5 Things Not to Do After a Fire Damages Your Akron, Ohio Home

5/28/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Akron restored this home in Akron, Ohio that had fire, smoke and water damage.

After a house fire your home will suffer from extensive fire, smoke, and water damage. In the aftermath of a fire, no matter the size, it is important to know what not to do. After the fire department has gone, it is best to hire a professional restoration company to board up your structure and begin the cleanup process. As a homeowner you do not want to cause further damage or not properly restore your damaged contents or structure. SERVPRO of West Akron can assist with restoring all your damaged possessions and property back to preloss condition.

You or your restoration company should contact your insurance agent or insurance company immediately to report the fire loss and begin the claim process. A lot of this information is included in the fire report. You can obtain a copy from your local fire department. The information needed to file the claim:

• Date and time of fire
• Location
• Cause of fire (if known)
• Amount of damage done to the structure and/or its contents

Take pictures of the fire damage. A fire is overwhelming, but the sooner you can photograph everything before there is further damage or personal items are removed. As soon as the fire department allows you to enter, take as many pictures of the property as possible.

A house fire can be devastating and feel overwhelming. Below are 5 things NOT to do after a fire:

1. Depending on the extent of the fire damage it may not be safe to stay in your home. There are many factors to consider after a house fire that could make your home dangerous. The structure of the house may be unstable, exterior might be at risk of collapsing, asbestos contamination, or live electrical lines.
2. Do not throw away anything. A restoration company will examine clothing, bedding, carpets, or other household goods. Some of your personal items retain their value after they have been salvaged and restored. Do not throw anything away without consulting your insurance adjuster. You might be tossing away something that is needed to prove your claim, such as photos and receipts. The adjuster may take your word for certain items (furniture, appliances, etc.) but will probably want to see invoices or receipts for the cost of others.
3. Do not repair or replace anything until you have written permission from your homeowners’ insurance company. Your insurance company should already be familiar with the extent of damage to your home, but it is important that they authorize any repairs before you begin work. If it is not approved your insurance company could deny payment for restoration services
4. Do not cancel any of your utility services. Your restoration company will need to use them while repairs are being done, be sure you are current on all bills and that no deposits are required before service is restored.
5. Do not wash any clothes or other items made with fabric materials in a normal washing machine or take it to the dry cleaners without expert advice. These items are likely to need specialist smoke removal treatment to extract all the toxic smoke from them. Washing the items yourself may embed the odor more into the fabric or even ruin your washing machine.

After the Fire Department Leaves, Call SERVPRO of West Akron to Restore and Rebuild your Home from Fire and Smoke Damage

The SERVPRO of West Akron crews know just how devastating a fire can be. Fire and water damage can leave your house unsafe and unlivable. Our crews are trained to clean and restore your home with as little disruption as possible. We work with all major insurance companies documenting our process from beginning to end.

Every smoke and fire damage is different and requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. SERVPRO have advanced drying equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your damaged property. Our team will treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Whether the job is big or small we will be there to help make “it never like it even happened,” so you can get back into your home. Call us at 330-867-5723 or visit our website: www.SERVPROwestakron.com.

Mold on Drywall in Your Akron, OH Home

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians wearing personal protective equipment to remove mold on drywall in an Akron, Ohio basement.

Mold on drywall may result from a leaking or broken pipe, a leak in the roof, or basement flooding after a severe storm. It is tempting to just wipe the mold off the surface of the wall, but finding mold can be a big job, since there is a possibility there can also be mold inside the walls, including in the insulation and on wooden studs within the walls. Calling a mold remediation company is a good idea to have them safely and effectively deal with removing mold on drywall.

Porous materials like drywall have tiny holes or pores which can make the mold get trapped and difficult, usually impossible, to adequately remove mold. Unseen mold trapped in the pores of drywall can grow and spread and can also cause health problems. Since there is no effective way to remove mold from the pores of the drywall, the affected drywall must be removed and replaced. Removing drywall must be done carefully because cutting into moldy drywall causes mold spores to become airborne and spread.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that if mold covers more than 10 square feet, a professional remediation company should be hired to remove the mold. If it is a smaller job that you plan to handle yourself.

Furniture and other items should be removed from the area if possible or cover items securely with sheets of heavy plastic to protect them from mold spores. Cover heating and air conditioning vents to prevent mold spores from entering your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. A containment area should be made by using a large sheet of heavy plastic to tape over the doorway or area being remediated to keep mold spores from drifting out of the room and into other areas of the home. Also cover your floor with plastic to prevent the flooring from becoming contaminated with mold.

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like disposable gloves, disposable hair and shoe covers, and an N-95 or N-99 face mask should be worn during the mold removal process. The process of removing drywall that is contaminated with mold exposes you to mold spores that can make you sick if you fail to take the necessary safety precautions. First the drywall should be sprayed with water to prevent mold spores from becoming airborne as the drywall is taken down. The moldy pieces of drywall should be enclosed in heavy plastic trash bags before you carry them through the house, so as to prevent scattering mold spores.

If You Need Assistance with Mold Removal

If you think you may have a mold problem and need assistance with mold removal, call SERVPRO of West Akron at 330-867-5723. Our trained crew will examine and answer any questions you have about the mold removal process or visit: https://www.SERVPROwestakron.com/mold-remediation.

Water and Mold Damage From Winter Pipe-Breaks in Akron, OH

12/30/2022 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes that burst can cause water and mold damage to your Akron, Ohio home.

Ending 2022 with Winter Storm Elliott has overwhelmingly damaged many homes and commercial buildings in Akron, Ohio with water damage due to pipe-breaks. If water isn’t extracted and structure completely dried within 24-48 hours than mold growth will begin. There are a few simple steps that property owners can do to save thousands of dollars. Taking the necessary steps to avoid structural mold growth after a water damage will not only preserve the integrity of a building but also the health of its occupants. If tackling water restoration to prevent mold growth on your own, home and business owners must be proactive, act quickly, and use proper personal protection equipment when implementing the following 6 steps:

1. Turn off the main water supply to your home and call your local plumber. Remove any standing water using a pump or a wet vac.
2. Remove wet carpets, rugs, draperies, and personal belongings.
3. Remove and discard water-saturated sheetrock and insulation 18 inches above the highest watermark to increase structural drying. Remove water-damaged flexible ductwork and water-damaged insulation around metal ductwork.
4. Dry the structure out as quickly as possible as structural mold will begin to form in the first 24-48 hours. As soon as the above removal steps are completed, turn up the heat, circulate the air with fans, and use a dehumidifier to keep the indoor humidity below 50 percent. Hot, dry air dries things faster than cold moist air. If there is no electricity, open windows, and doors to get air moving to speed up the drying process, if weather permits.
5. Use s HEPA filter air scrubbers to remove any kind of mold particles from the air. 
6. Don’t use bleach to clean mold. Bleach is an effective sanitizer, but it will not remove mold at its “root”. The mold will look like it’s gone but it is not; it will only grow back.

Call SERVPRO of West Akron today if Mold Begins to Grow

We have what it takes to restore your home or business if you experience water or mold damage. Our crews have the experience, reliability, ability to do the job, and the honesty to take care of your home and the possessions inside it. We know what it takes to restore your Tallmadge, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls and Akron property to make it, “Like it never even happened.” Call us 24-hours a day, no job is too small to big for our team. We are always here to help at 330-867-5723 or visit our website at www.SERVPROwestakron.com. 

Causes of a Flooded Basement in Fairlawn, Ohio

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

A Fairlawn home experienced a flooded basement after a severe storm. The SERVPRO crews quickly restored their home.

A flooded basement can occur any day or any time of the year. A basement can flood from weather related events such as a heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt to older homes from dilapidated pipes or even the location of the home near a body of water.

Below are other causes from basement flooding:

• Foundation cracks
• Broken basement windows
• Poor-draining window wells
• Sewer system problems
• Sump pump problems
• Improperly sealed basement walls
• House located at the bottom of a slope
• Weeping tile blockage
• Overflowing rain gutters
• Improper downspout locations
• Appliance leaks
• Overflowing toilet or bathtub
• Drainage system failure
• Water heater failure

Proper home maintenance can prevent many of the above problems and could help save you in future water claims. For example, checking rain gutters and removing all debris. Sealing any cracks in your foundation as well as having your old pipes checked by a certified plumber to help prevent any leaking or breaking. For homes that sit on a slope, add landscaping or drainage pits to help reroute any excess water.

Call SERVPRO of West Akron for a Flooded Basement in Fairlawn, Ohio

If you have a water or flood damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of West Akron has emergency services 24 hours a day – 7 days a week! Our crews are highly trained to remove the damaged materials and begin the restoration process using specialized equipment to determine the wet areas, extracting any standing water and placing fans and dehumidifiers to remove all excess moisture to restore your home to "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO of West Akron your local water restoration and cleanup company at 330-867-5723!

SERVPRO Raving Fan Customer Water Restoration Reviews

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Joe is a project manager at SERVPRO of West Akron. Ask for Joe if you need a water or fire damage cleanup at 330-867-5723.

We strive every day to ensure that our quality of work is up to the highest standard and we are always so happy to get positive feedback from our customers.

Here are some recent quotes from real customers:

All I can say is thank you - thank you SERVPRO. I had a major flood in my basement, and being a new homeowner was more overwhelming than I could have ever imagined. Crying didn’t help but then I was told to call SERVPRO. they will take care of everything. and they did. And when I say everything, I mean everything. Joe, SERVPRO rep, came and sat with me and calmed me and went over the whole procedure. Then he had a team come out. They moved everything and got all the water out. There was a lot ruined and damaged, and needed to be trashed, but nothing was thrown out till my okay, and they took bags and bags and bags out. I never had to do one thing from beginning to end. They set up 16 fans to dry for 3 days and then came back to go over everything to make sure all was good. Completely dry and fresh smelling. I had a contractor come to put in a new water heater, and he could not say enough what a wonderful job SERVPRO did. He also said he would have told me to go to SERVPRO anyway. He’s been in situations like this before and usually there is always that slight musty smell, not mine!

Thank you SERVPRO. Vivian

They came and removed water damaged carpet and paneling from a room in my basement.
Extremely cordial, helpful answered all questions and examined what needed to be done and why .
Joe was extremely nice encouraging and knowledgeable about water damage .
Loved them
Thank you  CW

If water damage, from the smallest overflow from a toilet to full house flood from a pipe burst, threatens your home or office call SERVPRO of West Akron at 330-867-5723 and ask for Joe!

Storm Damage in Akron, Ohio? What's Covered?

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

A recent storm in Akron, Ohio caused damage to this garage. Make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage to restore any damage after a storm.

After a storm you may experience storm damage, how do you know if your covered?

After a storm comes through Akron, Ohio many homeowners will have to file a claim after discovering missing shingles, hail damage or even loose siding. Homeowners have insurance to protect their dwelling and their belongings against storm and flood damage. However, some damage is not covered under an insurance policy. There is insurance to cover such damage, but sometimes an insurance company may not pay out a weather-related home claim if it feels that the homeowner has not maintained their property.

What is wear and tear on a home?

A severe storm can cause shingles to lift and fall off, siding may be ripped off or hail damage to both roof and siding. Although, if a roof has already been damaged by age and general wear and tear then the insurance company may not cover the claim. When it comes to flooding from severe rainfall, a claim can be disputed against gutters that have not been kept clear of leaves and other debris can contribute to water damage to the property and may not be covered. When basements are water damaged a question of how the water entered comes into question. Do you have sump pump, foundation or even drain back up coverage? If it is not in your policy for coverage than you will not be covered. It is important to report a storm damage claim within 48 hours to make sure secondary damage does not occur. Calling a water damage restoration company such as SERVPRO can help you with determine how your water damaged happened. SERVPRO of West Akron works with all major insurance companies in water claims. We have the knowledge and experience with storm, wind, and water damage. To make sure your storm claim will be covered it is important to maintain your property along with checking your insurance company to see what your policy covers. If you are affected by a storm or water damage this Spring season, please call the professionals at SERVPRO of West Akron at 330-867-5723.

How to Deal with Fire and Smoke Damage in a Home or Business in Akron, Ohio

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

A fire damage to a commercial building in Akron, Ohio. Call the SERVPRO team if you need Cleaning, Restoration or Construction.

How to Deal with Fire and Smoke Damage in a Home or Business in Akron, Ohio

Even though it is not common for fire loss, soot damage, smoke damage or air quality problems to occur in any business or home today, trying to get things back in order is often a daunting task and traumatic experience for everyone involved. People and businesses can lose everything that they have in a matter of minutes without any advance preparation for fire loss, soot damage, smoke damage or air quality problems to be taken care of properly. Therefore, once the commercial fire damage consumes part or all of the property that it hits, people will need to devise a solid and reasonable commercial fire damage plan to restore everything that they can to a pre-fire damage condition. So, for those of you who may be interested in what a fire in home or fire in business restoration plan may entail, here’s a few things that you should know if this kind of fire loss, soot damage, smoke damage or air quality problems tragic situation happens to your home or business operation.

Typically, when a commercial fire damage situation hits any place, there are some common damages that will often occur every time. Specifically, when the fire department is called to the fire in home or fire in business site to put all of the commercial fire damage flames out. For instance, when a firefighter enters the fire in home or fire in business property, their first line of commercial fire damage defense is to use lots of water to extinguish the fire completely. Meaning once the fire has been extinguished, the steps that they have taken to control the fire will leave back ashes as well as quite a bit of fire loss, soot damage, smoke damage or air quality problems So, when a fire in home or fire in business restoration plan is put into place, it usually consists of getting rid of all of the flood waters, the fire and smoke damage.

To clean up these fire loss, soot damage, smoke damage or air quality problems damages properly, the best recommendations for restoring things back to its original condition is to contact a professional fire restoration company to assist with the clean-up. These teams are trained in a variety of different related clean-up measures including using the latest professional equipment, tools, and procedures. In fact, these professionals will make sure all of the water is dried up properly, fire damaged items are removed, and any smoke damage is taking care of without a hint of it being left behind. Therefore, these specialists may start by utilizing professional commercial heavy weight vacuums to remove all of the water from the carpeting. This equipment is essential for making sure the fire damage carpeting does not hold moisture that leads to mold and mildew in hidden fire cleanup places.

In addition to removing all of the water properly from the fire cleanup site, these fire cleanup crews are also trained in dealing with fire damage that need to be cleaned-up. More importantly, these fire in home or fire in business professionals are also trained in helping a business owner or a homeowner with saving items that can be salvaged and discarding or throwing items that cannot. Either way, the fire cleanup recommendations that they make to the business owner and their representatives will help to not only save money, but also time in getting things done as quickly as possible. With their fire cleanup efforts, the business can get back to business as soon as it is physically possible.

Cleaning up a property after fire damage does not have to be a monumental task for those who have been affected by the fire. This is because there are professional fire damage restoration teams of people that can assist with removing fire damage items, vacuuming up the waters that have been left back and restoring the area to a pre-fire condition as quickly as possible.

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat you with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – SERVPRO of West Akron 330-867-5723 or Visit https://www.SERVPROwestakron.com/ for more information on fire damage.

Be Prepared - CALL SERVPRO for Your Emergency Ready Profile

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of West Akron at 330-867-5723 to schedule an appointment for your Emergency Ready Profile.

Preparation is key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small leak, pipe break or an area flood from a large storm. The best time to plan for such water events is not when it happens, but before it happens. Facility owners and maintenance staff never plans on a disaster, but now you can plan for it by calling SERVPRO of West Akron we can ensure you and your business are "Ready for whatever happens", with our Emergency Ready Profile (ERP).

The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including:

1. Emergency Contact Information

2. Shut-off Valve locations 

3. Priority Areas

4. Building layout

The ERP is also accessible online using your computer, tablet or smartphone. Call us at 330-867-5723 to establish your free, no obligation Emergency Ready Profile.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration Specialists in Akron, Ohio

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment drying out a commercial building in Akron, Ohio after they experienced a pipe-break.

Water is the source of life, but it can cause destruction to your business. In the blink of an eye, water damage can cause everything from material destruction to structural rot and even foundation damage. To make matters worse, water often brings mold growth, which can put business operations on hold for a short or extremely long amount of time.

Commercial Water Damage

SERVPRO of West Akron receives calls daily from Akron, commercial buildings that have suffered a water loss due to pipe-breaks, sprinkler malfunctions, toilet overflows, sewage backups, floods and much more. Water damage is one of the biggest threats that will damage a property. It is crucial that the owner of a property recognize any water damage that has occurred and to quickly begin professional restoration and mitigation. Any amount of water can cause severe and long-lasting damage to drywall, flooring, and structural components. The quicker the SERVPRO of West Akron team is called out the better it will be for our team to restore instead of replacing saving the company money

Plan of Action

To be prepared, you need to develop a contingency plan in case of an emergency, as well as emergency procedures. SERVPRO of West Akron has an Emergency Ready Profile that is a free assessment of your facility for when such disasters strike your business. The SERVPRO ERP identifies the line of command for authorizing the cleanup and restoration to begin. This saves time which will get your business up and running quicker saving time and money. It also provides detailed information such as water and gas shut-off valve locations and priority contact information. This will provide the crews a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call.

Why Call SERVPRO?

The certified technicians at SERVPRO of West Akron are available to help your business and commercial property owners handle specialty cleaning projects such as duct cleaning, odor removal, graffiti removal, biohazard cleaning services, and so much more. Our technicians have the backing of a company with more than 50 years of experience in the restoration industry. We have the tools it takes to handle all water, fire, and specialty cleaning projects. Please do not wait until disaster strikes call SERVPRO of West Akron today to get your individualized Emergency Ready Profile for your commercial facility ~ 330-867-5723!

House Fire Prevention Tips to your Stow Ohio Home

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

A fire caused severe damage in this Stow, Ohio kitchen.

Fires are unpredictable and seem to start from nowhere, causing damage to the home. Homeowners go to great lengths to avoid fires, but despite years of ad campaigns and awareness advertisements, more than 25% of all fires still occur in the home.

The top causes of house fires and how you can prevent them:

• Cooking: Cooking leads the list as the top cause of home fires and injuries with very little causalities. Unattended cooking is the number one reason that is why almost half of all home fires start in the kitchen. To avoid Want to avoid a fire at home? Stay in the kitchen at the stove or grill while your food is being prepared.
• Heating Appliances: Heating equipment is responsible for 14% of all home fires nationally. A combination of mishaps, equipment malfunctions and flammable materials placed too close to heat sources lead to this scenario, and portable space heaters are the top culprit.
• Electrical Mishaps: Electrical safety has improved over the years as new technology is introduced and building codes are updated. While appliances and electrical devices in the home are generally more efficient and require less electricity, there are more of these devices in the home, driving up the usage of electricity. Faulty wiring and the overloading of circuits are factors that contribute to electrical fires at home. Other top causes are the use of frayed or faulty outlets and appliance cords or extension cords that are damaged.
• Arson: Unfortunately, over 28,000 intentional home firesare started every year. Intentional home fires, or arson, still happens at an alarming rate. Some of the reasons are pyromania, crime concealment and vandalism.
• Smoking/Vaping: According to the CDC, smoking has declined by two-thirdsin the past 50 years after the Surgeon General warned of health consequences. But tragically, despite only being responsible for 5% of home fire occurrences, fires started by smoking materials are the leading cause of civilian fire deaths.

Regardless of the cause of loss, SERVPRO West Akron is here for you if your home or business is affected by fire. Call the professional and knowledgeable team at 330-867-5723 to see how we can help.