Common causes of Fire Damage in your Business.

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Large fire that was caused by an electrical fire, in the garage.

THE TOP CAUSES OF FIRE DAMAGE IN BUSINESSES LISTED BELOW:  

• Cooking equipment 
• Electrical and lighting systems 
• Heating equipment 
• Arson 
• Smoking materials 
• Exposure 
• Office or electronic equipment 

HOW TO PREVENT COMMERCIAL FIRES 

1. TEACH YOUR EMPLOYEES ABOUT FIRE SAFETY 

Firstly, start by teaching them preventative measures, so that you do not have a fire. Make sure to keep an eye on your food while heating it up, make sure to unplug, not in use appliances, and any other rules placed in your business. Make sure all employees are trained in how to use a fire extinguisher. 

2. Inspect your office Equipment.

Check all appliances, making sure there is no obvious faulty wiring, such as partially cut power cable, or wires fraying. Make sure to always check your fire extinguishers, making sure they are up to date and ready to be used at a moment's notice.  

3. What to do if a workplace fire occurs?

If one does happen, it is very important to have an emergency plan. If employees see that it can be contained with a fire extinguisher, then they should attempt to do so. If the fire is unmanageable, then they should pull the fire alarm, and everyone should be trained in how to safely and quickly evacuate. Make sure to do a head count on all employees when everyone has arrived at the designated waiting spot. If someone is missing, it is important to notify emergency services that there is someone missing.  

4. What to do after the fire is out?

When the emergency services are completed, make sure to give SERVPRO of Sunland / Tujunga a Call (818)-951-6780.We are always ready and willing to assist you and your business, making sure to get your business back up and running as soon as possible, while also saving as much business-critical assets as possible.  

Steps to take immediately after a Fire in your Home!

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Vacuum Charging station in the Kitchen Pantry malfunctioned and started a fire.

1. Call 9-1-1 immediately and listen to their instructions. Cool and cover burns, to reduce the pain it may cause and to reduce the chance of further injury and infection.  

1. Notify any friends or family members, letting them know that you and whoever else is with you is safe. 

1. Anyone who is seriously injured or burned, including pets, should be transported to professional medical or veterinary help immediately. 

1. Make sure you do not enter your home after a fire, until fire authorities give you the ok to enter. 

1. Give SERVPRO of Sunland / Tujunga a call (818)-951-6780. We will gladly be there for you and your family in this tough time, making sure we are able to get your home back to normal. Getting you and your family back to living in your own home as soon as possible is our goal. Making sure every step of the way, your home is to your satisfaction.  

Our phone lines at SERVPRO of Sunland / Tujunga are open 24 / 7. Give us a call (818)-951-6780 

Damages that a Storm can Cause and what You can do about it!

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Tarping a Home shortly after Rain damaged it.

Storm damage types:  

1. Rain Damage. The most common type of storm damage. For many homeowners who do not get that much rain, such as us in California, you do not know for certain if your home is watertight. Once the water gets through any opening or crack, it can do a lot of damage, which can get worse very quickly. Many homeowners call us SERVPRO of Sunland / Tujunga, when it rains because we handle the situation very quickly. 

1. Wind Damage. Following rain damage, wind damage can do some serious damage to your home. Many storms come with heavy winds, enough to rip roofing off or damage it, pick up debris and have them land on your home damaging it or breaking windows.  

1. Hail Damage. While incredibly uncommon for many California homeowners, it may happen in some areas around the San Fernando Valley area. Larger sized hail can do tremendous damage to your roof which will cascade to further damage afterwards.  

1. Flood Damage. Not incredibly likely in the immediate San Fernando Valley area, however a small flood may still cause a lot of damages to your home.  

1. Fire Damage. This might seem counterintuitive, however storms may down power lines, which in return may cause fires, which may spread and damage your home.  

1. Exterior Property Damage. Anything you may have outside may get damaged during a storm. Stronger storms may cause significant damage to the side of your home. 

1. Window Damage. Your home is durable to some light winds; however, windows are not nearly as strong. Windows are the only barrier between the inside of your home and the outside.  

When there is a Storm approaching, rest assured SERVPRO of Sunland / Tujunga has you covered. Our phone lines are open 24 / 7 and are ready for any sized disaster. Be sure to give us a Call (818)-951-6780!  

What should you do in case of a Fire?

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

This is a kitchen lower cabinets completely damaged by the fire.

Once you have already called 911 and when they have finished their work. Give us SERVPRO
of Sunland/Tujunga a call at (818)-951-6780. After asses the situation with our experts on
the field, we formulate a plan. If there is still water present from firefighters, we are able
to remove any excess water. Our expert personnel will then begin to handle the fire cleanup and
very shortly begin the fire restoration process. No need to stress yourself, when SERVPRO of
Sunland/Tujunga is on the case, about any other areas that might not have been immediately or
physically damaged by the fire. We handle all the clean up, from the immediate area to all areas
around it that the smoke may have touched. We will clean it up and make it exactly as it once was.
Other then just cleaning and sanitizing areas, we have a very extensive process of deodorizing the areas
affected by the fire, no more horrible fire odor. So if you do experience a fire damage and need
assistance, We at SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga are eager for your call and will always be willing
to help and assist.

We at SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga never want to see a Home or Business set a blaze by a fire.

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

A huge fire destroyed a home.

Here are some Preventative tips:

Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.
Always unplug counter top alliances when not in use.
Make sure you have, and test, GFCI receptacles in your
kitchen to prevent shock and electrocution.
Double-check that everything is off when you finish cooking.
Prevent fires by keeping your oven and stovetop clean of grease and dust.
Never leave the kitchen while cooking.
Never cook while sleepy, drinking alcohol, or taking medication that makes you drowsy.
Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking.
Never use a cooking stove to heat your home.
Leaving candles unattended or placing them near flammable objects can result in fires if the flame spreads.
Do not overcrowd your plug sockets
Look out for frayed wires or cables before plugging them into a device
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
Talk with all family members and/or employees about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
If a fire occurs in your home or business, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

However, We at SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga are always here for our fellow neighbors and we are one phone
call away at (818)-951-6780

What to do after a storm damages your house?

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Our experts set up a tarp for a homeowner.

Watch your surroundings after a storm.
Take pictures for your insurance claim.
Contact your insurance agent and file a claim.
Prevent further damage after a storm.
Stay calm and stay organized.
Emotional Damage of Disasters. It is incredibly upsetting but remember that it is only
temporary, and it will be fixed.

What we at SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga can do for you?

First step is call us, our line is open 24/7 at (818)-951-6780.
Our expert and understanding office technicians will ask you a few questions, after which
we will be sent out to assist you.
Remember, in some cases, doing it yourself is not the safest move. Never do it yourself when
it involves deploying a temporary tarp over your roof, if it was damaged during a storm.
Let our expert personnel who are specifically trained for situations like this handle it for
you, with ease.
Once the tarp is in place, to mitigate damages done to the home or business, we move our
attention to performing preventative measures to the areas that would be affected by the damages
caused by the storm.
With our top of the line machines, we are able to quickly and effectively dry out areas without
needing to do invasive work to the home or business if not necessary.

If you have a main water leak, you should call SERVPRO of Sunland / Tujunga!

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Main water line going to the kitchen that was leaking.

If you have ever had a main water leak, it is not fun, however we at SERVPRO of
Sunland / Tujunga are here to help. Our experts on the field are ready to help any time.
Each on the field expert is equipped with the necessary equipment to tackle the problem.
Whether the first on site or the ones on the field to do the work, we are always prepared
for how big or how small of a water damage you may have. Our first on site expert, is ready
with his or her Moisture detector to check where the leak may be and how much damage it has
caused, without needing to remove any material. Our on site experts who do the work, know
what they are doing and are held to a high standard. They make sure to deal with all the
possible obstacles they may come across and are ready and able to handle them for you.

Give us a call (818)-951-6780!

What to do in case of a Exterior wall leak?

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Extensive Water damage to an exterior wall.

For any homeowner or even a business, big or small, you may experience a leak during a rainy day
or even notice a leak when sprinklers are on. If that is the case, you may be experiencing a exterior wall leak.
SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga will always be faster to any sized job. Our experts can rapidly assess the situation
and by process of elimination pin point the cause of the leak, if it is not yet discovered.
Some reasons for a potential exterior wall leak are:

Cracks in the stucco, potentially damaged in any way or general ware and tare.
If you have a wooden home, it could be weakened wood. It could potentially happen slowly over
long periods of time.
Holes, whether not noticed until it rains , or may have been hidden or blocked previously.
If you have cable wires, the seal around them could crack or even open if you accidentally
tugged on the cable.
Pipes that are routed from the exterior, over time due to thermal expansion expand and contract.
Which may cause an unforeseen problems in the future.

Any one of these potential issues, may leave a small enough gap for water to enter. Once water
enters any sized gap it then will always find a way to fill any other gap that it has access to.
Which is why SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga can help you, even to temporarily aid in stopping the water
from entering from rain, such as protecting the opening with a tarp. Once the leak is fixed our many
talented and dedicated personnel will help put your home or business back in order.

What you need to know about a Toilet overflow?

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

Removal of some drywall surrounding a bathroom.

There are many reasons for a Toilet overflow such as:

A clog in your toilet or the nearby pipes will stop water from draining
when you flush it. The most common cause of these clogs is using too
much toilet paper. Some older low-flow toilets clog easily, and you
may need to flush more than once. Which in return may cause more damages.

A plumbing vent is a vertical pipe that connects to all your plumbing fixtures.
It lets air into your pipes to replace the air that goes down the drain
every time you flush your toilet. It usually has an outlet on a roof.
If it clogs with debris like leaves or pine needles, it’ll stop draining
or drain slowly. You might also notice bubbling sounds or bad smells
after you flush the toilet, even when it doesn’t overflow. It can
even create suction that might damage your pipes.
You should contact a professional to clean out your vents.
Removing debris safely can be challenging, and you’ll need specialized equipment.

The pipes that run from your home to the main sewer line can become blocked
by roots from the trees in your yard. If people flush objects like wet wipes
or paper towels down the toilet, they can form a clog over time. Unfortunately,
even cleaning products advertised as flushable don’t break down as quickly as
toilet paper. A clogged sewer line can cause a flooded basement or an overflowing toilet.

If you have a septic tank instead of a municipal sewer system, you could have a similar issue.
Septic tanks store waste and release excess water into the soil around them.
If your septic tank is full, or if water can’t escape for another reason, your toilets may overflow.

When the problem is fixed, we of SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga will quickly inspect and assess the damages.
We will remove any excess water remaining or any damaged material.
Once all damages are taken care of, we will clean, sanitize and deodorize all areas affected and give your
home that homey feeling once again! So what are you waiting for? Give us a call now (818)-951-6780!

What you need to know about Windows or Skylights.

10/4/2023 (Permalink)

The seals around the Skylights leaked, during a rainstorm.

A window leak can be sneaky to notice until it is too late. As a homeowner or business owner,
you know time is of the essence. We at SERVPRO of Sunland/Tujunga are here to help! Our lines are open
24/7 for you (818)-951-6780. Small damages or even multiple windows or multiple floors with other windows.
Our experts and friendly personnel are here to help. Our first on scene would inspect the area
and look for a cause of the leak by checking these:

Failing Flashing
Flashing is the thin layer of material, sometimes flexible and sometimes rigid,
that overlaps the house wrapping on parts of a building susceptible to leaks, such as roofs and windows.
Improperly installed, damaged, or even missing flashing neglected during a window replacement is probably
the most common cause of window leaks from the top of your house during heavy rain and is the first thing to look at.

Poorly Angled Overhangs or Sills
In a well-designed home, it should be difficult for too much moisture to reach your window, even during heavy rainfall.
The sloping overhangs you commonly see above windows and door frames are built precisely for this purpose, to direct
water away from potential entry points.

Damaged or Missing Sealant
Sealant and caulk are other essential tools in the fight against leakage. When a window lets moisture into your home,
missing or damaged sealant is often to blame. Inadequate or absent sealant allows the free passage of air between inside
and out, undermining energy efficiency and your efforts to regulate the temperature of your home. If you see water coming
in from multiple sides of the window, damaged sealant is the most likely cause.

Once we thoroughly asses the water damage and help you understand the severity. We can
then determine what can be restored. This is a crucial step to building an efficient plan of attack that will result in the
successful restoration of your home or business.