How long does it take for water damage to set in?

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

How long does it take for water damage to set in? 

When you discover you have had a water intrusion in your home, you will have a lot of questions. How long has this water been sitting here? What do we do? Who do we call? How much time do we have to get this cleaned up? 

With any type of water damage, time is of the essence. A quick response is crucial to prevent water from causing its peak potential damage. It does not take very long for water to cause problems, but the longer it sits, the worse it will get. That also means that repairs will take longer and become more expensive. 

We have compiled this timeline to demonstrate just how quickly water damage sets in and what can happen if left for too long.   

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water absorbs into walls, floors, upholstery, and other belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces start to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of South Shreveport 

SERVPRO of South Shreveport specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a water damage event. Our team understands the importance of responding to water damage quickly, that is why we offer 24/7 emergency services so that our professional crews can get to work quickly, minimizing the potential damage to your property and returning it to “preloss” condition as soon as possible.  

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certifications.

Water Damage Restoration for the Greater Shreveport Area

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Regardless of the water damage incident at your Shreveport property, know that SERVPRO of South Shreveport is only a call away.

Reach Out to SERVPRO for Water Damage Cleanup

Shreveport is a bustling metropolitan area ranking third in terms of the highest population in Louisiana. Initially founded in 1836 by Shreve Town Company, this area has thriving businesses, unique restaurants, and exciting sightseeing opportunities. There is something in the city to see and do for everyone, which is why many people relocate here for work or raising a family. SERVPRO wants all property owners to know that we are the number one choice in the area for all your water damage remediation and restoration needs.

Along with being a trusted name for water damage restoration in Shreveport, SERVPRO is known for its prompt response and disaster recovery. Whether you have flooding from a tropical storm or a burst pipe in your home, you can count on us to be at your door ready to work within hours. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Must-see attractions and eateries in the Shreveport area:

• The Shreveport Aquarium – This popular attraction is home to thousands of animals, and you will find it nestled along the downtown riverfront. You can explore the touch tanks, check out shipwreck replicas, and learn all about the ocean, sea life, and conservation efforts.
• Herby K’s – When it is time to grab a bite, Herby K’s is a must. This historic and oldest restaurant in the city has become a popular rite of passage for locals and visitors alike. Sample popular items on the menu, such as the Shrimp Buster po’boy, piled high with butterflied fried shrimp and the famous Shrimp Buster sauce.
• Shreveport Festivals – Depending on the time of year in the city, you will find a host of unique festivals and immersive gatherings. The CORK Wine Festival is perfect for sampling dozens of wines from across the globe, or the Mudbug Madness Festival is all about the love of crawfish – a Louisiana staple.

Regardless of the water damage incident at your Shreveport property, know that SERVPRO of South Shreveport is only a call away. Reach us at (318) 865-4655; we can send restoration technicians as soon as possible.

Deal with Water Damage Fast for Best Results in Shreveport

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO utilizes advanced equipment to ensure your water damaged Shreveport home has been thoroughly dried.

Shreveport Properties Recovery Faster with SERVPRO’s Water Damage Help!

Nobody wants to encounter water emergencies, including both homeowners and businesses alike. However, they can develop at any time and usually without warning. Preparation is critical if you want to get your Shreveport property back to normal as quickly as possible. This is why you should always have the name of a trusted water restoration team handy to have the help you need in a pinch. SERVPRO is Faster to Any Size Disaster, available 24/7, and we feature skilled IICRC-certified technicians to handle your water removal services and damage restoration needs!

Hiring professional cleanup and water damage restoration in Shreveport gets you results faster than any DIY methods ever can provide. Our team is up-to-date on all the latest industry technology and techniques in the restorations field. You will also see us pulling up with our Green Fleet of vehicles stocked with everything necessary to help you make your property “Like it never even happened."

Let Us Get Started on Water Removal Services

We have the capability and scalability to ensure small and large water extractions get done in a timely manner. You can count on us to come in and handle saturated carpeting, standing water left from floodwaters, or take care of moisture left after a major appliance malfunction. We begin water mitigation as soon as we can upon arrival to keep water from migrating into unaffected areas of your property. We do this with the help of equipment like:

• Wet vacuums
• Submersible pumps
• Gas-powered pumps
• Truck-mounted extractors
• Portable extraction units
• Carpet wands
• Rovers

We Handle Drying and Dehumidification in Tandem with Water Removal

Drying and dehumidification are critical elements in any water-related restoration project we perform here at SERVPRO. Proper drying efforts matched with dehumidification bring relative humidity (RH) back to normal. We have powerful air movers and industrial-grade dehumidifiers that remove the remaining moisture from ceilings, flooring, walls, and even harder-to-reach areas. We bring:

• Axial fans
• Air movers
• Drying mats
• Desiccant dehumidifiers

What About Odor Control?

We have a well-rounded team of industry professionals to handle each aspect of your water damage project. This includes Odor Control Technicians (OCT) to ensure no lingering odors get left after water extraction and drying wraps up. Water and fire-related incidents are known for pungent or musty odors that must be handled, so there is no reminder of the emergency. Our equipment and proven methods ensure your interior gets left smelling clean so you and your family can breathe easy again, including:

• Air scrubbers with powerful HEPA filters
• Thermal foggers
• Ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers
• Odor counteractant granules or beads
• EPA-registered cleaning and deodorizing agents

Why is Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Deodorizing Necessary?

Whenever standing water or moisture has been festering, there is the potential for contamination and bacterial growth. SERVPRO features a variety of cleaning agents and antimicrobial products in our arsenal that allow us to clean as we go, ensuring surfaces are free of contaminants. Everything gets a detailed cleaning, so all impacted areas of your home or business are safe once again for all that enter. This is our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned seal of approval!

No matter the incident, whether you have a dishwasher that breaks and sends water under your cabinetry, flooring, etc., or something else, you will have to deal with an insurance claim. Rather than dealing with all the paperwork, we can help! SERVPRO is your insurance liaison to ensure all documentation is in order.

Call SERVPRO of South Shreveport whenever you require assistance with water damage. Reach us 24/7 by dialing (318) 865-4655!

Shreveport Water Damage Restoration Firm Dedicated to Serving You

3/25/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides safe and secure water damage restoration for your Shreveport home.

Attentive Water Damage Restoration in Shreveport

Cleaning up after a water event in Shreveport can prove to be tricky. Not only does it involve removing water and repairing damage, but it also entails effectively dealing with homeowners and residents. Technicians must also always remain mindful of the safety and comfort of those they work around when dealing with water leaks and other water-related issues.

Good Shreveport water damage restoration firms, like SERVPRO, are attentive to customer needs and dedicated to helping them understand what is being done. Once on-site, our skilled technicians endeavor to make those living in the home feel comfortable, safe, and able to go about their lives as normally as possible. To accomplish these goals, SERVPRO’s water damage remediation experts:

• First, introduce ourselves to residents and give them a business card, Water Customer Information Brochure, and an informative water damage form
• Next, listen to any concerns, review overall scoping and drying plans with the homeowner, follow them to areas impacted by issues like ceiling leaks, burst pipes, and basement flooding, ask their permission to start scoping, and allow them to watch as things in need of water damage repairs are found.
• Then, carefully explain how we plan to fix found water-related problems
• Consider potential safety risks, inform residents and workers of these, provide those in the home with Material Safety Data Sheets for all substances used, and attempt to limit everyone’s exposure to dangerous environments and materials
• Ensure, before work begins, that ceilings and floors are not in danger of collapsing and electrical shock hazards have been eliminated

After this preliminary work has been completed, we are able to start returning your home to its pre-leak condition.

Your neighbors at SERVPRO of South Shreveport are dedicated to doing water damage restoration right. So, if your residence ever suffers the effects of a water event, don’t hesitate to call us at (318) 865-4655 for help.

Why Water Removal is an Initial Action for Damaged Shreveport Homes

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage in your home can seem overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 to assess and start the water removal and drying process.

Clearing standing water protects a Shreveport home and its contents.

Standing water is among the most damaging situations after water disasters, primarily because of how threatening this pooling can be to sensitive materials. Our responding technicians' priority is to quickly manage this standing water through several extraction methods available.

Types of Water Removal Techniques

When water removal in Shreveport homes is necessary, several options exist. With these varying layers of extraction available for homes, there is more versatility to the efficiency and efficacy of restoration. While each of these options has multiple tools and devices to help, the general premise for extraction and water removal in damaged homes includes:

• Wet Vacuuming – This process involves truck-mount extractors or portable units that provide a vacuum lift. 
• Pumping – This process involves submersible pumps placed in situations where more than two inches of standing water exist. 
• Absorption – Mopping and toweling can be used on many hard flooring surfaces to manage smaller levels of water damage. 

Choosing the Best Extraction Method for Your Home

As with many aspects of water restoration and cleanup for homes in the area, there is no universal approach to water removal. Much of these choices are determined based on the situations where damage exists and the severity of these conditions. Substantial standing water scenarios with more than a foot of pooling will not be handled the same as trapped water in a saturated carpet.

Despite the damage that water disasters can do to homes and businesses in the area, many still delay contacting professional restoration services like our SERVPRO of South Shreveport team provides. We have efficient and effective water removal tools and restoration approaches to make these events "Like it never even happened." Call us today at (318) 865-4655.

Helping Families with Our Water Removal Techniques In Shreveport

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

When a home takes on water, either through an internal source or outside flooding, we can help with methods designed for rapid water removal.

Water Removal Techniques

Shreveport has some beautiful homes, some of which many local families have lived in for generations. We live in the area also and understand that our homes play vital roles in our daily lives and special occasions. Keeping them free of deteriorating conditions is crucial to protecting them.

When a home takes on water through an internal source or outside flooding, we can help with methods designed for rapid water removal in Shreveport. Extraction of water from surfaces in your home is only the first stage. We also perform other measures that get the water out of things that absorbed it.

When flooding happens, dirty water invades your home. This water is so polluted that it ruins carpet so severely that we cannot repair it to suitable cleanliness levels. Replacing it is our only option. However, the damage often remains minimal if homeowners contact us as soon as possible. We can often save carpeting that became drenched from an interior leak because We Are Faster To Any Size Disaster, keeping damages as minimal as possible.

Clean water comes from disastrous occurrences such as a broken joint on a water line or a sink that overflowed. Our techs also dry and clean the area where water flows as quickly as possible. Working in teams helps us mitigate damage and get things back to normal efficiently and effectively. Our experts use all the available methods to get everything safe and just "Like it never even happened" for you and your family.

Drying techniques include machinery combined with minor alterations in your home's structure. Smaller homes permit us to feed flexible tubing into wall spaces so our Injectidry system can use warm, dry air to evaporate moisture from interior walls and push that now-humid air out of the interior space.

Heated floor mats also use the same principle and quickly get floors dry again. Laying carpet down on damp floors can cause a mold infestation to plague your house. The wooden flooring of most types can trap moisture underneath their components, causing warping, curling, and severe cracking. Getting that moisture out of there can preserve your floor. We use water removal methods wherever the water flows.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport wants your family home to retain its integrity and ability to protect your family. Water removal methods allow this to happen and help prevent secondary water damage. Contact us at our emergency services number, (318) 865-4655, whenever your home springs a leak or sustains a flood.

Appliance Aging Can Lead to Water Damage in Your Shreveport Home

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let a leaking appliance cause major water damage to your Shreveport home--contact SERVPRO. "Like it never even happened."

Have You Checked Your Appliances in Your Shreveport Home Lately?

With all the bodies of water that sit around Shreveport, like the Red River, it is no wonder that many homes are battling the possibility of flooding throughout the rainiest times of the year. Even with this continual threat, homeowners are surprised by internal threats they didn't see coming. An excellent example of this would be the breakdown of a dishwasher or washing machine. Appliances can assuredly make your life a little bit easier, but as they are machines, there is only a finite amount of time that they function correctly. Regular servicing of these appliances can secure weakened connections and drain hoses.

When a dishwasher fails, high volumes of water could end up in the affected areas and require water removal services for your Shreveport residence. Our experienced SERVPRO professionals respond quickly; We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. We understand that the longer water soaks into construction materials, the more irreparable damage occurs.

Extraction begins shortly after an inspection which assists in selecting the various pumps and wet vacs available. Larger pools of water damage could require the use of truck-mounted pumps from our SERVPRO Green Fleet. We can then focus on drying the affected rooms using:

• air movers
• axial fans
• drying mats
• heaters

Our customers receive a final walkthrough to ensure complete satisfaction has been achieved. We can work with insurance adjusters throughout the remediation service to simplify the claims paperwork and remain within a budget.

When you face damage that requires water removal, trust our SERVPRO of South Shreveport professionals to do it quickly and to do it right. Give us a call today at (318) 865-4655.

Shreveport Properties Benefit from Rapid Water Damage Cleanup

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Green Fleet Arrives fully stocked with equipment to mitigate water damage in Shreveport.

Team SERVPRO Arrives at a Shreveport Home to Mitigate Water Damage

Because of the tremendous pressure behind your Shreveport home's water supply, even a slight leak can cause severe problems. Thousands of gallons of water can enter your home through a broken water line on an appliance or faucet in a concise amount of time. When nobody is home, the damages can become extremely severe.

Residents can rely on SERVPRO professionals for emergency water removal services in Shreveport. Our ability to respond Faster To Any Sized Disaster means we save our customers from paying for preventable damages. We also reduce the time their families cannot live in their homes because of water removal's mitigation work.

Our Green Fleet includes the truck-mounted pumps that initialize our work. Other equipment arrives ready to start, as we always keep each piece in excellent running condition. All our equipment works together, much like our employees work as part of cohesive teams, all designed to serve our customers' needs better.

Additional equipment includes small pumps that we use to extract any residual moisture from your floors. While we reduce this moisture to where they become barely damp, we need to dry these surfaces and others, such as your lower walls, even more. We accomplish this by increasing the temperature, accelerating evaporation, and directing the damp air outdoors.

In locations where warping, buckling, or cracking of materials seem more likely to happen, as in wooden floors, trim, or other structural aspects, we can use directed heat with extraction mechanisms built into them. The interior of your walls can also retain excessive amounts of water that flowed in before we could extract any of the water. This trapped water can remain there unless we drill tiny holes to release it. Afterward, we can feed flexible tubing into the area and fill it with dry, warm air that acts as a desiccant.

Leaving any moisture behind from such a massive water leak can leave your home open to several types of damage. Water damage can continually deteriorate softer materials in your home while warping more durable ones. Microbes grow much more quickly in damp conditions. Elevated moisture can cause corrosion in hinges and other metal fastenings in your home and any electrical conduits. Water removal protects your home from these damaging effects.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport can help you protect your home by performing quick and efficient water removal services designed to mitigate and reduce any damages your home might experience otherwise. Our emergency services number is (318) 865-4655 and is always available every minute of the year.

It is Important to Use the Right Equipment during Water Damage in Shreveport

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless whether water damage is clearly evident or starts behind walls, team SERVPRO can help. We arrive with water detection tools to help you.

Call on the Professionals at SERVPRO for Proper Water Damage Restoration

Enhancing airflow is so essential when restoring your contents after experiencing water damage. Using the right drying techniques as well as tools counts a lot. If you are a resident of Shreveport, call professionals as soon as you can to mitigate the damage and know what is restorable. For instance, did you know that you have to position an air mover correctly to enhance its efficiency? It is a mistake to let the air mover blow the air directly into the surface since that makes the air bounce back and push the wetness into the area. A 45-degree angle of placement is appropriate

The monitoring and detection tools our SERVPRO technicians use when attending to water damage in Shreveport can make a big difference. For instance, if we need to detect the presence of water in soft materials, we may decide to use a moisture sensor. The device has probes which penetrate into materials, and if it detects some moisture, its light blinks and a beeping sound goes off. Given that this device only indicates the presence of moisture, there are instances where we have to use other methods when determining the exact amount is necessary.

With the help of a moisture meter, our SERVPRO technicians can determine the actual content of moisture in a structure. They also have probes which can penetrate wall cavities and wood flooring to provide the right measurements. Another vital equipment that allows us to measure both the humidity and temperature is a thermo-hygrometer.

After putting in place space heaters and air movers, the moisture evaporates from wet surfaces into the surrounding air. With time, the relative humidity of the air increases and there are chances that the wetness in the air can condense on surfaces and lead to damage. To avoid that, our IICRC certified technicians perform dehumidification and pull the additional moisture from the air. Depending on the situation we are dealing with, we may use refrigerant, low grain refrigerant, or desiccant dehumidifiers.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport is an industry leader in storm, mold, fire, and water damage restoration. Call us at (318) 865-4655 any time of the day if you need it to appear “Like it never even happened.”

Useful Details Regarding Water Damage Restoration in Forbing Homes

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides the drying equipment and NEC approved electrical power to mitigate water damage in Forbing homes and businesses

SERVPRO Enhances Various Safety and Efficiency-Related Aspects of Water Damage Mitigation

Some tasks such as extraction and drying are common during water damage restoration, so there is a lot of information about them. However, some useful information that you may not come across every day can help you mitigate various issues after water intrusion.

Safely completing water damage restoration at your Forbing home should be a priority. One of the aspects that can compromise safety is electricity, yet it is crucial in driving many of the apparatus needed for restoration. Taking precautions can help keep you safe. SERVPRO technicians are prepared with PPE and the right knowledge on handling electricity when restoring property after water intrusion.

Some crucial aspects of safety around electricity include:

• Ensuring circuits are not overloaded
• Grounding all electrical outlets
• Testing for current flowing through wet materials or standing water
• Using PPE such as rubber boots

Injuries from electric shock or damage to restoration equipment can halt the renovation process prematurely. However, a few simple precautions can prevent dire outcomes. One common mistake is overloading circuits by plugging in too many apparatus.

According to the National Electric Code, the power drawn from a circuit should not exceed 80% of its capacity. However, checking equipment constantly and making manual calculations can be extremely cumbersome, so guesswork or rough estimation is the most likely approach. Our SERVPRO technicians use circuit analyzers to get accurate data. Using portable Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters helps keep equipment safe in rooms other than kitchens and bathrooms where outlets are not grounded.

Away from safety, efficiency also matters, especially when cleaning heavily soiled surfaces. One way to break tough soil bonds is by agitating with high-pressure water. A power washer is an appropriate tool for this task. Choosing the right one guarantees maximum efficiency.

Important considerations for choosing a power washer include:

• Pressure rating for commercial or residential use
• Cleaning agent dispensing method
• Whether it is a hot or cold water system

SERVPRO of South Shreveport utilizes its wealth of knowledge to enhance every aspect of water damage restoration. Call us at (318) 865-4655 to help you resolve any incident “Like it never even happened.”

What Factors Impact Restorability and Drying Efficiency in Shreveport Homes?

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

The humidity outside affects the drying process inside. SERVPRO takes this into consideration when creating a drying plan.

Several Considerations Determine the Ease of Water Removal and Drying of Shreveport Properties

After a water damage incident, drying and restoring your home can involve crafting a suitable recovery plan based on multiple factors. To provide the most efficient drying, we must make decisions to overcome these site-specific obstacles.

The Building Envelope

This factor shows how property can become affected by outside elements that prevent efficient water damage restoration in Shreveport homes. Modern buildings and new construction typically land on the tight side of this small scale, while older homes and lofty warehouse buildings have a looser building envelope. The levels of building envelope conditions are:

• Tight – The necessary drying is possible without a noticeable impact from environmental factors outside the house.
• Moderate – Some influence of the drying process is possible and expected at this level.
• Loose – At this stage, the drying process is heavily influenced and guided by the elements outside of the house.

The Movement of Air

The planned and unplanned movement of air within a structure can also influence the pace and thoroughness of our drying process. Infiltration of air, where the flow enters the damaged space, and exfiltration, where the air is pulled from the room, require a counteractive movement. Air entering a work zone must be vented, whereas lost air can be compensated with more significant volumes of air movers.

How Moisture Moves in the House

Moisture migration and movement are yet another consideration for efficient drying in a house. While liquid and air movement are among the more common obstacles for our technicians, we must also overcome capillary suction that allows water to be pulled through porous materials to dry spaces beyond.

Water damage incidents are unique from one home to the next. Our SERVPRO of South Shreveport creates a site-specific plan to help return your property to preloss condition. Call us today at (318) 865-4655.

Tackling Water Damage in Your Shreveport Property Should Not Have to Happen Alone

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

Shreveport homeowners get relief and water mitigation when the SERVPRO box truck arrives on the scene--We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

Why You Might Need SERVPRO of South Shreveport to Handle Water Damage from a Leak

One of the most common causes of water damage that we see in local homes is damage caused by a pipe or appliance leak. While leaking faucets are the most common and visible types of water leaks in a home, these should pose a minimal concern, as any leaking water can be collected and drained away. Leaks below cabinets, behind walls, and underneath large appliances can both be much harder to detect. They may cause much more costly types of damage to your home. Here are a few reasons why you might need to call SERVPRO for a simple water leak.

Discoloration

One of the most visually apparent signs of water damage to a Shreveport home may be the discoloration of walls, floors, and ceilings. Many building and finishing materials found in local homes are not designed to accommodate significant volumes of water. They may become permanently discolored when soaked by a leak. Although some of these problems can be resolved with a fresh coat of paint, many others require alternative approaches to refinishing and color change reversal. Our technicians are trained and experienced in the handling of all materials used to build local homes and can leave yours looking "Like it never even happened."

Warping

Some materials may warp when exposed to water, especially when only one side of a surface gets wet (as may happen with a leak). As these materials expand and contract with the absorption and drying of water, they may permanently take a new shape. We can help to return most home materials to their original shape and size without any replacements.

Fungal Growth

Leaks can provide the perfect opportunity for mold and other types of fungi to start to grow in your home. Mold can be identified by the presence of strong, musty odors. Still, you can usually assume that a longstanding leak has supported mold growth somewhere. SERVPRO technicians can help to control and remove any past or present mold infestations in your home that may have been caused by a leak.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport can help you handle large and small water damage problems in your home on a 24/7 basis. Just give us a call at (318) 865-4655.

How Can I Tell How Bad a Water Damage Incident in My Shreveport Home Is?

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Sinks and bathtubs are common causes of water damage. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to restore your home.

You Can Call SERVPRO to Help Scope the Damage and Start Restoration Processes Immediately

Whenever there is an incident involving water intrusion at your Shreveport property, there is a possibility that the damage is more severe than you think. Some aspects of the incident, such as the amount of water spilled or passage of time since the event started, provide evident insight on the kind of damages to expect. However, other aspects that influence the level of damage may be harder to detect.

How long does water damage take to show?

The time it takes to notice water damage in Shreveport homes depends on several factors, including:

• The intensity of the damage present
• The efforts applied in scoping the area
• The areas affected by the water area

Water damage incidents vary in intensity ranging from the slow trickle of water from sinks and other plumbing facilities to sudden or accidental discharge. Intensive cases are easier to notice since they involve massive amounts of water and affect vast portions of the property.

Since water migrates from the source to both open and concealed sections of the property, you might only notice the damage in open areas. Some typical issues that go unnoticed after water spills include:

• Mold growth
• Rotting in structural supports or subfloors
• High levels of humidity

How does SERVPRO identify hidden problems?

Managing unseen problems, after water damage incidents, requires different resources. Our crews use a variety of sophisticated scoping tools like thermal cameras to check for wetness behind walls or floor materials. Thermo-hygrometers help monitor moisture levels in the air at different temperatures helping us establish whether to take action. Our training and experience dealing with several water damage situations help us spot subtle signs of wetness in concealed areas. For instance, pushing slightly against walls reveals moisture-damaged drywall, which has a soft or spongy feel.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport can take timely action to reveal and solve hidden problems after a water damage incident making it "Like it never even happened." Call us at (318) 865-4655.

What To Do When You Need Urgent Water Removal in Shreveport

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO utilizes advanced devices like this moisture meter to ensure your water-damaged Shreveport home has been professionally dried.

Moisture, Drying, and Restoring is SERVPRO's Area of Expertise for Water Damage Mitigation

When a pipe bursts on your property, it can leak many gallons of liquid, and water removal services can swiftly become a must. When such a situation happens, it is essential to call services as quickly as you can. Water damage can be remediated with little or relatively no catastrophic damage to the structure of your home if done promptly. The longer you wait to deal with water damage in your home, the higher the possibility for mold growth and structural harm becomes. However, if it is dealt with quickly, your home can usually be returned to its preloss condition with little struggle. Fortunately, there is professional help nearby to assist in the removal of excess water on your property.

Our skilled technicians can remove the damaging water from your Shreveport property through the use of advanced technology. After we receive your call and arrive at your home, we can inspect the damage and then apply the correct method to remove the water. In most cases, we can employ industrial quality wet/dry vacuums and portable truck-operated pumps to remove the water from your property swiftly.

After we remove the visible water from your home, SERVPRO can use moisture meters to detect the places of your house that require drying. With that knowledge in mind, we can focus on using the right tools to dry out your home. Commonly, we use devices such as dehumidifiers and air movers to create an ideal moisture content level in your belongings and building materials.

Freeing the area of airborne moisture assists in drying out the structure of your home and belongings as residual moisture is forced to evaporate. SERVPRO strives to ensure that your home is thoroughly dry so that no further damage arises from remaining moisture.

When a pipe bursts in your home and you require water removal services, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of South Shreveport at (318) 865-4655. 24/7, we can take your call and send our technicians to your home.

Does SERVPRO Offer Water Damage Restoration in Shreveport?

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

Paint bubbling is often a first sign of water damage. SERVPRO is always ready to locate the moisture source and restore your home.

SERVPRO Provides Water Damage Remediation to Homeowners in Shreveport

A burst pipe can introduce a great deal of water and moisture inside walls or in ceilings. Before repairs and restoration can even begin, the water must be removed, contents and structure must also be either removed or dried. The water inside walls causes the drywall to absorb moisture and swell. In most situations, the drywall will need to be removed and repaired as part of the water damage restoration process.

SERVPRO provides both water damage restoration and water damage remediation services to Shreveport homeowners. Removing water and drying the area impacted by a burst pipe quickly can significantly reduce the amount of secondary damage caused by high moisture levels. Since wet or high moisture migrates to dry regions, removing contents and installing air movers and dehumidifiers can reduce the secondary damage caused by high humidity levels.

SERVPRO Water Damage Remediation Actions Include:

• Responding 24/7 in less than 4 hours
• Deploying pumps, vacuums, air movers, and dehumidifiers to remove water and moisture quickly
• Removing contents to protect them from high humidity transfer and damage

Call SERVPRO of South Shreveport for water damage restoration services in Shreveport and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (318) 865-4655

Why Hire Professional Water Cleanup?

2/28/2021 (Permalink)

Affected by water damage? Regardless how the water got in, team SERVPRO is waiting to respond to your emergency call.

Shreveport residents can count on SERVPRO to have advanced water damage technology and proven methods

Shreveport remains one of the biggest cities in the state of Louisiana, which had a population of 199,311 back in 2010. When adding in Bossier City to make up the local metropolitan area, this region has a population that spans well over 400,000.

In 1836, Shreveport was founded by the Shreve Town Company. This was a corporation that got established to work on developing a town located at the juncture of the Texas Trail and the Red River. Today, Shreveport is viewed as the cultural and commercial center of the region known as Ark-La-Tex, which is where the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas all meet.

Shreveport also boasts a world-renowned sports scene, including a strong following for minor league baseball teams. There are several players from the area that have gone on to major league rosters.

Notable People That Come from Shreveport

There are plenty of famous people that come from Shreveport, Louisiana, including many actors, actresses, athletes, social media stars, models, and singer/songwriters:

• Kenny Wayne Shepherd
• Pat Carroll
• Johnnie Cochran
• Kix Brooks
• Robert Parish
• James Dobson
• Alan Autry
• Zachery Fuller
• Chi Chi DeVayne
• Mikky Ekko

What to See and Do When in Shreveport, Louisiana

There is never a shortage of great places to visit and explore in Shreveport. This is an area well-known for dockside riverboat casinos, including:

• Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino
• Horseshoe Casino & Hotel
• El Dorado Resort Casino
• Boomtown Casino & Hotel
• Diamond Jack’s Casino Resort

In addition to gaming, many people like to visit Shreveport for thoroughbred racing events at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. Of course, there are also plenty of outstanding historical landmarks in the area, including a waterworks dating back to 1887 by the name of McNeill Street Pumping Station. If you are into shopping and entertainment, the Louisiana Boardwalk has been a lovely venue to visit since 2005. Other great attractions in the area include:

• The home of the very first performance Elvis Presley did, which is the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
• The Pioneer Heritage Center, known for authentic buildings from the pioneer days of Northwest Louisiana from the 1830s to the 1860s
• Ark-La-Tex Visitor Venues – featuring the Sports Museum of Champions, Antique, and Classic Vehicle Museum, and the Mardi Gras Museum
• The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, which houses three outstanding ballet productions each calendar year
• Stephens African American Museum

Don’t Let Water Damage Costs Soar – Enlist the Help of SERVPRO to Clean and Restore Your Shreveport Home

A significant water spill or faulty appliance in your home are situations that call for rapid water cleanup. But, what many Shreveport homeowners may not realize is that secondary damage is something that could cause even more cost and hassle as time goes on. Even if you pull up all visible standing water, any moisture that may have migrated is a threat.

When we come to your home for cleanup of water damage in Shreveport, we work fast to eliminate secondary damages like:

• Corrosion
• Wood rot
• Electrical damage
• Mold and mildew development

In order to get the result you need with water damage restoration, skilled technicians are best. Contact us at SERVPRO of South Shreveport 24/7 for emergency service by calling (318) 865-4655.

Have Fun at the Upcoming Mardi Gras Parade in Shreveport

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

Not all restoration companies do what they are supposed to. SERVPRO has IICRC certified technicians with experience and the know how for your property

Shreveport Inhabitants and Visitors Alike can Enjoy the Mardi Gras Parade.

It is good news that the Mardi Gras parades scheduled for the year 2021 in Shreveport have not been canceled. It’s only that things will appear a little different. The Mardi Gras event occurs in towns and cities all around Louisiana from east to west and north to south. 

The magnificent, beaded, feathered, and costumed carnival is rich with tradition and is about having an excellent time. The traditional Mardi Gras colors date back to 1892, and they include green, symbolizing faith, purple, symbolizing justice, and gold, which symbolizes power. 

Mardi Gras is usually held on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The day before Mardi Gras is called Lundi Gras or Shrove Monday. The event is scheduled in Louisiana on February 16, 2021. The fun-filled event features:

Bands

Floats 

Drill teams

Marching groups 

Homecoming courts 

Youth sports teams

Everyone can expect to have a great time at the neighborhood parade. 

SERVPRO of South Shreveport is happy to welcome you to the Mardi Gras event. We are one of the leading water restoration companies in Shreveport. If you need water restoration services, call us at (318) 865-4655 for immediate help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Run For a Good Cause Just Outside of Forbing

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to the toy drive which will give many children presents that they may not have gotten without this!

Forbing and Shreveport Residents Promote Healthy Habits and Holiday Cheer

Individuals and groups in and around the Forbing vicinity have an invitation to run the three-loop course and get into the Christmas Spirit. This Sportspectrum tradition lets runners go past over ten thousand lights, decorations while listening to fun Christmas music. This year, the run established a partnership with Operation Santa Claus, a joint effort between the Shreveport fire and police departments to help the local community's children. Donations of toys get accepted during the turn-in of individual and group running packets on race day. The proceeds go to benefit children who otherwise may not get anything for Christmas. If you do not wish to donate a new toy, monetary donations are used to purchase gifts for the kids. 

• Registration is $25 pre-race and $40 on the 17th
• If there is a cancellation due to the pandemic, runners will receive 75% of their fee refunded
• Date of the Run: December 17th
• Time: 7:00 pm at the Sportspectrum

SERVPRO can assist local property owners with water mitigation in Forbing homes. The certified technicians arrive quickly and make the water damage, no matter how large or small, "Like it never even happened."

This Holiday Season, Enjoy All that Shreveport Offers!

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Oh the cool things you may see at the Shreveport Aquarium for the holiday season.

For local families seeking out unique Christmas entertainment, Shreveport offers an experience this year that may not be matched anywhere else in the country.

Already a treasure of the community, the Shreveport Aquarium is about to gear up for even more family-friendly entertainment this holiday season. Starting on November 27 and running through December 23, the Aquarium plans to host their BELIEVE series of events. During standard aquarium hours, visitors can tour through some special Christmas-themed exhibits, including a scuba-diving Santa Claus and a unique motion-activated wand.

On certain evenings throughout the month, the aquarium will also stay open to put on a special lights show and roll out some additional family activities. On top of arts and crafts activities, kids can write a letter to Santa that will receive a mailed response before Christmas. Tickets for these nighttime events cost $25 for all ages, while the daytime events charge a regular admissions fee plus $5 for a magic wand and special gift.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport provides emergency damage mitigation services whenever a leak or flood threatens your home. Call us 24/7 at (318) 865-4655.

Can My HVAC System Be Restored After A Burst Pipe?

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can dry out and restore Forbing area homes after a water-damaging incident. We can even help with HVAC damage.

Professionals from SERVPRO Are Trained To Restore Water Damaged HVAC Systems No Matter Where They Are Located.

In many ways, the HVAC system is the heart of your Forbing home. Unfortunately, it can be easily damaged when a pipe in your wall bursts or leaks. Because HVAC systems are located in hard to reach locations like your walls or crawlspaces, we recommend contacting trained technicians from SERVPRO who have the training and tools to restore these systems.

Does SERVPRO Do More Than Restoration?

When considering water restoration companies in Forbing, SERVPRO should be your #1 choice. Other than restoration, we also provide water removal and cleanup service. When drying your home, we can:

• Check the moisture levels of the various materials in your home.
• Apply colored dots to allow you to visualize what is being dried.
• Compare moisture readings to determine if your home is drying properly.
• Move our drying equipment to areas in need of additional drying.

What can I expect from SERVPRO's restoration process?

Once our teams have finished drying your home, we can begin the restoration process. In general, this involves:

• Repairing your house's structure and contents where needed
• A final cleaning
• A final inspection
• Removing all of our equipment from your newly restored home.

Throughout this process, we can consult with you and your insurance adjuster on what can and cannot be restored. In some cases, subcontractors may be needed for further mitigation.

How Does SERVPRO Restore HVACs?

Once we locate and access your HVAC ducts, we can begin determining what repairs are necessary. SERVPRO technicians can clean and decontaminate your ducts and replace your insulation if it has mold. In cases where mold is present, we have the training, equipment, and products to clean them to a standard level of sanitation.

If Your HVAC system at home is in trouble, then call SERVPRO of South Shreveport. You can reach us 24/7 at (318) 865-4655.

Is It Possible to Get Hundreds of Gallons of Water Out of My Shreveport Home?

7/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Shreveport has the state of the art equipment needed to extract water fast, regardless of the cause and extent of the loss.

Specialized Large-Capacity Equipment and the Trained Technicians to Operate Position SERVPRO as a Water Extraction Leader for Shreveport Residents

When you think about moving large amounts of water out of a Shreveport residence, storm-related flooding might come to mind. The reality is that the ordinary, everyday wear and tear endured by your plumbing and appliances is much more likely to cause a leak or overflow than a hurricane or torrential downpour. If you worry that the heavy-duty equipment used for catastrophic events is unavailable for your more mundane crisis, think again.

Is a Fresh Water Plumbing or Appliance Break Less Dangerous than Overland Flooding?

A water heater rupture or supply line break can pour massive amounts of water needing extraction into your Shreveport abode. The problem compounds if it happens while you are at work or out of town, and no one notices nor turns the water off promptly. Just a day or two of inattention can transform the clean Category 1 water into contaminated Category 2 or 3 fluids. What many do not realize is that plain, “clean” water is incredibly destructive to porous materials even without contaminants. It also provides the fuel needed for mold spores to transform into mold colonies.

What Do Professionals Use to Extract Large Amounts of Water?

SERVPRO stocks our service vehicles with all the extraction and structural drying equipment necessary to remove water and moisture fast. When water is deeper than two inches, we choose to position submersible pumps as a rapid and hands-off strategy, particularly helpful if some of the spaces affected are confined and difficult otherwise to reach. If the electricity is unavailable because of safety concerns, our powerful truck-mounted extractors operate using onboarded generators. The extractors:

    •    Avoid delays and offload water of all Categories fast
    •    Are capable of containing for lawful disposal 60 to more than 100 gallons of contaminated water

SERVPRO of South Shreveport has the state of the art equipment needed to extract water fast, regardless of the cause and extent of the loss. Contact us at (318) 865-4655 for speedy and skilled assistance.

How Do I Know if there is Trapped Water Behind My Kitchen Cupboards in Shreveport?

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Technicians Use Inspection Devices to Find Moisture in Your Shreveport Kitchen

When there is water damage anywhere in your Shreveport home, it is critical to take care of it right away, especially because of the humid Northwest Louisiana climate that often fosters microbial growth. Kitchens pose a unique challenge as there are cupboards and appliances which may conceal water damage.

For this reason, it is crucial to identify and address hidden pockets of water as quickly as possible to mitigate further water damage in Shreveport. Technicians use specialized equipment to locate the water and determine how much water there is.

What Type of Devices Locate the Water?
    •    Thermal imaging cameras quickly detect the presence of water by sensing the presence of moisture through thermal images that detect temperature differences.
    •    Technicians use moisture sensors to detect water beneath the carpet and padding.

How Do Technicians Know How Much Water is Trapped?
    •    SERVPRO technicians use moisture meters that measure the levels of moisture in different materials.
    •    Penetrating moisture meters use probes to determine moisture levels through multiple surface layers.
    •    Borescopes and inspection cameras use a long hose to reach cavities and capture an image so technicians can check for contamination and see the moisture.

What Do I Need to Do to Dry the Moisture?
    •    Extract the water through the use of portable extraction equipment.
    •    Portable equipment with wand attachments reaches small, out-of-the-way spaces.
    •    Our specialists dry remaining moisture with air movers and dehumidifiers by replacing moist air with warm, dry air.
    •    SERVPRO technicians may use cavity drying equipment that has either vents attached to air movers or blowers attached to hoses that direct air into the wall cavity.

For immediate help finding and taking care of hidden moisture within your home, contact SERVPRO of South Shreveport 24/7 at (318) 865-4655. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Shreveport click here.

Water Damage Repairs In Your Shreveport

2/29/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Shreveport knows how to boost your spring-cleaning tasks, so you get the most out of your efforts.

Adding Water Damage Repairs to Your Spring Cleaning Tasks in Shreveport

Over the winter months, condensation inside your Shreveport residence can make things smell musty. Dust collecting on surfaces adds to this, and it helps create an inviting environment for microorganisms. Moving things around while spring cleaning often stirs up that dust, and also causes microbes to release spores into the air.

SERVPRO is always ready to help homeowners with mitigating and restoring their homes in Shreveport of water damage and related situations. Your home could have minor problems now, but waiting allows these to increase in their severity. Our technicians use methods that effectively contain dust and spores. These same techniques also make drying damp areas more efficient.

We know you deep clean your home to rid it of accumulated dirt, freshen up upholstered furniture, draperies, carpets, rugs, and bedding, and organize your home for the more active months of summer. We can help check for problems like water damage and increase the effectiveness of your own labor. Our building crew has the tools to fix loose plumbing and connections that you locate, as well as make repairs to damaged walls, floors, and ceilings. They can also relieve you of the chore of cleaning carpeting and rugs, freeing up your time so you can give more attention to your family’s honey-do list.

Because water damage can start almost anywhere inside a house and then spread in almost every direction, SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified restoration specialists use infrared cameras to locate affected materials in our customers’ houses. This method can provide us with visual information about water damage in places you might not have considered vulnerable.

When water damage occurs inside your home, you need experienced restoration professionals who understand your family’s needs and provide matching services. More than that, increases expenses without providing any real benefit, but less can allow water damage to spread and increase the cost of future repairs. SERVPRO’s goal is to always provide our customers with the most cost-effective services possible.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport knows how to boost your spring-cleaning tasks, so you get the most out of your efforts. Call us at (318) 865-4655 for help with carpet cleaning, plumbing repairs, deodorization, and other assistance that eliminates the effects of water damage.

For more about Shreveport click here.

Reducing Humidity to Improve Drying Times for Shreveport Homes

1/30/2020 (Permalink)

Our technicians are always available. Call us any time.

How Our SERVPRO Team Handles Water Damage In Shreveport

Efficient drying for a Shreveport home involves a unique balance of several elements, including the temperature of the environment, the airflow against damaged areas, and the humidity. Because humidity levels are a common concern throughout the year in Louisiana, our SERVPRO professionals must identify higher moisture content concerns before beginning drying processes to ensure that we are adequately offering an efficient solution.

Finding the right approach to resolve this concern begins with initial readings and scoping of the water damage in Shreveport homes. Our technicians have sophisticated moisture content tools that can determine the concentration of water damages and the humidity levels in the structure before starting mitigation. These readings can help our professionals to determine the placement and number of dehumidifiers necessary to regulate moist air to make drying more efficient.

In many cases, establishing containment areas can expedite the drying process by limiting the range and workload of dehumidifiers and drying equipment. These drying zones allow our SERVPRO team to regulate airflow and temperature more directly as well, helping to increase the turnover time on returning your property to preloss condition. These barriers get constructed with thick plastic poly sheeting but could also feature ventilation points for the exhausting of moist air when desiccants get used.

Once moisture content has reached adequate levels in the environment, we can direct air movers at saturated walls and flooring to begin evaporative drying techniques. Ultimately, this increases humidity again, but the placement of dehumidifiers counteracts running air movers to balance created moisture in the air to dry damaged materials and contents continually. When combined with warmer temperatures that can get produced by either our air movers or direct warmth from portable electric heaters, evaporation can increase even further.

Understanding drying sciences allows our SERVPRO of South Shreveport team to provide an efficient and practical drying approach for every water loss incident we encounter. If you want to make a disaster, “Like it never even happened,” give our professionals a call 24/7 at (318) 865-4655.

Learn more about South Shreveport.

How to Dry Water Damaged Ceilings in Shreveport

10/24/2019 (Permalink)

Inspect your ceilings often for signs of water damage, and call SERVPRO for fast and effective restoration solutions.

Drying Water in Ceiling Cavities of Shreveport Properties 

Because air pockets and pressure fluctuations continue to the highest points of your plumbing, many of our Shreveport customers experience substantial water loss incidents originating in their ceiling spaces between floors. Even if these pressure differentials do not lead to a full separation or burst, leaks can result. Moisture present in the ceiling cavity can lead to mold and microbial threats, or continually weaken ceiling materials to the point of collapse. 

As much as our professionals must address all aspects of water damage to Shreveport homes, these tasks must get performed in the order of the highest severity for the household. We seek to protect installed construction materials as much as possible, and that begins with limited removal of specific ceiling tiles or portions of stucco to gain stable access to the damaged area. The faster that we can address this threatened area, the better chance we have of reducing the development of mold colonies. 

To reach both the damaged plumbing and continue the drying efforts necessary to restore installed ceiling materials and the flooring above the water damage, our technicians can remove insulation materials by hand or with our insulation vacuum. With access to the damaged areas of pipe, our licensed general contractors can repair the plumbing while our team sets up our cutting-edge drying equipment. 

With confined spaces like ceiling cavities, air movers are not always the most effective drying system. Our positive pressure devices like the InjectiDry system can allow us to provide a minimally invasive burst of heated air into this space to force moisture into the environment for collection by our desiccant or LGR dehumidifiers in place within the house or outside with our larger trailered units. 

Anywhere that water loss effects can get discovered in your home require a specific approach with our cutting-edge equipment. Our SERVPRO of South Shreveport professionals have extensive training through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to help you navigate the damage in your home and restore it quickly. To make your property “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (318) 865-4655. 

More about Shreveport.

SERVPRO, Shreveport Water Loss Cleanup, and Environmental Friendly Products

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

Our Green SERVPRO Fleet Uses Environmental Friendly Products for Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Shreveport

Why We Choose Green Products for Shreveport Water Cleanup

As much as we want to provide every Shreveport home with the powerful and potent products that overcome threats, sludge, grime, and other residues after a water loss incident, we have an environment to protect as well. For many years, restoration companies used the most powerful cleaning agents regardless of their effects on nature, but our team has been working to raise the bar of the restoration industry by implementing green products in recovery projects all across the country.

While we have fast and effective mitigation tactics to address the immediate threats of water damage in Shreveport homes, the cleaning of residues and staining can be a severe challenge for homeowners to face. Our SERVPRO team relies both on our cutting-edge equipment and extensive training to address these concerns head-on. By combining this experience with our line of powerful, environmentally-friendly products, we can genuinely make loss incidents “Like it never even happened.”
 
Our SERVPRO brand is a standing member of the Design for Environment initiative implemented by the EPA. As a part of this project, we can access a list of “CleanGredients” that we use in our line of environmentally-safe products for our cleaning technicians to utilize. With these resources available, we can release products to help with everything from hardwood cleaners to deodorization agents. Now our commitment to helping our customers recover from water and other loss incidents does not have to come at the detriment to our environment.
 
We have a full team of cleaning technicians accredited in multiple facets of the industry through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.) Our team has endorsements in areas such as:
 
    •    CCT – Carpet Cleaning Technician
    •    RCT – Rug Cleaning Technician
    •    UFT – Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
    •    Biohazard Recovery
 
As damaging as water loss incidents can be to your home, you can count on the team that wants to protect your property and the planet without compromising potency. You can rely on the fast response and experience of our SERVPRO of South Shreveport team to help you get your residence back to preloss condition. We are available 24/7 at (318) 865-4655.

Ensuring Your Home is Safe after Water Damage Incidents in Forbing

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO take care of every part of your Forbing home, not just the sentimental items.

SERVPRO cares about every part of your Forbing home.

Financial and sentimental losses are common outcomes of water spills whenever they affect homes. However, there are other ways that water intrusion can affect your home in Forbing. Deterioration of structural materials in some sections, such as a staircase, which endures regular strain, can lead to safety issues. Mold development can also put you and your family at risk since mold can cause health problems. Part of our water restoration service is to eliminate all issues that might lead to safety problems. 

Speed is a crucial weapon against future safety problems when there is water damage in your Forbing home. Fast water extraction prevents deeper permeation into materials such as wood preserving their structural integrity. It also reduces the chances of mold developing since it takes 24-48 hours for mold to start growing. Our SERVPRO technicians have access to different tools to fast track water extraction, including: 

Truck-mounted water extractors 

Wet-vacs 

Water Extraction wands 

Water claws 

The materials covering surfaces can slow down the water extraction because of their high absorbent nature or hide some moisture leading to structural damage in the future. Removing the carpet from the stairs helps create room for thorough water extraction. Other materials such as wallpaper can act as moisture barriers creating perfect conditions for material deterioration. Our SERVPRO technicians help remove carpets and perform any controlled demolition to achieve the intended goal. 

Cleaning all soiled areas and drying any moisture remnants is essential in controlling microbial growth and material deterioration. Using professional cleaning agents with antimicrobial properties helps. Moisture removal mostly involves adjusting the evaporation rate by increasing heat and air movements. Our SERVPRO technicians use high-speed air movers and dehumidifiers, which extract moisture from the air and exhaust warm air, which increases the rate of drying. 

Addressing all issues that might lead to problems after a water loss incident is crucial. Call SERVPRO of South Shreveport to help ensure your home remains safe. You can reach us at (318) 865-4655 any time. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

Click here to learn more about Forbing.

Are You Actually Doing Enough for the Water Damage Situation in Your Shreveport Home?

4/14/2019 (Permalink)

When flood damage affects your floors, whether they are carpeting or hard wood, it can be quite frustrating. Call SERVPRO right away for remediation.

Drying Carpets Correctly Diminishes Water Damage to the Floors in Shreveport Homes

During an incident where a water pipe breaks, floors in a Shreveport home get drenched. Carpets can seem permanently damaged, but SERVPRO drying specialists can often salvage these costly furnishings for our customers.

Customers can rely on SERVPRO to protect their home from Shreveport water damage and its effects, including flooring and floor coverings. We can often save carpets without needing to remove them. This occurs in only situations involving the loss of clean water that has only been present for a short period. Longer periods can render this impossible, so we recommend calling as soon as possible. The longer a homeowner waits to reach out to us the more extensive water damage becomes.

When a carpet and padding system in a home gets wet, we need to get not only the carpet and its padding completely dry, but we also must ensure that the components underneath these two layers do not retain any moisture. In addition to the usual water extraction equipment, we also use weighted equipment that steadily removes moisture from the lowest portions of your floor.

In-place drying initially requires more time than removing the carpet, but overall, the entire project can take less time for the customer. Because we do not need to re-install the carpet and padding, the overall time involved in saving and restoring a carpet with water damage ends up the same or less than if we had removed the carpeting and pad from the floor.

The advantages of in-place drying include not stretching the carpet, as well as preventing any loose areas that might occur. We can also save the padding, keeping costs low through not needing to replace additional materials.

Additional drying equipment, including desiccant machines and air movers, can make drying the floor's structure below the carpet fast and efficient, as well. We use highly accurate meters that determine when we reach full dryness, preventing over-drying of your wood underlay.

SERVPRO of South Shreveport can help homeowners through in-place drying of carpets and padding, as well as other money-saving techniques. Always ready to help our customers with IICRC approved methods, we are as close as a phone call to (318) 865-4655. When your carpets need help, we are here to help.

Click here for more information about the city of Shreveport.

We Have The Experience And Equipment To Handle Your Shreveport Home Restoration

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

When you need water cleanup services after plumbing failure in your home, call our experts. We are available 24/7 so call us day or night.

SERVPRO - Water Cleanup Procedures For Shreveport Homes

Shreveport is far enough north that flooding is not the recurring problem here as it is down along the Gulf. Our community still has the rain to deal with, but most of the damage from water comes from inside sources like broken appliances, split hoses, and plumbing failures.

In most of these situations, there are no contaminants, with the exception being a backed-up toilet. The water cleanup after a minor disaster like that deals with, well, clean water. In some cases, however, SERVPRO restoration teams have to deal with the damaging effects of detergents from dish and clothes washers when handeling water cleanup in Shreveport.

None of these cleaning agents are for use on carpets. The chemicals to remove food and soil can damage carpet fibers, dilute the color dye, and cause delamination, which is where the top and bottom layers separate. Our first step to eliminate the threat is to remove as much of the water during water cleanup as possible with pumps and smaller extraction devices.

If the color is not damaged, team members next use an industrial carpet cleaner and a mild shampoo to isolate the other detergents. Technicians then use the vacuum on the device to remove the water, shampoo and suspended detergents from the carpet.

Our next task is to lift the carpet for drying and to examine the pad underneath. If the detergent or the water caused the pad to begin deteriorating, SERVPRO team members would remove it for disposal. They carefully detach the carpet from the tack strips and roll it up for temporary storage in another part of the home. After cleaning the floor and installing a new pad, they roll the carpet back in place.

If the carpet is still damp, however, technicians lift it at opposite ends and use an air mover and an exhaust fan to force dry, warm air under and over the carpet while drawing away the moisture still trapped inside.

Our goal at SERVPRO of South Shreveport is to return every home to its original condition before the water or another disaster. If you need our experience, training, and extensive equipment inventory to return your home to a livable condition, call us today at (318) 865-4655. We are here for you.

Click here to learn more about recycling in Shreveport.

When Water Damage Leaves a Foul Odor in Your Shreveport Home

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can leave a foul odor.

Dealing with Smells after Water Damage in Shreveport

When water overflows into unwanted sections of your Shreveport property, foul odors might develop. The causes might differ depending on the unique aspects of the incident. Familiar odor sources include debris such as food remains, moisture, trash, mold, and pet waste among other issues. Whenever you experience foul smell, you should establish the source and remove it because any other steps that might mask the odor are just temporary. As part of our professional restoration services, we offer a multi-procedural deodorization service.  

Cases of water damage in Shreveport properties that take longer to dry can result in moisture-fueled odors from the wet materials. Luckily, these go away when the materials dry thoroughly. Our SERVPRO technicians help accelerate the drying process. We use different approaches including air movers, which help increase the evaporation rate in the wet areas. We then use dehumidifiers to extract moisture from the air. In the case of water migration to concealed areas such as wall cavities or below floorboards, we use an injectidry system and drying mats eliminating moisture traces that can lead to bad smell effectively.  

Odors caused by waste materials, whether it is pet waste, food remains or trash, cannot go away until the source is removed. The problem is that as the water rises around the property, it can push such waste into concealed hard-to-reach areas. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on their vast work experience to trace the source of such odor. Because this might take time, we also take measures to mask the odor until we identify the source. Masking agents in the form of time-release beads help provide a sweet scent until we remove the foul odor source.  

Sometimes even after removing the suspected odor sources, the problem might not go away thus necessitating a general way of combating the odor. Our SERVPRO team can use ULV foggers to dissipate a pairing agent that combines with odor particles neutralizing them. We also use Ozone generators, which work by changing the chemical structure of odor particles neutralizing them.  

A property might not seem clean if it still smells terrible after the emergency is over. Call SERVPRO of South Shreveport at (318) 865-4655 to help you deal with any odors. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Shreveport was founded in 1836. Read more about it here.

If You Have A Water Damage Emergency In Shreveport Contact The Team At SERVPRO Immediately

10/25/2018 (Permalink)

The source of water on your property determines the water cleanup procedures we use during the restoration process.

What You Should Do When Your Shreveport Property Needs Water Cleanup Services

The source of water on your property determines the water cleanup procedures we use during the restoration process. It can be black water, gray water, or a clean water source and all require different levels of attention during the restoration process. Before any work can begin, we make sure the site is safe and put in place warning signs. We use the procedures we are discussing below when attending to structures in Shreveport that have been exposed to clean water.

Extracting the water from your Shreveport property is crucial when we are performing water cleanup procedures. Before the extraction process starts, we have to create space by moving furniture, appliances, and other items that might be blocking the area. Moving items such as books, papers, and area rugs can reduce the possibility of transferring stains from one area to the other. Depending on the accessibility of the site, our SERVPRO team uses submersible pumps, portable or truck-mounted extractors to remove the water.

If there is a carpet in the area, our SERVPRO technicians disengage it and use a carpet wand to extract the water. As we are performing this step, we are careful not to cause any form of destruction to the baseboards. After removing the pads, we place them in plastic bags and make sure water does not drip in unaffected locations. If we notice pre-existing conditions such as delamination and mold growth, notifying the adjuster is necessary. Our team also extracts water from hard floors using a squeegee wand.

After extracting water from the carpet and cleaning it, drying follows. In some cases, we may use the air mover's exhaust port to float the carpet and blow the air above and under its surface. We are careful not to stretch it and cause any avoidable damage. If we discover the surrounding air has excess moisture, we can use dehumidifiers to address the humidity challenge.

You can trust SERVPRO of South Shreveport with your restoration and cleaning needs in your home or business. Contact us at (318) 299-1638 to have your unique needs addressed professionally.

Click here for more about Shreveport.