Wildfires Bring Us Together

7/18/2021 (Permalink)

We care so much about our local communities and nothing will stop us from assisting those in need.

In 2018, huge wildfires broke out all over Southern California. Wildfire season is extremely dangerous. In 2018, it was recorded that that year was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season in California at the time. The total acres consumed by the fire was 1,893,913. Not just the hills were burning, many homes and businesses were caught up in this natural disaster. That is where we came into the picture.

Our crew who specializes in fire damage cleanup and restoration came to the aid of the residents affected and wanted to help in a big way. Although the affected area was out of our territory, we were not going to let that stop us from helping those in need. We drove out and helped an insane amount of families get their homes and lives back to normal. We care so much about our local communities and nothing will stop us from assisting those in need.

Develop an Emergency Plan for Your Business in 3 Steps

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Conduct a fire drill and storm drill regularly.

Create an Emergency Plan for Your Business

Emergency drills are an essential element of a disaster preparedness plan in your Santa Fe Springs, CA, business. Some office management companies and landlords include drills as a requirement in their leases. Here are three steps to creating a fire drill or storm drill for your company.

1. Develop a Plan
The first step is to identify potential evacuation routes in case you need to leave your building. Consider these questions:

• Where is a fire most likely to break out?
  
• Is there a fire drill evacuation route accessible to employees with special needs?
  
• Are the routes clear and easy to follow?
  
  

If storms with tornadoes or high winds are possible, you can also identify the best shelter locations in your building. A small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor or basement is best. People should stay away from doors or windows. Avoid areas with wide, flat rooftops.

2. Communicate the Plan
Go over your plan with employees so that they know what to do in case of a disaster. Workers should know the location of fire exits and tornado shelters. Enlist the cooperation of managers and executives to prepare for business interruption while you conduct the drill.
It's helpful to designate an emergency response team. You can assign duties such as:

• Making sure the building is clear
  
• Notifying first responders
  
• Calling your landlord, insurance agent and professional remediation specialists after the disaster
  
  

Ensure your response team is trained and prepared before your first drill.

3. Rehearse the Plan
Holding drills regularly can help evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures go smoothly. When drills are part of a routine, employees know what to do, allowing them to head to safety quickly and efficiently. Staying current on drills also gives you a chance to evaluate your plan and make necessary changes.
Conducting a fire drill and storm drill regularly can keep you in compliance with building regulations. Most importantly, it helps you keep your employees safe in the event of an emergency.

Commercial Storm Help

5/23/2021 (Permalink)

We did our best to bring our crew in with the right equipment to remove the bad smells and rid it of the dust and ash all over the place.

Many businesses and commercial buildings were affected by this big wildfire storm a while back in La Mirada. In urgent times we may need to get things from these nearby establishments. Helping to make sure these places could stay open was one of our main goals.

We helped a church that faced fire and smoke damage get back to its original conditions. This church was probably a refuge to a lot of people in the area and having it closed down, could have been a big deal to the community.

We did our best to bring our crew in with the right equipment to remove the bad smells and rid it of the dust and ash all over the place. All the people who attended that church were so grateful for our services!

A Variety of Techniques Used to Limit Flood Damage

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Sandbags are heavy and labor-intensive.

If you have ever worked to stop a flood, you might have some strong feelings about the ubiquitous sandbag. After all, this method of stopping high waters has been in use for well over a century, and it has many benefits. It is cheap and inexpensive and it forms a strong barrier to incoming water. On the negative side, though, sandbags are heavy and labor-intensive; if you have spent hours stacking them you completely understand this fact. For best results, the bags should be filled about half full and left untied at the top, though folded over. This makes them easier to lift and to stack tightly.

Alternatives to the Sand Bag

If sand is not widely available, the bags can be filled with silt, which works nearly as well. Clay is an even more effective substance for flood dams, but it is notoriously difficult to put into bags, a nearly fatal flaw. Several other alternatives are in use during floods:

• The Hesco Bastion barrier requires heavy equipment and trained installers
  
• The Portadam which has been tested by the Army Corps of Engineers
  
• The Rapid Deployment Flood Wall showed lower seepage rates than sandbags
  
  

A company can also install more permanent barriers. These options include levees and earth berms which seek to divert water away from a building.

Options for Containing Flood Damage
If the water is just too high, your company in La Mirada, CA, is likely to take on water. At this point, it is advisable to call in the services of a trained water mitigation team. The company will have a proven process to deal with water damage quickly and efficiently, working to limit the impact on your company and its bottom line. They will quickly remove any standing water, dry out saturated areas and clean surfaces tainted with dirty floodwaters. Both the low-tech sandbag and the advanced skills of a restoration team could play a role in protecting your company.

When Storms or Floods hit La Mirada / South Whittier, SERVPRO is ready!

11/22/2020 (Permalink)

Storm floods are very devastating

SERVPRO of La Mirada / South Whittier specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we can respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit La Mirada / South Whittier, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (714) 735-8927

How to Prevent Storm Floods in Your Home

11/22/2020 (Permalink)

Prevent storm flood damage by being proactive

The first thing you need to ensure is that your homeowner’s insurance covers flooding damage. This is very important if you’re living in a flood-prone area. You can also learn how to prevent storm floods from destroying your home with the tips below. 

Inspect your foundation and seal cracks 

The foundation is a crucial part of your home and this can be an entryway for flood water. This is why you need to inspect this area and check if there are any cracks. You can use mortar or masonry caulk for minor cracks. However, you do need to ask for professional help for major cracks.  

Install a battery-powered sump pump 

A sump pump is an effective tool to prevent flooding in your home. This device pumps out excess water out of your home. They’re usually installed in the basement where flooding is prevalent. Have a certified professional install the sump pump for the best results. It’s also best to have a sump pump that has a battery backup. 

No obstructions on the gutter and drains 

Check if there are obstructions on the gutter and drains. Remove them immediately since you want to keep your gutter and drains drain water effectively.

How to Handle the Aftermath of a Storm Damage

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of La Mirada-Whittier Does Restoration Services for Flooded Properties

It’s difficult to repair your home or business after it’s damaged by water or storm floods. Fortunately, you can take action to repair your property and get back on your feet in less time. Here are our tips on what to do after your property has undergone storm damage.

Avoid Staying in the Property

The structure of your property might not be as strong as it used to be. Avoid living or staying in the property after it has been damaged. Have a professional check it to assess the damage.

Contact the Insurance Company

Make sure to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. The sooner you inform them of your property damage, the sooner they can begin to assess the damage and process your claim. Also, be sure to keep receipts if you’re staying at a hotel should such expenses be covered by your insurance company. 

Avoid Permanent Fixes until Your Insurance Claim is Officially Good to Go

This is to ensure the expense for your repair will be covered by the insurance company.

Make Sure the Repair Company is Reputable

Some contractors might go door-to-door after a storm disaster to offer their services. While urgent repair is important, you first need to make sure the repair company offers quality service and has a great reputation.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (714) 361-0572

FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER

SERVPRO of La Mirada/Whittier is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We’re also part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises, which gives us access to more resources for larger cleaning or restoration projects or major storm scenarios.