It’s been raining off and on for days. You walk into the basement, and you find water on the floor. What do you do? This water damage is something no homeowner or business owner wants to deal with. Unfortunately, it happens all too often. Sump pumps fail. We have leaks or cracks that let water seep in. It’s a disaster! Your basement is not supposed to have water in it. When this happens, you can use these tips to help prevent excessive damage.
1. Move Quickly to Mitigate Water Damage
The faster you move, the faster you can get things back to normal. There are two things you need to take care of quickly. The first is to figure out why you have water in the basement. Maybe your downspout needs to be adjusted. Or perhaps it is time to clean the sump pump or get a new one. Pinpointing what led to moisture in the basement will help you figure out what to do next.
The next thing to do is remove the water. Reacting quickly and starting to extract water right away will help to mitigate the damages. Call a professional water damage restoration team to help. These teams have industrial equipment that will move water quickly. They have the expertise you need to handle things efficiently.
Fast action prevents mold and other damage to your structure and belongings.
2. Move Items Out of the Water
Next, start moving anything that isn’t ruined out of the water. This includes furniture, appliances, personal belongings, and more. Anything that you can salvage and move to dry ground needs to get out of the wetness. It may be too late for some things. Turn your focus to the items you can still salvage.
If you can, put them in places where they can begin to dry out. You want to make sure the items are safe, so keep that in mind.
3. Dry It Up
Now, let’s get to drying! Everything has to be dry. That means the floor and your belongings. It also means drywall, wood, and structural materials. Again, a professional restoration team will be able to use their industrial equipment to speed up the drying process. Drying materials can take a little while. Depending on the equipment and expertise, it may take several days to dry everything out.
One of the unfortunate side effects of water damage is mold potential. The risk of mold is why you need to move so quickly to extract water and dry things out.
Semper Fi is Here for Your Water Damage Restoration Needs
When you find yourself dealing with water in the basement, or any other water damage issues, we can help! Semper Fi has the expertise and the equipment to extract water, dry things up, and restore your space when the damage occurs. Being proactive and moving quickly are key factors to reducing your water damages when they occur.
We are available 24/7, so don’t hesitate when you find water in the basement. We are here for you!
Have you ever wondered how professional tile and grout services seem to be able to get the space so clean? You’ve scrubbed and scrubbed and spent hours with DIY cleaning treatments, but it’s never quite as clean in the end.
The big difference is that professional services have specialized training, but they also have specialized equipment and processes to help make it happen. Here are a few insights that will help you better understand why the tile and grout are so clean after professional services.
Detailed Processes
You likely have a process when you’re working on cleaning. It involves sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or whatever steps you follow. It’s much the same with professionals, but their processes are even more detailed, with a very particular step-by-step approach.
They start with a basic vacuum to help clean up loose dirt and debris. Each step is thorough and follows a purpose designed to really work out the dirt beneath the surface of the tile.
Professional Products
The products they use are stronger and are designed specifically for cleaning tile and grout. These products help them to get even the toughest of dirt and stains removed from your tile. A professional will spot treat places that have discoloration or harsh stains.
Their products are specialized for this purpose, and they know how to use them properly to achieve clean results.
Steaming
Professionals will generally follow up their mopping and stain treatments with a steaming process. Steaming the tile will help to pull out any of the dirt that has settled deep into the grout pores, causing discoloration or unsightly problems. The steam will also sanitize the tile and grout, removing bacteria and mold along the way.
Polishers, Sealants, and Refreshers
Another thing that professional tile and grout services can do is spruce up tile and grout that’s starting to look dingy and dated. There are special products that can be applied to both tiles and grout designed to refresh the look. Not all tile and grout cleaning companies provide this step, but it can make your tile look great.
These approaches add a protective layer that will spruce it up and look almost brand-new.
Training for Tile and Grout Services
It might seem simple to clean up your floors, but professionals don’t use everyday processes. They go through training to learn exactly what needs to be done to achieve a clean floor. They learn to use industrial tools, equipment, and cleaning products as well. It’s not just about knowing what to do, but also about learning the steps to follow and how to use these specialized products to accomplish the desired results.
Give Us a Call for Professional Tile and Grout Services
If your tiles are looking a little dirty or dingy, it’s time to get them professionally cleaned. Contact us at Semper Fi to get on our schedule. Your floors deserve a refresh. Let us take on the challenge so you can enjoy those shiny tiles when we’re through!
Carpet cleaning is one of those things that we tend to put off as long as possible. We vacuum regularly and the carpet looks fine, so do we really need to deep clean it? The thing about carpets is that there can be a lot hiding beneath the surface. You want to have those carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year, maybe more in some cases.
Take a look at these 5 reasons to stop avoiding your carpet care needs.
1. Vacuuming Doesn’t Cut It for Carpet Cleaning
The first reason to stop avoiding cleaning the carpets is that vacuuming alone simply isn’t enough. Your carpets can hold several pounds of dirt and debris in them. All of this nasty stuff settles down in the depths of the carpet, well below the surface.
Even the best vacuums can’t pick up all of that gunk and junk. While vacuuming certainly makes a difference and will get some of it, you’re leaving a lot behind. The only way to really get into the depths is with professional cleaning equipment.
2. Tackle the Stains
We know you see that stain over there. The one that you moved the coffee table to try to conceal. While moving furniture might help conceal stains, it won’t get rid of them. Even when you spot clean stains, there are layers of that stain beneath the top surface of your carpet.
Do you know what can tackle those stains to even their depths? You got it! It’s carpet cleaning time. Deep cleaning the carpets tackles the stain on a deeper level. It won’t just reduce it or lighten it; proper treatment will help to eradicate stains from the depths.
3. Stay Healthy, Friends
We mentioned all that gunk and junk beneath the surface layer of your carpet. We’re talking about pet dander, dust, dust mites, allergens, pollen, and more. All of these things can lead to compounding health issues for people in your household.
The junk hidden in the carpet could aggravate allergies and other health ailments for your family. Things like allergic reactions, asthma, and even coughs and colds could be exacerbated by ignoring your carpets.
4. Long Live the Carpets!
Carpet is not a cheap investment. You want your carpets to last for years to come, right? One of the best ways to extend the life of your carpets is by regularly deep cleaning them. And we don’t mean using a rental cleaner that can leave behind residue and other people’s germs.
We mean a true professional cleaning to help get rid of dirt, grime, and other nasty things hiding in there. The cleaning will refresh the appearance as well as remove things that are wearing down your carpets.
5. Stop the Smell
Finally, over time, carpets can begin to smell a little bit funky. Cleaning them can help get rid of those smells. The odors are a normal by-product of use, as well as musty or mildewy fibers that make their way into the carpets.
They don’t have to smell funky. Clean that mess up and stop the smell.
Professional Carpet Cleaning with Semper Fi
If you’re due for a carpet cleaning, give us a call! It’s time to stop avoiding something that will make a huge difference in your home. Semper Fi utilizes a six-step process to protect your carpet for the long haul.
There are significant differences between traditional restoration or cleaning and biohazard restoration or cleaning. While both have specific requirements and needs, biohazard treatment requires additional steps and safety. A person should be certified and trained in order to handle these scenarios.
Take a look at these top reasons to hire a professional.
What is Biohazard Restoration?
A biohazard is an unusual circumstance. It’s not a normal stain or spill or water damage situation. The term “biohazard” refers to anything that causes a risk to human health or environments. There are several things that can fall under this definition. Here are a few examples:
Animal waste
Human waste
Infectious waste
Sharps
Human blood
Human bodily fluids
Viruses
Biological waste
Pathological waste
Toxic waste or chemicals
In most cases where restoration or specialized cleaning is needed, the biohazard is human blood or bodily fluids, or it could be in reference to a virus or chemical spill.
Cleaning and Restoration Protocols
When you’re dealing with most cleaning and restoration jobs, it’s a simple matter of coming in and doing the work. But when you’re talking about something that’s a biohazard, it’s a whole different subject.
The EPA and CDC have very specific requirements for how cleaning should occur with these contaminants. When we come in as professionals, we follow strict rules and ensure that every bit of cleaning is in compliance with these protocols.
There are rules for specific safety equipment and decontamination processes to follow. The protocols even dictate disposal of contaminated items.
Emotional Impacts
Chances are if you’re dealing with a biohazard situation, you’ve been through enough. Whether it’s a death or crime scene or there has been some virus or chemical spill, there’s a lot for you to handle.
Having to clean up the aftermath when you already have a challenging situation will certainly challenge your mental health. Let the professionals handle this so that you don’t have to bear the burden.
Facing the scene for cleanup will be very hard on you, and that’s too much for you to carry on your own.
It’s More Than Just Cleaning
When a biohazard occurs, there are certainly major cleaning responsibilities. But it’s also more than just cleaning that has to happen. The space has to be contained and any surrounding areas that may have been affected will also have to be sanitized and disinfected.
A professional team will know what to look for and how to contain the area to get the job done. It’s not just wiping up blood or fluids. Cleaning goes well beyond that. Hiring a professional will likely save you some time and money when you think about avoiding long-term issues.
Let Us Help With Your Biohazard Restoration Needs
If you’re facing a biohazard situation, let us help. Semper Fi has teams that are trained and certified to take care of this for you. Our teams treat every scenario with discretion and the utmost care. Let us take on this burden for you so you can focus on other things that matter.
It’s better to be prepared and proactive about mold removal services than to ignore a situation and have it get worse. Knowing when and where your home may be more susceptible to mold can be helpful. In most cases, mold comes from high levels of moisture or humidity. These are sure signs that you can monitor.
Check out these most common household places you might find mold.
Bathrooms are Hotspots for Mold Removal
The bathroom is a common problem area for mold growth. This room gets a lot of moisture from baths and showers. All too often, they are not ventilated properly. This leads to excessive humidity and moisture. The result is mold growth.
One thing that you can do is add ventilation. A window or a vent fan will help a lot in this type of room. Do your best to clean up puddles and air out the room after a hot shower or bath.
Basements Need Mold Removal
The basement is almost always at risk of mold. The challenge is that basements are dark and damp. But they don’t have to be. You just need to take action to make them less so. Consider waterproofing your basement and ensuring you have proper drainage systems in place.
It might also be worth using a dehumidifier or installing some sort of moisture control system.
Leaky or Moist Areas
If your home has anywhere that has been prone to leaking or often has excessive moisture, this will be a common place to find mold growth. It’s not always the same spots in every home. Mold comes from the positive growing conditions and not just the room or space you’re in.
When you have water leaks or water damage, get these taken care of as soon as possible.
HVAC Units and Ventilation Ducts
This is an area that can have mold and you never realize it. Mold spores float through the air and get captured and filtered through your system. A really great air filter will help protect your home. However, it might be a good idea to have your unit cleaned and your air ducts too.
Around or Under Sinks
The sink can be a hot spot for mold or mildew. Why? Well, because it’s a place of moisture. The mold that might grow around the sink could be mostly around the edges and around the faucet. Then, you also need to watch places beneath the sink. If there is any type of leaking or dripping, this could increase the chances of mold growth.
Mattress, Upholstery, or Carpet
Places like your carpet, upholstery, and mattresses can be housing mold inside of them. While it’s not static mold growth like the walls get, it’s still mold. Moisture or mold spores can make their way into the depths of these spots and thrive there.
You may not ever see it, but you will notice potential side effects from mold being present.
We Can Help with Your Mold Removal Needs
If you’re dealing with or suspect mold in your home, we can help. Semper Fi Yuma has specialized training in removing mold. Our teams are prepared to come in and safely handle the issue so that your household can be healthy and happy again.
