What Steps Can I Take If My Home in Kailua Floods?

10/17/2022 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24-hours a day in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua restores storm and flooding damage every year in Kailua. Here are some tips from our website on things you can do while waiting for help to arrive:

1. Stop the Source

When water flow is current, stop the water supply to the direct source. If you cannot shut off the direct source, shut off your home's water main. In the case you are unaware of where your water shut-off is, call the Board of Water Supply, and they can direct and inform you of where your water shut-off is. 

Call a plumber if you cannot stop the water flow. 

2. Call Our Kailua Office

Call Us! We offer our services 24 hours a day and will dispatch an emergency technician to begin the mitigation process. 

3. Call Your Insurance Carrier

Call your insurance carrier and get your insurance claim number. With your insurance claim number, we can work with your insurance company throughout the mitigation process of your home.

4. Prevent Further Damage

To prevent any further damage to your home:

• Remove any rugs to prevent bleeding
• Place tin foil or wax paper between furniture and wet carpet

Call Us Today!

When your Kailua home or commercial business has storm damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Halloween Safety Tips for Children and Families in Kailua?

10/11/2022 (Permalink)

We are leaders in fire damage restoration services in Honolulu County!

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua wants everyone to have a safe and fire-damage-free Halloween celebration this year. Here are some Halloween trick-or-treating safety tips for children from Farmers Insurance:

Walking with Children (Keiki)

• Know your surroundings - do not trick-or-treat in unfamiliar areas. It's safer near your neighbors!
• Street safety - remember to always cross at designated crosswalks and to wait until the light is green if you're standing at a traffic light. Cars may not be able to see you if it is evening time.
• Costume care - it's important to remember to check your keiki's costumes. It's ideal for the outfit to fit comfortably and not be lengthy (to avoid tripping).
• Stay distanced - to ensure safety, don't forget to social distance and remember to respect other trick-or-treaters' space.
• Bring a flashlight - don't forget to pack a flashlight so that you can see unlit areas and objects that are hard to see at dusk.
• No running! - running to a designated area can cause an accident. Prevent any scrapes, bruises, and spilled candy by walking.

Call Us!

When your Kailua home or commercial business has fire damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

My Kitchen Flooded in Laie, Now What Should I Do?

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

We are leaders in water damage restoration services in Honolulu County!

Aloha! When you discover water damage in your Laie home or business, the first step is to call us. Our local team in Kailua is on standby 24-hours a day to respond to your call for help. Water is invasive and can cause severe damage in as little as one to two hours. Fast action is necessary to avoid further damage and more costly and time-consuming repairs.

When you call, we will ask you questions regarding the nature of your water damage emergency. These questions will tell us how many people and what equipment and resources to bring.

Here are the questions we will ask:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Water Damage Restoration Process

Step 1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment

Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction

Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification

Step 5: Cleaning and Repair

Step 6: Restoration

Call Us Today!

When your Laie home or commercial business has a water damage emergency, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Very Happy Water Damage Customers in Kailua?

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

We aim for gold stars from all of our valued customers in Honolulu County!

Aloha! Our local Kailua team restores water damage “Like it never even happened.” No job is too big for us, as we have the training, equipment, and experience to return any water damage to preloss condition quickly and efficiently. Here are some recent Google reviews that say it all!

“We were fortunate to have Zai, Roger, and their whole team. We were impressed with their efficiency, professionalism, friendliness, and their “we can do it” attitude. Zai’s ability to multitask and stay on top of things amazed me, always informing us what was happening. We appreciated their work ethic and their determination to complete each day’s tasks and always cleaning up. They patiently listened to our needs & gave great suggestions. They were always positive and cheerful.” Lei Hi

Services: Flooring, Plumbing, Painting, Remodeling, Water damage-related cleanup & repair

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

“Zai and her team were great! She is always quick to answer my questions and is very helpful! Easy to work with, finished the job fast, and the house looks better before damaged! They cleaned up after their mess and painted my walls which was a plus! I would recommend them!” Janette Valdez

Services: Mold damage restoration, Water damage-related cleanup & repair, Water damage-related mold removal

Call Us Today!

When your Kailua home or business has a water damage emergency, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Our technicians are on call 24-hours a day to respond to water damage emergencies. Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Rain Causes Water Damage in Kailua Home?

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

We use industrial-grade equipment to remove water from homes in Honolulu County quickly.

Aloha! Our local Kailua team has been restoring storm and flooding damage for Kailua locals for years. Our fast emergency response time saves our customers time and money. We use powerful, industrial-grade water extraction and drying equipment to quickly pull the water out of the structure. Here are some examples of the equipment we use:

Moisture Detection and Measurement

• Surface moisture meters
• Infrared imagery
• Evasive moisture detectors
• Video borescope

Water Extraction Equipment

We use powerful extraction equipment to speed the drying process by removing the bulk of the water from your home or business.

• Submersible and gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high-level water
• Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal

Drying Equipment

We use industrial-strength air movers and dehumidifiers to remove the remaining moisture from ceilings, walls, and floors. Proper drying helps to prevent swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.

• High-speed air movers cause moisture to evaporate at a faster pace
• Industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air

Call Us Today!

Storm damage can happen at any time of the day or night. When your Kailua home or commercial business has storm damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Our technicians are on-call to respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day. Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

How Will My Smoke Damage Be Restored in my Kokokahi Home?

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

We use many methods to clean and restore smoke damage in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local Kailua team uses several methods to remove smoke damage from structures in Kokokahi. Every fire has a unique signature comprised of the items that burned during the fire. Here are some examples of the kinds of equipment we may use:

Air Scrubber or Filter

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning system (HVAC) air scrubber, or a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) air purifier can capture larger smoke molecules. There will still be some residual odor from smaller molecules or surface residues.

Ozone Generator

An ozone generator is a fast and highly effective smoke odor restoration method. These machines emit ozone, which follows the same paths through the air as smoke and oxidizes any residual traces in the air or on surfaces.

Thermal Fogging

Thermal fogging is an intensive treatment involving fogging machines. After residents evacuate, smoke cleaning professionals fill a structure with petroleum distillates that neutralize odors and ventilate the area.

Hydroxyl Generator

A hydroxyl generator is a slower and gentler alternative to ozone. These machines rely on ultraviolet light to generate hydroxyl radicals that eliminate smoke odors. It will take about three to five days of continuous operation to achieve the same results as a single ozone treatment.

Vapor Modification

Vapor modification is another odor elimination method that relies on aromatic compounds and a blower or fan to neutralize smoke odor

Call Us Today!

When your Kokokahi home or commercial business has smoke damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

How to cleanup after a flood

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Water damaged home from flooding

When a disaster occurs, it's hard to know where to start. Many times after a major flood damage, your first thought may be to start cleaning things up. 

It's important to "first", find out your options. There may be insurance coverage or flood cleanup help that is available to you. And sometimes it can take time. And whether you hire a flood cleanup company or not, they can be a great resource for help. 

Initial Safety Inspection

Your first priority is your safety. It's a very normal reaction to want to start cleaning up. For a flood damage, many times homes or structures may contain sewage damage. 

During a flood water levels rise. They overwhelm the local sewers. The raw sewage contaminates the water, which then contaminates the homes and structures that it floods. 

If you don't know how to assess the safety of your home, your local flood cleanup company can help.

Flood Cleanup Insurance 

In some parts of the US, there are high-risk flood areas that already need flood insurance. Find out from your insurance provider if you have any coverage for your property for a flood. 

One thing to note if you in-fact do have flood insurance coverage is to find out what the flood insurance covers. Many time it is not all-inclusive. Meaning, you may only receive help for part of what needs to be repaired on your property.  

It's important to know this if you decide to hire a flood cleanup company.  You don't want to be stuck with a bill for more than what your insurance will cover you for. 

Removing Contents to Discard or Salvage  

As mold can grow within 24 hours, it’s important to work quickly when removing your belongings. It’s also important to note that long term flooding will likely ruin most contents. Rescue your most valuable items, but never at the expense of your own safety. 

• Remove all furniture and contents to allow for cleanup of the structure. Solid wood and metal furniture may be salvageable.
• Saturated mattresses and furniture should be discarded.
• Carpet, padding and drywall should always be replaced as well as rugs. 
• Most food products should be discarded. Sealed and canned goods may be cleaned and salvaged.
• Photos and important papers can be frozen within plastic bags in a frost-free freezer until there is time to thaw and clean them, perhaps by a professional.
• Flooded appliances will need to be inspected by a professional before use.
• Any material that is discarded should be kept for your insurance adjuster to inspect.

Cleaning and Drying 

Remove any mud and silt with a shovel. A garden hose can be used to wash hard surfaces. 

Once the structure is completely cleaned, dying fans and dehumidifiers can be used to correctly speed up and dry out the structure. 

Appliances that have direct exposure to sunlight may cause irreversible damage if left out too long. You can also increase the airflow with the use of drying fans which you can rent at your local hardware store. Air-dry is best for your personal belongings.

Gently clean fragile objects so as not to damage them. Use soft brushes and cloths and avoid rubbing which can cause scratches and damage. 

Focus on your most important belongings as you may not be able to salvage everything. 

During a major disaster, your local flood cleanup companies will find themselves overwhelmed. As a result out-of-state flood cleanup companies may come in for support and help. 

It is important to hire a good flood cleanup company. But how do you know a good company from a bad one? Here are the most common complaints our disaster team hears when we travel to a flood: 

• "The company I hired had a few guys come out to start the cleanup. But now, I can't get them to come back. They keep telling me tomorrow." 
• "I stayed home from work and the company I hired no-showed. I've called multiple times. I've already paid half down." 
• "I paid for a flood cleanup on my property but now there is a smell and I can't get the company that did the cleanup to come back". 

We hear these types of complaints quite often during a major disaster. At SERVPRO of Kailua we have a dedicated Storm Disaster Team. We get called in to assist our local Franchisees when they get overwhelmed after a major flood. 

We resolve issues like this by doing the following: 

• To speed up the process we assign one full crew at a time to a structure. This also helps us schedule the next property on-time as we know exactly when we'll be done.  Many times flood cleanup companies will bounce their labor crews back and forth. This only delays the completion of the project. 
• We always call in advance if there is ever a change to the schedule so you're not left waiting for someone that was never planning on showing up. 
• We are a preferred vendor for most insurance carriers nationwide. To maintain a "preferred" status we follow industry standards, local laws and city ordinances to a "T". 

What's good about hiring a flood cleanup company at SERVPRO is one, we are all locally owned and operated. And two, we are all part of a National Franchise which can offer support if there is ever an issue for work that's been performed to your home or structure.

For questions or to schedule a no-charge inspection, call us 24/7 at 808-235-5015 and one of our experience coordinators can further assist you.

How Common Is Water Damage in Kailua Homes?

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

We are leaders in water damage restoration services in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua is trained and certified to restore water damage by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the nonprofit certifying body for the cleaning and restoration industries. Here are some interesting facts about water damage claims:

The most common causes of water damage are:

• Severe weather
• Clogged gutters
• Leaking pipes
• Washing machine water supply line leaks
• Condensation from air conditioners
• Blocked drains
• Malfunctioning sprinkler systems
• Leaking water heaters

Here are some more facts about water damage:

• 14,000 people have a water damage emergency each day
• 98 percent of basements in the United States will experience some type of water damage during their lifespans
• 37 percent of homeowners in the United States claim to have suffered losses from water damage
• 5 billion is the annual cost to insurance companies from water damage and mold in the United States
• $6975 is the average cost of a home water damage insurance claim
• The average age of failed washing machine supply line hoses is 8.7 years
• 75 percent of water heaters fail before they are 12 years old

Call Us Today!

Water damage can happen at any time of the day or night in Kailua, and when it does, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

My Business in Kailua Has Mold Damage - Now What?

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

We are trusted leaders in commercial mold damage restoration in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua has been restoring mold damage for Kailua businesses for years. Our technicians are trained and certified to remediate mold following this comprehensive process:

1. Emergency Contact

We’ll ask you questions to determine the necessary equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

We follow local and state laws regarding inspection and documentation based on your unique situation.

3. Mold Containment

We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to prevent mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

4. Air Filtration

We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing mold-infested porous materials may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

6. Cleaning Contents

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may require the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Call Us Today!

When you discover a mold outbreak in your commercial business or home, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

How Can I Prevent a Party Light Fire in Laie?

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

We are trusted leaders in fire damage restoration services in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Do you know that electrical fires are one of the top causes of fires? Our local team in Kailua wants Laie locals to be safe around outdoor electricity and offer these tips for staying safe around electrical equipment and powerlines.

Powerlines

Have a professional tree cutting service trim branches that might fall on electric wiring. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder outside. Keep the ladder at least 10 feet away from power lines. Never touch anyone or anything in contact with a downed wire. Power lines may be live; stay a safe distance away. Report downed wires to authorities right away.

 Equipment Safety

• Have a qualified electrician do all electrical work
• To prevent an electric shock, make sure all your outside electrical receptacles are ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected
• Use lighting and power tools that are listed by a qualified test laboratory and make sure they are made for outdoor use
• Store your electric tools indoors
• Keep electric tools away from children
• Check lighting and extension cords for damage before using. Replace damaged cords right away.
• Use extension cords listed by a qualified test laboratory and marked for outdoor use. Extension cords are not meant for long-term use.

Call Us Today!

Fire damage can happen at any time. When your home or commercial business in Laie has fire damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.