Dryer Vents, Lint Traps, and their Hidden Dangers:

7/1/2024 (Permalink)

Cleaning your lint trap between each load can help prevent fires in your home.

For most of us, laundry is a mundane, yet necessary chore. While we may not necessarily look forward to it, modern appliances have made this task more convenient and less strenuous. Gone are the days of hanging rows and rows of laundry on clotheslines in the backyard. Despite the convenience of laundry units, some regular maintenance is necessary to keep them from posing a hazard to your home.  

According to Consumer Reports, each year dryers cause nearly 14,000 house fires and over $230 million in property damage. Around 27% of these fires are directly related to build-up in lint traps, dryer vents, ductwork, or even lint that has made its way into the heating element. Lint build-up prevents the hot air from passing through the ductwork, causing the dryer to work harder and potentially overheat. Keeping these areas clean and debris-free goes a long way in preventing fires.  

Please keep these guidelines in mind, to help prevent dryer fires in your home:  

1. Don’t leave your dryer running while you are not home. 
2. Clean the lint screen between every load and do not run the dryer without it. 
   Note: If you use fabric softener you may need to clean build-up from the screen as well.   
3. Clean the housing for the lint screen every month.  
4. Clean the dryer duct at least once a year. 
5. If you have accordion-style ducts, replace them with rigid metal duct systems. Accordion-style ducts sag and have ridges that cause lint to become trapped more easily.   
6. Use caution when drying chemically stained clothing. Clothes that may have been stained with gasoline, oil, or other chemicals should be hung to dry as putting these items in the dryer may spark fires.   
7. Keep the area around your dryer clean.  
8. Watch for signs that your dryer may be overheating:  
   • Burning smell coming from laundry room/dryer.  
   • Excess or more humidity than usual in your laundry room.  
   • Outside of the dryer is very hot.  
   • Clothes take longer than usual to dry.  
   • The dryer vent does not open fully when the dryer is running. This is usually a sign of a clog that is not allowing air to pass through the ductwork.  

Don’t let a mundane chore turn into a big disaster. Take the proper precautions to help keep your home and family safe.   

If an accident does occur in your home, call SERVPRO of Little Rock for fire restoration services. Our team of certified fire restoration professionals will be there for you and your family to make your home “Like it never even happened.”  

Call 501-803-9700 for 24/7 emergency fire restoration service. 

What is Mold?

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

Mold spores exist everywhere all the time, but they grow like this once they reach an environment that is conducive to their growth.

We have all had that unfortunate experience of taking cheese or vegetables from the refrigerator only to find them accompanied by fuzzy green spots. While this is a fairly common occurrence, it can cause one to wonder, what exactly is mold? The mold growth that we see, whether on food or surfaces is the result of microscopic spores that have found the ideal conditions to enable their growth. These mold spores exist everywhere, all the time, traveling through the air, carried by the wind, people, and animals. These spores continue to exist in this form until they reach an environment in which they have adequate moisture and heat to grow and spread into the visible mold, with which most are familiar.  

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold spores exist as a natural part of the environment. In nature, mold plays its role in the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter such as dead trees and fallen leaves. However, when mold growth develops in indoor spaces, it not only is a nuisance but can lead to structural problems in homes and adverse effects for the people living in them. 

Not all mold is “toxic,” in fact, most strands only produce allergens or irritants. The most common health effects of mold are: 

• Sneezing 
• Runny nose
• Respiratory problems
• Dizziness 
• Rashes 
• Asthma attacks 
• Headaches 

There are estimated to be millions of different types of mold strands, however, only about 1,000 have been discovered and named. 

Preventing Mold

While mold is very common, that does not mean mold infestations are unavoidable. Here are some tips to help keep mold growth from occurring in your home: 

• Check for sources of water damage 
• Structural damage to rooves, walls, and windows that could bring in moisture from the outside.  
• Leaking pipes, appliances, showers, or sinks could allow moisture to build in unseen or difficult-to-reach areas.
• Keep shower and cooking areas well-ventilated. 
• Monitor the humidity levels and keep consistent temperatures in your home. 

Already have mold? 

If you have already discovered or suspect mold in your home, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Little Rock. Our teams are trained and experienced in mold remediation and have the tools and equipment to properly remediate your mold problem. Call our team today at 501-803-9700.    

Is your Little Rock business prepared for a disaster?

1/4/2024 (Permalink)

The ceiling in this office caved in after a pipe burst and flooded the space.

Flooding in your Little Rock business can be time-consuming, expensive, and overwhelming. If you do not recover quickly, you could potentially lose customers or even go out of business. Working with an established and reputable restoration company to remediate damage can make a crucial difference in returning your business to normal operations.

Preparedness is another important key to getting back to business. SERVPRO® has created tools to help prepare you for a catastrophic event such as a flood. With our Emergency Ready Plan® (ERP) we will assess your property in person, look for potential vulnerabilities, and make recommendations that can minimize damage. Our team will also locate all of your emergency shut-offs and other key locations and compile this information into our ERP app for your use.  

You can then personalize your profile to appoint team members to make decisions if you are unavailable during a crisis. The ERP will also include a blueprint of your business, names of important contacts and phone numbers, utility shut-off locations, and any other important information you want to include. You also can indicate that you want SERVPRO® to respond in the event of an emergency, which can help speed up the mitigation process. 

The SERVPRO® ERP allows a business owner to indicate priorities regarding areas of the business to restore first or documents or records to inventory and pack out. Take the opportunity to work with our IICRC certified technicians on ideas that can keep at least a portion of your business open during the recovery so that your clientele does not lose confidence in your products or services during the restoration process.

SERVPRO® of Little Rock is ready to work with you to recover from a flooding event. Take our service to another level by developing an Emergency Ready Plan and Profile. Call 501-803-9700 to get the process started

How to Prevent Electrical Fires in your Home

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

Understanding how to properly and safely use your system can help homeowners to prevent fire damage in their homes and save them from expensive accide

It is not uncommon for homeowners in Little Rock to not fully understand the electrical system that runs in their homes. Many people do not understand the limitation of electrical outlets and propensity of oversized items to fail in dangerous ways from improper use.

For most families, preventing dangerous situations is a top priority. This begins with having a better understanding of the limitations and restrictions of your electrical system. Understanding how to properly and safely use your system can help homeowners to prevent fire damage in their homes and save them from expensive accidents. 

One of the first things to consider is that electrical outlets only are rated for a specific amount of available power. When you plug in a device into an outlet that requires more power than the outlet can provide, it will under-power the device and overload the outlet, causing sparks and combustion. SERVPRO® technicians have responded to many emergency situations in both residential and commercial buildings caused by this exact situation.  

Another common mistake homeowners make is when they believe that all of their outlets are grounded. Many assume that since their home is grounded with a wire outside that all of their outlets are protected, whether or not they have a grounding slot. Unless the electrician who installed your electrical system connected all of your outlets to the grounding rod in the fuse box, some of your outlets may not be protected. 

Adaptors for three-pronged appliances to plug into two-pronged outlets do not provide surge protection. Power surges can and do start fires, so using this method to plug in your device poses a serious hazard to your home. Improper use of extension cords and power strips are another common cause of electrical fires. Like outlets, people may not realize that their cord or power strip is not rated for the device(s) they are using it with or may plug too many items into it at once. It is important to check the rating of the extension cord and to only use it temporarily, they are not meant to be a long term solution. Always unplug these items when they are not in use. 

Gaining a better understanding of your home’s electrical system, its limitations, and the safety guidelines surrounding it can help prevent fires and disasters in your home. 

If you are already facing a fire disaster, our SERVPRO® of Little Rock fire restoration specialists are here to help. We will help you clean up the mess and get your home back to preloss conditions quickly. Give us a call 24/7 at (501-803-9700).

Click here for fire emergencies.

Winter is Coming: How to Make Your Home Winter Ready

8/17/2023 (Permalink)

While you may still be enjoying what is left of the summer sun, school is back in session and the temperatures are slowly dropping. With Fall and Winter just around the corner, the coming months are the ideal time to start preparing your property for the coming winter temperatures. Taking proactive steps now can help prevent or at least mitigate the severity of the damage winter conditions may cause to your home. 

We have compiled a short list of steps you can take both inside and outside your home to help prepare your home for the Winter. 

Inside Your Home:

• Make sure your pipes and plumbing work are properly insulated to help prevent freezing.
• Add or repair weather stripping around doors and windows. 
• Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected. 
• Program your thermostat to keep your home at a consistent temperature. 
• Replace your HVAC filter and get the system cleaned. 
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Outside Your Home:

• Clean gutters and downpipes of debris. 
• Clear yard of brush and trim trees, to prevent ice build up and falling debris. 
• Bring outdoor furniture inside if possible, if not, cover items to protect them from winter conditions. 
• Move potted plants indoors before temperatures drop below 45°F. 
• Place snow removal tools in an accessible area. 
• Check your roof and outside structures for damage and have any damage repaired. 

While this list is not comprehensive and some scenarios are unpreventable, these steps can make the crucial difference in protecting your property from extreme conditions. 

If a disaster does affect your home, call SERVPRO® of Little Rock for 24/7 emergency service, at (501) 803-9700.

How to Prevent Basement Flooding in your Little Rock Home

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

How to Prevent Basement Flooding in your Little Rock Home

Basements are especially susceptible to flooding due to being the lowest level of a building and usually being at least partially built underground. While basement flooding can occur at any time, it most often occurs during heavy rainfall. There are a number of possible problems that can lead to your Little Rock basement flooding: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And more

How to prevent basement flooding: 

While not all disasters are preventable, there are some steps you can take to help protect your home and basement areas from flooding: 

• Keep gutter clean and free from debris 
• Cover window wells in basements 
• Grade your yard away from your house and foundation 
• Repair leaks in pipes, roofing, siding, and foundation as soon as possible
• Maintain drainage systems 

What to do when your basement floods:

Call Today

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health, safety, and the integrity of your home’s structure. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

Call SERVPRO of Little Rock and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Early Flood Damage Mitigation Solutions for Little Rock Homes

5/21/2023 (Permalink)

Flooding can cause a great deal of damage to your property. Call SERVPRO for certified technicians and equipment to handle the job.

Removing Flood Damage with Fast Action

Severe weather is familiar to many in the area, making the threat of flood and storm damage a continual concern. Intruding water into your property can destroy the structure and ruin contents and personal belongings in the path. However, we have fast mitigative solutions to help, focusing first on removing the water and preventing the situation from worsening.

Post-Storm Board-Up and Repairs

The first step we take to overcome flood damage in Little Rock homes and businesses is boarding up and sealing services. Preventing further water damage to the structure is critical, so we tarp over holes in the roof and use thick plywood to cover broken windows or missing doors. These early steps keep more water from entering the structure and complicating mitigation steps.

Extraction Services to Help

The next step that our technicians will take to help after a storm includes surface water removal efforts. With flooding, there is the possibility that the pooling water also has debris. Extraction solutions must account for these solids, overcome them, and effectively remove standing water concerns. Machines to do this include:

• Truck-mount extractors
• Trash pumps
• Wet vacuums

Cleaning Up After the Flooding

Removing surface water is only one of the preliminary steps in the ultimate cleaning and restoration necessary for your household. Decontamination is a considerable focus for our technicians, and any nonporous surfaces are treated with disinfection products and mold-inhibiting agents.

When your home or business suffers from severe weather threats passing through the area, you need prompt and focused mitigation and cleanup solutions. With 24/7 availability, our storm response team can help lessen loss and protect what matters most in your house. Call SERVPRO of Little Rock to help when disaster strikes at (501) 803-9700. Our Green Fleet of service vehicles is ready to mobilize with extraction, repair, and cleaning equipment and products. 

Effective Mold Removal for Little Rock Residents

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO professionals are equipped with the tools and expertise to assist you with mold damage remediation in your Little Rock home.

SERVPRO in Little Rock Offers Expert Mold Remediation Services

Microbial growth usually occurs when moisture gets into the home. Mold spores grow rapidly in the right conditions. The typical life cycle for micro-organisms is from spore to colony within 72 hours. These short cycles mean that an infestation can creep up unnoticed by a homeowner. SERVPRO offers qualified remediators to help return your home to a normal condition. 

Properties with mold damage in Little Rock tend to worsen before they get better. The affected area may have to be stripped down to the structural framework to resolve the underlying infestation under challenging situations. The good news is that the most affected materials are usually the cheapest and easiest to replace. Expensive organic materials such as floorboards or structural frames are generally less porous than Gypsum board or drywall. Since fungi penetrate surfaces through hyphae, less porous materials tend only to suffer light surface damages from an infestation, whereas more porous materials can often be completely penetrated. Even when there are signs of a deeply embedded mold problem, our technicians can often use abrasive equipment such as sandblasters to remove surface layers and save most material.

Abrasive Cleaning Methods Used in Microbial Remediation

• Steel wool and dry brushes can be effective on solid, dense materials that are unlikely to scratch. 
• Sand, soda, and ice blasting equipment is the most efficient method for removing fungi but can end up stripping varnishes or paint along with microbes.
• Chemical strippers are useful when there is a microbial presence, but the underlying material is dry. 

Deciding on the best method for ridding a property of microbial growth requires training and expertise. Our technicians attain nationally recognized qualifications in applied microbial remediation (AMRT) before working on your home and usually have extensive experience in more general areas of water damage restoration, mitigation, and repair. Understanding different methodologies for removal and when to apply them is critical to ensuring that our remediation is as efficient as possible. We can also help address the underlying cause, which gives homeowners peace of mind knowing that an infestation is unlikely to return. At SERVPRO, we provide our technicians with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure they can put their training to use in the most effective way possible. 

Preventing Microbial Growth in Residential Properties

• Installing vapor barriers in crawlspaces can help prevent water vapor from condensing onto a subfloor and causing an infestation.
• Checking roofing after adverse weather conditions can help to guard against microbial infestation in attic spaces.
• Ensuring proper insulation in all rooms of the home, including external spaces like garages, can reduce the likelihood of moisture buildup.

It is impossible to sanitize a home environment from potential microbial growth thoroughly. However, SERVPRO professional remediation technicians can help to ensure that spores do not grow into full-size colonies and cause a problem in your home. We are experts at dealing with secondary damages associated with molds, including odor problems, water mitigation, and drywall replacement. 

If you suspect a microbial growth issue in your home, contact SERVPRO of Little Rock for mold damage remediation at (501) 803-9700.

How Little Rock Residents Can Spot Hidden Signs of Water Damage

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

We have the equipment and training to restore your Little Rock home to pre-damage condition after water damage strikes.

SERVPRO Water Mitigation Experts are On-hand to Help in Little Rock

Water migration is a process that occurs when liquids move from one area to another, from wet to dry. Migration can happen in the wet rooms of your home from washrooms, kitchens, or showers. Usually, these rooms are specially sealed and incorporate dense materials like porcelain or tiles to protect against moisture migration. In some situations, the sealant can wear, leading to ceiling leaks and wall and decor damage. 

Timely intervention with professional restoration services can prevent water damage in your Little Rock home. A leak does not always result in liquid dripping from ceilings or walls. Sometimes, discoloration of paintwork can indicate a problem in the washroom above. These types of damage are usually the direct result of deterioration in the building's assembly or plumbing system and do not go away by themselves. It is common for local homeowners to use SERVPRO technicians to help diagnose and remedy the issue. Our technicians have qualifications for water damage restoration (WRT) and applied structural drying (ASD). We understand how moisture can move through a building and the type of damage it causes. We are also well versed in the structure of a home, with the ability to investigate the likely source of an issue and fix potential damage. 

The Causes of Persistent Leaks in your Home

• Deterioration in tiles can allow liquid to seep through cracks in the grout or the tiles themselves. Resealing tiles is home maintenance that should be carried out every two years. 
• Jointing between showers and the floor can also deteriorate, which leads to moisture migration every time you run the shower causing water damage. 
• Slow leaks in sink and drainage architecture usually occur at joints of pipes and can cause a permanent problem in your home. 

If wetrooms in your home are not maintained or resealed every two years, there is a chance of moisture seeping through the grout and residing behind tiles. Most tiles are fixed to drywall or gypsum board which can rot away with persistent exposure to moisture. Worse yet, excessive quantities can leak into cavities between walls and floors, leading to dripping from ceilings and increasing the possibility of weakening the property's structural integrity. One method we use to find the source of a moisture problem is through advanced measuring equipment. Most materials used in a building assembly have an equilibrium state of moisture content measured in a percentage. Lumber, for example, has an equilibrium balance of 12%. Drywall can vary from 5% to 12% while still being in the equilibrium range. 

We use sensors and meters to detect the exact moisture content of building materials accurately. Some measuring equipment uses penetrative probes. Other equipment measures the temperature of the surface to calculate the likelihood of unbalanced moisture content. Since tiles can be time-consuming to remove, SERVPRO can use thermal imaging cameras to ascertain whether there is a leak or other cause for concern residing behind the tiles before taking action. If there is a cause for concern, our team can use drying systems specifically designed for home use. These drying systems mainly involve pumping heated, dry air into cavities of the home to evaporate water quickly, which is the most effective mitigation against mold growth, rot, or permanent damage. 

Common Drying Systems Used in Residential Properties

• Air movers blast a direct and concentrated passage of hot air directly against surfaces or cavities and are much more effective than traditional fan ventilation systems.
• Injectidry systems enter wall cavities through small holes drilled beneath the baseboards of walls and circulate warm air to remove traces of moisture.
• Technicians can safely demolish non-salvageable drywall before deploying powerful venting fans to dry out cavities and building framework. 

If you notice any typical symptoms of a leak in your home, contact SERVPRO of Little Rock for water damage restoration at (501) 803-9700.

The Restoration Process for Fire Damage in Little Rock

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage leaves behind charred contents and lingering odors. Contact SERVPRO for thorough remediation services in your Little Rock home.

SERVPRO Offers Fire Cleanup and Odor Control to Little Rock Residents

The home is full of fuel sources for a potential fire. Common textiles like mattresses, draperies, and sheets can combust with exposure to high temperatures or direct flames. One of the leading causes of damage from combusting materials is smoke deposits that rapidly expand outward from the source. SERVPRO can help organize and manage your home restoration after a disaster. 

The underlying causes of fire damage in Little Rock homes can often be traced back to open ignition points, with the number one cause being unattended stoves. Usually, these types of fire involve the burning of animal protein which can leave behind greasy smoke deposits. Unlike organic materials, which generally leave behind a powdery smoke residue, items that involve animal fats or synthetic material often require special care and attention to remove. The immediate aftermath of a housefire often requires the most organization. Belongings must be inspected individually to ascertain their level of repairability while simultaneously making plans for safe storage either on-site or in an external warehouse. There is also a careful examination of the structure, surfaces, and fittings where technicians test for cleanability and smoke type. Finally, water used during the firefighting procedure can be an additional source of damage that needs immediate mitigation. 

The Early Stages of Homefire Restoration

• Sorting through belongings, including storage options and arranging for services such as dumpster trucks for debris and potential subcontractor requirements.
• Setting up a staging area for equipment and containment controls to avoid spreading soot from one location to another.
• Water mitigation is often necessary to help reduce the impact of smoke odors and prevent secondary damages.

The planning phase of homes fire damage restoration is among the most crucial. Our technicians can perform mitigation tasks to reduce losses, arrange for the correct equipment, and speak with your insurance adjuster during this time. From a homeowner's perspective, the main task is to provide authorization for technicians to carry out restoration work. This task is completed by providing your signature on an authorization to complete the services form. We understand how impactful fires can be to a homeowner and the level of disruption they can cause to your everyday life. Our crew chiefs can answer any questions you may have during this period to stay in the loop and make sure you have a realistic time frame for the services carried out. 

The Core Tasks for Your Home Restoration

• Mitigation is the process of reducing losses, including covering surfaces to protect them from falling ash, drying the property, and securing it against theft.
• A cleaning phase allows technicians to salvage as much of the structure, fittings, and belongings as possible. Cleaning can also help to reduce odors significantly.
• Restoration usually involves the replacement of non-salvageable materials. Special services like wood refinishing, carpet cleaning, deodorization, and repainting are common tasks in the restoration phase.

Cleaning smoke residues can be challenging without the correct training, equipment, and experience. In property fires, chemical cleaning is usually necessary to remove stubborn soot deposits. In broad terms, chemical cleaners are split between water-based cleaning agents like detergents and oil-based solvents. Detergents can help rinse light to moderate smoke residues but can have the opposite effect on the greasy smoke residues usually found in a kitchen. We use solvents that suspend soot particles in the chemical solution for wet smoke. Our team can then wash away the solvent and the soot in a rinsing agent. 

If a fire breaks out at your property, contact SERVPRO of Little Rock for fire damage restoration at (501) 803-9700.