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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Why SERVPRO Blog Posts

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO® Will Work with Your Insurance

7/4/2024 (Permalink)

Homeowners Insurance and Water Damage

In the unfortunate event your home or business suffers: water damage, fire damage, mold damage, or bio-hazard clean up needs,  SERVPRO® of Lake Charles will work seamlessly with your insurance company.  This means less hassle and less worry for you. Our employees talk with insurance adjusters every day to make sure things are billed correctly with your insurance and the job is properly documented to ensure things are going according to plan. Being in business for years and years, whatever property and casualty insurance you or your company uses, odds are we have worked with them in the past.  If you need the job done right and less hassle for you, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Lake Charles.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is "Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified"

7/4/2024 (Permalink)

If you or your business has suffered a water damage, fire damage, mold damage, or bio hazard damage, odds are it has affected some sort of fabric or textile in your home.  The IICRC is a certification and Standards Developing Organization (SDO) non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. In partnership with regional and international trade associates, the IICRC serves more than 25 countries.

When you see a IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property.

Do you need upholstery cleaning or carpet cleaning for your home or business performed by a company that is llrc certified?  SERVPRO of Lake Charles cleans upholstery for general cleaning, pet dander, smoke damage, office carpet tile, and more. 

Source: http://www.IICRC.org

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Lake Charles Employees are Well-Trained

7/4/2024 (Permalink)

Damage Restoration Trainings and Certifications - SERVPRO Trained Professionals at SERVPRO of Lake Charles

Back in 1992, SERVPRO Corporate developed a National Training Center to teach restoration and mitigation skills to Franchise Owners, employees, and insurance industry professionals.

The National Training Center offers employee training as a self paced program designed specifically for the franchise employee. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:

  • Crew Training
  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

SERVPRO of Lake Charles is an approved IICRC (Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning) Training School that offers year-around classes in the following categories:

  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Carpet Cleaning
  • Upholstery Cleaning
  • Applied Structural Drying

In addition, SERVPRO of Lake Charles is bio hazard and mold remediation certified as well. 

Why SERVPRO?  SERVPRO is Hazmat and Bio Hazard Removal Trained

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Who do I call to remove bio-hazard?

Bio hazard clean up is considered: blood clean up, urine clean up, human feces clean up, animal feces clean up, vomit clean up, and other human fluids.  General maid and janitorial services will not remove these items due to their potentially hazardous nature.  SERVPRO of Lake Charles technicians are trained and properly uniformed to safely remove bio hazardous materials. This is why you can rely on SERVPRO of Lake Charles to get the job done quickly, safely, and to sanitation standards.  Many homes and buildings that have been left unattended and/or improperly cared for will generally require this type of service. SERVPRO of Lake Charles will remove all hazardous items and properly dispose of them. If you or your business is in need of bio hazard removal, please do not hesitate to call today.

Why SERVPRO?  SERVPRO Uses Industrial Grade Equipment and Cleaning Products on your Home or Business

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business has suffered a water damage event, simply cleaning up the water and opening up the windows will not completely dry the space, leaving your home or business vulnerable to future mold growth (known as secondary damage).  SERVPRO of Lake Charles uses industrial grade dehumidifiers and fans to completely dry your home or business.  SERVPRO of Lake Charles uses moisture testing devices to make sure your walls, closets, and floors are dry before we leave your home and close out the job.  In addition to drying, commercial grade anti-fungal treatments are applied in order to prevent mold from forming.

If your home or business has suffered a fire damage event, air scrubbers are brought into the area to "scrub" the air clean and remove the chemical and smoke odor. In addition to air scrubbers, special cleaning agents are used to save as many smoke-affected items as possible in your home or business.

If your home or business has suffered a water damage, fire damage, or mold growth event, please do not hesitate to call us today.

Why SERVPRO - SERVPRO's Mold Technicians are Mold Certified

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO - SERVPRO's Mold Technicians are Mold Certified

Are you smelling mildew or a musty odor in your home or business?  Can you visually see mold growth? SERVPRO of Lake Charles can perform your Mold Remediation using a Mold Certified Technician so you know it's done right. Mold remediation means the removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter. The industry is regulated to ensure that persons conducting mold assessment and remediation services are properly trained and licensed, and are following minimum standards that protect the health of workers and building occupants. Don't hesitate to give us a call today to set up a time to start the mold remediation process.

Do you have questions about mold removal? We are happy to answer them for you! Give us a call today. 

Duct Cleaning

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, but SERVPRO of Lake Charles can help change that! In most cases, HVAC systems have been operating for some time without any attention. Dirty ducts can circulate debris and dirt throughout your home, including odors, contaminants such as mold, and irritating dust. In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke, or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process.

A routine part of SERVPRO of Lake Charles professional’s service is inspecting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean potentially expands the lifespan of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak conditions.

SERVPRO’s Duct Cleaning System

Our certified technicians will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork. We will recommend the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This air duct cleaning process is as follows: 

  • The duct cleaning process begins by using patented equipment, including a rotoscraper, which automatically adapts to the duct’s shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
  • Our certified technicians will then use powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system to transfer the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
  • Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97% of the particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.
  • As an optional step, our certified technicians can apply a sealant, or a coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.
  • Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

Why SERVPRO?

Our duct cleaning system is proven and cost-efficient. SERVPRO of Lake Charles professionals use portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime. Call us today to schedule an inspection. We are Here to Help!

For SERVPRO of Lake Charles: (337) 478-1133

We can help with the Insurance Process

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

The last thing that you want to deal with after you have suffered a disaster on your property is worrying about insurance agents and contractors. For this reason, our team ensures that the claim process is as stress-free as possible. 

SERVPRO of Lake Charles will help make it "Like it never even happened." That way, you and your family or business can get back to what is important.

Smooth Out the Process

We understand that the insurance process can be difficult. Our goal is to smooth that process out for you and make sure you understand what is happening throughout the whole process.

Documentation

By creating thorough visual and written documentation of the damage to your home or business, your insurance agent will have less questions on the work that was completed.

We document the condition of each item that we remove from the property for cleaning or storage. This process will make it clear to your adjuster what items were affected by the disaster.

Direct Communication

Our technicians and job file coordinators will gather the contact information of your insurer and contact them directly. Throughout all of the communication, you will be notified of any changes that may occur.

Our job file coordinators have been trained to handle all of the paperwork. This will ensure that your claim can be processed and paid as fast as possible.

Our Team is Here for You!

We are very proud that so many insurance companies from State Farm to Farmer's Insurance recommend SERVPRO to their clients. These companies are fully aware of the benefits that come with our partnership. We do everything in our power to make the entire process as painless as possible for you.

SERVPRO of Lake Charles is here for you if you experience a disaster. Our technicians have specialized training and years of experience in water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and other various restoration services. 

Our Team is IICRC Certified

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

As SERVPRO of Lake Charles strives to bring our customers the highest quality of work, it is imperative that our staff receive their IICRC Certification.  The IICRC, or The Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, is a nonprofit that develops recognized standards in each of those areas.   Looking at a basement filled with water or a damaged wall from a pipe leak, a customer is often already concerned about the status of their homes.  We take great pride in knowing that sending in our certified technicians will give the customer peace of mind ahead of the mitigation process.  

We want your mitigation process to run smoothly so that you can return your home to normal.  SERVPRO of Lake Charles employees are highly trained in emergency response and will be with you each step of the way.

If your home has water damage, Call SERVPRO of Lake Charles at (337) 478-1133 and let us make it "Like it never even happened."®

Our Best Qualities for Large Loss Restoration

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

What Qualities To Look For In A Large Restoration Company

Disasters happen. When they do, they can ruin everything in your business in Lake Charles, LA.. They can also force you to shut down until repairs are finished. The result is a serious interruption that you want to be remedied as soon as possible. That's why you need to know what qualities to look for in a large loss restoration company. Knowing what to look for can help you choose the best company. That will help you recover from any disaster, whether you face flooding or blizzards. This can get your company back to normal quickly.

Experience With Numerous Loss Sources
You want to look for a company that has experience with several types of loss sources. For instance, you should look for a company that has dealt with hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, and broken sprinkler systems.

Offer Comprehensive Services
When recovering from a catastrophic loss, you need a disaster restoration company that handles it all. Find one that offers a comprehensive list of services, including:

  • Damage assessment
  • Structural drying
  • Anti-microbial treatments
  • Sewage remediation
  • Demolition
  • Power setup
  • Picture documentation
  • Daily updates

Cares About Your Business
You want a company that is going to be reliable. You also want them to do great work. Plus, you want them to communicate well. You may even be looking for someone who cares enough to focus on getting your business back open. That is the ideal catastrophic loss company. They should care about your business enough to get the job done right and work with you.

Place Value First
Obviously, you want the job done quickly. However, you also want your catastrophic loss team to prioritize value over speed. Therefore, you should look for a company that is responsive, caring, dependable, top-quality, good communicators, experts, and trustworthy.
Storm damage and other disasters can happen to any business. If you want to find restoration professionals that can help you get your company back open as quickly as possible, you need to know what qualities to look for.

First Responders Bowl

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

The First Responders Bowl is a college football bowl game that is in appreciation of our police, firefighters and emergency responders. They are among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance. Their dedication is a merit to our communities and we cherish their commitment to excellence. 

During the 2020 NCAA football post season the University of Louisiana in Lafayette has captured the SERVPRO First Responder trophy and currently have it on their campus. They beat University of Texas in San Antonio 31-24. What a great achievement for our state and ULL. The Ragin Cajuns honor us with their victory over UTSA.

It is great to have this trophy in Louisiana! 

Lets keep the pressure on and Geaux Cajuns!

Because we are Fire Restoration Professionals

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lake Charles is always ready and well-equipped to handle any disaster. If your home or commercial property suffers any fire, smoke, or secondary water damage, we are here for you. Our highly qualified team is dedicated to responding immediately to your fire damage emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And remember, the quicker our response time is, the less chance there is for additional damage to be done to your property.

Our team is trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), along with Employee Certification Training, SERVPRO Corporate Training, e-Learnings, and Continuing Education Classes to ensure that you are receiving the best care for your property damage.

We have a “Restore vs. Replace” mentality at SERVPRO. We would rather restore your damaged areas rather than replace them, if possible, because it is less costly for you. Our goal is to get your property back to its pre-fire damaged condition as quick as possible.  Although every fire damage situation is unique, here is our “typical” fire damage restoration process:

            -Emergency Contact

            -Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

            -Immediate Board-Up

            -Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

            -Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

            -Cleaning and Repair

            -Restoration

For more information on recovering from water damage, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Lake Charles by giving us a jingle at (337) 478-1133 today.

Our Staff is the Difference

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to disaster recovery, we may not be the only game in town, but there’s a reason why so many homeowners and businesses choose SERVPRO to recover from water, fire, mold, or flood damage. The difference is our people!

We invest in our employees

SERVPRO invests in having the best employees in the business. We have always put a high priority on educating our team. That need is more important than ever today. SERVPRO is an IICRC certified firm with certified technicians, which means customers can expect the very highest in standards and protocol to be used in their home or business when disaster strikes.

IICRC training and certification

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries and those standards are high. Our SERVPRO professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses so they are well-prepared to handle any disaster in any situation and know how to approach the restoration process quickly and effectively.

Employee certification training

The Employee Certification Training by SERVPRO is a voluntary, self-paced program designed for SERVPRO franchise employees to further their knowledge and training. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules for training include:

  • Crew Training
  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Advanced Structural Drying

Ongoing, comprehensive training for our crew

Our training program doesn’t stop at just IICRC and Employee Certification Training. We also offer:

  • Initial Franchise Training
  • e-Learnings
  • Continuing Education Classes

From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. If your property suffers water, flood, storm, fire, or mold damage, know that you’re in great hands with the professional SERVPRO team. Our employees make the difference! Contact us 24/7 for restoration assistance at (337) 478-1133.

Knowing if Your Liability Insurance Covers Mold Remediation

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

Understanding What It Covers

As a business owner in Lake Charles, LA., you keep all of your insurance policies up-to-date. Even still, there are those unusual situations that give you pause: does my insurance actually cover that? You know that your general liability insurance covers slips and falls and property damage at a client's home, among other things, but what about mold exposure? Mold insurance claims can be tricky because mold is usually associated with water damage or a construction problem and therefore often falls under various exclusions in your coverage. It's unnerving if you don't know exactly what's covered versus what you might be responsible for. Here's what to look for in your general liability insurance policy to understand what it covers.

Exclusions

Common exclusions in your insurance policy include pollution exclusions and "business risk" exclusions. A mold claim doesn't have a guaranteed outcome because mold hasn't been consistently classified as a pollutant. There's a lot of variation between states when it comes to deciding whether mold falls under the pollution exclusion. Coverage is consistently denied to contractors if the claim is a result of defective workmanship unless the damage done by defective work has been incorporated into an existing building. How confusing!

Endorsements

Due to a lack of consistency surrounding mold insurance claims, many insurance companies have added endorsements to general liability policies that definitely exclude mold claims or at least limit coverage. One endorsement excludes mold remediation under all circumstances. However, since most mold is a direct result of water damage, which is covered, it's still not entirely clear how this endorsement impacts a mold claim.

Additional Policies

You can buy an additional policy that does cover mold; the challenge is that these policies are still fairly limited unless you're willing to pay a high premium.


The bottom line is that mold insurance claims are tricky because there is so little consistency surrounding coverage. Each time you renew, be on the lookout for changes to your policy to protect you and your business.

24/7 Emergency Response

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

When a client in Lake Charles, LA., files an insurance claim, insurers know they need to rely on storm, fire, or water damage restoration specialists that are faster to any size disaster. Waiting for help to arrive can quickly lead to additional damage and rising costs. Instead of hoping to hear back from a company, have confidence in immediate assistance by relying on a trusted company that is Here to Help any time of the day.

Local Franchises

SERVPRO has more than 1,700 franchises, which allows its team of professionals to jump into action the minute they get the call. No matter where the disaster happens, commercial services available include:

  • Water damage restoration
  • Fire damage restoration
  • Mold remediation
  • Cleaning services
  • Storm and major events
  • Disaster recovery

Knowing that your emergency response team means working with professionals from the community also provides additional peace of mind. Being local means they care and are dedicated to ensuring everyone is satisfied with the restoration results. In addition to the local benefits, there is an additional bonus of each franchise being backed by a nationwide network. SERVPRO of Lake Charles works closely with national and local insurance companies, which boosts communication and makes the claim process easier for everyone involved.

Dedicated Professionals
Along with being faster to any size disaster thanks to a 24/7 emergency service, the people arriving at the disaster scene are certified professionals trained in property damage restoration. Along with employee certification training, technicians are required to be certified through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Training and certification are ongoing to ensure no matter where help is needed, the team answering the call has the latest skills to get a business back to “Like it never even happened.”


When clients need help, it is vital to get assistance from a trusted company that is faster to any size disaster to avoid downtime, rising repair costs, and further damage.

How to deal with a disaster after the first 24 hours:

8/18/2020 (Permalink)

restoration equipment SERVPRO of Lake Charles is southwest Louisiana's premiere fire and water restoration company.

When your home is on fire or starts filling with floodwater, you don't want to wait long for trained technicians to arrive. As you know, a fast response is the best way to prevent further damages. The first 24 hour period after experiencing damages is vital to the well-being of your home. Take a look at what you can expect:

  • Within one hour
  • Within four hours
  • Within eight hours


Lake Charles, LA., restoration professionals can accomplish a lot during the first hours after a disaster.

What You Can Expect From Restoration Professionals


The First Hour


A representative from the restoration company will call you within an hour after your first request for emergency help. During that phone call, you'll cover a lot of vital information that helps professionals determine which equipment and supplies to have available. You may discuss safety concerns or how to maintain communication with each other.
If the situation requires, technicians will arrive to cover holes with tarps or board up broken windows and doors. This emergency response team focuses on preventing further damages with temporary solutions. Even if repairs don't require a lot of work within the first 24 hour period, technicians will be on-site to verify whether an immediate response is necessary.


On-Site in Four Hours


Depending on the type of damage and safety concerns, clean up and restoration technicians will arrive at your home ready to thoroughly inspect your home. During these assessments, technicians can provide estimates regarding the type of repairs necessary and how long the job will take. They may talk to you about your insurance coverage and direct you to the next steps you should take. The restoration company is always open and committed to arriving Faster to Any Size Disaster; they'll load up the appropriate equipment and search out the best route to your home.


Eight Hours After Damages


Within those first hours, after gathering information and making assessments, a restoration representative will communicate with you, to share the information they've gathered, and to go over the plan for getting your home back in shape.

Within the first 24 hour period, you and technicians from the restoration company will share a lot of information, go through an onsite home inspection, and put together a plan for restoring your home so that it looks "Like it never even happened."

Another case of Why SERVPRO?

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

boat and service van SERVPRO of Lake Charles, south west Louisiana's premiere restoration company!

Why SERVPRO you might ask. Well, we do it all! Whether you have flood damage, water damage, fire damage, mold damage, covid-19 contamination, pet odor, dirty ducts, odor issues, reconstruction, restoration, fire damaged contents, soiled or stained carpets and rugs or you just need some advice on how best to proceed WE GOT YOUR BACK!

Recently, we responded to boat that had a fishy situation. Their carpet has had years of salt water and aquatic soiling that, ultimately, led to a serious mal-odor. 

Thankfully, we were able to get in there and get their carpets steamed cleaned, thus eliminating the terrible smell.

Ultimately, the customer was happy and we delivered on our promise! 

If you have any questions or concerns and would like to schedule an appointment please give us a call.

Flood Tips and Tricks

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

Proceeding water damage, your primary focus should be safety:

  • Is it safe to stay in the house?
  • Electrical and “slip and fall” hazards are a prevalent concern.
  • Only do activities that are safe for you to perform with the damage.
  • Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful lifting them!

Have A Water Damage Emergency? 

  • What To DO After A Flood
  • Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal or lamps and tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying if damage is in the summer.
  • Remove colored rugs from water damage.
  • Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
  • Gather loose items from the floors.
  • What NOT To Do After Flooding
  • Don’t leave wet fabrics in damaged areas. Hang furs and leather goods.
  • Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
  • Don’t use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don’t use television or other household appliances.
  • Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
  • Stay out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Coronavirus: Sanitation standards at SERVPRO of Lake Charles

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

Coronavirus, COVID-19 SERVPRO of Lake Charles is here to help disinfect Coronavirus in your home or business.

SERVPRO® professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. SERVPRO® franchise professionals offer cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants.

They have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business.

About Coronavirus The CDC is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has spread to 60 locations internationally (as of this publication), including cases in the United States. The virus known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Mold Damage? Knowing who to hire can be the key to your health.

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

Mold damage on building studs Water damage can cause mold to grow in your home or business.

Understanding Mold

Mold is considered a kind of fungus, which can grow anywhere under the right conditions. Spores can be found both outside and inside the home, in the air.

Mold only needs three common ingredients to grow:

  1. Average temperatures
  2. Moisture
  3. Nutrients.

It can grow inside the home on surfaces and furnishings. With a bit of mitigation, future issues can be avoided. 

Microbial growth may be harder to detect. Mold and mildew can usually be seen easily, and may be gotten rid of easily as well, so home and business owners may not be aware that any fungus is growing. In order to save money, home and business owners may want to do a mold cleanup themselves, but it may be better to call in an environmental hygienist and mold cleanup team to help.

How can a Professional help

When the problem is addressed, an environmental hygienist can make sure that a home or business stays free from these types of problems, even microbial growth. An environmental hygienist or industrial hygienist is a qualified individual who can make sure that a home or business keeps up an acceptable level of air quality, water quality, clean and safe garbage disposal, and food protection, causing mitigation for further issues. Environmental hygienists can show a business or home owner what to do, mitigating a re-occurrence of issues. Environmental hygienists can make business owners and home owners aware of risks if they choose to do the mold cleanup themselves, as well as what symptoms to watch out for.

When removing fungus, mildew, and microbial growth from a building, safety is key. Always wear protective equipment: rubber gloves, outer clothing, goggles, and an N95 or N100 respirator when removing mold. Remove all furnishings and items that are mold-free from the room that is being cleaned. Block off the work area being cleaned with plastic sheeting, to avoid having the mold spread, and cover air supply and return vents as well. Owners should rent an air scrubber to use in the area to be cleaned, mitigating the problem, and help in mold cleanup.

Materials that are wet should be dry first to prevent the spread of further growth and mildew. It will take approximately 24 to 48 hours, after using wet/dry vacuums, fans, and dehumidifiers. Porous materials with should be bagged and thrown away, while non-porous materials can be cleaned but only if they are sound, structurally in mold cleanup. Non-porous surfaces can be cleaned with a brush, hot water, and cleaning products, even diluted bleach. Cleaning material needs to be collected once the owner is through, and areas are to be rinsed with clean water, and dried completely to prevent further growth of mold, mildew, fungus, and microbial growth, causing further mold cleanup. Learning what the causes are of these issues are, further issues can be avoided.

SERVPRO of Lake Charles, LA. has Highly Trained Mold Remediation Technicians and the equipment necessary to Treat Mold Damage in your homes and businesses. 

Why SERVPRO? Because we use the best equipment!

9/24/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lake Charles employee using a hepa filtered vacuum on a commercial grade air filter to aid in duct cleaning. SERVPRO of Lake Charles employee using a hepa filtered vacuum on a commercial grade air filter to aid in the duct cleaning process.

SERVPRO of Lake Charles does a lot of commercial duct cleaning and in doing such, are expected to bring the best equipment. From rotary duct brushes to vacuums with hepa filters we understand that great results are generated from great operation combined with great equipment.

In this photo we see SERVPRO of Lake Charles cleaning a hospital air filter. Using a hepa filtered back pack vacuum we are able to suck up all loss particulates up to .3 microns (very small). This process is a necessary component of duct cleaning since it insures that the commercial grade filters last longer.

SERVPRO of Lake Charles is here to help. As a leader in our community we take great pride in making sure that your trust in us is not misplaced.

SERVPRO of Lake Charles Policy

9/5/2019 (Permalink)

An alarm clock that says 24/7. SERVPRO of Lake Charles is available 24/7/365.

Keep Calm...

SERVPRO of Lake Charles is always here for you in your time of need. We have the training and experience needed to get you through any size disaster. We know that when the unexpected happens, you need someone you can rely on and trust for help. An immediate response is a crucial part in getting things back to, Like it never even happened.

Our Service Policy ensures that we:

  • Contact you within 1 hour from the first notice of loss, to arrange for service.
  • Are on-site to begin mitigation services within 4 hours of notification.
  • Provide verbal and possibly written briefing of services needed within 8 hours of on-site arrival.

Call SERVPRO...

If a disaster occurs, we are always here for you! Call us 24/7/365 at (337) 478-1133.

Please note: Exceptions to our service response times may apply if a storm event occurs.

SERVPRO of Lake Charles: an adjusters best friend!

9/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lake Charles has worked with many insurance agents and claim adjusters. We understand your situation. As an agent or adjuster, you have a responsibility to keep claim costs down while providing the best services possible for your clients. Here are a few reasons we’re trusted by so many insurance agents and adjusters:

Fast Emergency Response
Restoring commercial or residential property is the first priority at SERVPRO of Lake Charles. Your insurance client will appreciate our immediate response and you will know we’re doing everything we can to limit the damage and the costs.

Pretesting Reduces Claims Expense
Like insurance agents and claim adjusters, we know restoring property is less expensive than replacing property. Our goal is always to restore whenever possible and replace only when necessary. That’s why SERVPRO of Lake Charles performs pretesting on every loss so we can determine if it can be restored.

Claims Inventory Service
SERVPRO of Lake Charles can provide insurance agents and claim adjusters with an itemized loss inventory. We give you an Excel formatted report and pictures of important items. Your work is made simpler and clearer because we provide you with a complete and accurate picture of the incident.

Electronic Claims Information
Our corporate Claims Information Center provides the fast, accurate information you need to make sound decisions, including:
•    A complete electronic job file (by email or on paper)
o    First notice of loss
o    Detailed estimate
o    Digital loss photos
o    Scanned forms and paperwork
•    Informative reports (including job cost data) to improve results 
•    Performance comparison to industry standard

Superior, Time-Tested Training
Effective training is the best way to help ensure your clients receive the service they deserve. All SERVPRO of Lake Charles crews are trained to IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) standards in fire and water cleanup and restoration. We also conduct continuing education classes.  

Vendor Qualification Compliance and Professionalism
If you call SERVPRO of Lake Charles, we will use only qualified vendors to service your clients. Our commitment means you receive:
•    Access to the SERVPRO National Call Center to achieve prompt handling of your claims
•    Assurance that our crew uses industry best practices
•    Efficiencies through our insurance and file documentation requirements
•    The benefits of our quality assurance program

Serving Adjusters and Your Clients
A SERVPRO of Lake Charles professional's job is to reassure your clients, perform quality service, and report to you quickly. We know your job is to interpret the policy and adjust the claim. We don’t want you to have to deal with problems from vendors. Working with you, we strive to save you time so you can focus on priority files, while having complete control of every loss you’re assigned. We offer you 24-hour emergency response, damage mitigation, loss assessment, and an electronic file within hours. SERVPRO of Lake Charles documented, measured performance increases value for you, your agency, your managers, and your clients.

Hard-earned results have made SERVPRO leaders in the fire and water cleanup and restoration industry. The SERVPRO System is geared to achieve customer satisfaction and mitigation results, adding to your competitive advantage.


Here To Help 
The team at SERVPRO of Lake Charles has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, natural disaster cleanup, and natural disaster restoration. Call SERVPRO of Lake Charles (337) 478-1133 anytime, 24/7.

Constant Updates: Making fire and water damage restoration go smoother

6/26/2019 (Permalink)

moisture meter Daily monitoring of moisture levels after you experience water damage in your home or business is critical.

How annoying is it when you have a contractor that is doing work but not keeping you informed of their progress? Quick answer: it's very annoying!

When something as catastrophic as fire damage or water damage occurs in your home or business SERVPRO of Lake Charles understands that your level of anxiety is being pushed to the limit. We want to assuage your fears and put you at ease. 

Staying in constant contact with you throughout the process is important to the success of the job. Our trained technicians will give you updates regularly and answer any questions that may arise. 

Call us today to schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions and need advice we would love to help. SERVPRO of Lake Charles, a trusted leader in the community.

Are your air ducts dirty?

3/15/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lake Charles can improve air quality by cleaning your ductwork.

Sweeping Away Years of Dust and Dirt-Helping Reduce Potential for Damage and Health Risks

Since the ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, inspecting the ductwork should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.

A routine part of SERVPRO of Lake Charles' service is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC system and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may save you money.

The SERVPRO Proven Duct Cleaning System is Cost Efficient

Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, SERVPRO of Lake Charles uses a Portable Ventilation & Air Duct Cleaning System to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

The SERVPRO Duct Cleaning Process

 * The process begins by using patented equipment including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the ducts shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.

* Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.

* Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the environment clean.

* As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.

* Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

For more information on HVAC and air duct cleaning, call us today, (337) 478-1133.

Effective Mitigation for Fire-Damaged Lake Charles Homes

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

Fires pose significant immediate threats and even many lingering hazardous conditions for Lake Charles homes. Whenever a fire first breaks out in a residence, homeowners often attempt to take whatever they can carry out with them to try and protect things that cannot get replaced. While this might work for some items, many get left behind. Our professionals can help to restore these items, and further protect them from harm, with our effective mitigation practices we implement following fire effects in local properties.

After fire damage many Lake Charles homeowners fixate most on structural damages and how these situations get resolved, and in doing this, forget momentarily about all of the items and belongings still inside the house that could get affected by the lingering damages from the recent disaster. Our SERVPRO professionals arrive quickly to provide thorough assessments of the fire damage and what must happen to restore the home entirely. This process is also where our highly-trained technicians catalog damage to individual items and determine which must get removed and focused cleaning efforts to restore.

Our Contents department is vital to our pack-out efforts, as they make determinations on which items can get salvaged with our advanced technology and which things cannot. Once we have tagged contents for removal, they get taken to a nearby facility of ours for evaluation and restoration. We can clean these items of soot and smoke residue, we can deodorize them, and we can store them safely until it is best to return them to the restored home.

Part of effective mitigation for your property is responding quickly to the emergency when it happens. Our SERVPRO professionals are available 24/7 to offer the full measure of our expertise and extensive training at any time that you might need them.

While you cannot account for when a fire can occur in your home, you can help to protect the items inside and hire a wise choice to restore your property fast. Give our SERVPRO of Lake Charles team a call anytime at (337) 478-1133

Come out and experience the excitement of Lake Charles, click here for more information.

Ways to Help Prevent Mold

8/15/2018 (Permalink)

Mold that growing in a bathroom

Keep an eye on the humidity levels. Mold grows where there's moisture, so keeping your house dry is one of the most important ways to prevent mold. Install a hygrometer in your home, as this will measure the moisture levels inside.Ideally, you want to keep the humidity level in your house below 60 percent to prevent mold growth.

Increase ventilation and air circulation. Keeping the air moving in your house and providing a source of fresh air will really help to control the humidity in your home. When the weather allows, open the windows to vent out stale air, and use ceiling fans year-round to circulate the air inside.If you don’t have ceiling fans, you can also use standing or oscillating fans to circulate air.

Run a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will remove any moisture from the air that you aren't able to prevent, and will help you control the humidity in the house. It’s particularly important to have dehumidifiers in damp areas, such as basements and crawl spaces. If you have a large home, consider setting up at least two dehumidifiers in different areas of the house.

Call SERVPRO of Lake Charles for any mold remediation needs or questions.  337-478-1133 

Dealing with Fire Damage

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

When you need help with fire damage clean up for your home call SERVPRO of Lake Charles (337) 478-1133

SERVPRO of Lake Charles is here to help!

Life has enough interruptions and bumps along the way without the unwanted disaster of a house fire. The aftermath is almost as bad but much longer-lasting. Even small fires can use the assistance of a professional cleanup/restoration company. Cooking fires that spread beyond the stove, barbecue grills that go up in smoke, and even small appliances that catch fire can cause damage to surrounding areas. 

Small Fires can Pose High Risks 

While you should never pour water on a grease fire, nor on an electrical one, many times that is a person's first reaction anywhere. This can cause even more damage. Cooking fires and electrical shorts are common causes of fire damage.  It can also create physical risks to people standing nearby. With grease fires, baking soda should be poured into the pan and any grease or oil that has caught fire outside of the cooking pan or skillet instead of water. 

With electrical fires the appliance should be unplugged if it can be safely done, but not by pulling on the cord. This can cause the cord to snap, leaving the plug, without the cord, still in the outlet. The power to the area where this is happening should be shut off at the fuse box as quickly as possible to eliminate the hazard. 

After the Fire is Out, It's Time to Repair the Damage 

When there's been a localized fire, you should have someone assess the damages for you. This can often help with insurance documentation.

Damage can range from blackened walls and countertops to heavily burned surfaces, electrical wires being damaged and requiring replacement, to floors suffering damage so severe they must be replaced to be safe again. Having experts conduct the repairs needed can expedite insurance claims being resolved, as well. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

At SERRVPRO of Lake Charles, we have highly trained and skilled professionals who are experienced in all sizes of fire damage clean up and restoration. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help clean up and repair fire damage, no matter how large or small. Call us at (337) 478-1133 so you can go back to your daily routine. 

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