Archived Why SERVPRO Blog Posts
Oh No! Chemical Spill in Chino Hills?
1/24/2023 (Permalink)
We clean and restore chemical spills in San Bernardino County.
Although our Chino/Chino Hills team is better known for our fire and water restoration services, our technicians are also trained to clean, decontaminate, and restore dangerous biohazards.
These include the following:
- Chemical spills
- Sewage backups
- Crime scene residues
- Suicide/death accidents
- Homicide cleanups
- Blood cleanup
- Accident cleanup
- Hoarding scenes
- Animal waste/remains
- Tear gas cleanup
- Meth lab cleanup
Biohazard spills require professional decontamination services. Here are some safety tips from our website:
What to Do After a Contamination
- Stay out of affected areas
- Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening
- Treat allbodily fluids as if they are contaminated
- Turn off the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) if there is sewage damage
What Not to Do After a Contamination
- Don’t leave wet fabrics in place
- Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors
- Don’t use your vacuum to remove water
- Don’t use television or other electrical appliances
- Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging
Call Us Today!
When you have a chemical spill or biohazard contamination in your Chino Hills home or business, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
Oh No! Chemical Spill in Chino Hills?
1/6/2023 (Permalink)
We clean and restore chemical spills in San Bernardino County.
Although our Chino/Chino Hills team is better known for our fire and water restoration services, our technicians are also trained to clean, decontaminate, and restore dangerous biohazards.
These include the following:
- Chemical spills
- Sewage backups
- Crime scene residues
- Suicide/death accidents
- Homicide cleanups
- Blood cleanup
- Accident cleanup
- Hoarding scenes
- Animal waste/remains
- Tear gas cleanup
- Meth lab cleanup
Biohazard spills require professional decontamination services. Here are some safety tips from our website:
What to Do After a Contamination
- Stay out of affected areas
- Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening
- Treat allbodily fluids as if they are contaminated
- Turn off the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) if there is sewage damage
What Not to Do After a Contamination
- Don’t leave wet fabrics in place
- Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors
- Don’t use your vacuum to remove water
- Don’t use television or other electrical appliances
- Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging
Call Us Today!
When you have a chemical spill or biohazard contamination in your Chino Hills home or business, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
Industrial Grade Equipment Restores Water Damage Quickly in Vellano?
11/8/2022 (Permalink)
We restore water damage 24-hours a day in San Bernardino County.
Our Chino/Chino Hills team uses advanced technology and powerful, industrial-grade equipment to restore water damage in Vellano quickly. Water is invasive, and the longer it remains unmitigated, the more time-consuming and expensive repairs may become. We also document and monitor the drying process to restore the area to normal humidity levels. 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!
Water damage can happen at any time and for many reasons. Pipes break, supply lines fail, and sewers van back up at any time of the day or night. When you have a water damage emergency in your Vellano home or business, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
Why Are We Faster to Any Size Disaster in El Prado?
11/1/2022 (Permalink)
We respond to property damage emergencies 24-hours a day in San Bernardino
Faster to Any Size Disaster in El Prado
Fast mitigation can make the difference between a quick restoration job and a more labor-intensive and expensive repair when you have a fire or water damage emergency. Our Chino/Chino Hills team is on-call and available 24-hours a day to respond to property damage emergencies in El Prado. We follow the one-four-eight-hour rule, meaning:
One hour: we will respond to your call within one hour or less
Four hours: we will be onsite within four hours of your call
Eight hours: we will contact your insurance adjuster within eight hours of your call
Disasters never happen at a convenient time, and they are often stressful and chaotic experiences for everyone in the household or workplace. We will always treat you with the empathy and respect you deserve and treat your belongings with great care and consideration. We have established relationships with all major insurance companies and can help with the insurance process and paperwork. No matter how extensive the damage is, you can rely on us to keep you informed on our progress until the job is completed.
Call Us Today!
When you have a fire or water damage emergency in your El Prado home or business, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
Save time with remodeling and restoration with this one tip
6/1/2022 (Permalink)
At SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills we perform and completely execute commercial and residential construction ourselves.
Whether a remodel or restoration, our services eliminate the client's stress over juggling numerous repair crews as we construct everything in-house.
Our team has streamlined the project coordination process, which means our client will have a single contact from our team to plan the project and answer all questions.
We understand that remodeling and restoration can be stressful, and your goal likely is to ensure that your property is operable as soon as possible. This is the single reason why recruiting an organization that executes everything in-house from beginning to end is vital to the timely completion of your project, due to our ability to coordinate construction work at the same time we're mitigating.
If you're looking for quality workmanship from a cohesive team, SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills is more than happy to ensure that your property is in even better shape than it was before!
Benefits of deep cleaning your floors
6/1/2022 (Permalink)
Did you know that SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills can deep clean your floors? From carpet, to wood, vinyl, porcelain, tile and everything in-between, we have you covered.
Now, to elongate the preservation of your flooring, it’s important to clean them regularly as you see fit, but it’s even more important to deep clean your flooring at least once per year.
Throughout the year, foot traffic brings in damaging dirt and water, which wears heavily on the surface. It’s said that about 70 to 80 percent of a floor's grime comes from front door foot traffic.
Our state-of-the-art equipment and proprietary cleaning products will not only remove hard to remove dirt and grime, but also eliminate odors - completely restoring the vibrancy of your home.
As we step out of the wet winter season and into the blazing hot summer, now is the perfect time to pay extra attention and take care of those floors!
Give us a call anytime, we’re available to you 24/7!
Spring Cleaning
5/3/2022 (Permalink)
We’ve heard it for years and joked, “Oh, you’re doing your spring cleaning?” But, spring cleaning is actually very important to your health and overall wellbeing.
During the winter months, houses often garner buildup on windows from rain and snow, along with extra settled dust on the inside due to not enough air flowing throughout your home.
Performing a spring cleaning doesn’t have to be hours and hours of nitty-gritty cleaning, by creating a small list of chores that were neglected during the winter months, it’ll streamline your flow and help you prioritize the most important tasks.
Here are two reasons you should get on the spring cleaning bandwagon today!
Improved air quality
Unless you’ve been dusting, opening windows, and running an air purifier all winter long, chances are that a lot of dust has settled inside your home.
When spring rolls around, allergies are at an all-time high due to pollen floating throughout the air as new plants begin to bloom, so it’s imperative to dust and wipe down surfaces throughout your home to improve the air quality on the inside.
Strengthened immune system
Dust, mold, mildew, etc., can cause sinus issues in the spring and summer months if not remediated. Vacuuming all rugs, deep cleaning carpets and floors is vital in removing particles from surfaces around your home that will strengthen your immune system.
Sinking Foundations
2/8/2022 (Permalink)
Many regions across the nation are already experiencing heavy rainfall, and we're not even near the peak of winter.
We've already begun to see and hear about property's foundations sinking across America due to heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall can cause the soil around and underneath a property to expand, and when a hot summer or drought follows, it leaves a gully. This can leave an open area for the foundation to sink into.
Though the sinking process of a foundation can take years, here are five signs your property's foundation is at risk:
- Cracks around doors and windows
- Leaning chimney
- Cracks in concrete floor or drywall
- Stair-step brick cracks
- Jammed doors and windows
It's crucial that you keep an eye out for a sinking foundation year-round and take proactive measures to preserve your home's foundation.
A few ways to prevent foundation water damage is by ensuring gutter downspouts release water away from the property's foundation; watering your lawn regularly, along with your foundation to prevent soil shrinkage; and plant trees and vegetation away from your foundation.
If you have any questions, visit SERVPROchinochinohills.com.
Sinking Foundations
2/8/2022 (Permalink)
Many regions across the nation are already experiencing heavy rainfall, and we're not even near the peak of winter.
We've already begun to see and hear about property's foundations sinking across America due to heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall can cause the soil around and underneath a property to expand, and when a hot summer or drought follows, it leaves a gully. This can leave an open area for the foundation to sink into.
Though the sinking process of a foundation can take years, here are five signs your property's foundation is at risk:
- Cracks around doors and windows
- Leaning chimney
- Cracks in concrete floor or drywall
- Stair-step brick cracks
- Jammed doors and windows
It's crucial that you keep an eye out for a sinking foundation year-round and take proactive measures to preserve your home's foundation.
A few ways to prevent foundation water damage is by ensuring gutter downspouts release water away from the property's foundation; watering your lawn regularly, along with your foundation to prevent soil shrinkage; and plant trees and vegetation away from your foundation.
If you have any questions, visit SERVPROchinochinohills.com.
Why?
8/27/2021 (Permalink)
Getting it Done Right!
Let’s talk about WHY SERVPRO. I am going to list just a few of the reasons WHY you would want to make SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills your first call:
- We are faster to any disaster – responding within the first hour and on the road to help you.
- We are empathetic, trained professionals who understand the drying process for water damage and the emotional turmoil you are dealing with.
- We are an IICRC Restoration Company, who is dedicated to getting the job done right.
- We have more than 50 years collectively as a company handling any type of disaster that may come your way.
- We can handle water damage mitigation, fire damage clean-up, mold remediation, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, document restoration, etc. with trained professionals.
Don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills at 909-548-3191 when your next disaster happens and we will make it "Like it never even happened."
Don’t let it get this bad
4/23/2021 (Permalink)
Fires are life-changing. They often happen quickly and with little to no warning. On the off chance that someone has advanced warning that a fire is imminent, there are certain steps that can be taken to protect your business.
- Keep the correct fire extinguisher nearby in all rooms: did you know there are different types of fire extinguishers for different types of fires? Some extinguishers are useless against certain types of fires. For example, using a standard type A fire extinguisher on a grease fire will only temporarily snuff the flames, if at all. Make sure you have the correct types of extinguishers at hand.
- The best way to choke out a fire is to deprive it of oxygen: if a fire hasn’t grown too large and it is safe to do so, try to cut off the flow of new oxygen to a fire. Think of clapping a pot over another pot in the event of a small flare-up on a stove top. Fire needs oxygen to grow and without it, it will flicker out.
- Call 911 first, even if you’re reasonably sure the fire won’t grow out of control: time is everything in a fire. It is the difference between a few scorched chairs or a destroyed kitchen and completely losing your office space.
Fires happen, and that’s just a fact of life. If your business experiences one, give SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills a call today. We can help make it “Like it never even happened.”
The worst time to realize you don’t have a plan is when it’s too late.
4/22/2021 (Permalink)
Purely hypothetical situation: you are hard at work at your office. You have opened three new accounts in the past two days and are hard at work, typing away and building out new profiles for your customers. Thunderstorms have been rocking the local area for the past few days, wreaking havoc on your morning commute and flooding the freeways. However, you barely notice the rain and wind battering your office windows. Suddenly, you smell smoke. You hear yelling from an adjacent office. People are yelling “fire!” and without thinking, you grab your bag and head for the nearest emergency exit. This exact eventuality has been a focal point of the company’s disaster preparedness trainings over the past few years.
You make it out in one piece, with all of your coworkers present and accounted for. The only casualty of this event was your desktop computer with your new acquisition’s information on it. Surely, the customers will understand why there was a bit of a delay on their services.
This situation has happened time and time again, sometimes with tragic results. All too often, people overlook disaster preparedness. Just because something bad hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean something never will.
SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills knows this all too well. Between floods, fires, and everything in between, we have seen the effects of accidents and freak storms on both homes and businesses. That is why we offer our Emergency Readiness Plan (ERP) service. An ERP is essentially your cheat sheet for disaster preparation. One of our trained professionals will work with you on outlining escape routes, water valve shutoffs, phone numbers to pertinent parties to call in case of an emergency, and so much more. We compile all of this information into one consolidated packet so there is no guesswork or tracking down of miscellaneous information that may be necessary.
We are committed to safety for both our team and yours. Give us a call today to schedule your ERP.
Jack was all hopped up on the car wash
4/22/2021 (Permalink)
In light of the events of 2020, a lot of things changed. Some things that many consider societal norms were fundamentally altered, including the ways we communicated and gathered. While many of these restrictive aspects of the “new normal” have begun to slowly slip away into the distant past, some elements have stuck around for the foreseeable future. For instance, online video conferencing as a means of holding high-occupancy meetings via platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams has become not only normal, but somewhat tedious.
Being all too aware of this fact, SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills decided to try and add a fun spin to virtual meetings. We began hosting live Zoom call events centered around holidays and the festivities that would typically go along with them. A great example of this was our Easter event, entitled “A Very Hoppy Easter”. Our marketing team members dressed up in bunny ears, with one of our staff members (Jack) even going so far as to don a full-body bunny costume complete with ears and a tail. The fun didn’t stop there. The winner of the Zoom call was awarded a gift basket, which included a full car wash and auto detailing job. Since we are always trying to outdo ourselves, Jack showed up to the car wash wearing the bunny costume and washed the car while wearing it. The video of this car wash can be found on our Instagram.
Yes, SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills takes our work very seriously but we also know how to have a good time. Ultimately our goal is to make people happy with the work we do, whether that means performing a water mitigation job or washing your car in a full bunny costume.
Pie Anyone?
4/21/2021 (Permalink)
As of today, SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills is now a full-service bar and bakery. Yes, we have a passion for restoration, remediation, and reconstruction and yes, we are one of the oldest and trusted brands in the industry, but our real passion is good cakes and great shakes!
Despite our position as leaders in the industry with over 1,900 franchises across North America, our line of proprietary and patented cleaning agents, and our world-class service and expertise, we no longer offer restoration services. Instead, when a customer calls in with a pipe leak, we take a more modern approach to remedying the problem. Why stress about a little bit of moisture and mold when you can indulge yourself in one of our patented culinary offerings?
For instance, try our Mitigation Mudslide with a slice of Wall-and-Almond pie. Don’t have a sweet tooth? No problem. Sip on a Rebar-Tini and kick back and let that leak run wild!
Yes, we could stick with what we do best and help homeowners make it “Like it never even happened,” but we felt we needed to follow our hearts and do what drives us most.
In case you were wondering, I wrote this on April 1st and yes, you have been fooled. SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills will always be your go-to resource when disaster strikes, be it large or small-scale. A Mitigation Mudslide does sound good, though.
Cleaning the Fourth Wall
2/16/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is a pretty awesome company to work for.
We have an awesome reputation, great support systems, an incredible staff, and best of all, we are innovators. Did we invent something? You bet. We have over 100 proprietary products that we use on the various types of services we perform. Did I mention those services? We restore houses after fire and water events, sure, but did you know that we do graffiti cleanup and bio-remediation? What about reconstruction and mold abatement? The list goes on and on.
My personal favorite aspect of working for SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills is interacting with customers. Are they always happy to see us? No. As a matter of fact, having us over to your home or business is typically a sign that something bad has happened. The way I see it, we are there to help get your life back on track. That’s why one of our slogans is “Like it never even happened.” While the process may sometimes take a little while, we always deliver on that promise. We take it very seriously and make sure to treat each customer like family.
Yep, SERVPRO is a pretty neat place to work. Heck, they even let me talk about how awesome they are in blogs!
While I hope we never need to meet, I look forward to it if the need arises. Feel free to call us any time, day or night (yes, we’re open 24/7) and we will be there.
The Course of a Day
8/18/2020 (Permalink)
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day.
Some people work in offices, some people work on farms, some people raise children, some people seemingly spend all of it on Instagram. After all, those selfies and pictures of dinner aren’t going to take themselves.
The professional technicians at SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills spend their time a bit differently. At 3 AM, most people would be fast asleep, given that they don’t work an overnight job. Our technicians have to be at the ready in case a new loss occurs, be it fire, storm, water, or biological.
Weekends usually spell freedom for most people working a 9 – 5 job. The technicians at SERVPRO of Chino/Chino Hills may find themselves cataloguing personal belongings at a major fire loss, or demolishing drywall at a water loss.
Regardless of the day or time, SERVPRO truly takes no days off when it comes to responding to your home or business in the event of a loss event. We can proudly make claims like “available 24/7” or “Like it never even happened,” because we hold ourselves to high standards and are not satisfied with “good enough”. It is the reason we have over 1,700 locations nationwide and over 50 years in the restoration business.
If you have experienced any type of loss, give us a call today at (909)548-3191.
Ceiling Fan
4/14/2020 (Permalink)
I know it sounds crazy, but you can use your ceiling fan to warm your home.
To be specific, a ceiling fan running clockwise will push warm air back down into your home. Have you ever heard the phrase “heat rises”? That is scientifically accurate. According to the laws of thermodynamics (which have proven to be a reliable source), air closer to the ceiling is warmer than air by the ground. Via todayshowhomeowner.com, “The reason the fan is set to rotate clockwise on low is to keep from creating a strong draft, which would cool you down just like it does in summer. Instead, the air near the ceiling is pushed up and outward, causing it to circulate down near the perimeter of the room. Since the air at floor level is warmer, the thermostat can be set lower, saving money and helping the environment at the same time. Any heat generated by the fan’s motor is a bonus in the winter, so you can keep it running whether you are present in the room or not.”
SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills cares about our customers. We do much more than simply clean up fire and water damage. We are specialists when it comes to mold, biohazard, and more. We are fully equipped to handle any sized disaster or cleanup, whether it is a small pipe leak behind a wall or a major structure fire.
About SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills:
SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a storm damage, fire, and smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
What to do When
4/13/2020 (Permalink)
Business owners are very busy people. Sometimes disasters happen that are outside of our control, like floods and fires. These things can make you feel helpless. Luckily, restoration companies like SERVPRO have the knowledge and tools to get your business back on track.
Advantages of Calling the Pros
SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills is not only trained in disaster restoration; we are certified in it. Whether it's a fire, flood, storm damage or something else, a disaster does not spell the end of your business. The company provides the following benefits:
- The right equipment.
- Industry-standard techniques.
- We respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For Widespread Disasters
For smaller scale losses, our team can typically handle the situation within a day or two. Of course, in the most severe circumstances, more time and work are required. We also have access to 1,700 franchises across the country, so there is truly no disaster that is too big for us to handle.
The Process
Planning is everything. On our first visit, we will assess the situation and lay out our next steps. Technicians will share this information with you so you know the time frame and how it will affect your business. Next, team members clean up the damage. This may entail removing water or addressing smoke damage. Crews will salvage any materials they can. Restoration may include rebuilding the roof, foundation or other areas of the building such as flooring, walls or ceilings.
Given SERVPRO’s track record of success and happy homeowners, you can have complete peace of mind knowing that your home is in good hands.
Natural Disasters
4/13/2020 (Permalink)
Natural disasters like fires, earthquakes, or floods, can be traumatic and major events. This is especially true when your home is damaged. Typically, when this occurs, insurance companies will suggest a restoration and / or mitigation company like SERVPRO to assess the damage and begin repairs. The faster, the better.
After the initial event that causes the damage, you are left with worry, stress, doubt, and uncertainty about what to do next. At this point, most people call their insurance provider to see what can be done.
Our team has always made it a priority to have the best and most current training for home restoration. Our teams have IICRC-certifications for fire and smoke restoration, as well as odor removal. With so many different variables that can occur during a major loss event, it is crucial to ensure that SERVPRO technicians are knowledgeable in restoration practices.
SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills can preliminarily assess the damage to your home, which provides helpful insight to insurance companies. This speeds up the process of getting your home back to normal.
If you have experienced any type of loss, including fire, water, storm, or earthquake, give us a call at 909-548-3191. We are here to help.
DryBook Counts
4/13/2020 (Permalink)
People in the Chino / Chino Hills area know SERVPRO. They’ve seen our bright green vans and trucks helping their friends and neighbors. One of our big claims to fame (as well as one of our slogans) is that we are “Faster to Any Disaster”, and it is true!
One of the tools that makes us so reliable is DryBook. The SERVPRO DryBook is a proprietary tool that manages industry requirements on drying to validate your restoration is done to standard. This tool allows us to restore your home to preloss conditions in a faster and more efficient manner.
When a disaster puts the things that matter most to you on the line, you want to contact the team that is faster to any disaster. Whether a job is big or small, our team will be there to help make it “Like it never even happened,” so you can get back to your home or business and on with your life.
Fireplace Safety
4/13/2020 (Permalink)
Spring in southern California is a strange time of the year. Many people refer to it as “Winter part 2”, as the weather sort of bobs and weaves between dry heat and wind and torrential downpour. On the more gloomy days, people like to kick back in front of the fireplace and watch TV or read a book. While we here at SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills condone this, we also want you to be safe. This is a short list of tips to make your fireplace experience is a good one.
- Ensure the metal screen in the front of the fireplace is free of damage and working properly. This will stop stray sparks and embers from getting out.
- Make sure that all ashes are cool to the touch before disposing of them. Ash can easily reignite, causing a fire.
- Maintain distance between the fireplace and any flammable surfaces.
- Do not use sappy or wet wood in a fireplace. This causes excessive smoke. In addition, superheated sap inside of the wood may pop and explode, sending sparks into the air.
- Only allow professionals to maintain and inspect fireplaces and chimneys.
For additional tips and guidelines, consult a professional or visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website: www.nfpa.org