Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

Why Shreveport Properties Need Skilled Mold Removal

4/30/2023 (Permalink)

mold growing on the wall of a room Once mold damage is noticed, there is no going back. With one call to SERVPRO, you can get an assessment and remediation services.

SERVPRO Features Mold Remediation Experts for Results

Homeowners often make a series of mistakes when they notice mold development or musty odors in their Shreveport property. Not only is it detrimental to hold off on cleanup, but it is also harmful to dive in using over-the-counter products and DIY methods. Whether you suspect mold under your kitchen cabinets, in your bathroom, or in another area of your home, you must have professionals to tackle safe, efficient mold remediation. SERVPRO features IICRC-certified technicians to help you ensure you get the results you need to avoid hazards and costly secondary damage.

Why is SERVPRO the answer when you need professional mold cleanup in Shreveport? Because we use proven methods, follow enhanced safety protocols, and bring all the best equipment to each project. Our inspection and cleanup efforts are all about generating results. We also work to correct the cause of the mold problem to help prevent it from returning.

The SERVPRO mold remediation advantage

  • Mold Testing – Several factors may lead to microbial growth from your HVAC system, improper ventilation, or a hidden pipe leak. The source must get addressed so all colonization areas can be thoroughly sanitized and deodorized. We can facilitate mold testing to have samples further evaluated at a lab. 
  • Mold Cleanup – Our technicians have access to a broad range of technology, including air scrubbers with HEPA filtration and vacuums to pull up surface spores. Everything is done with containment barriers and negative pressure systems to keep spores from becoming airborne and moving into unaffected areas. 
  • Thorough Cleaning – Your home deserves to be Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, so we do so with powerful cleaning agents and proven odor control methods. Our crew removes bacteria, sanitizes all surfaces, and eliminates musty odors. 

No Shreveport homeowner should leave mold remediation to chance. Contact SERVPRO of South Shreveport by requesting help online or by calling (318) 865-4655. We will send a crew out to begin inspection and cleanup services as soon as possible to make your property “Like it never even happened.”

Mold Damage is No Match for Professional Methods in Shreveport

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO van parked under an awning Our skilled technicians have the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to get your Shreveport home back in order after mold damage.

SERVPRO Performs Skilled Mold Damage Cleanup for Shreveport Properties

It is never a fun experience to find mold growing anywhere in your Shreveport home or business. To keep it from colonizing and spreading further, you need quick action and careful methods for the best results. While there are countless types of mold, you need to know that some are more harmful than others. Mold is everywhere, but you never want it within your living or workspace. Should you suspect black mold growth in your home, you can contact SERVPRO for skilled mold remediation to handle it safely and effectively.

Why not just clean up the mold damage in your Shreveport home yourself? Because trained professionals know how mold develops and the right way to safely clean it so that all parties involved are protected. Let’s go over how mold grows:

  • Tiny mold spores move through the air, floating around dormant as they look for the ideal conditions to settle and colonize.
  • The perfect conditions for mold growth include moist, dark, and warm spaces with organic substances to feed on – drywall, paper goods, carpeting, and more.
  • Excessive moisture, humid conditions, and water damage within your home can spell disaster if not remedied fast. This leaves areas like attics, crawlspaces, flooring, and cabinetry susceptible to mold growth.

Why Should a Business Use Professional Mold Cleanup Versus In-house Cleaning Personnel?

Any business wants to create a comfortable, safe establishment for clients, customers, and staff. Hiring mold remediation ensures you get the right level of cleaning to rest assured all who enter can breathe safely. We never claim to remove mold altogether, which is impossible to do. Instead, we meticulously clean all surfaces, pulling up spores safely to keep them from spreading and sanitizing everything – Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Mold Infestation and Your Home’s Property Value

If you are hoping to put your home on the market in the future, the last thing you want is mold to pop up during an inspection or potential buyer walkthrough. Even the slightest bit of mold can multiply into something more involved, thus impacting your property value. Additionally, the smell of mold is enough to turn buyers around before they even finish the viewing or open house.

Should you suspect mold is present in your home, look for some of the following signs and then call us at SERVPRO:

  • Dark spots developing on the ceiling, floors, and/or walls
  • Visible mold spores or clusters
  • Musty, damp, or foul odors
  • Wallpaper or paint that is peeling with dark spots beneath

The sooner you have our team at your door to begin mold remediation, the quicker we can prevent a significant infestation from developing. We may be able to salvage furnishings, floorboards, drywall, and other elements that have been impacted by mold. For all materials beyond cleaning and repair, we can perform controlled demolition to remove and replace to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Our SERVPRO technicians know how to spot mold, which we look for with our initial inspection and assessment of your property. We put on personal protective equipment (PPE) and put containment barriers in place to keep spores from floating through the air or getting tracked into unimpacted areas of your building. We use vacuums and techniques to pull up spores while cleaning all surfaces thoroughly with antimicrobials and other cleaning agents. Everything gets sanitized and deodorized so that you can rest assured your family and pets are free to enter once again after we get done.

Mold damage is no match for our highly-trained technicians at SERVPRO of South Shreveport. Give us a call to set up your mold remediation project by dialing (318) 865-4655.

Mold Removal Precautions at Shreveport Properties

11/22/2022 (Permalink)

Mold remediation project at a home SERVPRO provides quality mold remediation services in your area. Call now for the fast and immediate service you need.

Safe Mold Cleanup in Your Shreveport Home with SERVPRO

Mold is a significant nuisance in homes. It discolors drywall, produces a musty smell, shows up as black spots on the siding, blackens the grout lines in shower tiles, and rots damp wood everywhere in a Shreveport home. When you notice microbial growth in your home, there is a moisture problem around that area. Moisture presence causes mold spores to swell and propagate by sending out a network of structures. Therefore it is essential to locate the moisture source and take steps to remedy it before cleaning the affected areas.

Mold removal at your Shreveport home requires more than a wipe-off. However, there are things one can do to minimize spreading before experts arrive. SERVPRO professionals inspect your home for visible signs and locate any hidden moisture source so the problem does not return once affected areas have been cleaned.

Before help arrives

  • Turn off the HVAC system and other air-moving equipment
  • Do not disturb or touch the mold
  • Do not spray disinfectant or bleach
  • Do not paint over it

Removing mold in porous surfaces

Mold affects surfaces and materials differently. Professionals, therefore, apply cleaning techniques based on the type of surface. If the material is porous, like a ceiling tile or insulation, and is extensively contaminated, it is best to remove it completely. However, If only a small area on walls or ceilings of sheetrock or plaster is affected, SERVPRO can stop spreading by cleaning the room. Using vacuums with HEPA filters, our crews vacuum loose spores, followed by wire brushing to remove the remaining colonies. When performing these tasks, we ensure our teams wear proper protective gear and that the contaminated area is covered with plastic sheeting to prevent cross-contamination.  

Essential materials include

  • 6-mil plastic bags for disposal
  • Antimicrobial solution
  • Heavy-duty cleaner

SERVPRO of South Shreveport uses the right mold removal approach minimizing the chances of a re-occurrence. Call us at (318) 865-4655. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why Calling for Pro Water Damage Repair is Best in Shreveport

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

a flooded laundry room with water spilling from the washer and onto the floor Regardless of the room in which the water damage occurs, team SERVPRO is standing by 24/7 ready and waiting to help. Contact us right away.

SERVPRO Delivers Efficient Water Damage Repair for Shreveport Residents

Water restoration is something that takes skill and training, which is something we strive to maintain at SERVPRO. When you have burst pipes or flooding from your washing machine malfunctioning, you need professionals at your door to get to work. DIY is never recommended, as you risk missing hidden moisture and a host of hazards. SERVPRO arrives fast and gets to work so you can have your house back to normal.

Why SERVPRO for water damage repair in Shreveport? Because our team has all been IICRC trained and certified. We commit to regular training to stay up on the latest industry trends to bring you the water restoration results you deserve.

Water detection, monitoring, and drying are key

Before any reconstruction can begin, we initiate water removal services and look for areas of hidden moisture. By setting up equipment like dehumidifiers and industrial fans, we increase airflow and lower relative humidity – thus aiding in our quest to achieve our drying goals.

  • We handle the removal of all trapped water behind walls and under flooring or cabinets.
  • Our technicians may put weep holes in the walls to allow water to escape so that we dry the interior cavity.
  • Flood cuts might get done to remove drywall up to a few inches above the water line and then replace it with all new drywall. 

All reconstruction and repair get carried out by area partners and contractors. We want to ensure that once your interior is dry, all materials get replaced and refinished to make it “Like it never even happened.” You can also count on us as your insurance liaison to ensure your documentation is in order, so your claim for water damage goes as smoothly as possible. 

Why wait? Call us at SERVPRO of South Shreveport whenever you need help with water damage repair. Our customer care team is available 24/7 at (318) 865-4655, or you can request assistance online.

Why SERVPRO for Residential Mold Inspection?

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

a SERVPRO vehicle parked in front of a house Don’t be caught off guard by a mold infestation in your home. Stay vigilant and contact SERVPRO at the first sight or smell to inspect and remediate.

Shreveport Area Mold Threats Can Go Unnoticed for Months or Years

Inert, individual mold spores are smaller than the eye can see and no more threatening than dust. Once they have a water source, however, spores become active and can quickly expand throughout a home.

Professional mold inspection for Shreveport homes is needed since mold colonies grow best where residents don’t, or can’t, get into. Our technicians know to look under insulation in attics, check inside every wall, and examine every exposed pipe for a leak or other water source. After finding it, they take the following steps:

  • Remove the water source
  • Spray mold-covered surfaces with antifungal cleaners
  • Remove mold from surfaces for disposal

IICRC-certified technicians dry the water source with sponges and cloths and make repairs if the leak is a minor problem. Next, they clean every affected surface with a cleaner that kills active and inert spores. In many homes, they can scrape or wipe off the mold for disposal. If the spores penetrated surfaces, they can sand wood surfaces to remove them or replace more delicate material like drywall panels. 

For professional mold inspection and removal, call SERVPRO of South Shreveport at (318) 865-4655.

Need Fire Damage Inspection Assessment in Shreveport – Call SERVPRO

5/29/2022 (Permalink)

a fire damaged kitchen with soot and debris covering everything Looking around at the fire damage scene in your home can certainly cause panic. Partner with SERVPRO to mitigate the situation and help to remediate.

SERVPRO Provides Fire Damage Inspections, Assessments, and Restoration in Shreveport

Fire, water, and smoke damage can leave homeowners devastated and overwhelmed. The damage and the mess left over after the fire makes homeowners feel that everything must be replaced or rebuilt. The task is huge, and where do you start?

Hiring a firm like SERVPRO can make a huge difference in dealing with fire damage in your home in Shreveport. Our experience, team members, and equipment can quickly make sense of the mess and provide you with answers regarding how to proceed.

Once the fire department leaves, our fire damage inspection team assesses the damage from the actual fire, damage from the materials used to quell the fire, and the smoke and odors in the home. Your home is at its worst before we begin controlled demolition, cleaning, and odor removal. Once the inspection and assessment are complete, SERVPRO provides a detailed plan to clean and restore your home to its original condition, “Like it never even happened.”

We also work closely with your insurance company regarding any fire insurance claims permissible under your insurance coverage. SERVPRO handles all of the paperwork and documentation to support your claim. We help you manage the financial loss from the fire.

SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified professionals provide extensive building services support to our clients to assist in all aspects of the restoration to save you time and expense. We coordinate all of the building services you may need, including general contracting and electrical and plumbing services. We also provide temporary services such as roof tarp coverage, temporary warehouse space, temporary fencing, and more.

SERVPRO provides fire damage services to our clients, including:

  • House Fire Cleanup
  • Fire restoration
  • Smoke remediation and odor removal

Call the fire damage specialists from SERVPRO of South Shreveport and nearby areas for assistance. We can help 24/7. Call (318) 865-4655.

Moisture and Mold Are Partners in Forbing Properties --Until SERVPRO Arrives

5/29/2022 (Permalink)

a man looking at a mold covered wall in his kitchen When a mold infestation affects your kitchen, the professionals need to be brought in. Call SERVPRO immediately to assess and remediate the damage.

Why SERVPRO May Repair Drips and Leaks Before Starting Mold Remediation Work on Your Forbing Home

Almost every home has one or two drips, somewhere from top to bottom, and many go unnoticed for months or even years. While a drip in the kitchen sink can keep people up at night, carpeting or other flooring types can muffle the sound enough that drips in other areas are relatively silent. When this happens, homeowners do not know that they are losing water.

The reason why it is so crucial for SERVPRO to eliminate slow leaks in a Forbing property before remediating any mold damage is to make the environment inhospitable to microbes as soon as possible. When we begin cleaning up mold, it releases spores into the air so it can propagate itself. If these spores land in moist environments, they can start growing immediately. However, if spores land in dry places, they cannot become active and cause problems.

We rely on our equipment to get materials dry inside your house, as well as to protect it from contamination by loosened mold particles and spores. We find these places by using specialized cameras that reveal the moisture in your home. Infrared imaging picks up on even the slightest difference in temperature, allowing us to 'see' the lost water that you might never know about otherwise.

We track these leaks down to their source. Then we can start sealing up leaks, tightening joints in pipes, and securing loosened water lines to their appliances to stop water loss. Air movers completely dry the area, with multi-purpose Injectidry units helping where needed. We might also opt to use desiccant dehumidifiers when water losses seem extensive.

Before we begin cutting away moldy walls and ceilings or cleaning mold-covered surfaces, we enclose the area with effective chambers made of plastic sheeting. Inside, each room contains an air scrubber with flexible tubing which we use to draw air inside your home to the outdoors. This air can contain microbes, dust, lint, fibers, and spores. Because of the negative pressure, these cannot escape into your home, but instead, get pulled into the air scrubber and either become trapped inside its filter or pushed through the tubing to the exterior.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport promises to arrive at your property with the skills and equipment needed to perform a thorough mold remediation job and make things “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (318) 865-4655 to receive more information on how we can help you protect your home and prevent possible health effects caused by the presence of mold.

Why SERVPRO for a Commonsense Approach to Mold Damage in Shreveport?

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

MOLD lettering by black mold growth on white wall by a window Rely on the trained mold remediation technicians from SERVPRO to make your Shreveport property appear “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Technicians Assess and then Remediate a Mold Infestation in Your Home

Extreme weather patterns and general climate conditions common in the Shreveport area cause residents concerns about mold growth and damage on a frequent basis. Whether considering our 52 plus inches of rain per year, summer temperatures nearing 100 degrees, or humidity that can reach 90 percent, the area offers molds supportive growing conditions year-round. Our experienced mold remediation crews have the training, skills, and equipment for successful abatement in your home.

When we respond to a mold damage scenario in Shreveport, expect a swift assessment prior to employment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocol. Mold remediation follows several steps. Some focused on removing the current mold infestation, and others aimed at taking a proactive approach to inhibiting future microbial damage. Our technicians train to these tasks thoroughly, mastering the basics revisiting the procedures over time in continuing education classes and e-seminars.

First, SERVPRO employees contain the moldy area to prevent the spread of mold spores and debris to other spaces in your home. Physical barriers like heavy plastic sheeting are part of the plan. Still, we also invest in high-efficiency negative pressure air scrubbers to vent and filter the mold-filled atmosphere in the affected area. Our team wears personal protective gear during the process and keeps you and your family safely out of the treatment area.

Then the mold and any porous material it infiltrated is removed and bagged for hazardous waste disposal. We follow legal requirements in place for your and the public’s safety. HEPA filter-equipped vacuums help remove the last moldy particles, and SERVPRO crews disinfect the space using EPA registered antimicrobials.

Finally, we confirm the source of moisture and develop a plan to eliminate it. Mold always returns if the water that sustains continues to intrude. Roofs and gutter drainage systems must be in top-notch condition in our rain-prone neighborhoods. Any flooding must be remediated immediately after severe storms to prevent molds from taking hold. SERVPRO employees are familiar with the typical roof and foundation fails that spell water damage and resultant mold growth. We work with you to fix these issues.

High humidity by itself can cause mold growth. Our semi-tropical climate requires HVAC and freestanding air conditioning systems to work well, reducing humidity to levels that do not support mold growth. SERVPRO may recommend more efficient systems or the addition of dehumidifiers to achieve that goal.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport has talented technicians who help manage mold damage on a regular basis. Let us help you by scheduling an evaluation -- call (318) 865-4655.

How Can a Homeowner Remove Mold in Shreveport?

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

mold growing on a wall behind a cabinet Finding mold in your home can certainly be worrisome. Contact SERVPRO to assess the infestation and formulate a mold damage remediation plan.

Call a Professional Mold Remediation Team to Remove Mold from Your Shreveport Home

You may suspect mold in your Shreveport home, or you may already be seeing the mold itself climbing on your walls. In either case, the repercussions of having mold in your home are significant, and it is best to call a mold remediation company to help you handle it. Well-intentioned friends and internet searches may point you to do-it-yourself solutions, but you risk leaving risk factors unattended, which could become more significant problems in time.

For mold inspection services in Shreveport, our SERVPRO team is your go-to solution. Mold typically appears due to water leak issues prompted by a ruptured pipe or damage to your roof. The resulting excess moisture creates the environment necessary for mold to grow and spread through your home. Our inspectors use state-of-the-art technology to track the most massive mold colonies in your home and address the water source. If needed, we coordinate with contractors for more complex issues.

Is the mold remediation process a threat to my home?

The EPA's recommendations guide the mold remediation process our team follows, and we make sure to use personal protective equipment as part of our process. As we go about your home, we take precautions to prevent spreading mold spores through it and avoid cross-contamination. Once we can contain the area in which mold concentrates, we apply the recommended techniques to remove it. Those techniques may include-

  • Soda blasting which kills the mold and helps mitigate its odor
  • HEPA filters to help remove airborne mold particles
  • Dry ice blasting for spaces such as attics and other hard to clean surfaces

SERVPRO of South Shreveport is your ally when mold enters into your home. Do not hesitate to reach out to tap into our expertise and professionalism. When you call us at (318) 865-4655, you find a partner in keeping your home, "Like it never even happened."

When Do Wall Systems Require Replacement in Shreveport Homes?

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

water damaged room; drywall cut away around window; SERVPRO drying equipment being utilized Sometimes we need to remove damaged drywall to dry your home. But no worries, SERVPRO makes it "Like it never even happened."

Repairs and Reconstruction in Shreveport are Often Necessary After Water Damage

Some repairs and reconstruction are necessary after situations like ceiling leaks, roof leaks, and burst pipes. The need for a damaged home in the area comes down to the information collected by our SERVPRO production manager inspecting the property after the first notice of loss. Data gathered in this stage identifies where controlled demolition and repairs are necessary. 

Trapped Moisture Concerns in Wall Cavities

For water damage repair in Shreveport homes, monitoring water migration can show where focused drying might be necessary to overcome trapped moisture in structural cavities. Weep holes can allow pooling in wall systems to drain out without controlled demolition in the form of flood cuts. Tools available for this style of drying include:

  • Positive pressure systems
  • Negative pressure systems
  • Centrifugal air movers

Controlled Demolition Solutions for Damaged Properties

Inspections of the property can often help our team determine the extent of the damage and the possible need for build-back. Controlled demolition helps our team minimize the tear-out required to overcome water and moisture damage from the affected wall systems. When drywall and similar materials deteriorate, controlled demolition removes only the unsalvageable portions of these construction elements. 

Replacing Discarded Materials and Flooring

Before we complete the restoration process, discarded materials and damaged plumbing portions must get replaced and repaired. Our contractor license allows us to complete this work in-house and seamlessly begin following drying and water cleanup. 

Water damage repairs provide a full-service recovery solution for damaged properties without the need for the property owner to secure and vet new contractors to finish the process. Our general contractor license makes us a one-stop shop, and our SERVPRO of South Shreveport team is ready to help 24/7 at (318) 865-4655.

Flood Damage in Your Shreveport Home Gets Extracted Swiftly by SERVPRO

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians Our skilled technicians have the expertise and state of the art equipment to get your home back in order after a water catastrophe.

Why SERVPRO Strives to Always Be Faster To Any Size Disaster in Shreveport

Many natural disasters that occur in Shreveport also cause significant devastation to the homes located in the affected area. Homeowners who react quickly to such emergencies can help reduce their damages. SERVPRO is always ready to help provide support to those residing in flooded regions with relevant expertise and the latest in technologically advanced equipment. 

A significant reason why SERVPRO is excellent at providing what homeowners in Shreveport need most after flood damage happens to their homes is the fast response we give to all our customers. Damaged sections of a house do not mitigate themselves and require an experienced team who knows how to combine the equipment and their teamwork skills most productively. Doing this always benefits the property owner by mitigating the damages and preventing secondary damages like mold growth or humidity-induced losses. 

Quick and Effective Flood Damage Restoration

Another benefit of having a team that acts quickly upon the initial call and then continues to work as rapidly as possible is that the amount of time your family requires substitute housing decreases if you were forced to vacate the premises. However, many mitigation services that work quickly often gain the reputation of cutting corners where they should not and leaving crucial steps out, causing problems for homeowners. SERVPRO wants to assure you that we find this unacceptable as both a service to our customers and as a way to perform any work in any industry. We are here for you, our neighbors in our community, too.

SERVPRO is well known for communicating and cooperating with your insurance adjuster to expedite the service. We have mitigated massive damages caused by different disastrous events and know that you want to get things back to normal, "Like it never even happened." Being IICRC-certified, we adhere to internationally accepted standards of service to our customers.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport wants to help you and your family get things back to how they should be again after a disaster. Flood damage can make your home unlivable in an instant. We work as quickly as possible to mitigate the damage and get your home restored and livable again. Contact our 24-hour emergency services line by calling (318) 865-4655 when flooding ruins your property.

Mold is Threatening to Shreveport Homes

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

Mold in attic SERVPRO's skilled technicians have the tools and experience to put an end to your homes mold damage.

Our SERVPRO Professionals Work Quickly to Address Mold Damage in Shreveport,  Louisiana Properties. 

With many Shreveport homes and businesses subjected to powerful storms, tornadoes, and hurricane weather over the years, roof damage is a certainty to many buildings. The resulting moisture damages afterward can provide the right conditions for attic mold growth and subsequent degradation.

How Severe is Attic Mold? 

Many homeowners might believe that mold remediation in Shreveport properties is unnecessary with attic mold growth, but this is not the case. Even with a contained situation where spores are not likely to find a path to the living area below, the moisture issues that caused the organism to grow can still deteriorate the roof and support to become a costlier issue. With a mold contractor license, we can provide remediation and repairs for a full-service approach.

How Can Remediation Occur After Microbial Growth? 

A singular mold growth event often impacts multiple surfaces and materials. With varying severities and hosting elements, a proper inspection of the property can determine the ideal remediation and mold removal strategies, including:

  • Sanding
  • Dry Ice Pellet Blasting
  • Controlled Demolition
  • Sporicidal Products

Mold can be one of the most underappreciated threats to your home, but one that spreads quickly and can create hazardous conditions. Our SERVPRO of South Shreveport team is standing by 24/7 to help at (318) 865-4655.

A Few Ways to Avoid Secondary Damages After Shreveport Water Damage

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Water spewing from pinhole leak in pipe It only takes a small leak to damage cabinets, floors, and structural elements. Inspect your plumbing often for signs of moisture.

Kitchen Sink Leaks Can Ruin Cabinetry in Your Shreveport Home

Not every situation that requires professional restoration for your Shreveport home is going to be an emergency or a disaster. Many situations like small leaks can lead to substantial damages over time that requires the advanced technology and extensive training of certified restorers to overcome. A kitchen sink leak can be an excellent example of this, persistently saturating nearby materials like the cabinetry.

Over time, this leak in your kitchen can develop into widespread water damages in Shreveport. By the time it gets discovered, many of the affected materials closest to the source of the water damage are unsalvageable. Our SERVPRO professionals have the experience to determine which structural components and materials can get preserved and which require replacement to complete restoration work.

Water Damage Repair Technicians

When you get posed with water damage throughout the kitchen of your home of this magnitude, you want to find a team that has the experience and education to handle any facet of restoration they might encounter. Our SERVPRO professionals work to achieve their IICRC certification in water damage restoration and continue their education through online coursework and in-house training opportunities. These options can aid our technicians in being among the most prepared in the industry for handling whatever effects from a water loss incident they could encounter on a property.

Likewise, the equipment used is essential for fast extraction and drying of the damaged components. Our franchise prides itself on offering our technicians the latest tools and machines to make restoration work more efficient than ever before. We can extract water quickly with portable pumps. We can pull moisture from the affected areas with industrial-strength dehumidifiers. We can prevent fungal growth when possible by applying antimicrobial chemicals to nearby surfaces and items.

When a small kitchen leak goes undetected for a period, the spread of the damage can far exceed your expectations. You can count on the advanced tools for moisture detection and drying to make short work of the damage your home has sustained. Give our SERVPRO of South Shreveport water restoration technicians a call today at (318) 865-4655.

Why is Skilled Water Restoration Imperative to Lessen Damage?

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

water covering the flood of a living room Excess water? Our SERVPRO of South Shreveport technicians are standing by 24/7 365 days a year to answer your emergency call.

SERVPRO utilizes proven restoration processes to ensure your Shreveport home gets back to pre-water damage condition

Any amount of water in your Shreveport home can cause immense damage to your possessions as well as building materials and structural elements. It is how everything gets cleaned up and you address moisture that makes the difference. SERVPRO features skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) to ensure everything gets appropriately handled to limit costs, disruption, and secondary damage.

There are many working parts when you enlist the help of SERVPRO for water damage in Shreveport. The general steps that we follow include:

  • Water removal – We work quickly to extract all standing water to keep it from migrating into dry spaces within your home.
  • Drying measures – Proper drying is crucial for moisture control, so we set up fans and dehumidifiers to facilitate rapid-dry efforts. The better the airflow, the faster we can dry the impacted zone(s) in your home.
  • Cleaning - All water-damaged items must be inspected and cleaned to eliminate mold and bacterial growth. To do this, we have a variety of methods as well as EPA-registered cleaning agents.
  • Restoration – We handle the damage repair and replace unsalvageable materials to bring your home back to preloss condition.

Why call SERVPRO of South Shreveport when you need help with water damage? We have the power to restore your home to preloss condition “Like it never even happened.” Call (318) 865-4655 24/7!

What are some Unexpected Ways a Fire Damage Restoration Company in Shreveport can Help You?

10/31/2020 (Permalink)

Image of flames The aftermath of a fire is very stressful.

Shreveport Residents need a Supportive Fire Damage Restoration Crew

Damage to your Shreveport home is devastating. SERVPRO of South Shreveport understands that a home disaster leaves you feeling shaken and wondering if your life will ever be normal again. That is why supporting you and helping with every aspect of remediation is a core part of our philosophy.

Even a small house blaze can cause a great deal of damage. A Shreveport fire damage restoration company can help you deal with the damage and restore your home “Like it never even happened.” It is hard to believe your house could ever feel like yours again, but we always aim to restore it to its preloss condition.

When you call a restoration company, you naturally expect them to clean up the mess from the fire. That is their job! But there are other benefits of working with a restoration company.

How can SERVPRO help you get your home back faster?
We understand how stressful it is when you have to go and stay somewhere else after a fire. Being unable to enter your home is upsetting.

Because our technicians are remediation experts, they know the most efficient ways to get the job done. Unfortunately, we cannot press a button and have your home back to normal, but working with us is much faster than cleaning up by yourself.

How does working with us keep you safe?
There are many potential hazards in the aftermath of a fire:
• Soot particles in the air
• Structural damage such as sagging ceilings or damaged plaster
• Holes in the roof and walls from firefighting
• Leftover firefighting chemicals
• Debris and jagged edges such as glass or metal shards or broken wooden beams

Our teams are safety-conscious, and we equip them with a full range of personal protective equipment. Do not put yourself at risk – let the professionals handle it.

How can SERVPRO help you with insurance?
Dealing with your insurance company can be stressful. Although the final decision on what will be covered is between you and them, SERVPRO can support you by:
• Securing your home by boarding up windows and putting a tarp on the roof – many insurers need evidence that your home is adequately secured
• Taking pictures and helping with inventory
• Giving a professional opinion on what we can salvage – insurers like it when we can repair rather than replace
• Talking to your insurance company on your behalf to provide information

How can we help with air quality?
Air quality is low after a fire. Unfortunately, securing your home makes it worse, as there are fewer places for air to escape. We use air scrubbers and negative air machines to trap harmful particles in the air and prevent them from re-entering your home.

How can SERVPRO help with cleaning?
Cleaning is a significant part of fire damage restoration. Of course, you expect a remediation company to clean up the walls and ceilings of your home, but we can also clean:
• Furniture and upholstery
• Personal belongings and keepsakes
• Textiles and clothes

We can complete many cleaning tasks on-site, but we can send items to our facility for specialist cleaning if necessary. We use a range of cleaning methods, including dry brushing, wet wiping, HEPA vacuuming, soda blasting, and spot cleaning. We can also call in professionals to clean and certify electronic devices.

We can also clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery with hot water extraction, specialist shampoos, or spot cleaning. We can run your blinds through our ultrasonic cleaner to rid them of sooty residue.

How can we help with smoke odors?
Our customers tell us that the smell of smoke is one of the worst parts of a fire. Your home cannot feel like yours again when there is a lingering smoke smell. Thankfully we know how to deal with those stinky odors. We might use air scrubbers, ozone generators, hydroxyl generators, dry fogging, odor-eating pellets, or any combination of these to rid your home of smells.

How can we help with home repairs?
Your home might look ravaged after a fire. Wallpaper might be soot-stained. Fire can damage insulation and supporting beams. Firefighters often have to cut holes in the roof or walls to control the fire and ensure it is completely extinguished.

Our technicians can help with structural repairs and with tasks such as re-hanging wallpaper or replacing carpet. If we cannot carry out a job, we will call in other professionals. We supervise all sub-contractors and ensure they work to our high standards.

The aftermath of a fire is very stressful. Let us take some of that stress off your shoulders and get your home liveable once more. For a fire restoration company that cares, call SERVPRO of South Shreveport at (318) 865-4655.

Why does SERVPRO Use Riding Equipment to Save Drenched Carpets?

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

photo of rover riding wet vac SERVPRO's "Rover" exemplifies the advanced equipment we use to mitigate water damage to carpets for our Shreveport customers

We Use Special Water Mitigation Equipment to Protect Our Shreveport Customers from Unnecessary Losses

Hurricanes and storms can create appalling messes outside, but the water that ends up trapped inside your Shreveport home needs immediate assessment and extraction. SERVPRO’s professionals know that proper restoration requires a concentrated effort from a knowledgeable team, equipped with the advanced machinery to provide our valued customers with the results they want and deserve.

The absorbency of different materials is plain to see when comparing a concrete garage floor to plush carpeting inside the adjoining home. Our extensive experience lets us provide tailored water mitigation services to our Shreveport customers. When carpeting gets wet, we need to act quickly and with powerful machinery that can remove the water without damaging the fibers, backing, or padding. Damage to any of these components can ruin an expensive carpet. Not being able to extract water from the lowest areas of the pad can leave a house at risk of mold and mildew.

Using our rover riding extractors for large volumes of water extraction aids in rapid carpet drying. These machines do this because of their built-in functions:

  • The weight of the technician operating the extractor helps compress the carpet and squeezes the water out,
  • As the suction continuously draws the water out uniformly, and
  • The wheels allow for turning tight corners.

Other machines help draw moisture from other areas of your home, minimizing the amount of water vapor that circulates. These include

  • Heaters to keep water as a vapor,
  • Desiccant machines that snatch humidity from the air as it passes through the machine, to
  • Forced air machines that dry the interiors of floors and walls.

When your family needs someone to mitigate water damage and keep things from worsening, as well as repair any existing damages, SERVPRO of South Shreveport is your go-to team. Call (318) 865-4655 for fast service from helpful professionals that want to make it “Like it never even happened,” for you.

What Do Residential Fire Damage Restoration Professionals in Shreveport Consider When Choosing Cleaning Products and Methods?

9/27/2020 (Permalink)

dark and burned wooden house corridor after fire Fire damage remediation includes dealing with the lingering odor. Contact our certified technicians for services.

Curriculum Supported by Scientifically-Based Data and Methodology Is Why SERVPRO Invests in IICRC Training for Managers and Technicians, Offering Best Practices to Shreveport Residents Needing Fire Damage Restoration

Restoring a home after a fire in Shreveport is a significant undertaking, and the company that takes on the job needs to have a comprehensive understanding of the overall goals plus detailed skills in the hundreds of tasks that need completion before the chaos and mess of a residential fire transforms to “Like it never even happened.” This kind of knowledge cannot be accumulated contemporaneously as the restoration takes place. The managers and technicians who arrive to return your home to preloss condition must learn the protocols and the science underlying best practices far ahead of your disaster to deliver a successful outcome.

Is There a Fire Damage Restoration Best Practices Training Course for Professionals?

Shreveport residents needing fire damage restoration should settle for nothing less than a recovery company that invests in premier training for the managers and technicians that assess, plan, and perform at your home. We are an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-certified company. We enroll our team in the IICRC introductory courses at the beginning of their careers, and they recertify and acquire advanced training during their time with us.

Can a Fire Damage Restoration Technician Merely Learn What Is Needed on the Job?

Perhaps IICRC says it best on their website: “A successful career is rooted in education. For nearly five decades, IICRC stands at the forefront teaching trailblazing knowledge required to tackle complex jobs and return normalcy from chaotic environments.” Our crews learn research-based, consistent responses to the anticipated and unpredictable outcomes presented after a household fire. Although our technicians certainly learn from more seasoned SERVPRO workers on individual projects, the foundation of vetted approaches and procedures established during IICRC training sets the stage for outstanding results for our residential customers seeking fire damage remediation in Shreveport.

What Training and Certifications Are Crucial to Handling Fire Damage Restoration Appropriately?

Some of the training and certifications listed below seem apparent. Others might appear to be a stretch until you become familiar with the endless aspects needing attention on a fire damaged site. At a minimum, expect various members of the crew taking on your home’s restoration to possess some or all of the following IICRC certifications:

  • Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT)
  • Applied Structural Drying Technician (ASD)
  • Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT)
  • Health and Safety Technician (HST)
  • Odor Control Technician (OCT)
  • Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT)

My Home Has Fire Damage -- What Is the Need for Water Damage-Related Technicians?

Until you have survived a home fire and begin coping with the aftermath, you might not realize the part firefighting water damage plays in the devastation inside your home after a blaze. SERVPRO prioritizes water damage mitigation and remediation at the start of a fire damage restoration project because of undeniable health and safety issues:

  • Slip, trip, and fall
  • Risk of electric shock or electrocution
  • Structural collapse possibilities because of the weight and  pressure of water trapped in building cavities
  • Rapid deterioration of porous structural components because of the incredibly corrosive nature of water
  • Contamination of surfaces with waterborne pathogens if the fire damage included the compromise of sewer lines
  • Enhanced probability of mold growth if materials are wet for more than 24 to 48 hours

What Are the Roles of the Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and Odor Control Technicians (OCT)?

Once the water risks are under control, SERVPRO’s managers and workers holding FSRT and OCT certification commence the painstaking tasks of assessing and characterizing smoke and soot residues and the surfaces upon which they settle. Then effective removal methodologies are selected. The science of cleaning the residues has two parts:

  • Principles of Cleaning
  • Locating residues 
  • Identifying and characterizing residues and the durability of the affected surfaces
  • Capturing and disposing of residues efficiently and completely
  • Elements of Cleaning

The following can be manipulated to assist in loosening and suspending the residues for removal with as little damage to the involved surfaces as practical:

    • Temperature of cleaners
    • Use of agitation with tools and mechanical actions or cleaner-additives
    • Chemical actions of cleaning products to dissolve, emulsify, digest, bleach, oxidize, or change pH levels to break up or remove residues and stains
    • Dwell time to soak off tough residues

Note About Deodorization: The above principles and elements also relate to persistent odors, which can often be removed by deep cleaning. If cleaning is ineffective, SERVPRO has resources such as innovative odor eliminating options such as ozone machines, smell-masking products, thermal and wet foggers, and hydroxyl generators.

Why SERVPRO of South Shreveport builds our knowledge base using the courses and standards developed by the IICRC is clear -- rigorous learning and research-based solutions offer the very best outcomes for our residential customers. Call us at (318) 865-4655 before the firefighters wrap up the site and release your property so we can arrive promptly to begin the fire damage restoration.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Table tent signs describing the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program on top of a wooden table. Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open in Shreveport, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

  • Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
  • Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
  • Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of South Shreveport today at (318) 865-4655 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Should I Hire Professional Cleaning Services Right Now?

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

hand wiping a black desk with an orange rag There are times when dusting is not enough. SERVPRO offers enhanced cleaning services.

Shreveport Businesses are in the Fight Against the Virus

The pandemic is changing life as we know it in many places and ways, at least for a period of time.  Many businesses are also a casualty due to enforced lockdowns to help prevent the spread of the virus, and many that remain open are taking proactive cleaning measures.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport Provides Disinfection and Cleaning Services

The CDC encourages regular cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces such as tabletops, counters, doorknobs, elevator cars, stairway handrails, and other surfaces. Our trained and experienced SERVPRO technicians are familiar with cleaning procedures for a variety of situations involving biohazards such as anti-microbial remediation for mold, bacteria (sewage spills), and cleaning and applying disinfectants for viruses such as the previous SARS episode.  We are fully capable and ready to help any business with this pandemic. SERVPRO of South Shreveport offers cleaning programs for businesses that remain open as well as those that are currently closed.  Businesses that have remained closed during the mandated stay-at-home order may wish to have deep cleaning services in their preparation for a relaunch.  We also provide deep-cleaning for institutions such as schools, athletic facilities, medical facilities, and government buildings.

There are many reasons to use a professional cleaning company.

  • Experience, training, and IICRC certification
  • Access to EPA approved medical-grade cleaning products
  • Commercial grade equipment 
  • Flexible work hours 24/7
  • No job is too large, or for that matter too small

If you need help with professional cleaning services, get help now.  If you have questions and are looking for meaningful answers, please get in touch with SERVPRO of South Shreveport by dialing (318) 865-4655. 

To find out more about Shreveport, click here


Disclaimer: Advice from the medical and scientific community regarding how to deal with the coronavirus is based on present knowledge, which is subject to change as the situation continues to develop. There can be no assurance that disinfectants alone will be adequate to fully eliminate the virus. We are not physicians or infectious disease professionals. Consult your medical professionals for individual medical advice.

Did an Unattended Stove Cause Fire Damage in Your Shreveport Home?

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damaged kitchen The most common fires begin in the kitchen. Never leave cooking unattended and should you experience fire damage, call SERVPRO.

The Most Common Type of Fire Damage in Shreveport Homes is... 

Kitchen fires from cooking account for the majority of fire damage to residences. And with these types of fires, there is often some specialized cleaning methods necessary to remove all traces of the loss. 

The reason this type of fire damage in Shreveport homes requires professional mitigation is that protein fires release a fine mist that is nearly invisible but very pungent. While little soot may appear, the residue spreads quickly across surfaces and often requires more than over-the-counter cleaners to release its grip.  

Why SERVPRO?

The technicians undergo extensive training for handling all types of fire damage. Using their knowledge, they test residues before cleaning to determine the best method to use. For example, a dry smoke residue has the potential to get driven deeper into surfaces through the use of incorrect cleaning applications. The full scope of knowledge the techs call upon ensures they choose the methods with the best outcome, every time.  

Containment and Cleaning Methods

When only a portion of a home requires cleanup after a fire loss, it is standard for SERVPRO to contain the area. This action inhibits the spread of odors and residues throughout the undamaged areas of the home. After testing residues, they use the best cleaning agents for the job. Protein fires often need solvent-based cleaning solutions to force the residue to release its grip on surfaces. Porous items get inspected on a piece by piece basis for restoration potential.  

Walls and Cabinets 

There are two primary outcomes with walls and cabinets after a protein fire. If the cleaning agents are successful in the removal of residue, there is a good chance these areas get full restoration. In some cases, especially after the application of DIY cleaning methods before SERVPRO came on-site, the loss areas may require the use of a sealant to stop the pungent odor and create a new surface that needs paint or stain. 

SERVPRO of South Shreveport at (318) 865-4655 handles any size fire damage restoration needed to return your home to its pre-fire condition, "Like it never even happened." 

More about Shreveport.

When Kitchen Fires in Shreveport Ruin Holiday Festivities

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen engulfed in flames Cooking fires are some of the most common in the US. Fortunately, SERVPRO has the knowledge and equipment to restore your fire damaged home.

Removing Holiday Fire Damage from a Shreveport Kitchen 

The Christmas season is among the peak periods for home kitchen fires. From 2004-2008, US fire departments responded to an average of 154,700 cooking fires that caused an annual average of $724 million in property damages. Unattended cooking equipment was among the leading cause of these fires. From 2004 to 2005, for every US household fire reported, 50 went unreported. 

If your Shreveport residence has suffered fire damage from a kitchen or cooking- related disaster, SERVPRO technicians are available to assist you in restoring your home to a preloss condition. These professionals use industrial-grade equipment and practices rooted in scientific theory to ensure that you get a high-quality clean every time disaster strikes. 

SERVPRO Serves the Community 24/7

SERVPRO team members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays, because this firm knows that disaster can occur anywhere, any time. SERVPRO offers over 1700 US and Canadian franchise locations, strategically positioned to address emergencies, both big and small. Not only does an immediate response make it possible to minimize damage, but it can help homeowners save on repair and replacement costs for their furnishings and possessions. 

How SERVPRO Can Help

One of the most pressing concerns after a cooking fire occurs is dealing with invisible protein residues that can leave a very distinct and strong odor that persists without professional-grade cleaning. SERVPRO has a variety of tools available to address odors related to fires, including augers, whips, and brushes designed to dislodge soils trapped in HVAC systems. Our technicians achieve odor control using air scrubbers with HEPA filters designed to catch odor-causing particles as small as 0.3 microns and a variety of odor-counteracting solutions, including time-release tablets, pellets, granules, and EPA-registered antimicrobials. Using both wet and dry cleaning solutions, we can mitigate fire-related damages and restore homes after a disaster occurs. 

SERVPRO of South Shreveport can leave your home looking, "Like it never even happened." Call (318) 865-4655 for a rapid response team that can help you during the holiday season.  

More about Shreveport.

Some Mistakes When Dealing With Fire Damage in Shreveport That You Should Avoid

12/8/2019 (Permalink)

fire damaged office Regardless of which room in your home was damaged, fire damage can be quite overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO right after the fire fighters leave.

Why SERVPRO Uses Dry Sponges During Smoke and Fire Damage Cleanup of Shreveport Properties

SERVPRO's Green Fleet transports not only our crew members to each job site throughout Shreveport but also all of the equipment we need to get most jobs done fast and efficiently. Our tools, equipment, and materials include both large, powerful pieces of equipment designed to make our labor extremely productive, as well as smaller items that provide just as much of a boost to our efforts.

The effectiveness of these items is why SERVPRO uses things like our dry sponges to clean homes in Shreveport of smoke from fire damage. These sponges can reveal how damaged certain surfaces became during a fire. They often clean flat-painted surfaces well enough that staining does not happen, saving homeowners, our customers, from the added expense of repainting those areas. Our goal is always to reduce the costs a family experiences when recovering after a disaster.

Pre-cleaning the ceiling eliminates strands of soot chains and web-like deposits. These might make it seem as if your home was squalid and in need of cleaning before the fire, but we know this is not the case. These spider tags, as they are also called, only look like spiderwebs.

Besides cleaning ceilings with an adaptive device called the Fixi-Clamp, which allows us to stand on the floor instead of climbing a ladder, these sponges can clean cabinetry doors, walls, doors and their frames, and window frames. These sponges work best on cleaning away dry soot. Greasy soot requires another approach, which we are also prepared to provide when needed. When stripping overhead surfaces of soot with these sponges, our technicians wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a mask, to eliminate the risk of inhaling any soot particles that fall to the floor. We protect the floor underneath with a drop cloth for the same reason.

Draperies tend to deteriorate quickly, especially if they receive significant exposure to the sun. This can make them fragile. We use the vacuum after pre-cleaning with the sponge to remove as much as possible. The sponge also wipes away any remaining pet hair that may have adhered to the surface of the draperies. Window blinds also attract smoke residue, and again, the dry sponge technique helps clean them up beautifully.

Another reason SERVPRO technicians grab a dry sponge to clean the inside of a home of smoke and soot is that cleaning with water-based or other wet cleaning solutions can cause additional damage to some materials. Others might not respond well to such cleaning methods. Wet cleaning methods can also leave streaks. Our technicians receive intensive training on which methods provide the desired results according to material and soot type. Removing soot can also help us detect materials that require removal and replacement by our building and reconstruction team.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport's technicians are always near your home in Forbing and ready to clean your home of soot deposits. Making everything look “Like it never even happened” happens fast when you call (318) 865-4655 to reach our 24-hour service.

Click here for more information about Shreveport.

Flood Damage in Shreveport, Call SERVPRO Today!

11/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment lined up on the sidewalk in front of a home. Let us prove to you why you should use SERVPRO for your Shreveport damages.

We will be here for any of your Shreveport damages. 

Water damage, floods, fires, and mold contamination can occur at any time, sometimes with little notice. We all like to prepare for storms, boarding up windows and moving items to higher ground or placing sandbags. But sometimes all of the preparation is in vain. Now is the time to call in the experts and restore your home or business to its original condition, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO is locally owned, part of the community of Shreveport providing flood damage recovery, fire, storm, and mold remediation. We can respond in less than four hours and provide a 24/7 response to our customers. We can respond to small disasters as well as more significant events with the assistance of our four connected locations in the area.

Advantages of Using SERVPRO

Every disaster is different; however, over the years, we have amassed the knowledge, the equipment, and the focus on customer satisfaction to provide high quality, trusted cleaning, remediation, and restoral services to our community. The following are some of the advantages we bring to every disaster situation:

Services for Residences and Commercial Buildings of all Sizes

Water, fire, mold and storm damage restoration

Biohazard remediation and removal

Cleaning and drying of all surfaces

Odor removal and deodorization

Vandalism restoral

Graffiti removal

Cleaning air ducts, HVAC, Sewage, Carpet and furniture, drapes and blinds and more

Equipment

Large inventory of air movers,

Extraction equipment – including wands, submersible pumps, truck-mounted pumps

Air purification machines

Dehumidifiers

Moisture sensing devices

Staging areas as needed

Leadership and Training

Locally owned and operated

IICRC trained technicians

We coordinate with contractors to minimize the time and cost required

Certification training for our employees

E-Learning tools

Continuing education focus

Response Time

24/7 response to all sizes of disasters

Crew Chief onsite within four hours

Immediate assessment – safety, equipment needs, team members required

Support for insurance claims

Don't see the services you are looking for, call us for a consultation.

Call SERVPRO of South Shreveport at (318) 865-4655 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Forbing and the surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

For more information on Shreveport, click here.

Our Advanced Training Can Save Your Home In Shreveport

11/10/2019 (Permalink)

caution tape in front of fire damaged home Call (318) 865-4655 to arrange for a prompt assessment after the firefighters wrap up their duties.

Advanced Training Is Why SERVPRO Crews Successfully Remove Fire Residues in Shreveport

The soiling left behind on surfaces after a fire in your Shreveport house does not respond as expected to ordinary cleaning methods. Fire residues require a range of different cleaning techniques. Making the correct choice depends on the type of surface involved, kind of materials burned, the temperature during the fire, and the amount of oxygen available to accelerate the flames. Our managers and technicians master training that prepares us to make appropriate cleaning decisions, why we demonstrate a high rate of customer satisfaction.

Categorizing Common Types of Soot
Smoke contains a range of gases, water vapor, and solid particulates, creating much of the fire damage in your Shreveport dwelling. The fine yet sharp-edged and abrasive particles we call soot are incompletely combusted bits of building materials and contents. Sooty residues cover many surfaces in your home after a fire, carried on hot air currents, often traveling far from the ignition site. Some are light and ashy, others thick and sticky. Protein-based soot follows cooking fires, depositing a thin, tightly adhered coating. Our understanding of the characteristics of these residues is why we can match appropriate cleaning products and methods as we move room to room.

What to Expect from Different Cleaning Strategies
Wood and paper burn hot, leaving light ash we can brush off and vacuum up from surfaces. Electrical fires and blazes involving rubber, fabrics, and plastics often smolder low oxygen burns resulting in dense, dark coatings. Cleaners with wetting agents and surfactants dissolve the bond the soot has with surfaces, and agitation can help loosen and remove the residue. Abrasives and solvents might be needed to resolve protein-based soot coverings. The potential for damage to underlying surfaces is why SERVPRO technicians train diligently and employ safeguards when working to remove residues.

Contents Cleaning
Our production facilities offer resources for fire, damaged personal possessions and household goods. The opportunity to use research-based techniques to clean, dry, and deodorize everything from firefighting water-soaked papers and photos to smoke-damaged furniture and clothing to sooty heirlooms and toys is why SERVPRO is a comprehensive disaster recovery company.

Dependable and well-qualified technicians are why SERVPRO of South Shreveport is the fire damage recovery leader in our community. Call (318) 865-4655 to arrange for a prompt assessment after the firefighters wrap up their duties.

For more about Shreveport click here.

What Goes Into the Cost of Flood Damage Restoration in Shreveport?

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damaged home showing flood cuts, debris in garbage bag, and SERVPRO drying equipment Sometimes water damage requires demolition. We removed the wet drywall and flooring to begin the drying process.

The Real Costs of Flood Damage Recovery in Shreveport Homes 

When most Shreveport homeowners think about professional restoration, one of the first aspects brought to mind is the expected cost. Without the right information and a clear understanding of what goes into an estimate, property owners can get misguided into a belief that the proposed expense is unnecessarily high. In truth, many homeowners find that not choosing professional restorers can end up costing them more after disasters like flooding occur. 

Flood damage in your Shreveport home can be a challenging situation to overcome for residents, and that is why so many choose the dependable 24/7 response and expertise of our SERVPRO team. One of the first steps that our team takes when we arrive at your damaged property is to assess the full scope of the damage. We then begin designing a tailored strategy to mitigate your loss and to restore your home entirely. This process involves our management and crew chiefs, the most seasoned and experienced professionals on our roster, to ensure that jobs get done efficiently to save you time and money. 

This assessment also involves the formulation of a proposed estimated cost. The projected estimate homeowners get from our administrators encompasses multiple areas of the work that we do to bring your property back to preloss condition. We do not lump our charges into a general “cost of doing business.” From the team working with your insurance provider to field technicians and the tools that they need, we itemize each cost. We are upfront with our customers during a crisis, and we have an honest and considerate approach that has allowed complete transparency through the restoration process. 

You must also consider the costs of not choosing a professional restoration team like our SERVPRO technicians as well. Without our advanced training and hands-on experience, your home might not get thoroughly dried and restored after a flood loss. This lingering moisture can continually deteriorate structural elements and can promote mold growth. 

Many people misunderstand the costs of professional restoration. If you want to restore your home quickly and prevent unnecessary secondary actions like reconstruction and mold remediation, give our SERVPRO of South Shreveport team a call today at (318) 865-4655.

More about Shreveport.

For Damage Control and Cleanup in Shreveport Properties SERVPRO Is Recommended

7/24/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Here Already! WOW, They Are Faster To Any Size Disaster! Why Shreveport Homeowners Rely Upon Us for Restoration Services.

Why SERVPRO Is a Shreveport Restoration Leader

Decades of hands-on experience and commitment to the people and institutions of Shreveport makes choosing our restoration experts the clear alternative. We spent time and effort building a reliable team of technicians and commercial-grade collection of equipment ready to assist with water, fire, mold, or storm disasters. Within hours of your initial call, we pledge to send an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained crew of project managers and technicians to your home.

Water Damage
A sneaky drip under the kitchen sink, seepage around a poorly caulked tub, an aging appliance pump, or a cracked water heater can cause hidden water damage in Shreveport. The cabinets, floors, or walls near the slow leak absorbs the water for a period without anyone noticing, but eventually, a stain, swelling, and distortion of wood, puddling, or a musty smell betrays the harm even a small amount of water can do. As you mop up, you realize the damage extends beyond the patch of wetness first discovered.

Obtaining an assessment from our team for what seems like a minor water problem is a wise decision. We might find that a visit from a plumber and a brief drying program takes care of the damage. On the other hand, a repeatedly saturated cabinet or bathroom wall substrate could be harboring severe deterioration and mold growth. To make the determination, our IICRC certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT) inspect visible damage and use sensitive devices like thermal imagers and moisture meters to map out the perimeter of the water incursion. Attention to details is why SERVPRO stands out as a restoration partner.

Our service vehicles are packed with pumps and extractors for standing water removal and air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers for applied structural drying. As the assessment and project planning proceeds the crew awaits the plan, implementing it immediately when shared. Rapid water removal and drying is best practice, challenging to achieve without training and appropriate equipment. Water damage remediation is one of our fundamental services, our skilled employees and specialized tools explaining why SERVPRO delivers successful results.  

Fire Damage
The residues left on surfaces and airborne after Shreveport fire damage are highly toxic to inhabitants and corrosive to building materials and contents. Soot and smoke cleanup must occur as quickly as possible, best done by highly qualified professionals. An assurance that proper protocols proceed is why SERVPRO is the perfect fit for fire remediation.   

Water removal needs completion before we evaluate soot, charring, and odor elimination. Firefighting remnants, water is a slip and fall hazard as well as a potentially destructive force at least as severe as fire damage. Our multi-certified technicians are as confident extracting water and drying the structure as they are when characterizing soots and matching cleaning methods, tools, and products. Customers do not need to hire several different contractors to get a project done, why SERVPRO minimizes stress and saves time and money.

A lingering problem posed by nearly all fire damage scenarios is the need for odor elimination. Our focus on following research-based processes to eliminate, not mask, odors is why SERVPRO dispenses treatments that work at a molecular level to neutralize the stench after a fire. Equipment such as thermal foggers, ozone machines, and hydroxyl generators produce odor fighting particles that seek out the minute pieces of incompletely combusted materials that carry the smell. Chemical reactions ensure that odor disappears.

Mold Remediation
Humid environments like those found in Louisiana can accelerate the growth of mold damage in Shreveport. Modern technologies like high-efficiency dehumidifiers help minimize the potential for mold growth by keeping the relative interior humidity less than 60 percent, and preferably between 30 and 50 percent. Installing and using exhaust fans in higher-humidity areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms also help keep mold at bay.

Thorough water removal and structural drying are also essential to ensure mold spores do not find the moisture needed to grow and spread. Mold prevention is a strong reason why SERVPRO crews should assist with water losses, including assessing and monitoring the moisture levels in structural components as drying procedures continue.

If the tell-tale musty odor or smudges of dark material arise in your home, mold involvement should be suspected and investigated. No reputable mold remediation company promises complete mold removal, but we pledge to follow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols when remediating an outbreak in your home. Containment by creating an airlock barrier employing negative pressure air scrubbers and durable plastic sheathing allows the removal without drift to unaffected spaces. Brushing, scraping, and gentle abrasion with soda rids most surfaces of the moldy debris. HEPA-filtered vacuuming and wipe down with an EPA-registered disinfectant brings spore counts to near-normal levels and inhibits future growth. Sealants containing antimicrobials prepare surfaces for further restoration with minimal concern for fungal regrowth.

Storm Damage
Severe storm damage in Shreveport can be the fallout when your home is in the path of torrential rains and other precipitation and high winds, including tropical storms and hurricanes. Roofs, siding, doors, and windows are vulnerable to the ferocity of storms making landfall off the Gulf and coming north or sweeping eastward from Texas.

The destruction of a storm does is overwhelming to the point of paralysis to homeowners, but inaction creates more damage and increases the cost of remediation. Many tasks need completion, which is why SERVPRO’s team approach is beneficial. When we arrive, some of the crew board up broken windows and tarp holes in the siding or roof. Meanwhile, one of our project managers assesses the water or flood damage and designs a plan to mitigate and remediate your premises.   

Flooding exposes your home to contamination, whether from water rushing overland or sewer backups. Our crew is familiar with the local protocols for Category 3 or black water removal and disposal. Blood or fecal-borne pathogens, chemicals, decaying organic materials, and fungi, among other contaminants, can expose you and your family to health risks. Rapid water removal, EPA-registered disinfection, and structural drying all have their place in the protocol, best delivered by our remediation professionals.  

SERVPRO of South Shreveport has state-of-the-art equipment and a highly qualified workforce to mitigate and remediate water, fire, mold, and storm losses. Call us at (318) 865-4655 for a professional assessment and clear the way for a rapid response to the disaster. 

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Some Tips to Help You Recover After a Fire in Your Shreveport Home

2/24/2019 (Permalink)

Fires leave odors and many residues in your home. Contact SERVPRO for fire damage remediation services which include dealing with the odors.

Fire Odor Containment and Removal for Your Shreveport Home

Fires, regardless of their size and severity, can pose long-term damaging effects for your Shreveport home. Even without widespread structural damages, symptoms like smoke residue and odors can make it challenging to continue comfortably living in the house after the incident. Restoring these damages to the property requires skilled technicians like ours that have the advanced equipment and fast response to make a difference for your home fast.

Fire damage in Shreveport such as smoke residue and odors can exceed the cleaning expertise of homeowners. Often these effects require our highly trained professionals with industry-leading equipment and high-strength solvents and detergents to clean up the mess a fire has left behind adequately. With a 24-hour response time to all emergencies, our team can provide property-saving solutions that can prevent the need for widespread demolition and reduce the spread of these effects to unexposed areas of your house.

Odor control and deodorization is an important step for our SERVPRO restoration technicians as we work to recover the damage to your property. Even without a fire bad enough to require relocation, the noxious odor of the fire can be overwhelming and nauseating. Our professionals can set up physical containment barriers from the time that we arrive to prevent this smoke odor from spreading to unaffected areas of your home while our professionals bring in deodorization equipment.

Our SERVPRO professionals have several pieces of equipment that can help to eliminate foul odors left behind after a fire permanently. Hydroxyl generators and thermal foggers are two of the most popular options that our team uses to remove these lingering scents, and they can work together to clear out harsh smells from open areas as well as soft materials like fabrics, upholstery, clothing, and carpeting.

While many potentially harmful effects can occur during and following a fire in your home, it is important to focus on improving indoor air quality as promptly as possible. Our SERVPRO of South Shreveport team can offer effective solutions to help you breathe easier after a disaster. Give us a call today at (318) 865-4655.

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For Shreveport Properties, Why Oh Why to Call SERVPRO For Water and Storm Damage Mitigation

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses Industry-Leading Equipment for Water Removal in Shreveport Commercial and Residential Properties

Call the Professionals When There Is Water Damage to Your Home in Shreveport

Standing in your living room with water up to your ankles is not where you want to be. However, many factors could come together and make the unimaginable happen. Your home is flooded due to a storm or a hurricane, and suddenly you are faced with the need to engage water removal professionals to safeguard your safety and to return your home to how it should be. Whether you have a few inches of standing water or just the aftermath of its entry into your home, it is important that you reach out to a team who is experienced in this process.

When our SERVPRO Green Fleet arrives, you see that we have specialized equipment for all aspects of the water removal process. Our powerful pumps can be used when the standing water is at least a few inches, and we will use smaller equipment for more localized water deposits. Hygrometers and moisture detectors allow us to monitor moisture levels along with temperature and airflow, so we may achieve ideal conditions to remove all water traces from your home. You may also see us utilize infrared cameras to detect any water that may be hiding within walls or ceilings and invisible to the naked eye.

At SERVPRO we have trained specifically for these emergencies. Our emergency line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer that rapid response you need. Upon receiving your call, our team of technicians and specialized staff is sent to your home first to assess the situation and make recommendations on the next steps. Always keeping safety in mind, we can evaluate the impact the water has had on your property, including examination of any structural damage, as well as assessing the extent to which your personal property has been affected. Based on our observations we can begin the water extraction process, the first step in recovering your home.

At SERVPRO of South Shreveport, we are locally owned and operated with the support of a nationwide network of specialists. Moreover, when you call us at (318) 865-4655, we are ready to put our knowledge and expertise to work for you. Water removal is not only about eliminating the water that entered your home, but it is also about knowing how to prevent further damage. Our professional team can anticipate those hidden dangers and help you make your home look "Like it never even happened."

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SERVPRO Helps Shreveport Homeowners Throughout The Entire Restoration Process

1/14/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO experts see you through to the end of your water damage cleanup.

The Timeline for Water Damage in Shreveport Homes

With a disaster in your Shreveport home, there is a finite amount of time to reach out to professional cleanup and restoration services to protect your property from what could be substantial damages. Even with smaller scale situations, water damage can spread quickly throughout the affected area and saturate into materials that it contacts. Our professionals must respond fast in these situations to protect your property and the contents of the damaged areas from becoming unsalvageable.

As with all of the disasters and emergencies that could threaten your Shreveport home, water damage has a specific timeline that restoration crews have to follow to gauge the potential effects that could exist throughout your home. Understanding this timeline can help you to appreciate your need for professional services like our SERVPRO professionals, but also encourage you to reach out to our emergency response team quickly to avoid unnecessary damage and loss.

Our professionals remain available 24 hours a day with experienced personnel and industry-leading equipment designed to improve the outlook of your damaged home shortly after we arrive on the scene. We work to protect the structural integrity and the contents of your home through real-time mitigation tactics like our pack out process to protect your belongings until restoration work later completes.

Materials exposed to water damage begin absorbing this moisture immediately. Within as little as 24 hours, these same materials can warp and distort, being oversaturated and now unsalvageable. Within a few days, this moisture ridden area of your home becomes a welcoming environment for mold and microbial growth. In severe situations, the area can even become biohazardous to you and your family within a week. Taking care of these situations immediately can work to keep your home and those that live in it safe.

When you start to consider the many ways that water damage can occur in your home, it is nice to know that you have a team of dedicated professionals available 24/7 to help you through the restoration process. From the initial inspection through the end, our SERVPRO of South Shreveport technicians work tirelessly to give you a restored property. Give us a call anytime at (318) 865-4655.

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