Steps to follow after a flood

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

Immediate action is crucial when dealing with water damage. Below is a water damage timeline and possible water damage in your home or business untreated. 

Within Minutes 

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path. 
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings. 
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets. 
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp. 

Hours 1 - 24: 

• Drywall begins to swell and break down. 
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish. 
• Furniture begins to swell and crack. 
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain. 
• A musty odor appears. 

48 Hours to 1 Week: 

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread. 
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp. 
• Metal begins to rust and corrode. 
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold. 
• Paint begins to blister. 
• Wood flooring swells and warps. 
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible. 

More Than 1 Week: 

• Restoration time and costs increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive. 
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants. 

Don’t wait. If you have water damage in your home or business, call SERVPRO of San Gabriel 626-478-0286

We work with all insurance carriers!

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

My insurance company was a nightmare to deal with! But once I called SERVPRO I feel like I was well taken care of and made this part of the process very smooth.

Earlier this year my home suffered a flood due to the water hose leading to the refrigerator supply line.  My whole downstairs area including kitchen, living room, and powder room was completely ruined.  My insurance company was a nightmare to deal with but once I called SERVPRO I feel like I was well taken care of and made this part of the process very smooth.

I initially spoke to Eric, and she immediately started contacting my insurance so I did not have to deal with them as well as Derrick  and his team to start setting up their equipment to reduce the moisture and mitigate the mold damage.  They came that very day I called when I could not even reach my insurance for days.

Eric  and Derrick have not only been kind, courteous, and professional throughout the process but they have also been very helpful in comforting in light of this unfortunate event in my home.  I feel like they went above and beyond.

I'm glad they were there for me and my home!

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

I called SERVPRO after noticing what we thought was black mold growing on the corners of our wall. This situation was really bad for our health, and we had to make sure it would be 100% cleaned and gone from our home environment. SERVPRO answered my call immediately and sent someone over the same day. Their team came in and eliminated every speck of the mold. They were on-time and professional and I feel so much better about my home now. Thank you SERVPRO!

What our customers are saying about SERVPRO of San Gabtriel. 

Call us today 626-478-0286

What our customers are saying about SERVPRO San Gabriel

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Awesome company to use when you need a reliable, hands-on, professional firm to assist you for any issue with your home. They went above and beyond with regards to my home's need as it was damaged due to a fridge water line link. Hats of to Terence's team and appreciate all your efforts fix this matter....

What our customers are saying about our water damage restoration service.

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

This is a LONG overdue review of SERVPRO of San Gabriel.  They helped us over a year ago, back in March 2020, shortly after the pandemic shut-down orders started.  My elderly mother lives nearby, and the pipe under her kitchen sink burst, causing extensive water damage to the condo. The leak was only discovered upon seeing water leak down the roof of the garage on the level below the kitchen.  

I live out of state, and with the statewide shut-down in place, I couldn't fly down to CA to help. So we were handling everything from a distance via email and phone--dealing with searching/hiring emergency water remediation contractor, insurance adjuster visits, and searching/hiring restoration contractor.

It was such a nutty time that we did things piecemeal, and  we didn't find SERVPRO until after we had already hired another contractor to handle the water remediation part.  

I contacted several places for bids on the restoration, and SERVPRO was the most prompt.  Upon learning English was not my mom's first language, they sent someone who spoke her language.  

They ended up removing the damaged flooring and replacing the floor of entire downstairs of the condo (2 bedrooms, kitchen, dining, living room, and stairway down to the garage).  Terence and Rudy were both responsive via emails, and Rudy also communicated with me via text.  March 2020 was a scary time for us to have strangers--contractors--go in and out of my elderly mom's home.

I asked them to take care and keep their distance.  My mom said they did that every day, making sure to give her plenty of space; they showed up when they said they would, and they cleaned up after themselves.  The new floor looks great.  

I am grateful for the contractor team's professionalism, and the ease by which we were able to handle all of this from a distance.  If you are looking for any service that SERVPRO of San Gabriel can handle, don't hesitate to contact them and get a bid.

We speak Mandarin and Cantonese. We can help you coordinate with your insurance company..

Give us a call! 626-478-0286

My house smells bad!

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

Moisture or dampness

Sometimes, moisture can get underneath the carpet and carpet pad, leading to musty odors.

This moisture can come from humidity, spills or potted plants that drip onto the carpeting.

A flood can also cause carpet odor, such as when a finished basement floods during a rainstorm.

If not addressed properly, continued moisture exposure can cause mold and mildew to grow under the carpet padding. 

Pet odor

When pets use the carpet as a bathroom, the smell can really linger.

Even after a carpet cleaning, the smell of pet urine may return. This is due to the gases released by the bacteria that are digesting the urine. If any of the urine remains in the rug fibers, it will continue to smell.

The same is true for vomit, another common problem associated with pets and carpeting.

These bacteria are activated by water, which is why the smell may intensify after a thorough cleaning.

Dry carpet cleaning treatments or treatments that use enzymatic odor removal products are the best solution for eliminating pet smells. Enzymes are particularly effective because they attack the bacteria, thus eliminating the source of the smell.

Cigarette smoke

If a smoker lives in the home, the carpet can collect the cigarette smoke odor.

While the homeowners may not notice the stench because they live with it, visitors or someone who purchases the home will definitely notice the smoke smell.

A professional carpet cleaner may be able to remove the smell, but if the smoking was excessive, a carpet deodorizer may not be enough, and the carpeting may need to be replaced.

Food and drink spills

Food and drinks that spill onto carpet can lead to odors.

Like pet smells, these organic products attract bacteria. As the bacteria break down, they release smelly gasses. Again, professional carpet cleaning is the best solution to remove the smell.

Call us let us help you get your home smelling like new! 626-478-0286

Why chose SERVPRO?

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

#1 IICRC Certified Professionals

The IICRC is the leading, independent, non-profit, certification, and standard-setting body in the cleaning, inspection, and restoration industry. When choosing water damage, mold remediation, and fire and smoke restoration company, be sure to ask if they are properly accredited.

We Can Handle Any Disaster

 Not only can we handle any size disaster, but we can also handle almost any type of emergency.

Our highly trained crews and fully equipped warehouse of equipment and materials are ready 24/7 365 to respond to your disaster. If you've just experienced a fire in your home, we can help you. If your business only suffered from massive flooding, we've got the tools and experience to help. If your basement flooded and your suffering from water and mold damage, we can help. We can handle fire damage, smoke damage, mold damage, water damage, storm damage, and more.

Give the Residential and Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Pros a Call

If your home or business should suffer from mold damage, water damage, or fire damage, give the restoration and cleaning pros at SERVPRO of San Gabriel

Whether it's in the middle of the night, a holiday, or on the weekend, we are willing and ready to assist you in your damage cleanup and restoration. No job is too small, and no job is too big

Call today! 626-478-0286

Hidden Cause of Water Damage

10/14/2021 (Permalink)

What happened?

A common cause of Kitchen water leaks is the plastic water line behind the refrigerator. Those lines will crack, a slow drip begins and water pools behind the fridge unnoticed. Another common cause is excess condensation buildup which has the same effect. Water damage from your fridge can cause problems in your home if left unchecked. The problem can go unnoticed for so long, at this point the damage has already taken a toll on your floors and surrounding areas. Moisture and heat in the dark environment create perfect conditions for mold to form and your floorboards to rot. Somewhere like an apartment or enclosed area these mold spores can cause issues and a problem like this should not be overlooked. Over at SERVPRO San Gabriel we are experts in mold remediation and will gladly remove and prevent further frustrations for you.

What to do?

It is important to first clean up any visible water to avoid further damage and possibilities of mold occurring. Once this is done you should inspect your fridge and see if there are any noticeable leaks or areas where condensation may be forming to excess. It is important to replace any faulty connections to stop the immediate leak if possible. If you are able to, assess the damage done to the area under and around the fridge. Most of the time floorboards will show visible damage, but the real problems can occur underneath where you cannot see. 

Tip:   a water alarm behind/under your fridge to catch any further problems from getting worst.

My house smells like a wet dog! Does it mean I have mold present?

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

My house smells like a wet dog who that a tone of raw garlic! That smell most homeowners associate with mold is a bi-product of mVOC’s

(Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds) The musty odor you smell is decay off-gassing from biological growth which includes molds, bacteria, and biofilm.

Does Mold have a Smell? The short answer is yes, mold does have a distinct odor. The best way to describe the scent is “musty” or “earthy.”some even liken it to wet socks, rich cheese or garlic.

If this odor is present in your home of property further investigation would certainly be warranted.

Some strong indicators that Mold may be present and growing in your home.

Past Water Leaks: Have you had an old water leak in your bathroom, kitchen that was not properly repaired or dried out?

Indications of Water Issues: Has your your home has ever had any issues with water, moisture, leaking pipes etc? or some other water problems. It is highly probably that somewhere, mold has started to grow.

Visible indicators o of moisture issues Bubbling or peeling paint and wallpaper, puffy or Flaking drywall and wood panels. Warped and bulging walks likely means that moisture haspenetrated the surface.

Don’t wait until the problem gets worst, The professionals at SERVPRO San Gabriel are ready to assist and help identify and provide restorative services to resolve and fix the issue

How Does SERVPRO Handle Your Belongings?

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

In the event of a misfortune in your property/business, whether it be water, fire, mold, or sewage, SERVPRO of San Gabriel will be there to take care of all your personal belongings alongside the home itself. When we come into your home to do mitigation, we may require something called a Pack-Out, meaning we assess and carefully pack up the contents of your home that do not need to be disposed of.

During a pack-out we will address if the contents of your home including furniture, need to be cleaned – meaning they were affected by the type of loss you had, stored only – meaning unaffected, or disposed of – meaning they are affected beyond repair.

During a pack-out we use an industry specific software to categorize and photo inventory your belongings, that way we can provide the list to you and your insurance company/adjuster to review. This is also to ensure that once your contents are brought to our climate-controlled facility, we can pull any items or boxes that you would like back sooner than others by way of the software showing us exactly where it’s at and what it’s labeled as.

We do are upmost best to make the devastation of a disaster in your home easier on you by making sure the process of a pack-out is painless from start to finish.

Call our SERVPRO of San Gabriel technicians at (626) 478-0286

The leading cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding.

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

The leading cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding. Someone who is severely bleeding can bleed to death in as little as 2-5 minutes. 

At SERVPRO San Gabriel, we take safety very seriously. By ensuring that our team members have the proper safety equipment, training and understanding of every time of work environment we may encounter. We give our valued team members the critical tools to maximize job safety and success.   

Team SERVPRO San Gabriel learning bleeding control and the proper use of a CAT tourniquet

When precious seconds count, we have the ability to provide ourselves and out team mates critical life saving aid.

Vacancy Can Cause Arising Issues

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

Many challenges due to the COVID-19 Pandemic have faced businesses over the course of last year unforeseen and challenging. From closures, temporary closures, mandates, employee changes, financial stressors......all were unexpected and even chaotic at times.

Unfortunately, difficult times led to empty buildings, some for longer periods than others. Without the quick response of people, issues can become big problems quickly. Even the smallest leak can cause problems that shock businesses ready to reopen. Water damage and mold can cause serious time delays in getting back to business, most especially in food and beverage establishments.

SERVPRO of San Gabriel and it’s experienced trained team of experts can handle almost any job. Simply by dialing 626-478-0286, any business can be assured that it can offer a clean and healthy atmosphere for its employees. Getting businesses back in business is OUR business!!!

Why Us? We Have a “Restore First” Mentality | SERVPRO® of San Gabriel

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

One of the reasons you should call us first when disaster strikes is that we get there faster. But that is not the only reason why we should be one of your first calls if the worst should occur.

When it comes to your property, aided by the use of specialized equipment and cleaning techniques, our technicians have a “restore first” mentality. This mentality helps to reduce the interruptions to your life and helps get your home or business back to pre-disaster condition.

We’re Here to Help

Knowing the first steps to take after a fire has damaged your property is daunting, but that’s why we are here! Once you contact us, our team springs into action.

Because every fire damage event is different, our highly trained team will develop a unique solution that is tailored to your needs; however, the general process remains the same.

Here are the steps that are included in our process:

1. Emergency contact. When you make your initial contact with us, you will be asked a series of questions regarding the fire damage. This helps us make sure our team is dispatched with the appropriate equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and fire damage assessment. As the team arrives, they will inspect and test adjoining rooms of the property to determine the extent of fire, smoke and soot damage. This helps us determine the right plan of action moving forward.

3. Immediate board-up and roof-tarp service. There’s a pretty good possibility your window, walls and roofs will be compromised by fire damage, so we will make sure that your property is secure and protected from further damage by boarding up missing windows and walls and placing a tarp on damaged roofs.

4. Water removal and drying (if water damage is present). Since water damage is a byproduct of fire damage, we immediately begin the removal process for all wet items. Dehumidifiers and air movers are brought in to remove the remaining water and finish up the drying process.

5. Removal of smoke and soot from all surfaces. Through the use of specialized equipment and techniques, we are able to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls and other surfaces.

6. Cleaning and sanitizing. When possible, we will clean your restorable items and structures. Not only will they be cleaned, but industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment are used to help remove odors.

7. Restoration. The final step in getting your property back to pre-fire condition is restoration. This can include minor repairs like replacing drywall, painting and installing new carpet, as well as possible major repairs like reconstruction of damaged areas.

Remember, if you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day. The team of highly trained restoration experts at SERVPRO® of San Gabriel is available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

SERVPRO San Gabriel helping during the pandemic

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

The Coronavirus has changed the social landscape more than we could have imagined.  The terms social distancing, the new normal and face coverings have become indoctrinated into our vocabulary.  The interaction with family, friends, and business associates has been directly impacted.  

SERVPRO of San Gabriel was out in the community helping  is prepared to clean and disinfect your homes and businesses' according to protocols set forth by the CDC.  We have first-hand experience with COVID-19 cleaning. We have been performing biohazard decontamination and cleaning since day one. We are subject matter experts. We were there helping businesses stay open and safe.

Always here to help! 626-478-0286

California Rains Causing Flooding Problems

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Although it doesn't rain often here in Southern California. According to the National Weather Service Approximately, five percent of all Presidential disaster declarations are associated with flooding. Just because you haven’t experienced a flood doesn’t mean you won’t sometime in the future. About 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Programwere for policies in low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $3.5 billion in annual losses in the United States.

The National Weather Service lists the following most common flood hazards:

• Flash Flooding
• River Flooding
• Dam Breaks/Levee Failure
• Dry Wash (Heavy Rainfalls in Dry Areas)
• Snowmelt
• Ice Damming
• Burn Scars/Debris Flows
• Storm Surge and Coastal Flooding from Tropical Storms

We can help you after a flooding incident 626-478-0286. We respond to any size disaster to begin cleanup and restoration to get you back in your home as soon as possible.

Biohazard Job

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians arrive on site to clean and treat affected apartment

A customer had called SERVPRO of San Gabriel when she realized that her father had passed inside his apartment. The daughter of the deceased man had made our technicians aware that she had not stepped foot in her father's apartment for over five years. He would not allow any of his family members to come visit him nor would he open the door if members of his family had decided to just show up at his door. When technicians made their way inside the apartment they discovered that this tenant was indeed a hoarder. There were piles and piles of trash, food, dirty clothes and many other items with bacteria and mold build up and growth. After a week's work technicians had finished removing all the trash and cleaning and treating the entire apartment. The daughter was so pleased with the outcome of the apartment. The daughter was amazed with the work done by SERVPRO of San Gabriel, she said "I haven't seen this apartment this clean in over twenty years!"

Marijuana Grow House

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Marijuana plants took over the entire home, SERVPRO of San Gabriel was called upon to clean up the aftermath! The homeowner was extremely pleased!

Though the sale and use of recreational marijuana has become legal in many states including CA, it’s safe to say that black market marijuana sales are thriving, with plants selling for $3,000 a pound depending on strain, or around $3 million per 1,000 plants. Private and cartel growers still find the manufacture and sale quite lucrative. With laws and enforcement diminishing, the clandestine manufacturing of marijuana is on the increase. 

There is very little downside for these growers. With lax enforcement and penalties, coupled with the high cost of legitimately growing marijuana, many dispensaries will choose to buy from clandestine growers and avoid very high state imposed taxes. Also, growers can export their products to states where marijuana is not yet legal and can command a higher price per delivered pound.

How does your property get hijacked by illegal growers? Many often will pose as legitimate home renters. Once they have possession of your property they can convert a normal home into an efficient growing operation that can produce 3-4 harvest cycles per year. 

Growers will convert every available space into a grow operation. From the outside of the property no one can tell if a grow operation is happening inside. Growers will choose to keep their activity during the late evening hours. Deliveries of supplies and material is done late at night. Unless discovered, grow houses can last for several years. 

Once a grow house is discovered and shut down, what they leave behind is nearly total destruction to a property. SERVPRO San Gabriel has been a leader in the mitigation and post clean up at many illegal grow houses in Southern CA. We work with the homeowners who are left with the burden of repairing the property. 

We have experience working with the homeowners and their respective insurance companies as they navigate this very complicated and complex claim procedure.

We are cleaning experts

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO San Gabriel technician doing COVID-19 decontamination job

SERVPRO San Gabriel is Here to Help during this challenging time.

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are trained and experienced in the cleaning and disinfection of biohazardous materials. From blood and body fluids and pathogens, we can clean and disinfect your home or business.  We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

Our procedures follow the CDC guidelines of cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. 

Hoarding in Arcadia, CA

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

This women had been hoarding items for the past five years, she wouldn't let anyone into the home.

A massive hoarding issue was brought to the attention of SERVPRO San Gabriel. Property owners and concerned children contacted SERVPRO of San Gabriel when discovering their mother had a hoarding issue. Many issues arise when hoarding is discovered. The reason being is that items that are being hoarded can harbor mold, bacteria and pest that contribute to property damage and make the living space unsanitary. With that being said our customer reached out to SERVPRO of San Gabriel when he discovered through a Yelp search that we offer cleaning services as well as mold removal and or any plumbing damage. When technicians arrived to the site to begin cleanup there was vermin infestation as well as mold growth and water damage under most piles of items. SERVPRO had a significant amount of work to restore this property, the home owner was more than thrilled with the result. He said, " I haven't seen this house this clean or been able to be in here more than five minutes in years." "Thank you SERVPRO of San Gabriel for all the work you put into restoring and saving my property from further damage."

Massive water damage in Pasadena CA

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Being able to shut off the water immediately after a pipe burst will help minimize water damage.

SERVPRO of San Gabriel was contacted after previous customer of ours discovered a burst pipe in their kitchen. Luckily for the customer he became aware of the burst pipe immediately. When initially contacting SERVPRO there was not much damage, but a few days passed before the home owner had time to sit and meet for an inspection. When SERVPRO technicians and Eric had the chance to make it to South Pasadena there was some water damage that had resulted from the burst pipe. Water was still leaking out of the burst pipe that the homeowner had tried to mask with masking tape. When SERVPRO technicians arrived to the site they immediately shut off the water valve to prevent any further damage. After cleaning up the wet and affected areas SERVPRO technicians began water restoration returning the home to a livable area, the home owner was pleased with how quickly and efficiently SERVPRO of San Gabriel was able to get the job done. 

What Can Be Damaged by a Lightning Strike? | SERVPRO® of San Gabriel

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

A thunderstorm dispels electrical energy by casting lightning bolts, which are some of the most violent examples of a thunderstorm’s power.

By causing wiring damage, ruining electronics and causing structural damage, there are quite a few things that can be damaged in the event of a lightning strike. For homeowners, it is wise to make a point to understand how lightning happens and what it can damage in order to take action after a storm has passed.

Tips for Protecting Your Home From Wind Damage | SERVPRO® of San Gabriel

8/30/2019 (Permalink)

Many concerns arise with severe storms, including the threat of damaging winds. These winds, which can occur without warning, can cause long-term structural impacts.

Must-Have Qualities in a Restoration Company | SERVPRO® of San Gabriel

8/23/2019 (Permalink)

Any property being damaged in a natural disaster is unfortunate, but for business owners, it can cause their whole livelihood to be put on the line. After a disaster, over 40% of businesses are unable to resume operations, as reported by FEMA.

Making sure your business will recover requires some planning, including picking a commercial restoration company to work with to repair the damage. Here are some must-have qualities to seek out when you are choosing a company:

1. A Solid Emergency Plan

After a natural disaster, the speed of response can make a big difference in the extent of the damage. Damage that is left untreated can compound, meaning more time and expense will be required to repair it. A company with a comprehensive emergency response plan will keep costs and project timelines to a minimum by getting there faster.

This philosophy is why we implemented a 24-hour response line. By being able to take action as soon as damages are reported, we can let business owners focus on other things they need to do to reopen.

2. A Solid Team of Technicians

The way technicians are trained has quite a bit to do with the quality of their work. By choosing a company that invests heavily in its team, you will have peace of mind that the quality of service will be top-notch.

We train our technicians in compliance with the standards set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We also put a strong emphasis on continued education by providing online learning courses and employee certifications, so learning does not stop when training does.

3. A Solid Fleet of Equipment

Having the right tools for the job makes a big difference, especially when commercial restoration is the job in question. Select a company with an up-to-date fleet of equipment in order to ensure you are getting the best tools for your restoration job.

The IICRC standards for restoration equipment are what we use to determine what tools we use—whether we are removing water or scrubbing harmful chemicals from the air, we take advantage of the technological advancements that allow us to do our job better.

If you’re in need of commercial restoration, do not hesitate to make the call so you can get your business back faster. Our trained experts are here to help 24/7—contact us today.

Why Us? We Have a “Restore First” Mentality | SERVPRO® of San Gabriel

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

One of the reasons you should call us first when disaster strikes is that we get there faster. But that is not the only reason why we should be one of your first calls if the worst should occur.

When it comes to your property, aided by the use of specialized equipment and cleaning techniques, our technicians have a “restore first” mentality. This mentality helps to reduce the interruptions to your life and helps get your home or business back to pre-disaster condition.