Recent Posts

The Power Within

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Challenge The Way You Respond Strength From Within

When you can't control what's happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what is happening. That's where your power is.  

These words of Inspiration can be applied to when a situation that is out of your control e.g. Water Damage, Fire Damage, Mold has invaded your home, or BioHazard Conditions need to be cleaned.  SERVPRO of Olympia, is just a call away, (360)754-9689.  You have the power to make that call so SERVPRO of Olympia can put your mind at ease. There are technicians available that have been trained in the disaster situations, whether it be big or small help is just a phone call away.  We will assist you by telling you what can be done before help arrives. This can help to reduce the size of damage that can occur.

How Often Should Carpets Be Cleaned?

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

Clean Carpets Have SERVPRO of Olympia clean your carpets.

HOW FREQUENTLY DO YOU HAVE YOUR CARPETS CLEANED?

Call SERVPRO of Olympia to schedule your carpet cleaning today!
Have you ever wondered how often you should actually get your carpet cleaned?? According to IICRC, they recommend homeowners have their carpet cleaned 1-2 times a year!! Not only does clean carpet look good, it promotes indoor air quality, reduces health risks, and extends the life of the carpet.

Carpet cleanings should be maintained on a schedule, just like changing your furnace filters! If you have indoor pets, have large families, have someone that smokes inside your home, or just the sheer fact that you have had to stay home during the quarantined period increasing the frequency would be very beneficial for you!

We also offer a range of specialized cleaning methods:

Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.
Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.

Call SERVPRO of Olympia today at (360)754-9689 to schedule your carpet cleaning!

DYI Fix A Leaking Water Heater

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

Hot Water Tank DYI Leaking Hot Water Tank Fix

How to Fix a Leaking Water Heater

Waking up to a broken water heater can be a nasty surprise, especially when it happens in the middle of a busy morning. Usually, problems start when someone does a lousy job installing the hot tank, resulting in a premature leak. That, combined with a bad pressure release valve, are the leading causes of hot cylinder issues in the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater,  WA area.
Things you’ll need to fix a leaking water heater:

  • Socket wrench
  • Hose
  • Teflon tape

Disconnect the Power Supply

Safety comes first in every DIY project. In this case, turn off the electricity supply coming to the tank. It is as easy as finding the switch labeled “tank” on the main circuit breaker and flipping it to off position. That mitigates the risk of electric shock, especially when working on a failed hot water heater.
The same applies to gas-powered tanks. You have to find the valve that kills the gas supply and turn it off.

Drain Some Water

Next, you will need to drain the failed water tank partially. To do so, turn off the water supply, open a faucet to release some pressure, then turn on the drain valve. Depending on the tank size, you might have to empty the bucket three to four times before reaching the desired ¾ mark. This procedure will release some pressure from the tank, making it safe for this little project.

Remove the Valve

The culprit in a leaking water heater is typically a faulty valve. Use a wrench to loosen the old fitting and replace it with a new one. However, don’t forget to use Teflon tape on the threads before screwing it in place. Finally, please turn on the cold water supply and power to test it.
Fixing a leaking water heater is a DIY-friendly project that can save you money. Just remember to do regular maintenance to avoid unpleasant situations in the future. Don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Olympia (360)754-9689 to help with the water clean up the Hot Water Tank may have caused.

ARE YOU PREPARED?

8/31/2019 (Permalink)

Olympia,  WA  Earthquake ARE YOU PREPARED?

Earthquakes

An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock. Earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse and cause heavy items to fall, resulting in injuries and property damage.

Earthquakes can:

  • Happen anywhere. Higher risk areas include California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Mississippi Valley.
  • Happen without warning.
  • Cause fires and damage roads.
  • Cause tsunamis, landslides and avalanches.

If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away. Drop, Cover and Hold On!

  • If you are in a vehicle, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
  • If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
  • If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
  • Do not get in a doorway.
  • Do not run outside.
  • Visit EarthquakeCountry.org/ for tips and videos on what to do in a variety of other situations.

Stay Safe During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold On!

Drop: Drop where you are, onto your hands and knees.

Cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris. Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs,

Hold On. If you are under a table or desk, hold onto with one hand and be ready to move with it if it moves. If you can’t find a table or desk: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands. If seated and unable to drop to the floor: bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and hold on to your neck with both hands.

If using a wheelchair or a walker with a seat:

Lock: Make sure your wheels are locked. Remain seated until the shaking stops.

Cover: Protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book, or whatever is available.

Hold on: maintain your position with head and neck covered until shaking stops.

Prepare Before an Earthquake

The best time to prepare for any disaster is before it happens.

  • Practice Drop, Cover, then Hold On with family and coworkers. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl under a sturdy table or desk if nearby. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. If a table or desk is not close, crawl next to an interior wall.
  • Secure items, such as bookcases, refrigerators, televisions and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
  • Create a family emergency communications plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan where to meet if you get separated.
  • Make a supply kit that includes enough food and water for at least three days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle. Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication. Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment. Do not forget the needs of pets and service animals.
  • Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage.
  • Consider making improvements to your building to fix structural issues that could cause your building to collapse during an earthquake.

Keep Yourself Safe After an Earthquake

If an earthquake has just happened, there can be serious hazards such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines.

  • Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake.
  • Check yourself to see if you are hurt and help others if you have training. Learn how to be the Help Until Help Arrives 
  • If you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
  • Do not enter damaged buildings.
  • If you are trapped, protect your mouth, nose and eyes from dust. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so that rescuers can locate you.
  • If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
  • Text messages may be more reliable than phone calls. Save phone calls for emergencies.
  • Once you are safe, listen to local news reports via battery operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions. Be very careful during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes during clean-up.
  • Register on the Red Cross “Safe and Well” website so people will know you are okay: Safe & Well

CALL SERVPRO of Olympia to assist you in the Post-Disaster Clean-up (360)754-9689

Dry Ice Blasting

8/16/2019 (Permalink)

Removal of pigeon feces from a parking garage was a fast cleaning process.

What is Dry Ice Blasting?  SERVPRO of Olympia has performed Dry Ice Blasting for Fire Damage Restoration, Equipment Maintenance, Food Industry Plants and Garage Clean-up.  The benefits of Dry Ice Blasting.

  • A dry cleaning process- Dry Ice blasting is a completely dry process because dry ice pellets consist of CO2 and vaporize immediately on contact with the surface to be cleaned.
  • No waste disposal - The system produces on wast products. Only the coating that has been removed remains to be disposed of, and this can usually be swept of vacuumed from the floor.
  • Environmentally friendly - Dry ice blasting is completely non-toxic and no hazardous chemicals are used.  Costs connected with the disposal of blasting materials and solvents are saved.
  • No abrasion - Dry ice blasting is non-abrasive and therefore surfaces are treated very gently. Wear and tear resulting from the use of steel brushes, scrapers and other blasting materials is avoided.  
  • Improved production quality - Dry ice blasting often allows for you production equipment to be cleaned while in operation without a need for dismantling or costly downtime.

EPA Products

8/16/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Olympia uses EPA Registered Products

The EPA which is the Environmental Protection Agency was established in the mid 70's due to the increasing need for knowledge of what is being applied and can it really perform what is being claimed to do.  The EPA registration number of a product is the products finger print. Meaning the EPA has done extensive testing of products before the product can acquire a number. Behind this number shows chemical breakdown and safety precautions.  All products will have a MSDS sheet which you can request from the manufacture.  SERVPRO of Olympia is able to remove mold by using an EPA registered product which is for use in mold remediation, water damages, general purpose disinfection, trauma clean-up and deodorization.
The patented formulation combines the power of hydrogen peroxide along with surfactant technology to deliver an activated oxygen species to kill unwanted contaminants. Call SERVPRO of Olympia for all your clean up needs, (360) 754-9689

BE PREPARED BEFORE DISASTER OCCURS

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

Be prepared before this happens to you.

While you are away on vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is water damage to your home. Unfortunately, a water loss can strike at any time, whether or not you are present for it. Here are a few tips you can use to minimize the potential of water damage to your home while you are away.  

Quick pre-departure home inspection

After you have bought your plane tickets and packed your luggage, make sure to do a quick inspection around your home for potential problematic areas. Have a look at the pipes under your sinks, look for any issues with your water heater or furnace, inspect the supply lines that connect your major appliances and check the gutters and roof for any leaks, blockages or abnormalities.

This quick step can greatly reduce the potential for damage while you are away and give you peace of mind in the process.

Turn off the water main

An easy way to insure that you have no water related issues while you are away is to simply turn the water main off. It may be days before someone discovers standing water in their home, and turning off the water main on the way out the door will eliminate the potential to find unwanted surprises when they return.

Hire a house sitter

It’s always a good idea to have a trusted friend, family member or neighbor keep an eye on your home while you are away. Even better if they can stop in once or twice a day to make sure everything is in order. Make sure that whoever you choose receives adequate instructions and emergency contact information.

Nobody wants to return to their home after a fun vacation to find water damage, but sometimes, despite best efforts, they can still happen.

If you do return from your vacation to find water damage in your home, stay calm and contact a reputable water restoration contractor such as SERVPRO of Olympia immediately. The longer you wait, the more there is a chance for secondary damage.  

We are water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-water-damage condition. We use advanced water removal and drying equipment and implement the art of drying principles to get your property dried quickly. If you have experienced a water related disaster in your home, don't delay, call us today  360-754-9689

Save or Not Saved That is the Question

9/11/2018 (Permalink)

It can happen unexpectedly – a squish when you step on the carpet, a rising suspicion as water bubbles up from underneath. With a (hopefully!) quick examination, the source is found: a pipe break. Water damage is a woe for all homeowners, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence for your carpet. 


When Might it be Saved?


There are 3 categories of water damage used for cleanup and repair purposes:

• Category 1 comes from clean sources and has no threat of toxins or harmful material. A pipe break, overflowing sink or tub, or appliance malfunction are all examples of clean water.
• Category 2 is dubbed grey water for its potentially harmful contaminants. Dishwasher overflow, washing machines, or sump pump failures are often culprits of this water damage.
• Category 3 contains high levels of toxins and can be dangerous if contacted or ingested. This includes broken sewage lines and any flooding from the outdoors.

If the water in your home can be classified as category 1, then your chances of restoration are excellent, with the appropriate timing and attention. 


What determines when a carpet may be saved?


A professional water cleanup and restoration company will have the appropriate training and supplies to address your pipe break and resulting damage. With a quick response time and industrial strength machines they may salvage your carpet with minimal issue to you. Of course, every water damage situation is different, but here are just a few examples of what the professionals can do:

• Truck-mounted wet/dry vacuums can remove tons of water in a short amount of time.
• High-tech moisture detectors alongside infrared cameras can source remaining moisture embedded in places unseen to the naked eye.
• Industrial strength fans and dehumidifiers will circulate air more rapidly in your home, speeding up the vital drying process.
• Professional cleaning and sanitizing can ensure your carpets are fully restored and safe. 

Time is of the essence when water damage infiltrates your home. Be sure to know the number for a cleanup and restoration company in Olympia, WA, SERVPRO of Olympia (360)754-9689

For more information, please visit us at www.SERVPROolympia.com 

When a potential dangerous situation may occur

8/15/2018 (Permalink)

When a potential source of danger occurs, SERVPRO of Olympia is ready to clean up any bio-hazard situation

Bio Hazard Cleanup and Restoration

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. A failure to properly remove such substances can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are trained to safely clean and remove biohazardous substances and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety apparatus and cleaning products, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are here to help transform any unsafe environments back into clean, safe homes and offices.

Need Biohazard Cleanup?
Call Us Today (360)754-9689

The decontamination of a home or business due to trauma, sewage backups, chemical spills, hoarding, or other biohazards can be both dangerous and emotional. Specialized training and experience is key when choosing a cleanup company to resolve these circumstances.

The SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide cleanup and recovery services for many biohazard situations. These include the following:

Common Biohazard Scenarios

Sewage Backups

Sewage backups and dark water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits – these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. SERVPRO of Olympia will remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, and help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized.

Hoarder Property Cleanup

8/15/2018 (Permalink)

People with hoarding disorder excessively save items that others may view as worthless.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hoarding-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20356056

People with hoarding disorder excessively save items that others may view as worthless. They have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions, leading to clutter that disrupts their ability to use their living or work spaces.

Hoarding is not the same as collecting. Collectors look for specific items, such as model cars or stamps, and may organize or display them. People with hoarding disorder often save random items and store them haphazardly. In most cases, they save items that they feel they may need in the future, are valuable or have sentimental value. Some may also feel safer surrounded by the things they save.

Hoarding disorder occurs in an estimated 2 to 6 percent of the population and often leads to substantial distress and problems functioning. Some research show hoarding disorder is more common in males than females. It is also more common among older adults--three times as many adults 55 to 94 years are affected by hoarding disorder compared to adults 34 to 44 years old.

Consequences

Hoarding disorder can cause problems in relationships, social and work activities and other important areas of functioning. Potential consequences of serious hoarding include health and safety concerns, such as fire hazards, tripping hazards and health code violations. It can also lead to family strain and conflicts, isolation and loneliness, unwillingness to have anyone else enter the home and an inability to perform daily tasks such as cooking and bathing in the home.

  • Diagnosis 

    Diagnosing Hoarding Disorder

    Individuals with hoarding disorder have difficulty discarding items because of strong perceived need to save items and/or distress associated with discarding. The symptoms result in the accumulation of a large number of possessions that congest and clutter living areas of the home or workplace and make them unusable.

    Specific symptoms for a hoarding diagnosis include:

    • Lasting problems with throwing out or giving away possessions, regardless of their actual value.
    • The problems are due to a perceived need to save the items and to distress linked to parting with them.
    • Items fill, block and clutter active living spaces so they cannot be used, or use is hampered by the large amount of items (if living spaces are clear it is due to help from others).

    The hoarding causes major distress or problems in social, work or other important areas of functions (including maintaining a safe environment for self and others).

    An assessment for hoarding may include questions such as:

    • Do you have trouble discarding (or recycling, selling or giving away) things that most other people would get rid of?
    • Because of the clutter or number of possessions, how difficult is it to use the rooms and surfaces in your home?
    • To what extent do you buy items or acquire free things that you do not need or have enough space for?
    • To what extent do your hoarding, saving, acquisition and clutter affect your daily functioning?
    • How much do these symptoms interfere with school, work or your social or family life?
    • How much distress do these symptoms cause you?

    Mental health professionals may also ask permission to speak with friends and family to help make a diagnosis or use questionnaires (rating scales) to help assess level of functioning.

    Some individuals with hoarding disorder may recognize and acknowledge that they have a problem with accumulating possessions; others may not see a problem.

    In addition to the core features of difficulty discarding, excessive saving and clutter, many people with hoarding disorder also have associated problems such as indecisiveness, perfectionism, procrastination, disorganization and distractibility. These associated features can contribute greatly to their problems functioning and overall severity.

    SERVPRO of Olympia has been trained to handle and clean up after these unfortunate situations.  Call Today (360)754-9689