For Immediate Service in Kirkland, Call SERVPRO

2/3/2023 (Permalink)

We are here to help with your emergency.

SERVPRO of Kirkland provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Kirkland. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – (425) 820-0080

Residential Services

Whether your Kirkland home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or water damage to strike your Kirkland commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

When Storms or Floods hit Kirkland, SERVPRO of Kirkland is ready!

2/3/2023 (Permalink)

Before and after photo of a home affected in the Kirkland December 2019 heavy rain storm.

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

Faster Response

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

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

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

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (425) 820-0080

WINTER IS HERE! PREPARE. PROTECT. PREVENT.

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

This is a before and after photo of a room with a large pipe in the wall that froze and cracked during the Kirkland Freeze of February 2019.

As temperatures drop there are many things to consider in how you manage your home. With heavy rains and freezing temperatures, this check list will help you prepare, protect, and prevent potential damage to your home. 

Drains, Gutters, Downspouts

Winter comes after fall, some might say the two intertwine for a period of time. Regardless, fall creates a lot of debris that often creates blockages in our drains, gutters, and downspouts. This is one way outside water finds its way into our homes because it does not have a proper path to flow out and away. Be sure to clear any debris and check for any cracks or other damage. You want to make sure these systems can properly do their job to protect your home in leading all water away from the structure. 

Exterior Inspection: Roof, Siding, Faucets, and Trees

Protecting your home from winters mayhem starts with an evaluation of the exterior of your home and the surrounding factors. Think of it as your first defense when it comes to winter. Your roof and siding take the blunt force of winter at its best. Be sure to check the shingles on your roof, look for cracked, damaged, loose, or missing ones. This will prevent moisture from finding its way in or giving heat a way out. Shingle repair is far more affordable than an entire roof replacement. Do the same for the siding on your house. Again, repairs on both are easier and more cost efficient than the damage that could occur as a result of not checking. 

It is also very important to remove any hoses connected to exterior faucets and get those covered for the winter to prevent freezing and any damage that could occur from that. Lastly, do a quick evaluation of the trees surrounding your home. All the inspections and preventive measures mean nothing if a branch falls right through your roof. 

Preparing for the Freeze Inside

While the exterior of your home is your primary defense, there are many things to consider inside as well. Frozen pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a single home. Take time to insulate your pipes or check existing insulation and look for any leaks. One way to prevent pipes from freezing is to let the water drip when temperatures plummet.

Next you want to check all doors and windows. You want the cold to stay out and the heat to stay in. This can help with costs for heating in the winter. Caulking is great and inexpensive way to seal any leaks. Shrink film is another great inexpensive solution to keeping the cold out. Both are available at your local hardware store.

Another thing to keep in mind is issues with heating equipment can cause a buildup of Carbon Monoxide in the home. Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer because it is virtually undetectable without a detector, sharing the same symptoms as the common flu. So be sure to get one for your home or test and replace the batteries frequently if you already have one. With that being said, its a good time to have your heating system serviced, this should be done annually.

Mold in Your Home - What to Know!

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Significate mold clean up in Bellevue, WA home after roof leak. Tech is seen wearing a full personal protective equipment suit & using a Hepa Vacuum.

Mold is a very common household problem, it is said that over half the homes in the U.S. have some mold. Although unpleasant, mold surprisingly comes in a variety of miraculous colors including orange, yellow, green, pink, white, black, blue, and brown. Mold plays an important role in the outside environment by breaking down and digesting dead plants and organisms but it's not something we want inside our homes.  

Bathrooms, showers, under sinks, behind refrigerators, in crawlspaces, and windows are just a few of the common areas mold likes to grow. Although, if given the opportunity it will grow anywhere. Mold spores thrive in warm, damp places and start out invisible to the naked eye at the size of just the tip of a needle! Mold can come inside a home from an outside growth through inadequately sealed windows or doors. 

Although mold spores cannot be eliminated entirely, they will not grow in an environment that is dry and well ventilated. Growth can be prevented by drying wet areas immediately, preventing moisture with proper ventilation, and monitoring humidity within the home. Use air conditioners during the humid seasons and exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. 

Other areas to monitor moisture to prevent mold growth: exterior walls and surfaces in need of insulation where condensation can build, air conditioner drip pans, ensure crawl spaces are well ventilated, check for damaged seals around windows and door frames, and check for leaks around your refrigerator, tub, and sinks.

Make sure if you do spot mold and/or notice moisture in the area as well, never put a fan or any sort of air movement on the growth, this will only spread the spores quickly throughout your home.

These are a few simple tips for making sure mold is not growing in your home. If you do discover a mold growth, SERVPRO of Kirkland provides mold remediation services for all types of residential and commercial properties. Call us to schedule an inspection and discuss your options.

SERVPRO of Kirkland Tackles Water Damage Regardless of the Source of the Water

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

The dishwasher leak caused damage to the ceiling, walls, floors and homeowners contents. This photo is taken from the downstairs library.

Water damage restoration is not all about extracting water from a structure and ventilating the area so that drying can take place. Professionals in this area understand the drying theory and how to apply its principles to achieve the drying goal. So, do not make a mistake of thinking that placing drying equipment and spraying products are all that professionals do during the restoration process. We are going to look at the various aspects that professionals consider when attending to such incidents.
 
The amount of water in your property after a water damage event is also crucial. Our SERVPRO technicians start by determining its source - it can be black water, gray water, or clean water. Clean water does not contain waste products, and it is usually water from a treated source. It can come from faulty appliances, overflowing sinks, leaking roofs and burst pipes. Fewer health risks are associated with this category of water; though, it ceases to be clean once it flows across the soil. In most cases, carpets and pads exposed to clean water are salvageable. 
 
Gray water is also known as category 2 water, and it carries waste products - minus human waste. If your washing machine malfunctions and overflows, the water it dumps on the floor is under this category. It may present health risks if a person drinks, touches, or experiences any form of contact. Our SERVPRO team thoroughly cleans carpets exposed to gray water and replaces saturated pads. 
 
Category 3 water is known as black water - though it does not means the water must be black. It is majorly unsanitary water with much debris which exposes humans to health risks. Burst sewage back-ups and floodwater are examples of its sources. It is advisable to replace porous materials, pads, and carpets that are contaminated with black water. 
 
At SERVPRO of Kirkland, we respond immediately to storm, mold, fire, and water damage disasters. Call us at (425) 820-0080 and let us make your property “Like it never even happened.”

Kirkland & Other Eastside Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Pipe Burst in Local Daycare. Extraction Process on a hard surface area. SERVPRO of Kirkland is here to help you make it like it never happened.

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Kirkland basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - (425) 820-0080

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Kirkland and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help (425) 820-0080

Pet Safety During Storms

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Daisy knows a thing or two about emergencies. SERVPRO of Kirkland is here for your emergency services 24/7, Call 425-820-0080.

We all know what we should do when a storm strikes or is about to strike – have an emergency kit ready, know the safest structure in your home, avoid electrical equipment, etc. Nonetheless, have you thought about what to do with your pets when a storm arises? Thorough emergency preparedness is important, particularly in areas where you may be forced to leave your home. As we all know Washington weather is sporadic and unpredictable.

Here are five tips from ASPCA (American Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Center that you can use to help keep your beloved pets safe during storms.

• Shelter – During severe storms it may be easier to take shelter in a basement or small interior room like a bathroom. Make sure pets are acquainted with – and comfortable in – that area of your house and will go there with you easily if need be.
• Poisons – Make sure the shelter inside your home is free of dangers for pets. Many people keep pest poisons in the same basement where they may be sheltering during the storm. Unfortunately, pets are very good at finding baits and many are all too eager to eat it.
• Anxiety – Many pets have storm or firework anxiety and may be prescribed medication to help them cope. Remember, it is always in the best interest to give pets a dose of medication prior to the storm to see how he or she will react – and pets should always get trial runs of medication during periods when the veterinarian is available in case questions arise.
• Evacuation – Among your belongings and in your emergency kits you should have leashes and/or carriers handy, food, medication and water. Pet owners should know where favorite hiding places are for pets so they can easily found during emergencies.
• First Aid – Help keep your pets safe by having a pet first aid kid handy.

SERVPRO of Kirkland is here for all your storm damage need call us at 425-820-0080

5 Pet Safety Tips for Storm Preparedness: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/shelter-health-poison-control/5-pet-safety-tips-storm-preparedness

Pet First Aid Kit: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/saving-lives-shelter-health-poison-control/how-make-pet-first-aid-kit

SERVPRO of Kirkland is Here for Your Water Damage Needs

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Local Residential Home's Crawlspace had a pipe leak.

There are Numerous Water Cleanup Services, but SERVPRO is One of the Best.

SERVPRO of Kirkland got a call from a Local Commercial Business in the witching hours of Saturday Morning with extraction needing to happen ASAP. This Local Business was able to stop the water and then gave the SERVPRO of Kirkland Disaster team a call to get the water extracted. Within a few hours we rounded our team out of their sleep and got on the job fast. We were able to extract the water by early morning and assess the damage and where to go from there. Throughout the next few days, we set up our state-of-the-art Injectidry System, Air Movers and Dehumidifiers to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The buildings manager was pleased with how fast we responded and how efficient we were in order to keep their business running per usual. By the end of the work week, we were able to dry per IICRC Standards and get them on their way for reconstruction.

What Makes SERVPRO a Good Choice for Water Cleanup?

There are several reasons why our company is an excellent choice when you need Water Mitigation in the Kirkland Area. First, we have the training and experience to do the job right. Our company:

- Is the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification IICRC – certified
- Has years of experience helping Kirkland area Homeowners and Commercial Businesses clean and restore their homes
- Employs technicians who are highly-trained, skilled, and certified in tasks, like water damage restoration and applied structural drying per IICRC Standards.

Second, not only are we expertly trained and skilled in handling all your water cleanup needs, but we also have the necessary tools to do the job right. Some of the state-of-the-art tools we use are:

• Extractors
  • Injectidry systems
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Air movers
  • High-tech foggers

SERVPRO of Kirkland is open 24/7 for all your Water, and Fire Emergencies Call 425-820-0080

Top 5 Water Damage Issues in Homes

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Water Extraction in a Local Commercial Business due to a faulty sprinkler head.

Water damage in homes can be brought about by many underlying issues but there are couple issues that can more likely be the cause than others. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety did a study to find what causes the most water damage in homes, here are some of the things they found out. (*Tip – Make sure you know where your main water line is and that it is able to turn off [can possibly be rusted and unable to turn]).

1. Plumbing System Failure- There are two types of plumbing system failures. The first is frozen pipes in which you would need to drain before winter comes (when the main water supply is off). The second would be material failures such as piping, fittings, molding and resin defects, etc.
2. Plumbing Drain System Failure- Most failures occur when the sewer drain backs up and overflows into the home or is a result from material issues such as leaking or corroded pipes.
3. Toilet Failure- This will happen if you have faulty valves or clogged drain lines. You should inspect your toilet’s inner workings about every 6^th months.
4. Water Heater Failure- These typically happen when your water heater has had some internal damage due to rusting, leaks, etc. *Tip – Know how old your water heater is by checking the serial number. The serial number contains the date that the water heater was manufactured.
5. Washing Machine Failure- The cause behind washing machine failure usually from the supply-line, machine overflow or drain line failure.

What you should and should NOT do in the event of a water damage

These are DO's and DON'TS Emergency Tips for water damage which will assist you in taking quick proper action to help you reduce damage and increase the chances of successful restoration before help arrives.

Sanitary Water-Clear

DO:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.

DON'T:

• Do Not Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may occur.
• Do Not Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Do Not Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items including furniture with stain on wet carpets or floors as this may cause staining.

Contaminated Water-Gray, Black or Sewage

DO:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.

DON'T:

• Do Not Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Do Not Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Do Not Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminants.
• Do Not Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated area.

In the event of a water damage, make sure to call SERVPRO of Kirkland for your emergency Water and Fire damage mitigation. Contact us at (425) 820-0080! We are open 24/7/365!   

SERVPRO of Kirkland’s Do’s, Don’ts, and restoration process after A fire

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

House fire in Kirkland, WA.

What To Do After A Fire

• After the home has been assessed and the structural integrity of the home is not compromised Limit the movement in the home to prevent soot particles from embedding into the carpets, upholstery, rugs, or any high traffic areas.
• Place Clean towels or clean old linens over any furniture, carpet, upholstery, rugs, or any high traffic areas to prevent you from tracking any soot elsewhere in the home.
• Change the HVAC Filter as there may be debris, soot, or other foreign materials in the filter.
• If you are without electricity, make sure to empty your freezer and refrigerator and keep the doors open.
• To prevent any soot particles from entering any other air registers tape double layers of cheesecloth over the air registers.
• If you have plants in your home, make sure to wipe off both sides of the leaves.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls, painted surfaces, or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your SERVPRO of Kirkland Franchise.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or has visible damage. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor and ruin your clothes.

SERVPRO’s Fire Restoration Process

Every fire damage is unique, therefore, will require a unique restoration process. However, here are steps to our typical fire restoration services:

• Fire damage assessment: Our trained technicians at SERVPRO of Kirkland will thoroughly examine the house to determine the extent of the fire, soot, and smoke damage.
• Content Removal: Our SERVPRO of Kirkland contents processing technicians will help get all your belongings in order. If there are contents that are visibly damaged those will be removed first to prevent the transferal of soot particles getting on any other contents that could be salvageable. All other belongings will be removed from the home whether it is items being stored, non-salvageable, or going through a cleaning process to save what content we can.
• Water Removal: If there is water damage, we will extract any standing water and use our state-of-the-art Air Movers to dry soaked items, flooring, walls, and roof.
• Smoke and soot repair: We have the right products and techniques to remove soot from walls and other surfaces.
• Cleaning: Our skilled professionals will clean and sanitize all the restorable items damaged by the fire. We will also ensure that your home is free from the acidic fumes and odor of the fire by using a technique called thermal fogging. 

If you ever need quick and professional fire restoration, do not hesitate to check out SERVPRO of Kirkland. Regardless of day or night, we are always available to help you! (425) 820-0080