you know whether or not an item can be restored.  You will find that most items can be brought to preloss condition. All contents will be inspected and any pre-existing damage will be documented before being packed out and restored. Our electronic documentation helps to estimate the losses and facilitates the filing of your insurance claim.
  • When the transportation begins, items will be loaded and secured in a covered box truck using pads and the appropriate packing protocols.
  • Small items will be individually wrapped in paper, boxed, labeled, and inventoried. This includes kitchen utensils, dishes, pots, storage containers, etc.
  • Large items like upholstery and wooden furniture will be carefully inspected, often using high-intensity light to detect all damages that existed before the disaster.
  • In some cases, affected items are cleaned in place to prevent acidic residues from causing any further damage.
  • If an item does not require packing out, it will be secured and protected while structural repairs are made to the property.
  • The restoration process is constantly monitored and you will be informed of the status of your claim before the items are ready to be sent back to your property.
  • You will receive a copy of every inventory sheet with noted preexisting damage.

SERVPRO processes and returns contents as quickly and conveniently as possible while caring for your items as if they were our own. Contact SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, Lyon & Storey Counties after a disaster to make sure you are getting the best care!

SERVPRO Often Remediates Mold Infestations with Controlled Demolitions

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

mold sign Call SERVPRO for Professional Mold Removal and Remediation in the South Lake Tahoe Area

Homeowners are usually concerned with disasters like floods or fires. The effects are apparent, and getting there usually draws much attention. The opposite is true with mold infestations. They tend to hide from attention and usually start in an out-of-the-way place like an attic or behind an appliance or wall.

SERVPRO restoration teams often start remediating South Lake Tahoe mold damage by finding out just how far it extends into the home. They use an air content meter to find the highest concentration of mold inside the home and then perform a visual inspection to find the origin point, if possible.
 
Since mold spores need a source of moisture to expand and grow, the origin point is often at the source of a leak. These are usually minor like a small leak in the roof or a pipe that needs to be tightened down or taped up. SERVPRO technicians can make these minor repairs, but major construction or plumbing issues need a general contractor.
 
Once we stop the leak and dry the moisture source, technicians remove the mold spores. In attics and wall spaces, they often start with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter inserted. These specialized filters are designed to remove and trap even a single spore off a surface like an attic floor or a wall frame. As small as a 0.3 micron can be captured in this system.
 
Attics can present a particular difficulty. If the fungi have grown into the insulation, technicians have to remove and replace it. Rolled insulation can easily be pulled up, but blown-in insulation requires using a larger vacuum to remove it all. In both cases, it is necessary to scrape the area clean, spray an anti-fungal agent, and let it dry before replacing the insulation.
 
For wall spaces, before engaging the vacuum, our specialists carefully remove the drywall panels to avoid spreading the mold. They spray an anti-fungal agent on them to kill the mold and then break up and bag the panels for disposal. If there is insulation in the walls, they follow the same procedure as in the attic before replacing the insulation and hanging new panels.
 
The goal of SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is to return you to your home as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have mold and need our services, call us at (775) 588-2355 today to schedule a visit.

Minimizing the Impact of Commercial Water Damage.

8/25/2023 (Permalink)

commercial water damage Don't let a small leak turn into a big problem. Let our pros at SERVPRO fix it!

Reducing The Impact of Water Damage on Your Commercial Property 

One of the most disruptive things that can happen to a business is to experience a sudden water emergency. Whether it's a severe storm, burst pipes, or a malfunctioning sprinkler system, the longer your building is out of commission, the more your bottom line will suffer.

No matter how it happens, water damage can wreak havoc on a business. Entrepreneurs dealing with the effects of commercial water damage in South Lake Tahoe are often overwhelmed, but quickly taking steps to minimize the impact is essential. Here are things you can do if your business is affected by commercial water damage.

1. Safeguard your important documents and records. Whether it's stored electronically or in print, if you can access your business's records get it to a safe place. Our team has experience restoring and recovering documents, and it may be possible to salvage materials that you think are a lost cause if we're called to the scene quickly.

2. Alert employees and customers who come into the building. The last thing that you want after facing commercial water damage is for a client or worker to get hurt as a result. If the building is unsafe, it may be best to temporarily close as opposed to being liable for an accident. SERVPRO technicians can get your business ready to open again, and we'll make sure the premises are safe.

3. Prevent future mold problems. Mold infestations are common after commercial water damage has occurred, especially if the water is not cleaned up immediately or all of the excess moisture doesn't get removed from the building. We're experts at repairing water damage and employing strategies to prevent the development of mold and mildew.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Here at SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties, we understand how important it is to get your business up and running again after a water emergency. For a quote or to get more information about our commercial water damage repair services, call us 24/7 at (775) 588-2355.

Checking in on Fire Safety Measures.

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

fire extinguisher Check that the fire extinguisher in your home is up to date. Having one in the house that is in usable condition can help stop the spread of fire.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Provide Fire Prevention Tips for Your Home

Preventing fire damage is far easier than cleaning up after it, so your primary concern should always be to secure your home against future disasters. Ultimately, the biggest mistake most people make is in maintenance. It can be difficult to make sure that every fire safety measure in your home is working at full capacity, but the effort is worth it to avoid disaster. Many of SERVPRO's recent calls could have been avoided if the homeowner put in place the appropriate preventative measures, and resultingly, we hope that these reminders might help local residents to prevent fires in the future. 
 
Smoke Detectors 
 
Inadequate smoke detectors are one of the most costly contributors to fire damage in Carson City. Many people are content just to replace smoke detector batteries every year or two when the devices start beeping. However, this is not enough to make sure that they are up-to-date and working as intended. If the devices stop working entirely, you may forget they even exist as they fail to beep on their irregular schedule. At least once a year, go through your home and make sure all your smoke detectors are working and free of damage. 
 
Fire Extinguishers 
 
Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. Some are based on ineffective and dangerous water solutions that are weak against big fires and inflammatory for some electrical fires. Others have short lifespans and require replacement by dates long enough in the future that most people forget entirely. Make sure your fire extinguishers are modern, undamaged, and well-constructed to keep small fires from growing into much larger ones. 
 
Fire Audits 
 
Having a certified company like SERVPRO come to inspect your home for fire safety irregularities can be one of the best ways to identify obscure problems or unseen risks. Our training and equipment help us to identify problems you might not even know you have. Contact one of our representatives to learn more about what we can do to help in this regard. 
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / East Reno is ready around the clock to get to your home and begin fire damage restoration after a disaster. Call us for expert service.

Even Small Storms Can Cause Damage to Your Property.

8/13/2023 (Permalink)

uprooted tree Storms Can Uproot Trees Causing Large-Scale Damage.

When Storms Come, SERVPRO Can Fix the Damage

Many homeowners expect only the worst storms to do damage to their home, but even short storms can cause damage to a home when trees are victims of disease. Many diseases can create weak trees with dead limbs, and some diseases can affect the roots of the tree instead. A tree that looks healthy may not be healthy in reality, and it can actually be a huge danger to your home or garage without you knowing until it is too late. If your home, garage, or any other buildings have been damaged by tree limbs or trunks, it is good to know that we have the skills and equipment to make it "Like it never even happened."

Rain is not Always Needed for Storm-Like Conditions to Exist, Nor for Damage to Happen.

Dust storms can create conditions ripe for storm damage to happen. Shingles and siding can come off, ripped away by high winds and debris that is carried by the wind. If sand is carried by winds, this can corrode and pit paint and other surfaces of your home's exterior. With trees, rain often erodes soil away from roots, making it easier for entire trees to topple onto houses and garages. Rain is not always needed for this to happen, however, if erosion has already happened.

When damage happens during a storm, or when storm-like conditions happen, repairs should be started and completed as soon as possible. This can substantially reduce the risks posed by the elements to the interior of your home. Repairs will also keep insects and other pests from further deteriorating your home. Termites and other pests, some of which may have been the reason behind diseased trees on your property, won't be able to infiltrate your home's exterior if repairs are made, and completed, in a timely manner.

Begin Storm Damage Repairs to Your Home with a Call to SERVPRO775-588-2355

At SERVPRO, we have the training, education, and experience to get your home or garage back in pre-damage condition. Call SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, and Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355. We will arrive at your door at your earliest convenience to assess the damages and begin repairs.

Sign up for the SERVPRO Newsletter for recommendations on keeping your property healthy and being emergency ready.

Why Should I Get a Professional to Clean My Carpets After a Water Leak?

8/8/2023 (Permalink)

water damage cleanup SERVPRO technicians are always here to help. Call our office 24/7 - we are faster to any size disaster.

SERVPRO Has the Knowledge and Professional Equipment to Help You Quickly

Even after a minor water leak in your home or business, there may be extensive damage to your carpet, especially if the moisture under the carpet pads was not detected immediately. Our professionals come in, assess the situation, address the loss, and mitigate any further damage from happening, such as warped floorboards or mold growth.

What Does SERVPRO Use to Get Rid of the Water From my Carpet?

Our Technicians Use Extraction and Drying Equipment to Clear Away Excess Moisture
Our IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) technicians use best practices to deal with the water damage in your home. They typically extract all standing water with portable or truck-mounted extraction equipment before going about treating and cleaning the carpet. Technicians remove the pad underneath the carpet and usually replace it.

After Extraction, What Do SERVPRO Technicians Do to Treat and Clean the Carpet?

    •    They treat the surfaces of the carpet, first checking to ensure there is no mold or damage.
    •    Use deodorizers and antimicrobial cleaners to treat the flooring and carpet backing.
    •    After putting the carpet back down, treat the front of the carpet with the same deodorizers and antimicrobials.
    •    Extract more water if needed.

After technicians treat the carpets and flooring underneath, they set about the task of thoroughly drying the room. They place air-movers around the room to forcefully push airflow over surfaces. While air movers work, dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air and exhaust warmer air, causing the carpet to dry more quickly. Using our professional services promotes more thorough restoration in a shorter amount of time than if you were to attempt it on your own.

For premium restoration services, Contact SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Lyon & Storey Counties. We make it, “Like it never even happened.”

How Fast Can Water Ruin Walls?

7/26/2023 (Permalink)

water damaged celing Water trapped in your walls can cause severe damage to untreated framing materials, and insulation, and lead to corrosion, rot, and mold growth.

Lingering Water Can Result in Structural Issues If Not Addressed Quickly

After locating water damage in your home, you might not be aware of how dangerous it is to ignore the problems you find. Even with just a little moisture trapped in your home, significant issues can develop that compromise the structural integrity and overall condition of your working or living environment.  

With the help of an expertly trained professional, you can defeat the water damage present in your building. The right company provides you with quality personnel, advanced equipment, and access to resources you likely do not have on your own. This gives you a better opportunity to protect your investment and provide for your family.

Within days, water can do major damage that you cannot see. 

Water trapped in your walls can cause severe damage to untreated framing materials, insulation, and lead to corrosion, rot, and mold growth. You should always assume wherever water damage occurs, or a leak happens, that mold growth is not so far away. SERVPRO can send IICRC-industry certified technicians to your home that understand how water and mold act, giving you a plan of action that helps you take care of even the worst problems.

Compromised structural integrity severely impacts the value of your home. However, you can minimize any losses you experience by having a trained professional clean and dry your home after water incidents occur. Our restoration representatives can help you understand which steps to take, remove any standing water with the proper extraction, drying, and cleaning equipment and help your home become liveable again, "Like it never even happened."

We repair the damage caused by water emergencies.


Because of our proximity to your area, 24-hour emergency services are available year-round. We give you access to the help you need, whenever you need it by proudly supplying quality water damage restoration throughout our community. Whether you have a faulty appliance, damage caused by leaky or broken pipes, weather-related water problems, or something as terrible as a flood, we can help.

Advantages of catching water damage early:

Failure to attend to water damage can lead to mold growth, electrical hazards, and cause costly losses to your property. That means such incidents are stressing and the best line of action to take is to work with a team of restoration experts as you try to get your business or home back to its former state.

It is vital for any Douglas County resident to act within 48 hours from the time the water event took place.

When our technicians arrive at your property to address water damage, we immediately do a site inspection. With the help of specialized devices, we are in a position to determine the magnitude of the problem. By using moisture meters and infrared cameras, we can detect any hidden moisture in ceilings, walls, and floors. The inspection also helps us to find out salvageable contents, items that need replacement. With all these details, we formulate an appropriate restoration plan.

The Water Extraction Process


During the water extraction process, our team can use pumps and truck-mounted systems to remove deep standing water. If we notice that the water has gone through your carpet or padding, we lift it and dry it separately or discard it when necessary. After removing the water through extraction and drying the site, there are chances of the structure having high humidity. When the humidity is high, there are chances of secondary water damage -like mold growth - taking place once condensation takes place. To prevent that, we perform dehumidification with the help of Desiccant Dehumidifiers and Refrigerant Dehumidifiers.

Water can cause organic items to rot and emit odors. When there are strong odors at the site, our technicians may decide to perform ozone deodorization. We perform the process using ozone deodorizers which are machines that produce ozone, which breaks the molecular formula of the odors thus freshening up the area.


SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, Lyon & Storey Counties stands ready to assist homeowners with professional water damage restoration, cleaning, and deodorization services you can trust.

Give our offices a call, today. (775) 588-2355

Sprinkler System Malfunction Requires Water Removal

7/20/2023 (Permalink)

sprinkler system Sprinkler systems help immensely when they engage during a fire. Should they go off by accident, you'll need to contact SERVPRO.

Ironically, a system designed to protect your business from a catastrophe can damage it in other ways. A common example of this is a sprinkler system installed to protect a commercial building from fire. The waters sprayed to knock down the flames cause their own harm, and a restoration company needs to be skilled in both water and fire damage to offer your company the services you need.
 
Even more disappointing is when your firefighting sprinkler system malfunctions, creating an immediate need for commercial water removal in Reno and Tahoe City without the excuse of an actual fire. Regardless of the cause, a sprinkler, once activated, releases up to 24 gallons of water per minute. If more than one sprinkler head engages, the amount of water pouring into your commercial space can be significant. Water damage is serious and can result in a broad range of secondary damage issues if not remedied quickly. Our crews of water removal specialists have the skill and the equipment to remove large quantities of water fast.
 
If you do not have an alarm or security staff to notify you of sprinkler engagement, the water removal situation worsens if the flow happens when your business is closed. SERVPRO does not shy away from large water events, and water removal action can begin immediately after one of our experienced project managers assesses the scene.
 
Powerful submersible pumps and water extractors are carried in every vehicle we send to water damage calls. Often electricity is unavailable due to safety concerns, but our truck-powered equipment does not rely on the customer's power grid to be operational for the water removal to proceed. A benefit of moving the water to containers on our trucks is a straightforward process to contain and then dispose of the water completely outside of your property. This is crucial if the water is assessed to be contaminated, not unusual if it remained within your property and has had several hours to become tainted with household chemicals or the beginnings of microbial growth.
 
SERVPRO moves into structural drying mode after the water is removed. High-efficiency air movers and dehumidifiers help reduce the moisture content of structures and fixtures after the standing water is evacuated. Our technicians train to accurately measure moisture levels in walls, flooring, ceilings, and contents. The education they receive from IICRC coursework supports their determination of drying targets and the techniques used to achieve them.
 
Sprinkler systems protect your property unless they operate unexpectedly and in error. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is a trusted water removal partner for your commercial needs. Call (775) 588-2355 to schedule a speedy evaluation and begin the restoration process.

Rely on the Trained SERVPRO Experts to Remove Hazardous Conditions from Your Property

7/12/2023 (Permalink)

pipe Biohazard Material from a Broken Sewer Line Is Safely Cleaned up by SERVPRO.

FEMA reports that floods are one of the most extensive water damage problems for a building. Floods cause sewage from sewer lines to back up into homes and businesses through drain pipes. The common signs within your home or business that you have a sewer problem are dirty water backing up out of a drain or the toilet, or a gurgling sound coming from the pipes. Did you know that you are responsible for the maintenance and repair of your building or sewer lines to the exterior? A sewer lateral is a pipeline between the city's main sewer line which is underneath the street of your structure to your interior drainage system.

sewage biohazard in Carson City, Sparks, or East Reno can be the result of a crack, age, or blockage from plants and tree roots. Shrubbery and trees with deep roots can grow into sewer lines causing a significant amount of damage. The blockage of an underground sewer line can be the combination of city and private property trees. As a result of this, the costs of its repair are divided between the two entities. If any type of blockage occurs in sanitation lines, it will cause a back-up into your property through the floor drains, most likely in your or first level.
 
What to do when a sewer backup happens in Nevada:

Sewer water is defined as contaminant water. Contact with this type of biohazard liquid can lead to diseases and illnesses, not to mention its destruction of your valuables. Cleaning up sewer water is urgent, and it needs to be done immediately because its secondary damage is mold, mildew, contamination of household items, and much more.
 
Steps needed to clean up a sewage backup in your home or business is best handled by a professional from SERVPRO. Biohazardous materials like feces, blood, chemicals, and bodily fluids must be handled with the personnel suited in HAZMAT gear. A wet vacuum should be used, floors and walls need to be mopped and cleaned, disinfectants must be used, and plumbing fixtures have to be flushed out. Additionally, floor coverings like carpets must be steam cleaned or removed. Repair or remove any wet or damaged wallboards and the ductwork must also be dried and sanitized.
 
When you need emergency help, contact SERVPRO! Our professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment needed to clean and remediate biohazard contamination events safely. Concerning crime scene cleanup, call the experienced pros for help. We provide 24-hour emergency services.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties is locally owned and operated. We are here to help our neighbors, whenever you have an emergency caused by fire, water, mold, or storm damage. When an emergency occurs, call us at (775) 588-2355.