SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula Certifications

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula we are always prepared and armed with the necessary certifications to get any water or fire damage cleaned up and restored. Our technicians are highly trained in many types of cleaning and restoration processes. At SERVPRO we are dedicated to doing the best and most quality job possible in order to ensure that all damages are fully taken care of. SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula prides itself on its amazing team members. We are proudly certified by the following:

AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician

ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program

ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician

WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician

RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation

OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

IICRC - Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification

Our Franchise allows us to keep up to date with all the new and up and coming equipment in the restoration industry. The equipment that we use allows us to provide the type of quality of work that is expected by the SERVPRO franchise.

When Storms or Floods hit Monterey County SERVPRO is ready!

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained, and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Monterey County we can scale our resources to handle large storm or flooding disasters. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (831) 275-1901

Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage in Monterey County. 

Mold Myth Busting 101

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Its name evokes images of green rot. Mold is a menacing pollutant existing naturally in the environment. But it's the last thing you want growing in your home. 

Like most people, you probably know that indoor mold ruins homes and threatens health. And you might agree that the first step to eliminating mold is locating its sources. But do you know where to look for mold? Or even that using a popular disinfectant to clean it can do more harm than good. Chances are, you've been duped by these mold myths that should be laid to rest: 

A Clean Home is Mold-Free. 

A dirt-free home is no guarantee against mold infestation. Mold thrives in closets, dark corners, and drywall, a common construction material in homes today. Its microscopic spores sail through the air, so you can't see them or know where they land. 

Your home has no moldy odors. 

It's true that gasses produced by mold give off a musty odor. But it's false to assume that having no odor means your home isn't infested. Not all molds produce smells. And if mold is lurking in a basement, its smell doesn't enter the air you normally breathe. It's there, and you never knew it. 

Your home's basement never floods. 

Wet basements are a major source of mold. But they're just one of many in your home. Other mainsprings for mold are humidifiers, leaky pipes, dryers that vent indoors, bathrooms and cooking areas that aren't ventilated, even carpets in a basement. 

Bleach can remove mold. 

A powerful disinfectant, bleach wipes away mold on glass, metal, or plastic surfaces. But while its chlorine component doesn't penetrate to the sources of mold in drywall and wood, the water contained in bleach does. And--you guessed it--that water lingers beneath the surfaces, providing more than enough food for mold to grow. 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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. Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.

The Truth About Bleach

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

For many households, chlorine bleach is generally seen as your “go-to” cleaner for tough jobs. While bleach is well-known for its disinfecting properties that doesn't mean it's the best choice for mold - it has distinct drawbacks when cleaning flood impacted buildings. It is a convenient cleaner and stain remover for hard, non-porous surfaces. Bleach is not made to “soak in”, therefore, its disinfecting properties are limited to a hard surface like tile or glass. If used on porous materials, such as wood and drywall, bleach will stay above the surface and only kill the mold on the surface, while the water is absorbed in. The surface mold looks gone, but the fact is, if the mold is not removed from the material, it will most likely return and make your mold problem worse in the long run. Mold remediation requires a cleaner to reach deep down into wood and other porous building materials. Further, its effectiveness in killing bacteria and mold is significantly reduced when it comes in contact with residual dirt, which is often present in flooded homes. If bleach water comes into contact with electrical components and other metal parts of mechanical systems, it can cause corrosion. Bleach water can also compromise the effectiveness of termite treatments in the soil surrounding the building. Many types of bleach are not EPA-registered as a disinfectant and may also be hazardous to your health. 

Do you have a fire extinguisher?

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Do you have enough fire extinguisher's? 

Fire engulfs an automotive supply shop, destroying inventory consisting of mainly shocks, struts, starters, alternators, and batteries. The fire ignited due to a chemical container failure affecting surrounding items. 
 
You may think that fire damage like this would put them out of business, but you'd be wrong. Replacing inventory is relatively easy, the hard decision here is locating a quality company to perform the services you need to restore the structure of your building. There are several unique challenges faced during different fire situations, and we have experience dealing with all of them. 

SERVPRO technicians overcome various cleaning challenges, daily. A burning building consists of several complex reactions between different elements. We learn that fire damage presents different cleaning and restoration situations that depend greatly on how these different elements interact during the progress of a fire. When dealing with the removal of smoke residues, we consider several factors. 

Type - More porous surfaces allow particles and odors to penetrate further and are harder to clean. Non-porous surfaces such as those covered in enamel paint are easier to clean than a flat latex paint would be. While synthetic fibers attract more residue than natural fibers, synthetics are easier to clean. 
 
Age - As time progresses, old paint, fabrics, and carpeting become more porous, and adhesion to surfaces become weaker, making old surfaces harder to clean. 
 
Heat - Generally, hotter fires make surfaces expand, allowing residue and odors to penetrate more efficiently. While heat also chars materials or melts the finish on a surface, making refinishing required to restore the surface properly. 
 
Moisture - The right conditions help residues set faster and permanently stain surfaces. Fire suppression systems and Firefighting efforts, along with damp weather and normal condensation on various surfaces combine with smoke residues, causing surfaces to become discolored.

Steps you can take in a wildfire

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Facts brought to you by the US Forest Service 

• Remain calm. 
• Flammable materials such as wood move in safe place away from the house. 

• Back vehicles into the garage facing the outside, and roll up all the windows. Never try to find shelter inside your vehicle. 
• Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. If electric, disconnect it so that the door can be opened manually. 
• Open the entrance of your yard in order to facilitate the access of the fire fighters and vehicles. 
• Shut off any fuel tank and gas cylinder. 
• Close all exterior vents. Close all exterior doors (don´t lock them) and windows. 

• Attach pre-cut plywood panels to the exterior of windows and glass doors. 
• Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets, and attach a nozzle set on “spray” 
• Prop a ladder against the house so fire fighters have easy access to the roof 
• Tune in to a local radio station and listen for instructions 
• Make sure all family members are in the same room of the house. 

• After the passing of the fire get out of the house and extinguish immediately small fires. For any smoke, water or fire damage cleanup call SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula (831) 275-1901 

Fireworks Season

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Facts brought to you by the US Forest Service 

• Remain calm. 
• Flammable materials such as wood move in safe place away from the house. 
• Back vehicles into the garage facing the outside, and roll up all the windows. Never try to find shelter inside your vehicle. 

• Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. If electric, disconnect it so that the door can be opened manually. 
• Open the entrance of your yard in order to facilitate the access of the fire fighters and vehicles. 
• Shut off any fuel tank and gas cylinder. 
• Close all exterior vents. Close all exterior doors (don´t lock them) and windows. 
• Attach pre-cut plywood panels to the exterior of windows and glass doors. 

• Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets, and attach a nozzle set on “spray” 
• Prop a ladder against the house so fire fighters have easy access to the roof 
• Tune in to a local radio station and listen for instructions 
• Make sure all family members are in the same room of the house. 
• After the passing of the fire get out of the house and extinguish immediately small fires. For any smoke, water or fire damage cleanup call SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula (831) 275-1901 

We are Certified for Bio-Hazard/Trauma Scene Cleanup

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula we are always prepared and armed with the necessary certifications to get any water or fire damage cleaned up and restored. Our technicians are highly trained in many types of cleaning and restoration processes. At SERVPRO we are dedicated to doing the best and most quality job possible in order to ensure that all damages are fully taken care of. SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula prides itself on its amazing team members. We are proudly certified by the following: 

AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician 

ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program 

ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician 

WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician 

RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation 

OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program 

IICRC - Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification 

Our Franchise allows us to keep up to date with all the new and up and coming equipment in the restoration industry. The equipment that we use allows us provide the type of quality of work that is expected by the SERVPRO franchise. ?? 

What to do until help arrives

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO arrives. 

• Shut off the source of the water. 
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock. 
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting 
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items 

• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying 
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting 
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture. 
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors 
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors 

IICRC Certified Firm

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo. 

IICRC Certified Firms must 

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry 

The?IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These?IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals. 

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace. 

About SERVPRO of Marina/North Salinas 

SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.