Guide to Air Scrubbers and Negative Air Machines

9/6/2023 (Permalink)

Air scrubber in office building.

Air scrubbers and negative air machines are more than just smoke cleaners; they're versatile problem solvers for various air quality issues.

Air Scrubbers:

• Virus Outbreak Sanitization: Beyond smoke, air scrubbers are handy for sanitizing spaces during virus outbreaks. They're experts at removing particles and droplets, helping to create a safer environment.
• Pollutant, Toxin, Pet Dander, and Dust Removal: These workhorses aren't picky. They're equally effective at clearing out pollutants, toxins, pet dander, and dust particles from any area.
• Odor Elimination: Say goodbye to unwanted odors! Air scrubbers can freshen up spaces and are especially useful in places like cozy restaurants or bustling party gatherings.

Negative Air Machines:

• Containment during Cleanup: Negative air machines are containment champions. During tasks like mold and asbestos removal, they ensure that dangerous particles stay put, preventing them from drifting into other parts of the building.

Both air scrubbers and negative air machines come in various sizes to suit different spaces and contamination levels. An air quality pro can help you pick the right-sized machine for your needs.

High Humidity and Structural Impact

9/6/2023 (Permalink)

Plenum inspection in office building.

High humidity is a concern no matter where you're located, and it's not just about the muggy outdoor air. It's essential to consider indoor humidity levels in your business space to prevent potential water damage, and that's where professional remediation services come into play.

Humidity is all about the moisture present in the air, measured as relative humidity (RH). This measurement tells us the percentage of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum it can hold at a given temperature. Typically, indoor comfort levels fall between 30% and 50% RH. But when this balance is disrupted, and humidity climbs above 50%, it can lead to significant issues.

One of the primary concerns is structural damage. A business with persistently high humidity levels is at risk. Excess moisture can penetrate walls, ceilings, and floors, providing a breeding ground for mold and mildew. These unwelcome guests gradually compromise the integrity of building materials, potentially causing rot, warping, or even structural failure. Moreover, high humidity can harm wooden furniture, musical instruments, and other delicate items, resulting in expensive repairs or replacements. When signs of structural damage become apparent, it's crucial to turn to remediation professionals for water damage restoration services.

By addressing high humidity issues promptly, businesses can protect their investments and maintain a safe and healthy indoor environment. Professional remediation experts like SERVPRO® are equipped with the knowledge and tools to mitigate these problems effectively.

Understanding Air Scrubbers and Negative Air Machines

9/1/2023 (Permalink)

Air scrubber placement in office building.

Air scrubbers, the go-to tools for professional air quality experts, are specially designed devices that play a crucial role in purifying the air post-fire. They're not just limited to smoke and soot; they also tackle viruses, bacteria, and stubborn chemical odors.

Here's the deal: air scrubber machines use high-tech filters to capture those tiny particles and droplets hanging around in the air. They pull in the contaminated room air, run it through their filtering, and then release clean, fresh air back into the room. Typically, you'll find air scrubbers hard at work for about 24 to 48 hours to really get that air spick and span. It can vary depending on the situation. For the exact timing, it's best to consult with a professional air quality expert who can give you the scoop.

Now, let's talk about their cousins, the negative air machines. They're like the sidekicks of air scrubbers, but with a twist. Negative air machines vent air outside the room, creating a negative pressure zone inside. This smart move keeps all the nasties inside the room and stops them from escaping and contaminating other areas. It's super handy, especially when you're dealing with situations like mold or asbestos cleanup, where you really don't want those particles spreading all over the place.

Impact of Floods on Businesses

8/28/2023 (Permalink)

Flooded hallway at commercial property.

Floods disrupt business operations across multiple areas, causing:

1. Inventory and Asset Depletion: Floods can inflict severe damage on your inventory and assets. Valuable merchandise, essential vehicles, and costly machinery could be compromised. Failure to promptly replace these resources could lead to prolonged setbacks in resuming operations.
2. Business Premises Closure: Ingress of floodwaters into the premises results in water damage, necessitating repairs prior to safe reopening. The extended duration of repairs, lasting weeks or even months, translates to reduced business activity and decreased revenue generation.
3. Power and Data Setbacks: Rising floodwaters often render electronic equipment irreparable. Employing cloud-based backups becomes crucial to safeguarding critical data from being lost due to flooding.
4. Revenue Loss: Beyond the inventory and equipment woes, most enterprises must temporarily cease operations for water damage rectification. Even upon reopening, operational capacity might be limited, potentially requiring a reduced workforce as other team members grapple with challenges like impassable roads, submerged streets, or relocation.

Top 5 Major Contributors to Sewer Backup Issues

8/16/2023 (Permalink)

Leaky sewer pipe excavated at commercial client's property.

Understanding the root causes behind sewage problems is pivotal in mitigating their impact. Familiarizing yourself with these triggers can empower you to take preventative measures. Here are the prevailing reasons behind sewer backup occurrences in commercial establishments:

1. Compromised pipe integrity or misaligned connections and joints in the plumbing system
2. Intrusion of tree roots into pipes and plumbing infrastructure
3. Accumulation of grease and inappropriate flushing practices within the building
4. Neglected cleaning and maintenance, especially in high-traffic commercial environments where vigilant upkeep is paramount
5. Settlement of soil in and around the building, exerting pressure on the plumbing and sewer system

Backyard Fire Pit Safety

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Keep your fire pit far from any structures, brush, and trees.

It’s summertime, and there’s no better time for an outdoor barbecue and some s’mores by the fire pit. If not cared for properly, however, a relaxing night around the fire could turn into a disaster. Use these tips to help keep your summer nights fun!

Positioning

Keep your fire pit far from any structures, brush, and trees. Ensure no branches or leaves hang anywhere above the fire pit so smoke has a clear escape path into the air. Keep the fire on a non-flammable surface such as concrete or sand. Avoid setting up the fire on grass, and never create a fire on a wooden deck.

Preparation

Keep any flammable materials away from the fire. Staying approximately 10-20 feet from surrounding vegetation and brush will help to prevent flames from jumping or spreading. Dig the pit about six inches deep in the center with a two-foot diameter to contain all embers and flames.

Extinguishing

Always use the proper method to extinguish the flames of a fire as described by your local fire marshal/fire department. Water is usually a primary source to extinguish fire. In addition, a shovel can help with putting out the remaining flames and suffocating the fire. Once the flames are drowned with water, stir with shovel until no flames remain. Ashes remain hot for several days, so ensure they are properly disposed and left to cool. Never dispose of ashes in a compost pile or flammable material.

Stay safe this summer and enjoy the outdoors! If you ever have a fire at your home, Call SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills at (310) 558-9422 to help with the restoration, we are 24/7/365.

Keep your Business Mold-Free

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Mold grows anywhere there is moisture and oxygen. The mold spores are invisible to humans, so you may not even know when mold takes over.

Mold grows in places you cannot even see, and it sometimes grows increasingly worse before it’s noticeable. Mold, however, pollutes the air and can threaten the structural integrity of a structure.

When mold grows on a commercial property, it can be devastating for business owners as they must shut down operations to decontaminate the business. These tips will help prevent mold from growing in your business.

Mold grows anywhere there is moisture and oxygen. The mold spores are invisible to humans, so you may not even know when mold takes over.

1. Use a dehumidifier: It can be challenging to maintain proper humidity inside your business. To ensure 50% humidity, install commercial dehumidifiers throughout the property.
2. Repair plumbing issues: As soon as you notice a leak in your business from a roof, pipe, or window, call a restoration company to mend the damages. The longer you wait, the higher the chance of mold growth.
3. Ensure proper ventilation: If not properly maintained, mold will grow around HVAC systems. Mold spores can spread from vents, so a clean HVAC system will keep mold out.
4. Stay Vigilant: It’s not easy to notice mold growth in its early stages. By inspecting your property frequently and monitoring high moisture levels, you can notice mold before it becomes a problem. Early signs of mold growth include stains on walls, smells, and marks on floors.
5. Call a professional: If the mold has spread or you can’t find the origin of the problem, call a professional mold remediation company to assist you.

At SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills, we have a team of certified franchise professionals to take care of your mold problem. Our team is trained with the best equipment and techniques to locate and remove your property of mold and residual pores. Trust SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills for your commercial property mold remediation needs. Call us at (310) 558-9422, we are 24/7/365.

Have Water Damage? Here's What to Do.

8/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills knows the safe and best way to remove excess water and minimize the chance of mold growth.

Oh no! You notice a leaking pipe or a plumbing issue in your home or business. Don’t fret, SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills is here for you. Before we arrive, however, here are some tips to safely take care of water damage. Keep in mind, these tips apply to clean water only. Sewage water causes different kinds of damage, and it is contaminated, so SERVPRO® treats that damage differently. SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills is the perfect call to begin the water removal process, as our professional team will quickly and properly dry out your home or business from any water damage.

• When you notice damage occurring, immediately shut off the water source and turn off the power.
• If safe, remove as much water as possible with a mop and towels to soak up water.
• Place aluminum foil between wood furniture legs and carpet. Do not keep rugs and furniture upholstery wet against each other, as more damage will occur.

Safety is number one priority, so these steps are only recommended if they are safe to do so. Do not enter a room with standing water, as there could be a risk of an electrical shock. Ensure all power is disconnected as soon as flooding occurs. Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to try and remove water. SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills knows the safe and best way to remove excess water and minimize the chance of mold growth. Call us at (310) 558-9422 to assist you today, we are 24/7/365.

Returning Home: How to Remove the Smoky Smell from your Property

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

Deodorizing and sanitizing a home or business after a fire is not an easy task, and you should not have to be forced to do it yourself.

If you’ve ever been around a campfire or experienced an indoor fire, you’ll know exactly what that lingering smoky smell is like after the fire’s been put out. When you suffer from a home or business fire, it’s important to minimize as much of the remaining odor as possible before SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills arrives. These tips will be helpful in maintaining the healthiest living conditions as possible after a fire occurs.

Tip 1: If safe, open any windows to increase airflow and circulation. Additionally, keep doors open to allow air to flow through and out of the structure.

Tip 2: Replace air filters. Toxic smoke particles and soot can become trapped in air filters, which results in unhealthy air being released after a fire. Replace the filters to avoid the spread of the odor.

Tip 3: Deep clean the affected areas. Kitchen counters, curtains, windows and carpets are commons places for smoke particles to stick after a fire. Target these areas to remove the remaining odor from smoke damage.

SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills is the expert fire restoration team for you! Deodorizing and sanitizing a home or business after a fire is not an easy task, and you should not have to be forced to do it yourself. Here at SERVPRO®, we have a team of experienced professionals with advanced odor removal products and equipment that will take care of your fire-related needs. Let our team make your home or business look like the fire “Never even happened.” Call SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills at (310) 558-9422, we are 24/7/365.

Stay Safe from Fires in the Workplace

8/5/2022 (Permalink)

If a fire does occur in your business, call SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills to get the restoration process underway.

A fire is never fun. At the office or workplace, fires can cause danger to personnel in addition to property damage. Read these tips on basic fire prevention to stay as safe on the job as possible.

Steps of Prevention

• Ensure all staff is properly educated on fire prevention procedures, evacuation routes and fire hazards.
• Maintain a clean workspace to reduce the risk of fire.
• Be aware of potential combustible materials and flammable items.
• Keep a working fire extinguisher in the business and know its whereabouts.

General Safety

• Dispose of combustible or flammable materials in and around the workplace.
• Keep combustible materials in approved containers and away from other flammable items.
• Keep fire extinguisher in an accessible place not blocked by furniture or clutter.

Preventative Safety

• Keep fire equipment up to date, receive inspections on a regular basis.
• Have a working alarm system with both sound and lights.
• Be aware of local authority and fire department information for easy contact when necessary.
• Keep staff up to date on training, be aware of what’s going on.
• Work with SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills to create an emergency response plan for your business.

If a fire does occur in your business, call SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills to get the restoration process underway. We know a fire can be devastating, and that is why we take great care in restoring as many of your items as we can. No job is too big for SERVPRO® of Culver City / Baldwin Hills. Call today at (310) 558-9422, we are 24/7/365.